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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

Gone Way Too Soon

PUBLISHER

CHESTER MOORE EDITOR IN CHIEF

N A COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE’LL BE OBSERVING THE THIRTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of TEXAS FISH & GAME, and in this space will probably reflect on some of the many highlights and milestones from our history. We will also pay tribute to some of the people who made this three-and-a-half decade journey possible. Sadly, we are compelled to pay tribute now to one of those people. Dan Alvey, one of the founders of TEXAS FISH & GAME, passed away in December. Dan was only 67 and his death was a shock to all of his friends, family and associates. He died in a Tacoma, Washington hospital after a month-long struggle with injuries and complications suffered in an accident on the charter fishing boat he and his son operated in the Pacific Northwest. While Dan’s involvement with the magazine ended just a couple of years after its creation, there is no doubt that TEXAS FISH & GAME would not exist without him. We’ve told our story a number of times before, usually while observing anniversaries, and we have tried to give Dan the credit due him for his role in creating TF&G. But under these sad circumstances, his contributions warrant repeating. In 1984, when the first issue of FISH & GAME rolled off the presses in Marble Falls, those presses were owned by Highland Publishing Company. Dan was the president of Highland Publishing, which also operated the Highlander Newspaper and a separate graphics company. At the time, we were primarily engaged running the newspaDan Alvey, on his boat in Alaska. per, Roy as Highlander publisher and Ardia as its sales director. We all participated in the evolution of FISH & GAME from a quarterly Highlander insert into a stand-alone monthly publication. But Dan took the leading role in TF&G’s early development. He and founding editor Marvin Spivey were responsible for FISH & GAME’S original content strategy, and our “Just About Texas” editorial directive. Much of what still defines TF&G’s unique editorial character was there in the early issues under Dan’s guidance. Alvey was a marketing and entrepreneurial genius. When we decided to launch FISH & GAME as a statewide magazine, his innovative thinking was instrumental in springboarding the magazine virtually from zero to tens of thousands of paying subscribers. Dan’s entrepreneurial spark soon inspired him to break free and in 1986 he left the Highland Publishing Company and he and his wife, Lee, started their own commercial printing company in Marble Falls. A couple of years later, Dan sold that company and started a weekly newspaper, The Picayune. By this time, The Highlander had been sold and we had moved TEXAS FISH & GAME to San Antonio. His newspaper was a success and he and Lee doubled down on their bet by starting a second local paper, a daily called The Tribune. Then, they purchased a local radio station in the Marble Falls/ Horseshoe Bay area. Success continued, and they soon were publishing phone directories and tourism guides, including thriving publications in Corpus Christi. At the time of his death, Alvey was working on ambitious plans to build his directories and guides into digital platforms. At a time when all publishers, TF&G included, are facing unprecedented existential challenges, Dan’s inspired voice of creative enthusiasm and innovative thinking will be missed. Even more, his engaging spirit, unwavering faith and infectious sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

E-mail Roy at rneves@ﬁshgame.com and Ardia at aneves@ﬁshgame.com 2

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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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TEXAS FISH & GAME (ISSN 0887-4174) is published monthly by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC., 247 Airtex Dr. Houston, TX 77090. ©Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. All rights reserved. Content is not to be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1 year $24.95; 2 years $42.95; 3 years $58.95. Address all subscription inquiries to Texas Fish & Game, 247 Airtex Dr. Houston, TX 77090. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for response. Give old and new address and enclose latest mailing address label when writing about your subscription. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TEXAS FISH & GAME, 247 Airtex Dr. Houston, TX 77090. Address all subscription inquiries to TEXAS FISH & GAME, 247 Airtex Dr. Houston, TX 77090. Email change of address to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Email new orders to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Email subscription questions to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 77267-9946 and at additional mailing offices.

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Contents February 2019 | Vol. 35 • No. 10

FEATURE ARTICLES

TUNA TIPS Effective tactics for pursuing—and catching— tuna in Texas Gulf waters.

by Lenny Rudow

COVER STORY

SPOTTED VS. ALABAMA BASS

The spotted bass has long been a native staple in Texas Waters. Now, if you catch one it’s more likely an Alabama.

Editor’s Notes

by CHESTER MOORE

Pike on the Edge

Bass University

Texas Boating

Bare Bones Hunting

The giant invasion of feral hogs continues to plague Texas cities.

TEXAS OUTDOOR NATION

INVASION OF THE URBAN HOGS by Chester Moore

COLUMNS

Is the Texas Coast adequately prepared for a freeze like the one that struck in 1989?

by TF&G Staff

story by Matt Williams photo by Cody Meyer

FREEZE FRENZY

WHY GEAR RATI0S MATTER Learning and understanding reel gear ratios is not such a drag.

by Lenny Rudow

by DOUG PIKE

by PETE ROBBINS

of the Nation + Texas HotShots 36 News Focus 38 Coastal Columns 48 Texas Hotspots 56 Sportsman’s Daybook Tides & Prime Fishing Times

by LENNY RUDOW

DEPARTMENTS

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by LOU MARULLO

Texas Tactical by DUSTIN ELLERMANN F E B R U A R Y

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Letters

by TFG Readers

Texas Tasted

by BRYAN SLAVEN

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Outdoor Directory Fish & Game Photos by TFG Readers

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LETTERS to the Editor Weisuhn Question MR. WEISHUHN,I READ YOUR ARTIcle the other day about “pursuing maturity”. What I want to know about is your use of “wildlife activity charts” to determine peak feeding periods. Are these charts—the ones in the back of TF&G called the “Sportsman’s Daybook, Tides and Prime Times”? Are these for fishing only? If not, then where do you get this activity chart info?

Good hunting! Rex Cauthen The Dodsons enjoyed their hunt together in Wyoming and taking two magniﬁcent bucks on an unforgettable father/son hunt.

Weisuhn: As much as possible, I try to use “Activity Charts” which are essentially based on moon phase and position of the moon whenever I hunt. I’ve learned over the years whitetail deer move pretty close to these published times, as do predators. Prime fishing and hunting times are the same and the “Sportsman’s Daybook” is an excellent source. Wish you the very best of days afield. Please let me know how you do the rest of the hunting season.

ple of mule deer tags to be harvested. We hunted for two days glassing and walking hills watching for the specific deer that we wanted to harvest. The third morning after the snow cleared, my son shot his buck at 215 yards, with a 7mm Remington Magnum using a 150-grain Nosler Ballistic-tip bullet. After celebrating his shot on his buck, the deer I shot stepped out approximately five minutes afterwards at 325 yards. The rancher asked if I was comfortable taking that shot, and I agreed that I was. The buck then stopped at 345 yards and I made the shot with a 7mm Remington Magnum with a 140-grain Nosler Partition bullet. We practiced with our rifles at various ranges before we left for the hunt. And by the way the rancher stated that he would not let anyone take those shots if we could not prove that we could ethically take them on those fine animals. Keep up the good work with the informative articles to the public to take practice and know your rifles or weapons before you take shots at game.

Lamascus Article I WROTE TF&G GUNS EDITOR Steve Lamascus a couple of years ago about long-range shooting, and what an individual would be capable of taking a long shot. I am a Houston Police Officer currently working on my 30th year as a Senior Police Officer. I enjoy the sport of hunting, and the fact there are still places in our country that respect fair chase for game. I call these our Overtime Bucks; due to me working for almost three years of overtime chasing bad guys and saving my overtime pay for a big game hunt. My son was just promoted to the rank of Sergeant for the Galveston Police Department and has always wanted to hunt Big Mule Deer. We hunted outside of Casper Wyoming with a good friend of mine who had some property that would allow a cou6

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Red Wolf Rediscovery DEAR MR. MOORE, The rediscovery of red wolf DNA on Galveston Island must be exciting for you. I remember you writing a column in Texas Fish & Game on red wolves probably 15 years ago. Thanks for being willing to take a risk on a unique issue and stick with it.

Bob Campbell Editor: It is indeed a very exciting time and thank you for your kind words. This is a wonderful time for wildlife in Texas because it shows there is still hope even when it seems lost for certain species. I am blessed to work for a publication that has allowed me to explore the mysteries of the great outdoors.

« Email your comments to: editor@ﬁshgame.com

Yours Truly, Charles Dodson Jr. |

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

Find Solitude to Find

Big Fish

ISH THAT END UP IN THE FRYing pan are impossible to catch. That thought hit me as Toledo Bend guide Jerry Thompson took me to an obscure stand of timber in the lake seeking out monster crappie. “There are some pretty nice fish in here sometimes, and they hold up tight to the structure,” he said. Thompson was dead-on. A few minutes later, I landed a two-poundplus white crappie that succumbed to a shiner on a modified free line with a 1/8-ounce split shot weight rigged six inches above the hook. Crappie guides can consistently put clients onto big fish on their personally placed brush piles. However, as people start figuring out their locations, the fish get picked off and the big ones become scarce. By targeting a location where most anglers fish for largemouths, we were able to catch several nice crappies including the behemoth white. Fishing pressure is, in my opinion, the most overlooked factor in fishing success, especially in catching big fish of any species. Flounders are a glaring example of this, as the vast majority of legal-sized flounders caught are destined for an oven. Add the fact that the flounder is a territorial species. These fish inhabit a fairly small home range once they migrate into bays, so you can see how pickings can get slim in certain highly pressured areas. There is some scientific evidence that some fish that are hard to catch under any circumstances. These fish seem to be genetically programmed to be super cautious of lures, fishing line and humans in general. Each time they are presented with lures and bait and experience the sound of boats overhead, they seem to get even more elusive. A study conducted by Gary P. Garett of the

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Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) at their Heart of the Hills Research Station supports the theory that certain genes help make some fish more selective than others. “Two generations of selective breeding for vulnerability to angling in largemouth bass

those that have the right components to produce fish, but they are definitely not the only areas. Consider branching out to find fish that are rarely targeted. For example, I know that monster bass inhabit deep, open water that is rarely targeted on Sam Rayburn. If I were to heed my own advice that is the next spot I would look for a lunker largemouth. If you frequent Toledo Bend, Falcon or Fork, look at alternatives to your favorite locations. If you target bass in the same coves that get hit constantly by tournaments, learn the The author loves crappie fishing and developed his F.L.E.X. Fishing system to help him target big fish. F.L.E.X. stands for Focus, Learn, Eliminate, Experience. This big Rayburn crappie was caught during the final testing of the system.

revealed that this trait is inheritable. Fish selectively bred for angling vulnerability were more likely to be caught multiple times than were those bred for wariness,” Garrett wrote. Citing researchers Brown, Aldrich, Bowers and Martin he said that largemouth bass are rapid learners, particularly when negative stimuli such as artificial lures are involved. “Learning is an important factor when fish are caught and released, because previously experienced fishing pressure appears to be inversely related to angling vulnerability.” How does this apply to your angling here in Texas and beyond? Start to think about the spots that are most frequented by anglers and then areas that see little pressure. The most popular locations are |

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main lake cover and structure in deeper water where few anglers fish. If it’s crappie you want, target brush or timber in areas far away from the most popular ramps where most crappie anglers launch. Think outside the box and understand that pressured fish are always harder to catch than those that rarely see a hook.

« Email Chester Moore at cmoore@ﬁshgame.com

PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

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

Everyday People

I live in suburbia, too, but I recognize my place in it. I’ve had to rescue more than a dozen snakes, some venomous, from the shovel. I’ve helped turtles over curbs. I’ve waited while acclimated pigs and deer took their darned time crossing the road. I get it, and I accept the responsibility that comes with it. Suburban sprawl hasn’t stopped, either. Some of the finest waterfowl hunting ground in North America, the Katy Prairie west of Houston, is now a series of sprawling developments interrupted by malls and strip centers. Across the country, forests and prairies are being divided and subdivided. Lakeshores are being bulk-headed and turned into waterfront neighborhoods. And not everyone who moves toward the woods or the water does so for better access to hunting and fishing. Quite the opposite, in fact, is increasingly the case. These newcomers to open spaces love nature, they’ll tell you, but they neither understand nor are especially interested in the management of their natural neighbors. When 10 or 20 or 1,000 acres of woods and grassland get developed, that much land is rendered mostly uninhabitable for whatever animals once lived there. Resident wildlife—all of it—suffers. Not visibly, at first. They’re healthy as the home and shopping centers and schools go up. Then, as 200 deer try to feed on habitat suitable for 120, they all lose a little weight. Only a biologist would notice. Then comes a harsh winter, so severe that the cold slowly kills some of those thinner deer. Or maybe there’s an outbreak of disease in the herd that carves out a few more. And a few more, without any means of stopping the death as the toll passes its ideal number. So, the people who enjoyed seeing deer in their yards don’t see them anymore. Since it couldn’t possibly be their faults those deer disappeared—“We fed them corn, right out there on the driveway.” They look for someone in camo and shake a finger that way. They don’t like us, and they’re determined to stop hunters, because hunters kill innocent

EWARE OF WOLVES IN sheep’s clothing—or mowing the lawn on a Saturday afternoon. The people who want to stop us from hunting and fishing look more like us every day. You can hardly distinguish them, in fact, except when they start beating their tambourines and telling us to quit killing defenseless animals in the magical world where animals are all friends. It’s a slow but steady process, this growth of anti-hunting sentiment, and its origin is difficult to finger. Maybe it goes back to Bambi, when wildlife first talked to moviegoers. Or to the first of the so-called animalrights groups, which were then and are now just fronts for the anti-hunting movement. We must look also, closely, at the societal blurring of the line between city and country, between urban and rural. More and more suburbanites equate master-planned communities with the wild outdoors because they saw a bunny in the yard once. As people first migrated in big numbers to the suburbs around the late middle of the 20th century, they embraced the feeling of space around them, the elbowroom afforded by lots larger than postage stamps. So, they saw wild animals, and those animals were SO cute. How could anyone harm those animals? Why can’t we just leave those animals alone? The answer to that last question is this: Because the house you built out there in what once really was wild, open ground—but for the cows and barbed-wire that displaced the cute animals, which now are eating your flowers. And the animals that eat those animals. Your home used to be their home. You chose not to leave them alone from the day your slab was poured.

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animals. Or so the blather goes. Texas, thankfully, remains a well-defended fortress against most of the anti-hunting rhetoric. But as more people move here from cities and states where hunting isn’t such a strong tradition, where guns are blamed for humans’ violent acts and their parents weren’t hunters or gun owners, we’ll be forced to deal with more tambourine banging and more calls for checks on our passions. It’ll start with innocent-seeming suggestions of shorter seasons, maybe fewer animals allowed in daily or seasonal bags. If this is not stifled, immediately, we’ll wind up with politicians—not wildlife biologists—managing Texas wildlife. That would mark the beginning of an ugly end to something magnificent. Even in Texas, the number is on the rise of people who dislike the thought of shooting a big buck as it slips across a sendero or plucking a fat greenhead from a flight of mallards banking hard over the decoys. I still see a fantastic future for Texans and Americans who enjoy the outdoors, but securing that future will require each of us to keep our ears and eyes open. Some people, right here in Texas, see things quite differently than we do. They’re not going to change their opinions, but they’re entitled to those opinions—however wrong they may be about us and what we enjoy. They can beat their tambourines all they want, but we can’t allow them to manage wildlife here or anywhere, because their way does not work.

Email Doug Pike at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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THERE WAS A TIME NOT TOO AWFULLY LONG AGO when a fisherman who reeled in a football shaped “spotted bass” weighing upwards of three pounds could call it a spot and feel pretty good about it. But that’s not the case anymore. Just because a fat bass with a really serious weight problem looks like a spotted bass doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what it is. In fact, there’s a good

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chance it may be some sort of hybrid or an entirely different animal altogether. For years the fisheries science community recognized three subspecies of spotted bass—the northern spot, the Wichita spot and the Alabama spot. The northern spot (also called the Kentucky spot) is the most widely distributed across the U.S. and is native to waters in portions of eastern Texas. &

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PHOTO: MATT WILLIAMS

In 2011, however, the American Fisheries Society whittled the list to two when it removed Alabama fish from the spotted bass family and reclassified it as a species unto its ownâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the Alabama bass. Established in 1870, the AFS is a nonprofit organization comprised of fisheries professionals nationwide whose goals are to advance fisheries and aquatic science and to promote the development of fisheries professionals.

About Alabama Bass The Alabama bass is native to the Mobile River basin of Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. The AFS elected to remove the fish from the spotted bass list after extensive DNA testing and other research revealed that the Alabama bass and the spotted bass are way too different to place them under the same family tree. Perhaps the biggest difference between the fish is their growth potential. Biologists say northern spotted bass, the most wide-

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The Texas record Alabama bass.

ly distributed, rarely grow beyond three pounds. Alabama bass, meanwhile, are genetically wired to grow significantly larger.

