January 2009 by Texas Fish & Game

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Texas Fish & Game®

★ JANUARY 2009 • VOL. XXIV NO.9 $3.95US

INLAND EDITION

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

ROY NEVES PUBLISHER

DON ZAIDLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHESTER

MOORE

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

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

P R O D U C T I O N

JIMMY BORNE ART DIRECTOR

LINDSAY WHITMAN YEATES GRAPHIC DESIGNER

A D V E R T I S I N G

ARDIA NEVES VICE PRESIDENT/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR NICOLE MCKIBBIN • NATIONAL MARKETING REP. DENISE RONQUILLE • NATIONAL MARKETING REP. KEITH BROWN • REGIONAL MARKETING REP. 1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE 281/227-3001 • FAX 281/227-3002

SUBSCRIPTION/PRODUCT MKTG. 1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE 800/725-1134

DUANE HRUZEK MARKETING/CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

HEIDI GERKE LARRY FRIEDMAN JOE LUCA

• SUBSCRIBER SERVICES MANAGER • FIELD REPRESENTATIVE • NEWSTAND REPRESENTATIVE

A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

DENNISE CHAVEZ NATIONAL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/RECEIVABLES MANAGER

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

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ROY NEVES PUBLISHER

DON ZAIDLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHESTER

MOORE

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

P R O D U C T I O N

JIMMY BORNE ART DIRECTOR

LINDSAY WHITMAN YEATES GRAPHIC DESIGNER

A D V E R T I S I N G

SUBSCRIPTION/PRODUCT MKTG. 1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE 800/725-1134

DUANE HRUZEK MARKETING/CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

HEIDI GERKE LARRY FRIEDMAN JOE LUCA

• SUBSCRIBER SERVICES MANAGER • FIELD REPRESENTATIVE • NEWSTAND REPRESENTATIVE

A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

DENNISE CHAVEZ NATIONAL ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/RECEIVABLES MANAGER

MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS

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JANUARY 2009 • Volume XXIV • NO.9

BOAT BUYER’S MARKET Slumping economy, loans harder than ever to secure, boat manufacturers struggling to survive. Things sound pretty bad on the marine scene — unless, you are in the market as a buyer. In fact, this is the perfect time to buy a boat. Here’s what to look for — and what to look out for.

by Lenny Rudow

SKINNY WATER IN SMALL BOATS If you have a fondness for skinny water, you know that it takes a special craft to operate in the shallows. There are a lot of good options, but each has a limitation. Here are things to consider, and some of your best choices.

by Greg Berlocher

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PLAYING THE SHELL GAME To celebrate our 25th year, we are revisiting some of the best articles that we have published over our quarter-century history. Many of them, like this one, are as pertinent today as they were when originally printed.

by Buddy Gough FROM SHARELUNKERS TO SUPERSPECKS In March 1999, amid the fervor over the cloning of a “super sheep”, TF&G’s Executive Editor posed the question: If they can build a Super Sheep, why not a Super Trout? Ten years later, the age is upon us.

ON THE COVER: Courtney Colville of Missouri City assists in launching Tommy (Doctor Redfish) Lomonte’s 24foot Blue Wave at the Galveston Yacht Basin. Hurricane Ike destroyed the Yacht Basin’s marina store and warehouse, but the ramp and boat slips have been reopened. Dr. Lomonte, a regular contributor to TF&G , is a past winner of the Redfish Cup and Troutmaster circuits. In addition to Blue Wave Boats, he is sponsored by Yamaha, American Rodsmiths, US Reel, Navionics, Ego Nets, Custom Marine Concepts and Sufix Line.

Photo by Gerald Burleigh

ALSO IN JANUARY:

by Chester Moore

THE STATE OF DEER Kicking off a year-long series, The Year of the Deer, we look at the current state of deer populations and deer hunting in Texas.

by Don Zaidle & Chester Moore 4

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BOAT RAMP ETIQUETTE The do’s and don’ts to keep you from gumming up the works at a boat ramp. by Bruce W. Smith

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JANUARY 2009 • Volume XXIV • NO.9

COLUMNS 10 Editor’s Notes

56 Texas Hunts

True Green For 25 Years

PredatorProof Quail

by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

by BOB HOOD TF&G Hunting Editor

16 Commentary

57 Texas Offshore

Share the Legacy

by CAPT. MIKE HOLMES TF&G Associate Offshore Editor

18 Chester’s Notes

Five Resolutions I Won’t Keep

by CHESTER MOORE TF&G Executive Editor

by MATT WILLIAMS TF&G Freshwater Editor

20 Doggett at Large

A Winter Stroll

by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

22 TexasWild

by CALIXTO GONZALES TF&G Saltwater Editor

60 Texas Boating

Pig-Sticking Made Personal

Trailering 101

by TED NUGENT TF&G Editor-at-Large

62 Open Season Help?

by LENNY RUDOW TF&G Boating Editor

T E X A S

TF&G REPORT

BIG BAGS & CATCHES

TROPHY QUEST

TRUE GREEN

TF&G ON CAMPUS

by LENNY RUDOW TF&G Boating Editor

Pure Bay 2400; Flatstalker; Ranger 2400

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59 Texas Saltwater

Life In a Duck Blind

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YOUR LETTERS

58 Texas Freshwater

Year Of the Deer

New Year, Old Problems

by KENDAL HEMPHILL TF&G Commentator

50 TF&G Test Pilot

DEPARTMENTS

by REAVIS WORTHAM TF&G Humor Editor

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BEST HURRICANE COVERAGE Everyone at work had been telling me to get the November Texas Fish & Game to see the Ike story written by our local hero, Chester Moore. Being from Orange, it was amazing to see something that actually reflected what happened over here. His story and all of your photos of what happened were really, really good. I would like to thank you for showing an accurate version of what happened and making such a good magazine with such an upstanding young man on your staff. Ron Hall Orange, TX

IKE, ENERGY, AND POLITICS I took up fishing about two years ago and have subscribed to your magazine since then to help educate me on the sport. I love your magazine and it has been very helpful to me. I am writing not about fishing, but about Don Zaidle’s recent editorial, Editor’s Notes, “Ike, Energy, and Politics,” in the November issue of TF&G. I was surprised to see how well informed he is on energy matters in our country. I would like to know how he became so informed so that I can help our industry inform others. I am an engineering manager and I have been in the petrochemical/refining industry for over 28 years. I know a thing or two about the energy industry. This industry operates on the basic supply and demand principles that all businesses do, except for one notable exception: OPEC. This cartel (monopoly) is composed of 10 oil-producing countries (Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran, et al) whose aim it is to control the price of oil. This would be an illegal activity that, if practiced in the U.S., would get you thrown in jail. OPEC did not have lasting success in controlling oil price until the late 1990s. I 8

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was a business manager in marketing at that time and oil was ~ $14 per barrel. When Hugo Chavez became Venezuela’s leader in the late 1990s, he rallied OPEC together in an effort to have a staying impact on oil price. OPEC then publicized that they wanted to see a “basket” price for their crudes in the $24-32/barrel range. As prices reached these levels, OPEC did not increase production, but rather kept production “controlled” under peak capacity because they became greedy. OPEC’s continued collusion and reduced production and, along with increased world consumption (mainly by China), allowed oil prices to continue to increase all the way through this past summer. Gasoline prices have more or less followed crude price on the way up, but it, too, can be affected by supply and demand. The U.S. restrictive controls on new refining capacity have also had a hand in increasing gasoline price. More refining capacity means lower gasoline prices relative to crude oil price. Oil and related energy products are the single largest factor in the U.S. and world economy; put simply, they drive our economies. The U.S. has let this commodity come under our government controls and extremist environmental constraints, and this is a travesty. Politicians have deceived our nation concerning this commodity, and we are now at the beck and call of OPEC. I was a young engineer in 1987 when our company leaders brought me and about 100 other technical employees into a conference room to solicit support for a new oil-producing region in Alaska—an artic wasteland called the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWAR). This was and still is one of the best places in the world to drill for oil with minimum environmental impact. Twenty-one years later, we are still arguing about it and not one drop of oil has been produced from this region. This is a microcosm of what is wrong with our national energy policy. This story can be repeated a hundred times over F i s h

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for other U.S. oil producing regions. The oil industry has been handcuffed for over 20 years, and we knew this day was coming. There is a solution, but we need to get our politicians out of the way and “free” our engineers and scientists to solve this problem. We need to (1) find and drill for more oil, (2) build more nuclear energy plants, and (3) conserve energy in all ways (increase auto fuel economy, reduce electricity consumption, etc.). I found it interesting that Zaidle suggested that we look into reducing electric light usage at night. This is the very idea that my wife and I thought about, since we do have natural fluorescent materials that can illuminate areas without electricity. The problem is that we have politicians trying to dictate solutions, instead of engineers and scientists who understand the issue find the solutions. Our history is filled with examples of engineers/scientists inventing products and services that have changed our lives (Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, Willis Haviland Carrier, et al.) We need to get the politicians out of the way so that we can let our free market economy bury OPEC. Some alternative fuels are totally ineffective; ethanol is one of them. The government currently subsidizes this product (52 cents/gallon) and mandates its use (currently 7.7 billion gallons/year). That ought to be a red flag in itself. If that isn’t bad enough, it also is 30 percent less efficient than regular gasoline. I am all for alternative fuels if they are economically viable. The same can be said for wind power; it is not the answer to our energy needs. The bottom line is that we need to let our competitive industries come up with energy solutions without being handcuffed. Pat Lavergne Via email

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N OCTOBER LAST YEAR, AN ENVIRONMENTAL blog column called Fresh Greens in U.S. News & World Report featured an installment titled, “8 Halloween Costumes That Will Scare Environmentalists.” The No. 1 scariest costume was: Safari Hunter - Tell environmentalists, “I have a blatant disregard for the well-being of wildlife,” with a sexy safari costume, complete with a shotgun and victims. To enhance this costume, take some red paint and apply it to a few stuffed animals to sling over your shoulder or string around your belt. When you talk to people at the costume party, be sure to share your views about how the Bush administration is being a little too generous with the amount of creatures added to the endangered species list. Other suggested scary costumes included dressing as Sushi, a Lumberjack, a Gas Pump, Steak, and a Cow With Whoopee Cushion—each with derogatory commentary about the respective recreation or industry represented. The truly scary thing is that the column’s rhetoric is not extreme by current standards, but somewhere near what passes for the middle of the “green” movement. “Green” is a relatively new byword, meme, and noun for the environmental movement. Because the terms “environmentalism” and “environmentalist” have rightfully garnered an extremist stigma, the movement sought and found a way to re-brand itself much as “anti-“ and “pro-abortion” respectively morphed into “pro-life” and “pro-choice.” Garbage by any other name still stinks,

and the “green” movement retains the stench of extremism, unreasonableness, ignorance, anti-industry, and anti-outdoorsman. And the re-branded environmental movement remains shrilly dissonant with the base concept of true stewardship of the outdoors— conservation. The green movement disparages the very industries, groups, and individuals that have for decades been the bulwarks of wise conservation practices, and in fact were directly responsible for the restoration of myriad wildlife species poised for extinction. Hunters advocating conservation measures and paying for it with license and tax revenues restored the nation’s white-tailed deer and turkey populations. Fishermen demanding protections for beleaguered species saved the redfish, Northeastern brook trout, et al. Farmers adopting low-till and no-till practices, leaving habitat “islands” intact, and not clearing fencerows conserved habitat for quail, rabbits, and other upland game. Industries once ignorant or indifferent to conservation now champion measures and initiate programs that directly improve wildlife habitat and minimize the industrial “environmental footprint.” Meanwhile, the green movement crusades for closing America’s wildlands to wisely regulated recreational and industrial use, demanding “do not touch” preservation. (It has always been a mystery just who they want to preserve it for.) The movement’s initiatives and rhetoric clearly illustrate that it does not understand what conservation is or why it is the best paradigm for conserving the outdoors and benefiting the people who live, recreate, and work therein. The green movement does not understand what “green” means. Hunters, fishermen, trappers, wise farmers, and responsible industries are true blue in conservation matters. Webster’s defines “true blue” as: unwaveringly loyal or faith-

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ful; staunch; unchangingly true. Perhaps, then, in context, those mentioned are more aptly “True Green.” True Green is the color of the hunter’s camouflage, the fisherman’s waders, and the farmer’s John Deere. It is the color of autumnal splendor, and winter bleakness; it is the color of the outdoors in all its seasons, cycles, and adaptations—including the harvesters of its bounty. Ever since the launch of Texas Fish & Game in 1984, this magazine has supported, applauded, and reported on the True Green nature of conservation, but felt we needed to do more to spotlight the real issues raised and progress wrought by organizations and individuals that truly love the outdoors—and prove it with real money and real sweat, not cheap rhetoric and demands to “ban” this or that to the detriment of all. It is therefore with great pride we announce in this issue the inaugural appearance of a new section dedicated to these principles: True Green. True Green is a bastion of truthful, accurate reporting on all things conservation, sourced from our own investigations and a growing list of True Green Conservation Partners such as Ducks Unlimited and Texas Coastal Conservation Association. Expect this list to grow in the coming months as we partner with more conservation groups and recruit industry sponsors to promote and support real, meaningful conservation efforts—True Green conservation. As alluded previously, 2009 marks the 25th year of Texas Fish & Game publication. In commemoration, each 2009 issue carries articles and photographs from years past. We think you will enjoy this foray into nostalgia, and appreciate that this magazine has always been and will always be True Green.

E-mail Don Zaidle at editor@fishgame.com

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Get ‘Em Before They’re Hot! A special guest editorial by TF&G firearms editor,Steve Lamascus HE NOTORIOUS AND USELESS BAN ON “assault weapons” (Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB)) expired on 13 September 2004. It was allowed to expire by the sunset provision that Congress wisely included at its inception. During its 10-year life, it did nothing but make it more difficult to legally purchase certain guns. It stopped no crime and prevented no murders that anybody knows of. All it did was make the leftist element feel it had done something. It did...it violated the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Now, our shortsighted nation has elected a president that is more liberal than any before him (for “liberal” read “socialist”— or did you miss his rhetoric on “redistribution of the wealth”). He has promised to make the AWB permanent, and I believe him. This is a sad moment in this nation, when We the People vote to give up our freedom for a false feeling of security. Obama is going after your guns—bet on it. First will be so-called “assault weapons,” then handguns, and then who knows. He believes the government empowers the people rather than the other way around as provided in the Constitution. He believes the Constitution should be changed or interpreted to fit whatever modern society desires. Until he assumes the presidency on 20 January 2009, you can still buy AR15s, Mini 14s, M1As, AR10s, semi-auto AK47s, and other such “black guns.” After Obama takes office, he will act with a democrat-controlled congress to make it illegal to buy or sell such guns. He will, as he states, “close the gun show loophole.” The following is from the website change.gov, Office of the President-Elect. It is no longer on the website, which makes one wonder why it was removed. However, I had

the foresight to copy it to my computer before it was expunged. It says (or said), under the heading, Address Gun Violence in Cities: “As president, Barack Obama would repeal the Tiahrt Amendment, which restricts the ability of local law enforcement to access important gun trace information, and give police officers across the nation the tools they need to solve gun crimes and fight the illegal arms trade. Obama and Biden also favor commonsense measures that respect the Second Amendment rights of gun owners, while keeping guns away from children and from criminals who shouldn’t have them. They support closing the gun show loophole and making guns in this country childproof. They also support making the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban permanent, as such weapons belong on foreign battlefields and not on our streets.” How does information on legal gun owners give police officers “the tools they need to solve gun crimes and fight the illegal arms trade?” And when did a gun ever commit a crime? I thought people did that; and isn’t it already illegal for criminals to own guns? Am I the only one who sees something wrong here? If you are a patriotic citizen, go to the nearest gun shop, buy a handgun, and the black rifle of your choice. Along with it, purchase at least 1000 rounds of ammo for each, a halfdozen extra magazines, a reloader, bullets, primers, powder, and spare brass. This might be your last chance to do so, because Obama means exactly what he says. He is talking about change, and you and I are going to see it, and pay for it. If he has his way, only the police and military will be armed.

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Have you ever heard of a policeman arriving at an emergency in time to prevent the crime? I was in law enforcement for 23 years. My father was a cop and federal agent before me, and I have two sons-in-law in law enforcement. In all those years, I know of only one instance in which an officer actually prevented a crime in progress, and that was by pure divine luck. I don’t know about you, but I prefer not to depend on divine intervention when I can avoid it. I believe in God with all my heart, but I also think He expects us to take some active part in our own protection. The cops cannot protect you from violence. They come along later and clean up the mess. They will try to find out who killed you and punish them for it, but you are still dead. If you want protection, go buy one of those nasty handguns or “assault weapons”—an H&K MP5 is a good one, so is a CAR-15 loaded with Hornady TAP ammunition. Equally good is a 12-gauge shotgun, semi-auto or pump, loaded with No. 6 shot for home protection, or No. 1 buck for other social occasions. Then go to the range and learn to use them. Become a handloader so you can shoot more and have a stock of components on hand for dire emergencies. Instead of outlawing assault weapons, I believe each law-abiding adult in the United States should be issued an M16 and a good handgun, and then taught to use them. I think every law-abiding citizen should be allowed to carry a concealed weapon anywhere, all the time. Sadly, I am in the minority. Have we become so insipid that we must be protected? Can we no longer protect ourselves? That would seem to be the case with the majority. If you think you might ever want a highcapacity semi-auto firearm, now is the time

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to buy it. Because I promise you, no matter what other promises Mr. Obama made, this is one he will do his best to keep. Are you a citizen or a subject? The next four years could very well determine the answer to that question.

TPWD Proposes Regulation Changes In a briefing of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission’s Regulations Committee, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department unveiled an extensive suite of potential regulation changes in deer harvest throughout much of the state. The department will be gathering public input on the possible proposals during the next couple of months and present to the commission in January a comprehensive set of proposals. See the feature, “The State of Deer” elsewhere in this issue for details. Other wildlife-related issues that could be advanced by the department include implementing an open general season in Parmer County for mule deer, contingent upon the results of winter surveys and the temporary

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suspension of the two-day October lesser prairie chicken season until population recovery supports a season. In addition, several possible changes to freshwater fishing regulations were offered to the commission including modifying blue catfish regulations on three reservoirs, modifying largemouth bass regulations on another, and providing increased protection for alligator gar statewide. Harvest regulations for blue catfish on Lake Lewisville, Lake Richland-Chambers, and Lake Waco currently reflect the statewide limits (12-inch minimum length limit and 25 fish daily bag limit). Proposed changes consist of a 25-fish daily bag limit with a 30- to 45-inch slot length limit, and harvest of only one blue catfish over 45 inches. No harvest of blue catfish between 30 and 45 inches would be allowed. Harvest regulations for largemouth bass on Lake Ray Roberts are currently a 14- to 24-inch slot length limit and a five-fish daily bag (only one bass 24 inches or greater may be retained each day). Potential changes would consist of the statewide limits for largemouth bass (14-inch minimum length limit and five-fish daily bag limit).

The department discussed possible regulation strategies that emphasize protection of adult fish, while allowing some limited harvest of trophy fish to ensure population stability while allowing utilization of the resource. Two possible regulation scenarios were highlighted. The first would consist of issuing tags limiting the size and/or number of alligator gar an angler could harvest in one year. The other would involve setting a minimum length limit of 7 feet and a daily bag limit of one. Under either scenario, harvest through commercial activities would also be restricted. Despite a relatively good year for flounder coastwide this year, TPWD coastal fisheries biologists remain concerned about a long-term downward trend in the abundance of southern flounder in Texas bays. Gill net catch rates have fallen from 0.14 fish per hour in 1982 to about 0.03 fish per hour last year. State fisheries biologists have already met with commercial and recreational fishermen to discuss possible changes to flounder regulations, and have planned a series of public scoping meetings to outline management options and receive input from anyone with

BIG BAGS & CATCHES

AXIS—Sutton County

CATFISH—Bastrop

TARPON—Port O’ Connor

Casey Boswell, age 4, of Bastrop, Texas, caught this “yella” catfish while fishing with his dad Charlie and his uncle Danny in the Colorado River in Bastrop.

(L-R) Scott Hartl, Paul Reitz, Jeff Vinklarek and Steven Tschatschula (not pictured) show off this 170-pound tarpon that was caught and released on a trip out of Port O’Connor, Texas. They also caught and released an 80-pounder on the same trip. T E X A S

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Barbara Naiser of El Campo, Texas, bagged this gold medal trophy axis deer on the Naiser NCinco Ranch in Sutton County. The axis had a 36-inch main beam and 14-inch brow tines and was taken at 120 yards with a 220 Swift. G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y 2 0 0 9 • 13

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an interest in the issue. Management tools at the department’s disposal include decreasing the bag limit, increasing minimum size limit, area or time closures, and quotas. Also subject to scoping in the coming months is a proposal to change the requirements for a TPWD All-Water Guide License, which currently calls for the applicant to hold a USCG Operator of an Uninspected Passenger Vessel, or “SixPack” license. The changes would apply to applicants who wish to guide only paddle craft trips. The draft proposal presented to TPW Commissioners includes requirements that licensees in lieu of holding a USCG license successfully complete TPWD Boater Safety training, hold current CPR and first aid certifications, and successfully complete ACA Level II Essentials of Kayak Touring and Coastal Kayak Trip Leading, or BCU Three-Star Sea Kayak and Four-Star Leader Sea Kayak certifications. Finally, coastal fisheries biologists presented several issues pertaining to achieving consistency between state and federal regulations for sharks and reef fish such as gray triggerfish, greater amberjack, and gag grouper. Dates have not yet been set for public scoping meetings on the proposals to change the guide license requirements for paddle craft guides, or for changes in migratory and reef fish regulations to achieve consistency with federal regulations.

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of the show. Children of all ages will enjoy the educational “Ocean in a Box” display. Chef Mark Pullick of the Venetian Hot Plate will be presenting a cooking demonstration on Saturday and there will be daily seminars on fishing, boating, and kayaking. The participating boat dealers are giving away a $1500 grand prize gift certificate to one lucky person each day of the show. The winners can redeem the prize for products or service at any of these dealerships. Hourly door prizes (rods & reels, fishing tackle, dining certificates, guided fishing trips, and more) will be awarded throughout the show. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children age 11 years and younger. For more information, see www.ccboatshow.com or call 361 991 0369.

Matarese Wins Sporting Clays National Championship Anthony Matarese, Jr., has become the 20th Sporting Clays National Champion, beating more than 1400 shooters for the top prize and edging former champion Wendell Cherry by one target. The four-day, 300target main event, sanctioned by the National Sporting Clays Association, concluded in November at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio.

The Coastal Bend Marine Dealers Association invites TF&G readers to attend the 52nd Annual Coastal Bend Marine Dealers Boat Show & Sale 22-25 January in Corpus Christi, held at the American Bank Convention Center. See what’s new in boating and fishing for 2009. Nine boat dealers and 75 booth vendors will display everything needed to equip you for the upcoming boating season. The show offers great deals, easy financing, and plenty of fun all under one roof. The Texas State Aquarium will be hosting interactive children’s programs each day

It has been quite a year for Matarese’s sporting clays career; he also won sporting clays’ other major annual event for 2008, the U.S. Open, held in June. Matarese and his family own and operate M&M Hunting Preserve and Sporting Clays in Pennsville, New Jersey. As winner of the National Championship, Matarese took a $5000 purse, in addition to payouts for several concurrent and side competitions. Diane Sorantino repeated as Ladies champion for the second consecutive year, dominating the field through the entire competition. The police chief from Cape May, New Jersey, out-shot her nearest competitor by 13 targets. “We couldn’t have asked for a better

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event to celebrate our 20th year,” said Michael Hampton, Jr., Director of Sporting Clays. “We set records in the number of shooters and the number of first-time nationals competitors. Even the weather cooperated to keep the playing field even and the entire event operating smoothly.” On each day of the main event, shooters faced 75 targets. By the end of the tournament, each person had shot four different 10-station fields. A number of concurrent and side events were also ongoing throughout the week. Top shooters in the main event and concurrent competitions include: • Overall Champion: Anthony Matarese, Jr., breaking a total of 285 of 300 targets; • 2nd place, Wendell Cherry, 284; and 3rd place, Brandon Powell, 282; • Ladies Champion: Diane Sorantino, with a score of 269; 2nd place, DeeAnn Massey, 256; and 3rd place, Ashleigh Hafley, 249; • Sub-Junior Champion: David Radulovich of Columbia Station, OH, at 275; 2nd place, Kyler Ford, 264; and 3rd place Trevor Sorenson, 256; • Junior Champion: Chris McClelland of Stewartsville, PA, at 281; 2nd place, Theo Ribbs, 273; and 3rd place, Joey Bolton, 272; • Veteran Champion: Gary Greenway of Dublin, TX, at 270; 2nd place, Jack Concannon, 267; and 3rd place, Wayne Nelson, 265; • Super Veteran Champion: Michael Taylor of Dayton, MT, at 260; 2nd place, Bob L. Davis, 257; and 3rd place, Joe B. Cantey, 255; • Senior Super Veteran Champion: Ray Tipton, at 256; 2nd place, Dan Floeck, 225; and 3rd place, Gene Sears, 217. The National Championship was webcast by the American Trigger Sports Network on the NSCA’s website, featuring live shooting action and interviews with many of the top shooters. For a link to the archived webcast, or to view complete scores and payouts, go to the website www.mynsca.com.

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Share the Legacy T

HE DOVE FLEW SPORADICALLY OVER THE thick bee-brush and scattered mesquite on the hillside south of Fort Mason. Once in a while, several birds would wing overhead at once, but such congregations were rare. As the old man used to say, “They’re flying in bunches of ones and twos, and some bunches don’t have any in ‘em.” Some friends and I were hunting dove this past September near Mason, and the only thing that made the day significant was that it was one 13-year-old boy’s first dove hunt. I had loaned Nick a Remington youth model 870 in 20-gauge, and he sat near me while we didn’t shoot dove. With few birds flying, we had time to talk a lot, and I spent the afternoon explaining dove hunting to the young man. He soaked up every word, never interrupted, and generally made me feel important. Later, when the birds started flying better, beginner’s luck stepped in. Nick downed a dove with his first shot. There used to be a commercial that said, “There’s nothing like the face of a kid eating a Hershey bar.” But I have never seen chocolate cause a grin like the one that boy wore. The corners of his mouth almost met in the back of his head. Later, as we watched the sun dip low in the west, I asked Nick what he thought of dove hunting. He said, “This is the most fun I’ve ever had.” More than 30 years earlier, I had tromped along the edge of my grandfather’s wheat field near Rochelle, Texas, with my dad. I also was lucky enough to down the 16

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first dove I shot at, with an old 20-gauge borrowed from my grandfather. Dad picked up my bird, turned to me, and said, “Your average will never again be as good as it is right now.” As usual, he was right. The older I get, the harder it is to remember things. I am constantly looking for my car keys, which is probably typical, but sometimes I forget where I parked the car. I once lost a flatbed trailer for two weeks, because I forgot where I had left it. But no matter how bad my memory gets, I will never forget that first dove hunt. My first deer made an equally lasting impression.

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The older I get, the harder it is to remember things. But no matter how bad my memory gets, I will never forget that first dove hunt.

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Some events, even if we do not realize it at the time, are more important to us than others, and imbed themselves permanently in our minds. They become part of us, and help define who we are. They affect our attitudes and actions for the rest of our lives. We all have memories of first hunts, first fishing trips, and first camping trips. Each of those memories involves someone significant, a mentor who didn’t just tell us how to aim or bait a hook or pitch a tent—they took us F i s h

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with them, spent time with us, and showed us those things. They cared. People, especially kids, rarely take up hobbies on their own. Giving a child a rifle and encouraging him to hunt is like handing a preschooler a book and encouraging him to read. It is possible the kid will figure things out on his own, but very unlikely. Without a mentor, someone who cares and takes the time to share what he or she knows, the child has no one to please, and no incentive to try. Chances are your mentor was a relative, perhaps your dad, an uncle, or older cousin—someone you admired and wanted to emulate—and the memories of the times spent with that person never come back alone; the mentor is in every one. My dad passed away eight years ago, but I can’t go hunting or take my kids fishing without seeing his face, hearing his laugh, remembering the joy he took from teaching me how to build a fire, or field dress a deer. Now that I have had the opportunity to pass those lessons along to my own children, I realize how lucky I have been. Not everyone has a father who shares the outdoor heritage with his children. Because my dad cared enough to spend time afield with me, I realize how important it is to be a mentor, not just to my own kids, but to anyone who needs one; Nick, for example, the kid who had never been dove hunting before. In a way, it was not I that took that boy hunting, it was my dad. The next time you load up the pickup for a hunting or camping trip, or hook up the boat trailer for a fishing trip, look around. Chances are there is a kid nearby who needs a mentor, and would jump at the chance to learn what you know. Take the kid along, and I guarantee you will receive as much from the experience as anyone. Just another trip for you might be the most fun that kid ever had.

E-mail Kendal Hemphill at commentary@fishgame.com

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Year Of the Deer HITE-TAILED DEER AND THE TEXAS outdoors are synonymous, and as a tribute to this amazing and often perplexing game animal and the hunters who pursue them, we are dedicating a feature story in every issue. The stories you see over the next 12 months will cover every aspect of whitetails, from genetics to hunting hotspots and the latest legal issues that affect the deer hunting “industry.” The inspiration for this series came from the realization that I have absolutely no interest in pursuing a record-class whitetail buck. When I was a kid, it was a dream of mine— not necessarily for the record part, but just to take a true whopper whitetail. I used to dream about it, clip out magazine photos of big bucks and put them in a scrapbook, and imagine that one day I would bag the buck of my dreams. Today, that buck does not exist in my mind. I love to hunt deer, but to me, a “dream buck” has become whatever makes up a nice representation of the deer herd in the area I hunt, and has thick, juicy backstraps to fry. I would absolutely love for a true head-turning buck to walk out in front of me one day, but that is not what drives me to the woods. This has nothing to do with age or waning enthusiasm for the sport, of which some complain. I have plenty of that and do about 30-40 days of hunting per season. About 2/3 of that is duck hunting, but the desire to hunt burns deep inside as much at age 34 as it did at 14. My diminished interest in the pursuit of trophy bucks is a personal backlash against the “trophy hunting” culture that has developed across the nation, and the sad reality of what deer hunting has become. Do you want to take a buck that scores

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150 under the Boone & Crockett scoring system? If so, all you have to do is pay upward of $20,000 to take that animal. Some ranches will guarantee this deer and go to great extremes to make it possible— even raising deer in small pens and releasing them for hunters to shoot. Of all outdoors pursuits, economics have affected deer hunting the most. The demand for trophy-sized deer alone has driven lease prices through the roof. South Texas has been out of reach for the average hunter for more than two decades, and recently, Hill Country lease prices have skyrocketed. Even the Pineywoods of East Texas, which was the home of the $200 deer lease, has changed dramatically. There are many leases charging upward of $700 per person—and some, much, much more. In addition, elitism is taking hold in parts of the deer hunting community. I have heard

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Texas Fish & Game has designated 2009 the “Year of the Deer.”

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story after story of young hunters who were literally made fun of because the deer they shot were not “trophies.” One hunter described shooting a nice eight-pointer with a 15-inch spread on his first ever hunt; the experienced hunters on his lease told him it would have been nice if it had gotten bigger. There was no rule against shooting bucks of this size, yet those “hunters” berated the young man. I often wonder how many hunters walked away from the sport because of this kind of attitude. “Year of the Deer” is about resurrecting the sanctity of deer hunting. It harkens back to the days when shooting an eight-pointer was still exciting, and yet recognizes the majesty and beauty of genuine monster bucks. It covers the past, present, and future F i s h

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and at its core are all the amazing biological and behavioral aspects of the whitetail. No game animal anywhere on Earth is more unique or possesses features more distinct in the individual animal. I have hunted and photographed deer all over the country, and I am constantly amazed at how different each deer looks. One will have a broad and tall face while others look perfectly streamlined. The antlers of an East Texas buck are typically tall and dark, while those in the Hill Country run basket shaped and light in color. Their traits are as wide ranging as the interests of the hunters, and we are confident you will find deer stories on these pages that appeal to your interests and perhaps help you see these animals in a new light. Just as this issue was going to press, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced sweeping regulation proposals that, if enacted, completely change the face of deer hunting in Texas. These range from increasing antler restrictions to more than 50 additional counties to greatly increasing “doe days” in selected regions of the state. Of particular interest is a drastic switch in deer management philosophy from using political boundaries to looking more closely at biologically based communities or Resource Management Units (RMUs). In the initial press release on these proposals, TPWD identified 33 unique RMUs across the state having similar soils, vegetation types, and land use practices it believes will more accurately address deer population dynamics. “The intent is to develop deer season bag limit frameworks based on these units, although implementation will still track county boundaries to avoid confusion among hunters,” the release stated. It looks like 2009 will indeed be the “Year of the Deer,” not only on these pages but also in Austin and in the field all across the state.

E-mail Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com

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Life In a Duck Blind UCKS OVER DECOYS ARE LESS APT TO SPOOK when hunters are huddled in a compact and low-profile blind—Chapter 7 under “Concealment and Camouflage” in your Woody Woodchuck Outdoor Guidebook. An effective duck blind is, by necessity, a cramped space. But the hide becomes smaller when hunting partners do not cooperate. It also becomes dangerous. Each duck season brings flights of excitement that can trigger potential mistakes, and this is no time to be “blind” to hunter safety. Most important, each hunter must always account for his gun. Never carry a loaded gun when entering or leaving a blind. Better yet, hand the empty shotgun to a companion as you waddle in cumbersome ducking duffle over the oleander stalks and rickety planks of the brushed-up box or sunken pit. Remember, ducks are fond of “wetlands.” The marsh or pond or flooded field surrounding that blue-chip blind often is gouged into a mucky trench from repeated steps over soft bottom. It is easy for the average graying waterfowler to overbalance or stumble. The time to load the gun is after the decoys are spread and all hands and dogs are properly situated. No excuse this side of a coiled cottonmouth is acceptable for slipping a shell into the gun before legal light. That is a disaster waiting to happen amid the hurried rush to beat shooting time. Prior to loading, the old timer toting a double gun might break the action, tilt the barrels to the dawning sky, and blow through the breech. This looks salty—a classic good-luck ritual that earns major style points—but it also assures that the tubes are free of mud or straw.

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The waterfowler with a magazine gun has no such option, but he can at least poke a pinky down the empty muzzle to confirm that the first few inches are free of mud. This is no small insurance following a long hike of repeated stumbles over pre-dawn levees. Once the gun is loaded, it should be promptly placed on safety. The normal posture for a seated hunter watching incoming or circling ducks is to learn forward with lowered head while holding the gun butt down with the barrel pointing into empty sky over the front of the blind. The safety remains on until the gun is shouldered—no exceptions. The sly snick of a safety being released before the gun is raised to shoot is a flagrant breach of safety, and one that should not be tolerated in close quarters. The primed gun in excitable hands might discharge too soon, with the barrel pointed who-knows-where. Also a thought: if the birds veer beyond range, the disappointed and distracted hunter might forget about the critical detail of returning the safety. Few hunters are prepared to maintain the gun-up ready position during prolonged periods of inactivity. With no prospects on the horizon, most waterfowlers either brace the gun on the seat or bench, or prop it in a secure corner. Either way, the muzzle is out of the blind and the safety is double-checked. This is the accepted drill, but be cautious about the corner prop if an excitable dog or fidgety youngster is sharing the blind. A modern, reliable shotgun with its safety engaged should not discharge if toppled, but looking into the black hole of a heavy 12-bore as it sweeps past your face or chest ranks high, high, high on the cold-chill meter. Decide in advance who will call the shot when ducks decoy or pass within range. The shot-caller has an important responsibility. It is his job to pick the high-percentage moment and insure the angle is safe. If incoming ducks break hard to one side, the shot-caller might say, “Okay, Mike, they’re yours on the left.” That command means that Ed on the right has no business rising to shoot. A reckless and greedy salute F i s h

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across Mike’s bow—or brow—is a huge breach of safety. At the very least, the thunderclap of the magnum discharge slaps poor Mike like a blow to the face—and his hearing may be seriously damaged from the concussion. Huh? Eh? What did you say? If the morning is filled with singles rather than flocks, the good shot-caller rotates shots. Nobody really enjoys bagging half a duck— let alone a third of a duck. The shot-caller is in the best position to monitor birds, but he must not abuse this privilege. The self-serving opportunist who rapid-fires, “Okay—boom-boom!—take ‘em!” should be stripped of his rank and relegated to plucking spoonbills at the conclusion of the hunt. The safe and courteous shots for each hunter in a duck blind are taken straight out in front or to his open side. In short, do not swing into another hunter’s air space. When a flock approaches from one side, the near hunter can improve the overall potential by allowing the first birds to pass. He then can concentrate on the trailers while his partners peg away at the leaders. Conversely, shooting as soon as the lead ducks are within range might rob the other shooters. If a definite decoying pattern develops (as it often does) and one side of the blind consistently gets the “ice cream” shots, the logical solution is to rotate positions. The good shotcaller is quick to pick up on this, and a timely adjustment can spare hard feelings. Most important, when the factors of safety or courtesy become questionable, the best move is to do nothing. Stay down, out of the mix, and wait for another opportunity. When you find yourself sitting back and watching your camo-clad companions take their hits and misses, you have gone a long way in becoming a better blind partner—no matter how many ducks you might or might not bag that day.

E-mail Joe Doggett at doggett@fishgame.com

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WEET, STICKY, HOT, FLOWING SWEAT POURED off my face, arms, and body like a musky, musty waterfall of liquid heat stroke. My calves and thighs ached on fire. What were just a few hours before a pair of brand new military combat boots now fluttered in the jungle wind like shrapnel-tattered remnants of cloth, leather, and Vibram shards. I have never been more handsome, smiling and giggling with every insane high-spirited lunge up and over one jagged lava rock jumble after another. The distant bellowing of maniacal hound music lured me on as if possessed by some primal force, providing SpiritWild adrenalin dumpage the likes of which only Davy Crocket, Chesty Puller, and Lewis and Clark could have known. I scrambled on, driven, inspired, called by the wild in all its pureness. I was the tooth, the hog dogs the fang, and somewhere up ahead was an angry prehistoric hellporker, ready, willing and able to provide deadly claw to round out the trifecta of predator, prey, and chase perfection. I was one with the wind. I began to howl dogspeak in tongues. Rawdogs and Warhogs ‘R Us. I don’t remember any Hawaiian tourist brochures depicting what is obviously the most powerful attraction to the Island Paradise, but I don’t need no stinking brochure! I could taste The Good Mother Earth in all her glory. I was the flea in the hair of the big momma dog. Eye of her storm. Scream in her night. Growl in her belly. Charge of the kill brigade up San Juan PorkChop Hill. Fire down below, up and over, rover! The rip-roaring hound music was getting closer. Maybe I am the MotorCity MadMan. Maybe I am the WhackMaster. Maybe I am

bing hunter’s heart looked clean through the beast’ s struggling armpit, and lunged the 6-inch blade fast and hard into the pump station. With an earthshattering pigsqueal scream and guttural snort, it ended. The beast is dead, long live the beast. Barbecue erupted. The kill was over in a blink. Blood covered my right arm to the pit, knife blade dripping bubbling crimson goo. The pack of this man’s best friends worried the dead beast and got even for a few minutes. I call it true love, for the sheer glory and joy displayed by these natural creatures of God’s perfect hunting design, howling, running, yipping, chasAlthough Ted usually does his pig-sticking with a bow, ing, hounding, bellowing, barking, scrambling, climbing, swimming, sometimes he makes it more “personal”—with a knife. falling, jumping, snarling, biting, killing, chewing machines are like a killboy McPork the barbecue god of hellfire. ballet of primal scream artwork. I pity the Whatever. One thing for sure: If I don’t catch poor soul who never gets to join in on a deathup to the pack of hounds pronto, I would defying run with these wonderful animals. surely crash snout first into the next Your nose hasn’t lived until it has vacuumed labyrinthine ravine of merciless lava rock and the skanky air surrounding the kill site of coarse vegetation, never to be seen or heard freshly stabbed jungle pork and sweating, fumfrom again. For no one other than addicted ing dogs and men. Courtney Love wishes. hunt nuts like us would ever venture into such Hogs were made to be hunted, this is cerinhospitable terrain simply to kill a pig. But, tain. They were also made to get away and hey, that’s me and my BloodBrothers. If we survive, the latter being standard operating know anything, it’s how to party hardy! It procedure. Hence the challenge and relative would be a photo finish twixt the consummate fun factor. I like getting after them with bows pleasure principle and hell. Cute. and arrows, compounds, recurves, longbows, Another joint-snapping, skin-shredding crossbows, black powder long guns, and handstruggle through a tangle of snarling vines guns. I like long-range scoped centerfire sniper and impenetrable blowdowns, and suddenly, rifle “get even” hunts. I like ambushing them there they were: Four wild pig-hungry hounds in the everglades, and waylaying them in raising more hell than a gang of bikers out of hedgerows around croplands. My favorite is gas and dope. And one crazed, bristling, cutting them off at the pass in acorn-carpeted long-toothed Alpha Polynesian wild boar. It oakwoods and over scattered kernels of shelled was beautiful. corn by the river. Mark and I charged headlong into the I have joined Barefoot Bob on chase, catch, melee just as the lead pit bull-cross snatched the boar’s right ear with a canine death grip and tie hunts behind his mystical hogmaster T-Rex would be proud of. Without hesitation, hounds. I would like to shoot hogs out of a heI yanked my hunting knife from its sheath licopter with a riot shotgun and machinegun and with blazing predator eyes and throb- on pig-infested grounds where such damage

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control is critical as a result of foolish lack of quality control, where regular hunting methods have been compromised or outlawed. Hell, I’d hunt ‘em with grenades if I could. I figure an air strike followed by a carpet-bombing of napalm out to create a few acres of hanging barbecue pork if done correctly. I digress. Even limited to proven, sound wildlife management methodologies, hog hunting is a grand time every time, I assure you. But when ya gotta get right in there, right in their face with a knife to get ‘er done, something very special occurs, and you become one with the swine. Invigorating, to say the least. The best packs of hog hounds I have run with make a pack of wolves look downright clumsy. Full time houndsman Scott Young of California and the infamous Barefoot Bob of Abilene, Texas, are as good as they get. There are the cold trailers that pick up the oldest and faintest of remnant scent in order to start the chase. Then you have the singers who can light up a mountain with their spinechilling cacophony. Good Walkers, redbones, bloodhounds, blueticks, curs, black-and-tans, and other assorted trailing hounds have varying voice indicators that will instantly tell the hunters if the hog or bear or cat is in sight, bayed on the ground, or treed. Scrambling to a high ground vantage point to decipher the different howling, barks, bellows, yips, and yodels is an art unto itself. The tantalizing dogsong is so very special when the dogs actually see the critter and surround it, working and raising hell as a team; that really lights my fire. The spirit of the moment has a powerful life of its own— timeless, pure, intense, earthly, primal, wild, and wonderful. When attempting to stab a very upset, defiant boar, the unique talents of a catch-andhold dog must be perfected. Bulldogs, mastiffs, Rhodesian ridgebacks, and ultra tough pit bulls can have it in them to be trained to latch onto an ear, the head, snout, and legs of a circled boar, and then hang on like there is no tomorrow. It is then, amongst the adrenalin slamming outrage of insane dog noise and twisting, spinning delirium that an accurate lunge must be made directly into the heart of the hog. At this moment, the dogs have control of the pig, the other dogs are keeping his life and death struggle overwhelming, and an instant hard thrust of the knife blade must go low into the crease behind the fighting hog’s foreleg—in deep with a hard push and a twist, then out fast and back away. With the

hounds still all over the outflanked porker, the blood flow will spell near instant doom for the valiant combatant. Once the pig runs out of steam, the pack of hounds will lose interest, and an amazing quiet and calm will come over the arena. It is amazing. Don’t feel sorry for the big, black, ugly pig. More times than not, the dogs never catch up. And just as often, they only briefly get in some brief fighting to have their own hides severely damaged by a powerful adver-

sary that is well equipped to take care of itself. Many a well-trained dog has bled to death after taking a tusk or two in the belly. Many more have had life saving impromptu suturing in the field, forced out of the race for weeks of recovery. The hunt goes on.

E-mail Ted Nugent at bowhunting@fishgame.com

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BOAT PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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by Lenny Rudow

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he economy is in a slump, loans are harder then ever to secure, and boat manufacturers are having a tough time staying afloat. Things sound pretty bad on the marine scene—unless you are in the market as a buyer. In fact, this is the perfect time to buy. Look for a boat these days and you will discover buyer’s incentives, rock-bottom pricing, and dealers who are ready to deal. If you are thinking about upgrading to a FishO-Matic 10,000, now is the time to pull the trigger.

Making the Choice Before you can buy a new boat, naturally, you will have to choose one. This is actually the toughest part of boat buying. There are so many different varieties of boats out there that, at times, it can be tough to decide which one is really the best for your purposes. If you are smart (and since you read Texas Fish & Game, we know you are), you will sit down with a pen and paper before you go boat shopping. You will list out all the requirements you have-fishing accouterments, family features, performance parameters, and the like. You will also have to determine whether aluminum or fiberglass is best for you, and what type of motor you would like. These are big questions that deserve your full attention, but we can put them into a nutshell: Aluminum boats are generally lighter and more fuel efficient than fiberglass, but have fewer compound curves in the hull, fewer built-in amenities, and usually aren’t designed to take on large seas. Fiberglass boats are more often designed with wave-splitting deep-V’s, built-in coolers, livewells, stowage compartments, and built with a more family-friendly attitude. If you are strictly a backcountry hunter or a bay angler who never sees waves over 2 feet, aluminum boats should be on your short list. If you like the ability to run out into the ocean or open bays, then fiberglass is the top choice. You will also tilt towards fiberglass if family features like an enclosed head, built-in coolers, and comfy seating ranks high on your priority list. 26

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Watch for special deals on smaller crafts and aluminum rigs.

You will want a four-stroke outboard to maximize comfort (they are quiet, smokefree, and nearly vibration-free), while serious bassers and tournament anglers who demand rocket-like acceleration and minimal weight for the horsepower will gravitate to two-strokes. For small boats with motors under 75 hp, tiller steering is worth consideration, too. It makes for better handling and more interior space (since you don’t need a console and controls), but some people have a hard time getting used to tiller steering, and others find it uncomfortable to run tillers for extended cruises.

Making the Grade Once you know the parameters you are working within, you will create a new list of the specific boat models that potentially fit the bill. Next, lay your eyes and your hands on the contenders; the time for internet browsing and flipping through brochures is over, this is when you need to actually see and touch the boats. Boat shows are a great place to see many different models at the same time in the same place, so if there is one coming up in your area, plan to attend it. The sales guys at these shows and on dealership lots can give you a lot of advice. Unfortunately, some of it is bound to be geared toward selling you a boat instead of making you a happy boater. So, you will need to ensure that boats under consideration are constructed with quality and safety in mind. The first and most important thing to look for is the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturer Association) seal of approval. The NMMA spot-checks manufacturers to F i s h

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make sure boats live up to standards, and Coast Guard statistics prove that NMMA certified boats are five times less likely to be involved in an accident and seven times less likely to be involved in a safety recall than are non-certified boats. Most likely, you will have a tough time missing NMMA certification, as the manufacturers tend to strongly promote it. Plus, manufacturers usually put a red and blue “NMMA Certified” sticker on the boat near the capacity plate or hull ID number. Of course, there will still be a difference in quality from one boat manufacturer to another, even if all are NMMA certified. To get a gander at how a boat is put together, you want to put your head where it was never intended to go—into anchor lockers, bilges, and battery compartments. In areas like these, which weren’t finished off for eye appeal, you will see how much attention the manufacturer paid to high-stress areas like the hull-to-deck joint, bulkheads, and stringers. Also check on wiring running through such areas to ensure it is well loomed and chafe protected. While you are at it, note that you can also see the backs of hardware and fittings from these areas. Look for backing plates (aluminum is great, polyboard or plywood is good, and washers are better than nothing) and make sure nuts are the Nylock self-locking variety.

