PREDATOR HUNTING ANNUAL INSIDE
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
February 25, 2022
predator hunting texas ANNUAL 2022
The thermal
craze,
with good reason
Advertising Section
Volume 18, Issue 13
Switching to exotics Hunters adjust priorities after deer season By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News With deer season ending, hunters are turning their focus to pursuing exotic species across Texas ranches. Many have been presented with new challenges and opportunities to expand their experiences in the field. Outside of Rocksprings, Jeff Sober
connected with an impressive mouflon using a .45 caliber pistol with hunting guide Andrew Olson on the Agua Vida Ranch. Olson said they were able to put the wind in their face as they stalked into a thicket where groups of mouflon typically hang out during the midday hours. “We had seen this particular herd of rams grazing that morning as they headed into this area of brush late in the morning,” he said. “Our plan played out perfectly. We were able to stalk in to
about 20 yards away from the herd and they had no idea we were there because the wind was steadily blowing in our faces.” The hunter and guide used cedar bushes for cover, and Sober was finally presented with about a 25-yard shot on a big ram. “He made an excellent shot and harvested the mouflon just as if it was scripted,” Olson said. West Texas outfitter Roy Hurley, of Sproul Ranch, has been guiding hunters
Rex Gillespie harvested this mature aoudad in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. Photo by Roy Hurley.
Please turn to page 6
Mullet lures key on Laguna Madre By Robert Sloan
For Lone Star Outdoor News Waist deep in clear troutgreen water with nearby pods of baitfish is the key to catching both trout and reds on the middle areas of the Laguna Madre. The water temperature is 65 to 70 degrees, and cold fronts haven’t been a big factor. Guide Jay Watkins and his son, Jay Ray, have been running guided fishing trips for big trout on the middle areas of the Laguna Madre since the first week of January. They will continue fishing this area through February. Watkins is best known for putting anglers on big trout. What’s his secret? “Follow the mullet and use lures that produce trout more Jay Watkins has been finding big speckled trout on mullet-imitation lures like a custom Corky Fat Boy in a pistachio color. Photo from Jay Watkins.
often than not,” he said. He posted good catches of solid trout during the week of the full moon in mid-February. Two of his best lures right now include a Custom Corky in a pistachio color pattern and a Texas Custom DD in a speckled trout color pattern. He especially likes fishing these two lures over submerged grass beds and potholes. Watkins said it’s usually the little things that will catch more trophy trout. “The little things that we do, tackle and rigging wise, will make the difference between getting the bite and landing the fish,” he said. His go-to rod is a 6 1/2-foot custom rod. A 20-pound test monofilament leader is at-
tached to the braid with a double uni knot. The leader is attached to the lure via a loop knot. Guide Josh Garza has been fishing from Port Mansfield to South Padre Island. “We have been catching more fish in post-frontal conditions,” he said. “The trout bite has been better the farther south we go.” The warm days have set up some ideal conditions for catching reds, according to Garza. He’s been wading mostly and catching a lot of reds in 2 to 3 feet of water. Sandy potholes with a little mud, grass and shell have been holding fair numbers of slot reds. But it’s the trout that many fishermen are hunting from Please turn to page 19
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Catfish action increasing by the day By Nate Skinner
Jacob Sinkule, 15, caught this 38-pound blue catfish on Lake Tawakoni with guide James Evans. Photo from James Evans. Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 9 Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Datebook . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 19
INSIDE
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For Lone Star Outdoor News Catfish continue to adjust to the ever-changing weather patterns anglers are experiencing across inland lakes and rivers. The bite seems to be becoming more consistent as springtime slowly approaches. Anglers have reported catching both trophy-sized fish and good numbers of smaller fish, perfect for eating. The larger catfish
seem to be staging along the shallows on most bodies of water. Lacey Wostal was fishing with her husband, Lonnie, on Lake Corpus Christi when she hooked into the largest catfish she’s ever caught. “We were fishing with stink bait in about 2 1/2 feet of water,” she said. “My rod was sitting in a rod holder when I saw it bounce a couple of times like it was getting a bite. When I set the hook, the rod doubled over and Please turn to page 9
HUNTING
FISHING
Magnificent guns (P. 4)
Wahoo wonderland (P. 8)
Benelli set astounds.
Offshore bite good when weather allows.
Sausage from deer (P. 4)
Confused bass (P. 8)
Complete setup in private shop.
Moving deep to shallow.
