Texas Fish & Game July-August 2022

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Sharks in the Sand: Surf Fishing’s Greatest Adventure 5 Top Lakes for Summer Stripers

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Modern Rifles for Texas Hunters

Slam the Flats: Bonefish, Tarpon & Permit 6/16/22 10:06 AM

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6/15/22 12:06 PM

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6/15/22 12:06 PM

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 AND ARDIA NEVES

Freedom, American Style

PUBLISHERS

CHESTER MOORE

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OST, IF NOT VIRTUALLY ALL OF YOU WHO READ FISH & GAME ARE gun owners. Therefore, it is a safe bet that we speak to a predominantly pro-gun audience. That makes it tricky to bring up the tragedy that occurred in Uvalde last month. Tricky, because we do not intend to just repeat standard pro-gun reactions and let it go with “thoughts and prayers.”

Our hearts broke at the thought of what those innocent children and their heroic teachers went through in their final moments, and the devastation left on families, survivors, and fellow students... as well as the fear and anxiety affecting school kids, parents, and teachers everywhere. No words can capture the depth of grief and despair these horrific events leave in their wake, and so we won’t even try. But, that hasn’t stopped countless others from taking up their bullhorns and keyboards to weigh in on what this tragedy means in the ongoing battle over Second Amendment rights and the uniquely American problem of gun violence.

The ambiguous wording of the Second Amendment has, thus far, been interpreted so that U.S. citizens may possess firepower just shy of machine guns. This has kept proposed laws to “control” the owning and brandishing of arms deemed Constitutional at bay. After all, gun restrictions only restrict those who are law-abiding. Right? But what about laws to keep bad guys from getting their guns legally? Most recent mass shootings were carried out with legally obtained weapons.

Would tougher background checks or red flag laws keep another deranged 18-year-old, like the kid in Uvalde, from walking out of a gun store armed for war? Maybe. Maybe not. The truth is, we will likely never know. Our ponderous Congress may have put forth a superficial “breakthrough” bipartisan bill, but don’t expect any consequential legislative solutions—or gun grabs—any time soon.

Let’s get real: if you’ve been sweating through your jockeys worrying that government agents are going to confiscate your AR 15s or ban high capacity magazines, relax. Given the Hatfield and McCoy level of cooperation in Washington, the odds of that happening are about the same as the Dallas Cowboys moving to Oakland. On the other side of the political barbed wire fence, if you think that everything more deadly than a .410 shotgun should be melted down—and used to make, what, participation trophies?—that’s about as realistic as... well... as that thinking sounds.

Problem is, half the country is pro-gun and the other half pro-gun control. There are extreme positions on both sides, as well as voices of reason on both sides. But the way we’ve cultivated the political system driving our government, plus the universal adoption of social media as our preferred information source, the voices from the extremes have drowned out any voices of reason.

Meanwhile, thousands more “troubled” teens and sick individuals of all ages are festering out there, urged on by social media. Damn straight they’re mentally ill. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for the emotional instability or psychopathic and sociopathic personality disorders that seem to be trending upward lately—no matter how much money we suddenly decide to throw at them.

There is no easy way out of this, despite the jabbering we hear from officials, pundits and the self-proclaimed authorities on Facebook and Twitter.

Freedom, American Style, requires us to live with inherent risks, laid before us by centuries of Constitutional interpretation. We can barricade schools. We can arm janitors. But there will be more tragedy. It may or may not make sense to add friction to the ease with which bad guys get ahold of guns. But voices of conflict in our leadership, in our media, and around our dinner tables will likely always suppress such notions, applying the friction to any constructive dialogue instead.

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

C O N T R I B U T O R S JOE DOGGETT DOUG PIKE LENNY RUDOW MATT WILLIAMS PETE ROBBINS KELLY GROCE LOU MARULLO LARRY WEISHUHN DUSTIN ELLERMANN REAVIS WORTHAM MORIAH FORMICA STAN SKINNER LISA MOORE

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR BOATING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR BASS FISHING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR HUNTING EDITOR WHITETAIL EDITOR SHOOTING EDITOR HUMOR EDITOR DIGITAL CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

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6/17/22 11:29 AM

July/August 2022 | Vol. 39 • No. 2

FEATURE ARTICLES

COVER STORY

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by CHESTER MOORE

Pike on the Edge

by DOUG PIKE

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Texas Boating

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Texas Hunting

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Open Season

by LENNY RUDOW

by LOU MARULLO

by REAVIS Z. WORTHAM

by Matt Williams

Choosing the right gun for everything from big game to varmints and squirrels.

SHARKS IN THE SAND Gear up for surf fishing’s most exciting adventure.

by TF&G Staff

PLANNING A SAFE OUTDOOR GETAWAY Safety tips from the National Parks Service.

by TF&G Staff

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Fish & Game Forecast Center: Saltwater

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Sportsman’s Daybook

Fish & Game Forecast Center: Freshwater

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Letters

from TF&G Readers

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A rundown of the top five go-to Texas lakes for catching hot-weather striped bass.

TEXAS OUTDOOR NATION

story by Chester Moore

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MODERN RIFLES FOR TEXAS HUNTERS

by Chester Moore

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Ship channels cut through some of the most productive fishing waters of the Texas Coast. The large cargo vessels traveling these channels can produce massive, and dangerous, rogue waves in otherwise calm bays.

Editor’s Notes

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SUMMER STRIPERS

Chasing bonefish, tarpon and permit in the flats of Florida... from a Texan’s perspective.

by TF&G Staff

ROGUE WAVES

COLUMNS

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SLAMMIN’ THE FLATS

Fish & Game Photos

by TF&G Readers

Outdoor Directory

Guides, Outfitters & More

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LETTERS to the Editor Hyenas IS IT TRUE THERE HAVE BEEN hyena sightings in East Texas and Louisiana?

Richard Cowart Editor: There have been reports of hyenatype animals but there are very few hyenas in zoos and even fewer in private facilities in Texas and Louisiana, so it is doubtful there are escapees.

I believe the animals people are referring to as “hyenas” are the same things getting labeled as “chupacabras.” They are coyotes with severe mange, which gives the animals a hyena-like appearance although they are much, much smaller than a hyena. I got to interact with hyenas a few years back, and they dwarf coyotes.

A mangy coyote like this might be mistaken for a hyena.

in a 14-foot StarCraft Mariner and I had anchored on the eastern edge of Tin Can Reef. I had a Danforth anchor with six feet of chain and 50 feet of rope out that put me about 10 feet from the edge of the reef. Free shrimping, I was boxing a five- to sevenpound trout about every 15 minutes.

Scanning the horizon, I noticed a tanker headed to Port Houston. The bulbous bow nose was completely out of the water, and the stern looked like it only had a couple of feet of freeboard.

About 15 minutes later, my boat gently made a 180 off the anchor. Then I saw a wake (wave) coming fast. It appeared to be about eight feet tall and was gaining height.

As it passed under my boat, and the boat turned bow into the wave, it had reached 12 to 14 feet. Then it hit the shallow edge of the reef, about 10 feet behind my prop.

The wave instantly grew to 15 plus feet, then broke. If I had been 20 feet back over the reef, the breaking wave would have sunk my boat and rolled me across the oyster reef.

The second incident was at Port O’Connor. Dale and I left Houston Friday morning and we launched about noon. After fishing Friday evening and all-day Saturday, we were tying up the boat when another of Dale’s fishing buddies came over and told us that trout were holding in the pocket between the south jetty and the surf line, about 50 yards from the beach.

Next morning, we headed to the pocket.

Deer Hunting Blues DO YOU THINK THE PRICE OF DEER hunting will ever go down?

Chris Gill Editor: No, and in fact it will continue to rise. I foresee a time when the average person will not be able to afford it at all. It is sad, but true. There will of course be exceptions, but for the most part deer hunting access is decreasing due to finances. That is compounded by how much habitat we are losing. Less huntable land and high demand will equal sky-high prices.

Another Rogue Wave Story (Or Two) Editor: We didn’t have space to put this in the main story on page 16 of this issue, but had to share this account from Roy Edwards who sent this in after reading my May/June column.

I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SURvive two rogue waves.

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The wind was almost dead calm, and the wavelets were about six inches tall. We anchored in the pocket and were catching trout on almost every cast.

Suddenly, Dale ran from the stern to the helm of the walk-through windshield of the 15-foot M.F.G. and yelled, “Cut the rope.”

“What?” I asked. He yelled back, “Cut the blankety-blank anchor rope NOW!” I ran to the bow and cut the rope, then looked out to sea. An in-coming wave was breaking over the top of the jetty rocks on our left and on our right, crossing the surf line and into the dunes.

Dale started the motor, yelled. “Hang on!” and gunned the motor. When we got to within 40 feet of the wave, he shut down to an idle and headed straight into the wave.

We went through the wave. I was hanging on to the left windshield supports. Completely under water, I looked over at Dale.

He had a two-handed death grip on the wheel and was stretched out parallel to the deck, above the seat back. Then we came out on the other side of the wave. The Evinrude never missed a beat. The boat was selfbailing and slowly started rising. We lost no gear, just got soaking wet.

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Email your comments to: editor@fishgame.com PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

6/15/22 12:07 PM

EDITOR’S Notes

by CHESTER MOORE, JR. :: TF&G Editor-in-Chief

Texas Bighorn Society’s Youth Drawing Inspires “All roundup attendees age 16 and younger will be entered into a free drawing for a lifetime Texas combo hunting and fishing license.”

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HOSE WORDS CAUGHT MY attention as I read through the Texas Bighorn Society’s e-newsletter announcing its 33rd Annual Roundup.

Thirty years ago, I won a lifetime hunting and fishing combo license from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

In 1992, TPWD launched an event called the Texas Wildlife Expo, and to kick it off, they held an essay contest for high school students on the topic of hunting.

I was a high school senior that year.

My goal was to become a wildlife journalist who would write and broadcast about hunting, fishing, and wildlife. I wrote about how hunting pointed me toward conservation as a youngster and how the model we use in North America has seen remarkable comebacks of many species.

And I won.

That got me an invite to the Texas Wildlife Expo, and my award was presented by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. I met numerous outdoor dignitaries and at age 19, joined my first-ever wildlife conservation group.

Seeing a desert bighorn mount and a sign that said, “Texas Bighorn Society” drew me in like a moth to a flame. Wild sheep were my favorite big game animals in North America.

As a boy, copies of Sports Afield, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, and other publications were a nickel apiece at the local thrift store.

Every few months, I would cash in change and buy them out.

My Dad and I would sit together and make scrapbooks of our favorite pictures. We would cut and paste the deer we wanted to hunt,

ducks to call in, and animals we wanted to see.

Those memories came flooding back after rediscovering these scrapbooks in my Dad’s old storage shed after he passed away in 2014.

After flipping through the first book, I was blown away by how many wild sheep adorned the pages.

There were desert bighorns, stone sheep, Dall sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorns, and urials. There were more sheep than any other animal. Turkeys were a close second, but sheep were tops by far.

I joined the Texas Bighorn Society (TBS) that day in 1992 and stayed a member for several years. A few years back, I rejoined.

Winning that essay and getting a lifetime hunting and fishing combo was a big boost for me. It helped propel me into a career where I am blessed to use my talents to raise awareness of wildlife conservation.

By the time you read this, the 33rd Annual Texas Bighorn Society Roundup will have passed, and that young person will have already been chosen and announced.

Chances are the winning kid won’t be an aspiring wildlife journalist. However, no question that getting the boost of winning such an amazing prize will leave a very positive impression of the hunting and fishing world.

As other interests come in life, that very license could be the thing that keeps drawing them into the wild. The fact that it comes from the Texas Bighorn Society is equally powerful.

They will always remember it had to do with wild sheep, and that alone may inspire a future sheep conservation advocate.

As someone who mentors teens in wildlife conservation through our Higher Calling Wildlife outreach, I can attest that details such as that matter with kids. Having young people in the future who can advocate for sheep, other wildlife and the hunting lifestyle T E X A S

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is crucial.

The Texas Bighorn Society is doing a great thing by inviting youth and giving them an opportunity at the literal prize of a lifetime.

I’m grateful TPWD did something similar back in 1992. I don’t know whether I would be in a position to write this if that essay contest had never happened.

Incentivizing young people to hunt, fish and become involved in conservation groups is important. It’s something we can even do as individuals.

Perhaps a lifetime license is out of your budget, but a hunting or fishing license for the year is something most of us can afford.

You can also get them a TBS membership or a membership to CCA, Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation or other groups you support.i If you’re reading this and having a tough time economically, but would like to get your child or grandchild plugged into a conservation group, maybe I can help. If you have a kid age 17 or under who is interested in wild sheep, email me.

The first person who sends me a message with the kids name and age and interest in sheep will get a special package for that kid.

I will also buy their TBS membership for the year and give them a special package from my Higher Calling Wildlife outreach.

Additionally, the next five people who message me with kids age 17 and under will get the same package, but with a twist. Give me their favorite outdoor interest or species.

Examples would be redfish and fishing or ducks and hunting. I will buy them a membership in one of the corresponding conservation groups I support.

It will be for the first five only, but it’s my way of helping inspire some kids in at least a little bit of the way I was inspired 30 years ago.

Staying involved in the outdoors and conservation has meant so much to my life, I want to see young people of today get the same kind of boost.

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6/15/22 12:07 PM

PIKE on the Edge

by DOUG PIKE :: TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Get Hooked on Fishing, Not on a Barbed Hook

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ASED ON RECENT STORIES from half a dozen sources, it is time again to beat my favorite tambourine: Get yourself some needlenosed pliers and use them to flatten the barbs on your hooks.

Any of you who fish long enough with enough people who can’t really cast or don’t pay attention or drink a little more than they should (or all of the above) will wind up someday being stuck by a fish hook.

Those of you who have unusually good luck might go years with only near misses where the hook penetrates your skin but stops just short of its barb. Be thrilled. You dodged all that comes with the other sort of hook-in-the-whatever encounter.

Odds of getting jabbed past the barb probably are about the same as being stung by a honeybee while you trim your flowering ligustrums—maybe lower. The difference is that a bee sting probably won’t shut down your day (unless you’re allergic.).

You’ll put some potion or lotion on it, complain about the pain for a little while, then continue doing whatever the day encouraged you to do.

A barbed fish hook that finds its way deep into any body part—even the slightest bit past the barb—is going to change your plans. This changes everyone else’s plans, too. Sometimes the hook pain isn’t nearly so bad as the whining of people who feel inconvenienced by having to stop their fishing to tend to you.

Things could go either way behind a barb-deep stick if you’re in the company of someone who claims to know how to remove that hook without making an already bad situation worse. So long as the hook is buried and not being jostled, the pain probably will be tolerable. It’ll hurt, but

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not bite-on-a-stick hurt.

Add the trauma of someone tying a string around that hook and pressing it downward and then telling you to turn away as they give it a firm YANK. Even if it goes well, it’s going to make you wince. Not so well, and it’ll make you say words you normally don’t say around kids.

MASHING THE MISERY If any of your friends has had to remove hooks from people more than twice (unless they’re professional guides) you might want to reconsider fishing with that person.

To avoid unnecessary misery and hundreds of dollars in urgent-care bills, go spend five bucks on needle-nosed pliers and mash down the barbs on every hook in your box. Do it while you watch a ball game or between bites of a hamburger or whenever and wherever it’s convenient.

One by one, the potential causes of misery and great expense are flattened into submission. They can’t hurt you—ever again.

In addition to mashing the barbs on my own hooks, I’ve done the same many times for several people who convinced me that might be a good idea.

When I see parents not watching closely while their children sling treble-hooked plugs on neighborhood ponds, I offer to mash the hook barbs. When someone on a bay boat tends to cast sidearm as opposed to overhand, I offer to flatten those barbs.

The next time I offer my pliers to a dad or mom who’s trying to get a child into fishing will not be the first—because I always have a backup available.)

Needle-nosed pliers can be had for less than five bucks. When you buy them for yourself, get a second and maybe a third as “just in case” offerings to someone who |

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needs them.

Don’t ask for money. Don’t accept money. Hand them the pliers and know you’ve probably saved someone in that family from a dreadful experience.

It’s important to note that not every barb gets mashed perfectly flush to the hook shank on the first pinch. Slide a thumb or finger from the bend of the hook toward its point. If your skin meets any resistance at all, reapply the pliers. This is a situation where nearly good is no good at all.

I’ve lived long enough and caught enough fish that I probably should have been “hook-stuck” two dozen times by now.

I’m also patient enough, however, not to grab a fish that isn’t ready to be grabbed.

Between caution and chance, I’ve managed to become deeply hooked only three times. All three times, thankfully, the hooks had no barb to keep them from being extracted quickly and comfortably.

To address a question that comes up often—no, I don’t lose many fish because of my hooks. A tight line does more to keep a fish in the fight than a barbed hook.

That said, if you’re catching small trout on the bay or bass in a lake and intend to release them, barbless hooks make that much simpler. Given a little slack just off the rod tip, an active fish often will shake itself loose right at the boat or bank.

Many of the ones that can’t ditch the hook can be released even without being touched. Hold the line just above their mouths with one hand and use those pliers to retrieve that hook with the other.

Needle-nosed pliers, it turns out, are quite the fish-conservation tool. Carry pliers.

Save a fish…and maybe a friend.

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Email Doug Pike at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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The author quickly unhooks and releases a bonefish in Florida’s Biscayne Bay.

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PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

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ONEFISH ARE SORT OF THE gateway drug to flats fishing. Once you catch one, you can’t get enough, and you want to go after permit and tarpon, and then you’re hooked.”

Those were the words of Dr. Aaron Adams, Conservation Director of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust on an episode of my Higher Calling Wildlife podcast.

When I told Adams after recently catching my first bonefish in Florida’s Biscayne Bay, that I had already booked a trip to catch permit, he said, “I told you so.”

Adam’s statement made perfect sense to me. I’ve never done a drug in my life and have always found the high of hooking into a big fish or calling in a turkey plenty for me.

The Flats Slam consists of the bonefish, tarpon, and permit, fish

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which spend some of their time in the deeper ocean but most of their life cycle in the flats.

It is the ultimate quest for inland saltwater fly fishermen and is also highly regarded by anglers fishing traditional spinning and casting gear.

I won’t say I’m obsessed with completing my quest, but I have goals to finish up with spinning gear. I’ll go back in to do it all on the fly within the next couple of years.

Yeah, I might be a bit obsessed.

I thought it would be fun to take a look at the flats slam and make some connections with Texas that you might have never considered.

SLAM SPECIES TARPON: Tarpon are the monster of the slam and Texas has solid tarpon fisheries along the Gulf Coast from

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PHOTO: COURTESY BRIAN BARERRA

Rider Colvin caught this juvenile permit while fishing with Capt. Brian Barerra in the South Padre area. Catches like this are rare in Texas.

“Tarpon Alley” between Galveston and High Island to Port O’Connor’s Pass Cavalo and the South Padre area. They are not an easy fish to catch, but the last few years have been good.

Capt. Brian Barrera guides out of South Padre and had some incredible days last year.

“We caught some big fish last year, including a fish that if we had harvested it, might have broken the state record,” he said.

“Tarpon are an awesome fish and they

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have a deserved reputation of being hard to hook and hard to land. That makes them one of the world’s most prized catches.”

