Texas Fish & Game October 2018

October 2018 | $3.95

The Lost Art of Blood Trailing Squirrel Hunting’s Heritage

MOTTLED OR MALLARD? YOU BETTER BE SURE Are We Due for Trout Trouble?

Another Redfish War Coming?

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Inside FISH & GAME 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.

by ROY and ARDIA NEVES TF&G Owners

ROY NEVES

The Best Time of the Year

PUBLISHER

CHESTER MOORE EDITOR IN CHIEF

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CTOBER HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUR FAVORITE MONTH. SURE, DECEMBER HAS Christmas and one of our birthdays (hint: Roy can never have too many t-shirts, size XL), and the spring and summer months are all loaded with freshwater and saltwater fishing, long days and vacations.

But October is special. Although Texas has more year-round hunting opportunities than most jurisdictions on the planet, by October the sport has shifted into high gear, as hunting season for everything but deer with rifles has arrived. Even without the long guns, there are plenty of reasons to get on the lease, into the woods or out in the field. Waterfowl hunting is hitting its stride, the doves are still flying and bow (and crossbow) season is here. And, if you are itching to get that rifle out now, there are exotics in increasing abundance and availability, and hogs aren’t going anywhere (except into the next few places they haven’t invaded yet).

Then, of course, there is plenty of fishing action to enjoy. All over the state, bass may not still be spawning but they are hungry, with cooler weather coming, and while the patterns are changing, there are still plenty of ways to catch them—in much less crowded and much more pleasant conditions.

Crappie, catfish and other freshwater species also await the October angler.

Saltwater, of course, has its October highlights. Bull redfish are moving now. “The Hunt for Reds in October” has been a staple headline in outdoor publications since the ‘80s. Flounder are also on the move and this month is the beginning of a flatfish season that more and more Texans are beginning to appreciate.

In addition to all of these outdoor opportunities, the change of seasons begins this month. Forget what the calendar says. In Texas, there are really only two seasons— Summer and Autumn—with Summer beginning in mid-April and Autumn beginning in mid-October.

Yes, we do get cold weather in Texas. Coastal freezes happen here, even on normally Texas really only has two seasons. sun-drenched South Padre beaches. (In fact we discuss this very possibility in the feature story “Trout Trouble,” on pages 20-23 of this issue.) But, c’mon. Other than the northern extremes of the state, typical “winter” days in Texas are what people from Missouri to Canada call “late August.”

Still, this month we start to feel the hints of change from the past six months of relentless, blistering heat over most of Texas. The first cold (okay, cool-ish) fronts start arriving and deciduous trees begin their slow transition from green to shades of gold. Mornings get a little crisper. The days get shorter, but in most places are lit by a brilliant hue that gives everything a warm glow.

This is the best time of the year to be outdoors. The moderate weather during this change of seasons is neither too hot nor too cold. The scenery is more vivid. And whether you are in the woods or on the water, there is plenty of sporting action to keep you occupied. So, get out there and be part of it.

You can finish reading the rest of this great issue later.

And, October does have a Christmassy feel. Just go into any retail store after about September 15.

« E-mail Roy at rneves@fishgame.com and Ardia at aneves@fishgame.com

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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 REAVIS WORTHAM TOM BEHRENS GREG BERLOCHER RAZOR DOBBS 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 HUMOR EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

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Contents October 2018 | Vol. 35 • No. 6

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FEATURE ARTICLES ARROW JUMPERS The lost art of blood trailing a wounded deer.

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by Lou Marullo

TROUT TROUBLES What threats do trout face, and what is being done about them.

by TF&G Staff

COVER STORY MALLARD MATTERS

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Is that a mottled or a mallard? Making sure you shoot the right duck.

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by Chester Moore

ALSO IN OCTOBER

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BASS UNDER COVER

by Matt Williams

SQUIRREL HUNTING A dying heritage that still lives in the hearts of a few.

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by Matt Williams

COLUMNS

REDFISH WAR II Commercial interests still want to harvest redfish.

by Chester Moore

TEXAS OUTDOOR NATION

Editor’s Notes

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by CHESTER MOORE

Pike on the Edge

by DOUG PIKE

Commentary

by Kendal Hemphill

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Texas Boating

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Coastal Focus Columns

by Lou Marullo

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Texas Hotspots

News of the Nation + Texas HotShots

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Sportsman’s Daybook

COMMON SENSE SCENT CONTROL It’s time to face the brutal fact that, to a deer, you stink.

Tides & Prime Fishing Times

by LENNY RUDOW

Bass University

by PETE ROBBINS

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Bare Bones Hunting

by LOU MARULLO

Texas Tactical

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Letters

by TFG Readers

Special Section: Cast & Blast

by TFG Staff

by DUSTIN ELLERMANN

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DEPARTMENTS

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Texas Tasted

by Bryan Slaven

Fish & Game Photos

by TFG Readers

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LETTERS to the Editor You’re Bleeding on the Carpet!

Editor: We addressed this in a feature in the July issue, which you can check out by subscribing to the digital edition.

Here’s the short answer.

The nilgai along the lower coast are free ranging, and the species in fact is hard to keep in fences—not because they leap over them, but

RZ WORTHAM, I’VE BEEN WELDING steps and a platform in order to avoid using a ladder to get up into my deer blind come this next season.

August, midday on a clear day on a concrete driveway is actually the best time of the year to do this kind of work. Cuts down on people coming over to “help” or to offer advice. Cuts down on how much beer they mooch as well.

Anyway, I got to a good stopping place at about 1:30. Headed for the back porch under a fan with two cold beers (and counting) to read today’s mail. I was pleased to find the newest TF&G. As always, I start at the back. Looked at some kids making memories, then read your latest missive.

That could have been me in that story.

Remember when you came running home that time bleeding freely and your mom yelled “get outta the house... you’re bleeding on the carpet! Out! Out!”? Maybe it didn’t happen that way for you, but it did for me....more than once.

A correction to a statement you made.

You said teachers look forward to the beginning of school. Not true sir. I taught high school for 32 years. Not once was I eager to go back. It was a great career. But I was the one the other teachers asked “how many more Monday’s?” I always kept up with how many more until the next extended holiday or summer break.

Great story, sir. Keep it up!

Nilgai story from April, 2018 issue

because they can destroy them.

I, too, have always wondered whether nilgais have been present for nearly 100 years in South Texas. They are free ranging, so why they have not migrated farther north.

According to the Texas State Historical Association it has to do with the cold.

“Approximately 15,000 nilgais are now on Texas rangelands. They will probably not become widespread. They suffer in extreme cold, and even in temperate South Texas, they might die during unusually cold winters when food is scarce.”

I have seen nilgais on high-fenced ranches in Central Texas, but those animals get supplemental feed, and I have heard of them dying off in temperatures that have little impact on other exotics.

Larry Caldwell

Nilgai Question

CWD In Humans?

WHY ARE THERE NO NILGAI NORTH of Corpus or even around Corpus for that matter?

IS IT TRUE THAT CHRONIC WASTing Disease has been found to be transferrable to all primates including humans?

Alton Hebner

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Editor: No. It has not been found transferable to humans. A recent study by Canadian scientists shows macaque monkeys contracted chronic wasting disease (CWD) after eating meat from CWD-positive deer.

According to jsonline the findings are the first known transmissions of the prion disease to a primate from eating diseased venison.

“The assumption was for the longest time that chronic wasting disease was not a threat to human health,” said Stefanie Czub, prion researcher with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in remarks published Saturday in The Tyee a Vancouver, British Columbia, magazine. “But with the new data, it seems we need to revisit this view to some degree.”

This was in contrast to 2014 studies that showed macaques did not contract CWD, however CDC officials did admit there was enough evidence at the time to suggest a low risk of contracting CWD from tissue exposure.

Can people get CWD from eating infected deer? That has not yet been proved but officials in the Canada and U.S. advise exercising caution.

“Our studies have shown that squirrel monkeys, but not cynomolgus macaques, were susceptible to CWD. Although these nonhuman primates are not exact models of human susceptibility, they support the data from transgenic mouse studies, in vitro experiments, and epidemiologic evidence that suggest humans are at a low risk of contracting CWD. Nevertheless, it remains sensible to minimize exposure to tissues potentially contaminated with the CWD agent.”

There is a lot of hype on both sides of this issue but so far no one has proved human transmission and hopefully they never will.

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Send Your Comments to: editor@FishGame.com

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EDITOR’S Notes

by CHESTER MOORE :: TF&G Editor-in-Chief

A Look at Texas’s Outback

up near Alpine.

This region in my opinion is the most likely place to discover new wildlife in the United States and is also very likely to be home to a small population of jaguars.

A concerted game camera study in New Mexico and Arizona has proved that jaguars cross frequently into both states. No such study exists in Texas.

Only three jaguars have been verified to live within the United States, according to the latest scientific research. One of those three, a male jaguar named Yo’oko, was just verified killed by a poacher.

According to an article at LiveScience. com the rosette patterns on a jaguar’s pelt are unique to each individual. This trait allowed officials with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to identify Yo’oko’s pelt in a photo sent to them from the Tucson-based Northern Jaguar Project.

It’s unclear when Yo’oko died or who killed him, but the Arizona Daily Star reported he might have been killed by a mountain lion hunter. A local rancher, Carlos Robles Elias, told the Arizona Daily Star that he heard from a friend that the jaguar was trapped and killed six months ago somewhere in Sonora, Mexico, near the U.S. border.

Although this jaguar and two others have been known to move into and out of the United States, no one knows where the other two are and how much time they actually spend on the US side of the border.

Virtually all of the jaguars verified in the United States in the last decade are believed to move in and out of Mexico. This could literally mean the last jaguar in America is dead.

Unlike Arizona and New Mexico most of

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USTRALIA’S OUTBACK IS one of the wildest and biologically diverse chunks of habitat left on the planet. It is also a place where tracts of ground exist that have felt no human footprints at least in the modern era.

Texas has its own outback. It’s the TransPecos region of Texas—the far western region of the state.

The Trans-Pecos is part of the Chihuauan Desert and features several small mountain ranges. It has a county (Brewster) that is larger than the entire state of Connecticut.

It is home to some of the rarest and most elusive reptiles in North America and has the largest black bear population in Texas.

Scattered bears also roam the eastern third of the state.

An interesting report I am investigating is about a Mexican gray wolf sighted in a remote area near Alpine.

The person who gave me the report is a fur trapper with more than 50 years experience in killing coyotes for cattle and sheep operations. In other words, he knows the difference between coyotes and wolves.

When I interviewed him, the animal he described sounded strikingly like a Mexican gray wolf and was in an area far away from any major human population.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the wild population of Mexican gray wolves in 2015 was 48 animals. It is not much of a leap of faith to see one or more of these animals wandering into Texas.

In October 2000, a radio-collared gray wolf was shot and killed near Kirksville, Missouri nearly 600 miles away. A Mexican gray would not have to travel that far to end 8

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Mexican gray wolf

Trans-Pecos Texas is privately owned. That means any large-scale study would have to be given the green light by landowners there.

That could happen.

Two years ago I spoke with a research group that focuses on the great cats, and they expressed interest in the topic but so far nothing is happening.

The truth is unless landowners themselves make reports almost no news gets out of the region.

The Trans-Pecos is in many ways a mystery.

It’s the area of the state (along with parts of the Panhandle) where viable mule deer and pronghorn hunts take place. Even freeranging elk are occasionally taken by hunters.

I would love to expand coverage of this region, so if you have information about what’s going on out there with hunting and wildlife message me at cmoore@fishgame. com.

We would like to let the Texas Outdoor Nation know what is happening in our very own outback.

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Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

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PIKE on the Edge

by DOUG PIKE :: TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Law and Order in the Outdoors

more than do we. Only they use it to steal the fish and game to which we only have access by license.

Hats off to those 23 new members of the outdoor law-enforcement team in Texas. I sure hope 23 (or 123) are sitting in those same classrooms and studying their way to graduation soon.

I don’t know exactly how many wardens Texas employed 20 or 30 years ago, but I’m confident it was considerably fewer than are out there now. If a fading memory serves, my friends and I seemed somehow to make contact with enforcement personnel more often than in recent years.

We welcomed game wardens into our goose spreads and deer camps. We knew them,

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ATE IN JULY, THE TEXAS Parks and Wildlife Department graduated 23 new game wardens and seven state-park police into outdoor law enforcement. Those men and women are sorely needed—as are a couple hundred more if the state could afford them.

Texas’s natural resources continue to be pressured on all fronts. As we re-enter hunting seasons this time of year, we’ll be reminded from any blind or stand that other hunters are nearby—often uncomfortably so.

Not to age myself, but I recall cursing the weekdays during waterfowl season because there weren’t enough hunters on that expansive prairie west of Houston to keep the birds stirred. If a roost of geese lifted off the ground and went south instead of aiming its thousands where you had set your spread, it was going to be a long, quiet morning.

The same situation arose on the lakes and bays (but the results were better). Fewer fishermen Monday through Friday nearly always meant better fishing for those of us who could be on the water those days. Weekends, we joked, were for amateurs.

Today, anyone with enough money and the time to read an owner’s manual can outfit himself or herself with a tremendous amount of technology. That technology can replace 10 or 15 years of experience.

Outdoor enthusiasts are exponentially better, in general, at finding sportfish and game animals—catching or killing them, and putting small, personal dents in those resources.

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and they knew us. Importantly, they knew we checked our hunters’ paperwork during breakfast.

Now, after giving it considerable thought, I can’t remember the last time I was asked for a license or to produce the fish I’d caught or birds I’d shot.

Despite a lack of game wardens and park police, and despite nasty, bad apples still in the outdoor barrel, this state somehow still manages to provide excellent fishing to an increasingly large number of increasingly skilled anglers.

The plus side to plentiful resources is swelling numbers of hunters and fishermen who will fund the next generation of wardens. That, and the comforting fact that most of us—the |

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overwhelming majority of us—follow the rules and laws.

We know that taking too much, if the notion someday were to infect a majority of outdoor enthusiasts, would begin the end of fish and wildlife, as we know them.

We (should) know also that watching quietly while other people break the law is nearly as bad as doing so ourselves. That’s where you, I and Operation Game Thief (OGT) come together.

OGT—the number is on licenses and online, for millennials’ fastest access—is a direct connection between sportsmen and law enforcement. Your call is answered by an operator, probably in Austin, and the information you provide about a perceived violation is forwarded immediately to the nearest available game warden.

You can remain anonymous, as do most callers, or you can name yourself and request a cash reward should your tip lead to arrest and conviction. There probably are restrictions on how and why you can put hands on that money. I don’t know much about that part; I call OGT because it’s the right thing to do, and I’ve called more than once.

On the radio, I’ve had a few people ask about the odds that a warden will get the tip and arrive in time to nab the offender. The odds are slim, to be honest, because these men and women are spread incredibly thin. To worsen the situation, unless I misunderstood one man’s explanation a while back, wardens aren’t allowed to work overtime.

If we can’t afford more wardens and state park police officers now, we’d better find a way soon. Because what we really can’t afford is to ignore poachers and what they steal from our wildlife and fisheries resources. Until more badges are on the water and in the woods, keep that OGT number handy. Add it to your contacts list. And use it.

« Email Doug Pike at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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9/11/18 8:28 AM

TF&G COMMENTARY

by KENDAL HEMPHILL :: TF&G Political Editor

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ANE GOODALL IS, WITHOUT question, a great woman. She’s world-famous, and is considered by many to be the planet’s leading authority on primate behavior.

She spent more than fifty years in Tanzania, studying primates, particularly chimpanzees.

The time Jane spent with chimps in the jungle advanced human understanding of primates more than just about anything else.

Cynthia Moss is also a great woman, and she’s also famous. Cynthia spent years in eastern Africa fighting elephant poachers, which is definitely a noteworthy pursuit. The poachers kill elephants just for their ivory, which is a really scuzbucket thing to do.

My hat’s off to both these great women, for the amazing lives they’ve led, and the fantastic things they’ve accomplished. Without people like Jane and Cynthia the world would be a dismal place.

However, that doesn’t mean I agree with them on everything.

Jane and Cynthia recently joined up with a group called ‘Shoot ‘em With A Camera, Not A Gun.’ The organization is opposed to the grizzly bear hunt planned by Wyoming’s wildlife commission. Grizzly bear numbers have grown to the point where they need to be controlled, according to authorities, so wildlife officials decided to hold a lottery and sell 22 grizzly permits for use this fall.

A lot of people don’t agree with wildlife authorities, and don’t want any of the bears killed. So they developed a plan.

The plan was get as many of their cronies as possible to apply for grizzly permits, thereby swamping the Wyoming grizzly bear lottery.

They wanted to try to obtain all the permits, or

“ Without people like Jane and Cynthia the world would be a dismal place.

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Saving Grizzlies...

Temporarily

But it won’t work, long-term.

The people who make decisions on how many grizzly bears constitute a viable population compatible with the human residents of Wyoming, have decided it’s necessary to cull 22 bears this year. If those bears aren’t culled, and the grizzly population grows, then more bears will need to be culled next year, say 30, to even things up.

If they award 22 permits this year, and only ten bears are killed, they may decide to award more permits in following years than the number of bears they want killed. If they want 30 bears killed, they may issue 40 permits, to make sure 30 are removed from the population—simple math.

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ers who are opposed to the hunt have considered this, but I could be wrong. It may be that they’re hoping to keep the bears from being killed long enough that their opinions will permeate the ranks of the Wyoming wildlife commission.

If that happens the hunts can be cancelled indefinitely. That might work, at least up to the point where members of the Wyoming wildlife commission are being killed and eaten by grizzly bears.

There is also the fact that, barring a takeover of the Wyoming wildlife commission by bear huggers, these permits will continue to be issued, because grizzly bears tend to kill and eat whatever they want.

Wildlife experts have studied the situation.

They have determined that, unless some of the grizzlies are removed, not only will people be in danger of attack, but the bears are liable to kill too many other animals and upset the entire ecosystem. Grizzlies, being grizzlies, are pretty much at the top of the food chain.

So, even if the bear lovers managed to draw ALL the grizzly permits this year, and next year, and the year after, etc., there will eventually come a point where the Wyoming wildlife commission will decide the grizzlies have to be taken out.

Then they’ll hire people to go kill some of the bears. Those people will be paid with state wildlife funds, which could otherwise be used for other wildlife projects.

The point is that, good intentions notwithstanding, Jane and Cynthia and the rest of their kind are not actually saving the bears.

What they’re doing is making themselves feel good, while keeping some other people from engaging in an activity they enjoy—which is pretty much what being a liberal is all about.

Hunting is not just a conservation tool. It is THE most important conservation tool we have, because of the money it raises for wildlife. Until the antis understand that, they will continue to be an albatross around the necks of the wildlife they claim to love.

as many as possible, and then not use them, so the bears wouldn’t get shot.

It was a great plan, short-term. The problem is that it was devised by nuts.

Applying for a grizzly permit costs about 20 bucks, but if drawn, the recipient has to pay the state $602—if he or she is a Wyoming resident—or $6002 if he or she is a non-resident.

So these folks are willing to shell out some pretty big bucks to keep the bears alive, which is admirable. It’s also a slight paradigm shift, since almost all funds that help wildlife in any way have previously come from hunters. I have to admit I really like the idea of non-hunters helping foot the bill for wildlife preservation, for a change.

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UCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN about how to get to the point of releasing an arrow into a whitetail deer.

However, not much has been said about what you should do immediately after the shot and following a blood trail.

There are five steps that I feel are paramount if you want to bring home the venison.

