August 2009 by Texas Fish & Game

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www.fishgame.com Published by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. TEXAS FISH & GAME is the largest independent, family-owned outdoor publication in America. Owned by Ron and Stephanie Ward and Roy and Ardia Neves.

ROY NEVES PUBLISHER

DON ZAIDLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHESTER

MOORE

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

C O N T R I B U T O R S

TOM BEHRENS • GREG BERLOCHER • PAUL BRADSHAW • HERMAN BRUNE • JOE DOGGETT • CALIXTO GONZALES • KENDAL HEMPHILL • CAPT. MIKE HOLMES • BOB HOOD • STEVE LAMASCUS • PATRICK LEMIRE • LOU MARULLO • JIMMY D. MOORE • TED NUGENT • DOUG PIKE • LENNY RUDOW • WAYNE C. WATSON • MATT WILLIAMS • REAVIS WORTHAM •

TROPHY QUEST COORDINATOR KAYAKING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SALTWATER EDITOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR ASSOC. OFFSHORE EDITOR HUNTING EDITOR FIREARMS EDITOR SALTWATER RIGS EDITOR BOWHUNTING EDITOR NORTH HOTSPOTS EDITOR EDITOR AT LARGE SENIOR OFFSHORE EDITOR BOATING EDITOR LEGAL AFFAIRS EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR HUMOR EDITOR

A D V E R T I S I N G

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DENNISE CHAVEZ NATIONAL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/RECEIVABLES MANAGER TEXAS FISH & GAME (ISSN 0887-4174) is published monthly by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC., 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. ©Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1 year $19.00: 2 years $34.75; 3 years $48.50. Address all subscription inquiries to Texas Fish & Game, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for response. Give old and new address and enclose latest mailing address label when writing about your subscription. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032. Address all subscription inquiries to TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032. Email change of address to: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email new orders to: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email subscription questions to: dhruzek@fishgame.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 77267-9946 and at additional mailing offices.

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FEATURES AUGUST 2009 • Volume XXV • NO.4 NATURAL SELECTIONS

Wildlife management is a tricky balance of science and art. How much of a biomass can a land plot or lake sustain? What sort of size distribution is ideal? Often, the answer lies in harvest of the herd or fishery.

by Calixto Gonzales ON THE COVERS:

DOVES: WHAT’S LEGAL, WHAT’S NOT Eleven species of dove are found in Texas, and only five of them are legal to hunt. The legal birds have distinctive appearances, but when seen in flight, identification becomes trickier, especially for the novice.

by Bob Hood

COASTAL: The majesty and fighting spirit of a Texas silver king is captured in this explosive shot. A breathtaking sight, and a heart-pounding experience combine whenever there is a tarpon on the hook-end of your line.

Photo by Jenni Bennett

COMMUNITY LAKES: ARE THEY WORTH IT?

Texas abounds with small lakes and reservoirs that offer close-to-home fishing opportunities. But are these community fishing lakes really worth a try?

by Barry St. Clair

HUNTING THE EARLY RUT The early-season archery hunter along the Coastal Prairie and eastern part of Texas gets to enjoy heat, humidity, and Cessna-size mosquitos. But for the hunter willing to put up with a little misery, this is probably the best time to score the buck of a lifetime.

by Paul Bradshaw

THE TRUTH ABOUT COUGARS Wildlife “experts” show the range of cougars to extend no farther east than West Texas. But their presence has been detected in East Texas and in fact in all lower 48 states, thanks to the growing proliferation of game cameras.

by Chester Moore, Jr. 4

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INLAND/NORTH: The menacing stare-down from a cougar.

Photo Courtesy of : WIKIMEDIA

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COLUMNS and DEPARTMENTS AUGUST 2009 • Volume XXV • NO.4

COLUMNS 10 Editor’s Notes

59 Texas Saltwater

The Truth Is Out There

Fresh Air

by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

DEPARTMENTS

by CALIXTO GONZALES TF&G Saltwater Editor

16 Chester’s Notes

60 Hunt Texas

The “Jaws” Effect

Midnight Beaver Madness

by CHESTER MOORE TF&G Executive Editor

by BOB HOOD TF&G Hunting Editor

18 Commentary

YOUR LETTERS

TF&G REPORT

BIG BAGS & CATCHES

TRUE GREEN

TROPHY QUEST

61 Texas Freshwater

Gun Rights & Human Rights

Anatomy Of a Lightning Strike

by KENDAL HEMPHILL TF&G Commentator

by MATT WILLIAMS TF&G Freshwater Editor

20 Doggett at Large Seeing Is Fishing

by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

22 TexasWild

Archery Aoudad by TED NUGENT TF&G Editor-at-Large

58 Texas Offshore

62 Open Season

Kings & Leaders

George

by DOUG PIKE TF&G Offshore Editor

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by REAVIS WORTHAM TF&G Humor Editor

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http://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Fish-Game-Magazine/86524948620

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Letters ROLLOVER PASS CLOSURE I now live in Cleburne, Texas, but once spent six weeks a year living in my travel trailer at Rollover Pass. I spent lots of money in the community in the fall to fish for flounder. That was pre-Ike. Closing Rollover will greatly affect the salinity of East Bay, which in turn will affect most of the sea life there. As for the fish, this would be like closing I-45 south of Houston. Wayne Pedigo Via email

UNLEADED VENISON After reading Paul Bradshaw’s article on lead bullets, I feel the need to add one more bear in the bear fight: If the lead from bullets and shotshells is as detrimental to our health as some backdoor anti-gun people claim (if you can’t eat it, why shoot it; if you can’t shoot it, why own a gun?), a considerable number of us would not be here. Our fathers and forefathers killed and ate countless numbers of quail, dove, rabbit, and squirrel, and killed them with lead No. 8 shot. How many lead pellets were ingested and how many died of lead poisoning? Our very existence testifies to the fact that this was not and is

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not as harmful as some would have us believe. Wayne Prince Garrison, TX

BLACK BEAR: CONSERVATION POSTER CHILD I just read your article about the black bears in Texas. I would greatly appreciate receiving one of the black bear posters. I have bowhunted black bears in West Virginia several times, and know how exciting it can be. I have lived in Texas all my life (48 years) and have hunted and fished most of those years. I would be sitting around the campfire at night, listening to my great uncles and dad talk about the black bears that used to be in East Texas. Thanks for such a good article. I will do all I can to help the black bear make a comeback in this great state; I will gladly volunteer my time and effort to this great cause. Kyle Luce Via email

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I read the article about the black bears making the comeback in Texas. How exciting! I would like to receive one of the posters mentioned in the article sidebar if possible. Randall “Poppa Gator” Goode Via email Please send me a black bear poster. We have a hunting lease in Polk County, and live in Livingston. I would like to help spread the word about black bears. Tommy Snook Via email I am writing to request your bear poster. I would like to add that I appreciate your conservation efforts. I am a lifetime six-generation hunter and fisherman raised in Liberty

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County. I have three boys that all enjoy the outdoors. Keep up the good work. Alfred Cade Via email The response to our bear conservation article has been amazing. Scores of readers have requested the poster to distribute, and the Woodlands Chapter of Legacy Outfitters has distributed the posters into key areas of East Texas. I personally distributed 600 Texas Parks & Wildlife Department brochures about black bears along the Sabine River corridor. With the help of our conservation-minded readers, we are making a difference in this important conservation initiative. —Chester Moore, executive editor

why the Second Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights. Most would probably think it had something to do with hunting. Our founding fathers had first-hand knowledge of what a tyrannical government looked like, and understood the tendency of those in power to want to control the liberties of those under them, just like we are seeing today. I believe the right to bear arms means any weaponry consistent with the need for which it is used. The Second Amendment is the mechanism “we the people” have to guaran-

tee the United States does not go the way of WWII Germany, Cambodia, or Vietnam. William McMillon Via email

MORE CHEERS FOR HERMAN Thanks to Texas Fish & Game for a great magazine. I especially enjoy Wilderness Trails by Herman Brune. He has an exceptional gift for telling a good story. Keep up the outstanding work. Jerry Corbin McKinney, TX

CATFISH & CORNBREAD Your article regarding the lakes of Texas and catfish definitely caught my attention. I lived on Lake Corpus Christi/Lake Mathis for about 10 years. We were never without fish in the freezer, and if we wanted it fresh, we just baited the old trotline one evening and ran the next for a mess of fresh ones. We could always invite friends up for a fishing trip and pretty well guarantee that they were going to take home a mess of fish. The sea turkey (cormorant) roosting trees gave up many good stringers. I was surprised that the old lake was not mentioned in the article. Ron Smethers Dickinson, TX

THE SECOND AMENDMENT While in the dentist office I read one of Kendal Hemphill’s excellent columns about the Second Amendment. I would guess 90 percent or better of Americans have no idea T E X A S

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Editor’s Notes by Don Zaidle| TF&G Managing Editor

The Truth Is Out There LSEWHERE IN THIS ISSUE, EXECUTIVE EDITOR Chester Moore addresses an oddly common question about cougars: Are they out there? Moore’s “The Truth about Cougars” addresses this question (yes, they are not only out there, but everywhere) and touches on the fact that most wildlife officials will not acknowledge the existence of wild cougars in their respective jurisdictions. After many years studying cougars, I think I know why: (1) To acknowledge them means you must manage them. (2) Managing them means dealing with an ignorant citizenry educated at the Disney School of Wildlife Behavior. The cuddly image of cougars portrayed by animal zealots obscures another darker truth about cougars: When improperly managed and overprotected, cougars become brazen and deadly to human life. Space does not permit listing just the newspaper headlines of cougar attacks on humans over the past five or so years. A few recent ones include: “Cougar Killed after Mauling Toddler”, “Hiker Knocked Down by Mountain Lion”, “Dog Fights off Cougar Attack against Owner.” In each of these and scores of other cases, the attacks occurred where cougars are protected by law, and killing one punishable by fine or imprisonment. Under the headline, “Boulder County Man Shoots, Kills Mountain Lion”, in a story about a Colorado man shooting a cougar in his yard after it attacked his dog in May 2009, “State wildlife officials said they won’t take action against the man, who declined to be identified, because ‘he felt very threatened’ by the proximity of the mountain lion.” Interestingly, the lion sported a radio collar and tags in each ear. Another Colorado man shot and killed a mountain lion at a distance of 6 feet as it

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stalked him and his wife on a hiking trail. Published reports stated, “...according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife...neither the man nor his wife were injured, and no charges are expected to be filed.” Even though Texas has a sizeable cougar population, attacks on humans are rarest of the rare. That cougars are “non-protected, non-game animals” and subject to hunting, trapping, and general harassment year-round is quite telling. Nonetheless, Texas has hosted a few bite-and-scratch parties over the years. One of the more spectacular occurred in Big Bend National Park, one of the few Texas locales where cougars are protected and thus have no reason to fear humans. On 2 August 1984, eight-year-old David Vaught, his four-year-old brother, Justin, and their mother and stepfather, Kim and Christopher Brown, were on vacation hiking the rugged trails of Big Bend National Park. While Kim and Chris stopped in the trail to ward off a fire ant attack, Justin wandered ahead around a sharp bend with David a few steps behind. When David rounded the bend, he nearly stumbled over his little brother frozen statue-like in the trail. Looking over Justin’s shoulder, David saw why. Scant feet away, a cougar crouched in the shadow of a rocky overhang, its eyes locked on the smaller boy. David sized up the situation and threw himself between the cougar and his brother. Shoving Justin back up the trail, he shouted a warning to his family and started running. He had been playing “The Boy Who Cried Wolf ” all day with his mother, shouting “Snake!” to watch her jump, and she thought he was at it again with “mountain lion!” All thought of jokes dissolved when she saw her son’s terror-stricken face framed by the extended claws and fanged horrormask of the airborne cat descending on the boy’s head. Faster than you can say “intensive care,” the carnivore wrapped David in a clawed death-grip and bit sharply into his skull. Borne down by the predator’s weight, he fell prostrate in the trail and lay still. In an American version of tiger-by-thetail, Chris rushed in and grabbed the puma by the neck with both hands, causing it to F i s h

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quit its victim and turn all attentions fully to him. He rolled to one side, dragging the cat with him. Lying on his back, Chris looked up at the screaming, spitting animal that would probably kill him. All he could think of was holding on so it could not get at David or the rest of his family. The cougar clawed at the man’s arms, squirming for freedom. About to lose his grip, Chris decided to try to disable the animal. Drawing up his right leg, he kicked the lion’s chest as hard as he could. It was one hell of a kick, too, propelling the cat high in the air to land unhurt several feet away in characteristic feline fashion. The man scrambled up and jumped between the furious lion and his family. It became a battle of screams, the cat venting its rage at the man while Chris screeched back in primal epithets. After what seemed like a couple of weeks, the cat finally relented and dashed off into the brush. David, laying face-down in a growing halo of blood, had not moved since the initial attack, but by some miracle he was still alive in spite of being literally scalped from his hairline clear to the back of his skull. The family started back toward their rented cabin, terrified to see the predator shadowing and feinting in the brush alongside the trail. Continuous shouting and rock barrages kept the animal at bay during the mile-long walk. At the hospital, David underwent the first of 13 surgeries to repair damage the cougar inflicted in just a few seconds. It could have been a lot worse; had the cougar been a full-sized adult instead of a 50-pound juvenile lacking the jaw size for one-bite skull-crushing, well, use your imagination. David and his family recall with macabre humor the park ranger who told them the night before the attack, “If you’re real lucky, somewhere off in the distance you might get a brief glimpse of a mountain lion.”

E-mail Don Zaidle at editor@fishgame.com

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TF&G Report

TF&G on Facebook & Twitter T EXAS FISH & GAME HAS ENTERED THE WORLD of social networking via Facebook and Twitter.

For those familiar with these web services, simply search us and sign up to follow our updates. We know some readers are not “connected,” so we put together a brief overview to help you get started. Facebook profiles are web pages that allow internet users to connect

with each other. Users can post photos, write blogs (on-line journals), play games, and interact with people through a variety of functions. By using the Facebook search engine, users can search “Texas Fish & Game“ and choose the “become a fan” option, getting access to get updates on TF&G‘s activities and full access to our Facebook pages of photos, blogs, videos, and regular updates on the magazine’s activities. Users

can also join various networks broken down by region, schools, and other interests, plus use the page to send messages to friends. Signing up for Facebook is easy. If you are at least 13 years old, you must provide a valid e-mail address and answer a few simple questions. Facebook will then lead you to a customizable profile page. Twitter is a more direct and simple site for sending and receiving short messages. Instead of sending out an email to many recipients, you can post one “tweet,” as they are called, and send it to all the friends on your list. Signing up for Twitter is similar to Facebook. TF&G uses Twitter to provide updates

BIG BAGS & CATCHES

RED—ROCKPORT

WHITETAIL—BLANCO, TX

AMBERJACK—FREEPORT

HPD Officer Eric Blankenship landed his largest redfish at 11.5 pounds, 30 inches, and his second largest speckled trout at 6.75 pounds and 26.5 inches. Both were caught in Rockport, Texas, using the same Killer Flats Minnow jig.

Amelia Boettiger, age 10, shot her first whitetail on her family’s ranch northwest of Blanco, Texas. This 5th-generation hunter was guided by her father, John Boettiger, Jr. (pictured), and her grandfather, John Boettiger, Sr.

Eighteen-year-old Keith Bellow of Spring, Texas, shows off a 60-pound amberjack, caught 80 miles out of Freeport, Texas. Keith was fishing with Mike Hutto of Rig Runners Charters out of Freeport.

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TF&G Report about upcoming articles and important issues, as well as giving everyone a glimpse of what we are doing to bring our readers the very best outdoors coverage. An example might be, “Texas Fish & Game will be appearing at Ducks Unlimited State Convention....” Another might be, “New shark regulations go into effect Sept. 1. Make sure and read the August issue to find out how you can avoid getting ticketed for keeping the wrong species.” This is our way of reaching out to readers and letting them in what is happening in the outdoors in real time. It is also our way of saying you are an important part of the TF&G family and we look forward to networking with you in cyberspace and beyond. •••

GPS in Jeopardy? According to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network faces the possibility of failures within the next two years. Mismanagement and underinvestment by the U.S. Air Force places the GPS at risk of failure in 2010 and beyond, due primarily to delays in launching replacement satellites. According to the report: “In recent years, the Air Force has struggled to successfully build GPS satellites within cost and schedule goals [as part of a $2 billion modernization program]. If the Air Force does not meet its schedule goals for development of GPS IIIA satellites, there will be an increased likelihood that in 2010, as old satellites begin to fail, the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required to provide the level of GPS service that the U.S. government commits to. “Such a gap in capability could have wide-ranging impacts on all GPS users,

though there are measures the Air Force and others can take to plan for and minimize these impacts.” The first replacement satellite launch is scheduled for November 2009—three years past the original launch date. A U.S. Air Force spokesman, Col. Dave Buckman, in a forum hosted on Twitter (see previous story, “TF&G on Facebook & Twitter”), said: “The GPS will not go down. There is a potential risk, but GPS isn’t falling out of the sky. We have plans to mitigate risk and prevent a gap in coverage.” Buckman is command lead for position, navigation, and timing at the Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a GPS expert. Industry watchdogs have said consumers should not panic or put off buying new or upgraded GPS devices. “Any GPS outage is likely to develop over a period of years and, the U.S. Air Force ... is under pressure to speed modernization efforts,” said technology writer David Coursey in a PC World article. “Speeding the launch schedule is one solution to the problem, but the fact exists that GPS can operate with fewer than 24 satellites, though with potentially reduced precision. It could also take longer for GPS devices to compute a location fix if the number of operational satellites decreases. “Nevertheless, two things are working in GPS’s favor: One is its popularity with consumers. Second is its role in national security, making it imperative that a solution be found and raising the political pressure for doing so. “My guess is the government will find a way to fly GPS satellites more quickly and that enough will remain operational to make any degradation of service difficult for civilian users to detect.” —Don Zaidle

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Chester’s Notes by Chester Moore, Jr. | TF&G Executive Editor

The “Jaws” Effect EFORE 1975, THE WORD “JAWS” HELD little significance in society, but after Steven Spielberg released his cinematic rendition of Peter Benchley’s novel of that name, things changed. “Jaws” became synonymous with the awesome great white shark and fear of the unknown lurking below the surface. My father said after seeing the film, he and his fishing buddies went from wading out to the second sandbar at McFaddin Beach to venturing no farther than their knees. Over the years, I have spoken with many who said their view of the ocean changed after “Jaws” and sharks became omnipresent in their psyche any time they ventured near the coast. While “Jaws” repelled most from the water, it drew me to it. I distinctly remember watching it as an ABC “Movie of the Week” and being completely blown away. As an eight-year-old, I wanted to be a cross between Robert Shaw’s portrayal of “Captain Quint” and real-life ocean explorer extraordinaire Jacques Cousteau. My family vacationed in Galveston one summer in the mid 1980s, and every night we went down to one of the piers to fish. I was happy to catch sand trout, hardhead, and croaker, but I really wanted to catch a shark. I will never forget looking out over a moonlit, dead calm Gulf from the 61st Street Pier. I stood in awe of the ocean and wondered what amazing creatures were waiting for me out there just past the pier. I was probably the only person in the history of Galveston beach tourism who actually wanted to see a great white in the surf. And, no, my parents did not drop me on my head.

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This “Jaws” effect led me to do some wild and semi crazy things involving sharks over the years. There was the time my friend, Bill Killian, and I decided we wanted to catch a really big bull shark. So, in his 16-foot Skeeter bass boat, we ventured eight miles offshore, set out two big rods baited with giant chunks of jack crevalle, and started chumming—and I mean chumming; between the menhaden oil, beef blood, and smashed pogy, we had an oil slick to rival the Exxon Valdez incident. The Gulf was smooth that day, so I figured I would break out the binoculars and glass for signs of visitors in our chum line. About a quarter-mile away, I saw a couple of fins pop out of the water and then a few more, and eventually a whole bunch more. Within a few minutes, we were both battling sharks, and at one point had around 50 visible around the boat—the 16-foot Skeeter boat. We never did catch a big bull that day, but had a blast with the spinners and blacktips. On the way back, I asked Bill if he thought it was smart of us to attempt to catch a big shark in his small boat. “It’s fun isn’t it?” he replied. Point taken. In July 2000, I got to fish the Chandeleur Islands off the coast of Biloxi, Mississippi. People go there for the amazing speckled trout and redfish action, but I was much more enthralled by the number of sharks. I had fished there twice previously, and each time had close encounters of the toothy kind. My host on this trip, television host Keith Warren, and I specifically targeted sharks one afternoon. Big blacktips were schooling on a flat in 18-24 inches of water, and we were literally sight-casting to them with trout tackle. While watching the madness unfolding in front of me, I thanked God for the amazing opportunities He had given me, and for my passion for these supreme predators. The culmination of my “Jaws”-inspired F i s h

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dreams came in September 2002 when I got to cage dive with great whites off the California Pacific Coast. When the first shark appeared that day (a 16-footer—the size of that Skeeter boat), our eyes met just for a second. The shark’s orbs were coal black and sullen, while my baby blues were undoubtedly wide-open and showing signs of adrenaline overdose. Looking back, I see not only that amazing predator, but also a little boy from a middle class background whose dream came true the moment he saw the shark and the shark saw him. Some people live, others dream, and a few actively pursue their dreams. I hope you are one of the latter and get to see your lifelong ambitions come true as I have. We are all born with a destiny, a purpose, and deeply imbedded dreams that we believe will come true—until someone in the course of our young lives comes along and tells us differently. Then doubt enters and consumes the dream. If your little boy or girl has big dreams of being an ocean explorer, astronaut, or maybe even an outdoor writer, build them up and let their spirits soar. It might seem silly that a movie like “Jaws” would inspire a youngster so much, but it happens. I remember sitting down with special makeup effects guru Gregory Nicotero (“Transformers,” “The Hills Have Eyes,” “The Chronicles of Narnia”) and listening to him passionately explain how that movie motivated him to work hard and venture into the movie business; two men who took totally different career paths inspired by the same film, and living their childhood dreams. Now, if I could just see that great white in the Texas surf, I would be really happy. Maybe my parents did drop me on my head.

(To contact Chester Moore, e-mail him at cmoore@fishgame.com. You can hear him on the radio Fridays from 6-7 p.m. on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI or online at www.klvi.com.)

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Commentary by Kendal Hemphill | TF&G Commentator

Gun Rights & Human Rights N ARIZONA WOMAN WAS RECENTLY brought before a grand jury on a manslaughter charge for shooting a man in the back six times. A mugger had grabbed her purse and tried to run off with it. When the criminal grabbed, the woman had her hand on her gun inside the purse, and she was left holding the revolver as the thief began his escape. When asked by the court why she shot the man in the back six times, she replied, “Because when I pulled the trigger the seventh time it only went ‘click’.” The question here is why this woman was arrested to begin with. She acted in selfdefense against a criminal in the act of stealing her personal property. In any kind of society that holds human rights sacred, this woman should have received, at the very least, a commendation from the city government. Instead, she was forced to defend her actions to a group of people who were not present during the event, and might never have known the fear and panic that grips most law-abiding citizens when faced with violent crime. The reason this woman had to justify herself is that we do not live in a society that holds human rights sacred. This fact is demonstrated at the highest levels of our government on an almost daily basis. During the past several months, more anti-gun legislation has been proposed than during the previous 200 years—and anti-gun is antihuman rights according to the Constitution. Sometime during late 2008 or early

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2009, the U.S. Department of Defense determined that government sales of oncefired brass to American civilian ammunition manufacturers was a bad idea, in that the brass was “sensitive munitions.” A good many small ammo businesses have been buying once-fired brass from the military for years, reloading it, and selling it to police departments and civilian dealers at a fraction of the cost of new ammo. It kept the price of firearms practice for police officers at a manageable level, allowing higher proficiency for those who are supposed to protect us, and allowed weekend plinkers and competition shooters alike an affordable alternative. The DOD decreed the brass was to be henceforth shredded and sold as scrap. China buys quite a lot of scrap metal from America, and sells quite a lot of ammo to buyers all over the world. Thus, it was conceivable that our military’s spent ammo casings could have wound up being used against our own soldiers sometime in the future. Two Montana Senators intervened, and the DOD relented, but the fact that our government considered such a move is telling. On 6 January, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) introduced the Blair-Holt Firearms Licensing and Record of Sale Act (HR 45). The bill would have required the creation of a national firearms registry, and a federal license for ownership of any handgun or semi-automatic rifle capable of accepting a removable magazine. Rush, a former Black Panther gang member, spent six months in prison in 1969 after being convicted on illegal weapons possession. The bill never had a serious chance of passing, but the fact that it was introduced at all reveals the goal of the anti crowd. Rumors, of course, abound on the internet. One of these, which I have not yet been able to confirm, says that our military has started requiring serving servicemen and women to fill out a form listing all their personally owned firearms by type, model, caliber, and serial number; whether they are F i s h

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registered; and where they are located. Members are also supposedly required to reveal whether they possess any concealed carry permits. If true, it seems our government does not even trust itself. The most ludicrous claim of late by the antis is that 90 percent of the guns used by Mexican drug dealers come from the United States. Those who attempt to promote this lie never provide any proof, because none exists. In fact, anyone with half a brain (which leaves out much of congress) could not help but find such a claim ridiculous. For one thing, Mexican drug dealers mostly use fully automatic weapons, which are so strictly controlled in America that possession of such firearms requires a federal permit and a complete background check, including a colonoscopy. Well, maybe not that extreme, but you get the idea. If automatic firearms are crossing our southern border (and a very few surely are) they are already illegal, in which case prohibitions are already in place. Passing new firearms laws will not make any difference. Nevertheless, our president, during a trip to Central America in April, signed an international treaty to stop this illegal and mostly mythical gun trade. The treaty is officially called the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CIFTA) Treaty. The initials do not make any more sense than the treaty. The most outlandish aspect of this affair is that our government intends to revoke our constitutional freedoms on the basis of some strange belief that the actions of Mexican drug cartels are somehow our fault. America: land of the formerly free and home of the perpetually guilty.

E-mail Kendal Hemphill at commentary@fishgame.com

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Doggett at Large by Joe Doggett | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Seeing Is Fishing IGHT-CASTING TO SHALLOW FISH IS A COMmon—and thrilling—denominator across warm-water tides. Fortunately, this specialized and demanding drill is available in the bays and backwaters along our own Texas coast. Regardless of tackle or technique, region or species, all serious “skinny water” anglers respect one rule: maximize the sun. The overhead light penetrates the clear shallows and illuminates the water, vastly improving the elevated angler’s ability to spot sub-surface targets (if not cruising fish, perhaps potholes or similar bottom formations likely to hold fish). This advantage of sighting an unaware fish in advance of a long cast can be huge—the difference between a rushing strike and a boiling panic. Conversely, the lights literally go out when heavy clouds block the high sun. It’s like, What happened? The abrupt difference is dramatic and extremely depressing. Sun management can be the key to success. Conversely, failure to follow the sun’s potential can severely downgrade potential. No other type of fishing is so dependent on bright sunlight, and the beginner who fails to understand this critical factor is in for some frustrating sight-casting sessions. Obviously, a clear and cloudless dawn offers the best potential, but, equally obvious, the best time to go fishing is when you have the chance. A blue sky never can be guaranteed against a fixed schedule. Most likely, the day will be a mix of bright sun and intermittent clouds. The savvy sightcaster strives to maximize the sun by being in productive water as much as possible during the periods of superior visibility. And, of course, no-nonsense polarized sunglasses are

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mandatory. Most shallow-water anglers prefer high-contrast shades of amber or yellow. Vermillion is another effective choice, less harsh than snappy yellow. The main objective is to claim the best flat or shoreline as soon as favorable lighting allows, tidal phase permitting. If Flat A holds the most potential, don’t forfeit sight-casting opportunities by arriving too early and bumbling over fish before the sun is high enough to sparkle the bottom. Utilize the first hour or two by blind casting over a nearby channel or deeper flat, then ease into position. If competition from other boats is a real threat, arrive early to the choice spot and “hang out” until visibility improves. Prime lighting usually occurs between about 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The angle is high enough to penetrate the water and you can wade, drift, or pole with the onshore summer Gulf wind. The same timetable applies across most of the tropics, where the prevailing trades usually blow from the east or southeast. Regardless of region, this approach keeps both sun and wind at your back—a great advantage for sighting fish and making casts. A prolonged day under marginal visibility might be saved by a burst of late sun; however, be advised that after mid-afternoon, the wind and sun often are at odds. The prime late-afternoon window for spotting fish is into the gusting wind—and the velocity almost always increases during the heat of summer. Stringing surface grass can be a problem along the middle and lower coast. This is a sketchy situation, but at least you can see. The salty angler can minimize the grass by seeking out clean sand or a leeward shoreline. The plugger working into the wind can re-rig with a lure with superior ballistics such as an elongated dog-walker, something you can chunk smartly into the gusts. The fly caster in command of a vicious double-haul can switch to a trim, low profile fly with minimal air resistance. The fly caster without a vicious double haul might consider retiring to the barn—or at least the dock. If during a so-so session a wad of clouds moves in, give some thought to using the “down time” to relocate to new water. SightF i s h

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casting potential has suffered a temporary setback, so make the most of the blown lighting. This is a judgment call, and much depends on the extent of the cloud cover and how fast the weather is moving. Running from a persistent bank of clouds might put you under sunny sky within a few miles. This is assuming you don’t hit an oyster reef en route. Pay attention to charts on shallow bays and don’t let the sky always dictate the course. The sight-casting session has suffered a major setback when gray ceiling wipes out all hope of bright sun. Sub-surface visibility is reduced from “way over there” to scant yards. The key here is to stand tall and remain vigilant, knowing that if a shot appears it almost certainly will be within a boat length of the poised rod. The plugger should prepare for a short but fast presentation—an under-hand pitch or a side-arm cast. The conventional over-hand lob probably won’t cut it...not enough distance to properly load the arcing cast. A limber rod tip can be an ally in loading a short cast and finessing a quiet delivery with the typical 1/4- to 1/2-ounce plug-casting payload. The fly-rodder might consider “over-lining” one size, maybe two, to turn over a closequarters loop. Forget about the flats videos; this is no place for the sizzling 90-foot tight loop that looks so racy on magazine covers. A quick roll cast or side-arm flip might be all you get before the point-blank redfish disappears in a cloud of sand. If the lighting is truly lousy, you have one sight-casting card remaining. Forget the normal knee- to thigh-deep water and press into ankle- to shin-deep shallows. Here, you can scout the surface for movement; the faint wakes of cruising fish or—Yes!—a pod of saucy tails fanning in the breeze. When those bold pennants appear, there is no finer fishing on the coast. E-mail Joe Doggett at doggett@fishgame.com

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Ted Nugent’s TexasWild by Ted Nugent | TF&G Editor-at-Large

Archery Aoudad AY 23: HOT, STILL, QUIET, MUGGY, BUGGY, and ripe with optimism. As diehard, gung-ho bowhunters know, certainly an intense predator stealth, optimal alertness, crafty, experienced woodsmanship, an intimate knowledge and understanding of nature, wildlife habits, habitat, wind, barometric fluctuations, terrain, camouflage, shadows and light, pinpoint archery accuracy, and tenacious persistence all working together are essential for backstrap dreams to come true. But even with all these cylinders pulsating in unison to the max, none will bring home the bacon without the most critical bowhunting attribute of all—patience. Good old fashioned, never-give-up, never-say-never animal sticktoitiveness (yes, that is a word, starting now, no matter what Zaidle says). My home ground SpiritWild Ranch is a lovely piece of God’s country along the mighty North Bosque River in McLennan County, Texas. At a mere 300 acres, by Texas standards it barely qualifies as a ranch. But, its extremely diverse terrain makes it feel like 3000 acres, and as soon as you try to bowhunt the ultra educated critters here, you will never know what real fair chase hunting is: For the well populated herds of whitetail, fallow, axis, and sika deer; African scimitarhorned oryx; Indian blackbuck antelope; and African Barbary sheep virtually disappear amongst the impenetrable ash juniper thickets; live oak, pecan, cedar elm, and red cedar forests. Dense clusters of prickly pear cactus, Spanish daggers, green briar, blackbrush, elbow brush, gobs of various vines and ivy, and pucker brush galore literally devour wildlife like the thickest jungles found anywhere on earth. I love that part. Tall, heavy grasses flourish in this rich river bottom country, and combined with huge hayfields and numerous strips of nutritious food plots here, there, and everywhere, what we 22

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have is a wildlife paradise that enables game to thrive and survive—and hide from ravenous guitar players with an addiction to gut piles, blood trails, and backstraps. Believe me, this 300-acre fenced ground is many times more difficult to bowhunt than any open farm grounds and forests I’ve hunted in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, South Dakota, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Canada, and elsewhere. It is a bowhunter’s dream for sure, because the game and topography make it so incredibly challenging. But, man, is it ever frustrating most of the time. I gauge my annual hunting seasons based on 1 April through 1 April. As this usually indicates the beginning of turkey season, I begin anew my annual hunting journal documenting my time afield, observations, and kills. I always figured that with healthy breeding populations of these amazing game animals and my good fortune to literally hunt year-round, I expected to be able to maintain an adequate harvest in order to keep my animals and habitat in balance by strictly bowhunting. I was wrong. The critters are just too smart—or maybe I’m just too dumb. Axis deer, blackbuck, aoudad, and oryx breed throughout the year, and they are so wary that I have been forced to whip out the mighty .270 sniper rifle in order to keep the beasts from eating themselves out of house F i s h

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and home. And I do love my scoped rifle “getting even” gun hunting. A steady crosshair and disciplined trigger squeeze turn me on more now than ever, and it helps break the frustrating monotony of long vigils, day after day, week after week, waiting patiently in my bow stands. It feels good to reach out and touch things. Backstraps are backstraps, and they are, after all, my life. Ya can’t grill ‘em till ya kill ‘em, baby! Swatting the nonstop buzz of pesky mosquitoes in the springtime Texas heat forced me to fire up my ThermaCell insect repeller before I went nuts. Five fat fox squirrels were feasting on the corn and soybeans from the feeder that had gone off at 5 p.m., just as it had the last 23 days in a row. The same trio of whitetails came and went, two bulky fallow spikes nibbled around, and, as usual, the crows were raising a fuss in and out of the forest around me. I was truly enjoying myself, as I always do, target animals present or not. Nonetheless, I was approaching the point of being perturbed after more than three weeks of not getting a shot at anything on my own, well-stocked game ranch. What else can a guy do? Where, oh where, are all the animals? I had the pleasure of bowhunting the amazing Kenedy Ranch in South Texas recently, and was surrounded by shootable target animals every day, every setup, and

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there were no fences containing game at all. Based on the inescapable data from my journals, no-fence bowhunting is far easier than high-fence bowhunting. Go figure. Fair chase my ass. Little beads of sweat gathered on my brow, and I made it a point to slowly, carefully brush them away without disturbing the little fallow deer meandering off across the creek bed. One never knows what lurks in the shadows, and it is a good thing I did not lose my patience, because I no sooner lowered my hand than I picked up movement far right in my peripheral vision. Light, rusty brown hide told me immediately that the No. 1 elusive critter was arriving—aoudad! And here they come. During my last 139 days of hunting SpiritWild Ranch, this would be my first eyeball contact with this majestic African mountain sheep, even though we had more than a dozen aoudad on the property. They were wired, and so was I. Each sheep would step, then stop, look all around, often back up a step or two, re-examine their surroundings, then cautiously step again. With ultra care, I slowly leveled my vidcam on the huge chapped ram of the group, and readied my bow for the heart-slamming moment of truth. I dared not move a twitch while their heads were up, for aoudad are living radars and will see, hear, smell, or “sense” everything every time. There were now 10 high-strung beasts before me—20 scanning eyeballs, sniffing nostrils, and radaring ears. Finally, the boss ram stretched its foreleg ahead, and I kissed my release at full draw. Thump! Aim small, miss small, baby! And that’s all she wrote as my white feathers sank into the golden triangle straight through the pump station of the regal, giant-horned African monster. I fumbled the vidcam, trying desperately to focus on the amazing dance of death as the old ram reared up on its hind legs with a hearty “Hi-ho, Silver!” and crashed to Earth stone-cold dead in under five seconds. Wow! Dear, Lord! I love bowhunting! There is no doubt that the climactic exhilaration of a beautiful arrow is directly proportionate to the depth of investment before the kill, and accordingly I was pumped to the max. The ram was stunning. At over 250 pounds, gorgeous light brown chaps extending down its front legs and 30-inch sweeping horns created a beastly magnificence rarely matched in the wild kingdom. My razor sharp Magnus BuzzCut had sliced clean through

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the hard chest, cut through the heart, and exited the far armpit for an instantaneous death. I could not have been happier. With aoudad populations literally out of control in West Texas and on many game ranches elsewhere in Texas, now is the time to experience this thrilling hunt of a lifetime. These animals are smart, cautious, and incredibly elusive, so do your homework, practice hard, and turn up the predator heat if you want to get to full draw on the mighty

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sheep of Northern Africa. There are more now in Texas than in the rest of the world combined, so have at it. And don’t give up. To book an aoudad hunt with Ted Nugent on SpiritWild Ranch, visit tednugent.com or call Sunrize Safaris at 800-343-4868. E-mail Ted Nugent at bowhunting@fishgame.com

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Hunting will not survive the bombardment of environmentalists and naturalists unless each hunter educates himself in biologically sound land and game management. —Jim Slinsky

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by Cal ixto G onzale s PHOTO BY GRADY ALLEN

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Keeping and eating speckled trout is better for the fishery than hardcore catch-and-release.

andowners, wildlife biologists, and fisheries biologists are keenly aware that successful hunting and fishing isn’t simply a case of making sure that the lease is full of deer or the lake full of bass. The quality of the herd and fishery is equally important, perhaps more. What good is heading to the lease on a cold December morning if all the bucks are the size of Labrador retrievers, or run across the lake to your favorite honey hole only to catch one 12-inch bass after another? Wildlife management is a tricky balance of science and art. How much of a biomass can the land plot or lake sustain? What sort of size distribution is ideal? How is that balance achieved? In many cases, the answer lies in selective harvest of the herd or fishery. “Game management is an investment in potential,” said landowner and television show host Keith Warren. “You’re always looking for a return on your investment of time and money.”

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Charles Hury, who helps manage a 100,000-acre South Texas land parcel. “Are you managing for meat or for mounts? That decision is going to dictate how you manage your land.” Warren said all animals on a landowner’s parcel have value, some more than others. An owner must make the decision of which animals have enough value to benefit from the limited resources his land provides, as well as the supplements he might add. The key is having scientific data to work with. “Value [of the deer herd] goes up by reducing the number of inferior animals [through selective harvest],” said Warren. “It’s real important that you know what you have on your land. You need to do your research and have hard scientific data that records not just the overall quality of the herd, but the breakdown of the herd. What are the best animals, what is the potential? Then you can decide which animals need to be harvested.” Hunters are encouraged to harvest “management bucks,” as “genetically inferior” deer are called. The theory is that the remaining bucks will pass along superior genetic traits to future generations. “Any three-year-old buck on my land that has less than eight points on the mainframe is going to get shot,” said Warren, “They just don’t have the genetics I’m looking for.”

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Copper-Jacketed Birth Control Game management through harvest, in its most basic form, is population control. “Some animals don’t have any natural predators,” said Hury. “A fully grown nilgai, for example, is too big for a coyote or a bobcat. Even their calves are the size of a full grown South Texas deer.” Add to the lack of natural enemies the fact that nilgai cows give birth to two calves, and it doesn’t take long for a herd to overwhelm a parcel’s natural resources. “A lot of those [animal rights activists] don’t realize that shooting a few animals prevents a whole lot of them from starving,” said Hury. “The land I’m on, for example, has about 3000 Nilgai on it. With the cows dropping two calves each, you have to take about 2000 a year just to keep the herd in check. Now, that sounds like a lot of nilgai, but that’s how many the hunters have to shoot.” The wild pig is another Texas animal best be kept in check through hunting. Porcine numbers have exploded in Texas and cause a great deal of damage to food plots, fence lines, and turkey and quail numbers by destroying habitat and eating eggs and young. “Those pigs can tear up the land,” said Hury. “They really don’t have any natural

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predators when they’re grown, so you’ve got to control the population. Hunting is the best way to do that.” A major impediment to good management in some areas is the outdated notion that harvesting does is bad for the herd. That might have been true—in the early half of the last century—but under modern conservation practices, does are overpopulated in some areas and need thinning to balance the herd against the carrying capacity of the habitat. Such balance helps ensure available resources are distributed among the herd to ensure good health and growth potential. Killing and eating does is a good thing, notwithstanding superstitious beliefs to the contrary.

Catch and Hot Grease Boxing a limit of largemouth bass is anathema to most dedicated anglers. Nary a bass in some of the most popular destinations loses a moment’s sleep over concerns about landing in a pan of sizzling bacon fat. Harvesting a few bass, however, is actually beneficial to a fishery.

“One of our important fisheries management tools is regulated harvest,” said Texas Parks & Wildlife Department fisheries biologist Mukhtar Farooqi. “Harvesting certain members of a bass fishery can be very helpful in both restructuring a population of fish, or controlling a population. In some cases, it might be the only effective tool. “A lake may have a bottleneck in the bass population. A large number of fish may be the same length. By thinning the number of smaller fish, the remaining bass will grow faster.” Farooqi said lakes, much like land, have resources (food and suitable habitat) that are limited by such factors as fertility and size. Much like game management, selective harvest can allow the most effective utilization of available habitat and forage. The biggest issue with selective harvest, however, is convincing bass fishermen that keeping a few fish for the skillet is not a bad thing. “The catch-and-release ethic can be so strong that it can undermine the harvest regulations,” said Farooqi.

Fishermen just don’t want to keep bass. The same notion afflicts some saltwater anglers regarding speckled trout and redfish, but the same conservation principles apply. Achieving balance through regulation-permitted harvest is better than hardcore catchand-release of all specimens. Remember: Bag and size regulations are designed for the benefit of the fishery, but they work only when followed—including keeping smaller legal-size or slot fish for the table. Many species, both finned and furred, benefit from some form of selective harvest. Whether too improve the value of individual animals, the general quality of the herd or fishery, or to simply practice population control, taking a few animals or fish can be beneficial in the long term. In the end it, boils down to what you want to accomplish.

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ne bird in the hand might be worth more than two in a bush, but just make sure it isn’t a r u d d y quail-dove (10) or any of the other six protected species of dove found in Texas. Never heard of a ruddy-quail dove? That’s not surprising since the mediumsized bird native to Mexico, and Central and South America has been seen only a few times in South and West Texas. Nevertheless, the fact that the bird exists here is even more reason for dove hunters to identify their targets before pulling the trigger. Eleven species of dove are found in Texas, and only five of them are legal to hunt. The “legal” list includes mourning dove, white-winged dove, white-tipped dove, rock dove (common pigeon), and Eurasian

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collared dove. The “don’t-shoot” list includes Inca dove, common ground dove, ruddy ground dove, red-billed pigeon, bandtailed pigeon, and ruddy quail-dove. Most hunters are not likely to see a ruddy quail-dove, but if they do, the bird is most easily identified by its reddish-brown back, red legs and feet, black-tipped bill, and white streaks under its eyes. Like those on the “don’t shoot” list, the species of dove that may legally taken have appearances that are distinctive from one another but when in flight and seen by a novice hunter or anyone else who doesn’t identify their target, the bird that is dropped from the sky could be a protected bird. Mourning dove (2) are most easily identified by their long, pointed tail. White-winged dove (9), whose tails are “squared off ” at the end, have a white patch of feathers on their wings and a slower flight pattern than the slightly smaller mourning dove. Whitewings favor large trees for roosting and nesting and are most abundant in small towns and cities. Fortunately for hunters, city whitewings often fly out to

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surrounding grain fields to feed. White-tipped dove (6) are found mainly in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and favor low brushy areas with open ground underneath, where they forage on seeds and insects. They are about the same size as a white-winged dove, and their tail feathers are tipped in white. The aggregate daily bag limits for dove have included a maximum of two white-tipped dove for several years, and likely will remain that way for the foreseeable future. Eurasian collared dove (1) and rock dove are not protected by law and may be taken year-round with no bag limits. The Eurasian collared dove is not a migratory bird. It originated in southeastern Europe and Japan, was introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s, and was found in Florida in 1982. The collared dove now has been found as far west as California and as far north as British Columbia. It is larger than a white-winged dove and has a black band on the back of its neck. It seems to favor clusters of buildings such as small towns and crossroads communities in the country.

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Rock dove (5), also called feral pigeon or common pigeon, favor small country community habitats, where it nests in rock crevices and beneath bridges. One South Texas outfitter hunts them like geese, laying out a decoy spread and hunting from layout blinds or in hay bales as warm-up hunts for the regular dove season. Of the six protected dove, the Inca dove and ground dove are the most common. Identifying one from another can be confusing to some folks. That’s probably because both are much smaller than the mourning dove, fly close to the ground, and bob their heads rapidly as they walk. The Inca dove (7) is about half the size of a mourning dove and has an overall scaly appearance, and a long tail with white margins. The Inca adapts readily to urban settings such as city parks and had just as soon eat livestock and poultry seeds as eating weed seeds in pastures. It typically has a triple syllable call whereas the ground dove’s call typically is single or double syllable. The common ground dove (4) is slightly smaller than the Inca, weighing a lit-

tle more than an ounce (about the size of a sparrow). It has a chunky body and round tail that often is elevated as it walks. The common ground dove has a scaly appearance, whereas the ruddy ground dove (8) does not. The red-billed pigeon (11), whose only nesting grounds in the U.S. are in the Rio Grande Valley, is best distinguished by its reddish bill. However, it often flies faster and higher than most other dove except when with flights of whitewings. Band-tailed pigeon (3) are found mainly in far West Texas mountain ranges at high elevations. That, along with the bands on their tails and yellow feet and legs, help it from being mistaken for a common pigeon. Identifying one species of dove from another is just part of a hunter’s responsibility toward having a safe and legal dove hunt. Other considerations that should be at the forefront of each dove hunter’s mind includes purchasing a hunting license and a migratory bird stamp endorsement, and obtaining HIP (Harvest Information Program) certification, which can be

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obtained free of charge while purchasing a hunting license. Laws against hunting over a baited area continue to confuse some people. One of the main offenses many hunters make without knowing it is to hunt dove near a game feeder such as one for deer or turkey. It is against the law. If corn or other grain is on the ground near where you are hunting dove, you are in violation of hunting over a baited area. Once the grain has been removed, the area remains off-limits for dove hunting for 10 days. Also, if you decide to include an early teal hunt in September with your dove hunting, make sure you do not have any lead shotshell on your person or among your gear while hunting teal. Lead shot is legal for hunting dove but non-toxic shot is required for hunting teal. Whether you hunt alone, with a friend, family, or groups of friends, know the laws, obey them and you should have a great hunt whether you limit out or not.