Making the Deal Okay, you have shopped hard, made your lists, and picked out the perfect boat. It is haggling time. Lucky for you, most dealerships have already marked down their stock. If you want to make a good deal even better,

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you will have to be willing to bide your time. Much like automotive dealerships, boat dealers pay on a “floor plans,” essentially shortterm loans that carry the value of the cars or boats on their showroom “floor.” So, the longer a dealership has a boat in stock, the more they have to pay on it and the more they will want to sell it. When a dealership gets in a new model, older models of the same size and type drop in price. Be prepared to take your time with the process; identify specific boats that have been sitting at the dealership for months, and keep your eyes on manufacturer websites for new model introductions. When the two converge, low-ball offers might get more consideration than you would expect. Another way some boat buyers save is by searching out storm-damaged inventory. There are bound to be a lot of boats out there that were nicked or dinged during Hurricane Ike, and minor-league cosmetic damage can bring down the price significantly. Watch out, however, because some unscrupulous folks might buy seriously damaged boats at auction, shine them up, and sell them as “barely used.” Do your home-

work before you buy. As long as you know the hull ID number, you can perform a boat history search that will tell you if there are any insurance claims associated with it. Start at www.boathistoryreport.com. Let’s say you have found the boat and negotiated the best price. Now you need to get the lowest rate possible on your loan. Remember, the lowest rate costs you the least, but you will need to consider the term of the loan, too. The longer you stretch it out, the higher the rate you will be charged. The loan amount counts for enough that it can sometimes cost you less to borrow more. Some loan officers can pull off a better rate for a $25,000 loan then they can for a $20,000 loan. If you are offered the lower rate at the higher dollar, consider asking the dealer to rig the boat with electronics, a Ttop, or a larger outboard to boost the price tag. In the life of the loan, getting that extra point off of the rate could save you thousands. Also remember that your boat dealer usually wants you to take out a loan through his business, and you can use this as a negotiating point. Financing is a separate profit cen-

ter for boat dealers, just as it is for car dealers, so they want your business in this area, too. Regarding all the news you’ve heard about tightening credit and difficulties getting new loans in the current economy, lenders specializing in the marine field haven’t been hit quite as hard as other lenders, because they were always strict about their standards. There never were any “no-doc” or “liar loans” written for boats. As a result, these lenders haven’t faced the same default problems of those working with home mortgages. Sure, it’s not as easy to get a loan today as it was a year or two ago, but don’t let anyone convince you that getting a boat loan is impossible. In fact, for some folks it will be easier to get than a home mortgage. Now, you are ready to go shopping, Mr. Boatbuyer. In these rough economic times, you will be sitting pretty, including when you are sitting at the helm of your new boat.

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Part 1 of our Shallow Water series • by Greg Berlocher

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hose of us with a fondness for skinny water know that it takes a special craft to operate in the shallows. Regardless whether you after redfish or redheads, shallow water is off limits to many vessels. The lack of depth is not the only challenge; sand bars, oyster reefs, seagrass, standing timber, and fallen logs are some of the navigation hazards a shallow water captain must contend with. There are lots of good options if you are looking for a craft to transport you through the shallows, but each has a limitation. As the old saw goes, there is no such thing as a perfect boat. Indeed, it is always a compromise.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

and to others it is less than a yardstick. Meanings are in the minds of people, so it is best to ask. • Do you need a launching ramp? Launching ramps are congested and crowded at peak times, and I cannot think of one public facility that brags about the cleanliness of their restrooms. But some shallowwater vessels do not require a launching ramp. Are there areas close to where you hunt or fish where you can launch a boat without the aid of a ramp? • Do you want to stand up in your boat? It might sound silly at first, but if you are not comfortable fishing for long periods without standing, this also limits the type of boat you should consider. If you want to stand, stability should be optimum. • How will you transport your boat? Do you still drive a truck or SUV? Lots of folks traded them in when gas went north of $3 per gallon. I have not checked, but I suspect that a Toyota Prius does not have the towing capacity to pull a 20-foot center console. • What is the total cost of ownership? The bills do not stop once you get the sales receipt. Some of the ongoing costs include fuel, oil, insurance, ongoing maintenance, and perishables (such as boat batteries). Before you buy any boat, talk to friends who own similar vessels and calculate the total cost of ownership before heading to the cashier.

• Will you primarily be in or out of the boat? Some anglers simply want a vessel to ferry them to their favorite flat where they fish on foot rather than afloat. Others like to fish from the boat, poling through or drifting over the shallows, allowing them to cover a much larger area. • How far is your final destination from your launch site? Good fishing and hunting is where you find it. Sometimes the trip is measured in yards, sometimes in miles. If you typically seek spots a mile or two from your launch site, paddling your boat might be a good option—assuming you are fit and enjoy the exercise. If you think that sweating causes cancer, chances are you probably need an electric motor or outboard on the stern. • How many occupants will be in the boat? Do you prefer to keep your own company when you fish, or do you normally have a contingent with you? The size of your fishing party will greatly affect your choice of vessels. The larger the number, the larger the vessel, which limits the number of choices. • What is the depth of the flat you fish? Skinny water carries a different connotation with different anglers and hunters. To some, it is les than a wooden ruler in depth,

Shallow-water fans have a number of choices when it comes to vessels. Not all of them come to mind when you think of skinny water vessels, but I can assure you they are all effective.

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CHOICES

Kayak Kayaks have captured the imaginations of Texas anglers and are now a common sight on every lake, bay, and stream. Kayaks do not need a ramp and easily launch from road access sites. The downside is the top speed—about 3 mph. You need to confine hunting and fishing exploits to areas nearby launch sites. Paddling several miles is not out of the question, but you need to consider the fitness of the paddler and the investment of time needed to reach the destination. &

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Canoe The humble canoe has taken a backseat to kayaks lately, but is still a dandy fishing and hunting platform. Canoes can be paddled single or tandem, and the bench seats are much gentler on your lumbar than kayak seating. Kayaks draw only a few inches, even when heavily loaded with gear. Plus, they can carry a lot more duck decoys. Pirogue Pirogues are “Cajun canoes” that feature a wide, flat bottom. Crafted by outdoorsmen for use in the swamps of Louisiana, pirogues are easy to stand up in, and easily paddled or poled through the shallows. The vessels’ wide girth provides ample capacity for outdoor gear. Pirogues are not readily available in Texas, so you might need to shop on the other side of the Sabine River. Total cost of ownership is a definite plus. Johnboat Johnboats have no peer when the terms “affordable boat” and “outboard motor” are used in the same sentence. Johnboats are tough, easy to customize, can motor-across very shallow water, and come in a wide assortment of lengths and widths to meet your carrying capacity. Plus, they do not need a launching ramp as heavier boats do. Flats Boat Flats boats come is many different styles these days, including scooters and Floridaand Texas-style fishing skiffs. These boats need roughly a foot of water to come out of the hole, and even less water to plane. Larger center consoles can navigate the flats as well, but can do serious damage to seagrass if the water is less than 2 feet deep. Flats boats have the highest cost of ownership, but allow anglers to range 20 miles or more from the ramp. When choosing a boat for flats duty, evaluate your needs and then consider all of the choices.

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25th ANNIVERSARY

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PHOTO BY MIKE WILLIAMS INSET SHELLS PHOTO BY BUDDY GOUGH

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TEXAS FISH & GAME MAGAZINE

SPECIAL FEATURE

Action on the Oyster Reefs ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE JANUARY, 1995 ISSUE

BY BUDDY GOUGH T E X A S

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he baitfish were nervous. With the spine of a Copano Bay oyster reef at their backs and predacious trout and redfish on their flanks, they were caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The jittery school of mullet did not escape the notice of Rockport fishing guide Jay Watkins, who was stalking the gamefish that were stalking the baitfish. “Look at the bait,” the young guide said, punctuating his comment by zinging a plastic shrimptail into the milling mullet. “There it is,” he said a few casts later when his fishing rod bent before the pull of a strong fish. That was the opening action of a late summer reef-fishing expedition led by a young guide who takes pride in being a thinking man’s kind of angler. On a morning when no piggies would die on our hooks, we would use plastic shrimptails and Cocahoe Minnows to catch more than 30 keeping-sized specks and five legal redfish before noon. Most were solid trout between 17 and 19 inches, plus a few between 20 and 24 inches, and Watkins would not be particularly impressed. Reefs endowed with an abundance of live oyster shell and roving schools of baitfish had been yielding similar action for Watkins’ clients throughout most of the summer. He wanted to emphasize that point even after we had taken a limit of specks off the first two reefs we had waded in Copano Bay, a minor bay of the Aransas Bay system. “There’s nothing rare about these two reefs. We can do the same at other reefs in this bay or Aransas Bay or San Antonio Bay. I’m going to show you with a couple of reefs in Aransas Bay,” Watkins said matter-of-factly. At the first reef, he hooked a trout on the first cast; at the second reef, he caught a speck on his second cast. He looked like a magician, but he insisted there was no trick to reef action at all. “Down south (in Aransas Bay), fishermen look for fish around the grass beds. That’s where the food chain starts with your smallest fish on up to the biggest. Up north, we have (oyster) reefs instead of grass, and live reefs are where the food chain starts. They support the tiny fish and crabs that attract the baitfish that attract the trout,” he explained. It was an explanation dropped simply and easily during a morning that featured four hours of fishing fun, as well as four hours of reef-fishing instruction. Watkins comes to it naturally, as an inheritance from his father, a role

model who was both a winning high school coach and an expert angler. “You can savor the moments of fishing, but you can also be learning at the same time,” he said. Learn, I did. How to pick a good reef. How to attack it by boat and afoot. How to adapt to seasonal patterns on the reefs. How to choose the right kind and color of lure to match water clarity. How to fish the chosen lure according to water temperature. Much of the knowledge was acquired through thought-provoking questions posed by

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it? Right on the edge of the deeper water, wasn’t it? So what does that tell us? “It tells us the fish are on the deeper side of the reef. Why is that? Could it be because the deeper water is a little cooler? That would make sense, wouldn’t it?” So goes the Watkins routine of commentary and query. Part of it is personality, but more of it is by design. “It helps to have a good game plan to succeed in life, and it helps in fishing, too,” he said earnestly. Watkins’ professional game plan of producing good angling action while fostering fine fishermen has made him one of the busiest guides in the Coastal Bend. His game plan for reef fishing is not bad, either:

General Game Plan

Working shell reefs can pay off in grand fashion. my observant guide. The queries started before we had left the boat ramp or had made the first cast. “Do you see what lures we are using?” he asked as he handed over a fully rigged rod and reel. “We’ve got a shrimptail and a swimming tail. One is green and one is plum. Maybe one lure or color will work better. That’s one thing good about two or three fishermen trying different lures.” The questioning continued when the fish started hitting. Such as: “That’s a pretty fish you got there. Look at it shake its head. Do you see where it hit your lure? Right on the dropoff, wasn’t &

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1. Plan on wade fishing for best results. 2. Since exposed reefs get fished hard, look for submerged reefs with wadable water kneedeep to waist-deep on top. 3. Schools of bait fish are key to the presence of gamefish, so concentrate on reefs where active bait is visible. 4. Shut the outboard motor down about 100 yards from the reef, drift down to it and quietly anchor in wadable water. 5. Try plastic shrimptails or “swimming” baitfish patterns with twist tails or paddle tails. Also try gold spoons with bucktails. If there are more than two anglers in the party, fish with contrasting lure colors to see which color the fish prefer. 6. Wading slowly, cast to schools of baitfish first and foremost. Since gamefish also could be feeding on shrimp or other reef crustaceans, fish both the shallow and deep sides of the shell. On the deep side, work lures along the edge of the dropoff. 7. When you hook a fish or get a strike, stop and fish the areas carefully. Recall the lure action at the time of the strike and duplicate it. 8. If a section of reef produces no strikes within 30 minutes, move to another part of the reef if it is a large one or try another reef. 9. When looking for a more productive reef than the one you’ve just left, pick a reef in different water, such as a shallower reef closer to shore or a deeper reef in open water. 10. Don’t overlook small reefs. Even towheads 20 to 50 yards long can hold gamefish.

Seasons on the Shell 1. Fall — The best season. Cool weather and cool water temperatures encourage fish to feed actively all day. The fish are also more likePHOTO BY MIKE WILLIAMS

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ly to be on the shallow reefs and on the shallower portions of the reef. All the usual lures will be effective and can be fished with a brisk retrieve speed. 2. Winter — The good days for bay fishing are limited in December, January and February, but they are some of the best of the year. A favored cold-weather pattern in the Coastal Bend is to fish the sandy bottoms of shallow potholes and shorelines on sunny days. The sand will warm up quickly in the sun and attract fish, but the same pattern applies to reefs. The sun-absorbing character of shell allow the reefs to warm up on bluebird days following northers. Concentrate on the shallower reefs that are near deep water, such as a reef along the Intracoastal Canal. As always, look for bait, even if it’s oversized mullet. Work plastic baits low and slow. 3. Spring — The second-best season. Fish are active and aggressive in warming water temperatures. Wind can be a problem, but try the reefs at every opportunity. Reefs near shorelines are especially good choices. Since baitfish are usually small in the spring, small spoons can be excellent lure choices. 4. Summer — Good fishing, but the best bite is at dawn and slows down as the sun climbs. Concentrate primarily on the deeper

sides of the reef. Watch for calm days to hit the reefs out in the middle of the bays. Soft plastic lures are still the standbys. Use a medium slow retrieve for fish made sluggish by high water temperatures.

Finer Points 1. In off-colored water, choose cream- or chartreuse-colored shrimptail and baitfish lures with a bright contrasting tail color, such as white or orange. 2. In clear water, choose bright-colored baits, such as red, strawberry, blue, green, silver and gold. 3. In dark, overcast conditions, choose dullcolored lures, such as plum, motor oil, root beer and blue. 4. On sunny days, pick bright-colored lures, especially those with metal flakes for extra flash and fish-attracting ability. 5. Be aware that water temperature can vary from reef to reef. This can be critical in the summer. For example, a reef on the edge of a sunbaked flat will be swept with super-heated water on a falling tide. Thus, a reef surrounded by deeper water will be cooler and more hospitable for gamefish. The reverse, of course,

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is true in the winter when the shallower reefs on the flats will be the warmer ones. In general, the angler should target the cooler reefs in the summer and fall and the warmer reefs in the winter and spring. In the end, of course, it all comes down to what Watkins considers the overriding rule of fishing success: Be an alert, thinking angler. Postscript: Two weeks after the September reef fishing trip, Watkins competed in the GCCA-sponsored Coastal Bend Guide’s Cup Tournament, a contest he had won the previous year. He decided to defend the Cup on the reefs north of Rockport. Nearly a dozen other Rockport guides also put their tournament hopes on the shell. Watkins chose to wade fish the reef. So did the others. At the conclusion of the contest, the Rockport guides swept the first, second and third places in the contest and seven of the top 10 places in competition with guides from Port Aransas, Aransas Pass and the Laguna Madre. Watkins finished fifth, but he was the highest finisher to use lures exclusively.

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by Chester Moore T E X A S

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s I descended, the silver form took the shape of a fish. At first, I thought it might be a small kingfish or a wayward barracuda, but upon closer examination, it proved to be an absolutely huge speckled trout. When I surfaced, my wife Lisa asked if I had seen a big shark or something. She said I was

MARCH 1999 TFG FIRST

Speckled Trout Growth Rates According to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) data, the speckled trout occurs in the Western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, ranging from Massachusetts to the Yucatan peninsula. The fish is a member of the croaker family (Sciaenidae) and is first cousin to the Atlantic croaker, red drum, black drum, and sand seatrout. According to a TPWD publication, The Spotted Seatrout in Texas:

“Each question seemed to spawn another and another until I found myself at home that night watching a show on the Discovery Channel about bio-engineering, and the scientists in Europe who are trying to create a ‘super sheep,’ an animal that would grow much larger than the average sheep and yield twice the wool. Suddenly, I found myself thinking, If they can create a ‘super sheep’, why not a ‘super trout?’ ” Those words are from a story published in this magazine March 1999 entitled “Age of the SuperTrout.” An experience with a mega-speck near an oilrig inspired me to

Sexual maturity is reached at two years of age and eggs number from 100,000 in small fish to more than 1 million in large females. Spawning occurs inside the bays near grass beds where the newly hatched young find food and shelter. Recent findings show that fish spawn sometime between dusk and dawn. Spotted seatrout have a protracted spring and

as white as a sheet.” “After telling her what I had just seen, she explained to me that NOAA radio had reported that a large thunderstorm was heading our way from Galveston. We had to leave. On the way home, I could think of nothing but the monster trout I saw. Was it a state record? Could I have caught it if we had stayed? Would the fish be there when I went back?” 40

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Approximate lengths at various years of age are given in the following table.

AGE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F i s h

MALE 9 inches 14 inches 17 inches 18 inches 18 inches 19 inches 19 inches G a m e ®

FEMALE 8 inches 17 inches 20 inches 23 inches 24 inches 25 inches 26 inches

PHOTO BY GRADY ALLEN

Can TPWD “create” moster trout like this through selective breeding and stocking?

summer spawning period, which peaks during May-July. Two-, three-, and four-yearold fish make up the bulk of the spawning population. The growth rate of spotted seatrout differs between males and females, with females growing faster.

investigate what it would take to produce such fish in quantity and ask if we were, indeed, entering the age of the super trout. Ten years later, the age is upon us. Last spring, I had the pleasure of watching Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) technicians with Sea Center Texas release speckled trout fingerlings into Keith Lake Cut near Sabine Lake. This was a special trip for me on a personal level,

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because I was one of the anglers who caught the parents of these fish during a special trout roundup. Proud Papa syndrome was in full effect as I watched the beautiful, tiny specks enter the water. Then something caught my attention. As the last few fish were netted from the bottom of the tank, it was obvious some were much bigger than others. Most were around an inch in length, while some were more 3 inches and as big around as my finger. Could those big ones represent superior “super trout” genetics? After talking with TPWD biologist Shane Bonnot, who oversees much of the broodstock harvest at Sea Center, I learned the answer is “maybe.” “On some of those stockings, we’ll harvest fish from several ponds and sometimes we’ll have slightly different age classes,” Bonnot said. “However, sometimes we’ll harvest fish from the ponds and most of them are about an inch long and sometimes we’ll see some that are 3-4 inches long, and that is most likely from superior genetics. Some just get bigger, and do so quicker.” TPWD has done an amazing job enhancing the gene pool of largemouth bass through the Budweiser ShareLunker program, a program of selective breeding using females exceeding 13 pounds donated by anglers. Has coastal hatchery technology reached the point where super-sized specks can be hand picked for breeding to enhance the number of trophy trout in Texas bays? “Through the Coastal Bay Teams events, we have taken donations of any trout and haven’t really discriminated as to what we spawn, but it is definitely good to get big fish,” Bonnot said. “We have went on special trips to get fish from different bay systems and caught some really big ones that have been spawned for stocking with special interest.” Through the ShareLunker program, TPWD biologists have learned much about soliciting donations of fish from the public, handling them for maximum survival rate, and using top genetics to benefit fisheries. As predicted in the “Age of the SuperTrout” story in 1999, TPWD fisheries managers have made great strides in

genetic coding of speckled trout populations. They have determined that trout from Lower Laguna Madre cannot be stocked in Trinity Bay and vice-versa due to genetic differences. They have also made great strides in research methods that helped to determine these differences. TPWD coastal fisheries officials now insert bar code-like tags into the skulls of fish, instead of the bulky gill-plate tags they used to use. These tags stay with the fish and help biologists keep track of population dynamics via electronic technology. Researchers at The University of Texas at Port Aransas have learned how to stimulate growth hormones in the ovaries of trout. And a team of Louisiana State University scientists has developed methods for preserving trout sperm so they can perfect trophytargeted artificial insemination of the species. These agencies might not be consciously working toward the creation of a super trout, but you can bet they see the potential of such an accomplishment. The speckled trout is quickly becoming to the saltwater community what the largemouth bass is to the freshwater industry, and this is creating a serious economic incentive to create bigger, better fish. Do you think Texas bass fishing would be as popular without the introduction of the Florida strain largemouth? I think not. On the same note, creating more large trout would benefit everyone. How many Corkies do you think were sold after Jim Wallace broke the state record with one back in 1996? Get the picture? The speckled trout is the largemouth bass of the Texas saltwater scene. It is the species that drives the fishing market and regulation principles, and has become a key component of TPWD hatchery production. I do not know if we will ever see a Lone Star Sharea-Sow-Speck program, but we are moving from ShareLunker to SuperSpeck at rapid pace, and technology, genetic research, and the ingenuity of fisheries biologists is leading the way.

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oore M r e t s e h C & by Don Zaidle

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exas has for decades been a mecca for deer hunters. The state sports one of the largest and most diverse deer herds in the nation. Like most things tainted by politics, deer and deer hunting in Texas experience ups, downs, ins, and outs at the behest of wildlife managers, state agencies, special interest groups, and the legislature. In this first installment of our “Year of the Deer” series, we examine the state of deer and deer hunting, and what 2009 might hold in store.

The Legislature By the time you read this, the 81st Texas Legislature will be in session. As I write this, the only bills affecting the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department pre-filed in November were HJR 20, “Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the right to hunt and fish,” and SB 162, “Relating to the crediting of appropriated funds from the collection of taxes imposed on the sale of sporting goods.” We are therefore left to speculate what might come from the 81st Legislature; precedent suggests sportsmen can expect more hunting, fishing, and trapping legislation as the session progresses—particularly new laws that affect deer management and hunting. A piece of legislation introduced (and defeated) in the 2003 legislative session created a tempest among sportsmen. Senate Bill 3 contained the language: Except as expressly provided by this subchapter and the terms and conditions of the permit and management plan, the general laws and regulations of this state applicable to whitetailed deer do not apply to deer on the acreage covered by the permit. This subchapter does not restrict or prohibit the use of high fences on acreage not covered by a management plan. In 2005 session, HB 185 and HB 560 called for the creation of a Texas Parks and Wildlife Code violation to “place or build a hunting blind or wildlife feeder less than 150 yards from a fence that separates property 44

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owned by one person from property owned by another person” or “hunt from or use a hunting blind or wildlife feeder that is less than 150 yards from a fence that separates property owned by one person from property owned by another person.” HB 505 created a Class C misdemeanor if a “person knowingly discharges a firearm and the projectile from the firearm travels across a property line.” The first bills did not pass, but HB 505 did. All of the aforementioned bills were filed by bought-and-paid-for career politicians at the behest of special interest lobbyists, and had nothing to do with safety or resource management. In other words, the commercial deer hunting industry owns the legislature, or at least influential portions of it. With the influence of well-heeled special interest groups driving the machine, there is no telling what the legislature might do, but a few items—good and bad—that could come up this session include:

TPWD

For starters, the department is looking at adding antler restriction regulations already in place across much of East Texas to 52 additional counties. They include: Anderson, Angelina, Archer, Atascosa, Brazos, Brown, Chambers, Clay, Cooke, Denton, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Grayson, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hill, Hood, Hunt, Jack, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Orange, Palo Pinto, Parker, Polk, Robertson, San Jacinto, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker, Wichita, Wise, and Young. TPWD is also looking at increasing the bag limit from one buck to two in Baylor, Callahan, Haskell, Jones, Knox, Shackelford, Taylor, Throckmorton, and Wilbarger counties; and increasing the bag from four to five in Pecos, Terrell, and Upton counties. TPWD wants to increase the bag in Cross Timbers and Prairies and eastern Rolling Plains counties from three (one buck, two does) or four (two bucks and no more than two does) to five deer (no more than 2 bucks). Another possible change would increase the bag limit from three to five deer (one buck) in counties in the western Rolling Plains, and implementing a general open season in Dawson, Deaf Smith, and Martin counties (three deer, one buck, two does). “Doe days” are on top for changes in the following areas: • from 16 days to full-season either-sex in Dallam, Denton, Hartley, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Sherman and Tarrant counties • from 30 days to full-season either-sex in Cook, Hardeman, Hill, Johnson, Wichita, and Wilbarger counties • from four to 16 days in Bowie and Rusk counties • from four to 30 days in Cherokee and Houston counties • from no days to four doe days in Anderson, Henderson, Hunt, Leon, Rains, Smith, and Van Zandt counties

Our “Year of the Deer” theme is right on for 2009, as TPWD has unveiled a list of sweeping deer proposals.

TPWD wants to expand the late antlerless and spike season into 67 counties in North, North-Central, and Northwest Texas.

• make crossbows legal during archery season • reintroduction of the blind-to-fence distance limit • reduction of TPWD oversight and enforcement authority on deer farms and commercial hunting operations • making antler restrictions law rather than a TPWD rule The possibilities are limited only by the imaginations and machinations of special interests and the minions thereof. It is important to understand the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department does not “make laws” but creates rules that fulfill the requirements of laws created in the legislature for the management of natural resources. It is therefore incumbent on sportsmen to direct dissent or approval of proposed laws to their Texas House and Senate representatives. —Don Zaidle

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TPWD is considering relaxing doe harvest regulations.

2008-2009 Harvest Prospects White-tailed deer season was still open as this was written, but TPWD had predicted a banner season for “quality deer.” Rainfall across much of the state in August helped quench parched country and have generated new plant growth biologists said would improve deer body condition heading into the season. “It is amazing how quickly these deer can recover,” said Mitch Lockwood, TPWD whitetailed deer program leader, alluding to drought conditions across much of the state during the first half of the year. “We’re not seeing the impacts from the drought we did 20 years ago, no major die-offs, thanks mostly to current wildlife management practices.” During the 2007-08 season, hunters killed about 512,800 whitetails, the lowest harvest in a decade and down more than 90,000 from the previous season. Lockwood attributed much of the harvest decline to extremely good habitat conditions, which meant deer did not need to travel much for food and water. “The thing to look for this season is carryover from last year because harvest was down quite a bit. Harvest numbers and better age structure should be up this year, especially in those counties where we have antler restrictions.”

PHOTO BY USDA

Also up for consideration is lengthening the existing muzzleloader season by five days while allowing the harvest of any buck, and does without permits if the county has “doe days” in place. Counties affected include: Austin, Bastrop, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Colorado, De Witt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Goliad (North of 59), Goliad (South of 59), Gonzales, Gregg, Guadalupe, Harrison, Houston, Jackson (North of 59), Jackson (South of 59), Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Marion, Matagorda, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Upshur, Victoria (North of 59), Victoria (South of 59), Waller, Washington, Wharton (North of T E X A S

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59), Wharton (South of 59), and Wilson. Also on tap is extending the youth-only season into the entire month of October and increasing the late youth-only season by 12 days during January in selected counties to run with late antlerless and spike seasons. A final proposal would implement a general open season (with antlerless harvest by permit only) in Grayson County, where archery equipment and crossbows are currently the only lawful gear. The TPW Commission will make final decisions 25-26 March at its public meeting. —Chester Moore

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by Bruce W. Smith T E X A S

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emember the Visa commercial portraying a busy coffee shop running along at a brisk pace as the customers pay for their daily caffeine and donut fix by swiping their credit cards across a reader at the counter? It’s a smooth symphony of wellchoreographed movement where everyone is happy. Then a guy walks up, pulls out his wallet, and hands the cashier cash. The world comes to a screeching halt. The customers behind him scowl. No one says a word. He’s clueless. After a few awkward moments, another customer quickly steps in to help, hands the cashier the credit card, and everything returns to its fast-paced normalcy—and the guy who tried paying with cash now understands how things are supposed to operate. That commercial is a perfect life portrait of a busy Texas boat ramp at Lake Fork, Aransas Pass, Denison, or anywhere else boaters congregate en mass on a busy weekend. All is running smoothly as boats are launched and retrieved like a well-oiled machine. Then some yahoo pulls his 20-foot bow-rider up to the top of the ramp and nonchalantly begins loading gear into the boat, showing the kids how to put on life jackets, filling the cooler with ice and food, and cranking an engine that isn’t cooperating. Boaters behind him scowl and talk among themselves about the inconsiderate idiot holding up progress. Finally, someone walks up and offers the poor guy a hand. His boat is launched and life gets back to normal at the ramp. To be fair about such situations, these antics are the result of more seasoned boaters failing to share the basics of “boat ramp etiquette” with those who are new to boating. So, in comes the new guy who unconsciously makes all the wrong moves.

Basic Etiquette Etiquette at the boat ramp actually begins at home. Go through the entire “I’m A Safe Boater” checklist to make sure the boat is ready for the water before it leaves the drive48

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way. Show the kids how to wear their life jackets and make sure all the required safety items are aboard. Check to make sure dock lines are aboard. Load and secure the coolers, fishing equipment, or water sports gear. The idea is to keep the time at the boat ramp dedicated exclusively to launching your boat. That’s part of boater etiquette. Top off the fuel tank, squeeze the fuel primer bulb if your setup has one, and crank the engine to make sure it runs just before you head out toward the ramp. Better to discover a problem in your driveway than floating a few yards away from the trailer bunks at a busy boat ramp. Upon arrival at the ramp area, pull over to the side so your boat/trailer is out of everyone’s way. Prepare the boat and trailer for the launch (or retrieval) before you pull onto

“

Etiquette at the boat ramp actually begins at home.

the ramp. Undo the tie-down straps, load any miscellaneous items, remove the transom saver, put in the drain plug, put the PFDs on the kids, and crank the engine one more time. If you arrive at the ramp during darkness, turn the headlights off and the parking lights on. Headlights from vehicles waiting in line to use the ramp are blinding to those trying to back their boat or trailer down a ramp. This is just another little courtesy that fellow boaters appreciate.

On the Ramp When it’s your turn to launch, get the boat captain at the helm, then back straight and centered in your “lane” of the ramp so as not to block or take up space in an adjacent lane. (Seasoned boaters get kind of cranky when your tow vehicle and boat trailer are sideways across a 40-foot-wide launch ramp.) If needed, use a spotter when backing down the ramp to launch. It’s safer for all F i s h

and a lot less likely to raise the ire of the notso-patient types around you. A spotter can also help in how far to back the trailer into the water to launch or retrieve your boat without having to get in and out of the tow vehicle a half dozen times. A good way to learn this part is to watch the seasoned boaters, especially anglers; they typically back down far enough to just float the boat, and then pull forward as soon as the person at the helm backs the boat off the trailer—a symphony of well-choreographed movements. If something should go wrong on the ramp that will take a while to sort out, pull out of the way and head to the parking lot. Drive slowly, because there are always kids and pets running around, and a lot of distracted people who might or might not be watching your off-ramp antics.

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Once the boat is launched and the boat operator gives the thumbs-up all is well at the helm, park your tow vehicle and trailer neatly in a designated spot, making sure not to block the driving lanes—or take up more than one space. Again, it’s a courtesy-to-others thing. Use the same basic principles of etiquette when it comes time to retrieve the boat. Quickly drop the vehicle driver and passengers off at the dock, then move your boat out of others’ way until you see the trailer backing into the water. Don’t occupy valuable dock space because that interferes with other boaters trying to load/unload their human cargo. Once the boat is up on the trailer, connect the bow hook and pull the tow vehicle out slowly to a location well away from he bustle of the launch ramp, where you can make the boat/trailer ready for the tow home. Last, but surely not least, offer help to those who need it—and be willing to accept help when it’s offered. Employing basic boat ramp etiquette makes the related activities go faster and keeps smiles on everyone’s faces. Editor’s Note: Bruce W. Smith is the author of McGraw-Hill’s The Complete Guide To Trailering Your Boat, available through local book stores or at www.editorialservices.biz/TraileringGuide.htm.

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The Song of Roland Roland Martin Discusses Redfish UMMER SATURDAY AFTERNOON WAS ALL about Superstation WTBS to me. After I had cleaned up from my morning fishing excursion to the local gold course, I would flop down on my bed with a bologna-and-cheese sandwich and a Fanta Red and watch the afternoon program on Ted Turner’s pride and joy. The Atlanta Braves usually stunk, but sometimes I would get to see closer Gene Garber and his funky half-turn throwing style (I still remember him striking out Pete Rose to end Charlie Hustle’s famous hitting streak at 44). When the game was over, and just before the two hours of Georgia Championship Wrestling, I had half an hour of respite. Roland Martin was about to take me fishing.

A Familiar Stranger It would not be hyperbole to say that an entire generation of anglers has grown up on Roland Martin. Whether it was on WTBS or the Outdoor Life Network (now Versus), fishermen from all over the country have tuned in weekly for close to three decades to learn the how, what, and why of fishing from the nine-time Bass Angler’s Sportsman Society (BASS) Angler of the Year. Every week, Martin would take his viewers with him to myriad fishing locales, both exotic and local. Usually, he was fishing for the ever-ubiquitous largemouth bass, but sometimes he plied the Big Briny for saltier cusPHOTO COURTESY OF REDFISH NATION

tomers such as tuna, billfish, grouper, or his current love, redfish. Many of Martin’s most ardent fans would be surprised to find the man, who alongside Ray Scott was the de facto face of BASS through the 1970s, 80s and 90s, is an enthusiastic saltwater angler.

by Calixto Gonzales “I fish for saltwater species, too,” said Martin one evening after a practice day for a Panama city Beach, Florida, redfish tournament. “I love it. It presents a different set of challenges. Redfish are pretty cool. There’s no fish more representative of saltwater angling than the redfish.” A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Change-up After retiring from bass tournament fishing in November 2005, Martin turned his attentions to the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup series, which he has fished for the past three years. His experience from his 35-year run in bass tournaments (which included 25 Bassmaster Classic starts) has helped him in the transition. “Redfish and bass work on very strict patterns,” said Martin. “Redfish are structure-oriented fish—like bass—and they look for ambush points to use to strike at prey. They focus on rocks, docks, and breaklines, just like bass do. “Pattern fishermen can identify the same G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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In This Issue

COVER STORY • The Song of Roland | BY CALIXTO GONZALES

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: CORPUS TO BAFFIN BAYS • Winter Strategies | BY CAPT. JIM ONDERDONK

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • North to Laguna | BY CALIXTO GONZALES SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times | BY TF&G STAFF

HOW-TO SECTION

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

SHOOT THIS! • Trijicon TR20 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

SALTWATER BAITS & RIGS • Torpedo Weighted Baitfish | BY PATRICK LEMIRE

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE

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FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Deep-water Cranking | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON COMPLEX • Galveston Coming Back, Slowly | BY CAPT. MIKE HOLMES

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA & MID COAST • Outmaneuvering Unpredictable Gas Prices | BY BINK GRIMES

TEXAS KAYAKING • Stand and Deliver | BY GREG BERLOCHER

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT TO PORT ARANSAS • A Clean Freezer = Fishing Time | BY CAPT. MAC GABLE

WILDERNESS TRAILS • Class & the Wilderness | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

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TOURNAMENT NEWS • Texas Wins OK Shootout | BY MATT WILLIAMS

“I’ve caught a lot of reds on crankbaits,” Martin said. “A deep crankbait on light line covers a lot of water in an area, and redfish will take them. I’ve seen a big redfish come from a long way off to hit a crankbait. That’s really something to see.” The redfish’s aggressive nature and innate toughness means that they can do a real number on a crankbait’s hardware. To offset this, Martin switches out the split rings and hooks on his redfish cranks with stronger saltwater-grade hardware. “I switch out the 2X trebles on my plugs with 4X hooks so they last longer,” Martin said. “Still, I’ve had some oversized reds tear the hooks off some of my plugs.”

Leading the Way

The one similarity between bass and redfish that stands out to Martin is the efficacy of crankbaits for both fishes.

Equally important to Martin’s success with redfish is the use of leaders. Whether using braid or monofilament, he considers the use of stronger leaders essential to his success. He attaches them directly to his main line, sans swivel. Thus, a solid background in knot tying is essential. “You have to know really good leader connections,” he said. “I always, always make a solid connection between leader and line.” Martin has been using the Bimini twist

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INDUSTRY INSIDER • Wiley X Eyewear; American Rodsmiths; Ardent | BY TF&G STAFF

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TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • The Wildcats | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

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NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPER COAST • January Jubilee | BY CAPT. SKIP JAMES

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TEXAS TESTED • Berkley; Rhino Hide | BY TF&G STAFF

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Getting Cranky

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BOWHUNTING TECH • Bowhunting Outside His Bedroom Door | BY LOU MARULLO

TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY CALIXTO GONZALES & JD MOORE

sort of conditions that affect redfish that affect river and estuary bass. Tidal flow and water temperature affect both fish. In most cases, you will find redfish in shallower water, and they school more, but they stick to their habits that you can figure out.” The lures that Martin uses for redfish are not much different from the old standards that bass fishermen use. The 1/4- to 1/2ounce gold and copper Johnson spoons are as big a deal among bass anglers as they are among redfish hunters. “The soft plastics we use for redfish are similar to a plastic worm,” Martin said. “You can even fish them in similar styles. I’ve used Texas-rigged soft plastics for redfish.” The biggest difference that Martin sees between a bass and a redfish is the general toughness of the saltwater species. “Oh, a redfish tears up tackle more than a bass,” Martin said. “A 5-pound redfish is tougher than a similar-sized bass, and they dog it out a lot more. They’ll run off with your bait if you let them.”

GEARING UP SECTION

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FISH THIS! • SPOT Satellite Messenger | BY GREG BERLOCHER

FEVER • Trophy Bands | C31 TROPHY S M , TF&G R SPORTSMAN’S NOTEBOOK • It’s All in C38 the Numbers | G B BOAT SHOW • Special C41 HOUSTON Advertising Section | TF&G S COVERAGE • Displaced C58 HURRICANE Coffins | TF&G S TASTED • Homemade Tortilla Soup | C59 TEXAS B S DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS • C60 Classifieds | TF&G S ALBUM • Your Action Photos | C62 PHOTO TF&G S BY TEVEN

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RYAN LAVEN

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for years, even when he was fishing for bass. He remembered using 6-pound tackle in a bass tournament once. He tied a short Bimini onto the line. The double line—and thus the added strength—of the knot came in very handy when he landed a big bass on the fairy wand tackle. “I use about the same size Bimini twist for redfish,” he said. “Then I fasten the leader to the double line, and that gives me a strong connection.” Martin conceded that largemouth bass will always be his first love, since “redfish are restricted to about 10 percent of the country,” whereas bass are found throughout the U.S. and the world. Reds, though, have a special place in his heart. “Redfish are exciting fish,” he said. “Once my tournament partner and I came up on a school of big redfish, and we each hooked into big 10- and 15-pound fish cast after cast. We were jumping around the boat, fighting those fish, giggling like schoolgirls. “I’ve had some exciting moments with redfish. Like I said, they’re pretty cool.”

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by Calixto Gonzales, South Zone Fishing Editor & JD Moore, North Zone Fishing Editor

Laguna Mangroves LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Boca Chica Jetties (bank access) GPS: N26 3.904, W97 8.738

SPECIES: mangrove snapper BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh dead shrimp CONTACT: White Sand Marina, 956-943943-6161 TIPS: As long as there is no major freeze that drops water temperatures below 60 degrees or so, there will be plenty of feisty, delectable mangrove holding around the jetties. A regular free-line rig is fine, provided you make them with 30-pound leader. Use a tight drag and stout tackle to horse these fish out of the rocks. Bring plenty of hooks and sinkers. The bigger snapper tend to be hard on tackle. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Dolphin Point (bank access) GPS: N26 4.044, N97 9,712 SPECIES: Mixed bag BEST BAITS: live or dead bait, cut squid CONTACT: White Sand Marina, 956-943943-6161 TIPS: You never really know what you are going to catch around Dolphin Point. Sand trout and big whiting follow the incoming tide and hold in the deeper water. Pompano sometimes turn up, and there always seem to be some sheepshead and mangrove snapper around the rocks. Your best bet is to take a couple of different types of bait-usually shrimp and fresh squid-and toss out a couple of rigs. It’s a good way to kill a morning, especially if the day is nice. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre C4

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HOTSPOT: Causeway Pilings GPS: N26 5.206, W97 11,039 SPECIES: sheepshead, black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Ease in between two sets of pilings and drop anchor on the down current edge of the causeway, then let the tide push you back to a set. Fish vertically near the pilings with live shrimp on a split-shot rig. If a sheepshead takes the bait, the rod will slowly load up. Once the fish starts to swim off, set the hook. Don’t be surprised if you latch into a big drum this way, especially if you are fishing the deeper pilings near the ICW. LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Port Isabel Turning Basin GPS: N26 3.361, W97 19,482 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny; DOA shrimp in Glow, Glow/pink tail CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Trout stack up off the edges of the shoreline after a cold front. Fish the drop-off with live shrimp under a popping cork or on a free-line rig. If shrimp are hard to come by after a cold front, break out a Gulp! Shrimp or DOA shrimp and fish in a similar matter. The DOAs work best without a cork and fished s-l-o-w-l-y. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay Tabletop GPS: N26 1,548, W97 11,023 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, cut ballyhoo; topwaters, in Smoke, pinfish patterns, soft plastics in red/white, Bone-chartreuse; gold or chrome spoons CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: South Bay is always good for a few fish the year around. Fish topwaters early on F i s h

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mild days, and throughout the whole trip when clouds dominate. If the fish don’t’ seem to be responding to your best overtures, a switch to real meat might be in order. You can fish either shrimp or half a ‘hoo on a popping cork or Mauler. Focus on the edges of the shallows, especially on a falling tide. Don’t overstay, or you’ll get stuck when the tide is out. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Unnecessary Island GPS: N26 12.672, W97 16.333 SPECIES: black drum, speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: live bait, Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny; soft plastics in red/white, New Penny, Rootbeer CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Drum can be so thick in this area they’ve earned the nickname “Tatanka.” Fish with live shrimp under a popping cork. Watch for muddy or disturbed water to cue you into where a school of drum are foraging. On clear, calmer days, trout and redfish take advantage of the fast-warming mud and come up on the flats. Live bait works form them, too, but they will hit an eel-style soft plastic that’s fished slowly. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.684, W97 15.106 SPECIES: redfish, speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny; soft plastics in red/white, New Penny, Rootbeer CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Work the edges of potholes to tempt on the east side to find trout that lie in ambush for whatever prey they can nail. Redfish will also be present. Watch for them lurking around alga clumps, or cruising the grass between potholes. A live shrimp or finger mullet can be fished under a popping cork, or sight-cast into the holes themselves.

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Rattlesnake Island GPS: N26 19,763, W97 19,204 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp; Gulp! Shad, Shrimp or Jerkbaits; Topwaters CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: The muddy bottom around Rattlesnake retains head better, which makes the water slightly warmer. Trout will gravitate to this warmth and hold over it. Try topwaters early in the morning. If the trout are striking short, then switch to a jerkbait or live bait under a popping cork. That should do the trick.

Baffin Magic Trout LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: The Badlands GPS: N27 18.744, W97 24.9023

tough to beat. If the trout are deeper around the drop-offs, switch over to a 1/16-ounce jig and fish slowly near bottom.

the bottom with a 1/4-ounce jighead. There might also be some flounder, so be aware of any soft tap.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Penescal Point GPS: N27 15.852, W97 19,293 SPECIES: drum, sheepshead BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh shrimp CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: There are just some days where the trout and redfish not going to bite. Instead of calling No Joy and heading for the barn, you can always try for other species. Black drum and sheepshead don’t seem to mind snotty weather, and they are around any area that has structure to hold them. Fish for them with live shrimp either under a popping cork or free-lined with a split-shot.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch N. of Point of Rocks GPS: N27 21,106, W96 23.433 SPECIES: redfish, speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Limetreuse, Rootbeer/red flake. Live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Look for grasslines in deeper (4-foot) water and swim jigs along them. Darker colors are the order of the season, with Plum and Rootbeer patterns moving to the front of the list of lure choices. If the fish are being finicky, switch over to live shrimp under a popping cork. That might get their attention.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Humble Channel GPS: N27 39,153, W96 15.664 SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Limetreuse, Rootbeer/red flake; live shrimp, finger mullet CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: The channel presents one of winter’s best flounder bets. Live shrimp or finger mullet should be worked slowly on the bottom. A little used, but extremely effective, strategy is the ping your shrimp or mullet on a Road Runner bucktail and swim it along the bottom very slowly. The blade gives off just enough vibration to get a flatty’s attention.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Center Reef GPS: N27 16.206, W97 34.362 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; Gulp! lures CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout will also hold in this famous wintertime area. The best methods are either a Bass Assassin or Gulp! Jerk Shad fished under a Mansfield Mauler. Dark patterns are

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Crash Channels GPS: N27 38.562, W96 17.620 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish, flounder BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork, soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Limetreuse, Rootbeer/red flake CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Use your trolling motor to fish around the points and drop-offs of the crash channels north and south of the JFK Causeway. Cast from shallow to deep. Hop soft plastics along

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Bayou Specks LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Black’s Bayou GPS: N29 59,616, W93 45.783 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse, topwaters in bone

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CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: Fish around the shell reefs in deeper water for speckled trout. Watch for occasional bait leaping to escape predators. That is your cue to where they fish are. On mild days, redfish will be nose to around the big cuts that drain the bayou waiting for forage to be pushed out. Use soft plastics on a falling tide. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Keith Lake Cut GPS: N29 46.503, W93 56.427 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: Old Bayside Shadlyn in Smoke, Pearl/chartreuse, Glow/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: Time your trip with either the beginning of the high or low tides and fish downtide of the cut. Swim your baits across the current and let them swing towards deeper water, where trout and redfish are holding and waiting. Keep some tension on the line to feel light bites. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Pass GPS: N29 58.920, W93 48.940 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: January is still a good time to fish the deeper holes in the pass, especially the calm days after a cold front. Fish at the head of the hole, or “stroll” the length of the hole with soft plastics near the bottom. Trout will be holding with their nose to the bottom, so fish slowly and patiently. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Short Rigs GPS: N29 38.884, W93 56.427 SPECIES: Gulf trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: On those slick-calm, bluebird days after a cold front, a hop to the short rigs could mean a big cooler full of 1-2 pound gulf trout. These chunky cousins of the speckled trout and the redfish are holding in large schools

close to structure and will hit anything sent their way. Don’t turn your nose up at these fish. They give a very good account of themselves on light tackle, make for a good fish fry, and some can get quite large. A 3- to 4-pound “silver trout” is not unheard of and will make you think you hooked into a big, washed out speck. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Green’s Bayou GPS: N29 49,088, W93 50.903

SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: There are some nice flounder located in the mouth of Green’s. Time your visit with the falling tide, and fish around drains and guts. Use a 1/4-ounce jighead to get your bait down to the bottom. Soft plastics that give off a lot of vibration, such as a Cocahoe Minnow

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are best. Don’t forget the Gulp! shrimp tails, though. Flounder love them, too.

Falcon Bass LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: Salanillas GPS: N26 35.363, W99 13.186

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: plastic worms and flipping tubes in red, red watermelon, Red Bug CONTACT: Mike Hawkes, 210-275-1309 TIPS: Bass will just about be in full-blown spawning mode by the middle of the month. Since the lake is full, you might have to move a little further up into the creek and around freshly-flooded brush than in past years. Flipping plastics into openings in the mesquite and retama is a very good strategy. Watch for beds and crawl a worm across them. LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: Big Tiger GPS: N26 44.326, W99 8.750 SPECIES: catfish

BEST BAITS: cut bait, prepared baits CONTACT: Falcon Lake Tackle, 956-7654866 TIPS: Fish the flooded brush with cut bait underneath a bobber for the literally thousands of 1- to 3-pound catfish that are swimming among the roots. The bobber isn’t just a strike indicator; it will also keep your bait out of the branches and tangles just waiting to grab your tackle. Use stout tackle to horse these feisty whisker fish out of the water and into your cooler. On a good day, the action is ridiculous. LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: San Ignacio GPS: N26 54.949, W99 19,230 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: cut bait, prepared baits CONTACT: Falcon Lake Tackle, 956-7654866 TIPS: Anchor up and fish near the riverbed near a major bend. Some fishermen prefer to use the bloodiest, oiliest bait they can get (gizzard shad, mackerel, beef liver). The slick the bait creates will draw hungry catfish into the area and hold them there. Use bottom rigs with 1/0 long-shank hooks. LOCATION: Amistad HOTSPOT: Zuber Bend

GPS: N29 34.538, W101 17.624 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: White spinnerbaits CONTACT: Mike Hawkes, 210-275-1309 TIPS: Fish channel points in deeper (25foot) water. Slow-roll a large, 1-ounce spinnerbait near the bottom. You should feel the vibration of the blades through the line and rod when you are retrieving the bait. Thinner line will help get the bait deeper.

