October 2009 by Texas Fish & Game

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

ROY NEVES PUBLISHER

DON ZAIDLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHESTER

MOORE

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

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

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

A D V E R T I S I N G

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

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

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FEATURES OCTOBER 2009 • Volume XXV • NO.6

EYE LEVEL DEER Harvesting a whitetail with a bow is a challenge, no matter how you do it. But when you take the hunt to the ground, the challenge increases significantly.

by Lou Marullo ON THE COVERS:

REDFISH INTERRUPTUS With all the recent talk about closing passes along the Texas Coast, most notably Rollover Pass on East Galveston Bay, just how do such pass closures affect the redfish spawn?

by Calixto Gonzales POOL CUE FLOUNDER

TF&G’s executive editor and flounder champion has developed the only (albeit one-ofa-kind) rod that guarantees a solid hook-set on an iron-jawed flatfish. His working prototype is literally made out of a pool cue.

by Chester Moore, Jr.

TEXAS’ LOST ELK The Trans-Pecos region of Texas isn’t the first area that comes to mind when discussing elk country. But reintroductions in the last century established populations in the region, and there is one thing no one disputes: West Texas elk are survivors.

by Herman W. Brune

PECCARY IN PERIL Javelina are among the easiest prey you could hunt. They are not great table fare, and about the only reason to kill one is for a mount. With populations disappearing and their range reduced by two-thirds in Texas, should TPWD do more to protect them?

by Steve LaMascus 4

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COASTAL: Redfish become the obsession of many waders, drifters and surfers as October brings the peak of the fall red drum spawning run. INLAND/NORTH: The heartpounding effect of seeing a trophy buck is even more intense when the encounter is at eye-level.

Photos by Grady Allen

ALSO IN OCTOBER:

FISHING THE FLOWER GARDENS by Capt. Mike Holmes

IN THE FIELD WITH JAY by Chester Moore, Jr.

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COLUMNS and DEPARTMENTS OCTOBER 2009 • Volume XXV • NO.6

COLUMNS 10 Editor’s Notes

57 Texas Offshore

Taming the Beast

Offshore Fishing InShore

by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

by CAPT. MIKE HOLMES TF&G Associate Offshore Editor

18 Chester’s Notes

DEPARTMENTS 8

YOUR LETTERS

TF&G REPORT

BIG BAGS &CATCHES

TRUE GREEN

TROPHY QUEST

60 Texas Saltwater

Why Texas Is Tops In Hunting

Getting Mooned

by CHESTER MOORE, JR. TF&G Executive Editor

by CALIXTO GONZALES TF&G Saltwater Editor

19 Commentary

61 Texas Freshwater

Just Say “No” To IACAIMTFAER

Record Growth

by KENDAL HEMPHILL TF&G Commentator

by MATT WILLIAMS TF&G Freshwater Editor

20 Doggett at Large Horned Toads & Dinosaurs

by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

22 TexasWild

AR Groups Endanger Antelope by TED NUGENT TF&G Editor-at-Large

53 Hunt Texas

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

62 Open Season

Javelina the Hard Way

On the Road Again...

by BOB HOOD TF&G Hunting Editor 6

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by REAVIS WORTHAM TF&G Humor Editor

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www.twitter.com/FishandGame

www.FishGame.com

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Letters OOPS! A wise man once told me, “When you get in a hole, quit digging.” A reader sent me a news item from the 9 March 2009 issue of a webzine called “Post Scripts” about an Arizona woman who had supposedly shot a mugger six times as he made off with her purse. The story turned out to be bogus. Without verifying the article, I used it for the basis of my August Commentary column. I apologize for my mistake and any inconvenience it caused. I certainly intend to avoid allowing this to happen in the future, and I appreciate the vigilance of the readers who pointed out the error. —Kendal Hemphill

acquaintances that do, and they are starting to get me interested in it. I think I would be much more interested in costal kayaking, though. John Stanford Mexia, TX Thank you very much for your note pointing out the mistake regarding the new Texas Paddling Trails. Indeed, you are correct. The new paddling trail between Mexia and Groesbeck is on the Navasota River, not the Guadalupe as mentioned in the column. I appreciate you calling this to my attention and apologize for the mistake. —Greg Berlocher

David Clardy Via email

DOUBLE OOPS!

DANGEROUS SPORTSMEN

I’m sure you have already received numerous comments about the incorrect comment in Greg Berlocher’s August Texas Kayaking column on the new kayak trail between Mexia and Groesbeck, but just in case you have not, here goes: The new kayak trail in Limestone County is on the Navasota River. It runs from the Confederate Reunion Grounds to Lake Ft. Parker. You briefly threw me for a loop when I saw this, having lived my entire life no more than 10 miles from that stretch of river. Maybe I’ll see Greg out paddling that stretch some day. It is a narrow river that runs anywhere from 5 to 30 feet deep. I usually fish from Ft. Parker Lake north to the Thelma Road bridge in the old community of Rocky. That area is a mile or so long, and is mostly in the 15-25 feet range of depth with lots of gar and many bass. I haven’t had much luck with the cats, though I know they are there. Thanks for a great kayaking column each month. I don’t kayak, but have a few

I only have one thing to say about Don Zaidle’s September Editor’s Notes about being dangerous: I have a mount on the wall and your magazine on the coffee table. Amen and keep it up!

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Mexican gray wolf no longer existed there or in northern Mexico. I told her that I had seen one the night before. She told me I had just seen a coyote. I assured her that I knew what coyotes and Mexican grey wolves look like, and this was a wolf. She said it couldn’t be. I told her the tracks were still there if she wanted to see them. She said she didn’t have to because it couldn’t be a wolf. She couldn’t have cared less about the evidence. Scientists have become so entrenched in their own belief systems that they no longer are interested in the facts. Just confront them with evidence that contradicts their views on the existence of panthers or red wolves in East Texas and see what they say.

Lance Belt Via email

THE TRUTH ABOUT COUGARS IS OUT THERE Your September feature article, “The Truth about Cougars” by Chester Moore, and Don Zaidle’s Editor’s Notes, “The Truth is Out There,” mentioned the refusal of wildlife biologists to accept the presence of cougars in East Texas and elsewhere. That struck a familiar chord with me. Twenty-eight years ago, while honeymooning in Big Bend, I saw a Mexican gray wolf outside our tent. The next day, we heard a ranger give a talk about the wildlife of Big Bend, and she stated that the &

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DRUGS & THE OUTDOORS Regarding Chester Moore’s September issue Chester’s Notes—amen. More people need to say what he wrote. Like him, I love being in the woods. It calms me, I can think, and it de-stresses me. I agree with him 100 percent. Lance Belt Via email

TF&G—SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE I receive TF&G because LEAP Engineering provided Bill and me with a ticket to the CCA fundraiser in Beaumont. TF&G was delivered to our son’s Austin address, site of a recent family reunion. Portions of the magazine were read aloud and quoted when applicable (“Alyssa, how do you like your pork?”—referring to Ted Nugent’s hilarious Texas Wild column, “For

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the Love of Pigs,” in the September issue). I took TF&G on the plane with plans to read the article about Pleasure Island and then throw it away. However, I found other items of information that I plan to summarize and use in Port Arthur Yacht Club’s monthly newsletter—coordinates of fishing Hotspots, commandments of anchoring, beer chicken recipe, FEMA response to Ike, etc. The greatest compliment to TF&G is that even though I am not a Texas game hunter, I am changing the delivery address to my Virginia work address so I can enjoy future issues. Thanks to LEAP Engineering for introducing me to a magazine with a wide variety of articles that reach out to even those of us who sail often and sometimes fish on Sabine Lake. Carolyn Worsham Herndon, VA

Comments from readers who visit our Facebook pages:

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

TF&G ON THE BLEEDING EDGE You guys were the first on the mottled duck issue, talking about it last fall and with the story in the July issue. After reading the Texas Parks & Wildlife news release on the new duck regulations, I find it interesting the state is finding unique ways to restrict mottled duck harvest and trying to forego a long closure. I hope this six-day shutdown frontloaded in the season helps out and, more importantly, that we break our cycle of storms and drought. Thank you Texas Fish & Game for always giving us the first look at key issues like this, and helping us understand why regulations are put in place, and not just reporting. I am also interested in what you published in your

Facebook commentary and a few issues ago about widgeon numbers below average and the potential for restrictions in coming years. —Justin Stevens

COTTONMOUTHS We have a creek and pond on my property right next to the house. Since the drought, things have dried up and the cottonmouths

have been horrible this year. They are looking for water anywhere. I’ll add that you can sometimes smell them before you see them; they have a skunk odor, as my vet told me about moccasins during the early teal season and early duck seasons. It’s as much the toxicity of the venom as it is the bacteria that grow in their mouth from living in and around stagnant water all the time. Nasty snakes. —Mike Hruby

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

Taming the Beast ECHNOLOGY IS A WONDERFUL THING. Without it, doctors would still apply gourd rattles and tree bark to treat headaches, and we would sore-foot our way from the cave to the lake and paddle around on logs while trying to avoid getting eaten by a giant marine Thesaurus rex. Don’t get me started on flint broadheads, stone knives, and cave women. Speaking of technology and things prehistoric, untamed technology can be troublesome, as Michael Crichton and Stephen Spielberg depicted in their respective book and movie, “Jurassic Park.” Creating and launching a website is a bit like cloning dinosaurs—if you are not careful, when the thing comes to life it starts wrecking things and eating lawyers. Although the latter has appeal, efficacy to purpose is preferable. That is why it takes so long to develop a good website. Although Texas Fish & Game has had a website for years, it simply was neither what it should have been nor what we wanted it to be. We determined to take on that beast and tame it—or get eaten in the attempt. We did. Tame it, I mean, not get eaten. The new Texas Fish & Game website is what we want it to be and more. Rather than simply regurgitate print magazine content, the site provides real-time interactive data, information, and instruction that readers no longer must wait for the postman to bring. And it provides things impossible in the print magazine, such as:

• “Community” forums for discussion and debate of all things outdoors with fellow readers and TF&G staff. • An interactive, searchable version of our one-of-a-kind fishing Hotspots. 10

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• Up-to-the-hour weather forecast and dynamic, customizable tide forecasts. • Blogs by senior TF&G staff with reader comments. Subscriber services have never been easier or more complete. With the new site, readers can check issue subscription status, change delivery address, request replacements for missing or damaged issues, renew subscriptions, and most other things related to their print issue subscription. If your print subscription is late arriving in the mail (which is rarely our fault but that of, well, dinosaurs), stay informed by browsing an electronic rendition of the current issue— exactly like the print issue in every way, even the page turns. Well, and the lack of paper. Registered uses can create a personal profile that includes their photograph; gain access to back issues; search for any topic, author, or F i s h

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keyword; and post or view other reader’s photos, videos, blogs, and profiles. From the on-line store, users can purchase TF&G merchandise, gift subscriptions, and books. The TF&G video library is one of our favorite features. Ranging from how-to instruction to demonstrations of outdoor skills, nature, wildlife, “myth busting,” video components of articles in the print magazine, and just plain fun, the ever-growing video section produced by TF&G staff is sure to become one of your favorites, too. When reading the print magazine, watch for “On the Web” tags attached to articles and columns. These point to additional information on the article topic, both on the TF&G website and those of universities, scientific institutions, game departments, government agencies, and other sources vetted by our staff PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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technology-driven Jurassic Park, a few bugs remain to exterminate, and “Under Construction” signs pop up now and then. By the time you read this, most of that should be fixed, but even if it isn’t, do not put off visiting the site. We know you will find it interesting, informative, and rewarding—just as you do the print version—and we guarantee nothing will eat you. (Warranty void in California, New York, Massachusetts, Costa Rica, Isla Nublar, and where otherwise prohibited by law or common sense—or if you are a lawyer.)