WATCH: Everything happens so fast sometimes it can almost be impossible to see exactly where your arrow enters the animal.

Although you have picked a spot and done everything right, you still may question yourself when you start your blood trailing.

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Watch the reaction of the deer after you shoot. Did the deer kick back its hind legs? If it did, then you should have a good hit. If the animal runs off with its tail tucked down, it is another sign that the deer may be fatally wounded. You may find that the animal just bounds a few feet and stops to determine where the noise just came from. That may not mean a clean miss. You could very likely have a lethal pass through shot. Everything happens so fast, the whitetail will react to the noise that the arrow makes as it sails thru the animal.

LOOK: In the excitement of the moment, it is easy to miss some important facts that will help you recover your game.

Look at where the deer goes. Follow it as far as you can and then pick a landmark where the deer was last seen. If you are hunting on the edge of a field, it is much easier to see where the deer enters the woodlot.

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PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION: TF&G

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WAIT: I think this has got to be the hardest thing to get used to after the shot. Even if you know the shot was true, you still need to wait and give the deer time to expire.

How long you wait depends on where the shot was. A lung shot, although very lethal, calls for a wait of at least ½ hour. If you have determined that you have a gut shot (which is also very lethal), then you should wait five to six hours before you start tracking your animal.

A lot happens the instant you let go of an arrow aimed at a deer.

a few more minutes. Now is the time to listen for any clues the deer may give you. You will have plenty of time to sit and call your friends up soon enough.

Listen for the sound of a deer falling and thrashing in the leaves. Believe me, that is a true sign that your deer is not far away and is not going anywhere fast. You may even hear the death moan of the animal.

The sound of an arrow shaft hitting brush and trees will tell you that you did not have enough penetration for a pass –thru shot.

The blood trail will only be on one side of the deer trail. It might mean you are in for a long day.

A blood trail is easier to locate if you know where to start looking. I like to pick a few landmarks so I can line them up once I am on ground level. It may be to the right of an evergreen tree or to the left of that edge of swail. Whatever it is, make a mental note of it. At the very least, you will have an idea of where to begin your search.

LISTEN: It is very important to open your ears and concentrate on what you hear as the deer leaves your sight.

You should resist the temptation to immediately sit down and put your bow away. If you have a radio handy, you will have to defer that call to your hunting buddies for 14

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INVESTIGATE: Carry a field tipped arrow in your quiver. Before you sit down to wait the allotted time, try shooting your field tip in the exact spot the deer was standing a minute ago. You might not have the exact spot, but it should be close enough to find the evidence you need. It always amazes me how different the shot looks like from ground level. Most bow hunters find it almost impossible to locate the exact spot the deer was standing when they let their arrow fly. Check the color of the blood. If it has bubbles and is bright red, it probably is lung shot. A recovery should be quick.

If the color of the blood is darker and even almost brown in color, it means you hit the liver. If there is no exit wound, the deer will bleed internally and the trail will be difficult to follow.

You may be fortunate enough to find your arrow. Examine it well to help you to track the deer. A green residue that may be left on the arrow tells you that it was a gut shot and you will need to quietly leave the area until it is time to return to start the blood trail.

Go with a friend to help track and stay out of the way. You want to stay behind the person who is following the blood trail.

TOILET PAPER HAS MANY USES: Other than the obvious one, it can be a valuable tool while tracking your whitetail. Use this biodegradable tissue paper and place it on branches near the blood sign. You can use surveyor’s tape that is bright in color. Every time you see any blood sign at all, place some toilet paper on a branch next to the blood, or tie a piece of surveyors tape on the branch.

Slow is the way to go. Always keep last blood in sight. You may need to go back to that spot and look harder for any sign of blood. If I lose the blood trail, I usually place my hat near the last blood I see and start making circles. Start with a circumference of three feet. Take your time and slowly com-

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Open your ears and you might hear when the deer you are trailing falls.

plete your circle while you look for any signs of blood. If you still cannot find any, then expand your circle out to five feet. Continue expanding the circle until you locate some new blood.

Finally, while looking for the blood trail,

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pay attention to see if you can find the arrow you just used as well. If you do, then look hard to see if all of the razor sharp blades are still on the broadhead. If some are missing or even a piece of a blade is broken off, then extra care will be needed when you field

dress your trophy. The razor sharp blade may still be inside the deer.

Just remember the phrase “slow is the way to go” and you should be fine!

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OR MANY YOUNGsters, it all started with deer, doves or ducks.

For me, hunting began with squirrels — thick, juicy fox squirrels that were either too lazy or too dumb to make a run for it when they heard the pitter-pat of small feet rustling in the leaves beneath them.

I can recall lots of childhood hunting trips, but the memory of one of my first solo kills remains so vivid that I can still see the hair fly when the No. 4 pellets connected with the fuzzy, red fox squirrel on that frosty, winter morning.

It was Christmas day and our family had gathered at my grandparent’s small farmhouse off Dublin Road in Collin County.

All the presents were open and breakfast wouldn’t be ready for at least an hour. That meant plenty of time to slip down the white rock lane to the big woods.

I hadn’t gone far when I saw the bushy, red tail of a fox squirrel darting across a dim trail ahead. I watched as the squirrel bounded through the scattered underbrush before stopping at the base of a big oak tree. The squirrel stood on its haunches for a second or two, then scampered up the tree and vanished amid the maze leafless branches.

I scanned every limb and fork for signs of a foot, ear or hair, but saw nothing. That’s when I remembered an old trick my brotherin-law had told me about. Often times, when a squirrel detects danger on one side of a tree, it will hug the opposite side and stay still until it thinks the coast is clear.

Hoping to outsmart the squirrel, I picked up a stick and tossed it to the opposite of the tree while I maintained my post. The idea was to create some racket to make the squirrel think the danger had swapped sides.

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The trick worked. Like clockwork, the squirrel came shuffling around to my side of the tree. I was ready, too. The single-shot 20 gauge found its mark and the squirrel came tumbling down in a mist of shredded tree bark.

I’ll never forget that hunt. Moreover, I’ll never forget how tough that big boar squirrel was when my mother fried it up the following weekend.

But I ate it—every bite. I was proud of that squirrel, and no one was stealing my thunder.

Not many kids get the opportunity to experience the thrill of squirrel hunting anymore. That’s sad, especially when you consider how popular a pastime it once was— particularly in East Texas.

For nearly a century squirrel hunting was king in the Pineywoods and parts of the Post Oak belt.

It was the foundation upon which families—sometimes generations of them—came together with groups of friends in remote locations. They came so they could immerse themselves in nature by day and socialize at night. Usually a steaming pot of cat squirrel backs and hindquarters was left to simmer in a rich, brown gravy until the meat fell off the bone.

Years ago, squirrels were among the main topics discussed around evening campfires just about everywhere east of the Trinity River—but not anymore. Like 22-cent gasoline and 10-cent hamburgers, the “squirrel camp” as many of our ancestors once knew it is pretty much a thing of the past.

To hear the old timers tell it, the tradition began to wane about the same time that Lyndon B. Johnson took office and whitetail deer populations began to rebound across the region.

As deer numbers increased throughout the 1960s and 70s, more and more hunters began turning their attention to antlers and away from squirrels.

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Squirrel Hunting Fact Box SEASON DATES: East Texas: Oct. 1, 2018 - Feb. 24, 2019 and May 1-31, 2019 Other Open Counties: Sept. 1, 2018 - Aug. 31, 2019

age and watch for signs of movement ahead. Stalk quietly within gun range. Still hunting is most effective when the ground is moist to muffle the sounds of crackling leaves.

THE GAME: There are two sub-species of squirrels native to the East Texas area. Grey squirrels (commonly called cat squirrels) and fox squirrels.

Cat squirrels do best in low-lying bottomlands. They usually account for about 90 percent of the annual harvest in the Pineywoods region.

The larger fox squirrel is more common in the open, upland areas of the Post Oak region.

DAILY LIMIT: 10 per day per hunter

• Behind a Dog: This is perhaps the most enjoyable way to hunt squirrels, certainly the most casual. A good squirrel dog will range out 100 yards or so in all directions. It hunts by scent, sound and sight. When a squirrel is treed, the dog barks to signal hunters.

BEST SQUIRREL GUNS & ACCESSORIES: • A scoped .22 rifle provides a hunter the best challenge. A shotgun loaded with No. 4s or 6s comes in handy when hunting wily cat squirrels prone to limb out or run.

• If you suspect a squirrel is present, it probably is. Always carry a pair of binoculars to evaluate forks, limbs and treetops

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BEST WAYS TO HUNT: • Still Hunting: Move quietly along a creek bottom or drain-

ing camp located along the western edge of Tyler County in southeast Texas. The camp was owned by the late Chuck Davis of Nacogdoches.

Davis named the camp the Sugar Creek Hilton after the spring-fed creek than ran the full length of the property. However, the old camp house it was far cry from any Hilton I’ve ever been to. It was more of a drafty shack with Sadly, few kids thin walls, homemade bunk will experience beds, a wood-burning heater one of the from hell and cracks in the purest forms of floor big enough for a wood hunting. rat to squeeze through if you didn’t keep them plugged.

Davis was a jolly soul who liked a stiff toddy, but he loved his family, friends and squirrel hunting even more. I don’t recall Chuck being a particularly good shot, but he had access to one whale of a squirrel dog in ol’ Tiger.

Tiger was a short hair fiest/fox terrier mix that belonged to a fellow named John Stanley of Zavalla. Like Davis, Tiger was a rare breed who rarely met an enemy.

He would hunt for anybody who was willing to take him.

The black and white dog weighed about 18 to 20

That factor is credited with taking considerable toll on the popularity of squirrel hunting in the years that followed. Changing land use practices, the construction of several large reservoirs that inundated thousands of acres of primo squirrel habitat and the allure of big city life also contributed.

The proof of all this is plain to see in the numbers.

According to small game hunting surveys conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the number of squirrel hunters in East Texas has declined exponentially over the last three decades.

If the trend continues, fewer than 50,000 Texas hunters will grab a shotgun or .22 rifle and try to bag a few squirrels for the skillet this year. Compared to the more than 230,000 hunters who hunted squirrels the same year I started college (1981), the decrease has been nothing shy of drastic.

Is there hope for the resurrection of what appears to be a dying heritage? Probably not, and that’s unfortunate.

Squirrel hunting is one of the purest forms of the hunting tradition that can be enjoyed by all ages. It’s one that has captured the hearts of some and helped hone the woodsmanship skills of many.

Some of my dearest hunting memories date back to a remote squirrel hunt18

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pounds and he carried it well. He was thickchested with narrow hips and a wide head capped by perked ears that rarely seemed to relax.

Tiger was a “natural” in the squirrel woods. He had a nose like a redbone hound.

However, my good friend the late Joe T. Rogers always believed that Tiger hunted with his eyes and ears more than anything else.

I should say something about heart, too, because Tiger’s was the size of Texas.

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I’m thankful for the many opportunities I had to trail that dog through good squirrel woods. I’m even more thankful, that I was introduced to one of the purest forms of our hunting heritage at such an impressionable age.

Sadly, most kids will never get that chance.

Joe T. is the man who introduced me to a side of squirrel hunting I knew nothing about until the late 1980s. In fact, I always held him responsible for the pack of Jack Russell terriers that lived at our house for the better part of 15 years.

At one time we had as many as five. Only two cared anything about hunting a squirrel, but neither was half as good as Tiger was. He was a self-taught wizard of the woods who lived for the fall and the crack of a .22 rifle on a crisp winter morning.

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The Texas Trout Fishery is in Great Shape.

But What Threats Do Our Specks Face, and What is Being Done to Avoid Them?

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PECKLED TROUT are doing great in Texas.

Angler catchrates are high and the quality of the fishery is considered strong pretty much across the board.

But are there potential threats on the horizon?

The answer is yes and this year’s huge toxic algae event in Florida has raised many questions.

Let’s start with toxic algae or “red tides” first.

This is from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

“Red tide is a naturally-occurring, higher-than-normal con PHOTO: GRADY ALLEN

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centration of the microscopic algae Karenia brevis (formerly Gymnodinium breve).”

“This organism produces a toxin that affects the central nervous system of fish so that they are paralyzed and cannot breathe. As a result, red tide blooms often result in dead fish washing up on Gulf beaches. When red tide algae reproduce in dense concentrations or “blooms,” they are visible as discolored patches of ocean water, often reddish in color.”

So what causes these outbreaks?

“Red tide is a natural phenomenon not caused by human beings. When temperature, salinity, and nutrients reach certain levels, a massive increase in Karenia brevis algae occurs. No one knows the exact combination of factors that causes red tide, but some experts believe high temperatures combined with a lack of wind and rainfall are usually at the root of red tide blooms. &

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SOURCE: NOAA

Moore have written on this issue in previous years.

congregate in a few deeper areas where they become sluggish and prone to capture.

“The high mortality that a freeze can cause may deplete fish stocks for years, according to McKinney. Protection of the surviving fish during the few days when they are especially vulnerable to capture would likely shorten the time period for overall recovery of coastal species, especially spotted sea trout.”

The commission action authorizes the TPWD executive director to close areas affected by freeze events until the freeze event is over. The executive director would provide adequate notice to the public regarding the closing of affected areas and similarly publicize the reopening of those areas to fishing when the freeze condition has passed.

These closures would be limited to the deeper areas where fish are known to congregate in freezes and would end as soon as possible.

It is not only to protect trout but trout were one of the hardest hit species during the last two major freeze incidents.

A more insidious threat to trout cannot be seen.

The Galveston Bay area has official warnings on the consumption of speckled trout in large portions of the ecosystem. Danielle Sonnier and TFG Editor-In-Chief Chester

There are no known ways that humans can control it, but many scientists around the world are studying red tide at present. It’s important to remember that red tide has happened before and the Texas marine environment has always recovered.”

They can kill trout and other species.

Freezes are another issue entirely.

In fact, in 2005, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials adopted rules to protect game fish in coastal waters in the event of a freeze.

According to then TPWD coastal fisheries director Larry McKinney, Ph.D. Texas has about two million acres of bays and estuaries that are susceptible to freezes. He said that there were three major freezes during the 1980s, including one in 1989 when the temperature at Brownsville dropped to 16 degrees, for example, and an estimated 11 million fish were killed.

“Historically, freezes along the Texas coast have occurred about every 15 years and TPWD is taking proactive steps to try and minimize the impact to the fishery.”

We are overdue.

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According to the World Health Organization, dioxins are environmental pollutants. They belong to the so-called “dirty dozen” a group of dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants.

“Once dioxins enter the body, they last a long time because of their chemical stability and the ability to be absorbed by fat tissues, where they are stored in the body.”

According to the EPA, dangerous amounts of dioxin concentrations have been found in samples collected from the submerged portion of the original 1966 waste ponds near the San Jacinto River.

Biologist Scott Jones with the Galveston Bay Foundation said many potential pollutants can run off from land surrounding the bays, but dioxin is the worst.

“Paper mill wastes are a problem because when you bleach paper, you use chlorine and you end up making dioxin, a persistent organic chemical that has some really bad properties that can cause cancer and a variety of different illnesses,” Jones said.

“It can cause developmental problems in the unborn or the young. It is known as the worst toxic chemical out there.”

Starting in the mid-1960s, barges would dispose paper mill waste into the San Jacinto River at the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund site, an area of about 15 acres, according to Jones.

“Not only did we have these open pits that were subject to the waste getting out when it was hit by high river flow from the San Jacinto River, starting in the early 70s, about half of that pit was going literally into the water,” he said.

“Ultimately, the fish and shrimp and crab and other seafood have been exposed to this dioxin for 50 years now.”

As a result, dioxins are one of the reasons there are seafood consumption limitations in parts of Galveston Bay, Jones explains.

“If you’re catching speckled trout, well they’ve been eating smaller fish or they’ve been eating shrimp or other animals that have been eating small animals, and those animals originally were down in the waste eating little organisms and they’re taking in that dioxin,” he said.

After decades of exposure to the waste, aquatic life has inevitably ingested and absorbed dioxin at levels that are danger-

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Historically, fish-killing freezes have hit the Texas coast every 15 years.

ous to humans for consumption. Texas Department of State Health Services monitors seafood and administers the seafood advisories. They say the driving factor is the amount of fat in the organisms, according to Jones.

“These types of chemicals reside in the fatty tissue. Animals that have more fat in

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their tissues are going to have more dioxin or any other toxin,” he said. “That’s why not all fish in most of the bay have advisories.

That’s why you don’t have redfish listed or flounder listed.”

This article was to keep you informed, not frightened. We want our readers to not be taken by surprise when things happen with

our fisheries and wildlife resources and to know sometimes bad things happen.

And that as you can see with the information provided about the freezes of the past, the fishery can come back.

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ID YOU KNOW THERE ARE FORCES WANTING TO MAKE THE redfish a commercially harvested species again?

To look at where the future of redfish is heading, it is necessary to first take a brief look at the past.

For many years, commercial fishermen targeted redfish heavily with gill nets, purse seines, and other highly effective tools. Fisheries agencies even allowed recreational anglers to use gill nets in Texas to catch reds and other popular fishes. My dad used to run a gill net when he was a kid and talked about catching entire schools of fish at a time. Now it seems like a waste, but back then that was the way people did things. By the 1970’s, the American public fell in love with redfish, partly because of New Orleans Chef Paul Prudhomme’s famous “blackened redfish” recipe.

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Presidential Redfish Executive Order IN 2007 PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE order giving redfish and striped bass protections in federal waters.

Here is the actual text.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, to assist in ensuring faithful execution of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act, and the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act (chapters 38, 71, and 71A of title 16, United States Code), and to conserve striped bass and red drum fish, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Policy. It shall be the policy of the United States to conserve striped bass and red drum for the recreational, economic, and environmental benefit of the present and future generations of Americans, based on sound science and in cooperation with State, territorial, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and others, as appropriate.

Sec. 2. Implementation. (a) To carry out the policy set forth in section 1, the Secretary of Commerce shall: (i) encourage, as appropriate, management under Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local laws that supports the policy of conserving striped bass and red drum, including State des-

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decided it was okay for anglers to harvest a couple of bull redfish each year. TPWD initiated a special red drum “trophy tag.” Fast forward to the 2000s.

Now, redfish are super abundant with record numbers reported in bay systems along the Gulf Coast. Anglers are enjoying a redfish renaissance of sorts. But there are reasons to be concerned.

For example there is a contingent of anglers in Louisiana who say redfish are responsible for causing severe declines in the number and average size of blue crabs in the marshes of Louisiana. I am sure it is not the hundreds of thousands of crab traps in their marshes.

It must be the redfish, right? Back in 2001, the Red Drum Advisory Panel (RDAP) of the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council (GMFMC) asked federal fisheries managers to consider a “limited commercial season” for redfish. They passed on it the first time, but a similar proposal came up in 2015.

Redfish stocks may indeed be able to sustain a commercial harvest, and to be perfectly fair, those fish do not belong to sport fishermen or anyone else for that matter--they are

The result was that redfish populations were ravaged, and recreational fishermen experienced terrible fishing conditions.

A group of concerned coastal anglers fought to get the redfish classified as a game fish and therefore protected from commercial harvest. Many outdoor writers call those days the “redfish wars,” which spawned the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA), now Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).

The banning of commercial redfish harvest along with aggressive stocking efforts spearheaded by the then Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA) and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) gave the redfish population a much-needed boost. At the time of this writing, Texas has stocked more than 100,000,000 redfish fingerlings into coastal bay systems and estuaries. TPWD officials also placed a slot limit on redfish that protected the mature breeding specimens (bull reds) from harvest.