BONEFISH: Bonefish are arguably the fastest-moving, hardest-fighting pound-forpound fish on the planet. They are the stuff of fly fishermen’s dreams as stalking them on the clear flats in places like Florida, Belize and The Bahamas is a mega challenge.

Did you know there are a few bonefish in

Texas?

The state record weighed 3.77 pounds and was caught by angler C.W. Morris in 1977. The listing says “Gulf of Mexico” which probably means he caught it in the surf somewhere, but I have not been able to track down the exact location.

One of Capt. Brian Barerra’s clients caught a small bonefish in the South Padre area a few years ago. Capt. Joey Farrah told me one of his clients hung into one in the lower end of the Middle Coast.

In preparation for this article, I contacted Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s coastal fisheries division and found out that since 1994, they have records of catching 16 bonefish in their net surveys. The catches were all in the Aransas Channel, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Upper Laguna Madre, and Lower Laguna Madre. They were all less than four inches in length.

They’re nowhere near a common catch, but they are present in Texas waters.

PERMIT: Quite a few anglers think they’ve caught a permit in Texas, but are disappointed to find out it was a southern pom-

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pano (a close relative) or even a jack crevalle (similar shape and colors).

Permit are stunning flats species that get big. They are said to be the moodiest of flats slam species and will often ignore the most perfectly placed lure or fly.

Permit are also present in Texas in small numbers.

Jared Guinn caught the Texas state record in the Gulf of Mexico in 1993. It only weighed 1.50 pounds. I’ve heard anecdotal evidence of permit close to this size caught in the Galveston Bay complex in recent years, from very informed anglers.

One of Capt. Brian Barerra’s young clients caught a permit in the South Padre area. It wasn’t a monster but in a very real way, it was the catch of a lifetime.

ABOUT THAT ‘GATEWAY DRUG’ “It’s all fun and games until someone goes and misses a bonefish!”

My friend Todd Jurasek and I stood in disbelief as Capt. Mo Estevez shouted that from the back of his 16-foot Hewe’s flats boat in Biscayne Bay. We had a double hookup on big bonefish

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near the end of a day-long expedition into Biscayne Bay near Miami, Florida. Both of the fish, after several minutes of intense, long runs, just let go.

We both missed fish the same way earlier in the day, so this was shocking. I can’t remember losing two hooked fish in a day ever, and I have caught everything from giant white sturgeon to wahoo around the world.

But there’s something different about bonefish. Everything you’ve heard about their pound-for-pound power is true—plus some. I’ve caught everything from peacock bass to Wels catfish and this was my favorite catch.

These fish just don’t want to come to the boat. If redfish are bulldogs, bonefish are pit bulls crossed with greyhounds. Their power and speed are simply stunning.

Last April after missing two bonefish, I ended up catching a big one in the seven- to eight-pound class. It was a dream come true.

It was something that really inspired me to complete a flats slam. It also got me more involved with flats fishing issues whether here in Texas or on the Florida coast.

Sea flats are important places for those

who love to fish and have respect for all of the creatures that dwell there.

If you have caught permit or bonefish in Texas, please email pics and stories to chester@chestermoore.com. We would love to share them in our e-newsletter.

TEXAS FLATS SLAM Who says we can’t have our own Flats Slam in Texas?

You could technically try to get the real thing here, but after getting your tarpon, you would spend the rest of your life trying to catch the others.

A tarpon, jack crevalle, and redfish would be a great trio. Jacks are permit-like (although not nearly as picky—they’re voracious) and the redfish don’t have the bonefish speed, but they have stamina.

A tarpon, redfish, and sheepshead are another good combination. Several hardcore fly fishermen have told me, that sheepshead can be as picky with flies as the permit.

It’s all in fun, and if fishing quests put a smile on your face, be creative and enjoy your time in pursuit.

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AM NOT A STRIPED BASS junkie, but I have tangled with enough of the brawny sport fish to know they are rough customers. They’re truly a blast to catch, especially on bait casting tackle.

Known for their nasty attitudes, voracious appetites and hard, line-stripping runs, a striped bass might be described as a silvery stick of dynamite

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with fins and a really short fuse.

These fish rank as the fourth most popular fish among Texas’s freshwater fishing crowds behind largemouth bass, catfish and crappie.

Fisheries biologists say most freshwater reservoirs lack the long stretches of stream flow necessary for stripers to spawn successfully and maintain self-sustaining populations. Likewise, the Texas

aggressive approach toward making sure lakes with favorable open water habitat and bountiful forage are well stocked with fish for anglers to catch.

The number of striped bass produced

by TPWD hatcheries varies from one year to the next. However, district fisheries biologists typically request around 1.8

Parks and Wildlife Department takes an

million fingerlings annually for stocking

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This happy Striper Express client shows off a Lake Texoma giant.

in select impoundments.

The lone exception is Lake Texoma. This 75,000-acre lake on the Red and Washita rivers is one of a handful of freshwater reservoirs in the US where stripers enjoy prolific spawning runs far upstream each spring when the conditions are right. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation jump started the fishery by stocking in the

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: TF&G; INSET PHOTO: BILL CAREY, STRIPER EXPRESS

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late 1960s and early 70s. It’s been going strong ever since without much help.

Known for its big numbers of “box fish” and an occasional 20 pounder, Texoma is undeniably Texas’s heaviest hitting striper lake. Surveys show that about 50 percent of the anglers who visit the lake go there for the stripers, and they dump millions of dollars annually into local economies.

Good as it is, Texoma isn’t the only reservoir in these parts where anglers can get their line stretched by the saltwater transplants.

I reached out to several TPWD inland fisheries biologists and asked them to rank the state’s Top Five striper fisheries, and to share some advice to help anglers score during the summer months. Here’s what they, along with some noted fishing guides, had to offer: NO. 1: Texoma SIZE: 75,000 acres LOCATION: North Texas along the Texas/Oklahoma border.

SUMMER PLAN: TPWD fisheries biologist Greg Cummings says fishing live bait (shad) vertically in the water column is the preferred method. Many guides rely on

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chumming, splasher props, and thumpers to attract and keep fish under the boat.

If you really want to have some fun, dump the live bait and grab a topwater such as a Whopper Plopper, Zara Spook, Chug Bug or Pencil Popper. Strikes can be downright vicious at times. The topwater bite is generally best during early morning. The sun is low then, and the fish are actively herding shad to the surface around the dam, the state park and the mouth of Little Mineral dam, Cummins said. Keep a watchful eye for birds or splashes and have a good pair of binoculars on hand.

Another popular method is trolling, Cummings said. “Some choose to use downriggers to keep baits down. However, Texoma usually stratifies in the summer, so extremely deep trolling is not necessary because there is little oxygen available below the thermocline.

“Stripers can be found in water one to thirty feet deep depending on where the thermocline is in summer,” he said.” Popular baits to troll include umbrella rigs, swimbaits, bucktail jigs, deep diving crankbaits, Storm Thundersticks or Rapala Shad Raps.”

Soft plastic shad swim baits matched with a jig head also work well when cast, jigged or

trolled where stripers are present. “Choose colors according to water clarity,” Cummings said. “White, glow, and natural colors excel in clear water. Chartreuse or other brightly colors may do better in stained or muddy water.”

NO. 2: Whitney SIZE: 23,500-acres LOCATION: Northwest of Waco.

SUMMER PLAN: Texas’s No. 2 striper fishery has been salted with nearly 865,000 fingerlings since 2017. The lake is now full of fish in the 18- to 22-inch range, according to TPWD fisheries biologist John Tibbs of Waco. Although March through May is the best time to go after them, Tibbs says the summertime bite isn’t half bad, either.

He said most guides use live shad to fill limits, but swim baits and umbrella rigs work well at times. Tibbs says anglers should pay close attention to the summer thermocline in 20 to 25 feet of water.

Try to fish above the thermocline when fishing with shad, swim baits, spoons or other sub-surface artificials. He also recommends keeping an eye peeled for active birds. This can often indicate a blood bath is in progress.

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NO. 3: Tawakoni SIZE: 38,000 acres LOCATION: East of Dallas.

SUMMER PLAN: TPWD fisheries biologist Jake Norman says Lake Tawakoni is a fixture on his hit list for striper stockings each year. It has received close to 750,000 fingerlings from state hatcheries since 2018.

Norman says the summer action isn’t as reliable as it is during cooler seasons.

However, a few guides have found ways to catch them with some degree of consistency.

Michael Littlejohn is among them.

Littlejohn says good electronics play a key role in his summertime game plan. He relies heavily on side imaging to locate schools of stripers suspended in big, open water or old timber stands in water 35 to 50 feet deep.

“It’s mostly a live bait game,” Littlejohn said. “Spend some time looking with your electronics. The stripers bunch up in open water, away from structure, often in schools as large as 500 to 800 fish. Once we find the fish, we set up and drop live shad on them — big gizzard shad, six to eight inches long.”

Littlejohn’s preferred live bait rig is a Carolina rig matched with a one- to one and a

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half-ounce weight and a 3/0 or 4/0 Kahle live bait hook. He said you can also score on big eight-inch flutter spoons.

NO. 4: Possum Kingdom SIZE: 15,600 acres LOCATION: West of Fort Worth.

SUMMER PLAN: Deep and clear, PK is a summertime hotspot for pleasure boaters.

Likewise, fisheries biologist Robert Mauk recommends being on water at first light or at night to get in on the best bite, when recreational traffic is the lightest.

Mauk says live bait is the order of the day for most anglers this time of year. However, trolling with deep diving cranks also can be effective in areas where electronics have pinpointed fish. Big spoons and swim baits also can be effective.

Another good tactic is casting a topwater in areas where birds are actively working the shad.

Something else to keep in mind during the summer months on PK, or any other lake, is the thermocline. This is the where warmer more oxygenated water near the surface meets with cooler, less oxygenated

water in deeper depths. “The best summer action is usually right around or above the thermocline, which will be about 25 feet deep on PK,” Mauk said.

NO. 5: Buchanan SIZE: 22,200 acres LOCATION: On the Colorado River west of Burnet.

SUMMER PLAN: Stripers are king on this scenic Hill Country impoundment. Fisheries biologist Patrick Ireland called it a very productive system with a great population of threadfin and gizzard shad that keeps them well fed and growing fast.”

Ireland says area guides have the best luck using live shad or trolling an artificial around schools of stripers they mark with their electronics. The fish are generally suspended in water 30- to 50-feet deep around the thermocline, often on long points or humps near bends in the Colorado River channel.

Ireland says some of the best action occurs during the early morning hours and at night, especially during full moon periods.

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Dolphin often like to jump at the front of large ship wakes.

The author records some action in the Sabine-Neches Waterway.

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Rogue waves can be silent and come across miles of open bay.

PHOTOS: MAIN, FAITH MOORE; INSETS: ADOBE, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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Large ship wakes can churn up rogue waves in inland waters.

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N A SUNDAY MORNING IN 2020, Dan Elder and his brother were wade-fishing on the north side of the ship channel between Port Aransas and Corpus Christi.

“We looked to our left and saw an enormous wave approaching us that seemed like a mile away. It was a perfect wave, tall and breaking,” he said. As the wave approached, the anglers could see dolphins jumping and riding the wave. The wave stretched all the way across the portion of the bay they were fishing.

“It looked to be six to 10 feet tall, and we thought it was some form of tidal wave. We had no idea what we were seeing and ran toward the shoreline from chest deep water. We ran frantically because we thought we were going to die,” Elder said.

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Hatch said he was not prepared for this and lost some tackle boxes off the back of his boat.

“I’m glad that it’s just a fish story now,” he said.

As the duo finally got to the very shallow water after 10 minutes of running, the wave hit, knocking his anchored boat about 60 yards, and hitting them with a three-foot wall of water.

“We then looked toward Port Aransas and saw the very large ship and realized the cause of the wave.

It had a full cargo of oil, going too fast down the channel. We called and reported the event to the Coast Guard.”

Elder’s story, though terrifying, is not the only one. We have recorded dozens from anglers along the coast who have encountered rogue waves that could have easily taken their lives.

David Clark is the Recreational Boater Safety Representative for the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee in the Houston- Galveston area.

He is also Chairman of a Working Group that was formed in early 2021 to increase recreational boater awareness of the waves generated by ships transiting the Houston Ship Channel.

“This group was requested by the US Coast Guard following some drowning deaths in 2020 that could have possibly been attributed to the waves,” he said.

Although the issue is most pronounced in the Houston Ship Channel, it seems to be on the rise all along the coast.

The following are just some of the stories we’ve gathered.

Judd Hatch and his buddy Cliff were headed to the Galveston North Jetties and launched the boat at the tip of the Texas City Dike.

“Wind conditions were below 10 miles an hour, and we had a strong incoming tide.

Once we launched the boat, everything was going smoothly as we started out. We were passing Seawolf Park to our right, where the ship channel continues out to the beach front. I was traveling about 35 to 40 miles an hour, looking at two to three foot swells when all of a sudden out of nowhere there were three to four, eight foot plus waves right in front of me,” he said.

“I had no time to respond to the first waves, and we took it head on. The boat completely came out of the air with a sevento eight-foot drop only to be thrown back up two or three more times. Within seconds the waves were gone, and we were back to twofoot waves.”

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These signs put out by the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee in the Houston- Galveston area warn of potential dangers

Susan Graham is also glad that her and her husband’s rogue wave encounter in Galveston Bay is now just a memory.

“We were out in our 26-foot Bayliner cuddy cabin. We were about a quarter of a mile out from Dollar Reef on a beautiful and sunny, calm day. With a calm but stressed voice, my husband called me up from the cabin and told me to sit on the floor between the passenger seat and the cabin wall,” she said.

“At first, he had described what he saw as a large ship pulling a huge pipe across the water.Then he realized it was a breaking wave. Within 30 seconds, it hit us. I had left the front hatch open for ventilation while I was in the cabin. The water in front of our boat went away, and the boat fell forward with such force, I thought the boat must be destroyed. We were hit by a 12-foot-plus wake from a passing ship,” she said “Water poured into the front hatch. My husband managed to hold the bow into the wave. Then, a second and a third wave hit, each diminishing in size.

I was thrown into the cabin wall several times. His feet left the deck, but he held onto the steering wheel. The trough drop was terrifying |

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My husband saved our lives that day by keeping the bow into the waves. Had we turned at all, the 26-foot boat would have flipped, and we would have been crushed under the boat,” Graham said.

The Grahams no longer fish the main Galveston Bay. About ten years ago, Ray Keonitzer and his wife were fishing along the jetty on the Texas side, south of Sabine Pass They were anchored in their 18.5 ft. bass boat when a big ship came in.

“I spent some of my youth fishing the salt water of Southeast Texas, so I know to watch carefully for ship traffic and the resulting waves. It only took witnessing one ship coming through the ship channel to indelibly print the water’s reaction in my mind,” he said.

“Suddenly the back of the boat lifted and was “surf-boarded” straight into the jetty wall. Fortunately, the trolling motor was in the water, and took the lion’s share of the punishment.

“I’m thinking there was one big wave and then a couple of smaller ones. I’m certain, had it not been for the trolling motor, the boat would have sustained a lot more damage, possibly even been thrown on top of, or over the jetty wall, despite having the rear anchor deployed,” he said.

With widening and dredging of not only the Houston-Galveston Ship Channel but the Sabine-Neches Waterway and other systems, this issue is likely to get worse.

This an excerpt from the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee’s “Sharing Our Bay” safety guide.

“The speed of a ship or tow can be deceptive. A ship can be going 15 knots or more in the Houston Ship Channel, and even faster in deep ocean water.”

“Small craft vessels and other recreational users of the waterway should be alert to the possibility of large swells or breakers in the shallow water near the sides of the channel astern of passing vessels. If caught in this situation, remain calm and seated. Turn the boat and head into the swells at a 45-degree angle to avoid being swamped.”

The Galveston’s Pilot’s official guidebook has some interesting notes on the impact of channel deepening and widening.

“With the deepening and widening project complete, the Houston Ship Channel can

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accommodate the massive Suezmax tanker.

On average, the Suezmax is 70 feet longer and 20 feet wider than the Aframax the largest vessel permissible in the channel prior to the deepening and widening project.

It is also capable of carrying up to 40 percent more cargo. The larger size and cargo capacity of the Suezmax tanker means more weight and greater water displacement in the channel. This leads to amplification of hydraulic forces exerted on other vessels in the vicinity.” Hydraulic forces means big waves and also water being sucked out of areas.

Several years ago, Tony Draper was coming back into the boat ramp at the end of the Texas City Dike with his wife and small kids.

“As soon as I pulled up to tie off, there was a weird sound of water rushing, and I felt the boat dropping and being pulled back out. I instinctively grabbed onto the piling with one arm and my boat with the other. As I did that, I looked over and water was literally disappearing out of the “enclosed” ramp area as if someone had pulled a giant drain plug,” he said.

“I would say 75 percent or more of the

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Tanker Surf Charters specializes in ship channel surfing there. They show surfers riding some big waves at their website.

For real.

Information is power, and this article is written to empower you to stay safe at a time when an increasing number of large ships are moving through our coastal waterways.

Be careful, not only in the channel itself, but also consider dangers of wading in flats near the channels. Always wear a life vest and be prepared when you see big ships coming through.

Although these waves technically aren’t tsunamis, they have certainly left a seismiclike impact on the souls of those who have encountered them.

If you have encountered these kinds of waves, please contact us at chester@chestermoore.com with your reports. We will continue sharing these through our Fish & Game Report e-newsletter to raise awareness to what seems to be a growing danger.

water in the ramp area was gone in no more than three to four seconds. At that point, I felt my boat hit the bottom. Within seconds, the water started rushing back in, and it was literally all I could do to keep my boat from being pushed right up onto the concrete ramp.

“I have no idea how I possibly had the strength to hold a 22-foot bay boat with all of that water rushing in, but I guess the panic and adrenaline gave me extra strength. I had small tears in several muscles because of it,” he said.

Draper didn’t see a big ship or barge nearby, but it is possible something from a long distance could have made this happen. There were some far away in the shipping lanes.

There’s a spot on the Sabine Lake side of Pleasure Island where water will suck (I assume through some pipe) from the lake side out very quickly when a ship approaches on the opposite side of the island. Conversely, water will shoot through after it passes.

Large waves are so prevalent in the Houston-Galveston Ship Channel, there are surfing charters there.

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Texas BOATING

by LENNY RUDOW :: TF&G Boating Editor

Gas Pains

told, the water that comes out always smells a bit funny, and nine trips out of 10 the system never even gets turned on.

So, why haul around all that extra weight?

Note that five gallons is a tiny tank. Many people reading this right now are hauling around 10 or 20 gallons. This adds 80 to 160 pounds to your load. If you use your freshwater regularly, you’ll want to leave some in the tank, for sure, but consider whether a half- or quarter-tank is enough to get the job done.

Upgrade aluminum to stainless steel.

When it comes to your propeller.

Aluminum propeller blades flex more than stainless, and you can generally pick up a couple mph at cruise without burning a single drop of additional fuel by simply upgrading an aluminum prop to a stainless model.

That’s a significant efficiency boost, but…

Consider the condition of your propeller.

