February 2013 by Texas Fish & Game

Texas Fish & Game « FEBRUARY 2013 • VOL. XXIX NO. 10 C OASTAL EDITION

Coastal Edition

www.FishGame.com Salt Lures in Freshwater: Switch-Hitting for BASS

FEBRUARY 2013 | VOL. XXIX • NO. 10 | $3.95

The Jetties

Texas Lynx

Rock

LONE STAR WILD CAT

Shepherds of the Dock

TOO LATE FOR TEXAS

WRANGLING SHEEPSHEAD

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Catfish Holes OF MYTHIC PROPORTIONS

Snow Geese?

Game Changers: THE GREATEST OUTDOOR INNOVATIONS

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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 & Stephanie Ward and Roy & 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

Joe Doggett Doug Pike Ted Nugent Bob Hood Matt Williams Calixto Gonzales Lenny Rudow Steve LaMascus Lou Marullo Kendal Hemphill Reavis Wortham Greg Berlocher Paul Bradshaw Capt. Mike Holmes Dustin Ellermann Lisa Moore John Gisel

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EDITOR AT LARGE HUNTING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR SALTWATER EDITOR BOATING EDITOR FIREARMS EDITOR BOWHUNTING EDITOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR HUMOR EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR WEB CONTENT MANAGER

A D VE R T I S IN G

Ardia Neves

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CONTENTS FEATURES

february 2013 • Volume XXIX • NO. 10

catfish holes of lore Texas is home to some of the best lakes in North America for monster catfish, and within those waters there are legendary hotspots ripe with big fish lore.

by Matt Williams

SHEPHERDS OF THE DOCK Sheepshead wranglers find powerful nibblers under docks, pilings, and piers... outstanding action for an angler on a budget.

coastal cover story: Fish the Rock “It’s rough out here, but if you want to catch a big redfish, this is the place.” So goes the reasoning of one captain who regularly guides his clients to the jetties for a Texas-size serving of fish “on the rocks.” Story and Cover Photo by John N. Felsher

STORY:

by John N. Felsher

Game changers True outdoor innovation is rare, more or less defined by the notion of when you see it, you wish you’d thought of it first. Here is a brief assessment of the innovations that have had the greatest impact on the outdoors.

by Doug Pike

STORY:

too late for light geese? With overall populations skyrocketing, yet Texas wintering numbers plummeting, is it time for a wake-up call on snow goose hunting pressure?

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Fact and fiction swirl around the bobcat, which is a species in the

lynx genus. Story by Chester Moore and Terri Werner Cover Photo by Chester Moore

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inland cover story: The Texas Lynx

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CONTENTS COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

february 2013 • Volume XXIX • NO. 10

COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

Editor’s Notes 10 Please Don’t Feed

Commentary 21 Treat the Disease,

by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

by Kendal Hemphill TF&G Politcal Commentator

the Women

Not the Symtoms

Chester’s Wild Life Texas Freshwater 14 25 Not Forsaking the Cracking the Code for

Children

by CHESTER MOORE TF&G Executive Editor

by matt Williams TF&G Freshwater Editor

a Texas 10-Pounder

Hunt Texas 33 A Season of

Youth

by bob hood TF&G Hunting Editor

Doggett at Large 16 Hermann the

Texas Bow Hunting 37 Out with the Old...

by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

by Lou Marullo TF&G Bow Hunting Editor

Pike on the Edge 18 Getting

Texas Saltwater 41 Old School

by Doug Pike TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

by Calixto Gonzales TF&G Saltwater Editor

TexasWild 20 Hound

Open Season 48 Relaxing

by Ted nugent TF&G Editor At Large

by reavis wortham TF&G Humor Editor

Bass

Skunked

Music

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catches

34 texas dept. of

defense

42 True green

Digital:

In with the New

Thinking

8 letters 12 TF&G Report 12 big bags &

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Letters to the Editor Free Dog Kendal Hemphill’s Commentary column in the January issue was truly touching! My wife and I just lost a beautiful German shepherd named Mia to a disease called spinal myelopathy. She was only eight when the debilitating effects forced us to put her down. It was the hardest thing my wife and I have ever had to do. To her last day, her heart was 100 percent ready to go even though her body failed her. She went through obedience training and trials and was always at the top. She was great with people and small children but she defended my wife on more than one occasion while I was off on hunting trips and kept strange people out of our yard.

I know some people say, “Oh, it’s just a dog,” but to us it was a family member we still miss to this day. Our plan is to acquire another shepherd this spring and be the best mom and dad a puppy ever had. Juan and Erin Cuellar Port Arthur, TX We put our beloved chocolate lab (female) “Camper” down on December 28. We cried 10 pounds of tears. Our friends were jealous of our two gals for the beautiful life they had. Summer in Colorado and our mountain cabin in Ruidoso. She swam in every river, lake, pond, and stream from Washington to Idaho and south to Texas. I am taking my grief, trying to get our Kerrville newspaper to start up a weekly Pet page that people can celebrate all life, and passing of our Best friends. I will copy your story to show the editor how much your story I’m sure helped you heal a little. People want to see me rescue a dog, which my girl Leakey (like Leakey, TX) is, but I have made the sad trip to the shelter. I just can’t take the chance and spend the next best years of my life on a dog that is not a Lab. I fish like crazy and need a water dog that will sit for hours by me and not be running for the hills if she hears a thunderbolt. I am 46 and my new pal will probably live 10 years or more. Why do I feel guilty for buying a dog? I love labs they are loyal to the last second when I held my baby and loved her in the back of my Expedition where she loved to be. Our Vet did that last ride with as much dignity as could be. I believe our pets will be with us in Heaven. In fact the night she died I got an ear whisper and she said, “Momma, wait ‘til you see the fishing here.”

Enjoyed very much “Free Dog” in January’s 2013 edition of Texas Fish & Game magazine.

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Don Kuehl Glen Rose, TX

Watch Your Back Lou Marullo didn’t relate anything in his column, “What Has Happened to Hunting,” that would cause me to suspect that whoever sabotaged his deer stand and removed the camera with possible incriminating images was a thief, a vandal, or necessarily a hunter. Someone doesn’t like you as an individual or hunters in general. Please don’t confuse criminal activity with a breach of hunter ethics. Watch your back, and check unattended equipment before use.

Jack Moisuk Richadson, TX

Send your Comments to:

Heidi McCord Kerrville, TX

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I must say, it really hit home and I almost aborted on reading it, due to the fact, I just lost my companion (Catahoula- Male) October 4, 2012. His name was Riley, and named after a longtime friend of mine, that passed away in 2004. I raised him from a pup and he was 13 months old when ran over by a truck and killed instantly. Me, living on my ranch and a reclusive bachelor, that dog was everything to me! He was by my side every waking minute of the day. Helped me in the everyday chores of ranching, egg production, gardening, etc. Wanted to let you know, you aren’t the only one that has lost something. We are a brotherhood.

Editor, Texas Fish & Game 1745 Greens Rd Houston TX 77032 Email: editor@fishgame.com

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Editor’s Notes by Don Zaidle | TF&G Editor-in-Chief

Please Don’t Feed the Women

hen colleague Jim Shepherd, godfather of the Outdoor Wire family of news wires, announced in 2010 he was consolidating the Women’s Outdoor Wire with the other wires (essentially eliminating it), the only surprise was that it took so long. This was only the most recent womencentric outdoors publication or organization to meet its demise. Bass ‘n Gal (the magazine and the organization), NRA Women’s Outlook magazine, BASS Women’s Bassmaster Tour, Women’s Bass Fishing Association, et al flashed, splashed, and crashed in relatively short order. Most attempts to cater to women with outdoor interests share similar patterns— and fallacies—based on stereotype: dumbed-down content, a recipes section, and everything from camouflage to cling wrap offered in predictable pink. The reasons for failure of women-centric outdoors offerings are myriad and include cool reception by the target audience, and lack of advertiser/sponsor support. There is no doubt women are a growing contingent in hunting, fishing, and shooting sports, and some manufacturers address this growing market with accurately tailored products. Smith & Wesson was one of the first with its Ladysmith line of handguns designed for shooters with smaller hands; men with smaller hands welcomed the guns, too.

A few years ago, a startup called She Safari (now She Outdoor Apparel) introduced a line of outdoors clothing for women. Women are anatomically different from men (vive la difference) in ways other than size, and She recognized and addressed this. If the growth of its booth size at the SHOT Show over the years is an indicator, She 10 |

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Outdoor Apparel is riding a wave of success. Every successful women’s outdoor product with which I am familiar is designed for function, not form. If it fits and works, women will buy it. If it is merely “feminized” with insipid “girly” trappings or reads like something out of a daycare how-to manual, women stay away in droves. Although much more is involved than merely slapping pink paint on existing inventory to create a women-centric product, some manufacturers have successful done just that with everything from pink-themed camo patterns to pink guns. Women who purchase these products seem to use them to send a message: “I’m a woman, I’m here, deal with it.” Indeed, in my experience and observations, women neither desire nor appreciate condescension, getting talked down to (or over), or special treatment. They do not want us (men) to take their fish off the hook or load their guns for them. They do not want information spoon-fed to them, or be expected to know more—or less— than anyone else of similar experience. Outdoorswomen want the same things men do: quality experiences, gear that works, and fun afield. Paraphrasing a line from Jurassic Park regarding Tyrannosaurus rex: Women do not want to be fed; women want to hunt. Before launching into this landmineladen topic, I sought to ensure I was not full of something one is usually obliged to avoid stepping in. I talked to Peggy Tartaro, executive editor of Women & Guns magazine. Published by the Second Amendment Foundation, W&G is the oldest magazine of its type, this year celebrating 24 years in print. Peggy not only franked my observations

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about outdoorswomen and women shooters, she provided some insight into why so many related genre women’s platforms fail—too specialized. “Women & Guns addresses an area that is both vertical and broad based,” she said. “Not all women have a hardcore interest in guns, but most women are interested in self defense, and that is a large component of our focus.” In other words, the target audience is large despite the vertical component. Many men are anglers, but not all of them are interested in competitive bass fishing. Fewer women are anglers, and fewer still are interested in competitive bass fishing. The secret, then, seems to be the philosophy we follow at Texas Fish & Game: Provide good content, accurate information, and compelling photography within a vertical genre such as the outdoors, and they will come. Do not address women disproportionate to participation, nor exclude them. Show it and tell it like it is, without unrealistic or over-hyped “Omigod! Women are hunting and fishing now!” treatment. I have enjoyed sharing fishing boats and hunting grounds with the women in my family. My youngest daughter could out-shoot me from age seven, and my wife inevitably out-fishes me, but times afield with them are always golden and the most recounted on chill evenings around the fireplace; perhaps more a testament to my lack than their excellence, but in either case, it illustrates that their participation is an asset rather than liability—bruised male ego notwithstanding. If you are a man in whose life the women gravitate to the fields and waters, do not try to feed them; let them hunt for themselves. And if you are a woman unsatisfied with tethered goats, please remember that some of my best friends are lawyers.

Email Don Zaidle at DZaidle@fishgame.com

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The TF&G Report Best Bass Lakes in Texas Bass anglers are always searching for hot lakes. With this in mind, TPWD’s Spencer Dumont used electrofishing information collected from over 4800 adult bass (8 inches and longer) in 78 hours of electrofishing effort at 935 different shoreline sites from 62 reservoirs in Fall 2012 to rank the top 10 bass populations in terms of small bass, keeper bass and quality bass. Top Ten Small Bass Lakes: Small bass were defined as those from eight to 13 inches long. Sprawling Sam Rayburn Reservoir was ranked No. 1 for small bass at 161 bass collected per hour of electrofishing effort. Rounding out the top ten were: Sweetwater (143/hour) Proctor (120/hour)

Toledo Bend (90/hour) Walter E. Long (86/hour) Eagle Mountain (84.6/hour) Ray Hubbard (81.5/hour) Leon (77/hour) Lake o’ the Pines/Lake Raven (75/hour) The average number of small bass caught per reservoir in 2012 was 44/hour. Top Ten Lakes for Keeper Bass: Keeper bass were defined as those from 14 to 17 inches long. Lake Raven took the top spot for keeper bass with a whopping 75 bass collected per hour of electrofishing. The rest of the top ten were:

Bastrop (64/hour) Walter E. Long (62/hour) Sam Rayburn (35.5/hour) Amistad (29.5/hour) Sweetwater (26/hour)

Amon Carter (25/hour) Coleman, Gibbons Creek and Toledo Bend (21/hour). The average number of keeper bass caught per reservoir in 2012 was 13 bass per hour of electrofishing. Top Ten Lakes for Quality Bass: Quality bass were defined as those 18 inches or longer. Walter E. Long had the most quality bass with an impressive 18 bass collected per hour. The remainder of the top ten were:

Bastrop and Raven (10/hour) Jacksonville, Houston County, Ray Hubbard, Sam Rayburn and Sweetwater (7/hour) Mackenzie, Murvaul, Proctor and Stamford (6/hour)

Big Bags&Catches

Speckled Trout

Black Tip Shark

South Padre Island

Galveston

Lesli Liles Holland hooked and landed this 30-inch speckled trout while fishing with her husband at South Padre Island. The monster trout weighed 10 pounds.

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Eleven-year-old Creag from Colorado was visiting in Santa Fe, Texas with his “Grampa Jack,” who took him on his first fishing trip, 10 miles out of Galveston. The young first-timer caught this nice 123-pound black tip shark, and “what a fight it was.”

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The average catch of quality bass per reservoir in 2012 was 3 bass per hour of electrofishing. Top Ten Overall: The best overall reservoir, based on a combination of small, keeper and quality bass caught during electrofishing samples in 2012, was a tie between Walter E. Long and Sam Rayburn. Raven was No. 3, followed by Sweetwater (No. 4), Bastrop (No. 5), Ray Hubbard (No. 6), Toledo Bend (No. 7), Lone Star (No. 8), Houston County (No. 9) and Amistad (No. 10). Dumont cautioned that anglers should not expect to catch bass in the same numbers as the electrofishing boats. “Electrofishing gives an indication of how abundant bass of different sizes are in a reservoir,” he said. “Also, electrofishing does not generally collect very large fish. There may well be larger fish in a reservoir than show up in electrofishing surveys. Falcon would be a good example. We know that lake has lots of big bass, but it’s very hard to collect them with electrofishing.” If your favorite lake is missing from the lists above, it may be due to the fact that not every reservoir is sampled every

year. And, Dumont noted, electrofishing is not an exact science. “Lake Fork did not show up on any of the lists, but sometimes you don’t get a good sample. That happens with electrofishing.” Dumont also pointed out that reservoirs are not all the same. “Electrofishing rates are not always directly comparable from lake to lake, so we typically monitor trends in the same lake from year to year.”

Electrofishing collections and other management activities in Texas’ public waters are made possible by funds provided by the Sport Fish Restoration Program through purchase of fishing licenses and fishing equipment and motorboat fuels. —TPWD

Whitetail North Dakota James Bagley shot this 17-pointer on a hunt he purchased as a donation to the Outdoor Adventure Foundation, which provides hunts to terminally ill children and disabled vets. He hunted on the Dragon Creek Ranch near Lisbon, ND, owned by Butch and Deb Dick. The buck had 10 big points and 7 non-typical points and had a gross score of 182-1/2.

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Chester’s Wild Life by Chester Moore | TF&G Executive Editor

Not Forsaking the Children

“H

ook and bullet” That is a term members of the mainstream media use to describe the outdoors community, particularly those of us involved in its communication, such as yours truly. I have always hated that term. With a passion. While hooks and bullets are certainly a very important part of this page, there is much more to the story. The wild creatures that drive us to the field are the glue which holds the outdoors community together. After all, there could be no deer season without deer or bass tournaments without bass. While pigeonholing from so-called proper media types is understandable, the hook and bullet community has dug that hole even deeper. Much deeper. Not every kid is going to become a full on, camo wearing, gun-loving hunter or a passionate wadefishing fanatic. And we should not expect that from them. I realize that probably caused a few gasps, but it is the truth. There have always been hunters and there have always been gatherers and both serve equally important roles. Due to a constant media barrage of animal rights drivel, hunters in particular have a “if you’re not one of us, you’re against us” attitude. The result is a large number of young hunters, and to lesser extent anglers, who have very little knowledge of the habitat they hunt, game they pursue and no interest in anything that cannot be killed.

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They would not know a ringtail from a badger or a sand eel from a moray. The outdoors experience for many has been turned into a means by which to enhance one’s status on social media by posing with kills and catches alone. And while we should celebrate outdoors triumphs—I certainly do—appreciating all wild things is important. Yes, even stuff we cannot kill. Some kids are just not going to hunt or fish but it does not mean they cannot go to the family deer lease or enjoy time on the water. However, framing the outdoors experience in a macho, mine is bigger than yours, frat-house type of way can drive away children not bent in that direction. In fact, we have done this to entire generations. Girls are particularly prone to dislike anything even loosely associated with “redneck,” but all of us have a God-given spirit for spending time outdoors. I taught two classes at my church last year —now a WebTV series at Godsoutdoors. com.—and was shocked that around 75 percent of the participants were girls. These were 1-5th graders and not only were they the majority attendees but by a long shot the most enthusiastic. After my spring session, I started asking why and then realized it was how the classes were promoted and taught. It was not billed as “come get your tough on” in the outdoors class. It was simply about enjoyment. The next generation of conservationists needs to be the most passionate and dedicated ever due to the growing number of problems facing our resources. But where are they going to come from? When reverence is considered weakness and we are driven by bag limits instead of sum total outdoors experience, who will truly care enough about habitat to stand when trouble comes? The few have always risen to benefit the many but the few are getting fewer. Me and a friend of mine have talked at length about who will take up the mantle of waterfowl conservation and we both agree that all it will take to lose about half of the waterfowl hunters under age 30 is a severe

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drought on the nesting grounds and a threebird limit. Perspective is extremely important and that demographic has nothing to draw from but big fall flights and liberal limits. In the end that will separate the chafe from the wheat but it will also greatly decrease the amount of duck stamps sold, number of hunters’ groups like Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl can use when lobbying for pro sportsman/conservation issues and a host of other problems. As a community we need to re-evaluate what we are teaching young people and take time to enjoy what is out there. Your daughter who tags along to deer camp may never become an adult hunter, but if she gets a proper outdoors education and up close and personal wildlife encounters at a formative age, she may become a biologist who makes a real difference in wildlife research. Your son that seems a little awkward chunking a topwater on the bay may not become an every weekend fisherman like Daddy but he may hold public office one day and hold the very key that keeps your fishing and hunting rights preserved. Think about it and more importantly do something about it.

Catch Chester on the radio Fridays, 6pm on 560 KLVI Beaumont, (www.klvi.com) Email him at CMoore@fishgame.com Photo Chester Moore

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

Hermann the Bass

Park Lake was drained and enlarged. The restoration was implemented by the City of Houston and funded by Friends of Hermann Park; the project was part of an overall plan to expand the zoo and park. The new lake looks much the same, only it’s about twice as large, with several his is the saga of Hermann the Bass. “fishy” fingers and coves. The water is clear A bit of background might be neces- and weed-choked, with plenty of ducks, and sary to provide a better understanding maintained at a consistent level by numerous of the situation. aeration pumps. TPWD stocked bluegills, Hermann the Bass is a refugee from bass, and channel catfish. the Hermann Park Lake, adjacent to the Bold park signs along the scenic walking Houston Zoo. He presently is residing in trails proclaimed: Fishing Restricted to 13 Hermann Park Lake West, otherwise known and under and 65 and Older. as a 30-gallon aquarium in the den of my Well, last year I turned 65. Say it ain’t so, townhome on the west side of Houston. Joe, but I have a Medicare Card. Overcome one afternoon by a serious case of nostalgia, I decided to retrace early steps—and casts—and visited Hermann Park Lake. I used a light spinning outfit and 4-inch unweighted plastic worms and small topwater plugs. I caught a few small bass. It was fun. In Hermann, in his truth, I’ve been back several townhouse aqarium. times. Being retired, I usually The old Hermann Park Lake was where, go during the late afternoons when I’m bored as a pre-teen, I learned to fish. It was my pri- with the Bonanza and Rawhide reruns. mary water, within reach of Schwinn pedalSeveral months ago, I fell heir to the power, a basic beginning for a serious angler. 30-gallon fish tank. I have minimal interest I had no real mentors—just the old lake and in goldfish and their ilk, but thought it might the ongoing stoke provided by outdoor maga- be, well, interesting to keep a Hermann Park zines and newspaper columns. bass. Okay, I’m sentimental about old water. I embraced the old 3-1/2-acre pond. The I filled the tank with good water and water was clear and green, filled with mats gravel, bought a tricky aerator/filter pumping of “coontail” moss, flocks of quacking white gizmo that only took four hours to assemble, ducks, and swarms of stunted bluegill sunfish. then added a big rock and the healthy “cover” Plus the occasional “goggle eye” and large- of some frilly strands of coontail moss. Or mouth bass. maybe it’s hydrilla. But the aquatic weeds are Catching a bass back then was a really from the Hermann Park Lake. big deal and I learned a lot about fishing— So is Hermann the Bass. I caught him stealth, finesse, patience, the virtues that carry back in August, utilizing a sly spot-and-stalk well to any water. And, trust me; during the and a delicate cast as he cruised through a past 50-plus years since graduating from the pothole amid the summer weed mats. He was fledgling duck pond, I have fished a lot of about 7 inches in length and hooked cleanly venues around the world. in the corner of the jaw. About 10 years ago, the Old Hermann Hermann survived the 30-minute com-

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mute to his new home in the gurgling aquarium. He scooted about for several minutes then seemed to adjust to the new semicramped environs. Two days later, I dumped two dozen minnows in the tank and within a day, he ate them all. Thus far, we’ve learned several things: First, catch-and-release exercised with reasonable care works extremely well on bass, especially those not deeply hooked. Hermann was subjected to prolonged stress (opposed to a quick on-water release) yet continues to survive in grand shape. He shows no evidence of slime or scale damage. Second, bass are voracious feeders. The minnows were small, even on the minnow scale, but two dozen within a day were a major meal for a 7-inch predator. Hermann was visibly bloated and somewhat sluggish following the melee. He rested behind the rock and close to bottom, his belly almost scraping the gravel. My impression is that a well-fed bass is not going out of its way to chase prey, at least for several days. Hermann has a cold and hateful stare whenever I walk near the tank. All his fins stick out and most of them sort of bristle. If body language means anything, he’s clearly saying, “Why, you’re the son-of-a-bitch that put me in here!” He seems to hold a long-lasting grudge. If I ease closer to the tank, he glares even harder. He has a reverse gear and can slowly back up by waving and waggling his fins. He retreats a few inches, then advances, mean jaw jutting out. I get the feeling Hermann would like nothing better than to grab the end of my red nose. We’ve settled into a workable routine. I dump a batch of minnows in the tank about every week and Hermann eats them. Hermann, like the lake that spawned him, has been a good teacher. Now that I’ve written this, I’m going to take Hermann back and turn him loose where he belongs. Email Joe Doggett at JDoggett@fishgame.com Photo: Joe Doggett

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Pike on the Edge by Doug Pike | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Getting Skunked

t was bound to happen, and it finally did. Twice, in fact, this past winter. Within the course of a week, on different lakes on different afternoons, my young son and I left the water without getting a single bite. We tried for all we were worth, too, once for 10 minutes and another for 15, and straight-up struck out. The mistake we made both times happens routinely to fishermen of all ages and levels of experience. We relied on history rather than current conditions and made

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one – well, two – too many trips to what I clearly knew to be fair-weather spots. We grew entirely too comfortable using the same techniques that produced time and time and time again through all three warmer seasons. We’d taken other children and their parents to these holes all summer, and they’d been amazed at how easily we caught fish until everyone tired of doing so. We’d shared the locations with still more friends, each of whom reported similarly good outcomes. I fully expected that those swarms of little fish eventually would even the score for all the times we’d yanked them from their underwater homes. What I didn’t expect is that they could coordinate the effort. In warmer water, there were hundreds of palm-sized fish stacked into the washtub-

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sized space beneath a footbridge at one spot and alongside a short pier at the other. And they accommodated us nicely in exchange for the free meals. When the season changed, however, so did our luck. I knew in a dimly lit corner of my brain that the chill of winter would present a challenge, but I wasn’t prepared to be utterly embarrassed by fish that love bologna bits and wouldn’t cover a slice of bread. The least they could have done is tack a note to a stump: “Too cold. We’re out of here. Go pick on some rainbow trout. P.S. They like corn kernels soaked in vanilla extract.” The smartest thing I did, of course, was pull the plug quickly. Fishing with children, I’ve written often, is about action. And we weren’t getting any. That first time, we

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stowed the cane and switched to (always close) golf clubs for a chipping and putting session. He likes the game almost as much as fishing, and the practice area is close to

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the lake. The other time, we came home and played catch. While we tossed the ball, we talked about why the fish didn’t bite and about golf and about manners and about his domination of the T-ball field this past fall. Still on standby in the “skunk-trip distraction quiver” are a walk down the bayou that flanks our neighborhood to search for dinosaur bones, free throws on his new basketball goal, and a rubber-band powered airplane. Every time I leave the house to fish with my son, there is a secondary activity at the ready. Until recently, I’d never needed them. At present, at least through winter, I’m adding to the list. Fortunately for me, by design and with carefully chosen words before and after our fishing trips, my son already understood that the fish don’t always cooperate. The water hauls got his attention, but they didn’t bother him nearly so much as they did me. Alone on the same water with the same rig and same bait, I might have given the exercise another hour. Or two, just to prove – to nobody in particular – that I could catch

a fish even under dreadful circumstances. Instead, during that backyard game of catch, my son taught me the lesson I thought I’d been teaching him. As we tossed the baseball and talked about the world and how it works, I apologized for having not been able to produce a fish earlier that afternoon. That was OK, he said. Maybe the fish went somewhere else because it got cold. Maybe to another lake, or to the beach. And, he added in words far beyond his five years, catching fish wasn’t so important as going fishing with me. We’d try again soon, he concluded, and next time we’d do better. How I got so lucky as a dad I’ll never know.