Dr. Steven M. Sammons with the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University, has per-

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PHOTO: CODY MEYER:

Cody Meyer caught this huge Alabama in California.

formed extensive research on numerous species of black bass, including Alabama bass, over the last 25 years. An avid angler, Sammons says he has

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caught 14 different native black bass species. In five years of working and fishing in Tennessee, he claims he never documented a single native northern spotted bass over 2

1/2 pounds. “Actual spotted bass (Kentucky spotted bass, northern spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus) rarely get over three pounds and virtually never over five pounds,” Sammons said. Sammons added that it is much easier to differentiate between the two fish in person as opposed to a photo. The biologist said Alabama Bass are more brassy, leaner, and have a more pointed head; whereas, spotted bass are greener, fatter, and a blunter head. “But the surest way is size,” Sammons said. “If you have a population where the fish routinely reach 3-5 pounds, you have Alabama Bass, not spotted bass.” Dr. Michael Maceina, also fisheries scientist at Auburn University, agreed with Sammons’ assessment. Macenia has invested a considerable amount of time researching the fish. He says the largest angler-caught Alabama bass he is aware of within its native range weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces. Alabama bass have found their way into several different water bodies over the years, some through illegal releases and some via state agency stockings. The fish have even

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PHOTO: USFW

Spotted and Alabama bass have a dorsal ﬁn that is clearly connected, whereas Floridas have a more separated dorsal ﬁn.

built along the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. In 2011, Alan Henry produced a 5.62 pounder that at the time replaced the long standing spotted bass state record of 5.56 pounds caught from Lake O’ the Pines in 1966. The lake kicked out an even larger fish weighing 5.98 in Jan. 2016. Genetics testing of both Alan Henry bass confirmed they were pure descendants of 150 fish stocked in 1996. In Sept. 2017, TPWD became one of a handful of state game and fish agencies to recognize the AFS ruling declaring the Alabama bass a separate species. TPWD created a state record category in its Angler Recognition Program specifically for those fish and placed the 5.98 pounder caught in 2016 by Josh Helmstetler of Big Spring at the head of the list. Meanwhile, the 5.56 pound spotted bass reported 53 years ago at Lake O’ the Pines has been reinstated as the state record spotted bass. As earlier mentioned, any spotted bass as heavy as the ‘Pines fish is highly suspect these days without genetics testing using a scale or fin clip to confirm its true DNA. By no means is that to say it is a genetic impossibility for a native spot grow that large, but they are extremely rare. “When it comes to state records, you can never pass on the notion that it was just a genetic freak,” Sammons said. “State records can be a lot bigger than average, because genetics is a weird thing, and every once in awhile you get some freak that grows twice as fast as everyone around him/her. I think most state records are like that.”

found their way outside their home range as far west as California, where the California Department of Fish and Wildlife began stocking them as early as 1974. One California lake where the fish have fared exceptionally well is 4,700-acre New Bullards Bar, where Alabama bass upwards of six pounds are fairly common and backto-back world records weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces and 11 pounds, 4 ounces were caught in 2015 and 2017. It’s worth noting that the mountainous lake also is stocked with protein-rich kokanee salmon. Maceina says he thinks the magnum size of the Alabamas coming out of New Bullards Bar and other California reservoirs could be attributed to a combination of diet, habitat conditions and possibly even low-density populations. “It’s amazing to see how much larger Alabama bass get in California compared to the size in their native range,” he said.

Alabamas to Texas You don’t hear much about Alabama bass in Texas, probably because they have been stocked in only one Lone Star Lake with no immediate plans to release them elsewhere. In 1996, Texas Parks and Wildlife released 150 adult Alabama bass in Lake Alan Henry, a West Texas lake where northern spotted bass do not exist. The experimental stocking was performed to see how the fish would do in the 2,900-acre reservoir near Lubbock. Obviously, the transplants have adapted well to the classic spotted bass environment provided by the deep, rocky impoundment 16

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Perhaps the largest spotted bass ever documented through genetics testing was a 6.1 pounder caught from Tennessee’s Lake Chickamauga in 2011. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which also recognizes spots and Alabama bass separately, lists the fish as a state record for spotted bass.

Why Not Stock ‘Em Texas bass anglers love to catch big fish. Given the Alabama bass’s ability to grow significantly larger than northern spotted bass, and how the fish have fared at Alan Henry, it might seem like a good idea to some anglers for TPWD to initiate some sort stocking programs on other Texas lakes. TPWD director of inland fisheries director Craig Bonds isn’t a fan. “At this time, TPWD does not plan on stocking Alabama bass in more Texas lakes,” Bonds said. “We do not want to risk potential negative inter-specific competition with recreationally and economically important largemouth bass fisheries, nor do we desire to risk hybridization with other endemic black basses in Texas, especially in areas where active restoration efforts are in place for native Guadalupe bass. In general, there is less support and acceptance within the broader fisheries management profession for further range expansion of black basses.”

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

February Frogging on Sunny Afternoons

N GRASS-LADEN TEXAS bass factories, February is a time of change. Winter is over, and as water temperatures move up from the high 40s and low 50s, fish have spawning on their minds. “In Texas, early February is really spring,” said former Toledo Bend guide Dave Mansue. As the winter-to-spring transition commences, he loves to flip a jig and a Missile Baits Baby D-Bomb to stumps sitting on the edges of drains and creek channels. That’s a tactic that produces numerous 20-pound-plus bags for him every spring. He said you won’t feel the bites, but that it’s “critical to watch your line” for signs of a big girl moving off with your lure. Once the days start to warm up, he’ll often change his focus to the outside edge of grass beds, where lipless crankbaits remain heroes. “No matter how many they see or hear, it continues to work well,” he said. “I’ll also mix in a jerkbait and a Chatterbait with a Keitech swimbait on the back.” So far those are some pretty standard Texas tools. They’ve worked for decades and they’ll probably continue to work as long as there are bass and grass in the Lone Star state. Their effectiveness may be muted slightly by the fact that so many educated anglers are pounding the water these days, but Mansue said that side-imaging technology has countered that fact. “I’m typically looking for points or pockets in the grass,” he said. “Any place with flow or where bait gets trapped. Look at the grass just like you’d look at a hard bank. The fish will set up the same way. My Humminbird electronics are so crisp and clear, I can idle down a grass line, set up my waypoints and then fish my way back. I’m looking for groups of white dots on the edge of the grass.” Mansue’s morning techniques may be text|

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“ They’ve worked for decades and they’ll probably continue to work as long as there are bass and grass in the Lone Star state.

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book. However, when the sun starts to shine in the late morning and early afternoon, raising the temperature of the water by a few degrees, he’ll make a radical shift. He’ll head to the inside edge of the hydrilla, just outside the hay grass. That’s when he pulls out a hollow-bodied frog, a lure more associated with late spring

and summer than the frigid days of February. “A lot of people won’t think of that, because topwater typically doesn’t work at that time of year. But when those big females start cruising the inside grass edge of the grass, especially on bright, sunny days when it’s flat calm, it’s a way to catch some really big fish. They’ll absolutely crush it.” As long as the water is clear to stained, not muddy, he’ll fish it, typically in depths of four feet or less. It’s effective anywhere there’s grass, but he knows firsthand that it works on Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork and Lake of |

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the Pines. Mansue throws a black frog much of the rest of the year, but in February he prefers a white or sexy shad color—his preferred SPRO frogs come in a shade called “Nasty Shad,” which is much the same thing as the latter color. He’ll use both the regular, pointy-nosed frog and the popping version. In either case the key is to “pop it real slow or walk it real slow.” He ties a loop knot to ensure maximum side-to-side action while barely moving the lure forward. It’s crucial to aggravate those big girls to exercise either their appetite or their sense of territoriality, and there’s something about that frog that brings out the mean side of them. Mansue fishes his frogs on a stout Castaway Skeleton flipping stick paired with a Lew’s baitcasting reel. The reel’s 8.3:1 gear ratio allows him to gather line up when a big bass annihilates the lure and runs right toward the boat. Fifty-pound test braided fishing line slices through the grass. He’s less adamant about using braid with his “Traps” and Chatterbaits, noting that sometime fluorocarbon gets more bites, but with the frog there is no substitute. He noted that many Texas big bass hunters such as Todd Castledine and Russell Cecil might pick up their frog rod early in the morning and never put it down, looking for just five big bites. However, Mansue prefers to put several—or a limit in the livewell—before switching to February surface lures. “When you start feeling good from the sun, that’s when you know the fish are ready to eat it,” he said.

« Email Pete Robbins at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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HEN IT COMES TO BRUTE strength and tackle-busting abilities, few fish in the ocean can match a tuna. Tuna fishing off the Texas coast is a significant endeavor often consisting of long runs and 24- to 48-hour trips far offshore into the Gulf. However, the payback is more than worth the price of admission. These brutes can top 100 pounds and can best almost any competitor both on the end of the line and on top of the grill.

Yellowfins at the Floaters The larger tunas within shooting distance of our coastline are yellowfin, which are com-

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monly caught at “the floaters.” These are five deep-water oil and gas rigs in more than 1,500 feet of water lying 100-plus miles off the coast. Most boats headed for the floaters depart from Galveston, Port Aransas, or one of the ports in-between. This means long cruises of four to six hours that make hitting these spots almost always an overnight endeavor. This isn’t a bad thing, because the yellowfins often bite best at night when the bright lights of the rigs attract hordes of baitfish into the area. The drill is the same at all of the floaters, the northernmost Perdido, Hoover-Diana, Gunnison, or the twin Boomvang and Nansen rigs. Troll the usual pelagic offerings such as rigged ballyhoo and feathers during the daylight hours. Keep a hefty spinning rod rigged and ready with a large popper in case you spot fish busting on the surface. When darkness falls, set up a drift in areas that had action or where bait is on the meter. Toss handfuls of fish chunks over the side while drifting back baits on circle hooks.

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As the boat drifts, a crewmember should be armed with a long-handled dip net and tasked with scooping up flying fish. They’re often attracted right up to the boat by your artificial lights. A live flying fish is prime yellowfin bait. Thirty-pound-class gear is the norm. However, many anglers will spool their reels with braid in the 50- to 65-pound class, then add a top-shot of monofilament. Leaders are commonly fluorocarbon, with size varying depending on how finicky the fish are. Sometimes yellowfins are perfectly happy to strike a 6/0 to 10/0 circle hook crimped to 120-pound-test, but quite often they shy away from thick leaders. In this case, anglers will need to down-size. At times, it may even be necessary to go down to 30- or 40-pound leaders. TIP: Don’t forget that yellowfins are schooling fish, and where there’s one, there’s more—often, lots more. To catch multiples instead of singles, assign someone the task of maintaining the flow of chunks at all times— especially when there’s a fish on the line. That way, the moment you gaff the fish you might hook another. Or go bold, and drift a bait

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back while there’s a fish on the line to shoot for a double.

Back in the Black Another tuna-catching option which lies slightly closer to home is to go for blackfins. Significantly smaller than a yellowfin, a 30-pounder is considered a big fish and blackfins under 10 pounds are quite common. Their determined fighting ability and delicious white meat make blackfins nearly as attractive as their larger cousins. The key to finding blackfins? They will show up at the floaters, sometimes providing nonstop action for anglers hoping for the larger yellowfins. Sometimes you’ll spot flocks of birds over breaking blackfin. as you cruise. Inshore of the rigs it’s really all about locating shrimp boats. Blackfins follow them like dogs, waiting for bycatch to be shoveled over the side. You generally need to find shrimpers 30 or more miles off the coast, working in 150plus feet of water or deeper. Shrimpers in closer tend to be loaded up with more sharks than anything else.

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Live or cut bait will do the trick.

When a shrimper is spotted, anglers will usually pull in close, then add some of their own chum, to draw the predators over. Those able to cast net a well full of livies will often chum live bait. This tends to throw the tunas in to an utter frenzy. Try bouncing a handful of baitfish off the outboard cowl, stunning them so they swim in tight, desperate circles. If blackfins are anywhere near by, the water will erupt. Then the blackfins can be hooked with a variety of live or cut bait, speed jigs, and at times, surface poppers. This is also one of few scenarios where it’s possible to catch a tuna on a fly, by casting six- to eight-inch baitfish patterns into the fray.

Getting to the Fish With the distances involved in targeting Gulf tuna off the Texas coast, much of the small, private boat fleet isn’t up to the task. Mid-sized boats can certainly reach the blackfins, but getting to the floaters, fishing for a day or two, then getting back home requires the rather massive fuel capacity of larger boats. Fortunately, there are charter

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fleets and party boats that can take you to the action. You’ll need to spend between $1,200 and $3,000 for a day-trip and $3,000 to $6,000 for a multi-day trip on most charter boats, which commonly take up to six passengers. A berth on a party boat goes for around $300 to $500 for 36-hour to 48-hour trip to the floaters. If you don’t have appropriate gear, don’t worry; virtually all of the boats for hire will either supply or rent it to you. Generally speaking, the winter months are best for yellowfins, but blackfins can be found in good numbers year-round. However, mid-summer through fall is generally the hottest bite around the shrimpers. So, are you ready to go mano-a-mano with 100-plus pounds of solid muscle? You think you can handle playing tug-of-war with one of nature’s most powerful pelagics? If the answer is yes, it’s time to plan your hunt for Texas tuna.

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

Does Your Boat Need a Jack Plate?

AY BOAT ANGLERS, BASS boaters, flats boat fishermen, and others who like to run through skinny water often get a jackplate for their boat. Sure, they can be expensive, but they let you get into shallower water, right? Well, yes they do. They help you get back out of it, too, allowing you to jump on plane without squatting at the stern. However, this isn’t even the greatest advantage a jackplate provides. Truth be told, boaters of all sorts would benefit from having a jackplate between the transom and the outboard.

perfectly even, tucked in slightly, or trimmed out slightly, and you can control how deep the lower unit sits irrespective of trim angle. A jackplate also provides setback, moving the engine farther aft behind the boat. As you get aft of the transom of a moving boat the water rises back up, so pushing the propeller aft means a higher running waterline for the lower unit. Each inch of set-back provided by a jackplate allows you to raise the engine by about another half-inch, in many cases again providing an efficiency boost.

Efﬁciency

A jackplate moves the point of thrust aft of the transom. This moves the pivot-point farther aft as well, enhancing tight turning abilities. It also exaggerates the effects of tilt and trim, since it increases the fulcrum between the propulsive force and the boat’s hull. This has an effect on how high you can trim without ventilating. On some boats, particularly tunnel boats and powercats, shifting the prop aft can also help it maintain a better bite on the water. This is true in many cases where the hull itself causes turbulence, which may cause ventilation in certain situations. On top of that, being able to control the prop’s depth at any time allows you to lower the drive unit when initiating turns or hopping waves. These are the specific times when turbulent water is most problematic for most tunnel and cat boats.

Jackplates can net a slight efficiency boost for just about any outboard-powered boat on the water. To understand why, you need to get a clear picture of what a jackplate allows you to do: raise and lower the outdrive, without changing tilt. Normally, when you trim your outboard up, it not only raises the outdrive in the water column but also changes the angle of the propeller’s thrust. The higher you trim, the more it pushes the transom down and the bow up. Savvy boaters will already know that the most efficient cruise is usually attained by trimming your outboard up as far as possible before it starts ventilating. That’s because trimming up minimizes the amount of lower unit that’s in the water, creating drag. But not all boats will be at their most efficient running angle when the engine is trimmed all the way up—in fact, very few will. Trimming the drive up with a jackplate, on the other hand, allows you to minimize the amount of lower unit in the water. It also maintains whatever trim angle is best for your boat, channeling the thrust in the most efficient direction. The engine can be

Increased Trim Range With the ability to raise and lower the propeller independent of trim and tilt, you now have a much wider range of trim to play with. Trimming the engine up slightly with the motor set as low as possible will have a very different effect on your boat’s running angle than trimming it to the same degree with the engine raised. Yes, we already covered the efficiency and speed aspects of this ability above. What we haven’t discussed just yet, is how this increased trim range can help you better maximize your own comfort level, in different conditions—a heavy sea state, in particular. Some boats will better handle those waves with one specific trim angle or another. That best trim angle is likely to change from one-foot seas to two-foot seas, when running bow-on or beam-to. It even depends on wave period. Every boat will be a little different in this regard, but having a wider trim range allows you more choice when trying to find the best running angle for your boat. So, are you ready to go out and get a jackplate, or insist that the next boat you buy has one? Good—you won’t regret it. Just remember that to reap all these rewards you need a hydraulic model that can be adjusted underway. Most captains find blinker-style controls (which mount at the steering column) easiest to use. To make sure you don’t raise the engine too high and cause over-heating, most pros recommend also installing a water pressure gauge.

Handling

Speed

Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

If your thrust is lined up most efficiently with the boat’s hull and as little of the lower unit as possible in the water, you should see a slight increase in speed. We’re not talking about a dramatic difference here; at best you should expect to pick up a mph or two. Still, in T E X A S

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the long run this will save you both time and fuel. And in some cases, such as tournament bass angling, every mph counts.