Maybe your prop is just fine, but maybe not. Most boat owners tend to ignore the state of their prop unless and until there’s a major problem with it.

Those little nicks, dings, and burrs reduce a propeller’s efficiency and cut into your boat’s mileage. You can file some minor propeller blade damage smooth, but having a prop reconditioned is a much better bet.

Added bonus: you’ll likely feel fewer vibrations, and the boat will run smoother, too.

Slow down.

Yeah, we know, this is an awful option — all of us want to get to the fishing grounds ASAP. So, you forget about this tip first thing I the morning as you run from one hotspot to the next.

However, at the end of the day when you cruise home, why not pull the throttle back a bit? Most boats post their best efficiency right after coming onto plane, usually in the 3000 to 3500 rpm range.

This may mean running home at 25 mph rather than 30 or 35, but you’ll likely see fuel economy jump by leaps and bounds.

Note: most modern outboards over 150 horsepower will display fuel economy right

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F THE PRICE AT THE PUMP HAS you thinking twice about making long runs to the hot fishing grounds, use these tips and tricks to keep your fuel bill in check.

Although we Texans might enjoy fuel prices a bit more palatable than those in the rest of the nation, you can be forgiven for flinching at the bill. However, do higher prices have to mean you trim back your fishing plans?

Heck no!

Truth be told, most boats are rather inefficient transportation as compared to other ways of getting around. Generally speaking, we boaters make it worse over time. With some effort, you should be able to boost your mileage by 10 percent, 15 percent, or possibly even more.

Go on a diet to get the ball rolling.

It’s not necessarily you who needs to shed a few pounds, but your boat probably does. We tend to load our boats up over time without even noticing. We stow everything from excessive fishing tackle to dishware aboard.

Although some gear is of course necessary, some other gear is not. Take fishing weights, for example. For several seasons I kept a selection of three-pound, deep-drop weights in a drawer, alongside a handful of 20- to 28-ounce trolling weights. On top of those, I had a pair of six-pound sash weights for daytime swordfishing.

Want to guess how often I used any of them? Three or four times a year, max.

By putting them in my shed where they belong, I yanked 20 pounds out of my boat in an instant. I can always grab them in a heartbeat if I think I might need ‘em for an upcoming trip.

Open the faucet and drain down your freshwater tank.

My boat carries five gallons of freshwater, which weighs 40 pounds when full. Truth be 20

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at the helm, though you may have to cycle through some options to bring it up onscreen Take the time to put it on the monitor’s LCD, and you’ll likely be shocked at just how many more miles you can travel on a single gallon by cruising home in a more mellow fashion.

Start scrubbing.

If your boat lives in a wet slip. Bottom paint may keep barnacles and long tendrils of weeds at bay, but you’ll probably still develop a layer of slime over the course of a month. Transducers can be problematic growth-centers, too.

In either case, a good scrub can work wonders at reducing hydrodynamic drag, thus increasing efficiency.

Use your tech.

If you have a fishing boat you almost certainly have a GPS/chartplotter. That little box of navigational magic can help you save fuel by helping you steer in a more direct line. We all think we steer our boats straight, but in reality, most captains make a long series of slow “S” turns while going from Point A to Point B. You don’t believe it? Glance over your shoulder a few times as you’re cruising, and take in the trajectory of your own wake.

If, however, you take the time to plot a course and bring up a steering screen on your chartplotter, then use it as you run, you can commonly reduce the margin of error from seven to 10 degrees to a much lower two to four degrees.

If you apply all these tips and techniques, it’s reasonable to look for a significant boost in your fuel efficiency. That means you spend less cash on gas. If you’re anything like us, you can take those savings right to the bank tackle shop.

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Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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HERE’S A LOT OF tradition surrounding hunting rifles.

For years, many, if not most hunters, used a rifle because it was passed down from their father or grandfather. Or maybe they stuck with that old lever action .30-.30 or bolt action .270 out of reverence for hunting’s past.

There is however a generation of

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hunters, intrigued by newer calibers, cutting-edge technology, and cool design.

Nowadays you can get the best out of Dad’s favorite caliber, but with all kinds of highly functional bells and whistles.

Or you can choose rifles, Dad wouldn’t have even dreamed of growing up.

Let’s take a look at some modern hunting rifles designed for everything from deer and hogs to varmints and squirrels.

CZ 600 ALPHA: The Alpha was

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designed as the rifle that can do it all and does it in sub-MOA style in calibers ranging from .224 Valkyrie to .300 Win Mag. The lightweight aluminum receiver balances the semi-heavy barrel for a combination that won’t weigh you down while being very tolerant to a wide variety of loads.

The black, fiber-reinforced stock is optimized for more modern technical shooting styles with a parallel comb, sym-

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metrical geometry, and a vertical grip.

Serrated soft-touch inserts are located in multiple grip zones throughout the stock and are much appreciated when conditions are less than ideal. The integral Picatinny rail allows the shooter to choose from seemingly endless optic mounting solutions.

CZ 600 TRAIL: This light, compact rifle is packed with a full set of features that make a difference to today’s marks-

man. The Trail features AR magazine compatibility in .223 Rem and uses CZ Bren 2 magazines in 7.62×39mm. In addition to a common magazine, the Trail delivers ambidextrous mag release and safety levers that will feel familiar to those used to the AR platform.

The PDW-style stock is quick to deploy and allows the Trail to collapse to a very compact OAL when space is at a premium. The .223 Rem model utilizes

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AR-style magazines and the 7.62×39mm model uses CZ Bren 2 mags.

CZ 600 LUX: The refined lines and traditional style of the Lux reflect adherence to tradition, but with a modern flare.

The new comb geometry is optimized for use both with optics and the fiber-optic equipped iron sights while retaining the iconic look of the Bavarian-style comb.

Fish-scale checkering and a decorative forend complete the look.

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A Serious Pistol for Self Defense in the Outdoors YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT KIND OF DANgerous animal or person you will encounter in the wild. Although your rifle will most likely be slung across your shoulder, it’s good to have a pistol—just in case.

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 SI pistol is imported as a pistol, and it is a blowbackoperated semi-auto in 9mm with a short 7¾-inch barrel. Open sights ride on an 11-inch Picatinny rail perfect for mounting optics.

Starting in 2016, Scorpion Pistols feature 1/2×28 threads hidden under-

neath the factory flash hider. This means users can fit either 1/2×28 or 18×1 accessories to the muzzle. Also added is a QD sling swivel pocket integrated into the rear sling attachment point.

Simple and reliable, the

The steel receiver is drilled and tapped for Remington 700 pattern bases. The advantage of the Lux goes beyond mere aesthetics; it comes with a sub-MOA guarantee as well.

PRECISION TRAINER: A constant in CZ’s rimfire line, the Precision Trainer was designed to provide the same look and feel as a full-size tactical rifle while allowing for more economical training. Though the golden days of cheap and plentiful .22 LR ammo may be behind us, the Precision Trainer has become more popular than we ever could have imagined. Based on the PRS1 stock, this special Manners carbon-fiber composite stock provides a rock-solid platform and is finished in a three-color camouflage pattern with a base of carbon fiber peeking through the background.

The stock itself has multiple layers of carbon fiber and fiberglass, hand-laid in high-temperature epoxy resins, then placed in a vacuum and heat-cured to create the perfect resin-to-fabric ratio. Combined with a 24-inch tapered varmint barrel threaded 1/2x28, the Precision Trainer is a paperpuncher with surgical precision.

Razor Dobbs of Razor Dobbs Alive outdoor television has worked with CZ for years.

He said hunters should study both the game and the rifle to make the right decision.

“The key in picking a hunting rifle,” he said, “is to study the game you will pursue, match up the right cartridge, and then figure out which rifle can meet all of your other needs. Rifle selection in many ways is a very personal thing, and we all have our prefer-

CZ EVO Scorpion

Scorpion not only has ambidextrous controls, but its non-reciprocating charging handle is also swappable and the reach to the trigger is adjustable.

The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol is legally classified by the ATF as a pistol and is intended by CZ-USA to be used as a pistol. Under current federal law and ATF policy, attaching a stock to this pistol or attaching a device which is then used as a stock or intended to be used as a stock constitutes the making of a short-barreled rifle. This requires registration with ATF and the payment of the applicable tax.

Users of the CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol bear the sole responsibility for ensuring their use of the firearm complies with all local, state, and federal firearms laws.

l

ences.”

“Having the right rifle in your hand can not only help you down big game, but it might just save your life if you come across dangerous game. Make sure you think it out and make the right decision.”

Meeting your needs is what is really important.

It’s not about the guy in some gun forum who acts as an expert about everything. It’s not about what your friends at work use. It’s about the game you pursue, the style of rifle you are comfortable using, and choosing something you will use for years.

Choosing a hunting rifle can be fun, especially nowadays when there are so many choices.

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CZ 600

CZ 457 Varmint

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PHOTOS: CZUSA

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Bare Bones HUNTING

by LOU MARULLO :: TF&G Hunting Editor

The Dog Days of Hunting

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ELL, THE DOG DAYS OF summer have arrived. Duck season is over. Deer season is a memory and turkey season for this year is now history.

In most States, when the seasons are over, so is the hunting. The summer months usually mean that the fishing lines are getting wet and big fish are being caught in most states.

Not so in Texas!

Oh, the fishing season is most definitely in high gear. Plenty of fish are being caught, but for those who like to pull a trigger or a bow string, hunting season never ends.

There are plenty of animals to hunt during the “off season.” Exotics are available and hogs are plentiful. Some may want to hunt for sheds to see whether that “big buck” has made it through the deer season unscathed.

Personally, I enjoy hunting hogs—from a safe location. I’ve never had the opportunity to hunt exotics and as far as searching for sheds, It is WAY too hot for me.

I will admit that the largest antler shed I ever stumbled upon was in Texas. Enjoying the outdoors is a love of mine, but not in extreme heat and humidity. No sir. I would rather spend my time either fishing or going through my hunting gear.

My wife tells me I have too many things when it comes to hunting.

Is she serious?

I ask you, how can a hunter have too many hunting gadgets? Why, my wife herself bought me a new pop-up blind for Christmas last year. It has see-through mesh walls on two sides. It is like sitting in the

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What can I say? My feet get cold.

Wait a minute—now wait just a minute.

I do not have any snake boots. I am sure I need those. I think of it as medicinal and a safety precaution.

God forbid I should step in a wrong spot and get attacked by a ferocious snake. I can only imagine what would happen If I were hunting alone. I am pretty sure my wife would want me to be safe. Okay, I will order them.

Now, firearms I have enough of. I have got a few 12-gauge shotguns, a couple of 20-gauge shotguns, a .22 rifle and a few larger caliber rifles in my safe. I think I have a gun for every animal I decide to hunt.

One is used only for turkeys. Another is only used for deer. One is set up especially for coyotes, and I keep the .22 handy for some small game hunts.

I have a crossbow and three compound bows. The one firearm I do not have though, is a good pistol. I am sure I can get by without one. After all, I have been hunting now for more than 40 years and never had a call for one. I am pretty sure I can get through many future hunting seasons without having a pistol by my side.

On the other hand, every true blue hunter should own a pistol. I think I would be letting down all the other hunters out there.

I feel it is my obligation—Yes that’s right, my obligation to own a new pistol. My wife will not understand but hopefully, she will get used to it.

There, I feel much better now. I hope that I have inspired all the hunters out there not to spend your money on foolish hunting gadgets you do not need.

However, if you finally decide you actually could use something new to get you through those dog days of summer, then my advice is to go for it. Your wife will understand.

Have fun and hunt safe.

wide open, but the animals cannot see you.

Now THAT is way cool. I actually used it this past turkey season and was amazed at how well it concealed any movement I might have made.

I will admit I have an abundance of tree stands. So many in fact, that I am not even sure I know where they all are. So, I guess that is one thing I do not need any more of. Unless, of course, a company comes out with a new stand that has features I do not currently have. Then it would be a must to at least try out. I’m sure the wife would understand.

I have plenty of turkey calls. I have slate calls, diaphragm calls and box calls. I am indeed all set in that department unless a company comes out with a new call that can do it all and sounds absolutely incredible and realistic.

I have had no trouble calling a bird in shotgun or bow range with the calls I have, but, hmmm, It IS a new one. I am sure my wife would have no problem with me buying one.

My camo is in good shape. Had it for many years, both light and heavy camo.

Consequently, I just avoid the camo clothes section all together when I visit Bass Pro. After all, the whole object of camo is to be able to blend in with your surroundings.

It does not have to be brand new. I have been told that a few rips and tears here and there give it some character.

I guess if I happen to accidentally find myself strolling around some new camo, I might purchase some. I am just thinking of the nation’s economy mind you. I am very sure my wife would recommend it—if she were with me. She is very patriotic.

Now, boots are plentiful in my hunting closet. I definitely do not need another pair of those. I use the ankle boots for scouting and turkey hunting. I also have rubber boots that are lightweight for working outside.

I always keep a good pair of heavy insulated rubber boots for those cold mornings during whitetail season. I think I might even have a few pairs of insulated boots.

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HARK! No word strikes such a powerful chord with people along the Gulf Coast. Shout it around swimmers and watch a frantic return to shore ensue.

Shout it among a growing core of surf fishermen and you will see a big smile on their faces.

Shark fishing has always had a following, but it has become tremendously popular along the Gulf Coast and for good reason.

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Sharks are abundant along the 367 miles of Texas coastline.

This offers anyone with the right gear, the right information, and adequate time a shot at catching a world-class sportfish.

To prepare for shark fishing, let’s first learn about key species.

BONNETHEADS & ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE: We’re lumping these two together because they are the smallest and most common sharks on the coast, especially during spring-early summer. Topping out at four feet but average around two and a half feet, they both fight hard for their size.

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Bonnetheads are often called “baby hammerheads’’ but they are their own species. Atlantic sharpnose which can be identified by faint white spots are usually called “sand sharks.”

to their abundance, they are a species that some anglers will want to keep.

BLACKTIP SHARKS: These are the most common large shark nearshore, growing up to seven feet but averaging around four. They are spectacular fighters that will tail-walk and jump as impressively as tarpons. Blacktips are also fine-eating sharks. Due

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HAMMERHEADS: Both scalloped and great hammerheads are large, even by shark standards, growing to more than 15 feet long according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD)

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fisherman with four feet of solid stainless wire attached to the cable. The wire will slip between the shark’s teeth, and he is unable to bite that part of the leader.

That’s an important detail that can save you the heartache of missing that big shark.

officials. Large as they are, these sharks can turn quickly with the help of their broad, flat heads.

Hammerheads’ eyes and nostrils are at the outer ends of their odd-looking heads, making them better able to see and smell food. Some huge hammerheads have been caught in Texas in recent years.

SEA STRIKER SURF RODS: These Sea Striker surf rods are constructed of durable fiberglass blanks with functional and comfortable EVA fore and rear grips.

Double framed ceramic guides and graphite reel seats with stainless steel hoods ensure quality and value. White blanks have metallic silver graphics and wraps. seven-foot and eight-foot rods have five guides. Ninefoot to 12-foot rods have six guides.

LEMON SHARKS: Lemon sharks often swim around docks and piers or cruise near the surface of offshore waters according to TPWD officials. Every year eight-foot-plus lemon sharks are caught on Texas beaches.

BULL SHARKS: Bull sharks are common off the coast of Texas. They live in most of the subtropical and tropical oceans of the world according to TPWD. Unlike most sharks, bull sharks can live in fresh as well as saltwater. Here in Texas, they’ve been found many miles upriver from the Gulf.

In 2019, a bull shark measuring nine feet, two inches was caught on the Padre Island National Seashore. It was longer than the state record caught in Aransas Bay (515 pounds) in 2007. The four-man team who brought the beast in refused to kill it, opting to release it for conservation purposes.

FREAK SURF RODS: Freak Surf Rods are built with graphite composite blanks for power and sensitivity. Designed with the surf fisherman in mind, cork tape grips

TIGER SHARKS: This is probably the most intimidating shark anglers might catch in the surf in Texas. They are fairly rare visitors, attaining more than 15 feet in length and weighing easily over 1,000 pounds.

Last May Christian Haltermann caught a 12.5-footer in the South Padre Island surf.

GEARING UP FOR SHARKS One of the best things about shark fishing is that it does not require a lot of fancy gear. It just requires good gear, so we reached out to Calcuttaoutdoors.com for some recommendations.

SHARK RIGS: Available at Calcuttaoutdoors.com shark rigs are made with 9-foot, 480-pound stainless steel cable and crimped with double Billfisher® sleeves. The 9/0 and 10/0 rigs are made for smaller and mid-size sharks. The 12/0 and 13/0 rigs are for the serious shark 28

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when the fish of a lifetime is on the line.

The non-slip padded backing helps to keep the belt securely in place. At the center of the belt is a swiveling gimbal that allows the user to fight from a wide variety of angles. This gives the angler the upper hand, which is needed when fighting sharks in the surf without the aid of a boat.

SURF, PIER & BEACH CART: Easily haul all of your fishing gear or beach gear to the water’s edge. This versatile cart features seven durable PVC rod and accessory holders. It has the capability to hold up to a 54-quart cooler. Galvanized steel construc-

tion with a tough powder coat finish protects the cart from the elements. Wide surface plastic wheels allow for smooth rolling.

It’s easy to assemble with included tools.

Shark fishing can be serious fun, and anyone can afford it. By investing a little in affordable, but quality gear such as we have

keep wet hands from slipping while casting.

Durable aluminum oxide guides provide super smooth casts. They come in eight, nine, ten and eleven-foot sizes.

shown and studying the habits of sharks, you can make this summer, one to remember.

WRAP AROUND FIGHTING BELT: The Calcutta Wrap Around Fighting Belt w/ Swivel Gimbal is the perfect fighting belt for fighting big sharks. Built from durable impact-resistant materials, these fighting belts offer a quick and easy application system, allowing you to gear up at a moment’s notice.

The spring-loaded, wrap-around arms quickly and firmly grab hold of the angler’s waist. This eliminates the need to fumble around with adjustable straps or buckles

Catch-and-release is the practice most anglers choose to make for big sharks, but sometimes it’s dangerous to take out the hook. If hook removal is a danger to you or the shark, we recommend cutting the leader as close as you can and leaving the shark with some “jewelry”.

Try our carbon steel six- or seven-inch cutting plier with a corrosion matte finish. They feature a slip-resistant grip to make the job safe and easy, even in the water.

Remember—if possible, keep the sharks you intend to release in the water. There is less chance of them doing damage to their internal organs.

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A CONSERVATION TIP

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PHOTOS: CALCUTTA OUTDOORS

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HETHER YOU’RE roughing it in a tent or planning a family outing to a national paforest or seashore, there are many ways to make sure your experience is fun and safe. Camping is a key part of hunting, fishing and family fun, but there are dangers out there. Consider the following tips from the National Park Service:

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Pack a first aid kit. Your kit can prove invaluable if you or a member of your group suffers a cut, bee sting or allergic reaction. Pack antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, bug spray, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen.