By the early 1990’s, redfish numbers had stabilized and recreational fishermen started catching lots of them. In fact, by 1994 redfish numbers got so high that TPWD biologists

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ignation as gamefish where the State determines appropriate under applicable law; (ii) revise current regulations, as appropriate, to include prohibiting the sale of striped bass and red drum caught within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States off the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico; (iii) periodically review the status of the striped bass and red drum populations within waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and: (A) take such actions within the authority of the Secretary of Commerce as may be appropriate to carry out the policy set forth in section 1 of this order; and (B) recommend to the President such actions as the Secretary may deem appropriate to advance the policy set forth in section 1 that are not within the authority of the Secretary. (b) Nothing in this order shall preclude or restrict the production, possession, or sale of striped bass or red drum fish that have been produced by aquaculture.

Orders like this can be overturned and it’s not sure how much teeth this has with much of the redfish population being in state waters but it is worth noting that a President from Texas made a stand for redfish.

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supposed to be a public resource.

On the other hand, sport anglers are the ones who paid for redfish restoration through saltwater stamp sales, and funded massive stocking programs that increased overall numbers of the fish in Texas and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast. Sport fishermen have lived with restrictive redfish limits to help bolster this magnificent fish. The last time the commercial fishermen had a go with redfish, they nearly fished them into oblivion. That is not an opinion, but a documented fact. These proposals keep popping up but never see the light of day. Numerous other issues are taking up the time and resources of NMFS, and support for redfish conservation is still high among conservation groups and state fish and game agencies Only time will tell whether we will see another round of the redfish wars that dominated the coastal fishing scene of the 1970’s. If the battles do start, hopefully the redfish will come out of the winner once again. This awesome fish certainly deserves it.

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Texas BOATING

by LENNY RUDOW

’Toon Time

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HERE’S NO DENYING THE popularity of pontoon boats these days, but can they function as effective fishing boats in both fresh and

saltwater?

Do they have any redeeming qualities for hunters? Might they do the trick as multipurpose machines for outdoorsmen who need a single boat for different purposes? The answers might surprise you, so let’s take a look at the pros and cons of pontoon boats.

PERFORMANCE & HANDLING: In this regard, pontoon boats are like any other type of boat—you get what you pay for. Buy a pontoon with the smallest power plant the manufacturer offers, and you’ll have a slug on your hands. Up the ante to the maximum power plant, and you can get pontoons that are thoroughly juiced up, including some that can top 60 mph.

Part of the reason why modern pontoons can go so much faster than those sold a few decades ago has as much to do with how pontoons are put together as it does with the size of the outboard strapped to the back. Many now have a third “log” running down the center, making them “tri-toons.”

This design can handle substantially more power and has the advantage of additional planning surface and floatation. Additionally, tweaks like running strakes are often welded on to enhance performance.

WAVE-HANDLING ABILITY: Truth be told, in most sea conditions modern pontoons do just fine. Again, tri-toons have a leg up over those pontoons with just two logs. But in a one-foot chop, life is good. Running through a two foot chop is do-able on most of today’s pontoon boats. It’s not until you start encountering larger waves that things can get problematic. (Of course, you could say that about most relatively small boats).

There is, however, one unique issue that PHOTO: COURTESY SILVERWAVE BOATS

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rig electronics, and enough stowage for all the tackle in the world.

On the other hand, the livewells available on most (though certainly not all) pontoon boats are usually very small. You’ll always have to carry on a cooler for the catch since there aren’t any fish boxes. Same goes for your tacklebox and tackle.

The biggest problem with fishing from a pontoon, however, is often windage. Their tall aluminum “fences” which surround the deck act like tall sails. In a breeze, drift fishing from a pontoon can be quite difficult.

EXPENSE: When comparing the expense of a pontoon with the cost of other types of boats, we again have to note that you’ll get what you pay for. You could spend $30,000 or $40,000 for a modest pontoon boat with a mid-sized power plant, or you could easily break the $100,000 barrier if you tried. We can make no blanket statement regarding pontoon boat pricing because just like other types of boats, the market is filled with offerings of all levels.

commonly comes up: Since pontoons have a relatively low amount of buoyancy forward and no up-swept bow, it’s relatively easy to stuff the bow into a wave. This generally brings the boat to a very abrupt—and very wet— stop. The same problem can become evident when a large number of people sit or stand in the bow of a pontoon, weighing it down.

STABILITY: One of the biggest advantages of pontoons is their supreme stability. That boxy shape and widespread weight means that even when your 300-pound cousin Bubba walks from one side of the boat to the other, it won’t lean over.

There’s very little rocking and rolling so most people don’t have a problem with seasickness on a pontoon boat, and fishing in a busy lake riddled with wakes is often a lot more comfortable on a pontoon than on other types of boats.

Added bonus: If you’re looking for a hunting platform to build a blind on, that tremendous stability again makes a pontoon boat a great candidate.

COMFORT: True, many anglers will rank comfort as their least-important consideration, and others won’t rank it at all. But for those who are interested in comfort levels, pontoon boats can’t be beat. How many other types of boats, after all, have couches and sun loungers?

Considering all of these factors, it should be clear that for some people a pontoon boat will be a good choice. Yet few outdoorsmen opt for pontoons, instead getting more traditional V-hull fishing boats.

Why? One reason is simply the stigma once assigned to those “party barges.” But if you think a pontoon might be just what you need, don’t let a silly thing like that stop you. Once you’ve blasted across the water’s surface at 60 mph, relaxed in a lounger, cast from the bow, and hunted from the blind, you’ll begin seeing pontoon boats in a completely new light.

FISHABILITY: On this count, pontoons are a mixed bag. They have tons of room. On most, you can cast more or less 360 degrees around the boat, and it’s always nice to have one of those comfy seats nearby.

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T IS NO SECRET THAT BASS ARE cover nuts. Find some grass, brush, lily pads, lay down logs, boat docks, piers or other assorted forms of cover, and it is a good bet that Micropterus salmoides will probably be nearby.

Bass are attracted to cover for several reasons. For starters, it appeals to their wolfish nature.

Green fish are predators. They make their living hunting and they like to kill stuff. Cover provides bass with hiding spots where they can lay in wait for

need to have at at least three feet of water in them to attract big numbers of bass, but not always. The best stretches of bushes are typically located in close proximity to deep water provided by a creek, river or ditch. Bushes situated on main lake and secondary points can be promising, as well.

• Casting accuracy is a virtue around bushes. If you can’t cast or flip baits accurately at short ranges, you could be in for a long day.

• Flipping and pitching are good tactics to use when bass are buried up tight in bushes. Jigs and

unsuspecting bait fish to swim dangerously close.

Cover also affords some shade, which is always a big draw for bass during heat of the summer under a big Texas sun. Another benefit is it provides the fish with a sense of security when they are spawning or simply loafing around.

As earlier mentioned, cover comes in many different forms. It also can be found at varied depths, ranging from to shallow to deep. The story line here points to shoreline stuff. From here on out we’re talking skinny water, say six feet deep or less.

So, what is the best way to pluck a few bass out of shore cover? Here are a few tips for fishing around different types cover:

Texas rig plastics are the orders of the day for this type of fishing, mainly because they are weedless.

• When using a Texas rig, be sure to peg the sinker to the head of the weight using some sort of bobber stop. This is will prevent the bait and weight from separating on the fall and reduce the potential for hang-ups.

• Always use a stout rod, heavy line and quality hook for flipping around bushes. This will help you to turn big fish quickly, before they wrap you up.

Many anglers prefer fluorocarbon line over braid for flipping bushes because braid is prone to cut or dig in to tree limbs.

• Be a line watcher. If your line goes slack, twitches or does something out of the ordinary as the bait is falling, set the hook!

• Moving baits like a spinnerbait, square bill crankbait, topwater or Chatterbait can be equally effective around bushes at times. When casting

Bushes When Texas bass anglers talk about catching bass in the bushes, they are usually referring to willows, buck brush or huisache. In most cases bushes

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around bushes, always cast past the target and bring the bait right up against it on the retrieve.

Grass When Texas bass anglers talk grass, they are typically talking about hydrilla. However, much of what you are about to read could be applied around other types of aquatic vegetation as well. When grass is abundant in shallow water it will usually hold fish all year long.

• Bass like to relate to the outer edges of grass beds, especially stuff that is matted on the surface. Try to position the boat so you can fish parallel to matted grass rather than to and from it. This will help keep the bait in the strike zone for longer periods.

• Look for physical oddities in the grass such as a points, guts holes or indentions.

Such changes could indicate a change in water depth and prove to be a sweet spot.

• When fishing a grass-lined creek, always give special attention to sharp channel bends and swings, inside and outside.

• Buzz frogs and hollow body frogs are deadly around hydrilla, lily pads, hay grass and pepper grass. Most buzz frogs have to keep

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moving to say afloat. These frogs tend work best around vegetation that is scattered on or beneath the surface, or situated in clumps with pockets of open water around.

• Shallow diving crankbaits can be killer around shallow grass. The trick is to fish the bait just fast enough that it bumps the grass without burying up. Keep the rod tip high and crawl the bait along, almost like working a Texas rig.

Solid Structure Laydown logs, underwater rocks, docks and stumps are stationary targets that hold good potential provided there is sufficient water around around them.

• Be sure to work your baits as close to underwater stumps as possible. Bump or deflect the bait off the wood if you can. Often times this will trigger a “reaction strike.”

• When fishing lay downs, always work the bait down both sides and around any protruding limbs before moving on. At times it may take multiple casts at the same piece of cover from different angles to coax a strike.

• Always be careful to avoid bumping stumps and other hard objects beneath the

surface with your trolling motor and boat.

This can spook fish from a considerable distance and spoil your chances prematurely.

• A good pair of polarized sunglasses will reduce glare off the water’s surface and help you detect underwater logs, stumps and other potential holding spots before getting too close and spooking the fish. If you don’t own a pair, get some.

• On lakes with lots of docks, a few will invariably be better than all the rest. Often times key docks will be built on points or near a channel swing or drop that offers easy access to deep water. Docks that have been doctored with brush piles can be especially good.

• If you spend a lot of time fishing around docks, it would be wise to learn to present baits using the skipping technique. Picture a rock skipping across the surface and you’ll get the idea of what skipping is all about. It will help you penetrate shady areas far beneath a dock or bush that cannot be reached with conventional casting. Plus, it will make you more proficient when it comes to probing around different types shoreline cover.

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9/11/18 9:48 AM

The BASS University

by PETE ROBBINS :: for TF&G and Bass University

Lowen Goes Shallow When Things are Tough

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LTHOUGH HE’S EXPERIenced a number of great days of fishing throughout the country in the early fall, nine-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Bill Lowen makes no bones of what he thinks about fishing this time of year down south.

“It’s typically some of the worst fishing of the year in Texas,” he said. “It doesn’t get really good again until late November. The fish are still in transition. It’s not just Texas, either. All over the country weights tend to go down.”

Rather than seeing that as an obstacle, Lowen sees it as an opportunity. He’s achieved top 20 finishes at the Sabine River and Sam Rayburn, and four checks at Amistad, so he knows the potential that Texas fisheries offer.

Unlike the spring, when fish tend to be big, fat and aggressive, when summer starts to turn to fall he just ratchets back his expectations a little bit. That doesn’t mean he won’t shoot for the win, though. In fact, this is a time of year that he feels that he has an advantage.

“I don’t think that a lot of people think of fishing shallow in Texas when the water hasn’t cooled off,” he said. “That’s why on lakes like Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn I’d look to run up the river as far as I could, looking for some type of current on creek channel edges.”

This is a situation where anglers in big fiberglass boats are often at a disadvantage, and his preference for this type of exploration was one of the reasons that he moved to an aluminum Xpress X21 Pro as his competition boat this year. At 21 feet long with a 95-inch beam, Lowen is comfortable with it on the lower end of any big Texas lake, but he also isn’t afraid to take it anywhere a bass swims.

“It drafts shallower than I can get the trolling motor to work,” he said. “It also gives me the ability to get over sand bars, rock bars and log jams. At that time of year, the lakes are PHOTO: COURTESY XPRESS BOATS

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five or six feet deep In fact, he designed the IMA Square Bill crankbait to run three feet or less, just for situations like this. Something that goes deeper will dredge up silt and sticks and other debris.

Depending on water color, he’ll choose either a shad pattern or something with chartreuse in it.

If the fish won’t react to a moving bait, he’ll slow down and flip. Although his choice of a four-inch flipping tube might not surprise many weekend warriors, his other favorite bait in the headwaters is a 10-inch plastic worm.

He’ll have both on deck, along with his crankbaits, and let the fish tell him which one they want.

Even though the bass might not be heavily pressured, they still may be finicky at this time of year, so Lowen depends on his Minn Kota Talons to hold him in place as he plies likely spots.

“Once you get up in places like that, you have to be able to set on a piece of cover and pick it apart,” he said. “Something like a big log jam is not something you’re going to fish effectively in one or two casts. It could take 10 or 12 or even more.”

While he doesn’t expect these environs to produce the 25- and 30-pound stringers that often win springtime tournaments on the best fisheries in Texas, he knows that he typically doesn’t need that kind of weight to win.

Getting away from it all is often the best way to take everyone else’s entry fees.

usually not at full pool, so you have to be careful—it can be hazardous. But this boat allows me into areas that often hold good populations of unpressured fish.”

Once he gets into the strike zone, he’s looking for two types of areas. The first is the deep swing of a defined channel edge. The second is a place where there’s wood up on a flat adjacent to deep water.

Sometimes the fish will prefer one, and sometimes they’ll prefer the other. Often the areas he targets will be sufficiently condensed so he can either zero in on the type that’s most productive, or else pluck fish from both of them.

Because he’ll often be making a long run, and needs the boat to skip over the occasional obstacle, Lowen tends to pack his boat light.

Fortunately, that’s possible because he’ll rarely be fishing anything up there over

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9/11/18 8:32 AM

MALLARD OR MOTTLED?

Making Sure You Don’t Pull the Trigger on the Wrong ‘Mallard’

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’VE ALWAYS HAD A SOFT spot in my heart for the mottled duck. But before I ever heard the name “mottled duck,” hunters talked about “black mallards.”

The mottled duck is a native of the Gulf Coast, and it has always symbolized the brackish-intermediate wetland I love so much. As I grew up in Southeast Texas, they were a common sight. Then sometime in my twenties they started to dwindle.

Mottled ducks can be difficult to

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distinguish from hen mallards and other species, so there are special harvest rules for these ducks and their hybrids.

The state and federal officials call them “dusky ducks” because of their similar appearance but most of these provisions are to protect the mottled duck.

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials, “Duck hunters in Texas will have to keep an eye peeled for dusky ducks and fingers off the trigger during the first

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five days of the season again this year, as concern about the mottled duck populations have forced a delay in the harvest. A dusky duck is defined as a mottled duck, Mexican-like duck, black duck and their hybrids.”

NORTH ZONE DUSKY DUCK: Nov. 15 - 25, 2018 & Dec. 1, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 SOUTH ZONE DUSKY DUCK: Nov. 8 - 25, 2018 & Dec. 8, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019

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HIGH PLAINS MALLARD MANAGEMENT AREA DUSKY DUCK: Nov. 5, 2018 - Jan. 27, 2019 The waterfowl conservation community has spent much time studying mottled ducks over the last 10 to 15 years. While I looked over various studies, one particular tidbit caught my attention.

The Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge began outfitting mottled ducks with transmitters to track their move-

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ments in the mid 2000s. According to shows similar trends, indicating the refuge officials, there have been some problem may be more than just local.” surprising results.

The idea of a puddle duck such as “The results indicate that the mottled duck in the open mottled ducks, which norwaters of the Gulf seems Above left, a female mally avoid open water, have strange indeed. However, mallard. begun spending extended there is still much to learn Above right, a time offshore in the Gulf of about this species. This study mottled duck.

Mexico. Scientists suspect goes to show why it is imporhabitat loss and saltwater tant to learn about wildlife intrusion, both a result of coastal habitat and movements. development, may be forcing the ducks out of their wetland habitats.

Coastal research in other regions story by Chester Moore

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9/13/18 11:23 AM

Bare Bones HUNTING

by LOU MARULLO :: TF&G Hunting Editor

Whoo Hoo

understand how important scent control is.

I use a variety of products to help control my scent. Soaps, sprays, carbon camo clothing and rubber boots (not brand new ones), help keep your human scent to a minimum.

Take note of this—nothing will eliminate your human scent completely.

Many products make the claim that using their product will make you 99 percent scent free. That may be correct—or not so much.

The one and ONLY product I have found that really works at hiding your human odor is an Ozonics unit. I tested it extensively in the field and had multiple deer walk directly at me with the wind at my back. Amazingly, not one of those whitetails knew I was within bow range.

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T’S FINALLY OCTOBER. LET THE games begin.

Believe me, it really is a game. It is up to you whether you win or lose. If you have done your preparations, practiced enough and have done all of your homework, chances are you will be filling your freezer.

There certainly is enough game to choose from in October.

For some, youth fall turkey hunting starts at the end of this month. And if you like a real challenge, Archery season for turkeys opens in late October as well. You can also test your skill at arrowing a whitetail. In the Southern Zone, Texas youths will also be able to do a little duck hunting at the end of the month.

Some of the regulations for hunting have been changed this year as well. Air guns that are .30 caliber can be used for turkey and some large game animals including deer. Small game requires a .177 caliber air gun.

Archery rules have been simplified as well.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have removed the requirement for broadheads to have two cutting edges and a cutting width of 7/8 of an inch. I am not sure whether this writer agrees with that change.

At the end of the day, it is important that the hunter know and follow all of the hunting rules and regulations. It is not only his or her responsibility, but it is also it is the ethical thing to do.

October marks the opening of bow season, So, not only should you practice hard before you go afield, but you should also be aware of controlling your human scent.

A dog has approximately 220 million olfactory receptors. Compare that to a deer, which has 297 million olfactory receptors. Finally, to put things into perspective, a human has about five million olfactory receptors.

Are you getting the picture here? As far as I am concerned, it is amazing we even get close to a deer. Along with this is the real fact that a deer can detect human scent up to 10 days after the person has left the area. It is easy to |

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At the end of the day, it is important that the hunter know and follow all of the hunting rules and regulations.

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Two of these majestic creatures calmly walked right underneath my tree stand. As far as this writer is concerned, the Ozonics unit should be with you on each and every hunt. It WILL be with me because it simply works and works well.

Unfortunately, hunting season brings with it that pest known as the tick. These nasty things will attach themselves to you and before you know it, they will get under your skin and potentially cause all kinds of issues.

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down the road. I have been pretty fortunate to only have had one tick over the years. For as many trips to the woods that I make in a year, that’s pretty good.

I have added to my regimen of preparing for the season. After I wash my hunting camo in scent free soap, I hang them on the line to dry and once dry, I spray some permethrin on my clothes.

This not only repels ticks, but if they land on you, they will die in seconds. You can pick some up in any Academy, Bass Pro or any place they sell camping gear. I did not notice any scent when I used it, but with only five million scent receptors, what do I know?

It does not matter to me. I would rather give the deer a little more of a chance than to become a host for any ticks in the area.

While I am thinking about it, remember to spray down your backpack with pemethrin as well. It is not a good experience to find a tick lurking in your truck or where you keep your hunting gear once you are home.

