November 2013 by Texas Fish & Game

Digital Edition

www.FishGame.com

The 5 Best

Winter Striper Lakes in Texas

NOVEMBER 2013 | VOL. XXX â&#x20AC;˘ NO. 7 | $3.95

Shorline

Points for Reds Shhhhh!

Hunting with Sound Supressors

Whitetail Behavior: Deer Do the Darnedest Things

Ghost Deer:

Phantoms of the Forests

The Gales of November Boaters Beware COASTAL COVER

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Digital Edition

www.FishGame.com

The 5 Best

Winter Striper Lakes in Texas

NOVEMBER 2013 | VOL. XXX â&#x20AC;˘ NO. 7 | $3.95

Shhhhh!

Hunting with Sound Supressors

Ghost Deer: Phantoms of the Forests

Fishing Points for

Redfish Gales of November

Boaters Beware INLAND COVER

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

Roy Neves PUBLISHER

Don Zaidle EDITOR-in-chief

Chester moore Executive EDITOR

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

Joe Doggett • SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Doug Pike • SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ted Nugent • EDITOR AT LARGE Bob Hood • HUNTING EDITOR Matt Williams • FRESHWATER EDITOR Calixto Gonzales • SALTWATER EDITOR Lenny Rudow • BOATING EDITOR Steve LaMascus • FIREARMS EDITOR Lou Marullo • BOWHUNTING EDITOR Kendal Hemphill • POLITICAL COMMENTATOR Reavis Wortham • HUMOR EDITOR Greg Berlocher • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Paul Bradshaw • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Capt. Mike Holmes • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Dustin Ellermann • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Dustin Warncke • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Lisa Moore • CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR John Gisel • WEB CONTENT MANAGER A D VE R T I S IN G ardia neves

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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. Content is not to be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1 year $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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CONTENTS FEATURES

November 2013 • Volume XXX • NO. 7

5 Best Striper lakes in texas The lordly largemouth may rank as the king of the hill with freshwater anglers statewide, but on a handful of Texas lakes striped bass ring the bell just as loud.

by Matt Williams

Ghost deer The mystery and beauty in one of the wildlife world’s most interesting oddities.

Coastal cover: Score Points for Reds Longtime go-to spots for bass fishermen, shoreline points are high-yield targets for redfish anglers, too.

STORY:

Story and Cover Photo by John N. Felsher

by Chester Moore

The Gales of November

A November norther can produce rough conditions on even the smallest lakes, let alone big boomers like Texoma and Sam Rayburn. And the bay? (Shudder).

by Lenny Rudow

Inland/north coverS: Deer Do the Darnedest Things Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you or a deer looks at it, the daily routines of a whitetail are everything but routine... ranging from wacky to downright terrifying.

STORY:

Suppressed Hunting Before Texas legislators came to their senses, Lone Star hunters could only use suppressors on nongame animals such as hogs and varmints. Now we can protect our hearing while hunting all game.

by Bob Hood Cover Photo: Bigstock

by Dustin Ellermann 4 |

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CONTENTS COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

November 2013 • Volume XXX • NO. 7

COLUMNS

DEPARTMENTS

Editor’s Notes 10 The Good Old

Texas Saltwater 23 Saltwater

Days

Mailbag

by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

by Calixto Gonzales TF&G Saltwater Editor

8 letters 14 TF&G Report 14 big bags & catches

Chester’s Notes 14 Wildlife

Hunt Texas 35 Rules to

Hunt By

defense

by CHESTER MOORE TF&G Executive Editor

by bob hood TF&G Hunting Editor

Doggett at Large 15 Duck

Texas Bowhunting 39 Build It and They

42 True green

Will Come

by Lou Marullo TF&G Bowhunting Editor

Q&A

Eve

by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

34 texas dept. of

Digital:

Pike on the Edge 16 Manning Up the

by Doug Pike TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Mini-Van

TexasWild 18 Opening Day

Every Day

Texas Freshwater 45 This Kid Can

by Ted nugent TF&G Editor At Large

Fish

by matt Williams TF&G Freshwater Editor

Commentary 19 Toys From

Open Season 48 Housekeeping

Tots

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by Kendal Hemphill TF&G Politcal Commentator

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by reavis wortham TF&G Humor Editor

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Letters to the Editor Good Samaritans Mr. Moore, your article in the August issue of TF&G about your God’s Outdoors with Chester Moore program on GETV has prompted me to write to you. Your interest in animals and the desire to learn as much as possible about them has given us some common ground. Your article on the javelina in the September issue of TFG was most interesting. However, your desire to minister to children is even more interesting to me. I too am involved in a ministry here in Brownwood Texas. I am a board member at our local food pantry. We have a unique program called the “Deer Project.” It is quite simple. We raise funds here in our area to pay for the processing fee for anyone who wants to donate a legally harvested deer to our project. The venison is ground into hamburger and put into 2lb. packages and distributed to the needy families who come to our food pantry. What a blessing God has allowed us to be a part of. Last year we had just over 9,000 pounds of venison donated to us. Our local meat processors have agreed to process the meat for $1.00 per pound, thus giving us 9,000 pounds of venison to give to our local people. We have another project here at Good Samaritan Ministries. It is called “Food For Thought.” We have children in our school system that are classified as “chronically hungry children.” These kids live in an environment that does NOT guarantee that they get enough to eat through the summer ( when school is out ) or on the weekends when no school lunches are provided. Our Food For Thought program supplements them during these times. We have volunteers assigned to these kids that make sure they get food into their tummies. (If anyone is interested in helping the project contact cbshults@verizon.net or 325-646-4675/325-642-3057 or Angelia Bostick at angelia@goodsambwd.org or 325-643-2273/325-642-4749) God bless you in your efforts to minister to those in your area.

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to use the road into and out of the park as their personal highway, especially in the winter as it is easy travel. The park rangers indicated that we were very fortunate to see them, especially up close, as it is rare the wolves expose themselves to man. Kind of neat when you think about it, and how wild animals so quickly adapt and use to their advantage anything that happens to come their way. Opps, sorry, guess I am speaking to the choir master here. Bill Klien Via Email

Venomous Memories Rare Redfish Joe Cuellar of Edinburg caught this 26-inch rare redfish in the Laguna Madre. We counted 246 spots on right side and 262 on left side. We though you would be interested in publishing this picture. The fish was caught on mullet.

Carlos Mercado Via Email

Hey, Chester, Was just reading your comments about the black Mamba in the October TF&G article (“October Surprise”) and I had one that came to mind—spitting cobra. I remember watching Steve Irwin grab that spitting cobra by the tail while the thing spit streams of venom right in his face. It was literally dripping off of his sunglasses. I hate when I get spitting cobra venom in my eye!

Tim Sharp Plano, TX

Another CM Fan Chester, I really am continuing to enjoy your God-centered outdoor show and your Chester’s Wild Life column in TF&G! Keep it up my friend. Just viewed for the second time the wolf episode, and gave me pause to remembering sighting of a wolf pack crossing an almost dry river bed up in the Denali National Park in Alaska a few years back. . Really cool experience. Also, during our visit a lone wolf crossed the road and sauntered right by our vehicle. We later found out that the animals, including the wolves have learned

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Send your Comments to: Mail: Editor Texas Fish & Game 1745 Greens Rd Houston TX 77032 Email: editor@fishgame.com

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

The Good Old Days

doubt there is anyone—especially among hunters and fishermen—who does not speak of and yearn for the “good old days.” The frequency of “I remember when” in campfire and boat dock conversation defies tabulation; “when I was a kid” gets equal play. For most of us, the good old days era coincided in some degree with our childhood. Symbolically, it might be a bucketful of chicken necks, a pier or jetty, and crabs that both frightened and delighted with truculence and a comical sideways scuttle. Or perhaps a dock, cane pole, and feisty bluegills that iridesced like jewels twisting in the sun. Maybe it was bullheads, croakers, goggle eyes, rabbits on a crisp winter morning, or some other first exposure, but we all have a special place and time that we secretly yearn for. In some ways, whether or not we are willing to admit it, many of us have a “Peter Pan complex”—little boys that never grew up, or as Robert Ruark put it, “professional little boys.” Our toys are more expensive, our stated purpose more complex when we go afield, but it all boils down to an attempt to catch a crab or bluegill or pot a rabbit just like the ones in the old times. Sure, we chase trout and bass and bucks and ducks and call ourselves “sportsmen,” but what we really want is to recapture the halcyon days of bare feet, sunshine, and a simpler life. The adage “you can never go home again” illustrates the futility of such pursuit, but maybe that is what keeps us going—the pursuit, the “getting there” more than arriving. The fish, fowl, and beasts we chase are embodiments of elusive past and fleet memory. In dreams and rumination, creaky weather-worn planks of an old dock warm the backside as the bent cane quivers in your 10 |

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hand. The barren aluminum boat seat allies with the sleet to chill you from the bottom up, competing with the warmth of crappie in the hiss of winter sleet. The little live oak motte on the hill overlooks a hopeful whitetail pasture, nestled in the creek bend where you set the raccoon traps. The scabbard-worn Model 94 across your knees reassures you, the watchman sitting vigil on a stump, that the buck is yours if he comes…if he comes…

Publisher’s Note: Texas Fish & Game Editorin-Chief Don Zaidle passed away on Saturday, October 12, at his home in Poolville after a brief illness. Everyone at Texas Fish & Game is saddened by this loss and we extend heartfelt sympathies to his wife Barbara, their children and their grandchildren. TF&G is a familyowned company and Don was a cherished member of our family, too. A longer and more fitting tribute to Don will be published in the December 2013 issue. For now, we want to fill his usual space in the magazine with one of his past columns. In Don’s unique poetic style, this one very aptly expresses his devotion to the outdoors and his spiritual imperative to pass that flame of devotion forward. Words fail to adequately describe the void left by Don’s passing. His absence will indeed be felt in future issues of this magazine, and the website and newsletter he literally built from scratch. For a dozen years, he has been the voice, the heart, and the conscience of these vessels as they ventured out and touched hundreds of thousands of men, women, and kids who love—or will love—the Texas outdoors. —Roy Neves, Publisher

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The creek water is cool in summer’s heat, yet warm against your legs as you wade wet; so clear you can see the bass, ponderous torpedoes stalking the scarred wooden plug that dimples the water with each twitch of the absurdly limp hardware-store rod. The trotline tugs and sways with power unseen somewhere deep in the slough, its source a mystery both thrilling and frightening. You settle deeper beneath the quilts as cold rain streaks the windows of the ancient cabin, its foundation trembling with the roll of thunder. The ducks will fly tomorrow, and in your dreams tonight. In his marvelous essay, “The Road to Tinkhamtown,” Corey Ford described the hereafter as “someplace you’ve been where you want to be again” and declared “The past never changes. You leave it and go on to the present, but it is still there, waiting for you to come back to it.” Is the sportsman’s life a quest to find something that does not exist in the “present” as we understand time? Is life itself such a pursuit? I will leave that to philosophers to unravel. This I do know: My quest, like all journeys, had a starting place. Someone who had been on his quest for many years showed it to me. My grandfather passed on to me something honest, pure, and unpretentious that has always led me to adventure, discovery, and new horizons. Moreover, along the way I unconsciously gained the knowledge that part of the quest was to pass it on to another. I have introduced my children and grandchildren to the outdoor life—blooded sons, daughters, grandsons, and even my sonin-law. Now, I look outside my household, offering to teach, share, and mentor those who have no guide. My hope is to help the young live today the “good old days” of tomorrow and, in the end, return to a place I have been… …and want to be again.

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The TF&G Report Photo Army Corps of engineers

Army Corps Hosts Kids’ Fishing Event

Nearly 80 children participated in the first Fishin’ 4 Fun Kids Fishing Tournament held at Seawolf Park on October 5. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Galveston District partnered with the Galveston Island Park Board of Trustees to host the free event. The First Annual Fishin’ 4 Fun on Galveston Island Tournament was established to introduce the sport of fishing to children and create a safe environment for adults and children to enjoy the outdoors together. Educational sponsors were on-site distributing give-away items and sharing helpful information. For more information visit the website www.galveston.com/fishin4fun. —Staff Report

Fishin’ 4 Fun Tournament at Sea Wolf Park in Galveston

Big Bags&Catches Shark

Galveston

Black Drum

Bass

Aransas Bay

Private Pond

Deputy sheriff David Ayes of San Antonio landed this 45-inch behemoth black drum after a 25-minute fight. He was fishing near St. Joe’s island shoreline, using dead shrimp, Penn Slammer and 20-pound braid... and a little help from his friends.

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Jack Nini caught his first shark in the surf, a five-foot sandbar shark caught at the Sea Isle beach in Galveston.

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Tanner Matthews caught this 8.3 –pound largemouth while fishing in his neighborhood pond.

Photo credit

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Outlook Favorable for Texas Deer Season While not clear of the drought, things are looking up in many parts of the state this year, and the outlook for deer and deer hunting is much brighter. Biologists can provide some general predictions each year based on rainfall and general habitat conditions that are applicable at a landscape level scale, but whether those predictions hold true for individual properties is like trying to guess the Lotto numbers on the Saturday night drawing. Factors such as rainfall, availability of native foods such as acorns or mesquite bean crops, habitat quality and availability, even hunting pressure, play a role in shaping your hunting success. Aside from rainfall and general habitat conditions, biologists also consider previous year’s deer population characteristics to make predictions for the upcoming season. “Statewide population trends remain stable and hunters should expect good numbers of deer year in and year out,” says Alan Cain, TPWD whitetail deer program leader. “I would predict the statewide deer population to be close to or slightly above the long-term average and hover around that 3.6 million deer mark for 2013.” “One factor hunters should also keep in mind is the good carryover of deer from the 2012 season as harvest was down resulting from heavy acorn and mast crops in several regions,” Cain notes. “This translates into plenty of opportunities to harvest a deer.” Dry conditions in 2011 resulted in a significant decline in fawn production, down to 29 percent for the statewide estimate, a 24 percent departure from the long term average. Fawn crops bounced back in 2012 at 47 percent and Cain expects survey results to show a higher fawn crop this year. For hunters, fawn crops may not be as meaningful since harvest is generally focused on older age-class deer, but remember those fawns this year translate into your adult deer several years into the future. Another aspect of a typical hunting season forecast is the prediction of antler quality and how many big bucks are out there across the landscape. “As far as antler quality goes, rainfall plays a key role by influencing the native

habitat and forage, ultimately affecting the quality of nutrition a buck receives in order to grow antlers,” Cain explains. “In dry years we typically see a decline in overall antler quality and increases in wet years much related to nutrition.” Judging from reports Cain has received from landowners around the state, bucks look to be in good body condition, antlers are in great shape and they are expecting a much better season than the last two years.”

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Cain predicts antler quality to be above average for those areas receiving good spring rains and average for those that were a little drier this spring and summer. The good news is that drought or no drought, Texas still produces whopper bucks each year. Overall, the 2013 season is expected to offer great opportunities to take a deer.

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—TPWD

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

Wildlife Q&A

eedback and interaction is a favorite part of my job as TF&G’s Exec. utive Editor. And since I rebranded this column as “Chester’s Wild Life” and changed the focus to simply wildlife, not hunting and fishing, the response has been phenomenal. The following are a sampling of questions and comments received recently.

Is it possible I saw a Mexican gray wolf near Alpine when on a recent hunting trip?

It is within the realm of possibility. New Mexico has been a part of the federal captive breeding and release program and although its success has been limited, there are Mexican wolves out there. As we have found out with wolves from Minnesota ending up in Missouri, they sometimes travel long distances so wolves from that area could very well make it to the Trans Pecos. Interestingly, I did a speaking engagement last year where a veteran trapper told me flat out he saw a Mexican gray wolf while trapping in that general area last year this man has caught and killed hundreds of coyotes so he knows the difference.

I mentioned an interest in endangered species conservation (Florida panther) at hunting camp and got hammered by my buddies. Why do you think so many hunters seem to be against endangered species protection?

This is a great question. There truly seems to be a giant divide among hunters about endangered animals and basically anything other than game animals. Hunters for years have touted how we are stewards of all wildlife, but there is genuine 14 |

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animosity toward some species, which sort of boggles my mind. I think some of it has to do with the political ploy of the left to use the Endangered Species Act to shut down logging and business practices that has burned many people. I also think we have in the last 20 years raised a kill-only, instant gratification generation of hunters who are more worried about getting a cool kill shot for Youtube on their video camera than they are the hunting experience. This of course does not cover all hunters, but I have seen the same thing. I believe if we want to tout ourselves in the media as conservationists, we should consider nongame species as well since we share the woods with them too.

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Pound for pound, what do you think is the meanest animal in Texas?

Q A

What is the best wildlife television program out there?

I would probably have to go with the shrew, which is tiny but has to eat its weight each day to survive. They are little ADD killing machines. A close second would be the mink. Mink are notorious killers of muskrats and chickens in coastal Texas and have been known to wipe out a chicken coop, only biting them in the head and leaving the rest to waste.

I am pretty fond of my program “God’s Outdoors with Chester Moore” on GETV (getv.org), but there is another I think is amazing. It is called Austin Stevens Adventures. You can view it online only because it does not broadcast in America. Full episodes are available on YouTube, and they are worth checking out. Austin Stevens is a world-renowned photographer and snake handler, and no one—and I mean no one—has ever done what he has done in the field. Go to YouTube and look up “Austin Stevens King Cobra” and be blown away.

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They are definitely not “smart” like I would consider a mature whitetail or a coyote, but they have superior hearing and incredible vision so I would call them “wary.”

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Settle this argument please. Which is faster a teal or a canvasback?

Q A

Why aren’t there nilgai antelope much farther north than Baffin Bay?

Q A

Is it true there are orcas (killer whales) in the Gulf of Mexico?

It’s not even close. A canvasback can fly up to 72 miles per hour and teal clock in somewhere in the 30s. Their small size and erratic flight pattern create an illusion of supersonic speed.

I am not sure. I have always heard it was because they cannot tolerate cool temperatures so they only hang in extreme south Texas. There could also be some habitat issues as well because they aren’t really found very far off the coastal prairie and scrub brush areas. I know some exotic ranches in the Hill Country have nilgai from time to time but those animals always eat at corn and protein feeders.

Yes. A few years back stunning video of a pod of orcas feeding in the Gulf made national news. It is believed there is a small group of them that feeds in Gulf waters periodically. If you have wildlife questions for Chester, email them to cmoore@fishgame.com.

Catch Chester on the radio Fridays, 6 pm on 560 KLVI Beaumont (www.klvi.com) and Thursdays online on TF&G Radio (www.fishgame.com) Contact him at CMoore@fishgame.com

Are wild turkeys smart or wary?

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

Duck Eve

ua-QUACK-Quack-Quack-Quack! Quack.. quack... QUARK! Damn! Quack... quack... quack! Better – the chesty well-modulated quacks of a contented Susie. I’ve been practicing. I’m on fire with the Mallard Fever. I’ve never been a particularly good duck caller but some of the toots are OK. I do my best work with a Haydel DR-85 Doublereed Mallard. And an old Yentzen/Sure Shot double reed. A weathered Faulk’s Duck Call occasionally comes to life, as well. Not surprisingly, the three instruments are made in Louisiana and southeast Texas, regions where the guttural, raspy quacks of migrating mallards have inspired generations of hard-core waterfowlers. And, to me, the sounds resonate to the mid-’60s. That’s when I started waterfowl hunting along the upper coast. Houston was surrounded by diverse options. You could spin a 360-degree dial and find world-class potential within a 100-mile radius encompassing rice prairies, coastal marshes and river bottom sloughs. Nor to mention reservoirs, ponds, and bay flats. Day-hunt operations abounded, offering quality hunting for affordable prices. This was a big deal for kids in school. Barrow Ranch was a standout – $6 in 1965 for a do-it-yourself walk-in hunt in some of the finest “deep marsh” in the country. Or maybe it was $5. Of course, the walking beyond the cattle guard on the windmill levee was brutal; with each laboring step you sank to a knee in the goo-pie muck. The mythological Sisyphus, doomed for eternity to pushing a boulder uphill, had nothing on our struggles with muddy sacks of decoys to beat “shooting hour” to the back potholes of the Barrow Marsh. But the glimmering slivers in the dawning marsh drew the low, weaving “pods” of greenwing teal and the circling clouds of pintails. Between, dark clusters of gad-

walls and, yes, spoonies dropped webs-down. And, occasionally, wily pairs of native “black mallards” (mottled ducks, or Texas Jacks) worked the smaller pockets. Only rarely a northern mallard would show. As our muddy and mosquito-swollen brigades conceded, most of the prized “greenheads” and wood ducks were concentrated in the flooded timber of the river bottoms and lakes. The Barrow Ranch was a classic example of a do-it-yourself hunt. Others were available close to Houston, and many day-hunt operations offered guided trips. These deluxe outings were, naturally, too pricey for school budgets that stretched for a new box of highvelocity coppered fours. All this changed during the fall of 1972. The change had nothing to do with federal or state hunting regulations. It had everything to with the fact that I became a full-time outdoor writer with the Houston Chronicle, the largest daily newspaper in the state. Within a few weeks I went from a faceless potlicker to a major somebody – at least in the waterfowl day-hunt community. And, to repeat, that was a huge industry on the outdoor scene in the Houston market. The ’70s and ’80s were a golden era for waterfowling in southeast Texas. We’ll never see it again. At one point almost 100 established day-hunt operations were available and I was in position to reap the right-time/rightplace rewards. I was accepted as a legitimate player by most of the Big Names. None to my recollection ever complimented my calling but I was regarded as a safe hand and a decent shot. The doors – gates, rather – were wide open. And you are correct in assuming that, backed by Chronicle’s outdoor page, I usually hunted in the company of top guides. And almost always in choice locations. Put another way, the shrewd camo-clad businessman seldom dumps a big-time outdoor writer into a shot-out hole. Anointed with the rags-to-riches abundance, I overdid it. By the ’90s, I burned out on waterfowl hunting – got more into the South Texas aura of deer, quail and doves. T e x a S

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Oh, I would go on the occasional duck or goose foray near Houston or maybe down along the coast, but the old stoke was missing. Of course, now and then, something would stir great memories – the sight of a low flock of ducks across a bayshore when fishing during fall, the high cries of migrating snows on a clear, cool October night in town, maybe just a gray, whipping morning that beckoned with all the ghosts of the marshes and prairies. I conjured occasional fond images but seldom committed to actually going waterfowl hunting. Maybe two or three times during a long season, compared to three or four times a week back in the glory days. I retired from the paper in ’07. If anything, the non-hunting pattern got worse, probably aided and abetted by the aches and pains associated with aging. There’s nothing particularly easy about duck or goose hunting. I don’t care who you are with or how cushy they try to make the experience – it’s potentially tough and things tend to break down or not go according to plan. The brutal alarm clock sets the pace. You’ve got to really want it. Last season, for happy reasons I cannot explain, I once again really wanted it. Maybe it was a yearning for things left behind. I duck hunted at least 15 days last season and fiercely embraced each outing. I hunted with old companions I really enjoy seeing, and used waterfowl guns I really enjoy shooting (Winchester Model 12 pump guns). It’s not all about the number of birds on the strap. And we hunted pleasing places steeped in tradition – marshes for teal and gray ducks, bay flats for redheads and sprigs, prairie ponds for mallards and mottled ducks. Perhaps most amazing, the bleats and squeals and whistles from the calls dangling from my muddy lanyard actually enticed a few ducks to decoy. Well, at least the puffing efforts didn’t scare all of them away... But I’m back. Long overdue, but back. And I keenly anticipate, as did my Chronicle mentor, the late Bob Brister, the next “Duck Eve.”

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

Manning Up the Mini-Van

uring my adult life, I have driven a variety of pickups and SUVs, some of which performed better than others, but all of which served me reasonably well. One class of vehicle, however, isn’t on the list and maybe deserves a shot someday. It’s neither sedan nor coupe, not a sports car or some city-slicked SUV with flashy

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rims and skinny tires. It’s that other vehicle. The only other one. The one you see at soccer games and in elementary-school carpool lanes. It is – don’t judge – the minivan. Have you been in a minivan? Have you sat in the driver’s seat, looked over your right shoulder and let your imagination run wild?

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If not, just open your mind and read. Minivans, it should be noted, are no longer the least masculine vehicles in Texas. That honor is now shared by the growing family of micro-electric cars, none of which could carry one grown man and his bowhunting gear let alone a couple of old-friend duck hunters, their decoys and a wet dog. But a minivan could, and maybe should, get the call someday to do just that – haul sportsmen. Let’s examine them from front to back. And right up front, I’ll concede that any consideration for outdoors duty will require a power upgrade. And better suspensions. And more ground clearance. And more serious wheels that put more rubber on the road. All would be simple modifications, if a manufacturer opted to accept the challenge, for Detroit or wherever minivans are made. Years ago, back when I still guided on the Katy Prairie, my SUV landed in the shop for some long-forgotten repair. I needed to go somewhere, and a neighbor kindly offered her snow-white minivan. I considered walking instead, or maybe taking a bus or a cab, but I didn’t want to offend. “Thanks,” I said, and politely accepted the keys. From the driver’s seat, all I could (not) see in front of me was glass. A wall of it. The view seemed almost panoramic, remarkably unobstructed. That’d be handy, I thought, for scouting deer pastures or glassing waterfowl roosts. Overhead, at least in the minivan I drove, was a moon roof. Or, as it could become on the right ranch under the right circumstances, an observation post or portable shooting Image: Texas Fish & Game

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platform. Imagine driving around a quality spread property in the quiet and comfort of a minivan and, upon seeing a big buck step from behind a thick mesquite or squad of pigs waddle into a clearing, having only to stand up, steady the rifle across the vehicle’s massive head, and squeeze the trigger. (Why not glue magnets to a couple of sand bags and leave them on the roof right through hunting season?) Behind me were two rows of seats, the farthest of which could be tossed into a dark corner of the garage and forgotten until time to resell the vehicle. Pilot and co-pilot up front, no more than two friends in the back, and a half-acre of open space for gear. Not cargo-van space, but no deer or waterfowl hunter needs “inside” storage for what it takes to hunt ducks or deer. One of the minivan’s most attractive features to the women who tend to drive them is their sliding side doors, and that would be equally valuable to sportsmen. The sliding door enables a fully grown and well-fed hunter in full winter gear, to enter or exit the vehicle without smearing mud on both sides

of a standard door. The floor can be draped in heavy drop cloth, rather than fancy mats, and that drop cloth can be removed for cleaning whenever necessary. (Seat covers seem logical additions, as well. I’d go with camo. A minivan, even a hunter’s minivan if that’s not still too oxymoronic for you, needs as much “manning up” as it can get.) As a bonus entry, there’s that lifting rear door for dogs and kids and other things that get exceptionally dirty on hunting trips. A second drop cloth rides under the dog box and the decoys, the shell bags and the hip boots. Minivans don’t come with four-wheel drive, at least not that I’ve heard. And even with more power and bigger tires, that actually may be a blessing. I learned decades ago that having four-wheel drive tends to just get you stuck farther off the road. On the prairie, back when I guided, we called it “two-wrecker stuck.” That meant it took two wreckers – one to hook your truck and, at the ends of both cables, the other to pull your truck and the first wrecker back to solid roadway. When you need two wreck-

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ers, you need twice the money. That lesson only needs learning once, even for hunting guides. The minivan, on the other hand, likely will get parked on concrete, asphalt or gravel. It is its own security system, too. No country thief would expect to find anything of country value in a minivan. Best of all, if needed, that same minivan can be put into traditional duty as a child carrier. You can pull right into the carpool lane, pick up the kids, and drive away. Even a dirty minivan with big tires isn’t nearly so creepy as circling the elementary school in a jacked up pickup or a van that looks like it used to be an ice cream truck. Next time you need a vehicle, have a seat in a minivan. Good news if you buy one. It’ll have a great place to put your man purse. I said they might make good hunting vehicles…someday. But not yet.

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Contact Doug Pike at DPike@fishgame.com

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10/11/13 10:27 AM

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

etting skunked is good for you. Well, up to a point of course. 21 days in a row is borderline psyche overload for this old bowhunter, but I think we can agree that the more difficult the pursuit, the more satisfying the success. Just take a look at Mrs. Nugent, won’t you. Twenty-five years ago she didn’t want to have a thing to do with me. Oh how sweet it is! Floundering about like an overworked guitar player, I climbed into my many home treestands day after day following the greatest summer-long musical jihad of my Motown life. We kicked off this year’s 80 concert run, Ted Nugent BlackPower2013, way back in April and pretty much rocked nonstop through September 1st. As the tour throttled on, I was far beyond pooped, but hunted, trapped and or fished every day I had off, you know, to “cleanse the soul” and recharge my spirit batteries to keep the ferocious musical energy alive and on fire. Every single day that I returned to nature as healer was like a brand new opening day for me each and every time. The escape from the brutal sonic bombast was not only good for me, but it has always literally been lifesaving. If you are going to rock like me and my boys do every song, every night, every concert, you damn well better learn to shut it off and counter the pounding with some serious down time. After the dust settled and we dragged ourselves off stage for the last time in Henderson, Nevada at 10:30 p.m. on the first day of September, I bade an emotional farewell to my musical cohorts and we toasted a celebratory thank you for yet another incredible summer. 18 |

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“ Every day I returned to nature was like a new opening day for me.

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Opening Day Everyday

The next afternoon I was in a treestand in Chama New Mexico with the renowned Fishtail Outfitters, and the purging was well on its way. We got skunked those three days but I was in a hurry to get home to the wife and dogs and my own bed and all the wonderful things in life like my guns and trucks and bows and stuff. The cleansing can only be accomplished fully when settled in at home and settling in is what I did. My two best friends, Gonzo and Happy the ultimate Labrador retrievers were in a frenzy of joy fetching doves and squirrels and rabbits every day. Running my trapline is therapeutic beyond words, and I hit a different treestand every morning and every night in pursuit of the always fascinating exotic

big game critters on our SpiritWild Ranch. In anticipation of the whitetail season, there is no better scouting than actual seat of the pants observations from the crow’s nest. Wouldn’t you know it that with the deer season still 20 some days off, it was the whitetails that surrounded my treestands most mornings and afternoons, posing broadside every which way, teasing the old bowhunter as only deer know how. A big fat blackbuck ewe wandered a bit too close to my ambush perch on one late afternoon hunt, and my pretty zebra arrow found its way into her pump station for some fresh exotic backstraps and a beautiful skin rug. It felt like the first time all over again. I was still plum tuckered out from the

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tour, but I pushed myself to hunt hard anyway. More and more these days, the whole world sucks, and thanks to the criminal, corrupt government under the Chicago community disorganizer in chief, America is sucking more all the time, but hallelujah and pass the Great SpiritWild, in a Texas tree with my bow and arrows, life doesn’t suck at all, and I was taking in all the healing powers of my predatorship for all it was worth. I am happy to report, that there was no sucking to be found. So by the time you read this little update from the hunt-addicted old guitar player, here’s hoping your soul, too, is cleansed, your freezers and bellies full of sacred protein from our BloodBrother beasts, your aim has been good, your spirit on fire and your batteries charged up to the max after every trip afield. It’s all about attitude, and with the right mindset, every time that alarm clock shatters your gentle sleep, may it awaken you to another magical day in the wilds of your favorite woods, prairies, swamps, mountains and jungles to carpe’ diem like you mean it and appreciate it. Hunting isn’t bowling or golf. It is the definitive primal act of survival, and in this crazy world, if we the people are to indeed take back America from the America haters running amok out there, we will need all the soul cleansing and battery charging muscle we can muster, and nothing fortifies the mind, body, heart and soul like a good day in the great outdoors, where “aim small miss small” is much more than a marksmanship regimen, but rather, a teaching moment of just how capable we are in focusing on the task at hand. Make every day that magical opening day my friends, and don’t let a single one get away from you. Look to the heavens and thank God almighty that He made you a hunter, and how that higher level of awareness can make you a better American. It’s not just sport, it is a duty. Contact Ted Nugent at TNugent@fishgame.com

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10/11/13 10:28 AM

Commentary by Kendal Hemphill | TF&G Political Commentator

lert reader Patrick Wentworth recently sent in a list of articles about toy gun buybacks at schools across America. Not buybacks of real guns, although those are becoming prevalent, also. The real, long-term threat to our Second Amendment rights is the toy gun buyback programs. All the articles sound pretty much the same, except for the names of the schools and towns, and the rewards offered the kids for turning in their toy guns. Some schools are giving the kids books, some are offering other toys, and some are even holding drawings for bicycles and Corvettes. Well, maybe not Corvettes. None are offering any common sense. Mr Wentworth was appalled at the number of these programs that have cropped up in the U.S., and rightfully so. The antis have hit upon their best chance of destroying freedom in America, and it’s hardly raising alarm. These people have an agenda. What they’re doing is implanting the idea in our children’s minds that all guns are bad, or else adults wouldn’t want to banish them. Even toy guns must be evil, if it’s a good idea to take them away from kids, and give them something else. And it works. The kids aren’t stupid, either, and they get the message. What these people are doing is setting the stage for more and stricter gun control laws down the road, when these kids grow up. And that’s what we’ll end up with, unless we combat the toy gun buybacks with something else. I propose BB gun competitions all over the U.S. And I propose programs in which schools that aren’t run by fraidy-cats give away free BB guns to kids on the honor roll, or something. Corvettes, too. Why not? What this is all about, after all, is fear.

