Texas Fish & Game March 2016 by Texas Fish & Game

THE TEXAS OUTDOOR AUTHORITY Interview with the

Snake Master

March 2016 | $3.95

Yellow Baiting:

Bass Candy

Sea Grass & Other Legal Entanglements

Channel Chum

WILL EL NIÑO

Flatten THE

Flounder RUN?

Catﬁsh Stinkers On the Level for

Ground Turkey Lunker Season:

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2016 EDITION

NOW AVAILABLE

BIGGER. BETTER. 60 FRESH & SALTWATER LOCATIONS OVER 2500 GPS FISHING SPOTS

ACADEMY • WALMART • FISHANDGAMEGEAR.COM

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

CHESTER MOORE EDITOR IN CHIEF

C O N T R I B U T O R S JOE DOGGETT DOUG PIKE TED NUGENT LOU MARULLO MATT WILLIAMS CALIXTO GONZALES LENNY RUDOW STEVE LAMASCUS DUSTIN ELLERMANN KENDAL HEMPHILL WILL LESCHPER REAVIS WORTHAM TOM BEHRENS GREG BERLOCHER PAUL BRADSHAW CAPT. MIKE HOLMES DUSTIN WARNCKE STAN SKINNER LISA MOORE

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SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EDITOR AT LARGE HUNTING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR SALTWATER EDITOR BOATING EDITOR FIREARMS EDITOR SHOOTING EDITOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR CONSERVATION EDITOR HUMOR EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR COPY EDITOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

A D V E R T I S I N G ARDIA NEVES VICE PRESIDENT/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR DIRECT PHONE: (281) 869-5549 EMAIL: ANEVES@FISHGAME.COM DUSTIN WARNCKE • ADVERTISING SALES DIRECT PHONE: (512) 497-7674 EMAIL: DWARNCKE@FISHGAME.COM LARRY DALTON • ADVERTISING COORDINATOR 1745 GREENS ROAD HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE: (281) 227-3001 • FAX (281) 784-2962 THE OMNI GROUP BRIAN THURSTON • PRESIDENT LEAHA WIRTH • VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES (971) 322-7548 TRISHA SCHULZ • AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE (206) 419-2630

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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. Content is not to 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: subscriptions@fishgame.com Email new orders to: subscriptions@ fishgame.com Email subscription questions to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 77267-9946 and at additional mailing offices.

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Table of

MARCH 2016 Volume 32 • NO. 11

Contents FEATURES

YELLOW BAITING

Crappie anglers are often surprised when a big bass crashes the party. As fond as these lunkers are of crappie, they really have a sweet tooth for bar fish, also known as yellow bass.

COVER STORY: Flounder Run Down?

El Niño may mean “the boy” in Spanish, but there’s nothing childish about the impact this weather pattern might have on the spring flounder run.

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by Matt Williams THE TRUTH ABOUT RATTLESNAKES

Story and cover photo by Chester Moore

In this interview with The Snakemaster, Austin Stevens makes a great point that rattlers at least have the courtesy of warning you before they strike.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

by Chester Moore

CHANNEL CHUM

Lunker Season

Deploy a few pounds of either storebought or home-brewed chum and you can attract a stringer-full of tasty channel cats.

When it comes to u catching lunker bass— eight pounders or heavier—there is no better time than spring.

by Matt Williams

SEA GRASS AND OTHER ENTANGLEMENTS There are laws on the books—like the one against uprooting sea grass with your prop—that could get you in trouble without even knowing you’ve committed an offense.

Ground Turkey

60u

A strong ground game is the winning play for spring turkey. TF&G

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TF&G

Staff Report

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Inside FISH & GAME

Contents (continued) COLUMNS

10 by ROY and ARDIA NEVES TF&G Owners

Editor’s Notes

by Chester Moore

TF&G Editor in Chief

@ Your Service

Doggett at Large by Joe Doggett

TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

HE “@” SYMBOL IS A PRETTY RIDICULOUS invention. For all the flourish of its design—the italicized “a” nested in a broken circle, like a jaunty cattle brand—it doesn’t accomplish much. All it does is reduce an already tiny twoletter word by one character. A real slacker compared to more ambitious symbols. The % symbol gets credit for slimming “percent” down from seven characters to one. The # symbol is so versitile it can take out the words “number,” “pound,” and “hash,” all in the same paragraph if you want it to. There’s the $ sign, which enjoys universal popularity. Then, there’s the “&” sign, for which we have a particular fondness. After all, we successfully trademarked that one. This digression into keyboard symbology came as we were contemplating the growing importance of email as a means of communicating with you, our readers and subscribers. Because some wizard back in the days of the original ARPANET figured out that the “at” symbol was useful in tagging electronic messages sent back and forth between eggheads at universities and military labs, this little underachieving symbol has skyrocketed in importance. But we continue to digress... The point is, despite the explosion of texting, SnapChatting, Tweeting, Instagramming, Facebook posting, and whatever becomes the next great leap in technology for shallow over-sharing, email remains a critical tool for meaningful communication. One thing we never want to be guilty of is generating Spam. So, we are making every effort to ensure that if you are on our list of active email addresses, YOU WANT TO BE ON IT. If you are a subscriber, we can use email to keep you up to date on the status of your subscription, and make it easier for you to renew (assuming you want to keep getting our monthly installments of Texas-focused outdoors content). We can also alert you to the availability of each month’s Digital Edition, which comes out before the print version winds its way through the United States Postal Service (est. 1775). And, we use emails to let you know about new projects and products we create, such as our books, our annual TEXAS LAKES & BAYS fishing atlas, and other cool gear we think you want to know about. We can’t—won’t—send any of this to you unless you want it. If you are on our subscriber list, and want us to be able to reach you this way, please take a minute to go to: FishGame.com/connect and click on the Opt In box. That’s all you have to do to stay in touch with us. We know you receive dumptrucks-full of junk mail every day. We don’t want to be included in that heap. If you don’t want our emails, let us know. If you do, let us know that, too, and we will be @ your service.

Pike on the Edge by Doug Pike

TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Nugent in the Wild by Ted Nugent

TF&G Editor At Large

Commentary

by Kendal Hemphill

TF&G Political Commentator

Bare Bones Hunting

by Lou Marullo

TF&G Hunting Editor

Texas Saltwater

by Calixto Gonzales

TF&G Saltwater Editor

Texas Freshwater by Matt Williams

TF&G Freshwater Editor

Open Season

by Reavis Wortham

TF&G Freshwater Editor

Texas Boating

8 LETTERS 12 TF&G REPORT 12 BIG BAGS & CATCHES

36 TEXAS

DEPT. OF DEFENSE

42 TRUE GREEN 72 INDUSTRY INSIDER

74 FISH AND GAME GEAR

by Lenny Rudow

76 HOTSPOT

Practical Angler

84 TEXAS

TF&G Contributing Editor

94 TIDES &

TF&G Boating Editor

DEPARTMENTS

by Paul Bradshaw

Texas Guns

by Steve LaMascus

TF&G Firearms Editor

FOCUS

HOTSPOTS PRIME TIMES

102 TF&G PHOTOS

100 Texas Tasted

by Bryan Slaven

The Texas Gourmet

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LETTERS to the Editor Monster Hogs YOUR SEARCH FOR MONSTER Hogs is interesting. I have always been intrigued by reports of super sized ferals and when I saw the photos you ran in the January issue, I was blown away. So many magazines just focus on the actual hunt but I love the fact you focus on the wildlife and ecology that make it happen. We cannot hunt if we have no game and you do such a good time of giving us that level of understanding. Now back to the hogs. I have heard stories of hogs that were nearly as big as a compact car and it is interesting to see something written about the connection to domestic strains. I have a question. Which area of the state do you think has the greatest potential for true monster hogs?

portion of the Hill Country from Kerrville out toward Bandera, Uvalde and Medina Counties. Those areas had many pure Eurasian boars stocked years ago and they still show up in the population. In my opinion, the higher the Eurasian boar genetic, the more aggressive. At the end they probably all come from the Eurasian strain but the closer they are to the wild line versus domestic you tend to have more aggression according to my research. Any hog can be aggressive.

Gabriel Fox Editor: That is a very interesting question. Most of the areas with the biggest hogs are those with agriculture. Some of the areas producing grains out in the Bryan/College Station area of the state produce monsters as do some of the coastal plains around Victoria and Matagorda. Any part of the state can hold monster hogs. The most likely areas are those with a lot of grain production and also those with super thick bottomlands, little hunting pressure and a history of big hogs. There are pockets in East Texas that have unusually large hogs as well. There is no hot spot. Follow the food source and look for a lack of pressure to allow the monster to get monster-sized. WHICH AREA OF THE STATE HAS the highest concentration of big Eurasian boars? And do you really think they are more aggressive than standard feral hogs? Editor: The area of Texas with the highest concentration of Eurasian boar genetics would be South Texas and the western 8 |

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Jim Fowler and Marlin Perkins on “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”

Fowler Feedback WHAT A GREAT ARTICLE ON JIM Fowler! It’s nice to see that kind of story that brings us back to a simpler time and reminds us of the origins of wildlife television. I can’t thank you enough.

Berlocher Kudos HAD TO SMILE WHEN I READ YOUR article. The first 58 years I did not think lures were for anything other than freshwater and purchased only Johnson and Tony Ascetta in gold and silver. That is how I was taught and told several people about them over the years and like you said, “I never caught anything on a spoon.” The best spoon ever I think was the Pluger Limping Minnow. I lost it off a pier and was catching trout with it. No one else on the pier caught diddly. But just to tell you I have gold and silver in my tackle box and cleaning it last weekend I found them and steel wooled them to a high shine. I cannot remember the last time I used them. Being luckier than a lot of folks and having a very good wife that looked after our money for years I have a place on Trinity Bay with a pier. Elza Smith Editor: Greg is a fine writer and spoons are great lures. They are underutilized in Texas in my opinion and are a favorite of mine for catching trout and redfish.

Hal Sonnier “JIM FOWLER’S WILD KINGDOM” was one of the best articles I have seen anywhere in a long, long time. It was great to hear about how he started and some of his adventures around the world. I grew up watching that program and always admired the man. It is good to see he is still out there talking about wildlife and wildlife conservation.

T E X A S

Send Your Comments to: Texas Fish & Game 1745 Greens Rd Houston TX 77032 editor@ﬁshgame.com

Jimmy Beard F I S H

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EDITOR’S Notes by CHESTER MOORE :: TF&G Editor-in-Chief

A Country Boy Can Survive

F YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT the power structure of this country fears most, look no further than what the media attacks. Guns, survival, the outdoors lifestyle and Judeo-Christian values are criticized, mocked and outright savaged by mainstream news sources, politicians and other power brokers. Indeed the very principles that made our country great are now touted as the problem, instead of the solution. This will be the only time you ever see me quoting Hank Williams, Jr. in a column. Oh, I like his music just fine, especially his early ’80s output, but he is not exactly the philosopher I go to for solutions. After all this is the guy who wrote “Whiskey Bent and Hellbound.” However, “A Country Boy Can Survive” rings true in a powerful way in the year 2016. “I live back in the woods you see-the woman and the kids and the dogs and me. I got a shotgun, a rifle and four-wheel drive. A country boy can survive.” I am no alarmist but literally at the time I am writing this column the Chinese stock market crashed a whopping seven percent. Economies throughout the world were shaking. What would happen if there is a major, major economic crash where things get to a “Great Depression” level? How many people would be able to make it for themselves. I have friends such as the Slone Family in Deweyville, TX where the normal is a shotgun, a rifle and a four-wheel drive. And I have no doubt those country boys 10 |

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can survive. “Because you can’t starve us out and you can’t make us run ‘Cause one-of-’em old boys raised on shotgun. And we say grace and we say Ma’am. And if you ain’t into that we don’t give a damn.” The fact is people in rural areas and those who have a true grasp on how to fish, hunt and stay warm in cold weather are people who can weather tough times. Now, manners are not necessary for survival, but it shows common decency and respect. That is something most of those who embrace the outdoors lifestyle and live in Texas have a better grasp on than lots of others. My family and I were visiting friends in California after Christmas. As a young girl a gas station handed me my change I told her, “Thank you mam.” “Where are you from,” she asked. “Texas,” I said. “Where chivalry is not totally dead.” She laughed and said it was refreshing and that so few people around there had respect for one another. We were not in Los Angeles or San Francisco. This was Eureka, a town about the size of Beaumont, Texas. This is not about the outdoor lifestyle being superior to the urban or some lame bumper sticker-style statement touting the power of the Lone Star State. It is not about prepping or anything of the sort. It’s a reflection on something we take for granted. Those of us who grew up hunting, fishing, trapping and even camping have a giant leg up on the rest of society if true economic disaster strikes. We also have a better understanding of how life really works. We know that to eat steak, cattle must die, and that to catch fish you are going to have to get wet and slimy. Fish does not randomly appear on rice to form a sushi roll. Someone had to catch the fish and grow the rice and other ingredients to make the blessing that so many of us (me

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included) crave. It is a reality check of sorts. You cannot appreciate something you do not understand, and you cannot understand something that has not been presented to you or that you do not search out on your own. That is why we talk so much about howto applications in the magazine and dig into ecology and wildlife biology. We know it is crucial to understand the way things work. It’s entertaining to read about someone’s hunt experience, but there is much more .That is why we strive to give in-depth stories here. We have a special thing going in Texas, and we should all appreciate it. One thing you learn when you hunt and fish is that life is fragile and worth every minute we struggle here. Those who grow up in the outdoor lifestyle have an edge on learning that life is a blessing and is worth defending. My friend Jillian, a beautiful 20-something girl who just happens to be married to a police officer was raised in the woods. Two years ago, she had a knife pulled on her at an ATM and she turned around with her concealed handgun, pushed it to the guy’s chest and told him she was counting to three and she would shoot. He ran. Good decision on his part. She was not bluffing. How many young ladies would have that same survival instinct? How many girls from inner city Houston or Austin would have ended up dead or raped right there? Yes, country boys can survive, but so can country girls. I think Hank needs to write that song next, but interview Jillian first. She could teach him a thing or two.

Email Chester Moore at cmoore@ﬁshgame.com

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The TF G Report State Ramps Up the Fight Against Exotic Plants TEXAS IS RAMPING UP ITS efforts in the Pineywoods ecoregion of East Texas to fight the invasion of aquatic species that pose significant threats to the state’s environment and its economy. Aquatic invasive species are costing Texas billions of dollars annually in lost property values, lost water, lost potential for power generation, degradation of the state’s natural resources, and management costs. The potential economic loss in property values alone because of continued aquatic invasive infestation in Texas has been estimated

at upwards of $17.5 billion. Additionally, when left untreated, these plants can significantly impair outdoor recreational activities such as boating, fishing and waterfowl hunting. Efforts to combat these impacts got a much-needed boost this year, thanks to $6.5 million in legislative appropriations during the last session that state officials believe will be crucial to address the problem over this two-year biennium. “Without adequate management efforts, the problem will only continue to worsen,” said Rep. Chris Paddie. “Combating the spread of invasive species is one of the most pressing issues for our lakes, businesses and sportsmen,” he said. “The increased funding shows the legislature’s commitment to combating the spread

of invasive species, and I look forward to working with the Parks and Wildlife Department to combat these species.” The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders, has been battling against the spread of aquatic invasive plants such as giant salvinia, water hyacinth, and hydrilla for decades with limited success. Research into various management options has shown promise toward controlling the spread of these plants, but come with a price tag that until now has been out of reach. As a result of the new funding, additional resources are being directed at aquatic invasive management. This includes $1.4 million for herbicidal vegetation control treatment, biological treatment. Also funded are new TPWD staff positions in East Texas dedicated to aquatic invasive management, including capabilities for small infes-

BIG BAGS CATCHES

SPECKED TROUT West Galveston Bay

POMPANO Key West, Florida Mike Wacker of Austin boated this 25-pound African pompano while ﬁshing at Key West, Florida.

Eleven-year-old Ryder Krivan caught this speckled trout with shrimp under a popping cork while on her ﬁrst wadeﬁshing trip with dad, Brian, on West Galveston Bay.

Visit FishGame.com to upload your Big Bags & Catches Photos and Vote for our next Winners 12 |

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PHOTO: GRADY ALLEN

Giant salvina can overwhelm a lake, as this TPWD aerial photo of Toledo Bend in 2004 shows.

tation rapid response. Other funded projects include $400,000 for a zebra mussel and giant salvinia outreach and public awareness marketing campaign, development of a new giant salvinia herbicide, exotic fish research, and native plant restoration. Some of the work has already begun. For example: Out of the

20-plus public water bodies containing giant salvinia in Texas, Caddo Lake’s and Toledo Bend Reservoir’s giant salvinia infestations have required the most effort in the battle against invasive species in northeast Texas. Contractors sprayed over 2,700 acres of giant salvinia at Caddo Lake and 3,300

TURKEY Falfurias

acres at Toledo Bend Reservoir between April and August 2015. Additional spraying at both water bodies has been conducted in October and November. TPWD released 132,000 adult giant salvinia weevils in Caddo Lake and 53,000 in Toledo Bend Reservoir during 2015. These weevils were either raised at TPWD greenhouse facilities in Jasper or collected from the existing weevil population at B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir. Lake Murvaul has small infestations of giant salvinia and water hyacinth. TPWD has been working closely with the controlling authority, Panola County Fresh Water Supply to manage these invasive species. Herbicide spraying has been conducted several times in 2015 to keep the coverage of these plants as low as possible. The partnerships developed among entities within the region have helped to minimize the impact invasive species are having at other area reservoirs. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake O’ the Pines conducts inspections of boat ramps and boat trailers to identify any giant salvinia, or other invasives that may have been transported from another lake. TPWD has worked closely with the Corps and the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District to conduct surveys of other invasive species on Lake O’ the Pines and develop management strategies to reduce their impact to the environment and folks that use the lake. The Corps and the water district funded herbicide treatment of water hyacinth and alligator weed during 2015. TPWD successfully identified new giant salvinia infestations at Brandy Branch, Gilmer, and Lake Fork reservoirs. During routine invasive species inspections of boat ramps, biologists found that giant salvinia had been recently introduced by boaters. TPWD used floating containment booms to isolate plants to the boat ramp area and individual plants were physically removed and the area was sprayed with herbicide. Infestations were eliminated at Brandy Branch and Gilmer reservoirs. Containment booms were removed at Brandy Branch and Gilmer, but deployment continues at Lake Fork while the need for follow-up treatments persists.

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Natalie Villarreal, 12, got this nice 2-bearded tom while hunting with her grandfather, dad, and brother on a ranch near Falfurrias

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The TF G Report TPWD Extends River Access THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE Department (TPWD) has signed temporary leased access agreements with four Guadalupe River property owners to

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expand public fishing access to the trout fishery downstream of Canyon Lake. Public fishing access will be available at Mountain Breeze Campground, Rio Guadalupe Resort (formerly Rio Raft and Resort), and Whitewater Sports from December 4, 2015, through May 4, 2016. This provides two additional months of access

from previous years at these sites. Public fishing access will also be available at Camp Huaco Springs from December 4, 2015, through March 12, 2016. Recognized as one of the top 100 trout streams in America and the southernmost trout stream in the United States, this segment of the Guadalupe River is managed through special fishing regulations (tpwd. texas.gov/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/guadalupe.phtml) and is stocked in the winter months by the TPWD (tpwd.texas. gov/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/trout_ stocking.phtml) and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The leases provide anglers with free access to the Guadalupe River at the four properties from 30 minutes before daylight until 30 minutes after dusk. Anglers will be able to use the properties for bank fishing and to launch non-motorized watercraft such as rafts, kayaks and canoes for fishing. The leases were made possible with funding provided by the US Department of Agriculture Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. For additional information or directions to the leased fishing access areas, call or visit the following websites. Mountain Breeze Campground (mountainbreezecamp.com) 9250 River Road, New Braunfels, TX 78132, (830) 9642484 Rio Guadalupe Resort (10 vehicle limit) (rioguadaluperesort.com) 14130 River Road, New Braunfels, TX 78132, (830) 964-3613 Whitewater Sports (floattheguadalupe. com) 11860 Farm to Market 306, New Braunfels, TX 78132, (830) 964-3800 Camp Huaco Springs (www.camphuacosprings.com) 4150 River Road, New Braunfels, TX 78132, (830) 625-5430 For information on river fishing access areas throughout the state, including site specific restrictions, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ fishboat/fish/recreational/rivers/. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; TPWD

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DOGGETT at Large by JOE DOGGETT :: TF&G Contributing Editor

Santa Clouser

AST CHRISTMAS, WHILE sifting through my usual complement of soot, switches and lumps of coal, I found a small package. It was addressed from a fly fishing friend. I opened the box. Inside were five handtied Clouser Minnow streamers. The work was respectable, the result of his new-found interest at the tying bench. But, then again, there’s not much to the Clouser pattern. Even I can lash a few together that look more-or-less OK to the casual glance. A Clouser created by even the most talented hands is a long double haul from, say, a classic Jock Scott salmon fly faithfully rendered from exotic feathers by an artist such as Judy Lehmberg. The Clouser is simple— several pinches of long bucktail hair, a few strands of flashy stuff, and a pair of small metal eyes up near the front of the hook. That’s basically it. I smiled as I admired the box. But what a useful gift—mainly because the Clouser Minnow is perhaps the most versatile and effective fly pattern ever conceived. At least, that is my opinion, and this observation echoes those of many other veteran anglers. I honestly believe that this one pattern can catch virtually all significant light-tackle sport fish. Freshwater or saltwater, shallow or deep, north or south—Book ‘em, Danno. For example, last year I used a chartreuse and white Clouser to catch a 10-pound trevally at Christmas Island and a 10-pound silver salmon in Alaska. The two fish half the globe apart clobbered the same fly. Granted, on a given day over given water, another pattern might be more effective, but the proper Clouser probably will bend the rod. By “proper” I mean the right size and sink rate for the circumstances.

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The Clouser is a relatively new creation, at least when measured against the traditional trout and salmon flies or even the early saltwater-specific patterns. Bob Clouser, a fly shop owner and river guide in Middletown, Pennsylvania, invented the pattern in 1987 for use on smallmouth bass in the nearby Susquehanna River. The trim streamer proved to be an immediate killer on the river bass that feed heavily on baitfish forage (as well as crawfish, but Clouser was dead-on in targeting the minnow population). By happy coincidence, virtually every light-tackle game species worth catching preys heavily at some point on baitfish. This is a basic truth in the chain of life in any given source of water this side of the nearest bathtub. And, within a few years, it vaulted Clouser’s minnow-imitation into legendary “killer fly” status. The simplicity of the pattern is a plus. The sparse profile is easy to cast and looks enough like a sleek minnow to draw aggressive reflexive strikes. When tied with lightweight beadchain eyes, the Clouser has a reasonably quiet entry and a slow sink rate in shallow water. Heavier lead or tungsten “dumb-bell” eyes are excellent for reaching fish holding in deeper water, or amid strong current. Many of Bob Clouser’s early patterns aimed at the river bass reportedly used the heavier eyes. Bead-chain eyes gained momentum as the streamer spread in popularity across the skinny water of the saltwater flats. Regardless of material, the metal eyes really make the streamer work by providing a tad of weight up forward (similar to a small leadhead jig). They also increase the “fishy” image. Frankly, the concept is so simple I’m surprised it wasn’t concocted decades earlier. Maybe it was but, if so, apparently without any serious attempts at marketing. Because the streamer imitates a minnow, a retrieve of long strips probably looks more realistic than a tempo of snappy jerks. Of course, a wounded minnow is apt to twitch and flutter, so maybe the cadence makes no difference. But the streamlined profile sug-

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gests a smooth motion. If nothing else, the longer strips cover more water to find fish quickly when blind casting. As always, it’s a good idea to match the fly to the primary species; for example, a two- or three-inch streamer on a No. 8 or 6 hook for smaller stuff, and a four- or five-inch streamer on a No. 2 or even a 1/0 or 2/0 on a suitable rod for bigger game. Of course, since minnows are universal forage you never know what might clamp on amid the swirls and shadows of mysto-water. Years ago, I was blind casting with a puny three-inch Clouser along the mangrove shoreline of a Yucatan lagoon. So-called “baby” tarpon in the five- to 10-pound class were banging the streamer with regularity and I was feeling pretty cocky with my side-arm delivery with an 8-weight bonefish rod. A smart double-haul drove the little streamer inside the gloom of overhanging limbs. The fly sank for several seconds then on the first strip a six-foot chromium flash churned the tannin water. A one-hundredpound tarpon had inhaled the fly. Uh oh, I thought. Here comes a certified national disaster. The line surged tight and the deranged fish flew straight up, climbing into the branches. It rattled and shook and crashed, scattering leaves and twigs and doves and pigeons, then fell back free. I reeled up into the mangroves to retrieve the tangled fly line and the broken leader. Why such a colossus would snatch such a piddly offering is something you’ll have to ask the tarpon—or maybe Bob Clouser. Different Clouser colors have evolved, and experimentation on a slow day is fine. However, the basic selection of white/chartreuse and white/tan, each with a few accent strands of gold or chartreuse Krystal Flash, will cover most situations. At least, this is the simple formula that has worked at fresh and saltwater venues around the angling world ever since this remarkable streamer gained popularity.

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PIKE on the Edge by DOUG PIKE :: TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Family Lore

Y FAMILY’S DYNAMICS changed in late December, a day before the final page of this past year’s calendar flipped. My mother passed away then, leaving me the oldest of the Pikes. Not of all the Pikes. But in my immediate family, I’m now the end of the line. Among other things, that status renders me official family storyteller, so I thought I might share a few outdoorsy ones in this space.

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My father, who died 23 years ago, wasn’t a great fisherman. He recognized my passion for the sport, however, and got me onto the water often from the time I was three. Fishing fascinated me, and Dad took full advantage of that obsession. I grew up in southwest Houston, Section One of Sharpstown. On weekends when there weren’t early baseball games, he’d load me into the Chevy, swing by the bait shop on Highway 90 in Stafford for a carton of nightcrawlers, and haul me to the edge of some little lake or creek. Once the hook was baited and I’d swung my cane pole to deliver its wriggling payload near a stump or mat of grass, my father knew I’d sit still until that cork danced and dove. It was during those pauses that he delivered

his teachings on honesty and integrity, respect and compassion. On never starting a fight, but defending yourself whenever and however necessary. In hindsight, I’m convinced he sometimes took me places he knew would be short on action. Important lessons took longer to share, and bites interrupted their delivery. By the time I was a teenager, my dad was in a knock-down fight with alcoholism. He was never mean, but the disease certainly impacted our family. He ultimately beat that sickness and lived the final 20 or so years of his life in full control of body and mind. On rare occasions, alcohol’s influence manifested itself in a story worth retelling. My dad and some friends returned one summer afternoon, for instance, from a cat-

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fishing trip on which they’d finished off quite a few beers. Dad clumsily propped his rod between two chairs in the den, then sat in one of them. A small piece of chicken liver, halfdried, was matted onto the hook and dangled freely off nearly a rod’s length of line. We didn’t smell it, but our cat did and made a beeline for the bait. The cat, its name escapes me now, grabbed the line. My dad saw the bend in the rod and, instinctively, set the hook. The poor cat did a somersault and landed on all fours with that hook cleanly punched through its upper lip. To the credit of my dad and his friends, even half lit, they managed to get a towel around the cat and a dishcloth over its eyes. More gently that anyone expected, they worked together with wire cutters and soothing voices to clear the cat. One of only two times in his life that I know my dad went hunting was in the late 1960s, at the invitation of some Louisiana oilfield executives for whom he worked. Four men were loaded into a float plane and delivered onto a marshy island. The pilot instructed them to load their shotguns, hunker in the grass, and listen for the plane. Ducks would be flying low ahead of the plane, he said. He’d repeat the fly-by drill a few times, retrieve everything and everybody, then leave. Dad knew nothing about duck hunting. He probably didn’t hit any ducks, either, but the other guys did—lots of ducks, enough to fill several burlap sacks, however many ducks that is. After the pilot retrieved his hunters and their ducks and landed them safely back where the trip started, one of the guests commented on how much fun he’d had and asked if they could return to that island soon. The pilot didn’t speak, but the group’s host did. Afraid not, he said. Turns out, they’d been ushered into and out of, hastily, some federal ground where no hunting was allowed. That always bothered my dad. On the other hunting trip I know he made, the two of us chased deer and elk on a 120,000-acre private ranch in Utah. Neither of us shot anything, but we had a great time. My mother, in hindsight, put up with a lot from me. As a child, I once accidentally stepped (not too hard) on a Houston toad and got her to help me put a tiny Band-Aid on its scratched leg. We built a little “recovery room” in the flower bed and kept watch over that toad until it hopped off.

