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www.FishGame.com Published by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. TEXAS FISH & GAME is the largest independent, family-owned outdoor publication in America. Owned by Ron & Stephanie Ward and Roy & Ardia Neves.
ROY NEVES PUBLISHER
DON ZAIDLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CHESTER MOORE EXECUTIVE EDITOR
C O N T R I B U T O R S
JOE DOGGETT DOUG PIKE TED NUGENT BOB HOOD MATT WILLIAMS CALIXTO GONZALES LENNY RUDOW STEVE LAMASCUS LOU MARULLO KENDAL HEMPHILL REAVIS WORTHAM TOM BEHRENS GREG BERLOCHER PAUL BRADSHAW CAPT. MIKE HOLMES LISA MOORE JOHN GISEL
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EDITOR AT LARGE HUNTING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR SALTWATER EDITOR BOATING EDITOR FIREARMS EDITOR BOWHUNTING EDITOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR HUMOR EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGER
A D V E R T I S I N G
ARDIA NEVES VICE PRESIDENT/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
NICOLE BECKA • VIGA HALL •
MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE
MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE 1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE 281/227-3001 • FAX 281/227-3002
SUBSCRIPTION/PRODUCT MKTG. 1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE 800/725-1134
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GRAPHIC DESIGNER
A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
DENNISE CHAVEZ ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR TEXAS FISH & GAME (ISSN 0887-4174) is published monthly by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC., 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. ©Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1 year $19.00: 2 years $34.75; 3 years $48.50. Address all subscription inquiries to Texas Fish & Game, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for response. Give old and new address and enclose latest mailing address label when writing about your subscription. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032. Address all subscription inquiries to TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032. Email change of address to: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email new orders to: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email subscription questions to: dhruzek@fishgame.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 77267-9946 and at additional mailing offices.
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by Paul Bradshaw
5 FAST WAYS TO FIND SALTWATER FISH
How much free time do you have for fishing? If you’re like most modern anglers, probably not much. So here are five solid techniques for getting the most out of your limited time on the water.
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Spring turkey season is upon us, and our challenging quiz is a good way to get mentally prepared for the hunt.
GAMEFISH BY DESIGN
With millions of hatchery-raised fish stocked in Texas waters annually, are the regulations and limits currently in place to protect breeding populations sufficient... or even necessary?
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There are few experiences in saltwater fishing that get the blood pumping the way chasing predators around schools of bait—or bait balls—can. STORY:
THE TF&G TURKEY QUIZ
by Bob Hood
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HAVING A BALL
by Calixto Gonzales
BROADHEAD OPTIONS FOR TURKEY
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Bow hunting for turkey has many challenges. Choosing a mechanical broadhead over a fixed blade can increase your chances of stopping the birds that you shoot STORY:
by Lou Marullo
www.FishGame.com
by Paul Bradshaw
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ON THE COVERS:
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by Chester Moore
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Everyone has their favorite bass baits, or “confidence” baits, that they often keep throwing even when they aren’t working. Here are 5 alternatives that you should consider keeping on deck.
DREAMSTIM
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5 BASS BAITS YOU SHOULD BE USING
ILDLIFE, PHOTO: © TW
APRIL 2011 • Volume XXVI • NO. 12
GAME XAS FISH & OSITE: © TE PHOTO COMP
FEATURES
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COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS APRIL 2011 • Volume XXVI • NO. 12
COLUMNS 10 Editor’s Notes Heard Around the House II by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief
14 Chester’s Notes
33 Hunt Texas Living History
by BOB HOOD TF&G Hunting Editor
by CHESTER MOORE TF&G Executive Editor
12 BIG BAGS &
16 Doggett at Large
CATCHES
Red Revolution
by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor
18 Pike On the Edge 37 Texas Saltwater by DOUG PIKE TF&G Senior Contributing Editor
20 TexasWild
Texas Crossbow Double by TED NUGENT TF&G Editor At Large
21 Commentary Getting Involved
by KENDAL HEMPHILL TF&G Politcal Commentator 6 |
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8 LETTERS
12 TF&G REPORT
Recovered Dreams
Unlikely Pairings
DEPARTMENTS
Small Ball
by CALIXTO GONZALES TF&G Saltwater Editor
42 Texas Freshwater
30 NEW! TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
40 TRUE GREEN
Advanced Hook Selection
by MATT WILLIAMS TF&G Freshwater Editor
56 Open Season Little Boxes
by REAVIS WORTHAM TF&G Humor Editor F I S H
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www.FishGame.com
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Letters to the Editor Ethics, Schmethics I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE our heritage of traditional hunting, i.e. opportunities to go afield employing our prowess to take wild game within accepted parameters of fair chase. Perpetuating this tradition entails conserving habitat and managing for healthy game populations. Paying to kill captive non-wild type monstrosities is becoming increasingly popular and profitable. Mr. Ted Nugent, in his article “Ethics, Schmethics” (TF&G February 2011) maintains that is unethical to forbid the release of these captives. I disagree. Game farm animals, besides being genetically altered to manifest characteristics desired by the customer, tend to have a high incidence of various diseases. Carriers of chronic wasting disease are difficult to identify. Concern about poached, escaped, or released captives polluting a wild population with their genes and diseases is really not “impossible to explain in logical terms” as Mr. Nugent alleges. I agree that too many game laws are based on politics and emotion rather than sound conservation principles. We should be working to change them. Traditional hunters ought not make enemies of those who shoot captives lest the anti-hunters divide and conquer us. We should have a vested interest in working together to minimize the threat of game farming on traditional hunting. Releasing captives is neither ethical nor schmethical.
John Moisuk, Jr. Richardson, TX I JUST READ TED NUGENT’S COLUMN, “Ethics Schmethics,” and he hit the nail right on the head. I’m glad that we have people with common sense like him serving as advocates for us in the public forum.
Jim Purviance Bogata, TX
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TED NUGENT’S RECENT COLUMN WAS RIGHT on. Schmethics...perfect! One can’t even go fishing anymore without the fear of breaking some absurd regulation, whether it relates to licensing, fish species, boat registration, equipment, and on and on and on. I really wouldn’t be surprised to learn of some hardnosed game warden coming after Nugent for publicly acknowledging that he uses common sense and integrity over laws that are obviously inappropriate to the situation. How do we instigate real change against a bureaucracy that has manipulated the sports of both hunting and fishing into a selfserving means to increase revenue? Thanks for stirring up the dust on this important issue, and keep us informed of any organized movement.
Larry Robertson Via email I GOT ONLY TO PAGE 21 OF THE FEBRUARY issue of TF&G when I just had to stop and make two comments: one directed at Don Zaidle’s Editor’s Notes, “Lessons in Conservation,” and the other at Ted Nugent’s “Ethics Schmethics.” Two words describe both—right on! Thank you for Zaidle’s very good lesson about scams perpetrated by various organizations, so-called “scientists,” and, yes, even government in the name of research and “betterment” of our lives. I have lived through the “chicken necks cause cancer” (and now they don’t), “cranberries cause cancer” (and now they are good for you), F I S H
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“eggs are bad for you” (and now they are good for you), and on and on. Keep up the good work. We need people Zaidle to address these kinds of silly issues and to keep us straight. Ted Nugent’s column reminded me of an antelope trip my late husband and I made to New Mexico. He shot a very nice animal, legally, and when we went to retrieve it, drove the truck down what the rancher was using as the road to his water tank. Well, here came the game warden, all blustering and aggressive, and informed us we were driving illegally. His contention was that even though the rancher used the road, he had not mowed it or maintained it (the driving area was plainly marked with wide ruts and frequent use), and therefore did not qualify as a legal road for us to drive on. Because he pulled out his game manual and showed us that we could not drive across a pasture to pick up game, does this qualify as an “unethical ruling?” I also got a ticket in Wyoming because when I skinned my primo buck to quarter and pack it into coolers, I didn’t leave “proof of sex” attached to the animal as required by the then-game law. (I didn’t know it then, and don’t know if that still applies, but it did a few years back.) This even though the cape and head were going with the carcass. Also an “unethical ruling” as described in the fifth paragraph of Nugent’s excellent column, which begins most appropriately, “Our world is so out of control with imbecilic, illogical...rules...” Joyce D. Schaefer Port Lavaca, TX
Send Your Comments to: Texas Fish & Game Attn: Letters to the Editor 1745 Greens Road Houston TX 77032
E-mail: letters@fishgame.com
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Editor’s Notes by Don Zaidle | TF&G Editor-in-Chief
Heard Around the House II S I WRITE THIS, I LITERALLY JUST returned from investigating gunfire in the night outside my house. That is not unusual around here. Between marauding raccoons, possums, and other varmintious villains pilfering from feed bins; year-round hogand coyote-hunting neighbors; and ammo and gun tests, gunfire is normal day or night, and rarely cause for alarm.
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However, gunfire in the night (two shots, widely spaced) followed by shouting and the clatter of machinery and tools from the vicinity of my shop is unusual, and merited investigation. I grabbed a revolver (choosing it over the utility of a shotgun to keep one hand free for possible hand-to-gland combat in skunkbreeding season), clipped a flashlight onto my belt, dropped a speedloader into my pocket, and sallied forth into the night. The lights in the shop haloed three figures—grandsons all—in various states of conspiratorial animation. Two crept away like guilty shadows and disappeared in moonlit dust clouds and getaway taillights. The third remained in the shop, holding a still-smoking double barrel. I glanced around for moribund tres-
passers, saw none, and turned to the remaining grandson: “What the hell happened?” He took a sudden, intense interest in the tops of his boots and pointed toward the wall in one corner, where I found a few feathers and remains of some kind of bird splattered around a gaping hole in the interior wall, marked with the unmistakable tracks of twin loads of No. 7-1/2. When asked the obvious, my grandson explained: “It had been flying around in here all day, crapping on everything—including my new welder. We tried to shoo it out the door, but it wouldn’t go. So, we...” When asked about the two spaced-out shots, he looked even more sheepish and mumbled, “I missed the first one.” The “heard around the house” summary goes: “I missed the first one.” (one of my
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grandsons, when asked why he shot two shotgun holes in the wall) Other Recent Utterances and Circumstances include: ...“When you get upstairs, check the baby’s pockets for shotgun shells.” (instructions to my granddaughter-in-law regarding my two-year-old great-granddaughter, whom I had been babysitting) ...“Look for it over there by that tree where I peed this morning.” (grandson’s reply to query about the whereabouts of some missing object) ...“Trying to get my soldering iron out of this tree.” (grandson’s reply to query about why he was flailing at a tree with a 10-foot length of conduit) ...“It was Fowler burning a dead cow. He offered us barbecue, but I declined...unless you want some.” (upon returning from a fire investigation) In the “If You Have Ever/You Might Be... ” genre: ...Set a trap to catch a non-rodent animal
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running loose inside your house. ...Made toast with an acetylene torch when the electricity went out. ...Had your electricity go out because one of your grandsons shot the cable in two with a .40 S&W while trying to dispatch a raccoon. ...Evacuated your house after one of your grandsons pepper-sprayed a stray dog outside an open window. - Peered around doorways searching for booby traps before entering a room in your own house. ...Had someone call you for advice on the best place anatomically to shoot a cow. ...Been dispatched as a volunteer firefighter to a “pickup vs. two donkeys” motor vehicle accident (MVA) scene. ...Explained to a DPS trooper the best way to shoot a donkey at an MVA scene. ...Collided with a tree in a wildland firefighting truck while engaging a brush fire because four B&C bucks fleeing across a flaming pasture distracted you. ...Dispatched someone to the feed store for blood-stopper powder after a hog-
butchering accident. ...Had to explain during a teleconference call that you just shot a squirrel from your back porch. ...Found a long-forgotten animal hide, head, or carcass while cleaning out your freezer. ...Found an animal hide, head, or carcass while cleaning out your freezer—and have no idea how it got there. ...Found the hide, head, or carcass of an animal from another continent while cleaning out your freezer—and have no idea how it got there. ...Found an animal hide, head, or carcass while cleaning out your freezer, with a note attached that reads: “Ran out of room in my freezer. Thought you wouldn’t mind. Call me when you find this.”
E-mail Don Zaidle at DZaidle@fishgame.com.
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The TF&G Report PHOTO: LARRY D. HODGE,
Lake Austin Produces Three ShareLunkers LAKE AUSTIN—SITUATED PRACTICALLY IN the shadow of the state capital building and tiny by Texas standards at just 1599 acres— has produced three 13-pound-plus ShareLunker bass this season, including a new lake record. T.J. Nissen of Austin caught the 16.03pound lake record January 27 in 5 feet of 49-degree. He was fishing a crankbait beneath a dock from a small flat-bottom boat. The fish was 28.25 inches long and 21.75 inches in girth, and ranks No. 22 on the Texas Top 50 list. Only three other fish entered into the Toyota ShareLunker program have been that long. Lake Austin is traditionally drawn down in January so lakeside property owners can do maintenance work on docks and bulkheads, and to expose aquatic vegetation to
freezing temperatures as a control measure. That poses a problem for anglers, Billy Weems caught a since all the boat 13.2 pound lunker on ramps are out of the February 25. water and unusable. But where there's ShareLunker 514 a will, there's a way. "The only way you can get in is with a kayak or a V-bottom boat or a flat-bottom boat," Nissen said. "We bought one a couple of years ago specifically for this. "I threw a big crankbait up under a dock, and she hammered it on about the third crank. It made a ShareLunkers back-to-back on the weekend bunch of runs and shook its head three of February 25. Billy Weems of Liberty Hill started the times. We didn't have a net, but luckily I had action on Friday with a 13.21-pound lunker a partner in the boat who was willing to take caught around noon in 12 feet of 62-degree as many treble hooks in the hand as he had water on a swimbait. to [in order tp] get her in the boat. Once we Cody Erin Smith of New Braunfels folgot her in the boat, we just stood there and lowed up Saturday with a 14.28-pounder stared, wondering what to do next." around 10 a.m. on a jig. Lake Austin gave up two more
B IG B AGS &CATCHES
Feral Hog
Black Drum
Montgomery Co.
San Leon
Dalton Burke, age 6, of Pasadena shot his first hog at 60 yards with a .243 in Montgomery County. The hog weighed approximately 250 lbs.
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Ryan Webb of Dickinson caught this 38inch, 50-pound black drum at San Leon off a friend’s pier. He caught the drum with dead shrimp on a flounder rig.
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PHOTOS: LARRY D. HODGE, DAVID CAMPGELL
Both were fishing in the vicinity of the Loop 360 bridge. "This whole area is just one big spawning flat," said Weems. "The big fish are just starting to move up." Lake Austin has now produced 12 entries into the ShareLunker program, tying it with Lake Amistad and lagging Choke Canyon and Falcon International Reservoir by only one.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or Department (TPWD) inland bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, fisheries biolo- public or private, between October 1 and Cody Erin Smith’s gist Stephan April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota 14.28 pounder caught Magnelia man- ShareLunker program by calling program on February 26. ages the Lake manager David Campbell at 903-681-0550 Austin fishery, or paging him at 888-784-0600 and leaving ShareLunker 515 and he attrib- a phone number including area code. Fish utes the lake's production of big will be picked up by TPWD personnel bass to several factors. "I believe within 12 hours. it's a combination of an ongoing Florida bass stocking program, good habitat (aquatic vegetation) in the upper third of the reservoir, and catch-and-release by anglers," he said. Since 1996 TPWD has stocked about 4.5 million Florida bass into Lake Austin, and in 2008 and 2010 it received stockings of ShareLunker offspring. T.J. Nissen’s 16.03Each lake that contributes pounder in January was a fish to the program a new lake record. receives a portion of that ShareLunker 508 season's production of offspring.
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Chester’s Notes by Chester Moore | TF&G Executive Editor
Recovered Dreams EARTBREAK: THAT IS WHAT I FELT AS I picked up my processed film and realized all of the photos of my big bass had been lost. Before the advancement of digital cameras, photographers and outdoor writers shot slide film for magazines. In Southeast Texas, only one place developed slides, and it was always a pain to drive there and wait upwards of a week to get them back. I had just been on a trip to Mexico’s Lake Agua Milpa and caught the biggest bass of my life, a super-fat 9-pounder, and my only record of it was gone—lost forever. One of my great pleasures is documenting good times spent outdoors, and for a 25year-old, catching his biggest bass on an excursion to Mexico was a pretty big thing (and it still is). Last year, a chance encounter with the owners of Fish Scale Taxidermy (fishscaletaxidermy.com) in Waco inspired me to recover that lost dream. Elite Replica mounts, which feature a hyper-realistic body
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with see-through fins, blew me away. Since Fish Scale specializes in bass, I thought to myself, Too bad I could not have had that big Mexico fish mounted. Then I thought, Why not? I vividly remembered what the fish looked like, and through the internet could access thousands of bass photos for reference. I also had the dimensions for the fish, so I contacted Jana “Dixie” Kay at Fish Scale Taxidermy to recover my lost dream, providing her the fish’s size and a photo of a similar bass. A few months later, the mount was delivered to my house and I was blown away. My Elite Replica is second to none and reflects true artistry and intense attention to detail, evidencing intimate knowledge of fish colors and scale patterns. The dream bass of long ago had been recovered in a magnificent way. Taxidermy has never been about “trophies” for me, but about capturing a moment in time and reminding me of how blessed I am. Looking at that bass as I write this, I remember how excited I was and feel inspired to catch an even bigger one. Unlike caught fish, some moments cannot be captured on a form and painted—but they can be captured on canvas and painted or drawn by creative artists. Wouldn’t you do just about anything to capture your son or daughter’s first time in the deer stand or perhaps your dog’s first retrieve? Chances are you never took photos of your child asleep in the blind, and the
light was probably too low to get a good retrieving photo. Your memory, however, probably houses details that no photograph could capture. Despite having a great mount of that big buck, it cannot compare to what you saw in the wild as it came charging out of a briar thicket grunting violently. By working with a wildlife artist who does commissions, you can re-create the scene that replays in your mind every time you look at that mount. Every angler I have ever met, talks about “the one that got away”—and many do. (Difficulty in landing is part of the big fish mystique.) How cool would it be to capture that fateful moment when you lost that big speck, lunker bass, or maybe a huge tarpon that jumped a few times and soon broke the line. Over the past couple of years, I have worked with wildlife artist Don McQueen (donmcqueenart.com ) on several projects, and his work continues to impress me. I plan to work with him to recreate my huge flounder encounter that essentially spawned a career in outdoor writing. Imagine a little boy with his Zebco 808 battling an 8- to 10-pound flounder in his dad’s johnboat. Talk about excitement! I would like to freeze that moment in time to express my enthusiasm for flounder, and recognize it was my father’s desire to keep me on the water as much as possible that gave me this wonderful career. Well, that and the Lord getting a saddle-blanket flatfish to hit the tiny hardhead by-catch I took out of our box of shrimp. Being able to pass that on to my daughter is an exciting prospect. I know for a fact recapturing my lost bass meant a lot to me, and I hope being able to give her some of these memories in a unique, creative format will mean a lot to her as she segues from being a sweet little girl into a wonderful young woman. Never give up on your dreams.
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Dogget at Large by Joe Doggett | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor
Red Revolution ERTAIN THINGS BECOME BENCHmarks of style. The significance stands the test of time. This is true in all aspects of life. When it comes to casting reels, where do you go from the original “Red Reel” Ambassadeur 5000? Certainly, many of today’s casting reels surpass the old Red Reel as reliable, effective machines. But none comes remotely close in significance or impact on the sport fishing industry. This especially is true in Southeast Texas—for decades the top market in the nation for conventional levelwind casting tackle, freshwater and salt. The Garcia Corporation imported the Ambassadeur 5000 from Sweden, the first reels hit the market during the mid-1950s. The retail price was approximately $45 (a major sum during the Eisenhower administration), but pro-class anglers clamored to purchase them. With one glance and a single heft, you knew it was a winner, the coolest reel ever made. The rich luster of red anodized frame accented by a chrome levelwind carriage and pearl-colored handle knobs crooned “class.” Each Ambassadeur 5000 (or wideframed 6000) came with a fitted leather case and a spare parts tube—a bit of upscale marketing few previous products offered (the old round-framed Shakespeare President being one exception). The box proclaimed, “By far, the finest baitcasting reel ever made anywhere in the world.” Bold talk, but true. The
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Ambassadeur blew everything else off the market. Within a few years, the old directdrive reels were borderline relics against the awesome performance unleashed from Sweden. Backed by an “educated thumb” and a favoring breeze, you could cast lighter 1/4to 1/2-ounce payloads with ease and elegance for bass in the lakes, and speckled trout and redfish on the coast. By adjusting the anti-backlash weights against the spool, you could even chunk straight into a stiff wind. Well, sometimes. Even larger fish such as king mackerel, jackfish, and tarpon were vulnerable to the mechanical advantage of the star drag.
If you were a have-not making do with old direct-drive or spinning tackle, you gazed at the gleaming display in the nearest sporting goods store and turned red—not green—with envy. I was a senior in high school during the spring of 1964 when I bought my first Ambassadeur 5000. That was a really, really big deal. Several hundred casting reels later, I still have that old 5000. I haven’t used it in years. It is worn, scratched, and corroded, but it still more-or-less functions. If I had to, I could fish with it tomorrow. Or I could use a mint 5000 (circa early 1970s, pictured on
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this page), but I don’t think I will. But, in truth, the original Red Reel was a bit of a clunker, at least compared to current products. It was heavy and the retrieve ratio was slow (approximately 3:1). Many of today’s low-profile rocket launchers are twice as fast and half as heavy, with much better drag systems and far superior antibacklash capabilities. The 5000/6000 series was upgraded during the mid ‘70s by the silver 5500/6500 series. These were faster and smoother, but the Ambassadeur/Garcia dynasty fumbled during the early 1980s as Japanese reels increasingly dominated the market. Shimano led the charge with fast, light, low-profile models that simply were superior. The Pro Bantam series comes to mind as an early pacesetter, and, unless I am woefully uninformed, Shimano continues to set the standard. Models such as the Chronarch and the hugely popular Curado and Citica blanket the water with smooth levelwind casts. This is a simplified review of the evolution of the modern casting reel. Certainly, gaps occur in this account, and many fine products are available on today’s tackle shelves. But young anglers with no grasp of what went before might do well to appreciate a true benchmark. Whatever high-tech, free-spool, star-drag levelwinder you might wield, it owes its pedigree—indeed, its very existence—to the Red Reel.
E-mail Joe Doggett at JDoggett@fishgame.com
PHOTO: JOE DOGGETT
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Pike on the Edge by Doug Pike | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor
N IDLE MIND OFTEN FOLLOWS WHIMSical paths. I was reminded of that when the following thoughts crept into my head one late-winter evening: For no reason, I pondered the marked similarities between specific species of terrestrial and aquatic life. If you think of the plane on which air and water meet as a looking glass, it is fairly easy to see some of the creatures that live on one side reflected in those that live on the other. Take hardheads, for example. (And take
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Take hardheads, for example (And take all you want—nobody will miss them).
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Unlikely Pairings
all you want—nobody will miss them.) The hardhead catfish is a generally despised, potentially harmful waste of flesh that never met anything it wasn’t willing—enthusiastically—to bite. My immediate thought as its counterpart was the cottonmouth, but I actually respect
snakes and do not share that feeling for the hardhead. Ultimately, the nod went to sewer rats. City rats. Garbage eaters, not field mice earning their hardscrabble existence on waste grain and wild seed. Scale tipper for the sewer rat-hardhead play was that if you were hungry enough, although you wouldn’t like doing so, you could eat either one. I couldn’t eat a water moccasin. Moving on to a more glamorous path, consider the Spanish and king mackerels. Both are high-velocity, acrobatic predators that take most of their meals at full speed. This one is easy. The smaller and larger mackerels are to schools of sardines and mullet what falcons and hawks are to meadow mice and pigeons. By water or air, the attacks of these lightning-bolt predators are
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swift, and death of the prey is instant or nearly so. Somewhere near the bottom of the visible food chain, you will find shrimp in the bays and grasshoppers in the fields. Both can seem amazingly agile to any of us who try to catch one by hand, but neither is a match for the stabbing beaks of birds, rushing mouths of big fish, or bullwhip tongues of lizards. Where shrimp and grasshoppers live, almost everything bigger than them eats them. On the cuddly side, there is commonality between crappie and cottontails. Each is relatively delicate in its world and, as prey, must constantly watches over its finned or furred shoulder. Nervous by nature and prolific by same, white perch and bunnies are the marshmallows of fish and wildlife. I wanted to liken largemouth bass to bobcats, both being opportunistic ambush feeders, but the latter tends to remain lean throughout its life. A bass, on the other hand, becomes relatively fat and lethargic in seniority, still capable of feeding itself but more apt to take one big meal than six smaller ones. I will stick with the comparison for lack of a better one but, in my mind, add a beer belly to the cat. There are solid matches in the world of biting, stinging creatures. The first is stingrays and scorpions, both of which respond to threat with a swift upturning of their tails. Stingrays are much larger, of course, and capable (with a few exceptions) of inflicting a more painful wound, but either can ruin an outdoorsman’s day with one swing of its tail. No roll call of natural annoyances is complete without mention of what most coastal residents call sea lice, which actually are the pinhead-sized larvae of blue crabs. One the right spring tide, they can be so thick in the surf that paddling a surfboard through them feels as if you are pulling your arms through a giant bowl of grits. They have tiny pincers with which to attach themselves to any unsuspecting host that happens along. Hitchhikers, they are, with a preference for dark, damp places. (Draw your own conclusions.) Their terrestrial mirror image, of course, is the chigger. Evolution left no clues as to whether chiggers crawled to sea and became crab larvae or crab larvae got tired of the marine life and crept up the beach into the nearest open field. It doesn’t matter. A few dozen of either can generate an excruciating,
ceaseless itch in places it is not polite to scratch publicly. There are plenty more—blue marlins and lions, wahoos and wolverines—for which there isn’t room here, but there is one more that must be shared. My favorite pair grow big and aggressive and fearless, and as adults, individuals can defend themselves against anything they might encounter. Each of their populations has risen steadily through the past two,
maybe three decades, and both like to feed in the mud with their noses down and tails up. As if either needed identification after those descriptions, they are the redfish and feral pig. And like all those other animals, I am convinced each would be proud to be associated with the other.
E-mail Doug Pike at dpike@fishgame.com
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Ted’s TexasWild by Ted Nugent | TF&G Editor at Large
Texas Crossbow Double ROJECTILE MANAGEMENT. IT’S MY LIFE. I have this hand-eye coordination addiction that hit me when I was about five years of age, and ever since that first homemade slingshot-propelled pebble, I have been consumed by the goal of placing various projectiles into bulls-eyes of varying shapes and sized for nearly 60 years now—and it is worse/better now than ever. My first crossbow adventure took place way back around 1969 when I stalked the rolling hills of southern Michigan with my clumsy wooden bolt flinger. I craved my bowhunting fun, and was immediately fascinated with this awkward contraption from the historical era of William Tell and the Huns and Vikings battling it out in faraway castles of yore. Cool. I killed a nice boar and a fat wooly Barbary ram in the snow that winter, the well-placed bolts delivering a razor sharp Bear Razorhead clean through the beasts for two rather impressive kills. I liked it, but not enough to put down my Bear recurve bow for very long, still mystified by the allure of self-propelled arrows over the horizontal bow on a rifle stock. Both great fun, but the hand-held, hand-drawn vertical bow was and remains to this day my heart’s desire. Love that mystical flight of the arrow. Crossbows were always there, but they exploded onto the hunting scene with a vengeance around the year 2000. A strange controversy erupted as to whether the crossbow qualified as archery tackle and was a legitimate hunting tool. To this day, I am astounded that such foolishness could exist within our hunting brotherhood, but as they say, it takes all kinds.
Fortunately, the good guys won this silly debate and crossbows are now accepted for exactly what they are—a small arrow- (bolt) flinging contraption that is challenging and fun to master, fun to shoot, fun to hunt with, and inarguably effective for procuring venison. The jury is not still out on these truisms.
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My first crossbow adventure took place way back around 1969 when I stalked southern Michigan with my clumsy wooden bolt flinger.
I occasionally grab my Excalibur recurve limb crossbow to change things up during the season, and have had great hunting fun every time. They are extremely accurate, as always, if we dedicate ourselves to excellence, and though limited to normal bow and arrow ranges, nonetheless deadly on all big and small game. My bowhunting buddy and vidcamdude Mike Ray and I decided to crossbow hunt on a fine December day, and climbed into our favorite live oak tree for a little venison shopping. We had been skunked for a number of days in a row, but as die-hard bowhunters, we never give up. As always, even when no game was visible, our hopes, dreams and expectations remained powerfully positive. Then, paydirt. From the mountain cedar thicket strode a trio of handsome whitetail does, casually making their way to our ambush setup. I lifted my Excalibur into ready position and waited as Mike rolled SpiritWild film.
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As I was about to let fly on a big fat cactus donkey, I saw another deer moving our way and held off. This new arrival was a very strange spike buck that I had seen once before earlier in the season. Its two 9-inch spikes grew parallel straight up from the top of its head like a pair of old television rabbit ears, and if ever there were a spike to tag, this goofball was it. The little buck harassed the ladies, then made the terminal mistake of turning broadside and my Lumenok bolt smashed clean through both shoulders for a lovely kill shot. My smiley exaltation on camera said it all as I celebrated another exciting hunt for Spirit of the Wild TV. Realizing there was still plenty of shooting light left, I re-cocked my crossbow, loaded up bolt No. 2, and hoped for a second strapper to arrive. And arrive it did. Just 30 minutes transpired before we saw the tawny shape of another whitetail coming in. More does, more straps! The way I spread out my corn and various bait/feed, I have learned how to get critters to give me a broadside, sometimes, and once again, it worked. When the old gray doe gave it to me, my second bolt of the day found its mark where the crosshairs centered shoulder and, pung-whop! That’s all she wrote. We filmed the joys of a double recovery of two beautiful Hill Country whitetail deer, a ritual and celebration that will never get old or be taken for granted.
E-mail Ted Nugent at TNugent@fishgame.com.
On the Web For more Ted Nugent writings, visit www.tednugent.com
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Commentary by Kendal Hempill | TF&G Political Commentator
Getting Involved OST OF US WHO HUNT, FISH, AND EAT red meat wonder at the clueless behavior of antis. To those who understand that hunters and anglers pay the costs of preserving wildlife habitat and enforcing game laws, it’s obvious that without us wildlife would suffer and some species disappear. We can’t understand how someone can claim to care about animals and still oppose hunting and fishing. The answer, in just about every case, is ignorance. Granted, there are probably some who know the facts and still believe hunting and fishing is wrong, on religious or moral grounds, but the great majority just doesn’t understand what they are talking about. It would be easy to dismiss these people as stupid or crazy, based on their strange behavior, but that is seldom the case. Most peta members are probably normal, intelligent folks, except for their lack of education about the outdoors. Sue Watkins used to be such a person. Growing up in California, Sue loved animals, and wanted to help them any way she could. She became an animal trainer, joined peta, and regarded all hunters as cruel animal haters. Sue never went so far as to march in protests, or harangue people wearing fur or leather, but she was definitely, firmly, ensconced in the anti camp. And then, at a trap-shooting event, Sue met a man who happened to be a big game hunter. She immediately placed him on her mental list of undesirables. She never had anything to do with people who had so little regard for animals that they would go out and shoot them. But Sue and the hunter became friends anyway, and even started dating. They argued about hunting and animal rights, each with the righteous conviction of the just. Finally, the hunter gave up on arguing, but
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he gave Sue some information about where wildlife funds come from, and asked her to look up the facts for herself. To her credit, she did. The more Sue learned about wildlife conservation, the more the knowledge grated against her long-held anti-hunting beliefs. She resisted but, because she respected the hunter and cared enough to want the truth, she persisted. When the dust settled, Sue had learned that animal rights activists do little or nothing for animals, and that hunters and anglers pay more of the wildlife conservation bill than the rest of society combined. She learned that most poachers are caught because honest hunters alert wildlife officials to their activities. She learned that peta, and other animal rights groups, spend most of their money on propaganda, and almost nothing helping animals. She learned that hunting actually improves wildlife health and habitat, and that without it many animals die far more painfully from starvation during the winter. She learned that animal rights activists don’t really care about animals, they only care about control over their fellowman. She learned that animal rights groups lie to their members and the rest of society, in order to keep them from learning the truth. She learned she had been wrong. Sue was appalled about her discoveries, and realized that, in order to actually help wildlife, she would have to support hunting and other conservation efforts, whether she actually hunted herself or not. She also decided that others who had spent their lives in outdoors ignorance needed to learn what she knew, so that they, too, could make informed choices, instead of continuing to believe the anti-hunting lies. T E X A S
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Sue realized she had a responsibility to help educate the next generation so America’s outdoor heritage could be preserved. She decided to do whatever she could to expose the lies, and encourage kids to get outdoors. Her book, Getting Involved! A guide to Hunting and Conservation for Kids, is one of the finest examples of the conservation effort I have ever seen. It doesn’t just tell children they should hunt or fish, it explains the entire concept of the conservation philosophy hunting and fishing’s roles. It encourages kids to look up the facts themselves, instead of automatically believing what they have been told. The book also stresses gun safety and features kids who have excelled in outdoor sports through 4-H and other programs. It’s full of pictures and illustrations that make the outdoors come alive, and should give children a desire to get involved themselves. Sue ended up marrying the hunter who changed her attitude about hunting. Without such a relationship she doesn’t believe she would have made the effort to learn the truth. We all need to do our part to educate others about the outdoors, especially kids. A good way to do that is to give a copy of Getting Involved!, available from Safari Press or directly from Sue Watkins at 916417-2382
E-mail Kendal Hemphill at KHemphill@fishgame.com.
On the Web www.safaripress.com
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WE ALL HAVE OUR FAVORITE BASS BAITS. The popular term for these is “confidence baits” since it is something you feel comfortable throwing and confident you can catch bass on at any time. Mine is a Watermelon wacky worm, and sometimes I throw it even when it’s not working at the expense of other baits that would be much more appropriate for the situation. I’m sure you do the same thing. You know there are other baits out there that would work better, but you choose not to use them. Or there might be baits out there that you don’t even know about that you should be using for bass. Either way, let’s look at five baits you should be using for bass, but are not for whatever reason.
BAIT ONE: SWIMMING JIG One of the first times I ever saw a SWIMMING JIG was at the 2009 Bassmaster Classic on the Red River. Some of the top bass anglers in the nation were tipping their swim jigs with soft plastic frogs and working t h e m through vegetation to pull in limits. This was so effective that the leader going into day three of the competition had relied solely on a swimming jig for the first two days of the event. After seeing first hand how effective this was, you’d think I would have one tied on all the time, but I don’t. I still don’t throw one as often as I should, and I’m willing to bet you don’t either. I do not mean trying to swim your favorite jig, but using a jig designed for swimming. The one I favor is the 3/8ounce SwimMax Jig by Stanley. Its smaller size and head design allow it to move through cover (grass, brush, trees) with fewer hang-ups.
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BAIT TWO: BIG SPINNERS Go look at every SPINNERBAIT you own and see what size they are. I bet most are 1/4- or 1/2-ounce, with the occasional 3/4-ounce because you bought it by mistake or got it as a gift from some crazy aunt who knew you like to fish. While you probably catch your fair share of bass on these spinners, it might be time to throw the bass a change-up by supersizing your spinnerbait offerings. Buy some really big spinnerbaits (think 1-1/2 ounces or bigger) and start chucking them for deepwater bass. Slow rolling a huge spinnerbait over a main lake point in 20-plus feet of water is a great way to fool bass into striking, mainly because nobody else is doing it so the fish have not grown accustomed to it yet.
The idea behind using these old baits is that since few anglers use them, most bass have never seen them and so are not accustomed to them. It’s like when a new bait comes out and the bass can’t get enough of it because they have never seen it. Just because these baits are “old” or “vintage” doesn’t mean they won’t catch fish, so dig into your old tackle box and pull a few out.
BAIT THREE: THE CLASSICS The next bait is actually a group of baits that you used to use, but with the advent of “new and improved” baits, have forgotten about. When was the last time you threw a JITTERBUG, or TINY TORPEDO, or CRAZY CRAWLER, or HULA POPPER? I suspect most “under25s” have never thrown a Jitterbug, which is sad because you can still buy this classic, and it is as effective today as it was when invented 70 years ago. Some of the first bass I caught were on an old Jitterbug.
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BAIT FOUR:WACKY JIG As mentioned, a weightless wacky worm is one of my favorite baits. The fourth way you should fish but are not is with a WACKY WORM ON A LIGHT JIGHEAD. Instead of jabbing a bare hook through the middle of the worm, use a small jighead (1/8 ounce or smaller) instead. Just toss it near likely bass cover, let it sink on a slack line, and let it sit there. Using this rig, you have to be a line watcher. Watch the line as it sinks for any jumps or twitches, and watch it again as the bait sits on bottom. This slow method takes a lot of patience, but will pay off if fish are not actively feeding.
BAIT FIVE: LIVE BAIT This last one garners askance looks from some fishermen (and probably will elicit some nasty emails to me), but LIVE BAIT is the one bait you never use that will help you catch more and bigger fish. Live bait catches bass. There, I said it. Most fishermen have never intentionally caught a bass on live bait. I use “intentiona l l y ” because plenty bass are caught on live bait every day by anglers after other species. Heck, the state record bass was caught on a minnow by a crappie fisherman, illustrating that live bait does, indeed, catch bass. Isn’t that the point of fishing—to catch fish? Why, then, should we have an aversion to soaking bait for bass when we do it for other species without a second thought? When using live bait for bass, think big; your average minnow isn’t going to cut it. This might be an issue since a lot of bait shops don’t carry large shiners, but don’t worry; you can mail order live bait. You can get farm raised Black Salty baitfish (black-
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salty.com) via FedEx if you can’t find anything locally. If you read Chester Moore’s
blog on the Texas Fish & Game website (fishgame.com), you already know that these are effective when free-lined for bass.
The ways you can catch bass are nearly endless. If you get the chance in the next few months, you might want to give one of these five methods a try. Chances are you will put more fish in the boat that you currently think possible.
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Year-Round Tactics for Catching Fish Under Balled-Up Schools of Bait BY CALIXTO GONZALES JOHN HART HAD NEVER seen anything like it. “There were schools of bait everywhere,” he said about the September trip out along the South Padre Island beachfront with Captain Steven Deveries. “You’d see these black clouds of baitfish in 9 to 10 feet of water, and these big fish just blasting them,” he continued. “You could see bonita, kingfish, jackfish and tarpon of all sizes just tearing up the schools. There were pelicans and seagulls everywhere, too. Sometimes you saw a big shadow from a shark, and everything just exploded. It was amazing. We hooked a few tarpon, but lost most of them. Some of them were absolute monsters.” 26 |
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That’s how fishing baitballs can be: intense, wild, and fantastic.
Ballin’ There are few experiences in saltwater fishing that can get the blood pumping the way chasing predators around schools of bait—or bait balls, as they are commonly referred to—can. Whether it is chasing around Sabine Lake or Corpus Christi Bay and watching for flocks of birds marking schools of baitfish or shrimp being pushed to the surface by frenzied trout and redfish, or running the South Padre Island beachfront for balls of rain minnows that are being strafed by everything from trout, redfish, and tarpon all the way to bruising pelagics such as bonita and kingfish, baitballing adds an exciting and novel dimension to the coastal fishing experience. “I’ve never had a client complain about
me hitting the baitballs along the beachfront,” said Captain Richard Baily of Edinburg and Port Mansfield. “They see all the action blowing up in front of the boat, and they get excited to cast into them. When they hook up and the fish takes off on them, they’re to busy having fun to say anything.”
A baitball is formed when predatory fish such as trout, tarpon, redfish, or when off shore—bonita, tuna, kingfish, and other pelagics- school start stalking and corralling baitfish or shrimp. As an act of self –preservation, the prey species form a tighter and tighter aggregate and thus form a “ball.” As the predators begin to slash through and around the baitball, it moves closer and closer to the surface, where birds join in on the fun. With hungry predators exploding from all sides, and birds swooping down from above, it is a bad place for a small fish to be.
Getting the Birds A common application of fishing the bait balls is chasing the birds around Texas bays and saltwater lakes. Experienced anglers know that a flock of diving and wheeling birds is the telltale sign of feeding fish. As stated earlier, the birds spot the bait balls
from the air as the hapless prey are corralled between the sky and the hungry jaws of a hungry predator. The big question that gets asked is, what kind of predator is causing the chaos? Trout? Skipjack? Gafftops? Jackfish? A good rule of the thumb is to watch how PHOTO CREDIT: ELISA LOCCI DT
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the bait is attacked. A slashing, knifing sweep into the school is usually indicative of an uber-aggressive feeder such as a jack or a ladyfish (ladyfish are also prone to clearing the water when the hit the ball). Chugging or popping explosions usually hint at speckled trout, although Lower Laguna Madre anglers have reported catching the occasional snook under a bait ball. If there seems to be no action other than bait leaping out of the water, and no popping or slashing, then chances are that redfish or gafftop are lurking about. Sometimes anglers don’t seem too concerned about what is swimming under the baitball. I took some friends who were neophyte anglers out onto Lower Laguna Madre. I spotted a flock of birds. We hustled over, drifted into casting range, and started throwing jigs. Three casts, three skipjack. “Okay, reel ‘em in,” I said. “These are just some nasty skipjack.” “But, we’re catching fish!” both of my friends protested. “Let’s stay here.” We spent the next three hours following the bait ball and catching one skipjack after
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another. My buddies were slimy, bloody, and happy. You never can tell how people react to bait balls.
Fall Brawl Anglers along the Texas coast live for the transition period from summer to fall. Baitfish of all sorts begin collecting along the beach front, and predators including some highly prized species such as tarpon and kingfish start balling up their prey ripping them into pieces. "On a good day, you’ll find dozens of baitballs along the beachfront,” said Captain Richard Bailey. “All of them have fish under and around them. It can get pretty wild.” One experience that Baily recounted underscores the wild action beachfront ballers encounter. “We had baitballs all over the place. Some had bonito and kingfish on them, and we jumped tarpon all over the place.” Baily indicates that some anglers will cast right into the school and hookup to a Spanish mackerel, bonita or kingfish. The
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best lures for such an exercise is a silver spoon with a short length of wire leader to mitigate the cutting of line by sharp teeth. If you’re hoping to latch onto a big redfish that lurk around these schools, a fast-sinking Kastmaster or soft plastic on a heavy jighead is a good choice. “You can find some really big reds under those schools,” Bailey said. “They’ll give you a tougher workout than the kingfish. The key is matching the hatch, more in size than color. Most of the baitballs are formed by rain minnows or small menhaden that are less than 2 inches in length. Small spoons, bucktails and soft plastics are good choices. The classic Mr. Twister curlytail grub in white has accounted for plenty of bait ball raiders. Fly fishermen would have a blast chasing bait balls and throwing a 3 inch white or shad-patterned fly. Imagine a 120 pound tarpon inhaling your trout fly. “That would be intense,” said Baily. That’s how having a ball can be. Intense.
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Texas Department of Defense Introduction to SelfDefense IN THE U.S. TODAY, AND PARTICULARLY IN Texas along the border with Mexico, violence is escalating on what seems almost a logarithmic scale. Because of this, the subjects of self-defense and concealed carry are on the minds of many. This is completely logical, as every person has the basic instinct to protect himself from harm, and every person living in a free society has the basic human right to do so. Further, I believe self-defense is more than a right—it is a duty. If every adult in the U.S. possessed, were trained to use, and allowed to carry a handgun—concealed or otherwise—we would have very little crime. If every household possessed a shotgun and
the knowledge to use it, home-invasion robbery would be the stuff of fantasy. If criminals knew every house on every block, every rural home, harbored a tactical rifle or three and household members who knew how to use them, opportunities for burglary, theft, vandalism, and assault would be mighty slim pickin’s. Self-defense is one of the most important aspects of responsible firearms ownership and deployment. That is why Texas Fish & Game has decided to launch this new department—the Texas Department of Defense— to provide our readers the best information available on firearms, ammunition, gear, and training for personal defense, in public and at home. In this inaugural offering, we will discuss the justifications and ramifications of using a gun in self-defense. It is a highly charged issue and has many not-so-obvious complications seldom discussed in print. Mental Preparedness: No person in their right mind wants to shoot another person. You hear people with no
| Self Defense | | Concealed Carry | | Tactical | by Steve LaMascus combat experience say that they would have no trouble killing someone if they had to. Almost invariably, that is just bravado. The truth is, nobody knows how they will react when compelled to use deadly force. Some people simply can’t pull the trigger. Some do so purely by reflexive reaction and don’t even realize they have fired until it’s all over. Some are as cool under fire as a mountain stream, and some go totally crazy, screaming and shooting wildly until they run out of ammo. A lot depends on your mental makeup; a lot depends on how, and how thoroughly, you have been trained; and a lot depends on how prepared you are mentally. There are four states of mental readiness, best represented by conditions white, yellow, orange, and red. In condition white, you are totally unaware, unprepared, oblivious to your surroundings, and unsuspecting
The CHL Waiting Game Last year, the Texas Department of
giving up. Apparently, the CHL
Public Safety announced the availability of
licensing division is still back-
an on-line application system to stream-
logged. The on-line application is at
line the process and reduce delays in issu-
the web address below:
ing CHLs. I tried to contact DPS by phone to determine the current wait time.
www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/
I called 13 times. The last time I waited
crime_records/chl/chlsindex.htm.