“ The real threat to our Second Amendment rights is toy gun buyback programs.

“

Toys from Tots

The people who want to disarm America, and indoctinate our children against guns, are afraid. People are always afraid of things they don’t understand, and there’s no other explanation for this paranoia about guns, when all the evidence points to the necessity of guns. Without firearms in the hands of honest citizens, there is no civilization, only oppression. After the December tragedy at the elementary school in Sandy Hook, president Obama issued a bunch of executive orders. One of those was to the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC was given $10 million

of your money for a study of gun violence. I think they spent most of it on pizza, but I don’t have any proof. Yet. Unfortunately, the research didn’t exactly go the way Obama would have liked. Once the results were in, they offered more ammo for the pro-gunners than for the antis. Don’t you hate it when truth gets in the way of perfectly good totalitarianism? The CDC found that people use guns for self defense at least as often as guns are used for crime, and that armed citizens are less likely to be harmed by an attacker than unarmed ones. It found that mass shootings and accidental deaths are on the decline, and that they account for a very small percentage of gun-related deaths. It found that the vast T e x a S

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majority of gun-related deaths are suicides instead of homicides, and that there is no evidence that gun-free zones, background checks, and gun bans do anything to reduce crime. And criminals, according to the CDC, get most of their guns (70 percent) from family members, friends, drug dealers, and underground dealers, they don’t steal them or get them at gun shows or from retail gun stores. And these are the people who were supposed to find what Obama wanted them to find. Bummer. One of the CDC’s results was that gun buybacks, the real kind, are ineffective in reducing crime. Of course, that’s not news. Anyone with any sense knows that participating in a gun buyback program because you think there’s too much crime is the same thing as having yourself sterilized because you think your neighbor has too many kids. It’s like drawing a bucket of water from the Pacific Ocean twice a year to prevent drownings. It might make you feel good, but it doesn’t work. But toy gun buyback programs do work. They’re ingenius. They send the clear message that kids shouldn’t have guns, and that guns are the problem. The toy gun buyback program does an end run around all the evidence, all the proof, all the common sense in the world. It defeats the Constitution of the United States of America without a shot fired, or a law passed, or a door kicked in. Every toy gun buyback program held at every elementary school in the country destroys a little more of the freedom our nation was founded on. The toy gun buyback program may be the most cowardly, sneaky, underhanded, despicable gun control method ever devised, but in the long run it will be the most effective.

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Contact Kendal Hemphill at Khemphill@fishgame.com

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10/11/13 10:29 AM

Story and Photos by John N. Felsher 20 |

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Long Favored by Bass Anglers, Shoreline Points are also High-Yield Targets for Redfish

mall baitfish fought against the tide flowing out toward the Gulf of Mexico where rushing water created riffles at the end of a small grassy point.

On the backside of the point, the obstruction created a small eddy. In the relatively clear green water, the gold spinnerbait blades flashed as the lure rounded the point and dropped into the eddy. WHAM! A big redfish engulfed the swirling temptation and headed for open water. “Redfish sometimes chase bait in open water, but normally, they’re ambush predators that wait for bait to come to them,” said Capt. Jimmy Dooms, a professional redfish

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angler (361-443-3784, facebook.com/TeamStiffy) who also guides in Laguna Madre, Baffin Bay and other waters near Corpus Christi. “Points make very good ambush places for redfish.” Points constrict and redirect tidal flow, determining where redfish hide from prey. Currents frequently move baitfish, shrimp or crabs. Although they sometimes hunt on the upstream side, reds usually wait in the slack water behind a point, but look into the current for any delectable tidbits that might flow toward them. When hungry redfish see something they like, they pounce on it. After gulping surprised morsels, the reds return to their protected lairs behind the point to await more victims. “Tide is always a major player when fishing for redfish, but tides can help anglers find fish,” explained Shane Dubose, a professional redfish angler from Tomball, Texas. “I always like to fish on the downstream side of a point. Sometimes, an angler might catch a

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Jen Carroll from Celina,Texas fights a redfish she caught near a marshy point.

could create an excellent place for redfish to ambush prey. “A point doesn’t necessarily mean a point of land,” Dooms explained. “Anything in the water that blocks the water flow could create a point that makes a good ambush place for hungry redfish. On the Intracoastal Waterway, barges sometimes push up against the shoreline and make indentations 22 |

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fish or two upstream of the point. A few reds might try to get ahead of the others, but most of the time, the better bite comes at the backside of the point.” Winds also cause or change currents. Winds whipping around points can cause tide-like movement that positions fish and prey. Strong breezes can even overcome tides. Despite what the tide charts might predict, hard winds pushing water toward the Gulf create low tides. Winds blowing in from the Gulf keep inland waters and estuaries higher. While many people think of “points” as long, sloping bottom configurations that extend from the shoreline, points can take many natural and manmade forms. Points could include fallen trees, grass bed lines, bulkhead corners, docks, rock piles, riprap, bridge pilings or other supporting structures. Oil platforms create many edges that form points. Anglers may not even see submerged points, such as those around oyster reefs, beach troughs, sandbars, humps, sunken boats or old barges. Anything making a protrusion or a sharp edge that alters water flow

Grasslines and other shore extensions harbor many point-like structures.

that create points. Anything that can get in the way of normal tidal flow constitutes a point. They all make good ambush places.” Breaks in jetties allowing boats to pass between the rocks create excellent points that might hold redfish. Position the boat on the downstream side of the opening and throw up into the break. Off jetty ends, currents whipping around the tip frequently scour holes, good places to drop Carolina rigs baited with live mullets, shrimp or pogies. Big fish might hide in those holes to escape the tide and look for currents to deliver an easy meal. Broken weedy shorelines pockmarked by mini coves make uncountable small points that often hold redfish. A small ditch draining a marshy pond creates points when it hits the main channel. A falling tide may pull an enormous amount and assortment of baitfish, shrimp, crabs and other forage from these shallow ponds into the main channel. At the channel mouths, redfish and other predators often gather in great numbers waiting for the flow to bring them breakfast. During a falling tide, fish a soft plastic shrimp or minnow imitation at the mouth of these drains. If possible, use no weight or perhaps just a tiny split-shot to improve casting range. Insert the hook into the plastic and toss it upstream. Allow the bait to flow downstream naturally. Use the reel only to take up slack, but occasionally, pop the lure back to the surface like a natural shrimp washed from the lagoon. Anglers could also float a live or plastic shrimp under a cork that drifts

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down with the flow. “Water clarity determines what I use around points,” Dubose advised. “In clear water, I may use a tout, a Gulp mullet or four-inch shrimp. A spinnerbait is always a good choice. In off-colored water, I use a popping cork and shrimp. I always run the bait with the current, whenever possible.” Redfish lurking around points don’t always attack anything that comes near them. Sometimes, anglers need to provoke reaction strikes with loud, flashy baits that overcome natural noises and antagonize fish into attacking them. A rattling crankbait, spinnerbait with a big thumping gold Colorado blade or a spoon frequently does the trick. Always throw baits upstream well past the point to avoid spooking fish and work them downstream toward and around the point. “Redfish are very instinctive,” Dubose said. “Even when not actively feeding, they’ll still react to something that gets really close to them. On a calm day or a time with very little current, I throw a reaction bait like a spinnerbait or a gold spoon. Any type of bait with a reflective color might provoke a reaction strike. I usually don’t get a bunch of bites during those slack times, but one of those reaction baits might produce a few extra bites at that time than other types of baits.” Legendary angler Bill Dance once said, “Points point to fish.” While he said that about largemouth bass, the same holds true for salt water. Certainly no secret, points can lead to incredible action in any form they take. When fishing a shoreline, never pass up an opportunity to make an “a pointment” with redfish.

Photos: John N. Felsher

10/11/13 10:31 AM

Texas Saltwater by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor

Saltwater Mail Bag

t’s occurred to me that I haven’t answered readers’ questions. They’ve continued to roll in with frequency, so I’d like to dedicate a few words to answering some of the more interesting ones that have crossed my e-mail account. Who knows? You may find some of your own musings elucidated. I’m sure I’m like a lot of your readers in that I have a very limited amount of discretionary funds not just for fishing, but for fishing tackle. Can you recommend some lures that I can use both in fresh and salt water? —Ronald Batista Funny you should ask. I actually get a lot of queries, mostly from younger and entrylevel anglers, about using fresh water lures in the Big Briny. Topwaters made for bass, for example, look just like saltwater topwaters. The reason is that they are just like them, with the exception of more durable hardware on saltwater plugs to deal with the rigors of harsher conditions and tougher species. That said, I recommend an assortment of medium-sized topwaters and swimbaits (such as the Kelly Wigglers or Down South Lures lines of Soft Plastics). Plenty of anglers have discovered that Berkley Gulp! belongs in the budget-minded angler’s tackle box. These baits are effective, durable, and one can last the entire trip. To prevent your baits from being pulled down the hookshank by a pesky bait-stealer, a dab of Krazy Glue on the jighead will hold your lure in placed and save you money in the long run. Do you think you can write about some of the guides that fishermen should avoid? All you ever seem to write about “good” fishing

guides and great fishing trips.

I don’t—and won’t—write about “bad” fishing guides because they aren’t worth the space (I have encountered some that have no business guiding). That said, I’ve dealt with a lot of quality guides up and down the coast, and I try to mention them often because they deserve the business. There are also a lot of top-notch guides that I haven’t had a chance to mention. I understand the concern that motivates your e-mail, however. Few things can ruin a trip more than to go through the trouble and expense of driving down to the coast from Hebbronville, or Uvalde, or Abilene, hiring a guide, and discovering that the guy is incompetent, or worse. You can avoid such an ordeal with a little research. Of course, the easiest route is to call the captains that we use in Hotspots or our Texas Lakes & Bays annual. Short of that, ask around to other anglers, see who they recommend and ask why. Fellow fishermen are always great sources of information. Or, you can always contact your destination’s Tourist Bureau. They may be able to refer you to a good, qualified captain. Remember one caveat: The best guide in the world can’t buck lousy fishing conditions. Most captains will empty a gas tank, stay out a little long and beat the water to foam trying to put you on fish. If the fish won’t bite, there’s nothing they can do. Anglers who do the hiring have to take that into account. How can you say that you are an advocate of children and a critic of animal advocates? I thought you’d want to teach children about compassion and how to treat all of God’s creatures. —A. Cortez Heh. I have always wondered what an “animal advocate” is doing reading a rod and gun magazine such as Texas Fish & Game. Perhaps they are living vicariously through the adventures of others who actually do things. T e x a S

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Yes, I am a huge children’s advocate. Recently, I moved down to teaching at the middle school level instead of high school because I felt I could make more of an impact with younger people. I feel the same way about my fishing. I love fishing with my son, his nephew, and his friends. My greatest moments as a fisherman have been sharing some of their piscine milestones. I have always maintained that fishing is a great way to teach young people values such as compassion, moderation, generosity, and other virtues. To be honest, I see more vices such as dishonesty, wrath, pride, and maybe a little envy come from the animal rights sector. You seem to push species other than trout, flounder, redfish, or snook quite often. Why? Do you just like catching easier fish? —J. Zuniga What I really like, and I’m sure most fishermen do, is fishing. I’m the sort of guy who can fish for hours on end without a fish, and if I get a bite, I’ll fish hours more just on that alone. I love all the fish you mentioned, and I’m also a bit of a tarpon addict. I just as much thrill out of sitting by a causeway or bridge and catching sheepshead or mangrove snapper, too. I’m sure other anglers would, too; and I try to share that information with them. A 28 inch trout is an awesome fish, but I would explode with excitement over a five-pound mangrove, too. And don’t think these other species are easier to catch. A friend of mine and I once spent an entire afternoon trying to catch some of the biggest sheepshead we’ve ever seen. We could see them moving up and down some dock pilings. We’d throw out live shrimp, feel them as they picked up and chewed the bait, and then set the hook into nothing. It went on for three hours.. We finally moved off and went looking for some trout. They were much easier to catch.

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Contact Calixto Gonzales at CGonzalez@fishgame.com |

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10/12/13 10:43 AM

The lordly largemouth may rank as the king of the hill with freshwater anglers statewide, but there are a handful of Texas lakes where Morone saxatilis rings the bell just as loud with thrill seeking recreational fishermen. Well known for its nasty disposition and brawny power, the striped bass packs a punch that will test the guts of any level wind reel while simultaneously feeding a squeal and reel factor you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t experience with any other species finning around in Lone Star waters. 24 |

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Photos: background, Jack Bissell; Foreground, David Sams

10/11/13 10:33 AM

Just so you know, ol’ linesides is not native to fresh water. It is a saltwater species that can also live in fresh water. Given the right environment, the pelagic sport fish can actually thrive and, in some cases, reach enormous sizes on a healthful diet of shad, perch and other forage. “It certainly adds a niche that isn’t found in most inland waters,” said Mukhtar Farooqi, a TPWD fisheries biologist based in San Marcos. “The striper is a big, powerful fish that is fun to catch and good on the table.

Plus, it is very important economically. These fish help support local economies and they support quite a few guides on some lakes.” Unlike largemouth bass, crappie and catfish, striped bass do not reproduce naturally in most impoundments. The only Texas lake with a self-sustaining striper population is Lake Texoma along the Texas/ Oklahoma border. Other lakes rely solely on fingerlings and fry raised in TPWD hatcheries. To date, river systems have kicked T e x a S

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out Texas’s biggest stripers, including a 53-pound state record that was caught out of the Brazos in 1999 and the No. 2 fish, a 50-pounder, caught from the Guadalupe in 1996. But there are several reservoirs where anglers stand a good chance of hooking up with a big striper or two if they play their cards right. The following is our Top 5 list of winter striper haunts based on input from state fisheries biologists and other experts. |

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No. 1 Texoma: Built on the Red and Washita rivers, Texoma is recognized nationwide for its world-class striper fishing. It is one of the few lakes in the country where the population takes care of itself. “It’s hard to beat a situation where we have a striper fishery that is self reproducing and self recruiting,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Region 2 inland fisheries director. “It has been recognized as a world-class striper fishery for years, and it generates a lot of money the area economy. A 1995 survey showed that figure to be about $22 million annually.” Van Zee pointed out that Oklahoma’s fisheries division deserves all the credit for the Texoma striper fishery. “They are the one that brought the fish in initially, and they just took off,” he said.

es large numbers of intermediate size stripers, but you don’t see a lot of the great big fish you see in Arkansas and other states. This is because it doesn’t have the optimal adult striped bass habitat with lots of cool, oxygenated water. But there are a lot of 10-15 pound fish out there right now” Mauck says Texoma produces good fishing all year using sassy shads, slab, live bait and even topwaters when the timing is right. During winter, he says slower presentations with artificials and live bait tend to work best because of the striper’s slowed metabolism.

No. 2: Whitney Texas No. 2 striper fishery has been kicking out top-notch fishing for years, but like many other Central Texas impoundments it has suffered some setbacks as the result of deadly

Typical catches like this help put Texoma in the top spot.

Oklahoma biologists jump-started the population with generous stockings from 1965-74. The fishery has been self-sustaining ever since, thanks to timely spawning runs that occur in both river arms during the spring of the year. “It’s a phenomenal fishery,” said Matt Mauck, south central regional fisheries supervisor with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “There are very high harvest opportunities provided by the large year-classes of fish resulting from natural reproduction. It produc26 |

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golden algae. According to fishing guide Clay Yadon of Whitney, golden algae caused a significant die-off on the lake in the early 2000s, but the striper fishery has since bounced back thanks to an aggressive stocking program. “Whitney is fishing excellent right now,” Yadon said. “We’re catching lots of fish in the five- to six-pound range and good numbers of 12- to 14-pounders with an occasional 18 pounder.” Yadon says the bite is particularly good from October to December as T e x a S

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water temps begin chilling and the birds begin to work over schooling activity. “The fish are building their eggs then, so it’s all about stacking on calories. They’ll be in big schools and there is a lot of competition for the bait.” Although live bait will work all year, Yadon such as to use swim baits like a Sassy Shad or a Wild Eye Shad when the aggressive schooling activity is taking place.

No. 3: Tawakoni TPWD fisheries biologist Kevin Storey of Tyler says 37,000-acre Tawakoni has a rich history for producing quality stripers (and lots of them), but it has been particularly hot since 2011. “It’s been a good striper (and hybrid) lake for years, but the last couple of years it has been really good,” Storey said. “What is causing it I don’t know, but the anglers have been catching fish like crazy.” Fishing guide Joe Read echoed Storey’s sentiments. He says fall and winter are outstanding seasons for numbers as well as size. “During fall the fish will run the shad into coves and up on humps, and we’ll be fishing under the birds with slabs, sassy shads and topwaters” Read said. “You’ll catch a lot of fish in the fiveto ten-pound range and an occasional 15- to 18-pounder.” Read says stripers will become more lethargic once water temps dip into the 50s, so it is important to use a slow presentation. His favorite technique is deadsticking with a Bass Assassin or Fluke on a 3/4- or 1-ounce jig head. “Once you locate fish, drop the bait down about a foot above them and drift. They’ll hammer it.”

No. 4: Lake Buchanan Lake Buchanan doesn’t crank out the numbers of trophy class stripers it once did, but it continues to produce Photo: Bill Carey, Striper Express

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solid fishing for Hill Country striper crowds. “It’s been pretty consistent through the years,” says Max Alexander, longtime owner of Alexander Boat Dock in Tow, Texas. “We don’t see numbers of really big ones anymore, but we do see quite a few in the 22to 24-inch range with an occasional 18- to 20-pounder.” Fishing guide Ray Williamson says Buchanan stripers will hit assorted artificials such as swim baits, slabs and topwaters, but live shad fished in areas where the bait fish are congregated is the year-round favorite. “The best areas can vary from one day to the next,” Williamson said. “You have to follow the bait. One day they might be three cranks off bottom on ridges in 30 feet, and suspended in the trees the next.” As is the case on Tawakoni, the introduction of hybrid stripers a few years ago was a welcomed addition

at Buchanan. “That’s what most of the fishermen are going after nowadays,” Alexander said. “They are very plentiful and fairly easy to catch. They’ll be mixed in with the stripers at times.”

No. 5: Canyon Fishing guide Steve Nixon has been chasing Canyon stripers for nearly two decades. Through experience, he has learned that the fish here tend to behave a little bit differently from how they do in other lakes. “These fish can be difficult to find in the winter months,” Nixon said. “And when you do find them it can be difficult to get them to bite, especially once the water temperature drops into the 60s. Canyon stripers tend to suspend over really deep water. I’m talking deep 40 to 65 feet

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deep in the winter. When you catch one, its eyes are bulging by the time it reaches the surface.” Nixon says he targets winter stripers almost exclusively with a shad pattern swim bait fished on a downrigger. He will key the Guadulupe River ledges and breaks more than anything else. “Slabs will work too, but I’ll go with the swim bait the majority of the time. The fish will be lethargic, so you need put something down there that doesn’t move around a whole lot. It would be nice if you could fish live bait, but it is real hard to come by.” Nixon says the average fish anglers can expect to catch at Canyon will weigh around three to 10 pounds, but there are some much larger ones finning around out there. One of his buddies reported a pair of fish over 20 pounds last spring, both on topwater baits.

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So you thik you have a pretty good handle on how deer behave. Or do you? Yes, a deer’s normal routine in life is to feed, avoid predators including hunters, breed seasonally and do what we all like to do best: lie down and watch the world go by without any complications or interruptions.

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending upon how you or a deer looks at it, the daily routines of a whitetail deer often are everything other than being routine. Sometimes, a deer’s life can get wacky and range from the hilarious to downright terrifying. Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions hunters have about whitetail deer is that they all are alike. Most hunters picture a whitetail deer as an animal growing up as a doe-protected fawn into a teenager, then an adult and hopefully for others, an old-timer, whether male or female. Sounds like a simple life, doesn’t it? The truth is, deer are a lot like humans. Some are more sensitive to their elements than others, some rely upon the protection of their mothers far beyond their years as adolescents, and some live their lives with physical and mental “disorders” that play a big role in how they live out their lives.

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Whitetails are excellent swimmers, especially when they are avoiding danger.

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maneuvers often displayed over food sources or just to remind the other deer who is in charge. On the bizarre side, some hunters have reported seeing whitetail deer chasing and eating birds, feathers and all, as well as eating meat. In fact, two Michigan researchers made a three-year study a few years ago that involved placing trail cameras over meat-

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baited areas in 19 states to observe whitetail deer responses. The “meat piles” included dead rabbits and beavers, beef steaks and even a Thanksgiving left-over turkey. The researchers’ trail cameras photographed deer eating on the carcasses and meat. Were the deer seeking protein? Only the deer have that answer. However, the project expanded other investigations to determine whether deer affect ground nesting birds by eating their eggs and nestlings. Although deer eating meat may seem unbelievable to some hunters, I can relate somewhat to it by an experience I had at Ranger Creek Ranch west of Seymour a few years ago regarding javelina, an animal whose diet is made up largely of prickly pear and the roots of other plants. I had shot a javelinas (yes, there are javelina in North Texas) and sat motionless while the remaining herd of about eight javelinas bolted into the brush only to return moments later. One of the larger javelinas walked to the downed javelina I had killed and began either licking or Bucks are picking at the downed javelina’s predisposed to exit wound area. I photographed aggressive the incident from my nearby behavior. blind. The live javelina finally left

The result: there are some really wacky whitetail deer among us, and some of them give us lots of laugher while others could keep us on the run for our own safety. On the lighter side are the curious whitetails hunters have had experience with all the way from Florida to the Northeast and in-between. There have been hundreds of instances recorded by hunters about does and young bucks literally following hunters to their stands or through the woods at distances ranging from five to 20 feet without any sign of fear. Some hunters have said these tame, curious or mentally-challenged deer have come so close they could reach out and touch them. Many hunters as well as wildlife biologists have said these close relationships displayed by the deer were caused by young deer who never have seen a human and were not instinctively fearful of humans while others say these “tame” deer were the result of some sort of mental lack among the deer. I think the answer probably is a combination of both. Aggressive deer, on the other hand, often have displayed “boxer-type” positions against one another, rising on their hind feet to spar at another deer doing the same in a dominance-gaining posture. This, of course, is recognized as normal dominance-assessing

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after about 25 minutes with his nose covered in the dead javelina’s blood. Therefore, I have no difficulty learning that some deer will eat meat, although I would like to know why. Whitetail deer also have been observed with their heads underwater as they fed on aquatic vegetation. If it is there and they want to eat it, they apparently will find a way. Another unusual behavior among bucks is how some treat their scrapes. Many bucks will simply paw out an area next to a tree or bush with overhanging limbs on which to leave their scent as well as urinating in the scrape. However, some bucks have been observed going that extra mile by pawing and urinating in a scrape and then lying down and wallowing in it. The instincts of whitetail deer to hide from man and other wildlife also borders on the phenomenal. Many hunters have observed whitetail does and bucks lowering themselves to the ground to hide from approaching hunters rather than raising their flag-like tails and “high-tailing” it out of perceived danger. I saw an eight-point buck do that several years ago in an attempt to hide from a helicopter I was riding in during a deer population survey on a ranch near Freer in Southwest Texas. I was photographing the survey with the chopper’s pilot when the eight-pointer we were following suddenly circled a clump of mesquites and lay flat on the ground. We circled and made a low pass. I took photos of the buck with his chin flat on the ground and bug-eyed as he looked up at the “big bird in the sky” before we climbed away in order not to disturb him any longer. Deer, especially bucks, can be very aggressive, especially during the rutting season, as an Austin man found out a few years ago. He was critically injured after work one day when he returned to his suburban home, and a buck attacked him in his driveway. Many similar attacks have been recorded throughout the country, and in most cases, the attacks have occurred during the rutting season, a time when bucks are very protective of their ranges. Deer are great swimmers, too, especially when they think they are in danger. Although I wouldn’t suggest anyone try to duplicate the actions I took toward a nubbin buck that a friend and I observed swimming across Lake Bridgeport north of the Fort

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Worth-Dallas area several years ago, it was an interesting event to share. The young buck apparently had been chased into the lake by dogs or coyotes and chose to try to swim across the lake to safety. In the process, the little fellow apparently lost any fear of humans he might have had when I eased my boat close to him. He swam around the boat twice, looking at it as he wanted to climb on or into it. I obliged by pulling him aboard. I idled the boat about 200 yards to a

bank he apparently was attempting to reach. However, his “release” did not happen before he ate a few potato chips from a bag on the floor of the boat as we idled him to the bank. Hopefully, the potato chips tasted better to that little buck than would a rabbit, beaver, or left-over Thanksgiving turkey.

10/10/13 6:05 PM

Texas Department of Defense Point Shooting

ith the number of people today who have concealed carry licenses, we have tried to cover subjects in this column that can help them gain proficiency with their chosen weapons. To be truly proficient a person needs to be able to draw and hit a target at close range without using the sights. This is called by many names but it is most commonly called point shooting. I have seen it described as aimed, but not sighted fire. I tend to agree with that assessment, because point shooting at ranges up to 10 yards can be very accurate, and it is a skill that everyone who carries a handgun for personal protection needs to acquire. According to the most trusted sources, most gunfights (75 percent) take place

Low Light Defensive Shooting FBI statistics report that over 80 percent of violent confrontations occur in low light situations. With this in mind, when was the last time you trained with your pistol at night? Most folks just tend to shoot on a static range during daylight hours, but that won’t prepare you for the worst type of defensive situation. 32 |

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from less than optimum positions in the shortest possible time. Thus, the vast majority of your practice should be aimed at allowing you to make hits in this way. In an up-close, life and death situation, our every instinct tells us to focus on the threat and not on the gun in our hands. That is, q we look at the person who is trying to kill us, Point shooting relies so we can respond to more on instinct than his actions. According target sighting. to Don Mann, former inside three yards, last for less than three Navy SEAL, “Trying to look at your sights seconds, and require three shots. Under in such situations is likely to be counter these conditions there is no time to draw, to millions of years of evolution.” I’m not aim, and squeeze the trigger. Instead, the a believer in evolution, but that sentence shooter must draw and put lead on the target makes the point with crystal clarity.

Shooting is a visual activity, and we depend on our eyes for target acquisition, weapon manipulations, sight alignment, and shot feedback. But when our visibility is decreased due to poor lighting we need to be ready to compensate for that loss or we will be at a disadvantage in a fight for our lives. I recommend you start training with either an inert training pistol or a safe, unloaded, triple checked handgun and a flashlight in a dark, safe area. There are a couple of gripping techniques that you can use, and it’s advantageous to try them all out. This helps you find which ones you prefer, yet enables you to use any variation if needed. The most popular grip is the “Harries Technique” where you hold your flash-

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light in your support hand in an icepick grip, reflector towards the target, under your gun hand while pressing the wrists together for support. This was developed in the early ’70s for larger flashlights, and now it gives us good control of a thumb button tailcap on modern tactical lights while it stabilizes your shooting hand. But a disadvantage is that with the light directly in front of you the bad guy could shoot right at the light to strike you. So then we have the FBI Method, where you hold the light out to the side to illuminate your target, then the bad guy can try to shoot at the light and hit two feet to your left (if he’s that good of a shot). This might be best used in an outdoor situation where you are scanPhotos: Above, Steve Photo Lamascus; credit Lower Right, Robert Morgan

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q Point-shooting accuracy at up to 10 yards is a necessary skill in handgun self protection.