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During my high school days, friends and I routinely brought whole fish into the house and cleaned them in the kitchen sink. We plucked geese on the patio and never did develop a way to secure all the feathers. Longtime friend Jack Horsman and I once went frogging, with pellet guns and a dip net, and wound up hanging six or eight fat, dead bullfrogs on my mother’s backyard clothesline. There’s other family stuff that will remain so, stories I’ll share someday with my son once he’s old enough to understand them.

He’s a little young yet to comprehend how all the pieces that make up our family puzzle fit together. Until then, though, I’ll keep taking him fishing and rock-turning, for walks in the woods, surfing trips to the coast and half loops around the golf course. I’m game for anything he wants to do outdoors. All I ask in return, on the drives to and from those places, is that he listen to his dad’s stories.

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NUGENT in the Wild by TED NUGENT :: TF&G Editor-at-Large

May Your SpiritWild Run Strong & Free Forever

RE WE HAVING SPIRITWILD fun yet or what? I sure hope everyone is patient and understanding with the old guitar playing backstrapper, for spinning wildly as I am from the highest of highs coming straight out of the greatest hunting season of my life, the Herculean effort I am painstakingly putting forth to type potentially coherent misgivings for another Uncle Ted column is truly miraculous to say the least. So let us start there, shall we. My 67th autumn in life was indeed a spectacle to behold. The terminal gaga I experienced day in and day out for more than 300 days afield in 2015 from always spine tingling encounters with majestic critters, the effervescence of many mystical flights of my arrows, many rock steady sniper crosshairs, and the amazing campfire celebrations of hard won sacred backstraps is not only how I get high, it is surely how I live. The sunrises and sunsets, the sounds, smells, pulsations, the electrical physics of spirituality from every day afield, the happy, happy dogs in the pheasant fields, the duck marshes, the woodcock coverts, in the squirrel woods, the titillating approaches of many deer, bear and elk and of course the often resulting perfect meals of super protein pretty much defines my life. Sure, my priorities are crystal clear with God, family and country at the top of the list, but my phenomenal year round outdoor lifestyle runs right up there with my beloved rock-n-roll and all those important things for an ultimate quality of life and pursuit of breathtaking runaway happiness American Dream. Again I thank my BloodBrothers here, including my fellow writers, editors, publishers, readers and fellow SpiritWild enthu20 |

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siasts. Have we lucked out with choosing and living the greatest lifestyle available to mankind or what? I love my small game, big game, exotic game, varmints of every species, archery, firearms, fishing, trapping and everything that maximizes my cravings for simply getting out there dreams. Though 90% of my hunting is dedicated to gungho stealthy bowhunting with my Mathews Halon, I also love my longrange centerfire rifle sniper fun. My favorite long guns are some amazingly accurate bolt rifles in .243 and .270 calibers and numerous ARs in .223 and .308, all with crystal clear Bushnell scopes. Having my own line of Ted Nugent Ammo doesn’t hurt when it comes time for extended shootemup practice and training fun. Here on our Texas home SpiritWild Ranch, we have some full auto machineguns that we train religiously with, and a normal supply of ammo simply would not be enough when you’re hosing such quantities of hot lead downrange at 750 rounds per minute full auto. We do not hunt indigenous game with machineguns, but full auto certainly comes in handy when reducing the dangerously overpopulated wild pig and coyote populations from a helicopter. And Lord have mercy, and it’s legal in Texas! Godbless Texas! I know my SpiritWild friends no matter where you are have some phenomenal hunting opportunities all across North America, but I’m afraid you haven’t lived till you hunt feral hogs and coyotes from a wildly maneuvering helicopter with a machinegun knee deep in brass. Can we please have a moment of silence for legally owned machineguns?

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Thank you. As a sworn sheriff deputy for more than 34 years, I am obligated to train diligently with my various firearms and in fact must qualify at the range each year with my daily carry handgun. I own more than 100 wonderful handguns to choose from, but my usual choice for daily carry and big game hunting is my custom Glock Model 20 chambered in 10mm. As much as I love hunting in Canada, I am totally let down by the absurd gun laws that good Canadian families have to put up with. Handgun hunting is one of the most enjoyable, challenging, fun sports there is. And of course the God given right to individual self-defense and the natural right to keep and bear arms can only be argued against by illogical, weird people. There is no logic, common sense or anything approaching any sense whatsoever to believe society could benefit in any way from denying law abiding citizens the noninfringed right to carry a handgun for selfdefense, hunting or backup when hunting bear with the bow and arrow. Who could possibly argue that good hunting families would be inclined to commit crimes or do harm with a handgun when they have unlimited access to 12 gauge shotguns? Damn shame and really stupid isn’t it. There is no question that the outdoor lifestyle is alive and well all across North America. Each year it appears that the deer hunting gets better, the bear and cougar hunting gets better, the moose, pronghorn and turkey hunting is getting better, the small game and waterfowl hunting is truly spectacular, the fishing is worldclass and the Spirit of the Wild runs strong and free. My killer band and I are gearing up for our 2016 Sonic Baptizm summer tour July and August, and as much as I connect with my gungho hunting and fishing BloodBrothers, surely our rock-n-roll bond with serious music lovers everywhere is just as powerful if not a little more! I’ve been celebrating my outdoor life and musical life across planet earth for more than

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55 years, and I sure hope we get to jam out your way on this tour. I am sure that I will be hunting for fresh bluegill, crappie and bass filets, ambushing some delicious longbeards, gathering wild asparagus, leeks and wild mushrooms, and I will again return to the wilds of New Brunswick Canada with the Danny Dyer family for another phenomenal spring bear season. I am here to tell you that there is nothing

on God’s good green earth to better bring a crazed MotorCity Madman guitar maniac back to earth like the soul cleansing serenity of sitting quietly on a bear stand with my bow and arrow in the wilderness waiting for that dynamo encounter with our brother the black bear. I wish you all a very happy springtime across America and beyond, and hope your lines are tight, your gobblers are strutting wildly and the warming days of a new season T E X A S

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charge your SpiritWild batteries to maximum overload. May our spirits be fortified with nonstop fish filets and wild turkey drumsticks for the greatest spring of our lives. Hunt and fish like you mean it!

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Email Ted Nugent at TNugent@ﬁshgame.com

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2/8/16 12:49 PM

TF&G COMMENTARY by KENDAL HEMPHILL :: TF&G Political Editor

Molon Labe “Molon Labe, (Come and take them).” —King Leonidas I, responding to Xerxes’s demand that he surrender his army’s weapons

T’S RARE TO RUN INTO SOMEone who hasn’t heard of the Battle of Thermopylae. Leonidas I, the Spartan king, stood with a small force at a mountain pass called “Hot Gates” in 480 BC against a vastly larger army of Persians under King Xerxes, who was in the process of trying to take over the world. The Spartans held the pass for a week, allowing the rest of Greece to mobilize and get ready to fend off the Persians. It worked. Leonidas and his men saved Greece. Thermopylae is similar in many ways to the final battle of the Alamo in 1836. That battle was fought by about 185 men, mostly Texans, against a far larger force from Mexico, giving Sam Houston time to prepare the rest of his army. That worked, too. William Travis, Jim Bowie, and the rest of the garrison at the Alamo saved Texas. Both times, men stood for what they believed against overwhelming odds. They knew they were going to die, and refused to surrender anyway. They believed the cause they fought for was worth more than their lives. Whether they were right or wrong probably depended on whose side one happened to be on, but their courage cannot be questioned. They sacrificed themselves because they believed in something. Many have said that such men and women do not exist today, that such bravery and sacrifice are a thing of the past. Even those who can be expected to know better sometimes despair of finding such selflessness in more modern times. A U.S. Marine general is

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supposed to have said, just before a famous battle, that he was afraid that the men under his command were not made of the same stuff as those who had won the previous war. The general was Alexander Archer Vandegrift. The battle was the U.S. invasion of Guadalcanal in August, 1942. And we all know how that one turned out. Whether Gen. Vandegrift actually worried about the mettle of his troops is in question; their conduct is not. Many movies have been produced about all three of these battles, and at the beginning of each the claim is made that the film is “based on true events.” At the beginning of the movie “13 Hours,” a different claim is offered. It says, ‘This is a true story.’ And a horrible story it is. All of Libya, and Benghazi in particular, was a powder keg during the summer of 2012. The situation got so bad that the representatives of just about every other country left. Not the U.S. We still had a temporary diplomatic residence and a ‘secret’ CIA compound in Benghazi. They were defended mostly by ex-military special operators. These men lived in danger every day, risking their lives to protect those in their charge. Realizing their situation was becoming increasingly dangerous, and that Libya’s political stability was going from bad to worse, the Benghazi contingent sent numerous requests for additional support through the summer, but the requests were denied. On 10 September 2012 Ambassador Chris Stevens arrived in Benghazi, and the next day, the 11th anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Islamic militants converged on the diplomatic residence where Ambassador Stevens was staying. The men charged with protecting Americans in the area were stationed at the CIA compound a mile away. They were not allowed to be positioned at the diplomatic residence for some reason, but when they learned of the attack as it began, they suited up and prepared to go to the defense of the ambassador.

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Delays ensued, as protocol required approval from above for such a mission. Bureaucracies are never quick, when decisions must be made by people thousands of miles from ground zero. When those decisions will doubtless be subjected to minute scrutiny by higher-ups, the wheels turn exceedingly slowly. Ultimately, the men were told they were not allowed to go to Ambassador Stevens’s aid. They went anyway. They could see the fires and hear the explosions and the small arms fire clearly that night. They knew from radio communications that they would be vastly outnumbered, and that the delays had moved their task from the “extremely dangerous” column into the “unlikely to survive” zone. They were under no obligation to go, and would have been entirely within their rights to remain out of harm’s way for the moment. They went anyway. By the time they got there Ambassador Stevens had already been taken hostage, and was ultimately brutalized, tortured, and murdered by the people he had come to help. No good deed goes unpunished. Three men, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods, also died that night. They died in a nasty little place far from home and family, fighting for a cause they didn’t understand, protecting people who didn’t appreciate them. They died saving others, not because the others were better, or more important, but because there was no one else to save them. They died because those they depended on for support failed to provide it. They didn’t just die. They were sacrificed. It’s said the three hardest things to do are climb a fence that leans toward you, kiss a girl that leans away from you, and help someone who doesn’t want your help. Maybe that’s true for most of us, but for the warrior, I think the hardest thing to do is turn your back on someone who needs your help. It’s a pity that not everyone is made that way.

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story and photos by CHESTER MOORE 24 |

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How

EL NIÑO May Rip Off the

FLOUNDER RUN EL NIÑO. IT SOUNDS LIKE some sort of villain in a Godzilla movie or one of the masked Luchadors in Mexican wrestling. In Spanish, El Niño means “the kid.” The El Niño we are talking about however is a prolonged warming trend in the Pacific Ocean. This causes wacky weather throughout the world including unusually warm conditions in some regions while others get a deluge. Some get both. We are in an El Niño period, and in my opinion it is the culprit in the bizarre fall flounder run of 2015. The “run” is actually a migration period where flounders leave the marshes, bays, rivers and inlets and head to the Gulf of Mexico for spawning. It typically kicks off in late October and peaks in December. Over the last few years the fishing has been tremendous, particularly in November when anglers from Matagorda to Louisiana’s Lake Calcasieu are reporting their best flounder fishing ever. Last year was an anomaly however, and anglers reported strange conditions throughout. PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

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We took to our TF&G community via social media and asked you, our readers, including some renowned guides what happened, and their opinions were varied yet contained a common thread of unusual activity. The 2009 Flounder Revolution ® Angler of the Year Chris Dial said the weather was too mild during November, and we didn’t get any strong winds from the Northwest to blow the bays out down here in Galveston. “Our tides ran high, and the bait fish were more scattered out than ever, which made the flounder more scattered out than ever,” Dial said. “When I covered a lot of water I was more productive, and I was on a spring pattern all the way up until the last week of December. Marsh drains and mid bay reefs were still producing solid flounders, and I am still getting a few in the upper teens farther back in the marshes around guts.” Angler Chris Vandagriff said it was a weird run for him in the Galveston area. “Ninety percent wading, I moved around the area a lot from Dickinson bayou to

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A huge ﬂounder ready to leave during the fall run at Port Aransas in 2008. How many of these big ﬁsh left last fall and when will they come back in?

rollover pass and 20 spots in between,” Vandagriff said. “I caught a lot of fish, but not in the crazy numbers from years past. Fish didn’t seem to concentrate in certain traditional areas as in the past also. “My experience was that a great early run from late August to early October slowed and remained only spotty until December when I had to quit fishing. Buddies with boats in deeper channel waters did much better, more consistently.”

I call the August-September bite the “first push” when slightly cooling temperatures start staging the fish near the mouths of bayous in the bay systems. It makes sense that this period was normal because our weather was, but things definitely changed when it came to migration time. Capt. Mike Williams said migration patterns and movements of saltwater fish in shallow water can greatly be affected by the beach water temperature.

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PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

“Galveston December 2015 air temperatures were some of the warmest on record, which can in some cases extend a movement even a migration,” Williams said. “The tarpon migration this year was about 2 1/2 weeks late and I have been keeping records on that for more than 50 years.” “I know some that were catching them in September in the Galveston channel” said Capt. David Dillman. “Then it kind of slowed. I think it was mainly because of the water temperature and higher than normal tides.” “About three weeks ago (mid December) after the first real front they got active again in the channel. Still I think some have not left. (as of January 4). It has been a strange winter so far.” Capt. Robby Trahan said the SabineCalcasieu system definitely had strange fishing. “Sabine was very wild for sure on the flounder run,” Trahan said. “It was definitely due to the El Nino year with above average water temperatures and higher tides than normal that haunted our marshes. “For instance I was chasing redfish way

up in the bayous and bringing in ten or so flounders as a bonus—not even fishing for them,” he said. There is a small bayou that runs through Johnson bayou in front of my dad’s. First time ever in my life that I saw five-pound flounders in numbers caught from this area. No great run in the channel this year also.” Therefore, now that we have looked back at some of the strange El Niño impacts, it is time to ponder what will happen this spring. Although the fall run is the migration out of the bays, spring run is the movement back. It typically begins in late February and peaks in April but it is not nearly as pronounced as the fall run. There are rarely days where anglers can catch 50-100 fish. The spring run is slow and steady. The question now is how many fish actually migrated out. Also, what could weather conditions bring by the time this issue hits subscribers. Could the fish that did migrate start moving in early because of warm temperatures, or will we get some crazy late, strong, cold front that postpones the run? As you can see from the testimony of our TFG community, El Nino made the fall

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run of 2015 a strange affair. I have a feeling spring will be a repeat. The following are three things to watch out for if you want to catch flounders during March. 1. START IN the channels between the bay and Gulf. These funnel areas are overlooked in spring. When you see big spring tides coupled with warm days, fish in the channels. 2. THIS MAY sound as if it contradicts the first point but take a look at areas where you normally catch flounders in late spring and early summer. I have a feeling many flounders stayed behind this year, more than normal. If so, many of them will be set up in familiar haunts before the migrations. 3. FOCUS ON incoming tides. I cannot say this enough. Incoming tides are the best time to fish for flounders, and this is especially true in spring when new tides bring new fish from Gulf waters.

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2/8/16 12:32 PM

Bar Fish, a.k.a. Yellow Bass, are Like Candy to Lunker Largemouths story by MATT WILLIAMS 28 |

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IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR, usually more than once. A crappie fisherman armed with bantamweight tackle heads out to one of the major bridge crossings at Lake Fork hoping to sack up a few keepers for the freezer, but winds up getting into a nasty scuffle with a heavyweight largemouth bass instead. T E X A S

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Yellow bass are often mistaken for white or striped bass. But big largemouths know the difference and lick their chops at the sight of them.

Occasionally, somebody gets lucky and wins the mismatch, but most don’t even come close. The normal showdown between a crappie fisherman and a lunker largemouth usually ends almost as quickly as it starts. So fast, in fact, that the angler is usually left with a baffled look on his face as he surveys the damage and scrambles for excuses to nurse a battered ego. “I hear about it all the time, sometimes on a daily basis,” says Tony Parker, manager of Minnow Bucket Marina. “Crappie fishermen hook a crappie and a big bass swims up there, eats the crappie and breaks their line. It really happens a lot in fall and late spring, when the crappies really stack up around the bridges.” The correlation between big bass and crappie at Fork has been well advertised, but Parker says for some reason it is not a pattern that a lot of bass anglers have taken to heart. “Over the years there have been quite a few ShareLunkers caught around the bridges by crappie fishermen,” Parker said. “I tell our bass fishing customers all the time that they should really concentrate on the bridges if they want to catch a big bass, 30 |

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but it seems like most of them had rather do something else. They used to fish grass when we had it. Now, they concentrate more on main lake structure. The bridge/crappie deal is way overlooked.” As much as big bass like to feast on crappie, they may like to munch on yellow bass (also called bar fish) even more. Native to many riverine reservoirs in eastern Texas, yellow bass are sometimes mistaken for white bass or young striped bass. Distinguishable traits include a yellowish belly, two broken lowermost stripes and second and third anal spines of equal length. It’s worth noting that adult bar fish don’t grow very large, but make excellent table fare. Adults will average about 6-8 inches long, but fish ranging 10-12 inches have been documented in exceptionally fertile waters such as Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend. Like whites and stripers, yellow bass tend to run in large schools. They also tend to congregate around main lake structure such as ridges, points and humps during the fall, winter and summer, often in relation to balls of shad, just like black bass do.

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Connecting the Dots

For years, many bass anglers who discovered schools of pint size bar fish would write them off and look elsewhere for bigger largemouths. Some still do, but a few have learned that can be a huge mistake, sort of like looking for greener grass on the opposite side of the fence. TPWD fisheries biologist Todd Driscoll of Brookeland knows the scenario all too well. Driscoll, also is a marine electronics expert who competes in few bass tournaments on the side. He too, used to consider a big school of yellow bass lighting up his Garmin electronics as nothing more than a grand opportunity to stock a freezer with a bunch of tasty filets. But times have changed. According to Driscoll, bar fish ring the dinner bell for heavyweight largemouths a lot louder than some anglers might realize. Penetrate the school with a spoon, Carolina rig, crank bait, jig or a big swim bait, and you might just catch one of the biggest fish in the lake. “I don’t necessarily think you need to mimic a bar fish for it to work,” Driscoll PHOTO: NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE FISHERIES ASSOCIATION

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said. “It’s more about getting bait in there amongst them. I’ve caught plenty of good quality fish around bar fish on a big flutter spoon.” Driscoll began connecting the dots a few years back when he used his electronics to locate schools of what he suspected to be bar fish and white bass hanging tight to deep, main lake structure with no shad around. Interesting to note, he dropped a 3/8-ounce spoon down to verify what he was looking at, he caught a mixture of bar fish, white bass and some good size largemouths. “After I did that a few times it became pretty apparent to me what was going on,” he said. “Catching a big bass around a school of bar fish isn’t something you can always bank on, but I’ve caught enough bigger bass around them at certain times of the year that I’m convinced there is a dynamic worth paying attention to. “Think about it. What would you rather do if you were a six or eight-pound bass— chase a bunch of two-inch shad around all day or hunker down in 20 to 30 feet of water and grab a 6- to10-inch bar fish every now and then? Big bass are opportunistic preda-

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tors, and they love to eat bar fish.”

Population Booms Veteran Lake Fork guide Lance Vick was quick to agree. Vick, along with a number of other bass guides, enjoyed some outstanding fishing around mega schools of bar fish at Fork until white bass populations exploded in the reservoir roughly five years ago. “It was pretty much a fall deal, and it was a big time pattern,” Vick said. “It still works, but it’s not near as pronounced as it used to be back in the early 2000s. Ever since we got the influx of sand bass, those big, beautiful schools of bar fish are pretty much non-existent. It seems like the sand bass have taken over.” Driscoll says it’s a different story at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. The biologist says both lakes have historically maintained abundant populations of white bass, and still do. In the meantime, yellow bass populations have soared, especially over the last decade or so. “Those two lakes are growing some big

ones, too,” Driscoll said. “On some lakes they don’t get much bigger than five or six inches, but we’re growing some mega yellow bass on Toledo Bend and ‘Rayburn. Fish in the 10-inch range are pretty common. I’ve seen some as big as 12-13 inches.” Bass anglers aren’t the only ones who have caught on to the bar fish pattern. Custom lure designers have been helping bass anglers “match the hatch” for the last several years with hand-painted crankbaits and spinnerbaits that look remarkably similar to yellow bass. “Some of the major lure manufacturers have even gotten on board,” said Toledo Bend fishing guide Stephen Johnston. “Strike King is making a 10XD in a bar fish pattern that works great.” Just ask kayak fisherman Robert Morton of Houston. Last November, Morton was casting a bar fish pattern 10XD around the FM 154 bridge at Lake Fork when he hooked and landed a career best 12.36 pounder. Big bass love bar fish. No doubt about it.

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an Interview with The Snakemaster, Austin Stevens 32 |

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2/8/16 12:34 PM

by CHESTER MOORE

ATTLESNAKES ARE REAL ATTENtion grabbers in the great outdoors. Serpents can be the last thing on an outdoors lover’s mind—then a rasping rattle

sounds from the nearby brush, and it is all you think about. Like anything else, many myths and misconceptions about rattlesnakes abound, so we turned to one of the world’s foremost snake experts Austin Stevens, to discuss rattlers. Stevens is the host of Austin Stevens Adventure

and Austin Stevens, Snakemaster. Q: OF THE RATTLESNAKES you have encountered, which do you consider the most interesting and which, in terms of its behavior, is the most potentially dangerous to humans? A: FIRST, LET ME say, I really like rattlesnakes. They are among the most interesting and unique of all venomous species of snakes found on this planet. Certainly, for the most part, they are potentially dangerous to humans, but so are many other species. What sets rattlesnakes apart, however is the rattle, a feature specifically designed to afford warning of their presence to any creature not considered prey. Whereas other venomous snakes might more easily be stepped on, and so entice a retaliatory defensive bite, the rattlesnake gives loud and clear warning of its presence. Very considerate, I feel.

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Austin with rare tzabcan rattlesnake in Yucatan, Mexico.

The United States has about 16 species of rattlesnakes. To the best of my knowledge, it is estimated that 7 to 8,000 people per year receive venomous bites in the United States, from a variety of snake species. About five prove fatal. Most fatal bites are attributed to the eastern and western diamondback rattlesnakes. Because of its size, speed of strike, and toxic venom, the eastern diamondback is generally considered the most dangerous snake in North America. The slightly smaller western diamond-

back, which is common in Texas, is just as lethal, however, and is more likely to stand its ground when threatened. They are also more prolific than the eastern diamondback, and thus more often encountered. Suffice it to say, no rattlesnake, large or small, should be taken for granted. At the same time, it is important to note, that if left undisturbed, like all snakes, these rattlesnakes will avoid confrontation.

with other vipers from the world like the ferde-lance and Gaboon for example? A: ALL THE VIPERS of the world are venomous and therefore potentially dangerous. They possess the most advanced venom injection system, incorporating large, curved, retractable hollow fangs, and a fast strike. Rattlesnakes have the added advantage

Q: HOW DOES the western diamondback compare in terms of its disposition/behavior

Rattlesnake Conservation Festivals

ATTLESNAKE ROUND-

ups have been part of Texas for decades but there is a new way of celebrating these serpents—rattlesnake conservation events. They focus on live exhibitions and education talks. The Texas Rattlesnake Festival will be held March 12-13 at the Lone Star Expo Center in Conroe. For more information 34 |

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go to www.texasrattlesnakefestival.com. Lone Star Snake Days will be held at the Travis County Expo Center April 30 and May 1. For more information go to http://lonestarrattlesnakedays.org Visit www. lonestarrattlesnakedays. org for details.

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of heat-sensitive pits situated between the eye and nostril, used to locate warmblooded prey. This means they can even detect prey in the dark. In Central and South America, the fer-de-lance, a snake much like a rattlesnake without a rattle, is prolific and is responsible for most bites

An eastern diamondback.

to humans in those regions. Though they are of similar design and behavior, the old world vipers, such as the puff adder and Gaboon viper of Africa, have no heat pits and must rely on sight and particles collected on their tongues to accurately strike prey. They are less active than rattlesnakes and give no warning of their presence, relying on immobility and camouflage to avoid detection; thus people are more likely to step on them. Q: THERE ARE RUMORS of gigantic eastern diamondbacks killed and seen over the years. What do you think the maximum potential size is for this species?

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A: AS MENTIONED before, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America, and is known to average around 5.5 feet in length. The largest specimens found have been closer to eight feet, weighing in at about 10 pounds—a formidable snake, to say the least. Snakes grow all their lives, though the process slows as they get older. An eastern diamondback rattlesnake may live to be 20 years old. No one knows for sure in the wild. Its rate of growth would most commonly depend on the availability of food, though some specimens just simply do grow faster and bigger than others. (As noted in captive specimens) I am often asked to comment about dead snakes in photographs being held up to the camera with exaggerated claims to their size. In these instances it is immediately obvious that the snake is extended close to the lens, making it look bigger, while the person holding out the specimen, usually on a pole, looks that much smaller in the back ground. Claims of 15-foot rattlers being spotted have never been substantiated, and are ludi-

crous. Having said this, it is not unrealistic to imagine that in some uninhabited wilderness area where humans have not made their presence over abundant, there might still be unrecorded eastern diamondbacks in excess of 8.5 feet in length. Q: WHAT ARE the advantages, if any, of having rattlesnakes in the environment? A: REPTILES, especially snakes, are a hard resource to sell to the public as worth conserving, especially as they are not cute and cuddly creatures to be made a fuss of. However, like all wild creatures on the planet, snakes form an important part in the T E X A S

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Austin handles a giant western diamondback rattlesnake in New Mexico.

chain that connects all natural things. Though snakes of different species feed on a variety of prey, most take rodents, those elusive, very numerous, and destructive little creatures that plague farms and destroy crops. Each individual snake is responsible for the death of hundreds of rodents each year and is nature’s best defense against their reaching plague proportions. If you’re concerned about the presence of snakes in an area, it would be better to take precautions rather than kill snakes indiscriminately.

