May 11, 2012 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 1

eBay for animals New Web site auctions exotics online.

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

May 11, 2012

Page 4

Volume 8, Issue 18

Custom rod maker mixes humor with work

Inside

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

❘❚ HUNTING

End of an era Col. Pete Flores hanging up his gun after 27 years.

Page 6

We’re watching, too Game wardens use TV shows and electronic media to nab law breakers.

Page 4

This rod bites!

That is the impression one gets when they hold the custom rattlesnake rod made by former tournament angler and North Texas fishing guide turned custom rod maker Ron Grantham.

“That rod took a while because I looked for the rightsized snake head,” he said. “I had a couple of guys hunting for them, but they just couldn’t get the correct size, so I found a polymer statue and cut the head off. But everything else is real rattlesnake.”

It’s customs like the rattlesnake rod that are getting Grantham noticed, but his regular custom See CUSTOM RODS, Page 14

GET BIT: The rattlesnake rod by Ron Grantham, owner of Reel Time Custom Rods, was designed using real snakeskin. Along with unique custom rods, Grantham builds solid fishing rods for all species of game fish. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

❘❚ FISHING

Fishing for bites

Back to back High school senior wins fish art contest for second year in a row.

Page 11

Galveston shark action heating up

By Conor Harrison

Noise or no noise?

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Rattling vs. “silent” crankbaits.

Page 8

❘❚ CONTENTS Classifieds . . . . . . . .

Crossword . . . . . . . .

Freshwater Fishing Report For the Table. . . . . . .

Game Warden Blotter . . .

Heroes. . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Datebook . . . .

Outdoor Business . . . .

Products . . . . . . . . .

Saltwater Fishing Report .

Sun, Moon and Tide data .

Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

❘❚ LSONews.com

. . . . . . . . . . .

Page 27 Page 24 Page 10 Page 24 Page 12 Page 17 Page 26 Page 25 Page 27 Page 16 Page 24

JAWS IN TEXAS: Shark fishing is getting good in the Galveston Bay area. Trolling with Rapala’s is not a common way to catch them, but it can be effective and fun. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Longtime Galveston Bay Capt. Mike Williams has caught quite a few sharks during his 50-plus years of guiding on the Texas coast.

This year, the water warmed up much quicker than normal along the beaches, and that has brought the sharks into the passes about a month

earlier than normal.

“The shark fishing has been good when we can get out,” Williams said. “The wind just recently died down. I’ve had some mixed trips of bull reds and sharks in the Rollover Pass area.”

Williams said he caught mostly blacktips on his recent trip, but also managed a 200-pound See SHARK FISHING, Page 25

Hearing the call Student chooses career in hunting

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Mike Shipley grew up in an environment that would appear unusual to most.

Both of his parents are deaf.

But that didn’t stop him or his father from hunting.

PURSUING A DREAM: Mike Shipley of Austin realized he wanted to be a wildlife manager while attending Outdoor Texas Camp as an 11-yearold. This fall he will enter his senior year at Texas A&M–Kingsville in the wildlife management program. Photo

by Craig Nyhus, LSON.

“I’m told my first words were in sign language,” the 20-year-old Texas A&MKingsville junior from Austin said. “Both my parents were essentially deaf from birth, although my mom can hear a little with hearing aids, and she speaks well.”

Shipley learned to speak mostly from his grandparents, and he was introduced to hunting by his grandfather and father.

“My grandfather got my uncle and dad into it some — as a kid I would go with my dad when my mom

would let me,” he said.

His first recollection of hunting was at age 10, when his father shot a 10-pointer on their property near Junction.

“Then I got more interested and would go with my dad as often as he would take me,” he said.

Success, though, was another story.

“We didn’t know much about hunting,” Shipley said. “And I got buck fever bad — I missed six deer and four hogs in a row.”

See CAREER, Page 14

Page 2

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 3

Page 4

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HUNTING

The eBay for exotics Web site has online auctions for animals

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Kerrville resident and exotic animal rancher Lance Blazek has used national Web sites before to attempt to sell several of his animals.

The only problem was, when it came time for the animals to be sent to potential buyers, they were often located in places like Canada or the far Northeast.

“It’s a different crowd,” he said. “This site is Texasbased, and it is one of a kind because you can actually bid on the animals.”

The Web site, Wildlifebuyer. com, was the idea of Circle H Ranch owner John Harwood.

Circle H Ranch is a stocking facility in Leakey that sells exotic animals to game ranches around the state.

Harwood said he has been buying and selling animals a long time and felt the need to go beyond the “surplus list” that he has put out for years.

“It started out as just a site for our animals,” he said. “Then people started

calling and asking to put taken on a whole new form,” their animals on there. It’s Harwood said. “We are curbeen growing and growing rently talking to live aucand growing ever since.” tion people, like the YO The Web site went live Ranch, about pre-bidding in January, and Harwood for their auctions. This will said close to $1 million in open it up for people who auction sales have been can’t go to the live auction. completed in the past four “People have more options.” months on approximately Harwood, a past presi500 listings. dent of the Exotic Wildlife He said the problem with the surplus list occurred See EBAY, Page 18 when multiple buyers would call about the same animal.

“Only the first caller was happy,” he said. “I’d have 30 more call and I’d have to tell them, ‘No, they are sold.’

It just got to be inefficient. I thought there has got to be a better way.”

The surplus list is still available on the Web site, but now potential buyers can see the animals and place bids on animals that are still available.

GOING ONCE: Wildlifebuyer.com is a new Web site offering exotic ranchers the opportunity to bid, buy and sell animals in a quick and easy format. Photos by Lili “This thing has Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Wardens watch TV, too

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Photo by LSON.

Good year for Texas turkey hunters

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS After a dismal 2011 spring turkey season that saw minimal gobbling, almost no breeding and low hunter success, 2012 was a different story.

Plenty of mature toms and an early breeding season in most parts of the state left lots of eager gobblers responding to hunters’ calls when the season rolled around.

“Turkeys were very active across the region,” said Ray Hood, Texas regional director for the National Wild Turkey Federation. “South Texas (toms) started off early and were extremely active. There were no young birds to interfere with hunters, but lots of nice, mature gobblers were taken.

“The birds were so active from March into early April.”

Hood said hunter success was good from the early portion of the season right through the end in both the North and South Zone.

“I talked to an outfitters in the San Angelo area and he had 100 percent

success on the first bird and 98 percent success on the second,” he said.

“I also talked to a Houston hunter who went to the North Zone to film a late season hunt (for a TV show), and their hunt took about five minutes.

“They had three birds right on top of them before the cameraman was even set up.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife turkey biologist Jason Hardin agreed that the season was a good one for Texas hunters.

“From my perspective, it was a pretty good season,” Hardin said. “It started earlier than in years past, but we expected that. The Rios are really responsive to when the rains fall, and they came early, so it kicked it off a little earlier this spring.

“The hens got on their nests a early, which made for better hunting during the season.”

Hardin said the early start to the season, especially in the South Zone, proved to be a good thing this year.

See TURKEYS, Page 18

Hunting and fishing TV shows provide entertainment for those stuck at home on weekend mornings.

Sometimes, though, they provide information to game wardens that cause them to look deeper into the actions of the participants.

Wade Middleton hosts and produces a number of hunting and fishing shows, including “American Outdoors” and “Cabela’s Fisherman’s Handbook.”

“We’re really careful, especially when it’s something new for us or we’re out of state,” he said. “The camera is like a beacon to draw more attention to what we’re doing.”

Middleton hasn’t had any questions from any shows his company has produced, but he’s heard the stories from other show producers.

“Most of the problems come from tagging issues, especially with deer and bear,” he said.

“Some guys in Canada had a problem with using radios to assist in the hunt, which is illegal there. You have to pay attention to detail — I keep a regulations book with me at all times, and keep a punch, tape, zip-ties and a pen that works in my bag.”

Col. Pete Flores, the law enforcement director for Texas Park and Wildlife Department

has seen a lot of change in his 27 years with the department.

“I saw a TV show where they were hunting javelina near Laredo,” Flores said. “The host was from out of state, and we checked whether he had a license — so we do check.”

Rocker and TV host Ted Nugent recently aired a black bear hunt in Alaska, and fell prey to a little-known provision that said a non-lethal hit of a bear in the particular area he was hunting counted as the hunter’s one-bear limit.

Nugent grazed the rib of a bear with his arrow on the hunt but

Larry Weishuhn, host of “A Hunter’s Life with Larry Weishuhn,” has hunted across America, and knows the wardens are watching his shows.

“I’ve had some calls,” he said.

“A few times they suggested I didn’t tag the animal, which was incorrect — we just weren’t showing the tags in the images.”

Weishuhn said you have to be on top of things when traveling and hunting.

“Each state is different on their tagging requirements, and some, like Kentucky, don’t provide tags with the license; you have to call in within 24 hours after shooting the animal and get a number, then attach that to the animal.”

And blindly taking the word of guides or outfitters isn’t the best practice.

“I trust my guides and outfitters,” he said. “But I still confirm the game laws for myself, and check with the local warden before I go if there is a question.”

Wardens are now prolific in social media, and reading the Game Warden Blotter in each issue of Lone Star Outdoor News reveals numerous incidents of violators posting their illegal activities for all to see.

“I never would have thought of that when I started,” said Flores, who retires May 31. “We were in the brush and bushes.

Now we’ve added the electronic brush and bushes.”

’Electronic brush and bushes’ part of job found no sign of injury. After the show aired, his taking of another bear brought him a federal charge followed by a guilty plea.

“While I have never intentionally violated a hunting regulation, ignorance of the law is no excuse, and I am truly sorry, and have paid dearly,” Nugent said in a statement after his plea.

Nugent pointed out the complex Alaska regulations and that the local judge and guides also were unaware of the provision and that he would not have hunted in that area of the state had he been aware.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Photo by LSON.

MDF looking for members The Mule Deer Foundation is looking for members for a new chapter in South Texas.

The Mule Deer Foundation, a 25-year-old grassroots conservation organization, is starting a local chapter in the Cameron County area.

An organizational meeting will be held May 16, 2012, at the Loma Alta Skeet and Trap Range, 500 Old Port Isabel Rd., Brownsville, Texas. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. All interested individuals are encouraged to attend and bring along a friend.

For more information about the MDF or about this meeting, contact Charles S. Stockstill at 817-565-7121 or charlie@muledeer.org.

— MDF

Permits given green light Good news for all those that have applied for USFWS permits for scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle. The permit section of USFWS has given a green light for the Exotic Wildlife Association’s Senegal Project as an enhancement in-situ, which means you can designate the EWA’s Second Ark Foundation Senegal Project as the receiver of the 10 percent enhancement fee as a result of the “take” of these three species for conservation purposes.

Those ranchers whose permits were being held will be processed immediately. Others who will apply in the future may contact the EWA office for the exact wording.

Ranchers who have both the captive wildlife breeder’s permit and the “take” permit may allow others such as an outfitter to assist with the culling of surplus animals provided it is for conservation purposes.

There will be no permits issued to anyone who does not own a ranch and has a viable herd of one or more of those species currently listed under the Endangered Species Act. In other words, permits are to be issued for conservation purposes to the ranch and ranch owners.

— EWA

Win Nikon 10x42 PROSTAFF 7 binoculars See a full selection of Nikon products at

McBride's Guns 52915 San Gabriel Street Austin, TX 78705 www.mcbridesguns.com

(512) 472-3532

Austin residen t AVERY LIARD ON, 12, took th Bar H Bar Ranc is great scimita h near Lampasa r-horned oryx bu s. Avery was sh a rest on shootin ll on the ooting a Kimbe g sticks and co r .308 when sh nnected with th accomplished e took e old bull at 15 huntress, taking 0 yards. Avery her first deer at ram, more white is an age 9, followe tails and pigs. d by a sika, Co rsican

May 11, 2012

Page 5

Page 6

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Texas game warden director to retire after 27 years

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Col. Pete Flores, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Division director, will retire effective May 31 after more than 27 years of service.

“I’ve been doing this since I was 24 years old,” the 52-year-old Flores said. “It’s been a very emotional experience, though. I will really miss the people.”

Flores graduated from the Game Warden Training Academy in January 1985 and began his career in Chambers County. He later worked in Brazos County and, after a promotion to captain, assumed supervisory duties in Beaumont.

Later he served as captain in San Antonio and then as a major in San Angelo.

In March 2005 he was promoted from lieutenant colonel to the division’s top position.

Flores said he was “most proud of the quality of service our men and women provide.”

“We’re the law enforcement off the pavement,” he said.

The low points of his

career as director were the loss of three wardens “on my watch,” he said.

SOON GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Col. Pete Flores will retire as the Law Enforcement Division director with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the end of May, following a 27-year career.

Photo by Col. Pete Flores.