Remember to protect yourself from ticks whenever you go afield. It might be to set up a tree stand, check a game camera or just to observe the whitetail activity from the edge of a field. It only takes one bite from an infected tick to cause you trouble for decades.

No longer are children found playing a game of baseball or throwing a football to each other. Too many kids today find their entertainment at the end of a joystick or a Play Station control module. They are playing games with other kids in other parts of the world, and human contact is dwindling.

Hunting is a tradition for many families, and that is the way it should be. If you get a chance to introduce hunting to a child, take the time to do it. The new hunter will have years of enjoying what nature has to offer, and he or she will have you to thank for it.

Hunting seasons come and go too quickly.

Enjoy every minute of it and remember to…

Have fun and hunt safe out there.

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Email Lou Marullo at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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9/11/18 8:35 AM

Texas TACTICAL

by DUSTIN ELLERMANN :: TF&G Contributing Editor

Natural Point of Aim

won’t have time to put your feet in the picture perfect position.

However, your arms and hands will still be conditioned to align themselves with your line of sight, so you will be closer to target than if you hadn’t trained.

Sometimes, defensive encounters can result in point shooting. If you’ve practiced

You can correct your point of aim also by adjusting your grip and stance. Using a thumbs forward grip and position your hand as high on the frame as you can. Make sure the barrel is in line with your arm bone, and place both thumbs directly down the left side of the frame and toward the target.

We all know exactly where our fingers and

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INDING YOUR NATURAL point of aim will help you train your body to find its shooting position efficiently so you can get your gun on target quickly and consistently.

Far too often I see awkward shooting positions from shooters when they are forcing their head and body into an uncomfortable position in an attempt to align their body to the gun and target instead of adapting natural body positions and filling in the gap with their firearm.

Practice this drill to find your natural point of aim. Find a target in a safe direction.

Then with an unloaded and safe firearm, begin to draw and aim at your target using a relaxed position. Before the sights come into view, close your eyes and finish your presentation. Stay perfectly still, then open your eyes and see how close your sight alignment is to the center of the target.

If you are off, correct your point of aim, reholster, and try again. After about a dozen draw strokes you should have successfully conditioned your stance, head, arms, and hands to align themselves with your line of vision toward your target. With just a little fine-tuning after the draw, you will be quick to pull off an accurate shot.

But it’s not just a “once-in-a-lifetime” drill.

This must be done frequently to remind your muscles where to align. Every time you switch guns you need to do this drill, because almost every firearm has a different grip and angle.

Natural point of aim is especially vital if you use an electronic optic on handguns where you have such a limited window to see the dot.

PHOTO: DUSTIN ELLERMAN

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Conditioning your body to find its natural point of aim will increase your speed and accuracy with all firearms.

an accurate natural point of aim, you will be on target and win the fight.

These same tips can also be applied to shotguns, rifles, and even scope mounting.

Before I mount any optic I adjust it to the highest magnification, close my eyes, shoulder the rifle, then open my eyes to make sure the eye relief matches my natural body position.

So as always, train consistently, pray hard, shoot straight.

thumbs are pointing from lifetime experience. Point your thumbs toward the target directly down the frame. Now, your barrel should be close to your desired point of aim.

If it’s off to the left, try adjusting your feet, Move the right foot farther back or point your toes more to the left. This body adjustment should reach all the way up to your pistol’s point of aim.

The same footwork can be used to adjust your natural elevation, so experiment until you find your sights on target consistently when you open your eyes.

This might seem impractical in a defensive encounter because you could be ambushed in any number of awkward positions You T E X A S

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PHOTO COMPOSITE: TF&G

9/11/18 8:55 AM

HE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS A BOW hunter needs are vast. Not only must you do the right thing at the right time, but you must do several things simultaneously with ease.

With all that’s going on, you should not worry about whether the deer is going to wind you. You should have already thought out that concern before you leave your house for your hunt.

I cannot over-stress the importance of being as scentfree as possible. Most big bucks are very wary during the short journey from their bedding site to the food plot.

They take their time and sniff everything along the way, searching for the familiar human smell that has permeated their area in recent weeks.

The following are some practical scent control steps that few consider. They will help you bag your deer instead of scare it away.

REPORT: NEWS 40 u TF&G OF THE NATION Reported by TF&G Staff

HOT 40 u TEXAS SHOTS Trophy Photos from TF&G Readers

42 u TEXAS COASTAL FORECAST

SCENT FREE SOAP: I make sure I keep myself clean, especially before every hunt. Remember to shower with a scent-free soap and do not forget your hair.

Human hair will hold a scent for a long time and you should take precautions against that. As far as clothing goes, you should wear a scent absorbing suit and some kind of scent-wicking material when you head out to hunt.

by Capt. Eddie Hernandez, Capt. Mike Holmes, Mike Price, Capt. Chris Martin, Capt. Mac Gable, Tom Behrens, Capt. Sally Black and Calixto Gonzales

52 u TEXAS FISHING HOTSPOTS

by Tom Behrens, Dustin Warncke and Dean Heffner

USE RUBBER: 16 to 18 inch rubber boots are a must, as well as rubber gloves, particularly when handling anything near your stand. Keep in mind that you need to buy your boots well before hunting season begins to lose the “new” rubber smell.

64 u SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK

It always brings a smile to my face if I walk through an Academy store the day before the start of bow hunting season and see guys purchasing their new boots. I guarantee they will smell like a Goodyear factory and every deer in the county will steer clear of his tree stand.

You have to give those brand new boots time to lose that new boot scent.

Tides and SoLunar Data

SPRAY EQUIPMENT: Remember you should not only spray your clothes down with a scent eliminator, CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE u

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but your equipment as well. Too many times I hear stories of guys who carry a decoy out to their spot, set it up, and then climb in their your stand with the wind in your face. Of course you cannot always do that, but you should, at least, approach it with a crosswind.

You need to determine where the deer are at what time of the day and use that knowledge to approach your tree stand. If the wind is just not cooperating, either hunt a different stand or go to the movies and stay out of the woods completely.

Better not to hunt that day than to have

stands waiting for the magic to happen.

If they don’t wear rubber gloves during the setup process or remember to spray the decoy down with a scent eliminator, the only magic they will see is a deer vanishing in the woodlot.

KNOW YOUR WINDS: Know your prevailing winds in the area and set up your stand accordingly. Ideally, you should approach

a deer wind you and know right where you are. Believe me, if it’s a mature whitetail, he will not soon forget your location, and he will avoid it for the rest of the hunting season.

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Trailing Dogs Can Save a Hunt THERE ARE FEW THINGS MORE HEARTbreaking for a hunter than to lose an animal you’ve shot.

There are times even with the bestplaced shot that deer are lost, especially in super dense cover. But in many of these cases there is a way to solve this problem.

I am talking about trailing dogs.

Highly trained blood-trailing dogs can find deer that we can’t. This can be an invaluable asset for serious hunters who hunt in seriously thick habitat.

“More and more hunters and ranchers are wanting to do everything they can do recover their deer, especially those once-in-a-lifetime trophy bucks and a well-trained dog can make that happen,” said Wendy Hallenbeck of Thistle Ridge Terriers Hallenbeck and her husband specialize in game recovery dogs and have a long history with Jack Russell Terriers in particular.

“We are very serious about breeding for specific traits and training dogs for guides and ranches, and the demand continues to grow,” she said.

In the past, their dogs have found deer the day after they were hit and there have

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been many deer found that traveled much farther than most would think possible.

Although these dogs are effective, they are not actually legal in all parts of the state. For example, it is illegal to use dogs to trail wounded deer in Angelina, Hardin, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Tyler counties. These were the core counties for deer-dog hunting. This has long-since been banned, but still a remnant pursue deer in that fashion.

Not more than two dogs may be used to trail a wounded deer in counties not listed above. A “wounded deer” is defined as a deer leaving a blood trail.

According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, “A person is prohibited from using a dog to hunt or pursue deer in this state. A person who violates this law is subject to a fine of $500 to $4,000 and/ or a year in jail.”

Additionally, a person’s hunting and fishing licenses may be revoked or suspended. Also, no person may possess a shotgun and buckshot or slugs while in the field with dogs on another person’s land during an open deer season in the counties listed above.

Many law-abiding hunters believe the

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Jack Russell Terrier

law is antiquated and prohibits them from doing everything they can to find their deer.

If you use trailing dogs, make sure you are in the right counties and abide by the letter of the law.

—by CHESTER MOORE

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9/11/18 8:55 AM

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9/11/18 8:55 AM

The NATIONAL

News of TEXAS

Public Land Enhanced for Waterfowl

This armored spillway helps maintain levee integrity flood events.

DUCKS UNLIMITED AND THE TEXAS Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) are working to improve wetland habitat on Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area in Freestone County.

The first phase of the project was completed in July 2017, and the second phase was completed in June 2018. Together, the two phases enhanced 385 acres of wetland habitat through the installation of new levees, spillways and water control structures.

The project was funded by TPWD with State Migratory Game Bird Stamp funds, and this area is included in their annual public hunting program. Ducks Unlimited provided engineering and design services and managed project construction.

Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) lies almost entirely within the Trinity River floodplain. As such, the WMA is subject to periodic and prolonged flooding. The enhancement work improved man-

agement infrastructure so that staff can optimize habitat for wetland dependent wildlife, including waterfowl.

Numerous marshes and sloughs provide habitat for migrating and

KING MACKEREL

TURKEY

Port O’Connor

Florida

Nine-year-old Fourdam Matey of Victoria caught this 35-pound, 55-inch king 23 miles off the coast of Port O’Connor. It was the largest fish he ever caught.

Cecil Smith of Victoria completed his Grand Slam with this nice Osceola from Florida, on a hunt last March.

Visit FishGame.com to upload your own TEXAS HOT SHOTS and Vote for our next Winners 40

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wintering waterfowl, wading birds and shore birds. In addition, the area’s bottomland hardwood forests serve as nesting and brood rearing habitat for many species of neotropical birds and wood ducks.

TPWD manages Richland Creek WMA to provide quality consumptive and nonconsumptive recreational opportunities for the public. It sits on the southeast side of the Richland Chambers Reservoir about an hour and a half south of Dallas.

—by Andi Cooper

Air Guns Now Legal for Hunting in Texas BEGINNING THIS FALL, HUNTERS in Texas will be able to use air guns and arrow guns that meet criteria established under new rules adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

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legal means for hunting in Texas defined as pre-charged pneumatic devices. Unlike pellet guns and traditional air rifles that can be charged manually or with an attached CO2 cartridge, pre-charged pneumatic air guns and arrow guns are those weapons for which an unignited compressed gas propellant is supplied or introduced from a detached source.

The TPW Commission decision follows months of scrutiny to avoid creating undue risks of wounding of wildlife from pneumatic weaponry. These devices must meet minimum standards of ballistic efficacy.

Minimum ballistic specifications of pre-charged pneumatics approved by the Commission for hunting alligators, big game and Rio Grande turkeys are: .30 caliber bullets weighing at least 150 grains powered by an unignited compressed gas propellant charge capable of attaining a muzzle velocity of at least 800 feet per second (fps) OR any bullet weight and muzzle velocity combination that produces at least 215 foot pounds of energy.

For furbearers, pre-charged pneumatics

must be at least .30 caliber. For squirrels, chachalaca, quail and pheasant an air rifle does not need to be a pre-charged pneumatic, but it must be able to propel a minimum .177 caliber projectile at least 600 fps.

In addition to minimum standards for pre-charged pneumatic devices, the Commission adopted provisions that hunter education certification requirements be met in order to hunt any wildlife resource.

At least 10 other states permit the use of pneumatic devices for hunting big game, and all but three states allow their use for hunting certain other wildlife species. Their use in Texas previously was limited to hunting anything other than game animals (except squirrels), game birds, alligators, and furbearers.

The new rules will take effect Sept. 29, 2018. Additional information on the use of air guns and arrow guns is available online.

—TFG Staff Report

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9/11/18 8:55 AM

Coastal Focus: SABINE :: by Capt.

EDDIE HERNANDEZ

Fish Between the Fronts

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T IS ALL ABOUT TIMING WHEN fishing Sabine in October.

Although highly regarded as one of the best months of the year by many saltwater specialists, you definitely want to be here between fronts, or just prior to the next one.

Light northerly winds and bluebird conditions are what you want.

There is no shortage of shrimp pouring out of the marsh as a result of these cold fronts.

Therefore, you’ll see no shortage of seagulls hovering over giant schools of specks and reds.

When the conditions are right, you can run the entire bay comfortably in search of the birds.

They shouldn’t be too hard to locate.

October is prime time for fishing the birds on Sabine. Lots of times our biggest dilemma is deciding on which flock of gulls we want to fish. When you approach the birds, shut down well ahead of them and troll or drift until you can reach them with a long cast.

Keeping the wind to your back will definitely help in making the long casts needed to get your lure to the fish. (It also doesn’t hurt in the backlash department.) Sometimes the fish don’t stay up very long, so you need to make the most of your time by fishing instead of untangling knots.

As far as baits are concerned, I’ve yet to discover anything that doesn’t work when the fish are in a shrimp-eating frenzy. Soft plastics, topwaters, Rat-L-traps, spoons, jerkbaits and slow sinkers all work just fine. My personal favorite though, is soft plastics with a ¼ ounce jig head.

This way we have enough weight to make long casts and don’t have to deal with treble hooks every time we put a fish in the boat.

Sometimes, however, the better fish want topwaters, and that’s all the persuasion I need to get off of the single hook. Another thing to

remember is that just because the birds leave, it doesn’t mean the fish have left.

It’s not a bad idea to drop a buoy when you hit a school and make a few more drifts once the fish go down. A good number of reds and some of the better trout are taken by doing this. Just fish a little slower and deeper and you should have more success.

The fall flounder run is so close we can almost taste it. Black’s, Johnson and Madame Johnson Bayous are gearing up to produce some very nice saddle blankets.

The mouths of Willow and Bridge Bayous will also be very productive. Don’t forget your Louisiana fishing license if you plan on fishing inside of any of these bayous.

If you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path for October, give the short rigs a try. Just anchor or tie off and cast near the legs of the rig. Use a fish-finder rig with fresh dead shrimp or cut mullet and you should have no problem loading the ice chest with nice Gulf trout, slot reds and black drum.

Fish between the fronts and you should have lot of success this month on Sabine.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: North Revetment (Pleasure Island).

SPECIES: Trout, reds, flounders, whiting.

BAITS/LURES: Mud minnows, fresh dead shrimp, soft plastics, topwaters.

BEST TIMES: Mornings and evenings with good tidal movement.

« Email Eddie Hernandez at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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Coastal Focus: GALVESTON :: by Capt.

MIKE HOLMES

October...

Fall Has Fell?

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HE FALL MONTHS ARE among the most pleasant on the upper Texas coast. This reasoning comes from the pleasant weather and enjoyable outdoor activities—and fishing is right at the top of those activities.

Although September is often just an extension of summer, October should see “true fall” conditions bless our lives once again. The excessive heat that makes days on beach or bay run from uncomfortable to actually dangerous will be past us for 2018.

It is replaced by much milder days and nights that are downright pleasant. Fishermen are not the only Texas fauna that thrive in cooler conditions—other living creatures along the coast, both in and near the water, will find the climate conductive to increased activity.

Conditions on the bay waters are usually VERY pleasant, whether riding in a shallow draft fishing boat, or wading through—sans bulky waders. Bait species such as shrimp, squid and small baitfish are plentiful and active, and this brings fish valued for table and game qualities to pursue them both day and night.

“Pan fish”, such as sand trout and croakers will be feeding eagerly, allowing anglers using either natural baits or appropriate artificial lures to collect tasty seafood while enjoying the natural beauty of the near-shore habitat.

The popular “gamefish” species of our bays and surf—speckled trout, redfish, and flounder will be active and hungry. Along with these species, will be an occasional “run” of gaff top catfish. The surf will also be invaded by schools of hungry Spanish mackerel.

Smaller specimens of several shark species

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will hunt the surf, and provide both fast sport and good eating.

Jack Crevalle will be in the surf, and are one of the hardest fighting fish in the Gulf.

Along with large sharks, “monster” stingrays will please the angler wanting a wrestling match.

Offshore in September, fishing action doesn’t cool down much with the season.

King, ling, and dolphin will still be found, and bottom fishing only improves. Farther out, there’s always decent fishing for tuna, wahoo, and even various billfish for those with enough time and boat to participate in this fishery.

As I write this, there is news of a large blue marlin having been caught in the Poco Bueno Billfish Tournament, out of Port O’Connor,

and many boats leave Freeport to fish much the same water.

Although fall does see the end of some of our coastal fisheries, the season will still be going strong for many others. Although the weather has cooled down somewhat, much of our fishing is still Red Hot.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: As in September, except even more so, there will be good fishing activity for at least some species most of the time—and in more comfortable conditions than in late summer. Being Texas, we are still far from weather cool enough for warm clothing.

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Coastal Focus: MATAGORDA :: by Contributing Editor MIKE PRICE

Try Something Different

try a couple of casts.

The lure was hit on the first cast by a 14-inch trout, and every additional cast, with very few exceptions, was a hit, hook up, or catch. I caught eight trout, missed eight more, and kept two 17-inch trout and one 19-inch trout.

Then I made a cast and hooked a crevalle jack. The jack nearly spooled me before I cranked way down on the drag (do this and you will lose the fish), fought it half way back and finally the crevalle jack pulled off. I did not want to boat the fish, but I did not want to lose all my line either.

Finding fish on this day required working different underwater terrain, habitats, lures, and depths, but by continuing to try something different, I finally found actively feeding fish and that is the challenge and the fun of fishing.

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ISHING WOULD NOT BE CHALlenging if you always caught fish, but when you are not catching, change and keep changing until you are catching. Change the underwater terrain that you are swimming your lure through, or the lure—or the way you are presenting the lure.

In early October last year, I launched my kayak near the Perry R. Bass Research Station on the north side of West Matagorda Bay. The light wind was from the northwest, tide was high and outgoing, and the water was 80°F. I went east along the shoreline toward Well Point.

The water was loaded with menhaden and mullet, and multiple baitfish were blasting out of the water every now and then as predators chased them. But, I fished this situation for 45 minutes using a 3.5-inch Egret Baits Wedge Tail Mullet soft plastic, and only caught one 12-inch flounder. So I paddled to the redfish farm jetty.

Starting from the beach, I drifted with the wind while tossing my lure up against the jetty, where it was two or three feet deeper than the surrounding area which was three feet deep. I let the lure drop into this gut before working it.

This method had produced trout on a previous trip, but on this day I only got one flounder hit. So I went around the jetty to the cordgrass-lined shoreline, and tried running my lure through the clear, shallow water over the sand bottom, but found no takers.

Then I changed to a pumpkinseed/chartreuse Bass Assassin soft plastic lure. I drifted out a couple of times—nothing. Finally I decided to anchor at the end of the jetty and

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Recreational Anglers are Finally Heard THE COASTAL CONSERVATION Association sent this out by email on July 12, “July 11, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 200, a bipartisan bill that includes the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 (Modern Fish Act). This historic vote marks the first time the priorities of the recreational fishing sector are included in the reauthorization of our nation’s primary marine fisheries law, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.” The Senate still has to vote in favor of this bill and the President needs to sign it, but it is well on its way to finally giving the recreational fisher a share of the red snapper fishery in The Gulf of Mexico. Last year our recreational snapper season in the Gulf of Mexico federal waters (more than nine miles offshore) was only three days long. This year, Texas Parks and Wildlife is managing both the inshore and offshore red snapper fishery, and we had an 82-day season starting on June 1.”