OH Ivie Bass LOCATION: Lake O.H. Ivie HOTSPOT: Point near Leday and Colorado River GPS: N31 33.310, W99 40.992

Buchanan Bass LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Rocky Point GPS: N30 48.521, W98 23.871 SPECIES: largemouth bass

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ALL GPS COORDINATES VERIFIED BY

BEST BAITS: 3-inch JDC Drop-shot Worms with Tru-tungsten 1/4-ounce drop-shot weights, clear plastic baits like Pumpkinseed or Watermelon; Green Pumpkin tube Texas rigged with 1/8-ounce cone weight CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Work the ledges on the points in 1225 feet of water hitting main lake and secondary creek points BANK ACCESS: Thunderbird Resort, catfish, largemouth, crappie, white bass

Fork Crappie LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: SRA Point GPS: N32 49.053, W95 31.831

www.lake-fork-guides.com TIPS: Crappie will still be out on the main lake humps in front of Little Boy Point, SRA Point, Chaney Point, and Bird Island. Fish jigs and minnows on a slip bobber, testing the depth until fish are found. Then tighten the bobber and have fun. BANK ACCESS: Fishing Pier at Minnow Bucket Bait Stand, crappie, largemouth

Rayburn Canyons LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: The Canyons GPS: N31, 13.826, W94 21.774 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps in oranges and reds, 1/2- to 3/4-ounce

an area called “The Canyons.” There is an island to the east of that area. Behind the island is a creek about 20-28 feet deep. The larger bass love to run up and down that bank and out from it, heading toward the Canyons. Cast 1/2- to 3/4-ounce Traps along the banks. Hold on. This is where the big fish are. BANK ACCESS: Powell Park Marina Fishing Pier, largemouth bass, catfish, white and striped bass Contact South Regional Fishing Editor Calixto Gonzales by email at cgonzales@fishgame.com Contact North Regional Fishing Editor JD Moore by email at hotspotsnorth@fishgame.com

For more Hotspots, Visit SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: hair jigs and live minnows CONTACT: Mike Rogge, 903-383-3406,

CONTACT: Don Mattern, 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Just northwest of the 147 Bridge is

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January Jubilee OTS OF FOLKS PUT THEIR BOATS AWAY COME cold weather. If they only knew what they were missing. In January, some of the biggest fish we see are boated each year. In fact, most of the trout we catch over 8 pounds are landed, photographed, and released during winter. Get off that warm couch, charge up that trolling motor, and let’s go. Here are some tips to use that are proven

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to consistently put more and bigger trout, reds, and flounder in your box during the cold-water period: For speckled trout, you want to key on the drains at the south end of the bay system. For example, Forge Bayou, just east from Blue Buck Point, moves a lot of water in and out. Behind this bayou are about 10 lakes and shallow ponds that warm up fast. Most anglers will drive right by it, not knowing how much water feeds it. We looked at it after Hurricane Ike from the air and it looked great. As you motor up the bayou, you’ll notice many feeder cuts coming in from the duck hunting ponds. Key in on the black water coming out of the marsh. Low tides always seem to be best. Throw a MirrOlure Catch 2000 and work it slow...really slow. With the rod tip pointed down, turn your reel handle one half turn and stop. Another tried and proven bait is an Old BaySide 4-inch Shadlyn. This is a straight tail bait. Curly tail plastics just have too much action for cold-water fish. Use a straight tail on a 1/8- or 1/4-ounce jighead. Use some type of scent. I prefer plain old anise oil. There are many bayous on the east side of Sabine Lake but focus your efforts on the southeast end of the bay system. Reds, reds, and more reds. One of my customers last year said there should be a bounty on Sabine redfish because they’re going to eat everything in the lake. We first noticed an increase in the redfish population dynamic right after Hurricane Rita. However, a lot of the fish were under the slot. That’s simply not the case now. They are all over the banks and bayous. A typical day fishing in January on Sabine is a three-man limit of slot reds, 10-14 good trout between 3 and 8 pounds, and just maybe an accidental trophy flounder. There is no trick and no hidden place. Simply cruise the east bank of the bay and find the clearest water. Use the same baits described for speckled trout above. Remember to loosen up your F i s h

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THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Twin Lakes DIRECTIONS: Hwy. 87 between the Neches River Bridge and Bridge City SPECIES: reds & flounder BAIT: finger mullet or mud minnows BEST TIME: Afternoons on a low tide drag. These “croaker on steroids” will play possum until they get close to the boat. Then hang on, because they strip 20 yards of line in a heartbeat. Please keep and eat your reds, as we really have a concern about overpopulation. For flounder, we have to switch to live bait. We also have to get out of the bay and fish the waterway from the Causeway Bridge south to Light House Cove. Rig your live bait Carolina style. Work all the little fingers and points jutting out from the bank. Watch your depthfinder, as there are many small, secondary points. My favorite area is called the “Ice Box Hole.” Just north of the north point of Lighthouse Cove are several really productive points. Again, no special magic bait, just a big mud minnow or mullet. When you feel the tick, let him eat for 30 seconds, then lay the meat to him. Flounder have a very bony mouth. Set the hook hard a couple of times. Don’t forget the state record flounder came out of Sabine Lake. Be careful and wear your kill switch. Dress warm, carry your cell phone, and let someone know where you plan to fish.

Contact: Skip James 409-886-5341, jjames@gt.rr.com.

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Galveston Coming Back, Slowly UR NEW YEAR BEGINS WITH THE HORROR of Hurricane Ike still marking the Galveston area. The fishing infrastructure will likely not be completely restored, and there will be changes in locations and ownership of some bait camps. Fishermen launching boats in areas less damaged have the advantage of being able to enter back bay spots that have lost local access points, or head to the jetties on calm days.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: If private dock access is limited, the public piers on Bastrop Bayou and at Oyster Creek Park on Oyster Creek are lighted and offer good fishing. ALTERNATE SPOT: If tides are running low, the South Galveston jetty and both Freeport jetties allow rock walkers to reach fishable water depths. SPECIES: Depending on water quality, trout, reds, and panfishes are the most likely catches, with some sheepshead and puppy drum thrown in. BEST BAITS: small white, yellow, and pink jigs; silver spoons BEST TIMES: Flooding tides at night, but fishing the start of the outflow of the low period can be productive, too.

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My hopes are that the Bolivar Peninsula will be reopened to visiting fishermen, even though that beachfront is not really a winter fishing hotspot. There are times when it is enough just to get out, watch the birds and the surf rolling in, and stare out at the Gulf as a friend, not an enemy. If we have a good chill in the air to begin the year, night fishing for speckled trout in deep holes in many tidal rivers and bayous can be very good. Marina docks and private docks are excellent for those who have permission to fish them. I used to enjoy casting to winter trout with light tackle at the marina where I kept my offshore boat, with a heated salon and a pot of hot coffee close at hand if it got too cold. These “dock trout” are usually not large, but they are frisky in the cool water and tender in the pan. Artificials such as tandem “speck rig” jigs in white, yellow, and pink work best; also, the Day-Glow ones that glow after absorbing light. For larger targets, a silver Johnson Sprite spoon is hard to beat. These same docks will have sheepshead and an occasional flounder hanging around the pilings. Sheepshead often give away their presence by the sound of them popping barnacles from pilings or boat hulls. I have often thought that if I had a school of these munchers trained to work on specific boat bottoms, I could make some change removing the growth off running gear while the boats were still in their slips. Some variety is also possible when dock fishing. A friend of mine took a nice striped bass off a marina dock in Oyster Creek a few years ago, and I saw what was probably a state record for grass carp in saltwater near the bank at the same place. Sand trout and croaker will also be in the mix, although they tend to run small. I stick them in the freezer for offshore bait, but an optimist can try them as live bait for a bigger sort of trout.

classic 31 Bertram. To book a trip, call 979-415-0535. Email him at mholmes@fishgame.com.

Capt. Mike Holmes runs tarpon, shark, and bluewater trips on a A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Outmaneuvering Unpredictable Gas Prices

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Colorado River at night under lights SPECIES: speckled trout BAITS: Glow plastics, DOA Shrimp,

In the guiding business, I can’t say that my habits have changed. I still run more than 80 miles round trip if I know it will put fish in the boat. I feel I owe it to the customer to do everything in my power to give them the best opportunity to catch fish. Most guides I know are doing the same, offsetting high fuel prices by increasing charter prices by at least $50. But what about when you are on your own? Don’t go alone. Find other friends who love to fish and take three or four people to balance fuel costs. Twenty gallons of gasoline is not so hard to pump when each angler pays an equal share. Be sure to factor the gas it took to pull the boat to the ramp, too, and take care of the boat owner. It has always been my rule when traveling in someone else’s vehicle and boat to not allow them to pay for anything. Hey, they make the payment on the boat and truck already. The fuel to run the operation is a small price to pay. And if you stick to this

rule, you can bet you will be asked on a lot more fishing trips. So, since “boatpool” is not an official word (my word processor says so), I am making it a word. I am sure “carpool” was once absent from the dictionary until one of Mr. Webster’s cohorts endured an afternoon of Houston rush hour traffic. Have a game plan before you hit the water. Great anglers know the tide forecast and predicted wind direction before the boat ever gets wet. Weather changes quickly in Texas, but as much as we gripe about the weatherman, he is more right than wrong. Knowing the wind direction helps eliminate water. If the wind is blowing south at 15 knots, there is no reason to run across the bay to the north shoreline to check the water. Likewise, a stiff north wind is no good for the south shoreline. Trust your instincts and save the gas. Know the tide differential as it pertains to your location. If the tide is set to begin coming in at Port O’Connor at 6 a.m., Matagorda anglers know it will be 1-2 hours later at Green’s or Cotton’s Bayou, depending on the wind. East, southeast winds pump water into the bays; west, southwest, and north winds pushed water out of the bays. Knowing when to be at the right location when the water is moving eliminates water and the senseless burning of gasoline. Lighten your load. Some say keeping your tank filled to the top eliminates condensation, which allows water to form in the tank. That might be true for boat owners who leave their vessel in storage for long periods, but for anglers who spend lots of time on the water, a lighter load means less

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TOLD MYSELF WHEN GAS PRICES SOARED PAST $3 a gallon I was not going to be one of those people who complain about it; there are enough complainers already. Then $4 gas became a reality at some marinas, so change was in order. I was not going to quit fishing; I would ride a bike to the dock before that happened. Instead, I changed my habits and mindset, and prepared a little more before I hit the water, hopefully conserving gasoline and greenbacks. Although prices have come down considerably, with OPEC crafting new machinations, there is no telling what prices will do. So, here are a few suggestions:

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Storm Shrimp, tandem-rigged beetles fuel burned. I am not saying run you engine on fumes; burning dirty fuel on the bottom of the tank increases the chance of fouling fuel intake systems. I have a 60-gallon tank on my Pathfinder, but rarely do I run with 60 gallons, especially if I plan to drift in shallow water. Most of the time, I run with 35-40 gallons of gas—about 300 pounds lighter than carrying a full tank. My boat performs even better with 20 gallons of fuel, which gives me a range of about 80 miles—perfect if I plan on spending a day in East Matagorda Bay. While you are watching weight, keep the coolers half full of ice. A small beverage cooler and a fish cooler is all you need. A 94-quart cooler filled to the top with ice weighs about 80 pounds. And if ice is filled to the top, where will the fish go? The same concept holds true for useless trolling motor batteries, tackle boxes, and water-filled livewells. If you are not using your livewell, put a plug in it so water does not intrude. These are simple steps, but saving a gallon of gasoline is like putting $4 in your pocket. A gallon here and a gallon there adds up—maybe enough to buy your wife a new piece of jewelry, which should get you a fishing pass for the rest of the year.

Contact: Bink Grimes, www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com.

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A Clean Freezer = Fishing Time ITH THE HOLIDAY SEASON BEHIND US, now is a good time to revamp your fishing gear and upgrade as warranted. It is also a good time to buy that new rod or reel—or both—that was not waiting for you under the Christmas tree. Specials abound and some of my favorite haunts are Larry’s Tackle Town in Rockport and Chris’s Marine in Aransas Pass. It seems like I can always find that special something or another that I really need at these sacred places of business. Another area of focus is to clean out the freezer of all that fish that you filleted, or all that extra bait you put in Ziploc bags and froze, including one particular little morsel, the beloved finger mullet. This is the time to bring out these bug-eyed wonders and hit

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the water. I like fishing finger mullet and even cut mullet this time of year for two reasons: (1) the mullet can be fished fast or slow and, (2) when cut up, it provides a good scent trail for predator trout, black drum, and reds. One of my favorite approaches is to rig the finger mullet on a weedless hook, the kind bass fishermen use. Be sure to place the hook through both lips and through the hard area right below the eyes. When rigged this way, the mullet can be suspended, jerked/darted, jigged, or free-swam with a medium action rod. The good thing is, it’s the real deal not a prank bait, so it gives off a natural scent that drives trout and reds berserk. The use of frozen bait cleans out the freezer, and everyone knows an empty freezer means it’s time to wet a line. COPANO BAY: Shell Bank Reef will hold trout in the deep pockets and some reds on top of the reef during high tide. Use a popping cork with fresh dead shrimp or Carolina rig with mud minnows. The cut into Mission Bay is a good place for red as mid-day approaches. Use cut mullet or menhaden, or Bass Assassins in Morning Glory. ARANSAS BAY: Grass Island Reef just off of Live Oak Point is a good place for trout using Kelly shrimp tails or similar in Electric Grape. Half Moon Reef is the place for reds using cut bait under a silent cork or on

THE BANK BITE The east shoreline of Copano Bay is a good place to wade-fish this time of year. The bottom ranges from sandy to mud; on warmer days, target the dark mud bottoms using sand eels. Live shrimp free-lined or on a light Carolina rig will produce good action as well. a fish-finder rig. Patience is the key here, and you don’t have to beat the sun up as mid-day is more productive. ST. CHARLES BAY: The mouth of Little Devils Bayou will hold reds. A silent approach is absolutely necessary. A Bone colored Super Spook or bubble cork dragging a Berkley Gulp! Shrimp are the rigs of choice. With a north wind, drift across Indian Head Point for trout and reds using Bass Assassins or Berkley Gulp! Shrimp. CARLOS BAY: Carlos Dugout will hold trout and reds in the deeper pockets. Use a RatL-Trap or free-line mud minnows or pin perch. MESQUITE BAY: For reds, target the south shoreline close to Rattlesnake Reef around mid-day. Use a popping cork and shrimp or sand eels in Rootbeer, black and pink, or chartreuse. On out-going tide, fish the ICW cut close to Roddy Island using cut menhaden on a Carolina rig for keeper reds. AYERS BAY: On a south wind, fish into the second chain islands for trout and reds using Corkies in black and black/white. The pocket close to Ayres Island will hold reds midday. Use cut menhaden or free-lined mud minnows.

Contact: Capt. Mac Gable, Mac Attack Guide Service, 512-809-2681, 361-790-9601 C14

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Winter Strategies HOPE YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON WAS GREAT— ours was fantastic. I have some great news for Texas sportsmen: There is a new show on the Pursuit Channel called “Bushland Video Journal.” It airs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. It is an action packed show with lots of hunting and fishing in Texas. I have been given an opportunity to be a field reporter/producer for the show, so check us out. I can wait until the Houston International Boat Show starts 2 January. I will be there again this year, so if you get a chance, stop by our booth and visit with us. Ducks are plentiful this month, and this is the start of big trout season. Bay water temperatures will be cold, and the Baffin big girls will be in full swing. From mid January thought March, the trout will be building egg supplies up and will not spawn until mid March thought April. Being that this is the case, most of your bigger trout can hold from 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 pounds of eggs. So, if you are looking for the heaviest trout of your life, now is the time to start fishing. With the water temperatures cold, big trout will be sluggish. Their metabolisms are way down, and they seem to feed about every three days. Here are a few pointers that should help you catch your trout of a lifetime: Most trout seem to love mud bottoms in the winter. Mud holds the heat better and will be warmer. Start fishing in deeper water in the morning, looking for drop-offs and deep structure. Make your lure presentation slow. If you like slow sinkers, a MirrOlure Catch 5 and Corky Devil are about the best you can get your hands on. When fishing slow sinkers, you just have to be patent.

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Allow the bait to sink a little, twitch it, sink, and so on. I suggest going to a swimming pool and throwing your baits, then watch them closely. You can get a mental picture of what your bait is doing. This has helped me more than anything. As the sun comes up and the shallow water starts to warm, the fish will move to stay in the warmer water. As you are wading, see if you can feel a thermocline (water temperature change). Big fish love to hold just off the warmer side. Watch for bait movement in the shallows. One thing to remember is that if the sky stays overcast, you might not have any warm water up shallow. From Corpus down, fish the canals on the island and then work your way to the Intracoastal Canal. Try fishing the drop-off on the west side. Getting down Baffin way, fish inside and outside of Tide Gauge Bar. Fish the structure around East Kleberg point. The deeper rocks around Black Bluff will be good, too.

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THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Padre Island National Seashore SPECIES: sand trout, whiting, black drum BEST BAITS: dead shrimp, squid BEST TIMES: high tides All of these techniques have surely increased my big trout hook-ups, and I know they will help you on your hunt for your trout of a lifetime.

Contact: Capt. Jim “Donk” Onderdonk, 361-774-7710, www.pocolocolodge.com.

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North to Laguna HE MADDENING PART OF FISHING LOWER Laguna Madre in January is not how unpredictable it can be, but how deceitful it can get. You get out of a warm bed and drive down to the ramp. For the first time in weeks, the weekend weather is actually mild, with sunny skies, temperatures in starting in the mid-50s and promising to creep into the 70s, and even if the wind is still out of the

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north, it at least is a soft 5-8 miles per hour. You stop at White Sands Marina (9569423-6161) and are happily surprised to find they have live shrimp (which can be hard to come by in February) and get yourself a quart. You gas up, putter your way out of the finger channels, and turn your boat north to find some trout and redfish. Three hours later, you have whipped the water into lather and still have a quart of shrimp, less about a dozen or so. There are no fish in the box, and you are starting to smell the skunk that is hiding somewhere on the boat. Now what? A nice January day like yours is not a complete loss, especially if you have used the gas to get up north. If the trout and redfish

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THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Dolphin Cove GPS: N26 4.02, W97 9.42 SPECIES: black drum, sand trout TECHNIQUES: Fish with shrimp or crab on a bottom rig. Use heavier tackle if after drum. are not cooperating (as is their wont this time of year), you can turn your attention to the schools of black drum prowling around the spoil islands in winter. Large numbers of slot-sized uglies patrol the drop-offs and flats around Unnecessary Island (N26 12.522, W97 16.334). These are 3- to 8pound fish, and they provide some great and underrated sport on trout and redfish tackle. Much like freshwater carp, drum are sometimes looked down upon as fish that lack the sophistication and erudition of their spotted contemporaries, but these fish can be quite wily. Fishermen wanting to catch more than a single fish here or there have to exercise the same care and attention to strategy as for trout or redfish. On calm, clear days, a pod of feeding drum are easy to spot, especially if they are grubbing around on the bottom feeding on crab, shrimp, and worms, leaving mud boils as calling cards. Anglers cannot simply blast their boats up onto the pod, however. A smarter strategy would be to circle the school and set up a drift to bring you within easy casting range. The same baits that you brought for trout and redfish will always work with drum. The venerable shrimp/popping cork combo is more than enough to dial in on feeding black drum. Fish it a little more slowly than normal, with an occasional jerk to get the cork to pop. Drum are more gustatory- and olfactory- than audio-oriented, and will “smell” the way to your bait. The cork serves the function of keeping your shrimp in the drum’s face. Since drum are mostly scent feeders, arti-

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ficials such as the DOA Shrimp and Gulp! Shrimp also work, especially when the fish are actively feeding. You can use either one under a cork like live shrimp, or bottombounce them. Use a 1/4-ounce round jighead with the Gulp! Shrimp for best results. Cast ahead of feeding drum and bounce it along the bottom when the fish gets close. If it sees or smells the bait, it will eat it. If you didn’t make the run north but are still finding tough fishing, you might want to focus on the old Causeway. Winter means sheepshead are holding to the pilings. These fish are beginning to stage for the spawn, which begins in earnest in March. They are fairly aggressive and will take live or fresh dead shrimp. Many fishermen prefer to freeline a bait around the pilings, but savvy anglers use floats to suspend the bait and as strike detectors. If the bait moves off to the side or toward the pilings, set the hook hard. Sheepshead are also very plentiful around Dolphin Point (N26 4.044, W97 9.712) during January’s occasional calm days. The great thing about Dolphin Point is it provides access to boat and shorebound anglers, the latter via Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island. The fishing can be very productive for ground-pounders. Many boated fishermen focus on the visible structure of the jetties around the point, but those who back off and fish deeper rocks or the drop-off find larger fish in greater numbers. The standard shrimp/cork combo works well here, too, especially if you want to keep your bait off the rocks. Fortune, however, can favor the bold. On one 2008 trip, my wife, son, and I fished live shrimp on 1/2ounce egg sinkers in 20-25 feet of water. It was a snotty, drizzly day, but we ended up with a triple limit of sheepshead of 4-9 pounds. At one point, the three of us each had a good borrego on the line, which made for a real fire drill on my boat. Trout and redfish occasionally take a winter nap, but that doesn’t mean the fishing is over. If you want to have a pole bent and a line stretched, other accommodating fish will not let a little bad weather get in the way. After all, they are already cold and wet.

Contact: Calixto Gonzales by email at cgonzales@fishgame.com.

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Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009 USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

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

T13 T7

T6 T5 T17

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

T15 T16

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

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

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

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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.

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

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

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

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

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

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

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

T22 T23

View TIDE PREDICTIONS for all Texas Coastal Tide Stations and DATES at...

• J A N U A R Y

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

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

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

C18

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

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

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

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

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

D ec 3 1

FRIDAY

= New Moon = Fi r s t Q u a r te r = Fu l l M o o n = Last Quarter = Best Day

SATURDAY

JA N 1

SUNDAY

Set: 5:25p Set: 7:30p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 9:21a

Set: 5:26p Set: 8:27p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 9:52a

Set: 5:27p Set: 9:22p

AM Minor: 6:16a

PM Minor: 6:40p

AM Minor: 7:07a

PM Minor: 7:29p

AM Minor: 7:56a

PM Minor: 8:18p

AM Minor: 8:46a

PM Minor: 9:07p

AM Minor: 9:33a

PM Minor: 9:54p

AM Minor: 10:19a

PM Minor: 10:40p

AM Minor: 11:05a

PM Minor: 11:28p

AM Major: 12:05a

PM Major: 12:28p

AM Major: 12:56a

PM Major: 1:18p

AM Major: 1:45a

PM Major: 2:07p

AM Major: 2:35a

PM Major: 2:56p

AM Major: 3:22a

PM Major: 3:43p

AM Major: 4:08a

PM Major: 4:29p

AM Major: 4:53a

PM Major: 5:16p

Moon Overhead: 2:06p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:34p

Moon Overhead: 2:51p

12a

12p

Set: 5:30p Sunrise: 7:11a Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:29p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:31p Moonrise: 10:23a Set: 10:20p Moonrise: 10:52a Set: 11:15p Moonrise: 11:21a Set: None

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 8:46a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:18p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:44p

Moon Overhead: 5:00p

12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:32p Moonrise: 11:53a Set: 12:14a

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009

TUESDAY

12a

Moon Overhead: 6:30p 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 1:43a +2.0

Moon Underfoot: 2:29a

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 4:39a

Moon Underfoot: 5:22a

Moon Underfoot: 6:07a +2.0

BEST:

1:05-3:10 PM

2:00-3:50 PM

2:40-4:35 PM

3:30-5:15 PM

4:10-6:05 PM

5:00-6:45 PM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 3:57a

TIDE LEVELS

12:10-2:25 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:13a

-1.0

+1.0

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

1:26 am 10:59 am 7:35 pm 11:44 pm

1.06 ft High Tide: 2:04 am 1.00 ft Low Tide: -0.51 ft Low Tide: 11:30 am -0.43 ft High Tide: 1.11 ft High Tide: 7:59 pm 1.07 ft Low Tide: 0.98 ft High Tide:

12:37 am 2:48 am 12:00 pm 8:11 pm

0.89 ft 0.90 ft -0.32 ft 0.99 ft

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

1:08 AM 4:32 AM 12:31 PM 8:27 PM

0.72 ft 0.77 ft -0.11 ft 0.93 ft

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

1:59 AM 6:33 AM 1:05 PM 8:36 PM

0.54 ft 0.64 ft 0.10 ft 0.87 ft

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

2:49 AM 8:57 AM 1:42 PM 8:37 PM

0.32 ft 0.59 ft 0.34 ft 0.84 ft

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

3:39 AM 11:15 AM 2:25 PM 8:26 PM

0.06 ft 0.67 ft 0.59 ft 0.86 ft

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: Yellow: Daylight Tab: Peak Fishing Period Green: Falling Tide Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

12a

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

12p

SOLUNAR AC TIVIT Y: 12a

AM/PM Timeline Light Blue: Nighttime

MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.)

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the 12a Sky

Moon Overhead: 8:50a

Gold Fish: Best Time Blue Fish: Good Time

AM/PM Timeline

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

12p

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

MOON PHASE SYMBOLS MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

12a

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

F i s h

= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = L a s t Q u a r te r = B es t Da y

G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

2 0 0 9

•

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 1:10p

Set: 5:33p Set: 2:22a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 2:00p

Set: 5:34p Set: 3:32a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 2:59p

Set: 5:35p Set: 4:42a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 4:06p

Set: 5:35p Set: 5:49a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 5:19p

Set: 5:36p Set: 6:50a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 6:32p

Set: 5:37p Set: 7:43a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 7:43p

Set: 5:38p Set: 8:28a

AM Minor: 12:14a

PM Minor: 12:42p

AM Minor: 1:05a

PM Minor: 1:35p

AM Minor: 2:00a

PM Minor: 2:32p

AM Minor: 2:59a

PM Minor: 3:32p

AM Minor: 4:01a

PM Minor: 4:33p

AM Minor: 5:04a

PM Minor: 5:35p

AM Minor: 6:07a

PM Minor: 6:35p

AM Major: 6:28a

PM Major: 6:56p

AM Major: 7:20a

PM Major: 7:51p

AM Major: 8:16a

PM Major: 8:48p

AM Major: 9:15a

PM Major: 9:48p

AM Major: 10:17a

PM Major: 10:49p

AM Major: 11:19a

PM Major: 11:49p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:21p

Moon Overhead: 8:18p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:24p

Moon Overhead: 9:19p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:30p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:34a

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:35a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 7:49a +2.0

-1.0

BEST:

7:35-9:40 PM

Moon Underfoot: 10:57a

BEST:

8:30-10:45 PM

Moon Underfoot: 12:03p

Moon Underfoot: 1:05p

BEST:

2:30-4:30 AM

3:55-6:20 AM

4:50-7:05 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:03p +2.0

BEST:

12:00-2:10 AM

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

6:40-9:15 PM

Moon Underfoot: 9:51a

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:48a

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

C20

4:31 AM 1:20 PM 3:23 PM 8:01 PM

-0.23 ft 0.86 ft 0.84 ft 0.94 ft

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

• J A N U A R Y

5:26 AM 2:51 PM 5:20 PM 7:23 PM

-0.51 ft Low Tide: 6:22 AM 1.06 ft High Tide: 3:47 PM 1.04 ft 1.05 ft

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

F i s h

-0.77 ft Low Tide: 7:19 AM 1.21 ft High Tide: 4:33 PM

-0.98 ft Low Tide: 1.29 ft High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

8:15 AM 5:13 PM 9:36 PM 11:38 PM

-1.13 ft Low Tide: 9:09 AM 1.30 ft High Tide: 5:48 PM 1.17 ft Low Tide: 9:57 PM 1.18 ft

-1.18 ft High Tide: 1:18 AM 1.26 ft Low Tide: 10:01 AM 1.08 ft High Tide: 6:19 PM Low Tide: 10:37 PM

1.16 ft -1.12 ft 1.17 ft 0.93 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009 MONDAY

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 8:50p

Set: 5:39p Set: 9:07a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 9:53p

Set: 5:39p Set: 9:42a

AM Minor: 7:07a

PM Minor: 7:33p

AM Minor: 8:03a

PM Minor: 8:28p

AM Minor: 8:57a

PM Minor: 9:20p

AM Minor: 9:47a

PM Minor: 10:09p

AM Minor: 10:34a

PM Minor: 10:57p

AM Minor: 11:20a

PM Minor: 11:43p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:05p

AM Major: 12:54a

PM Major: 1:20p

AM Major: 1:51a

PM Major: 2:16p

AM Major: 2:45a

PM Major: 3:08p

AM Major: 3:36a

PM Major: 3:58p

AM Major: 4:23a

PM Major: 4:45p

AM Major: 5:08a

PM Major: 5:31p

AM Major: 5:53a

PM Major: 6:17p

Moon Overhead: 2:30a

12a

THURSDAY

12p

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:40p Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:42p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:41p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:43p Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 10:53p Set: 10:13a Moonrise: 11:52p Set: 10:44a Moonrise: NoMoon Set: 11:16a Moonrise: 12:50a Set: 11:49a Moonrise: 1:48a

Moon Overhead: 4:07a

Moon Overhead: 3:20a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:52a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:22a

Moon Overhead: 5:37a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Set: 5:44p Set: 12:25p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

= New Moon = Fi r s t Q u a r te r = Fu l l M o o n = Last Quarter = Best Day

Moon Overhead: 7:09a 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 2:55p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 5:14p

Moon Underfoot: 5:59p

Moon Underfoot: 6:45p

Moon Underfoot: 7:33p

BEST:

1:35-3:30 AM

2:30-4:25 AM

3:15-5:10 AM

4:10-5:50 AM

4:50-6:35 AM

5:45-7:20 AM

+2.0

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 4:30p

TIDE LEVELS

12:40-3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:44p

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

2:40 AM 10:50 AM 6:47 PM 11:26 PM

1.10 ft High Tide: 4:00 AM 0.98 ft Low Tide: -0.97 ft Low Tide: 11:38 AM -0.72 ft High Tide: 1.06 ft High Tide: 7:12 PM 0.95 ft Low Tide: 0.73 ft High Tide:

12:22 AM 5:23 AM 12:23 PM 7:34 PM

0.50 ft 0.84 ft -0.40 ft 0.87 ft

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

1:21 AM 6:54 AM 1:07 PM 7:54 PM

0.26 ft 0.70 ft -0.07 ft 0.80 ft

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

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

F i s h

2:23 AM 8:39 AM 1:47 PM 8:11 PM

0.03 ft 0.62 ft 0.26 ft 0.77 ft

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

3:26 AM 10:45 AM 2:23 PM 8:22 PM

-0.17 ft Low Tide: 4:28 AM 0.63 ft High Tide: 8:14 PM 0.54 ft 0.76 ft

G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

2 0 0 9

-0.34 ft 0.78 ft

•

C21

+1.0

-1.0

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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

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 2:46a

Set: 5:44p Set: 1:06p

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 3:41a

Set: 5:45p Set: 1:51p

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 4:34a

Set: 5:46p Set: 2:40p

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 5:23a

Set: 5:47p Set: 3:33p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 6:07a

Set: 5:48p Set: 4:29p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 6:48a

Set: 5:49p Set: 5:26p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 7:24a

Set: 5:50p Set: 6:24p

AM Minor: 12:25a

PM Minor: 12:49p

AM Minor: 1:09a

PM Minor: 1:34p

AM Minor: 1:54a

PM Minor: 2:19p

AM Minor: 2:39a

PM Minor: 3:04p

AM Minor: 3:25a

PM Minor: 3:50p

AM Minor: 4:12a

PM Minor: 4:36p

AM Minor: 4:58a

PM Minor: 5:21p

AM Major: 6:37a

PM Major: 7:02p

AM Major: 7:22a

PM Major: 7:46p

AM Major: 8:06a

PM Major: 8:32p

AM Major: 8:52a

PM Major: 9:17p

AM Major: 9:38a

PM Major: 10:02p

AM Major: 10:24a

PM Major: 10:47p

AM Major: 11:10a

PM Major: 11:33p

Moon Overhead: 7:57a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:37a

Moon Overhead: 8:47a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:27a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:05p

Moon Overhead: 11:17a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:51p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 8:22p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 10:52p

Moon Underfoot: 11:41p

Moon Underfoot: None

BEST:

1:45-3:20 AM

2:25-4:10 AM

3:15-5:20 AM

3:55-6:25 AM

Moon Underfoot: 12:28a +2.0

BEST:

10:55AM-1:10PM TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

12:50-3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:02p

TIDE LEVELS

6:25-8:10 AM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:12p

Low Tide: 5:27 AM High Tide: 4:08 PM

C22

-0.46 ft Low Tide: 6:22 AM 0.90 ft High Tide: 4:39 PM

• J A N U A R Y

-0.55 ft Low Tide: 7:12 AM 0.98 ft High Tide: 5:10 PM

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

F i s h

-0.61 ft Low Tide: 7:56 AM 1.01 ft High Tide: 5:32 PM

-0.65 ft Low Tide: 8:35 AM -0.67 ft High Tide: 12:11 AM 1.00 ft High Tide: 5:38 PM 0.97 ft Low Tide: 9:09 AM Low Tide: 10:03 PM 0.91 ft High Tide: 5:42 PM Low Tide: 9:31 PM

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

0.92 ft -0.67 ft 0.94 ft 0.87 ft

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

1:13 AM 9:40 AM 5:51 PM 9:45 PM

0.93 ft -0.64 ft 0.92 ft 0.80 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009 MONDAY

THURSDAY

Set: 5:51p Set: 7:20p

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 8:27a

Set: 5:51p Set: 8:16p

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 8:56a

Set: 5:52p Set: 9:11p

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 9:25a

AM Minor: 5:45a

PM Minor: 6:07p

AM Minor: 6:32a

PM Minor: 6:53p

AM Minor: 7:19a

PM Minor: 7:40p

AM Major: 11:30a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 12:21a

PM Major: 12:42p

AM Major: 1:08a

PM Major: 1:29p

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:00p

Moon Overhead: 2:18p 12a

12p

12a

12p

FRIDAY

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 7:56a

Moon Overhead: 1:35p

12a

WEDNESDAY

SUNDAY

FEB 1

Set: 5:53p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 10:08p Moonrise: 9:55a

Set: 5:54p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:55p Set: 11:07p Moonrise: 10:28a Set: None

AM Minor: 8:07a

PM Minor: 8:28p

AM Minor: 8:56a

PM Minor: 9:18p

AM Minor: 9:46a

PM Minor: 10:10p

AM Minor: 10:39a

PM Minor: 11:06p

AM Major: 1:56a

PM Major: 2:17p

AM Major: 2:44a

PM Major: 3:07p

AM Major: 3:34a

PM Major: 3:58p

AM Major: 4:26a

PM Major: 4:52p

Moon Overhead: 3:43p 12a

SATURDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:16p

Moon Overhead: 4:27p 12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:05a Set: 5:56p Moonrise: 11:07a Set: 12:11a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:08p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

TUESDAY

= New Moon = Fi r s t Q u a r te r = Fu l l M o o n = Last Quarter = Best Day

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 1:14a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 3:21a

Moon Underfoot: 4:05a

Moon Underfoot: 4:51a

Moon Underfoot: 5:41a +2.0

BEST:

1:15-3:20 PM

2:10-4:00 PM

2:50-4:45 PM

3:35-5:30 PM

4:40-6:20 PM TIDE LEVELS

12:25-2:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:39a

TIDE LEVELS

11:20AM-2:00PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:57a

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

2:04 AM 10:08 AM 6:05 PM 10:17 PM

0.91 ft -0.59 ft 0.90 ft 0.70 ft

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

2:54 AM 10:36 AM 6:20 PM 10:54 PM

0.87 ft -0.49 ft 0.88 ft 0.59 ft

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

3:47 AM 11:04 AM 6:35 PM 11:32 PM

0.81 ft High Tide: 4:49 AM 0.74 ft Low Tide: -0.36 ft Low Tide: 11:33 AM -0.19 ft High Tide: 0.84 ft High Tide: 6:48 PM 0.80 ft Low Tide: 0.45 ft High Tide:

12:12 AM 6:04 AM 12:04 PM 6:54 PM

0.28 ft 0.67 ft 0.03 ft 0.76 ft

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

12:56 AM 7:36 AM 12:36 PM 6:51 PM

0.09 ft 0.63 ft 0.27 ft 0.75 ft

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

1:47 AM 9:31 AM 1:06 PM 6:34 PM

-0.12 ft 0.66 ft 0.53 ft 0.80 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Page C24

Berkley Fire Rods

Berkley Fire Rods—Feel the Heat NSHORE ANGLERS WHO FEEL THE HEAT OF competition and are looking for a leg up should check out Berkley’s new Cobalt Fire rods. I tested a CFS701MH 7-foot model designed for 10- to 20-pound-test and 1/4- to 3/4-ounce lures, and thought it was well worth the $80 price tag, and then some. Berkley says they designed the Cobalt Fire for inshore saltwater fishing with GULP! baits. I am unsure what specifically makes it ideal for GULP! as opposed to other artificials, but there’s no question it’s perfect for tossing 4- to 6-inch plastics on leadheads to redfish and speckled trout in the shallows. Berkley’s marketing folks say the relatively fast but soft tip gives the rod diverse appli-

cations, and after using it, I have to say that for once the marketing hype is accurate. When casting and retrieving, hooksets

are quick and precise. The upper section of the rod still has enough give to vertically jig a lure and maintain tension on the line without slowing the lure action on the drop. The rest of the rod has enough flex and length to give extra casting distance over the norm, without giving up the backbone needed to play out trophy-sized fish. The biggest fish I caught while flipping 4-inch chartreuse Jerk Shads to specks cruising weedbed edges was 3 pounds, but the power to handle much bigger fish is clearly there. Sensitivity is top-notch, thanks to the carbon-wrapped graphite blank, which Berkley calls CF-81 Power Construction. The Cobalt Fire guides are also unique: Instead of inserts, the Pac Bay TiBlue guides feature a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating that becomes a part of the guide itself. The hard, low-friction surface allows the use of monofilament or braid. This also eliminates the problem of ring guide inserts that pop out of the guide, rendering the rod useless until the guide is replaced. Handles are cork (cork tape on surf models), and spinning, casting, jigging, and surf models are available, with two-piece models offered for surf rods. Prices range from $80 to $120, depending on the model. Contact: Pure Fishing USA, 800-2375539, www.berkley-fishing.com —Lenny Rudow •••

Rhino Hide Marine Repair N THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF MANKIND, NO invention has proved as important as the ultimate fix-it tool—duct tape—until now. Rhino Hide’s new XFR Marine might surpass the silver stuff when it comes to fixing things in the do-it-yourself world. XFR Marine comes in a white tube that

C24

• J A N U A R Y

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

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Rhino Hide Marine Repair kit.

spins open to expose a kit including everything you need to prep a surface. Metal, wood, PVC, plastic, whatever, mix a batch of moldable repair adhesive, and shoot it into place. The chemical make-up of this stuff is secret. It has a 30-second working time, quicksets in a minute, and is fully cured and sandable in five minutes. Remember that old Crazy Glue commercial, where a guy hangs from his helmet attached to a steel beam by just the glue? That’s child’s play

for this stuff, which has an astonishing 4000-psi tinsel strength once hardened. As you might expect, something this strong requires a two-part mix. Unlike most two-part adhesives, however, XFR is mess-proof and idiotproof because the two parts are self-contained in a doubleplunger syringe. To mix them, you simply pop off the cap on the end of the syringe and clip on a mixing tip, then press the plunger. The mixing tip is designed to fully combine the chemicals before they reach the end of the tube. XFR makes surface prep easy because the $16 kit includes sandpaper and alcohol wipes, so every item you need to do the job is at hand. After using it, you can swap the mixing tip for the cap, so unused XFR remaining un-mixed in the tubes is re-usable in the future. I first got my DIY hands on XFR the

day after the plastic stereo mount in my boat’s electronics box broke while I was banging through 3-foot seas. I didn’t have high hopes for a permanent fix, but a month (and four fishing trips) later, it’s still holding the pieces together and shows no signs of giving up. It got another chance to prove its worth when one of the supports on my duck boat blind sheered off. Again, XFR surprised me by supporting the stress without a problem. Since then, I’ve used it to glue the handle back on a fillet knife, attach the lip to a diving plug, and replace the latch on an old, broken tackle box. I know the claim is Earth shattering, but use it and I think you will agree—this stuff is even better than duct tape. Contact: Rhino Hide, LLC, 866-3474466, www.rhinohide.com —LR

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Daiwa Zillion In 1987, Daiwa was the first to introduce a reel with a blazing fast 7.1:1 gear ratio – a benchmark that competitors were unable to match for nearly two decades. Now, in recognition of the company’s 50th anniversary, Daiwa is unveiling a new Special Edition Hyper-Speed TD Zillion™ with 7.3:1 retrieve – the world’s fastest compact baitcaster. Capable of cranking in 32 inches of line with a single turn of the handle, the new Hyper-Speed TDZLN100SHSA and mirror-image, left-hand winding TDZLN100SHSLA allow anglers to cover water quicker than ever before. Every specially

Daiwa Zillion

engraved, serial numbered TD Zillion Special Edition Baitcaster also boasts a rigid, high-strength aluminum frame and sideplate, plus eleven corrosion-resistant CRBB ball bearings and a roller bearing. Superior cranking power and stability are ensured by oversized gearing and Daiwa’s Swept Handle design, while a super-consistent, eight-disc wet drag provides unparalleled fish-stopping performance. Additional features include: easy sideplate removal for quick spool changes; aluminum guard plate on top of the reel for finish protection; and Soft Touch handle grips for a comfortable, secure hold. The TDZLN100SHSA and TDZLN100SHSLA have an MSRP of $299.95. Both reels match up perfectly with Daiwa’s new TD Zillion rods to form state-of-the-art combinations for the serious bass angler. While the new TD Zillion HyperSpeed Special Edition Baitcasters are C26

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designed primarily for bass-fishing applications, durable construction and CRBB ball bearings also make these reels ideal for taking on inshore saltwater game fish like redfish and speckled trout and more. For more information, visit Daiwa’s Web site (www.daiwa.com).

Bogs are Comfy, Warm and Dry There are boots, and now there are boots that offer more meaningful benefits. A relative newcomer on the scene, Bogs Boots has just introduced a full line of boots for hunters and other outdoorsmen that deliver new levels of user comfort, warmth and moisture protection, all at very affordable price points. The secret behind these remarkable boots is the exclusive Bogs MT (Moisture Transfer) technology – the world’s first and only fourway stretch, waterproof and breathable neoprene. Beneath the tough outer shell is a breathable perforated foam pad, a 2mm airmesh lining that moves moisture, and a waterproof, breathable membrane. In other words, water cannot get into your boots, but perspiration can get out, making them a three-season boot. Cool on a September afternoon, warm on a December hike though the snow (rated to as low as 65 below zero) and waterproof on a rainy March day. And comfortable through it all. Among the new models introduced for 2008 is the Osmosis MT Model 52009. Combining all of the unequaled features built into every Bogs boot, this superior quality model has an MSRP of $90.

Bogs Boot

Other features include a seamless four-way stretch neoprene sockliner that eliminates friction points and adjusts to fit any width foot and is breathable, anti-fungal and odor-resistant; and a non-slip, non-marking rubber outsole. With a fresh start in the field, Bogs studied consumer needs and preferences to determine what is most important when boots are worn in the field under any weather conditions. One by one, they pinpointed the most important consumer demands, and then created a totally new line of boots with innovative solutions that offer new performance levels for each of these user needs. For more information about the growing family of new-generation boots from Bogs for the outdoors, call 800.201.2070, e-mail info@bogsfootwear.com or visit the Bogs web site, www.bogsfootwear.com.

Bucktail Teasers The Fishskin Bucktail Teaser combines the highest quality components and materials into an effective lure that gamefish just can’t resist. ProFish started with a premium stainless steel hook and dress it with the finest, American bucktail and feathers, added proprietary Fishskin Holographic and Glo strips to Mylar and tinsel material to provide flash that predators can’t ignore. The sum of the components is the finest teaser you can buy, built to a standard that rivals the best tied flies, and made to tackle the toughest fish, even offshore species like dolphin and tuna. The Fishskin Bucktail Teaser comes in 3” and 3-3/4” lengths on 3/0 and 5/0 stainless hooks. The teasers can also be used to change out the hooks on your favorite plugs and poppers to make them even more productive. If you fish with teasers already know they are effective, but unless you’ve fished the remarkable Fishskin Bucktail Teaser you don’t know just how effective

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they can really be. Step up to the hottest teaser ever offered, quality made to last. For more information on the complete line Profish products go to www.profishco.com.

iPhone Navionics

SuperCasters

US Reel SuperCaster Pro

More navigation opportunities now available with Navionics Mobile, the new cartography that turns your iPhone into a marine chartplotter that you can take with you everywhere, and have the clarity and detail of the most renowned marine cartography. Navionics Mobile with Navionics navigation software for iPhone - allows you to see your GPS position on the chart, pan and zoom, view descriptions of objects on the chart, in both day and night modes, and much more. Navionics Mobile Charts are easily downloaded from the internet, and are then stored on your iPhone allowing you to navigate without a mobile signal. In addition, with Navionics Mobile, you can use your iPhone to navigate the outdoors, providing ski trail data along with hiking and biking. For more information, go to www.navionics.com.

The new U.S. Reel SuperCaster 1000 and SuperCaster 1000 Pro let anglers cast farther with faster lure speed and less effort than other baitcasters since there’s no frictioncausing levelwind eyelet in this revolutionary design with its reverse-rotation spool. The rolling motion of a rotating bar levels the line instead. This is the performance edge anglers have dreamt about. In addition, there are few backlashes with the reel. The See-Saw Levelwind levels the line on the spool by a rotating angled bar that creates a see-saw effect to guide the line. It is adjustable and its height actually regulates casting control. The SC1000 features an exclusive “reverse rotation” spool to complement the See-Saw Levelwind System. When the line comes out from below the spool, spool control is improved with the spool turning into the thumb. Visit usreel.com for more information. MSRP starts at $199.99 and $249.99.

Compact Storage

Uwharrie Stone offers granite pedestal bases for taxidermy mounts in a variety of colors and shapes. Custom orders quoted.

Uwharrie Stone

The compact 1420 Guide Series™ Case features a wrist strap so it travels along easily without weighing you down. The 1420 includes a red TPR lining and an additional liner for use under the lid, ensuring your valuable items are protected with privacy. The 1420 Guide Series™ Case is perfect for storing wallets, film, keys, cell phones and other small accessories while protecting them from water and dust. It measures 6.375”L x 3.5”W x 1.867”H and retails for $9.99. For more information visit www.planomolding.com.

Plano 1420 Case

Visit www.uwharriestone.com, or call: 704-202-3465.

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ILEY X EYEWEAR HAS BEEN IN business for 21 years, developing and producing military goggles and sunglasses as eye protection in combat conditions. The company’s pedigree is a diverse product line of leading edge eyewear with standard issue status for U.S. Armed Forces around the world including elite Army Ranger and Navy SEAL units. A letter from military mom Constance Sidles is an example of many that Wiley X receives:

“My son, Lance Corporal Alex Sidles, was on a Marine operation near Baghdad on Sunday when the HumVee he was riding in took a

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direct hit from a very large missile or shell used as an IED on the roadside. My son lost his foot and was severely wounded in the thigh. The velocity of the shrapnel inside the HumVee was so great that holes were made right through the solid, bulletproof windshield. Yet, my son’s eyes were saved by the Wiley X Sunglasses he was wearing. He is very grateful for that. I hope that you will take a moment today and realize that because of your work, some of our most beloved sons are alive and returned to us with their vision intact. As one of the families affected, I can tell you that you will have our everlasting gratitude.” Wiley X’s credentials for performance, protection, durability, and function are

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Wiley X Eyewear Stands the Test of Battle

Wiley X Eyewear, standard issue for US Combat troops, is smart eye prortection for sprotsmen. unmatched. Its commitment is to build eyewear that accomplishes a job while protecting the wearer better than any other option. Besides meeting extremely demanding military specifications for high impact resistance, Wiley X is a leader in development of next generation designs, materials, and construction to exceed what’s currently available anywhere. Wiley X products are embraced by anglers, hunters, shooters, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts because of their ideal combination of style, performance, quality, and protection. All Wiley X eyewear is ANSI certified as occupational eye protection devices. Independent tests to earn this rating include withstanding the impact from a 1.1-pound pointed weight dropped 50 inches, and a .25 caliber ball shot at each lens 10 times at 150 feet pre second. With hazards to eyes such as insects or debris encountered when running at high speeds, and lures as airborne projectiles, the need for impact “insurance” is obvious. More eye injuries occur while fishing than any other recreation.