Email Doug Pike at DPike@fishgame.com

1/10/13 11:08 AM

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

Hound Music

ertain loud, intense natural sounds turn me on. Hell, I’ve made a very gratifying lifelong career out of various sonic bombast outrage, so maybe I’m just the guy to best articulate the perfection of raging hound-speak in the fury of canine battle. Until you have scrambled maniacally to keep up with bellering hunting hounds during a crazed lion, bear, deer, coyote, fox or coon chase in the wild, you will never know exactly why God made these amazing animals. Those of us privileged and smart enough to be a part of this very special hound hunting celebration do indeed know, understand and cherish this phenomenal relationship with these incredible, natural born four legged hunters. As pure and natural as gunning for birds with a trained pointer and or retriever, and just like running rabbits with beagles, pursuing game with hounds is faultless and wonderful and as natural as anything in life. Their indefatigable dedication and tenacity to catch and bay their prey, and their Herculean stamina and miraculous gravity defying spirit is something to behold and deeply inspiring everytime. I’ve always thought of myself as the coonhound of guitar playing. At least I try. So, let us examine another mind dazzling display of terminal political correctness gone beyond the pale, where ignorant, antinature, anti-hunting disconnected wingbats have again succeeded in taking magnificent big game populations straight out of the thriving asset column and insanely forced them into the liability column in one fell swoop of denial riddled dishonesty. Which brings us back to the Planet of the Apes, deep in the bizzarro world of, where else, California, where it is painfully apparent that in order to be a force to reckon with 20 |

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in that crazed state, one surely must trade in their soul for a mask of deceit and corruption when it comes to taxes, the 2nd Amendment and wildlife management. People of goodwill, decency, accountability and logic have been scratching our heads in dismay at the California debacle for many years, and they just don’t seem to stop doing the dumbest things imaginable. Having implemented the big lie of banning mountain lion hunting many years ago, saving no lions, but literally condemning billions of dollars’ worth of livestock and domestic animals to death and destruction in one of the most foolish displays of wildlife mismanagement and wasted tax dollars in the history of the world, only California could do themselves one better by banning the hunting of bears with hounds in 2012. By any reasonable scrutiny, there is no possible winner in this mindless regulation. But beyond the obvious buffoonery, California bureaucrats didn’t really end the hunting of bears or lions with hounds. They only forbid “we the people” to do so, for both of these once highly desirable big game animals that generated incredible amounts of revenues and family hours of recreation for a bankrupt state in desperate need of such sensible resource utility, bears and lions are indeed still being killed on a regular basis with the proven effectiveness of hound hunting. Only now (drum roll please), gobs and gobs of tax dollars are being further wasted by paying so-called government hunters to slaughter the surplus animals using the very methodologies forbidden by law, but universally admitted to be the best system to maintain balanced populations after all. Conservation, as we all know, is ultimately the “wise use” of natural resources. Sensible people are astonished that Nancy Pilosi, Barbara Boxer, Diane Fienstien, Gavin Newsome, Jerry Brown and a growing gang of dangerous misfits can somehow scam the good citizens of California into such an irresponsible program of virtual disrespect and wonton waste. One is driven to wonder if medical mari-

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juana is simply legal, or mandatory. Meanwhile, horror of horrors, the once great real western “hunting” state of Colorado is sadly following suit, and the United States of America continues her downward spiral at the hands of corrupt, power abusing, dangerously disconnected bureaucrats run amok. What really breaks the hearts of hunters, real animal lovers and true conservationists everywhere, is the abject failure of so-called professional wildlife managers, biologists and scientists in these game departments that refuse to speak up and bring a halt to the insanity. Instead of courage, we see zombie like knee jerk compliance and enforcement of laws and regulations that these trained professionals know for certain are dead wrong and in total violation to their wildlife education and professional vows and pledges to the U.S. Constitution. Let this be a warning to good Americans everywhere. If we the people do not increase our activism and voice of reason, this kind of insanity will continue to chip away at the greatest quality of life and the most successful wildlife conservation model in the history of humankind. And that would be unforgivable. Like the soulless hypocrites in our own hunting ranks that condemn the use of bait for hunting, but wouldn’t think twice about using a wormless hook when they fish, or the upland bird hunter who lives for his pointing dog but condemns the use of hounds for bears, lions and other game, the more intelligent amongst us had better get cracking, turn up the heat and do everything in our power to educate and fix those in our own sporting community to use their heads and stand united, or the scourge of corruption we see metastasizing across America will end up destroying conservation one crazy step at a time.

Email Ted Nugent at TNugent@fishgame.com

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1/10/13 11:53 AM

Commentary by Kendal Hemphill | TF&G Political Commentator

Treat the Disease, Not the Symptoms University of Texas at Austin and shot 47 people in an hour and a half, killing sixteen of them. Or we could claim it started on

“ We want the killing to stop. We want the nightmare to end.

“

ike nothing else since September 11, 2001, the mass murder of twenty young children and six adults in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012 has shocked, saddened and humbled the nation. Our hearts go out to those who lost children that day, and those of us who are parents hug our kids a little tighter, hold their hands a little longer, and watch them a little more closely when they cross streets or buckle safety belts. Nothing can be done or said to console us when we lose loved ones, despite the best intentions of friends and family. And nothing can ever justify such a heinous crime. The killing of innocent children is pure evil and robs us of what is most precious and valuable to us. Because of this particular crime, more than any other one tragedy, America is looking for answers. We want the killing to stop. We want to be secure in our homes and lives. We want our children to be safe at school and when they go to movies and to malls. We want the nightmare to end. Violence will always be part of human interaction. There will always be those who resort to force to get their way. We all understand that and none of us expects the world to become totally safe, with no dangers or risks. And no one is asking for that. But America was much safer 50 years ago, before kids were going into our schools and killing other kids. But before we can figure out how to stop these killings, we need to figure out what is causing them. These tragedies, these mass murders, are a symptom of a bigger sickness. We have no hope of success if we treat a symptom without identifying the disease. Looking back, we could say this school massacre trend began in 1966, when Charles Whitman climbed a tower at the

April 20, 1999, when two boys killed 12 of their fellow students and a teacher, and wounded 23 others, before killing themselves at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Columbine was, after all, a watershed event. More died in that murder spree than in any other school shooting up to that time, and it should have opened our eyes to the need to address the larger problem. We have a combination of ills that, I believe, coalesce to create the problems we now face. Each separate fault might not be fatal alone, but together they are destroying America from within. And bear in mind that Rome fell from within, through moral decay, the way all great nations eventually fall. Although the United States of America was founded on the Christian principles our forefathers learned from the Bible, we have rejected God as a nation and are suffering for it. We have banned God from our schools in the name of political correctness. Prayer is a clandestine activity, and our children have learned from that, that God is not T e x a S

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welcome here. The Ten Commandments, although they are displayed prominently in our nation’s capitol, have been deemed offensive in our schools. I often wonder at the carnage that has been committed in halls that once were decorated with the admonition “Thou shalt not kill.” Mental health has been largely ignored for the past 30 years in America. Many who once would have been institutionalized for their own welfare and that of society, have been shoved back to families unable to care for them because of government budget cuts. We’ve ignored problems we couldn’t easily understand and swept them under the rug. The family unit has broken down in America. Where once most families contained a father and a mother, now only about half do. Single parent homes are the norm, and the one parent is often a mother or grandmother. Children become latch-key kids, fending for themselves, because Mom has to work two or three jobs to make ends meet because Dad can’t be found. This is an especially detrimental situation because it perpetuates itself. A boy who grows up in a home where the father has walked out, turning his back on his parental responsibilities, often learns that it’s the woman’s job to raise the kids and men don’t waste their time with such nonsense. He often learns to treat women with disdain, with a total lack of respect, and will eventually abandon his own children, completing the cycle. Sometimes outstanding single moms are able to break the pattern with their sons, but too often history repeats itself. Guns? Guns don’t have a place among America’s current problems. They never did. A gun is a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. We could ban all guns today, and we would still have mass shootings. Until we address the real problems instead of the symptoms, our nation is lost.

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Email Kendal Hemphill at KHemphill@fishgame.com |

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1/11/13 1:04 PM

WHERE THE CATFISH ACTION IS OF MYTHIC PROPORTION by Matt Williams 22 |

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PHOTO: WALL, CANSTOCK; INSET, JACK BISSELL

1/8/13 4:23 PM

Texas is home to some the best lakes

in North America for monster catfish, and within those waters there are some legendary hotspots so ripe with big fish lore that it almost feels like risky business any time you dare to soak a bait there. To wit: Places like Slick ‘Em Slough and Table Top rank among the most fabled haunts for fat cats on 89,000-acre Lake Texoma along the Texas/Oklahoma border. Meanwhile, names like The Slabs and Tall Man’s Reach are at the epicenter of countless catfish tales involving broken hand lines and mangled trotline sets at Lake Tawakoni. Farther east, places like Blue Lake, Tenaha Creek and Tucker’s Lake hold special meaning with monster mavens familiar with the whiskered denizens that prowl the Sabine River and

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the adjacent expanse of fish-rich water that is Toledo Bend Reservoir. So what do all of these sweet spots share in common other than a reputation for producing catfish with a weight problem? Not much, really. In fact, if you were to drain each lake, you would likely find an entirely different set of blueprints down there. To learn more about what makes these popular areas and others so attractive for big cats, I sought some input from a few guys who know them well. What follows is

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a synopsis of some of state’s most storied catfishin’ holes:

TOLEDO BEND Source: Charlie Shively, Owner of Bill’s Landing, 936-368-3542 Tenaha Creek: The major creek feeds the lake north Shively’s place on the Texas side. It winds a snake-like path through miles of cypress and stump flats, colliding with numerous sloughs, oxbows, points and drainages before dumping into the Sabine River. Shively says the premier stretch of water for hand lining and trotlining alike begins at submerged island called Duncan Island and runs southeast past a primo area known as Horseshoe Lake also known as the Old River Slough. The water depth in the deepest part of the slough is about 20 feet and seven feet on the banks. Numerous blues and flatheads weighing upwards of 70 pounds have been caught here, while fish in the 50-pound range are routine on trotlines built for bear. Blue Lake: Blue Lake isn’t actually a lake. It’s an elongated slough that offers 50 feet of water in places in close proximity to shelves and ridges that jump to 7-15’ deep when the lake is at full pool. Located smack in middle of the lake on the Louisiana side, due east of the East Hamilton ramp, the slough is surrounded by heavy timber and stump fields the have produced some giant blues and flatheads on rod and reel as well as trotlines. Shively said Blue Lake kicked the lake record flathead weighing 97.50 pounds for Otis Pleasant in 1991. Tucker’s Lake/Bird Island: These areas reside side-by-side just north of Duncan Island. They are surrounded by a series of ridges, underwater sloughs, drainages and shal-

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low stump flats that can be difficult to navigate in low water situations. Shively says Tucker’s Lake in a five-acre underwater slough that drops to about 17 feet at its deepest point. It can be killer after a big rain due to the amount of heavy current that passes through when the lake is on a rise.

TAWAKONI Source: George Rule, trophy catfish guide, 214-202-6641 The Slabs: Rule says this is the partial remains of one of the old lake’s original marinas built decades ago. Located due north of the 2-mile bridge in about 12 feet of water, the 1/2-acre area consists of about 50-60 concrete slabs that lay on the lake’s bottom near shore in about 12 feet of water. The slab chunks range in size from 6X6 to 12X12. Rule says big blue cat patrol the maze of jagged structure in search of shad and other forage that are lured to the junk to find shelter and food. Rod and reelers and noodlers have latched on to some mammoth blues probing around the mangled ruins, some in excess of 70 pounds. Rule reeled in his personal best blue, an 80 pounder, from a 14-foot flat located about 1/2 mile from “The Slabs” last spring. Tall Man Reach: This is the site of another dilapidated marina, just north of the dam on the lake’s eastern shore. Rule says the area spans about 10-12 acres and is comprised of a bois d’ arc flat with a steady water depth of 12-13 feet at pool level. The area is popular with hand fishermen who serve up 8-9 inch gizzard shad in open stretches within the hardwood jungle. Rule’s biggest here is a 55 pounder, but his charter boats have pulled numerous blues beyond the 70-pound mark from these waters. The Caddo Inlet: Head north under the long bridge and hang a sharp left and you’re there. The Caddo Inlet is heavily influenced by water that flows south out of Greenville down the Caddo River. A popular hub with trotliners and rod/reel crowds, Rule says the area produced

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an uncertified lake record flathead weighing 114 pounds last spring. The fish was reportedly caught on a trotline using live gold fish. Rule says the best stretch of river is flanked by 6-10 feet of water with fields bois d’ arch stumps and other trash beneath the surface.

TEXOMA Source: Steve Nelson, trophy catfish guide, 903-271-0420 Table Top River Ledges: Nelson described Table Top as large flat that meets with a 10-mile long stretch the Red River smack in the middle of the lake. The water depth falls abruptly from 30 feet to 90 feet where the two structures collide. Guides use their electronics to survey the brush-cluttered flat and they break out the hand-size gizzard shad when they see something they like. Nelson has landed several blues in the 70-85 pound range here. Slick ‘Em Slough: Legendary for big cats as Texoma itself, this sweet spot near the mouth of the Red River has yielded a passel of whoppers in the past. Nelson has never cracked 60-pounds, but says it has kicked out several blues in the 90-pound class. Nelson says Slick ‘Em offers an abundance of 10 foot water with gobs of underwater brush that has washed down the Red over the years. The area is popular with hand fishermen, even more so with trotliners and jug liners. Washita Point: Similar to Table Top, this is a classic structure hotspot where shallow water meets with deep near the confluence of the Red River and Washita Rivers. Nelson described Washita Point as an “anchor getter” because of the jungle of underwater brush and log jams that have claimed dozens of boat anchors over the years as anglers attempted hold steady near the break where the 30 foot point dumps abruptly into 75 feet of water. One of Nelson’s most remarkable fishing days on Texoma occurred on Washita Point as he boated a pair of 70 pound blues and 10 over 40 pounds during the same outing.

PHOTO: LARRY HODGE, TPWD

1/8/13 4:23 PM

Texas Freshwater by Matt Williams | TF&G Freshwater Editor

Cracking the Code for a Texas 10-Pounder

act 1: Every bass angler dreams of catching a double-digit fish. Fact 2: Only a few strike gold each year in comparison to the army of fishermen out there chunking and winding in hopes that a 10 pounder will wrap its lips around their bait. While the 10-pound bite is much more common today than it was 40 years ago, it doesn’t change the fact that reaching the benchmark is no easy task. I know some darned good fishermen who have fished their entire lives and never caught a bass heavier than six pounds. Mark Stevenson is not one of them. Stevenson is a well-known Lake Fork fishing guide with a rich history of reeling in the big ones from the 27,000 acre reservoir near Quitman. His biggest bass to date is one that changed forever changed the face of Texas bass fishing. Nicknamed “Ethel,” Stevenson’s legendary 17.67 pounder caught in November 1986 stood as the Texas state record for six years before crappie fishermen Barry St. Clair caught a one bigger while soaking a shiner in deep water in January 1992. Ethel wasn’t Stevenson’s first doubledigit fish, and she certainly wasn’t his last. The guide says he has landed dozens of bass weighing 10-plus during his lifetime, much of it spent guiding on one of the nation’s premier big bass haunts. Bottomline: Stevenson knows his stuff when it comes to targeting heavyweight bass. He offered up some solid tips to help anglers boost their odds catching one this spring: Paying Your Dues: Stevenson says the more time you spend on the water, the better your odds of catching big fish, for a lot of reasons. The more you fish, the more casts you make. The more casts you make, the better fisherman you become and the

Photo: Chris Thibodeaux, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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Stevenson believes big bass spend a high percentage of their lives suspended in the water column. When worm or jig fishing, he prefers to use the lightest bait he can get away with. He rarely throws a Texas rig with a weight heavier than 3/16 ounce, even in deep water. The lighter the bait, the more natural the action and the slower the fall. The slower the fall, the longer it stays in the strike zone. • Lining Up: Quality line that provides maximum abrasion resistance and good knot strength is a must. Stevenson is a big fan of Cajun fluorocarbon 17-20 pound test. He says the limited stretch allows for rock solid hooksets. Plus, it has low low, memory and is very user friendly. • Foul Weather Fishing: Some of Stevenson’s very best fishing days have occurred when the weather was acting up and the barometric pressure was erratic. Prefrontal conditions accompanied by big wind, clouds, rain, and, even snow, are notorious for producing the big bite. If you can stick with it, do it. It could be worth it. It’s February in Texas and the big bass doctor is open for business. To make an appointment with Stevenson, 903-7653120.

better the chance of getting your bait in front of a big fish. • Target Big Bass Lakes: The odds of killing a Boone and Crockett buck are best if you hunt in parts of the state best known for producing them. Stevenson says targeting big bass is no different. Your chances are best on lakes with big bass reputations, such as Fork, Falcon, Amistad, Sam Rayburn, Choke Canyon and Toledo Bend. • The Right Mindset: Stevenson says a bass becomes an entirely different animal once it reaches the 8-10 pound range and it plays by an altogether different set of rules than smaller fish. To catch big bass consistently, he says you must target the right types of water using the proper baits, tactics and presentations, and be willing to settle for fewer bites. • Sweet Spots: Stevenson will spend a high percentage of his time looking for prespawn females along channels and drains that connect deep water to shallow. Key spots along the way might a well-defined bend, channel intersection, a place where a point dumps into a channel or a submerged tree stump or tree surrounded by fallen limbs Tiny Lake Dunlap became and other trash. the 63rd Texas lake to pro• Baits of Choice: duce a SharLunker, weighing Stevenson says big fish prein excess of 13 pounds. fer a big meal and they don’t like to put forth a lot of effort to chase one down. During February he will tempt them with baits he can crawl around heavy cover at midrange depths of 8-15 feet. Jigs, 10 inch worms, deep diving crankbaits and big spinnerbaits with magnum blades get top billing. • Traveling Light: T e x a S

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Email Matt Williams at mwilliams@fishgame.com

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1/10/13 11:39 AM

FISHING THE

Frothy waves pounded two long rows of gray and slime-green rocks marking the edge of the channel as the captain ventured forth into the Gulf of Mexico. “It’s rough out here, but if you want to catch a big redfish, this is the place,” said the captain as he maneuvered to the leeside of the rocks. “I’ve caught some big redfish along these jetties.” Often the only visible cover around, jetties can hold an enormous amount and variety of fish. Crabs crawl among the crannies as shrimp attempt to hide in crevices. Baitfish try to hide in the waves as roving predators like redfish, drum and speckled trout wait to gulp whatever happens within striking range. “Jetties provide fish with excellent structure in an otherwise sterile environment,” advised Art Morris with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Corpus Christi Field Station. “Those rocks make great habitat for encrusting organisms and small fish. That attracts bigger predatory fish. Jetties are havens for bull redfish, big drum and sheepshead. Depending upon the time of year, location and season, jetties also attract speckled trout, flounder, Spanish mackerel, sharks, snook, tarpon, cobia, jack crevalle and other species.” Built to break up the forces of nature and mark channel entrances, jetties protruding from the Texas coast at Sabine, Galveston, Freeport, Matagorda, Port Aransas, Port 26 |

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1/9/13 12:03 PM

HEAD TO THE JETTIES FOR A TEXAS-SIZE SERVING OF FISH ‘on the rocks’ BY JOHN N. FELSHER

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Mansfield, Port O’Connor, South Padre Island and other places create chokepoints that concentrate fish and bait. During a falling tide, water flows from the channel and spills around either side in a mushroom effect. During a rising tide, fish and bait gather at the channel entrance before moving into the bays and estuaries. “I fish different spots on different tides,” advised Capt Mike Kubecka of Reel Rush Charters in Matagorda (979-240-9490/ www.reelrushcharters.com). “Most often, I fish right on the tips of jetties or just inside. Bait collects on the ends of the jetties in the backwash of the current. The outgoing tide is probably the best because it draws all the baits from the bays and rivers. During an incoming tide, I fish outside the jetties.” Like Kubecka, most anglers probably fish the jetty ends where tidal flows often scour deep holes that attract big redfish, black drum, sharks and other large predators. However, anglers may find good action throughout the entire length of a jetty. Often, the best flounder action occurs in the shallows near shore, but trout roam the length of the jetty. Snook and sheepshead typically lurk close to the rocks. Breaks sometimes allow boats to pass between the rocks without going all the way to the end. Water and bait flush through these openings in the jetties, whipping fish into a feeding frenzy. Sometimes, current flowing through boat breaks also scours holes. “I look for something different in the structure, like a washthrough or a point,” explained Capt. George Knighten of Galveston Bay Guide Service (832-310-9146/

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www.galvestonbayguideservice.net.) “I go down the jetty looking with my depth finder to see if I can find where the rocks come out a bit farther. I’ve pulled big trout and redfish out of some deeper holes near jetties. Boat cuts can be really good on either side.” Most people look at jetties and only see the rocks protruding from the surface. Rocks may extend some distance from the jetty apex. Frequently, jetties sit on or create shelves. Beyond the shelf, water may drop rapidly. Many roaming predators cruise the drop-off edge away from visible rocks. “Most people don’t realize that jetties are pyramid shaped,” Knighten explained. “They only see the rock tips. Frequently, fish are right up next to the rocks on top of the pyramid, but often, they are out on the base of the structure, perhaps 30 to 40 yards off the jetty.” For fishing jetties, many anglers use Carolina rigs sweetened with juicy baits. For redfish and drum, use half a crab. Other succu-

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lent baits include mullet chunks, live mullets four to six inches long or squid. Of course, the old reliable dead shrimp on the bottom almost always catches something. “In March, I like to fish for big black drum with a blue crab chunk,” said Capt. Charles Newton of Redfish Charters in Rockport (361-729-8220/www.redfishcharters.com) who often fishes the Port Aransas jetties. “I also use large live mullet to catch big redfish. Sometimes, I use mullet chunks. It’s unreal what hangs around those rocks because of all the baitfish that stays there. We’ll catch just about any fish in the Gulf of Mexico.” To fashion a Carolina rig, slip a sliding sinker on the line. Use just enough weight to keep bait on the bottom depending upon tidal strength and wave action. At the end of the line, tie a barrel swivel and attach about 18 to 48 inches of leader tipped with a circle hook. With a sliding sinker, a baitfish or shrimp can swim freely, but can’t escape big predators. Anglers may also use drift lines baited with live mullets, menhaden or croakers. Hook baitfish through the eyes, nostrils or lips. Use no weight so that the fish can swim naturally. Place these temptations over scour holes at the jetty ends or along shelf edges. Rocks can devour tackle. Instead of using conventional sinkers, many jetty experts fish with banana-shaped sinkers. Designed for drift fishing in swift rivers, these smooth sinkers ride up and over obstructions. Use a three-way swivel with one eye attached to the main line, one to a drop line for the sinker and one to the leader with the hook. With this type of rig, anglers can fish any type of live or dead bait they wish. Anglers can also fish soft plastic temptations with such a rig. Jetties can provide excellent fishing all year long for various species, but they can also destroy boats if people don’t pay attention. Anchor or drift a safe distance from the rocks and watch the waves and boat wakes. Never shut off the outboard before the anchor grabs bottom in a safe area. In confrontations between rocks and boats, rocks NEVER lose!

PhotoS: JOHN N. FELSHER

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1/10/13 3:06 PM

Fact and Fiction Swirl Around Texas’ Most Common Wild Cat by Chester Moore and Terri Werner 30 |

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from the ears to the jowl and a black tipped tail. The colors are similar from light gray to brown that is more common and is often spotted or streaked with black. Their size is similar, from 65-100 cm (including the tail) and weights range from 15-35 lbs. From here, we can get more specific. The bobcat looks more like an overgrown housecat. Most of them do not have the distinguishing extra long tufts of hair on the tips of its ears or the bigger, shaggy feet that help the Canada lynx navigate in the deep snow. Another characteristic is the tail. While both have short “bobbed” tails, the bobcats is banded with black stripes, and is black at the top of the tip and white at the bottom. The lynx’s tail lacks banding and is completely black at the tip. The range of the bobcat is from southern Canada to Central Mexico and tolerates the forest, mountains, swamps or desert regions, while the Canada lynx prefers forested areas and mainly lives on the snowshoe hare. There is a distinct correlation between the number of births of Canada lynx and the amount of prey of the snowshoe hare. The bobcat feeds on a more diverse diet of rabbits, squirrels, mice and birds and sometimes deer, a trait that has contributed greatly to their success. We could find no basis for the origins of Canada lynx stockings in Texas as was discovered about the alleged timber rattlesnake releases in the Pineywoods and published first here in TF&G in 2003. While conducting research for our Southern Panther Search, however, we have found numerous traits of bobcat appearance that could make someone think they were seeing a lynx. The first is size. Bobcats can vary greatly in size as noted earlier in the story. A hunter, for example, who shoots a 20-pound bobcat might be shocked to see a 35-pound cat with long legs that looks as if it were a giant in comparison to the animal they took. Some bobcats tend to be very “leggy” while others are long and lean. Ear tufts also vary greatly among individuals. Most bobcats have short but some are comparable to those of their northern cousins. Spot patterns also vary wildly with some having virtually no spots on the top half and others possessing well-defined spots. A few individuals have unique pattern traits of spots within spots that look sort of like the rosettes of a leopard or jaguar. It is not as pronounced as on those big cats, but it looks shockingly different

It happened at several

secret locations deep in the forests of East Texas.

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The agility of the bobcat is amazing. They are able to jump up to 12 feet.

In the early 1980s, officials with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) released Canada lynx into the Pineywoods region. I first heard of these stockings taking place in the Livingston area but later heard they also occurred near Toledo Bend reservoir and in the Big Thicket National Preserve. Occasionally people would see one of these “lynx”, which are allegedly much larger than a Texas bobcat. These stories were persistent growing up in East Texas, but the details seemed to change. Some said it was actually the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that released the cats while others claimed it was the U.S. Forest Service. The problem is these stories are bogus. Totally bogus. TPWD or any other agency for that matter has never stocked Canada lynx (Lynx Canadensis) into any destination in Texas and for that matter would have no reason to do so. They have never lived in the region and their very close cousin is doing incredibly well here. That is where the confusion lies. Many people often call a bobcat a lynx or a lynx a bobcat. They are very similar in appearance and it can be confusing to tell them apart, especially when you look at the scientific classification. Both the bobcat and lynx are found in the cat family, Felidae, which is then broken down to the genus Lynx. From there, each species of lynx is named. The Canada lynx is Lynx Canadensis and the bobcat is Lynx rufus. There are also two other lynx, Eurasian and Iberian. Therefore, even though they are in the same classification, they are two distinct subspecies (confused yet?). By appearance, they are similar. They both have “stumpy” tails, about 4-5” long, ruff of fur extending T e x a S

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from other bobcats. Bob, one of the bobcats at Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge, has this pattern and we received a photo of wild specimen in Texas while conducting our research. People seeing this “different” looking bobcat, sometimes associate them with Canada lynx and at some point a stocking legend began. In a way that is a shame because, like our very own lynx, the bobcat, is an amazing cat. Here are some facts that will give you a new appreciation for this diminutive but astounding feline. • A few years back the estimated bobcat population in Texas was around 200,000. That is probably a low number. These cats are all over the place and their range seems to be expanding. • Our research has documented bobcats in the city limits of Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. Bobcats are able to live in small woodlots and will do just fine preying on the rodents around garbage dumps and

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{ drainage ditches. • A study conducted in the Florida Everglades in 1992 showed that bobcats are fully capable of killing full grown whitetails although it fairly rare event. Bobcats killed six radio-collared adult deer in the region by administering one bite to the throat. • According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, bobcats are able to jump up to 12 feet in a single bound. The bobcat may not be as glamorous as

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The Canada Lynx, pictured here, has never been stocked in Texas but rumors persist of their existence in the Lone Star State.

its furrier, snowshoe-footed Canadian cousin may but they are perfectly suited for life in the Lone Star State where they fill an important niche in the environment. (If you have unique bobcat photographs or any other of Texas’ wild cat photos or simply have questions about them email cmooreoutdoors@gmail.com or visit www. southernpanthersearch.com.)