The CCA email goes on, “There are 11 |

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Alex Price with a red snapper.

million saltwater anglers in the U.S. who have a $63 billion economic impact annually and generate 440,000 jobs. This legislation will help ensure that the economic, conservation and social values of saltwater recreational fishing will continue well into the future.”

On Friday July 6, I went offshore with Brian Tulloch. First we went to the threeyear-old Matagorda Artificial Reef located12.5 miles from the Matagorda Jetties and seven miles directly offshore from Matagorda Beach. This reef is 160 acres and the habitat PHOTO: MIKE PRICE

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is made up of 1,600 pyramids. Each pyramid weighs 6,000 pounds and stands eight feet high.

There were seven boats drifting the reef including our boat and everyone was catching red snappers. These snappers were mostly a little less than the legal size of 16 inches, but we boxed a couple and then headed for rig 538, 30 miles offshore.

At 538 we joined seven other boats and enjoyed bending our rods on snapper that were between 17 and 26 inches. Many of the boats had families with children who were really enjoying the experience of catching snappers, and later would appreciate eating these great tasting fish.

So we, the recreational fishers of Texas, are finally getting the attention and respect that we deserve relative to participating in the taking of red snappers, and our children will have a greater respect for this fishery and everything needed to support it, because they have experienced the thrill of catching these beautiful red snappers.

Focus: GALVESTON t CONTINUED FROM PAGE

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SPECIES: All the more popular coastal species will be found: in inshore waters and close offshore habitats, and most are more active in the cooler water temps.

BAIT: All types should be common, and available. Catch your own live bait, but some of the “fresh dead” stuff you saved from summer will come in handy. Shrimp, squid, mullet of various

THE BANK BITE PALACIOS HARBOR MARINA: The predominant wind in Matagorda is from the southeast, and when the wind comes from the southeast, wade or pier fishing at Palacios Harbor Marina is windprotected.

From Business 35 turn south on Margerum Blvd.

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sizes, and other small baitfish are all good, as are artificial lures that imitate them.

BEST TIME: Somewhat cooler temperatures will make daytime more productive, but early and late are still best. Night fishing may still be the best time period of all, but check the tide schedules.

«

Email Mike Holmes at ContactUs@fishgame.com

To fish from the pier, park in the boat launch parking lot. To fish Lookout Point, the peninsula on the west side of the entrance to the harbor from the bay, drive to the end of Margerum Blvd, park and walk to the water.

«

Email Mike Price at ContactUs@fishgame.com

9/11/18 8:56 AM

Coastal Focus: MID COAST :: by Capt.

CHRIS MARTIN

Fall Into the Back Lakes

mean that coastal anglers should plan for some truly great trout and redfish action in the back lakes when fishing this month.

Fall is pushing our way, bringing with it shorter days and cooler nights. With the approach of each minor front,you should prepare for the transition from hard sand and shell bottom to that of the soft mud and grass bottom offered in the back lakes.

Plan to be at your initial destination earlier than usual. Start your first wade session about an hour prior to dawn. Historically, many of October’s fish caught in the lakes have been taken real early in the morning or very, very late in the day.

Although it’s true that fall is emerging, it doesn’t mean winter is here. We shouldn’t encounter any extreme fronts for quite some time, so we’ll probably still experience the southerly-influenced winds that we’re used to.

We’ll continue to see higher October tides that will push fish into places that the fish don’t normally have access to, hence the back lakes and their surrounding areas. A number of the lakes areas weren’t available to anglers during the summertime due to low tides.

They should now begin to hold anywhere from two to three feet of water during certain high-tide periods this month. These flooded lake areas are where an active bite will relocate during periods of falling surface water temperatures. To put it simply, the lakes tend become a great place to be each October.

This time of year, binoculars can be a great tool when you try to decide the best place to lower the power pole or setup for your first drift. Shut down your boat prior on entering the lake and carefully scan the surface area for any signs of bait or fish.

You really need to be able to pinpoint large baitfish when searching for fall fish, so use your binoculars to key-in on slicks, nervous bait, or mud boils. Once bait or fish activity is sighted, attempt to position your wade or drift upwind of the target area.

As a general rule, unless noticeable bait activity in a different area dictates otherwise, try to set up on the windward side of the

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PARKLING SUNSHINE WITH much milder conditions is what October should have in store for the coastal bend area.

This month marks the beginning of the fall fishing pattern where cooler water conditions typically coincide with higher tides. Taking advantage of these stronger high tides will

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lake. This gives you the wind at your back while casting, and it sets you up for a wade or drift all the way across the open water of the shallow lake.

As for what to throw at the fish, artificial aficionados should probably opt for casting top water baits in the back lakes. Surface plugs offer the most life-like resemblance to mullet; and they are, by far, a favored bait in the back lakes.

Many believe that fish will only strike top water baits during low-light conditions.

However, many monster trout have proved the argument false.

Another false belief is that fishing with top waters is most effective only in calm-tomoderate wind conditions. But, again, some of the most productive top water sessions have taken place during heavy and increasing winds.

Regardless, the next few weeks will offer coastal bend anglers huge opportunities to boost their confidence while fishing artificial lures in the myriad of back lakes on Matagorda Island just adjacent to the southernmost shores of San Antonio Bay. This is a great time of the year to hone your top water skills. There is no better time to increase your confidence level, and no better way than by chunking top water lures.

Be forewarned, however. During this transition from hotter months to cooler months, you might find it necessary to grind from dawn until dusk, but the rewards can certainly outweigh your effort.

Put your skills, and your patience, to the test this month. This might just become an opportunity to top your personal-best catch.

Be safe out there, and have fun!

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

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9/11/18 8:56 AM

Coastal Focus: ROCKPORT :: by Capt.

MAC GABLE

Sherpas of Fishing

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S I STOOD AT THE STARTing line of my first triathlon, I looked around, most of the athletes were young not 62 years old like yours truly.

They were slim and fit, built for distance, not chunky and square like yours truly, which suggests power, not endurance. Yeah, this was a good idea, I thought (NOT!).

Well, it was on my bucket list, and after some prompting from my Ironman daughter Michelle, I figured it was now or never. All the proceeds from the race would be donated to help the rebuilding of Rockport, even more reason to sign up.

The training regimen was hard and all time-consuming, the swim/bike/run distance daunting. What the hell was I thinking?

Anything worth doing is seldom easy, I kept telling myself as I paced my way through two triathlons in a week’s time, the last one being here in Rockport.

In both events I had the enormous joy of sharing the racecourse with my daughter.

How special! How cool is that! After the race my daughter kept using a term that I felt was—well—out of place.

I kept saying “I could not have done this without my wife Lisa’s support.”

She said, “Yes, Cody (my daughter’s husband) is my Sherpa as well.”

“There are no mountains within 250 miles of here except for the piles of sand one sees being transported on the barges in the ICW, and we’re not climbing mountains here anyway,” I responded, correcting my daughter.

“Dad,” she quickly replied, “the term Sherpa has been adopted by other activities, one of which is triathlons. Sherpas are highly regarded, and it is the ultimate compliment to give a person who is your Help Meet.

“They do most of the work, get none of

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with and they worry when the sun starts setting on the horizon, and you’re not home yet.

They send text messages reminding you they are there for you.

You know if something goes wrong, they will move heaven and earth to ensure you’re okay. Once the tired angler is home after a day on the water, theirs is the face you see first to help with the catch, to console if the catch is not there and offer encouragement for another day.

They help with the boat, clean the stinky clothes. They’re not just helpers, they know how you want things done (most anglers are anal/particular, and they care that all tasks are completed just that way).

They doctor your cuts and scratches. Even though you didn’t ask, they probably have a meal ready so you can eat while counseling you that you didn’t eat enough while out on the water.

Most will spend the evening alone because after the angler eats, he/she falls into a deep and restful sleep knowing their wife. Their husband, son, daughter, grandchild or friend

the accolades or glory, and no climber would ever make it to the top of the highest mountain without them. They carry the heavy loads, they cheer you on to the finish line, they are the voice you hear when you want to quit, but their unselfish support allows you to keep going.

“Theirs is a thankless, glamorless unending task that is to the climber, the athlete, or activist a selfless act of love and devotion.”

I can tell you I am seldom speechless these days, but this hit home to me in my most private heart of hearts. I have seen these incredible people on a daily basis, or at the very least, seen the fruits of their love and labor.

For an angler it’s that wife or husband, maybe a son or daughter or grandchild or a good friend, who is up at 4:30 a.m. to send the starry-eyed fisherman/woman on their way with a cup of coffee, a breakfast snack, a packed ice chest or grocery bag of goodies for the day.

Oh yes, they have their own tasks to attend to that day, but yours comes first. They are who you file your float plan/fishing plan

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Forecast: ROCKPORT important to us as any Help Meet/ Sherpa on Mount Everest.

has it all under control.

You see these Sherpas of the angling world, much like the mountain Sherpas, ensure you get off the water unharmed and alive, and that you are ready to fish another day.

They never get paid, seldom get thanked, but when you think it through they are just as

• • • NOT A YEAR GOES BY THAT I DON’T warn about the month of October. Yet, almost every year someone gets themselves in a bad way here. The culprit is not a leaky boat or motor ailments, it’s the cold fronts that usually show up during the mid to latter part of this season-changing month.

For the last 15 years, NOAA and others have seldom got the detail forecast right about the first Northers that blow their cold winds across our bays. These fronts often collide with moisture and can be so much more ominous than just blowing wind. Seventyplus knot winds, hail and sleet have greeted me on these rapid weather-changing days.

Most anglers who come here are used to the prevailing south/southeast winds that blow 90 percent of the time. But bring a 40-knot north wind, and things change NOT in a good way for boaters and kayakers.

Visual navigation changes as waves of varying heights are now moving hell-bent from north to south, and that reef you could always see is now invisible. I have seen kayakers trapped against south shore lines with no hope of making it back to their launch point against these hard-blowing north winds.

In October keep your eyes ever watchful on the north horizon. If there are days to fish close to your launch point, a predicted cold front day is one such day.

COPANO BAY: This is one mean bay with a stiff north wind. Lap Reef is holding some trout. Croaker or piggy perch work well here free-lined. Italian Bend shoreline is a good wade for reds and trout using a popping cork and live shrimp. Berkley Gulp shrimp will work here as well. The grass lines just off Newcomb Point is a good spot for trout using Berkley Jerk Shad in watermelon red glitter color.

ARANSAS BAY: Jay Bird Reef is still holding trout with free-lined croaker the best choice. Big Island Point is good for reds using fresh cut mullet on a medium Carolina rig.

Nine Mile Point usually has flounders this time of year. A slowly fished live shrimp is the best approach. The key is to keep the bait on the bottom with a slow retrieve.

CARLOS BAY: If the temperatures drop more than 20 degrees, Cape Carlos Dugout is a good spot for reds and trout using Croaker free-lined. The current can be fast here; just let the croaker free swim here.

MESQUITE BAY: The spoil area just off Roddy Island is holding some black drum.

Frozen shrimp on a very light Carolina rig works well here. Belden Dugout is a good spot for reds using free-lined finger mullet.

AYERS BAY: The shoreline just off Rattlesnake Island is a good wade for black drum and reds using a silent cork and live shrimp. This area is known for rattlesnakes, so going inland is not advised. Second Chain Islands is still holding some keeper reds using cut mullet on a light Carolina rig.

THE BANK BITE WADE FISHING from the LBJ Causeway to Newcomb Point is good for trout and black drum using a popping cork and live shrimp. Hitting the grass edges farther out is the key here for this time of year.

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

ST CHARLES BAY: The Boy Scout hole area is a good place for reds using finger mullet or cut menhaden on a Carolina rig. Floats across the mouth of Cavasso Creek using free-lined shrimp is a good place for trout.

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Coastal Focus: ARANSAS/CORPUS :: by Contributing Editor TOM BEHRENS

Nueces Bay Produces a Trout Leader in CCA STAR as I retrieve the bait. Eight times and then pause. Sometimes I might pause 10 seconds, sometimes 30 seconds, all the while keeping the line tight on the retrieve. Do not stop the retrieve completely, but slow down, keeping tension on the line. A lot of times the hit comes unexpectedly when you are not looking at the lure.”

“ Ninety-Five percent ot the blowups I have on topwaters is when I pause the retrieve.

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N A WINDY AFTERNOON IN July, Corpus Christi angler, Chris Grapentine was tucked inside some islands in Nueces Bay doing what the often does after work—fishing for speckled trout.

He asked some of his fellow workers if they wanted to go wet a line with him, but they all had prior engagements. They missed Chris set a personal record for his biggest trout he ever caught, 9 pounds, 4 ounces, 30 3/4 inches long.

His excitement built even more when he found out his trout was the leader in the 2018 Middle Coast Division of the CCA Texas Ford Dealers/Tilson Home Corp/Capital Farm Credit State of Texas Anglers Rodeo (STAR). All the vital statistics were verified at Roy’s Bait & Tackle in Corpus Christi.

No specific location was shared. I think he knows there are other big fish there waiting for him. “I was working some guts where water was moving through,” was all he shared. He fishes Nueces Bay most of the time. “If the conditions are there, have the right wind, tides, fish are going be there,” said the 44-year old angler.

He describes Nueces as a year-around fishing destination if you know your way around it. “A unique bay, so many different varied structures, a lot of oyster reefs, abandoned wells. A whole bunch of lower units have been wasted by people who don’t know what they are doing in the Bay.” He likes tossing a topwater bait at the trout. He’s like a fine artist in describing his fishing technique.

“Ninety-five percent of the blowups I have on topwaters is when I pause the retrieve. I cast out, give the bait a couple twitches and then I kind of get into a routine. I count, maybe twitching it a specific number of times

THE BANK BITE

The cycle needs to be adjusted to the whims of the fish for that day. “It all depends on the activity that’s going on around you. If you can tell there are fish chasing bait fish, if they are actively feeding. You can tell if they are going to require a little bit more coaxing to bite.”

In October does it matter how early you are out on the water?

“It all depends on the moon and how actively the fish are feeding at that time,” replied Grapentine. “A lot people say after 10 a.m. the topwater bite shuts down. If you find fish actively feeding, they are not in that neutral state. They will blowup on a topwater.

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“Where I fish is very tidal dependent, a lot of oyster reefs. If you have a high tide the fish are going to be closer to, or up on the top of the reef. If a lower tide, they will be down the sides of the reefs, working a little deeper water.

Does he have a favorite topwater color?

“I have two colors. Bone and the other is more of a natural color; a black back with a white belly, silver sides.”

No matter what color he uses, technique and observation are what’s important. “You kind of have to assess the attitude of the fish in the area you are fishing, how they are feeding.”

At copy deadline for this article, the question is whether Grapentine’s fish will hold on to win for him, whether he will have a new boat, and truck to pull it. First, second and third runner-ups all have fish weighing in the eight-pound range.

I think he has a good chance to be on the winners’ podium. As a side note, Chris’s present boat is a former CCA awarded boat to another angler a couple of years back.

Grapentine bought if from the winner. If he wins, will he continue the legacy of his old boat, sell it to another angler? Maybe it’s got the winning touch for some other angler.

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LOCATION: Portland Shoreline SPECIES: Speckled trout, redfish and black drum.

BEST BAITS: Live shrimp and mullet BEST TIME: Dawn to late morning

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Email Tom Behrens at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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Coastal Focus: BAFFIN BAY :: by Capt.

SALLY BLACK

Fall Brings Great Fishing

long to get back onto the game of eating with a vengeance.

Finger mullet, pin perch, shrimp and other little fish take the first hit. Finger mullet along shallow edges get slashed and crashed, pin perch get destroyed in potholes and big schools of redfish eat everything in their path as they mow through the grass. It’s brutal.

Fishermen, who can pull themselves away from Friday night football, deer lease prep, dove hunting and other fall outdoor pursuits, hit the jackpot on the never-crowded bays of Baffin, Alazan and the Upper Laguna Madre.

Top water fishing takes the front stage and can last all day. Shallow water fishing is

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UBTLE SIGNS OF FALL ARE all around now, from the quacking of ducks, geese and sand hill cranes overhead, to the tilted angle of the sun tinting the landscape with more golden tones.

Cooler nights and dropping water temperatures are also signs to the lazy, fat summertime fish that it’s time to eat. From the fall trout spawn to the herds of redfish gathered up on the flats, early fall fishing is about as good as it gets.

All summer long, tons of food in the system has fed the lazy trout, reds and flounders on their own schedule, usually on not too windy night times, the change from dark to light and solunar feeding periods, if it was convenient.

These predators forgot about the tough winter months and had settled into a real complacency about survival—until now.

The key to this signal is water temperature.

Just as rising water temperatures in the spring signal good times and food after winter, falling water temperatures in the fall signal just the opposite—upcoming winter survival mode.

What happens next is some of the best fishing of the year. Late summer, early fall fishing is legendary because of this reaction to the falling water temperatures. There’s a collective realization of the predators that these meals now really count toward their survival this winter. No more lazy days of summer. Now is the time to pack on the pounds.

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still where it’s at, simply because of the total amount of bait that lives there. Start shallow and stay shallow for the biggest predators.

Soft plastic paddle tails in all shapes and sizes will produce in both light and dark colors, depending on the days conditions. Still, the Black’s Magic 1/32-ounce jig head is one of the biggest game-changers in fishing because of the natural presentation it lends to all plastics.

Either swum across the tops of the grass in very shallow water, or slow-lifted along the sand and grass edges, deeper pockets, there’s just something about a paddle tail that makes fish eat it.

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varieties on the market now, it’s easy to find a confidence builder. (Like mine, the Saltwater Assassin 5” “Die Dapper” in “Snowstorm” or “Morning Glory/Chartreuse tail”.)

Fly fishermen are having some epic days when the weather allows. Sight casting to big predators along the shoreline is big business now, and it’s not unusual to have 25 to 30 fish days on the fly. Eight or nine weight rods are efficient ways to land some great redfish and trout. Even flounders and of course, black drum are being stalked in earnest, and a white clouser or a white crab pattern fly will be easy for the fisherman and the fish to see for the right presentation and the hook up.

The “Cast and Blast” is popular at Baffin Bay Rod and Gun, which consists of a full day of fishing and an afternoon of dove hunting, which is fun, social and laid back. Our good dogs help out with the retrieves and finding birds and get all tuned up for the upcoming duck hunting season on Baffin Bay. No wonder October is one month that everyone looks forward to, there is so much to offer and so much promise for the remainder of the year.

This year, please come and visit the best lodge, the best guides and an adventure that includes fish, doves, ducks and dogs—who could ask for anything more? We are endorsed

by Orvis for fly-fishing and wing shooting, and we have met the highest standards for customer service in the industry.

Please join us here at Baffin Bay Rod and Gun for a five-star adventure and experience for EVERYONE, seasoned outdoorsmen or hopeful beginner. Hope to see you soon.

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Contact Capt. Sally Black at 361-205-0624 Email: Sally@CaptainSally.com Web: www.BaffinBayRodandGun.com Facebook: Baffin Bay Rod and Gun Twitter: @CaptainSally Instagram: baffin_bay_rod_and_gun

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Coastal Focus: LOWER COAST :: by Saltwater Editor CALIXTO GONZALES

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ENTION SOUTH BAY AND most Texas Gulf Coast anglers, and they will think of big speckled trout, burly redfish, and of course, the flamboyant and acrobatic snook.