Unless cornered and/ or forced to defend themselves, snakes will certainly avoid confrontation with humans. To order Austin Steven’s latest book, Snakemaster: Wildlife Adventures with the World’s Most Dangerous Reptiles, go to www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

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TEXAS Dept. of DEFENSE by STEVE LAMASCUS & DUSTIN ELLERMANN

Self Defense Tactical :: Concealed Carry

Gun Control

AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN REAsonable gun control. Now, before you get your tonsils in an uproar, let me explain my idea of gun control. My old Border Patrol shooting instruction used to say that the only things you needed to master to be a good shooter were trigger control and sight alignment. While it really isn’t quite that simple, that pretty much explains what true gun control is. If you properly align the sights and release the trigger without disturbing the sight picture, you will hit the target period gun control. The trick is doing this with a pounding heart, panting lungs, and raging nerves. Easy, right? I used to practice trigger control when dry-firing my double-action revolver. I’d

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whether it did or not, since I never had to use my handgun in a fight. Mostly because if I thought there was a chance in . . . well, a chance at all, I had a long gun in my hands – usually a 12-gauge shotgun. The only time I ever had to fire a handgun in self defense wasn’t against an armed attacker, but against a water moccasin. Several of us, including my children,

The Optimus ﬁts an extremely wide range of calibers and boasts of several mounting and conﬁguration options.

UNTIL NOW SUPPRESSORS HAVE been as specific as the firearm’s caliber. In the past you needed to have a purpose and caliber in mind for the suppressor and purchased it as such. For plinking you would buy a .22LR rimfire suppressor, or maybe a .30 caliber can for hunting, or a quick detach silencer for tactical rifles. But with the new Griffin 36 |

place a coin on the front sight, then squeeze the trigger until the hammer fell, all without the coin falling off the front sight. After a couple of years of practice I could accomplish this feat several times in a row. This practice greatly enhanced my qualification scores, but I doubt it did a thing for my accuracy when someone was shooting at me. Actually I don’t know

Armament Optimus everything has all changed. The Optimus is a completely modular suppressor designed to be used universally with .22LR, 9mm, .223/5.56, .300 Blackout, 7.62x39mm, .308 Winchester all the way up to .300WM and everything in between. It is compatible in an unheard of spectrum of calibers. We have always known that a .308 suppressor would handle smaller cali-

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bers as well, such as a .223. Or that you could shoot 9mm through your .45ACP suppressor, but to handle all of the above listed calibers the Optimus truly is “One Can to Rule Them All.” To accomplish such versatility the Griffin Optimus is easily reconfigured to whichever platform you wish to shoot through it. Of course the simplest mount is a direct thread where you could screw it onto threaded barrels. However to

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were sitting under a huge willow on the bank of a stock tank in South Texas. We were fishing and just enjoying the peace and quiet when a small cottonmouth crawled up on a limb of the willow that was sticking out in the water about ten feet from the bank. One of the kids in attendance had a pellet gun and before anyone could say no had plinked the snake with the pellet gun. The snake didn’t take too kindly to this, and with its head out of the water, hissing in a most frightening way, it came at us in a rush. People scattered to the four winds, scattering lawn chairs in their wakes. I stood up, surprised that the snake was actually, for lack of a better word, charging. Then, the next thing I knew there was a loud noise and the snake was floating at the edge of the muddy bank. I actually had to look down to realize that my Glock 17, which habitually rode in a pancake holster on my right hip, was in my right hand. I did not remember drawing and shooting, but my reflexes had taken over and done the job. Thank God for all that practice. I hit the snake about three inches behind its head, killing it instantly. Again, gun control. Trigger control can be anything from a slow squeeze and a surprise break, to a quick draw and shot in less than a second. But one thing it absolutely must be is controlled. A jerk can cause a miss, even at

knife fighting distance. The trigger must be squeezed, not jerked, but the squeeze can be condensed until it doesn’t take much more time than a jerk. That is where the practice comes in. I once read a story of a professional hunter in Africa who had a client who wanted a big elephant. The client was carrying, if memory serves, a .465 double rifle. The professional had a .375 H&H, usually considered minimal for charging elephants. They had stalked up to within about 30 yards of a big bull and the client was getting ready to shoot when, without warning, the bull whirled around and charged. The pro was screaming for the client to shoot as the bull ate up the 30 yards. The client, obviously not a coward, didn’t cut and run, instead he raised his cannon and shot. The first shot hit the ground about halfway to the bull, the second shot just grazed the bull’s head, not slowing it down at all. With about 10 yards left, the pro raised his little .375 and killed the bull in its tracks with a frontal brain shot. The bull fell close enough that the pro could reach out and touch it with the barrel of his rifle. The moral of this story is that the client managed to miss once and almost twice at an animal the size of a small summer cottage, all from about 25 yards. Why? He yanked the trigger. The professional hunter did not jerk his trigger, which is why he

survived to write about the incident. In the good old days the first part of the Border Patrol combat course was six rounds in six seconds, fired from seven yards. If you wanted to shoot a decent qualification score you had best put all six of those shots in the 10 ring, and the X-ring was even better. After a bit of practice it was possible for most shooters to cut one ragged hole at the seven yard line. This was all doubleaction shooting. No cocking the gun, at all. Today, with a good single-action trigger on a 1911 .45, I can do even better. But I practice a lot. And the young shooter who shares this column with me practices even more. The old saying is that gun control means hitting what you shoot at. I am often amazed at the shooters who come by my place and cannot keep all their shots on a combat target at seven yards when firing from the leather in rapid fire. If you carry a gun you need to develop the skills necessary to make those shots count when someone is attempting to stamp out your life, just as surely as that elephant intended to stamp out the life of that professional hunter and his client. Trigger control and sight alignment is gun control. I guess it really is that simple. —Steve LaMascus

shoot semi-automatic 9mm pistols you easily remove the direct thread mount and replace it with a threaded piston assembly. One of my favorite mounts is the 3 Lug mount and it allows quick and solid attachment to any fixed rifle barrel from 9mm, .223 or .300 Blackout. For higher pressure calibers such as .308 and .300WM or short-barreled rifles you add an extra 3” section of tube along with a blast chamber baffle and mount it on the included QD tapered muzzle brake and you are good to go. Extra mid-sized mounting options are even in production, and you can even purchase an A2 mount for further adaptability. The Optimus is well-designed with the additional perks that make maintenance easier. For instance a standard CAR-15 buttstock wrench (for the AR15 stock

castle nut) fits the rear nut and aids in disassembly. And the pistol booster piston doubles as a wrench for the baffle retaining cap and front caps. It includes both a 9mm caliber and a .22 caliber endcap to minimize gas leakage according to whichever caliber you are shooting. And since it is designed for .22LR and other dirty lower pressure cartridges it is also user serviceable by removing the five stacked baffles for cleaning. Normally cleaning .22LR rimfire suppressors is a chore, however since this suppressor is also rated for higher caliber rifles I have been told by other manufacturers to just shoot some .223 rounds through the can and it should black most of the fouling out. However if that doesn’t work, it will also be able to be cleaned effortlessly in an ultrasonic

cleaner since the baffles are constructed of TiN-coated stainless steel. I was able to test the Optimus, and I found it to be just as quiet as my Revolution 9mm can, extremely quiet with .22LR rounds and have comfortable noise reduction in my other .300 Blackout and .308 suppressors. The versatility and modularity of the Optimus changes the entire suppressor game and allows the end user to get the most out of their $200 transfer tax stamp. It retails at $1,085, and I found Silencer Shop in Austin to have the best deal at $985. Find out more at www.griffinarmament.com

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How to Properly Chum Up Channel Cats on Any Texas Water Body by

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CHUM IS AN OLD SCHOOL BUT STILL EFFECTIVE TOOL for bringing home a mess of Channel Cats. Texas is covered from one side to the other and from top to bottom with an unimaginable number of fishable bodies of waterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; rivers, lakes, creeks, streams and even stock ponds. One of the most, if not the most, plentiful and sought after species is the tasty channel cat and chumming has been utilized to catch them for as far back as just about anyone can remember. The word chum usually conjures visions of some guy ladling a massive spoonfull of bloody soup over the side of a 30-foot offshore rig, attempting to entice a massive shark for the coup de gras. But, more often than not, the true poster child of chum is the catfisherman, armed with a bucket of sour maize or hen scratch, or maybe a concoction consisting of any one of a dozen soured grains mixed with old cheese and/or chicken blood. Many chum recipes have been passed down for generations and are closely guarded secrets.

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The tasty channel cat is the most plentiful and most sought after of the catďŹ sh swimming in Texas waters.

For those without such family heirlooms, there are many commercially available chums on the market, including a highly used product by Little Stinker. Or, if you are the adventurous type, you can experiment in the garage with your own recipe. When it comes to placing the chum, all you really need to do is use your head.

Grain-based chums, such as sour corn and maize, can be spread around stumps and brush tops. I like to pick out a segment of a lake or stream with several stumps, trees, or snags visible in low current areas. I then troll to each one and put out about a pound or two of soured chum. Once I reach my last spot I want to chum, I return to the first and

Soured corn or maize is a popular ingredient in many home-brewed chum recipes.

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start fishing down around the snag where I placed the chum. Generally, you pick up from five to seven fish at each snag. If you are using a thicker, cheesy doughbased chum, you will need a mesh bag and some string. I prefer to use a small mesh bag available at most department stores and fill it about half full of the mixture. Before placing the mixture, I like to put some kind of weights in it to assure the bag sinks to the desired depth. Once my bag is full, I tie a good length of rope on it and suspend it about a foot off the bottom and secure it to the snags. Remember to retrieve your bags when done. The mesh bags will allow for a slow, even distribution of the chum without allowing the current to carry it away. Just as with the loose grain-type chum, once you have placed your last bag you simply return to the first and start fishing. I guess the easiest chum to use is a mixture of cut up or crushed up shad, minnows or some other bait fish. Placed in a bucket and allowed to season for a day or two, this mixture will almost always produce a pungent combination sure to draw in any channel cat. Long-term chum stations can be set up by drilling 3/4-inch holes about two inches apart for two feet on a length of four-inch pvc pipe. Glue a cap on the bottom but leave the top unglued so it can be removed to place more chum at any given time. Secure the pipe to a tree or snag, with the end of the pipe as close to the bottom of the lake or PHOTOS: MATT WILLIAMS

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stream. Be sure to allow enough pipe above the water so filling it will be easy. Be sure these methods are legal on whatever body of water you are fishing. Chum works by playing on the catfishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful sense, its sense of smell/ taste. Catfish whiskers are, of course, not really whiskers at all but are barbels. Barbels actually house the taste buds on a Catfish. So barbels are more like a tongue than a whisker. These barbels are highly sensitive and capable of detecting minute traces of bait scent in thousands of gallons of water. This brings us to one general rule of chum: The worse a chum smells, generally, the better it works. Chum is best used in low-current locations in lakes and ponds or in streams during low water situations. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not saying that you cannot use chum in even the most swift of rivers, but when doing so you need to pick the spot carefully. In swift conditions, the backside of bends and in sloughs and backwaters off the main river are the best options. Chum can be used as a quick attractant or placed in a location over a long time to insure a dynamite fishing hole.

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While chumming does offer a bounty to the boat fisherman, the bank fisherman is not left out. With the use of a large kitchen spoon or even a gardening spade, bank fishermen can launch chum over twenty feet into the water and create their own honey holes. There are many methods readily available from retailers and tackle shops for placing chum in the water for the bank fisherman. Last, but certainly not least, is the pond fisherman. Many tons of channel cats are pulled from private stock ponds yearly and with the recent trend of many city parks stocking numerous ponds with channel cats for public fishing, the opportunities are endless. With a flick of the wrist, the pond fisherman can be drawing fish in close and enjoying the chum fest. Chum is a very useful tool in the arsenal of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s catfisherman, especially one that should be used when the fish are scattered and hard to find. Applying a few pounds of odiferous chum can be just what the doctor ordered to draw in a stringer full of channel cats.

A few pounds of odiferous chum can draw in a stringer full of channel cats.

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True GREEN TF&G Conservation Editor

Edited by WILL LESCHPER

Reefs Dot Texas Gulf

EADING OFFSHORE FROM any of Texas’s notable bluewater destinations is a trip, and on any given day anglers have the opportunity to catch everything from ling, snapper and grouper to mackerel, sharks and amberjack. However, simply knowing what species are swimming out there is only half the battle. You’ve got to find them, too, but thanks to the state’s artificial reef program, there are multiple locations to target deep-water structure. The best part is, there are maps and GPS coordinates that will help you find your way. The program, one of the largest efforts in the country, began in 1990 and features 42 |

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nearly 70 reef sites, mostly situated in federal waters that begin nine miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Those sites are divided into three categories: decommissioned drilling rigs (Rigs to Reefs Program), highway bridge materials and other types of concrete and heavy-gauge steel (Nearshore Reefing Program), and large marine vessels (Ships to Reefs Program). Any old salt can tell you exactly why we’ve got these fish-attracting initiatives: the terrain of the Gulf is mostly barren and these structures help provide sustenance from the bottom of the food chain all the way to the top for hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates. Multiple Texas-based projects, including nearshore reefs off Freeport and Matagorda, have benefited from millions of dollars in funding resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. These funds help compensate for lost human use of natural resources in the Gulf. Those projects and others in prime fish-

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ing habitat have been aided in restoration led by state and federal Natural Resource Damage Assessment trustees. In addition, a 155-foot former freighter was scuttled in 2014 about nine miles offshore from Mustang Island and Port Aransas. The Kinta S was the largest ship to be reefed since the 473-foot Texas Clipper was sunk 17 miles off South Padre Island in 2006. The effort helped to enhance an existing site known as the Corpus Christi Nearshore Reef, which was composed of 470 concrete pyramids and several thousand tons of concrete culverts. In addition to improving fishing opportunities, the reef is one of eight such sites that offer diving opportunities within nine nautical miles offshore. The real boon to the overall artificial reefing initiative has been Rigs to Reefs, with multiple rigs donated in recent years by cooperating oil and gas companies. In addition to the physical infrastructure, these companies also have donated to the Texas Artificial Reef Fund half of their realized savings from not having to take the rigs to shore. Those dedicated funds are used to finance research, administration, maintenance, liability coverage and construction of new reefs, providing a win for all parties involved. As a result, our state’s artificial reef program is self-sufficient, without relying on funds from public sources or agency revenue. The artificial reefing program also has gained valuable scientific partners with researchers closely monitoring fish census and other data measures. Researchers from the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies used a variety of testing methods including diver-based surveys and ROV-based surveys to further describe just how important these structures are to one of the world’s most distinct and valuable ecosystems. Information and nearshore reef maps: tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/habitats/ artificial_reef.

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True GREEN

Axalta: A Corporate Leader in Conservation

XALTA COATING SYSTEMS, a leading global manufacturer, marketer, and supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has joined Ducks Unlimited, the world leader in wetlands conservation, as its newest corporate partner. Seeing the value of wetlands for all people and wildlife, Axalta has made a multi-year, $10 million commitment to Ducks Unlimited for wetlands conservation work. “Axalta is an industry leader with its own branded products and services,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall. “With regard to conservation, Axalta is a sustainable company that understands the wetland habitat crisis along the Gulf Coast and around the Great Lakes. Through their generous support, we can make great strides in our international campaign to Rescue Our Wetlands.” “People and wildlife benefit from projects that conserve wetlands and natural resources,” said Axalta Chairman and CEO Charlie Shaver. “Axalta is committed to using sustainable practices and manufacturing and to providing environmentally responsible products and application systems to our customers around the world. This includes expanding the availability of waterborne coatings, reducing the environmental footprint of our operations and helping our customers reduce theirs. With sustainability and conservation at the forefront of our business, we look forward to doing this important work with Ducks Unlimited.” Axalta’s colorful coatings can be found on many products, including cars, commercial vehicles, ATVs, construction equipment, oil pipelines, buildings, furniture, household appliances, and playground equipment. The protective coatings help to sustain product life by deterring corrosion and adding years to vehicle and equipment life, thereby conserving resources. Sophisticated engineering produces coatings in sustainable ways and enables Axalta’s cus44 |

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tomers to save energy and reduce CO2 and VOC emissions. Coatings protect oil pipelines from corrosive underground environments. Building façades, lawn furniture, and playground equipment rely on coatings to protect them from harsh climates. Electric generators run more efficiently when coatings insulate them from high temperatures. All of these features reduce maintenance costs, product replace-

proud to support wetland restoration along the Texas Gulf Coast where many of our employees live and enjoy the outdoors,” Shaver said. Through this partnership, DU will target threatened coastal prairie wetlands and marshes for restoration, enhancement, and maintenance. Among the projects slated for restoration work in 2016, Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge’s Middleton Unit is on the list. The meandering bayous of Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge cut through ancient flood plains, creating vast expanses of coastal marsh and prairie bordering Galveston Bay in southeast Texas. The marshes and prairies are host or home to an abundance of wildlife, from migratory birds,

Aerial view of Anahuac NWR’s Middleton Unit (project site) taken by Kristen Boyd of Axalta.

ment, and raw material use, which enhances sustainability. Now Axalta is directly helping protect and sustain North America’s wetlands as well. DU Chief Conservation Officer Paul Schmidt said the partnership with Axalta fits seamlessly with DU’s Rescue Our Wetlands campaign. “We will start with priority wetland projects under the umbrella of the Rescue Our Wetlands campaign, focusing specifically on the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes Initiatives,” he said. “Our biologists and engineers will deliver crucial restoration work in these important breeding, migration, and wintering areas, which are near some of Axalta’s major U.S. manufacturing facilities.” Waterfowl wintering on the Gulf Coast will benefit from Axalta’s support. “We’re

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to alligators, to bobcats, and more. The management focus of the 34,000acre refuge (and its companion refuges, McFaddin and Texas Point) is to protect and manage the coastal marsh for migrating, wintering and breeding waterfowl, shorebirds and waterbirds, and to provide strategic and crucial nesting areas for the neotropical migratory songbirds migrating across the Gulf of Mexico. “Helping sustain natural resources is critical to Ducks Unlimited, Axalta, and the people we touch,” said DU Chief Fundraising Officer Amy Batson. “We see this partnership growing and developing into a significant force for continental conservation.”

—Andi Cooper PHOTO: KRISTEN BOYD

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Bare Bones HUNTING by LOU MARULLO :: TF&G Hunting Editor

Hunting Lesson

ECENTLY, I HAD THE PLEAsure of meeting Ken Swenson and his family during a hunting trip in Orange, Texas. Chester Moore, editor for Texas Fish and Game magazine, had arranged for me to go on a varmint hunt with Ken, but this was not just any varmint hunt… oh no! I was about to learn all about night hunting for these critters. Ken, who some would say, is an expert at coyote and hog hunting, thought it would be fun to take me hunting at night with some very cool equipment. Let me preface this by saying I have been fortunate enough to have taken coyotes before with my Bowtech bow, but that was in the light of day. Night hunting was new to this writer. I loved it! We arrived at the Swenson ranch late in the afternoon and were greeted by Ken, who immediately gave us a tour of his facility. He raises whitetails and sells the sperm of these genetically perfect deer to anyone who wants to improve the genetics of their own herd. Some of the bucks we saw looked so majestic as they stood watching us from the safety of the high fenced pen that was their home. As I stared at some of the biggest bucks I have ever seen, I could feel my heart racing at the thought of seeing a whitetail like this in my shooting lane in some future hunting season. That could explain why I was so tired that evening. After our brief tour, Ken showed me some sheds that they saved. There, on a wall in one of his buildings, were some of the most impressive racks that I have ever seen. I held up a huge rack and was told that it belonged to a two-year-old buck. WHAT?? Then he handed me a rack that was in velvet and told me that it was from a three-year-old. Hard to

believe, but there was the proof right in front of me. I asked Ken about those impressive bucks and how do they keep them from injuring each other during the rut each year. He explained to me that they need to cut the racks off before that happens. Hmmm. My next question was “ Who gets elected for THAT job?” After we all stopped laughing, Ken showed us exactly how it was done, and I have to tell you that I was totally impressed with his operation. Our video guy, Elliot, filmed Ken explaining to us exactly how it was done, and you can view that in our digital version of this magazine. After meeting his beautiful wife and family, we had a hearty dinner and finally left for the evening hunt. Unfortunately, Chester could not join us because of a previous commitment for his radio show, which is every Friday evening, so Ken and I proceeded to the fields to try our luck at a coyote. Chester was to meet us later that night. On the way to our hunting spot I got to chat with Ken and tried to “pick his brain” just a little about these wily coyotes. I asked him what I should expect as far as their behavior. Do they always approach the open field from downwind? I was curious what call he would use and how far from the call will we set up? He was such a great guy and made this novice varmint hunter feel comfortable. I had the strong feeling that this guy really knows how to get these critters, and I was right. Now, all we needed was a coyote to oblige. The first thing Ken did was explain to me the firearm I was going to use. For any hunters that use equipment that is not yours, it is absolutely imperative that the owner of the firearm explain where everything is—the safety, the night vision for the sight, how to adjust focus, eye relief and other things that you would need to know before you go afield. As we stood in the dark, we both heard something move in the nearby hedge. Ken turned on his night vision and there as plain as T E X A S

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day, was a field mouse working his way down the hedge. I was amazed at how sensitive these night vision scopes were and was very excited to try them out. After checking wind direction, we started to set up on the edge of a field but after looking the field over with his night vision, Ken decided on a different spot that could cover the entire field. Finally, we were set up, ready to hunt. The only thing missing were the coyotes! Now, I have met some funny people in my travels but I have to say that Ken Swenson is in my top three funny guys I have ever met. We sat there in the dark, and he was making me laugh so hard that it was difficult to hold it in so I would not break the silence of the night air. Chester Moore finally called to join us, but we decided to pack it in and re-locate the next evening. I spent another hour at the Swenson ranch talking strategy…I mean, funny stories. Chester, his wife Lisa and I listened to Ken telling us things that actually happened to him that were hilarious. The topper of the evening was when I had the honor and privilege to play a guitar that once belonged to Ken’s father. The next night found us in a different field. Ken had placed a Primos moving decoy that resembled a wounded animal and then set his Fox Pro call five feet from the decoy. He camouflaged the call with some grass and from a distance of about 100 yards, we waited for our prey. The “wounded rabbit” sound could be heard for quite a distance, and it was not long before I saw eyes in my night vision scope. Behind me, Chester had an infra-red locater and confirmed that it was indeed a coyote I was looking at. Once it was confirmed, I shot twice… and missed twice. Oh well… that is why they call it “hunting” and not “shopping.” Ken left me with an open invitation whenever I was in his “neck of the woods,” to stop by for another hunt anytime. I had so much fun that I will definitely take him up on that offer.

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ID YOU KNOW THAT AS OF SEPTEMber 1, 2013, it has been illegal to cause or allow any rooted seagrass plant to be uprooted or dug out from the bay or saltwater bottom by a submerged propeller within the coastal waters of the state of Texas?

Violations are a Class C Misdemeanor subject to a fine of

up to $500.

Back in 2005, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) adopted a new regulation that made it illegal to uproot seagrasses with the propeller of a boat within the boundaries of the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area near Aransas Pass. This no prop zone got plenty of press and in certain circles caused a bit of controversy. Now, 10 years later they are still in place but laws for seagrass have been expanded statewide. According to TPWD, the no-uprooting regulation does not close any portion of the Texas coast to any type of watercraft. “In fact, the no-uprooting regulation is specifically intended to preserve access to all areas of the coast while protecting valuable seagrass habitat. Boaters may access any area along the Texas coast, but will need to be aware of water depth and the capabilities of their boat to avoid damaging seagrasses,” they said.

and Other Legal Entanglements TF&G STAFF REPORT

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Signs like this one are found throughout the bay complexes near Aransas Pass.

Seagrass is mainly present on the Middle and Lower Coasts but it is present even in areas on the Upper Coast such as Christmas Bay. If you run through seagrass with a prop and cause damage, even without knowing you did, the possibility of getting a ticket is real. In TPWD’s FAQ on seagrass an interesting question was raised. How will game wardens ticket someone for harming seagrass without harming it themselves? “In some cases they can wait until an offender has passed out of the area before stopping them, or possibly use an airboat to access the area. In other cases they may have to enter the area themselves, just as a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper has to exceed the speed limit in order to catch a speeder. If a warden does have to damage some seagrass in order to enforce this law, they are only doing so in order to help reduce future damage.” Over the last few years, persons leaving or approaching public fresh water have been required to drain all water from their vessels and on-board receptacles (includes live wells, bilges, motors and any other receptacles or water-intake systems coming into contact with public waters) to halt the spread of zebra mussels. This rule applies at all sites where boats can be launched and includes all types and sizes of boats whether powered or not, personal watercraft, sailboats, kayaks/canoes, or any other vessel used to travel on public waters. However, did you know that live includ48 |

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ing personally caught live bait, cannot be transported from the water body where the fish were caught in or aboard a vessel in water from the water body where the fish were caught? Personally caught live bait can only be used in the water body where it was caught. On top of that, transport and use of commercially purchased live bait in water while fishing from a vessel is allowed, however persons in possession of the bait must have a receipt that identifies the source of the bait. “Any live bait purchased from a location on or adjacent to a public water body that is transported in water from that water body can only be used as bait on that same water body.” In addition, according to TPWD, persons participating in a fishing tournament confined to one water body are allowed to transport live fish in water from that single water body to an identified off-site weigh-in location, provided all water is drained and properly disposed of before leaving that location. Participants must possess documentation provided by tournament organizers that identify them as participants in a tournament. Marine sanitary systems are not covered by these regulations but otherwise these zebra mussel regulations are sweeping. Although few anglers use them, did you know that there are types of fish traps that are legal in Texas? Take, for example, minnows. They may be used to take nongame fish, and these traps may not exceed 24 inches in length.

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The throat may not exceed one inch by three inches. In addition a gear tag valid for only 10 days must be visibly attached. Perch traps are also legal but in saltwater only. They are legal for catching nongame fish and may not exceed 18 cubic feet. These must be marked with a floating visible orange buoy not less than six inches in height and six inches in width. The buoy must have a gear tag valid only for 10 days attached. They also must be equipped with a biodegradable panel. “Buoys or floats may not be made of plastic bottles of any color or size. It is unlawful to place any type of trap within the area in Cedar Bayou between a department sign erected where Mesquite Bay flows into Cedar Bayou and the department sign erected near the point where the pass empties into the Gulf of Mexico,” according to TPWD. An angler simply going about his business might miss some of these regulations and get in trouble. On other hand some might not realize devices such as perch traps are legal and allow anglers to catch their own bait. Fishing is becoming more complex by the year, and we will do our best to remind you of the legalities of the sport and how to understand the frameworks in which we operate under the regulatory system.

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Texas SALTWATER by CALIXTO GONZALES :: TF&G Saltwater Editor

Fully Expo’d

HE SPORTSMAN’S LIFE CAN be a difficult one. Logistics can be our ruination. In order to practice our pastime the way we want and need to, we need to be properly outfitted with the best equipment we can afford. The problem is that the different pieces of equipment we desire can be spread out to the winds and a simple shopping trip can turn into a full-blown scavenger hunt. A reel may be at one store, and the sun-proof hat at another. Our favorite soft plastics may be at still a third location, or worse still not available in our area. The truth is hunters and fishermen don’t have the time or resources to gallivant all over Texas to properly equip a good expedition; not only that, sometimes, the cost from catalogs and specialty stores can be prohibitive. The solution to the issue is the phenomena known as the Outdoor Expo. The expo is a combination gun show, fishing show, and gun expo with a little extra all rolled into one big, multi-day event. Outdoor Expos usually held in a large building such as a civic or convention center, In short, everything that the ambitious outdoorsman could desire is housed under one roof. Many companies purchase booths and put up displays at these events to have a more direct contact with customers to answer product questions, listen to consumer suggestions, and meet people. Events such as the Houston Fishing Show which takes places March 16-20 at the George R. Brown Convention Center (Texas Fish & Game will be there) is also an opportunity for the vendors of products both esoteric and hard to come by to display their wares and grow their presence in the marketplace (in some cases, it is the only opportunity they may have).