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LURE PRODUCT SHOTS COURTESY OF BASS PRO SHOPS FISHING PHOTO COURTESY OF TPWD

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ne of my favorite pastimes is dreaming about fishing exotic locations far away from where I live. Most of this can be directly attributed to being an avid reader of outdoor literature and having a very childlike (according to my wife) imagination. Authors who get to travel to the Amazon River in South America or Great Bear Lake in Canada’s Northwest Territories are lucky rascals. Their stories are replete with vivid encounters with the flora, fauna, and people that inhabit these remote corners of the globe. I want to go with them. I read “me” into those stories and I see “me” catching those fish. I know that is the intent of the editors and the advertisers in those magazines, and it works. I want to fish the “big” places in the world far from home. Along with the pleasant contemplation of being in an exotic location, viewing pristine scenery, and catching giant fish, comes the reality that having those kinds of adventures are fantasy and beyond the reach of most of us. We all have to prioritize our lives and that means tending to families, jobs, and the small day to day chores that make up about 99.99 percent of our allotted time. For those of us that have a tendency to include fishing in that list of priorities, we are left with a simple choice: fish close to home. My first memorable fishing excursion was at the ripe old age of four. It occurred at a small community fishing pond. My family was doing a typical Sunday after-church picnic lunch in our local park. I might have had fishing tendencies at an early age, but more than likely my parents wanted to find something to keep me occupied while they relaxed with extended family. I was given a small can of earthworms and a well-used fishing outfit, and then led to the pond. My uncle provided a 5-gallon plastic bucket and instructions to fill it up with bluegill. I spent the rest of the afternoon happily complying with his instructions. After that experience, I became a small-water fisherman. I suppose many of us got started in the fishing business that way—a family member taking us to a small body of water full of fish 34

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PHOTO COURTESY OF TPWD

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Carson Otte is all smiles after catching this “whopper” bass in a community fishing lake. close to home. Many years have passed since those days, yet I am constantly on the lookout for small fisheries “not too far from the house.” Good locations nearby tend to be closely guarded secrets because they are usually small spots that a lot of fishing pressure can ruin. But Texas has a large advantage: Just about anywhere, be it a little city or a large one, there are small public reservoirs full of fishes. They are called “community lakes” and allow us to fish close to home. Let’s look at one as an example of how good the fishing can be on community lakes. F i s h

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Mill Creek Reservoir is located in the city limits of Canton, Texas, in Van Zandt County, about an hour’s drive east from Dallas. This 237-acre lake is noted for producing catches of trophy-sized largemouth bass (the lake record is over 14 pounds). The lake regularly produces quality-sized bass for anglers who fish it. Early spring is the most productive time of year to fish for bass. The fish move shallow to spawn along the shorelines, allowing anglers a better opportunity to sight-fish for them on spawning nests. Soft-plastic crea-

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ture baits and jigs account for a majority of the large bass caught from this lake. Mill Creek is not well known except among local anglers and is a sleeper for producing trophy-sized largemouth bass. In 2005 and 2007, TPWD stocked the lake with 11,000 fingerling bass spawned from ShareLunker bass that weighed more than 13 pounds. The lake is also a popular site among crappie anglers, and abundant sunfishes attract fly-fishermen. Mill Creek is located just southeast of Canton off SH 243 between SH 19 and SH 64. Travel east on SH 243 and turn right on Arnold Paul Road. Follow the road to the ramp. A boat launch permit is required by the city of Canton. There is one single-lane concrete boat ramp. The parking lot will hold a maximum of 50 vehicles. A courtesy dock and two fishing piers are available for shore anglers. Contact: City of Canton, 903-567-2826; TPWD District Office, 903-593-5077; Canton Chamber of Commerce, 903-5672991 for more information. There are many other examples of small

yet productive lakes located within city limits. The best bet for finding them and learning about the resident fish population is to contact the district TPWD fisheries biologist for the area of interest. Another possibility is to fish community lakes that are part of the TPWD Neighborhood Fishing Program. There are currently 13 lakes located in cities across the state stocked on a regular basis with channel catfish in the warm months, and rainbow trout in the winter. This program provides excellent opportunities to get children involved in fishing, because the odds are very good of catching something. These lakes are also good places to poke around a little with an ultralight spinning outfit or a fly rod. The lakes listed below are part of the Neighborhood Fishing Program: • Amarillo, Lake Medical Center South, Charlie Munger, 806-655-4341 • Austin, Bullfrog Pond, Marcos De Jesus, 512-353-0072 • College Station, Central Park Pond No. 1, Jeff Henson, 979-822-5067

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• Dallas-Fort Worth, Lakeside Park, Greenbriar Park, Chisholm Park, Bob Jones Park, Rafe Brock, 817-732-0761 • Houston, Tom Bass Recreation Center, Mary Jo Peckham Park, Jeff Henson, 979-822-5067 • San Angelo, Oakes Street Lake, Mandy Scott, 325-651-5556 • San Antonio, Miller’s Pond Randy Myers, 210-348-6455 • Waco, Buena Vista Park, John Provine, 254-666-5190 • Wichita Falls, Plum Lake, Mark Howell, 944-766-2383 Community lakes are worth exploring if for no other reason than they are “not too far from the house” and allow us a little sneak out to a fishing hole without much effort, time, or expense. There is a saying that time spent fishing is not deducted from our lives. If true, that is reason enough to wet a line as often as possible—and I know a few people who just might live forever.

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by Paul Bradshaw

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HUNTER SILHOUETTE BY PAUL BRADSHAW & DEER SILHOUETTE BY RUSSELL GRAVES

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THE CROSSBOW OPTION he hum of mosquitoes is almost deafening as what seems like a few thousand of the winged beasts buzz around my headnet. Somehow, one of the little vampires has found a way inside and is now planted firmly on my cheek, but it is impossible to swat it without alerting the three small bucks feeding just 15 yards away. Such is the life of an early-season archery hunter along the Coastal Prairie and eastern part of the state. It is hot, humid, and Cessna-size mosquitoes abound, but for the hunter willing to put up with a little bit of misery, this is probably the best time to score on the buck of a lifetime. The dominant topic of in East Texas deer-hunting conversation is the concentration of hunters and scarcity of big bucks. If you start hunting only after the first Saturday in November, this might be a fair topic; but you are also missing out on a transition period in a buck’s life that leaves it vulnerable to someone with a stick and string. If you understand this transition and plan hunting techniques accordingly, you might be tagged out before November even gets started. To understand the techniques for hunting 38

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see more than one buck at a time. Heck, sometimes it’s unusual to see a buck at all. There were many years when I was solely a rifle hunter that seeing a buck was cause for celebration. In early archery season, there is a good - a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds (150 or more recomchance that if you see one buck, mended) you will see a few more right - a mechanical safety behind it. In late September and - a stock not less than 25 inches in length early October, the bucks are still in a summer feeding pattern, where Also note that archery equipment of any kind may not be used the main goal is to fill their bellies, to hunt migratory game birds. not locate does. So, a few extra Most major sporting goods retailers carry several quality sets of ungulate eyes and ears crossbow lines. around to detect predators is beneficial. Preseason scouting pays huge dividends in the sweaty early days of the season. Bucks are creatures of habit until the girls get involved. • Academy Sports & Outdoors, www.academy.com They eat, sleep, and travel • Bass Pro Shops, www.basspro.com between the respective areas of • Cabela’s, www.cabelas.com each 95 percent of the year, so hunting effort during the first few the early archery season, you must first days of the archery season should focus on understand the changes bucks undergo. It is these areas. Bucks also have not been presalso best to keep a lot of items with you, like sured by hunters for nine months, so their rattling antlers and different scents, during guard is slightly down, making them more archery season, because at some point, you vulnerable. will need them. I prefer to get out early to take advantage In East Texas, it can be very unusual to of cooler temperatures, but realistically, I

Crossbows are legal during archery season, which opens up new hunting opportunities for the first time. Rifle hunters unable to use a compound or longbow can now take advantage of the early season. When shopping for a crossbow, make sure it is legal by ensuing it includes:

On the Web

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Bowhunters can score early on big bucks by taking advantage of rutting conditions many rifle hunters never get to see.

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have more success on evening hunts. Where I hunt, the bucks tend to come out to feed in the last light of day more often than the first, and staging between bedding and feeding areas on these afternoons is a great plan for tagging a bruiser. The only problem is much patience is required. The first buck that walks by typically will not be the biggest, so don’t fling an arrow at the first thing you see with hard antlers. As archery season transitions to cooler temperatures, the attitude of the bucks in East Texas changes right along with it—but instead of cooling off, they are heating up. By the middle of October, the bucks that just a few short ago were traveling in small groups are now breaking off on their own, and the change can happen overnight. For the majority of hunters who get the opportunity to hunt only on weekends, it can be a drastic change; be prepared to mix up your tactics from one weekend to the next. If there is ever a time to try rattling in East Texas, this is it. Local bucks are sparring for dominance, so if you bang some antlers together, you are sure to garner the attention of any buck within earshot—but don’t expect them to come running straight in like they do in the south. Keep out an eye for deer movement downwind, and keep your movement to a minimum. Toward the end of archery season, bucks make another transition into the time of year that most hunters covet more than any other—the full-blown rut. I have seen bucks chasing does as early as October 6, but those are typically young bucks jumping the gun. The majority does not start running until the last few days of the month, when it is as if a switch is flipped and the woods get crazy. If you have any vacation time saved up, this would be the ideal time to use it. At the first sign of bucks chasing on your hunting grounds, drop everything and get into the woods; you might have only a few days to hunt the peak of the action. It is not time to put up the rattling antlers just yet, but now they become a rifle rather than shotgun approach, used to attract specific bucks. A few years back while hunting the last few days of the archery season, I was doing a modified version of still-hunting. I was going through some nasty brush where it was impossible to walk quietly, so I started grunting like a buck trailing a doe. Just

ahead of me, in head-high grass, I heard a real buck grunt. Dropping to my knees, I nocked an arrow and grabbed my rattlebox. With my grunt tube in my mouth, bow in my left hand, and rattlebox in my right, I worked the buck until it was too dark to see without ever getting a shot. The buck walked a complete circle around me, never getting more than 30 yards away, as I rattled and grunted until shooting light was gone. While I didn’t take that buck, it did show me the benefit of

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a good cover scent, and that grunt calls and rattling are effective late in the east Texas archery season. Early season archery hunting can be a pain, but for the sturdy hunter willing to suffer blood loss and heat stroke, the benefit of getting to chase bucks transitioning from summer feeding patterns to rut behavior far outweighs any inconveniences.

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TOWA Recognizes CCA/Valero Youth Program HE TEXAS OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION (TOWA) selected the CCA/Valero Rising Tide youth program as the winner of its Special Projects/Conservation award at its 2009 annual convention. At a time when far more kids are “texting” than casting, this recognition emphasizes the critical need to get youth more involved in protecting the marine environment. CCA and Valero Energy Corp. combined efforts to create this multi-media youth outreach and education program. “Other than teachers, perhaps no one knows better than outdoor writers how difficult it is these days to get kids thinking about the world beyond their cell phones and video games,” said Patrick Murray, CCA executive vice president. “We are honored that TOWA recognized how valuable this program is to getting the next generation ready to assume its role as stewards of our marine resources.” CCA and Valero Energy Corp. teamed up in 2007 to promote conservation education and ethics in young anglers through the Rising Tide program. Valero’s generous support allowed CCA to devote more resources to the youth program than ever before, with particular attention given to the development of a newsletter, youth webpage, and marine conservation lesson plan that has been made available to junior-high school teachers, summer camps, and home school programs. “We wanted to build on the fact that kids are capable of doing amazing things right now, and develop a program that would tap into that potential,” said Murray. “Making students and others aware of the conservation challenges that face our bays and oceans and helping them be part of the solution lays the foundation for a lifetime of conservation. We are fortunate to have a partner in Valero that is committed to educating youth about conservation and coastal responsibility.”

T Lone Zebra Mussel Found In Lake Texoma FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE YEARS, AN ALERT CITIZEN HAS ASSISTED THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (TPWD) IN THEIR EFFORTS TO KEEP ZEBRA MUSSELS FROM INVADING LAKE TEXOMA. On 3 April, Brent Taylor, an employee of a private landowner on the south shore of Lake Texoma, reported to TPWD Inland Fisheries biologist Bruce Hysmith that he had found a suspected zebra mussel on a boathouse communication line. The identification was confirmed, and though the boathouse was inspected, no PHOTO COURTESY NOAA. additional specimens were found. In 2006, Tim Ray, an employee of a marina in Pottsboro, found zebra mussels on a boat that had been brought from Wisconsin. The boat was decontaminated before being put into the water. In both instances, the individuals stated that they were previously aware of the threat from zebra mussels and made a practice of watching out for them. Hysmith immediately notified the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Tishomingo, Oklahoma; local game wardens; and area marinas to be on the alert. Zebra mussels are native to Asia and were first found in the United States in 1988. They have since spread to 24 states, including Oklahoma. The aquatic invaders are about 5/8-inch long and usually have striped shells. They can live for several days out of water and can be dispersed overland by trailered boats, though their main method of spread is by free-floating larvae. Zebra mussels can multiply rapid-

On the Web www.joincca.org/Rising Tide/index.html

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ly to the point of clogging water treatment plant intake pipes, fouling boat bottoms and possibly depleting food sources relied on by fish and other aquatic species. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) non-indigenous aquatic species website calls zebra mussels “one of the most important biological invasions into North America. Because microscopic zebra mussel larvae can be unknowingly transported in bilges, engine cooling systems, minnow buckets, livewells, and anywhere water is trapped, the following precautions should be taken to help slow their spread:

On the Web http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp ?speciesID=5 —Staff Report TG

PHOTO BY DAVID CAMPBELL, NOAA

• Drain the bilge water, livewells, and bait buckets before leaving. • Inspect the boat and trailer immediately upon leaving the water. • Scrape off any zebra mussels or aquatic vegetation found. Do not return them to the water. • If possible, dry the boat and trailer for at least a week before entering another waterway. • Wash boat parts and accessories that contact the water, using hot water (at least 140 degrees F), or spray with high-pressure water.

TF&G FIRST

“Zombie” Fire Ants? OMBIE FIRE ANTS MIGHT NOT SOUND like a cool thing—but wait a minute, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert. On 29 April, on the grounds of the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton in East Texas, Dr. Scott Ludwig released fire ants infected with a new type of phorid fly, a minuscule parasite that preys only on red imported fire ants. The infected ants will soon exhibit some very bizarre behavior, he said.

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Ocean Complicates Houston’s Pollution Profile IN HOUSTON, TEXAS UNDERSTAND- Many of the nation’s petrochemical facilities are located in southeastern Texas, and these sources ING ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES THAT release ground-level ozone precursors, including CONTROL POLLUTION FORMATION nitrogen oxides and highly reactive organic comIS COMPLICATED BY BOTH TYPICAL pounds. Reporting in the Journal of Geophysical ResearchURBAN EMISSIONS AND LARGE Atmospheres in Continued on page 42 INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS SOURCES. March, Simon et al T E X A S

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“ZOMBIE” FIRE ANTS Continued from page 41 “First, they become zombies, their movements under the control of the parasite. Then their heads fall off and the parasite emerges,” said Ludwig, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management specialist. Previously released phorid flies preyed only on ants in disturbed mounds. In contrast, the species Pseudacteon obtusus that Ludwig released in April is attracted to foraging red imported fire ants and not disturbed mounts. Which is even better, he said, as attacks on ants are not dependent upon the mounds being disturbed. The “zombified” fire ant is made to wander about 55 yards away from the mound to die. “The parasite does this so it can complete development without being detected and attacked by the fire ant colony,” Ludwig

said. “By making their hosts wander away, the parasite is ensuring its survival.” As with the new species, the previously released phorid fly species in Texas attacks only red imported fire ants. The flies inject their eggs into the ants’ bodies. In response, fire ants withdraw to their underground nests and reduce their foraging range. Once established, it was hoped that earlier releases of phorid flies would spread beyond the original release sites, and there has been evidence that they have, Ludwig said. “Pseudacteon tricuspis was first released near Austin in 1995. From 2003 to 2006, it spread over 10,000 square miles,” Ludwig said. “The second species, P. curvatis, was established 2004 and is beginning its spread.” The parasite isn’t attracted to native ant species, Ludwig emphasized: “We’re hoping the new parasite will reduce the foraging of fire ants, and thereby allow our native ants Continued on page 44

POLLUTION PROFILE Continued from page 41

determined that the pollution profile in Houston is further complicated by its proximity to the ocean. Nitryl chloride, a compound created by the reaction of sea salt with an oxide of nitrogen produced in urban atmospheres, can photodissociate into nitrogen dioxide and chlorine atoms. The former is a pollutant, and the latter has been shown to increase ground-level ozone formation. During the summer of 2006, nitryl chloride mixing ratios of more than 1 part per billion (ppb) were measured in the Houston urban area. Continued on page 48

PHOTO LICENSED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS

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A recent study discovered that seawater reacts with certain components of industrial emissions to produce different chemicals.

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MOSQUITO FACTS • Females can easily live twice as long as males. Given the right environment, an adult female can live over a month, while males normally last about two weeks. • Only females bite. If left undisturbed, the female will feed until her abdomen is engorged. • Females choose their mates from a swarm of males that forms at dusk. • Mated pairs buzz in harmony, synchronizing wingbeats as part of courtship. • They do not like moving air because their incredibly light weight makes maneuvering quite difficult, and landing on a “target” even more troublesome. • “Mosquito” is Spanish for “small fly.” • The Anopheles mosquito species is the overwhelming human malaria carrier, accounting for 90 percent of infections in sub-Saharan Africa. • Mosquitoes home in on the carbon dioxide we exhale to find us. Holding your breath does not help; some research suggests mosquitoes like sweaty skin. • Some species can develop from egg to adult in as little as four days, but rarely travel more than a mile from the hatching site. • There are around 3000 mosquito species in the world and between 150 and 200 in North America. Texas claims the most with 85, and the town of Clute, Texas, hosts an annual Great Texas Mosquito Festival, which includes a Mosquito Chase Race and Mosquito Calling Contest. —Staff Report TG

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Waterdogs, the larvae of tiger salamanders, are a popular bait among some bass fishermen as well as catfishers. Unfortunately for them, the waterdog supply might be in jeopardy this season in some areas due to viral and fungal infections of the amphibians. Waterdogs in bait shops in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico are infected with ranaviruses, and those in Arizona with a chytrid fungus called Batrachochytrium den-

drobatidis (Bd). “These diseases have spread with the global trade in amphibians,” said James Collins, assistant director for biological sciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF). “The commercial amphibian bait trade may be a source of ‘pathogen pollution’.” Along with biologist Angela Picco of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Sacramento, California, Collins screened tiger

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Pathogens Infect Western Waterdogs, Texas Unscathed salamanders in the western U.S. bait trade for both ranaviruses and Bd, and conducted surveys of anglers to determine how often tiger salamanders are used as bait, and how frequently the salamanders are let go in fishing waters. Continued on page 46

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GREEN Continued from page 42 to regain some footing.” The release was part of the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project. “The project was initiated in 1997 as a result of the Texas Legislature funding an exceptional item requested by Texas Agri Life Research,” Ludwig said. “The project’s goals are the management of imported fire ants to below economic levels on agricultural lands and to eliminate the imported fire ant as a nuisance or health threat in urban environments.” The phorid flies Ludwig released were raised by Dr. Lawrence Gilbert, director of the Brackenridge Field Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. “UT researchers have taken the lead on phorid fly research in the state,” Ludwig said. The new species was previously released in 2007 only in South Texas, where it was established but did not spread. “It might not have spread because of the drought,” Ludwig said. Ludwig’s release was the first in East Texas. In 2010, he plans to set out traps baited with live red imported fire ants to determine if and how rapidly the phorid fly has spread. “Earlier data suggests they can spread 25 miles a year through wind-assisted dispersion,” he said.

On the Web http://web.biosci.utexas.edu/fireant/index.html http://fireants.tamu.edu/ —Staff Report TG

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TPWD Battles Giant Salvinia At Caddo Lake CADDO LAKE, THE ONLY LARGE, NATURALLY FORMED LAKE IN TEXAS, IS A WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE. IT SUPPORTS AN ECOSYSTEM FOUND NOWHERE ELSE IN TEXAS— AND WE MIGHT BE LOSING IT TO AN INVASIVE WATER PLANT. Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) first appeared on Caddo Lake in 2006. In just two years, the plant expanded its coverage of the surface from 2 acres to more than 1000. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in partnership with the Cypress Valley Navigation District and the Caddo Lake Institute, launched an offensive against giant salvinia on 1 June. “We’re here at Caddo Lake to spray giant salvinia with herbicide to try to knock it back to a more manageable level,” said Craig Bonds, TPWD regional director for inland fisheries. “We are at a tipping point with giant salvinia coverage. If we don’t get on it heavily, we could lose this battle and experience increased levels of giant salvinia, to the point where we won’t be able to control it. We will never eradicate it. This is going to be an on-going fight.” “Hairs on the leaves of giant salvinia make it very resistant to herbicide application,” said Howard Elder, TPWD aquatic vegetation biologist. “We have to use very aggressive herbicides and surfactants approved by the EPA to be able to control the plant. We have found herbicide applications to be about 90 percent effective; it takes a week to 10 days to see results.” Mainly herbicide boats and a mechanical harvester that gobbles up the plant from the water surface fight the battle against giant salvinia. Salvinia-eating weevils are also in use on several lakes, but results are slow. While it might seem impossible for a simple plant to defeat all the efforts to get rid of it, such has already happened. “At Toledo Bend Reservoir south of here, the magniF i s h

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“ZOMBIE” FIRE ANTS

tude of the problem is so great that we are relegated to just keeping boat ramps free and clear and improving boat access and navigation where we can,” said Bonds. “Actually controlling giant salvinia is no longer an option on that lake given current resources, and we are trying to keep Caddo from reaching a similar condition.” The threat does not end with Caddo. Giant salvinia has the capability of riding on boat trailers to other lakes throughout Texas and causing similar problems. “The ultimate answer for combating this problem outside the Caddo Lake area is not herbicide control—it’s public awareness and public participation,” Bonds said. “We need every angler, recreational boater, and waterfowler to implement a vital behavior: Clean your boat trailer when you exit a water body that has giant salvinia.”

On the Web http://www.uncertain-tx.com/ http://www.texasinvasives.org/ http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild /species/exotic/salvinia.phtml http://www.caddolakeinstitute.us/ —Staff Report TG

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The survey, a voluntary program in which anglers report their catches of trophy largemouth bass on Lake Fork, has been collecting valuable information for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) fisheries managers for more than six years. The recent survey, a cooperative project of the Lake Fork Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Fork Sportsman’s Association and, TPWD, provided valuable details on Fork’s trophy bass fishery, information that cannot be obtained through standard fisheries surveys. The survey gives anglers an opportunity to record their catches of fish 7 pounds and heavier. Anglers are asked to provide information at participating marinas on weights and lengths of these trophy fish. Each month, TPWD personnel collect

Lake Fork Trophy Bass Survey Success EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE LAKE FORK TROPHY BASS SURVEY CONTINUED ITS RUN AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM OF ITS KIND. SINCE THE SURVEY BEGAN IN MARCH 2003, ANGLERS HAVE REPORTED CATCHING MORE THAN 10,000 TROPHY LARGEMOUTH BASS FROM THE 27,000-ACRE RESERVOIR. DURING THE LAKE’S NEARLY 30-YEAR HISTORY, ANGLERS HAVE BRAVED THE STUMPY WATERS IN SEARCH OF THE FISH OF A LIFETIME, AND MANY HAVE BEEN REWARDED. The latest milestone for the Trophy Bass Survey confirms Lake Fork’s legacy as one of the finest trophy largemouth bass fisheries in the world.

the survey ledgers and produce a summary of the results. Not only does the survey generate good publicity for the lake, but also allows fisheries managers and stakeholders a chance to cooperate in a successful project. During its history, the survey has recorded 10,127 fish over 7 pounds. Fisheries managers have estimated through their angler creel surveys that through May 2009, 8.1 percent of trophy fish caught by interviewed anglers were reported to the survey. If the numbers are expanded, that would indicate a catch of in excess of 125,025 fish over 7 pounds since March 2003, a monthly average of 1667 trophies. Since March 2003, 8423 survey entries (83 percent) were weighed, and 1316 of them (15.6 percent) were 10 pounds or heavier—56 of them 13 pounds or better, with many eligible for entry in the TPWD ShareLunker program. —Staff Report TG

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GREEN WATERDOGS Continued from page 43 The scientists also organized bait shop surveys to determine whether tiger salamanders are released back into the wild after being housed in shops. “We found that all tiger salamanders that ended up in the bait trade were originally collected from the wild,” said Picco. “In general, they were moved from east to west and north to south, bringing with them multiple ranavirus strains.” Results of the research show that 26 to 73 percent of anglers used tiger salamanders as bait; 26 to 67 percent released tiger salamanders bought as bait into fishing waters; and 4 percent of bait shops put salamanders back in the wild after the waterdogs were housed with infected animals. “The tiger salamander bait trade in the western U.S. is a good model for understanding the consequences of unregulated movement of amphibians and their pathogens,” said Collins. In 1968, 2.5 million tiger salamander larvae were sold as bait in the lower Colorado River area alone. Waterdogs in that one year were worth $500,000, equivalent to $2,766,489 in 2005 after adjusting for inflation. “Since the tiger salamander bait trade isn’t regulated or controlled in most areas of the western United States, there’s no information about the number of individuals collected or traded annually,” said Picco. From March to October of 2005, 85 percent of Arizona bait shops sampled sold at least one ranavirus-infected tiger salamander. In 2006, ranaviruses were detected in the tiger salamander bait trade between May and October in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, but were not found in the few bait shops sampled in Nebraska and Texas. —Staff Report TG

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Texas Land Fragmentation Impacts Wildlife THE LOSS AND FRAGMENTATION OF TEXAS FARMS, RANCHES, AND FORESTS IS PART OF A CONTINUED TREND THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF RURAL LANDS IN MAINTAINING THE STATE’S NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC BASE, ACCORDING TO A NEWLY RELEASED STUDY. The study shows that lands classified as farms, ranches, and forests declined in 156 counties between 1997 and 2006; in all a loss of 2.1 million agricultural acres since 1997. “When you talk about the infrastructure of the economy and life in Texas, land is it,’“ said Dr. Neal Wilkins, one of the study’s authors and director of the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources. “In some regions, including South Texas and the Edwards Plateau, our state’s rural lands continue to be divided into smaller acreages, and this may have consequences for future profitability” Wilkins said. “According to the data, only 50 percent of farms and ranches below 500 acres showed a net profit during 2007. In addition, these fragmented ownerships are more likely to be converted to non-native pastures and become a challenge for managing wildlife and other natural resources.” “Agricultural lands provide significant public benefits such as clean, abundant water, carbon sequestration and clean air,” said American Farmland Trust Texas advisor, Blair Fitzsimmons. “This study is a wake-up call that those public benefits are disappearing.” Among the other overall trends reported in the study: • Texas now has about 142 million acres of private farms, ranches, and forests, equalF i s h

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ing 84 percent of the state’s entire land area. • The state has more than 247,000 farms and ranches. • The land base for Texas agriculture decreased by as much as 2 percent between 1997 and 2007. • In high-growth areas, about 270 acres of agricultural land are converted to nonagricultural use for every 1,000 new residents added to the population. • As of 2007, operations with less than 100 acres occupied about 3 percent of the state’s land but more than 50 percent of the farms and ranches. • Texas land values increased about 140 percent to an average of $1,196 per acre, though much higher values are found near metropolitan areas. Another trend is an increase in the use of land for wildlife management resulting from 1996 tax exemption legislation in. Wildlife management land use now accounts for 2.37 million acres statewide. The largest overall land-use category is native rangeland at 92.6 million acres. Regions with the fastest losses to fragmentation were in the Trans Pecos, Edwards Plateau, and South Texas regions.

On the Web http://www.txlandtrends.org/ http://agnews.tamu.edu/ —Staff Report TG

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GREEN TF&G TRUE GREEN CONSERVATION PARTNERS

Bee “Pollination Crisis” a Myth ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN THE MAY 2009 ON-LINE EDITION OF CURRENT BIOLOGY, THE NOTION THAT A DECLINE IN POLLINATORS COULD THREATEN THE HUMAN FOOD SUPPLY (REFERRED TO AS A “POLLINATION CRISIS”) CAN BE CONSIDERED A MYTH, AT LEAST WHERE HONEYBEES ARE CONCERNED. Most agricultural crop production does not depend on pollinators, and while honeybees might be dwindling in some parts of the world, the number of domesticated bees worldwide is actually on the rise. “The honey bee decline observed in the USA and in other European countries including Great Britain, which has been attributed in part to parasitic mites and more recently to colony collapse disorder, could be misguiding us to think that this is a global phenomenon,” said Marcelo Aizen of Universidad Nacional del Comahue in Argentina. “We found here that is not the case.” Researchers found bee colonies increased by about 45 percent over the last five decades, driven by increased demand for honey for human consumption. The data also show that the demand for crops that rely on insects for pollination has more than tripled over the last half century,

POLLUTION PROFILE

Through photochemical modeling, the authors found that nitryl chloride Continued from page 42 increases the total reactive chlorine mass by 20 to 40 percent in the atmosphere of southeastern Texas. The nitryl chloride caused widespread increases in ozone concentrations over Houston of 1 to 2 ppb. Vertical dispersion and local atmospheric composition moderated the effect of nitryl chloride on ozone mixing ratios. —Staff Report TG

suggesting that the global capacity for pollination might still be under considerable stress. These crops include “luxury” agriculture items, now common in any supermarket, like plums, raspberries, and cherries, as well as mangos, guavas, Brazil nuts, and cashew nuts. “We were particularly astonished when we found that the fraction of agricultural production that depends on pollinators, which includes all of these luxury agriculture items, started growing at a faster pace since the fall of communism in the former USSR and Eastern Europe, and at a much higher rate than the larger fraction of agricultural production that does not depend on pollinators, including wheat and rice, which just follow human population growth,” Aizen said. “Although the primary cause of the accelerating increase of pollinatordependent crops seems to be economic and political—not biological—their rapid expansion has the potential to trigger future pollination problems for both these crops and native species in neighboring areas.” The associated increase in demand for agricultural land could also hasten the destruction of habitat that now supports hundreds or thousands of species of wild pollinators, which would in turn cause a drop in crop yield. “Most importantly, decreasing yield by these pollinator-dependent crops surely would imply rising market prices, which undoubtedly would constitute a further incentive for their cultivation,” Aizen said. “This situation would create a positive feedback circuit that could promote more habitat destruction and further deterioration of pollination services. The good news is that lessintensively managed agro-ecosystems that preserve patches of natural and semi-natural habitats and uncultivated field edges can sustain abundant and diverse communities of wild pollinators.” The researchers include Aizen and Lawrence D. Harder of the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. —Staff Report TG

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F YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN A TARPON BOUND FROM the surface while feeding on baitfish or striking a lure, make it a point to do soon. Few sights are more impressive and fortunately for Texas anglers there are many opportunities to target these “silver kings” and other acrobatic fish around our jetty systems and beyond. Tarpon are present from Sabine Pass to Padre Island during summer months but relatively few anglers actually land them. They are extremely finicky fish and will mysteriously choose to bite on seemingly nothing, and when they do, it is difficult to put a hook into them. Their mouths are full of very hard bone, and hookset is more difficult with them than any other species on the Gulf Coast. If you happen to hook one, be ready for a sweatdrenched, adrenaline-pumped battle. “We see tarpon around the Aransas Jetties a lot but they can be super hard to catch. Sometimes they want big live bait and sometimes super small artificials,” said Capt. Bobby Caskey of Shoal Grass Lodge. Tarpon are dogged fighters that use speed,

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Tarpon, known as “silver kings,” are present at the jetty systems along the coast but are most common from the Port O’Connor area southward.

acrobatic agility, and stamina to their advantage. Some fish will stay under the surface, causing anglers to suspect they have hooked something else, and then all of a sudden explode out of the water and snap the line. An angler’s best shot at catching a tarpon is fishing a live crab or dead pogeys toward feeding fish or drifted over big schools of baitfish. If you see active feeding tarpon or fish below the surface, stay a good distance upwind of the

Stone recommends anglers use circle hook with a steel leader for the best shoot at catching a fish. “The steel leader is for sharks because you will hook up with sharks when fishing bait for tarpon. It is just going to happen. The circle hook is so you hook the fish in the corner of the mouth for a good live release. The flip side is it increases the changes of hooking up with a fish.” “You don’t actually set the hook with a circle hook. Just leave it in a rod holder and allow the fish to hook itself. I have a theory that since tarpon are so sensitive part of the reason you get more hookups this way is you do not have an angler moving the bait and applying pressure. Tarpon will find any reason to get spooked,” Stone said. Tarpon are not the only acrobats in the near shore Gulf. Spinner and blacktip sharks leaping from water in amazing displays of agility

by Chester Moore, Jr. fish and use the currents or a trolling motor to approach within a casting distance. “Tarpon are really shy fish. Sometimes you will see huge schools of them destroying seemingly anything in their path but you throw out bait and get absolutely no response. And in recent years with more intelligent fishing pressure, the fish seem to be even more sensitive. There is really no way to work around this. You just have to make sure you take the right steps if you do make a hookup,” said Josh Stone of Houston. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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In This Issue

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: CORPUS TO BAFFIN • Target Slicks for Corpus Specks | BY CHESTER MOORE, JR.

GEARING UP SECTION

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • Close to Home | BY CALIXTO GONZALES

SPECIAL SECTION • Hunting & Shooting Gear | BY DON ZAIDLE

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SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times | BY TF&G STAFF

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TEXAS TESTED • Airmar; Eagle One | BY TF&G STAFF

HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Jetty Jumpers | BY CHESTER MOORE, JR.

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY CALIXTO GONZALES, KYLE TOMEK, & TRIPP HOLMGRAIN

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPER COAST • Follow the Lady | BY CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON COMPLEX • Hot Chocolate! | BY CAPT. MIKE HOLMES HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA • Diversify Your August Plan | BY BINK GRIMES HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT • Fun in the Sun | BY CAPT. MAC GABLE

and they are very common throughout the summer from the jetties to the rigs and everywhere in between. Spinners and blacktips often school together and feed in various parts of the water column. Shark savvy anglers know the smaller fish often focus on the upper part of the column, quickly taking chunks of chum and undersized fish thrown overboard. However, the bigger sharks operate somewhere in the mid range. Typically, if they are in 50 feet of water, the big boys hang around 20-25 feet down. Most of the sharks you see free jumping are in the four- to six-foot range and that is because

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BOWHUNTING TECH • After the Shot | BY LOU MARULLO TEXAS BOATING • Roll, Roll, Roll Your Boat | BY LENNY RUDOW TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • …And Then It Ran ! | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

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TEXAS KAYAKING • New Paddling Trails | BY GREG BERLOCHER

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FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Big Jigs & Sassy Shads | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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WILDERNESS TRAILS • Smiley | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

SALTWATER BAITS & RIGS • Casting Cedar Plugs | BY PATRICK LEMIRE

by staying down and being able to see what is going on above them, they have plenty of room to generate the kind of energy it takes to push a 150-pound body 10 feet out of the water. To draw in the big boys, it helps to create a sense of competition among the sharks. The most economical would be to take a five-gallon bucket, punch it full of holes and put weights in the bottom. The bucket is tied to the boat with enough rope to sink at least 10 feet down and fill it with fish guts, old shrimp, cut menhaden or any kind of smelly stuff. This will create a chum slick that will draw in sharks from all around.

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NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF INDUSTRY INSIDER • Medalist “Covers” NASA, UFC Fighters, & Hunters | BY TF&G STAFF

SHOOT THIS • Smith & Wesson Model 29 | BY STEVE LAMASCUS TROPHY FEVER • Bison Dreams | BY CHESTER MOORE, JR. FISH THIS • Cast Net Bait Bucket | BY GREG BERLOCHER

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE THE OUTDOORS • Classifieds | TF&G S C60 DISCOVER TASTED • Texas Brisket & Potato C62 TEXAS Salad | B S PHOTO ALBUM • Your Action Photos | C64 TF&G S BY

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The secret to getting the big boys up is take a pail of wet sand and live glass minnows or finger mullet. Take several of the baitfish, clump them up in the sand, and throw them overboard. The fish will escape at different depths and it will drive sharks crazy. The big ones will start surfacing; you can skip the sand and just throw over the live bait to keep them up top. This is a modified version of what is called “power chumming” in Florida. Use large live bait like a hardtail or ladyfish to keep some of the smaller sharks from striking. Most of all brace yourself because when a six-foot long spinner or blacktip blasts through a school of his competitors, it is coming for a fight. Around jetties targeting the washout at the southern tips and around boat cuts offer the best shots at catching big sharks. The eddie effect of the washouts and the super strong current in the boat cut provide plenty of baitfish for big sharks to hit and easy spots for you to focus your efforts. Just remember shark regulations change September 1 so become familiar with the differences between blacktips and spinners, which will have different size limits. Fishing is too much to mess up by getting an expensive ticket.

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Go Topside for Laguna Snook LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats GPS: N26 3.759, W97 11.851

SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork; topwaters, soft plastics in red and white CONTACT: Captain Luke Bonura, 956-4572101 TIPS: Snook cruise the shoreline along Long Island, and then back off into the boat channel as the day grows long. Try topwaters along the shoreline early, or during a flood tide. Fish the edge of the boat channel later in the day, or when the tide falls off and pushed bait into it. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Laguna Vista Cove GPS: N26 6.808, W97 17.633 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait; topwaters; soft plastics in red/white, Pearl, Smoke (early morning). CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: The vast expanse of knee- to waistdeep flats in this bend is a good spot to fish in late summer. Incoming tides push bait up against the curved shoreline, and predators partake of the bounty. Live shrimp are good, live pinfish are better. Topwaters in chrome/blue back or bone are also great choices, as are soft plastics. Use a darker pattern early in the morning, especially on an incoming tide. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Laguna Vista Cove GPS: N26 6.808, W97 17.633 SPECIES: redfish C4

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BEST BAITS: live bait; topwaters; soft plastics in red/white, New Penny; gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Fish closer to the west shoreline, especially if there is a southeast wind cranking up. Live shrimp, finger mullet, and cut ballyhoo fished on the bottom are old standbys. Gold spoons and Gulp! Tails are good when fish are on the move and aggressive. Watch for nervous bait near the shoreline to tip you off to where the redfish are holding LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Brazos-Santiago Jetties (access via Boca Chica Beach) GPS: N26 4.080, W97 9.280 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: finger mullet, live pinfish; soft plastics in chartreuse, Smoke, Rat-L-Traps in blue/chrome, black back/gold CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: redfish cruise around the end of the jetties into the surf early in the morning and late in the day. Rock hoppers and surf fishermen will find them in the deep gut parallel to the rocks and in the first and second guts. It’s hard to track down live shrimp on the F i s h

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Brownsville side of the pass, but cast netters can find mullet, sardines, and pinfish for live bait. Soft plastics and spoons will also work on clear days. Rat-L-Traps are strong medicine on channel side of the jetties. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Peyton’s Bay GPS: N26 24.528, W97 21.703 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork; topwaters; soft plastics in clear/red, red/white, red/Glow, Morning Glory CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: You need a high tide to get up into areas that trout roam in Peyton’s in late summer. When you can get to them, topwaters such as the Super Spook, Jr. or Top Dog, Jr. in white/red head are tough to beat (on overcast days, they can work all day long). Live shrimp or soft plastics under an Alameda cork will also work very well. Watch the tidal flow, otherwise you might end up spending the night stranded. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.583, W97 11.101

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SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp, crab chunks CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Fish the boat channel edges on an outgoing tide to intercept the schools of “tatanka” that cruise around looking for something to eat. A live shrimp on a simplesplit shot rig is all you need. These fish prefer fresh meat, so leave the box of frozen shrimp at home. Another nifty alternative is working a 1/4-ounce bucktail tipped with a live shrimp. Just bounce it along the bottom until you feel the “thump.” LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Cullen Bay GPS: N26 15.455, W97 19.029 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork; topwaters; soft plastics in clear/red, red/white, red/Glow, Morning Glory

CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Again, trout spread out around the bay during a high tide. Topwaters along the shoreline will lead to spectacular blow-ups. When the wind comes up, switch over to a live shrimp or soft plastic underneath a noisy float such as a Mansfield Mauler or Alameda cork. Fish the setup a bit faster for best results. Even on a high tide, the water is still shallow, so the bait will settle more quickly. LOCATION: North Padre Island Shoreline HOTSPOT: East Cut GPS: N26 34.025, W97 16.173 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait, cut bait; soft plastics in red/white, green/white CONTACT: Harbor Bait and Tackle, 956944-2367 TIPS: The spoil from the recent East Pass dredging was dumped on the north side of the

jetties, and has revitalized the beach. Redfish will prowl in the second gut. Fish live or cut bait on fish-finder rigs. The slip sinker allows the bait to float in the current, right where a hungry spot tail can find it and eat. LOCATION: Laguna Madre @ Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: East Cut Pass GPS: N26 33.850, W97 163551 SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Gulp! Shrimp in Limetreuse, Pearl; live finger mullet, shrimp CONTACT: Harbor Bait and Tackle, 956944-2367 TIPS: After a good breakfast at Sweet Gregory P’s Smokehouse (their breakfast burritos stick with you all morning), make a run out to the eddies and current breaks along the edge of the East Cut. Fish a live bait or tail along the bottom to locate some of the doormat flounder that hold on the edges. Cast around the eddies that form along the rocks. Don’t be timid about fishing right in the granite; you might lose some tackle, but you could also latch into a real saddle blanket of a flounder.

Rattling up Specks LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Center Rocks GPS: N27 16.206, W97 34.362

SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; live piggy perch CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Work around the deeper rocks to find trout that are keeping out of the heat. Fish live baitfish on a 1/4-ounce Texas Rattling Rig. Twitch the rig occasionally to make the noisemakers click. You can also fish plastic shad tails and eel-style plastics on 1/4-ounce jigheads to fish near the bottom around the rocks. Use a fluorocarbon leader to minimize break offs. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: The Badlands C6

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GPS: N27 17.152, W97 25.053 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early; soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Roach, Rootbeer; live bait CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Topwaters in the shallows around the rock formations will get the attention of trout prowling early in the morning. Later on, fish deeper water with shad tails or live piggy perch. Hook baitfish through the rear dorsal fin or the anal fin to get it to swim upwards and away from cover. Big trout don’t like working too hard for their vittles. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N27 26.513, W97 21.822 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early; soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Roach, Rootbeer; live bait CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish the grasslines. Fish along the edges with topwaters early in the morning (nervous bait should clue you in on where trout are strafing them). Fish the deeper edges with live piggy perch on the Chatterweight rig,

or live shrimp under a popping cork. Avoid the teeth of the day, when the heat can do a number on you. LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: East Flats GPS: N27 49.363, W97 6.476 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait; topwaters; gold spoons; soft plastics in Avocado/chartreuse, Motor Oil/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; live bait CONTACT: Captain Paul Braly, 361-4496795 TIPS: Redfish are starting to form large schools and prowling all over the flats. They will eat pretty much anything put in front of them, so the key is locating them. It’s not difficult to do if you keep your eyes open for disturbed water that the reds will push in front of them. When you spot them, set up a drift to intercept them. Don’t be too heavy-handed with your presentation. These redfish are voracious, but surprisingly skittish. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Mud Island GPS: N27 56.770, W97 1.334 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in dark patterns; live bait

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CONTACT: Captain Paul Braly, 361-4496795 TIPS: Fish the shallow area early in the morning, then fish the deeper drop-off later in the day. Live finger mullet or shrimp is a good choice. Soft plastics in Rootbeer, Roach, or Baffin Magic will work well.

Deep Hole Trout LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Boat Cut GPS: 40.398, W93 49.516 SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Glow/chartreuse, Pearl/chartreuse, Green Tomato, Strawberry/white CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018 TIPS: Trout still hold in the deeper holes during late summer. They will hold tighter to the rocks. Fish soft plastics along the drop-offs near the deeper holes. Electronics and trolling

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motors are very helpful to locate and hold over concentrations of fish. If there are a large number of boats parked over a spot, move off and look for similar conditions to fish. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Willie’s Head Island GPS: N29 32.155, W94 48.524 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, 1/8- to 1/4-ounce soft plastics; Gulp! Shrimp and Shad Tails CONTACT: Captain Steve Hillman, 281910-4398 TIPS: You will find a lot of fish around Willie’s Head Island this time of year, especially when there is tidal movement. Watch for birds and slicks and work the area around them. Use live shrimp or soft plastics under a popping cork. Fish the same plastics a little deeper when working birds. You should avoid the schoolies and pick up better fish deeper. LOCATION: East Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: North Jetties GPS: N29 21.352, W94 43.150 SPECIES: trout, redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, 1/8- to 1/4-ounce

soft plastics; Gulp! Shrimp and Shad Tails CONTACT: Captain Steve Hillman, 281910-4398 TIPS: The deep holes along the jetty are very productive for both gamefishes. They provide better tidal flow, which means cooler, more oxygenated water. Seek out breaks among the jetty bottom 15-20 yards out from the rocks themselves and free-line live shrimp or swim soft plastics through the breaks. Topwaters are actually effective fished near the stones early in the morning. They could produce some exceptional fish. LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Matagorda surf GPS: N28 59.25, W95 98.74453 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, soft plastics CONTACT: Captain Mark Talasek, 979244-0044, 979-479-1397 TIPS: Soft southeasterlies and green water to the beach create “cupcake” conditions for fishermen seeking surf-running trout. Experienced fishermen anchor beyond the third bar and fish the guts for the fat dime-silver specks that roam the beachfront in July. Watch for

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diving birds or flitting bait to tip you off to the presence of fish. As with the jetties, be smart and pick a mild day. Keep your weather radio on, too. You never know when a summer squall might pop up and you need to head for cover.

Cheesy Channel Cats LOCATION: Choke Canyon HOTSPOT: Possum Cove GPS: N28 32.595, W98 22.138

SPECIES: channel catfish BEST BAIT: cut shad, cheese baits, Fish Bites in Shrimp; chicken livers CONTACT: Wallace Gee, 361-786-2749 TIPS: Catfish will start spreading out onto flats and drop-offs after the weather begins to moderate. Fish around the channel edges with prepared baits or cut shad. If the weather is still summer-time warm, then fish shallow water among the stick-ups and trees. LOCATION: Lake Calaveras HOTSPOT: Granny’s Cove GPS: N29 17.084, W98 18.293 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAIT: live shad, gold spoons; swimbaits in blue, purple, chartreuse CONTACT: Jeff Snyder, 210-649-2435 TIPS: Fish the east side of the cove. Live shad or small sunfish on a bottom rig are the best bet, but gold spoons or 1/2-ounce swimbaits such as Storm’s Wildeye Shad also work quite well. Use stout tackle, because these fish can run large and have plenty of stuff to run your line over. LOCATION: Braunig HOTSPOT: Intake Channel GPS: N29 15.665, W98 22.37O SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: crawfish, shrimp, chicken livers, prepared baits CONTACT: Jeff Snyder, 210-649-2435\ TIPS: Fish the deeper water. Carolina rigs with crawfish or crawfish flavored prepared baits are good techniques, but chicken lives are always good. You never know when a hybrid or red will take your bait. You need to be aware of your boat’s position in relation to the intake buoy.