Mention South Bay to Captain Carlos Garcia, and he begins talking about the hordes of black drum that take over the boat channels from July until the first major cold front in winter. In fact, Captain Garcia’s main focus through most of October is toward the noisy and tasty beasts that stack up in the eastern part of the Bay knows as The Washing Machine (or McGuillicutty’s Hole to some of the older anglers).

Granted, the black drum lacks the glamour of redfish, trout, or flounder, but when Captain Garcia brings in a three person limit of 15 black drum that tops 50 pounds, there is rarely any complaining. Anglers leave happy with bags of tasty fillets and tons of weary arms. A three- to six-pound drum on light tackle is a serious struggle, and these fish can wear you out.

There is no need for specialized tackle when you go after these black drum. The easiest rig to use is a single dropper bottom rig with a 2/0 Sproat hook and a one-ounce bell or pyramid sinker. Bait up with live or fresh shrimp, and pitch the rig up against a channel edge and wait for the telltale thump.

If tides or winds make running to South Bay prohibitive, it isn’t difficult to find another area that produces good numbers of black drum. Just a little north and west of the causeway is a broad flat near the current Pirate’s Fishing Pier, a long cast from the pier can easily reach the area.

“ Granted, the black drum lacks the glamor of redfish, trout or flounder.

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Beat a Southern Drum

it on a hook through the tail, and chuck it out.

Experience has taught me that those uglies won’t pass up sea lice as an easy meal. If you happen to come up with a live one in your bait bucket full of shrimp, be careful. These little beasts can lay a finger open with a quick flip (they have some sharp claws).

Another spot that often gets overlooked when it comes to hunting black drum is the deeper holes that are formed around the fishing shacks along the edge of the ICW. Black drum tend to mill around in these holes when the tide is washing off the flats behind the shacks.

The docks act as a current break, and T E X A S

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crustaceans get washed into the areas. Drop your anchor or Power Pole next to the end of the shack’s dock—usually on the North side—and cast into the deeper water in front of and parallel to the shack. It is considered bad form to tie off to a shack’s dock, except in the case of a real emergency.

A standard free-line rig with a #3 split shot and size 1/0 Khale hook is a practical choice.

Live or fresh shrimp is best, but again, crab isn’t a bad option if bugs aren’t easily available.

If the run to the shacks is a bit long for you—it’s a 30-minute run with even a large motor—an easier-accessed spot is the mouth of South Bay. This spot is a quick 5-to-10 minute run from most put-in points.

On an outgoing tide, anchor on the edge of the channel mouth that opens out of South Bay, and use the same free-lining techniques that you would on the ICW. Sometimes, the tidal flow is stronger than normal (especially during the full moon), so a heavier weight or even a ¼ ounce jighead tipped with shrimp is a necessity. If the current is forming an eddy at the end of the mouth, set up down current of the eddy, cast into it, and let your bait flow out to the fish.

It won’t take too long before you feel that telltale “Thump!”

It isn’t a bad idea to use stouter 17- to 20-pound tackle for this application; there aren’t any real snags in the area, but it’s much easier to turn one of these finny bulldozers with the heavier stuff.

Even when the weather sours, you will have some good fishing opportunities on the Lower Laguna Madre. Just listen for the sounding of the drums, grab your favorite rod and reel, and get to it.

The best times to fish the area are the calm days after a cold front, and at night during the full moon. Large shrimp on a Carolina rig works well for these bruisers. Most of the fish will be over the maximum 30-inch slot, but the best bait for large black drum is crab chunks with the carapace removed. Pass a 5/0 circle hook through a leg socket and out the top of the crab, chunk the whole rig out, and set the rod in a holder to wait.

Many anglers have recently begun using blue crab chunks or sea lice—or mantis shrimp—for bait. The trick is to remove the beasty’s head, peel back some of the carapace to let more scent ooze out of the body, thread

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Email Cal Gonzales at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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FISHING HOTSPOTS Saltwater: n Upper Coast n Mid Coast n Lower Coast Freshwater: n Piney Woods

Redfish Get Muddy on Keller Bay

Freshwater: n Prairies & Lakes n Panhandle n Big Bend n Hill Country n South Texas

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.

by Tom Behrens

LOCATION: Keller Bay HOTSPOT: Mud Reef GPS: N 28 36.467, W 96 28.059 (28.6078, -96.4677)

line.”

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Raymond Shoal GPS: N 28 40.449, W 95 53.898 (28.6742, -95.8983)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: “Topwater action early in the morning, working some of the drains, scattered shell along the shorelines.” Capt. Countz

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Chinquapin Reef GPS: N 28 43.994, W 95 47.954 (28.7332, -95.7992)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Capt. Countz likes to wade fish in October for redfish. “The redfish, a lot of times, can be found schooling in October. The tides are usually a little bit better, and I can get the boat in closer to the shore-

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with jig heads CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2fish@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: October and speckled trout under birds over the reefs … secret for filling limits.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: “Find a school of reds, get ahead of them. Just sit there and wait on them and throw a topwater out.”

Capt. Countz

LOCATION: Carancahua Bay HOTSPOT: Pipeline GPS: N 28 42.6, W 96 23.816 (28.7100, -96.3969)

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LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Hanna’s Reef GPS: N 29 28.471, W 94 43.251 (29.4745, -94.7209)

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with jig heads CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2fish@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: Capt. Frazier’s’ favorite soft plastic: Bass Assassin Sea Shad. “When working the birds the color doesn’t really matter.”

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: “As the redfish get to the lure, twitch it a little bit and hang on…a lot of action.” Capt. Countz |

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LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Pasadena Reef GPS: N 29 28.2, W 94 49.22 (29.4700, -94.8203)

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LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Deep Reef GPS: N 29 30.802, W 94 40.581 (29.5134, -94.6764)

G A M E ®

9/18/18 3:44 PM

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9/18/18 3:44 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS up into the grass.” Capt. Countz LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Black’s Bayou GPS: N 29 59.866, W 93 45.182 (29.9978, -93.7530) SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with jig heads CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2fish@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: Jig head size: “The smaller the better because the fish are pushing shrimp to the surface. The lighter jig head will stay longer with the shrimp on the top.”

Capt. Frazier

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bone color One Knocker topwater bait CONTACT: Chris Grapentine TIPS: “I target bit trout, but you won’t get the real heavy trout in October. I occasionally target redfish.”

Chris Grapentine SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with jig heads CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez 409-673-3100 www.goldenhookguide.com TIPS: The birds are working shrimp with trout under them. Any of the bigger bayous are good places to check during October.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Middle Reef GPS: N 29 30.202, W 94 39.42 (29.5034, -94.6570)

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by Tom Behrens

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bone color One Knocker topwater bait CONTACT: Chris Grapentine TIPS: “Nueces Bay is a unique bay with a lot of varied structure…lots of oyster reefs, abandoned wells. If you don’t know your way around the bay, it could eat your lower unit.” Chris Grapentine

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Pink Skitter Walk topwater bait CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: “Watch for the shorebirds concentrating in one area. They are usually following redfish, blowing them

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bone color One Knocker topwater bait CONTACT: Chris Grapentine TIPS: Chris was the early leader for big trout in the CCA Middle Coast Division. His trout, a personal best was 9 lbs. 4 oz., caught from Nueces Bay.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Mustang Island/Fish Pass GPS: N 27 41.755, W 97 11.309 (27.6959, -97.1885)

LOCATION: Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Shell Island GPS: N 28 37.533, W 96 3.515 (28.6256, -96.0586)

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Corpus Specks Head to the East

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with jig heads CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2fish@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: “Stay ahead of the working birds. Anchor and let them work toward you. You should get six to eight fish every time the birds come through.” Capt. Frazier

LOCATION: Nueces Bay HOTSPOT: Nueces Bay GPS: N 27 51.893, W 97 21.13 (27.8649, -97.3522)

LOCATION: Nueces Bay HOTSPOT: Nueces Bay GPS: N 27 51.035, W 97 25.966 (27.8506, -97.4328)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bone color One Knocker topwater bait CONTACT: Chris Grapentine TIPS: “It was a very windy afternoon and I was tucked behind some islands, working guts that had water moving through.” Chris Grapentine LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N 27 56.541, W 97 5.944 (27.9424, -97.0991)

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: East Flats GPS: N 27 49.135, W 97 6.266 (27.8189, -97.1044)

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FISHING HOTSPOTS

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland 361-290-6302 treblejcharters@yahoo.com www.treble-j-charters.com TIPS: “All of the flats should produce fish at this time of the year.” Capt. McPartland

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Laguna Sets the Table for Reds

texasredfish20@gmail.com TIPS: “It doesn’t matter if you fish the flats, deep, shallow, the jetties…every place you will find oversize redfish … small schools of five to six oversized redfish coming in to deposit their eggs.” Capt. Garcia by Tom Behrens

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay East Table Top GPS: N 26 1.431, W 97 11.089 (26.0239, -97.1848)

••• SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Live Mullet, Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Carlos Garcia 956-433-6094

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Cullen Channel GPS: N 26 15.812, W 97 17.166 (26.2635, -97.2861)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Live Mullet, Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Carlos Garcia 956-433-6094 texasredfish20@gmail.com TIPS: Oversized redfish, a chance to catch a trophy fish is good at this time of the year.

9/18/18 3:45 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS TIPS: “Fish from the boat or wade, doesn’t really matter that much how you are fishing. The fish are hungry, and they are ready to feed.” Capt. Garcia

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Del Mar Beach GPS: N 26 3.388, W 97 8.961 (26.0565, -97.1494)

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SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Live Mullet, Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Carlos Garcia 956-433-6094 texasredfish20@gmail.com TIPS: Feeling the bite: “You will feel the hit; stop reeling in. They have inhaled the bait. When the fish starts moving off, set the hook.” Capt. Garcia

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Big Cypress Bayou GPS: N 32 44.0219, W 94 6.432 (32.7337, -94.1072)

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Conroe Bass Start Playing it Cool

by Dustin Warncke

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 26.208, W 95 36.654 (30.4368, -95.6109)

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: North Jetty GPS: N 26 33.93, W 97 16.303 (26.5655, -97.2717)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Pop’rs, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits CONTACT: Richard Tatsch 936-661-7920 admin@fishdudetx.com www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: “The black bass will begin to feed on shad in preparation for the cold weather when they will begin to selectively feed. Baits like Pop’rs and buzzbaits will work well on overcast days. If you’re on the water this time of year immediately after a cold front (up to the 3rd day after) and it is at daylight or an overcast day locate the rip rap rock around the lake and start by throwing a small single blade spinner bait at the rocks, then retrieving it back at a very fast rate where the bait is waking the surface. This is a very productive and very fast way to catch a number of fish that will attempt to pull the rod out of your hands! The next thing to try would be a Pop’r top water lure. Work this bait in the same areas and alternate between the spinnerbait to determine which they want on that particular day.

Another tried and true method is the Bass Assassin shad. I rig them using a barrel swivel and about a 10-inch leader to keep my line from twisting. Then depending on what I want the bait to do or how fast I want to work it will determine the hook size I use. If I want it on the surface I will rig with a 2/0 or 3/0 hook.

If I want it deeper, I will use a 5/0 hook. The way I work it is an erratic fast twitching action. Good Luck and Good fishing! Bank Access: Stowaway Marina.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Live Mullet, Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Carlos Garcia 956-433-6094 texasredfish20@gmail.com TIPS: Free shrimp off the edge of the intercoastal: When you see a mullet moving really fast, a redfish is chasing it. As soon as it gets right on top of the mullet, set the hook and hold on for dear life.” Capt. Garcia LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Rincon de San Jose Shoreline GPS: N 26 47.384, W 97 28.459 (26.7897, -97.4743)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Live Mullet, Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Carlos Garcia 956-433-6094 texasredfish20@gmail.com

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Like The FishDude’s Guide service on Facebook for daily updates!”

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shad colored flukes, top water lures, Texas-rigged worms, umbrella rigs CONTACT: Caddo Lake Guide Service/Paul Keith 318-455-3437 caddoguide1@att.net www.caddolakefishing.com TIPS: “Fish this bayou using most any shad imitationstyled lure, concentrating on the bends and creek intersections. Watch for shad and schooling activity this month. October is just the beginning of some of the best fishing of the year with November and December usually being even better.”

LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Dale Creek GPS: N 32 49.686, W 95 33.582 (32.8281, -95.5597)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs in electric chicken (green /chartreuse) on a 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz. pink jig head, minnows CONTACT: Doug Shampine 940-902-3855 doug@lakeforktrophybass.com www.lakeforktrophybass.com TIPS: October is a great month to fish Lake Fork! The water is cooling down and the fish are feeding up for the winter. Other than May/June, October is my favorite month to fish for crappie. I have many brush piles in Lake Fork and the crappie stack up in the brush in the fall. We catch crappie from 18-24 feet depending on how fast the water temperature cools off. My favorite color jig will be the electric chicken (green / chartreuse) on a 1/16 oz. or 1/8 oz. pink jig head.

Minnows will also work so I take both on my trips.

I can fish 4 adults in my 22 ft bay boat and furnish

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9/18/18 3:45 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS everything for your trip. Some of the places we will visit will be Little Caney, Chaney, mouth of Ray, and Dale Creeks, just to name a few.

LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Upper Lake GPS: N 32 55.7412, W 95 38.508 (32.9290, -95.6418)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: “Spoons, Carolina rigs with a Grandebass Air Tail Flash in sexy shad color or a Victory Jig by Finch Nasty Jigs in peanut butter jelly color with a Grandebass Mega Claw trailer in trophy hunter color, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, small crankbaits” CONTACT: Lance Vick (903) 312-0609 lance@lakeforkbass.com

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www.guideonlakefork.com TIPS: “October is start of the fall feeding frenzy. The shorter days and winter coming on seems to trigger fish to eat. The fall turnover is done, making the water good for all depths of fishing. Shallow fish are good on spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and small crankbaits. Look for grass beds, creek channels and points. Deep fish can be found in points and humps that are loaded with shad. Catch them on spoons, Carolina rigs with a Grandebass Air Tail Flash in sexy shad or a Victory Jig

by Finch Nasty jigs in peanut butter jelly color with a Grandebass Mega Claw trailer in trophy hunter color.

Best bite pattern is shallow early, then deeper later in the day. Good fishing to all! “

LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: The Pocket GPS: N 30 55.662, W 95 15.054 (30.9277, -95.2509)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Charlie’s June Bug 6” Gecko, Charlie’s 1/4 oz. Green Pumpkin swimming jig tipped with Charlie’s Chunk Green Pumpkin/Blue Flake CONTACT: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 dave@palmettoguideservice.com www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: “Look for clear or green water here in October.

Flip docks, lay downs, boat houses and rocks. BANK ACCESS: Public boat ramp at Hwy 19 bridge or Bethy Creek Resort.”

9/18/18 3:45 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn HOTSPOT: Rocky Creek GPS: N 31 12.048, W 94 10.08 (31.2008, -94.1680)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Slab spoons, tail spinners, Rat-LTraps CONTACT: Greg Crafts, Toledo Bend Guide Service and Lake Cottages 936-368-7151 gregcrafts@yahoo.com www.toledobendguide.com TIPS: The days are getting shorter and the water temperature is starting to fall. When this happens it triggers a natural instinct in the fish to start feeding heavy and bulking up for the coming winter. The white bass will start migrating to the north end of the lake holding on the main river channel sandbars. The Whites will be stacked up and it’s not unusual to limit out in no time.

The creel is 25 per person. You’ll see a lot of schooling activity. Look for the gulls diving on the bait fish the whites push to the surface. Keep a top water plug or Rat-L-Trap handy when they’re schooling as well.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swim baits.

CONTACT: Mike Knight (936) 635-2427 notechmike@hotmail.com www.easttxfishingguide.com TIPS: Temperatures are falling, and shad are migrating. Lots of bass will move shallow and start following the shad. Vegetation in shallow pockets from the middle to the back of all the creeks will hold lots of bass.

There are no bad creeks to fish on Rayburn in the fall.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend Lake HOTSPOT: San Miguel Creek Area GPS: N 31 33.5939, W 93 42.0659 (31.5599, -93.7011)

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Palestine Bass and Crappie in the Cove

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, small swimbaits CONTACT: Mike Knight 936-635-2427 notechmike@hotmail.com www.easttxfishingguide.com TIPS: Water temperatures are finally starting to drop.

Shad schools are starting to migrate toward the backs of major creeks. The bass will follow them. Use your electronics to find the bait and you will be on the fish. “ Match the hatch” with shad type lures: crankbaits, spinnerbaits and small swimbaits. San Miguel, San Patricio and Lanan creeks are a good bet.

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass and Crappie BEST BAITS: Bass: spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps | Crappie: minnows and jigs CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com TIPS: For bass, throw spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps along the weed line. Crappie are under the bridge this time of year. Minnows and jigs are your best bet right now.

by Dustin Warncke & Dean Heffner

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass and Crappie BEST BAITS: Bass: deep diving BD7 crankbaits, 3/4 oz. Big Eye jigs, Carolina rigs | Crappie: jigs and minnows CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201 ricky@rickysguideservice.com

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LOCATION: Bachman Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 51.564, W 96 51.45 (32.8594, -96.8575)

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Docks GPS: N 32 14.9819, W 96 6.144 (32.2497, -96.1024)

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Cades Cove Area GPS: N 32 18.114, W 95 27.0959 (32.3019, -95.4516)

LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Buzzard’s Bend (River Channel Sandbars) GPS: N 31 40.128, W 93 48.966 (31.6688, -93.8161)

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www. rickysguideservice.com TIPS: “Water temperatures will still be in the low 90s to upper 80s. Fish along the edges of the river and be sure fish slowly for best results. The river has many areas to fish and fishing the river can reward you with some very good bass. Crappie will be very good under the Highway 155 road bridges on jigs and small minnows.”

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs CONTACT: Jason Barber 903-603-2047 kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com www.kingscreekadventures.com TIPS: This month we are dock shooting” or shooting crappie jigs under main lake docks with 6 feet or more of water under them. Fish all main lake docks this way and you should end up with some crappie action.

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: 50 yards to 300 yards North of Dam GPS: N 32 52.709, W 97 28.044 (32.8785, -97.4674)

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9/18/18 3:45 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Fish 6-8 feet deep near submerged timber.

Blues and channels come to chum here regularly.

Larger fish are being caught in the late evenings or early mornings.

SPECIES: White bass BEST BAITS: Slab with a fly 12 in. above it.

CONTACT: Johnny Stevens 817-597-6598 johnnystevens@1scon.net johnnysguideservice.com TIPS: This area just north of the dam is a series of humps, ridges and ditches. Never seems to be any fish in the bottom of the ditches. Use your electronics and look on top of the ridges and along the slopes. When you locate fish anchor over them and use a vertical jigging method on them. If you prefer to cast to them.

Use a slab and fly combo and let it go to the bottom and hop it back to the boat.

LOCATION: Fayette County Reservoir HOTSPOT: Mud Bank GPS: N 29 55.212, W 96 43.05 (29.9202, -96.7175)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shrimp CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Fish lake point and timber edge. Night time is best here. Use a slip cork to float bait and prevent hook ups on submerged timber.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N 33 3.0659, W 96 28.3739 (33.0511, -96.4729)

LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 42.048, W 97 21.0239 (30.7008, -97.3504) SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: 1-2 oz chartreuse or white slabs, soft plastic Cohos in white or yellow CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com TIPS: Fish in 10-25 feet on structure and main lake points with slabs. Throw soft plastic Cohos in white or yellow when the fish are on the surface or shallower than 6 feet.