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that you are in danger. In condition yellow, you are aware of your surroundings, but calm, not expecting an attack, but prepared to go into immediate action if the need arises. In condition orange, you “feel” something is not right—sense danger and expect an attack. You are aware of the position of all possible hostiles around you, what they are doing with their hands, and the weapons available to them. You have formulated a plan of action should you be attacked. You might even be moving to a location advantageous for defense and concealment (tactical positioning). Condition orange is what a police officer adopts when clearing a building in which there is a suspected armed and dangerous criminal. Condition red is when you are fighting for your life. You have identified the threat, are under attack, have decided the attack warrants deadly force, the gun is in your hand, and you are pulling the trigger to stop the threat or threats. In condition red, you are fighting or running for your life, or looking for a way to escape an overwhelmingly supe-
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rior force. This is where “flight or fight syndrome” kicks in. I don’t know who first came up with these “conditions,” but I first saw them several decades ago in an article by the late Col. Jeff Cooper—retired Marine combat veteran, firearms instructor, and gun writer. Most people go through life in condition white, lacking a clue and not wanting one. They are the “sheep” preyed upon by the “wolves” of the world. They are the ones who sanctimoniously call you paranoid and psychotic because you carry a gun. Don’t worry about them; they are wrong, always have been, always will be. These same people think “Bambi” and “Dumbo” were documentaries, and that police provide all the protection you need. Your brain is your first line of defense, so think ahead. If you are wise, whether you carry a gun or not (if you are wise you will carry a gun), you should train to never be in condition white—not even in your own living room with your family around you. Never allow yourself below condition yellow. This will help keep you alive when the sheep
lie dead. The “normal” criminals of the world seem to have a sixth sense about who to assault and who to leave alone. If you are in condition yellow, armed, aware, and prepared, there is a good chance that thugs will recognize this and leave you alone. The most dangerous problem is the irrational crook who lacks that sixth sense, the doper high on meth or some other drug that robs him of both his senses and his inhibitions; or the nutcase out to indiscriminately kill everyone he can because his favorite TV show was cancelled. Since you never know when you might have to defend yourself or your family, be prepared to do so at all times—at all times. Legalities: The Texas Penal Code contains the laws regarding when homicide (defined as the taking of a human life by another human) is justified. You need to understand them, intimately and unequivocally. Personally, I have a very strict personal code: I will only shoot to protect myself, my
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Texas Department of Defense family, or an innocent third party from death or grievous bodily injury. I will not use a gun to protect only property. A human life is too precious to take to protect material things, no matter what the worth in dollars and cents. If someone was robbing me and I knew without a doubt that he would leave me alone if I paid him, I would write the guy a check. Unfortunately, we never have such assurances. If you do have to use a gun to save a life, remember this: you do not shoot to “kill.” That should never be your intention when you shoot another human being. You always—always— shoot to stop another person from killing or causing serious bodily injury to you or someone else. Do not tell anyone, ever, that you would or did shoot to kill. If you do have to shoot someone in self-defense, in the aftermath you will be talking to a lot of official people. When the responding police officer asks what you did, you tell him unequivocally that you shot to make the bad guy stop assaulting you; that you were in fear for your life; that you had no other option but to shoot or die. Tell this to the detective who investigates, the lawyer who defends you, the lawyer who prosecutes you (should that happen), the grand jury, the judge, and anybody else you talk to. If you have to shoot someone and he dies, that is just too danged bad—but that was not your purpose in shooting. You did not want to kill him, but he forced you to shoot. Got it? Do not—ever—talk to the news media. If for some reason you fee it is necessary, let your lawyer talk to the media for you. You never know how the media will spin a story, so it is best to keep silent and not speak with them at all. Never—ever—shoot to wound or disarm. While this might seem paradoxical, it is not. Anything short of total incapacitation means the bad guy can still kill or hurt you. You do not stop a person that is intent on killing you by purposely shooting them in the leg, arm, or shoulder—and most certainly never try to shoot the gun out of his hand. That is Hollywood bull-stuff that does not 32 |
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work and that has no place in a real life or death scenario. I once saw a video of an actual event where a police sniper tried to disable a pair of terrorists with non-fatal shots from his .308 rifle. He knocked the man down and shot the woman in, I believe, the shoulder. She was still functioning and able to shoot her accomplice and then commit suicide with her gun. Had other targets been available, she undoubtedly would have taken as many others with her as possible. If a high-powered rifle failed to do the job, what chance does your dinky little handgun have? You shoot the bad guy right in the middle, where he is biggest, where the solar plexus is (the “center mass”), and you keep shooting until he is no longer a threat. Most law enforcement agencies train to fire two shots at center mass, every time. This has been determined by thousands of armed encounters to be the most effective tactic. If it is good for law enforcement, it is good for the armed citizen. Some people, especially those high on drugs, can be almost impervious to pain and might require several shots to stop. (We will cover this tactical scenario in greater depth in future issues.) Rumor Control: You might have heard the bit about if you have to shoot someone that has broken into your house and assaulted you, and he manages to crawl outside house, you should drag him back inside. Don’t do it! That is tampering with a crime scene, a crime in itself. Don’t touch a thing, don’t let anyone else touch anything, and don’t tell a lie to make it seem more believable. Cops are psychologically trained, professional snoops with a bloodhound nose for lies. Tell it true and tell it straight, with no embellishments to make yourself look more heroic or less sinister. Answer questions as precisely and concisely as possible. If the words yes or no will suffice, use them. Don’t elaborate or offer more information than asked for. In most cases, it is best to simply state what happened as you remember it, and say nothing else. If questioned, state that you are uncomfortable answering without consulting an attorney—then clam up or refer the questioner to your previous statements.
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You might also have heard that if you have to shoot someone, make sure he is dead so there is only one story of what happened. Don’t do it! Once you are certain that you have stopped the threat and he is no longer endangering your life, your reason for shooting is over, gone, past, ended. Anything more is not self-defense, it is murder. You go from legally and morally justified and innocent, to legally and morally guilty of a crime, and a good homicide detective can tell exactly what happened. Don’t go from the victim forced to defend yourself to a murder suspect. Before you go for your concealed handgun license (CHL) class, find a good, down-to-earth firearms instructor and learn how to use your chosen weapon to the best of your ability. A good teacher can make you a better shooter, and better prepared to meet a deadly threat. I cannot stress too strongly that this training is invaluable and life-saving. The little bit of training (if you can even call it that) you get in CHL class is laughable. The shooting part is only a proficiency test, not a training course. You should be well trained before taking that test. I recommend Clint and Heidi Smith of Thunder Ranch because I am familiar with their program. Whomever you choose, make certain they teach basic self-defense tactics and not some fancy pseudo-ninja, secret agent garbage that will only get you hurt or killed if you try to use it in a high-stress, life or death situation. After you get your training, practice regularly (preferably weekly, but at least monthly) to maintain the highest possible level of proficiency with your weapon. (Again, more on this in upcoming issues.) I hope you never have to use your gun on another human being, but if you do, remember this: The first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun.
Email Steve LaMascus at SLamascus@fishgame.com
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Hunt Texas by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor
Living History VER SINCE I CALLED UP MY FIRST GRAY fox with a wooden Weems predator call when I was 16 years old, I have loved predator calling. It’s mostly about the anticipation of suddenly seeing a coyote, fox, bobcat, or other predator busting through the brush toward me in a race to grab that squealing rabbit or bird that I am imitating. It also is about learning new tactics. In my early days of predator calling, I called only during daylight hours, usually early mornings and late evenings. In the early 1970s, I met Glen Avery who had just helped form a new club called the North Texas Varmint Callers Association. Avery’s passion for predator calling was as high it gets, and we soon teamed up on numerous predator-calling journeys to many North, West, and South Texas ranches. When many of our friends were going fishing on the weekends, we were going varmint calling. A trip to a ranch near Tilden in Southwest Texas, for example, involved calling all night and on through the first two hours of daylight, stopping to eat and sleep a few hours, then heading back out to call during late-evening and on through the night and next morning. I felt pretty confident in my style of using a mouth-blown call, but I learned many new tactics and ways of calling from Avery, especially at night. My night-calling equipment was a battery-powered spotlight, always aimed upward so only the glow of the light touched the surroundings. Avery’s A1 Manufacturing Company designed, manufactured, and sold a shooting light that
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mounted under the barrel of a shotgun, operated by a pressure switch on the forearm of the gun, and powered by a 9-volt battery. It could be mounted on a bow, too. I learned from Avery the advantages of using a Rayovac headlight powered by a lantern battery and operated by a rheostat switch that lowered or increased the brightness of the light. We used the low light to spot an incoming animal, a brighter light to identify it, and then Avery’s gun light to make the shot. One day in 1971, while reading a newlypublished Readers Digest, I came across an article detailing how biologists and zoo workers at a northern U.S. city had used various colors of light to entice some of the
zoo’s animals to reverse their nocturnal lives. They realized the nocturnal animals were very active at night when the zookeepers fed them, but just laid around in their cages during daylight hours. They wanted zoo visitors to see the animals at their more playful moments. Zoo employees decided to try to reverse the animals’ habits by putting them in a room lit up at night to simulate daylight, and then to create a moonlight setting during the daytime hours. They experimented with red, T E X A S
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green, yellow, and blue lights to simulate moonlight. Red became the choice because it was not as dense as the other colors, and the animals adapted to it well. As I read the article, two sentences caught my attention more than the rest: “Nocturnal animals, biologists had discovered, cannot see red light. It does not contract the iris of the eye as most other lights do.” I called Avery and we soon purchased red Plexiglas from a company in Fort Worth, cut it in circles with a band saw, and used electrical tape to attach it to our headlights. First on a ranch near Granbury, later at Jacksboro, and then in South Texas, we used the red lights to call numerous fox, coyotes, bobcats, ringtail cats, and even a few badgers into extremely close range. We used 45-rpm vinyl record calls on a Weems portable battery-operated caller, and mouth-blown Weems and Olt calls. Avery took our “discovery” farther by having a company produce a headlight with a red lens so he could sell it as an A1 Manufacturing predator-calling kit with his “gun light.” I announced our “discovery” in a Fort Worth Star-Telegram column that year. It didn’t take long for other predator call manufacturers to catch on. Within a few years, other companies began selling spotlights and hunting lights with red lenses for predator calling. I still have one of our original saw-cut red lenses we cut from the Plexiglas as well as my rheostat light control. I also have the 40-year-old Readers Digest with the article that stirred the imagination of two young predator fanatics as well as presented new ideas to others who share the same passion for predator calling.
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PHOTOS: DON ZAIDLE; ERIC ISSELﾃ右, DREAMSTIME
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OPENING DAY OF TURKEY SEASON found me on the edge of a woodlot waiting for the toms to start their morning serenade. Off in the distance I could hear the familiar gobble that I was searching for. Then, without warning, came a very loud gobble and he was very close. My decoy setup looked impressive, if I do say so myself, and it was certainly good enough to fool the wary gobbler that was looming closer and closer to me. Oh how I love turkey season! As a matter of fact, the only type of hunt I enjoy more is when I go after whitetails with my bow. Granted, it is more challenging to bring home the game if you have a bow in your hand, but that is why it is so much fun. If you choose to hunt these critters with a bow and arrow, you will have to make a few changes to your equipment. One of the first things you should do is to lower your poundage of your bow. Loosen the limbs with equal pressure. This will help to keep the arrow from having the power to have a pass-through on the turkey. Although the argument exists and always will, I am of the opinion that you should try to keep the arrow in the turkey to avoid any chance of the bird flying off after a lethal shot. Others will disagree and tell you that the arrow should pass through to cause a better blood trail. Still others will tell you that if you have good shot placement, the bird will not fly at all anyway. I totally agree that shot placement is extremely important. I also agree that a wellplaced shot will keep the bird on the ground… but I also agree with Mr. Murphy. You are familiar with Murphy’s Law? I think Murphy was an optimist and I believe that if something can go wrong…oh it definitely will. That is why I try to keep the arrow in the bird and through the butt of the wing. It should be impossible for him to fly off with your arrow and recovery should be fairly simple. Broadheads come in many different shapes and sizes and all will do damage to that turkey. Which one you use is a personal preference, but I recommend using a mechanical broadhead as opposed to a fixed blade broadhead. I have taken a number of turkeys with my bow and have found that every time I used a fixed blade, the arrow sailed completely through the bird. Not so with the mechanical broadheads. As a mat36 |
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ter of fact, I have never had a complete passthrough using these blades. One of the reasons is that combined with lowering the poundage of the bow limbs and the energy it takes for the blades to open on impact, it seems like it is just enough to slow that arrow down and that is exactly what you want to do. I also use four inch feather fletching on my arrow shaft as opposed to a plastic vane or a quick spin set up. This also helps to slow the arrow down a bit. Believe me, it is not enough for the human eye to notice, but it is a fact that a feather fletch causes a much slower arrow and a more forgiving shot. The feathers also gather more wind and therefore much more friction than the plastic fletch styles.
There are many mechanical broadheads to choose from. I can give you a small list of the ones I like. The NAP Spitfire and Grim Reaper both do an excellent job at harvesting a turkey. The Rage boasts that their blade will expand up to a 2 inches. However Trophy Ridge has a mechanical blade they call the Tom-O-Hawk that will open to 2 ½ inches! Where does it end? Not here! Arrowdynamic Solutions has come out with a broadhead made exclusively for hunt-
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ing turkeys. Although it is not a mechanical broadhead, the “Guillotine”, as it is named, has a cutting diameter of a whopping four inches! Four inches! The obvious advantage to this is that even if you are off your target by just a little, you will still get the job done. The object here is to aim for the head and harvest the bird with a clean, humane shot. Not for everybody, but the videos of this broadhead in action are truly convincing. If you are one of those hunters that want to give this unique broadhead a try, then there are a few things you will need to know. You should plan on using a stiffer spine on your arrow. Some bow hunters even use a longer shaft than usual. They claim that it helps stabilize the arrow flight. I am not so sure if that is true. I have not tried this blade myself, although I plan to. Also, I am told you should limit your shots to no more than 30 yards. Personally, I like to bring the birds in nice and close for the shot. It is more challenging and certainly way more exciting when the big tom comes spitting and strutting within 20 yards of your setup. One disadvantage that I can see is that with a cutting diameter that large, you run the risk of the blade glancing off a piece of brush sending the arrow off target. For me, there is no question about it. A mechanical blade is the way to go. They just work…and they work well on the turkeys. Whatever broadhead you decide to use will still require you to practice often to be proficient when the moment of truth comes. The gobbler that was making his way towards me brought a few of his friends with him. Three tom turkeys came in strutting 12 yards from my arrow that was already set at full draw. The biggest one went down and the other two had no idea what just happened. Oh how I love turkey season. Especially with my bow.
PHOTO © JOHN SARTIN, DREAMSTIME
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Texas Saltwater by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor
Small Ball NY GOOD BASEBALL MANAGER WORTH his weight in chaw will tell you that you can't rely on the home run. Even the very best slugger is going to fail 2/3 of the time. Sometimes the umpire's strike zone is the size of a garage door; or everything your mad bomber hits is a towering shot caught on the warning track; or hits don't make it out of the infield. Sometimes, there is no joy in Mudville. So it is with fishing. Every coastal angler knows you can't always rely on the adage "big bait, big fish." Sometimes, the trout only tail-slap your Super Spook; or the meaty "plop" of splashdown scares every fish on the flat and leaves you surrounded by mud boils; or your soft plastics back sans tail. Sometimes there is no joy in Troutville. What to do? The Joe Torre’s of the baseball world know that when the tater machine is on the fritz, it's time to go play small ball. "Small ball" is the strategy of earning runs one at a time. Get a runner on base any way possible, and then advance him around the horn a bit at a time until he scores. If a batter gets a pitch he likes, he can swing for the fences. Otherwise, get on base and get home. The fishing equivalent to small ball is focusing on putting fish in the boat instead of simply keying on the one apex fish. Anglers seek high percentage fish and focus on them with the correct-sized lures. If a trophy trout or redfish comes along, great, but the key is to get fish in the boat. A small ball tactic that has paid off big for me is downsizing my tackle. I am a longtime proponent of swimbaits for trout and redfish, especially baits in the 5- to 7-inch
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sizes. I have caught many trout in the 22- to 26-inch range on a big bait such as the 7inch Money Mino and the 5-inch Gulp! Jerk Shad. Even trout under 20 inches attempt one of these economy-sized baits; redfish and snook can't get enough of them. In spring, the prevalent baitfish size is quite small; 2-4 inches is the norm, and some prey is even smaller. These young-ofthe-year finfishes and newly emergent shrimp are the primary forage for trout and redfish up and down the coast (except in Baffin Bay, where sand eels are abundant). It makes sense to use smaller lures to tempt the peanut-eating elephants. Shad tails always fit the bill quite nicely for trout. The classic 3-inch Sassy Shad or Norton Bull Minnow pinned on a 1/8ounce jighead accounts for plenty of spring-
time trout and redfish. Flounder find it nigh impossible to turn down a Norton bounced along the sandy bottom of a spoil island. A 3-inch Gulp! Or Attraxx Shrimp Tail is equally effective, especially if game fish are holding in deeper water because of still-cool water temperatures. One of my favorite springtime bait is the Crème Li'l Fishie Shad. The natural body design and swimming action perfectly mimic a small menhaden, and is absolute killer T E X A S
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under birds or on the flats. When I first started fishing more with artificials instead of bait, the Li'l Fishie Shad was the one bait I was confident enough in to not even consider buying a pint of shrimp as backup. Topwater aficionados look to walk-thedog topwaters such as the Heddon Spook, Jr. and Mir-O-Lure Top Pup for small ball succor. I know one captain in Port Mansfield who throws the Spook, Jr. (in Baby Trout and Baby Redfish patterns) first thing every morning all spring. He and his clients nail lots of trout--some of them real monsters. If you want to go a bit old school, the Rebel Pop-R and Heddon Tiny Torpedo are excellent baby topwaters, especially fished along jetties and rock piles. The spitting, popping action infuriates predators, which strike at it with more than just a tail slap. Small ball isn't limited to lures; you must downsize the delivery system to match. Your typical mediumaction rod and 12-pound-test line might be a bit on the heavy side. There is no need to go too far in the other direction and start flailing with a buggy whip threaded with gossamer, but a light-action rod and a reel with an excellent drag system and decent line capacity is highly recommended. Think 7-foot light spinning rod with a 2000-sized spinning reel loaded with 8-pound mono or braid. The extra line is handy should a 32inch redfish grab your wee bait and head for the horizon. Don't forget to adjust your drag for the no-stretch qualities of braid lest you lose fish or, worse, break your rod. Small ball strategy is not always the best game, but neither can you bank on the long ball. Stay versatile, stay successful.
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GREEN regional Wildlife Division director Billy Tarrant, who along with Gray has been coordinating the trap-and-release effort, the largest antelope transfer the department has undertaken in decades. Also playing a major role in the operation is Dr. Louis Halverson, director of the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management at Sul Ross.
Pronghorns were netted and transported by helicopter.
Re-Seeding West Texas Pronghorn Antelope
Air Pronghorn
TWO HUNDRED PANHANDLE PRONGHORNS GOT A NEW HOME ON THE RANGE WHEN TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT BIOLOGISTS TRANSPORTED THE ANIMALS 500 MILES FOR RELEASE ON THE MARFA PLATEAU. The goal is to bolster the diminished Trans-Pecos herd and help researchers determine why the West Texas herd has been in decline in recent years. “This is a win-win for all concerned, since removing surplus pronghorns from the
northwestern Panhandle will help minimize crop depredation,” said Shawn Gray, TPWD’s Alpine-based mule deer and pronghorn program leader. “This relocation is also going to help us try to figure out what has been causing pronghorn numbers in the Trans-Pecos to drop.” Helicopter pronghorn trapping operations began on a ranch 8 miles southwest of Dalhart at daybreak and were expected to continue on other ranches in Dallam County. The last of the first day’s catch was released about 1 a.m., bringing to 49 the number of animals successfully released on the Hip-O Ranch 4.5 miles west of Marfa in Presidio County. Four other TPWD relocated 49 Presidio County ranches also were pronghorn antelope. scheduled to receive pronghorns. Catch & Release “We’re very pleased with how the operation has gone,” said TPWD
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Some 35 TPWD personnel, augmented by graduate students from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, traveled to Dalhart for the trapping, an operation stemming from the establishment of the TransPecos Pronghorn Working Group—a coalition of landowners, biologists, hunting guides and scientists—in 2009. Using net guns, crewmembers with Quicksilver Air, Inc.—a chartered private helicopter company—would ensnare a pronghorn from above, then jump from the Continued on page 40 PHOTOS: TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE
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Future Power Source SIGNA CHEMISTRY INC RECENTLY unveiled new hydrogen cartridges that provide energy to fuel cells designed to recharge cell phones, laptops, and GPS units for outdoors enthusiasts as well as residents of the Third World, where electricity in homes is considered a luxury. The spark for this groundbreaking technology came from the laboratory of James Dye, SiGNa’s co-founder and University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at MSU. His work with alkali metals led to a green process to harness the power of sodium silicide, which is the source for SiGNa’s new product. “”By adding water to sodium silicide, we’re able to produce hydrogen, which creates energy for fuel cells,” Dye said. “The byproduct, sodium silicate, is also green. It’s the same stuff found in toothpaste.” SiGNa was able to build on Dye’s research and develop a power platform that produces lowpressure hydrogen gas on demand, convert it to electricity via a low-cost fuel cell and emit simple water vapor.
—Staff Report TG
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GREEN Rare Photos: Eight Cougars in One Frame A HUNTER’S TRAIL CAMERA IN WASHINGTON STATE CAPTURED AN EXTREMELY UNUSUAL GATHERING OF EIGHT COUGARS ON THE DOUGLAS COUNTY RANCH WHERE HE HUNTS. WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS WERE IN AWE OF THE SCENE, WHICH FEW PEOPLE WILL SEE IN THEIR LIFETIMES. A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW ) biologist who received a CD of the hunter’s remote camera cougar images raised his eyebrows and called it, “a magnificent one-time observation; not unheard of, but it’s very rare.” “Cougars are notoriously territorial,” said Jon Gallie, the state wildlife biologist in Wenatchee. “Seeing eight in one spot is a wildlife jackpot.” “This is the second year I’ve had a
camera in that location, and I’ve got images of some coyotes, about five deer and one skunk, but I can’t tell you how many pictures I have of cougars—a lot,” said the hunter who requested anonymity. The hunter said the camera was mounted on an old cow trail along a rimrock cliff. “It’s the first wide spot in the trail with a view of the huge valley below.” “It’s a perfect place to stop and scan for prey below,” Gallie said, noting that 300-
500 deer might be wintering in a 5-mile stretch of that valley when forced down by snow. “That’s why the cougars were there. When the snow clears up at higher elevations and the deer disperse, you won’t see that many cougars in one area again.” The only photo as interesting as the image of eight cats occurred when he went back after Christmas to check his camera again. “The first picture is of me leaving the camera after setting it up two weeks previ-
Continued from page 38 low-hovering chopper to quickly blindfold and hobble the animal. Snug in a sling, it and up to four companions would be flown to a staging area. Once the animals were lowered to the ground, ground personnel carried each pronghorn to a stretcher for examination and aging by veterinarians and biologists. Workers took each animal’s temperature along with blood and feces samples. The pronghorns also received a mild sedative. Then an ear tag was attached. In addition, 80 of the animals received lightweight radio telemetry (tracking) collars. Once this process was completed, which took an average of eight minutes per animal, the pronghorns were placed in hay-lined enclosed trailers for the nine-hour drive from the Panhandle to the Marfa area. Data gathered during and after the relocation effort will be used by researchers in their effort to determine a reason for the decline in the oncerobust Trans-Pecos pronghorn herd. While some 10,000 pronghorns roam the Panhandle, the herd in the TransPecos is estimated at 4,700—a record low number. Tarrant said another 200 pronghorns would be trapped in the Panhandle and relocated to West Texas next year. —Staff Report TG
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ous,” he said. “The next image is of a cougar coming down the same trail in my tracks just minutes after I’d left.” Circulated by email, most claimed the cougars were congregating to feed on a dead cow, but the hunter and Gallie both confirmed there was no carcass in the area. “The ranchers had carcasses in other areas near Moses Coulee, but they said no cougar tracks were in the snow around them,” Gallie said.
A rare sighting of 8 cougars was captured by a trail camera in Washington State.
Crowd of Cougars Coyotes, eagles, ravens and magpies clean up carrion pretty fast, but cougars generally like their meat a little fresher. Gary Koehler, a WDFW carnivore specialist and cougar authority, said the photo of eight cats likely includes two adult females and their litters. “We and others have documented two related females converging with their litters
on occasion,” Koehler said in an email. “This is likely a result of a female with her current litter and her female offspring from a previous litter and her kittens. “Female offspring often set up home range adjacent to their mother and, as demonstrated from radio GPS marked animals, these adjacent females may get together along their home range boundaries with each’s litter.”—Staff Report TG
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Texas Freshwater Advanced Hook Selection N A PROFESSIONAL BASS ANGLER’S world, every ounce counts. Losing or missing one fish can mean the difference between $100,000 and going home empty handed. That is why guys like Jim Tutt of Longview, Texas, are such sticklers about terminal fishing tackle. This holds especially true for to hook selection. “It makes no difference if you fish for a
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living or just fish for fun, the hook is still the critical link between you and the fish,” Tutt said. “In my book, is real important to make sure your baits are outfitted with hooks that are high in quality and properly sized to do a specific job. Too big of a hook can cause the lure to rip prematurely and possibly even hinder the bait’s action.” Conversely, Tutt said a too-small hook creates a handicap. It can prevent sticking the fish on the hook-set, or increase the chance of a fish coming unbuttoned before you put it in the boat. Tutt considers a number of factors in hook selection for his soft plastic baits. Bait size or thickness tops the list. Next comes
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presentation. Will the bait be dragged around sparse cover in shallow water, or punched through a dense jungle of muck? Smart anglers know a reservoir’s reputation plays a role, too. Tossing a thin wire hook into a snag-infested big bass factory like Lake Falcon can be risky business. Soft jerkbaits like the Yamamoto Senko, YUM Dinger, and Zoom Fluke are thick, bulky lures. It takes a good hook to cut through all that meat. That is why Tutt prefers a wide gap hook. A wide gap provides considerably more “bite” than a standard hook, which results in better hook-sets. Tutt’s hook of choice for soft jerkbaits is
HOOK ILLUSTRATION COURTESY GAMAKATSU
by Matt Williams | TF&G Freshwater Editor
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the Gamakatsu EWG (extra wide gap) Superline flipping hook. The hook is super sharp, so it punches through soft plastic easily. It is heavy-duty for handling large fish. Plus, the gap is wide enough to allow for a solid hook-set when the thick plastic balls up around the shank or bend. “Another thing I like about it is the shape,” Tutt said. “It is shaped in a way that it lays perfectly flat on the bait, so it is ideal for skin hooking. It is also a little heavier than most hooks, so it helps hold the bait down in windy conditions.” The EWG Superline hook is available in five sizes from 2/0 to 6/0. Tutt makes the most use of 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0 models, and steps up to 5/0 and 6/0 when using large baits like a 7-inch Senko or Yum Dinger. Tutt likes a Gamakatsu straight shank worm hook for Texas rigging in relatively open water. He uses a 3/0 hook on standard ribbontail worms, craws and creature baits, whereas larger 10 inch worms demand a larger 4/0 hook. He follows the same size guide for Carolina rigging. However, he prefers an offset shank with a round bend to help hold the bait secure on long casts and to provide good bite for optimum hook-sets. Tutt’s choice for flipping in heavy cover is the Reaction Innovations BMF hook. The eye on this hook is welded shut for use with braided line. Plus, it has a wide bite that promotes better penetration with thick plastics. Good as it is, the BMF also can be expensive. As an alternative, Tutt suggests flipping with H2O brand straight shank worm hooks available through Academy Sporting Goods. The heavy-duty hooks provide excellent quality for a fraction of the price you will pay for some premium hooks. “I’ve played around with the H20’s a good bit the last couple of years and have been pretty impressed so far,” Tutt. “You can’t go wrong with these hooks for the money.” Tutt has experimented with a variety of “specialty” hooks for frog fishing. He is most fond of the 4/0 Owner 3X for use with Stanley Ribbit Frogs and Zoom Horny Toads. He said the hook provides gobs of bite and has a built-in keeper system to prevent the plastic from sliding down the hook prematurely. “I’ve tried several different hooks and I have yet to find one that is better,” he said.
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“A lot of guys are going to the double hooks; they say the hook-up ratio is better. Personally, I don’t miss many fish with a single hook, mainly because I give the bass the opportunity to eat bait before I set the hook.” Tutt said many lipless crankbaits, billed crankbaits, topwaters, and jerkbaits come stock with premium treble hooks attached. Others don’t. If the stock trebles don’t make the grade, he suggests swapping them out immediately
“There are a number of good treble hooks on the market,” said Tutt. “I’ve got the most confidence in Gamakatsu round bends, but the EWG trebles run a pretty close second.”
E-mail Matt Williams at MWilliams@fishgame.com.
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“RAISE YOUR HANDS if you have a lot of free time.” I have been giving this request at the onset of my various fishing clinics and seminars over the last year. There has not been a single person in attendance without their hand in the air and a worn-out look on their face. The digital age has allowed our work to invade our free time as iPhones, Blackberries and other communication tools can find us anywhere at anytime. On top of that there are little league games, dance lessons, church and other activities for those of us with children and grandchildren. Mark Davis’ super aggressive popping cork style is a great way to cover lots of ground and, as Davis (above, left) says, “create your own school.”
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So, how much time do you actually get to fish? Probably not much. And if your favorite pastime is fishing the vast bays, marshes, bayous and jetty systems along the coast the little time you do have is most likely spent trying to find fish, instead of focusing on catching them. There are ways to find fish in Texas’ coastal region that will save time and have you fighting fishing instead of seeking them. Here are five of the best methods.
Topwater Searches Topwaters are generally thought of us big fish catching devices, which they can be. However, they are excellent for locating feeding fish. “You can cast a topwater plug a country mile,” said guide Capt. Phillip Samuels. “It is not even necessary to catch the fish. If you work a plug through an area quickly and get a few blowups you know there are fish willing to feed. If you get some serious blowups and certainly if you catch a couple of fish go back and work that area with
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something a plastic or something like a RatL-Trap below the surface and you will usually score on fish. It is much quicker a method of eliminating water than working a plastic all around and it shows you what is important which is if there are feeding fish around.”
Incoming Tides This is bound to stir some controversy but I believe simply by positioning oneself on the south end of a bay and focusing on incoming tides anglers can greatly enhance their chance of finding fish. The southern tiers of our bays are usually linked to the Intracoastal Canal and of course are close to the Gulf of Mexico. Incoming tides, particularly big ones bring in new baitfish and predators and often greatly stimulate the entire food chain. Shorelines and cuts leading into the marsh are particularly good areas to target because as tides rise, tiny marine life forms are swept out of the mud and sand and into the system which gets everything feeding. Some areas are of course better on outgoing
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flows but when I can schedule my trips in advance around a crazy itinerary, incoming tides are always my top choice for these reasons. For anglers targeting jetties, the Gulf side of the rocks tends to be better on incoming tides while the channel works better on the outflow. Having spent many long days jetty fishing it amazes me to see how the tide turning from outgoing to incoming turns on the food chain and seems to bring in the big fish.
Popping Corks Whether fishing live bait or with soft plastics, popping corks can help bring fish to you according to Mark Davis of Big Water Adventures television. “People think I am crazy when I start working a plastic under a Bomber Saltwater Grade Paradise Popper Xtreme while they are fishing with plastics on jigheads or whatever. It really doesn’t matter. I almost always catch more and bigger fish, especially trout,” Davis said. And he is not exaggerating. A few years ago he and I fished in Port
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ing on the surface. The key is to pop it really hard and really frequently to draw in fish. This method can wear you out but it can also help you wear out the fish.” “It just flat out works. And everywhere I go, the biggest fish usually come from this method.” Feel free to experiment with leader length and using a jighead on the plastic versus a free line. I have found a light head with a 24inch leader gets the job done best for me.
Using South Winds For anglers specifically targeting redfish spinnerbaits are a great fish finder. They cover lots of ground and draw in lots of reds but very few trout.
Mansfield along some top anglers who were experts at finding the region’s massive trout. We struck out throwing sub-surface lures and even topwaters while he caught a 30incher and about two-dozen more fish on a plastic fished under this cork. “You basically create your own school. The popping action sounds like a fish feed-
South or southeasterly winds blow hard and frequently along the coast and can actually be advantageous for enterprising anglers. Small baitfish like glass minnows and menhaden are blown against shorelines along the northern reaches of our bays and stack up in a big way when the winds blow heavy for a few days. Catch a break in the wind or find an area you can safely fish and you might be surprised with how many redfish and flounder you will find feeding in this virtual buffet.
This is a technique commonly used by bass fisherman and it translates well into the saltwater realm.
Sharp Drops Learning the bottom of your favorite fishing zone including studying maps and other resources will help you save plenty of time on the water. There are always fish along drop-offs in the ship channel and also in our bays. Look for steep drops and those that involve some sort of transition zone between mud and shell to hold lots of reds, specks and flounder as well as black drum and sheepshead. Keep in mind the steepness of the drop is relative to the area. In a channel, it might drop from eight to 20 feet whereas in the bay it might be from two to six feet of water. Make a GPS route that allows you to stop and take a little time fishing a variety of drops and chances are you will score quickly and efficiently.
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BY TF&G HUNTING EDITOR
Bob Hood PHOTOS: BACKGROUND, BRUCE MACQUEEN, DREAMSTIME; INSET, S. ZENO, DREAMSTIME
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order Galliformes, which includes pheasant, chickens, grouse, quail, and other ground-feeding birds. 7. ANSWER, C
1. ANSWER, C: Eastern, Rio Grande, Gould’s, Merriam’s, Osceola, Ocellated (Mexico and Central America). 2. ANSWER, A: Most veteran turkey hunters agree that the less aggressive Eastern turkey is more difficult to call than a Rio Grande. When responding to a hunter’s calls, Easterns often hesitate just out of shotgun range and circle the caller. 3. ANSWER, D: The 15.3750-inch beard on a gobbler taken by Joe Mullican in Oklahoma April 7, 2001, stands as the world record, and the longest for a Texas bird measured 15 inches even, taken by Charles Salter in Comanche County April 13, 1985. 4. ANSWER, D: Most hunters attempt to mimic four basic calls--hen cluck, yelp, purr, and tom gobble. However, turkeys make a variety of sounds totaling eight or more, including the cluck, purr, putt, cluck-purr combination, yelp, tree call, fly-down call, assembly call, and fighting calls.
8. ANSWER, B: While beards on most animals are made of hair, a turkey’s beard is modified feathers. All gobblers and 10-20 percent of hens grow beards. 9. ANSWER, C: The hen normally lays one egg per day. 10. ANSWER, C 11. ANSWER, E: I prefer straight 3-inch No. 6 in the vintage, full-choke, single-shot M66 Ithaca 12-gauge that I have used since the late 1960s. Other options include combo-shot “turkey loads” such as No. 5 and No. 3. A gobbler called to within 25 yards will drop to a load of any shot size with a head shot. 12. ANSWER, A: Especially if using a new gun, changing shot size, or trying a new load or brand.
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13. ANSWER, B: Decoys help bridge the gap between shy and aggressive gobblers. The main drawback of decoys is for aggressive hunters who like to stay on the move and do not need extra gear to tote.
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thumbnail and its spinal cord about the size of a pencil, so a load of No. 6 or a “turkey load” that patterns well at 25 to 30 yards will bring down the bird down instantly head shot. Place your shot anywhere else on the bird and you usually wind up chasing--or losing--it, and spitting shot pellets when you eat it. 15. ANSWER, D: Learn the area you plan to hunt long before the season opens. Scouting too close to or during the season can spook the birds and cause them to change their daily movement patterns.
16. ANSWER, A: Patience has killed more gobblers than any other hunting tactic. Sometimes you can successfully move in on gobblers that do not respond to calls, but odds are the bird’s excellent 270-degree vision will bust you long before you can maneuver into range. 17. ANSWER, E: Some say Columbus thought he had discovered a new route to India and that he thought this large bird was a type of peacock, which in the India language Tamil is “turka.” Others say the name came from the American Indian word “firkee.” Still others say the name came from the “turk, turk, turk” sound so many of us have heard when we’ve gotten busted.
14. ANSWER, A: Literally a no-brainer. An adult turkey’s brain is about the size of your
A. 3 3. How long was the beard of the world record Rio Grande turkey?
5. How many call types does a turkey hunter need?
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A. Yes B. No C. a combination of hair and feathers 8. Are turkey beards made of hair?
A. 3 B. 5 C. 6 D. 7 or more
2. Are Eastern turkey more difficult to call than Rio Grande turkey?
A. 1000-2000 B. 3000-4000 C. 5000 or more
4. How many different sounds or calls do turkeys make?
A. 4 B. 5 C. 6
A. 12 inches B. 14 inches C. 15 inches D. longer than 15 inches
1. How many turkey subspecies are there in North America?
IT’S TURKEY TIME IN TEXAS, but before you “spring” into action, test your knowledge of the largest game bird in North America to see how you stand as a qualified turkeyologist. Fea1-TurkeyQuiz.qxd:Layout 1
7. How many feathers are on an average adult turkey? A. chickens B. pheasant C. quail D. grouse E. all the above 6. Turkeys are related to: B. 4 C. 5 D. more than 5
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with which to hunt turkeys? 15. When scouting for turkey, look for: A. No. 2 B. No. 4 C. No. 6 D. No. 9 E. it depends 12. Is patterning a shotgun really that important for hunting turkey? 9. How many eggs do turkeys normally lay? A. 5-7 B. 8-9 C. 10-12 10. How many days of incubation do turkey eggs take to hatch? A. 18 B. 24 C. 28 D. 30 11. What is the best shotgun pellet size
A. Yes B. No C. only if using copper-clad shot 13. Are decoys essential when hunting turkey? A. Yes B. No C. only during the fall season 14. Where is the best place on a turkey to shoot for a quick kill?
A. gobbler roosting areas B. hen roosting areas C. hen travel routes D. all of the above 16. The best hunting strategy is: A. staying put B. moving aggressively toward the bird C. spot and stalk D. still-hunting 17. Where did the name “turkey” come from? A. Christopher Columbus B. American Indians C. birds imported from the country Turkey D. early makers of Turkey Jerky who preferred its meat E. no one is sure 1. ANSWER, C: Eastern, Rio Grande,
A. head B. “shoulder” area C. dead center
Flip the Page for the Correct Answers (LEFT)
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IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT PAST, if you caught a fish in Texas (or anywhere for that matter), chances were it was a native fish. It was born in the wild, its parents were born in the wild, its parents’ parents were born in the wild... (you get the idea). Today, however, there is a very good chance that the fish on the other end of your line started life in a concrete tank in one of the multiple fish hatcheries across the state. With millions of fish stocked in Texas waters annually, it makes one wonder if the current regulations in place to protect breeding populations are sufficient (or even necessary), or if stocking will continue to be necessary for the foreseeable future. The answer is yes in both cases because as David Terre, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department chief of management research for inland fisheries puts it: “The purposes of length and bag limits and stocking are not mutually exclusive. Doing one does not mean that you don’t have to do the other to make fishing the best it can be.”
The goal of fish stocking programs is to ensure you and I have the opportunity to catch fish. It really is that simple. What good is a lake if it doesn’t have fish in it to catch? If you wonder why nature can’t take care of this, you’re in luck because I have an answer. Texas has a lot of reservoirs now, but it didn’t come by them naturally. Rivers and streams once dominated the landscape, and in them swam fish suitable for living in these free flowing systems. Now, Texas is covered with man-made reservoirs created by damming up those rivers, which means there is a lot more fish-holding water than would occur naturally. Subsequently, some of these man-made waters occasionally need help to sustain fishable populations; others require a little boost to improve genetics; while in oth-
ers stocking is required to provide angling opportunities for species that do not occur naturally. The reasons these reservoirs need to be stocked vary from one body of water to the next. Typically, a lake that requires supplemental stocking to maintain it has had a major catastrophe. A broken dam that drains a lake, or a major fish kill, requires human intervention to ensure the lake remains fishable in the near term (the option of waiting for the fish to reproduce naturally could take several years). Both of these are very rare occurrences and not the main use of hatchery-raised fish. Speaking specifically about bass, David said: “It is rarely a goal of our stocking program to supplement native populations of
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largemouth bass. The numbers of fish we could stock in our reservoirs would be insignificant compared to what is produced naturally each year. However, it is a goal of our largemouth bass stocking program to improve the genetics of our bass populations, to potentially reach larger sizes for anglers.” While TPWD can produce hundreds of thousands of bass annually, this is just a drop in the bucket when compared to natural reproduction. Instead of focusing on quantity, which would be a futile effort, TPWD is looking to improve the quality of bass. Our native bass is the northern largemouth strain, which rarely reaches double digits in weight, so the majority of fish stocked are the Florida strain that grows substantially larger. “TPWD stocks primarily Florida largemouth bass to increase a lake’s potential to produce quality-size fish for our anglers, through the manipulation of genetics,” Terre said. “Hands down, Texas has some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the country, particularly in regards to the size of fish that anglers can catch. This is a direct result of our stocking programs with Florida largemouth bass and the size limits we have in place that ensures that these fish are not harvested before reaching their full potential.” Simply put, largemouth bass stocking is to provide larger fish, and limits are set to make sure they reach breeding age. For other species, stocking isn’t used to improve genetics or boost a sagging population, but to introduce non-native species for angling. If you read Matt William’s “Oddball Fish Stockings” feature in the October 2010 issue, you already know tarpon were once stocked in a Texas lake. You can’t make up this stuff. TPWD has also stocked peacock bass, Coho salmon, and Nile perch in Texas lakes. (Nile Perch can grow to over 200 pounds and 6 feet long, so it’s probably a good thing for water skiers that stocking didn’t really catch on.) The most successful stocking effort of a non-native species is without doubt the striped bass. Stripers do not reproduce naturally in freshwater in Texas (with the exception of Lake Texoma), so without annual stocking, there wouldn’t be a striper fishery. Since stripers do not reproduce on their own, the length and creel limits are not in place to ensure the fish survive to sexual maturity, but to provide a longer-lasting recreational opportunity. “The length and bag limits we have for
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striped bass make sure we get the maximum benefit out of the fish we stock,” Terre said. “They make sure those fish are caught multiple times before they are harvested, and that we take full advantage of the growth and recreational potential these fish have to offer,” Terre said. It wouldn’t make economic sense for TPWD to stock fingerlings this year, not implement a length limit, and have these same fish frying in grease next year. Terre said it best when he mentioned that
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On the Web www.tpwd.state.tx.us
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Open Season by Reavis Wortham | TF&G Humor Editor
Little Boxes SLID INTO THE ROUND CORNER BOOTH OF Doreen’s 24 HR Eat Gas Now Cafe and felt the tiny lure box in my shirt pocket bump into the table. I had been fishing a small tank and stuck the little box full of lures in one of the shirt’s large pockets so I wouldn’t have to carry the big tackle box. Over the years, I have tried to downsize boxes and searching for the perfect tackle box, which doesn’t actually exist. Manufacturers will tell you they have the box, but once you buy it and fill it with gear, you find out it isn’t. For a while, I carried individual component boxes, but invariably forgot to put them back in the nylon storage bag and the one I needed was usually still in the boat, or the truck, or the garage... So, I went “uber-small,” as my daughters used to say. Apparently, in teenage lingo “uber” means ultra small. I think. I hope it’s not dirty. [Editor’s note: “Uber is a variant of the German über and cognate of the Latin “super” and Greek “hyper” with the application of a superlative, often in hyphenated adjective-noun form—but we do not expect Wortham to know things like that.] The little compartmentalized box holds a surprising amount of tiny tackle. Since I was the first to arrive, Doreen brought me a cup of coffee and slid into the opposite side of the booth. “What’s that?” she asked, apparently feeling friendly for the moment. I slid the box from my pocket and set it on the table. “Lures.” “How key-yute!” she squealed and opened the box, promptly spilling the entire contents of one side. “Do they make these in pink?”
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Just then, Doc and Wrong Willie came through the door and Doreen got up to get the coffee pot. “My, you have a little one,” Willie said as he scooted into the seat. “Don’t,” I warned, replacing the lures and hooks into their proper compartments. “What are you doing with such a teeny little box?” Doc wanted to know. I told him. Without answering, he went back out to his truck and came in with a box about three times the size of the one I had. “This one is about perfect,” Doc said. “See, it fits in this little pouch that you wear on your belt. Then your hands are free and it won’t
fall out of your pocket if you bend over.” “Move over,” Willie told Doc and scooted to exit the booth. “I’ll show you mine.” “What are y’all talking about over there?” Doreen shouted across the restaurant. “Nothing!” I shouted back. Willie returned with an even bigger tackle box. When the lid opened, it pulled two shelves of compartments back to reveal a storage area in the bottom. “Is that a wooden Heddon?” I asked, pointing at a cardboard box in one of the compartments. “Yep, it was Dad’s,” he said. “I found it in the garage the other day, but I haven’t used it yet.” Doc’s eyes widened. “Lordy, boy! Don’t you tie that thing on a line. It’s a 1903 slidetop box. The last time I looked, it was worth over $1500. I bet the box itself is worth as
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much, or more.” Willie carefully removed the box from the compartment and put it in his shirt pocket. We passed the lure around and dug through the tackle box some more until Woodrow came through the door. Doc and Willie scooted inward to make room for Woodrow. “Yee-oowww!” Willie shrieked and tried to climb on the table. “Couldn’t be vinyl burn,” I said aloud. “Aghhhhhh!” Willie shouted back and violently pushed Woodrow out of the booth. When Willie stood, his pants were pinned to his leg. A small bloom of blood seeped through the material. “I don’t believe it,” I said. “He’s hooked himself in a cafe.” Doc leaned forward. “It’s his antique lure,” he said. “Be careful and don’t break it.” “Take it out!” Willie hissed. “The eyes!” Woodrow shouted. “Don’t bounce around so much or the eyes will fall off. They’re the most expensive part.” Doreen ran over and pulled on the lure, but it was buried beyond the barb. In response, Willie jerked from the pain and more screeching filled the cafe as a hook dug into Doreen’s index finger, pinning the two of them in awkward juxtaposition. “Everyone just stop!” I shouted. “Get hold of yourselves.” Doreen and Willie froze as I approached. “Now, don’t move.” I reached out carefully. Deftly, like the movements of a surgeon, I reached into Willie’s pocket and removed the pristine cardboard Heddon lure box. Sitting back down, I nodded. “All right, go ahead.” For some reason, none of the hooked individuals understood my actions. I just don’t understand people.
E-mail Reavis Wortham at RWortham@fishgame.com. ILLUSTRATION: © MIPAN, FOTOLIA
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Johnboats for Saltwater BY CHESTER MOORE PERCEPTIONS ARE DIFFICULT to overcome. Pull up to any boat ramp on the Texas coast and you will see anglers launching fiberglass central consoles one after the other to take up the challenge of fishing Texas’s thousands of miles of saltwater habitat. For some it might seem as if those boats, which are out of the price range of many of us, are the only option to enjoy the best of what the coast has to offer.