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Hunt Texas by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor

A Season of Youth

e all know where the future of hunting lies, but if you have any doubts about how hunting can impact the life of a young boy or girl, just take a close look at the expressions on their faces when they are posing with a deer, turkey or other game they have just shot. The words proud, happy, successful, admiration, thankfulness and much more are written all over their faces, and in every event where a young boy or girl has gone hunting, whether they shot anything or not, much of the credit goes to an adult who not only understands the importance of introducing a young person to hunting but also puts that understanding in motion. With that thought in mind, it nevertheless surprises me when an adult hunter with children tell me they know little or nothing about Texas’ Special Youth Only hunting seasons. Fortunately, however, the tide seems to be changing. For those not familiar with the special youth seasons, they were established in 1997 so people age 16 and younger could hunt deer the weekend prior to the opening of the general firearms season as well as the weekend following the closing of the general season. The special youth seasons were expanded in 1998 by adding special seasons for turkey and quail along the same lines. In more recent years, a special Youth Only season for youths age 15 and under has been held for ducks and other waterfowl. The deer seasons held in 2012 will long be remembered by many of the almost 144,000 hunters who purchased Youth Only hunting licenses for that season as well as those who continued to hunt during the general season, but few have more to remember about it than Colby Shaw, 15, of Overton, Susan Muncrief, 9, of Pineland, and William Evans, 15, of Fort Worth. They each shot bucks you Photo: Bob Hood

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Colby Shaw with his Rusk County buck.

probably only dreamed about. Colby Shaw was hunting with his dad, Jeremy Shaw, on opening day of the 2012 Youth Only season in late October from a homemade blind made by curling a piece of cattle paneling into a half-moon shape and wrapping it with camo netting. They were hunting on a 40-acre tract near Overton in Rusk County and had poured a pile of corn on the ground about 60 yards from the blind. Although Colby has hunted previous seasons, he still was looking for his first deer. His opportunity came when a big buck emerged from the nearby woods about 60 yards from their blind. Colby shot the buck with his .2506 Savage. The buck ran, leaving no blood trail, but the shot had been well placed, and the buck went only a short distance before going down. “I knew it was a big buck the moment I saw it but I didn’t realize just how big it was until we began pulling the pine needles off the antlers where it fell,” Jeremy Shaw said. “It had 20 points with a 19-inch spread and grossed 216 B&C points, 202-7/8 green net.” William Evans had much more time to anticipate a chance to shoot a big Throckmorton County buck that he and his dad, Mike Evans, had spotted bedded down about 500 yards from their ground blind in a big mesa overlookT e x a S

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ing a creek and a feeder. “We spotted the buck bedded down in a dry creek bed and watched him there from about 3:30-4:30 p.m., ” Mike Evans said. You could only see its horns glimmering in the sunlight. At 4:30, the deer got up and ran away from us. When we saw the body and its big horns, it took the wind out of our sails.” The buck, however, was not gone. It showed up about 6 p.m. right in front of the Evans’ at a rub. Using a single-shot, breakopen .243 ordered for him a year earlier by Robert Cantrell of Texas Outdoors in Fort Worth, William dropped the buck in its tracks. It scored 145 B&C points. “William has been hunting since he was four years old but has only been big enough to shoot a rifle since he was nine and shot a smaller deer a year ago with the break-open .243,” Evans said. Susan Muncrief’s buck involved patience past hunting guidance and even some family team effort that resulted in the nine-year-old’s fourth, and largest, deer she has taken in the last four years. Opening day of the 2012 Youth Only season near her home at Pineland, Susan and her dad went to the oat field for an evening hunt. At about 4:30 p.m., a big buck emerged into the field, obviously in the rut and trying to scent a doe. Susan shot the deer with a .22-250, but it did not immediately go down and left no visible blood sign. After a brief stint of tracking, trailing, and searching, they found it at the edge of a creek.” Susan’s buck sported 10 heavy points and scored 150-1/8 gross B&C points. Yes, these young hunters have a lot of things to remember about their first hunts, and it has involved more than just how to aim a rifle and pull a trigger. Their parents said they are instilling hunting safety, wildlife conservation, hunting ethics and the multitude of other ingredients that define a responsible hunter into their trips outdoors with children. What about you?

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Email Bob Hood at bhood@fishgame.com |

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Texas Department of Defense How Good a Shot Do You Need To Be?

quote from outdoor writer , syndicated newspaper columnist and fellow TF&G editor Kendal Hemphill: “....my experience (though limited) has been that people don’t listen to advice like yours [LaMascus]. Especially men. “Women don’t have a problem admitting they don’t know how to shoot. All men do.

Including me. “Until I actually went to a basic pistol class, I thought I knew pretty much all I needed to know, I just needed more practice. Turns out I knew pretty much nothing. So that was a big surprise. “Men don’t want to be told they aren’t exceptional drivers, exceptional shooters, or exceptional lovers. I think those are the top

| Self Defense | | Concealed Carry | | Tactical | by Steve LaMascus & Dustin Ellermann three things all men tell themselves they’re good at, no matter how much evidence they might have to the contrary. “But if someone listens to your advice in the article, and gets training, they will see that they need more of it.” • • • A great many people seem to believe that merely having a gun will keep them safe. They think that if the bad guy sees the gun he will automatically tuck tail and run like a scared puppy. Well sadly enough, that is far from correct.

Concealed Carry Methods Concealed carry is big in Texas, and rightfully so. Responsible, law-abiding citizens everywhere should be allowed to defend themselves. Carrying a gun is the same as having a spare tire in your vehicle or keeping a fire extinguisher in the home, you never want to have to use it, but if the situation arises, you should be prepared. In exercising your God given right to self-defense you may have to be creative in how you carry. Most experienced shooters have a drawer full of tested holsters because it takes several products to find that ideal way to carry your sidearm. The most popular form of concealed carry is inside the waistband (IWB). 34 |

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The 5.11 MOAB and COVRT ZAP bags are designed with the CHL Holder or LE officer in mind. Among other features they boast of discreet and easily accessible Velcro lined pockets sized for a full size pistol.

With an IWB holster you can safely tuck away your pistol at arms reach and conceal it with a loose fitting shirt. One of my preferred rigs for this is the Crossbreed Supertuck, it’s a kydex and leather hybrid that comfortably rides against your body with the solid slab of

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leather against your waist and the pistol safely holstered between the leather and your pants in the molded kydex. It secures onto your belt with two steel spring clips that adjust for height and Continued on page 36 u Photo: DUSTIN ELLERMANN

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As a person who has carried a gun for most of his life, and had to use one a time or two, I can tell you from experience that the most surprising thing is the number of people who will completely ignore that gun and continue with whatever it is they are doing. You see, it seems that many of the bad guys have come to the conclusion that the average person will not pull the trigger, and they may be right. They also seem to believe that the average person who does pull the trigger will miss them. And again, they may be right. First I will make a short statement about the first observation. If you are going to carry a gun, you need to decide, before you ever strap it on, that you will use it if necessary. Make that decision, and then think about it every time you put that gun into the holster on your belt, because you will not have time to think about it when the time comes. Just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think you will be able to forecast what will happen and when. I was surprised every time I was ever faced with with such a situation. I survived only by divine intervention, and to a lesser degree by quick reflexes honed by constant practice and by trying to be ready, mentally and physically, for any possible eventuality. As for how good you need to be with your handgun, that is simple. You can never be too good, so you need to be as good as you can possibly be. Each of us has a different level of reflexes; we each react differently when surprised by a deadly situation. My wife has no combative gene in her body. Her reaction, every time, is to scream and run. My reaction has always been more combative, and honed by over 20 years of law enforcement, and over 40 years of practice, I automatically reach for a gun. Some of us are very good natural shots and some of us only attain mediocrity after considerable practice. I had an acquaintance who was a Border Patrol Agent. He loved guns, traded guns, shot a lot, but could just barely qualify each quarter. He simply didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the hand/eye coordination that it takes to be a good shot. However, he did qualify each quarter and carried a gun in the Border Patrol for over 20 years. Here is something you need to know and understand. The State mandated course for getting your concealed handgun license is not in any shape, form, or fashion, a training course. The truth of the matter is that it is merely and only a test to see if you qualify. If you are looking for training, look

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elsewhere. I have recommended before in these columns that you seek professional training. This is not an idle thought. A truly knowledgeable professional will teach you things that would never occur to someone who has not had the experience. However, there are instructors out there who do not teach the things you need to know, so check them out, thoroughly, before you decide to take their classes. Then after you have had the training, continue to practice, religiously,

every chance you get. As for how you need to go about practice, all I can tell you is that it takes certain steps, and that you need to practice what you are worst at, not what you do best. First you need to learn how to shoot. This means buying a good .22 handgun and shooting it, a lot, until you are thoroughly competent in shooting at a target. At this point you can begin to practice draw and combat techniques. But starting out with a

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Texas Department of Defense Learn to shoot with a .22 before stepping up to a higher caliber weapon. And then practice as much as possible.

high-powered handgun, shooting fast and often at a silhouette target, only serves to ingrain in you the bad habits, not the good. I think it is a travesty that the Border Patrol has done away with the one-hand target shooting portion of its academy. That is where many of us learned what is really meant by trigger control and sight alignment. Starting a student off with a duty weapon and full-power ammunition is, in my opin-

ion, counter-productive. But I wasn’t asked. I shoot between 100 and 200 rounds a month through my carry guns, sometimes more. I also shoot a lot through a .22 handgun. This amount of practice, done in the right way, will keep your skills in tune. Shooting this much is also expensive, so I reload almost all the ammo I shoot in practice. With the price of ammunition going up all the time, I could not shoot this much

Concealing

without as much heat rash. It is recommended to never carry a pistol in any way without a proper fitting holster that covers the trigger guard. I purchased my pocket holster directly from Crimson Trace and it has a rubber lined outside to hopefully stay in the pocket on a draw. For every type of carry you should practice extensively with a safe unloaded gun until you are confident with the motions of drawing and presenting your pistol in an efficient and safe manner. Finally there is bag carry. Informally called a “man purse” I refer to mine as a “car bag”. 5.11 Tactical has a great selection of discreet carry bags that are durable and well designed. Their COVRT line offers a ZAP Assault bag built for undercover law enforcement. It carries with a single sling that can be slung diagonally over your back and then pulled and tightened to your chest allowing for a draw from the hidden Velcro lined pocket. It also features a compact hydration/ballistic panel rear pocket, a Velcro area on the front to quickly attach

t Continued from page 34 angle. The clips are attached to the lower part of the leather giving space to actually tuck in your shirt between the gun and your pants for deeper concealment. The kydex allows smooth fast t Continued from pagea xx draw and easy one handed reholstering. I have worn my Crossbreed with my slim Walther PPS in .40 S&W 24/7 and after a year noticed a crack in the kydex but Crossbreed replaced it for free honoring their lifetime warranty. For deeper concealment in warmer weather sometimes you may be forced to downsize to a lighter, smaller pistol. In the summer heat the Governor Perry’s coyote slaying Ruger LCP in .380 with a Crimson Trace Laser can be a good choice. Built just small enough for deep concealment it fits nicely into my pants pocket. This isn’t as accessible, quick on the draw, or as powerful a cartridge as my IWB rig but it’s a compromise

Story Jump

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if I didn’t reload. I also cast almost all the bullets I shoot in my revolvers, but I buy the bullets I shoot in my semi-autos. I buy in bulk, blemished bullets (blems) when I can find them, and also plated lead bullets, which function smoothly in the semi-autos and don’t cause the problems that plain lead bullets do. As I said, you can never be too good, and you really can’t have too much practice or too much training. I simply recommend that you get all the training you can afford, and shoot all the practice you can afford. As for what you can afford, only you can determine that, but it should be balanced against what your life is worth should you be faced with a situation in which all that stands between you and a grave is your gun and your ability to use it well. Andas con Dios, amigo. —Steve LaMascus

law enforcement ID, and a hidden channel for flex cuffs. Then for a little more outdoor look and durability the 5.11 MOAB has all the features of the ZAP bag less the flex cuff channel but adding on MOLLE loop features. While I do prefer to carry on my person, it is nice to have a larger sidearm close by in my car bag. It also enables me to keep a trauma pack and other essential gear with me at all times when traveling. If I need to access my firearm in a hurry it’s easier for me to do so without fumbling around my seatbelt for my IWB rig. The pistol in my car bag can also be a larger frame and capacity, which in turn demotes my smaller IWB pistol into my backup. Whatever method of carry you choose, I encourage everyone to get training, get your concealed handgun license, be prepared, stay safe, and carry always. —Dustin Ellermann Photo: STEVE LAMASCUS

1/11/13 4:17 PM

Texas Bowhunting by Lou Marullo | TF&G Bowhunting Editor

Out with the Old… In with the New

ebruary brings with her the end of another whitetail season. It also ushers in the beginning of another unique season. Along with all the other critters we can hunt during this month, I personally like to hunt for antler sheds. The cooler days make it easier for us to take a hike. In August, there is no way I would prefer an exhausting walk in the woods to an afternoon doing just about anything else. Plus, you get the extra benefit of a good workout while doing something you enjoy. I always wonder if the buck that eluded me so many times during the season made it safely through another year. If I find his sheds, then I am positive and it gives me a renewed hope for the next bow season. If I come back home empty handed, well then I would spend the off season dreaming about that big boy and assuring myself that he will be around next year, or one just like him. Should you decide that a walk in the woods is for you, then be sure you take your time while you search for those sheds. Most hunters look on the forest floor for that trophy shed, but you can find them almost anywhere. I once found a shed quite by accident. As I combed a thicket, I was bent over for a considerable time and never saw a thing. It was when I stood up to stretch my back that right in front of me was my prize. There in a tangled web of thick brush was a nice antler. I almost walked right by it. Another time, while hunting a ranch in west Texas, I found a beautiful shed of an 8-pointer right there in the wide-open prairie. I guess what I am trying to say is that you can find sheds just about anywhere. I would not be surprised to find them on the front seat of my truck. You have to understand my hunting friend’s sense of humor. This time of year is also good to locate

Photo: Bigstock

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heavily used trails. It usually is not as dry as it is in the later summer months and early scouting might be a good idea. It is much easier to locate a nice big track or many of them giving you a clue as to where you might want to hunt next year. Look for an escape route that the whitetails prefer. You may find a trail that brings them to a bedding area or their favorite food source. Remember not to leave out any deer sanctuary if you are shed hunting. I always stay away from these areas just prior and during the entire bow hunting season, but now that it is all over for the year, I like to take a hike and explore the inner parts of that sanctuary to help better understand what deer are left in my area. It might be a good idea to get those game cameras out again for a while. Most hunters take them down after the season or just before the season, but I think that right after the season is a golden opportunity to examine the whitetails on your lease. I would put them in or just outside that deer sanctuary I spoke of earlier. You have the added security of knowing that most hunters are out of the woods during this time of year and your cameras should be safe from any unscrupulous characters. I would suggest that you remove your cameras from the core sanctuary spots well before the season begins and well before any of those unscrupulous characters I spoke of venture out in the woods, just in case. One good thing about shed hunting is the fact that you really do not have to worry at T e x a S

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all about leaving your scent everywhere. The deer will have plenty of time to forget about the human scent in their core area. Things will calm down nicely for next year and you will have a nice jump start on your scouting. If I am out walking around my hunting grounds, I always like to take this time to check my stands. Some places I hunt I feel comfortable leaving the stand in place for the following year. Other spots I have I

make sure they get taken down right after the season. But if you are one of those bow hunters that prefers to leave the stands year after year, then now is a good time to inspect them and take the time to loosen the straps just a little. It is a good practice to get into. Remember, the tree will grow and you will be amazed at how much it will grow. In one or two short years, the tree will grow right around the metal where your stand meets the tree. It will be difficult at best to tug the stand loose when you need to move it. The straps that hold the stand in place will become so tight around the tree that it could be a safety hazard and snap when any weight is put on the stand. So take a few days this off-season and visit your favorite hunting spots. Looking for sheds from the past season will not only be rewarding, it will prove to be very educational for the next hunting season. I look at it this way, it is better than sitting on the couch like a couch potato. Have fun, take a hike and introduce yourself to a whole new hunting season, hunting for sheds, I love it. Have fun and hunt safe out there.

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Email Lou Marullo at LMarullo@fishgame.com |

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Sheepshead wranglers find powerful nibblers under docks, pilings, and piers... outstanding action for an angler on a budget. by john n. felsher

Rapidly falling tides pulled bait-

fish, shrimp and other creatures from their protective cover into open water. Unable to fight against the flow, small crabs drifted with the current toward the Gulf of Mexico. Standing on the dock, we scooped several crabs about the size of a silver dollar as they floated past. We broke the claws off the diminutive crustaceans to make them more appealing to predators. Through the back shell near the flattened “swimmer” leg, I hooked a lively crab to a 1/8-ounce longshanked jighead and flipped it a few feet upstream. The tide pushed it back under the dock. After the crab hit bottom, I pulled it up about a foot when something gently tugged on the line almost as if pulled by the tide. I set the hook and the rod bend double as the unseen fish bulldozed straight for the pilings. Few other fish fight like sheepshead; they hunker down in the cover, daring anglers to dislodge them. Sometimes sarcastically called “bay snapper,” and many names unfit to print, this pugnacious member of the porgy family does not attract much enthusiasm. However, this incredibly powerful beast can provide outstanding sport. In addition, sheepshead give anglers without boats excellent opportunities to catch tackle-busting brutes without spending a fortune. “Sheepshead are one of the more abundant sport fish along the Texas coast,” advised Art Morris with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Corpus Christi Field Station. “The highest population is in Corpus Christi Bay. Rockport and Port Aransas also have a lot of sheepshead, but they are found all up and down the Texas coast. They are really popular among anglers who do not have boats and can’t afford to hire guides.” Sheepshead can reach impressive sizes for fish frequently found near seawalls and marinas. Most run in the 2- to 5-pound range, but Wayne Gilstrap horsed in the Texas state record, a T e x a S

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15.25-pounder from Lower Laguna Madre that hit a live shrimp in 2002. The world record came from neighboring Louisiana, a 21.25-pounder caught off the old concrete seawall on Lake Pontchartrain within the New Orleans city limits. Like Gilstrap’s toothy beast, sheepshead love live shrimp. Although they prefer crustaceans or shellfish to finfish, sheepshead hit various natural baits including minnows, cracked clams, squid, cut bait and other morsels. Above all, they relish small live crabs. With powerful jaws and crushing human-like teeth, they also munch barnacles attached to pilings. “Those teeth are designed to scrape barnacles off hard structure,” Morris explained. “Sheepshead eat anything they can break apart with their teeth to get to the good parts inside. The best places to fish for sheepshead are around jetties, reefs and other hard structure.” Often, the best fishing occurs beneath an angler’s feet. On docks over deep water, vertically dangle baits next to pilings. Jig baits up and down very slowly at various depths. Sheepshead might lurk on bottom or hover next to a piling. Use as little weight as possible, just enough to hold baits down in the tide. Despite their powerful jaws, impressive dental equipment and incredible fighting prowess once hooked, sheepshead gingerly nibble baits and seldom rush to attack prey. Old-timers used to say, “Set the hook before it bites.” Almost timidly, sheepshead may examine morsels before tasting them, but can quickly strip bait from a hook. However, they generally don’t spook easily and may remain in place as long as food keeps coming to them.

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Often, anglers don’t even detect subtle strikes, perhaps just a slight tug. Sometimes, the line simply feels heavy or mushy. Anglers may think they snagged an old crab trap or perhaps even the pilings. However, when these powerfully pugnacious porgies begin to move, all doubt vanishes. To attract sheepshead, many dock owners toss cracked clams or oyster shells into the water. Many people also throw old bait or food scraps off their docks. To put sheepshead into a feeding frenzy, scrape crusty pilings with shovels or rakes to crush and dislodge barnacles. Sheepshead quickly home in on the scent and meat pieces in the water. After a few minutes, drop a live shrimp, quarter-sized crab, fiddler or other

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morsel as close to the piling as possible. “We catch many sheepshead around the docks and concrete walls in the Port Aransas ship channel,” said Capt. Charles Newton of Redfish Charters in Rockport (361-729-8220/ www.redfishcharters.com.) “We also catch a lot of sheepshead by the jetties around Port Aransas and Corpus Christi, especially in February and March. When fishing for sheepshead, we use small hooks and bait them with small crabs or live shrimp. Sheepshead also hit dead shrimp and are a lot of fun to catch.” For the best sheepshead action, drop baits near fish cleaning stations. After filleting their catch, anglers toss heads, backbones and scraps into the water. That attracts shrimp, crabs and small fish. Sheepshead venture forth from among the piling forest to feed upon the small creatures and scraps. Around fish cleaning stations, toss free lines with live bait. Hook a small live crab through the back of the shell near the “swim-

mer” leg. Allow the bait to swim naturally near cover, but just beyond entangling structure. Cracked crab pieces with the top shell removed also work. In Texas, the best fishing typically occurs in winter or early spring as sheepshead prepare to spawn. That’s when anglers generally catch the largest fish of the year. In the right spot, anglers can often boat many sheepshead without moving. “Any time of year is a good time to fish for sheepshead, but most people target them during the winter,” Morris said. “Spawning occurs in February and March near offshore jetties, rock piles and reefs. They are largely underappreciated by anglers and could actually use more pressure.” Sheepshead saved many a day when redfish and trout won’t cooperate. Without spending much money, anglers can enjoy a relaxing day sitting on a dock or seawall while challenging abundant and toothy tackle-busting monsters that taste great and dare anyone to pull them from the water!

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Texas Saltwater by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor

Old School Thinking

ack in the days of Remote Antiquity—or the 1950s and -60s, if you prefer—lure choices were pretty limited in design and variety. Over the years, some lures such as the Zara Spook remain very popular. Others, like the spoon and bucktail, have continued to find their niche in modern tackle boxes, although their use is generally limited. And still others such as the Plugging Shorty Shrimp, have faded into the mists of time. Still, by and large, most of these lures were effective for trout, redfish, snook and flounder. For various reasons they fell out of favor with fishermen. Perhaps the strongest reason so many classic lure designs have been relegated to closets and attics is due to what is called in the computer business “evolved obsolescence.” The other lures were developed to be more effective than the old reliables. Ironically, most of the new are based on the old. An excellent example is a permutation of one of the most popular trout lures ever used on the coast, the 7M. There are several popular twitch baits out there that are catching stringers and stringers of large trout and redfish on the coast, but in some way, they resemble the venerable 7M in shape, size or action. The Ol’ Number 7 is still strong medicine on the Texas Coast. Similar fates befell Tom Mann’s Stingray Grub and the Boone Tout. None of them stopped catching fish, they just stopped being *en vogue*. For those who’ve never heard of it, the late Anton “Pluggin’ Shorty” Stetner invented the Pluggin’ Shorty Shrimp in the 1930’s. Legend has it the first lures were carved out of toothbrush handles. They, and the minnow plug that also bears Stetner’s nickname, became so popular that Photo: Pradco Fishing

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Stetner couldn’t keep up with the orders. Doug English Lures and then the Bingo Bait Company later put it into production after merging with English’s company. The Pluggin’ Shorty Shrimp and all the Bingo lures haven’t been produced since the mid1980s. Again, they didn’t stop catching fish, just fishermen. The Pluggin’ Shorty Shrimp is actually considered a collector’s item, with one in pristine condition with its original packaging selling for upwards of $40 on eBay. Another lure in unjustifiable disfavor among saltwater fishermen is the brokenback minnow, most notably the Cotton Cordell Jointed Redfin. Broken backs were the go-to baits for a very long time and they worked well. A state record trout fell to a Redfin, and a video still floating around on store shelves shows a 12-pound trout falling to one. It isn’t only lure styles that fall out of favor. Some great colors and color patterns disappear from tackle boxes, too. For decades, alongside the venerable red/white patterned plastics were those in chartreuse tiger, which was a chartreuse bait with black tiger stripes. I remember my Uncle Bob Renaud swore by that pattern in the spring and early summer, especially in the surf. We caught hundreds of trout with it. It is nowhere near as common now as it was up until the late 1980s. Another popular pattern was “Texas Chicken”—pink back/silver sides/yellow belly. Many considered the pattern the ultimate trout and—as I learned on a trip— snook killer. The biggest snook I ever landed—a fat 32-inch fish—fell to a Texas Chickenpattern Redfin. The water was murky and all I saw before the strike was a silver flash and a toilet-flush swirl underneath the plug. Redfins are effective because they not only have the disjointed wiggle that the segmented body gives it, but they also increase a fisherman’s chances at hooking up. Most topwaters are low-percentage lures. A fish T e x a S

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will blow up a popper or dog-walker, but chances are they will miss the lure completely. With its sub-surface action, a Redfin is more likely to get swallowed by a striking fish, thus improving the chances of the hooks gaining purchase. Jointed lures are coming back into favor with coastal fishermen, especially in Lower Laguna Madre, where many have discovered that snook seem to prefer them. Currently, the most popular snook plug appears to be the Jointed Long A in chartreuse. Several other jointed lures are on the market now, especially multi-segmented designs that give a “slinking” swimming pattern. Several other venerable lures stand up well when they go hook-to-hook with

modern wonders. The classic Jitterbug and Hula Popper are still catching as many b a s s as any “New and Improved” topwater out there I’ve also found that the Musky Jitterbug is a lethal trout and redfish plug, especially in windy conditions. Mepps’ and Roostertail spinners still claim plenty of game fish every year. Has anyone ever considered how most of the modern minnow baits still bear a striking resemblance to the original Rapala? It comes down to how much faith a fisherman has in a lure. If he believes a lure will catch fish, he’ll fish it like it will. He’ll fish it more aggressively and stick with it, even if it doesn’t produce right off the bat. With use comes expertise, and with expertise comes success that someone with the newest and brightest may not match. Sometimes, as the saying goes, age and guile trumps youth and style.

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Email Cal Gonzales at cgonzales@fishgame.com |

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1/11/13 3:09 PM

TRUE GREEN S. Texas is Top Ocelot Stronghold

Photo: TPWD

The rare ocelot was thought to have vanished from Texas when biologist Mike Tewes first began to search for the elusive cat 30 years ago.

Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI) a leading provider of natural pest management products for water and agriculture applications, announced that Zequanox was highly effective at controlling invasive zebra mussels in Deep Quarry Lake located in DuPage County, Illinois. Zequanox, the industry’s only environmentally compatible molluscicide, was applied within barrier systems in three locations throughout the lake. Results showed that treated sites experienced an average mussel mortality of 97.1 percent compared with 11.2 percent mortality in the control (i.e., untreated) sites. In the study, funded in part through a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, three sets of paired treatment and control sites were set up within the lake to evaluate the effectiveness of Zequanox. Zequanox was so effective at controlling the invasive mussels that the study concluded after just one month. The study also showed that the application of 42 |

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photo: TPWD

Zebra Mussel Control Product Demonstrated

Zequanox had no impact on water quality and no adult or juvenile fish mortality was observed 24 hours after product application.

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—Staff Report «TG F i s h

Dr. Mike Tewes, Regents Professor at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, said, “When I started the project there were several biologists, wildlife biologists, that told me they didn’t exist in Texas, and a few said if they do exist they are very rare and you will never catch one, so I was pretty apprehensive at the beginning of the research, and that is why I was really elated when I caught the first one.” Biologists estimate no more than 80 ocelots remain in the United States, all in deep South Texas, but thanks to Mike Tewes discovery of their existence three decades ago efforts are being made to save the critical habitat required for their survival. —Valley Central.com «TG

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1/11/13 4:08 PM

TRUE GREEN photo: Univ. of Georgia

Fish Poop Underrated as a Nutrition Source Fishes play a far more important role as contributors of nutrients to marine ecosystems than previously thought, according to researchers at the University of Georgia and Florida International University. In a pair of papers in the journal Ecology, the research shows that fish contribute more nutrients to their local ecosystems than any other source-enough to cause changes in the growth rates of the organisms at the base of the food web. Jacob Allgeier, a doctoral student in the UGA Odum School of Ecology, and Craig Layman, associate professor at Florida International University, led the study, which took place in the waters of a large

bay on Abaco Island, Bahamas. Most tropical coastal ecosystems are nutrient limited, meaning that the system’s primary food sources such as algae and sea grasses need to have enough nitrogen and phosphorus-in the right proportions-to grow and thrive. “We’ve been thinking about the role of fish and the nutrients they’re excreting in these ecosystems for a while now,” Allgeier said. In marine food webs, fish are usually thought of as predators, he explained, consuming microorganisms, plants and smaller animals. But fish have another important, although often overlooked, role in the system. Through excretion, they recycle the

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Fish excrement plays a vital nutritional role in fertilizing sea grass and other aquatic vegetation.

nutrients they take in, providing the fertilizer sea grass and algae need to grow.

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—Staff Report «TG

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1/10/13 3:08 PM

Outdoors gear

changes regularly, but subtly. True innovation is rare. When you see it, you’ll wish you thought of it first.

What follow are brief assessments of items a couple of TFG editors and I consider significant introductions, products that truly raised the bars in their respective arenas. Know up front, by the way, that there isn’t space for everything that rerouted outdoor recreation and that our opinions varied on some items. Since I’m writing the piece, however, I get first say. And if you don’t see a favorite listed, know that I had it

originally – of course I did – and it was those darned editors who lopped it from this text.

GPS Upside: Outdoors electronics evolve on parallel with the computer industry’s warpspeed advances. First it was flashers that indicated “something” was beneath your boat, then increasingly defined images of the bottom and, ultimately, omni-directional

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color fishfinders. That’s great, but for any of those tools to matter, you have to be on the right spot. That’s where satellites and palm-sized, handheld receivers come into play. Punch a button, and you can be directed to anywhere on the planet. Within a few feet. Punch another button, and you can “poach” a friend or guide’s formerly secret fishing spot. GPS gets you to and from hunting blinds, too, even allowing you to take one route out and another back if that’s seems a good idea at the time. Downside: GPS units require batteries, and batteries die. If you’re going to use a handheld GPS unit, carry spare juice or, at least, monitor the battery-life icon closely.

Cell Phones Upside: No thing among the many things that didn’t even exist not long ago is more common in the wilderness and on the water now than cell phones. And they, more recently, have evolved into smart phones – many of which have built-in GPS navigation systems. In addition to directions, a phone lets you communicate with friends, check weather reports or summon help in an emergency. They also enable fishermen and hunters to forward real-time photos of their trophies during my weekend radio shows. Knowing that so many people are fishing or hunting while I work makes them happier than it does me. Downside: Phones, unless carefully (but affordably) protected, can seem suddenly fragile if you stumble over a rock while stalking a giant buck or lean too far over a gunwale to grab a fat redfish across broad shoulders.

Gore-Tex Upside: I rarely see the one-way material mentioned in these types of stories but can attest personally to its fond welcome among waterfowl hunters more than two decades ago. As a professional duck and goose guide for 14 years, Gore-Tex’s breathable fabric (and its successors) let moisture out but didn’t let icy raindrops ruin a morning. We couldn’t be nearly so comfortable on atypically nasty mornings without it. Downside: Cost was an issue early. Now, you expect a waterproof barrier between your skin and the elements, and it somehow doesn’t seem that we pay excessively for the

comfort. At any price, that wafer-thin layer of miracle fabric is a must.

ATVs and Side-by-Sides

Automatic Deer Feeders

Upside: Where were these things when I was throwing 30 pounds of wet rags and 60 pounds of dead geese over my shoulders in muddy fields, 300 yards from the truck? As a hunter, I think I’d rather have allterrain transportation and a few gallons of gasoline than GPS. Sometimes, I get tired of walking. And if I’m lost, getting “unlost” won’t take nearly so long at 25 miles per hour. Downside: From guide days, my back still hurts, but that’s my problem. There’s some maintenance involved, and you need to keep the thing clean to keep it running. Other than that and maybe having to trailer the vehicle wherever you go and always wishing you bought a bigger ATV than you did, I don’t see many.

Upside: Nothing says “outdoor adventure” quite like sitting in a big box waiting for a little box to spew corn and then see what comes to eat it. As a Texan, I can’t imagine a world without feeders, and they certainly serve valid purpose in a state that needs to take half a million deer or so annually to keep stride with the habitat’s carrying capacity. I get that, and I like watching the traffic around an “active” feeder. Given the chance and time, however, I’d rather scout a place well, sweeten the convergence of two game trails with some hand-carried corn one afternoon and be in a nearby ground blind before the next sunrise. Downside: Many Texas deer hunters are overly dependent on feeders. No corn, to them, equals no venison. To maintain at least a remote connection to Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, eyeball a feeder at that measured 100 yards for only half of each day you hunt; do something different for the other. And by the way, don’t wait around for the biggest buck in the pasture to visit your corn café. It might hang in the shadows, checking out the does and sizing up the antlered competition, but it won’t barge in like a loud-mouthed gunslinger pushing through the swinging doors of a saloon. That, in both cases, is a good way to get shot.

Fluorocarbon Upside: The nearly invisible (underwater) lines most certainly changed the way we fish, at least as much as monofilament and possibly even more than the new braids (which finished a close second to fluorocarbon on my ballot). I fish a couple of reels loaded with all fluorocarbon and, where warranted, tipped with heavier fluorocarbon leader. On the reels loaded with braid, the end of the line is several feet of fluorocarbon. I’m guessing that in most of the places Texans fish, the actual advantage gained is nominal. But it is an advantage, however slight, that I’ll gladly take in exchange for tying one extra knot. Downside: Invisibility carries a premium price, but the numbers are falling into line with traditional spool fillers as more horses enter the race. At the minimum, switch to fluorocarbon leaders. T e x a S

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Steel Shot Upside: It and its non-toxic kin make my list of game changers from the conservation angle. I can’t say with certainty that ducks and geese and eagles and chi-chi birds all would be extinct if we’d kept slinging lead, but I like to think that making the switch saved some of those birds. Downside: None with the newer loads once you learn to shoot them. Non-hunters won’t understand why conserving and protecting animals is important to those of us who shoot and eat them, but they’ll listen if we tell them. Anti-hunters are lost causes that would, apparently, prefer for nature to check its imbalances with disease and starvation. That’s for another time. Apologies for the deviation from theme. In the old-timers’ grab bags of outdoors game changers, you’ll find also the plastic worm, the free-spool levelwind reel, the trolling motor, graphite for rods and bows and arrows, and a long list of things that once were heavy and now are light. All products, outdoors and otherwise, only get to be brand new once. After that initial season, after the shiny parts grow dull and giddiness gives way to practicality, most of those products fall a little short of expectation. The ones I highlighted have remained and continue to be refined, time and time again. And I cannot imagine life in the outdoors without them.

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1/8/13 4:32 PM

With overall populations skyrocketing, yet Texas wintering numbers plummeting, is it time for a Wake-Up Call on Snow Goose hunting pressure?

by chester moore

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Electronic calls, unplugged shotguns, no bag limit and thousands of geese.

It sounded like a dream scenario. This is what our hunting party faced back in 1999 when U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials opened the special conservation order for snow geese that extends beyond the normal season boundaries. On assignment for TF&G, I was hunting with Will Beaty of Central Flyway Outfitters near Winnie. We hit the field at 4 a.m. to set up a huge decoy spread consisting of close to 1,000 shells, rags and silhouettes. Nearby was a roost of 10,000-plus geese that had been flying right over this field every morning. After we completed the task of setting up the huge spread, Beaty put us about 125 yards away from the spread itself. I questioned the logic in this, but he was confident in the tactic. “I’m telling you the geese will see the spread and then immediately veer away from it. Hopefully they will veer toward us hidden in this brush and give us a chance at them,” he said. As the huge flock rose off the roost, the formerly quiet morning was now filled with the near deafening sound of calling geese. About 1,000 of them moved in our direction and almost as if someone programmed them to do so, the geese veered directly away from the decoys and flew right over toward us. “See, these birds are smart. You just have to try your best to be smarter than they are,” Beaty said as our party fired and a bunch of geese fell to the ground. Sometime being smarter than the geese is easier said than done. That first round of shots was the only one we took that day. This taught me a great lesson about electronic calls and geese and set the tone for what we are experiencing in Texas today. First off, while we used the calls and decoys, they had minimum effect. We had to actually set up away from the decoys to get a shot. Secondly, this was the first time the calls were legal and the birds were not just falling into the decoys. The conservation order was intended to help reduce snow goose populations which had grown so large they threatened to liter-

ally eat themselves out of house and home on their arctic nesting grounds. So, how good of a job has it done in that regard? According to a paper entitled, “Harvest, Survival and Abundance of Midcontinent Lesser Snow Geese Relative to Population Reduction Efforts”, the answer might just shock many hunters. The researchers in this paper representing everyone from the Canadian Wildlife Service to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service wrote, “Overall, all three populations of light geese now exceed numbers present when the conservation order was initiated. We are confident that the abundance and population growth rate of midcontinent snow geese (as well as by Ross’s and greater snow geese) currently exceeds the ability of existing numbers of hunters to exert harvest pressure that is necessary to impose sufficient additive mortality and thus effectively influence population growth.” “We suggest that abundance of midcontinent snow geese was seriously underestimated in the past, and that this underestimate may have contributed to an overconfidence with which suggested harvest levels could achieve a goal of reduced survival and population reduction.” “We are confident that the abundance and population growth rate of midcontinent snow geese (as well as by Ross’s and greater snow geese) currently exceeds the ability of existing numbers of hunters to exert harvest pressure that is necessary to impose sufficient additive mortality and thus effectively influence population growth.” More geese should equal more goose hunting opportunities, right? Wrong! (Especially in Texas) Last winter’s survey of snow geese showed fewer than 250,000 along the coast where the majority of Texas’ migratory T e x a S

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population exists which is less than half from the previous season and less than a third of highs reached just 20 years ago. We first addressed the decline two years ago in an articled entitled “Sending Away Snows” where we detailed a unique testimony given by then TPWD Migratory Bird Program Leader Dave Morrison before the TPWD Commission where he detailed how Texas’ population is decreasing while other states like Kansas are on the rise. “…They (Kansas) had 350- to 400,000 birds in their state, they killed 15,000. They are not putting pressure on their birds like we do. We have a mid-winter estimate of around 350-, 400,000 year before last, and we shot about 250,000 birds.” Texas hunters shot more than half of the light geese that wintered in Texas while Kansas only took a very small portion. “Now that’s a direct relationship. I understand, that is just the indices compared to population estimates. But the decline, you can see the decline, what’s going on. Now, understand that the intent was to cause birds to go down. That was the intent of the expanded and liberal seasons. But the continental population has not gone down. It’s simply a Texas problem.” The wisest waterfowler I have ever hunted with is William L. (Bill) Sherrill who operates in Wharton County. I am not one to throw the word “guru” around but if there is a waterfowl guru in Texas, he is it. For years, he has put a strict limit on the number of geese taken and has been vocal over disapproval of the conservation order since its inception. “There is a such thing as putting too much pressure on the birds and with geese it seems like that’s exactly what we’re doing.” So, what about those stories of hunters taking hundreds of snows on one hunt? They happen every once in awhile but with far less frequency in the past simply because there are not as many geese and the ones we are hunting have been shot at from November through March throughout the Central Flyway. In short, snow geese are adapting to hunting pressure and it seems in large part Texas is becoming a much less important part of their wintering plans.

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1/8/13 4:40 PM

Open Season by Reavis Wortham | TF&G Humor Editor

Relaxing

fter an exhaustive search through our rented hotel rooms, the dining room, the bar, the parking lot and the swimming pool, Wrong Will finally located Doc at the end of a long weathered pier extending well out into the Gulf of Mexico. Doc was comfortably ensconced in a folding canvas chair, bracketed by a cooler on one side and a radio on the other. A single rod leaned over the rail with a long length of monofilament disappearing into the fairly clear water. “Whatcha doing?” Willie leaned on the rail and stared toward the distant horizon. “Relaxing,” Doc responded from under the cap tilted sharply over his half-lidded eyes. “Getting any bites?” “Nope.” “Good fishing trip.” “So far.” “What’s that out there?” Willie pointed. Doc raised his cap and looked in the direction Willie indicated. “They call that nervous water down here.” Willie perked up. “That means fish are feeding. Hey! It bet it’s a school of speckled trout!” “Could be.” Willie levitated as if the dock had been suddenly electrified. “Fish!” he turned and ran toward the hotel and the Hunting Club lounging on the fourth-floor balcony. “GUYS! The fish are biting!” He disappeared into the hotel lobby. The boys immediately gathered up rods, reels, tackle boxes and coolers. They thundered down the hallway and experienced a brief, exciting moment at the discovery of how difficult it is to get ten-foot surf rods into the small elevator. It looked like a charge of lancers when the doors 48 |

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opened and everyone spilled into the lobby. From there it was a stampede past the sparkling swimming pool where a tackle box full of lures fell onto the deck and exploded into the water. After many apologies to the sunning guests, and ten dollars to pay some kid with a diving mask to retrieve all the sinkers and non-floating hooks and lures, the boys thundered down the narrow pier like cattle running onto a rail car. I watched most of the action from my perch on the balcony, declining the opportunity to fish. Doc jolted awake as they swarmed around his chair, plopping down coolers and rigging rods and reels. Casts. Loud discussions about who was fishing where. Enthusiastic discussions utilizing base languages about the proper lure to use. And suddenly Fate smiled upon the anglers and it became on of those legendary days all anglers dream of. The specs were thick and underneath them, the redfish worked their way past the boys. Strikes. Frantic actions. Tangled lines and shouts.

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Accusations regarding lost fish. A cap yanked from a head on a particularly enthusiastic backcast. The aforementioned tackle box takes a final, unretrievable spill into the gulf. Shouts, laughter and full stringers. Measuring devices appeared and many fish were returned to the water, eyes bulging in wonder at what had just happened. Stringers of specs and a wandering sheepshead or two were proof of a successful evening. “Howdy boys.” The game warden suddenly appearedg behind the assemblage. They turned and beheld the wide grin of a man happy in his work. As the sun settled below the horizon, the catch was examined and approved. The game warden finally blessed the endeavor with a grin and turned to Doc. “Can I see your license and fish? Doc produced the license, but no fish. “How come you’re not having any luck?” he asked the Elder of our group. “These guys are tearing them up.” Doc looked at the glorious sunset and reeled in his line. On the end, nothing but a weight dangled, spinning. “I’m on vacation,” he said. “But these boys now will have to clean all those fish tonight. So I think I came out ahead.” “I thought you said you were fishing,” Willie accused, suddenly realizing the chore ahead. “Go back up to the top of Rev’s column when he writes it,” Doc said. “You’ll see where I said I was relaxing, not fishing.” He collected his fishing gear, waved to the balcony and walked slowly, peacefully and we sat well into the evening, watching the Hunting Club Members clean fish under a harsh light bulb. It was the perfect end to a perfect, relaxing, vacation day.

Email Reavis Wortham at rwortham@fishgame.com F i s h

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Illustration: Canstock

1/10/13 11:03 AM

Digital Edition

Switch-Hitting for bass

Saltwater Lures for Freshwater Fishing by calixto gonzales

Graphic Illustration: TF&G

“Boy, when that old dude said the bass were deep, he meant deep!” My old college fishing buddy Sean Neil whistled as he looked at my Humminbird and saw it marking Falcon Lake bass in 42 feet of water. The elderly gentleman who had talked to us at the boat ramp had mentioned that the bigger bass were holding near the bottom in deep water close to the dam. Action was spotty on Carolina-rigged lizards with big sinkers and long leaders. I could see why relatively few bass were coming up. The fish were suspended between 30 and 35 feet down. Even a Carolina-rigged worm wasn’t going to score consistently. “You have anything to get to these fish?” Sean asked. “Slabs, maybe?” T F & G

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I rummaged through my tackle bag trying to find something that would work. I had only a dearth of freshwater lures— mostly plastic worms—in a salt-crusted bag. I pulled out six brand new 55 gram Shimano Butterfly jigs that I recently bought from Joe Montemayor of Joe’s Tackle in McAllen. The weight translated to two ounces, which meant they’d get to the depth, and our worm sticks had enough beef to handle them, but I had no idea if they’d produce. These were deepwater jigs for snapper and grouper. F i s h

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TF&G ALMANAC Table of Contents

texas guns & gear • Care and Feeding of the Lowly .22 Rifle | by steve lamascus

GEARING UP SECTION

texas tested • P-Line, PowerPro, Power Pole | by TF&G staff

FISHING FORECAST SECTION

COVER STORY • SwitchHitting for Bass | by calixto gonzales

HOW-TO SECTION

texas boating • Making Your Fishboat Less Fishy | by lenny

55 56

texas kayaking • The Flaw of Averages | by greg berlocher

rudow

paul’s tips • White Hot February Fishing | by paul bradshaw

hotspots focus: upper coast • February Fishing on Sabine | by capt. eddie hernandez

hotspots focus: galveston • You Rally Can’t Go Back | by capt. mike holmes

hotspots focus: matagorda • Hunting February Specks |

hotspots focus: rockport • Inadequate Etiquitte | by capt.

hotspots focus: lower coast • Deep Thinking | by

Texas Hotspots • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | by calixto gonzales, bob hood & george

Fresh Change

If you go to any sporting goods or tackle shop, there is usually a clear demarcation between freshwater and saltwater tackle. The packaging is different, the colors are different, even the terminal tackle is different. Anglers fishing for bass, crappie, striped bass, and other freshwater quarry are usually in one aisle, while fisherman who chase a saltier variety of critter are on another, and never do the twain meet. The fact is freshwater anglers are missing out on some very effective tools by eschewing the briny stuff. “There’s no reason why some of these saltwater lures wouldn’t work in a lake for (freshwater species),” said Montemayor. “If they catch trout, redfish and flounder, they’ll catch a bass.” Montemayor pointed out that a great 50 |

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sportsman’s daybook • Tides & Prime Times | by TF&G staff

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

87 88 90

texas tasted • Speckled Trout Almandine | by bryan slaven OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Guides, Gear and More | by TF&G staff tf&g Photos • Your Action Photos | by TF&G readers

by mike price

mac gable

calixto gonzales

knighten

Without any other options left to us, we tied them and sent them down. Sean mimicked the spastic up-and-down retrieve that I was using, and then lowered the rod tip to let the bait drop back down. It never made it to the bottom because a stout 4-pound bass zapped it. Sean was left to net his own fish, because I was hooked up to his fish’s twin.

many saltwater lures are simply sturdier versions of popular freshwater lures. Some actually mimic physically similar species. “Take a look at the shad and menhaden (pogy),” he said. “At a glance, they look a lot alike. They have the same shape and same colors. Now look at the lures that are made to imitate them, the Sassy Shad and the (Gulp!) Pogy. There isn’t much difference between the two. Why wouldn’t (the Pogy) work in fresh water?” Montemayor’s point is clear. There is little difference in design of several fresh water and comparable saltwater lures. For example, freshwater and saltwater topwaters such as the Heddon Super Spook or Rapala Skitterwalk are essentially the same plugs. Both versions are walk-the-dog lures with internal rattle chambers and are very effective for their respective species. The only real discernable differences are in hardware. Saltwater jigs and plugs come equipped with sturdier hooks that don’t corrode or break down as quickly in saltwater as the lighter wire hooks found on freshwater tackle.

Creative Alternatives

www.FishGame.com water, but viable alternatives. Deepwater jigs such as the Shimano Butterfly jig or bomber Saltwater Grade are an excellent deepwater option that at first blush appear similar to the slab spoons long popular for deep suspending bass, but are wholly different. These jigs offer an erratic darting action that is unique to their design. In situations where bass and stripers are suspended down deep but no deep enough that traditional jigs or worms can be effectively fished. As in the case with Sean and me, fishing vertically over the school and using the recommended reel-like-mad-and-jig retrieve through the school, then dropping the jig back through the school, can draw some jarring reaction strikes. Twitchbaits, which are very popular on the Texas Coast from Beaumont to Boca Chica, also have a place in fresh water. Much like popular “slash baits” such as the Rapala X-Rap and classic suspending plugs in the Rattlin’ Rogue design, twitch such as the Mirr-O-Lure Catch 2000 or Mirrodine are suspending or slow-sinking lures that hold in the middle of a water column and present a target for finicky predators. Unlike the spastic action of the X-Rap or

Still, some saltwater lures offer designs and techniques that may be novel to fresh-

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Texas Boating by Lenny Rudow | TF&G Boating Editor

Making Your Fishboat a Little Less Fishy

few months back, we bemoaned the fact that so many of today’s “fishboats” have become what amounts to a bunch of neutered sissy boats. They’re designed to please cruisers as much as chummers. They’re better for sunbathing than spear fishing. They’ll please wimps over warriors. Now, let’s look at the opposite end of the equation. Many of us who have die-hard fishboats also have wives and kids who we want to take fishing, but we may lack the creature comforts needed to entice them onto the boat. And the truth of the matter is, many of us got into fishing and boating as a family activity in the first place. So if you chose a fishaholic’s dream-machine when you purchased your boat, the only way to get the rest of the family aboard may be to

intentionally de-hardcore it. Most serious fishboats are center consoles, and the number-one item you’ll usually need to add to a boat to make it family-friendly is a head. Luckily, most center consoles 20’ and up have head compartments inside the console. All you’ll have to do is shuffle the tackleboxes around a bit to make some room, then buy and mount a portable MSD inside of it. But some family members will still feel a center console is unacceptable because of the lack of a cabin. Though this may seem like an insurmountable problem, it isn’t—you can have a “bow dodger” custom-made for your boat. These canvass tents fold up and down like Bimini tops, and snap down or slide into tracks along the bow and sides, to form a mini-cabin. They offer protection from the

sun and rain, although in a drenching downpour or rough seas, cheap versions may do poor job of keeping out the moisture. Bow dodgers can be also be a bit expensive, since they need to be custom-made for individual boats. Expect to spend between $1,500 and $2,500 to have a bow dodger made for a 20’ to 24’ fishing boat. (Note: the ones with tracks are usually more expensive, but are drier inside). If that expenditure gets your family out with you, however, it’s obviously well worth the price. And when it’s time to fish seriously, all you have to do it fold it up and it’s out of the way. Another big complaint that’s often registered about fishboats is a lack of comfortable seating. Many hard-core fishboats have a leaning post at the helm and that’s it. Luckily, adding seats isn’t as tough as it sounds. Jump seats that slide into mounts— so they can be removed when you go fishing with the guys—will fit against the transom of virtually any boat. A Garelick Gunwale/ Utility seat, for example, goes for a few hundred bucks and mounts to virtually any flush surface, allowing you to add as many

cover story: Switch-Hitting for bass t CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 the mechanical wiggle of the Rogue, twitch baits have a more subtle wiggle when fished slowly (the “twitch-twitch-pause” retrieve you hear so much about). Twitch baits also have an interesting finishing wobble when the retrieve is stopped which can draw a fish’s attention, and sometimes a strike. The wobble is especially pronounced when using a loop knot to fasten the lure to line. Twitchbaits are also smaller than the more popular sizes of slashbaits, which can be the finishing touch for a snotty bass to strike.

Lures of a Different Color

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available as opposed to freshwater versions. Montemayor pointed out that there are some colors in saltwater that are simply not available in freshwater lures. LSU, for example, which is a dark purple body with a yellow tail (not chartreuse, as many believe) is a pattern unique to the coast, as is Chicken on a Chain, Morning Glory and even a relatively pedestrian scheme as red/ white. “Take a look at off-colored water in a lake and compare it to off-colored water in the Laguna Madre,” said Montemayor. “Tell me that lures that work in low visibility conditions in salt water won’t work in the same conditions in fresh water.” There really is no argument. Fish don’t have the ability to think and reason

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as humans do, although some frustrated fishermen will argue that point. They will not eschew a lure after glancing and thinking, “Hey! That is a pinfish pattern. They don’t live in lakes!” They operate on instinct. If it looks edible, they eat. Adding saltwater lures to a tacklebox may not necessarily ensure an angler’s success. There are still several factors that play into the equation, but it does offer a greater variety of options and resource to tap into, which could increase the likelihood of success. Besides, it gives you a great excuse to explore an entirely new aisle in your tackle shop!

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Texas Boating jump seats as you’d like to both the transom and sides of the cockpit. You want a quicker, cheaper alternative? No problem, simply toss a beanbag chair into the cockpit. These are amazingly comfortable on boats, though you should get beanies made from marine vinyl, which are saltwater resistant. Some brands (check out E-Sea Riders) are even shaped to fit different deck and gunwale styles. If your boat has a T-top, carry a few extra bungee cords on the boat, and when it’s time to fish, strap those bean bags out of the way, on top of the top. Another simple seating option is adding cooler seats. Added bonus, you get another cooler out of the deal. But beware, the mass-produced variety fares poorly over time and you can only expect to get a season or two out of the ones marketed by those big-name cooler companies, because the straps and snaps are weak and they regularly break or rip off. Your wife or daughter wishes the boat had one of those nice big tanning beds? You may not be able to add one to your fishboat, but an inflatable raft or air mattress laid across the casting deck is a pretty good substitute. When play time is over, you can simply deflate it and cram it into a stowage compartment.