I have yet to meet an outdoorsman who doesn’t look forward to an outdoor expo when it comes to their town or one nearby. The events usually sport full parking lots from the opening of the doors on the first day to the moment the doors close on the last day. It isn’t surprising, in fact, for patrons to visit the same event every day). The greatest asset of an expo is its sheer variety of merchandise and attractions. It is an understatement to say that there is something for everyone at one of these outdoors shows. A visit to the Texas Hunter and Sportsmen’s Expo in South Texas found displays for tackle companies, hunting and fishing outfitters, knives, game and meat products, tackle shops, gunsmiths, knife-makers, jewelry, toys, farm equipment, storage sheds, trucks, boats, deer blinds, sunglasses, and on and on. There was a portable video arcade for young–and not so young–children who may have found the volume of goodies boring. The show took up the big room in the McAllen Convention Center, an additional smaller room, and the east parking lot. Among the myriad booths and displays you will usually find products that you may not otherwise find locally. Looking for an extra-long push pole? You got it? Do you prefer a Laguna rod? Yup. How about a special Outdoor-show only deal on that boat or pickup truck you’ve been eyeing all winter? I’m sure there are a couple of sales representatives hanging around those bright shiny vehicles and boats. Meeting members of the consuming public is especially important at these expos. Kelly Moore of Castaway Rods once told me these gives him the opportunity to meet the people who use Castaways and what they like and don’t like about their product. This sort of feedback is very valuable because it serves as an added scaffold in the framework of producing rods that consumers like and buy. Independent vendors and craftsmen make the bulk of their profits by literally wearing T E X A S

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out the tires on their trucks and trailers by driving from show to show and selling their products. These are men and women who aren’t able to market their wares in shops and stores or catalogs and rely on these expos and their salesmanship to make a living. Often their products are innovative and unique and actually the sort of product you look at and say, “Yeah! That’s pretty cool!” You won’t find them at your local big box store, but you will at an outdoor show. I would be remiss in not mentioning that these outdoors shows are important for organizations such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The TPWD Enforcement Division takes a trailer to several of these shows to raise awareness of Operation Game Thief, and the results of poaching and law breaking. Hundreds of patrons stop every day at the trailer to see the mounts of record-class fish and wildlife that were taken illegally, as well as displays of illegal harvesting devices such as gillnets and snag lines. Usually the children ask questions about the fish and deer mounts, but there are always parents nearby listening and asking follow-up questions. Even a little knowledge helps raise awareness, and that can’t be bad. And finally, these expos are just plain fun and family friendly. For a nominal fee–usually between 10 and 15 dollars, you can go, walk around, whistle at all the cool stuff, and eat yourself into a proper insensibility. If you walk out with a new rod or knife, or even a boat or truck, well, so much the better, right? I guess I needn’t suggest you go to the next one near you. If you haven’t already gone, you’re thinking about it.

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Email Calixto Gonzales at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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Texas FRESHWATER by MATT WILLIAMS :: TF&G Freshwater Editor

March Madness: Time to Do a Gear Check

E’RE ENTERING THE height of another big bass season in Texas. Between now and the end of April, armies of lunker largemouths will make a hard push towards the bank to spawn in skinny water to create what will ultimately become the next generation of bass for us bass fishermen to catch. The biggest bass in the lake are almost always females, and many of them weigh significantly more during spring than at any other time of the year because their ovaries are plump with eggs. Biologists have told me that a mature female may weigh 10 percent heavier when her eggs are fully developed, possibly even more if she happens to get caught soon after consuming a big crappie or bar fish. Most anglers will agree that March is the top month for hooking a bass with a weight problem, and statistics show they are absolutely right. More 13-pound-plus Toyota ShareLunkers (239) have been caught during March than any other month. February is second with 130 and April is third with 87. There is no way to put a finger on how many bass weighing upwards of eight pounds are caught and released in Texas lakes during the spring months in any given year, but my guess is the number could easily mount into the thousands. As good as the odds are of connecting with a career bass during the springtime, the chances of losing one before the job is finished are probably a whole lot better. That’s because there is all kinds of stuff that can go wrong when a big bass is tugging on your string. Lines can break. Hooks can bend. Or, you could just take an old fashioned butt whipping. 50 |

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Here are a few things anglers can do to help reduce the odds of losing the battle when a big bass comes calling: Tie Good Knots: The knot used to connect a lure to the line is the critical link between you and the fish. Tie a shoddy knot and you run a good risk of getting beat before the game gets started. The best knots can vary with the application. Among the most popular knots for general applications with braid, monofilament and fluorocarbon lines are the palomar, improved clinch knot and double clinch knot. The blood knot, double uni, Surgeons and Alberto knot are the best knots for joining two lines. A good source for learning these and many other useful knots is netknots.com. Wet It Down: When tying knots, always be sure to wet the line with saliva before cinching it down tight. Cinching dry line will create a tremendous amount of friction that will weaken the knot significantly. Also, be wary of a knot that doesn’t cinch down properly. It’s best to cut the line and start over if this happens. Use Good Line: Monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing line can become dry and brittle over time. These lines should be re-spooled at least once year, possibly more often if you spend a lot of time on the water or backlash every now and then. Backlashes can cause mono or fluorocarbon lines to kink and create weak spots that could cause the line to snap prematurely. Check for Rough Spots: If you fish around heavy wood or rock, it would be a good idea to check for frayed spots by running the strip of line near the bait through your thumb and index finger. If you feel a rough spot, cut the line above the rough spot and re-tie. Rod Guides: Many brands of rod guides

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(what your line runs through) are equipped with ceramic inserts that can sometimes crack or break, creating a sharp edge that can cut or damage line when it passes through. Use a Q-Tip to check for cracks or rough spots. If the cotton snags, the guide should be replaced. Drag Check: Always keep a close eye on the reel drag to make sure it will slip before the amount of pressure on the line exceeds the line’s breaking strength. This is especially important with fluorocarbon and monofilament lines, but not so much with heavy-duty braids frequently used for flipping or frogging around heavy cover. Most guys like to cinch the drag super tight for the latter applications. Hook Check: Hooks that aren’t sharp won’t provide good penetration. The best way to check a hook for sharpness is the thumbnail test. Place the hook point on your thumbnail, press down lightly and try to slide the hook to the side. If the hook sticks, it’s sharp. If it slides, it should be sharpened or replaced. It is also a good idea to keep close check on hooks for signs of rust. If stored in a moist environment, or holding baits that contain salt, hooks can rust and lose their strength in short order. Armed For Bear - It wouldn’t be wise to go bear hunting with a switch, nor would it be a good idea to go gunning for a lunker with a flyswatter for a fishing rod. Use the best rod you can afford. More important, make sure they are suited for the tactic or bait you are using. If you can only afford a couple of rods, you can’t go wrong with a medium and a medium/heavy action, 6.5 to 7 feet long. The lighter medium action rod will work well for throwing square bill crankbaits, topwaters and jerk baits, while the medium/heavy will be the better choice for Texas rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, swim baits and Chatterbaits.

Email Matt Williams at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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n old man once told me the best time to go fishing is whenever you can. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t argue the point then, and I am reluctant to argue it now, but I have to. When it comes to catching big bass--lunker-size females weighing upward of 8 pounds--there is no better time to settle the score than in spring. The reason? Actually, there is a couple.

Female bass are at peak weight during spring because their bellies are plump with eggs.

An adult female might stack on as much as 10 percent extra in body weight during spring as opposed to summer, which could equal a pound or more on a double-digit bass.

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Spring is also when most bass spawn. Initial spawning “waves” might occur as early as January on a handful of Texas lakes, but the meat of the spawn statewide takes place between February and April with a series of peaks and valleys spaced throughout. Though some fish will spawn deeper, most bass dump their eggs in water shallower than eight feet. In most cases, this means the fish will be positioned close to the shoreline. Since most anglers are more comfortable fishing close to the bank than in open water, the fish are naturally more vulnerable to getting caught. I do not expect we will see a new state record caught this month (you never know, though), but I am predicting a boom in big bass activity that should keep the folks at ShareLunker headquarters in Athens on their toes. If this proves correct, the drums should start beating the loudest about the time March gives way to April. Spring officially begins March 20. Three days later, the full moon will shine bright across the Texas landscape. That probably does not mean squat to a non-fishing desk jockey with mousse-caked hair, but to a bass angler who is savvy to the largemouth way, the March full moon is a promising signpost of good things to come. Mark Stevenson is one of the sharpest bass fishermen I know. He has been guiding on Lake Fork for more than 30 years and has a ton of big fish to his credit, including a former state record largemouth caught in November 1986. That fish, which he fittingly named “Ethel,” weighed a whopping 17.67 pounds and was the first ShareLunker. Stevenson has garnered a wealth of knowledge about bass during thousands of man-hours logged at Lake Fork, one of the best big bass lakes in America. Among other things, he has learned that a host of factors dictates how largemouths behave when it comes time to perpetuate the species. In his opinion, moon phase is one of the most potent elements involved in the timing of the spawn. The bass’ biological tickers tell them to head toward the shallows during spring, and he believes the full moon triggers a mass movement: “There is no way to time the spawn to the exact day, but a full moon in late March and early April is a pretty reliable indicator to go by when you are planning a trip. The full moon always 54 |

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The full moon in late March acts as a “trigger” for the spawn.

plays a major role in triggering a big wave of spawning activity on Lake Fork and other lakes, so long as there isn’t something out of the ordinary going on with the weather. Even then, I think the biological clock in 50 percent of the fish will override changes in the weather conditions. When it’s time, it’s time.” Year in and year out, Stevenson has witnessed a tremendous surge in bass movement at Lake Fork that coincides with the first full moon following the spring equinox. Some years the big push occurred a few days before the full moon, and in others within hours. Interestingly, Stevenson has noticed that these movements occur under the cover of darkness rather than during the daylight hours: “One

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day you can go through an area actively looking for fish and see very few. Then, the next morning, you can go through the same area and beds may be everywhere. That tells me that bass do most of their bed making at night. I also believe that most of the actual spawning activity takes place at night.” Stevenson’s observations also have taught him that unstable weather conditions such as rain, lightning, and wind associated with late season cold fronts may deter spawning activity to a degree: “There will always be a few fish trickling into the shallows during the spring, possibly as early as February, but the bigger waves always seem show up during a calm, two or three days after unsettled weather.” PHOTO: GRADY ALLEN

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Sex and the Single Bass LIKE OTHER WILD CREATURES, bass are somewhat ritualistic when it comes time to perpetuate the species. When a fat female goes looking for a place to spawn, she usually goes wherever her male suitor decides to take her. The smaller male bass, also known as “bucks,” initiate the dating game. It begins with the construction of a “nest” or “bed.” The male uses its tail to “fan” or clean off a spot on bottom where the female can deposit its eggs. Bass usually prefer to spawn on a sand or gravel bottom in water ranging from 1 to 4 feet deep, but they sometimes build nests on top of logs, stumps, and tree limbs.

Once the house is built, the male selects its mate and courts her to the nest. That is where the romance starts to heat up, if you want to call it that. There is usually some nudging and butting involved as the aggressive male rides herd over the female in an effort to get her to displace her eggs on top of the tidy bed. When she is ready, the female will turn on her side and shudder as she spews eggs through her vent. The male reacts by secreting semen that fertilizes the cloud of eggs before they settle on bottom. This sequence might occur multiple times in a short period. Once the female leaves the nest, she might pair with

As mentioned, a number of other variables can influence the timing of the bass spawn. I consulted with several more expert anglers; here is a summary of what they had to say:

Water Temperature If Tommy Martin were forced to choose between giving up his Rat-L-Trap or temperature gauge during the spring of the year,

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several other males before her roe is depleted. Fisheries scientists theorize that multiple partnerships are nature’s way of ensuring a good genetic mix to keep a fishery healthy. Bass are object nuts by nature and prefer lots of clutter around their houses. Active nests are occasionally found on bald flats and shorelines, but as a rule, most spawning activity takes place in relation to bushes, boat docks, stumps, standing trees, laydown logs, and scattered clumps of vegetation such as hydrilla, pond weed, eel grass, and reeds. Find this type of stuff situated in the back of a cove, cut, canal, or on top of a secondary point or roadbed, odds are spawning beds will be nearby. —Matt Williams

he would dump the lipless crankbait. He said keeping tabs on water temperature is more important during spring than at any other time of the year: “Just a few degrees difference can mean a lot, especially early in

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the spring when the fish are just beginning to move toward the shallows. When I’m looking for pre-spawn bass, I always look for the warmest water I can find.” It is tough to pinpoint an exact temperature that triggers bass to move shallow, mainly because there isn’t one. Stevenson has seen bass on beds in water as chilly as 58 degrees. However, most anglers will agree that surface temperature should be relatively stable in the low-to-mid-60s before major waves of bass begin to move shallow.

Good Places to Look Certain areas on a reservoir attract spawning fish sooner than other spots. Water temperature in wind-protected pockets is likely to be a few degrees warmer than in unprotected coves hammered by chilly north winds all winter. On a lake that lies north to south, bass pro Zell Rowland said anglers can refine the search the warmest water by concentrating on pockets that stem off the northwest shoreline: “These types of places will have been protected from cold winds throughout

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Spawning beds are usually in water no deeper than eight feet.

winter. Plus, they will be subject to warming the quickest because they will be getting hit with warm sunlight all day long.”

Aquatic vegetation and wood cover such as buck brush, stumps, willows, boat houses, and rock piles add to the attraction; weeds

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and wood absorb and re-radiate heat. “It’s sort of an incubator effect,” said Stevenson.

Geographic Location

The geographic location of a reservoir has a major impact on when the meat of the spawn occurs. Winters are generally much less severe in Zapata than in Denton. That’s why it is entirely possible for a bass angler at Lake Falcon to catch bass off of beds in the middle of January, while a Ray Roberts regular might have to thaw the ice off his windshield just so he can see to drive to the lake. The farther south a lake is situated, the quicker its water temperatures will warm sufficiently to attract spawning bass into the shallows. The farther north a reservoir is located, the longer it takes the crucial warmup to occur.

Hot or Cold “Thermal enrichment” can have a major impact on when the spawn begins and ends. Thermal enrichment is a term associated

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with impoundments that provide water for cooling power plant turbines. These include Monticello, Fayette County, Bastrop, Gibbons Creek, and Welsh. Cooling water circulates back into the lake at a much warmer temperature than when it went in. The warm water overrides the chilling effects of Jack Frost, thus fooling bass into thinking it is spring when it is still winter outside. The spawn on many power plant lakes will wind down at about the same time it gets started on neighboring cold-water reservoirs.

Size Matters A three-ton Ruud heat pump will warm a one-room shanty much quicker than it can heat a 2000-square-foot house. A similar relationship exists between the sun and bass lakes. The bigger the lake, the longer it takes the spawn to run its course. In fact, on extremely large reservoirs such as Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn, the spawn may extend over several months. “A lot of people are under the impression

that all of the bass in a lake run up into the shallows and spawn at the same time,” said Martin. “But there couldn’t be anything farther from the truth. On a lake the size of Toledo Bend, the spawn may begin as early as February, but it won’t end until sometime in May or even early June.” On big lakes, the spawn always begins in the upper reaches first, where the water is shallowest and quickest to warm. As days become progressively longer and ambient temperatures grow warmer, the mid-lake and southern segments warm sufficiently to lure spawning fish into shallow pockets and coves. On big lakes with abundant bass populations, subsequent waves of fish will eventually take up housekeeping on main lake points, humps, and ridges nearest the dam. These stragglers typically represent the final act in yet another passing of one of nature’s greatest shows.

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OU MARULLO LOVES TURKEY HUNTING. TFG’S Hunting Editor spends much time in the woods pursuing turkeys by bow during spring and never ceases to be amazed at their behavior.

“The defenses of the turkey are mainly his eyes and ears,”

Marullo said. “I firmly believe that if these creatures had a strong sense of smell, we would never get a chance to bag one. “I love the fact you have to get down on the ground, conceal yourself and lure them in. That’s a challenge, and hunters can use a combination of old school knowledge and modern technology to get the job done.” Let’s start with a bit of old school knowledge first. Hunters must be concealed to properly bag a bird and Marullo says camouflage is necessary.

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A Strong Ground Game is the Winning Play for Spring Turkey TF&G Staff Report

COMPOSIT PHOTO: TFG

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Mad Smoky Baby The MAD Smoky Baby depicts the common Wild Turkey color variation, the smoky gray phase. Its visibility and realistic paint scheme with our UVision paint is unmatched. The Smoky Baby is collapsible yet retains its shape and includes a universal decoy stake. Painted with patented UVision tech-

nology Collapsible yet retains shape Lightweight construction for creating motion even in light wind Universal stake included. For more information go online to www.flambeauoutdoors.com.

“Camouflage yourself from head to feet and make sure to wear a mask. Turkeys have incredible vision and will pick out anything we miss.” TFG Editor-In-Chief Chester Moore prefers hunting in black—like a ninja. “If you have a ground blind, especially those with a black interior, wearing a light, long-sleeve black shirt, black gloves and a black hood or black t-shirt wrapped around your head, you have a perfect setup for killing turkeys.” Ground blinds are extremely effective in setting up a turkey ground attack according to Marullo. “About 12 years ago, I hunted out west with a friend of mine, Nathan Jones. At the time he had a television show called Wild Extremes, and he invited me out for a bow turkey hunt. I was excited to hear his tales about previous hunts and how his place was infested with birds,” Marullo said. “Morning came and I had no trouble at all jumping out of the sack and headed for the “hot” spot with Nathan. When we arrived, he led me to a field that bordered two woodlots. The blind was already in place but when I saw it I was a little confused. There we were in a blind in the middle of a field. We were not in a hedgerow or hidden along a ditch. To be honest, I thought the turkeys would spot this thing and never come in. Was I ever wrong. We had so many young birds in front of us that I couldn’t count them all.” This is all to counteract the turkey’s incredible vision. Just how incredible are we talking? According to Scientific American, wild turkeys have “the most complex retina of any vertebrate.” “The retinas of turkeys have seven different types of photoreceptors including one rod and six different types of cones, two of which are actually ‘double cones.’ Human retinas have only four different types of photoreceptors consisting of one rod and three

single cones. One of Tom’s single cone photoreceptors has a spectral sensitivity to wavelengths near 400 nm which is in the UVA light range.” This allows turkeys to see into the UV spectrum and many modern laundry detergents contain chemicals that essentially make us glow to a turkey. So before you hit the field head to toe in camo or go ninja-style make sure to utilize one of the detergents that counteract the UV issue. The turkey’s vision, in particular their ability to see into this spectrum can be a disadvantage for them if you use the latest in hunting technology. The MAD Smoky Baby turkey decoy is a smoke white/gray color, which at first might seem strange. The fact is that some turkeys are this color (a recessive genetic anomaly), and this color will draw in wild turkeys. Ranchers with domestic turkey stock are familiar with wild birds coming in to breed their white hens. This color can also be picked out at greater distances, helping to lure in those birds that are on the outer edge. On top of that, the decoy has a realistic shape and pattern and is coated with Uvision paint to give it a natural UV signature. Birds can learn a threat response if decoys do not have a proper signature. Uvision replicates the reflection of live turkey plumage so incoming birds can no longer tell the difference between the Smoky Baby or the real thing. Patented UVision technology replicates the UV reflection of live waterfowl plumage. Incoming birds can no longer tell the difference between the colors on a Flambeau decoy and a live bird. Marullo loves the modern technology and will be using the Smoky Baby this spring, but he said he still likes to use vintage strategies, particularly when it comes to tickling a gobbler’s ear. “There is no substitute for good calling

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and good quality calls but there are things you can do to bring in birds that are not in the books, so to speak,” he said. ‘I once went hunting with an older gentleman. When we settled in and sunrise started to peek over the horizon, we could hear some birds starting to wake up. The soft tree calls, although a little distant, were close enough to get our adrenaline going.” “The guy I was with mimicked each call he heard. He checked to make sure he could easily see his sights and then took his hat off. I listened as he made a few more soft yelps and then, suddenly, he frantically beat his hat against his pant leg as he cackled with his mouth call.” “My first reaction was to get as far away from this lunatic as I could, but I soon realized it was all part of his charade. It sounded exactly like a bird’s wings as it flew down. Once he slowed the cackle down, he finished his calling with a couple of soft yelps as if to tell the toms “Here I am, and everything is fine.” “I thought to myself that this man is a genius! However, he was not done with his trickery yet. After the “come hither” yelps, he took his hand and scratched away at the leaves on the ground to sound like a hen turkey looking for her breakfast.” Shortly thereafter they bagged a big gobbler. To take spring turkey consistently you must go to the ground and use the best of the tried and true and the technological.

PHOTO: FLAMBEAU

2/8/16 11:34 AM

Open SEASON by REAVIS Z. WORTHAM :: TF&G Humor Editor

Regional Lingo

SOMETIMES GET INTO A LITTLE trouble in my writing with the description of where cattle drink in our part of the country. We’ve had this discussion before, but I wanted to give this idea one more good scrubbing. Then maybe we can lay it to rest. A tank is a pool, is a pond, and if it’s big enough, it might be a lake, but not a lake in the sense that it’s an impoundment for drinking water or recreation. The whole thing depends on which region of Texas you inhabit, or where your feet might be planted at any one particular time. Growing up in Lamar County in the northeast corner of the state, it was a pool, but when I use that word, move-ins think I’m talking about a swimming pool. and you can use some pools or tanks for swimming, I guess, depending on whether they’re spring-fed, or how much cow flop can be found on the banks, but a lot of folks out in west Texas don’t have too many places to swim, so they’ll dive right into what some might call a water trough or a stock pond (think above-ground swimming pool), but it’s different out there because they’re filled by a windmill pulling icy water from deep aquifers, but all the same, it’s water for cattle. I’ve done the same in my younger years, and the water is usually pure and cold out west (unless it’s gyp water, which is full of gypsum that clogs pipes, ruins coffee makers, voids water heater warranties and gives visitors a roaring case of diarrhea). Here in the eastern part of the state, when you get out of certain pools, you might smell a little high, so I’d reserve swimming for those east Texas pools with fewer cows

and more spring water. Now, behind the Pine Curtain in far east Texas, you’ll find the word pond. To some folks, a pond is where goldfish and koi live, usually relegated to back yards. If you remember the old Beverly Hillbillies television program, they talked about a “cement pond” in their backyard, which was of course, a swimming pool. I reckon they use the word “pond” in the Ozarks to describe a watering hole for cattle. Now that I think of it, Woodrow uses pond when he’s talking about a pool on his land in east Texas, not far from Centerville. He grew up in the city, so I’m not sure why he hung his hat on that word. We were getting ready to fish one day when he brought it up. “Let’s go down to the pond and catch some big red ears.” “You mean you want to go catch some sunfish at the pool?” Setting his tackle box on the tailgate, he cut his eyes in my direction. “I meant what I said. There are some big bream in there now.” “By that you mean the tank has some sunfish that have grown to eatin’ size.” “There are some warmouth in there, too.” “We didn’t catch anything but red ears the last time.” “I caught a crappie.” “You caught one little dried up white perch.” He frowned. “It was black.” “Then you caught one little dried up black perch.” “They’re crappie, no matter what the size.” “In the northeast, they pronounce ‘CRAPpie.” He knows. He was born in Boston. “But they’re not crap.” “Exactly. The proper pronunciation is ‘croppie.’” “Not CROOPie. Crappie?” “Long ‘a.’” “Right.” T E X A S

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“So why do they say it like that?” I shrugged “Why do people from different regions of this state look at me like a dog looking at a new pan when I say pool.” “Because that’s where you swim.” “I’m not swimming in that nasty water. I’m too old.” “There’s a spring in the bottom.” I pointed. “You know that little neck that funnels water in from the north side? And all that mud?” “Yeah.” “Well, it stays boggy all the time, and it was a hog waller the last time we were there, I’m not putting a toe in that nasty water.” “But you’ll eat the fish out of it.” I shrugged. He couldn’t leave it alone. “Wallow.” “That’s what I said, waller.” “You need a dictionary? It’s pronounced wallow.” “Not where I come from. Hogs waller in mud. They like to waller in their pens, too.” “Pins?” He knew what he was doing, talking like a Yankee we worked with several years back. “Pens.” We stared at each other like we had good sense for a long time. “Are we going fishing or not?” I chewed my lip, thinking. “As long as we don’t swim, and I can catch a crappie or sunfish from the pool.” “Pond.” I couldn’t give him the last word. “Shellcrackers, or how about Georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear, or my preference, or sun perch?” “Whatever.”

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2/8/16 11:33 AM

Texas BOATING by LENNY RUDOW :: TF&G Boating Editor

Buying a Used Boat? Read This First!

UYING A NEW BOAT IS LIKE buying a new car—the moment you take it out of the showroom, it loses value. That’s a tough pill to swallow. On the other hand, buying a used boat is risky—extremely risky. Although you don’t have to worry so much about devaluation, you do have to worry about getting a bum power plant, a hull or deck with structural problems, or an electrical system with gremlins. And that’s a pared-down list. In fact, whenever I talk to boaters who are looking for a new ride, my advice is always to buy new. Yes, that’s tough economically, but it can save you from the utter disaster of buying someone else’s problem. That said, we have to recognize that not everyone can buy new all the time. If you’re one of those folks who simply doesn’t have the option of shopping for a new boat, and you absolutely, positively must buy used, however, it pays to take your time and do your research. That starts right here and now. Here are five things you need to check out carefully when looking at a used boat.

1. THE POWER PLANT: Obviously, this is a prime area of concern. If the power plant turns out to be in bad shape you could be paying your hard-earned cash for something that’s essentially worthless. If you’re not very familiar with marine power plants, find someone who is and bring them along for a test-run. Some key items to check include things such as power head and lower unit oils (make sure they’re not milky in color, which indicates water intrusion. Check to make sure they’re clean, which indicates how well the owner has, or has not, maintained the motor); look for visible corrosion; run a compression 64 |

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test; and more. Again, this is a partial list—if we put everything about engines on these pages, we’d quickly run out of room. The point is, if you’re not very familiar with issues like these, find a friend or hire a pro who is. Note: automotive mechanics don’t count, unless you’re buying a boat with a marinized automotive engine (like many stern-drive bowriders or runabouts). Marine power plants, particularly outboards, are significantly different from engines designed for use on land. I once watched a friend of mine who’s been an auto mechanic for close to 30 years buy an outboard that he thought was in good shape, and he spent the next two years battling problem after problem. The third year, he got rid of the boat. A few other power plant-related items you need to look for, which may not be foremost on the mind of a mechanic, include propeller condition (if it’s chewed up, it’s an indication that the engine has lived a tough life), the steering system, and the throttle and shift controls. TIP: When you first show up for a sea trial, feel the motor and make sure the owner didn’t pre-start it and warm it up. If it’s warm to the touch, tell them you’ll be back tomorrow and ask them specifically not to pre-start the engine, so you can experience a “real” cold-start. 2. THE HULL: Again, obviously, this is an area of significant concern. The only real way to check into the hull’s condition (assuming you’re not looking at a very large boat or yacht which warrants a full-blown survey) is to take the boat out on the water, and run it. If the boat is decked be sure to open the hatches and look in the bilge, and keep an ear out to listen for the bilge pump(s) kicking on and off. Make sure you also shine a flashlight

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around down there, and eyeball the stringers and bulkheads. Look for excessive cracking or separation, especially where they meet the hull and each other. On fiberglass boats, you’ll also want to look for deep chinks or cracks where fiberglass is exposed. You might have potential water intrusion. Blisters, which look like small bulges in the hull, are another sign of trouble. If you’re looking at an aluminum boat, check welds in high-stress areas (like the corners of the transom) to make sure they aren’t cracked or coming apart. If the hull is painted with anti-fouling bottom paint, press against the bottom with a screwdriver or metal probe to make sure they used the proper kind of paint and didn’t damage the aluminum. Painting with a copper-based anti-fouling paint can set up an electrolytic reaction that causes corrosion in aluminum hulls, and eats right through them. 3. DECKS: The biggest danger when it comes to decks is that plywood is often used as a coring material, and it can rot away. Yes, modern pressure-treated marine plywood is far more rot-resistant than “regular” plywood, and some companies even offer a lifetime guarantee against rot. However, some are better than others and I’ve seen these rot away in as little as seven or eight years—including, in at least one case, a brand that was guaranteed for life. In another case, a reputable builder who had major parts of the boat laminated in a distant manufacturing facility failed to adequately train its employees. When they ran out of marine plywood they ordered the wrong kind. As a result, dozens of boats were built with the sub-standard materials—and were sold—before anyone noticed the problem. Fortunately, this issue is fairly easy to spot. Simply walk all over the deck, and maybe jump or stomp a bit here and there. Decks that are going bad have a spongy or springy feeling underfoot, while decks that have maintained their integrity feel solid no matter how hard you stomp.