In such situations, even people who have been trained to hold the gun in both hands and focus on the front sight, and who have never fired their handguns in any other way, tend to revert to shooting with one hand and forget about the front sight. My idea is that instead of trying to overcome these basic instincts, we make use of them and learn to shoot with one hand by looking over the gun, rather than trying to find the front sight. At longer ranges, when we have more time, we can make use of our fine motor skills by holding the gun in two hands and using the sights. The Harries Technique is the most solid shooting platform.

ning large areas, but would be limited in close quarters or hallways where it might not even be possible to reach that far. A disadvantage to this is you are now shooting one handed. Continued on page 34 u T e x a S

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Texas Department of Defense

Low Light Shooting

first adversary continue to threaten you, or should another danger reveal itself. To point shoot, when the gun is drawn the wrist should be locked, and the gun should be held in line with the forearm, so that the trigger is pulled straight back down the axis of the wrist and arm. The gun can be fired from over the holster, or at any time as the arm is extended. However, the gun should not be extended to the extent that it is presented to the threat. The best location that I have found from which to fire is when the gun is extended to just under the level of the shoulder, with the elbow slightly bent and pressed against the side. This allows the weapon to be seen in the peripheral vision,

The Cheek Weld helps illuminate your pistol’s sights and keeps the light pointed where your head moves.

but keeps it close enough to the body to keep it safe from an opponent in front of you. It is very difficult to accurately shoot a gun you cannot see, but shooting over a gun that is visible in the peripheral vision is an accurate way to put rounds on target at close range. I also lean slightly to my right (for right handers) to put my eye in line with the gun. If you are serious about protecting yourself with a handgun, this is one skill you absolutely must acquire and practice religiously. —Steve LaMascus

In his book, The Modern Day Gunslinger, Don Mann quotes from a letter written by Wild Bill Hickock. Hickock was asked how he killed so many men. His response was that “he raised his hand to his eye level, like pointing a finger, and he fired.” This technique has been taught to the military and police for decades, and it works. The targets pictured herein were shot from three yards, from the holster, using a Colt Lightweight Commander in .45 ACP. One important thing to remember is that very seldom is an opponent stopped by one shot. We need to be prepared to fire more than one round. We also need to be aware of our surroundings as there is very likely to be more than one adversary and we can be blindsided by one while we are nullifying the threat from the first. The point being that when you are practicing, do not draw, fire one or two shots and reholster. Instead, draw, fire two shots, and then immediately scan the surroundings to see if there are any more threats, including behind you, all the time keeping your weapon in the ready position, prepared to fire again should the

t Continued from page 33 Finally we have the “Cheek Weld” method where you brace your flashlight against your cheek with your support hand. You are from once page again xx shooting one t Continued handed, and the light is also a homing device for the bad guy, but the advantage is the cast off from the light will illuminate your pistol’s sights and when the light is anchored to your cheek your head will help direct your light where your eyes are looking I’m not going to recommend one over the other, but rather that you train with all of the above for you never know what situation you might find yourself in when you need to choose the best course of action. While you are low-light training keep in mind not to draw a line of light to yourself as you illuminate the area. Know your light’s functions and light up

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q The FBI Technique is good in case the bad guys decide to shoot at the light.

areas only momentarily. Keep moving as you scan your target area. Also, beware of hand confusion. I’ve seen several new shooters move their gun off target as they move their flashlight on target. This is why we must train. Also, don’t neglect weapons manipulations, make

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sure you can reload, holster, and clear malfunctions while holding a light. Train hard, stay safe! —Dustin Ellermann

Photos: Robert Morgan

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Hunt Texas by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor

Rules to Hunt By

determine to the best of their abilities where the heaviest elk and bear activity is so they can set up their ladder and ground blinds in places that offers the hunters shots at 30 yards or less yards from a well-concealed, down-wind position, whether they are left or right-handed archers. Large begins scouting for elk and elk tracks in June and July on foot, beginning at camp and walking each day

f it weren’t for the elk herd on Sleeping Giant Mountain, the numerous trails winding through the underbrush rising from the floor all the way to the Luke Clayton, top of the beautiful historic mountain left, and Larry Large, could have been made by Larry right, discuss the location Large of Alba, Texas. of a trail camera on Sleeping Giant Mountain I can’t think of another person near Steamboat Springs, I’ve ever met that takes scouting for Colorado before this year’s elk prior to and during Colorado’s archery-only elk archery-only elk hunting season to season. a higher level than Large, especially on Sleeping Giant Mountain located just northwest of Steamboat Springs near the Colorado-Wyoming border. Large has been guiding hunters on a private ranch that sprawls across one side of the mountain as well as elsewhere in the Rockies for more than 15 years. Without a doubt, he has left almost as many tracks in one day’s time spent tracking elk than the elk themselves. Today, Large and my long-time friend Luke Clayton of Combine, Texas operate L&L Outfitters, an archery elk and bear hunt- for several miles up and down the mountain ing operation whose Rocky Mountain hunts to determine which trails are being used the most, how those trails intersect with others, are as well-planned as any I ever have seen. As I watched Large investigate a series which types of vegetation the elk are eating, of elk tracks on the side of Sleeping Giant locations of wallows, water holes and other Mountain one day this past archery elk season, important factors. Clayton and Large set up trail cameras at I thought about all the things that go into providing hunters with their best possible chances several “hot spots” which helps them choose of shooting an elk with a bow, and what it blind and stand locations and monitor activitakes to establish a comfortable, well-furnished ties prior to and during the season. Once the blinds are set up and brushed for hunting camp. As my days with them spanned into the better concealment, the outfitters make plans following week, I began to think about the regarding hunter dropoff and pickup times many other things required for the outfitters and how they are executed with minimum such as equipment maintenance, the camp disturbance of the surroundings. Once other considerations such as equipcook’s responsibilities, and setting up extra activities for hunters who had early success, ment maintenance, game care facilities, daily but also about the responsibilities of the hunt- meals, chopped wood supplies, and outfitters’ and hunters’ quarters have been met, the table ers, themselves. Large and Clayton go to extra lengths to has been set for the arrival of the hunters. Photo: Bob Hood

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The responsibilities of each hunter are simple but unfortunately often not taken seriously by all hunters. Although the outfitter should make sure each hunter has the required hunting licenses and permits, that actually is the responsibility of the individual hunter. The hunter should read the rules for the area to be hunted and follow them. If the hunter can’t understand the rules, he or she should then consult the state game department or the outfitter. Other hunter responsibilities include: Arise and be ready to leave for your hunt at the appointed time so you don’t hold up the other hunters. Inform the outfitter if there are certain foods you can not eat due to medical reasons. Don’t leave opened water bottles, beverage containers, coffee cups, paper plates and similar items on tables, window sills or anywhere else in the camp if you are through with them. Throw them away. Do not leave sacks of chips, cookies and other snacks open. Either fold the sack closed or seal it closed with a clothes pin or other item that has been furnished. Yes, an expert camp cook like Billy Kilpatrick of L&L Outfitters will keep the camp clean, but the hunter should do his part, too. Keep your personal items packed or stored in an out-of-the-way place, not sprawled out on the floor beside your bed or draped over a chair. Do not take alcohol afield. Store your weapons safely, and not inside the camp house unless an area has been furnished for weapons storage. Clean up after yourself and don’t hesitate to pick up after other hunters. Remember that everything has its place, whether it is in the trash container, fire pit, or stashed neatly on a table or shelf. Basically, don’t be a slob hunter. Respect the camp, the cook, the guide and the other hunters.

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Contact Bob Hood at BHood@fishgame.com |

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The Mystery and Beauty in One of the Wildlife World’s Oddities by chester moore 36 |

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“There’s something big and white that keeps coming out late in the evening toward your stand. We can’t see what it is but we’ve heard a strange whistling sound.” These words from my Aunt Ann lit my extremely inquisitive passion for wildlife investigation and within 24 hours I had a game camera set at my feeder which which at the time was located on the back side of her (former) property in Newton County. Three days later I returned to pick up the camera and was shocked when I got the film developed. (Yes, I said film. This was back in the dark ages when there was a such thing as a 35 mm camera.) A huge white bull elk was hitting my feeder. The first shot showed it eating the corn and the next with its nose to the camera. This escapee from a nearby exotic ranch did not make it long, as someone shot it a couple of weeks later in their pea patch but for a while, this “ghost deer” was big talk around hunting camp. From time to time hunters encounter what seem like white phantom deer in the Lone Star State. Sometimes they are shot and killed but often it seems they evade hunters and become legend in certain areas. Let us examine the source of some of these mysterious sightings.

Albino Whitetails

On rare occasions, an albino whitetail will make it to adulthood in the wild, and they are a remarkable sight. They are striking animals and over the last year, I have had the pleasure of being around one at my friend Ken Swenson’s Swenson Whitetail Ranch. T e x a S

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Their buck “Rusty” is becoming quite an impressive specimen. Albino whitetails are a rarity, but they do exist. In my opinion, they would be the least likely source of sightings.

Piebald Whitetails

Think of a piebald as an animal with partial albinism or simply lack of pigment in certain areas instead of all over the body. Over the years, there have been a number of piebald whitetails taken by hunters. My father, my wife Lisa and I saw a piebald doe while hunting aoudad on a beautiful spread called the Greenwood Valley Ranch in 1993. She had big blotches on her side and several along the neck. Piebalds are also called “calico deer” and seem to be most commonly killed in the Pineywoods region of the state but they could turn up anywhere.

Leucistic Whitetails

When I was a kid, my father and I put together scrapbooks of wildlife and I had a small clipping of a leucistic (white) whitetail from the Seneca Army Depot in New York. F i s h

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Photo: Lisa Moore

spotted at a distance is virtually impossible to distinguish from a white whitetail. In fact, there was one road-killed a few miles from my home, five years ago, and I had a hard time convincing people it was not a whitetail. Fallow bucks have huge palmated antlers when mature but young bucks can have racks similar to whitetails especially when viewed at a distance. This is my number one candidate on the “ghost deer” list.

Various Exotics

Ten years ago, TF&G Bowhunting come in spotted, Editor Lou Marullo took me there and we chocolate and white got to see some behind their security fence varieties and there are tens of thousands of as well as one free ranging a few miles from them out there. the post. Fallow deer come from Europe and Asia According to Senecawhitedeer.org, “The and adapted to the Texas Hill Country white deer found at Seneca Army Depot are perfectly, and there are many free-ranging a natural variation of the white-tailed deer specimens in Kerr, Bandera, Medina and (Odocoileus virginianus), which normally Uvalde Counties in particular. They also do have brown coloring.” well on high fenced properties in other parts “The Seneca White Deer are leucistic, of the state and often escape. meaning they lack all pigmentation in the A white fallow doe hair but have the normal brown-colored eyes. Albino deer, which lack only the Piebald deer are certainly a source pigment melanin, have pink eyes and of “ghost deer” are extremely rare. The Seneca White sightings. Deer interbreed freely with the brown deer in the former Depot and appear to share the habitat equally.” They go on to say the genetics of these deer have not been studied extensively, but a recessive gene for lack of pigmentation apparently prevents normal (i.e. brown) coloration of the hair. “Management of the white deer within the former Depot increases the proportion of deer exhibiting the trait.” New York is not the only place leucistic deer have been found, and this is another potential source for “ghost deer” in the Lone Star State.

There are a variety of exotics that could potentially explain “ghost deer” sightings. As silly as it may seem a white nanny goat spotted moving at a distance could easily fool a hunter as could young scimitarhorned oryx or various species of antelope. The white elk mentioned above is another candidate but a super rare one which is why I consider myself privileged to have had such an encounter. There is something exciting about encountering an anomaly in the wild. Seeing a deer is one thing but spotting a genetic rarity or even an escaped exotic is unexpected but always welcome. Texas is a land of surprises so stay alert in the field, keep your eyes fixed on the edge of the wood line and you might get a glimpse of one of these mysterious ghost deer.

Photo: Lisa Moore

The author interacts with a massive fallow buck. Fallows come in several colors, including white. Either the white or spotted could be mistaken for a white whitetail, especially does or young bucks.

Fallow Deer

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Texas Bowhunting by Lou Marullo | TF&G Bowhunting Editor

Build It and They Will Come

here you are. Waiting patiently for hours in your tree stand for that perfect shot. After all, pre-season scouting brought you to this point, and the shot you have prepared is a mere 20 yards from your perch. If the deer comes the way that you expect them to, then you’ll have a perfect quartering away shot. Oh yeah—just a question of time before that big boy shows himself. Then, off in the not-so-distant woodlot, you can see the legs of an approaching whitetail. All excited that things are going your way, you stand up and prepare for the perfect shot, but at the last minute, the deer decides he does not want to play your game. He has decided to take a different route. Frustrated, you watch helplessly as he walks farther and farther away for any shot. Has that scenario ever happened to you? With just a little effort on your part, you can put the odds in your favor. A pair of rubber gloves, some rubber boots, a good set of brush clippers and a scent eliminator spray are the tools you will need to accomplish the task at hand. Deer are creatures of habit, and to tell you the truth, they are lazy animals. If they have a choice of going under a fence where the ground dips down or jumping over it, they will choose going under it every time, as long as it is easier for them. That is also why they make deer trails through the woods and along hillsides. They will invariably take the easiest route. The same is true for crossing streams. They will find the most shallow spot in the river to cross instead of swimming across. If a tree falls and blocks what used to be a major deer trail, the whitetails

will simply make another trail and follow the easiest route. You can use this knowledge to help you score on a whitetail this season. Last year I made my way to my tree stand, and I was equipped with the items I spoke of earlier. I followed the deer trail back toward their bedding area, being careful not to get too close. I located a major deer run that intercepted other smaller ones. In short, I had found the mother load of deer trails. It was in some thick cover, but this was a blazing trail that was dug down deep with deer prints. I followed the trail in the general direction of my tree stand. I soon realized that the main trail was starting to go in the wrong direction. I grabbed my brush clippers and took a few branches down and made a small barrier right on that main trail. I added brush and just about anything else that I could find and simply placed it on the main trail. Then I cleared a path towards my stand. I made it obvious that this was a pathway and much easier to follow. It worked like a charm. The whole project only took about two hours out of my day, but I was sure that the payoff would be worth it. I stayed away from that particular woodlot for a week and then when the wind was right for that stand, I headed out with high expectations. It was an afternoon stand that was overlooking a trail leading to a well-used food plot. I had a few does come by early offering a good shot, but I was going to wait for a nice buck. I heard grunting in the distance but the sun was going down fast. I was hoping that the buck would move in a little faster, but that was not to be. At least not this night. I was assured of one thing though. My plan had worked. It would just be a question of time for me to see a nice buck from that stand. The next few days saw the wind change direction making the stand impossible to get to without being detected. I was forced either to hunt a different location or watch football for a few days. I chose the latter. Finally, the wind had changed direction, the clouds had cleared out and I was expecting a beautiful afternoon in the stand. T e x a S

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I was not disappointed. I could have fallen asleep in my stand if I was not careful. It was not long before the parade of does started to work by my shooting lane. I must have counted more than ten does that evening. Then the buck that was making all the racket a week earlier decided to head toward the food plot and to all those does. Closer and closer he came and had no idea he was about to have a bad day. It was like he read my plan book and was following it to a tee. He finally made it to my shooting lane and stopped to test the air currents. He even was kind enough to turn his head to the left which gave me all the time I needed to draw my bowstring back and loose an arrow toward his vitals. It was all over in an instant. Looking back, I had to smile at my success that evening. That tree stand, although hidden in a good thicket, had not produced a whitetail for three years and it was not until I decided to do something about it that my luck had changed. Was it really luck? No, it was a strategy that was thought-out and executed perfectly. You can entice the deer to move in your direction with calls and scents, but to have them come to you just by following the easiest route, seems more rewarding. To make it even more exciting is the fact that you made the deer trail for them to use. If you build it, they will come. I know I have heard that before, but hey…it does work. Hunt safe and have fun out there.

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Contact Lou Marullo at LMarullo@fishgame.com

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10/11/13 10:40 AM

TRUE GREEN Nearshore Reef Projects Started

photo: TPWD

Texas Gets K-9 Game Wardens

For the first time in their history, Texas Game Wardens have a fulltime, statewide canine team. The first five canine handlers and dogs have graduated from an intense eight-week training program located at the world famous Utah POST (Peace Officer TPWD’s Standards and Training) canine facility in Salt Lake City. The second wave of first K-9 unit was canine handlers and dogs will attend the trained at an elite facility in course in January 2014. Utah. “The K9 program has been a long donor. Utah POST provided time coming, and we are extremely the training at no cost with the exception proud of our handlers for their hard work of a minimal administrative fee, an amount – an effort which resulted in a 100 percent also paid for by the private donor. pass rate,” said Grahame Jones, Chief of Depending on geographical location, Special Operations for the Texas Parks the dogs will be used for various functions and Wildlife Department Law Enforceincluding detection of illegally taken or ment Division. smuggled game and fish, search and rescue, Funding for the purchase of dogs and cadaver search, and narcotics enforcement. travel to and from Utah was provided by the TPW Foundation through a private —Staff Report «TG 40 |

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The latest CCA Texas Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) project is the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Corpus Christi Nearshore Reefing site. The project involves pyramids that are being deployed in Corpus Christi. They are currently staged, and once the first load of concrete materials are deployed, the pyramids – which CCA Texas helped pay for – will go out next. There are 470 pyramids, and these will be deployed offshore in a TPWD permitted reefing site. This site is located within Texas state waters approximately 11 miles from the Packery Channel Jetties and 12 miles from the Port Aransas Jetties. These pyramids along with other materials deployed will provide critical marine habitat for marine species, in particular red snapper and other fish species that are sought by recreational fishermen. A key element in this overall reefing plan is having designated areas out of every major port on the Texas coast to place artificial reefs. Another reefing site was recently begun near Port O’Connor. The cost to permit a 160 acre site is $100,000 which includes all necessary paperwork, archeological and site surveys, lease and USACE permit. —Staff Report «TG

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10/11/13 10:41 AM

TRUE GREEN Guadalupe-Blanco Preserve Gets Wetland Ducks Unlimited is preparing to construct a wetland at the GuadalupeBlanco River Trust Preserve near Tivoli in Calhoun County, Texas. The Preserve is an 816-acre property owned and managed by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust. The project site is a 25-acre area within the center of the Preserve. Construction activities planned for the project will include removing spiny aster, a noxious plant that has little value to wildlife, and excavating a 25-acre shallow depression to provide wetland functions and services for waterfowl and other wetland-associated wildlife. Shallow, wetland depressions, such as the one proposed for the Preserve, can

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greatly benefit Texas’s wintering waterfowl population by providing valuable food resources, which are in limited supply on the Gulf Coast. Constructing and managing wetland projects, such as this one, helps address a waterfowl foraging deficit that exists on the Gulf Coast due to decreasing rice agriculture, drought, urbanization and development, and the proliferation of invasive plant species. Funding for this project is provided by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), a federal act and international agreement developed to carry out wetlands conservation projects across North America. Funding for NAWCA comes from Congressional authorizations

and from the support of hunters and fishermen through licenses and taxes, but each federal grant dollar has to be matched a minimum of one-to-one with non-federal dollars. Thus, NAWCA has benefited the national economy by translating $1.26 billion in federal funds into more than $5 billion in on-the-ground conservation and economic activity. That is one reason Ducks Unlimited asks its members and supporters to encourage their congressional representatives to support authorization and appropriations for NAWCA. Texas currently has 70 NAWCA projects either completed or underway. These projects have conserved a total of nearly 190,000 acres of wildlife habitat, and NAWCA funding of more than $34.5 million has stimulated partner contributions of more than $71.4 million in the Lone Star State. —Andi Cooper «TG

10/11/13 10:41 AM

by Lenny Rudow A November norther can produce rough conditions on even the smallest lakes, let alone the big boomers like Texoma and Sam Rayburn. And the bay? (Shudder). Here are some “don’t let this happen to you” tales of close call—and tragedy. If you’re a golfer, a mountain bike rider, or a jogger, rain is your enemy. But for us boaters, wind is the real foe. Although a breeze might feel pleasant with turf underfoot, it can turn a placid lake into a frothing beast in a matter of minutes. Getting wet from rain is no big deal, but without trees, hills, or buildings to break its assault, wind rushes over the surface of the water, piling waves upon one another and building them until they break over the shoreline—or slam into your boat. And at this time of year, big winds and big waves become common.

Swamp Creatures One of the biggest dangers of being caught in rough seas is swamping your boat. And it doesn’t require particularly big seas to

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swamp, as I found out for myself over two decades ago. While on a fishing trip in my 16-foot skiff with a friend, a stiff breeze came out of nowhere and quickly turned calm conditions into an uncomfortable, un-fishable mess. We decided to give up for the day, pulled in our lines, and started running for the boat ramp. Since we were in a fairly protected river (about a half-mile across) wave height wasn’t more than two feet or so, but the waves were extremely close together. Luckily, when I got the boat up to minimal planing speed and turned the bow towards the boat ramp, I found that we were running with the seas and had little problem bumping our way through the numerous white-caps. At least, I thought it was lucky. In fact, a following sea can be even more dangerous than a head or beam sea, particularly if you’re in a boat with a low transom or a cut-out transom. And yes, my boat did have a low transom. What made matters worse was that my

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fishing buddy weighed in at about 280 pounds. With the two of us sitting on the rear bench seat, the tops of the waves were above the top of the transom. As long as we maintained forward motion at a speed that was faster than the waves, of course, this didn’t present a problem. But when we ran up on a particularly large wave, I decided to slow down to lessen the blow. Unfortunately, as I’m sure most of you know, with a tiller-steered outboard it’s all too easy to accidentally move the throttle more than intended. And when I attempted to slow down a bit, I pulled back the throttle enough that the boat fell off of plane. Before I could react, a wave washed over the transom. The shock of being soaked down from head to toe was enough that I never even thought to do the smart thing, and re-apply power. If I had done so, we probably would have been fine. Instead, a second wave rolled over the transom, and then a third. In less than 10 or 12 seconds, my boat was filled to the gunwales with shockingly cold water, the motor shut down as the carburetor sucked in water, and oddly, the most upsetting thing was watching my tacklebox float out of the boat. Boat-swamping rule number one: Unless you’re very close to shore, stay with your boat. All modern boats are built with foam floatation which will keep them at the surface, even when

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swamped. And it’s much easier to stay afloat (and be found by rescuers) when you stick with the boat. We never even had to think about it in this case, because there was a procession of boats heading for the same public ramp we had used. As soon as the engine quit we started waving a life jacket overhead, and within minutes the boat that had been trailing behind us was alongside, tossing us a line. He towed us toward the boat ramp (which was less than a quarter of a mile away at this point) as we bailed, and soon we were in the marina and out of danger. The only casualty of the day was my outboard, which hydro-locked and never ran right again.

Grave Gusts We were lucky that day, but plenty of boaters don’t get off so easily – and many pay the ultimate price. Just this year, Benny Joe Ray died after his boat capsized in 35-mph winds on Lake Bob Sandlin, in Titus County. Strong winds caused a boat to capsize on Lewisville Lake last year, killing 43-year-old Joseph Gardiner—even though he was wearing a life jacket. And in the 30-year period from 1966 to 1996, out of 40 boating-related deaths taking place in the Lake Meredith National Recreation

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overlaid on maps, and additional weather data from proprietary weather stations which make up the “Weatherbug Network.” The app is also quite intuitive and easy to learn. However, it does include annoying ads—unless you pay $1.99 to upgrade to WeatherBug Elite. The upgrade also gets you animated Doppler radar, lightning tracking and indication, humidity information, and barometric pressure data.

Area, 18 of them were related to strong on the iOS or Android operating systems. winds and rough conditions. Wind speeds, direction, and other data Surprisingly, according to Center for can be viewed in graphic form or can be Disease Control (CDC) statistics, boating accidents are not necessarily equal-opportunity killers. In fact, females are far less likely to drown, accounting for about 0.2 deaths per 100,000. Males, on the Predict other hand, account for between Wind 0.5 to 1.8 deaths per 100,000. App As one might surmise, the bulk of the male deaths occur between 15 and 24 years of age—in other words, when judgment isn’t necessarily 100-percent developed. And judgment plays a huge role in whether you end up being caught in dangerous conditions.

Avoiding the Assault

Windfinder This is another free app which can be upgraded ($1.99) to eliminate advertising. It includes wind observations from 10,000 stations world-wide, predictions for 35,000, and six-day forecasts in three-hour steps.

WeatherBug

If your judgment is up to par, you’ll know that when strong winds are forecast overlaid on a map, and you can look at the it’s best to stay on dry land. How strong is different forecast models together or in comtoo strong? That depends on your boat, and parison to each other. Wave maps, rain, the size of the body of water you plan to go temperature, and cloud cover are out on. It’s a judgment call that only you can also available in the basic service. Windfinder make, and you can only make it when you App know your boat’s capabilities. Fortunately, in this day and age we have a large number of tools at our disposal that can help us make that call. In fact, most of the time there WeatherBug is for both iOS and is very little excuse for being surprised by Android platforms, is free, and has become nasty wind conditions. Although long-range extremely popular. It shows you data on a forecasts are still something (ahem) less than completely reliable, short-term 8- to 12hour forecasting has become pretty darn good. And all you need to tap into a current forecast is your WeatherBug App cell phone. Use these apps, to help you keep a constant eye on the weather and get back to the dock before the big wind starts blowing.

PredictWind PredictWind uses both its own highresolution model (which includes land data to take local geographic effects such as sea breezes into account), and the American GFS model, to create its wind predictions. But it’s not cheap, with a cost of $19 for a 12-month subscription for the basic service (though a one-day free trial is available). It’s available for phones or tablets running 44 |

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It also has wind direction, air temperature, clouds, precipitation, air pressure, wave height, wave period, and wave direction data.

whole lot more than just the wind. There are also GPS-based and point-and-touch location abilities, Doppler radar images

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10/10/13 6:10 PM

Texas Freshwater by Matt Williams | TF&G Freshwater Editor Five-year-old bass angler Spencer Stevens

This Kid Can fish

ost bass anglers will go a lifetime and never catch a 10 pounder. Much less two double-digit fish in the same day. Spencer Stevens of Edmond, Oklahoma, obviously had some big bass mojo working in his corner last June when he made his very first trip to Lake Fork in northeast Texas. Fishing with his dad, Mike, and fishing guide James Caldemeyer, Stevens pulled off the unimaginable when he cracked the 10-pound mark twice in less than hour. The heavier of the two fish weighed a whopping 12.28 pounds. What makes the story even more significant is the fact that Stevens isn’t a veteran bass angler. Not even close. Believe it or not he is only five years old. But don’t be fooled by his age. Although I’ve never met the youngster, the trusted word is he can chunk and wind better than some grown men. “He is very advanced for his age,” Caldemeyer said. “I fish with his dad a lot, and he has been working with him since he was two. Mike thought Spencer was ready to tangle with some Lake Fork bass, and he called to ask me what I thought. I told him if he thought he was ready to go ahead and bring him along.” Caldemeyer said he had a good feeling the fish would be biting that day. A frontal passage was coming and he expected some of his offshore structure spots to turn on about mid-morning. “I told Mike ahead of time that there was no need in getting out there real early,” Caldemeyer said. “You never know with a young ’un. The last thing you want is for them to get out there and get bored.” The anglers didn’t get on the water until about 8:30 a.m. Roughly 30 minutes later, Caldemeyer idled over one of his favorite Photo: James Caldemeyer

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humps and graphed a school of fish in about 20 feet of water. The guide said he lined up on the spot and made a couple of casts, just to see if the fish would bite. After that, he let the father/son team have all the best shots. About 15 minutes later something magical happened. A whopper-size bass scooped Spencer’s Talon Lures football jig off the bottom, causing his rod to double over. It took some doing, but the kid managed to work the fish into Caldemeyer’s landing net unassisted. The bass tipped the scale to 10 pounds. After taking a few photos, Stevens released the bass back into the water. “I honestly don’t think he realized what he had done,” quipped Caldemeyer. “All he seemed to care about was getting back to fishing. He wanted to get that jig back in the water. Amazingly, the morning turned even more magical about 30 minutes later when Spencer’s rod bowed double a second time. The big bass jumped beside the boat just like the first one did, but was significantly larger. “At that point Mike and I just looked at each other in disbelief. Spencer was fighting the fish, and his dad was holding him by the life vest so he didn’t get pulled into the water. I really figured the fish was going to get off, but it didn’t. It was hooked really T e x a S

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good. They were eating that day.” Realizing the bass might be a potential record, the anglers took it to Lake Fork Marina where it weighed 12.28 pounds on certified scales and measured 25 inches long. Spencer’s dad filled out the appropriate paperwork and submitted his son’s catch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s record’s program as a Junior Angler record for largemouth bass at Lake Fork. Stevens received notification in July that his water body record is official. He also received a certificate in commemoration for his catch. The previous Junior Angler record for largemouth bass Lake Fork dates back to 2008 when Cody Clark caught an 11.68 pounder. Caldemeyer said their is another interesting twist to the story in that Mike Stevens scheduled the June 5 fishing trip with his young son in commemoration of his own father’s birthday, also on June 5. Stevens’s dad passed away last year on June 6. That’s cool stuff right there. If you don’t believe in big bass mojo now, you never will.

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Contact Matt Williams at MWilliams@fishgame.com |

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10/11/13 10:43 AM

Dustin took down this coyote at 150 yards with this GEMTECH TREK suppressed .223 AR15.

Story by Dustin Ellermann

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10/10/13 6:07 PM

Texas finally jumped on the “common sense gun legislation” bandwagon in a good way this past year when they legalized the hunting of game animals with suppressed firearms. Beforehand one could only use silencers for non-game animals such as hogs and varmints, but now we can protect our hearing all across the Lone Star State.

The obvious advantage of suppressed hunting is that it is quieter and protects the hunters hearing. To be successful while hunting it is important to stay alert to one’s surroundings and it is difficult to do so if you have your ears covered up by hearing protection. So a suppressor is hearing protection that the gun wears. And despite common Hollywood myths a suppressor won’t “silence” your rifle, it just muffles the initial boom of the escaping gas out of the muzzle. Physics still apply and your bullet loudly cracks through the air if it is anywhere above 1,050 feet per second. Nevertheless, even though it isn’t “silent” a suppressor still muffles the noise enough that you won’t spook the entire adjacent community if you hunt in such an area. It also might not scare other game in the surrounding 50 acres when your .300 Winchester Magnum dispatches the stray hog while you are on your deer hunt. But with subsonic ammunition sound levels can be even quieter. The ballistic crack that the bullet makes when traveling at supersonic speeds is comparatively as loud as a .22 long rifle’s rifle report, thus, you might not even notice the difference in sound on a suppressed .22 rifle if Special you’re shooting stanControlled dard supersonic Fracturing ammunition. But Subsonic ammuthe story changes nition by Lehigh with subsonic ammo. Defense in Clear Subsonic once again Ballistics Gel. travels below 1,050 fps and atmospheric conditions make this speed vary, but if the bullet is moving below this threshold, discharge can be as quiet as a paintball marker. Then the question is whether subsonic ammo is lethal enough for an ethical kill. For the most part, slow

moving ammunition may not prove to have enough stopping power. The most popular .300 Blackout subsonic round is a 220 grain Sierra Match King which at only 1,030 fps would only render 519 foot pounds of energy point blank in comparison to a 125 grain Cor-Bon that would deliver 1,414 foot pounds at nearly 2,260 fps. Further, energy transfer of bullets is velocity dependent, and below a certain speed the bullet won’t deform or tumble, which will yield as little destruction as a field-tipped arrow. But there are advances with nearly silent subsonic ammunition. Lehigh Defense manufactures specialty bullets that perform exceptionally well at subsonic speeds. They offer a controlled fracturing and maximum expansion designs. Initially I favored the maximum expansion ones because it looked the exact same as traditional ammunition. But once I tested it into Clear Ballistics gel I fell in love with the controlled fracturing rounds. The maximum expansion does just what it says, but the temporary trauma channel that traditional ammunition would deliver is missing because of the slower velocity, thus, a .30 caliber bullet simply expands and cuts about a one-inch spiral wound about 16 inches into the gel. The controlled fracturing round on the other hand quickly and evenly fractures six to eight inches into the gel, and the three pedals quickly cut off at 30 degree angles until they exit the test media while the base of the bullet travels perfectly straight and through the end of the gel block. I was thoroughly impressed. The other disadvantage of subsonic ammunition is that it drops like a rock. To deliver the most power subsonic rounds usually double in weight, so if you have a 100 yard zero with supersonic ammunition, your subsonic counterparts will drop approximately 15 to 18 inches at the same range. So while the specialty ammunition is lethal enough for a nearly silent hunt, a data card and rangefinder is as vital as it would be in bowhunting. Any caliber can be suppressed, from .22 short to .50 BMG. And a helpful tip is to know that many suppressors can handle lesser calibers. For instance, my GEMTECH T e x a S

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Sandstorm 7.62 silencer can handle my .300WM, 30-06, .308, .300 Blackout and even .223 with a thread adapter. So if you want to shoot multiple rifles with only one BATF background check, forms, nine-month wait and $200 infringement, just go big and downsize for the other rifles. One disadvantage is that a .30 caliber suppressor will be slightly larger than a compact .223 suppressor would be, but you can always purchase another one down the road. Suppressors will shift your point of impact as well. I noticed that my pistol AR wasn’t even hitting my LaRue FAST target at 100 yards, but once I put the suppressor back on it was good to go. So keep that in mind as you mount a suppressor on your threads. It will need to be zeroed on the same system. But as for accuracy the shooter usually sees tighter groups because the silencer acts as a perfect muzzle crown. It also helps you shoot more accurately because you aren’t as scared of the rifle’s report. Another slight disadvantage is gas blowback. This will get your firearm quite dirty much sooner than blowing all the powder and gas out of the end of the muzzle. My AR15 magazines even show signs of suppressor shooting with the filth they collect, but this is nothing a quick wipe down won’t fix. But I did notice the gas blowback one night while hunting coyotes, a friend had a bright light directly behind me and as soon as I shot the box blind filled with white light as his spotlight illuminated the smoke that blew back into our faces. Take this as a reminder always to wear eye protection. As a suppressor owner I always hunt with one. It just makes the hunt so much more enjoyable. I even bring a subsonic .22 lr with me while I’m deer hunting so my kids can quietly shoot at random squirrels. I’ve found I can even hear the bullet’s impact on game and know immediately whether my round made it’s way to the chest cavity or not. Loud guns can be annoying. It’s just good manners to keep your firearms as quiet as possible.

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10/10/13 6:07 PM

Open Season by Reavis Wortham | TF&G Humor Editor

Housekeeping

“I

can’t stand this place,” I announced. Wrong Willie looked around the hunting trailer and shrugged. “It looks the same as always. Why are you complaining now?” “Mostly because this trailer is a pigsty,” I opened the cabinet above the stove. A fine drizzle of some something that looked like sawdust drifted toward the beans bubbling on the burner. Wrong Willie casually reached out and placed a lid on the pot. “See?” I said. “Anyone want to venture a guess as to what this stuff could be?” “Sand?” “Dirt dobber nests?” “My first wife’s ashes?” “No you idiots, this is rice dust and chewed cornmeal. Weevils and other insects have gotten into the boxed food up here and spent the last year having a buffet.” Doc stared suspiciously at the steaming bean pot. “I hope those beans didn’t come from the cabinet.” “They didn’t. But the point is that I was looking through the cabinet for some cornbread mix to go with the beans, and I found all this Nasty up here. Listen, you can even hear the weevils munching right now.” “He must be feeling cranky.” Wrong Willie riffled through his memory files. “Cramping?” I shot him a stare. It wasn’t nearly as effective as the ones I get from the War Department, or the Redhead, or any of the other women I’m around. New Wally and Woodrow came stomping through the door. New Wally dropped his fourth hunting bag on the couch. He never travels without enough gear for a twoweek African safari. “What are you complaining about?”