If you have a babe in arms or very young toddlers, also consider bringing a car seat aboard. One down-side to hard, uncarpeted non-skid fiberglass decks is that it hurts to fall on them, and car seats give your child a safe spot to ride in. Those same ratcheting transom tie-downs you use to secure your boat to the trailer are perfect for securing the kiddie seats to a pedestal seat or to a leaning post with a backrest. Now let’s say you’ve family-friendlied your boat, and the fish aren’t biting fast enough or the weather outside the inlet is too rough for everyone. There is still a ton of slightly untraditional ways to enjoy time spent on the water with the family. You’re not sure what you’ll do? Here are a few ideas: 1. Go Geocaching. People set up “caches,” which are watertight boxes or bags with a log book and a trinket or two inside, all over the place. The idea is to find the cashe, sign the log, and take one trinket while leaving another. GPS coordinates for cashes are published on the internet, at www.geocashing.com. Most geocashing takes place on land, but there are lots of cashes accessible by boat and in

some cases, by boat only. Find coordinates for those near you or set up your own cashe and register it at the web site; kids love the “adventure.” 2. Set up a hands-on aquarium in your livewell. Drop the kids on a beach with a dip net and a bucket let them collect critters for the “aquarium,” then fill it up with their catch. With younger children, you can simply purchase a dozen minnow at the tackle shop or marina and drop them in. The kids will spend hours watching the minnow swim, trying to grab them with their bare hands, and playing in the water. 3. Have a water war. Your fishboat is already fully armed—simply think of your raw water washdown as the onboard water cannon. Hand the kids a couple of Super Soakers, drop them off on the beach, and stage an amphibious assault. 4. Enjoy some watersports. Wakeboarding, water skiing, and swimming are all things that get kids excited, even those hard-to-please teenagers. Even though your boat was designed for fishing it surely has a pair of tow-eyes on the transom (just about every boat does) so all you need now is a tow rope, a tow toy, and some gas in the tank. 5. Find a local boat parade and join in. What’s better than watching a fleet of decorated boats go by? Being in one of them—and plenty of towns, marinas, and clubs have annual boat parades. (Just Google “boat parades,” and you’ll be shocked at how many pop up.) The artsy members of the family will enjoy designing your boat’s light display and decorations, while those who are more mechanicallyinclined can help build them. E-mail Lenny Rudow at LRudow@fishgame.com Get more boating tips in LENNY RUDOW’s Texas Boating Blog at www.Fishgame.com/blogs

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Texas Kayaking by Greg Berlocher | TF&G Kayaking Editor

n casual conversation I often hear people refer to the Law of Averages. The concept suggests that peaks and valleys flatten out over time. For instance, if a friend is having a lot of luck with his rod and reel, he or she will soon suffer a few “water hauls” to even things out. Lots of folks subscribe to this theory. One must be careful when relying on averaged data, or as I call it The Flaw of Averages. February is a great month to illustrate the dangers on factoring too much math into your game plans. With the exception of family birthdays, February is a miserable month for me. Biting cold fronts rake across Texas, making outdoor activities unpleasant on most days. I spend the majority of the month huddled inside, sulking and longing for a change in the seasons. I really dislike February. The average temperature in Dallas is 41 degrees F while in Houston the average is 49 degrees F. When you break down the month on a daily basis you see significant variances between the hottest and coldest days, but throw all the temperatures all into a mathematical formula and the output is in the 40 degree range. The water temperatures can be just as deceiving. If you look online, you can find the water temperature of practically all of our major reservoirs and bays. While water temperatures are measured with scientific grade thermometers, there is usually one, or perhaps a handful of official measurement points for a reservoir. You can glean additional data from your favorite marina or guide’s website but, in reality, we base some of our decisions based on deceptive data.

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With the exception of family birthdays, February is a miserable month for me.

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The Flaw of Averages

water temperatures vary on any given day, sometimes greatly. There are a multitude of factors that cause water temperatures to vary, including; water depth, sunlight, cloud cover, wind, current, rainfall, aquatic springs, bottom coloration, turbidity, aquatic vegetation, wave action, bridge pilings, and rocky shorelines. Fish are cold blooded creatures and will seek out the warmest water available. Kayak anglers, due to their limited range, should be keenly aware of this and seek out launch spots which are closest to areas holding the warmest water. Although a 2-degree difference doesn’t sound like much, it is significant to black bass and speckled trout, not to mention the baitfish they feed on. In lakes and reservoirs, sunny, protected shorelines will hold the warmest water. The longer the sun shines the better, and afternoon fishing is more productive, not to mention more comfortable. In our bays, shin-deep water warms up quickly under bluebird skies after a passing front. Look for apex predators to slide up into the shallows to enjoy the warm water. Trout and redfish also seek out dark, muddy bottoms, which soak up the sun’s rays rather than reflect them, as a bright sand bottom does. When you land a wintertime speckled trout and they have a red and raw belly, you

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can bet they were nestled down in the mud just like it was a down comforter. The best way to consistently find fish during the winter months is to locate the warmest water but most fishermen I know, including some pretty well known anglers, don’t have a water temperature gauge. Every serious winter fisherman should have a way to gauge the water temperature where they are fishing, be it a thermometer or integrated temperature probe for their depth finder. If you are a minimalist kayaker, a quickread digital thermometer can be tucked in a shirt pocket and will only set you back 15 bucks. If you can buy an optional temperature probe for your depth finder, make the investment. Keep in mind that fish will seek out the coolest water during our brutal summers. Once you start sampling water temperatures it becomes ingrained in your system. Catch a fish, mark the water temperature. I keep an eye on the temperature as I paddle down a shoreline to see if there are any variations. I enter interesting anomalies in my log to help me identify patterns for next season. Conversely, I also note the coldest water temperatures and will check these spots out during the summer to see if they are still the coldest. Since my range is limited to the number of paddle strokes I am willing to expend rather than the horsepower on my transom, measured water temperature helps me put together the best game plan I can. Water temperatures vary greatly in bodies of water. Find the warmest water to fish this month and you will significantly improve your chances of catching. Don’t rely strictly on the reported water temperatures or you may succumb to the Flaw of Averages.

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Paul’s Tips

White Hot February Fishing

t’s no secret that most outdoorsmen aren’t big fans of February. For those who have spent the last five months chasing deer and ducks, February is a time to take a break from the woods and work on that honey-do list you’ve been ignoring. February is a time for anglers to hit boat shows and dream about a brand new rig because it’s too cold to go blasting

around a lake looking for bass. However, if you don’t mind getting a little cold and can sneak out of the house for a few hours without the wife noticing, February can be a great month to catch a lot of fish. While they may not be huge or glamorous, white bass start running up rivers in February and can be the hottest action of the year in one of the coldest months. Fishing for white bass (sand bass) that are running up a river to spawn is pretty much a straight forward proposition. This time of year they are moving in schools and gorging themselves on baitfish so you’re not really having to outsmart them too much with realistic baits. Sand bass will hit just about anything that even resembles a shad. So in order to catch a lot of fish, you should worry less about putting life-like baits in front of them and direct your efforts towards putting a lot of baits in front of them to increase your odds of hook-ups. Throwing multiple baits usually means using multiple rods but since it takes a lot of 56 |

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talent to cast and reel two rods at the same time, we’ll look at how to put two baits on the same rod. The easiest way to rig up multiple baits is to use a three way swivel. Tie your main line to one of the eyes on the swivel. To one of the remaining eyes tie on a leader about 18 inches long. To the final eye tie on a shorter leader about nine inches long. For your leaders, use a monofilament that is slightly weaker than your main line. For example, if using a 10 pound main line you should use six pound leader material. The reason for this is one of your baits gets snagged you can pull until it breaks and you will only lose one bait and not your entire rig.

reeling. On the shorter leader tie on a small 1/32 or 1/64th ounce jig head dressed with a white curly tail grub or Panfish Assasin. Don’t be surprised when reeling in if you have a white bass hanging on each bait. If the sand bass aren’t hitting the spinner, you can replace it with a small crankbait, hard plastic jerkbait or even another jig with a curly tailed grub. The point is to get creative and try a lot of different baits to see what is working best that day. Don’t have any three way swivels? No problem. You can still tie on multiple baits. About 18 inches from the end of your main line tie on a 1/64th ounce jig head using a Palomar knot, leaving a long tag end coming out of the knot. Tie on a slightly larger 1/32nd or 1/16th ounce jig head to this tag end. The heavier jig being at the end of the

illistration by paul bradshaw

by Paul Bradshaw | TF&G Contributing Editor

line will help your casting accuracy. On the 1/64th ounce head, put a Panfish Assassin, and on the larger jig at the end of the line slide on a curly tailed grub. When white bass start running up rivers, the action can be fast and furious. By adding multiple baits to your line, you increase the odds of catching one of these scrappy little fish on every cast. What you tie on the ends of the leaders is up to you but one of the most popular white bass baits of all time is the RoadRunner. While most anglers, me included, have used these for years, there are a lot of small spinners on the market that will work just as well. I’ve recently been using the Mini Wedge Runner spinner bait from Stanley to catch everything that swims and plan to see how many white bass it takes to wear one out this year. If you are going to use a small spinner bait, tie it onto the longer leader so the spinner doesn’t grab the leader while

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E-mail Paul Bradshaw at PBradshaw@fishgame.com

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Texas Guns by Steve LaMascus | TF&G Shooting Editor

Care and Feeding of the Lowly .22 Rimfire

few years ago I read an article (it could have been in a book) by Craig Boddington in which he stated that one of his previous editors, when interviewing prospective writers, asked if they owned any .22 rifles. If the answer was no, that was the end of the interview and the writer went away to look for work elsewhere, the premise being that a gun writer who did not own a .22 rifle was

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no gun writer. I firmly believe that to be true. The .22 is so fundamental to the sport that it is one of those things that is just plain indispensable. Most of us started out with a .22 rifle (not including BB guns and pellet rifles) and those of us who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t should have. The .22 is the greatest teacher of shooting ability that has ever been invented. I firmly believe that the various law enforcement agencies

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are missing the boat by not starting their new recruits on .22 rimfire handguns rather than full-power duty weapons. Even today, after more than 50 years of hunting and shooting, I shoot far more .22 long rifle ammunition than I do all the other calibers combined. I have found that by doing so I keep myself in the finest fettle for shooting the big guns, and the cost is a mere pittance. My pet of pets is an old and abused (not by me) Winchester Model 75. It once belonged to a 4-H shooting club. When I first saw it, it had a broken stock and trigger, the magazine was missing, and for years the gun just lay in pieces in the gun box. When my daughters grew too old to compete in 4-H, I offered the club a nice Marlin target rifle for the broken Winchester and they gladly accepted. My father fixed the stock, I got a new trigger and magazine from Numrich Arms, and soon the old gun was shooting again. I took the match sights off the gun and mounted a 4X Weaver scope on it. Today it shoots about as well as it ever did. I expect it has had in excess of 25,000 rounds run through it, which demonstrates the fact that it is almost impossible to wear out the barrel of a .22, if it has been properly cared for. My Grandpa LaMascus always told me not to dry-fire a .22 rimfire. He said that the firing pin would impact the rear of the barrel, peening it, and would eventually ruin the firing pin or cause misfires. In most cases today that is not the case, but it still does happen. Not long ago I was testing the little Browning 1911 .22. After I fired it enough to find out what I wanted to know, I got out my trigger pull gauge and began testing the trigger pull. After dry-firing the gun about a dozen times I loaded it back up and tried to fire it. It would not feed. It had me stumped for a while, but I finally realized that the problem was exactly what Grandpa had warned me about. The firing pin had peened the back of the barrel and caused a bit of the metal to intrude into the rear of the chamber. The lead of the bullet was catching A L M A N A C

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on the little piece of steel and not entering the chamber. Today, as I write this, I was cleaning my Browning Buck Mark .22 after a range session. I field stripped the gun and when I cleaned the gunk off the back of the barrel I noticed a bright, shiny mark in the 12:00 position at the top of the chamber. Once again the firing pin was impacting the back of the barrel. This has not caused a problem, yet, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be verrrry careful about dry-firing this particular .22. This is one of a very short list of things peculiar to a .22 rimfire. Mostly they are amazingly easy to keep in working order. Cleaning a .22 is a breeze. My Grandpa, again, used to clean his with a bit of rag tied to the end of a piece of fishing line (the old braided type). He trimmed the rag to a size that was a tight fit through the .22s bore, and then crimped a split-shot of the appropriate size to the other end. When he cleaned his .22, he would simply put a bit of 3-in-One oil on the rag, drop the split shot through the barrel, pull the rag through by the fishing line

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and he was through. This old trick still works today, but there are much better ways to do it. Using a cleaning rod, brush, and jag, with the right size patches, and using better solvents and lubricants, like Hoppe’s Number 9, does a much better job. Before you begin to field strip your gun for cleaning, make very certain you know what you are doing. Some guns, like the Ruger semi-automatic .22 pistols, are very easy to take apart and danged near impossible to get back together, unless you know the tricks. The same is true of the old Remington Model 66 semi-auto rifles. If, however, you have a gun that has no hidden traps, and if you know how to field strip it, that is the proper way to clean a gun. Grit and grime get into the most inaccessible places and you can’t get a gun really clean without field stripping. I almost never take a gun down to its component parts, but I do strip it down enough to clean and oil it in the places where it needs it. On the bearing surfaces, like where the slide rides on the rails, use a good grade of gun grease. In other areas use a high-grade

gun oil. Word of warning: There are products out there that are commonly used on guns that will turn to gum after a period of time. This will not happen if you use products made specifically for guns. I have learned to trust the cleaning products marketed by Birchwood Casey. Old Hoppe’s Number 9 is as good as any solvent for cleaning .22s, and Barricade will keep them rust free. Last, ammunition cost for a .22 long rifle is a small fraction of that of your deer rifle. A box of 550 rounds of .22 long rifle hollow points currently costs about $20. Current cost of a standard box of .30-06 ammo is about, you guessed it, $20, more if you want the premium ammunition. A full-sized .22 rifle, with a good scope, will let you practice for deer season for, literally, pennies on the dollar. Take care of your .22, clean it when it is dirty, oil it when it is dry, and it will shoot practically forever. And if you don’t have a .22, well, go get one. E-mail Steve LaMascus at SLamascus@fishgame.com

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P-Line CX Premium Where did the P go? You might be asking yourself that very question if you’ve spooled up with P-line. I filled up a reel with P-Line’s CX Premium Moss Green and found that, as advertised, this stuff seems to disappear where it hits the water. The trick to CX Premium Moss’s ability to turn nearly invisible in the water is a fluorocarbon-silicon coating. Underneath

clear fluorescent version for clearer waters. And for anglers who like to keep an eye on their lines and add a top-shot of flouro to the end of a high-vis spool, they have HiVis Flourescent Green. CX Premium is available in two to 30 pound test, in spool sizes that can fill your reel, or in larger bulk sizes. For more information, check out www.pline.com.

Feel the Power From the other end of the spectrum, when it comes to fishing line, standard Spectra fiber braid is a top choice among lure anglers. Its no-stretch characteristics give it sensitivity that can’t be beat, and a hook-setting power that can’t be matched. So, why mess with success? Power Pro thought of a way to make it even better, with Super 8 Slick. This stuff is an eightyarn line which is braided under high tension that gives it a smoother finish, eliminating the rope-like feel some braids have. The slicker surface also means you get a reduction in friction, boosting casting

distances and enabling more line to fit on the spool. Added bonus: It also makes less noise as it passes through rod guides. Power Pro calls their line construction “Enhanced Body Technology,” or EBT, which sounds to me like marketing talk. So let’s cut through it. The real desire here is to make a smoother, rounder braid. Not only does a rounder line give you more of the advantages mentioned earlier, it can also help cut down on wind knots, it’s easier to tie in actual knots, and it has less of the band-saw effect that can cut into guide-liners and (ouch!) your skin. The use of thinner fibers wound tighter, is what gets the job done. This construction also cuts down on one of the biggest problems with braids, friction resistance that goes to heck, when the line begins to fray. Because the surface of the line is smoother, it doesn’t seem to have as many uneven surface areas to snag on obstructions. As a result, it doesn’t fray nearly as easily or nearly as often. In fact, Power Pro claims a 50-percent increase in abrasion-resistance over traditional braids.

Pho9tos: P-Line; Power Pro

Texas Tested

P-Line CX Premium

the coating, the monofilament line gets a backbone created from a copolymer core. But the coating also gives the line some characteristics that make it easier to hook and fight fish. It forms a water barrier around the line, preventing absorption, so cold weather and wind doesn’t have as much of an effect on the line as it does on regular monofilaments. Plus, the line stretches about 30-percent less than some monos, so both hook-setting and sensitivity get a boost. Castability was good and the line proved its abrasion resistance when I hooked a fish under a pier and had to drag it out across a barnacle-covered piling. In my neck of the woods, where most of the waters we fish are a murky or tannic color, Moss Green is the natural choice. But P-Line also makes CX Premium in a 60 |

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Power Pro Super 8 Slick

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Image: Power Pole

Super 8 Slick is available in four colors: marine blue, timber brown, aqua green, and hi-vis yellow. It comes in eight different sizes, including 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 65, and 80 pound tests, and can be purchased in 150 yard, 300 yard, and bulk spools. To find out more, go to www. powerpro.com.

Do You Get My Drift? It’s not an overstatement to say that the Power Pole revolutionized the way anglers anchor their boats—at least, competitive anglers in relatively shallow water. Power poles, which lower at the press of a button, stick into the bottom to hold your boat in place while you cast. They’re easier, faster, cleaner, and more accurately deployed than traditional anchors, and if you want to keep your boat in the same spot while fishing, they can’t be beat. But now, Power Pole has come out with a new attachment that can also help you catch more fish when you’re on the drift: Drift Paddles.

These paddle-shaped attachments mount to the lower half of your Power Pole, and turn it into a drift sock. By lowering the Drift Paddle, you can slow your drift by as much as half the speed, direct it to keep the boat parallel to the shore as you cast, or get it tracking properly as you blow down a shoreline. They have seven quickchange locking positions, a tapered design, and are made of a tough, flexible polymer. All hardware is made of marine-grade anodized aluminum, stainless-steel and bronze. They’re compatible with both eight and 10 foot Power Pole models. And yes, you can still use the Power Pole to anchor when the Drift Paddles are installed. Maybe it shouldn’t come as any surprise, but the Drift Paddles essentially replace your drift sock with the exact same improvements that the Power Pole provides over an anchor. Drift socks are time consuming to deploy and retrieve. The Drift Paddles are not. Drift socks are messy (or at least wet and then they grow mold). Drift Paddles are not. Drift socks cause a commotion that can spook the fish; Drift Paddles do not—and so on. If you have a Power Pole installed on your boat

and you take your fishing seriously, these provide one more way for you to get a leg up on the competition. And, just what did the experts in the fishing community think when the Drift Paddle was introduced? They gave it a 2012 ICAST award for best boating accessory in the show. Watch Power Pole’s video, at www. power-pole.com.

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Hotspots Focus: Upper Coast

by Capt. Eddie Hernandez

ots of anglers are waiting patiently, or at least as patiently as possible for the more than welcome consistent warm temperatures that will begin to prevail in the not too distant future. I can’t say that I blame them either because even though we fish in just about anything Mother Nature brings to the table, if I had my druthers, I’d much rather be out there in somewhat tolerable conditions. I’d be willing to bet that the majority of the people feel the same way. The reality of it though, is that it is February and we’ve pretty much got to make the most of what is

“ The good news is that there are fish to be caught.

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February Fishing on Sabine

given us if we want to catch fish. The good news is that there are fish to be caught, even on some of the coldest days. Although limits of speckled trout are not unheard of on Sabine Lake in February, it’s still more the exception rather than the rule. I was however, recently reminded by one of my favorite fishing partners, former Bassin Gal, Mrs. JK Toler, that February is Prime time for catching both quality and quantity while making long drifts off the Louisiana shoreline in whitecaps. Both she

and I have on numerous occasions done exactly that. This is one of those right place at the right time scenarios, but it is good often enough that it’s definitely worth a shot. In fact, I devoted an entire column to this subject in a February article a few years back. The winning combination for us has been 20 plus mph SSE wind, high tide and green water. Making long drifts, from the bank to about 5 1/2 feet deep will ensure that you are in the zone if the fish are in a cooperative mood. Use a drift sock or two to slow the boat down a bit and stay with the fish for a few more casts. Paddle tailed assassins in red shad limetruse and glow/ charetruse are definitely hard to beat when rigged on a 1/4 oz. lead head. If this isn’t working for you, there are other options that will put supper on the table. Deep holes and channels will hold fish when there’s a chill in the air. The slight variance in water temps will hold the fish and you should have little problem getting the pole bent. If you can get your hands on some live shrimp, use it. Use your sonar to locate drop offs and guts and fish with live or dead shrimp, mud minnows, or cut bait. You should have little problem throwing a few drum, whiting, croaker and maybe a bonus flounder or two in the ice chest.

the bank bite Location: Mesquite Point Species: Whiting, drum, croaker Baits/Lures: Mud minnows, live shrimp Best Times: Early and late

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Hotspots Focus: Galveston

by Capt. Mike Holmes

You Really Can’t Go Back!

he thing winter on the Texas coast is best for is driving around during those really low tides and checking out fishing spots that are mostly or partially exposed by low water. This can be done by boat from deeper channels, or by shore bound vehicles from roads, bridges, or the beach. What you are looking for are deeper holes, upwards bottom relief in the form of ridges or rocks and other obstructions, and shallow channels cut in the bottom that offer just a tiny bit more protection for a fish that feels nervous in shallow water. If shell patches or reefs show, so much the better – but a piece of soft mud bottom is good to know the whereabouts of as well. We are trying to find spots where bait species will seek shelter and predator species will come for the bait. Of course, it helps to have some knowledge of what each spot will look like on a normal tide, but you can just wait and get that information in the spring while working it for fish! A recent trip to Galveston helped to remind me that the Texas coast is always changing for a variety of reasons and no fisherman should expect to find the same conditions in a spot he visits only during the warmer months as when he last left it in early fall. The road between Surfside and San Luis Pass was nearly washed out by storm tides in recent years but is being rebuilt and strengthened. The Pass itself is constantly changing and looks nothing like it did when I used to run offshore through there. Along the Galveston seawall, even though the new Pleasure Pier will be getting most of the attention, I was frankly T F & G

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more excited to see the fishing piers back in business. They don’t extend as far over the water as before Ike, but they are open and helping fishermen get to deeper water than they could wade to. What disturbed me was the development on West Beach, near the Galveston side of the Pass. I once spent all my off hours surf fishing this area for bull reds, sharks, jacks, stingrays, and sometimes tarpon. It was a wonderful and fishy environment, and I have a lot of memories of days – and nights – spent on that beach. Now it is all built up with large, expensive condos, beach access is limited, and most of the appeal would be gone, anyway. If I am honest, I’m not really a fan of progress when it means taking away the wild places. I started fishing that beach not long after the Pass bridge went in, when pretty much no one but fishermen and shrimpers were around. Keeping with this mood, I was reminded in August of the days when I was on the Yamaha guide program for a short while.

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I had an old 24 foot deep vee hull cuddy cabin boat that was heavy – over 5,000 pounds – and designed for stern drive power with a Chevy V-8. As soon as I could afford it, I took the motor out, pulled the outdrive, and reconfigured it for an outboard on an Armstrong bracket. Not only did I double the cockpit space, but the balance was much better, and top speed went from maybe 25 mph to about 37, with less fuel burn if I could be conservative on the throttle. When I wore out that first 220+ hp engine, I replaced it with a new 250 – also a Yamaha – and pushed the top speed to over 50 mph. On the guide program, most manufactures encourage their sponsored guides to change motors every year. This way they are always displaying the newest of the new. Since the guide gets a significant discount, he can sell the previous year’s engine for an attractive price and still come out with extra folding money in his pocket.

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Hotspots Focus: Matagorda

by Mike Price

Hunting February Specks

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ebruary is when large trout are over shell on the north side of East Matagorda Bay,” said former guide and longtime Matagorda fisherman, Eddie Vacek. Eddie likes to drift fish over North Shore, Chinquapin, and Bird Island reefs using soft plastics or Gulp. February is also when brown shrimp move from the marshes to the bays to feed and grow, prior to migrating offshore in the summer. Shrimp in the bays trigger attacks from below by trout and redfish, and from above by birds. Vacek and I were drifting in East Matagorda Bay when we spotted birds sitting on the water. One of them got up and hovered just above the water’s surface. This caused the other ten or so birds to jump up and start diving and snatching shrimp. Vacek said, “You see where they are hitting the water? That’s where the fish are.” And when we landed our lures close to the action, they were taken by speckled trout.

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I took Owen Williams, my brother-inlaw and a well-known wildlife artist from Britain, kayak fishing in East Matagorda Bay in February and he found out that you have to move with the birds. After returning to the UK, Owen wrote, “Mike had advised me that the key to fishing for redfish and speckled trout in the bays was to keep an eye open for bird activity. I scanned the horizon for birds. To the north was a group of about twenty gulls on the water a mile away, so I headed off to check them out. As I neared the gulls, I noticed a few were feeding. They were joined by several Caspian terns that were diving for food. A tern was diving within casting distance, which set a target. I let the pumpkinseed/chartreuse Bass Assassin sink for a second and then started the slow retrieve. The line went tight. I was into my first ever speckled trout, not a large one but big enough to keep. The very next cast the rod tip bent with a force that suggested a keeper redfish. After a good tussle, the 24-incher was netted and placed on the stringer. After several fruitless casts, I looked around and noticed that the birds had moved. A pair of terns was noisily diving about 40 yards away, so I pulled in the anchor and set off towards them. As sure as clockwork, this move paid off with the first cast connecting with another trout. I now realized that I had to keep up with the birds,

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and so paddled to follow them. My 45 minutes of action had been a great lesson in the technique of fishing the birds. As I paddled back to meet up with Mike, I glowed with the knowledge that I had just cracked the code and had been richly rewarded. The water temperature in East and West Matagorda Bays usually varies between 54 and 64°F in February. This causes algae to drop out of the water, which then becomes extremely clear. If you can see a fish through the water, the fish can see you as well, so it is best to cast your lures long distances. It is also best to wait until later in the day to go fishing to allow the water to warm up. Airport Lake on the west side of West Matagorda Bay is a favorite feeding spot for redfish in the cooler months. Lake Austin, north of Chinquapin and East Matagorda Bay is another good choice for redfish in the winter months. I was talking with Matagorda guide, Ken Marshall, just after a serious cold front lowered the water temperature in the bay East Matagorda Bay and he told me he was going fishing. He said when conditions were like that, and he has a day off, he likes to wade for big trout. Not everyone likes to slog around in the mud on the southeast side of East Matagorda Bay in the cold water. You don’t get very many strikes, but when

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Galveston focus a fish hits, it is usually a trout well over 20 inches. Top water lures like the large Top Dog 94MR from MirrOlure, and slow sinking lures like MirrOlure’s Paul Brown Original are favorites of serious wintertime waders.

the bank bite Location: The Intracoastal Waterway at Little Boggy Bayou east of the town of Matagorda. Species: Redfish Best baits: Live shrimp, dead shrimp Best time: On a strong outgoing tide Contact Mike Price at MPrice@fishgame.com

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t CONTINUED FROM PAGE 63 Because I fished offshore, and because of the quality of the motors, I did not want to change every year, and was petitioning Phil Dyska of Yamaha to make me a special deal whereby I got to keep mine longer. At this point, Mike Walker of The Walker Agency in Arizona, who handled Yamaha’s PR back then, suggested I switch to the writer’s program, which did not require a turn-a-round, and actually offered a deeper discount. This worked out well for me, and I honestly believe I sold quite a few motors for Yamaha. At the time of his death on August 16, Mike was president of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, and in days past he talked me into joining both the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and Boating Writer’s International. He was one of my best friends in the business, although I hadn’t seen him in a few years, and he will be missed as a true gentleman.