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Texas BOATING 4. TRANSOMS: Like decks, the use of wood coring and rot are the major issues. It may be a bit tougher to spot in the transom, however, since you can’t walk all over it. What you can do to detect rot in a transom is tap it with a solid metal object, like a quarter. When you tap an area that’s solid it sounds solid, but when you strike a

transom that has rotted away inside, it has a distinctly hollow sound to it. Any flexing in the fiberglass is also a dead give-away. Another indication of rot in a transom can be found where there are screws well below the waterline, such as at a fishfinder transducer or a garboard drain. When you pull a screw (with the owner’s permission, of

course) if brown water runs out, you should expect problems. We should note that in the case of both decks and transoms, rot shouldn’t necessarily be considered a deal-killer. Unless the problem has progressed to a rather severe state the bad wood can usually be cut out and replaced. Depending on the size of the boat and the size of the job this can actually be less expensive than one might imagine, and a few thousand dollars in repairs will often set things right. Naturally, you’ll want to either have the current owner pay to have to work done or figure it into the price you pay for the boat. 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS: Electrical systems on boats are notoriously finicky. In fact, it’s rare to see a boat with 10 years or more of age on it that doesn’t have some sort of electrical problem. Make sure you spot whatever may be an issue, by turning on and off each and every item that’s wired. Bilge pumps, anchor and running lights, live wells, navigational electronics—if it has wires and a switch, put it to the test. Also, look at fuse boxes and breaker bars, to check them for corrosion. Seek out hidden connections (like those in the bilge or behind the console), shine a flashlight on them, and make sure they look good. If the boat has a volt meter at the helm, watch for it to jump or twitch as you flip switches, which can indicate a bad connection. BONUS ITEMS: Canvas, upholstery, carpet, and vinyls–all of these things are found on boats, and all of them have decidedly limited life-spans. Replacing them takes time and money, so you want to make sure you understand the need to replace that clear canvas dodger or those seat cushions before you settle on the price you’re willing to pay. Give these items a close visual inspection before the negotiations start. ONE FINAL PARTING WORD: Remember what I said earlier—if you can afford to buy your boat new, do it. In the long run it’s a move you won’t regret. And if you can’t, when you go shopping for a used boat be careful out there. Very, very careful.

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The Practical ANGLER by GREG BERLOCHER | TF&G Contributing Editor

HE COLD FRONT WAS STILL irate when it arrived in Rockport and the raw north wind shattered the tranquility. The trunks of palm trees outside our condo stood like sentinels, but the green fronds on top agonized, twisting and turning in the pumping wind. Sleep was hard to come by as the bedroom wall was buffeted by one strong gust after another. Spring break with the family was off to a cold start. By midweek, the worst was over. Tides returned to their pre-front levels and moderating wind and bright sunshine cheered everyone’s spirits. The family decided it was time to go fishing. Rods were rigged with popping corks and a quart of live shrimp was secured. We were met at the launch ramp by 300 of our closest friends. It seemed we weren’t the only ones who thought it was a good day to go fishing. We spent the next thirty minutes looking for a place to fish. Plan A was dashed as the spot I had intended to fish was already taken. Plan B, C & D also turned out to be unprofitable. Our 11- and 3-year old were eager to fish; their red cheeks suggested they were getting wind-burned from the boat ride. As I navigated into a nearby channel, I noticed a dozen boats anchored along the edges. As I approached the first boat, I eased back on the throttle and slid off plane. Idling slowly, we eased past the anchored boat. Once I was reasonable distance beyond the anchored anglers, I put the boat back up on a plane. I repeated this maneuver three more times on my way to the other end of the channel. As I was idling past the fourth boat, one of the fishermen motioned me to stop and come closer. It was a fishing guide who had three 68 |

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“ Spring break was off to a cold start.

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clients on board. “Thanks,” he shouted. “You are the first person all morning long to slow down as they came down this channel. Everyone else blew through here at full speed”. The guide continued saying, “We have been on a school of redfish all morning and everyone has their limit. We’re about to leave. Slide on in here and let your sons catch some of these reds”. Thanks were exchanged, and we anchored in the guide’s spot. The action came in

spurts. The reds would cycle back and forth along the edge of the channel, and it wasn’t uncommon to have multiple hookups. We caught roughly 20 redfish from the Spring Break Hole that day, keeping a three-person limit, plus two bonus trout. The small stretch of shoreline where we caught all of our fish sported an oyster ledge, situated just under the surface. That small patch of shell held the red’s attention for several hours and they rarely ventured more than 50 yards away. Other boats, up and down the channel, would catch the occasional fish but didn’t catch near the numbers we did. Oyster reefs are fish magnets and should always be explored during the spring. Clumps of oysters create a myriad of nooks and crannies for tiny baitfish, shrimp, and crabs to hide in. Blennies are small baitfish that inhabit oyster reefs year round. Unlike pin perch, piggies, and mullet, blennies don’t migrate to the Gulf of Mexico to over-winter and

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spawn. They reside around live and dead oysters year-round. Snapper shrimp are another oyster reef-loving species. Although blennies and snapper shrimp aren’t well known to coastal anglers, redfish and trout spend a lot of time rummaging around oyster reefs looking for a meal. When groceries are scarce in the bay, predators know that an oyster reef is a reliable food source. Oyster reefs can be found in all manner of shapes and sizes. In an open bay, the side of the reef that is exposed to the prevailing wind will have a well-defined edge, or drop-off. The pounding waves tend to push the shells up into a defined ledge. In Texas bays, that will be the southeast side. The backside, or lee side, of a reef will feature a slow taper and won’t hold as many fish. Predators will often loiter for a prolonged period next to a shell ledge. The solid wall of shell helps break up the silhouette of a speckled trout, or redfish, allowing them to ambush unsuspecting baitfish and shrimp. If you are fishing a reef from a boat, concentrate the majority of your attention on the margins, where the sand or mud meets the shell. This intersection zone will hold a lot of fish. If casting parallel to the shell ledge, work every depth thoroughly before moving on. If casting perpendicular to the reef, cast beyond the drop-off and make a shallow-todeep retrieve. Oyster shells have sharp edges and will slice fishing line like a knife. Tagging your main line with a short section of leader will help prevent cut-offs. I learned several valuable lessons during our spring break that year. First, a patch of shell, no matter how small, is worth checking out during the spring. I also learned that common courtesy isn’t always that common on the water. Slowing our boat down didn’t seem like that big of a deal but we were repaid in full measure for a simple act of kindness. Email Greg Berlocher at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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Texas GUNS by STEVE LAMASCUS | TF&G Shooting Editor

My Favorite Deer

HE FIRST TIME I SAW THE buck was when I was hunting predators with my brother, David. We had sneaked into a wide canyon in the far east end of the Anacacho Mountains and set up to call. At the first squeal of the dying rabbit call a huge buck burst from the brush in the bottom of the canyon and ran full speed over the rim, his big rack waving from side to side as he ran. We watched him through the scopes on our varmint rifles and what we saw made our mouths water. We fought our way through the thick thorn brush and down into the bottom of the canyon where we discovered a tiny spring. It bubbled up from the rocks, ran a hundred yards down the canyon and disappeared. At the point where the spring rose there was a big patch of gray mud that showed where the deer licked the mud for the salt and minerals. It was a perfect nest for a big buck. Right then we decided that when deer season rolled around in a few weeks we were going to try for that big guy. That deer season we hunted hard. We set up a camp in a secluded grove of oak trees near a creek a half-mile from the canyon where the buck lived, and for two weeks we hunted the surrounding area. We saw the big guy a couple of times. Once four of us spread out across the bottom of the canyon and worked slowly up to the top, thinking we would push anything in the canyon out in front of us. We saw nothing. Then as we stopped at the rimrock that was at the crest of the mountain and turned to look back the way we had come, we saw him. He was almost crawling out of the thick thorn brush in the bottom of the canyon, his antlers laid back and his neck stretched out. Then when he neared the opposite rim he 70 |

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jumped up and went over the side in a rush. He had stayed in his bed in the thick brush of the bottom and let us walk right by him. Only when we were too far away for a shot did he sneak out. Another time David and I left camp very early. In the inky darkness we felt our way up the back side of the mountain and found a comfortable spot at the top of the canyon to sit and glass. Just as it was getting light and the deer were starting to move about in the golden glow of pre-dawn, a group of illegal aliens appeared. They stumbled down through the canyon, driving the deer out in front of them. I was tempted to shoot a rock near them to pay them back for ruining our hunt, but refrained. We ended the season taking other bucks. The next season we took our vacation and again set up our camp in the oak grove. Again we hunted the big buck. Only once did we see him, and that was, again, too far away for a shot. This old buck was smart. The third season rolled around, and we were still wanting to find the big buck, if he was still there. All of us, my brothers, David and Randy, and my sister-in-law, Becky, had taken good bucks in the past seasons, but nothing to compare to the big guy in the canyon. Finally, one bitterly cold morning, David and I were still-hunting in the canyon with the spring. We were sneaking along at a snail’s pace with the sun at our backs and the wind in our faces. It was a perfect set up. We had moved about half-way up the canyon and had stopped to glass the country. I was about ready to start moving again when I saw movement at the very top of the rimrock. Through my binoculars I finally made out the head and neck of a very big buck. I watched until he turned his head and then I was certain. It was him. The range was very long. This was before laser rangefinders and I still don’t know how far it was, but it was too far for an off-hand shot. I tried to sit but the brush was too high. At last I had David stand in front of me and I rested my old .270 over his shoulder. At a

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whispered word David held his breath, and I squeezed the trigger. At the roar of the rifle the buck disappeared, but I had no idea if I had hit him or not; the crosshairs were wobbling around a good bit. I held just over his head to allow for the drop, hoping to take him in the neck. We marked the spot by a big Texas persimmon tree and began climbing the canyon. It took us about 15 minutes to crash through the brush and climb the rimrock. Then under the persimmon we saw something white. As we got nearer we could see that it was the white hair of the deer’s belly. I ran through the brush, oblivious to the thorns, and grabbed the antlers of the buck. He was an old timer, at least seven and maybe even eight years old. His antlers were not as majestic as they had been two or three years before, but they were still the best I had ever seen on that ranch. They were wide and tall and heavy, and the tines were long. The bases were massive and knobby with the age of the buck. I knelt there holding the antlers while emotion flooded though me. I felt elation at having finally collected the big buck, but also sadness that the hunt was over, and that the big guy would never again stand at the crest of the mountain to survey his domain. Only a hunter can understand, and I am sorry that my words fail to accurately describe what I felt. It was a terrible job to get the big buck back to our camp, far below on the creek, but we finally managed. That night in camp, tired but content, we had fried backstrap, potatoes and beans, the accepted camp fare all across the state. Then as the stars came out and the cold deepened we crawled into our sleeping bags, where we lay and relived the years and the hunts that had finally resulted in the big buck hanging in the oak outside. Even today, almost 40 years later, I still, at odd moments, stop and relive that hunt. I have forgotten many other bucks that I have taken over the years, but I will never forget that one. What a buck he was!

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Industry INSIDER Texas Armament Increases Social Footprint

TEXAS ARMAMENT & TECHNOLogy (TxAT)/Aguila Ammunition is excited to announce the release of their redesigned websites, tx-at.com and aguilaammo. com, and new presence on various social media platforms. The expanded digital involvement is part of an overall rebranding campaign for 2016. “The new websites are responsive, better showcase our products, and offer FAQ’s and a dealer locator. They will be easier to navigate and promote the fresh new look of the company,” states Kristi Drawe, Director of Marketing for TxAT/Aguila Ammunition. “Launching our social media platforms in unison with our web launch was necessary in order to elevate our online visibility and the evolving Aguila brand.” The company can now be found on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This year is shaping up to be exciting for TxAT and Aguila Ammunition. TxAT can now showcase their defense services as well as expand upon their distribution services with the use of their new website. TxAT has the knowledge and expertise to bring brands to market both domestically and abroad by providing goto-market strategy, planning, logistics and operational optimization implementation, just as they are doing with Aguila. In addition to improved online presence and the new branding campaign which promotes the slogan “Feed Your Firearm” for Aguila, an expanded product line, new packaging, as well as a complete mainstream media plan consisting of TV commercials, radio spots, digital and print ads, and more industry involvement are scheduled for 2016. Aguila Ammunition, founded in 1961, 72 |

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is manufactured in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico by Industrias Tecnos, S.A. de C.V. As one of the largest rimfire manufacturers in the world, Aquila utilizes cuttingedge technology to manufacture quality rimfire, centerfire and shotshell ammunition. Aguila offers a complete range of products for the selfdefense, sport shooting, hunting, law enforcement and military markets. Texas Armament & Technology is the exclusive North American distributor for Aguila Ammunition. Texas Armament & Technology (TxAT) is a veteran-owned business, and is the exclusive distributor of Aguila Ammunition in the U.S. and Canadian markets. TxAT’s mission is to provide technical support and assist in selecting the best ammunition, equipment, and training for customer requirements – ranging from weapons to counterterrorism and national security. TxAT also provides training, consulting services and technical support for clients in the aerospace and defense industries. For more information on TxAT or Aguila Ammunition, visit the websites www.tx-at.com or www.aguilaammo.com.

Costa Named a Top Cult Brand

COSTA, ONE OF THE FASTEST growing sunglasses companies, received recognition as one of the top cult-like brands in the world at The Gathering, an annual summit and awards gala set in Banff, AB in Canada Feb. 3 – 4. In what is quickly becoming known as the pinnacle North American event of its kind, The Gathering recognizes spectacular brand, marketing and consumer loyalty achievements. The exclusive two-day event pays homage to the courageousness of a highly select group of brands, the globally relevant status they’ve established, and their willingness to spill their secrets to more than 700 curious marketing contemporaries hop-

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Ethan Song, CEO of Frank & Oak (left) and Al Perkinson, Vice President of Marketing for Costa Sunglasses.

ing to cement their own brand success. In addition to Costa, other confirmed cult-like brand honorees at the 2016 event included lululemon, VICE Media, Converse, AirBnB, The Movember Foundation, Carhartt, The Chive, Molson Canadian, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment and Car2Go. “After surveying more than 36,000 North American households to quantitatively analyze customer engagement, over 1,000 brand candidates from across the globe have been carefully evaluated against 18 criteria by our member organizations,” said Sheldon Lachambre, managing director of The Gathering. Past brand honorees have included The Ultimate Fighting Championship, Tim Horton’s, Disney Channels, Dallas Cowboys, Nintendo, Patrón Tequila, Cirque du Soleil, GoodLife Fitness, Sport Chek, Harley-Davidson, The National Hockey League, Madden (EA Sports), Saskatchewan Roughriders, Red Bull, GoPro, Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority and Urban Outfitters. “As evidenced by significant endeavors,

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such as Kick Plastic, GEOBASS, Bluefin on the Line, its OCEARCH partnership, Watery Rave, and Project Guyana, we felt Costa is a poster child for achieving cult status through a strong corporate ethos and remarkably pervasive brand touch points, such as a producing a Sundance Film Festival award winning movie, its partnership with Kenny Chesney, and relationships with numerous conservation groups,” said Lachambre. “It’s certainly an honor to be recognized as one of the top cult brands in the world,” said Al Perkinson, vice president of marketing for Costa. “We’d like to include thanks to our loyal fan base as part of this achievement – they’re the ones who’ve helped to shape our story and shared our conservation message around the world. We look forward to sharing our success with them in the years to come.” For more information about The Gathering, see complete event details at www.cultgathering.com.

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FTU Hosting Kayak Demo Days

FISHING TACKLE UNLIMITED, WITH three tackle superstores in South and West Houston, announced their 2016 Demo

at Tuscan Lakes, Austin Street and Porta Rosa Lane, in League City on Saturday, May 7. On Saturday, May 21, the Westside Kayak Demo will happen at Cross Creek Ranch, 6450 Cross Creek Blend Lane, in Fulshear.

Cross Creek Ranch

Days schedule, this year at three great locations. The FTU Southwest Demo will be at Riverstone Community, 18353 University Blvd., in Sugar Land Saturday, April 30. Their Southside Kayak Demo will be

All three events will start at 10:00 a.m. and run uintil 4:00 p.m. For complete details on the events, go to FishingTackleUnlimited.com.

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Fish and Game GEAR Baby Bowie knife from Bear & Son

Rafael Gives Anglers an Edge

blackout, matte retro tortoise, matte olive teak and matte black teak. Costa’s sunglasses can be customized in its full array of patented color enhancing polarized 580™ lenses. Costa’s 580 lens technology selectively filters out harsh yellow and harmful high-energy ultraviolet blue light. Filtering yellow light enhances reds, blues and greens, and produces better contrast and definition while reducing glare and eye fatigue. Absorbing

water can wreak havoc on eyesight, depleting the very resource the angler depends on to spot fish. Costa’s new Rafael frame style is comprised of a nearly-indestructible bio-based resin material sourced from the castor plant, a sustainable, hardy perennial. The biobased resin produces increased durability, overall sunglasses weight reduction, and the ability for the frames to hold shape from extreme heat to bitter cold temperatures, crucial for anglers out battling the elements. Incorporating a bio-based resin frame construction reduces Costa’s manufacturing process emissions by up to 40 percent, and cuts the company’s overall carbon footprint significantly. In addition to the durable frame construction, Rafael features a wide temple design wrap-style shape, with sturdy integral hinge technology. It also offers Costa’s signature three-square-hole venting system to alleviate lens fogging, and hypo allergenic rubberized temple tips and nose pads to keep the sunglasses comfortably in place all day, no matter how harsh the conditions. Rafael’s frame color options include

Costa Rafael

THE SUN: IT CAN BE THE BEST friend and the worst enemy of every fishing guide. After years of experience, an angler’s eyes become sharp and focused, calibrated to the waters he serves. But without the right sunglasses, the sun’s reflected glare off of the

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high-energy blue light cuts haze, producing greater visual clarity and sharpness. Costa’s 580™ lenses, the clearest lenses on the planet, are available in either glass or impact resistant polycarbonate. Lens color options include: gray, copper, sunrise (580P only), blue mirror, green mirror and silver mirror. Rafael is also available in customized Rx sun lenses. Rafael with 580 lens technology starts in retail at $169, and is available at www. costadelmar.com and at authorized Costa retail partners.

New Baby Bowie from Bear & Son

BOWIE KNIVES HOLD A SPECIAL place among all fixed-blade knives historically, but their large size discourages a lot of knife lovers from buying one. Now Bear & Son Cutlery® has a good solution with the introduction of their new Baby Bowie, with a 3-inch Damascus steel blade. As the knife manufacturer with the largest

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selection of DamasBear’s cus steel blades, Bear & Son works to Baby Bowie provide a wide range of knife styles with these distinctive blades. They have an impressive array of traditional Bowie knives, all in the 12- to 15-inch range. Not everyone wants a knife that big, but they do like the style and the Damascus look. The new 500D ½ Baby Bowie features the traditional Bowie shape, and with its Genuine India Stag Bone™ handle the length is just 6-1/2”; and it weighs only 2.5 oz. A genuine leather sheath, with a special exterior design, is included. It retails for $189.99. In addition to its beauty, a Damascus steel blade has a cutting edge with tiny sawtooth carbides which enable the blade to cut even when it feels dull to the touch. As are all Bear & Son knives, the Baby Bowie is made in the USA. For more information, visit bearandsoncutlery.com.

SOG’s Reactor Multi-Tool

AS SOG TURNS 30 IN 2016, SOG, of Lynnwood, WA, brings to the market new offerings in knives, multi tools and tactical transport packs. Housing a total of 10 components including a hard cased black coated stainless steel assisted blade and powerful Compound Leverage geared pliers, the Reactor combines a great folding knife with SOG Reactor fully functional pliers.

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A quick push of the thumb stud propels the hard cased black coated blade open and ready for action. The Reactor’s shape fits firmly and securely in a hand. Tucking the blade back in and flipping the handle gives easy access to the pliers.

Lew’s Super Duty Wide Speed Spool

LEW’S INTRODUCES THE NEW Super Duty Wide Spool Speed Spool series for heavy-duty fishing applications, such as flipping heavy jigs on big line, handling the large and cumbersome umbrella rigs, and fishing big crankbaits and giant swimbaits. Five models comprise the series. Four are right-hand models and one is a lefty. Each holds up to 190 yards of 14-pound test line. The line capacity of the original Super Duty reel series is 150 yards of 12-pound test. Gear ratios range from 5.1:1 to 8.3:1 in the right hand models; the left-hand version is a 7.1:1 high speed.

All Super Duty models feature a 10-double shielded stainless steel bearing system, plus a clutch bearing. Frames are one-piece aluminum. Also aluminum is the sideplate on the handle side for no-flex support under a load. Gears, crankshaft and worm gear are high-strength brass. The palming sideplate is lightweight graphite featuring SoftTouch rubber paint for a sure grip and durable finish. Cast control is Lew’s proven Magnetic Control System (MCS). The Zirconia line guide is titanium coated to reduce friction. Anti-reverse is Lew’s time-tested Zero Reverse clutch bearing system. The forged, double-anodized aluminum U-shaped spool is braid ready. The spool’s tension knob is knurled aluminum with an audible click during adjustments. Also audible is each click adjustment made to the dependable rugged carbon composite drag system that delivers up to 14 pounds of drag

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Lew’s Super Duty Wide Speed Spool

power. The reel handle is a bowed, anodized aluminum 95MM power-cranking handle with oversized round EVA knobs. All Super Duty Wide Spool models are expected to be available by May. MSRP is $199.99 each. For more information, visit Lew’s website, www.Lews.com.

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SABINE Area Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

Dredging the Reef

ARCH IS A VERY SPECIAL month in the hearts of anglers up and down the Gulf Coast. It is without a doubt the month with all the potential. Even those who continue plugging away all winter long, catching some of the biggest trout of the year are not exempt from the feelings of excitement and hope that accompany March. Some of the most memorable days we’ve spent on the waters of Sabine Lake have come during this month. From flounder to speckled trout to redfish, when the stars line up just right the fishing can be better than good. Although Mother Nature sometimes has difficulty deciding what season it is, you can bet there will be days when everything seems to come together.

Light winds, warm temperatures, good tides, and plentiful bait fish usually amount to some serious rod bending action on Sabine. Get lucky enough to have the right barometric pressure and moon phase thrown into the mix and you’ve got all the ingredients for some of the best fishing days of your life. The giant oyster reef that blankets the entire south end of the bay is beginning to come alive. With the bull tides and increasing water temperature come bait fish. Sand eels, shrimp, shad, and crab will invade the reef and be followed closely by hungry trout, reds, and flounders. The reef is one of the first stops for big numbers of bait fish as the water slowly begins to warm. Therefore, it has always been one of our main go to spots in early, early spring. One of the best techniques is to drag a soft plastic rigged on a heavy lead head over the oyster reef with the drift. We call this “dredging” down here in these parts. The key is to keep your bait on the shell, but not in it. While dragging across the reef, lift your rod tip occasionally to help prevent

your lead head from getting wedged in the shell. Hang ups, however, are inevitable when dredging the reef. Be prepared to go through some tackle. When you are hung up, the best thing to do is lift your rod tip and apply steady, solid pressure. Most times it will pull through and you won’t have to waste time retying. Be aware of the wind direction and what the tide is doing to help determine where to start your drift. Tidal movement is crucial, either incoming or outgoing. We seem to have more success fishing strong incoming tides. It is a good sign when the crab trap balls are about halfway sunk. Use your drift sock to slow the drift down and your trolling motor to keep the boat sideways. Drifting too fast will keep your bait too high in the water column. Check your sonar often to mark bait and check depths as it fluctuates between four and 15 feet. If possible, make a mental note of the depth every time you get bit. Also, keep a bouy handy because when you hit them, you definitely want to get back on the same drift. When it is good, it is really good, which is obvious by the excessive number of boats. Even with the great number of boats, it works well because everyone is drifting the same direction at about the same speed. We do have to keep an eye out for the occasional anchored boat. My boat always seems to be on a collision course with one. The numbers of solid limits we’ve caught over the years dredging the reef on Sabine Lake is one of the reasons March is a very special month in the hearts of upper coast anglers.

THE BANK BITE Location: North Levy Road (Pleasure Island) Species: Flounder, trout, redﬁsh Baits/Lures: Finger mullet, shad, live shrimp Best Times: Moving tide

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GALVESTON Area Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. MIKE HOLMES

Time Marches On

N MARCH OUR PART OF THE world is coming out of the winter “down” period for many outdoor endeavors—including coastal fishing. Although we still have another month or so before early spring and wet wading returns, a sunny day can still be comfortable. Such a day could even be productive, depending on the fisherman’s goals and expectations. As the old saying goes, “Even a bad day fishing is better than …” but most of us might like to feel a pull at the end of the line to go with the simple pleasure of just being outdoors near the water. Unfortunately, March is a slow month for saltwater fishing here. Some trout and reds, and probably more flounder, will be caught by anglers fishing slow and steady in deeper holes with aromatic dead bait. The big draw in both size and numbers, though, will probably be black drum. Big drum like blue crab portions best, although they can be taken on cut bait and with large dead shrimp—even better with Sea Bobs, which are sort of an oversized and very ugly shrimp. Boat fishermen can stretch their fun with drum by using lighter tackle, as these big cousins of the redfish are rather lethargic and not usually noted for making long, reel emptying runs. Where there are no dock pilings or jetty rocks to cut line, they can be subdued— in time—with light gear. At boat side or when fought to a pier or the rocks, they will strain your line, but since most should be released anyway, this is not that much of a problem. Smaller drums are not bad table fare, but the large specimens are not really worth fooling with.