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OTHING SENDS shivers down the spine of fishing guides and savvy Texas saltwater fishing enthusiasts like the words

more than 30 million dead fish according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials. There was also a less substantial but still impactful freeze kill in 1997. According to former 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 of the three freeze events in the 1980s, the 1989 freeze in Brownsville saw the temperature at Brownsville drop to 16 degrees and an estimated 11 million fish were killed. Historically, freezes

“coastal freeze”. It’s not because of the prospect of boating across a chilly bay but the potential devastating impacts of sudden, deep freezes on fish populations. Coastal fisheries populations suffered devastating losses during three freeze events in the 1980s, with combined estimates of

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along the Texas coast have occurred about every 15 years. Small, isolated freeze events occur nearly annually but the most substantial in recent years were in 2010 and 2011. TPWD biologists said the total impacts from the 2011 kill in particular were similar to the freeze of 1997, but the species makeup was drastically different. “During 1997, spotted seatrout, black drum and red drum comprised roughly 75 percent of the impact,” biologists said. “During this year’s freeze, it appears more than 85 percent of the impacted fish are

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non-recreational species, like silver perch, hardhead catfish, and mullet. Of the recreational species impacted this year, black drum appear to make up a larger component with spotted seatrout, red drum, sand seatrout, sheepshead, whiting, snook, gray snapper, Atlantic croaker and gag grouper making up a much smaller percentage.” “It could be that most fish had time to escape to deeper water before the freeze hit,” theorized Rebecca Hensley, TPWD coastal fisheries regional director. “We didn’t see the beaches covered in ice and

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very large numbers of dead fish like during the ‘80s freezes.” Hensley also credits reduced mortality on game fish to conservation measures taken during the freeze, including a temporary fishing closure in deep water thermal refuges and voluntary stoppage of barge traffic in the lower Laguna Madre and through the land cut in the upper Laguna Madre. “We appreciate the conservation ethic displayed by anglers during and immediately after the freeze when these fish were vulnerable,” said Robin Riechers, TPWD

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director of coastal fisheries. “It definitely helped reduce fish mortality.” The TPWD executive director has the authority 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.

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PHOTO: TPWD

TPWD Coastwide Freeze Assessment Team discusses current conditions along the Texas coast during the freeze of 2011.

According to TPWD, in addition to killing game fish in shallow bay waters, a hard freeze can also cause surviving fish to congregate in a few deeper areas where they become

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sluggish and prone to capture. “The high mortality that a freeze can cause may deplete fish stocks for years. Protection of the surviving fish during the few days

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when they are especially vulnerable to capture would likely shorten the time period for overall recovery of coastal species, especially spotted sea trout.” Texas is not the only state that has dealt with major freeze events impacting speckled trout. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has an interesting perspective on the issue. “Spotted seatrout are a sub-tropical species subject to “winter kills” when water temperatures fall below about 46°F,” officials said. “Since trout spend most of their lives in relatively shallow water, they usually adjust to steadily declining water temperatures by moving to deeper water. However, the combination of rapidly decreasing temperatures and the amount of time it remains below that critical level is what has the most profound effect on seatrout.” They noted of the most severe winter kills of spotted seatrout occurred in 2000. On November 30 of that year the water temperature in Charleston Harbor was around 60°F. “Cold weather over the following ten days caused the water temperature to plummet to 47°F. For the next three weeks water

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PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Freezes can play havoc on baitﬁsh such as mullet, above.

temperatures remained below the critical level and even got as low as 42°F. Sampling conducted by the DNR that spring detected a 93 percent decrease in spotted seatrout abundance. It took almost five years for the stock to recover.” Although not as severe as the 2000 event, back-to-back cold winters in 2010 and 2011 saw another decrease in spotted seatrout abundance in that state. The following spring, using the slogan “Let ‘Em Spawn, Let ‘Em Live”, SCDNR initiated a campaign asking anglers to voluntarily release all spotted seatrout caught during the spawning season (May through September). “Most saltwater recreational anglers in South Carolina complied, and began releasing spotted seatrout that they could have otherwise kept. Surprisingly, just over a year later, sampling efforts showed a gradual increase in abundance. The voluntary release of spotted seatrout by recreational anglers almost certainly contributed to a more rapid recovery of the stock.” They noted spotted seatrout rarely move from the estuaries where they were spawned. As a result, their abundance may also be affected by fishing mortality. Simply put, an increase in fishing pressure can cause a decrease in abundance. “We have no control over the weather or how it affects our fisheries, but we can easily adjust our actions to become more conservative if and when the need may arise.” That is a good thought to end with on this subject. There are lots of potential outcomes

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of sluggish or cold-stunned fish by contacting TPWD’s Upper Coast Regional Office at (281) 534-0100 or the Lower Coast Regional Office at (361) 729-2328.

for a freeze event but if anglers abide by the laws and if necessary use voluntary restraint in the aftermath of a freeze events, fisheries can and will recover. Anglers and coastal residents can report any freeze-related fish kills or large numbers

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The Giant Hog Invasion of Texas Cities Continues | story by Chester Moore ILD HOGS TAKE OVER SAN Antonio Neighborhood” “Wild Hog Shows Up At Brownfield High School” “Wild Hogs Take Over Northwest Neighborhood” All these were headlines from major Texas media outlets during the last quarter of 2018. Factor in out of state stories like “Hulking Hog Captured Near School Bus Stop in Florida,” and you see an urban invasion of feral hogs is happening. We reported on this last year and, so far, have been the only outdoor publication to touch the issue. Specifically, we believe cities will be the future home of some of the largest hogs in the nation. Genetics, age, food and cover are the ingredients required for super-size. Without the genetic code animals don’t have the capacity for maximum growth. Without food and cover it is impossible to feed their potential size. However, without reaching the optimal age, it is all a moot point. These factors are the reason why gigantic feral hogs will become the apex predator in many Texas cities and in other places in the country.

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Feral hogs have entered the city limits of many cities in the American South. They are becoming major problems for animal control, homeowners, golf course managers and park superintendents. Once hogs enter cities there is virtually no way to control them. Without doubt, hogs are in Houston, San Antonio, Beaumont and other major cities right now with the potential to outgrow the average grizzly bear. Greenbelts as well as abandoned lots, dumps and other open areas provide adequate nutrition. Then there is the age factor. Trapping has very limited effectiveness. Shooting them under virtually every circumstance is off limits for obvious reasons. No one will have the stomach to allow hunters with trained curs and pit bulls to capture or kill them. Furthermore, poisoning (where legal) is not going to be possible because of danger to pets and people. So, when that hog with the genes to be a giant enters a city, it has everything else it needs to do just that. If you have photos of hogs (especially big ones) in or around cities, email them to cmoore@fishgame.com. We want to feature them here and at fishgame.com to continue raising awareness of this serious wildlife issue.

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

Memories of a Season Gone By

EBRUARY IS, ACCORDING TO Hallmark, the month of love—Valentine’s Day. Yet another day to celebrate something. After the whitetail season that I had this past year. You really need to love this sport to get up every morning at oh dark thirty, brave the elements and plan on doing it all over again next year. As I write this column, hunting season is winding down. With only 12 days left on the whitetail calendar, it looks like there is a strong possibility that my freezer will be void of any venison. Oh well, that’s the way it goes some years. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I had plenty of opportunities early in the season. I let small does walk by and a few small bucks as well. A nice six-point tempted me, but I knew there were a few big boys in the area so I passed up on him. Looking back, I may have made a mistake. As I admired that buck in my scope, I had memories of the previous year. While hunting the same area last year, I had already shot an eight-point with my bow. The following day, I had an absolute monster come into bow range. Yes, it was the biggest buck I have ever seen in the wild’ and he was standing broadside to me at 30 yards. The problem was I had no tag for a buck. I was driven and determined to find him this year. As it turns out, the lack of deer sightings in my area proved that I was not alone. As a matter of fact, I have yet to find a hunter who had a great season. I am sure they are out there, but I fear that they are far and few between. I, along with many outdoorsmen, think that the numbers are down. I hope I am wrong, but I suspect I am not. Numerous

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coyote sightings and the fact that some hunters have the “if it’s brown, it’s down” attitude, have contributed to the low numbers of deer—at least in my area. Add the amount of rain we had, and I would have to say that, all in all, it was a pretty miserable season. Readers of this column are well aware of the tricks I have come up with to fool the deer or to lead them your way. A few years ago, I wrote about a dummy I made and placed up in my stand long before deer season. The deer that noticed it would get used to that dummy only to find a different dummy up there on opening day, one that can pull a bow string back. My good friend, Tom, decided to take my idea one step farther. He was hunting near a spot where the deer would bed. The problem was that if he hunted the lower end of his area, the deer would always go to the fields to feed from the upper end. On the same token, when he hunted the upper end of the field, you guessed it; the deer would always use the lower end. He was always careful not to overhunt the area and to keep the wind in his face, but as any grizzled veteran hunter knows, a whitetail deer seems to have a sixth sense. They just seem to sense that trouble is brewing someplace, and they escape to safety. He just never could connect and hunt the right area. Feel free to imagine a light bulb on top of his head at this point. He made his own scarecrow, or as he called it, his “deer”crow. He secured it next to the upper deer trail that led to the cornfield. He even used a pumpkin for a head and took the time to paint a face on it. Talk about dedication—or crazy hunter—I’m not sure which applies here. Anyway, he put an old flannel shirt on it and doused it with the cheapest cologne |

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he could find. He even brought a few more shirts and tied them onto branches in strategic locations and poured cologne on them as well. He left the lower end alone. The plan was to “guide” the deer from the bedding area to the one deer trail that had no human scent. That will be his ambush site. I told him I think it should work. He wants to try it tonight if the weather cooperates. I wished him all the luck in the world. The way Mother Nature has treated us so far this year, he will need it. Do not wait until last minute to make any major changes on your lease. If you have found that the deer are using a trail that’s impossible to hunt, go there a few months before the season. Stack branches or brush on the trail to guide them your way. Take a small saw and cut a path that leads to your stand. Deer will use the easiest route, and if you make it easy for them, they will come. I can tell you that I have decided to spend as much time in the woods as I can this year. I need to find more deer activity. I have no answer as to why the deer are not in my area any longer, but I am bound and determined to find them, no matter how long it takes. I know that as you read this, your season is now a memory. I hope you had a better one than I. If you did not, then may I suggest you sit with pen in hand and jot down any ideas you can come up with to improve your luck next year. As for me, I’ve written so much that my pen is out of ink. Have fun and hunt safe.

Email Lou Marullo at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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Texas TACTICAL by DUSTIN ELLERMANN :: TF&G Contributing Editor

Walther PPS M2 RMSc

HE WALTHER PPS M2 RMSC is proof that pistol mounted red dot sights are not a fading fad. I’ve had a Trijicon RMR mounted on my S&W M&P 9mm for years now. It’s one of my favorite handguns, primarily because of the sight. The red dots enable me to hit fourinch targets consistently at 50 yards giving me extreme confidence in a defensive situation. I’ve also been a fan of the Walther handguns for years because of their ergonomics and excellent factory triggers. Combining a decent trigger with a crisp red dot is a recipe for accuracy. Sure enough, the PPS didn’t disappoint. Using HSM’s plated 147-grain 9mm I was consistently getting sub one-inch, five-shot groups excluding an occasional flyer freestanding at 15 yards. I could even connect consistently on eight-inch plates from 50 yards away—impressive accuracy for a compact defensive handgun. With a slim grip, the PPS M2 is very ergonomic having small swells and finger grips that actually fit larger hands. Unlike with other pistols, you don’t want to sand them. The grip can be a bit short if you use only the six-round magazines. However the sevenround mag is a good compromise, allowing a resting place for your ring finger without adding too much grip to conceal. The M2 design retired the European paddle-style magazine release and replaced it with the push button we Americans are more used to. The trigger breaks at just above six pounds without too much over travel and has about a quarter of an inch of reset. It’s not as crisp and short as its big brother PPQ, but it’s enough for this trigger snob to not go looking for an aftermarket fix.

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My only other problem with the Shield RMSc is the quality of the lens. It’s a clear polymer, so on one hand it’s more shock resistant, but it scratches very easily. With other sights I’m used to being able to blow dust off the lens then wipe the residue away. But treating the RMSc like this resulted in a scratched lens after about only a month or two of use. I contacted Shield about this issue and they

There is no rail on the dust cover so don’t expect to slap a light or laser on this compact handgun. However, Crimson Trace does offer a laser that clamps onto the front of the trigger guard. Walther even offers it as a combination package—but then you won’t get the Shield Red dot. The Shield RMSc is the compact and slim version of Shield’s Reflex Mini Sight, which allows for mounting on slim frames. This sight

The The Walther Walther PPS PPS M2 M2 with with RMSc RMSc was was shown shown to to be be very very accurate accurate as as proved proved by by these these small small groups groups shot shot from from 15 15 yards yards freestanding freestanding with with HMS HMS 147 147 grain grain 9mm 9mm ammo. ammo.

said they are coming out with a more scratch resistant lens in the near future. Also, I have a “Lens for Life” program where for $50 they will replace your lens as many times as needed. That’s not ideal for a defensive pistol. It’s still usable. Yet, I’m afraid that with a year or two, it will need service. I’ll have to keep you posted. The Walther PPS M2 RMSc package can be found around $675. Compare that to the RMSc that sells for $399 plus the milling cost and a bare PPS M2 would cost at least another $399. You can find out more at www.waltherfirearms.com and watch for my video review on YouTube.

is available in four MOA and eight MOA dots, and the PPS is available with the 4MOA. This is also my preference for precision. The battery is supposed to last up to three years, so you shouldn’t have to worry too often about removing the sight to replace the battery. It automatically adjusts to ambient brightness and stays lit full time. You have no locking screws to worry about when making adjustments with the small hex wrench and included mini-dial. Some in the industry say it’s not near as rugged as Trijicon’s RMR. It does co-witness the physical sights so you always have backup. However I did notice that when I drifted the rear sights to match my dot’s zero the Shield’s base groove was so narrow it doesn’t allow a full view through the rear gap. T E X A S

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A twospeed reel, like this Penn International, lets you shift between low and high gears.

The Shimano Stella 5000 FJ has a 6.2:1 gear ratio, and brings in 40 inches of line with every crank.

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OOK AT THE SIZE OF THE SPOOL ON YOUR fishing reel. Now, take a single crank on the handle to see how much line comes in. Unless you built that reel by yourself in your garage, three, four, or even six or seven times as much line will be cranked in, compared to the diameter of your spool. That’s the magic of mechanical gearing. A gear ratio of 5.1:1 listed in the specs for a fishing reel, means the spool (or bail, in the case of a spinner) will revolve 5.1 times for each individual rotation of the crank. It’s no different from bicycle gearing, where in high gear, kicking the pedals around once might rotate the wheels several times. Net result? A reel with a very high gear Pro angler ratio can crank in a shocking amount Keith Combs of line. A high-speed Penn Fathom lands a Lake Conroe 40NLDHS lever drag reel, for examlargemouth on a slowrolled spinnerbait in shallow ple, which has an exceptionally high water. This strategy works 7.1:1 gear ratio, can bring up 60 inches best when used on a reel of line with a single rotation of the hanwith a medium gear dle. The 40NLD, the exact same reel in a ratio. 4.8:1 gear ratio model, however, brings in 40 inches of line with each crank of the handle. This being the case, why would anyone ever opt for the 4.8:1 model? Isn’t a higher ratio always better? Not by a long shot. Just as is true with that bicycle, having lower gears gives you more cranking power. When you’re fighting very large, powerful fish, it’ll take more physical exertion to move the crank with a high-ratio reel. It should also be noted that conventional-style reels are more efficient at transferring power to the spool as compared to spinning reels. Spinners tend to lose a lot of power when utilizing high ratios, which is one of the reasons most big-game reels are conventional. For inshore and freshwater anglers, the amount of force it takes to turn the crank is rarely a concern. That’s why most conventional bass reels and low-profile casting reels can be compact designs with small spools and high gear ratios. However, when an angler is playing tug-of-war with a hefty pelagic, or an over-sized bull redfish has you out-gunned and you find yourself in an extended battle, a lower gear ratio can be a real advantage. Or, maybe we should say a reel advantage.

REPORT: NEWS 36 u TF&G OF THE NATION Reported by TF&G Staff

HOT 36 u TEXAS SHOTS Trophy Photos from TF&G Readers

38 u TEXAS COASTAL FORECAST

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

48 u TEXAS FISHING HOTSPOTS

by Tom Behrens, Dustin Warncke and Dean Heffner

56 u SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK Tides and SoLunar Data

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The NATIONAL

Modern Fisheries Act Passes, Changes Saltwater Dynamic

News of TEXAS

bers, our partner organizations, and anglers across the country,” said ASA President Glenn Hughes. “I want to personally thank Mike Leonard and his team who have worked tirelessly for more than three years to accomplish the goal of passing this historic legislation for recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry. Without the dedication and leadership of Mike and the hundreds of meetings and phone calls, this legislation would not have made it to the President’s desk.” “From its initial introduction almost two years ago, the Modern Fish Act has had many champions in the House of Representatives, most notably Reps. Garret Graves (R-La.), Gene Green (D-Texas), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Marc Veasey (D-Texas),” said

THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTAtives joined the Senate in passing the Modern Fish Act. Officially known as the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017. At the time of this writing, the bill was headed to President Trump’s desk for a signature. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) claimed this as a victory for itself and coalition partners, who “worked closely with lawmakers to get the bill through Congress.” “This is truly a monumental achievement by the ASA and its mem-

ASA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Leonard. “The recreational fishing industry has long been frustrated by the sudden closures and wildly fluctuating fishing regulations that have come from the nation’s federal marine fisheries management system,” said Gary Zurn, senior vice president at Big Rock Sports and ASA’s Government Affairs Committee Chairman. “Through passage of the Modern Fish Act, Congress is providing direction to NOAA Fisheries on a variety of policies that will ultimately lead to more stable fishing regulations, and better management and conservation of our marine fisheries.” The version of the Modern Fish Act passed by Congress did not contain some key provisions included in the original bill, such as requiring periodic examinations in the southeastern U.S. of how fisheries are allocated between the commercial and recreational sectors.

