Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
July 23, 2021
Volume 17, Issue 23
Anthrax reported in West Texas
Blowups on the bay Fish concentrating away from freshwater By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Seadrift-area guide Capt. Nathan Beabout cruised for forty-five minutes in the dark at full speed before coming to a halt. He took his hand, dipped it in the water, and tasted to check whether the water was salty enough. The middle part of the month saw portions of the coast plagued by flooding rains. Freshwater runoff dirtied the waters of upper bay reaches, as well as any stretches of water near or adjacent to the mouths of creeks, bayous, sloughs, rivers and other sources of freshwater inflows. Anglers have had to adapt their game plans accordingly, as the playing field of fishable water was significantly reduced, and those willing to persevere found speckled trout and redfish stacked up in certain areas where clean saltwater has been holding. Beabout took his clients away from areas where the freshwater was concentrated in San Antonio Bay and focused on saltier, cleaner flats along the southern portion of Espiritu Santo Bay. The anglers found plenty of speckled trout in the 16-19 inch range while wading along flats with grass beds and sand pockets near the mouths and entrances to back lakes in knee- to waist-deep water. One 25-inch trout weighing in at about 5 pounds was landed, and the best bite came on soft plastics in red, pink or purple color patterns. “The redfish bite picked up later in the morning over an area containing a softer bottom with scattered grass beds and shell,” Beabout said. “During the major and minor feeding periods the redfish were crushing top-water baits.” Anglers in Port Mansfield reported sheets of rainwater lining both sides of Highway 186 on their way into port from Raymondville. The evidence of significant rains was further experienced on the Lower Laguna Madre, as offcolored freshwater was located just south of the Mansfield harbor. The cleanest, saltiest water out of Port Mansfield was located to the north.
By Craig Nyhus
Lone Star Outdoor News On July 16, the Devils River State Natural Area sent a notice saying portions of West Texas, including the DRSNA, may be experiencing an anthrax outbreak. The Texas Animal Health Commission reported the confirmation of anthrax in a captive whitetailed deer on a Val Verde County premises north of Comstock on July 11. According to TAHC, this is the first anthrax case in Texas this year. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, about a half-dozen wild deer carcasses were located in the DRSNA area and are being evaluated. The DRSNA notice indicated that although it is rare for people to contract the disease in North America, visitors should not touch dead wildlife and should report carcasses observed to park staff. Also, it was recommended that visitors wear insect repellent as flies can possibly transmit the disease. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, anthrax is a bacterial disease which causes sudden death in cattle, sheep, goats and wildlife such as whitetailed deer, and can affect humans by entering through a break or abrasion in the skin after direct contact with infected animals or their products — blood, wool or hides. Anthrax may also be transferred by biting flies. Within a
Capt. Todd Grubert battles a fiesty redfish caught on a top-water plug while guiding a group of wade-fishermen out of Port Mansfield. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Homemade dough bait for carp Sweet flavors preferred By Nate Skinner
Carp don’t seem to get a lot of attention, but there is a population of anglers who are obsessed with targeting this unique species. Some prefer to fool them with flies or small
said. “You have to use something sweet in order to catch them.” Wesolowski’s dough baits consist of a Panko breadcrumb base that’s mixed with sweet corn, peas and even ingredients like sweet cereals or jello powders. “Carp are pretty prevalent in Texas, and that’s what I like about them,” he said. “I target Please turn to page 15
Freshwater Fishing Report . Page 10 Saltwater Fishing Report . . Page 11 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . Page 16 Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . Page 20
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For Lone Star Outdoor News
jigs, but perhaps the most interesting of carp anglers are those chasing them with their own homemade baits. Henry Wesolowski targets carp on multiple Texas water bodies and has been catching them recently with dough baits he concocts himself, using a variety of ingredients. “Sweet-flavored bait seems to be the ticket for carp,” he
Henry Wesolowski landed this 13-pound carp at sunset while fishing on Lake Travis with his homemade bait. Photo from Henry Wesolowski.
HUNTING
FISHING
Canada allowing travel (P. 4)
Summer crappie (P. 8)
Vaccinations required.
Toledo Bend timber bite.
A green landscape (P. 4)
Stocking specks (P. 9)
Range conditions improve.
Adding trout on the coast.