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs tipped with Berkley Crappie Nibbles CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell 512-365-7761 crappie1@hotmail.com www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: This month is one of the best months this year for crappie at Granger Lake. This has been a year where most crappie caught have been very fat and thick but just short of keeper size. Now most of those fat crappie are over the ten-inch limit and catching a limit is very easy. The cooler weather and lack of boat traffic make for some very good fishing. All you need is a Marabou jig (I prefer a Dan’s jig) tipped with a white Berkley Crappie Nibble. These have been working very well all year. Crappie are in shallow water from 3 to 7 feet deep on any structure either man made or natural timber.

Good luck and good fishing.

LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 31 59.334, W 96 8.2679 (31.9889, -96.1378)

SPECIES: Crappie & White Bass BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs, minnows, 1 oz. silver RSR slabs CONTACT: Royce Simmons 903-389-4117 simmonsroyce@hotmail.com www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Early fall can be some of the very best crappie and white bass fishing of the year. We often conduct a morning trip where we fish half the time for each species. Most of the more serious crappie fishermen find and fish brush piles. The crappie prefer structure and brush piles attract bait fish also. While some fishermen fish with crappie jigs, we prefer small minnows tight lined on light line. After we get a nice ice chest of crappie we head to the humps and drop offs with our 1 oz. silver RSR slabs to get in on the white bass action!

It doesn’t get much better than this!

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: 10-foot Hump near Blue Water Shores GPS: N 32 23.189, W 97 42.441 (32.3865, -97.7074)

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Eagle Point, South Side GPS: N 30 37.92, W 96 2.7899 (30.6320, -96.0465)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Spinner baits, rattletraps, top water spooks, white frogs and power worms later in the am.

CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 817-578-0023 TIPS: Blacks are schooling with the sandbass on several areas of the lake.

Work points with stick-ups and look for bird action shallow.

T E X A S

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FISHING HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: State Park Cove GPS: N 33 22.395, W 97 1.941 (33.3733, -97.0324)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Top water plugs, Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey 903-786-4477 bigfishlaketexoma@gmail.com www.striperexpress.com TIPS: “The big fish are on the banks early mornings in October.

Cast Pencil Poppers and big Chug Bugs for vicious strikes in shallow water. Mid-morning change your lures to 4”” Sassy Shad jigs on a 1 oz. jig head.

Favorite colors are white glow and chartreuse fleck.

Always keep your eyes on the seagulls. They can locate schools of stripers roaming open water. Live shad fishing is also an excellent way to catch stripers.

Locate the fish on the ledges, anchor up and place your bait 3 turns off the bottom. The best depth will average 30 feet deep. Bank Access: Washita Point and Platter Flats”

SPECIES: Crappie, white bass BEST BAITS: Minnows, 3/4-oz. slabs CONTACT: Justin Wilson 214-538-2780 justinwilson371@yahoo.com TIPS: Most of the summer weather is starting to move out and the lowering temperatures and great fishing make October one of the best times of the entire year to be on the lake. The white bass are excellent on main lake points in 25-40 feet of water. I like to use a 1-oz., white and chartreuse slab jigged off the bottom where there is a school of feeding fish waiting to eat. The crappie can be found on structure at the same depths as the whites. The bigger crappie are starting to feed better than they have the past few summer months, making it a lot easier to fill the cooler. Jigs are working well but minnows will be your most consistent bait.

When you find a brush pile holding fish you can usually catch quite a few in one spot as long as you fish it diligently and work all around the pile including the edges and different depths of higher or lower brush.

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Striper Point GPS: N 31 54.966, W 97 23.0579 (31.9161, -97.3843)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Redfins, live shad CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck01@hotmail.com www.teamredneck.net TIPS: Early morning run the shoreline of Striper Point down along all the Willow Island area and make long casts with a redfin, retrieving it back to the boat and making it wobble on the surface. When the striper blows up, wait until the rod doubles up with the weight of the fish and then set the hook. After the sun gets up back off the points and drift the same area in 20 feet of water. Fish live shad about 12 to 15 feet down.

••

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: North Island and Tabletop GPS: N 33 52.068, W 96 41.67 (33.8678, -96.6945)

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LOCATION: Lake Leon HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 21.6379, W 98 43.514 (32.3606, -98.7252)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics, crankbaits CONTACT: Michael D. Homer, Jr. 325-692-0921 michael.homer@tpwd.texas.gov TIPS: Lake Leon has been well known for its largemouth bass fishery. Topwaters should produce a bite in early morning and near dusk. During the day, consider throwing Texas-rigged soft plastics or crank-baits.

LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Little Grape Creek GPS: N 33 2.754, W 101 3.6659 (33.0459, -101.0611)

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Brushy Point Shoreline GPS: N 30 20.562, W 96 33.6119 (30.3427, -96.5602)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shad, shrimp CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Fish 2-3 feet deep, near the cane. Use tight lines within 20 feet of the cane. Using a longer leader here could lead to more hook ups.

Look at Leon for Panhandle Bass

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shaky head jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater lures CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 nclayton42@sbcglobal.net www.lakealanhenry.com/fishing-guides.html TIPS: “In October, as the cold fronts start coming in, the bass will begin moving into all the creeks on the lake. On Lake Alan Henry, fall is one of the best fishing times on the lake. Not much boat traffic and the bass will be fattening up for the winter.”

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FISHING HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Broadway GPS: N 32 52.724, W 98 31.809 (32.8787, -98.5302)

SPECIES: White, striped bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, live bait, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Fall is here, and fishing is great. Fish are fattening up for the fall run and spawn or faux spawn. You can troll RatLTraps and cranks for white bass and most other fish, but of course live bait is best for quick numbers. We also are still catching nice big stripers down rigging. We use jigs with Mister Twister Curlytails, but a lot of thing work this time of year.

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Costello Island GPS: N 32 54.5126, W 98 27.6275 (32.9085, -98.4605)

Crank ‘em Deep for Amistad Bass

••

•••

by Dustin Warncke

LOCATION: Lake Amistad HOTSPOT: Deep Water Points GPS: N 29 29.67126, W 101 8.2884 (29.494521, -101.138140)

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 47.012, W 98 25.634 (30.7835, -98.4272)

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater lures, Texas-rigged soft plastics, crankbaits CONTACT: James Burkeen 830-309-9720 jjburkeen@gmail.com amistadbassin.com TIPS: Move close to the steep banks early with topwater lures. As the sun rises, back off 10-15 yards and fish shallow-diving crankbaits or Texas-rigged plastic worms off the sloping banks. Fish Carolina rigs over deep hydrilla beds at mid-day.

•• SPECIES: Catfish, crappie BEST BAITS: Fresh shad, minnows, crappie jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Catfish are great north of Costello Island on fresh dead cut bait shad and crappie good in same areas with crappie minnows or crappie jigs. Keep your drag backed off though as you might catch the biggest bass or striper while catfishing or crappie fishing. Start by working the 20 and 30-foot breaklines. The fish use these as natural highways all year long, but while migrating as they do in the fall, they use them even more.

BEST BAITS: Live shad CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@gmail.com www.centraltexasfishing.com TIPS: “Fish drifting or anchored with live shad from mid-lake to the dam. Fish 40 to 50 foot of water with baits at 30 feet. Lake should still be turning over but will soon stop and, once it does, move to deeper water later in the morning and mid-day to fish the tops of the trees.”

SPECIES: Stripers, Hybrid Bass, & White Bass BEST BAITS: White and yellow pony head jigs 1/2 oz. with white or yellow worms CONTACT: Ken Milam 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com.com TIPS: “Stripers are just starting up from the summer heat. Look for them along the tree lines along the river channel. Trolling with white and yellow pony head jigs 1/2 oz. with white or yellow worms have been a good producer. Live shad are always working! As always have fun and enjoy our Great Texas Outdoors.”

•••

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Diver’s Point GPS: N 29 52.2479, W 98 12.276 (29.8708, -98.2046)

Buchanan Stripers Move for the Dam

by Dustin Warncke

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake to Dam Area GPS: N 30 49.992, W 98 24.324 (30.8332, -98.4054)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Whopper Plopper CONTACT: Capt. Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures 210-573-1230 capt.steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com www.sanantoniofishingguides.com TIPS: October is top water time on Canyon Lake. Fish the point from 20 to 50-foot-deep and look for schools surface feeding in this area. Tight lines and fish on!

SPECIES: Striped Bass T E X A S

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FISHING HOTSPOTS mornings and late evenings is a great time to throw a Picasso Shad Walker over the flats as well.

LOCATION: Lake Austin HOTSPOT: Flats & Docks GPS: N 30 19.740, W 97 49.584 (30.329, -97.8264)

••

•••

Fall Bass Patterns Come to Coleto

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: V&M Wild Craw, V&M Wild Thang, V&M Trickster, Picasso Shad Walker CONTACT: Brian Parker - Lake Austin Fishing 817-808-2227 TIPS: This time of year is when the water temperatures start to drop and the bass begin to actively feed.

Most of the larger bass will tend to feed on bigger meals so I tie on a Texas Rig with a V&M Wild Thang or Trickster and throw around the docks. I also like throwing a Pacemaker Jig with a Wild Craw on the flats/shallows and work it towards deeper water as the crawfish become more active this time of year going from shallow to medium depth in search of food. Early

by Dustin Warncke

LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 28 46.908, W 97 9.438 (28.7818, -97.1573)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Top water lures, spinnerbaits CONTACT: Rocky’s Guide Service 361-960-0566 TIPS: Fall is here and hopefully temperatures are cooling. I love the more crisp mornings. You’ll need a light jacket and a good cup hot coffee. It doesn’t get much better unless you have a good friend with you with which to share the day. Morning patterns can be good with top water baits or just pitching a spinnerbait.

I probably flip my spinner like a Texas rig more than I cast it. I like to flip it just past the strike zone then slow roll it to the zone to entice the bite. I like medium size gold Colorado blades most always with white skirts.

Sometimes I’ll put a pearl colored grub for a trailer.

Spinnerbaits always catch bigger bites. I like to sometimes get to the strike zone then let it fall a little, making it look like its dying. When it drops is usually when you need to pay attention. Anything shad color will get bit. Good fishing and good luck!

LOCATION: Lake Calaveras HOTSPOT: Crappie Wall Flats GPS: N 29 17.286, W 98 18.396 (29.2881, -98.3066)

SPECIES: Freshwater Redfish BEST BAITS: Pet Spoon CONTACT: Capt. Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures 210-573-1230 capt.steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com www.sanantoniofishingguides.com TIPS: Trolling with downriggers set at 10 to 15 feet deep will produce some good catches of Redfish in this area.

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Sportsman’s DAYBOOK OCTOBER 2018

Tides and Prime Times

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

The following pages contain TIDE and SOLUNAR predictions for Galveston Channel (29.3166° N, 94.88° W).

T12

T4

T11

T10 T9

TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the upper white boxes on the Calendar Pages. Use the Correction Table below, which is keyed to 23 other tide stations, to adjust low and high tide times.

T8 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 T6

T7

T3 T2 T1

T5

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

READING THE GRAPH

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

Moon Overhead

Fishing Score Graph

Moon Underfoot

Day’s Best Day’s 2nd Score Best Score

n

Best Day Overall

MOON PHASES

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter «= Good Day by Moon Phase 64

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OCTOBER 2018

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

TUESDAY

Oct 1

2»

Low Tide: 2:57 AM 1.66 ft.

High Tide: 4:56 AM 1.67 ft.

Low Tide: 3:28 PM 0.24 ft.

High Tide: 12:53 AM 1.81 ft.

Low Tide: 4:40 PM 0.20 ft.

WEDNESDAY

3

High Tide: 1:54 AM 1.85 ft.

Low Tide: 5:54 PM 0.19 ft.

THURSDAY

4

High Tide: 2:35 AM 1.85 ft.

Low Tide: 7:03 PM 0.21 ft.

FEET

FRIDAY

5

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

3:06 AM 8:55 AM 12:41 PM 8:06 PM

SATURDAY

6

1.81 ft.

1.42 ft.

1.56 ft.

0.27 ft.

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

3:32 AM 9:09 AM 2:09 PM 9:02 PM

SUNDAY

7

1.75 ft.

1.22 ft.

1.62 ft.

0.40 ft.

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

3:56 AM 9:38 AM 3:23 PM 9:53 PM

1.69 ft.

1.00 ft.

1.69 ft.

0.57 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

10:30A — 12:30P Sunrise: 7:11a Sunset: 7:05p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 1:25p

AM Minor: 11:17a AM Major: 5:03a PM Minor: 11:46p PM Major: 5:32p Moon Overhead: 6:21a Moon Underfoot: 6:50p

12p

6p

BEST TIME

11:30A — 1:30P Sunrise: 7:11a Sunset: 7:04p Moonrise: 12:13a Moon Set: 2:25p

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 6:02a PM Minor: 12:17p PM Major: 6:31p

Moon Overhead: 7:19a Moon Underfoot: 7:48p

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12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

12:30 — 2:30 PM Sunrise: 7:12a Sunset: 7:03p Moonrise: 1:13a Moon Set: 3:21p

AM Minor: 12:45a AM Major: 6:59a PM Minor: 1:14p PM Major: 7:29p Moon Overhead: 8:18a Moon Underfoot: 8:48p

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

2:00 — 4:00 PM Sunrise: 7:12a Sunset: 7:01p Moonrise: 2:17a Moon Set: 4:13p

AM Minor: 1:40a AM Major: 7:54a PM Minor: 2:09p PM Major: 8:24p

Moon Overhead: 9:17a Moon Underfoot: 9:46p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

9:00 — 11:00 AM Sunrise: 7:13a Sunset: 7:00p Moonrise: 3:23a Moon Set: 5:01p

AM Minor: 2:32a AM Major: 8:46a PM Minor: 3:01p PM Major: 9:15p

Moon Overhead: 10:15a Moon Underfoot: 10:43p

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

10:00A — 12:00P Sunrise: 7:13a Sunset: 6:59p Moonrise: 4:29a Moon Set: 5:45p

AM Minor: 3:22a AM Major: 9:36a PM Minor: 3:49p PM Major: 10:03p Moon Overhead: 11:10a Moon Underfoot: 11:37p

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

11:00A — 1:00P Sunrise: 7:14a Sunset: 6:58p Moonrise: 5:34a Moon Set: 6:25p

AM Minor: 4:11a AM Major: 10:24a PM Minor: 4:37p PM Major: 10:50p Moon Overhead: 12:03p Moon Underfoot: None

9/18/18 3:45 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

8« FEET

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

4:18 AM 10:12 AM 4:31 PM 10:42 PM

TUESDAY

9l

1.63 ft.

0.77 ft.

1.74 ft.

0.78 ft.

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

4:40 AM 10:50 AM 5:37 PM 11:29 PM

1.59 ft.

0.56 ft.

1.77 ft.

0.99 ft.

WEDNESDAY

10 «

High Tide: 4:59 AM 1.56 ft.

Low Tide: 11:30 AM 0.41 ft.

High Tide: 6:43 PM 1.77 ft.

THURSDAY

11 « Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

12:16 AM 5:17 AM 12:11 PM 7:50 PM

1.19 ft.

1.55 ft.

0.31 ft.

1.76 ft.

FRIDAY

12 « Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

1:05 AM 5:29 AM 12:55 PM 9:03 PM

SATURDAY

13

1.37 ft.

1.54 ft.

0.28 ft.

1.74 ft.

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

2:11 AM 5:19 AM 1:42 PM 10:23 PM

SUNDAY

14

1.51 ft.

1.54 ft.

0.31 ft.

1.73 ft.

Low Tide: 2:35 PM 0.36 ft.

High Tide: 11:51 PM 1.72 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 PM

12a

AM Minor: 5:49a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:14p PM Major: 12:26p

Moon Overhead: 12:54p Moon Underfoot: 12:29a

6a

12p

6p

1:30 — 3:30 PM Sunrise: 7:16a Sunset: 6:55p Moonrise: 8:41a Moon Set: 8:20p

AM Minor: 6:41a AM Major: 12:28a PM Minor: 7:05p PM Major: 12:53p

Moon Overhead: 1:44p Moon Underfoot: 1:19a

MONDAY 3:36 PM 0.44 ft.

6a

16

High Tide: 1:08 AM 1.72 ft.

Low Tide: 4:45 PM 0.51 ft.

6p

12a

6a

2:30 — 4:30 PM

High Tide: 1:53 AM 1.71 ft.

Low Tide: 5:53 PM 0.57 ft.

FEET

6p

12a

6a

3:00 — 5:00 PM

6p

12a

6a

9:00 — 11:00 AM

6p

12a

10:00A — 12:00P Sunrise: 7:18a Sunset: 6:50p Moonrise: 12:31p Moon Set: 11:13p

AM Minor: 9:25a AM Major: 3:13a PM Minor: 9:50p PM Major: 3:38p

Moon Overhead: 4:12p Moon Underfoot: 3:48a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:17a Sunset: 6:51p Moonrise: 11:37a Moon Set: 10:26p

AM Minor: 8:30a AM Major: 2:17a PM Minor: 8:55p PM Major: 2:42p

Moon Overhead: 3:23p Moon Underfoot: 2:58a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:17a Sunset: 6:52p Moonrise: 10:40a Moon Set: 9:41p

AM Minor: 7:34a AM Major: 1:22a PM Minor: 7:59p PM Major: 1:47p

AM Minor: 10:20a AM Major: 4:08a PM Minor: 10:45p PM Major: 4:33p

Moon Overhead: 5:02p Moon Underfoot: 4:37a

Moon Overhead: 5:52p Moon Underfoot: 5:27a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

17 º

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:16a Sunset: 6:53p Moonrise: 9:41a Moon Set: 8:59p

Moon Overhead: 2:33p Moon Underfoot: 2:08a

TUESDAY

12p

BEST TIME

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS Fishing Score Moon Moon Graph Overhead Underfoot

READING THE GRAPH

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:15a Sunset: 6:56p Moonrise: 7:40a Moon Set: 7:42p

AM Minor: 4:59a AM Major: 11:12a PM Minor: 5:25p PM Major: 11:37p

Low Tide:

6p

1:00 — 3:00 PM

Sunrise: 7:14a Sunset: 6:57p Moonrise: 6:38a Moon Set: 7:04p

15

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

18

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

n

2:20 AM 9:40 AM 11:04 AM 6:52 PM

1.69 ft.

1.36 ft.

1.37 ft.

0.62 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

19

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

2:39 AM 9:17 AM 12:42 PM 7:40 PM

1.66 ft.

1.30 ft.

1.40 ft.

0.68 ft.

SATURDAY

20

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

2:56 AM 9:10 AM 1:50 PM 8:20 PM

SUNDAY

21

1.64 ft.

1.20 ft.

1.46 ft.

0.75 ft.

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

3:12 AM 9:14 AM 2:48 PM 8:56 PM

1.62 ft.

1.07 ft.

1.52 ft.