PHOTO: COURTESY SEA ARK BOATS
That is simply not true. While I have enjoyed many trips in my friends center console bay boats, I have never owned one. And I do not plan on buying one. I own two aluminum johnboats, a 14-foot Starcraft used mainly for fishing local bayous and small lakes and an 18-foot deep and wide Grumman that has been in the family for about 25 years. My father has a 16-foot deep and wide Grumman, which he has also owned for more than two decades. The truth is we have never felt limited by these vessels. When I sat down to write this story, the first inclination was to list the attributes of these vessels and speak with representatives of a variety of companies to talk about their brands. I decided against that however because I have as big a variety of johnboat fishing experience on the Texas coast as anyone. Take for example the dozens of jetty fishing expeditions where my father and I would take his boat and anchor as close C O A S T A L
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as we could to the rocks. We would pull up the motor (no electric trim) and if it was calm enough get so close we could touch the rocks with the tip of our rods. Frequently we would get strange looks from anglers in bay boats who would not dare get their fiberglass so close to the rocks. Sometimes their bewilderment would turn to envy as we caught fish after fish. All anglers know the drawing card of jetties for predatory game fish is the jetty themselves and the variety of food available on and around them. By being able to get as close as possible we have been able to work pieces of rock from angles that would be impossible from 10 or 15 yards out. I remember my cousin Frank Moore and I anchored just 10 feet off the southern tip of the Sabine Jetties on the Louisiana side catching more than 100 sheepshead. The fish were stacked up in one spot on the rocks and we were on it. During winter the fish there do not respond well to shrimp fished under F I S H
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78 COVER STORY • Johnboats for Saltwater | BY CHESTER MOORE
FISHING FORECAST SECTION
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TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPER COAST • April Action Heats Up | BY CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON • Hone Those Live Bait Skills | BY CAPT. MIKE HOLMES
popping corks tossed against the rocks. They tend to want the shrimp on a small jighead fished vertically over key rocks. We would not have been able to have the same kind of trip in a larger, fiberglass vessel. We have been able to do similar things at near shore and bay oil and gas platforms. In the past we would regularly take our boat inside one of the big gas rigs that was only three miles out of Sabine Pass. We would do so only on perfectly calm days and leave as soon as the wind picked up or the horizon blackened but once again the advantage was huge as we were able to target fish in such a way that other anglers could not. So what if we bumped up along a platform leg or hit against the rocks. In all of our excursions we only put some scratches and a few dents in the aluminum. We never did damage a hammer could not pound out whereas with fiberglass, it would have meant big holes and expensive repairs. In the bays there have been many times we have been able to pull up to oyster-lined shorelines and get out to fish from the bank or to access other areas. This is something must fiberglass boat owners would never dream of doing. Generally speaking, aluminum boats are lighter than fiberglass boats of the same size. 58 |
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In This Issue
GEARING UP SECTION
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA • Shades of Green | BY BINK GRIMES
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT
• Have You Twitched Lately? | BY CAPT. MAC GABLE
HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • Belly Up to the Bar |
BY CALIXTO GONZALES
SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides & Prime Times | BY TF&G STAFF
HOW-TO SECTION
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TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • What Makes a Classic? | BY STEVE LAMASCUS
BOWHUNTING TECH • From Field to Feast | BY LOU MARULLO
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TEXAS TESTED • Muzzy, Frabill, Aqualuma | BY TF&G STAFF
INDUSTRY INSIDER • Shimano, Galveston Bay Foundation | BY TF&G STAFF NEW PRODUCTS • Hot New Outdoor Gear | BY TF&G STAFF
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TEXAS TASTED • Non-Traditional Turkey | BY BRYAN SLAVEN
OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Guides, Gear and More | BY TF&G STAFF
TF&G PHOTOS • Your Action Photos | BY TF&G READERS
TEXAS BOATING • Economic Windfall | BY LENNY RUDOW
TEXAS KAYAKING • Trout of a Lifetime | BY GREG BERLOCHER PAUL’S TIPS
• Campfire 101 |
BY PAUL BRADSHAW
Having pushed a 16-foot skiff out of a mud flat when the tide rushed out and having done the same thing with an aluminum boat of the same size this seems correct to me. In the past anglers were limited to a couple of rudimentary designs for their boats but there have been huge advances in molding aluminum over the last few years. Now there are flat bottoms, v-hulls, semi-v, tunnel hulls, center consoles and bass style boats. These boats can be bought (or you can ad to) trolling motors, jack plates, livewells, depth finders and the same kind of amenities you find in more expensive rigs. At the beginning of the story I said my father and I never felt limited by our aluminum boats. Well, I meant within reason. Despite our love for offshore fishing we never ventured past the short rigs and I do not recommend people do. I remember seeing a guy 50 miles out of Port Aransas in a 16-foot johnboat. And I thought I was crazy. Johnboats also ride on top of wave, which works great for swells but heavy chop can make things dangerous. There are times I would not run across the bay but might have if I had a fiberglass bay boat. Those are choices all anglers have to make with regards to their gear.
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www.FishGame.com The fact is all boats have some limitations and as you can see those for johnboats are few and far between within reason. The guy 50 miles out of Port A does not count. With the economy in dire straits buying a boat can be a scary proposition. If you can afford a big bay boat, more power to you. In fact, I hope more of you do so the advertising base for the fishing industry increases. However, there are many of you like me that just cannot make that kind of investment. Take it from someone who has done everything from chase trout under the birds, catch bull sharks at the jetties and traverse the deepest recesses of coastal marshes in aluminum boats that they are a worthy investment. After all, whether it is aluminum or fiberglass the fish care not.
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UPPER GULF COAST
Topwaters and Eels for Specks by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com
LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Three Beacons GPS: N28 40.518, W95 53.05398 (28.675300, -95.884233) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwater lures, Corkys and Catch 2000 CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: Afternoon trips work better than morning trips. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Pig Pen GPS: N29 25.49202, W94 43.88202 (29.424867, -94.731367) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwater baits in a chrome color CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475 TIPS: If you aren’t throwing chrome, you aren’t throwing the right color. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Mosquito Island GPS: N29 23.484, W94 53.08002 (29.391400, -94.884667) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Norton Sand Eels or Saltwater Assassins in Pearl or Bone colors CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475 TIPS: Good place for drifting or wading with soft plastics or bait LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Campbell’s Bayou 60 |
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GPS: N29 21.063, W94 53.27598 (29.351050, 94.887933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 1/2-ounce; gold spoon; 3/8 jigheads with Norton Eels or Saltwater Assassins in a Pearl or Bone colors CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475 TIPS: Bigger trout are on or close to the bottom. Make sure your lure works this area. LOCATION: Sabine Jetties HOTSPOT: West Jetty GPS: N29 40.371, W93 50.25 (29.672850, -93.837500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Finger mullet or live pogeys CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-7862018 or 409-673-9211 TIPS: Fish tight to the rocks LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Pleasure Island GPS: N29 55.77702, W93 51.94902 (29.929617, -93.865817) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live pogeys CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-7862018 or 409-673-9211 TIPS: Any location on the south end of the lake should be home to a lot of trout LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Blue Buck Point GPS: N29 47.77998, W93 54.43902 (29.796333, -93.907317) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live pogeys CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-7862018 or 409-673-9211 TIPS: Trout will be following incoming bait on bull tides.
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LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Cotton Bayou GPS: N28 30.60198, W96 12.603 (28.510033, -96.210050) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Norton Bull Minnows in Back Magic or Chicken on a Chain colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: Work the lure slowly across the area; feel the bite.
MIDDLE GULF COAST
Bet on Croaker for Mid-Coast Trout by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: Lydia Ann Channel GPS: N27 57.40998, W97 3.58998 (27.956833, -97.059833) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croakers CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Free line the croaker LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: Quarantine Shore GPS: N27 55.00602, W97 4.06998 (27.916767, -97.067833) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croaker CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Free line using no weight LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Packery Channel Flats GPS: N27 37.94202, W97 13.026 (27.632367, -97.217100) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics, 3-4-inches in
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length CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: Use soft plastic baits that have a swimming tail motion. LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay HOTSPOT: Pringle Lake GPS: N28 19.82898, W96 28.67202 (28.330483, -96.477867) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwater artificial baits in a Bone color or Texas Tackle Factory Trout Killers in Pumpkinseed color using a 1/8ounce; jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: South shoreline is excellent for wade-fishing. LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Ayers Bay GPS: N28 11.115, W96 50.25 (28.185250, -96.837500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce; gold spoons CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: Look for nervous bait
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LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Long Lake GPS: N28 16.81704, W96 36.21546 (28.280284, -96.603591) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce; gold spoons CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: Really good spot for wade-fishing; look for nervous bait on the windward shoreline. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Allyn's Shoreline GPS: N27 58.86402, W96 59.29002 (27.981067, -96.988167) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croaker CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Anchor and throw toward shore LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Live Oak Point GPS: N28 15.06714, W96 47.23242 (28.251119, -96.787207) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce; gold spoons CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686
TIPS: Good spot to drift fish for redfish LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Nine Mile Hole GPS: N27 3.91098, W97 24.67098 (27.065183, -97.411183) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastic, 3-4-inches in length CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: If the water turns dirty in the high winds that sometime happen in the spring, keep your bait 3-4-inches deep. It will go over the top of the fish and they can look up and see it. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Yarborough Flats GPS: N27 12.77898, W97 23.85 (27.212983, -97.397500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastic baits, 3-4-inches in length in Salt and Pepper color CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: Use a bait with a chartreuse tail if the water becomes off-colored.
LOWER GULF COAST
Trout, Redfish and Snook by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Kenedy Ranch Shoreline GPS: N27 15.55002, W97 25.15398 (27.259167, -97.419233) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in strawberry/white, black back, plum/chartreuse, rootbeer/red flake, Morning Glory CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361449-7441 TIPS: Trout gravitate to the weedlines near the shoreline. Soft plastics fished with a 1/8-ounce jighead are a first choice for artificial fans. Don’t ignore a Mansfield 62 |
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Mauler. The noisy float will help you fish slower, which early-spring trout prefer. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Center Reef GPS: N27 16.206, W97 24.36198 (27.270100, -97.406033) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in strawberry/white, black back, plum/chartreuse, rootbeer/red flake, Morning Glory CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361449-7441 TIPS: Fish the rocks as slowly as you can. Work any areas that look like ambush points. A corky or Corky Devil is a great lure for this application. Again, fish painfully slow. Use a plastic under a Mauler to fish even slower. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Long Bar GPS: N26 8.349, W97 11.19402 (26.139150, -97.186567) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Logic Baits tandems in red/white, chartreuse/glitter, live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Fish north and west of the Long Bar, where speckled trout start aggregating in the deeper water. Water is still cool, so fish deeper and more slowly. Use a 24 to 28-inch leader with shrimp/cork combos.
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tandems in gold/meltalflake CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: If the snook aren’t around, watch for redfish cruising the shallows. These fish will respond to live bait under a Mauler or soft plastics worked near the bottom. Most are slot fish, but there are some taggers in there. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.66902, W97 13.00902 (26.027817, -97.216817) SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: Bomber Jointed Long A's in red/clear, chartreuse/clear; Logic Baits tandems in gold/meltalflake CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: It may still be a touch cool for snook, but they may be present around the mangroves along the windward shoreline. Fish jointed lures erratically. If fish are still sluggish, use a soft plastic weightless.
LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Twin Bars GPS: N26 10.524, W97 17.37198 (26.175400, -97.289533) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters early; Logic Baits tandems in red/white, chartreuse/glitter, live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Look for the submerged bars during low tide and mark their location. Work the top of the bars with topwaters early. Fish the edges with live shrimp and soft plastics in and incoming or falling tide. Fish the channel when water isn’t moving. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Holly Beach GPS: N26 8.19, W97 17.50698 (26.136500, -97.291783) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh mullet; soft plastics in red/white, purple/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956-551-9581
LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.66902, W97 13.00902 (26.027817, -97.216817) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp; Logic Baits
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TIPS: April winds can still be strong, so use a drift sock when working the flats. Fish the old channel edges with either live bait or soft plastics . An old favorite is the Norton shrimp tail under an Alameda float. Use a 1/8th-ounce jighead. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Holly Beach GPS: N26 8.19, W97 17.50698 (26.136500, -97.291783) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, cut mullet, gold 1/4 spoons, soft plastics in red/white CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956-551-9581 TIPS: Fish closer to the shoreline. Watch for mud boils and tailing fish. Cut mullet is always a good bet, as is live shrimp. Kayakers can score well with gold spoons and soft plastics. LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Community Bar GPS: N26 35.14398, W97 25.644 (26.585733, -97.427400) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, soft plastics in glow/chartreuse, Pearl/glow CONTACT: Captain Steven Devries, 956-
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289-3631 TIPS: Start off in the drop-offs on either side of the bar, and then work the deeper water between the bar and the shoreline. The trout will cruise the edges on mild days, or hold in the deep stuff if the water is still cool.
PINEY WOODS
Hybrids, Bass and Bream by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
OCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Red Belly GPS: N32 43.27524, W94 6.88176 (32.721254, -94.114696) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Senkos, Texas-rigged lizards, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits CONTACT: Paul Keith, caddoguide@att.net, 318-455-3437, caddolakefishing.com TIPS: The fish are in the middle of the spawn this month. Fish the bases of the
cypress trees that are from one to four feet deep. Dark colors work best on soft plastic lures. LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 23.7141, W95 35.41422 (30.395235, -95.590237) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Storm swimbaits, live shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, admin@fishdudetx.com, 936-291-1277, fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrids will school on the surface in the mornings and will be easy to catch on swimbaits. They will be on mainlake points that have sandy bottoms. When you locate schools of shad you will find hybrids. Use live bait when the fish go deep. LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: The Pocket GPS: N30 55.662, W95 15.054 (30.927700, -95.250900) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Creature Baits, lizards, medium-diving crankbaits CONTACT: David S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Fish soft plastics under the boathouses, targeting brush piles and laydowns. Fish crankbaits off the rocky points. Watermelon seed and June bug are the best colors for the soft plastic lures. Carolina Cove Marina has bank access. LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res. HOTSPOT: The Snake Pit GPS: N31 43.7817, W93 49.86516 (31.729695, -93.831086) SPECIES: bream BEST BAITS: Crickets, small jigs CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: Bream will start moving onto the beds in April. Work the small cuts and pockets along the shorelines that are protected from the wind. The beds will be easy to spot and will look like honeycombs. Fish from front to back so you won’t spook
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the fish. LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res. HOTSPOT: The Snake Pit GPS: N31 43.7817, W93 49.86516 (31.729695, -93.831086) SPECIES: bream BEST BAITS: Crickets, small jigs CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: Bream will start moving onto the beds in April. Work the small cuts and pockets along the shorelines that are protected from the wind. The beds will be easy to spot and will look like honeycombs. Fish from front to back so you won't spook the fish.
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you find the fish. If the wind is blowing toward the bank, move in to fish shallow. Fish deeper water over the old highway 159 bridge as it gets later in the day. LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Sulphur Creek GPS: N30 37.61316, W96 3.11064 (30.626886, -96.051844) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, worms, shrimp
dipped in stinkbait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3101, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor in 16 feet of water. Set rods out around the boat. Tight-line with 3/4-oz. egg sinker with No.4 treble for stinkbait and No.2 Kahle for shad. Use chum if after channel cats only. This area is good year-round and night also is good here.
PRAIRIES & LAKES
Catfish, Hybrids, Whites & Crappie by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Cedar Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake Points GPS: N32 12.54546, W96 5.86704 (32.209091, -96.097784) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Three to four-inch Sassy Shads, swimbaits, Zara Spooks CONTACT: Jason Barber, kingcreekadventures@yahoo.com, 903-887-7896, kingcreekadventures.com TIPS: Fish the most obvious mid-lake points. The more exposed windy points are best. Watch for bird and bait activity. Fish from 1-5 feet deep because the hybrids will be in a spawning mode and feeding on shad in shallow water. LOCATION: Fayette County Res. HOTSPOT: Buzzard Point GPS: N29 56.31696, W96 44.217 (29.938616, -96.736950) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, worms, cut bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor at the south end of the point. Place rods in several directions until C O A S T A L
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LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Snake Island GPS: N31 55.30656, W97 12.8484 (31.921776, -97.214140) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Little Georges, Fle Flies, grubs CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: This is a great time to load the boat with two fish at a time. I use a grub on a leadhead with a Fle Fly about 12inches above the grub. Make long cast around the island. When a fish is hooked, let it swim around and another will hit the Fle Fly. LOCATION: Lake Belton HOTSPOT: Jubilee Springs GPS: N31 10.236, W97 29.83998 (31.170600, -97.497333) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Anchor very carefully so as not to
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disturb fish you have located. Tightline with live shad and change baits often. Don’t be afraid to use big baits. LOCATION: Lake Cooper HOTSPOT: Dam Points GPS: N33 19.8939, W95 37.80654 (33.331565, -95.630109) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad and jighead CONTACT: Tony Parker, tawakonifihing@yahoo.com, 903-348-1619, tonyparkerfishing.com TIPS: My old standby is a four-inch Sassy Shad on a 1/2-ounce jighead or a 3/4-ounce jig head depending on the depth I am fishing. The hybrids still will be shallow. Target main-lake points and the entire length of the dam. Retrieve slowly in deep water. LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Main Lake and Secondary Points GPS: N33 5.18538, W96 55.99092 (33.086423, -96.933182) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh shad, Secret 7 dip bait CONTACT: Bobby Kubin,
bobby@bobby-catfishing.com, 817-4552894, bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: The shad spawn is under way. Look for egrets feeding on spawning shad along wind-blown points. You can catch catfish, white bass and hybrids in these areas. You can load the boat with channel cats using Secret 7 dip bait on a No. 6 treble hook. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Caney Creek Tributary GPS: N32 9.39444, W95 30.08412 (32.156574, -95.501402) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Shimmy Shaker, Bomber Long A, Smithwick Rouge, Mr. Twister Comedia worm CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: This is just one of numerous coves, creeks and backwater areas that produce bass when the water falls to low to mid-60s. Fish and grass and laydowns in every shallow cove or creek you can find. Fish slowly because the spring spawn is going strong. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Farm to Market 315 Bridge GPS: N32 12.30162, W95 30.42912 (32.205027, -95.507152) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Mr. Twister Mr. Minnow CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Crappie will be in both shallow pockets and on brush piles placed in the lake by fishermen including those under the bridges. I use the Mr. Minnow jigs in Gobby Green and Blue-White colors. Fish slowly at depths from one to 10 feet for best results. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Crappie Point GPS: N30 18.4215, W96 34.09584 (30.307025, -96.568264) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16 or 1/32-ounce curly tail crappie jigs, minnows
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CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Fish straight down around rock bottom or Christmas trees that have been submerged here. Fish slowly and thoroughly with jigs or minnows. Start 3-4 feet off the bottom and fish all sides of the Christmas trees. LOCATION: Lake Somerville
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HOTSPOT: Dam Rock Island GPS: N30 19.035, W96 31.989 (30.317250, -96.533150) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, cut bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-Guide Service.com TIPS: Anchor in 12-16 feet of water and chum the area around the boat. Set rods out in various directions. Use a slip
cork if the wind is light to fish just above the rocks on the bottom. The bite may be light so set the hook at the slightest thump. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: The Islands GPS: N33 51.55992, W96 42.26466 (33.859332, -96.704411) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Coho minnows, Sassy Shad jigs
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CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: Big fish are roaming the flats and main-lake points at 5-30-feet depths. Cast white glow or chartreuse 3/4-ounce Coho minnows and Sassy Shads on the banks for great topwater action. You may catch eggladen stripers to 20-pounds. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT: Coffee Creek GPS: N31 59.3292, W96 16.76742 (31.988820, -96.279457) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Kicker Craw or Red Bird Dog soft plastics CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 682-5188252, schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: The spawn is in full swing. Use Watermelon and watermelon-red lures. Target 1-4 feet deep water. This area usually is clear but you will need a push pole to reach spawning areas. Grape Creek also is a good place to try. Target boat docks and flats.
PANHANDLE
Largemouth and Stripers by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: OH Ivie Res. HOTSPOT: North Island Channel Edge GPS: N31 32.58396, W99 40.66296 (31.543066, -99.677716) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: 10-inch plastic worms CONTACT: Dave Caudle, fishinwithdave@aol.com, 325-365-1020, fishinwithdave.com TIPS: The spawn is in full swing in the shallows. Points and ledges near deep water will hold huge females. Darker-colored worms usually work best but topwater lures fished early also will draw action. White bass may surface in the open waters. 68 |
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LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT: Costello Island Cut GPS: N32 54.27588, W98 28.14 (32.904598, -98.469000) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad, crankbaits, slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: The fish will be either in the middle of the cut or just north and west on the flats at 8 to 30 feet. The fish sometimes move to the south end of the island and suspend off the ledge at 24-36 feet. Launch at Sam's Dock just south of the island.
HILL COUNTRY
Canyon Bass and Redfish by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Canyon Park Area GPS: N29 53.82432, W98 13.8414 (29.897072, -98.230690) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Fluke Shake, Shakey Head, Wackey Worm, Crème Whaky Stick, Jewel Jig, spinnerbait CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, kandie@gvtc.com, 210-823-2153 TIPS: Target backs of the creeks. The fish will move where the sun warms up early. Some bass may be on the beds. Check the bluff wall on the right after the point. Jig early and slowly. Use 1/8-oz. shakey heads, 1/32-oz. wackey worms, 1/2-oz. spinnerbaits. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Canyon Park Area GPS: N29 53.82432, W98 13.8414 (29.897072, -98.230690) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Fluke Shake, Shakey Head, Wackey Worm, Crème Whaky Stick, Jewel Jig, spinnerbait
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CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, kandie@gvtc.com, 210-823-2153 TIPS: Target backs of the creeks. The fish will move where the sun warms up early. Some bass may be on the beds. Check the bluff wall on the right after the point. Jig early and slowly. Use 1/8-oz. shakey heads, 1/32-oz. wackey worms, 1/2-oz. spinnerbaits. LOCATION: Lake Granger HOTSPOT: Fox Park GPS: N30 41.1495, W97 20.69238 (30.685825, -97.344873) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce Panfish Assassin jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmain.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com TIPS: Fish the jigs on slip bobbers along the banks of the main lake, Fox Park and the cove east of the park. Find stumps and small stickups near the bank. Work the jigs around them. Some of the biggest crappie are caught in 3-7-foot flats. Fish vertically.
SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS
Border Cats on Falcon by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: River Channel GPS: N26 52.74768, W99 19.66926 (26.879128, -99.327821) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cut shad, shrimp, punch bait CONTACT: Robert Amaya, robertsfishntackle@gmail.com, 956-765-1442, www.robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: This is the time of the year when the big blue catfish are staging for the spawn. They will be traveling along the main river channel and staging around the bends. Anchor or drift slowly with the bait just off the bottom.
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April Action Heats Up ITH AIR AND WATER TEMPERAtures continuing to rise and those strong northers in the rear view mirror, April is shaping up to be a very exciting and productive month for fishing along the upper Texas coast. Green water is beginning to make its way to Sabine more consistently and big tides are assisting in the distribution of baitfishes and shrimp throughout out the ecosystem. Young shad, mullet and shrimp are enjoying their short lives and the predators aren’t doing any complaining. Finding bait
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is becoming increasingly easier, which means finding fish on a more consistent basis is becoming a little easier also. The early morning topwater trout bite is good and will continue to get better. The ship channel and the mouth of Green’s Bayou are good starting points. If you can catch the tail end of an incoming tide you should be in the money. Walking the dog in 2 to 5 feet of water with a loud topwater like MirOLure’s SheDog should produce some impressive blowups. Soft plastics rigged on 1/4 oz. lead heads should also produce strikes. Trout, reds and flounder that are aggressively feeding will gladly accept plastics like Flounder Pounder’s CT Mullet and CT Shad, Old Bayside 4” Shadlyn and Norton’s Bull Minnow. Good colors are limetreuse, glow, closing night and pumpkin/chartreuse. Another high percentage area should be from Blue Buck Point north to Big Four Bayou. This is a prime bait and fish hold-
ing area in early spring. Hungry redfish and trout will cruise this shoreline as the baitfishes make their way around Blue Buck Point with the high tide. Again, plastics on 1/4 oz. lead heads or rigged about 20 inches under a popping cork will get good results. Work this setup aggressively to get their attention and entice them to strike. The flounder bite should also be gaining momentum as big numbers are making their way back into the bay. Slowly dragging mud minnows or finger mullet in 1 to 4 feet of water is always a safe bet. If throwing live bait is not an option for you, dragging plastics tipped with fresh shrimp should also work well. Three- or four-inch GULP! Shrimp in white or new penny as well as glow or limetreuse CT Shad and smoke colored curl tail grubs are had to beat. The best places to find these tasty flatfish are the points on either side of the mouths of the bayous on the eastern side of the lake or around the Louisiana side of the Causeway Bridge in 3 to 6 feet of water.
THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Concrete Steps (North Levy Road Pleasure Island) SPECIES: Flounder, Redfish, Croaker BEST BAITS: Live mud minnows, Fresh dead shrimp TIPS: Walk slowly while dragging mud minnows next tot he concrete steps. Give the flounder ample time to swallow the bait after the thump. Set the hook hard and have your landing net handy.
Contact Eddie Hernandez at, EHernandez@fishgame.com
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Hone Those Live Bait Skills PRIL BRINGS NOT ONLY SPRING showers and pretty flowers, but warm breezes off the Gulf of Mexico that can bring clean, green tides and hordes of fresh mullet, menhaden, croaker, skipjack, and other bait species that game fish coming out of their colder weather feeding doldrums will be eager to fatten up on. Some live baits can be purchased at coastal bait camps, like shrimp and sometimes mud minnows and croaker – but others you will have to capture yourself. Catching and properly using the live baits most common in the area – and thus most likely to be on the menu of feeding game fish – should be a very large and important part of any saltwater angler’s skill set, and can be a lot of fun in itself. In saltwater, we generally replace “match the hatch” with, “on the grounds”. This means, of course, that since we cannot always see exactly what baits saltwater fish are feeding on, we rely on knowing what forage species are most common to the area being fished in that season, and try to catch them in the same general area. Early spring will see shrimp beginning to show up, but shrimp are a no-brainer. Years ago, Rene Morales and I used to get live shrimp in winter from bait camps along the Intracoastal in Freeport and take them offshore for finicky red snapper. I doubt if snapper around rigs in 90 feet of cold water were seeing a lot of shrimp on most days, but they were eager to inhale the ones we dropped to them on thin wire, gold, bait-keeper hooks. While this particular food should have been “out of season”, any time you can find them,
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live shrimp are a top bait. For the bays, mud minnows may be the next most important live bait. Gulf Killifish, as they are properly classified, can be caught in wire traps baited with bread just about any time, and sometimes captured in cast nets as well. Best known as flounder bait, they will also attract reds and trout hungry for something that wiggles and tastes good. Mud minnows will literally live in mud, and are easy to keep alive in just about any temperature conditions. I’ve always suspected these critters would be great for schooling dolphin offshore that were turning their noses up at bits of squid and other dead bait, but I KNOW that fished on a thin wire hook they will do fine for reds in bays and coastal streams, and if pulled slowly across the bottom behind a bouncing sinker – well that is how they got their reputation as a flounder killer. Finger mullet are an even more universal bait than mud minnows, although they must be caught with a cast net. They can be fished on bottom with enough weight to
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keep them from swimming off, or under a popping cork if tended closely so they don’t swim under the boat or pier. It is not a coincidence that most of the more popular top water and slow sink artificial lures are mullet imitations, and size is sort of relative. I’ve had nice sized trout and even flounder take a 10-inch long mullet, and also hooked 30pound bull reds on 3 – 4 inch mullet. I consider mullet the ultimate redfish bait, and if I have only mullet to use on a given day, I’ll feel I’m well armed. Finger mullet can be lip hooked with triple-X trebles, under the dorsal with a J-hook, or even hooked through the tail with an appropriately sized circle hooks. Tail hooking tends to make a bait “work” harder, which can attract a predator better than a bait that just tries to blend in and avoid being eaten. Mullet can be found in just about any shallow coastal water, from roadside ditches on a high tide to against the sand in the surf. CONTINUED Any other baitSEE PAGE 72 fish - like croaker,
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Shades of Green ORE PEOPLE WILL ATTEND CHURCH in April than any other month of the year; more people will eat hard-boiled eggs in April than any other month of the year; and, more shades of green from Easter dresses and stringy plastic grass will be seen in April than any other month of the year. Green symbolizes new life, rebirth, a rejuvenation of the soul — all that is spring.
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April rolls away the stone of one of the coldest winters I can remember. Trees are blossoming, water temperatures are rising and bait is active – winter is history. Spring Equinox tides invigorate the shallows and back lakes, so every spot in the bay is a player. Oyster Lake, Crab Lake, Boggy and Lake Austin are great locales to find redfish and black drum on live shrimp under a popping cork. Scattered speckled trout can be found in the lakes with rising tides. With warmer temperatures come the propensity for specks to eat surface-running topwaters, a favorite of many pluggers. As finger mullet show on shorelines en masse,
look for the topwater bite to get even better. When running a charter, I like throwing a topwater while my clients fish shrimp under a popping cork. The noisy plug rarely is turned down by a big red or heavy trout, even if the fish do not decide to eat it. A fish’s wake and follow-up of the bait tells me there are fish in the area. Longer days and swelling incoming tides prompt glass minnows (bay anchovies) to move on grassy shorelines anytime. Look for gaggles of diving brown pelicans to point the way.
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FROM PAGE 71 skipjack, threadfin, or menhaden – can be caught in a cast net (which is a tool every saltwater fisherman should have, and know how to use) and produce in early spring at times. As in the aforementioned “matching the hatch”, whatever bait is easiest to catch where you are fishing is the species game fish will most likely be feeding on. Whether dangled under a cork, anchored to the bottom, free-lined, or worked like a plug with a light sinker or even a plastic “bubble” in front, nothing beats a live one. However, if the bait does die (in the case of the small fish species), cut off the tail to let it bleed, and keep fishing it the same way – reds, especially, feed more by scent than sight, and will follow that scent trail right to your hook. In one of his songs about a man who went to Paris, the wise old sage Jimmy Buffett said, “Warm summer breezes, and French wine and cheeses, took his ambition away.” The coastal fisherman should save the food and drink for later, and keep his ambitions for a tug at the end of his line going strong.
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“The minnows usually show in West Matagorda Bay in the afternoon,” said guide Lynn Smith. “Incoming tides over sand and grass is usually the best time.” Glow, pearl or clear soft plastics most resemble a glass minnow. Darting baits like TTF Hackberry Hustler, Norton Sand Eels and Bass Assassins are good choices, while swimming baits like TTF Flats Minnows, Norton Bull Minnows, Bass Assassins Sea Shad and Hogies are rock-solid as well. A good starting place would be Cotton’s Bayou, Middle Grounds, Green’s Bayou or the Pipeline. As tides bloat, knee and thigh-deep shorelines in East Matagorda Bay inhabit large specks. Brown Cedar Flats, HalfMoon Reef and Catch-All Basin are big trout havens. Corkies, MirrOlures, soft plastics on flutter hooks and topwaters are all players. Never discount deep shell and mud in
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East Bay. Trout use it year round, and miles of scattered toeheads of shell can be slowly drifted with soft plastics, topwaters or live shrimp under a popping cork. The warming trend of spring wakes up the jetty. Large black drum and sheepshead have been roaming the rocks for the past month, throw in a thermometer rising closer to 70 degrees and trout, Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle become players.
It all hinges on sunlight, and if green is any indication, spring has sprung.
Capt. Bink Grimes runs charters in the Matagorda Bay complex. For information, go to www.matagordasunriselodge.com.
THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Accessible bay reefs and bars, like those behind San Luis Pass on the Island side or off Bluewater Highway on the Freeport side of the Pass on the edge of Christmas Bay. ALTERNATE SPOT: Anytime a green, calm surf is possible, give it a try. SPECIES: Redfish, trout BEST BAITS: Live baits caught “ON the grounds”, are the very best, but dead baits will work for most species in the still cool water, with fewer crabs and other bait stealers around. BEST TIMES: A flooding or falling tide is best, but fish when you can.
Capt. Mike Holmes runs tarpon, shark, and bluewater trips on a classic 31 Bertram. To book a trip, call 979-415-0535. Email him at mholmes@fishgame.com.
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Have You Twitched Lately? PRIL IS USUALLY WHEN MOST anglers dust off their fishing gear from the winter and start thinking about a salt water pilgrimage to our beloved bays. Old line is replaced and rods and reels repaired for fights with specs and reds. My phone usually rings more this time of year mostly because spring is upon us and people just want to get outdoors and watch as nature drives the last nail in winter’s coffin, and enjoy the budding trees and bluebonnets as they decorate our Texas landscape. The spring tides and the predominant south winds force our bays to rise which allows for more consistent depths. Couple that with increasing ambient temperatures means water temperature begins to stabilize. For me it’s like an awakening. The large pods of mullet begin to scatter, having been bunched up most of the winter. With the rising tide each day brings new bait, from glass minnows, piggy perch, to shrimp... the list goes on. It’s like the circle of life has been completed once more. One can almost feel the predator fish that we all seek shift from their survival metabolism into the feeding machines all anglers live for. Some old fishermen don’t even pull their boats out until April for they have learned that with the rising water level and schools of bait comes the mega-bite; or rather spring feedings as some call it. It’s live bait, cut bait or prank (artificial scented) bait heaven (for those who prefer that kind of fishing) and if the croaker are talking, make sure you have some ice for the silver blue-spotted, yellowmouthed beauties as these hungry trout try
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to break your arm when they hit. This is a time of year when I like to “twitch”. Hmmm, you say, sorry you have a nervous condition? Twitching, as I call it, is done with live shrimp on a 2.0 or 3.0 kale hook with the proper leader, which is critical. If the leader is too stiff it will not solicit the right action. If it is too limp you can not control the shrimp as it heads for the cover of the bottom. The weaker/limper line also results in a lot of hang ups and broken line. The lb test depends on the area you are fishing and requires knowledge of the bottom structure for that area. The leader material I use ranges from 12 lb to 30 lb and is adjusted to the area I am fishing. A 12 to 18 inch leader is tied to my main line using a blood knot (not a swivel) and I always have this rigged on a reel that casts a country mile — so light to ultra light rod and reel is best. If you can’t cast but say 20 feet with your rig, get another reel that will, for distance casting is one of the keys in this type of fishing. I also take a pocket full of split shot that I have modified to look like a very strange football, pointed on both ends gradually thickening towards the middle. Yes, I know they make these kinds of weights but they are not nearly skinny enough and are not split; besides they are fun to make and might just convince your spouse that you are actually working around the house. As I was making some one cold dreary day Lisa, my wife, gave me a hug and a kiss on my bald head and said “thanks for always taking care of things around here.” “Aren’t you glad you brung me along in this life!” I replied. A good pair of needle nose pliers is all you need and split shot of various weights. This is twitching not jigging, this not jig-apig for black bass, but is way yonder much softer in its action and effect. The cast needs to be as long as possible and you want the shrimp hooked properly so it won’t die (in
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the head, under the horn but not through the black spot). You’d be surprised at how many people hook their high dollar live shrimp wrong, killing it before it ever hits the water. They could have saved the money and just fished with frozen. Let the shrimp/bait settle naturally to the bottom as its survival instincts kick in it will hide on the bottom among the slat grass, oyster shell, black mud and even sand. If the shrimp will not settle due to wind or current or wave action pull out your split shot and fasten one just above the blood knot. The way to tell if you have enough weight is if you feel the weight settle to the bottom quickly then it’s too heavy. Again the idea here is just enough weight for the shrimp to settle naturally to the bottom. A regular split shot will work but the modified look more natural and don’t hang up nearly as often, even in shell. The twitching action is created by a slight but predominant downward motion — not an upward motion like jigging. The twitch is to elicit the shrimp to cup his tail, that’s all, and back peddle, then settle back down to the bottom. If you were to look at a sand reef or oyster reef from under the water (I have) there is not a lot of hopping action that takes place by the bait that inhabits that reef. Most of the action is side to side with small elevated up and down elusive maneuvers, that’s what you’re trying to emulate with your shrimp. The force of the downward rod motion is best pictured this way: take a saltine cracker or a drinking straw and suspend them between two pieces of wood, now take your rod tip and try quickly but gently to tap the cracker or straw without breaking the cracker or bending the straw...... that’s the idea, got it? The line needs to be just taught enough that you can feel just the slightest resistance as you twitch. Predator fish are opportunistic feeders and I have a theory that they will strike more often when they create the opportunity meaning as reds forage the bottom they scare up bait and strike what they scare up.
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Trout will cruise the edges of reefs flashing their sides, which again frighten venerable prey, which triggers the strike. The repetitive jigging motion that most use is really not common on salt water reefs and I, as well as others, have witnessed trophy trout and reds, even flounder, following a jigged or repeatable retrieve action to within a mere few feet of the anglers, only to turn away. The reason most of the time is it’s not a natural action in the fish’s feeding world; it does get them interested but not interested enough to strike. Dave, a kayaking friend of mine, catches more big trout than anyone I know. Many of these trout were caught when he saw the trout following his bait/lure and then just stopped the action. Sometimes waiting for five minutes or more with the old sow not more than inches from his presentation, Dave would provide just the right twitch of the rod and his bait/lure would get hammered. A client asked me once if twitching was feel fishing and it’s not, but rather it is naturalized fishing creating what bait looks like in the underwater world. Just enough action and just enough bait stress fools the predator fish into thinking it created the perfect condition, encouraging an aggressive and natural attack by the predator. Twitch for fish.... what can I say it works ....enjoy!
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ARANSAS BAY — The Point of Big Island has some nice red action using cut menhaden on a fish finder rig. The pocket behind Mud Island is a good place for trout and reds using mud minnows and piggy perch. The key here is to fish up close to the island in the pockets and cuts. Long Reef is good for black drum using peeled shrimp on a light fish finder rig. CARLOS BAY — On the colder days of this month fish the Carlos Dugout using heavy jig heads with black and white grubs for trout and reds. On warmer high tide days Cedar Reef has some good red action, but rig up using heavier line here to prevent break offs on the oyster shell. MESQUITE BAY — The shoreline east of Rattlesnake Reef is a good wade for reds using Berkley Gulp molting crabs under a silent cork. This is shallow water with pockets of shell and mud as you wade closer to the shoreline. The south side of Third Chain Island is good for trout drifting using a rattle cork and live shrimp. Braves Cove
is good for some flounder using twitched / free lined shrimp. The bite will be subtle and a three count is best before you set the hook. AYRES BAY — Black drum are biting on the northwest shoreline using small live shrimp and peeled shrimp on a Carolina rig. The shell piles in mid bay are good for trout using croaker and piggy perch.
THE BANK BITE Black Point off of FM136 is good for black drum and some reds using live shrimp under a cork. This is a muddy area so stay in close to shore. Casting out and remaining patient until the bite starts is the key to catching your limit here. Contact Capt. Mac Gable at Mac Attack Guide Service, 512-809-2681, 361-790-9601
COPANO BAY — The shell reefs just south of Newcomb Point are good for trout using popping cork and shrimp. The boat channel that splits the LBJ causeway is good for gaff top using cut squid on a Carolina rig. Eel soaked in anise oil works well for these hard fighters as well. Mission Bay is holding some good reds. Finger mullet free lined or on a Carolina rig is effective here. Redfish Point is holding some flounder with small live shrimp fished on the bottom Twitched see above article. ST. CHARLES BAY — East Pocket on high tide is good for reds. The key here is to approach quietly and use cut mullet or mud minnows on a Carolina rig. On the warmer days the sand pockets off of Hail Point are holding keeper trout using croaker or new penny colored jerk shad. The shell reefs adjacent to Big Sharp Point are good for trout using croakers or free lined live shrimp. C O A S T A L
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Belly Up to the Bar FTER THE MOST BRUTAL WINTER since 1989 (20 degrees, really?), many anglers will welcome the moderate temperatures, east winds, and sunny skies of spring on Lower Laguna Madre. Spring tides push warm water back into the system, and push water temperatures up to that magic 70 degrees, which warms the blood of winter shocked trout and get them to feeding actively. Anglers who stayed bundled up and indoors while a cold north wind blew start thinking about where to go and what to use to tempt these ravenous predators. Some even start thinking about donning shorts and wading boots and feeling the water against their legs for the first time in months. One of the most popular bank accessible wading spots on the Lower Laguna Madre, for example, is the Community Bar in Port Mansfield. Wade fishermen can gain access to the area via Fred Stone Park, which is adjacent to the King Ranch. There is a pedestrian entrance set up on the ranch fence line that allows for fishermen to walk along the shoreline for the ¾ of a mile to the Bar’s general area (that’s just a good stretch of the legs for the average Texan). Over the years, rainfall and floods have created a muddy, boggy ditch that separates the access point from the parking lot. Some resourceful fishermen place pallets and boards across the ditch, but it may be easier to wade in and around the end of the fence line and back onto shore. Then you can hoof the rest of the way on dry land. Regardless of how you reach Community Bar (boaters can also anchor up on top of the shallow bar and disembark to fish the edges), you can wade out towards the bar
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and start fishing. Don’t head straight out into deeper water immediately. It doesn’t hurt to work parallel to the shoreline in knee-deep water, especially on a high tide. Redfish and trout will cruise close in during low-light conditions. Work the area with smaller topwaters. A Spook, Jr., or the MirrOLure Mirrodine are excellent choices for working the early morning shallows. Soft plastic aficionados can work weightless jerkbaits such as the Logic baits XL 5 or Gulp! 5” Jerk Shad. After you’ve worked the area thoroughly, then you turn you attention to deeper water. And there is plenty of deeper water. Between the shoreline and Community Bar is a deep gut that speckled trout use as a migration route up and down Laguna Madre. The wide gut deepens until you are in neck-deep water, which can make a fisherman pretty nervous. It’s easy to spot where the really deep stuff is, though, because local commercial crabbers set their traps at the bottom of the gut, and the white buoys mark where the really deep water is. They also make great fish attractors, so it never hurts to make a number of casts to it. Set up in waist-deep water and fan cast into the gut to prospect for trout. The classic shrimp/popping cork rig is the top fish producer in the area, but many fishermen who would rather avoid lugging a bait bucket switch over to either a Gulp! Shrimp in Nuclear Chicken or Glow. Both are very effective under a popping cork or Mansfield Mauler. You can also use a ¼ ounce Gulp! Shrimp or Attraxx Grub in Root Beer or Red, or any of the classic patterns produced by Norton Lures or Riptide. Make sure your leader is 18-24 inches long, and that your rod is long enough (7-7 ½ feet) to facilitate long casts into the gut. If you prefer eschewing the floats, shad tails such as the classic H&H Queen Cocahoe Norton Bull Minnow are good choices to fish the gut (the latter, especially the classic strawberry/white pattern, has literally caught millions of trout in LLM). The
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throbbing shad tail puts off plenty of vibration that can get a trout’s attention from a long way away. Lipless crankbaits such as the Rat-L-Trap in gold/black are also excellent options for the gut, and they help you cover a lot of water quickly. Fan cast an area, and if you don’t find any fish, move a few feet to your left or right, and keep working the deeper water until you hit pay dirt. Some adventurous fishermen are willing to negotiate the deeper water to cross the gut and reach the actual Community Bar. Then they will either fish on top of the grassy top for redfish (with gold spoons being the #1 choice), or they turn around and fish the edge of the depth break. The latter method is quite popular because it allows you to fish the deeper water with the wind at your back—and there will almost always be a stiff breeze pushing off the Gulf of Mexico by the middle of the day. Boaters need to keep a close eye if they are passing by the Bar en route to other part of LLM. Wade fishermen aren’t very mobile. Most boaters are savvy enough to give the shallows a wide berth in this area, but there is always an angler ignorant of the area’s popularity among waders. Don’t let those boaters deter you though. The fishing around Community Bar can be quite good. Keep a sharp eye, and you’ll be fine. LOCATION: Isla Blanca Park Surf
THE BANK BITE GPS: N26 8.250, W97 10.090 SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish TIPS: Fish shell areas with live bait or soft plastics.
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APRIL 2011
Tides and Prime Times
USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR
The following pages contain TIDE and SOLUNAR predictions for Galveston Channel (29.3166° N, 94.88° W).
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TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the upper white boxes on the Calendar Pages. Use the Correction Table below, which is keyed to 23 other tide stations, to adjust low and high tide times.
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SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the lower color boxes of the Calendar pages. Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE below to adjust times for points East and West of Galveston Channel.
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AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets. These phases last 1 to 2 hours.
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AM & PM MAJOR phases occur when the moon reaches its highest point overhead as well as when it is “underfoot” or at its highest point on the exact opposite side of the earth from your positoin (or literally under your feet). Most days have two Major Feeding Phases, each lasting about 2 hours.
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SOLAR & LUNAR ACTIVITY: Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 7:51p
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PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to your location, the stronger the influence. FULL or NEW MOONS provide the strongest influnce of the month.
AM Minor: 9:11a AM Major: 2:57a PM Minor: 9:40p PM Major: 3:25p Moonrise:9:27a Moon Set: None Moon Overhead:
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TIDE PREDICTIONS are shown in graph form, with High and Low tide predictions in text immediately below. SOLUNAR ACTIVITY data is provided to indicate major and minor feeding periods for each day, as the daily phases of the moon have varying degrees of influence on many wildlife species.
T13 T7
T3 T2 T1
PEAK TIMES: When a Solunar Period falls within 30 minutes to an hour of sunrise or sunset, anticipate increased action. A moon rise or moon set during one of these periods will cause even greater action. If a FULL or NEW MOON occurs during a Solunar Period, expect the best action of the season.
4:55p
TIDE CORRECTION TABLE Add or subtract the time shown at the rightof the Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine the adjustment from the time shown for GALVESTON CHANNEL in the calendars.
KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
PLACE Sabine Bank Lighthouse Sabine Pass Jetty Sabine Pass Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass Galveston Bay, S. Jetty Port Bolivar
NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION
HIGH -1:46 -1:26 -1:00 -0:04 -0:39 +0:14
LOW -1:31 -1:31 -1:15 -0:25 -1:05 -0:06
KEY PLACE HIGH Galveston Channel/Bays T7 Texas City Turning Basin +0:33 +3:54 T8 Eagle Point +6:05 T9 Clear Lake +10:21 T10 Morgans Point T11 Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39
LOW +0:41 +4:15 +6:40 +5:19 +5:15
KEY T12 T13 T14 T15 T16 T17
PLACE Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, W. Bay Alligator Point, W. Bay Christmas Pt Galveston Pleasure Pier
HIGH +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -1:06
LOW +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:33 +2:31 -1:06
KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23
PLACE San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor Pass Cavallo Aransas Pass Padre Island (So. End) Port Isabel
SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:
T22 T23
KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE GRAPH: Yellow: Daylight
12a
Tab: Peak Fishing Period
6a
12p
6p
12a
Light Blue: Nighttime
BEST:
7:05-9:40 PM
Green: Falling Tide
AM/PM Timeline
Gold Fish: Best Time
Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score
Blue Fish: Good Time
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY: MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the Sky 12a
AM/PM Timeline
78 |
AM Minor: 1:20a
PM Minor: 1:45p
AM Major: 7:32a
PM Major: 7:57p
MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)
Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a
12p
6p
12a
Time Moon is Directly Underfoot (at its peak on opposite side of the earth)
Moon Underfoot: 9:15p A P R I L
2 0 1 1
T E X A S
F I S H
&
G A M E ®
C O A S T A L
A L M A N A C
HIGH -0.09 -0:44 0:00 -0:03 -0:24 +1:02
LOW -0.09 -1:02 -1:20 -1:31 -1:45 -0:42
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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
7:45-9:40 AM
= Peak Fishing Period
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
28
WEDNESDAY
29
THURSDAY
30
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
APR 1
31
SUNDAY
2
3
Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: 3:42a
Set: 7:34p Set: 2:42p
Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 4:18a
Set: 7:34p Set: 3:37p
Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 4:51a
Set: 7:35p Set: 4:30p
Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 5:21a
Set: 7:35p Set: 5:22p
Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 5:50a
Set: 7:36p Set: 6:14p
Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 6:19a
Set: 7:36p Set: 7:05p
Sunrise: 7:06a Moonrise: 6:49a
Set: 7:37p Set: 7:58p
AM Minor: 1:40a
PM Minor: 2:03p
AM Minor: 2:22a
PM Minor: 2:44p
AM Minor: 3:00a
PM Minor: 3:21p
AM Minor: 3:37a
PM Minor: 3:57p
AM Minor: 4:13a
PM Minor: 4:33p
AM Minor: 4:50a
PM Minor: 5:11p
AM Minor: 5:30a
PM Minor: 5:51p
AM Major: 7:51a
PM Major: 8:15p
AM Major: 8:33a
PM Major: 8:55p
AM Major: 9:11a
PM Major: 9:32p
AM Major: 9:47a
PM Major: 10:07p
AM Major: 10:23a
PM Major: 10:43p
AM Major: 11:01a
PM Major: 11:21p
AM Major: 11:41a
PM Major: 12:02p
Moon Overhead: 9:10a
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 10:38a
Moon Overhead: 9:55a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 11:19a 12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 12:39p
Moon Overhead: 11:59a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
Moon Overhead: 1:21p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 9:33p +2.0
-1.0
BEST:
3:30 — 5:30 AM
Moon Underfoot: None
Moon Underfoot: 12:19a
BEST:
4:30 — 6:30 AM
Moon Underfoot: 1:00a
BEST:
5:00 — 7:00 AM
+2.0
BEST:
6:00 — 8:00 PM
6:30 — 8:30 PM
T I D E
L E V E L S
BEST:
3:00 — 5:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:39p
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 10:58p
T I D E
+1.0
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 10:17p
Low Tide: 7:17 am High Tide: 3:14 pm Low Tide: 8:50 pm
-0.02ft. High Tide: 12:31 am 1.20ft. Low Tide: 8:16 am 0.95ft. High Tide: 3:28 pm Low Tide: 9:03 pm
1.09ft. 0.09ft. 1.14ft. 0.83ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
1:48 am 9:04 am 3:38 pm 9:17 pm
1.14ft. 0.21ft. 1.09ft. 0.70ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
2:51 am 9:44 am 3:49 pm 9:34 pm
1.20ft. 0.35ft. 1.07ft. 0.56ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
3:47 am 10:18 am 4:00 pm 9:55 pm
1.26ft. 0.50ft. 1.07ft. 0.42ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
4:38 am 10:48 am 4:12 pm 10:20 pm
1.31ft. 0.64ft. 1.08ft. 0.30ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
5:26 am 11:15 am 4:24 pm 10:49 pm
1.34ft. 0.77ft. 1.10ft. 0.20ft
+1.0
0
-1.0
ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal
3/4/11
10:16 AM
Page 80
NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
= Peak Fishing Period
7:45-9:40 AM
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
4
WEDNESDAY
5
6
Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 7:22a
Set: 7:38p Set: 8:53p
Sunrise: 7:04a Moonrise: 7:57a
Set: 7:38p Set: 9:48p
Sunrise: 7:03a Moonrise: 8:36a
AM Minor: 6:14a
PM Minor: 6:35p
AM Minor: 7:01a
PM Minor: 7:24p
AM Major: 12:03p
PM Major: 12:25p
AM Major: 12:49p
PM Major: 1:12p
Moon Overhead: 2:04p
12a
6a
12p
6p
6a
12p
6p
12a
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
7
8
SUNDAY
10
9
Set: 7:39p Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 10:43p Moonrise: 9:20a
Set: 7:40p Set: 7:39p Sunrise: 7:00a Set: 11:38p Moonrise: 10:09a Set: None
AM Minor: 7:52a
PM Minor: 8:16p
AM Minor: 8:46a
PM Minor: 9:11p
AM Minor: 9:42a
PM Minor: 10:08p
AM Minor: 10:40a
PM Minor: 11:06p
AM Minor: 11:37a
PM Minor: ——-
AM Major: 1:40a
PM Major: 2:04p
AM Major: 2:33a
PM Major: 2:58p
AM Major: 3:29a
PM Major: 3:55p
AM Major: 4:26a
PM Major: 4:53p
AM Major: 5:23a
PM Major: 5:50p
Moon Overhead: 3:38p
Moon Overhead: 2:50p 12a
THURSDAY
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 4:28p 12a
6a
12p
6p
Sunrise: 6:59a Set: 7:40p Sunrise: 6:58a Set: 7:41p Moonrise: 11:02a Set: 12:32a Moonrise: 12:00p Set: 1:22a
Moon Overhead: 6:13p
Moon Overhead: 5:20p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 7:07p 12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 1:42a +2.0
-1.0
BEST:
L E V E L S
1:30 — 3:30 PM
Moon Underfoot: 4:03a
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 PM
Moon Underfoot: 4:54a
BEST:
8:00 — 10:00 PM
Moon Underfoot: 5:47a
BEST:
8:30 — 10:30 PM
Moon Underfoot: 6:40a
BEST:
9:30 — 11:30 PM
+2.0
BEST:
10:00P — 12:00A 6:30 — 8:30 AM
T I D E
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 3:14a
T I D E
+1.0
Moon Underfoot: 2:27a
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
6:14 am 11:41 am 4:33 pm 11:20 pm
80 |
1.37ft. 0.89ft. 1.13ft. 0.13ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
A P R I L
7:05 am 12:08 pm 4:34 pm 11:55 pm
2 0 1 1
1.38ft. 1.01ft. 1.16ft. 0.08ft.
High Tide: 8:00 am 1.38ft. Low Tide: 12:36 pm 1.12ft. High Tide: 4:23 pm 1.20ft.
T E X A S
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
F I S H
&
12:33 am 9:03 am 1:05 pm 4:09 pm
0.05ft. 1.38ft. 1.22ft. 1.27ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
G A M E ®
1:17 am 10:17 am 1:37 pm 4:07 pm
0.04ft. 1.38ft. 1.30ft. 1.33ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
C O A S T A L
2:08 am 11:39 am 2:27 pm 4:13 pm
0.03ft. 1.40ft. 1.37ft. 1.37ft.
Low Tide: 3:07 am 0.04ft. High Tide: 12:46 pm 1.42ft
A L M A N A C
+1.0
0
-1.0
ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal
3/4/11
10:16 AM
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ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal
3/4/11
10:16 AM
Page 82
NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
7:45-9:40 AM
= Peak Fishing Period
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
11
WEDNESDAY
12
THURSDAY
13
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
14
SUNDAY
16
15
17
Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 1:02p
Set: 7:42p Set: 2:10a
Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 2:06p
Set: 7:42p Set: 2:54a
Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 3:11p
Set: 7:43p Set: 3:35a
Sunrise: 6:54a Moonrise: 4:17p
Set: 7:43p Set: 4:14a
Sunrise: 6:53a Moonrise: 5:24p
Set: 7:44p Set: 4:52a
Sunrise: 6:52a Moonrise: 6:32p
Set: 7:45p Set: 5:30a
Sunrise: 6:51a Moonrise: 7:42p
Set: 7:45p Set: 6:11a
AM Minor: 12:08p
PM Minor: 12:32p
AM Minor: 12:57p
PM Minor: 1:24p
AM Minor: 1:47a
PM Minor: 2:13p
AM Minor: 2:33a
PM Minor: 2:59p
AM Minor: 3:19a
PM Minor: 3:45p
AM Minor: 4:05a
PM Minor: 4:32p
AM Minor: 4:56a
PM Minor: 5:24p
AM Major: 6:18a
PM Major: 6:45p
AM Major: 7:11a
PM Major: 7:37p
AM Major: 8:00a
PM Major: 8:26p
AM Major: 8:46a
PM Major: 9:12p
AM Major: 9:32a
PM Major: 9:58p
AM Major: 10:19a
PM Major: 10:45p
AM Major: 11:10a
PM Major: 11:38p
Moon Overhead: 8:01p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 9:46p
Moon Overhead: 8:54p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 10:38p 12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: None
Moon Overhead: 11:30p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
Moon Overhead: 12:25a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 7:34a +2.0
-1.0
BEST:
1:00 — 3:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:04a
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:57a
BEST:
3:00 — 5:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 12:53p
BEST:
4:30 — 6:30 PM
+2.0
BEST:
5:30 — 7:30 PM 12:00 — 2:00 AM
T I D E
L E V E L S
BEST:
12:00 — 2:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 10:12a
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 9:20a
T I D E
+1.0
Moon Underfoot: 8:28a
Low Tide: 4:13 am High Tide: 1:25 pm
82 |
0.07ft. 1.41ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
A P R I L
5:24 am 1:49 pm 7:35 pm 11:01 pm
2 0 1 1
0.13ft. 1.38ft. 1.13ft. 1.18ft.
Low Tide: 6:34 am High Tide: 2:09 pm Low Tide: 7:38 pm
T E X A S
0.21ft. 1.33ft. 0.91ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
F I S H
&
1:03 am 7:40 am 2:27 pm 8:11 pm
1.25ft. 0.34ft. 1.28ft. 0.62ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
G A M E ®
2:30 am 8:42 am 2:45 pm 8:50 pm
1.38ft. 0.52ft. 1.25ft. 0.31ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
C O A S T A L
3:45 am 9:41 am 3:03 pm 9:34 pm
1.52ft. 0.72ft. 1.26ft. 0.02ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
A L M A N A C
4:55 am 10:36 am 3:23 pm 10:20 pm
1.63ft. 0.92ft. 1.29ft. -0.22ft.
+1.0
0
-1.0
ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal
3/4/11
10:17 AM
Page 83
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011 TUESDAY
18
WEDNESDAY
19
20
Sunrise: 6:50a Moonrise: 8:53p
Set: 7:46p Set: 6:55a
AM Minor: 5:52a
PM Minor: 6:21p
AM Minor: 6:53a
PM Minor: 7:23p
AM Minor: 7:59a
AM Major: ——-
PM Major: 12:06p
AM Major: 12:38p
PM Major: 1:08p
AM Major: 1:43a
Sunrise: 6:49a Set: 7:46p Moonrise: 10:01p Set: 7:44a
Moon Overhead: 1:21a
12a
6a
12p
6p
Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 7:47p Moonrise: 11:06p Set: 8:38a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
21
22
SUNDAY
23
24
Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 7:48p Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 7:49p Sunrise: 6:44a Moonrise: 12:04a Set: 10:36a Moonrise: 12:55a Set: 11:36a Moonrise: 1:40a
Set: 7:49p Set: 12:35p
Sunrise: 6:47a Moonrise: None
Set: 7:48p Set: 9:36a
PM Minor: 8:29p
AM Minor: 9:05a
PM Minor: 9:35p
AM Minor: 10:09a
PM Minor: 10:37p
AM Minor: 11:08a
PM Minor: 11:35p
AM Minor: ——-
PM Minor: 12:02p
PM Major: 2:14p
AM Major: 2:50a
PM Major: 3:20p
AM Major: 3:55a
PM Major: 4:23p
AM Major: 4:55a
PM Major: 5:22p
AM Major: 5:50a
PM Major: 6:14p
Moon Overhead: 3:21a
Moon Overhead: 2:20a 12a
THURSDAY
12p
Moon Overhead: 4:21a
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 6:14a
Moon Overhead: 5:19a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 7:05a 12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 1:51p +2.0
-1.0
BEST:
7:30 — 9:30 PM 1:30 — 3:30 AM
L E V E L S
Moon Underfoot: 4:51p
Moon Underfoot: 5:47p
BEST:
2:30 — 4:30 AM
BEST:
9:00 — 11:00 PM
Moon Underfoot: 6:40p BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 7:29p +2.0
BEST:
9:30 — 11:30 PM 5:30 — 7:30 AM
12:00 — 2:00 AM
T I D E
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 3:51p
T I D E
+1.0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 2:51p
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
6:02 am 11:31 am 3:44 pm 11:08 pm
1.70ft. 1.11ft. 1.34ft. -0.37ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
7:08 am 12:26 pm 4:05 pm 11:59 pm
C O A S T A L
1.72ft. High Tide: 8:16 am 1.26ft. Low Tide: 1:25 pm 1.39ft. High Tide: 4:25 pm -0.42ft.
A L M A N A C
1.69ft. 1.36ft. 1.41ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
12:53 am 9:27 am 2:55 pm 4:28 pm
T E X A S
-0.38ft. Low Tide: 1:51 am -0.26ft. Low Tide: 2:54 am -0.10ft. Low Tide: 4:05 am 1.63ft. High Tide: 10:40 am 1.56ft. High Tide: 11:49 am 1.48ft. High Tide: 12:42 pm 1.41ft. Low Tide: 7:45 pm 1.41ft. High Tide: 8:54 pm
F I S H
&
G A M E ®
A P R I L
2 0 1 1
|
0.08ft. 1.41ft. 1.16ft. 1.16ft.
83
+1.0
0
-1.0
ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal
3/4/11
11:21 AM
Page 84
NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
= Peak Fishing Period
7:45-9:40 AM
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
25
WEDNESDAY
26
THURSDAY
27
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
28
29
SUNDAY
May 1
30
Sunrise: 6:43a Moonrise: 2:18a
Set: 7:50p Set: 1:31p
Sunrise: 6:42a Moonrise: 2:52a
Set: 7:51p Set: 2:25p
Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 3:23a
Set: 7:51p Set: 3:17p
Sunrise: 6:40a Moonrise: 3:53a
Set: 7:52p Set: 4:09p
Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 4:22a
Set: 7:52p Set: 5:00p
Sunrise: 6:38a Moonrise: 4:52a
Set: 7:53p Set: 5:53p
Sunrise: 6:37a Moonrise: 5:23a
Set: 7:54p Set: 6:47p
AM Minor: 12:27p
PM Minor: 12:49p
AM Minor: 1:10a
PM Minor: 1:32p
AM Minor: 1:49a
PM Minor: 2:10p
AM Minor: 2:25a
PM Minor: 2:45p
AM Minor: 3:00a
PM Minor: 3:20p
AM Minor: 3:36a
PM Minor: 3:57p
AM Minor: 4:14a
PM Minor: 4:36p
AM Major: 6:38a
PM Major: 7:01p
AM Major: 7:21a
PM Major: 7:42p
AM Major: 7:59a
PM Major: 8:20p
AM Major: 8:35a
PM Major: 8:55p
AM Major: 9:10a
PM Major: 9:31p
AM Major: 9:46a
PM Major: 10:07p
AM Major: 10:25a
PM Major: 10:46p
Moon Overhead: 7:52a
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 9:18a
Moon Overhead: 8:36a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 9:58a 12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 11:19a
Moon Overhead: 10:38a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
Moon Overhead: 12:02p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 8:15p +2.0
-1.0
Moon Underfoot: 10:59p
BEST:
2:30 — 4:30 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:40p
BEST:
3:00 — 5:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: None
BEST:
4:30 — 6:30 PM
+2.0
BEST:
5:00 — 7:00 PM
6:00 — 8:00 PM
T I D E
L E V E L S
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 10:18p
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
1:00 — 3:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 9:38p
T I D E
+1.0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 8:57p
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
5:19 am 1:17 pm 7:45 pm 11:10 pm
0.25ft. 1.34ft. 1.02ft. 1.13ft.
Low Tide: 6:33 am High Tide: 1:39 pm Low Tide: 8:02 pm
0.42ft. 1.27ft. 0.87ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
12:49 am 7:37 am 1:55 pm 8:19 pm
1.16ft. 0.58ft. 1.22ft. 0.72ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
2:07 am 8:33 am 2:08 pm 8:38 pm
1.24ft. 0.72ft. 1.20ft. 0.56ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
3:11 am 9:21 am 2:21 pm 8:59 pm
1.33ft. 0.86ft. 1.20ft. 0.40ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
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The Mighty Muzzy EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, MOST BOW hunters get a little bored with the broadhead they have shot for years and will always have that “urge” to try the new and improved arrow tips that are available out there. I can tell you that I am that person in a nutshell! Broadheads come and broadheads go, but Muzzy has been around for years and have proven to the bowhunting world that quality remains at the top of their list. This year, they have introduced a new line called the MX-3. The name alone sounds powerful, and powerful it is! I shot both the 75-grain and the 100-grain MX-3’s and was totally impressed with the results of both broadheads. Penetration was not a problem at all. I suspect the way the blades lock together has a lot to do with that. As a matter of fact, this is the very first time I have seen a broadhead where the blades actually lock together forming one solid piece of power! The 75-grain sports an aluminum ferrule while the 100-grain uses a steel ferrule. Both come with what Muzzy calls its Trocar tip. This super strong tip will easily break bone if it needs to. I have seen other broadhead blades break whenever they make contact with bone. Not so with these .025 thick blades. The 75-grain Muzzy MX-3 has a cutting diameter of 1 -3/16 while the heavier 100-grain MX-3 made a slightly larger cutting surface of 1-¼ inches. I did not see a difference in performance at all between 86 |
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the two broadheads. It is just a question of personal preference and what you are already set up for. All I can say is I was deeply impressed with Muzzy’s new MX-3 line. Try it…you will not be disappointed. —Lou Marullo
Get the Scoop THE GOAL: YOU WANT TO CATCH TRULY monstrous fish from your small, inshore boat. Maybe you’re after big black drum, bull redfish, or torpedo-sized cobia. Whatever the prey, you have problem: where to stow a net big enough for landing such a
The HyberNet: Now you see it... Now, you don’t
Frabill
yet does the job: Frabil’s Hiber-Net. These provide a stowage solution on even the smallest boats, because the hoop and mesh both fold flat and slide inside of the net’s handle. Extending and stowing the hoop and mesh is lightening-fast, and a piece of cake. Simply grab the black handle on the net, and push it forward to pop the hoop open. When you’re done scooping up your catch, pull the handle grip back to collapse and stow it. You end up with nothing more than a pole to stow. But, will a collapsible net be strong enough to bring hefty fish into the boat? Yes. The extruded aluminum handle felt firm and sturdy in my hands, as did the opened hoop. Added bonus: the mesh material is knotless, which makes for fewer line tangles, and easier hook removal. It’s also better for the fish if you’re a catch-andrelease angler, because knotless mesh causes fewer scrapes and remove less slime from the fish’s skin. Just how big a fish can the Hiber-Net handle? Anything you’re likely to encounter on the Texas coast, much less in freshwater, won’t be a problem. The handle is 52” long, and the hoop size is 24” x 26”. Mesh depth is 18”. The Hiber-Net isn’t cheap, though, with a MSRP of $79.99. Check it out at www.frabill.com.
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beast. Put it in a rodholder, and you’ll be forever snagging mesh on the back-cast. Plop it on the deck, and it’ll forever be underfoot. The solution? You need a net that stows in a tight compartment, like a rodbox or an under-gunwale rodrack. I recently tried out a net that—for the first time ever, in my experience—stows easily
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THOSE UNDERWATER BOAT LIGHTS ARE super-cool looking, and they attract countless fish and swarms of bait, when you’re night fishing. Just one problem: who wants to drill more holes in their hull? No one. That’s why some manufacturers have begun offering surface-mount underwater lights, and the latest to hit the market is Aqualuma’s FF9. The FF9 is a cluster of 9 LED’s in a sealed housing, availCONTINUED able in green (the best for fishing, SEE PAGE 88
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Zona Hooks Up with Shimano HE SAYS IT’S AN AWESOME OPPORTUNIty to partner up with the company behind the rods and reels he’s been using most of his fishing life. Bassmaster television host and host of his own show on the Outdoor Channel, noted angler Mark Zona is now using G.Loomis rods, Shimano reels and PowerPro braid in all his fishing adventures, said Chris Hess, marketing manager for Shimano American Corp.’s fishing tackle division. “And while Mark is excited to be involved Mark Zona with all our fishing brands, we couldn’t be more pleased having him on the water, on the air and at events getting folks excited about fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass,” Hess said. “We look forward to his input on all our G.Loomis, Shimano and PowerPro tackle — both from his own experiences and from the interaction he has with bass anglers nationwide.” Zona notes that he learned how to use baitcasting reels with Shimano Bantam and Black Magnum reels, and “I cut my teeth on G.Loomis rods from knowing and fishing with their reps — who all seem to be great bass anglers,” Mark said. A key factor in Zona’s involvement with G.Loomis and Shimano was the people at the company. “Everyone I have met, from the company president, product development guys, marketing staff, you name it, they are all avid anglers,” said Zona. “They are out on the water, fishing hard, learning and experimenting with new techniques — it’s really a culture with that C O A S T A L
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company — and one I want to be involved with.” Zona is using NRX bass rods from G.Loomis, teaming them up with Shimano Core baitcasting reels and Stradic Ci4 spinning reels — spooled of course with PowerPro braided line. He entertains anglers — and teaches a few things — every Friday night on ‘Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show’ airing at 8pm EST on the Outdoor Channel.
Bay Foundation Kid’s Calendar PROUD STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, ART teachers, and principals gathered at an award ceremony to celebrate the winners of the 2011 Children’s Art Calendar on January 27th at Stephen F. Austin Elementary in Baytown. In its past 19 years, Galveston Bay Foundation (“GBF”) estimates that this project has reached over 10,000 fifth grade students. Students who live around the Bay were asked, “What people, plants, or animals can you find in and around Galveston Bay?” or “Who uses Galveston Bay?” Through their knowledge and creGalveston Bay ativity, they drew pictures to illustrate Foundation Art Calendar winners. their answer to one of those questions. Calendar Kids The Galveston Bay Children’s Art Calendar is made possible by sponsors, NRG Texas and NRG’s retail electricity business, Reliant Energy. Reliant Energy’s Director of Public Affairs, Gene Fisseler, said, “NRG Energy and Reliant Energy, like Galveston Bay
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Foundation, demonstrate our commitment to continuously improving the environment by actively helping protect and preserve ecosystems like Galveston Bay. We all depend on the Bay in one way or another, and the environmental art calendar raises the public’s awareness and its understanding of this vital ecosystem.” The GBF, NRG and Reliant Energy would like to congratulate the following 2011 Galveston Bay Children’s Art Calendar winners: Luis Algarate, Allison Antonini, Sergio Cantu, Victoria Chang, Leona Chen, Savannah Cushman, Ronaldo Lerma Garcia, Daniel Godinez, Geoffrey Hirsch, Elizabeth Koegel, Mia Munn, Sebastian Rodriguez, Hiya Sunjana Sawhney, Kristen Schank, Mary Sullivan, Alex Turman and Carissa Villarreal. The mission of the Galveston Bay Foundation is to preserve, protect, and
enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. Contact GBF at 281-332- 3381 or visit the website at www.galvbay.org.
PHOTOS: COURTESTY CATALYST MARKETING & GAL. BAY FOUNDATION
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Ballistic Shades THE WILEY X SABER ADVANCED PROvides unparalleled protection and visual acuity tailor-made for hunting, shooting sports and safety applications in the factory and in the field. It meets stringent MIL-
PRF31013 military ballistic standards (U.S. Military Combat Eye Protection) as well as ANSI Z87.1-2003 high impact
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certification (OSHA Occupational Eye Protection) — so it delivers the maximum protection available in any set of eyewear. In fact, with the thickest lens in the industry (3.0 Saber Advanced mm), it’s also protective eyewear. the best value at just $38-65 Wiley X
MSRP for a single lens set to deluxe 3 lens set — with combinations of single and multiple clear, smoke grey, light rust, and vermillion lens packages. The sturdy temple arms remove quickly, and can be replaced with a snap-in elastic strap to both reduce pressure on the sides of the head and ensure a secure fit during jarring runs or rides. Ultra Foam Brow Bar to keep
sweat and debris off your face; and a tailored take flight nose piece to adapt to a wide range of nose shapes and sizes — so it stays right in place, too. www.wileyx.com.
Pro Cat 200 THE PRO CAT 200 IS THE SMALLER version of the ProCat 240 which was introduced three years ago and was designed with the help of a professional catfishing guide. The 24-foot, 15 degree hull design of the ProCat 240 was well received and is a popular model for the company but dealers were asking for a smaller version to meet customer demand. The new ProCat 200 meets that demand in a 20-foot package but still offers the smooth ride by keeping the 15 degree hull design and the 72inch bottom width of the larger version. Features that separate the ProCat 200
PHHOTOS: COURTESY WILEY X, SEA ARK, HIVIZ, EXTREME SHOCK
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IMHO), blue, or white. It can run on FROM PG. 86 either 12 or 24 volts with a draw of less than 1.4 amps, so you can leave it shining all night long without worrying about Aqualuma FF9 underwater boat killing your batteries. And lights. unlike some other underwater lights, this one can operate Light Show either above or below the waterline. Aqualuma sent me an FF9 to test out, and installation was simple: all I had to do was run a pair of screws into the transom to secure it in place (hardware is included, and the light is packaged with a drilling template), run the power cable through the notched housing and up the transom, and wire it in to the fuse panel. If you’d rather try for a cleaner look, you can drill a 1/4-
inch hole for the power cable and run it into the transom directly behind the light. Once the light was in place I found it compact and unobtrusive, at five inches long and three inches tall, and a mere threequarters of an inch thick. Mounted it on my transom, I thought it barely stuck out and looked perfectly normal. Powered up, it’s absolutely amazing how much brilliant underwater illumination this little box can create. Of course, considering how potent the new generation of LEDs are, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. Nor should we be surprised at the cost; list price for an FF9 is just a hair under $600—ouch. Check it out at www.aqualuma.com.
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visit HiVizSights.com. Choose HiViz and see what you’ve been missing! Pro Cat 200 for catfish anglers.
from It’s as easy as rotating the sight 180°. fishing boats not Positioned just behind the front bead, designated specifically for catfishing the Two In One attaches to the rib with include: four powerful magnets making it our • self-draining bow deck with 25 gallon strongest magnetic sight ever, holding tight livewell/rinse tank even in the roughest brush. The chemical• level area for removable bait tank resistant LitePipes are housed in a protecwith tie down eyes and 12-volt outlet tive sheath that makes them extremely • 80 gallon rear seat livewell durable and almost impossible to break. • walk-thru windshield with rotational The super-bright LitePipes are orange and captain’s chairs green in color and as an added bonus the • accessory rails to attach rod holders package includes two shapes – round and Additional features of the ProCat 200 triangular – offering severinclude a 30-gallon fuel tank, dual conNew Two In One al possible combinations. soles, .125 gauge treadplate floor, shotgun sight. Available in trolling motor wiring, navigation lights, four HiViz and automatic bilge pump. Available in several standard colors, the ProCat 200 is also offered in upgraded urethane colors or sevsizes eral camo patterns. Interior to fit rib options offered include Gatorwidths from Hide, Non-Skid, and Multi11/64” to 7/16”. Spec finishes. Like all HiViz sights, the According to Steve Henderson, Two In One comes with a full Vice President of Sales for SeaArk warranty and personalized customer serBoats, there is a real demand for cat-fishvice. Contact HiViz at 800-589-4315 or ing boats, “Customer requests have driven the design of the ProCat 240, the ProCat 200 and the four other catfishing models we offer. Folks were already using our 72inch bottom boats for catfishing because the width and beam of those models worked well for the sport, but now we have an entire line with additional features specifically used when fishing for cats.” For more information about Sea Ark and to find a dealer nearest you, call 870367-5317 or visit: www.seaarkboats.com
Sea Ark
The .30-30 is in for a Shock THE .30-30 IS ONE OF THE MOST COMmon deer cartridges in North America and was first marketed in early 1895. Since that time very little changes have occurred with this cartridge. Until now. Extreme Shock has applied it’s powdered metal core technology to the venerable caliber and increased Triple knock-down it’s powered .30-30 knock down Extreme Shock capability by three fold. Introducing the Extreme Shock .30-30 160 grain Trophy Game cartridge, when fired from a 16 inch barrel this round carries 1,798 ft lbs of energy at 2,250 feet per second at the muzzle. Put some power is the firepower of your trusty .30-30 rifle. Get Extreme Shock. Please visit: www.extremeshockusa.net, or call 877-337-6772.
Double Vision HIVIZ SHOOTING SYSTEMS IS INTROducing a revolutionary new shotgun sight. The new Two In One magnetic shotgun sight contains two LitePipes — each one a different color. Now you can quickly and easily change the color of the sight to provide better contrast between your eye and the target. As lighting conditions or shooting environment change, so can your sight. C O A S T A L
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either. But I can tell you I love my little Sweet Sixteen. Pick
What Makes a Classic? EW GUNS ARE BETTER THAN OLD guns. True or false? Well, if we are talking about average tolerances, steel hardness and resistance to corrosion, longevity, and even perfection of design, called ergonomics these days, then new guns are unquestionably better than old guns. The great gun makers of the past all had their own ideas of perfection and they did not share them with others. Still, the information eventually leaked out and is now common knowledge, so that really poorly designed stocks are almost extinct, for which we are all eternally grateful. So what are some of the truly great guns of the past? As I write this, I just traded for a gun I have wanted for many years. It is a slick little Browning Sweet Sixteen. Browning also made an A-5 in 16-gauge, but it was not a Sweet Sixteen. The Sweet Sixteen was a slim, lively, lightweight version introduced in 1937. The standard A-5 16-gauge was produced from 1923 to 1964. The Sweet Sixteen was produced in Belgium from 1936 to 1976. Production of the Sweet Sixteen was stopped when the production of the A-5 was moved from Belgium to Japan in 1976. It was reintroduced (Japan manufacture) in 1987 and produced until 1992. The Sweet Sixteen is one of those guns that have that indefinable something that makes it a classic. The fact that it outlasted the standard A-5 16-gauge by 22 years (Belgium manufacture) speaks volumes of its popularity, but does not answer the question of why it was popular. And to tell the truth, I can't tell you
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it up, put it to your shoulder, place your cheek lovingly on the comb, and it feels like it an extension of yourself. It feels almost alive. It is the only A-5 that I like. The others feel like blocks of wood. Why? I dunno. Another classic shotgun is the Winchester Model 12. It is one of the most popular pump-action shotguns ever produced. Again, it has that.... something. Pick up a Model 12, work the action and shoot a few rounds, then pick up the Model 1200 -- the Winchester pumpgun that replaced it -- and you will immediately see what I mean. I have a Model 12 in 16-gauge (yes, I am a 16-gauge nut) that I shoot on special occasions. It is beginning to show its age, but on occasion I still trot it out to show off. Is my Model 12 better than a Remington Model 870? Nope. Not one bit. But it has a feel to it that a modern 870 does not. That is why there are still so many 50-plus year old Model 12s being bought, sold, and used. The pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 was, actually, not as well designed, mechanically, as its competition, the Remington Model 721. It was not as strong. It had a weak spot where the head of the cartridge case was left unsupported by chamber or bolt. The Remington enclosed the case head completely, so was a stronger, safer action. The classic Model 70, however, was a better looking and better feeling gun than the Model 721, which was a classic Plain Jane. Again, put a Model 70 to your shoulder and it feels like it belongs there. Some other guns of that era felt more like railroad ties or pry-bars than sporting firearms. Another truth is that the Model 70 was far ahead of its time in design, except for that one weakness. Because of its strengths and in spite of its weaknesses, the pre-64 Model 70 has come to be called “The Rifleman's Rifle,” and it deserves the accolades. The Winchester Model 94 is a classic among classics. Production of the Model 94
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began in 1894 and was stopped with the closure of the New Haven, Connecticut, plant in 2006. Two high-grade versions have been reintroduced in 2010 to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of Oliver Winchester. It is unknown at this time if the standard grade Model 94 will be put back into the Winchester lineup or not. However, there are so many out there that there will be Model 94s on the used gun market for a several hundred years, even if Winchester decides to never mass produce it again. The fact that it was produced continuously for over a hundred years is testimony to its timelessness. It is the quintessential All-American firearm. The Model 98 Mauser is a true classic in every way. It is the bolt-action against which all others are measured. In fact, Peter Paul Mauser's 1898 design was so nearly perfect that it has not been improved upon to any degree in the last 112 years, and most modern bolt-action rifles are based to some extent on the original Mauser design. It is so good that it is still being used as the basis for expensive custom guns. I have two such custom guns made on the venerable 98 Mauser design and I love both of them. Other such classics are the 1873 Winchester, 1874 Sharps, the St. Louis Hawken plains rifle, the Parker side-by-side shotgun, the 1903 Springfield, the Colt Peacemaker, the Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum, the Colt 1911, and not a few others. Most of them are instantly recognizable by sight or by the mere mention of their names or designations. Many of them are movie stars. They are sought after by shooters and by collectors. Are they really better than the guns that have come since and that have in many instances replaced them? Probably not. Are they worth owning? You'd better believe it!
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E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com
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From Field to Feast HITETAIL SEASON IS BY NOW A faded memory. Some good hunts and also some not so good hunts…but all of these memories included good times. That is just one of the great things we love about hunting. April is finally here and with the cool morning light brings the familiar gobble of the tom turkey…well, only if you are in the woods…and if you are a hunter, particularly one that hunts with a bow, that is precisely where you should be! Earlier in this issue, I discuss the pros and cons of the many different broadheads you might use while bow hunting turkeys. I will not bother to write about this any further. I will, however, touch upon what might be the best way to bring success in the field with these birds. Calling in a turkey is not as hard as one might think. It just takes a little practice with the different types of calls you bring with you and a good knowledge of the habits of the wild turkey. I try to bring along a good box call as well as an assortment of diaphragm calls. You will find a slate call in my turkey vest also. You just never know which call will convince that bird to gobble and reveal his location. If you decide on trying a diaphragm for the first time, then I would suggest learning to master a single reed diaphragm first. Once that is done, the other more intense diaphragms will be easier to use. Listen to a few turkey calls online or get yourself a tape of the different sounds a turkey makes. Then practice everyday until you are comfortable with the call. Oh… Now would also be a good time to apologize to your wife for putting up with the weird
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sounds coming out of your mouth morning, noon and night! It is a good idea to call simply to let the turkey know that a hen is in the area. Once he is coming your way, I would only call sparingly or not at all. Remember, what is so cool about turkey hunting is that you are not hunting for the bird, the bird is hunting for you. He will search high and low looking for that sexy sounding hen. He will give his location up as he gets closer by gobbling his fool head off. Let him look all he wants until he makes a mistake and offers you a clean shot. I start out by making a few very light tree calls (light yelps) at first light. If you hear a tom sound off, it is time to get ready and get ready quick. He is coming in! However, if that turkey is being quiet, then I move to plan B. I try to sound like a turkey that is just waking up and my soft tree calls will get just a little louder. Finally, I take my hat off and shake it vigorously against my leg while I cackle. I am trying to sound like the hen has left her perch and is flying down. I might even give a few more comforting soft yelps after the cackle to let the tom know that I am ready and everything is safe. If all goes as planned, the hunt will soon be over and the trek home begins. If you have never tasted a wild turkey before then you are in for a real treat! To me, the breast meat taste exactly like a domestic turkey. I admit I don’t care so much for the dark meat. It is tougher than a store bought bird. I should admit this now. As an ethical hunter, I try to always share my venison, but the turkey meat is not leaving my freezer! Now it is known throughout the land that I can burn anything including water, so I leave the cooking to someone more knowledgeable in this field…my wife! We have tried many different ways to bring this delicious feast to our table. At first, we tried to prepare the bird with the skin left on like we have in our grocery stores. That meant many hours of plucking feathers…MANY
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hours. Not my idea of a good time and to be honest, not the best tasting method either. I decided to remove the skin on my next turkey. Although it tasted great, I found that it was a little dry. Too dry for my taste. I have always thought that when all else fails, toss it on the barbeque. Everything tastes wonderful on the grill. I was right! It tasted so good that I even cooked one like that for our Thanksgiving dinner. That was the year our table would have a domestic bird and a wild turkey side by side. Delish! My next attempt for some fine turkey cuisine was just as tasty. It was too miserable to cook on the grill, so we decided to use one of those browning bags in the oven. WOW! We found that if kept the turkey moist and tender and we could cook any veggies right in the same bag. To tell you the truth, there are many ways to cook a wild turkey and if any readers out there have any delicious recipes they would like to share, email me and let me know about them. So finish up your practicing, get your turkey gear together and get yourself to your turkey haven. You will not regret it.
E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com
On the Web See video of LOU MARULLO at the 2011 SHOT Show, interviewing bow, gun, and hunting gear makers about their new products for the coming season: www.FishGame.com/video
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Economic Windfall OU KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH WHEN you hesitate to buy that extra scoop of shiners. The economy must be hurting if you run to your secondfavorite hotspot because it’s 10 miles closer than hotspot number one, and you’ll save a bundle in fuel. The budget is tight indeed, should you choose to spend more on food and clothing than rods and reels this season. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still improve both your boat and your boating skills, without spending a single dollar. In the long run, that’s almost like getting free money. But is it really possible? You bet. With a little work and effort, you can invest without investing—here’s how.
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RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #1: Boost your navigational know-how by taking advantage of the government. Yes, that’s right, Uncle Sam will help you revert some of those tax expenditures into better boating. All you need is a computer, and internet access. NOAA has spent big bucks through the years taking bathymetric readings, making charts, and more lately, digitizing them— and the electronic charts they’ve created with your compulsory contributions are available for free. To get them, go to www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov, and you’ll be able to download both raster and vector charts that are available for nearly all navigable U.S. waterways. You will need software to read these charts on your computer, but you can use NOAA’s online chart viewer (also free). While you’re on the site take note of the other cost-free features that could help make you a better boater, such as the nautical charting links, tides and current information, and a coastal data portal. 92 |
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RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #2: Elbow grease + a little effort = more speed, higher efficiency, and lower fuel bills. If you have a boat with a painted bottom, you can make the above equation work—as long as you have a few pieces of old sandpaper that are sitting around in the garage. You’ll need some 220 grit and some 400 grit, to get the job done. Soak the 220 grit paper in water for a moment or two, then beginning at the bow, lightly sand the hull. Each and every stroke should run perfectly parallel to the centerline, going from the bow towards the stern. When you’re done, repeat the process with the 400 grit sandpaper. Pay extra attention to any spots where you find bumps or imperfections in the paint. When all is said and done, your boat’s bottom will be significantly smoother and you should pick up between a half a mile an hour, and one and a half miles per hour—without burning an ounce more fuel than you used to. RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #3: Integrated electronics are smarter than stand-alone units, so integrate what you’ve got. Maybe you don’t want to spend big bucks on a new VHF radio or GPS/chartplotter, but if you haven’t done so, interfacing your existing units via NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 will give them new power. By letting your two electronic brains communicate directly you’ll have DSC (digital select calling) ability, and this will allow the Coast Guard to know your boat’s size, type, and exact position, if you ever need to make a Mayday call. Modern VHFs are required by law to have DSC functionality and virtually every chartplotter on the water can output NMEA data streams, but often boaters don’t bother to connect their units—and all it takes is a single cable! If you fall into this category, splice those color-coded wires together and get DSC up and running. If you need some instruction, check the manu-
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als (many are now available online—for free, of course), talk to a dealer or post on an online forum. Note that in some cases, you may also have to enter the GPS menu and press a few choice buttons, in order to activate the outgoing NMEA data stream. Before DSC works, you’ll also have to get an MMSI (maritime mobile service identity) number. Luckily, it costs exactly as much as breathing. All you have to do is go to http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/. They’ll assign you a number for free, and you can program it into your VHF in a matter of moments. RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #4: Engage in some shocking behavior. I know it sounds strange, but you can use electricity to improve your boat. The secret lies in understanding the nature of galvanic corrosion. That orange cruddy stuff eats away at the metals on your boat because of an electrochemical process called oxidation. During oxidation, the metal’s molecules lose electrons to oxygen molecules. This natural process creates a substance called ferrous oxide—that nasty crusty orange stuff. But you can reverse this reaction, with a process called electrolysis (also known as electrolytic cleaning, or oxidation reduction). In a nutshell, controlled electrolysis removes corrosion from a metal surface by subjecting it to an electric current in an “electrolytic bath”. And making such a bath is a lot easier than you might expect. Set up your electrolyte bath in a nonconductive tub (a large Tupperware tub is perfect) filled with enough water to completely submerge the item you’re trying to de-corrode. Add one tablespoon of an electrolyte, such as sodium carbonate (washing soda) per gallon of water, and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Next, prepare the metal piece you’re trying to salvage—properly called the “cathode”—by scraping a small section of the metal clean. You’ll need enough clean metal showing to attach an alligator clip. Once it’s
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ready, attach a battery charger’s negative terminal alligator clip to the clean area. Note: make sure you use the correct terminal; accidentally hook up the positive clip, and you’ll quickly turn your cathode into a chunk of corrosion, instead of reversing the process. Next, you need an “anode,” a piece of sacrificial metal. It will be corroded during this process, so don’t use anything of value. A piece of sheet metal or a foot-long piece of rebar is perfect. Clip the positive lead from the battery charger to your anode, and make sure the end of the anode and the alligator clip attached to it stick out above the water’s surface; otherwise, the clip will attract corrosion, too. This is another reason rebar works so well. Since it’s long and thin, it can easily be propped up in a corner of the tub. Make sure that the anode and the cathode do not touch, and are separated far enough apart that there’s no chance they will contact each other. Now, you’re ready to plug the charger in and start the process. After 12 hours you’ll see a visible reduction in corrosion on the cathode, and in 24 to 48
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hours, depending on the size of the item and the amount of corrosion on it, most or all of the corrosion should be gone. SAFETY NOTES: Obviously, any time you mix water and electricity there’s an element of danger involved. That’s why a battery charger is best for this process (it has very low voltage, minimizing risk,) and you must NOT substitute an alternative power source. Never touch any part of the electrolysis bath or its contents while the battery charger is plugged in, and un-plug the battery charger when connecting or disconnecting its terminals; don’t use stainless-steel for your anode because it can release chromium during the electrolysis process; and set up the bath in a well-ventilated area, because electrolysis can give off a very small amount of hydrogen gas, which is explosive. RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #5: Wash the unwashable. If your T-top or Bimini canvass looks old and dingy, it’s time to make it look like new again—and although most folks don’t realize it, you can wash that canvass in a regu-
lar washing machine. Two important items to note: set the machine to use cold water, or you could cause wrinkling and shrinking, which will make the material tough to get back on. And add a mere pinch or two of a very gentle detergent, like Dreft, or you’ll degrade the fabric. After washing the canvass and hanging it to dry, spray it down with a silicon-based water repellent or it may leak. Finally, rub a candle over the zippers and snaps, to keep them from sticking. Now, your top will look like new again. Who says you need money to make your boat and yourself better? We’ve just shown how you can improve both, without spending a single dime. So leave the credit card locked up in that drawer, and nourish your nautical nature while spending a grand total of nothing.