He described the new Texas Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County as a highlight during his tenure.

“It’s the best in the world,” Flores said. “It’s built like an old Texas fort — 19th century on the outside and 21st century on the inside.”

As TPWD Law Enforcement

Division director, Flores oversees 532 game wardens across the state. Though state game wardens focus primarily on conservation laws, they are fully commissioned peace officers authorized to enforce all state statutes.

“I am most proud of all Pete has done to ensure our game wardens are the best trained, the best prepared, the best equipped, and the best outfitted they can be to meet the modern day challenges, complexities and dangers of law enforcement across our state,” TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith said.

A native of Laredo, Flores graduated from Texas A&M University before attending the Game Warden Academy.

Flores plans to stay involved following his retirement, but hasn’t decided on his future plans.

“I’m going to take a summer vacation like we had when we were back in school and spend time with my grandchildren,” he said.

“And I spent seven years in Spain growing up, so I’ll go back there.”

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

BANDED products to hit the shelves At the S.H.O.T. show in January in Las Vegas, the Lone Star Outdoor News crew learned of a new company set to produce rugged products for waterfowlers and outdoorsmen and women.

But we had to keep it under our hat — until now.

BANDED is up and running. Maxx Outdoors has announced the inaugural launch of BANDED and the unveiling of its new Web site, www.banded.com.

Created by a group of avid outdoorsmen, innovators and product designers that joined forces after years of working in the outdoor industry, its objective is to produce better products to deal with outdoor activities that are extremely tough on gear.

Currently offering more than 600 items in 19 categories, BANDED says it will continue to provide new, innovative and functional gear for the outdoors.

“The amount of work that has been done by our team in the last nine months is unbelievable,” said CEO and President, Jim Hawk III. “With our diverse product offerings, there’s definitely something for everyone.”

— Staff report

Bigfoot legal to hunt in Texas Apparently, hunters in Texas can shoot “Bigfoot” if they see him.

As reported by the Outdoor Hub, John Lloyd Scharf sent a letter to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department asking if it is legal to kill a sasquatch in the state if a hunter comes across one of the animals.

Bigfoot is not listed as a game animal in Texas, thus, according to TPWD Chief of Staff Lt. David Sinclair, the animal can be legally hunted in Texas.

Sinclair responded to Scharf by saying, “the statute you cite (Section 61.021) refers only to game birds, game animals, fish, marine animals or other aquatic life. Generally speaking, other nongame wildlife is listed in Chapter 67 and Chapter 68 … An exotic animal is an animal that is non-indigenous to Texas. Unless the exotic is an endangered species then exotics may be hunted on private property with landowner consent.”

Bigfoot is said to roam the deep woods of the Pacific Northwest, but if any Lone Star Outdoor News readers happen to harvest one, please send a photo for our Heroes Section.

— Staff report

Lone Star Land Stewards announced The ability to manage land in difficult times, through extended dry periods and economic downturns, is the hallmark of a good land steward. This year’s recipients of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Lone Star Land Steward Awards are prime examples.

This year’s recipients characterize the unique cultural and natural heritage of Texas.

Landowners restoring degraded habitats while conserving flora and fauna are a common thread.

Cross Timbers and Prairies: Colonel Burns Ranch, Brown County; Toni and Paul Burns, owners/operators.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes: Wexford Ranches, Goliad, Victoria, Refugio Counties; Louise S. O’Connor, owner, Kai Buckert, manager.

Rolling Plains: Gibson Ranches LLC, Cottle and King Counties; Mike and Shonda Gibson, owners/operators.

Trans Pecos: Double H Ranch, El Paso County; Charles, Barbara, David and Anne Horak, owners/operators.

Wildlife Management Association: Arroyo Veleno Wildlife Management COOP, Zapata County; David Dodier, David Volpe, Ernesto Uribe, and Jose Lopez families.

Special Recognition: Roxanne Hernandez, Lost Pines Habitat Conservation Plan Administrator and Coordinator of the Lost Pines Recovery Team, Bastrop County.

— TPWD

May 11, 2012

Page 7

Page 8

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

FISHING

High school fishing turning students into (almost) pro anglers More than 50 teams recently competed at state championship

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Kaufman High School sophomores Shelton Vasquez and Trevor Thompson came into the 2012 Texas State High School Bass Championship with low expectations.

The duo had never fished Lake Ray Hubbard before, but they concentrated on rocky points and riprap with crankbaits and spinner baits.

The result was five bass weighing 19.47 pounds, giving the duo the title of state champions.

“We were rock fishing and we would make one pass, then another pass,” Vasquez said.

“We’d catch a couple here and there throwing a crankbait.

“We came out here blind. This is our first time fishing this lake.”

For their coach, Crandall Junior High teacher Steve Holland, the

win was the culmination of several years of work building a fishing curriculum at his school and getting youngsters out on the water. They even took a field trip to this year’s Bassmaster Classic in Shreveport.

“Four or five years ago it started in the afternoons with a junior high bass club,” Holland said. “For 45 minutes each day, we would tie knots, go over the basics and things like that. We had a fund-

North Texas CCA chapters have successful banquets

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Two Metroplex chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association held their annual banquets and fund-raisers in early May, and early reports had them doing very well.

The Dallas CCA chapter held its event at the Frontiers of Flight Museum and began a new tradition when it honored longtime rod maker Gary Loomis as its Sportsman/ Conservationist of the Year. Loomis, who designs rods for Dallasbased Temple Fork

Outfitters, was recognized for his conservation efforts and industry contributions.

“We knocked our event out of the park,” said John Hansen, president of the Dallas chapter. “We had great donor support, and we sold a record number of tables.

We grossed nearly $180,000 and netted around $150,000, so it was really, really a good night for us.”

Hansen said they chose Loomis as their first award winner because of his work in starting CCA chapters in the Pacific Northwest and his local rod build-

IT’S FOR GIRLS, TOO: Keaton Davis holds a pair of nice bass she caught at the 2012 Texas State High School Bass Championship. Davis and her teammate from Carthage High School took third place. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

ing efforts.

The Fort Worth chapter held their event May 3 at Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant and also reported a successful evening.

Chapter president Fearn Mastin said it was a great event.

“We had great turnout and a great banquet,” he said. “Just lots of good people getting together for a good cause.”

Mastin said the money raised will go to support many projects around the state, including habitat restoration and getting more kids involved in fishing.

raiser, got some Zebco reels and if the kids kept up with their grades and went to the meetings, we’d go to some area ponds and have little tournaments.”

Soon, Holland had 84 kids in the seventh and eight grades participating in the club.

“High school fishing really caught on in the Midwest,” Holland said. “So this year, I got to thinking about a real program.”

Two tournament trails — the B.A.S.S. Federation and the FLW series — have high school fishing series, and each offers different insurance packages. Holland chose to fish the Federation because it offered team insurance.

“The biggest hindrance is money and finding boats the kids could use,” Holland said. “I was very lucky to have friends who See HIGH SCHOOL, Page 23

To rattle or not to rattle?

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Catching pressured bass is nothing new for Texas anglers.

Many lakes and reservoirs in the state see loads of boats, anglers and, especially, lures — specifically crankbaits.

When the fish get hard to catch with traditional crankbaits that vibrate and rattle, some savvy anglers go silent. Although silent is a bit of a misnomer since every crankbait will make some noise due to the movement and hooks.

“I do fish with (silent crankbaits),” said South Texas bass guide Justin Bauer. “But most of the time I use the ones that rattle.

Very seldom down here do

GO SILENT: When bass won’t bite a traditional rattling crankbait, like the one pictured, switch it up and try a “silent” crankbait, especially in pressured waters. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

I run into an area that has been pressured so much that I have to switch to one that doesn’t rattle.”

Bauer said he doesn’t have any set pattern for when he chooses to throw a non-rattling crankbait; he just lets the fish decide for him.

“If I’ve been catching them on a crankbait in one area and then they stop biting, I’ll switch to a silent one,” he said. “I listen to what the fish are telling me.”

Several companies make silent crankbaits, including Strike King, Norman Lures and Lucky Craft.

Tournament angler and Grandview resident Thad Rains recently wrote an article for anglerworld.com and said that the best times to See RATTLE, Page 11

Fisherman’s ingenuity catches on Lure maker pours lures to help anglers find what they don’t have

By Craig Nyhus LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

MATCHING THE BASS BITE: Carl Wengenroth poured a bluegill-patterned swimbait that helped propel angler Bryan Schmidt to a top 10 finish at the Texas Federation Nation Championship after Schmidt had struggled in the first two days of the event. Photo by Carl Wengenroth.

Bryan Schmidt of Olney had a problem. He didn’t have the lures he needed to catch fish.

But he did know how to find someone who did.

“We were fishing the Texas Federation Nation Championship at Amistad,” he said. “The fish were both preand post-spawn and they were shallow and eating swimbaits.”

His practice had produced

fish on swimbaits and he brought what had worked for him.

I was working a large, 7-inch one — but I wasn’t catching any fish,” he said. “The first two days, I didn’t catch a fish on it.”

On the second afternoon, fishing with a nonboater, they found an area with some grass.

“The fish started following my swimbait, but they wouldn’t eat it,” Schmidt said.

The nonboater followed

up with a smaller swimbait: a 5-inch Baby E. “The fish wanted that one bad,” he said. “He commenced to kicking my butt.”

Schmidt didn’t have any of the smaller swimbaits, so the two went shopping.

There weren’t any at the stores, but the two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier through the Federation Nation didn’t give up.

He called Carl Wengenroth at Angler’s Lodge.

“Carl has molds and can pour worms, lizards, swimbaits — whatever you want,” Schmidt said.

Wengenroth has been pouring lures since 1999, and fishes tournaments, too.

“I get these kind of requests fairly often,” he said. “Especially if I’m whacking them on a certain size or color of lure. And I can match a color usually within 15 minutes of experimenting, so if I’m not in the See LURE MAKER, Page 18

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Texas weighs in on Idle Iron policy

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS When you pick a fight with Texans, you better be prepared for a long, hard battle.

The U.S. Department of the Interior recently released its Idle Iron policy, which calls for all non-producing oil and gas rigs and other structures in offshore waters to be removed within five years of the issuance of the directive.

This has angered many groups like the Coastal Conservation Association, which views the old structures as prime fish habitat

for many offshore species.

Last week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter to U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar calling for a review of the policy that threatens to dismantle what is regarded as the largest artificial reef system in the world.

Perry said the federal policy has negative implications for marine fisheries and the local coastal communities and businesses that rely on the fishing opportunities that these structures provide in the Gulf.

“I understand the factors that may have See IDLE IRON, Page 23

GOTTA GO? Fishing groups, along with the Texas governor, have asked the federal government to take another look at the Idle Iron policy calling for the removal of inactive offshore wells. The groups argue the old wells are a haven for sportfish. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

May 11, 2012

Page 9

Page 10

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Sandies attacking LAKE LAVON — The sand bass action has been outstanding on Lake Lavon, according to area anglers who fished the e power plant lake the first weekend in May. One angler said he caught more than 100 fish in a couple of hours, casting toward the discharge areas and chasing schools that were visibly feeding on top of the water.

Little George lures, small spinners and spoons were putting fish in the boat. Anglers said color did not matter — the fish were biting on most everything they threw.

The schools were swarming in and out of

ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 70–76 degrees; 8.73’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads, Texas rigs and weightless flukes. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 68–73 degrees; 21.07’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swimbaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits, spinner baits, top-waters and soft plastics. Channel and blue catfish are good on cheesebait, shrimp and nightcrawlers in 3–12 feet. Yellow catfish are very good on trotlines and throwlines baited with live perch.

ARROWHEAD: Water off-color; 71– 76 degrees; 7.7’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, spinner baits and jigs. White bass are good on Road Runners and minnows. Blue catfish are fair to good on live shad and cut bait.

ATHENS: Water lightly stained, 72–76 degrees; 1.27’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics and wackyrigged worms. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

BASTROP: Water stained; 73–77 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on minnows and watermelon spinner baits and crankbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows.

Channel and blue catfish are good on live bait, shrimp, and stinkbait.

BELTON: Water fairly clear; 71–75 degrees; 0.07’ high. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters in coves. Hybrid striper are good on white riversides. White bass are good on chartreuse spinner baits.

Crappie are good on minnows under lights at night. Channel and blue catfish are good on doughbait and stinkbait. Yellow catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch.

BOB SANDLIN: Water lightly stained; 71–76 degrees; 2.87’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on soft plastics and shallow crankbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows and jigs. White bass are good on Humdingers. Catfish are fair to good on trotlines or juglines with soap.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon crankbaits and soft plastics in reeds. Striped bass are very good on liver and perch off points near

the warmer discharge water, and the anglers reported good-sized fish, along with plenty of smaller ones to keep kids interested.