.FIS F WWW SHOT O HGAM E.COM PROVID IDLE DON ZA ED BY

for accuracy and reliability. There is more to see and do on the new Texas Fish & Game website than there is space to chronicle. Rest assured that we will apply to it the same standards of quality,

accuracy, and value to our readership that we follow in producing the print magazine. We recognize that the website cannot replace the paper version, but it certainly can and does augment it in ways any “wired” reader will appreciate and value. Of course, like Prof. John Hammond’s

On the Web www.fishgame.com

E-mail Don Zaidle at editor@fishgame.com

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Saltwater-Borne Bacteria Kills Angler 52-YEAR-OLD BAYTOWN MAN DIED IN August from an infection acquired while fishing in Galveston Bay.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIBRIO-CDC

Thomas Jesse Shurley was fishing alone near shore in July when he scraped his knee while righting his overturned johnboat. The bacterium Vibrio vulnificus infected Shurley’s leg through the abrasion. Shurley died of multiple organ failure after the bacterium spread despite aggressive debriding of infected tissue and the ultimate amputation of the leg.

As reported in our September 2004 issue, 49 people, including a number of Texas saltwater anglers, acquired V. vulnificus infections that year, the number of cases remaining within Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) parameters for “normal,” but alarmed saltwater fishermen nonetheless. Health officials said the bacterial infection, although quite serious and often fatal in those who are at risk and who delay treatment, is rare and poses minimal threat to people in good health.

Early stages of V. vulnificus ingection appears rash-like.

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TF&G FIRST SEPT. 2004

Found in warm saltwater around the world, V. vulnificus is one of dozens of variants (one of which is responsible for cholera) and is the worst of all saltwater-borne pathogens, according to Victoria plastic surgeon Dr. Brian F. Burns, who considers the germ more ravaging than Group A streptococcus, better known as “flesh eating bacteria.” The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, which has monitored V. vulnificus infections since the late 1980s, reports about five-dozen confirmed cases annually along the Gulf Coast, and roughly twice as many nationally, many of which are caused by ingestion of tainted or undercooked seafood. Based on those figures, the likelihood of infection is statistically insignificant. CDC statistics for 2007 (the latest available) indicate 549 people contracted V. vulnificus illnesses nationwide, with Texas reporting the most at 60. Two Houston men treated by Dr. Burns in 2004 for wound-related V. vulnificus infections after fishing near Port O’Connor suffered significant injuries. The younger patient lost the flesh between the knee and foot of one leg just days after exposure. The older man waited an extra day before seeking treatment; he lost both legs and suffered kidney failure barely a week after the bacteria entered his system through cuts suffered during a fall at the dock. V. vulnificus mortality rates can be high as 30 percent in those who postpone treatment. V. vulnificus has difficulty penetrating healthy skin. People in generally good health might not realize they have been exposed to the potentially deadly bacterium. For them, the only symptoms might be minor irritation or redness at the site that dissipates as quickly as it arises. Dr. Burns said that V. vulnificus should be on every coastal angler’s mind, but should not keep anyone out of the water.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF VIBRIO-WIKI

Continued from page 12

Later stages of Vibrio infection produces necrotizing fasciitis.

Treat the bacteria with the respect you would show rattlesnakes on a quail hunt or copperheads in a woodpile—or bull sharks in the surf. Indications of V. vulnificus wound infection begin with redness and soreness that worsen rapidly, followed by appearance of a dark purple or black spot at the site. Watch for flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, chills, general malaise, and fast-rising fever. —Don Zaidle •••

Remington 17 HMR Product Safety Warning Remington has been notified by its supplier of 17 HMR that the ammunition is not suitable for use in semi-automatic firearms. The use of this ammunition in a semi-automatic firearm could result in property damage or serious personal injury. If you have a semi-automatic firearm chambered for 17 HMR ammunition, 16

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immediately discontinue use of Remington 17 HMR ammunition. If you have any Remington 17 HMR ammunition that you wish to return to Remington, contact the Remington Consumer Service. Do not return the ammunition to the dealer. Remington will provide you with a $10 coupon for each complete box of 50 rounds of returned Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition. This coupon will be good for the purchase of any Remington ammunition at your local dealer. It is very important that you immediately stop using your Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle. If you own a Remington Model 597 17 HMR semiautomatic rifle and wish to return it to Remington, please contact Remington. In return for your Remington Model 597 17 HMR synthetic stock semi-automatic rifle, Remington will provide you a coupon valued at $200 good for the purchase of a replacement Remington firearm. If you have a laminate stock Remington Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle, Remington will provide you a coupon valued at $250. F i s h

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Remington will also reimburse you for the actual postage to return your Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle to Remington. Please allow up to six weeks after Remington receives your Model 597 17 HMR semi-automatic rifle or your Remington branded 17 HMR ammunition for the appropriate coupons to arrive. The coupons include instructions for redemption. Contact: Remington Consumer Service Department, 800-243-9700, prompt No. 3. —Staff Report •••

2009-10 Waterfowl Seasons Finalized For the 14th consecutive year, Texas duck hunters get a liberal waterfowl season with 74 days and six-bird daily bag limit for the 20092010 general seasons, but mottled ducks will be off the table during the first five days. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission finalized the framework at its 27 August public meeting.

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TF&G Report High Plains Mallard Management Unit October 24-25 October 30-January 24 Youth-only season, October 17-18 North and South Zones October 31-November 29 December 12-January 24 Youth-only season, October 24-25 Western Goose Zone November-February 7 (daily bag 20 light geese in the aggregate, four Canada geese, one white-fronted goose. Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit for dark geese and no possession limit on light geese. Eastern Goose Zone October 31-January 24 for light geese and Canada geese October 31-January 10 for white-fronted geese

The daily bag limit is 20 light geese in the aggregate and three Canada geese and two white-fronted geese. Light Goose Conservation Order Western Goose Zone, February 8-March 28 Eastern Goose Zone, January 25-March 28 No bag or possession limits. Sandhill Crane Zone A November 7-February 7 (daily bag three) Zone B November 27-February 7 (daily bag three) Zone C December 19-January 24 (daily bag two)

Possession limits statewide are twice the daily bag limits. Duck Bag Limits Six in aggregate comprised of: • 5 mallard, only two may be hens • 3 wood duck • 2 scaup • 2 redhead • 1 pintail • 1 canvasback • 1 “dusky duck”(mottled duck, Mexicanlike duck, black duck and their hybrids) Mottled duck may not be harvested prior to Thursday 5 November in the North and South Zones, and 2 November in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit. The bag limit on mergansers is five daily, of which only two may be hooded mergansers, and the daily bag on coots is 15.

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Chester’s Notes by Chester Moore, Jr. | TF&G Executive Editor ward you have the lowest hunter recruitment and greatly sagging license sales. The right time to instill a love for hunting is when kids are young and impressionable, before they have been lured away by the negative forces in society. I truly believe these laws in other states were placed at the behest of animal rights-minded people who convinced complacent bureaucrats and legislators that kids going hunting is a bad idea. The same goes for anti-baiting laws that are put in place all around the country under the guise of “ethics.” Somehow, luring game animals into a known area where distance can be easily calculated and therefore effective shot placement made is unethical and harmful to the game. Yet, here in Texas we have the largest population of whitetail deer and wild turkey in the nation—and hundreds of million of pounds of corn are spinning out of feeders annually. We must be doing something right. But wait! There is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) to worry about. According to states like New York, baiting deer is a surefire way to spread that dreaded disease that has been the darling of the outdoor media in recent years. How many cases have you heard of in Texas? That’s right none so far, and although this disease has likely been here for eons, if it were the threat the media is making it out to be, don’t you think the state with 4.5 million whitetails, 250,000 mule deer, and hundreds of thousands of exotic deer would have all kinds of outbreaks, especially since we dare (gasp!) bait them? Our state has done the wise thing and taken precautions against CWD, but has recognized we have found no link here between it and baiting deer with corn and standard protein feeds. In comparison to other states, we are doing a magnificent job of preserving hunters’ rights and keeping our resources healthy. While there are bumps in the road (antler restrictions), we are far better off than any other state. The poor hunters in California essentially have to hit the field accompanied by a surveyor and a lawyer. The surveyor will make sure they have not crossed one of the hundreds of

TF&G FIRST SEPT. 2006

Why Texas Is Tops In Hunting ROSSBOWS ARE NOW LEGAL FOR HUNTING whitetail deer during the archery-only season in the great state of Texas.

Green-lighted by the legislature and given a final stamp of approval by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, our state finally joined others in recognizing crossbows are safe, effective, and fun hunting instruments that will do absolutely no harm to game populations or bowhunting. This has ruffled the feathers of a few archers who are offended others will intrude on “their month” and not be using more “traditional” archery equipment. However, in a state that is 97 percent private land and facing deer overpopulation from Mason to McAllen, those tired, old arguments are looking, well, tired and old. With the crossbow issue behind us, Texas has officially, in my opinion, become the most forward-thinking state on hunting issues and rights. Take youth hunting, for example: Many states like Massachusetts have a minimum age (15) and in other states, it ranges from 10 to 17. By that age, I had been hunting for a decade and had a number of game animals under my belt. The passion to hunt burned deep in my youth and was fueled by real hunting experiences with my father and uncle. We take it for granted that parents can make the decision on when to take their youngsters hunting here in Texas, while other states impose ridiculous age restrictions. Statistics show these progressively back18

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imaginary hunting zone lines the state has laid out, and the lawyer is to represent them in case the state changed its mind during the course of the morning’s hunt. When you live in a state that literally makes it illegal to kill a mountain lion caught in the act of destroying your livestock, you know you are in trouble. Thank goodness Texas has the sense enough to recognize lion numbers are growing and imposes no restrictions on harvest, allowing landowners to manage the big predators as they see fit. Despite our state’s common sense approach to game management and hunter rights, one area we do need work on is affordable hunter access. Deer hunting has become so expensive that many hunters simply cannot afford it, and we risk losing a rich tradition in coming decades. Let me put that a little differently; “rich” was a poor choice of word. You see, rich people will always have a place to hunt deer, and I am all for that. Heck, I want to be rich and I am sure you do as well. However, the fact is middle to lower income people are getting pinched. If the state really wants to take things to the next level, how about closing some of those state parks that are financial black holes and turn them into wildlife management areas dedicated to access for the average hunter? They could charge a nominal fee to hunt and eliminate most of the overhead costs state parks incur. Maybe the next time the legislature meets, they could pass a bill giving tax credits to landowners who offer affordable access to lowincome families who want to hunt, so everyone gets a chance to enjoy our amazing outdoors resources. I believe we are doing great things in the Lone Star State and can do even better if we continue looking to the future while holding tight to the values of our past.

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

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Commentary by Kendal Hemphill | TF&G Commentator

Just Say “No” To IACAIMTFAER ACK IN 1997, BILL CLINTON TRIED TO GET the US Senate to ratify CIFTA, which is actually the Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and other Related Items. The acronym really should be IACAIMTFAER, I guess, but in Mexico they call it CIFTA, evidently because of some Spanish words, and it’s a lot easier to say, and write, than IACAIMTFAER. Congress never went along with CIFTA, hopefully because it is anti-gun, and would infringe on many U.S. citizens’ rights, including the Second Amendment. During a visit to Mexico in April, President Obama renewed the call for the U.S. to jump on the CIFTA bandwagon. The consensus of a number of pro Second Amendment organizations, after analyzing CIFTA, is that it is a bad treaty, no matter how you look at it. Mike Hammond, legislative counsel for Gun Owners of America, has prepared a fact sheet that includes the following points: The seventh precatory clause “Stress[es] the need, in peace processes and post-conflict situations, to achieve effective control of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and other related materials in order to prevent their entry into the illicit market;”—thereby endorsing comprehensive gun and ammunition control in violation of McClure-Volkmer (which deregulated ammunition) and of the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Furthermore, the tenth precatory clause supports a “know-your-customer policy for dealers [in firearms]”—something which would rapidly lead to an abolition of firearms in a country as large and transient as the United States. “Illicit manufacturing” of firearms is defined as “assembly of firearms [or] ammu-

nition... without a license...” Hence, reloading ammunition—or putting together a lawful firearm from a kit—is clearly “illicit manufacturing.” Modifying a firearm in any way would surely be “illicit manufacturing.” And, while it would be a stretch, assembling a firearm after cleaning it could, in any plain reading of the words, come within the screwy definition of “illicit manufacturing.” “Firearm” has a similarly questionable definition. Borrowing from the open-ended definitions in [U.S.] federal law which have continued to vex us...any barreled weapon “which... may be readily converted to expel a bullet” would be a firearm. Even worse, “any other weapon” (a term which is not defined) is a “firearm.” CIFTA also includes some unreasonable—and scary—requirements, such as: - “Appropriate markings” on firearms, a precursor to micro-stamping of firearms and/or ammunition. - Confiscation and forfeiture of “illicit” firearms. - Increased government roles, in unforeseen ways, in supervision, import, and export of firearms and ammunition. - Maintenance of any records for a “reasonable time” that the government deems necessary to trace firearms, a precursor to a national gun registry. - The “exchange of information” with respect to Federal Firearms License holders, presumably providing information on American firearms dealers and purchasers to foreign governments, including corrupt Mexican police that are the source of most illicit firearms used in inter-cartel drug wars along the borders. The basic premise here is that it is our fault the drug cartels in Mexico are killing each other with automatic weapons. This is the lie that the entire effort to get the Senate to ratify CIFTA is built on. I have no idea who first thought this up, but it’s just another effort at gun control in the U.S., disguised as humanitarianism and international cooperation. Most unacceptable is the fact that CIFTA would allow Americans to be extraT E X A S

