Fishing texas ANNUAL 202 0
When
EVERYTHING is perfect
Advertising Section
BEAT THE DARK WITH COAST LIGHTS
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
VERSATILITY REIMAGINED
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
BRASS MICROMODULE GEAR ENHANCED DURABILITY
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Fishing
real texas hunting, real texas fishing Fishing texas ANNUAL 2 02 0
texas A N N UAL 2 02 0
When
EVERYTHING is perfect
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Advertising Section
About the Cover:
The ideal conditions in a pristine setting combine to create the perfect fishing morning along the Texas coast. G3 Boats
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Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 21628300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $35 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $3, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2020 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to news@ lonestaroutdoornews.com.
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
D.O.A. Lures
Big fish
By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News
SHINE at D.O.A. event
B
STRING FINGER GUARDS
EZ•REST ™ CONTAINED BRUSH ARROW REST
D.O.A. Lures hosted a fishing event for media professionals at South Padre Island in early March, and for the 40 or so people involved, the fishing was great. Capt. Brian Barrera, who organized the D.O.A. pro staffers and the fishing, said the timing of the trip couldn’t have been better for the attendees from publications and social media outlets. “We got lucky with the weather,” he said. “This time of year, we’ve only been getting small cool fronts, and then the fishing turns back on. Everybody caught a ton of trout.” And a good number of big specks were landed. “On my boat, we caught four trout over 29 inches, and two over 30 in the four days,” Barrera said. “We also caught lots of redfish both in the slot and over the slot schooling in crystal clear
water, and we landed around 10 snook.” A full moon tide had water levels up, with the trout hanging in shallow depressions in shallow water and hitting the PT7 top-waters, 4-inch C.A.L. swimbaits and 3-inch C.A.L. shad in morning glory. Barrera said the PT7 was the best for the big trout in shallow water. “But you had to be careful not to get stuck in the shallow water when the tide would move out,” Barrera said. D.O.A. owner Mark Nichols took time away from his daily fishing schedule in Florida to come to Texas; and he jumped from boat to boat, teaching each fisherman and his pro staffers the best ways to work his lures. He was seen on social media admiring fish the others’ caught. After the fishing, the group enjoyed their downtime cooking some good local food and enjoying the views of the bay.
WFISHING
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VISIT YOUR LOCAL DEALER, OR FIND US ONLINE AT WWW.TRUGLO.COM FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
CARPEDO ™ BOWFISHING ARROW
All bowfishing points are available individually or as complete arrows
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Exceed expectations with dual console Sportsman 1910 It’s rare to achieve key improvements in a top-of-the-line fishing machine in just one model year. The new 2020 Sportsman 1910 does just that. Every angler will appreciate the upgraded deck layout, exclusive bench seat design and optional upgrades, including a convenient port console. The revised front deck layout features an easy-access center rod locker, organized to hold up to 8 1/2-foot rods. Extra-large storage boxes now have a “rain-seal” molded lip and are secured by anchor-shaped compression latches. Your gear is always protected and dry. Fishing comfort is ensured with a highback pedestal chair and recessed trolling motor foot control. A Minn Kota 70 pound, 24-Volt Maxxum trolling motor is standard. Cup holder and accessory tool slots are nearby. The upscale console provides a true “command central.” In-dash Lowrance electronics and Yamaha controls position anglers for success with every fishing opportunity. A dynamic cockpit area features hydraulic steering with a sportstyled tilt wheel, sterling gauges and convenient switch panel. Another upgrade consists of a USB charging port. Exclusive G3 design enhances the driver and passenger seating with a new floating headrest for extra comfort. Under-seat storage for small items provides quick access all day long. A spacious 33-gallon divided livewell with pump-out is flanked by tackle storage on the stern deck. Tackle trays are standard equipment. A standard three-bank battery charger makes sure you’re always ready to go. Experience true high performance with the optional Yamaha VF150 SHO motor as it powers your 1910 model out of the hole in less than 3 seconds, and reaches a top-end speed of over 50 mph. The Sportsman lineup includes five popular color options including two Mossy Oak camo patterns. Other options include additional Lowrance electronics for bow placement and Power Pole shallow water anchors. Catch the new 2020 Sportsman 1910 Dual Console at your dealer soon. Make G3 and Yamaha your fishing partners and live the G3 life!