Water temperatures were between 72 and 76 degrees on this North Texas lake.

Windy, but good CHOKE CANYON RESERVOIR — The fishing on Choke Canyon Reservoir has been steady the past few weeks.

Guide Carroll Atkinson said when the wind dies down a little bit, the bass fishing picks up.

“When it isn’t so strong we’re catching 25-35 bass per day,” he said.

“Most are from 1 to o 3.5 pounds, with a scatter-

the pier. Channel and blue catfish are good on cheesebait, cut bait and liver near the dam.

BRIDGEPORT: Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 5.27’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged green pumpkin creature baits along secondary points and frogs in the Big Creek area.

Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs (best action midday).

BROWNWOOD: Water murky; 73–78 degrees; 10.37’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are excellent on white Li’l Fishies and black/chartreuse tube jigs in 1–5 feet along the shoreline. Yellow catfish to 40 pounds are good on droplines baited with live perch in 12–15 feet.

BUCHANAN: Water murky; 70–75 degrees; 23.85’ low. Largemouth bass are good on perch-colored lipless crankbaits, watermelon top-waters, and weightless wackyrigged green pumpkin plastics with chartreuse tails along break lines of creek bluffs early. Striped bass are good on chartreuse top-waters and lipless crankbaits on the surface early. Channel catfish are good on live bait and cut bait. Yellow and blue catfish are good on juglines and trotlines baited with live bait.

CADDO: Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 0.57’ high. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue soft plastics around isolated cover.

Yellow bass are good on minnows.

CALAVERAS: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are fair on perch-colored lipless crankbaits and spinner baits over reed beds and in the cove near the park store. Striped bass are good on chicken livers and shad near the dam and power lines. Redfish are good on live bait along the crappie wall. Channel catfish are good on liver, shrimp and shad. Blue catfish are good on cut bait and liver near the railroad bridge.

CANYON LAKE: Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 6.96’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, watermelon Whacky Sticks and pumpkinseed 1/4 oz. jigs in 8–15 feet. Smallmouth bass are good on smoke tubes and root beer curl tail grubs with chartreuse tails along main lake points and ledges. Crappie are good on white tube jigs and live minnows around submerged

brush piles along break lines.

CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 72–76 degrees; 0.21’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, shaky heads and black/blue finesse jigs around main lake points and into the backs of creeks. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on live shad. Crappie are fair to good on minnows.

COLEMAN: Water lightly stained; 69–73 degrees; 15.32’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon soft plastics, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Channel catfish are good on live bait.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 71–75 degrees; 2.24’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse Carolina-rigged soft plastics, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Catfish are good on minnows, shrimp, and liver.

COOPER: Water lightly stained; 71– 76 degrees; 1.03’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse shallow crankbaits and Texas-rigged craw worms later in the day. Green pumpkin soft plastics are best. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair to good on Sassy Shad and live shad.

Catfish are good on prepared bait and cut bait.

FAYETTE: Water stained.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon crankbaits over grass, and on small spinner baits along the outside edges of grass.

FORK: Water stained; 71–76 degrees; 2.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on wakebaits. Shallow crankbaits on windy points are working well later in the day.

Deep crankbaits are effective as well. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and prepared bait.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear.

Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse/blue and chartreuse/ black soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs. Catfish are good on hot dogs, nightcrawlers, and shrimp.

GRANBURY: Water murky; 71–76 degrees; 0.62’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon lipless crankbaits and minnows.

Striped bass are good on minnows and chartreuse striper jigs.

Crappie are good on minnows.

Catfish are good on stinkbait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers.

ing of 4-, 5- and 6-pounders. I’ve heard of a few 11s and 12s recently but I haven’t caught any of the real big ones.”

Atkinson said Texas-rigged soft plastics, spinner baits early and shallow-diving crankbaits on the points and edges were catching bass. He also said to go a little deeper later in the morning.

To contact Carroll Atkinson, call (361) 215-0766.

Some catchin’ them, ssome ain’t LAKE LIVINGSTON — According to Martin’s Bait Shop in Trinity near Lake Livingston, the fishing has been so-so, with anglers targeting largemouth bass, catfish and crappie.

GRANGER: Water murky; 73–77 degrees. Crappie are good on chartreuse jigs over brush piles in the main lake. Blue catfish are good on prepared bait on rod & reel, and on juglines baited with shad and soap.

Yellow catfish are very good on trotlines baited with live perch.

GRAPEVINE: Water lightly stained; 71–75 degrees; 0.09 low.

Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon Texas-rigged worms, watermelon finesse jigs, spinner baits, and crankbaits along main lake points. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 76–80 degrees; 0.33’ high.

Largemouth bass to 6 pounds are good on shad-colored soft plastic worms and lizards. Channel and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with shad and chicken hearts.

HUBBARD CREEK: 71–78 degrees; 14.37’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on jigs, finesse spinner baits, Texas rigs and shallow-running crankbaits. Catfish are fair to good on stinkbait and nightcrawlers.

JOE POOL: Water lightly stained; 72–76 degrees; Full pool.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, spinner baits and smaller jigs — midday bite has been best. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair to good on prepared baits.

LAKE O' THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 72–76 degrees; 0.39’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms and shallow crankbaits along main lake points. Isolated cover is the key.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

LBJ: Water clear; 70–74 degrees; 0.49’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse top-waters, Bleeding Shad lipless crankbaits, watermelon flukes and weightless green pumpkin wacky-rigged plastics along break lines of flats early. Channel catfish are good on minnows and dipbait.

Yellow and blue catfish are good on trotlines baited with live perch.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 0.12’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on shallow to medium crankbaits along main lake points. Larger rock along main lake points producing as well.

White bass are good on slabs. Cat-

“Some are catching them, some ain’t,” said the manager. “Live bait is working best, with guides buying lots of perch, minnows and worms.”

The water temperature is hovering in the upper 70s, and largemouth bass have been biting on top-waters, spinner baits and soft plastics. Lipless crankbaits are enticing the stripers and white bass are good trolling spoons, slabs and jigs.

The deep crappie bite is picking up around brushpiles with minnows, and the catfish are hitting live perch as good as they have all year.

To contact Martin’s Bait Shop, call (936) 594-3624.

— Conor Harrison

fish are good on prepared bait.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water stained; 72–78 degrees; 0.04’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastic worms and spinner baits along the bank.

Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse jigs at the marina and Crappie Point early and late.

Channel and blue catfish are good on shad and stinkbait.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 71–75 degrees; 0.22’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged soft plastics near shallow cover. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair to good on slabs and minnows.

Catfish are good on prepared bait.

PROCTOR: Water stained; 72–76 degrees; 0.09’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits.

Striped bass are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies. White bass are good on minnows and shad. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on shad and stinkbait.

RAY HUBBARD: Water lightly stained; 71–76 degrees; 0.38’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, square-billed crankbaits and medium crankbaits. White bass are excellent on humps in 17–23 feet with hybrids mixed in. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

RAY ROBERTS: Water stained; 70– 75 degrees; 0.15’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shad crankbaits worked around grass in 4–8 feet of water near secondary points.

Crappie are good on minnows on COE brush piles. White bass are excellent on slabs in 15–20 feet of water on humps and on shallow windy points early with rattle traps.

Catfish are good around baited holes on punch bait.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water stained; 71–76 degrees; 0.12’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on creature baits around docks. Squarebilled crankbaits are producing numbers as well. White bass are fair on slabs and live shad. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs and live shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared bait and nightcrawlers.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 71–75 degrees; 0.18’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon Senkos, lizards and Baby

■ See Saltwater fishing reports: Page 16 Brush Hogs. White bass are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Crappie are good on minnows and pink tube jigs over brush piles. Bream are good on nightcrawlers and crickets.

Catfish are good on trotlines baited with nightcrawlers and minnows.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 72–76 degrees; 0.44’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon lipless crankbaits and soft plastics.

Hybrid striper are good on spoons and minnows. White bass are good on slabs and Li’l Fishies.

Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse jigs with black tails.

Channel and blue catfish are good on liver and punchbait.

TAWAKONI: Water stained; 72–76 degrees; 0.54’ low. Largemouth bass are good on black/blue soft plastics and hollow body frogs.

Best bite is around flooded cover.

White bass are excellent on white slabs and tailspins — schooling on points early and late. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on 4” to 6” white or shad-pattern Sassy Shad in the shallows early then suspending deep during the day — drifting live bait is also producing.

Catfish are excellent in deep water drifting cut bait and fresh shad.

TEXOMA: Water stained; 70–75 degrees; 0.32’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinner baits and medium crankbaits along main lake points. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on slabs.

TOLEDO BEND: Water stained; 69–73 degrees; 1.27’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on watermelon and chartreuse soft plastics and lipless crankbaits.

Striped bass are good on minnows and green striper jigs.

TRAVIS: Water stained; 71–75 degrees; 42.43’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse top-waters, red shad worms and grubs. White bass are good on chrome top-waters, smoke grubs and white shad raps.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 70–74 degrees; 0.03’ high. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse spinner baits, crankbaits and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Catfish are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

—TPWD

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 11

12th-grader wins top honors at state fish art contest for second straight year

By Conor Harrison LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS Warren High School senior Gigi Barker has been drawing ever since she could pick up a pencil.

All of that practice paid off for Barker after she won the Wildlife Forever State Fish-Art Contest as a junior, and again as a senior this month after drawing a largemouth bass turning to strike at a frog.

The winners were chosen by officials at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.

“I draw pretty much everything, not just fish,” she said from her home in Village Mills, north of Houston. “But I did the fish for the contest. My favorite thing to draw is portraits of people.”

Barker said she and her parents

Tough day on Travis Ruben Ribera and Lino Gutiterez caught the biggest sack of the day — 18.66 pounds — to win the Skeeter Bass Champs Central Region on Lake Travis May 5.

The wind tried to play havoc for many of the anglers as they scattered across Lake Travis, and the better bass were found on windblown points.

“We got to our first hole as fast as we could, and didn’t catch any keepers on it,” Ribera said.

The pair scrambled to a windblown point to look for a limit.

“Once we caught a limit, we started drifting down river and caught a 5-pounder to add to it,” he said. “There were a lot of good fish holding in that brush pile. We culled a whole limit out of it. Today was just our day. We’ve been fishing Bass Champs for seven years now.

“Just being able to finally say that we have fished with the caliber of people we fish against is very nice.”

— Bass Champs

Rattle Continued From Page 8

use a quiet crankbait were during “overcast skies, wind, slightly stained water (visibility of about 10-12 feet), after a front or prefrontal conditions (lowering or steady barometric pressure) on a highly pressured lake.

“Some other observations include silent baits had a much larger average than the rattling baits did; more small fish were caught with the rattling baits versus the nonrattling and the nonrattling baits seemed to elicit a subtle strike. The fish were just there — not a hard strike at all.”

Other anglers said the best time to use them was during periods of calm, still water because bass are spookier then and might be scared away by a loud crankbait.

However, all agreed that they do work best on pressured lakes where bass have seen a lot of variations of traditional crankbaits.

Well-known fishing pro Cody Bird from Granbury said he prefers to throw a silent crankbait.

“I like to crank pretty good in general,” Bird said. “And I prefer a silent crankbait. There’s always a place when you’re throwing a Rat-L-Trap over grass, but I’ve had more success going silent because you can get on a school and change it up a bit.”

Bird said a silent square-billed crankbait has put a lot of fish in his boat.

“The crankbait is a reactionary bite,” he said. “Unlike a rattling crankbait, which bass can hear coming, you can sometimes get a pure reaction bite on a silent crankbait because the bass don’t know it is there until it is right in front of them.

“I think they both have a place.”

brainstormed ideas about what kind of fish to draw this year.

“Bass are really popular,” she said, “and I thought it would be cool.”

She worked on the drawing everyday for two months.

“The first step is sketching it out,” she said. ‘Then you start to lightly layer in the pencils. You just keep layering color over and over until you have it where you want it.”

Barker said she plans to major in graphic design at Lamar University next year, and the $1,000 cash prize for winning the 10-12-grade division will go toward college.

And Barker isn’t the only artist in the family. Her little brother, Jeddie, received an honorable mention in the K-3-grade division.

The annual contest is open to all Texas students in public, private and home schools and is judged in four grade-level divisions: K–3, 4–6, 7–9 and 10–12.

First-place winners in each gradelevel division advance to the national competition. National winners will be announced at the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest Expo to be held in Little Rock, Ark., in June.

Texas winners in the K–3 grade level division are: First WINNER: Gigi Barker spent two months drawing this winning picture. Photo by TPWD. Place, Allister Huang, Sugar Land; Second Place, Nancy Shao, Sugar Land; Third Place, Rohun Texas winners in the 10–12 Candice Ma, Sugar Land.

Kulshrentha, Flower Mound.