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Drop-Shot Guadalupe LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Cypress Cove GPS: N29 19.062, W98 20.084

SPECIES: largemouth and Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: topwater poppers in Bone or shad colors, spinnerbaits in white or chartreuse with matching painted blades, lipless crankbaits in red and shad patterns, and Texas or drop-shot rigged soft plastics in Watermelon, Pumpkin, Cotton Candy and Grape colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish early and late using topwater poppers around points and the edges of flats. Wood cover is key to locating concentrations of bass. On windy days, the points and bluff banks with wind blowing across them will produce very well throwing spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Follow these presentations with Texas- or drop-shot-rigged soft plastics, working to depths of 30 feet. The drop-shot rig will be your most consistent presentation. Bass are very concentrated now; if you catch one, more usually follow. BANK ACCESS: Red’s Cove, largemouth and Guadalupe bass on artificials, crappie on minnows and catfish on stinkbait or liver.

Spoon-Fed Whites LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Walker Lake

GPS: N30 43.840, W95 08.140 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: slabs in white or yellow, Little George tailspins in white or chrome, Pet spoons

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CONTACT: Dave Cox, 936-291-9602, www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: White bass are being caught in good numbers in the Walker Lake area now. Look for fish using electronics to be on humps at 7to 10-foot depths. Mark the structure with a buoy and then fish by vertically jigging slabs. Let the jig go to the bottom and pop your rod tip, making the jig rise and fall frequently. Look for fish to bite on the fall. Troll Pet spoons over humps, allowing baits get to depths where the fish are holding. Look for birds and bait fish schooling on the surface early in the morning, mid-morning and late afternoon. BANK ACCESS: Public parks and boat ramps, largemouth bass on artificials, catfish on cut bait, stinkbait, or liver.

Blacklight Smallies LOCATION: Lake Meredith HOTSPOT: Main lake points GPS: N35 42.244, W101 33.198

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SPECIES: smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: black spinnerbaits with No. 4 Colorado blades on 14-pound fluorescent line CONTACT: Mel Phillips, 806-353-3654, www.melphillips.com TIPS: Night fishing on Lake Meredith with blacklights can regularly produce smallmouth over 5 pounds all summer long. Be on the lake as the sun sets for orientation and to rig up a black light on the side of the boat. A black light will make fluorescent 14 lb. line look like knitting yarn. Make short casts not exceeding 25-30 feet in length that hit at the water’s edge in depths of 6 inches to 5 feet. Be ready for action from these powerful fish. The black light and fluorescent line allow you to vividly see fish direction for better rod control when dealing with repeated surges from these hard fighting fish. BANK ACCESS: The main ramp at the marina, catfish on stinkbait, cut bait and chicken or turkey livers.

HOTSPOT: 309 Humps GPS: SPECIES: black bass BEST BAITS: clear and Bone Super Spook, Pop-R; Red Shad Carolina-rigged Kicker Fish Kicker Kraw CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, 682-518-8252, www.schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: Fish the west side of the humps where the deep water is close. Drag the Carolina rig from hump off into the deep water. You will be working your baits from 3 feet into 12 feet of water. If you fish a drop-shot in this area, be prepared to hang up a bunch; there is a lot of junk on these humps. The east side of the humps is very clean. Use 10-pound fluorocarbon Seaguar line with a No. 11 Gamie circle hook and 3/8- or 1/4-ounce drop-shot weight.

Bass on Humps LOCATION: Richland-Chambers

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Follow the Lady N SABINE LAKE IN AUGUST, YOU CAN expect mid-day slick-offs when the wind dies down from a whopping 8 mph to about 1 mph. The entire lake becomes glass and we often find ourselves praying for any hint of a breeze. With temperatures in the upper 90s, you get a pretty good idea of what it would feel like to be in an oven. During these slick-offs, large schools of trout and reds push shrimp to the surface, and are easy to locate and stay on top of in the ultra calm water. It’s nice being able to locate schooling fish easily without any gafftop for limits of trout and reds. The upside is that ladyfish and gafftop often get our attention in the first place.

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The north end of Sabine Lake between the north revetment on Pleasure Island and Coffee Ground Cove is prime real estate. Look and listen for ladyfish busting the surface like popcorn, and shrimp skipping for their lives. Come armed with 6-1/2- to 71/2-foot medium-light spinning or casting gear rigged with 1/8- to 1/4-ounce leadheads and a variety of soft plastic baits. Some good choices are Old Bayside 4- and 5-inch Shadlyn, Saltwater Assassins, and H & H Sparkle Beetles. It usually doesn’t matter what color we throw, but you might want to experiment to see if the fish prefer one over another. Other good bait choices are topwaters like SkitterWalks and She Dogs, which usually attract some of the bigger trout. Throwing a soft plastic bait under a popping cork with about 24 inches of leader is also very effective. There is no shortage of shad in our system in August. You should see several huge clouds of them all over the lake. Fishing the perimeters and a little deeper should yield

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Fish Pass at Keith Lake, Hwy 87 SPECIES: trout, reds, flounder BEST BAITS: soft plastics, live shad, live mud minnows BEST TIME: Early morning and late evening with strong tide movement some nice trout and bruiser reds. Free-lining or rigging live shad under a popping cork is another “can’t miss” technique for catching solid trout and reds. The flounder are gearing up for the fall migration, and the bayous on the Louisiana side of the lake have been giving up some nice boxes of flatties. Bridge, Willow, and Johnson’s bayous have been the best bets for a consistent flounder bite lately, and it’s only going to get better over the next few months. Live mud minnows and curl tail grubs tipped with fresh shrimp have been the best baits.

Contact: Eddie Hernandez, ehernandez@fishgame.com

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Hot Chocolate! OT MANY TYPES OF WATER OFFER THE variety of a coastal stream, whether creek, river, or bayou. Most of these watercourses begin as freshwater,

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: The boat ramp area under the FM 2004 bridge on Chocolate Bayou. ALTERNATE SPOT: The county park on Chocolate, under the Liverpool bridge. SPECIES: At the ramp, bank fishermen might hook flounder, reds, trout, sand trout, and other panfishes. With at least one snook confirmed from the bayou, fishing around the bridge pilings with live finger mullet at night could be interesting. At the Liverpool Park, freshwater species are more likely, especially catfishes and also some black bass and crappie. When the tides are right, redfish and flounder will join the mix. Trophy alligator gar are always a challenge for those using heavier tackle and large baits. BEST BAITS: Live finger mullet will tempt anything that swims in coastal streams, but mud minnows and shrimp will also work. Cut mullet works as well for catfish as for reds. Under the dock lights, I have had great success with gold spoons, and other artificials will do well, especially small jigs. BEST TIMES: Peak time is when the water is green and semi clear, then pick the tide that suits your target species. Some spots traditionally will find bass and crappie feeding on a low tide, redfish and specks on a high tide.

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and harbor normal freshwater fishes and wildlife. As they near the coast, they progress to brackish water—especially in the slow-moving bayous that have less normal current, although even the larger rivers have periods of very slow current. In most of these streams, the same stretch of shoreline will see freshwater, brackish, and all-out saltwater, depending on the tide and the amount of rainfall. Near the mouth of a coastal stream, whether it ends its journey in a bay or in the Gulf itself, the salinity will be normally high, with saltwater inshore species dominant. This ecosystem presents unique opportunities for the fisherman, a very diverse range of targets within a relatively short distance. In the 25 years I lived in a cedar shack on pilings on the banks of Chocolate Bayou at Liverpool, I was able to explore this diversity rather thoroughly. I trotlined for blue, flathead, and channel cats from the Liverpool bridge north; caught redfish, trout, flounder, and other saltwater species north of the FM 2004 bridge, just above where the bayou

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widens into Chocolate Bay. In crab traps hung off my backyard dock, depending on salinity and tides, I captured not only crabs but also flounder, redfish, mullet, freshwater catfishes, and black bass. I have pictures of “baby” tarpon that came from that stretch of bayou many years ago, and have seen schools of them chasing shad up the bayou, along with their look-alikes, the slivery skipjack. In a cast net thrown for bait, the catch might include shrimp along with mullet and small shad. I never hooked a big tarpon from my dock, but I did land an alligator gar one night that weighed 120 pounds late the next day when I finally got it to the scales—and lost several larger than that. My favorite spots for speckled trout in the daytime were along the banks of horseshoe loops of the main bayou, and we made some very good catches of reds in the ends of some of the coves off these loops. At night, the lights near the docks of the old Monsanto Chemical plant would pay off with reds,

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Diversify Your August Plan T’S AN AUGUST DAY, FLAGS ARE LIMP AT THE bait camp, you are already sweating as you launch the boat before sunrise, and you have no idea if you should fish the bays, jetties, or surf. It’s a good problem to have, but it is still a problem. Here is my thinking on a typical August day in Matagorda: Wake up at 4 a.m. and pull up weatherunderground.com on the internet to check the wave heights and wind direction offshore. If waves are less than 2 feet, I give the surf a thought if the tides are right. If the tides are on the bottom end of the low for the day, I choose another locale until the tide begins to switch because outdoing tides normally dirty waters and push fish to the outer bars, especially if it is late in the tide. If the tide begins to come in around 10 a.m., the reefs in East Matagorda Bay are a good place to bide my time; you need calm,

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green waters to fish these pieces of shell during an arid August. I choose East Bay instead of West Bay because I know East is less influenced by tides—not that tides do not affect the fish in East Bay, just not as much moving water there. I start at Long Reef and look for flipping mullet. If I see mullet, I begin wading on the far west end of the reef and work my way east. It usually takes at least two hours to wade it right. My bait of choice is a She Dog or Super Spook Jr; I have caught numerous big trout here on these baits, some days only a handful, other days I lose count. If there is a chop on the water, the She Dog is my bait; if calm, the subtle Spook Jr. gets the call. Drull’s Lump, Halfmoon, Barefoot, Red Cone, Three Beacon, and Bird Island reefs are solid choices as well. It is almost 10:30 a.m. now and the sun is really beating down with sweat pouring through my shirt; time for a boat ride to the surf. I arrive and look for hopping shrimp, nervous shad, and jumping mullet. Since the tide has just begun to inch to the beach, I work the second bar with a topwater while a buddy tosses a soft plastic. He gets several bites from Spanish mackerel and sand trout, while I coax only speckled trout, usually when the plug creeps over the bar and lands in the gut. When we hit a fish, we set the anchor and begin fan-casting

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Surfside Jetty SPECIES: trout, redfish, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, sharks BAITS: finger mullet, live shrimp, DOA Shrimp in every direction. When the bite slows, we pull the anchor, drift closer to the beach, and usually find them staging in the first gut. That’s when we set the anchor again and bail over the gunnels to wade the first gut. I am not implying it is the August plan, but many days it has worked for me. Read your tides and make the most of your opportunities. Contact: Bink Grimes, www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Fish-Game-Magazine/86524948620

HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON COMPLEX Continued from Page C15 specks, sand trout, and once a 10-pound black drum. The best times to fish any stretch of the bayou were in the fall after summer rains had flushed some of the mud off the natural sand bottom and left the water a fairly clear green, although catfishes and gar feed equally well on a high, muddy bayou just after those rains. In addition to the tarpon, after the hard C16

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freeze of 1979, Tommy Wheelis of Lute’s Marina called me to come look at a “striped bass” he had netted, floating half dead near his dock. The fish turned out to be a snook, the only one even old-timers on the bayou had ever seen there. One summer, a bull shark about 4 feet long took up residence in the deep hole in front of Lute’s, and was sighted several times, including by Yours Truly. Chocolate Bayou can be a hot fishing spot any time the water is right, and the F i s h

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high banks protect it from all but the highest winds. Capt. Mike Holmes runs tarpon, shark, and bluewater trips on a classic 31 Bertram. To book a trip, call 979-415-0535. Email him at mholmes@fishgame.com.

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Fun in the Sun Y NOW, THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER IS A relentless taskmaster that challenges the dedicated angler to fish through the day. With 85-plus SPF sunscreen and the best sun shield long sleeve shirt and pants money can buy, it’s still just “egg-frying hot.” Here are some tips to deal with the scorching sun: Covering your body with light colored, lightweight sun shield clothing is the best protection from the sun. I like shorts that have zip-on legs and long sleeve sun block/sun shield shirts. Keep in mind, though, that your typical summer clothing does not offer as much UV protection as you might think. Many anglers are surprised to learn that most regular summer clothing actually provides less protection than a SPF 30 sunscreen. Sun protective clothing is clothing specifically designed to cover a maximum amount of skin and made from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet (UV) or UV protection. While almost every boat-launching, rodslinging angler wears a baseball style cap, they are not the best headgear for anglers. They offer some protection for the scalp and down to the top of the ears, and limited protection for the eyes, but that’s not enough. The right hat is critical for UV protection. It should have a wide enough brim to cover your eyes, ears, nose, and the back of your neck. It should have air vents on the sides for ventilation. Some hats with mesh or screen in the very top allow too much sun to reach one’s sensitive scalp. While it has been written and said often that sunscreen rated over SPF 50 has diminished return, that is just not true. I get

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the highest SPF I can find. Sunscreen can be a matter of personal preference, but protection from UVA and UVB is a must. I like Neutrogena. Experts and consumers alike say that the lightweight Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch is the best sunscreen overall. In sunglasses, UVA and UVB protection is what you are looking for. If you can find glasses that are polarized as well, even better. I like the style that wrap around, as they offer some protection from UV’s filtering in from the sides. It is important to stay hydrated. I put water and Gatorade on my boat for every fishing trip. You would be surprised at the number of people who bring nothing at all to drink—or worse, bring only soft drinks or beer; the latter do not hydrate the body properly. Drinking plenty of cool water is crucial. COPANO BAY: Early morning on the calm days with a falling tide, a red Super Spook fished on top of the mid-bay reefs like Lap Reef is the hot ticket. The key here is to cast the topwater on top of the shallow shell and work it to the deeper water transition. Reds and trout will be waiting off the deeper edges to ambush bait as it blows off the top of the reef. Use Berkley Gulp! Shrimp on a 1/8-ounce jighead in the Turtle Pen area for trout. The speed of your retrieve should vary with the heat of the day. ARANSAS BAY: Free-lined shrimp on Tow Head Reef will produce reds, trout, and sheepshead. The key here is lighter leaders and smaller hooks. Cast out and allow the shrimp to work to the top and edges of the reef. The spoil area next to the ICW will produce black drum on peeled shrimp. The key here is to let the fish take the bait for a three or four count before setting the hook. ST. CHARLES BAY: The mouth of Salt Creek is a good spot for reds and trout on croaker and cut pin perch on a Carolina rig. Early morning limits of reds can be caught using topwaters while drifting across Cow Chip. F i s h

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THE BANK BITE WADE THE EAST SHORELINE OF COPANO BAY BEHIND THE AIRPORT USING SOFT PLASTICS ON A 1/8-OUNCE JIGHEAD. SWAP OUT THE JIGHEAD COLORS UNTIL YOU FIND ONE THAT GETS STRIKES. SAND EELS IN ELECTRIC GRAPE, ELECTRIC CHICKEN, AND WHITE ARE EFFECTIVE. In late afternoon, wade-fish the east shoreline using soft plastics in Morning Glory and Limetreuse colors. CARLOS BAY: The southeast shoreline at the mouths of the back lakes is the place to be on a falling tide for trout. Free-line piggy perch or croaker for some fast action. Drifting across Carlos Lake using Bass Assassins in New Penny or Rootbeer colors for trout and a few flounder. MESQUITE BAY: If the wind allows, fish Rattlesnake Reef Point using cut menhaden or mullet on a fish-finder rig for slot reds. The outer reefs of Bray’s Cove is a good place to fish late evening using a popping cork and shrimp for black drum and reds. AYRES BAY: The east shoreline reefs will be holding trout and a few keeper reds. Stealth is the key here, so use a trolling motor if you have one. Free-lined shrimp or croaker is the ticket. The north edge reefs are good places for black drum and sheepies using fresh dead shrimp under a cork or on a light Carolina rig. Contact Capt. Mac Gable at Mac Attack Guide Service, 512-809-2681, 361-790-9601

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Target Slicks for Corpus Specks NGLERS LOOKING FOR SPECKLED TROUT action in the Corpus Christi area during the heat of summer should target slicks. Slicks are literally oil slicks on the water’s surface caused by the feeding of predatory fishes. Fish, especially speckled trout, regurgitate when on an aggressive feeding pattern and when the prey is something oily like menhaden, a “slick” might form. On the main body of Corpus Christi Bay, slicks can lead you to speckled trout, but you have to pay strict attention to detail or you are wasting your time. The first obstacle to overcome is crab traps, which are common the closer you to get to shore. Crabbers bait these traps with menhaden, which is very oily and produces slicks as soon as they put it in the water. Running across the lake and blindly looking for slicks can drive an angler crazy, as there are thousands of crab traps out there. The most obvious way to tell if a slick comes from a crab trap or feeding fish is to see if there is a crab trap marker buoy nearby. If it is coming directly from a trap, do not bother fishing there; chances are you are not going to catch anything. Another way to tell if a slick is coming from feeding fish is to be fortunate enough to see it as it is emerging. Emerging slicks are small and usually round, about the size of a large plate or trash can lid; if you see one, it

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probably just formed and your chances of connecting with fish are excellent. That is the ideal condition, but slicks are worth trying if they are well formed and no more than 10 feet across. I do not like wasting my time, and by focusing on the smallest, well-formed slicks, I can increase my odds of catching fish. Some anglers claim they can tell if a slick is fresh by smelling it. Slicks definitely have a smell often compared to mowed grass or watermelon rind. Once you are on these slicks, target them a soft plastic like a Bass Assassin in colors like Pumpkinseed, Glow, or chartreuse, or live shrimp under a popping cork. Deep shell along the ship channel and moving down Laguna will hold fair numbers of trout and reds. When fishing these areas, a Gulp! Shrimp rigged under a popping cork is hard to beat. A good tip for fishing these areas is to use a wind- or driftsock to slow down boat movement. A slower drift will make for less hang-ups and better bite detection. If you are determined to catch the bigger fish that inhabit these reefs, let your lure get down to the bottom. The smaller fish are much more likely to be up top, but the big ones will lie on the bottom and tend to be a little lazier. Let whatever shrimp imitation you are fishing hit the bottom and slowly drag it across the bottom.

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THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Packery Channel Jetty SPECIES: redfish, trout BEST BAITS: free-lined shrimp or finger mullet BEST TIMES: During any tidal movement Dead-sticking is also an option. This is exactly as it sounds: throw the lure, let it hit the bottom, and do nothing. Just let it drift along the currents and bottom structure to make the lure appealing. This technique requires patience, but it can catch those trout that few other anglers get. Most of the time, you will be fishing with lures on a jighead, but an alternative way to do this is rig it on a fish-finder (Carolina) rig. This consists of an egg weight rigged above a swivel and attached an 18-inch leader. The weight will disturb the bottom and get a trout’s attention while the shrimp will have the look of freely swimming.

Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com

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Close to Home ITH GAS PRICES REBOUNDING FROM reasonable lows back into crazy highs, many Lower Laguna Madre fishermen would be very happy to find spots that do not require long, gas burning runs. Two of the better fishing areas in Lower Laguna Madre are very short runs from White Sands Marina, Jim’s Pier, or Sea Ranch and sport excellent fishing during late summer.

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Nestled in between the Old Queen Isabella Causeway and the Brownsville Ship Channel portion of the Intracoastal Waterway, Mexequita Flats (N26 3.624, W97 11.532) gets less attention than the more popular nearby South Bay. The shallow flats are hold plenty of good fish and, if the conditions are just right, can provide fishermen with many a memorable August day. Mexequita is pockmarked by sand pockets and potholes, where speckled trout and flounder lurk during early morning, especially when a flood tide pushes baitfishes onto the flats. Live shrimp or soft plastics such as a DOA Shrimp or Gulp! Shrimp are very productive when fished under a popping cork or Alameda float. If redfish are your preference, a red head/white body or Bone topwater such as a Top Dog Jr.

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or Saltwater Chug Bug are good choices early in the morning. As the day grows longer, tie on a Nemire Red Ripper in gold and skim it just over the tops of the grass; a chartreuse or red bucktail will enhance the attractiveness of the spoon. Because Mexequita is literally within sight of the Brazos-Santiago Pass, it is affected by tides more than most of the other popular fishing areas. The most effective time to fish is during an incoming tide, when the flats are flooded by new water directly from the Gulf. Trout and redfish become very active and start prowling the flats. Once the flood tide is reached, then they will settle around the potholes and ambush any hapless prey that swims by. Conversely, have a care not to be caught on Mexequita during an outgoing tide. The place

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THE BANK BITE becomes a parking lot at low tide, and it is common to see some tunnel-vees and even scooters trapped in the flats until flood tide. Besides, fishing the edge of the ICW or the boat channel in front of the Coast Guard Station to the east can be effective. Bait gets pushed into the ditches, and trout wait around the edges in ambush. The aforementioned Old Queen Isabella Causeway (N26 4.197, 97 11.305) is another short run, and it, too, doesn’t get as much attention as other more popular areas. Part of that might be the general belief that the area is strictly a bait fisherman’s paradise full of mangrove snapper, sheepshead, and other panfishes. That in fact is very true, and it is thus a great spot to bring big and small kids who are more concerned with just getting their line stretched than catching the state record trout. Both the mangrove snapper and sheepshead that hang around the pilings are tough fish, and a 13-inch mangrove or 15-inch sheepshead can be quite a handful on light tackle. A standard free-shrimp rig (18- to 24-inch leader, No. 1 short-shank hook, and No, 3 split shot) with a lively shrimp pinned on it is perfect to entice these structure-lurking battlers. You will find plenty of fish around the crumbling pilings, but do not

hesitate to cast in between the pilings. Pieces of the causeway have fallen into the water, and some of the larger fish tend to hold around these isolated concrete chunks. Lane snapper and small (15- to 20-inch) gag grouper (yes, grouper) are also occasionally caught around the deeper holes near the end of the old structure. These fish are not common, but make for a cool surprise for the stalwart angler, as will the slot-sized and larger snook that sometimes crash your bait. Don’t be surprised if you latch onto a goodsized trout or flounder around the Old Causeway. The pilings create current eddies that both fish hold around and wait for the tide to push bait by them. Fish parallel to the current eddies, cast your bait into it, and let it drift with the current. Keep a finger on your line. If you feel a tap, drop your rod tip and let the line come tight, then set the hook. Flounder will be in greater numbers near the drop-off along the shoreline. Again, an incoming tide is your best bet to latch onto these flatties. If you prefer fishing with hardware, the DOA Shrimp or similar lifelike plastic bait is perfect for fishing eddies around the Old Causeway. The do-nothing action of these lures makes them look

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LOCATION: South Brazos-Santiago Jetties (via Boca Chica Beach) GPS: N26 4.125 W97 8.782 SPECIES: redfish, snook TIPS: Use Live bait, topwaters, or soft plastics in pearl. like an actual shrimp being taken where the current will. Let the bait drift on a semi-slack line and give it a twitch every five seconds or so. No predator will let that sucker drift by its nose. Another very good part of the Old Causeway is the curve where the bridge joins the mainland (or Long Island, as the case may be). Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder congregate around the drop-off formed by the roadbed. You can bounce a soft plastic such as a shrimp or shad tail on a 1/4-ounce jighead off the drop-off and into the deeper water. The technique is very effective for putting fish in the box. The final fact that recommends fishing these two spots is you will have enough gas in your tank to hit them again and again. Contact: Calixto Gonzales by email at cgonzales@fishgame.com

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Tides and Prime Times

AUGUST 2009 USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10

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

T13 T7

T6 T5 T17

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the lower color boxes of the Calendar pages. Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE below to adjust times for points East and West of Galveston Channel.

T15 T16

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

T14 T18

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

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SOLAR & LUNAR ACTIVITY: Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 7:51p

PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to your location, the stronger the influence. FULL or NEW MOONS provide the strongest influnce of the month.

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AM Minor: 9:11a AM Major: 2:57a PM Minor: 9:40p PM Major: 3:25p

PEAK TIMES: When a Solunar Period falls within 30 minutes to an hour of sunrise or sunset, anticipate increased action. A moon rise or moon set during one of these periods will cause even greater action. If a FULL or NEW MOON occurs during a Solunar Period, expect the best action of the season.

Moonrise:9:27a Moon Set: None Moon Overhead:

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

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

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

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

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

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

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

T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: 12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

12p

12a

Green: Falling Tide

AM/PM Timeline Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

SOLUNAR AC TIVIT Y: MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the Sky 12a

AM/PM Timeline

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AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

12a

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

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

• A U G U S T

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

KEY PLACE T12 Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay T13 Gilchrist, East Bay T14 Jamaica Beach, W. Bay T15 Alligator Point, W. Bay T16 Christmas Pt T17 Galveston Pleasure Pier

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

PLACE San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor Pass Cavallo Aransas Pass Padre Island (So. End) Port Isabel

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Yellow: Daylight

TIDE PREDICTIONS are shown in graph form, with High and Low tide predictions in text immediately below. SOLUNAR ACTIVITY data is provided to indicate major and minor feeding periods for each day, as the daily phases of the moon have varying degrees of influence on a wide variety of wildlife species.

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

HIGH -0.09 -0:44 0:00 -0:03 -0:24 +1:02

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

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

BEST:

= Peak Fishing 7:45-9:40 AM Period = FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Set: 8:13p Set: None

Sunrise: 6:36a Moonrise: 2:36p

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

AU G 1

Set: 8:12p Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 12:28a Moonrise: 3:34p

Set: 8:12p Set: 1:08a

Sunrise: 6:38a Moonrise: 4:29p

Set: 8:11p Set: 1:51a

Sunrise: 6:38a Moonrise: 5:20p

Set: 8:10p Set: 2:39a

Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 6:07p

Set: 8:10p Set: 3:31a

AM Minor: 10:47a

PM Minor: 4:36p

AM Minor: 11:38a

PM Minor: 5:26p

AM Minor: 12:02a

PM Minor: 6:14p

AM Minor: 12:48a

PM Minor: 7:01p

AM Minor: 1:35a

PM Minor: 7:47p

AM Minor: 2:20a

PM Minor: 8:33p

AM Minor: 3:05a

PM Minor: 9:18p

AM Major: 4:36a

PM Major: 4:59p

AM Major: 5:26a

PM Major: 5:50p

AM Major: 6:14a

PM Major: 6:39p

AM Major: 7:01a

PM Major: 7:26p

AM Major: 7:47a

PM Major: 8:13p

AM Major: 8:33a

PM Major: 8:58p

AM Major: 9:18a

PM Major: 9:43p

Moon Overhead: 6:16p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:54p

Moon Overhead: 7:04p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 8:44p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:25p

Moon Overhead: 9:34p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:15p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 8:14p Sunrise: 6:36a Moonrise: 12:35p Set: 11:51p Moonrise: 1:36p

12a

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:52a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 8:19a BEST:

12:30 — 3:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 9:09a BEST:

2:00 — 3:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 10:00a BEST:

3:00 — 4:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 10:50a +2.0

BEST:

4:00 — 6:00 P TIDE LEVELS

5:30 — 8:45 P

Moon Underfoot: 7:29a

TIDE LEVELS

5:00 A — 7:00 A

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:40a

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

2:23 AM 8:32 AM 3:48 PM 11:24 PM

0.68 ft 1.18 ft 0.08 ft 1.08 ft

Low Tide: 3:05 AM High Tide: 8:40 AM Low Tide: 4:50 PM

0.98 ft High Tide: 5:37 AM 1.19 ft Low Tide: 5:47 AM -0.08 ft High Tide: 8:03 AM Low Tide: 5:52 PM

1.22 ft High Tide: 4:31 AM 1.22 ft Low Tide: 6:52 PM 1.22 ft -0.18 ft

1.37 ft High Tide: 5:08 AM -0.24 ft Low Tide: 7:46 PM

1.46 ft High Tide: 5:41 AM -0.28 ft Low Tide: 8:35 PM

1.48 ft High Tide: 6:06 AM -0.29 ft Low Tide: 9:16 PM

1.46 ft -0.27 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 6:49p

Set: 8:09p Set: 4:25a

Sunrise: 6:40a Moonrise: 7:27p

Set: 8:08p Set: 5:21a

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 8:01p

Set: 8:07p Set: 6:17a

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 8:32p

Set: 8:07p Set: 7:12a

Sunrise: 6:42a Moonrise: 9:01p

Set: 8:06p Set: 8:07a

Sunrise: 6:42a Moonrise: 9:29p

Set: 8:05p Set: 9:00a

Sunrise: 6:43a Moonrise: 9:57p

Set: 8:04p Set: 9:54a

AM Minor: 3:50a

PM Minor: 10:03p

AM Minor: 4:35a

PM Minor: 10:47p

AM Minor: 5:20a

PM Minor: 11:31p

AM Minor: 6:04a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 6:48a

PM Minor: 12:38p

AM Minor: 7:33a

PM Minor: 1:23p

AM Minor: 8:19a

PM Minor: 2:09p

AM Major: 10:03a

PM Major: 10:27p

AM Major: 10:47a

PM Major: 11:10p

AM Major: 11:31a

PM Major: 11:53p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:15p

AM Major: 12:38a

PM Major: 12:59p

AM Major: 1:23a

PM Major: 1:44p

AM Major: 2:09a

PM Major: 2:30p

Moon Overhead: None 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:49a

Moon Overhead: 12:03a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:34a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:57a

Moon Overhead: 2:16a

12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:38a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

12a

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:39a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

10:30 A — 1:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 1:55p BEST:

11:15 A — 1:45 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:37p BEST:

8:40 — 11:59 P

Moon Underfoot: 3:18p BEST:

9:00 — 11:59 P

8:45 — 11:59 P

Moon Underfoot: 3:59p +2.0

BEST:

1:50 — 4:00 A TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 1:12p

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:30 A

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 12:26p

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

6:18 AM 11:48 AM 12:40 PM 9:52 PM

1.42 ft 1.30 ft 1.30 ft -0.23 ft

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

6:22 AM 11:07 AM 2:02 PM 10:24 PM

1.38 ft 1.26 ft 1.30 ft -0.17 ft

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

6:28 AM 11:03 AM 3:00 PM 10:51 PM

1.35 ft 1.18 ft 1.29 ft -0.08 ft

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

6:39 AM 11:22 AM 3:55 PM 11:18 PM

1.33 ft 1.08 ft 1.25 ft 0.03 ft

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

6:53 AM 11:52 AM 4:51 PM 11:44 PM

1.32 ft 0.95 ft 1.20 ft 0.18 ft

High Tide: 7:06 AM 1.29 ft Low Tide: 12:25 PM 0.82 ft High Tide: 5:52 PM 1.14 ft

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

12:11 AM 7:17 AM 1:01 PM 7:04 PM

0.36 ft 1.26 ft 0.66 ft 1.10 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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9:40 AM

Page C26

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Set: 8:01p Set: 1:52p

SATURDAY

14 Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 8:00p Moonrise: 12:25a Set: 2:57p

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:46a Moonrise: 1:18a

Set: 7:59p Set: 4:01p

Sunrise: 6:47a Moonrise: 2:19a

Set: 7:58p Set: 5:01p

AM Minor: 9:06a

PM Minor: 2:56p

AM Minor: 9:56a

PM Minor: 3:44p

AM Minor: 10:47a

PM Minor: 4:35p

AM Minor: 11:41a

PM Minor: 5:27p

AM Minor: 12:12a

PM Minor: 6:22p

AM Minor: 1:02a

PM Minor: 7:18p

AM Minor: 1:59a

PM Minor: 8:15p

AM Major: 2:56a

PM Major: 3:17p

AM Major: 3:44a

PM Major: 4:07p

AM Major: 4:35a

PM Major: 4:59p

AM Major: 5:27a

PM Major: 5:54p

AM Major: 6:22a

PM Major: 6:51p

AM Major: 7:18a

PM Major: 7:49p

AM Major: 8:15a

PM Major: 8:46p

Moon Overhead: 4:20a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:51a

Moon Overhead: 5:04a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:43a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 8:39a

Moon Overhead: 7:39a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:42a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 8:03p Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 8:02p Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 8:03p Sunrise: 6:45a Moonrise: 10:28p Set: 10:49a Moonrise: 11:01p Set: 11:47a Moonrise: 11:40p Set: 12:48p Moonrise: None

FRIDAY

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:41p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

4:40 — 6:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 8:08p BEST:

5:40 — 7:30 P

6:30 — 8:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 9:10p BEST:

12:00 — 3:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 10:13p +2.0

BEST:

2:00 — 3:30 P

TIDE LEVELS

3:30 — 5:20 A

Moon Underfoot: 7:10p

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 6:16p

BEST:

2:30 — 4:45 A

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 5:27p

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

C26

12:39 AM 7:23 AM 1:39 PM 8:30 PM

0.57 ft 1.24 ft 0.50 ft 1.08 ft

• A U G U S T

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

1:06 AM 7:17 AM 2:24 PM 10:18 PM

2 0 0 9 /

0.80 ft 1.24 ft 0.32 ft 1.12 ft

Low Tide: 1:32 AM High Tide: 6:57 AM Low Tide: 3:16 PM

T E X A S

F i s h

1.03 ft 1.29 ft 0.15 ft

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

12:53 AM 1:27 AM 6:34 AM 4:18 PM

1.25 ft High Tide: 6:24 AM 1.25 ft Low Tide: 5:25 PM 1.40 ft -0.03 ft

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

1.52 ft High Tide: 6:12 AM -0.19 ft Low Tide: 6:33 PM

1.61 ft High Tide: 4:53 AM -0.34 ft Low Tide: 7:37 PM

1.67 ft -0.45 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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9:40 AM

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= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Set: 7:57p Set: 5:56p

Sunrise: 6:48a Moonrise: 4:39a

Set: 7:56p Set: 6:44p

Sunrise: 6:49a Moonrise: 5:52a

AM Minor: 2:55a

PM Minor: 9:11p

AM Minor: 3:51a

PM Minor: 10:06p

AM Major: 9:11a

PM Major: 9:42p

AM Major: 10:06a

PM Major: 10:36p

Moon Overhead: 10:44a

12a

12p

Set: 7:55p Set: 7:26p

Sunrise: 6:49a Moonrise: 7:02a

AM Minor: 4:46a

PM Minor: 11:00p

AM Major: 11:00a

PM Major: 11:29p

Moon Overhead: 12:43p

Moon Overhead: 11:45a 12a

12a

12p

FRIDAY

Set: 7:54p Set: 8:04p

Sunrise: 6:50a Moonrise: 8:09a

AM Minor: 5:40a

PM Minor: 11:53p

AM Major: 11:53a

PM Major: 12:20p

Moon Overhead: 1:37p 12a

12p

SATURDAY

Set: 7:53p Set: 8:39p

Sunrise: 6:50a Moonrise: 9:14a

AM Minor: 6:34a

PM Minor: 12:22p

AM Minor: 7:28a

PM Minor: 1:16p

AM Minor: 8:23a

PM Minor: 2:11p

AM Major: 12:22a

PM Major: 12:47p

AM Major: 1:16a

PM Major: 1:41p

AM Major: 2:11a

PM Major: 2:36p

12p

Set: 7:52p Set: 9:13p

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 7:51p Moonrise: 10:18a Set: 9:48p

Moon Overhead: 3:17p

Moon Overhead: 2:28p 12a

SUNDAY

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

17 Sunrise: 6:47a Moonrise: 3:27a

THURSDAY

Moon Overhead: 4:06p 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:15p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

9:50 A — 12:20 P

Moon Underfoot: 1:11a BEST:

10:50 A — 1:10 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:03a BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:53a BEST:

12:20 — 2:50 P

1:20 — 3:40 P

Moon Underfoot: 3:41a +2.0

BEST:

2:10 — 4:30 P TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 12:15a

TIDE LEVELS

3:00 — 6:00 P

Moon Underfoot: None

High Tide: 4:57 AM Low Tide: 8:36 PM

1.68 ft High Tide: -0.49 ft Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:13 AM 9:39 AM 1:03 PM 9:30 PM

1.63 ft 1.46 ft 1.53 ft -0.43 ft

+1.0

-1.0 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:30 AM 10:04 AM 2:40 PM 10:20 PM

1.56 ft 1.26 ft 1.53 ft -0.28 ft

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

5:48 AM 10:43 AM 4:02 PM 11:08 PM

1.47 ft 1.01 ft 1.50 ft -0.04 ft

A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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

6:05 AM 11:28 AM 5:21 PM 11:53 PM

F i s h

1.40 ft 0.74 ft 1.46 ft 0.27 ft

High Tide: 6:23 AM 1.35 ft Low Tide: 12:15 PM 0.49 ft High Tide: 6:40 PM 1.41 ft

G a m e ® / A U G U S T

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

12:36 AM 6:39 AM 1:04 PM 8:05 PM

2 0 0 9

0.59 ft 1.33 ft 0.28 ft 1.37 ft

•

C27

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

FRIDAY

Set: 7:48p Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 11:47p Moonrise: 2:21p

Set: 7:47p Set: None

Sunrise: 6:53a Moonrise: 3:15p

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Set: 7:45p Sunrise: 6:54a Set: 12:35a Moonrise: 4:03p

Set: 7:44p Set: 1:25a

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 4:47p

Set: 7:43p Set: 2:19a

AM Minor: 9:19a

PM Minor: 3:06p

AM Minor: 10:14a

PM Minor: 4:01p

AM Minor: 11:08a

PM Minor: 4:55p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 5:48p

AM Minor: 12:25a

PM Minor: 6:38p

AM Minor: 1:13a

PM Minor: 7:26p

AM Minor: 1:59a

PM Minor: 8:11p

AM Major: 3:06a

PM Major: 3:31p

AM Major: 4:01a

PM Major: 4:27p

AM Major: 4:55a

PM Major: 5:21p

AM Major: 5:48a

PM Major: 6:13p

AM Major: 6:38a

PM Major: 7:04p

AM Major: 7:26a

PM Major: 7:51p

AM Major: 8:11a

PM Major: 8:36p

Moon Overhead: 4:55p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:37p

Moon Overhead: 5:46p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:29p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:10p

Moon Overhead: 8:20p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:59p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 7:50p Sunrise: 6:52a Set: 7:49p Sunrise: 6:52a Moonrise: 11:21a Set: 10:24p Moonrise: 12:24p Set: 11:04p Moonrise: 1:24p

12a

THURSDAY

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:31a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

4:10 — 6:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 7:03a BEST:

5:10 — 7:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 7:54a BEST:

12:00 — 2:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 8:45a BEST:

12:50 — 3:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 9:35a +2.0

BEST:

2:30 — 4:00 P

3:00 — 4:50 P TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 6:12a

TIDE LEVELS

3:15 — 5:20 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 5:21a

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

1:17 AM 6:51 AM 1:57 PM 9:41 PM

0.91 ft 1.33 ft 0.14 ft 1.36 ft

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

1:56 AM 6:55 AM 2:55 PM 11:49 PM

1.17 ft 1.35 ft 0.06 ft 1.40 ft

Low Tide: 2:16 AM High Tide: 6:03 AM Low Tide: 3:59 PM

1.38 ft 1.40 ft 0.03 ft

High Tide: 3:51 AM Low Tide: 5:11 PM

1.52 ft 0.03 ft

High Tide: 4:15 AM Low Tide: 6:22 PM

1.59 ft 0.04 ft

High Tide: 4:45 AM Low Tide: 7:24 PM

1.61 ft 0.05 ft

High Tide: 5:05 AM Low Tide: 8:14 PM

1.59 ft 0.07 ft

+1.0

-1.0

ALMANAC C.qxd:ALMANAC C

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9:40 AM

Page C29

ALMANAC C.qxd:ALMANAC C

7/1/09

9:40 AM

Page C30

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

31 SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009 WEDNESDAY

SEP 1

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 5:26p

Set: 7:42p Set: 3:14a

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 6:01p

Set: 7:41p Set: 4:10a

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 6:33p

Set: 7:40p Set: 5:05a

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 7:03p

Set: 7:39p Set: 6:00a

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 7:32p

Set: 7:38p Set: 6:55a

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 8:01p

Set: 7:36p Set: 7:49a

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 8:31p

Set: 7:35p Set: 8:44a

AM Minor: 2:43a

PM Minor: 8:55p

AM Minor: 3:25a

PM Minor: 9:36p

AM Minor: 4:05a

PM Minor: 10:16p

AM Minor: 4:45a

PM Minor: 10:56p

AM Minor: 5:26a

PM Minor: 11:36p

AM Minor: 6:08a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 6:53a

PM Minor: 12:42p

AM Major: 8:55a

PM Major: 9:18p

AM Major: 9:36a

PM Major: 9:59p

AM Major: 10:16a

PM Major: 10:38p

AM Major: 10:56a

PM Major: 11:17p

AM Major: 11:36a

PM Major: 11:57p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:19p

AM Major: 12:42a

PM Major: 1:04p

Moon Overhead: 10:46p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: None

Moon Overhead: 11:31p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:14a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:37a

Moon Overhead: 12:56a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:19a 12a

12p

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 10:22a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 11:53a BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 12:35p BEST:

10:00A — 12:20P

Moon Underfoot: 1:16p BEST:

10:56 A — 1:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 1:58p BEST:

11:15 A — 1:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:41p +2.0

BEST:

12:00 — 2:20 A

12:20 — 2:40 A

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 11:08a BEST:

5:00 — 7:10 P

+1.0

12a

+1.0

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

C30

5:09 AM 10:31 AM 12:13 PM 8:54 PM

1.55 ft 1.41 ft 1.42 ft 0.11 ft

• A U G U S T

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

5:05 AM 10:06 AM 1:33 PM 9:28 PM

2 0 0 9 /

1.51 ft 1.35 ft 1.44 ft 0.18 ft

-1.0 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

T E X A S

5:06 AM 10:01 AM 2:34 PM 9:56 PM

F i s h

1.47 ft 1.25 ft 1.45 ft 0.27 ft

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

5:12 AM 10:15 AM 3:31 PM 10:23 PM

1.46 ft 1.12 ft 1.45 ft 0.39 ft

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

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

5:22 AM 10:39 AM 4:26 PM 10:50 PM

1.45 ft 0.97 ft 1.45 ft 0.54 ft

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

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First Encounters, New Loves T

HE FIRST BULLDOG REVOLVER I EVER SAW belonged to a friend. It was one of the early 3-inch barrel models in .44 Special, pocket-worn (or maybe holsterworn) blued finish, and five-round cylinder—sleek, compact, lightweight, yet enough hair on its chest to punch an impres-

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sive nearly-half-inch hole in anything this side of a Cape buffalo. I shamelessly violated the Tenth Commandment and coveted that pistol; it seemed “just right” in terms of size, carryability, and firepower. I since lost contact with the friend and do not know the fates of him or the pis-

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tol. Such was my infatuation, I do not know which I miss more—the friend or the chance to horse-trade for that Bulldog. You can still get a Bulldog, even a stainless target model with 4-inch barrel and adjustable sights, so I am not completely out of luck. Nonetheless, guns are like first

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loves, and in my psyche no newer version has the same sex appeal as that first encounter. For reasons I will leave to the psychobabblists to explain, outdoorsmen in general and hunters in particular develop peculiar affinities for first encounters. Although I

know the Weatherby Mark V .300 Magnum or Whitworth Express .25-06 in my closet are in many ways superior hunting arms, I still think of and yearn for the old Winchester Model 94 .30-30 that killed my first deer—notwithstanding that if I had it, I probably would not use it much, choosing instead the .300, .25-06, .270, or whatever else seemed appropriate; I still want a smells-like-victory rifle in .338 Lapua, too. I still have and use the same old Coleman lantern that illuminated many a rustic campsite and nocturnal crappiethon. I have newer models, too, and use them faithfully, but none shine as bright to my eyes as that old, battered warhorse. I must retire it soon (replacement parts are becoming scarcer and frightfully expensive), but I will never discard it; I have too much invested not measurable in mere money. Old ice chests, broken arrows, rusted minnow buckets, threadbare hunting vests, dysfunctional flashlights, worn out game calls, binoculars with missing lens pieces, sundry deer feeder parts, broken knives, and other detritus from a lifetime outdoors clutter my shop, home, and office. As already stated, don’t ask me why. I tell myself they are still useful; after all, a nondescript bird made a nest in the game pocket of that old vest last spring, and the Christmas lights stay dry and untangled in the old ice chest. Who knows when a broken knife or bent aluminum arrow might come in handy. Most of my first encounters long ago succumbed to loss or decay. My first “ATV”— C36

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a Honda motorcycle—pales against the backdrop of modern four-wheeled muscle, and I lost it to fire long before “four-wheeler” was anything but a sobriquet for Jeep. (I also bent the barrel of my beloved 20-gauge while crossing a ditch with the gun strapped to the front wheel forks. My grandfather

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later straightened it with a railroad jack, a 2x4, and the bumper of his 1953 Ford pickup.) Kismet brought a new love, however, and I doubt I would trade four-wheeled ATV comfort and utility for even a sure enough good coonhound. And the notion of anything other than a tractor wearing John

Deere Green was, well, never a notion at all. My first real bow, a 40-pound Bear Bearcat recurve, reposes in the crooks of an antique coat rack that once stood in the hallway of my grandfather’s ranch house. Not one of the wooden arrows remains, most lost to anonymity among camouflaging grass and leaves. We didn’t have DayGlo fletching or luminous nocks back then; more’s the pity. On a related note, that bow came from the hardware department of Buddy’s Grocery in Lake Worth, Texas, and most of my first guns (and ammo) came from the stocks of sundry hardware stores.

“

Back

then, “sporting goods” stores

“

sold footballs

and basketball hoops.

My grandfather bought my single-shot 20-gauge from Greene’s Western Auto Store in Azle, Texas. Mr. Greene kept a respectable stock of arms in a rack behind the checkout counter to keep them safe from sweaty juvenile palms like mine. He even kept a supply of .22 shorts, something scarce as hen’s teeth today. We bought fishing tackle from those same hardware stores, or bait shops where “a dollar’s worth” of shiners would last the entire weekend. Back then, “sporting goods” stores sold footballs and basketball hoops. We never imagined the kind of one-stop shopping venues that today’s sportsmen ply for everything from shotshells to spinning reels. My first encounters with real sporting goods and gun stores were studies in wideeyed country bumpkinism. C38

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I seem to recall that even the venerable Leonard Brothers Farm & Ranch store in downtown Fort Worth, where my grandfather purchased veterinary supplies (including the Burdizzo bloodless castrator that I still have), carried a few firearms. Curiously, I bought my first compound

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bow, a Bear Blacktail Hunter—the only bow in stock—at a Woolworth’s store in a Fort Worth shopping mall. Much to my regret, I discovered hearing protection in a hunting and shooting specialty shop long after I had ruined my hearing with muzzle blasts, and shooting glasses

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thankfully before experiencing my first case rupture. Some first encounters come vicariously, as did mine with what I now know as a “mud boat.” It was in a hunting episode of the ABC network American Sportsman television show filmed somewhere in South America. I do not remember if the hunt was for waterfowl, caiman, or jaguar, nor if Curt Gowdy (may he rest in cattails and autumn leaves) was present, but I do remember the boat that ferried hunters and film crew. It was a wooden craft, perhaps a dugout, quite narrow with a mosquito proboscis bow. How it carried the top-heavy load without capsizing remains a mystery—especially considering the monstrous “outboard motor” on the transom. The motor was a genuine, honest-to-gosh V8 automobile engine, maybe a small block Chevy, mounted on a swivel arrangement for side and vertical motion, the engine (tiller steered, no less) mounted so high the operator had to stand. The engine drove a bare, oddly small propeller mounted on the end of a shaft perhaps 8 feet long that stuck out horizontally to the rear—an arrangement designed for the shallow mud flats and logchoked backwaters of South American riverine environs. This mechanical marvel and exotic locale struck a chord that resonates to this day with a tune of adventure, exploration, and no small measure of excitement. I take comfort that should I decide to augment the vicarious memory with real-world experience, I need not travel to the Amazon Basin; a good pirogue or johnboat with a Mud Buddy on the transom and a few miles of marsh, swamp, bayou, or backwater will “get me there” in every sense of the phrase. Nostalgia, schmaltz, living in the past— whatever you call it, sportsmen like their “old stuff ” and associated memories. Loathe to dispose of anything, we garner undeserved reputations as “pack rats”— undeserved, you see, because a pack rat always leaves something in exchange for its acquisitions; sportsmen do not part with anything still in half-usable condition. Paradoxically, most hunters love “new stuff,” too, and odds are you will find with-

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in these pages something to covet, thus joining me among the unrepentant legions who value first encounters and new loves more than substantial lucre.