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dited to other countries to face trial if accused of accepting delivery of a gun that might have come into the country illegally, or suspected of committing some other international firearms crime. No proof is actually required—you would just have to be accused. If CIFTA is ratified and you unknowingly buy a stolen gun from someone, you could end up in a Mexican prison, where the big ones eat the little ones, and there won’t be anything anyone can do about it. It is true that the drug dealers are whacking each other right, left, and center (but not with firearms legally owned by Americans). This would be fine, as long as innocent people weren’t getting caught in the middle, but they are. So, obviously, something has to be done. And just as obviously, the Mexican government’s efforts have been ineffective. If Mexican “federale” government troops could solve the problem, it would have gone away by now. None of Mexico’s or any other country’s problems are the fault of the U.S. or American gun owners. If Mexico wants help with the drug dealers, all they have to do is ask. Didn’t anybody ever see Clear and Present Danger? If Tom Clancy can figure out how to deal with the kingpins of the drug trade south of the border, surely our government can, too. This idea that the U.S. or its law-abiding gun owners are responsible for the firearmsrelated problems of other countries is ludicrous. The number of illegal guns going from here to Mexico is a trickle being described as a flood. Even if it were a flood, it would be ridiculous to punish law-abiding Americans for something they have no part in, and couldn’t stop if they wanted to. Americans, no matter their political affiliations, need to send a message to their Senators that CIFTA is a ticking bomb set to explode on election day, and only the Senate has the ability to disarm it.

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

Horned Toads & Dinosaurs EVERAL WEEKS AGO, I STOOD ON THE SAND AT Surfside Beach near Freeport and watched as a flock of seabirds “worked” an active school of fish in green water several hundred yards off the beach. I suspect the fish were Spanish mackerel—or maybe a mixed bag of mackerel, bluefish, and ladyfish. The action was too far offshore to contemplate a cast, so I reluctantly shifted from aggressive plugger to passive observer. I was kind of, sort of, well, not really, but maybe, a bird watcher. In addition to the normal rabble of gulls and terns, I noted the dark, almost wicked images of two large frigatebirds coasting with sickle wings and forked tails high above the melee. According to Smithsonian Birds of North America, they would have been “magnificent” frigatebirds (as opposed to the great or lesser varieties). The Gulf Coast is included in the fringe range of the big birds, and they are magnificent; not to mention semi-lost. The Smithsonian text was published in 2001, but I can assure relative newcomers to Texas that frigatebirds of any issue were not common (or even “casual”) sightings along our coast 30 years ago. During the 1970s, a frigate was something you saw while trolling with the Bibi Fleet or the Star Fleet off Mazatlan, Mexico. It was a Pacific bird, or maybe a Caribbean bird. So, for that matter, was the brown pelican. They did not exist on local water (at least in meaningful numbers) back when we fished with fiberglass Fenwick rods and Ambassadeur “red reels.” If memory serves, the brown pelicans, like the frigates, began drifting north and east from Latin latitudes during the late 1980s and early 90s. I believe the first reliable sightings of brown pelicans along the upper coast were at the aptly named Pelican Island in Galveston

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Bay. Now they are common along most of the coast. These are two examples of the gradual and on-going shifts in wildlife populations. I have been an amateur student of nature for more than 50 years (a long time as I gaze with dismay into the nearest mirror, but a mere blink as Earth turns) and have noted many changes. Look at the exploding and expanding white-winged dove population in Texas. When I joined the Houston Chronicle in the fall of 1972, the “Valley Shoot” for whitewings along the Rio Grande was a big deal. The chunky doves that flew in large flocks from roost to grain were native to Mexico, and the South Texas valley region represented the far northern fringe of the nesting population. Now, whitewings are scattered across the state and flourishing year-round in many areas. The numbers around San Antonio and Uvalde are ridiculous, and you can have an “easy limit” shoot in a scouted field near Katy or Sealy, a mere 30 minutes west of Houston. West Galveston Island an hour south of Houston is swarming with whitewings and has been for 10 or 15 years. Forty years ago, the odds of seeing a white-winged dove along the upper Texas coast were about equal to tripping over a dodo bird. And what about the Eurasian collared dove? I think they fluttered over from South Florida. They are a non-native species, but at the rate they are propagating in the brush across Texas, that status might have to be reviewed in a few years. When I was kid in Houston during the late 50s, I caught two horned lizards (“horned toads” or “horny toads”) in fields within the city limits. I suppose they were Texas horned lizards; each sported a pair of long horns on the back of the head, opposed to the stubby spikes of the short-horned and round-tailed varieties. Whatever they were, I have not seen one since—anywhere. On the subject of toads, the real ones, the swarthy amphibious “hop toads,” are woefully scarce in the Houston area compared to the croaking jamborees following each warmweather rain during my youth. They were in F i s h

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great abundance, flattened routinely on the steamy residential streets and rural roads at night. Now you seldom see or hear one; at least, I don’t. Some authorities blame pesticides, other point to the ozone layer. Not coincidentally, the chubby, stubby eastern hognose snakes once so common in vacant lots and along bayou banks have all but disappeared among my haunts in southeast Texas. The non-venomous hognose snake feeds almost exclusively on toads—a classic example of how the disruption of one link in the chain can adversely impact other species. I have seen exactly one hognose during the past 25 years, a really fine specimen on a mild spring afternoon several years ago in Memorial Park on the west side of Houston. In freshwater, exotic tilapia and white amur, or “grass carp,” swarm where 30 years ago none existed. The former was introduced as a forage fish for largemouth bass (and a food fish for the commercial market), and the Asian carp was imported by fisheries biologists and lake managers for aquatic weed control (“don’t worry, they can’t reproduce”). Both appear to be here to stay, especially as the climate continues to warm. In saltwater, several native species have dramatically expanded ranges during the past two decades of mild winters. Notables are snook and gray snapper; both now are found in reliable numbers well up the coast during the warm-water months. Again, 30 or 40 years ago, the report of a snook anywhere north of the Brownsville Ship Channel would have been considered highly suspect, if not downright laughable. These are a few examples of the on-going shifts in wildlife populations. Some are caused by Man, others are influenced by changes in habitat or climate. But all, for better or worse, are part of the ever-changing outdoors. Perhaps this explains why I haven’t seen a Tyrannosaurus rex recently.

E-mail Joe Doggett at doggett@fishgame.com

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

AR Groups Endanger Antelope S THE RESULT OF ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS’ Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) and Friends of Animals assault on a rule exempting captive animals of three antelope species from Endangered Species Act prohibitions, those three species are now in jeopardy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS LICENSE

Addax

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these species in the United States. Although scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle, and addax have either disappeared or all but disappeared in their home ranges in Northern Africa, captive herds of the species have been thriving on ranches here in the United States, in great part due to

ABOVE ORYX PHOTO BY TYLER BRENOT UNDER WIKIMEDIA COMMONS LICENSE

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the ranchers’ ability to sell, trade, breed, and allow hunting of members of these captive populations without ESA restrictions. The freedom to manage these animals has encouraged private owners to raise large herds, and these animals now number in the thousands in the United States. In 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the three species as endangered, and at the same time adopted a rule that would exempt captive members of the three species in the United States from ordinary ESA restrictions. HSUS and Friends of Animals filed suit to challenge that rule. Their goal was to prevent the hunting of individual animals, regardless of the cost to the species as a whole. They did not succeed. The court did not find that hunting of these species was illegal and rejected HSUS and Friends’ assertions that hunting in the U.S. encouraged poaching or brought any other harm to members of the species outside of the U.S. The court also dismissed

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the groups’ allegations that the hunting of the species in the United States in any way harmed them. The Court ruled in the two groups’ favor on only a single issue. The judge decided that the ESA does not allow a blanket exemption to endangered species prohibitions and that those who wish to hunt or otherwise conduct activities that amount to a “taking” of these three antelope species must apply for an individual Enhancement of Survival permit from USFWS. The judge ruled that because the permit applications must be published in the Federal Register, the notice of the application makes it possible for individuals and groups to comment on the proposed activities. The judge’s ruling forecasts the end to the system that has allowed the three species to increase in the United States. The additional bureaucracy and delays introduced by the application and Federal Register notice procedures will make it

more difficult and more expensive for ranchers to raise these animals. More likely than not, ranchers with existing herds will no longer wish to raise and breed these animals. Fewer and fewer ranchers will keep their herds, and as a result the next few years will see a dramatic decline in the number of herds and ultimately the number of animals in the U.S. HSUS and Friends of Animals are busy patting themselves on the back over their “victory” in the courts. Ironically, there is no victory for anyone. HSUS and Friends did not succeed in making hunting of scimitar-horned oryx, dama gazelle, and addax illegal. They only succeeded in sabotaging an amazing conservation effort for these three species. E-mail Ted Nugent at tnugent@fishgame.com

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by Lou Marullo

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arvesting a whitetail with a bow is a challenge, no matter how you do it. However, when you take the hunt to the ground, the challenge increases significantly. For hunters who feel uncomfortable hunting from a small platform 20 feet in the air, or hunt in habitat with few big trees such as South and West Texas, ground blinds are the answer. Lightweight portable ground blinds have advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, they help conceal hunter movement and are perfect for fidgety youngsters. Many newer models sport a scent-absorbing interior that helps minimize human scent. Although turkey seem to pay little attention to these blinds, in my experience deer do notice and are very leery of this new “couch” that has appeared in their living room. It is therefore necessary to introduce a ground blind the right way in deer habitat. It helps if you camouflage the blind with brush from the immediate area. I once was turkey hunting from a ground blind when I saw four deer come out of the woodlot and immediately look at my setup. They were all well aware that this new bush was not there yesterday, and stayed well out of bow range. I decided to try an experiment. I reached for my HS Strut diaphragm call and yelped softly. I was amazed that as soon as the deer heard the nearby turkey decoy yelp, they were convinced that everything was all right and calmed right down. Eventually, two of them calmly fed just 10 yards away. You often see turkey and deer together, and it might be that each takes security in the other’s senses—a sort of symbiosis similar to that of oxpecker birds and Cape buffalo and rhino in Africa. You often see on TV and in magazines scenes of large African animals with birds perched on their backs. These are oxpeckers that feed on ticks, specks of shed skin, and other detritus on the animals’ backs. The birds also provide an early warning system for approaching danger, their flushing away alerting the animal that something is amiss. 26

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Busted! Hunting deer at ground level is challenging, but the rewards are well worth it.

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Now, I understand that you are already hauling enough into the deer woods when you hunt from a blind, but a few turkey decoys might help make your setup more convincing to a whitetail. Adding the audible reassurance of a few soft yelps, purrs, or clucks from a turkey call might be all it takes to convince a skittish buck that everything is as it should be. Pay attention to the interior of the blind. If it is black, dress in black and leave your camo home. My long-time friend, executive editor Chester Moore, is a big believer in this practice; he calls it hunting “ninja-style” as detailed in the March 2009 issue. F i s h

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“Being camouflaged doesn’t necessarily mean wearing a camo pattern,” he told me. “If you are surrounded by black, then black is the camo color you should use. I use Medalist tactical gear, which is not only black but scent free, so you get the best of both worlds.” Many companies use a “shoot-through” netting over blind windows. I have never tried this, but the manufacturers claim it does not affect arrow flight. If you intend to use this feature, shoot one or two arrows through the netting during practice; this will give you the confidence you need when a big buck is just a few yards away.