Texas winners in the 7–9 grade- grade-level division are: First Texas winners in the 4–6 grade- level division are: First Place, Nasa Place, GiGi Barker, Village Mills; level division are: First Place, Xu, Katy; Second Place, Sebastian Second Place, Peyton McCown, Erin Werner, Santa Fe; Second Beil, Houston; Third Place, Josue Willow Park; Third Place, Luis Place, Jin Lee, Plano; Third Place, Montemayor, Pasadena.

Castillo, Irving.

Page 12

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER A SCARY MOMENT FOR WARDEN While checking fisherman along the Rio Grande River, El Paso Game Warden Kenneth Zuber heard shots coming from an area where a roadway bridge crosses the river. Zuber found a pickup occupied by two men. Upon command, the driver of the pickup got out of the truck, but he had a rifle in his hands and it was pointed in Zuber’s direction. The driver and his partner (a convicted felon) had been shooting, drinking and hanging out near the river.

Cases pending.

CLAIM OF PERMISSION TO FISH DIDN’T WORK A man was fishing on private property in a creek off Eagle Mountain Lake. When approached be Tarrant County Game Warden Clint Borchardt and Tarrant Regional Water District Officer Chris Akers, the man claimed he had permission to be on the property. But he soon became noncompliant and failed to provide his identify. However, the Tarrant Regional Water District owned the property. The two officers were able to arrest the individual and were eventually able to identify the man, learning that he had an outstanding warrant out of Parker County. Multiple cases pending.

BAIT FOR EASTERN TURKEY HUNT LASTED TOO LONG Red River County Game Warden Daniel Roraback noticed bait placed in an area where eastern turkeys were present (no baiting is allowed for hunting eastern turkeys). A few weeks later, he cited a man for hunting eastern turkeys over bait and no upland game bird stamp. The subject said that he didn’t think the 50 pounds of corn and birdseed would still be there. Cases pending.

WARDENS ASSIST IN MANHUNT Menard County Game Warden Clint Graham and Mason County Game Warden Cody Hatfield were dispatched to an ongoing manhunt. When the wardens arrived, they were told that a Menard deputy was involved in a pursuit and that two subjects fled when they drove down a dead-end road. One subject fled south and the other fled north. The subjects left behind a large sum of money, about a dozen meth pipes and several hundred small bags used to store meth. After several hours of searching by horseback, airplane and on foot, a tip came in on the whereabouts

SHOOTER OF CHICKEN-KILLING OWLS PLUCKED A landowner notified Titus County Game Warden Jerry Ash that his neighbor had two dead raptors hanging from a tree. Ash went to the area and discovered two dead great horned owls strung up by their feet.

The owner of the property was contacted and admitted to shooting both birds. His excuse was that the owls were killing his free-range chickens and guinea fowl. Ash informed him that the owls were protected and suggested putting the chickens in a pen. Citation and civil restitution pending.

HOG CHASERS COULDN’T RESIST DOE Walker County Game Warden Stephen Ingram received information about a deer that was shot around midnight a few days earlier. At the location, he located the remains of a deer carcass hidden in the woods near a residence. The investigation revealed that two men shot the doe deer while hunting feral hogs. The two men confessed. Multiple citations were issued to each individual

of the northbound subject. The deputy who was involved in the chase contacted Graham and gave him the location. The two wardens drove to the location and found two landowners speaking to the subject, who fit the description of the one that fled north. Shortly after taking that subject into custody, the deputy who was involved in the pursuit arrived and positively identified the subject as the one who fled. The subject was taken to the sheriff's office for further questioning and booked in for money laundering and evading. The other subject was still at large.

along with civil restitution, and the deer meat was seized.

and transported to the Guadalupe County Jail.

CHECK THE ATV WINCH CABLE Runnels County Game Warden Lane Pinckney assisted EMS and deputies with an ATV accident on a ranch. Apparently, the ATV was being operated with the winch cable hanging out of the winch about three feet.

The cable became wrapped around the left front tire causing the ATV to roll several times. The operator was airlifted to a San Angelo hospital.

KEEPER OF BIG BLACK DRUM CAUGHT Nueces County Game Warden Nichole Spatz apprehended an individual at Red Dot Pier with one oversized black drum measuring 36 inches. Citations were issued.

TRESPASSING TO FISH LANDS MAN IN JAIL Guadalupe County Game Warden Kevin Frazier was preparing to launch his boat at a private boat ramp owned by Texas Lutheran University on Lake McQueeney.

Frazier noticed a man whom he had caught trespassing several times on the property. The man provided false information about his name and driver license number. Also, the subject had two warrants, one for burglary and one for failure to appear. He was placed under arrest

A LOUSY EXCUSE FOR BOATING WITHOUT LIGHTS While checking fishermen at Lake Livingston about an hour after sunset, Trinity County Game Warden Randy Watts observed a boat running across Lake Livingston without any lights. The boat was heading across the lake to a boat ramp. Watts drove to the boat ramp and observed the boat come across the lake and into the boat ramp area. Once the operator secured his vessel to the boat ramp, the operator told Watts, “I just unplugged them after I reached the boat ramp.” After the man was informed the warden had been watching him for a while, he admitted to having no running lights. A citation for no running lights was issued.

WARDENS RESCUE MAN AFTER FALL OUT OF BOAT Aransas County Game Warden Richard “Marty” Martin and Captain Henry Balderamas responded to a 911 call of a subject who had fallen out of his boat and could not get back into the watercraft. The wardens launched a boat and found the subject clinging to his boat in Aransas Bay. Martin and Balderamas were able to pull the subject onto their patrol boat and safely transfer him back to his boat.

TRESPASSING CATFISHERS CAUGHT Near Martin Creek Lake, Rusk County Game Wardens Kirk Permenter and Chad Gartman observed two vehicles parked on the side of the road. As the wardens pulled up, a man appeared from the brush on the roadside with a fivegallon bucket full of catfish. The man was talking to another individual, who ran back into the brush as the wardens approached. The wardens gave chase to the individual, who had run back to warn others who were involved. Five people were caught trespassing on private land to fish. Citations were issued.

EXPENSIVE STOLEN TRAILER RECOVERED Polk County Game Warden Ryan Hall received a tip regarding the possible location of a stolen fifthwheel style camper trailer located on a hunting lease in Polk County.

Hall recognized the name of one of the suspects and went to his hunting camp and recovered the stolen camper valued at more than $50,000. Cases are pending in Orange County against the hunter who had been using the camper trailer.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 13

Page 14

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Custom rods Continued From Page 1

fishing rods also put fish in the boat — something that keeps clients coming back.

Grantham had to stop guiding and fishing because of a bad back. But that didn’t stop him from finding a way to stay connected to the sport he loved.

He and his wife, Tina, started a rod-building company out of their home in Greenville.

The result was Reel Time Custom Rods, and after two years in business, business is picking up.

“I started this two years ago after being a guide on Lake Fork,” Grantham said. “It makes me feel good to put a rod in someone’s hand. When they catch a 10-pound bass, I feel like I had something to do with it.”

Grantham starts his rods with a blank, and can custom design just about anything for a client — including the rod with a rattlesnake head and snakeskin wraps.

Along with the rattlesnake rod, Grantham has built several other customs including a rod with a real pistol on the handle, camouflage rods, college team rods and even incorporated a shotgun shell for the end of the handle on several rods.

Grantham said the thing that separates his company from others is he can take a blank and totally change anything on the rod to fit the customer’s specifications.

“I can come up with a blank comparable to any other rods,” he said. “A lot of guys send me the reel they are going to use, and we can weigh it and balance it perfectly on the rod. We get a handle system in place and then start doing guide work.

“And we use all-American products here.”

Grantham said each custom rod takes about 15 hours for him to complete, and he’s been staying busy as word gets out about his rods.

His custom rods start at around $150.

“December was our busiest month we’ve ever had, and it hasn’t slowed down since,” he said. “We also do a lot of repairs.”

But do his rods catch fish?

Career Continued From Page 1

He didn’t give up, though. At age 13, he shot his first deer, a 6-pointer, during the youth season. And the following summer, he attended the Outdoor Texas Camp near Columbus.

“It was the camp's first year — it was only a hunting camp then,” Shipley said. “That experience stepped up the

PISTOLS AND SHOTGUN SHELLS: Custom rods by Ron Grantham include a rod with true pistol grips and a camo rod with a shotgun shell designed into the end of the handle. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

According to current Lake Fork guide and Reel Time pro-staffer Andrew Grills, they do.

“I like everything about these rods,” Grills said. “It’s very special to get a rod exactly the way I want it. They are very light and sensitive. There just isn’t anything I don’t like about them.”

Each of Grantham’s rods come with a serial number in two places on the rod, and has helped catch thieves who stole the rods out of anglers’ boats.

Tina Grantham said she never imagined they could make a liv-

interest in hunting for me.”

The next year, he returned as a camper during the fishing week offered by the camp.

When it was time to return home, David Todd, the camp’s founder, offered him a job as a counselor in training. He stayed, and this summer will be his seventh year working at the camps.

“I have watched him grow since he was an 11-year-old,” Todd said.

“He was totally enthralled with all of the knowledge to be learned.

ing by making their own rods.

“I never really thought about it being a business,” she said. “I really thought, ‘Oh good, now he’s not going to be spending as much money on his own rods.’”

Grantham said the only advertising for his rods are by word of mouth and Facebook, but word is getting around.

“We love the sport and we love the people,” he said. “I just wanted to stay a part of it.”

Visit reeltimerods.com for a complete list of Grantham’s custom rods.

When I have some kids that aren’t interested, I think of Michael.”

At the camps, Shipley met Jason Sekula, the instructor on deer ecology and management, and wildlife manager at the Shiner Ranch near Pearsall.

“He described his job which involved a lot of hunting,” Shipley said. “He taught about white-tailed deer, showed sheds of the same deer from ages 2 through 6, and how to track and follow a blood trail.“ Sekula is a graduate of A&MKingsville’s Wildlife Management

program.

“He told us what a wildlife manager did,” Shipley said. “I didn’t even know that was a job. I knew then what I was going to do after high school.”

Now, Shipley works at the Shiner Ranch when he’s needed and not in school.

“The first year, I didn’t know anything,” he said. “I learned how to fix fences, drive a tractor, how to scout and I got to shoot some spikes.”

Over the next two seasons,

Shipley has guided hunters and helped score the deer, helped with deer transports and helped take care of the hunters that came to the ranch.

And he got to bring his father to the Shiner Ranch to shoot a management buck, where Shipley said communication in the blind between the guide and hunter was an advantage.

“It was easy,” he said. “We would just use sign language below the window.”

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 15

Page 16

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Sponsored by

Everything is working SABINE — According to Capt. Steve Davis, the fishing on Sabine started out the spring strong and has only gotten better.

“It’s been great,” Davis said. “We are catching them all — reds, trout and flounder.”

Davis said the freshwater influx has about dissipated, and the tidal movement with the full moon really got the fish biting.

“We are using top-waters early and when the sun gets up, we are using popping corks or straight plastic tails. It’s all working right now.”

Davis said to concentrate on the far upper and far lower extremes of Sabine Lake, as that is where the action has been the past week.

“There isn’t too much going on in the middle of the lake,” he said.

To contact Capt. Steve Davis, call (409) 460-1220.

Bolivar es bueno BOLIVAR —Guides have out been catching good numbers of trout on live shrimp and soft plastics in chartreuse and purple colors, according to Levi Wells at Siever’s Cut Bait Camp in Port Bolivar.

Wells said when the wind dies down (mostly on weekdays) the bite has been good, but when the weekend hits, it gets windy again and the fishing is tough.

“They are just starting to hit on croaker, but it’s still a little early for that,” he said.

“Live shrimp has been the ticket. The big

NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good on the Louisiana shoreline on top-waters and Corkies. Flounder are fair on jigs tipped with shrimp around marsh drains.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and swimbaits.

Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp.

FREEPORT: Trout are fair at San Luis Pass on live bait.

Sand trout, trout, redfish and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay and at the jetties.

SOUTH SABINE: Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good around Blue Buck Point on top-waters and live shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters working shell on live shrimp.

Trout, sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and croakers. Redfish are good in the back lakes on shrimp and scented plastics.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout and redfish are fair for drifters in the back lakes on live shrimp. Redfish are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on crabs and mullet.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on soft plastics and swimbaits. Trout are fair for waders on the east shoreline.

Redfish are fair to good on the north shoreline on gold spoons.

TEXAS CITY: Redfish are fair to good in Moses Lake on shrimp.

Trout are fair to good on croakers and live shrimp on the reefs.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair to good on the edge of Oyster Lake on shrimp and crabs. Black drum and redfish are fair to good at the jetty and on the reefs on live shrimp.

PORT O'CONNOR: Trout and

white shrimp are gone and it is mostly the little brownies right now.