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Medalist’s New All-Season Apparel Medalist Performance Sports Apparel, Inc. offers the Cheyenne Series Shirt and Pants with SilverMax® - ideal as outerwear pieces for the warm season or as layering pieces for colder conditions. The Cheyenne Shirt and Pant are part of the Medalist head-to-toe layering system. Hunters will carry fewer pieces of outerwear on hunting trips when wearing Medalist hunting apparel with SilverMax because the technology regulates the wearer’s body temperature in all weather conditions. The soft, quite and versatile Medalist C h e y e n n e Microfiber Button Front Shirt has two front pockets for storage, a rear hunting license holder and a drop tail that keeps the wearer covered during active movement. The Cheyenne Microfiber Pant, a six-pocket design with two front baffle pockMedalist Cheyenne Shirt ets, two hip and Pant pockets and two rear pockets. The pant’s elastic waist C42

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increases adjustability and comfort while a draw cord at the leg openings keeps the cold out. The Cheyenne Series with SilverMax outperforms carbon, providing superior scent-elimination protection and the ultimate in comfort. Unlike carbon-based technologies that mask, hide or just reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria, SilverMax kills bacteria, preventing odors from the start Medalist apparel with SilverMax technology requires no activation, is permanent and is easy to care for. For more information, visit www.medalist.com.

the hottest hooks on the market! Ideal for wacky rigging or drop-shotting any number of soft plastics, the L097 is perfect for live bait presentations as well. Regardless of application, the L097 has a diverse and broad size range: 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0. Available in both a Platinum Black and red finish for adapting to any fishing applications. For more information about Lazer Sharp products, contact us at 720-9418700 or visit the Eagle Claw web site at www.eagleclaw.com.

New L097 Hook Clear Rubber Mesh Versatile and Landing Net Effective Lazer Sharp is thrilled to announce the latLazer Sharp est edition to the most L097 Hook comprehensive fishhook line in the world … the all new L097. The L097’s unique design with a non-offset forged point, and precise engineered dimensions, this wide gap octopus style hook has enough strength and durability to stand up to Ego Wade Medium landthe nastiest bating net tles, It’s short shank and wide gap allow for an undisturbed presentation that will lead to increased hook ups. Retailing for $3.29, these will be some of F i s h

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The Ego Wade Medium landing net is now available in a clear lightweight rubber mesh. The advantages of the clear mesh are two fold: 1) The clear rubber does not absorb heat and UV rays to the same degree as the all black version therefore extending mesh bag life, and 2) The clear mesh is not as easily seen in the water by the fish therefore reducing fish spook characteristics. Join the growing community of savvy anglers throughout Texas that have learned to trust their Ego. For more information, find a dealer or to place an order, visit www.egonets.com.

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T/C Venture Bolt Action Rifle

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‘Big Mouth’ Most Popular Compact Gun Rest

Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson company, has Big Mouth Little Sure Shot Gun Restunveiled a new bolt-action rifle - the T/C Venture - designed to deliver top-end quali- sTM have become the most popular-selling ty at a competitive price. The new bolt- compact gun rests according to the manuaction rifle, offering the fit and feel of a high- facturer. The “Big Mouth” gun rests popuend model with a match grade barrel, puts larity is attributed to their compact size, verthe T/C Venture in a class of its own. Featuring a level of craftsmanship that is synonymous with Thompson/Center Arms; the new T/C Venture is designed to compete on all quality levels and at a price point that makes it very affordable. Manufactured with accuracy-driven consumers in mind, the T/C Venture features a Thompson/Center Arms barrel with 5R rifling and match grade crown. The T/C Venture is guaran- satility and proven effectiveness to improving teed to be MOA (Minute of Angle) accu- accuracy. Long rifles, slug guns, shotguns, handrate, capable of shooting 3 shots within 1 gun and even crossbow hunters use the “Big inch at 100 yards. The T/C Venture comes standard with a Mouth” model to hunt deer, turkey, elk, classic styled composite stock, featuring moose, bear, varmints and small game. inlayed, traction grip panels that give the Hunters appreciate the flexirifle a distinct look and positive feel. A fat bility and the freedom bolt design with 60-degree rise provides the “Big Mouth” more room between bolt and scope and gives them to select a fence super-smooth action. Other features on the post, tree, ranch or rifle include an adjustable 3.5 to 5 pound even ATV uprights as a trigger, a drilled and tapped receiver (with shooting platform when they bases included) for easy installation are preparing to fire. of optics and QD sling swivel The compact size permits storing one in studs. The T/C Vena shirt pocket until needed. They are just 6ture includes a single stack 3+1 Thompson/Center’s new 1/4” long and tip the scale at four ounces. detachable Bolt Action Rifle The “Big Mouth” earned its magazine. The rifle name because of the open hook-like device will initially be that is big enough to wrap around just about chambered in .270, .30- any odd-shaped items ranging from 3/8” – 06, 300 Win. Mag., and 1-3/8”. They attach with a simple twist of 7mm Mag, with medium the knob and adjust to any height in secaction calibers available later in onds. The patented “Original” and “Big 2009. The T/C Venture will be available in Mouth” Little Sure Shot Gun Rests are early 2009 with an anticipated retail price of made in the USA. Both are available at sporting goods $499. The rifle is made in America and backed by T/C’s lifetime warranty. For retailers or can be ordered online at more information (and Hi-Res images) on www.LittleSureShotGunRests.com. Hickthe T/C Venture or the complete line of ory walking sticks can be ordered at the Thompson/Center Arms firearms and company’s website. accessories, visit www.tcarms.com.

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Medalist “Covers” NASA, UFC Fighters, & Hunters EDALIST PERFORMANCE SPORTS Apparel, Inc., is a leading producer of high performance apparel and technical fabrics. Medalist is committed to producing and providing apparel with the highest level of technology, performance, and comfort to a wide range of consumers in the hunting, outdoor, and tactical markets. Medalist was born as Piqua Underwear in 1898. In 1902, Piqua was purchased by the Atlas Underwear Company and then was acquired by Medalist Industries, a company best known for their Sand-Kit sports uniforms, in 1972. Performance Sports Apparel, Inc., purchased Medalist trademarks and transformed and expanded the brand’s horizons leading to the introduction of the SilverMax technology in 2002. The SilverMax technology in Medalist apparel provides undetected scent-free protection, thermodynamic body temperature regulation, Stay-dry Skinetics moisture transfer system that rapidly wicks away chillproducing moisture, and anti-static noisefree movement. Designed as a head-to-toe layering system, Medalist hunting apparel with SilverMax allows hunters to carry fewer pieces of outerwear on hunting trips because it provides superior thermodynamic qualities to keep body temperature regulated in all weather conditions. The Medalist Cheyenne Series shirt and pants with SilverMax are ideal as outerwear pieces for the warm season or as mid-layer garments for colder conditions. Medalist hunting apparel with SilverMax is the new standard in scent elimination; helping hunters avoid detection by ani-

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mals. Unlike carbon-based technologies that have been on the market for a number of years that absorb odor, SilverMax is a 99.9 percent pure silver technology that kills the odor-causing bacteria, preventing odors

from the start. A carbon-based garment requires reactivation, special storage and cleaning requirements, while the exclusive SilverMax technology requires no activation, is permanent and easy to take care of. New company heights were reached when Medalist anti-microbial shirts with SilverMax were chosen by the European Space Agency to be worn by astronauts on missions to the International Space Station. Immediately following, NASA astronauts took Medalist to the final frontier by selecting Medalist base layer garments with SilverMax for its space missions. After conquering space, Medalist launched a line of tactical apparel with SilF i s h

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verMax in 2006 and was instantly recognized as the product of choice for law enforcement officers and military applications. Medalist’s revolutionary tactical apparel with SilverMax provides total odor protection and temperature regulation sought by law enforcement officers, FBI, the Secret Service, SWAT, and military personnel. SilverMax keeps the individual and their gear odor free and comfortable in all conditions. This past year, Medalist provided authentic training apparel for World Cham-

pion UFC fighters Jens Pulver and Tim Sylvia, as well as over 40 other MMA fighters. Medalist was an official sponsor of Adrenaline MMA. With over a century-long history of innovation and uncompromising quality, Medalist continues to create and deliver apparel and related products that combine technology and performances to targeted markets around the world. Today, Medalist products are worn by world-class athletes, professional hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts. Contact: Medalist, 800-543-8952, visit www.medalist.com —Staff Report

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY MEDALIST

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Airmar TM 258 Transducer IF YOU LIKE FRIED FISH, BOLT ONE OF AIRMAR’S new TM 258 transom-mount transducers onto the back of your boat and you’ll be able to fry Bubba without even hooking him first. This softball-sized sonar sensor can pump out a thrilling 1000 watts of juice, providing up to 16 times the sensitivity of the stock transducer that comes out of the box with a store-bought fish-finder. I tested a TM 258 head to head with the stock transducer on one of Lowrance’s new HDS 7 units. To say it gave me a performance boost would be the understatement of the year; I was able to spot the smallest of baitfishes hugging bottom in waters over 100 feet deep, get a hi-definition bottom reading at 30 mph, and even spot my own jigs as I danced them beneath the boat. The TM 258 is a new version of the first transom mount transducer to put out this kind of power, and the main difference is a new mounting system. It incorporates a stainless steel bracket with two pins, which can be pulled to easily remove the transducer. It is also more streamlined than the old version, allowing for better performance at high speeds. Why would you want such a big boomer on the back of your boat? Remember that when trying to penetrate the depths (and

factors such as frequency and receiver quality remain the same), doubling the transducer crystal’s PHOTO COURTESY AIRMAR TECHNOLOGY

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diameter has the same effect as quadrupling the output power. This happens because the larger the transducer is, the more focused its beam is. Think of a flashlight set to spotlight, instead of flood. So, a machine pushing 100 watts through a 4-inch transducer will see as deep as a fish-finder pushing 400 watts through a 2-inch transducer, and one pushing 1600-watts through a 1-inch transducer. In other words, the TM 258 boosts the fish-finding ability of your existing unit by a wide margin. It also has a temperature sensor, and dual-elements putting out 50 and 200 kHz. If you want to be able to spot a sand flea from hundreds of feet above, this is money well spent. Contact: Airmar Technology, 603-6739570, www.airmartechnology.com. —Lenny Rudow

Eagle One Easi-Dri Car Wash & Wheel Cleaner DO YOU WANT YOUR RIG TO LOOK GOOD AS YOU head down the road toward the boat ramp? Of course you do! But if you have hard water that causes spots and streaks, you might be disappointed by the look of your truck and your outboard cowl, even hours after you wash them. Outboards and autos share similar baked-on clear coat finishes that are prone to hard water spots, and the usual way to deal with them, shammying the entire vehicle, is time consuming and an all-around pain in the you-know-what. Eagle One Easi-Dri Car Wash is formulated to end the spotting and streaking, and dry with a consistent, shiny finish. It creates a strong sheeting action that causes the water to run off the surfaces unassisted, A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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reducing the need for hand drying. I tried this stuff on my new jet-black outboards, which show water spots like they were neon. Instead of the usual dozens of hard-water marks left if I didn’t shammy, there were just a couple. On the truck, it did even better, leaving a gleam that made my eyes hurt. This stuff comes in a big 64ounce bottle that will last for the entire season. On to the tires; these need to look good, too. Eagle One has this aspect of auto care covered with its Keep Clean Wheel Cleaner. This stuff isn’t really a cleaner as much as it is a repellent, and it is supposed to form a barrier that keeps road grime and dust off the wheels for two weeks. After washing my tow vehicle’s wheels and then treating them with the Eagle One, they certainly looked good and the shine seemed to last a bit longer after the usual wash. Contact: Eagle One Automotive Appearance Products, 877-532-4536, www.eagleone.com —LR

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Smith & Wesson Model 29 HE SMITH & WESSON MODEL 29, CHAMBERED for the famed .44 Remington Magnum, first saw light of day in 1955. It was at the time the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world. Since that time it has been eclipsed in raw power by a number of cartridges, but in usefulness, it is still in a class by itself. The Model 29’s popularity was not all that stellar at first. It was primarily used by experienced handgunners and a few tougher than normal police officers. Elmer Keith, the father of the .44 Magnum, loved it and wrote that its recoil was not objectionable, but Elmer wasn’t normal in any way that I am aware of.

by Steve LaMascus Then in 1971, it took off like a Saturn rocket when the movie character Dirty Harry Callahan entered the scene. Clint Eastwood’s understated delivery (“Go ahead, make my day!”) and the special effects of the films caused the Model 29 to soar in popularity. However, many enamored shooters bought a Model 29 and a box of cartridges, then a short time later brought the gun back to the gun shop to trade in, along with 6 empties and 44 unfired cartridges. They found that the big gun was a handful and then some—especially to a nation of shooters who were accustomed to the .38 Special. In those days, the .357 Magnum was thought to be a real hellbender, and the .44 Magnum was several steps above the .357 in power and recoil. ComC46

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bine that with the fact that hearing protection was not then as prevalent as it is today, and you have a gun that was really hard for the average handgunner to shoot well. The Model 29 is and always has been a beautiful gun. With a deep, bright blue finish, highly figured grips, and a rugged but handsome profile, it is one of those guns that appeal to both the shooter and the collector. I first shot a Model 29 back in the mid1970s, when the Uvalde Gun Club began having International Metallic Handgun Silhouette Association matches. I borrowed one with an 8 3/8” barrel from a friend and shot the matches with it for several months before I bought one of my own. I was amazed that I could actually hit the rams at 200 meters with the big gun, shooting handloaded 250-grain Keith bullets. I don’t now remember for sure, but I think the sight adjustment between 50 and 200 meters was 18 clicks of elevation. I shot with the factory sights and finally managed to work my way into the A class. F i s h

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Since that time I have seldom been without a Model 29 or its stainless steel version, the 629. At this time, I have three of them: a 6-inch Model 29, a 4-inch Model 29, and a 4-inch 629. After nearly 55 years of service, the Model 29 and its various offspring are still popular, and deservedly so. Contrary to what you may have read in the magazines, the biggest and baddest handgun you will ever need for almost any Western Hemisphere application is the .44 Magnum. And the King of the Hill is still the big Smith & Wesson N-Frame. The blued version of the Model 29 is still available from Smith & Wesson in their Classics series, in 3-inch, 4-inch, and 6.5inch versions, and in several variations in stainless steel. If you want a true classic, there is no reason you can’t have a Model 29—and if you already have one, you don’t really need anything else.

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Bison Dreams S A SMALL HERD OF BISON SLOWLY MADE ITS way from a thicket into a clearing, my heart pounded like a jackhammer. I remember looking around at the two cameramen with me and in a quiet voice asking, “Can you hear that?” “What?” one of them replied.

by Chester Moore, Jr.

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“My heart. It is about to beat out of my chest!” Here I was just 100 yards from the conclusion of a lifelong aspiration, and found myself in one of those rare instances where reality exceeded the dream. Since I was a little boy, I dreamt of taking an American bison (buffalo) with a bow and arrow, and at the ripe old age of 23, was on the cusp of making that happen on private land in my home state of Texas. The problem was, 100 yards might as well have been a mile because my effective bow range was and is 35 yards. We did, however, have two things to our advantage: The wind was in our face and at the bison’s back, and since their vision is weak, the nose is their best alarm system. The

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other advantage could actually turn into a disadvantage real quick-like. You see, bison are not really afraid of people, which allows stealthy hunters to approach closely. This was the reason it was so easy for market hunters armed with rifles to wipe them out in the 1800s; but those “hunters” were on horseback or trains. We were on the ground, and the flipside to the bison’s tolerance of people is some of them are not so tolerant. In fact, bison quite literally stomp people into mud holes and hurt more people in Yellowstone National Park than all other animals combined. Within 10 minutes, we stalked to within 50 yards of the herd without spooking them.

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After the Shot UCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT BEING successful in the bowhunting world. Most of the time, this information is accurate and, when applied correctly, will help you to harvest that whitetail you have been after. However, not much has been written about what you should do immediately after the shot. There are five steps that I feel are paramount if you want to bring home the venison. WATCH: Everything happens so fast that sometimes it can almost be impossible to see exactly where your arrow enters the animal. Although you have picked a spot and done everything right, you still might question yourself when you start your blood trailing.

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Watch the reaction of the deer after you shoot. Did the deer kick back its hind legs? If it did, then you should have a good hit. If the animal runs off with its tail tucked down, it is another sign that the deer might be fatally wounded. You might find that the animal just bounds a few feet and stops to determine where the noise just came from. That might not mean a clean miss. More often than not, when using razor sharp broad heads, a deer does not even know when it is about to have a bad day. LOOK: In the excitement of the moment, it is easy to miss some important facts that will help you recover your game. Look at where the deer goes. Follow it with your eyes as far as you can, and then pick a landmark where the deer was last seen. If you are hunting on the edge of a field, it is much easier to see where the deer enters the woodlot. A blood trail is easier to locate if you know where to start looking. I like to pick a few landmarks so I can line them up once I am on ground level. At the very least, you will have

an idea where to begin your search. LISTEN: It is very important to open your ears and concentrate on what you hear as the deer leaves your sight. You should resist the temptation to immediately sit down and put your bow away. If you have a radio handy, you will have to defer that call to your hunting buddies for a few more minutes. Now is the time to listen for any clues the deer might give you. You will soon have plenty of time to sit and call your friends. Listen for the sound of a deer falling and thrashing leaves. It is a true sign that your deer is not far away and is not going anywhere fast. You might even hear the death moan of the animal. The sound of an arrow shaft hitting brush and trees as the deer runs will tell you that you did not have enough penetration for a passthru shot. The blood trail will be on only one side of the trail. It might mean you are in for a long day. WAIT: I think this has got to be the hardest

TROPHY FEVER Continued from Page C47 Determined to get a shot before they again put some distance between us, I stepped out ahead of the cameramen and began my move. Before each step, I examined the ground to make sure I would not snap a branch or rustle the dry leaves. Noticing the bison were starting to move a little more quickly, I haphazardly ignored my footing and snapped a small stick. I just knew they were going to bolt, but to my surprise, the beasts simply looked up for a second, walked forward a few feet, and put their heads back down to graze. A large oak obstructed their view of me, and if I could make it there, only 25 yards or so would separate me from the herd and the young bull I had picked out. It did not take long to close the gap, and with the animals heavily engaged in feeding, C48

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I signaled for my crew. They surprisingly made it over without spooking the animals, and the cameras were rolling. It was the decisive moment, my focus laser sharp on the goal. The dream of a lifetime was at hand, and I was about to see it through. Before I positioned myself alongside the giant oak, I said a short prayer and asked God to let my arrow fly true and make a quick, clean kill. Although I made no apologies for taking the life of this magnificent animal to feed my family, I had the utmost respect for it. On that end, I had consulted my friend, Ted Nugent, for advice on where to place the arrow. He had taken more bison by bow than anyone in the world, and said without hesitation that I should make a heart shot. “Bison have really big lungs and can go for a long time if you hit them there,” Ted told me. “When they are quartering away, F i s h

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tuck the arrow right in the crease of the leg and chest cavity and through the pump station, which hangs lower on the body than a deer’s does.” “Pump station” is Nugent lingo for heart, and I knew his anatomical analysis was dead on. Besides being an amazing shot (I once filmed him taking a running elk at 56 yards right through the heart with a bow), he is a master student of wildlife. With each species he pursues, he takes extensive mental notes on optimal shot placement. I eased alongside the tree just about the time the herd started wandering off. As luck would have it, the bull I wanted was quartering away, offering a perfect pathway to its “pump station.” With great confidence in the prayer I sent up just moments before, I drew back, lined up my sights with a patch of fur right under the crease of the leg, and let the arrow fly. It

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thing to get used to after the shot. Even if you know the shot was true, you still need to wait and give the deer time to expire. How long you wait depends on where the shot hit. A lung shot, although very lethal, calls for a wait of at least a 1/2-hour. If you have determined that you have a gut shot (which is also very lethal), then you should wait 5 to 6 hours before you start tracking your animal. This is when you get the old cell phone out and call your friends to tell them the “there I was” story. Remember to keep your voice down. Your prize might not be far off and you do not want to spook it into another county. Pack a Texas Fish & Game in your backpack and catch up on your reading. Most of all, resist that urge to climb down and start your search early. INVESTIGATE: Carry a field-tipped arrow in your quiver. Before you sit down to wait the allotted time, try shooting your field tip in the exact spot the deer was standing a minute ago. You might not have the exact spot, but it should be close enough to find the evidence you need. When you climb down to retrieve your arrow, look for signs of a good hit. Deer hair—is it white or brown? White would determine either a low stomach or brisket shot. Check the color of the blood. If it has bubbles and is bright red, it probably is a lung shot; recovery should be quick.

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If the color of the blood is darker or almost brown in color, it means you hit the liver. If there is no exit wound, the deer will bleed internally and the trail will be difficult to follow. You might be fortunate enough to find your arrow. Examine it well to help you to track the deer. A green residue tells you that it was a gut shot and you will need to quietly leave the area until it is time to return to start the blood trail. By following these steps right after the

shot, you will have a much better chance of locating your trophy. I feel that each step is important and should be done in the order you have just read. Good luck, and always remember to have fun out there, and hunt safe. E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

disappeared into the dark brown mass, but evidence of its entrance came forth from the beast as dark, red blood that spewed with every beat of the heart, causing the mighty beast to hit the ground just 30 steps away. Yes! To say this was an adrenaline rush would be an understatement. It felt as if the endocrine secretion was exuding from all of my pores, but there was something much more happening than a natural high. Moments later, the bison took its last breath and I knew the dream had been realized. I dropped to my knees and began thanking God for what He had allowed me to do. Tears welled in my eyes as I realized just what had happened. Since I

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Roll, Roll, Roll Your Boat VER WONDER WHY SAILORS OF CENTURIES past used to yell “heave-ho!” all the time? It’s because half of them were ready to toss their cookies as soon as the boat left the dock. Back in the olden days, when wood ruled the high seas and sails still had a valid purpose, those blow boats rocked back and forth like teeter-totters because they had high metacentric heights. Of course, if you had mentioned this to the tattooed scallywags aboard, they might have keelhauled you before stopping to ask what the heck “metacentric height” is. Why should you care about metacenters in the first place? Because your boat has one, too, and it has a direct relationship to how often you or your passengers get seasick and lose lunch all over the deck. This is important because stomach acids can eat away at your gel coat and dull that shiny finish.

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Rolling Thunder We already know that no one likes to upchuck, but what makes it happen in the first place. The rolling motion of your boat is most often the culprit. Ever notice that most folks are fine as long as you are running, but as soon as you lay off the throttles, they turn green? It is because rolling is not much of a problem as you shush over the waves at 40 mph; planning smoothes out waves and minimizes rolling. Stop the boat, and get ready to rock, baby. The frequency at which some boats rock and roll differs from boat to boat. This is described as the “roll period” and is where that strange “metacentric” term comes into play. Here’s the deal: Metacentric height is “the distance between a point in space on the centerline called the boat’s metacenter, and its center of gravity.” I boil down my interpretation of this definition to, “Huh?” So, let me re-word it in a simpler but no less accurate description: Metacentric height is a measurement of the relationship between a boat’s beam and its center of gravity (COG-the geometric center of the boat’s weight). The bigger the beam and the lower the COG of a boat, the more stability it has at rest and the more quickly it will right itself after beginning to roll, determining the boat’s “roll period.”

On the surface, a short roll period seems like good thing, and in many ways, it is. The up-chuck factor should be low, and in normal seas, comfort levels will be relatively high. Until, that is, a large wave strikes the beam. In this scenario, it is possible for a boat to be too stable. After heeling over, it will want to right itself so quickly that the motion can be violent. The best example of this comes from power cats, which can drop one hull into a trough while the other gets shoved skyward. Then, they both rush in opposite directions to even out with the other. Hence, the term “snap-roll.” Unfortunately, having too slow a roll period can be just as problematic. If the boat’s tendency to right itself is too slow, once the roll is triggered the boat might just keep on going until it flops over and sinks. Although this phenomenon does not promote seasickness, it is what we mariners generally call “not good.” The comfiest boats have neither incredibly high nor incredibly low metacentric heights, neither particularly fast nor slow roll periods, but are content in their mediocrity. Just for the record, a powerboat in the 26foot range should commonly have a metacentric height in the range of 4.5, while a big honkin’ 65-foot yacht will usually be closer to 10. Think, “little boat snappy roll versus big boat slow roll.” How can you prejudge a particular boat

TROPHY FEVER Continued from Page C49 first saw photos of a bison hunt as a young child, I fantasized about pursuing this great animal with a bow. Like the Native Americans before me, I would feed my family with the delicious, nutritious meat, make a rug from the hide, and hang the skull in a place of honor in my home. It hangs there to this day. As you can gather, the experience was C50

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spiritual and I do not mean in some new age, mystical, ambiguous kind of way. It was spiritual in the way Isaac commanded Esau to take his bow and quiver and procure him venison in Genesis 27:3. Isaac, the son of Abraham, directed his own son to go deer hunting as a last request. In other words, he wanted some backstrap before he checked out of this world and went to the next. This hunt was also a prime example of the modern conservation movement that F i s h

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took a species that numbered less than 500 in the late 1800s and built the herd up a thousand fold in less than 100 years. Because of visionary stewards, I was able to participate in the hunt of my ancestors and experience what relatively few modern Americans even know is possible. Dreams really do come true.

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when it comes to roll? How will you predict what’s going to happen when you are trolling through a 4-foot beam sea? I’d like to hand you off some snappy mathematical formula that answers these questions, but in reality, there’s only one thing you can do— take the boat trolling through a 4-foot beam sea. Leave all the funky terms and mindbending equations to the design geeks, and go boating instead. Luckily, if your boat rolls in ways you do not like, you are not completely helpless; use these tricks and tools, to reduce the roll and keep lunch where it belongs. Move Your Metacenter: Remember, COG plays a key roll in this equation, and all too often we change our boat’s COG by packing gear in an off-center position, or by adding weight high in the boat. This problem is particularly evident on small boats, where relatively low weight changes can have dramatic effects. Always consider this when packing gear, and avoid elevating weight. Some common COG faux pas include placing full coolers or portable livewells atop raised decks, using T-top electronics boxes for gear stowage, and lashing gear to poling platforms. Foil The Roll: Adding a hydrofoil to your outboard cavitation plate often reduces rolling notably, sometimes by as much as 1520 percent. Unfortunately, most of the effect will be evident only when running; at rest, the difference will be minimal. Several new types of hydrofoils can be mounted without drilling into the anti-ventilation plate, greatly simplifying installation. Rest at Rest: Another handy add-on is the Magma Rock ‘n Roll Boat Stabilizer (www.magmaproducts.com). This system simply applies pressure to slow and reduce rolling motions, with a hinged-wing stabilizer and aluminum outrigger. It is just like the “birds” hung from the outriggers of commercial fishing boats. (Remember Billy Tyne cutting free the swinging bird in “The Perfect Storm”?) Commonly, such products made for recreational boats are called “flopper stoppers.” One important difference is that, unlike most products of this type, the stainless steel Magma stabilizer is hinged in the middle. When the boat rocks toward the wing, it folds in half and sinks with little resistance through the water. When the boat rocks back in the other direction, the wing opens, catches some serious water, and reduces the motion of the boat.

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I tested the Rock ‘n Roll on a 19-foot boat while adrift in 2- to 3-foot seas and was amazed at how big a difference it made. Before deploying it, I timed and measured the roll at an average of 3.2 seconds and 7 degrees. After putting the Rock ‘n Roll over the side, the average level of inclination dropped to 4 degrees and the roll period went up to 3.4 seconds. Numerically, that might not sound like a huge difference, but from my perspective standing on the deck, it was. In my gut, it felt like the seas had dropped by 25 percent. There is a significant drawback to using the Rock ‘n Roll: It can be used only while drifting or at anchor, since you have to hang a boom and lines over the side of your boat. That also means that anglers will have to deal with extra snags in the water. Big Bucks = Big Comfort: If you have cash to burn and are willing to pay between $30,000 and $50,000 to get rid of roll, you can install a anti-roll gyro in your boat. From the outside, these systems (there are several on the market, most made by Mitsubishi and Seakeeper) look like a simple fiberglass box bolted to the stringers. Inside the cover, you will see a flywheel set on gimbals in an oil bath. Once spooled up to speed (a process that takes about half an hour), these flywheels produce approximately 1400 foot-pounds of counter-torque to a boat’s rolling motion. I experienced the Mitsubishi system in action on a Bertram 570 Convertible rigged

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with two ARG 2000s, the smallest units available. Our test day was ideal, with 15to 20-knot winds, and 3- to 5-foot seas. We parked the boat beam-to, and I measured heel angle, roll period, and the amount of rolls it took the boat to regain a level keel after being struck on the beam by a 5-footer. With the system off, virtually all of the 20 sets of waves I measured sent the boat into a series of rolls that usually heeled beyond my inclinometer’s range of 10 degrees for two or three rolls. Most of the time, the boat was struck by another large wave set and started off-the-meter rolls again before ever settling on an even keel. With ARG running, my inclinometer broke 10 degrees only four times in 20 sets. On the follow-up roll, it dropped between 3 and 8 degrees, and roll period dropped from an average 9.8 seconds to an average 7.1 seconds. On deck, the shorter roll period did not feel any more abrupt or “snappy” because the rolls were so much smaller than without the system. After punching my test data from 40 wave sets into the calculator, I came up with a 32.75 percent roll reduction. An even bigger reduction was detected by my internal queaze-o-meter, and as any captain who’s been stuck with the job of swabbing a pukestrewn deck can tell you, that’s the meter that really counts. E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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Cast Net Bait Bucket CAST NET IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MY GEAR whenever I head out with rod and reel in hand. My wife prefers to fish with bait, and it is common for the bait stand to be sold out when we arrive, especially holiday weekends. Enter the cast net. Cast nets are affordable and provide a relatively quick return on investment, allowing the angler in need to harvest enough live bait to quickly recoup the price of the net, sometimes in a single trip. Keeping all of the bait the net captures is not always easy. Frantic baitfishes and shrimp start flipping and flopping the instant they are loosed from the net. The eyesight and hand coordination of a 13-year old comes in handy as you try to capture the flouncing fish food. The baits are not fully secured even when deposited in a nearby bucket; many baitfishes will quickly jump out of the bucket. Finger mullet can go airborne quicker than a Patriot missile, leaving the angler red-faced and baitless. Cast Net Bait Buckets solves this problem. Developed by Trevor and Amy Allen and sold through their company, LanKat Outdoor Products, the Cast Net Bait Bucket helps you keep the bait you catch once it is in your cast net. Trevor is a serious fisherman who has small children, ruling out 4 a.m. wake-up calls. By the time he gets the crew ready to go, bait stands are often depleted. He shared this problem with me recently at Spring Fling, which is held each year by the Rockport Chamber of Commerce. I smiled the

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smile of understanding, having walked a mile in his shoes. The Cast Net Bait Bucket is a well-built product based on an industrial plastic buck-

by Greg Berlocher et. A wide-mouthed funnel sits on top and guides the captured bait into the safe confines of the bucket. A flotation collar girdles the perimeter of the bucket, allowing you to take it where the bait is. A hundred small holes allow plenty of water to circulate, keeping the bait alive and frisky. The floatation collar holds the bucket at just the right height when you are wading. After a cast of the net, you drop the lead weights into the 17-inch funnel and shake

the net. The trapped fish drop into the funnel and then slide into the bucket. The 4inch hole in the funnel is just the right size— large enough to get your hand easily into and out of, but small enough to keep leaping baitfishes from escaping. Having grown up with two older brothers, I was assigned bucket duty as a young charge. I diligently followed the seine pulled by my siblings with bait buckets in tow, and then did my best to hold open the springloaded trapdoor of the bait bucket while trying in vain to keep the pin perch and shrimp F i s h

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inside from going Houdini on me. The Cast Net Bait Bucket would have made life much easier. Allen just introduced a second version of the Cast Net Bait Bucket aimed at boaters. The difference is the bucket is solid and does not have a flotation collar. The bucket holds a good supply of water, providing the bait plenty of room and avoiding overcrowding. Throw an air stone from a portable air pump through the funnel hole and you can keep your bait alive for a long time. As a secondary benefit, the bucket helps keep your boat clean. Cast nets pull up all manner of muck, mud, and seagrass when hauled in. A quick snap of the wrist and all of that mess ends up in the funnel and not on the floor of your boat. The funnel on both models is bolted to a lid that screws onto the bucket. The molded threads on the lid are extremely smooth. After a half turn, the lid snaps into place so you do not have to worry about the top half of the bucket flying off and hitting someone when your boat is on plane. The bucket comes with 10 feet of poly rope left unfinished on the end. It would be a nice touch if the company added some sort of connector to the end of the rope so wade-fishermen could quickly snap it on and off their wading belts. I give the Cast Net Bait Bucket extremely high marks. It is a well thought out product and works as advertised. The company is based in Texas and sold through independent sporting good stores in Austin, Burnet, Corpus Christi, Houston, Port Aransas, Rockport, and Victoria. Contact: LanKat Outdoor Products, 512-299-5903,or the website www.lankatoutdoorproducts.com. Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com PHOTO COURTESY LANKAT OUTDOOR PRODUCTS

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…And Then It Ran ! FEW YEARS AGO, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL (NO ONE writes letters anymore) from a reader, angry because he thought I had given him bum advice. He read an article I wrote describing my choices for a youngster’s deer rifle. I do not remember for sure which of the recommended calibers he bought, but I think it was a 7mm/08 Remington, which is a great deer caliber even for adults. This father took his young son hunting; they found a deer and the kid shot it. The father was angry because the deer didn’t drop like a rock. He said something to the effect of: “The deer ran and we had to shoot it again. It had blood running out of its nose and mouth. How do you think that made a young boy feel?” Here is a loving and protective father (both admirable qualities, as is his willingness to take his son hunting) speaking from pure ignorance and inexperience. He expected the deer to fall down and play dead. He expected the hunt to be like a video game, where everything is nice and neat. His idea of hunting is that you don’t get your hands dirty, and you go home feeling all warm and fuzzy because you did a good thing and actually helped nature in some indefinable way. Well, I’m sorry, but hunting is a blood sport. When we sally forth to kill—yes, kill, not harvest or collect—a deer, it is sometimes a messy business. Blood and guts are involved. We do the best we can, but no one is perfect. If the child is going to be a hunter, he needs to understand the facts of life and death. You should not protect anyone from these truths. That is one of the problems with society today—too many people think steak and roast are manufactured in a factory somewhere. They have never seen meat except in a store

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cooler, packaged in plastic on a sanitary napkin. Living things die to provide us with food. That’s the truth. You should either embrace that truth, or become a vegetarian. Fact: No matter what you shoot deer with, and no matter where you try to shoot it, not every one of them is going to drop in its tracks. Sometimes a deer with its heart and lungs shot to tatters will run some distance. Sometimes a deer with wounds we would not expect to be quickly fatal will drop at the shot. It depends on the animal much more than on what cartridge you are shooting. About 30 years ago, my brother Randy and I were hunting deer near Uvalde. It was a gorgeous December day and we were sneaking slowly along a wooded creek at the foot of a junior-sized mountain. Randy was carrying a Remington M700 ADL in 7mm Remington Magnum and I was packing my old Remington Model 721 in .270 Winchester. After about two hours of sneaking around, we found a nice 8-point buck feeding on the slope above the creek. Keeping a dwarf persimmon tree between it and us, we snuck up on it until we were about 40 yards away. When the buck fed out from behind the persimmon, Randy slammed a 140-grain Sierra bullet—traveling at about 3250 feet per second— through its ribs. The deer gave no sign of being hit. Instead of collapsing, it took off like its tail was on fire. Just before it reached the creek I stuck a 130grain Sierra through its flank and up into its chest. The buck rolled to a stop in a cloud of dust, just one jump from the creek. I didn’t know how solidly Randy had hit the deer and was just trying to anchor it before it got into the thick brush along the creek. We later found that Randy made a solid lung shot and it had done its job quite well. My shot wasn’t needed. I don’t think Randy has ever forgiven me for shooting his deer through the guts—or for making him clean it. (I wasn’t certain of all the details, so I wrote Randy and asked about it. He replied: “I remember that hunt and I forgive you because God said I have to.”) A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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This anecdote goes to prove that the power of the rifle really makes little difference in the reaction of the animal. I don’t know anyone who thinks the 7mm Remington Magnum is insufficient for shooting white-tailed deer. I have shot similar deer with the same and similar loads, shot them in the same part of their anatomy, and had them drop so fast they bounced. And, no, I don’t know what the difference is. Years ago, I shot a pronghorn antelope through the flanks, just in front of its hips (I misjudged the Wyoming wind), and it dropped like I had brained it with an ax. The gun was a .243 Winchester, shooting a 100-grain Sierra Spitzer at about 3000 feet per second. The range was just short of too-danged-far, so the impact velocity was greatly reduced. Why did the antelope drop to what was essentially a gut shot from a small caliber rifle at long range? Once again, danged if I know. I am truly sorry that all game animals do not die instantly when shot. In any event, shooting a deer, even if it runs some distance after the shot, is a quicker and much more merciful death than what nature serves up. Nature is not kind, neat, or painless. Most deer eventually starve to death when their teeth wear out, succumb to disease or parasites, or pulled down and eaten by predators while still half-alive. I don’t know about you, but if I were a deer, I would much prefer the relative quickness of a bullet to an end presided over by coyotes. If you have never had a game animal run after you shot it, you are very lucky, have not shot very many animals, or both. Having the animal drop at your shot is a nice way to end a hunt, but I promise you, some of them are going to run, no matter what caliber you are shooting.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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New Paddling Trails HE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT has been very busy since this correspondent last reported on its inventory of paddling trails in 2007. A record 11 new trails are expected to be unveiled this year, beginning with the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail that winds through Houston. “There has been a huge surge of interest in the Texas Paddling Trails program over the past year or so,” said Shelly Plante, nature tourism coordinator for TPWD. “Communities across the state have seen the benefit a designated paddling trail has on

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local economies, and canoeists and kayakers seem to be excited about exploring new waters.” Plante leads a cross-divisional program tasked with adding paddling trails in different parts of the state. All members of Plante’s team have dedicated duties in other departments and come together to work on the development of new trails on a scheduled basis. The overwhelming popularity of the states’ first paddling trail in the Lighthouse Lakes near Port Aransas was the genesis for

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the development of new trails. Paddling trails were added soon after at Christmas Bay, Armand Bayou, and Galveston Island. Demand for inland paddling areas resulted in new trails on rivers and lakes. Urban paddling trails provide quick access for city dwellers in quick need of spending time on the water. The Lake Arlington Paddling Trail is a 10.9-mile loop around the shoreline of Lake Arlington. The new Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail is the sixteenth paddling trail added and is also the longest, meandering 26 miles through Houston. The new trail is an oasis for wildlife in the fourth largest city in the United States. In May, Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail was dedicated on the Guadalupe River between Groesbeck and Mexia, and The Austin Parks and Recreation Department dedicated an 11-mile circuit around Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake). In June, three new paddling trails were added at Martin Dies State Park near Jasper. The Neches, Walnut, and Sandy Creek Paddling Trails are all unique. The Brazos River will get two new paddling trails this year (expect to see me on both). The first trail is near Glen Rose and the second is near Brazoria. Long popular with canoeist and kayakers across the state, scenic Village Creek near Lumberton in East Texas will also have a designated paddling trail. Plante explained that the first thing the Paddling Trail Team did was develop an overall strategy that would be used in the development of all new trails. “We felt that each potential new trail had to meet a minimum set of requirements to be approved,” Plante explained. “In addition to the physical requirements, we also addressed the educational components of the waterway, such as water quality, and native plants and fish a paddler will see while on the water.” To increase the number of paddling trails, Plante and her team worked with community partners that could take an active role. “We found that there are a lot of com-

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munities that want to have a certified paddling trail in their area, Plante explained. Although many of applications the Paddling Trails Team receives are from local Chambers of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and different river authorities, such as Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, businesses that cater to canoeist and kayakers can grease the wheels of progress. Denise Rodgers, co-owner of Rising Phoenix Adventures in Bastrop, was instru-

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mental in getting more than 20 miles of the Colorado River designated as the El Camino Real and Wilbarger Paddling Trails. “After we launched El Camino Real in 2007, we had about 1,400 people go down that trail the first year,” she said. “Last year, when we launched Wilbarger, we put about 3,200 people on the river. That doesn’t count all the people who are coming and bringing their own boats. It’s been incredible for our community.”

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Rodgers said that of the paddlers who rent boats from her livery, about one-third were from Bastrop and Travis Counties, and the majority of the paddlers she met were from Houston and San Antonio. “Our business is booming right now, unlike a lot of other sectors of the economy,” Rodgers said. “Nature tourism is booming because people are getting back to basics and it’s affordable.”

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Casting Cedar Plugs EDAR PLUGS ARE TROLLING LURES THAT HAVE been around for about a hundred years, tuna being one of their primary targets. Their weighted leadhead section and wooden body, along with a big needle-eye hook, give them their swim motion. With a few modifications from their trolling configuration, they make natural casters. After hearing and reading about them for years, sometime in late 2004, I got a couple. On the troll at about 5 knots was my first look at their swim motion. While they looked great in the water, neither my longtime fishing friend Lee Bull nor I got a strike. The look of those two cedar plugs made it obvious that getting rid of that 10-foot mono leader and replacing it with about 14 inches of cable was the way to go. I have been casting them ever since, and have taken kingfish, ling, dolphin, and suspended snapper with them. Their low cost makes cedar plugs prime candidates for modification. You can use the

TEXAS KAYAKING Continued from Page C55 You can find information on all of the Texas Paddling Trails on TPWD’s website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/pad dlingtrails/. If you and your friends enjoy spending time on the water together and are looking for new places to paddle, there are 18 Texas Paddling Trails across the state for you to explore.

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hook that comes with the rigged version; with the unrigged ones, use a Mustad Needle Eye 34120 in size 10/0. I have had success with all of the colors I have, starting with the plain red cedar. To make these modifications to one cedar plug, you will need the cedar plug and hook; about 14 inches of AFW 7x7, 100 cable; two AFW 7 mm, .053-inch i.d. double barrel crimps and crimp tool; a small stop bead; a size 1 single barrel crimp; and a Spro Power Swivel 130, size 4. The first step for either hook is to sharpen it carefully. The first assembly step is to form a loop for the swivel, and crimp it securely. Next, place the single barrel crimp on the cable, followed by the stop bead, then slide the wire through the cedar plug body. Slide the body, stop bead, and crimp against the swivel’s loop crimp. Next, place the other double barrel crimp on the cable. Now form the big game loop by passing the cable through the hook eye and then wrap the tag end of the wire around itself three times while going through the eye again. This gives the cable a double lay through the hook eye. Pull the loop snugly closed and crimp the connection tightly. The big game loop also holds the hook snugly in place inside the cedar plug body. Next, gently tighten the stop crimp on the cable, holding it, but not deforming the cable. This stop crimp is tightened up about 4 inchF i s h

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es ahead of the cedar plug when the hook is seated in the body. The purpose of the stop crimp and bead is to prevent the cedar plug body from being slung up the cable. You do not want the cedar plug next to the swivel and your main line. The odds are high that another kingfish would see the cedar plug out there dancing from the headshakes of the hooked one. The chance of a cut-off comes next. Casting a cedar plug for kingfish or wahoo is made a lot easier if the combo is made up of a high speed reel loaded with 80-pound Spectra, mounted on a 7-foot, two-handed casting rod. Tie about 10 feet of 80-pound mono to the Spectra with a knot of your choice, then tie the mono to the cedar plug leader. Cast and let it sink a few seconds or start an immediate retrieve. As it swims back, wind as fast as you can, keeping your rod tip pointed directly at your line’s entry into the water. Expect a strike or blow-up at any second. It is important not to make a hook-setting rod sweep prematurely; you must feel the weight of the fish first, then wind as fast as you can until the drag starts to slip. This also applies when targeting tuna and dolphin. Ling usually like a slower swimming, darting presentation. Ling also respond at boatside to a maneuver used by musky fishermen— a figure-eight motion that a cedar plug is made to do about 3 feet below the surface. With the cedar plug about 18 inches or so off the rod tip, do a quick figure-eight motion about 2 feet long with your rod tip in the water, and hang on. E-mail Patrick Lemire at saltrigs@fishgame.com ILLUSTRATION BY PATRICK LEMIRE

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Big Jigs & Sassy Shads UITE A FEW BAITS CROSS OVER FROM fresh- to saltwater and vice versa. Bass and redfish fall to the same spinnerbaits, and both fishes are often in brackish water. Speckled trout and bass blow up on the same topwaters with reckless abandon. Soft plastic jerkbaits catch just about anything that swims, and swimbaits have transitioned from a bass-only bait to an anywhere anytime kind of lure. With all of these baits suitable for multiple environments, we sometimes overlook the original utility bait—a jig with a soft plastic body. Jigs catch anything from panfishes in Texas stock ponds to halibut in the frigid waters off Alaska’s coast. This time of year, they can be deadly on deep-water bass. When you hear a guide or fishing buddy talk about using a Sassy Shad, you naturally assume they are talking about stripped bass or some large saltwater species. Both stripers and their hybrids along with aggressive saltwater species are suckers for a shad-type soft plastic bait paired with a jighead, but until recently, these baits were overlooked by largemouth bass anglers for one very simple reason: they are not that flashy. Really, there is nothing interesting about them at all—no shiny blade or holographic paint scheme, just plastic and lead. Surely, fish as sophisticated as bass are too intelligent to fall for something like that (and don’t call me Shirley). Guess what... they aren’t. A bass’ brain is roughly the size of a pea. It isn’t impressed by flash and strobe lights on new baits designed to catch anglers as much as bass. How else can we explain the fact that anglers have used plastic worms for decades to catch bass? Even after years of education bass, they still haven’t learned not to hit the worm with a funny look-

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ing growth hanging out of it. So, yes, a black bass will absolutely hammer a Sassy Shad on a jighead if you put one in front of it. Summer bass are deep-water creatures that hang out on structure such as main lake points, humps, or ledges. While other anglers are dragging Carolina rigs across these spots or probing them with deep-water crankbaits, you can catch bass with an oversized jighead paired with an equally oversized Sassy Shad. By “oversized” jigheads I mean something you probably don’t have in your tackle box right now. I know the jigs rolling around in the bottom of my tackle bag are all well under an ounce in weight, and to get a bait down deep quick, you need something larger. Try tying on a 2-ounce or larger jighead to sink your bait in a hurry. You probably won’t find jigs this size at your local bait shop, but there are plenty of places to order them online if you are not scared of the internet. If you are going to use a jig that size, then

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it won’t do to use some little weenie finesse bait on it; leave the little 3-inch “Sissy Shads” at the house. Move to the saltwater section to find 6-inch and longer baits; we’re stepping up to the big leagues and using the larger version of the Sassy Shad. Big bass don’t get that way by eating teeny minnows all day. When throwing a big jig with an even bigger Sassy Shad body, you are looking for a few big bites, so don’t expect to catch 100 fish per day— but, the handful you do catch will probably be some of your biggest of the year. Fishing a jighead with a soft plastic body is relatively simple; no special technique is involved, no need to do any kind of yo-yoing, start and stop retrieve, or jerking action. Just cast it out, let it sink, and reel it in. That’s it. The key to catching bass will be finding the speed the fish want—a good rule of thumb is that slower is usually better. A big, slow-moving baitfish takes less energy to catch than a small one darting erratically. Make you offering perform likewise. E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

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smattered across his face. I worried about him a little, but not too much. I knew his taste in females was questionable; and I never doubted that he had any qualms about dating more than one at a time. My concern was that he’d run into some poisonous old’ pedigreed hide that would get him shot. However, in true cowboy fashion, his love for horses exonerated him from transgressions. He preferred a cowpony to human company any time. He was also living proof that common sense, good work ethics, and instincts are worth more than a college degree. I noticed many times, when I had company at the house, that Smiley was the smartest one in the crowd. He wasn’t a big drinker. He wouldn’t touch hard liquor and would take only a few sips of beer. That was probably the most un-cowboy thing about him. Hunting was not one of his main loves, and fishing was something that confounded him. Nevertheless, he begged me to take him along on a pack trip to Montana in 1993. I took him and he practically froze his tail off,

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but he never complained. All he did was smile. It was -22 degrees the morning we headed back for Texas, and he swore that once he got home he would never leave again. He hated coyotes and loved to fight bad cows. He was the best cow penning help I ever had, but he was sort of sensitive. We worked well as a team and any time somebody else came along, I could tell he was perturbed. The problem was compounded if they talked to him. Numerous times, he quit and went back to the truck to sulk because some novice cowpuncher hollered at him; 100 percent of the time he was right. If a person kept their mouth shut and watched him - he was always in the right place making the right moves. Few people comprehended his innate abilities. His sensitivity caused me to protect him from folks with bad manners. He disliked loud noises and hated it when the wind blew the rumbling from the Glidden train-yards our direction. He liked shooting even less. Smiley would either go across the road to mom’s house or up to the beer joint whenever there was a shooting match on my range. I often warned him about getting hit by a beer truck, but he would just smile and ignore me. Despite his aversion to high decibels, he did like CCR and Leonard Skynard. He would throw a little dance into his walk whenever he would hear the Midnight Special or Sweet Home Alabama. He took good care of my daughter, Sam, and would periodically wander across the road to check on my mom. The family loved him. Everybody loved him. Rain or shine he always had a smile for everyone. He was the subject of an essay that I had to write when taking a spelling, grammar, and punctuation test at Texas A&M University. Smiley wore his heart on his sleeve. He showed his affections. He showed his anger. He wasn’t a good fighter; but he wouldn’t back down from the devil. He was always loyal, and always handy. The last couple of years his hips began de-

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generating and I had to help him in and out of the truck. His bottom eyelids started hanging in a droopy watery way, and his bottom lips began to sag. He always had a thank-youboss look on his face. His ribs began to stick out, and I could tell that his sight and hearing were failing him. But he never quit smiling, and he would always limp along and help me with my chores. Several times, I caught him looking at me, and his eyes peered into me and told me that the end would be coming soon - I could feel

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him saying goodbye. Then one day he was gone. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know that his time was already up. I had hoped he would be around a little longer. He wandered out of my life the way he wandered into it. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know where he went to die. I never found him. He went off to be alone and to pass away in peace without a lot of fuss. I often teased myself with the belief that Smiley was a western man reincarnated and sent to help me. He helped me through some hard years.

