December 27, 2024
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 21, Issue 9
Does Before Bros By Meghan Olivia Jackson For Lone Star Outdoor News
A group of young women gather each year for the full deer-hunting experience. Photo from Kelsey Rae Slusser.
For the second year, women gathered at the HB Ranch, near Jacksboro, for their weekend hunting trip with one thing on their mind — Does Before Bros. From orchestrating shooting schools to directing hunts at the HB Ranch, Kelsey Rae
Slusser is a woman of many talents and successes. She created the annual event because she believes it is important to encourage women to gain the full experience of the outdoors. “There are so many women stepping forward in this industry to promote conservation, and I wanted to be one of them,” Slusser said. “My
goal with this is to bring women with similar interests and different backgrounds in this industry together so we can each learn from one another.” HB hunting products manufactures AR 500 half-inch steel targets and Slusser said these women obliterated the middle orange circle on the very first night.
“All five of the girls aimed perfectly on their shots and by the end of the weekend, every single one of them tagged out,” Slusser said. “There was not one deer that we had to track.” One of the hunters, Nicole Skorich, described this weekend as everything she needed as she spent time with nature, self-reflected and successfully Please turn to page 21
Texans travel north for greenheads For Lone Star Outdoor News Like most Texas duck hunters, finding concentrations of mallards doesn’t happen often, it seems. Some find the solution by traveling north. Texas hunters Chris Berry, Tyler Varnado and Don Gay have been traveling to Kansas during mid-December to pursue ducks and geese for the last several years with a group of buddies. Their main focus is mallards. Two other hunters in the group, Ryan Bowland and Sammy Gonzalez, said they spent several days hunting along Texas’ coastal rice prairies prior to their trip to Kansas. “We usually have some pretty good shoots for ducks in the Garwood area, but this season has been tough,” Bowland said. “It seems like this year in particular, most of our buddies have had a difficult time
staying on ducks, so we were pretty excited to head north in the hope we would find more birds and more decoying action.” The group made their first stop in Milan, Kansas, where they hunted some ponds and a cut milo field for three days. They harvested near limits of greenheads, along with good numbers of lesser Canada geese. Next, they traveled north to Cawker City, where they hunted over cornfields and ponds for five days. Some of their best hunts took place on dry land while hunting out of layout blinds using a spread of full body duck decoys. In the Cawker City area, the group took near limits of mallards, along with quite a few wigeon. Greater Canada geese and snow geese were in the mix. “There’s nothing like hunting in a dry field and shooting decoying ducks,” Berry said. Please turn to page 6
A group of Texas waterfowlers head north to Kansas each year in pursuit of mallards. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Finding river, pond rainbows By Cory Byrnes
Rainbow trout stockings have resumed in rivers and local ponds across the state. While most of the fish range from 8 to 10 inches in length, Sunny Lee, a Texas transplant from Chicago, learned firsthand that there are some big ones mixed in as well.
Lee was fishing on a weekday morning to beat the crowd at Bethany Lakes Park, near Allen, using Powerbait. “Most people were trying to cast out far into the middle, but I jokingly cast 10 feet in front of me,” he said. “That’s when the big one picked it up.” Lee’s trout measured 18 inches.
“Coming from Chicago where we have great salmon and trout fishing, I’m glad I can still enjoy trout fishing,” he said. You just need to scale the gear to an ultralight setup.” Lee said the residential and park pond anglers have the most success on Powerbait eggs, small white rooster tails and spoons. Please turn to page 19
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Outdoor Blotter . . . . . . . . Page 12 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 20 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
By Nate Skinner
Sunny Lee landed this 18-inch rainbow trout from Bethany Lakes Park. Photo from Sunny Lee.
HUNTING
FISHING
Record javelina? (P. 4)
Lakes producing (P. 8)
Peccary to join “the book.”
Smaller bass aggressive.
Lost, then found (P. 5)
Bass on Blanco (P. 8)
Hunter wounds buck, later harvests.
Friends wade the chilly water.
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HUNTING
Public nilgai hunts are work By Tony Vindell
For Lone Star Outdoor News
The collared peccary, or javelina, will be added to the B&C record book. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.
A record javelina possible Boone and Crockett creates new category By Mike Bodenchuk Lone Star Outdoor News
Safari Club International already has a record book category for javelina, as does the Texas Big Game Awards. On December 11, the Boone and Crockett Club announced their decision to create a new category for javelina, also known as collared peccary. For B&C, this is the first new record book category since 2001. The proposal to keep records on javelina was produced by a working group of wildlife managers from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico. Javelina are native wildlife in North and South America but the B&C record book tracks North American animals, so entries from the three southwestern states plus Mexico will be considered. As with all B&C records, hunter harvested animals must come from areas with established hunting seasons and be taken under the principles of fair chase. The Records of Big Game was first published in 1932 and serves as a record of biological, location and harvest data. The inclusion of javelina in “the book” will further interest in conserving the species and generate hunter involvement, according to B&C. This is especially important in Mexico, where javelinas are not typically considered important game animals. While the club still needs to consider measuring methods and establish the minimum scores for inclusion into the record book, most expect that javelina records will follow record keeping for other non-antler and non-horned game. Like mountain lions and bears, skull measurement (length plus width) is the current standard for record keeping, including with SCI and TBGA. Once announced, you can expect a lot of javelina skulls to come out of trophy rooms across Texas — and maybe someone from the state will have a new world record. While in South Texas, the javelina season is year-round, in northern parts of West Texas, it runs from Oct. 1 through Feb. 23. The bag limit statewide is two per license year.
There are all sorts of extreme sports today, and for a group of hunters pursuing nilgai, sometimes hunting can be added to the list. The three-day hunt took place at a unit of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Cameron County where the only firearms allowed were shotguns with slugs or muzzleloaders. The refuge topography consisted of several bays, coastal grasses, thornscrub, yucca trees, mesquite and huisache trees, and plenty of catclaw acacia, sometimes called ‘wait-a-minute bushes’. A hunter described the vegetation as having every thorn one can imagine, each drawing blood upon contact. Another said the pinch of a yucca leaf results in a sharp pain, assuming it has some type of toxin. A group of four hunters went through a brutal, yet rewarding ordeal as they harvested five nilgai cows during the Dec. 13-15 hunt — possibly a record since the refuge opened the unit for hunting 3 years ago. “It was a challenging hunt.” said David Hoffmann. “I would say I walked 20 miles throughout the weekend.” Each hunter carried a backpack, a shooting stick or tripod, a stool and food and water. Another challenge was the shotgun or muzzleloader stipulation. A fullgrown nilgai antelope cow can way around 300 pounds. Once harvested, the hunter’s real work begins, as it’s the hunter’s reDavid Hoffmann prepares to move one of two nilgai he harvested during three days of hunting at the sponsibility to haul the meat to his or Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Photo from David Hoffman. her truck, whether whole or quartered. Hoffmann, Jeremiah Nichols and a third hunter opted to carry their bounty on a wheel cart or on their back in backpacks designed for this type of hunt. Nichols walked more than 400 yards to find spot and got a nilgai sometime after 7:30 a.m. on the first day of the hunt. He went back to the parking spot where he managed to borrow a cart from another hunter before returning to his hunting spot. After field dressing the nilgai, he put it on the cart and hauled the cargo back along a sandy and wet road. He struggled mightily, taking a break here and there until he reached his destination. “Makes it look like I actually did some work,” he said after he was shown a picture of his ordeal.