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Any time you choose to hunt at ground level, you must be constantly aware of the wind. The slightest breeze will carry scent and alert deer of your presence. After you have determined the wind direction, your ambush spot should be around 20 yards downwind from your intended target. Most shots will be 20 yards or closer, although a longer shot might be your only shot. With that in mind, clear an arrow path by snipping away intervening brush and tall grasses. When you clear brush for a clean shot, keep it to a minimum. It is not necessary to go in there with a chain saw and cut a path 10 feet wide. Simply trim enough for an arrow to fly true; it should not be much. Remember that you are in the whitetail’s home and any changes you make might give you away. Bowhunters on a budget can also take their hunting to the ground by using natural ground cover. Well before the season opener, scout for good ground-level ambush location. I have used blowdowns and brush to help conceal my location. Make sure the prevailing wind is coming from the right direction, and then proceed to build your “home away from home” in the woods. My tangled web of wood and brush has worked well many times. Once, I took my sister out bowhunting. She had never taken a deer with her bow, and I was determined to get her a good shot. I placed her in a thick hedgerow where she would be well hidden. I had previously cut a path from the edge of the hedgerow to her location, and then cleared shooting lanes on both sides. I watched from a distance as three deer worked toward my sister. One actually went into the hedge on the same path she had walked on an hour earlier. I waited for the shot to happen...and waited some more. It never happened. Later that morning, my sister explained that the deer came directly toward her and she was afraid to move. It stood 10 yards from her, eating the very brush she was hiding in. Remember, too, the option of taking the mountain to Mohammed by stalking and still-hunting. Wind awareness is even more critical with these techniques, and stealth is the lynchpin. When stalking a deer you have spotted from a distance, use natural elements (clumps of brush or cactus, and topographi-

cal features) to cover your movements, and move only when the deer has its head down. When still-hunting, move very slowly, taking only one or two steps at a time, then stop and slowly scan with your eyes and ears before moving again. Look for parts of a deer (the horizontal line of its back, the curve of a leg, the glint of a polished antler, or the twitch of an ear or tail) rather than the whole deer. Listen for the crunch of a leaf under a hoof, snorts, sneezes, and coughs. Contrary to

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common perception, deer are not silent in the woods, so pay attention to any sounds you hear. Hunting whitetails at ground level will give you a different perspective on hunting with a bow. It will be a new experience that you will not soon forget. My sister and I still laugh about that unforgettable morning, and will for years.

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Pass clo su costly h res due to na tu uman i nterven ral forces req u tion to correct ire .

By the time the action slacked off a half-hour later, redfish flopped all over the deck and anglers squealed with delight and laughter at their good fortune. In all, we caught 52 redfish ranging from 26 to 34-inches. Eleven anglers had to use the then-new trophy tag. “Those fish were moving out to spawn,” said Captain Mike Higgenbotham, skipper of the Bay Princess back” then. “We caught them just right.”

Passing Along

s catche tastic n a f d l lly yie ration. annua g Passes he spawn mi t g n duri

The events of that magical evening underscore how important open passes from Texas bays into the Gulf of Mexico are to the redfish life cycle. According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, redfish spend the first three years of their lives in the bays or surf zones near passes. As they reach maturity, redfish rely on those passes to move out into the Gulf to live out the rest of their lives (although they do occasionally return to the 30

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bays to scare forage fish and anglers alike) and reproduce. During the fall, large adult red drum move to the Gulf beaches, possibly for spawning.” Redfish thus use these passes as thoroughfares between bays and the Gulf. Mature fish move out of bays through these passes and, perhaps more importantly, redfish fry return to historical nurseries in the bays. Major passes from south to north on the coast include: Brazos Santiago (Lower F i s h

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Laguna Madre), Mansfield (Lower and Upper Laguna Madre), Packery Channel (Upper Laguna Madre and Corpus Christi/Nueces Bay), Aransas Pass (Corpus Christi/Nueces and Aransas Bay), Matagorda Ship Channel (Matagorda Bay complex), Pass Caballo, Rollover, and San Luis (Galveston Bay complex), and Sabine Pass (Sabine Lake). Losing these passes would be a one-two punch preventing mature redfish from migrating out and fry migrating in.

More than Filler The silting in of passes has been a major issue in recent years. Until it was finally opened in 2008, the slow but dramatic shoaling of Mansfield Pass was a hot button among Lower Laguna Madre anglers. Recreational anglers, private business owners, and environmental groups united in a PHOTOS BY GRADY ALLEN

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grassroots effort to squeeze money out of the federal government to dredge the pass before it closed completely. In the interim, a sandbar formed across 80 percent of the pass, leaving a narrow boat channel along the north jetties. The effect of the narrowing of the pass was devastating to local businesses. Large offshore boats pulled up stakes and head south to Padre Island, or north to Corpus Christi and closer to passes that the boats could run through. The local economy suffered as a result. “The pass was still open for fish,” said Dr. Mark Fisher, TPWD science director for the Coastal Fisheries Division. “Boat traffic was limited by the shoaling, but redfish still migrated out to the Gulf of Mexico through the pass.” More recently, sportsmen along the Upper Texas Coast are up in arms over a recent proposal by Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson to fill in legendary Rollover Pass. Rollover is a popular fishing hotspot for shore-bound anglers, and a vital source of revenue for the nearby community of Gilchrist through bait, tackle, food, and

lodging receipts. To lose the pass would be a substantial recreational and financial loss. Many anglers are also concerned about the loss of a pass that allows redfish and other sport fish to migrate. Fisher said not filling in Rollover is more beneficial than harmful. “Water flow through Rollover Pass has contributed to beach erosion since before the storm surge that passed through during Hurricane Ike in 2008,” he said. “In the long term, closing the pass is a better option.” Fisher said that the effect on redfish spawning migration would be negligible due to the presence of larger San Luis Pass to the southwest; redfish fry are capable of migrating a long way to nursery habitat. “We found redfish larvae in Corpus Christi Bay, which is a long haul from the nearest inlet at Aransas Pass,” he said.

Coast. Water exchange has remained constant.” Ironically, the opening of the Matagorda Ship Channel, a hydrostatic monster with depths reaching 90 feet, almost spelled the doom of Pass Cavallo. Currents from the ship channel undermined water flow through Cavallo, and it began to silt in. Water flow through the pass has since stabilized, and silting has reduced. Even as Pass Cavallo filled in, the ship channel would have easily replaced it. “There will always be passes for fish to migrate through,” Fisher said. “Rollover Pass was opened in the 1950s to improve salinity and water flow in East Galveston Bay.” Redfish were doing just fine before that. Redfish have needs, and Mother Nature, with a little help from Mankind, will always find a way to accommodate them.

An Even Exchange According to Fisher, anglers can rest easy about redfish migrating to and from the Gulf: “Everything is in balance on the Texas

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or Pearl colors, which are hard to ow many find but killer on flounder. I rig this flounder have with a jighead just as I would a you lost at the grub; the only problem is keeping last second? redfish away from it. As the net When using lures, it is not necslid into the essary to use the old “10-second water, the fish flounder bite rule” (when a flounopened its der hits, wait 10 seconds and then gaping, toothy mouth, and spit the set the hook; some say 20 seconds). hook right out, didn’t it. This is for live bait, not plastics. There is a cure for this probFlounder bite and hold onto artifilem—the “pool cue rig,” a sure-fire cial baits differently. I usually wait flounder setup I developed in late two seconds after a strike, but if it is 1990s. I do 90 percent of my a light bump or one of those hits flounder fishing with lures and have you are not sure is actually a hit, I for many years, so this rig is not for might wait as long as 10. Two secthe typical live mud minnow flounonds is usually the rule, though, der setup. For lures, however, it is and I believe this does help with deadly and will translate to far reducing deep hooking, which is fewer flatfish escapees. important for releasing under-sized My early studies of flounder fish. involved everything from keeping Finally, the actual hookset is fish in a 400-gallon custom aquariimportant. Going back to the bony um that I still use, to throwing filletFlounder have notoriously tough mouths, and it takes an even tougher rod to mouths, it is important to ram that ed flounder remains onto ant beds set the hook into one. hook through bone, so do not be to debride the skeletons for later shy about sticking that sucker hard. examination. Just think bass fishing legend Bill der trips productive even on slow days. It did not take long to figure out I believe in this “pool cue” concept so Dance as he pulls back with gusto as part of that flounder have very bony mouths. When I tried to manually jab a hook into a dead much that I got my dad, Chester Moore, Sr., his trademark, energetic on-camera personalflounder’s jawbone, it was quite difficult. I to build a spinning rod for me out of an actu- ity. Bill would make a killer flounder fisherrealized the reason it is difficult to set a hook al pool cue. Sporting one of my old Abu man. If you would like to make your own pool into a flounder’s bony mouth is wimpy fish- Garcia spinning reels, rigged with eyes we ing gear. A limber rod that could double as bought from Fishing Tackle Unlimited in cue rod, don’t think you have to use an actua buggy whip combined with light monofila- Houston, and attached to an inexpensive al pool cue, although as I have proven it can ment line with extreme stretching properties pool cue I bought at the Wal-Mart down the work. Go to your favorite retailer and find is simply no match for the flounder’s hard- street from my house, it is quite the mon- the spinning rods with the stiffest backbones. strosity. Dad is an extremely gifted person It doesn’t have to be weapons grade, but core jawbones. After consulting my good friend, noted with his hands and can make just about any- anything that is not going to double over under the tug of a 3- to 4-pound fish will get flounder expert Capt. Skip James, I found a thing. This bizarre rod casts surprisingly well, the job done. 6-foot, 6-inch, medium-heavy spinning rod A great rod on the low end of the price and chopped it down to 5 feet by removing and I made it a point to catch flounder as the tip. After affixing a new tip guide, what well as redfish and trout on it last fall. And, scale is the Berkley Lighting Rod from the remained was a stout rod with almost no no, it is not going to be my standard rod, but Shock series. These rods are designed for give. The next step was selecting the right used as a prop to illustrate that a rod with fishing braid and other super lines, lightline. I have used many over the years, but stiff backbone makes a huge difference in weight, and carry lots of sensitivity throughout. The 6-footer is actually a pretty good have found Berkley FireLine in smoke or flounder fishing. I use a couple of lure types with my “stan- flounder stick out of the box, but knock it crystal is best for flounder. It has a small diameter to test ratio and absolutely no dard” pool cue rigs. The first is my old stan- down to 5 and you have an awesome pool dard, a curl-tailed grub in Glow or char- cue. stretch. There are many good rods out there for For my first flounder book, Flounder treuse tipped with shrimp and fished on a Fundamentals, I did an experiment compar- 1/4-ounce jighead. I have caught thousands these applications, and you will know when ing standard flounder gear to this setup and of flounder using this one and it is my main- you get the one that is just right. It will transfound it increased the number of flounder stay to this day. Lately, I have been using the late that beautiful “thump” into a flounder in boated by around 30 percent. Over the Old Bayside Speck Grub, which has a lot of your net and a big smile on your face. years, I gained familiarity with the subtle tail action and is made of durable but lifelike nuances of a flounder’s strike and applied plastic. Gulp! Shrimp can be a very effective this knowledge to increase landing success by more than 50 percent and make my floun- flounder bait, particularly the 3-inch Glow 34

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andowners, biologists, research volunteers, and outfitters agree that West Texas elk are survivors. After that, the question becomes whether the animals need management and intervention from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The Trans-Pecos region, which receives 10-12 inches annual rainfall, isn’t the first area that comes to mind when discussing elk country. The last Merriam’s elk vanished from the Southern Guadalupe Mountains in the early 1900s. Then in 1928, Judge J.C. Hunter released 44 head from South Dakota in a reintroduction effort. In 1959, elk were listed as big game animals to be regulated by the state. TPWD and various landowners brought in more elk through the 1980s. >>

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Grad student Brendon Witt (with elk), and Dr. Pat O’Neal gather data from a sedated free-ranging bull elk on the Fly Z Ranch in the Chihuahua Desert.