“The bigger bait has been catching bigger fish.”

Along with trout action along the south shoreline, redfish action has been steady and shark fishing is picking up. Black drum are also solid in Rollover Pass.

To contact Siever’s Cut Bait Camp, call (409) 684-7777.

Solid on the flats

fish early in the morning as the week led into the full moon, but it doesn’t matter as much now that the full moon has passed.

“We were catching three or four reds every morning before the sun even got up,” he said. “I’ve had wade fishermen who were throwing top-waters and I’ve had trips where we are drifting plastics and even some where we anchored up with live shrimp.”

Barnard said he has been seeing lots of slicks, which is a good thing.

“There is nothing better than sitting at 7 a.m. and looking upwind and seeing, and then smelling the slicks,” he said. “They smell like watermelons.”

To contact Capt. Tommy Barnard, call (361) 510-6655.

— Conor Harrison

ESTES FLATS — The redfishing has been fabulous on the flats of Estes and Redfish bays, if you listen to Capt. Tommy Barnard.

Barnard said the trout are also solid when it isn’t too windy. He said he was catching

redfish are fair on soft plastics over sand and grass near Grass Island. Trout and redfish are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp. Trout and redfish are good at the jetty on croakers and mullet.

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair to good in Morris-Cummings Cut on free-lined shrimp. Black drum are good in the Lydia Ann Channel on crabs. Redfish are fair to good on the Estes Flats on mullet and crabs.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfish are fair to good at East Flats on gold spoons and small top-waters.

Black drum and redfish are fair to good in the Shrimpboat

Channel on crabs and finger mullet. Redfish, trout and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp. Offshore is good for ling and a few kingfish.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on scented plastics and live shrimp. Black drum and redfish are fair to good in the channels on crabs. Redfish are good on sand and grass flats on shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good at the Tide Gauge on soft plastics. Redfish are fair to good at Nine-Mile Hole on gold spoons and plastics.

Trout are fair to good in the Land Cut on live shrimp.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on top-waters around sand and grass on spoons. Redfish are fair to good while drifting potholes.

Black drum and redfish are good on crabs at East Cut. SOUTH PADRE: Trout are good around the spoil islands and grass flats on DOA Shrimp and live shrimp. Black drum, redfish and jack crevalle are fair at the jetty on live bait.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfish are fair to good at Gas Well Flats on live shrimp. Redfish are fair to good in South Bay on DOA Shrimp and live shrimp.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 17

HEROES

MARK SCHATTENBERG, 19, of Austin caught this 13-pound red snapper on the Taryn It Up charter out of Port Aransas in March.

DEBRA ISRAEL holds a massive black drum she caught on the coast in March while fishing with guide Brian Holden and her husband. Debra’s fish weighed almost 60 pounds.

This heavy 8-point buck was killed by Mesquite hunter PAUL BARTLETT on the Kennedy Ranch. Paul used a Browning .30-06 to take the buck, which scored 142 B&C.

GRACIE MORRIS shows off the great first buck she harvested in January on the 3 Daughters Ranch in Kerr County.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE ■ Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?

E-mail 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.

JENIFER STREETMAN caught this 10.1-pound bass while fishing in a private lake near Athens.

This burly hog was taken by PETER “GUNNER” GONZALES on a dog hunt in Hidalgo County. Peter harvested the hog with a knife.

Page 18

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

eBay

Turkeys

Continued From Page 4

Continued From Page 4

Association, said the feedback from ranchers and trappers has been very positive.

“My original idea was to have an online auction every two or three weeks,” he said. “But guys said they needed to sell the animals when they catch them. We also have the Circle H for holding animals.”

Blazek said he has used the site several times and found it to be easy and helpful.

“I mostly sell animals on it,” he said. “The good thing for me is it cuts out the middle man. I don’t have to get a trapper involved and it is a lot safer for the animals. A lot of times when you buy from a broker, it’s a gamble.

“John is an upstanding guy.”

“The early opener in One hunter that did conSouth Texas was benefinect was McKinney resicial,” he said. “I usually dent Eric Dulin. He hunted like to hunt the Rolling the Caddo-LBJ National Plains later in the seaGrasslands near his home, son, but not this year. The taking a tom during the value of the longer season middle of the season. paid off this year.”

“The key to hunting on Hardin said prelimipublic land is understandnary date suggests that ing the land that is being most hens were bred and hunted and the habits of already have hatched or the turkeys that are on are still tending nests — the land,” Dulin said. “I a great sign after very few found locations that are as hens nested last season. far away from easy access “All of our hens that we points such as roads or are radio tracking at least trails as possible. Those attempted to nest this areas will typically have less year,” he said. “And we hunting pressure than eashad good carryover from NICE SPURS: Plenty of mature birds meant lots ier to reach areas. Areas that of Texas hunters went home happy this spring. this season, meaning a lot have historically held turPhoto by LSON. of 3-year-old birds will be key in the past will typically around next year.” continue to hold turkey. were on most public hunting On public land, hunters areas, although they stopped “As the season progressed, had a harder time because of a gobbling quicker due to hunt- the turkeys weren’t as vocal and lack of jakes, but mature birds ing pressure. many did not gobble at all.”

ANYTHING EXOTIC: Looking for an axis deer for your ranch? Check out the animal listings at the exotic auction Web site, Wildlifebuyer.com. Photo by Lili Sams, LSON.

Big bass put back in lakes TPWD has announced stockings from several 2012 ShareLunkers that will go into the lakes where they were caught, along with their fingerlings.

About 11,000 fingerlings will be put into Lake Austin at the 360 bridge.

About 25,000 fingerlings will be delivered to Falcon.

More than 3,000 ShareLunker fingerlings are on their way to O.H. Ivie.

— TPWD

LSONews.com

Lure maker Continued From Page 8

tournament, I try to help them.”

And he explained his rationale for the big swimbait bite on Amistad.

“We’ve had two years of outstanding spawns, so there are lots of 6- to 10-inch bass,” he said.

Fortunately for Schmidt, Wengenroth had molds for the Baby E. “They are no longer in business, so I was able to get some molds,” he said.

The next day with the new, smaller swimbaits, Schmidt had

much better results.

“The first cast I caught a 6-pounder, and later I caught a 4-pounder,” he said. “But even better, it helped me locate fish because of the follows. I would throw it by a tree and see one come out and look at it. Then I would follow up with a Senko and he would hit it.”

Schmidt landed 25.59 pounds on the third and final day, moving up from far back in the pack to finish in eighth place.

After Schmidt’s success,

Wengenroth got more visitors.

“The whole bunch at the tournament and some from another event going on at the same time wanted them after Bryan smacked them,” Wengenroth said.

Now, Wengenroth said orange is a color on the lake that is producing.

“We ran across some areas with hydrilla where the water went down and I started seeing orange things,” he said. “Thinking they were lures, I went to retrieve some but they moved away. They were all

crawdads — I started using orange on the belly of the swimbaits and crankbaits and started whacking them on that.”

But don’t fish the swimbaits too fast, he said.

“Just slow roll them along the bottom, just enough to make the tail go back and forth,” he said.

“The fish may hit it five or six times, but just keep reeling until you feel the rod load up. If you sweep it away from them they won’t hit it again.”

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 19

Page 20

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

NATIONAL

Photo by Boone and Crockett.

World record mountain goat A Rocky Mountain goat taken by a hunter in 2011 in British Columbia is the largest of its species ever recorded, according to the Boone and Crockett Club.

Club officials confirmed the goat, a male that scored 57-4/8 Boone and Crockett points, as a new world record.

Troy M. Sheldon of Alexandria, Ky., bagged the record goat on the seventh day of a hunt in the Stikine River area. Sheldon’s friend Carey Renner and guide Heidi Gutfrucht of Northwest Ranching and Outfitting accompanied him on the hunt. He used a Tikka T3 .270 WSM to make a perfect 319-yard shot across a ravine.

The new world record goat surpassed the old mark by a substantial 6/8 of an inch.

— Staff report

Catch a million-dollar fish Cabela’s announced the participating waters for Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?

The contest gives anglers a shot at up to $2 million in cash and more than $225,000 in additional prizes by catching tagged fish in select lakes across the United States.

Cabela’s tagged fish in lakes across 19 states — Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon,

Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

The lakes in Texas included in the program are Canyon Lake, Lake Nasworthy, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Fork, Lake Travis and Lake Ray Roberts.

One of the tagged fish could be worth $1 million. The grand prize will be doubled to $2 million if the grand-prize winner is a current user of the Cabela's Fish Recon app or downloaded the Cabela's Fish Recon app to their smartphone.

Registration began April 19 and participants must pre-register before fishing.

Winners of specific prizes will be announced after the promotion ends July 8.

Species to be tagged this year include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, striped bass, perch, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, walleye, crappie, wiper, bluegill and channel catfish. Species will vary state-to-state.

— Staff report

CCA planning new reefs in Louisiana Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are set to begin construction on a new artificial reef in Calcasieu Lake in Southwest Louisiana designed to create new marine habitat and support recreational fishing.

CCA also announced that the structure will be known as “The Brad Vincent Reef” after the late sportsman who frequented the waters of Big Lake and whose family has long played a key role in the preservation marine habitat in Louisiana.

Construction of the reef is scheduled to start this month and will take about seven days to complete.

To build the reef, workers will place 10,000 tons of concrete recycled from I-210 on the lake bottom. The concrete will be crushed to pieces 12 inches or smaller before it is placed in the water. The reef will be between 5 and 7 acres once completed.

CCA has two more artificial reefs planned

for 2012: one in Breton Sound and another in conjunction with the Twin Span fishing piers project in St. Tammany Parish.

— CCA

Louisiana-only snapper season On Friday, May 4, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission took action to implement a “Louisiana-only” red snapper recreational season, set to begin in 2013.

This Louisiana red snapper weekend-only season would begin the Saturday preceding Palm Sunday each year and end September 30 of the same year, with a recreational bag limit of three fish per day at a 16-inch minimum.

A weekend is defined as Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of Memorial Day and Labor Day, when Monday also would be classified as a weekend.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham was given the authority to modify the portions of this rule pertaining to red snapper recreational daily harvest limits and seasons if the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Survey institutes sub-regional management for the species or if it is otherwise deemed necessary.

— LWFC

Youth dove fields being prepared in Mississippi Spring turkey season is now a memory, so that means it is time for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to begin preparing dove fields at Black Prairie WMA. While it may seem like a long time until early fall and the beginning of dove season, now is the time to begin planting sunflowers to prepare for the opening day of dove season.

The opening day of dove season is a special tradition in Mississippi, and MDWFP seeks to provide a unique hunting opportunity for youth at Black Prairie. The opening day

at Black Prairie is open only to youth hunters 15 years of age and younger. Youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult when hunting and all hunters must possess a WMA User Permit unless they are exempt from purchasing an annual hunting or fishing license.

— MDWFP

Prairie chickens returning to Missouri Greater prairie chickens, missing for some years among the grasses at Wah-Kon-Tah Prairie, strutted and boomed again this spring in an eons-old mating ritual. Biologists, digging deep in grassland ecology to save the species in Missouri, brought them back. Now, they watch to see if this iconic but state-endangered member of the grouse family can be restored long-term to prairies where they once thrived.

A five-year translocation project by Missouri Department of Conservation to help answer the question concluded in April. MDC crews trapped Kansas prairie chickens where they are plentiful in the grassy Smoky Hills.

Biologists then gave the birds leg bands and tiny radio transmitters before releasing them at Wah-Kon-Tah’s native grasslands north of El Dorado Springs.

The study confirms that prairie chickens have a strong affinity for “high-clipped” grasses, places where plants are tall enough for them to duck and hide in, but also short enough for them to raise their heads above and watch for predators.

One concern was that with low numbers of prairie chickens, less genetic diversity could cause fewer eggs to be laid by hens. But thus far, clutch sizes are healthy with 11 to 14 eggs in nests.

As the translocation of Kansas birds ends, monitoring results are prompting MDC biologists to provide more variation and diversity in plant species and heights than what occurred in past decades on public grasslands. Partnerships with private landowners are also an important component in prairie chicken recovery.

— MDC

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

ADVERTISEMENT

A passion for powersports UV Country to hold grand opening of new location UV Country Powersports will hold its grand opening and giveway on May 19.

“We revised the name to include powersports because we do it all,” said Shannon Tracy, who owns and operates the dealership with her husband, Scott.

UV Country focuses on custom outfitting of powersport vehicles, including gas, electric, diesel and amphibious vehicles at the new location — a transformed former Dodge dealership.

“We are a one-stop shop for vehicles, parts, service, customizing, accessories, feeders, coolers, financing and insurance,” Tracy said. “Our old location was 5,500 square feet. The new one is 20,000, with 8 acres of land with an area to test drive vehicles.”