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Woodrow asked. “This filthy trailer. I can’t even sleep in here, because the whole place smells like dust.” “You always say you sleep in your van because our snoring keeps you up,” Doc pointed out. “Partly true. But the point is that everything in here stinks. I turned the bedspread back on your bed, Wally and there were mouse droppings on the sheets.” “Those aren’t mouse droppings. Last night I got hungry and was eating a cupcake in bed. Those were chocolate sprinkles.” “Oh, well, dust flew up when I moved the spread.” “I never sleep under the covers. I just put my sleeping bag down on top and go to sleep.” “It doesn’t matter. I’m cleaning this place up.” Club members suddenly got that panicked look in their eyes. “I’m not asking you idiots to help me. I’m gonna do it myself.” Everyone sighed and smiled, glad to be off the hook. I wrestled with the stove for over an hour. We were surprised to find it was really that 1970s avocado color underneath all the grease and grime. I even excavated the light switch on the oven. Woodrow was excited to learn we actually had an oven. One project down. “Clear all that stuff off the table.” The boys grumbled, but they removed all the miscellaneous bottles (mustard, ketchup, Tabasco and a jar of mayonnaise from two years ago we were keeping as a conversation piece), ammunition, chips, bread and fishing lures that had accumulated over the years. I realized no one had actually washed the table since we took the lease. “Hey! There’s a tablecloth under here.” They gathered to look. “I thought the table was made with that pattern,” Doc thought aloud. The table underneath was wooden and clean. Wrong Willie burned the tablecloth, which went up in a whoosh of black smoke and a shriek like the devils of Hell had been released..

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The boys left in a rush when I started in on the bedrooms. Wrong Willie lifted the hood on his jeep and the Club gathered to watch him work on the leaking master cylinder. The job was slightly encumbered by the deer hanging from a nearby tree limb. It’s kinda hard to work on a vehicle with a dead deer bumping into your back. I didn’t care or offer a suggestion regarding the deer. I dusted, swept, threw stuff away, added to the conflagration outside, and mopped. As dusk approached, the boys trooped up the steps into the trailer. “Don’t track mud in here. I just mopped the floors.” “We’d just as well be home,” Doc grumbled. “You didn’t use bottled water, did you?” Wrong Willie asked. “No, water out of the faucet.” “Then quit complaining. You just washed everything in here with unfiltered, untreated creek water. There are fish, turtles, and a ton of dead stuff in there, not to mention that you can cut that muddy water with a sharp knife. Those wood ducks we flushed this morning did more than just float around on it.” I stared at the muddy tracks on the clean linoleum I found under thirty years of grime. “I worked all day. You guys just don’t appreciate a clean house or a clean floor... oh, lordy. I sound like a …” “It’s all right,” Woodrow patted my shoulder. “We know you work hard.” I sighed, took some aspirin and went to lie down.

Contact Reavis Wortham at RWortham@fishgame.com

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10/11/13 10:44 AM

Digital Edition

When

Bucks Disappear Why Do Whitetail Bucks Seem to Get Scarce Just When the Rut Gets Going?

T F & G

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GRAPHIC IMAGE: TEXAS FISH & GAME:

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TF&G Almanac Table of Contents GEARING UP SECTION

60 AND GAME GEAR• Hot New 61 FISH Outdoor Gear | INDUSTRY INSIDER • CCA 64 STAR Winners | TEXAS TESTED • Penn Spinfisher; Mako 21 | by tfg staff by tfg staff

by tfg staff

FISHING FORECAST SECTION

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COVER STORY • When Bucks Disappear | by Lou Marullo

HOW-TO SECTION

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPER COAST • November Advantage | by capt. eddie hernandez

TEXAS BOATING • The Art of Boat Handling | by lenny rudow PAUL’S TIPS • Fishing the Rut | by paul bradshaw

TEXAS KAYAKING • Passing of a Texas Giant | by greg berlocher TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • .22 Conversions | by steve lamascus

HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON • Hunting Fish | by capt. mike holmes

HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA • Better Fish Finding | by

HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MID COAST • Back Country November | by capt. chris martin

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HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hot74 TEXAS test Fishing Spots | SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • 86 Tides & Prime Times | by tfg staff

by tfg

staff

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

93 94 101 102

TEXAS TASTED • BBQ Shrimp |

by bryan slaven

SPECIAL REPORT • New Gear for Next Year | by tfg staff OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Guides, Gear and More | by tfg staff TF&G PHOTOS • Your Action Photos | by tfg readers

mike price

HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT

• Danger in Paradise | by capt. mac gable

HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • Drums of the South | by calixto gonzales

www.FishGame.com located not far from me when all of a sudden, a nice big doe stood up from her bedding place. She had been lying in a little thicket that did not look like it would hold any deer at all. Then, as she decided she wanted to go for a bite to eat, a huge, and I do mean huge buck, stood up and immediately went over in her direction. She bedded right back down and, to my surprise, the big boy went right back to where he was bedded down earlier and laid there. Incredibly, the two whitetails were about 70 yards from me when they totally disappeared back into the thicket. I knew they were there, but for the life of me, I could not see them at all. This whitetail game of cat and mouse went on for some time and I could not help but have a huge smile on my face as I watched the events unfold. Every single time the doe stood up, the buck immediately pursued her. And every time he headed in her direction, she would have nothing to do with him and just lay back down in the thicket.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN OUT IN THE WOODS AND it seemed you were the only living thing out there? Have all the deer simply vanished? How can that be? All pre-season you watched from your vehicle as dozens of whitetails came out of their hiding spots to feed in the lush green fields. Now, it would seem, the critters have checked their calendar and realized that it is hunting season and it is time to hide. Throughout the pre-season, you saw dozens of deer including some nice bucks on your game cameras and now nothing. Zip. Zero. It would seem, the critters have checked their calendar and realized that it is hunting season and it is time to hide. Some call it a “lull.” Others might just call it a string of bad luck. Still, there are the seasoned veterans who will blame it on everything from the moon to the changing weather patterns. I have to admit that at one time I was one of those veterans who believed the latter. It was a warm afternoon late in October 50 |

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just before the gun season opened when I witnessed something I had never seen before. After hunting all these years with my bow, I thought I had seen it all. I was mistaken. Bow hunting had been uneventful and I found myself sitting in a hedgerow between two fields that deer liked to frequent. I was comfortable and thought to myself that although the deer seem to have disappeared for the moment, I was sure I would not see any whitetails in my living room and so I was enjoying the warm afternoon sunshine when it all happened. I was looking in the direction of a silo

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Texas Boating by Lenny Rudow | TF&G Boating Editor

HEN IT COMES TO HANDLING A boat in adverse conditions, the exact same piece of advice could either save your life or get you killed on different days, in different conditions. Case in point: Many years ago I was delivering a 24-foot dual console from Manhattan to Port Jeff, on Long Island, when a stiff northwest wind started roaring.

“ Seven- to Nine-foot waves were tossing our boat around like a cork.

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The Art of Boat Handling

It was calm in New York Harbor, rough in the sound, and by the time we had Port Jeff in sight, seven- to nine-foot waves were tossing our little boat around like a cork in a washing machine. In the following sea conditions, it made sense to follow the standard boat-handling practice of matching our pace to that of the waves, and ride the back of a swell through the inlet. But every time I managed to creep the bow up onto a green mountain it would soon disappear, and leave us looking back over our shoulders as another swell came roaring towards our transom. I can’t tell you if it was the underwater geography of the area, wind conditions, or Poseidon getting a few bellylaughs at our expense, but for some reason the waves were ridiculously unstable, disappearing and re-forming over and over again

instead of rolling sensibly through the inlet. After three or four attempts we stopped trying to ride the backs of the waves, and instead increased speed, trimmed the bow

COVER STORY: WHEN BUCKS DISAPPEAR t CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 As I sat there, I watched a beautiful eight-pointer walk within 15 yards of me totally unaware of my presence. He had smelled the doe in heat and was looking for her. That was the one and only time I saw the big buck leave his girl and that was only for a few minutes. I could have easily taken that eight- pointer, but the other buck might have been a new state record…yes, he was THAT nice! I simply thought I could wait him out as I let the eight walk. When he saw the big boy coming toward him with his ears back, he decided that he would have nothing to do with that doe, and he moved on and offered another 20-yard quartering away shot. I passed. Finally, after an hour or so, the doe relented and let the big buck mount her. It was over in seconds, and then she was allowed to graze in peace. Of course, he decided to walk in a direction that offered no shot for me, and I just sat there with my 52 |

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jaw in the mud as I watched that magnificent creature stroll away. He had no idea at all that he came so close to having a bad day. I went to school that day, having learned something that changed my perspective on deer hunting. There are times when a buck will find a doe that is near heat and keep her confined and away from other bucks in the area. This may take many days before the doe actually allows the buck to mate. Of course, not every buck in the area will keep their does at the same time, but I think it might be enough to bring down considerably the number of whitetails roaming the woods. For me, what I witnessed that afternoon gave me all the proof I needed that, indeed there is a reason deer activity virtually shuts down during certain periods. It all made perfect sense to me that every year at about this time, I would not see as many deer as I did a week earlier. Most does (not all) go into heat around the same time. As they come into heat, the dominant buck in the area will keep her in a location until he mates, and they will both

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stay in that small area for quite some time. You should realize that this is a small window in the whitetail world. It may only be a few days up to a week long, but that is when it is hard to find deer movement. Those hunters who only hunt on weekends may never experience what I am talking about, but if you are a die-hard bow hunter like me, one who tries to get out in the woods every day of the season, then you probably have experienced this lack of activity. We should thank our lucky stars that this only will last a short time. Could you imagine it if half the season were gone before we saw good deer movement again? That would not be good. The bow season is short enough already so let us enjoy every day we can out in the whitetail’s domain. If you are one of those hunters that witness this unusual phenomenon, then remember that “this too shall pass!”

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Texas Boating up, and concentrated on overtaking the waves so we didn’t have to worry about one crashing down on us from behind. In this particular case, what is usually very good advice turned out to be very bad, and what would usually be very bad advice turned out to be very good. When we made it past the breakwater that day, we were so relieved that the two of us—the other guy was a highly-experienced commercial captain in his mid 50s—burst out giggling. That incident taught me what could be the most important lesson about boat handling: always remember the phrase “as conditions dictate,” and never operate or maneuver your boat in one specific way because it’s supposed to be the “right” way to do it. When conditions say that the standard practice is wrong, it’s wrong. That’s why boat handling is more of an art than a science. Here are some other situations which you may encounter, where the usual good advice is very bad. STOPPING WHEN DISORIENTED IN FOG – This seems like a no-brainer, and 99 times out of 100 it’s absolutely the right thing to do. Except when it’s not. The problem with this maneuver arises when a fog bank is sitting close to the coast, but land and the inlet are clear. If you run through the inlet, hit the fog and lose your way, and then stop, you’ve just planted your boat right in the middle of a high traffic zone with little to no visibility. Other boats are going to be running on exactly the same course you were on, and you have no way of knowing how fast they’re going, if they have radar, or even if the guy at the helm is completely awake. This can be particularly dangerous on a weekend morning, when dozens or even hundreds of anglers may be running through the same inlet you just departed. So, what’s the best course of action in this situation? For starters, you should have considered stopping when you saw the fog bank looming in front of you. But hindsight is 20-20, and it’s too late for that now. You’ll have to pick a course that appears to be in a safe direction, and maintain enough speed to get you out of the way of oncoming boats. At this point you should be using your compass—not your GPS—to steer by. 54 |

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Many GPS units don’t update fast enough to steer by when you don’t have a visual of the horizon to aid you, and there’s a good chance that trying to steer by GPS alone is what got you disoriented in the first place. Once you’re able to maintain a steady, safe course, you can use the GPS and your compass together, to get on the course you really want to maintain. What’s that? You say that GPS makes navigation so easy, you didn’t even bother mounting a compass at the helm? Then forget about learning the art of boat handling—you’ve lost sight of the basics, and need to go back to square-one. SLOWING FOR OTHERS – This one isn’t for your own good, it’s for everyone else’s. When you see a boat you’re about to throw a wake at, you may want to slow down—and that’s great. But recognize that virtually all modern powerboats throw a relatively small wake when up on plane, and a relatively small wake when at speeds of five or six mph. In-between; however, when a boat is “mushing” with the bow in the air and the stern digging in, even a jon boat can create waves big enough to capsize a canoe. And far, far too many people slow down to 12 or 14 mph in an attempt to be courteous (thank you, for that), without realizing they’ve just doubled the size of the wake they’re making. I’m not telling you not to slow down; just slow down all the way, or don’t slow below planing speeds in the first place. SLOWING DOWN FOR WAVES – No one likes to take a beating, and no one wants to be thrown to the deck or tossed out of their seat as your boat pounds through waves. On the vast majority of boats in the vast majority of conditions, the best way to lessen the blows on a snotty day is slowing down. But not always. Some boats—powercats with compression-tunnels (those which grow narrower aft, to compress air and create a cushion that softens the blows), tunnel boats, some stepped-hulls, and even a few regular old monohulls, actually run smoother when they’re going faster. This will again depend on the specific conditions. Some of these boats like going faster in a head sea, but not in a following sea, some

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do better with speed in a chop versus rollers, and so on. Trimming the boat to its best angle of attack at any given speed also has a big role to play. But keep this in mind, and experiment a bit with speed and trim the next time rough seas have your teeth rattling. The results of a few hundred extra RPM might surprise you. MAINTAINING HEADWAY IN A STORM – The whole point of maintaining headway in a storm is to keep the bow into the waves, and prevent you from being blown wildly off-course. And you do need to do this, no matter what. Allow yourself to get turned beam-to and the storm’s wild waves could roll your boat. Let the transom face the waves, and it won’t be long before you get swamped. But in a storm with extreme rain, it’s possible to lose all visibility. And yes, I do mean all. In an afternoon thunderstorm a few years back I literally couldn’t see the bow of my own boat, which was a mere 12 feet away. The winds were too strong to keep the bow into the seas without making way, but I knew there were shoals in the vicinity so moving blindly forward was not an option. So, how do you keep your bow in the waves, without maintaining headway? Drop the anchor, and let out every iota of scope. Keep the engine running and maintain your watch at the helm, so you keep some level of control and can still swing one way or the other if you suddenly see a boat blowing towards you. You’ll also be ready to react, if the anchor rode breaks. Remember, above all else: Everything you’ve read in this article is good advice. Until conditions say it’s not.

Contact Lenny Rudow at LRudow@fishgame.com

Get more boating tips in LENNY RUDOW’s Texas Boating Blog at www.Fishgame.com/blogs A L M A N A C

Paul’s Tips

Fishing the Rut

Didn’t catch any fish this spring? Don’t worry, you can still find bass. You

FEW YEARS BACK A FISHING BUDDY of mine was talking to an old-timer, who is known to catch a lot of fish, about when the best time was to fish on a particular body of water. The older angler asked him one question, “Do you deer hunt? Then you’ll miss the best time all year to catch fish.” When the air starts cooling and the days get shorter it’s only natural that we start shifting out outdoor expeditions from trips to the lake to trips to the woods. Rightly so since we only have a limited time to take a deer and all year to fish. The bad part is tharight now might be your best chance all year to put some fish in the boat so it would probably be in your best interest to put some venison in the freezer quickly and get back out on the lake. The reason this is the best time of the year to fish is pretty simple, the fish are feeding more actively at this time than just about any other. Everyone has an opinion on why the bass are feeding (shorter days or cooler water triggering feeding before winter, instincts, etc…) but the simple fact is the fish are hungry. Understanding why is less important than realizing that it happens, and will continue to happen every year. Although all fish will be in a bingeing mode this time of year we’re going to focus on bass and how to catch them. The hardest part about catching bass is finding them because, even if the fish are feeding like high school boys at a pizza buffet, if you’re in the wrong place it won’t matter. So to find the fish in the fall go back to the same places you caught them in the spring since they will relate to these same areas. The only difference is this time they aren’t going ther to spawn but to feed. T F & G

j u s t might need to use your electronics a little bit. The first places to look are the main lake points on your local lake. These are the where the land juts out into the lake (creating a point). The point itself will be shallower than the surrounding water and on at least one side there should be an old creek channel. The bass have been hanging out in the deep water and creek channels on the side all summer and will now move up onto the shallow areas to feed on the schools of shad or minnows. Look for humps in the middle of your local lake as well and you will find fish. These humps, tops of hills that were flooded when the lake was formed, serve as feeding grounds as well. Just like the points, bass will hang off them in deep water all summer and come up top to feed now that the water is cooler. Once you find the fish, catching them is easy, as long as you understand what they

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are feeding on. This time of year bass aren’t sitting around waiting for a worm, or jig, or finesse bait to lazily sit in front of them so they can sniff it three times before delicately taking it in their mouth. Nope, in the fall the bass are ferociously tearing into every baitfish that is stupid enough to swim within striking distance. So your bait of choice should do two things. Look like a dimwitted baitfish and move fast. Topwater baits are a good choice if schooling fish are near the surface, and if you rig one with a trailer hook you might find yourself reeling in multiple fish on a single cast. My personal favorites are poppers but walk-the-dog type baits are a close second. Crankbaits (lipped and lipless) are excellent choices for fish suspended on or around humps and points. Don’t forget about jerkbaits, too. They aren’t just for spring fishing anymore. Worked fast and erratic they will draw a lot of strikes. I know you really want to be in the woods right now. I do too. But, if you really want to catch fish, and lots of them, take a weekend off and put the boat in the water. The deer will be there next week.

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Contact Paul Bradshaw at PBradshaw@fishgame.com

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ILLISTRATION BY PAUL BRADSHAW

by Paul Bradshaw | TF&G Contributing Editor

Texas Kayaking by Greg Berlocher | TF&G Kayaking Editor

Goodbye to a Texas Giant

dachshund puppy that he referred to in the book as Passenger, paddled his canoe 175 miles down the stretch of river that would be impounded. The dams were never built but the trip was instrumental. Graves’s original manuscript, done on assignment for Sports Illustrated, was rejected. The manuscript was later modified and developed into its final form. Graves’s memoir chronicles his time on the water, and he masterfully weaves in historical information about settlers and Indian stories, as well as folklore. Since its John Graves’s rejected Sports Illustrated assignment was reworked into a Texas classic.

IMAGES: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

OTED TEXAS AUTHOR JOHN GRAVES passed away at his farm, Hard Scrabble, near Glen Rose on July 31. He was 92. Graves was a writer’s writer and was admired by the very best. Superlatives about this giant of literature came from near and far. Not only was Graves’s writing admired, this modest and unassuming man was dearly loved by those that knew him. Hemingway, and many other noted authors of the day, felt they needed to experience life to the fullest to be a complete writer. Like his counterparts, Graves traveled internationally; spending time in Spain and the Canary Islands, but something was missing in his writing. He eventually moved back home to take care of his father who was ill. When he got

back to Texas, Graves found his real voice. Graves authored a set of books, which became known as the Brazos Trilogy, including: Goodbye to a River, Hard Scrabble, and From a Limestone Ledge. Goodbye to a River is by far the best known of the three but all three are exemplary. During the 1950s the Federal Government proposed a set of five dams along the Brazos River, from Possum Kingdom to Whitney, forever changing the river of Graves’s youth. To say goodbye, Graves, along with his six-month old

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original release in 1960, Goodbye to a River has never been out of print. It has been said that Graves was the last link to the Big Three of Texas authors: J. Frank Dobie, Walter Prescott, and Roy Bedichek. Many considered Graves the superior author; however, such talk would make the humble Graves uncomfortable. I had the occasion to speak with Mr. Graves only once and am saddened that we never had the chance to meet in person. We both loved rivers and paddling. We discussed “Fishing the Run,” a short story he wrote about a man fishing the Brazos River for white bass with his daughter and a chance encounter with a stranger they met along the way. One of my favorite quotes from “Fishing the Run:” is “For that matter there’s always an outside chance of hooking a big striped bass, a marine cousin of the sandy introduced to the salty Brazos reservoirs in recent years and reaching fifteen or eighteen pounds or more. To have a horse like that on a light rig is quite an emotional experience, at least if you’re of the tribe that derives emotion from angling, but the end result is not ordinarily triumphant. The annoyed striper hauls tail swiftly and irresistibly downriver while you hang onto your doubled, bucking rod and listen to the squall of your little reel yielding line, and when all the line has run out it breaks, at the fish’s end if you are lucky, at the reel if you’re not.” Wyman Meinzer, the world-class photographer, teamed with Graves on the award winning text Texas Rivers in the 1990s. It turns out that Meinzer and Graves were kindred spirits, sharing a love of the outdoors and history, and they became good friends. Over a three year period, the duo worked closely together, with Meinzer scouting and photographing Texas rivers ahead of time and then Graves interviewing people that lived adjacent to them. “John Graves was a great writer and I learned so much from him,” said Meinzer. “He was a very thoughtful gentleman. He especially liked meeting people on the river. He still remembered all those people years later. He was a very special man.” In a tribute after Graves’s passing, Bryan Wooley wrote in the Dallas Morning News, “The Texas that Graves portrayed in Goodbye to a River and other works was the real place — plain, harsh, unforgiving and magnificent. His work was devoid of T F & G

chauvinistic baloney, boosterism or cheap romance. ‘In a way,’ he once said, ‘I was trying to explain Texas to myself.’ He also defined Texas for thousands of readers.” Like so many of his generation, Graves was a tenacious worker. He worked tirelessly at his craft, writing and rewriting, constantly looking to improve manuscripts – a lesson we should all be reminded of. Graves touched me like few writers have.

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We were both river rats, fascinated by living waters hemmed in between two shorelines, but his appeal is much deeper than that. Graves’s prose was simply brilliant, capturing the unvarnished essence of our state, culture, and history.

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Greg Berlocher can be reached for question or comment at GBerlocher@fishgame.com.

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Texas Guns by Steve LaMascus | TF&G Shooting Editor

.22 Conversion Kits for .45 1911 Pistols

ANY YEARS AGO I CAME INTO possession of a 1911 target pistol built by the then famous King’s Gun Works. It was a gorgeous .45 that shot like a dream. I shot it in the National Match-type matches we were then having at the Uvalde Gun Club. I managed to acquire quite a bit of scrap metal and trophies with it. Another thing that the gun came with

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was a handmade .22 long rifle conversion kit. This was intended to provide cheap practice for the .45, and was equipped with a floating chamber that was supposed to approximate the recoil of the .45, but with the diminutive .22 cartridge. At the time I was not overly in love with the .22 conversion and used it very little. I had a very nice High Standard Citation that shot like a good target rifle, so the conversion, with its

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questionable accuracy didn’t thrill me at all. As the years went by and the price of ammunition and components went up and up, the allure and value of a .22 conversion for a 1911 became more and more appealing. I finally broke down and ordered one. I attached it to a couple of different 1911s and couldn’t make the thing function properly. After a number of aborted attempts to use it for practice, I packaged it up and sent it back. Still, the idea was a valid one, and I continued to keep the thought in the back of my mind. Then one day Kimber introduced a .22 conversion kit. I did not immediately order one, but for some reason waited several years. This last spring I finally got around to ordering a conversion from Kimber. Unfortunately, I was away fulfilling my other passion of fly-fishing for trout in the Rocky Mountains when the kit came in, so it was a couple of months before I got to try it. When I finally returned from the mountains to the desert of Southwest Texas, I found the box from Kimber waiting on the floor of my living room. After I had decompressed for a couple of days I opened it up and fitted it to my Pro Carry II. Unlike my old King conversion, the new Kimber has no floating chamber and thus, very little recoil. It is a model of simplicity; simply a slide, guide rod, spring, barrel and barrel bushing, with the .22 magazines that fit the .45 magazine well. It took about two minutes to fit the conversion to my pistol. The slide is of lightweight alloy, fitted with a set of tall, Bomar-type, finely adjustable sights of the kind that Kimber uses on all their adjustable sight pistols. It is marked “Kimber” on the left side and “Rimfire Target” on the right. The barrel -- the requisite 5.5” version -- appears to be solid steel, the magazines are of some type of hard, durable plastic. The next morning I took the conversion to the range to see how well it would shoot. I put up several standard 25-yard Dirty Bird pistol targets and went back to 25 A L M A N A C

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yards. It has been a long time since I did any serious one-hand target shooting, but I must admit that I surprised myself. Using my

old onehand stance, I fired off ten shots slow-fire. The score was a 45 out of 50 with two Xs. The gun seemed to group a bit low and left. Then I stepped up to 15 yards and fired a slow, careful, ten rounds with a solid two-hand hold. I was very surprised with the result. The group measured just an inch and three-quarters, with six rounds in the X-ring and the other four in the 10. And believe me when I say that the shots out of the X were my fault and not the gun. In the beginning the slide and barrel of the conversion kit were so tightly fitted that there were a number of stoppages. I oiled all the parts with Remington gun oil, which helped, but it took a few magazines of ammo through the gun before it loosened

up and started to work properly. I suspect this will be a common malady. However, it is not a problem, and I would rather have it that way than to be so loose that accuracy suffers. After a hundred rounds or so it was working like a Swiss watch and accuracy is truly amazing. If you are a shooter who likes 1911-style pistols, this is a wonderful tool to allow you to shoot more for a fraction of the cost. I believe that the 1911 .22 conversions have finally come into their own, and I intend to have one on hand from now on.

Contact Steve LaMascus at SLamascus@fishgame.com

Texas Tested

WHEN A FISHING REEL GOES INTO PRODUCtion and lasts through five decades and five generations, you know it’s something special. And it’s a fair bet that virtually every angler out there has laid his or her hands on a Penn Spinfisher at one time or another. Now, there’s a new version of this epic reel. The Spinfisher V still carries the classic black and gold finish, comes in a wide range of sizes (from the SSV3500, which holds 390 yards of four-pound-test mono, to the SSV10500, which holds 255 yards of 50-poundtest mono), and is built with maximum rug-

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gedness in mind. But there’s a major upgrade, with this generation: it’s watertight. Six seals (nine, on Liveliner models) keep water out of the gearbox and drag system, so you won’t have to worry about it when a Spinfisher takes an unexpected saltwater dunking. Some other upgrades include a beefed-up aluminum bail wire, line capacity rings on the spool that let you know just how much you have on the reel at any given time, and over-sized stainless-steel shafts on the larger models. Gear ratios for many of these models is also higher than 60 |

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you might expect, ranging from 4.2:1 to a peak of 6.2:1. Drag strength is surprising, too; even the little 3500 can put out 20 pounds of drag pressure, and the bigger models can dish out up to 40 pounds. An all-new model joining the line-up this year is the SSV6500BLS, a model that doesn’t have a bail. Three Live-liner models are available, and all share features like an infinite anti-reverse, five ball bearings, and metal bodies and sideplates. Just like the Spinfishers of past years, these models are both smooth and rugged. But through 50 years and five generations, they’ve come a long way, baby. For more information, visit Penn at www.pennreels.com.

Light Tackle Action: Mako 21 LTS THERE’S A NEW BAY BOAT ON THE PROWL, the Mako 21 LTS. This is a 21’ long, 8’4” wide, 2,100-pound light tackle rig with 16 degrees of transom deadrise and just one foot of draft. That should give it the shallow water abilities you need to get to those reds and specs, but still provide enough wavesplitting ability to keep the ride smooth when it gets bumpy on the bay. The standard fishing features we want in a serious bay boat are all present and accounted for: there’s a 30-gallon livewell in the aft casting deck, a 94-quart cooler under the leaning post, a forward console cooler

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seat, a pair of flush-mount rodholders in the gunwales, a bow rodbox, and six anodized aluminum vertical console rodracks. There’s also a bow compartment designed to hold your cast net. Heck—even the trailer comes standard. Just about the only fishing feature that’s a cost adding option is the raw water washdown. Construction follows the standard Mako path, with closed-molded hatches that swing open on gas-assist struts, a chemically and mechanically (on six-inch centers), bonded hull-to-deck joint, and composite or aluminum backing plates beefing up critical areas and deck hardware. The molded stringer grid is foam-injected, and belowdeck voids are foam-filled. So far, you’re probably seeing about what you’d expect from a Mako, right? Here’s the surprise: Rigged with a 150-hp Optimax outboard, Mako is advertising this boat nationally with a “no-haggle” price tag of $35,995. No, that doesn’t include a few items like dealer prep and freight, but in today’s market, that still sounds like a steal. Wait a sec—is 150 horses really enough power for this rig? If you’re happy with a cruise in the low to mid 30s and a top-end just over 40 mph, absolutely. If you want more power, pony up, and you can put up to 225 horses on the transom. For more information, visit Mako at www.mako-boats.com.

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PHOTOS: TRACKER BOATS, PENN

Fifth Generation: Penn Spinfisher V

Fish and Game Gear

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Keep Cool, Look Cool FISHING HAS AN OFFICIAL JERSEY. YOU’VE seen them, and probably own a couple. Requirements include lightweight, breathable fabric, more pockets than a pool hall, and mesh venting to mitigate overheating during battle. Fishouflage, known for going beyond the call of duty, fulfills those necessities and pours in a boatload of

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LEUPOLD HAS EXPANDED ITS BX-3 MOJAVE line of binoculars with the addition of lightweight 8x32mm and 10x32mm models. Delivering the image quality of its larger brothers, the Mojave weighs in at a scant 17 ounces with an easy-to-handle design. The well-balanced, open-bridge body makes the BX-3 Mojave comfortable to use, even Leupold BX-3 during extended lightweight viewing sessions. binocular Long eye relief makes the Mojave easy to use with eyeglasses, and its short close-focus distance makes these binoculars a great choice for naturalists and sportsmen alike. Fully multi-coated lenses are combined with L-Coat™ BAK4 prisms to deliver excellent photopic transmission for a very bright image under any lighting conditions. An additional phase coating on the prisms virtually eliminates residual diffraction, which ensures the image is not just bright, but exceptionally crisp. Silver-enhanced, cold-mirror coatings allow for accurate color reproduction, while retaining the subtleties of shade and intensity. The BX-3 Mojave is fully armored to protect against rough field conditions. Nitrogen-filled and completely waterproof, the BX-3 is covered by Leupold’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Now available, the BX-3 Mojave starts at $464.99 MSRP. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/LeupoldOptics. Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the preeminent American-owned optics company, employs hundreds of people in its state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility near Beaverton, Ore. Family owned and privately operated, Leupold offers products that are sold worldwide to hunters, competitive shooters, American military warfighters, law enforcement personnel and wildlife observers. The product line includes rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; trail cameras; mounting systems; and optical tools and accessories.

Vented Anglers Shirt, another winner from Fishouflage.

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other great features. Fishouflage’s new Vented Fishing Shirt ranks among the most comfortable, easywearing and feature-rich garments in its class. And the best place to begin asserting this claim is with the innovative fabric. Constructed of lightweight performance ripstop and enhanced with advanced moisture-wicking, the weave ensures that when you get snagged (a fishing inevitability) the puncture is limited to the point of impact and won’t run. That, and the fabric works overtime to lift sweat off your skin. Hallmarks continue with a UPF 40+ rating and anti-microbial protection, keeping you cool and dry even after hours under the sun. And when that redfish or bass does slap a coat of goo across your chest (another inevitability), special stain release treatment provides for easy cleanup. Other fishing-features include roll-up sleeves with securing loops and a Velcro rod holder loop. As perfect on the town as on the water, the great fit, double-needle tailoring and slightly oversized cut makes the shirt incredibly comfortable whether casting, throttling, or just chilling out. Last, but certainly not least, the Vented Fishing Shirt bares your passion with Fishouflage styling. The shirts sport sleek swatches of Fishouflage in Bass or Redfish paired with Moss, Stone or Black. Sizes M to 2XL. The bar has been raised on the standard issue fishing shirt – try one and enjoy the cool.

