Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas
July 14, 2017
Volume 13, Issue 22
Archery sales experiencing slump
Predictable crappie Fish biting in timber, over brush piles By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News Crappie fishermen love summer. The fish find their way to predictable areas and the anglers who deal with the heat find the fish. At Lake Grapevine, guide Benny Dabney reported landing good numbers in depths from 18 to 24 feet over brush piles and fish condos. The boat traffic on the busy lake, though, is an issue.
Although archery participation is up, archery sales aren’t, according to the Archery Trade Association. Higher costs of equipment is thought to be a cause. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
By Darlene McCormick Sanchez Lone Star Outdoor News
“I have a special place in my heart for wakeboard boats,” Dabney said. At Lake Ray Roberts, the bite in the timber has been better than over the brush piles, according to guide Cody Tucker. “It seems the bigger fish are mostly on timber, but the fish are definitely in the summer pattern,” Tucker said. The bite has been best on minnows. “I can catch 100 little ones on a jig, but the big ones will rarely eat it,” he said. The best depths have been from 17 to 24 feet, but occasionally the fish are hanging from 11 to 15 feet. “You have to keep moving,
The structure of docks and beneath the docks are important considerations for bass anglers. The shade provided attracts fish and the structure often determines whether a dock is a prime fishing spot. Photo by Erich Schlegel, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Finding shade Docks of all types hold bass By Craig Nyhus
All docks provide shade that attracts bass, but all aren’t created equal. Is it the shade, the structure, or the water temperature that brings in the bass? Bob Lusk, a fisheries biologist and owner of Pond Boss, said the shade is just one key. “This time of year, it’s not only the shade, but it’s the conditioning to the structure of the dock,” he said. “The bass will orient to the pilings of the dock.”
Photo by David J. Sams
the key. Cedar Creek Lake is known for its dock fishing, especially for crappie. But big bass will lurk beneath certain docks. “If a creek channel goes under it or if it gets deep real quick, it will hold a few good bass,” said Cedar Creek guide Please turn to page 19
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Lone Star Outdoor News
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 11 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 20 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 28 Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 30
HUNTING
INSIDE
Please turn to page 16
Lusk said it’s important that the dock itself has structure. “All docks have something that makes them stay out of the water,” he said. “Even the floating docks usually have a piling.” The reduced water temperature under a dock isn’t a big factor, Lusk said. “The temperature is just a touch cooler,” he said. “Shade and the structure of the dock are at the top.” Many anglers believe it’s the structure beneath the dock is
For archery retailers, the news in recent years seemed to be glowing: more people were getting into the recreational and hunting side of archery. In a survey by the Archery Trade Association, they touted statistics showing archery participation had jumped 20 percent from 2012-2015. But things have changed for many retailers over the past two years, with archery industry insiders reporting a slump in sales. Kyle Chambers, archery facility manager at Cinnamon Creek Ranch in Roanoke, said sales have been declining since 2015, which was a banner year. Many of his colleagues in the industry have voiced similar concerns, he said. Chambers said Hollywood helped out a few years ago when The Hunger Games series of films hit the silver screen. Suddenly, recreational archery was trendy. But now the novelty has worn off. Thankfully, the store has a core of loyal bowhunters, he said. Data from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reflected the trend. Archery as a means of harvesting white-tailed deer topped out in 2013-2014 at 11.25 percent. For 2015-2016, it dropped back down to 9.3 percent. The percentage has routinely hovered around 9 percent over the past seven years. Another issue has been brewing as well — the latest technologically advanced bows and equipment have come with a steep price tag. Where a new bow once cost $600-$700, they now run $1,200 to $1,500. Those kind of prices mean fewer sales, he said. “It’s almost doubled in price. Every year they come out with something new and the cost has gone up.” Chambers said. “The golf industry went through the same thing a few years ago. Our industry is seeing that.” Javier Velasco, manager of Mesquite Creek Archery and Taxidermy near San Antonio, said his shop hasn’t seen a lot of Please turn to page 5
FISHING
Aoudad wreaking havoc
(Pg. 4)
Fishing the moon
(Pg. 8)
Possum Kingdom-area exotics damaging feeders.
Phases affect big bass bites.
School of cooking
Offshore bite strong
Wild game, fish methods taught.
(Pg. 4)
Calmer seas get the people out.
(Pg. 8)