JACK CREVALLE

SPECKLED TROUT

Corpus Christi

Bafﬁn Bay

Tyler Dartez caught this jack on 20-pound test line while ﬁshing for trout and reds in Corpus Christi Bay. He chased it for over a mile and fought for 45 minutes. Clean catch and release, and “What a blast!”

Scott McDonald caught and released this 29.5-inch speckled trout while ﬁshing with a Corkie on Bafﬁn Bay.

Visit FishGame.com to upload your own TEXAS HOT SHOTS and Vote for our next Winners 36

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However, the bill still helps to address many of ASA’s top priorities for improving federal marine fisheries management, including: CLARIFYING the authority of NOAA Fisheries to apply management approaches more appropriate for recreational fishing. IMPROVING recreational harvest data collection by requiring federal managers to explore additional data sources that have tremendous potential to improve the accuracy and timeliness of harvest estimates, such as state-driven programs and electronic reporting (e.g., through smartphone apps). REQUIRING a study on how mixed-use fishery allocations can and should be periodically reviewed by the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Regional Fishery Management Councils. REQUIRING a study on limited access privilege programs (catch shares) including an assessment of the social, economic, and ecologi-

live “Sea Bass” on sale in a tank at a Vietnamese market in eastern Mississippi. The student thought that was fishy because they looked like regular largemouth bass and knew that was a law violation in Texas. The warden reached out to the local game warden in Mississippi. The Mississippi wardens dressed in plain clothes were able to purchase live spotted bass from the market, and then served a search warrant on the business. In addition to the spotted largemouth bass the wardens discovered striped bass for sale, too. They acknowledged how game wardens always enjoy helping each other out, no matter the state or province, and thanked the citizens of the community for always keeping their eyes and ears open out on the street.

cal effects of the programs. “To my knowledge, never before has Congress passed a bill focused entirely on the saltwater recreational fishing community,” Leonard added. “Passage of the Modern Fish Act proves that the voice of the the recreational fishing community is being heard on Capitol Hill. The Modern Fish Act is not the end point, but rather a major step toward evolving federal marine fisheries management in a way that recognizes the importance of saltwater recreational fishing to the nation.” TF&G will have an in-depth report on the bill at fishgame.com and on these pages as it is passed and implemented—and how it will directly impact Texas Gulf Coast anglers.

Mississippi Sea Bass Scam

—TF&G Staff Report

A COLLEGE STUDENT FROM LUFKIN studying in Mississippi forwarded a photo to an Angelina County game warden of some

MULE DEER Brewster County Brent Bohuslav took this nice West Texas Mule Deer while hunting with his friend Baker, on the Family’s Ranch in Brewster County. Because of a right eye injury he incurred earlier in the year, Brent had to shoot left handed.

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Coastal Focus: SABINE :: by Capt. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

February Fishing

flat-lining at the refineries. Either way, the sensation in your stomach changes from excitement to worry. What are we going to do now? We practically guaranteed limits. We killed them yesterday. But that was then. This is now! In my many years of fishing this beautiful bay system, I have found myself in this predicament so many times that I have almost come to expect it. The good news is that Sabine Lake is laid out perfectly for southeast winds. That is, of course, if you plan on fishing the Louisiana shoreline. Being protected by that east bank and knowing the success we have had on very windy days, keeps us optimistic and excited. The game plan remains the same: We run the shoreline in search of bait. We find nervous water and our Red Shad or Morning Glory Assassins and Catch 2000s join the mullet at the swimming party.

HE SMELL OF FRESHLY brewed coffee awakens you before the alarm. The thought of a great day on the water brings you to your feet. While enjoying your first cup, you check today’s forecast (just like you did several times yesterday): Southeast winds at 5 to 10 mph and a nice incoming tide all morning, then switching around noon—just what you were hoping for. The butterflies are beginning to wake up in your stomach—perfect conditions for fishing Sabine Lake in February. Pour your second cup and step outside only to be knocked sideways by the REAL forecast—southeast winds 20 to 25 mph. Sometimes, the brutal realization hits you right then. At other times, it’s as you drive down Hwy 82 South and notice the smokestacks are

Plan B It is no secret that wintertime fishing can be very productive for trophy trout, but at the same time, it can be very tedious. You have to be able to cope with fishing for hours for one or two big

fish. We give this as much time as we want before going to Plan B. Plan B is what has been gnawing at me since we rounded Blue Buck Point this morning coming from the Causeway. Plan B is often Plan A when the pretty water is white-capping with that stiff southeast wind. Instead of trolling down the shoreline or hitting the mouths, try making long drifts off the shoreline. Start in about two feet of water and drift out away from the bank. My fishing log is quick to remind me that this can pay off big when that southeast wind gets up over 20 mph in February. Using a drift sock to slow it down a little can be helpful at times, but sometimes it’s better to go without one and make faster drifts. The hook-set to fish landed ratio is usually pretty high. These fish usually inhale the lure and swallow it pretty deep so there are very few lost fish. A good pair of pliers really comes in handy. The trout are also usually pretty solid this time of year without many throw-backs. Most are between 17 and 23 inches. When you drift into the zone there are lots of them. If you come up empty on a drift, simply move it over a hundred yards or so and do it again. You should cover a lot of water quickly because of the speed of the drift, so you are not wasting a lot of time searching. Hopefully, your time will be spent in the sweet spot flipping solid trout into the boat. Just remember that when the weatherman throws you a curve ball on Sabine Lake in February, don’t let it get you down. Give Plan B a try.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Mesquite Point SPECIES: Whiting, Black Drum, Croaker BAITS/LURES: Live Shrimp, Mud Minnows, Fresh Dead Shrimp BEST TIMES: All day with moving tides

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Coastal Focus: GALVESTON :: by Capt. MIKE HOLMES

Here We Go, Again!

EBRUARY IS GENERALLY A good time of year to plan fishing trips in warmer weather—or climates. Closer to home and current conditions, there will be some days when it is more productive to use your fishing tackle, rather than to repair and update it. These days are few and far between, normally. So, it’s wise to do a good job on that equipment to have it in top shape when the opportunity to use it does arise. The upper Texas coast is fortunate to have fairly mild winters, so we see mostly the same species of gamefish that we do in the warm summer months—just in different numbers and exhibiting different behavior. This necessitates a difference in our fishing techniques. Live bait, more specifically shrimp, will be more difficult to obtain. If it is available, however, the effort to obtain it and keep it active will usually pay off. Dead bait is probably the number one choice, simply because it will often be the only choice, or nearly so. Dead bait doesn’t move very much without help, but it does give off a natural smell and taste in the water that will always attract something. Because the fishing will probably be slow this time of year, putting more effort into making your bait more attractive is worth the effort. Baitfish that were frozen in a fresh condition, retain more juices to attract fish by smell and taste in the water than bait dried out in the sun before being bagged for the freezer. Good artificial lures normally attract by the way they move in the water, but a flashy spoon puts a little more visual attraction in the game than just movement. Top water lures, under the right conditions do the same, just don’t fish top waters when the water conditions prevent these movements from being seen from below. Lures are best when their movement imitates the bait they are supposed to resemble. In

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fish, but when a sunny and fairly warm day does come along in February – and it will— fishing can be good. Such times help us to hold on for warmer, more pleasant days that we know (or at least, hope), are coming in the fairly near future.

winter—even more than in warmer seasons— a soft plastic lure is especially attractive. In winter, a fish will take a lure slowly and be more aware of how it feels. In cold weather fishing with natural bait, it is often more effective to react slowly to a fish. This lets him have time to get the baited hook where it can secure a good hook-set. Neither a spoon, nor a hard plastic lure allows this, and demands a faster hookup. If fishing a large enough piece of water, such as an open bay or offshore, chumming can be very effective in cold water, as the temperature makes an easy meal even more attractive. Chumming with small bits of fish or shrimp creates a trail of “smell” as well as a visual incentive to get hungry fish moving—and feeding. Rainy and cold days are not a lot of fun to

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THE BANK BITE LOCATION: February ﬁshing will probably be slow, and “hit-or-miss” about anywhere, but deep waters have more potential than shallow haunts – largely because of temperature. This puts a premium on deep passes and channels, as well the waters of the Gulf from just past the third sandbar to far beyond. A rare warm and sunny day, however, will trigger action CONTINUED ON PAGE

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Coastal Focus: MATAGORDA :: by Contributing Editor MIKE PRICE

Winter Holes Accessible by Kayak

This is a wind-protected spot on any wind, but a strong wind may make the crossing of the river hazardous. Where the bayous converge is a hole about five feet deep that holds fish when the water is cold. The bayous leading to the bay are also deeper than four feet.

deep. Go east from the launch site through the bayous and into the bay, the water gets deeper when you leave the bayous. Do this on a light wind, say less than 10 mph. If the wind is light from the southeast, you can paddle into the bay, put your drift anchor out, and slowly drift back to the shallow area.

ISH GO TO THEIR FAVORITE holes when water temperatures drop because it is a little warmer in deeper water. In February, water temperatures vary from 50°F to 65°F, so early in the month on a cold day you will catch more fish if you are near water that is more than four-foot deep. Here are some of my favorite winter kayak fishing holes:

OYSTER LAKE: Just before you get to the bridge at Oyster Lake is a gravel road going west to the bay. This spot is protected on a northeast wind and it drops off to more than four feet deep about 100 yards from the beach. If you have the right conditions, a light northeast wind and a moving tide, drift into the bay fishing close to the bottom and working your

CHINQUAPIN: Live Oak Bayou goes from Lake Austin on the north end, to East Matagorda Bay on the south end, and it holds fish when the water temperature is in the low 50s. You can launch your kayak at a bridge nine miles from where you turn off FM 521 onto CR 262 (Chinquapin Road). From the bridge take the right fork. It is a 15-minute paddle to Live Oak Bayou.

THREE MILE LAKE: To get to Three Mile Lake, go 1.8 miles east on Matagorda Beach and then turn north. You can launch into the lake nearest to the beach and go north. The confluence of the bayou going east, the bayou going south and the lake you launched into is mostly more than four feet deep. If you fish this spot on a sunny, warm day when the water temperature starts at around 55°F and goes up to about 60°F, the fish will come out of the holes and be looking for baitfish on the shorelines and flats. Buy a beach permit at Stanley’s in Matagorda and use a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Winter water is very clear, so a good soft plastic to use is a Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom/Chartreuse Tail four-inch Sea Shad Bass Assassin. Use a 1/16-ounce jig head so that the lure sinks slowly. Allow it to sink to the bottom, then work it slowly. Two other lures that match the slow lethargic movement of a cold mullet are: Paul Brown’s Fat Boy and Catch 2000 both from MirrOlure.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: There is a kayak specific launch location 2.5 miles south of the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. This will give you access to water in East Matagorda Bay that’s more than four feet

PARKER’S CUT: To fish Parker’s Cut, cross the Old Colorado River near the LCRA Nature Park, sign-in and portage your kayak across 150 yards of land to re-launch into West Matagorda Bay.

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Bob Turner kayak ﬁshing in East Matagorda Bay.

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lure slowly. Be very sensitive to the bite when the water is cold. Trout will not slam your lure; instead, a trout bite in cold water feels like a small child tugging at your sleeve. Redfish on the other hand, will hit hard even in cold water. In early February most flounders in the bays will be 12 inches or less. The larger flounders go offshore in November to spawn and begin returning in middle to late February. Bait activity in colder months is mostly limited to mullet and mud minnows. Like trout and redfish, baitfish will go deep when it’s cold. On warm days they’ll come out of deep water and into shallow water in search PHOTO: MIKE PRICE

1/16/19 3:48 PM

of food. So, when you see one mullet jump, it means that a trout or redfish was probably chasing it, and you should cast to that area. Lots of white pelicans spend their winters on East and West Matagorda Bays, and they, along with their brown pelican cousins, eat mullet. Therefore, fish where the pelicans are fishing. Also look for loons, they also eat baitfish. If you see wading birds on the shore line, it means that they have found small prey, and the food chain could go up to the predator fish that you are targeting. The combination of outgoing tides and north winds create very low tides in February, but all of the holes mentioned here will hold water under these circumstances. The chance of fish being in these holes is higher when the water is low because that is where the fish will have to go.Another weather factor in February is fog. Fog will appear when the temperature and dew point are the same. Live Oak Bayou, East Matagorda Bay, and the bay at Oyster Lake may have boats running in the fog, so it would be better to go to Parker’s Cut or Three Mile Lake if there is fog.

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in shallower spots and even sometimes on the surface of the water column.

with either net or trap, however, you won’t have to worry about keeping them alive and healthy due to water temperature. Of course, any bait species caught on the ﬁshing grounds will be a top choice to use at that spot, but there can be exceptions.

SPECIES: Trout, reds, flounder and various pan fish should all be available, and the black drum run should be ready to begin, if it hasn’t already started. Offshore action for snappers and groupers can be very good, and big—for the Gulf Coast, anyway – bluefish will often be found close to the beach. Deep-water species such as tuna will probably be abundant, but require a special class of boat and tackle to pursue far from shore.

BEST TIME: Even though heat is not usually a problem in February on the Texas coast, fishing early and late in the day still makes good sense. Night fishing in winter is also good—especially around warm water outfalls from various types of industrial units near the water, and also near lighting that reaches fishable waters.

BAIT: Live bait can be hard to ﬁnd, because of slow-downs by bait-catchers. If you catch your own

Email Mike Holmes at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

THE BANK BITE LITTLE BOGGY: County Road 259 goes east, past the cemetery in Matagorda to a bridge over a creek that drains two lakes and Little Boggy Marsh. If the water level is high you can kayak into the

lakes in search of redﬁsh. You can also bank ﬁsh at the spot where the marsh meets the Intracoastal Waterway.

Email Mike Price at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

1/16/19 3:48 PM

Coastal Focus: MID COAST :: by Capt. CHRIS MARTIN

Trophy Trout Hunt

have ever been caught with a rod and reel have been lured to a slow-moving top water plug or subsurface plastic bait. That simple little fact may not seem of too much importance to some. However, it’s a vision that drives a lot of artificial bait enthusiasts to endure some of the year’s most miserable weather conditions as they pursue their chance at landing the trout of a lifetime. A considerable amount of strong north wind will present itself in February, which means that much of the open water in our bays will turn extremely rough on occasion. The bays might simply become unsafe and impassible at times. That won’t worry those who chase these behemoth trout this month. They will be pinpointing their search in many of the marshy shallows located just adjacent to deep water areas. Large mud flats, grassy coves, or tapering drains and sloughs emptying out of the marsh and into the bay are, typically, protected from the driving north wind. This pursuit often becomes a game of patience of which there is only one winner, either the fish, or the angler. In targeting these trophy trout, anglers must first locate an active food source that the trout will be feeding on. Big trout eat other fish, so naturally they’re going to be found wherever baitfish can be found. Remember, it’s wintertime, and the water is extremely cold. So, along our region of the Texas coast this means the only food source available for these big trout right now is going to be mullet. The mullet, too, must survive, so it’s only natural for them to seek muddy shallows because those are the places that will warm more quickly from the chilling overnight weather. If you find the mullet in February, chances are much greater that you’ll find trophy trout. Experienced coastal anglers also know that many days in February can be more suitable for duck hunting than fishing, often presenting the angler with heavy overcast skies that minimize daylight conditions. However, if it’s a true trophy you’re looking to catch, these somewhat dismal conditions can be just what the doctor ordered. Colossal trout tend to feed much more actively during periods of low-light. Therefore,

OME MAY SAY THAT THERE’S not a lot going on in February along the middle portion of the Texas coastline. The duck decoys are usually stored away by now, and the deer rifles are generally all cleaned and polished and put away until the start of next deer season. However, this month marks what can often be one of the most exciting times of the year if you happen to be a longtime saltwater “plugger.” Some of the absolute largest speckled trout that

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they can be much easier to catch during these times, especially in places where clear water is found. As you take the hunt to these big trout, you’ll need to approach the area you’ll be fishing in a stealthy manner. If possible, use the wind to set up the position of your boat where you want it. If the wind isn’t going to be of any help to you, use your trolling motor if you have one. Never idle in to your anticipated fishing spot using your big engine, as you’ll typically be in about three to four feet of water. The wake your boat is going to throw across the surface of the flat when you cut the engine is going to drive away any chance you might have had at any large trout. Get out of the boat, and throw large baits. Wading is the preferred style of fishing to hunt for trophy trout in our neck of the woods. It not only provides for a quiet approach, but it also allows you to use your senses by feeling different things that might be of use to you. This might be changes in water temperature, alterations in the bay floor, and even being able to feel the strength of the water movement. Big baits match what these big trout are eating this month. When you get into the water make sure you have some of the larger top water baits like the Super Spook, She Dog, or Skitter Walk. Also, don’t forget your arsenal of the everpopular baits such as the floating Corky and Corky Devil, the MirrOdine and the Soft-Dine. Try throwing bright colors under clear sky and clean water conditions. Toss all your darker colors in muddy water conditions or under cloudy skies. Once again, this is a game of patience. So, slow down and have a little patience. If you locate mullet in clear shallow water, approach the area in a stealthy manner, throw big baits. Remember to slow everything down, and you’ll have a definite advantage over the next guy in your quest for February’s trophy trout. Good luck to you all, and be safe out there!