Bring emergency supplies. In addition to a first aid kit, this includes: a map, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high

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PLANNING A 30  SPECIAL: SAFE OUTDOORS TRIP Reported by TF&G Staff

& GAME 36  FISH FORECAST CENTER SALTWATER

Reported by Capt. Eddie Hernandez, Capt. Derek York, Capt. Mark Talasek, Capt. Mac Gable, and Capt. Gerad Meritt

& GAME 46  FISH FORECAST CENTER FRESHWATER

Reported by TF&G Staff

54  SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK Tides and SoLunar Data

Tips from the National Parks Service

energy food, water, and insect protection.

Learn the ABCs of treating emergencies.

Recognizing serious injuries will enable you to tend to a victim until medical help arrives.

Before you leave, get the latest weather report. When you arrive at the site, watch the skies for changes and carry a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, find shelter until the worst passes. Stay CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 

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PHOTO: ADOBE

allowed, only build fires in designated or pre-existing fire rings. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from your tent and any flammable trees/brush/grass to prevent ignition from sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight or batterypowered light instead.

Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically—a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, mak-

Campfires should never be left unattended.

dry—wet clothes contribute to heat loss.

Also, keep sleeping bags and important gear dry at all times.

Practice fire safety. Before you leave, find out whether you can have a campfire,

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charcoal briquette, BBQ and/or stove where you are going. Contact the closest public land authority to find out about fire restrictions in the area.

When and where campfires are

ing sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet. Embers buried deep within the pile have a tendency to reignite later.

Be cautious when using a propane stove. Read the instructions that come

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with the stove and propane cylinder. Use the stove as a cooking appliance only— never leave it unattended while it’s burning.

Arrive early. Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight to check over the entire site and to set-up camp.

Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees, and hazardous terrain.

Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the contour of the land and look for potential trouble due to rain. Areas that could flood or become extremely muddy can pose a problem.

Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.

Pitch your tent in a safe spot. Make sure your tent is made of a flame-retardant fabric and set up far enough away from

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Campers in the Big Bend need to be aware that black bears have returned.

Dispose of trash properly. Remember to recycle—use the proper recycling bins if available. If there are no trash bins, be prepared with trash bags to take your garbage with you to dispose of properly.

Watch out for bugs. Hornets, bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are a problem at many campsites. Bring insect repellant and avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding perfumes or colognes. Should such an insect approach, do not wave wildly and swat blindly. Instead use a gentle pushing or brushing motion to deter them.

Be cautious around wildlife. To ward off bears when you’re in bear country, (including the Big Bend in Texas) keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable. Never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night—many animals feed at night, and the use of a flashlight might warn them away. Use bear-resistant food lockers when available.

Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you come PHOTO: NATIONALNEWS PARK SERVICE PHOTO:

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human waste properly. Make sure you wash your hands, particularly after using the toilet and before handling food, to

prevent everyone in your group from becoming ill.

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into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine to the affected area.

Practice good hygiene. Dispose of

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if you give the rock piles and washouts a little extra attention.

When the blowups begin to taper off a bit, switch to soft plastics on 1/4 ounce lead heads or under a popping cork. If you catch a few fish in a particular area, work it over really well before moving on.

Live baits such as finger mullet, shad and shrimp are also very effective in these hot summer months at the jetties, short rigs and surf. Place a split shot about 18 inches above a Kahle hook or rig it with a popping cork.

Both of these set-ups can be very effective when the fish decide to get lockjaw on artificials as the water continues to heat up.

I hope to see you here on Sabine this summer. Don’t forget your big hat, lots of water and sunscreen.

Strategies for Beating the Heat

• • •

Specks are Summer’s Main Event

SABINE Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

S

UMMER OFFICIALLY BEGAN on June 21, 2022, which means we are indeed smack dab in the middle of the hottest months of the year. Not that you couldn’t tell by simply stepping outside for a minute, but air and water temperatures have been ascending rapidly up the thermometer.

It is July/August. It is hot, and if you haven’t done so already, it is time to start planning some trips to the jetties, surf and rigs.

Summer tides and southerly winds have the green, salty water pushed deep into the far reaches of our bay systems. That translates into fairly easy pickings in and around the Gulf Of Mexico.

This time of year, the CAPT. HERNANDEZ majority of GHGSEddie@gmail.com our time is

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GALVESTON Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

spent somewhere south of the Causeway Bridge. From the Sabine Neches Waterway to the 12-mile rigs, it’s as close as it gets to a guarantee that something will bend your pole.

Almost every hungry saltwater critter is within a short boat ride from the Causeway.

It pretty much boils down to what you want to do. Bring the big rods for sharks, ling, jacks, rays and bulls or the fun tackle for trout, slots, tripletail, Spanish mackerels and flounders.

The topwater bite in the channel and at the jetties can be phenomenal on good calm mornings. The only problem is that some of the aforementioned species, sharks in particular, have a knack for picking your pocket nine dollars at a time, especially at the jetties.

Regardless, I highly recommend throwing tops early if the conditions are favorable. At the jetties, anywhere from the end to the boat cut can reward nicely, especially |

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ITH SUMMERTIME IN full swing, the boat ramps are busy every day of the week, it seems like. But that does not mean the fishing is slow this time of year.

Speckled trout fishing is the main event during most of the year here on Galveston Bay. The hot summer months have the fish stacked on the reefs in deeper waters, making it easier to locate and target them.

Drift fishing seems always to be the most productive way to target these fish.

This allows CAPT. YORK you more spotstalkerfishing@yahoo.com quickly to

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cover a large area. Once you find some fish, you can close in on that area and continue drifting over that spot.

For drift fishing, the most important tool to have on the boat is a good drift anchor.

These parachute-looking bags help control the drift speed of your boat. Also, depending on where it is attached, it can also change the angle you face when casting.

There are a wide variety of sizes to choose from, usually based on your boat’s length. Typically, I use one of these when drifting, but when it’s windy, sometimes a second one is necessary to slow the drift to your desired speed.

While targeting trout on these drifts, I use a variety of baits both live and artificial.

Croakers are highly productive live baits to use, but the cost is something to be considered.

At an average of $12-14/dozen, it can get expensive. Using croakers, you also still have to “fish” them. This means working/ jigging them across the bottom and keep them from getting snagged on the reefs.

My typical rig for croaker is simple.

A chatter weight connected to about 18 inches of 25-pound fluorocarbon leader and a large Kale hook. My other go-to bait when drifting is a ¼-ounce jighead with a chartreuse soft plastic.

You really need a heavier jighead to get a long cast when drifting, to work back to the boat. This allows you to stay on the bottom and cover more water with each cast.

Trout are not the only thing biting this time of year. Redfish are often caught along with the trout out over the reefs. They are also easily found near shoreline structure and drains throughout the bay system.

Most of the time, I will concentrate on drift fishing early and then move on to chasing redfish later in the day. Jetty and near-shore fishing in the gulf is also great all summer.

Wading the beachfront is highly productive on both Galveston and Bolivar.

Speckled trout, reds, Spanish mackerel, sharks and jack crevalle are easily targeted early in the mornings on the beach by locating bait. Sharks are always a fun thing to target both for kids and for adults.

Live bait, soft plastics and spoons work great. So, get out and enjoy the great summertime fishing with your friends and family.

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HOTSPOTLIGHT

SAN JACINTO RIVER THE SAN JACINTO RIVER IS NOT ONLY A HALLOWED REGION IN TEXAS HISTORY, but also a prime location for saltwater angling where it joins Galveston Bay. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.

SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

1

Morgan’s Point

2

Tin Can Reefs

3

Burnet Bay

REDFISH

4

Morgans Point

5

Upper San Jacinto Bay

6

Burnet Bay

FLOUNDER

7

Tabbs Bay

8

Scott Bay

FACILITIES KEY

A B

FACILITY NAME

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 29 40.509, W 94 58.861 N 29 40.271, W 94 56.113 N 29 46.1136, W 95 3.0425

Pearl/chartreuse soft plastics on C-rig; drift or anchor; dawn-middayarolina

N 29 40.509, W 94 58.861 N 29 43.104, W 95 02.641 N 29 46.248, W 95 03.192

Live mullet, gold spoons; anchor or drift, freeline; avoid aftn

N 29 41.635, W 94 56.542 N 29 44.490, W 95 02.278

Live shrimp, finger mullet; great night gigging lights; dawn-am, dusk-night

GPS

LOCATION

Drift birds, shallow water big fish, deeper smaller; dawn thru dusk Soft plastics or a live shrimp under a popping cork; dawn thru dusk

Drift bouncing plastics or working popping corks; morn-dusk Drift bouncing plastics or working popping corks; morn-dusk

Live shrimp, finger mulle; dawn-morning, dusk-night

N 29 42.776, W. C. Britton Park 1305 Arizona St., Baytown W 94 59.576 N 29 39.033, Sylvan Beach Boat Ramp Off SH 146 W 95 00.669 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2022

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LOCATION: Christmas/Bastrop Bay HOTSPOT: Christmas Point GPS: N 29 4.663, W 95 10.495 (29.0777, -95.1749)

UPPER COAST • • •

Grinding Through the Heat

guish between a flounder and the sand.

They blend in on the bottom to prey on food—also to prevent being preyed upon.

We gig a flounder with specially made spears. It’s one of the most productive ways to take fish from saltwater. Keeps everyone involved and on their toes.

Flounder season is full throttle except November through December 15th when the state shuts it down. This allows some of the bigger female flounders to make their annual run to the gulf and reproduce.

Give me a call to book your next trip to Matagorda (979-479-1397).

MATAGORDA Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

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T’S THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMmer grind. Daily near triple digit temperatures have worn out their welcome.

I am looking forward to some fall weather. It’s been a hot dry one. We have been leaving early and returning to the dock when the sun burns us off the water around noon.

Wade fishing helps keep things cool. My t-top provides some relief when we stay in the boat. I prefer flounder gigging this time of the year to beat the heat.

Everyone seems to enjoy this nighttime activity from toddlers on up. Flounder gigging is a combination of hunting CAPT. TALASEK and fishing.

MarkTalasek@sbcglobal.net It’s a great way to beat the heat and put some fish in the box.

Our trips leave as the sun is setting on the horizon. Searching the shoreline for clear water. Some people walk with gigs and a light. I prefer to stay in my custom-made air boat.

Once we arrive at our destination the outboard goes off and air motor on. Lights mounted on the front handrail illuminate the bay floor. Crabs, mullet, trout, reds, stingrays and of course flounders liven up the water. It takes a trained eye to distin-

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SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Mullet, crabs, TX Red Killers, gold spoons SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Mullet, crabs, TX Red Killers, gold spoons; all day LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Channel Marker 44 GPS: N 29 27.814, W 94 50.615 (29.4636, -94.8436)

• • •

UPPER COAST HOTSPOTS SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, croaker, work reef top and edges, drift SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 www.gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Live shrimp, croaker, work reef top and edges, drift; early

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Bull Shoals GPS: N 29 28.716, W 94 44.424 (29.4786, -94.7404)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Drift shallow reef on SE corner of island, hit reef edges SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 www.gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Drift shallow reef on SE corner of island, hit reef edges; dawn through dusk

LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Moses Lake GPS: N 29 26.808, W 94 55.712 (29.4468, -94.9285)

SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, finger mullet, great night gigging lights SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041

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www.gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Live shrimp, finger mullet, great night gigging lights; dawn-am, dusk-night

www.gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Fish incoming wind, wind less than 15 mph; early is best

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Hodges Reef GPS: N 29 34.963, W 94 44.574 (29.5827, -94.7429)

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Bay Harbor GPS: N 29 8.019, W 95 4.606 (29.1337, -95.0768)

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Channel Marker 72 GPS: N 29 35.22, W 94 55.806 (29.5870, -94.9301) SPECIES: Speckled Trout Best Bait: Live shrimp SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 www.gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Fish shrimp under cork; dawn-dusk.

SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Best when tides are moving, use hook set count SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Best when tides are moving, use hook set count; dawn-morning, dusk, night.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout Best Bait: Shrimp, cork rig SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041

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LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay HOTSPOT: Hilbert’s Bayou GPS: N 28 29.977, W 96 13.25 (28.4996, -96.2208)

UPPER COAST LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Cow Bayou GPS: N 29 11.18, W 95 4.757 (29.1863, -95.0793)

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Drift, look for slicks; morning.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Drift slowly using topwaters early, plastics later in day SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Drift slowly using topwaters early, plastics later in day; avoid midday

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Wade or anchor and use gold spoons, June bug plastics SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Wade or anchor and use gold spoons, June bug plastics; dawn through dusk

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: East End Reef GPS: N 28 45.042, W 95 40.212 (28.7507, -95.6702)

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Jetties GPS: N 29 38.6029, W 93 49.584 (29.6434, -93.8264)

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Boggy Cut GPS: N 28 44.043, W 95 49.658 (28.7341, -95.8276) SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters, live croaker, drift over reef bouncing bait SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Topwaters, live croaker, drift over reef bouncing bait; dawn through afternoon

SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Mud minnows, finger mullet, best with moving tides SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Mud minnows, finger mullet, best with moving tides; midday

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay HOTSPOT: Culver’s Cut GPS: N 28 39.349, W 96 0.509 (28.6558, -96.0085)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: 3 inch Swimming Shad soft plastic SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish the channel side of the jetties when there is slow moving water. Fish the Gulf side on fast moving water.

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LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Cleveland Reef GPS: N 28 39.983, W 95 51.982 (28.6664, -95.8664) SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Anchor or wade, drag the bottom SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Anchor or wade, drag the bottom; dawnmorning, dusk-night.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Pumpkinseed soft plastics, drift, look for slicks

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Just About Fishing

feature, and they work beautifully when you find the bite.

A trick I use is to hook a croaker, then take a filet knife and make a small cut into the side much like when filleting. This slows the croaker down and allows reds to feed instead of the speedier trout.

Reported by CAPT. MAC GABLE

S

OMETIMES YOU JUST want to talk about fishing. This is one of those times.

Life as we know it is a distant memory as we all embrace a new normal.

Cedar Bayou is open, there is a new focus on our oyster reefs, and our trout are in the process of recovery from a VERY hard winter.

just after the sun has said goodbye as it settles into f dusk. Deeper reefs or honey holes (six feet or more) are fine during the heat of the day, but the odds favor the beginning and end of the day.

COPANO BAY: Top waters early morning is the go-to rig for trout and reds on or near Lap Reef. This can be really fun.

Many miss the excitement of gator trout or keeper reds exploding on the top of the water. Cast as far as you can, keeping the reef at a distance.

For some more fun, the pilings off the LBJ Causeway and some underwater structure from the old fishing pier/highway are great spots for sheepshead. This is braided line territory, and I often tie some gapped kahle hooks directly to the braid. Free line is best here, or in a heavy wind, attach a small split shot to get the bait down to the target zone.

If you are experienced in this style of fishing, frozen shrimp is all you need. If you’re not, use just small chunks of squid as it’s much harder for this toothy critter to get it off the hook.

Cast often and don’t leave your bait on the bottom for more than a minute or two.

Most strikes come as the bait settles into the water column. Don’t be shy setting the hook, sock it to’em baby!

One thing is certain: everything changes.

If you are like me, the scary part is just how rapid the changes seem to come upon us.

The one constant that is very comforting, is that fishing is still just fishing. We need that now more than ever, so let’s get right to it. If you get nothing from this but the following, then my time has been worth it.

This time of year, the magic bite occurs early morning and late evening. Fish when the sun is just peeking over the CAPT. GABLE horizon in the ContactUs@Fishgame.com morning and 42

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ARANSAS BAY: This bay deserves exploring if you are not that familiar with it. Anglers that put their time in learning and marking this bay will be rewarded with short boat trips and years of great fishing action.

I made a living in JUST THIS BAY for years. A well-known reef is Long Reef, and it has some great trout action midday.

Croaker is the go-to bait, free-lined if the wind allows. A trolling motor worked down the edges here, is productive. The new trolling motors have a lock on the bottom |

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ST CHARLES BAY: Drifts across Egg Point using New Penny-colored jerk shad is the ticket. This area can be full of grass, so rigging weedless can be helpful.

Lookup weedless lure fishing if you’re not familiar with this technique. If you’re weedless, set the hook hard to get a proper set.

I like Big Devils Bayou and little Devils Bayou in the early morning and late evening. Finger mullet free-lined is best here. If you can get live menhaden (very difficult to keep alive), you might get your arm broke, they hit so hard. There are some keeper black drums that hang in this area.

Use a silent cork with live shrimp or fresh dead shrimp. What is meant by “fresh dead shrimp”? Many bait stand owners will cull dead shrimp out of their tanks as they are harmful to live shrimp. These shrimp are great bait and are better if they’re not frozen.

CARLOS BAY: This is a small bay BUT it can be very productive especially in the areas close to Carlos Trench. I like a popping cork and live shrimp here this time of year. I always stop and fish here if I’m in the area. Wade fishing on the southeast shoreline is a great place for trout using croaker or soft plastics in Morning Glory and Nuclear Chicken colors.

Early mornings on a high tide, Cedar Reef is a go-to spot. This reef tapers very slowly. Often the reds and trout are right on top of the reef during high tide. I have caught a lot of fish here in less than eight inches of water. Soft plastics work best with New Penny, my favorite color.

MESQUITE BAY: Cedar Bayou is open, and I want to say thank you to Judge Mills for his tireless efforts where Cedar Bayou is concerned. He has been a true champion for the Cedar Bayou cause.

IMHO every angler owes him a debt of gratitude for championing the opening of this bay-saving tributary.

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Brays Cove is another spot anglers should spend time getting to know. This area is fed by Cedar Bayou, and every fish species one can imagine can be there. I have had much success here with free-lined live shrimp. A popping cork works well too.

The deeper edges of the many reefs in this area are the ticket for flounders, trout, black drums and reds. The area known as East Pocket is a great place for reds in early morning.

Cut mullet on a light Carolina rig (don’t go heavy here or you will get cut off by the sharp shell) is a great bait for this area.

Approach very quietly and be patient.

A 5

B

1

2

C

6

4 7

Ar an Ba sa y s

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AYERS BAY: Ayers Reef is my go-to spot, especially late evening. This can be a long boat ride in the late evening, so be comfortable traveling after dark.

Mud minnows and finger mullet are hard to beat here. Free-lining is best, or a very light Carolina rig. This is heavy shell so try NOT to move your baits until you get a bite.

Wades on Second Chain Island in early morning is great for trout using a free- lined croaker. Many target the reef systems in this area, but I have caught a lot of fish in the deeper water (on the San Antonio Bay side of this reef) almost up to my chest. These reefs extend a very long way from the reef heads.

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HOTSPOTLIGHT

ROCKPORT

ROCKPORT COMBINES GREAT LODGING, FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT WITH LEGendary angling. See map and tables for selected hotspots and access facilities.

SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

1

Bay Oil Wells and Pads

2

Shell Ridge Fishing Pier

3

Rockport Beach

4

No Name Reef

REDFISH

5

9 Mile Point

6

Last Chance

FLOUNDER

7

Little Cut

8

Big Cut

WADEFISHING 1

Piers Shell Ridge

2

Traylor Island

FACILITIES KEY

A B C

FACILITY NAME

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 28 02.058, W 97 01.056 N 28 00.295, W 97 01.214 N 28 00.139, W 97 03.257 N 27 58.063, W 97 03.657

Freeline live croaker, perch, anchor/drift, cast rigs/ pads; all day

N 28 01.717, W 97 01.396 N 27 58.452, W 97 04.794

Live mullet, shrimp, piggy perch on Carolina-rigs, freeline; midday thru afternoon.