Please turn to page 6
Winter dove fun By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News
Dove hunters have another chance with the late season, which began Dec. 13 in the South and Central zones and Dec. 20 in the North Zone. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Winter dove hunts can be fun, or they can be an exercise in frustration. The birds, usually mourning dove, tend to hang in big groups and can be there one day and gone the next. For other hunters, the big flocks hit the field in a few groups, either providing limited shots or no shots if the hunters aren’t in the perfect spot. When everything comes together, though, it can be a lot of fun. At Brewster Bird Hunts, in Batesville, the Dec. 13 reopening of the season came in with a bang. “It was a great opener,” said operator Landon Lancaster. “People were all shooting limits through Monday morning. The next day, we were scratching our heads wondering where they went.” Lancaster said they cut some more sunflowers to hopefully bring some more birds in. “The big deer hunting ranches that don’t dove hunt, those guys are holding some,” he said. “The dove might come and go four or five times during the winter season.” The plan may be working, as Lancaster is starting to see more birds. “If you shoot good and are in the right spot, you could kill a limit,” he said. Please turn to page 6
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December 27, 2024
TTHA turning 50 Celebration slated for new Outdoor Extravaganza By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News In 1975, Jerry Johnston started a new organization for deer hunters, envisioning a membership, magazine and an annual gathering of white-tailed deer enthusiasts. Texas Trophy Hunters Association was born and, in 1976, held a “conference” at a San Antonio hotel with a few exhibitors. In 2025, TTHA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary all year long. From there, the gatherings eventually became the Hunters Extravaganzas we know today, with the shows in Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth and in 2025, Midland. January 10-12, TTHA’s first Outdoors Extravaganza will take place at Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, with
some additional events beyond the exhibitors and attractions to which attendees have become accustomed. “We’re just about sold out,” said TTHA’s President and Chief Executive Officer Christina Pittman. “We’ve received a lot of positive encouragement and contact from people who want to be in the show.” The Extravaganza will bring in vendors from around the world to show their hunts, products and services. And on Friday and Saturday night, it will host a party for members that includes live music and a celebration of TTHA’s history. “On Friday night, we’ll have a casual event with barbecue and beer,” Pittman said. “We’ll have a few live auction items and raise some money for some charitable organizations.” The party will include music from Texas cowboy and country artist Carson Jeffrey. On Saturday, the event will be a little Please turn to page 20
Redemption after failure
Shea Nutt harvested this buck in Washington County, months after shooting it with an arrow during the opening weekend of archery season. Photos from Shea Nutt.
Hunter gets buck he arrowed in September By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News It was a day all deer hunters dread for Shea Nutt. On the opening weekend of archery season, he arrowed a buck but did not recover the deer. He was hunting on some family property outside of Brenham in Washington County, and, about 10 days later, game camera photos revealed that the buck was still alive. Nutt made it his goal to seek redemption with his bow or rifle. “I seriously thought I would never see the deer again,” Nutt said. “The unfortunate circumstance really let the wind out of my sails and gave me an awful feeling. When I figured out that he was still alive, I made it my mission to harvest him this season.” Nutt got random trail camera photos of the deer during mid-October, but never actually saw the buck. He didn’t see the buck
or get any more game camera pictures of the deer for another 6 weeks. “I honestly thought the buck had gotten sick and died from the wound,” Nutt said. “Then I had some friends tell me they had seen a big deer while driving by the property where I had been hunting. They didn’t know what the deer looked like, so I was doubtful it was him.” Nutt then had a video sent to him of a deer from a family friend, and the buck was in the video. “This individual lives near our family property,” Nutt said. “He sent me the video of the buck and asked if I had been hunting in the area recently. I couldn’t believe it.” After that, Nutt started to get game camera photos of the buck on his family property. “I also had different people in the Brenham area tell me or call me on the phone and say they had been seeing the buck in various areas across the outskirts of the town,” Nutt said. “The deer seemed to be healthy and traveling all over the place, I assume because he was chasing does.” Please turn to page 12
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Carting out nilgai Continued from page 4
Jeremiah Nichols hauls a nilgai cow some 450 yards out of the brush and along a wet road at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Photo from Jeremiah Nichols.
For Hoffmann, the story was different. Ironically, he shot his first of two nilgai at 20 yards, even though his muzzleloader was sighted at 300 yards. “I heard her walking from a muddy field,” he said. “She never saw me. I shot and she ran about 25 yards away.” Hoffmann quartered the cow, put her inside a game bag, then inside a backpack and walked a mile or more back to his truck. He harvested his second nilgai on the morning of the last hunt after taking a more-anticipated 200-yard shot. This time, however, he walked farther than he did the first two days to find a spot. Fortunately, a buddy hauled half of the meat in his backpack to lighten Hoffman’s
load for the long trek. A third hunter harvested a cow on the same morning after walking several miles along a brushy area. He hauled more than 80 pounds of meat, also inside a backpack. On the way, the hunter was seen lying on his back off the side of a sendero as he caught his breath. Two East Texas hunters brought their electric bikes for the trip, but said they walked miles and miles since the e-bikes didn’t go far on the muddy roadways. They went home empty-handed. Nevertheless, they say they saw plenty of animals and were glad to be selected to spend quality time in the South Texas bushland.
Seeing green Continued from page 1
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“That’s why we started making this trip to Kansas every December. There’s a ton of mallards there during this time of year, and the shot opportunities are usually plentiful.” The group of friends still plan to make hunts in various areas of the Lone Star State throughout the remainder of the season. They agreed, though, that they look forward to a change of scenery every year, and traveling north has given them opportunities to hunt mallards while using completely different strategies.
Bunched-up dove Continued from page 4
At TopFlight Hunting, near Columbus, Mason Glueck said the dove hunts have been going well. “We’re seeing lots of dove this year in comparison to the past few years,” he said. “Due to the warm weather later in the year, they showed up and the lack of cold fronts never really pushed them out.” Glueck has been taking hunters to pastures with goat weed. “We still have lots of goat weed standing in our cow pastures and the birds have been thick catching the fallen seeds,” he said. Clayton Roth, of Dilley Dove, said they will be running dove hunts through the remainder of the season. “Opening weekend was OK,” he said. “The birds were stacking up in just a few fields. We’re seeing more birds now. Either the little freeze we had dropped some dove weed or new birds are moving in.” According to the Texas Dove Hunters Association, white-winged dove are still around and hitting fields near Brownsville.
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FISHING Young guide learns, grows business By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Capt. Max Conner is a full-time fishing guide based out of Galveston Bay who works to expand his knowledge in order to help others become better anglers. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Capt. Max Conner has always had ambitions of owning and operating his own business. Since he was a young boy, fishing has been more than just a hobby. His passion for the sport of angling quickly became a way of life, and pursuing a career as a fishing guide in his early 20s just made sense. Now, Conner is completing his second year as full-time guide. Conner grew up in the Houston area, where he began bass fishing in local
neighborhood ponds at the age of 6. He started making trips to Galveston Island with his grandfather at age 12, and began fishing from piers along the Galveston beachfront. “I avidly fished the surf from age 12 through my early teens,” Conner said. “My family ended up moving to Galveston Island, and I transitioned from fishing the surf for just about anything that would bite to focusing on speckled trout.” By the time he was 15 years old, he was enthralled with pursuing speckled trout with artificial lures.
“My dad would drive me to the west end of Galveston Island and drop me off at different places with public access to the bay so I could walk in and wadefish,” Conner said. “When I got my driver’s license, I spent nearly all of my free time driving to different places, from Galveston to Matagorda Bay, where I could walk in and wade for trout.” Conner was about 20 years old when he got his first boat. “It was a 19-foot Boston Whaler that was definitely a project boat,” Conner said. “But it was my first boat and gave me access to a lot more water and places Please turn to page 13
Wading the Blanco River By Logan Johnson
For Lone Star Outdoor News A near freeze in the Hill Country seemed to shift the behavior of resident largemouth and Guadalupe bass — for the better. Shepherd Smith and Steven Owen, both of San Antonio, regularly wade the river, and their success picked up after a brief cold snap. Owen’s expectations had been low due to the drop in water levels and the noticeable decrease in largemouth and Guadalupe bass numbers and size over the past couple of years. “Unfortunately, after prolonged droughts that lower the average depth, and floods that have blown out our favorite sections of the river over the past few years, what were our ‘honey holes’ four years ago have become much less productive,” Owen said. But upon that first cold snap, the bass were out and feeding. “I had been camping on the river the previous couple of nights and it was bitter cold, especially the morning of our wading trip, with a low of 38 degrees that felt like 30,” Owen said. The morning felt colder to Smith when he lost what he believed to be a 5-pound largemouth, but netting a 3.37-pounder 10 minutes later broke the seal on what became a rewarding day on the water. “Though not my biggest bass on the Blanco, that will definitely be a memorable one,” Smith said in hindsight.