Today, there are herds in the Davis Mountains, Glass Mountains, Eagle Mountains, Wylie Mountains, and Guadalupe Mountains. However, there is little scientific data concerning habitat needs and movements, although there are observations coming from landowners and researchers. The landowners also have opinions about listing elk as Texas big game animals. The Mills Ranch is located north of Marathon, Texas, and has been owned by the same family since the 1920s. Homer Mills declared that he has been watching elk for more than 50 years. “In that many years, we killed five elk,” said Mills. “They summered in the high country near Iron Mountain Ranch. They liked the cool oak canyons. Then they came down in the winter. It seems like the bulls 38

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liked wintering with our saddle horses. “But without Texas Parks and Wildlife regulation, it’s an empty resource. Most folks take care of the elk, but the elk are only as safe as the weakest link of landowners.” Mills also said TPWD was not always thought of as the landowners’ friend. “In the 1980s Parks and Wildlife had a director that was going to reintroduce more elk and force landowners to allow public access. This upset a lot of people and was viewed as a severe erosion of property rights. We sat down with the director and hammered out some terms similar to the antelope program from years ago. “Parks and Wildlife had a plan to trade wild turkey for White Mountain New Mexico elk that had remnants of the Merriam’s bloodline, but the whole deal fell through and in 1997 elk were delisted as big F i s h

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game animals. Some folks argue that since our strain of elk isn’t indigenous to this area, it shouldn’t be listed with TPWD. But, that argument doesn’t hold water because neither are the antelope or desert bighorn sheep. One day, they were big game animals; the next day, they were feral. I’ve got bittersweet thoughts about the elk herd.” More recently, Robert Zock bought 20,000 acres of the Mills Ranch, the Flying Z Ranch. Zock then opened the ranch to research by Sul Ross State University, aided by volunteer efforts and fundraising by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The study area falls in the Glass Mountains in Brewster and Pecos counties. Dr. Louis Harveson is the director of the Borderlands Research Institute for Natural Resource Management. Through research performed by his students, knowledge is PHOTO COURTESY OF SUL ROSS

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gained about the West Texas elk habitat needs, migration, and landowner attitudes. The research should also help develop good management practices for individual landowners. In the initial study, 14 elk were captured and fitted with radio collars. Location data and elk movement was determined by radio telemetry from fixed-wing aircraft. It determined the average home range for a bull elk in the Glass Mountains is 62,284 acres, while the average home range of cows is 25,388 acres. One bull made an inexplicable 200-mile circuit tour of West Texas. West Texas elk are smaller animals, usually weighing 25 percent less than their Rocky Mountains cousins. Herd population estimates have ranged from 150 to 500 animals. Drought and habitat availability could account for the different group sizes. At the same time, despite projected population discrepancies, studies indicate that the Glass Mountain Range might be at carrying capacity. In the next study, students sent surveys to 1743 landowners in Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio,

Reeves, and Terrell counties and received a 55-percent response. The indicated landowner property use as primarily for livestock and hunting; 62 percent were concerned about elk damage to fences and feeders; 66 percent said they liked elk; 70 percent said they’d like to have elk on their property; 90 percent said they do not hunt elk on their property; and 51 percent said they would be interested in participating in a cooperative elk management program. The conclusion of the survey was that West Texas landowners had a positive outlook toward having elk on their property and working together to manage the herds. Animal health is another concern, and fell in the lap of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and the Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force via the recent passage of House Bill 3330. Gene Snelson, general counsel for TAHC said the CWD Task Force needed to make the distinction between free-ranging elk and those behind fences. The trigger to warrant CWD testing is when elk are moved between properties. “Anytime we put an elk in a trailer for

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release elsewhere, we want to know that we’re moving a healthy animal,” said Snelson. While landowners suspect the on-again off-again relationship between TPWD and West Texas elk is political maneuvering, TPWD big game director Clayton Wolf stated the department’s official current position: “TPWD regulated elk until 1997 when HB 1489 took them off the big game list. The department’s official position is that it’s up to the legislature. It would take more manpower, surveys, and fiscal implications. There wouldn’t be enough revenue from permits and licenses to offset the costs. Then, you know, some people want us to regulate and others want us to stay the hell out of their business.” There is not enough data to determine whether Texas will again have a viable, huntable elk population, but if it occurs, odds are it will be through landowner and volunteer efforts.

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TF&G FIRST

Scientists Make LED Bulbs From Salmon DNA

ATERFOWL HABITAT CONSERVATION is moving closer to keeping pace with skyrocketing land values of the past several years as the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Migratory Bird Habitat Investment and Enhancement Act “This is an important step for conservation,” said Scott Sutherland, Director of Governmental Affairs for Ducks Unlimited. “The diminished buying power of the duck stamp is hamstringing the efforts of millions of conservationists that are investing in the pro-

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ART COURTESY OF USFWS

U.S. House Boosts Duck Stamps

gram to protect waterfowl habitat.” Since being set at its current price of $15 in 1991, the purchasing power of the stamp has severely hampered the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) ability to purchase land with funds raised by stamp. Under the new bill, the price of the stamp would be raised to $25 after July 2010. More than 1.5 million people purchase duck stamps each year, and over 95 percent of them are waterfowlers. Stamp collectors, as well as other bird and wildlife enthusiasts also purchase the stamps, either

for their own collections or for the free access to National Wildlife Refuges that the stamp allows. —Staff Report TG F i s h

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NIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT researchers have added fluorescent dye to salmon DNA and spun the DNA strands into nanofibers to create a brand new material that gives off a bright white light. An LED light is coated with the DNA nanofibers, and a salmon DNA light bulb is born. While other scientists have experimented with materials like silica nanoparticles and block copolymers to alter the color of LED light, salmon DNA has proven the most effective. Tuning the light quality from cool white to warm white is just a matter of tweaking the ratio of dyes. Salmon DNA bulbs could vastly improve LED brightness. UC scientists do not know if salmon DNA LEDs will be cheaper or more energy-efficient than current LED bulbs, which are more efficient than compact fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. With high-end LED bulbs selling for as much as $80, price will ultimately be the barrier that makes or breaks the success of LEDs in the marketplace. —Staff Report TG

On the Web http://www.technologyreview.com /energy/23042/

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Trout: Contaminated or Not? THE QUESTION REMAINS: ARE SPECKLED TROUT IN THE ENTIRE GALVESTON BAY SYSTEM CONTAMINATED WITH POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBS) AND DIOXINS? The Galveston Bay system consists of Galveston, Trinity, West, and East Bays, covering a large amount of water and miles. Saltwater fishing guides, such as Capt. Paul Marcaccio, agree that the fish in upper Trinity and Galveston Bay proper are contaminated. High levels of toxins have been verified by testing, but how in the world can the word be put out that trout as far as Chocolate, West, and even East Bays are also contaminated, especially since there has been no testing. Warning signs of the contamination of spotted seatrout and catfish are posted at popular boat launch sites. Beginning in 1990, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) issued an advisory warning against the consumption of catfish and blue crab taken from

Mercury Concerns? Eat More Crappie NEUROTOXIC MERCURY IS UBIQUITOUS IN ALL U.S. STREAMS, ACCORDING TO A SEVEN-YEAR U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) STUDY RELEASED IN AUGUST. Scientists detected mercury in all fishes sampled from 291 freshwater streams. More than a quarter of those fish contained concentrations of mercury exceeding levels set by the Environmental ProPHOTO BY GRADY ALLEN

the Houston ship channel. In 2001, the 1990 advisory was reevaluated, this time extending the health advisory to upstream of the Lynchberg Ferry and all contiguous waters, including the San Jacinto River to the U.S. Highway 90 bridge. In 2006 and 2007, additional studies were conducted to look at other areas of the bay system. Offatts Bayou was the western tection Agency (EPA) for average human consumption, and 2/3 exceeded the safety level for fish-eating animals. “This study shows just how widespread mercury pollution has become in our air, watersheds, and many of our fish in freshwater streams,” said U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement. Mercury enters the environment primarily as fallout from industrial processes, particularly coal-fired power plants. USGS hydrologist Barbara Scud-

limit on West Bay and Hannah’s Reef was the eastern limit on East Bay, leaving a lot of fish in these bays unchecked. In 2008, the latest advisory was issued warning against consumption of more than 8 ounces of speckled trout and catfish per month for the entire bay system. It is important to note that this action was taken based on TPWD migration studies of speckled trout. “We provided the information to TDSHS that we have collected over the years where we have tagged fish, released them, and as recreational fishermen catch them, they call us and give us the tag number,” said Lance Robinson, TPWD regional director of Coastal Fisheries in Dickinson. This same information was provided to Marcaccio. “We get information on the growth and how these species of fish move around,” Robinson said. “Based on our tagging studies in Galveston, we know that spotted seatrout do not generally move between

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GREEN TF&G FIRST

IFTEEN HUNTERS AND LANDOWNERS were honored on 27 June as part of the Statewide Texas Big Game Awards (TBGA) banquet, held in conjunction with WildLife 2009, Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) 24th Annual Convention. The event recognized the contributions that landowners and responsible hunters make to managing and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat on Texas private lands. “These hunters and ranches are well deserving of this honor. All entries recognized at the 2008-2009 Texas Big Game Awards were selected from over 1500 entries, and almost 1000 scored entries were submitted,” said TBGA Vice President of Hunting Heritage David Brimager. “Because of our 18-year partnership with TWA and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, the Texas Big Game Awards continues to be the leader in recognizing the important role ethical hunting and habitat management play in the lives of our young people.” Joseph Jones of Pattison and Joshua Cross of Alpine were also recognized as the recipients of the Carter’s County TBGA College Scholarship. Jones and Cross each received a $3000 college scholarship for the next school year.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA CREATIVE COMMONS

TBGA Recognizes Hunters, Land Stewards

—Staff Report TG

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Sabine’s Unique Oyster Reef Under Attack SABINE LAKE’S UNIQUE OYSTER REEF SYSTEM IS UNDER ATTACK. WITH NO RECORD OF COMMERCIAL HARVEST OF ANY SABINE OYSTERS SINCE 1966, THE STATE OF LOUISIANA (CO-OWNS THE LAKE WITH TEXAS) IS LOOKING TO BEGIN MASS HARVEST FROM THE LARGE, VIRGIN REEF ON THE SOUTH END. “That reef is not only very popular with fishermen, but is extremely important to the Sabine ecosystem and its biodiversity,” said Jerry Mambretti, Sabine Lake Ecosystem Leader with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD). Mambretti and fellow TPWD biologist Terry Stelly have documented the reef ’s importance as essential fish habitat (EFH) by pulling near-reef trawl samples and comparing them with biotypes throughout the area. Trawls pulled near the reef caught more species of fish (41) and shrimp (6) than trawls pulled in non-reef areas, with 29 varieties of fish and four shrimp species according to Mambretti. F i s h

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Additionally, near-reef trawls caught more total number of fishes (7234), shrimp (6843), squid (134), mollusk (98), and crab (71) than non-reef trawls, which netted 4696 fishes, 1196 shrimp, 11 squid, 45 mollusk, and 22 crab. “These differences identify Sabine Lake’s oyster reefs as a beneficial EFH, providing a distinct biotype that contributes ecologically to this ecosystem,” Mambretti said. “In short, these reefs in their current, natural state are very unique and have far more ecological value compared to their potential economic value.” Mambretti said this particular reef is the only one on the Gulf Coast with no record of harvest and could serve an important role as a study area: “You just don’t get to find oyster reefs this size that are in a natural state. This is a great opportunity for the scientific community and also to protect an important resource for the anglers that fish Sabine Lake.” —Chester Moore TG