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Specifications Length 19’ 10” Beam 92” Bottom width 64” Transom height 20” Maximum HP Yamaha 150 Fuel capacity 21 gallons Livewell 15" x 45"
Lone Star Outdoor News
G3 BOATS
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NEW EC2.5 COMBOS FOR ALL-PURPOSE PERFORMANCE Eagle Claw, long a standard bearer for quality fishing gear at affordable prices, brings a new benchmark series of fishing rods and reels in its new EC2.5 series. Spinning combos offer anglers versatile performance in several popular lengths and actions. The rods featured in the combos consist of high-end, quality components such as a 24-ton graphite blank, premium Seaguide guides designed to reduce tangling, full-length cork handles and a modern, nonreflective midnight black finish. The spinning reels feature 9+1 ball bearings, lightweight graphite bodies and an aluminum spool, while internal brass gears and a carbon disc drag system create a reel designed for consistency and reliability. The result is a versatile, all-pupose combo tough enough to stand up to a wide range of target species and conditions, but still sensitive and fun to fish. The 6’6” rods are available in 1- or 2-piece; fast or extra fast action; and medium light, medium or medium heavy power.
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
BETTER TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT, THAN TO NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT This truism of gun ownership can also apply to owning a better, more refined gun. So why settle for a striker-fired pistol with an OK trigger and a few generic grip options when the HK VP9 or VP9SK have great triggers and 27 different fitment combinations? Options too, are better to have . . .
VP9 (9 mm) 2020 Update - 17 round magazine - New sight configuration - Optics-ready cut
VP9SK (9 mm) with 10 round magazine
www.hk-usa.com • 706-568-1906
Visit Your Local Texas HK Premium Dealer to Learn More! A Place to Shoot San Antonio, 210-628-1888 Abilene Indoor Gun Range Abilene, 325-698-4224 Able Ammo Huntsville, 936-295-5786 AJC Sports Clute, 979-265-4867 Ally Outfitters Midland, 972-332-3700 Ally Outfitters Richardson, 972-332-3700 Alpha Armory Houston, 888-932-7660 Alpine Shooting Range Ft Worth, 817-478-6613 Americana Arms, LLC Beeville, 361-362-3673 Athena Gun Club Houston, 713-461-5900 Buck & Doe’s Mercantile, LLC San Antonio, 830-980-3637
C.A.C Tactical South Lake, 888-211-8191 Caroline Colt Company LLC Abilene, 325-232-7501 Caroline Colt Company LLC Abilene, 325-232-7501 Carroll’s Gun Shop Whaton, 979-532-3175 Carter’s Country #2 Houston, 713-461-1844 Carter’s Country #3 Pasadena, 713-475-2222 Carter’s Country #4 Houston, 281-879-1466 DFW Shooting Sports Bedford, 817-285-0664 Champion Firearms College Station, 979-693-9948 CMC Government Supply Dallas, 214-773-0129 Collectors Firearms Houston, 713-781-5812
Danny's, Inc. McAllen, 956-687-4692 Defender Outdoors, LLC Aubrey, 817-935-8377 DFW Gun Club Dallas, 214-630-4866 Dury's Gun Shop San Antonio, 210-533-5431 Fun Guns Waco, 254-755-0080 Glick Twins Pharr, 956-787-429 Grabagun.com Coppell, 972-552-7246 Guns Warehouse LLC Cedar Park, 512-986-7330 Hoss Arms, LLC New Braunfels, 830-609-8891 John Doe Investigations, LLC Lewisville, 214-773-0129 Kirkpatrick Gun & Ammo Laredo, 956-723-6338
Lonestar Guns Gallery & Gear Weatherford, 817-599-9275 Marksmen Firearms One, LLC Mansfield, 817-453-8680 McBride's Guns Austin, 512-472-3532 Misson Ridge Range & Academy San Antonio, 210-504-9000 Mister Guns LLC Plano, 214-901-7429 Modern Pawn & Guns Corpus Christi, 361-993-9390 Nagel's Gun Shop, Inc. San Antonio, 210-342-5420 Nardis Gun Club San Antonio, 210-369-9199 Omaha Outdoors Rosenberg, 713-703-4648 Past & Blast Antiques & Firearms Whitesboro, 903-564-5444 Point Blank Sporting Goods Pharr, 956-992-8799