Owen and Smith said the Blanco is a strange river to fish, as throughout most of the river, the water column is 3 feet or less, often as shallow as the bass are tall. “This river has very few deep sections,” Smith explained. “So the fish are usually tucked up hiding in cover along the banks, without deeper water to resort to.” On their fishing morning, the the bigger largemouth, from 2 to 6 pounds, were roaming the open shallows. These shallow cruisers were the obvious target for the two anglers. But not-so-obvious was going undetected by them and earning a bite. “Stealth is of utmost importance in this crystal clear, shallow water,” Smith said. “Keeping a low profile both yourself by crouching and in lure presentations by sticking to weightless finesse plastics seem to be the practices for success. But try as you might, you’re going to spook a few fish.” Owen agreed. “If you can see them, they can see you,” he said. “These big cruisers are highly perceptive to any change in their environment that is unusual, especially a splash, or worse, a slip-and-fall by one of us on the slick limestone.” Owen had more success as the day pressed on. The finesse junkie found Nedrigged hellgrammite imitations and dropshot finesse worms to yield consistent results, as the pattern does year-round. His last fish weighed 3.18 pounds. “As we approached a wide opening on the river, I pitched a drop-shot finesse
Steven Owen fished the Blanco River with his friend, Shepherd Smith, and landed this largemouth out of shallow water. Photo by Logan Johnson, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Please turn to page 13
Bass anglers getting excited By Cory Byrnes
For Lone Star Outdoor News Largemouth bass are in varying stages of transition throughout Texas, with lakes to the south and southeast producing the best. On Lake Falcon, guide Jimmy Steed said the fish are exiting their fall pattern. He and his clients are having the most success with shaky heads and crankbaits in about 12 feet of water. Mike Stanford landed this big O.H. Ivie bass. Photo by Brady Stanford.
“The average fish right now is 3 pounds,” Steed said. “The bigger ones are still chasing balls of shad.” At the early spawning lake, Steed recently caught a female with eggs. “Believe it or not we are probably on the edge of prespawn conditions,” he said. The cold front that came through the second week of December put the bass into their fall pattern on Lake Amistad.
“We have less vegetation than normal, which has the fish a little more spread out,” said Kurt Dove. “The numbers and quality are good — we are consistently catching 25 fish or more a day. Keep moving and find the bait and you will catch them.” The most success has come in the back of the creeks using chatterbaits and jerkbaits in natural colors. “Find the bait and keep on them and you will find the
bass mixed in,” Dove said. Sam Rayburn Reservoir is continuing to produce big numbers of fish. According to guide Rick Caldwell, the males are moving up into the shallows near the brush line, while the bigger fish are still back in the drains in an average of 12 feet of water. Caldwell’s best lures have been plastics in red craw and zombie colors, along with crankbaits. “It’s getting to be Please turn to page 19
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December 27, 2024
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Kayak pros coming to Texas Lone Star Outdoor News A stop at Toledo Bend Reservoir is included in the Bassmaster Kayak Series 2025 schedule. The tour features six stops across six states for tournament kayak anglers, and concludes its 2025 season at Toledo Bend Sept. 27-28. “In 2024 we saw the anglers’ continued commitment to the series, and for 2025 we wanted to add some fisheries that had never hosted a national-level kayak event or maybe hadn’t held one in several years,” said Bassmaster Kayak Series Tournament Director Steve Owens. The 2025 Bassmaster Kayak Series schedule will begin the season Jan. 18-19 at Lake Havasu in Havasu City, Arizona, a first for the series. The Kayak Series season ends with yet another first-time Kayak Series event at Toledo Bend Reservoir in Hemphill, Texas, Sept. 27-28. In addition, the Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship will be held March 19-20 at Lake Fork, in conjunction with the Bassmaster Classic, which will take place March 21-23 at Lake Ray Roberts. Schedule: Jan. 18-19 Lake Havasu Arizona Feb. 1-2 Kissimmee Chain of Lakes Florida April 26-27 Dale Hollow Reservoir Tennessee May 31-June 1 Lake Tenkiller Oklahoma July 26-27 Lake Champlain New York Sept. 27-28 Toledo Bend Reservoir Texas
—B.A.S.S.
Good size to Champion Creek crappie
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FISHING DOLPHIN WATCH FUEL ICE BAIT TACKLE
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Crappie anglers on Champion Creek Reservoir got both good and not-so-good news after a survey was conducted the week of Dec. 11 by Inland Fisheries San Angelo District. The good news was the size of the fish surveyed, although total numbers were down, with fewer small fish. “Overall, our catch rates were lower than recent years, and we did not observe many small fish,” Inland Fisheries said. “The majority of the white crappie we sampled were above the minimum length limit (10 inches) and were in good health. White crappie are reaching the minimum length limit of 10 inches in 2.6 years in Champion Creek, indicating their growth rate is average for this reservoir and our region.” Champion Creek is a 1,577-acre lake south of Colorado City, in Mitchell County. Fish structure includes mud flats with flooded salt cedar and mesquite, deep rocky drop-offs and ledges, rip-rap, underwater humps and a few old tank dams. —Staff Report
Seven Texans in Elite field In the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series, 104 anglers, including seven Texans, will compete, including seven former Bassmaster Classic champions and eight former Angler of the Year champions. Each event will kick off with the full field of 104 anglers on Days 1 and 2 before the field is cut to 50 for the semifinal round. The field will then be cut to the top 10 on the final day, with the winner taking home the title and the $100,000 first-place prize.
The Texans are: Keith Combs, Huntington Dakota Ebare, Brookeland Ray Hanselman, Del Rio Lee Livesay, Longview Ben Milliken, New Caney Brad Whatley, Bivins Chris Zaldain, Fort Worth —B.A.S.S.
Check your flounder for tags Flounder season reopened Dec. 15, and the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation at Harte Research Institute is reminding anglers to look for tags when landing or gigging a southern flounder. Southern flounder have been tagged as part of an ongoing migration study to assess the timing of when they leave inlets to spawn in the Gulf of Mexico. Each flounder is tagged with an acoustic transmitter inside its body cavity, and an external yellow tag for easy identification by anglers and giggers. It is important for anglers to report any recaptured fish to ensure researchers have the most accurate data. “For instance, we want to avoid misclassifying harvested fish (that we don’t know about) as nonmigrating fish due to a lack of reporting,” the Center said. “If you harvest the fish, contact us so we can arrange to recover the black acoustic transmitter.” To report a tagged flounder, call (361) 825-2525 or go to sportfishcenter.org and click on “Report a Tag” to report the tag number and the general location where it was caught. Rewards are offered! —Sportfish Center
900 TARPON ST. PORT ARANSAS, TX 78373
. 361-749-5448
WWW.FISHERMANSWHARFPORTA.COM
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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: Water clear; 51 degrees; 0.18’ high. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on liver and cut shad. AMISTAD: Water stained; 68 degrees; 65.84’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, grubs, crankbaits and Texas-rigged worms. White bass are good on spoons, underspins and umbrella rigs. Stripers are slow. ARLINGTON: Water stained; 65 degrees; 6.66’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. ARROWHEAD: Water lightly stained; 52 degrees; 5.35’ low. Catfish are good on fresh cut shad. ATHENS: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, wackyrigged senkos and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are slow. AUSTIN: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.56’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, jerk baits and plastic worms. B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 63 degrees; 0.27’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, frogs and top-waters. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on juglines. BASTROP: Water stained; 75 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on worms, flukes, swimbaits and shaky heads. BELTON: Water stained; 61 degrees; 2.13’ low. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait. BENBROOK: Water stained; 60 degrees; 4.10’ low. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are fair on chatter baits and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair on shad. BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 1.09’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits and jigs. BOIS D’ARC: Water stained; 60 degrees; 3.82’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are good on jigs. BRAUNIG: Water stained; 66 degrees. Redfish are fair on shrimp and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are fair on cheese bait. BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 63 degrees; 0.36’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are fair on crankbaits and jigs. Catfish are slow. BUCHANAN: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 15.76’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and shaky heads. Stripers and white bass are
fair on jigs, slabs and spoons. CADDO: Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.36’ high. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, Alabama rigs, chatter baits and crankbaits. CALAVERAS: Water lightly stained; 69 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. Redfish are slow. Catfish are fair on cut bait and cheese bait. CANYON: Water lightly stained; 62 degrees; 27.66’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, crankbaits and soft plastics. White bass are good on slab spoons. Stripers are slow. CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 55 degrees; 3.70’ low. Hybrids and white bass are good dead-sticking flukes, and on slabs and umbrella rigs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are fair on cut shad. COMANCHE CREEK: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.47’ high. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and soft plastics. Catfish are good on prepared baits. CONROE: Water stained; 63 degrees; 1.20’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and soft plastics. Hybrids are fair on slabs and swimbaits. Catfish are good on liver, worms and punch bait. COOPER: Water stained; 55 degrees: 2.00’ low. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. CORPUS CHRISTI: Water stained; 70 degrees; 12.20’ low. Catfish are fair on cut bait. CYPRESS SPRINGS: Water stained; 50 degrees; 0.78’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Alabama rigs, crankbaits and jigs. EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 52 degrees; 4.86’ low. White bass are fair on slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. FALCON: Water stained; 68 degrees; 45.46’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait. FAYETTE: Water lightly stained; 75 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs, drop shots and shaky heads. FORK: Water stained; 60 degrees; 2.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chatter baits, spinner baits,