Lagoon Boats: Experience the Difference LAGOON BOATS AND TRAILERS IS A CUStom aluminum boat builder, as well as aluminum trailer manufacturer, based out of Port O’Connor, Texas. Lagoon speG A M E ®

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Leupold Lightens Up on Binocs

Fish and Game Gear

you back on the water. Just let Lagoon know how wide and what length to build. Lagoon Boats and Trailers is your one stop choice for years of boating pleasure and peace of mind. Visit lagoonboatsandtrailers.com. Or email lagoontrailers@yahoo.com

Heritage is the New Flagship for Sportsman Boats SPORTSMAN BOATS NEW 25-FOOT CENTER Console comes packed with serious fishing features. They continue setting industry standards by going the extra mile from design through execution, and delivering unmatched quality everywhere you look. Standard features include their patented Total Access Hatch, cockpit bolsters, power windlass system, porcelain head with holding tank, unique side dive door with ladder, hardtop with LED lighting and misting system, trim tabs with LED indicator, stereo, transom ladder and underwater lights. The Heritage 251 comes ready for action whether you are looking for a great

family boat or the ultimate fishing machine. The entire boat is about storage, fishing features, comfort and safety. The 251 is sure to become a favorite at popular Texas offshore fishing holes along with being recognized for handling the somewhat tricky cross current conditions often found off our Texas Coast. All Sportsman boats are built with “all composite—no wood—construction,” are NMMA certified and include a ten year hull warranty. Specs: 25 foot, 2 inch LOA, 9 foot, 2 inch beam, 155 gallons fuel, two 30 gallon livewells, 80 gallon fish box, deadrise: entry 50 degrees, transom 21 degrees, 18 inch draft. For more information visit their website, SportsmanBoatsMFG.com or go by your local Texas Sportsman dealer.

Tink’s Tinkers with Success TINK’S #69 DOE-IN-RUT BUCK LURE formula, known as America’s number one buck lure, is now available in the new Hot Shot Mist and gel form. The prized Tink’s #69 Doe-In-Rut Buck Lure is 100 percent natural doe

PHOTO: SPORTSMAN BOATS

cializes in aluminum cat boat and flat boat fabrication, giving the boat buyer another option which will last a lifetime with a boat hull that starts with a thickness of 3/16 inch marine grade aluminum. Being a custom boat builder, Lagoon takes input from each buyer on how they desire their boat laid out, taking into consideration where rod holders, rod storage, tackle space, raised consoles, live wells, lighting and other options are placed. This ensures a more relaxed, organized and comfortable space which makes a day on the water that much more enjoyable. After the boat of your dreams is built, Lagoon will build your aluminum trailer. Built with the vault axle system, which carries a five (5) year warranty, you won’t have to worry about repacking wheel hub bearings before or during vacation. LED lights are standard on all trailers, and options such as custom steps and bowstops are just the start to your matching aluminum trailer. A full line of parts to repair your trailer is available. And, if you already have a boat motor that came off of your fiberglass boat that was destroyed when you hit the oyster reef? No problem! Lagoon will gladly build you a new hull and get

p Sportsman Heritage 251

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estrous urine collected from real does in their estrous cycle. The top-notch formula delivers a peak level of performance, which makes it the standard buck lure in America. Tink’s #69 Doe-InRut generates big results during the pre-rut and rut. Tink’s Hot Shot #69 Doe-In-Rut Mist allows hunters to carry and dispense the effective formula in a convenient can. The internal bag from the Hot Shot can system separates the urine from the pressurizing agent so there is no contamination of the buck lure. The system also allows every drop of lure to be dispensed from the can. The Hot Shot #69 DoeIn-Rut Mist sprays longer than traditional dispenser cans. The Hot Shot system maintains a consistent spray at any angle without “spitting,” and the powerful, quiet mist provides long-range attraction. Tink’s #69 Doe-In-Rut Buck Lure Gel allows hunters to use the original #69 formula without lure wicks. The gel formula sticks to surfaces such as overhanging limbs, leaves and weeds. The long-lasting formula upholds perfectly in rainy, windy and freezing weather conditions. To find out more about Tink’s #69 Doe-In-Rut Buck Lure in the new Hot Shot Mist or gel, visit tinks.com.

The T180 is made of high quality, nearly indestructible aircraft aluminum that is shock proof and water resistant. The T180 comes standard with 500 lumens of blinding light intensity. The flashlight head can be drawn out to magnify 2,000 times its standard focus range. The aggressive beveled head design can be used as a strike tool in those cases of close quarter emergencies. The T180 has a five-function setting switch that moves flawlessly between high, medium, low, strobe and SOS. The T180 is a fully

AAA batteries to keep your light engaged in the action. Your light comes as a complete kit, including car charger and wall charger all packed in a foam padded, army green clamshell case. The T180 comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Tayga offers a full range of high quality lights including head lamps and dive lights at great prices. When ordering from the website our readers will receive a 30 percent discount on the purchase of this unit, during check out, enter the word “subscriber” in the coupon code box and you will also receive a second rechargeable battery worth $15 for free. To find out more about the T180 and the full line of flashlights offered by Tayga, visit their website at www.taygausa.com.

Tayga T-180

rechargeable unit using 3800 mah batteries. The unit can be recharged up to 500 times before the batteries need to be replaced. The T180 has an impressive runtime as this flashlight can illuminate up to 24 hours on a single charge. In situations of a power outage or when working in the field, the T180 comes with a special cartridge to run regular

ONLINE STORE Shop for innovative, new and hard-to-find outdoor gear at

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PHOTOS: TINKS, TAYGA

Rechargeable, Powerful, Zoomable Tactical Flashlight ONE OF SEVERAL OFFERINGS AND A NEW entry into the world of the Tactical flashlight is The Tayga T180. This tactical/ police grade LED unit is the flagship offering in the line of Tayga flashlights. T F & G

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Industry Insider

CCA Honors 2013 STAR Tournament Winners

HE CCA STAR TOURNAMENT OFFIcially honored all the winners of its 2013 edition at a special awards banquet on October 3. More than 40,000 anglers fished this year’s tournament, which ran from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Below is a full list of the winners:

Regular Division

TAGGED REDFISH—In this division, 11 of the tagged reds were caught. Of those, six were winners and five did not qualify. All winners are in order of the date of catch. First Truck/Boat Package Winner: Tag No. TA495 caught by L.D. Whitehead, Houston, on May 25 (weighed in at Marburger’s). Second Truck/Boat Package Winner: Tag No. TA471 caught by Caleb Morales (age 10), Danbury, on May 26 (weighed in at Surfside Marina). Because of his age, Caleb was awarded a scholarship in lieu of the Ford truck. Third Truck/Boat Package Winner: Tag No.TA473 caught by Bret Coggins, Alvin, on June 8 (weighed in at Marburger’s). Fourth Truck/Boat Package Winner: Tag No.TA475 caught by Jack Haire, Livingston, on June 29 (weighed in at 3G Bait & Tackle). Fifth Truck/Boat Package Winner: Tag No.TA505 caught by Vicki Preston, Ingleside, on June 30 (weighed in at Woody’s Sports Center) Boat Package Winner: Tag No. TA530 caught by Paul Swoyer, Canyon Lake, on August 17 (weighed in at Roy’s Bait & Tackle.

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FLOUNDER (18-inch min. length)— Winner: 7 pounds 10 oz. Paul C. Gaylord, Katy (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Matagorda); First Runner Up: 7 pounds 0 oz., Antonio Esparza, Jr., Channelview (weighed in at Harbor Bait & Tackle, Matagorda); Second Runner Up: Jake Thompson, Corpus Christi (South Shore Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 6 pounds 14 oz., Wayne Chadwick, Beaumont (Sportsman’s Supply); Fourth Runner Up: 6 pounds 13 oz. Charles T. Smith, Nederland (SGS Causeway). SHEEPSHEAD—Winner: 10 pounds 4 oz. Jaime Ybarra, Houston (3G Bait & Tackle); First Runner Up: 7 pounds 13 oz. Marvin Carouthers, Seabrook (Pelican Rest Marina); Second Runner Up: 6 pounds 13 oz. Damon McGrew, Baytown (Marburgers); Third Runner Up: 6 pounds 10 oz. Roger Holland, Cypress (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Fourth Runner Up: 6 pounds 9 OZS Michael Green, Cleveland (Stingaree Marina). GAFFTOP—Winner: 7 pounds 1 oz. Jill Yarbrough, San Marcos (Seaworthy Marine); First Runner Up: 6 pounds 15 oz. Lyden Voorhees, Hamshire (SGS Causeway); Second Runner Up: 6 pounds 11 oz. Pam Wood, Hitchcock (Pelican Rest Marina); Third Runner Up: 6 pounds 11 oz. Dutch Kueteman, Tiki Island (Pelican Rest Marina); Fourth Runner Up: 6 pounds 11 oz. Jessica Darder, Beaumont (Sportsman’s Supply. SPECKLED TROUT (Upper Coast)—Winner: 8 pounds 13 oz. Jeremy Bane, Sugar Land (Stingaree Marina); First Runner Up: 8 pounds 11 oz. Mickey Gierspeck, League City (Marburger’s); Second Runner Up: 8 pounds 10 oz.

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Frank Carner, Santa Fe (3G Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 8 pounds 6 oz. Allen Borel, Clute (Surfside Marina; Fourth Runner Up: 8 pounds 4 oz. John T. Armstrong, Houston (Surfside Marina) SPECKLED TROUT (Mid Coast)— Winner: 9 pounds 8 oz. Joe Rizzo, Pearland (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); First Runner Up: 8 pounds 6 oz. Ryan Guerra, Corpus Christi (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Second Runner Up: Raymond Gann, Corpus Christi (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 8 pounds 4 oz. Tiffany Moore, Ingleside (Woody’s Sports Center; Fourth Runner Up: None. SPECKLED TROUT (Lower Coast)—Winner: 10 pounds 2 oz. Dan Wyatt, Floresvills (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield); First Runner Up: 9 pounds 2 oz. Jack Gibbs, Jr., San Antonio (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield); Second Runner Up: 8 pounds 15 oz. Mark Urbanczyk, Manchaca (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 8 pounds 15 oz. Noe Gonzales, Jr., Alice (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Fourth Runner Up: 8 pounds 14 oz. Dallas Munroe, Houston (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield). KINGFISH (30 pounds min.)—Winner: 55 pounds 14 oz. Joseph Messina III, Vidor (Surfside Marina); First Runner Up: 50 pounds 7 oz. Amy Block, Kingwood (Surfside Marina); Second Runner Up: 49 pounds 10 oz. Colin Thomas, Dallas (Woody’s Sports Center); Third Runner Up: 48 pounds 2 oz. James Aparicio, Pearland (Surfside Marina); Fourth Runner Up: 48 pounds 1 oz. Jeffrey Gilkes, Missouri City (3G Bait & Tackle). DORADO (20 pounds min.)—Winner: 51 pounds 2 oz. Zachary Swanberg, Harlingen (South Shore Bait & Tackle) First Runner Up: 46 pounds 7 oz. Marlin Johnson (age 12), Aransas Pass (Woody’s Sports Center); Second Runner Up: 43 pounds 14 oz. Michael Prasek, Jr., El Campo (The Fishing Center); Third A L M A N A C

Kayleigh 7-pound, gafftop w a $20,000 chip, spo by Texas Game.

Runner Up: 40 pounds 14 oz. Bruce Daniecki, Conroe (Surfside Marina); Fourth Runner Up: Runner Up: 39 pounds 0 oz. Craig Reedy, San Antonio (Woody’s Sports Center). LING (cobia)—Winner: 71 pounds 13 oz. Alan Parker, Cove (Marburger’s); First Runner Up: 70 pounds 4 oz. Leonard Grosz (Age 17), Houston (Surfside Marina); Second Runner Up: 63 pounds 9 oz. Rob Freyer, Conroe (Surfside Marina); Third Runner Up: 62 pounds 9 oz. Oscar Z. Buhay, Houston (3G Bait & Tackle); Fourth Runner Up: 62 pounds 7 oz. David Knesek, El Campo (The Point).

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SPECKLED TROUT (Upper Coast)—Winner: 7 pounds 4 oz. Nicholas Josey (age 17), Houston (3G Bait & Tackle); First Runner Up: 7 pounds 1 oz. Dalton Douglas (age 14), Dayton (3G Bait & Tackle); Second Runner Up: 6 pounds 6 oz. Garrett Nicholas (age 13), Lake Jackson (Surfside Marina). SPECKLED TROUT (Mid Coast)— Winner: 8 pounds 0 oz. Sarah Otto (age 14), Corpus Christi (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); First Runner Up: 7 pounds 6 oz. Jamie Sifford (age 13), Corpus Christi (Woody’s Sports Center); Second Runner Up: 7 pounds 2 oz. Wyatt Williams (age 15), Smithville (The Fishing Center); Third Runner Up: 7 pounds O oz. Laithen Crow (age 16), Victoria (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Matagorda); Fourth Runner Up: 6 pounds 10 oz. Michah Merritt (age 13), Corpus Christi (Woody’s Sports Center). SPECKLED TROUT (Lower Coast)—Winner: 8 pounds 8 oz. Cole McGrew (age 17), Stockdale (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield); First Runner Up: 7 pounds 13 oz. Kristina Anderson (age 16), Port Mansfield (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield); Second Runner Up: 7 pounds 8 oz. Conner Wilson (age 13), Montgomery (South Shore Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 7 pounds 8 oz. Jordan Jaafar (age 15), San Antonio (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Fourth Runner Up: 6 pounds 15 oz. Cami Goldman (age 12), Moulton (South Shore Bait & Tackle). FLOUNDER—Winner: 7 pounds 13 oz. Grant Drabek (age 13), Harlingen (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield); First Runner Up: 4 pounds 12 oz. Justin Ruffeno (age 16), Flynn (Pelican Rest Marina); Second Runner Up: 4 pounds 11 oz. Parker Joffrion (age 16), Friendswood (Pelican Rest Marina); Third Runner Up: 4 pounds 10 oz. Coopes Sowers (age 14), Port Aransas (Woody’s Sports Center); Fourth Runner Up: 4 pounds 9 oz. Hunter Thiem (age 14), Hitchcock (Pelican Rest Marina). SHEEPSHEAD—Winner: 7 pounds 8 oz. Seth Jackson (age 15), Brownsville (South Shore Bait & Tackle); First Runner Up: 6 pounds 14 oz. Hunter Wagen-

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shein (age 15), Corpus Christi (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Second Runner Up: 6 pounds 11 oz. Jenazereth Ybarra (age 14), Houston (3G Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 5 pounds 10 oz. Madison Newton (age 13), Cleburne (Stingaree Marina); Fourth Runner Up: 4 pounds 12 oz. Jessica Badgett (age 12), Danbury (3G Bait & Tackle).

FLOUNDER (18-inch min. length)— Winner: 5 pounds 7 oz. Nicholas Gilstrap (age 8), Santa Fe (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield); First Runner Up: 4 pounds 12 oz. Nathan Skrobarczyk (age 7), Corpus Christi (Roy’s Bait & Tackle): Second Runner Up: 4 pounds 7 oz. Austin Conner (age 10), Harlingen (South Shore Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 4 pounds 0 oz. Hunter Wernecke (age 7), Los Fresnos (Harbor Bait & Tackle, Port Mansfield); Fourth Runner Up: 3 pounds 12 OZS Lilly An Kaspar (age 9), New Ulm (Cany Creek Marina). SHEEPSHEAD—Winner: 7 pounds 6 oz. Allison Schwartz (age 9), Texas City (Marburger’s); First Runner Up: 6 pounds 7 oz. Nocolas Jackson (age 9), Brownsville (South Shore Bait & Tackle); Second Runner Up: 5 pounds 8 oz. Nate Nelms (age 6), Corpus Christi (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Third Runner Up: 5 pounds 4 oz. Ryan Nelms (age 8), Corpus Christi (Roy’s Bait & Tackle); Fourth Runner Ritchey’s Up: 5 pounds 4 oz. Black Duty (age 8), 6 oz. won her Katy (Pelican Rest Marina). GAFFTOP—Winner: 6 pounds 12 0 sholaroz. Anthony Bellanger (age 9), Orange onsored s Fish & (Sportsman’s Supply); First Runner Up: 6 pounds 1 oz. Austin Bellanger (age 6), Orange (Sportsman’s Supply); Second Runner Up: 5 pounds 15 oz.Conner Junot (age 9), Nederland (SGS Causeway); Third Runner Up: 5 pounds 4 oz. Nathan Grimm (age 9), Conroe (Marburger’s); Fourth Runner Up: 5 pounds 2 oz. Jonathan Wright (age 7), Santa Fe (Pelican Rest Marina).

StarTeens Division

Kayleigh Ritchey’s 7-pound, 6 -oz. gafftop won her a $20,000 scholarship, sponsored by Texas Fish & Game.

GAFFTOP— Winner: 7 pounds 6 oz. Kayleigh Ritchey (age 11), Orange (Sportsman’s Supply); First Runner Up: 6 pounds 3 oz. Becca De Lord (age 17), Beaumont (Sportsman’s Supply); Second Runner Up: 6 pounds 0 oz. Jarren Mahon (age 14), Winnie (Sportsman’s Supply); Third Runner Up: 6 pounds 0 oz. Sydney Pearson (age 11), San Antonio (Woody’s Sports Center); Fourth Runner Up: 5 pounds 11 oz. John Darling (age 16), Beaumont (Sportsman’s Supply).

See video of the CCA Texas Star awards presentation online at: www.Fishgame.com/video

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Hotspots Focus: Upper Coast

by Capt. Eddie Hernandez | TF&G Contributor

November Fishing Advantage

OVEMBER IS UPON US AND I WELcome it with open arms. I know I am not alone in this as outdoor opportunities across this great state are opening up right before our eyes. One of the toughest decisions outdoorsmen will have to make this month is whether to break out the rods and reels or the guns. This is never a bad predicament to find yourself in. Finally being able to settle into a blind before shooting time, hoping the bull of the woods makes a fatal mistake while knowing full well though, that you could be loading the boat with trout, reds and flounder is not

as easy as it may sound. At least it’s not for me. If coastal fishing were just mediocre in November it would be much easier for people on Texas’ upper coast. Mediocre, however, is an adjective that I’m quite sure has never been used to describe Sabine Lake fishing in the month of November. So on that note, lets just say I will be fishing as much as possible and hunting if I can. One of the main reasons fishing is so productive on Sabine in November is the amount of shrimp pouring into the bay from the marsh. The low tides associated with each cold front help pull the shrimp from the marsh into the lake. Hungry predators are keen to this and will be there waiting with large appetites. Another thing we’ve got going for us is the decreasing water temperatures that the frequent cold fronts bring. When it begins to settle down after the front blows through, predator fish and bait fish alike will cruise the bay with a newfound pep in their step. Light winds and calm conditions are ideal for scoring big

in November. On days like this you should have no problem finding flocks of seagulls hovering over large schools of trout and reds. These fish have huge pods of shrimp pushed to the surface and are gorging on them from below while the gulls are picking them off from above. If this is your style of fishing you owe it to yourself to get down here on days like today. The only real dilemma we have is is deciding which group of birds we want to fish. Most schools will be loaded with trout, while others will have a nice mixture of trout and reds. If you hit enough groups you will likely run into a couple that are holding redfish only. Good bait choices are generally whatever you feel like throwing or what you already have tied on. Soft plastics are typically our baits of choice simply so we don’t have to deal with trebles after every cast. However, if you don’t mind breaking out the pliers on every fish, topwaters, rattletraps and Corky’s will all get serious results. These baits often produce some of the larger fish. When the conditions are favorable in November you can find me fishing somewhere on Sabine Lake. I’ll hunt on the nasty days.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: North Levee Road (Pleasure Island) SPECIES: Trout, Reds, Flounder BAITS/LURES: Live Shrimp, Topwaters, Soft Plastics BEST TIMES: Mornings and Evenings with Moving Tides

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Hotspots Focus: Galveston

by Capt. Mike Holmes | TF&G Contributor

The Fall ‘Fish Hunt’

OR MANY YEARS OF MY ADULT LIFE, I did not hunt game birds or animals, as pretty much all of my time was spent fishing – offshore or in the surf, mostly. Now that I have gotten back into hunting, it is easy to see the parallels between the two outdoor endeavors that I was subconsciously practicing. First, I am not talking about sitting under a shade tree with a can of worms and a cane pole type of fishing, or any of the more relaxed methods of angling –even though they, too, can be productive and enjoyable. Even when surf fishing with long rods, there is a lot more to setting up than just finding a piece of beach that isn’t crowded (although that IS important). The successful fisherman “hunts” his quarry just as much as a deer hunter does a big buck. In everything from setting up an “ambush point” or otherwise searching for your quarry to selection of “weapons” and “ammo,” the skills acquired by a hunter can be put to good use as an angler – and since early fall is when some switch gears from rod to gun, this seems an appropriate time to examine these skills and techniques.

the waves break in the surf. An angler soaking live or dead bait tethered to a spider weight in a gut (channel between sand bars) is betting that a good fish will come hunting down the “trail” of the gut. A lure fisherman seeking speckled trout will often be moving a bit more, as if “still hunting” in the woods, but he also needs to read the water – as well as look for feeding birds. Bay feeding areas are marked by shell pads, oyster reefs, deep holes or channels, and also shallow flats. As my old buddy Uncle Vic Roy always said about Marlin fishing – “You got to fish where they live!” This applies to bay fishing just as well. Offshore fishing can be even more like hunting. Trolling is the marine equivalent of still hunting, while tying up to a rig or anchoring over a rock is more like stand hunting. Chumming, which is probably my favorite offshore fishing technique for most species, is pretty much what we do with a corn feeder in the deer woods, don’t you think? Working a weed line or other floating

debris offshore is very similar to sneaking through the woods and finding a feeding area, then working it slowly, glassing and watching carefully for signs of game. When we hunt, it is important to use the correct firearm. Your rifle – or handgun – must have the abilities needed to bag your intended quarry. Too powerful a rifle can be as bad as one lacking the velocity and range to make shots at the necessary distances. When fishing, choosing the right tackle to be able to handle the fish you are after, while still providing some “sport” in the fight and catch, is a very important step to success. Water and weather conditions have a place in this selection process, of course. A fly rod is great sport in calm conditions in fairly shallow water or for surface feeding species, but will be nearly useless for fishing with bait on the bottom in rough weather. Conversely, on a morning tide with flat water conditions, CONTINUED ON PAGE 69

A successful surf fisherman, where possible, looks to the water first to locate the bars and guts off the beach. Just as game animals have trails to feeding spots, so do species such as redfish, jack crevalle, sharks, and tarpon follow the bars and guts along the beachfront in search of bait species on which to feed. A “cut” formed by wayward currents through a bar allows large fish to pass safely through to hunt and feed in the inshore gut, and is always a prime spot. Water depth in the guts and the distance from shore of the bars are critical factors, and can usually be “read” by watching as T F & G

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Hotspots Focus: Matagorda

by Mike Price | TF&G Contributor

Better Fish Finding in November

INDING FEEDING FISH IN NOVEMBER is easier than in most other months because lowering water temperatures, and shorter days trigger trout, redfish, and flounder to prepare for migration offshore and/or for winter. This does not, however, guarantee that you will find the

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action. After several successful fishing trips to East and West Matagorda Bays last year, I took my son and his two boys out. I really wanted the 11-and 13-year old boys to enjoy catching fish, and took them to one of my favorite spots on the south shore of West Matagorda Bay; however, we only caught a couple of redfish. So I looked at the differences between the multiple trips that yielded lots of action, and this trip that had disappointed me. All of the trips had ideal fish-stimulating water temperatures from 62 to 75°F. In addition, I fished a strong outgoing tide in the morning on all of the trips. The difference that I found was that when the water temperature dropped, late in November,

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the fish had moved away from the sandy bottomed areas and onto the mud bottomed areas. On the day I took the kids out, we saw fishermen coming in with full stringers of trout that were caught at Shell Reef. This extensive oyster reef is on the north side of West Matagorda Bay and has a mud bottom. I did well early in November over sand on the south shore of West Matagorda Bay, but the water temperature there was in the low seventies; when the water temperature dropped to 65°F and below, the fish moved to the mud bottomed areas. On one of these November trips, I was fishing in one of the back lakes, near Boiler Bayou, on the south side of East Matagorda Bay in my kayak. The lake had a mud bottom, water temperature of 65°F, and an outgoing tide. I paddled to the south end of the lake, put my drift anchor out and proceeded to slowly drift and fish my way back. I was using a Blue Moon Chartreuse V&G Deadly Dudley lure on a 1/16 ounce jig head, tipped with a little piece of Fishbite. A small flounder and several trout that were under 20 inches went for the Deadly Dudley lure. I wondered if larger trout might hit a larger lure, so I changed to a Stanley Wedge Tail Minnow, and sure enough, I caught two trout and a redfish over 20 inches. November is the best month to find flounder along the shorelines of the bays as they follow outgoing tides offshore to spawn. Many coves and shorelines have oyster reefs that are about two feet away from the grass with sand or mud in between. The flounder lie very close to the grass waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. Consequently, the way to fish for these flounder is to use a very light jig head (1/16 ounce) with a long hook shank. The reason that you want to use a light jig head is that you have to run the lure over the top of the oyster reef after casting it up against the grass. A long hook shank is a good idea, because flounder spring up and, unlike trout and redfish, bite their prey A L M A N A C

GALVESTON FOCUS about halfway between the head and tail. A long hook shank will be in a better position for a hook set than a short shank hook.

THE BANK BITE STING RAE’S Waterfront Bar and Grill is on the right just before you reach the Intracoastal Coastal Waterway (ICW) in Sargent. Behind Sting Rae’s is CD’s Bait Camp. You can purchase live bait at CD’s and fish in the ICW right at the camp. CD’s is owned by Dean Garner. To get up to date information about the fishing and availability of bait call CD’s at 979-479-0149. If you want to fish the beach, but you do not have a four wheel drive vehicle, you can park next to CR 230 and walk to the beach. Another parking area with beach access, is wheel chair accessible, and has clean restrooms is just east of the intersection of CR 230 and CR 457.

Contact Mike Price at MPrice@fishgame.com

t CONTINUED FROM PAGE 67 that fly rod may be a lot better choice of “weapons” than a heavy trolling or bottom fishing rig. Terminal tackle should pass the same criteria – the commercially available bottom fishing leaders with snaps to attach the hooks and pretty red beads on them MIGHT catch a hungry red snapper, but will seldom trick a wary speckled trout into biting. The old adage of “Use enough gun” of which I am very fond, could be altered to “Use ONLY enough gun” when applied to fishing. Use a line strong enough for the size fish you seek, but not so large that it will “spook” a slightly smaller fish that might look very good in a frying pan later. November is a great time to “go on the hunt” for most of our native salt water species, and the proper hunting techniques can add to your success.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Just about anywhere salt water touches, or comes near to land is worth a try this month, whether bay, beach, or jetty. SPECIES: All things salt water are feeding and available this month. BEST BAITS: Natural baits attract by smell and/or taste. Artificials rely on color and activity. Either one pays off when used appropriately. BEST TIMES: November normally brings days that are very pleasant to be on or near the water. If actually catching fish matters, study the tidal predictions, and fish when the water is moving – or about to move.

Contact Mike Holmes at MHolmes@fishgame.com.

Hotspots Focus: Upper Mid Coast

by Capt. Chris Martin | TF&G Contributor

HETHER IT IS HUNTING OR fishing you are enjoying this month, your day is probably going to start out really early in the morning, and today’s fishing episode with this weekend’s party of four wouldn’t turn out to be any different. I woke everyone at around 4:30 a.m. One of this season’s strongest cold fronts had made its way across Matagorda Bay and San Antonio Bay during the nighttime hours, and the numbers on the thermometer out on the front deck reflected as such. As usual under such circumstances, I warned everybody of the good possibility for harsh conditions ahead of us today, and told everyone that it would be extremely important for them to be properly dressed so as to be able to address the elements. I also shared with everyone my thoughts behind why I felt it necessary for them to bring an extra set of dry clothes in case of an emergency. I continued offering advice to the others as I dressed myself in my favorite cold weather undergarments that I strategically put on in multiple layers prior to stepping into my chest-waders and pulling on my wading jacket. After everyone was dressed, we all enjoyed a quick bite to eat and some really good, strong, hot coffee before gathering all our gear and heading to the boat dock. As we walked across the street to the marina where the boat was waiting, I wondered quietly to myself whether the experience I had gained over the years would truly serve a purpose on this morning as we prepared to embark out into some pretty dismal cold-weather conditions. 70 |

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“ I warned everybody of the possibility for harsh conditions ahead.

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I thought long and hard before deciding that the first area we would be targeting this morning would be a place located along the south shoreline that’s on the complete opposite side of San Antonio Bay from where we would be beginning our voyage. It would mean a certain bone-chilling ride across a huge, dark, open bay, but a ride that could very well prove to be a minor sacrifice if my predictions for the day turned out to be correct. I pointed the nose of the boat in the direction of the south shoreline and never came off of the throttle for more than 30 minutes until we were on final approach to our first stop. As I eased the boat into anchoring position, I was imagining the whole while the north wind lapped the water tight against the marsh grass, driving vast numbers of bait fish directly into the shoreline that was now just in front of us. I purposely didn’t want to illuminate the area with the Q-Beam because for some silly reason I thought deep down that doing so might jinx us. Instead, I gently placed the anchor in the water. We had parked on the protected side of a very small island just off the south shoreline that was situated somewhat directly in the entrance to one of the smaller back lakes that sits along Matagorda Island. We still had a good long while before sunrise, so I passed around a thermos of coffee and a thermos of hot chocolate so everyone could regain some much needed warmth. We talked quietly as we all enjoyed our hot drinks, and soon we could make out the brightening of the morning’s horizon. All of a sudden I noticed that we all kept hearing small splashing sounds coming from the shoreline nearby. I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to see if my prediction was right. We were just moments away from getting into the water, so I fired-up the Q-Beam and shined it out across the surface of the water just in front of our location. The resulting effect startled me and the others. When the light had hit the water, the surface literally exploded with

nervous bait activity. There were bait fish all over the place, all jumping every which direction in an attempt to escape being exposed to lingering predators by the blinding light. It was incredible, and we were all extremely excited about our possibilities for our upcoming wade session. We got out of the boat only to discover that the trout had simply been waiting for that first bit of sunlight to begin warming the surrounding waters to the point where they would actually feel comfortable with attacking anything that moved in front of them. A good time was had by all, and we finished the day with limits of moderate trout to 23 inches, and three redfish that measured between 21 inches and 26 inches. By learning to trust your initial instincts, you will learn to become a better angler. Keeping really good fishing records will never hurt anything either! Keep grindin’!

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

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Hotspots Focus: Rockport

by Capt. Mac Gable | TF&G Contributor

Danger In Paradise

S I WRITE THIS, A MAN HAS GONE missing in San Antonio Bay. His boat was found as well as his cell which had a dead battery. I was fishing in the surf when I noticed the search crews feverishly working the area, not knowing what had happened. I told my buddy that something was wrong, for there were way too many helicopters in the air. Once I returned home, my phone started ringing. Had I heard about a lost fisherman? Did I know any of the details? “No,” I said, “but let’s all pray he just took a long wade and stopped to take lunch on one of the shorelines in the area.” My instincts told me that was wishful thinking, but still one hopes for the best. Unfortunately this story doesn’t end well. Body parts were found and it was suspected that they were of the missing angler. DNA testing was still in process to confirm the identity. Those who live here and frequent our bays know all too well this is not an isolated case, although in the grand scheme of things the percentage of deaths that occur on our waters is low. As low as that number might be, it’s still too many and while most of us just get by with a spanking or bruised ego when things go wrong on the saltwater, Mother Gulf and her fragile children (our bays) have more than their share of ways to punch our ticket out of this conscious world. Ninety-nine percent of these tragedies could have been avoided. I’d like to tell you I’ve never done a knuckle-headed thing that would endanger my life, but just ask my wife and she will tell you that more than once she has been scared to tears because my Haynie wasn’t back before dark and either the cell T F & G

phone went dead—or just wasn’t working for some reason—and I didn’t want to take the time to get out my ship to shore radio. Couple that with the fact that I was alone and one can easily imagine a tragic ending. Water, any water, can kill you three ways to Sunday. Double that for our coastal waters. I personally have had many close calls that were upon me faster than a spotted-ass ape and, looking back, it was most assuredly my fault. Fortunately I live pretty much at the boat ramp, so I have several people who keep close track of my goings and comings. I understand the need to be alone sometimes, and there is nothing that clears your head like a day on the bay. You say you’ve done this your whole life, and it’s always been okay. Besides, you know what you’re doing, and this ain’t your first dance or first rodeo, right? Well, let me asked the question: If just once things hadn’t gone okay, do you think you would be here to tell about it? Maybe not.