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

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Coastal Focus: ROCKPORT :: by Capt. MAC GABLE

Same, Except Different

HAT IS NOT TO LOVE about Texas?! Yes, I have been a proud native Texan my whole life, even though I had absolutely nothing to do with where I was born. I have digressed in this prideful mindset of late to an innate feeling, rather of being lucky I was born here in the Lonestar Stat. The funny thing about it is, I was but weeks away from being a native Alaskan had my older sister not been conceived in Galveston, a place my parents elected to stay with a young baby girl. When I finally came kicking and screaming into this world, I was told I was a child who was easily bored. Fortunately, back in the ’50s, there wasn’t the plethora of toys that kids have today. My mom said the only way to keep me occupied was to put me outdoors. Just simply plop me down into the dirt, and I was a happy little dirt dauber, whether I was in the woods or by a bay or lake or river. My mom said these were Texas’s built-in babysitters. Even today I am a restless sort, but a person has to be half dead in my opinion to get bored here in Texas. The diversity of this state is second to none. You like warmth? We got it. You like cold? We got it. You like salt water? We got it. Hunting for almost every species on our planet? We got it. From the mountains of west Texas to the plains in the panhandle we have 188 major reservoirs of 5,000 acre feet and close to 7,000 that are 10 acres or larger. We have 367 miles of coastal shoreline and the second most diverse population of any state via census. Add in the illegal aliens and we are number one and not

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are usually for guides who, because of illness or boat trouble, simply can’t take the trip. One time, a fellow guide and I both were asked to fish south of marker 37 (the south side or Corpus Christi Bay). Unbeknownst to me, the guide with me was relatively new to the area. He had filled his bait well with live shrimp; I elected for croaker and finger mullet. At about 10 a.m. my phone rang, and he and I shared success stories. He didn’t have a fish. On the other hand, I had a respectfable box of trout and reds. “What the heck are we doing different?” he asked. “I’m on the bottom, first of all, so no corks, and absolutely no shrimp,” I replied. “Oh Man! shrimp is all I have and am getting eaten alive by pin perch.” Luckily, I had plenty of bait and shared some with him, so he ended on a good note for the day. There are times this same area is best fished with live shrimp. However, the middle of the summer is NOT that time. The geographic difference of just one nautical mile can mean a total rewrite in what one’s approach is

likely to give that top raking up any time soon. I chose to be a fishing guide on the Texas coast many years ago; and as most know, I also guide bow hunts in our fair state. The main reason is I love the challenges our diverse state presents. There are very few areas on the Texas coast I have not fished. Having spent the majority of my life in this pursuit, I am still amazed at how each of the thousands of fishing spots along our beloved coast requires a unique approach for you to be consistently successful. Just in the Rockport area alone there are distinct fishing presentations required for anglers to get hooked up. Most of my guided trips are spent in a seven major bay area. Each deserves a unique bait and equipment approach. Something as simple as line type can and does make a huge difference. Some areas are best fished with mono while others such as heavy oyster shell territory is best fished with braided line because of abrasion. I am sometimes asked to assist in an area we call “down south” which means anything south of California hole. The trips I help with

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Forecast: ROCKPORT rod in your hand all day or just would like to sit back, watch the rod and sip coffee until a fish bites, see if the guide can accommodate.” The “prank bait” angler (lure angler) is by far better adapted IMO to the vast differences our coastline presents. These gals and guys know it’s all about change. Yes, it’s lure fishing, so in that respect it is the same, but each area requires different approaches. An experienced artificial angler adapts to the challenges these changes bring. There are so many approaches in their arsenal of lures that the chance of success when changing geographic areas is far superior to that of live/dead/cut bait. If I were asked to fish the length of our coastline and could choose any bait and style and any rod and reel, it would be specifically designed for artificial (meaning adjustments for variable lure weights). The tackle box would be full of hard and soft plastic lures in a wide range of colors and scents. If I had to pick two colors only, it would be morning glory and new penny, hands down. I have caught fish on these colors all over the world. Are they always the best? No, but they have been the most consistent for me over the years. Put the best bass anglers, the best salt water anglers and the best fishing guides all in a room and tell them to agree on the single best style of fishing, the best bait for fishing, and the best lure for fishing, Then tell them they couldn’t come out till they all agreed. If you did this, an undertaker would need to be called in. Why? because they are the same in their pursuit and passion, but very different in approach and style. It’s just cold for us Texans right now, yet it’s a real good time to wade fish. Be wise though, file a float plan and check in regularly with a buddy or loved one as the fish day progresses. If you are going to wade fish be aware of what the average water temperatures this time of year can do (average being 61ºF). If you have no protective clothing, at this temperature it takes just 30 to 40 minutes of exposure for loss of dexterity to set in, exhaustion and unconsciousness in two to seven hours and expected time of survival 2 to 40 hours. All these times decrease the older we get. These water temperatures require a wet-suittype thickness for waders, a jacket and a hat. • • •

for the fishing day. Carbon leaders trump mono leaders in the gin-clear water. In the phytoplankton-rich waters of summer, one can tie a hook directly to braided line and not hassle with break offs, which are frequent in the oyster shell-rich waters around Rockport. One client had a bad experience with another guide the day before booking me. Once on my boat, he began telling me about his dissatisfaction. “The guide wouldn’t let me touch the rod,” he said. “He would cast out and announce for us not to touch the rod until it had bent over with a fish on. “I told him I had fished with you. You believed in keeping the bait moving, and I had the rod in my hand the whole day. It was obvious Capt. Mac he didn’t know what he was doing.” “Were you red fishing?” I asked. “Yes,” he said. “Well sir, if this was a court of accurate opinion you would probably be incarcerated. First, I know that guide, and I can assure you he knows how to fish. “Second, you were bottom fishing a heavily shell-populated area, and any movement of the rig on the bottom is an almost guarantee to lose hook, line, sinker and bait. Did you catch fish?” “Yes,” he said, “but I didn’t like fishing that way.” “That’s another discussion,” I replied. “He did his job by putting you on fish, and as a fishing guide he has to employ the style/mechanics which work for that area.” “But it’s the same area, not more than 10 miles from where we are fishing today—same fish, same bait, same rods and reels, heck even the same type boat!” “Well, it’s the same except diferent,” I said to him. “Had it been me I more than likely would have been fishing the same way.” “I have never seen you fish that way.” “You are not with me 365 days a year,” I told him. “I fish the style that matches the conditions and geographic area of the waters I am in. You might not like that style of fishing, but don’t diss or ding him. “He put you on, and caught fish. My advice is talk to the guide about his or her way of fishing before you book the trip. Out of the hundreds of miles of Texas coast line there is no one style that fits all. If you need to have a 44

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COPANO BAY: The islands between Swan Lake and Copano Bay are a good spot for reds using finger mullet on a light Carolina rig. Fish the cuts in this area between the islands. High tide is best. Shellbank Reef is a good spot for trout on warmer days. Live shrimp freelined works best here. ST. CHARLES BAY: The area just off Bird Point is a good place for reds and black drum, using finger mullet and peeled shrimp. Free-line is best here, or a very light Carolina rig. Wades in the Hail Point area are good for trout and reds using soft plastics in new penny and Jerk Shad in blue pepper neon colors. ARANSAS BAY: Deadman Island is still a good spot for black drum. Peeled shrimp freelined on a light Carolina rig is best here. On warmer days, the drum frequent this area going from the ICW channel to the shallow water of the reef. In this same area, Long Reef is a good spot for trout using shrimp under a silent cork. Fish the deeper/outer edges of the reef. A falling tide is best here. CARLOS BAY: The place to be here is Cedar Point. Finger mullet fished on a light Carolina rig is good for reds. Live shrimp will produce an occasional trout. MESQUITE BAY: On warmer days, the Beldon Dugout is a good place for reds using cut mullet or cut menhaden on a fish finder rig. On cold days, fish the deeper edges. On warm days the shallow water close to the reef works well. AYERS BAY: Second Chain is a good spot for reds and trout using new penny Jerk Shad or imitation shrimp under a bubble cork. The bite is better here when the water is murky. The east shoreline is a good spot for black drum using free-lined peeled shrimp.

THE BANK BITE WADES ON THE SOUTH END OF LBJ causeway around Live Oak Point is a good spot for some nice trout. Gold spoons with red insets are preferred here. This is slow deliberate ﬁshing, casting often. This area produces best with a moving tide.

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

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

Rebuilding Copano’s Oyster Reefs by shallow water with lots of good wading opportunities, but it can go as deep as 12 feet in the middle. There are several drive-up and walk-in access points for anglers without boats. Copano Bay serves as a nursery for shrimp, which attracts a large number of

“ We have a new program, HB 51 that requires oyster dealers to return their shucked shells back to the water.

“

PWD, ALONG WITH THE Nature Conservancy and Coastal Conservation Association announced in November 2018 that a 60-acre oyster reef would be rebuilt in Copano Bay. Laura Huffman of the Nature Conservancy said in a published report that oysters are essential building blocks in the Gulf of Mexico. But they’re extremely compromised ecologically. Mark Fisher, a coastal fishery biologist for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department said the restoration has already started. “There are several on-going efforts to restore oyster beds in Copano, have been for the last eight years. We have a new program, HB 51 that requires oyster dealers to return their shucked shells back to the water. A lot of them just kept them. You would see big mounds of shells behind their shops. They would grind it up and often sell it for chicken feed.” Shell is preferred material for young oysters to settle on. However, oyster larvae will settle on a variety of substrates such as boat hulls, pilings, and rocks. Coastal Conservation Association of Texas said in a press release that oysters normally construct reefs by settling on top of each other. This provides a better habitat for numerous other species, such as trout, redfish and other fish. The attraction to Copano Bay: Copano Bay has numerous reefs, plenty of sea grass and both hard sand and soft mud bottoms. Copano Creek, Mission and Aransas Rivers supply fresh water to the Bay. The Bay is a go-to destination all year long for Rockport/Aransas anglers. Fish Copano from a boat or slip into the shallow waters and silently wade to seek your prey. Fisher said most of the bay is covered

redfish. Abundant collections of black drum, flounder and trout, can also be found in the bay. The Bay did not receive as much angler attention after Hurricane Harvey. “Fewer fish were caught and removed from the Bay, which means more fish in the water,” said Fisher. “The fishery is in great shape. The two main species that (Copano) anglers fish for, trout and redfish, are doing very well. Some of the shorelines were rearranged a little bit, some pot holes became a little bigger.” Fishing Copano in February: T E X A S

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Artificials are probably the best baits in the colder months because live bait is hard to find. Capt. Troy Butler said if you can find shrimp for sale at the bait stands, shrimp under a popping cork would catch trout, redfish and drum. “I work the oyster reef edges with soft plastics on a screw-lock jig head for trout. Tight along the grass beds is where you will find the redfish. If the water temperature is low on a sunny day, the water will heat up in the shallows and trout and redfish can be found sun bathing in the shallows.” Also, have a couple of topwater baits along. Butler’s favorite is the One Knocker. “A lot of big trout are caught out of Copano Bay in February.” Mark Fisher is a fly fisherman who likes to wade shallow water. “Wait for a nice sunny day when the fish make it into the shallow areas,” he said. “Use a deeper running, weighted fly. Clousers are hard to beat. Little crab or shrimp imitations are always a winner.” In visiting with different guides, I found out about a new bait that’s made in Brazil, the Borboleta LeLe. “A great bait for wading knee-deep, shallow grass areas and shell,” said Capt. Tommy Countz. “You twitch it, and it’s erratic. It won’t go deep enough to hang a hook in the grass or shell.” It’s used for peacock bass in Brazil. The line tie is on the top of the head, and it floats. The nose is kind of shaped down a little bit so that when you work it, it catches water and pushes the bait down below the surface. If you stop reeling, it floats back up. Check online sites such as Amazon.com and other mail other tackle retailers for more information.

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Email Tom Behrens at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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Coastal Focus: BAFFIN BAY :: by Capt. SALLY BLACK

Trophy Trout Time at Bafﬁn

and cause healthy fear. Most boaters do not enter Baffin Bay. From Corpus Christi, by boat, it’s at least an hour boat ride to Baffin Bay. There is only one public boat ramp on the entire bay near Riviera, south of Kingsville (across the street from BBR&G). Baffin Bay runs east to west and the King Ranch encompasses the entire north shoreline of Baffin Bay. The Kenedy Ranch encompasses the entire south shoreline. All of these facts create a bay system with very little boating and fishing pressure—another reason trout are so much bigger in Baffin Bay. Why are trophy trout caught in February

HE END OF ANOTHER TREmendous duck hunting season on Baffin Bay leads to just one thing— the endless pursuit of a personal best trophy trout. That addiction to the thump of a doubledigit big girl commands anglers to brave any condition that Mother Nature doles out in February. Baffin Bay is big trout country for so many reasons. It’s ground zero for the addicted. Why are the trout so much bigger in Baffin? It’s a land-locked, hyper-saline lagoon, so water conditions tend to stay the same. Without rivers, lakes or other freshwater sources flowing into it, salinity levels are stable, so Baffin trout are comfortable there, acclimated to its high salinity. Also, Baffin Bay has no tide, so trout don’t have to expend energy to escape changing salinity levels from the influx of tidal flows. As a result, in Baffin Bay, trout are happy, they just eat, grow and procreate. It’s known as “homeostasis.” These big fish genetics get passed on to the next generations that just eat, grow and procreate in Baffin as well, and the cycle continues. The genetics of a 25-inch-plus trout will create more 25-inchplus trout, just as big bucks breed more big bucks. Baffin Bay has very little fishing pressure. The “rocks,” which are mostly big “coral reef” type formations created by serpulid worms, dot the bay. They are not all marked on a standard GPS and can’t all be seen by Google Earth. They are unforgiving to lower units. These “rocks” and other sedimentary rocks from an ancient gulf beach are everywhere |

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As a result, in Bafﬁn Bay, trout are happy, they just eat, grow and procreate.

“

through May? These big fish are doing two things at once, packing on the fat to survive a cold winter and, ultimately, eating up to have the energy to spawn. The spawn occurs when water temperatures rise in the spring to 75 degrees or more and stay there (late March, April, early May). Trout have no muscles to expel eggs, so they beat themselves on the bottom, sometimes scraping and scarring themselves. This activity takes a tremendous amount of energy, so, big trout must eat a lot, up to and including the spawn. February water temps are cold and big |

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fish are moving slowly. Trophy trout food, (a big mullet, another trout or a lure), should move slowly, too. A fish will not expend a lot of energy chasing its food, but will eat anything that comes near its mouth in a natural manner. When water temperatures are cold, everything slows down in the system. Mullet won’t jump around for fun, for the same reason a trout won’t chase down its food, they don’t want to expend the extra energy it takes to do so, conserving body fat to survive. So, if you see a mullet jump, there is a reason for it, mostly because there is a predator about. This is a high probability fishing location. When water temperatures are cold, big trout like more “bang for their buck,” eating bigger fish and not expending energy on chasing small prey. A trout can eat prey that is two-thirds of its body length. When trophy trout eat, they generally go for something bigger. Less energy expended, more fat stored. February is the official beginning of trophy trout season. In Baffin Bay, a trophy trout is recognized as 28 inches and above. No other bay system on the Texas Coast can compare to the incredible numbers of gigantic trout caught and landed here. Baffin is a unique system with so many intricacies. This is where the addicted flock to land their personal best trout, acquire bragging rights or maybe just break the Texas State record. Come feed your addiction or create a new one with the best teaching guides at Baffin Bay Rod and Gun. Catch, photo and release these behemoths so that future generations can enjoy one of the best fishing experiences anywhere.

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

YPICAL FEBRUARY. WATER temperatures remain low after January’s cold snaps. As a result, most Laguna Madre species, especially those of delicate constitution such as speckled trout, will be holding deeper than normal. Most anglers will be staying home until water temperatures creep closer towards normal (70 degrees or so). Those who feel the need to wet a line can still find some great fishing. The key is finding deep water. The most obvious target for deep-water fishing is the Brownsville Ship Channel. This big ditch is reaches depths of more than 25 feet and is a fish magnet in the best of times. When weather is hostile and water temperatures dip, trout, redfish, sheepshead, black drum, and other desirable LLM species see the warmer depths as sanctuary (see December, 2010 for further information). Sunken concrete, broken-up metal, and various items that fall off of ships and barges provide structure that help hold fish. Unlike in December, where the spots were located closer to Port Isabel, anglers should make a slightly longer run closer to the Port of Brownsville. It’s a little more gas, but well worth the run. You can also save on some fuel costs by dropping your boat in at the High 48 boat ramp, which is located between the Port and Port Isabel. Some of the obvious targets are the points of some of the service channels that branch off of the main Ship Channel. The drop-offs on these points allow fish to set up near the security of deep water, plus a hunting ground should the sun warm the muddy bottom enough to be comfortable. On sunny days, start by working a soft plastic or live shrimp under a popping cork in the shallower water (about 3 to 4 foot) to

“ Most anglers will be staying home until water temperatures creep closer towards normal (70 degrees or so).