square-billed crankbaits and Texas rigs with creature baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 65 degrees; 6.53’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on jigs. GRAHAM: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.35’ high. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows. Sand bass and hybrids are good on spoons. Catfish are good on cut shad. GRANBURY: Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.14’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Striped bass are good on jigs. Sand bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are slow. GRANGER: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 0.98’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are slow. Catfish are good on shad. GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 65 degrees; 1.47’ low. White bass are fair on slabs. GREENBELT: Water stained; 65 degrees; 49.22’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on minnows and worms. HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.26’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait. HUBBARD CREEK: Water stained; 60 degrees; 12.95’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are fair on live bait and cut carp. JOE POOL: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.54’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass and catfish are slow. LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 0.57’ high. Largemouth bass are good on flukes, small swimbaits and jigs. LAVON: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 3.46’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits, Texas rigs and jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on slabs and
flukes. Catfish are good on cut gizzard shad. LBJ: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.22’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits, weightless senkos and chatter baits. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on jigging spoons and Alabama rigs. Catfish are good on punch bait. LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 60 degrees; 3.21’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut shad and punch bait. LIMESTONE: Water stained; 52 degrees; 2.93’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, jigs, chatter baits and spinner baits. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and minnows. LIVINGSTON: Slightly stained; 63 degrees; 1.03’ low. White bass are fair on slabs. MARTIN CREEK: Water lightly stain; 59 degrees; 1.74’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits, chatter baits and senkos. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. MEREDITH: Water stained; 53 degrees; 47.45’ low. Largemoth bass are fair on soft plastics. White bass are good on slabs. Walleye are good on minnows, grubs and other artificials. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers, minnows, chicken liver and frozen shad. MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 52 degrees; 2.15’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrids are fair on slabs. Crappie are slow. Catfish are fair on shad. NACGODOCHES: Water stained; 58 degrees; 0.16’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina rigs, drop shots and worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and live minnows. NASWORTHY: Water lightly stained; 57 degrees. 0.50’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait. NAVARRO MILLS: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 1.40’ low. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on shad. O.H. IVIE: Water lightly
stained; 54 degrees; 22.62’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits, chatter baits,and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish fair on shrimp and stink bait. OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 60 degrees; 17.77’ low. White bass are fair on slabs. PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 58 degrees; 0.93’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs. POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 57 degrees; 0.05’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Carolina rigs, chatter baits and jigs. Striped bass are fair on live bait. White bass are slow. Catfish are good on cut shad. PROCTOR: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.22’ high. Hybrid striped bass are good on swimbaits. Catfish are good on cut bait. RAVEN: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on flukes, worms and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are fair on worms and stink bait. RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 68 degrees; 2.71’ low. White bass are good on jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait. RAY ROBERTS: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees; 1.30’ low. White bass are good on live bait and slabs. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait. RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water stained; 65 degrees; 2.14’ low. White bass are fair on slabs. Hybrid stripers are fair on live bait. Catfish are good on punch bait. SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 58 degrees; 2.32’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits. Crappie and white bass are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and minnows. SOMERVILLE: Water stained; 56 degrees; 2.15’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow. White bass are slow. Hybrids are fair on cut bait. Catfish are good on cut shad and punch bait. SPENCE: Water stained; 65 degrees. 45.46’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are good on spoons and inline spinners. Catfish are slow. STILLHOUSE: Water
n Saltwater reports Page 20
stained; 63 degrees; 1.88’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs and soft plastics. White bass are good on slabs. TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 63 degrees; 2.85’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Hybrid stripers are fair on swimbaits and slab spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. TEXOMA: Water stained; 58 degrees; 0.85’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and crankbaits. Striped bass are good on flukes on a jig head and live shad. Crappie are slow. Catfish are good on gizzard shad and cut bait. TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 65 degrees; 3.71’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on lipless crankbaits, swim jigs and swimbaits. TRAVIS: Water lightly stained; 61 degrees; 42.85’ low. Largemouth bass are good on jigs and Texas-rigged power worms. TYLER: Water stained; 65 degrees; 0.65’ low. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow. WACO: Water stained; 60 degrees; 2.26’ low. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait. WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained; 65 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on weedless swimbaits, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. WHITNEY: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.26’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Striped bass are fair on live bait. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are slow. Catfish are good on punch bait. WORTH: Water stained; 52 degrees; 2.49’ low. White bass are fair on slabs and swimbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and cut bait. WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 65 degrees; 3.75’ high. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on stink bait. —TPWD
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December 27, 2024
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December 27, 2024
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OUTDOOR BLOTTER
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ELITE SERIES ANGLER ARRESTED FOR FRAUD A popular Bassmaster Elite angler and YouTuber was arrested Dec. 12 for fraud in a freshwater fishing tournament. Ben Milliken, 35, turned himself in to the Nacogdoches County sheriff’s office. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said Milliken turned in a Legacy Class ShareLunker in February as an entry into the ShareLunker Program. The fish, caught while Milliken was fishing at Lake Athens, was not caught in a tournament, but the ShareLunker program does offer prizes, including a drawing for two
$5,000 gift certificates to Legacy Class anglers. According to TPWD, Milliken knowingly falsified information on a submission form, and he was fishing without a fishing license at the time of the catch. Milliken also was disqualified from the Texas ShareLunker Program and cited for fishing without a valid license. His fans complained that the angler was being unfairly targeted after what amounts to a simple rules infraction, citing other examples of professional
anglers failing to have a fishing license, and another ShareLunker angler who turned himself in for forgetting to renew his fishing license without receiving any additional charges. That angler, Danny Howard, submitted a 13.2-pound largemouth, also from Lake Athens, but shortly thereafter informed the department that his license had expired a few days before the catch. Milliken, who recently was appointed to the new Bassmaster Elite Angler Advisory Board, said in a YouTube video
that the charge was a massive misunderstanding. “I can’t make any statements or comments because it is an ongoing investigation,” he said. “But I didn’t want to leave you guys in the dark or make you think I was trying to hide something. The good thing is, eventually, I’m going to be able to share a video once this is all figured out explaining what exactly has happened.” Freshwater fishing tournament fraud is a Class A and B misdemeanor in Texas.
A N AMERIC AN LEGEND RUGER.COM/AMERICANRIFLE
Vindication and relief Continued from page 5
Right after Thanksgiving, Nutt saw the deer in person but never got a shot opportunity. He continued to hunt as much as possible, hoping he might get lucky. “I recently got pictures of him during the morning and evening hours, and made plans to pursue him,” Nutt said. “I was prepared to hunt all day for him, and I set up a brush blind in the area where I had last seen him on a trail camera the day before. Nutt hunted throughout the morning and midday hours and never saw the deer. At about 2:30 p.m. some does walked out, and then another doe came out by herself, and the buck he was chasing
showed up right behind her. “He was at about 250 yards, and I took my shot with my .270 rifle,” Nutt said. “The buck fell. I couldn’t believe it. Everything in my life had taken a backseat to some degree as I persistently pursued this deer, and I was finally able to harvest him.” The buck had a welt where his arrow had struck him, and he actually found the portion of his arrow that had broken off inside of the deer. His redemption was complete. “It was a great example of how persistence pays off,” Nutt said.
Photo from Shea Nutt
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Learning lessons Continued from page 8
to fish.” Two years later, he obtained his captain’s license and his second boat, and his guiding career began. “The first 6-7 months as a guide really taught me a lot of lessons,” he said. “I made a lot of mistakes and learned from those mistakes.” One of the biggest lessons he learned was to focus on recognizing the limitations of his customers and their skill level, and then teach them strategies that would help them catch fish. “I had to learn that fishing was no longer about me and the way that I wanted to do it,” Conner Young fishing guide Max Conner fishes from Galveston Bay down to Matagorda Bay. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor admitted. “Once I News. learned this and got into a groove, my success while fishing with customers skyrocketed. This really helped me fall in love with my job, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else to make a living.” Conner said networking with other veteran Galveston Bay guides has helped him perfect his craft and motivated him to continue to grow his own guide business. “There have been some excellent guides that have given me advice since I started, and I’m grateful to call many of them friends,” he said. One thing Conner has enjoyed so far has been meeting different people and spending time with them on the water. “I have an older client that has become a regular customer of mine, and I just really enjoy talking to him,” he said. “We catch plenty of fish together, but we also have some great conversations and enjoy each other’s company. It really is a blessing to get to do what I do, day in and day out.” Conner’s guide service is based on Galveston Bay, but he also runs trips in East Matagorda Bay.