E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com
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The Trout of a Lifetime N NATURE, THE LARGEST AND MOST pristine breed first. Although speckled trout spawn multiple times throughout the year, April and May are a magical time when large numbers of big trout are caught. These aren’t 2–4 pound fish, which make up the preponderance of the spawning class, but larger fish in the 26–28 inch range, with a few broaching the coveted 30inch mark. April and May are the perfect time for kayak anglers to catch the trout of a lifetime. Speckled trout do not build nests like black bass do, but instead are free spawners,
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and windward shorelines serve as the breeding grounds. Traylor Island in Aransas Bay is a classic example of a windward shoreline where trout spawn. But while Traylor Island gets lots of attention from guides and writers, other windward shorelines are just as productive but overlooked. With the exception of those bordering major channels, windward shorelines feature a gradual transition from deep to shallow and finding the depth the fish are holding is the first key to success. Deep is a relative term and in this case means water between 5–6 feet deep–a bit too deep for wading. To begin your search for a trophy trout, paddle your kayak into the depths and set up with the wind pushing you back into the shallows. Quietly deploy your anchor and make fan casts to insure the water around you is thoroughly covered. Once you are satisfied that spawning trout are not holding at your depth, lift the anchor and let the wind push you closer to shore. As you fish, constantly be aware of the
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water around you, scanning it for slicks. Slicks are oily spots on the water’s surface which are caused when fish regurgitate and droplets of oil from the partially digested baitfish’s body rise to the surface. A new slick is about the size of a dinner plate but the oil quickly begins dispersing over the water’s surface and in just a few minutes the oily sheen maybe 30 yards in diameter. Slicks give off a unique smell, most likened by old salts to freshly cut watermelon. Older slicks are valuable in that they confirm the presence of feeding fish but wind and current can move them hundreds of yards away from their source. Brand new slicks are optimum as they are virtually on top of the feeding fish. Keep in mind that gafftop also emit slicks and Senor Gato occasionally surprises the angler expecting a speckled trout at the end of his line. If you find a large slick and the wind is blowing, try paddling a hundred yards upwind and then drifting back towards the slick. Be ready to anchor as soon as you get a strike. If you see several slicks pop up, all the same distance from the shoreline, calculate a mental line that runs through all of them and do not deviate from that path. Turn your kayak and work that line slowly, anchoring and casting until you find fish. Once you have drifted into shallower water, you may find it easier to use a stakeout pole instead of anchoring repeatedly. Windward beaches feature hard sand bottoms which have been scoured of detritus by wave action and current and sometimes it is easier to drive a stake-out pole into a concrete roadway than into the bay floor. My advice: Pack both an anchor and a stake-out pole. About twenty years ago a myth got started that speckled trout hate croaker because they eat the spawning trout’s eggs, hence that is why croaker are such great baits. Nothing could be furCONTINUED ther from the truth. SEE PAGE 96 Pin perch, piggy
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Campfire 101 LOVE SPRING IN TEXAS (THE TIME OF the year not the city, although I have nothing against the city…) because the weather is perfect for camping and I enjoy camping. Roughing it in a tent with no electricity or dragging the pop-up to a state park with showers and toilets, it doesn’t matter. I just like getting out from under a solid roof for awhile. The part I enjoy most about camping is the campfire itself. The smell of the smoke and glow of the flames makes for a very relaxing setting for doing absolutely nothing. It doesn’t matter if you’re using your campfire to roast hotdogs, make smores, dry out wet socks, or to stave off hypothermia you first have to know how to build one effi-
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ciently. Let’s get the boring part out of the way first. What you need for a fire is something flammable, oxygen, and a spark. Your flammable material is broken down into three categories, tinder (items that catch fire very easily), kindling (small pieces of wood that catch fire easily but will stay lit longer than tinder), and fuel (large sticks and logs). In very general terms, the spark lights the tinder, which ignites the kindling, which in turn lights the fuel and presto you have a roaring campfire that makes you the envy men all over the world. If only it were that simple. The hardest part of building a campfire is getting it lit so let’s concentrate on what in my opinion are the two most important parts of the fire, tin-
der and spark. When looking for tinder think along the lines that smaller is better. Leaves catch fire easily but burn out very quickly unless you have a lot of them. Also, not all leaves are created equal. In my experience red oak leave tend to take a flame easier than other types. Pine straw catches fire easily and burns for a decent amount of time making it outstanding for starting a campfire if you happen to have some where you live. If you get desperate for tinder, you can also take your knife and cut shavings off a larger stick. The thinner
KAYAKING CONTINUED
FROM PAGE 94 perch, and silver perch all have a taste for speckled trout eggs and there are plenty of other marine organisms which eat trout eggs, not just croaker. Gut studies done by TPWD scientist show that speckled trout are opportunistic feeders and are just as likely to eat a brown shrimp as a finfish. Spawning trout regularly eat big meals, such as jumbo croaker and mullet, but if the opportunity to eat something else arises, she won’t hesitate. My brother, Dr. W. C. Berlocher, caught two 9-pound speckled trout one year, both on live shrimp. If you prefer to sling hardware rather than bait, pack an assortment of tackle to cover the entire water column. If walking the dog is your thing, carry a mix of large and small topwaters. Suspending plugs, which linger for extended periods at the 96 |
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you can make the shavings the better. Now, sometimes there is no tinder in the area, or it’s all wet, so you need to come up with your own. This is where a little preparation before you leave the house goes a long way. Fire starter bricks, the kind used in fireplaces, work fairly well but can sometimes be difficult to light with a single match so be prepared to use a more consistent spark to light them. If you have a cotton ball, a cotton swab, or even a torn piece of cotton cloth, you can cover it in petroleum jelly and use it as your kindling. The petroleum melts into the cotton and stays lit for a long time giving to time to add kindling and build a fire. Don’t have any petroleum jelly, how about hand sanitizer? You know the kind your wife keeps in her purse so she can squirt it on your kid’s hands after they pet the dog or pick their nose? Read the bottle, it is 60% alcohol and will light up with just a quick spark. Smear some on a stick or piece of bark, hit it with a lit match, and you can have a fire in an instant just be careful because the alcohol burns with a light colored flame so it is hard to see. Now that you know what to use as tinder you probably need to know what kind of spark is needed. I’m not going to suggest
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anything as elaborate as using a bow drill to start your fire, carry matches they work better. You need a second way to start the fire so carry a butane lighter as well. Now, I will give you one way to start a fire other than the matches and lighters. Take a nine volt battery and touch the posts to some steel wool. The electricity from the battery will travel through the steel causing it to overheat and catch fire. You can use this to impress your family just don’t tell
them where you learned it. Also, don’t store the steel wool and battery in the same container. That’s a good way to start a fire you didn’t intend to.
E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com
same depth, are always a good choice, especially if you have spotted a line of slicks at a specific depth. A handful of lead-head jigs in different weights and an assortment of plastic tails should round out your tackle. Regardless of the tackle you are casting, work slowly and diligently. If you catch a fish from a particular area, focus on it. Make 20–30 more casts to the same spot before contemplating fishing somewhere else. April and May are great months to catch the trout of a lifetime. Grab your kayak and start looking for windward shorelines. Greg Berlocher can be reached for question or comment at kayak@fishgame.com.
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2 cloves minced garlic 1 tsp dried thyme leaves 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp honey juice of 1/2 lemon
Non-Traditional Turkey SSUMING YOU NAIL A TURKEY THIS month, that’s a lot of bird to submit to traditional yet out-of-season Thanksgiving style or deep-fryer preparation. Here are some alternatives that will make family or casual dinner guests sit up and beg for more.
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1 basting brush Texas Gourmet’s Sweet Chipotle Season All Texas Gourmet’s Riverbed Steak Seasoning Cheesecloth (4 layers 10” x 10” for the oven and 10” x 6’ for the pit) 1 pint sugar 1 pint kosher salt
Sugar Cured Wild Turkey 1 wild turkey (domestic may be substituted), cleaned, skinned, and thawed if required 1 disposable plastic bag large enough to hold a 10- to 12-lb. turkey and 1-1/2 gallons of water
Heat ingredients to a boil. Use this to baste the turkey.
Basting Mixture 3 sticks butter or margarine 1 tsp black pepper 1 cup olive oil 2 Tbs crushed dried rosemary leaves
Oven Instructions Place the bird on a rack over a baking pan, breast side up. Place 4 layers of cheesecloth over the breast. Place bird in preheated oven at 325 degrees, bake for 31/2 to 4 hours or until meat thermometer inserted into fleshy part of inner thigh (not touching bone) reaches 180 degrees. Remove from oven, discard the cheesecloth, and drape a piece of foil loosely over the bird and allow it 25-30 minutes to rest before carving.
Pit Instructions Wrap the entire bird with 4 to 5 layers of cheesecloth (this will keep out excessive smoke and allow the baste to keep the bird moist during smoking). Use about 5 lbs. of charcoal to start, then add pecan and hickory wood, or a combination of them. Preheat the pit to about 300 degrees. Place the bird, breast side up, on the pit on the far end from the firebox. Baste with basting sauce every 45 minutes. Smoke at 275-300 degrees for 5-6 hours or until meat thermometer inserted into fleshy part of inner thigh (not touching bone) reaches 180 degrees. Remove from pit and drape a piece of foil over the bird for 30-40 minutes to rest the meat. Then remove and discard the cheesecloth. Carve and serve with Texas Gourmet’s Black Bean Pico de Gallo and your favorite sides.
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PHOTO: VER2EXE | DREAMSTIME.COM
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1 cup mayonnaise 1 Tbs Texas Gourmet “Sweet Chipotle Season All” 2 green onions, rinsed and diced Mix mayonnaise and Sweet Chipotle Season All together in a bowl, then place in refrigerator. In a large bowl, combine turkey meat, celery, green onions, apples, and pecans. Stir to mix. Add Chipotle-mayonnaise mixture and stir until well blended. Chill, serve as a sandwich or over lettuce as a salad.
Contact Bryan Slaven, “The Texas Gourmet,” at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com
Cajun Fried Turkey Salad 2-1/2 to 3 lbs fried turkey meat, skinned, boned, and chopped 3 stalks celery, rinsed and chopped fine
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2 apples, skinned, cored, and chopped fine 1/2 lb pecan halves, roasted in oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, cooled, then coarsely chopped
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TEXAS HUNTING
Mitch Skarban White Oak Outfitters
TEXAS HUNTING
TEXAS FRESHWATER LAKE AMISTAD Brett Striper Striper Express Guide Service
TEXAS FRESHWATER LAKE TEXOMA
EAST TEXAS
SOUTH TEXAS John Sartin, his wife and dad Stripers Texoma Striper Fishing 100 |
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Michelle Matthew Reds North Padre Boating Adventures
Aeric Drum Redfish Charters
San Antionio Fishing Guides
TEXAS SALTWATER
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ROCKPORT
GALVESTON
MIDDLE COAST
FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION CALL DENNISE 281.869.5519
CORPUS CHRISTI
ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!
UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE) BAFFIN BAY
SPOTLIGHT: WHITE OAK OUTFITTERS
WWW.FISHGAME.COM
White Oak Outfitters is an owner-operated outfitting service offering deer, boar and bear hunts since 1993. They provide fair-chase hunts for hunters of all ages on 3000 acres in beautiful East Texas. Bear hunts take place in August and September in cooperation with Nolalu outfitters in Ontario Canada and carried out on 4 Bear Management Areas. Texas hog hunts have a two-day minimum and are conducted year around. Deer hunts run from October through December. Hunters can hunt as long as they want for the flat daily rate. White Oak Outfitters processes all game by quartering, wrapping and freezing all the meat. There are no trophy fees or any other hidden costs. Living quarters are provided along with cooking facilities at no extra charge. “We try to treat people the way we would like to be treated if we were hunting with them,” said Bruce Hunnicut, owner. “We feel we have one of the premier hunting areas in the country. We would be glad to book a hunt for anyone who wants to experience a hunt of a lifetime.” Call Bruce to schedule your next hunt @ (903) 537-2651 or visit www.whiteoakoutfittersinc.com C O A S T A L
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Redfish Port Aransas
this Pass caught h of Aransas berts Point Melinda Ploc Ro at s ck ro f the ll 28-inch red of caught the bu Aransas. She . line. -lb Park in Port 15 on d, ad squi red using de
Largemouth Bass
Speckled Trout
Private Pond
South Padre
Ryan Wright , 9, of Rosenb erg caught hi first bass in s a small pond near Rosenb The 8 pounde erg. r was release d. Ryan Dad Brian Strain are avid saltw ater anglers.
st ows off his fir mson IV, 7, sh ches. Clifton Clifton Willia in 23 d an s ound trout, 4.15-p ts around the eck in the fla na Madre. caught his sp gu La r we the Lo causeway in
Speckled Trout Redfish
South Padre
East Matagorda
Blackbuck Antelope Weimer
Sydney Harri s, 11, from De er blackbuck an telope huntin Park shot this g with her Un Obie at Triple cle X-Otics near Weimer. it wa her first hunt s and she mad e a perfect sh ot.
is 27nd landed th , of Sugar La r the first time. fo Tyler Mora, 11 s tic as g soft pl ll on inch red usin . Ken Marsha ng with Capt He was fishi rda Bay. East Matago
David Camar illo caught this 26 Jr., 13, of Brownsville -inch, 5.25-po und speck wh wadefishing with his Dad, ile David Sr., in bay off South the Padre Island.
Redfish Sargent
Redfish
Redfish
Sargent Sargent
dfish at is 35-inch re ter caught th hing with F & G George Rich fis t, t in Sargen and Mitchell’s Cu ed Heimann d buddies Fr os)… ot ph o Outfitters, an tw xt on (see ne Owen Anders
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… Fred Heim ann caught th is 42-inch bu red at Mitche ll ll’s Cut in Sa rgent with pa George Rich ls ter (photo left) , and Owen Anders (next photo)…
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y ged out budd rson barely ed …Owen Ande enter photo) with this 43 h n (c Fred Heiman t. All three fis Mitchell’s Cu ute period. inch bull from in -m 45 a in with were caught
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Turkey La Vernia
Whitetail Buck his rnia bagged k, 9, of La Ve Nathan Wiatre e family farm. The turkey th a .410 first turkey at s taken with beard and wa had a 9 inch steps. shotgun at 10
Lavaca County Melissa Gilb ert, age 10, of Ho her first deer in Lavaca Co uston shot unty. The bu scored 151 1/ ck 2 B&C. One shot, one kill Dad John Gi — lbert, is very proud.
Redfish Laguna Madre is len caught th o, from McAl r we Lo e th Joe Maldonad ng while fishi 35-inch redfish e. Laguna Madr
Speckled Trout Matagorda
Bobcat
Whitetail Buck
Matagorda Co.
Fredricksburg
Curtiss Berry of Sweeny to ok this bobc 23 yards with at at his Mathews ZSugarvalley, Matagorda Co Max bow, at unty. The ca taken one da t wa y shy of Curti ss’s 25th birth s day.
Winnie is pic, age 11, from n near Kate Devillier , take er de st fir r d. tured with he g with her Da while huntin Fredricksburg
This 25-inch spec kayaking in Th kled trout was caught re Pictured is Ma e Mile Cut at Matagorda. tt Feyen. The trout was also released.
Mixed Stringer Gulf of Mexico
Coyote Brenham
Dove Abernathy
, 15, Ty Natalie Pugh — from left, some us pl — These three 14 d Nate Horne, nt outside of Pugh, 13, an hu a great dove parents had lots of work! The dog got Abernathy.
Greg Faught of Corpus Christi, caught a nice mixed stringer fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
coyham shot this it alski of Bren t go He e. ttl ca Charlie Cend g y while feedin ote at midda at 145 yds with a 22-250
Turkey No Location Given
Speckled Trout
Redfish
Moses Lake
Where Caught Mike Ray bagg ed this turkey using Comm ando Game Ca with a bow, lls weighed in at 24 pounds, wi . The tom beard, and 1th a 10.75-inch inch spurs.
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is 25na caught th er of Pasade th Taylor Mesech d trout at Moses Lake wi un inch, 5-1/2 po Johnathon Modisete. d his good frien
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Alternative Lifestyles for Crappie BY DON ZAIDLE
PHOTO: © TEXAS FISH & GAME
“TELL ME AGAIN WHERE YOU escaped from, Zaidle?” My friend, Paul Foster, delivered the gibe as we began dabbling hopeful offerings beneath a bridge on Lake Bridgeport. “Shut up, Foster,” I replied. “You’re just jealous because I have more fun than you do. Besides, I am the writer here, I have poetic license.” Paul was dismayed by my latest application of innovative (he called it “weird”) technique for seducing “barn doors” to the hook. I was presenting a Swedish Pimple with a fly rod to which I’d affixed with electrical tape a nifty new Garcia spinning reel. Okay, when you say it like that, I guess it does sound a little weird. Be that as it may, I knew what I was doing. The Pimple—which is not something squeezed out the face of a fat broad named Helga, but an ice fishing lure of Swedish origin—is basically a jigging spoon of diminutive proportions. The long rod gave me the advantages of extended reach, ultra-finesse presentation, and superb sensitivity. The Pimple gave me something unique that appealed to the fish’s predatory instincts. The combination gave me superior butt-kicking ability I N L A N D
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against both fish and friend. In no time I’d boated three fish to Paul’s one as he feverishly applied hook to minnow between bites. “What’s the matter, Foster,” I teased. “Pressure getting to you?” “Shut up, Zaidle,” my friend retorted. “My fingers are cold, and you’re an elbow besides.” After a few more broad-shouldered slabs came over the gunwale, Foster said sheepishly, “Say, Zaidle, you got anymore of those Pimples?” “How much money you got, Foster?” In a general sense, crappie mavens come in two basic flavors: jiggers and minnow-drowners. There are variations within each discipline, and cross-dressers who enjoy the best of both worlds. Me? I’m a Renaissance Man. I like juxtaposing the old with the F I S H
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90 COVER STORY • Alternative Lifestyles for Crappie | BY DON ZAIDLE
FISHING FORECAST SECTION
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TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK Tides & Prime Times | BY TF&G STAFF
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new, mingling, mixing, matching, and experimenting. But mostly I like to catch fish. That one vice (okay, one of many) compels me to a certain, shall we say, “discretion” in choosing which deviations I adopt into my repertoire. If it works, I keep it. If it doesn’t, I chalk it up to experience and move on. The Ecclesiastic axiom “there is no new thing under the sun” is really true. All of the
YANKEE TACKLE
FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, Texas tackle stores do not stock ice lures. Mail order is the only option. Here are a couple of sources. I recommend getting a catalog to order from rather than buying blind-some of that ice stuff is pretty weird. Bay de Noc Lure Company (Swedish Pimple) P.O. Box 71 Dept. TFG Gladstone, Michigan 49837 Website: www.baydenoclure.com HT Enterprises (Misc. ice lures) P.O. Box 909 Campbellsport, WI 53010 Pho. 920-533-5080 Website: www.htent.com 58 |
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OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION
TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • What Makes a Classic? | BY STEVE LAMASCUS
BOWHUNTING TECH From Field to Feast | BY LOU MARULLO
NEW PRODUCTS • Hot New Outdoor Gear | BY TF&G STAFF
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TEXAS BOATING • Economic Windfall | BY LENNY RUDOW
TEXAS KAYAKING • Trout of a Lifetime |
OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Guides, Gear and More | BY TF&G STAFF TF&G PHOTOS • Your Action Photos | BY TF&G READERS
BY GREG BERLOCHER
PAUL’S TIPS • Campfire 101 |
BY PAUL BRADSHAW
GEARING UP SECTION
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TEXAS TESTED • Muzzy, Frabill, Aqualuma | BY TF&G STAFF
INDUSTRY INSIDER • Shimano, Galveston Bay Foundation | BY TF&G STAFF
innovations in tackle and technique announced almost daily are just variations on common themes, fanfare and hyperbole notwithstanding. However, transporting one technique, bait, or piece of tackle from one locale to another—or one species to another—yields something new, if not to the angler, then to the fish. And that, to plagiarize Robert Frost, has made all the difference. Take that Pimple, for instance. Not one out of 100 Texas anglers has ever heard of it. On the other hand, there’s not a Yankee ice fisherman that hasn’t heard of it, and has probably used it. The point being, if Yankee crappie fall for a Pimple jigged vertically through an ice hole, why wouldn’t Texas crappie fall for one jigged beside a bridge piling? The unique aspect this and other ice lures present is something new to both fish and angler. Some lures are made on the order of diminutive spinners with propellers small enough to use in your eyebrows. Others resemble everything from fish eyes to Daphnia magna—the water flea, a.k.a. “Water Monkeys” on the ad pages of comic books of yore. So, why go to all the bother to import ice lures from the Great Frozen North? Well,
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www.FishGame.com for one thing, Texas crappie love them, especially in winter when tiny baits are the thing. For another thing, ice lures have unique actions that traditional jigs don’t. They flutter, swim, swoop, and chandelle just like real baitfish, providing an edge when crappie get finicky. Besides, they’re just plain fun to use. While we are on the subject of baits, I’ve always been intrigued that crappie anglers elsewhere use on live and cut baits such as traditional worms, mussels, crickets, and even maggots. Yes, I’ve tried them all, and they work just as well in Texas waters. Now that we have our maggots all in a row, let’s talk “fly spinning”—my name for the fly rod-spinning reel hybrid mentioned earlier. In the great scheme of the universe, what is a fly rod but an extra-long spinning rod with the reel seat in the wrong place and funky line guides? Actually, for some applications, it is a superior spinning rod for crappie. I got the inspiration for fly spinning for crappie many years ago when I saw an old angler using the same technique for springtime bass. He was using the rig to deliver 1/4-ounce crappie jigs CONTINUED onto spawning beds. And he was SEE PAGE 60
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TIPS: Good place for drifting or wading with soft plastics or bait
UPPER GULF COAST
Topwaters and Eels for Specks by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com
LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Three Beacons GPS: N28 40.518, W95 53.05398 (28.675300, -95.884233) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwater lures, Corkys and Catch 2000 CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: Afternoon trips work better than morning trips. LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Pig Pen GPS: N29 25.49202, W94 43.88202 (29.424867, -94.731367) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwater baits in a chrome color CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475 TIPS: If you aren’t throwing chrome, you aren’t throwing the right color. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Mosquito Island GPS: N29 23.484, W94 53.08002 (29.391400, -94.884667) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Norton Sand Eels or Saltwater Assassins in Pearl or Bone colors CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475
LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Campbell’s Bayou GPS: N29 21.063, W94 53.27598 (29.351050, -94.887933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 1/2-ounce; gold spoon; 3/8 jigheads with Norton Eels or Saltwater Assassins in a Pearl or Bone colors CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475 TIPS: Bigger trout are on or close to the bottom. Make sure your lure works this area. LOCATION: Sabine Jetties HOTSPOT: West Jetty GPS: N29 40.371, W93 50.25 (29.672850, -93.837500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Finger mullet or live pogeys CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-786-
COVER STORY killing them. “This old fly rod FROM PG. 58 gives me more reach,” he said of the 8-1/2 footer. “I can place a small lure almost anywhere within 20 feet, and do it gently. The jigs are closer to the size of the bream and other small fish that invade the beds. I can feel the pickup better. Plus,” he added with a grin, “I get as much fight out of a 4-pounder as I do from an 8-pounder.” Fly rods are astonishingly subtle instruments. The tiniest vibrations transmit up the rod to the angler’s hand with RCA “Surround Sound” clarity. Reciprocally, imperceptible hand movements are transmitted to the bait, inducing an enticing wiggle envied by the most seasoned red-light veterans. The extra reach is especially handy. You can cover a 20-foot arc around your boat CONTINUED
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without moving. Reaching way back yonder in the willows to snatch pre-spawners is a snap. If necessity or a yen for offbeat sport calls for it, you can setup for ultra-finesse presentation of flea-weight lures and baits. Start by wrapping a large spinning guide onto the fly rod on the side opposite the stripping guide. Now twist the two sections so that the spinning guide aligns with the rest of the guides. Spool up with 4-poundtest monofilament. Tie on a No. 10 Mustad hook, and let the fun begin… Start by threading a 1-inch Mister Twister grub onto the hook. Do not use a weight. The whip of the rod and the combined weight of hook and grub are enough to make respectable casts into shoreline spawning cover. The grub will sink so-veryslowly that it practically suspends. You can
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2018 or 409-673-9211 TIPS: Fish tight to the rocks LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Pleasure Island GPS: N29 55.77702, W93 51.94902 (29.929617, -93.865817)
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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live pogeys CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-7862018 or 409-673-9211 TIPS: Any location on the south end of the lake should be home to a lot of trout.
LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Blue Buck Point GPS: N29 47.77998, W93 54.43902 (29.796333, -93.907317) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live pogeys CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-7862018 or 409-673-9211 TIPS: Trout will be following incoming bait on bull tides. LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Cotton Bayou GPS: N28 30.60198, W96 12.603 (28.510033, -96.210050) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Norton Bull Minnows in Back Magic or Chicken on a Chain colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: Work the lure slowly across the area; feel the bite.
MIDDLE GULF COAST
Bet on Croaker for Mid-Coast Trout by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: Lydia Ann Channel GPS: N27 57.40998, W97 3.58998 (27.956833, -97.059833) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croakers CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Free line the croaker LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: Quarantine Shore GPS: N27 55.00602, W97 4.06998 (27.916767, -97.067833) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croaker CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Free line using no weight 62 |
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LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Packery Channel Flats GPS: N27 37.94202, W97 13.026 (27.632367, -97.217100) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics, 3-4-inches in length CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: Use soft plastic baits that have a swimming tail motion.
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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Nine Mile Hole GPS: N27 3.91098, W97 24.67098 (27.065183, -97.411183) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastic, 3-4-inches in length CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: If the water turns dirty in the high winds that sometime happen in the spring,
keep your bait 3-4-inches deep. It will go over the top of the fish and they can look up and see it. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Yarborough Flats GPS: N27 12.77898, W97 23.85 (27.212983, -97.397500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastic baits, 3-4-inches in length in Salt and Pepper color.
LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay HOTSPOT: Pringle Lake GPS: N28 19.82898, W96 28.67202 (28.330483, -96.477867) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwater artificial baits in a Bone color or Texas Tackle Factory Trout Killers in Pumpkinseed color using a 1/8ounce; jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: South shoreline is excellent for wade-fishing. LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Ayers Bay GPS: N28 11.115, W96 50.25 (28.185250, -96.837500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce; gold spoons CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: Look for nervous bait LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Allyn's Shoreline GPS: N27 58.86402, W96 59.29002 (27.981067, -96.988167) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croaker CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Anchor and throw toward shore LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Live Oak Point GPS: N28 15.06714, W96 47.23242 (28.251119, -96.787207) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce; gold spoons CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: Good spot to drift fish for redfish I N L A N D
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LOWER GULF COAST
Trout, Redfish and Snook by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Kenedy Ranch Shoreline GPS: N27 15.55002, W97 25.15398 (27.259167, -97.419233) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in strawber-
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ry/white, black back, plum/chartreuse, rootbeer/red flake, Morning Glory CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361449-7441 TIPS: Trout gravitate to the weedlines near the shoreline. Soft plastics fished with a 1/8-ounce jighead are a first choice for artificial fans. Don’t ignore a Mansfield Mauler. The noisy float will help you fish slower, which early-spring trout prefer. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Center Reef GPS: N27 16.206, W97 24.36198 (27.270100, -97.406033) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in strawberry/white, black back, plum/chartreuse, rootbeer/red flake, Morning Glory CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361449-7441 TIPS: fish the rocks as slowly as you
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can. Work any areas that look like ambush points. A corky or Corky Devil is a great lure for this application. Again, fish painfully slow. Use a plastic under a Mauler to fish even slower. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Long Bar GPS: N26 8.349, W97 11.19402 (26.139150, -97.186567) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Logic Baits tandems in red/white, chartreuse/glitter, live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Fish north and west of the Long Bar, where speckled trout start aggregating in the deeper water. Water is still cool, so fish deeper and more slowly. Use a 24 to 28-inch leader with shrimp/cork combos. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.66902, W97 13.00902 (26.027817, -97.216817) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp; Logic Baits tandems in gold/meltalflake CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: If the snook aren’t around, watch for redfish cruising the shallows. These fish will respond to live bait under a Mauler or soft plastics worked near the bottom. Most are slot fish, but there are some taggers in there.
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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.66902, W97 13.00902 (26.027817, -97.216817) SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: Bomber Jointed Long A's in red/clear, chartreuse/clear; Logic Baits tandems in gold/meltalflake CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: It may still be a touch cool for snook, but they may be present around the mangroves along the windward shoreline. Fish jointed lures erratically. If fish are still sluggish, use a sot plastic weightless.
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956-551-9581 TIPS: Fish closer to the shoreline. Watch for mud boils and tailing fish. Cut mullet is always a good bet, as is live shrimp. Kayakers can score well with gold spoons and soft plastics. LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Community Bar GPS: N26 35.14398, W97 25.644
(26.585733, -97.427400) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, soft plastics in glow/chartreuse, Pearl/glow CONTACT: Captain Steven Devries, 956289-3631 TIPS: Start off in the drop-offs on either side of the bar, and then work the deeper water between the bar and the shoreline. The trout will cruise the edges on mild
LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Twin Bars GPS: N26 10.524, W97 17.37198 (26.175400, -97.289533) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters early; Logic Baits tandems in red/white, chartreuse/glitter, live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Look for the submerged bars during low tide and mark their location. Work the top of the bars with topwaters early. Fish the edges with live shrimp and soft plastics in and incoming or falling tide. Fish the channel when water isn’t moving. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Holly Beach GPS: N26 8.19, W97 17.50698 (26.136500, -97.291783) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh mullet; soft plastics in red/white, purple/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956-551-9581 TIPS: April winds can still be strong, so use a drift sock when working the flats. Fish the old channel edges with either live bait or soft plastics . An old favorite is the Norton shrimp tail under an Alameda float. Use a 1/8th-ounce jighead. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Holly Beach GPS: N26 8.19, W97 17.50698 (26.136500, -97.291783) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, cut mullet, gold 1/4 spoons, soft plastics in red/white CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, I N L A N D
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days, or hold in the deep stuff if the water is still cool.
PINEY WOODS
Hybrids, Bass and Bream by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Red Belly GPS: N32 43.27524, W94 6.88176 (32.721254, -94.114696) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Senkos, Texas-rigged lizards, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits CONTACT: Paul Keith, caddoguide@att.net, 318-455-3437, caddolakefishing.com TIPS: The fish are in the middle of the spawn this month. Fish the bases of the cypress trees that are from one to four feet deep. Dark colors work best on soft plastic lures.
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LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 23.7141, W95 35.41422 (30.395235, -95.590237) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Storm swimbaits, live shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, admin@fishdudetx.com, 936-291-1277, fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrids will school on the surface in the mornings and will be easy to catch on swimbaits. They will be on mainlake points that have sandy bottoms. When you locate schools of shad you will find hybrids. Use live bait when the fish go deep. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Dale Creek GPS: N32 49.608, W95 35.52 (N32.826800, W-95.592000) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, Mr. Twister Hawg Frog & Comida worms TIPS: The bass will be in full spawn, so fish all the small out of way pockets and you should find good numbers of fish, along with some trophy sized largemouth. Remember, covering a lot of water in the spring can hurt you when searching for tro-
phy bass. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Mustang Creek GPS: N32 51.804, W95 38.76 (N32.863400, W-95.646000) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: soft-plastics rigged weightless or wacky style TIPS: Start at the Highway 17 Bridge and work west. Fish the small pockets and inlets in Mustang all the way in and out. Bass should be nesting in water less than 5 feet deep. Work a worm rigged without weight from shoreline cover out to the first break line. LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: The Pocket GPS: N30 55.662, W95 15.054 (30.927700, -95.250900) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Creature Baits, lizards, medium-diving crankbaits CONTACT: David S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Fish soft plastics under the boathouses, targeting brush piles and laydowns. Fish crankbaits off the rocky points. Watermelon seed and June bug are the best colors for the soft plastic lures. Carolina Cove Marina has bank access. LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res. HOTSPOT: The Snake Pit GPS: N31 43.7817, W93 49.86516 (31.729695, -93.831086) SPECIES: bream BEST BAITS: Crickets, small jigs CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: Bream will start moving onto the beds in April. Work the small cuts and pockets along the shorelines that are protected from the wind. The beds will be easy to spot and will look like honeycombs. Fish from front to back so you won’t spook the fish.
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PRAIRIES & LAKES
Catfish, Hybrids, Whites & Crappie by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Cedar Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake Points GPS: N32 12.54546, W96 5.86704 (32.209091, -96.097784) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Three to four-inch Sassy Shads, swimbaits, Zara Spooks CONTACT: Jason Barber, kingcreekadventures@yahoo.com, 903-887-7896, kingcreekadventures.com TIPS: Fish the most obvious mid-lake points. The more exposed windy points are best. Watch for bird and bait activity. Fish from 1-5 feet deep because the hybrids will be in a spawning mode and feeding on shad in shallow water.
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LOCATION: Fayette County Res. HOTSPOT: Buzzard Point GPS: N29 56.31696, W96 44.217 (29.938616, -96.736950) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, worms, cut bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor at the south end of the point. Place rods in several directions until you find the fish. If the wind is blowing toward the bank, move in to fish shallow. Fish deeper water over the old highway 159 bridge as it gets later in the day. LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Sulphur Creek GPS: N30 37.61316, W96 3.11064 (30.626886, -96.051844) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, worms, shrimp dipped in stinkbait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3101,
FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor in 16 feet of water. Set rods out around the boat. Tight-line with 3/4-oz. egg sinker with No.4 treble for stinkbait and No.2 Kahle for shad. Use chum if after channel cats only. This area is good year-round and night also is good here. LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Snake Island GPS: N31 55.30656, W97 12.8484 (31.921776, -97.214140) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Little Georges, Fle Flies, grubs CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: This is a great time to load the boat with two fish at a time. I use a grub on a leadhead with a Fle Fly about 12inches above the grub. Make long cast around the island. When a fish is hooked, let it swim around and another will hit the Fle Fly.
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LOCATION: Lake Belton HOTSPOT: Jubilee Springs GPS: N31 10.236, W97 29.83998 (31.170600, -97.497333) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad CONTACT: Bob Maindelle,
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Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Anchor very carefully so as not to disturb fish you have located. Tightline with live shad and change baits often. Don’t be afraid to use big baits.
LOCATION: Lake Bridgeport HOTSPOT: Stripling Island GPS: N33 13.113, W97 51.78558 (33.218550, -97.863093) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad, chrome/blue Rat-L-Trap CONTACT: TF&G Hotspots TIPS: Troll along the edge of the island and the flats on either side. LOCATION: Lake Cooper HOTSPOT: Dam Points GPS: N33 19.8939, W95 37.80654 (33.331565, -95.630109) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad and jighead CONTACT: Tony Parker, tawakonifihing@yahoo.com, 903-348-1619, tonyparkerfishing.com TIPS: My old standby is a four-inch Sassy Shad on a 1/2-ounce jighead or a 3/4-ounce jig head depending on the depth I am fishing. The hybrids still will be shallow. Target main-lake points and the entire length of the dam. Retrieve slowly in deep water. LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Clark’s Creek GPS: N33 27.234, W96 53.82 (N33.453900, W-96.897000) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows TIPS: Work timber in shallows for spawners; morning thru afternoon. LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Main-Lake Points North of Power Plant GPS: N33 3.2613, W96 25.33152 (33.054355, -96.422192) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Black and chartreuse jigs CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: The fish are spawning in 8-inches to 2 feet of water. Fish the heaviest brush in the backs of the coves because they warm up fast during daytime hours. Fish under the Mallard Park bridge and coves
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with 10-12-foot BM jig poles, 8-10-pound test line. LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Main Lake and Secondary Points GPS: N33 5.18538, W96 55.99092 (33.086423, -96.933182) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh shad, Secret 7 dip bait CONTACT: Bobby Kubin, bobby@bobby-catfishing.com, 817-4552894, bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: The shad spawn is under way. Look for egrets feeding on spawning shad along wind-blown points. You can catch catfish, white bass and hybrids in these areas. You can load the boat with channel cats using Secret 7 dip bait on a No. 6 treble hook. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Caney Creek Tributary GPS: N32 9.39444, W95 30.08412 (32.156574, -95.501402)
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SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Shimmy Shaker, Bomber Long A, Smithwick Rouge, Mr. Twister Comedia worm CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: This is just one of numerous coves, creeks and backwater areas that produce bass when the water falls to low to mid-60s. Fish and grass and laydowns in every shallow cove or creek you can find. Fish slowly because the spring spawn is going strong. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Farm to Market 315 Bridge GPS: N32 12.30162, W95 30.42912 (32.205027, -95.507152) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Mr. Twister Mr. Minnow CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Crappie will be in both shallow pockets and on brush piles placed in the
lake by fishermen including those under the bridges. I use the Mr. Minnow jigs in Gobby Green and Blue-White colors. Fish slowly at depths from one to 10 feet for best results. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Lower Lake Points GPS: N32 4.86702, W95 26.23002 (32.081117, -95.437167) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shads, spoons, RatL-Traps, Mepps spinners CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: White bass and hybrid striped bass will be feeding actively early and late just off the points at the south end of the lake. Fish the lures in two to 10 feet of water for best results. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Crappie Point GPS: N30 18.4215, W96 34.09584 (30.307025, -96.568264)
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SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16 or 1/32-ounce curly tail crappie jigs, minnows CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Fish straight down around rock bottom or Christmas trees that have been submerged here. Fish slowly and thoroughly with jigs or minnows. Start 3-4 feet off the bottom and fish all sides of the Christmas trees. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Dam Rock Island GPS: N30 19.035, W96 31.989 (30.317250, -96.533150) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, cut bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-Guide Service.com
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TIPS: Anchor in 12-16 feet of water and chum the area around the boat. Set rods out in various directions. Use a slip cork if the wind is light to fish just above the rocks on the bottom. The bite may be light so set the hook at the slightest thump. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: The Islands GPS: N33 51.55992, W96 42.26466 (33.859332, -96.704411) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Coho minnows, Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: Big fish are roaming the flats and main-lake points at 5-30-feet depths. Cast white glow or chartreuse 3/4-ounce Coho minnows and Sassy Shads on the banks for great topwater action. You may catch egg-
laden stripers to 20-pounds. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Willafa Woods GPS: N33 53.8302, W96 34.6017 (33.897170, -96.576695) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Coho Minnows, Sassy Shad CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: The big stripers are roaming the flats and main lake points. Cast 3/4 to 1ounce Sassy Shads or Coho Minnows to the bank for great topwater action. The Islands also should not be overlooked. Roads End and Mill Creek Flats offer bank access. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Buncombe Creek GPS: N33 52.866, W96 47.82 (N33.881100, W-96.797000) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: topwaters, live shad CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com Tips: Stripers will be on two patterns: topwaters and live shad. Blind cast Pencil Poppers and Chug-Bugs early, to banks. Best colors are chrome and blue. Later in the day, fish live shad on a Carolina Rig. Anchor on ledges and mouths of creeks. LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Striper Point GPS: N31 52.99014, W97 23.4528 (31.883169, -97.390880) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: swimbaits, live shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS: Big stripers are shallow. Start early by casting chartreuse swimbaits and ripping them back to the boat in 3-10 feet of water. Small swimbaits will catch a lot of white bass. After the sun rises use a Carolina rig to cast live shad along the grass. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers Res.
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HOTSPOT: Coffee Creek GPS: N31 59.3292, W96 16.76742 (31.988820, -96.279457) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Kicker Craw or Red Bird Dog soft plastics CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 682-5188252, schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: The spawn is in full swing. Use Watermelon and watermelon-red lures.
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Target 1-4 feet deep water. This area usually is clear but you will need a push pole to reach spawning areas. Grape Creek also is a good place to try. Target boat docks and flats. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT: Fisherman’s Point GPS: N31 56.34996, W96 7.20696 (31.939166, -96.120116) SPECIES: crappie
BEST BAITS: Small jigs, minnows CONTACT: Royce Simmons royce@gonefishin.biz., 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS: April is the most consistent month of the year. Use small jigs or minnows under a cork in 1-3 feet of water. Fish the grassy areas in the backs of coves and creeks. Both coves in the back of Fisherman’s Point Marina yield catches to bank fishermen.
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LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Lake HOTSPOT: Long Bridge Pillars GPS: N31 0.537, W97 38.87898 (31.008950, -97.647983) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Medium shiners, jigs CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Use medium shiners or black jigs with orange tails on slip bobbers during the day. At night, use green lights and white lights and fish medium shiners on slip bobbers under them. Keep boat noise to a minimum.
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ored worms usually work best but topwater lures fished early also will draw action.
PANHANDLE
Largemouth and Stripers by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: OH Ivie Res. HOTSPOT: North Island Channel Edge GPS: N31 32.58396, W99 40.66296 (31.543066, -99.677716) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: 10-inch plastic worms CONTACT: Dave Caudle, fishinwithdave@aol.com, 325-365-1020, fishinwithdave.com TIPS: The spawn is in full swing in the shallows. Points and ledges near deep water will hold huge females. Darker-col-
LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT: Costello Island Cut GPS: N32 54.27588, W98 28.14 (32.904598, -98.469000) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad, crankbaits, slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: The fish will be either in the middle of the cut or just north and west on the flats at 8 to 30 feet. They sometimes move to the south end of the island and suspend off the ledge at 24-36 feet. Launch at Sam's Dock just south of the island. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT: Mouth of Brazos River GPS: N32 58.122, W98 24.36 (N32.968700, W-98.406000) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: shallow-running crankbaits; slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Start north of Costello Island and work north. There should still be gulls on the lake, so that's extra eyes on the water early in the morning. Watch the gulls and work the breaklines and sandy flats. Fish a slab and jig vertically this time of year.
HILL COUNTRY
Canyon Bass and Redfish by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Canyon Park Area GPS: N29 53.82432, W98 13.8414 (29.897072, -98.230690) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Fluke Shake, Shakey Head, Wackey Worm, Crème Whaky Stick, Jewel Jig, spinnerbait 72 |
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CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, kandie@gvtc.com, 210-823-2153 TIPS: Target backs of the creeks. The fish will move where the sun warms up early. Some bass may be on the beds. Check the bluff wall on the right after the point. Jig early and slowly. Use 1/8-oz. shakey heads, 1/32-oz. wackey worms, 1/2-oz. spinnerbaits. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Canyon Park Area GPS: N29 53.82432, W98 13.8414 (29.897072, -98.230690) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Fluke Shake, Shakey Head, Wackey Worm, Crème Whaky Stick, Jewel Jig, spinnerbait CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, kandie@gvtc.com, 210-823-2153 TIPS: Target backs of the creeks. The fish will move where the sun warms up early. Some bass may be on the beds. Check the bluff wall on the right after the point. Jig early and slowly. Use 1/8-oz. shakey heads, 1/32-oz. wackey worms, 1/2-oz. spinnerbaits.
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GPS: N26 52.74768, W99 19.66926 (26.879128, -99.327821) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cut shad, shrimp, punch bait CONTACT: Robert Amaya, robertsfishntackle@gmail.com, 956-765-1442, www.robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: This is the time of the year when the big blue catfish are staging for the spawn. They will be traveling along the
main river channel and staging around the bends. Anchor or drift slowly with the bait just off the bottom.
On the Web www.FishGame.com/hotspots
LOCATION: Lake Granger HOTSPOT: Fox Park GPS: N30 41.1495, W97 20.69238 (30.685825, -97.344873) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce Panfish Assassin jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmain.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com TIPS: Fish the jigs on slip bobbers along the banks of the main lake, Fox Park and the cove east of the park. Find stumps and small stickups near the bank. Work the jigs around them. Some of the biggest crappie are caught in 3-7-foot flats. Fish vertically.
SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS
Border Cats on Falcon by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: River Channel I N L A N D
A L M A N A C
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APRIL 2011
Tides and Prime Times
USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR
The following pages contain TIDE and SOLUNAR predictions for Galveston Channel (29.3166° N, 94.88° W).
T12
T4
T11
T10 T9
TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the upper white boxes on the Calendar Pages. Use the Correction Table below, which is keyed to 23 other tide stations, to adjust low and high tide times.
T8 T6 T5 T17
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the lower color boxes of the Calendar pages. Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE below to adjust times for points East and West of Galveston Channel.
T15 T16
T14
AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets. These phases last 1 to 2 hours.
T18
AM & PM MAJOR phases occur when the moon reaches its highest point overhead as well as when it is “underfoot” or at its highest point on the exact opposite side of the earth from your positoin (or literally under your feet). Most days have two Major Feeding Phases, each lasting about 2 hours.
T19
SOLAR & LUNAR ACTIVITY: Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 7:51p
T20
PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to your location, the stronger the influence. FULL or NEW MOONS provide the strongest influnce of the month.
AM Minor: 9:11a AM Major: 2:57a PM Minor: 9:40p PM Major: 3:25p Moonrise:9:27a Moon Set: None Moon Overhead:
T21
TIDE PREDICTIONS are shown in graph form, with High and Low tide predictions in text immediately below. SOLUNAR ACTIVITY data is provided to indicate major and minor feeding periods for each day, as the daily phases of the moon have varying degrees of influence on many wildlife species.
T13 T7
T3 T2 T1
PEAK TIMES: When a Solunar Period falls within 30 minutes to an hour of sunrise or sunset, anticipate increased action. A moon rise or moon set during one of these periods will cause even greater action. If a FULL or NEW MOON occurs during a Solunar Period, expect the best action of the season.
4:55p
TIDE CORRECTION TABLE Add or subtract the time shown at the rightof the Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine the adjustment from the time shown for GALVESTON CHANNEL in the calendars.
KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
PLACE Sabine Bank Lighthouse Sabine Pass Jetty Sabine Pass Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass Galveston Bay, S. Jetty Port Bolivar
NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION
HIGH -1:46 -1:26 -1:00 -0:04 -0:39 +0:14
LOW -1:31 -1:31 -1:15 -0:25 -1:05 -0:06
KEY PLACE HIGH Galveston Channel/Bays T7 Texas City Turning Basin +0:33 +3:54 T8 Eagle Point +6:05 T9 Clear Lake +10:21 T10 Morgans Point T11 Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39
LOW +0:41 +4:15 +6:40 +5:19 +5:15
KEY T12 T13 T14 T15 T16 T17
PLACE Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, W. Bay Alligator Point, W. Bay Christmas Pt Galveston Pleasure Pier
HIGH +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -1:06
LOW +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:33 +2:31 -1:06
KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23
PLACE San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor Pass Cavallo Aransas Pass Padre Island (So. End) Port Isabel
SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:
T22 T23
KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE GRAPH: Yellow: Daylight
12a
Tab: Peak Fishing Period
6a
12p
6p
12a
Light Blue: Nighttime
BEST:
7:05-9:40 PM
Green: Falling Tide
AM/PM Timeline
Gold Fish: Best Time
Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score
Blue Fish: Good Time
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY: MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the Sky 12a
AM/PM Timeline
74 |
AM Minor: 1:20a
PM Minor: 1:45p
AM Major: 7:32a
PM Major: 7:57p
MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)
Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a
12p
6p
12a
Time Moon is Directly Underfoot (at its peak on opposite side of the earth)
Moon Underfoot: 9:15p A P R I L
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G A M E ®
I N L A N D
A L M A N A C
HIGH -0.09 -0:44 0:00 -0:03 -0:24 +1:02
LOW -0.09 -1:02 -1:20 -1:31 -1:45 -0:42
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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
7:45-9:40 AM
= Peak Fishing Period
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
28
WEDNESDAY
29
THURSDAY
30
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
APR 1
31
SUNDAY
2
3
Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: 3:42a
Set: 7:34p Set: 2:42p
Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 4:18a
Set: 7:34p Set: 3:37p
Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 4:51a
Set: 7:35p Set: 4:30p
Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 5:21a
Set: 7:35p Set: 5:22p
Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 5:50a
Set: 7:36p Set: 6:14p
Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 6:19a
Set: 7:36p Set: 7:05p
Sunrise: 7:06a Moonrise: 6:49a
Set: 7:37p Set: 7:58p
AM Minor: 1:40a
PM Minor: 2:03p
AM Minor: 2:22a
PM Minor: 2:44p
AM Minor: 3:00a
PM Minor: 3:21p
AM Minor: 3:37a
PM Minor: 3:57p
AM Minor: 4:13a
PM Minor: 4:33p
AM Minor: 4:50a
PM Minor: 5:11p
AM Minor: 5:30a
PM Minor: 5:51p
AM Major: 7:51a
PM Major: 8:15p
AM Major: 8:33a
PM Major: 8:55p
AM Major: 9:11a
PM Major: 9:32p
AM Major: 9:47a
PM Major: 10:07p
AM Major: 10:23a
PM Major: 10:43p
AM Major: 11:01a
PM Major: 11:21p
AM Major: 11:41a
PM Major: 12:02p
Moon Overhead: 9:10a
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 10:38a
Moon Overhead: 9:55a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 11:19a 12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 12:39p
Moon Overhead: 11:59a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
Moon Overhead: 1:21p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 9:33p +2.0
-1.0
Moon Underfoot: None
BEST:
3:30 — 5:30 AM
Moon Underfoot: 12:19a
BEST:
4:30 — 6:30 AM
Moon Underfoot: 1:00a
BEST:
5:00 — 7:00 AM
+2.0
BEST:
6:00 — 8:00 PM
6:30 — 8:30 PM
T I D E
L E V E L S
BEST:
3:00 — 5:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:39p
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 10:58p
T I D E
+1.0
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 10:17p
Low Tide: 7:17 am High Tide: 3:14 pm Low Tide: 8:50 pm
-0.02ft. High Tide: 12:31 am 1.20ft. Low Tide: 8:16 am 0.95ft. High Tide: 3:28 pm Low Tide: 9:03 pm
I N L A N D
1.09ft. 0.09ft. 1.14ft. 0.83ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
1:48 am 9:04 am 3:38 pm 9:17 pm
A L M A N A C
1.14ft. 0.21ft. 1.09ft. 0.70ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
2:51 am 9:44 am 3:49 pm 9:34 pm
T E X A S
1.20ft. 0.35ft. 1.07ft. 0.56ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
F I S H
&
3:47 am 10:18 am 4:00 pm 9:55 pm
1.26ft. 0.50ft. 1.07ft. 0.42ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
G A M E ®
4:38 am 10:48 am 4:12 pm 10:20 pm
1.31ft. 0.64ft. 1.08ft. 0.30ft.