Especially when using light tackle, circle hooks are the best bet on big drum, largely because they do not require a hard hook set. Circles are more difficult to remove from a live fish, but a non-stainless hook does not last long if the line simply is cut as close to the fish as is practical. Depending a lot on temperatures, just about any of our normal fish might be encountered in March, along with more unusual catches such as pompano. You never really know what might be available unless you give it a try. The real problem with March is that this month is known for wind. Wind is a problem more often than a blessing to coastal fishermen. A strong north wind empties the bays and coastal streams, pointing to the beachfront and passes as the best possible bet for fishing. An east or northeast wind sets up currents running parallel to the beach, which is bad for long rod fishermen trying to hold bottom with their baits. Wind also plays havoc with tides at times—as much or more so than moon

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phases. Although it can be uncomfortable, windy conditions favor fishing from piers, jetties, or rock groins. Various management issues still cloud the offshore fishing scene, and March is perhaps a good time to be carefully considering such things—as there won’t be a lot of actual offshore fishing going on. There is still hope for a switch to state management of red snapper in the Gulf, although there is well-organized opposition to such a move. A very real danger is the current administration in Washington pushing for more “Marine Monument” areas—no fishing zones in reality—as an attempt to create some sort of legacy for the sitting president. Because fishing has been an important part of my life for a very long time, I worry that the reduction of catch limits and fishing seasons might be an attempt to sort of ease us out of our favorite sport. This is why I try to advocate fishing for less popular species. These species are not subject to such restrictions, but can still provide sport and a reason

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MATAGORDA Area Hotspot Focus :: by MIKE PRICE

Texas Triple

N MARCH, FISH FEED WHEN the water is moving and is relatively high. On March 24 last year, Jeff Wiley and I went through Braggs Cut and into the Diversion Channel where we found brown, fresh water, and dodged logs on our way into West Matagorda Bay. As we ran ten miles west, the water changed to dark green, and finally clear light green. The water level in the bayous, lakes and along the shoreline was high enough to paddle a kayak in, but not high enough to hold fish. Each of us caught six or seven rat reds in the bay, but no big fish. So we paddled back to the boat and had lunch. The afternoon was a different story. Incoming tide had pushed water into the

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lakes and bayous, and this moving water was stirring up the feeding activity. I saw small shrimp jumping out of the water near the shoreline. I ran my Chicken-on-a-Chain Bass Assassin on a 1/16-ounce jig head with a little piece of Fishbite attached, over the spot. It was taken by a 16-inch flounder. The flounder destroyed my Bass Assassin, so I put on a white Sparkle Beetle and headed into a bayou. I dropped the lure into a hole on a bend, and a 17-inch speckled trout went for it. Encouraged, and thinking a redfish would make this a Texas Triple, I paddled the shoreline of a lake adjacent to the bay, and was soon rewarded with a strong hit by a redfish. This completed my catch of a keeper trout, redfish, and flounder and qualified me to bragging rights (even if only to myself) on a Texas Triple. Rising water and current had certainly turned the fish on and I went on to catch and release several more redfish. Of course, not every day in March will produce. Fishing in this winter-turns-to-spring

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month has some special challenges. Algae is sometimes abundant because the water is very clear and warming. At times it is difficult to find a place to swim your lure without getting covered with algae. The best way to deal with this is to fish a leeward area. The wind will push the algae away from the shore and you will be able fish there. Low water can also be a problem, so study the tides and winds prior to going out. A wind with east in it, southeast, east, or northeast, will push water in, and a north wind will push water out. If you go out when the water is high, you will probably find more fish feeding in the backwaters. If you have a strong outgoing flow and you position yourself at a spot where a marsh is draining and then fish across the flow, you will have a good shot at hungry fish. One day last March, I fished a stretch of the shoreline where there was algae in the water, and the water was low and slowly incoming. I did not do well at all. On that same day some friends fished deep holes at the back of a bayou, and did very well. These deep holes on the south side of back bayous are places free of algae on a south wind and they can hold fish. In early March the water is usually very clear, and this enables the fish to have a good look at your offering. Live shrimp is best in this situation, but if you are going to use soft plastics, select a lure that looks like the real thing. I like Egret Baits Zulu shrimp in natural and brown colors, and Egret Baits Wedge Tail minnows in black and bone flash colors. If you prefer a hard bait, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go wrong with the ED Special, it looks and acts real. The ED Special is available by calling the man who makes it, Eddie Douglas at 979245-5901. The weather prediction is wetter than normal for March 2016. This creates another factor to consider when going fishing. I was on my way to meet a fishing friend at Matagorda Harbor and go fishing in West Matagorda Bay. On the drive I went over the Colorado

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River on FM 521. We hadn’t had rain for a week, so I figured the river would be a pretty light green color, and we would be able to fish on the east end of West Matagorda Bay. But the river was raging brown and loaded with logs, so I knew that West Bay was not a good place to fish. Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) had decided to release water because it had been raining upstream. To see the water flow above Matagorda go to www. lcra.org Hydromet and click on Bay City. East Matagorda Bay does not get the fresh water input like West Bay does and has good water clarity even after we get a lot of rain, so we fished East Bay on that day. Another approach when the Colorado River is spewing brown water is to launch at Palacios and fish the west end of West Matagorda Bay.

THE BANK BITE PALACIOS JETTIES AND PIERS: Approaching Palacios from the east, highway 35 goes along Tres Palacios Bay into this picturesque little town. About a block after leaving the highway you will see a new store called The Point. The store

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to be on the water. I sort of lost that battle with the (endangered) triggerfish, but other fish such as bluefish, Spanish mackerel, even jack crevalle and bonito (little tunny) can be a lot of fun to catch. A few are good eating, and so far no feel-good group is trying to stop us from fishing for them. Go fishing whenever you can, and let your political representatives know how you feel about it.

THE BANK BITE

reach deeper water and usually get past the problem of winds. SPECIES: Speckled trout, reds, some flounder and pan fish might be found, but black drum are what March is most noted for. BEST BAITS: Live bait works, but so does smelly dead bait. For drum, quartered blue crabs, fiddler crabs, or sea bobs might be best. BEST TIMES: Although March is a tough month for bank fishing, watch the tides and beware of the effect strong winds can have on them. Fishing under lights is worth a try almost any time of year, but action may not be real fast.

LOCATION: Beachfront piers, and rock groins, jettied passes give anglers on foot a chance to is owned by Bryan and Yen Tran and Bryan has been fishing in this area for 30 years. He stocked his store with fishing tackle and bait using his extensive knowledge of what actually catches fish. When you continue past The Point you will come to the north side of West Matagorda Bay on South Bay

Boulevard. At 4th Street a public pier is wheel chair accessible and has public restrooms. At 6th Street and South Bay Boulevard a public boat launch with a jetty is a good place to ﬁsh.

2/9/16 4:09 PM

UPPER MID Coast Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. CHRIS MARTIN

Coastal Changes

HERE MAY NOT BE ANOTHer time of the year truly more enjoyable to fish than March. It’s a time of the year when everything seems to be undergoing a change of sorts. Bay waters once again come alive with marine life that hasn’t been visible the past couple months. Underwater blooms of saltwater vegetation that were absent in colder conditions are now starting to burst into growth out of the bay floor.

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Changes in the weather spark a longawaited warming trend for bay waters. This will soon, in turn, signal to the trout and reds that the beginning of spring is now upon us. Change is often accompanied by challenges, and this month will definitely be no exception. March anglers can probably count on just about as many changes in fishing patterns as there are days in the month. Wind is one good example. Wind is a major contributor to the make-up of challenging patterns. This month will bring fluctuating winds in an environment where the recent norm has been winds blowing out of the northeast. However, the Texas coast will begin seeing more of a southeasterly flow. This will only continue to increase in strength and dominance as we progress through the spring. This doesn’t mean that March won’t still see the occasional cool front with north winds, but these fronts should begin to weaken as time passes. Along with changes in the wind, we’ll see changes in the tides and the climate. History shows us that March will give us higher tides compared to those we’ve become accustomed to during the winter months. Tides that have been either extremely low, or that have not had much movement over the past few months will now start to become more active. Climate changes, too, are often more noticeable in that they tend to alternate almost daily. We’ll awaken to cooler mornings, but will often end each day with much more warmth than we’ve been experiencing over the course of the past few months. This can often torment anglers attempting to make up their mind where they should fish. That’s why some anglers begin implementing certain changes in their strategy. A popular strategy difference is the time of the day they prefer to fish. Not everyone gets to be out on the water at the exact time they wish., So whenever you have a say in the matter, it may be to your benefit to fish during the afternoon hours, all the way up to sundown.

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Why? Because the morning bite typically is not as good as it is in the afternoon once air and water temperatures warm up in the sun. As the waters warm throughout the day, baitfish activity often increases. On those days in March when it may be necessary for you to fish really early in the day, the morning will probably start out cool. So begin your wading session in deeper water over mud and grass. As the air and the water begin to warm, transition to flats wherever you see any concentrations of baitfish—specifically mullet. Working the mullet in March can be quite productive because the trout are looking to satisfy an appetite they’ve had for quite some time. Trout eat a lot of finfish, and mullet are one of the more popular on the list. Learn to look for a single mullet, or a small group swimming together, and adjust your bait presentation according to the mullet. If the mullet are on the surface, throw your favorite top water bait. If the mullet are below the surface, try using a slow sinker or a plastic tail. Probably one of the most important changes for coastal anglers is that spring is here, and that means there will certainly be more boats on the water. This also means that everyone needs to be safe, and give each other an ample amount of working space. There’s plenty of room out there for all of us!

Contact Capt. Chris Martin at bayﬂatslodge@gmail.com or visit bayﬂatslodge.com

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ROCKPORT Area Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. MAC GABLE

The Brave Walk Among Us

HE ARRIVED IN HER CAR for a few days of fishing with me. Even in the wee hours of the morning I could tell she seemed to have a barrier, or self-emitting force field around her. I get one’s personal space, but this was much more than that. She quietly made a wide arc around the other anglers and guides who were there and made her way to the dock where my boat was waiting. She stood for quite a while sizing up each of the four guides there this warm, dark summer morning. She talked to no one, but rather just listened. Once she had determined which one was me she stared at me for what seemed like hours, even though it truly wasn’t that long. I got the feeling she might just leave at any second. I couldn’t help but notice her staring ,and in all honesty, part of me hoped she was not my client that particular day. After years of guiding, one gets a feel about a person, and my first impression of this lady was this might be a very long day of fishing. She gave off vibrations that something was not quite kosher, and for me that often meant a person who was going to be hard to please, or at the very least difficult to deal with. I had seen that look and mannerism before, but I couldn’t place just where. Finally she walked over, no smile on her face, and stated she was fishing with me today, and she had some requests to make. She had everyone’s attention now. The dock was quiet, and all waited for my response. You see, a guide’s boat is his or her office, and we all have rules. Those rules apply to everyone for a LOT of reasons.

For me mostly they are safety rules, followed by fishing rules because it’s my name on the bottom line where a fun and safe fishing day is concerned.For a lot of folks, that fun day consists of catching fish. “You’re sure I’m your guide ma’am,” I asked? “Quite sure” she said. “You are Capt. Mac?” “Yes,” I replied. She didn’t give me her name. “What would your requests (being plural) be?” I asked politely. “I would like to bait my own hook. I would prefer to net my own fish, and I ask that you give me plenty of space for casting.” “I can give you two of the three ma’am” I said. “There is close to a hundred dollars worth of bait in that live well, and I don’t want it killed by any chemicals you might have on your hand.” She stared off in the distance considering my response then said “Do you have a bait net I could use?” “Yes, but that seldom works well for

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people and inevitably they get their hands in the live well.” Again, quiet. At this point she is still a good 15 feet from the side of my boat, and again I thought she was going to turn away and leave. To this day I’m still not real sure what came over me, but for some spiritual/ mystical/ unknown reason I was bound and determined to get this lady out fishing. Maybe it was because anyone this uptight I decided really needs to go fishing or maybe it’s because I like a challenge “Ma’am,” I said, “when you need bait, if you will simply point the rod tip at me I can get your hook baited, and you’ll never have to move a step.” The response was immediate. “Sounds reasonable. Where might I stow my belongings?” she asked as she stepped forward. As she went to step onto my boat, I reached to take her hand (a habit I have to ensure no one falls onto my boat). She ignored my hand and made her own way onto my Haynie (my boat).

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Focus: ROCKPORT As with any new client, I went through my short safety talk, and then told her the weather predictions for the day. “It will be a little rough going out, and it might be best to sit on my boat seat behind the console (where I pilot the boat from) for the best ride.” “I would prefer the front console seat” she said. “Yes ma’am” I replied. Ma’am would be her name for the rest of the day. At this point I am thinking one of my guide buddies, as a prank, must have slipped a two-day-old, rotten shrimp in my pocket. I had to stink terribly for such a person as she to be so repulsed by me. The other guides just stared in disbelief snickering. One reached into his ice chest and said, “Here Capt. Mac,” as he pitched me a Five Hour Energy drink. “You’re gonna need it.” I wasn’t about to go into my “where one uses the bathroom while fishing on the boat” talk for tension already seemed to be at a button-popping, zipper-slipping level, and it seemed to be mostly ME. She, on the other hand, was matter-offact, calm, and in control as she found her SPACE on my front console seat. She was slender, smartly dressed, very little makeup (she didn’t really need any), tightly braided, long blond hair, and she was in not just good shape, but rather great almost ripped, kindashape. She was distantly attractive. All appearances said she was in her mid-twenties, except her eyes and her actions. They had the look of a much older and wiser person. Her eyes seemed empty one time, then all knowing the next, angry and ready for battle, still the next. Then just blank with no discernible way to read them. Honestly I was a bit intimidated, maybe even frightened. It seemed one minute she had a soulful/spiritual presence about her which made me feel an incredible peace. Then, like a vapor in the wind, it was replaced with a look of hostile intentions that could cut me into tiny pieces and use me for the day’s bait. It was unnerving. Luckily, my role was to be a fishing guide, and so I focused on that. Even though I wasn’t crazy about the rules we agreed to 82 |

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before we left the dock, I decided to go full steam ahead. “Let’s catch some fish!” I told her as we set up at the first spot. The trout action was good. To her credit she was a quick study of my fishing techniques, and a limit of trout was quickly in the box, with her doing the netting after a bit of distant coaching. I had put some live shrimp in my live well in addition to my other baits, as I had discovered reds had been hitting live shrimp that past week. I headed out to my favorite red hole on the northeast shoreline of Ayers Bay. We had two slot reds in the box when she stated she would like to eat. She handed me her rod, and I quickly made my way to the back of the boat to allow her space to eat in peace on the front console seat. I busied myself re-tying leaders and sorting through our bait when I turned and she was right beside me, a sandwich in one hand and a Coke in the other. “Would you like something to eat?” she asked. “I can’t imagine going this long without eating. I made this for you last night.” Something told me this offering was a big step for her, as if a huge gap in her life was being crossed somehow. Although I did have my own grub, I felt accepting her kindness was the right thing to do. Instead of handing me the food she turned and set it down on the front deck (in her space). So we ate and talked about fishing. She pointed out that a bathroom on board would be nice. So I launched into my “using the potty” speech and demonstration, to which she howled with laughter. She smiled and said “Like you would know what’s it’s like to be a female in any form or fashion.” “No ma’am, but it was ladies like my wife who educated me on this very subject,” I poked back at her. It seemed the ice was thinning between us, thankfully. Just as I was finishing my food and deciding not to outstay my welcome, she said “I want to apologize for being so aloof , I have had some unfortunate things happen to me, and I guess it’s made me a bit... strange.” She looked down at the floor of my boat. I didn’t breathe as I recall, but just looked at the top of her cap, as she never lifted her head. “It started when I was twelve and lasted

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for nine years.” I knew then where I had seen her look/ mannerisms before. “Counseling has taught me it helps to talk about it, but it’s difficult and I’ve not been able to very much” she said. Thankfully, I knew silence is often the best answer, so I steadied myself to listen. She was 12 when it started and almost 22 when it stopped. In between, she lived in fear and in a mortal hell few can imagine. She told me just booking the trip was one of the hardest things she had ever done, but she wanted to prove to herself she could do something alone on her own, and not go back into the mental prison that the abuse had created for her. She said arriving at the dock was so frightening, she drove away four times before actually stopping. The darkness of the dock was not pleasant. She told me many things we take for granted are hurdles for her, but she said the hardest was the idea of being on a boat alone with another person, i.e, the guide. I laughed, trying to lighten the moment and said “Well, we guides can be a pretty frightening bunch. You sure took your time sizing us/me up. I don’t think I’ve ever been stared at that much.” She smiled and said “I wasn’t sizing you up Capt. Mac. I was so scared, I was trying not to throw up on your boat or on the dock!” It was all I could do to not grab her and hug her, much like my daughter and make it all go away. Instead I lowered my head, said a silent prayer for her, and let my tears come out. I could only imagine how she must have felt about being hugged. When I looked up, she had rod in hand and asked if she was expected to pay full price for the trip? “Double,” I said “’cuz you’re a pain in the butt.” Again she howled with laughter, nodding her head in agreement. “If so, I expect full service,” she quipped. “Will you cast for me?” “I guess I’m gonna have to earn my money after all,” I smiled. “Yes sir,” she retorted., “and if I holler, get the net!” Back at the dock, I cleaned her fish, packed them up in a spare ice chest and CONTINUED ON PAGE

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LOWER Coast Hotspot Focus :: by CALIXTO GONZALES

March Toward the Beach March on the South Padre Island beach usually means Spring Break, which usually translates to a focus on things other than fishing. That’s especially true during Texas Week, when tens of thousands of Texas college students flock to SPI for sun, fun, and trouble. In spite of month-long parties, South Padre Island was a fishing community first and March is one of best times to begin fishing the surf. Any angler willing to drive far enough north on the sand can find some remarkable surf fishing for some very sought after species such as the Florida Pompano. The surf offers a great fishing opportunity for the land-bound angler - or even for the boat owner - who wants a change of pace along with saving a few bucks in gas money. The same vehicle with four-wheel drive that you take to the deer lease is well-suited to negotiate the sand of the beach. Believe it or not, the sand along the high-tide line is packed down enough that some two-wheel drive vehicles can get out to the suds (take a shovel with you, though, just in case you need to dig yourself out of a soft spot). When you get to the surf, there are a variety of fish that will readily grab a bait presented by even the most inexperienced neophyte angler, many of these fish being excellent table fare. The most common fish that swims up and down the guts and bars of the Padre Island surf in March and through early spring is the whiting. Actually, there are two types of whiting: the Gulf Whiting and the Southern Whiting (on the Atlantic coast, the latter species is also called a kingfish). The Gulf Whiting is most common in the surf and is

silver in color with a sleeker profile. The stouter, squattier Southern Whiting is more common in the bay and around passes where it is a popular species among the party boat crowd. It is also present in the surf, especially around the Brazos-Santiago jetties. These are strong fish that will give a good hard yank when first hooked, then after a token resistance, will obediently come along when they realize resistance is futile. These guys are plentiful—it doesn’t take long to catch enough of them for even the biggest fish fry—and they are surprisingly large (they average 12-13 inches but it isn’t uncommon to catch a half-dozen bull whiting measuring between 18 and 20 inches during a fishing trip). And what’s more, the clean white fillets fry up beautifully. A second fish that is worth every surf fisherman’s attention, and is actually a prize catch on any trip, is the afore-mentioned Florida Pompano. These scrappy cousins of the Tyson-esque jackfish and the cosmopolitan permit zoom up and down the surf in search of shrimp and sand fleas to gobble up and will sometimes grab a baited hook. They also average between one and three pounds, but their short, powerful bursts and bulldog determination make for sport on all but the stoutest Hatteras Heaver. As for their table qualities, a whole pompy baked inside a paper bag with butter, white wine, green onions, and mushrooms is a delicacy worthy of an Iron Chef (although Morimoto-san would probably turn it into ice cream or gelato or some other abomination). Both the whiting and the pompano are not difficult to catch. A 7 ½ to 9 foot surf rod matched with a 4000-6000 sized spinning reel spooled with 14-20 pound line is ideal. Most of the fishing is going to be done in the wade gut, or up against the first bar, so pyramid and disc sinkers in the 1-2 ounce range are fine and a box of #2 (not 2/0) Eagle Claw 066N 2X-long shank hooks should cover your needs. Most fishermen get the pre-fabricated double-stage leaders (the kind that you can get at Wal-Mart or at T E X A S

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the bait shop) by the dozen for their terminal tackle. Many wily fishermen know, however, that a hand-made leader made from 30-pound mono is more effective in fooling leader shy pompano. Once rigged, pin a peeled bit of shrimp on each hook and flip your rig near the bar where the waves are breaking. It normally doesn’t take too long for a whiting to find your rig and give it a yank. Sometimes, a second whiting grabs the other bait while you’re reeling the first one in and the doubleheader is good for a few whoops as you drag it onto the sand. If you hook into a pompano, then the whoops get even louder. Many anglers will look with some hesitation at the strong southeasterly winds that are endemic to South Texas during March and the rowdy surf that accompanies the 20 knot gusts. That rough surf, however, can be a boon. The roiling surf can rouse more crustaceans out of their sandy hidey-holes and thus ring the piscine dinner bell. There is a very good reason this month to rig with heavier line: redfish and jackfish begin to roam the surf in March. Some of these bad boys are still roaming the surf and they’ll grab one of your little whiting/pompano rigs out of pure meanness and spite. When they do, they can make the drag on your spinning reel sing. That’s when the whooping gets loudest of all.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Dolphin Cove GPS: N26 4.02, W97 9.42 SPECIES: Black Drum, Sand Trout TECHNIQUES: Fish with shrimp or crab on a bottom rig. Use heavier tackle if you’re after drum.

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Email Calixto Gonzales at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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Texas HOTSPOTS

UPPER COAST

Trout: Sabine to West Mat by TOM BEHRENS LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Boggy Cut GPS: N 28 44.9569, W 95 46.0339 (28.7493, -95.7672)

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GPS COORDINATES are provided in two formats: “Decimal Degrees” (degrees.degrees) and “Degrees and Minutes” sometimes called “GPS Format” (degrees minutes.minutes). Examples (for Downtown Austin): Decimal Degrees: N30.2777, W97.7379; Degrees and Minutes: N30 16.6662, W97 44.2739. Consult your manual for information speciﬁc to your GPS device.

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: MirrOdine CONTACT: Capt. Van Critendon 361-648-1886 raiseemup@hotmail.com TIPS: Capt. Critendon wades, concentrating on drains with heavy shell or scattered shell with mud close by. LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: St. Mary’s Bayou

GPS: N 28 39.786, W 95 57.432 (28.6631, -95.9572)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Marsh Minnows and Little John CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordaﬁshing.com TIPS: Capt. Countz likes to use a 1/16 oz. lead head with the soft plastics. “I can cast it a mile-and it works through shallow grassy areas pretty well.” LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Fat Rat Flats

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walked her to her car. She drove away slowly, and I went to trailer my boat. Just as I opened the door of my truck, her car pulled up. She jumped out, and gave me one of the best hugs I’ve ever had. I’d like to think as I watch her drive away again, she’d crossed some sort of healing threshold —as if a broken wire had been reconnected, but I will never know for sure. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking. I do know the peace one feels when one experiences the healing power of fishing. She was an extraordinary young woman. I guess not everyone that brave gets medals or ribbons or plaques—if so people like her would have a boat load of them. I never knew her name. Recent statistics show one in four women and one in six men were sexually molested before they were 18 years old—and that’s the ones that were reported. One can only speculate about the number of undisclosed abuses. That means there are in excess of 43 mil84 |

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lion adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Of these 73 percent don’t tell anyone about the abuse for at least a year, 45 percent in excess of five years and sadly some never report or get help at all. 70 percent of these abuses occur to children under the age of 17. Sexual assault victimization is two to three times higher for children than for adults. The young woman that was on my boat that day was one of these victims. Thank God she got help, and I pray others in her situation will find the courage and strength to seek help as well. ••• MARCH IS A HARD month to fish. It’s not to say there are no fish biting, far be that from the truth. The problem is what does one use to have a rod-bending day? • Live bait can be scarce. Frozen has pretty much been worn-out for the past three months and artificial decisions can be mindbending.

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I have looked through my notes on the hard to choose bait choice month of March and here what is shows: Live bait gets the number one slot. Make sure the bait (whatever it is) has some life to it. Often the bait is very lethargic due to the cold water temperatures. • Artificial comes in at number two. Soft plastics in new penny, morning glory and nuclear chicken are good color choices. • Frozen is number three. A hint here is to get the freshest you can manage. Some of the bait has been in freezers since September or longer, and freezer-burned bait is not that productive. COPANO BAY • When the tide is moving, the mouth of Mission Day is good for reds and trout using live shrimp or cut mullet on a light Carolina rig. The deeper part of Copano Reef is a good place for black drum using frozen shrimp either free-lined or on a very light Carolina rig. The sheepshead action is still good by the LBJ fishing pier. Use a heavy main line and

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Texas HOTSPOTS GPS: N 29 32.4289, W 94 31.3609 (29.5405, -94.5227)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Small Baby Spook CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captainpaul@goﬁshgalveston.com www.goﬁshgalveston.com TIPS: Concentrate on any shoreline drains. There are a lot of drains that aren’t on the maps. Guides just don’t tell the map companies about all of them. LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Siever’s Cut GPS: N 29 26.5619, W 94 42.1379 (29.4427, -94.7023)

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captainpaul@goﬁshgalveston.com www.goﬁshgalveston.com TIPS: Marcaccio’s favorite soft plastic colors are Chicken-on-a-chain-Slammin chicken-Limetreuse and pearl. LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Siever’s Cut GPS: N 29 26.074, W 94 42.6919 (29.4346, -94.7115)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captainpaul@goﬁshgalveston.com www.goﬁshgalveston.com TIPS: “Use a 1/8 ounce jig head with a soft plastic… you need to keep the jig/soft plastic bait in the water column as long as possible.” Capt. Marcaccio LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Anahuac Wildlife Refuge GPS: N 29 33.573, W 94 32.266 (29.5596, -94.5378)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captainpaul@gofishgalveston.com www.gofishgalveston.com TIPS: “You want to find a mix of shell and mud-and if you can find the mixture along a change in bottom

HOTSPOT FOCUS: ROCKPORT light leaders and the smallest Kahle hook you can find. I use cut squid as it’s hard to get off the hook. Free-line is best, or a small split shot about 12 to 14 inches up from the hook. ARANSAS BAY • With a light north wind, Nine Mile Point is a good place for trout using new penny Jerk Shad and a 1/16 ounce jig head. The shoreline close to Allyns Lake is a good place to set up for black drum using peeled shrimp on a light Carolina rig. Wades on the north side of Mud Island are good for trout in the deeper water and reds in the skinny water. Mud Minnows work well here as does finger mullet. ST. CHARLES BAY • The area close to Twins Creeks is good for black drum and a few keeper reds, using frozen or live shrimp. Top waters have worked for me here, as well, in bone and red colors. The area close to the old Turtle Pen area is good for reds, using cut mullet or menhaden. This area is best fished on a high tide, as it can get very shallow. Light

Carolina rigs with cut mullet or finger mullet work well. CARLOS BAY • Carlos Trench is still the best spot for fish. Heavy Carolina rigs with mud minnows or finger mullet is the ticket. Throw into the deeper water of the cut, but be mindful this is a boat passage channel. The shallow shell in this area is good on warmer days, and high tides for black drum and reds. When fishing shallow, lighten your rig, meaning a light Carolina or free-line. MESQUITE BAY • The shoreline of Ballou Island is good for reds and black drum. Small cuts that run from the back water of this island mean a moving tide, and the fishing can be good. I like a silent cork with shrimp or free-line, with cut menhaden cast into the cuts. The shoreline of Roddy Island is a good wade for trout using jerk shad in pearl white or chartreuse colors.

THE BANK BITE THE WEST SHORELINE of St. Charles Bay is a good place for reds using cut mullet, menhaden or mud minnows. The key is wading out and casting into the deep edges that run along this shoreline. High tide is best here.

Contact Capt. Mac Gable at Mac Attack Guide Service, 512-809-2681, 361-790-9601 captmac@macattackguideservice.com

AYERS BAY • Some good sheepshead T E X A S

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action on the Second Chain using free-lined shrimp pieces or cut squid. Use small hooks here such as a Kahle 2/0. Some nice black drum can be caught on the east shoreline close to Ayers Dugout, using peeled shrimp on a fish finder rig.