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Patented technology only available through Wiley X includes a removable Facial Cavity Seal in Climate Control Series glasses. It is a breathable gasket that attaches to the inside of the glasses frame to seal out wind, dust, debris, and light. Glasses stay secure to the face while running the boat. Eye fatigue from peripheral light including harmful UV rays is eliminated. By blocking side and back light, the Facial Cavity Seal also amplifies the effects of polarization, which are diminished without this patented gasket. Contact: Wiley X, 800-776-7842, www.wileyx.com —Staff Reports

American Rodsmiths—an Industry Leader To be the leader, the authority on any product, a company has people in management who use the product. Management listens to what other users are saying about their product. The company has to be an innovator and have one of the best products in the marketplace. American Rodsmiths, a Houston company, fills the bill on all of these. Robert Scherer, the founder of American Rodsmiths, calls saltwater fishing his passion. Robert’s son, Garret (most people know him as “Bubba”), promotions manager for the company, said he grew up fishing saltwater tournaments with his dad. Bob Brown, President of American Rodsmiths, is a longtime friend of Robert and was originally with the Daiwa Corporation and then All Star Rods. The pro staff who use American Rodsmiths rods reads like a Who’s Who of saltwater and freshwater angling—David Fritts,

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Kenyon Hill, Judy Wong, just to mention a few of the touring pros. “We listen to what they want in a fishing rod,” said Garret. “For example, a standard Carolina rod is 7 feet in length and the handle is 10-1/2 inches. Peter Thliveros wants his handle 9-1/2 inches; Marty Stone wants his handle 9 inches. We developed an adjustable handle in the Mag Strike Predator rods where the handle can be adjusted from 8-1/2 to 101/2 inches.” American Rodsmiths has a rod to match just about any angler’s needs, including Kayak Specials (rods with shorter handles and overall lengths). There are separate men’s and women’s fishing rods. “The biggest difference is the handle features,” said Garret. “A ladies’ rod has a smaller tapered handle, fit better for a woman’s hand, and a shorter length in overall rod size. A lot of ladies don’t want to use a 7or 7-1/2-foot rod; it’s too long, too cumbersome.” A woman who ran a very large redfish tournament for women in South Texas wanted pink fishing rods. “After the initial production run of the rods, they became extremely popular,” said Garret. “Men wanted the rods for their wives and daughters. We have expanded to four different models. They are high modulus graphite rods, but have a thin pink coat of paint.” American Rodsmiths is best known for the development of H3 Titanium rods. “It’s not a secret how to make a rod light and not a secret how to make a rod strong,” said Robert Scherer. “The secret is to make a rod that is light and strong. We have been able to do that with the relationship I have with Mitsubishi. They make the graphite we use to build these rods. “Right now, we are the only rod manufacturer that has titanium impregnated in the blank.” The H3 Titanium has a blend of graphite, carbon fiber, and titanium fibers. Scherer unabashedly stated that American Rodsmiths has always been a leader in cutting-

L-R Bob Brown, Robert Scherer, and Garret Scherer of American Rodsmiths PHOTO BY NICOLE MCKIBBIN

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edge technology: “We have even developed a new kind of foam for some of our handles. We have patents on two different reel seats. In one rod, the Ultra Max Titanium, we have almost eight different patents from the tip to the butt, new stuff that we have done. “We have an adjustable handle for the bass guys. The saltwater guys are different. They are looking for distance. The redfish series rod I use is a 6-foot, 6-inch rod, but it can be adjusted out from 6 feet, 6 inches to 7 feet, 2 inches. Say you are in a cut in a marsh and are flipping at redfish. That ditch opens up to a pond 100 yards across and you see a fish at 50 yards. You can’t reach him with a 6-foot, 6-inch rod, so you crank it out to 7 feet. Just a twist of your hand and you pull it out to whatever length you want it. The trick is not changing the action on the rod, and that’s what we were able to do. “For the bass guys, you have a cam lock on the bottom and you make the handle longer; for the saltwater guys, you have a cam lock on the front so you can make the rod longer.” People in management that are fishermen, management that listens to what anglers want in a fishing rod, and a company willing to be the innovator in the fishing rod industry; American Rodsmiths does it. Contact; American Rodsmiths, 713-4667849, www.americanrodsmiths.com. —Tom Behrens

Ardent Signs Denny Brauer to Pro Staff Ardent, the industry leader of high-performance fishing reels and accessories, has signed BASS Elite professional angler Denny Brauer to the company’s growing staff of top anglers. Brauer joins reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion Alton Jones and BASS Elite Pro Pete Ponds as the latest to join the Ardent team. “Denny Brauer Denny Brauer is one of the most successful bass anglers competing in the world today,” said Michael J. Brooks, President and C.E.O. of Ardent. “His accomplishments are

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Trijicon TR20 DualIlluminated Riflescope HAVE BEEN WAITING IMPATIENTLY EVER SINCE I learned that Trijicon was going to introduce a new version of their AccuPoint riflescope. I have used the AccuPoint with the illuminated chevron reticle, but found I had a bit of trouble switching from a standard duplex crosshair to the chevron. Then last year, Trijicon announced they were introducing the scope with crosshair and illuminated aiming point. I was excited. It was even better than I expected. I received my sample 3-9x40 a couple of months ago and have been testing it on my little Remington Model 700 BDL .222. To put is as succinctly as possible, this is a real winner. The aiming point in the new scope is a dot in the center of the crosshair that is illuminated for use in low light situations. The AccuPoint uses two different sources of illumination (no battery). One is the radioactive

element tritium. This is the same technology used on the various glow-in-the-dark handgun night sights. The

other source is sunlight. The AccuPoint uses fiber optics to transmit light to the aiming point. In the past, in direct sunlight, the aiming point could become too bright. The combat Marines in the Middle East using the Trijicon ACOG learned to use a piece of duct

by Steve LaMascus tape to regulate the amount of light transmitted to the aiming point. Now Trijicon has engineered an adjustable shade that eliminates the need for such battlefield innovation.

This is a genuinely great scope. The optics are as clear and crisp as any I have ever seen. Eye relief is perfect, the adjustments are equally precise, and the product is extremely durable. What more do you need? While this scope is useful for big game hunting where shots might be taken in the dim light of pre-dawn or post-sunset, I believe its best use is for nighttime predator calling. Numberless are the times I had a bobcat, fox, or coyote within easy range and had trouble finding the crosshair. With the illuminated dot, or the larger but less precise chevron, that problem is eliminated. Also, with feral hog hunting becoming more popular all the time, and with the hogs becoming more nocturnal all the time, the AccuPoint would be a fine choice for hunting the ubiquitous wild swine. The AccuPoint comes in 1.25-4x24, 39x40, 2.5-10x56, and several different aiming point configurations. Trijicon products have been tested in battle under the harshest conditions imaginable and not found wanting. If you are looking for a new scope, I can recommend this one without reservations.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com.

INDUSTRY INSIDER Continued from Page C29 without equal. Ardent is pleased to be the reel of choice of Denny Brauer, an outstanding champion on and off the water.” Brauer won the 1998 Bassmaster Classic, the Bassmaster BP MegaBucks, the Bassmaster Superstars, and was named the 1987 BASS Angler of the Year. In 1998, he earned the distinguished FLW Angler of the Year title. “I’ve followed Ardent since the company C30

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began manufacturing reels, and I have long been impressed with their quality,” said Brauer, a Missouri native and the first angler ever featured on a Wheaties box. “Ardent’s reels provide me with a substantial performance advantage and competitive edge. I’ve never fished a smoother bait-caster than Ardent’s XS 1000, or one that provides such consistent casting distance. Ardent’s F500 Flippin’ and Pitchin’ Reel has me looking forward to next year’s tournaments.” F i s h

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Brauer will be featured in a number of upcoming advertisements as the company introduces its F500 Flippin’ and Pitchin’ reel, the first technique-specific reel to join the company’s superb line-up of fishing reels and accessories, all of which are made in the USA. Contact: Ardent Outdoors, 660-3959200, www.ardentoutdoors.com —Staff Reports

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set, we eagerly awaited the arrival of the majestic birds. After a while, it felt as if the birds might never get off the roost, but as soon as daylight came, a few birds started to get up. As the birds approached through the light fog, Steven Murski, and my good friend Billy Dean, and I called, hoping the birds would hear us and lock into the spread. The birds started to turn, and we grabbed our guns and waited. When the geese reached our spread, we had our first volley of the morning and three geese down.

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN MURSKI

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Taking a banded waterfowl of any type is a true trophy for waterfowlers.

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Trophy Fever

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVEN MURSKI

Special Hunting Section

With the fog start- Steven Murski (L) and his dad, Darrell, show off silently. My father, Darrell Murski, and ing to get thicker, banded geese bagged near Lissie, Texas. I were the only two geese started to pour out of five men to see off the roost. As we watched a flock of specklebellies flare just the birds. We quickly threw up our guns and out of range, three more geese snuck in took aim. I shot first and then heard the

unmistakable roar from the barrel of my dad’s Remington SP10. Two specklebellies fell, mine to the north and his to the south. As the day went on, we quickly had our limit of specks but no snow geese. We had thought about calling it a hunt and picking up our spread, but decided to give it a little more time. A while later, we had an innumerable number of specks come over, mixed with a few snows. My dad and Billy shot; my dad connected and a gigantic snow goose fell, heading straight for me. I couldn’t figure out which way to roll; the bird hit the ground not 6 inches from my head. At the end of the hunt, we picked up the birds, and I started checking them for bands. As I got to the bird that I shot early that tried to sneak in silently, I felt something hard and cold. The sight of my first banded goose was more than enough to take my breath away. Ten days later, my dad shot his banded speck on the same field. Both of our geese were banded in Alaska, mine on the North Slope 80 miles west-northwest of Nuiqst, Alaska, on July 13, 2007; my father’s, 15 miles east-southeast of Singeak, Alaska, July 9, 2006. Mine hatched in 2005 or earlier, dad’s in 2004 or earlier. The same U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bander, Dennis Marks, banded both birds. The five men that hunted that day where Billy Dean, Russell Sebesta, Garrett Sebesta, my father, and me. I can’t wait until next year, and know that I am very blessed to have a dad that loves to hunt and has given me the chance to join him in doing something that that we both love to do. —by Steven Muski, TF&G Reader

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Bowhunting Outside His Bedroom Door AST FALL, A READER CONTACTED ME ABOUT hunting a big buck in its “bedroom” while staying undetected. With the rut over just about everywhere, finding a big late-season buck will be challenging. The big bucks will be in their sanctuaries, and during these final days of the season, this is where you need to hunt. A sanctuary is usually a dense thicket, as heavy brush and other cover acts as a barrier for predators, especially human ones. Driving deer in these areas is futile, so you must hunt along the edges of cover, paying special attention to wind direction. A whitetail will smell a human’s presence with the slightest breeze, and if you do not respect this, you will soon find out why we call them “whitetails.” Enter the woods as quietly as possible with the wind in your face. If that is not an option, wait until the wind has changed or go home. It really is that simple. You might need to walk around the sanctuary and go to your stand via a different route. I cannot stress how important it is to be as scent free as possible, even when you have the wind to your advantage. Most big bucks sniff everything they can along the way, searching for the familiar human smell that has permeated the woods in recent weeks. Tall 16- to 18-inch rubber boots are a must, as well as rubber gloves when handling anything near your stand. A scent-absorbing suit and some kind of scent wicking material are important tools. Shower with scentfree soap and do not forget your hair. Hair absorbs more foreign scents than any other part of your body. Try to think like a deer. In my hunting classes, I ask my students to listen to a sound

and tell me what it is. I then proceed to walk around the room and continue to do so while I ask what are they hearing. If I get no correct answer, I clap my hands to match my footsteps. It is not long before some alert student proclaims that I have created a rhythm to my step. That’s right. Humans are the only animal in the woods that has a rhythm to its walking, and everyone walking with us has the same beat. If you want to fool that big boy, then try walking to your stand with a broken rhythm. Have you ever heard a squirrel when it prances around gathering food? Three or four fast steps, stop, five or six fast steps, stop, and so on. After proofreading this, I must admit, it reads a bit like the lights are on but no one is home. However, it has worked for me and

“

it has worked more than once. In fact, one time I was caught still getting in my stand when a huge buck walked right in on me. He had no idea I had invaded his turf. Keep your stand at a reasonable distance from a buck’s bedding area so you do not alarm the deer en route to a food source. In the late season, setting up near the food area results in seeing deer but few bucks, since they wait until well after dark to feed. Your stand could be up to 100 yards deep in the woods to catch the unsuspecting buck. To be successful with a big bruiser this time of year is not easy, but it certainly is not impossible. Serious bowhunters are consistently successful year after year. They must be doing something right. I would have to say that these hunters are being extra careful while they are paying strict attention to details—the small details that render success in the late season. Always remember: Hunt safe, have fun, and keep the emails coming. I might use your idea for one of my future columns.

Try walking to your stand with a broken rhythm.

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E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com.

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SPOT Satellite Messenger AVE YOU EVER WISHED YOU COULD LET A loved one know you were okay when you were out on the lake or bay and were very late getting back to the ramp? Or been pinned down by bad weather but were doing fine? Or have you ever

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been in dire need of help and no one was around? The SPOT Satellite Messenger can solve those problems and more. The Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT) is manufactured by Globalstar and utilizes a GPS receiver and the company’s constellation of satellites to send home messages along with GPS coordinates from over 80

by Greg Berlocher percent of Earth’s surface. The SPOT is a handheld device a little larger than most cell phones, and is powered by two AA batteries. The SPOT communicates back to Globalstar’s gateway and web interface. The service is one-way only and transmits from the communicator back to the gateway.

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Keep in mind that this is a satellite communicator and needs a clear view to the satellite. The SPOT will work from inside a vehicle, but not inside your house or the mobile home at deer camp. When my test unit arrived, I unpacked everything and was pleased to find a set of instructions that were clear and easy to follow. First, I loaded the batteries into the unit and then logged into www.findmeSPOT.com to activate it. The SPOT website asks you to register account information as well as emergency contact information. I tried adding myself as the emergency contact in case I got into trouble and the website wouldn’t allow me to continue; very clever. After loading in my wife’s and other family members’ contact information, I was ready to activate the unit. The SPOT has four buttons on the face: On/Off, OK, 911, and Help. Turning the SPOT on and off is a simple push of the button. Pushing the OK button sends a preformatted email or text message with GPS coordinates to your pre-assigned contacts. Holding the OK down for five seconds activates automatic tracking, and your GPS coordinates will be sent every 10 minutes to the Globalstar gateway. Friends and loved ones can track your location in near realtime by logging onto the FindMeSPOT website. This feature will help insure more marital harmony than just about anything I can think of. Imagine this scenario: I tell the Better Half that I will be back from an offshore fishing trip around 5 p.m. At 4 p.m., she logs into the website and sees I am still five miles away from the jetties. Quickly, she calculates boat time, cleanup, and drive time, and readjusts the reservations for our dinner date that night. Ah, wedded bliss. The Help button allows you to send preformatted messages requesting some type of help. This might be an urgent request, such as, “I am Hurt, please send help,” or something more pleasant, such as, “I have killed a buck, please come pick me up.” Keep in

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mind that the messages must be entered ahead of time on the F i n d MeSPOT website. The 911 button will send a 911 message to the local authorities in your area. The documentation included with the SPOT makes it clear that it is not to be taken lightly and penalties can result from prank 911 alerts. It is important to note that this is a global service and your location and distress message can be sent to police or state troopers, the Coast Guard, or even a country’s embassy or consulate. The SPOT is sold nationwide through outdoor retailers and mass merchandisers.

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The suggested retail price is $169.95. There are two service options available. Basic service runs $99.99 per year. The tracking option is extra, bringing the yearly total to $149.98. I abused my test unit just about every possible way, and it never missed a beat. I left the unit on my dashboard with the windows rolled up during August, and the heat never bothered it. The unit has been splashed with saltwater during choppy trips across the bay, and I can see no signs of corrosion or water intrusion. The SPOT has been accidentally dropped several times on concrete with no visible harm.

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There are a few things I would like to see changed. Globalstar’s website could be a bit more intuitive. I was able to register without much difficulty, but was asked to repeat several entries because it wasn’t exactly clear what I needed to do. This issue should go away when Globalstar updates their website in the near future. The battery compartment on the back of the unit is secured by three stainless screws, each with a small wire loop that folds down. The wire loop allows you to twist open the screw with your index finger and thumb as if turning a wing nut. While the concept is good, it appears you need the fingers of a 10-year-old to manipulate them. I had to use a small screwdriver to back out the screws. These items are nits in the grand scheme of things, and I would highly recommend the SPOT to any serious outdoorsman.

Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com.

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Torpedo Weighted Baitfish HILE TORPEDO WEIGHTED BAITFISH has a sort of military ring, it is purely a fishing method where a bit of stealth is involved. It is how the depth control weight is hidden in the baitfish’s stomach. The type of baitfish, its size (bigger sinks slower from its greater drag in the water), and shape, along with current flow and the depth of your target species will determine the weight/size of torpedo sinker to use. The lightest you can use for a slower sink rate gives suspended fish such as snapper and ling a better chance of a look at your bait. A heavier torpedo weight has a sink rate that lets your baitfish get into the deep strike zone quickly. The loop connection of hook to torpedo weight is made by tying a double overhand knot into the ends of a doubled length of Spectra, cotton, or Dacron line. The finished loop should be in the 3- to 5-inch

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range, governed by the size of the baitfish and sinker. Connect the hook-loop-sinker together as shown in the large view in the illustration. To marry up the torpedo-weighted hook to your baitfish, insert the weight through its mouth and into its stomach. Now put any excess connecting loop into the baitfish’s mouth. Lastly, put your hook into its mouth and hook through the top of its head as shown in the illustration. The hook shown is an Eagle Claw 2004ELF, size 8/0. Remember, whichever brand name of circle hook you use, whether it be Eagle Claw, Daiichi, Mustad, Owner, Gamakatsu, or whatever, the hook point-toshank area must be open for the best hookup percentage. When you mask this area with bait of any sort, hookups will be affected

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negatively. Size and type your circle hook up or down for the size of baitfish used and the species targeted, remembering that the hook weight will also have an effect on the sink rate. This torpedo weighted baitfish rig is primarily used with dead baits, but is also effective with live ones. A small- to medium-size torpedo weight, relative to the size of the baitfish, won’t necessarily kill it. The weight will slow its swimming motion a bit, but it will still send out a distress signal that can be picked up by predators, bringing them closer for a visual connection and possible strike. The torpedo sinker in the baitfish’s stomach gives greater casting distance with less effort over a Carolina-rigged baitfish, letting you cover more of the water column. That weight on the end of your line, as opposed to 3 feet behind it, simply gets the job done. After the cast, let the bait arc sink through the water column with your reel in thumb controlled free spool or in gear. With your rod tip pointing at your line’s entry point into the water, give an occasional rod tip twitch to activate your presentation. Throughout the water column, whether it is offshore, near shore, or in the bays, when a bit of stealth, quick weight change, and additional casting distance is needed, the Torpedo Weighted Baitfish is a way to get it done. E-mail Patrick Lemire at saltrigs@fishgame.com. ILLUSTRATION BY PATRICK LEMIRE

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Deep-water Cranking HIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN MOST ANglers go bass fishing (and very few of them do), they limit themselves to very few lures. One of the most common cold-water bass lures is the jigging spoon, which

can be fished vertically or cast and retrieved along breaklines or deep-water humps. If anglers are not using jigging spoons, then they are more than likely dragging a Carolina rig along the bottom, trying to entice slow-moving fish into biting an equally slow-moving bait. Both of these baits are very effective this time of year, but they have one small problem: Typically, each one is fished slowly, so if you don’t know where the fish are located and can’t get on top of them quickly, it might be a long day of fishing with very little catching. For a change of pace (for both you and the bass), try tossing a crankbait to help locate fish and also pull big bass out of deep water. Professional anglers have been using crankbaits in deep water for years to put limits in the boat, but the practice hasn’t really caught on among recreational anglers for various reasons. The biggest encumbrance is that getting a crankbait down deep and keeping it there can be tough on the angler and his equipment. Often, a day of fishing a crankbait leaves the angler with sore shoulders, aching wrists, and a stiff back, but the chance to catch a big fish makes all the pain worth it. When referring to deep-water crankbait ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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fishing, I mean water over 10 feet deep, and in some cases deeper than 20. Getting a bait that deep is a chore, but there are a few things that you can do to help. First, the biggest deterrent to a bait reaching its maximum running depth is friction resistance of the line in the water. Thicker line has a more difficult time cutting through the water than thin line does. When fishing a deep-water crankbait, go with the lightest line you feel comfortable using. If you are fishing open water with very lit-

tle chance of wrapping up in brush, go as light as 10pound monofilament. If you are cranking around standing timber, then move up slightly; but if you are using anything over 15-pound mono, you will not be able to get the bait down to it’s maximum running depth. In addition to using thinner monofilament, concentrate on casting distance to max-

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imize crankbait running-depth. Think of it this way: If you are only casting 60 feet, it will be next to impossible to get the crankbait down to 20 feet, and even if you do, the lure will be at depth for only a short period before it starts running back up the water column toward the boat. So, in order to get and keep the bait down deep, you will have to make extremely long casts. Lighter, less stiff monofilament will help with this, too. Another trick that some anglers use to get the bait down deep is to modify the bill of the bait slightly. The bill is what makes the bait dive, so a slight modification to it will have a huge bearing on the depth of the bait. To get a crankbait to run deeper, heat the bill with a small flame or by holding it over boiling water, and then bend it slightly upward. If you have a favorite crankbait that just does not run quite deep

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It’s All in the Numbers

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That seminal moment caused me to realize how a series of numbers can dramatically impact your life. Many people commit their vehicle license plate numbers to memory, but do not have a clue about the one on their trailer. If you

washed up into a pile. Boats that have registration (TX) numbers displayed on their bows, as required by law, were cataloged and the owners identified quickly. Do you know your registration number in case your boat is stolen or damaged? You

own more than one trailer, write them all down and keep the cheat sheet in your wallet. Do you know your drivers license number? You need that number for a variety of transactions, and knowing it will save you from repeatedly pulling out your wallet. In case your license is lost, knowing the number helps fast-forward getting a replacement. I committed mine to memory years ago, and it is very easy to remember if you use the same format as a social security number: 3 digits-2 digits-4 digits. Images of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike are still fresh in my mind, particularly photographs showing large numbers of boats

could probably track down the number, but it is better to be armed with information when appealing to law enforcement agencies. Many Texas Fish & Game readers own a variety of firearms. Each has a serial number and you should record every one of them and store the list in multiple places. Keep one list handy and one in a separate, secure place, such as a safe deposit box. If your guns are stolen, a list of registration numbers and descriptions is a great aid to police. Speed is the key. In large cities, police departments send out bulletins to pawn shops to be on the lookout for stolen weapons. Your cherished rifle, shotgun, or

T ALL STARTED WHEN SOMEONE AT THE GAS station told me that my license plate was missing on my boat trailer. A quick inspection revealed a ragged plastic edge where the plate holder was ripped off. In one of life’s little detours, I was off to secure a replacement. The little lady behind the counter in Rockport politely inquired what the license

by Greg Berlocher plate number was. Sheepishly, I admitted that I didn’t have a clue, but I knew the plate numbers for my Suburban and my wife’s vehicle. Surely, she could track down my records using that data. Wrong. Instead of paying a replacement fee, I had to re-register my trailer and ended up paying a higher tab than if I had known my trailer plate numbers. I wrongly assumed that my records could be accessed with just my name and drivers license number. The fact is, that data stored in different county and state databases cannot be readily shared between agencies.

FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS Continued from Page C37 enough, try this to get it down a bit deeper. While heating and bending the lip, be careful not to twist the lip since this will make the bait spin or lay on its side on retrieve. If you really want to get a crankbait down deep and keep it there, a variation on the C38

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drop-shot rig might be the best thing. Tie a three-way swivel to your main line, with a leader attached to a bell sinker on one side and a short leader with a crankbait on the other. This rig can be cast and then slowly retrieved back in, or you can drop it straight down and use your trolling motor to troll it around points and humps. Either way, get F i s h

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ready to pull in some big winter fish with this non-standard technique.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com.

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pistol might never be recovered, but you should do everything you can to aid recovery. Keep in mind that not all guns are lost to criminals; fires destroy a good number, too. A gun vault is the best fire protection, but not everyone owns one. The fire that destroys your guns will likely destroy your list of registration numbers as well, hence the need for a second list in an off-site location. Some car and boat keys have unique codes that identify them. Most outboard manufacturers have a small number of standard keys they use repeatedly. The number varies from manufactures to manufacturer, but in general, it is about 100 different combinations. If you know the code to your key, you might get lucky and find a boat dealer that is open on a Saturday with the right key in stock. In addition to inventorying and cataloging your physical properly, give some thought to your intellectual property as well. A personal database is a good example, otherwise known as your cell phone contacts list. Cell phones have become so powerful they allow us to store an amazing amount of information, such as phone numbers and email addresses. Unfortunately, a cell phone’s computing power cannot help with absentmindedness. I have ambled off into bays and rivers several times with my cell phone in my pants pocket. Not only did I lose the ability to make phone calls, I also lost the contents of my phone book. All I could offer was a shrug when a friend asked me for a particular phone number. Many anglers rely on GPS to guide them back to productive honey holes known only to immediate family members and trusted friends. The GPS coordinates are so secret that an oath must be sworn before boarding the boat. Unfortunately, electronic systems fail occasionally and their precious contents are lost forever. One quick word about electronic devices: Your personal information can live on even if you do not own the device any more. One of my brother’s good friends bought a used offshore boat from a seasoned offshore veteran. On his first trip beyond the jetties with his new boat, my brother’s friend discovered several hundred destinations stored in the depthfinder. Curiosity soon led to limits of snapper, most over 10 pounds. The previous owner forgot to purge his GPS and the

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secret spots are not secret anymore. Care should be taken with information stored in cell phones and depthfinders, especially personal information. I have worn out multiple cell phones and ceremoniously retired each by christening with a 5-pound sledge. Once in small pieces, a little charcoal lighter fluid and a match completed my security procedure. Although the world in which we live in is becoming more intrusive, there are still plenty of things that can fall through the cracks.

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Pen and paper make an inexpensive data backup system. Cataloging your personal and intellectual property doesn’t take that long, and it is a great winter activity that keeps us connected to the outdoors. Hopefully, you won’t ever need to use your backup numbers, but if you do, you will be glad you invested the time.

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The Wildcats ILDCAT CARTRIDGES HAVE BEEN A purely American tradition since the invention of smokeless powder. As Americans, we are mostly individualists who think we know more than the firearms manufacturers, and judging by the past decisions of some of the manufacturers, that might be true. In that light, many of us have decided to do it our way and use a cartridge that is not available on the open market, but that we feel fits our needs better than any factory cartridge. Most wildcats are made from already existing cartridges, which are simply modified by the handloader to fit whatever his idea of perfection happens to be. The Ackley series of “improved” cartridges are a great example that has been popular for over half a century. There are also a number of current factory cartridges that began life as wildcats, but were eventually picked up by a manufacturer. Two that immediately come to mind are the .25-06 and the .22-250, both extremely popular Remington cartridges. Another such legitimized cartridge is the old .35 Whelen. It was first adopted by Remington as one of the cartridges in their limited edition Model 700 Classic. For a time, it was wildly popular, but now seems to be waning a bit, probably due to the latest epidemic of Magnum Mania. The .35 Whelen is an awesomely powerful and effective cartridge, but its 250-grain bullet at 2500 feet per second or 225-grain at 2650 seem rather ho-hum compared to the mega-velocities of the newest line of super Magnums. And the .35 Whelen, itself a former wildcat, has been further wildcatted by blowing out the case to give it

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less taper and increasing the angle of the shoulder, forming the .35 Whelen Ackley Improved. The increase in performance is minimal, but the conversion does help resolve the possible problem of poor headspacing on the tiny shoulder of the standard Whelen. Two of the best of the still-active wildcats are the .280 Ackley Improved and the .257 Roberts Ackley Improved. Both of these cartridges enhance the performance of the standard versions enough to be worth the effort. The .280 AI comes close to matching the 7mm Remington Magnum factory loads, and the .257 Roberts AI will run neck-and-neck with the larger .25-06. Interestingly, the .257 Roberts was itself once a wildcat, based on the 7x57 Mauser cartridge. It was first offered by Remington as a factory cartridge in 1934. In .22 caliber, there is not much that isn’t available already in factory offerings, but the .223 Ackley Improved has grown quite popular over the last few years, and it does increase the velocity of the .223 Remington by at least 100 feet per second. The .243 Ackley Improved is also popular. The standard .243 Winchester has to be pushed hard to make 3000 feet per second with a 100-grain bullet. The AI version can jump that velocity by as much as 200 feet per second. Another .243-caliber wildcat popular for many years is the 6mm-284. This one uses the .284 Winchester as its parent, and is a very good cartridge. Another great wildcat is the .338-06. This has become a quasi-factory cartridge since A-Square and Weatherby began chambering for it a few years back, but it is still not mainstream, so I include it in the line of wildcats. It is very similar to the .35 Whelen, but seems able to produce slightly more velocity with equal bullet weights. I don’t see how that is possible without circumventing the laws of physics, and personally doubt it, but since I have not personally done any testing or reloading with the cartridge, I must accept what I have read from F i s h

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knowledgeable sources—at least until I get the time to find out for myself. At any rate, like the .35 Whelen, the .338-06 is a very fine cartridge, capable of taking on the largest game in North America, with considerably less recoil and muzzle blast than the rip-roaring Magnums in similar calibers. If you are not a reloader, wildcat cartridges are not for you. Practically all of them are reloading-only propositions. Custom reloaders offer a few loads, and fewer still are offered by one or two of the smaller ammunition companies. They require extensive knowledge of reloading, fire forming, ability to read signs of extreme pressures on the cartridge cases and primers, and other esoteric skills that the average shooter does not possess. Guns chambered for wildcats are generally more expensive than a factory rifle, depending on how much alteration you want done, and whether or not you want a rifle re-barreled or just re-chambered. You can generally figure on a minimum $500 outlay above the original cost of the rifle, and more than that is probable. America is still the home of the rugged individualist. Just having something that is better than average and isn’t available at the local gun shop is worth a lot to some of us. Along with the fact that many of the wildcats do, indeed, offer significant increases in performance, that is enough for many American shooters to foam at the mouth with unbridled desire for a high-performance wildcat. And that is not intended as a slight, either, because I happen to be one of “us.” I like wildcats. I think many of them are worth the extra trouble. And I love the look of puzzlement on someone’s face when they ask what I am shooting and I tell them, “It’s just a .30 Belted Newton.”

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com.

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Beaver Pelts & Boat Shows ACK IN THE DAYS WHEN THE MOUNTAINS were mostly unexplored, fur trappers would rendezvous once or twice a year to show and sell their new pelts. Besides the monetary transactions that took

fishing tackle makers, outdoors magazines, and other outdoor related vendors display and discuss their wares. Longtime exhibitors are renewing friendships, and along the way, learning some new “tricks of the trade.”

by Tom Behrens place at these gatherings, it was also a great time to renew old friendships and create new ones. There are no beaver pelts shown and sold at the Houston International Boat, Sport, & Travel Show, but the basic idea is the same. More than 75 boat dealers and 450 booth exhibitors such as fishing guides,

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History The Houston International Boat, Sport, & Travel Show was birthed at the Sam Houston Coliseum in 1956 in downtown Houston. The first show drew about 40 boat dealers and 50-75 of the 10x10 exhibitor booths. The exhibitor booths were where fishing guides, tackle retailers, and other like entities presented their offerings. Unfortunately, some of the history of the Boat Show was lost when Hurricane Ike played havoc with part of the show offices. Ken Lovell, President of the Houston International Boat, Sport, and Travel Show

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since 1988, reconstructed some of the show’s history from memory. Lovell recalled it was about 1965 that the show outgrew the confines of the Coliseum and moved to the Astrodome: “I had a picture of the first show at the dome, showing it covering most of the Dome floor. The

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show drew the largest crowd the facility had ever had to that date, a little over 30,000 people.” When sport schedules for the Dome began conflicting with the Boat Show dates, the show moved to the new Astro Hall. The show continued to grow, and within a cou-

ple of years, added the Astro Arena to the display space, boasting 500,000 square feet. The show moved to the Reliant Center in 2002, the first year the Reliant Center opened, utilizing approximately 740,000 square feet, the entire bottom floor of the building. “The new building is a super building for the show,” said Bill Sterling, president of the Houston Boating Association. “The old Astro Hall and Astro Arena had so many nooks and crannies that it was hard to see the show. When you left, you might not know if you saw the whole show or not. In a rectangular building, with all the aisles numbered, if you want to see it all, you can see it.” The Houston International Boat, Sport, & Travel Show is now one of the largest boat shows in the country.

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“Everybody claims to be number one,” said Lovell. “The Miami Show, Fort Lauderdale Show, do more of the yacht type boats. We will have boats in our show up to 50 feet. We are one of the largest in the country in just square footage.

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“This year, we will have about 75 boat dealers and 450 booths. We may be off slightly for this year’s show in number of exhibitors; our open area space is sold out, and our 10x10 booths are off slightly, about 5 percent.”

Economic Impact Lovell said the show annually draws 150,000 visitors from all over Texas and most of Louisiana, as well as elsewhere. “We have had some Colorado people attend,” he said.

As for the boat dealers, the show has a huge impact on their coming year sales. “It’s a very big deal,” said Bill Sterling, owner of C&S Marine. “If we didn’t have the show, January and February can be bleak months for us. We sell some boats at the show and

that’s good, but the key thing for all of us is the people we talk to in January at the boat show that are not going to be ready to buy until April, May, or June. In June, somebody will walk into our dealership with a

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flyer, a magic marker circle around a particular boat, and say, ‘I saw this at the show and I would like to see it again’.” Sterling attributes 10-20 percent of his company’s sales to the show, either directly or indirectly. The show is also a good deal for the consumer. “Instead of taking two weeks and having to drive all over the world trying to shop for a boat, in 20 minutes you can see more boats than you can see in three days driving around to different dealerships,” Sterling said. “It’s the best exposure you can possibly have for this area,” said Glenn Vann of Custom Marine Concepts. His company has had a 10x30 display for four years. “It gets you the widest audience. It’s almost one of those things that if you are not there, you are not really in the game; your yearly sales are going to suffer. Just because they didn’t buy a boat this year, didn’t buy aluminum this

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year, that logo and name will stick with them. If you don’t go to the show every year, it’s kind of an out of sight, out of mind thing.” Vann said it is hard to say what part of his sales are directly from the show, but he completed a job about three weeks prior for

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a man who picked up one of his business cards at the January boat show two years ago. “Another part for me is that I work with so many of the local boat dealers on their aluminum add-on needs,” said Vann. “If a dealer is selling a boat at the show, and the

buyer wants a T-top or swim platform on the boat, they can walk them down to my booth or call me and I will walk down to their display; I can go over everything with the customer as far as exactly what he wants right there on the spot. I am there just as much for my retail work and for people off the street, and I’m there to support my dealer network.” There are no pelts lying around waiting for a prospective buyer to come by and check out at the Houston International Boat, Sport, & Travel Show, but there are plenty of boats, boating accessories, and fishing items to check out. As fishing guide Butch Terpe said: “People want to meet guides, see what he or she is like. I enjoy seeing all the people I know and those I don’t know.” He estimates he gets about a dozen trips out of the show, either signing up then or calling later. “It’s just a big boost on several levels,” Sterling said.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FLATSTALKER

Stand and Deliver AYAKS ARE THE KINGS OF COOL WHEN IT comes to stealthiness on the flats. The low profile allows anglers to slide into the shallows without alarming the resident population of spotted and speckled game fish. But fishing from a ‘yak isn’t always easy, and I am quick to admit that I have a distinct fondness for standing up when fishing— especially if working a dog-walking lure or casting flies.

Flatstalker

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Although I haven’t reached Joe Doggett’s self-professed “geezer age,” I am not far behind, and my sense of balance has all but abandoned me in a few short years. I can still stand up in a 28-inch wide kayak, but I tend to re-

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semble a 10-month-old taking their first few steps. I know my own limitations and haven’t tried it of late with a rod in my hand’ a pity, as I really like the vantage point standing provides. Fortunately, I am not alone and several new fishing products offer a stable platform to those of us who prefer to fish standing up. The Flatstalker (www.flatstalker.com) is the brainchild of Roy Sanders of Corpus Christi, who surfs when conditions are right and fishes when they aren’t. Sanders came up with the idea of a long, flat kayak-style craft that an angler could stand on while fishing. The Flatstalker’s hull is rectangular, about a foot thick, with a bow that narrows slightly. A detachable ice chest serves double duty as a seat. The stern features a metal bracket that will support a trolling motor. The Flatstalker comes with a 10-foot paddle; the extra length is needed to reach the water from the paddlers perch atop the cooler. The paddle can also be used as a push pole. The Flatstalker is a cool design and some say it isn’t a kayak, but it is close enough for me. Potential buyers should be aware of a few things. The elevated seat catches a lot of wind, which makes it difficult to paddle into a pumping coastal breeze. The trolling motor is a definite ally in this situation. Another issue is the weight. The cooler is detachable, making loading much easier, but the hull still weighs much more than a kayak. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 250 pounds, I am not a shrinking violet, but dragging a Flatstalker around a friend’s backyard last weekend wasn’t much fun. Loading one into a truck or on top of a vehicle would be tough for a single angler. My advice if you buy a Flatstalker: Fish with several friends who can help you load it after a trip.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FREEDOM HAWK KAYAKS

The Freedom Hawk kayak (www.freedomhawkkayaks.com) is one of the most innovative designs I have seen in years. The 14-foot hull looks like any other sit-ontop kayak, but has a bifurcated stern consisting of identical halves. When you want to

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stand, you lift up on two levers and the stern splits in two, with each half angling outward at a 45-degree angle. The Yak-Gear outrigger effect adds a tremendous amount of stability. An integrated leaning rail in front of the foot pegs provides a handhold. When it is time to move, you simply push the levers down and the twin hulls come back together, forming a hydrodynamic hull. Perhaps the coolest new stand-up product to come along in a while is Yak-Gear’s new outrigger system. Bill Brigman, owner of YakGear (www.yak-gear.com) continues to come up with products that address market needs. The outrigger system incorporates twin booms, each equipped with floats. The booms fit inside the pivoting Scotty rod holders. When you want to paddle, raise the booms out of the waPHOTO COURTESY OF YAK-GEAR

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ter; when you want to fish, simple lower them into place. The only negative I see about the outrigger system is the need to have access below the hull so you can bolt down the Scotty rod holders. This is no job for pop rivets; you will want to use bolts and lock nuts, which means you need a hatch of some sort to access inside the hull. You can always cut an opening in your hull and add a hatch, but some people are just skittish about new hull penetrations. The Yak-Gear outriggers system is quick to install, and is very affordable at $159.95 MSRP, allowing anyone with a sit-on-top kayak to add outriggers to their boat as an option. All of these products are viable options for anglers who wish to stand up while fishing— even if approaching “geezer age.” Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com.

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Class & the Wilderness HE DEEP-CARPETED ROOM BESPOKE elegance. Oil portraits of thoroughbred racehorses adorned the burgundy painted walls. Crystal wine glasses and shining silverware glimmered in the flickering candlelight. The habit of chewing the ice cubes out of my water soothed frayed nerves while outside the evening cooled from a warm summer day. The surroundings were a stark contrast to the way I had been taking my meals for the past week. Then the waitress approached my table. Her blonde mane boiled up on her shoulders bouncing as she walked. Her skin glowed tan from the sun and her eyes flashed brilliant green. Diamond studs twinkled on her ears through her yellow hair and a gold necklace disappeared beneath the hollow of her throat and down the front of her white starched blouse; a button was open. Then she stood before me and smiled. For a moment, I could have died happy. The week had not started out well. A new job with a new outfitter meant that my position was dead center at the bottom of the totem pole. It meant that I must prove myself all over again, despite my years of experience in northwestern Montana. It also meant that a new style of mule packing was about to enter my repertoire. In this neck of the woods, they used panniers (sacks hanging on either side of a packsaddle), weighed the loads on scales, and tied it all down with a two-man diamond hitch. It was a method described to me by the boys up north as a means to teach women and kids how to pack mules. It seemed like a long step backward from my former sling packing days, but when in Rome, you must do as the Romans. So, the outfitter, his wife, and I stumbled through a

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mess of camping gear, ciphering what paraphernalia to put in each sack/pannier. We had a group of five guests scheduled for a wilderness fly-fishing trip. My first mistake was to ask a question. “Where’s the cook stove?” The outfitter was a short stocky man and he spun around to glare at me. “You just put the loads together and don’t worry about what’s here and what’s not!” There was nothing to do but duck my head and clamp my jaws. It was obvious there were some essential items missing, but my input wasn’t appreciated. It was time to shut up and watch. The next morning, our guests arrived and more questions percolated in my noggin. There were two couples pushing 70-something, and one single lady who also fit the retirement age category. They were nice folks, outdoorsy with willing hearts, but I saw how the elderly ladies limped and worried for their comfort after a full day on horseback. Nevertheless, it was an excited crowd that rode off from the Slough Creek trailhead destined for Frenchy’s Meadow. By the middle of the afternoon, I helped the women dismount and then supported them until they got the blood running again in their numb posteriors. After that, it was my job to take care of the stock and set camp while the outfitter entertained the guests with a grand elaboration about the history of the area. While doing my chores, I was able to query the outfitter’s wife, who was more amenable to questions. “Where’s the cook stove?” “I’ll do all the cooking over a campfire,” she said. “I’ll take a tarp and gather squaw wood. You don’t have to worry about cutting wood for me.” “Dadgum, that puts unnecessary hardship on you. Now for the next question—what about a latrine?” “We never do that.” The outfitter strode into our midst. “Herman, it looks like you’ve got everything handled. Why don’t you take a break?” F i s h

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“Do you set up a latrine for the womenfolk?” “No, give them a shovel and tell ‘em to go squat in the brush!” Then he marched away. Without a word, I gathered several tarps and ropes, grabbed the Army surplus spade, and attempted to saunter into the woods unnoticed. An appropriate distance from camp, a couple of stumps and a log provided an adequate perch and I dug a hole that could be back-filled. The last requirement was to stretch the ropes between trees and hang the tarps for a blind. Then I returned to the campsite and whispered to the outfitter’s wife. “Would you please let the ladies know that there are latrine facilities available 50 yards down that trail into the timber?” She stared at me and nodded. Then I set myself to cutting a jag of firewood. We were on a progressive traveling trip through the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, and at each campsite, the process was repeated. The ladies first needed support, after dismounting, until their sore legs would hold their own weight. Then I completed my normal duties, followed by constructing a makeshift latrine, and helped the outfitter’s wife with firewood. On the last day, she brought up another ticklish topic. “You know, these clients are going to give you a generous tip. You did well accommodating these folks. The ladies liked having a latrine.” “Well, shoot, I didn’t do it for a tip. The idea was to do whatever necessary for them to be comfortable and have a good time. I do the same job day in and day out whether I’m guiding hunters or sightseeing tours. The probability of being tipped doesn’t enter my thinking.” “Be that as it may, they’ve said that they’re going to take care of you.” “That’s nice. This is a classy group and we know that class and money aren’t always synonymous. Likewise, when outfitters depend on guests to subsidize wages by tip-

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Texas Wins OK Shootout UCH IN THE SAME FASHION AS THE FAMED shootout at the OK Corral, the best bass anglers from Texas and Oklahoma stood off for the last draw in the 2008 BoatU.S. Angler Texas-Oklahoma Shootout. In the Ryder-Cup style event, individual teams were chosen at random to face off against one another in headto-head competition. Of the six points available on the last day of competition, Texas needed just three to seal the win. Four were to come from the boat-to-boat match-ups, and then one each for the day’s heaviest limit and the biggest bass. As in year’s past, it again took the last day to decide the winners. The first anglers to the scales were the Texas team of Clark Wendlandt and Cody Bird. They weighed a five bass limit of 23.85 pounds, saying they culled several times but never got the big bites they felt they needed. The Oklahoma team of Tommy Biffle and Fred Roumbains knew the match would be close as they put their five fish on the scale. The Oklahoma duo’s bag topped out at 23.08 pounds, and Texas claimed their first point of the day. The second match marked the highly anticipated team captain showdown. Oklahomans Jeff Kriet and Derek Remitz were first to the scales with a weight of 24.54 pounds. Then to the surprise of the spectators at Beacon Lodge, the Texas team of Kelly Jordon and Todd Faircloth made their way to the stage without a weigh-in bag.

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“We are conceding defeat in this match,” said Jordon as he congratulated Kriet and Remitz for beating them. With the day’s score tied at 1-1, and the title very much on the line, Oklahoma’s Mike McClelland and John Sappington bagged their catch of the day and weighed in a big bass at 7.56 pounds, with a total weight of 27.61. Their opponents of the day were the Texas team of Mike Hawkes and Jason Reyes, who had success all week long. The last day was no different as they made their way to the scales and weighed an identical big bass, also at 7.56 pounds, tying Oklahoma for the big bass point lead. However, the Texas pair did win the match with a total weight of 31.22 pounds, giving Texas a 2-1 lead on the day. With the title at stake, the last Texas team of Mark Pack and Wade Middleton crossed the stage, needing to top the big bass lead or beat Oklahoma’s Kenyon Hill and Harmon Davis to clinch the victory and prevent Oklahoma from staging a come-from-behind win. This was the first day that Pack and Middleton fished together, and it proved to be a good pairing as their fish topped the scales at 32.41 pounds, the biggest bag of the event. To remain alive, Oklahoma needed to claim two points, so the team of Kenyon Hill and Harmon Davis shook hands with weighmaster Mike Hastings and put their fish on the scale. At 29.31 pounds, Hill and Davis could not top Pack and Middleton’s incredible day on the water, and Texas claimed their third Shootout victory in four years. “We were fishing against Oklahoma’s MVP team this week, and we knew we needed a big sack as Kenyon and Harmon had been catching big fish all week long,” said Middleton. The team caught their fish on Lake Fork Tackle Hyper Worm and a Baby Ring Fry. Both baits were fished on a Carolina rig. “We were catching all our fish in 22-30 feet of water around rock and brush,” Pack said. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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The BoatU.S. Angler Texas-Oklahoma Shootout will be featured in six one-half hour programs to be aired on FOX Sports National within the Fishing Texas television show at 10 a.m. Eastern on Sundays, beginning in February. Additional event coverage can be seen in special segments as part of the Americana Outdoors program that runs on the Versus network. National sponsors of the Shootout include BoatU.S. Angler, TruckVault, Cabela’s, Rapala’s Fishing Frenzy, Aviva Fishin’ Buddy, Ranger Boats, Yamaha, Sebile, Beacon Lodge, Daiwa, Garmin, Power-Pole, Gemini, Wired2Fish.com, BassZone.com and Sperry Top-Sider. Local businesses that have made the event possible are Zapata County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Beacon Lodge, Hawk Enterprises, Joe Chick A/C and Electric, Holiday Restaurant, D&D Marine, Consolidated-COSI, Zapata County News, IBC Bank, The Oaks at Falcon Estates and Falcon Lanes. For daily standings of this year’s Shootout, visit www.CarecoMultimedia.com. —Staff Reports

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Displaced Coffins DAY SPENT HUNTING DUCKS OR FISHING coastal or inland rivers and marshes in southeast Texas might turn up something unexpected and unnerving—coffins, and the contents thereof. At the beginning of November in a marsh off of East Bay in the Galveston Bay complex, a hunter came upon the body of a woman washed up in one of the large debris piles accumulated in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Other people are finding mired or floating coffins in marshes and waterways of Orange County in the Port Arthur area. David Reeves, Chief Deputy in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said that about six or eight coffins have been found, most of them located in the Bessie Heights and Bailey Marshes that border Sabine Lake and the Neches River.

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The coffins were floated out of their graves by floodwaters generated by Ike. “The bulk of them are coming from Cameron Parish in Louisiana,” said Reeves. It has reported as many as 200 coffins have been washed out of their burial sites. If you find a coffin, leave it alone and mark the location with a flag of some sort. Better yet, if you have GPS, note the coordinates. Contact the local police authority for the area. One duck hunter notified the local TPWD game warden, which is okay, but they in turn will notify the police authority for the county where the body or coffin is located. “If they give us a call and a good location, we will see about getting the corpse out,” said Reeves. “Some were easy to remove and some were not. For some of them, it took an air-drive boat; some we could actually drive up to, and some took a marsh buggy.” DMORT (Disaster Mortuary Response Team), a federal government entity, takes care of identifying the deceased and relocating the coffin to where it was originally buried. “It’s a mobile forensic lab,” said Jeff Kelley, Emergency Management Coordinator for Or-

ange County. “It’s a long drawn out process, but it is extremely accurate.” Anglers and hunters are asked to keep phone numbers in their cell phones for such things as Operation Game Thief, ShareLunker, and others. Note the following numbers in case you locate a coffin or body: Orange County, 409-8832612; Chambers County, 409-267-8318; Galveston County, 409-766-2300. —Tom Behrens

WILDERNESS TRAILS Continued from Page C56 ping, it diminishes the definition of a tip. Whatever, I accepted years ago that cowboying don’t pay. If they stick some cash in my pocket, I’m going to treat myself to a night out at a fancy restaurant and hope there is enough left to buy whiskey and tobacco for the next trip.” Many dusty miles and a shave and hot shower later… The waitress moved toward me. From across the room, her gaze was steady and her steps and motions were female. This time, I could see where the diamond pendant on her necklace was hiding. “Would you like something sweet for dessert?” “Yes ma’am, I’ve been looking forward to that all week.” Maybe she was working for a tip, maybe not. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com.