“

A Different Approach

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Dolphin Point

that mean that these anglers cry “no joy” and simply stay on dry land and have another cup of coffee at White Sands? Not exactly Anglers who want the relative security of staying close to port (or eschewing the windburn a long run in cold temperatures can provide) find deep water and structure in the Port Isabel Shrimp Basin, which is a short run west of down the Port Isabel channel. The deep water (30 feet) and docks and broken structure provide an excellent substitute for T E X A S

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the Ship Channel. The most popular spot is the drop-off near the dock of the old cement factory (look for the street light over the water), but the pilings of the docks up and down the shoreline are magnets for trout, sheepshead, black drum, some winter-paie mangrove snapper, and the occasional redfish. The sheepsheads and trout will be hiding around the pilings, and drum will be closer to the bottom and a bit away from the docks, Some anglers throw out a prospecting rig with a live shrimp or chunk of crab into the deep water and put it in a rod holder while they fish the pilings; a lot of big drum get caught that way. Do not be shocked to find some snook lurking about the pilings. There are two species of fat snook that don’t move out of the bay system the way common snook do. They seek out pilings and rip rap near deeper water to keep their body temperatures up. They may be a bit sluggish, but they will strike the same baits and lures you may be throwing out for trout. They are hugging very close to structure, though; so don’t be surprised if they hit live bugs you throw out for sheepsheads. This may be the same ol’ snotty February, but the fish are still out there, hungry. Of course, you could choose to stay warm and wait for spring, but where is the fun in that?

see if trout are actively cruising the ledge. If there are no takers, or it is a cloudy, cooler day, move off the ledge and either swim a soft plastic, or free-line your bait along the dropoff. The key is to be patient and thorough. If the trout are on the point, work up and down the ledge on either side of the point until you locate your quarry. Naturally, a depth finder with a high-resolution transducer is very helpful to achieving your goal. Admittedly, some anglers aren’t keen on the idea of running so far from homeport into relatively unfamiliar territory. So, does

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SPECIES: Black Drum, Sheepshead TIPS: Work the rocks with live or fresh shrimp for sheepies. Deeper water and bottom rigs are best for drum.

« 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

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

SALTWATER Pick Jack’s Pocket for Specks

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

www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “The fish aren’t going to be in crystal clear water. Off colored water is where you will find fish. Look for streaking water … clear/dirty.” Capt. Countz

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Jack’s Pocket GPS: N 29 45.766, W 94 47.642 (29.7628, -94.7940)

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: The North Flats GPS: N 29 42.146, W 94 51.242 (29.7024, -94.8540)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Bass Assassins CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2ﬁsh@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: Wading: “Fish all the little pockets; look for drains. Look for guts no matter how shallow the water may be.” Capt. Frazier

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Bass Assassins CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2fish@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: “Where I fish is going to depend on whether or not we have had a lot of rain. If we have had a lot of rain, I will be in West Bay. If we don’t, I will probably be in Trinity. Once the bay salts up, it should be wide open (fishing).” Capt. Frazier

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

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Jack’s Pocket GPS: N 29 44.077, W 94 45.852 (29.7346, -94.7642)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Paddle tail soft plastic in chartreuse or pink on a 3/8 oz. jig head CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net

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LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: North Shoreline GPS: N 29 14.315, W 95 0.677 (29.2386, -95.0113)

SPECIES: Redﬁsh and Trout BEST BAITS: Corky Fat Boys and Bass Assassin Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2ﬁsh@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: “If I’m wading, I will mostly throw the soft plastics and Gulp, using an 1/8- or 1/16-ounce jig head. I’m not a big believer that color makes a difference.” Capt. Frazier is more a believer in presentation and the reaction bite. LOCATION: Matagorda HOTSPOT: Colorado River GPS: N 28 40.542, W 95 58.08 (28.6757, -95.9680)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Paddle tail soft plastic in chartreuse or pink on a 3/8 oz. jig head

SPECIES: Speckled Trout |

BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Bass Assassins CONTACT: Capt. Ralph Frazier 281-337-0321 ralph2ﬁsh@aol.com www.fraziersguideservice.com TIPS: Guts: “What most people don’t realize, the shallow water heats up faster than the deep water. The ﬁsh will get up in the shallow water guts and wait long enough to get maybe only one chance of a mullet slowly swimming by.” Capt. Frazier

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FISHING HOTSPOTS CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “The first places we are looking to fish is the Colorado River; when the water temperatures become cold, the fish seek out deeper water in the river providing there isn’t a lot of fresh water flowing down from up north.” Capt. Countz

(28.4956, -96.2261)

SPECIES: Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics in Black Magic with a chartreuse tail CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “Wade the south shoreline. I like to go after a Norther has blown through. The tides are the lowest. I

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Pass GPS: N 29 59.027, W 93 46.562 (29.9838, -93.7760)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Provoker Soft Plastic with a 1/4 oz. jig head CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins 409-673-9211 4097862018@sbcglobal.net www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: If the lake is not flushed clear from heavy rains, Capt. Watkins fishes the upper reaches of Sabine Lake. “Color of the lure is not as important as the action that is imparted to the bait.” LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Cottons Bayou GPS: N 28 30.552, W 96 12.453 (28.5092, -96.2076)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Corky Fat Boys CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “Hot pink Fat Boys, worked slow have always been good. Chartreuse has always been good.” Capt. Countz LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N 28 29.738, W 96 13.565

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FISHING HOTSPOTS ﬁsh the drains as the ﬁsh are moving out of the back areas into deeper water.” Capt. Countz

CONTACT: Capt. Troy Butler 361-534-2913 madfish017@gmail.com TIPS: “Mud and grass flats…water temperatures are going to be low and the fish want to sunbathe.” Capt. Butler

LOCATION: Copano Bay HOTSPOT: Lone Tree Reef GPS: N 28 4.474, W 97 6.832 (28.0746, -97.1139)

LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Middle Ground GPS: N 28 30.692, W 96 13.611 (28.5115, -96.2269)

LOCATION: Redﬁsh Bay HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N 27 55.245, W 97 05.928 (27.920745, -97.098795)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: One Knocker Spook topwater or soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Troy Butler 361-534-2913 madﬁsh017@gmail.com TIPS: “Work a lot of soft plastics off the edges of the reefs,” said Capt. Butler. He likes the 3jd soft plastic that has the inverted paddle tail.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Corky Fat Boys CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “In front of the drains are some big guts which are normally four feet deep, but on a low winter tide, the gut may be only two feet deep. The gut is warmer for the ﬁsh to settle into.” Capt. Countz

••

LOCATION: Copano Bay HOTSPOT: Swan Lake/Port Bay GPS: N 28 1.711, W 97 8.632 (28.0285, -97.1439)

•••

Run a Lap for Trout on Copano Bay

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N 27 29.134, W 97 21.108 (27.4856, -97.3518)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: One Knocker Spook or soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Troy Butler 361-534-2913 madﬁsh017@gmail.com TIPS: “3jd has a thicker plastic and beautiful ﬂake colors. I caught 25 slot trout on one before I had to change out the lure.” Capt. Butler

by Tom Behrens

LOCATION: Copano Bay HOTSPOT: Outer Lap Reef GPS: N 28 7.502, W 97 4.737 (28.1250, -97.0790)

LOCATION: Redﬁsh Bay HOTSPOT: Upper Estes Flats GPS: N 27 57.058, W 97 5.331 (27.9510, -97.0889)

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics in either chartreuse or pink CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “A lot of times we ﬁnd some really good ﬁsh on the shoreline of King Ranch, lot of big trout working some of the grass beds.” Capt. Countz

••

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork if live bait is available CONTACT: Capt. Troy Butler 361-534-2913 madﬁsh017@gmail.com TIPS: “Working the oyster reefs in Copano is where the action will be.” Capt. Butler

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: One Knocker Spook or soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Troy Butler 361-534-2913 madfish017@gmail.com TIPS: “Up tight in the grass is where you will find the redfish.” Capt. Butler

•••

SPECIES: Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork if live bait is available |

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1/16/19 3:48 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS Bafﬁn Rocks for Speckled Trout

tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: Capt. Countz fishes the north shoreline of Baffin Bay when a Norther blows through. “You have protected shoreline and the grass keeps the water pretty much filtered, doesn’t get to looking like chocolate milk.” by Tom Behrens

LOCATION: Bafﬁn Bay HOTSPOT: Rocks at 4 GPS: N 27 16.599, W 97 25.003 (27.2767, -97.4167)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037

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LOCATION: Bafﬁn Bay HOTSPOT: Tide Gauge Bar GPS: N 27 18.248, W 97 27.593 (27.3041, -97.4599)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Corky Fat Boys CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com

TIPS: “Fishing the Bar is like fishing the surf…walk along and throw out to deep water. Keep moving until you catch some fish.” Capt. Countz LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Kleberg Point Rocks GPS: N 27 16.371, W 97 36.636 (27.2729, -97.6106)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Borboleta LeLe CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “The LeLe (a bait from Brazil) is the perfect bait for grassy areas that are about waist deep. It won’t get down on the bottom and hang grass.” Capt. Countz

1/16/19 3:48 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS TIPS: “ February on Lake Fork is the kick off of trophy bass fishing. Fish are moving shallow in pre-spawn areas, secondary points leading to spawning flats and shallow creek channel bends. The best techniques to get a giant bass in the boat is casting a Lunker Thumper from www.finchnastybaitco.com. This vibrating jig really calls out the big ones. When it is windy and cold, the Thumper really works. Cast to hard cover such as standing timber and boat docks. If it has been warming and the water is calm, it’s hard to beat a Grandebass 6.5”” Rattlesnake, rigged weightless. Cast around shallow cover. If it is a little deeper or windy, put a 1/8 oz. Texas weight in front of it. Fish it slow and be ready for a big bite! Good fishin’ to all!”

LOCATION: Port Mansﬁeld HOTSPOT: Yarborough Flats GPS: N 27 12.532, W 97 24.414 (27.2089, -97.4069)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: LeLe’s and Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.MatagordaFishing.com TIPS: “We’ll make long drifts if we are ﬁshing from the boat. If I’m wading, I’ll be throwing baits like he Corky. Be ready for a big ﬁsh.” Capt. Countz.

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•••

Double Down for Lake Fork Bass

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits and umbrella rigs in shad or white color, 1/2 oz. chrome jigging spoons CONTACT: Caddo Lake Guide Service/Paul Keith 318-455-3437 caddoguide1@att.net www.caddolakeﬁshing.com TIPS: Concentrate on the bends and cuts in this main channel. When the bass are active, throw the shad or white colored crankbaits and umbrella rigs. When they are not feeding well, drop a 1/2 oz. chrome jigging spoon in these same areas and vertically jig off them off the bottom. Watch visibly and on your electronics for balls of shad to increase your odds of ﬁnding these wintertime schools of bass.

by Dustin Warncke

LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Double Branch GPS: N 32 55.812, W 95 38.4899 (32.9302, -95.6415)

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 22.638, W 95 34.776 (30.3773, -95.5796)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Lunker Thumper, Grandebass 6.5” Rattlesnake CONTACT: Lance Vick 903-312-0609 lance@lakeforkbass.com www.guideonlakefork.com

LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Highway 154 Bridge GPS: N 32 51.306, W 95 31.8179 (32.8551, -95.5303)

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Big Cypress River GPS: N 32 42.3305, W 94 5.9072 (32.7078, -94.0984)

FRESHWATER

admin@fishdudetx.com www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrid stripers are in full swing now and this is the time to catch trophy fish and possibly lake record Hybrids. They will be all around the lake on main lake points and humps. The use of electronics is a necessity! Find the schools of shad and you will find the Hybrids. This time of year, they will range in the water column from 12 feet to 40 feet. Find the depth the bait are in and you will find the fish. Live shad will be the bait of choice, but the swim shad will work if you can control the depth. Good luck and good fishing! Bank Access: Stowaway Marina

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LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Bedias Creek GPS: N 30 54.858, W 95 36.9059 (30.9143, -95.6151)

SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers BEST BAITS: Live shad, Storm Swim Shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch 936-661-7920 |

T E X A S

F I S H

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Red/orange square bill crankbaits, big spinnerbaits and chatterbaits in white and chartreuse CONTACT: Doug Shampine 940-902-3855 doug@lakeforktrophybass.com www.lakeforktrophybass.com TIPS: February is the month the big female bass start moving on Lake Fork. They first show up around the bridges like the 154 bridge feeding on crappie. Then they move into the creek channels leading to the bigger creeks like Burch, Little Caney, Glade and Running Creek. There are also deeper flats along these areas, and they will begin feeding on the deeper flats, also known as the pre-spawning stage. This is the month the big females will also show up in the 5-foot range towards the end of the month.

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad, Blue Fox, Rat-L-Traps, Tsunami Cocktail spinners, road runners

G A M E ®

1/16/19 3:48 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS CONTACT: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 dave@palmettoguideservice.com www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: February continues the start of the incredible white bass spawn on Lake Livingston. Spring white bass fishing is met with a fanatical following here. Whites will move into upper Lake Livingston creeks in huge numbers to spawn. Bedias Creek is famous for white bass fishing in February. However, many factors need to come together to get in on the great fishing here in February. Current conditions can dictate the fishing as one day can be feast and the next day, famine. Water conditions, temperature and fluctuating levels can dictate success or failure. Typically, the best time to go is with a warming trend bringing a southeast wind following a recent local rain. The moving water from run off will pull the fish up stream and stack them up in deep holes far up Bedias Creek. The “shoals” is a well-known area here where the whites stack up under the right conditions. Launch at the county ramp on Bedias Creek and go far up stream looking for clearing or “tea” colored water. Key in on the downstream side of sandbars in deep holes. Make a long cast and work the baits slowly. One of the biggest mistakes I see

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people make is ﬁshing the baits too fast. With lower water temperatures in February the whites’ metabolism is lowered making for a less aggressive bite. BANK ACCESS: County ramp on Bedias Creek off Highway 247 north of Huntsville. LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 31 17.64, W 94 20.6459 (31.2940, -94.3441)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-traps in red CONTACT: Mike Knight (936) 635-2427 notechmike@hotmail.com www.easttxﬁshingguide.com TIPS: February at Sam Rayburn is the beginning of

the magic. Lots of bass and some monsters too will be on the move staging on points, mid-depth ledges and humps. There will also be plenty of bass moving into ditches and drains leading into and out of large bays and ﬂats. This is number 2 of the 3 best months to catch a Rayburn giant. LOCATION: Toledo Bend Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 31 23.124, W 93 42.2999 (31.3854, -93.7050)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jig and pig combo, deep diving crankbaits CONTACT: Mike Knight 936-635-2427 notechmike@hotmail.com

1/16/19 3:48 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS www.easttxﬁshingguide.com TIPS: “February at T-Bend depends on the type of winter we have. If it’s been mild, expect some big female bass to begin staging on deep docks and timbered points near spawning ﬂats in 10 to 15 feet. If winter has been rough, it will be an offshore bite in 15 to 30 feet of water. Jig and pig is February’s go-to bait with a deep crankbait as a backup.”

Tin Top Reasons to Fish Granbury

LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Sabine River (Grand Cane Bayou) GPS: N 31 56.074, W 93 58.780 (31.9345, -93.9796)

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: River near Tin Top GPS: N 32 34.559, W 97 49.295 (32.5760, -97.8216)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, Road Runners, Crank Baits, Slab Spoons and live Crawfish CONTACT: Greg Crafts, Toledo Bend Guide Service and Lake Cottages 936-368-7151 gregcrafts@yahoo.com www.toledobendguide.com TIPS: In February I’ll be spending the majority of my time on the Sabine River loading up the boat with white bass. The whites will be making their annual river run up the river to spawn. Locating the whites is contingent on a number of factors: river level, current and clarity. If the river is out of its bank, work the flooded sloughs and find some clear water. If the river is at normal or below normal stages, you can usually find the whites on the inside bend sandbars. If the river has a lot of current, look for still water where the fish can get out of the current. Look for the eddies formed on the down side of the inside bends of the river. When you locate the fish, they will be bunched up and feeding heavy. Be extremely careful running the river. A lot of under water hazards, mainly submerged logs and debris, can show up at any time.

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: 1/4-oz.jig heads with spinners (roadrunners) with 5-inch swimbaits/jerkbaits in blue/ chartreuse CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 817-578-0023 TIPS: Swim or bounce your jigs across the bottom. Work the bends in the river and look for fish either in the deeper holes and when active on top of flats adjacent to the deeper water. Granbury water temperatures are in the 50’s. Winter patterns are shifting towards spring as spring is just around the corner. Stripers are active and are moving back and forth from the river to deeper water on the main lake. Wintering Birds are still in place and are pointing anglers to active feeding fish from the dam to the river above Granbury. Passing cool fronts continue to dominate the weather pattern. Granbury water temperatures are in the 50’s. Winter patterns are shifting towards spring as spring is just around the corner. Stripers are active and are moving back and forth from the river to deeper water on the main lake. Wintering Birds are still in place and are pointing anglers to active feeding fish from the dam to the river above Granbury. Passing cool fronts continue to dominate the weather pattern. Stripers are hovering around deep baitfish. Sandbass are moving upstream for their annual spawning run. Jigs with soft plastics and jigging slabs are putting sandbass in the boat.

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LOCATION: Bachman Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 51.1859, W 96 52.014 (32.8531, -96.8669)

by Dustin Warncke & Dean Heffner

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 lines. Bass ﬁshing is especially good at the dam, by the banks and near the timber under the bridge. Crappie are under the bridge at night this time of year. Minnows and jigs are your best bet right now. LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 18.186, W 96 8.4239 (32.3031, -96.1404)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Bass jigs CONTACT: Jason Barber 903-603-2047 kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com www.kingscreekadventures.com TIPS: Fish lots of docks in the main lake area and in coves. Skip 3/8 oz. bass jigs in various colors under docks. Cover a lot of water but be sure to ﬁsh slow and thorough.