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the bank bite Location: As with last month, find a patch of warmer water, which is usually a deeper hole, but could be a shallow flat after a series of warm, sunny days – which do occur in Texas in February. Species: Big black drum will be moving in from the Gulf, along the jetties and sometimes in the surf. Best Baits: Crab quarters on circle hooks are the best, but large shrimp and cut mullet will also work. Best Times: Usually when it is cold, wet, and windy. It IS February, after all!

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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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Hotspots Focus: Rockport

by Capt. Mac Gable

Inadequate Etiquitte

he cold of the month of February just seems to creep into my bones. Maybe I’ve slowed down as I’ve gotten older or maybe here in God’s country the lack of activity just allows the cold weather to slow us all down. Maybe I’m set in my ways but with this month being my birthday, I tend to reflect back on my years, my life and try to learn from my experiences and my mistakes. As I look back on last year’s fishing season, two things seem jump out at me; one, I fished more last year than in previous years and, two, our little corner of the world seems to be getting more crowded. I guess these two go hand in hand and one needs simply to drive on any major highway these days to see just how crowded things are getting. This has flowed over into our favorite fishing spots as well. Numerous people have stated to me that Rockport just ain’t what it used to be and is just flat getting too crowded, either living there or visiting. I have to admit that our little boat ramp on St. Charles Bay is no exception to the crowded rule. More boats, more trailers, more diesel trucks, more trash, more noise, more drinking, more cigarette butts and more short tempered people all trying to get their piece of paradise even if for just two days. This past year I did, in truth, have more close encounters of the rude kind than ever before. My clients and I watched in amazement as anglers in boats ran over our fishing line, or moved in so close to my Haynie that a short throw line is all they needed to tie off to my boat. On Saturdays I’ve actually had to ask my clients that were slaying fish to put their rods down so approaching boats would not move in on us spooking the reds we were catching.

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One guy would launch his boat and wait for me to head out then follow me all day, often ruining fishing spots and the whole fishing experience for my clients. One for the books is a guy actually cast a heavy sinker into my boat so he could QUIETLY pull he and his boat next to mine. When I asked him what planet he was from he simply said “Well, I knew you were catching fish and I wanted to tie up to you without running the motor and spooking the fish”. Yet another guy (notice it’s always men) actually swam from his boat to mine to get in on some catching action. Needless to say he had a long swim back. Yet another shut his boat down a few hundred yards behind my Haynie and after what seemed about an hour started waving an orange distress flag. I in turn responded by telling my clients it was the right thing to do and I was obligated to assist as a merchant mariner. On approaching the distressed boat the guy said his motor wouldn’t start so I had him go through the normal checklist and three minutes later he hit the switch and the Yamahammer (Yamaha) started right up. He looked at me and said “Hey, what do you know” then proceeded to move in on the exact spot I had just left to render help. Just one more. Three guide boats were fishing a reef in close proximity to one another with one of the guides (being a newbie) and just happened to get a little too close to an old salt’s guide boat. The old salt proclaimed “anybody that would do that was lower than a snake’s belly”. An exchange of colorful metaphors ensued the result of which was one guide jumping off his boat into the other guide’s boat. A saltwater heavyweight bout was under way with both tumbling into the water throwing punches, spitting water; all the while both their boats with clients on board were drifting away to parts unknown. My clients put their rods down grabbed a Coke and said “catching fishing and a good

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fight, all we need now is some popcorn to make it all complete”. You can’t make this stuff up! One thing to note about fishing guides: Most are good people that care about their clients and do the very best possible to catch fish, but we guides don’t own the water, we don’t own the boat ramps, we don’t own the parking lots and we don’t own the bait stands even though there are a select few that seem to think that way and act accordingly. Truth is most guides, me included, are so familiar with our line of work that it’s second nature to us and we tend to forget that others aren’t nearly as familiar as we are and when having a bad day can get, well, testy. The root because, I believe, I mean the real issue is, well, no one else wants to say it so I will be the sacrificial lamb: There are just too many people on this planet and guess what, in ain’t getting any better! Point in fact to a 2010 study- roughly 7 billion people now inhabit this planet. Two hundred sixty-seven are born every minute, of that, 108 die, netting 159 new people every 60 seconds or 229,000 a day, 83.6 million a year. Well, yeah, we are getting crowded and not just on our beloved bays. We old timers get what’s causing this over population and it ain’t too much fishing. We get that people know how to create babies, we get that people are capable of having babies, we also know that this procreating populace needs to get a grip and act responsibly before this old planet tilts and rids itself of the one resource that seems to be in overabundance: US. It’s a hard truth but one that the most intelligent life form on this planet better figure out and damn quick. God said go forth and multiply (I think we got that down, Lord). He didn’t say go forth and over populate. And how does all this relate to fishing and sharing our waters with our brethren? Let me give just a few good rules that will help us all as we figure out how to share our natural resources: A L M A N A C

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Rule-1: The hundred yard rule - allow a 100 yard buffer between you and other anglers, especially in a boat and double that for wade fishermen, regardless if that’s your favorite fishing spot and you see another in your spot with all the rods bent double, go to another spot or just get their earlier. Rule-2: be helpful not hurtful - that guy that’s blocking the boat ramp ain’t gonna go any faster by being honked at or hollered at, more than likely he needs your help and is as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof. Rule-3: Think the best of people as you do of yourself. That person that just made the angling offense is probably not aware that he or she has done anything wrong. Help educate him/her for an ounce of angling and boating education is worth more than a ton of hostile retribution. • • • Copano Bay — The black drum bite is still good around the Turtle Pin area with peeled shrimp and squid good choices for bait. A silent cork or a light Carolina rig is best here. The beach front of the airport shoreline (southeast shoreline) is good for reds using finger mullet and or mud minnows. High tide is the best time coupled with late evening. The deep water edges off of Newcomb Point are good for trout using soft plastics in electric grape and morning glory colors.

reds using top waters in bone and white and red and white work well drifting across Cow Chip making multiple drifts. The reds tend to hang close the shoreline on warmer days and out in the deeper grass beds on cold days. Carlos Bay — Think deeper water for trout and reds especially on the very coldest days, areas like Cape Carlos Dugout or Cedar Dugout. New penny colored jerk shad are a good bet here for trout and molting Berkley Gulp shrimp for reds. The key here is to fish the entire water column so weight your presentations according to the tide movement which can be quite swift here. Mesquite Bay — Some flounder still in Brays Cove with live shrimp fished on the bottom is a good bet. Set the hook after a one to two count. Beldon Dugout is good for reds with patience the key for success. I like cut bait here. The fresher the better with menhaden or mullet being good choices. Free line is best if the wind allows otherwise a light fish finder rig will work. The Mesquite side of Ayers Dugout is good for trout using a slight rattle cork and live shrimp (Berkley Gulp Shrimp works well here as well).

for trout using free lined live shrimp or live shrimp under a silent cork. Switch to a rattle cork on warmer days. The east shoreline of Matagorda Island is good for black drum using peeled shrimp on a light Carolina rig. Light hook sets are the trick here after allowing the drum to take the bait for 3 or 4 count.

the bank bite The cut between St. Charles and Aransas Bay is where to be on the very coldest days. Reds and trout and some flounder stack up in the deeper water seeking temperature protection. Lots of shell in the water so keep your lures and bait off the bottom if you can. Soft plastics like jerk shad and sand eels in electric chartreuse and white work well here on over cast days with darker colors like new penny and morning glory of cold bright sunny days.

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

Ayers Bay — Ayers Reef is good

Aransas Bay — The north shoreline adjacent to Goose Island State Park is good for reds using cut menhaden or mud minnows on a light Carolina rig. Sheeps head action is good close to the bridge pilings of LBJ causeway with small hooks tipped with cut squid a good bait choice. On a falling tide the mouth of Allyns Lake is a good spot for trout using live shrimp or soft plastics in new penny or electric chicken colors. St. Charles Bay — Good black drum action close to the Twin Creeks area on warmer days. Peeled shrimp free lined or a light Carolina rig works well here. Some flounder off of Hail Point using tandem tied white grubs on light jig heads. A jig head tipped with a small piece of squid on colder days gets more bites. Some keeper T F & G

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Hotspots Focus: Lower Coast

by Calixto Gonzales

Deep Thinking

s February settles over the Texas Coast and water temperature settle into seasonal lows, fish start to develop a case of the winter grupies. Speckled trout and redfish sulk into their winter haunts and jaws clamp shut. In contrast, however, fishing on Lower Laguna Madre keeps at a steady, consistent pace. Trout and redfish continue to feed on mild days, even when th4e wind is cranking out the southeast. Sheepshead congregate around pilings, rocks, and seawalls in preparation to sow their piscine oats. Black drum also join in on the fun and feed in earnest. Fishermen are often faced with having to choose what to chase. Do you go after trout and redfish, even though numbers of anglers increased as the new year wears on, now that dear season has closed and the last football whistle has blown? Do you go seek out some fat black drum for the table? Maybe a tussell with sheepshead. Decisions, decisions… Of course, you can always try and hit all of the above by making a run up into the Brownsville Ship Channel. This big ditch is the artery that links Lower Laguna Madre and the IntraCoastal Waterway to the Port of Brownsville, the southernmost major port in the United States. The combination of deep water, ledges, pilings, shoreline structure, and side canals also provides for excellent fishing opportunities for anyone willing to make the long run up the Channel. One of the most accessible fishing sites on the Ship Channel is the area known as the Y. This linkup between the Port Isabel Canal and the Ship Channel has a large island that bisects the intersection between the two water bodies. The shoreline of the island holds good-sized redfish, especially where small guts push into the island. On a flood 68 |

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tide, it is possible to see redfish tailing inside these guts and indentations. On calmer days, large speckled trout also hang out along the shoreline and closer to the dropoff edges. The best bet to tempt these bruisers is a live shrimp under a Mansfield Mauler or Cajun Thunder, especially if the wind is up. The standard marsh lures—topwaters, gold spoons, and spinnerbaits—are also excellent choices for this fishing situation. If a cold front does cause temperatures to dip, or if the trout and redfish don’t seem to be very cooperative, back up a bit and fish the dropoff around the edges of the island. Trout hold on the edges, as do sheepshead. Black drum of varying sizes (ranging from slot-sized fish to beasts over 40 inches) also roam up along the deeper part of the channel, especially on the south side of the island. If you move further up the channel, you’ll note some concrete rip-rap lining the edge of the shoreline. It doesn’t hurt to pull up to these formations and bounce a soft plastic, Gulp! Shrimp, or live shrimp on a split shot rig to see if anyone is to home. Redfish like this area, and when there is a warm trend you will find some solid mangrove snapper and sheepshead sharing the area with the bronze bombers. Even further up the channel is the Highway 48 Boat Ramp channel and Low Water Bridge. Even though more anglers start to fish Lower Laguna Madre in February, there is comparatively little boat traffic coming out of this ramp. Fish the points that are formed by the mouth of the channel with live or fresh shrimp on a Carolina Rig for both drum and snapper. Don’t be surprised if you latch on to some 12-14 inch croaker while working the area. The loud panfish is starting to have a greater presence along the lower Texas Coast, and Texas Parks and Wildlife indicates that numbers are beginning a slow, but steady increase. Once you start to approach the industrial part of the Ship Channel, you will begin to notice side channels. The riprap on the points of the channel entrances hold sheeps-

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head and mangrove snapper, and some of those fish can get rather large. Use live shrimp (when available; otherwise, frozen shrimp will do quite well) on a free-line rig, and let it sink along the contour of the point. Standard trout tackle will work, but leave the 10 pound test at home. These fish require at least 14 pound, and perhaps even 17 pound line to horse them out of their environment (8/30 braid is even more effective, and if the fish are really holding tight to the structure, I’ll go to 10/40 or even 12/60). Trout and redfish will also cruise along the rip rap, especially in areas where it lines a section of the Channel. They’ll also take a live shrimp that is intended for other species. If you want to target them specifically, bounce a shrimp tail or Gulp! Shrimp down the rocks. I’ve also had some success with largebilled crankbaits parallel to the shoreline. Just like with freshwater bass, redfish will hit the crank when the bill collides with a rock and forces the bait to come to a sudden stop. Let the plug ascend slowly for a bit before re-starting your retrieve. I’ve had trout and redfish pop it on the rise. The docks in the industrial area are fish magnets, but exercise caution and common sense while fishing up in the ship channel. A lot of these areas have work going on around them 24 hours a day, and the dockworkers and security personnel don’t take kindly to boats getting too close because of safety and security concerns.

the bank bite Location: Highway 48 Bridge at Laguna San Martin Species: Snook, Mangrove snapper Best Baits: Live Shrimp, finger mullet. Soft plastics in red/white, chartreuse/white. Tip: Fish bridge pilings on incoming tide. Contact Calixto Gonzales at CGonzales@fishgame.com A L M A N A C

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Round the Corner on Bastrop Reds by Capt. GEORGE KNIGHTEN gtkphoto@yahoo.com LOCATION: Bastrop Bay HOTSPOT: Northeast Corner GPS: N29 6.32928, W95 10.42722 (29.105488, -95.173787) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins or similar soft plastic lures CONTACT: Capt. George Knighten 832-310-9146 gtkphoto@yahoo.com galvestonbayguideservice.net TIPS: This is a drift fishing area with scattered shell. Look for muddy swirls and active bait. This area is a little tricky to get to, watch for the shell ridge when leaving the main channel. LOCATION: Christmas Bay HOTSPOT: North Shoreline GPS: N29 4.25892, W95 11.44212 (29.070982, -95.190702) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: She Dogs, Bass Assassins, Corkys CONTACT: Capt. George Knighten 832-310-9146 gtkphoto@yahoo.com galvestonbayguideservice.net TIPS: Great winter wading spot for a north wind, look for bait action to pick your spot. LOCATION: East Galveston HOTSPOT: Anahuac Wildlife Refuge GPS: N29 34.03104, W94 32.61192 (29.567184, -94.543532) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Top Dogs, Corkys, Bass Assassins, Mirr-o-lures T F & G

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

CONTACT: Capt. George Knighten 832-310-9146 gtkphoto@yahoo.com galvestonbayguideservice.net TIPS: Drift or wade, good spot for winter trout. Use mullet imitation lures. Don’t be afraid to use topwaters even in the colder weather. Slow sinking mullet imitation lures like the corky or 51 series Mirr-o-lure can work well. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Campbell’s Bayou GPS: N29 19.50114, W94 53.40186 (29.325019, -94.890031) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, soft plastic lures, top dogs CONTACT: Capt. George Knighten 832-310-9146 gtkphoto@yahoo.com galvestonbayguideservice.net TIPS: This area has lots of shell and can be waded or drifted. A great area for topwaters like the top dog when wading. When drifting work the water from top to bottom with soft plastics like the 5\” soft mullet from Mirr-o lure or try Bass Assassins. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Moses Lake GPS: N29 26.25474, W94 55.776 (29.437579, -94.929600) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins, Mirr-o-lures, Soft plastic CONTACT: Capt. George Knighten

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832-310-9146 gtkphoto@yahoo.com galvestonbayguideservice.net TIPS: If real cold fish the deep hole in the NW corner, if warm fish the flats. LOCATION: Galveston Jetties HOTSPOT: North Jetty Channel Side GPS: N29 20.79354, W94 41.32434 (29.346559, -94.688739) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live or dead shrimp, cut mullet, blue crab CONTACT: Capt. Greg Francis 409-939-1684 captgreg@saltwaterassault.com TIPS: Anchor up and cast close to the rocks. If you can find live bait use a cork. LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Scotts Bay GPS: N29 44.42298, W95 2.22354 (29.740383, -95.037059) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastic, Mirr-o-lures, live shrimp CONTACT: Capt. George Knighten 832-310-9146 gtkphoto@yahoo.com galvestonbayguideservice.net TIPS: Great spot to drift in the winter, lots of scattered shell. LOCATION: West Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Cut GPS: N29 16.2045, W94 58.47948 (29.270075, -94.974658) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins, live shrimp, Mirro-lure provoker CONTACT: Capt. Greg Francis 409-790-8107 captgreg@saltwaterassault.com TIPS: Drift out in front of Greens Cut, use soft plastic lures. Slow down your retrieve and use lighter leadheads. Also look for muddy streaks that will hold bait and in turn game fish. Watch for bait & slicks.

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Texas Hotspots LOCATION: West Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Jones Bay GPS: N29 18.41886, W94 55.85568 (29.306981, -94.930928) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins or live shrimp under a cork CONTACT: Capt. Thomas Barlow 281-827-6815 texxan2000@yahoo.com TIPS: Drift or wade the shell islands. Also the wade the grass on the shorelines. Work areas with active bait. Look for slicks. LOCATION: West Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Chocolate Bayou GPS: N29 12.77478, W95 12.51282 (29.212913, -95.208547) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins or soft plastic lures CONTACT: Capt. Thomas Barlow 281-827-6815 texxan2000@yahoo.com TIPS: Work the drop-offs on the banks or look for deep holes. Work your lures slow and close to the bottom. LOCATION: West Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Snake Island & Cove GPS: N29 9.62208, W95 1.87074 (29.160368, -95.031179) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Top Dogs, Bass Assassins, Mirro-lure Provokers, Corkys CONTACT: Capt. George Knighten 832-310-9146 gtkphoto@yahoo.com galvestonbayguideservice.net TIPS: Good spot to wade or drift, the cove behind the reef is also a good spot. Watch for bait or birds like loons or diving pelicans to give away the bait. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Coffee Ground Cove GPS: N29 57.75702, W93 46.33098 (29.962617, -93.772183) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corkys, Corky Devils, Catch 2000 CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez, 409-721-5467, 409-673-3100 TIPS: Trout are in 3 ft. of water; let the lure sink almost to the bottom and twitch it a couple of times.

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MIDDLE GULF COAST

Shamrock Lucky for Corpus Reds by Capt. CHARLIES NEWTON redfishcharters.com LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Shamrock Cove GPS: N27 46.01802, W97 9.23898 (27.766967, -97.153983) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: She Dog mullet imitation lures CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails 361-949-0133 TIPS: Clear water in February makes for some great sight casting for shallow redfish LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Packery Channel GPS: N27 37.4856, W97 12.8826 (27.624760, -97.214710) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: She Dog mullet imitation lures CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails 361-949-0133 TIPS: February is a good month to try for big speckled trout; plan on wading for the big fish. LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay HOTSPOT: Long Lake GPS: N28 16.81704, W96 36.21546 (28.280284, -96.603591) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Green and black Corky Fat Boys CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin 361-785-2686 TIPS: Fish the windward shoreline for trophy trout LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay HOTSPOT: Shoal Water Bay GPS: N28 21.85026, W96 34.08204 (28.364171, -96.568034) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Bone colored topwaters; soft plastics from Texas Tackle Factory Flats Minnows in Roach Chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin 361-785-2686 TIPS: Wading or drifting is good at this time of

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LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Spaulding Bight GPS: N28 6.50082, W96 53.43258 (28.108347, -96.890543) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Glow colored Corky Fat Boys CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin 361-785-2686 TIPS: Work the lure along the south shoreline using a slow fall for trophy trout LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Dagger Island GPS: N27 50.10156, W97 10.266 (27.835026, -97.171100) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Finger Mullet CONTACT: Capt. John Barbee 361-222-0477 TIPS: Free line finger mullet LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: East Shoreline South of Aransas Bridge GPS: N27 54.46806, W97 6.76602 (27.907801, -97.112767) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Finger mullet CONTACT: Capt. John Barbee 361-222-0477 TIPS: Slowly fish the shoreline LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 57.1182, W97 5.1492 (27.951970, -97.085820) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Finger mullet CONTACT: Capt. John Barbee 361-222-0477 TIPS: Free line finger mullet LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 57.1182, W97 5.1492 (27.951970, -97.085820) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: Dead shrimp CONTACT: Capt. John Barbee 361-222-0477 TIPS: Anchor and fish the edges of holes A L M A N A C

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Night Hawk Bay GPS: N27 30.17598, W97 17.86902 (27.502933, -97.297817) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastic shrimp tails CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails 361-949-0133 TIPS: Make long drifts in 3—4 feet of water LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Victoria Barge Canal GPS: N28 32.51658, W96 48.68232 (28.541943, -96.811372) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 1/4 jigheads with Texas Tackle Factory Plum Chartreuse Trout Killers CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin 361-785-2686 TIPS: Fish right on the bottom using Texas Tackle Factory, plum chartreuse, Trout Killers in about 16 - 20 feet of water fresh crab is tough to beat. That is candy to a nasty, mossy-backed drum.

LOWER GULF COAST

Call Black’s Bluff for Baffin Specks by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Black’s Bluff GPS: N27 13.97202, W97 31.11198 (27.232867, -97.518533) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters; Soft plastics in plum/ chartreuse, rootbeer/red flake, Morning Glory, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart 361-985-6089, 361-449-7441 brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: These are mostly larger trout that are solitary in nature. On warmer days, topwaters are effective, but if the weather sours, use suspending plugs. Plastics on small (1/16th-ounce) jigheads are also very effective. Fish slowly for best chances. LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: Green Island` GPS: N26 23.61798, T F & G

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W97 19.01022 (26.393633, -97.316837) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, gold spoons, cut ballyhoo or mullet, live shrimp or piggy perch under a popping cork, Gulp! shrimp under popping cork CONTACT: Captain Richard Lopez 956-207-4715 TIPS: Fish from behind the island northward with a southeasterly wind. Gold spoons and soft plastics are best. Live shrimp or artificials under Alameda floats or Maulers are good alternatives LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: Arroyo Mouth GPS: N26 21.14496, W97 19.7106 (26.352416, -97.328510) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live or dead shrimp; Gulp! shrimp in rootbeer/gold CONTACT: Captain Cesar Anguiano 956-456-1363 TIPS: Work the edges with shrimp on a bottom rig or with shrimp or Gulp! rigged on 1/4-ounce jigheads. Fish them near the bottom and slowly. If there is a mushy feeling, or your line suddenly slackens, set the hook LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: East Kleberg Point GPS: N27 16.161, W97 30.28398 (27.269350, -97.504733) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters in dark patterns, chartreus; Catch 2000 in mullet, dark purple; Bass Assassins in Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, or other dark patterns CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart 361-985-6089, 361-449-7441 brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: If a north wind is blowing, start your drift just north of the point and work the around the worm rocks in the area. Kelly Wigglers should be worked on smaller heads and as slowly as you can. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: South Shoreline GPS: N27 14.50998, W97 34.48002 (27.241833, -97.574667) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters in dark patterns, chartreus; Catch 2000 in mullet, dark purple; Bass Assassins in Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, or other dark patterns CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart 361-985-6089, 361-449-7441 brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Mild weather and a sheltered area make

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Texas Hotspots for ideal foraging and, consequently, fishing. Topwaters are good, especially early in the morning, but soft plastics will also work. Focus on depth changes and color changes. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Marker 9 GPS: N26 5.56254, W97 11.38158 (26.092709, -97.189693) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, cut ballyhoo, soft plastics in Salt/Pepper, clear/red flake, gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 TIPS: Fish the stretch of deep water between these two markers for speckled trout. Fish live shrimp under a popping cork, or with a sinker if the trout are deep. You can do the same with artificial. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Holly Beach GPS: N26 8.88, W97 17.75502 (26.148000, -97.295917) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, cut bait, soft plastics in Salt/Pepper, clear/red flake, gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 TIPS: After several warm days, these fish will spread around the flats. If the weather is inconsistent, then focus closer to the channel that brackets the cove with the shoreline. Cut bait is best on cloudy days. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: North of Airport Cove GPS: N26 8.81298, W97 17.74002 (26.146883, -97.295667) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait, cut bait; Kelly Wigglers in mullet, Cockroach, gold spoons/red teasers CONTACT: Quick Stop 956-943-1159 TIPS: Fish the shallows near the spoils during incoming tides. Redfish tend to block the gaps between spoil islands to intercept baitfish moving in and out of the cove. Watch for mud boils. LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: South Mansfield Jetties GPS: N26 33.74598, W97 16.13298 (26.562433, -97.268883) SPECIES: redfish

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BEST BAITS: live bait, cut bait, soft plastics in red/white, gold spoons, Mirr-o-lures CONTACT: Captain Richard Bailey 956-369-5090 TIPS: You can drive in from SPI. On a calm, warm day, the adventure includes redfish in the surf. Live or peeled shrimp under a cork will entice sheepies that are lurking around the rocks. LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Old Causeway Pilings GPS: N26 4.2744, W97 11.37648 (26.071240, -97.189608) SPECIES: sheepshead BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh shrimp CONTACT: Captain Richard Cadengo 956-434-2521 TIPS: Anchor up current, and fish close to the to the pilings with a live shrimp or a peeled shrimp three feet under a popping cork. Use stout gear and a tight drag to yank the fish from their dens. LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Swing Bridge GPS: N26 4.26048, W97 12.09294 (26.071008, -97.201549) SPECIES: sheepshead BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh shrimp CONTACT: Captain Richard Cadengo 956-434-2521 TIPS: Again, anchor up current and ease back to casting distance of the pilings. The tide rips through here, so choose a period where the tide is beginning to ease up. Careful in anchoring. There is debris on the bottom.