LoneOStar Outdoor News
December 27, 2024
Stealth fishing Continued from page 8
worm to three cruisers from 15 feet away,” Owen said. “I missed the first eater but got the attention of another by bouncing the worm in place, a reliable play for the finicky ones. That’s a good-sized Blanco River fish, and they’ve become rare.” The quick trip resulted in plenty of largemouth and the occasional Guadalupe bass on light tackle with finesse lures. Shepherd Smith braved the cold Blanco River water to land this bass. Photo by Logan Johnson, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
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December 27, 2024
LoneOStar Outdoor News
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GRIP & GRIN
Courtney Hargrove harvested this wise-old 6-pointer over the Thanksgiving break hunting on their family ranch in Hardeman County.
L.T. McCarty, 7, of Fort Worth, harvested his first deer, an 11-pointer, after previously passing on several smaller bucks.
Jackson Radtke, 19, of Austin, called to this albino Rio Grande turkey in Blanco County and made the shot at 195 yards.
SHARE AN ADVENTURE
n Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? Email them with contact and caption information to editor@ lonestaroutdoornews.com. High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.
Henry Straley, 11, of Dallas, shot his first deer when hunting with friends in Sweetwater.
Kase McBride, 7, of Marion, shot his first buck on Turkey Creek Ranch in Zavala County.
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
December 27, 2024
Page 15
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Page 16
December 27, 2024
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TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases Houston
New
First
Full
Last
Dec 30
Jan 6
Jan 13
Jan 21
Solunar Sun times Moon times
2024-25 Dec/Jan
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. Minor Major
SUN Rises Sets
MOON Rises Sets
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
1:51 8:03 2:36 8:49 3:24 9:38 4:18 10:32 5:14 10:56 6:13 11:55 7:12 12:59 8:10 1:57 9:05 2:53 9:58 3:46 10:48 4:36 11:37 5:25 12:00 6:13 12:48 7:02 1:39 7:54
2:16 8:28 3:02 9:15 3:52 10:06 4:46 11:00 5:43 ----6:41 12:27 7:39 1:25 8:35 2:23 9:30 3:17 10:22 4:10 11:12 5:00 ----5:50 12:26 6:40 1:16 7:31 2:09 8:23
07:15 05:28 4:21a 2:42p 07:15 05:29 5:22a 3:26p 07:15 05:29 6:22a 4:16p 07:15 05:30 7:19a 5:14p 07:16 05:31 8:11a 6:18p 07:16 05:31 8:57a 7:24p 07:16 05:32 9:38a 8:32p 07:16 05:33 10:14a 9:38p 07:17 05:34 10:47a 10:42p 07:17 05:34 11:18a 11:45p 07:17 05:35 11:49a NoMoon 07:17 05:36 12:22p 12:50a 07:17 05:37 12:58p 1:57a 07:17 05:37 1:40p 3:07a 07:17 05:38 2:29p 4:17a
Dallas
2024-25 Dec/Jan
A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
1:57 8:09 2:41 8:54 3:30 9:44 4:23 10:38 5:20 11:02 6:19 12:05 7:18 1:05 8:16 2:03 9:11 2:59 10:04 3:52 10:54 4:42 11:43 5:31 12:06 6:19 12:54 7:08 1:45 8:00
2:21 8:34 3:08 9:21 3:58 10:12 4:52 11:06 5:49 ----6:47 12:33 7:44 1:31 8:41 2:28 9:35 3:23 10:27 4:16 11:18 5:06 ----5:56 12:32 6:45 1:22 7:36 2:14 8:29
07:27 05:27 07:28 05:28 07:28 05:28 07:28 05:29 07:29 05:30 07:29 05:30 07:29 05:31 07:29 05:32 07:29 05:32 07:29 05:33 07:29 05:34 07:29 05:35 07:29 05:36 07:29 05:37 07:29 05:37
4:35a 2:40p 5:37a 3:22p 6:37a 4:13p 7:34a 5:11p 8:26a 6:15p 9:11a 7:23p 9:50a 8:32p 10:24a 9:40p 10:55a 10:47p 11:24a 11:52p 11:53a NoMoon 12:24p 12:59a 12:59p 2:09a 1:39p 3:20a 2:26p 4:32a
San Antonio
Amarillo
2024-25 A.M. Dec/Jan Minor Major
P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets
2024-25 Dec/Jan
A.M. Minor Major
P.M. Minor Major
SUN Rises Sets
MOON Rises Sets
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
2:28 8:40 3:14 9:27 4:04 10:18 4:58 11:13 5:55 ----6:53 12:39 7:51 1:38 8:48 2:35 9:42 3:30 10:34 4:22 11:25 5:13 ----- 6:02 12:39 6:52 1:29 7:43 2:21 8:36
27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 Mon 31 Tue 01 Wed 02 Thu 03 Fri 04 Sat 05 Sun 06 Mon 07 Tue 08 Wed 09 Thu 10 Fri
2:17 8:29 3:02 9:15 3:50 10:04 4:44 10:58 5:40 11:22 6:39 12:25 7:38 1:25 8:36 2:23 9:31 3:19 10:24 4:12 11:14 5:02 ----- 5:51 12:26 6:39 1:14 7:28 2:05 8:20
2:42 8:54 3:28 9:41 4:18 10:32 5:12 11:26 6:09 ----7:07 12:53 8:05 1:51 9:01 2:49 9:55 3:43 10:48 4:36 11:38 5:26 12:03 6:16 12:52 7:06 1:42 7:57 2:35 8:49
07:54 05:41 07:54 05:41 07:54 05:42 07:55 05:43 07:55 05:43 07:55 05:44 07:55 05:45 07:55 05:46 07:56 05:46 07:56 05:47 07:56 05:48 07:56 05:49 07:56 05:50 07:56 05:51 07:55 05:52
5:03a 2:54p 6:06a 3:35p 7:07a 4:25p 8:04a 5:23p 8:55a 6:28p 9:39a 7:38p 10:16a 8:49p 10:48a 9:59p 11:17a 11:07p 11:44a NoMoon 12:12p 12:14a 12:41p 1:23a 1:14p 2:34a 1:53p 3:48a 2:39p 5:01a
2:04 8:16 2:48 9:01 3:37 9:51 4:30 10:44 5:27 11:09 6:26 12:12 7:25 1:11 8:23 2:10 9:18 3:06 10:11 3:59 11:01 4:49 11:50 5:37 12:12 6:26 1:01 7:15 1:51 8:06
07:26 05:42 07:26 05:42 07:27 05:43 07:27 05:44 07:27 05:44 07:27 05:45 07:28 05:46 07:28 05:46 07:28 05:47 07:28 05:48 07:28 05:49 07:28 05:49 07:28 05:50 07:28 05:51 07:28 05:52
4:33a 2:56p 5:34a 3:40p 6:33a 4:31p 7:30a 5:29p 8:22a 6:32p 9:09a 7:38p 9:50a 8:45p 10:26a 9:51p 10:59a 10:55p 11:30a NoMoon 12:02p NoMoon 12:35p 1:03a 1:12p 2:10a 1:54p 3:19a 2:43p 4:29a
Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.