N 27 57.715, W 97 04.215 N 27 57.130, W 97 04.339

Live mud minnows, fish bottom, best during tidal move; avoid midday

N 28 00.295, W 97 03.214 N 27 56.841, W 97 04.263

Speckled trout, pumpkinseed s. plastics, best in SE wind.; May-July; dawn thru morning

GPS

LOCATION

Piggy perch, wade or anchor in SE to E wind; dawnmorning, aftn

Drift or anchor, freeline shrimp using bottom rig; midday thru afternoon

Live mullet, piggy perch, best calm wind/moving tide; dawn thru dusk

Live mud minnows, fish bottom, best during tidal move; avoid midday

Redfish, trout, live baits, fish grasslines and pocket; May-Oct.; dawn thru midday PHONE

N 28 01.853, Rockport Beach Park 319 Broadway St. W 97 02.350 N 28 01.367, Rockport Pier Off Bus. SH 35 W 97 02.805 N 28 00.819, Laguna Reef Condominiums 1021 Water Street W 97 03.229 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2022

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BANK BITE: The beach front on Goose Island is a great spot for reds. This area is accessible to those physically challenged and can be waded or fished from the bank.

Cut menhaden is a great bait here as the oil from this fragrant (I didn’t say smelly) bait drifts for hundreds of yards and can bring in reds and trout. Here, I would use a Carolina rig for the cut bait and a live croaker free-lined for trout that move into the area.

This area is accessible through the Goose Island entrance off Park Rd 13. and has an access fee.

I am often asked what free-lined means.

It’s minimal terminal tackle, meaning no swivels or weights with a mono or carbon leader tied together with a double uni knot or Albright knot.

Happy Fishing, be safe and God Bless!

Croakers, purple/wht. soft plastics, freeline, fish docks; dawn thru midday

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SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung 979-997-2244 TIPS: Capt. Freudensprung’s favorite soft plastic is Devil Eye in either chrome with a chartreuse tail and a 1/4-ounce jig head. It’s a great redfish lure.

MIDDLE COAST

MIDDLE COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Ayers Bay HOTSPOT: Ayers Reef GPS: N 28 10.434, W 96 50.3659 (28.1739, -96.8394)

LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Cedar Bayou GPS: N 28 4.3309, W 96 50.832 (28.0722, -96.8472) LOCATION: Carlos Bay HOTSPOT: Cedar Reef GPS: N 28 8.251, W 96 53.049 (28.1375, -96.8842)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung 979-997-2244 TIPS: Look for shell piles and work the edges from a boat. Trout, redfish, and an occasional flounder can be caught. The trout are the easiest to catch using a croaker freelined.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder BEST BAITS: Paul Brown Devil Eyes and Chickenon-a-Chain soft plastics

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung 979-997-2244 TIPS: Close to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, use live croaker over shell and mud where the edges drop off.

LOCATION: Nueces Bay HOTSPOT: East Nueces Bay GPS: N 27 52.2799, W 97 19.9979 (27.8713, -97.3333)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fresh water runoff doesn’t affect the trout like it does on other bays. The trout are used to it, and the rain will clean up the water and reduce high salinity.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: Bird Island GPS: N 27 56.035, W 97 5.119 (27.9339, -97.0853)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

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BEST BAITS: Flappin Shad soft plastic by Gambler SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Nice and easy, slow, and easy, pump straight up, and let it drop down. Let the tail do all he action.

You will get most of your bites as the lure drops.

bump, let him run for a second, then set the hook.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Pita Island GPS: N 27 36.169, W 97 17.1989 (27.6028, -97.2867)

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Boat Hole GPS: N 27 40.969, W 97 14.9989 (27.6828, -97.2500)

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Panther Point GPS: N 28 14.95, W 96 42.5819 (28.2492, -96.7097)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Capt. Billy Freudensprung 979-997-2244 TIPS: Let the croaker sink to the bottom. Give it a few seconds, crank the reel a few turns, and move it around. Pop it a few more times. Once you feel the

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Use a 4/0 Kale hook because the croaker down here aren’t very big, along with a 1/8 ounce barrel weight. The more natural the presentation, the better.

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: The month of July is a great time to fish around the island using live croaker.

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Cutting to the Chase

T

HIS TIME AROUND I WANT to talk about fishing the land cut.

We still use our live croakers, live shrimp, as well as a variety of soft plastics and top waters. However, the type of location I am looking for is a little different.

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

At the mouth of Baffin Bay and just south, there are several spoil islands that tend to hold nice fish. When you choose a spot to fish, you need to be careful jumping to the east side of these islands. There are only a handful of sites where it’s safe to do so.

With south to southeast winds, the east side is where you need to fish. The ideal fishing method in this area is to throw your bait or lure along the shallow side of the island and drag it back to the deep.

CAPT. MERRITT Now let’s geradmerritt@gmail.com talk about fishing the land cut, which is just to the south of the bay. The actual land cut is an area dredged deep for barges coming in and out. Even with a high wind, the water throughout this area remains fairly calm because of the narrow width of the land cut. Remember, there will be boats that run abnormally close to where you are fishing.

There are several cuts back to the east that most bay boats can reach when the tide is up. Make sure to watch your tide charts.

I have seen several waders get their boats stuck, not realizing the tide is falling. In these cases, they may be too far away from the boat to move it in time, so it just sits and settles on the bottom.

I look for a few things while fishing in the land cut. I look for activity, with birds working. I also look for spoil banks on the 46

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west side where barges have had to maneuver around one another.

They can get a little too shallow doing this and pith the bottom into man-made banks up in the salt flat. These sand bars can also be fished for flounder and have proved to be a successful area.

The way this area is set up, you either fish shallow and drag deep. Or you go deep letting your bait flow with the current on one side or the other.

I suggest using a barrel weight with a croaker, which will allow the bait to sink and slide along with the current just above the bottom. When the current is not very strong, I normally fish due west from shallow to deep. If shrimp is your bait of choice, using a popping cork or the same barrel weight style also works, as do Carolina rigs.

Although these areas I have talked about are not technically Baffin Bay, we spent a lot of time there last summer, and it proved to be worth the extra drive from the back side of Baffin. The fish are typically solid and most of the time you are not being blown away by the wind since it’s so protected.

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LOWER COAST HOTSPOTS

SPECIES: Redfish & Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: She Dog and Super Spook topwaters; soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Try the She Dog…silver with black spots, and the Super Spook Jr. in Bone and silver.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: El Realto Bay GPS: N 26 15.354, W 97 18.4649 (26.2559, -97.3078)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Look for the deeper water, 3-4 feet deep in the southern end. The water has more color, greener.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Peyton’s Bay GPS: N 26 26.122, W97 22.352 (26.4354, -97.3725)

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Spoil Islands of ICW GPS: N 27 15.095, W97 24.761 (27.2516, -97.4127)

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HOTSPOTLIGHT

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a un Lag

1

12

1

7 10

8

A

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Rig croaker with a Chatter Weight, a number 5 or 7 Kahle hook, tied to about a 2 1/2’ leader, which is tied directly to the line.

6

2

4

LOCATION: South Bay HOTSPOT: Grass Flats GPS: N 26 1.399, W 97 10.5606 (26.0233, -97.1760)

11 9 5

dre Ma

B

13

PORT MANSFIELD

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Skeeter Walker, Super Spook, or Corky SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Use topwater lures, but not “broken backs” or soft plastic tails.

PORT MANSFIELD IS LOCATED ON THE LOWER LAGUNA MADRE, 140 MILES SOUTH of Corpus Christi (US 77 to TX 186). Selected HOTSPOTS and access facilities are shown in the table below, and on the map.

SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

1

Community Bar

2

Butcher’s Break

3

Weather Station

4

East Cut Spoils

5

Pipeline

REDFISH

6

East Community Bar

7

North of East Cut

8

North Side of East Cut

9

South Side of East Cut

FLOUNDER

10

Hotspot Name

11

Hotspot Name

SHEEPSHEAD

12

Mansfield Tide Gauge

13

West Bay Spoils

WADEFISHING 1

Port Cove

2

Fred Stone Park

FACILITIES KEY

FACILITY NAME

A

Fred Stone County Park

B

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 26 35.144, W 97 25.644 N 26 35.403, W 97 22.961 N 26 34.648, W 97 22.886 N26 33.685, W97 22.377 N 26 32.063, W 97 23.969

Live shrimp, pumpkinseed soft plastics 101/8 oz. leadhead

N 26 35.626, W 97 23.134 N26 34.669, W97 22.403 N 26 34.365, W 97 22.377 N 26 32.814, W 97 23.089

Soft plastic white shrimp tails on 101/8 oz. leadhead; all day

N 28 44.043, W 95 49.658 N 28 44.029, W 95 49.116

mud minnows, finger mullet, best with moving tides;

N 26 34.903, W 97 22.746 N 26 31.502, W 97 24.197

Fish around pilings and in the shade of platforms; dawn thru midday

N 26 33.305, W 97 25.038 N 26 34.329, W 97 25.642 GPS

Topwaters or soft plastics, freeline and drift the break

Topwaters early; soft plastics in red/white, Limetreuse; fish incoming tides Chartreuse artificials, live bait, drift shallow to deep; dawn thru midday

12” Mauler with Bull Minnow, watch for shallow bait; all day drift deep grass bottom, potholes, high tide hit sands; all day drift deep grass bottom, potholes, high tide hit sands; all day

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Use the Chatter Weight croaker rig. The noise of the weight on a croaker rig attracts fish.

midday

Flounder Pounder, mullet, good gigging when wading;

midday-afternoon

Drift, red/wht plastics with 101/8 oz. jighead, gold spoons; dawn thru midday

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Trout & redfish, live shrimp, wade in from port

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Trout & redfish, live shrimp & soft plastics LOCATION

PHONE

N 26 34.151, Bayshore Dr. W 97 25.778 N 26 33.165, Public Boat Ramp Off SH 186 W 97 25.713 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2022

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LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Horse Island GPS: N 26 20.354, W97 20.249 (26.3392, -97.3375)

Topwaters or soft plastics, freeline drift color changes

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cattle cubes to bring the fish to you. I will dump a half bag of cubes on two different locations and come back to the first, tie up and get my boat back in the same position. Using a spinning reel with a treble hook, and 1/8 ounce egg sinker and a piece of cut sponge wrapped around it; dip it in the bait and drop it to the bottom. Stay in contact with the bottom raising the bait up and down slowly until you feel some resistance. Then set the hook. On most days you can catch limits of fish in just a few hours.

LOCATION: Lake Cooper/Jim Chapman HOTSPOT: Dam 2 GPS: N 33 19.924, W 95 37.942 (33.3321, -95.6324)

HOTSPOT: Alligator Bayou and Big Cypress Bayou GPS: N 32 41.5019, W 94 2.2319 (32.6917, -94.0372)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: V&M Paddletail Frog and V&M Porkpin Worm SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish the edges of these creeks on the upper end of Caddo Lake with the white frogs on top and 1/8 oz. weighted June bug colored worms on the bottom along the edges of the grass. Give extra attention to the bends and points.

Reported by TF&G STAFF

EAST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Lake Bob Sandlin HOTSPOT: Charlie’s Ridge GPS: N 33 2.615, W 95 4.615 (33.0436, -95.0769)

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 28.992, W95 35.064 (30.4832, -95.5844)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Live and artificial trout bait SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Live and artificial trout bait; night

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Primos Dipping bait SOURCE: Richard Tatsch 936-661-7920 www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: Locate stumps lining the river channel edge and tie off in 20 to 25 feet of water. Use a bag of

LOCATION: Caddo Lake

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Punchbait, shad SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-593-5077 TIPS: Fish with Carolina-rigged punchbait or shad and work in about 6-15 feet of water. All day.

LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Main Lake Humps and Points GPS: N 32 49.5059, W 95 33.3 (32.8251, -95.5550)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Chrome 1/2 oz. Rat-L-Trap, a Storm swim baits that look like shad, spoons in chrome or gold and a white slab.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: July fishing on Lake Fork can be fun for the person who does not get out on the lake very much but wants to spend time on the water and catch something. White Bass are schooling and following the big shad schools this time of the year. You can find them on top chasing shad or in schools located on main lake humps or some of the deeper main lake points. Places to look will be SRA point, the hump in the mouth of Little Caney, Bell Hump, and several humps in the damn area. You are allowed 25 keepers

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

EAST TEXAS

CAPACITY AC. FT. Addicks -n.a.B A Steinhagen 69,186 Barker -n.a.Bob Sandlin 192,417 Bonham 11,027 Caddo 29,898 Coleto Creek 31,040 Conroe 410,988 Crook 9,195 Cypress Springs 66,756 Fork 605,061 Houston 130,147 Houston County 17,113 Jacksonville 25,670 Jim Chapman 260,332 Lake O’ the Pines 268,566 Livingston 1,741,867 Monticello 34,740 Murvaul 38,285 Nacogdoches 39,522 Palestine 367,303 Pat Mayse 113,683 Sam Rayburn 2,857,077 Striker 16,934 Sulphur Springs 17,747 Toledo Bend 2,236,450 Wright Patman 231,496 As of 6/14/2022

CURRENT AC. FT. -n.a.67,360 -n.a.188,789 10,953 29,898 25,472 404,301 9,195 61,926 463,231 127,343 16,945 25,473 227,092 253,870 1,741,867 28,915 37,091 37,280 359,498 113,683 2,671,480 16,817 13,196 2,139,475 231,496



% FULL -n.a.97% -n.a.98% 99% 100% 82% 98% 100% 93% 77% 98% 99% 99% 87% 95% 100% 83% 97% 94% 98% 100% 94% 99% 74% 96% 100%

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per person in your boat and there is a 10” minimum length on the White Bass.

LOCATION: Lake Houston HOTSPOT: Scott’s Point GPS: N 30 1.878, W 95 7.736 (30.0313, -95.1289)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Live minnows or jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Use spider rigs when trolling.

LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Dam Area in Deep Water GPS: N 30 37.974, W95 1.5059 (30.6329, -95.0251)

INSET

 SEE INSET

15 miles nortwest of Pittsburg

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE CYPRESS SPRINGS LOCATION: On Cypress Creek, 15 miles northwest of Pittsburg SURFACE AREA: 3,461 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 56 feet IMPOUNDED: 1970

white bass and catfish. Channel catfishing is especially good.

Cypress Creek has a number of fish attracting structures placed around the lake. Locations for the attractors are marked on the map above with this symbol: These attractors were placed by TPWD with help from Franklin County Water District and Bass Unlimited of Texas.

CYPRESS SPRINGS HAS EXCELLENT crappie and spotted bass fishing.

There is also a moderate abundance of largemouth bass in the lake. The lake also offers decent populations of

•

HOTSPOT: 1971 Bridge GPS: N 32 2.342, W 94 28.822 (32.0390, -94.4804)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Live shad, 1 ¼ oz. white slabs, spoons, Tsunami Holographic 4 inch Swim Shad in hot pink/gold SOURCE: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Bounce baits off the bottom and look for strikes on falling baits. Troll Tsunami Swim Shad behind a #10 jet diver.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass Best Bait: Soft plastics, crankbaits, topwaters SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Soft plastics, cranks, tops, hit rip rap around bridge; dawn, morning, dusk, night; All Year, dawn, morn., dusk, night

LOCATION: Lake Murvaul

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LOCATION: Lake Nacogdoches HOTSPOT: Highline Point GPS: N 31 37.304, W 94 49.482 (31.6217, -94.8247)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, soft plastics SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 409-698-9114 TIPS: This spot has a good point with a sharp edge and hydrilla. Avoid midday.

LOCATION: Lake O the Pines HOTSPOT: Dam Schooling Area GPS: N 32 45.234, W 94 30.319 (32.7539, -94.5053)

BEST BAITS: Bass: spinnerbaits, crankbaits, soft plastics; Crappie: jigs and minnows SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: August at Toledo Bend can be great for a bass fisherman with a big “IF”. IF he understands deep water electronics and if he can stand the summer heat. The best bites will be along the old river ledges and offshore humps in 25 to 30-foot depths. Look for the south 1/3 of the lake with the clearest water to be the best producing area. Crappie fishing will remain strong on man-made brush piles in 25 to 30 feet.

LOCATION: Lake Wright Patman HOTSPOT: Persimmon Cove GPS: N 33 15.24, W 94 23.734 (33.2540, -94.3956)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Minnows, RatLTraps SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-938-1007 TIPS: Fish minnows or silver RatLtraps. Look for surface action in the creek. Dawn through midday.

SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-938-1007 Fish shad spinnerbaits, medium to heavy. Work the cover; dawn thru midday.

LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn HOTSPOT: Eagle Point GPS: N 31 22.756, W 94 28.880 (31.3793, -94.4813)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish the back brush on the point and the creek’s ledge. Dawn to late morning, dusk.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend HOTSPOT: Lower 1/3 of Main Lake GPS: N 31 12.174, W 93 36.6419 (31.2029, -93.6107)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass & Crappie

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS

CENTRAL TEXAS

LAKE

CAPACITY AC. FT. Aquilla 43,243 Arlington 40,157 Athens 29,503 Austin 23,972 Bardwell 46,122 Belton 435,225 Benbrook 85,648 Buchanan 816,904 Canyon 378,781 Cedar Creek 644,686 Choke Canyon 662,820 Corpus Christi 256,062 Eagle Mountain 179,880 Georgetown 36,823 Gibbons Creek 25,721 Granger 51,822 Grapevine 163,064 Halbert 6,033 Hubert H Moss 24,058 Inks 13,962 Joe Pool 175,800 Lavon 406,388 Lewisville 563,228 Limestone 203,780 Lyndon B Johnson 115,249 Marble Falls 6,901 Martin 75,726 Medina 254,823 Mountain Creek 22,850 Navarro Mills 49,827 New Terrell City 8,583 Ray Hubbard 439,559 Ray Roberts 788,167 Richland-Chamb. 1,087,839 Somerville 150,293 Stillhouse Hollow 227,771 Tawakoni 871,685 Texana 159,566 Texoma 1,243,801 Travis 1,113,348 Tyler 72,073 Waco 189,418 Waxahachie 10,780 Weatherford 17,812 Whitney 553,344 Worth 24,419 As of 6/14/2022

a little deeper in the middle of the lake. Spinnerbaits seem to work the best along with chatterbaits. When it gets a little warmer and it’s bright out, fish the bridges or the rip rap where there is access to deeper water.

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake to Dam Area GPS: N 30 46.53, W 98 25.2119 (30.7755, -98.4202)

Reported by TF&G STAFF

CENTRAL TEXAS HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Lake Austin HOTSPOT: Little Bee Creek GPS: N 30 17.814, W 97 47.228 (30.2969, -97.7871)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Live shad SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish mid-lake to the dam early morning and late evening. Fish drifting or anchored with 5-8” live shad. Concentrate on 25-30 foot depths on humps and ridges around Flag Island. Mid-day fish near or just above the trees in 50-70 foot of water.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass Best Bait: Crankbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: RatLTrap, lipless crankbait; All year, all day

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Jacobs Point GPS: N 29 52.668, W 98 13.3259 (29.8778, -98.2221)

LOCATION: Bachman Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 51.1859, W 96 52.02 (32.8531, -96.8670)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Jigging spoon in white color SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish from the point back to the swim beach casting out the spoon and try to maintain a depth of 20 to 40 feet, the Striped Bass like to school in this area this time of year. Tight lines and Fish On!