In the end, he left me one of his sons to carry on his job. Now, I hope that when my time comes, I can leave without a fuss, and there will be a smiling speckled dog meeting me when I ride up to the Gates. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com

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TEXAS SALTWATER

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Cissy McM a Redfish hon Redfish C harters

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Lorrie Verburgt Redfish Rockport Red Runn ers

y Joey, Frank, & Rand ut, Redfish Tro led eck Sp r, de Floun ce Hillman Guide Servi

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MISSISSIPPI

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

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tough and chewy. Only when the collagen has been transformed into gelatin will the meat be tender. It begins to convert to gelatin at 140 degrees internal, but the process occurs most rapidly at temperatures over 180 degrees internally. A meat thermometer is recommended for serious barbecuing. An internal temperature of 210

degrees must be achieved to fully cook the brisket. The juices are normally long gone after cooking, which is why most of the time it is served with barbecue sauce. Cooking the meat with moist heat in foil (braising) is preferred because it will conduct the heat better than just cooking on the pit. For those who love brisket but think it is “bad” for them, good news: Texas A&M researchers have found that brisket is actually good for you. Aggie graduate student Stacey Turk’s master’s thesis shows that fat from brisket contains significant amounts of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can promote good cholesterol in people. So, pick your brisket, fire up the barbecue or smoker, and have at it—guilt free. I. PICKING THE BRISKET When picking a brisket I like to look at a couple of things: a. Make sure briskets are thawed to inspect. b. Pick up a brisket and fold it in half. It should be able to touch end to end after trying a couple of times. II. PREPPING THE BRISKET a. Fork the brisket. Use a large serving or turning fork and pierce the brisket all over.

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PHOTO BY BILL OLIVE

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b. Dry rub. The Texas Gourmet Sweet Chipotle Season All is a great rub that will work great on brisket. Here is a typical dry rub you can make at home. You can adjust the proportions of spices in this all-purpose rub, or add or subtract a spice as you wish. For instance, if you don’t like spicy foods, reduce or eliminate the cayenne. Also, if you are using hot chili powder, you may want to eliminate the cayenne. This rub works well with ribs, brisket, or Boston butt if you want to make pulled pork. 4 Tbs sweet paprika 1 Tbs chili powder 2 Tbs ground cumin 2 Tbs dark brown sugar 2 Tbs salt 1 Tbs dried oregano 1 Tbs granulated sugar 1 Tbs ground black pepper 1 Tbs ground white pepper 1 to 2 tsp cayenne pepper Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. (The rub can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature away from light for several weeks). Apply the rub liberally to all sides of the meat. Make sure and cover well. Cover with plastic wrap for the refrigerator or tie up in a plastic bag and place in a cooler with ice. Refrigerate from 4 hours to overnight (to allow flavors to permeate the meat). One hour before cooking, remove the brisket from the refrigerator or cooler, uncover, and allow it to sit and become room temperature. III. COOKING THE BRISKET a. Smoke covered for 3-1/2 to 4 hours at approx. 275-300 degrees with fat side up, without opening the pit. (This is enough time to impart a good smoked flavor into the meat.) b. Place brisket on a large sheet of heavyduty foil. Spread a thinly sliced onion under brisket and pour 1/2 a can beer into the foil before sealing up. Make sure to seal the foil well. c. Place into an oven or on a pit at 250 to 275 degrees and cook for 4 to 5 more hours (depending on size) until fork tender. d. Remove from the pit or oven, loosen foil at one end to release steam, and allow the brisket to rest for 45 minutes. e. After this, you can drain the juices into

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a bowl and place in freezer for 10 minutes to de-fat. Separate the fat from the juices and discard the fat, then pour up to 1 cup of the remaining juices into a saucepot with your favorite barbecue sauce, bring to a boil to combine for a great flavored sauce. IV. SLICING AND SERVING a. Separate the top and bottom of brisket and trim excess fat. b. Slice across grain on the diagonal into long, thin slices approximately 1/4-inch thick.

Bryan’s Red Potato Salad 3 lbs small red potatoes (washed) 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbs Dijon mustard 1/2 cup red onion, chopped 1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and diced fine (optional) 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1 tsp dill weed 3 eggs, hard-boiled, chopped fine 1/2 lb bacon, fried crisp, drained, crushed into small pieces 2/3 cup Colby jack cheese, grated salt and pepper to taste Place potatoes and 2 Tbs salt in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain in a colander, then place colander over empty pot and cover with a clean dry dishtowel. Allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, mustard, dill weed, 1 tsp each salt and pepper. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch dices. Combine with dressing, and then add eggs, celery, bell pepper, onion, bacon, and cheese. Toss lightly, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend. Serve cold. Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com.

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Note: All non-digital photos submitted become the property of Texas Fish & Game and will not be returned. TF&G makes no guarantee when or if any submitted photo will be published.

SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO: photos@fishgame.com or by mail at:

1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032

CRAPPIE—TOLEDO BEND LAKE

CATFISH—BLUFF DALE

CRAPPIE—TOLEDO BEND LAKE

Chad Quartaro of Austin, Texas, caught this catfish Gavin proudly shows off his crappie caught while Braydon caught this crappie while on a fishing trip to Toledo Bend Lake. He was very excited about his at his Uncle Johnny’s pond in Bluff Dale. He was fishing on Toledo Bend Lake, Texas. catch! fishing with “stinky” bait.

CARP—LAKE JACKSONVILLE

REDFISH—MATAGORDA BAY

Steve Watson caught this 18-pound carp on Lake Jacksonville while fishing with an 8-weight fly rod from his kayak. Corn simulators were used as bait. Steve is also a river kayak racer. Photo submitted by Dr. Michael Banks.

Mandie Rawlinson, age 5, caught and released this 17-inch redfish while fishing with her dad Cody out of Matagorda Bay. She caught the red on live shrimp.

SHEEPSHEAD—TABB’S BAY

CATFISH—GRANBURY

CCA member, Gabbie Manning, age 10, of Magnolia, Texas, caught her first 5-pound, 21-inch sheepshead in Tabb’s Bay while fishing with her mom and soon-to-be stepdad.

Santino “Sonny” Bianco, age 14, of Girard, Ohio, Keith Tarver of Burkeville, Texas, caught this caught this 17-pound, 32-inch catfish in a private 5.90-pound bass in Lake Toledo Bend in about 6 pond near Granbury, Texas, while visiting relatives. feet of water with a 10-pound-test line. He was using a Shakespeare combo rod and reel.

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BASS—LAKE TOLEDO BEND

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S TWO RANCHERS LEANED OVER THE BED OF a dusty pickup, the traditional country location for comfortable discussion about everything under the sun, Rancher One cut his eyes toward Rancher Two and sighed. They had been driving through meadows and woods that appeared blasted by artillery. Huge swaths of turned earth dried in the sun as mute testimony of an alarming infestation. “The bad news is, you have hogs,” Rancher One said in the soft tone of a doctor giving a terminal patient the bad news. “I had worms, once, when I was a kid,” Rancher Two absently recalled, tilting his Stetson back on his forehead. “Um, hum. But as I was saying, the good news is now you have something to hunt all year long.” This good news/bad news scenario is becoming increasingly common across the Lone Star State, but instead of the positive aspect of year-round hunting, many landowners simply view feral hogs as a plague.

PHOTO BY PATRICK LEMONT

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Optimists see the glass half-full and view wild hogs as supplementary income through trapping and sale, and leasing out yearround hunting rights. You do not have to pay to hunt hogs, however, because they are literally everywhere. Like another non-native import, fire

Feral hogs are becoming increasingly common on public lands ranging from national forests and grasslands to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department operated Wildlife Management Areas.

the 1930s, European wild hogs, or “Russian boars,” were introduced by ranchers and sportsmen for sport hunting. Many of them crossbred with the local feral hog population. Wildlife officials estimate more than 2 million wild hogs in Texas, swarming nearly every Texas county. Conservatively, these pests annually cause nearly $52 million in damage to farmland, livestock, and pasture, with another $7 million going to hog control and restoration projects.

by Reavis Z. Wortham ants, hogs are in nearly every county in the eastern two-thirds of the state, even rooting beside busy highways and interstates in the early morning and late evening hours. They infest state parks and wildlife management areas and are fair game in both. You can even find hogs on golf courses, as common as squirrels. However, at this time, it is still in poor taste to slip a .270 into your golf bag. Some “wild” hogs are nothing more than escaped domestic livestock. True feral hogs (tame pigs reverted to a wild state) were introduced into Texas by the early Spanish explorers some 300 hundred years ago. In A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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We need to shoot ‘em Feral hogs are extremely adaptable animals and their range has expanded rapidly due to an alarmingly high reproductive rate. &

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In This Issue

I41 I42 I48

TEXAS TESTED • Airmar; Eagle One | BY TF&G STAFF

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

SHOOT THIS • Smith & Wesson Model 29 | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

I27 I43 I54 I56 I60 I62

TEXAS TASTED • Texas Brisket & Potato Salad | BY BRYAN SLAVEN

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PHOTO ALBUM • Your Action Photos | BY TF&G STAFF

FISH THIS • Cast Net Bait Bucket | BY GREG BERLOCHER

HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Public Hogs | BY REAVIS Z. WORTHAM

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY CALIXTO GONZALES, KYLE TOMEK, & TRIPP HOLMGRAIN

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SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times | BY TF&G STAFF

GEARING UP SECTION

I38 I40

NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF INDUSTRY INSIDER • Medalist “Covers” NASA, UFC Fighters, & Hunters | BY TF&G STAFF

Hogs can breed at approximately 10 months of age and deliver litters of four to eight piglets every 12 months. Young may be born at any time of year, but most squealers arrive during the warm spring months. I think it was Dale Rollins who said: “A feral hog litter is four to eight pigs, but nine survive.” Feral hogs are not “game animals” under Texas law or TPWD regulations, so there are no restrictions on means or methods for killing them, no closed season, and no bag limit. All an individual needs is a valid Texas hunting license, state permits (as and if required), and landowner permission, which is often easily obtained from owners of infested parcels.

They want you to shoot ‘em Finding a public place to hunt wild hogs is more difficult than actually finding the beasts themselves. Approximately 97 percent of the state is in private hands, with only a small portion of the remaining 3 percent available to hunters. You can access these public lands I2

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BOWHUNTING TECH • After the Shot | BY LOU MARULLO

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TEXAS BOATING • Roll, Roll, Roll Your Boat | BY LENNY RUDOW

I50

SALTWATER BAITS & RIGS • Casting Cedar Plugs | BY PATRICK LEMIRE

I51

FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Big Jigs & Sassy Shads | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

I52 I58

TEXAS KAYAKING • TPWD Opens New Paddling Trails | BY GREG BERLOCHER

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • …And Then It Ran ! | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

WILDERNESS TRAILS • Smiley | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

through the TPWD “special drawing” program, which allows hunters access to wildlife management areas, state parks, and a few federally controlled tracts. Hunters apply with a mail-in application available from TPWD offices or from the agency’s website (www.tpwd.state.tx.us). For an extra $3 fee, you can include others on the application, giving friends and family the opportunity to make the hunt a social event. The hunts are not totally free. The application fee is to put your name in the hat for the drawing. Those drawn are required to pay a small fee to cover costs of the hunt, generally less than $100 for three days. For less money per day than you could spend for one night in a good hotel, you can put a hog in the freezer, or at least have a great chance at a shot. The state puts the money from these permits back into the program, so we can shoot the fresh ones. Another option is the TPWD Annual Public Hunting Permit, which allows holders access to more than 1 million acres, much of it infected with hogs. This permit is a great deal, because after the holder tires of hogs, other game is available in season, including deer, quail, dove, and waterfowl, F i s h

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SPECIAL SECTION • Hunting & Shooting Gear | BY DON ZAIDLE TROPHY FEVER • Bison Dreams | BY CHESTER MOORE, JR. TOURNAMENT NEWS • Texas Wins BASS Federation Divisional | BY MIKE KERNAN SALTWATER TALES • Jetty Jumpers | BY CHESTER MOORE, JR. DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS • Classifieds | BY TF&G STAFF

and small game such as rabbits and squirrels. Though a bit off-topic, the private land option is very viable. Ranchers and farmers are often overwhelmed with hog numbers and want them gone. With nothing more than a knock on a door with your hat in your hand, hopeful hunters can score permission to help beleaguered landowners. Explain that you know the difference between a hog and a cow, that you understand velocity and trajectory, and have never shot anything you didn’t intend to shoot. Many landowners will allow responsible hunters on their land in the hope hunting pressure will at least move the pigs out for a while. Be sure to contact your local game warden if you plan to hunt hogs in deer territory or when deer season nears. When you leave, whether you shoot anything or not, the offer of a nominal fee will go a long way in the landowner’s mind. He might ask you to come back and hunt for free the next time. It might even lead to permission to hunt deer or quail at a later date. Strong friendships have begun with a handshake and a properly framed question. Then, based on that friendship, you can go out and shoot ‘em.

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Go Topside for Laguna Snook LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats GPS: N26 3.759, W97 11.851

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Fish the setup a bit faster for best results. Even on a high tide, the water is still shallow, so the bait will settle more quickly. LOCATION: North Padre Island Shoreline HOTSPOT: East Cut GPS: N26 34.025, W97 16.173 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait, cut bait; soft plastics in red/white, green/white CONTACT: Harbor Bait and Tackle, 956944-2367 TIPS: The spoil from the recent East Pass dredging was dumped on the north side of the jetties, and has revitalized the beach. Redfish will prowl in the second gut. Fish live or cut bait on fish-finder rigs. The slip sinker allows the bait to float in the current, right where a hungry spot tail can find it and eat. LOCATION: Laguna Madre @ Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: East Cut Pass GPS: N26 33.850, W97 163551 SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Gulp! Shrimp in Limetreuse, Pearl; live finger mullet, shrimp CONTACT: Harbor Bait and Tackle, 956944-2367 TIPS: After a good breakfast at Sweet Gre-

gory P’s Smokehouse (their breakfast burritos stick with you all morning), make a run out to the eddies and current breaks along the edge of the East Cut. Fish a live bait or tail along the bottom to locate some of the doormat flounder that hold on the edges. Cast around the eddies that form along the rocks. Don’t be timid about fishing right in the granite; you might lose some tackle, but you could also latch into a real saddle blanket of a flounder.

Rattling up Specks LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Center Rocks

GPS: N27 16.206, W97 34.362 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; live piggy perch CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Work around the deeper rocks to find trout that are keeping out of the heat. Fish live baitfish on a 1/4-ounce Texas Rattling Rig. Twitch the rig occasionally to make the noisemakers click. You can also fish plastic shad tails and eel-style plastics on 1/4-ounce jigheads to fish near the bottom around the rocks. Use a fluorocarbon leader to minimize break offs. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: The Badlands GPS: N27 17.152, W97 25.053 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early; soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Roach, Rootbeer; live bait CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Topwaters in the shallows around the rock formations will get the attention of trout prowling early in the morning. Later on, fish deeper water with shad tails or live piggy perch. Hook baitfish through the rear dorsal fin or the anal fin to get it to swim upwards and away from cover. Big trout don’t like working too hard for their vittles.

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N27 26.513, W97 21.822 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early; soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Roach, Rootbeer; live bait CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish the grasslines. Fish along the edges with topwaters early in the morning (nervous bait should clue you in on where trout are strafing them). Fish the deeper edges with live piggy perch on the Chatterweight rig, or live shrimp under a popping cork. Avoid the teeth of the day, when the heat can do a number on you. LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: East Flats GPS: N27 49.363, W97 6.476 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait; topwaters; gold spoons; soft plastics in Avocado/chartreuse, Motor Oil/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; live bait CONTACT: Captain Paul Braly, 361-4496795 TIPS: Redfish are starting to form large schools and prowling all over the flats. They will eat pretty much anything put in front of them, so the key is locating them. It’s not difficult to do if you keep your eyes open for disturbed water that the reds will push in front of them. When you spot them, set up a drift to intercept them. Don’t be too heavy-handed with your presentation. These redfish are voracious, but surprisingly skittish. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Mud Island GPS: N27 56.770, W97 1.334 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in dark patterns; live bait CONTACT: Captain Paul Braly, 361-4496795 TIPS: Fish the shallow area early in the morning, then fish the deeper drop-off later in the day. Live finger mullet or shrimp is a good choice. Soft plastics in Rootbeer, Roach, or Baffin Magic will work well. I8

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Deep Hole Trout LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Boat Cut GPS: 40.398, W93 49.516

SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Glow/chartreuse, Pearl/chartreuse, Green Tomato, Strawberry/white CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018 TIPS: Trout still hold in the deeper holes during late summer. They will hold tighter to the rocks. Fish soft plastics along the drop-offs near the deeper holes. Electronics and trolling motors are very helpful to locate and hold over concentrations of fish. If there are a large number of boats parked over a spot, move off and look for similar conditions to fish. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Willie’s Head Island GPS: N29 32.155, W94 48.524 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, 1/8- to 1/4-ounce soft plastics; Gulp! Shrimp and Shad Tails CONTACT: Captain Steve Hillman, 281910-4398 TIPS: You will find a lot of fish around Willie’s Head Island this time of year, especially when there is tidal movement. Watch for birds and slicks and work the area around them. Use live shrimp or soft plastics under a popping cork. Fish the same plastics a little deeper when working birds. You should avoid the schoolies and pick up better fish deeper. LOCATION: East Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: North Jetties GPS: N29 21.352, W94 43.150 SPECIES: trout, redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, 1/8- to 1/4-ounce soft plastics; Gulp! Shrimp and Shad Tails CONTACT: Captain Steve Hillman, 281910-4398 TIPS: The deep holes along the jetty are very productive for both gamefishes. They provide better tidal flow, which means cooler,

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more oxygenated water. Seek out breaks among the jetty bottom 15-20 yards out from the rocks themselves and free-line live shrimp or swim soft plastics through the breaks. Topwaters are actually effective fished near the stones early in the morning. They could produce some exceptional fish. LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Matagorda surf GPS: N28 59.25, W95 98.74453 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, soft plastics CONTACT: Captain Mark Talasek, 979244-0044, 979-479-1397 TIPS: Soft southeasterlies and green water to the beach create “cupcake” conditions for fishermen seeking surf-running trout. Experienced fishermen anchor beyond the third bar and fish the guts for the fat dime-silver specks that roam the beachfront in July. Watch for diving birds or flitting bait to tip you off to the presence of fish. As with the jetties, be smart and pick a mild day. Keep your weather radio on, too. You never know when a summer squall might pop up and you need to head for cover.

Cheesy Channel Cats LOCATION: Choke Canyon HOTSPOT: Possum Cove GPS: N28 32.595, W98 22.138

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GPS: N29 17.084, W98 18.293 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAIT: live shad, gold spoons; swimbaits in blue, purple, chartreuse CONTACT: Jeff Snyder, 210-649-2435 TIPS: Fish the east side of the cove. Live shad or small sunfish on a bottom rig are the best bet, but gold spoons or 1/2-ounce swimbaits such as Storm’s Wildeye Shad also work quite well. Use stout tackle, because these fish can run large and have plenty of stuff to run your line over. LOCATION: Braunig HOTSPOT: Intake Channel GPS: N29 15.665, W98 22.37O SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: crawfish, shrimp, chicken livers, prepared baits CONTACT: Jeff Snyder, 210-649-2435\ TIPS: Fish the deeper water. Carolina rigs with crawfish or crawfish flavored prepared baits are good techniques, but chicken lives are always good. You never know when a hybrid or red will take your bait. You need to be aware of your boat’s position in relation to the intake buoy.

Drop-Shot Guadalupe LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Cypress Cove

GPS: N29 19.062, W98 20.084 SPECIES: largemouth and Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: topwater poppers in Bone or shad colors, spinnerbaits in white or chartreuse with matching painted blades, lipless crankbaits in red and shad patterns, and Texas or drop-shot rigged soft plastics in Watermelon, Pumpkin, Cotton Candy and Grape colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish early and late using topwater poppers around points and the edges of flats. F i s h

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Wood cover is key to locating concentrations of bass. On windy days, the points and bluff banks with wind blowing across them will produce very well throwing spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Follow these presentations with Texas- or drop-shot-rigged soft plastics, working to depths of 30 feet. The drop-shot rig will be your most consistent presentation. Bass are very concentrated now; when you catch one, more usually follow. BANK ACCESS: Red’s Cove, largemouth and Guadalupe bass on artificials, crappie on minnows and catfish on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Lake Dunlap HOTSPOT: Lily Pads GPS: N29 17.455, W98 52.285 SPECIES: Largemouth and smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater grass frogs in white or brown; buzzbaits in white; crankbaits in Crawdad, chartreuse, or Shad colors; soft plastics in Watermelon, Green Pumpkin and Pumpkin colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Bass will move shallow into lily pad fields, docks, and brush early and late in the day. Fish these areas with topwater grass frogs and buzzbaits. If you do not get bites, switch to a Texas-rigged soft plastic and work it through the cover. Look for areas of deeper water. During the middle of the day, head up the lake toward the I-35 boat ramp and fish river channel ledges with medium-depth crankbaits and drop shot rigged soft plastics. Focus on boulders, wood structure, docks, and eelgrass. BANK ACCESS: I-35 bridge public boat ramp, bass on artificials, bluegill on worms, catfish on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Marinas GPS: N30 25.299, W97 54.651 SPECIES: Largemouth and Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: topwaters in Bone and Shad colors; spinnerbaits in white and chartreuse with matching painted blades; suspending jerkbaits in Shad colors; soft plastics in Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, Junebug, and Red Shad colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com

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TIPS: Fish topwater baits early and late around marinas, docks and flats with stumps located near the creek and river channels. Action can be good when these areas have wind blowing into and across them during the rest of the day. Throw the suspending jerkbaits and spinnerbaits for reaction bites. If this fails, switch to Texas or drop-shot rigged soft plastics and work baits to depths of 25-30 feet. BANK ACCESS: Mansfield Dam Park, largemouth bass on artificials, white bass on spoons and minnows, catfish on stinkbait or cut bait. LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Morgan Creek GPS: N30 50.442, W98 20.564 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater baits in shad or white patterns, spinnerbaits in white and white/chartreuse, crankbaits in shad and chartreuse patterns; soft plastics in Green Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Watermelon and Junebug colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish the bluff banks focusing on rock

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shelves in 5-15 feet of water. Also, look for rock piles along the break lines of flats in 1015 feet of water. Docks in these areas will hold fish. When wind blows into and across these areas, they will fish best. Fish topwater baits early and late, switching to spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Fish Texas or drop-shot rigged soft plastics if fish are not reacting to faster moving baits. BANK ACCESS: Thunderbird Resort, largemouth bass on artificials, striped bass on spoons and shad, catfish on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Granite Shoals area coves GPS: N30 34.010, W98 21.834 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Berkley Power Worms in Green Pumpkin or Candy colors, small crankbaits in chartreuse/blue, Secret Weapon buzzbaits in white, prop style topwaters, Crème’ Whacky Sticks in Watermelon/red, 4to 6-inch Berkley finesse worms on jigheads or Shaky Heads CONTACT: Kandie Candeleria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Largemouth bass to 5 pounds are

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good at night on Green Pumpkin and candy colored Berkley Power Worms Texas rigged with 1/8-ounce tungsten weights in 4-10 feet of water off the ends of docks. Also effective are small chartreuse/blue crankbaits, Secret Weapon white buzzbaits, prop style topwaters, and swimming a 1/4- to 3/16-ounce Jewel jig. During the day, fish Carolina-rigged Watermelon/red Crème’ Whacky Sticks or 46 inch Berkley finesse worms on jigs or Shaky Heads. BANK ACCESS: Robin Hood Park, largemouth bass good on Texas-rigged soft plastics, catfish good on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Dam area GPS: N29 52.029, W98 12.267 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Picasso football head jigs in Watermelon with Paca chunk trailers in Watermelon candy; jigheads with finesse worms in Rootbeer, green; Shaky Heads; JDC craws in Watermelon, Crème’ Whacky Sticks in Watermelon red CONTACT: Kandie Candeleria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com

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TIPS: Fish for largemouth bass just before and during first light along steep main lake points in the dam area of the lake. Bluff ledges in 15-25 feet of water will also produce well. Fish 3/4-ounce Watermelon Picasso football head jigs with Watermelon candy Paca chunk trailers along main lake points in depths of 20-

22 feet. JDC craws and Crème’ Watermelon red Whacky Sticks can also produce when dragged along the bottom very slowly. BANK ACCESS: Cranes Mill Park, largemouth bass good on finesse worms with Shaky Heads, catfish good on cut bait and liver. LOCATION: Brady Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Large Main Lake Point GPS: N31 08.246, W99 24.215 SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: DD-22 suspending crankbaits, 10-inch Berkley Power Worms CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: This large point has a main river channel running past it with another smaller creek joining at the point’s end. Throw a DD22 suspending crankbait in lavender shad color parallel to the steep banks off the point and work both sides. Switch to a Texas- or Carolina-rigged Berkley 10-inch Power Worm in Red Shad or Tequila Sunrise for a slower presentation to finish off the area. Stay big and patient as lunker bass hold around this point. BANK ACCESS: Good bank access all along the north shore of this lake.

Spoon-fed Whites LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Walker Lake

GPS: N30 43.840, W95 08.140 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: slabs in white or yellow, Little George tailspins in white or chrome, Pet spoons CONTACT: Dave Cox, 936-291-9602, www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: White bass are being caught in good numbers in the Walker Lake area now. Look for fish using electronics to be on humps at 7to 10-foot depths. Mark the structure with a buoy and then fish by vertically jigging slabs. Let the jig go to the bottom and pop your rod tip, making the jig rise and fall frequently. Look for fish to bite on the fall. Troll Pet spoons over humps, allowing baits get to I14

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depths where the fish are holding. Look for birds and bait fish schooling on the surface early in the morning, mid-morning and late afternoon. BANK ACCESS: Public parks and boat ramps, largemouth bass on artificials, catfish on cut bait, stinkbait, or liver. LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 28.995, W95 35.064 SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: cut sponge pieces saturated with Primos Dipping Bait CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, 936-291-1277, www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: Locate stumps lining the river channel edge and tie off in 20-25 feet of water. Use a bag of cattle cubes to attract fish to the immediate area. Dump 1/2 bag of cubes in two separate locations and return to the first location. Tie up and get your boat back into the same position. With a spinning reel, fish a treble hook with a 1/8-ounce egg sinker. Wrap a piece of cut sponge hook. Dip sponge into dipping bait and let drop to water’s bottom. Stay in contact with bottom, raising the bait up and down slowly. Once you feel some resistance, set the hook, and have fun. Most days you will limit out in just a few hours with this technique. BANK ACCESS: Stowaway Marina, bream and catfish on live minnows or worms under cork. LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Mouth of Jackson Arm GPS: N32 43.380, W92 47.160 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: SPRO Frogs, Todd type baits and Johnson Silver Minnows CONTACT: Dennis North, 903-687-2128, www.fishingwithdennis.com TIPS: Now is a good time for top water action either early or late in the day. Fish SPRO Frogs over duckweed and matted grass in this location to produce bass up to 9 pounds. Todd baits work best around lily pads. Make 4-5 casts to the same spot, working baits slow with a fast stop-and-go action. BANK ACCESS: Caddo Lake State Park, good for catfish, largemouth, crappie, and white bass.

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LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: Norris Creek GPS: N31 08.033, W94 08.500 SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Wacky Worms in Watermelon and Texas-rigged 10-inch worms in plum and redbug colors CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-4782633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: In August, large hydrilla beds form in Norris Creek. Big bass will hide on outside edges of hydrilla in depths of 6-10 feet. Also, you will see hydrilla extending 50 yards into the lake on the right hand bank as you enter Norris Creek. Fish wacky or Texas-rigged worms, casting to the hydrilla edge and working your way towards the back of the cove. Sizable bass can be produced here. BANK ACCESS: Public boat ramps, largemouth on artificials, catfish on cut bait, liver, or stinkbait. LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: Norris Creek GPS: N31.08, W94.08.500 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: wacky- and Texas-rigged 10inch worms CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-4782633, 903-724-0961, matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Big hydrilla beds form in Norris and have an outside edge that has a depth of about 6-10 feet. These are great holding places for big bass. On the right bank going into Norris Creek, you will see the edge of the hydrilla coming out from the bank about 50 yards. Take your wacky- or Texas-rigged worms and cast to the edge of the hydrilla, working this edge towards the back of the cove. This will produce some really good fish.

Blacklight Smallies LOCATION: Lake Meredith HOTSPOT: Main lake points GPS: N35 42.244, W101 33.198 SPECIES: smallmouth bass

BEST BAITS: black spinnerbaits with No. 4 Colorado blades on 14-pound fluorescent line CONTACT: Mel Phillips, 806-353-3654, www.melphillips.com TIPS: Night fishing on Lake Meredith with blacklights can regularly produce smallmouth

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over 5 pounds all summer long. Be on the lake as the sun sets for orientation and to rig up a black light on the side of the boat. A black light will make fluorescent 14 lb. line look like knitting yarn. Make short casts not exceeding 25-30 feet in length that hit at the water’s edge in depths of 6 inches to 5 feet. Be ready for action from these powerful fish. The black light and fluorescent line allow you to vividly see fish direction for better rod control when dealing with repeated surges from these hard fighting fish.

BANK ACCESS: The main ramp at the marina, catfish on stinkbait, cut bait and chicken or turkey livers. LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Mouth of Caddo Bay GPS: N32 51.552, W98 32.771 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, Pop-R’s, and slab spoons in chrome color CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com

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TIPS: Stripers are best early and late in the day. Mostly cloudy days will keep the fish active all day. Position yourself mid-lake around Broadway Bend and watch for activity up and down the lake surface for feeding fish. Throw a medium-sized chrome Pop-R with a white-feathered rear treble hook, and chrome Rat-L-Traps. Use electronics to locate deeper stripers in 12-24 feet of water and hop a chrome slab spoon off the bottom around fish for good action. BANK ACCESS: Scenic Point, all species, fish early, late or when cloudy, avoid mid-day, live bait works best.

GPS: N32 85.346, W98 31.533 SPECIES: White bass BEST BAITS: live shad, topwaters, and slabs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: The bite is very early during the heat of the summer. Fish then run deep to avoid sun and heat during the day. Fish the depths close to the dam end of the lake with slabs, using electronics to locate deeper holes. Early morning and night fishing can be productive in shallower water with shad or topwater lures. BANK ACCESS: Any of the three public boat ramps on the lake.

LOCATION: Lake Graham-Eddleman HOTSPOT: Eddleman side dam flats GPS: N33 07.556, W98 36.301 SPECIES: hybrids BEST BAITS: live shad, topwaters; perch-pattern, shallow-running crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Fish power plant discharge area early unless plant is discharging and water is hot. Otherwise, fish the flats to the far right on the Eddleman side as you exit the channel between the lakes. This area is most productive early morning or during cloud cover when hybrids are chasing shad onto the flats. Watch for baitfish on surface. As the day wears on, fish will move into the depths by the dam. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 380 public boat ramp, all species.

LOCATION: Lake O.H. Ivie HOTSPOT: North Island GPS: N31 32.152, W99 40.086 SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Heddon Zara Spooks, Rage Tail Space Monkeys, and Anacondas CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Start out early in the morning and “walk the dog” with a Spook around the hydrilla beds and brush that cover this long river ledge. Underwater points dot the area so pay attention to this and work a Rage Tail Space Monkey or Anaconda along the points in 6-15 feet depths. Once you catch a fish, work the area slowly for larger fish, as they will be close by, moving up and down the ledge to feed. Try South Island as well, 400 yards to the south on the opposite side of the river channel. BANK ACCESS: Concho Park, lots of grass for bass and bream, night fishing for catfish.

LOCATION: Lake Palo Pinto HOTSPOT: Deep water around dam

Evans the Score LOCATION: Lake Amistad HOTSPOT: Evans Creek GPS: N29 31.671, W101 03.422

SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Rage Tail Anacondas, Zoom Trick Worms, and Carolina-rigged Ring Fries

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CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Evans Creek is located due north of the Diablo East boat ramp. This large creek is loaded with flats and tapering points with brush and hydrilla to well over 30 feet. Concentrate on the flats and points with 20 feet of depth on them that break off into deeper water. Start with Texas-rigged Rage Tail Anacondas for bigger fish and if struggling, work smaller baits as the sun rises higher in the sky. Watermelon red and Green Pumpkin have proven to be very productive colors year around on this lake.

Hump Bass LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Humps

GPS: N31 58.590, W96 08.350 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: clear and Bone Super Spook, Pop-R; Red Shad Carolina-rigged Kicker Fish Kicker Kraw CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, 682-518-8252, www.schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: Fish the west side of the humps where the deep water is close. Drag the Carolina rig from hump off into the deep water. You will be working your baits from 3 feet into 12 feet of water. If you fish a drop-shot in this area, be prepared to hang up a bunch; there is a lot of junk on these humps. The east side of the humps is very clean. Use 10-pound fluorocarbon Seaguar line with a No. 11 Gamie circle hook and 3/8- or 1/4-ounce drop-shot weight. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Windsock Point GPS: N31 57.280, W96 06.643 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: clear Tiny Torpedoes and chrome/blue 1/4-ounce Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Royce Simmons, www.gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117 TIPS: Early morning and late Afternoon are the best times to find acres of schooling

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white bass. Be sure to check out the south shoreline from Ferguson Point to Windsock Point. BANK ACCESS: Fisherman’s point marina/catfish and white bass. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir HOTSPOT: Timbered Shoreline GPS: N31 02.116, W97 34.723 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater early; jig worm or Texas rig from mid-morning through evening CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Look for topwater during stable weather conditions up through 9 a.m. Bass Assassin-style soft plastics and Zara Spookstyle hard baits to match the forage size will do well. After topwater bite slows, go with Watermelon Seed or Smoke with blue/red flake soft plastics in and around emergent and submerged timber. LOCATION: Belton Lake HOTSPOT: Mid-section to back of Cedar Creek GPS: N31 09.881’, W97 27.484’ SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: deep-diving crankbaits and Carolina rigs CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: This creek has abundant shad typically holding over the shoulders of the submerged creek channel. In the upper end, a deep diving crankbait on light line can scrape these shoulders. Once fish are located, fish a Carolina rig to thoroughly cover the area. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Rock Island Trees GPS: N30 18.488 W96 31.432 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows; jigs in pink/white, chartreuse/black CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, www.FishTalesGuideService.com, 979-229-3103 TIPS: Use 1/16- or 1/32-ounce curly-tail jigs. Jig straight down below the boat around rocks or sunken Christmas trees. If using minnows, slip cork set to fish just above rocks or trees, adjusting depth by one foot until you find the depth they are biting on that day. Vary jigging speed and let jig free fall a foot at a time. With minnows under cork, move cork a foot, let it sit a minute, then move another foot and repeat to keep the bait moving slowly.

Page I17

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Edge of Trees at Intake Channel GPS: N 30 36.899 W96 04.292 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, chicken liver, stinkbait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, www.FishTalesGuideService.com, 979-229-3103 TIPS: Late summer, water is warm and short of oxygen. Current from the intake creates water movement that catfish like. As always, chumming either soured corn or range cubes in warm months helps. Allow chum 15 minutes to attract fish. Anchor near stumps and trees on left side of intake in 4-12 feet of water. Carolina rig tight line, 3/4- to 1-ounce egg sinker, 1/0 Kahle hook for shad, and No. 4 for other baits. LOCATION: Fayette County Lake HOTSPOT: Point off Third Boat Ramp Area GPS: N29 55.877 W96 43.366 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: stinkbait, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, www.FishTalesGuideService.com, 979-229-3103 TIPS: This 20 feet-deep point off Snake Island with timber on the bottom. Anchor to fish straight down. Use 1/2- to 3/4-ounce egg sinker and 12- to 14-inch leader. Lower sinker all the way to the bottom, reel your rod tip to the water with sinker on the bottom. Then, raise your rod 6-8 inches to get sinker off bottom with hook still on bottom. Bite may come as sideways movement of the rod or rod may lift as fish lifts sinker. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Juniper Point GPS: N33 51.892’, W96 49.883’ SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: topwaters and Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, 877-786-4477, www.striperexpress.com TIPS: The big fish move onto the flats in August. Early mornings, cast Pencil Poppers and Chug Bugs on the shallow banks. Midmorning, change your lures to Sassy Shad soft plastics. Concentrate on the flats that run about 20 feet in depth. Locate the creek channels and drop-offs; these are the roots the fish use to move up from deep water. Later in the month, the seagulls arrive. Pay close attention to the birds, as they are the best fish-finders. BANK ACCESS: Texas Flats and Mill Creek Flats

A L M A N A C / T E X A S

F i s h

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: The Islands GPS: N32 50.232’, W96 44.552’ SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: topwaters and Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, 877-786-4477, www.striperexpress.com TIPS: The big fish move onto the flats in August. Early mornings, cast Pencil Poppers and Chug Bugs on the shallow banks. Midmorning, change your lures to Sassy Shad soft plastics. BANK ACCESS: Texas Flats and Mill Creek Flats LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Caney Inlet or Creek GPS: N32 09.240, W95 29.570 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas- and Carolina-rigged Baby Brush Hogs CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-4782633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: A grass-covered hump can be found in Caney Creek, rising to depths of 7-8 feet at the creek’s mouth and dropping off to 15-18 feet. Big bass often hold around this hump. When entering Caney Inlet the creek will run closer to the right hand bank, but still in the open. Watch your electronics until you see the hump approaching. Back off, throw both Texas- and Carolina-rigged Baby Brush Hogs in Watermelon, and hold on. BANK ACCESS: Highsaw Bridge, bass, catfish and crappie, fish the old roadway under the bridge. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Caney Creek Inlet GPS: N32.09.24, W95.29.57 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: watermelon-colored Texas- and Carolina-rigged Baby Brush Hogs CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-4782633, 903-724-0961, matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Caney Inlet or Creek has a hump with grass on it that comes up to about 7-8 feet at the mouth, dropping off to about 15-18 feet. Big bass will sometimes hold around this hump. When entering Caney Inlet, the creek will run closer to the right side but out in the open. Watch your electronics until you see the hump coming up. Back off and throw Baby Brush Hogs.

G a m e ® / A U G U S T

2 0 0 9

•

I17

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Tides and Prime Times

AUGUST 2009 USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10

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

T13 T7

T6 T5 T17

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the lower color boxes of the Calendar pages. Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE below to adjust times for points East and West of Galveston Channel.

T15 T16

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

T14 T18

T19

SOLAR & LUNAR ACTIVITY: Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 7:51p

PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to your location, the stronger the influence. FULL or NEW MOONS provide the strongest influnce of the month.