The dealership opened in 1988 with two employees. It is now the No. 1 dealership in Texas for TERYX vehicles, the 2012 No. 1 Kawasaki Platinum Dealer in the U.S., and has sold Kawasaki vehicles for more than 10 years.

UV Country also is an authorized dealer for HuntV, Club Car, Argo, Hustler, Yeti, Big Tex and more.

The refurbished building shows UV Country’s appreciation to veterans, including a stone tribute in front of the shop that employs

five veterans, said Shannon (a veteran of the U.S. Navy).

The grand opening will offer vehicle test drives, door prizes, food and music and will raffle a 2012 Kawasaki Brute Force 300 and a 2011 custom Kawasaki TERYX. Proceeds will go to Operation Final Home, a charity that provides home sites and custom homes for wounded U.S. veterans.

“And it will give people a chance to check out the dealership and its employees,” Shannon said. “We want them to see it’s as well organized and clean in the back as it is in the front, and they can meet our certified mechanics and see our 16-bay repair and customizing shop.

“This is a must-see place that you have to visit.”

UV Country is located at the intersection of FM 528 and Hwy 35 Bypass North in Alvin.

Call (281) 824-1198 or visit uvcountry.com for more information.

May 11, 2012

Page 21

Page 22

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 23

High school Continued From Page 8

STATE CHAMPS: Kaufman High School anglers Shelton Vasquez, left, and Trevor Thompson were all smiles after winning the state championship recently on Lake Ray Hubbard. Photo by Conor Harrison, LSON.

Idle Iron Continued From Page 9

influenced the decision to order the blanket removal of these structures in the aftermath of the tragic oil spill of 2010,” Perry said. “However, a more balanced, reasoned response is required in light of irrefutable evidence that these structures are the basis for thriving ecosystems that harbor and sustain an immense diversity of life above and below the waterline, including seabirds, fish, turtles, marine mammals and corals.”

Perry’s letter is the latest effort to counter the federal government’s removal policy. At its April meeting, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council moved to begin the process of classifying rigs and other vital artificial reefs as Essential Fish Habitat. If artificial reefs are eventually designated as EFH, all federal agencies would then have to consult with NOAA Fisheries on federal actions that may adversely affect them.

CCA applauded the move to designate the rigs as EFH.

take these kids out.”

Texas high school fishing is just taking off, with several high schools, including Kaufman, Carthage, Marble Falls, Rowlett, Crandall and Forney, sending teams to the championship.

“It’s only going to get bigger and bigger,” Holland said. “It’s great because it allows kids without physically imposing attributes to compete and win. I really see it beginning to grow as

“This is a significant part of the effort to elevate the importance of artificial reefs and save them from an ill-conceived federal order, but we have to continue to work this issue in Congress and with the administration,” said Pat Murray, president of CCA. “With the offshore season upon us, the realization of the impact of rig removal is only going to become more acute as anglers go offshore and discover that rigs they have fished for years are gone.”

Senators from Louisiana and Mississippi have also joined the fight to stop the blanket removal of old rigs.

Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and Rep. Steve Palazzo (R-Miss.) have filed legislation that would prevent rigs and other structures from being removed.

CCA was also grateful for Gov. Perry’s involvement.

“We are grateful to Gov. Perry for weighing in on this issue on behalf of recreational anglers, divers and everyone who cares for a vibrant Photo by LSON. marine environment,” Murray said.

“A more reasoned process is exactly what is needed to preserve these structures that form the basis of thriving marine ecosystems off Texas and all over the Gulf of Mexico.”

more money becomes available for outdoor education programs. The UIL might not take it over, but they could govern it, much like power lifting now.”

Holland said if a major sponsor would step up and finance a high school tour, it would really take off.

“Some colleges are giving scholarships now,” he said.

“Dobbins Rod Company just made the two that won the state championship pro

staffers.”

Holland said while teaching kids to fish is important, molding young adults is even more important.

“I try and get them to believe in themselves,” he said. “I want them to present themselves favorably, whether they are applying for a job, looking for sponsorships, etc. High schools are results-oriented, but just as important is the quality of kids.”

PLANTING FOR THE FUTURE: Volunteers planted 13,400 plugs of smooth cordgrass in this year’s Marsh Mania, coordinated by the Galveston Bay Foundation. Photo by Gene Fisseler.

Marsh Mania helps restore Galveston-area wetlands More than 250 volunteers got their feet wet at Marsh Mania, Galveston Bay Foundation’s annual wetlands restoration event. The volunteers planted approximately 13,400 plugs of smooth cordgrass restoring 3.5 acres of tidal wetland habitat at Baytown Nature Center.

GBF's Marsh Mania is the nationally recognized, signature community-based wetlands restoration and education event of the Galveston Bay area. The first Marsh Mania was held in 1999, that year known as “Marsh Bash.” In its 13 years, Marsh Mania has involved more than 6,381 community volunteers in the restoration of more than 195 acres of vital salt marsh habitat at 69 sites around Galveston Bay. — Staff report

Page 24

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides Height 0.1L 0.5L 0.9L 1.3L 2.2H 2.4H 2.6H 2.7H 2.8H 2.8H 2.8H 2.8H 2.8H 2.7H 2.6H

Time 9:48 AM 10:34 AM 11:08 AM 11:34 AM 6:37 AM 7:45 AM 8:43 AM 9:30 AM 10:07 AM 10:29 AM 10:41 AM 10:57 AM 10:45 PM 11:22 PM

Height 2.8H 2.6H 2.4H 2.3H 1.6L 1.8L 2.0L 2.2L 2.3L 2.4L 2.4L 2.4L -0.2L 0.0L

Time

Height

Time

Height

5:29 PM 6:03 PM 6:35 PM 11:52 AM 12:07 PM 12:18 PM 12:28 PM 12:38 PM 12:48 PM 12:59 PM 1:10 PM

1.8L 1.4L 1.0L 2.3H 2.2H 2.3H 2.3H 2.3H 2.4H 2.4H 2.4H

9:00 PM 11:06 PM

2.0H 2.0H

7:03 PM 7:27 PM 7:50 PM 8:13 PM 8:39 PM 9:06 PM 9:37 PM 10:10 PM

0.7L 0.4L 0.2L 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L

Galveston Bay entrance, south jetty Date May 11 May 12 May 13 May 14 May 15 May 16 May 17 May 18 May 19 May 20 May 21 May 22 May 23 May 24 May 25

Time 1:46 AM 2:56 AM 4:17 AM 5:44 AM 1:36 AM 2:53 AM 3:50 AM 4:33 AM 5:09 AM 5:42 AM 6:16 AM 6:53 AM 7:33 AM 8:17 AM 9:01 AM

Height 0.1L 0.4L 0.7L 1.0L 1.7H 1.9H 2.0H 2.2H 2.2H 2.3H 2.3H 2.2H 2.2H 2.2H 2.1H

Time 10:35 AM 11:21 AM 11:55 AM 12:21 PM 7:03 AM 8:11 AM 9:09 AM 9:56 AM 10:33 AM 10:55 AM 11:07 AM 11:23 AM 11:11 PM 11:48 PM

Time

Height

Time

Height

5:55 PM 6:29 PM 7:01 PM 12:39 PM 12:54 PM 1:05 PM 1:15 PM 1:25 PM 1:35 PM 1:46 PM 1:57 PM

1.4L 1.1L 0.8L 1.8H 1.8H 1.8H 1.8H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H

9:47 PM 11:53 PM

1.6H 1.6H

7:29 PM 7:53 PM 8:16 PM 8:39 PM 9:05 PM 9:32 PM 10:03 PM 10:36 PM

0.6L 0.3L 0.1L 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.2L

Time 1:46 AM 2:57 AM 4:20 AM 5:51 AM 1:14 AM 2:32 AM 3:31 AM 4:18 AM 4:59 AM 5:37 AM 6:14 AM 6:51 AM 7:29 AM 8:06 AM 8:43 AM

First

May 21

June 4

May 28

Date Time May 11 4:20 AM May 12 5:17 AM May 13 6:07 AM May 14 6:44 AM May 15 12:55 PM May 16 11:17 AM May 17 10:41 AM May 18 10:00 AM May 19 10:07 AM May 20 10:26 AM May 21 10:57 AM May 22 12:33 AM May 23 1:16 AM May 24 2:01 AM May 25 2:46 AM

Houston Height 0.1L 0.3L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.1L

Time 3:15 PM 3:00 PM 2:57 PM 1:59 PM 9:47 PM 10:10 PM 10:33 PM 10:56 PM 11:22 PM 11:54 PM

Height 0.9H 0.8H 0.7H 0.7H 0.3L 0.3L 0.2L 0.1L 0.1L 0.1L

11:38 AM 12:22 PM 1:03 PM 1:38 PM

0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.8H

Time 8:20 PM 9:44 PM 2:12 PM 1:20 PM 6:16 AM 10:11 PM 10:57 PM 11:41 PM

Height 0.5H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L

2:33 PM 3:13 PM 3:58 PM 4:42 PM 5:22 PM 5:56 PM

0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.4H

Time

Height

9:30 PM

0.5L

Time

Height

6:09 PM 8:06 PM 1:03 PM

0.4L 0.3L 0.4H

Time

Height

Date Time May 11 5:25 AM May 12 6:04 AM May 13 6:31 AM May 14 6:40 AM May 15 2:13 AM May 16 1:02 PM May 17 1:12 PM May 18 1:31 PM May 19 1:58 PM May 20 12:24 AM May 21 1:09 AM May 22 1:55 AM May 23 2:41 AM May 24 3:26 AM May 25 4:08 AM

Height 0.2L 0.2L 0.3L 0.3L 0.4H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L

Time

Height

11:33 PM

0.4H

9:18 PM

0.3L

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell Pier Height 0.0L 0.2L 0.4L 1.0H 1.0H 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H -0.1L 0.0L

Time 11:05 AM 11:51 AM 12:25 PM 6:40 AM 7:59 AM 9:07 AM 10:05 AM 10:52 AM 11:29 AM 11:51 AM 12:03 PM 12:19 PM

Height 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 0.6L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 1.1L 1.1L 1.1L 1.1L 1.2L

8:47 AM 9:31 AM

1.3H 1.3H

Height 0.0L 0.3L 0.6L 0.8L 1.4H 1.5H 1.7H 1.8H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.8H

Time 10:17 AM 10:56 AM 11:25 AM 11:46 AM 7:18 AM 8:39 AM 9:56 AM 8:41 PM 9:09 PM 9:37 PM 10:06 PM 10:36 PM 11:09 PM 11:45 PM

Height 1.8H 1.7H 1.5H 1.4H 1.0L 1.1L 1.2L 0.0L 0.0L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L

Time

Height

Time

Height

6:51 PM 7:25 PM 12:51 PM 1:09 PM 1:24 PM 1:35 PM 1:45 PM 1:55 PM 2:05 PM 2:16 PM 2:27 PM

0.9L 0.7L 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H

10:17 PM

0.9H

7:57 PM 8:25 PM 8:49 PM 9:12 PM 9:35 PM 10:01 PM 10:28 PM 10:59 PM 11:32 PM

0.5L 0.3L 0.2L 0.1L 0.0L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L -0.1L

Date Time May 11 1:21 AM May 12 2:22 AM May 13 3:29 AM May 14 4:46 AM May 15 12:52 AM May 16 2:19 AM May 17 3:24 AM May 18 4:18 AM May 19 5:06 AM May 20 5:50 AM May 21 6:34 AM May 22 7:16 AM May 23 7:56 AM May 24 8:34 AM May 25 9:07 AM

Height -0.3L 0.0L 0.2L 0.5L 1.1H 1.3H 1.6H 1.7H 1.8H 1.9H 1.8H 1.8H 1.7H 1.7H 1.6H

Time 10:25 AM 10:56 AM 11:18 AM 11:33 AM 6:11 AM 7:43 AM 7:42 PM 8:13 PM 8:44 PM 9:17 PM 9:50 PM 10:25 PM 11:00 PM 11:38 PM

Height 1.7H 1.5H 1.3H 1.2H 0.8L 1.0L 0.0L -0.1L -0.2L -0.2L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L -0.3L

Time 10:35 AM 10:59 AM 11:13 AM 11:21 AM 5:57 AM 7:30 AM 7:48 PM 8:19 PM 8:49 PM 9:19 PM 9:50 PM 10:21 PM 10:55 PM 11:32 PM

Height 1.5H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H 0.9L 1.1L -0.1L -0.2L -0.3L -0.4L -0.4L -0.4L -0.3L -0.2L