A P R I L
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
5:26 am 11:15 am 4:24 pm 10:49 pm
2 0 1 1
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1.34ft. 0.77ft. 1.10ft. 0.20ft
75
+1.0
0
-1.0
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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
= Peak Fishing Period
7:45-9:40 AM
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
4
WEDNESDAY
5
6
Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 7:22a
Set: 7:38p Set: 8:53p
Sunrise: 7:04a Moonrise: 7:57a
Set: 7:38p Set: 9:48p
Sunrise: 7:03a Moonrise: 8:36a
AM Minor: 6:14a
PM Minor: 6:35p
AM Minor: 7:01a
PM Minor: 7:24p
AM Major: 12:03p
PM Major: 12:25p
AM Major: 12:49p
PM Major: 1:12p
Moon Overhead: 2:04p
12a
6a
12p
6p
6a
12p
6p
12a
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
7
8
SUNDAY
10
9
Set: 7:39p Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 10:43p Moonrise: 9:20a
Set: 7:40p Set: 7:39p Sunrise: 7:00a Set: 11:38p Moonrise: 10:09a Set: None
AM Minor: 7:52a
PM Minor: 8:16p
AM Minor: 8:46a
PM Minor: 9:11p
AM Minor: 9:42a
PM Minor: 10:08p
AM Minor: 10:40a
PM Minor: 11:06p
AM Minor: 11:37a
PM Minor: ——-
AM Major: 1:40a
PM Major: 2:04p
AM Major: 2:33a
PM Major: 2:58p
AM Major: 3:29a
PM Major: 3:55p
AM Major: 4:26a
PM Major: 4:53p
AM Major: 5:23a
PM Major: 5:50p
Moon Overhead: 3:38p
Moon Overhead: 2:50p 12a
THURSDAY
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 4:28p 12a
6a
12p
6p
Sunrise: 6:59a Set: 7:40p Sunrise: 6:58a Set: 7:41p Moonrise: 11:02a Set: 12:32a Moonrise: 12:00p Set: 1:22a
Moon Overhead: 6:13p
Moon Overhead: 5:20p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 7:07p 12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 1:42a +2.0
-1.0
BEST:
L E V E L S
1:30 — 3:30 PM
Moon Underfoot: 4:03a
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 PM
Moon Underfoot: 4:54a
BEST:
8:00 — 10:00 PM
Moon Underfoot: 5:47a
BEST:
8:30 — 10:30 PM
BEST:
9:30 — 11:30 PM
Moon Underfoot: 6:40a +2.0
BEST:
10:00P — 12:00A 6:30 — 8:30 AM
T I D E
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 3:14a
T I D E
+1.0
Moon Underfoot: 2:27a
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
6:14 am 11:41 am 4:33 pm 11:20 pm
76 |
1.37ft. 0.89ft. 1.13ft. 0.13ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
A P R I L
7:05 am 12:08 pm 4:34 pm 11:55 pm
2 0 1 1
1.38ft. 1.01ft. 1.16ft. 0.08ft.
High Tide: 8:00 am 1.38ft. Low Tide: 12:36 pm 1.12ft. High Tide: 4:23 pm 1.20ft.
T E X A S
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
F I S H
&
12:33 am 9:03 am 1:05 pm 4:09 pm
0.05ft. 1.38ft. 1.22ft. 1.27ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
G A M E ®
1:17 am 10:17 am 1:37 pm 4:07 pm
0.04ft. 1.38ft. 1.30ft. 1.33ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
I N L A N D
2:08 am 11:39 am 2:27 pm 4:13 pm
0.03ft. 1.40ft. 1.37ft. 1.37ft.
A L M A N A C
Low Tide: 3:07 am 0.04ft. High Tide: 12:46 pm 1.42ft
+1.0
0
-1.0
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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
7:45-9:40 AM
= Peak Fishing Period
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
11
WEDNESDAY
12
THURSDAY
13
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
14
SUNDAY
16
15
17
Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 1:02p
Set: 7:42p Set: 2:10a
Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 2:06p
Set: 7:42p Set: 2:54a
Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 3:11p
Set: 7:43p Set: 3:35a
Sunrise: 6:54a Moonrise: 4:17p
Set: 7:43p Set: 4:14a
Sunrise: 6:53a Moonrise: 5:24p
Set: 7:44p Set: 4:52a
Sunrise: 6:52a Moonrise: 6:32p
Set: 7:45p Set: 5:30a
Sunrise: 6:51a Moonrise: 7:42p
Set: 7:45p Set: 6:11a
AM Minor: 12:08p
PM Minor: 12:32p
AM Minor: 12:57p
PM Minor: 1:24p
AM Minor: 1:47a
PM Minor: 2:13p
AM Minor: 2:33a
PM Minor: 2:59p
AM Minor: 3:19a
PM Minor: 3:45p
AM Minor: 4:05a
PM Minor: 4:32p
AM Minor: 4:56a
PM Minor: 5:24p
AM Major: 6:18a
PM Major: 6:45p
AM Major: 7:11a
PM Major: 7:37p
AM Major: 8:00a
PM Major: 8:26p
AM Major: 8:46a
PM Major: 9:12p
AM Major: 9:32a
PM Major: 9:58p
AM Major: 10:19a
PM Major: 10:45p
AM Major: 11:10a
PM Major: 11:38p
Moon Overhead: 8:01p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 9:46p
Moon Overhead: 8:54p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 10:38p 12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: None
Moon Overhead: 11:30p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
Moon Overhead: 12:25a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 7:34a +2.0
-1.0
BEST:
1:00 — 3:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:04a
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:57a
BEST:
3:00 — 5:00 AM
BEST:
4:30 — 6:30 PM
Moon Underfoot: 12:53p +2.0
BEST:
5:30 — 7:30 PM 12:00 — 2:00 AM
T I D E
L E V E L S
BEST:
12:00 — 2:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 10:12a
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 9:20a
T I D E
+1.0
Moon Underfoot: 8:28a
Low Tide: 4:13 am High Tide: 1:25 pm
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0.07ft. 1.41ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
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5:24 am 1:49 pm 7:35 pm 11:01 pm
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0.13ft. 1.38ft. 1.13ft. 1.18ft.
Low Tide: 6:34 am High Tide: 2:09 pm Low Tide: 7:38 pm
T E X A S
0.21ft. 1.33ft. 0.91ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
F I S H
&
1:03 am 7:40 am 2:27 pm 8:11 pm
1.25ft. 0.34ft. 1.28ft. 0.62ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
G A M E ®
2:30 am 8:42 am 2:45 pm 8:50 pm
1.38ft. 0.52ft. 1.25ft. 0.31ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
I N L A N D
3:45 am 9:41 am 3:03 pm 9:34 pm
1.52ft. 0.72ft. 1.26ft. 0.02ft.
A L M A N A C
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
4:55 am 10:36 am 3:23 pm 10:20 pm
1.63ft. 0.92ft. 1.29ft. -0.22ft.
+1.0
0
-1.0
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Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011 TUESDAY
18
WEDNESDAY
19
20
Sunrise: 6:50a Moonrise: 8:53p
Set: 7:46p Set: 6:55a
AM Minor: 5:52a
PM Minor: 6:21p
AM Minor: 6:53a
PM Minor: 7:23p
AM Minor: 7:59a
AM Major: ——-
PM Major: 12:06p
AM Major: 12:38p
PM Major: 1:08p
AM Major: 1:43a
Sunrise: 6:49a Set: 7:46p Moonrise: 10:01p Set: 7:44a
Moon Overhead: 1:21a
12a
6a
12p
6p
Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 7:47p Moonrise: 11:06p Set: 8:38a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
21
22
SUNDAY
23
24
Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 7:48p Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 7:49p Sunrise: 6:44a Moonrise: 12:04a Set: 10:36a Moonrise: 12:55a Set: 11:36a Moonrise: 1:40a
Set: 7:49p Set: 12:35p
Sunrise: 6:47a Moonrise: None
Set: 7:48p Set: 9:36a
PM Minor: 8:29p
AM Minor: 9:05a
PM Minor: 9:35p
AM Minor: 10:09a
PM Minor: 10:37p
AM Minor: 11:08a
PM Minor: 11:35p
AM Minor: ——-
PM Minor: 12:02p
PM Major: 2:14p
AM Major: 2:50a
PM Major: 3:20p
AM Major: 3:55a
PM Major: 4:23p
AM Major: 4:55a
PM Major: 5:22p
AM Major: 5:50a
PM Major: 6:14p
Moon Overhead: 3:21a
Moon Overhead: 2:20a 12a
THURSDAY
12p
Moon Overhead: 4:21a
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 6:14a
Moon Overhead: 5:19a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 7:05a 12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 1:51p +2.0
-1.0
BEST:
7:30 — 9:30 PM 1:30 — 3:30 AM
L E V E L S
Moon Underfoot: 4:51p
Moon Underfoot: 5:47p
BEST:
2:30 — 4:30 AM
BEST:
9:00 — 11:00 PM
Moon Underfoot: 6:40p BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 7:29p +2.0
BEST:
9:30 — 11:30 PM 5:30 — 7:30 AM
12:00 — 2:00 AM
T I D E
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 3:51p
T I D E
+1.0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 2:51p
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
6:02 am 11:31 am 3:44 pm 11:08 pm
1.70ft. 1.11ft. 1.34ft. -0.37ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
7:08 am 12:26 pm 4:05 pm 11:59 pm
I N L A N D
1.72ft. High Tide: 8:16 am 1.26ft. Low Tide: 1:25 pm 1.39ft. High Tide: 4:25 pm -0.42ft.
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1.69ft. 1.36ft. 1.41ft.
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
12:53 am 9:27 am 2:55 pm 4:28 pm
T E X A S
-0.38ft. Low Tide: 1:51 am -0.26ft. Low Tide: 2:54 am -0.10ft. Low Tide: 4:05 am 1.63ft. High Tide: 10:40 am 1.56ft. High Tide: 11:49 am 1.48ft. High Tide: 12:42 pm 1.41ft. Low Tide: 7:45 pm 1.41ft. High Tide: 8:54 pm
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0.08ft. 1.41ft. 1.16ft. 1.16ft.
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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:
= Peak Fishing Period
7:45-9:40 AM
= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS
Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score
TUESDAY
25
WEDNESDAY
26
THURSDAY
27
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
28
29
SUNDAY
May 1
30
Sunrise: 6:43a Moonrise: 2:18a
Set: 7:50p Set: 1:31p
Sunrise: 6:42a Moonrise: 2:52a
Set: 7:51p Set: 2:25p
Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 3:23a
Set: 7:51p Set: 3:17p
Sunrise: 6:40a Moonrise: 3:53a
Set: 7:52p Set: 4:09p
Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 4:22a
Set: 7:52p Set: 5:00p
Sunrise: 6:38a Moonrise: 4:52a
Set: 7:53p Set: 5:53p
Sunrise: 6:37a Moonrise: 5:23a
Set: 7:54p Set: 6:47p
AM Minor: 12:27p
PM Minor: 12:49p
AM Minor: 1:10a
PM Minor: 1:32p
AM Minor: 1:49a
PM Minor: 2:10p
AM Minor: 2:25a
PM Minor: 2:45p
AM Minor: 3:00a
PM Minor: 3:20p
AM Minor: 3:36a
PM Minor: 3:57p
AM Minor: 4:14a
PM Minor: 4:36p
AM Major: 6:38a
PM Major: 7:01p
AM Major: 7:21a
PM Major: 7:42p
AM Major: 7:59a
PM Major: 8:20p
AM Major: 8:35a
PM Major: 8:55p
AM Major: 9:10a
PM Major: 9:31p
AM Major: 9:46a
PM Major: 10:07p
AM Major: 10:25a
PM Major: 10:46p
Moon Overhead: 7:52a
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 9:18a
Moon Overhead: 8:36a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 9:58a 12a
6a
12p
6p
Moon Overhead: 11:19a
Moon Overhead: 10:38a 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
6a
12p
6p
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
SOLUNAR ACTIVITY
MONDAY
Tides and Prime Times for APRIL 2011
Moon Overhead: 12:02p 12a
6a
12p
6p
12a
FEET
FEET
Moon Underfoot: 8:15p +2.0
-1.0
Moon Underfoot: 10:59p
BEST:
2:30 — 4:30 AM
Moon Underfoot: 11:40p
BEST:
3:00 — 5:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: None
BEST:
4:30 — 6:30 PM
+2.0
BEST:
5:00 — 7:00 PM
6:00 — 8:00 PM
T I D E
L E V E L S
BEST:
2:00 — 4:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 10:18p
L E V E L S
0
BEST:
1:00 — 3:00 AM
Moon Underfoot: 9:38p
T I D E
+1.0
BEST:
Moon Underfoot: 8:57p
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
5:19 am 1:17 pm 7:45 pm 11:10 pm
0.25ft. 1.34ft. 1.02ft. 1.13ft.
Low Tide: 6:33 am High Tide: 1:39 pm Low Tide: 8:02 pm
0.42ft. 1.27ft. 0.87ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
12:49 am 7:37 am 1:55 pm 8:19 pm
1.16ft. 0.58ft. 1.22ft. 0.72ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
2:07 am 8:33 am 2:08 pm 8:38 pm
1.24ft. 0.72ft. 1.20ft. 0.56ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
3:11 am 9:21 am 2:21 pm 8:59 pm
1.33ft. 0.86ft. 1.20ft. 0.40ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
4:06 am 10:02 am 2:33 pm 9:23 pm
1.41ft. 0.99ft. 1.21ft. 0.27ft.
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
4:54 am 10:38 am 2:44 pm 9:51 pm
1.49ft. 1.10ft. 1.24ft. 0.16ft.
+1.0
0
-1.0
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The Mighty Muzzy EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, MOST BOW hunters get a little bored with the broadhead they have shot for years and will always have that “urge” to try the new and improved arrow tips that are available out there. I can tell you that I am that person in a nutshell! Broadheads come and broadheads go, but Muzzy has been around for years and have proven to the bowhunting world that quality remains at the top of their list. This year, they have introduced a new line called the MX-3. The name alone sounds powerful, and powerful it is! I shot both the 75-grain and the 100-grain MX-3’s and was totally impressed with the results of both broadheads. Penetration was not a problem at all. I suspect the way the blades lock together has a lot to do with that. As a matter of fact, this is the very first time I have seen a broadhead where the blades actually lock together forming one solid piece of power! The 75-grain sports an aluminum ferrule while the 100-grain uses a steel ferrule. Both come with what Muzzy calls its Trocar tip. This super strong tip will easily break bone if it needs to. I have seen other broadhead blades break whenever they make contact with bone. Not so with these .025 thick blades. The 75-grain Muzzy MX-3 has a cutting diameter of 1 -3/16 while the heavier 100-grain MX-3 made a slightly larger cutting surface of 1-¼ inches. I did not see a difference in performance at all between 82 |
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the two broadheads. It is just a question of personal preference and what you are already set up for. All I can say is I was deeply impressed with Muzzy’s new MX-3 line. Try it…you will not be disappointed. —Lou Marullo
Get the Scoop THE GOAL: YOU WANT TO CATCH TRULY monstrous fish from your small, inshore boat. Maybe you’re after big black drum, bull redfish, or torpedo-sized cobia. Whatever the prey, you have problem: where to stow a net big enough for landing such a
The HyberNet: Now you see it... Now, you don’t
Frabill
yet does the job: Frabil’s Hiber-Net. These provide a stowage solution on even the smallest boats, because the hoop and mesh both fold flat and slide inside of the net’s handle. Extending and stowing the hoop and mesh is lightening-fast, and a piece of cake. Simply grab the black handle on the net, and push it forward to pop the hoop open. When you’re done scooping up your catch, pull the handle grip back to collapse and stow it. You end up with nothing more than a pole to stow. But, will a collapsible net be strong enough to bring hefty fish into the boat? Yes. The extruded aluminum handle felt firm and sturdy in my hands, as did the opened hoop. Added bonus: the mesh material is knotless, which makes for fewer line tangles, and easier hook removal. It’s also better for the fish if you’re a catch-andrelease angler, because knotless mesh causes fewer scrapes and remove less slime from the fish’s skin. Just how big a fish can the Hiber-Net handle? Anything you’re likely to encounter on the Texas coast, much less in freshwater, won’t be a problem. The handle is 52” long, and the hoop size is 24” x 26”. Mesh depth is 18”. The Hiber-Net isn’t cheap, though, with a MSRP of $79.99. Check it out at www.frabill.com.
Brighten Up
beast. Put it in a rodholder, and you’ll be forever snagging mesh on the back-cast. Plop it on the deck, and it’ll forever be underfoot. The solution? You need a net that stows in a tight compartment, like a rodbox or an under-gunwale rodrack. I recently tried out a net that—for the first time ever, in my experience—stows easily
T E X A S
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THOSE UNDERWATER BOAT LIGHTS ARE super-cool looking, and they attract countless fish and swarms of bait, when you’re night fishing. Just one problem: who wants to drill more holes in their hull? No one. That’s why some manufacturers have begun offering surface-mount underwater lights, and the latest to hit the market is Aqualuma’s FF9. The FF9 is a cluster of 9 LED’s in a sealed housing, availCONTINUED able in green (the best for fishing, SEE PAGE 84
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PHOTOS: COURTEST MYZY, FRABILL
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Zona Hooks Up with Shimano HE SAYS IT’S AN AWESOME OPPORTUNIty to partner up with the company behind the rods and reels he’s been using most of his fishing life. Bassmaster television host and host of his own show on the Outdoor Channel, noted angler Mark Zona is now using G.Loomis rods, Shimano reels and PowerPro braid in all his fishing adventures, said Chris Hess, marketing manager for Shimano American Corp.’s fishing tackle division. “And while Mark is excited to be involved Mark Zona with all our fishing brands, we couldn’t be more pleased having him on the water, on the air and at events getting folks excited about fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass,” Hess said. “We look forward to his input on all our G.Loomis, Shimano and PowerPro tackle — both from his own experiences and from the interaction he has with bass anglers nationwide.” Zona notes that he learned how to use baitcasting reels with Shimano Bantam and Black Magnum reels, and “I cut my teeth on G.Loomis rods from knowing and fishing with their reps — who all seem to be great bass anglers,” Mark said. A key factor in Zona’s involvement with G.Loomis and Shimano was the people at the company. “Everyone I have met, from the company president, product development guys, marketing staff, you name it, they are all avid anglers,” said Zona. “They are out on the water, fishing hard, learning and experimenting with new techniques — it’s really a culture with that I N L A N D
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company — and one I want to be involved with.” Zona is using NRX bass rods from G.Loomis, teaming them up with Shimano Core baitcasting reels and Stradic Ci4 spinning reels — spooled of course with PowerPro braided line. He entertains anglers — and teaches a few things — every Friday night on ‘Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show’ airing at 8pm EST on the Outdoor Channel.
Bay Foundation Kid’s Calendar PROUD STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, ART teachers, and principals gathered at an award ceremony to celebrate the winners of the 2011 Children’s Art Calendar on January 27th at Stephen F. Austin Elementary in Baytown. In its past 19 years, Galveston Bay Foundation (“GBF”) estimates that this project has reached over 10,000 fifth grade students. Students who live around the Bay were asked, “What people, plants, or animals can you find in and around Galveston Bay?” or “Who uses Galveston Bay?” Through their knowledge and creGalveston Bay ativity, they drew pictures to illustrate Foundation Art Calendar winners. their answer to one of those questions. Calendar Kids The Galveston Bay Children’s Art Calendar is made possible by sponsors, NRG Texas and NRG’s retail electricity business, Reliant Energy. Reliant Energy’s Director of Public Affairs, Gene Fisseler, said, “NRG Energy and Reliant Energy, like Galveston Bay
A L M A N A C
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Foundation, demonstrate our commitment to continuously improving the environment by actively helping protect and preserve ecosystems like Galveston Bay. We all depend on the Bay in one way or another, and the environmental art calendar raises the public’s awareness and its understanding of this vital ecosystem.” The GBF, NRG and Reliant Energy would like to congratulate the following 2011 Galveston Bay Children’s Art Calendar winners: Luis Algarate, Allison Antonini, Sergio Cantu, Victoria Chang, Leona Chen, Savannah Cushman, Ronaldo Lerma Garcia, Daniel Godinez, Geoffrey Hirsch, Elizabeth Koegel, Mia Munn, Sebastian Rodriguez, Hiya Sunjana Sawhney, Kristen Schank, Mary Sullivan, Alex Turman and Carissa Villarreal. The mission of the Galveston Bay Foundation is to preserve, protect, and
enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. Contact GBF at 281-332- 3381 or visit the website at www.galvbay.org.
PHOTOS: COURTESTY CATALYST MARKETING & GAL. BAY FOUNDATION
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Ballistic Shades THE WILEY X SABER ADVANCED PROvides unparalleled protection and visual acuity tailor-made for hunting, shooting sports and safety applications in the factory and in the field. It meets stringent MIL-
PRF31013 military ballistic standards (U.S. Military Combat Eye Protection) as well as ANSI Z87.1-2003 high impact
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certification (OSHA Occupational Eye Protection) — so it delivers the maximum protection available in any set of eyewear. In fact, with the thickest lens in the industry (3.0 Saber Advanced mm), it’s also protective eyewear. the best value at just $38-65 Wiley X
MSRP for a single lens set to deluxe 3 lens set — with combinations of single and multiple clear, smoke grey, light rust, and vermillion lens packages. The sturdy temple arms remove quickly, and can be replaced with a snap-in elastic strap to both reduce pressure on the sides of the head and ensure a secure fit during jarring runs or rides. Ultra Foam Brow Bar to keep
sweat and debris off your face; and a tailored take flight nose piece to adapt to a wide range of nose shapes and sizes — so it stays right in place, too. www.wileyx.com.
Pro Cat 200 THE PRO CAT 200 IS THE SMALLER version of the ProCat 240 which was introduced three years ago and was designed with the help of a professional catfishing guide. The 24-foot, 15 degree hull design of the ProCat 240 was well received and is a popular model for the company but dealers were asking for a smaller version to meet customer demand. The new ProCat 200 meets that demand in a 20-foot package but still offers the smooth ride by keeping the 15 degree hull design and the 72inch bottom width of the larger version. Features that separate the ProCat 200
PHHOTOS: COURTESY WILEY X, SEA ARK, HIVIZ, EXTREME SHOCK
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IMHO), blue, or white. It can run on FROM PG. 82 either 12 or 24 volts with a draw of less than 1.4 amps, so you can leave it shining all night long without worrying about Aqualuma FF9 underwater boat killing your batteries. And lights. unlike some other underwater lights, this one can operate Light Show either above or below the waterline. Aqualuma sent me an FF9 to test out, and installation was simple: all I had to do was run a pair of screws into the transom to secure it in place (hardware is included, and the light is packaged with a drilling template), run the power cable through the notched housing and up the transom, and wire it in to the fuse panel. If you’d rather try for a cleaner look, you can drill a 1/4-
inch hole for the power cable and run it into the transom directly behind the light. Once the light was in place I found it compact and unobtrusive, at five inches long and three inches tall, and a mere threequarters of an inch thick. Mounted it on my transom, I thought it barely stuck out and looked perfectly normal. Powered up, it’s absolutely amazing how much brilliant underwater illumination this little box can create. Of course, considering how potent the new generation of LEDs are, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. Nor should we be surprised at the cost; list price for an FF9 is just a hair under $600—ouch. Check it out at www.aqualuma.com.
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PHHOTO: COURTESY AQUALUMA
TEXAS TESTED
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visit HiVizSights.com. Choose HiViz and see what you’ve been missing! Pro Cat 200 for catfish anglers.
from It’s as easy as rotating the sight 180°. fishing boats not Positioned just behind the front bead, designated specifically for catfishing the Two In One attaches to the rib with include: four powerful magnets making it our • self-draining bow deck with 25 gallon strongest magnetic sight ever, holding tight livewell/rinse tank even in the roughest brush. The chemical• level area for removable bait tank resistant LitePipes are housed in a protecwith tie down eyes and 12-volt outlet tive sheath that makes them extremely • 80 gallon rear seat livewell durable and almost impossible to break. • walk-thru windshield with rotational The super-bright LitePipes are orange and captain’s chairs green in color and as an added bonus the • accessory rails to attach rod holders package includes two shapes – round and Additional features of the ProCat 200 triangular – offering severinclude a 30-gallon fuel tank, dual conNew Two In One al possible combinations. soles, .125 gauge treadplate floor, shotgun sight. Available in trolling motor wiring, navigation lights, four HiViz and automatic bilge pump. Available in several standard colors, the ProCat 200 is also offered in upgraded urethane colors or sevsizes eral camo patterns. Interior to fit rib options offered include Gatorwidths from Hide, Non-Skid, and Multi11/64” to 7/16”. Spec finishes. Like all HiViz sights, the According to Steve Henderson, Two In One comes with a full Vice President of Sales for SeaArk warranty and personalized customer serBoats, there is a real demand for cat-fishvice. Contact HiViz at 800-589-4315 or ing boats, “Customer requests have driven the design of the ProCat 240, the ProCat 200 and the four other catfishing models we offer. Folks were already using our 72inch bottom boats for catfishing because the width and beam of those models worked well for the sport, but now we have an entire line with additional features specifically used when fishing for cats.” For more information about Sea Ark and to find a dealer nearest you, call 870367-5317 or visit: www.seaarkboats.com
Sea Ark
The .30-30 is in for a Shock THE .30-30 IS ONE OF THE MOST COMmon deer cartridges in North America and was first marketed in early 1895. Since that time very little changes have occurred with this cartridge. Until now. Extreme Shock has applied it’s powdered metal core technology to the venerable caliber and increased Triple knock-down it’s powered .30-30 knock down Extreme Shock capability by three fold. Introducing the Extreme Shock .30-30 160 grain Trophy Game cartridge, when fired from a 16 inch barrel this round carries 1,798 ft lbs of energy at 2,250 feet per second at the muzzle. Put some power is the firepower of your trusty .30-30 rifle. Get Extreme Shock. Please visit: www.extremeshockusa.net, or call 877-337-6772.
Double Vision HIVIZ SHOOTING SYSTEMS IS INTROducing a revolutionary new shotgun sight. The new Two In One magnetic shotgun sight contains two LitePipes — each one a different color. Now you can quickly and easily change the color of the sight to provide better contrast between your eye and the target. As lighting conditions or shooting environment change, so can your sight. I N L A N D
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either. But I can tell you I love my little Sweet Sixteen. Pick
What Makes a Classic? EW GUNS ARE BETTER THAN OLD guns. True or false? Well, if we are talking about average tolerances, steel hardness and resistance to corrosion, longevity, and even perfection of design, called ergonomics these days, then new guns are unquestionably better than old guns. The great gun makers of the past all had their own ideas of perfection and they did not share them with others. Still, the information eventually leaked out and is now common knowledge, so that really poorly designed stocks are almost extinct, for which we are all eternally grateful. So what are some of the truly great guns of the past? As I write this, I just traded for a gun I have wanted for many years. It is a slick little Browning Sweet Sixteen. Browning also made an A-5 in 16-gauge, but it was not a Sweet Sixteen. The Sweet Sixteen was a slim, lively, lightweight version introduced in 1937. The standard A-5 16-gauge was produced from 1923 to 1964. The Sweet Sixteen was produced in Belgium from 1936 to 1976. Production of the Sweet Sixteen was stopped when the production of the A-5 was moved from Belgium to Japan in 1976. It was reintroduced (Japan manufacture) in 1987 and produced until 1992. The Sweet Sixteen is one of those guns that have that indefinable something that makes it a classic. The fact that it outlasted the standard A-5 16-gauge by 22 years (Belgium manufacture) speaks volumes of its popularity, but does not answer the question of why it was popular. And to tell the truth, I can't tell you
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it up, put it to your shoulder, place your cheek lovingly on the comb, and it feels like it an extension of yourself. It feels almost alive. It is the only A-5 that I like. The others feel like blocks of wood. Why? I dunno. Another classic shotgun is the Winchester Model 12. It is one of the most popular pump-action shotguns ever produced. Again, it has that.... something. Pick up a Model 12, work the action and shoot a few rounds, then pick up the Model 1200 -- the Winchester pumpgun that replaced it -- and you will immediately see what I mean. I have a Model 12 in 16-gauge (yes, I am a 16-gauge nut) that I shoot on special occasions. It is beginning to show its age, but on occasion I still trot it out to show off. Is my Model 12 better than a Remington Model 870? Nope. Not one bit. But it has a feel to it that a modern 870 does not. That is why there are still so many 50-plus year old Model 12s being bought, sold, and used. The pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 was, actually, not as well designed, mechanically, as its competition, the Remington Model 721. It was not as strong. It had a weak spot where the head of the cartridge case was left unsupported by chamber or bolt. The Remington enclosed the case head completely, so was a stronger, safer action. The classic Model 70, however, was a better looking and better feeling gun than the Model 721, which was a classic Plain Jane. Again, put a Model 70 to your shoulder and it feels like it belongs there. Some other guns of that era felt more like railroad ties or pry-bars than sporting firearms. Another truth is that the Model 70 was far ahead of its time in design, except for that one weakness. Because of its strengths and in spite of its weaknesses, the pre-64 Model 70 has come to be called “The Rifleman's Rifle,” and it deserves the accolades. The Winchester Model 94 is a classic among classics. Production of the Model 94
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began in 1894 and was stopped with the closure of the New Haven, Connecticut, plant in 2006. Two high-grade versions have been reintroduced in 2010 to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of Oliver Winchester. It is unknown at this time if the standard grade Model 94 will be put back into the Winchester lineup or not. However, there are so many out there that there will be Model 94s on the used gun market for a several hundred years, even if Winchester decides to never mass produce it again. The fact that it was produced continuously for over a hundred years is testimony to its timelessness. It is the quintessential All-American firearm. The Model 98 Mauser is a true classic in every way. It is the bolt-action against which all others are measured. In fact, Peter Paul Mauser's 1898 design was so nearly perfect that it has not been improved upon to any degree in the last 112 years, and most modern bolt-action rifles are based to some extent on the original Mauser design. It is so good that it is still being used as the basis for expensive custom guns. I have two such custom guns made on the venerable 98 Mauser design and I love both of them. Other such classics are the 1873 Winchester, 1874 Sharps, the St. Louis Hawken plains rifle, the Parker side-by-side shotgun, the 1903 Springfield, the Colt Peacemaker, the Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum, the Colt 1911, and not a few others. Most of them are instantly recognizable by sight or by the mere mention of their names or designations. Many of them are movie stars. They are sought after by shooters and by collectors. Are they really better than the guns that have come since and that have in many instances replaced them? Probably not. Are they worth owning? You'd better believe it!
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E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com
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From Field to Feast HITETAIL SEASON IS BY NOW A faded memory. Some good hunts and also some not so good hunts…but all of these memories included good times. That is just one of the great things we love about hunting. April is finally here and with the cool morning light brings the familiar gobble of the tom turkey…well, only if you are in the woods…and if you are a hunter, particularly one that hunts with a bow, that is precisely where you should be! Earlier in this issue, I discuss the pros and cons of the many different broadheads you might use while bow hunting turkeys. I will not bother to write about this any further. I will, however, touch upon what might be the best way to bring success in the field with these birds. Calling in a turkey is not as hard as one might think. It just takes a little practice with the different types of calls you bring with you and a good knowledge of the habits of the wild turkey. I try to bring along a good box call as well as an assortment of diaphragm calls. You will find a slate call in my turkey vest also. You just never know which call will convince that bird to gobble and reveal his location. If you decide on trying a diaphragm for the first time, then I would suggest learning to master a single reed diaphragm first. Once that is done, the other more intense diaphragms will be easier to use. Listen to a few turkey calls online or get yourself a tape of the different sounds a turkey makes. Then practice everyday until you are comfortable with the call. Oh… Now would also be a good time to apologize to your wife for putting up with the weird
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sounds coming out of your mouth morning, noon and night! It is a good idea to call simply to let the turkey know that a hen is in the area. Once he is coming your way, I would only call sparingly or not at all. Remember, what is so cool about turkey hunting is that you are not hunting for the bird, the bird is hunting for you. He will search high and low looking for that sexy sounding hen. He will give his location up as he gets closer by gobbling his fool head off. Let him look all he wants until he makes a mistake and offers you a clean shot. I start out by making a few very light tree calls (light yelps) at first light. If you hear a tom sound off, it is time to get ready and get ready quick. He is coming in! However, if that turkey is being quiet, then I move to plan B. I try to sound like a turkey that is just waking up and my soft tree calls will get just a little louder. Finally, I take my hat off and shake it vigorously against my leg while I cackle. I am trying to sound like the hen has left her perch and is flying down. I might even give a few more comforting soft yelps after the cackle to let the tom know that I am ready and everything is safe. If all goes as planned, the hunt will soon be over and the trek home begins. If you have never tasted a wild turkey before then you are in for a real treat! To me, the breast meat taste exactly like a domestic turkey. I admit I don’t care so much for the dark meat. It is tougher than a store bought bird. I should admit this now. As an ethical hunter, I try to always share my venison, but the turkey meat is not leaving my freezer! Now it is known throughout the land that I can burn anything including water, so I leave the cooking to someone more knowledgeable in this field…my wife! We have tried many different ways to bring this delicious feast to our table. At first, we tried to prepare the bird with the skin left on like we have in our grocery stores. That meant many hours of plucking feathers…MANY
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hours. Not my idea of a good time and to be honest, not the best tasting method either. I decided to remove the skin on my next turkey. Although it tasted great, I found that it was a little dry. Too dry for my taste. I have always thought that when all else fails, toss it on the barbeque. Everything tastes wonderful on the grill. I was right! It tasted so good that I even cooked one like that for our Thanksgiving dinner. That was the year our table would have a domestic bird and a wild turkey side by side. Delish! My next attempt for some fine turkey cuisine was just as tasty. It was too miserable to cook on the grill, so we decided to use one of those browning bags in the oven. WOW! We found that if kept the turkey moist and tender and we could cook any veggies right in the same bag. To tell you the truth, there are many ways to cook a wild turkey and if any readers out there have any delicious recipes they would like to share, email me and let me know about them. So finish up your practicing, get your turkey gear together and get yourself to your turkey haven. You will not regret it.
E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com
On the Web See video of LOU MARULLO at the 2011 SHOT Show, interviewing bow, gun, and hunting gear makers about their new products for the coming season: www.FishGame.com/video
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Economic Windfall OU KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH WHEN you hesitate to buy that extra scoop of shiners. The economy must be hurting if you run to your secondfavorite hotspot because it’s 10 miles closer than hotspot number one, and you’ll save a bundle in fuel. The budget is tight indeed, should you choose to spend more on food and clothing than rods and reels this season. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still improve both your boat and your boating skills, without spending a single dollar. In the long run, that’s almost like getting free money. But is it really possible? You bet. With a little work and effort, you can invest without investing—here’s how.
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RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #1: Boost your navigational know-how by taking advantage of the government. Yes, that’s right, Uncle Sam will help you revert some of those tax expenditures into better boating. All you need is a computer, and internet access. NOAA has spent big bucks through the years taking bathymetric readings, making charts, and more lately, digitizing them— and the electronic charts they’ve created with your compulsory contributions are available for free. To get them, go to www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov, and you’ll be able to download both raster and vector charts that are available for nearly all navigable U.S. waterways. You will need software to read these charts on your computer, but you can use NOAA’s online chart viewer (also free). While you’re on the site take note of the other cost-free features that could help make you a better boater, such as the nautical charting links, tides and current information, and a coastal data portal. 88 |
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RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #2: Elbow grease + a little effort = more speed, higher efficiency, and lower fuel bills. If you have a boat with a painted bottom, you can make the above equation work—as long as you have a few pieces of old sandpaper that are sitting around in the garage. You’ll need some 220 grit and some 400 grit, to get the job done. Soak the 220 grit paper in water for a moment or two, then beginning at the bow, lightly sand the hull. Each and every stroke should run perfectly parallel to the centerline, going from the bow towards the stern. When you’re done, repeat the process with the 400 grit sandpaper. Pay extra attention to any spots where you find bumps or imperfections in the paint. When all is said and done, your boat’s bottom will be significantly smoother and you should pick up between a half a mile an hour, and one and a half miles per hour—without burning an ounce more fuel than you used to. RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #3: Integrated electronics are smarter than stand-alone units, so integrate what you’ve got. Maybe you don’t want to spend big bucks on a new VHF radio or GPS/chartplotter, but if you haven’t done so, interfacing your existing units via NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 will give them new power. By letting your two electronic brains communicate directly you’ll have DSC (digital select calling) ability, and this will allow the Coast Guard to know your boat’s size, type, and exact position, if you ever need to make a Mayday call. Modern VHFs are required by law to have DSC functionality and virtually every chartplotter on the water can output NMEA data streams, but often boaters don’t bother to connect their units—and all it takes is a single cable! If you fall into this category, splice those color-coded wires together and get DSC up and running. If you need some instruction, check the manu-
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als (many are now available online—for free, of course), talk to a dealer or post on an online forum. Note that in some cases, you may also have to enter the GPS menu and press a few choice buttons, in order to activate the outgoing NMEA data stream. Before DSC works, you’ll also have to get an MMSI (maritime mobile service identity) number. Luckily, it costs exactly as much as breathing. All you have to do is go to http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/. They’ll assign you a number for free, and you can program it into your VHF in a matter of moments. RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #4: Engage in some shocking behavior. I know it sounds strange, but you can use electricity to improve your boat. The secret lies in understanding the nature of galvanic corrosion. That orange cruddy stuff eats away at the metals on your boat because of an electrochemical process called oxidation. During oxidation, the metal’s molecules lose electrons to oxygen molecules. This natural process creates a substance called ferrous oxide—that nasty crusty orange stuff. But you can reverse this reaction, with a process called electrolysis (also known as electrolytic cleaning, or oxidation reduction). In a nutshell, controlled electrolysis removes corrosion from a metal surface by subjecting it to an electric current in an “electrolytic bath”. And making such a bath is a lot easier than you might expect. Set up your electrolyte bath in a nonconductive tub (a large Tupperware tub is perfect) filled with enough water to completely submerge the item you’re trying to de-corrode. Add one tablespoon of an electrolyte, such as sodium carbonate (washing soda) per gallon of water, and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Next, prepare the metal piece you’re trying to salvage—properly called the “cathode”—by scraping a small section of the metal clean. You’ll need enough clean metal showing to attach an alligator clip. Once it’s
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ready, attach a battery charger’s negative terminal alligator clip to the clean area. Note: make sure you use the correct terminal; accidentally hook up the positive clip, and you’ll quickly turn your cathode into a chunk of corrosion, instead of reversing the process. Next, you need an “anode,” a piece of sacrificial metal. It will be corroded during this process, so don’t use anything of value. A piece of sheet metal or a foot-long piece of rebar is perfect. Clip the positive lead from the battery charger to your anode, and make sure the end of the anode and the alligator clip attached to it stick out above the water’s surface; otherwise, the clip will attract corrosion, too. This is another reason rebar works so well. Since it’s long and thin, it can easily be propped up in a corner of the tub. Make sure that the anode and the cathode do not touch, and are separated far enough apart that there’s no chance they will contact each other. Now, you’re ready to plug the charger in and start the process. After 12 hours you’ll see a visible reduction in corrosion on the cathode, and in 24 to 48 hours, depending on the size of the item and the amount of corrosion on it, most or all of the corrosion should be gone. SAFETY NOTES: Obviously, any time you mix water and electricity there’s an element of danger involved. That’s why a battery charger is best for this process (it has very low voltage, minimizing risk,) and you must NOT substitute an alternative power source. Never touch any part of the electrolysis bath or its contents while the battery charger is plugged in, and un-plug the battery charger when connecting or disconnecting its terminals; don’t use stainless-steel for your anode because it can release chromium during the electrolysis process; and set up the bath in a well-ventilated area, because electrolysis can give off a very small amount of hydrogen gas, which is explosive.
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very gentle detergent, like Dreft, or you’ll degrade the fabric. After washing the canvass and hanging it to dry, spray it down with a silicon-based water repellent or it may leak. Finally, rub a candle over the zippers and snaps, to keep them from sticking. Now, your top will look like new again.
boat and yourself better? We’ve just shown how you can improve both, without spending a single dime. So leave the credit card locked up in that drawer, and nourish your nautical nature while spending a grand total of nothing.
Who says you need money to make your
E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com
RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #5: Wash the unwashable. If your T-top or Bimini canvass looks old and dingy, it’s time to make it look like new again—and although most folks don’t realize it, you can wash that canvass in a regular washing machine. Two important items to note: set the machine to use cold water, or you could cause wrinkling and shrinking, which will make the material tough to get back on. And add a mere pinch or two of a I N L A N D
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The Trout of a Lifetime N NATURE, THE LARGEST AND MOST pristine breed first. Although speckled trout spawn multiple times throughout the year, April and May are a magical time when large numbers of big trout are caught. These aren’t 2–4 pound fish, which make up the preponderance of the spawning class, but larger fish in the 26–28 inch range, with a few broaching the coveted 30inch mark. April and May are the perfect time for kayak anglers to catch the trout of a lifetime. Speckled trout do not build nests like black bass do, but instead are free spawners, and windward shorelines serve as the breeding grounds. Traylor Island in Aransas Bay is a classic example of a windward shoreline where trout spawn. But while Traylor Island gets lots of attention from guides and writers, other windward shorelines are just as productive but overlooked. With the exception of those bordering major channels, windward shorelines feature a gradual transition from deep to shallow and finding the depth the fish are holding is the first key to success. Deep is a relative term and in this case means water between 5–6 feet deep–a bit too deep for wading. To begin your search for a trophy trout, paddle your kayak into the depths and set up with the wind pushing you back into the shallows. Quietly deploy your anchor and make fan casts to insure the water around you is thoroughly covered. Once you are satisfied that spawning trout are not holding at your depth, lift the anchor and let the wind push you closer to shore. As you fish, constantly be aware of the
water around you, scanning it for slicks. Slicks are oily spots on the water’s surface which are caused when fish regurgitate and droplets of oil from the partially digested baitfish’s body rise to the surface. A new slick is about the size of a dinner plate but the oil quickly begins dispersing over the water’s surface and in just a few minutes the oily sheen maybe 30 yards in diameter.
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Speckled trout do not build nests like black bass do, but instead are free spawners.
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Slicks give off a unique smell, most likened by old salts to freshly cut watermelon. Older slicks are valuable in that they confirm the presence of feeding fish but wind and current can move them hundreds of yards away from their source. Brand new slicks are optimum as they are virtually on top of the feeding fish. Keep in mind that gafftop also emit slicks and Senor Gato occasionally surprises the angler expecting a speckled trout at the end of his line. If you find a large slick and the wind is blowing, try paddling a hundred yards upwind and then drifting back towards the slick. Be ready to anchor as soon as you get a strike. If you see several slicks pop up, all the same distance from the shoreline, calculate a mental line that runs through all of them and do not deviate from that path. Turn your kayak and work that line slowly, anchoring and casting until you find fish. Once you have drifted into shallower water, you may find it easier to use a stakeout pole instead of anchoring repeatedly. Windward beaches feature hard sand bot-
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toms which have been scoured of detritus by wave action and current and sometimes it is easier to drive a stake-out pole into a concrete roadway than into the bay floor. My advice: Pack both an anchor and a stake-out pole. About twenty years ago a myth got started that speckled trout hate croaker because they eat the spawning trout’s eggs, hence that is why croaker are such great baits. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pin perch, piggy perch, and silver perch all have a taste for speckled trout eggs and there are plenty of other marine organisms which eat trout eggs, not just croaker. Gut studies done by TPWD scientist show that speckled trout are opportunistic feeders and are just as likely to eat a brown shrimp as a finfish. Spawning trout regularly eat big meals, such as jumbo croaker and mullet, but if the opportunity to eat something else arises, she won’t hesitate. My brother, Dr. W. C. Berlocher, caught two 9pound speckled trout one year, both on live shrimp. If you prefer to sling hardware rather than bait, pack an assortment of tackle to cover the entire water column. If walking the dog is your thing, carry a mix of large and small topwaters. Suspending plugs, which linger for extended periods at the same depth, are always a good choice, especially if you have spotted a line of slicks at a specific depth. A handful of lead-head jigs in different weights and an assortment of plastic tails should round out your tackle. Regardless of the tackle you are casting, work slowly and diligently. If you catch a fish from a particular area, focus on it. Make 20–30 more casts to the same spot before contemplating fishing somewhere else. April and May are great months to catch the trout of a lifetime. Grab your kayak and start looking for windward shorelines.