Primary Arms Houston, 713-344-9600 Ranger Firearms of Texas Inc. San Antonio, 210-822-4867 Ray's Hardware & Sporting Goods Dallas, 214-747-7916 Red’s Indoor Range - North Pflugerville, 512-251-1022 RifleGear.com Plano, 949-292-7678 S & K Arms Company, LLC Midland, 432-704-5127 Sharp Shooters Knife & Gun Inc Lubbock, 806-791-1231 Southwestern Firearms, Inc. Midlothian, 972-617-7056 Sportsman's Finest Austin, 512-263-1888 Spring Guns & Ammo Spring, 832-299-1950 Superior Pawn & Gun Tyler, 903-592-4006
Texas Gun Club Stafford, 832-539-7000 Texas Gun Expierence Grapevine, 817-285-5664 The Arms Room Dickinson, 232-226-5252 Weby Corp Arlington, 800-851-9329 Wheeler Feed & Outfitters Boerne, 830-249-2656 Xtreme Guns & Ammo Richmond, 832-363-3783 VISIT WWW.HK-USA.COM
Power fishing with Power Tackle rods
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On Sam Rayburn Reservoir, anglers Brian Shook and Danny Iles landed a five-bass, 49.31-pound limit using big crankbaits. And they were using Power Tackle’s “The One” rods. “When throwing the big crankbaits, you need to be able to make long casts all day, so the rod has to be lightweight,” said Tim Reneau, a tournament angler and the founder of Power Tackle Rods. “Then, when a fish hits, especially at the end of that long cast, you have a big lure with up to 2/0 hooks. You need the power to be able to get the hook to stick in the fish’s mouth.” Power Tackle’s cranking rods, including the new “The One 03MHM,” represent the culmination of 13 years of angler-driven research, development and product design. “It’s a great blank, the best on the market for this type of fishing,” Reneau said. “It’s a true moderate rod, meaning it bends right in the middle. It’s perfect for throwing the bigger 8XD and 10XD crankbaits. Those lures are too much for the normal glass cranking rods.” Following Power Tackle’s “The One” is the newest in the series, the 03 Power, in 7’10”, 7’6” and 7’3” lengths. The 7’10” length is the ultimate oversized crankbait rod, while the shorter rods are perfect for lighter jigs, swim jigs and chatterbaits. Power Tackle designs and builds its top-quality bass rods by hand from its workshop in Richland Springs. “We relentlessly source the best components and never compromise on quality — the Power Tackle name means craftsmanship, performance and durability, and we stand behind our claims with a 100-percent money-back guarantee,” Reneau said.
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THE LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS FOUNDATION CREATES HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES, BENEFITS YOUTH EDUCATION, SUPPORTS WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND OUTDOOR JOURNALISM.
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
When
EVERYTHING is perfect By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News
You head out at first light and the bay is calm, at least by Texas standards. Getting out at the dock, the warm humid air and salty bay aroma hits you in the face. As you come out of the harbor, it all looks great. No wind; the sun is trying to pierce its way through the dense cloud cover; and there are few other boats to contend with. It’s the perfect morning. Surely the fish are going to bite. You make your first cast, thinking this is going to be the perfect day. But nothing happens. Then a second, and a third. What is happening? Finally, the clouds give way to the sun, the temperature is rising, and the wind picks up. It might not be as perfect a setting, but you still make the cast into the choppy waters. It starts to happen as your G3 bay boat drifts along the grass line. The fish turn on, and you and your friend begin landing redfish and a few speckled trout. As the morning continues, the winds get stout and start to howl. Your cap blows off and you retrieve it. But the fish are still biting. It was the best of both worlds. The perfect morning; and then the perfect fishing morning.