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Bass: spinnerbaits and chatterbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: This time of year, bass will usually always be in 1 to 5 feet of water until August then they move out

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CURRENT AC. FT. 35,008 38,303 29,466 23,112 44,441 377,853 74,865 661,250 356,329 580,476 248,284 144,465 163,561 25,713 22,264 51,494 163,064 5,263 23,810 12,952 166,620 406,388 563,228 194,208 111,003 6,852 73,223 38,404 22,850 47,683 7,761 436,848 788,167 983,246 140,899 196,149 813,473 135,571 1,243,801 663,976 70,855 142,710 9,321 12,787 479,452 17,930

% FULL 81% 95% 100% 96% 96% 87% 87% 81% 94% 90% 38% 56% 91% 70% 87% 99% 100% 87% 99% 93% 95% 100% 100% 95% 96% 99% 97% 15% 100% 96% 90% 99% 100% 90% 94% 86% 93% 85% 100% 60% 98% 75% 87% 72% 87% 73%

•

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 16.11, W 96 7.7279 (32.2685, -96.1288)

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HOTSPOTLIGHT:

Two miles south of Waxahachie

LAKE WAXAHACHIE LOCATION: On South Prong Creek, two miles south of Waxahachie off FM 877 SURFACE AREA: 656 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 48 feet IMPOUNDED: 1956 LAKE WAXAHACHIE IS LOADED WITH largemouth bass. They aren’t as big SPECIES: Hybrid Striper BEST BAITS: Deep diver crankbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: This is a great time of year to load up on hybrids! Troll humps and points on the main lake in 14’ to 24’ with deep divers at about 3 mph.

as other lakes offer, but there are lots of them. They are found in the submerged vegetation and near the dam.

The lake also has excellent catfish and crappie action. Crappie are found primarily along the dam and east limestone shoreline.

White bass fishing is also quite

good, especially during the spring spawn.

Primary structure consists of limestone bluffs along the shore as well as inundated timber and submerged native vegetation.

•

TIPS: Work the island’s edges

heat of the day.

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Channel Ledge GPS: N 32 54.426, W 97 29.445 (32.907106, -97.490752)

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Deep Docks GPS: N 32 53.156, W 97 27.855 (32.885925, - 97.464244)

SPECIES: White bass BEST BAITS: crankbaits SOURCE: Kolby Kuhn, Final Cast Guide Service 817-243-5858 kolbymkuhn@gmail.com TIPS: The white bass will be actively chasing shad this time of the year. Look for surface activity or birds working to help find the fish. Crankbaits are a good choice to cover water or to cast to the fish. Look for the fish to go deeper down to 15-20 feet during the

BEST BAITS: Jigs SOURCE: Kolby Kuhn, Final Cast Guide Service 817-243-5858 kolbymkuhn@gmail.com TIPS: The crappie will be pulling up under deep boat docks to get in the shade. You can target these fish by skipping jigs up ender the walkways and floats. Look for the fish to be either suspended right under the docks or down towards the bottom.

LOCATION: Lake Corpus Christi HOTSPOT: Goat Island GPS: N 28 4.306, W 97 53.524 (28.0718, -97.8921)

SPECIES: Crappie Best Bait: Live minnows, crappie jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

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Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Hit large, isolated trees in 15-20 feet of water; dawn thru dusk

CENTRAL TEXAS LOCATION: Fayette County Reservoir HOTSPOT: Snake Island Point GPS: N 29 55.877, W 96 43.366 (29.9313, -96.7228)

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: County Line Area GPS: N 32 11.1419, W 95 27.306 (32.1857, -95.4551)

spinnerbaits, square bill crankbaits, Series 5 Sexy Shad; White Bass: white top water lures SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish the rip rap and rocks for largemouth bass.

White and chartreuse spinnerbaits work well early in the morning. Then switch to a square bill crankbait, a 1 to 6 foot diver, until approximately 9 AM. Then switch to a 12 to 15 foot Series 5 Sexy Shad. There might be top water action every morning and evening.

Otherwise look for them on every main point and the humps outside of Little Ridge point.

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch bait, cut shad SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Anchor 20-25 foot deep off the point. Chum close to the boat and fish straight down, using tight lines. It is best to fish on a light wind day here at this hotspot.

LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Lynn Creek Grass Flat GPS: N 32 37.671, W 97 02.722 (32.6279, -97.0454)

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Hickory Creek GPS: N 33 6.14, W 97 3.265 (33.1023, -97.0544)

SPECIES: Largemouth BEST BAITS: Topwaters, flukes SOURCE: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 whitebassfishingtexas.com TIPS: Fish red bug topwaters or weightless flukes.

Fish grass mats early, and along edges later in the day. Avoid midday.

LOCATION: Lake Limestone HOTSPOT: Lambs Creek GPS: N 31 22.878, W 96 18.206 (31.3813, -96.3034)

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SPECIES: Crappie Best Bait: Minnows, jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish live minnows or red/black jigs, fish a vertical jig action in the trees; morning-afternoon LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 33 22.5895, W 97 3.1718 (33.3765, -97.0529)

SPECIES: Crappie Best Bait: Minnows, crappie jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass & White Bass BEST BAITS: Largemouth Bass: white & chartreuse

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LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard HOTSPOT: Heath Point GPS: N 32 50.141, W 96 30.528 (32.8357, -96.5088)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Live minnows, jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish tree tops with live minnows or white/yellow jigs; all day

LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Little Ridge Point GPS: N 33 3.7859, W 96 27.792 (33.0631, -96.4632)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass and Crappie BEST BAITS: Bass: Indian swim jig w/ Mister Twister Hawg Frog as trailer; Crappie: jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Bass fishing is good around boat docks and along the creek in the county line area. Concentrate on stumps and other structure. For crappie action, fish brush piles in 15 feet of water and under bridges.

SPECIES: Largemouth bass

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BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, worms, buzzbaits, jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: August can be a tough time to get largemouth bass to cooperate. Main lake shallow willows and grass will be holding some fish. Double willow leaf white spinnerbaits, and Texas rigged Blue Fleck power worms, should work around the willow. Early morning is a good time to work a buzzbait and frog around the willows. Fish may be holding on main lake ridges and pond dams in 12-18 feet of water. I like a 3/4 oz football head jig and Norman DD22 in Chartreuse/Shad.

LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake HOTSPOT: Pelican Island GPS: N 31 58.9439, W 96 10.5959 (31.9824, -96.1766)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Top water lures, Rat-L-Traps, slabs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: The hot summer months are ideal for schooling top water white bass action and the Pelican Island area is always a good hotspot to check out in the early morning. Literally acres of whites will be chasing shad to the surface and feeding on them, and Pelican is as good as any spot to find them. Tie on just about any small shiny top water lure and you’re in business. I like a clear Tiny Torpedo or about the smallest blue/ chrome Rat-L-Trap you can throw on a spinning rod.

When the fish stop feeding on the surface, don’t leave right away as you can often catch them slabbing off the bottom.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Little Crappie Point GPS: N 30 18.5001, W 96 31.7601 (30.3083, -96.5293)

Early mornings cast Pencil Poppers and Chug Bugs on the shallow banks. Mid-morning, change your lures to Sassy Shad soft plastics. Concentrate on the flats that run about 24’ in depth. Locate the creek channel and drop offs, these are the routes the fish use to move up from deep water. Later in the month, seagulls arrive.

Pay attention to the birds; they are the best fish finder.

TIPS: Fish 1/16 oz. jigs. Try free falling jig and try lowering jig to brush pile slowly. FIish minnows under a cork, right above brush or large rocks.

LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni HOTSPOT: Arm Point GPS: N 32 52.981, W 95 59.951 (32.8830, -95.9992)

LOCATION: Lake Waco HOTSPOT: Speegleville Marina Sunken Rd. GPS: N 31 33.487, W 97 14.01 (31.5581, -97.2335)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Cut shad SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Chum area, drift flats slowly using Carolina or Texas rig; morning, afternoon

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass Best Bait: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Work crankbaitss & spinnerbaits along sides & top of road bed; early morning, late afternoon

LOCATION: Lake Texana HOTSPOT: Sandy Creek GPS: N 29 1.671, W 96 33.278 (29.0279, -96.5546)

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump and Hwy 22 Road Bed GPS: N 31 54.612, W 97 20.754 (31.9102, -97.3459)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Cut shad, shrimp, cheesebait SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: fish cut shad, shrimp or cheesebait on a bottom rig; all day

SPECIES: Striped bass BEST BAITS: Live threadfin shad SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish early morning using live bait suspended at 12 feet drifting along the hump. Watch graph as the fish are changing depths sometimes daily.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Juniper Point East and the Islands GPS: N 33 51.888, W 96 49.8779 (33.8648, -96.8313)

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SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs in light blue or grey SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Top water lures and Sassy Shad jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: The big fish move onto the flats in August.

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

WEST TEXAS

CAPACITY AC. FT. Abilene 7,900 Alan Henry 96,207 Amistad 1,840,849 Amon G Carter 19,266 Arrowhead 230,359 Brady Creek 28,808 Bridgeport 366,236 Brownwood 130,868 Champion Creek 41,580 Cherokee 40,094 Cisco 29,003 Coleman 38,075 Colorado City 30,758 E V Spence 517,272 Elephant Butte 1,960,900 Falcon 1,551,007 Fort Phantom Hill 70,030 Graham 45,288 Granbury 132,949 Greenbelt 59,968 Hords Creek 8,109 Hubbard Creek 313,298 J B Thomas 199,931 Kemp 245,307 Kickapoo 86,345 Leon 27,762 Lost Creek 11,950 Mackenzie 46,450 Meredith 500,000 Millers Creek 26,768 Mineral Wells 5,273 Nasworthy 9,615 Natural Dam 9,615 Nocona 21,444 N Fork Buffalo Cr 15,400 O C Fisher 115,742 O H Ivie 554,340 Oak Creek 39,210 Palo Duro 61,066 Palo Pinto 26,766 Pat Cleburne 26,008 Possum Kingdom 538,139 Proctor 54,762 Red Bluff 151,110 Squaw Creek 151,250 Stamford 51,570 Sweetwater 12,267 Twin Buttes 182,454 White River 29,880 As of 6/14/2022

BEST BAITS: Live Shad and Jigging Slabs in Chartreuse and Holographic Silver SOURCE: Michael Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 254-396-4855 TIPS: Fish near humps and ridges around 20 feet down. Early surface action is possible on spinners and rattle traps. Granbury levels are close to normal.

All species are in their summer patterns as the lake continues to heat up. Thermoclines are sure to start developing late into July which will congregate the fish in the thermocline and above.

Reported by DEAN HEFFNER

WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Little Grape Creek GPS: N 33 2.6279, W101 3.7439 (33.0438, -101.0624)

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Decordova Area GPS: N 32 25.269, W 97 41.402 (32.42115, -97.690033)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: 10-in. worms, jigs, and spoons SOURCE: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 TIPS: July and August will find the bass on the deep ledges and flats. Locate them on your electronics before ever making your first cast. Look up Big Grape, Rocky, and Ince Creeks as well as Little Grape. This is also a good time to fish at night with 10-inch worms.

SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas Rigged Soft plastics in Red Shad, Blue Fleck and Black SOURCE: Michael Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 254-396-4855 TIPS: Look for shaded docks and stick ups with some deeper water close by. Work main lake points and creek channels. Early top water bite is possible.

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Lower End GPS: N 32 23.262, W 97 42.432 (32.3877, -97.7072)

LOCATION: Hubbard Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Shoreline GPS: N 32 48.666, W 99 01.985 (32.811105, -99.03308)

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% FULL 57% 81% 38% 100% 82% 50% 91% 81% 65% 99% 81% 86% 65% 22% 10% 19% 80% 94% 96% 15% 37% 81% 33% 74% 73% 76% 96% 7% 33% 81% 100% 86% 86% 89% 65% 5% 48% 61% 1% 85% 68% 96% 72% 67% 100% 79% 72% 44% 17%

•

SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jigs SOURCE: Lance Benson, Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.

325-692-0921

TIPS: August can be a great month for fishing for largemouth bass on Hubbard Creek Reservoir.

Hubbard Creek has an abundant amount of vegetation deep in the summer months that can be great for bass

SPECIES: Striped bass and white bass

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CURRENT AC. FT. 4,468 78,244 696,516 19,266 188,257 14,345 334,603 106,356 26,833 39,814 23,604 32,546 19,923 114,315 204,495 293,824 56,320 42,752 127,081 9,035 3,001 254,887 64,890 180,841 62,939 21,049 11,522 3,240 162,851 21,771 5,273 8,245 8,245 19,102 10,024 5,530 267,442 23,947 276 22,790 17,763 517,320 39,245 101,839 151,250 40,515 8,853 79,401 4,994

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940-329-0036 Fav7734@gmail.com TIPS: Most of the stripers and hybrids are back in the make lake channel or old river bed. Concentrate in the morning on primary and secondary points. A good pair of binoculars is a must this time of year. Position yourself on one of the lake bends where you can see both ways and scan the water for action.

 INSET

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Stump Patch GPS: N 32 52.516, W 98 29.427 (32.875267, -98.49045)

SEE  INSET

SPECIES: Striped bass BEST BAITS: Live shad, topwaters SOURCE: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 Fav7734@gmail.com TIPS: In the dog days of August, topwater action can be found by the dam. Live shad is the name of the game after the morning bite.

Ten miles north of Brownwood

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LOCATION: Lake Proctor HOTSPOT: Promontory Point GPS: N 31 59.348, W 98 28.639 (31.989135, -98.477319)

LAKE BROWNWOOD LOCATION: On Pecan Bayou and Jim Ned Creek, 70 miles southeast of Abilene, 10 miles north of Brownwood SURFACE AREA: 6,490 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 95 feet IMPOUNDED: 1933 THE BEST FISHING ON LAKE BROWNwood is for white bass, which are typically strong in summer and early fall.

Largemouth bass are also in good

supply on the lake, with the best action in fall to late spring.

Brownwood also offers decent catfish and crappie action.

The lake is mostly rocky shorelines with numerous small coves. There are plenty of boat docks around the lake to provide additional cover.

SPECIES: Hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits SOURCE: Lance Benson, Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.

325-692-0921 TIPS: July at Lake Proctor in Comanche County is a great time to troll for hybrid striped bass. These fish are normally schooled up chasing shad on some of the wind swept points. A medium diving crankbait in white or chartreuse colors tends to work well.

Promontory Point is a long point that extends out three of four hundred yards from Promontory Park. This area seems to hold lots of hybrids.

•

waiting to ambush prey. Hydrilla is the prominent vegetation in the reservoir and can be as deep as 18 feet.

Fishing the edge of the hydrilla with a jig can produce some large numbers of fish. In shallower water a bladed jig can be a great option.

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Bass Island GPS: N 32 51.956, W 98 32.449 (32.865929, -98.540822)

SPECIES: Striped, hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: topwaters SOURCE: Dean Heffner T E X A S

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Sportsman’s DAYBOOK JULY/AUGUST 2022

Tides and Prime Times The following pages contain TIDE and SOLUNAR predictions for our Base Point, Galveston Channel (N 29.317, W 94.88) Tidal movement and the daily phases of the moon have varying degrees of influence on many fish and game species.

AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets.

These phases last 1 to 2 hours.

TIDE CONVERSION TABLE HIGH

SABINE AREA T1 Sabine Bank Lighthouse

LOW

KEY

PLACE

HIGH

LOW

KEY

PLACE

HIGH

T8

Eagle Point

+3:54 +4:15

T17

Galveston Pleasure Pier

-1:06 -1:06

T9

Clear Lake

+6:05 +6:40

T18

San Luis Pass

-0.09 -0.09

T2

Sabine Pass Jetty

-1:26 -1:31

T10

Morgans Point

+10:21 +5:19

T3

Sabine Pass

-1:00 -1:15

T11

Round Pt, Trinity Bay

+10:39 +5:15

T12

Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay

+5:48 +4:43

T20

Pass Cavallo

0:00

-0:04 -0:25

T13

Gilchrist, East Bay

+3:16 +4:18

T21

Aransas Pass

-0:03 -1:31

LOWER COAST T22 Padre Island (So. End)

-0:24 -1:45

GALVESTON BAY AREA T4 Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass T5

Galveston Bay, S. Jetty

-0:39 -1:05

T14

Jamaica Beach, W. Bay

+2:38 +3:31

T6

Port Bolivar

+0:14 -0:06

T15

Alligator Point, W. Bay

+2:39 +2:33

T7

Texas City Turning Basin

+0:33 +0:41

T16

Christmas Pt

+2:32 +2:31

MONDAY

27 «

High Tide: 6:30a Low Tide: 10:07p

TUESDAY

28 «

1.49ft.

-0.37ft.

High Tide: 7:05a Low Tide: 10:43p

29 l

High Tide: 7:39a Low Tide: 11:19p

1.46ft.

-0.33ft.

High Tide: 8:12a Low Tide: 11:54p

12a

Sunrise: 7:31a Sunset: 6:33p Moonrise: 3:55a Moon Set: 4:46p

AM Minor: 2:45a AM Major: 8:57a PM Minor: 3:09p PM Major: 9:21p

Austin

Port Arthur

Houston San Antonio

Galveston Port O’Connor

Freeport

Aransas Pass



Corpus Christi

BASE POINT: GALVESTON CHANNEL (N 29.317, W 94.880)

-1:20 Port Isabel

+1:02 -0:42

THURSDAY

30 «

6p

Dallas

-0:44 -1:02

Port Isabel

T23

WEDNESDAY

1.48ft.

-0.36ft.

Fort Worth

LOW

-1:46 -1:31

UPPER MIDDLE COAST T19 Freeport Harbor

12p

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 10:25a Moon Underfoot: 10:49p

TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the White Area MONDAY at the top of the Calendar Pages. You can use the Nov 1 High Tide: 2:36a 1.63 ft.

CONVERSION TABLE below to make adjustments. Low Tide: 8:33a 1.03 ft.

High Tide: 2:05p 1.46 ft.

It is keyed to 23 other tide stations along the Texas Low Tide: 8:10p 0.71 ft.

Coast (see these map icons: T1 ). Adjust low and high tide times, plus or minus in minutes, from the times given for the Base Point at Galveston Channel.

While tides are not a direct factor in FRESHWATER FISHING, SoLunar Activity still accounts for increased feeding activity in freshwater species. It is also a prime factor in the movement and feeding habits of game species.

6a

10:00a — 12:00p

Lubbock

SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE

PEAK TIMES: Our Forecast Calendar uses both Tide and SoLunar projections to predict the best fishing times and days. Generally, if a SoLunar Period (Major/Minor) falls within an hour of sunrise or sunset, fishing conditions should be better. On certain days where Tidal Activity is stronger, the best fishing times may fall ouside the normal SoLunar range.