Sabine Pass, north Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Time 6:53 AM 7:28 AM 8:05 AM 8:44 AM 12:31 AM 1:11 AM 1:58 AM 2:54 AM 12:06 AM 1:20 AM 2:24 AM 3:22 AM 4:19 AM 5:11 AM 6:01 AM
Height -0.58L -0.73L -0.84L -0.91L 1.21H 1.25H 1.23H 1.13H 0.72L 0.44L 0.07L -0.32L -0.70L -1.02L -1.26L
Time 3:12 PM 3:47 PM 4:23 PM 5:01 PM 9:25 AM 9:43 AM 10:22 AM 11:03 AM 4:05 AM 6:08 AM 8:37 AM 10:58 AM 12:31 PM 1:42 PM 2:41 PM
Time 8:25 PM 8:41 PM 8:54 PM 9:14 PM 5:42 PM 5:40 PM 6:18 PM 6:55 PM 11:49 AM 12:44 PM 1:49 PM 3:21 PM 5:36 PM
Height 1.01L 1.06L 1.10L 1.11L 1.31H 1.43H 1.36H 1.28H -0.50L -0.10L 0.31L 0.69L 0.92L
Time 10:53 PM 11:16 PM 11:51 PM
Height 1.03H 1.10H 1.16H
9:46 PM 10:16 PM 11:00 PM
1.11L 1.01L 0.90L
7:26 PM 7:52 PM 8:12 PM 8:28 PM 8:41 PM
1.19H 1.10H 1.03H 1.00H 1.01H
Time
Height
Time
Height
12:13 PM 1:04 PM 2:09 PM 4:25 PM 6:54 PM
-0.28L 0.08L 0.47L 0.82L 1.02L
8:20 PM 8:35 PM 8:46 PM 8:53 PM 8:55 PM
1.18H 1.08H 1.02H 1.02H 1.06H
Time
Height
Time
Height
Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Time 7:00 AM 7:31 AM 8:05 AM 8:43 AM 9:24 AM 10:06 AM 10:47 AM 11:28 AM 1:48 AM 2:23 AM 3:05 AM 3:53 AM 4:44 AM 5:34 AM 6:22 AM
Height -0.46L -0.62L -0.73L -0.81L -0.86L -0.84L -0.75L -0.56L 0.94L 0.66L 0.32L -0.06L -0.42L -0.73L -0.95L
Time 4:00 PM 4:33 PM 5:05 PM 5:37 PM 6:00 PM 6:53 PM 7:29 PM 7:58 PM 4:39 AM 6:36 AM 9:06 AM 11:21 AM 1:09 PM 2:25 PM 3:25 PM
Height 1.53H 1.59H 1.62H 1.61H 1.60H 1.49H 1.40H 1.30H 1.01H 0.85H 0.85H 1.01H 1.26H 1.47H 1.60H
Height -0.52L -0.68L -0.82L -0.92L -0.98L -0.99L -0.90L -0.71L -0.42L 0.42L 0.10L -0.24L -0.56L -0.84L -1.04L
Time 3:27 PM 4:09 PM 4:46 PM 5:21 PM
Height 1.38H 1.47H 1.53H 1.54H
Time 6:25 AM 6:57 AM 7:32 AM 8:10 AM 8:51 AM 9:36 AM 10:20 AM 11:05 AM 11:55 AM 2:34 AM 2:46 AM 3:14 AM 3:54 AM 4:47 AM 5:46 AM
6:33 PM 7:04 PM 7:27 PM 7:44 PM 6:09 AM 8:54 AM 11:23 AM 12:59 PM 2:11 PM 3:17 PM
1.45H 1.34H 1.20H 1.04H 0.58H 0.63H 0.88H 1.18H 1.42H 1.57H
Height -0.51L -0.58L -0.64L -0.69L -0.73L 0.48H 0.44H 0.35H 0.21H -0.29L -0.17L -0.37L -0.55L -0.68L -0.76L
Time 9:03 PM 9:44 PM 10:37 PM 11:42 PM
Height
12:50 PM 1:27 PM 2:02 PM 2:33 PM 10:30 PM 9:01 PM 8:17 PM 7:54 PM 8:09 PM 8:53 PM
-0.74L -0.71L -0.61L -0.47L 0.00H 0.03H 0.14H 0.25H 0.35H 0.40H
Height -0.55L 0.31H 0.35H 0.37H 0.36H 0.32H 0.23H 0.13H 0.06H 0.01H 0.04H -0.43L -0.53L -0.60L
Time 12:27 AM 12:55 PM 1:52 PM 2:52 PM 3:49 PM 4:36 PM 5:18 PM 5:54 PM 7:30 AM 8:12 AM 8:54 AM 9:51 PM 10:28 PM 11:31 PM
Height 0.27H -0.65L -0.68L -0.70L -0.69L -0.62L -0.52L -0.37L -0.03L -0.17L -0.31L 0.22H 0.29H 0.33H
12:57 PM 2:17 PM 5:15 PM
-0.06L 0.33L 0.66L
7:57 PM 8:08 PM 8:12 PM
0.89H 0.78H 0.73H
Time
Height
Time
Height
Port O’Connor Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Time 9:03 AM 9:47 AM 10:36 AM 11:24 AM 12:08 PM 12:57 AM 1:52 AM 2:35 AM 2:59 AM 2:56 PM 5:20 AM 5:51 AM 6:35 AM 7:26 AM 8:25 AM
Time 11:36 AM 1:12 AM 2:00 AM 2:49 AM 3:47 AM 4:38 AM 5:22 AM 3:16 AM 2:31 AM 1:26 AM 12:06 AM 9:36 AM 10:21 AM 11:10 AM
Time 10:40 AM 11:20 AM 12:10 PM 1:02 PM 12:53 AM 1:56 AM 2:29 AM 2:11 AM 1:03 AM 12:21 AM 12:09 AM 12:10 AM 12:09 AM 9:30 AM 10:23 AM
San Luis Pass Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Time 6:56 AM 7:28 AM 8:05 AM 8:45 AM 9:27 AM 1:56 AM 2:29 AM 2:11 AM 1:03 AM 12:21 AM 12:09 AM 12:10 AM 12:09 AM 9:30 AM 10:23 AM
Height -0.64L -0.72L -0.78L -0.84L 0.94H 0.94H 0.89H 0.79H 0.67H 0.59H 0.54H 0.52H 0.53H -0.85L -0.97L
Time 9:19 PM 10:21 PM 11:48 PM
Height 0.89H 0.91H 0.93H
1:52 PM 2:38 PM 3:22 PM 4:08 PM 4:58 PM 7:12 AM 7:33 AM 8:03 AM 8:42 AM 8:54 PM 9:45 PM
-0.88L -0.89L -0.81L -0.66L -0.44L 0.17L -0.14L -0.43L -0.67L 0.84H 0.92H
Height -0.65L -0.78L -0.88L -0.95L -0.99L 0.94H 0.89H 0.79H 0.67H 0.59H 0.54H 0.52H 0.53H -0.85L -0.97L
Time 4:38 PM 5:16 PM 5:58 PM 6:45 PM 7:42 PM 2:38 PM 3:22 PM 4:08 PM 4:58 PM 7:12 AM 7:33 AM 8:03 AM 8:42 AM 8:54 PM 9:45 PM
Height 0.80H 0.85H 0.86H 0.85H 0.81H -0.89L -0.81L -0.66L -0.44L 0.17L -0.14L -0.43L -0.67L 0.84H 0.92H
Height -0.54L -0.56L -0.57L -0.58L -0.03H -0.02H -0.02H -0.05H -0.11H -0.20L -0.30L -0.40L -0.48L -0.54L -0.58L
Time 9:11 PM 10:00 PM 11:11 PM
Height -0.08H -0.07H -0.05H
11:55 AM 12:41 PM 1:22 PM 2:00 PM 2:38 PM 6:42 AM 9:09 PM 9:00 PM 5:20 PM 6:35 PM 7:59 PM
-0.58L -0.56L -0.52L -0.46L -0.37L -0.19H -0.12H -0.08H -0.04H -0.01H -0.00H
Height -0.46L -0.57L -0.65L -0.69L -0.70L -0.68L -0.61L -0.48L 0.48L 0.28L 0.03L -0.23L -0.47L -0.68L -0.83L
Time 4:51 PM 5:39 PM 7:31 PM 9:10 PM
Height 0.73H 0.76H 0.77H 0.78H
10:50 PM 11:07 PM 10:32 PM 3:12 AM 4:56 AM 8:12 AM 7:38 PM 3:29 PM 4:08 PM 4:55 PM
0.73H 0.64H 0.50H 0.50H 0.34H 0.24H 0.44H 0.60H 0.74H 0.80H
Height -0.34L -0.47L -0.57L -0.64L -0.68L -0.72L -0.60L -0.39L -0.10L 0.74L 0.42L 0.07L -0.28L -0.57L -0.79L
Time 4:57 PM 5:49 PM 6:47 PM 7:45 PM 8:34 PM 8:30 PM 8:48 PM 8:32 PM 7:59 PM 5:02 AM 8:35 AM 12:20 PM 2:17 PM 3:23 PM 4:20 PM
Height 1.25H 1.32H 1.35H 1.38H 1.37H 1.41H 1.32H 1.19H 1.06H 0.80H 0.77H 0.97H 1.22H 1.40H 1.48H
Time
Height
Time
Height
10:34 AM 1:00 PM 3:55 PM 8:18 PM
0.31H 0.31H 0.47H 0.67H
5:46 PM 6:25 PM 6:44 PM
-0.16L 0.14L 0.43L
Time
Height
Time
Height
10:34 AM 1:00 PM 3:55 PM 8:18 PM
0.31H 0.31H 0.47H 0.67H
5:46 PM 6:25 PM 6:44 PM
-0.16L 0.14L 0.43L
Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Time 8:33 AM 9:18 AM 10:10 AM 11:04 AM 12:47 AM 1:57 AM 2:43 AM 3:23 AM 4:04 AM 4:22 AM 5:04 AM 5:42 AM 6:22 AM 7:06 AM 7:56 AM
Time
Height
Time
Height
10:49 PM 3:18 PM
-0.15H -0.28L
9:29 PM
-0.15H
Time
Height
Time
Height
12:07 PM 12:49 PM 1:19 PM
-0.31L -0.09L 0.16L
7:36 PM 7:30 PM 7:36 PM
0.40H 0.37H 0.39H
Time
Height
Time
Height
12:51 PM 1:52 PM 3:30 PM
0.24L 0.60L 0.92L
7:46 PM 7:34 PM 6:51 PM
0.97H 0.93H 0.97H
Port Aransas
11:53 PM
0.08H
Time 12:09 PM
Height -0.60L
Time
Height
9:35 AM
-0.02H
6:22 PM
-0.21L
10:51 PM
0.12H
Nueces Bay Date Dec 27 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
East Matagorda
Freeport Harbor Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
High Island
Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Time 6:30 AM 7:02 AM 7:37 AM 8:16 AM 8:58 AM 9:44 AM 10:32 AM 11:21 AM 1:03 AM 1:39 AM 2:26 AM 3:19 AM 4:13 AM 5:06 AM 5:56 AM
South Padre Island Date Dec 27 Dec 28 Dec 29 Dec 30 Dec 31 Jan 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 10
Time 6:10 AM 6:47 AM 7:28 AM 8:12 AM 8:59 AM 9:30 AM 10:17 AM 11:06 AM 11:57 AM 1:56 AM 2:18 AM 2:55 AM 3:41 AM 4:32 AM 5:25 AM
Texas Coast Tides
Height 1.30H 1.34H 1.35H 1.34H -0.94L -1.16L -1.05L -0.82L 0.95H 0.76H 0.76H 0.96H 1.24H 1.47H 1.60H
LSONews.com
LoneOStar Outdoor News
December 27, 2024
The hunt
starts here
Join us for Boots Beer & BBQ on Broadway, Wednesday Night at The Ultimate Sportsmen Market
Nashville, TN | January 22-25
Register today at safariclub.org
Page 17
Page 18
December 27, 2024
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
INDUSTRY
LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 22
Position at Whitetails Unlimited
Powell joins Victory Archery
Whitetails Unlimited Inc. is seeking a parttime field director in Texas to execute program services.