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Homemade Tortilla Soup HIS HEARTY SOUP IS SURE TO WARM YOU and your family on a cold winter day. It might be a good idea for Super Bowl Sunday, too. This recipe makes 4 to 6 bowls; double it if your kids eat like mine do.

2 Tbs olive oil 1 cup chopped onions 2 tsp chopped garlic 1 teaspoon chicken bullion 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped 1 zucchini squash, sliced into 1/4-inch slices 1 can diced tomatoes 1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced thin 1 ear of corn, shucked and cut fresh from the cob 1-1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground coriander 2 Tbs tomato paste 6 cups chicken stock 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves S P O N S O R E D BY:

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN SLAVEN

2 tsp fresh lime juice 2 cups vegetable oil for frying 6 stale corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inchthick strips 1 tsp Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and chopped for garnish In a Dutch oven or large cast iron pot, heat the oil on medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, peppers, salt, cumin, and coriander for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Be sure and stir as you go. Add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer for 20 minutes. Add the chicken and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the cilantro and lime juice, and stir well. Add a teaspoon of chicken bouillon for richness. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm. Heat the oil in a heavy pot to 350 degrees. Add the tortilla strips in batches and fry until golden and crisp, 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season to taste with the Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the diced avocado, fried tortilla strips, green onion tops, grated Monterrey jack cheese, and chopped cilantro.

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com. G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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TEXAS SALTWATER Kenny R Speckled eed Trout Hugo Fo Guide Serv rd ice

CORPUS CHRISTI

GALVESTON

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

ADVERTISERS, MAIL IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

cy Peggy Sta Oscar and Trout d e Speckle ide Servic water Gu Akins Salt

Johnny Jo h 6.5-poun nson d Hillman G Redfish uide Service

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Daniel and Dickey er West Texas Axis De ng Hunting and Angli Quality Review

Eric and Frank Limits of Trout an d Reds Hillman Guide Servi ce

TEXAS FRESHWATER

is Caballero, Roger Sauseda, Lu d Louis Garcia an ob Jac z, pe Lo Ernest arters Redfish; Redfish Ch

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

TEXAS HUNTING

LAKE TEXOMA

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

LAKE AMISTAD

BAFFIN BAY

SPOTLIGHT: COASTAL BEND OUTDOORS

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

After years of taking friends and family members on their first saltwater adventures, I decided to take the next step and get my captain’s licence to get the title Captain Matt Danysh. Upon suggestion for the website address, the name Coastal Bend Outdoors was born. I have spent my whole life fishing near Corpus Christi, Texas, in the Upper Laguna Madre to Port Aransas and hunting the south Texas area. In my custom 22-foot Baymaster boat we can run the flats for speckled trout and redfish then fish drop-offs for flounder or other bay species. If deep blue water is your passion, we are headed out the jetties in our 26-foot twin outboard Offshore Power Boat (that’s the manufacture of the boat) in search of, but not limited to, kingfish, ling, mahi-mahi, wahoo, amberjacks, tuna, and bottom dwellers like snapper and grouper. During colder months, Jody, my retriever, and I target waterfowl in the bays and freshwater of the south Texas area with usual limits of redheads and other ducks like pintails, scaup, buffleheads, widgeon, and teal. We can accommodate almost any party with proper time to schedule. There are many different options in my area for any group or the whole family, from hotels to condos where you can be picked up on the water from your lodging. Call 361-946-5200 or log on to www.CoastalBendOutdoors.com for more information or view our massive photo gallery. Come see me for your next saltwater hunting or fishing adventure. Capt. Matt Danysh, 361-946-5200 www.CoastalBendOutdoors.com CaptMatt@coastalbendoutdoors.com A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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BLUE CATFISH—ROCKPORT, TEXAS

REDFISH—LAKE FAIRFIELD, TEXAS

Nine-year-old Ricky Brown landed this 25-pound blue catfish at a stock tank in Rockport, Texas.

Nick Munoz, age 13, of Fairfield, Texas, caught this 22-pound, 44-inch freshwater redfish on Lake Fairfield.

PERCH—BELTON, TEXAS

HYBRID STRIPER—LAKE TAWAKONI, TEXAS

Chase McCelvey, 2-1/2 years old, caught his first Kaylyn Winter, age 11, of Venus, Texas, caught this fish on the river at his grandfather Tom Bever’s hybrid on Lake Tawakoni. The fish was 8 pounds ranch in Belton, Texas. Even at 2, he loves to fish. and was caught on a silver and blue Rat-L-Trap. Photo submitted by mother, Tiffany McCelvey.

SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO: C62

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TF&G PHOTO ALBUM 1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032 OR BY EMAIL: photos@fishgame.com

BASS—GUNTER, TEXAS Two-year-old Jonah Ferguson, with help from granddad, caught this 3-pound Florida bass while bringing in a bluegill from a private pond in Gunter, Texas. It became obvious that the bass had taken over the fight when the drag began to sing.

PLEASE INCLUDE NAME, HOMETOWN, WHEN & WHERE CAUGHT, SIZE AND WEIGHT

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

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TURKEY—ROCKSPRINGS, TEXAS

AXIS DOE—UVALDE COUNTY, TEXAS

Tucker Pennell called in and shot this bobcat by Jake Miller, 7 years old, of Katy, Texas, shot his Cody Jenkins, age 9, shot this axis doe while on a himself on the last day of deer season in Webb first turkey near Rocksprings, Texas. Photo sub- TPWD youth hunt at Garner State Park in Uvalde County. mitted by his parents, John and Mandy Miller. County. Cody shot the deer, his first, with a .243 at 110 yards.

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by Bruce W. Smith ping off a boat doesn’t take much skill or elaborate tools; it just takes opportunity. That’s why the theft of boats and related gear and electronics costs owners and insurance companies tens of millions of dollars every year. Prime opportunities include boats parked in driveways, side yards, behind barns, in pastures, or any other location that’s not secured, well lit, or under constant watch. They also prefer the easy target over the difPHOTO BY BRUCE W. SMITH

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ficult; the quick hit over the time-consuming; the unlocked over the locked.

Think Like a Thief You have to think like a thief in order to prevent or at least discourage theft. Use a locking hitch pin like those offered by DuraSafe (www.durasafelock.com; 866.544.5615) so a thief can’t pull it and slide the shank into their own rig and drive away with boat, trailer, and all. Lock the trailer coupler so a thief can’t lift the trailer off the ball and roll it over to his vehicle. Keeping your trailer locked when it’s not hooked to your tow vehicle is equally important. Employing wheel locks, coupler locks, or just good old-fashioned chain-and-padlock technology will make your boat/trailer a far less attractive target. Park your boat trailer in a way that makes it difficult for a thief to roll it to another vehicle. Chain it to a tree or post, or at least run a chain through the wheels and padlock the end so the wheels can’t turn. Keep it out of view so thieves cruising for targets don’t see it, and make sure it’s in a well-lit area, like A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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in the back yard where a security light can snap on if someone approaches. Boats on the water are an even more attractive target. Docklines can be cut, the boat towed or driven to a remote cove and stripped of everything with no one being the wiser. Chain and padlock your boat to the pier or dock.

Lock ‘Em Down As for the boat itself, it’s a smorgasbord for a thief. Think of it this way: If you can remove it, so can a thief—only faster. The biggest targets of opportunity are items left out in the open, such as electronics, that are not hard mounted in the console; fishing rods laying on the deck; and personal items such as cell phones, handheld GPS units, cameras, wallets and sunglasses. Whether on the road, on the water, or parked, lock everything down that is in plain sight and place items that are not lockable inside locked compartments, even if the boat is going to be left unattended for only a few minutes. (See “Gone in 60 Seconds” sidebar.) G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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In This Issue

I24 I26 I28 I32

COVER STORY • Locked Up Tight | BY BRUCE W. SMITH

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY CALIXTO GONZALES & JD MOORE

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

GEARING UP SECTION

I22

TEXAS TESTED • Berkley; Rhino Hide | BY TF&G STAFF

NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

INDUSTRY INSIDER • Wiley X Eyewear; American Rodsmiths; Ardent | BY TF&G STAFF

I29 I36 I41 I55 I57 I58 I59

SHOOT THIS! • Trijicon TR20 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope | BY STEVE LAMASCUS FISH THIS! • SPOT Satellite Messenger | BY GREG BERLOCHER

HOW-TO SECTION

I31 I34 I35 I38 I40 I54 I56

BOWHUNTING TECH • Bowhunting Outside His Bedroom Door | BY LOU MARULLO SALTWATER BAITS & RIGS • Torpedo Weighted Baitfish | BY PATRICK LEMIRE FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Deep-water Cranking | BY PAUL BRADSHAW TEXAS KAYAKING • Stand and Deliver | BY GREG BERLOCHER

WILDERNESS TRAILS • Class & the Wilderness | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

Make use of prop, trolling motor, transom bolts, and lower unit locks. Smaller outboards need to have the transom clamps locked. Overkill? An outboard mechanic friend says he can drop a lower unit in less than six minutes without making a sound: “They are easy pickings and easy to sell. Used lower units sell anywhere from $1500 to $3,000. Add in the prop and there’s another $300-$400 theft incentive.” Remember, too, that a low-life targeting your boat doesn’t really care if cables and wires are cut, or things get pried apart during the theft. All he wants is the item itself and probably does not intend to re-install anything on his own boat, if he even owns one.

Electronic Guard Dog On the electronic side of theft prevention, there are several different approaches to boat security. The most basic is letting the world know someone is tampering with your stuff via sirens, horns, and flashing lights. Such alarms can be activated by the pressure of someone stepping on deck, unsnapping a boat cover, or removing some piece of equipment that is connected to the alarm system. I2

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SPORTSMAN’S NOTEBOOK • It’s All in the Numbers | BY GREG BERLOCHER HOUSTON BOAT SHOW • Special Advertising Section | BY TF&G STAFF NORTH TEXAS NEWS • D/FW Boat Dealers Rewards Anglers | BY TF&G STAFF TOURNAMENT NEWS • Texas Wins OK Shootout | BY MATT WILLIAMS HURRICANE COVERAGE • Displaced Coffins | BY TF&G STAFF TEXAS TASTED • Homemade Tortilla Soup | BY BRYAN SLAVEN

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DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS • Classifieds | BY TF&G STAFF

I62

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

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • The Wildcats | BY STEVE LAMASCUS WOO’S CORNER • Can You Catch Big Bass? | BY WOO DAVES

TROPHY FEVER • Trophy Bands | BY STEVEN MUSKI, TF&G READER

The more sophisticated systems can track your boat no matter where it is, and the system activates as soon as your boat is moved. Sea Key (www.myseakey.com; 866.473.2539) even provides 24/7 human monitoring just like many home alarm companies. Another level of electronic guard dog is disabling the outboard using a hidden kill switch or, better still, utilizing a keyless ignition system. One company that offers both is Digital Guard Dawg (www.digitalguarddawg.com), which uses a small electronics-filled cube to prevent anyone but the holder of the right key fob to start the engine. The key fob automatically arms/disarms the ignition when it is within 15 feet (adjustable distance) of the boat. The more sophisticated Digital Guard Dawg model actually replaces the entire key switch with a push button, along with a security system that can page you when your boat is being moved or someone is aboard while the system is armed. Also check out U.S. Boat Alarm (www.usboatalarm.com; 888.575.5500) and Texas-based Geneva Enterprises ( w w w. g e n e v a e n t e r p r i s e s . c o m ; 281.433.3917) for complete boat security systems.

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If you do go the electronic path, make sure the brains of the system are designed for marine use—not automotive. Water, moisture, and corrosion are sure-fire alarm killers over a short period, and the unit needs to sealed against the elements of the marine environment.

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safe place at your home or office. Should a theft occur and the authorities are lucky enough to find missing items, you can easily prove what is yours using the documentation. Every TF&G reader knows we live in a world full of crime, and fishing boats happen to be a very attractive target. The key with all of these theft prevention tips is making your boat a lot less appealing to the common thief. Short of standing guard 24/7 with a Smith & Wesson on your hip, the best theft deterrent for someone targeting your boat is putting locking devices and some sort of electronic security measures on anything and everything that has value.

Gone in 60 Seconds Sixty seconds is a long time; five minutes, an eternity. At least, that’s how boat thieves view the clock in their line of work. With the most basic of tools, a good boat thief can walk away with an alarming number of expensive items in a remarkably short time. Here’s just a partial list of unsecured items a professional boat thief can part from your ownership in the time it takes to stroll into a convenience store to pay for your gas or shoot the bull at Burger King. —Bruce W. Smith - Rod/Reel on deck: 0:05 - Rod/Reel in locker: 0:10 - Pedestal seat: 0:10 - Electronics in bracket: 0:15 - Prop: 0:30 - Tire/wheel: 0:30 - Boat/trailer: 0:30 - Portable Outboard: 0:30 - Trolling motor, Hand-control: 0:30 - Trolling Motor w/ Foot Control: 2:00 - Console-mounted Electronics: 3:00 - Lower Unit w/ Prop: 5:00 - V4/V6 Outboard: 10:00 I4

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by Calixto Gonzales, South Zone Fishing Editor & JD Moore, North Zone Fishing Editor

Laguna Mangroves LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Boca Chica Jetties (bank access) GPS: N26 3.904, W97 8.738

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Causeway Pilings GPS: N26 5.206, W97 11,039 SPECIES: sheepshead, black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Ease in between two sets of pilings and drop anchor on the down current edge of the causeway, then let the tide push you back to a set. Fish vertically near the pilings with live shrimp on a split-shot rig. If a sheepshead takes the bait, the rod will slowly load up. Once the fish starts to swim off, set the hook. Don’t be surprised if you latch into a big drum this way, especially if you are fishing the deeper pilings near the ICW. LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Port Isabel Turning Basin GPS: N26 3.361, W97 19,482 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny; DOA shrimp in Glow, Glow/pink tail CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Trout stack up off the edges of the shoreline after a cold front. Fish the drop-off with live shrimp under a popping cork or on a free-line rig. If shrimp are hard to come by after a cold front, break out a Gulp! Shrimp or DOA shrimp and fish in a similar matter. The DOAs work best without a cork and fished s-l-o-w-l-y. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Bay Tabletop GPS: N26 1,548, W97 11,023 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, cut ballyhoo; topwaters, in Smoke, pinfish patterns, soft plastics in red/white, Bone-chartreuse; gold or chrome spoons CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956F i s h

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551-9581 TIPS: South Bay is always good for a few fish the year around. Fish topwaters early on mild days, and throughout the whole trip when clouds dominate. If the fish don’t’ seem to be responding to your best overtures, a switch to real meat might be in order. You can fish either shrimp or half a ‘hoo on a popping cork or Mauler. Focus on the edges of the shallows, especially on a falling tide. Don’t overstay, or you’ll get stuck when the tide is out. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Unnecessary Island GPS: N26 12.672, W97 16.333 SPECIES: black drum, speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: live bait, Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny; soft plastics in red/white, New Penny, Rootbeer CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Drum can be so thick in this area they’ve earned the nickname “Tatanka.” Fish with live shrimp under a popping cork. Watch for muddy or disturbed water to cue you into where a school of drum are foraging. On clear, calmer days, trout and redfish take advantage of the fast-warming mud and come up on the flats. Live bait works form them, too, but they will hit an eel-style soft plastic that’s fished slowly. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.684, W97 15.106 SPECIES: redfish, speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, Gulp! Shrimp in New Penny; soft plastics in red/white, New Penny, Rootbeer CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Work the edges of potholes to tempt on the east side to find trout that lie in ambush for whatever prey they can nail.

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Redfish will also be present. Watch for them lurking around alga clumps, or cruising the grass between potholes. A live shrimp or finger mullet can be fished under a popping cork, or sight-cast into the holes themselves. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Rattlesnake Island GPS: N26 19,763, W97 19,204 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp; Gulp! Shad, Shrimp or Jerkbaits; Topwaters CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: The muddy bottom around Rattlesnake retains head better, which makes the water slightly warmer. Trout will gravitate to this warmth and hold over it. Try topwaters early in the morning. If the trout are striking short, then switch to a jerkbait or live bait under a popping cork. That should do the trick.

Baffin Magic Trout LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: The Badlands GPS: N27 18.744, W97 24.9023

SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: Corky or Corky Devil in dark patterns, Bass Assassin in Morning Glory, Baffin Magic Pumpkinseed/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish the drop-offs and deep rocks near the bait camp. Slow is the order of the day, so fish the areas slowly and thoroughly. Fish will be hanging near the bottom and hitting softly. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Center Reef GPS: N27 16.206, W97 34.362 SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Limetreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; Gulp! lures CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout will also hold in this famous

wintertime area. The best methods are either a Bass Assassin or Gulp! Jerk Shad fished under a Mansfield Mauler. Dark patterns are tough to beat. If the trout are deeper around the drop-offs, switch over to a 1/16-ounce jig and fish slowly near bottom. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Penescal Point GPS: N27 15.852, W97 19,293 SPECIES: drum, sheepshead BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh shrimp

CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: There are just some days where the trout and redfish not going to bite. Instead of calling No Joy and heading for the barn, you can always try for other species. Black drum and sheepshead donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to mind snotty weather, and they are around any area that has structure to hold them. Fish for them with live shrimp either under a popping cork or free-lined with a split-shot.

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: ICW GPS: N27 31,167, W97 19,293 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, gold spoons; soft plastics in Avocado/chartreuse, Motor Oil/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish deeper water after a cold front for trout that will be holding in warmer water. Redfish will be up on the flats as the day warms up. Live shrimp or a soft plastic on a light jighead should work for the trout. A gold spoon or a soft plastic/Mauler combo are effective for redfish. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Crash Channels GPS: N27 38.562, W96 17.620 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish, flounder BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork, soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Limetreuse, Rootbeer/red flake CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Use your trolling motor to fish around the points and drop-offs of the crash channels north and south of the JFK Causeway. Cast from shallow to deep. Hop soft plastics along the bottom with a 1/4-ounce jighead. There might also be some flounder, so be aware of any soft tap. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch N. of Point of Rocks GPS: N27 21,106, W96 23.433 SPECIES: redfish, speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Limetreuse, Rootbeer/red flake. Live shrimp CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Look for grasslines in deeper (4foot) water and swim jigs along them. Darker colors are the order of the season, with Plum and Rootbeer patterns moving to the front of the list of lure choices. If the fish are being finicky, switch over to live shrimp I8

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under a popping cork. That might get their attention. . LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Humble Channel GPS: N27 39,153, W96 15.664 SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Limetreuse, Rootbeer/red flake; live shrimp, finger mullet CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: The channel presents one of winter’s best flounder bets. Live shrimp or finger mullet should be worked slowly on the bottom. A little used, but extremely effective, strategy is the ping your shrimp or mullet on a Road Runner bucktail and swim it along the bottom very slowly. The blade gives off just enough vibration to get a flatty’s attention.

Bayou Specks LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Black’s Bayou GPS: N29 59,616, W93 45.783

SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse, topwaters in bone CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: Fish around the shell reefs in deeper water for speckled trout. Watch for occasional bait leaping to escape predators. That is your cue to where they fish are. On mild days, redfish will be nose to around the big cuts that drain the bayou waiting for forage to be pushed out. Use soft plastics on a falling tide. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Keith Lake Cut GPS: N29 46.503, W93 56.427 F i s h

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SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: Old Bayside Shadlyn in Smoke, Pearl/chartreuse, Glow/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: Time your trip with either the beginning of the high or low tides and fish downtide of the cut. Swim your baits across the current and let them swing towards deeper water, where trout and redfish are holding and waiting. Keep some tension on the line to feel light bites. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Pass GPS: N29 58.920, W93 48.940 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: January is still a good time to fish the deeper holes in the pass, especially the calm days after a cold front. Fish at the head of the hole, or “stroll” the length of the hole with soft plastics near the bottom. Trout will be holding with their nose to the bottom, so fish slowly and patiently. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Short Rigs GPS: N29 38.884, W93 56.427 SPECIES: Gulf trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: On those slick-calm, bluebird days after a cold front, a hop to the short rigs could mean a big cooler full of 1-2 pound gulf trout. These chunky cousins of the speckled trout and the redfish are holding in large schools close to structure and will hit anything sent their way. Don’t turn your nose up at these fish. They give a very good account of themselves on light tackle, make for a good fish fry, and some can get quite large. A 3- to 4-pound “silver trout” is not unheard of and will make you think you hooked into a big, washed out speck.

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. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Green’s Bayou GPS: N29 49,088, W93 50.903 SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: There are some nice flounder located in the mouth of Green’s. Time your visit with the falling tide, and fish around drains and guts. Use a 1/4-ounce jighead to get your bait down to the bottom. Soft plastics that give off a lot of vibration, such as a Cocahoe Minnow are best. Don’t forget the Gulp! shrimp tails, though. Flounder love them, too.

Falcon Bass LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: Salanillas GPS: N26 35.363, W99 13.186

underneath a bobber for the literally thousands of 1- to 3-pound catfish that are swimming among the roots. The bobber isn’t just a strike indicator; it will also keep your bait out of the branches and tangles just waiting to grab your tackle. Use stout tackle to horse these feisty whisker fish out of the water and into your cooler. On a good day, the action is ridiculous. LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: San Ignacio GPS: N26 54.949, W99 19,230 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: cut bait, prepared baits CONTACT: Falcon Lake Tackle, 956-7654866 TIPS: Anchor up and fish near the riverbed near a major bend. Some fishermen prefer to use the bloodiest, oiliest bait they can get (gizzard shad, mackerel, beef liver). The slick the bait creates will draw hungry catfish into the area and hold them there. Use bottom rigs with 1/0 long-shank hooks. LOCATION: Amistad HOTSPOT: Zuber Bend

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Ivie Bass LOCATION: LAKE O.H. IVIE HOTSPOT: Point near Leday and Colorado River GPS: N31 33.310, W99 40.992

er are the fare in January, but the fish don’t mind. They have been stacking up at the north end of the lake waiting for the first smell/taste of fresh water coming down stream. This dictates slow fishing. On occasion, you’ll see active fish working under the birds. Then you can pick up the pace. Otherwise stick to your live bait, cut bait, slabs, and jigs. Cast out and retrieve in a jerky motion, while constantly reeling. Any active fish in the upper water column won’t be able to resist. Look for fish to be on 20-foot flats and break lines. BANK ACCESS: Willow Beach RV Park, privately owned, ask for permission to fish, largemouth, crappie, striped and white bass

Buchanan Largemouth LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Rocky Point GPS: N30 48.521, W98 23.871

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: 3-inch JDC Drop-shot Worms with Tru-tungsten 1/4-ounce drop-shot weights, clear plastic baits like Pumpkinseed or Watermelon; Green Pumpkin tube Texas rigged with 1/8-ounce cone weight CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Work the ledges on the points in 1225 feet of water hitting main lake and secondary creek points BANK ACCESS: Thunderbird Resort, catfish, largemouth, crappie, white bass

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Old Post Office Slab GPS: N32 54.536, W98 27.252 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live minnows, cut bait, slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-779-2597, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: A lot of cold fronts and cold weath-

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Turkey Cove GPS: N29 51.846, W98 13.152 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: JDC drop-shot worms, Carolina rigged lizards in Watermelon Candy CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com

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TIPS: Work the largemouth bass in 12-25 feet using drop-shot rig with 1/4-ounce TruTungsten drop-shot weights with JDC 3 drop-shot worms. Work Carolina-rigged lizards in Watermelon Candy all along the edges and outer turns of the cove onto the main lake. Work any humps in the area the same way. BANK ACCESS: Potters Creek Park, largemouth bass, stripers, catfish LOCATION: Lake Granger HOTSPOT: Fox Park Brush Piles GPS: N30 41.136, W97 21.107 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce Chartreuse Jigum jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, 512-3657761,www.txfishing.com/Tidwell/index.ht m TIPS: Work the brush piles in 10-20 feet of water. Hold jigs right over the top of the brush, using very little action. To help catch ratio, tip the jig with Berkley Crappie Nibble. This gives the jig scent and the crappie seem to bite better. Color of jigs doesn’t really matter on Granger. BANK ACCESS: Wilson Fox Fishing Dock, crappie on live minnows fished straight down off dock. LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Colorado River Arm GPS: N30 40.212, W98 26.482 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas rigged finesse worms in Watermelon Candy, Bama Bug, or Green Pumpkin Candy; Watermelon red Whacky Sticks CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Target docks that are located near deeper water in the Colorado River arm. This area usually remains clear, so shallow to midrange crankbaits are also good choices. Check creeks that are just off the main lake. Work brush or wood and along docks on Texas rigged Finesse Worms in the above colors. BANK ACCESS: Robin Hood Park, catfish, largemouth bass

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Fork Crappie LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: SRA Point GPS: N32 49.053, W95 31.831

GPS: N32 55.533, W95 38.784 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jumbo Shimmy Shaker Swim bait CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Largemouth bass will be in the backs of creeks and where there are bridges. Work the funnel points around the openings of the bridges where the creek flows through. Fish the Jumbo Shimmy Shaker really slow, just off the bottom. Another choice is the Jig-N-Pig or Carolina rigged worm. BANK ACCESS: Fishing Pier at Minnow Bucket Bait Stand, crappie, largemouth bass. LOCATION: Lake Monticello HOTSPOT: 14 Pound Point GPS: N33 07.114, W95 05.150 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse grubs, crankbaits, Texas rigged worms CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 972-853-0949, www.fishinwithjeff.com TIPS: If you just can’t wait to catch prespawn fish, this is your lake. You’ll find that

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cloudy days will be your best bet for Monticello. Make sure you’re fishing the side of the lake that will receive the most sunlight, for this is where the bass will be, sunning and warming themselves. Throw the Chartreuse grubs here. Besides 14 Pound Point, Smith and Blundale Creeks are good areas to find pre-spawn bass. If fishing gets tough, just adjust and go small and slow. BANK ACCESS: Titus County Park, largemouth bass LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: The Canyons GPS: N31, 13.826, W94 21.774 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps in oranges and reds, 1/2- to 3/4-ounce CONTACT: Don Mattern, 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Just northwest of the 147 Bridge is an area called “The Canyons.” There is an island to the east of that area. Behind the island is a creek about 20-28 feet deep. The larger bass love to run up and down that bank and out from it, heading toward the Canyons. Cast 1/2- to 3/4-ounce Traps

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along the banks. Hold on. This is where the big fish are. BANK ACCESS: Powell Park Marina Fishing Pier, largemouth bass, catfish, white and striped bass

Aquilla Whites LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Triplett Point GPS: N31 54.533, W97 12.375

SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps in blue/black, other shallow running crankbaits in same colors. CONTACT: Randy Routh, Cell 817-8225539, www.teamredneck.net TIPS: It doesn’t get any easier than the wintertime to catch magnum whites on Aquilla. The birds are here and really working. Use your binoculars to keep an eye out for diving birds. They fish for a living every day and will point the way to success for you. Check around Triplett Point and the deep humps. Use caution when motoring the main lake area. The lake is low and Triplet Point reaches way out in the lake. BANK ACCESS: Tailrace Fishing Pier, white bass on jigs fished in outlet LOCATION: Lake Belton HOTSPOT: Hwy 36 Bridge GPS: N31 00.545, W97 38.764 SPECIES: white and striped bass BEST BAITS: white slabs if water is clear, chartreuse slabs if water is stained CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Use the birds and your graph to locate active schools of fish. When slabbing, make extended pauses in your jigging stroke during this cold-water period. In other words, fish slowly. BANK ACCESS: Temple Lake Park, largemouth, catfish, white bass LOCATION: Lake Fairfield I12

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HOTSPOT: Riprap GPS: N31 13.322, W97 28.347 BEST BAITS: Bandit 200 in Tennessee Shad color. SPECIES: largemouth bass CONTACT: Don Mattern, 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Keep your boat in 8-foot water and cast parallel to the riprap. Bass up to 8 pounds have been caught using this pattern. BANK ACCESS: Lake Fairfield State Park Fishing Pier, largemouth bass, red drum, catfish LOCATION: Lake Fayette County HOTSPOT: Dead Fish Cove GPS: N29 59.050, W96 43.491 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: cut shad, cut bait, punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: In January, 8-10 feet of water runs way up into the cove. The cove blocks the north wind on cooler days and warms during the day when the south winds are blowing. Use a Carolina rig, with 1-foot leader. After anchoring, toss out the chum. This will draw the cats in quicker. Fish a tight line if moss is not thick on bottom. If moss is still thick, fish a slip cork, just above the moss for best results. For Punch Bait use a No. 4 treble hook. Use a No. 1 Kahle for shad and cut bait. BANK ACCESS: Junkyard Cove, largemouth bass LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Hog Island GPS: N30 37.990, W96 03.500 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, cut bait, punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: This is a good area in January for fishing deeper water. Water is 10-18 feet deep. Blue and channel cats find warmer water at this depth as do the baitfish. Use a Carolina rig, with 1-foot leader. Anchor or tie to a stump. Cast out toward the open lake. On Carolina rig, use a No. 2 treble hook. For shad, use a No. 3 Kahle hook. Large blue cats are caught frequently in this area. F i s h

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BANK ACCESS: Hwy 175 Bridge east; cast lures for bass, minnows for crappie LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Walnut Creek GPS: N32 33.859 W97 04.686 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: black/blue jig, June Bug Red finesse worm, Ayiyi/Watermelon Chomper Super Wacky worm CONTACT: Randy Maxwell, 817-3132878, www.getagripguide.com TIPS: You don’t need a real early start on these fish, so take your time. Start by fishing the jig along the first creek bends in the above creek. Later, check out the deep rocks around the dam, jetties, and deep bridge pilings and the intake. In the sunny afternoon, fish drop-shot or Shakey Head June Bug Finesse worm, etc. BANK ACCESS: Crappie Dock, crappie with live minnows LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Dam Rocks GPS: N33 02.098, W96 28.044 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: black/blue jig tipped with a Gene Larew Chunk or Salt-Craw; red RatL-Traps, Bandit crankbaits. CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 972-853-0949, www.fishinwithjeff.com TIPS: Fishing riprap and rocks produces best during winter on Lavon. The sun warms the rocks and riprap and this heat draws the fish. Besides rip rap and rocks, the Northwest shorelines are another good area to find aggressive fish. Fish the above baits, changing frequently to attract fish. BANK ACCESS: Clear Lake Pier, largemouth bass LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Flat Creek GPS: N32 11.693, W95 30.430 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Downsized white/Chartreuse spinnerbaits with willow leaf blades, nickel in front, gold in rear. CONTACT: Don Mattern, 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: It is a little rough getting into Flat Creek, but go under FM 315 bridge, all the

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way to the back, until you hit the hydrilla. Throw a downsized spinnerbait in white/Chartreuse with willow leaf blades, nickel in front and gold in back. Slowly work it above the grass and around wood cover. This pattern works well in water 49 degrees and up. BANK ACCESS: Dam Park, largemouth bass, crappie, fish pockets and rock wall LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: 155 Bridge GPS: N32 08.492, W95 28.374 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows, jigs, black/white, pink/white; and white CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, 903-5302201, www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Work the pilings and brush around pilings under the bridge. Using a slip cork, test different depths to find the crappie. When depth where fish are biting is located, tighten cork and get ready for action. BANK ACCESS: Dam Park, largemouth bass, crappie, fish pockets and rock wall LOCATION: Lake Proctor

HOTSPOT: Hump about 200 yards out from dam GPS: N31 58.639, W98 28.329 SPECIES: hybrid stripped bass BEST BAITS: cut shad, live perch CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Rig up a chunk of cut bait on a circle hook and 3/4-ounce weight and let it settle to around 20 feet around the front of the dam. Watch your graph for schools of baitfish suspended and bunched up tight. When you see the graph screen blacken from 10 feet down all the way to the bottom, this is where you’ll catch the hybrids. Drop a line on them and get ready for a screamer that will smoke your reel! BANK ACCESS: Promontory Point Courtesy Dock, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard HOTSPOT: Old 66 Rip Rap GPS: N32 55.033, W96 30.112 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Red Bandit 200 series crankbait, Chartreuse jig

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CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 972-853-0949, www.fishinwithjeff.com TIPS: Work the riprap along Old Hwy 66, as well as other riprap. These areas are famous for delivering large fish. Make sure you’re fishing the side that has the most sunlight. The fish will congregate along the warm riprap to warm themselves and feed on shad that happen to be running by. BANK ACCESS: Bayview Marina, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish LOCATION: Richland Chambers Reservoir HOTSPOT: Elm Creek GPS: N32 4.260, W96 17.910 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: jigs, Watermelon and blue/black CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, Cell 817-9290675, www.schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: Work jig using a pork or plastic trailer. Fish the sunny side of the creeks. They warm the fastest. Also, check the nearby boat docks. This is always my first stop. You will find these docks at the mouths of creeks. Elm Creek has a lot of timber in and around it. Just take the jig and flip the docks and

G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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ALL GPS COORDINATES VERIFIED BY

stumps. At times, you will need to flip at one stump or dock piling three or four times until you get a bite and you might not get a bite at all. Patience is foremost. Take your time, slow down, enjoy yourself, and stay with it. You might only get one or two bites, but they will be quality fish. BANK ACCESS: Midway Landing, fish shoreline on either side of boat ramp, also fish the cove shoreline to left of ramp when entering lake, largemouth bass, white bass LOCATION: Richland Chambers Reservoir HOTSPOT: Windsock Point GPS: N31 57.280, W96 06.643 SPECIES: white bass and hybrid stripers BEST BAITS: one-ounce silver or Chartreuse slab CONTACT: Royce Simmons, 903-3894117, www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Whites and hybrids will be hanging close to the bottom in water 35 feet plus deep off Windsock Point and the Old Hwy 287 roadbed. Working the slab slowly just off the bottom will result in some quality size fish this time of year. However, the fish are somewhat lethargic and the bite will be very soft. I often place a small jig about a-foot above the slab. Sometimes the fish will prefer the smaller bait and it’s possible to hook a double. BANK ACCESS: Midway Landing, fish shoreline on either side of boat ramp, also fish the cove shoreline to left of ramp when entering lake, largemouth bass, white bass LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Big Creek Tire Bank GPS: N30 19.344, W96 34.341 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, cut bait, Punch Bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The Tire Bank is a great area deepwater area, especially in January. Water will be 18-20 feet deep. Blue and channel cats will congregate in the warmer water at this depth. Use a Carolina rig with 1-foot leader. Anchor and fish straight down under the boat. With shad, hold onto the rod tightly in case a big hybrid shows up. BANK ACCESS: Big Creek Marina, most species I14

• J A N U A R Y

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T E X A S

LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir HOTSPOT: Long Bridge Pilings GPS: N31 00.545, W97 38.764 SPECIES: crappie at night BEST BAITS: medium shiners on slip bobbers CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Fish medium shiners on slip bobbers under lights along pilings. Use green lights and keep boat noise to a minimum. BANK ACCESS: Stillhouse Park, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, smallmouth bass LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Paw Paw Creek & Willis Bridge GPS: N33 53.992, W96 53.796 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Road Runners and Sassy Shad Jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, 877-786-4477, bigfish@striperexpress.com TIPS: January is big fish month on Texoma. Large stripers up to 20 + pounds will be holding on structure. A 7-foot mediumheavy casting rod and 20 pound test line is recommended. A one-ounce Road Runner Jig with a white 7 inch worm will produce the larger fish located on main lake points, mouths of creeks; humps with deep water nearby. Live bait fishing with shad is also a way to catch stripers. Pay attention to the weather forecast and dress warm. The fish will bite all day and the heat from the sun will keep you warm. Watch for the seagulls for they can be your best fish locator. BANK ACCESS: The oil wells and the Texas Flats. Shad will work best on the banks. Use jigs if the seagulls are working near you. LOCATION: Lake Waco HOTSPOT: Hwy 185 Bridge GPS: N31 36.077, W97 17. 630 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: shallow running crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, any color will do. CONTACT: Jimmy D. Moore, 254-7442104, rayado@earthlink.net TIPS: Whites will be plentiful from where the North Bosque leaves the main lake, all the way up to and past the Hwy 185 Bridge. Fishing is best from mid-January F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

through mid- March. Spawning runs up the rivers result in dense concentrations of fish. At times, you can actually see the whites as they move upriver. Trolling or casting crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and other small, shallow running baits work well for these schooling fish. Be prepared for lightening quick strikes. Even small whites fight awfully hard and you’ll think you’ve hooked a much larger fish. BANK ACCESS: Reynolds Creek Park. There’s a special use bank fishing area here where you can park your vehicle and fish along the bank. You can catch largemouth and white bass LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Little Rocky Creek GPS: N31 52.136, W97 23.124 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse jigs with white trailers, Chartreuse Wild Eyed Shad swim baits, Chartreuse Bass Assassins CONTACT: Randy Routh, Cell 817-8225539, www.teamredneck.net TIPS: Work the mouths of Little and Big Rocky Creeks. The stripers will have the shad pushed up into the mouths of the creeks and trapped between them and the shallower colder water. Make long casts with the jigs and swim baits, and use a slow retrieve. When you think you’re fishing slow enough, slow down some more. On the main lake look for balls of shad on your graph around McCowan Flats. Stripers are nailing Chartreuse Bass Assassins. Dead stick these by rigging the assassin with a lead head, drop to the bottom, lift 10-12 inches, and drift slowly. BANK ACCESS: Loafer’s Bend shoreline, striped bass, white bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass

Contact South Regional Fishing Editor Calixto Gonzales by email at cgonzales@fishgame.com Contact North Regional Fishing Editor JD Moore by email at hotspotsnorth@fishgame.com

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Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009 USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10

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

T13 T7

T6 T5 T17

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

T15 T16

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

T14 T18

T19

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

T20

T21

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

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

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

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

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

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

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

T22 T23

View TIDE PREDICTIONS for all Texas Coastal Tide Stations and DATES at...

www.FishGame.com • J A N U A R Y

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

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

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

I16

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

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

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

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

D ec 3 1

FRIDAY

= New Moon = Fi r s t Q u a r te r = Fu l l M o o n = Last Quarter = Best Day

SATURDAY

JA N 1

SUNDAY

Set: 5:25p Set: 7:30p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 9:21a

Set: 5:26p Set: 8:27p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 9:52a

Set: 5:27p Set: 9:22p

AM Minor: 6:16a

PM Minor: 6:40p

AM Minor: 7:07a

PM Minor: 7:29p

AM Minor: 7:56a

PM Minor: 8:18p

AM Minor: 8:46a

PM Minor: 9:07p

AM Minor: 9:33a

PM Minor: 9:54p

AM Minor: 10:19a

PM Minor: 10:40p

AM Minor: 11:05a

PM Minor: 11:28p

AM Major: 12:05a

PM Major: 12:28p

AM Major: 12:56a

PM Major: 1:18p

AM Major: 1:45a

PM Major: 2:07p

AM Major: 2:35a

PM Major: 2:56p

AM Major: 3:22a

PM Major: 3:43p

AM Major: 4:08a

PM Major: 4:29p

AM Major: 4:53a

PM Major: 5:16p

Moon Overhead: 2:06p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:34p

Moon Overhead: 2:51p

12a

12p

Set: 5:30p Sunrise: 7:11a Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:29p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:31p Moonrise: 10:23a Set: 10:20p Moonrise: 10:52a Set: 11:15p Moonrise: 11:21a Set: None

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 8:46a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:18p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:44p

Moon Overhead: 5:00p

12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:32p Moonrise: 11:53a Set: 12:14a

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009

TUESDAY

12a

Moon Overhead: 6:30p 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 1:43a +2.0

Moon Underfoot: 2:29a

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 4:39a

Moon Underfoot: 5:22a

Moon Underfoot: 6:07a +2.0

BEST:

1:05-3:10 PM

2:00-3:50 PM

2:40-4:35 PM

3:30-5:15 PM

4:10-6:05 PM

5:00-6:45 PM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 3:57a

TIDE LEVELS

12:10-2:25 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:13a

-1.0

+1.0

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

1:26 am 10:59 am 7:35 pm 11:44 pm

1.06 ft High Tide: 2:04 am 1.00 ft Low Tide: -0.51 ft Low Tide: 11:30 am -0.43 ft High Tide: 1.11 ft High Tide: 7:59 pm 1.07 ft Low Tide: 0.98 ft High Tide:

12:37 am 2:48 am 12:00 pm 8:11 pm

0.89 ft 0.90 ft -0.32 ft 0.99 ft

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

1:08 AM 4:32 AM 12:31 PM 8:27 PM

0.72 ft 0.77 ft -0.11 ft 0.93 ft

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

1:59 AM 6:33 AM 1:05 PM 8:36 PM

0.54 ft 0.64 ft 0.10 ft 0.87 ft

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

2:49 AM 8:57 AM 1:42 PM 8:37 PM

0.32 ft 0.59 ft 0.34 ft 0.84 ft

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

3:39 AM 11:15 AM 2:25 PM 8:26 PM

0.06 ft 0.67 ft 0.59 ft 0.86 ft

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: Yellow: Daylight Tab: Peak Fishing Period Green: Falling Tide Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

12a

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

12p

SOLUNAR AC TIVIT Y: 12a

AM/PM Timeline Light Blue: Nighttime

MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.)

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the 12a Sky

Moon Overhead: 8:50a

Gold Fish: Best Time Blue Fish: Good Time

AM/PM Timeline

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

12p

MOON PHASE SYMBOLS MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

12a

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

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

F i s h

= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = L a s t Q u a r te r = B es t Da y

G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 1:10p

Set: 5:33p Set: 2:22a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 2:00p

Set: 5:34p Set: 3:32a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 2:59p

Set: 5:35p Set: 4:42a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 4:06p

Set: 5:35p Set: 5:49a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 5:19p

Set: 5:36p Set: 6:50a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 6:32p

Set: 5:37p Set: 7:43a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 7:43p

Set: 5:38p Set: 8:28a

AM Minor: 12:14a

PM Minor: 12:42p

AM Minor: 1:05a

PM Minor: 1:35p

AM Minor: 2:00a

PM Minor: 2:32p

AM Minor: 2:59a

PM Minor: 3:32p

AM Minor: 4:01a

PM Minor: 4:33p

AM Minor: 5:04a

PM Minor: 5:35p

AM Minor: 6:07a

PM Minor: 6:35p

AM Major: 6:28a

PM Major: 6:56p

AM Major: 7:20a

PM Major: 7:51p

AM Major: 8:16a

PM Major: 8:48p

AM Major: 9:15a

PM Major: 9:48p

AM Major: 10:17a

PM Major: 10:49p

AM Major: 11:19a

PM Major: 11:49p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:21p

Moon Overhead: 8:18p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:24p

Moon Overhead: 9:19p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:30p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:34a

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:35a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 7:49a +2.0

-1.0

BEST:

7:35-9:40 PM

Moon Underfoot: 10:57a

BEST:

8:30-10:45 PM

Moon Underfoot: 12:03p

Moon Underfoot: 1:05p

BEST:

2:30-4:30 AM

3:55-6:20 AM

4:50-7:05 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:03p +2.0

BEST:

12:00-2:10 AM

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

6:40-9:15 PM

Moon Underfoot: 9:51a

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:48a

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

I18

4:31 AM 1:20 PM 3:23 PM 8:01 PM

-0.23 ft 0.86 ft 0.84 ft 0.94 ft

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

• J A N U A R Y

5:26 AM 2:51 PM 5:20 PM 7:23 PM

2 0 0 9 /

-0.51 ft Low Tide: 6:22 AM 1.06 ft High Tide: 3:47 PM 1.04 ft 1.05 ft

T E X A S

F i s h

-0.77 ft Low Tide: 7:19 AM 1.21 ft High Tide: 4:33 PM

-0.98 ft Low Tide: 1.29 ft High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

8:15 AM 5:13 PM 9:36 PM 11:38 PM

-1.13 ft Low Tide: 9:09 AM 1.30 ft High Tide: 5:48 PM 1.17 ft Low Tide: 9:57 PM 1.18 ft

-1.18 ft High Tide: 1:18 AM 1.26 ft Low Tide: 10:01 AM 1.08 ft High Tide: 6:19 PM Low Tide: 10:37 PM

1.16 ft -1.12 ft 1.17 ft 0.93 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009 MONDAY

TUESDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 8:50p

Set: 5:39p Set: 9:07a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 9:53p

Set: 5:39p Set: 9:42a

AM Minor: 7:07a

PM Minor: 7:33p

AM Minor: 8:03a

PM Minor: 8:28p

AM Minor: 8:57a

PM Minor: 9:20p

AM Minor: 9:47a

PM Minor: 10:09p

AM Minor: 10:34a

PM Minor: 10:57p

AM Minor: 11:20a

PM Minor: 11:43p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:05p

AM Major: 12:54a

PM Major: 1:20p

AM Major: 1:51a

PM Major: 2:16p

AM Major: 2:45a

PM Major: 3:08p

AM Major: 3:36a

PM Major: 3:58p

AM Major: 4:23a

PM Major: 4:45p

AM Major: 5:08a

PM Major: 5:31p

AM Major: 5:53a

PM Major: 6:17p

Moon Overhead: 2:30a

12a

THURSDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:07a

Moon Overhead: 3:20a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:52a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:22a

Moon Overhead: 5:37a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Set: 5:44p Set: 12:25p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

= New Moon = Fi r s t Q u a r te r = Fu l l M o o n = Last Quarter = Best Day

Moon Overhead: 7:09a 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 2:55p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 5:14p

Moon Underfoot: 5:59p

Moon Underfoot: 6:45p

Moon Underfoot: 7:33p

BEST:

1:35-3:30 AM

2:30-4:25 AM

3:15-5:10 AM

4:10-5:50 AM

4:50-6:35 AM

5:45-7:20 AM

+2.0

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 4:30p

TIDE LEVELS

12:40-3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:44p

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

2:40 AM 10:50 AM 6:47 PM 11:26 PM

1.10 ft High Tide: 4:00 AM 0.98 ft Low Tide: -0.97 ft Low Tide: 11:38 AM -0.72 ft High Tide: 1.06 ft High Tide: 7:12 PM 0.95 ft Low Tide: 0.73 ft High Tide:

12:22 AM 5:23 AM 12:23 PM 7:34 PM

0.50 ft 0.84 ft -0.40 ft 0.87 ft

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

1:21 AM 6:54 AM 1:07 PM 7:54 PM

0.26 ft 0.70 ft -0.07 ft 0.80 ft

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

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

F i s h

2:23 AM 8:39 AM 1:47 PM 8:11 PM

0.03 ft 0.62 ft 0.26 ft 0.77 ft

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

3:26 AM 10:45 AM 2:23 PM 8:22 PM

-0.17 ft Low Tide: 4:28 AM 0.63 ft High Tide: 8:14 PM 0.54 ft 0.76 ft

G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

2 0 0 9

-0.34 ft 0.78 ft

•

I19

+1.0

-1.0

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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

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 2:46a

Set: 5:44p Set: 1:06p

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 3:41a

Set: 5:45p Set: 1:51p

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 4:34a

Set: 5:46p Set: 2:40p

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 5:23a

Set: 5:47p Set: 3:33p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 6:07a

Set: 5:48p Set: 4:29p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 6:48a

Set: 5:49p Set: 5:26p

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 7:24a

Set: 5:50p Set: 6:24p

AM Minor: 12:25a

PM Minor: 12:49p

AM Minor: 1:09a

PM Minor: 1:34p

AM Minor: 1:54a

PM Minor: 2:19p

AM Minor: 2:39a

PM Minor: 3:04p

AM Minor: 3:25a

PM Minor: 3:50p

AM Minor: 4:12a

PM Minor: 4:36p

AM Minor: 4:58a

PM Minor: 5:21p

AM Major: 6:37a

PM Major: 7:02p

AM Major: 7:22a

PM Major: 7:46p

AM Major: 8:06a

PM Major: 8:32p

AM Major: 8:52a

PM Major: 9:17p

AM Major: 9:38a

PM Major: 10:02p

AM Major: 10:24a

PM Major: 10:47p

AM Major: 11:10a

PM Major: 11:33p

Moon Overhead: 7:57a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:37a

Moon Overhead: 8:47a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:27a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:05p

Moon Overhead: 11:17a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:51p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 8:22p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 10:52p

Moon Underfoot: 11:41p

Moon Underfoot: None

BEST:

1:45-3:20 AM

2:25-4:10 AM

3:15-5:20 AM

3:55-6:25 AM

Moon Underfoot: 12:28a +2.0

BEST:

10:55AM-1:10PM TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

12:50-3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:02p

TIDE LEVELS

6:25-8:10 AM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:12p

Low Tide: 5:27 AM High Tide: 4:08 PM

I20

-0.46 ft Low Tide: 6:22 AM 0.90 ft High Tide: 4:39 PM

• J A N U A R Y

-0.55 ft Low Tide: 7:12 AM 0.98 ft High Tide: 5:10 PM

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

F i s h

-0.61 ft Low Tide: 7:56 AM 1.01 ft High Tide: 5:32 PM

-0.65 ft Low Tide: 8:35 AM -0.67 ft High Tide: 12:11 AM 1.00 ft High Tide: 5:38 PM 0.97 ft Low Tide: 9:09 AM Low Tide: 10:03 PM 0.91 ft High Tide: 5:42 PM Low Tide: 9:31 PM

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

0.92 ft -0.67 ft 0.94 ft 0.87 ft

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

1:13 AM 9:40 AM 5:51 PM 9:45 PM

0.93 ft -0.64 ft 0.92 ft 0.80 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Tides and Prime Times for JANUARY 2009 MONDAY

THURSDAY

Set: 5:51p Set: 7:20p

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 8:27a

Set: 5:51p Set: 8:16p

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 8:56a

Set: 5:52p Set: 9:11p

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 9:25a

AM Minor: 5:45a

PM Minor: 6:07p

AM Minor: 6:32a

PM Minor: 6:53p

AM Minor: 7:19a

PM Minor: 7:40p

AM Major: 11:30a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 12:21a

PM Major: 12:42p

AM Major: 1:08a

PM Major: 1:29p

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:00p

Moon Overhead: 2:18p 12a

12p

12a

12p

FRIDAY

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 7:56a

Moon Overhead: 1:35p

12a

WEDNESDAY

SUNDAY

FEB 1

Set: 5:53p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 10:08p Moonrise: 9:55a

Set: 5:54p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:55p Set: 11:07p Moonrise: 10:28a Set: None

AM Minor: 8:07a

PM Minor: 8:28p

AM Minor: 8:56a

PM Minor: 9:18p

AM Minor: 9:46a

PM Minor: 10:10p

AM Minor: 10:39a

PM Minor: 11:06p

AM Major: 1:56a

PM Major: 2:17p

AM Major: 2:44a

PM Major: 3:07p

AM Major: 3:34a

PM Major: 3:58p

AM Major: 4:26a

PM Major: 4:52p

Moon Overhead: 3:43p 12a

SATURDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:16p

Moon Overhead: 4:27p 12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:05a Set: 5:56p Moonrise: 11:07a Set: 12:11a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:08p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

TUESDAY

= New Moon = Fi r s t Q u a r te r = Fu l l M o o n = Last Quarter = Best Day

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 1:14a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 3:21a

Moon Underfoot: 4:05a

Moon Underfoot: 4:51a

Moon Underfoot: 5:41a +2.0

BEST:

1:15-3:20 PM

2:10-4:00 PM

2:50-4:45 PM

3:35-5:30 PM

4:40-6:20 PM TIDE LEVELS

12:25-2:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:39a

TIDE LEVELS

11:20AM-2:00PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:57a

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

2:04 AM 10:08 AM 6:05 PM 10:17 PM

0.91 ft -0.59 ft 0.90 ft 0.70 ft

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

2:54 AM 10:36 AM 6:20 PM 10:54 PM

0.87 ft -0.49 ft 0.88 ft 0.59 ft

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

3:47 AM 11:04 AM 6:35 PM 11:32 PM

0.81 ft High Tide: 4:49 AM 0.74 ft Low Tide: -0.36 ft Low Tide: 11:33 AM -0.19 ft High Tide: 0.84 ft High Tide: 6:48 PM 0.80 ft Low Tide: 0.45 ft High Tide:

12:12 AM 6:04 AM 12:04 PM 6:54 PM

0.28 ft 0.67 ft 0.03 ft 0.76 ft

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

12:56 AM 7:36 AM 12:36 PM 6:51 PM

0.09 ft 0.63 ft 0.27 ft 0.75 ft

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

1:47 AM 9:31 AM 1:06 PM 6:34 PM

-0.12 ft 0.66 ft 0.53 ft 0.80 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Berkley Fire Rods

cations, and after using it, I have to say that for once the marketing hype is accurate.