PLACE

12a

Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE on the map below to adjust times for points East and West of our Base Point at Galveston Channel.

Amarillo

(See Instructions for reading the Graphs on the opposite page)

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.

KEY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the Green Boxes on the Calendar pages. Moon Overhead and Underfoot times are given in the SoLunar Box and illustrated on the Fishing Graph.

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

1.44ft.

-0.28ft.

FRIDAY

Jul 1 « High Tide: 8:45a

1.41ft.

SATURDAY

2

Low Tide: 12:29a High Tide: 9:15a

-0.21ft.

1.38ft.

SUNDAY

3

Low Tide: 1:03a High Tide: 9:43a

-0.11ft.

1.35ft.

FEET

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 PM Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 5:00a Moon Set: 7:34p

AM Minor: 4:23a AM Major: 10:36a PM Minor: 4:48p PM Major: 11:01p Moon Overhead: 12:16p Moon Underfoot: None

58

|

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

6:00 — 8:00 PM Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 5:46a Moon Set: 8:27p

AM Minor: 5:11a AM Major: 11:24a PM Minor: 5:36p PM Major: 11:49p Moon Overhead: 1:06p Moon Underfoot: 12:41a

J U L Y / A U G U S T

TexasOutdoorNation-2207-DIG.indd 58

2 0 2 2

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 6:01a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:27p PM Major: 12:39p

6p

7:30 — 9:30 PM

AM Minor: 6:53a AM Major: 12:41a PM Minor: 7:18p PM Major: 1:06p

T E X A S

Moon Overhead: 2:46p Moon Underfoot: 2:22a

F I S H

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 7:29a Moon Set: 10:00p

Moon Overhead: 1:56p Moon Underfoot: 1:31a

|

12p

BEST TIME

7:00 — 9:00 PM Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 6:36a Moon Set: 9:16p

6a

&

8:00 — 10:00 PM Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 8:25a Moon Set: 10:40p

AM Minor: 7:46a AM Major: 1:34a PM Minor: 8:10p PM Major: 1:58p

Moon Overhead: 3:35p Moon Underfoot: 3:11a

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

8:30 — 10:30 PM Sunrise: 6:23a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 9:22a Moon Set: 11:15p

AM Minor: 8:38a AM Major: 2:27a PM Minor: 9:02p PM Major: 2:50p

Moon Overhead: 4:21p Moon Underfoot: 3:58a

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

9:30 — 11:30 PM Sunrise: 6:23a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 10:19a Moon Set: 11:47p

AM Minor: 9:29a AM Major: 3:18a PM Minor: 9:51p PM Major: 3:40p

Moon Overhead: 5:06p Moon Underfoot: 4:44a

G A M E ®

6/20/22 1:54 PM

JULY/AUGUST 2022

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

Jul 4

Low Tide: 1:37a High Tide: 10:05a

TUESDAY

5

0.03ft.

1.29ft.

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

FEET

2:14a 10:21a 4:51p 8:57p

WEDNESDAY

6º

0.20ft.

1.23ft.

0.77ft.

0.83ft.

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

2:54a 10:30a 5:10p 11:29p

THURSDAY

7

0.43ft.

1.17ft.

0.53ft.

0.87ft.

Low Tide: 3:41a High Tide: 10:31a Low Tide: 5:45p

0.68ft.

1.14ft.

0.25ft.

FRIDAY

8

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

1:28a 4:45a 10:22a 6:27p

SATURDAY

9

1.03ft.

0.95ft.

1.16ft.

-0.05ft.

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

3:02a 6:19a 9:58a 7:14p

1.26ft.

1.19ft.

1.24ft.

-0.34ft.

SUNDAY

10

High Tide: 4:13a Low Tide: 8:05p

1.46ft.

-0.59ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

10:00P — 12:00A Sunrise: 6:24a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 11:15a Moon Set: None

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 PM

12:00 — 2:00 PM

MONDAY

12 «

1.62ft.

-0.78ft.

High Tide: 6:02a Low Tide: 9:53p

13 «

High Tide: 6:50a Low Tide: 10:47p

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

8:00 — 10:00 PM Sunrise: 6:25a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 3:09p Moon Set: 1:47a

3:00 — 5:00 PM

AM Minor: 1:40a AM Major: 7:54a PM Minor: 2:07p PM Major: 8:21p

Moon Overhead: 8:49p Moon Underfoot: 8:24a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:26a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 4:17p Moon Set: 2:23a

AM Minor: 12:55a AM Major: 7:08a PM Minor: 1:20p PM Major: 7:32p

Moon Overhead: 8:00p Moon Underfoot: 7:37a

3:30 — 5:30 PM Sunrise: 6:26a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 5:28p Moon Set: 3:05a

AM Minor: 2:29a AM Major: 8:43a PM Minor: 2:58p PM Major: 9:13p

Moon Overhead: 9:44p Moon Underfoot: 9:16a

Moon Overhead: 10:43p Moon Underfoot: 10:13a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

1.69ft.

-0.89ft.

12a

AM Minor: 12:11a AM Major: 6:23a PM Minor: 12:35p PM Major: 6:46p

Moon Overhead: 7:15p Moon Underfoot: 6:53a

TUESDAY

6p

7:30 — 9:30 PM

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

READING THE GRAPH

12p

Sunrise: 6:25a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 2:06p Moon Set: 1:15a

AM Minor: 11:50a AM Major: 5:40a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:01p

Moon Overhead: 6:31p Moon Underfoot: 6:10a

6a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:24a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 1:07p Moon Set: 12:45a

AM Minor: 11:05a AM Major: 4:54a PM Minor: 11:26p PM Major: 5:16p

Moon Overhead: 5:49p Moon Underfoot: 5:28a

High Tide: 5:11a Low Tide: 8:58p

6p

Sunrise: 6:24a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 12:11p Moon Set: 12:16a

AM Minor: 10:18a AM Major: 4:07a PM Minor: 10:40p PM Major: 4:29p

11

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

14 l

1.70ft.

-0.89ft.

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

FEET

n

7:32a 12:17p 2:31p 11:41p

1.64ft.

1.43ft.

1.45ft.

-0.79ft.

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

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

15 «

High Tide: 8:10a Low Tide: 12:54p High Tide: 4:03p

1.55ft.

1.29ft.

1.36ft.

SATURDAY

16 « Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

12:33a 8:42a 1:45p 5:35p

-0.59ft.

1.43ft.

1.10ft.

1.22ft.

SUNDAY

17

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

1:23a 9:10a 2:45p 7:14p

-0.31ft.

1.31ft.

0.86ft.

1.07ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

4:00 — 6:00 PM Sunrise: 6:27a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 6:40p Moon Set: 3:55a

AM Minor: 3:22a AM Major: 9:38a PM Minor: 3:54p PM Major: 10:10p Moon Overhead: 11:48p Moon Underfoot: 11:15a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 PM Sunrise: 6:27a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 7:48p Moon Set: 4:54a

AM Minor: 4:21a AM Major: 10:37a PM Minor: 4:54p PM Major: 11:11p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:21p

6a

12p

6p

6:00 — 8:00 PM Sunrise: 6:28a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 8:50p Moon Set: 6:01a

AM Minor: 5:24a AM Major: 11:41a PM Minor: 5:57p PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 12:54a Moon Underfoot: 1:27p

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNation-2207-DIG.indd 59

12a

BEST TIME

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 AM

6p

2:00 — 4:00 AM Sunrise: 6:29a Sunset: 8:19p Moonrise: 10:28p Moon Set: 8:27a

AM Minor: 6:30a AM Major: 12:14a PM Minor: 7:02p PM Major: 12:46p

AM Minor: 7:36a AM Major: 1:21a PM Minor: 8:06p PM Major: 1:51p

Moon Overhead: 2:00a Moon Underfoot: 2:32p

&

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:28a Sunset: 8:19p Moonrise: 9:43p Moon Set: 7:13a

F I S H

6a

Moon Overhead: 3:02a Moon Underfoot: 3:32p

G A M E ®

|

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 AM Sunrise: 6:29a Sunset: 8:19p Moonrise: 11:06p Moon Set: 9:37a

AM Minor: 8:39a AM Major: 2:26a PM Minor: 9:06p PM Major: 2:52p

Moon Overhead: 4:00a Moon Underfoot: 4:26p J U L Y / A U G U S T

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

4:00 — 6:00 AM Sunrise: 6:30a Sunset: 8:18p Moonrise: 11:40p Moon Set: 10:44a

AM Minor: 9:38a AM Major: 3:25a PM Minor: 10:02p PM Major: 3:50p

Moon Overhead: 4:52a Moon Underfoot: 5:16p 2 0 2 2

|

59

6/20/22 1:54 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

Jul 18 FEET

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

2:13a 9:33a 3:46p 9:03p

TUESDAY

19

0.02ft.

1.21ft.

0.61ft.

0.96ft.

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

3:03a 9:53a 4:44p 11:04p

WEDNESDAY

20

0.37ft.

1.14ft.

0.36ft.

0.95ft.

Low Tide: 3:58a High Tide: 10:08a Low Tide: 5:38p

THURSDAY

21 »

0.70ft.

1.10ft.

0.14ft.

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

1:18a 5:36a 10:15a 6:27p

1.06ft.

0.98ft.

1.10ft.

-0.04ft.

FRIDAY

22

High Tide: 3:31a Low Tide: 7:13p

SATURDAY

23

1.22ft.

-0.17ft.

High Tide: 4:43a Low Tide: 7:57p

1.36ft.

-0.25ft.

SUNDAY

24

High Tide: 5:26a Low Tide: 8:39p

1.44ft.

-0.29ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

4:30 — 6:30 AM

12a

12p

6p

12a

6:00 — 8:00 AM

26

1.46ft.

-0.31ft.

High Tide: 6:25a Low Tide: 9:56p

27 «

High Tide: 6:46a Low Tide: 10:30p

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

2:00 — 4:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:33a Sunset: 8:16p Moonrise: 2:20a Moon Set: 4:33p

AM Minor: 1:08a AM Major: 7:20a PM Minor: 1:31p PM Major: 7:42p

AM Minor: 1:50a AM Major: 8:02a PM Minor: 2:13p PM Major: 8:25p

Moon Overhead: 8:37a Moon Underfoot: 9:00p

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:32a Sunset: 8:16p Moonrise: 1:44a Moon Set: 3:36p

Moon Overhead: 7:52a Moon Underfoot: 8:14p

4:00 — 6:00 PM Sunrise: 6:33a Sunset: 8:15p Moonrise: 2:59a Moon Set: 5:29p

AM Minor: 2:32a AM Major: 8:44a PM Minor: 2:57p PM Major: 9:09p

Moon Overhead: 9:24a Moon Underfoot: 9:48p

Moon Overhead: 10:12a Moon Underfoot: 10:37p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

1.45ft.

-0.31ft.

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 12:27a AM Major: 6:38a PM Minor: 12:49p PM Major: 7:00p

Moon Overhead: 7:08a Moon Underfoot: 7:30p

TUESDAY

6p

7:00 — 9:00 AM

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

MONDAY

12p

Sunrise: 6:32a Sunset: 8:17p Moonrise: 1:12a Moon Set: 2:39p

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:55a PM Minor: 12:06p PM Major: 6:17p

Moon Overhead: 6:24a Moon Underfoot: 6:46p

READING THE GRAPH

6a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:31a Sunset: 8:17p Moonrise: 12:41a Moon Set: 1:42p

AM Minor: 11:20a AM Major: 5:09a PM Minor: 11:42p PM Major: 5:31p

Moon Overhead: 5:39a Moon Underfoot: 6:02p

6a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:31a Sunset: 8:18p Moonrise: 12:11a Moon Set: 12:44p

AM Minor: 10:31a AM Major: 4:20a PM Minor: 10:54p PM Major: 4:43p

High Tide: 5:59a Low Tide: 9:19p

6p

5:00 — 7:00 AM

Sunrise: 6:30a Sunset: 8:18p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 11:45a

Jul 25

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

28 l

1.43ft.

-0.29ft.

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

FEET

7:06a 12:15p 1:58p 11:03p

n

1.41ft.

1.27ft.

1.28ft.

-0.25ft.

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

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

29 « High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

7:26a 12:05p 3:00p 11:34p

1.39ft.

1.22ft.

1.25ft.

-0.18ft.

SATURDAY

30 «

High Tide: 7:47a Low Tide: 12:30p High Tide: 3:54p

1.38ft.

1.15ft.

1.20ft.

SUNDAY

31 « Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

12:04a 8:08a 1:05p 4:56p

-0.08ft.

1.35ft.

1.04ft.

1.13ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 PM Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 8:15p Moonrise: 3:43a Moon Set: 6:23p

AM Minor: 3:16a AM Major: 9:29a PM Minor: 3:41p PM Major: 9:54p

Moon Overhead: 11:02a Moon Underfoot: 11:27p

60

|

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 PM Sunrise: 6:35a Sunset: 8:14p Moonrise: 4:31a Moon Set: 7:13p

AM Minor: 4:02a AM Major: 10:14a PM Minor: 4:27p PM Major: 10:40p Moon Overhead: 11:52a Moon Underfoot: None

J U L Y / A U G U S T

TexasOutdoorNation-2207-DIG.indd 60

2 0 2 2

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

6:00 — 8:00 PM Sunrise: 6:35a Sunset: 8:14p Moonrise: 5:23a Moon Set: 7:59p

AM Minor: 4:49a AM Major: 11:02a PM Minor: 5:14p PM Major: 11:27p

6p

12:00 — 2:00 PM

AM Minor: 5:38a AM Major: 11:50a PM Minor: 6:02p PM Major: 12:14p

T E X A S

Moon Overhead: 1:32p Moon Underfoot: 1:08a

F I S H

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:36a Sunset: 8:13p Moonrise: 6:19a Moon Set: 8:40p

Moon Overhead: 12:43p Moon Underfoot: 12:18a

|

12p

BEST TIME

&

1:00 — 3:00 PM Sunrise: 6:36a Sunset: 8:12p Moonrise: 7:16a Moon Set: 9:17p

AM Minor: 6:27a AM Major: 12:15a PM Minor: 6:50p PM Major: 12:38p Moon Overhead: 2:20p Moon Underfoot: 1:56a

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

1:30 — 3:30 PM Sunrise: 6:37a Sunset: 8:12p Moonrise: 8:14a Moon Set: 9:50p

AM Minor: 7:16a AM Major: 1:04a PM Minor: 7:38p PM Major: 1:27p

Moon Overhead: 3:05p Moon Underfoot: 2:43a

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

2:00 — 4:00 PM Sunrise: 6:38a Sunset: 8:11p Moonrise: 9:10a Moon Set: 10:20p

AM Minor: 8:04a AM Major: 1:54a PM Minor: 8:26p PM Major: 2:15p

Moon Overhead: 3:49p Moon Underfoot: 3:27a

G A M E ®

6/20/22 1:54 PM

JULY/AUGUST 2022

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

Aug 1 FEET

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

12:34a 8:26a 1:43p 6:15p

0.07ft.

1.30ft.

0.90ft.

1.05ft.

TUESDAY

2

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

1:06a 8:39a 2:23p 7:56p

0.26ft.

1.25ft.

0.72ft.

0.98ft.

WEDNESDAY

3

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

1:40a 8:45a 3:08p 9:55p

0.50ft.

1.20ft.

0.51ft.

0.99ft.

THURSDAY

4º

Low Tide: 2:16a High Tide: 8:39a Low Tide: 3:57p

0.77ft.

1.19ft.

0.27ft.

FRIDAY

5

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

12:05a 2:56a 8:15a 4:52p

1.10ft.

1.04ft.

1.24ft.

0.02ft.

SATURDAY

6

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

2:20a 3:47a 7:32a 5:52p

1.30ft.

1.30ft.

1.35ft.

-0.21ft.

SUNDAY

7

High Tide: 3:52a Low Tide: 6:54p

1.51ft.

-0.42ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 PM Sunrise: 6:38a Sunset: 8:10p Moonrise: 10:06a Moon Set: 10:49p

AM Minor: 8:53a AM Major: 2:42a PM Minor: 9:14p PM Major: 3:03p

Moon Overhead: 4:31p Moon Underfoot: 4:10a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

4:00 — 6:00 PM Sunrise: 6:39a Sunset: 8:10p Moonrise: 11:02a Moon Set: 11:18p

AM Minor: 9:40a AM Major: 3:30a PM Minor: 10:01p PM Major: 3:51p

Moon Overhead: 5:13p Moon Underfoot: 4:52a

TexasOutdoorNation-2207-DIG.indd 61

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

4:30 — 6:30 AM Sunrise: 6:39a Sunset: 8:09p Moonrise: 11:59a Moon Set: 11:48p

AM Minor: 10:28a AM Major: 4:17a PM Minor: 10:50p PM Major: 4:39p

Moon Overhead: 5:57p Moon Underfoot: 5:35a

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:40a Sunset: 8:08p Moonrise: 12:59p Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 11:16a AM Major: 5:05a PM Minor: 11:39p PM Major: 5:28p

Moon Overhead: 6:43p Moon Underfoot: 6:19a

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 PM Sunrise: 6:40a Sunset: 8:08p Moonrise: 2:02p Moon Set: 12:21a

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:53a PM Minor: 12:06p PM Major: 6:19p

Moon Overhead: 7:34p Moon Underfoot: 7:08a

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

7:30 — 9:30 PM Sunrise: 6:41a Sunset: 8:07p Moonrise: 3:10p Moon Set: 12:59a

AM Minor: 12:30a AM Major: 6:44a PM Minor: 12:58p PM Major: 7:11p

Moon Overhead: 8:29p Moon Underfoot: 8:01a

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

2:00 — 4:00 PM Sunrise: 6:42a Sunset: 8:06p Moonrise: 4:19p Moon Set: 1:44a

AM Minor: 1:22a AM Major: 7:37a PM Minor: 1:52p PM Major: 8:07p

Moon Overhead: 9:30p Moon Underfoot: 8:59a

6/20/22 1:54 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

Aug 8

High Tide: 4:38a Low Tide: 7:54p

TUESDAY

9

1.65ft.

-0.58ft.

High Tide: 5:17a Low Tide: 8:53p

WEDNESDAY

10 «

1.71ft.

-0.67ft.

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

FEET

5:51a 11:10a 12:05p 9:48p

THURSDAY

11 «

1.71ft.

1.53ft.

1.53ft.

-0.68ft.

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

6:21a 10:51a 2:14p 10:41p

FRIDAY

12 l

1.65ft.

1.43ft.

1.52ft.

-0.58ft.

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

6:47a 11:20a 3:40p 11:30p

SATURDAY

13 «

1.55ft.

1.26ft.

1.48ft.

-0.39ft.

High Tide: 7:11a Low Tide: 12:02p High Tide: 5:01p

1.44ft.

1.05ft.

1.40ft.

SUNDAY

14 « Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

12:17a 7:32a 12:50p 6:22p

-0.12ft.

1.35ft.

0.82ft.

1.31ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 PM

6a

12p

6p

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Aug 15

0.21ft.

1.28ft.

0.59ft.

1.23ft.

16

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

1:46a 8:07a 2:35p 9:27p

Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:11p

17

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

2:29a 8:18a 3:32p 11:26p

12a

6a

0.87ft.

1.21ft.

0.24ft.

1.23ft.