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Texas HOTSPOTS contour-all the better.” Capt. Marcaccio LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Vin-Ta-Un Flats GPS: N 29 32.794, W 94 45.805 (29.5466, -94.7634)

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raiseemup@hotmail.com TIPS: Favorite colors in the MirrOdine are Texas Chicken-black-black/yellow sides/white belly

tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordaﬁshing.com TIPS: Look for predominant areas of shell.

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Jones Bay Shoreline GPS: N 29 18.6839, W 94 55.555 (29.3114, -94.9259)

LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Mad Island Reef GPS: N 28 37.212, W 96 5.784 (28.6202, -96.0964)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captainpaul@gofishgalveston.com www.gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Normally Marcaccio prefers a smaller topwaterbut if the water becomes choppy he will switch off to a bigger topwater so that the fish can find it easier. LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Starvation Cove GPS: N 29 14.221, W 94 56.409 (29.2370, -94.9402)

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Shad imitation baits CONTACT: Capt. Van Critendon 361-648-1886 raiseemup@hotmail.com TIPS: Capt. Crittendon looks for drains. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Pass GPS: N 29 59.0269, W 93 46.582 (29.9838, -93.7764)

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Little John soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordaﬁshing.com TIPS: Paddle tails-pre-scented in purple or Glow/ chartreuse tail are the colors that Capt. Counts likes to throw at this time of the year. u TAP FOR ONLINE MAP

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: MirrOdine and Corkys CONTACT: Capt. Van Critendon 361-648-1886 raiseemup@hotmail.com TIPS: “Fish coves… doesn’t really matter what cove on the north or south shorelines. Look for the drains coming into the coves.” Capt. Crittendon

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins 409-673, -9211 9782018@sbcglobal.net www.ﬁshsabinelake.net TIPS: March is when a topwater will work all day. Color of the bait is not that important. If you put the lure where the ﬁsh are-they will eat it.

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Snake Island Cove GPS: N 29 9.565, W 95 2.215 (29.1594, -95.0369)

LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Shell Island Reef GPS: N 28 37.788, W 96 3.906 (28.6298, -96.0651)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: MirrOdine and Corkys CONTACT: Capt. Van Critendon 361-648-1886

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: MirrOLure Marsh Minnows CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 |

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LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Cotton’s Bayou GPS: N 28 30.45, W 96 12.384 (28.5075, -96.2064)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Marsh Minnows and Little Johns CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Besides trout-March can be a real good month to wade fish for redfish. Concentrate on the drains. LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Middle Ground GPS: N 28 30.744, W 96 13.488 (28.5124, -96.2248)

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SPECIES: Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Little John purple soft plastics

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Texas HOTSPOTS CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordaﬁshing.com TIPS: “I have gotten where I throw this soft plastic more all the time. It has a real erratic action and the ﬁsh seem to like it.” Capt. Countz LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Pipeline area GPS: N 28 42.6, W 96 23.8159 (28.7100, -96.3969)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordaﬁshing.com TIPS: The GPS numbers are from the old reef. There are no numbers for the new reef yet.

LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Green’s GPS: N 29 44.832, W 95 11.364 (29.7472, -95.1894)

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SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics in Chicken-on-a-chain CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: “While drifting we have been catching redfish in the three to five pound range.” Capt. Countz LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: New Half Moon Reef GPS: N 28 43.374, W 95 46.2299 (28.7229, -95.7705)

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: Verburgt is ﬁshing in 3-5 feet of water-adjacent to feeding bait. LOCATION: Redﬁsh Bay HOTSPOT: Dagger Island GPS: N 27 50.217, W 97 9.966 (27.8370, -97.1661)

MIDDLE COAST SPECIES: Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Marsh Minnows and Little Johns CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordaﬁshing.com TIPS: Cottons-Middle Ground and the new reef in the middle of West Bay yield good catches if wind allows.

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Port A Specks See the Light

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by TOM BEHRENS LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Light House Lakes GPS: N 27 50.4, W 97 4.32 (27.8400, -97.0720)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “Usually all the bait are holding up on the edges of deep water…just follow the bait.” Capt. Verburgt LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Dagger Flats GPS: N 27 49.752, W 97 10.7279 (27.8292, -97.1788)

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Down South Lures in bright colors CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: We should be getting a pretty good return on a lot of our ﬁsh that are coming back in from the Gulf. LOCATION: Redﬁsh Bay HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N 27 53.4599, W 97 5.79 (27.8910, -97.0965)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Down South Lures CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “Fish the ﬂats-adjacent to deeper water-guts that feed into the ﬂats.” Capt. Verburgt LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre

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Texas HOTSPOTS HOTSPOT: Rocky Slough GPS: N 27 9.903, W 97 26.716 (27.1651, -97.4453)

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SPECIES: Trophy speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “When ﬁshing the rocks-there will be soft mud bottoms which are deﬁnitely wadeable. The mud draws and keep the heat from the sun.” Capt. Verburgt LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N 27 29.134, W 97 21.1079 (27.4856, -97.3518)

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Nine Mile Hole GPS: N 27 3.9109, W 97 24.6709 (27.0652, -97.4112)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Mark Robinson 361-550-1081 ﬁshmpr@aol.com TIPS: Capt. Robinson uses a soft plastic bait to ﬁnd the trout. “I can cover my water quickly with a soft plastic.”

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: North Bird Island GPS: N 27 31.252, W 97 17.4329 (27.5209, -97.2906)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Pink or peal/chartreuse Corky Fatboys CONTACT: Capt. Mark Robinson 361-550-1081 ﬁshmpr@aol.com TIPS: Let it (Corky) sink for about ﬁve seconds-give it a pretty good twitch-reel up the slack line-lift your rod tip up-reel slowly. Repeat the process again.

LOCATION: Bafﬁn Bay HOTSPOT: Alazan Bay GPS: N 27 19.686, W 97 31.249 (27.3281, -97.5208)

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SPECIES: Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Popping cork with Gulp CONTACT: Capt. Joe Prado 956-357-1301 josephpradoprado@yahoo.com TIPS: Capt. Prado says that in deeper water-he catches a lot of redﬁsh under a popping cork. Fish just north of the island in deep water. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Horse Island GPS: N 26 20.3539, W 97 20.2489 (26.3392, -97.3375)

SPECIES: Trophy speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “Wade Bafﬁn Bay for a chance at a trophy trout. Look for softer bottoms; you don’t want to be on a real hard bottom.” Capt. Verburgt LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Tide Gauge GPS: N 27 18.109, W 97 28.051 (27.3018, -97.4675)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Skitter Walk topwaters CONTACT: Capt. Joe Prado 956-357-1301 josephpradoprado@yahoo.com TIPS: Capt. Prado likes Skitter Walks in either white or pink, because they make good noise. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Rattlesnake Bay

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Green Island GPS: N 26 23.5379, W 97 19.465 (26.3923, -97.3244)

Lower Laguna Reds Go Green by CALIXTO GONZALES and TOM BEHRENS

SPECIES: Trophy speckled trout BEST BAITS: Pink or Pearl colored Corkys CONTACT: Capt. Mark Robinson 361-550-1081 ﬁshmpr@aol.com TIPS: Capt. Robinson has caught speckled trout up to 29 inches while wading the King Ranch shoreline.

SPECIES: Trophy speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters CONTACT: Capt. Mark Robinson 361-550-1081 ﬁshmpr@aol.com TIPS: Capt. Robinson likes a bone/silver or a green/ chrome bait. “If the water is dirty-I will throw a Clown color … yellow and orange.”

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Texas HOTSPOTS GPS: N 26 18.613, W 97 19.453 (26.3102, -97.3242)

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water. March through May is when most of our largest trophies are caught.

PINEY WOODS

White Bass in Harmony SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Norton Bull Minnow soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Joe Prado 956-357-1301 josephpradoprado@yahoo.com TIPS: “I throw all kinds of colored soft plastics-but my favorite color is Tequila Gold…caught a lot of ﬁsh with that colored bait.” Capt. Prado LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Peyton Bay GPS: N 26 26.122, W 97 22.3519 (26.4354, -97.3725)

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LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Harmon Creek GPS: N 30 52.05, W 95 25.3199 (30.8675, -95.4220)

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SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: and Rat-L-Traps in Chrome-Blue CONTACT: David S. Cox-Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 dave@palmettoguideservice.com www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: “Cast jigs and Rat-L-Traps in the deep holes off sandy points. Troll the deep holes with the same baits. BANK ACCESS: Harmon Creek Marina or Hwy 19 Bridge” LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Lake: Bird Island Flats GPS: N 32 40.62, W 94 5.0219 (32.6770, -94.0837)

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SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers BEST BAITS: Live shad and Storm Swim shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch 936-291-1277 admin@fishdudetx.com www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrid stripers are doing great now and this is the time to catch trophy fish. They will be all around the lake on main lake points and humps. The use of electronics is a necessity! Find the schools of shad and you will find the Hybrids. This time of year they will range in the water column from 15 foot to 40 feet. Find the depth the bait are in and you will find the fish. One mistake a lot of people make in doing this is they don’t constantly watch what depth the fish are in. These fish move up and down in the water column hour to hour and if you don’t follow them you will stop catching fish. Live shad will be the bait of choice but the swim shad will work if you can control the depth. Bank Access: Stowaway Marina LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Main Lake Creeks GPS: N 32 49.2959, W 95 32.88 (32.8216, -95.5480)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: Verburgt likes the lighter weight jig heads with the soft plastics-a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. “I can work the lure slower without getting it tangled up in weeds.”

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by DUSTIN WARNCKE

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Saltwater Assassin soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Joe Prado 956-357-1301 josephpradoprado@yahoo.com TIPS: “The size of our lures get bigger during trophy trout season,” says Capt. Prado. He uses the Big Minnow XL from Texas Tackle Factory. LOCATION: South Bay HOTSPOT: Sail Boat Channel GPS: N 27 52.9799, W 97 4.447 (27.8830, -97.0741)

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 24.7379, W 95 34.9199 (30.4123, -95.5820)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: V&M Thundershad Swimbaits and V&M Pacemaker flippin and swim jigs in colors of black/blue or watermelon/red. CONTACT: Caddo Lake Guide Service/Paul Keith 318-455-3437 caddoguide1@att.net www.caddolakefishing.com TIPS: Work the shallows in this area and other similar areas like Big Green Break-Clinton Lake and Ames Spring Basin. You will mainly want to target the cypress trees for spawning bass and fish the surrounding hydrilla grass flats for staging bass. Most productive areas this time of the year are in 2-4 feet of

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Black/blue jig with a green pumpkin trailer-Carolina rig-red square bill crankbait-and a 3/4 oz. red rattletrap-baby brush hog in green pumpkin on Carolina rig CONTACT: Doug Shampine 940-902-3855 doug@lakeforktrophybass.com www.lakeforktrophybass.com TIPS: If you are into Texas bass ﬁshing, March is the month you want to visit Lake Fork. The big female bass are now looking for a place to spawn—feeding

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Texas HOTSPOTS on the way. This month I look at the first secondary point of a pocket-then work my way towards the back of the pocket as the month goes on. The bass will be in that 10-15 foot range early March and by the end of the month be in that 5 foot or less range. My favorite places to fish in March will be Burch-Little Caney-Big Mustang, Wolf-Running Creek and Bell. All of these areas are known to produce one of those trophy bass over 13 pounds. If you find a creek channel which comes close to the bank make sure you spend time fishing this area. The big females will follow the creeks to the back of the pockets. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Dam Area/Caney Creek cove GPS: N 32 50.088, W 95 33.1499 (32.8348, -95.5525)

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936-368-7151 gregcrafts@yahoo.com www.toledobendguide.com TIPS: March is probably the most fished month out of the year. The bass are in shallow water moving in to spawn-on the beds or moving off the beds. If a cold front moves in-the fish will stay in the same area but will back out to the closest drop into deep water. Start off with a fast moving bait like a Rat-L-Trap or spinner bait to cover a lot of water to locate the fish. If you catch one-slow down because there will usually be more fish in that area. Please practice catch and release especially this time of year. If you catch a big fish-take the measurements and have a fiberglass replica made. Catch and release will help insure that Toledo Bend will continue to be the number one ranked lake in the country.

PRAIRIES & LAKES

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Texas Spinnerbait 430 Special in chartreuse/white-The Big Eye Jig-the Shimmy Shaker and the Mr. Twister Super Lizard black/blue tail CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201 RICKY@RICKYSGUIDESERVICE.COM www.RICKYSGUIDESERVICE.COM TIPS: Caney Creek has many pockets so you will need to fish all the way back in each of them. Fish the weeds-grass and the lay downs you find these areas will hold some big bass as well as the smaller ones. Fish as slow as you can. When you move out of the back of the pockets you will have standing timber on the points. Fish your Big Eye Jigs around the timber. This will reward you with some very fine trophy bass. LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Bayou Seipe GPS: N 31 44.1119, W 93 51.474 (31.7352, -93.8579)

Bachman Slabs Get Religion by DUSTIN WARNCKE and DEAN HEFFNER

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SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16 the jig-head white and chartreuse or black and chartreuse-under a 2 inch pegged bobber. For night ﬁshing-replace the peg with a glow stick. CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com TIPS: This area is good all day-but nighttime from 8 pm-4 am is awesome at night. Memorizing the structure during the day is very important. Then you will know the depths and where all the snags are. When you get down to your spot at night-you will now know where the cast and where the dead zones are and when you go out at night-you won’t have any issues except reeling in the ﬁsh. LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Small Coves GPS: N 32 18.366, W 96 8.484 (32.3061, -96.1414)

LOCATION: Bachman Lake HOTSPOT: Web Chapel Road Bridge GPS: N 32 51.576, W 96 51.3659 (32.8596, -96.8561)

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SPECIES: Black Bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps-soft plastics-frogs-tubesjigs-spinnerbaits-top water baits-stick baits and shallow diving crank baits. CONTACT: Greg Crafts-Toledo Bend Guide Service and Lake Cottages T E X A S

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics-spinnerbaits and chatterbaits CONTACT: Jason Barber 903-603-2047 kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com www.kingscreekadventures.com TIPS: “Fish all the spawning coves from half way in to the back concentrating on water 1-inch to 6-inch. Flip soft plastics and throw spinnerbaits and chatterbaits as well.” LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Mud Flats GPS: N 32 55.492, W 97 30.051 (32.9249, -97.5009)

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LOCATION: Fayette County HOTSPOT: Dam Rocks GPS: N 29 55.05, W 96 44.55 (29.9175, -96.7425)

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad or Punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Spawn is taking place right now so fish along the rocks of the dam here. Do not be afraid to fish 18 foot just above the rocks. Big channel cats as well as yellow cats roam here during the spawn. LOCATION: Gibbons Creek HOTSPOT: Crappie Hole GPS: N 30 36.7139, W 96 4.0019 (30.6119, -96.0667)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Slabs with a fly 12 inches above or a spinner with a shiny blade CONTACT: Johnny Stevens 817-597-6598 www.johnnysguideservice.com TIPS: “This area is composed of many humps and slopes. Water depth is normally 12 to 24 ft. deep. When the water approaches 60 degrees many sand Bass will spawn on these slopes. Look on each slope or hump with your electronics until you see what appears to be a series of fire ant mounds. Throw out a marker and anchor over them and jig up and down with a slab and a fly about 12’ above the slab. On many occasions you will catch 2 at a time. Another productive method is to cast to the hump with a lure that has a shiny blade on it.”

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LOCATION: Lake Daniel-Stephens County HOTSPOT: Goat Island GPS: N 32 38.544, W 98 52.1728 (32.6424, -98.8695)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows or Grey/Blue jig CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: The spawn is getting close. Use slip cork and fish around the rocks and submerged stumps. Water drops fast so keep depth set on bobber to fish half way to bottom. LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: San Gabriel River and Willis Creek GPS: N 30 39.114, W 97 24.948 u TAP FOR (30.6519, -97.4158)

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SPECIES: White bass and Crappie BEST BAITS: White Bass: white twister tail grubsRoad Runners-small Rat-l-Traps / Crappie: Marabou Jigs-Bass Assassins-minnows. CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell 512-365-7761

crappie1@hotmail.com www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: “All the month of March-the white bass will be spawning up the river and in Willis Creek. In Willis, fish above the island around the sand bars. In the riverfish as far up river as you can get. The area around Dickerson’s Bottom is the best spot but anywhere can produce this time of year. The crappie will be in shallow water from 8 inches to 3 feet deep. Use a slip bobber with a jig on a 10-foot jig pole. This method will catch you the most crappie if you are fishing during the daytime. Set the bobber to about 16 inches and that will work in most places. Find small coves or ditches that back up from the river or main lake. If you catch one or two-keep trying because there can be more where they are. On March 25 is when I caught the lake record crappie and it was a male in 1 foot of water. You just have to keep trying this time of year because one day you can catch your limit and the next day you catch nothing. That is even the same for me. This is my toughest time when guiding clients. They just don’t bite every day like they do from May through the summer. Good luck and good fishing.”

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SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: jigs-chartreuse tubes-beetle spinsspinnerbaits CONTACT: Michael D. Homer-Jr.-Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. 325-692-6329 michael.homer@tpwd.texas.gov TIPS: While Lake Daniel had faced water woes from prolonged drought-the reservoir is now full and is producing some fat crappie. A major hot spot is Goat Island, Which the island has multiple areas of rocky outcrops and ﬂooded vegetation that should produce a bite. A rocky hump on the southwest side of the island is a great spot for crappie-and sunﬁsh. Jigging 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz. jig hooks with bright chartreuse tubes and color combinations with reds and blues work well to hook a nice crappie. More active lures such as beetle spins and spinnerbaits work well too. LOCATION: Lake Daniel-Stephens County HOTSPOT: Goat Island GPS: N 32 38.544, W 98 52.1728 (32.6424, -98.8695)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jigs-Carolina and Texas rigs CONTACT: Michael D. Homer-Jr.-Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. 325-692-6329 michael.homer@tpwd.texas.gov TIPS: The rocky hump on the southwest side of the island is also a great spot for largemouth. Bass are likely hanging deep-so ¼ oz. to ¾ oz. weedless jigs are a go to lure of choice-and Carolina and Texas rigs may be another favorable alternative; just try not to get hung on the structure. LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Striper Alley GPS: N 32 24.16, W 97 41.236 (32.4027, -97.6873)

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SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Swimbaits and crankbaits fished through schooling fish on feeding flats. Live shad fished in shallows under balloons can be effective. CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta-Unfair Advantage Charters 817-578-0023 www.unfairadvantagecharters.com TIPS: Look for schooling activity on feeding flats (Birds may point you right to active fish). Chrome and Chartreuse rattling baits along with swimbaits are good choices for these active fish. LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Dam Area GPS: N 33 1.9979, W 96 28.2719 (33.0333, -96.4712)

CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com TIPS: Crappie are suspending at 22-28 feet within 50 yards of the dam in open water. Use spider rigging to cover as much area as possible. Make sure you put your lures or minnows in the band of bait that you will see below the boat on electronics . We are also ﬁnding some crappie in deep timber in 22 to 32 feet. White bass can be found suspending minnows or lures in open water. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: North Main Lake/Kickapoo Creek Area GPS: N 32 17.148, W 95 30.108 u TAP FOR (32.2858, -95.5018)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Texas Spinnerbait 430 Special in chartreuse/white-the Shimmy Shaker-The Big Eye Jig and the Mr. Twister Comida worm CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201 ricky@rickysguideservice.com www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Bass ﬁshing is good up on the north end of the

lake in the Kickapoo Creek area. You will find the water stained but don’t let that turn you away. Fish slowly and fish the islands where you find weeds and grass. LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Bear Creek GPS: N 33 27.1116, W 96 56.1143 (33.4519, -96.9352)

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SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Slabs-crankbaits CONTACT: Dannie Golden 817-228-5999 www.get-bit.com TIPS: The white bass will be staging up to move up the creeks or may already be up the creeks. With the lake being full-they will be able to actually run up the river for a good spawn again. This will make it tough at times to catch them on the main lake. Have run into this a few times in the past, even though it has been a few years with the low water we had. You can still catch them on some ridges up the main creeks-staging to move up. I still like a 1oz or 3/4oz slab worked off the bottom. There are times you can get them not relating to the bottom and can catch them on a crankbait or lipless crankbait.

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SPECIES: Crappie and White Bass BEST BAITS: Minnows and crappie jigs

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Texas HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Creeks and Points GPS: N 33 27.1116, W 96 56.1143 (33.4519, -96.9352)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jerkbaits, Alabama rig, chatterbaits, lipless crankbaits CONTACT: Dannie Golden 817-228-5999 www.get-bit.com TIPS: March on Ray Roberts could almost be divided out into two months, because of how much the fishing will change in the month. Last year on March 7 was when I guided my client Shannon Elvington to the new lake record bass at 15.18 pounds. The water temps are still very cold that time of the month. Early in the month we are still targeting pre-spawn fish. The main lake will also still be producing fish. A suspending jerkbait and Alabama rig are great choices to start with. Main lake rock is key. As the month progresses and the water begins to warm-I will start to work the creeks more. Secondary points, with chatterbaits and lipless crankbaits are a good choice. Flipping a black/blue jig along the creek channels-and stumps on the secondary points are a good way to catch quality fish. There is a lot of new shallow cover on the lake-that grew from the lake being low for a couple years. Make sure and work that over hard. The spawning fish are going to love it. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Deer Island GPS: N 30 17.904, W 96 35.316 (30.2984, -96.5886)

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Paw Paw Creek & Mill Creek Cut GPS: N 33 53.9879, W 96 53.79 u TAP FOR (33.8998, -96.8965)

HOTSPOT: Main Lake Creek Channels or Timbered Flats GPS: N 32 4.4039, W 96 19.3859 u TAP FOR (32.0734, -96.3231)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Road Runner and Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey 903-786-4477 bigfish@striperexpress.com www.striperexpress.com TIPS: “In March the white bass have already spawned and the stripers are staging up the main tributaries. Structure like main lake points-ditches and creeks will hold stripers. 1-oz. RoadRunner and Sassy Shad jigs in white or chartreuse will work best. Fish the creeks in 12’ to 20’ of water with a slow retrieve for fish up to 20lbs. Pay attention to the seagulls as they can be your best fish finder. When you are fishing under the birds keep your lure in the top 15’ of water. Most activity will be west of the Willis bridge and north of the railroad bridge on the Washita arm of the lake. Bank Access: Slickem Slough-Paw Paw Creek “

SPECIES: Channel and Blue Catfish BEST BAITS: Danny King’s punch bait on #4 treble hook CONTACT: Royce Simmons 903-389-4117 simmonsroyce@hotmail.com www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Late winter and early spring can be tough on East Texas Lakes for many species-but you can always count on the Channel and Blue Catfish for lots of action! All our fish come from areas where we have “baited” with a 5-gallon bucket filled with Range Cubes. I drill 1/4” holes in the bucket-tie it off to a tree-sink it-and the cubes dissolve over a period of a few days. I usually throw out a little sour maize when we first arrive and you know within a few minutes if the Catfish are around. If we haven’t caught any fish in 10 minutes or so-move to another baited area.

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LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump GPS: N 31 54.612, W 97 20.754 (31.9102, -97.3459)

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SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Live shad-casting spoons by rsrlures. com CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck01@hotmail.com www.teamredneck.net TIPS: A bait tank full of fresh caught shad will load the boat with stripers right now. Fish off ledges and edges now in 20’ to 30’ of water. Drop live shad down on a Carolina rig around 18’ to 21’ for some fast paced March action. Watch for birds early in the day diving on shad pushed to the surface. Use casting spoons or swim baits and make long casts under the birds with a medium retrieve. LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake

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Alan Largemouth Up the Creek by DUSTIN WARNCKE and DEAN HEFFNER

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad or CJ’s Punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Water is warming so fish the sunny side of the island when the wind is blowing into the bank. Cast tight line within 20 feet of bank. If stumps are showingfish close to them.

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LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Main Lake Major Creeks GPS: N 33 1.764, W 101 6.3899 (33.0294, -101.1065)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: “Citrus Shad Bomber (Dives 8 to 14 feet deep)-5XD Strike King in Sexy Shad color-Shaky Head jig with a blue ﬂeck power worm, watermelon Senko used weightless or as a wacky worm” CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services

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Texas HOTSPOTS 806-792, -9220 nclayton42@sbcglobal.net www.lakealanhenry.com/norman_clayton.htm TIPS: “March is the time for the bass ﬁshing to really start to improve. As I have said in the past-look for the warmest water which will be in the mid way to the back of the major creeks. Look for the big girls to be moving up Gobbler-Ince-Rocky-and Big Grape. Also-do not forget to look way up the Brazos River. Since the spring rains last year-the water is still high-and you can get in many place you could not before the new 20 feet of water.” LOCATION: Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Bonitaville GPS: N 32 58.067, W 98 29.032 (32.9678, -98.4839)

940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Black bass will be moving up on the rocks most anywhere the water temp is right-but I see a lot of beds in coves on the South and North banks. South is best in the morning and North best evenings. TPWD and bass clubs have put out a lot of bushpiles (see the TPWD website for a map). PK has a lot of Hogs. After a 25-year ﬂood rebound from drought conditions PK has come back with a vengeance—so quit wishin’ and go ﬁshin’!

BIG BEND

Dive Bomb Amistad Bass by DUSTIN WARNCKE

SPECIES: Striped/White Bass BEST BAITS: Slabs-RatLTraps-crankbaits-jigheadsCurlytails CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: March is a great time for slabbing live bait and trolling. If you get a pattern going trolling RatLTraps and cranks-you can locate and pattern the fat big sandies and stripers quickly. Run the contours along the Bonitaville sand flats just west and south of the bank of Bonitaville and any place with sandflats and bars. Once you locate them-go to your confidence bait for this time of month. The aforementioned baits and white baby N`s are no-brainers-plus soft baits and jigs that match a shad like a Sassy Shad or Storm’s many versions of one. Don’t forget to pick up plenty of jigheads and Mister Twister Curlytails in at least the three main colors. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Bonitaville GPS: N 32 58.067, W 98 29.032 (32.9678, -98.4839)

LOCATION: Lake Amistad HOTSPOT: Caballo Canyon GPS: N29 30.54078, W101 18.0942 (29.509013, -101.301570)

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Deep-diving Bombers, Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Larry Scruggs Amistad Lodge fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com 210-789-1645 TIPS: Search for water in 20-30 feet near spawning areas. It is imperative anglers buy a Mexico fishing license when fishing south of the international river markers. Fisherman’s Headquarters in Del Rio at Highways 277 South and 90 West has them.