Victory Archery hired Cody Powell as regional sales manager.
Z-Man hires Richard Dunham was named product manager and Abbie Skeen was added as a marketing specialist at Z-Man.
After more than four decades, Major League Fishing has announced the December 2024 issue of MLF Bass Fishing magazine will be its final printed edition.
NRA appointments
Shin joins SCI
The National Rifle Association of America appointed John Commerford as interim executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action and Josh Savani as the executive director of NRA General Operations.
Safari Club International hired James Shin as its new director of marketing and communications.
Legacy1846 names VP
AGM Global Vision promoted Scott Cook to director of sales.
Luke Cotton was named vice president of brand and customer relations at Legacy1846.
ACROSS 5) A spaniel 6) Group of quail 8) Gizzard or thread fin 9) A Great Lake 13) Organ eaten by duck hunters 15) One of the cats 18) Fishing TV host 19) The Scandinavian caribou 21) The white-____ goose 23) A deer favorite 25) An African antelope 26) Sinker type 27) One of the quail 32) Crappie lure 33) West Texas river 34) A favorite Christmas entree 36) A duck favorite 37) The tom’s weapons 40) Decoys on the water 42) Kenedy County’s seat 44) Shotshell brand 45) Lake near Abilene 46) Cleburne’s county 47) Border lake
Fishing mag shuts down
Cook promoted at AGM
DOWN 1) Trout species 2) Safari destination 3) Monaghan’s’ county 4) Fishing line type 7) Yellowfin or blackfin 8) San Patricio County’s seat 10) Salmon species 11) Rio Grande City’s county 12) Coastal bay 14) Elk hunters’ org. 16) Greenville’s county 17) Hunting boot brand 20) Longnose or alligator 22) Val Verde County’s seat (two words) 24) They help bring in the ducks 28) Group of falcons 29) Giddings’ county 30) Bass ambush spot 31) One of the falcons 35) Shotgun brand 38) One of the eagles 39) Carthage’s county 41) Rifle brand 43) The young hen turkey
Puzzle by Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Venison Greek meatballs in sauce 1/2 lbs. ground venison 1/2 cup red onion, minced 5 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup minced parsley 2 tbsps. oregano 1 egg lightly beaten 1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg 1 cup olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Greek tomato sauce
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. To make the meatballs, take the meat out and knead it until it forms a cohesive mass. Take a tablespoon and make your meatballs. Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meatballs well in batches. Set each browned meatball in the sauce to simmer. When they are all in, cover the sauce and simmer gently over low heat for 15 minutes before serving. —Alabama DCNR
Flounder muffaletta 4 6 oz. flounder fillets 1/2 cup thin gourmet sesame cracker crisps 1/2 lb. arugula thin sliced soppressata fingerling potatoes Parmesan/anchovy emulsion (Caesar) Emulsion 4 egg yolks 2 tbsps. Dijon mustard 5 anchovy fillets 1/2 cup Parmesan 1 cup olive oil 3 tbsps. lemon juice 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup minced garlic 3 tbsps. fresh herbs
Potatoes Season potatoes with salt and pepper, cover with olive oil, rosemary, garlic and thyme. Bake at 225 degrees until tender (about 1 hour), then cool and slice into disks to serve Emulsion Blend egg yolks, Dijon, garlic and anchovies in food processor until smooth, then drizzle in olive oil to emulsify. Add remaining ingredients and season with salt and black pepper. Flounder Season flounder fillets with salt and pepper. Heat pan up to medium high, then add olive oil. Sear fillets 2 minutes on each side. Add 1 tbsp. butter on the flip. Toss arugula, soppressata and potatoes in emulsion dressing and plate first. Place flounder on top of salad and top with 1 tbsp. of olive salad. Garnish with sesame crisps. —Mississippi DMR
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
December 27, 2024
Page 19
NATIONAL MONTANA
Bull elk shot, wasted Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a bull elk that was shot and wasted on private property northeast of Worden. Wardens responded to a report from the landowner and found the bull elk dead from gunshot wounds on the private property. The bull was likely shot on Dec. 6 or 7. Nothing was taken from the animal. The elk, a 5x6 bull with a broken main antler beam, was killed on private property without landowner permission and was taken out of season. Additionally, wasting any part of a game animal that is suitable for food is prohibited. —MFWP
VIRGINIA
Bear falls on man On Dec. 9, a black bear fell out of a tree in Lunenburg County and struck a 58-year-old man, who was hospitalized. He died from his injuries four days later. According to reports, a group of hunters treed the bear and stepped out from underneath the branches. A member of the group shot the bear while Harvey was standing roughly 10 feet from the base of the trunk. However, the bear fell on top of Harvey. After local fire department and EMS personnel arrived on the scene, Harvey was transported by ground to VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill. He was later relocated to Richmond’s VCU Medical Center, where he died in the critical care unit. A Facebook post from Harvey’s wife said her husband “wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was just getting his dog.” —Staff report
TEXAS
Cassidy leaving SCI Ben Cassidy, Executive Vice President for International Government & Public Affairs, has decided to step down effective December 31.
Cassidy joined SCI in July 2019 as the Director of Government Affairs and, throughout his tenure, oversaw the organization’s Government Relations, Legal Advocacy, International Affairs, Marketing, and Communications departments. “Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for SCI and the incredible individuals I had the privilege of working alongside during my five years at the organization,” Cassidy said. “It would be impossible to find a hunter anywhere in the world that does not owe a debt of gratitude to Ben Cassidy for his years of contributions and commitment to SCI’s national and international advocacy efforts,” said SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin. —SCI
KENTUCKY
Knight & Hale calls making comeback Knight & Hale, a prominent name in the turkey hunting world, is reintroducing its line of turkey and deer calls. These calls are making a comeback, offering hunters the exceptional quality and performance they have come to expect from the brand. The new lineup includes a wide variety of innovative calls such as pot, mouth, box, locator, grunt, and gravity bleat calls. —Knight & Hale
NEW YORK
Henry Rifles founder honored Anthony Imperato, the founder and chief executive officer of Henry Rifles was honored with the Humanitarian Award by the New York Police Department Committee of Police Societies. The award recognizes Imperato’s outstanding charitable contributions through Henry’s “Guns For Great Causes” program and his dedication to supporting America’s law enforcement. To date, Henry Repeating Arms has donated over $3.5 million through Guns For Great Causes initiatives. —Henry
Numbers of bass Continued from page 8
chatterbait time,” he said. “We are coming into the season for the big ones.” On O.H. Ivie, the lake will soon be teeming with anglers searching for a lunker, as water temperatures around 54 degrees move bass into their winter patterns. However, most anglers are having difficulty finding many fish currently, and are waiting for a few more cold fronts. Keith Winters said he has been having some luck with worms, swimbaits and deep-diving crankbaits. They are starting to centralize,” he said.