G A M E ®

1/16/19 3:48 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Just South of Pelican Island GPS: N 32 54.302, W 97 30.237 (32.9050, -97.5040)

weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.ﬁshtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Pelican Island is barely under the water and covered with lily pads right now. Use a Carolina rig and ﬁsh in 8-12 feet of water along the hump where Hog Creek comes close.

TIPS: Look for white bass in 20-30 feet of water at Glass House Cove, Island point, or Hybrid point, using 1 oz. white slabs. Largemouth bass can be found in 10-25 feet of water using Carolina rigs and crank baits on hard structure such as ramps and rocks.

LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Up River GPS: N 30 39.24, W 97 24.3659 (30.6540, -97.4061) SPECIES: Blue Cats BEST BAITS: Cut or whole shad CONTACT: Johnny Stevens 817-597-6598 johnnystevens@1scom.net johnnysguideservice.com TIPS: This area is surrounded by two channels, Walnut creek LOCATION: Fayette County Reservoir HOTSPOT: Groce Branch GPS: N 29 56.22, W 96 43.05 (29.9370, -96.7175)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Shad, CJ’s punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.ﬁshtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Fish in the trees, 2-8 feet deep. Fish are moving into spawning areas now. Fish stage here deeper, before moving to shallow water for the spawn. LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Pelican Island GPS: N 30 37.314, W 96 4.218 (30.6219, -96.0703)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch bait, shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Road Runners, crankbaits CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell (512) 365-7761 crappie1@hotmail.com www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: This is the time of year when the white bass start their spawning runs up the river and creek. The ﬁshing is not consistent but if you are at the right place at the right time, you can really clean them up. Fish the normal spots up river where the spawning takes place. Use the standard baits. Try after 2 or 3 warm days in a row. The whites make runs up stream and I am not talking about the small males that show up in the early part of the spawn. Don’t wait until someone reports that they caught them. You need to be the someone who catches them. The only way to do it is to keep trying every time you get a chance. When you get into them, it will be as good or better than any day in the prime spawning period. Good luck and good ﬁshing. LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Island Point GPS: N 33 3.0605, W 96 28.338 (33.0510, -96.4723)

SPECIES: White Bass & Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Slabs (whites), crankbaits (largemouth) CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com T E X A S

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F I S H

G A M E ®

F E B R U A R Y

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1/16/19 3:48 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Cades Lake GPS: N 32 17.7179, W 95 26.994 (32.2953, -95.4499)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Yellow/black Big Eye Buzzbait. Big Eye Spinnerbait, Big Eye Jig CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201 ricky@rickysguideservice.com www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: This time of year, ﬁshing is best for larger bass up north in the Cades Lake area. Best lures will be a yellow/black Big Eye buzzbait early. Throw it in the shallows up in this area over lily pad stems and near any brush. Fish as slow as you can for more action. As the morning goes on, switch over to the Big Eye

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Spinnerbait and the Shimmy Shaker fishing some of the same water. Then pitch the Big Eye Jig in black/ blue color trailed with a black/blue Mr. Twister Pocket Craw. This will help this jig stand up high in the stems and along the brush. Fish this throughout the rest of the day. Fish slow and fish all your lay downs and brush areas you can find. Remember, it will be very cold, and the bass won’t move fast to get a lure. LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake HOTSPOT: Crab Creek GPS: N 31 57.2099, W 96 18.426 (31.9535, -96.3071)

simmonsroyce@hotmail.com www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Put on the wool shirts, the deer blind coveralls and some warm socks and let’s catch some really nice blue cats on Richland Chambers. While we fish all winter for catfish, February is one of the best months to catch some of the bigger blues. Our target is “eater size” blues and channel cats but almost every trip someone will hook into a really big blue. We’re fishing in the heavy timber in Crab Creek and along the Richland Creek channel in 25’-35’ feet of water using Danny Kings Punch Bait on a # 4 treble hook. If you want to stock up on catfish filets, the winter is the time to do it on Richland Chambers! LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: South Schooling Area GPS: N 30 18.1439, W 96 34.4399 (30.3024, -96.5740)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Danny Kings punch bait Contact : Royce Simmons 903-389-4117

1/16/19 3:48 PM

FISHING HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Slickem Slough GPS: N 33 51.3539, W 96 52.686 (33.8559, -96.8781)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad or cut bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: This area is 12-14 feet deep. Fish along the old road bed, chumming the area first. If there are no bites there, move 50 feet and chum again. Fish travel the shoreline here as it is close to the main creek channel. LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 55.902, W 96 1.4879 (32.9317, -96.0248)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Cut gizzard shad CONTACT: Andrew Taylor, Lake Tawakoni Guide Service 903-269-6587 etxbass@gmail.com www.Laketawakoni.guide TIPS: Lake Tawakoni is sitting in amazing shape with all of the recent rainfall that we have had, with water still coming over the spillway. As we progress further into fall/winter look for water temperatures to continue to fall. One of my favorite parts of winter time fishing is the deep bite. Typically, I will look and find most of my fish in the 35’-50’ of water. With the water temperature dropping it forces a lot of the bait to go deep, which makes pinpointing trophy blue cats that much easier. Where there is bait there are feeding fish! I do spend a lot of time behind the graph before setting up a drift, looking for clouds of bait fish with feed blues under it. I run a Santee Cooper Rig, with about a 3’ leader, 2 oz. slinky weight, and 8/0 Gamakatsu circle hook. My favorite type of bait to run is Gizzard Shad. Sometimes they’re tough to come by in the winter months but if you can manage to get your hands on them, the bigger the better. A lot of people have different ideas on how to run the bait, but I’ve always ran chunks with better results.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shaky heads with blue worms, deep diving crankbaits, jerkbaits, bass jigs CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 nclayton42@sbcglobal.net www.lakealanhenry.com/fishing-guides.html TIPS: “February will find some of the bass starting to move up the creeks. Some of these gals will be very large. I will be using shaky heads, deep diving crank baits, and jerk baits. I will also have a jig tied on. The hard lures will be in a shad color. I will be using a blue worm on my shaky head. I usually start in Gobbler Creek, and then move to Ince Cove, or Rocky Creek. I always find my way to Big Grape Creek. If the creek strategy doesn’t work, I will move to the steep banks on the main river where the sun hits the bank most of the day. I will be using jerk baits, shaky heads, and jigs in the colors mentioned above. Fish fun and fish safe.”

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Big Rocky Creek GPS: N 31 52.794, W 97 23.682 (31.8799, -97.3947)

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Pickwick Bridge GPS: N 32 54.777, W 98 27.939 (32.9130, -98.4657)

SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass BEST BAITS: Storm’s Wild Eyed Shad in chartreuse CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck01@hotmail.com www.teamredneck.net TIPS: “It’s a great time to be on Lake Whitney! The stripers have the shad pushed back up in the creek past the ﬁrst cut. Make longs cast and drag baits behind the boat using the trolling motor. BANK ACCESS: Walling Bend”

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by Dustin Warncke & Dean Heffner

LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Gobbler Creek GPS: N 33 2.4119, W 101 6.6659 (33.0402, -101.1111)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Road Runner jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey 903-786-4477 bigfishlaketexoma@gmail.com www.striperexpress.com TIPS: “Winter fishing on Lake Texoma is legendary. Chances of landing trophy stripers in February are in your favor. Road runner ½ oz.to 1 oz. white buck tail jigs with a 7-inch soft plastic worm are deadly on the big fish holding on structure. Always keep your eyes on the seagulls. Cast your 1 oz. Sassy Shad jigs in white glo under the birds where large schools of stripers can be feeding. Multiple hook-ups are common with lots of action in the open water. Bank Access: The Oil Wells and Texas Flats (using the same baits mentioned. Shad will work best on the banks. Tie on jigs if the seagulls are working near you).”

T E X A S

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Gobble Up Some Henry Bass

SPECIES: Striped & white bass, hybrids BEST BAITS: Live shad, cut bait CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav774@aceweb.com G A M E ®

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FISHING HOTSPOTS TIPS: “Winter is still here and so are the fish hovering at the runs close to the Brazos and Cedar! Any fresh water and they’ll be off upstream to their annual spawning grounds. If the water turns muddy then you need to fish live shad or bait of cut bait because they just can’t see much in the red clay muddy water which we had a lot of last part of 2018. If you can find some clearer water, fish it. There is plenty of fish to be caught this month. you just gotta get out there.”

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GPS: N 30 51.8099, W 98 24.8039 (30.8635, -98.4134)

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Pencil in a Date with Amistad Bass

SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass BEST BAITS: Live shad CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@gmail.com www.centraltexasfishing.com TIPS: “Fish the Silver Creek area to Mid-lake drifting or anchored with live shad. Concentrate on fishing 20-40 foot depths, fishing ridges and humps, close to the old river channel.”

by Dustin Warncke

LOCATION: Amistad HOTSPOT: Pencil Point GPS: N 29 36.35118, W 100 58.4484 (29.605853, -100.974140)

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 51.33, W 98 24.744 (30.8555, -98.4124)

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: River Channel GPS: N 29 53.4479, W 98 17.778 (29.8908, -98.2963)

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Silver Alert on Lake Buchanan |

by Dustin Warncke

F E B R U A R Y

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Coleto Bass in Living Color

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by Dustin Warncke

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shad colored lures CONTACT: Rocky’s Guide Service 361-960-0566 TIPS: The fish should be hungry, and the food should be a little scarce. Fish will be takin advantage of any opportunity this time of year. Slow retrieves and, more importantly, natural looking lures, should be your strategy. This is probably the most important month that we need lures to look the most natural. Fish will be deeper on colder days and up against the shallows during the afternoons when the sun is out. Find the grass (hydrilla) and you will most likely find fish.

« SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass BEST BAITS: 1 oz. KT jigging spoon in white and sliver

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Silver Creek and Mid-Lake

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LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 28 44.466, W 97 10.812 (28.7411, -97.1802)

SPECIES: Crappie & Catfish BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs, minnows, cut shad CONTACT: Ken Milam 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com.com TIPS: This time of the year you will find crappie will be on deep structure and catfish will be along the old river channel. Fish with crappie jigs and minnows for crappie and cut shad for catfish.

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Carolina-rigged worms, jigs, deepdiving crankbaits CONTACT: Stan Gerzsenyl 830-768-3648 stan@amistadbass.com amistadbass.com TIPS: Fish the under-water ledges and end of the narrow point with a deep-diving crankbait early, slowly working the lure across the end of the point for feeding ﬁsh. After the sun rises, work the under-water brush and stumps with Carolina-rigged worms.

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CONTACT: Capt. Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures 210-573-1230 capt.steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com http://www.sanantoniofishingguides.com TIPS: “Fish from the point back to the river channel, casting out the spoon, and try to maintain a depth of 20 to 40 feet. The striped bass and white bass like to school in this area this time of year, preparing for the spawn run. Tight lines and fish on!”

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Sportsman’s DAYBOOK FEBRUARY 2019

Tides and Prime Times

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10 T9

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

T8 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

T3 T2 T1

T14

AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets. These phases last 1 to 2 hours.

T18

AM & PM MAJOR phases occur when the moon reaches its highest point overhead as well as when it is “underfoot” or at its highest point on the exact opposite side of the earth from your positoin (or literally under your feet). Most days have two Major Feeding Phases, each lasting about 2 hours.

T19

T20

PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to your location, the stronger the inﬂuence. FULL or NEW MOONS provide the strongest inﬂunce of the month. PEAK TIMES: When a Solunar Period falls within 30 minutes to an hour of sunrise or sunset, anticipate increased action. A moon rise or moon set during one of these periods will cause even greater action. If a FULL or NEW MOON occurs during a Solunar Period, expect the best action of the season.

T21

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

Add or subtract the time shown at the rightof the Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine the adjustment from the time shown for GALVESTON CHANNEL in the calendars.

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

PLACE Sabine Bank Lighthouse Sabine Pass Jetty Sabine Pass Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass Galveston Bay, S. Jetty Port Bolivar

HIGH -1:46 -1:26 -1:00 -0:04 -0:39 +0:14

LOW -1:31 -1:31 -1:15 -0:25 -1:05 -0:06

KEY PLACE HIGH Galveston Channel/Bays T7 Texas City Turning Basin +0:33 +3:54 T8 Eagle Point +6:05 T9 Clear Lake +10:21 T10 Morgans Point T11 Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39

LOW +0:41 +4:15 +6:40 +5:19 +5:15

KEY T12 T13 T14 T15 T16 T17

PLACE Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, W. Bay Alligator Point, W. Bay Christmas Pt Galveston Pleasure Pier

HIGH +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -1:06

LOW +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:33 +2:31 -1:06

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

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

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION T22 T23

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

READING THE GRAPH

Moon Overhead

Fishing Score Graph

Moon Underfoot

Day’s Best Day’s 2nd Score Best Score

Best Day Overall

MOON PHASES

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter «= Good Day by Moon Phase 60

F E B R U A R Y

TexasOutdoorNation-1902.indd 56

2 0 1 9

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

1/9/19 2:53 PM

FEBRUARY 2019

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

28 FEET

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

4:50a 12:31p 4:59p 9:41p

TUESDAY

-0.31ft. 0.69ft. 0.60ft. 0.75ft.

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

5:49a 2:23p 7:31p 10:05p

-0.47ft. 0.83ft. 0.72ft. 0.76ft.

WEDNESDAY

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

6:42a 3:33p 9:08p 10:34p

-0.59ft. 0.93ft. 0.77ft. 0.78ft.

THURSDAY

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

7:30a 4:18p 9:56p 11:20p

-0.65ft. 0.98ft. 0.80ft. 0.81ft.

FRIDAY

Feb 1

Low Tide: 8:13a High Tide: 4:51p Low Tide: 10:13p

SATURDAY

-0.68ft. 0.98ft. 0.82ft.

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

12:16a 8:53a 5:16p 10:13p

SUNDAY

0.84ft. -0.68ft. 0.96ft. 0.82ft.

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

1:09a 9:28a 5:38p 10:06p

0.87ft. -0.65ft. 0.93ft. 0.78ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 AM Sunrise: 7:09a Sunset: 5:52p Moonrise: 1:05a Moon Set: 12:30p

AM Minor: 11:47a AM Major: 5:35a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 5:59p

Moon Overhead: 6:50a Moon Underfoot: 7:14p

TexasOutdoorNation-1902.indd 57

12p

BEST TIME

8:30 — 10:30 AM Sunrise: 7:09a Sunset: 5:53p Moonrise: 2:03a Moon Set: 1:09p

AM Minor: 12:09a AM Major: 6:21a PM Minor: 12:33p PM Major: 6:45p Moon Overhead: 7:38a Moon Underfoot: 8:02p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

9:30 — 11:30 AM Sunrise: 7:09a Sunset: 5:54p Moonrise: 2:59a Moon Set: 1:51p

AM Minor: 12:53a AM Major: 7:05a PM Minor: 1:17p PM Major: 7:29p Moon Overhead: 8:27a Moon Underfoot: 8:51p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

10:30A — 12:30P Sunrise: 7:08a Sunset: 5:55p Moonrise: 3:54a Moon Set: 2:36p

AM Minor: 1:37a AM Major: 7:49a PM Minor: 2:01p PM Major: 8:14p

Moon Overhead: 9:16a Moon Underfoot: 9:41p

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:30A — 1:30P Sunrise: 7:07a Sunset: 5:56p Moonrise: 4:47a Moon Set: 3:24p

AM Minor: 2:21a AM Major: 8:33a PM Minor: 2:45p PM Major: 8:58p

Moon Overhead: 10:05a Moon Underfoot: 10:30p

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 PM Sunrise: 7:07a Sunset: 5:56p Moonrise: 5:36a Moon Set: 4:14p

AM Minor: 3:05a AM Major: 9:18a PM Minor: 3:30p PM Major: 9:42p

Moon Overhead: 10:55a Moon Underfoot: 11:19p

12p

12a

BEST TIME

8:00 — 10:00 AM Sunrise: 7:06a Sunset: 5:57p Moonrise: 6:22a Moon Set: 5:07p

AM Minor: 3:51a AM Major: 10:03a PM Minor: 4:15p PM Major: 10:27p Moon Overhead: 11:43a Moon Underfoot: None

1/9/19 2:53 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

4l FEET

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

1:58a 10:01a 5:58p 10:13p

TUESDAY

5«

0.88ft. -0.59ft. 0.89ft. 0.73ft.

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

2:44a 10:31a 6:19p 10:37p

WEDNESDAY

6«

0.88ft. -0.51ft. 0.87ft. 0.66ft.

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

3:29a 11:00a 6:41p 11:11p

0.85ft. -0.41ft. 0.84ft. 0.58ft.

THURSDAY

7« High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:16a 11:28a 7:02p 11:50p

0.80ft. -0.28ft. 0.82ft. 0.49ft.

FRIDAY

High Tide: 5:09a Low Tide: 11:56a High Tide: 7:21p

SATURDAY

0.73ft. -0.13ft. 0.79ft.

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

12:32a 6:13a 12:26p 7:37p

SUNDAY

0.38ft. 0.66ft. 0.04ft. 0.75ft.