PINEY WOODS

Raising Cane for Toledo White Bass by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com LOCATION: Toledo Bend HOTSPOT: Grand Cane Bayou GPS: N31 56.13096, W93 58.818 (31.935516, -93.980300) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, Road Runners, crankbaits, Slabs, live crawfish

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CONTACT: Greg Crafts 936-368-7151 gregcrafts@yahoo.com toledobendguide.com TIPS: The white bass have moved into the river proper to spawn. If the river is low, concentrate on the inside bends of the sand bars with RatL-Traps, Road Runners and Slabs. If the river is high, concentrate on the flooded sloughs off the main channel. LOCATION: Caddo HOTSPOT: Main Lake Flats GPS: N32 42.07488, W94 0.48036 (32.701248, -94.008006) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, jigs, Senkos CONTACT: Paul Keith 318-455-3437 caddoguide1@att.net caddolakefishing.com TIPS: Bass are beginning their pre-spawn staging this month. Red or chrome-colored Rat-LTraps fished over the main-lake flats can be very productive. For trophy-sized bass fish black and blue 1/2-ounce jigs and Senkos tight against the cypress trees. LOCATION: Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 22.89996, W95 34.92996 (30.381666, -95.582166) SPECIES: hybrid striper BEST BAITS: live shad, Storm Swim Shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch 936-291-1277 admin@fishdudetx.com fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrids are in full swing, feeding on shad all around the lake. Use your electronics to locate schools of shad. Find the shad and you will find hybrids. Look for them in 12 to 30 feet of water off points and humps. Live shad works best. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Sra Point GPS: N32 50.81262 W95 35.57766 (32.846877, -95.592961) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Jigs, minnows CONTACT: Michael Rogge microg@texascellnet.com www.lake-forkguides.com TIPS: The crappie have moved into deep water at the mouths of Big and Little Caney Creeks. Fish A L M A N A C

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the edges of drop-offs off SRA Point, humps at mouth of Dale, Long and Opossum Creeks. You also can catch catfish in 15-20 feet of water over baited holes. LOCATION: Livingston HOTSPOT: 190 Bridge GPS: N30 48.85944, W95 5.17086 (30.814324, -95.086181) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh dead shad CONTACT: David S. Cox 936-291-9602 dave@palmettoguideservice.com palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Use a Carolina rig and fish punch bait or dead cut shad under the bridge close to the channel drop-offs. Bait the area you plan to fish ahead of time with soured maize and re-bait occasionally. LOCATION: Lake O the Pines HOTSPOT: Alley Creek GPS: N32 48.22158, W94 34.85208 (32.803693, -94.580868) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: jigs, plastic worms, crankbaits

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CONTACT: Sonny Kopech 903-592-8221 Marion.Kopech@HDSupply.com TIPS: The bass are in the pre-spawn mode and prowling the larger creeks. Fish crankbaits early in the open areas around rocks and scattered stumps. Fish the jigs and worms slowly around the structure once the sun gets high.

PRAIRIES & LAKES

Brush Up on Cooper Crappie by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com LOCATION: Cooper HOTSPOT: Brush piles GPS: N33 20.02716, W95 41.0097 (33.333786, -95.683495) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs

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Texas Hotspots HOTSPOT: Deep Humps GPS: N31 54.25848, W97 11.9526 (31.904308, -97.199210) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Mann’s Slabs CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck01@hotmail.com teamredneck.net TIPS: Use a 1/2 or 3/4-ounce chartreuse Mann’s Slab. Use your sonar to locate schools of shad and lower the slabs to the bottom and slowly jig them in various water columns until you locate the depth where the fish are feeding. Watch for feeding birds. LOCATION: Lavon HOTSPOT: Little Ridge Coves GPS: N33 3.474, W96 27.3828 (33.057900, -96.456380) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: cut shad, punch bait

CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick 214-232-7847 straightlineguide@yahoo.com straightlineguide.com TIPS: Big blue catfish can be caught close to the banks on cut shad, especially along the windy banks. For channel cats, bait out the areas just off the channels and breaklines with maize and use punch bait on No.4 treble hooks on tight lines on corks. LOCATION: Lewisville HOTSPOT: Oakland Park GPS: N33 5.49054, W97 0.3021 (33.091509, -97.005035) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh gizzard or threadfin shad CONTACT: Bobby Kubin 817-455-2894 bobby@bobby-catfishing.com bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: A few warm days will push trophy-sized blue catfish into water as shallow as three feet. Look for shallow water close to deep-water drop-offs. Use large cut bait on Carolina rigs with 2-ounce weights, 18-inch leaders and 5 or 8-ought Kahle hooks. LOCATION: Palestine HOTSPOT: Upper Lake Humps GPS: N32 12.93756, W95 28.71384 (32.215626, -95.478564) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Earthworms, dead minnows, shrimp CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 ricky@rickysguideservice.com rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Rig the baits on single hooks Carolinastyle. Drift the baits across the humps near the channels at about 12 to 15 feet. LOCATION: Palestine HOTSPOT: Old Folks Playground GPS: N32 16.65726, W95 28.8375 (32.277621, -95.480625) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, Shimmy Shakers, Bug Eyed jigs CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 ricky@rickysguideservice.com rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Use chartreuse-white spinnerbaits. black-

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blue jigs, and white Shakers. Fish the ridges and stumps here, in front of the Kickapoo bridge and in the back of Flat Creek slowly. LOCATION: Palestine HOTSPOT: Hwy.155 Bridge Brush piles GPS: N32 8.80566, W95 28.3278 (32.146761, -95.472130) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Small jigs CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 ricky@rickysguideservice.com rickysguideservice.com TIPS: White and pink are good colors to use on the jigs. Target the brush piles beneath the bridge that are about 24 feet deep. Jig the lures vertically very slowly and expect the bites to be light. LOCATION: Tawakoni HOTSPOT: Open Waters GPS: N32 50.4132, W95 56.08572 (32.840220, -95.934762) SPECIES: hybrid striper BEST BAITS: Flukes, Bass Assins CONTACT: Tony Parker 903-348-1619 tawakonifishing@yahoo.com tawakonifishing.com TIPS: Look for feeding gulls and herons to find feeding schools of hybrids in 23 to 35 feet of water. Work the lures vertically on a slow rise and fall. LOCATION: Tawakoni HOTSPOT: Waco Bay Area GPS: N32 51.89706, W96 0.00984 (32.864951, -96.000164) SPECIES: hybrid striper BEST BAITS: Chrome slabs and spoons, chartreuse Bass Assassins and Sassy Shads CONTACT: Tony Parker 903-348-1619 tawakonifishing@yahoo.com tawakonifishing.com TIPS: Look for feeding gulls and herons to find feeding schools of hybrids in 23 to 35 feet of water. Work the lures vertically on a slow rise and fall. Watch your graph to stay over the hybrids. LOCATION: Texoma HOTSPOT: Islands GPS: N33 51.34026, W96 42.69372 (33.855671, -96.711562) A L M A N A C

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Texas Hotspots SPECIES: striper BEST BAITS: Pencil Poppers, Chug Bugs, Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress. com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: Look for feeding activity early along the shorelines and cuts and then fish near the dropoffs with chartreuse or Pearl-white Sassy Shads and similar lures with a slow retrieve. LOCATION: Whitney HOTSPOT: Nolan River GPS: N32 5.21904, W97 28.08774 (32.086984, -97.468129) SPECIES: striper BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck@hotmail.com teamredneck.net TIPS: The stripers are moving from the main lake up the Brazos and Nolan river channels. I like to drop a Bass Assassin to the bottom, lift it up about 10-inches and dead stick it. The bite usually is very light. Fish the stumps on both sides of the channels. LOCATION: Richland Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N31 58.23894, W96 7.06596

(31.970649, -96.117766) SPECIES: hybrid striper BEST BAITS: RSR Glitter Slabs, DD 22 crankbaits CONTACT: Royce and Adam Simmons 903-389-4117 royce@gonefishin.biz www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: February is all about the weather for hybrids and white bass. When the water temperature reaches 50 degrees the fish will turn on in the flats. Look for gulls to locate the schools. Don’t overlook the 40-foot deep water off the end of Windsock Point.

PANHANDLE

Sweep Chimney for Possum Bass by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, jigs, Slabs CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Look for feeding gulls to help locate schools of feeding white bass. Troll Rat-L-Traps for big white bass, stripers, and hybrids off the islands here close to the river channel. Jigs and Slabs also work good here. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Bird Island GPS: N32 54.79008, W98 27.48048 (32.913168, -98.458008) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, jigs, Slabs CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Look for feeding gulls to help locate schools of feeding white bass. Troll Rat-L-Traps for big white bass, stripers, and hybrids off the islands here close to the river channel. Jigs and Slabs also work well here. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Chimney Slough GPS: N32 55.32612, W98 27.82032 (32.922102, -98.463672) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shads, Slabs, plastic worms CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Bounce Slabs or Sassy Shads off the bottom at 18-25 feet along rocky banks close to the secondary points. Target the edges of the dropoffs close to the small channels in the coves and sloughs. LOCATION: Amistad

LOCATION: Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Bird Island GPS: N32 54.79008, W98 27.48048 (32.913168, -98.458008) SPECIES: white bass

BIG BEND

Pencil in a Date with Amistad Bass by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com HOTSPOT: Pencil Point GPS: N29 36.35118, W100 58.4484 (29.605853, -100.974140)

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

HILL COUNTRY

W97 21.7377 (30.687965, -97.362295) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Twistertail jigs, Road Runners, Rooster Tails CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell 512-365-7761 crappie1@hotmail.com www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: The fish are getting ready to spawn. There are many access points to the river channel and Willis Creek. The area near the Primitive Launch Area is the best to try up-river. Cast and retrieve slowly. Expect on-off days at this time of the year.

GPS: N26 55.5894, W99 19.22586 (26.926490, -99.320431) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, jigs, plastic worms CONTACT: Robert Amaya 956-765-1442 robertsfishntackle@gmail.com robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: Fish the jigs tight in the bushes and stickups or cast the spinnerbaits into the openings and slow-roll them back close to the bushes. After you have caught one or two bass along a stretch of bank, turn the boat around and fish back through the area.

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

Get Opti-Mystic for Canyon Bass by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Mystic Shores Area GPS: N29 54.57408, W98 17.55666 (29.909568, -98.292611) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Shakey Heads, Bass Kandie worms, Senkos CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria 210-823-2153 kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Fish the main lake points slowly with pumpkin or watermelon red Bass Kandie worms, Shakey Heads or Senkos. Also work the drop-offs along the edge of the river channel up from the pipeline.

Double Up for Falcon Bass by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

Find Thousands of Texas Fishing Hotspots with our HOTSPOT FINDER app: www.FishGame.com/hotspots

LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: Double Islands

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: The River GPS: N29 53.9721, W98 18.75132 (29.899535, -98.312522) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Luhr-Jensen Radar 10 CONTACT: Steve Nixon 210-573-1230 steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com sanantoniofishingguides.com TIPS: Troll the Luhr-Jensen Radar 10 in the main river channel from the rapids to the mouth of the lake until you locate the fish and then begin fishing that area thoroughly. This is my favorite time of the year to catch a variety of fish on any cast. LOCATION: Granger HOTSPOT: San Gabriel River GPS: N30 41.2779, T F & G

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Sportsman’s Daybook Tides and Prime Times

february 2013

TIDE forecast for GALVESTON CHANNEL (29.3166° N, 94.88° W) SOLUNAR forecast for TEXAS CENTER (31.14° N, 99.39° W) MONDAY

Jan 28« High Tide: 3:22 am Low Tide: 10:35 am High Tide: 6:07 pm Low Tide: 11:01 pm

0.84 ft. -0.42 ft. 0.89 ft. 0.48 ft.

TUESDAY 7:00 — 9:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:31a Set: 6:08p Moonrise: 7:55p Set: 8:08a AM Minor: 6:07a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:30p PM Major: 12:19p Moon Overhead: 1:36a Moon Underfoot: 1:59p

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 4:30 am High Tide: 1:44 pm Low Tide: 3:37 pm High Tide: 7:46 pm

-0.52 ft. 0.88 ft. 0.87 ft. 0.91 ft.

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:27a Set: 6:14p Moonrise: 2:00a Set: 12:48p AM Minor: ----- AM Major: 6:07a PM Minor: 12:21p PM Major: 6:36p Moon Overhead: 7:25a Moon Underfoot: 7:55p

11«

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 4:00 am Low Tide: 10:50 am High Tide: 5:38 pm Low Tide: 11:09 pm

0.94 ft. -0.39 ft. 0.85 ft. 0.20 ft.

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:21a Set: 6:20p Moonrise: 7:57a Set: 8:09p AM Minor: 6:07a AM Major: 11:51a PM Minor: 6:31p PM Major: 12:19p Moon Overhead: 2:00p Moon Underfoot: 1:36a

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 4:56 am High Tide: 4:39 pm

-0.21 ft. 0.87 ft.

8:00 — 10:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:15a Set: 6:26p Moonrise: 12:27p Set: 1:47a AM Minor: ----- AM Major: 5:52a PM Minor: 12:04p PM Major: 6:16p Moon Overhead: 7:32p Moon Underfoot: 7:08a

25 ¡

High Tide: 2:54 am Low Tide: 9:42 am High Tide: 4:41 pm Low Tide: 9:49 pm

PRIME TIME 1.00 ft. -0.16 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.42 ft.

5:00 — 7:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 6:32p Moonrise: 6:44p Set: 6:42a AM Minor: 4:46a AM Major: 10:58a PM Minor: 5:10p PM Major: 11:21p Moon Overhead: 12:17a Moon Underfoot: 12:40p

78 |

F E B R U A R Y

ALMANAC Digital.indd 78

29«

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 4:15 am Low Tide: 11:07 am High Tide: 6:28 pm Low Tide: 11:42 pm

WEDNESDAY PRIME TIME

0.79 ft. -0.30 ft. 0.86 ft. 0.35 ft.

7:30 — 9:30 AM

Set: 6:09p Sunrise: 7:30a Moonrise: 8:52p Set: 8:42a AM Minor: 6:57a AM Major: 12:45a PM Minor: 7:19p PM Major: 1:08p Moon Overhead: 2:22a Moon Underfoot: 2:44p

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 5:38 am High Tide: 2:43 pm Low Tide: 6:54 pm High Tide: 9:05 pm

-0.67 ft. 0.98 ft. 0.93 ft. 0.94 ft.

1:00 — 3:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:26a Set: 6:15p Moonrise: 3:04a Set: 1:45p AM Minor: 12:47a AM Major: 7:02a PM Minor: 1:17p PM Major: 7:32p Moon Overhead: 8:25a Moon Underfoot: 8:55p

12«

High Tide: 5:05 am Low Tide: 11:30 am High Tide: 6:03 pm Low Tide: 11:55 pm

PRIME TIME 0.88 ft. -0.16 ft. 0.82 ft. 0.06 ft.

7:00 — 9:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:20a Set: 6:21p Moonrise: 8:33a Set: 9:09p AM Minor: 7:00a AM Major: 12:48a PM Minor: 7:24p PM Major: 1:12p Moon Overhead: 2:48p Moon Underfoot: 2:24a

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 5:59 am High Tide: 4:18 pm

-0.24 ft. 0.90 ft.

1:00 — 3:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:14a Set: 6:27p Moonrise: 1:15p Set: 2:37a AM Minor: 12:26a AM Major: 6:38a PM Minor: 12:50p PM Major: 7:02p Moon Overhead: 8:20p Moon Underfoot: 7:56a

26«

High Tide: 3:48 am Low Tide: 10:16 am High Tide: 5:00 pm Low Tide: 10:25 pm

PRIME TIME 1.01 ft. -0.04 ft. 0.93 ft. 0.27 ft.

6:30 — 8:30 PM

Sunrise: 7:07a Set: 6:33p Moonrise: 7:43p Set: 7:17a AM Minor: 5:33a AM Major: 11:45a PM Minor: 5:57p PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 1:03a Moon Underfoot: 1:27p

2 0 1 3

T e x a S

F i s h

THURSDAY

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 5:17 am 0.73 ft. Low Tide: 11:40 am -0.14 ft. High Tide: 6:47 pm 0.82 ft.

8:00 — 10:00 PM

Set: 6:09p Sunrise: 7:30a Moonrise: 9:51p Set: 9:16a AM Minor: 7:48a AM Major: 1:36a PM Minor: 8:11p PM Major: 1:59p Moon Overhead: 3:07a Moon Underfoot: 3:30p

Low Tide: 6:42 am High Tide: 3:21 pm Low Tide: 7:54 pm High Tide: 11:04 pm

PRIME TIME -0.79 ft. 1.03 ft. 0.90 ft. 0.95 ft.

2:00 — 4:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:25a Set: 6:16p Moonrise: 4:05a Set: 2:46p AM Minor: 1:41a AM Major: 7:56a PM Minor: 2:12p PM Major: 8:27p Moon Overhead: 9:25a Moon Underfoot: 9:55p

13«

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 6:13 am 0.81 ft. Low Tide: 12:08 pm 0.08 ft. High Tide: 6:26 pm 0.79 ft.

8:00 — 10:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:20a Set: 6:22p Moonrise: 9:09a Set: 10:08p AM Minor: 7:53a AM Major: 1:41a PM Minor: 8:16p PM Major: 2:05p Moon Overhead: 3:35p Moon Underfoot: 3:12a

Low Tide: 6:50 am High Tide: 3:42 pm Low Tide: 8:36 pm High Tide: 11:04 pm

PRIME TIME -0.27 ft. 0.91 ft. 0.85 ft. 0.88 ft.

1:30 — 3:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 6:28p Moonrise: 2:05p Set: 3:24a AM Minor: 1:10a AM Major: 7:23a PM Minor: 1:35p PM Major: 7:47p Moon Overhead: 9:08p Moon Underfoot: 8:44a

27«

High Tide: 4:46 am Low Tide: 10:51 am High Tide: 5:17 pm Low Tide: 11:06 pm

PRIME TIME 1.01 ft. 0.11 ft. 0.92 ft. 0.12 ft.

7:30 — 9:30 PM

Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 6:33p Moonrise: 8:43p Set: 7:52a AM Minor: 6:23a AM Major: 12:11a PM Minor: 6:47p PM Major: 12:35p Moon Overhead: 1:51a Moon Underfoot: 2:15p

G a m e ®

T F & G

Low Tide: 12:27 am High Tide: 6:32 am Low Tide: 12:16 pm High Tide: 7:03 pm

PRIME TIME 0.20 ft. 0.67 ft. 0.06 ft. 0.79 ft.

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Set: 6:10p Sunrise: 7:29a Moonrise: 10:50p Set: 9:52a AM Minor: 8:40a AM Major: 2:28a PM Minor: 9:04p PM Major: 2:52p Moon Overhead: 3:54a Moon Underfoot: 4:18p

Low Tide: 7:39 am High Tide: 3:52 pm Low Tide: 8:28 pm

PRIME TIME -0.85 ft. 1.03 ft. 0.82 ft.

3:00 — 5:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 6:17p Moonrise: 5:02a Set: 3:52p AM Minor: 2:35a AM Major: 8:50a PM Minor: 3:05p PM Major: 9:20p Moon Overhead: 10:25a Moon Underfoot: 10:54p

Low Tide: 12:44 am High Tide: 7:26 am Low Tide: 12:41 pm High Tide: 6:49 pm

PRIME TIME -0.04 ft. 0.74 ft. 0.31 ft. 0.78 ft.

8:30 — 10:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:19a Set: 6:23p Moonrise: 9:45a Set: 11:05p AM Minor: 8:46a AM Major: 2:34a PM Minor: 9:09p PM Major: 2:57p Moon Overhead: 4:22p Moon Underfoot: 3:59a

Low Tide: 7:32 am High Tide: 3:39 pm Low Tide: 8:21 pm

PRIME TIME -0.29 ft. 0.92 ft. 0.82 ft.

2:30 — 4:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 6:29p Moonrise: 2:58p Set: 4:09a AM Minor: 1:54a AM Major: 8:06a PM Minor: 2:18p PM Major: 8:30p Moon Overhead: 9:56p Moon Underfoot: 9:32a

High Tide: 5:50 am Low Tide: 11:28 am High Tide: 5:33 pm Low Tide: 11:51 pm

PRIME TIME 1.00 ft. 0.30 ft. 0.92 ft. -0.03 ft.

8:30 — 10:30 PM

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 6:34p Moonrise: 9:45p Set: 8:30a AM Minor: 7:17a AM Major: 1:04a PM Minor: 7:42p PM Major: 1:29p Moon Overhead: 2:39a Moon Underfoot: 3:04p

A L M A N A C

1/15/13 11:52 AM

SYMBOL KEY

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

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

FRIDAY

Feb 1

Low Tide: 1:17 am High Tide: 8:05 am Low Tide: 12:53 pm High Tide: 7:15 pm

10:00P — 12:00A

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 6:11p Moonrise: 11:52p Set: 10:29a AM Minor: 9:34a AM Major: 3:22a PM Minor: 9:59p PM Major: 3:47p Moon Overhead: 4:42a Moon Underfoot: 5:08p

8«

High Tide: 12:32 am Low Tide: 8:33 am High Tide: 4:21 pm Low Tide: 9:04 pm

PRIME TIME 0.98 ft. -0.84 ft. 1.00 ft. 0.69 ft.

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 Texas City Turning Basin +0:33 Eagle Point +3:54 Clear Lake +6:05 Morgans Point +10:21 Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39

LOW

4:30 — 6:30 AM

-0.16 ft. 0.65 ft. 0.51 ft. 0.82 ft.

5:00 — 7:00 AM

Set: 6:12p Sunrise: 7:28a Moonrise: None Set: 11:10a AM Minor: 10:29a AM Major: 4:16a PM Minor: 10:56p PM Major: 4:42p Moon Overhead: 5:34a Moon Underfoot: 6:00p

9«

High Tide: 1:46 am Low Tide: 9:21 am High Tide: 4:48 pm Low Tide: 9:43 pm

PRIME TIME 0.99 ft. -0.75 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.53 ft.

5:30 — 7:30 AM

3»

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 3:21 am High Tide: 11:55 am Low Tide: 2:17 pm High Tide: 7:32 pm

-0.34 ft. 0.75 ft. 0.71 ft. 0.87 ft.

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Set: 6:13p Sunrise: 7:27a Moonrise: 12:56a Set: 11:56a AM Minor: 11:25a AM Major: 5:11a PM Minor: 11:53p PM Major: 5:39p Moon Overhead: 6:28a Moon Underfoot: 6:56p

10 l

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 2:55 am Low Tide: 10:07 am High Tide: 5:13 pm Low Tide: 10:25 pm

0.98 ft. -0.60 ft. 0.90 ft. 0.36 ft.

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 6:18p Moonrise: 5:52a Set: 4:58p AM Minor: 3:28a AM Major: 9:43a PM Minor: 3:57p PM Major: 10:11p Moon Overhead: 11:23a Moon Underfoot: 11:51p

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 6:19p Moonrise: 6:38a Set: 6:04p AM Minor: 4:21a AM Major: 10:35a PM Minor: 4:48p PM Major: 11:02p Moon Overhead: 12:18p Moon Underfoot: None

Sunrise: 7:22a Set: 6:19p Moonrise: 7:19a Set: 7:08p AM Minor: 5:14a AM Major: 11:27a PM Minor: 5:40p PM Major: 11:53p Moon Overhead: 1:11p Moon Underfoot: 12:45a

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 1:37 am High Tide: 8:51 am Low Tide: 1:07 pm High Tide: 7:08 pm

-0.11 ft. 0.70 ft. 0.50 ft. 0.78 ft.

4:00 — 6:00 PM

Sunrise: 7:18a Set: 6:24p Moonrise: 10:22a Set: None AM Minor: 9:37a AM Major: 3:26a PM Minor: 10:01p PM Major: 3:49p Moon Overhead: 5:09p Moon Underfoot: 4:45a

High Tide: 12:12 am Low Tide: 8:07 am High Tide: 3:49 pm Low Tide: 8:24 pm

PRIME TIME 0.91 ft. -0.30 ft. 0.93 ft. 0.76 ft.

3:00 — 5:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 6:30p Moonrise: 3:52p Set: 4:51a AM Minor: 2:36a AM Major: 8:48a PM Minor: 3:00p PM Major: 9:12p Moon Overhead: 10:43p Moon Underfoot: 10:20a

Mar 1

High Tide: 7:03 am 0.98 ft. Low Tide: 12:07 pm 0.51 ft. High Tide: 5:45 pm 0.93 ft.

PRIME TIME 9:30 — 11:30 PM

Sunrise: 7:03a Set: 6:35p Moonrise: 10:49p Set: 9:10a AM Minor: 8:14a AM Major: 2:01a PM Minor: 8:40p PM Major: 2:27p Moon Overhead: 3:30a Moon Underfoot: 3:57p

T F & G

ALMANAC Digital.indd 79

Low Tide: 2:37 am High Tide: 10:38 am Low Tide: 1:17 pm High Tide: 7:22 pm

-0.15 ft. 0.70 ft. 0.66 ft. 0.79 ft.

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:17a Set: 6:25p Moonrise: 11:01a Set: None AM Minor: 10:28a AM Major: 4:16a PM Minor: 10:51p PM Major: 4:40p Moon Overhead: 5:56p Moon Underfoot: 5:32a

23«

High Tide: 1:09 am Low Tide: 8:39 am High Tide: 4:04 pm Low Tide: 8:46 pm

PRIME TIME 0.95 ft. -0.28 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.67 ft.

3:30 — 5:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 6:30p Moonrise: 4:49p Set: 5:30a AM Minor: 3:19a AM Major: 9:31a PM Minor: 3:42p PM Major: 9:54p Moon Overhead: 11:30p Moon Underfoot: 11:07a

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 12:42 am High Tide: 8:28 am Low Tide: 12:46 pm High Tide: 5:54 pm

-0.17 ft. 0.98 ft. 0.72 ft. 0.97 ft.

10:30P — 12:30A

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 6:36p Moonrise: 11:53p Set: 9:55a AM Minor: 9:13a AM Major: 2:59a PM Minor: 9:41p PM Major: 3:27p Moon Overhead: 4:24a Moon Underfoot: 4:52p

A L M A N A C

T e x a S

17 º

Low Tide: 3:45 am High Tide: 5:59 pm

-0.18 ft. 0.81 ft.

7:00 — 9:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 6:25p Moonrise: 11:43a Set: 12:55a AM Minor: 11:17a AM Major: 5:05a PM Minor: 11:41p PM Major: 5:29p Moon Overhead: 6:44p Moon Underfoot: 6:20a

24«

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 2:02 am Low Tide: 9:10 am High Tide: 4:22 pm Low Tide: 9:15 pm

0.98 ft. -0.24 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.56 ft.

4:30 — 6:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 6:31p Moonrise: 5:46p Set: 6:06a AM Minor: 4:02a AM Major: 10:14a PM Minor: 4:25p PM Major: 10:37p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:54a

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 1:42 am High Tide: 10:07 am Low Tide: 1:30 pm High Tide: 5:58 pm

-0.27 ft. 1.00 ft. 0.89 ft. 1.02 ft.

11:00P — 1:00A

Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 6:36p Moonrise: None Set: 10:44a AM Minor: 10:14a AM Major: 4:00a PM Minor: 10:43p PM Major: 4:29p Moon Overhead: 5:20a Moon Underfoot: 5:49p

F i s h

G a m e ®

Last Qtr

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

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 2:15 am High Tide: 9:54 am Low Tide: 1:32 pm High Tide: 7:24 pm

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

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

SATURDAY PRIME TIME

0.02 ft. 0.63 ft. 0.29 ft. 0.79 ft.