Rainbows in winter
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Continued from page 1
On the Guadalupe River, where trout survive year-round, the fish can be more picky. John Shank, with Lonestar Fly Fishing, said the fishing should be good all winter long. “Right now, the stocked fish are pretty easy,” he said. Shank and his clients are having the most success fishing a three-fly rig with Pat’s rubber leg, squirmy or egg pattern in the middle, and a pheasant tail or other nymphs under an indicator. “Presentation is key,” he said, “Mend, mend, mend — get a drag-free drift.” Shank said the better the presentation, the more likely you are to catch the larger holdovers. “They will also hit a swung stream like an olive wooly bugger or dry fly,” he said. The guide recommends 4x tippet. “It isn’t worth it to me to go to 5x — the bigger fish are more likely to break you off and I do not notice a significant difference in bites,” Shank said. “After the stocking for the year is done, the fish get a little pickier. I change the middle fly to something more natural.” Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will stock 342,802 trout in the 2024-2025 season. Many community and state park ponds have trout stockings throughout the winter, along with several rivers. The complete listing may be viewed at the TPWD website. Upcoming river stockings are listed as follows: Canyon Tailrace (Guadalupe River) Guadalupe River State Park Lewisville Tailrace (Elm Fork Trinity River) Llano River (Grenweige Park) Possum Kingdom Tailrace Trinity Park Clear Fork Trinity River River Park Clear Fork Trinity River
Dec. 27; Jan. 3; Jan. 10; Jan. 17; Jan. 24; Jan. 31; Feb. 21; March 2 Jan. 5 Feb. 17 Feb. 2 Jan. 3; Jan. 17; Jan. 30; Feb. 18; Feb. 28 Feb. 4 Feb. 18
slowly light up over 6,000 sqft when triggered by motion
www.slowglow.com
Page 20
December 27, 2024
LoneOStar Outdoor News
LSONews.com
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT SABINE LAKE: 68 degrees. Speckled trout are good on gold spoons. Redfish are good on gold spoons, crankbaits and shrimp. BOLIVAR: 64 degrees. Speckled trout, redfish, sand trout and black drum are fair on live shrimp. TRINITY BAY: 62 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics and live shrimp. Black drum are good on live shrimp fished under popping corks. EAST GALVESTON BAY: 58 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp, soft plastics and slow-sinking twitch baits. Black drum and redfish are fair on live shrimp and finger mullet. GALVESTON BAY: 59 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp. Redfish are good on gold spoons and live shrimp. WEST GALVESTON BAY: 63 degrees. Speckled trout are good on soft plastics. Redfish and sand trout are fair on soft plastic lures and live shrimp. TEXAS CITY: 61 degrees. Bull redfish and black drum are good on live halved crab and cut mullet. Speckled trout, sand trout and big croaker are fair on live shrimp and finger mullet.
SINCE 1960
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FREEPORT: 62 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on soft plastics under a popping cork. Black drum are fair on live shrimp and fresh dead shrimp. EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 55 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp. WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 55 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp.
PORT O’CONNOR: 60 degrees. Bull redfish are fair on blue crab and Spanish sardines. Slot redfish are fair on Spanish sardines. Black drum are fair on dead shrimp and blue crab. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp. SAN ANTONIO BAY: 60 degrees. Bull redfish, slot redfish and black drum are fair on cut mullet.
ROCKPORT: 71 degrees. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish are good on shrimp and mullet. Black drum are good on live and dead shrimp. REDFISH BAY: 70 degrees. Black drum and redfish are good on dead shrimp and mullet. PORT ARANSAS: 71 degrees. Redfish are good on shrimp and cut mullet. Speckled trout are good on shrimp. Black drum are fair on shrimp. CORPUS CHRISTI: 70 degrees. Black drum and redfish are good on dead shrimp and mullet. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp under a popping cork. BAFFIN BAY: 75 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on soft plastics and slow-sinking twitch baits. PORT MANSFIELD: 76 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on top-waters and soft plastics. SOUTH PADRE: 68 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on live shrimp under a popping cork and cut mullet. Sheepshead are good on live and dead shrimp. —TPWD
Golden anniversary Continued from page 5
fancier and more focused on the anniversary. “We’ll pay tribute to Jerry Johnston,” Pittman said. “And we will be announcing the new Texas Trophy Hunters Foundation, which will raise funds for scholarships for college chapters and support deer research.” Pittman said the night will include a celebration of the anniversary of TTHA, awards for founders and some additional live auction items raising money for the new foundation. Alabama native and Country Music Association award-winning artist Ella Langley will grace the stage after Saturday’s event. “We’re really excited,” Pittman said. “It should be a great event.”
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LoneOStar Outdoor News
Youngest most successful hunter By Meghan Olivia Jackson For Lone Star Outdoor News
In the heart of George West lives a precocious shooter who is only 3 years and 4 months old. His name is Fisher Krietsch, and he is currently leading the Youth Division — Youngest Most Successful Hunter (Boys) category in the Muy Grande Deer Contest. His parents, Michael and Krysta Krietsch, operate a youth hunting and fishing ministry called Kingdom Hunters with the motto, “On the hunt to advance God’s Kingdom.” “A big part of this is to get kids outdoors so they can hear from God,” Michael said. “I think it is the greatest thing because it allows you to have Fisher Krietsch took this whitetail while hunting with his father, Mia good and quiet place to get chael, who also operates a youth hunting ministry. Photo from Michael away from the world and dis- Krietsch. tractions.” Michael said he works with youth constantly and one day, Fisher approached him wanting to shoot a deer. “I do not ever put anyone in a blind that does not have the passion, and Fisher took to it like a duck to water,” he said. “I worked with him a couple of times and he picked it up instantly.” Although this was not Fisher’s first hunt, nerves slightly started to hit him, but Michael said at that moment he knew exactly what to do. “He has hunted before and did not have any problems, but this particular hunt made him nervous, so I decided to say a prayer with him,” he said. “Next thing you know, like nothing, he overcame his fears and is now leading as the Youngest Most Successful Hunter.” Michael proudly said Fisher listened to his commands and showed a superior amount of discipline at such a young age. “I was really happy,” Fisher said, “It’s fun and I can eat it.”
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Fun at the ranch Continued from page 1
provided for her family. “We hunted, relaxed, laughed, learned, shot at the long range, told stories — and laughed a whole lot more,” she said. “We cheered and encouraged each other to be our best selves.” Slusser provided each hunter a goodie basket and a “Does Before Bros” T-shirt. She said anyone can participate in this A group of new hunters leave the boys behind each year at the Does Before event, but there is Bros hunt. Photo from Kelsey Rae Slusser. one rule — you must wear an ugly Christmas sweater. ranch year-round and experience pure joy “Kelsey helped everyone feel comfort- from just being outside motivates Slusser able and did not mind my many questions to keep doing what she is doing. about pretty much everything,” Skorich “I have had both men and women come said. “I got to spend time with friends and to me who have never shot before who are make new ones who enjoy being outside eager to try it for the first time,” Slusser like me.” said, “I think it is such a beautiful thing beHunter Saraphine Donovan said they al- cause it opens up this whole new gateway ternated between sitting in blinds and the of opportunities and adventure.” food they ate was freshly made game from Skorich said her favorite quote is, “Nathe property, with vegetables from their ture does not hurry, yet everything is acgarden. HB Ranch provided hunters with complished,” by Lao Tzu. rifles and ammo as well. “I have achieved goals I did not think “It was a great experience to shoot some were possible and going outside has rifles none of us had ever shot before,” helped me do that,” Skorich said. “You do Dovovan said. “The major success of the not have to be an avid hiker or hunter to weekend truly though was the people.” enjoy it, just get out there and find your The amount of people who visit the happiness.”
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