When casting and retrieving, hooksets are quick and precise. The upper section of the rod still has enough give to vertically jig a lure and maintain tension on the line without slowing the lure action on the drop. The rest of the rod has enough flex and length to give extra casting distance over the norm, without giving up the backbone needed to play out trophy-sized fish. The biggest fish I caught while flipping 4-inch chartreuse Jerk Shads to specks cruising weedbed edges was 3 pounds, but the power to handle much bigger fish is clearly there. Sensitivity is top-notch, thanks to the carbon-wrapped graphite blank, which Berkley calls CF-81 Power Construction. The Cobalt Fire guides are also unique: Instead of inserts, the Pac Bay TiBlue guides feature a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating that becomes a part of the guide itself. The hard, low-friction surface allows the use of monofilament or braid. This also eliminates the problem of ring guide inserts that pop out of the guide, rendering the rod useless until the guide is replaced. Handles are cork (cork tape on surf models), and spinning, casting, jigging, and surf models are available, with two-piece models offered for surf rods. Prices range from $80 to $120, depending on the model. Contact: Pure Fishing USA, 800-2375539, www.berkley-fishing.com —Lenny Rudow •••

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Rhino Hide Marine Repair kit.

to fixing things in the do-it-yourself world. XFR Marine comes in a white tube that spins open to expose a kit including everything you need to prep a surface. Metal, wood, PVC, plastic, whatever, mix a batch of moldable repair adhesive, and shoot it into place. The chemical make-up of this stuff is secret. It has a 30-second working time, quicksets in a minute, and is fully cured and sandable in five minutes. Remember that

old Crazy Glue commercial, where a guy hangs from his helmet attached to a steel beam by just the glue? That’s child’s play for this stuff, which has an astonishing 4000-psi tinsel strength once hardened. As you might expect, something this strong requires a two-part mix. Unlike most two-part adhesives, however, XFR is mess-proof and idiotproof because the two parts are self-contained in a doubleplunger syringe. To mix them, you simply pop off the cap on the end of the syringe and clip on a mixing tip, then press the plunger. The mixing tip is designed to fully combine the chemicals before they reach the end of the tube. XFR makes surface prep easy because the $16 kit includes sandpaper and alcohol wipes, so every item you need to do the job is at hand. After using it, you can swap the mixing tip for the cap, so unused XFR

remaining un-mixed in the tubes is re-usable in the future. I first got my DIY hands on XFR the day after the plastic stereo mount in my boat’s electronics box broke while I was banging through 3-foot seas. I didn’t have high hopes for a permanent fix, but a month (and four fishing trips) later, it’s still holding the pieces together and shows no signs of giving up. It got another chance to prove its worth when one of the supports on my duck boat blind sheered off. Again, XFR surprised me by supporting the stress without a problem. Since then, I’ve used it to glue the handle back on a fillet knife, attach the lip to a diving plug, and replace the latch on an old, broken tackle box. I know the claim is Earth shattering, but use it and I think you will agree—this stuff is even better than duct tape. Contact: Rhino Hide, LLC, 866-3474466, www.rhinohide.com —LR

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Daiwa Zillion

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they can really be. Step up to the hottest teaser ever offered, quality made to last. For more information on the complete line Profish products go to www.profishco.com.

iPhone Navionics

SuperCasters

US Reel SuperCaster Pro

Compact Storage

Uwharrie Stone offers granite pedestal bases for taxidermy mounts in a variety of colors and shapes. Custom orders quoted.

Uwharrie Stone

Plano 1420 Case

Visit www.uwharriestone.com, or call: 704-202-3465.

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Wiley X Eyewear Stands the Test of Battle ILEY X EYEWEAR HAS BEEN IN business for 21 years, developing and producing military goggles and sunglasses as eye protection in combat conditions.

as an IED on the roadside. My son lost his foot and was severely wounded in the thigh. The velocity of the shrapnel inside the HumVee was so great that holes were made right through the solid, bulletproof windshield. Yet, my son’s eyes were saved by the Wiley X Sunglasses he was wearing. He is very grateful for that. I hope that you will take a moment today and realize that because of your work, some of our most beloved sons are alive and returned to us with their vision intact. As one of the families affected, I can tell you that you will have our everlasting gratitude.”

pound pointed weight dropped 50 inches, and a .25 caliber ball shot at each lens 10 times at 150 feet pre second. With hazards to eyes such as insects or debris encountered when running at high speeds, and lures as airborne projectiles, the need for impact “insurance” is obvious. More eye injuries occur while fishing than any other recreation. Patented technology only available through Wiley X includes a removable Facial Cavity Seal in Climate Control Series glasses. It is a breathable gasket that attaches to the inside of the glasses frame to seal out wind, dust, debris, and light. Glasses stay secure to the face while running the boat. Eye fatigue from peripheral light including harmful UV rays is eliminated. By blocking side and back light, the Facial Cavity Seal also amplifies the effects of polarization, which are diminished without this patented gasket. Contact: Wiley X, 800-776-7842, www.wileyx.com —Staff Reports

“My son, Lance Corporal Alex Sidles, was on a Marine operation near Baghdad on Sunday when the HumVee he was riding in took a direct hit from a very large missile or shell used

Wiley X’s credentials for performance, protection, durability, and function are unmatched. Its commitment is to build eyewear that accomplishes a job while protecting the wearer better than any other option. Besides meeting extremely demanding military specifications for high impact resistance, Wiley X is a leader in development of next generation designs, materials, and construction to exceed what’s currently available anywhere. To be the leader, the authority on any Wiley X products are embraced by product, a company has people in manageanglers, hunters, shooters, boaters, and other L-R Bob Brown, Robert Scherer, outdoor enthusiasts and Garret Scherer of American because of their ideal Rodsmiths combination of style, performance, quality, and protection. All Wiley X eyewear is ANSI certified as occupational eye protection devices. Independent tests to earn this rating include withstanding the impact from a 1.1-

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American Rodsmiths—an Industry Leader

Wiley X Eyewear, standard issue for US Combat troops, is smart eye prortection for sprotsmen. The company’s pedigree is a diverse product line of leading edge eyewear with standard issue status for U.S. Armed Forces around the world including elite Army Ranger and Navy SEAL units. A letter from military mom Constance Sidles is an example of many that Wiley X receives:

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PHOTO BY NICOLE MCKIBBIN

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ment who use the product. Management listens to what other users are saying about their product. The company has to be an innovator and have one of the best products in the marketplace. American Rodsmiths, a Houston company, fills the bill on all of these. Robert Scherer, the founder of American Rodsmiths, calls saltwater fishing his passion. Robert’s son, Garret (most people know him as “Bubba”), promotions manager for the company, said he grew up fishing saltwater tournaments with his dad. Bob Brown, President of American Rodsmiths, is a longtime friend of Robert and was originally with the Daiwa Corporation and then All Star Rods. The pro staff who use American Rodsmiths rods reads like a Who’s Who of saltwater and freshwater angling—David Fritts, Kenyon Hill, Judy Wong, just to mention a few of the touring pros. “We listen to what they want in a fishing rod,” said Garret. “For example, a standard Carolina rod is 7 feet in length and the handle is 10-1/2 inches. Peter Thliveros wants his handle 9-1/2 inches; Marty Stone wants his handle 9 inches. We developed an adjustable handle in the Mag Strike Predator rods where the handle can be adjusted from 8-1/2 to 101/2 inches.” American Rodsmiths has a rod to match just about any angler’s needs, including Kayak Specials (rods with shorter handles and overall lengths). There are separate men’s and women’s fishing rods. “The biggest difference is the handle features,” said Garret. “A ladies’ rod has a smaller tapered handle, fit better for a woman’s hand, and a shorter length in overall rod size. A lot of ladies don’t want to use a 7or 7-1/2-foot rod; it’s too long, too cumbersome.” A woman who ran a very large redfish tournament for women in South Texas wanted pink fishing rods. “After the initial production run of the rods, they became extremely popular,” said Garret. “Men wanted the rods for their wives and daughters. We have expanded to four different models. They are high modulus graphite rods, but have a thin pink coat of paint.” American Rodsmiths is best known for the development of H3 Titanium rods. “It’s not a secret how to make a rod light and not a secret how to make a rod strong,” said Robert Scherer. “The secret is to make a

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rod that is light and strong. We have been able to do that with the relationship I have with Mitsubishi. They make the graphite we use to build these rods. “Right now, we are the only rod manufacturer that has titanium impregnated in the blank.” The H3 Titanium has a blend of graphite, carbon fiber, and titanium fibers. Scherer unabashedly stated that American Rodsmiths has always been a leader in cutting-edge technology: “We have even developed a new kind of foam for some of our handles. We have patents on two different reel seats. In one rod, the Ultra Max Titanium, we have almost eight different patents from the tip to the butt, new stuff that we have done. “We have an adjustable handle for the bass guys. The saltwater guys are different. They are looking for distance. The redfish series rod I use is a 6-foot, 6-inch rod, but it can be adjusted out from 6 feet, 6 inches to 7 feet, 2 inches. Say you are in a cut in a marsh and are flipping at redfish. That ditch opens up to a pond 100 yards across and you see a fish at 50 yards. You can’t reach him with a 6-foot, 6-inch rod, so you crank it out to 7 feet. Just a twist of your hand and you pull it out to whatever length you want it. The trick is not changing the action on the rod, and that’s what we were able to do. “For the bass guys, you have a cam lock on the bottom and you make the handle longer; for the saltwater guys, you have a cam lock on the front so you can make the rod longer.” People in management that are fishermen, management that listens to what anglers want in a fishing rod, and a company willing to be the innovator in the fishing rod industry; American Rodsmiths does it. Contact; American Rodsmiths, 713-4667849, www.americanrodsmiths.com. —Tom Behrens

Denny Brauer ful bass anglers competing in the world today,” said Michael J. Brooks, President and C.E.O. of Ardent. “His accomplishments are without

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARDENT REELS

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Ardent Signs Denny Brauer to Pro Staff Ardent, the industry leader of high-performance fishing reels and accessories, has signed BASS Elite professional angler Denny Brauer to the company’s growing staff of top anglers. Brauer joins reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion Alton Jones and BASS Elite Pro Pete Ponds as the latest to join the Ardent team. “Denny Brauer is one of the most successA L M A N A C / T E X A S

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element tritium. This is the same technology used on the various glow-in-the-dark handgun night sights. The

by Steve LaMascus tape to regulate the amount of light transmitted to the aiming point. Now Trijicon has engineered an adjustable shade that eliminates the need for such battlefield innovation.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com.

INDUSTRY INSIDER Continued from Page I-27 equal. Ardent is pleased to be the reel of choice of Denny Brauer, an outstanding champion on and off the water.” Brauer won the 1998 Bassmaster Classic, the Bassmaster BP MegaBucks, the Bassmaster Superstars, and was named the 1987 BASS Angler of the Year. In 1998, he earned the distinguished FLW Angler of the Year title. “I’ve followed Ardent since the company I28

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PHOTO COURTESY OF TRIJICON

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN MURSKI

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Taking a banded waterfowl of any type is a true trophy for waterfowlers.

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Trophy Fever

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVEN MURSKI

Special Hunting Section

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“

Try walking to your stand with a broken rhythm.

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E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com.

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SPOT Satellite Messenger

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by Greg Berlocher

AVE YOU EVER WISHED YOU COULD LET A loved one know you were okay when you were out on the lake or bay and were very late getting back to the ramp? Or been pinned down by bad weather but were doing fine? Or have you ever

percent of Earth’s surface. The SPOT is a handheld device a little larger than most cell phones, and is powered by two AA batteries. The SPOT communicates back to Globalstar’s gateway and web interface. The service is one-way only and transmits from the communicator back to the gateway.

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Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com.

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Deep-water Cranking HIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN MOST ANGLERS go bass fishing (and very few of them do), they limit themselves to very few lures. One of the most common cold-water bass lures is the jigging spoon, which can

be fished vertically or cast and retrieved along breaklines or deep-water humps. If anglers are not using jigging spoons, then they are more than likely dragging a Carolina rig along the bottom, trying to entice slow-moving fish into biting an equally slow-moving bait. Both of these baits are very effective this time of year, but they have one small problem: Typically, each one is fished slowly, so if you don’t know where the fish are located and can’t get on top of them quickly, it might be a long day of fishing with very little catching. For a change of pace (for both you and the bass), try tossing a crankbait to help locate fish and also pull big bass out of deep water. Professional anglers have been using crankbaits in deep water for years to put limits in the boat, but the practice hasn’t really caught on among recreational anglers for various reasons. The biggest encumbrance is that getting a crankbait down deep and keeping it there can be tough on the angler and his equipment. Often, a day of fishing a crankbait leaves the angler with sore shoulders, aching wrists, and a stiff back, but the chance to catch a big fish makes all the pain worth it. When referring to deep-water crankbait ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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It’s All in the Numbers

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FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS Continued from Page I-35 enough, try this to get it down a bit deeper. While heating and bending the lip, be careful not to twist the lip since this will make the bait spin or lay on its side on retrieve. If you really want to get a crankbait down deep and keep it there, a variation on the I36

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ready to pull in some big winter fish with this non-standard technique.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com.

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they allow us to store an amazing amount of information, such as phone numbers and email addresses. Unfortunately, a cell phone’s computing power cannot help with absentmindedness. I have ambled off into bays and rivers several times with my cell phone in my pants pocket. Not only did I lose the ability to make phone calls, I also lost the contents of my phone book. All I could offer was a shrug when a friend asked me for a particular phone number. Many anglers rely on GPS to guide them back to productive honey holes known only to immediate family members and trusted friends. The GPS coordinates are so secret that an oath must be sworn before boarding the boat. Unfortunately, electronic systems fail occasionally and their precious contents are lost forever. One quick word about electronic devices: Your personal information can live on even if you do not own the device any more. One of my brother’s good friends bought a used offshore boat from a seasoned offshore veteran. On his first trip beyond the jetties with his new boat, my brother’s friend discovered several hundred destinations stored in the

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depthfinder. Curiosity soon led to limits of snapper, most over 10 pounds. The previous owner forgot to purge his GPS and the secret spots are not secret anymore. Care should be taken with information stored in cell phones and depthfinders, especially personal information. I have worn out multiple cell phones and ceremoniously retired each by christening with a 5-pound sledge. Once in small pieces, a little charcoal lighter fluid and a match completed my security procedure. Although the world in which we live in is becoming more intrusive, there are still plenty of things that can fall through the cracks. Pen and paper make an inexpensive data backup system. Cataloging your personal and intellectual property doesn’t take that long, and it is a great winter activity that keeps us connected to the outdoors. Hopefully, you won’t ever need to use your backup numbers, but if you do, you will be glad you invested the time.

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Stand and Deliver

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Flatstalker

AYAKS ARE THE KINGS OF COOL WHEN IT comes to stealthiness on the flats. The low profile allows anglers to slide into the shallows without alarming the resident population of spotted and speckled game fish. But fishing from a ‘yak isn’t always easy, and I am quick to admit that I have a distinct fondness for standing up when fishing— especially if working a dog-walking lure or casting flies. Although I haven’t reached Joe Doggett’s self-professed “geezer age,” I am not far behind, and my sense of balance has all but abandoned me in a few short years. I can still stand up in a 28-inch wide kayak, but I tend to re-

PHOTO COURTESY OF FREEDOM HAWK KAYAKS

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLATSTALKER

Freedom Hawk I38

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fishing products offer a stable platform to those of us who prefer to fish standing up. The Flatstalker (www.flatstalker.com) is the brainchild of Roy Sanders of Corpus Christi, who surfs when conditions are right and fishes when they aren’t. Sanders came up with the idea of a long, flat kayak-style craft that an angler could stand on while fishing. The Flatstalker’s hull is rectangular, about a foot thick, with a bow that narrows slightly. A detachable ice chest serves double duty as a seat. The stern features a metal bracket that will support a trolling motor. The Flatstalker comes with a 10-foot paddle; the extra length is needed to reach the water from the paddlers perch atop the cooler. The paddle can also be used as a push pole. The Flatstalker is a cool design and some say it isn’t a kayak, but it is close enough for me. Potential buyers should be aware of a few things. The elevated seat catches a lot of wind, which makes it difficult to paddle into a pumping coastal breeze. The trolling motor is a definite ally in this situation. Another issue is the weight. The cooler is detachable, making loading much easier, but the hull still weighs much more than a kayak. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 250 pounds, I am not a shrinking violet, but dragging a Flatstalker around a friend’s backyard last weekend wasn’t much fun. Loading one into a truck or on top of a vehicle would be tough for a sin-

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PHOTO COURTESY OF YAK-GEAR

Yak-Gear

gle angler. My advice if you buy a Flatstalker: Fish with several friends who can help you load it after a trip. The Freedom Hawk kayak (www.freedomhawkkayaks.com) is one of the most innovative designs I have seen in years. The 14-foot hull looks like any other sit-ontop kayak, but has a bifurcated stern consisting of identical halves. When you want to stand, you lift up on two levers and the stern splits in two, with each half angling outward at a 45-degree angle. The outrigger effect adds

a tremendous amount of stability. An integrated leaning rail in front of the foot pegs provides a handhold. When it is time to move, you simply push the levers down and the twin hulls come back together, forming a hydrodynamic hull. Perhaps the coolest new stand-up product to come along in a while is Yak-Gear’s new outrigger system. Bill Brigman, owner of YakGear (www.yak-gear.com) continues to come up with products that address market needs. The outrigger system incorporates twin booms,

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each equipped with floats. The booms fit inside the pivoting Scotty rod holders. When you want to paddle, raise the booms out of the water; when you want to fish, simple lower them into place. The only negative I see about the outrigger system is the need to have access below the hull so you can bolt down the Scotty rod holders. This is no job for pop rivets; you will want to use bolts and lock nuts, which means you need a hatch of some sort to access inside the hull. You can always cut an opening in your hull and add a hatch, but some people are just skittish about new hull penetrations. The YakGear outriggers system is quick to install, and is very affordable at $159.95 MSRP, allowing anyone with a sit-on-top kayak to add outriggers to their boat as an option. All of these products are viable options for anglers who wish to stand up while fishing— even if approaching “geezer age.” Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com.

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Economic Impact Lovell said the show annually draws 150,000 visitors from all over Texas and most of Louisiana, as well as elsewhere. “We have had some Colorado people attend,” he said.

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RE-SPAWN FISHING IS RIGHT AROUND THE corner, and this is the time to get your big bass. There are more fishermen on the water in January, February, March, and April, and more big bass caught than any other months put together. The big fish have lounged around all winter, and when the water starts to warm, they come to the shallows to feed and look for spawning areas. Now you have them in a confined fishing area of 5 feet deep or less, reducing 95 percent of the lake you would normally fish. Most fishermen would rather fish shallow than deep. Put these anglers on the water with the bass in less than 5 feet of water throwing Zoom lizards, Bagley crankbaits, jigs, and spinnerbaits, and you have a recipe for a lot of big fish caught. In early spring, I concentrate on water

temperature. If I can find the warmest water in the lake with the best cover available, I probably will have a bonanza day of catching big bass. Sometimes you have to fudge a little bit one way or the other to find bass biting, but as a rule, if you start in the warmest area and do not deviate too far, you will find bass biting. This time of year, you need to remember that as the day goes on the water warms up, and you could be in a great area that might not turn on until later in the day. If you have baitfish activity in a productive area, sometimes you need to wait out the bite or at least return to the area later on. I have seen many tournaments won over the years by guys sticking to an area after everyone left to get the late bite. This time of year, I depend more on my Raymarine DS500 for its accurate temperature reading than I do the depth reading. One degree of temperature change makes a difference. Once it reaches that magic degree, it will turn the bass bite on. One key to remember is the shallowest, flattest water on the north side of the lake usually warms first, so this is a good place to head your Nitro boat in search of warm water. There are four tactics that top the list for me in early spring: cranking shallow-running Balsa B crankbaits like Bagley’s Killer B11, Carolina rigging an 8-inch Zoom lizard, flipping a Bagley jig or a Zoom Brushhog, and

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slow rolling a Bagley spinnerbait. I also need to add Texas-rigged Zoom worms to the arsenal, since they have produced my three biggest bass. This is the time of year when I use my 7foot, 4-inch Bass Pro Shops Woo Daves Extreme pitchin’ rod quite a lot. I am targeting big bass in and around cover. I want a good hookset and to be able to move the fish away from the cover. I am also using heavier line—17- to 20-pound fluorocarbon. I also use bigger hooks. If I am pitching plastics into cover, I am probably going to have a 4/0 or 5/0 Mustad Ultra Point flipping hook tied on. In order to work a piece of cover better, I like to use a Texas-rigged Zoom worm. When you work a piece of cover in the spring, make sure you fish it thoroughly, making repeated pitches into and around the cover. In other words, treat each good looking piece of cover as if you know there is a bass in there and you have to make him bite. When I am a Killer B11, I concentrate primarily on secondary points in the first two thirds of the creeks, working toward the back with warming temperatures. Chartreuse with black back and crawfish are my two favorite colors in the spring. The most important thing I have found in early spring crankbaiting is to reel the lure slowly. Big fish like a slow retrieve. I also like to fish a Carolina-rigged Zoom lizard. In early spring, I use a 2-foot leader with a 2/0 or 3/0 Mustad J-bend widegapped hook and a Lindy’s Rattlin’ NoSnagg 3/4-ounce weight. I love this weight because it is almost snag free, and this allows me to fish the toughest places and get my bait through them. You can also cover a lot of water fan-casting a Carolina rig. I always use Jack’s Juice Crawfish scent on all my lures. The next three months is your chance for a big bass. Good luck, and have a great day fishing in your Woo Shoes.

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D/FW Boat Dealer Rewards Anglers OST FOLKS THINK YOU HAVE TO BE A professional angler to win money competing in bass tournaments, but just ask weekend anglers Stan Lawing of Poetry and Strider Browning of Terrell, who recently won 7th place at the 2008 Bass Champs Championship on Eagle Mountain Lake, and walked away with more than $7500. Lawing, a customer of Fun-N-Sun Boat Sales, the Metroplex’s leading marine dealership with locations in Cleburne, Hurst, and Granbury, won $5000 through Fun-N-Sun’s new tournament incentive program, offering cash to its owners who fish the Bass Champs Championship. “Fun-N-Sun made a strategic decision to invest in a contingency program that rewards our owners, rather than spending additional dollars on advertising,” said Jeff Gilbert, Owner of Fun-N-Sun Boat Sales. “Bass Champs is Texas’ leading bass tournament trail, and we our proud of the number of customers we have developed through the Bass Champs organization.” Lawing, who spends his free time bass fishing around Dallas/Ft. Worth, recently purchased a 2008 Skeeter ZX225 bass boat, qualifying him for Fun-N-Sun’s contingency program. The program offers $5000 to the highest finisher that has purchased a new V6 powered boat from Fun-N- Sun, and offers $10,000 for a Bass Champs Championship victory. “We anticipate running this promotion for the next two years, so there will be plenty of additional opportunities for our customers to participate and win,” said Gilbert. “Fishing and boating has always been an enjoyable pastime, but Fun-N-Sun now makes it rewarding as well.”

As a Skeeter owner, Lawing also qualifies for Skeeter’s “Real Money” incentive program, offering $1000-3000 for fishing and winning a Skeeter sanctioned tournament, which includes Bass Champs. —Staff Reports •••

World Elk Calling Championships to Rock Fort Worth Grunting, growling, squealing, and bellowing—often at rock-and-roll decibels—the best elk callers on the planet are headed to Fort

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Worth, Texas, to vie for a world title. The boisterous competition will be held as part of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo, 5-8 March 2009 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Dozens of youngsters, women, and men, including reigning and former world champs, will compete in the RMEF/Leupold 2009 World Elk Calling Championships. Leupold, a new sponsor for the competition, is Leupold & Stevens Inc., an Oregon-based optics company with quality products for hunters, shooters, wildlife observers, military, and law enforcement. The annual competition is divided into six divisions: Pee Wee (age 10 and under), Youth (age 11-17), Natural Voice (no calling devices allowed), Women’s, Men’s, and Professional (sponsored competitors). Daily admission is $12 per person or $25 per family, and free for kids age 5 and under. For more information, see www.rmef.org. —Staff Reports

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HE DEEP-CARPETED ROOM BESPOKE elegance. Oil portraits of thoroughbred racehorses adorned the burgundy painted walls. Crystal wine glasses and shining silverware glimmered in the flickering candlelight. The habit of chewing the ice cubes out of my water soothed frayed nerves while outside the evening cooled from a warm summer day. The surroundings were a stark contrast to the way I had been taking my meals for the past week. Then the waitress approached my table. Her blonde mane boiled up on her shoulders bouncing as she walked. Her skin glowed tan from the sun and her eyes flashed brilliant green. Diamond studs twinkled on her ears through her yellow hair and a gold necklace disappeared beneath the hollow of her throat and down the front of her white starched blouse; a button was open. Then she stood before me and smiled. For a moment, I could have died happy. The week had not started out well. A new job with a new outfitter meant that my position was dead center at the bottom of the totem pole. It meant that I must prove myself all over again, despite my years of experience in northwestern Montana. It also meant that a new style of mule packing was about to enter my repertoire. In this neck of the woods, they used panniers (sacks hanging on either side of a packsaddle), weighed the loads on scales, and tied it all down with a two-man diamond hitch. It was a method described to me by the boys up north as a means to teach women and kids how to pack mules. It seemed like a long step backward from my former sling packing days, but when in Rome, you must do as the Romans. So, the outfitter, his wife, and I stumbled through a

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WILDERNESS TRAILS Continued from Page I-56 ping, it diminishes the definition of a tip. Whatever, I accepted years ago that cowboying don’t pay. If they stick some cash in my pocket, I’m going to treat myself to a night out at a fancy restaurant and hope there is enough left to buy whiskey and tobacco for the next trip.” Many dusty miles and a shave and hot shower later… The waitress moved toward me. From across the room, her gaze was steady and her steps and motions were female. This time, I could see where the diamond pendant on her necklace was hiding. “Would you like something sweet for dessert?” “Yes ma’am, I’ve been looking forward to that all week.” Maybe she was working for a tip, maybe not. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN SLAVEN

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Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com. G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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TEXAS SALTWATER Kenny R Speckled eed Trout Hugo Fo Guide Serv rd ice

CORPUS CHRISTI

GALVESTON

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

ADVERTISERS, MAIL IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

cy Peggy Sta Oscar and Trout d e Speckle ide Servic water Gu Akins Salt

Johnny Jo h 6.5-poun nson d Hillman G Redfish uide Service

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Daniel and Dickey er West Texas Axis De ng Hunting and Angli Quality Review

Eric and Frank Limits of Trout an d Reds Hillman Guide Servi ce

TEXAS FRESHWATER

is Caballero, Roger Sauseda, Lu d Louis Garcia an ob Jac z, pe Lo Ernest arters Redfish; Redfish Ch

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

TEXAS HUNTING

LAKE TEXOMA

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

LAKE AMISTAD

BAFFIN BAY

SPOTLIGHT: COASTAL BEND OUTDOORS

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

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BLUE CATFISH—ROCKPORT, TEXAS

REDFISH—LAKE FAIRFIELD, TEXAS

Nine-year-old Ricky Brown landed this 25-pound blue catfish at a stock tank in Rockport, Texas.

Nick Munoz, age 13, of Fairfield, Texas, caught this 22-pound, 44-inch freshwater redfish on Lake Fairfield.

PERCH—BELTON, TEXAS

HYBRID STRIPER—LAKE TAWAKONI, TEXAS

SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO: I62

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TF&G PHOTO ALBUM 1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032 OR BY EMAIL: photos@fishgame.com

PLEASE INCLUDE NAME, HOMETOWN, WHEN & WHERE CAUGHT, SIZE AND WEIGHT

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

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TURKEY—ROCKSPRINGS, TEXAS

AXIS DOE—UVALDE COUNTY, TEXAS

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How to Protect Your Fishing Equipment EW THINGS RILE A TEXAS ANGLER’S BLOOD faster than finding one’s boat and trailer stolen. If it were the old days, a posse would go out and the rustler caught with your property hanged on the spot. No need for fancy lawyers and a long, drawn out trial. Boats are easy targets for low-lifes bent on making a few bucks at our expense. Ripping off a boat doesn’t take much skill or elaborate tools; it just takes opportunity. That’s why the theft of boats and related gear and electronics costs owners and insurance companies tens of millions of dollars every year. Prime opportunities include boats parked in driveways, side yards, behind barns, in pastures, or any other location that’s not secured, well lit, or under constant watch. They also prefer the easy target over the difficult; the quick hit over the time-consuming; the unlocked over the locked.

PHOTO BY BRUCE W. SMITH

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by Bruce W. Smith Keeping your trailer locked when it’s not hooked to your tow vehicle is equally important. Employing wheel locks, coupler locks, or just good old-fashioned chain-and-padlock technology will make your boat/trailer a far less attractive target. Park your boat trailer in a way that makes it difficult for a thief to roll it to another vehicle. Chain it to a tree or post, or at least run a chain through the wheels and padlock the end so the wheels can’t turn. Keep it out of view so thieves cruising for targets don’t see it, and make sure it’s in a well-lit area, like A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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In This Issue GEARING UP SECTION

N12 N14 N16 N18

TEXAS TESTED • Berkley; Rhino Hide | BY TF&G STAFF INDUSTRY INSIDER • Wiley X; American Rodsmiths; Ardent | BY TF&G STAFF NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF SHOOT THIS! • Trijicon TR20 Dual-Illuminated Riflescope | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

N19 N21 N28 N30

TROPHY FEVER • Trophy Bands | BY STEVEN MUSKI, TF&G READER

N31

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

NORTH TEXAS NEWS • D/FW Boat Dealer Rewards Angler | BY TF&G STAFF DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS • Classifieds | BY TF&G STAFF TEXAS TASTED • Homemade Tortilla Soup | BY BRYAN SLAVEN

HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Locked Up Tight | BY BRUCE W. SMITH

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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

TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY CALIXTO GONZALES & JD MOORE

som bolts, and lower unit locks. Smaller outboards need to have the transom clamps locked. Overkill? An outboard mechanic friend says he can drop a lower unit in less than six minutes without making a sound: “They are easy pickings and easy to sell. Used lower units sell anywhere from $1500 to $3,000. Add in the prop and there’s another $300-$400 theft incentive.” Remember, too, that a low-life targeting your boat doesn’t really care if cables and wires are cut, or things get pried apart during the theft. All he wants is the item itself and probably does not intend to re-install anything on his own boat, if he even owns one.

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BOWHUNTING TECH • Bowhunting Outside His Bedroom Door | BY LOU MARULLO

N22

FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Deep-water Cranking | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

N24

WILDERNESS TRAILS • Class & the Wilderness | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

N26

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • The Wildcats | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

On the electronic side of theft prevention, there are several different approaches to boat security. The most basic is letting the world know someone is tampering with your stuff via sirens, horns, and flashing lights. Such alarms can be activated by the pressure of someone stepping on deck, unsnapping a boat cover, or removing some piece of equipment that is connected to the alarm system. The more sophisticated systems can track your boat no matter where it is, and the sys-

tem activates as soon as your boat is moved. Sea Key (www.myseakey.com; 866.473.2539) even provides 24/7 human monitoring just like many home alarm companies. Another level of electronic guard dog is disabling the outboard using a hidden kill switch or, better still, utilizing a keyless ignition system. One company that offers both is Digital Guard Dawg (www.digitalguarddawg.com), which uses a small electronics-filled cube to prevent anyone but the holder of the right key fob to start the engine. The key fob automatically arms/disarms the ignition when it is within 15 feet (adjustable distance) of the boat. The more sophisticated Digital Guard Dawg model actually replaces the entire key switch with a push button, along with a security system that can page you when your boat is being moved or someone is aboard while the system is armed. Also check out U.S. Boat Alarm (www.usboatalarm.com; 888.575.5500) and Texas-based Geneva Enterprises ( w w w. g e n e v a e n t e r p r i s e s . c o m ; 281.433.3917) for complete boat security systems. If you do go the electronic path, make sure the brains of the system are designed

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for marine use—not automotive. Water, moisture, and corrosion are sure-fire alarm killers over a short period, and the unit needs to sealed against the elements of the marine environment.

Be Smart Even with electronic and security hardware in place, your boat is still vulnerable to theft. So, it pays to photograph, mark, and document every valuable on your boat/trailer. Then store the information in a safe place at your home or office. Should a theft occur and the authorities are lucky enough to find missing items, you can easily prove what is yours using the documentation. Every TF&G reader knows we live in a world full of crime, and fishing boats happen to be a very attractive target. The key with all of these theft prevention tips is making your boat a lot less appealing to the common thief. Short of standing guard 24/7 with a Smith & Wesson on your hip, the best theft deterrent for someone targeting your boat is putting locking devices and some sort of electronic security measures on anything and everything that has value.

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Tides and Solunar Table for JANUARY 2009 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SYMBOL KEY

New Moon

5 4:31 AM 1:20 PM 3:23 PM 8:01 PM

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 12:45p AM Minor: ——PM Minor: 12:12p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

-0.23 ft 0.86 ft 0.84 ft 0.94 ft

Set: 5:47p Set: 1:39a AM Major: 5:59a PM Major: 6:25p 7:42p 7:16a

PRIME TIME 2:40 AM 10:50 AM 6:47 PM 11:26 PM

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 8:01p AM Minor: 6:26a PM Minor: 6:55p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.10 ft -0.97 ft 1.06 ft 0.73 ft

12:40 — 3:00 AM

Set: 5:53p Set: 8:52a AM Major: 12:12a PM Major: 12:40p 1:55a 2:23p

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 5:27 AM High Tide: 4:08 PM

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: 2:13a AM Minor: 12:01a PM Minor: 12:24p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

6:40 — 9:15 PM

2:04 AM 10:08 AM 6:05 PM 10:17 PM

Sunrise: 7:32a Moonrise: 7:47a AM Minor: 5:18a PM Minor: 5:41p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

-0.46 ft 0.90 ft

6:25 — 8:10 AM

Set: 5:59p Set: 12:41p AM Major: 6:13a PM Major: 6:36p 7:29a 7:53p 0.91 ft -0.59 ft 0.90 ft 0.70 ft

• J A N U A R Y

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

-0.51 ft 1.06 ft 1.04 ft 1.05 ft

Set: 5:48p Set: 2:47a AM Major: 6:48a PM Major: 7:16p 8:38p 8:09a

PRIME TIME

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 9:09p AM Minor: 7:26a PM Minor: 7:52p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1:35 — 3:30 AM

Set: 5:54p Set: 9:29a AM Major: 1:13a PM Major: 1:39p 2:50a 3:16p

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 6:22 AM High Tide: 4:39 PM

Sunrise: 7:34a Moonrise: 3:11a AM Minor: 12:45a PM Minor: 1:09p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

11:20 AM — 2:00PM

-0.55 ft 0.98 ft

12:50 — 3:00 AM

Set: 6:00p Set: 1:21p AM Major: 6:57a PM Major: 7:21p 8:17a 8:42p

PRIME TIME 2:54 AM 10:36 AM 6:20 PM 10:54 PM

Sunrise: 7:31a Moonrise: 8:19a AM Minor: 6:05a PM Minor: 6:27p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

T E X A S

0.87 ft -0.49 ft 0.88 ft 0.59 ft

12:25 — 2:30 PM

Set: 6:07p Set: 7:39p AM Major: 11:50a PM Major: 12:16p 1:56p 1:34a

F i s h

PRIME TIME

Good Day

7:35 — 9:40 PM

High Tide: 4:00 AM 0.98 ft Low Tide: 11:38 AM -0.72 ft High Tide: 7:12 PM 0.95 ft

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

PRIME TIME 5:26 AM 2:51 PM 5:20 PM 7:23 PM

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 1:26p AM Minor: 12:34a PM Minor: 1:02p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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Last Quarter

Full Moon

PRIME TIME

Set: 6:06p Set: 6:41p AM Major: 11:29a PM Major: 11:52p 1:11p 12:49a

First Quarter

PRIME TIME

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

BEST DAYS

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 6:22 AM High Tide: 3:47 PM

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 2:15p AM Minor: 1:25a PM Minor: 1:55p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

-0.77 ft 1.21 ft

PRIME TIME

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 10:13p AM Minor: 8:23a PM Minor: 8:47p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.50 ft 0.84 ft -0.40 ft 0.87 ft

2:30 — 4:25 AM

Set: 5:55p Set: 10:03a AM Major: 2:11a PM Major: 2:35p 3:40a 4:04p

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 7:12 AM High Tide: 5:10 PM

Sunrise: 7:34a Moonrise: 4:07a AM Minor: 1:29a PM Minor: 1:54p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

8:30 — 10:45 PM

Set: 5:49p Set: 3:58a AM Major: 7:40a PM Major: 8:10p 9:40p 9:08a

14 12:22 AM 5:23 AM 12:23 PM 7:34 PM

3:47 AM 11:04 AM 6:35 PM 11:32 PM

Sunrise: 7:31a Moonrise: 8:48a AM Minor: 6:51a PM Minor: 7:13p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

PRIME TIME 1:08 AM 4:32 AM 12:31 PM 8:27 PM

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: 10:44a AM Minor: 9:06a PM Minor: 9:27p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

-0.61 ft 1.01 ft

1:45 — 3:20 AM

Set: 6:01p Set: 2:05p AM Major: 7:41a PM Major: 8:06p 9:07a 9:32p

PRIME TIME 0.81 ft -0.36 ft 0.84 ft 0.45 ft

1:15 — 3:20 PM

Set: 6:08p Set: 8:35p AM Major: 12:41a PM Major: 1:02p 2:38p 2:17a

0.72 ft 0.77 ft -0.11 ft 0.93 ft

Set: 5:45p Set: 10:39p AM Major: 2:55a PM Major: 3:16p 4:38p 4:18a

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 7:19 AM High Tide: 4:33 PM

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 3:14p AM Minor: 2:19a PM Minor: 2:52p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

-0.98 ft 1.29 ft

2:30 — 4:30 AM

Set: 5:50p Set: 5:08aa AM Major: 8:36a PM Major: 9:08p 10:45p 10:12a

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

2:40 — 4:35 PM

PRIME TIME 1:21 AM 6:54 AM 1:07 PM 7:54 PM

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: 11:14p AM Minor: 9:16a PM Minor: 9:39p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.26 ft 0.70 ft -0.07 ft 0.80 ft

Set: 5:56p Set: 10:33a AM Major: 3:05a PM Major: 3:28p 4:27a 4:50p

22 Low Tide: 7:56 AM High Tide: 5:32 PM

Sunrise: 7:34a Moonrise: 5:00a AM Minor: 2:13a PM Minor: 2:39p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME -0.65 ft 1.00 ft

2:25 — 4:10 AM

Set: 6:02p Set: 2:55p AM Major: 8:26a PM Major: 8:51p 9:57a 10:22p

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 4:49 AM 0.74 ft Low Tide: 11:33 AM -0.19 ft High Tide: 6:48 PM 0.80 ft

Sunrise: 7:30a Moonrise: 9:16a AM Minor: 7:38a PM Minor: 7:59p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

3:15 — 5:10 AM

2:10 — 4:00 PM

Set: 6:09p Set: 9:32p AM Major: 1:28a PM Major: 1:49p 3:20p 2:59a

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Tides and Solunar Table for JANUARY 2009 FRIDAY

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

PRIME TIME 1:59 AM 6:33 AM 1:05 PM 8:36 PM

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: 11:12a AM Minor: 9:52a PM Minor: 10:13p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

0.54 ft 0.64 ft 0.10 ft 0.87 ft

Set: 5:45p Set: 11:36p AM Major: 3:42a PM Major: 4:03p 5:20p 4:59a -1.13 ft 1.30 ft 1.17 ft 1.18 ft

3:55 — 6:20 AM

Set: 5:51p Set: 6:16a AM Major: 9:35a PM Major: 10:08p 11:51p 11:18a

PRIME TIME 2:23 AM 8:39 AM 1:47 PM 8:11 PM

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: None AM Minor: 10:06a PM Minor: 10:29p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.03 ft 0.62 ft 0.26 ft 0.77 ft

4:10 — 5:50 AM

Set: 5:57p Set: 11:03a AM Major: 3:55a PM Major: 4:18p 5:12a 5:35p

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 8:35 AM -0.67 ft High Tide: 5:38 PM 0.97 ft Low Tide: 10:03 PM 0.91 ft

Sunrise: 7:33a Moonrise: 5:49a AM Minor: 2:59a PM Minor: 3:24p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

3:15 — 5:20 AM

Set: 6:03p Set: 3:48p AM Major: 9:11a PM Major: 9:37p 10:48a 11:12p

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

3:30 — 5:15 PM

PRIME TIME 8:15 AM 5:13 PM 9:36 PM 11:38 PM

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 4:21p AM Minor: 3:18a PM Minor: 3:51p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

SATURDAY

PRIME TIME 12:12 AM 6:04 AM 12:04 PM 6:54 PM

Sunrise: 7:30a Moonrise: 9:44a AM Minor: 8:26a PM Minor: 8:48p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.28 ft 0.67 ft 0.03 ft 0.76 ft

2:50 — 4:45 PM

Set: 6:09p Set: 10:30p AM Major: 2:16a PM Major: 2:37p 4:03p 3:41a

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

PRIME TIME 2:49 AM 8:57 AM 1:42 PM 8:37 PM

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: 11:40a AM Minor: 10:38a PM Minor: 11:00p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

Low Tide: 9:09 AM High Tide: 5:48 PM Low Tide: 9:57 PM

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 5:34p AM Minor: 4:20a PM Minor: 4:53p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.32 ft 0.59 ft 0.34 ft 0.84 ft

-1.18 ft 1.26 ft 1.08 ft

3:26 AM 10:45 AM 2:23 PM 8:22 PM

12:11 AM 9:09 AM 5:42 PM 9:31 PM

Sunrise: 7:33a Moonrise: 6:33a AM Minor: 3:45a PM Minor: 4:10p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME 3:55 — 6:25 AM

Set: 6:04p Set: 4:45p AM Major: 9:57a PM Major: 10:22p 11:37a None

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

4:50 — 7:05 AM

4:50 — 6:35 AM

PRIME TIME 3:39 AM 11:15 AM 2:25 PM 8:26 PM

0.06 ft 0.67 ft 0.59 ft 0.86 ft

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 12:11p AM Minor: 11:24a PM Minor: 11:48p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

Set: 5:57p Set: 11:33a AM Major: 4:43a PM Major: 5:05p 5:57a 6:20p 0.92 ft -0.67 ft 0.94 ft 0.87 ft

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

Set: 5:51p Set: 7:16a AM Major: 10:37a PM Major: 11:09p None 12:23p -0.17 ft 0.63 ft 0.54 ft 0.76 ft

PRIME TIME

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: 12:14a AM Minor: 10:54a PM Minor: 11:16p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:10 — 6:05 PM

Set: 5:46p Set: None AM Major: 4:27a PM Major: 4:49p 6:04p 5:42a

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

SUNDAY

Set: 5:47p Set: 12:36a AM Major: 5:13a PM Major: 5:36p 6:51p 6:27a

PRIME TIME 1:18 AM 10:01 AM 6:19 PM 10:37 PM

1.16 ft -1.12 ft 1.17 ft 0.93 ft

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 6:49p AM Minor: 5:24a PM Minor: 5:54p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 4:28 AM High Tide: 8:14 PM

-0.34 ft 0.78 ft

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: 1:14a AM Minor: 11:40a PM Minor: ——Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

Sunrise: 7:29a Moonrise: 10:13a AM Minor: 9:15a PM Minor: 9:38p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

0.09 ft 0.63 ft 0.27 ft 0.75 ft

5:45 — 7:20 AM

Set: 5:58p Set: 12:06p AM Major: 5:28a PM Major: 5:51p 6:43a 7:06p

PRIME TIME 1:13 AM 9:40 AM 5:51 PM 9:45 PM

0.93 ft -0.64 ft 10:55 AM — 0.92 ft 1:10PM 0.80 ft

Sunrise: 7:32a Moonrise: 7:12a AM Minor: 4:31a PM Minor: 4:55p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

Set: 6:05p Set: 5:43p AM Major: 10:43a PM Major: 11:07p 12:25p 12:01a

PRIME TIME 12:56 AM 7:36 AM 12:36 PM 6:51 PM

12:00 — 2:10 AM

Set: 5:52p Set: 8:08a AM Major: 11:39a PM Major: ——12:55a 1:26p

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

5:00 — 6:45 PM

PRIME TIME

3:35 — 5:30 PM

Set: 6:10p Set: 11:30p AM Major: 3:04a PM Major: 3:26p 4:48p 4:25a

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

F i s h

TIDE STATION CORRECTION TABLE (Adjust High & Low Tide times listed in the Calendar by the amounts below for each keyed location)

NOT FOR NAVIGATION PLACE SABINE BANK LIGHTHOUSE (29.47° N, 93.72° W) SABINE PASS JETTY (29.65° N, 93.83° W) SABINE PASS (29.73° N, 93.87°W) MESQUITE PT, SABINE PASS (29.77° N, 93.9° W) GALV. BAY, SO. JETTY (29.34° N, 94.7° W) PORT BOLIVAR (29.36° N, 94.77° W) TX CITY TURNING BASIN (29.38° N, 94.88° W) EAGLE POINT (29.5° N, 94.91° W) CLEAR LAKE (29.56° N, 95.06° W) MORGANS POINT (29.68° N, 94.98° W) ROUND PT, TRINITY BAY (29.71° N, 94.69° W) PT. BARROW, TRIN. BAY (29.74° N, 94.83° W) GILCHRIST, E. BAY (29.52° N, 94.48° W) JAMAICA BCH., W. BAY (29.2° N, 94.98° W) ALLIGATOR PT., W. BAY (29.17° N, 94.13° W) CHRISTMAS PT, CHR. BAY (29.08° N, 94.17° W) GALV. PLEASURE PIER (29.29° N, 94.79° W) SAN LUIS PASS (29.08° N, 95.12° W) FREEPORT HARBOR (28.95° N, 95.31° W) PASS CAVALLO (28.37° N, 96.4° W) ARANSAS PASS (27.84° N, 97.05° W) PADRE ISL.(SO. END) (26.07° N, 97.16° W) PORT ISABEL (26.06° N, 97.22° W)

G a m e ® / J A N 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

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by JD Moore, North Zone Fishing Editor & Calixto Gonzales, South Zone Fishing Editor

Ivie Bass LOCATION: LAKE O.H. IVIE HOTSPOT: Point near Leday and Colorado River GPS: N31 33.310, W99 40.992

SPECIES: largemouth and white bass BEST BAITS: 1/2-ounce black blue jigs with Ragetail Craw Chunks; jigging spoons CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: There are several points that reach into the Colorado River channel along the old town of Leday. For largemouth, drag your jig down the length of the points, rather than bouncing off bottom. Cast your bait into 18-20 feet of water and work it all the way to about 32 feet before it falls off into the channel. Watch your graph and you’ll see schools of white bass move in and out off these points. Drop your favorite jigging spoon on them and get ready! BANK ACCESS: Concho Park Recreation Area, lots of grass for bass and bream, night fishing for catfish LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Old Post Office Slab GPS: N32 54.536, W98 27.252 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live minnows, cut bait, slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-779-2597, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: A lot of cold fronts and cold weather are the fare in January, but the fish don’t mind. They have been stacking up at the north end of the lake waiting for the first smell/taste of fresh water coming down N6

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stream. This dictates slow fishing. On occasion, you’ll see active fish working under the birds. Then you can pick up the pace. Otherwise stick to your live bait, cut bait, slabs, and jigs. Cast out and retrieve in a jerky motion, while constantly reeling. Any active fish in the upper water column won’t be able to resist. Look for fish to be on 20-foot flats and break lines. BANK ACCESS: Willow Beach RV Park, privately owned, ask for permission to fish, largemouth, crappie, striped and white bass

Buchanan Largemouths LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Rocky Point GPS: N30 48.521, W98 23.871

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

JD MOORE

CALIXTO GONZALES

olina rigged lizards in Watermelon Candy CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Work the largemouth bass in 12-25 feet using drop-shot rig with 1/4-ounce TruTungsten drop-shot weights with JDC 3 drop-shot worms. Work Carolina-rigged lizards in Watermelon Candy all along the edges and outer turns of the cove onto the main lake. Work any humps in the area the same way. BANK ACCESS: Potters Creek Park, largemouth bass, stripers, catfish LOCATION: Lake Granger HOTSPOT: Fox Park Brush Piles GPS: N30 41.136, W97 21.107 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce Chartreuse Jigum jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, 512-3657761,www.txfishing.com/Tidwell/index.ht m TIPS: Work the brush piles in 10-20 feet of water. Hold jigs right over the top of the brush, using very little action. To help catch ratio, tip the jig with Berkley Crappie Nibble. This gives the jig scent and the crappie seem to bite better. Color of jigs doesn’t really matter on Granger. BANK ACCESS: Wilson Fox Fishing Dock, crappie on live minnows fished straight down off dock. LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Colorado River Arm GPS: N30 40.212, W98 26.482 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas rigged finesse worms in Watermelon Candy, Bama Bug, or Green Pumpkin Candy; Watermelon red Whacky Sticks CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Target docks that are located near deeper water in the Colorado River arm.