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 AM

6p

12a

6a

1:30 — 3:30 AM

AM Minor: 7:10a AM Major: 12:57a PM Minor: 7:36p PM Major: 1:23p

Moon Overhead: 1:42a Moon Underfoot: 2:10p

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:45a Sunset: 8:01p Moonrise: 9:35p Moon Set: 8:22a

AM Minor: 6:12a AM Major: 12:02a PM Minor: 6:40p PM Major: 12:26p

Moon Overhead: 12:42a Moon Underfoot: 1:13p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:45a Sunset: 8:02p Moonrise: 8:59p Moon Set: 7:13a

AM Minor: 5:13a AM Major: 11:28a PM Minor: 5:43p PM Major: 11:58p

2:00 — 4:00 AM Sunrise: 6:46a Sunset: 8:00p Moonrise: 10:08p Moon Set: 9:28a

AM Minor: 8:05a AM Major: 1:53a PM Minor: 8:30p PM Major: 2:17p

Moon Overhead: 2:37a Moon Underfoot: 3:03p

Moon Overhead: 3:28a Moon Underfoot: 3:52p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

0.55ft.

1.23ft.

0.40ft.

1.19ft.

6p

Sunrise: 6:44a Sunset: 8:03p Moonrise: 8:18p Moon Set: 6:00a

AM Minor: 4:13a AM Major: 10:29a PM Minor: 4:45p PM Major: 11:01p

TUESDAY

12p

12:00 — 2:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:43a Sunset: 8:04p Moonrise: 7:29p Moon Set: 4:48a

Moon Overhead: 11:39p Moon Underfoot: 11:06a

MONDAY

6a

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: 3:14a AM Major: 9:30a PM Minor: 3:46p PM Major: 10:02p

Moon Overhead: 10:33p Moon Underfoot: 10:01a

FEET

12a

Sunrise: 6:43a Sunset: 8:04p Moonrise: 6:32p Moon Set: 3:39a

AM Minor: 2:16a AM Major: 8:32a PM Minor: 2:48p PM Major: 9:04p

1:02a 7:51a 1:41p 7:49p

6p

4:00 — 6:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:42a Sunset: 8:05p Moonrise: 5:28p Moon Set: 2:37a

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

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

18

Low Tide: 3:20a High Tide: 8:12a Low Tide: 4:32p

n

1.14ft.

1.22ft.

0.14ft.

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

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

19 »

High Tide: 2:25a Low Tide: 5:33p

1.35ft.

0.07ft.

SATURDAY

20

High Tide: 4:01a Low Tide: 6:34p

1.48ft.

0.02ft.

SUNDAY

21

High Tide: 4:40a Low Tide: 7:30p

1.55ft.

-0.01ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 AM Sunrise: 6:46a Sunset: 7:59p Moonrise: 10:39p Moon Set: 10:29a

AM Minor: 8:59a AM Major: 2:47a PM Minor: 9:22p PM Major: 3:10p

Moon Overhead: 4:15a Moon Underfoot: 4:38p

62

|

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

4:00 — 6:00 AM Sunrise: 6:47a Sunset: 7:58p Moonrise: 11:11p Moon Set: 11:29a

AM Minor: 9:51a AM Major: 3:39a PM Minor: 10:13p PM Major: 4:02p

Moon Overhead: 5:01a Moon Underfoot: 5:23p

J U L Y / A U G U S T

TexasOutdoorNation-2207-DIG.indd 62

2 0 2 2

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 10:40a AM Major: 4:29a PM Minor: 11:03p PM Major: 4:52p

6p

5:30 — 7:30 AM

AM Minor: 11:29a AM Major: 5:17a PM Minor: 11:52p PM Major: 5:41p

T E X A S

Moon Overhead: 6:32a Moon Underfoot: 6:55p

F I S H

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:48a Sunset: 7:56p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 1:27p

Moon Overhead: 5:46a Moon Underfoot: 6:09p

|

12p

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:47a Sunset: 7:57p Moonrise: 11:43p Moon Set: 12:28p

6a

&

12:30 — 2:30 PM Sunrise: 6:49a Sunset: 7:55p Moonrise: 12:18a Moon Set: 2:25p

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 6:05a PM Minor: 12:16p PM Major: 6:28p

Moon Overhead: 7:19a Moon Underfoot: 7:43p

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

1:30 — 3:30 PM Sunrise: 6:49a Sunset: 7:54p Moonrise: 12:56a Moon Set: 3:22p

AM Minor: 12:39a AM Major: 6:51a PM Minor: 1:03p PM Major: 7:15p

Moon Overhead: 8:07a Moon Underfoot: 8:32p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

2:30 — 5:30 PM Sunrise: 6:50a Sunset: 7:53p Moonrise: 1:39a Moon Set: 4:17p

AM Minor: 1:24a AM Major: 7:37a PM Minor: 1:49p PM Major: 8:02p

Moon Overhead: 8:57a Moon Underfoot: 9:22p

G A M E ®

6/20/22 1:54 PM

JULY/AUGUST 2022

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

Aug 22 High Tide: 5:10a Low Tide: 8:19p

TUESDAY

23

1.58ft.

-0.03ft.

High Tide: 5:29a Low Tide: 9:01p

WEDNESDAY

24

1.57ft.

-0.03ft.

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

FEET

5:41a 11:25a 12:54p 9:37p

THURSDAY

25 «

1.54ft.

1.38ft.

1.39ft.

-0.01ft.

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

5:52a 10:50a 2:06p 10:09p

FRIDAY

26 «

1.52ft.

1.35ft.

1.41ft.

0.02ft.

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

6:04a 10:48a 3:03p 10:39p

SATURDAY

27 l

1.50ft.

1.27ft.

1.42ft.

0.09ft.

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

6:19a 11:08a 3:58p 11:08p

1.49ft.

1.17ft.

1.40ft.

0.20ft.

SUNDAY

28 « High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

6:34a 11:37a 4:56p 11:38p

1.47ft.

1.04ft.

1.38ft.

0.35ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 PM

6p

12a

6a

MONDAY

Aug 29 « 30 1.43ft.

0.88ft.

1.35ft.

FEET

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

12:10a 6:57a 12:45p 7:15p

0.55ft.

1.39ft.

0.70ft.

1.33ft.

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

12:44a 7:00a 1:27p 8:44p

12a

6a

0.79ft.

1.36ft.

0.51ft.

1.34ft.

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 PM

12p

6p

12a

6a

12:30 — 2:30 PM

AM Minor: 5:55a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:17p PM Major: 12:28p

Moon Overhead: 1:02p Moon Underfoot: 12:39a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:53a Sunset: 7:47p Moonrise: 7:04a Moon Set: 8:22p

AM Minor: 5:10a AM Major: 11:21a PM Minor: 5:33p PM Major: 11:44p

Moon Overhead: 12:16p Moon Underfoot: None

6a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:52a Sunset: 7:48p Moonrise: 6:06a Moon Set: 7:51p

AM Minor: 4:25a AM Major: 10:37a PM Minor: 4:49p PM Major: 11:01p

1:00 — 3:00 PM Sunrise: 6:53a Sunset: 7:46p Moonrise: 8:01a Moon Set: 8:52p

AM Minor: 6:40a AM Major: 12:29a PM Minor: 7:02p PM Major: 12:51p

Moon Overhead: 1:47p Moon Underfoot: 1:25a

Moon Overhead: 2:30p Moon Underfoot: 2:09a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

31

6p

11:30A — 1:30P

Moon Overhead: 11:27a Moon Underfoot: 11:51p

TUESDAY

12p

Sunrise: 6:52a Sunset: 7:49p Moonrise: 5:08a Moon Set: 7:17p

AM Minor: 3:40a AM Major: 9:52a PM Minor: 4:05p PM Major: 10:17p

Moon Overhead: 10:37a Moon Underfoot: 11:02p

6a

BEST TIME

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

READING THE GRAPH

12a

Sunrise: 6:51a Sunset: 7:50p Moonrise: 4:11a Moon Set: 6:39p

AM Minor: 2:55a AM Major: 9:07a PM Minor: 3:20p PM Major: 9:32p

Moon Overhead: 9:47a Moon Underfoot: 10:12p

6p

11:00A — 1:00P

Sunrise: 6:51a Sunset: 7:51p Moonrise: 3:17a Moon Set: 5:56p

AM Minor: 2:10a AM Major: 8:22a PM Minor: 2:35p PM Major: 8:47p

12p

BEST TIME

4:00 — 6:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:50a Sunset: 7:52p Moonrise: 2:26a Moon Set: 5:08p

High Tide: 6:48a Low Tide: 12:09p High Tide: 6:00p

12p

BEST TIME

n

Day’s 2nd Best Score

Best Day Overall

THURSDAY

Sep 1 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

1:19a 6:50a 2:15p 10:33p

1.05ft.

1.38ft.

0.32ft.

1.41ft.

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

FRIDAY

2

Low Tide: 1:55a High Tide: 6:21a Low Tide: 3:11p

1.31ft.

1.45ft.

0.15ft.

SATURDAY

3º

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

12:50a 2:26a 5:42a 4:17p

1.55ft.

1.54ft.

1.58ft.

-0.00ft.

SUNDAY

4

High Tide: 4:22a Low Tide: 5:30p

1.72ft.

-0.13ft.

FEET

+3.0

+3.0

+2.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

0

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

BEST TIME

2:00 — 4:00 PM Sunrise: 6:54a Sunset: 7:45p Moonrise: 8:57a Moon Set: 9:21p

AM Minor: 7:26a AM Major: 1:16a PM Minor: 7:48p PM Major: 1:37p

Moon Overhead: 3:13p Moon Underfoot: 2:51a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 PM Sunrise: 6:54a Sunset: 7:43p Moonrise: 9:54a Moon Set: 9:51p

AM Minor: 8:14a AM Major: 2:03a PM Minor: 8:36p PM Major: 2:25p

Moon Overhead: 3:56p Moon Underfoot: 3:34a

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

3:30 — 5:30 PM Sunrise: 6:55a Sunset: 7:42p Moonrise: 10:53a Moon Set: 10:23p

AM Minor: 9:04a AM Major: 2:53a PM Minor: 9:27p PM Major: 3:16p

Moon Overhead: 4:41p Moon Underfoot: 4:18a

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNation-2207-DIG.indd 63

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

4:30 — 6:30 PM

6p

5:00 — 7:00 PM Sunrise: 6:56a Sunset: 7:40p Moonrise: 1:00p Moon Set: 11:40p

AM Minor: 9:57a AM Major: 3:44a PM Minor: 10:21p PM Major: 4:09p

AM Minor: 10:52a AM Major: 4:38a PM Minor: 11:18p PM Major: 5:05p

Moon Overhead: 5:30p Moon Underfoot: 5:05a

&

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:56a Sunset: 7:41p Moonrise: 11:55a Moon Set: 10:59p

F I S H

6a

Moon Overhead: 6:23p Moon Underfoot: 5:56a

G A M E ®

|

12a

6a

12p

6p

BEST TIME

6:00 — 8:00 PM Sunrise: 6:57a Sunset: 7:39p Moonrise: 2:08p Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 11:49a AM Major: 5:35a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:03p Moon Overhead: 7:20p Moon Underfoot: 6:51a J U L Y / A U G U S T

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

BEST TIME

1:30 — 3:30 PM Sunrise: 6:57a Sunset: 7:38p Moonrise: 3:15p Moon Set: 12:29a

AM Minor: 12:17a AM Major: 6:32a PM Minor: 12:47p PM Major: 7:03p

Moon Overhead: 8:21p Moon Underfoot: 7:50a 2 0 2 2

|

63

6/20/22 1:54 PM

Open SEASON

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

There’s an App for That

“Who knows? But I think it smells nice.”

The sun was at the right angle to fill our side of the café with light, and it was getting warm in the booth, despite the mild weather outside. Constable Rick always sits with his back to the windows, to watch the room, and I could swear I saw heat waves rising off his shoulders.

I was barely listening by then, because I was making things more comfortable where we sat.

Doc noticed and called me down on it.

“Rev, you’re the one who’s always complaining about people being on their phones while we’re trying to talk.”

I glanced up. Jerry Wayne had his cell phone out, scrolling through something.

Willie put on his reading glasses and read Jan’s response, while Woodrow was checking the weather. Doc and Constable Rick were the only ones without a device in their hands.

“Shhh. I’m lowering the temperature in here a little bit.”

They all stopped and looked up, waiting for an explanation.

I glanced over my shoulder to be sure Doreen wasn’t close by. She was at the opposite side of the café, talking to an elderly couple who were also regulars. “Y’all know Doreen put in a new AC system last month.”

They nodded.

“Well, you know how she likes to keep it pretty warm even in the summer, and it’s usually chilly in the wintertime.”

More nods.

“Well, I was here when they installed that new thermostat over behind the counter, and it’s one of those new rigs that you can control from your phone.”

Woodrow started to point at the thermostat, but lowered his hand just in case Doreen might turn around. He knew better than to draw attention. “You need the app and password for that.”

“You’re right. I heard her tell the technician what password she wanted to use, so I downloaded the app and linked my phone to her system.”

Doc’s face widened in a grin. “Brilliant!”

T

HE HUNTING CLUB MEMbership was gathered in the large round booth in Doreen’s 24 HR Eat Gas Now Café when Wrong Willie sighed and leaned back. “We should go to the lease and fill feeders this week while the weather’s still nice.” He turned his phone so we could see the weather forecast.

“How about Saturday?” Jerry Wayne held up an index finger as if to emphasize an important point.

I knew the answer before I asked the question. “Why Saturday?

“Well...”

“Exactly.” I put down my coffee mug.

“Guys. We’re retired. We can go during the week if we want. It’s pretty cool today and they say tomorrow will be about the same.

Let’s get out there.”

Constable Rick was with us that day. “We can do some target practice while we’re out there. Y’all need to bring your pistols and brush up on your shooting skills.”

Jerry Wayne frowned. “You know what that’s gonna cost in ammo these days?”

“You know what it’s gonna cost if you need to shoot and miss?

“I’ll have to check with Jan.” Wrong Willie tapped a text on his screen. “We might have something scheduled.”

“You can’t. Tomorrow’s Tuesday. People only schedule things on weekends.”

They all missed my sarcasm.

Doc rested his elbows on the table and sipped at his coffee. “I’ll go buy some of that apple-flavored corn up at the feed store. I like to use that because it smells good.”

Woodrow raised an eyebrow. “Do the turkey and deer like it?”

60

|

2207-Humor.indd 60

J U L Y / A U G U S T

2 0 2 2

|

T E X A S

F I S H

&

“Rev, is that like stealing electricity?”

Constable Rick frowned. “You’re costing her money when you do that.”

“I only turn it down a degree, to get the blowers to come on, and when we leave, I turn it back up to where she has it set. I also leave her twice the tip I used to give. It’s a win win for us all. But back to what I was saying. Let’s get out to the lease before it gets too hot. The forecast says Hamlin will be close to a hundred on Saturday. Tomorrow’s supposed to be eighty-nine.”

“Can’t go tomorrow.” Willie sighed.

“Keeping the grandkids.”

“How about the day after?”

“Nope.” Doc shook his head. “I have a doctor’s appointment. Colonoscopy. Can’t change it.”

We giggled like little kids, knowing what he would be going through.

“Friday, anyone?”

They shook their heads at my suggestion.

“Fine, then. Let’s go Saturday.”

Woodrow sighed and smoothed his gray beard. “I don’t know. According to this app, it’ll be pretty hot.”

“It’s the summertime, and that means hot. Besides, you guys’ll be rearin’ to go on September first when dove season opens.”

Doc smiled. “We can fill the feeders then.

For now, let’s stay here and drink coffee in the cool air.”

I frowned at my phone. The inside temperature was still the same. Thinking, I glanced up and saw Doreen watching me from behind the counter. She winked, tapped the thermostat and mouthed two words at me.

Changed password.

I mouthed back.

When?

After you left that day.

I sat there, stunned, when she mouthed one last sentence.

Thanks for the bigger tips.

I sighed and deleted the app for that.

«

Email Reavis Wortham at ContactUs@fishgame.com

G A M E ®

6/15/22 3:02 PM

Outdoor DIRECTORY Guides & Outfitters :: Lodging :: Destinations :: Gear TEXAS FRESHWATER

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GET YOUR TF&G APPAREL HERE!

WWW.FISHGAME.COM

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Known bondholders, Mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1% or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages of other securities: none. 12. Tax status has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13. Publication title: Texas Fish & Game. 14. Issue date for circulation data below: November 1, 2021. 15. Extent and nature of circulation: Total published Avg. no. copies each issue during preceding 12 mos., 79,944; No. copies of single Issue published nearest to filing date, 91,697. a. Total number of copies (net press run): Avg. no. copies each issue during preceding 12 mos. 21,848; No. copies of single Issue published nearest to filing date, 22,178. b. Paid Circulation (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 19,662; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 19,832. (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies): 0. (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS®, Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 2,132; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 2,290; (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS®: Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 0. c. Total Paid Distribution (Sum of 15b (1), (2), (3), and (4)): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 21,794; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 22,122. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside County Copies included on PS Form 3541: Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 54; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 56 (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies included on PS Form 3541 Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 0 (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS®: Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 0. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (sum of 15d (1), (2), (3), and (4)): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 54; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 56. f. Total Distribution (sum 15c and 15e): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 21,848; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 22,178. g. Copies not Distributed: Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 0; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 0. h. Total (sum 15f and g): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 21,848; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 22,178. i. Percent paid: (15c divided by 15f times 100) Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 99.75%; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 99.75%. 16. Electronic Copy Circulation a. Paid Electronic Copies: Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 58,096; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 69,519. b. Total Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 79,890; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 91,641. c. Total Print Distribution (Line 15f) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 79,944; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 91,697. d. Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies) (16 b divided by 16c x 100): Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months, 99.0%; No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing, 99.0%. 17. Publication of statement of ownership required. Will be printed in November/December 2020 issue of this publication 18. Signature and title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager or Owner: Roy Neves, publisher, Date 10/16/2020.

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LARGEMOUTH BASS Lake Fork Larry Butler caught this largemouth beauty while fishing at Lake Fork.

AMBERJACK Freeport Jack Hurd caught this 83-pound amberjack 93 miles out of Freeport, on the Oilfield Outkasts boat.

WHITETAIL Lampasas County Richard Beal shot this nice eight-pointer while hunting with his grandad, “Pop,” on a deer lease in Lampassas County.

RED SNAPPER Florida Brody Svec of Clear Lake caught his biggest red snapper to date while fishing out of Destin, Florida.

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SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO photos@FishGame.com For best results, send MED to HIGH quality JPEG digital files only, please.

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

RED SNAPPER LARGEMOUTH BASS Sam Rayburn Olivia Machann caught and released this 7-1/2-pound bass, her personal best, on Lake Sam Rayburn.

Port O’Connor Twelve-year-old Fourdam Matey caught this red snapper at the state-sponsored “Keeping it Wild” artificial reef near Port O’Connor.

REDFISH Galveston East Bay

CARP

John Perry caught this big red while fishing with his daughter, Jennifer Perry, on Galveston East Bay.

Sabine River Crey Hammons of Willis caught this carp with the help of his friend Trish Stewart, on the Sabine River near Newton.

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