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CONTAMINATED TROUT: Continued from page 41 major bay systems. In other words, trout from Galveston Bay do not move back and forth between Galveston and Matagorda Bay, Matagorda or San Antonio Bay, those kinds of major systems. They will move around throughout Galveston Bay and move out into the surf and back, but you typically don’t see them moving from different major bay systems.” There was no actual testing of trout for PCBs or dioxins in East, West, and Chocolate Bays. The advisories were issued based on the TPWD trout migration studies. Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia have conducted speckled trout migration studies, some more complex than others. Most studies show trout average movement is within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles). “The dogma of trout is that they are pretty localized,” said Sarah Walters,

marine fishery biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “They can move 50-60 miles, but I don’t know how common that is.” TPWD’s study is based on monitoring trout movement the along the whole coastline. “What we look at in our tagging studies is that ours is based on tags in thousands of fish coastwide. There were a bunch of tags up on Trinity Bay, the old HLP cooling plant up there. The fish returned from that tagging effort were found throughout Galveston Bay and in the near-shore Gulf. We are tagging fish in every bay system. You can look at every bay system on the coast and you see the same pattern.” Marcaccio’s point is was that you cannot say there are tainted trout as far away as Chocolate, West, and East Bays when without actual testing for the toxins. That is a

long way for trout to travel, definitely more than 31 miles. Marcaccio’s concern is that the warning signs are scaring anglers away from fishing. Further testing of fish will be performed if funding becomes available. For anglers concerned about contamination in their catches, cooking and cleaning fish a certain way reduces dioxin and PCB levels The skin, dark (reddish-color) muscle tissue, and fatty portions (belly fat, side fat, and fat along the top of the back) of the fish should be removed before cooking. DSHS recommends baking or broiling skinned, trimmed fish on a rack or grill to allow fat to drip away. If fish are fried, the frying oil should not be reused. These cooking methods will reduce exposure to many of the most common organic chemical contaminants in fish. —Tom Behrens TG

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GREEN

DU PLATES BOOST TX CONSERVATION FUNDING Ducks Unlimited recently launched a second specialty license plate that depicts a Blue Heron standing in a wetland. The new approach is designed to reach out to a broader spectrum of folks interested in wetlands conservation in Texas. The original DU Classic plate, available since 2001, is still available. The conservation plates are an excellent way for someone to show their support of wetlands conservation and to directly contribute to wetland conservation efforts in Texas. The DU specialty plate can be obtained on-line or via application at your local county courthouse. Funds from the proceeds of the specialty plates are used specifically for habitat conservation projects in Texas. These license plate funds can be leveraged with federal and state grant funds to provide increased funding for conservation efforts. The cost for the plate is only $30 (in addition to regular vehicle registration fees), with $22 from each plate earmarked specifically for Ducks Unlimited conservation efforts in Texas. —Staff Report TG

On the Web www.ducks.org/Page383.aspx www.conservationplate.org

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TEXAS ANGLERS AND BOATERS GET IT: INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES ARE A REAL AND GROWING THREAT TO THEIR ABILITY TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE TO DO, BUT THEY DON’T HAVE TO STAND BY AND WATCH IT HAPPEN—THEY CAN FIGHT BACK, AND THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF TWO SEPARATE EVENTS ON JULY 18. Working with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), volunteers from the American Anglers Club from Temple and Killeen, the Grand Saline Bass Club, and the Lindale Bass Club removed seven dump truck loads of water hyacinth from Lake Quitman. That same day, a number of interested citizens and members of the Beaumont Bass Club, the Houston Bass Bandits, and the Magnolia-Tomball Bass Club scoured the area around boat ramps on Sam Rayburn Reservoir looking for giant salvinia. “No giant salvinia was found, although some volunteers did bring in common salvinia,” said Howard Elder, aquatic vegetation biologist for TPWD. “It’s possible the plant is there hiding under buttonbush and along the banks where bass boats couldn’t get to it.” Members of local Boy Scout troops joined in the effort at Sam Rayburn, passing out information and collecting litter from around the Jackson Hill Park Marina boat ramp as part of a Keep Texas Beautiful project. “The fight against invasive aquatics like giant salvinia is important to everyone, not just boaters and anglers,” said Terry Sympson, who manages the Jackson Hill Park and Marina on Sam Rayburn. “We had three goals going into the project,” said Leslie McGaha, co-director for F i s h

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PHOTO COURTESY OF USDA

ART COURTESY OF DU

Texas Anglers Strike Back At Invasive Aquatics

conservation for the Southeast Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and coordinator of the Sam Rayburn event. “First was to remove any giant salvinia we found. Second was to increase public awareness, and third was to map locations of any giant salvinia found. In an odd twist, we actually found no giant salvinia—but that’s a good thing.” Sponsors of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir roundup included Jackson Hill Park and Marina, Sealy Outdoors, Pineywoods Sanitation, Boatlanes, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Keep Texas Beautiful, BASS ACT (BASS Angler Conservation Team) and Southeast Texas BASS Federation Nation. —Staff Report TG

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THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HAS ISSUED A $1,397,050 GRANT TO THE STATE OF TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE FOR A PROJECT TO SEAL ABANDONED OIL AND NATURAL GAS WELLS IN STATE WATERS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. The funding through the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) will plug abandoned wells in bays and offshore waters to eliminate potential pollution threats to natural resources on the Texas Gulf Coast. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar

said, “I welcome this opportunity to join in partnership with the State of Texas to carry out this important conservation and coastal protection project. The Department of the Interior is proud to assist Texas in restoring and protecting natural resources through the Coastal Impact Assistance Program.” CIAP was created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide $250 million in grants annually from 2007-2010 to six eligible Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas producing states—Texas, Alabama, Alaska, California, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

PHOTO COURTESY OF USDOE

Interior Grants $1.4 Million For Offshore Well Cleanup The allotted funding to Texas under the CIAP includes $48.6 million for each of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008 and $35.6 million for 2009 and 2010. Eighteen Coastal Political Subdivisions (counties) share in the funding of projects outlined in the state’s approved plan. —Staff Report TG

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Global Cooling Going Strong

Greenpeace Leader Admits Ice Lies GERD LEIPOLD, THE RETIRING LEADER OF GREENPEACE, RECENTLY ADMITTED IN A BRITISH BROADCASTING COMPANY (BBC) INTERVIEW THAT

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOAA

THE EXTREMIST ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION HAD LIED IN A 15 JULY PRESS RELEASE ABOUT MELTING ARCTIC ICE. Leipold characterized the untruths as “emotionalizing issues” to bring the public around to its way of thinking and alter public opinion. The Greenpeace press release, “Urgent Action Needed as Arctic Ice Melts,” claimed that all Arctic ice would disappear by 2030. Under questioning by BBC reporter Stephen Sackur on the Hardtalk program, Leipold said the claim was “a mistake.” “I don’t think it will be melting by 2030…That may have been a mistake,” he said. Sackur said the claim was inaccurate on two fronts, pointing out that the Arctic ice mass is nearly 1 million square miles and nearly 2 miles thick at its center, and that it has survived much warmer periods in history. Sakur accused Leipold and Greenpeace of releasing “misleading information” and using “exaggeration and alarmism.” Greenpeace is often accused of alarmism, but always insists its global-warming pronouncements are grounded in legitimate science. Leipold said later in the interview that there is an urgent need for the suppression of economic growth in the United States and around the world, claiming growth rates of 3-8 percent are unsustainable without serious climate consequences. “The lifestyle of the rich in the world is PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA

FFICIAL GOVERNMENT MEASUREMENTS SHOW that the world is cooling off since reaching an average temperature peak in 1998.

O not a sustainable model,” he said. “If you take the lifestyle, its cost on the environment, and you multiply it with the billions of people and an increasing world population, you come up with numbers which are truly scary.” Note to readers: This article contains an environmental “lie.” Can you spot it? —Don Zaidle TG

According to data from the National Space Science and Technology Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the 1998 global high temperature of 1.37 degrees Fahrenheit above the average for the previous 20 years dropped this year to 0.76 degrees above the 20-year average—clearly cooler than before. Climate experts say the 1998 record was partly caused by El Nino, a periodic warming of tropical Pacific Ocean waters that affects the climate worldwide. El Nino returned this summer after a fouryear absence and is expected to persist until next year. —Staff Report TG

On the Web

www.heartland.org/custom/semod _policybot/pdf/25805.pdf http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/progr ammes/hardtalk/8184392.stm T E X A S

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GREEN TF&G TRUE GREEN CONSERVATION PARTNERS

Zebra Mussels Spreading in Texas THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT (TPWD) HAS CONFIRMED ZEBRA MUSSELS (DREISSENA POLYMORPHA) HAVE SPREAD FROM LAKE TEXOMA INTO THE HEADWATERS OF LAKE LAVON NEAR DALLAS, AND EXPERTS FEAR THE INVASIVE SPECIES COULD SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE RED RIVER AND TRINITY RIVER WATERSHEDS. Zebra mussels multiply rapidly and can block water treatment plant intakes and pipes, as well as attach to boats, ropes, or anything else in the water. They can cause declines in fish populations, native mussels, and birds; restrict water flow in pipes; foul swimming beaches; damage boat engine cooling systems; and sink navigation buoys. The financial cost of controlling and removing zebra mussels can be significant. Five documented cases of zebra mussels found on boats trailered in from other states to Lake Texoma have occurred since 2006. All five boats were quarantined and cleaned of all mussels prior to launch. However, 3 April this year marked the first time an adult zebra mussel living in Texas waters. Since that time, additional live specimens have been reported in Lake Texoma and are now believed to be well established. On 3 August, live zebra mussels were found in West Prong Sister Grove Creek in Grayson County approximately 300 yards downstream of the Lake Texoma water

MURCURY CONCERNS

PHOTO COURTESY OF WEBSHOTS

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der said in a Reuters story that natural processes convert airborne mercury from its inorganic form into the more toxic organic form, methylmercury, which accounts for at least 95 percent of the mercury found in fishes. Mercury concentrates as it moves up the food chain, from algae, to

transfer pipe. This creek flows into Lake Lavon. “The only motile stage of this animal is the veliger (larvae), which in Lake Texoma had to be a product of reproduction,” said Bruce Hysmith, TPWD inland fisheries biologist for Lake Texoma. “The larvae are free-floating in the water column, and some were likely transported via the North Texas Municipal Water District water transfer system into West Prong Sister Grove Creek. While we have no proof, we feel certain zebra mussels are in Lake Lavon.” “Zebra mussels have the potential to be an even greater threat to Texas freshwater resources than invasive aquatic plants such as giant salvinia and toxic organisms such as golden alga,” said Phil Durocher, TPWD director of the Inland Fisheries Division. Once zebra mussels become established in a water body, they are impossible to eradicate with the technology currently available. Zebra mussels originated in the Balkans, Poland, and the former Soviet Union and were first introduced to North American in 1988 in Lake St. Clair, a small water body connecting Lakes Huron and Erie. In the coming weeks TPWD will be working with local, state and federal agencies, reservoir controlling authorities and water districts to develop a plan for dealing with this latest invasive threat to Texas waters. —Don Zaidle TG

insects, to small fishes, and to larger predators. The main source of mercury poisoning in humans is from eating fish and shellfish. Scudder suggested that people concerned about mercury in fish should eat smaller panfishes such as bluegill and crappie, which have lower mercury concentrations. —Don Zaidle TG

On the Web (Podcast) http://www.usgs.gov/corecast/

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Hey, Slick! How to Locate and Fish “Trout Slicks” MELL THAT?” AS PORT MANSFIELD guide Danny Neu uttered the words, I simultaneously caught a whiff of warm summer air as sweet as fresh cut watermelon. My eyes immediately focused away from the bow and directly upwind, where I noticed three glassy blotches of slick water reflecting the July morning sunrise. Only a few miles from port, and Neu had already hooked a wide left to flank the fresh signs of feeding fish. We initiated a drift upwind. When friends get together for a morning of fishing, it usually entails talk somewhere along the lines of whether a topwater or soft plastic would be better to start with. This morning was no different, and I chose to fish the same pink and white plug that Neu already had tied on from the day before. A light wind nudged his blue Shallow Sport nicely onto the skinny flat, allowing our bait-casters to plop Super Spook, Jr., topwaters toward the oily marks. We drifted very close to where Neu calculated that the slicks originated, and he received the first predatory response from a speckled trout. I followed suit with a bruiser redfish. Small baitfish became more noticeable on the surface. Confrontations ensued