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Campfire 101 LOVE SPRING IN TEXAS (THE TIME OF the year not the city, although I have nothing against the city…) because the weather is perfect for camping and I enjoy camping. Roughing it in a tent with no electricity or dragging the pop-up to a state park with showers and toilets, it doesn’t matter. I just like getting out from under a solid roof for awhile. The part I enjoy most about camping is the campfire itself. The smell of the smoke and glow of the flames makes for a very relaxing setting for doing absolutely nothing. It doesn’t matter if you’re using your campfire to roast hotdogs, make smores, dry out wet socks, or to stave off hypothermia you first have to know how to build one efficiently. Let’s get the boring part out of the way first. What you need for a fire is something flammable, oxygen, and a spark. Your flammable material is broken down into three categories, tinder (items that catch fire very easily), kindling (small pieces of wood that catch fire easily but will stay lit longer than tinder), and fuel (large sticks and logs). In very general terms, the spark lights the tinder, which ignites the kindling, which in turn lights the fuel and presto you have a roaring campfire . If only it were that simple. The hardest part of building a campfire is getting it lit so let’s concentrate on the two most important parts of the fire: tinder and spark. When looking for tinder think along the lines that smaller is better. Leaves catch fire easily but burn out very quickly unless you have a lot of them. Also, not all leaves are created equal. In my experience red oak leave tend to take a flame easier than other types. Pine straw catches fire easily and burns for a decent amount of time making it outstanding for starting a campfire if you happen to have
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some where you live. If you get desperate for tinder, you can also take your knife and cut shavings off a larger stick. The thinner you can make the shavings the better. Now, sometimes there is no tinder in the area, or it’s all wet, so you need to come up with your own. This is where a little preparation goes a long way. Fire starter bricks, the kind used in fireplaces, work fairly well but can sometimes be difficult to light with a single match so be prepared to use a more consistent spark to light them. If you have a cotton ball, a cotton swab, or even a torn piece of cotton cloth, you can cover it in petroleum jelly and use it as your kindling. The petroleum melts into the cotton and stays lit for a long time giving to time to add kindling and build a fire. Don’t have any petroleum jelly, how about hand sanitizer? You know the kind your wife keeps in her purse so she can squirt it on your kid’s hands after they pet the dog or pick their nose? Read the bottle, it is 60% alcohol and will light up with just a quick spark. Smear some
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on a stick or piece of bark, hit it with a lit match, and you can have a fire in an instant just be careful because the alcohol burns with a light colored flame so it is hard to see. Now that you know what to use as tinder you probably need to know what kind of spark is needed. I’m not going to suggest anything as elaborate as using a bow drill to start your fire, carry matches they work better. You need a second way to start the fire so carry a butane lighter as well. Now, I will give you one way to start a fire other than the matches and lighters. Take a nine volt battery and touch the posts to some steel wool. The electricity from the battery will travel through the steel causing it to overheat and catch fire. You can use this to impress your family just don’t tell them where you learned it. Also, don’t store the steel wool and battery in the same container. That’s a good way to start a fire you didn’t intend to.
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E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com
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TEXAS HUNTING
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SPOTLIGHT: WHITE OAK OUTFITTERS
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White Oak Outfitters is an owner-operated outfitting service offering deer, boar and bear hunts since 1993. They provide fair-chase hunts for hunters of all ages on 3000 acres in beautiful East Texas. Bear hunts take place in August and September in cooperation with Nolalu outfitters in Ontario Canada and carried out on 4 Bear Management Areas. Texas hog hunts have a two-day minimum and are conducted year around. Deer hunts run from October through December. Hunters can hunt as long as they want for the flat daily rate. White Oak Outfitters processes all game by quartering, wrapping and freezing all the meat. There are no trophy fees or any other hidden costs. Living quarters are provided along with cooking facilities at no extra charge. “We try to treat people the way we would like to be treated if we were hunting with them,” said Bruce Hunnicut, owner. “We feel we have one of the premier hunting areas in the country. We would be glad to book a hunt for anyone who wants to experience a hunt of a lifetime.” Call Bruce to schedule your next hunt @ (903) 537-2651 or visit www.whiteoakoutfittersinc.com I N L A N D
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Redfish Port Aransas
this Pass caught h of Aransas berts Point Melinda Ploc Ro at s ck ro f the ll 28-inch red of caught the bu Aransas. She . line. -lb Park in Port 15 on d, ad squi red using de
Largemouth Bass
Speckled Trout
Private Pond
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st ows off his fir mson IV, 7, sh ches. Clifton Clifton Willia in 23 d an s ound trout, 4.15-p ts around the eck in the fla na Madre. caught his sp gu La r we the Lo causeway in
Ryan Wright , 9, of Rosenb erg caught hi first bass in s a small pond near Rosenb The 8 pounde erg. r was release d. Ryan Dad Brian Strain are avid saltw ater anglers.
Speckled Trout Redfish
South Padre
East Matagorda
Blackbuck Antelope Weimer
Sydney Harri s, 11, from De er blackbuck an telope huntin Park shot this g with her Un Obie at Triple cle X-Otics near Weimer. it wa her first hunt s and she mad e a perfect sh ot.
is 27nd landed th , of Sugar La r the first time. fo Tyler Mora, 11 s tic as g soft pl ll on inch red usin . Ken Marsha ng with Capt He was fishi rda Bay. East Matago
David Camar illo caught this 26 Jr., 13, of Brownsville -inch, 5.25-po und speck wh wadefishing with his Dad, ile David Sr., in bay off South the Padre Island.
Redfish Sargent
Redfish
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dfish at is 35-inch re ter caught th hing with F & G George Rich fis t, t in Sargen and Mitchell’s Cu ed Heimann d buddies Fr os)… ot ph o Outfitters, an tw xt on (see ne Owen Anders
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… Fred Heim ann caught th is 42-inch bu red at Mitche ll ll’s Cut in Sa rgent with pa George Rich ls ter (photo left) , and Owen Anders (next photo)…
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y ged out budd rson barely ed …Owen Ande enter photo) with this 43 h n (c Fred Heiman t. All three fis Mitchell’s Cu ute period. inch bull from in -m 45 a in with were caught
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Turkey La Vernia
Whitetail Buck his rnia bagged k, 9, of La Ve Nathan Wiatre e family farm. The turkey th a .410 first turkey at s taken with beard and wa had a 9 inch steps. shotgun at 10
Lavaca County Melissa Gilb ert, age 10, of Ho her first deer in Lavaca Co uston shot unty. The bu scored 151 1/ ck 2 B&C. One shot, one kill Dad John Gi — lbert, is very proud.
Redfish Laguna Madre is len caught th o, from McAl r we Lo e th Joe Maldonad ng while fishi 35-inch redfish e. Laguna Madr
Speckled Trout Matagorda
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Fredricksburg
Curtiss Berry of Sweeny to ok this bobc 23 yards with at at his Mathews ZSugarvalley, Matagorda Co Max bow, at unty. The ca taken one da t wa y shy of Curti ss’s 25th birth s day.
Winnie is pic, age 11, from n near Kate Devillier , take er de st fir r d. tured with he g with her Da while huntin Fredricksburg
This 25-inch spec kayaking in Th kled trout was caught re Pictured is Ma e Mile Cut at Matagorda. tt Feyen. The trout was also released.
Mixed Stringer Gulf of Mexico
Coyote Brenham
Dove Abernathy
, 15, Ty Natalie Pugh — from left, some us pl — These three 14 d Nate Horne, nt outside of Pugh, 13, an hu a great dove parents had lots of work! The dog got Abernathy.
Greg Faught of Corpus Christi, caught a nice mixed stringer fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
coyham shot this it alski of Bren t go He e. ttl ca Charlie Cend g y while feedin ote at midda at 145 yds with a 22-250
Turkey No Location Given
Speckled Trout
Redfish
Moses Lake
Where Caught Mike Ray bagg ed this turkey using Comm ando Game Ca with a bow, lls weighed in at 24 pounds, wi . The tom beard, and 1th a 10.75-inch inch spurs.
I N L A N D
is 25na caught th er of Pasade th Taylor Mesech d trout at Moses Lake wi un inch, 5-1/2 po Johnathon Modisete. d his good frien
A L M A N A C
T E X A S
F I S H
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Makayla Staf f, 11, was fis hing the Mata Bay CCA Lil gord Salties tourna ment when sh a caught her fir e st redfish — this 22-incher placed first in . She her age grou p with her ca tch.
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Alternative Lifestyles for Crappie BY DON ZAIDLE
PHOTO: © TEXAS FISH & GAME
“TELL ME AGAIN WHERE YOU escaped from, Zaidle?” My friend, Paul Foster, delivered the gibe as we began dabbling hopeful offerings beneath a bridge on Lake Bridgeport. “Shut up, Foster,” I replied. “You’re just jealous because I have more fun than you do. Besides, I am the writer here, I have poetic license.” Paul was dismayed by my latest application of innovative (he called it “weird”) technique for seducing “barn doors” to the hook. I was presenting a Swedish Pimple with a fly rod to which I’d affixed with electrical tape a nifty new Garcia spinning reel. Okay, when you say it like that, I guess it does sound a little weird. Be that as it may, I knew what I was doing. The Pimple—which is not something squeezed out the face of a fat broad named Helga, but an ice fishing lure of Swedish origin—is basically a jigging spoon of diminutive proportions. The long rod gave me the advantages of extended reach, ultra-finesse presentation, and superb sensitivity. The Pimple gave me something unique that appealed to the fish’s predatory instincts. The combination gave me superior butt-kicking ability N O R T H
A L M A N A C
T E X A S
against both fish and friend. In no time I’d boated three fish to Paul’s one as he feverishly applied hook to minnow between bites. “What’s the matter, Foster,” I teased. “Pressure getting to you?” “Shut up, Zaidle,” my friend retorted. “My fingers are cold, and you’re an elbow besides.” After a few more broad-shouldered slabs came over the gunwale, Foster said sheepishly, “Say, Zaidle, you got anymore of those Pimples?” “How much money you got, Foster?” In a general sense, crappie mavens come in two basic flavors: jiggers and minnow-drowners. There are variations within each discipline, and cross-dressers who enjoy the best of both worlds. Me? I’m a Renaissance Man. I like juxtaposing the old with the F I S H
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In This Issue
HOW-TO SECTION
71
75
OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION
74
76 57
78 COVER STORY • Alternative Lifestyles for Crappie | BY DON ZAIDLE
FISHING FORECAST SECTION
60
62
SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK Tides & Prime Times | BY TF&G STAFF
•
TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD
new, mingling, mixing, matching, and experimenting. But mostly I like to catch fish. That one vice (okay, one of many) compels me to a certain, shall we say, “discretion” in choosing which deviations I adopt into my repertoire. If it works, I keep it. If it doesn’t, I chalk it up to experience and move on. The Ecclesiastic axiom “there is no new thing under the sun” is really true. All of the
YANKEE TACKLE
FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, Texas tackle stores do not stock ice lures. Mail order is the only option. Here are a couple of sources. I recommend getting a catalog to order from rather than buying blind-some of that ice stuff is pretty weird. Bay de Noc Lure Company (Swedish Pimple) P.O. Box 71 Dept. TFG Gladstone, Michigan 49837 Website: www.baydenoclure.com HT Enterprises (Misc. ice lures) P.O. Box 909 Campbellsport, WI 53010 Pho. 920-533-5080 Website: www.htent.com 58 |
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72
TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • What Makes a Classic? | BY STEVE LAMASCUS
BOWHUNTING TECH From Field to Feast | BY LOU MARULLO
•
82 84
TEXAS BOATING • Economic Windfall | BY LENNY RUDOW
TEXAS KAYAKING • Trout of a Lifetime |
86
BY GREG BERLOCHER
PAUL’S TIPS • Campfire 101 |
BY PAUL BRADSHAW
TEXAS TESTED • Muzzy, Frabill, Aqualuma | BY TF&G STAFF
innovations in tackle and technique announced almost daily are just variations on common themes, fanfare and hyperbole notwithstanding. However, transporting one technique, bait, or piece of tackle from one locale to another—or one species to another—yields something new, if not to the angler, then to the fish. And that, to plagiarize Robert Frost, has made all the difference. Take that Pimple, for instance. Not one out of 100 Texas anglers has ever heard of it. On the other hand, there’s not a Yankee ice fisherman that hasn’t heard of it, and has probably used it. The point being, if Yankee crappie fall for a Pimple jigged vertically through an ice hole, why wouldn’t Texas crappie fall for one jigged beside a bridge piling? The unique aspect this and other ice lures present is something new to both fish and angler. Some lures are made on the order of diminutive spinners with propellers small enough to use in your eyebrows. Others resemble everything from fish eyes to Daphnia magna—the water flea, a.k.a. “Water Monkeys” on the ad pages of comic books of yore. So, why go to all the bother to import ice lures from the Great Frozen North? Well,
T E X A S
NEW PRODUCTS • Hot New Outdoor Gear | BY TF&G STAFF
TEXAS TASTED • Non-Traditional Turkey | BY BRYAN SLAVEN OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Guides, Gear and More | BY TF&G STAFF TF&G PHOTOS • Your Action Photos | BY TF&G READERS
SALTWATER TALES • Johnboats for Saltwater Fishing | BY CHESTER MOORE
GEARING UP SECTION
70
INDUSTRY INSIDER • Shimano, Galveston Bay Foundation | BY TF&G STAFF
F I S H
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www.FishGame.com for one thing, Texas crappie love them, especially in winter when tiny baits are the thing. For another thing, ice lures have unique actions that traditional jigs don’t. They flutter, swim, swoop, and chandelle just like real baitfish, providing an edge when crappie get finicky. Besides, they’re just plain fun to use. While we are on the subject of baits, I’ve always been intrigued that crappie anglers elsewhere use on live and cut baits such as traditional worms, mussels, crickets, and even maggots. Yes, I’ve tried them all, and they work just as well in Texas waters. Now that we have our maggots all in a row, let’s talk “fly spinning”—my name for the fly rod-spinning reel hybrid mentioned earlier. In the great scheme of the universe, what is a fly rod but an extra-long spinning rod with the reel seat in the wrong place and funky line guides? Actually, for some applications, it is a superior spinning rod for crappie. I got the inspiration for fly spinning for crappie many years ago when I saw an old angler using the same technique for springtime bass. He was using the rig to deliver 1/4-ounce crappie jigs CONTINUED onto spawning SEE PAGE 62 beds. And he was
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Tides and Prime Times
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
SYMBOL KEY
First Quarter
New Moon
4 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
PRIME TIME
6:14 am 11:41 am 4:33 pm 11:20 pm
1.37ft. 0.89ft. 1.13ft. 0.13ft.
Sunrise: 7:22a Moonrise: 7:38a AM Minor: 6:32a PM Minor: 6:54p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
Set: 7:57p Set: 9:15p AM Major: 12:21a PM Major: 12:43p 2:23p 2:01a
11
PRIME TIME
Low Tide: 4:13 am High Tide: 1:25 pm
0.07ft. 1.41ft.
Sunrise: 7:14a Moonrise: 1:18p AM Minor: 12:26a PM Minor: 12:50p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
18 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
Set: 8:01p Set: 2:33a AM Major: 6:37a PM Major: 7:04p 8:20p 7:53a
1.70ft. 1.11ft. 1.34ft. -0.37ft.
7:30 — 9:30 PM
Set: 8:06p Set: 7:11a AM Major: 12:01a PM Major: 12:25p 1:40a 2:10p
25
PRIME TIME
5:19 am 1:17 pm 7:45 pm 11:10 pm
0.25ft. 1.34ft. 1.02ft. 1.13ft.
Sunrise: 6:59a Moonrise: 2:40a AM Minor: 12:45a PM Minor: 1:08p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
60 |
12:00 — 2:00 AM
PRIME TIME
6:02 am 11:31 am 3:44 pm 11:08 pm
Sunrise: 7:06a Moonrise: 9:15p AM Minor: 6:10a PM Minor: 6:39p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
1:30 — 3:30 PM
1:00 — 3:00 AM
Set: 8:11p Set: 1:48p AM Major: 6:56a PM Major: 7:19p 8:11a 8:34p
A P R I L
2 0 1 1
5 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
7:05 am 12:08 pm 4:34 pm 11:55 pm
Sunrise: 7:21a Moonrise: 8:13a AM Minor: 7:19a PM Minor: 7:42p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
PRIME TIME
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
PRIME TIME 5:24 am 1:49 pm 7:35 pm 11:01 pm
Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: 2:23p AM Minor: 1:16a PM Minor: 1:42p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
19 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
2:00 — 4:00 PM
Set: 7:58p Set: 10:11p AM Major: 1:08a PM Major: 1:31p 3:09p 2:46a
12
7:08 am 12:26 pm 4:05 pm 11:59 pm
Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 10:25p AM Minor: 7:12a PM Minor: 7:42p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
0.13ft. 1.38ft. 1.13ft. 1.18ft.
PRIME TIME
Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 3:13a AM Minor: 1:29a PM Minor: 1:50p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
T E X A S
1:30 — 3:30 AM
Set: 8:07p Set: 7:59a AM Major: 12:57a PM Major: 1:27p 2:40a 3:10p
26 Low Tide: 6:33 am High Tide: 1:39 pm Low Tide: 8:02 pm
1:00 — 3:00 AM
Set: 8:02p Set: 3:16a AM Major: 7:29a PM Major: 7:56p 9:13p 8:47a
1.72ft. 1.26ft. 1.39ft. -0.42ft.
PRIME TIME 0.42ft. 1.27ft. 0.87ft.
PRIME TIME
Last Quarter Good Day
Full Moon
1.38ft. 1.01ft. 1.16ft. 0.08ft.
2:00 — 4:00 AM
6 High Tide: 8:00 am 1.38ft. Low Tide: 12:36 pm 1.12ft. High Tide: 4:23 pm 1.20ft.
Sunrise: 7:20a Moonrise: 8:51a AM Minor: 8:10a PM Minor: 8:34p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
PRIME TIME
7
8:00 — 10:00 PM
Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
Set: 7:58p Set: 11:07p AM Major: 1:58a PM Major: 2:22p 3:57p 3:33a
13
PRIME TIME
Low Tide: 6:34 am High Tide: 2:09 pm Low Tide: 7:38 pm
Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 3:29p AM Minor: 2:05a PM Minor: 2:31p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
20
High Tide: 8:16 am Low Tide: 1:25 pm High Tide: 4:25 pm
Sunrise: 7:04a Moonrise: 11:30p AM Minor: 8:17a PM Minor: 8:47p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
0.21ft. 1.33ft. 0.91ft.
2:00 — 4:00 AM
Set: 8:03p Set: 3:56a AM Major: 8:18a PM Major: 8:44p 10:05p 9:39a
PRIME TIME 1.69ft. 1.36ft. 1.41ft.
2:30 — 4:30 AM
Set: 8:07p Set: 8:53a AM Major: 2:02a PM Major: 2:32p 3:40a 4:10p
27 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
BEST DAYS
PRIME TIME 12:49 am 7:37 am 1:55 pm 8:19 pm
1.16ft. 0.58ft. 1.22ft. 0.72ft.
2:30 — 4:30 AM
Set: 8:11p Set: 2:43p AM Major: 7:39a PM Major: 8:01p 8:55a 9:16p
Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 3:43a AM Minor: 2:08a PM Minor: 2:28p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
Set: 8:12p Set: 3:36p AM Major: 8:18a PM Major: 8:38p 9:37a 9:57p
F I S H
G A M E ®
N O R T H
&
PRIME TIME 12:33 am 9:03 am 1:05 pm 4:09 pm
Sunrise: 7:19a Moonrise: 9:34a AM Minor: 9:04a PM Minor: 9:29p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
0.05ft. 1.38ft. 1.22ft. 1.27ft.
Set: 7:59p Set: None AM Major: 2:52a PM Major: 3:17p 4:47p 4:22a
14 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
PRIME TIME 1:03 am 7:40 am 2:27 pm 8:11 pm
Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 4:36p AM Minor: 2:52a PM Minor: 3:17p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
1.25ft. 0.34ft. 1.28ft. 0.62ft.
PRIME TIME 12:53 am 9:27 am 2:55 pm 4:28 pm
Sunrise: 7:03a Moonrise: None AM Minor: 9:23a PM Minor: 9:53p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
-0.38ft. 1.63ft. 1.41ft. 1.41ft.
9:00 — 11:00 PM
Set: 8:08p Set: 9:51a AM Major: 3:09a PM Major: 3:38p 4:40a 5:10p
28 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
3:00 — 5:00 AM
Set: 8:03p Set: 4:34a AM Major: 9:05a PM Major: 9:30p 10:57p 10:31a
21 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
8:30 — 10:30 PM
PRIME TIME 2:07 am 8:33 am 2:08 pm 8:38 pm
Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 4:12a AM Minor: 2:44a PM Minor: 3:04p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
A L M A N A C
1.24ft. 0.72ft. 1.20ft. 0.56ft.
3:00 — 5:00 AM
Set: 8:13p Set: 4:28p AM Major: 8:54a PM Major: 9:14p 10:17a 10:37p
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Tides and Prime Times
FRIDAY
1 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
PRIME TIME 3:47 am 10:18 am 4:00 pm 9:55 pm
1.26ft. 0.50ft. 1.07ft. 0.42ft.
Sunrise: 7:26a Moonrise: 6:09a AM Minor: 4:32a PM Minor: 4:52p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot: 1:17 am 10:17 am 1:37 pm 4:07 pm
0.04ft. 1.38ft. 1.30ft. 1.33ft.
Sunrise: 7:18a Moonrise: 10:23a AM Minor: 10:01a PM Minor: 10:27p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
1.38ft. 0.52ft. 1.25ft. 0.31ft.
Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 5:44p AM Minor: 3:37a PM Minor: 4:03p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
PRIME TIME
Low Tide: 1:51 am -0.26ft. High Tide: 10:40 am 1.56ft.
Sunrise: 7:02a Moonrise: 12:28a AM Minor: 10:27a PM Minor: 10:56p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
9:30 — 11:30 PM
Set: 8:09p Set: 10:51a AM Major: 4:13a PM Major: 4:42p 5:39a 6:06p
29 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
9:30 — 11:30 PM
4:30 — 6:30 PM
PRIME TIME 3:11 am 9:21 am 2:21 pm 8:59 pm
Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 4:40a AM Minor: 3:19a PM Minor: 3:39p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
1.33ft. 0.86ft. 1.20ft. 0.40ft.
4:30 — 6:30 PM
Set: 8:13p Set: 5:20p AM Major: 9:29a PM Major: 9:49p 10:57a 11:17p
N O R T H
4:38 am 10:48 am 4:12 pm 10:20 pm
1.31ft. 0.64ft. 1.08ft. 0.30ft.
PRIME TIME 2:08 am 11:39 am 2:27 pm 4:13 pm
16
0.03ft. 1.40ft. 1.37ft. 1.37ft.
3:45 am 9:41 am 3:03 pm 9:34 pm
10:00P — 12:00A
Set: 8:00p Set: 12:55a AM Major: 4:45a PM Major: 5:11p 6:32p 6:06a
PRIME TIME 1.52ft. 0.72ft. 1.26ft. 0.02ft.
Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 6:53p AM Minor: 4:24a PM Minor: 4:50p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
5:30 — 7:30 PM
Set: 8:05p Set: 5:48a AM Major: 10:37a PM Major: 11:04p None 12:16p
23
PRIME TIME
Low Tide: 2:54 am -0.10ft. High Tide: 11:49 am 1.48ft.
Sunrise: 7:01a Moonrise: 1:18a AM Minor: 11:27a PM Minor: 11:53p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
5:30 — 7:30 AM
Set: 8:09p Set: 11:51a AM Major: 5:14a PM Major: 5:40p 6:33a 6:59p
30 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
6:00 — 8:00 PM
Set: 7:56p Set: 7:26p AM Major: 11:19a PM Major: 11:39p 12:58p 12:38a
Sunrise: 7:16a Moonrise: 11:17a AM Minor: 10:58a PM Minor: 11:25p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
SUNDAY PRIME TIME
Sunrise: 7:25a Moonrise: 6:37a AM Minor: 5:09a PM Minor: 5:29p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
Set: 8:04p Set: 5:11a AM Major: 9:50a PM Major: 10:16p 11:49p 11:23a
22
High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
9
PRIME TIME 2:30 am 8:42 am 2:45 pm 8:50 pm
2
PRIME TIME
Set: 7:59p Set: 12:02a AM Major: 3:48a PM Major: 4:14p 5:39p 5:13a
15 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
5:00 — 7:00 AM
Set: 7:55p Set: 6:33p AM Major: 10:42a PM Major: 11:02p 12:18p None
8 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
SATURDAY
3 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
PRIME TIME 5:26 am 11:15 am 4:24 pm 10:49 pm
1.34ft. 0.77ft. 1.10ft. 0.20ft.
Sunrise: 7:24a Moonrise: 7:07a AM Minor: 5:49a PM Minor: 6:10p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
Set: 7:56p Set: 8:20p AM Major: 11:59a PM Major: 12:20p 1:40p 1:19a
10
PRIME TIME
Low Tide: 3:07 am 0.04ft. High Tide: 12:46 pm 1.42ft.
Sunrise: 7:15a Moonrise: 12:15p AM Minor: 11:55a PM Minor: ----Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
17 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:
4:55 am 10:36 am 3:23 pm 10:20 pm
PRIME TIME 1.63ft. 0.92ft. 1.29ft. -0.22ft.
1.41ft. 0.99ft. 1.21ft. 0.27ft.
Sunrise: 6:54a Moonrise: 5:09a AM Minor: 3:54a PM Minor: 4:15p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
A L M A N A C
12:00 — 2:00 AM
Set: 8:05p Set: 6:28a AM Major: 11:28a PM Major: 11:56p 12:44a 1:12p
24
PRIME TIME 4:05 am 12:42 pm 7:45 pm 8:54 pm
0.08ft. 1.41ft. 1.16ft. 1.16ft.
Sunrise: 7:00a Moonrise: 2:02a AM Minor: ----PM Minor: 12:20p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:
12:00 — 2:00 AM
Set: 8:10p Set: 12:50p AM Major: 6:08a PM Major: 6:33p 7:24a 7:48p
PRIME TIME 4:06 am 10:02 am 2:33 pm 9:23 pm
6:30 — 8:30 AM
Set: 8:01p Set: 1:46a AM Major: 5:41a PM Major: 6:08p 7:26p 6:59a
Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 8:04p AM Minor: 5:14a PM Minor: 5:42p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:
6:30 — 8:30 PM
PRIME TIME
5:00 — 7:00 PM
Set: 8:14p Set: 6:14p AM Major: 10:05a PM Major: 10:25p 11:38a None
T E X A S
F I S H
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TIDE STATION CORRECTION TABLE (Adjust High & Low Tide times listed in the Calendar by the amounts below for each keyed location)
NOT FOR NAVIGATION PLACE SABINE BANK LIGHTHOUSE (29.47° N, 93.72° W) SABINE PASS JETTY (29.65° N, 93.83° W) SABINE PASS (29.73° N, 93.87°W) MESQUITE PT, SABINE PASS (29.77° N, 93.9° W) GALV. BAY, SO. JETTY (29.34° N, 94.7° W) PORT BOLIVAR (29.36° N, 94.77° W) TX CITY TURNING BASIN (29.38° N, 94.88° W) EAGLE POINT (29.5° N, 94.91° W) CLEAR LAKE (29.56° N, 95.06° W) MORGANS POINT (29.68° N, 94.98° W) ROUND PT, TRINITY BAY (29.71° N, 94.69° W) PT. BARROW, TRIN. BAY (29.74° N, 94.83° W) GILCHRIST, E. BAY (29.52° N, 94.48° W) JAMAICA BCH., W. BAY (29.2° N, 94.98° W) ALLIGATOR PT., W. BAY (29.17° N, 94.13° W) CHRISTMAS PT, CHR. BAY (29.08° N, 94.17° W) GALV. PLEASURE PIER (29.29° N, 94.79° W) SAN LUIS PASS (29.08° N, 95.12° W) FREEPORT HARBOR (28.95° N, 95.31° W) PASS CAVALLO (28.37° N, 96.4° W) ARANSAS PASS (27.84° N, 97.05° W) PADRE ISL.(SO. END) (26.07° N, 97.16° W) PORT ISABEL (26.06° N, 97.22° W)
A P R I L
HIGH
LOW
-1:46
-1:31
-1:26
-1:31
-1:00
-1:15
-0:04
-0:25
-0:39
-1:05
+0:14
-0:06
+0:33
+0:41
+3:54
+4:15
+6:05
+6:40
+10:21
+5:19
+10:39
+5:15
+5:48
+4:43
+3:16
+4:18
+2:38
+3:31
+2:39
+2:33
+2:32
+2:31
-1:06
-1:06
-0.09
-0.09
-0:44
-1:02
0:00
-1:20
-0:03
-1:31
-0:24
-1:45
+1:02
-0:42
2 0 1 1
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PINEY WOODS
Hybrids, Bass and Bream by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Red Belly GPS: N32 43.27524, W94 6.88176 (32.721254, -94.114696) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Senkos, Texas-rigged lizards, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits CONTACT: Paul Keith, caddoguide@att.net, 318-455-3437, caddolakefishing.com TIPS: The fish are in the middle of the spawn this month. Fish the bases of the cypress trees that are from one to four feet
deep. Dark colors work best on soft plastic lures. LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 23.7141, W95 35.41422 (30.395235, -95.590237) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Storm swimbaits, live shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, admin@fishdudetx.com, 936-291-1277, fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrids will school on the surface in the mornings and will be easy to catch on swimbaits. They will be on mainlake points that have sandy bottoms. When you locate schools of shad you will find hybrids. Use live bait when the fish go deep. LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: Dale Creek GPS: N32 49.608, W95 35.52 (N32.826800, W-95.592000) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, Mr. Twister Hawg Frog & Comida worms TIPS: The bass will be in full spawn, so fish all the small out of way pockets and you should find good numbers of fish, along with some trophy sized largemouth. Remember, covering a lot of water in the spring can hurt you when searching for trophy bass. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Mustang Creek GPS: N32 51.804, W95 38.76 (N32.863400, W-95.646000) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: soft-plastics rigged weightless or wacky style TIPS: Start at the Highway 17 Bridge and work west. Fish the small pockets and inlets in Mustang all the way in and out.
COVER STORY killing them. “This old fly rod FROM PG. 58 gives me more reach,” he said of the 8-1/2 footer. “I can place a small lure almost anywhere within 20 feet, and do it gently. The jigs are closer to the size of the bream and other small fish that invade the beds. I can feel the pickup better. Plus,” he added with a grin, “I get as much fight out of a 4-pounder as I do from an 8-pounder.” Fly rods are astonishingly subtle instruments. The tiniest vibrations transmit up the rod to the angler’s hand with RCA “Surround Sound” clarity. Reciprocally, imperceptible hand movements are transmitted to the bait, inducing an enticing wiggle envied by the most seasoned red-light veterans. The extra reach is especially handy. You can cover a 20-foot arc around your boat CONTINUED
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without moving. Reaching way back yonder in the willows to snatch pre-spawners is a snap. If necessity or a yen for offbeat sport calls for it, you can setup for ultra-finesse presentation of flea-weight lures and baits. Start by wrapping a large spinning guide onto the fly rod on the side opposite the stripping guide. Now twist the two sections so that the spinning guide aligns with the rest of the guides. Spool up with 4-poundtest monofilament. Tie on a No. 10 Mustad hook, and let the fun begin… Start by threading a 1-inch Mister Twister grub onto the hook. Do not use a weight. The whip of the rod and the combined weight of hook and grub are enough to make respectable casts into shoreline spawning cover. The grub will sink so-veryslowly that it practically suspends. You can
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work it so slowly as to make it practically hover. And trust me, get that squiggly enticement anywhere near a crappie and it’ll turn itself inside-out in its rush to come over and inhale it. Strikes have bass-like viciousness. Pinch on a split-shot or two and you can use fly fishing streamers to produce similar results. Believe it or not, when crappie are very shallow, say, two or three feet, you can catch them on topwater. I like to use fly rod poppers, which can also be cast surprising distances with this ultra-finesse rig. Too bad there’s not space to tell you about taking crappie on big bass lures, but that’s an alternative lifestyle that must wait. I love doing it, though. It makes Foster nuts.
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Bass should be nesting in water less than 5 feet deep. Work a worm rigged without weight from shoreline cover out to the first break line. LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res. HOTSPOT: The Snake Pit GPS: N31 43.7817, W93 49.86516 (31.729695, -93.831086) SPECIES: bream BEST BAITS: Crickets, small jigs CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: Bream will start moving onto the beds in April. Work the small cuts and pockets along the shorelines that are protected from the wind. The beds will be easy to spot and will look like honeycombs. Fish from front to back so you won’t spook the fish.
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best. Watch for bird and bait activity. Fish from 1-5 feet deep because the hybrids will be in a spawning mode and feeding on shad in shallow water.
PRAIRIES & LAKES
Catfish, Hybrids, Whites & Crappie by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Cedar Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake Points GPS: N32 12.54546, W96 5.86704 (32.209091, -96.097784) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Three to four-inch Sassy Shads, swimbaits, Zara Spooks CONTACT: Jason Barber, kingcreekadventures@yahoo.com, 903-887-7896, kingcreekadventures.com TIPS: Fish the most obvious mid-lake points. The more exposed windy points are
LOCATION: Fayette County Res. HOTSPOT: Buzzard Point GPS: N29 56.31696, W96 44.217 (29.938616, -96.736950) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, worms, cut bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor at the south end of the point. Place rods in several directions until you find the fish. If the wind is blowing toward the bank, move in to fish shallow. Fish deeper water over the old highway 159 bridge as it gets later in the day. LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Snake Island GPS: N31 55.30656, W97 12.8484 (31.921776, -97.214140) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Little Georges, Fle Flies, grubs CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: This is a great time to load the boat with two fish at a time. I use a grub on a leadhead with a Fle Fly about 12inches above the grub. Make long cast around the island. When a fish is hooked, let it swim around and another will hit the Fle Fly. LOCATION: Lake Belton HOTSPOT: Jubilee Springs GPS: N31 10.236, W97 29.83998 (31.170600, -97.497333) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Anchor very carefully so as not to disturb fish you have located. Tightline with live shad and change baits often. Don’t be afraid to use big baits.
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LOCATION: Lake Bridgeport HOTSPOT: Stripling Island GPS: N33 13.113, W97 51.78558 (33.218550, -97.863093) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad, chrome/blue Rat-L-Trap CONTACT: TF&G Hotspots TIPS: Troll along the edge of the island and the flats on either side. LOCATION: Lake Cooper HOTSPOT: Dam Points GPS: N33 19.8939, W95 37.80654 (33.331565, -95.630109) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad and jighead CONTACT: Tony Parker, tawakonifihing@yahoo.com, 903-348-1619, tonyparkerfishing.com TIPS: My old standby is a four-inch Sassy Shad on a 1/2-ounce jighead or a 3/4-ounce jig head depending on the depth I am fishing. The hybrids still will be shallow. Target main-lake points and the entire
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length of the dam. Retrieve slowly in deep water. LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Clark’s Creek GPS: N33 27.234, W96 53.82 (N33.453900, W-96.897000) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows TIPS: Work timber in shallows for spawners; morning thru afternoon LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Main-Lake Points North of Power Plant GPS: N33 3.2613, W96 25.33152 (33.054355, -96.422192) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Black and chartreuse jigs CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: The fish are spawning in 8-inches to 2 feet of water. Fish the heaviest brush in the backs of the coves because they warm up fast during daytime hours. Fish
under the Mallard Park bridge and coves with 10-12-foot BM jig poles, 8-10-pound test line. LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Main Lake and Secondary Points GPS: N33 5.18538, W96 55.99092 (33.086423, -96.933182) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh shad, Secret 7 dip bait CONTACT: Bobby Kubin, bobby@bobby-catfishing.com, 817-4552894, bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: The shad spawn is under way. Look for egrets feeding on spawning shad along wind-blown points. You can catch catfish, white bass and hybrids in these areas. You can load the boat with channel cats using Secret 7 dip bait on a No. 6 treble hook. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Crappie Point GPS: N30 18.4215, W96 34.09584
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(30.307025, -96.568264) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16 or 1/32-ounce curly tail crappie jigs, minnows CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Fish straight down around rock bottom or Christmas trees that have been submerged here. Fish slowly and thoroughly with jigs or minnows. Start 3-4 feet off the bottom and fish all sides of the Christmas trees. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: The Islands GPS: N33 51.55992, W96 42.26466 (33.859332, -96.704411) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Coho minnows, Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: Big fish are roaming the flats and main-lake points at 5-30-feet depths. Cast white glow or chartreuse 3/4-ounce Coho minnows and Sassy Shads on the banks for great topwater action. You may catch eggladen stripers to 20-pounds. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Willafa Woods GPS: N33 53.8302, W96 34.6017 (33.897170, -96.576695) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Coho Minnows, Sassy Shad CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: The big stripers are roaming the flats and main lake points. Cast 3/4 to 1ounce Sassy Shads or Coho Minnows to the bank for great topwater action. The Islands also should not be overlooked. Roads End and Mill Creek Flats offer bank access. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Buncombe Creek GPS: N33 52.866, W96 47.82 (N33.881100, W-96.797000) 66 |
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SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: topwaters, live shad CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com Tips: Stripers will be on two patterns: topwaters and live shad. Blind cast Pencil Poppers and Chug-Bugs early, to banks. Best colors are chrome and blue. Later in the day, fish live shad on a Carolina Rig. Anchor on ledges and mouths of creeks. LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Striper Point GPS: N31 52.99014, W97 23.4528 (31.883169, -97.390880) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: swimbaits, live shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS: Big stripers are shallow. Start early by casting chartreuse swimbaits and ripping them back to the boat in 3-10 feet of water. Small swimbaits will catch a lot of white bass. After the sun rises use a Carolina rig to cast live shad along the grass. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT: Coffee Creek GPS: N31 59.3292, W96 16.76742 (31.988820, -96.279457) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Kicker Craw or Red Bird Dog soft plastics CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 682-5188252, schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: The spawn is in full swing. Use Watermelon and watermelon-red lures. Target 1-4 feet deep water. This area usually is clear but you will need a push pole to reach spawning areas. Grape Creek also is a good place to try. Target boat docks and flats. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Lake HOTSPOT: Long Bridge Pillars GPS: N31 0.537, W97 38.87898 (31.008950, -97.647983) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Medium shiners, jigs CONTACT: Bob Maindelle,
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Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Use medium shiners or black jigs with orange tails on slip bobbers during the day. At night, use green lights and white lights and fish medium shiners on slip bobbers under them. Keep boat noise to a minimum.
PANHANDLE
Largemouth and Stripers by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: OH Ivie Res. HOTSPOT: North Island Channel Edge GPS: N31 32.58396, W99 40.66296 (31.543066, -99.677716) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: 10-inch plastic worms CONTACT: Dave Caudle, fishinwithdave@aol.com, 325-365-1020, fishinwithdave.com TIPS: The spawn is in full swing in the shallows. Points and ledges near deep water will hold huge females. Darker-colored worms usually work best but topwater lures fished early also will draw action. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT: Costello Island Cut GPS: N32 54.27588, W98 28.14 (32.904598, -98.469000) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad, crankbaits, slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: The fish will be either in the middle of the cut or just north and west on the flats at 8 to 30 feet. They sometimes move to the south end of the island and suspend off the ledge at 24-36 feet. Launch at Sam's Dock just south of the island. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT: Mouth of Brazos River
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GPS: N32 58.122, W98 24.36 (N32.968700, W-98.406000) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: shallow-running crankbaits; slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Start north of Costello Island and work north. There should still be gulls on the lake, so that's extra eyes on the water early in the morning. Watch the gulls and work the breaklines and sandy flats. Fish a slab and jig vertically this time of year.
HILL COUNTRY
Canyon Bass and Redfish by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Canyon Park Area GPS: N29 53.82432, W98 13.8414 (29.897072, -98.230690) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Fluke Shake, Shakey Head, Wackey Worm, Crème Whaky Stick, Jewel Jig, spinnerbait CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, kandie@gvtc.com, 210-823-2153 TIPS: Target backs of the creeks. The fish will move where the sun warms up early. Some bass may be on the beds. Check the bluff wall on the right after the point. Jig early and slowly. Use 1/8-oz. shakey heads, 1/32-oz. wackey worms, 1/2-oz. spinnerbaits. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Canyon Park Area GPS: N29 53.82432, W98 13.8414 (29.897072, -98.230690) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Fluke Shake, Shakey Head, Wackey Worm, Crème Whaky Stick, Jewel Jig, spinnerbait CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, kandie@gvtc.com, 210-823-2153 TIPS: Target backs of the creeks. The fish will move where the sun warms up early. Some bass may be on the beds. Check the bluff wall on the right after the point. Jig early and slowly. Use 1/8-oz. N O R T H
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shakey heads, 1/32-oz. wackey worms, 1/2-oz. spinnerbaits.
BEST BAITS: Norton Sand Eels or Saltwater Assassins in Pearl or Bone colors CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475 TIPS: Good place for drifting or wading with soft plastics or bait
SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS
Border Cats on Falcon
LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Campbell’s Bayou GPS: N29 21.063, W94 53.27598 (29.351050, -94.887933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 1/2-ounce; gold spoon; 3/8 jigheads with Norton Eels or Saltwater Assassins in a Pearl or Bone colors CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 or 281-339-0475 TIPS: Bigger trout are on or close to the bottom. Make sure your lure works this area.
by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: River Channel GPS: N26 52.74768, W99 19.66926 (26.879128, -99.327821) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cut shad, shrimp, punch bait CONTACT: Robert Amaya, robertsfishntackle@gmail.com, 956-765-1442, www.robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: This is the time of the year when the big blue catfish are staging for the spawn. They will be traveling along the main river channel and staging around the bends. Anchor or drift slowly with the bait just off the bottom.
LOCATION: Sabine Jetties HOTSPOT: West Jetty GPS: N29 40.371, W93 50.25 (29.672850, -93.837500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Finger mullet or live pogeys CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-7862018 or 409-673-9211 TIPS: Fish tight to the rocks
UPPER GULF COAST
Topwaters and Eels for Specks by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com
LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Three Beacons GPS: N28 40.518, W95 53.05398 (28.675300, -95.884233) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwater lures, Corkys and Catch 2000 CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: Afternoon trips work better than morning trips LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Mosquito Island GPS: N29 23.484, W94 53.08002 (29.391400, -94.884667) SPECIES: speckled trout
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MIDDLE GULF COAST
Bet on Croaker for Mid-Coast Trout by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: Lydia Ann Channel GPS: N27 57.40998, W97 3.58998 (27.956833, -97.059833) SPECIES: speckled trout G A M E ®
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BEST BAITS: live croakers CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Free line the croaker LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Packery Channel Flats GPS: N27 37.94202, W97 13.026 (27.632367, -97.217100) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics, 3-4-inches in length CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: Use soft plastic baits that have a swimming tail motion LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay HOTSPOT: Pringle Lake GPS: N28 19.82898, W96 28.67202 (28.330483, -96.477867) SPECIES: speckled trout
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BEST BAITS: Topwater artificial baits in a Bone color or Texas Tackle Factory Trout Killers in Pumpkinseed color using a 1/8ounce; jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: South shoreline is excellent for wade-fishing. LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Ayers Bay GPS: N28 11.115, W96 50.25 (28.185250, -96.837500) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce; gold spoons CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: Look for nervous bait
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(27.981067, -96.988167) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croaker CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361222-0477 TIPS: Anchor and throw toward shore LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Live Oak Point GPS: N28 15.06714, W96 47.23242 (28.251119, -96.787207) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce; gold spoons CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361785-2686 TIPS: Good spot to drift fish for redfish LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Nine Mile Hole GPS: N27 3.91098, W97 24.67098 (27.065183, -97.411183) SPECIES: redfish
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BEST BAITS: Soft plastic, 3-4-inches in length CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: If the water turns dirty in the high winds that sometime happen in the spring, keep your bait 3-4-inches deep. It will go over the top of the fish and they can look up and see it.
LOWER GULF COAST
Specks, Reds and Snook by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com
LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Kenedy Ranch Shoreline GPS: N27 15.55002, W97 25.15398 (27.259167, -97.419233) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in strawber-
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ry/white, black back, plum/chartreuse, rootbeer/red flake, Morning Glory CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361449-7441 TIPS: Trout gravitate to the weedlines near the shoreline. Soft plastics fished with a 1*8th-ounce jighead are a first choice for artificial fans. Don’t ignore a Mansfield Mauler. The noisy float will help you fish slower, which early-spring trout prefer. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.66902, W97 13.00902 (26.027817, -97.216817) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp; Logic Baits tandems in gold/meltalflake CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: If the snook aren’t around, watch for redfish cruising the shallows. These fish will respond to live bait under a Mauler or soft plastics worked near the bottom. Most are slot fish, but there are some taggers in there.
LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.66902, W97 13.00902 (26.027817, -97.216817) SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: Bomber Jointed Long A's in red/clear, chartreuse/clear; Logic Baits tandems in gold/meltalflake CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: It may still be a touch cool for snook, but they may be present around the mangroves along the windward shoreline. Fish jointed lures erratically. If fish are still sluggish, use a sot plastic weightless.