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One old man told me leaving out one evening by himself in his boat “If it’s my time it’s my time. Ain’t nothing going to change that.” Ladies and gentlemen, that’s horse $#@! and deep down inside you know it. This past year there were too many tragedies from boating accidents including but not limited to BUI (Boating Under the Influence), mechanical issues, heat strokes, bacterial infections, boaters getting lost, and waders getting caught in tidal currents. When I researched accidents where people lost their life, a common thread weaved its heartbreaking way through almost all of them. Strike 1: They were alone. Strike 2: Their form of communicating was less than adequate. Strike 3: They had told no one where they would be or when they would be back. In other words, no float plan (this should be in hours not days). Do these three things enough times and sooner or later mother nature is going to count you out.

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Rockport Focus Let’s talk a bit about the predators that prowl our bays. The state record Bull Shark was caught in Aransas Bay — 512 pounds, nine feet long (Yes sir, there are sharks in our bays). We usually don’t catch them because we don’t fish correctly for them. My wife and I own a small lake adjacent to St Charles Bay, and every year we have to remove large alligators from the lake. Most are in the 7- to 10-foot range but 11- to 13-footers are not uncommon. They are all over the bay areas around Rockport and the Aransas wildlife refuge. It is my understanding, as of this writing, that gators played a role in the death of the San Antonio Bay missing angler. It wouldn’t surprise me. My good friend and brother guide Danny Goyen, days before this incident took place, wrote an article for the Victoria newspaper on the very subject of wade fishermen and gators and his recent personal experience with a big gator. Think a gator won’t come after you or a stringer of fish? Read his article and you will change your mind. Bottlenose dolphins are not the smiley, friendly Flippers that Hollywood has portrayed. These big mammals reach eight to nine feet and can weigh 300 to 500 pounds. They are lethal with their snouts and have been known to display a mean disposition at times, even biting swimmers. Stingrays can whip a painful barb into unsuspecting and unprotected skin. If this barb hits the right artery, a person can literally bleed out before getting back to the boat or, God forbid, get a life-threatening infection from all the critters that inhabit the barb itself. These predators are mostly scent, sound and opportunistic feeders but the big ones, given the right set of circumstances, can wreak havoc on us frail humans. Be wise and if you see anything that looks the least bit aggressive, get out of the water and find another area to fish. Some of us may not excercise the best judgment where our saltwater activities are concerned. Why fish alone? It’s more fun with two or more. If you do fish alone, for God’s sake, tell someone where you’re gonna fish and when you’ll be back. In today’s world, there is no reason not to 72 |

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carry some form of communication. If your cell phone is iffy in the waters you fish, get a cell plan that will work. I switched plans and providers simply because the signal from my new provider was better where I fish. If you can afford a boat, you can afford to stay in touch on that boat and have a 12-volt plug for your phone on your boat. They cost four dollars and come in handy for cheap music, spot lights and back up aerators. If there are critters in the area that display an aggressive nature or have young that you can see, leave the area to them. After all it’s their home, so show them good manners and live to fish another day. • • • THE FIRST PART OF NOVEMBER is still about bait diversification, but as November brings the colder weather I like cut bait such as fresh dead shrimp, cut mullet and menhaden. It’s also time for lures so for you crank bait chunkers, your time has arrived. COPANO BAY – Black drum frequent the mouth of Mission Bay where fresh dead shrimp on a light Carolina rig works well. The small reefs just northwest of the LBJ causeway are a good place for trout using new penny jerk shad or sand eels, especially with a north wind. There are some keeper reds in the Turtle Pen area. Drift into the area quietly and look for mud boils (a figure 8), throwing free lined cut mullet or menhaden. ARANSAS BAY – The pockets on the north shoreline of Mud Island are good for reds using live shrimp or cut mullet free lined or under a cork. Patience is the key here for slot reds. Drifts down Traylor Island are still producing trout with soft plastics in root beer, electric grape and morning glory colors. The technique that works well is either to cast shallow then work your lures into deeper water or vice versa, taking where ever the wind allows. ST. CHARLES BAY – Black drum are good close to Twin Creeks using peeled as-fresh-as-you-can-get shrimp. The rig of choice is a light Carolina rig. Be patient here for 45 minutes to an hour. Usually where there is one, there will be others.

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Some keeper reds may be found at the mouth of Devils Bayou using cut menhaden or mud minnows. The shallow flats off of Cow Chip have a few flounder using Berkley Penny Jerk Shad. Work the lures very slowly, just skipping off the bottom. CARLOS BAY – Pelican Reef is a good place for trout using live shrimp free lined. Cape Carlos is good on cold days for trout and reds using rattle traps in red and bone colors. MESQUITE BAY – The new spoil area off of Roddy Island is good for some sheepshead using squid or small pieces of shrimp. Bray Cove is good for flounder using grubs in chartreuse and white tipped with small pieces of squid. The mouth of Brundrett Lake is good for reds using mud minnows or finger mullet when available. AYERS BAY – Wades on the north shoreline just off Rattlesnake Island are good for reds and a few keeper trout using top waters in bone and white and blue and gold. Black drum numbers are good off of Ayers Reef using peeled shrimp under a silent cork.

THE BANK BITE THE LBJ CAUSEWAY is producing good sheepshead action using small peeled shrimp. The trick here is getting them up and onto the pier. I have used a spokeless old bicycle rim with a net tied in place of the spokes and a rope to help land these hard fighters. A stout braided line is almost a must here because of the pilings. Don’t play the fish once hooked. Rather horse the thing as quick as you can out of the water or it will wrap around the pilings. If it wraps, even the best braid probably won’t help you. Big black drum hang in this area as well. Good luck if you hook one of those. The best way to land one is to walk him down the pier towards the bank and have a buddy waiting on the bank to net the fish.

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

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Hotspots Focus: Lower Coast

by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor

ENTION SOUTH BAY AND MOST Lower Cast anglers will immediately think of big speckled trout redfish, and of course, snook. Mention South Bay to Captain Carlos Garcia, and he begins talking about the hordes of black drum that take over the boat channels from July until the first major cold front in winter. In fact, Captain Garcia’s main focus through most of October is toward the noisy and tasty beasts that stack up in the eastern part of the Bay known as The Washing Machine (or McGuillicuddy’s hole to some of the older anglers) Granted, the black drum lacks the glamour of redfish, trout, or flounder, but when Captain Garcia brings in a three-person limit of 15 black drum that tops 50 pounds, there is rarely any complaining. Anglers leave happy with bags of tasty fillets and tons of weary arms. A three- to six-pound drum on light tackle is a serious struggle, and these fish can wear you out. There is no need for specialized tackle when you go after these black drum. The easiest rig to use is a single dropper bottom rig with a 2/0 Sproat hook and a one ounce bell or pyramid sinker. Bait up with live or fresh shrimp, and pitch the rig up against a channel edge and wait for the tell-tale thump. If tides or wind make running to South Bay prohibitive, it isn’t difficult to find an area that produces good numbers of black drum. Just a little north and west of the causeway is a broad flat near the current Pirate’s Fishing Pier. A long cast from the pier can easily reach the area. The best times to fish the area are the calm days after a cold front, and at night during the full moon. Large shrimp on a Carolina rig work T F & G

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Drums of the South

well for these bruisers—most of the fish will be over the maximum 30-inch slot—but the best bait for large black drum are crab chunks with the carapace removed. Pass a 5/0 circle hook through a leg socket and out the top of the crab, chunk the whole rig out, and set the rod in a holder to wait. Many anglers have recently begun using blue crab chunks or sea lice—or mantis shrimp—for bait. In the winter, sea lice are easier to find than fresh shrimp. The trick is to remove the beasty’s head, peel back some of the carapace to let more scent ooze out of the body, thread it on a hook through the tail, and chuck it out. Experience has taught me that tatankas won’t pass up a sea lice as an easy meal. If you happen to come up with a live one in your bait bucket full of shrimp, be careful. These little beasts can lay a finger open with a quick flip (they have some sharp claws). Another spot that often gets overlooked when it comes to hunting tatankas are the deeper holes that are formed around the fishing shacks along the edge of the ICW. Black drum tend to mill around in these holes when the tide is washing off the flats behind the shacks. The docks act as a current break, and crustaceans get washed into the area. Drop your anchor or Power Pole next to the end of the shack’s dock—usually on the north side—and cast into the deeper water in front of and parallel to the shack. It is considered bad form to tie off to a shack’s dock, except in the case of a real emergency. A standard free-line rig with a #3 split shot and size 1/0 Khale hook is a practical choice. Live or fresh shrimp is best, but again, crab isn’t a bad option if bugs aren’t easily available. If the run to the shacks is a bit long for you—it’s a 30 minute run with even a large motor—an easier-accessed spot is the mouth of South Bay. This spot is a quick 5-to-10 minute run from most put-in points. On an outgoing tide, anchor on the edge of the channel mouth that opens out of South Bay, and use the same free-lining techniques that

you would on the ICW. Sometimes, the tidal flow is stronger than normal (especially during the full moon), so a heavier weight or even a ¼ ounce jighead tipped with shrimp is a necessity. If the current is forming an eddy at the end of the mouth, set up down current of the eddy, cast into it, and let your bait flow out to the fish. It won’t take too long before you feel that tell-tale thump. It isn’t a bad idea to use stouter 17- to 20-pound tackle for this application. There aren’t any real snags in the area, but it’s much easier to turn one of these finny bulldozers with the heavier stuff. Even when the weather sours, you will have some good fishing opportunities on the Lower Laguna Madre. Just listen for the sounding of the drums, grab your favorite rod and reel, and get to it.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Pirates Landing Fishing Pier SPECIES: Black Drum, Panfish BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp, Fresh Shrimp TIPS: Cast baits towards deeper water and wait for pickups from drum and whiting.

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Peppered Specks on East Bay by GEORGE KNIGHTEN LOCATION: East Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Pepper Grove Cove GPS: N29 27.87402 W94 41.54502 (29.464567, -94.692417) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: She Pup topwater lures in chrome/black or chartreuse colors CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captpaul@gofishgalveston.com gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Wade early in skinny water.

heads CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captpaul@gofishgalveston.com gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Fish the south shoreline after fronts have passed. Siever’s Cut should offer safe haven from the south winds.

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Richards Reef GPS: N29 31.42902 W94 45.32298 (29.523817, -94.755383) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins in Pumpkinseed, plum or Pearl colors along with 1/8-ounce jigheads CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 captpaul@gofishgalveston.com gofishgalveston.com TIPS: Quality wadefishing on the north shoreline from Robinson Bayou back to Smith Point. Key on scattered bait or slicks. LOCATION: East Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Siever’s Cut GPS: N29 26.07402 W94 42.69198 (29.434567, -94.711533) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin in Pumpkinseed, plum or Pearl colors along with 1/4-ounce; jig-

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

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: St. Mary’s Bayou GPS: N28 39.56802 W95 56.54298 (28.659467, -95.942383) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Norton Bull Minnows in Black Magic, Chicken on a Chain and Tequila Rocks colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037 tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Drift the deep shell on the west end of the Bay. LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Raymond Shoal GPS: N28 40.449 W95 53.898 (28.674150, -95.898300) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Norton Bull Minnows in Black Magic, Chicken on a Chain and Tequila Rocks colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037

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tcountz@sbcglobal.net www.matagordafishing.com TIPS: Drift the area while casting soft plastics. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Willow Bayou GPS: N29 51.72702 W93 46.90698 (29.862117, -93.781783) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Skitter Walk and She Dog topwater lures CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez 409-673-3100 ehernandez@fishgame.com www.goldenhookguide.com TIPS: Find the fish by following the birds then walk the dog. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Coffee Ground Cove GPS: N29 57.75702 W93 46.33092 (29.962617, -93.772182) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics, topwaters CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez 409-673-3100 ehernandez@fishgame.com www.goldenhookguide.com TIPS: Look for seagulls working over shrimp and fish busting the surface. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South Levee GPS: N29 47.22102 W93 55.91898 (29.787017, -93.931983) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics, rattletraps CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez 409-673-3100 ehernandez@fishgame.com www.goldenhookguide.com TIPS: The birds will be doing their thing on calm days after a front blows through. Just about anything you tie on should produce strikes. Soft plastics, topwaters and rattletraps are all excellent choices. A L M A N A C

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Shoreline GPS: N29 54.14802 W93 43.272 (29.907329, -93.775177) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: GULP SHRIMP Top Dog Jr. CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez 409-673-3100 ehernandez@fishgame.com www.goldenhookguide.com TIPS: Look for these bronze beauties to blow shrimp out of the water very close to the shoreline. Cast towards the commotion and hang on! LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: West Matagorda Bay - Bulls on Parade GPS: N28 29.4636 W96 15.01392 (28.49106, -96.250232) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Live shrimp or croakers CONTACT: Capt. Rick Calhoun 361-920-6325 rusthook@hotmail.com texassaltwaterfishing.com/CaptainRick/ TIPS: Concentrate on the many gas rigs in West Matagorda using live bait. These rigs go from Palacios all the way to the Peninsula. Pull up to these rigs throw out some bait and wait. If nothing hits within 10 minutes, move on to the next one. Wading along the Peninsula (Running West Matagorda bay and the Gulf) is also proving effective. Jetties are also successful locations during the fall when we have the running of the bulls when the redfish go out into the Gulf!

361-785-2686 bayflatslodge@gmail.com www.bayflatslodge.com TIPS: Fish the south end of the reef; Bone colored topwater lures work good late in the day. LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: JFK Causeway GPS: N27 38.07102 W97 14.46102 (27.634517, -97.241017) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Berkley Gulp in a Rootbeer or Glow color fished under an Alameda Rattler popping cork CONTACT: Capt. Bill Sheka 361-991-7191 BillSheka.com TIPS: Cooler water temperatures should start the shrimp moving. Look for feeding birds. LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Packery Channel GPS: N27 37.48602 W97 12.88302 (27.624767, -97.214717) SPECIES: flounder

BEST BAITS: Berkley Gulp or live shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Bill Sheka 361-991-7191 BillSheka.com TIPS: Work the Gulp very, very slow along the bottom while using a 1/4 to 3/8-ounce jighead. Work the current. LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Steamboat Hole Reef GPS: N28 17.91 W96 37.95996 (28.298500, -96.632666) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: TTF red and white soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin 361-785-2686 bayflatslodge@gmail.com www.bayflatslodge.com TIPS: Wade-fish along the deep boat cut while casting into deep water. Work the lure slowly across shell pad. LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Panther Lake Reefs GPS: N28 18

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Reef Trout on San Antonio Bay by DUSTIN WARNCKE and CAPT. CHRIS MARTIN LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Marker 11 Reef GPS: N28 18.72 W96 41.70996 (28.312000, -96.695166) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: TTF plum or chartreuse soft plastics; topwater lures CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin T F & G

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Texas Hotspots W96 43.19802 (28.300000, -96.719967) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Roach or chartreuse colored TTF soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin 361-785-2686 bayflatslodge@gmail.com www.bayflatslodge.com TIPS: Work lower water column with short rod pumps. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Los Corrallos GPS: N27 14.80698 W97 29.904 (27.246783, -97.498400) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bone colored Skitter Walks and Top Dog Juniors; Berkley Gulp in a Rootbeer or Glow color fished under an Alameda Rattler popping cork CONTACT: Capt. Bill Sheka 361-991-7191 BillSheka.com TIPS: Cooler water temperatures should start the shrimp moving. Look for feeding birds. Don’t forget the side channels for flounder. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Emmords Hole GPS: N27 30.057 W97 19.54602 (27.500950, -97.325767) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp or Berkley Gulp CONTACT: Capt. Bill Sheka 361-991-7191 BillSheka.com TIPS: Target grass bed areas that have sand close by.

LOWER GULF COAST

Ship Out for Brownsville Snook by CALIXTO GONZALES LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Brownsville Ship Channel

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GPS: N25 57.10524 W97 24.11568 (25.951754, -97.401928) SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, soft plastics, topwaters. CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 diamondbackcharters.com TIPS: It’s a long run to the Shrimp Basin, but snook congregate in the deeper water during cold weather. Look for snook near pilings and other structure.. Locate the edges and dropoffs along points in the Ship Channel and fish them with live on a free-line rig. Braided line is recommended, because most fish will try and pull you into the snags and break off. If there is a stretch of mild days, try working the shoreline with a Top Dog or Super Spook. You may draw some crashing strikes that way. LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: The Cabins GPS: N26 23.93202 W97 20.59098 (26.398867, -97.343183) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, fresh shrimp, Gulp! Shrimp in Pearl, Glow, New Penny. CONTACT: LG Outfitters 956-371-0220 lgonzales@lgoutfitters.com lgoutfitters.com TIPS: The ICW current scours out deeper holes in front of the fishing shacks that line it. Anchor up near where a set of pilings marks where a shack used to be, or where one may still be standing. Toss a live shrimp or fresh shrimp out on a fish finder or split-shot rig toward the edge of the ICW. If the current is pulling hard, you may want to go with the heavier weight of the former. If bait is scarce, then try a Gulp! Shrimp on a 1/4 ounce ball jighead. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Penescal Point GPS: N27 15.852 W97 25.43598 (27.2642, -97.423933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Limetreuse, Baffin Magic, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse. CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart 361-449-7441 Brushcountrycharters.com

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TIPS: Look for nervous bait. That’s usually a sign that there are predators lurking. Plastics should be fished on light jigs. 1/8 ounce is good. 1/16 is even better. Once you begin working the area, fish deeper water around the rocks with soft plastics and suspending plugs. Work your lures slowly. Low-stretch lines will help detect subtle bites. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: The Badlands GPS: N27 18.228 W97 24.33792 (27.3038, -97.405632) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: : Topwaters early, soft plastics in Morning Glory, plum/chartreuse, Baffin Magic, pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Corkies in darker patterns. CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart 361-449-7441 Brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish slowly and methodically around and through color changes with lightly weighted soft plastics. If there is a stretch of nice weather, switch over to a topwater and work it slowly, especially around rockpiles. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Long Beach Shoreline GPS: N26 3.06102 W97 12.54192 (26.051017, -97.209032) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Live bait. Topwaters and soft plastics in Bone, chartreuse, glow/chartreuse. CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 Diamondbackcharters.com TIPS: Creep along and sharpshoot around the mangroves on warm and sunny days. Trout hold over the muddy bottom to take advantage of stored warmth and attack prey that wander by. Sight-casters will locate some log-sized trout when conditions are right. A weedless, slug-style plastic fished slowly can be a tough option to beat. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Drum Boats GPS: N26 10.713 W97 11.10696 (26.17855, -97.185116) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp, live finger mullet, cut bait. Jerkbaits in clear/gold, Rootbeer/Chartreuse, Morning Glory, gold spoons. A L M A N A C

CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 diamondback charters.com TIPS: Target the deeper basin around the boats. Redfish that didn’t move out to the Gulf in fall are cruising around the grass and vegetation. Live bait or still-fishing with cut bait are good choices. The old standard, a &#188; ounce gold spoon, still catches its share of fish, too. LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Big Oak Motts GPS: N26 41.46102 W97 27.67764 (26.691017, -97.461294) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Catch 5-inch or B&L Corkies in Smoke, pinfish patterns. Soft plastics in LSU. Morning Glory, Baffin Magic, .Texas Shad CONTACT: Captain Danny Neu 979-942-0165 danny.neu.39@facebook.com TIPS: November is a transition period on the Lower Laguna Madre. Big trout start shifting form their summer/fall patterns into winter habits and haunts. Focus on holes close to shore. Fish topwaters early on mild days, and throughout the whole trip when clouds dominate. If the fish are sitting deeper, switch to suspending plugs in natural patterns, or soft plastics on small (1/161/8 ounce) jigheads. Smoke and Texas Shad are good colors to work with. LOCATION: South Bay HOTSPOT: South Bay Flats GPS: N26 1.45398 W97 12.495 (26.024233, -97.208250) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Live bait. Cut Bait. Kelly Wiggler shad in Cockroach, Laguna-flauge, sand and Honey Gold on clear days. CONTACT: Captain Carlos Garcia 956-433-6094, 956-433-6028 southtexasredfish200@gmail.com TIPS: A long drift will locate redfish that tend to spread out along these flats (and are the best option with the new sea grass laws). Some are good-sized fish. During a warm trend, fish soft plastics in shallower water. Live shrimp or cut ballyhoo chunks under a popping or rattling float work well in chillier weather. The key is to fish as slowly as you can stand, even in warmer weather. Fish need time to locate your offering and decide if they want to kill it. LOCATION: South Bay HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.548 T F & G

W97 11.02302 (26.0258, -97.183717) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, fresh shrimp CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 diamondbackcharters.com TIPS: Black drum will still be in the channels while other fish have moved out after the first cold fronts of the year. Try live shrimp on a split-shot rig and a #2 Khale hook. If you are using dead shrimp, or there is current, switch tot a bottom rig with a 1 ounce pyramid sinker.

nows often work better than jigs. Use your depth finder to locate any hump or ridge and fish the top of it. If you do want to fish a jig, try a Slab Bandit Candy jig on clear days and a Slab Bandit dark jig on cloudy days. LOCATION: Caddo HOTSPOT: Rocky Point GPS: N32 42.68634 W93 59.4447 (32.711439, -93.990745) SPECIES: largemouth bass

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Andy Bowie Park Shoreline GPS: N26 11.55708 W97 10.53618 (26.192618, -97.175603) SPECIES: all species BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, fresh shrimp, sand fleas. CONTACT: Quick Stop 956-943-1159 TIPS: Shorebound anglers can get into some great action for feisty and delicious pompano. Find a spot on the beach where the first gut is deep. You can purchase live shrimp and keep them alive in sawdust for easy portability, or fresh shrimp. Many fisherman are purchase a mantis shrimp pump and catch their own baits on the beach. Use a bottom rig with a size 2 longshanked hook.

PINEY WOODS

Caney Crappie on Lake Fork by BOB HOOD and DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Fork HOTSPOT: Caney Creek Area GPS: N32 49.8621 W95 33.9915 (32.831035, -95.566525) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Live minnows, jigs CONTACT: Seth Vanover 903-736-4557 svanovr2008@hotmail.cm TIPS: Target the area west of the mouth of Caney Creek light spinning reel spooled with Mr. Crappie High Vis six-pound test line. Small min-

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Texas Hotspots BEST BAITS: Lipless crank baits, Chatter Baits, spinnerbaits CONTACT: Paul Keith 318-455-3437 caddoguide1@att.net ww.caddolakefishing.com TIPS: Watch for surfacing schools of bass on the flats near the main river channel. Fish the crank baits, Chatter Baits and spinnerbaits slowly as you work along the shoreline. LOCATION: Conroe HOTSPOT: Island Dropoff GPS: N30 23.10102 W95 33.94308 (30.385017, -95.565718) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Primos dipping bait CONTACT: Richard Tatsch 936-291-1277 admin@fishdudetx.com www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: Chum the area with soured maize at least 30 minutes before fishing. Anchor and use a Carolina rig with a No. 4 or No. 6 treble hook with a sponge wrapped onto it. Dip the hook into Primos dipping bait and fish either vertically or make a short cast toward the island. Prepare for the bites to be very light. Don’t forget to bring a rag for cleaning your hands, a pair of needle

nosed pliars for removing the hook from the fish’s mouth and a measuring cup with a handle on it or other container for broadcasting the soured maize. Re-chum the area whenever the action slows. LOCATION: Fork HOTSPOT: Mustang Creek GPS: N32 51.2841 W95 36.90618 (32.854735, -95.615103) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Spoons and Carolina-rigged Lake Fork Tackle brand Baby Creature and Hyper Stix in Chartreuse Pepper and Watermelon Red. CONTACT: Rick Carter 903-765-3474 Guide@lakeforkbassfish.com www.flwpro.com TIPS: November is good time of the year for the Lake Fork. Flutter spoon as fish are moving out deep again. Great spots for throwing spoons are Mustang Creek and the Monkey Trees at 32.503444N, 95.364749W. LOCATION: Lake O the Pines HOTSPOT: River Channel Timber GPS: N32 49.29798 W94 39.68442 (32.821633, -94.661407) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Plastic worms, lizards

CONTACT: Sonny Kopech 903-592-8221 Marion.Kopech@HDSupply.com TIPS: Locate the river channel with your depth finder and fish the trees that are closest to the channel with plastic worms or lizards. Fish the worms close to the tops of the trees at first and then let them go deeper until you find the range where the fish are holding. Many times the bass will suspend or hold in the forks of the tops of the trees six to eight feet below the surface. Blackblue and red shad colors work well here. LOCATION: Livingston HOTSPOT: Wyndell’s Hot Hole GPS: N30 45.11112 W95 10.54956 (30.751852, -95.175826) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Tsunami Zombie Eye Slabs, live shad CONTACT: Dave Cox 936-291-9602 dave@palmettoguideservice.com www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Jig the slabs off the bottom in this area. Look for depths ranging from 11 to 14 feet. Keep tension on your line as the slab falls. Many of the strikes you will get will occur as the slab is falling. Bank access is available at Governor’s Point and Point Blank as well as the public ramp on the west side of the 190 bridge. LOCATION: Toledo Bend HOTSPOT: Brown’s Bend GPS: N31 42.34296 W93 46.99992 (31.705716, -93.783332) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, spoons, shallow-diving crank baits, Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Greg Crafts 936-368-7151 gCrafts@bigfoot.com www.toledobendguide.com TIPS: If you want to stock your freezer, now is the time to catch a boatload of white bass and not fight any traffic. November is my favorite month to be outdoors and especially fishing on Toledo Bend. The weather usually is fantastic with very little traffic. Concentrate on the inside bends of the main lake river channel sandbars. Use your electronics to locate the baitfish and you will locate the whites.

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LOCATION: Toledo Bend HOTSPOT: The Shallows GPS: N31 16.10862 W93 40.50984 (31.268477, -93.675164) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Topwater Fishing: Stanley Ribbit Frog Flats Fishing: Texas Rigged 8-inch Zoom Lizard or 10-inch Zoom U-Tail Worm and a 1/8 oz. ShakeyHead with a 8-inch watermelon Zoom Trick Worm. CONTACT: Henry Niemiec -Sure Strike Guide Service 254-368-0294 surestrikeguideservice@yahoo.com www.surestrikeguideservice.com TIPS: Focus mainly on main lake points and flats close to the points, then move to deeper water later in the afternoon. Early morning should provide some great topwater action by pitching topwater lures along shallow grass beds in four foot or less of water. As the day moves on, consider moving out to the edge of the flats and cast onto the flats in about 10 feet of water.

PRAIRIES & LAKES

Ride the Ridge for Belton Bass by BOB HOOD and DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Belton HOTSPOT: Cedar Ridge Park GPS: N31 10.0338 W97 26.751 (31.16723, -97.445850) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Largemouth Bass: White or Bluegill colored spinnerbaits (1/4oz size) or small shallow running crankbaits. Smallmouth Bass: Jigs or a DT6 in a Shad color CONTACT: Henry Niemiec -Sure Strike Guide Service 254-368-0294 surestrikeguideservice@yahoo.com www.surestrikeguideservice.com TIPS: Early morning you can find the Largemouth Bass in the backs of coves feeding on schools of shad. Small shallow running crankbaits are working great. Smallmouth are being taken early morning along the deep rock walls on main lake. Smallmouth seem to be feeding better in the mornings and are harder to find later in the day. Largemouth can be caught in the evenings where the river or a creek channel swings close to the shoreline. Natural colored baits are going to be the T F & G

color of choice in the evenings. LOCATION: Aquilla HOTSPOT: Deep Humps GPS: N31 54.66408 W97 12.21924 (31.911068, -97.203654) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck01@hotmail.com www.teamredneck.net TIPS: Watch your graph along the humps and you will see the white bass stacked up on the edges of the humps. Drop slabs down and bounce them off the bottom while making contact with the bait as it falls. Carry binoculars and glass the lake occasionally to watch for birds diving down to pick up shad. The white bass will push the shad to the surface and you can catch quick limits under the birds. LOCATION: Bastrop HOTSPOT: Osprey Point GPS: N30 8.7843 W97 17.10054 (30.146405, -97.285009) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas-Rigged Mister Twister Pockit Craws in Bull Bream color, Carolina-Rigged plastics, Shad colored Crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, topwater lures CONTACT: Robert Brown - BassMan Austin 512-658-5530 ciscobb@yahoo.com www.bassmanaustin.com TIPS: Focus on the outside edges of grass. Use Carolina and Texas Rigs on main lake humps, any ledges you can find. LOCATION: Belton HOTSPOT: Deep Points GPS: N31 7.83678 W97 30.00576 (31.130613, -97.500096) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: A Carolina-rig with a 8-inch Zoom Lizard (watermelon colored) pulled across the deep end of the point or a 1/4 oz. Shakeyhead with a Junebug colored Zoom 8-inch Trick Worm have been very effective. For White Bass, use a white 1/4oz. TNT slab. CONTACT: Henry Niemiec - Sure Strike Guide Service and Boat Detailing 254-368-0294 surestrikeguideservice@yahoo.com www.surestrikeguideservice.com TIPS: At the time of this report, Belton Lake is

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10.72 feet low. Smallmouth as well as Largemouth Bass are being taken early in the morning and just before sunset on deep-water points and along the dam. If you prefer fishing for White Bass, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to head to the big flat straight out from the swim area at Temple Lake Park. LOCATION: Cedar Creek HOTSPOT: Twin Creeks Docks GPS: N32 17.82936 W96 7.11648 (32.297156, -96.118608) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Plastic worms, jigs, crank baits CONTACT: Jason Barber 903-603-2047 kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com www.kingscreekadventures.com TIPS: Fish all of the docks along this side of Twin Creeks but concentrate especially on the older docks or those where you can see some small stickups that signal brush piles beneath the docks or just in front of the docks. Watch your depth finder occasionally when in front of the docks because it may help you locate underwater man-made brush piles. Back off and fish the brush with Texas-rigged plastic worms or pull crank baits over them. LOCATION: Gibbons Creek HOTSPOT: Employees Dock GPS: N30 37.62942 W96 4.61964 (30.627157, -96.076994) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch Bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com FishTalesGuideService.com TIPS: Watch your depth finder to locate 7-8 feet of water where it drops off into deeper water. There is a lot of timber in this area that provide both shallow and deep structure for the catfish. Chum the area first with soured maize and then anchor. Using a slip cork will help prevent hangups. LOCATION: Lavon HOTSPOT: The Dam GPS: N33 1.98168 W96 28.1616 (33.033028, -96.46936) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Small minnows CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick 214-232-7847 straightlineguide@yahoo.com TIPS: Use a spinning rod with a very light tip