T20

AM Minor: 9:11a AM Major: 2:57a PM Minor: 9:40p PM Major: 3:25p

Moonrise:9:27a Moon Set: None Moon Overhead:

T21

4:55p

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

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

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

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

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

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

T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: 12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

12p

12a

Green: Falling Tide

AM/PM Timeline Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

SOLUNAR AC TIVIT Y: MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the Sky 12a

AM/PM Timeline

I18

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

12a

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

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

• A U G U S T

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

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

KEY PLACE T12 Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay T13 Gilchrist, East Bay T14 Jamaica Beach, W. Bay T15 Alligator Point, W. Bay T16 Christmas Pt T17 Galveston Pleasure Pier

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

PLACE San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor Pass Cavallo Aransas Pass Padre Island (So. End) Port Isabel

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Yellow: Daylight

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

HIGH -0.09 -0:44 0:00 -0:03 -0:24 +1:02

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

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

BEST:

= Peak Fishing 7:45-9:40 AM Period = FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Set: 8:13p Set: None

Sunrise: 6:36a Moonrise: 2:36p

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

AU G 1

Set: 8:12p Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 12:28a Moonrise: 3:34p

Set: 8:12p Set: 1:08a

Sunrise: 6:38a Moonrise: 4:29p

Set: 8:11p Set: 1:51a

Sunrise: 6:38a Moonrise: 5:20p

Set: 8:10p Set: 2:39a

Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 6:07p

Set: 8:10p Set: 3:31a

AM Minor: 10:47a

PM Minor: 4:36p

AM Minor: 11:38a

PM Minor: 5:26p

AM Minor: 12:02a

PM Minor: 6:14p

AM Minor: 12:48a

PM Minor: 7:01p

AM Minor: 1:35a

PM Minor: 7:47p

AM Minor: 2:20a

PM Minor: 8:33p

AM Minor: 3:05a

PM Minor: 9:18p

AM Major: 4:36a

PM Major: 4:59p

AM Major: 5:26a

PM Major: 5:50p

AM Major: 6:14a

PM Major: 6:39p

AM Major: 7:01a

PM Major: 7:26p

AM Major: 7:47a

PM Major: 8:13p

AM Major: 8:33a

PM Major: 8:58p

AM Major: 9:18a

PM Major: 9:43p

Moon Overhead: 6:16p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:54p

Moon Overhead: 7:04p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 8:44p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:25p

Moon Overhead: 9:34p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:15p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 8:14p Sunrise: 6:36a Moonrise: 12:35p Set: 11:51p Moonrise: 1:36p

12a

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:52a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 8:19a BEST:

12:30 — 3:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 9:09a BEST:

2:00 — 3:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 10:00a BEST:

3:00 — 4:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 10:50a +2.0

BEST:

4:00 — 6:00 P TIDE LEVELS

5:30 — 8:45 P

Moon Underfoot: 7:29a

TIDE LEVELS

5:00 A — 7:00 A

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:40a

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

2:23 AM 8:32 AM 3:48 PM 11:24 PM

0.68 ft 1.18 ft 0.08 ft 1.08 ft

Low Tide: 3:05 AM High Tide: 8:40 AM Low Tide: 4:50 PM

0.98 ft High Tide: 5:37 AM 1.19 ft Low Tide: 5:47 AM -0.08 ft High Tide: 8:03 AM Low Tide: 5:52 PM

1.22 ft High Tide: 4:31 AM 1.22 ft Low Tide: 6:52 PM 1.22 ft -0.18 ft

1.37 ft High Tide: 5:08 AM -0.24 ft Low Tide: 7:46 PM

1.46 ft High Tide: 5:41 AM -0.28 ft Low Tide: 8:35 PM

1.48 ft High Tide: 6:06 AM -0.29 ft Low Tide: 9:16 PM

1.46 ft -0.27 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 6:49p

Set: 8:09p Set: 4:25a

Sunrise: 6:40a Moonrise: 7:27p

Set: 8:08p Set: 5:21a

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 8:01p

Set: 8:07p Set: 6:17a

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 8:32p

Set: 8:07p Set: 7:12a

Sunrise: 6:42a Moonrise: 9:01p

Set: 8:06p Set: 8:07a

Sunrise: 6:42a Moonrise: 9:29p

Set: 8:05p Set: 9:00a

Sunrise: 6:43a Moonrise: 9:57p

Set: 8:04p Set: 9:54a

AM Minor: 3:50a

PM Minor: 10:03p

AM Minor: 4:35a

PM Minor: 10:47p

AM Minor: 5:20a

PM Minor: 11:31p

AM Minor: 6:04a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 6:48a

PM Minor: 12:38p

AM Minor: 7:33a

PM Minor: 1:23p

AM Minor: 8:19a

PM Minor: 2:09p

AM Major: 10:03a

PM Major: 10:27p

AM Major: 10:47a

PM Major: 11:10p

AM Major: 11:31a

PM Major: 11:53p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:15p

AM Major: 12:38a

PM Major: 12:59p

AM Major: 1:23a

PM Major: 1:44p

AM Major: 2:09a

PM Major: 2:30p

Moon Overhead: None 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:49a

Moon Overhead: 12:03a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:34a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:57a

Moon Overhead: 2:16a

12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:38a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

12a

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:39a BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 12:26p BEST:

BEST:

10:30 A — 1:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 1:55p BEST:

11:15 A — 1:45 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:37p BEST:

8:40 — 11:59 P

Moon Underfoot: 3:18p BEST:

9:00 — 11:59 P

8:45 — 11:59 P

Moon Underfoot: 3:59p +2.0

BEST:

1:50 — 4:00 A TIDE LEVELS

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:30 A

Moon Underfoot: 1:12p

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

6:18 AM 11:48 AM 12:40 PM 9:52 PM

1.42 ft 1.30 ft 1.30 ft -0.23 ft

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

6:22 AM 11:07 AM 2:02 PM 10:24 PM

1.38 ft 1.26 ft 1.30 ft -0.17 ft

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

6:28 AM 11:03 AM 3:00 PM 10:51 PM

1.35 ft 1.18 ft 1.29 ft -0.08 ft

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

6:39 AM 11:22 AM 3:55 PM 11:18 PM

1.33 ft 1.08 ft 1.25 ft 0.03 ft

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

6:53 AM 11:52 AM 4:51 PM 11:44 PM

1.32 ft 0.95 ft 1.20 ft 0.18 ft

High Tide: 7:06 AM 1.29 ft Low Tide: 12:25 PM 0.82 ft High Tide: 5:52 PM 1.14 ft

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

12:11 AM 7:17 AM 1:01 PM 7:04 PM

0.36 ft 1.26 ft 0.66 ft 1.10 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Set: 8:01p Set: 1:52p

SATURDAY

14 Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 8:00p Moonrise: 12:25a Set: 2:57p

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:46a Moonrise: 1:18a

Set: 7:59p Set: 4:01p

Sunrise: 6:47a Moonrise: 2:19a

Set: 7:58p Set: 5:01p

AM Minor: 9:06a

PM Minor: 2:56p

AM Minor: 9:56a

PM Minor: 3:44p

AM Minor: 10:47a

PM Minor: 4:35p

AM Minor: 11:41a

PM Minor: 5:27p

AM Minor: 12:12a

PM Minor: 6:22p

AM Minor: 1:02a

PM Minor: 7:18p

AM Minor: 1:59a

PM Minor: 8:15p

AM Major: 2:56a

PM Major: 3:17p

AM Major: 3:44a

PM Major: 4:07p

AM Major: 4:35a

PM Major: 4:59p

AM Major: 5:27a

PM Major: 5:54p

AM Major: 6:22a

PM Major: 6:51p

AM Major: 7:18a

PM Major: 7:49p

AM Major: 8:15a

PM Major: 8:46p

Moon Overhead: 4:20a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:51a

Moon Overhead: 5:04a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:43a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 8:39a

Moon Overhead: 7:39a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:42a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 8:03p Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 8:02p Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 8:03p Sunrise: 6:45a Moonrise: 10:28p Set: 10:49a Moonrise: 11:01p Set: 11:47a Moonrise: 11:40p Set: 12:48p Moonrise: None

FRIDAY

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:41p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 7:10p

BEST:

4:40 — 6:30 P

BEST:

5:40 — 7:30 P

6:30 — 8:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 9:10p BEST:

12:00 — 3:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 10:13p +2.0

BEST:

2:00 — 3:30 P

TIDE LEVELS

3:30 — 5:20 A

Moon Underfoot: 8:08p

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 6:16p

BEST:

2:30 — 4:45 A

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 5:27p

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

I22

12:39 AM 7:23 AM 1:39 PM 8:30 PM

0.57 ft 1.24 ft 0.50 ft 1.08 ft

• A U G U S T

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

1:06 AM 7:17 AM 2:24 PM 10:18 PM

2 0 0 9 /

0.80 ft 1.24 ft 0.32 ft 1.12 ft

Low Tide: 1:32 AM High Tide: 6:57 AM Low Tide: 3:16 PM

T E X A S

F i s h

1.03 ft 1.29 ft 0.15 ft

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

12:53 AM 1:27 AM 6:34 AM 4:18 PM

1.25 ft High Tide: 6:24 AM 1.25 ft Low Tide: 5:25 PM 1.40 ft -0.03 ft

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

1.52 ft High Tide: 6:12 AM -0.19 ft Low Tide: 6:33 PM

1.61 ft High Tide: 4:53 AM -0.34 ft Low Tide: 7:37 PM

1.67 ft -0.45 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Set: 7:57p Set: 5:56p

Sunrise: 6:48a Moonrise: 4:39a

Set: 7:56p Set: 6:44p

Sunrise: 6:49a Moonrise: 5:52a

AM Minor: 2:55a

PM Minor: 9:11p

AM Minor: 3:51a

PM Minor: 10:06p

AM Major: 9:11a

PM Major: 9:42p

AM Major: 10:06a

PM Major: 10:36p

Moon Overhead: 10:44a

12a

12p

Set: 7:55p Set: 7:26p

Sunrise: 6:49a Moonrise: 7:02a

AM Minor: 4:46a

PM Minor: 11:00p

AM Major: 11:00a

PM Major: 11:29p

Moon Overhead: 12:43p

Moon Overhead: 11:45a 12a

12a

12p

FRIDAY

Set: 7:54p Set: 8:04p

Sunrise: 6:50a Moonrise: 8:09a

AM Minor: 5:40a

PM Minor: 11:53p

AM Major: 11:53a

PM Major: 12:20p

Moon Overhead: 1:37p 12a

12p

SATURDAY

Set: 7:53p Set: 8:39p

Sunrise: 6:50a Moonrise: 9:14a

AM Minor: 6:34a

PM Minor: 12:22p

AM Minor: 7:28a

PM Minor: 1:16p

AM Minor: 8:23a

PM Minor: 2:11p

AM Major: 12:22a

PM Major: 12:47p

AM Major: 1:16a

PM Major: 1:41p

AM Major: 2:11a

PM Major: 2:36p

12p

Set: 7:52p Set: 9:13p

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 7:51p Moonrise: 10:18a Set: 9:48p

Moon Overhead: 3:17p

Moon Overhead: 2:28p 12a

SUNDAY

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:06p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

17 Sunrise: 6:47a Moonrise: 3:27a

THURSDAY

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:15p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

9:50 A — 12:20 P

Moon Underfoot: 1:11a BEST:

10:50 A — 1:10 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:03a BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:53a BEST:

12:20 — 2:50 P

1:20 — 3:40 P

Moon Underfoot: 3:41a +2.0

BEST:

2:10 — 4:30 P TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 12:15a

TIDE LEVELS

3:00 — 6:00 P

Moon Underfoot: None

High Tide: 4:57 AM Low Tide: 8:36 PM

1.68 ft High Tide: -0.49 ft Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:13 AM 9:39 AM 1:03 PM 9:30 PM

1.63 ft 1.46 ft 1.53 ft -0.43 ft

+1.0

-1.0 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:30 AM 10:04 AM 2:40 PM 10:20 PM

1.56 ft 1.26 ft 1.53 ft -0.28 ft

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

5:48 AM 10:43 AM 4:02 PM 11:08 PM

1.47 ft 1.01 ft 1.50 ft -0.04 ft

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

6:05 AM 11:28 AM 5:21 PM 11:53 PM

1.40 ft 0.74 ft 1.46 ft 0.27 ft

High Tide: 6:23 AM 1.35 ft Low Tide: 12:15 PM 0.49 ft High Tide: 6:40 PM 1.41 ft

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

12:36 AM 6:39 AM 1:04 PM 8:05 PM

0.59 ft 1.33 ft 0.28 ft 1.37 ft

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

Set: 7:48p Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 11:47p Moonrise: 2:21p

Set: 7:47p Set: None

Sunrise: 6:53a Moonrise: 3:15p

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Set: 7:45p Sunrise: 6:54a Set: 12:35a Moonrise: 4:03p

Set: 7:44p Set: 1:25a

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 4:47p

Set: 7:43p Set: 2:19a

AM Minor: 9:19a

PM Minor: 3:06p

AM Minor: 10:14a

PM Minor: 4:01p

AM Minor: 11:08a

PM Minor: 4:55p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 5:48p

AM Minor: 12:25a

PM Minor: 6:38p

AM Minor: 1:13a

PM Minor: 7:26p

AM Minor: 1:59a

PM Minor: 8:11p

AM Major: 3:06a

PM Major: 3:31p

AM Major: 4:01a

PM Major: 4:27p

AM Major: 4:55a

PM Major: 5:21p

AM Major: 5:48a

PM Major: 6:13p

AM Major: 6:38a

PM Major: 7:04p

AM Major: 7:26a

PM Major: 7:51p

AM Major: 8:11a

PM Major: 8:36p

Moon Overhead: 4:55p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:37p

Moon Overhead: 5:46p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:29p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:10p

Moon Overhead: 8:20p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:59p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 7:50p Sunrise: 6:52a Set: 7:49p Sunrise: 6:52a Moonrise: 11:21a Set: 10:24p Moonrise: 12:24p Set: 11:04p Moonrise: 1:24p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

THURSDAY

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:31a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 7:03a

BEST:

5:10 — 7:00 P

BEST:

12:00 — 2:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 8:45a BEST:

12:50 — 3:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 9:35a +2.0

BEST:

2:30 — 4:00 P

3:00 — 4:50 P

TIDE LEVELS

4:10 — 6:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 7:54a

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 6:12a

BEST:

3:15 — 5:20 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 5:21a

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

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0.91 ft 1.33 ft 0.14 ft 1.36 ft

• A U G U S T

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

1:56 AM 6:55 AM 2:55 PM 11:49 PM

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1.17 ft 1.35 ft 0.06 ft 1.40 ft

Low Tide: 2:16 AM High Tide: 6:03 AM Low Tide: 3:59 PM

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1.38 ft 1.40 ft 0.03 ft

High Tide: 3:51 AM Low Tide: 5:11 PM

1.52 ft 0.03 ft

High Tide: 4:15 AM Low Tide: 6:22 PM

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1.59 ft 0.04 ft

High Tide: 4:45 AM Low Tide: 7:24 PM

1.61 ft 0.05 ft

High Tide: 5:05 AM Low Tide: 8:14 PM

1.59 ft 0.07 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

SEP 1

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 5:26p

Set: 7:42p Set: 3:14a

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 6:01p

Set: 7:41p Set: 4:10a

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 6:33p

Set: 7:40p Set: 5:05a

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 7:03p

Set: 7:39p Set: 6:00a

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 7:32p

Set: 7:38p Set: 6:55a

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 8:01p

Set: 7:36p Set: 7:49a

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 8:31p

Set: 7:35p Set: 8:44a

AM Minor: 2:43a

PM Minor: 8:55p

AM Minor: 3:25a

PM Minor: 9:36p

AM Minor: 4:05a

PM Minor: 10:16p

AM Minor: 4:45a

PM Minor: 10:56p

AM Minor: 5:26a

PM Minor: 11:36p

AM Minor: 6:08a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 6:53a

PM Minor: 12:42p

AM Major: 8:55a

PM Major: 9:18p

AM Major: 9:36a

PM Major: 9:59p

AM Major: 10:16a

PM Major: 10:38p

AM Major: 10:56a

PM Major: 11:17p

AM Major: 11:36a

PM Major: 11:57p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:19p

AM Major: 12:42a

PM Major: 1:04p

Moon Overhead: 10:46p

12a

Tides and Prime Times for AUGUST 2009

12p

Moon Overhead: None

Moon Overhead: 11:31p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:14a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:37a

Moon Overhead: 12:56a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:19a 12a

12p

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 10:22a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 11:53a BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 12:35p BEST:

10:00A — 12:20P

Moon Underfoot: 1:16p BEST:

10:56 A — 1:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 1:58p BEST:

11:15 A — 1:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:41p +2.0

BEST:

12:00 — 2:20 A

12:20 — 2:40 A

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 11:08a BEST:

5:00 — 7:10 P

+1.0

12a

+1.0

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

5:09 AM 10:31 AM 12:13 PM 8:54 PM

1.55 ft 1.41 ft 1.42 ft 0.11 ft

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

5:05 AM 10:06 AM 1:33 PM 9:28 PM

1.51 ft 1.35 ft 1.44 ft 0.18 ft

-1.0 High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:06 AM 10:01 AM 2:34 PM 9:56 PM

1.47 ft 1.25 ft 1.45 ft 0.27 ft

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

5:12 AM 10:15 AM 3:31 PM 10:23 PM

1.46 ft 1.12 ft 1.45 ft 0.39 ft

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

5:22 AM 10:39 AM 4:26 PM 10:50 PM

1.45 ft 0.97 ft 1.45 ft 0.54 ft

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

5:33 AM 11:08 AM 5:23 PM 11:18 PM

1.44 ft 0.81 ft 1.45 ft 0.71 ft

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

5:42 AM 11:39 AM 6:24 PM 11:48 PM

1.43 ft 0.65 ft 1.46 ft 0.90 ft

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First Encounters, New Loves T

by Don Zaidle

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T E X A S

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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“

Back

then, “sporting goods” stores

“

sold footballs

and basketball hoops.

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PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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in these pages something to covet, thus joining me among the unrepentant legions who value first encounters and new loves more than substantial lucre.

A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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T/C Venture Bolt Action Rifle

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‘Big Mouth’ Most Popular Compact Gun Rest

A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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ILLUSTRATION COURTESY MEDALIST

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factors such as frequency and receiver quality remain the same), doubling the transducer crystal’s PHOTO COURTESY AIRMAR TECHNOLOGY

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F i s h

PHOTO COURTESY EAGLE ONE AUTOMOTIVE APPEARANCE PRODUCTS

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PHOTO BY STEVE LAMASCUS

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by Chester Moore, Jr.

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TROPHY FEVER Continued from Page I-43 Determined to get a shot before they again put some distance between us, I stepped out ahead of the cameramen and began my move. Before each step, I examined the ground to make sure I would not snap a branch or rustle the dry leaves. Noticing the bison were starting to move a little more quickly, I haphazardly ignored my footing and snapped a small stick. I just knew they were going to bolt, but to my surprise, the beasts simply looked up for a second, walked forward a few feet, and put their heads back down to graze. A large oak obstructed their view of me, and if I could make it there, only 25 yards or so would separate me from the herd and the young bull I had picked out. It did not take long to close the gap, and with the animals heavily engaged in feeding, I44

• A U G U S T

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Continued on Page I-46 A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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like good thing, and in many ways, it is. The up-chuck factor should be low, and in normal seas, comfort levels will be relatively high. Until, that is, a large wave strikes the beam. In this scenario, it is possible for a boat to be too stable. After heeling over, it will want to right itself so quickly that the motion can be violent. The best example of this comes from power cats, which can drop one hull into a trough while the other gets shoved skyward. Then, they both rush in opposite directions to even out with the other. Hence, the term “snap-roll.” Unfortunately, having too slow a roll period can be just as problematic. If the boat’s tendency to right itself is too slow, once the roll is triggered the boat might just keep on going until it flops over and sinks. Although this phenomenon does not promote seasickness, it is what we mariners generally call “not good.” The comfiest boats have neither incredibly high nor incredibly low metacentric heights, neither particularly fast nor slow roll periods, but are content in their mediocrity. Just for the record, a powerboat in the 26foot range should commonly have a metacentric height in the range of 4.5, while a big honkin’ 65-foot yacht will usually be closer to 10. Think, “little boat snappy roll versus big boat slow roll.” How can you prejudge a particular boat when it comes to roll? How will you predict what’s going to happen when you are

TROPHY FEVER Continued from Page I-45 first saw photos of a bison hunt as a young child, I fantasized about pursuing this great animal with a bow. Like the Native Americans before me, I would feed my family with the delicious, nutritious meat, make a rug from the hide, and hang the skull in a place of honor in my home. It hangs there to this day. As you can gather, the experience was I46

• A U G U S T

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trolling through a 4-foot beam sea? I’d like to hand you off some snappy mathematical formula that answers these questions, but in reality, there’s only one thing you can do— take the boat trolling through a 4-foot beam sea. Leave all the funky terms and mindbending equations to the design geeks, and go boating instead. Luckily, if your boat rolls in ways you do not like, you are not completely helpless; use these tricks and tools, to reduce the roll and keep lunch where it belongs. Move Your Metacenter: Remember, COG plays a key roll in this equation, and all too often we change our boat’s COG by packing gear in an off-center position, or by adding weight high in the boat. This problem is particularly evident on small boats, where relatively low weight changes can have dramatic effects. Always consider this when packing gear, and avoid elevating weight. Some common COG faux pas include placing full coolers or portable livewells atop raised decks, using T-top electronics boxes for gear stowage, and lashing gear to poling platforms. Foil The Roll: Adding a hydrofoil to your outboard cavitation plate often reduces rolling notably, sometimes by as much as 1520 percent. Unfortunately, most of the effect will be evident only when running; at rest, the difference will be minimal. Several new types of hydrofoils can be mounted without drilling into the anti-ventilation plate, greatly simplifying installation. Rest at Rest: Another handy add-on is the Magma Rock ‘n Roll Boat Stabilizer (www.magmaproducts.com). This system simply applies pressure to slow and reduce rolling motions, with a hinged-wing stabilizer and aluminum outrigger. It is just like the “birds” hung from the outriggers of commercial fishing boats. (Remember Billy Tyne cutting free the swinging bird in “The Perfect Storm”?) Commonly, such products made for recreational boats are called “flopper stoppers.” One important difference is that, unlike most products of this type, the stainless steel Magma stabilizer is hinged in the middle. When the boat rocks toward the wing, it folds in half and sinks with little resistance through the water. When the boat rocks back in the other direction, the wing opens, catches some serious water, and reduces the motion of the boat. I tested the Rock ‘n Roll on a 19-foot boat while adrift in 2- to 3-foot seas and was

Page I47

amazed at how big a difference it made. Before deploying it, I timed and measured the roll at an average of 3.2 seconds and 7 degrees. After putting the Rock ‘n Roll over the side, the average level of inclination dropped to 4 degrees and the roll period went up to 3.4 seconds. Numerically, that might not sound like a huge difference, but from my perspective standing on the deck, it was. In my gut, it felt like the seas had dropped by 25 percent. There is a significant drawback to using the Rock ‘n Roll: It can be used only while drifting or at anchor, since you have to hang a boom and lines over the side of your boat. That also means that anglers will have to deal with extra snags in the water. Big Bucks = Big Comfort: If you have cash to burn and are willing to pay between $30,000 and $50,000 to get rid of roll, you can install a anti-roll gyro in your boat. From the outside, these systems (there are several on the market, most made by Mitsubishi and Seakeeper) look like a simple fiberglass box bolted to the stringers. Inside the cover, you will see a flywheel set on gimbals in an oil bath. Once spooled up to speed (a process that takes about half an hour), these flywheels produce approximately 1400 foot-pounds of counter-torque to a boat’s rolling motion. I experienced the Mitsubishi system in action on a Bertram 570 Convertible rigged with two ARG 2000s, the smallest units available. Our test day was ideal, with 15to 20-knot winds, and 3- to 5-foot seas. We parked the boat beam-to, and I measured heel angle, roll period, and the amount of rolls it took the boat to regain a level keel after being struck on the beam by a 5-footer. With the system off, virtually all of the 20 sets of waves I measured sent the boat into a series of rolls that usually heeled beyond my inclinometer’s range of 10 degrees for two or three rolls. Most of the time, the boat was struck by another large wave set and started off-the-meter rolls again before ever settling on an even keel. With ARG running, my inclinometer broke 10 degrees only four times in 20 sets. On the follow-up roll, it dropped between 3 and 8 degrees, and roll period dropped from an average 9.8 seconds to an average 7.1 seconds. On deck, the shorter roll period did not feel any more abrupt or “snappy” because the rolls were so much smaller than without the system. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

F i s h

After punching my test data from 40 wave sets into the calculator, I came up with a 32.75 percent roll reduction. An even bigger reduction was detected by my internal queaze-o-meter, and as any captain who’s been stuck with the job of swabbing a pukestrewn deck can tell you, that’s the meter that really counts. E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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The Cast Net Bait Bucket is a well-built product based on an industrial plastic bucket. A wide-mouthed funnel sits on top and guides the captured bait into the safe confines of the bucket. A flotation collar girdles the perimeter of the bucket, allowing you to take it where the bait is. A hundred small

by Greg Berlocher holes allow plenty of water to circulate, keeping the bait alive and frisky. The floatation collar holds the bucket at just the right height when you are wading. After a cast of the net, you drop the lead

weights into the 17-inch funnel and shake the net. The trapped fish drop into the funnel and then slide into the bucket. The 4inch hole in the funnel is just the right size— large enough to get your hand easily into and out of, but small enough to keep leaping baitfishes from escaping. Having grown up with two older brothers, I was assigned bucket duty as a young charge. I diligently followed the seine pulled by my siblings with bait buckets in tow, and then did my best to hold open the springloaded trapdoor of the bait bucket while trying in vain to keep the pin perch and shrimp inside from going Houdini on me. The Cast Net Bait Bucket would have made life much easier. F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

Allen just introduced a second version of the Cast Net Bait Bucket aimed at boaters. The difference is the bucket is solid and does not have a flotation collar. The bucket holds a good supply of water, providing the bait plenty of room and avoiding overcrowding. Throw an air stone from a portable air pump through the funnel hole and you can keep your bait alive for a long time. As a secondary benefit, the bucket helps keep your boat clean. Cast nets pull up all manner of muck, mud, and seagrass when hauled in. A quick snap of the wrist and all of that mess ends up in the funnel and not on the floor of your boat. The funnel on both models is bolted to a lid that screws onto the bucket. The molded threads on the lid are extremely smooth. After a half turn, the lid snaps into place so you do not have to worry about the top half of the bucket flying off and hitting someone when your boat is on plane. The bucket comes with 10 feet of poly rope left unfinished on the end. It would be a nice touch if the company added some sort of connector to the end of the rope so wade-fishermen could quickly snap it on and off their wading belts. I give the Cast Net Bait Bucket extremely high marks. It is a well thought out product and works as advertised. The company is based in Texas and sold through independent sporting good stores in Austin, Burnet, Corpus Christi, Houston, Port Aransas, Rockport, and Victoria. Contact: LanKat Outdoor Products, 5 1 2 - 2 9 9 - 5 9 0 3 , www.lankatoutdoorproducts.com.

Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com

PHOTO COURTESY LANKAT OUTDOOR PRODUCTS

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F i s h

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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Casting Cedar Plugs EDAR PLUGS ARE TROLLING LURES THAT HAVE been around for about a hundred years, tuna being one of their primary targets. Their weighted leadhead section and wooden body, along with a big needleeye hook, give them their swim motion. With a few modifications from their trolling configuration, they make natural casters. After hearing and reading about them for years, sometime in late 2004, I got a couple. On the troll at about 5 knots was my first look at their swim motion. While they looked great in the water, neither my longtime fishing friend Lee Bull nor I got a strike. The look of those two cedar plugs made it obvious that getting rid of that 10-foot mono leader and replacing it with about 14 inches of cable was the way to go. I have been casting them ever since, and have taken kingfish, ling, dolphin, and suspended snapper with them. Their low cost makes cedar plugs prime candidates for modification. You can use the hook that comes with the rigged version; with the unrigged ones, use a Mustad Needle Eye 34120 in size 10/0. I have had success with all of the colors I have, starting with the plain red cedar. To make these modifications to one cedar plug, you will need the cedar plug and hook; about 14 inches of AFW 7x7, 100 cable;

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two AFW 7 mm, .053-inch i.d. double barrel crimps and crimp tool; a small stop bead; a size 1 single barrel crimp; and a Spro Power Swivel 130, size 4. The first step for either hook is to sharpen it carefully. The first assembly step is to form a loop for the swivel, and crimp it securely. Next, place the single barrel crimp on the cable, followed by the stop bead, then slide the wire through the cedar plug body. Slide the body, stop bead, and crimp against the swivel’s loop crimp.

Next, place the other double barrel crimp on the cable. Now form the big game loop by passing the cable through the hook eye and then wrap the tag end of the wire around itself three times while going through the eye again. This gives the cable a double lay through the hook eye. Pull the loop snugly closed and crimp the connection tightly. The big game loop also holds the hook snugly in place inside the cedar plug body. Next, gently tighten the stop crimp on the cable, holding it, but not deforming the cable. This stop crimp is tightened up about 4 inches ahead of the cedar plug when the F i s h

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hook is seated in the body. The purpose of the stop crimp and bead is to prevent the cedar plug body from being slung up the cable. You do not want the cedar plug next to the swivel and your main line. The odds are high that another kingfish would see the cedar plug out there dancing from the headshakes of the hooked one. The chance of a cut-off comes next. Casting a cedar plug for kingfish or wahoo is made a lot easier if the combo is made up of a high speed reel loaded with 80-pound Spectra, mounted on a 7-foot, twohanded casting rod. Tie about 10 feet of 80pound mono to the Spectra with a knot of your choice, then tie the mono to the cedar plug leader. Cast and let it sink a few seconds or start an immediate retrieve. As it swims back, wind as fast as you can, keeping your rod tip pointed directly at your line’s entry into the water. Expect a strike or blowup at any second. It is important not to make a hook-setting rod sweep prematurely; you must feel the weight of the fish first, then wind as fast as you can until the drag starts to slip. This also applies when targeting tuna and dolphin. Ling usually like a slower swimming, darting presentation. Ling also respond at boatside to a maneuver used by musky fishermen—a figure-eight motion that a cedar plug is made to do about 3 feet below the surface. With the cedar plug about 18 inches or so off the rod tip, do a quick figureeight motion about 2 feet long with your rod tip in the water, and hang on. E-mail Patrick Lemire at saltrigs@fishgame.com ILLUSTRATION BY PATRICK LEMIRE

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TPWD Opens New Paddling Trails HE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT has been very busy since this correspondent last reported on its inventory of paddling trails in 2007. A record 11 new trails are expected to be unveiled this year, beginning with the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail that winds through Houston. “There has been a huge surge of interest in the Texas Paddling Trails program over the past year or so,” said Shelly Plante, nature tourism coordinator for TPWD. “Communities across the state have seen the benefit a designated paddling trail has on local economies, and canoeists and kayakers seem to be excited about exploring new waters.” Plante leads a cross-divisional program

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tasked with adding paddling trails in different parts of the state. All members of Plante’s team have dedicated duties in other departments and come together to work on the development of new trails on a scheduled basis. The overwhelming popularity of the states’ first paddling trail in the Lighthouse Lakes near Port Aransas was the genesis for the development of new trails. Paddling trails were added soon after at Christmas Bay, Armand Bayou, and Galveston Island. Demand for inland paddling areas resulted in new trails on rivers and lakes. Urban paddling trails provide quick access for city dwellers in quick need of spending time on the water. The Lake

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Arlington Paddling Trail is a 10.9-mile loop around the shoreline of Lake Arlington. The new Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail is the sixteenth paddling trail added and is also the longest, meandering 26 miles through Houston. The new trail is an oasis for wildlife in the fourth largest city in the United States. In May, Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail was dedicated on the Guadalupe River between Groesbeck and Mexia, and The Austin Parks and Recreation Department dedicated an 11-mile circuit around Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake). In June, three new paddling trails were added at Martin Dies State Park near Jasper. The Neches, Walnut, and Sandy Creek Paddling Trails are all unique. The Brazos River will get two new paddling trails this year (expect to see me on both). The first trail is near Glen Rose and the second is near Brazoria. Long popular with canoeist and kayakers across the state, scenic Village Creek near Lumberton in East Texas will also have a designated paddling trail. Plante explained that the first thing the Paddling Trail Team did was develop an overall strategy that would be used in the development of all new trails. “We felt that each potential new trail had to meet a minimum set of requirements to be approved,” Plante explained. “In addition to the physical requirements, we also addressed the educational components of the waterway, such as water quality, and native plants and fish a paddler will see while on the water.” To increase the number of paddling trails, Plante and her team worked with community partners that could take an active role. “We found that there are a lot of communities that want to have a certified paddling trail in their area, Plante explained. Although many of applications the Paddling Trails Team receives are from local Chambers of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and different river authorities, such as Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, businesses that cater to canoeist

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and kayakers can grease the wheels of progress. Denise Rodgers, co-owner of Rising Phoenix Adventures in Bastrop, was instrumental in getting more than 20 miles of the Colorado River designated as the El Camino Real and Wilbarger Paddling Trails. “After we launched El Camino Real in 2007, we had about 1,400 people go down that trail the first year,” she said. “Last year, when we launched Wilbarger, we put about

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3,200 people on the river. That doesn’t count all the people who are coming and bringing their own boats. It’s been incredible for our community.” Rodgers said that of the paddlers who rent boats from her livery, about one-third were from Bastrop and Travis Counties, and the majority of the paddlers she met were from Houston and San Antonio. “Our business is booming right now, unlike a lot of other sectors of the economy,” Rodgers said. “Nature tourism is booming

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because people are getting back to basics and it’s affordable.” You can find information on all of the Texas Paddling Trails on TPWD’s website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/paddlingt rails/. If you and your friends enjoy spending time on the water together and are looking for new places to paddle, there are 18 Texas Paddling Trails across the state for you to explore. Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com.

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Texas Wins BASS Federation Divisional A Participant’s Diary WELVE TEXAS ANGLERS PULLED OFF THE WIN at the BASS Federation Divisional Tournament at Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas. The Texas state tournament, held earlier this year on Lake Conroe, qualified the twelve anglers for the Arkansas event. River fishing is a far cry from what Texas anglers are accustomed to. We have the luxury of some of the greatest lakes and streams in the country, but I can’t think of a single river fishery with locks and dams in the state of Texas. So, it was certainly a new challenge. Practice started out with flooding conditions. The main river was very muddy. Many of the backwater areas had muddy water pushed back into them. Muddy water can be a detriment to an angler in Texas waters. After a week on Dardanelle, I don’t think it affects those river bass at all. I caught fish in the ugliest, muddiest water I have ever fished.

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The length limit for bass at Dardanelle is 15 inches; there are quite a few 14-3/4-inch fish in the river and I caught a bunch of them. I fished the entire first day without a keeper fish. I had a couple of ANGLER blow-ups on topwaDonny Awtry ters, but nothing in Clint Farris the boat. I did catch Nathan Bourque a few small fish, but John Littleton nothing close to 15 Dean Alexander inches. Mike Kernan My first practice Barrett Clifton day was Saturday, Scott Dean and a local tournaMickey Robey ment was hosted on Darren Heavner the river that day. Stevie Clifton Sixteen pounds won Andy Baxter it, and the winner said those fish came off the Highway 22 riprap. In addition, I drove around all day and noted where the locals fished. It would be a good starting place for my homework.

The bay closest to weigh in, Illinois Bay, had the most boats in it. Spadra Creek and Flats probably held the second highest numbers. So, I put together a game plan for the following week with that information in mind. My second practice day also proved tough. I saw a couple of keepers blow up on topwaters, or come off my baits before I could boat them. Okay—after all, it is just practice and I just need to know where they

The Texas Team

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HOMETOWN Watauga Crowley Humble Humble Florence Dallas N. Richland Hills Terrell Longview Fort Worth N. Richland Hills Kilgore

WEIGHT 28-14 27-6 24-3 22-13 20-3 17-3 16-6 14-1 8-0 6-13 3-12 3-0

are. Water is still flooded on this day. More of the same on practice day three. Practice day four, my final practice day, the water starts to drop. We have to be off the water by 2 p.m. My first spot, I catch two keepers. It is a main lake point and it is muddy. I caught them both on a Strike King 1-ounce spinnerbait. I move and fish some riprap, and boom!, another keeper on a Strike King in chartreuse/blue back. I move again and flip some reeds. Boom!, another keeper, this time on a Lake Fork Tackle craw worm in Chartreuse Fire. I make another move and catch one more keeper on riprap using a crankbait. That is a very good day, but there is still quite a bit of water that I did not fish where I saw local tournament anglers. That will prove to be my downfall.

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Our first tournament day, I am paired with an angler from Louisiana, Mike Baker. Great guy. The water falls to normal pool, about 8 inches from the prior day. We had a good time in the boat, and had our opportunities. I end up with two keepers for around 6 pounds. I caught one flipping the reeds, and one on the point that produced two keepers in practice. That point was loaded with brush in 6-8 feet of water. It proves to be consistent over the three tournament days, producing at least one keeper each day. After the first day, Texas trails Oklahoma by about 2 pounds. That is very close considering that is total weight for 12 anglers. Day two, the water falls another 8 inches. Areas where I had located fish are now too shallow to fish. I take some advice from a fellow team member, Scott Dean, and change up my game plan. I am fishing a backwater area with a 4-foot depression, lined with wood. This is an ideal place for fish to pull back to when the water is falling. I draw an angler from Nebraska, Jeremy Sorensen. A good guy, and an even better angler. We get into them pretty good. He catches one off my famous point, and we catch the rest in Piney Creek in this depression. We used crankbaits mainly, but his 4pounder came off a Strike King jig. Jeremy loves Strike King products, watches BassChamps Television, all the time, and likes fishing shallow. So, we got along great. It was a fun day. I brought in three fish for 5 pounds, and his two came in around 6 pounds. Texas takes the lead by around 17 pounds after day two. Day three brings rising water again. Rising and falling water are some of the toughest conditions to adjust to. We get both in three days. The fish keep their bags packed, and we anglers have to keep adjusting. It is neat to see them change, but it is very challenging. I draw out with an angler from Kansas, Travis Tunnel. He has been fishing competitively for only two years, but is beyond his years in experience. He is good, but breaks off twice. He has a bad spool of fluorocarbon that cost him two keepers. I weigh in three on the final day for around 6 pounds. Two Texas anglers, Donny Awtry and Clint Farris, found fish right by the ramp—exactly where several local tournament anglers fished during that Saturday tournament, about 100 yards from

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my RV spot and right next to the ramp I used all week. I passed it by figuring the traffic would be too much. They qualify for the National event right there. Don’t overlook the obvious. Donny ends up one fish away from winning the entire event. These guys did great, and for their efforts, they move on to fish for the big money at Nationals. Congrats, guys, I was proud to fish with you! They also prove to be the anchors for

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one tough Texas team in 2009. —Mike Kernan, TF&G Reader Editor’s Note: Mike Kernan is a tournament angler from Dallas. His sponsors include Fun-N-Sun Boating Center, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Strike King, Lake Fork Tackle, Brown’s Boat Repair, Big Bass Tour, and PowerTackle rods. His website is www.KernansFishing.com.

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F YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN A TARPON BOUND from the surface while feeding on baitfish or striking a lure, make it a point to do soon. Few sights are more impressive and fortunately for Texas anglers there are many opportunities to target these “silver kings” and other acrobatic fish around our jetty systems and beyond. Tarpon are present from Sabine Pass to Padre Island during summer months but relatively few anglers actually land them. They are extremely finicky fish and will mysteriously choose to bite on seemingly nothing, and when they do, it is difficult to put a hook into them. Their mouths are full of very hard bone, and hookset is more difficult with them than any other species on the Gulf Coast. If you happen to hook one, be ready for a sweat-drenched, adrenalinepumped battle.

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“We see tarpon around the Aransas Jetties a lot but they can be super hard to catch. Sometimes they want big live bait and sometimes super small artificials,” said Capt. Bobby Caskey of Shoal Grass Lodge. Tarpon are dogged fighters that use speed, acrobatic agility, and stamina to their

by Chester Moore, Jr. advantage. Some fish will stay under the surface, causing anglers to suspect they have hooked something else, and then all of a sudden explode out of the water and snap the line. An angler’s best shot at catching a tarpon is fishing a live crab or dead pogeys toward feeding fish or drifted over big schools of baitfish. If you see active feeding tarpon or fish below the surface, stay a good distance upwind of the fish and use the curF i s h

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Tarpon, known as “silver kings,” are present at the jetty systems along the coast but are most common from the Port O’Connor area southward.

rents or a trolling motor to approach within a casting distance. “Tarpon are really shy fish. Sometimes you will see huge schools of them destroying seemingly anything in their path but you throw out bait and get absolutely no response. And in recent years with more intelligent fishing pressure, the fish seem to be even more sensitive. There is really no way to work around this. You just have to make sure you take the right steps if you do make a hookup,” said Josh Stone of Houston. Stone recommends anglers use circle hook with a steel leader for the best shoot at catching a fish. PHOTO BY JENNI BENNETT

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“The steel leader is for sharks because you will hook up with sharks when fishing bait for tarpon. It is just going to happen. The circle hook is so you hook the fish in the corner of the mouth for a good live release. The flip side is it increases the changes of hooking up with a fish.” “You don’t actually set the hook with a circle hook. Just leave it in a rod holder and allow the fish to hook itself. I have a theory that since tarpon are so sensitive part of the reason you get more hookups this way is you do not have an angler moving the bait and applying pressure. Tarpon will find any reason to get spooked,” Stone said. Tarpon are not the only acrobats in the near shore Gulf. Spinner and blacktip sharks leaping from water in amazing displays of agility and they are very common throughout the summer from the jetties to the rigs and everywhere in between. Spinners and blacktips often school together and feed in various parts of the water column. Shark savvy anglers know the smaller fish often focus on the upper part of the column, quickly taking chunks of chum and undersized fish thrown overboard. However, the bigger sharks operate somewhere in the mid range. Typically, if they are in 50 feet of water, the big boys hang around 20-25 feet down. Most of the sharks you see free jumping are in the four- to six-foot range and that is because by staying down and being able to see what is going on above them, they have plenty of room to generate the kind of energy it takes to push a 150-pound body 10 feet out of the water. To draw in the big boys, it helps to create a sense of competition among the sharks. The most economical would be to take a five-gallon bucket, punch it full of holes and put weights in the bottom. The bucket is tied to the boat with enough rope to sink at least 10 feet down and fill it with fish guts, old shrimp, cut menhaden or any kind of smelly stuff. This will create a chum slick that will draw in sharks from all around. The secret to getting the big boys up is take a pail of wet sand and live glass minnows or finger mullet. Take several of the baitfish, clump them up in the sand, and throw them overboard. The fish will escape at different depths and it will drive sharks crazy. The big ones will start surfacing you can skip the sand and just throw over the live bait to keep them up top. This is a modified

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version of what is called “power chumming” in Florida. Use large live bait like a hardtail or ladyfish to keep some of the smaller sharks from striking. Most of all brace yourself because when a six-foot long spinner or blacktip blasts through a school of his competitors, it is coming for a fight. Around jetties targeting the washout at the southern tips and around boat cuts offer the best shots at catching big sharks. The eddie effect of the washouts and the super

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strong current in the boat cut provide plenty of baitfish for big sharks to hit and easy spots for you to focus your efforts. Just remember shark regulations change September 1 so become familiar with the differences between blacktips and spinners, which will have different size limits. Fishing is too much to mess up by getting an expensive ticket.

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about him a little, but not too much. I knew his taste in females was questionable; and I never doubted that he had any qualms about dating more than one at a time. My concern was that he’d run into some poisonous old pedigreed hide that would get him shot. However, in true cowboy fashion, his love for horses exonerated him from transgressions. He preferred a cowpony to human company any time. He was also living proof that common sense, good work ethics, and instincts are worth more than a college degree. I noticed many times, when I had company at the house, that Smiley was the smartest one in the crowd. He wasn’t a big drinker. He wouldn’t touch hard liquor and would take only a few sips of beer. That was probably the most uncowboy thing about him. Hunting was not one of his main loves, and fishing was something that confounded him. Nevertheless, he begged me to take him along on a pack trip to Montana in 1993. I took him and he practically froze his tail off, but he never complained. All he did

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was smile. It was -22 degrees the morning we headed back for Texas, and he swore that once he got home he would never leave again. He hated coyotes and loved to fight bad cows. He was the best cow penning help I ever had, but he was sort of sensitive. We worked well as a team and any time somebody else came along, I could tell he was perturbed. The problem was compounded if they talked to him. Numerous times, he quit and went back to the truck to sulk because some novice cowpuncher hollered at him; 100 percent of the time he was right. If a person kept their mouth shut and watched him - he was always in the right place making the right moves. Few people comprehended his innate abilities. His sensitivity caused me to protect him from folks with bad manners. He disliked loud noises and hated it when the wind blew the rumbling from the Glidden train-yards our direction. He liked shooting even less. Smiley would either go across the road to mom’s house or up to the beer joint whenever there was a shooting match on my range. I often warned him about getting hit by a beer truck, but he would just smile and ignore me. Despite his aversion to high decibels, he did like CCR and Leonard Skynard. He would throw a little dance into his walk whenever he would hear the Midnight Special or Sweet Home Alabama. He took good care of my daughter, Sam, and would periodically wander across the road to check on my mom. The family loved him. Everybody loved him. Rain or shine he always had a smile for everyone. He was the subject of an essay that I had to write when taking a spelling, grammar, and punctuation test at Texas A&M University. Smiley wore his heart on his sleeve. He showed his affections. He showed his anger. He wasn’t a good fighter; but he wouldn’t back down from the devil. He was always loyal, and always handy.

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The last couple of years his hips began degenerating and I had to help him in and out of the truck. His bottom eyelids started hanging in a droopy watery way, and his bottom lips began to sag. He always had a thank-you-boss look on his face. His ribs began to stick out, and I could tell that his sight and hearing were failing him. But he never quit smiling, and he would always limp along and help me with my chores. Several times, I caught him looking at me, and his eyes peered into me and told me

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that the end would be coming soon - I could feel him saying goodbye. Then one day he was gone. I didn’t know that his time was already up. I had hoped he would be around a little longer. He wandered out of my life the way he wandered into it. I don’t know where he went to die. I never found him. He went off to be alone and to pass away in peace without a lot of fuss. I often teased myself with the belief that Smiley was a western man reincarnated and

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sent to help me. He helped me through some hard years. In the end, he left me one of his sons to carry on his job. Now, I hope that when my time comes, I can leave without a fuss, and there will be a smiling speckled dog meeting me when I ride up to the Gates. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com

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TEXAS SALTWATER

Ron Redfish & Tr Akins Salt out water Guide Serv ice

GALVESTON

BAFFIN BAY

y art Famil The Stew tions) ra e n e G (3 ipers Hybrid Str ss pre Striper Ex ice rv e S e id u G

CORPUS CHRISTI

For Classified Rates and Information call Dennise at 1-800-750-4678, ext. 5579.

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

Cissy McM a Redfish hon Redfish C harters

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Lorrie Verburgt Redfish Rockport Red Runn ers

y Joey, Frank, & Rand ut, Redfish Tro led eck Sp r, de Floun ce Hillman Guide Servi

Jim Ray, Mike, Sam, & Speckled Trout rvice Hugo Ford Guide Se

TEXAS SALTWATER

TEXAS FRESHWATER

GALVESTON

EAST TEXAS

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS HUNTING

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

ROCKPORT

PROPERTY FOR SALE

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

For Classified Rates and Information call Dennise at 1-800-750-4678, ext. 5579.

MISSISSIPPI

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

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PHOTO BY BILL OLIVE

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b. Dry rub. The Texas Gourmet Sweet Chipotle Season All is a great rub that will work great on brisket. Here is a typical dry rub you can make at home. You can adjust the proportions of spices in this all-purpose rub, or add or subtract a spice as you wish. For instance, if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like spicy foods, reduce or eliminate the cayenne. Also, if you are using hot chili powder, you may want to eliminate the cayenne. This rub works well with ribs, brisket, or Boston butt if you want to make pulled pork. 4 Tbs sweet paprika 1 Tbs chili powder 2 Tbs ground cumin 2 Tbs dark brown sugar 2 Tbs salt 1 Tbs dried oregano 1 Tbs granulated sugar 1 Tbs ground black pepper 1 Tbs ground white pepper 1 to 2 tsp cayenne pepper Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. (The rub can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature away from light for several weeks). Apply the rub liberally to all sides of the meat. Make sure and cover well. Cover with plastic wrap for the refrigerator or tie up in a plastic bag and place in a cooler with ice. Refrigerate from 4 hours to overnight (to allow flavors to permeate the meat). One hour before cooking, remove the brisket from the refrigerator or cooler, uncover, and allow it to sit and become room temperature. III. COOKING THE BRISKET a. Smoke covered for 3-1/2 to 4 hours at approx. 275-300 degrees with fat side up, without opening the pit. (This is enough time to impart a good smoked flavor into the meat.) b. Place brisket on a large sheet of heavyduty foil. Spread a thinly sliced onion under brisket and pour 1/2 a can beer into the foil before sealing up. Make sure to seal the foil well. c. Place into an oven or on a pit at 250 to 275 degrees and cook for 4 to 5 more hours (depending on size) until fork tender. d. Remove from the pit or oven, loosen foil at one end to release steam, and allow the brisket to rest for 45 minutes. e. After this, you can drain the juices into

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Bryanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Red Potato Salad 3 lbs small red potatoes (washed) 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbs Dijon mustard 1/2 cup red onion, chopped 1 fresh jalapeno, seeded and diced fine (optional) 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1 tsp dill weed 3 eggs, hard-boiled, chopped fine 1/2 lb bacon, fried crisp, drained, crushed into small pieces 2/3 cup Colby jack cheese, grated salt and pepper to taste Place potatoes and 2 Tbs salt in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain in a colander, then place colander over empty pot and cover with a clean dry dishtowel. Allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, mustard, dill weed, 1 tsp each salt and pepper. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch dices. Combine with dressing, and then add eggs, celery, bell pepper, onion, bacon, and cheese. Toss lightly, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend. Serve cold. Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com.

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Note: All non-digital photos submitted become the property of Texas Fish & Game and will not be returned. TF&G makes no guarantee when or if any submitted photo will be published.

SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO: photos@fishgame.com or by mail at:

1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032

CRAPPIE—TOLEDO BEND LAKE

CATFISH—BLUFF DALE

CRAPPIE—TOLEDO BEND LAKE

CARP—LAKE JACKSONVILLE

REDFISH—MATAGORDA BAY

Mandie Rawlinson, age 5, caught and released this 17-inch redfish while fishing with her dad Cody out of Matagorda Bay. She caught the red on live shrimp.

SHEEPSHEAD—TABB’S BAY

CATFISH—GRANBURY

CCA member, Gabbie Manning, age 10, of Magnolia, Texas, caught her first 5-pound, 21-inch sheepshead in Tabb’s Bay while fishing with her mom and soon-to-be stepdad.

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BASS—LAKE TOLEDO BEND

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PHOTO BY PATRICK LEMONT

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Feral hogs are becoming increasingly common on public lands ranging from national forests and grasslands to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department operated Wildlife Management Areas.