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

1:18a 7:38a 12:57p 7:46p

0.26ft. 0.61ft. 0.23ft. 0.73ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM

12p

6:00 — 8:00 AM

AM Minor: 6:12a AM Major: 12:01a PM Minor: 6:34p PM Major: 12:23p

TUESDAY

12 º Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

3:05a 11:22a 2:16p 7:20p

-0.05ft. 0.70ft. 0.64ft. 0.79ft.

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

4:06a 1:11p 3:26p 6:54p

12a

-0.23ft. 0.85ft. 0.83ft. 0.87ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

1:30 — 3:30 PM

2:30 — 4:30 PM

12a

3:00 — 5:00 PM

12a

4:00 — 6:00 PM Sunrise: 7:02a Sunset: 6:03p Moonrise: 10:28a Moon Set: 11:18p

AM Minor: 8:33a AM Major: 2:23a PM Minor: 8:54p PM Major: 2:44p

Moon Overhead: 3:26p Moon Underfoot: 3:05a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:02a Sunset: 6:02p Moonrise: 9:56a Moon Set: 10:24p

AM Minor: 7:46a AM Major: 1:36a PM Minor: 8:07p PM Major: 1:57p

Moon Overhead: 2:44p Moon Underfoot: 2:22a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:03a Sunset: 6:02p Moonrise: 9:25a Moon Set: 9:31p

AM Minor: 6:59a AM Major: 12:48a PM Minor: 7:20p PM Major: 1:10p

AM Minor: 9:20a AM Major: 3:10a PM Minor: 9:42p PM Major: 3:31p

Moon Overhead: 4:07p Moon Underfoot: 3:46a

Moon Overhead: 4:50p Moon Underfoot: 4:29a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

12p

Sunrise: 7:04a Sunset: 6:01p Moonrise: 8:53a Moon Set: 8:39p

Moon Overhead: 2:01p Moon Underfoot: 1:39a

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

0.12ft. 0.61ft. 0.44ft. 0.74ft.

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:04a Sunset: 6:00p Moonrise: 8:20a Moon Set: 7:46p

Moon Overhead: 1:17p Moon Underfoot: 12:54a

MONDAY

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 5:24a AM Major: 11:09a PM Minor: 5:47p PM Major: -----

READING THE GRAPH

FEET

12a

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Moon Overhead: 12:31p Moon Underfoot: 12:07a

2:09a 9:24a 1:32p 7:42p

Sunrise: 7:05a Sunset: 5:59p Moonrise: 7:44a Moon Set: 6:53p

AM Minor: 4:37a AM Major: 10:49a PM Minor: 5:01p PM Major: 11:13p

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

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:06a Sunset: 5:58p Moonrise: 7:05a Moon Set: 6:00p

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

Low Tide: 5:09a High Tide: 2:23p

-0.42ft. 1.00ft.

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

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 6:10a High Tide: 3:10p

-0.60ft. 1.11ft.

SATURDAY

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

7:08a 3:48p 8:34p 11:13p

SUNDAY

-0.76ft. 1.17ft. 1.00ft. 1.02ft.

Low Tide: 8:04a High Tide: 4:23p Low Tide: 8:53p

-0.86ft. 1.18ft. 0.94ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

4:30 — 6:30 PM Sunrise: 7:01a Sunset: 6:04p Moonrise: 11:02a Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 10:08a AM Major: 3:57a PM Minor: 10:31p PM Major: 4:19p

Moon Overhead: 5:35p Moon Underfoot: 5:12a

11:00P — 1:00A Sunrise: 7:00a Sunset: 6:05p Moonrise: 11:39a Moon Set: 12:14a

AM Minor: 10:57a AM Major: 4:45a PM Minor: 11:21p PM Major: 5:09p

Moon Overhead: 6:23p Moon Underfoot: 5:59a

F E B R U A R Y

TexasOutdoorNation-1902.indd 58

12p

BEST TIME

2 0 1 9

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:30P — 1:30A Sunrise: 6:59a Sunset: 6:06p Moonrise: 12:21p Moon Set: 1:13a

AM Minor: 11:46a AM Major: 5:33a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 5:59p

12a

12:30 — 2:30 AM

1:30 — 3:30 AM

AM Minor: 1:01a AM Major: 7:16a PM Minor: 1:31p PM Major: 7:46p

Moon Overhead: 8:11p Moon Underfoot: 7:43a

F I S H

12p

Sunrise: 6:58a Sunset: 6:07p Moonrise: 2:03p Moon Set: 3:17a

AM Minor: 12:10a AM Major: 6:24a PM Minor: 12:38p PM Major: 6:52p

T E X A S

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:58a Sunset: 6:06p Moonrise: 1:08p Moon Set: 2:14a

Moon Overhead: 7:15p Moon Underfoot: 6:49a

12p

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 9:11p Moon Underfoot: 8:41a

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

2:30 — 4:30 AM Sunrise: 6:57a Sunset: 6:08p Moonrise: 3:05p Moon Set: 4:19a

AM Minor: 1:55a AM Major: 8:10a PM Minor: 2:26p PM Major: 8:41p

Moon Overhead: 10:13p Moon Underfoot: 9:42a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

10:00P — 12:00A Sunrise: 6:56a Sunset: 6:09p Moonrise: 4:12p Moon Set: 5:19a

AM Minor: 2:50a AM Major: 9:06a PM Minor: 3:22p PM Major: 9:37p

Moon Overhead: 11:15p Moon Underfoot: 10:44a

G A M E ®

1/9/19 2:53 PM

FEBRUARY 2019

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

18 «

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

12:49a 8:57a 4:55p 9:28p

TUESDAY

19 «

1.07ft. -0.88ft. 1.15ft. 0.82ft.

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

2:07a 9:48a 5:24p 10:09p

WEDNESDAY

20 l

1.10ft. -0.81ft. 1.08ft. 0.65ft.

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

3:20a 10:37a 5:52p 10:56p

1.09ft. -0.64ft. 1.00ft. 0.44ft.

THURSDAY

21 « High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:34a 11:26a 6:19p 11:47p

1.05ft. -0.39ft. 0.93ft. 0.24ft.

FRIDAY

High Tide: 5:50a Low Tide: 12:13p High Tide: 6:44p

0.98ft. -0.09ft. 0.88ft.

SATURDAY

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

12:41a 7:14a 1:02p 7:08p

SUNDAY

0.04ft. 0.90ft. 0.22ft. 0.84ft.

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

1:41a 8:48a 1:56p 7:30p

-0.11ft. 0.86ft. 0.50ft. 0.83ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

4:30 — 6:30 AM

12p

12:00 — 2:00AM Sunrise: 6:53a Sunset: 6:11p Moonrise: 7:41p Moon Set: 7:51a

AM Minor: 5:46a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:14p PM Major: 12:00p

Moon Overhead: 12:17a Moon Underfoot: 12:46p

MONDAY

Low Tide: 3:56a High Tide: 12:47p

-0.29ft. 0.95ft.

Low Tide: 5:07a High Tide: 2:27p

12a

-0.34ft. 1.04ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 AM

2:00 — 4:00 AM

AM Minor: 7:43a AM Major: 1:31a PM Minor: 8:09p PM Major: 1:56p

Moon Overhead: 2:10a Moon Underfoot: 2:37p

12p

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:51a Sunset: 6:13p Moonrise: 9:51p Moon Set: 9:11a

AM Minor: 6:45a AM Major: 12:31a PM Minor: 7:11p PM Major: 12:58p

3:00 — 5:00 AM

12a

3:30 — 5:30 AM

Sunrise: 6:50a Sunset: 6:13p Moonrise: 10:53p Moon Set: 9:49a

Sunrise: 6:49a Sunset: 6:14p Moonrise: 11:54p Moon Set: 10:28a

AM Minor: 8:41a AM Major: 2:28a PM Minor: 9:06p PM Major: 2:53p

Moon Overhead: 3:03a Moon Underfoot: 3:28p

12p

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 9:36a AM Major: 3:24a PM Minor: 10:01p PM Major: 3:49p

Moon Overhead: 3:53a Moon Underfoot: 4:18p

Moon Overhead: 4:43a Moon Underfoot: 5:08p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

12p

Sunrise: 6:52a Sunset: 6:12p Moonrise: 8:47p Moon Set: 8:32a

Moon Overhead: 1:15a Moon Underfoot: 1:43p

TUESDAY

-0.22ft. 0.87ft. 0.74ft. 0.83ft.

BEST TIME

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

READING THE GRAPH

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 4:46a AM Major: 11:01a PM Minor: 5:16p PM Major: 11:31p

Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:46a

2:46a 10:39a 3:17p 7:47p

12a

Sunrise: 6:54a Sunset: 6:10p Moonrise: 6:32p Moon Set: 7:05a

AM Minor: 3:48a AM Major: 10:03a PM Minor: 4:18p PM Major: 10:34p

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

11:30P — 1:30A

Sunrise: 6:55a Sunset: 6:10p Moonrise: 5:22p Moon Set: 6:15a

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

Low Tide: 6:13a High Tide: 3:18p

-0.37ft. 1.08ft.

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

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

Mar 1 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

7:09a 3:50p 9:27p 11:27p

-0.37ft. 1.08ft. 0.89ft. 0.91ft.

SATURDAY

Low Tide: 7:57a High Tide: 4:11p Low Tide: 9:24p

SUNDAY

-0.36ft. 1.05ft. 0.88ft.

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

12:35a 8:37a 4:26p 9:19p

0.96ft. -0.33ft. 1.02ft. 0.84ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

4:30 — 6:30 AM Sunrise: 6:48a Sunset: 6:15p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 11:07a

AM Minor: 10:29a AM Major: 4:17a PM Minor: 10:54p PM Major: 4:42p

Moon Overhead: 5:33a Moon Underfoot: 5:58p

12p

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:47a Sunset: 6:15p Moonrise: 12:53a Moon Set: 11:49a

AM Minor: 11:20a AM Major: 5:08a PM Minor: 11:45p PM Major: 5:33p

Moon Overhead: 6:23a Moon Underfoot: 6:48p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 AM Sunrise: 6:46a Sunset: 6:16p Moonrise: 1:50a Moon Set: 12:34p

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:57a PM Minor: 12:09p PM Major: 6:22p

Moon Overhead: 7:13a Moon Underfoot: 7:38p

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNation-1902.indd 59

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 AM

2:00 — 4:00 AM Sunrise: 6:44a Sunset: 6:18p Moonrise: 3:34a Moon Set: 2:11p

AM Minor: 12:31a AM Major: 6:43a PM Minor: 12:56p PM Major: 7:08p

AM Minor: 1:16a AM Major: 7:28a PM Minor: 1:41p PM Major: 7:53p

Moon Overhead: 8:02a Moon Underfoot: 8:27p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:45a Sunset: 6:17p Moonrise: 2:43a Moon Set: 1:21p

F I S H

Moon Overhead: 8:52a Moon Underfoot: 9:16p

G A M E ®

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:00A — 1:00P Sunrise: 6:43a Sunset: 6:18p Moonrise: 4:21a Moon Set: 3:02p

11:30A — 1:30A Sunrise: 6:42a Sunset: 6:19p Moonrise: 5:04a Moon Set: 3:55p

AM Minor: 2:00a AM Major: 8:12a PM Minor: 2:24p PM Major: 8:36p

AM Minor: 2:43a AM Major: 8:55a PM Minor: 3:07p PM Major: 9:19p

Moon Overhead: 9:41a Moon Underfoot: 10:05p F E B R U A R Y

Moon Overhead: 10:28a Moon Underfoot: 10:52p

2 0 1 9

1/11/19 2:53 PM

Texas TASTED by BRYAN SLAVEN :: The Texas Gourmet

Boudin Stuffed Chops

HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEND A couple of days at Tres Aguas Resort on Lake Travis with my nephew and family a few months back and wanted to prepare a memorable dish. Thick cut and brined pork chops stuffed with Venison boudin was the choice and it turned out great. Follow my recipe; I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

Ingredients Thick cut pork chops- (4) - 4 to 6 hours with ½ cup of kosher salt to 1 quart of cold water, add a few peppercorns, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1 juiced orange, 2 tablespoons olive oil and ½ teaspoon of freshly chopped rosemary leaves. 1 Cup Boudin, remove from the casings, transfer to a bowl and add 1/3 cup freshly sliced green onion (you can add 3 to 4 fresh oysters to the stuffing if you like) 1 beaten egg Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice Texas Gourmet’s Lemon, Rosemary Habanero Grilling Sauce

Spice up the night with Boudin Stuffed and Brined Bone in Chops.

without over stuffing it. Season the outside of the chops lightly with Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice to taste. Heat a cast iron skillet until good and hot. Brush the chops with Texas Gourmet’s Lemon Rosemary Habanero Grilling Sauce and sear on both sides until nicely browned. Finish in the oven until just cooked through and the Boudin is hot. Brush with the glaze and serve with your favorite sides. This can also be prepared on a grill smoker. Grill over charcoal and apple or cherry wood cooking indirectly for approx. 16 to 18 minutes per side at approx. 300 degrees

Instructions Place in a large Ziploc bag in the cooler while brining Preheat an oven to 350 F degrees. Mix the Boudin well with the egg. Cut a pocket into the side of each brined chop, coming about 1/2 an inch from going through the other side. Season inside the pocket with Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice. Stuff about 1/4 cup of the Boudin mixture into each chop, or as much as you can fit in 64

F E B R U A R Y

1902 Tasted Recipe.indd 60

2 0 1 9

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

or until pork registers 155 degrees on a meat thermometer. Carefully turn, but try to hold in the stuffing when turning. Remove from the grill and rest under a piece of foil on a hot platter for 5 to 7 minutes and brush with Lemon Rosemary grilling sauce before transferring to the plates for serving.

« Email Bryan Slaven at bryan@thetexasgourmet.com PHOTO: BRYAN SLAVEN

1/9/19 3:52 PM

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1902 Outdoor Directory2.indd 61

F I S H

G A M E Â®

F E B R U A R Y

2 0 1 9

1/9/19 3:41 PM

REDFISH Galveston Molly Shipley caught this unique redﬁsh with a heartshaped tail spot in Galveston Bay on Gulp during an Academy Outdoors Kids Tournament.

WHITETAIL Columbus Kevin Dumas shot this nice whitetail with two drop tines in Columbus at Starr Waynor Ranch.

ROOSTERFISH Costa Rica Scott McDonald caught and released this 42-inch roosterﬁsh while in Costa Rica.

SHARK Galveston M’Lyn Pyfer of Breckenridge shows off the shark that she caught and released while ﬁshing with her family near the North Jetty in Galveston. This was only one of the many she caught on the trip.

ALLIGATOR Matagorda Earl and Will Touchstone bagged three gators, measuring 7-9 feet in length, hunting near Matagorda.

F E B R U A R Y

1902 Reader Photo.indd 62

2 0 1 9

T E X A S

F I S H

GAR Arroyo Colorado Daniel Hernandez loves to catch and wrestle big monster alligator gar, for example this ﬁvefoot three-incher he caught in the Arroyo Colorado.

G A M E ®

1/9/19 3:51 PM

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.

WHITETAIL

MIXED STRINGER

Canada Jorden B Mahler of Richmond took this 14-point buck while hunting outside St. Lina, Alberta, Canada. He was hunting with Curtis Whelen of Tagged Out Hunting Enterprises. The buck had a B&C score of 175-180.

Port O’Connor Fourdam Matey, age 9, of Victoria caught his limits of speckled trout and redfish fishing with his dad in Port O’Connor. It was his first time to catch both limits on the same day.

WHITETAIL Rusk County Six-year-old Grayson Holland took his ﬁrst deer opening weekend of Youth season. He was hunting with his Dad Nathan Holland. The doe was taken behind Grayson’s house in Rusk County.

BASS Lake Palestine Ricky Vandergriff shows off two monster bass caught on Lake Palestine.

CATFISH REDFISH

Bremond Seven-year-old Carlie Morehead, caught four channel cat on Duck Creek, near Bremond. She was enjoying the outdoors while her two older brothers had their faces stuck in video games.

Galveston Silver Chapa of Kingsville caught and released his personal best redﬁsh, 41 inches, on a recent trip with friends. They were with Captain Les Cobb, at Bafﬁn Bay.

T E X A S

1902 Reader Photo.indd 63

F I S H

G A M E ®

F E B R U A R Y

2 0 1 9

1/9/19 3:51 PM

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1/9/19 3:51 PM

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1/11/19 3:05 PM

C4-Johnson Minnkota.indd 4

1/9/19 2:25 PM

Texas Fish & Game February 2019

Articles inside

TEXAS TASTED

COASTAL FOCUS: LOWER COAST

COASTAL FOCUS: Baffin Bay

COASTAL FOCUS: Aransas/Corpus Christi

COASTAL FOCUS: ROCKPORT

COASTAL FOCUS: MID COAST

COASTAL FOCUS: MATAGORDA

COASTAL FOCUS: GALVESTON

COASTAL FOCUS: SABINE

TF&G REPORT

WHY GEAR RATIO MATTERS

TEXAS TACTICAL

BARE BONES HUNTING

INVASION OF THE URBAN HOGS

FREEZE FRENZY

TUNA TIPS

THE BASS UNIVERSITY

SPOTTED OR 'BAMA BASS?

PIKE ON THE EDGE

EDITOR'S NOTES

INSIDE FISH & GAME