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Texas Hotspots and 12-pound test line. I prefer to use at least a seven-foot graphite rod. Position a one-eighth ounce weight about three inches above the hook. Use small minnows and look for crappie in 14 to 20 feet of water with your depth finder. Use your trolling motor to work slowly across the face of the dam. LOCATION: Lewisville HOTSPOT: Hidden Cove Area GPS: N33 7.24242 W96 56.56506 (33.120707, -96.942751) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: cut buffalo, cut shad CONTACT: Bobby Kubin 817-455-2984 bobby@bobby-catfishing.com bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: Lots of big blue catfish prowl the main points in this area. If you are after trophy blue catfish, use an 8-0 circle hook and strong line. If you are after channel catfish which also prowl

here after baitfish, use a 3-0 to 5-0 hook and drift across the point after you have chummed it with soured maize or cattle cubes. LOCATION: Palestine HOTSPOT: 155 bridge GPS: N32 8.86986 W95 28.10484 (32.147831, -95.468414) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Small minnows, jigs CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 ricky@rickysguideservice.com rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Crappie stack up around the Highway 155 bridge as soon as the water temperature begins to drop. Fish as close to the bridge pilings as possible. Let your minnow or jig drop all the way to the bottom and feel for brush. As soon as you feel the brush, crank your line up until you are just above the brush. Expect very light bites and set the hook as soon as you feel a light tap or see

your line move. LOCATION: Richland Chambers HOTSPOT: Windsock Point GPS: N31 56.79048 W96 6.68022 (31.946508, -96.111337) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: RSR Shad Slabs, Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Royce Simmons 903-389-4117 simmonsroyce@hotmail.com www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Watch for the gulls and pelicans dipping down to pick up shad off the surface. Concentrate on the sides of Windsock Point in depths ranging from 20-30 feet. Bounce the slab off the bottom and when the strike occurs, hold on because it might just be a big hybrid striped bass. If surfacing action occurs, switch to a Rat-L-Trap. Silver glitter for slabs and blue-chrome for Rat-L-Traps are the best colors. I prefer a one-ounce slab and a 1/4ounce Rat-L-Trap. LOCATION: Somerville HOTSPOT: Big Creek Park GPS: N30 19.4148 W96 34.64406 (30.32358, -96.577401) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, cut shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 weldon_edna@hotmail.com FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for dead lily pads close to the center of the creek channel and chum with soured maize. Anchor and fish the outside edges of the dead lily pads with cut shad or punch bait. Use a strong line to get your bait and the fish out of the pads. Some yellow catfish prowl the lily pads, too. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow HOTSPOT: Stickups GPS: N31 0.90786 W97 36.15744 (31.015131, -97.602624) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Chrome and black lipless crankbait or a Shad colored crankbait for deep water, buzzbaits for topwater action. CONTACT: Henry Niemiec -Sure Strike Guide Service 254-368-0294 surestrikeguideservice@yahoo.com www.surestrikeguideservice.com

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TIPS: Fishing has been getting better as we begin to have cooler starts to the day. Early, Largemouth can be found holding close to the stickups in shallow water. A good choice for catching them early has been a buzzbait. Throw it in the middle of the stickups and be sure to run it into the stickups as you retrieve it. You want to make sure that you hit all sides of the stickups. Once the sun has come up and the day moves on, look for Bass on the edges of humps and flats close to deep water. Use a crankbait that can get down and bump the top of the humps are the best. In the evening time, look for the bass to move back into the stickups. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow HOTSPOT: Overlook GPS: N31 1.80816 W97 31.87014 (31.030136, -97.531169) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: A Pop-R or buzzbait fished over the schools have been key to catching Bass in the morning. Dropping a 10-inch Zoom, (Watermelon / Red) worn (Texas Rigged) into holes in the grass has been producing fish and on the river bends. A 1/4oz white flutter spoon has been working well for both White and Largemouth Bass. CONTACT: Henry Niemiec - Sure Strike Guide Service and Boat Detailing 254-368-0294 surestrikeguideservice@yahoo.com www.surestrikeguideservice.com TIPS: At the time of this report, this lake is currently about 8.77 feet low and fairly clear. Fish can be caught early in the morning and closer towards evening. Look for Largemouth Bass schooling at the end of points close to deep water. In the heat of the day (after 10AM until 5PM) look for fish to be holding in the massive grass bed off Willow Point or on bends in the main river channel. Finally, be very careful on the lake. There are many trees and shallow points that normally are not but, are now above or just under the surface. LOCATION: Tawakoni HOTSPOT: Sky Point Park GPS: N32 53.36796 W95 56.823 (32.889466, -95.947050) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, spoons CONTACT: Tony Parker 903-348-1619 tawakonifishing@yahoo.com www.tawakonifishing.com TIPS: Hit this spot as early in the morning as possible by jigging spoons or slabs off the bottom. The fish should be stacked up off the point where it drops off into deeper water. Chartreuse and T F & G

chrome-blue colors work best. Bounce the jigs off the bottom and expect to get most of your bites as the slabs or spoons are falling. LOCATION: Texoma HOTSPOT: Willafa Woods GPS: N33 53.55378 W96 35.18526 (33.892563, -96.586421) SPECIES: striper BEST BAITS: Sassy Shads, jigs, CONTACT: Bill Carey 877-786-4477 bigfish@striperexpress.com www/striperexpress.com TIPS: Search for schools of stripers and shad along the edges of the river channel, especially along the inside bend of the river channel, with your depth finder. Rig chartreuse, yellow or white Sassy Shads and jigs on a Carolina rig and fish them slowly. Slow trolling along the channel with your trolling motor also can produce some catches. LOCATION: Waco HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N31 34.78158 W97 12.39072 (31.579693, -97.206512) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Watermelon-colored 1/4oz jig, Flutter spoon. CONTACT: Henry Niemiec -Sure Strike Guide Service 254-368-0294 surestrikeguideservice@yahoo.com www.surestrikeguideservice.com TIPS: As with all the other Central Texas lakes, Lake Waco is also low. Early in the day is the time to be on the lake and look for Largemouth Bass holding along rocky shorelines in 7 feet or less of water. After about 9AM a few can still be caught in the shallow water, however most have moved to deeper water. A good spot at this time is by the dam in about 40 feet of water and fish a flutter spoon down in about 26 to 28 foot of water. LOCATION: Whitney HOTSPOT: Big Rocky Creek GPS: N31 53.05866 W97 23.38584 (31.884311, -97.389764) SPECIES: striper BEST BAITS: Storm Wild Eyed Shad, bucktail jigs CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck01@hotmail.com www.teamredneck.net TIPS: Cast out 30 feet behind the boat and turn

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the trolling motor on medium speed. Drag the baits behind the boat across the mouth of the creek and over the hump just out from the creek. Striped bass and white bass will have pushed baitfish into the mouth of Big Rocky and will be feeding on them.

PANHANDLE

Possum Kingdom White Bass by BOB HOOD and DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Costello Island GPS: N32 54.5274 W98 27.6282 (32.90879, -98.460470) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: The fish are migrating and feeding up for the winter months all the way from the Peanut Patch to just north of Costello Island. Watch for birds feeding on shad but also watch your electronics to locate the fish feeding along the river channel or along the 20-foot break lines. The fish often chase the shad up to the surface in eight to 12 feet of water. LOCATION: Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Creeks GPS: N33 2.19426 W101 3.8934 (33.036571, -101.06489) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Drop Shot or Shaky Head rigged with a Shad colored Zoom Super Fluke, Deep: Bomber Foxy Shad Fat Free Shad, Strike King 5XD in the Sexy Shad color. Shallow: Square Bill Bomber, Strike King Square Bill. CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 nclayton42@sbcglobal.net www.lakealanhenry.com/norman_clayton.htm TIPS: In November when the water temperature lowers into the 70’s, the bass will start a major migration to the back of the creeks because of the shad moving into the creeks. If you can find the schools of shad, you will find the bass. This is when the shad colored crankbaits really shine. Dive from 8 to 15 feet using crankbaits. Also,

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Texas Hotspots when the shad hit the very back end of the creeks in the shallow water, switch to the shallow running lures. Many times the bass will be directly in the creek channel, and will prefer a slow presentation. These bass you can see on your electronic equipment if you are using it. If you don’t find the bass in one creek, try another. Suggestions are Ince Cove, Gobbler Creek, Rocky Creek, Little Grape, and Big Grape.

BIG BEND

Rough Riding Bass on Amistad by BOB HOOD and DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Amistad HOTSPOT: Rough Canyon Area GPS: N29 34.82838

W100 58.9488 (29.580473, -100.98248) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: War Eagle spinnerbaits, soft plastic worms, lizards CONTACT: Capt. James Burkeen 830-734-9652 jjburkeen@gmail.com www.amistadbassin.com TIPS: The bass will be holding off the drop-offs along the numerous points in this area. Start early with a spinnerbait to search for any bass that are on the move and feeding shallow and then switch to a Carolina rigged worm or other soft plastic. Concentrate on the drop-offs but cast your lures toward shallow water and work them all the way out until you feel the drop-offs.

HILL COUNTRY

White Bass on Upper Buchanan by BOB HOOD and DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Buchanan HOTSPOT: Upper Buch GPS: N30 49.48302 W98 23.9943 (30.824717, -98.399905) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs and jigs CONTACT: Ken Milam’s Guide Service 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com

TIPS: White bass concentrated best around upper end of the main lake in 18 to 24 ft. deep humps. Fish using slabs and jigs for best action. LOCATION: Buchanan HOTSPOT: East of River Channel GPS: N30 46.32228 W98 25.10148 (30.772038, -98.418358) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Topwater Lures CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@yahoo.com www.centraltexasfishing.com TIPS: Water slightly colored but clearer towards the dam area. Striped bass and white bass are slower right now but best results come from using a topwater lures on the lower half of the lake in the early mornings or early evenings. LOCATION: Buchanan HOTSPOT: Dam to Mid-Lake GPS: N30 44.67834 W98 26.8164 (30.744639, -98.446940) SPECIES: striper

BEST BAITS: Pencil poppers in chrome, blue, or black. Live shad and jigs or slabs. CONTACT: Ken Milamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide Service 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com TIPS: Stripers will be near the top of the water early in the mornings from the dam to around mid lake. Throw pencil poppers in chrome, blue, or black. Be sure your bait makes a good splash and flash! After the stripers go deeper, usually around mid-morning, switch to live bait and jigs or slabs and fish over the trees in 15 to 24 ft. of water. LOCATION: Buchanan HOTSPOT: Big Cats on Lake Buch GPS: N30 48.7533 W98 25.27668 (30.812555, -98.421278) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cut bait, live bait, and stinkbaits CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@yahoo.com www.centraltexasfishing.com TIPS: Small catfish are excellent on rod reel

as well as with jug lines rigs. Bigger catfish are productive at night on big cut bait. Most successful fishing spots have been in rocky areas of the lake and almost all of these types of spots we have explored have produced good catches. LOCATION: Buchanan HOTSPOT: County Park GPS: N30 50.8131 W98 24.26592 (30.846885, -98.404432) SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Topwater lures, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits for Bass and small minnows for Crappie. CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@yahoo.com www.centraltexasfishing.com TIPS: Catching crappie has been most productive in the trees at night with a fishing light using small minnows. LOCATION: Buchanan HOTSPOT: Shallow Humps GPS: N30 49.10268 W98 24.90066

Texas Hotspots (30.818378, -98.415011) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh Shrimp, Cut Shad and Perch, punch bait. CONTACT: Ken Milam’s Guide Service 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com TIPS: Catfish will be on shallow humps from 5 to 30 ft. of water. Best all around bait is fresh shrimp. Use cut shad and perch for blue cats. For channel cats, bait out some holes with soured Milo and use punch bait under a cork in around 3 to 6 ft. of water. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Kings Point GPS: N29 54.41598 W98 15.0069 (29.906933, -98.250115) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Bass Kandie Baby Brush Busters, Jewel Jigs CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria 210-823-2153 kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Fish this area with a drop shot rig using Picasso Tungsten weights or a Carolina rig with a 3/4-ounce Picasso Tungsten weight. A Jewel jig with a Fluke trailer also will work well here.

Good colors at this time of the year are blue fleck, June bug and watermelon candy if the sun is high and green pumpkin if it is overcast. A Castaway Microwave spinning rod with a Lews’ LFS TS series spinning reel is my choice for fishing a drop shot. LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Potters Creek GPS: N29 52.761 W98 12.5685 (29.87935, -98.209475) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Spoons, jigs CONTACT: Steve Nixon 210-573-1230 steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com www.sanantoniofishingguides.com TIPS: The three points at the park are good prespawn stopping points for white bass and striped bass. Fish the points from 10-40 feet deep and try to locate the schools. Use one-ounce jigging spoons or buck-tail jigs in white, yellow or chrome. The point on the east side seems to produce the most fish. LOCATION: Granger HOTSPOT: Fox Park GPS: N30 41.33124 W97 21.02208 (30.688854, -97.350368)

SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cut shad CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell 512-365-7761 crappie1@hotmail.com www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: Using whole shad will work but if you cut the shad in half it will produce a better odor for the fish to find. Put the shad on the hook of a Carolina rig and drift this area all the way across the point or anchor and fish the edge of the dropoff. This area also is a good place to set jug lines for big blue catfish.

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

Hit the Road for Falcon Bass by BOB HOOD and DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: Alejandrejas Road GPS: N26 44.04954 W99 12.05676 (26.734159, -99.200946) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Craw worms, jigs CONTACT: Robert Amaya 956-765-1442 robertsfishintackle@gmail.com www.robertsfishintackle.com TIPS: Slowly fish a Carolina or Texas-rigged craw worm or a jig with a soft plastic trailer on the dropoffs around the islands in this area. Topwater lures can produce some fish during the early morning hours around the brush but most fish will be deep along the edges off the drop-offs during the day.

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

84 |

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 3

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

T F & G

A L M A N A C

Sportsman’s Daybook NOVEMBER 2013

Tides and Prime Times

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10

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

T9 T8 T7

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

T15 T16

T6 T17

T3 T2 T1

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

T13 T5

T14

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

T18

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

T19

T20

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

T21

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

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

KEY PLACE T1 Sabine Bank Lighthouse T2 Sabine Pass Jetty T3 Sabine Pass T4 Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass T5 Galveston Bay, S. Jetty T6 Port Bolivar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE GRAPH:

Yellow: Daylight

12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

12p

12a

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

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

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY:

12a

AM/PM Timeline

86 |

AM/PM Timeline Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Green: Falling Tide

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

N O V E M B E R

12a

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

2 0 1 3

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

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

T F & G

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

SYMBOL KEY

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

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 7:28a Set: 6:36p Moonrise: 1:49a Set: 2:53p

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 6:36p Moonrise: 2:43a Set: 3:28p

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 6:35p Moonrise: 3:37a Set: 4:04p

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Nov 1 «

Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 6:34p Moonrise: 4:33a Set: 4:40p

2 «

Sunrise: 7:31a Set: 6:33p Moonrise: 5:32a Set: 5:19p

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 6:32p Moonrise: 6:33a Set: 6:02p

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 6:32p Moonrise: 7:36a Set: 6:49p

AM Minor: 12:57a

PM Minor: 1:19p

AM Minor: 1:37a

PM Minor: 2:00p

AM Minor: 2:17a

PM Minor: 2:40p

AM Minor: 2:57a

PM Minor: 3:21p

AM Minor: 3:39a

PM Minor: 4:04p

AM Minor: 4:25a

PM Minor: 4:52p

AM Minor: 5:17a

PM Minor: 5:45p

AM Major: 7:08a

PM Major: 7:30p

AM Major: 7:49a

PM Major: 8:11p

AM Major: 8:28a

PM Major: 8:51p

AM Major: 9:09a

PM Major: 9:32p

AM Major: 9:52a

PM Major: 10:16p

AM Major: 10:38a

PM Major: 11:05p

AM Major: 11:31a

PM Major: 11:59p

Moon Overhead: 8:24a

12a

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2013

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:53a

Moon Overhead: 9:08a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:39a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:20p

Moon Overhead: 11:28a 12a

12p

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

= New Moon l º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY 3l End DST

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Moon Overhead: 1:14p 12a

12p

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 8:46p

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

High Tide: 1:16 AM Low Tide: 8:21 AM High Tide: 11:43 AM Low Tide: 6:11 PM

1.58ft. 1.23ft. 1.30ft. 0.79ft.

Moon Underfoot: 10:16p

BEST:

2:30 — 4:30 PM 2:30 — 4:30 AM

High Tide: 1:35 AM Low Tide: 8:08 AM High Tide: 1:09 PM Low Tide: 7:03 PM

1.56ft. 1.09ft. 1.36ft. 0.88ft.

T F & G

High Tide: 1:52 AM Low Tide: 8:14 AM High Tide: 2:18 PM Low Tide: 7:52 PM

A L M A N A C

Moon Underfoot: 11:03p

BEST:

3:30 — 5:30 AM

1.55ft. 0.91ft. 1.44ft. 0.97ft.

1.54ft. 0.71ft. 1.55ft. 1.08ft.

F I S H

High Tide: 2:24 AM Low Tide: 9:02 AM High Tide: 4:14 PM Low Tide: 9:23 PM

Moon Underfoot: None BEST:

4:30 — 6:30 AM

High Tide: 2:08 AM Low Tide: 8:34 AM High Tide: 3:18 PM Low Tide: 8:38 PM

T E X A S

Moon Underfoot: 11:53p

G A M E ®

High Tide: 2:41 AM Low Tide: 9:36 AM High Tide: 5:09 PM Low Tide: 10:08 PM

+2.0

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

1.54ft. 0.50ft. 1.65ft. 1.19ft.

Moon Underfoot: 12:47a 6:30 — 8:30 AM

1.56ft. 0.28ft. 1.75ft. 1.30ft.

N O V E M B E R

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

2:00 — 4:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 9:30p

High Tide: 1:58 AM Low Tide: 9:15 AM High Tide: 5:06 PM Low Tide: 9:53 PM

2 0 1 3

1.59ft. 0.09ft. 1.81ft. 1.42ft.

+1.0 0 -1.0

Sportsman’s Daybook

SYMBOL KEY = New Moon l º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

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 2nd Score Graph Score Best

4 «

Sunrise: 6:33a Set: 5:31p Moonrise: 7:40a Set: 6:42p

TUESDAY

5 «

Sunrise: 6:34a Set: 5:30p Moonrise: 8:44a Set: 7:38p

THURSDAY

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 5:29p Moonrise: 9:46a Set: 8:39p

Sunrise: 6:36a Set: 5:29p Moonrise: 10:42a Set: 9:43p

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

10 º

Sunrise: 6:36a Set: 5:28p Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 5:27p Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 5:27p Moonrise: 11:34a Set: 10:47p Moonrise: 12:20p Set: 11:51p Moonrise: 1:03p Set: None

AM Minor: 5:14a

PM Minor: 5:43p

AM Minor: 6:17a

PM Minor: 6:47p

AM Minor: 7:23a

PM Minor: 7:53p

AM Minor: 8:29a

PM Minor: 8:59p

AM Minor: 9:33a

PM Minor: 10:02p

AM Minor: 10:33a

PM Minor: 11:00p

AM Minor: 11:27a

PM Minor: 11:53p

AM Major: 10:56a

PM Major: -----

AM Major: 12:02a

PM Major: 12:32p

AM Major: 1:08a

PM Major: 1:38p

AM Major: 2:14a

PM Major: 2:44p

AM Major: 3:19a

PM Major: 3:47p

AM Major: 4:19a

PM Major: 4:46p

AM Major: 5:14a

PM Major: 5:40p

Moon Overhead: 1:12p

12a

WEDNESDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:12p

Moon Overhead: 2:12p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:12p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for NOVEMBER 2013

Moon Overhead: 6:03p

Moon Overhead: 5:09p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:55p 12a

12p

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 12:43a

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 AM

High Tide: 2:16 AM Low Tide: 9:59 AM High Tide: 6:05 PM Low Tide: 10:40 PM

8:30 — 10:30 AM

1.62ft. -0.06ft. 1.84ft. 1.51ft.

High Tide: 2:36 AM Low Tide: 10:46 AM High Tide: 7:07 PM Low Tide: 11:31 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:42a BEST:

8:30 — 10:30 AM

1.66ft. High Tide: 2:59 AM 1.67ft. -0.15ft. Low Tide: 11:37 AM -0.17ft. 1.84ft. High Tide: 8:11 PM 1.81ft. 1.58ft.

Moon Underfoot: 3:42a BEST:

9:00 — 11:00 AM

Low Tide: 12:36 AM High Tide: 3:22 AM Low Tide: 12:33 PM High Tide: 9:13 PM

Moon Underfoot: 4:41a BEST:

10:00A — 12:00P

1.60ft. Low Tide: 1:33 PM 0.01ft. 1.63ft. High Tide: 10:07 PM 1.70ft. -0.11ft. 1.76ft.

Moon Underfoot: 5:37a BEST:

11:30A — 1:30P

Low Tide: 2:38 PM 0.19ft. High Tide: 10:50 PM 1.62ft.

Moon Underfoot: 6:30a

+2.0

BEST:

1:00 — 3:00 PM

Low Tide: 5:35 AM High Tide: 8:40 AM Low Tide: 3:50 PM High Tide: 11:25 PM

1.19ft. 1.25ft. 0.39ft. 1.54ft.

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 1:42a

+1.0 0 -1.0

A L M A N A C

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E 速

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 3

Sportsman’s Daybook

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best 2nd Score Graph Score Best

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 6:39a Set: 5:26p Sunrise: 6:40a Set: 5:26p Moonrise: 1:42p Set: 12:53a Moonrise: 2:20p Set: 1:53a

Sunrise: 6:41a Set: 5:25p Moonrise: 3:36p Set: 3:50a

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunrise: 6:42a Set: 5:24p Moonrise: 4:16p Set: 4:47a

SUNDAY

16 «

17 «

Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 5:24p Moonrise: 4:57p Set: 5:44a

Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 5:23p Moonrise: 5:41p Set: 6:40a

AM Minor: -----

PM Minor: 12:16p

AM Minor: 12:37a

PM Minor: 1:01p

AM Minor: 1:19a

PM Minor: 1:43p

AM Minor: 2:01a

PM Minor: 2:25p

AM Minor: 2:44a

PM Minor: 3:09p

AM Minor: 3:29a

PM Minor: 3:54p

AM Minor: 4:17a

PM Minor: 4:42p

AM Major: 6:04a

PM Major: 6:28p

AM Major: 6:49a

PM Major: 7:13p

AM Major: 7:31a

PM Major: 7:55p

AM Major: 8:13a

PM Major: 8:37p

AM Major: 8:56a

PM Major: 9:21p

AM Major: 9:42a

PM Major: 10:06p

AM Major: 10:29a

PM Major: 10:54p

Moon Overhead: 7:45p

12a

Sunrise: 6:41a Set: 5:25p Moonrise: 2:58p Set: 2:52a

THURSDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:21p

Moon Overhead: 8:33p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:09p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:47p

Moon Overhead: 10:58p 12a

12p

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for NOVEMBER 2013

Moon Overhead: None

12a

12p

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 7:21a

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 PM

Low Tide: 6:04 AM High Tide: 10:46 AM Low Tide: 5:05 PM High Tide: 11:54 PM

90 |

0.95ft. 1.23ft. 0.60ft. 1.48ft.

Moon Underfoot: 8:57a BEST:

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 PM 2:00 — 4:00 AM

Low Tide: 6:38 AM 0.69ft. High Tide: 12:27 PM 1.30ft. Low Tide: 6:19 PM 0.79ft.

N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 3

Moon Underfoot: 9:45a

1.43ft. 0.44ft. 1.40ft. 0.97ft.

T E X A S

F I S H

BEST:

4:00 — 6:00 AM

High Tide: 12:42 AM Low Tide: 7:49 AM High Tide: 2:58 PM Low Tide: 8:27 PM

Moon Underfoot: 11:22a

BEST:

3:00 — 5:00 AM

High Tide: 12:19 AM Low Tide: 7:14 AM High Tide: 1:49 PM Low Tide: 7:27 PM

Moon Underfoot: 10:33a

1.41ft. 0.23ft. 1.50ft. 1.11ft.

High Tide: 1:04 AM Low Tide: 8:23 AM High Tide: 3:56 PM Low Tide: 9:19 PM

G A M E ®

T F & G

High Tide: 1:25 AM Low Tide: 8:58 AM High Tide: 4:48 PM Low Tide: 10:04 PM

A L M A N A C

+2.0

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 AM

1.40ft. 0.07ft. 1.56ft. 1.22ft.

Moon Underfoot: 12:12p 5:30 — 7:30 AM

1.41ft. -0.03ft. 1.60ft. 1.30ft.

High Tide: 1:45 AM Low Tide: 9:33 AM High Tide: 5:36 PM Low Tide: 10:40 PM

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:09a

1.42ft. -0.09ft. 1.60ft. 1.36ft.

+1.0 0 -1.0

SYMBOL KEY = New Moon l º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

Tides and Prime Times for NOVEMBER 2013

18 ¡

Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 5:23p Moonrise: 6:28p Set: 7:34a

TUESDAY

19 «

Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 5:22p Moonrise: 7:16p Set: 8:25a

THURSDAY

20 «

FRIDAY

Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 5:22p Moonrise: 8:06p Set: 9:13a

Sunrise: 6:47a Set: 5:22p Moonrise: 8:57p Set: 9:57a

SATURDAY

Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 5:21p Sunrise: 6:49a Set: 5:21p Sunrise: 6:50a Set: 5:21p Moonrise: 9:48p Set: 10:38a Moonrise: 10:40p Set: 11:16a Moonrise: 11:33p Set: 11:51a

AM Minor: 5:07a

PM Minor: 5:32p

AM Minor: 5:59a

PM Minor: 6:24p

AM Minor: 6:52a

PM Minor: 7:16p

AM Minor: 7:45a

PM Minor: 8:09p

AM Minor: 8:37a

PM Minor: 9:00p

AM Minor: 9:27a

PM Minor: 9:49p

AM Minor: 10:14a

PM Minor: 10:36p

AM Major: 11:20a

PM Major: 11:50p

AM Major: -----

PM Major: 12:12p

AM Major: 12:40a

PM Major: 1:04p

AM Major: 1:34a

PM Major: 1:57p

AM Major: 2:26a

PM Major: 2:48p

AM Major: 3:16a

PM Major: 3:38p

AM Major: 4:03a

PM Major: 4:25p

Moon Overhead: 12:36a

12a

WEDNESDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 2:15a

Moon Overhead: 1:26a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:02a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

Moon Overhead: 4:34a

Moon Overhead: 3:49a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:18a 12a

12p

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 1:01p

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

High Tide: 2:04 AM Low Tide: 10:08 AM High Tide: 6:22 PM Low Tide: 11:09 PM

High Tide: 2:19 AM Low Tide: 10:44 AM High Tide: 7:08 PM Low Tide: 11:37 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:26p

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

1.43ft. -0.10ft. 1.58ft. 1.38ft.

Moon Underfoot: 2:39p

BEST:

6:30 — 8:30 AM

T F & G

A L M A N A C

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 AM

1.42ft. High Tide: 2:24 AM 1.41ft. -0.07ft. Low Tide: 11:21 AM -0.01ft. 1.54ft. High Tide: 7:54 PM 1.50ft. 1.39ft.

8:00 — 10:00 AM

Low Tide: 12:16 AM High Tide: 2:08 AM Low Tide: 11:58 AM High Tide: 8:39 PM

T E X A S

Moon Underfoot: 4:12p

1.38ft. 1.38ft. 0.07ft. 1.46ft.

F I S H

Low Tide: 12:37 PM 0.17ft. High Tide: 9:21 PM 1.42ft.

G A M E ®

Moon Underfoot: 4:56p BEST:

+2.0

BEST:

9:00 — 11:00 AM

Low Tide: 1:17 PM High Tide: 9:57 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:40p 10:00A — 12:00P

0.29ft. 1.39ft.

N O V E M B E R

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 1:50p

Low Tide: 2:00 PM 0.41ft. High Tide: 10:26 PM 1.35ft.

2 0 1 3

+1.0 0 -1.0

Sportsman’s Daybook

SYMBOL KEY = New Moon l º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

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

25 »

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 5:21p Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 5:21p Moonrise: None Set: 12:26p Moonrise: 12:25a Set: 1:00p

Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 5:20p Moonrise: 2:16a Set: 2:12p

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunrise: 6:54a Set: 5:20p Moonrise: 3:14a Set: 2:53p

Dec 1 «

Sunrise: 6:55a Set: 5:20p Moonrise: 4:16a Set: 3:37p

Sunrise: 6:55a Set: 5:20p Moonrise: 5:20a Set: 4:27p

AM Minor: 10:59a

PM Minor: 11:21p

AM Minor: 11:43a

PM Minor: -----

AM Minor: 12:02a

PM Minor: 12:25p

AM Minor: 12:43a

PM Minor: 1:07p

AM Minor: 1:26a

PM Minor: 1:51p

AM Minor: 2:11a

PM Minor: 2:38p

AM Minor: 3:00a

PM Minor: 3:29p

AM Major: 4:48a

PM Major: 5:10p

AM Major: 5:32a

PM Major: 5:54p

AM Major: 6:13a

PM Major: 6:36p

AM Major: 6:55a

PM Major: 7:19p

AM Major: 7:38a

PM Major: 8:04p

AM Major: 8:24a

PM Major: 8:51p

AM Major: 9:15a

PM Major: 9:43p

Moon Overhead: 6:02a

12a

Sunrise: 6:52a Set: 5:20p Moonrise: 1:20a Set: 1:35p

THURSDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:30a

Moon Overhead: 6:45a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 8:16a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:59a

Moon Overhead: 9:06a 12a

12p

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for NOVEMBER 2013

Moon Overhead: 10:55a 12a

12p

12a

feet

Moon Underfoot: 6:23p

+2.0

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

BEST:

11:30A — 1:30P

Low Tide: 7:10 AM High Tide: 8:03 AM Low Tide: 2:47 PM High Tide: 10:50 PM

Moon Underfoot: 7:53p BEST:

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 PM 12:00 — 2:00 AM

0.97ft. 0.98ft. 0.55ft. 1.32ft.

Low Tide: 6:11 AM High Tide: 10:36 AM Low Tide: 3:40 PM High Tide: 11:10 PM

0.83ft. 0.97ft. 0.69ft. 1.29ft.

Low Tide: 6:09 AM High Tide: 12:12 PM Low Tide: 4:42 PM High Tide: 11:28 PM

Moon Underfoot: 8:41p

BEST:

1:00 — 3:00 AM

0.64ft. 1.04ft. 0.82ft. 1.28ft.

Low Tide: 6:27 AM High Tide: 1:28 PM Low Tide: 5:49 PM High Tide: 11:44 PM

Moon Underfoot: 9:32p

BEST:

2:00 — 4:00 AM

0.42ft. 1.17ft. 0.96ft. 1.28ft.

Low Tide: 6:57 AM High Tide: 2:30 PM Low Tide: 6:55 PM

Moon Underfoot: 10:26p

High Tide: 12:01 AM Low Tide: 7:33 AM High Tide: 3:27 PM Low Tide: 7:55 PM

+2.0

BEST:

3:00 — 5:00 AM

0.18ft. 1.31ft. 1.07ft.

Moon Underfoot: 11:24p 4:00 — 6:00 AM

1.31ft. -0.07ft. 1.44ft. 1.17ft.

High Tide: 12:23 AM Low Tide: 8:14 AM High Tide: 4:20 PM Low Tide: 8:49 PM

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 7:07p

1.35ft. -0.29ft. 1.53ft. 1.26ft.

+1.0 0 -1.0

Texas Tasted by Bryan Slaven | The Texas Gourmet

New Orleans-Style Barbecued Shrimp

OW WOULD YOU REACT IF I TOLD you that you could barbeque shrimp on the stove, and you could do it in less than 10 minutes? Well, you would probably say that I was crazy, but this is a great dish that is prepared with the heads and tails on to hold in the maximum amount of moisture and flavor. It can get a little messy peeling and eating, but boy let me tell you, it’s sho’ ‘nuf good!

Ingredients:

• 12 raw jumbo (or the largest you can find) Gulf shrimp, unpeeled with heads and tails left on (If you prefer to peel the shrimp, go ahead and remove the heads and peel back to the tail, leaving the tail on) • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • 1 ½ tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper • ½ teaspoon oregano • ½ teaspoon thyme • ¾ teaspoon Texas Gourmet’s Searing Spice • 3 Tablespoons of Texas Gourmet’s Brazos River Barbeque Sauce • ¼ teaspoon salt • I medium sized onion, diced well • 2 tablespoons of olive oil • 1 tablespoon of water • 3 teaspoons minced fresh garlic (3 cloves) • 1 tablespoon of Tabasco sauce • 4 Tablespoons – White wine (chardonnay or pinot grigio is good) • 1 lemon, seeded, and reserve the rind and set aside

T F & G

• 1/4 pound (1 stick) of cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch slices

Preparation: (1) Sauté the onion and garlic in a skillet with the olive oil over a medium flame until clear and softened, then set aside. (2) Place the shrimp, Worcestershire, spices, and 1 tablespoon of water in a heavy 10-inch sauté pan. Squeeze the juice from the lemon over the shrimp and add the rind to the pan.

minutes if they are jumbo sized.