On the Web www.FishGame.com/hotspots
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The Mighty Muzzy EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, MOST BOW hunters get a little bored with the broadhead they have shot for years and will always have that “urge” to try the new and improved arrow tips that are available out there. I can tell you that I am that person in a nutshell! Broadheads come and broadheads go, but Muzzy has been around for years and have proven to the bowhunting world that quality remains at the top of their list. This year, they have introduced a new line called the MX-3. The name alone sounds powerful, and powerful it is! I shot both the 75-grain and the 100-grain MX-3’s and was totally impressed with the results of both broadheads. Penetration was not a problem at all. I suspect the way the blades lock together has a lot to do with that. As a matter of fact, this is the very first time I have seen a broadhead where the blades actually lock together forming one solid piece of power! The 75-grain sports an aluminum ferrule while the 100-grain uses a steel ferrule. Both come with what Muzzy calls its Trocar tip. This super strong tip will easily break bone if it needs to. I have seen other broadhead blades break whenever they make contact with bone. Not so with these .025 thick blades. The 75-grain Muzzy MX-3 has a cutting diameter of 1 -3/16 while the heavier 100-grain MX-3 made a slightly larger cutting surface of 1-¼ inches. I did not see a difference in performance at all between 70 |
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the two broadheads. It is just a question of personal preference and what you are already set up for. All I can say is I was deeply impressed with Muzzy’s new MX-3 line. Try it…you will not be disappointed. —Lou Marullo
Get the Scoop THE GOAL: YOU WANT TO CATCH TRULY monstrous fish from your small, inshore boat. Maybe you’re after big black drum, bull redfish, or torpedo-sized cobia. Whatever the prey, you have problem: where to stow a net big enough for landing such a
The HyberNet: Now you see it... Now, you don’t
Frabill
yet does the job: Frabil’s Hiber-Net. These provide a stowage solution on even the smallest boats, because the hoop and mesh both fold flat and slide inside of the net’s handle. Extending and stowing the hoop and mesh is lightening-fast, and a piece of cake. Simply grab the black handle on the net, and push it forward to pop the hoop open. When you’re done scooping up your catch, pull the handle grip back to collapse and stow it. You end up with nothing more than a pole to stow. But, will a collapsible net be strong enough to bring hefty fish into the boat? Yes. The extruded aluminum handle felt firm and sturdy in my hands, as did the opened hoop. Added bonus: the mesh material is knotless, which makes for fewer line tangles, and easier hook removal. It’s also better for the fish if you’re a catch-andrelease angler, because knotless mesh causes fewer scrapes and remove less slime from the fish’s skin. Just how big a fish can the Hiber-Net handle? Anything you’re likely to encounter on the Texas coast, much less in freshwater, won’t be a problem. The handle is 52” long, and the hoop size is 24” x 26”. Mesh depth is 18”. The Hiber-Net isn’t cheap, though, with a MSRP of $79.99. Check it out at www.frabill.com.
Brighten Up
beast. Put it in a rodholder, and you’ll be forever snagging mesh on the back-cast. Plop it on the deck, and it’ll forever be underfoot. The solution? You need a net that stows in a tight compartment, like a rodbox or an under-gunwale rodrack. I recently tried out a net that—for the first time ever, in my experience—stows easily
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THOSE UNDERWATER BOAT LIGHTS ARE super-cool looking, and they attract countless fish and swarms of bait, when you’re night fishing. Just one problem: who wants to drill more holes in their hull? No one. That’s why some manufacturers have begun offering surface-mount underwater lights, and the latest to hit the market is Aqualuma’s FF9. The FF9 is a cluster of 9 LED’s in a sealed housing, availCONTINUED able in green (the best for fishing, SEE PAGE 72
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Zona Hooks Up with Shimano HE SAYS IT’S AN AWESOME OPPORTUNIty to partner up with the company behind the rods and reels he’s been using most of his fishing life. Bassmaster television host and host of his own show on the Outdoor Channel, noted angler Mark Zona is now using G.Loomis rods, Shimano reels and PowerPro braid in all his fishing adventures, said Chris Hess, marketing manager for Shimano American Corp.’s fishing tackle division. “And while Mark is excited to be involved Mark Zona with all our fishing brands, we couldn’t be more pleased having him on the water, on the air and at events getting folks excited about fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass,” Hess said. “We look forward to his input on all our G.Loomis, Shimano and PowerPro tackle — both from his own experiences and from the interaction he has with bass anglers nationwide.” Zona notes that he learned how to use baitcasting reels with Shimano Bantam and Black Magnum reels, and “I cut my teeth on G.Loomis rods from knowing and fishing with their reps — who all seem to be great bass anglers,” Mark said. A key factor in Zona’s involvement with G.Loomis and Shimano was the people at the company. “Everyone I have met, from the company president, product development guys, marketing staff, you name it, they are all avid anglers,” said Zona. “They are out on the water, fishing hard, learning and experimenting with new techniques — it’s really a culture with that N O R T H
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company — and one I want to be involved with.” Zona is using NRX bass rods from G.Loomis, teaming them up with Shimano Core baitcasting reels and Stradic Ci4 spinning reels — spooled of course with PowerPro braided line. He entertains anglers — and teaches a few things — every Friday night on ‘Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show’ airing at 8pm EST on the Outdoor Channel.
Bay Foundation Kid’s Calendar PROUD STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, ART teachers, and principals gathered at an award ceremony to celebrate the winners of the 2011 Children’s Art Calendar on January 27th at Stephen F. Austin Elementary in Baytown. In its past 19 years, Galveston Bay Foundation (“GBF”) estimates that this project has reached over 10,000 fifth grade students. Students who live around the Bay were asked, “What people, plants, or animals can you find in and around Galveston Bay?” or “Who uses Galveston Bay?” Through their knowledge and creGalveston Bay ativity, they drew pictures to illustrate Foundation Art Calendar winners. their answer to one of those questions. Calendar Kids The Galveston Bay Children’s Art Calendar is made possible by sponsors, NRG Texas and NRG’s retail electricity business, Reliant Energy. Reliant Energy’s Director of Public Affairs, Gene Fisseler, said, “NRG Energy and Reliant Energy, like Galveston Bay
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Foundation, demonstrate our commitment to continuously improving the environment by actively helping protect and preserve ecosystems like Galveston Bay. We all depend on the Bay in one way or another, and the environmental art calendar raises the public’s awareness and its understanding of this vital ecosystem.” The GBF, NRG and Reliant Energy would like to congratulate the following 2011 Galveston Bay Children’s Art Calendar winners: Luis Algarate, Allison Antonini, Sergio Cantu, Victoria Chang, Leona Chen, Savannah Cushman, Ronaldo Lerma Garcia, Daniel Godinez, Geoffrey Hirsch, Elizabeth Koegel, Mia Munn, Sebastian Rodriguez, Hiya Sunjana Sawhney, Kristen Schank, Mary Sullivan, Alex Turman and Carissa Villarreal. The mission of the Galveston Bay Foundation is to preserve, protect, and
enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. Contact GBF at 281-332- 3381 or visit the website at www.galvbay.org.
PHOTOS: COURTESTY CATALYST MARKETING & GAL. BAY FOUNDATION
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Ballistic Shades THE WILEY X SABER ADVANCED PROvides unparalleled protection and visual acuity tailor-made for hunting, shooting sports and safety applications in the factory and in the field. It meets stringent MIL-
PRF31013 military ballistic standards (U.S. Military Combat Eye Protection) as well as ANSI Z87.1-2003 high impact
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certification (OSHA Occupational Eye Protection) — so it delivers the maximum protection available in any set of eyewear. In fact, with the thickest lens in the industry (3.0 Saber Advanced mm), it’s also protective eyewear. the best value at just $38-65 Wiley X
MSRP for a single lens set to deluxe 3 lens set — with combinations of single and multiple clear, smoke grey, light rust, and vermillion lens packages. The sturdy temple arms remove quickly, and can be replaced with a snap-in elastic strap to both reduce pressure on the sides of the head and ensure a secure fit during jarring runs or rides. Ultra Foam Brow Bar to keep
sweat and debris off your face; and a tailored take flight nose piece to adapt to a wide range of nose shapes and sizes — so it stays right in place, too. www.wileyx.com.
Pro Cat 200 THE PRO CAT 200 IS THE SMALLER version of the ProCat 240 which was introduced three years ago and was designed with the help of a professional catfishing guide. The 24-foot, 15 degree hull design of the ProCat 240 was well received and is a popular model for the company but dealers were asking for a smaller version to meet customer demand. The new ProCat 200 meets that demand in a 20-foot package but still offers the smooth ride by keeping the 15 degree hull design and the 72inch bottom width of the larger version. Features that separate the ProCat 200
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IMHO), blue, or white. It can run on FROM PG. 70 either 12 or 24 volts with a draw of less than 1.4 amps, so you can leave it shining all night long without worrying about Aqualuma FF9 underwater boat killing your batteries. And lights. unlike some other underwater lights, this one can operate Light Show either above or below the waterline. Aqualuma sent me an FF9 to test out, and installation was simple: all I had to do was run a pair of screws into the transom to secure it in place (hardware is included, and the light is packaged with a drilling template), run the power cable through the notched housing and up the transom, and wire it in to the fuse panel. If you’d rather try for a cleaner look, you can drill a 1/4-
inch hole for the power cable and run it into the transom directly behind the light. Once the light was in place I found it compact and unobtrusive, at five inches long and three inches tall, and a mere threequarters of an inch thick. Mounted it on my transom, I thought it barely stuck out and looked perfectly normal. Powered up, it’s absolutely amazing how much brilliant underwater illumination this little box can create. Of course, considering how potent the new generation of LEDs are, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. Nor should we be surprised at the cost; list price for an FF9 is just a hair under $600—ouch. Check it out at www.aqualuma.com.
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visit HiVizSights.com. Choose HiViz and see what you’ve been missing! Pro Cat 200 for catfish anglers.
from It’s as easy as rotating the sight 180°. fishing boats not Positioned just behind the front bead, designated specifically for catfishing the Two In One attaches to the rib with include: four powerful magnets making it our • self-draining bow deck with 25 gallon strongest magnetic sight ever, holding tight livewell/rinse tank even in the roughest brush. The chemical• level area for removable bait tank resistant LitePipes are housed in a protecwith tie down eyes and 12-volt outlet tive sheath that makes them extremely • 80 gallon rear seat livewell durable and almost impossible to break. • walk-thru windshield with rotational The super-bright LitePipes are orange and captain’s chairs green in color and as an added bonus the • accessory rails to attach rod holders package includes two shapes – round and Additional features of the ProCat 200 triangular – offering severinclude a 30-gallon fuel tank, dual conNew Two In One al possible combinations. soles, .125 gauge treadplate floor, shotgun sight. Available in trolling motor wiring, navigation lights, four HiViz and automatic bilge pump. Available in several standard colors, the ProCat 200 is also offered in upgraded urethane colors or sevsizes eral camo patterns. Interior to fit rib options offered include Gatorwidths from Hide, Non-Skid, and Multi11/64” to 7/16”. Spec finishes. Like all HiViz sights, the According to Steve Henderson, Two In One comes with a full Vice President of Sales for SeaArk warranty and personalized customer serBoats, there is a real demand for cat-fishvice. Contact HiViz at 800-589-4315 or ing boats, “Customer requests have driven the design of the ProCat 240, the ProCat 200 and the four other catfishing models we offer. Folks were already using our 72inch bottom boats for catfishing because the width and beam of those models worked well for the sport, but now we have an entire line with additional features specifically used when fishing for cats.” For more information about Sea Ark and to find a dealer nearest you, call 870367-5317 or visit: www.seaarkboats.com
Sea Ark
The .30-30 is in for a Shock THE .30-30 IS ONE OF THE MOST COMmon deer cartridges in North America and was first marketed in early 1895. Since that time very little changes have occurred with this cartridge. Until now. Extreme Shock has applied it’s powdered metal core technology to the venerable caliber and increased Triple knock-down it’s powered .30-30 knock down Extreme Shock capability by three fold. Introducing the Extreme Shock .30-30 160 grain Trophy Game cartridge, when fired from a 16 inch barrel this round carries 1,798 ft lbs of energy at 2,250 feet per second at the muzzle. Put some power is the firepower of your trusty .30-30 rifle. Get Extreme Shock. Please visit: www.extremeshockusa.net, or call 877-337-6772.
Double Vision HIVIZ SHOOTING SYSTEMS IS INTROducing a revolutionary new shotgun sight. The new Two In One magnetic shotgun sight contains two LitePipes — each one a different color. Now you can quickly and easily change the color of the sight to provide better contrast between your eye and the target. As lighting conditions or shooting environment change, so can your sight. N O R T H
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either. But I can tell you I love my little Sweet Sixteen. Pick
What Makes a Classic? EW GUNS ARE BETTER THAN OLD guns. True or false? Well, if we are talking about average tolerances, steel hardness and resistance to corrosion, longevity, and even perfection of design, called ergonomics these days, then new guns are unquestionably better than old guns. The great gun makers of the past all had their own ideas of perfection and they did not share them with others. Still, the information eventually leaked out and is now common knowledge, so that really poorly designed stocks are almost extinct, for which we are all eternally grateful. So what are some of the truly great guns of the past? As I write this, I just traded for a gun I have wanted for many years. It is a slick little Browning Sweet Sixteen. Browning also made an A-5 in 16-gauge, but it was not a Sweet Sixteen. The Sweet Sixteen was a slim, lively, lightweight version introduced in 1937. The standard A-5 16-gauge was produced from 1923 to 1964. The Sweet Sixteen was produced in Belgium from 1936 to 1976. Production of the Sweet Sixteen was stopped when the production of the A-5 was moved from Belgium to Japan in 1976. It was reintroduced (Japan manufacture) in 1987 and produced until 1992. The Sweet Sixteen is one of those guns that have that indefinable something that makes it a classic. The fact that it outlasted the standard A-5 16-gauge by 22 years (Belgium manufacture) speaks volumes of its popularity, but does not answer the question of why it was popular. And to tell the truth, I can't tell you
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it up, put it to your shoulder, place your cheek lovingly on the comb, and it feels like it an extension of yourself. It feels almost alive. It is the only A-5 that I like. The others feel like blocks of wood. Why? I dunno. Another classic shotgun is the Winchester Model 12. It is one of the most popular pump-action shotguns ever produced. Again, it has that.... something. Pick up a Model 12, work the action and shoot a few rounds, then pick up the Model 1200 -- the Winchester pumpgun that replaced it -- and you will immediately see what I mean. I have a Model 12 in 16-gauge (yes, I am a 16-gauge nut) that I shoot on special occasions. It is beginning to show its age, but on occasion I still trot it out to show off. Is my Model 12 better than a Remington Model 870? Nope. Not one bit. But it has a feel to it that a modern 870 does not. That is why there are still so many 50-plus year old Model 12s being bought, sold, and used. The pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 was, actually, not as well designed, mechanically, as its competition, the Remington Model 721. It was not as strong. It had a weak spot where the head of the cartridge case was left unsupported by chamber or bolt. The Remington enclosed the case head completely, so was a stronger, safer action. The classic Model 70, however, was a better looking and better feeling gun than the Model 721, which was a classic Plain Jane. Again, put a Model 70 to your shoulder and it feels like it belongs there. Some other guns of that era felt more like railroad ties or pry-bars than sporting firearms. Another truth is that the Model 70 was far ahead of its time in design, except for that one weakness. Because of its strengths and in spite of its weaknesses, the pre-64 Model 70 has come to be called “The Rifleman's Rifle,” and it deserves the accolades. The Winchester Model 94 is a classic among classics. Production of the Model 94
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began in 1894 and was stopped with the closure of the New Haven, Connecticut, plant in 2006. Two high-grade versions have been reintroduced in 2010 to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of Oliver Winchester. It is unknown at this time if the standard grade Model 94 will be put back into the Winchester lineup or not. However, there are so many out there that there will be Model 94s on the used gun market for a several hundred years, even if Winchester decides to never mass produce it again. The fact that it was produced continuously for over a hundred years is testimony to its timelessness. It is the quintessential All-American firearm. The Model 98 Mauser is a true classic in every way. It is the bolt-action against which all others are measured. In fact, Peter Paul Mauser's 1898 design was so nearly perfect that it has not been improved upon to any degree in the last 112 years, and most modern bolt-action rifles are based to some extent on the original Mauser design. It is so good that it is still being used as the basis for expensive custom guns. I have two such custom guns made on the venerable 98 Mauser design and I love both of them. Other such classics are the 1873 Winchester, 1874 Sharps, the St. Louis Hawken plains rifle, the Parker side-by-side shotgun, the 1903 Springfield, the Colt Peacemaker, the Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum, the Colt 1911, and not a few others. Most of them are instantly recognizable by sight or by the mere mention of their names or designations. Many of them are movie stars. They are sought after by shooters and by collectors. Are they really better than the guns that have come since and that have in many instances replaced them? Probably not. Are they worth owning? You'd better believe it!
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E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com
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From Field to Feast HITETAIL SEASON IS BY NOW A faded memory. Some good hunts and also some not so good hunts…but all of these memories included good times. That is just one of the great things we love about hunting. April is finally here and with the cool morning light brings the familiar gobble of the tom turkey…well, only if you are in the woods…and if you are a hunter, particularly one that hunts with a bow, that is precisely where you should be! Earlier in this issue, I discuss the pros and cons of the many different broadheads you might use while bow hunting turkeys. I will not bother to write about this any further. I will, however, touch upon what might be the best way to bring success in the field with these birds. Calling in a turkey is not as hard as one might think. It just takes a little practice with the different types of calls you bring with you and a good knowledge of the habits of the wild turkey. I try to bring along a good box call as well as an assortment of diaphragm calls. You will find a slate call in my turkey vest also. You just never know which call will convince that bird to gobble and reveal his location. If you decide on trying a diaphragm for the first time, then I would suggest learning to master a single reed diaphragm first. Once that is done, the other more intense diaphragms will be easier to use. Listen to a few turkey calls online or get yourself a tape of the different sounds a turkey makes. Then practice everyday until you are comfortable with the call. Oh… Now would also be a good time to apologize to your wife for putting up with the weird
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sounds coming out of your mouth morning, noon and night! It is a good idea to call simply to let the turkey know that a hen is in the area. Once he is coming your way, I would only call sparingly or not at all. Remember, what is so cool about turkey hunting is that you are not hunting for the bird, the bird is hunting for you. He will search high and low looking for that sexy sounding hen. He will give his location up as he gets closer by gobbling his fool head off. Let him look all he wants until he makes a mistake and offers you a clean shot. I start out by making a few very light tree calls (light yelps) at first light. If you hear a tom sound off, it is time to get ready and get ready quick. He is coming in! However, if that turkey is being quiet, then I move to plan B. I try to sound like a turkey that is just waking up and my soft tree calls will get just a little louder. Finally, I take my hat off and shake it vigorously against my leg while I cackle. I am trying to sound like the hen has left her perch and is flying down. I might even give a few more comforting soft yelps after the cackle to let the tom know that I am ready and everything is safe. If all goes as planned, the hunt will soon be over and the trek home begins. If you have never tasted a wild turkey before then you are in for a real treat! To me, the breast meat taste exactly like a domestic turkey. I admit I don’t care so much for the dark meat. It is tougher than a store bought bird. I should admit this now. As an ethical hunter, I try to always share my venison, but the turkey meat is not leaving my freezer! Now it is known throughout the land that I can burn anything including water, so I leave the cooking to someone more knowledgeable in this field…my wife! We have tried many different ways to bring this delicious feast to our table. At first, we tried to prepare the bird with the skin left on like we have in our grocery stores. That meant many hours of plucking feathers…MANY
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hours. Not my idea of a good time and to be honest, not the best tasting method either. I decided to remove the skin on my next turkey. Although it tasted great, I found that it was a little dry. Too dry for my taste. I have always thought that when all else fails, toss it on the barbeque. Everything tastes wonderful on the grill. I was right! It tasted so good that I even cooked one like that for our Thanksgiving dinner. That was the year our table would have a domestic bird and a wild turkey side by side. Delish! My next attempt for some fine turkey cuisine was just as tasty. It was too miserable to cook on the grill, so we decided to use one of those browning bags in the oven. WOW! We found that if kept the turkey moist and tender and we could cook any veggies right in the same bag. To tell you the truth, there are many ways to cook a wild turkey and if any readers out there have any delicious recipes they would like to share, email me and let me know about them. So finish up your practicing, get your turkey gear together and get yourself to your turkey haven. You will not regret it.
E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com
On the Web See video of LOU MARULLO at the 2011 SHOT Show, interviewing bow, gun, and hunting gear makers about their new products for the coming season: www.FishGame.com/video
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Economic Windfall OU KNOW TIMES ARE TOUGH WHEN you hesitate to buy that extra scoop of shiners. The economy must be hurting if you run to your secondfavorite hotspot because it’s 10 miles closer than hotspot number one, and you’ll save a bundle in fuel. The budget is tight indeed, should you choose to spend more on food and clothing than rods and reels this season. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still improve both your boat and your boating skills, without spending a single dollar. In the long run, that’s almost like getting free money. But is it really possible? You bet. With a little work and effort, you can invest without investing—here’s how.
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RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #1: Boost your navigational know-how by taking advantage of the government. Yes, that’s right, Uncle Sam will help you revert some of those tax expenditures into better boating. All you need is a computer, and internet access. NOAA has spent big bucks through the years taking bathymetric readings, making charts, and more lately, digitizing them— and the electronic charts they’ve created with your compulsory contributions are available for free. To get them, go to www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov, and you’ll be able to download both raster and vector charts that are available for nearly all navigable U.S. waterways. You will need software to read these charts on your computer, but you can use NOAA’s online chart viewer (also free). While you’re on the site take note of the other cost-free features that could help make you a better boater, such as the nautical charting links, tides and current information, and a coastal data portal. 76 |
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RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #2: Elbow grease + a little effort = more speed, higher efficiency, and lower fuel bills. If you have a boat with a painted bottom, you can make the above equation work—as long as you have a few pieces of old sandpaper that are sitting around in the garage. You’ll need some 220 grit and some 400 grit, to get the job done. Soak the 220 grit paper in water for a moment or two, then beginning at the bow, lightly sand the hull. Each and every stroke should run perfectly parallel to the centerline, going from the bow towards the stern. When you’re done, repeat the process with the 400 grit sandpaper. Pay extra attention to any spots where you find bumps or imperfections in the paint. When all is said and done, your boat’s bottom will be significantly smoother and you should pick up between a half a mile an hour, and one and a half miles per hour—without burning an ounce more fuel than you used to. RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #3: Integrated electronics are smarter than stand-alone units, so integrate what you’ve got. Maybe you don’t want to spend big bucks on a new VHF radio or GPS/chartplotter, but if you haven’t done so, interfacing your existing units via NMEA 0183 or NMEA 2000 will give them new power. By letting your two electronic brains communicate directly you’ll have DSC (digital select calling) ability, and this will allow the Coast Guard to know your boat’s size, type, and exact position, if you ever need to make a Mayday call. Modern VHFs are required by law to have DSC functionality and virtually every chartplotter on the water can output NMEA data streams, but often boaters don’t bother to connect their units—and all it takes is a single cable! If you fall into this category, splice those color-coded wires together and get DSC up and running. If you need some instruction, check the manu-
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als (many are now available online—for free, of course), talk to a dealer or post on an online forum. Note that in some cases, you may also have to enter the GPS menu and press a few choice buttons, in order to activate the outgoing NMEA data stream. Before DSC works, you’ll also have to get an MMSI (maritime mobile service identity) number. Luckily, it costs exactly as much as breathing. All you have to do is go to http://www.boatus.com/MMSI/. They’ll assign you a number for free, and you can program it into your VHF in a matter of moments. RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #4: Engage in some shocking behavior. I know it sounds strange, but you can use electricity to improve your boat. The secret lies in understanding the nature of galvanic corrosion. That orange cruddy stuff eats away at the metals on your boat because of an electrochemical process called oxidation. During oxidation, the metal’s molecules lose electrons to oxygen molecules. This natural process creates a substance called ferrous oxide—that nasty crusty orange stuff. But you can reverse this reaction, with a process called electrolysis (also known as electrolytic cleaning, or oxidation reduction). In a nutshell, controlled electrolysis removes corrosion from a metal surface by subjecting it to an electric current in an “electrolytic bath”. And making such a bath is a lot easier than you might expect. Set up your electrolyte bath in a nonconductive tub (a large Tupperware tub is perfect) filled with enough water to completely submerge the item you’re trying to de-corrode. Add one tablespoon of an electrolyte, such as sodium carbonate (washing soda) per gallon of water, and stir until it’s completely dissolved. Next, prepare the metal piece you’re trying to salvage—properly called the “cathode”—by scraping a small section of the metal clean. You’ll need enough clean metal showing to attach an alligator clip. Once it’s
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ready, attach a battery charger’s negative terminal alligator clip to the clean area. Note: make sure you use the correct terminal; accidentally hook up the positive clip, and you’ll quickly turn your cathode into a chunk of corrosion, instead of reversing the process. Next, you need an “anode,” a piece of sacrificial metal. It will be corroded during this process, so don’t use anything of value. A piece of sheet metal or a foot-long piece of rebar is perfect. Clip the positive lead from the battery charger to your anode, and make sure the end of the anode and the alligator clip attached to it stick out above the water’s surface; otherwise, the clip will attract corrosion, too. This is another reason rebar works so well. Since it’s long and thin, it can easily be propped up in a corner of the tub. Make sure that the anode and the cathode do not touch, and are separated far enough apart that there’s no chance they will contact each other. Now, you’re ready to plug the charger in and start the process. After 12 hours you’ll see a visible reduction in corrosion on the cathode, and in 24 to 48 hours, depending on the size of the item and the amount of corrosion on it, most or all of the corrosion should be gone. SAFETY NOTES: Obviously, any time you mix water and electricity there’s an element of danger involved. That’s why a battery charger is best for this process (it has very low voltage, minimizing risk,) and you must NOT substitute an alternative power source. Never touch any part of the electrolysis bath or its contents while the battery charger is plugged in, and un-plug the battery charger when connecting or disconnecting its terminals; don’t use stainless-steel for your anode because it can release chromium during the electrolysis process; and set up the bath in a well-ventilated area, because electrolysis can give off a very small amount of hydrogen gas, which is explosive.
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very gentle detergent, like Dreft, or you’ll degrade the fabric. After washing the canvass and hanging it to dry, spray it down with a silicon-based water repellent or it may leak. Finally, rub a candle over the zippers and snaps, to keep them from sticking. Now, your top will look like new again.
how you can improve both, without spending a single dime. So leave the credit card locked up in that drawer, and nourish your nautical nature while spending a grand total of nothing.
E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com
Who says you need money to make your boat and yourself better? We’ve just shown
RETROECONOMIC UPGRADE #5: Wash the unwashable. If your T-top or Bimini canvass looks old and dingy, it’s time to make it look like new again—and although most folks don’t realize it, you can wash that canvass in a regular washing machine. Two important items to note: set the machine to use cold water, or you could cause wrinkling and shrinking, which will make the material tough to get back on. And add a mere pinch or two of a N O R T H
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The Trout of a Lifetime N NATURE, THE LARGEST AND MOST pristine breed first. Although speckled trout spawn multiple times throughout the year, April and May are a magical time when large numbers of big trout are caught. These aren’t 2–4 pound fish, which make up the preponderance of the spawning class, but larger fish in the 26–28 inch range, with a few broaching the coveted 30inch mark. April and May are the perfect time for kayak anglers to catch the trout of a lifetime. Speckled trout do not build nests like black bass do, but instead are free spawners, and windward shorelines serve as the breeding grounds. Traylor Island in Aransas Bay is a classic example of a windward shoreline where trout spawn. But while Traylor Island gets lots of attention from guides and writers, other windward shorelines are just as productive but overlooked. With the exception of those bordering major channels, windward shorelines feature a gradual transition from deep to shallow and finding the depth the fish are holding is the first key to success. Deep is a relative term and in this case means water between 5–6 feet deep–a bit too deep for wading. To begin your search for a trophy trout, paddle your kayak into the depths and set up with the wind pushing you back into the shallows. Quietly deploy your anchor and make fan casts to insure the water around you is thoroughly covered. Once you are satisfied that spawning trout are not holding at your depth, lift the anchor and let the wind push you closer to shore. As you fish, constantly be aware of the
water around you, scanning it for slicks. Slicks are oily spots on the water’s surface which are caused when fish regurgitate and droplets of oil from the partially digested baitfish’s body rise to the surface. A new slick is about the size of a dinner plate but the oil quickly begins dispersing over the water’s surface and in just a few minutes the oily sheen maybe 30 yards in diameter.
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Speckled trout do not build nests like black bass do, but instead are free spawners.
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Slicks give off a unique smell, most likened by old salts to freshly cut watermelon. Older slicks are valuable in that they confirm the presence of feeding fish but wind and current can move them hundreds of yards away from their source. Brand new slicks are optimum as they are virtually on top of the feeding fish. Keep in mind that gafftop also emit slicks and Senor Gato occasionally surprises the angler expecting a speckled trout at the end of his line. If you find a large slick and the wind is blowing, try paddling a hundred yards upwind and then drifting back towards the slick. Be ready to anchor as soon as you get a strike. If you see several slicks pop up, all the same distance from the shoreline, calculate a mental line that runs through all of them and do not deviate from that path. Turn your kayak and work that line slowly, anchoring and casting until you find fish. Once you have drifted into shallower water, you may find it easier to use a stakeout pole instead of anchoring repeatedly. Windward beaches feature hard sand bot-
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toms which have been scoured of detritus by wave action and current and sometimes it is easier to drive a stake-out pole into a concrete roadway than into the bay floor. My advice: Pack both an anchor and a stake-out pole. About twenty years ago a myth got started that speckled trout hate croaker because they eat the spawning trout’s eggs, hence that is why croaker are such great baits. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pin perch, piggy perch, and silver perch all have a taste for speckled trout eggs and there are plenty of other marine organisms which eat trout eggs, not just croaker. Gut studies done by TPWD scientist show that speckled trout are opportunistic feeders and are just as likely to eat a brown shrimp as a finfish. Spawning trout regularly eat big meals, such as jumbo croaker and mullet, but if the opportunity to eat something else arises, she won’t hesitate. My brother, Dr. W. C. Berlocher, caught two 9pound speckled trout one year, both on live shrimp. If you prefer to sling hardware rather than bait, pack an assortment of tackle to cover the entire water column. If walking the dog is your thing, carry a mix of large and small topwaters. Suspending plugs, which linger for extended periods at the same depth, are always a good choice, especially if you have spotted a line of slicks at a specific depth. A handful of lead-head jigs in different weights and an assortment of plastic tails should round out your tackle. Regardless of the tackle you are casting, work slowly and diligently. If you catch a fish from a particular area, focus on it. Make 20–30 more casts to the same spot before contemplating fishing somewhere else. April and May are great months to catch the trout of a lifetime. Grab your kayak and start looking for windward shorelines.
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Greg Berlocher can be reached for question or comment at kayak@fishgame.com. A L M A N A C
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Campfire 101 LOVE SPRING IN TEXAS (THE TIME OF the year not the city, although I have nothing against the city…) because the weather is perfect for camping and I enjoy camping. Roughing it in a tent with no electricity or dragging the pop-up to a state park with showers and toilets, it doesn’t matter. I just like getting out from under a solid roof for awhile. The part I enjoy most about camping is the campfire itself. The smell of the smoke and glow of the flames makes for a very relaxing setting for doing absolutely nothing. It doesn’t matter if you’re using your campfire to roast hotdogs, make smores, dry out wet socks, or to stave off hypothermia you first have to know how to build one efficiently. Let’s get the boring part out of the way first. What you need for a fire is something flammable, oxygen, and a spark. Your flammable material is broken down into three categories, tinder (items that catch fire very easily), kindling (small pieces of wood that catch fire easily but will stay lit longer than tinder), and fuel (large sticks and logs). In very general terms, the spark lights the tinder, which ignites the kindling, which in turn lights the fuel and presto you have a roaring campfire that makes you the envy men all over the world. If only it were that simple. The hardest
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part of building a campfire is getting it lit so let’s concentrate on what in my opinion are the two most important parts of the fire, tinder and spark. When looking for tinder think along the lines that smaller is better. Leaves catch fire easily but burn out very quickly unless you have a lot of them. Also, not all leaves are created equal. In my experience red oak leave tend to take a flame easier than other types. Pine straw catches fire easily and burns for a decent amount of time making it outstanding for starting a campfire if you happen to have some where you live. If you get desperate for tinder, you can also take your knife and cut shavings off a larger stick. The thinner you can make the shavings the better. Now, sometimes there is no tinder in the area, or it’s all wet, so you need to come up with your own. This is where a little preparation before you leave the house goes a long way. Fire starter bricks, the kind used in fireplaces, work fairly well but can sometimes be difficult to light with a single match so be prepared to use a more consistent spark to light them. If you have a cotton ball, a cotton swab, or even a torn piece of cotton cloth, you can cover it in petroleum jelly and use it as your kindling. The petroleum melts into the cotton and stays lit for a long time giving to time to add kindling and build a fire. Don’t have any petroleum jelly, how about hand sanitizer? You know the kind your wife keeps in her purse so she can squirt it on your kid’s hands after they pet the dog or pick their nose? Read the bottle, it is 60% alcohol and will light up with just a quick
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If you get desperate for tinder, cut shavings off a larger stick. The thinner, the better.
spark. Smear some on a stick or piece of bark, hit it with a lit match, and you can have a fire in an instant just be careful because the alcohol burns with a light colored flame so it is hard to see. Now that you know what to use as tinder you probably need to know what kind of spark is needed. I’m not going to suggest anything as elaborate as using a bow drill to start your fire, carry matches they work better. You need a second way to start the fire so carry a butane lighter as well. Now, I will give you one way to start a fire other than the matches and lighters. Take a nine volt battery and touch the posts to some steel wool. The electricity from the battery will travel through the steel causing it to overheat and catch fire. You can use this to impress your family just don’t tell them where you learned it. Also, don’t store the steel wool and battery in the same container. That’s a good way to start a fire you didn’t intend to.
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E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com
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PHOTO: COURTESY SEA ARK BOATS
...for Saltwater Fishing BY CHESTER MOORE 80 |
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PERCEPTIONS ARE DIFFICULT to overcome. Pull up to any boat ramp on the Texas coast and you will see anglers launching fiberglass central consoles one after the other to take up the challenge of fishing Texas’s thousands of miles of saltwater habitat. For some it might seem as if those boats, which are out of the price range of many of us, are the only option to enjoy the best of what the coast has to offer. That is simply not true. While I have enjoyed many trips in my friends center console bay boats, I have never owned one. And I do not plan on buying one. I own two aluminum johnboats, a 14-foot Starcraft used mainly for fishing local bayous and small lakes and an 18-foot deep and wide Grumman that has been in the family for about 25 years. My father has a 16-foot deep and wide Grumman, which he has also owned for more than two decades. The truth is we have never felt limited by these vessels. When I sat down to write this story, the first inclination was to list the attributes of these vessels and speak with representatives of a variety of companies to talk about their brands. I decided against that however because I have as big a variety of johnboat fishing experience on the Texas coast as anyone. Take for example the dozens of jetty fishing expeditions where my father and I would take his boat and anchor as close as we could to the rocks. We would pull up the motor (no electric trim) and if it was calm enough get so close we could touch the rocks with the tip of our rods. Frequently we would get strange looks from anglers in bay boats who would not dare get their fiberglass so close to the rocks. Sometimes their bewilderment would turn to envy as we caught fish after fish. All anglers know the drawing card of jetties for predatory game fish is the jetty themselves and the variety of food available on and around them. By being able to get as close as possible we have been able to work pieces of rock from angles that would be impossible from 10 or 15 yards out. I remember my cousin Frank Moore and I anchored just 10 feet off the southern tip of the Sabine Jetties on the Louisiana side N O R T H
catching more than 100 sheepshead. The fish were stacked up in one spot on the rocks and we were on it. During winter the fish there do not respond well to shrimp fished under popping corks tossed against the rocks. They tend to want the shrimp on a small jighead fished vertically over key rocks. We would not have been able to have the same kind of trip in a larger, fiberglass vessel. We have been able to do similar things at near shore and bay oil and gas platforms. In the past we would regularly take our boat inside one of the big gas rigs that was only three miles out of Sabine Pass. We would do so only on perfectly calm days and leave as soon as the wind picked up or the horizon blackened but once again the advantage was huge as we were able to target fish in such a way that other anglers could not. So what if we bumped up along a platform leg or hit against the rocks. In all of our excursions we only put some scratches and a few dents in the aluminum. We never did damage a hammer could not pound out whereas with fiberglass, it would have meant big holes and expensive repairs. In the bays there have been many times we have been able to pull up to oyster-lined shorelines and get out to fish from the bank or to access other areas. This is something must fiberglass boat owners would never dream of doing. Generally speaking, aluminum boats are lighter than fiberglass boats of the same size. Having pushed a 16-foot skiff out of a mud flat when the tide rushed out and having done the same thing with an aluminum boat of the same size this seems correct to me. In the past anglers were limited to a couple of rudimentary designs for their boats but there have been huge advances in molding aluminum over the last few years. Now there are flat bottoms, v-hulls, semi-v, tunnel
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hulls, center consoles and bass style boats. These boats can be bought (or you can ad to) trolling motors, jack plates, livewells, depth finders and the same kind of amenities you find in more expensive rigs. At the beginning of the story I said my father and I never felt limited by our aluminum boats. Well, I meant within reason. Despite our love for offshore fishing we never ventured past the short rigs and I do not recommend people do. I remember seeing a guy 50 miles out of Port Aransas in a 16-foot johnboat. And I thought I was crazy. Johnboats also ride on top of wave, which works great for swells but heavy chop can make things dangerous. There are times I would not run across the bay but might have if I had a fiberglass bay boat. Those are choices all anglers have to make with regards to their gear. The fact is all boats have some limitations and as you can see those for johnboats are few and far between within reason. The guy 50 miles out of Port A does not count. With the economy in dire straits buying a boat can be a scary proposition. If you can afford a big bay boat, more power to you. In fact, I hope more of you do so the advertising base for the fishing industry increases. However, there are many of you like me that just cannot make that kind of investment. Take it from someone who has done everything from chase trout under the birds, catch bull sharks at the jetties and traverse the deepest recesses of coastal marshes in aluminum boats that they are a worthy investment. After all, whether it is aluminum or fiberglass the fish care not.
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Texas Gourmet’s Sweet Chipotle Season All Texas Gourmet’s Riverbed Steak Seasoning Cheesecloth (4 layers 10” x 10” for the oven and 10” x 6’ for the pit) 1 pint sugar 1 pint kosher salt
Non-Traditional Turkey SSUMING YOU NAIL A TURKEY THIS month, that’s a lot of bird to submit to traditional yet out-of-season Thanksgiving style or deep-fryer preparation. Here are some alternatives that will make family or casual dinner guests sit up and beg for more.
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Sugar Cured Wild Turkey 1 wild turkey (domestic may be substituted), cleaned, skinned, and thawed if required 1 disposable plastic bag large enough to hold a 10- to 12-lb. turkey and 1-1/2 gallons of water 1 basting brush
Basting Mixture 3 sticks butter or margarine 1 tsp black pepper 1 cup olive oil 2 Tbs crushed dried rosemary leaves 2 cloves minced garlic 1 tsp dried thyme leaves 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp honey juice of 1/2 lemon Heat ingredients to a boil. Use this to baste the turkey.
Oven Instructions Place the bird on a rack over a baking pan, breast side up. Place 4 layers of cheesecloth over the breast. Place bird in preheated oven at 325 degrees, bake for 31/2 to 4 hours or until meat thermometer inserted into fleshy part of inner thigh (not touching bone) reaches 180 degrees. Remove from oven, discard the cheesecloth, and drape a piece of foil loosely over the bird and allow it 25-30 minutes to rest before carving.
Pit Instructions Wrap the entire bird with 4 to 5 layers of cheesecloth (this will keep out excessive smoke and allow the baste to keep the bird moist during smoking). Use about 5 lbs. of charcoal to start, then add pecan and hickory wood, or a combination of them. Preheat the pit to about 300 degrees. Place the bird, breast side up, on the pit on the far end from the firebox. Baste with basting sauce every 45 minutes. Smoke at 275-300 degrees for 82 |
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2 apples, skinned, cored, and chopped fine 1/2 lb pecan halves, roasted in oven at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, cooled, then coarsely chopped 1 cup mayonnaise 1 Tbs Texas Gourmet “Sweet Chipotle Season All” 2 green onions, rinsed and diced
5-6 hours or until meat thermometer inserted into fleshy part of inner thigh (not touching bone) reaches 180 degrees. Remove from pit and drape a piece of foil over the bird for 30-40 minutes to rest the meat. Then remove and discard the cheesecloth. Carve and serve with Texas Gourmet’s
Black Bean Pico de Gallo and your favorite sides.
Cajun Fried Turkey Salad 2-1/2 to 3 lbs fried turkey meat, skinned, boned, and chopped 3 stalks celery, rinsed and chopped fine
Mix mayonnaise and Sweet Chipotle Season All together in a bowl, then place in refrigerator. In a large bowl, combine turkey meat, celery, green onions, apples, and pecans. Stir to mix. Add Chipotle-mayonnaise mixture and stir until well blended. Chill, serve as a sandwich or over lettuce as a salad.
Contact Bryan Slaven, “The Texas Gourmet,” at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com
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TEXAS HUNTING
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TEXAS FRESHWATER LAKE TEXOMA
EAST TEXAS
SOUTH TEXAS John Sartin, his wife and dad Stripers Texoma Striper Fishing 84 |
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Michelle Matthew Reds North Padre Boating Adventures
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FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION CALL DENNISE 281.869.5519
CORPUS CHRISTI
ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!
UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE) BAFFIN BAY
SPOTLIGHT: WHITE OAK OUTFITTERS
WWW.FISHGAME.COM
White Oak Outfitters is an owner-operated outfitting service offering deer, boar and bear hunts since 1993. They provide fair-chase hunts for hunters of all ages on 3000 acres in beautiful East Texas. Bear hunts take place in August and September in cooperation with Nolalu outfitters in Ontario Canada and carried out on 4 Bear Management Areas. Texas hog hunts have a two-day minimum and are conducted year around. Deer hunts run from October through December. Hunters can hunt as long as they want for the flat daily rate. White Oak Outfitters processes all game by quartering, wrapping and freezing all the meat. There are no trophy fees or any other hidden costs. Living quarters are provided along with cooking facilities at no extra charge. “We try to treat people the way we would like to be treated if we were hunting with them,” said Bruce Hunnicut, owner. “We feel we have one of the premier hunting areas in the country. We would be glad to book a hunt for anyone who wants to experience a hunt of a lifetime.” Call Bruce to schedule your next hunt @ (903) 537-2651 or visit www.whiteoakoutfittersinc.com N O R T H
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Redfish Port Aransas
this Pass caught h of Aransas berts Point Melinda Ploc Ro at s ck ro f the ll 28-inch red of caught the bu Aransas. She . line. -lb Park in Port 15 on d, ad squi red using de
Largemouth Bass
Speckled Trout
Private Pond
South Padre
st ows off his fir mson IV, 7, sh ches. Clifton Clifton Willia in 23 d an s ound trout, 4.15-p ts around the eck in the fla na Madre. caught his sp gu La r we the Lo causeway in
Ryan Wright , 9, of Rosenb erg caught hi first bass in s a small pond near Rosenb The 8 pounde erg. r was release d. Ryan Dad Brian Strain are avid saltw ater anglers.
Speckled Trout Redfish
South Padre
East Matagorda
Blackbuck Antelope Weimer
Sydney Harri s, 11, from De er blackbuck an telope huntin Park shot this g with her Un Obie at Triple cle X-Otics near Weimer. it wa her first hunt s and she mad e a perfect sh ot.
is 27nd landed th , of Sugar La r the first time. fo Tyler Mora, 11 s tic as g soft pl ll on inch red usin . Ken Marsha ng with Capt He was fishi rda Bay. East Matago
David Camar illo caught this 26 Jr., 13, of Brownsville -inch, 5.25-po und speck wh wadefishing with his Dad, ile David Sr., in bay off South the Padre Island.
Redfish Sargent
Redfish
Redfish
Sargent Sargent
dfish at is 35-inch re ter caught th hing with F & G George Rich fis t, t in Sargen and Mitchell’s Cu ed Heimann d buddies Fr os)… ot ph o Outfitters, an tw xt on (see ne Owen Anders
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… Fred Heim ann caught th is 42-inch bu red at Mitche ll ll’s Cut in Sa rgent with pa George Rich ls ter (photo left) , and Owen Anders (next photo)…
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y ged out budd rson barely ed …Owen Ande enter photo) with this 43 h n (c Fred Heiman t. All three fis Mitchell’s Cu ute period. inch bull from in -m 45 a in with were caught
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Turkey La Vernia
Whitetail Buck his rnia bagged k, 9, of La Ve Nathan Wiatre e family farm. The turkey th a .410 first turkey at s taken with beard and wa had a 9 inch steps. shotgun at 10
Lavaca County Melissa Gilb ert, age 10, of Ho her first deer in Lavaca Co uston shot unty. The bu scored 151 1/ ck 2 B&C. One shot, one kill Dad John Gi — lbert, is very proud.
Redfish Laguna Madre is len caught th o, from McAl r we Lo e th Joe Maldonad ng while fishi 35-inch redfish e. Laguna Madr
Speckled Trout Matagorda
Bobcat
Whitetail Buck
Matagorda Co.
Fredricksburg
Curtiss Berry of Sweeny to ok this bobc 23 yards with at at his Mathews ZSugarvalley, Matagorda Co Max bow, at unty. The ca taken one da t wa y shy of Curti ss’s 25th birth s day.
Winnie is pic, age 11, from n near Kate Devillier , take er de st fir r d. tured with he g with her Da while huntin Fredricksburg
This 25-inch spec kayaking in Th kled trout was caught re Pictured is Ma e Mile Cut at Matagorda. tt Feyen. The trout was also released.
Mixed Stringer Gulf of Mexico
Coyote Brenham
Dove Abernathy
, 15, Ty Natalie Pugh — from left, some us pl — These three 14 d Nate Horne, nt outside of Pugh, 13, an hu a great dove parents had lots of work! The dog got Abernathy.
Greg Faught of Corpus Christi, caught a nice mixed stringer fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.
coyham shot this it alski of Bren t go He e. ttl ca Charlie Cend g y while feedin ote at midda at 145 yds with a 22-250
Turkey No Location Given
Speckled Trout
Redfish
Moses Lake
Where Caught Mike Ray bagg ed this turkey using Comm ando Game Ca with a bow, lls weighed in at 24 pounds, wi . The tom beard, and 1th a 10.75-inch inch spurs.
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is 25na caught th er of Pasade th Taylor Mesech d trout at Moses Lake wi un inch, 5-1/2 po Johnathon Modisete. d his good frien
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Makayla Staf f, 11, was fis hing the Mata Bay CCA Lil gord Salties tourna ment when sh a caught her fir e st redfish — this 22-incher placed first in . She her age grou p with her ca tch.
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