HILL COUNTRY

SPECIES: Striped Bass and White Bass BEST BAITS: Halo Green Sebile Onduspoon Spoon CONTACT: Steve Nixon-Fishhooks Adventures 210-573-1230 steve@sanantonioﬁshingguides.com www.sanantonioﬁshingguides.com TIPS: The west shoreline of this area seems to produce the best catches. Fishing the spoon in 15 to 30 feet of water will typically produce great catches of White and Striped Bass. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Guadalupe River Mouth Area GPS: N 29 53.58, W 98 18.42 (29.8930, -98.3070)

by DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Canyon Lake

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Drop Shot using Picasso-Tungsten Wt.-Picasso Shaky Head 1/4oz if windy 1/8 if not, Carolina Rig with ¾ wt. by Picasso-Tungsten Wt. (Rig it with Crème’s Big Pig - looks like a brush hog). CONTACT: KC’S Bassin’ Guide Service 210-823-2153 kandie@gvtc.com www.kcbassinguide.com TIPS: Denali Rods makes the perfect Drop Shot/Shaky Head rod. It’s the new Lithium spinning rod—med 7-inch Med/Heavy. Good colors for this time of year are your blue ﬂecks-June Bug, Watermelon red and Watermelon Candy if the sun is high and bright and Green Pumpkin green if overcast. This area is in Turkey cove on the rocky side at the “Y” point. This cove has supplemented ﬁsh attractors in it.” LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Crane’s Mill Point GPS: N 29 53.754, W 98 17.082 (29.8959, -98.2847)

Austin Bass Like Shallows & Docks SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits-RatLTraps CONTACT: Dean Heffner

HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 29 51.726, W 98 13.2419 (29.8621, -98.2207)

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Texas HOTSPOTS Shad as this will resemble a small fish eating the eggs and has produced strikes from the males and females. LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Rocky Point/Garret Island Area GPS: N 30 50.22, W 98 25.74 (30.8370, -98.4290) SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, minnows and jigs CONTACT: Teach ‘Em to Fish Guide Service-Barry Dodd 210-771-0123 barry@teachemtofish.net www.teachemtofish.net TIPS: Water temperature will vary from the mid 50’s to mid 60’s in March and this is the time of year for the bass and crappie to be spawning. Look for prime areas for spawning in shallow water. This is approaching the best times of the year to fish the back of coves and other shallow water areas. Bass and crappie will hit just about anything during the spawning season. Use soft plastic baits and minnows in the 2” to 3” range. The best fishing occurs just before frontal passage and then a couple days after when the winds return from the west or south. Generally, the best fishing is in the afternoons on north banks protected from the north winds and areas that receive lots of sunshine. LOCATION: Lake Austin HOTSPOT: Main Lake Flats-Shallows and Docks GPS: N 30 20.484, W 97 50.7719 (30.3414, -97.8462)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Picasso Swim Jig-Picasso Shake E Football-V&M Pulse Swim Jig-V&M Thunder ShadV&M Super Shakeyhead-Amphibia Sports Eyegear CONTACT: Brian Parker - Lake Austin Fishing 817-808-2227 lakeaustinfishing@yahoo.com www.LakeAustinFishing.com TIPS: March is highly considered “the month” for all anglers because of the size of the spawning bass in Texas lakes. I personally do not search out beds on a regular basis but when a client ask to do so-I tie on swim jigs and shakeyheads-clean my high clarity Amphibia sunglasses and begin to work the flats-shallows-and docks in shallow water. I typically like to use a bluegill or sunfish pattern swim jig as these are the predominate egg eaters in these situations on Lake Austin. When using the shakeyheads, I will use a V&M Thunder

96 |

M A R C H

ALMANAC-1603-Mar-DIG.indd 96

2 0 1 6

SOUTH TEXAS

Buzz and Spin for Coleto Bass by DUSTIN WARNCKE

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Cut bait CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@yahoo.com www.centraltexasfishing.com TIPS: Catfish prospects are good. Use cut bait on rod reel or jug lines and fish in 15 to 20 ft. of water. Concentrate on fishing at the upper half of lake from Rocky Point to Garret Island. LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Main Lake Creeks and Points GPS: N 30 48.036, W 98 27.564 (30.8006, -98.4594)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Magnum Zara Spooks-Pencil Poppers-Long “A” Bombers and Red Fins. CONTACT: Ken Milam 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com.com TIPS: Stripers will hit on topwater lures early and late in the day. This time of year -if it splashes and rattles it will get bit. Fish the back of creeks and windy points.

T E X A S

F I S H

LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Creeks and Shallow Flats GPS: N 28 44.964, W 97 10.152 (28.7494, -97.1692)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Buzzbaits, White spinnerbaits-large worms and jigs. CONTACT: Rocky’s Guide Service 361, -960-0566 TIPS: Winter is about over for us and fish are heading to spawn. Usually pre-spawn is starting up now. Big females are moving up shallow during the day and trying to eat as much as possible. Big baits are on the menu. Buzz baits can be productive this time of year as well as spinners (white)-large worms and jigs. Record bass have been caught this time of year. Concentrate on the back of creeks or shallow flats close to deep water. Where you find one fish, there will be others. Usually places protected from the wind are your best bet. GOD bless and good fishing.

G A M E ®

2/16/16 9:21 AM

ALMANAC-1603-Mar-DIG.indd 97

2/16/16 9:21 AM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MARCH 2016

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

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 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

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

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

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. 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.

T21

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

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 HIGH San Luis Pass -0.09 Freeport Harbor -0:44 Pass Cavallo 0:00 Aransas Pass -0:03 Padre Island (So. End) -0:24 Port Isabel +1:02

LOW -0.09 -1:02 -1:20 -1:31 -1:45 -0:42

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE GRAPH:

Yellow: Daylight

Tab: Peak Fishing Period Green: Falling Tide

12a

12p

12a

AM/PM Timeline

Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY:

AM PM MINOR Minor: 1:20a Minor: 1:45p Feeding Periods AM PM (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Major: 7:32a Major: 7:57p Time Moon is at its Moon Overhead: 8:50a Highest Point in the Sky 12a

AM/PM Timeline

98 |

12p

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

12a

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

M A R C H

ALMANAC-1603-Mar-DIG.indd 98

2 0 1 6

Time Moon is Directly Underfoot (at its peak on opposite side of the earth)

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

2/16/16 9:21 AM

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

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 2nd Score Graph Score Best

MONDAY

Sunrise: 6:45a Moonrise: None

TUESDAY

1»

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Set: 6:18p Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 6:18p Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 6:19p Sunrise: 6:42a Set: 6:20p Sunrise: 6:40a Set: 6:20p Sunrise: 6:39a Set: 6:21p Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 6:22p Set: 10:50a Moonrise: 12:28a Set: 11:32a Moonrise: 1:21a Set: 12:18p Moonrise: 2:13a Set: 1:09p Moonrise: 3:04a Set: 2:04p Moonrise: 3:55a Set: 3:03p Moonrise: 4:43a Set: 4:06p

AM Minor: 10:11a

PM Minor: 10:33p

AM Minor: 10:59a

PM Minor: 11:23p

AM Minor: 11:48a

PM Minor: -----

AM Minor: 12:10a

PM Minor: 12:36p

AM Minor: 12:58a

PM Minor: 1:24p

AM Minor: 1:46a

PM Minor: 2:13p

AM Minor: 2:34a

PM Minor: 3:02p

AM Major: 3:59a

PM Major: 4:22p

AM Major: 4:47a

PM Major: 5:11p

AM Major: 5:35a

PM Major: 6:00p

AM Major: 6:23a

PM Major: 6:49p

AM Major: 7:11a

PM Major: 7:38p

AM Major: 7:59a

PM Major: 8:27p

AM Major: 8:48a

PM Major: 9:16p

Moon Overhead: 5:15a 12a

WEDNESDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:50a

Moon Overhead: 6:01a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:41a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:28a

Moon Overhead: 8:33a 12a

12p

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MARCH 2016

Tides and Prime Times

Moon Overhead: 10:23a 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:38p

+2.0

-1.0

BEST: 11:00P — 1:00A

Moon Underfoot: 8:07p

BEST: BEST: 11:30P —1:30A 12:00 —2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:00p BEST: 1:00 —3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:55p BEST: 2:00 —4:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:50p

+2.0

BEST: 3:00 —5:00 AM

TIDE LEVELS

BEST: 4:30 —6:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 7:15p

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:25p

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

2:08 AM 10:22 AM 1:23 PM 6:33 PM

0.09 ft 0.79 ft 0.73 ft 0.85 ft

ALMANAC-1603-Mar-DIG.indd 99

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

3:09 AM 12:08 PM 2:00 PM 5:55 PM

0.04 ft 0.86 ft 0.85 ft 0.90 ft

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

4:14 AM 1:31 PM 3:32 PM 5:37 PM

-0.02 ft Low Tide: 5:17 AM 0.95 ft High Tide: 2:10 PM 0.94 ft 0.95 ft

-0.11 ft Low Tide: 1.03 ft High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

6:14 AM 2:39 PM 7:40 PM 10:53 PM

-0.20 ft Low Tide: 7:05 AM 1.09 ft High Tide: 3:05 PM 0.95 ft Low Tide: 7:49 PM 0.98 ft

-0.28 ft High Tide: 12:18 AM 1.12 ft Low Tide: 7:53 AM 0.89 ft High Tide: 3:31 PM Low Tide: 8:19 PM

1.04 ft -0.32 ft 1.14 ft 0.78 ft

+1.0

-1.0

2/16/16 9:21 AM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION = Peak Fishing Period

BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best 2nd Score Graph Score Best

MONDAY

TUESDAY

7«

MARCH 2016

Tides and Prime Times WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

9«

FRIDAY

10 «

SATURDAY

11 «

13 Beg DST

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

AM Minor: 3:24a

PM Minor: 3:52p

AM Minor: 4:16a

PM Minor: 4:44p

AM Minor: 5:11a

PM Minor: 5:39p

AM Minor: 6:09a

PM Minor: 6:37p

AM Minor: 7:10a

PM Minor: 7:38p

AM Minor: 8:12a

PM Minor: 8:40p

AM Minor: 10:15a

PM Minor: 10:43p

AM Major: 9:38a

PM Major: 10:06p

AM Major: 10:30a

PM Major: 10:58p

AM Major: 10:54a

PM Major: -----

AM Major: 11:51a

PM Major: 12:23p

AM Major: 12:56a

PM Major: 1:24p

AM Major: 1:58a

PM Major: 2:26p

AM Major: 4:01a

PM Major: 4:29p

Moon Overhead: 11:18a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:09p

Moon Overhead: 12:13p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:04p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:56p

Moon Overhead: 3:00p

12a

12p

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 6:22p Sunrise: 6:36a Set: 6:23p Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 6:24p Sunrise: 6:34a Set: 6:24p Sunrise: 6:33a Set: 6:25p Sunrise: 6:31a Set: 6:25p Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 7:26p Moonrise: 5:30a Set: 5:11p Moonrise: 6:16a Set: 6:17p Moonrise: 7:00a Set: 7:23p Moonrise: 7:44a Set: 8:30p Moonrise: 8:29a Set: 9:36p Moonrise: 9:15a Set: 10:41p Moonrise: 11:03a Set: None

Moon Overhead: 5:52p 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:46p

+2.0

BEST: 5:30 — 7:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 1:36a

BEST: 6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:32a

BEST: 6:30 — 8:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:28a

BEST: 7:00 — 9:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 5:24a

BEST: 8:30 — 10:30 PM

-1.0

+2.0

BEST: 9:00 — 11:00 PM

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 12:41a

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST: 5:00 — 7:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: None

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

1:02 AM 8:00 AM 3:14 PM 8:28 PM

1.34ft. -0.21ft. 1.35ft. 0.72ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

MONDAY

2:03 AM 8:49 AM 3:41 PM 9:10 PM

1.43ft. -0.15ft. 1.35ft. 0.54ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

TUESDAY

3:04 AM 9:37 AM 4:10 PM 9:56 PM

1.51ft. -0.01ft. 1.34ft. 0.36ft.

WEDNESDAY

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:06 AM 10:25 AM 4:40 PM 10:44 PM

1.54ft. 0.18ft. 1.32ft. 0.19ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

THURSDAY

1.54ft. 0.40ft. 1.30ft. 0.05ft.

FRIDAY

16 º

5:11 AM 11:16 AM 5:12 PM 11:36 PM

High Tide: 6:22 AM Low Tide: 12:08 PM High Tide: 5:45 PM

1.51ft. 0.64ft. 1.28ft.

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

SATURDAY

12:32 AM 8:39 AM 2:07 PM 7:22 PM

SUNDAY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

PM Minor: 11:44p

AM Minor: -----

PM Minor: 12:13p

AM Minor: 12:40a

PM Minor: 1:07p

AM Minor: 1:31a

PM Minor: 1:57p

AM Minor: 2:18a

PM Minor: 2:42p

AM Minor: 3:02a

PM Minor: 3:25p

AM Minor: 3:44a

PM Minor: 4:06p

AM Major: 5:02a

PM Major: 5:30p

AM Major: 6:00a

PM Major: 6:27p

AM Major: 6:54a

PM Major: 7:21p

AM Major: 7:44a

PM Major: 8:10p

AM Major: 8:30a

PM Major: 8:55p

AM Major: 9:13a

PM Major: 9:37p

AM Major: 9:55a

PM Major: 10:18p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 8:37p

12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:18p

Moon Overhead: 9:29p 12a

12p

12a

12p

12a

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

AM Minor: 11:16a

Moon Overhead: 7:43p

Moon Overhead: 11:05p

Moon Overhead: 11:51p

12p

12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 6:20a

+2.0

-1.0

BEST: 9:30 — 11:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 8:10a

BEST: 10:00P — 12:00A

Moon Underfoot: 9:03a

BEST: 2:30 — 4:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 9:54a

BEST: BEST: 11:30P — 1:30A 12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:42a BEST: 1:00 — 3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 11:28a

+2.0

BEST: 2:00 — 4:00 AM

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 7:16a

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

-1.0

-0.03ft. 1.47ft. 0.85ft. 1.26ft.

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 7:27p Sunrise: 7:28a Set: 7:27p Sunrise: 7:27a Set: 7:28p Sunrise: 7:26a Set: 7:28p Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 7:29p Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 7:29p Sunrise: 7:22a Set: 7:30p Moonrise: 11:54a Set: 12:45a Moonrise: 12:46p Set: 1:45a Moonrise: 1:40p Set: 2:41a Moonrise: 2:36p Set: 3:32a Moonrise: 3:31p Set: 4:19a Moonrise: 4:26p Set: 5:01a Moonrise: 5:19p Set: 5:41a

Moon Overhead: 6:48p

+1.0

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

2:33 AM 10:07 AM 3:18 PM 8:07 PM

-0.06ft. Low Tide: 3:38 AM 1.43ft. 1.02ft. 1.23ft.

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

-0.05ft. Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

4:47 AM 1:01 PM 6:48 PM 10:55 PM

-0.02ft. Low Tide: 5:55 AM 1.42ft. High Tide: 2:03 PM 1.11ft. Low Tide: 7:48 PM 1.21ft.

KEY

PLACE

HIGH

LOW

KEY

Sabine Bank Lighthouse -1:46

-1:31

Galveston Channel/Bays

Sabine Pass Jetty

-1:26

-1:31

Sabine Pass

-1:00

-1:15

Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass -0:04

-0:25

Galveston Bay, S. Jetty -0:39

Add or subtract the time shown at the rightof the T4 Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine T5 the adjustment from the time shown for GALVES- T6 TON CHANNEL in the calendars.

Port Bolivar

PLACE

0.02ft. 1.42ft. 1.07ft.

HIGH

LOW

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

12:17 AM 6:59 AM 2:48 PM 8:20 PM

1.25ft. 0.07ft. 1.41ft. 1.00ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

HIGH

LOW

1:24 AM 7:54 AM 3:21 PM 8:45 PM

1.32ft. 0.12ft. 1.38ft. 0.92ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

2:20 AM 8:43 AM 3:48 PM 9:09 PM

KEY

PLACE

KEY

PLACE

HIGH

LOW

T12

Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay +5:48 +4:43

T18

San Luis Pass

-0.09

Texas City Turning Basin+0:33 +0:41

T13

Gilchrist, East Bay

+3:16 +4:18

T19

Freeport Harbor

-0:44

-1:02

Eagle Point

+3:54 +4:15

T14

Jamaica Beach, W. Bay+2:38 +3:31

T20

Pass Cavallo

0:00

-1:20

Clear Lake

+6:05 +6:40

T15

Alligator Point, W. Bay +2:39 +2:33

T21

Aransas Pass

-0:03

-1:31

-1:05

T10

Morgans Point

+10:21 +5:19

T16

Christmas Pt

T22

Padre Island (So. End) -0:24

-1:45

+0:14 -0:06

T11

Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39 +5:15

T17

Galveston Pleasure Pier -1:06

T23

Port Isabel

+2:32 +2:31 -1:06

1.37ft. 0.19ft. 1.36ft. 0.82ft.

+1.0

-1.0

+1:02 -0:42

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION 100 |

M A R C H

ALMANAC-1603-Mar-DIG.indd 100

2 0 1 6

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

2/16/16 9:21 AM

ALMANAC-1603-Mar-DIG.indd 101

2/16/16 9:21 AM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION = Peak Fishing Period

BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best 2nd Score Graph Score Best

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

22 «

23 ¡

THURSDAY

24 «

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

25 «

Sunrise: 7:21a Set: 7:31p Sunrise: 7:20a Set: 7:31p Sunrise: 7:19a Set: 7:32p Sunrise: 7:17a Set: 7:32p Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 7:33p Sunrise: 7:15a Set: 7:33p Sunrise: 7:14a Set: 7:34p Moonrise: 6:12p Set: 6:18a Moonrise: 7:04p Set: 6:53a Moonrise: 7:56p Set: 7:27a Moonrise: 8:47p Set: 8:01a Moonrise: 9:39p Set: 8:36a Moonrise: 10:31p Set: 9:12a Moonrise: 11:22p Set: 9:49a AM Minor: 4:25a

PM Minor: 4:47p

AM Minor: 5:06a

PM Minor: 5:28p

AM Minor: 5:48a

PM Minor: 6:10p

AM Minor: 6:32a

PM Minor: 6:53p

AM Minor: 7:18a

PM Minor: 7:39p

AM Minor: 8:05a

PM Minor: 8:27p

AM Minor: 8:55a

PM Minor: 9:17p

AM Major: 10:36a

PM Major: 10:58p

AM Major: 11:17a

PM Major: 11:38p

AM Major: 11:59a

PM Major: -----

AM Major: 12:21a

PM Major: 12:43p

AM Major: 1:07a

PM Major: 1:29p

AM Major: 1:55a

PM Major: 2:16p

AM Major: 2:44a

PM Major: 3:06p

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:18a

Moon Overhead: 12:35a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:01a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:27a

Moon Overhead: 2:44a 12a

12p

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

21 «

MARCH 2016

Tides and Prime Times

Moon Overhead: 4:11a 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 12:13p

+2.0

-1.0

BEST: 4:00 — 6:00 AM

BEST: 5:00 — 7:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:22p BEST: 6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:05p BEST: 6:30 — 8:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:49p BEST: 7:30 — 9:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:34p

+2.0

BEST: 8:30 — 9:30 AM

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 1:40p

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST: 3:30 — 5:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 12:57p

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

3:09 AM 9:25 AM 4:10 PM 9:36 PM

102 |

1.41ft. 0.28ft. 1.34ft. 0.70ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

M A R C H

ALMANAC-1603-Mar-DIG.indd 102

3:54 AM 10:04 AM 4:31 PM 10:06 PM

2 0 1 6

1.44ft. 0.39ft. 1.34ft. 0.59ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:37 AM 10:41 AM 4:51 PM 10:39 PM

T E X A S

1.45ft. 0.51ft. 1.33ft. 0.49ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

F I S H

5:20 AM 11:16 AM 5:11 PM 11:14 PM

1.45ft. 0.64ft. 1.32ft. 0.40ft.

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

6:04 AM 11:53 AM 5:30 PM 11:51 PM

1.44ft. 0.78ft. 1.30ft. 0.34ft.

High Tide: 6:50 AM Low Tide: 12:30 PM High Tide: 5:43 PM

1.42ft. 0.91ft. 1.28ft.

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

12:30 AM 7:41 AM 1:10 PM 5:48 PM

0.31ft. 1.40ft. 1.04ft. 1.25ft.

+1.0

-1.0

G A M E ®

2/16/16 9:21 AM

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

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 2nd Score Graph Score Best

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: None

30 »

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1 Apr

SATURDAY

Set: 7:34p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 7:35p Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 7:36p Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 7:36p Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 7:37p Sunrise: 7:07a Set: 7:37p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 7:38p Set: 10:29a Moonrise: 12:14a Set: 11:13a Moonrise: 1:05a Set: 12:00p Moonrise: 1:55a Set: 12:52p Moonrise: 2:45a Set: 1:47p Moonrise: 3:33a Set: 2:47p Moonrise: 4:19a Set: 3:49p

AM Minor: 9:46a

PM Minor: 10:09p

AM Minor: 10:37a

PM Minor: 11:01p

AM Minor: 11:29a

PM Minor: 11:54p

AM Minor: -----

PM Minor: 12:21p

AM Minor: 12:46a

PM Minor: 1:12p

AM Minor: 1:35a

PM Minor: 2:02p

AM Minor: 2:24a

PM Minor: 2:51p

AM Major: 3:34a

PM Major: 3:57p

AM Major: 4:25a

PM Major: 4:49p

AM Major: 5:17a

PM Major: 5:42p

AM Major: 6:08a

PM Major: 6:34p

AM Major: 6:59a

PM Major: 7:25p

AM Major: 7:49a

PM Major: 8:15p

AM Major: 8:37a

PM Major: 9:04p

Moon Overhead: 4:57a 12a

WEDNESDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:33a

Moon Overhead: 5:44a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:23a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:08a

Moon Overhead: 8:15a 12a

12p

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MARCH 2016

Tides and Prime Times

Moon Overhead: 10:02a 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:20p

+2.0

-1.0

BEST: 4:00 — 6:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 7:49p

BEST: BEST: 5:00 — 7:00 PM 7:00 — 9:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:41p BEST: 8:00 — 10:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:35p BEST: 9:00 — 11:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:29p

+2.0

BEST: 2:00 — 4:00 AM

TIDE LEVELS

BEST: 3:00 — 5:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 6:58p

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:08p

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

1:12 AM 8:44 AM 1:56 PM 5:38 PM

0.30ft. 1.38ft. 1.16ft. 1.25ft.

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

1:58 AM 10:08 AM 3:03 PM 5:19 PM

0.31ft. 1.38ft. 1.25ft. 1.27ft.

Low Tide: 2:50 AM High Tide: 11:46 AM

0.31ft. 1.41ft.

Low Tide: 3:48 AM High Tide: 12:53 PM

T E X A S

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0.31ft. 1.45ft.

F I S H

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

4:50 AM 1:32 PM 7:14 PM 9:30 PM

0.29ft. 1.48ft. 1.25ft. 1.26ft.

G A M E ®

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

5:52 AM 1:59 PM 7:17 PM 11:51 PM

0.26ft. 1.51ft. 1.16ft. 1.34ft.

M A R C H

Low Tide: 6:51 AM High Tide: 2:23 PM Low Tide: 7:45 PM

2 0 1 6

0.25ft. 1.52ft. 1.02ft.

+1.0

-1.0

103

2/16/16 9:21 AM

Texas TASTED by BRYAN SLAVEN :: The Texas Gourmet

Flounder!

O, WE ARE NOT TALKING about that pudgy fraternity pledge in the movie “Animal House.” We are speaking of that flat, spotted, strange bottom hugging fish known as the Southern Flounder. For most of the year, the elusive flounder avoids the efforts of a large number of coastal rod and reel fishermen. However, every fall, the urge to migrate out and into the open Gulf of Mexico, brings this homely critter into areas where those very same anglers can more easily target them. Flounders may not be glamorous, but, one thing is for sure, to quote a wellknown TV Chef “Flounder are good eats.” Here’s a recipe that proves that adage. Intro by Loy Moe

Baked or Grilled Stuffed Flounder Ingredients: Olive Oil for sautéing Heavy-duty foil ½ lb. Bay Scallops ½ lb. Lump Crabmeat 1/3 Cup Chopped onion 4 Tbsp. Chopped celery 3 Tbsp Chopped red bell pepper 2 tsp Minced garlic 1 ½ cups Fresh breadcrumbs 1/3 cup White wine ½ Fresh Lemon-( juiced) Chicken stock to moisten ½ Stick Butter 1 large (2 lbs) Flounder – gutted 2 Roma Tomatoes (cut in half) 3 – 4 Whole Mushrooms Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice

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Heat 2 T olive oil and the butter in a sauté pan, add the scallops, lemon juice, onions, celery, and peppers and cook on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat, add the crabmeat, the breadcrumbs and enough wine and stock to moisten the stuffing. Season with the Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice. Set aside to cool.

boat made with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil. Place the tomato wedges and mushrooms around the flounder in the foil. PLACE ON THE GRILL or in the oven and cook for 20 to 24 minutes with the lid closed. Remove from grill or oven, cover with a loose piece of foil and rest for 5 to 7 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

PREHEAT GRILL OR OVEN to 400 degrees. Place the flounder, brown side up on a cutting board in front of you. Using a sharp boning knife, cut along the center bone to peel open the fish, folding the flesh back to work your way around the bones, removing the entire skeleton of bones which leaves you with one piece of fish, all opened up. Spoon the cooked stuffing into the cavity and fold the flaps over the stuffing. Place onto a foil

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

Email Bryan Slaven at bryan@thetexasgourmet.com

PHOTO: BRYAN SLAVEN

2/16/16 9:21 AM

TEXAS FRESHWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

LAKE AMISTAD

UPPER TEXAS COAST

HUNTING

MIDDLE TEXAS COAST

NEW TF&G APP DFW METROPLEX

LAKE TEXOMA

AVAILABLE NOW NEW 2016 EDITION HUNTING SOUTH TEXAS

HAPPY SPRING! T E X A S

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F I S H

NOW AVAILABLE www.FishandGameGear.com

G A M E 速

M A R C H

2 0 1 6

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2/16/16 9:21 AM

REDFISH Galveston Twelve-year-old Noah Greer caught and released this 38-inch red drum while ﬁshing with his dad at Galveston.

REDFISH Upper Coast Felipe Quintanilla caught this 34-inch redﬁsh using live mullet.

WHITETAIL Rocksprings Fifteen-year-old Jayden Medina with his ﬁrst 8-point whitetail, shot while hunting the Broken Rock Ranch in Rocksprings with his granddad, “Bigdaddy.”

CATFISH Caddo Lake Jonathan Holland, age 10, and Esau Powell, age 13, caught these cats on trot lines at Caddo Lake while vacationing at the Shady Glade Resort.

SPECKLED TROUT Port Aransas Kevin Harris caught this 26-inch speckled trout on a beautiful day last summer at Port Aransas.

BLACK DRUM Portland Johnny Blunk caught this 38-inch black drum at the Indian Point Pier in Portland, using 15-pound test line and a now-broken rod.

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M A R C H

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T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

2/16/16 9:21 AM

MAIL TO: TFG PHOTOS 1745 Greens Rd, Houston TX 77032 NOTE: Print photos can not be returned.

EMAIL: photos@FishGame.com

For best results, send MED to HIGH quality JPEG digital ﬁles only, please.

No guarantee can be made as to when, or if, a submitted photo will be published.

CATFISH Texas City Katrina Schlageter of Texas City caught this channel cat in Delaney Lake, using a piece of hotdog for bait. Her dad, Kevin Schlageter is a longtime TF&G subscriber.

TURKEY Ozona Kaleb Morkovsky shot his ﬁrst turkey while hunting on his Nanni and Pop’s ranch at Ozona. The next day, he got his ﬁrst deer, a 6-pointer.

REDFISH Texas City

WHITETAIL

Calvin Haynes caught his first legal redfish while fishing at Moses Lake in Texas City. He was on leave from the Army.

San Patricio County Chloe Kusenberger shot her ﬁrst buck, an 8-point, while hunting in San Patricio County.

SPECKLED TROUT Keith Lake Twelve-year-old Brecken Clough caught his ﬁrst legal sized trout while ﬁshing in Keith Lake at Sabine Pass. He became a CCA Youth member in 2014.

BLACK DRUM Rockport Lane Dahse (center), with his dad, Rob (right) and grandfather, Howard (left) and a mess of black drum they caught in Rockport.

T E X A S

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F I S H

G A M E ®

M A R C H

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2/9/16 4:26 PM

C4_Hobie Cat Co.indd 4

2/8/16 10:30 AM