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This area usually remains clear, so shallow to midrange crankbaits are also good choices. Check creeks that are just off the main lake. Work brush or wood and along docks on Texas rigged Finesse Worms in the above colors. BANK ACCESS: Robin Hood Park, catfish, largemouth bass

Fork Crappie LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: SRA Point GPS: N32 49.053, W95 31.831

SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: hair jigs and live minnows CONTACT: Mike Rogge, 903-383-3406, www.lake-fork-guides.com TIPS: Crappie will still be out on the main lake humps in front of Little Boy Point, SRA Point, Chaney Point, and Bird Island. Fish jigs and minnows on a slip bobber, testing the depth until fish are found. Then tighten the bobber and have fun. BANK ACCESS: Fishing Pier at Minnow Bucket Bait Stand, crappie, largemouth LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: 514 Bridge GPS: N32 55.533, W95 38.784 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jumbo Shimmy Shaker Swim bait CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Largemouth bass will be in the backs of creeks and where there are bridges. Work the funnel points around the openings of the bridges where the creek flows through. Fish the Jumbo Shimmy Shaker really slow, just off the bottom. Another choice is the Jig-N-Pig or Carolina rigged worm. BANK ACCESS: Fishing Pier at Minnow Bucket Bait Stand, crappie, largemouth bass

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LOCATION: Lake Monticello HOTSPOT: 14 Pound Point GPS: N33 07.114, W95 05.150 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse grubs, crankbaits, Texas rigged worms CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 972-853-0949, www.fishinwithjeff.com TIPS: If you just can’t wait to catch prespawn fish, this is your lake. You’ll find that cloudy days will be your best bet for Monticello. Make sure you’re fishing the side of the lake that will receive the most sunlight, for this is where the bass will be, sunning and warming themselves. Throw the Chartreuse grubs here. Besides 14 Pound Point, Smith and Blundale Creeks are good areas to find pre-spawn bass. If fishing gets tough, just adjust and go small and slow. BANK ACCESS: Titus County Park, largemouth bass LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: The Canyons GPS: N31, 13.826, W94 21.774 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps in oranges and reds, 1/2- to 3/4-ounce CONTACT: Don Mattern, 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Just northwest of the 147 Bridge is an area called “The Canyons.” There is an island to the east of that area. Behind the island is a creek about 20-28 feet deep. The larger bass love to run up and down that bank and out from it, heading toward the Canyons. Cast 1/2- to 3/4-ounce Traps along the banks. Hold on. This is where the big fish are. BANK ACCESS: Powell Park Marina Fishing Pier, largemouth bass, catfish, white and striped bass

Aquilla Whites LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Triplett Point

GPS: N31 54.533, W97 12.375 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps in blue/black, other shallow running crankbaits in same colors. CONTACT: Randy Routh, Cell 817-8225539, www.teamredneck.net TIPS: It doesn’t get any easier than the wintertime to catch magnum whites on Aquilla. The birds are here and really working. Use your binoculars to keep an eye out for diving birds. They fish for a living every day and will point the way to success for you. Check around Triplett Point and the deep humps. Use caution when motoring the main lake area. The lake is low and Triplet Point reaches way out in the lake. BANK ACCESS: Tailrace Fishing Pier, white bass on jigs fished in outlet LOCATION: Lake Belton HOTSPOT: Hwy 36 Bridge GPS: N31 00.545, W97 38.764 SPECIES: white and striped bass BEST BAITS: white slabs if water is clear, chartreuse slabs if water is stained CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Use the birds and your graph to locate active schools of fish. When slabbing, make extended pauses in your jigging stroke during this cold-water period. In other words, fish slowly. BANK ACCESS: Temple Lake Park, largemouth, catfish, white bass LOCATION: Lake Fairfield HOTSPOT: Riprap GPS: N31 13.322, W97 28.347 BEST BAITS: Bandit 200 in Tennessee Shad color. SPECIES: largemouth bass CONTACT: Don Mattern, 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: Keep your boat in 8-foot water and cast parallel to the riprap. Bass up to 8 pounds have been caught using this pattern. BANK ACCESS: Lake Fairfield State Park Fishing Pier, largemouth bass, red drum, catfish LOCATION: Lake Fayette County HOTSPOT: Dead Fish Cove

F i s h

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GPS: N29 59.050, W96 43.491 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: cut shad, cut bait, punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: In January, 8-10 feet of water runs way up into the cove. The cove blocks the north wind on cooler days and warms during the day when the south winds are blowing. Use a Carolina rig, with 1-foot leader. After anchoring, toss out the chum. This will draw the cats in quicker. Fish a tight line if moss is not thick on bottom. If moss is still thick, fish a slip cork, just above the moss for best results. For Punch Bait use a No. 4 treble hook. Use a No. 1 Kahle for shad and cut bait. BANK ACCESS: Junkyard Cove, largemouth bass LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Hog Island GPS: N30 37.990, W96 03.500 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, cut bait, punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: This is a good area in January for fishing deeper water. Water is 10-18 feet deep. Blue and channel cats find warmer water at this depth as do the baitfish. Use a Carolina rig, with 1-foot leader. Anchor or tie to a stump. Cast out toward the open lake. On Carolina rig, use a No. 2 treble hook. For shad, use a No. 3 Kahle hook. Large blue cats are caught frequently in this area. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 175 Bridge east; cast lures for bass, minnows for crappie LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Walnut Creek GPS: N32 33.859 W97 04.686 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: black/blue jig, June Bug Red finesse worm, Ayiyi/Watermelon Chomper Super Wacky worm CONTACT: Randy Maxwell, 817-3132878, www.getagripguide.com TIPS: You don’t need a real early start on these fish, so take your time. Start by fishing the jig along the first creek bends in the above creek. Later, check out the deep rocks around the dam, jetties, and deep bridge pilings and the intake. In the sunny afternoon, fish drop-shot or Shakey Head June Bug Finesse worm, etc.

BANK ACCESS: Crappie Dock, crappie with live minnows LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Dam Rocks GPS: N33 02.098, W96 28.044 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: black/blue jig tipped with a Gene Larew Chunk or Salt-Craw; red RatL-Traps, Bandit crankbaits. CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 972-853-0949, www.fishinwithjeff.com TIPS: Fishing riprap and rocks produces best during winter on Lavon. The sun warms the rocks and riprap and this heat draws the fish. Besides rip rap and rocks, the Northwest shorelines are another good area to find aggressive fish. Fish the above baits, changing frequently to attract fish. BANK ACCESS: Clear Lake Pier, largemouth bass LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Flat Creek GPS: N32 11.693, W95 30.430 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Downsized white/Chartreuse spinnerbaits with willow leaf blades, nickel in front, gold in rear. CONTACT: Don Mattern, 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: It is a little rough getting into Flat Creek, but go under FM 315 bridge, all the way to the back, until you hit the hydrilla. Throw a downsized spinnerbait in white/Chartreuse with willow leaf blades, nickel in front and gold in back. Slowly work it above the grass and around wood cover. This pattern works well in water 49 degrees and up. BANK ACCESS: Dam Park, largemouth bass, crappie, fish pockets and rock wall LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: 155 Bridge GPS: N32 08.492, W95 28.374 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows, jigs, black/white, pink/white; and white CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, 903-5302201, www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Work the pilings and brush around pilings under the bridge. Using a slip cork, test different depths to find the crappie. When depth where fish are biting is located, tighten cork and get ready for action. BANK ACCESS: Dam Park, largemouth bass, A L M A N A C / T E X A S

F i s h

crappie, fish pockets and rock wall LOCATION: Lake Proctor HOTSPOT: Hump about 200 yards out from dam GPS: N31 58.639, W98 28.329 SPECIES: hybrid stripped bass BEST BAITS: cut shad, live perch CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Rig up a chunk of cut bait on a circle hook and 3/4-ounce weight and let it settle to around 20 feet around the front of the dam. Watch your graph for schools of baitfish suspended and bunched up tight. When you see the graph screen blacken from 10 feet down all the way to the bottom, this is where you’ll catch the hybrids. Drop a line on them and get ready for a screamer that will smoke your reel! BANK ACCESS: Promontory Point Courtesy Dock, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard HOTSPOT: Old 66 Rip Rap GPS: N32 55.033, W96 30.112 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Red Bandit 200 series crankbait, Chartreuse jig CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 972-853-0949, www.fishinwithjeff.com TIPS: Work the riprap along Old Hwy 66, as well as other riprap. These areas are famous for delivering large fish. Make sure you’re fishing the side that has the most sunlight. The fish will congregate along the warm riprap to warm themselves and feed on shad that happen to be running by. BANK ACCESS: Bayview Marina, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish LOCATION: Richland Chambers Reservoir HOTSPOT: Elm Creek GPS: N32 4.260, W96 17.910 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: jigs, Watermelon and blue/black CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, Cell 817-9290675, www.schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: Work jig using a pork or plastic trailer. Fish the sunny side of the creeks. They warm the fastest. Also, check the nearby boat docks. This is always my first stop. You will find these docks at the mouths of creeks. Elm Creek has a lot of timber in and around it. Just take the jig and flip the docks and G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

Bridge. Fishing is best from mid-January through mid- March. Spawning runs up the rivers result in dense concentrations of fish. At times, you can actually see the whites as they move upriver. Trolling or casting crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and other small, shallow running baits work well for these schooling fish. Be prepared for lightening quick strikes. Even small whites fight awfully hard and you’ll think you’ve hooked a much larger fish. BANK ACCESS: Reynolds Creek Park. There’s a special use bank fishing area here where you can park your vehicle and fish along the bank. You can catch largemouth and white bass LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Little Rocky Creek GPS: N31 52.136, W97 23.124 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse jigs with white trailers, Chartreuse Wild Eyed Shad swim baits, Chartreuse Bass Assassins CONTACT: Randy Routh, Cell 817-8225539, www.teamredneck.net TIPS: Work the mouths of Little and Big Rocky Creeks. The stripers will have the shad pushed up into the mouths of the creeks and trapped between them and the shallower colder water. Make long casts with the jigs and swim baits, and use a slow retrieve. When you think you’re fishing slow enough, slow down some more. On the main lake look for balls of shad on your graph around McCowan Flats. Stripers are nailing Chartreuse Bass Assassins. Dead stick these by rigging the assassin with a lead head, drop to the bottom, lift 10-12 inches, and drift slowly. BANK ACCESS: Loafer’s Bend shoreline, striped bass, white bass, largemouth and smallmouth bass

Laguna Mangroves LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Boca Chica Jetties (bank access) GPS: N26 3.904, W97 8.738 SPECIES: mangrove snapper

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ALL GPS COORDINATES VERIFIED BY

day, so fish the areas slowly and thoroughly. Fish will be hanging near the bottom and hitting softly.

BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh dead shrimp CONTACT: White Sand Marina, 956-943943-6161 TIPS: As long as there is no major freeze that drops water temperatures below 60 degrees or so, there will be plenty of feisty, delectable mangrove holding around the jetties. A regular free-line rig is fine, provided you make them with 30-pound leader. Use a tight drag and stout tackle to horse these fish out of the rocks. Bring plenty of hooks and sinkers. The bigger snapper tend to be hard on tackle.

Baffin Magic Trout LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: The Badlands

GPS: N27 18.744, W97 24.9023 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: Corky or Corky Devil in dark patterns, Bass Assassin in Morning Glory, Baffin Magic Pumpkinseed/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish the drop-offs and deep rocks near the bait camp. Slow is the order of the

For MORE HOTSPOT listings, go to our website and click CURRENT ISSUE ARTICLES

Watch for beds and crawl a worm across them.

Contact North Regional Fishing Editor JD Moore by email at hotspotsnorth@fishgame.com

Black’s Bayou Specks

Contact South Regional Fishing Editor Calixto Gonzales by email at cgonzales@fishgame.com.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Black’s Bayou

GPS: N29 59,616, W93 45.783 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Red Shad, Morning Glory, black/chartreuse, topwaters in bone CONTACT: Captain Bill Watkins, 409-7862018, 409-673-2018, www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: Fish around the shell reefs in deeper water for speckled trout. Watch for occasional bait leaping to escape predators. That is your cue to where they fish are. On mild days, redfish will be nose to around the big cuts that drain the bayou waiting for forage to be pushed out. Use soft plastics on a falling tide.

Falcon Bass LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: Salanillas GPS: N26 35.363, W99 13.186 SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: plastic worms and flipping tubes in red, red watermelon, Red Bug CONTACT: Mike Hawkes, 210-275-1309 TIPS: Bass will just about be in full-blown spawning mode by the middle of the month. Since the lake is full, you might have to move a little further up into the creek and around freshly-flooded brush than in past years. Flipping plastics into openings in the mesquite and retama is a very good strategy. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Berkley Fire Rods NSHOREANGLERSWHOFEELTHEHEATOFCOMPETITION and are looking for a leg up should check out Berkley’s new Cobalt Fire rods. I tested a CFS701MH 7-foot model designed for 10- to 20-pound-test and 1/4- to 3/4ounce lures, and thought it was well worth the $80 price tag, and then some. Berkley says they designed the Cobalt Fire for inshore saltwater fishing with GULP! baits. I am unsure what specifically makes it ideal for GULP! as opposed to other artificials, but there’s no question it’s perfect for tossing 4- to 6-inch plastics on leadheads to redfish and speckled trout in the shallows. Berkley’s marketing folks say the relatively fast but soft tip gives the rod diverse applications, and after using it, I have to say that for once the marketing hype is accurate. When casting and retrieving, hooksets are quick and precise. The upper section of the rod still has enough give to vertically jig a lure and maintain tension on the line without slowing the lure action on the drop. The rest of the rod has enough flex and length to give extra casting distance over the norm, without giving up the backbone needed to play out trophysized fish. The biggest fish I caught while flipping 4inch chartreuse Jerk Shads to specks cruising weedbed edges was 3 pounds, but the power to handle much bigger fish is clearly there. Sensitivity is top-notch, thanks to the carbon-wrapped graphite blank, which Berkley calls CF-81 Power Construction.

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The Cobalt Fire guides are also unique: Instead of inserts, the Pac Bay TiBlue guides feature a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating that becomes a part of the guide itself. The hard, low-friction surface allows the use of monofilament or braid. This also eliminates the problem of ring guide inserts that pop out of the guide, rendering the rod useless until the guide is replaced. Handles are cork (cork tape on surf models), and spinning, casting, jigging, and surf models are available, with two-piece models offered for surf rods. Prices range from $80 to $120, depending on the model. Contact: Pure Fishing USA, 800-2375539, www.berkley-fishing.com —Lenny Rudow

Rhino Hide NTHEENTIREHISTORYOFMANKIND,NOINVENTION HAS proved as important as the ultimate fix-it tool—duct tape—until now. Rhino Hide’s new XFR Marine might surpass the silver stuff when it comes to fixing things in the do-it-yourself world. XFR Marine comes in a white tube that spins open to expose a kit including everything you need to prep a surface. Metal, wood, PVC, plastic, whatever, mix a batch of moldable repair adhesive, and shoot it into place. The chemical make-up of this stuff is secret. It has a 30-second working time, quicksets in a minute, and is fully cured and sandable in five minutes. Remember that old Crazy Glue commercial, where a guy hangs from his helmet attached to a steel beam by just the glue? That’s child’s play for this stuff, which has an astonishing 4000-psi tinsel strength once hardened. As you might expect, something this strong requires a two-part mix. Unlike most two-part adhesives, however, XFR is mess-proof and

Rhino Hide Marine Repair kit. 2 0 0 9 /

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idiot-proof because the two parts are self-contained in a double-plunger syringe. To mix them, you simply pop off the cap on the end of the syringe and clip on a mixing tip, then press the plunger. The mixing tip is designed to fully combine the chemicals before they reach the end of the tube. XFR makes surface prep easy because the $16 kit includes sandpaper and alcohol wipes, so every item you need to do the job is at hand. After using it, you can swap the mixing tip for the cap, so unused XFR remaining un-mixed in the tubes is re-usable in the future. I first got my DIY hands on XFR the day after the plastic stereo mount in my boat’s electronics box broke while I was banging through 3-foot seas. I didn’t have high hopes for a permanent fix, but a month (and four fishing trips) later, it’s still holding the pieces together and shows no signs of giving up. It got another chance to prove its worth when one of the supports on my duck boat blind sheered off. Again, XFR surprised me by supporting the stress without a problem. Since then, I’ve used it to glue the handle back on a fillet knife, attach the lip to a diving plug, and replace the latch on an old, broken tackle box. I know the claim is Earth shattering, but use it and I think you will agree—this stuff is even better than duct tape. Contact: Rhino Hide, LLC, 866-3474466, www.rhinohide.com —LR

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the wearer better than any other option. Besides meeting extremely demanding military specifications for high impact resistance, Wiley X is a leader in development of next generation designs, materials, and construction to exceed what’s currently available anywhere. Wiley X products are embraced by anglers, hunters, shooters, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts because of their ideal combination of style, performance, quality, and protection.

Wiley X Battle Tested ILEY X EYEWEAR HAS BEEN IN business for 21 years, developing and producing military goggles and sunglasses as eye protection in combat conditions. The company’s pedigree is a diverse product line of leading edge eyewear with standard issue status for U.S. Armed Forces around the world including elite Army Ranger and Navy SEAL units. A letter from military mom Constance Sidles is an example of many that Wiley X receives:

“My son, Lance Corporal Alex Sidles, was on a Marine operation near Baghdad on Sunday when the HumVee he was riding in took a direct hit from a very large missile or shell used as an IED on the roadside. My son lost his foot and was severely wounded in the thigh. The velocity of the shrapnel inside the HumVee was so great that holes were made right through the solid, bulletproof windshield. Yet, my son’s eyes were saved by the Wiley X Sunglasses he was wearing. He is very grateful for that. I hope that you will take a moment today and realize that because of your work, some of our most beloved sons are alive and returned to us with their vision intact. As one of the families affected, I can tell you that you will have our everlasting gratitude.” Wiley X’s credentials for performance, protection, durability, and function are unmatched. Its commitment is to build eyewear that accomplishes a job while protecting N14

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breathable gasket that attaches to the inside of the glasses frame to seal out wind, dust, debris, and light. Glasses stay secure to the face while running the boat. Eye fatigue from peripheral light including harmful UV rays is eliminated. By blocking side and back light, the Facial Cavity Seal also amplifies the effects of polarization, which are diminished without this patented gasket. Contact: Wiley X, 800-776-7842, www.wileyx.com —Staff Reports

American Rodsmiths

Wiley X Eyewear, standard issue for US Combat troops, is smart eye prortection for sprotsmen. All Wiley X eyewear is ANSI certified as occupational eye protection devices. Independent tests to earn this rating include withstanding the impact from a 1.1-pound pointed weight dropped 50 inches, and a .25 caliber ball shot at each lens 10 times at 150 feet pre second. With hazards to eyes such as insects or debris encountered when running at high speeds, and lures as airborne projectiles, the need for impact “insurance” is obvious. More eye injuries occur while fishing than any other recreation. Patented technology only available through Wiley X includes a removable Facial Cavity Seal in Climate Control Series glasses. It is a F i s h

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To be the leader, the authority on any product, a company has people in management who use the product. Management listens to what other users are saying about their product. The company has to be an innovator and have one of the best products in the marketplace. American Rodsmiths, a Houston company, fills the bill on all of these. Robert Scherer, the founder of American Rodsmiths, calls saltwater fishing his passion. Robert’s son, Garret (most people know him as “Bubba”), promotions manager for the company, said he grew up fishing saltwater tournaments with his dad. Bob Brown, President of American Rodsmiths, is a longtime friend of Robert and was originally with the Daiwa Corporation and then All Star Rods. The pro staff who use American Rodsmiths rods reads like a Who’s Who of saltwater and freshwater angling—David Fritts, Kenyon Hill, Judy Wong, just to mention a few of the touring pros. “We listen to what they want in a fishing rod,” said Garret. “For example, a standard Carolina rod is 7 feet in length and the handle is 10-1/2 inches. Peter Thliveros wants his handle 9-1/2 inches; Marty Stone wants his handle 9 inches. We developed an adjustable handle in the Mag Strike Predator rods where the handle can be adjusted from 8-1/2 to 101/2 inches.” PHOTO COURTESY OF WILEY X

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PHOTO BY NICOLE MCKIBBIN

L-R Bob Brown, Robert Scherer, and Garret Scherer of American Rodsmiths

American Rodsmiths has a rod to match just about any angler’s needs, including Kayak Specials (rods with shorter handles and overall lengths). There are separate men’s and women’s fishing rods. “The biggest difference is the handle features,” said Garret. “A ladies’ rod has a smaller tapered handle, fit better for a woman’s hand, and a shorter length in overall rod size. A lot of ladies don’t want to use a 7or 7-1/2-foot rod; it’s too long, too cumbersome.” A woman who ran a very large redfish tournament for women in South Texas wanted pink fishing rods. “After the initial production run of the rods, they became extremely popular,” said Garret. “Men wanted the rods for their wives and daughters. We have expanded to four different models. They are high modulus graphite rods, but have a thin pink coat of paint.” American Rodsmiths is best known for the development of H3 Titanium rods. “It’s not a secret how to make a rod light and not a secret how to make a rod strong,” said Robert Scherer. “The secret is to make a rod that is light and strong. We have been able to do that with the relationship I have with Mitsubishi. They make the graphite we use to build these rods. “Right now, we are the only rod manufacturer that has titanium impregnated in the blank.” The H3 Titanium has a blend of graphite, carbon fiber, and titanium fibers. Scherer unabashedly stated that American Rodsmiths has always been a leader in cutting-edge technology: “We have even developed a new kind of foam for some of our handles. We have patents on two different reel seats. In one rod, the Ultra Max Titanium, we have almost eight different patents from the tip to the butt, new stuff that we have done. “We have an adjustable handle for the bass guys. The saltwater guys are different. They are looking for distance. The redfish series rod I use is a 6-foot, 6-inch rod, but it can be adjusted out from 6 feet, 6 inches to 7 feet, 2 inches. Say you are in a cut in a marsh and are flipping at redfish. That ditch opens up to a

pond 100 yards across and you see a fish at 50 yards. You can’t reach him with a 6-foot, 6-inch rod, so you crank it out to 7 feet. Just a twist of your hand and you pull it out to whatever length you want it. The trick is not changing the action on the rod, and that’s what we were able to do. “For the bass guys, you have a cam lock on the bottom and you make the handle longer;

for the saltwater guys, you have a cam lock on the front so you can make the rod longer.” People in management that are fishermen, management that listens to what anglers want in a fishing rod, and a company willing to be the innovator in the fishing rod industry; American Rodsmiths does it. Contact; American Rodsmiths, 713-4667849, Web: www.americanrodsmiths.com. —Tom Behrens

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they can really be. Step up to the hottest teaser ever offered, quality made to last. For more information on the complete line Profish products go to www.profishco.com.

iPhone Navionics

INDUSTRY INSIDER Continued from Page N15

SuperCasters

US Reel SuperCaster Pro

Compact Storage

Uwharrie Stone offers granite pedestal bases for taxidermy mounts in a variety of colors and shapes. Custom orders quoted.

Uwharrie Stone

Plano 1420 Case

Visit www.uwharriestone.com, or call: 704-202-3465.

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Ardent Signs Denny Brauer Ardent, the industry leader of highperformance fishing reels and accessories, has signed BASS Elite professional angler Denny Brauer to the company’s growing staff of top anglers. Brauer joins reigning Bassmaster Classic Champion Alton Jones and BASS Elite Pro Pete Ponds as the latest to join the Ardent team. “Denny Brauer is one of the most successful bass anglers competing in the world today,” said Michael J. Brooks, President and C.E.O. of Ardent. “His accomplishments are without equal. Ardent is pleased to be the reel of choice of Denny Brauer, an outstanding champion on and off the water.” Brauer won the 1998 Bassmaster Classic, the Bassmaster BP MegaBucks, the Bassmaster Superstars, and was named the 1987 BASS Angler of the Year. In 1998, he earned the distinguished FLW Angler of the Year title. “I’ve followed Ardent since the company began manufacturing reels, and I have long been impressed with their quality,” said Brauer, a Missouri native and the first angler ever featured on a Wheaties box. “Ardent’s reels provide me with a substantial performance advantage and competitive edge. I’ve never fished a smoother bait-caster than Ardent’s XS 1000, or one that provides such consistent casting distance. Ardent’s F500 Flippin’ and Pitchin’ Reel has me looking forward to next year’s tournaments.” Brauer will be featured in a number of upcoming advertisements as the company introduces its F500 Flippin’ and Pitchin’ reel, the first technique-specific reel to join the company’s superb line-up of fishing reels and accessories, all of which are made in the USA. Contact: Ardent Outdoors, 660-3959200, www.ardentoutdoors.com —Staff Reports

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winner. The aiming point in the new scope is a dot

i n the center of the crosshair that is illuminated for use in low light situations. The AccuPoint uses two different sources of illumination (no battery). One is

by Steve LaMascus

the radioactive element tritium. This is the same technology used on the various glowin-the-dark handgun night sights. The other source is sunlight. The AccuPoint uses fiber optics to transmit light to the aiming point. In the past, in direct sunlight, the aiming point could become too bright. The combat Marines in the Middle East using the Trijicon ACOG learned to use a piece of duct tape to regulate the amount of light transmitted to the aiming point. Now Trijicon has engineered an adjustable shade that eliminates the need for such battlefield innovation. This is a genuinely great scope. The optics are as clear and crisp as any I have ever seen. Eye relief is perfect, the adjustments are equally precise, and the product is extremely durable. What more do you need? While this scope is useful for big game hunting where shots might be taken in the dim light of pre-dawn or post-sunset, I believe its best use is for nighttime predator calling. Numberless are the times I had a bobcat, fox, or coyote within easy range and had trouble finding the crosshair. With the illuminated dot, or the larger but less precise chevron, that problem is eliminated. Also, with feral hog hunting becoming more popular all the time, and with the hogs becoming more nocturnal all the time, the AccuPoint would be a fine choice for hunting the ubiquitous wild swine. The AccuPoint comes in 1.25-4x24, 39x40, 2.5-10x56, and several different aiming point configurations. Trijicon products have been tested in battle under the harshest conditions imaginable and not found wanting. If you are looking for a new scope, I can recommend this one without reservations. E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com.

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Trophy Bands RMED WITH A NEW REMINGTON YOUTH Model 1187 Sportsman loaded with 3-inch No. 2 loads, for a 13-year-old eighth-grader in Brenham Junior High, opening weekend of the 2008-2009 goose season could not have been any better. It started as a slightly foggy morning in Lissie, Texas, with the honks and cackles of snow and white-fronted (specklebelly) geese sitting on the roost pond. With our spread set, we eagerly awaited the arrival of the majestic birds. After a while, it felt as if the birds might never get off the roost, but as soon as daylight came, a few birds started to get up. As the birds approached through the light fog, Steven Murski, and my good friend Billy Dean, and I called, hoping the birds would hear us and lock into the spread. The birds started to turn, and we grabbed our guns and waited. When the geese reached our spread, we had our first volley of the morning and three geese down. With the fog starting to get thicker, geese started to pour off the roost. As we watched a flock of specklebellies flare just out of range, three more geese snuck in silently. My father, Darrell Murski, and I were the only two out of five men to see the birds. We quickly threw up our guns and took aim. I shot first and then heard the unmistakable roar from the barrel of my dad’s Remington SP10. Two specklebellies fell, mine to the north and his to the south. As the day went on, we quickly had our limit of specks but no snow geese. We had

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Taking a banded waterfowl of any type is a true trophy for waterfowlers. thought about calling it a hunt and picking up our spread, but decided to give it a little more time. A while later, we had an innumerable number of specks come over, mixed with a few snows. My dad and Billy shot; my dad connected and a gigantic snow goose fell, heading straight for me. I couldn’t figure out which way to roll; the bird hit the ground not 6 inches from my head. At the end of the hunt, we picked up the birds, and I started checking them for bands. As I got to the bird that I shot early that tried to sneak in silently, I felt something hard and cold. The sight of my first banded goose was more than enough to take my breath away. Ten days later, my dad shot his banded speck on the same field. Both of our geese were banded in Alaska, mine on the North Slope 80 miles west-northwest of Nuiqst, Alaska, on July 13, 2007; my father’s, 15 miles east-southeast of Singeak, Alaska, July 9, 2006. Mine hatched in 2005 or earlier, dad’s in 2004 or earlier. The same

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bander, Dennis Marks, banded both birds. The five men that hunted that day where Billy Dean, Russell Sebesta, Garrett Sebesta, my father, and me. I can’t wait until next year, and know that I am very blessed to have a dad that loves to hunt and has given me the chance to join him in doing something that that we both love to do. —by Steven Muski, TF&G Reader

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVEN MURSKI

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Steven Murski (L) and his dad, Darrell, show off banded geese bagged near Lissie, Texas. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Enter the woods as quietly as possible with the wind in your face. If that is not an option, wait until the wind has changed or go home. It really is that simple. You might need to walk around the sanctuary and go to your stand via a different route. I cannot stress how important it is to be as scent free as possible, even when you have the wind to your advantage. Most big bucks sniff everything they can along the way, searching for the familiar human smell that has permeated the woods in recent weeks. Tall 16- to 18-inch rubber boots are a must, as well as rubber gloves when handling anything near your stand. A scent-absorbing suit and some kind of scent wicking material are important tools. Shower with scent-free soap and do not

forget your hair. Hair absorbs more foreign scents than any other part of your body. Try to think like a deer. In my hunting classes, I ask my students to listen to a sound and tell me what it is. I then proceed to walk around the room and continue to do so while I ask what are they hearing. If I get no correct answer, I clap my hands to match my footsteps. It is not long before some alert student proclaims that I have created a rhythm to my step. Humans are the only animal in the woods that has a rhythm to its walking, and everyone walking with us has the same beat. If you want to fool that big boy, then try walking to your stand with a broken rhythm. Have you ever heard a squirrel when it prances around gathering food? Three or four fast steps, stop, five or six fast steps, stop, and so on. After proofreading this, I must admit, it reads a bit like the lights are on but no one is home. However, it has worked for me and it has worked more than once. In fact, one time I was caught still getting in my stand when a huge buck walked right in on me. He had no idea I had invaded his turf. Keep your stand at a reasonable distance from a buck’s bedding area so you do not alarm the deer en route to a food source. In the late season, setting up near the food area results in seeing deer but few bucks, since they wait until well after dark to feed. Your stand could be up to 100 yards deep in the woods to catch the unsuspecting buck. To be successful with a big bruiser this time of year is not easy, but it certainly is not impossible. Serious bowhunters are consistently successful year after year. They must be doing something right. I would have to say that these hunters are being extra careful while they are paying strict attention to details—the small details that render success in the late season. Always remember: Hunt safe, have fun, and keep the emails coming. I might use your idea for one of my future columns. E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com.

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World Elk Calling Championships to Rock Fort Worth Grunting, growling, squealing, and bellowing—sometimes at rock-and-roll decibels—the best elk callers on the planet are headed to Fort Worth, Texas, to vie for a world title. The boisterous competition will be held as part of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo, 5-8 March 2009 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Dozens of youngsters, women, and men, including reigning and former world champs, will compete in the RMEF/Leupold 2009 World Elk Calling Championships. Leupold, a new sponsor for the competition, is Leupold & Stevens Inc., an Oregonbased optics company with quality products for hunters, shooters, wildlife observers, military, and law enforcement. The annual competition is divided into six divisions: Pee Wee (age 10 and under), Youth (age 11-17), Natural Voice (no calling devices allowed), Women’s, Men’s, and Professional (sponsored competitors). Contestants perform a required series of calls imitating the natural vocalizations of elk. Official judges include wildlife biologists, naturalists, hunters, guides, and outfitters. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Preliminary rounds will be Friday 6 March at 8:30 a.m. Final rounds begin Saturday 7 March at 9:00 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony. “This contest is always a spectacle, always entertaining. The Pee Wee Division is especially fun. Last year the competition was covered by the New York Times, which led to a surge in international attention. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Fort Worth,” said Beth Shipley, who directs the event for the Elk Foundation. Along with the RMEF/Leupold 2009 World Elk Calling Championships, the expo will fill the Fort Worth Convention Center with elk hunting seminars, displays of record elk, kids’ activities, auctions, and an exhibit hall filled with art, gear, firearms and outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities. It is all a showcase and fundraiser for one of the nation’s premier conservation organizations. The Elk Foundation recently topped 5.4 million acres of elk habitat conserved or enhanced. Daily admission is $12 per person or $25 per family, and free for kids age 5 and under. Show hours: Thursday 5 March 5, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday 6 March, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 7 March, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday 8 March, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, see www.rmef.org. —Staff Reports

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Deep-water Cranking HIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN MOST ANGLERS GO bass fishing (and very few of them do), they limit themselves to very few lures. One of the most common cold-water bass lures is the jigging spoon, which can be fished vertically or cast and retrieved along breaklines or deep-water humps. If anglers are not using jigging spoons, then they are more than likely dragging a Carolina rig along the bottom, trying to entice slow-moving fish into biting an equally slow-moving bait. Both of these baits are very effective this time of year, but they have one small problem: Typically, each one is fished slowly, so if you don’t know where the fish are located and can’t get on top of them quickly, it might be a long day of fishing with very little catching. For a change of pace (for both you and the bass), try tossing a crankbait to help locate fish and also pull big bass out of deep water. Professional anglers have been using crankbaits in deep water for years to put lim-

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its in the boat, but the practice hasn’t really caught on among recreational anglers for various reasons. The biggest encumbrance is that getting a crankbait down deep and keeping it there can be tough on the angler and his equipment. Often, a day of fishing a crankbait leaves the angler with sore shoulders, aching wrists, and a stiff back, but the chance to catch a big fish makes all the pain worth it. When referring to deep-water crankbait fishing, I mean water over 10 feet deep, and in some cases deeper than 20. Getting a bait that deep is a chore, but there are a few things that you can

In addition to using thinner monofilament, concentrate on casting distance to maximize crankbait running-depth. Think of it this way: If you are only casting 60 feet, it will be next to impossible to get the crankbait down to 20 feet, and even if you do, the lure will be at depth for only a short period before it starts running back up the water column toward the boat. So, in order to get and keep the bait down deep, you will have to make extremely long casts. Lighter, less stiff monofilament will help with this, too. Another trick that some anglers use to get the bait down deep is to modify the bill of the bait slightly. The bill is what makes the bait dive, so a

do to help. First, the biggest deterrent to a bait reaching its maximum running depth is friction resistance of the line in the water. Thicker line has a more difficult time cutting through the water than thin line does. When fishing a deepwater crankbait, go with the lightest line you feel comfortable using. If you are fishing open water with very little chance of wrapping up in brush, go as light as 10-pound monofilament. If you are cranking around standing timber, then move up slightly; but if you are using anything over 15-pound mono, you will not be able to get the bait down to it’s maximum running depth.

slight modification to it will have a huge bearing on the depth of the bait. To get a crankbait to run deeper, heat the bill with a small flame or by holding it over boiling water, and then bend it slightly upward. If you have a favorite crankbait that just does not run quite deep enough, try this to get it down a bit deeper. While heating and bending the lip, be careful not to twist the lip since this will make the bait spin or lay on its side on retrieve. If you really want to get a crankbait down deep and keep it there, a variation on the drop-shot rig might be the best thing. Tie a three-way swivel to your main line, with a leader attached to a bell sinker on one side and a short leader with a crankbait on the other. This rig can be cast and then slowly retrieved back in, or you can drop it straight down and use your trolling motor to troll it around points and humps. Either way, get ready to pull in some big winter fish with this non-standard technique. E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com.

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ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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the way I had been taking my meals for the past week. Then the waitress approached my table. Her blonde mane boiled up on her shoulders bouncing as she walked. Her skin glowed tan from the sun and her eyes flashed brilliant green. Diamond studs twinkled on her ears through her yellow hair and a gold necklace disappeared beneath the hollow of her throat and down the front of her white starched blouse; a button was open. Then she stood before me and smiled. For a moment, I could have died happy. The week had not started out well. A new job with a new outfitter meant that my position was dead center at the bottom of the totem pole. It meant that I must prove myself all over again, despite my years of experience in northwestern Montana. It also meant that

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a new style of mule packing was about to enter my repertoire. In this neck of the woods, they used panniers (sacks hanging on either side of a packsaddle), weighed the loads on scales, and tied it all down with a two-man diamond hitch. It was a method described to me by the boys up north as a means to teach women and kids how to pack mules. It seemed like a long step backward from my former sling packing days, but when in Rome, you must do as the Romans. So, the outfitter, his wife, and I stumbled through a mess of camping gear, ciphering what paraphernalia to put in each sack/pannier. We had a group of five guests scheduled for a wilderness fly-fishing trip. My first mistake was to ask a question. “Where’s the cook stove?”

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The outfitter was a short stocky man and he spun around to glare at me. “You just put the loads together and don’t worry about what’s here and what’s not!” There was nothing to do but duck my head and clamp my jaws. It was obvious there were some essential items missing, but my input wasn’t appreciated. It was time to shut up and watch. The next morning, our guests arrived and more questions percolated in my noggin. There were two couples pushing 70-something, and one single lady who also fit the retirement age category. They were nice folks, outdoorsy with willing hearts, but I saw how the elderly ladies limped and worried for their comfort after a full day on horseback. Nevertheless, it was an excited crowd that rode off from the Slough Creek trailhead destined for Frenchy’s Meadow. By the middle of the afternoon, I helped the women dismount and then supported them until they got the blood running again in their numb posteriors. After that, it was my job to take care of the stock and set camp while the outfitter entertained the guests with a grand elaboration about the history of the

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area. While doing my chores, I was able to query the outfitter’s wife, who was more amenable to questions. “Where’s the cook stove?” “I’ll do all the cooking over a campfire,” she said. “I’ll take a tarp and gather squaw wood. You don’t have to worry about cutting

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When in Rome, you must do as the Romans.

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wood for me.” “Dadgum, that puts unnecessary hardship on you. Now for the next question— what about a latrine?” “We never do that.” The outfitter strode into our midst. “Herman, it looks like you’ve got everything handled. Why don’t you take a break?”

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ally picked up by a manufacturer. Two that immediately come to mind are the .25-06 and the .22-250, both extremely popular Remington cartridges. Another such legitimized cartridge is the old .35 Whelen. It was first adopted by Remington as one of the cartridges in their limited edition Model 700 Classic. For a time, it was wildly popular, but now seems to be waning a bit, probably due to the latest epidemic of Magnum Mania. The .35 Whelen is an awesomely powerful and effective cartridge, but its 250-grain bullet at 2500 feet per second or 225-grain at 2650 seem rather ho-hum compared to the megavelocities of the newest line of super Magnums. And the .35 Whelen, itself a former wildcat, has been further wildcatted by blowing out the case to give it less taper and

“

increasing the angle of the shoulder, forming the .35 Whelen Ackley Improved. The increase in performance is minimal, but the conversion does help resolve the possible problem of poor headspacing on the tiny shoulder of the standard Whelen. Two of the best of the still-active wildcats are the .280 Ackley Improved and the .257 Roberts Ackley Improved. Both of these cartridges enhance the performance of the standard versions enough to be worth the effort. The .280 AI comes close to matching the 7mm Remington Magnum factory loads, and the .257 Roberts AI will run neck-and-neck with the larger .2506. Interestingly, the .257 Roberts was itself once a wildcat, based on the 7x57 Mauser cartridge. It was first offered by Remington as a factory cartridge in 1934.

Wildcat cartridges have been a purely American tradition since the invention of smokeless powder.

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WILDERNESS TRAILS Continued from Page N25 hold their own weight. Then I completed my normal duties, followed by constructing a makeshift latrine, and helped the outfitter’s wife with firewood. On the last day, she brought up another ticklish topic. “You know, these clients are going to give you a generous tip. You did well accommodating these folks. The ladies liked having a latrine.” “Well, shoot, I didn’t do it for a tip. The idea was to do whatever necessary for them to be comfortable and have a good time. I do the same job day in and day out whether I’m guiding hunters or N26

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sightseeing tours. The probability of being tipped doesn’t enter my thinking.” “Be that as it may, they’ve said that they’re going to take care of you.” “That’s nice. This is a classy group and we know that class and money aren’t always synonymous. Likewise, when outfitters depend on guests to subsidize wages by tipping, it diminishes the definition of a tip. Whatever, I accepted years ago that cowboying don’t pay. If they stick some cash in my pocket, I’m going to treat myself to a night out at a fancy restaurant and hope there is enough left to buy whiskey and tobacco for the next trip.” F i s h

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Many dusty miles and a shave and hot shower later… The waitress moved toward me. From across the room, her gaze was steady and her steps and motions were female. This time, I could see where the diamond pendant on her necklace was hiding. “Would you like something sweet for dessert?” “Yes ma’am, I’ve been looking forward to that all week.” Maybe she was working for a tip, maybe not. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com.

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In .22 caliber, there is not much that isn’t available already in factory offerings, but the .223 Ackley Improved has grown quite popular over the last few years, and it does increase the velocity of the .223 Remington by at least 100 feet per second. The .243 Ackley Improved is also popular. The standard .243 Winchester has to be pushed hard to make 3000 feet per second with a 100-grain bullet. The AI version can jump that velocity by as much as 200 feet per second. Another .243-caliber wildcat popular for many years is the 6mm-284. This one uses the .284 Winchester as its parent, and is a very good cartridge. Another great wildcat is the .338-06. This has become a quasi-factory cartridge since A-Square and Weatherby began chambering for it a few years back, but it is still not mainstream, so I include it in the line of wildcats. It is very similar to the .35 Whelen, but seems able to produce slightly more velocity with equal bullet weights. I don’t see how that is possible without circumventing the laws of physics, and personally doubt it, but since I have not personally done any testing or reloading with the car-

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tridge, I must accept what I have read from knowledgeable sources—at least until I get the time to find out for myself. At any rate, like the .35 Whelen, the .338-06 is a very fine cartridge, capable of taking on the largest game in North America, with considerably less recoil and muzzle blast than the rip-roaring Magnums in similar calibers. If you are not a reloader, wildcat cartridges are not for you. Practically all of them are reloading-only propositions. Custom reloaders offer a few loads, and fewer still are offered by one or two of the smaller ammunition companies. They require extensive knowledge of reloading, fire forming, ability to read signs of extreme pressures on the cartridge cases and primers, and other esoteric skills that the average shooter does not possess. Guns chambered for wildcats are generally more expensive than a factory rifle, depending on how much alteration you want done, and whether or not you want a rifle re-barreled or just re-chambered. You can generally figure on a minimum $500 outlay above the original cost of the rifle, and more than that is probable.

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America is still the home of the rugged individualist. Just having something that is better than average and isn’t available at the local gun shop is worth a lot to some of us. Along with the fact that many of the wildcats do, indeed, offer significant increases in performance, that is enough for many American shooters to foam at the mouth with unbridled desire for a high-performance wildcat. And that is not intended as a slight, either, because I happen to be one of “us.” I like wildcats. I think many of them are worth the extra trouble. And I love the look of puzzlement on someone’s face when they ask what I am shooting and I tell them, “It’s just a .30 Belted Newton.”

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com.

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TEXAS SALTWATER Kenny R Speckled eed Trout Hugo Fo Guide Serv rd ice

CORPUS CHRISTI

GALVESTON

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

ADVERTISERS, MAIL IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

cy Peggy Sta Oscar and Trout d e Speckle ide Servic water Gu Akins Salt

Johnny Jo h 6.5-poun nson d Hillman G Redfish uide Service

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Daniel and Dickey er West Texas Axis De ng Hunting and Angli Quality Review

Eric and Frank Limits of Trout an d Reds Hillman Guide Servi ce

TEXAS FRESHWATER

is Caballero, Roger Sauseda, Lu d Louis Garcia an ob Jac z, pe Lo Ernest arters Redfish; Redfish Ch

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

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

LAKE AMISTAD

BAFFIN BAY

SPOTLIGHT: COASTAL BEND OUTDOORS

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

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Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRYAN SLAVEN

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HYBRID STRIPER—LAKE TAWAKONI, TEXAS

BASS—GUNTER, TEXAS

Two-year-old Jonah Ferguson, with help from granddad, caught this 3-pound Florida bass while bringing in a bluegill from a private pond in Gunter, Texas.

BLUE CATFISH—ROCKPORT, TEXAS

REDFISH—LAKE FAIRFIELD, TEXAS

Nine-year-old Ricky Brown landed this 25-pound blue catfish at a stock tank in Rockport, Texas.