0.83 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

11:00A — 1:00P Sunrise: 7:19a Sunset: 6:49p Moonrise: 1:22p Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 11:13a AM Major: 5:01a PM Minor: 11:38p PM Major: 5:26p Moon Overhead: 6:42p Moon Underfoot: 6:17a

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6p

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 PM Sunrise: 7:19a Sunset: 6:48p Moonrise: 2:09p Moon Set: 12:02a

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:52a PM Minor: 12:04p PM Major: 6:16p

Moon Overhead: 7:30p Moon Underfoot: 7:06a

O C T O B E R

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12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 12:27a AM Major: 6:39a PM Minor: 12:51p PM Major: 7:03p

6p

12a

2:00 — 4:00 PM

6p

3:00 — 5:00 PM

AM Minor: 1:55a AM Major: 8:07a PM Minor: 2:18p PM Major: 8:29p

Moon Overhead: 9:04p Moon Underfoot: 8:41a

F I S H

12p

Sunrise: 7:21a Sunset: 6:45p Moonrise: 4:11p Moon Set: 2:39a

AM Minor: 1:13a AM Major: 7:24a PM Minor: 1:36p PM Major: 7:48p

T E X A S

6a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:20a Sunset: 6:46p Moonrise: 3:34p Moon Set: 1:45a

Moon Overhead: 8:18p Moon Underfoot: 7:54a

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12p

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 PM Sunrise: 7:20a Sunset: 6:47p Moonrise: 2:53p Moon Set: 12:53a

6a

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Moon Overhead: 9:50p Moon Underfoot: 9:27a

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

3:30 — 5:30 PM Sunrise: 7:22a Sunset: 6:44p Moonrise: 4:47p Moon Set: 3:32a

AM Minor: 2:36a AM Major: 8:47a PM Minor: 2:58p PM Major: 9:09p

Moon Overhead: 10:35p Moon Underfoot: 10:12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

10:30A — 12:30P Sunrise: 7:22a Sunset: 6:43p Moonrise: 5:21p Moon Set: 4:27a

AM Minor: 3:15a AM Major: 9:26a PM Minor: 3:37p PM Major: 9:48p

Moon Overhead: 11:19p Moon Underfoot: 10:57a

G A M E ®

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Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

22 « FEET

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

3:28 AM 9:29 AM 3:43 PM 9:32 PM

TUESDAY

23 «

1.61 ft.

0.91 ft.

1.59 ft.

0.92 ft.

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

3:44 AM 9:53 AM 4:36 PM 10:08 PM

WEDNESDAY

24 l

1.60 ft.

0.74 ft.

1.65 ft.

1.04 ft.

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

3:59 AM 10:21 AM 5:30 PM 10:47 PM

THURSDAY

25 «

1.58 ft.

0.56 ft.

1.72 ft.

1.17 ft.

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

4:11 AM 10:55 AM 6:28 PM 11:29 PM

1.58 ft.

0.39 ft.

1.77 ft.

1.31 ft.

FRIDAY

26 «

High Tide: 4:19 AM 1.58 ft.

Low Tide: 11:34 AM 0.25 ft.

High Tide: 7:30 PM 1.81 ft.

SATURDAY

27

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

12:14 AM 4:21 AM 12:18 PM 8:40 PM

SUNDAY

28

1.45 ft.

1.60 ft.

0.13 ft.

1.83 ft.

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

1:06 AM 4:13 AM 1:07 PM 9:56 PM

1.58 ft.

1.64 ft.

0.07 ft.

1.84 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 AM

12p

6p

6:00 — 8:00 AM

30

Low Tide:

6p

12a

6a

Moon Overhead: 12:49a Moon Underfoot: 1:12p

31 »

High Tide: 12:18 AM 1.83 ft.

Low Tide: 4:18 PM 0.16 ft.

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 AM

AM Minor: 7:01a AM Major: 12:48a PM Minor: 7:27p PM Major: 1:14p

Moon Overhead: 1:37a Moon Underfoot: 2:01p

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:26a Sunset: 6:38p Moonrise: 8:27p Moon Set: 9:15a

AM Minor: 6:08a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:32p PM Major: 12:20p

8:00 — 10:00 AM

6p

12a

9:00 — 11:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:27a Sunset: 6:37p Moonrise: 9:15p Moon Set: 10:17a

Sunrise: 7:27a Sunset: 6:36p Moonrise: 10:08p Moon Set: 11:19a

AM Minor: 7:59a AM Major: 1:45a PM Minor: 8:26p PM Major: 2:12p

Moon Overhead: 2:27a Moon Underfoot: 2:53p

12p

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 9:01a AM Major: 2:46a PM Minor: 9:29p PM Major: 3:15p

Moon Overhead: 3:20a Moon Underfoot: 3:47p

Moon Overhead: 4:16a Moon Underfoot: 4:44p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

3:07 PM 0.09 ft.

12p

Sunrise: 7:25a Sunset: 6:39p Moonrise: 7:44p Moon Set: 8:14a

AM Minor: 5:19a AM Major: 11:31a PM Minor: 5:43p PM Major: 11:55p

TUESDAY

1.67 ft.

1.68 ft.

0.05 ft.

1.85 ft.

6a

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:25a Sunset: 6:40p Moonrise: 7:05p Moon Set: 7:14a

Moon Overhead: 12:03a Moon Underfoot: 12:26p

MONDAY

12a

BEST TIME

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS Fishing Score Moon Moon Graph Overhead Underfoot

READING THE GRAPH

FEET

6a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 4:35a AM Major: 10:47a PM Minor: 4:58p PM Major: 11:09p

Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:41a

2:25 AM 3:41 AM 2:03 PM 11:12 PM

12a

Sunrise: 7:24a Sunset: 6:41p Moonrise: 6:30p Moon Set: 6:17a

AM Minor: 3:55a AM Major: 10:06a PM Minor: 4:17p PM Major: 10:28p

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

6p

11:30P — 1:30A

Sunrise: 7:23a Sunset: 6:42p Moonrise: 5:55p Moon Set: 5:21a

29

12p

BEST TIME

n

Day’s 2nd Best Score

Best Day Overall

THURSDAY

Nov 1

High Tide: 1:05 AM 1.79 ft.

Low Tide: 5:32 PM 0.27 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

FRIDAY

2

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

1:40 AM 8:18 AM 11:41 AM 6:44 PM

1.73 ft.

1.23 ft.

1.34 ft.

0.40 ft.

SATURDAY

3

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

2:07 AM 8:26 AM 1:24 PM 7:50 PM

SUNDAY

4 END DST

1.65 ft.

1.01 ft.

1.40 ft.

0.56 ft.

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

1:31 AM 7:50 AM 1:45 PM 7:49 PM

1.58 ft.

0.75 ft.

1.49 ft.

0.74 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

9:30 — 11:30 AM Sunrise: 7:28a Sunset: 6:35p Moonrise: 11:07p Moon Set: 12:20p

AM Minor: 10:04a AM Major: 3:50a PM Minor: 10:34p PM Major: 4:19p

Moon Overhead: 5:14a Moon Underfoot: 5:43p

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6p

12a

BEST TIME

10:30A — 12:30P Sunrise: 7:29a Sunset: 6:35p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 1:17p

AM Minor: 11:08a AM Major: 4:53a PM Minor: 11:37p PM Major: 5:23p Moon Overhead: 6:13a Moon Underfoot: 6:42p

O C T O B E R

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6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:54a PM Minor: 12:09p PM Major: 6:23p

6p

12a

12:30 — 2:30PM

6p

1:30 — 3:30 PM

AM Minor: 1:30a AM Major: 7:43a PM Minor: 1:57p PM Major: 8:10p

Moon Overhead: 8:09a Moon Underfoot: 8:36p

F I S H

12p

Sunrise: 7:31a Sunset: 6:32p Moonrise: 2:19a Moon Set: 3:42p

AM Minor: 12:37a AM Major: 6:51a PM Minor: 1:05p PM Major: 7:19p

T E X A S

6a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:30a Sunset: 6:33p Moonrise: 1:14a Moon Set: 2:59p

Moon Overhead: 7:11a Moon Underfoot: 7:40p

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12p

BEST TIME

11:30A — 1:30P Sunrise: 7:30a Sunset: 6:34p Moonrise: 12:09a Moon Set: 2:10p

6a

&

Moon Overhead: 9:03a Moon Underfoot: 9:30p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

9:00 — 11:00 AM Sunrise: 7:32a Sunset: 6:31p Moonrise: 3:23a Moon Set: 4:23p

AM Minor: 2:18a AM Major: 8:31a PM Minor: 2:44p PM Major: 8:56p

Moon Overhead: 9:56a Moon Underfoot: 10:21p

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

10:00A — 12:00P Sunrise: 7:33a Sunset: 6:31p Moonrise: 4:25a Moon Set: 5:01p

AM Minor: 3:03a AM Major: 9:15a PM Minor: 3:28p PM Major: 9:40p

Moon Overhead: 10:46a Moon Underfoot: 11:10p

G A M E ®

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N

O STATE HAS MORE

We really have something special

unique hunting and fish-

here with the nation’s largest whitetail,

ing opportunities than

feral hog and wild turkey populations.

Texas.

On the fishing side we are tops for bass

and have incredible speckled trout and redfish action.

However, some species get little attention in the media.

story by CHESTER MOORE T E X A S

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Special SECTION Desert Bighorn Although few hunters get to pursue them, the desert bighorn is a huntable species in the state. Once eradicated in its native range of the Trans Pecos, they are now restored to a high enough number to allow draw-only hunts and are continually being stocked and monitored.

The return of the bighorn is in large part because of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) efforts combined with those of the Texas Bighorn Society.

Sandhill Cranes

Desert Bighorn

Sandhills are one of the most unique

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Special SECTION PHOTO: CANSTOCK

game animals found in the state. Migrating from Canada, they are called the “sirloin of the sky� for their fine breast meat, but are a vastly underutilized resource.

A Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit is required to hunt Sandhill cranes, in addition to a valid Texas hunting license, Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement, and HIP Certification. The Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit can be obtained in person only at TPWD Law Enforcement offices and TPWD headquarters in Austin, but also is available by phone at (800) 792-1112 (Option 7, menu 7) or 512-389-4820, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday or through Online Sales.

For phone and online orders, a con-

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Sandhill Cranes

9/11/18 10:01 AM

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Special SECTION firmation number will be issued in lieu of a permit. A $5 administrative fee will be charged for online orders. Permittees should keep a record of hunting activities because 26 percent of crane hunters are chosen for a federal harvest survey.

Pronghorn Antelope Very few hunters are aware Texas has a small but huntable population of pronghorn antelope.

According to TPWD, the pronghorn antelope occupies approximately 14 million acres in the Trans-Pecos, High Plans, Rolling Plains, and Edwards Plateau Ecological Regions with about 70 percent

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Pronghorn Antelope

9/11/18 10:01 AM

occurring in the Trans-Pecos region.

Population levels in the Trans-Pecos from 1978 to 2000 have changed significantly from a high of 17,000 animals in the midto-late ’80s to a low of 5,200 animals in year 2000.

“Because antelope live in sensitive habitats, TPWD regulates harvest through hunt permits to provide maximum sustained yield without deleterious effects on the resource. Issuance of antelope hunt permits has paralleled the population decline through time. It’s the reduction of these hunt permits that has caught the attention of the hunting public.”

dle. According to Dale Rollins with Texas Agrilife, during the 1950s and 1960s,

mule deer were transplanted into the Palo Duro Canyon and surrounding areas of

Mule Deer Texas has a decent mule deer population. Around 200,000 reside within our borders in the Trans Pecos and Panhan-

PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

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the “caprock” and have since become well established.

Demand for hunting access is high, so muley hunting can be expensive. However a big Texas buck is a highly prized trophy.

Let’s also take a look at some fish people might not think are available in Texas.

Gar Garfish of four varieties are common in Texas waters, but not all waters produce every kind of gar. Many not familiar with the species do not realize the diversity in these unusual fish.

Alligator garfish are protected with a daily bag limit of one fish and a provision in state regulation to close certain areas when optimal spawning periods occur.

The following notes are from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s garfish profiles.

Gars are easily distinguished from other freshwater species by their long, slender, cylindrical bodies, long snouts, and diamond-shaped interlocking (ganoid) scales. The tail fin is rounded. Dorsal and anal fins are placed well back on the body and nearly opposite each other.

The alligator gar is the largest of the gar PHOTO: BIGSTOCK

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kg). Their upper body is brown to olive, and they have silver-white sides. Head, body, and fins have olive-brown to black spots that help camouflage the fish. Immature fish have a broad, dark stripe on their sides. Their long, snout-like mouth is lined with strong, sharp teeth, and their body is covered with thick, ganoid (diamond-

Mule Deer

species. It can grow up to eight feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds. Adults have two rows of large teeth on each side of the upper jaw. Coloration is generally brown or olive above, and lighter under-

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neath. The species name spatula is Latin for “spoon”, referring to the creature’s broad snout.

Spotted gars grow to a length of three feet (0.9 m), weighing eight pounds (3.6

shaped) scales. Spotted gars may be distinguished from other Texas gar species by the dark roundish spots on the top of the head, the pectoral fins and on the pelvic fins.

Lepisosteus is Greek, meaning “bony scale”, and platostomus is also Greek, meaning “broad mouth.”

Shortnose gars may be distinguished from other Texas species in that they lack the double row of teeth in the upper jaw of the alligator gar, the long snout of the longnose gar, and the spots of the spotted gar.

9/13/18 11:53 AM

Special SECTION Longnose gars are distinguished from other gar species found in Texas by the long snout whose length is at least 10 times the minimum width.

realize the diversity of billfish living in Gulf waters.

According a report written Randy Blankinship, Ecosystem Leader, Lower Laguna Madre for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, The species of billfishes in the Gulf of Mexico (blue marlin,

Billfish On the saltwater side many do not

white marlin, sailfish and longbill spearfish) support an exciting sport fishery.

Anglers spend an enormous amount of effort, time and money to experience the thrilling fight of one of the largest and most intensely energetic fish in existence.

“Yet, as popular as these fishes are, there is very little that is known about their life history-where they reproduce, how many eggs are produced, how many larvae survive to adulthood, if variations of stocks exist within their range, how old they get and how fast they grow. This basic information is needed to allow Blue Marlin

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and incidental, is the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

The United States is a member of ICCAT and negotiates with other countries in determining harvest levels. Such negotiations can only be successful if good scientific information is available to sup-

port good decision making.”

Despite the lack of information, there is a viable fishery. Anglers who have the ability to get to blue water have a legitimate shot at realizing the dream of catching a billfish right here in Texas.

«

Longnose Gar

proper fishery management measures to be made domestically and internationally and to enable sustainability throughout its range.”

“In fact, the latest stock assessment for this group shows that blue marlin and white marlin are overfished throughout their range in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. This range includes offshore waters of many coastal states and several countries. This makes the role of international fishery management extremely important. The governing body that sets the levels of billfish harvest, both directed

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Texas TASTED

by BRYAN SLAVEN :: The Texas Gourmet

Teal Tenderloin Wraps

2 Cloves fresh garlic – minced 2 Tsp. Sesame seeds 1 T. Black pepper 2 Tsp. Soy Sauce 1 Tsp. Coarse mustard 3 Tsp. Olive oil Powdered ginger (Heat basting ingredients over a low fire until well blended, and then remove from heat)

A

S WATERFOWL SEASON kicks in to full gear, a favorite hunting trip of mine, my boys and Remi the Red Lab is the pursuit of ducks. And when it comes to eating teal is tops.

When you are sitting patiently telling stories of past trips and watching the sky, the sound of a group of blue wing or green wing teal is unmistakable with the wind whooshing through their wings as Ryan, Brandon and Kim will cry out, take ‘em boys!

This recipe is awesome and will allow you to share some of your harvest with some compadres at the tailgate, or back in the backyard by the grill.

Preparation Remove the breasts from the bone, carefully inspect, rinsing and removing any pellets or feathers from the meat, then slice long ways into ½ “thick strips- you should

Ingredients

Savory Teal Tenderloin Wraps are great for cooler days.

6 to 7 Teal or other duck breasts 24 Slices of thin sliced Center Cut bacon 1 Large purple onion- peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch strips 12 Fresh jalapeños, halved, and seeded, and scraped inside 1 8 oz. cake of cream cheese, allow to sit out until softened 3 Green onions, sliced thin 1 tablespoon- fresh chopped cilantro 30 to 40 round toothpicks- uncolored

have at least 24 strips. Then place in a bowl of iced brine water (3 T. sea salt to 1 qt. of water along with 25 to 30 ice cubes. Add water if needed to fully submerse all meat) for 1 hour.

Pour off the water, then refill the bowl with straight cold water and soak for an additional 30 minutes. Pour off water again, then drizzle a couple teaspoons of olive oil over the strips. Toss well to be sure and touch all pieces, then cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until time to prepare.

In a small bowl combine the cream cheese, chopped green onion and cilantro, add 1 teaspoon of fresh black pepper, stir well until well blended.

Place approx. ¾ teaspoon of the cream

-place in a shallow cup or bowl of water

Baste 1—bottle of cold St. Arnolds Santo Beer (or your favorite amber ale) – open and take a good sip just to make sure it’s OK. Then save the rest for the recipe.

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cheese mixture into each jalapeno half and spread evenly.

Lay the bacon strips separated on a cookie sheet, and lightly dust with powdered ginger, fresh cracked pepper, and sesame seeds, While holding a strip of bacon in one hand with the spices to the inside, lay a jalapeno half on the bacon, and then top it with a duck breast strip. Wrap the bacon around tightly from one end all the way to the other end to hold in the cream cheese mixture, then seal with a moistened toothpick. Use two if necessary. Repeat until all wraps are made up.

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Grilling NOTE: Keep lid closed as much as possible to evenly cook the wraps and hold in the heat.

Grill over a mesquite, charcoal, or gas fire with a med. High fire. Cook the wraps indirectly over the heat, turning frequently and basting often to keep them moist. When bacon appears done, approx. 10 to 12 minutes, move the wraps to a warmed platter, and cover loosely with a piece of foil for 8 to 10 minutes to rest the meat. Remove all toothpicks, and serve.

Bon Appétit!

«

Email Bryan Slaven at bryan@TheTexasGourmet.com PHOTO: BRYAN SLAVEN

9/11/18 8:42 AM

Outdoor DIRECTORY Guides & Outfitters

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Destinations

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THE NEW 2019 TEXAS LAKES & BAYS COMING SOON!!

T E X A S

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BASS Lake Somerville Cody Pfeffer caught this 6.47pound largemouth while fishing at Lake Somerville.

BASS Farmers Branch Levi Robertson of Farmers Branch shared this photo of him with a three-pound bass he wrangled out of Rawhide Creek, using a water frog.

FERAL HOG TEXAS SLAM

Jones County Jessica Oliva shot her first feral hog, while hunting in Jones County.

Port Mansfield Abigail Cavasos bagged her first Texas Slam— redfish, speckled trout and flounder— while fishing at Port Mansfield.

REDFISH Baffin Bay Jay Reyna caught and released this 45-inch redfish on Christmas Eve at Site 55 in Riviera.

He was using pinfish as bait.

SHARK Surfside Aiden Hoffman caught his first ever shark, on Surfside Beach. Not the biggest, but a great start to landing the big one! He was fishing with Colton Hoffman.

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SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO photos@FishGame.com For best results, send MED to HIGH quality JPEG digital files only, please.

Also Enter our PHOTO CONTEST: FishGame.com/Hotshots No guarantee can be made as to when, or if, a submitted photo will be published.

RED SNAPPER Surfside Susan “Susie Q” Cooke caught her first red snapper, on a Gulf trip out of Surfside.

BOWFISHING HAUL REDFISH

Alabama

South Padre Island

Seven-year-old Kellen Hale of Henderson and his dad Parker got a number of stingrays on a bowfishing trip while on vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

They also boated a few fish and a crab.

Sabina Solis caught this nice red while fishing with her dad and Grandpa out of South Padre Island.

REDFISH Galveston Shane Taylor caught and tagged this 40-inch bull red on Galveston Bay near the Causeway. The “beast” was the biggest red he ever caught.

T E X A S

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