Time

Height

Time

Height

5:56 PM 6:16 PM 11:39 AM 11:36 AM

0.7L 0.5L 1.2H 1.2H

10:45 PM

0.9H

6:42 PM 7:12 PM

0.3L 0.1L

Time

Height

Time

Height

6:03 PM 6:24 PM 6:50 PM 12:03 PM 12:18 PM 12:30 PM

1.0L 0.8L 0.6L 1.3H 1.3H 1.2H

9:23 PM 11:29 PM

1.1H 1.2H

7:18 PM 7:46 PM 8:14 PM

0.4L 0.2L 0.1L

Date Time May 11 1:18 AM May 12 2:18 AM May 13 3:22 AM May 14 4:34 AM May 15 12:54 AM May 16 2:29 AM May 17 3:40 AM May 18 4:37 AM May 19 5:27 AM May 20 6:14 AM May 21 6:58 AM May 22 7:40 AM May 23 8:20 AM May 24 8:56 AM May 25 9:25 AM

Height -0.3L 0.0L 0.4L 0.7L 1.1H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.6H 1.6H

2012 May 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Sun Q 14 Mon 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 Sat > 20 Sun N 21 Mon > 22 Tue > 23 Wed > 24 Thu 25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun 28 Mon Q 29 Tue 30 Wed

A.M. Minor Major 11:18 5:05 ----- 5:58 12:34 6:45 1:16 7:27 1:55 8:05 2:32 8:42 3:09 9:20 3:47 9:59 4:29 10:40 5:14 11:26 6:02 ----6:53 12:40 7:46 1:33 8:40 2:28 9:34 3:22 10:26 4:15 11:18 5:06 ----- 5:55 12:30 6:42 1:16 7:28

P.M. Minor 11:44 12:10 12:56 1:37 2:16 2:53 3:30 4:10 4:52 5:38 6:26 7:17 8:10 9:04 9:58 10:50 11:41 12:07 12:54 1:41

Major 5:31 6:22 7:07 7:48 8:26 9:03 9:41 10:21 11:04 11:49 12:38 1:05 1:58 2:52 3:46 4:38 5:29 6:19 7:06 7:53

SUN Rises Sets 06:30 08:04 06:30 08:04 06:29 08:05 06:29 08:06 06:28 08:06 06:27 08:07 06:27 08:08 06:26 08:08 06:26 08:09 06:25 08:09 06:25 08:10 06:24 08:11 06:24 08:11 06:23 08:12 06:23 08:12 06:23 08:13 06:22 08:14 06:22 08:14 06:22 08:15 06:21 08:15

MOON Rises Sets 12:50a 12:01p 1:30a 1:00p 2:06a 1:57p 2:39a 2:51p 3:11a 3:44p 3:42a 4:37p 4:15a 5:30p 4:49a 6:24p 5:26a 7:17p 6:07a 8:10p 6:51a 9:02p 7:39a 9:51p 8:30a 10:37p 9:23a 11:20p 10:18a NoMoon 11:15a NoMoon 12:13p 12:37a 1:11p 1:13a 2:12p 1:48a 3:15p 2:25a

P.M. Minor Major 11:49 5:36 12:15 6:27 1:01 7:13 1:43 7:54 2:21 8:32 2:58 9:09 3:36 9:47 4:15 10:27 4:58 11:09 5:43 11:55 6:32 12:44 7:23 1:11 8:16 2:04 9:10 2:57 10:03 3:51 10:56 4:44 11:47 5:35 12:12 6:24 1:00 7:12 1:46 7:59

SUN Rises Sets 06:30 08:15 06:30 08:16 06:29 08:16 06:28 08:17 06:27 08:18 06:27 08:19 06:26 08:19 06:25 08:20 06:25 08:21 06:24 08:21 06:24 08:22 06:23 08:23 06:23 08:23 06:22 08:24 06:22 08:25 06:21 08:25 06:21 08:26 06:21 08:27 06:20 08:27 06:20 08:28

MOON Rises 1:01a 1:40a 2:14a 2:46a 3:16a 3:46a 4:17a 4:50a 5:27a 6:06a 6:50a 7:37a 8:28a 9:22a 10:19a 11:17a 12:16p 1:16p 2:18p 3:22p

Sets 12:02p 1:03p 2:01p 2:57p 3:51p 4:45p 5:40p 6:34p 7:29p 8:23p 9:15p 10:04p 10:49p 11:31p NoMoon 12:10a 12:46a 1:20a 1:54a 2:29a

P.M. Minor Major 11:56 5:43 12:22 6:34 1:08 7:20 1:50 8:01 2:28 8:39 3:05 9:16 3:43 9:54 4:22 10:34 5:05 11:16 5:50 12:02 6:39 12:51 7:30 1:18 8:23 2:11 9:17 3:04 10:10 3:58 11:03 4:51 11:54 5:42 12:19 6:31 1:07 7:19 1:53 8:06

SUN Rises Sets 06:44 08:16 06:43 08:16 06:42 08:17 06:42 08:18 06:41 08:18 06:40 08:19 06:40 08:19 06:39 08:20 06:39 08:21 06:38 08:21 06:38 08:22 06:37 08:22 06:37 08:23 06:37 08:24 06:36 08:24 06:36 08:25 06:36 08:25 06:35 08:26 06:35 08:26 06:35 08:27

MOON Rises 1:03a 1:43a 2:19a 2:52a 3:24a 3:55a 4:28a 5:03a 5:40a 6:21a 7:05a 7:53a 8:44a 9:37a 10:32a 11:29a 12:26p 1:25p 2:25p 3:27p

Sets 12:14p 1:14p 2:10p 3:04p 3:57p 4:50p 5:43p 6:36p 7:29p 8:22p 9:14p 10:03p 10:49p 11:32p NoMoon 12:12a 12:49a 1:25a 2:01a 2:38a

P.M. Minor ----12:36 1:22 2:03 2:42 3:19 3:56 4:36 5:18 6:03 6:52 7:43 8:36 9:30 10:24 11:16 ----12:33 1:20 2:07

SUN Rises 06:46 06:45 06:45 06:44 06:43 06:42 06:42 06:41 06:40 06:40 06:39 06:38 06:38 06:37 06:37 06:36 06:36 06:35 06:35 06:35

MOON Rises 1:26a 2:04a 2:37a 3:07a 3:36a 4:05a 4:36a 5:08a 5:43a 6:22a 7:05a 7:53a 8:44a 9:39a 10:36a 11:34a 12:35p 1:36p 2:39p 3:45p

Sets 12:20p 1:22p 2:21p 3:18p 4:13p 5:09p 6:04p 7:00p 7:55p 8:49p 9:41p 10:30p 11:16p 11:57p NoMoon 12:35a 1:10a 1:43a 2:16a 2:49a

Dallas 2012 May 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Sun Q 14 Mon 15 Tue 16 Wed 17 Thu 18 Fri 19 Sat > 20 Sun N 21 Mon > 22 Tue > 23 Wed > 24 Thu 25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun 28 Mon Q 29 Tue 30 Wed

A.M. Minor Major 11:23 5:11 ----- 6:04 12:39 6:50 1:21 7:32 2:00 8:11 2:37 8:48 3:14 9:25 3:53 10:04 4:34 10:46 5:19 11:31 6:07 ----6:58 12:46 7:51 1:39 8:45 2:33 9:39 3:27 10:32 4:20 11:23 5:11 ----- 6:00 12:36 6:48 1:21 7:34

San Antonio

South Padre Island

Freeport Harbor Date May 11 May 12 May 13 May 14 May 15 May 16 May 17 May 18 May 19 May 20 May 21 May 22 May 23 May 24 May 25

Last

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

Full

Rockport Height 2.2H 2.1H 2.0H 1.9H 1.3L 1.5L 1.6L 1.7L 1.8L 1.9L 1.9L 1.9L -0.1L 0.0L

San Luis Pass Date Time May 11 2:42 AM May 12 3:52 AM May 13 5:13 AM May 14 12:23 AM May 15 2:06 AM May 16 3:23 AM May 17 4:20 AM May 18 5:03 AM May 19 5:39 AM May 20 6:12 AM May 21 6:46 AM May 22 7:23 AM May 23 8:03 AM May 24 12:07 AM May 25 12:44 AM

New

Port O’Connor

Sabine Pass, jetty Date Time May 11 1:20 AM May 12 2:30 AM May 13 3:51 AM May 14 5:18 AM May 15 12:49 AM May 16 2:06 AM May 17 3:03 AM May 18 3:46 AM May 19 4:22 AM May 20 4:55 AM May 21 5:29 AM May 22 6:06 AM May 23 6:46 AM May 24 7:30 AM May 25 8:14 AM

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases May 13

Texas Coast Tides

LSONews.com

Time

Height

Time

Height

5:48 PM 6:13 PM 11:22 AM 11:13 AM

0.8L 0.6L 1.2H 1.2H

10:36 PM

1.0H

6:44 PM 7:17 PM

0.3L 0.1L

2012 A.M. May Minor Major 11 Fri 11:30 5:18 12 Sat ----- 6:11 13 Sun Q 12:46 6:57 14 Mon 1:28 7:39 15 Tue 2:07 8:18 16 Wed 2:44 8:55 17 Thu 3:21 9:32 18 Fri 4:00 10:11 19 Sat > 4:41 10:53 20 Sun N 5:26 11:38 21 Mon > 6:14 ----22 Tue > 7:05 12:53 23 Wed > 7:58 1:46 24 Thu 8:52 2:40 25 Fri 9:46 3:34 26 Sat 10:39 4:27 27 Sun 11:30 5:18 28 Mon Q ----- 6:07 29 Tue 12:43 6:55 30 Wed 1:28 7:41

Amarillo 2012 A.M. May Minor 11 Fri 11:44 12 Sat 12:12 13 Sun Q 12:59 14 Mon 1:42 15 Tue 2:20 16 Wed 2:58 17 Thu 3:35 18 Fri 4:13 19 Sat > 4:55 20 Sun N 5:40 21 Mon > 6:28 22 Tue > 7:19 23 Wed > 8:12 24 Thu 9:06 25 Fri 10:00 26 Sat 10:52 27 Sun 11:43 28 Mon Q 12:09 29 Tue 12:56 30 Wed 1:42

OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen

large sturgeon 15. Best waters for muskie, walleye, trout 16. A valued commercial food fish 17. A female dall 19. Used on rifle parts for oxidation 20. Letters signify shotgun model 21. Good lure color to attract fish 24. Find wild ones in the Rockies 26. Used over open fire to fry the catch 27. A lake bird 29. They travel upstream to lay eggs DOWN 30. A camp fireplace 1. Anglers consider this 31. Term for method of when fishing snaring skunk 2. Name for the Hawaiian 34. Need a sharp one to flesh goose 36. A breed of bird dog 3. Good to have in a 17. Large appendage on a muley 38. A good retriever duck blind 18. Trapped for the fur 41. A male mallard 5. The spindle on a fly 20. A female bear 42. Deer will do this to reel spool 22. Young dall escape danger 6. Handy item to have in 23. A field area 45. Need this to pack the strange areas 25. A grommet on a fly rod day's catch 7. A mechanism on a rod, 26. A fish organ 46. The moray _____ seat 28. Fishing equipment 48. A game bird, ___white 8. King or chinook 49. A protector, recoil ____ 9. Angler's term for a 29. A name for the deer 32. Shells and arrows 33. A fur seeker's quarry 35. An animal hiding place 37. Are heavily populated in Idaho 39. A group of decoys 40. A duck hunter's cover 43. A hunting weapon 44. Term for flock of pheasants 47. The bowman's finger protector 49. Part of a trap 50. A species of duck 51. Dangerous animal is sometimes this 52. A duck hunter's lure

ACROSS 1. A small boat 4. This strikes the firing pin 10. Fish eggs 11. A duck species 12. Small game is to an owl 13. A male dall 14. Used to take gamey taste from meat

Solution on Page 26

Major 5:31 6:24 7:11 7:52 8:31 9:08 9:45 10:25 11:06 11:52 ----1:06 1:59 2:53 3:48 4:41 5:32 6:21 7:08 7:54

Major 5:57 6:48 7:33 8:14 8:52 9:29 10:07 10:47 11:30 12:15 1:04 1:31 2:24 3:18 4:12 5:04 5:55 6:44 7:32 8:19

Sets 08:40 08:40 08:41 08:42 08:43 08:44 08:44 08:45 08:46 08:47 08:47 08:48 08:49 08:50 08:50 08:51 08:52 08:52 08:53 08:54

FOR THE TABLE Cheesy broiled flounder 4 flounder fillets 2 tbsps. lemon juice 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup butter, softened 3 tbsps. mayonnaise 3 finely chopped green onions 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce Preheat broiler. Place fish in a greased,

shallow baking pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice. In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise, green onions, salt and hot pepper sauce; set aside. Broil flounder for 4 to 6 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Remove from oven and spread cheese mixture on top. Broil an additional 30 seconds, or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly. Serve warm.