New First Full Moon Qtr Moon

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Tide Correction Table

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

PRIME TIME

best days

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

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

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)

F E B R U A R Y

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

2 0 1 3

1/15/13 11:52 AM

Sportsman’s Daybook Tides and Prime Times

FEBRUARY 2013

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.

T9 T8 T7

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

T6 T17

T3 T2 T1

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

T13 T5

T14

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

T18

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

T19

T20

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

T21

Tide Correction Table

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

KEY PLACE T1 Sabine Bank Lighthouse T2 Sabine Pass Jetty T3 Sabine Pass T4 Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass T5 Galveston Bay, S. Jetty T6 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 Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39 T11

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

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

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 PLACE San Luis Pass T18 Freeport Harbor T19 Pass Cavallo T20 Aransas Pass T21 Padre Island (So. End) T22 Port Isabel T23

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE GRAPH:

Yellow: Daylight

12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

12p

AM/PM Timeline

12a

Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Green: Falling Tide

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the Sky

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY:

12a

AM/PM Timeline

80 |

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

F E B R U A R Y

ALMANAC Digital.indd 80

12a

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.) Time Moon is Directly Underfoot (at its peak on opposite side of the earth)

2 0 1 3

T e x a S

F i s h

G a m e ®

T F & G

A L M A N A C

1/15/13 11:52 AM

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

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

= Peak Fishing 7:45-9:40 AM Period BEST:

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:53p Moonrise: 7:37p Set: 7:48a

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 5:54p Moonrise: 8:34p Set: 8:23a

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 5:55p Moonrise: 9:31p Set: 8:58a

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 5:56p Moonrise: 10:30p Set: 9:34a

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

« 29

FRIDAY

Feb 1

SATURDAY

»3

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 5:56p Sunrise: 7:07a Set: 5:57p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:58p Moonrise: 11:31p Set: 10:12a Moonrise: None Set: 10:54a Moonrise: 12:34a Set: 11:41a

AM Minor: 5:49a

PM Minor: 6:12p

AM Minor: 6:39a

PM Minor: 7:01p

AM Minor: 7:30a

PM Minor: 7:53p

AM Minor: 8:22a

PM Minor: 8:46p

AM Minor: 9:16a

PM Minor: 9:41p

AM Minor: 10:11a

PM Minor: 10:38p

AM Minor: 11:07a

PM Minor: 11:35p

AM Major: -----

PM Major: 12:01p

AM Major: 12:27a

PM Major: 12:50p

AM Major: 1:18a

PM Major: 1:41p

AM Major: 2:10a

PM Major: 2:34p

AM Major: 3:04a

PM Major: 3:28p

AM Major: 3:58a

PM Major: 4:24p

AM Major: 4:53a

PM Major: 5:21p

Moon Overhead: 1:17a 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:49a

Moon Overhead: 2:03a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:35a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

« 28

12a

Tides and Prime Times for FEBRUARY 2013

Moon Overhead: 5:15a

Moon Overhead: 4:24a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:09a 12a

12p

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 1:40p

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 AM

High Tide: 3:22 am Low Tide: 10:35 am High Tide: 6:07 pm Low Tide: 11:01 pm

High Tide: 4:15 am Low Tide: 11:07 am High Tide: 6:28 pm Low Tide: 11:42 pm

8:00 — 10:00 PM

A L M A N A C

T e x a S

Moon Underfoot: 4:49p

BEST:

9:00 — 11:00 PM

0.79 ft. High Tide: 5:17 am 0.73 ft. Low Tide: 12:27 am -0.30 ft. Low Tide: 11:40 am -0.14 ft. High Tide: 6:32 am 0.86 ft. High Tide: 6:47 pm 0.82 ft. Low Tide: 12:16 pm High Tide: 7:03 pm 0.35 ft.

T F & G

ALMANAC Digital.indd 81

Moon Underfoot: 3:59p

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 AM

0.84 ft. -0.42 ft. 0.89 ft. 0.48 ft.

Moon Underfoot: 3:12p

0.20 ft. 0.67 ft. 0.06 ft. 0.79 ft.

F i s h

Moon Underfoot: 5:42p BEST:

0.02 ft. 0.63 ft. 0.29 ft. 0.79 ft.

G a m e ®

Low Tide: 2:15 am High Tide: 9:54 am Low Tide: 1:32 pm High Tide: 7:24 pm

+2.0

BEST:

10:00P — 12:00A 5:00 — 7:00 AM

Low Tide: 1:17 am High Tide: 8:05 am Low Tide: 12:53 pm High Tide: 7:15 pm

Moon Underfoot: 6:37p 12:00 — 2:00 AM

-0.16 ft. 0.65 ft. 0.51 ft. 0.82 ft.

F E B R U A R Y

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 2:26p

Low Tide: 3:21 am High Tide: 11:55 am Low Tide: 2:17 pm High Tide: 7:32 pm

-0.34 ft. 0.75 ft. 0.71 ft. 0.87 ft.

2 0 1 3

+1.0 0 -1.0

1/15/13 11:53 AM

Sportsman’s Daybook

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:59p Sunrise: 7:05a Set: 6:00p Moonrise: 1:38a Set: 12:33p Moonrise: 2:41a Set: 1:30p

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 6:01p Moonrise: 4:39a Set: 3:36p

FRIDAY

«8

Sunrise: 7:03a Set: 6:02p Moonrise: 5:31a Set: 4:42p

SATURDAY

«9

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 6:03p Moonrise: 6:17a Set: 5:47p

SUNDAY

l 10

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 6:04p Moonrise: 6:59a Set: 6:50p

AM Minor: -----

PM Minor: 12:03p

AM Minor: 12:29a

PM Minor: 12:59p

AM Minor: 1:23a

PM Minor: 1:53p

AM Minor: 2:17a

PM Minor: 2:47p

AM Minor: 3:10a

PM Minor: 3:39p

AM Minor: 4:03a

PM Minor: 4:30p

AM Minor: 4:56a

PM Minor: 5:22p

AM Major: 5:49a

PM Major: 6:18p

AM Major: 6:44a

PM Major: 7:14p

AM Major: 7:38a

PM Major: 8:09p

AM Major: 8:32a

PM Major: 9:02p

AM Major: 9:25a

PM Major: 9:53p

AM Major: 10:17a

PM Major: 10:44p

AM Major: 11:09a

PM Major: 11:35p

Moon Overhead: 7:06a

12a

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 6:01p Moonrise: 3:42a Set: 2:31p

THURSDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:06a

Moon Overhead: 8:06a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:06a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:00p

Moon Overhead: 11:04a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:52p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for FEBRUARY 2013

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 7:36p

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

82 |

BEST:

1:00 — 3:00 AM

Low Tide: 4:30 am High Tide: 1:44 pm Low Tide: 3:37 pm High Tide: 7:46 pm

-0.52 ft. 0.88 ft. 0.87 ft. 0.91 ft.

ALMANAC Digital.indd 82

2:00 — 4:00 AM

Low Tide: 5:38 am High Tide: 2:43 pm Low Tide: 6:54 pm High Tide: 9:05 pm

F E B R U A R Y

Moon Underfoot: 9:37p

-0.67 ft. 0.98 ft. 0.93 ft. 0.94 ft.

2 0 1 3

Moon Underfoot: 10:36p BEST:

BEST:

3:00 — 5:00 AM

-0.79 ft. Low Tide: 7:39 am 1.03 ft. High Tide: 3:52 pm 0.90 ft. Low Tide: 8:28 pm 0.95 ft.

T e x a S

F i s h

-0.85 ft. High Tide: 12:32 am 1.03 ft. Low Tide: 8:33 am 0.82 ft. High Tide: 4:21 pm Low Tide: 9:04 pm

G a m e ®

T F & G

Moon Underfoot: None BEST:

4:30 — 6:30 AM

Low Tide: 6:42 am High Tide: 3:21 pm Low Tide: 7:54 pm High Tide: 11:04 pm

Moon Underfoot: 11:32p

High Tide: 1:46 am Low Tide: 9:21 am High Tide: 4:48 pm Low Tide: 9:43 pm

+2.0

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

0.98 ft. -0.84 ft. 1.00 ft. 0.69 ft.

Moon Underfoot: 12:26a 6:00 — 8:00 AM

0.99 ft. -0.75 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.53 ft.

High Tide: 2:55 am Low Tide: 10:07 am High Tide: 5:13 pm Low Tide: 10:25 pm

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 8:36p

0.98 ft. -0.60 ft. 0.90 ft. 0.36 ft.

+1.0 0 -1.0

A L M A N A C

1/15/13 11:53 AM

ALMANAC Digital.indd 83

1/15/13 11:53 AM

Sportsman’s Daybook

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 6:05p Moonrise: 7:38a Set: 7:51p

Sunrise: 7:00a Set: 6:06p Moonrise: 8:15a Set: 8:50p

Sunrise: 6:59a Set: 6:06p Moonrise: 8:51a Set: 9:47p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

« 12

« 13

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunrise: 6:58a Set: 6:07p Sunrise: 6:58a Set: 6:08p Sunrise: 6:57a Set: 6:09p Moonrise: 9:28a Set: 10:44p Moonrise: 10:06a Set: 11:39p Moonrise: 10:46a Set: None

SUNDAY

º 17

Sunrise: 6:56a Set: 6:10p Moonrise: 11:28a Set: 12:33a

AM Minor: 5:49a

PM Minor: 6:13p

AM Minor: 6:42a

PM Minor: 7:06p

AM Minor: 7:35a

PM Minor: 7:58p

AM Minor: 8:27a

PM Minor: 8:51p

AM Minor: 9:19a

PM Minor: 9:43p

AM Minor: 10:10a

PM Minor: 10:33p

AM Minor: 10:59a

PM Minor: 11:23p

AM Major: 11:32a

PM Major: 12:01p

AM Major: 12:30a

PM Major: 12:54p

AM Major: 1:23a

PM Major: 1:47p

AM Major: 2:16a

PM Major: 2:39p

AM Major: 3:08a

PM Major: 3:31p

AM Major: 3:58a

PM Major: 4:22p

AM Major: 4:47a

PM Major: 5:11p

Moon Overhead: 1:42p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:17p

Moon Overhead: 2:30p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:03p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:37p

Moon Overhead: 4:50p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:25p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

« 11

12a

Tides and Prime Times for FEBRUARY 2013

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 1:17a

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

84 |

0.94 ft. -0.39 ft. 0.85 ft. 0.20 ft.

ALMANAC Digital.indd 84

T e x a S

F i s h

BEST:

8:30 — 10:30 AM

0.88 ft. High Tide: 6:13 am 0.81 ft. Low Tide: 12:44 am -0.16 ft. Low Tide: 12:08 pm 0.08 ft. High Tide: 7:26 am 0.82 ft. High Tide: 6:26 pm 0.79 ft. Low Tide: 12:41 pm High Tide: 6:49 pm 0.06 ft.

2 0 1 3

Moon Underfoot: 4:27a

BEST:

8:00 — 10:00 AM

High Tide: 5:05 am Low Tide: 11:30 am High Tide: 6:03 pm Low Tide: 11:55 pm

F E B R U A R Y

Moon Underfoot: 3:40a

BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 AM

High Tide: 4:00 am Low Tide: 10:50 am High Tide: 5:38 pm Low Tide: 11:09 pm

Moon Underfoot: 2:53a

-0.04 ft. 0.74 ft. 0.31 ft. 0.78 ft.

Moon Underfoot: 5:14a BEST:

4:00 — 6:00 PM 6:00 — 8:00 AM

Low Tide: 1:37 am High Tide: 8:51 am Low Tide: 1:07 pm High Tide: 7:08 pm

G a m e ®

T F & G

-0.11 ft. 0.70 ft. 0.50 ft. 0.78 ft.

Low Tide: 2:37 am High Tide: 10:38 am Low Tide: 1:17 pm High Tide: 7:22 pm

Moon Underfoot: 6:01a

+2.0

BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 AM

-0.15 ft. Low Tide: 3:45 am 0.70 ft. High Tide: 5:59 pm 0.66 ft. 0.79 ft.

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 2:06a

-0.18 ft. 0.81 ft.

+1.0 0 -1.0

A L M A N A C

1/15/13 11:53 AM

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

Tides and Prime Times for FEBRUARY 2013

Sunrise: 6:55a Set: 6:10p Moonrise: 12:13p Set: 1:25a

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 6:12p Moonrise: 1:50p Set: 3:02a

Sunrise: 6:52a Set: 6:13p Moonrise: 2:42p Set: 3:47a

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 6:13p Moonrise: 3:36p Set: 4:29a

SATURDAY

« 23

Sunrise: 6:50a Set: 6:14p Moonrise: 4:32p Set: 5:09a

« 24

Sunrise: 6:49a Set: 6:15p Moonrise: 5:28p Set: 5:46a

AM Minor: 11:46a

PM Minor: -----

AM Minor: 12:08a

PM Minor: 12:32p

AM Minor: 12:52a

PM Minor: 1:17p

AM Minor: 1:36a

PM Minor: 2:00p

AM Minor: 2:18a

PM Minor: 2:42p

AM Minor: 3:01a

PM Minor: 3:24p

AM Minor: 3:44a

PM Minor: 4:07p

AM Major: 5:34a

PM Major: 5:58p

AM Major: 6:20a

PM Major: 6:44p

AM Major: 7:04a

PM Major: 7:29p

AM Major: 7:48a

PM Major: 8:12p

AM Major: 8:30a

PM Major: 8:54p

AM Major: 9:13a

PM Major: 9:36p

AM Major: 9:55a

PM Major: 10:19p

Moon Overhead: 7:13p

12a

Sunrise: 6:54a Set: 6:11p Moonrise: 1:00p Set: 2:14a

WEDNESDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 8:49p

Moon Overhead: 8:01p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:37p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:12p

Moon Overhead: 10:25p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 6:49a

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

Low Tide: 4:56 am High Tide: 4:39 pm

ALMANAC Digital.indd 85

BEST:

1:00 — 3:00 AM

-0.21 ft. Low Tide: 5:59 am 0.87 ft. High Tide: 4:18 pm

Moon Underfoot: 8:25a BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

-0.24 ft. Low Tide: 6:50 am 0.90 ft. High Tide: 3:42 pm Low Tide: 8:36 pm High Tide: 11:04 pm

Moon Underfoot: 9:13a BEST:

2:30 — 4:30 AM

-0.27 ft. Low Tide: 7:32 am 0.91 ft. High Tide: 3:39 pm 0.85 ft. Low Tide: 8:21 pm 0.88 ft.

Moon Underfoot: 10:01a BEST:

BEST:

3:00 — 5:00 AM

-0.29 ft. High Tide: 12:12 am 0.92 ft. Low Tide: 8:07 am 0.82 ft. High Tide: 3:49 pm Low Tide: 8:24 pm

Moon Underfoot: 10:48a

High Tide: 1:09 am Low Tide: 8:39 am High Tide: 4:04 pm Low Tide: 8:46 pm

+2.0

BEST:

3:30 — 5:30 AM

0.91 ft. -0.30 ft. 0.93 ft. 0.76 ft.

Moon Underfoot: 11:35a 4:30 — 6:30 AM

0.95 ft. -0.28 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.67 ft.

High Tide: 2:02 am Low Tide: 9:10 am High Tide: 4:22 pm Low Tide: 9:15 pm

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

8:00 — 10:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 7:37a

0.98 ft. -0.24 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.56 ft.

+1.0 0 -1.0

1/15/13 11:53 AM

Sportsman’s Daybook

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 6:15p Moonrise: 6:26p Set: 6:22a

Sunrise: 6:47a Set: 6:16p Moonrise: 7:24p Set: 6:58a

Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 6:17p Moonrise: 8:23p Set: 7:35a

Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 6:18p Moonrise: 9:24p Set: 8:13a

Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 6:18p Moonrise: 10:27p Set: 8:54a

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

« 26

« 27

Mar 1

SATURDAY

Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 6:19p Moonrise: 11:31p Set: 9:39a

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:42a Set: 6:20p Moonrise: None Set: 10:29a

AM Minor: 4:28a

PM Minor: 4:52p

AM Minor: 5:15a

PM Minor: 5:39p

AM Minor: 6:05a

PM Minor: 6:29p

AM Minor: 6:59a

PM Minor: 7:24p

AM Minor: 7:56a

PM Minor: 8:22p

AM Minor: 8:55a

PM Minor: 9:23p

AM Minor: 9:56a

PM Minor: 10:25p

AM Major: 10:40a

PM Major: 11:03p

AM Major: 11:27a

PM Major: 11:57p

AM Major: -----

PM Major: 12:17p

AM Major: 12:46a

PM Major: 1:11p

AM Major: 1:43a

PM Major: 2:09p

AM Major: 2:41a

PM Major: 3:09p

AM Major: 3:42a

PM Major: 4:10p

Moon Overhead: None 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:32a

Moon Overhead: 12:45a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:21a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:05a

Moon Overhead: 3:12a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:01a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

¡ 25

12a

Tides and Prime Times for FEBRUARY 2013

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 12:21p

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 AM

6:30 — 8:30 PM

High Tide: 2:54 am Low Tide: 9:42 am High Tide: 4:41 pm Low Tide: 9:49 pm

86 |

1.00 ft. -0.16 ft. 0.95 ft. 0.42 ft.

High Tide: 3:48 am Low Tide: 10:16 am High Tide: 5:00 pm Low Tide: 10:25 pm

F E B R U A R Y

ALMANAC Digital.indd 86

1.01 ft. -0.04 ft. 0.93 ft. 0.27 ft.

2 0 1 3

Moon Underfoot: 1:56p

Moon Underfoot: 2:46p

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 PM

8:30 — 10:30 PM

High Tide: 4:46 am Low Tide: 10:51 am High Tide: 5:17 pm Low Tide: 11:06 pm

1.01 ft. 0.11 ft. 0.92 ft. 0.12 ft.

High Tide: 5:50 am Low Tide: 11:28 am High Tide: 5:33 pm Low Tide: 11:51 pm

T e x a S

F i s h

Moon Underfoot: 3:38p BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 4:33p

9:30 — 11:30 PM

BEST:

10:30P — 12:30A

1.00 ft. High Tide: 7:03 am 0.98 ft. Low Tide: 12:42 am 0.30 ft. Low Tide: 12:07 pm 0.51 ft. High Tide: 8:28 am 0.92 ft. High Tide: 5:45 pm 0.93 ft. Low Tide: 12:46 pm High Tide: 5:54 pm -0.03 ft.

G a m e ®

T F & G

-0.17 ft. 0.98 ft. 0.72 ft. 0.97 ft.

Moon Underfoot: 5:30p

+2.0

BEST:

11:00P — 1:00A

Low Tide: 1:42 am High Tide: 10:07 am Low Tide: 1:30 pm High Tide: 5:58 pm

-0.27 ft. 1.00 ft. 0.89 ft. 1.02 ft.

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:08p

+1.0 0 -1.0

A L M A N A C

1/15/13 11:53 AM

Texas Tasted

Photo: Bryan Slaven

Speckled Trout Almandine

his time of the year is a great time to catch Speckled trout and this year has been a great producer for sure. Trout is a delicate fish; this preparation has a lot of great flavors combined with the trout to create a true flavor sensation. I hope you will all enjoy it; you can substitute catfish for the trout if you wish. Preheat oven to broil, this dish cooks quickly and tastes better cooked this way, so have all of your side dishes ready before making the fish

Ingredients 10 to 12 fillets of fresh Speckled trout 4 tablespoons olive oil 1 stick butter, melted and 1 lemon juiced, and combined with butter ½ cup – slivered almonds ½ cup thinly sliced mushrooms 1/3 cup finely sliced green onions Granulated garlic powder 1 lemon – juiced 3 to 4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese Freshly cracked black pepper 1 teaspoon - tarragon Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice

Speckled Trout Almandine

- Arrange mushroom pieces around the perimeter of the pan - Lay the trout fillets evenly in pan - Brush the fillets and mushrooms with melted butter and lemon juice mixture, but save a small amount - Sprinkle the green onions over the fish - Lightly season the fillets and mushrooms with garlic powder, black pepper, tarragon and Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice Place in the broiler approx. 10 to 12 inches below the heat Broil for 4 to 6 minutes, watch for the fish and spices to start to turn golden brown, then remove from broiler but leave the broiler on Spread the slivered almonds over the fil-

Preparation

Line a cookie sheet or using a 9 x 13 Pyrex glass dish spread the olive oil evenly over entire surface of pan T F & G

ALMANAC Digital.indd 87

A L M A N A C

lets, then brush lightly with remaining lemon butter mixture, now sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the top Return to the broiler, it will only require a short time, maybe 30 to 45 seconds to lightly brown the almonds Immediately remove from oven and cover with a piece of foil for 3 to 4 minutes to rest the fish and hold in all the moisture Serve with your favorite rice dish and some steamed spinach. Email Bryan Slaven, “The Texas Gourmet,” at BSlaven@fishgame.com

Join the Texas Gourmet Fanclub on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=152165096156. Come and share your favorite recipes, restaurants, and hangouts. The Texas Gourmet is waiting on you! T e x a S

F i s h

G a m e ®

F E B R U A R Y

2 0 1 3

1/15/13 11:53 AM

Rockport Red Runner

TEXAS FRESHWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

LAKE TEXOMA

MIDDLE Coast

GALVESTON Striper Express

LAKE AMISTAD WWW.FISHGAME.COM

ROCKPORT

Redfish Charters

88 |

TEXAS FRESHWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

DFW METROPLEX

Upper Coast (Sabine Lake)

F E B R U A R Y

ALMANAC Digital.indd 88

2 0 1 3

T e x a S

F i s h

G a m e 速

T F & G

A L M A N A C

1/15/13 11:53 AM

Rockport Red Runner

TEXAS SALTWATER

TEXAS HUNTING

HUNTING

ROCKPORT / BAFFIN BAY

NORTH EAST TEXAS

OHIO

MATAGORDA

FISHandGAMEgear.COM

SPOTLIGHT: ROCKPORT REDRUNNER Rockport RedRunner - where we are making memories for a lifetime every day. I realized at a young age a true love for fishing. I remember catching thousands of trout while fishing with my grandpa and my dad under working birds or wading the shorelines throwing shrimp tails or gold spoons for reds. This is why I love my job. It’s about building memories and teaching the skills I was taught along my thirty years of fishing the Texas Gulf Coast. Its about seeing the excitement of the young and old as they reel their first redfish or trout to the boat with the rod doubled over almost touching the water. I also love to hear from young customers that choose to go fishing with me for their birthday gift from parents above any other gift year after year after year. I have made not only customers but many, many friends with my full time charter business and give thanks each and everyday that I’m able to do what I truly love and share this love with others. Although I am familiar and fish other areas - Rockport, Port A, and Corpus are the areas I specialize in but have a true passion for chasing trophy fish in Baffin as well. Give me a call at (361) 463-6545 or visit rockportredrunner.com to make memories for your family they will never forget!!! - USCG Licensed Captain Chad Verburgt Rockport RedRunner-

FISH LIKE A PRO WITH HELP FROM OUR BOOKS: WWW.FISHGAMEANDGEAR.COM T F & G

ALMANAC Digital.indd 89

A L M A N A C

T e x a S

F i s h

G a m e ®

F E B R U A R Y

2 0 1 3

1/15/13 11:53 AM

Alligator gar San Antonio River

Speckled trout

Lane Dahse, 8, of Kyle caught this “River Monster” with his dad and a few friends on the San Antonio River in Victoria County. The Alligator Gar measured 5 feet, 6 inches and weighed 65 pounds.

Laguna Madre

Whitetail

Debi Hensley caught this Laguna Madre spec on an August morning with a Shimano Stradic 2500 spinning reel spooled with Berkley Crystal Fireline, using a 5-inch BassAssassin.

Atascosa County Cole Andrus, 8, of Corpus Christi shot this 8-pointer with a 21-inch spread on his family’s ranch in Atascosa County. The buck was aged at 7-12 years. Cole was hunting with his dad and shot the deer with a .243 rifle.

feral hog Mad Island WMA Macie Murty shot this 220pound boar with 3-1/2-inch tusks while hunting during the youth-only drawn application hunt on Mad Island WMA near Collegeport. It was her third year to apply for the hunt, and her first time getting selected.

Bass

Speckled Trout

Private Lake

Baffin Bay

John McCarty caught this “Nice Pair” at Long Glade Lake, on a Zoom Trick Worm. He caught them 5 minutes apart about 50 feet from each other. Long Glade Lake is a 50-acre spring fed private share holder lake near Lake Cherokee in East Texas.

Kate Kennedy, age 6, caught her biggest trout while fishing near Baffin Bay. The speck measured 26-3/4 inches and weighed 5-1/2 pounds.

Redfish Aransas Pass Nine-year-old Walker and six-year-old Logan Jenke of San Antonio teamed up to land Logan’s largest redfish to date—27.5 inches and 8.5 pounds. Logan caught the red near Aransas Pass while fishing with croaker and Walker manned the net.

bowfin Port Lavaca Brett Lienemann of Victoria caught this bowfin in Chocolate Bayou, behind grandparents Phil and Delores Schneider’s house in Port Lavaca. The bowfin—a rare catch this far down the coast—weighed about 2 pounds.

90 |

F E B R U A R Y

ALMANAC Digital.indd 90

2 0 1 3

T e x a S

F i s h

G a m e ®

T F & G

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Flounder Seabrook Two-year-old Luka Goreta caught his first flounder while fishing in Seabrook.

Crappie Lake Ray Roberts Dylan Egger, 8-1/2, caught this 16-inch crappie while fishing with his Dad, brother Bryce and Uncle Scott on Lake Ray Roberts. It was the biggest catch of the day.

Redfish Trinity Bay Twelve-year-old Kyle Smith caught this 32-inch, 12-pound redfish while fishing in Trinity Bay

Turkey Sonora Maci Smith, 13, shot her first turkey while hunting in Sonora. The bird had a nine-inch beard.

Catfish Richland-Chambers Claire Pustejovsky, 6, of Humble, caught this channel cat last Memorial Day at Richland-Chambers Res. using a worm and bobber.

Speckled Trout Baffin Bay Blain Garcia, 3, of Bishop, holds up his first trout caught with a little help from his father Adrian. This trout was caught in Baffin Bay with a TTF red and white lure under a popping cork. The fish was released after this photo.

Black Drum Speckled trout Galveston Larissa Martinez, 11, caught her biggest fish ever, this 23-inch speckled trout, while fishing in Galveston Bay with her Grandma and Grandpa.

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Anahuac Eight-year-old Gavin Broadway caught this 39-1/2-pound black drum off his grandparentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pier in Anahuac. Grandma Kay Broadway sent in the photo.

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