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Lone Star Outdoor News
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Your getaway in the LOWER LAGUNA MADRE By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News There’s something to be said about an individual or entity that has a signature lure named after them. In the outdoor industry, there’s a reason why Getaway Lodge at Port Mansfield has earned this recognition of excellence. The Getaway Lodge Jalapeno Popper, manufactured by KWigglers, is a color scheme that is attracting a lot of attention to the line of soft plastic baits. Named after the lodge that’s tucked away in the quiet harbor town of Port Mansfield on the pristine, game fish-filled waters of the Lower Laguna Madre, these lures are the only ones inspired by an outfit along the Texas Coast. When they were first developed, the lime-colored soft plastics sporting a pumpkinseed back and a white tail were only available exclusively through Getaway Lodge. Their effectiveness and popularity have escalated to the point that they are now in the process of becoming a part of the regular KWigglers inventory. Beyond the lures, Getaway Lodge has an exceptional reputation. From facilitating world-class saltwater adventures within an incredible fishery to promoting coastal relaxation of its finest, the operation holds true to its name. A trip to the lodge is in fact a true Texas getaway. Lodge owner Mike Sutton and General Manager Sandra Garza are in their seventh season of managing the facility and its operations, along with the help of the lodge’s hospitality manager, Capt. Steve Ellis, Sutton, Garza and their staff of guides and various personnel make it their mission to see that guests get just what they want out of their time spent in coastal South Texas. It's only a short 45-minute drive from the Harlingen airport. The luxurious amenities and accommodations speak for themselves. The food is exquisite and the atmosphere is inviting. And then, there’s the fishing. Located just 9 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the only thing that stands between you and exciting bluewater action is a short ride in a quality vessel. Getaway Lodge offers offshore trips out of both seaworthy bay boats and a 46-foot Bertram sportfishing yacht. Whether you’re after state water red snapper, or tuna, sailfish or billfish, the outfit can do it all. Along the clear, seagrass-laden flats of the Lower Laguna Madre, a variety of inshore fishing options await guests. Wading and drifting with artificial lures, sight casting, fly-fishing and pursuing a plethora of species with live bait are all finely-tuned specialties within the operation’s repertoire. Speckled trout, redfish, flounder and black drum are typically among the species targeted. No matter the group’s size or previous saltwater fishing experience, Getaway Lodge at Port Mansfield will handle all the details, so that you and your colleagues, customers, friends or family members can relax and focus on the important stuff. At the end of the experience, you’ll find yourself wishing that the adventure had only just begun.
Mike Sutton and Nate Skinner
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
GET PROACTIVE WITH YOUR PRIVATE LAKES Private lakes are each like a mini ranch, with each creating its own set of rewards and challenges. But unlike ranches, where managers utilize trail cameras and helicopter surveys to learn about the deer and other wildlife, in the lakes, the problems are below the water’s surface, out of view and often out of mind. Dealing with problems after they occur involves more effort and expense than seeing them before they happen. At Lochow Ranch Lake Management, recognizing unseen issues on private lakes, including those that managed to grow better and bigger largemouth bass, along with other sportfish or food fish, is their job. With the company’s top-notch group of biologists and fleet of boats and experience in managing more than 6,000 private lakes in Texas and its surrounding states, Lochow Ranch will help you navigate the challenges of managing a lake for fishing, recreation or both. This year, with all the uncertainty in the oil market and reduced recreational opportunities brought on by the widespread closings caused by coronavirus, Lochow Ranch is seeing a lot more use of recreational properties and their fisheries by owners and their families. “We love that the landowners are able to enjoy fishing for and cooking the fish they have put so much care in raising,” Lochow Ranch President John Jones said. This year, it seems the management focus is more on
making sure the investment in improvements to date are not lost during the current turbulence of 2020. Lochow Ranch offers a monthly retainer program where biologists will service your lakes and solve issues before they become problems. “Having a sound monitoring program is essential for maintaining self-sustaining fisheries,” Jones said. “For our clients, we do three or more electrofishing surveys each year to closely monitor populations dynamics and make adjustments proactively.” Management practices like pelleted feeding, fertilizer addition, habitat improvement, bass harvest and vegetation control provide the foundation for your lake to thrive through Texas’ changing weather conditions year to year. “Each lake on your property is like its own ranch, only all of your animals are hidden from sight.” Building a new lake? Design and build is a big and growing part of what Lochow Ranch does, taking into consideration your specific site conditions and long-term goals.
LOCHOW RANCH POND/LAKE MANAGEMENT
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Piñas Bay, Panama
Offshore & Inshore Fishing at its Finest Fishing the legendary waters off Piñas Bay, Panama is a “bucket list” adventure for all anglers. Fulfill your fishing fantasy! Tropic Star Lodge has provided the ultimate in offshore and inshore fishing adventures for our guests for the past 50+ years. We invite you to discover why we’ve been named “the best fishing resort in the world.” Great Direct Flights to Panama Available from TEXAS. Kids Fish FREE on Select Summer Dates
www.tropicstar.com • reservations@tropicstar.com 800-682-3424 • 407-423-9931
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
3/13/20 3:52 PM
FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News
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FISHING TEXAS ANNUAL 2020
Lone Star Outdoor News