— easyfishrecipes.com

Creamy turkey breast 5-6 lb. wild turkey breast 1/4 cup unsalted butter 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups peeled and coarsely chopped tart apples 2 tsps. salt

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/2 tbsp. fresh ground black pepper 1/2 cup applejack liquor 1 tbsp. corn starch 1 tbsp. cold water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sauté breast in butter until lightly browned on all sides. Remove and keep warm. Sauté apples in butter and juices in skillet. Scoop them out and place on bottom of heavy casserole. Place turkey breast on top. Pour off any fat in the skillet. Add applejack and swirl around over high heat for a minute or two, scraping the bottom of the skillet to de-glaze it. Pour it over the turkey breast.

Cover the casserole and bake for 45 minutes. Add cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper and bake for another 30 minutes or until the breast is tender when pricked with a fork.

Put breast on serving platter to keep warm, and pour off liquid from casserole into a saucepan. Add water to the cornstarch and stir the paste into the liquid. Cook over moderate heat for 1-2 minutes until the thickness is that of gravy. Pour over the turkey breast. Serve with wild rice and a salad.

— Braxton Gillam

*E-mail LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 25

Shark fishing Continued From Page 1

bull shark using whole fish as bait — shad, croakers, ribbonfish and ice minnows.

“We are still right at the start of the season,” he said. “On a normal year, it is usually toward mid- to late May before we see a big influx of sharks, but with the high beachwater temps, it has pushed everything up.”

Williams said the influx of water from area rivers has turned the bays muddy, which affects all fishing, including shark fishing. He said the sharks migrate from Mexican waters each year, and he targets an area known as Tarpon Alley because so many shrimp boats work the area, which brings in the sharks.

Even with the muddy water, he said he has been putting clients on 20 to 40 sharks each outing.

“We don’t target those 800-pound tiger sharks,” he said. “You could sit over a bait for two or three days before you have a run. We target the sharks in the 40- to 180-pound range.”

Williams said 99 percent of the sharks he catches are two species — blacktips and spinner sharks, which are hard to tell apart.

“Of the other 1 percent, 50 percent are bull sharks and the other 50 percent are hammerheads,” he said.

Also hitting similar water for sharks is Capt. Joel Taylor.

He said his shark spots have been producing “pretty good” so far this year.

“We’ve caught a lot of medium-sized blacktips in the 3- to 4-foot range,” Taylor said. “We’re also catching some sharpnose and bull sharks.

We got into a whole herd of them the other day.

And they have been pretty close to shore.”

Taylor said he has read online reports recently of plenty of sharks being caught from area beaches. He also said it really doesn’t matter what you throw out for bait.

“We are using cut bait,” he said. “But anything works — they aren’t picky.”

BITE ME: Sharks like this small blacktip are being caught in solid numbers in Galveston Bay. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

Taylor agreed that the sharks are in earlier than normal because of the higher water temperatures.

Williams said the shark fishery isn’t as good as it used to be, but that can be said about most things.

“There ain’t nothing as good as it used to be because the fisheries of the world are on a steady decline,” he said.

Capt. Mike Williams, (713) 723-1911.

Capt. Joel Taylor, (281) 332-5822.

Dickenson, McGrail take first Brandon Dickenson and Ryan McGrail won first place with 19.54 pounds at the Texas Team Trail presented by Cabela’s Lake Livingston tournament May 5.

Dickenson of Flower Mound and McGrail of Killeen each had an outstanding event.

“The fishing was great,” said Dickenson. “We were on fish for most of the entire day. The Texas Team Trail has been a great bass tournament trail. It is put together well and hasn’t disappointed yet. We look forward to finishing out the season and ending it on Lake Amistad.”

— Staff report

OUTDOOR BUSINESS Executive Editor Craig Nyhus Managing Editor Conor Harrison Associate Editor Mark England Graphics Editor Amy Moore Business/Products Editor Mary Helen Aguirre Operations Manager Mike Hughs Accounting Ginger Hoolan Web site Bruce Soileau

National Advertising Mike Nelson Accounts Manager Advertising Sales Jaimey Honea Founder & CEO David J. Sams

Contributors Kyle Carter David Draper Shannon Drawe Wilbur Lundeen Aaron Reed Erich Schlegel David Sikes Scott Sommerlatte Chuck Uzzle Ralph Winingham

Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail editor@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.

OUTDOOR BUSINESS TO ADVERTISE CONTACT LSON

(214) 361-2276

For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com (214) 361-2276

Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $2, in certain markets are free, one per person. Copyright 2012 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 e-mail them to editor@ lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Page 26

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com

DATEBOOK May 11

May 19

May 26

June 9

Texas Deer Association Corpus Christi Chapter Casino Fund-raiser Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds (210) 767-8300 texasdeerassociation.com

Bass Champs Tournament South Region #5 Choke Canyon (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

Hooked for Life Kids Fishing Tournament Brownsville Event Center hookedforlife.us

Texas Team Trail Tournament Lewisville Lake (210) 788-4143 texasteamtrail.com

Third Coast Fishing Tournament Bluff's Landing, Corpus Christi (361) 992-5152 winthirdcoast.com

June 14

May 11-13 Great Outdoors Expo Horseshoe Center, Midland (806) 253-1322 goetx.com

May 12 Bass Champs Tournament North Region #4 Lake Tawakoni (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

May 17 Dallas Safari Club Annual Trophy and Photo Competition Royal Oaks Country Club (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

May 18 Operation Game Thief Claystoppers Shoot Capitol City Trap and Skeet Club Austin (512) 389-8801 ogttx.com

May 18-20 Legend of Lake Fork 8th Annual Open Bass Tournament Lake Fork (903) 383-7748 legendoflakefork.com

Arabia Shrine Sportsmen 8th Annual Fishing Tournament Matagorda Harbor shrinesports.com

June 1-2 UV Country Grand Opening Celebration Alvin (281) 824-1198 uvcountry.com

May 19-20 Creekside Christian Fellowship 7th Annual Creekside Hunting and Fishing Show Creekside Christian Fellowship Facility, Needville (832) 287-5217 creeksideshow.com Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Bowhunter Education Class Pottsboro and Weatherford (903) 821-7640 and (817) 999-8585 tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas Deer Association 2nd Annual Brush to Bay Invitational Fishing Tournament Bluff’s Landing Marina and Lodge, Corpus Christi (210) 767-8300 texasdeerassociation.com

June 2 Bass Champs Tournament Central Region #5 Lake Belton (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

Dallas Woods and Waters Club Monthly Meeting Sheraton Dallas North Hotel (214) 570-8700 dwwcc.org

June 16 Bass Champs Tournament East Region #5 Sam Rayburn Reservoir (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

June 2-3 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Bowhunter Education Class, Tyler (903) 292-7014 tpwd.state.tx.us

May 22 Ducks Unlimited Plano Chapter Banquet Love and Peace, Plano (903) 372-6089 ducks.org

June 3 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Bowhunter Education Online Field Class Dallas (214) 282-3697 tpwd.state.tx.us

May 24 Texas Deer Association San Antonio Chapter Banquet Pearl Brewery Stables (210) 767-8300 texasdeerassociation.com

June 7-10 Toledo Bend Battle Bassmaster Elite Series Toledo Bend Lake (800) 358-7802 toledobendlakecountry.com

LONE STAR MARKET

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or e-mail him at mhughs@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Puzzle solution from Page 24

LSONews.com

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

May 11, 2012

Page 27

PRODUCTS ELIMINX 360 WITH SILVER-ZYME: Code Blue Blu Scents combines nanosilver and enzyme technology to form fo a solution that eliminates bacteria and foreign odors. The T secret to Silver-Zyme's effectiveness, according to the company, is a silver molecule that, by design, is missing com eight electrons in its outer shell. Each silver molecule rapidly e kills multiple odor-causing bacteria, viruses and mold while m recharging itself to continue its mission. EliminX 360’s aerorecha sol mist m penetrates deep into clothing and gear and can be sprayed from any angle — even upside down — to penetrate those hard-to-reach places. Available in Earth p Scented or Unscented, the 12-ounce size sells for about $9.50.

>>

(251) 368-4089 www.codebluescents.com

EQUALIZER: This redesigned archery release aid from Goat Tuff Products allows archers to increase their bow’s performance and arrow speed without increasing the draw weight. It was designed for short draw archers or those who have had to shoot lower poundages due to age or injury. The device fits comfortably in the palm of the hand with an in-line adjustable trigger that allows for the alignment of the arm, wrist and release. The plunger-type trigger is activated by the natural movement of the finger. The Equalizer will be available with a Velcro closure or with an adjustable metal buckle.

It sells for about $200.

>>

(520) 742-1701 www.goattuffproducts.com

LEG LEGACY GACY GA GAME MOUNT: Texas Te exas artist art Rita Schimpff was inspired by family heirlooms heirloom and the desire to offer hunters an eleh gant — and lasting — way to display their takes.

This full-size finely carved walnut panel (with fu cover), cover) for example, can accommodate whitetail, mule deer, axis and other similarly sized exotic d and African game antlers. It can be used to disAf play new, ne existing or even antique mounts. Handcrafted

by Heritage Game Mounts, the 12.5-inch c by by 9.5-inch 9.5-in Legacy game mount sells for $225.

(210) 822-7224 8 www.HeritageGameMounts.com www.He

MVD DAMPENER: R: Are potential potentia catch-es being offf b i scared sc c by the vibration off vii your boat’ss trolling g mom tor? Bowjaxx has designed esigned a simple, yet effective, to dampe e, device d en those thoss vibrations. tions. Molded as a single of an elastomeric come piece p pound, d, the device slips around the diameter metter of a submersible electric trolling ng motor and, and according to lablab oratory ory tests, dampens vibrations on a motor under propulsion by at leastt 22 percent. percent The MVD dampeners are sold in singles (about $15) or pairs (about $28).

>>

PINNACLE SOLOIST T COOKWARE: This lightweight cookware by GSI is for anglers who might have to hike e up to their out-of-the-way favorite honey holes. The camp set has a crushproof, heat-resistant nylon lid that serves as an integrated strainer and as a “sip it lid.” d.” The folding handle locks in place for cooking and secures the set for easy transport. ansport. And its welded stuff sack, which holds the set while traveling, doubles as a sink or wash h basin in camp. The cookware sells for about $45. $45 5.

>>

>>

(800) 704-4474 704-44 474 www.gsioutdoors.com ww.gsioutdoorss.com

(208) 762-3692 www.bowjaxmvd.com

CLASSIFIEDS C HEARING SYSTEMS, INC. We make premium custom shooting earplugs, made with an innovative diaphragm to reduce loud impulse shot noise while permitting normal sound.

Call for an appointment.

(281) 855-8916

SOUTH PADRE FISHING Reds, Trout, Flounder, Snook. Everything supplied but food and licenses.

Multiple trip discounts. Call Capt. Thomas for details or CDCT12005@aol.com.

(956) 551-1965

DESERT HIDEOUT Private: 3 bedroom, 1 bath, waterfront home. On Falcon Lake. Great hunting and fishing. $60,000 cash.

(512) 777-9377

BOW ONLY MULE DEER 3500 Acre. 5 day hunt. Meals, lodging included. South of Clovis NM. $2500. Sept.

15, 2012 or Jan. 5, 2013.

For info and booking call: (214) 564-5099

LEARN TO FLY FISH CASTING LESSONS Lessons by a certified casting instructor in Dallas.

Group lessons available.

(214) 677-6307

DECOYS WANTED WOODEN Duck and Goose. Top prices paid. Ask for David.

(214) 361-2276

$

DEER LEASE WANTED Lone Star Outdoor News is looking for a hunting and fishing lease with all hunt and fish rights.

Central or Northwest Texas.

Camphouse is needed.

(214) 361-2276

HOUSE FOR SALE IN KERRVILLE Come to the mecca of Texas hunting in the heart of the Hill Country.

Awesome 3/3 with a guest house close to downtown and the ranches.

505 Elm St. Call (830) 896-5503 SIDE-BY-SIDE SHOTGUN Smith & Wesson Elite Gold 20-gauge, 26” BBL, English stock. In box, never fired.

(214) 361-2276 x 201

PER WORD

1

Classified Order Form

$30 FOR ONE YEAR Great gift for your outdoorsman. 24 issues for one year. www.LSONnews.com

STATE WATERFOWL STAMP/PRINT COLLECTION FOR SALE 32 total signed and numbered state prints and stamps from around the country 12 state first; Louisiana, Vermont, Arizona,Kansas, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Connecticut, Idaho, Virginia, Nebraska, Canada, Australia. 10 from South Carolina. All unframed.

Great art work for any water fowlers office wall or hunting camp. Call and ask for David.

214-361-2276

2 issues minimum

Page 28

May 11, 2012

Lone✯Star Outdoor News

LSONews.com