(3) Over high heat, cook the shrimp while gently stirring and occasionally turning the shrimp. After about two minutes of cooking, the shrimp should start turning pink on both sides, indicating they are nearly half cooked.

Serves 2 to 3 as an appetizer or 2 for a dinner portion

(7) Serve immediately with hot garlic bread for sopping up the sauce and plenty of paper towels.

Email Bryan Slaven, “The Texas Gourmet,” at BSlaven@fishgame.com

(4) If the shrimp are jumbo sized, add 2 tablespoons water to the pan. (5) Reduce the heat to medium-high and continue cooking as you gradually add the cold pieces of butter to the pan. Add the sautéed onion and garlic in with the shrimp, then stir in the butter pieces until they are incorporated into the pan juices, the sauce turns light brown and creamy as it simmers, and the shrimp are just cooked through. Now add the wine, the Brazos River Barbeque Sauce and Tabasco sauce and stir well. (6) The remainder of the cooking process will take about two minutes total if the shrimp are extra-large and about three

A L M A N A C

T E X A S

F I S H

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE STORE for many of the seasonings and other ingrdients used in TEXAS TASTED recipes.

G A M E ®

Visit FishandGameGear.com N O V E M B E R

2 0 1 3

Sportsman’s Daybook NOVEMBER 2013

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

Oct 28

High Tide: 1:16 AM Low Tide: 8:21 AM High Tide: 11:43 AM Low Tide: 6:11 PM

TUESDAY PRIME TIME

1.58ft. 1.23ft. 1.30ft. 0.79ft.

2:00 — 4:00 PM

Sunrise: 7:48a Set: 6:52p Moonrise: 2:06a Set: 3:13p AM Minor: 1:15a AM Major: 7:26a PM Minor: 1:37p PM Major: 7:48p Moon Overhead: 8:42a Moon Underfoot: 9:04p

4 «

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 2:16 AM Low Tide: 9:59 AM High Tide: 6:05 PM Low Tide: 10:40 PM

1.62ft. -0.06ft. 1.84ft. 1.51ft.

7:30 — 9:30 AM

Sunrise: 6:54a Set: 5:46p Moonrise: 8:03a Set: 6:57p AM Minor: 5:32a AM Major: 11:14a PM Minor: 6:01p PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 1:31p Moon Underfoot: 1:02a

11 Low Tide: 6:04 AM High Tide: 10:46 AM Low Tide: 5:05 PM High Tide: 11:54 PM

0.95ft. 1.23ft. 0.60ft. 1.48ft.

PRIME TIME 12:30 — 2:30 PM

Sunrise: 7:00a Set: 5:41p Moonrise: 2:02p Set: 1:11a AM Minor: 12:09a AM Major: 6:22a PM Minor: 12:34p PM Major: 6:47p Moon Overhead: 8:04p Moon Underfoot: 7:39a

18 ¡

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 2:04 AM Low Tide: 10:08 AM High Tide: 6:22 PM Low Tide: 11:09 PM

1.43ft. -0.10ft. 1.58ft. 1.38ft.

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:37p Moonrise: 6:43p Set: 7:56a AM Minor: 5:25a AM Major: 11:38a PM Minor: 5:50p PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 12:55a Moon Underfoot: 1:20p

25 »

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 7:10 AM High Tide: 8:03 AM Low Tide: 2:47 PM High Tide: 10:50 PM

0.97ft. 0.98ft. 0.55ft. 1.32ft.

11:30A — 1:30P

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: None Set: 12:45p AM Minor: 11:17a AM Major: 5:06a PM Minor: 11:39p PM Major: 5:28p Moon Overhead: 6:20a Moon Underfoot: 6:42p

94 |

N O V E M B E R

29 High Tide: 1:35 AM Low Tide: 8:08 AM High Tide: 1:09 PM Low Tide: 7:03 PM

1.56ft. 1.09ft. 1.36ft. 0.88ft.

WEDNESDAY PRIME TIME 2:30 — 4:30 PM

Sunrise: 7:49a Set: 6:51p Moonrise: 3:00a Set: 3:47p AM Minor: 1:56a AM Major: 8:07a PM Minor: 2:18p PM Major: 8:29p Moon Overhead: 9:27a Moon Underfoot: 9:49p

5 «

High Tide: 2:36 AM Low Tide: 10:46 AM High Tide: 7:07 PM Low Tide: 11:31 PM

PRIME TIME 1.66ft. -0.15ft. 1.84ft. 1.58ft.

8:30 — 10:30 AM

Sunrise: 6:55a Set: 5:45p Moonrise: 9:07a Set: 7:54p AM Minor: 6:35a AM Major: 12:20a PM Minor: 7:05p PM Major: 12:50p Moon Overhead: 2:31p Moon Underfoot: 2:01a

Low Tide: 6:38 AM 0.69ft. High Tide: 12:27 PM 1.30ft. Low Tide: 6:19 PM 0.79ft.

PRIME TIME 1:30 — 3:30 PM

Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 5:41p Moonrise: 2:39p Set: 2:12a AM Minor: 12:55a AM Major: 7:07a PM Minor: 1:19p PM Major: 7:31p Moon Overhead: 8:52p Moon Underfoot: 8:28a

19 «

High Tide: 2:19 AM Low Tide: 10:44 AM High Tide: 7:08 PM Low Tide: 11:37 PM

PRIME TIME 1.42ft. -0.07ft. 1.54ft. 1.39ft.

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:07a Set: 5:37p Moonrise: 7:31p Set: 8:47a AM Minor: 6:17a AM Major: 12:05a PM Minor: 6:42p PM Major: 12:30p Moon Overhead: 1:44a Moon Underfoot: 2:09p

26 Low Tide: 6:11 AM High Tide: 10:36 AM Low Tide: 3:40 PM High Tide: 11:10 PM

0.83ft. 0.97ft. 0.69ft. 1.29ft.

PRIME TIME 12:00 — 2:00 PM

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: 12:43a Set: 1:19p AM Minor: ----- AM Major: 5:50a PM Minor: 12:01p PM Major: 6:12p Moon Overhead: 7:04a Moon Underfoot: 7:26p

2 0 1 3

T E X A S

F I S H

30 High Tide: 1:52 AM Low Tide: 8:14 AM High Tide: 2:18 PM Low Tide: 7:52 PM

1.55ft. 0.91ft. 1.44ft. 0.97ft.

THURSDAY

PRIME TIME 2:30 — 4:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:50a Set: 6:50p Moonrise: 3:56a Set: 4:22p AM Minor: 2:35a AM Major: 8:46a PM Minor: 2:58p PM Major: 9:09p Moon Overhead: 10:11a Moon Underfoot: 10:34p

High Tide: 2:59 AM 1.67ft. Low Tide: 11:37 AM -0.17ft. High Tide: 8:11 PM 1.81ft.

PRIME TIME 8:30 — 10:30 AM

Sunrise: 6:56a Set: 5:45p Moonrise: 10:08a Set: 8:55p AM Minor: 7:41a AM Major: 1:26a PM Minor: 8:11p PM Major: 1:56p Moon Overhead: 3:31p Moon Underfoot: 3:01a

13 High Tide: 12:19 AM Low Tide: 7:14 AM High Tide: 1:49 PM Low Tide: 7:27 PM

1.43ft. 0.44ft. 1.40ft. 0.97ft.

PRIME TIME 2:00 — 4:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 5:40p Moonrise: 3:16p Set: 3:11a AM Minor: 1:38a AM Major: 7:49a PM Minor: 2:01p PM Major: 8:13p Moon Overhead: 9:40p Moon Underfoot: 9:16a

20 «

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 2:24 AM 1.41ft. Low Tide: 11:21 AM -0.01ft. High Tide: 7:54 PM 1.50ft.

6:30 — 8:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 5:37p Moonrise: 8:21p Set: 9:35a AM Minor: 7:10a AM Major: 12:58a PM Minor: 7:35p PM Major: 1:22p Moon Overhead: 2:33a Moon Underfoot: 2:57p

27 Low Tide: 6:09 AM High Tide: 12:12 PM Low Tide: 4:42 PM High Tide: 11:28 PM

0.64ft. 1.04ft. 0.82ft. 1.28ft.

PRIME TIME 12:00 — 2:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:14a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 1:38a Set: 1:53p AM Minor: 12:20a AM Major: 6:31a PM Minor: 12:43p PM Major: 6:54p Moon Overhead: 7:48a Moon Underfoot: 8:11p

G A M E ®

T F & G

31 High Tide: 2:08 AM Low Tide: 8:34 AM High Tide: 3:18 PM Low Tide: 8:38 PM

1.54ft. 0.71ft. 1.55ft. 1.08ft.

PRIME TIME 3:30 — 5:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:51a Set: 6:49p Moonrise: 4:53a Set: 4:58p AM Minor: 3:15a AM Major: 9:27a PM Minor: 3:39p PM Major: 9:50p Moon Overhead: 10:58a Moon Underfoot: 11:22p

7 Low Tide: 12:36 AM High Tide: 3:22 AM Low Tide: 12:33 PM High Tide: 9:13 PM

1.60ft. 1.63ft. -0.11ft. 1.76ft.

PRIME TIME 9:00 — 11:00 AM

Sunrise: 6:56a Set: 5:44p Moonrise: 11:05a Set: 9:59p AM Minor: 8:47a AM Major: 2:32a PM Minor: 9:17p PM Major: 3:02p Moon Overhead: 4:30p Moon Underfoot: 4:01a

14 High Tide: 12:42 AM Low Tide: 7:49 AM High Tide: 2:58 PM Low Tide: 8:27 PM

1.41ft. 0.23ft. 1.50ft. 1.11ft.

PRIME TIME 3:00 — 5:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:03a Set: 5:39p Moonrise: 3:53p Set: 4:10a AM Minor: 2:20a AM Major: 8:31a PM Minor: 2:43p PM Major: 8:55p Moon Overhead: 10:28p Moon Underfoot: 10:04a

21 Low Tide: 12:16 AM High Tide: 2:08 AM Low Tide: 11:58 AM High Tide: 8:39 PM

1.38ft. 1.38ft. 0.07ft. 1.46ft.

PRIME TIME 7:30 — 9:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 5:36p Moonrise: 9:12p Set: 10:19a AM Minor: 8:03a AM Major: 1:52a PM Minor: 8:27p PM Major: 2:15p Moon Overhead: 3:21a Moon Underfoot: 3:44p

28 Low Tide: 6:27 AM High Tide: 1:28 PM Low Tide: 5:49 PM High Tide: 11:44 PM

0.42ft. 1.17ft. 0.96ft. 1.28ft.

PRIME TIME 1:00 — 3:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:15a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 2:35a Set: 2:30p AM Minor: 1:01a AM Major: 7:13a PM Minor: 1:25p PM Major: 7:37p Moon Overhead: 8:35a Moon Underfoot: 8:59p

A L M A N A C

SYMBOL KEY

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

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

FRIDAY

Nov 1 « High Tide: 2:24 AM Low Tide: 9:02 AM High Tide: 4:14 PM Low Tide: 9:23 PM

1.54ft. 0.50ft. 1.65ft. 1.19ft.

4:30 — 6:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:51a Set: 6:49p Moonrise: 5:52a Set: 5:36p AM Minor: 3:57a AM Major: 10:10a PM Minor: 4:22p PM Major: 10:34p Moon Overhead: 11:47a Moon Underfoot: None

Low Tide: 1:33 PM 0.01ft. High Tide: 10:07 PM 1.70ft.

PRIME TIME 10:00A — 12:00P

Sunrise: 6:57a Set: 5:43p Moonrise: 11:56a Set: 11:03p AM Minor: 9:51a AM Major: 3:37a PM Minor: 10:20p PM Major: 4:05p Moon Overhead: 5:28p Moon Underfoot: 4:59a

15 High Tide: 1:04 AM Low Tide: 8:23 AM High Tide: 3:56 PM Low Tide: 9:19 PM

1.40ft. 0.07ft. 1.56ft. 1.22ft.

PRIME TIME 4:00 — 6:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 5:39p Moonrise: 4:32p Set: 5:08a AM Minor: 3:02a AM Major: 9:14a PM Minor: 3:27p PM Major: 9:39p Moon Overhead: 11:16p Moon Underfoot: 10:52a

Low Tide: 12:37 PM 0.17ft. High Tide: 9:21 PM 1.42ft.

PRIME TIME 8:00 — 10:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:36p Moonrise: 10:04p Set: 10:59a AM Minor: 8:55a AM Major: 2:44a PM Minor: 9:18p PM Major: 3:06p Moon Overhead: 4:08a Moon Underfoot: 4:30p

29 Low Tide: 6:57 AM High Tide: 2:30 PM Low Tide: 6:55 PM

0.18ft. 1.31ft. 1.07ft.

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

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

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

LOW

PRIME TIME 2:00 — 4:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 3:35a Set: 3:09p AM Minor: 1:44a AM Major: 7:56a PM Minor: 2:09p PM Major: 8:22p Moon Overhead: 9:24a Moon Underfoot: 9:50p

T F & G

2 «

High Tide: 2:41 AM Low Tide: 9:36 AM High Tide: 5:09 PM Low Tide: 10:08 PM

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:52a Set: 6:48p Moonrise: 6:54a Set: 6:18p AM Minor: 4:43a AM Major: 10:56a PM Minor: 5:10p PM Major: 11:23p Moon Overhead: 12:38p Moon Underfoot: 12:12a

Low Tide: 2:38 PM 0.19ft. High Tide: 10:50 PM 1.62ft.

PRIME TIME 11:30A — 1:30P

Sunrise: 6:58a Set: 5:42p Moonrise: 12:41p Set: None AM Minor: 10:51a AM Major: 4:37a PM Minor: 11:18p PM Major: 5:04p Moon Overhead: 6:22p Moon Underfoot: 5:55a

16 «

High Tide: 1:25 AM Low Tide: 8:58 AM High Tide: 4:48 PM Low Tide: 10:04 PM

PRIME TIME 1.41ft. -0.03ft. 1.60ft. 1.30ft.

5:00 — 7:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 5:38p Moonrise: 5:13p Set: 6:05a AM Minor: 3:47a AM Major: 10:00a PM Minor: 4:12p PM Major: 10:24p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:41a

23 Low Tide: 1:17 PM High Tide: 9:57 PM

0.29ft. 1.39ft.

PRIME TIME 9:00 — 11:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: 10:57p Set: 11:37a AM Minor: 9:45a AM Major: 3:34a PM Minor: 10:07p PM Major: 3:56p Moon Overhead: 4:53a Moon Underfoot: 5:15p

30 High Tide: 12:01 AM Low Tide: 7:33 AM High Tide: 3:27 PM Low Tide: 7:55 PM

1.31ft. -0.07ft. 1.44ft. 1.17ft.

PRIME TIME 3:00 — 5:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:17a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 4:37a Set: 3:53p AM Minor: 2:29a AM Major: 8:42a PM Minor: 2:56p PM Major: 9:09p Moon Overhead: 10:17a Moon Underfoot: 10:45p

A L M A N A C

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

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME 1.56ft. 0.28ft. 1.75ft. 1.30ft.

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

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

SATURDAY PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

BEST DAYS

New First Full Last Good Moon Qtr Moon Qtr Day

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

T E X A S

End DST

High Tide: 1:58 AM Low Tide: 9:15 AM High Tide: 5:06 PM Low Tide: 9:53 PM

1.59ft. 0.09ft. 1.81ft. 1.42ft.

PRIME TIME 6:30 — 8:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:53a Set: 6:47p Moonrise: 7:58a Set: 7:05p AM Minor: 5:35a AM Major: 11:49a PM Minor: 6:03p PM Major: 12:17p Moon Overhead: 1:33p Moon Underfoot: 1:05a

10 º

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 5:35 AM High Tide: 8:40 AM Low Tide: 3:50 PM High Tide: 11:25 PM

1.19ft. 1.25ft. 0.39ft. 1.54ft.

1:00 — 3:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:59a Set: 5:42p Moonrise: 1:23p Set: 12:08a AM Minor: 11:45a AM Major: 5:32a PM Minor: ----- PM Major: 5:58p Moon Overhead: 7:14p Moon Underfoot: 6:48a

17 «

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 1:45 AM Low Tide: 9:33 AM High Tide: 5:36 PM Low Tide: 10:40 PM

1.42ft. -0.09ft. 1.60ft. 1.36ft.

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:05a Set: 5:38p Moonrise: 5:57p Set: 7:02a AM Minor: 4:35a AM Major: 10:47a PM Minor: 5:00p PM Major: 11:12p Moon Overhead: 12:06a Moon Underfoot: 12:30p

Low Tide: 2:00 PM 0.41ft. High Tide: 10:26 PM 1.35ft.

PRIME TIME 10:00A — 12:00P

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: 11:50p Set: 12:12p AM Minor: 10:32a AM Major: 4:21a PM Minor: 10:54p PM Major: 4:43p Moon Overhead: 5:37a Moon Underfoot: 5:58p

Dec 1 « High Tide: 12:23 AM Low Tide: 8:14 AM High Tide: 4:20 PM Low Tide: 8:49 PM

PRIME TIME 1.35ft. -0.29ft. 1.53ft. 1.26ft.

4:00 — 6:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:17a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 5:42a Set: 4:43p AM Minor: 3:18a AM Major: 9:33a PM Minor: 3:47p PM Major: 10:01p Moon Overhead: 11:14a Moon Underfoot: 11:43p

F I S H

G A M E ®

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

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

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

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

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR The facing pages contain TIDE predictions for GALVESTON CHANNEL (29.3166° N, 94.88° W) and SOLUNAR forecast for TEXAS CENTER (31.14° N, 99.39° W) TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the upper white boxes on the Calendar Pages. Use the Correction Table above, which is keyed to 23 other tide stations, to adjust low and high tide times. SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the lower green boxes of the Calendar pages.

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY data is provided to indicate major and minor feeding periods for each day, as the daily phases of the moon have varying degrees of influence on many wildlife species. AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets. These phases last 1 to 2 hours. 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. PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to your location, the stronger the influence. FULL or NEW MOONS provide the strongest influnce of the month. PEAK TIMES: When a Solunar Period falls within 30 minutes to an hour MONDAY of sunrise or sunset, anticipate increased action. A moon rise or moon set during PRIME one of these periods will cause evenTIME greater action. If a FULL or NEW MOON occurs during a Solunar Period, expect the best action of the season.

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

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Special Report

Gear for Next Year

CHESTER MOORE AND CAL GONZALES conducted dozens of video interviews at last summer’s International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST. Held this year in Las Vegas, it is the world’s largest sportfishing trade show, and unfortunately, it is not open to the public. But Texas Fish & Game was there, and we saw a lot of new gear and innovations that will be hitting stores in the near future.

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Columbia Footwear

Columbia has expanded their Vent Series of footwear, featuring the PowerVent technology that keeps feet dry and comfortable.

Columbia Sportswear

tournament trails. To view all of the videos, go to www.FishGame.com/video and select the Fishing/ICAST Channel.

Columbia’s Omni-Freeze Zero line of fishing shirts and outdoor sportswear has been expanded to include a number of great new designs for women. Frabill Rainsuit

Most of the new gear will not hit the market until 2014, so these interviews provide a first look at many of the innovations months in advance of their official introductions. Chester and Cal interviewed many of the people who developed products and brands familiar to all anglers, as well as those who are bringing new innovations to the market for the first time. They also spoke with pro anglers who consult, test and use these products on the

APPAREL

Watch all of the New Gear for 2014 Interviews at: FishGame.com/video

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Frabill Rainsuit tFrabill’s F Series rain suits not only provide

new kayak for the ambitious big-water angler, complete with full sail and removable outrigger pontoons.

protection from rain, wind and cold but are ergonomically designed for full mobility while fishing.

Power Pole

Grundens

Minn Kota Charger

Grundens makes serious rain suits. How serious? Their hardcore suits are used by Bering Sea fishermen... like the guys on The Deadliest Catch

Wright-McGill Storm Suit

COOLERS

Minn Kota Motors

Wright-McGill has developed a lightweight stormsuit that has been extensively tested by tournament pros, like B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Brent Chapman.

Minn Kota has a variety of charging units to keep all the electronics and trolling motor powered up.

Power Pole’s new Micro anchor is a downsized re-design of their automatic shallow water anchor that is small enough to fit a kayak, but powerful enough to work on almost any size boat.

Minn Kota is introducing the first 36-Volt trolling motor to output 112 pounds of thrust.

Igloo

Igloo, the granddaddy of ice-chest and cooler innovations, has jumped into the high-performance cooler market with both feet, launching their Yukon Cold Locker line at ICAST.

BOATING

Minn Kota RipTide

Minn Kota’s new 36-volt motor is also going to be available in their saltwater models, along with other technological improvements.

Airborn

MotorGuide

MotorGuide’s new Xi 5 Wireless trolling motor drew a lot of ICAST interest with fully functional STANDARD wireless throttle and steering control.

A L M A N A C

Yeti

Yeti, the Texas-based innovator of cooler technology hit ICAST with another new innovation: the Tank, Yeti’s answer to the Ice Bucket.

Hobie unveiled (or unfurled) Adventure Island, a T F & G

A lot of new models have been introduced in the high-end ice chest market, but Orca Coolers has added one feature to their All-American-made coolers that you won’t see anywhere else.

One of the more interesting new products at ICAST is an inflatable flats boat with a removable rigid bottom that is also an inflatable paddle board.

Hobie

Orca Coolers

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New Gear for Next Year Costa

ELECTRONICS

TroKar TK Hook Kits Humminbird

Pro angler Scott Martin talks with Chester Moore about Lazer TroKar’s new TK Hook Kit, a handy box loaded with a large selection of TroKar hooks for every purpose.

Humminbird’s 360 imaging system has been improved and now offers a trolling motor mounting option.

Onos

Onos has developed a new line of fashionable sporting eyewear designed for women.

TroKar Wacky iBobber

Angler of the Year Brent Chapman shows off the new Weedless Wacky hook from TroKar, and tells how it helped him win a recent tournament in Texas.

This clever device actually puts a fish finder on the end of your line, and sends amazingly detailed underwater sonar data back to an app on your tablet or smartphone.

WileyX

Wiley X showed off some of their exciting new models slated for introduction in 2014.

HOOKS AND WEIGHTS

Lakemaster

TWA Sports

TWA Sports has developed the ultimate weed guard for plastic worms, as well as guards for spoons and swivels.

Lakemaster has new map charting software that allows anglers to plot their own maps, generating detailed contour data and bottom structure imaging.

EYEWEAR

Bullet Weights

Costa

Wally “Mister Crappie” Marshall has designed some new fish-ready rigs for crappie.

Costa makes high performance sunglasses that are perfect for all outdoor activities, and they now can be made with corrective prescriptions.

Water Gremlin

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T E X A S

Water Gremlin offers a line of environmentally safe steel sinkers that are tactic-specific. F I S H

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LINE

Attraxx Cortland

Cortland introduced a new redfish fly line that is especially designed for Texas fishing.

Spiderwire

Up and coming professional angler Fletcher Shyrock talks about the new Spiderwire Stealth Glow-Vis braid.

PowerPro

PowerPro’s new Zero Impact line delivers unbelievable strength, as demonstrated in this live linebreak test.

Attraxx Baits has developed a line of soft plastic lures infused with a patented chemical stimulant that attracts predatory fish.

Berkley Gulp!

Berkley’s John Prochnow showed Chester Moore the new “mini-aquarium” packaging from Gulp! that is more compact and less expensive than regular Gulp! packages.

Berkley Havoc

Chester and Mike Iaconelli talk about Ike’s two new designs for Berkley Havoc baits.

Jackall

The new Jackall Kawashi Mikey is a jointed crankbait with a revolutionary lip that allows it to work in thick cover without hangups — while attracting more reactionary bites.

Johnson Fishing

Johnson Fishing has new models of its popular and family-priced Beetle Spin and Shutter Spoon lures.

Live Target

Live Target Lures got a lot of attention with their Bait Ball Series... life-like hard baits with multiple schooling baits in a single body.

LURES

Berkley Schooling Rig

Advantage Bait

In the wake of the recent Alabama/Umbrella-rig craze, Berkley has “gone to school” on schooling rig design and developed a line of baits that are effective, yet easy to cast and retrieve.

Livingston

Livingston Lures is on the cutting edge of bait technology, rolling out a new line of electronic sound synthesizing lures.

Advantage Bait utilizes high-tech components to specialize in high-performance spinnerbaits. T F & G

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New Gear for Next Year

Luck-E-Strike Freak

P-Line Kick’r

Bass legend Rick Clunn talks about the new Freak square-bill crank baits he designed with LuckE-Strike.

Luck-E-Strike Worm & Squarebill

Rippin Lips

Luck-E-Strike introduced a new 9-inch worm and a series of square-bill crankbaits.

Molix Buzzbait

P-Line is not just a great producer of fishing lines and tools. They also have a strong line of baits, including the Kick’r Series of swimbaits.

Rippin lips makes serious catfishing gear, including bait, rods and tools & accessories for the pursuit of whisker-fish.

Sebile Square Bill

Bassmaster Elite pro Mike Iaconelli has teamed up with Molix to create a revolutionary “tricked-out” buzzbait.

Patrick Sebile, always a fun interview at ICAST, showed us his new square bill crankbaits.

Sebile Diver Minnows

Patrick Sebile also unvieled new models of crankbaits in Minnow and Diving Power-Fishing designs.

Strike King Craw

Dennis Tietje, a pro from southern Louisiana who knows a thing or two about crawfish, talks about Strike King’s new Craw.

Strike King Structure Jig

Texas pro Todd Faircloth shows us the new Structure Jig and a new worm from Strike King.

NETS

MolixFrog

Mike Iaconelli shows Chester Moore a new Molix topwater hybrid that reinvents Frog bait fishing for bass anglers.

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Sebile Lipless Cranks

Frabill

Sebile has two new lipless crankbaits that are designed for maximum performance in thick cover.

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Frabill has developed a landing net specifically for fishing with crankbaits or any lure with treble hooks. A L M A N A C

rod, their HMG, with new ultra-light design, highperformance features, and innovative styling.

REELS

Fenwick HMG

Mitchell Abu Garcia

Mitchell is relaunching their classic 300 Series reels with a host of cutting edge improvements.

The all new Abu Garcia Revo Rocket, with 37-inch-per-turn retrieve, promises to be a gamechanger in competitive fishing.

Penn Reels

Fenwick Method

Penn has a new reel series, Conflict, based on their highly successful Battle series, but with a number of enhancements, along with a very affordable price point.

Daiwa Exceler

Fenwick introduced Method Travel Rods, a series consisting of 5-piece rod kits that enable you to change rod tips for light, heavy and medium action from a single rod.

Daiwa continues its longstanding tradition of designing high-performance reels in affordable packages with the new Exceler.

Pflueger

G Loomis Bass Rod

Pflueger introduced the Patriarch low profile reels, the lightest-weight reel available under $200.

Daiwa Tatula

G Loomis has introduced a Big Rod designed to do the heavy lifting required in fishing all day with an umbrella rig.

Pro angler Ish Monroe talks about the new Daiwa Tatula reel series, with powerful casting and retrieve features and a very affordable price.

Shimano

G Loomis Inshore

Shimano unveiled two new reels, CI4+ versions of their Chronarch baitcaster and Stradic spinning reel.

Lews

GLoomis rolled out nine new models in their NRX Inshore spinning rod line.

Penn Rods

Pro Mark Menendez talks about three new reels from Lews, including the new Gold Spin spinning reel and two new baitcasters. T F & G

Penn Fishing has a new series of jigging rods, priced to be affordable to all anglers.

RODS

Fenwick HMG

A L M A N A C

Fenwick has resurected the original graphite T E X A S

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New Gear for Next Year p St. Croix

St. Croix Rods won Best in Show for their new LegendXtreme rod series at this summer’s ICAST.

Penn Jigging Rod

13 Fishing

Shakespeare

On of the more exciting aspects of the ICAST show is discovering new companies. Many are small single-big-idea entrepreneurs, others, such as 13 Fishing, aim to become major players in the tackle arena.

showed Chester Moore the new Wright & McGill S Curve Punchin’ Rod.

STORAGE

MountainCork

Fly fishing equipment can be expensive. Mountain Cork makes a wide line of very affordable cases and gear to protect your investment.

Plano

Shakespeare has gone back to the drawing board and designed a new-generation Ugly Stik.

St. Croix

Wright & McGill Punchin’ Rod

B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year Brent Chapman

Check out Plano’s new Grag & Go Tackle Bag series in a wide variety of sizes, all packed with functionality.

TOOLS & ACCESSORIES P-Line Plier

P-Line introduced a new blunt-nose aluminum plier that will appeal to saltwater anglers.

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TEXAS FRESHWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

HUNTING

LAKE TEXOMA

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

SOUTH TEXAS

GALVESTON

OUTDOOR SHOPPER HUNTING & FISHING GEAR

NEW 2013-14 EDITION

DFW METROPLEX MIDDLE COAST

ROCKPORT / BAFFIN BAY LAKE AMISTAD Over 2500 Fishing Spots (with GPS) on 50 Texas Fresh and Saltwater Destinations

ROCKPORT

ORDER NOW

Courtesy: Redfish www.FishandGameGear.com Charters

WWW.FISHGAME.COM T F & G

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BASS Sugar Land SPECKLED TROUT Port Mansfield Two-year-old J.R. Infante II, shows off his dad’s 28-inch speckled trout, caught on live croaker south of Port Mansfield.

Trent (no last name given) caught this 18-inch bass while fishing in a small pond by his grandparents’ house in Sugar Land. He was learning how to use his spinning reel and a topwater “popping” plug.

SPECKLED TROUT Texas City Jaxon Boone Wilkening caught this 27-inch trout while wade fishing with his dad in Texas City.

WHITETAIL Jackson County

BLACK DRUM N. Padre Island Matt Blank of Houston caught this 48-pound black drum Labor Day Weekend at North Padre Island.

Lena Ramon, 9, of Inez bagged her first deer while on a Texas Youth Hunt on Lavaca-Navidad River Authority land in Jackson County, with her father, Gilbert Ramon USMC (Ret.). She took the doe on the first morning with a .223 single shot Rossi. This Marine’s daughter only needed one shot.

FLOUNDER Gulf of Mexico Charley caught this 23-inch flounder while fishing with her mom and Poppy in the Gulf.

FERAL HOGS

REDFISH

Private Deer Lease

Galveston

Charis King proudly shows off two feral hogs that her dad and brother Grady shot at the same time. The white boar weighed 93 pounds and the sow weighed over 150 pounds. These hogs had destroyed four feeders this season.

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Anna Berry, 8, battled her first redfish at Greens Cut in Galveston with her grandpa Nolan Lehmann.

T F & G

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MAIL TO: TFG PHOTOS 1745 Greens Rd, Houston TX 77032 NOTE: Print photos can not be returned.

EMAIL: photos@FishGame.com

For best results, send MED to HIGH quality JPEG digital files only, please.

REDFISH

No guarantee can be made as to when, or if, a submitted photo will be published.

FIRST FISH

San Bernard River

Rockport

SHARK

Patrice Cato with a 28-inch redfish she caught in the San Bernard River. The red was released after this picture was taken.

Three-year-old Sophia Herley caught her first fish, a pin perch while fishing with her father, Drew Herley, at Rockport.

Lower Laguna Madre Arianna Vela, 7, caught her first shark in the Lower Laguna Madre. She was fishing with her mom, dad, and twin sister.

TURKEY Undisclosed Daniel Strickland, age 10, of Fall City shows off the turkey he killed at an undisclosed location.

MIXED STRINGER

REDFISH Chocolate Bayou Jesse Vasquez of Alvin caught this 28-inch redfish while fishing on Chocolate Bayou with his daughter Jessica.

Dickenson Bay Nathan Rodriguez of Houston caught this stringer of two reds and four specks on Dickenson Bay, using a Strike Pro Red Eye Shad.

WHITETAIL Jim Wells County Bennett Garza, 8, of Houston shot his first deer on the J-4 Ranch in Jim Wells County. He was hunting with his dad, Robert Garza.

REDFISH Aransas Bay Brothers Brady Prukop, 6, and Connor Prukop, 4, both caught their limit of redfish while wadefishing in Aransas Bay with their dad and both grandfathers.

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