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In This Issue HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times | BY TF&G STAFF

TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY CALIXTO GONZALES, KYLE TOMEK, & TRIPP HOLMGRAIN

HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Public Hogs | BY REAVIS Z. WORTHAM

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N34

BOWHUNTING TECH • After the Shot | BY LOU MARULLO

N36

TEXAS BOATING • Roll, Roll, Roll Your Boat | BY LENNY RUDOW

N39

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • …And Then It Ran ! | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

N40

FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Big Jigs & Sassy Shads | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

N42 N43

WILDERNESS TRAILS • Smiley | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE TEXAS KAYAKING • New Trails | BY GREG BERLOCHER

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GEARING UP SECTION

N17 N28 N30

SPECIAL SECTION • Hunting & Shooting Gear | BY DON ZAIDLE

N31 N32 N33 N38

TEXAS TESTED • Airmar; Eagle One | BY TF&G STAFF

NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF INDUSTRY INSIDER • Medalist “Covers” NASA, UFC Fighters, & Hunters | BY TF&G STAFF

SHOOT THIS • Smith & Wesson Model 29 | BY STEVE LAMASCUS TROPHY FEVER • Bison Dreams | BY CHESTER MOORE, JR. FISH THIS • Cast Net Bait Bucket | BY GREG BERLOCHER

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

N44

DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS • Classifieds | BY TF&G STAFF

N46

TEXAS TASTED • Texas Brisket & Potato Salad | BY BRYAN SLAVEN

N48

PHOTO ALBUM • Your Action Photos | BY TF&G STAFF

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Tides and Prime Times

AUGUST 2009

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SYMBOL KEY

New Moon

PRIME TIME

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

6:18 AM 11:48 AM 12:40 PM 9:52 PM

1.42 ft 1.30 ft 1.30 ft -0.23 ft

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 7:12p AM Minor: 4:09a PM Minor: 4:33p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

Set: 8:30p Set: 4:39a AM Major: 10:21a PM Major: 10:45p None 11:58a

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

PRIME TIME 12:39 AM 7:23 AM 1:39 PM 8:30 PM

0.57 ft 1.24 ft 0.50 ft 1.08 ft

Sunrise: 6:59a Moonrise: 10:45p AM Minor: 9:25a PM Minor: 9:46p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

2:30 — 4:45 AM

Set: 8:24p Set: 11:10a AM Major: 3:14a PM Major: 3:36p 4:39a 5:00p

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 4:57 AM Low Tide: 8:36 PM

1.68 ft -0.49 ft

Sunrise: 7:04a Moonrise: 3:42a AM Minor: 3:14a PM Minor: 3:45p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

3:00 — 6:00 PM

Set: 8:18p Set: 6:19p AM Major: 9:29a PM Major: 10:01p 11:04a 11:34p

PRIME TIME 1:17 AM 6:51 AM 1:57 PM 9:41 PM

0.91 ft 1.33 ft 0.14 ft 1.36 ft

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 11:43a AM Minor: 9:37a PM Minor: 10:02p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

12:00 — 2:30 AM

3:15 — 5:20 PM

Set: 8:10p Set: 10:40p AM Major: 3:25a PM Major: 3:50p 5:15p 4:50a

• A U G U S T

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

Full Moon

1.38 ft 1.26 ft 1.30 ft -0.17 ft

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 7:49p AM Minor: 4:54a PM Minor: 5:17p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME 1:06 AM 7:17 AM 2:24 PM 10:18 PM

0.80 ft 1.24 ft 0.32 ft 1.12 ft

Sunrise: 7:00a Moonrise: 11:17p AM Minor: 10:14a PM Minor: 10:37p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

3:30 — 5:20 AM

Set: 8:24p Set: 12:09p AM Major: 4:03a PM Major: 4:25p 5:23a 5:46p

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

PRIME TIME 5:13 AM 9:39 AM 1:03 PM 9:30 PM

1.63 ft 1.46 ft 1.53 ft -0.43 ft

Sunrise: 7:04a Moonrise: 4:55a AM Minor: 4:10a PM Minor: 4:40p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME 1:56 AM 6:55 AM 2:55 PM 11:49 PM

1.17 ft 1.35 ft 0.06 ft 1.40 ft

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 12:47p AM Minor: 10:32a PM Minor: 10:58p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

T E X A S

9:50 AM — 12:20 PM

Set: 8:17p Set: 7:06p AM Major: 10:25a PM Major: 10:55p 12:05p None

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

10:30 AM — 1:30 PM

Set: 8:30p Set: 5:36a AM Major: 11:05a PM Major: 11:29p 12:22a 12:45p

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

Last Quarter

PRIME TIME 6:22 AM 11:07 AM 2:02 PM 10:24 PM

F i s h

4:10 — 6:00 PM

Set: 8:09p Set: 11:19p AM Major: 4:20a PM Major: 4:45p 6:05p 5:40a

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

PRIME TIME

Good Day

6:28 AM 11:03 AM 3:00 PM 10:51 PM

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 8:22p AM Minor: 5:38a PM Minor: 6:00p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.35 ft 1.18 ft 1.29 ft -0.08 ft

Sunrise: 7:00a Moonrise: 11:55p AM Minor: 11:05a PM Minor: 11:30p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

5:30 AM 10:04 AM 2:40 PM 10:20 PM

Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 6:08a AM Minor: 5:05a PM Minor: 5:33p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.03 ft 1.29 ft 0.15 ft

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 1:48p AM Minor: 11:26a PM Minor: 11:52p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

11:15 AM — 1:45 PM

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

4:40 — 6:30 PM

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

PRIME TIME 1.56 ft 1.26 ft 1.53 ft -0.28 ft

10:50 AM — 1:10 PM

Set: 8:16p Set: 7:47p AM Major: 11:19a PM Major: 11:47p 1:02p 12:34a

PRIME TIME 1.38 ft 1.40 ft 0.03 ft

5:10 — 7:00 PM

Set: 8:08p Set: None AM Major: 5:14a PM Major: 5:39p 6:56p 6:31a

PRIME TIME 6:39 AM 11:22 AM 3:55 PM 11:18 PM

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 8:52p AM Minor: 6:22a PM Minor: 6:44p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME

Set: 8:23p Set: 1:11p AM Major: 4:53a PM Major: 5:18p 6:10a 6:35p

26 Low Tide: 2:16 AM High Tide: 6:03 AM Low Tide: 3:59 PM

PRIME TIME

Set: 8:29p Set: 6:32a AM Major: 11:49a PM Major: ——1:08a 1:31p

12 Low Tide: 1:32 AM High Tide: 6:57 AM Low Tide: 3:16 PM

BEST DAYS

8:40 — 11:59 PM

Set: 8:28p Set: 7:29a AM Major: 12:12a PM Major: 12:33p 1:53a 2:14p

PRIME TIME 12:53 AM 1:27 AM 6:34 AM 4:18 PM

Sunrise: 7:01a Moonrise: None AM Minor: 11:59a PM Minor: ——Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

1.33 ft 1.08 ft 1.25 ft 0.03 ft

5:48 AM 10:43 AM 4:02 PM 11:08 PM

Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 7:19a AM Minor: 5:59a PM Minor: 6:25p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.25 ft 1.25 ft 1.40 ft -0.03 ft

Set: 8:22p Set: 2:16p AM Major: 5:46a PM Major: 6:12p 7:02a 7:29p

PRIME TIME 1.47 ft 1.01 ft 1.50 ft -0.04 ft

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 2:46p AM Minor: ——PM Minor: 12:19p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

12:00 — 2:00 PM

Set: 8:15p Set: 8:24p AM Major: ——PM Major: 12:38p 1:56p 1:30a

27 High Tide: 3:51 AM Low Tide: 5:11 PM

5:40 — 7:30 PM

PRIME TIME 1.52 ft 0.03 ft

12:00 — 2:30 PM

Set: 8:07p Set: 12:02a AM Major: 6:06a PM Major: 6:32p 7:48p 7:22a

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Tides and Prime Times

FRIDAY

AUGUST 2009

SATURDAY

1 High Tide: 5:41 AM Low Tide: 8:35 PM

Sunrise: 6:53a Moonrise: 5:44p AM Minor: 2:39a PM Minor: 3:04p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

PRIME TIME 6:53 AM 11:52 AM 4:51 PM 11:44 PM

1.32 ft 0.95 ft 1.20 ft 0.18 ft

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 9:20p AM Minor: 7:07a PM Minor: 7:28p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

Set: 8:27p Set: 8:24a AM Major: 12:56a PM Major: 1:17p 2:35a 2:56p

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 6:24 AM Low Tide: 5:25 PM

1.52 ft -0.19 ft

Sunrise: 7:02a Moonrise: 12:39a AM Minor: 12:31a PM Minor: 12:55p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

9:00 — 11:59 PM

6:05 AM 11:28 AM 5:21 PM 11:53 PM

Set: 8:21p Set: 3:21p AM Major: 6:40a PM Major: 7:09p 7:58a 8:28p

PRIME TIME 1.40 ft 0.74 ft 1.46 ft 0.27 ft

Sunrise: 7:06a Moonrise: 8:28a AM Minor: 6:53a PM Minor: 7:18p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

12:20 — 2:50 PM

Set: 8:13p Set: 8:58p AM Major: 12:40a PM Major: 1:05p 2:47p 2:22a

28 High Tide: 4:15 AM Low Tide: 6:22 PM

6:30 — 8:30 PM

PRIME TIME 1.59 ft 0.04 ft

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 3:39p AM Minor: 12:44a PM Minor: 1:09p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

12:50 — 3:00 PM

Set: 8:06p Set: 12:48a AM Major: 6:56a PM Major: 7:22p 8:39p 8:13a

PRIME TIME 1.48 ft -0.29 ft

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 7:06 AM 1.29 ft Low Tide: 12:25 PM 0.82 ft High Tide: 5:52 PM 1.14 ft

Sunrise: 7:02a Moonrise: 1:32a AM Minor: 1:21a PM Minor: 1:52p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME 1.61 ft -0.34 ft

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 6:23 AM 1.35 ft Low Tide: 12:15 PM 0.49 ft High Tide: 6:40 PM 1.41 ft

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 4:27p AM Minor: 1:32a PM Minor: 1:57p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1:20 — 3:40 PM

Set: 8:12p Set: 9:31p AM Major: 1:35a PM Major: 1:59p 3:36p 3:12a

29 High Tide: 4:45 AM Low Tide: 7:24 PM

12:00 — 3:00 PM

Set: 8:20p Set: 4:26p AM Major: 7:36a PM Major: 8:07p 8:58a 9:29p

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 9:34a AM Minor: 7:47a PM Minor: 8:11p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

8:45 — 11:59 PM

Set: 8:26p Set: 9:19a AM Major: 1:42a PM Major: 2:02p 3:16a 3:37p

15 High Tide: 6:12 AM Low Tide: 6:33 PM

3:00 — 4:00 PM

Set: 8:32p Set: 2:53a AM Major: 8:51a PM Major: 9:17p 10:44p 10:19a

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 9:48p AM Minor: 7:52a PM Minor: 8:12p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME 1.61 ft 0.05 ft

2:30 — 4:00 PM

Set: 8:04p Set: 1:39a AM Major: 7:44a PM Major: 8:09p 9:29p 9:04a

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 6:06 AM Low Tide: 9:16 PM

Sunrise: 6:54a Moonrise: 6:31p AM Minor: 3:24a PM Minor: 3:49p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.46 ft -0.27 ft

4:00 — 6:00 PM

Set: 8:31p Set: 3:45a AM Major: 9:36a PM Major: 10:01p 11:34p 11:09a

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

PRIME TIME 12:11 AM 7:17 AM 1:01 PM 7:04 PM

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 10:15p AM Minor: 8:38a PM Minor: 8:58p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.36 ft 1.26 ft 0.66 ft 1.10 ft

1:50 — 4:00 AM

Set: 8:25p Set: 10:13a AM Major: 2:27a PM Major: 2:48p 3:57a 4:18p

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 4:53 AM Low Tide: 7:37 PM

Sunrise: 7:03a Moonrise: 2:33a AM Minor: 2:17a PM Minor: 2:49p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

1.67 ft -0.45 ft

2:00 — 3:30 PM

Set: 8:19p Set: 5:26p AM Major: 8:33a PM Major: 9:04p 10:01a 10:32p

PRIME TIME

12:36 AM 6:39 AM 1:04 PM 8:05 PM

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 10:39a AM Minor: 8:42a PM Minor: 9:06p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.59 ft 1.33 ft 0.28 ft 1.37 ft

2:10 — 4:30 PM

Set: 8:11p Set: 10:04p AM Major: 2:30a PM Major: 2:54p 4:25p 4:01a

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 5:05 AM Low Tide: 8:14 PM

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 5:10p AM Minor: 2:18a PM Minor: 2:42p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

A L M A N A C / T E X A S

1.59 ft 0.07 ft

3:00 — 4:50 PM

Set: 8:03p Set: 2:33a AM Major: 8:30a PM Major: 8:54p 10:18p 9:54a

F i s h

TIDE STATION CORRECTION TABLE (Adjust High & Low Tide times listed in the Calendar by the amounts below for each keyed location)

NOT FOR NAVIGATION PLACE SABINE BANK LIGHTHOUSE (29.47° N, 93.72° W) SABINE PASS JETTY (29.65° N, 93.83° W) SABINE PASS (29.73° N, 93.87°W) MESQUITE PT, SABINE PASS (29.77° N, 93.9° W) GALV. BAY, SO. JETTY (29.34° N, 94.7° W) PORT BOLIVAR (29.36° N, 94.77° W) TX CITY TURNING BASIN (29.38° N, 94.88° W) EAGLE POINT (29.5° N, 94.91° W) CLEAR LAKE (29.56° N, 95.06° W) MORGANS POINT (29.68° N, 94.98° W) ROUND PT, TRINITY BAY (29.71° N, 94.69° W) PT. BARROW, TRIN. BAY (29.74° N, 94.83° W) GILCHRIST, E. BAY (29.52° N, 94.48° W) JAMAICA BCH., W. BAY (29.2° N, 94.98° W) ALLIGATOR PT., W. BAY (29.17° N, 94.13° W) CHRISTMAS PT, CHR. BAY (29.08° N, 94.17° W) GALV. PLEASURE PIER (29.29° N, 94.79° W) SAN LUIS PASS (29.08° N, 95.12° W) FREEPORT HARBOR (28.95° N, 95.31° W) PASS CAVALLO (28.37° N, 96.4° W) ARANSAS PASS (27.84° N, 97.05° W) PADRE ISL.(SO. END) (26.07° N, 97.16° W) PORT ISABEL (26.06° N, 97.22° W)

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

HIGH

LOW

-1:46

-1:31

-1:26

-1:31

-1:00

-1:15

-0:04

-0:25

-0:39

-1:05

+0:14

-0:06

+0:33

+0:41

+3:54

+4:15

+6:05

+6:40

+10:21

+5:19

+10:39

+5:15

+5:48

+4:43

+3:16

+4:18

+2:38

+3:31

+2:39

+2:33

+2:32

+2:31

-1:06

-0.09

-0:44

-1:02

0:00

-1:20

-0:03

-1:31

-0:24

-1:45

+1:02

-0:42

PRIME TIME 5:09 AM 10:31 AM 12:13 PM 8:54 PM

1.55 ft 1.41 ft 1.42 ft 0.11 ft

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 5:49p AM Minor: 3:01a PM Minor: 3:25p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

G a m e ® / A U G U S T

5:00 — 7:10 PM

Set: 8:02p Set: 3:29a AM Major: 9:13a PM Major: 9:37p 11:05p 10:41a

2 0 0 9

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by Calixto Gonzales, Kyle Tomek, and Tripp Holmgrain

Bass on the Humps at Rich-Chambers LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Humps GPS: N31 58.590, W96 08.350

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: clear and Bone Super Spook, Pop-R; Red Shad Carolina-rigged Kicker Fish Kicker Kraw CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, 682-518-8252, www.schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: Fish the west side of the humps where the deep water is close. Drag the Carolina rig from hump off into the deep water. You will be working your baits from 3 feet into 12 feet of water. If you fish a drop-shot in this area, be prepared to hang up a bunch; there is a lot of junk on these humps. The east side of the humps is very clean. Use 10pound fluorocarbon Seaguar line with a No. 11 Gamie circle hook and 3/8- or 1/4-ounce drop-shot weight. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Windsock Point GPS: N31 57.280, W96 06.643 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: clear Tiny Torpedoes and chrome/blue 1/4-ounce Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Royce Simmons, www.gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117 TIPS: Early morning and late Afternoon are the best times to find acres of schooling white bass. Be sure to check out the south shoreline from Ferguson Point to Windsock Point. BANK ACCESS: Fisherman’s point marina/catfish and white bass. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir HOTSPOT: Timbered Shoreline N6

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T E X A S

GPS: N31 02.116, W97 34.723 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater early; jig worm or Texas rig from mid-morning through evening CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Look for topwater during stable weather conditions up through 9 a.m. Bass Assassin-style soft plastics and Zara Spookstyle hard baits to match the forage size will do well. After topwater bite slows, go with Watermelon Seed or Smoke with blue/red flake soft plastics in and around emergent and submerged timber. LOCATION: Belton Lake HOTSPOT: Mid-section to back of Cedar Creek GPS: N31 09.881’, W97 27.484’ SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: deep-diving crankbaits and Carolina rigs CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: This creek has abundant shad typically holding over the shoulders of the submerged creek channel. In the upper end, a deep diving crankbait on light line can scrape these shoulders. Once fish are located, fish a Carolina rig to thoroughly cover the area. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Rock Island Trees GPS: N30 18.488 W96 31.432 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows; jigs in pink/white, chartreuse/black CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, www.FishTalesGuideService.com, 979-229-3103 TIPS: Use 1/16- or 1/32-ounce curly-tail jigs. Jig straight down below the boat around rocks or sunken Christmas trees. If using minnows, slip cork set to fish just above rocks or trees, adjusting depth by one foot until you find the depth they are biting on that day. Vary jigging speed and let jig free fall a foot at a time. With minnows under cork, move cork a foot, let it sit a minute, then move F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

another foot and repeat to keep the bait moving slowly. LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Edge of Trees at Intake Channel GPS: N 30 36.899 W96 04.292 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, chicken liver, stinkbait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, www.FishTalesGuideService.com, 979-229-3103 TIPS: Late summer, water is warm and short of oxygen. Current from the intake creates water movement that catfish like. As always, chumming either soured corn or range cubes in warm months helps. Allow chum 15 minutes to attract fish. Anchor near stumps and trees on left side of intake in 4-12 feet of water. Carolina rig tight line, 3/4- to 1ounce egg sinker, 1/0 Kahle hook for shad, and No. 4 for other baits. LOCATION: Fayette County Lake HOTSPOT: Point off Third Boat Ramp Area GPS: N29 55.877 W96 43.366 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: stinkbait, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, www.FishTalesGuideService.com, 979-229-3103 TIPS: This 20 feet-deep point off Snake Island with timber on the bottom. Anchor to fish straight down. Use 1/2- to 3/4-ounce egg sinker and 12- to 14-inch leader. Lower sinker all the way to the bottom, reel your rod tip to the water with sinker on the bottom. Then, raise your rod 6-8 inches to get sinker off bottom with hook still on bottom. Bite may come as sideways movement of the rod or rod may lift as fish lifts sinker. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Juniper Point GPS: N33 51.892’, W96 49.883’ SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: topwaters and Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, 877-786-4477, www.striperexpress.com TIPS: The big fish move onto the flats in

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August. Early mornings, cast Pencil Poppers and Chug Bugs on the shallow banks. Midmorning, change your lures to Sassy Shad soft plastics. Concentrate on the flats that run about 20 feet in depth. Locate the creek channels and drop-offs; these are the roots the fish use to move up from deep water. Later in the month, the seagulls arrive. Pay close attention to the birds, as they are the best fishfinders. BANK ACCESS: Texas Flats and Mill Creek Flats LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Caney Creek Inlet GPS: N32.09.24, W95.29.57 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: watermelon-colored Texasand Carolina-rigged Baby Brush Hogs CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-4782633, 903-724-0961, matternguideservice.fghp.com

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T E X A S

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Drop-Shot Guadalupe

crankbaits in red and shad patterns, and Texas or drop-shot rigged soft plastics in Watermelon, Pumpkin, Cotton Candy and Grape colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish early and late using topwater poppers around points and the edges of flats. Wood cover is key to locating concentrations of bass. On windy days, the points and bluff banks with wind blowing across them will produce very well throwing spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Follow these presentations with Texas- or drop-shot-rigged soft plastics, work-

LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Cypress Cove GPS: N29 19.062, W98 20.084 SPECIES: largemouth and Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: topwater poppers in Bone or shad colors, spinnerbaits in white or chartreuse with matching painted blades, lipless

ing to depths of 30 feet. The drop-shot rig will be your most consistent presentation. Bass are very concentrated now; when you catch one, more usually follow. BANK ACCESS: Red’s Cove, largemouth and

TIPS: Caney Inlet or Creek has a hump with grass on it that comes up to about 7-8 feet at the mouth, dropping off to about 1518 feet. Big bass will sometimes hold around this hump. When entering Caney Inlet, the creek will run closer to the right side but out in the open. Watch your electronics until you see the hump coming up. Back off and throw Baby Brush Hogs.

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

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ALL GPS COORDINATES VERIFIED BY

Guadalupe bass on artificials, crappie on minnows and catfish on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Lake Dunlap HOTSPOT: Lily Pads GPS: N29 17.455, W98 52.285 SPECIES: Largemouth and smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater grass frogs in white or brown; buzzbaits in white; crankbaits in Crawdad, chartreuse, or Shad colors; soft plastics in Watermelon, Green Pumpkin and Pumpkin colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Bass will move shallow into lily pad fields, docks, and brush early and late in the day. Fish these areas with topwater grass frogs and buzzbaits. If you do not get bites, switch to a Texas-rigged soft plastic and work it through the cover. Look for areas of deeper water. During the middle of the day, head up the lake toward the I-35 boat ramp and fish river channel ledges with medium-depth crankbaits and drop shot rigged soft plastics. Focus on boulders, wood structure, docks, and eelgrass. BANK ACCESS: I-35 bridge public boat ramp, bass on artificials, bluegill on worms, catfish on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Marinas GPS: N30 25.299, W97 54.651 SPECIES: Largemouth and Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: topwaters in Bone and Shad colors; spinnerbaits in white and chartreuse with matching painted blades; suspending jerkbaits in Shad colors; soft plastics in Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, Junebug, and Red Shad colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish topwater baits early and late around marinas, docks and flats with stumps located near the creek and river channels. Action can be good when these areas have wind blowing into and across them during the rest of the day. Throw the suspending jerkbaits and spinnerbaits for reaction bites. If this fails, switch to Texas or drop-shot rigged soft plastics and work baits to depths of 25-30 feet. BANK ACCESS: Mansfield Dam Park, largeN12

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mouth bass on artificials, white bass on spoons and minnows, catfish on stinkbait or cut bait. LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Morgan Creek GPS: N30 50.442, W98 20.564 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater baits in shad or white patterns, spinnerbaits in white and white/chartreuse, crankbaits in shad and chartreuse patterns; soft plastics in Green Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Watermelon and Junebug colors CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish the bluff banks focusing on rock shelves in 5-15 feet of water. Also, look for rock piles along the break lines of flats in 1015 feet of water. Docks in these areas will hold fish. When wind blows into and across these areas, they will fish best. Fish topwater baits early and late, switching to spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Fish Texas or drop-shot rigged soft plastics if fish are not reacting to faster moving baits. BANK ACCESS: Thunderbird Resort, largemouth bass on artificials, striped bass on spoons and shad, catfish on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Granite Shoals area coves GPS: N30 34.010, W98 21.834 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Berkley Power Worms in Green Pumpkin or Candy colors, small crankbaits in chartreuse/blue, Secret Weapon buzzbaits in white, prop style topwaters, Crème’ Whacky Sticks in Watermelon/red, 4- to 6-inch Berkley finesse worms on jigheads or Shaky Heads CONTACT: Kandie Candeleria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Largemouth bass to 5 pounds are good at night on Green Pumpkin and candy colored Berkley Power Worms Texas rigged with 1/8-ounce tungsten weights in 4-10 feet of water off the ends of docks. Also effective are small chartreuse/blue crankbaits, Secret Weapon white buzzbaits, prop style topwaters, and swimming a 1/4- to 3/16-ounce Jewel jig. During the day, fish Carolinarigged Watermelon/red Crème’ Whacky F i s h

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Sticks or 4-6 inch Berkley finesse worms on jigs or Shaky Heads. BANK ACCESS: Robin Hood Park, largemouth bass good on Texas-rigged soft plastics, catfish good on stinkbait or liver. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Dam area GPS: N29 52.029, W98 12.267 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Picasso football head jigs in Watermelon with Paca chunk trailers in Watermelon candy; jigheads with finesse worms in Rootbeer, green; Shaky Heads; JDC craws in Watermelon, Crème’ Whacky Sticks in Watermelon red CONTACT: Kandie Candeleria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Fish for largemouth bass just before and during first light along steep main lake points in the dam area of the lake. Bluff ledges in 15-25 feet of water will also produce well. Fish 3/4-ounce Watermelon Picasso football head jigs with Watermelon candy Paca chunk trailers along main lake points in depths of 20-22 feet. JDC craws and Crème’ Watermelon red Whacky Sticks can also produce when dragged along the bottom very slowly. BANK ACCESS: Cranes Mill Park, largemouth bass good on finesse worms with Shaky Heads, catfish good on cut bait and liver. LOCATION: Brady Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Large Main Lake Point GPS: N31 08.246, W99 24.215 SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: DD-22 suspending crankbaits, 10-inch Berkley Power Worms CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: This large point has a main river channel running past it with another smaller creek joining at the point’s end. Throw a DD-22 suspending crankbait in lavender shad color parallel to the steep banks off the point and work both sides. Switch to a Texasor Carolina-rigged Berkley 10-inch Power Worm in Red Shad or Tequila Sunrise for a slower presentation to finish off the area. Stay big and patient as lunker bass hold around this point.

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BANK ACCESS: Good bank access all along the north shore of this lake.

Spoon-fed Whites LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Walker Lake GPS: N30 43.840, W95 08.140 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: slabs in white or yellow, Little George tailspins in white or chrome, Pet spoons CONTACT: Dave Cox, 936-291-9602, www.palmettoguideservice.com

TIPS: White bass are being caught in good numbers in the Walker Lake area now. Look for fish using electronics to be on humps at 7to 10-foot depths. Mark the structure with a buoy and then fish by vertically jigging slabs. Let the jig go to the bottom and pop your rod tip, making the jig rise and fall frequently. Look for fish to bite on the fall. Troll Pet spoons over humps, allowing baits get to

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bait up and down slowly. Once you feel some resistance, set the hook, and have fun. Most days you will limit out in just a few hours with this technique. BANK ACCESS: Stowaway Marina, bream and catfish on live minnows or worms under cork.

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 28.995, W95 35.064 SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: cut sponge pieces saturated with Primos Dipping Bait CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, 936-291-1277, www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: Locate stumps lining the river channel edge and tie off in 20-25 feet of water. Use a bag of cattle cubes to attract fish to the immediate area. Dump 1/2 bag of cubes in two separate locations and return to the first location. Tie up and get your boat back into the same position. With a spinning reel, fish a treble hook with a 1/8-ounce egg sinker. Wrap a piece of cut sponge hook. Dip sponge into dipping bait and let drop to waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bottom. Stay in contact with bottom, raising the

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Mouth of Jackson Arm GPS: N32 43.380, W92 47.160 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: SPRO Frogs, Todd type baits and Johnson Silver Minnows CONTACT: Dennis North, 903-687-2128, www.fishingwithdennis.com TIPS: Now is a good time for top water action either early or late in the day. Fish SPRO Frogs over duckweed and matted grass in this location to produce bass up to 9 pounds. Todd baits work best around lily pads. Make 4-5 casts to the same spot, working baits slow with a fast stop-and-go action. BANK ACCESS: Caddo Lake State Park, good for catfish, largemouth, crappie, and white bass.

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Colorado blades on 14-pound fluorescent line CONTACT: Mel Phillips, 806-353-3654, www.melphillips.com TIPS: Night fishing on Lake Meredith with blacklights can regularly produce smallmouth over 5 pounds all summer long. Be on the lake as the sun sets for orientation and to rig up a black light on the side of the boat. A black light will make fluorescent 14 lb. line look like knitting yarn. Make short casts not exceeding 25-30 feet in length that hit at the water’s edge in depths of 6 inches to 5 feet. Be ready for action from these powerful fish. The black light and fluorescent line allow you to vividly see fish direction for better rod control when dealing with repeated surges from these hard fighting fish. BANK ACCESS: The main ramp at the marina, catfish on stinkbait, cut bait and chicken or turkey livers.

LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: Norris Creek GPS: N31.08, W94.08.500 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: wacky- and Texas-rigged 10inch worms CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-4782633, 903-724-0961, matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Big hydrilla beds form in Norris and have an outside edge that has a depth of about 6-10 feet. These are great holding places for big bass. On the right bank going into Norris Creek, you will see the edge of the hydrilla coming out from the bank about 50 yards. Take your wacky- or Texas-rigged worms and cast to the edge of the hydrilla, working this edge towards the back of the cove. This will produce some really good fish.

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Mouth of Caddo Bay GPS: N32 51.552, W98 32.771 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, Pop-R’s, and slab spoons in chrome color CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Stripers are best early and late in the day. Mostly cloudy days will keep the fish active all day. Position yourself mid-lake around Broadway Bend and watch for activity up and down the lake surface for feeding fish. Throw a medium-sized chrome Pop-R with a white-feathered rear treble hook, and chrome Rat-L-Traps. Use electronics to locate deeper stripers in 12-24 feet of water and hop a chrome slab spoon off the bottom around fish for good action. BANK ACCESS: Scenic Point, all species, fish early, late or when cloudy, avoid mid-day, live bait works best.

Blacklight Smallies LOCATION: Lake Meredith

HOTSPOT: Main lake points GPS: N35 42.244, W101 33.198 SPECIES: smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: black spinnerbaits with No. 4 N14

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LOCATION: Lake Graham-Eddleman HOTSPOT: Eddleman side dam flats GPS: N33 07.556, W98 36.301 SPECIES: hybrids BEST BAITS: live shad, topwaters; perchpattern, shallow-running crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com F i s h

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TIPS: Fish power plant discharge area early unless plant is discharging and water is hot. Otherwise, fish the flats to the far right on the Eddleman side as you exit the channel between the lakes. This area is most productive early morning or during cloud cover when hybrids are chasing shad onto the flats. Watch for baitfish on surface. As the day wears on, fish will move into the depths by the dam. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 380 public boat ramp, all species. LOCATION: Lake Palo Pinto HOTSPOT: Deep water around dam GPS: N32 85.346, W98 31.533 SPECIES: White bass BEST BAITS: live shad, topwaters, and slabs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: The bite is very early during the heat of the summer. Fish then run deep to avoid sun and heat during the day. Fish the depths close to the dam end of the lake with slabs, using electronics to locate deeper holes. Early morning and night fishing can be productive in shallower water with shad or topwater lures. BANK ACCESS: Any of the three public boat ramps on the lake. LOCATION: Lake O.H. Ivie HOTSPOT: North Island GPS: N31 32.152, W99 40.086 SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Heddon Zara Spooks, Rage Tail Space Monkeys, and Anacondas CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Start out early in the morning and “walk the dog” with a Spook around the hydrilla beds and brush that cover this long river ledge. Underwater points dot the area so pay attention to this and work a Rage Tail Space Monkey or Anaconda along the points in 6-15 feet depths. Once you catch a fish, work the area slowly for larger fish, as they will be close by, moving up and down the ledge to feed. Try South Island as well, 400 yards to the south on the opposite side of the river channel. BANK ACCESS: Concho Park, lots of grass for bass and bream, night fishing for catfish.

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Evans the Score LOCATION: Lake Amistad HOTSPOT: Evans Creek GPS: N29 31.671, W101 03.422

SPECIES: Largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Rage Tail Anacondas, Zoom Trick Worms, and Carolina-rigged Ring Fries CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Evans Creek is located due north of the Diablo East boat ramp. This large creek is loaded with flats and tapering points with brush and hydrilla to well over 30 feet. Concentrate on the flats and points with 20 feet of depth on them that break off into deeper water. Start with Texas-rigged Rage Tail Anacondas for bigger fish and if struggling, work smaller baits as the sun rises higher in the sky. Watermelon red and Green Pumpkin have proven to be very productive colors year around on this lake.

Cheesy Channel Cats LOCATION: Choke Canyon HOTSPOT: Possum Cove GPS: N28 32.595, W98 22.138

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Go Topside for Laguna Snook LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats GPS: N26 3.759, W97 11.851

SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork; topwaters, soft plastics in red and white CONTACT: Captain Luke Bonura, 956457-2101 TIPS: Snook cruise the shoreline along Long Island, and then back off into the boat channel as the day grows long. Try topwaters along the shoreline early, or during a flood tide. Fish the edge of the boat channel later in the day, or when the tide falls off and pushed bait into it.

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Rattling up Specks LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Center Rocks GPS: N27 16.206, W97 34.362

SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; live piggy perch CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Work around the deeper rocks to find trout that are keeping out of the heat. Fish live baitfish on a 1/4-ounce Texas Rattling Rig. Twitch the rig occasionally to make the noisemakers click. You can also fish plastic shad tails and eel-style plastics on 1/4ounce jigheads to fish near the bottom around the rocks. Use a fluorocarbon leader to minimize break offs.

Deep Hole Trout LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Boat Cut

GPS: 40.398, W93 49.516 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Glow/chartreuse, Pearl/chartreuse, Green Tomato, Strawberry/white CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018 TIPS: Trout still hold in the deeper holes during late summer. They will hold tighter to the rocks. Fish soft plastics along the dropoffs near the deeper holes. Electronics and trolling motors are very helpful to locate and hold over concentrations of fish. If there are a large number of boats parked over a spot, move off and look for similar conditions to fish.

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First Encounters, New Loves T

by Don Zaidle

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Back

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sold footballs

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in these pages something to covet, thus joining me among the unrepentant legions who value first encounters and new loves more than substantial lucre.

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Medalist’s New All-Season Apparel Medalist Performance Sports Apparel, Inc. offers the Cheyenne Series Shirt and Pants with SilverMax® - ideal as outerwear pieces for the warm season or as layering pieces for colder conditions. The Cheyenne Shirt and Pant are part of the Medalist head-to-toe layering system. Hunters will carry fewer pieces of outerwear on hunting trips when wearing Medalist hunting apparel with SilverMax because the technology regulates the wearer’s body temperature in all weather conditions. The soft, quite and versatile Medalist C h e y e n n e Microfiber Button Front Shirt has two front pockets for storage, a rear hunting license holder and a drop tail that keeps the wearer covered during active movement. The Cheyenne Microfiber Pant, a six-pocket design with two front baffle pockets, two hip pockets and two rear pockets. The pant’s elastic waist increases adjustability and comfort while a draw cord at the leg N28

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openings keeps the cold out. The Cheyenne Series with SilverMax outperforms carbon, providing superior scent-elimination protection and the ultimate in comfort. Unlike carbon-based technologies that mask, hide or just reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria, SilverMax kills bacteria, preventing odors from the start Medalist apparel with SilverMax technology requires no activation, is permanent and is easy to care for. For more information, visit www.medalist.com.

New L097 Hook Versatile and Effective Lazer Sharp is thrilled to announce the latest edition to the most comprehensive fishhook line in the world … the all Lazer Sharp new L097. L097 Hook The L097’s unique design with a non-offset forged point, and precise engineered dimensions, this wide gap octopus style hook has enough strength and durability to stand up to the nastiest battles, It’s short shank and wide gap allow for an undisturbed Ego Wade Medium landpresentation ing net that will lead to increased hook ups. Retailing for $3.29, these will be some of the hottest hooks on the market! Ideal for wacky rigging F i s h

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or drop-shotting any number of soft plastics, the L097 is perfect for live bait presentations as well. Regardless of application, the L097 has a diverse and broad size range: 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0. Available in both a Platinum Black and red finish for adapting to any fishing applications. For more information about Lazer Sharp products, contact us at 720-9418700 or visit the Eagle Claw web site at www.eagleclaw.com.

Clear Rubber Mesh Landing Net The Ego Wade Medium landing net is now available in a clear lightweight rubber mesh. The advantages of the clear mesh are two fold: 1) The clear rubber does not absorb heat and UV rays to the same degree as the all black version therefore extending mesh bag life, and 2) The clear mesh is not as easily seen in the water by the fish therefore reducing fish spook characteristics. Join the growing community of savvy anglers throughout Texas that have learned to trust their Ego. For more information, find a dealer or to place an order, visit www.egonets.com.

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T/C Venture Bolt Action Rifle

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‘Big Mouth’ Most Popular Compact Gun Rest

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ILLUSTRATION COURTESY MEDALIST

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Airmar Transducer IF YOU LIKE FRIED FISH, BOLT ONE OF AIRMAR’S new TM 258 transom-mount transducers onto the back of your boat and you’ll be able to fry Bubba without even hooking him first. This softball-sized sonar sensor can pump out a thrilling 1000 watts of juice, providing up to 16 times the sensitivity of the stock transducer that comes out of the box with a store-bought fish-finder. I tested a TM 258 head to head with the stock transducer on one of Lowrance’s new HDS 7 units. To say it gave me a performance boost would be the understatement of the year; I was able to spot the smallest of baitfishes hugging bottom in waters over 100 feet deep, get a hi-definition bottom reading at 30 mph, and even spot my own jigs as I danced them beneath the boat. The TM 258 is a new version of the first transom mount transducer to put out this kind of power, and the main difference is a new mounting system. It incorporates a stainless steel bracket with two pins, which can be pulled to easily remove the transducer. It is also more streamlined than the old version, allowing for better performance at high speeds. Why would you want such a big boomer on the back of your boat? Remember that when trying to penetrate the depths (and factors such as frequency and receiver quality remain the same), doubling the transducer crystal’s diameter has the same effect as quadrupling the output power. This happens because the larger the transducer is, the more focused its beam is. Think of a flashlight set to spotlight, instead of flood. So, a machine pushing 100 watts through a 4-inch transducer will see as deep as a fish-finder pushing 400 watts through a 2-inch transducer, and one pushing 1600-watts through a 1-inch transducer. In other words, the TM 258 boosts the fish-finding ability of your existing unit. It also has a temperature sensor, and dual-elements putting out 50 & 200 kHz.

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If you want to be able to spot a sand flea from hundreds of feet above, this is money well spent. Contact: Airmar Technology, 603-6739570, www.airmartechnology.com. —Lenny Rudow

ance Products, www.eagleone.com —LR

877-532-4536,

Eagle One Easi-Dri DO YOU WANT YOUR RIG TO LOOK GOOD AS YOU head down the road toward the boat ramp? Of course you do! But if you have hard water that causes spots and streaks, you might be disappointed by the look of your truck and your outboard cowl, even hours after you wash them. Outboards and autos share similar bakedon clear coat finishes that are prone to hard water spots, and the usual way to deal with them, shammying the entire vehicle, is time consuming and an all-around pain in the youknow-what. Eagle One Easi-Dri Car Wash is formulated to end the spotting and streaking, and dry with a consistent, shiny finish. It creates a strong sheeting action that causes the water to run off the surfaces unassisted, reducing the need for hand drying. I tried this stuff on my new jet-black outboards, which show water spots like they were neon. Instead of the usual dozens of hardwater marks left if I didn’t shammy, there were just a couple. On the truck, it did even better, leaving a gleam that made my eyes hurt. This stuff comes in a big 64-ounce bottle that will last for the entire season. On to the tires; these need to look good, too. Eagle One has this aspect of auto care covered with its Keep Clean Wheel Cleaner. This stuff isn’t really a cleaner as much as it is a repellent, and it is supposed to form a barrier that keeps road grime and dust off the wheels for two weeks. After washing my tow vehicle’s wheels and then treating them with the Eagle One, they certainly looked good and the shine seemed to last a bit longer after the usual wash. Contact: Eagle One Automotive AppearA L M A N A C / T E X A S

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TROPHY FEVER Continued from Page N33 Determined to get a shot before they again put some distance between us, I stepped out ahead of the cameramen and began my move. Before each step, I examined the ground to make sure I would not snap a branch or rustle the dry leaves. Noticing the bison were starting to move a little more quickly, I haphazardly ignored my footing and snapped a small stick. I just knew they were going to bolt, but to my surprise, the beasts simply looked up for a second, walked forward a few feet, and put their heads back down to graze. A large oak obstructed their view of me, and if I could make it there, only 25 yards or so would separate me from the herd and the young bull I had picked out. It did not take long to close the gap, and with the animals heavily engaged in feeding, N34

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TROPHY FEVER Continued from Page N35 first saw photos of a bison hunt as a young child, I fantasized about pursuing this great animal with a bow. Like the Native Americans before me, I would feed my family with the delicious, nutritious meat, make a rug from the hide, and hang the skull in a place of honor in my home. It hangs there to this day. As you can gather, the experience was N36

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Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com

PHOTO COURTESY LANKAT OUTDOOR PRODUCTS

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talk about using a Sassy Shad, you naturally assume they are talking about stripped bass or some large saltwater species. Both stripers and their hybrids along with aggressive saltwater species are suckers for a shadtype soft plastic bait paired with a jighead, but until recently, these baits were overlooked by largemouth bass anglers for one very simple reason: they are not that flashy. Really, there is nothing interesting about them at all—no shiny blade or holographic paint scheme, just plastic and lead. Surely, fish as sophisticated as bass are too intelligent to fall for something like that (and don’t call me Shirley). Guess what... they aren’t. A bass’ brain is roughly the size of a pea. It isn’t impressed by flash and strobe lights on new baits designed to catch anglers as much as bass. How else can we explain the fact that anglers have used plastic worms for decades to catch bass? Even after years of education bass, they still haven’t learned not to hit the worm with a funny looking growth hanging out of it. So, yes, a black

bass will absolutely hammer a Sassy Shad on a jighead if you put one in front of it. Summer bass are deep-water creatures that hang out on structure such as main lake points, humps, or ledges. While other anglers are dragging Carolina rigs across these spots or probing them with deep-water crankbaits, you can catch bass with an oversized jighead paired with an equally oversized Sassy Shad. By “oversized” jigheads I mean something you probably don’t have in your tackle box right now. I know the jigs rolling around in the bottom of my tackle bag are all well under an ounce in weight, and to get a bait down deep quick, you need something larger. Try tying on a 2-ounce or larger jighead to sink your bait in a hurry. You probably won’t find jigs this size at your local bait shop, but there are plenty of places to order them online if you are not scared of the internet. If you are going to use a jig that size, then it won’t do to use some little weenie finesse bait on it; leave the little 3-inch “Sissy Shads” at the house. Move to the saltwater section to find 6-inch and longer baits; we’re stepping up to the big leagues and using the larger version of the Sassy Shad. Big bass don’t get that way by eating teeny minnows all day. When throwing a big jig with an even bigger Sassy Shad body, you are looking for a few big bites, so don’t expect to catch 100 fish per day— but, the handful you do catch will probably be some of your biggest of the year. Fishing a jighead with a soft plastic body is relatively simple; no special technique is involved, no need to do any kind of yo-yoing, start and stop retrieve, or jerking action. Just cast it out, let it sink, and reel it in. That’s it. The key to catching bass will be finding the speed the fish want—a good rule of thumb is that slower is usually better. A big, slow-moving baitfish takes less energy to catch than a small one darting erratically. Make you offering perform likewise.

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Smiley MILEY CAME TO LIVE WITH ME IN THE SPRING of 1986. He needed a place to camp and offered to help build fence, work cows, or break horses. I needed good help and welcomed some cowboy company. I never knew where he came from, and it seemed impolite to ask; it’s not the Western Code to ask personal questions when somebody is offering their assistance. He was an unassuming quiet-type gentleman. An easy smile and a self-confident style of working were his trademarks. He was one of those types that always seemed to be in the right place at the right time doing what needed to be done. Through the years, we became steadfast friends, and once or twice had to pull each other out of a mess. Some mornings he would show up with one of his sheepish, I-just-got-out-of-jail grins smattered across his face. I worried about him a little, but not too much. I knew his taste in females was questionable; and I never doubted that he had any qualms about dating more than one at a time. My concern was that he’d run into some poisonous old’ pedigreed hide that would get him shot. However, in true cowboy fashion, his love for horses exonerated him from transgressions. He preferred a cowpony to human company any time. He was also living proof that common sense, good work ethics, and instincts are worth more than a college degree. I noticed many times, when I had company at the house, that Smiley was the smartest one in the crowd. He wasn’t a big drinker. He wouldn’t touch hard liquor and would take only a few sips of beer. That was probably the most un-cowboy thing about him. Hunting was not one of his main loves, and fishing was something that confounded him. Nevertheless, he begged me to take him

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along on a pack trip to Montana in 1993. I took him and he practically froze his tail off, but he never complained. All he did was smile. It was -22 degrees the morning we headed back for Texas, and he swore that once he got home he would never leave again. He hated coyotes and loved to fight bad cows. He was the best cow penning help I ever had, but he was sort of sensitive. We worked well as a team and any time somebody else came along, I could tell he was perturbed. The problem was compounded if they talked to him. Numerous times, he quit and went back to the truck to sulk because some novice cowpuncher hollered at him; 100 percent of the time he was right. If a person kept their mouth shut and watched him - he was always in the right place making the right moves. Few people comprehended his innate abilities. His sensitivity caused me to protect him from folks with bad manners. He disliked loud noises and hated it when the wind blew the rumbling from the Glidden train-yards our direction. He liked shooting even less. Smiley would either go across the road to mom’s house or up to the beer joint whenever there was a shooting match on my range. I often warned him about getting hit by a beer truck, but he would just smile and ignore me. Despite his aversion to high decibels, he did like CCR and Leonard Skynard. He would throw a little dance into his walk whenever he would hear the Midnight Special or Sweet Home Alabama. He took good care of my daughter, Sam, and would periodically wander across the road to check on my mom. The family loved him. Everybody loved him. Rain or shine he always had a smile for everyone. He was the subject of an essay that I had to write when taking a spelling, grammar, and punctuation test at Texas A&M University. Smiley wore his heart on his sleeve. He showed his affections. He showed his anger. He wasn’t a good fighter; but he wouldn’t back down from the devil. He was always loyF i s h

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al, and always handy. The last couple of years his hips began degenerating and I had to help him in and out of the truck. His bottom eyelids started hanging in a droopy watery way, and his bottom lips began to sag. He always had a thank-youboss look on his face. His ribs began to stick out, and I could tell that his sight and hearing were failing him. But he never quit smiling, and he would always limp along and help me with my chores. Several times, I caught him looking at me, and his eyes peered into me and told me that the end would be coming soon - I could feel him saying goodbye. Then one day he was gone. I didn’t know that his time was already up. I had hoped he would be around a little longer. He wandered out of my life the way he wandered into it. I don’t know where he went to die. I never found him. He went off to be alone and to pass away in peace without a lot of fuss. I often teased myself with the belief that Smiley was a western man reincarnated and sent to help me. He helped me through some hard years. In the end, he left me one of his sons to carry on his job. Now, I hope that when my time comes, I can leave without a fuss, and there will be a smiling speckled dog meeting me when I ride up to the Gates. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com

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New Trails HE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT has been very busy since this correspondent last reported on its inventory of paddling trails in 2007. A record 11 new trails are expected to be unveiled this year, beginning with the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail that winds through Houston. “There has been a huge surge of interest in the Texas Paddling Trails program over the past year or so,” said Shelly Plante, nature tourism coordinator for TPWD. “Communities across the state have seen the benefit a designated paddling trail has on local economies, and canoeists and kayakers seem to be excited about exploring new waters.” Plante leads a cross-divisional program tasked with adding paddling trails in different parts of the state. All members of Plante’s team have dedicated duties in other departments and come together to work on the development of new trails on a scheduled basis. The overwhelming popularity of the states’ first paddling trail in the Lighthouse Lakes near Port Aransas was the genesis for the development of new trails. Paddling trails were added soon after at Christmas Bay, Armand Bayou, and Galveston Island. Demand for inland paddling areas resulted in new trails on rivers and lakes. Urban paddling trails provide quick access for city dwellers in quick need of spending time on the water. The Lake Arlington Paddling Trail is a 10.9-mile loop around the shoreline of Lake Arlington. The new Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail is the sixteenth paddling trail added and is also the longest, meandering 26 miles through Houston. The new trail is an oasis for wildlife in the fourth largest city in the United States. In May, Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail was dedicated on the Guadalupe River between Groesbeck and Mexia, and The Austin Parks and Recreation Department dedicated an 11-mile circuit around Lady

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Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake). In June, three new paddling trails were added at Martin Dies State Park near Jasper. The Neches, Walnut, and Sandy Creek Paddling Trails are all unique. The Brazos River will get two new paddling trails this year (expect to see me on both). The first trail is near Glen Rose and the second is near Brazoria. Long popular with canoeist and kayakers across the state, scenic Village Creek near Lumberton in East Texas will also have a designated paddling trail. Plante explained that the first thing the Paddling Trail Team did was develop an overall strategy that would be used in the development of all new trails. “We felt that each potential new trail had to meet a minimum set of requirements to be approved,” Plante explained. “In addition to the physical requirements, we also addressed the educational components of the waterway, such as water quality, and native plants and fish a paddler will see while on the water.” To increase the number of paddling trails, Plante and her team worked with community partners that could take an active role. “We found that there are a lot of communities that want to have a certified paddling trail in their area, Plante explained. Although many of applications the Paddling Trails Team receives are from local Chambers of Commerce, Convention & Visi-

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tors Bureaus, and different river authorities, such as Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, businesses that cater to canoeist and kayakers can grease the wheels of progress. Denise Rodgers, co-owner of Rising Phoenix Adventures in Bastrop, was instrumental in getting more than 20 miles of the Colorado River designated as the El Camino Real and Wilbarger Paddling Trails. “After we launched El Camino Real in 2007, we had about 1,400 people go down that trail the first year,” she said. “Last year, when we launched Wilbarger, we put about 3,200 people on the river. That doesn’t count all the people who are coming and bringing their own boats. It’s been incredible for our community.” Rodgers said that of the paddlers who rent boats from her livery, about one-third were from Bastrop and Travis Counties, and the majority of the paddlers she met were from Houston and San Antonio. You can find information on all of the Texas Paddling Trails on TPWD’s website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/paddlingt rails/. If you and your friends enjoy spending time on the water together and are looking for new places to paddle, there are 18 Texas Paddling Trails across the state for you to explore.

Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com.

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acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can promote good cholesterol in people. So, pick your brisket, fire up the barbecue or smoker, and have at it—guilt free.

Texas Brisket & Potato Salad RISKET IS A TEXAS TRADITION. PEOPLE have been cooking briskets for many years in a variety of ways, including boiling, oven cooking, and barbecuing. My favorite is barbecuing, with a braising technique added as well. Brisket Facts: Brisket is a tough meat to begin with, unless it is fully cooked. Brisket is loaded with a waxy looking connective tissue called collagen, which makes the meat tough and chewy. Only when the collagen has been transformed into gelatin will the meat be tender. It begins to convert to gelatin at 140 degrees internal, but the process occurs most rapidly at temperatures over 180 degrees internally. A meat thermometer is recommended for serious barbecuing. An internal temperature of 210 degrees must be achieved

to fully cook the brisket. The juices are normally long gone after cooking, which is why most of the time it is served with barbecue sauce. Cooking the meat with moist heat in foil (braising) is preferred because it will conduct the heat better than just cooking on the pit. For those who love brisket but think it is “bad” for them, good news: Texas A&M researchers have found that brisket is actually good for you. Aggie graduate student Stacey Turk’s master’s thesis shows that fat from brisket contains significant amounts of oleic

I. PICKING THE BRISKET When picking a brisket I like to look at a couple of things: a. Make sure briskets are thawed to inspect. b. Pick up a brisket and fold it in half. It should be able to touch end to end after trying a couple of times. II. PREPPING THE BRISKET a. Fork the brisket. Use a large serving or turning fork and pierce the brisket all over. b. Dry rub. The Texas Gourmet Sweet Chipotle Season All is a great rub that will work great on brisket. Here is a typical dry rub you can make at home. You can adjust the proportions of spices in this all-purpose rub, or add or subtract a spice as you wish. For instance, if you don’t like spicy foods, reduce or eliminate the cayenne. Also, if you are using hot chili powder, you may want to eliminate the cayenne. This rub works well with ribs, brisket, or Boston butt if you want to make pulled pork. 4 Tbs sweet paprika 1 Tbs chili powder 2 Tbs ground cumin 2 Tbs dark brown sugar 2 Tbs salt 1 Tbs dried oregano 1 Tbs granulated sugar 1 Tbs ground black pepper 1 Tbs ground white pepper 1 to 2 tsp cayenne pepper Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. (The rub can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature away from light for several weeks). Apply the rub liberally to all sides of the meat. Make sure and cover well. Cover with plastic wrap for the refrigerator or tie up in a

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plastic bag and place in a cooler with ice. Refrigerate from 4 hours to overnight (to allow flavors to permeate the meat). One hour before cooking, remove the brisket from the refrigerator or cooler, uncover, and allow it to sit and become room temperature. III. COOKING THE BRISKET a. Smoke covered for 3-1/2 to 4 hours at approx. 275-300 degrees with fat side up, without opening the pit. (This is enough time to impart a good smoked flavor into the meat.) b. Place brisket on a large sheet of heavyduty foil. Spread a thinly sliced onion under brisket and pour 1/2 a can beer into the foil before sealing up. Make sure to seal the foil well. c. Place into an oven or on a pit at 250 to 275 degrees and cook for 4 to 5 more hours (depending on size) until fork tender. d. Remove from the pit or oven, loosen foil at one end to release steam, and allow the brisket to rest for 45 minutes. e. After this, you can drain the juices into a bowl and place in freezer for 10 minutes to de-fat. Separate the fat from the juices and discard the fat, then pour up to 1 cup of the remaining juices into a saucepot with your favorite barbecue sauce, bring to a boil to combine for a great flavored sauce.

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Place potatoes and 2 Tbs salt in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain in a colander, then place colander over empty pot and cover with a clean dry dishtowel. Allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, mustard, dill weed, 1 tsp each salt and pepper. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch dices. Combine with

dressing, and then add eggs, celery, bell pepper, onion, bacon, and cheese. Toss lightly, cover, and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to blend. Serve cold.

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com.

IV. SLICING AND SERVING a. Separate the top and bottom of brisket and trim excess fat. b. Slice across grain on the diagonal into long, thin slices approximately 1/4-inch thick.

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Note: All non-digital photos submitted become the property of Texas Fish & Game and will not be returned. TF&G makes no guarantee when or if any submitted photo will be published.

SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO: photos@fishgame.com or by mail at:

1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032

CRAPPIE—TOLEDO BEND LAKE

CATFISH—BLUFF DALE

CRAPPIE—TOLEDO BEND LAKE

CARP—LAKE JACKSONVILLE

REDFISH—MATAGORDA BAY

Mandie Rawlinson, age 5, caught and released this 17-inch redfish while fishing with her dad Cody out of Matagorda Bay. She caught the red on live shrimp.

SHEEPSHEAD—TABB’S BAY

CATFISH—GRANBURY

CCA member, Gabbie Manning, age 10, of Magnolia, Texas, caught her first 5-pound, 21-inch sheepshead in Tabb’s Bay while fishing with her mom and soon-to-be stepdad.

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BASS—LAKE TOLEDO BEND

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Trophy Quest

Texas Grand Slam ACK SERGENT OF CHARLESTON, WEST VIRginia, was the Trophy Quest winner for May. He invited his nephew, Terry Woodson of Houston, to fish with him on Galveston Bay with guide Capt. Paul Marcaccio. Sergent is no stranger to fishing Texas waters, even though he lives in Charleston. His work for an engineering company takes him to Houston regularly. He subscribes to Texas Fish & Game to keep up with what is happening in the Lone Star state. After a good night’s sleep at the Staybridge Suites in Webster, Sergent and Woodson met Marcaccio at the boat ramp about 6:30 a.m. They would be fishing Dickinson Bay, close to the Texas City Dike.

by Tom Behrens Woodson heaped praise on Marcaccio for keeping them in the fishing action: “Paul was an expert in knowing exactly where to put the boat in the right places to catch fish.” Woodson hooked up for a Texas Grand Slam of speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. Don’t tell anybody, but the fishing has been pretty good in the Galveston Bay complex since Hurricane Ike. “We were using Berkley Gulp! for bait,” said Marcaccio. “The water was off-color. Gulp baits are reaction baits, the fish reacting

HOW YOU CAN WIN! TEXAS FISH & GAME HAS GIVEN AWAY OVER 200 TROPHY QUEST TRIPS. TROPHY QUEST is free guided hunting or fishing trips within the state of

Jack Sergent (left) and Jerry Woodson show off some of the fish that made up a Texas Grand Slam catch on their Galveston Bay Trophy Quest Trip. to the scent the bait puts out. We really got into some good action on a couple of the drifts, boxing 8-10 fish.” Sergent was asked who was keeping the filleted fish, him or Woodson: “I tried to get Jerry’s wife to cook up some fish for us, but she said she would rather just take us out to dinner.” Sergent said he was taking the filets packed in ice back to West Virginia, although he might share a good fish meal with some friends in Baton Rouge on his way back.

Texas. The package includes a guided trip for two people, one night's lodging and all food and beverage (non-alcohol). Winners are responsible for all travel expenses getting to and from the destination point. HERE'S HOW YOU WIN! If you are a TF&G subscriber, your name is automatically entered on our monthly Trophy Quest Trip drawing. If you are a subscriber and would like

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAPT. PAUL MARCACCIO

SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish, flounder LOCATION: Galveston Bay GUIDE: Paul Marcaccio, 281-788-4041, 281-339-0475, www.gofishgalveston.com LODGING: Staybridge SuitesHouston/Clear Lake,281-338-0900, www.staybridgesuites.com/webstertexas MEALS: Mario’s Flying Pizza and Italian, Webster, TX, 281-332-2202

your name entered 15 more times in our next monthly drawing, simply send us an email with your name, address and phone number* to trophyquest@fishgame.com. You can still win even if you are NOT a subscriber. Simply email us with your name, address, and phone number* to trophyquest@fishgame.com and you're entered in our next drawing. One winner is chosen at random each T E X A S

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month. The winner must be available to go on one of two previously scheduled dates. If the winner is unable to attend on either dates scheduled for the TROPHY QUEST TRIP, the winner's name will be returned to the pool for future drawings and another winner will be drawn. *Phone numbers will ONLY be used to contact the winners and will not be used for any other purpose.

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by Chester Moore, Jr.

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Radio telemetry studies show cougars have a large home range. One male radio collared in Southwest Texas moved 125 miles after capture.

PHOTO COURTESY OF USFWS

dark shape moved through the tallow thicket at a forceful pace. Set up on the edge of the thicket and a dry rice field I had hoped to shoot a swamp rabbit but now something much larger had my attention. With both yes fixed on the mysterious shape, I raised my .20 caliber Sheradon pellet gun and waited for it to enter the clearing.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department have done a lot of work on cougars in the past. Here, a team of researchers treats a captured Florida panther, the smallest subspecies of cougar in the United States.

Clicking off the safety, I just knew it was one of the vicious wild dogs that roamed the area, so I prepared for self-defense. The shape disappeared for a second, heightening the tension and then…there it was. Slipping quietly into the field, the shape revealed itself to be a cougar. Actually, it was not just a cougar; it was a really big cougar only 20 yards away. My heart pounded loudly while I pondered my mortality. The imposing cat turned toward me, wearing a look of complete confidence and then walked on, quickly disappearing over a levee. That incident occurred more than 20 years ago when I was just 14 years old, igniting a passion that already burned in me for big cats. No longer were they an image in my 52

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THE MANY NAMES OF THE COUGAR many wildlife can avoid some of the – Latin (scientific) name: Felis concolor books but now a most habitat and game – Canada: Catamount reality that had rich regions of the coun• Ozarks: Painter looked me directly try. • South America: Puma in the eye and Yeah, right. • Western United States: Mountain Lion touched my very The truth is there are • Texas: Cougar soul. cougars in East Texas and • Many Regions: Panther The problem in all states in the lower was the more I 48. The presence of game studied them, the cameras have verified more I learned the truth about these incredi- reports in dozens of areas people were formerble animals was often ignored. ly laughed off the phone when reporting sightIn particular, the range of cougars in most ings to wildlife officials. modern texts show them living from the westI experienced this firsthand when I called ern ½ of Texas west to the Pacific and from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s New Mexico on up through Colorado north (TPWD) cougar hotline to report a sighting to Canada, completely skipping anything from West Orange in the mid 1990s. eastward. The so-called experts have no prob“It must’ve been someone’s pet that got lem showing the big cats living throughout all loose,” said the TPWD official I spoke with countries from Mexico south to Argentina. after laughing aloud. However, cougars in the United States Ironically, at the time of my initial sighting apparently pay strict attention to maps so they in 87, a family who lived two blocks away had F i s h

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a pet cougar, so I immediately called them and asked if it had escaped into the wild. After checking, they reported their cat was in its pen. When I explained my sighting had occurred not too far behind our houses they said when their cat was in a heat, a male from back in the fields would call out to it and approach close to the houses after dark. Having worked with captive cougars for two years in the 1990s, I quickly learned most people who get pet cougars or any other big

The cougar also known as “mountain lion”, “panther”, “puma”, “painter” and “catamount” is a wary, reclusive species that prefers to not be seen. They are cunning predators and have been responsible for attacks on humans in Texas. cat for that matter had their claws removed. That practice was recently banned but it was common for decades and still occurs to some extent. A cougar put into the wild without claws would starve quickly as the claws are the main mechanism by which they catch food. A huge part of their predatory abilities is taught and captive cats do not have this option. They would be showing up in backyards looking for handouts or eating people’s pets with no regard for their own safety. I am not saying none of these animals has domestic origin, but there is no way all of them are. When game whitetail deer (cougar’s major food source) declined in the first half of last century, it makes perfect sense cougar numbers declined too. After all, you can hardly have large numbers of predators without corresponding prey. However, as whitetail deer, turkey and feral hog numbers skyrocketed in

COUGAR PREDATION ON DEER I have always been fascinated with mountain lion predation on deer ever since I read a story years ago that said one lion could kill as many as 30 mature deer in a year, along with lots of small game. These big cats are magnificent, effective predators. A paper written by James E. Knight Extension Wildlife Specialist at Montana State University sheds some light on their effectiveness. “In areas of low deer numbers, mountain lions may kill deer faster than deer can reproduce, thus inhibiting deer population growth. This usually occurs only in situations where native prey keeps lions in the area and higher deer populations are not close.” A study conducted by Dr. Dennis Murray with the University of Idaho shows that “cougars killed an animal about every nine days.” “Cougars hunt in heavier cover and have variable selection, often selecting prime-condition prey. One researcher reported 82 percent success rate on elk and deer.” In this regard, cougars are perfectly suited for the heavily forested eastern half of the country where deer are at greater population densities than they are in the West. Deer in parts of the country heavily populated by feral hogs like South and East Texas might catch a break from the ferocious cat’s wrath. Research in South Texas shows that feral hogs, particularly the juveniles are a preferred prey item of cougars. Generally, in areas where cougar populations are in check, deer populations do not suffer badly. In California, however, where a public vote banned hunting for the species in 1991, populations of the big cats have skyrocketed and blacktail deer populations in some areas have suffered greatly. While long-term effects on deer populations vary, the presence of cougars in areas can greatly change the behavior of deer. Brian Miller’s paper, “The Importance of Large Carnivores to Healthy Ecosystems” which details the affect of predation on deer in Pennsylvania illustrates this plainly. “A growing number of studies show that when such predators are present, deer and elk behavior completely changes, from an energy-maximizing mode to a time-minimizing mode.” “That is to say, individuals spend the majority of their time in hiding, feeding only furtively—much as deer behave during the few weeks of regular hunting season in Pennsylvania and for a short time thereafter. They may relocate to different habitat, consume different food sources, eschew herding behavior, and completely rearrange their daily feeding schedules.”

all regions of their range I believe cougar populations (which were present in low numbers) rebounded as well. I have never understood why agencies even in Texas have been reluctant to admit there are cougars in East Texas. East of Interstate 35, there are an estimated 12 million acres of timberland according to the U.S. Forest Service. There are also more than 500,000 whitetail deer and probably that many feral hogs. For cougars not to be here would be a much greater mystery than their presence. Cougars have large home ranges, are extremely elusive, mostly nocturnal animals T E X A S

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and make few mistakes. They are present throughout Texas and as game camera technology improves along with human incursion into cougar habitat, we will see far more evidence of them in the eastern third of the state and beyond. Wildlife managers should go ahead and redraw their maps now because within a few years, research will show it is glaringly obvious the cougars have not been paying attention to manmade boundaries all these years.

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In the clear, shallow waters of Laguna Madre bays, the angler stalks his prey like a hunter

by Larry Bozka

About This Article Yes, we know those are redfish in the photo, but that is how the article appeared originally in the July/August 1988 issue; we are committed to accuracy, even when it hurts. —Don Zaidle

n the grassy edge of a shallow pothole, betrayed by the light-reflecting sand, the redfish briefly merged from the dark vegetation. Doug Bird noticed the fleeting shadow. The veteran Laguna Madre fishing guide let the broken-back Cordell Redfin load the 7-foot rod until the whip of the blank sent the lure sailing across the flats like a shiny silver and blue missile. It landed just in front of and beyond the cruising red. Bird twitched the rod tip. The flashing mullet imitation made a wobble, and the surface detonated with the impact of the strike. “He was right on the drop-off,” Bird chuckled, grinning with the smug confidence of one who is used to winning the game. The “drop-off ” might have measured 4 inches. Bird is a one-time Canadian hockey player who traded a puck for a popping rod when he moved to Texas nearly three decades ago. The memories of the Peterborough Marlboros have mostly been replaced with newer ones—spectacular fishing days that have granted the personable guide a reputation as the head guru of Baffin Bay. To date, his best trout from the area pushed the scales to 12 pounds. Located approximately 25 miles south of Corpus, Baffin Bay is among Texas’ most remote inshore fishing grounds. Bordered on one side by the legendary King Ranch and the other by the Kenedy Ranch— both of which are regularly patrolled by security guards—Baffin is not soon likely to be invaded by marina-building investors or sunbathing tourists. There are, indeed, buildings, enough to T E X A S

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constitute a village of sorts, but they are rudimentary. Most of these cabins are weekend getaways for Corpus Christi area fishermen, though a few are permanent homes to commercial fishermen. To successfully fish Baffin Bay—and for that matter, the entire Laguna Madre—the fisherman must first learn that little things often make big differences. Reading the water requires more than a pair of polarized sunglasses; finding fish taxes the fisherman’s senses. To Bird and others of his trade, interpreting the water and it subtle, unpredictable quirks is somewhat of an art. At first glance, Laguna Madre is strikingly different from any other place on the entire Western Gulf Coast. It stretches from the southern end of Corpus Christi Bay to the Mexican border, and is environmentally a world of its own—the Texas coast’s own salty version of “Big Sky Country.” In Florida-like fashion, the huge, shallow expanse of clear, grass-filtered water offers the fisherman a new dimension in angling: sight-fishing. Yes, Virginia, from Rockport south you can see the fish in the water. There will, of course, be days when howling winds will supersede any notions of fishing. But even then, the cabin-bound fisherman stands a chance in the narrow, sheltered waters of the nearby Land Cut. Baffin Bay is an ugly lady on a bad day, but she’s equally beautiful when the weather allows. The ultimate scenario, contrary to popular opinion, is not the classic “glass slick” sheen, shimmering like a watery mirror with nary a ripple. A bit of disturbance is an asset. A gentle breeze will ruffle the surface enough to mask noise and sight, and yet won’t cloud the water. With polarized shades, a shallow-running boat, and at least adequate knowledge of the terrain, the Baffin Bay trout hunter is G a m e ® / A U G U S T

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privy to what is arguably the state’s finest Mullet, particularly those that are obvitrophy speckled trout hole. Lending cre- ously being chased, are good reasons for the dence to that claim is the 13-pound, 9- passing boater to slow down and take a closounce, state record taken in 1975 by Corpus er look. “Nervous” water, agitated by franfisherman Mike Blackwood. tic, milling baitfish, always merits closer Baffin Bay is not, though, as Bird is inspection. quick to point out, a place for the reckless When the combination of bottom contour novice: “When I started fishing here, for the and forage fish seems right, Bird kills the first few months I ran from place to place at outboard, runs one or two “sea anchors” little more than an idle. And even then, I over the side to slow the ground up some props on the way.” effects of the wind, and drifts “The Badlands” earned their name. So until locating fish. At that did “Point of Rocks.” By any comparison, point, he eases out the anchor Baffin is among the most dangerous of Texas and begins to wade. bays. Wade-fishing is a different The same rocks that hide the forms of game, one very unlike fishing oversized specks are equally capable of shearing the lower unit from an outboard engine. Most of them are not indicated Whether fishing from boat on maps of the area. It’s up to or wade-fishing, anglers the boater to spot them— can find some great redfish another good reason to wear and speckled trout fishing polarized sunglasses. in the bays along the Texas These “rocks” did not, as it coast. seems, fall from the sky. In actuality, they are the fossilized remains of a prehistoric worm, the serpulid polychaete. What’s left of these ancient invertebrates is accumulated calcium carbonate. Huge colonies of the segmented worms, numbering in the thousands, secreted body tubes that collectively, with the passage of thousands of years, became the much-feared rocks of Baffin Bay. Threat that they are to boaters, the rocks are nonetheless fish-holding structure. And among the “structure” you’ll find in the Baffin Bay area, the rocks are by far the most apparent. What Bird most often relies upon is structure of the unseen sort. In an area that rarely offers more than 5 feet of water, mere inches of change in depth can cause a marked difference in the preferences of resident redfish and trout. Frequently, the fish will hold at a very specific depth, and Bird contends that once you find it, you should stay with it. “For the average guy, a flasher is enough to do the job,” he said. “The main thing you’re looking for is differences in bottom depth.” The other, he added, is baitfish. Those you can see by keeping a keen eye to the water surface. 56

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from a boat. To do it right, the fisherman needs not only the necessary accessories (see sidebar), but also the willingness and ability to shuffle through the water for long distances on sometimes less-than-firm footing. The payback, however, is more than worth it. Regulars call it “stalking” and the term fits the situation well. Wade-fishing the Laguna is like hunting with a rod and reel, and it entails a bit more challenge than blind casting on deeper and murkier waters. Spotting a big trout or redfish on the edge of a Baffin Bay pothole is not a whole lot difF i s h

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ferent from stumbling across a trophy buck while easing through the brush. The fever sets in, and the odds for a backlash go up proportionately with the increase in heart rate. To fight a fish while standing in kneedeep water is a unique experience, one that brings the thrill of the battle much closer to the angler than he’ll ever experience from the

deck of a boat. Fish hooked by wadefishermen are tougher to land, as they can exert a higher angle of pull on the rod. The inability of the fish to sound makes for some spectacular, line-peeling runs. Wade-fishing, from a practical standpoint, is a quiet approach, one that allows the fisherman a far greater degree of finesse. The fish is met on its own turf, and no two redfish or trout will ever react exactly the same. When Mike Blackwood caught the record speckled trout in 1975, he took it on his third cast. The massive sow virtually ignored the jointed Redfin plug the first two times. Cold water had made the fish letharLEFT & RIGHT PAGE PHOTOS BY GRADY ALLEN

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gic, and Blackwood had to irritate her into striking. Normally, the fisherman won’t get that many chances. Cast to the wrong spot (such as directly atop the fish’s dorsal fin or tail) and the alerted trout or red is gone like a rocket. Put the lure in the right path, and you’ll have a hard time rescuing it from the subsequent attack. In the case of tailing red fish, wait until the fish raises its head from the bottom before making the cast. Reds are

fight and in the way in which they should be played. By any standard, the trophy trout is much more difficult to get to the stringer. A redfish has a mouth like leather, and a strong hook will hold in it with every bit of force the monofilament can withstand. Normally, the fish will hug the bottom, tak-

This angler finds a nice speckled trout while wade-fishing.

Well-known Texan, John Henry Faulk, shows off a very nice redfish he caught while chasing a school of reds in a bay near Rockport.

myopic, and a fish with its head pointed toward the bottom is unlikely to see a lure, even one thrown nearby. Accuracy counts. When the fish is moving forward, cast ahead of it and beyond, bringing the bait back to intercept the predator’s path. If the fish slashes at it but doesn’t catch a barb, drop the bait back. Doing so imitates a wounded baitfish, and will often elicit a strike from a fish that would have otherwise turned away. Redfish and speckled trout are markedly different, both in the manner in which they

ing a good bit of line on the first couple of runs. Seldom will a redfish break the surface. Trout, on the other hand, go to the top with a vengeance, and they have mouths that are more like thin membranes than skin. A big speck can throw a lure with mystical ease, an annoying habit that’s left many a shaken Baffin Bay wade-fisherman with tales of escaped trout “as long as your arm.” Regardless, Bird shuns the use of a landing net. The nylon mesh, he contends, snags lures and costs fish more than it saves the day. To hand-land a fish, it’s important to remember that it should never be grabbed at headfirst. Lead the fish forward with the T E X A S

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rod, approach it from behind, and when you grab it, do it like you mean it. Bird was one of the first coastal pros to regularly fish “freshwater lures” in the salty environs of the Laguna. His first attempts drew some ribbing from the locals, but it’s a rare boat today that enters the mouth of Baffin Bay without at least a few broken-back Cordells, Rebels, Rapalas, or Bombers aboard. Plastic bait tails are another Baffin standard. Even in the bay’s deeper waters, these are usually attached to a “Mansfield Mauler,” a foam cork rigged on a stiff wire leader with swivels and plastic beads. Its clicking, baithopping action is a proven fish-getter. Light- to mediumaction 7-foot graphites afford more casting distance than shorter sticks, and make it easier to keep the line at a high angle from the water, averting cut-offs. Most any conventional bass reel will do the job, provided the drag is smooth and the reel is cleaned on a regular basis. Though he’ll often fish with 25-pound-test leader, Bird rarely uses mono testing over 14 pounds. More often, it’s 10, or even as light as 6-pound-test. Laguna and its magnificent fishery, Bird feels, is today a long way down the road to recovery following the devastating freeze of Christmas 1983. So is his guiding business. Commonplace catches of 8-pound-class specks are drawing more and more anglers to Bird’s l6-person houseboat, and the guide is convinced that, barring any further natural catastrophes, Baffin Bay will yield another record speck by 1991. In the meantime, it’s a safe bet that most fishermen will settle with a realistic shot at a 10-pound speckled trout.

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Texas Offshore by Doug Pike | TF&G Offshore Editor

Kings & Leaders ING MACKEREL BOILED IN THE CHUM, SLICing through the chunks as if they were the last morsels of food in the sea. A friend grabbed his heavy casting rod, hooked a whole sardine, aimed at the biggest swirl, and fired. The rig went off, so to speak, in his hands. In haste, he had forgotten about the bulbous swivel that seemed so necessary at the dock to connect line and leader. The hardware’s metal rings and barrel had squeezed somehow inside the tip as the rod loaded and, on its way out, ripped the insert violently from its frame. The sudden change of speed caused the cast to fall short and the spool to overrun. In that single, clumsy moment, just as action behind the boat heated to a boil, his favorite outfit was reduced to a handful of broken, tangled pieces. Leaders serve as vital “muscle” against gnashing teeth, razor gill plates, and the general abuse any large, offshore fish can inflict on monofilament with its fins, scales, and tail. The line is fine, however, between too little leader and too much. In the old days, as younger friends refer to the time when I was their age, a high percentage of king mackerel fishermen used 4, 5, and sometimes 6 feet of wire leader. They didn’t want their lines broken by a big king—or the next two or three fish swimming behind it, I suppose—and 2 yards of steel got the job done. That same leader was nearly impossible to cast and guaranteed to kink after the first strike. Never mind whether you actually hooked and caught a big mackerel. Three feet of king always equaled a same length of

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twisted wire. Worse, you couldn’t re-use a mangled leader for fear the wire had been weakened and might snap. Fat chance, but we worried about such things. For the same class of fish, my contemporary preference is for no more than a foot of steel. That amply covers the distance from throat to nose of any king mackerel in the Gulf, and it is between those two boundaries that the fish’s teeth are located. Everything other than the teeth of a mackerel can be beaten by a nearly invisible length of fluorocarbon leader or, except in extra clear water, old-fashioned monofilament. There is no reason to fish wire leader for groupers, snapper, amberjack, or ling. In fact, wire might cost you the strike of a large, wary fish. Fluorocarbon leader of roughly double your running line’s strength plus that modest bit of wire (connected by a small ball-bearing barrel swivel) prevents “separation anxiety” in most situations, and a barrel so near the end of the setup won’t find its way into the rod. F i s h

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Yes, a jagged rock, barnacle-covered platform leg, or sunken ship’s rotting hull might slice through the plastic line, but that’s your fault for not powering the fish immediately away from the structure. In a semi-fair fight, which is all we ever can hope from a big Gulf predator, the advantages of fluorocarbon and monofilament outweigh the drawbacks. And presuming a basic knowledge of knots, it’s easy enough to rig leaders of progressive strength so that each of the connections glides smoothly through line guides. There are knots that effectively attach light fishing line directly to heavy leader, and I have used them for specialized applications, but I prefer a three- or four-section leader offshore. That means preparation, and plenty of it, before the trip. Whatever your preferred leader setup, ready a dozen or more rigs and store them in separate, re-sealable plastic bags. The knots and haywire twists that make up a proper offshore leader are tough to tie correctly when big fish are biting and the Gulf ’s a little bumpy. It’s much easier after a problem to simply grab a bag, shake out its contents, and tie the whole thing directly to your fishing line. By design, leaders take abuse from fish and whatever else they contact underwater. Examine the heavy line (and wire, where applicable) after every contact. If there is any indication that leader has been compromised, grab a bag and start fresh.

E-mail Doug Pike at offshore@fishgame.com PHOTO COURTESY OF NOAA

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Texas Saltwater by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor

Fresh Air T’S GOOD TO BE OCCASIONALLY REMINDED WHY we do this saltwater fishing and writing thing. We writers sometimes get so caught up in trying to be erudite that we forget there is an audience that reads our drivel. Readers are not a faceless crowd, but individuals with names and identities, and we should remember who they are. I got my reminder during one rainy weekend in May. I have a long-standing date with the students at Abilene Madison Middle School in Abilene, Texas. They invite me to read a few of my selections to their students, and then discuss writing and being a writer. I look forward to the visit every year. It is a thrill and an honor to spend time with these kids. The first and perhaps most important part of the entire visit was getting to Abilene. This was no mean feat. A big storm system parked itself over Dallas, which delayed my flight out of McAllen for over four hours. The only problem was that my flight was going to land in Dallas five minutes before my connecting flight was going to depart. Needless to say, I missed my flight into Abilene. So, there I was, 10 o’clock at night, with no connecting flight until at least 9 a.m. the next morning. I had few choices: spend a glorious night in D/FW International Airport and miss the morning session with the students, or rent a car make the three-hour drive. Off I went to rent a car. On the shuttle bus, I recounted my tale of woe to the other passengers and mentioned that I was going to try to make the long drive that night. “Hell, I missed that same flight,” one gentleman said. “My company is setting me up with a rental. Ride along with me.” As I got to know this gentleman, Terry, during the long drive, I learned he was a reader of Texas Fish & Game and a dedicated husband and father who loved spending time in the outdoors with his family. (He was taking his boy bass fishing the same morning he was coming in.) After spending years as a prison

guard and confronting the underbelly of society, he took a job with a wind energy company. He’s happy with how his life is turning out, and looks forward to every chance he has to wet a line with his family. So, this weary traveler made it to his reading date and had a heckuva good time with the wonderful students and staff of Madison Middle School, thanks to one of the many wonderful readers of this great magazine. There is a reason I am so fiercely loyal to this publication; our readership is the biggest part of it.

This is a scary time for the outdoor industry. It has been battereded by an ailing economy, and undermined by the invasive lights and sounds of video games that promise young people hours of entertainment without the dust, grass, wind and sun of the outdoors (as if they are bad things).

Terry, I told you that you will always have a spot on my boat and a place by my fire. I would be thrilled to take you and your boy out to get a snook or big trout. I hope you take me up on the invitation; email and let me know when you are coming down to God’s Country. I will take care of the rest. Speaking of Abilene, I have to offer major props to the great people at Madison Middle School. From the library staff, Kristy Fowler and Kirsten Busch, to the teachers, administrators, and support staff, I was struck by the professionalism and enthusiasm. It was a joy to be a guest of these wonderful people. They even made me an honorary Bison, which is quite an honor, in my opinion. Oh, and a T E X A S

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hearty “thank you” to the Abilene Tourists Bureau for the generous welcome basket. This is a scary time for the outdoors industry. It has been battered by an ailing economy, and undermined by the invasive lights and sounds of video games that promise young people hours of entertainment without the dust, grass, wind, and sun of the outdoors (as if they are bad things). Ill-informed and dishonest “environmentalists” are working day and night to sabotage a culture that so many of us hold dear. That is why I am gratified to see the MMS staff try to nurture and encourage the students to embrace the outdoor heritage of their parents and grandparents. The children themselves are something to see. They were not the overmedicated drones that the media highlights when discussing, “what’s wrong with America’s education system.” They were bright-eyed, smiling, and generally happy kids. They were polite, respectful, and pleasant. I do worry about the boys a bit; the girls are as smart as they are lovely. Those guys are not going to have a chance when they all get to high school. The one exception was a boy who decided the best way to stand out was by being the worst he could be. He slouched in his baggy pants with an “I’m from the streets” attitude that I see way too many kids carrying. He was derisive and generally disrespectful. He had that look in his eyes, though, a spark that told me he was no dummy. His teachers would probably admit that. I hope someone in that school takes the time to put an arm around him and ask how his day is going. I hope someone calls his name in the hallways from time to time and tells him, “Let’s keep working hard; don’t slack off.” Most of all, I hope someone takes him fishing sometime. I really believe that he would benefit from learning there is more out there than what he sees in his neighborhood. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone at Madison Middle School did that. That’s the kind of people they are.

E-mail Calixto Gonzales cgonzales@fishgame.com G a m e ® / A U G U S T

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Hunt Texas by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor

Midnight Beaver Madness T WAS ON A WARM, AUGUST NIGHT AT A STOCK tank in Palo Pinto County where I began to realize the true passion I had for frog gigging. Mosquitoes were biting my elbows, neck, and any other exposed parts of my body—which were few since I showed up to join two buddies wearing blue jeans, western boots and short-sleeved shirt. I won’t say it was an unplanned excursion, but I will admit it was not planned well. It was one of those “let’s meet at the deer lease and gig some frogs” invitations from Freddie Voyles, a long-time hunting companion who, in view of many other experiences, I often have wondered how ours has become such a long-time association. Nevertheless, any invitation to hunt bullfrogs is an invitation. I met them at 11 p.m. on our hunting lease. Voyles and David Carter had my johnboat in the water and I had the frog gig and spotlight in my truck. A quick plan was laid out: Carter had never gigged for bullfrogs and I was the “veteran.” Voyles would stay with our trucks on the bank and be an observer. I use simple gear when bullfrogging: a 14foot johnboat, short paddle for sculling, 9foot Calcutta cane pole tipped with a stout and pre- sharpened four-pronged gig, and a fish basket to hold our catch. Of course, a 5000-candlepower spotlight provides the stage lighting. With the stage set, Carter and I set out in the johnboat. I kneeled at the bow with the frog jig at my side and the wooden paddle in my right hand. Carter, as instructed, scoured the banks with the spotlight, seemingly amazed at times at the small snakes, turtles, leopard frogs, and other critters of the night that fell under his surveillance. A pleasantly plump bullfrog poised next

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The evil that beavers do...

to a fallen branch at the water’s edge 40 yards from our trucks was the first victim of the gig. Another one joined it in the basket about 20 yards farther down the bank, and then another and another. I was on the cusp of really great frog-gigging trip with a firsttimer frog hunter, I thought, and it was a good thought—you know, helping teach someone else how it’s done. As we neared a small inlet no wider than 10 yards and no longer than 15 yards, Carter’s spotlight hit the bank at the end of the inlet. From here, I think it important you learn a little history about this small private lake. Covering approximately two acres, the lake once was lined with willows and cattails, many of which stood in 3-4 feet of water. The willows and cattails provided excellent habitat for largemouth bass, and we used to spend hours catching bass weighing from 2 to 4 pounds out of them on plastic worms. That was before a pair of beavers moved in. The beavers built their home in a steep bank and dined so heavily on the cattails that the reeds no longer existed. Even the willows that once provided shady shelters for the fish and other aquatic life had been removed by the gnawing teeth of the beavers. A brief eradication program involving one of the hunters and his rifle had resulted in the F i s h

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removal of one of the pests, but the second beaver continued to destroy the existing vegetation. If you ever have tried to follow a spotlight at night as it is shined on a bank, you probably realize that you never really follow the “spot” of the light. That will mesmerize you. You look into oblivion, hoping to catch one small item such as the whitish underneath of a bullfrog’s chin, or maybe its glowing eyes. You do not look directly into the center of the spotlight. Carter’s spotlight blended everything in the back of the small inlet into a virtual aquatic daybreak-like setting. The leaves of bushes along each side of the inlet glowed under the brightness and the surface of the water glistened. A slight, warm southerly breeze began to subside. And then the villain appeared. The biggest beaver I ever have seen stood facing us at the end of the inlet with a long, skinny green branch horizontal in its mouth; it wasn’t an olive branch, not from this beaver. In the splash of a second, the beaver plowed into the water and headed straight toward us. It wasn’t an actual charge. The beaver was blinded by the light and was attempting to make a getaway. I had other plans for it. Armed with the paddle and a rush of adrenalin, I stood up and swung hard to dispatch the furry foe. It was a good swing, but the paddle broke upon impact. Not realizing I now had only the handle of the paddle, I went for a second swing, lost my balance, and fell overboard into the 2feet-deep water. The commotion sent the beam of Carter’s spotlight from the water to the trees above, back to the water, and into all surrounding areas. With my boots full of water, I crawled back into the boat and we headed for our trucks. We never saw the beaver again, so I guess I will never know if I got it or it got me. At least the willows have begun to grow back and the bass are biting again.

E-mail Bob Hood at hunting@fishgame.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF USFWS

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Texas Freshwater by Matt Williams| TF&G Freshwater Editor

Anatomy Of a Lightning Strike ALE NASH OF MANY, LOUISIANA, HAS NEVER been a gambler when it comes to fishing in nasty weather.

“I’m one of the most cautious people you will ever meet when it comes to that,” Nash said. “I don’t mind fishing in the rain, but if lightning starts popping, I’m out of there. It’s just not worth taking the risk.” That’s smart thinking. But as 58-year-old Nash learned last April, waiting until lightning shows itself before seeking shelter from an approaching storm can be a gamble in itself. Nash was fishing at Sam Rayburn Reservoir when he took a direct hit from a lightning bolt. Miraculously, he is still alive to tell about it. “I don’t remember much about what happened, just what my friends have told me,” Nash said. “It is by the grace of God that I am still here. That’s all there is to it.” The near-tragedy unfolded shortly before noon as Nash and a group of friends fished for bass north of the power line crossing in the Attoyac River arm the lake. Nash was fishing with Tommy Young, also of Many. Eddie Gongre of Montgomery, Louisiana, was fishing alone about 60 yards away. Bill Domingue and Troy Tate, both of Lake Charles, were in a boat about a quarter-mile away. All of the men were competing in the 25th Anniversary McDonald’s Big Bass Splash, a three-day amateur fishing tournament. The popular event drew a record 7551 contestants this year, competing for $1 million in cash and prizes.

With rain and possible thunderstorms forecast, Nash and his friends elected to fish close together near the Jackson Hill Marina boat ramp. Nash said a light rain began falling about 11:30 a.m. with thunder rumbling in the distance. “It sounded like it was miles away and I really didn’t think much about it, because I hadn’t seen any lightning,” Nash said. “Any time I see lightning, I get off the water immediately. I’ve fished in the rain a bunch of times, so I just put my rain suit on and kept on fishing.” The last thing Nash remembers before the lightning hit was casting a Yamamoto Senko and letting it sink on a shallow flat. The next thing he knew, he was flat of his back in Domingue’s boat, semi-conscious and only partially clothed. His body ached as if he had been in a brawl with a rodeo bull and lost. “It felt like somebody had beat me up with a two-by-four,” Nash said. “I told Bill my body was hurting all over. He told me that was good, because it meant I was still alive.” Nash, who was not wearing a lifejacket, has Gongre to partially thank for that. Gongre, 52, said he was fishing behind Nash when he heard the violent clap. “When I looked up, I saw Dale get blown out of the boat,” he said. “It was just a blur of red. His rain suit and other clothes were going everywhere. By the time I got there, Dale had regained consciousness and was on his side in the water, about 10 feet from his boat.” Gongre jumped in the lake, kept Nash afloat, and waited for Domingue and Tate to arrive. Together, the men pulled their friend to safety. Two other anglers in the area telephoned 911 while Domingue and Tate raced Nash to the boat ramp. Nash was rushed to Memorial Medical Center in San Augustine, then transferred to the LSU Medical Center/Burn Center in Shreveport with first- and second-degree burns on his arms, back, and legs. He was hospitalized for 4-1/2 days before his release. Not surprisingly, the more Nash learns about the incident, the more he realizes how T E X A S

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lucky he is to be alive. The typical lightning bolt is anywhere from 100,000 to 1 billion volts and between 10,000 and 200,000 amperes of current. That’s more than enough to kill a man. In fact, doctors told Nash that his heart had probably already quit beating before he hit the cool water. “They said the water probably shocked my heart back to beating,” he said. “That’s part of what saved me.” Nash was told the 100-miles-per-hourrated rain suit and other clothing he was wearing looked like confetti strewn around the boat and water. “It basically disintegrated everything I had on,” Nash said. “The only thing left on me was the belt band of my blue jeans, a portion of my zipper, one hip pocket that still had my billfold in it, and the waterproof booties I wear when it rains.” Interestingly, Gongre said he did not feel any impact from the lightning bolt, yet it knocked a fishing rod out of Troy Tate’s hands. Nash’s 2007 Ranger Z22 bass boat and fishing gear also sustained serious damage. The lightning exited through the trolling motor, causing the control unit to explode. Nash said there are five holes on the side of the boat just above the waterline, where the lightning either burned through or blew out the fiberglass. The powerful current fried both of his electronic fish-finders, melted the boat’s wiring system, and knocked out the computer in the 300-horsepower Mercury outboard. It also blew the glass facings off some of the cockpit gauges and welded the pedestal of the butt seat to the floor. “They said the boat was still smoldering three hours after it happened,” Nash said. “How I lived through that I do not know. I guess God has other plans for me. It just wasn’t my time to go.”

E-mail Matt Williams at freshwater@fishgame.com G a m e ® / A U G U S T

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Open Season by Reavis Wortham| TF&G Humor Editor

George OODROW SAT IN THE OTHER END OF THE johnboat and waited for his bobber to bob. It didn’t.

“Your dog keeps staring at me,” I said. My bobber hadn’t bobbed either. Not for a long time. I wanted to move, because that’s how I feel you should fish for crappie. Find a place, jig for a moment, and if nothing bites, move to a jiggier-looking place. Woodrow’s method is more sedate: Find a place that’s relatively shady and somewhat cool, throw out a line, and then sit and drink beer. He sometimes likes water under his minnow, but it isn’t necessary. For him, crappie are a bonus. Woodrow looked fondly at George. George is a Blue Heeler and so smart he’s dangerous. “He wants your Slim Jim.” “He’s not getting it. He’s already eaten the three that he found in your lunch sack, not counting the sausage and biscuit he stole from me this morning.” “You should share,” Woodrow said, harking back to kindergarten. 62

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“Not with a stupid dog, and if you’re in a sharing mood, why don’t you give him some of your beer.” “It’s not cold enough for him. He likes it to be so cold that there are ice crystals in it. If I gave him one of these, it would annoy him.” I gave my rod a jiggle, just to see some rings in the water. “It seems to me that you should teach

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your dog some manners. He shouldn’t have eaten all that stuff this morning.” “You’re right. It made him gassy.” I was thankful the dog was sitting downwind. “That’s not really what I mean, but it’s a good point. I’m just glad we’re outside. My point is that he should wait until someone gives him something, instead of sticking his nose in the sack.” “He’s waiting now.” “Of course he’s waiting now. There’s 15 feet of boat between us, the middle of the boat is a landmine of tackle boxes and fish hooks, and I told him he’d be neutered if he stole any more of my food.” “He’s already neutered.” “I think he forgot, because he seemed a little worried.” “He’s worried because he thinks you’re out of Slim Jims and he wants another one. You gonna catch that fish?” Yipe! I yanked on the rod and a bream the size of a minnow rocketed out of the water and into the air. It was so small that the hook wouldn’t fit into its mouth, so at the apex of the launch, the bream unclenched its little fishy jaws. It would have plummeted into the boat and the 3 inches of water sloshing around our feet, but George caught it with a snap of his teeth. “I hope he doesn’t get a bone in his throat,” Woodrow worried. “He just swallowed a whole fish. Nothing can hurt that dog.” George took a moment to get a ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS ARMSTRONG

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Open Season drink from the boat leakage. Satisfied, he resumed his seat and once again stared at my shirt pocket. “Make him stop and let’s move somewhere we can find fish.” “It’s cool and shady here. George likes it.” I thought about throwing myself over the side and ending it all. “We came to catch fish. We’re having a fish fry tomorrow and the only fish we caught was just eaten by your dog. We have to move to another location.” Woodrow started the motor. “I hope it doesn’t make George mad. There’s no telling what he might do if we can’t find another shady spot.” “He’ll be happy, because we’ll catch fish and then he can eat some more.”

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We trolled quietly for a few moments until I saw a fishier-looking place. “Let’s try here,” I said with a sense of deja vu. We tied up amidst several drowned trees in about 20 feet of water. I turned to dip a minnow out of the bucket and stopped. George had his stupid head buried in the minnow bucket and wet, lapping sounds indicated that the minnows probably weren’t real happy about what was going on topside. George lunged a couple of times and rose up, picking something out of his teeth with his tongue. “Hey!” I shouted. Woodrow looked at his still bobber and then glanced into the minnow bucket. “You should have given him your Slim Jim. Now we can’t fish.” I opened a package of beef jerky and slowly ate three pieces in front of George,

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smacking and sighing in contentment. Then I re-wrapped the remainder and put it away in my back pocket. George gave me the Hairy Eyeball. “Now you’ve made him mad,” Woodrow sighed. “So what?” “So now he’ll want my beer and I only have one left, and it’s Rodeo Cool.” “Too bad.” I turned around and jigged, listening to the sounds of battle behind me. When the top popped, I didn’t even turn around to see who was drinking the beer. Didn’t care.

E-mail Reavis Wortham at humor@fishgame.com

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