Nick Munoz, age 13, of Fairfield, Texas, caught this 22-pound, 44-inch freshwater redfish on Lake Fairfield.

BOBCAT—WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS

TURKEY—ROCKSPRINGS, TEXAS

AXIS DOE—UVALDE COUNTY, TEXAS

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Quality Over Numbers HEN YOU GET A CHANCE TO FISH LAKE Fork for largemouth bass, you have to go for the trophies— right? That’s what Brian and Jeff Powell decided. Brian was the Trophy Quest winner for a day of fishing on Fork. He invited his son, Jeff, as his guest. Their guide, Mark Woodruff, had an original plan to start early with some topwater action above the grass. After a lot of hard fishing with not so good action, Woodruff decided it was time to come up with a different plan.

by Tom Behrens “We knew we were in for some tough conditions with no breeze at all, a plunging barometer, and storms that threatened to wipe out the day,” Jeff said. With all this uncertainty, Woodruff advised they could easily find some smaller fish action quickly along banks and tree lines,

HOW YOU CAN WIN! TEXAS FISH & GAME HAS GIVEN AWAY OVER 200 TROPHY QUEST TRIPS. TROPHY QUEST is free guided hunting or fishing trips within the state of PHOTO BY JEFF POWELL

Building clouds in the north was an indicator that trip was going to be cut short. “We were back on deeper structure in minutes and stuck three more nice, chunky fish,” said Jeff. Two fish were caught on Carolina rigs and one on a shad swim bait slowed rolled over humps. The front hit about 3:30 Brian Powell with one of several large bass that he and his son, Jeff, p.m. whipping the lake with 20 mph winds necessitating caught while fishing with guide Mark Woodruff. a quick trip back to launch ramp. and have some action if the weather did “We felt great about our day, hearing that change nasty. Or, they could take their other boats had only two or three good fish chances with the weather and go for quality for the day,” said Jeff, “A great day on the fish. lake with some quality fish, a great guide, The trio was unanimous to go for the and a chance to fish a legendary lake.” quality bite. Woodruff quickly put the The best part of the trip, as Jeff menPowells over some deep-water structure, tioned, was the chance to spend a day out instructing them on deep crankbait fishing fishing with his dad, quality time doing what interspersed with Carolina-rigged worms. In they truly love. about five minutes, the trio was on fish. “Neither of us had ever been to Lake SPECIES: Largemouth bass Fork, but we were quickly brought up to LOCATION: Lake Fork speed by Mark as he explained the history of GUIDE: Mark Woodruff, 903-765-9033, the lake and its general layout and condiLODGING: Lake Fork Marina and Motel, tions,” said Jeff. 903-765-2764, www.lakeforkmarina.com The Powells stuck three fish over 3 FOOD & DRINK: Moser’s Restaurant pounds by lunch. Reports from other boats 903-765-2764 were not as good: zeros, and one or two fish per boat. After a quick lunch, they were back on the lake.

Texas. The package includes a guided trip for two people, one night's lodging and all food and beverage (non-alcohol). Winners are responsible for all travel expenses getting to and from the destination point. HERE'S HOW YOU WIN! If you are a TF&G subscriber, your name is automatically entered on our monthly Trophy Quest Trip drawing. If you are a subscriber and would like

your name entered 15 more times in our next monthly drawing, simply send us an email with your name, address and phone number* to trophyquest@fishgame.com. You can still win even if you are NOT a subscriber. Simply email us with your name, address, and phone number* to trophyquest@fishgame.com and you're entered in our next drawing. One winner is chosen at random each T E X A S

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month. The winner must be available to go on one of two previously scheduled dates. If the winner is unable to attend on either dates scheduled for the TROPHY QUEST TRIP, the winner's name will be returned to the pool for future drawings and another winner will be drawn. *Phone numbers will ONLY be used to contact the winners and will not be used for any other purpose.

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Pure Bay 2400 AN YOU SUPER-SIZE A BAY BOAT AND STILL enjoy tournament-winning performance? Blue Wave proves you can, with their new Pure Bay 2400. This boat has the room for an entire team of casting anglers, the beef it takes to squash a 2-foot chop, and rigged with a Yamaha F-225 (nowhere near the maximum 300 hp) it breaks the 50 mph barrier. Going shallow is no problem either, thanks to a 12-inch draft, a 10-inch Bob’s hydraulic jack plate, and Lenco trim tabs. Now, let’s say you have a secret cut in the back-bay that’s 30 miles from the nearest boat ramp. Or, maybe you decide you’d like to run to the rigs and catch snapper today. The 2400 is up to the task, thanks to a whopping 80-gallon fuel capacity. The 24-foot, 5-inch LOA and 8-foot, 6inch beam makes this one of the biggest bay boats in town, and you’ll enjoy this perk even when the crew is small. Stowage, for example, is far more plentiful than you’ll see on competitors. In fact, this is one of few bay boats that actually has stowage boxes so big you could put water skis in them. Not that you’ll be tempted to do so; this is a dedicated fishing boat, no two ways about it. Features that will help you capture Bubba include six vertical rodholders on the console, four rocket launchers on the leaning post, dual insulated overboard-draining fishboxes, twin three-box integrated tackle boxes under flip-down aft jump seats, twin rod stowage boxes, an aft deck livewell, and a console livewell. You want to put Bubba on ice? A 94-quart Igloo fits under the standard leaning post. The 2400 Pure Bay isn’t just big, fishy, and fast, it’s also smart. Check out the Lazar Ropes, self-retrieving dock lines that stow inside the gunwales, out of your way but at your fingertips. Another sign of intelligent 50

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PURE BAY 2400 Category: Bay Boat Length:

24 ft. 5 in.

Beam: 8 ft. 6 in.

Hull: Semi-V design can be found possible to paddle in the aft seats, which from a standing posiMax HP: 300 Draft: 12 in. fold down to create a tion. Sitting on the Capacity: 9 people/1,350-lbs flush casting deck. 20-inch high console website: www.bluewaveboats.com And then there’s that (which houses a 50-mph, 24-foot, 5-inch long hull design— cooler, tackle drawer, and three vertical rodthe most intelligent feature of all. holders) was more comfortable, and padContact: Blue Wave Boats, 800-432- dling furiously, I crossed the cove in no time. 6768, www.bluewaveboats.com That console is removable, too, for easy transportation. If you would rather relax then paddle, the transom can take a 60-pound thrust electric trolling motor. Poling the boat is another option to check out, and since it is possible to stand on this platform, poling is even more efficient than paddling the Flatstalker. The Flatstalker is constructed of a rotomolded polyethylene exoskeleton with expanded polystyrene inside, so it is 100 percent unsinkable. This construction allows AYAK FISHING IS FUN AND EFFECTIVE, BUT the choice of several colors (blue, green, it’s also hard on the back. And there orange, and yellow). The tunnel hull conis little room to carry your lunch or struction with “kiss offs” in the bottom helps your catch, much less your rods and create suction with the water and boost the spare tackle. Flatstalker is out to redefine the Flatstalker’s stability. That’s part of what “micro flats skiff ” fishing world, however, gives this boat what no canoe or kayak can with its 11-foot long sit-or-stand fishing offer—comfort-without sacrificing shallowwater performance or fishbaility. machine. If you like probing the flats and exploring When we tested the Flatstalker, I was surprised at how stable it is, and even found it unfished cuts and creeks from mini-

Flatstalker

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PHOTO COURTESY OF FLATSTALKER

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FLATSTALKER Category: Micro Flats Skiff Length:

11 ft. 0 in.

Beam:

35in.

Hull: Tunnel you will be fishing all machines, but the Max HP: 60-lb. Draft: 2 to 4 in. day without having to traditional choices Capacity: 1 person refill the tank before wear out your body website: www.flatstalker.com your next trip. And and force you to you could do it all leave half your gear at home, the Flatstalker is a must-see. day, every day, without taking a toll on this For more information call 361-857-7074. —LR boat. Construction methods are off the charts.

hatches. They are fully finished, thanks to RTM molding. The same process also ensures an optimal resin-to-fiberglass ratio, so the hatch is light while maintaining maximum strength. Go ahead-jump up and down on one, to prove it to yourself. I did, and it didn’t flex or creak. The transom and backing plates in the Ranger are another strong point, and unique among boats. Ranger has a method of chemically bonding multiple layers of fiberglass, called Pultrusion, which allows them to make glass denser and thicker than traditionally possible. They use it to construct the 2400’s transom, and pultruded plates are used for hardware backing throughout the boat. All cavities are pressure-injected with foam, the switch panel is rubberized and watertight, and coring in the deck is highdensity urethane. Even the console is a cut above, molded with its own bottom and that matches up to a raised section of the deck. The two are mated with through-bolts and Plexus adhesive/sealant. Net result? The interior of this console will remain bone-dry. Put these construction techniques together and you have a boat that punches through the waves with a solid, vibration-free ride. Add in fishing features like a locking rod box in the foredeck, an insulated fish box, four vertical holders on each side of the console, a

F YOUR TRUCK HAS A V-8, YOUR YARD IS BEST described as a ranch, and you order steaks that are 16-ounces or larger, then most bay boats probably seem a bit small to you. Not the Ranger Bay Ranger 2400, though. Even with a spacious 24 feet of fiberglass underfoot, this rig requires a mere 13.5 inches to float. But floating seems boring when you could open up the Yamaha F250 on the transom and coast up to 50 mph and beyond. With unpredictable gas prices, big has become a worry; but when I ran a Bay Ranger brought to the boat ramp by Texas Marine in Seabrook, I discovered that by throttling back to 30 mph and 3500 rpm we were getting nearly four mpg. That means

PHOTO COURTESY OF RANGER BOATS

Ranger 2400 RANGER 2400 Category: Bay Boat Length:

23 ft. 7 in.

Beam: 102 in.

Hull: V-Bottom Check out a deck cooler in the forward Max HP: 300 Draft: 13.5 in. hatch for evidence of console seat, trolling just how solid the Capacity: 2,400-lbs motor pre-wiring, Bay Ranger is. You website: www.rangerboats.com and a livewell with a will see that a single, timer-equipped aeralong hinge runs along the entire hatch. tor, an LED light, and a dedicated recircuStresses are evenly distributed down the lation pump, and you’ve got a bay boat that entire length of it, so bent metal and ripped makes news. Big news, that is. —LR fiberglass will never be a problem. Next, make sure you check the underside of those T E X A S

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PHOTO COURTESY OF USDA

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Fire Ants Killing Baby Songbirds at High Rates ED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS MIGHT BE killing as many as a fifth of baby songbirds before they leave the nest, according to research recently completed at Texas A&M University. The findings give new credence to the belief held by many that fire ants are at least partially responsible for declines in bobwhite quail numbers. Andy Campomizzi, graduate research assistant in the department of wildlife and fisheries sciences, studied black-capped vireos and white-eyed vireos in Coryell County over a span of two years. Campomizzi kept records on 72 nests of both species. Of the nests where there was no pesticide treatment, only 10 percent of the young birds fledged and were able to leave the nests. Of the nests with treatment to protect them from fire ants, 32 percent fledged. Nearly 70 percent are lost to other causes, and fire ants knocked the survival rate down an additional 22 percent. “That was a bigger difference than we thought it would be,” he said. “Fire ants were definitely a mortality factor for song birds.” The black-capped vireo, which breeds only in the Edwards Plateau of Texas, a couple of areas in Oklahoma, and northern Mexico is an endangered species. The white-eyed vireo is found more extensively throughout the southeastern U.S. and is not endangered.

TF&G PHOTO

Post-Ike Alligator Population in Question LLIGATOR NUMBERS IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS ARE A CONCERN FOR WILDLIFE MANAGERS POST Hurricane Ike. J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area superintendent Jim Sutherlin said storm surges cause damage to reptiles.

“The Murphree area looks like the Gulf of Mexico. Wildlife impacts to every thing that doesn’t fly will be significant like it was back in the early 1960s with Hurricane Carla. I expect a great reduction in reptiles and amphibians, particularly alligators, but also snakes, frogs, all the things that move on the ground in the coastal plains,” Sutherlin said just after Ike rolled ashore. Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana’s alligator population suffered although the extent of damage is still not known. —Chester Moore 52

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N THE EARLY PART OF 2007, THE CITY OF Dallas (Dallas Water Utilities) and Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the creation of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. USFWS wants a Refuge; Dallas and TWDB want Fastrill Reservoir in the same location. As reported in this magazine last fall, in July 2008 U.S. Judge Jorge Solis strongly ruled in favor of USFWS for the Refuge. TWDB filed an appeal to the Fifth Court of Appeals and Dallas later filed suit. The Friends of the Neches River, a group promoting the creation of the Neches Refuge, is asking the City of Dallas to withdraw the lawsuit against USFWS for the following reasons:

• The Neches River Refuge would protect almost 25,000 acres of bottomland hardwood forest for wildlife habitat designated by USFWS as irreplaceable, priority habitat. The ill-fated proposed Fastrill Reservoir would flood and destroy the same area. • When the lawsuit is finally settled in favor of the refuge, private land in Cherokee and Anderson counties of Eastern Texas would be added to the Neches Refuge by being purchased from only willing sellers. The price paid for the land would be determined by a fair market value appraisal. In contrast, land for Fastrill Reservoir would be condemned by eminent domain from private landowners by the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority and the City of Dallas. With required mitigation land, Fastrill Reservoir would total over 150,000 acres being lost from private ownership by Texans.

• USFWS will reimburse most or all of the taxes lost to local counties and school districts for the land placed in the Refuge. With the reservoir, however, the tax revenue of the land taken for Fastrill would be lost to the counties and the local school districts involved. In short, with Fastrill Reservoir local taxes would go up. • With the Neches River Refuge, the current environmental river flows from this area, feeding the Big Thicket, national forests, and Sabine Lake (Sabine/Neches estuary) would be maintained. With Fastrill Reservoir, these flows would be altered, impacting wildlife habitat. “This is a huge issue for East Texas and everyone who enjoys the wonderful resources of the Neches River and its surrounding bottomlands,” said Michael Bank, co-chair of Friends of the Neches River. “This is an important part of our natural heritage, and we feel it is important to get out the truth about what the Refuge will mean to the people and environment versus the reservoir.” Banks said that on the average, there is a four to one gain to the local economy for every dollar invested in a national refuge. The Neches River Refuge would provide an area for green space recreational activities, and the Texas State Railroad would be enhanced. With Fastrill Reservoir, the tracks of the Texas State Railroad would be flooded. “There are enough other sources of water to sustain the growth of Dallas and North Texas for the next 60 years without building Fastrill reservoir in the water plan,” Bank said. “More than 85 percent of the original hardwood bottomland forests in Texas are gone to development and land fragmentation. The ‘balanced’ approach is to support the Neches River Refuge.” —CM

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Group Asks Dallas to Withdraw Refuge Lawsuit TF&G FIRST

Wigeon Next Up for Special Restrictions? RE WIGEON THE NEXT WATERFOWL SPECIES to receive special harvest restrictions? At 2.5 million, their numbers are down 11 percent from 2007 and 5 percent below the long-term average. However, it’s not the wigeon that could indicate the future of this species’ management. Central Flyway officials cut scaup limits to one and their counterparts in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways banned scaup harvest. Scaup stand at 3.7 million, 27 percent below the long-term average, but well ahead of wigeon. “Wigeon are certainly a species to keep an eye on,” said John Devney, senior vice president of Delta Waterfowl. “Their numbers have been unsteady through the years, and there has been a trend toward decline. They are one of those species that we just don’t know as much about as mallard, pintail, and some of the others.” Since scaup remain the fourth most populous duck, could special restrictions on wigeon be far behind? Wigeon are the only species of the Big 10 below their long-term average population that does not have special restrictions. In Texas, both canvasback and pintails are part of the “hunter’s choice” regulation frameworks that allows one daily as part of an aggregate limit of them along with, hen mallard and “dusky ducks” (mottled duck, black duck, their hybrids, etc). Redhead also have special restrictions with a two daily limit despite numbers 66 percent above the long-term average. Wigeon aren’t headed the way of the dodo bird, but the current situation indicates there could be management changes on the horizon. —CM

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In his research, Campomizzi would find nests with eggs and attach Arinix (a nylon plastic cable wrap developed for use in protecting electrical equipment from fire ants) around branches. Some of the wraps were permeated with permethrin insecticide and some not. A sticky insect trap coating was applied to the branch on the limbs with the insecticide, so the ants could not get around the

trap to the nest. Nests were isolated so access was limited to one or two routes for the fire ants. Campomizzi checked the nests every three or four days. He counted the nest as a success if the adults could raise at least one of their young until it could fly out of the nest, which takes about 10 to 12 days from hatching. Campomizzi believes fire ant predation might occur among any songbird species, although mortality rates would vary depending upon local populations of the red imported fire ant and how close to the ground the birds were nesting. Management for black-capped vireos is ongoing on both public and private land. “Current management includes providing breeding habitat and removing brownheaded cowbirds, a brood parasite,” Campomizzi said. Land managers interested in improving black-capped vireo habitat might want to consider managing fire ants around nesting areas to increase the chances that they can successfully raise their young. This will perhaps contribute to the species’ recovery from being endangered. The research was funded by the Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources. —Staff Reports Continued from page 52

PHOTO BY DOUG STAMM

San Bernard River Fall Clean-up Results RIENDS OF THE RIVER (F.O.R.) SAN Bernard is happy to announce the preliminary results from the San Bernard River Fall Clean-up that occurred 1 November 2008. Hurricane Ike had washed a lot of debris out of the river in September, so the clean-up this year was limited in scope. F.O.R. met at Dido’s for their regular breakfast on the Bernard held the first Saturday of each month, and then fanned out to different portions of the river at about 10 a.m. By the end of the clean-up at 1 p.m., approximately 50 people had collected an estimated 6000 pounds of trash from in and around the banks of the San Bernard River. After depositing the trash at the designated locations, clean-up participants met up at the F.O.R. Community Center for a hotdog lunch and stories of the day. The weather was beautiful, concerned friends cleaned up the river and met to regale each other with their clean-up stories. Special thanks to the F.O.R. Clean-Up Committee and everyone who sponsored or participated in this event. For more information and pictures of the event, access www.sanbernardriver.com. —Staff Reports

Reds near Record in Laguna While speckled trout numbers in Lower Laguna Madre have been down, redfish numbers are sky high. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department harvest data showed that during 2007 catch rates lagged, but gill net surveys bordered on record levels. Fall gill net catches for reds were the second highest since 1984 in Upper Laguna. The 2008 numbers were not available at press time, but indicators point to banner redfish populations along the southern half of the Texas coast. Additionally, black drum are often overlooked by Upper Laguna Madre anglers, but are extremely abundant in ULM and show gill net catch rates 4-5 times higher than red drum and spotted seatrout. —CM

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Texas Desert Quail In Spotlight HE TEXAS QUAIL STUDY GROUP MET LAST October in San Angelo and put the spotlight on Texas desert quail species (scaled, Gambel’s, Montezuma).

“Texas is one of only three states that can claim four species of quail, and this year’s meeting will address each of them,” said Dr. Dale Rollins, Texas AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist at San Angelo. The meeting focused on each of the four species and common sense approaches to managing their habitat. “The secret is out about the quality of blue quail hunting in West Texas,” Rollins said. “Several national outdoor magazines and television shows have featured blue quail hunting recently. Hunting blues is considerably different than the more traditional bobwhite, and all of a sudden blue quail hunting is in vogue.” Quail populations are decreasing nationwide, and Texas researchers are working to conserve not only the popular bobwhite but the more obscure species as well. During the past three years, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has developed a proactive strategy to address quail declines in Texas. Several state, federal, and private entities including private landowners have come together to form the Texas Quail Conservation Initiative (TQCI). By bringing all stakeholders to the table, the initiative can focus on landscape level conservation. “The work that’s been accomplished in three short years through this initiative has been impressive and is a benchmark for other states to follow,” said Robert Perez, TPWD quail program biologist. “By bringing together all the quail minds at the same table, we’ve now got a clearinghouse in Texas for upland bird recovery and conservation.” —Staff Reports T E X A S

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Info Sought on Texas Jaguar AGUAR ARE NATIVE TO TEXAS. Although there has not been verified sighting in many decades, camera traps have confirmed their presence in neighboring New Mexico and in Arizona. “We are looking for information on the big cats in Texas. There is no reason they could not be present in remote areas of the Trans-Pecos and also crossing into the western edge of the brush country,” said Project: Zoo Quest board member Patrick Trumble. Anyone that has seen a jaguar or captured photographs of one with a game camera is asked to submit the info to Project: Zoo Quest, www.projectzooquest.org; email:jags@projectzooquest.org. —Staff Reports

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T IS NO SECRET THAT BOBWHITE QUAIL HAVE undergone tough times in Texas, Oklahoma, and other southern states. The blame has been placed on everything from droughts, hot temperatures, hard freezes, and hurricanes to fire ants and predators. All on that list can bring about low quail populations, but only some of them can be challenged by man. Bob Koch, a Tulsa, Oklahoma, wildlife specialist who has worked with numerous landowners in Texas, Oklahoma, and elsewhere to improve quail populations, has initiated a program that definitely is working to virtually eliminate predation on quail and quail nests by skunks, raccoons, snakes, coyotes, bobcats, and other animals. I spent a couple of days with Koch on the Kiamichi Link Ranch near Antlers, Oklahoma, a few months ago to learn how he has virtually removed most of the predator problems from 650 acres of the 13,000-acre ranch, which five years ago had virtually no quail. While there, I saw several large coveys of quail that now roam through a variety of manipulated habitat of plum, lesbidia, corn, maize, and a variety of seed- and non-seedproducing grasses virtually unaffected by ground predators. Koch’s plan might seem simple: Remove the predators, fence them out, and watch the quail thrive. His strategy is much more complex than that, but I think many landowners in Texas who want to improve their quail numbers can learn something from several things that Koch has implemented on the Kiamichi Link Ranch. Also, landowners whose pockets are deep should be able to

achieve the full benefits of Koch’s program by following some of his procedures or adapting their own ideas from them. One of Koch’s initial steps was to build what he calls a “predator-proof fence” around 650 acres of habitat that includes large meadows broken and bordered by timber. The fence is made of 2-inch square mesh wire attached to T-posts and larger corner and brace posts. The fence is 4 feet in height, so whitetail deer are not restricted from the area. About 2 feet of wire laid flat on the ground is attached to the bottom of the fence to prevent predators and hogs from digging under, plus there are electric wires at the bottom and near the top to keep unwanted animals away and from crawling over the fence. Although it is impossible to keep snakes from passing through the fence, Koch has used sunken barrels baited with chicken meat to capture and remove a large majority of them from the property. Once the initial efforts were completed, Koch said he knew of only one coyote and one bobcat left on the 650 acres. Since then, the coyote “escaped” through a gate that was left open. Koch said he knows there is one bobcat on the area, and that’s okay with him. “I don’t have a problem having a few predators here, because they are needed to help keep the rats and field mice in check,” Koch said. Koch said he confirmed 35 successful quail hatches last spring and early summer, and estimates there are 65 coveys of quail on the 650 acres, with those numbers climbing, not falling. Virtually every covey has 15 to 30 or more quail. Now, factor in mortality through hunting and natural die-offs. It has been said many times over the years that introduced quail cannot survive in the wild. I have seen evidence proving that is not true everywhere. You cannot simply release pen-raised quail and expect them to survive, or all of them to be as “flighty” as quail raised in the wild, but the quail I have seen

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released under “The Surragator” designed by Koch do provide a huntable population. Don’t get me wrong; the Surragator is not something that releases adult quail. Actually, it is a large box with a heater, readily-available water, and food that works as a “surrogate parent” for about 150 day-old chicks that are released five weeks later to adapt to the wild. Koch also has used the same Surragator boxes to house and release 65 pheasant at a time, and many of them have since nested and reproduced on the 650 acres, just as the released quail have. To me, the fact that the released quail and pheasant have nested successfully in a virtually predator-proof environment on a ranch that previously had little or no wild quail— and certainly not pheasant—is impressive. Anyone who does not want to introduce quail to their property still can learn ways to improve habitat for quail and other wildlife by considering the other methods Koch has implemented on the Oklahoma ranch. In the grassy meadows there, Koch has planted approximately 10 miles of rows of plums, lesbidia, corn, and other seed and fruit-producing plants. They appear as brushy rows, but without the fences, amid stands of sunflowers and other natural habitat. When they are mature, the taller, thicker pears and similar habitat will provide the quail with the shaded canopy and less-grassy ground cover they need to move about in comfort while being close to major food sources. They also provide protection from hawks, owls, and other avian predators. I have seen the results of released young quail and their adaptation to the wild, but I know that is not the answer to the low numbers of wild bobwhites we all seek. However, I also have seen the results of predator control and improved habitat for bobwhites, and firmly believe they can make a difference.

E-mail Bob Hood at hunting@fishgame.com.

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New Year, Old Problems NOTHER NEW YEAR LOOMS, AND CHANGES abound. I can remember some memorable New Year’s Days in years past that did not involve hangovers and football games. On those occasional 1 January mornings when the winds allowed, I used to love to venture offshore for the first fish of the New Year. While some bolder than I would plot a course for the bluewater rigs to seek the first marlin, tuna, or wahoo, my shipmates and I were usually content to harvest bottom species off the closer platforms in 90 or so feet of water out of Freeport. While catches might include grouper, bluefish, and other cooler water denizens, red snapper were first on the list of preferred species. Since red snapper outside state waters have become a warm water target only (not by the habits of the fish, but by the habits of federal regulators), such a start to the New Year is no longer a legal possibility. Nor is the tradition I at least tried to start in my small family of having a large, fresh, baked snapper garnished with boiled shrimp as a substitute for turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. The fact that the current “open” season for snapper in federal waters does not occur in the best time of the year to catch snapper or enjoy catching them does not seem to have been a consideration in choosing the 1 June-5 August period to allow fishing for what has been traditionally a cooler weather species; one that helped the recreational for-hire fishery stretch the season when the warm water pelagics had gone to more temperate waters farther south or much farther offshore. In reality, I don’t even like snapper that much, being of the old school that once considered dropping baits on heavy tackle with huge weights into deep water to catch relatively small fish as “bucket fishing” rather

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than sportfishing. Yes, the sight of a snapper or two coming into view many feet down in clear blue water, shining like red gold—a treasure from the deep—is rather pleasing, and they are an excellent addition to anyone’s dinner table, but they are a meat fish, not sport fish—aren’t they? Of course, there is some sport to be had in just looking for and finding a good “sow” hole with modern electronics and lot’s of fishing experience. With the discovery of spots where larger snapper might be found in water shallow enough to do battle with them on light tackle, they have proven strong adversaries; but they don’t jump like a dolphin, peel line like a king mackerel, or swim around the boat like a curious ling. I can get along just fine without snapper. There are even tastier and larger bottom dwellers like grouper to take their place, and that are more challenging to find and catch. What irks me about not being able to go out after snapper on New Year’s Day is the loss of choice, and the feeble “science” behind that loss of choice. In over 30 years in the research arm of the petrochemical industry, much of it in analytical positions providing data to various research groups, I saw many instances of “scientists” who had more of a corporate political agenda and were very willing to twist data to suit their goals and advance their careers. Those guys would have been better served seeking employment as fisheries scientists for the federal government, where almost no actual data is required to close a fishery. Industry researchers would have a good laugh if shown what passes for data inside NOAA Fisheries. The days of unrestricted fishing for red snapper were costly to the fishery, but decades of management of just about everything but shrimp boat by-catch have let the fishery rebound to historic levels NOAA Fisheries chooses to ignore. Hurricanes Gustav and Ike severely damaged fishing infrastructure in Texas and Louisiana, destroying boats and docks and requiring fishermen to devote time to other purT E X A S

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suits. Dolly caused problems in South Texas. This will not appear in NOAA data as a natural reduction in fishing effort. The agency has no category for this in their “best available science” listings. Even though some of the storm activity was after the shortened red snapper season had closed, fishing effort for other species will be affected, but not considered. Expect them to tell us we once again exceeded our TAC in 2008 for red snapper, despite windy conditions early in the season and high fuel prices that made fishing offshore a costly proposition. A snapper fishery on the ropes fits their purposes, whatever those purposes are. For me, 2008 was a very slow offshore fishing year. Fuel costs and other interests kept me off the water most of the summer, and Ike left my treasured 31 Bertram on the dock with a hole in the hull. My insurance company wants to total the boat, and as I write this, I am working a deal to buy it back and rebuild. I don’t think the diesels went under, but I will find out when we get a crane to lift it off the piling. My options if I keep it are many. I could go with more horsepower of the diesel type, for more speed (and worse economy), or do a more radical conversion and mount big fourcycle outboards on brackets. This would give me more speed, less mechanical worries from having fewer drive train components and holes through the hull for shafts, engine raw water intakes, and exhausts. I could use the space currently occupied by diesel engines for extra fuel and huge fish boxes, increasing my legendary Bertram 31 fishability. Of course, these things would take time and money. When I finished, I would still be faced with tight fishing restrictions, high fuel costs, and a dwindling customer base. Could be I will be available as a hired captain for someone else’s boat.

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. G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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Cut back on tackle spending: I have a fetish for fishing tackle. My shop looks like a tackle store that never sees a customer other than the UPS driver who shows up with new inventory at least once a month. Still, I never seem to have enough. When I travel out of town on assignment or to compete in a bass tournament, I always come home with more tackle than I left with. A casual trip to Academy or Bass Pro Shops can be especially brutal on the pocketbook. Out with the old: I despise clutter, but I am a packrat when it comes to fishing stuff. Nothing gets thrown away at my house. I have fishing rods, reels, and cases of soft plastics, crankbaits, topwaters, other gear in storage that date all the way back to the mid1980s, when I first got into the outdoor writing business. Though some of it was garbage the day it was manufactured, I still can’t bring myself to trash it. “I might need it sometime.” How many times have you heard that? My wife hears it all the time. Spend less time fishing the worldwide web: The internet is a great place to visit in that it is loaded with a wealth of good

information. Truth be known, I would probably get a whole lot more work done if it did not exist. I visit several fishing related websites multiple times over the course of the day to keep tabs on tournament scores, fishing reports, and general freshwater scuttlebutt. Here is the typical routine at the beginning of each workday: BassFan.com - To check on tournament scores and other news pertinent to competitive fishing and the fishing industry in general. The guys at bassfan.com have a nose for the good stuff, and the bad. BassZone.com - This website two years ago cracked new ground by providing daily video coverage of the two major pro bass fishing leagues when tournaments are in progress. Texas pro Harold Allen adds some serious color and valuable insight to the on-line coverage. Bass Zone’s motto is, “It’s all about being there.” I shouldn’t go there near as often as I do, but I just can’t help it. TexasFishingForum.com - If it has to do with Texas fishing, you can find it here. There are forums dedicated to bass, catfish, carp, crappie, gar, bluegill, and bank fishing. Plus, there is a classified section where you can find some good bargains on fishing tackle you don’t really need, browse boats for sale, and read fishing reports written by some reputable fishing guides. Spend more time fishing with swim baits: Swim baits gained a reputation for producing big bass out west and have since

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HAVE NEVER BEEN MUCH ON MAKING NEW Year’s resolutions; probably because I learned long ago that I am not very good at giving up things I like. Freshwater fishing is one of my first loves. I am addicted to all aspects of the sport, from trotlining to carp fishing and competitive tournament fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish. Take away my fishing—or any connection to it—and you take away one of the main things that make this country boy tick. Here are a few possible New Year resolutions related to fishing that I feel certain I would not be able to keep:

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Five Resolutions I Won’t Keep

proven to be deadly medicine a number of Texas lakes. I need to throw them more, but I probably won’t. It’s a confidence thing that just hasn’t developed yet. Buy a Humminbird Side Imager: Humminbird’s Side Imager is a Cadillac-ofa-bottom-machine that draws a detailed picture of a lake’s bottom as far as 240 feet to either side of the boat—that’s 480 feet of total coverage. The technology allows you to pinpoint rock piles, trees, submerged bridges, and other good stuff much easier than possible with traditional sonar units. Plus, it shows how the fish are positioned in relation to structure, and allows for precise waypoint marking without the boat being positioned directly over the structure. I would love to buy one of these jewels, but I probably wont right away; its just not in the budget right now. But I can still dream and appeal to Santa for next year.

E-mail Matt Williams at freshwater@fishgame.com

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A Winter Stroll O, A COLD FRONT ROLLED IN ON FRIDAY morning—again—but you are still keen on fishing. The north wind has laid just enough to make the bay navigable, but the 20-degree temperature drop has put the trout in a sulky mood and sitting near the bottom. In their negative mood, the fish are ignoring the soft plastics you bounce in front of them, and it is hard to keep bait in the strike zone. What do you do? Well, you could always take a stroll... Strolling—controlled drift-trolling—is not as simple and uncomplicated as croaker fishing or a shrimp/popping cork combo, nor as suspense-filled as winter wading for gatorsized trout, but it can be as productive as the former, and as specialized as the latter. Moreover, strolling is a technique that fills a niche often overlooked by most hunters of Old’ Mustardmouth. There are times when the fish just will not cooperate. “Strolling is a condition-specific technique that comes out of my bag of tricks only at certain times of the year,” said Sabine Lake guide Captain Bill Watkins. “I don’t use it as often as I would, say, straight driftfishing, but just like chasing schools under birds, it’s a technique that is tough to beat in it’s time and place.” The time and place for strolling is when speckled trout are holding deeper than normal along a specific variation in water depth, bottom conformation, current, or even water clarity, such as during a post-frontal period. The situation calls for a more precise form of presentation than normal drifting, and the fish are spread over a vast enough area that anchoring can be problematic because of the constant dropping and hauling potential to

spook fish. Strolling targets specific stretches of water, but allows fishermen to cover the smaller patch with greater efficiency. “I start figuring my strolling patterns if speckled trout are in a neutral or negative mood due to changing weather conditions. When I find trout holding in deeper water, say between 9 and 15 feet, whether it’s a deep flat, a gut, or a hole, strolling becomes a fishing option,” Watkins said. “If the fish are tight to the bottom, but spread out the length of the area in singles, twos, and threes, then strolling becomes my only option.” Strolling takes advantage of a tendency speckled trout share with other fishes to move from shallow to deeper water, or open water to structure, when weather makes their home shallows uncomfortable. Trout seek deeper water, where the temperatures are more stable or wind is less likely to jostle. “Sometimes, such as after a cold front, trout will be holding near the bottom of an area such as Keith Lake Pass on Sabine,” Watkins continued. “I mean they’ll have their snouts right down in the mud.” When that happens, the idea is to get lures down in front of the fish and keep them in a trout’s zone of vision until it decides it is hungry enough to strike, or it gets annoyed enough to take a kill shot. Watkins stressed that preferred bottom structure features some sort of change. Trout seem to prefer contours and breaklines that feature weedlines or patches, gravel, sand/mud transitions, or shell. Shell pads, such as those strewn throughout Nueces and Corpus Christi Bays, are ideal strolling areas. After he locates a stretch bottom that shows promise, Watkins carefully navigates back around to the head of the hole and sets up similar to a conventional drift. The trolling motor is used to hold the boat along the structure line to maintain the integrity of the drift. Boat electronics play a critical role in this T E X A S

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technique’s success. A depthfinder not only puts you on top of the structure, but as Watkins pointed out, it can help you maintain a course along the line of the structure. Soft plastics with big vibrating tails such as Cocahoe, Berkley Power Mullet, or the venerable Mr. Whiffle are the preferred lures for strolling, especially because they are essentially “do nothing” lures when fished vertically from the side opposite the boat’s drift. Unlike a regular drift, you don’t want to work lures in front, because they migrate underneath the boat, which makes them prone to tangling, especially if more than a couple of fishermen are working the stroll. Moreover, these lures put off a great deal of vibration, which is an asset in murkier or stained water. Swimbaits such as the Storm Wildeye series and Berkley Swim Shad are also effective strolling baits. They come pre-rigged, which as a plus. After you have strolled through a patch of water, ease back around and start the stroll again, especially if you are marking fish. Late winter/early spring trout can be moody, and they will not necessarily strike at the first opportunity. The key is to continue to serve them your offering until they do take a swipe. Strolling is not a panacea for when trout have the winter mullygrubs. There are times when the fish simply won’t bite, a maddening fact that leaves fishermen grumbling to themselves about having abandoned a warm bed in a heated room. The technique, however, does provide another alternative to try when the conditions rule out traditional strategies. If nothing else, it might make you forget about that nice, warm bad you left behind, especially if the morning stroll pays off.

E-mail Calixto Gonzales cgonzales@fishgame.com G a m e ® / J A N U A R Y

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Trailering 101 HE REDFISH BITE AT CORPUS HAS DROPPED off to zilch, but bass are on the feed at Choke Canyon. It’s a good thing you have a trailer for that boat. A few hours on the highway can take you to faraway hotspots that would be impossible to hit if your boat was tied to a pier in a marina. Even if you can cruise to a different fishing zone, miles that you log on the road require a heck of a lot less fuel then miles logged on the water. The downside to trailer-boating: flat tires, blown wheel bearings, traffic jams, and stressful times at the launch ramp are all factors trailer-boaters face. But don’t worry, we are here to help. Use these trailering tips, and you will discover that playing with two internal combustion enginepowered vehicles is more fun than one.

Checks and Balance One of the most important things any trailer-boater does is a pre-flight checklist. This is what prevents you from ending up on the shoulder of the highway. Never, ever hook up and leave home without making these checks, first. 1. Trailer Lights: No, a failing light isn’t exactly a breakdown, but if you have one, you might still end up on the side of the road—getting a ticket. 2. Trailer Tires: Check for proper inflation and tread wear. 3. Lug Nuts: Check for tightness. 4. Safety Chains: These should be crisscrossed to prevent the trailer tongue from hitting the road if the ball and hitch come uncoupled. 5. Hitch Coupler: Ensure it is secured. 60

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Also make sure you put a trailer lock or bolt (spin a nut onto the end to ensure it doesn’t rattle loose) through the hole in the coupler. This prevents it from accidentally kicking up. 6. Tongue Jack: Check to ensure it is all the way up. 7. Outdrive: Check to ensure it is in the proper trailering position. If a Transom Saver bracket will fit on your rig, use it. If not, tilt your engine up, slide a 2x4 board between the mount and motor, and lower it until it is just barely pinched in. This will help support the motor in its slightly tilted position, gaining you 2 inches or so of ground clearance. Okay, now you are ready to hit the road. Follow this system you’ll have no problem. 1. Don’t try to back in a perfectly straight line, because that’s nearly impossible. Instead, back in a series of very shallow “S” turns. 2. Put your hand on the bottom of your steering wheel. Then move your hand to the left to make the boat go to the left, and move your hand to the right to get the boat moving to the right. 3. When you have to back around a corner or make a 90-degree turn, do it from the right side whenever possible, and back in a clockwise arc. That way, you will be able to see the trailer’s progress out of the driver side window of your vehicle.

Trailer Blunders Now that you are enjoying life as a trailer-boater, let’s make sure you don’t fall victim to any of the most common trailering blunders. Yup, this stuff really happens— altogether too often. Whatever you do, avoid these five monster mistakes. 1. The Drive Through Disaster: When you have a boat in tow, you will not—repeat, not—make it through the McDonald’s drive-through. The curves in drive-throughs F i s h

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are far too tight. And if your boat has a Ttop or a Bimini, you will be glad those tight turns stop you before you discover that most drive-throughs have low overhead clearance, too. 2. The Back Breaker: When backing your trailer into a hard turn, if the trailer and tow vehicle exceed an 80- or 85-degree angle, stop immediately. Otherwise, you’ll discover the hard way that when it reaches exactly 91-degrees, the trailer’s tongue will smash your tow vehicle’s tail lights, dent the bumper, or otherwise cause rear-end damage. 3. The Locked Lugs: We know you wouldn’t dare tow without a spare tire onboard, but a spare won’t do you a bit of good if you cannot remove the lug nuts. And as experienced saltwater trailer boaters can tell you, you have to treat your lug nuts with care or when you try to take them off, you’ll discover they’re corroded in place. If you plan to launch in saltwater, prevent this problem by coating lug nuts with a corrosioninhibitor, like Corrosion X or Boeshield T9, at least once a season. 4. The Bumper Buster: You have a large car or a small truck that came with a tow hitch on the bumper, so you saddle up the trailer and hit the road. But before you get 10 feet, you hear a creak and a groan that will leave you groaning; you have just bent your bumper. Bumper hitches are meant for only extremely light-duty towing. If your boat is anything other than a large canoe, you need a hitch that secures to the frame of your tow vehicle. 5. The Ditch Digger: Always remember to tilt your outdrive up as soon as you load the boat onto the trailer. Otherwise, one day you might pull up to the ramp with your motor lowered and—ouch!—discover that a skeg will, in fact, dig a ditch through asphalt.

E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com.

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College Team Sponsorships Pay Off HEN THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS Razorbacks Bass Team won the 2008 National Collegiate Bass Championship trophy in Texas recently, one of the biggest smiles was in Oklahoma. It belonged to Robb Line, who runs Snap Tail Lures. Way back in June, Line agreed to make Snap Tail Lures a major sponsor for his alma mater’s bass team. So, he was beaming broadly as Razorbacks Kazuki Kitajima and Bodie Drake held the trophy aloft, revealing his Snap Tail Lures logo on their jerseys. “It was like I was up on the stand holding the trophy with them,” said Line. “I was on cloud nine.” Winning a major bass tournament has launched new lure companies into the big league, and Line is putting his money and enthusiasm for Snap Tail Lures on the new BoatU.S. Fox College Sports National Bass Fishing Championship. The finals were held September 17-20 on Lake Lewisville in Texas. Razorbacks team spokesman Ryan Toomer agreed. “Snap Tail Lures gives our team a distinct advantage over our competition,” he said. “We’re so very impressed with these champions from the University of Arkansas and honored that the team saw the tournament-winning potential of fishing with our plastic worms and snaps,” said Line. Contact: Snap Tail Lures, www.snaptaillures.com —Staff Reports

BASS Junior Championships Award Scholarships

It was a day of repeat championships for BASS youth competitors. Joey Nania claimed a second Junior Bassmaster World Championship title, this time in the 15-18year-old age group at Geary County State Lake. Meanwhile Jonny Schultz defended his Bassmaster CastingKids Championship at Junction City High School. The 12 JWC anglers qualified for the championship event, two from each of the six Federation Nation divisions. The 12 junior competitors are split into two age groups: 11-14 and 15-18. All Junior Bassmaster World Championship contenders will receive academic college scholarship awards, with the top angler in each age division receiving a $5000 scholarship. Nania, who won the 2005 JWC title in the 11-14 age group, brought two fish to the scales totaling 4 pounds, 1 ounce, for the title. He had three bites, with the first falling short of the 15-inch legal length by 1/4-inch. The final two were caught in shallow water on a Spro Little John crankbait in crawdad color. The last largemouth was caught about 10 minutes before the end of the day, weighing 2 pounds, 1 ounce, and that was large enough to win the Purolator Big Bass of the tournament to earn an additional $1000 in scholarships. “This feels good to win, and it has been a long dry spell,” Nania said. “This was my fifth Junior World Championships. I really worked hard for this tournament.” Nania, 17, and his father drove 1500 miles from Liberty Lake, Washington, to practice and identify key spots for the tournament. The early practice paid off as Nania also won a fully rigged Triton/Mercury Alliance sponsored boat package. T E X A S

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“The water has dropped like 5 degrees since I first started fishing on Tuesday,” Nania said. “It was better fishing earlier this week. In practice, I found a couple crankbait fish. With the cold front, they closed their mouths, so I decided to trick them into biting the crankbait; just something to fly by them.” Drew Creel of Shawnee, Oklahoma, finished in second place at the JWC. His pair of bass was caught on an A&M Halo Jig with a Brush Bug trailer. “I just enjoyed being out there and trying to win,” Creel said. “My dad and brother got me started fishing, and the competition is a lot of fun.” In the 11-14 age division of the JWC, the six-angler field battled cold and windy conditions, unable to bring any legal catches to the scales. The six contestants will equally divide $11000 in scholarships, with each angler earning just over $1800. While the Juniors were on Geary County State Lake, the 2008 Bassmaster CastingKids Finals were held at Junction City High School. Schultz of Maumelle, Arkansas, claimed his second CastingKids title by outlasting Ryan Werley of Danielsville, Pennsylvania, in a three-round castoff in the 11-14 age group. The two youth anglers were tied with 140 points after the preliminary round and the first two rounds of the sudden-death finals from the 30-foot line. In the third castoff, 14-year-old Schultz scored 20 points to claim the 2008 title. “On the second cast in the finals, I hit the lip of the carpet and went, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that just happened’,” Schultz said. “On the last cast, my hands were sweating and the line slipped through my fingers when I tried to stop it. I thought this was going to be a repeat of what happened when I was eight. I’m really happy to win this twice.”

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Help? L O O K E D A R O U N D T H E D A R K WOODS. “Uh-oh.” Dark woods look different from light woods. To begin with, they’re dark, and usually spooky. I hate spooky. I had been tracking a hog in the rapidly fading light. It vanished as quickly as the money in my checking account and was somewhere close, probably sharpening its tusks. “Help?” I called softly. No answer. Not that I expected one. I was alone, lost in thick woods of the Trinity River bottoms in deep East Texas. I’m talking don’t-know-up-from-Sunday lost, which is about as lost as you can get. The humidity was around 90 percent, making a nice match with the temperature, and a steady drizzle gave everything a misty, spooky look. Clouds of mosquitoes made some things look mistier and spookier. They were so thick, I could barely see through the herd whining in front of my eyes. I hate whining, especially from mosquitoes. “Blood,” they whined in a unified tinny falsetto. “Blo-oood!” Complete darkness was only a few minutes away and I psyched myself for Full Blown Panic. Unlike Half Blown Panic, which can be handled with just a handful of Valium, you must prepare for Full Blown Panic, or FBP as the experienced call it. Without training, FBP may cause discomfort or death. It is used only by professionals in dire emergencies. Do not try it at home. The basic elements of FBP consist of a Lost Hunter (LH) abandoning all self-control and running through the woods, ricocheting off trees like bumpers in a pinball machine while screaming incoherently at the top of his lungs. To add a bit of class to the event, an experienced LH throws his possessions about in a haphazard manner, leaving a trail whereby the search party can track

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him. After several days, the LH is found hunkered at the base of a tree, sucking his thumb and suffering from dehydration, hunger, and strange bruises, especially around the tops of the lungs. It’s all very tiring. I was out of breath from screaming for help. The only thing I attracted was more mosquitoes. The mosquitoes always know. A 2-foot copperhead appeared at my feet, probably also attracted by the screaming, or possibly it had scented fear. At least I think it was fear. Whatever, it was most pungent. I shot the snake without prejudice, for the

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moment immune from Snake Fright (SF). The human brain can sustain only one fear at a time. I was too occupied with FBP warm-ups to bother with SF right now. The snake dispatched, I worked on my hyperventilation technique while taking stock of the immediate crisis. The problem was the

ILLUSTRATION BY JIMMY BORNE

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dirt road I came in on, which should have been where I was looking. It wasn’t. Dusk began to erase detail under the dripping trees. I wandered for a while, going downhill and up, but nothing was as I remembered when it was light. Finally, after first checking for more 2-foot copperheads, I sat down to ponder my predicament. It was just what the mosquitoes were waiting for. Recognizance Mosquito: “Recon One to Alpha base, the eagle has landed.” I gained and lost in an instant 5 pounds under a mantle of about a zillion and two mosquitoes. They brought in a portable control tower to organize landing and takeoff. Several on my back whipped out little flashlights to wave in the overflow from the primary runway on my left ear. Thousands circled in holding patterns above places I would just as soon not discuss. Images of the next morning flashed

through my mind. The search party would find my desiccated body, a dry husk on the forest floor surrounded by a zillion bloated mosquitoes, bellies protruding, burping contentedly. It would be a long, miserable night on the ground. My pack was back on the road where I had dropped it before entering the Green Hell. It contained everything I needed, including a cell phone. Food was also a problem. I had eaten lunch, but only lint remained in my pocket. I saved it for later. You never know. Just before genuine dark, I again considered my options. I could run through the woods screaming some more. I could climb a tree and try to see the road. I looked up at the limbless pine trees towering above me and sighed. I could stay where I was and try to pass

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the night as a giant mosquito welt without food or water. I could run through the woods screaming… I must have been on the fringe of delirium—the penultimate event in FBP—for I suddenly had the insane thought that I could just take 10 steps and be back on the dirt road. Maybe it had something to do with the headlights that beamed through the brush that lined the road. I leaped through the trees and fell to my knees beside a farmer’s truck. “Saved!” “Daddy, why is that man all swole up?” “I don’t know, son. But don’t get too close—he has mosquitoes.”

E-mail Reavis Wortham at humor@fishgame.com

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