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with many disgruntled redfish—or “carp” as Neu so often calls them—all because we spotted three oily slicks that smelled like watermelon. Oil slicks are common in saltwater habitats. They are usually the result of gluttonous feeding by predatory fish. Carnivorous specimens ranging from speckled trout to gafftop are all guilty of having appetites larger than their bodies can handle. Slicks bloom when relentless gorging causes them to clear their stomachs and regurgitate previously consumed baitfishes. This produces a small glassy patch of oil on the water. As the wind blows and time passes, the slicks move and expand in size.

by Kyle Tomek Experience is very important when determining how to home in on fish by the position and size of a slick. Over two decades of experience in Lower Laguna Madre has taught Danny Neu that three factors play crucial roles in fishing slicks—size, wind direction, and wind speed. There is no formula that Neu uses, just his best judgment to combine these factors to set up a wade or drift beyond a slick. Trial and error trains an angler’s eye and judgment. Neu pointed toward a huge downwind slick the size of a swimming pool: “My A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Targeting slicks can yield to big catches of specks and reds in the fall. clients would have been screaming to fish that big slick. I always have to tell them that small slicks are much fresher than big ones. That slick there has surely drifted a long way from the fish.” Simply put, the smallest slicks are the freshest. “In Lower Laguna, I normally see slicks while I’m drifting. Especially in summertime smaller trout can really get slicks popping,” Neu said. Being that smaller trout are overaggressive feeders, they are notorious producers of slicks when baitfishes ball up across the shallows. “Trout are in competition for food a lot of the time,” Neu said. “They just feed, regurgitate, and don’t know when to stop; it can seem to be an endless cycle. Generally, I find slicks in about waist-deep or deeper water. It doesn’t happen much in knee-deep water, and if it does, 90 percent of the time it is redfish. “Last week, slicks pointed to an area just south of Glady’s Hole. We caught continuously and slicks popped during most of our wade. When the fish quit biting, the slicks quit showing up.” According to the late Rudy Grigar: “A slick always means there are fish around. The trick is to pinpoint their location.” GriG a m e ® / O C T O B E R

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In This Issue

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT • Time, Tide, & Temp | BY CAPT. MAC GABLE

GEARING UP SECTION

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • The Curse of the Weretrout | BY CALIXTO GONZALES

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

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HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Hey, Slick! | BY KYLE TOMEK

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPER COAST • Timing is Everything | BY CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON COMPLEX • Skills to Catch Fall Redfish | BY CAPT. MIKE HOLMES

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA • October Tides Push Reds into Back Lakes | BY BINK GRIMES

BOWHUNTING TECH • The October Lull | BY LOU MARULLO

NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF SHOOT THIS • Aimpoint Micro H-1 | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

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SALTWATER BAITS & RIGS • Circle Jigs - Another Look | BY PATRICK LEMIRE

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE

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FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Learn Tung Fu, Grasshopper | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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TEXAS KAYAKING • Hunters vs. Anglers | BY GREG BERLOCHER

THE OUTDOORS • C60 DISCOVER Classifieds | TF&G S TASTED • Mesquite Grilled Dove C62 TEXAS Wraps | B S PHOTO ALBUM • Your Action Photos | C64 TF&G S

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Factory Ammo vs. Handloads | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

WILDERNESS TRAILS • The Best Laid Plans | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

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TEXAS TESTED • Rayovac; Energizer; Chart Master Pro; and more | BY TF&G STAFF

TEXAS BOATING • E-15 Ethanol Could Kill Your Outboard | BY LENNY RUDOW

he encountered; but a GPS point would work equally well. In certain cases, oil slicks do not indicate feeding fish at all. This could result in many anglers losing faith in fishing slicks altogether. Ignore a slick that drifted downwind of a crab trap buoy. Crabbers often bait traps

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INDUSTRY INSIDER • Forrest and Nina Wood in Hall of Fame | BY TF&G STAFF

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gar, a legendary guide of the Texas Coast said a large slick only indicates that it was created somewhere upwind. “To find the concentration of fish go upwind, make a wide circle, and look for a fresh slick. You will find the fish under small slicks.” Grigar relied on a buoy to mark the slicks

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION • Essential Hunting Gear | BY TF&G STAFF

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TROPHY FEVER • Hunting (at) 101: Eston Fontenot | BY BOB HOOD FISH THIS • The Net from ForEverlast | BY GREG BERLOCHER

TAFF

RYAN LAVEN

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with menhaden and other oily baitfishes that produce slicks. Some will even with carry the unmistakable watermelon scent. Some anglers allegedly pour drops of fish oil into the water to distract fellow anglers. When birds work in autumn on migrating baitfishes, rumors arise every year in middle and upper coast bay systems of anglers performing the unscrupulous deed to draw in birds and create the look of a fresh slick to keep fishermen occupied and away from where the fish are actually feeding. A of pair of quality polarized sunglasses, like the new Costa Del Mar Permit, cuts major glare on the water and adds major benefits to anglers in search of a slick. Baitfishes, water color lines, changes in depth, and especially slicks become much more apparent viewed through polarized lenses. The major factor that separates successful slick fishermen from also-rans is to key on small slicks and use best judgment to set up a drift a proper distance away. One thing is for sure: Once you catch your first whiff of a Texas coast trout slick, the smell of fresh-cut watermelon will always make your mouth water—but for a very different reason.

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Trinity Trout Take Assassins LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Fishers and Dow Reefs(west shoreline) GPS: N29 39.202’, W94 53.889’ / N29 39.914’, W94 50.552’

SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins in Copper, Black Cat in stained water, chartreuse, Limetreuse in clear; MirroLure 52MR28 CONTACT: Steve Hillman, 409-256-7937 TIPS: Look for slicks and birds. If it’s, calm drift; if it’s blowing, wade. With each passing front, white shrimp pop out of the bayous and are heading for the Gulf. Bigger fish tend to be on the shorelines. BANK ACCESS: Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, McCollum Park in Trinity Bay LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Madame Johnson Bayou area GPS: N29 50.839’, W29 50.839’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Glow Cocahoe Minnow with chartreuse tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Steve Davis, 409-4601220 TIPS: Look for birds looking for bait. BANK ACCESS: levees on Pleasure Island

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Madame Johnson Bayou area GPS: N29 50.839’, W29 50.839’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Glow Cocahoe Minnow with chartreuse tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Steve Davis, 409-4601220 TIPS: Look for birds looking for bait. BANK ACCESS: levees on Pleasure Island

LOCATION: Extreme north end of Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Pass out of the Sabine River GPS: N29 58.920, W93 47.135’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Glow Cocahoe Minnow CONTACT: Capt. Steve Davis, 409-4601220 TIPS: Fish working birds. Drift-fish through the pass looking for the dropoffs. Make sure your bait is bumping off the bottom. Sometimes you will pick a few larger fish. LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Anahuac Pocket GPS: N29 46.485’, W94 41.166’ SPECIES: speckled trout

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BEST BAITS: Brown lures in Red Shad on 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jigheads CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567 TIPS: Bounce the bait off the bottom. Key on working birds and slicks. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Skyline Drive GPS: N29 22.832’, W94 51.288’ SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish, flounder BEST BAITS: B&L Corky in red or chartreuse; black, Bone colored topwaters CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567 TIPS: Fish early and late using topwaters. BANK ACCESS: Skyline Drive, along the dike LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Skyline Drive GPS: N29 22.832’, W94 51.288’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: B&L Corky in red or chartreuse; black, Bone colored topwaters CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567 TIPS: Fish early and late using topwaters. BANK ACCESS: Skyline Drive, along the dike

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LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Skyline Drive GPS: N29 22.832’, W94 51.288’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: B&L Corky in red or chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567 TIPS: Work Corky near bottom. BANK ACCESS: Skyline Drive, along the dike LOCATION: Upper Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Hodges Reef GPS: N29 3530’ W94 4440’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: SkitterWalk, Bass Assassin in Plum/chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Robert Liebert, 281-7995728 TIPS: Cool fronts are going to push all the bait out of the marshes and the trout will be focused on the bait. This is a good time for

wade-fishing the shoreline. Focus on birds and slicks. LOCATION: East Bay HOTSPOT: South Shoreline GPS: N29 31.834’, W94 34.339’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: SkitterWalk, Bass Assassin in Plum/chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Robert Liebert, 281-7995728 TIPS: Fish the marsh outlets where the current is pulling the bait out into the bay. BANK ACCESS: Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (N29 33.573’, W94 32.266’) LOCATION: West Bay HOTSPOT: Confederate Reef GPS: N29 1582’, W94 5532’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin Plum/chartreuse

CONTACT: Capt. Robert Liebert, 281-7995728 TIPS: Quite a few flounder can be caught from this area in late October. BANK ACCESS: Access to wade-fishing from Sportsman Road LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South & North Levees GPS: N29 51.584’, W93 55.547’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: mud minnows CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811 TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Either jetty; no wade-fishing LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South & North Levees GPS: N29 51.584’, W93 55.547’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: mud minnows CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811 TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Either jetty; no wade-fishing LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Keith Lake Cut GPS: N29 46.150’, W93 57.002’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: mud minnows; Gulp! baits in white, chartreuse on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811 TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow or Gulp! slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 87 toward Sabine Pass LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Keith Lake Cut GPS: N29 46.150’, W93 57.002’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: mud minnows; Gulp! baits in white, chartreuse on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811 TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow or Gulp!

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slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 87 toward Sabine Pass

Oyster Trout LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Oyster Farm

GPS: N28 41.611’, W95 48 2403’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Sea Devil, Devil Eyes in Copper, Black Cat in stained water; SkitterWalks in Bone/chartreuse, Super Spooks in chrome/blue in clear; Corky Devil in Texas Chicken, amber, pink CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-2567937 TIPS: Wade or drift looking for slicks or feeding birds. LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Raymond Shoals Landing GPS: N28 39.790’ W95 54.482’

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cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: California Hole GPS: N27 55.561’, W97 04.848’ SPECIES: trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: California Hole GPS: N27 55.561’, W97 04.848’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom.

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LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Aransas Pass HOTSPOT: Intracoastal Waterway between Aransas Pass, Rockport GPS: N27 52.327’, W97 05.302’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477

TIPS: Rigging the popping cork leader (1218 inches) depends on the depth of the water. BANK ACCESS: several dirt roads off Hwy 35 provide access to the water LOCATION: Aransas Pass HOTSPOT: Intracoastal Waterway between Aransas Pass, Rockport GPS: N27 52.327’, W97 05.302’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Rigging the popping cork leader (1218 inches) depends on the depth of the water. BANK ACCESS: several dirt roads off Hwy 35 provide access to the water LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Lighthouse Lake Park GPS: W27 43.775’, N97 33.204’. SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: live mullet CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: After the first couple of cold fronts, the flats start emptying off and the flounder action should be starting. BANK ACCESS: kayak or wade-fishing the Intracoastal Waterway

LOCATION: Aransas Pass HOTSPOT: Estes Flats near ICW GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under Alameda Rattler; Bass Assassin in Root Beer, Pumpkin-chartreuse on 1/8- to 1/2-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: Normally, by this time the season’s first cold front has passed through. Anglers should be fishing drop-offs, guts, stained water, and anywhere the water feeds into the Intracoastal Waterway. LOCATION: Aransas Pass HOTSPOT: Estes Flats near ICW GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin in Root Beer, Pumpkin-chartreuse on 1/8- to 1/2-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: Normally, by this time the season’s first cold front has passed through. Anglers should be fishing drop-offs, guts, stained water, and anywhere the water feeds into the Intracoastal Waterway. LOCATION: Aransas Pass / Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Redfish Bay GPS: N27 .9078’ W97.11277’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live piggy and pin perch; live mullet or cut shad CONTACT: Capt. Marvin Engel, 361-6680104 TIPS: Free-line the bait, casting into the sand pockets. LOCATION: Aransas Pass / Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Redfish Bay GPS: N27 .9078’ W97.11277’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live piggy and pin perch; live mullet or cut shad CONTACT: Capt. Marvin Engel, 361-6680104 TIPS: Free-line the bait, casting into the sand pockets. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Rockport Beach GPS: N28 00.139’, W97 03.257’

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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Berkley Gulp! Shrimp in New Penney; Super Spook Jr. in Bone/silver CONTACT: Rockport Tackle Town, 361-7291841 TIPS: Rig Gulp! baits on a 1/8-ounce jighead and “walk the dog” with the Super Spook. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Rockport Beach GPS: N28 00.139’, W97 03.257’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Berkley Gulp! Shrimp in New Penney CONTACT: Rockport Tackle Town, 361-7291841 TIPS: Rig Gulp! baits on a 1/8-ounce jighead. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: North Jetty GPS: N27 50.615’ W97 03.443’ SPECIES: bull reds BEST BAITS: live piggy perch with a 1/2ounce slip sinker CONTACT: Capt. Marvin Engel, 361-6680104 TIPS: You need extremely calm conditions. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Hwy 361 between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas GPS: N27 52.542’ W97 05.751’

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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Marvin Engel, 361-6680104 TIPS: Use an Alameda Rattling Float for near-surface or a fish-finder rig for bottom work. BANK ACCESS: A five-mile strip along the highway is fishable from the bank on either side of the road.

CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: September is a good time to latch into a Silver King. You’ll see these flashy brutes rolling along the jetties and in the pass. When you see a tarpon surface, pitch a live finfish or a large shrimp in its general area. If the poons aren’t rolling, put the bait under a balloon and drift it in the current. Fortune favors the bold, so you might want to try tossing a Magnum

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Super Spook in red head/white body, or a Sebile Splasher. Be ready to duck, though. Sometimes those big tarpon will fling that plug back at your head. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats

GPS: N26 3.624, W97 11.532 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, topwaters, Sebile Magic Swimmers CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Fish during a high tide. As always, live shrimp under a popping cork is very effective. If there is a high tide early in the morning, topwaters in bone and blue/chrome will draw crashing strikes. Fish around sand potholes scattered throughout the flats for speckled trout. Redfish will be cruising between the potholes. A little-used technique that is very effective is to sharp shoot potholes with a 1/4ounce DOA Shrimp, YUM! Sweet Shrimp, or Tsunami Holoshrimp in clear/gold. If the redfish are short-striking your topwaters, switch to a suspending twitch bait such as the Magic Swimmer. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Long Bar GPS: N26 12.164, W97 15.957 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, ballyhoo; shad tails in red/white, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; topwaters CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: This area is within sight of the Queen Isabella Causeway. Despite the short ride from all the major marinas, it is always good for solid speckled trout fishing. Fishing bait off the edge is the easiest way to find those trout. Drift the length of the bar and throw either chunks of ballyhoo or large topwaters. When the weather is cool, the topwater bite will last all morning and into the afternoon. If you are a boater, keep a sharp lookout; some fishermen prefer to wade the area in the fall. Plenty of big trout get caught by wet-footed fishermen. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Old Causeway GPS: N26 4.197, W97 11.305 SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: live shrimp, mud minnows; soft plastics in chartreuse patterns CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: The area where the old Causeway

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joins to Long Island is an underrated but productive spot for some really nice flounder. Fish the drop-off where the easement falls into Laguna Madre for best results. Try a bucktail jig sweetened with either a live shrimp with the tailfin removed for extra scent (break the horn off and pass the hook from underneath the carapace and out the top so the shrimp rides straight) or a frisky mud minnow. Hop the combo along the bottom. When you feel a tap, lower your rod tip, reel in the slack, count to three, and set the hook hard. A Bomber Saltwater Grade Mud Minnow on a 1/4-ounce jighead is a great option. Rootbeer and red/white are classic choices, but don’t ignore Opening Night. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Duncan House GPS: N26 17.908, W97 18.103 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait; topwaters; soft plastics in red/white, New Penny; gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Drift near the spoil islands. Redfish prowl all along the flats. Use either live shrimp under a popping cork or gold spoons; both will cover the most water in the shortest amount of time. If you prefer using topwaters, bone and blue/chrome are popular, and Halloween (black/gold/orange) catches its fair share. Try a swimbait such as the Reaction Strike Fathead Minnow slathered with Carolina Lunker Sauce on a 3/0 hook as a novel, but effective alternative. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Rattlesnake Bay GPS: N26 19.075, W97 20.454 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, ballyhoo; gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Cast towards pods of tailing reds with gold spoons or a “skipped” ballyhoo (a weightless 4-inch head segment of ‘hoo worked just under the surface). If the water is off-colored and sight-fishing is difficult, then bottom fish with ballyhoo chunks and live shrimp under a popping cork. Night-fishing in the general area is a good alternative. Bottom

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fish with cut bait or, if you are fishing the full moon, with topwaters. You’d be amazed at how exciting a redfish blowing up on a lure in the dark really is. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.643, W97 15.102 SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Fall offers an incredible variety of fishing opportunities for Laguna Madre fishermen. If the trout and redfish aren’t cooperating, there are always schools of slot-sized (14to 30-inch) black drum to fish for. Watch for mud boils, which will tip you off to schools of foraging drum. A live shrimp under a cork is standard, but if you find one of those small crabs swimming around in your bait bucket, put him on the hook. A hungry black won’t turn those down. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.643, W97 15.102

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SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork, gold spoons, topwaters CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: It is awesome to see a bronze carpet of redfish foraging along the flats during October. There are hungry redfish putting on the feedbag prior to their fall run out Brazos Santiago and Mansfield Pass. These fish will aggressively attack both live bait and topwaters. The can be so aggressive that they’ll actually miss your bait. If that happens, slow the topwater down and give it a wider, gliding action that the redfish will key in on. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mansfield Jetties GPS: N26 34.025, W97 16.173 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, finger mullet; Long A’s in Sweet Grape, Firetiger; Sinking CW Crabs CONTACT: Captain Terry Neal, 956-9442556, www.terrynealcharters.com TIPS: Monster hunters should focus on the end of the jetties if they want to latch onto something big. Large redfish form big schools

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around the jetties during October. Large shrimp and live mullet on 1/2-ounce Carolina rigs can be fished around the outside of the jetties for best results. A Bomber Saltwater Grade Crab on a 1/4-ounce jighead can be skittered along the bottom. You may have to pick your days to avoid snotty conditions, but it’s well worth the effort. LOCATION: LLM @ Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: North of East Cut GPS: N26 34.669, W97 22.403 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Mauler/Bull Minnow combo, gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Terry Neal, 956-9442556, www.terrynealcharters.com TIPS: If you are more interested in slot-sized redfish for the table, the focus on the opposite end of the East Cut. Pods of redfish will be harassing bait in the shallow flats North of the Cut. A Norton’s Bull Minnow in red/white or glow/chartreuse is the rig of choice for this scenario. YUM! Samurai Shad in black/chartreuse are also effective. Sight-fishing with 1/4-ounce Gold spoons is also effective.

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ALL GPS COORDINATES VERIFIED BY

LOCATION: Laguna Madre @ Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Community Bar GPS: N26 34.669, W97 25.124 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Gulp! Jerk Shads in Limetreuse, Pearl; topwaters early; soft plastics in red/white, Firetiger CONTACT: Captain Terry Neal, 956-9442556, www.terrynealcharters.com TIPS: The Western shoreline from Community Bar to the Land Cut will be productive for speckled trout through the fall. Wade-fishing is the best option, because it allows fishermen to work the depth break near the shoreline. Topwaters worked in the shallows from gray light until dawn are effective. Switch over to jerk baits and soft plastics as the day progresses and fish between the cut and sand bar. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: East Kleberg Point GPS: N27 16.300, W97 30.426 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: East Kleberg fishing improves even more as fall meander’s along. An angler can make an entire day by simply fishing this area. Fish the shallows around rock edges and let the bait fall into deeper water. Use a Texas Rattlin’ Rig Chatterweight and a 3/0 Kahlestyle hook for best results.

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LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: East Kleberg Point GPS: N27 16.300, W97 30.426 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish, Sott plastics, topwaters CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: There are plenty of redfish in Baffin for anglers who want to add variety to the daily bag. They’ll strike the same baits as trout, but anglers can also trim their overhead by using soft plastics and topwaters. Popular color patterns in the plastics include Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, Plum/chartreuse, and black/chartreuse. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: ICW GPS: N27 27 16.674, W97 23.821 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, Gulp! lures CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout will be holding along the edges. When you locate a school, fish a Gulp! Shrimp or shad tail under an Old Bayside Paradise Popper. Use a 1/4-ounce jighead and no cork if the fish are deeper; switch to a 1/8-ounce jighead if using the X-treme cork. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Beacroft’s Hole GPS: N27 33.092, W97 19.293 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish, croaker; soft plastics in Tequila Gold; gold weedless spoons CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Hit Beacroft’s for a quick trip before your favorite college football team takes the field. Work live pinfish or live shrimp under a Paradise Popper around the grasslines early in the morning. Tailing reds are in the grasslines. You can sight cast with soft plastics on light (1/8-ounce) jighead or 1/4-ounce gold spoons. Swim your baits just above the grass.

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N27 325.402, W97 2.075 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish, croaker; Gulp! Baits/Paradise Popper CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout will be lurking around the potholes along the grass beds. If you are fishing a weedline, then use a live pinfish or shrimp on a Chatterweight. If you’re drifting potholes, then rig a 3-inch Gulp! or Bayside Shrimp under an Old Bayside Paradise Popper. Again, slow is the catchword, so temper your drift with a drift anchor if you have one. As the sun gets higher in the sky, a stealthier approach will prevent from spooking fish.

Toledo Whites LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Main lake river channel sandbars GPS: N31 48.960, W93 52.410 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: slab spoons, tail spinners, shallow-diving crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, shad colored topwater plugs, Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Greg Crafts, 936-368-7151, www.toledobendguide.com TIPS: The days are getting shorter and water temperatures are falling. This occurrence sets off an “alarm” for fish to begin feeding heavy and bulking up for the winter.

White bass will be holding on the main lake river channel sandbars. Use electronics to locate baitfish. If the white bass are slow, opt for crappie, which are now moving onto ledges and drops along the river channel around both natural and manmade cover. They can be easily caught with live minnows and crappie jigs. Concentrate on the bends and points along the river channel. BANK ACCESS: public parks and marinas, crappie on live minnows, catfish on cut bait and liver

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Hump Stripers LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump Point GPS: N31 54.672’, W97 20.873’ SPECIES: striper BEST BAITS: cut and live shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, 817-822-5539

work toward the back. Work spinnerbaits and crankbaits along the salt cedar edges, keeping them bumping around the cover. When you come to a good mesquite or hardwood, try flipping your favorite creature bait. Email: Calixto: cgonzales@fishgame.com Kyle: ktomek@fishgame.com Tripp: tholmgrain@fishgame.com Tom: tbehrens@fishgame.com

TIPS: Use large gizzard shad and anchor boat just off of hump, cut shad in 1/2 and/or use live shad also and make longs casts up on and just off point. Leave reel open and use clicker. Stripers will pick up shad and make a long hard run, reel down and stick them and hang on.

Chrome Bass LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Hurst Creek GPS: N30 23.180, W97 57.260 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: chrome colored topwater lures; white and chartreuse buzzbaits; white and chartreuse spinnerbaits; Crawdad colored

crankbaits; brown or black jigs; Green Pumpkin, black, Red Shad colored worms CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Look for bass around points and channel swing banks in 5 to 15 feet of water. The outside corners of docks will hold fish with windy areas being very productive for active and larger bass. Shad are the main forage this time of year so look for them to locate bass. Active lures such as topwaters, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are starting to produce throughout the entire day. If the bite is tough due to weather conditions, work plastic worms and jigs, or find and fish a good brush pile in the area. BANK ACCESS: Pace Bend Park, bass on topwaters and plastic worms, catfish on stinkbait and cut bait

Neon Ivie Bass LOCATION: Lake O.H. Ivie HOTSPOT: Cove with Brush A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Timing Is Everything IMING IS EVERYTHING IN OCTOBER ON Sabine. You definitely want to be here between fronts or just prior to the next one. Light Northeast winds and high pressure (bluebird conditions) is what you want. There is no shortage of shrimp pouring out of the marsh as a result of these cold fronts. Therefore, there is no shortage of seagulls hovering over giant schools of

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specks and reds. When the conditions are right, you can run the entire lake comfortably in search of the birds. They shouldn’t be too hard to locate. October is prime time for fishing the birds on Sabine. A lot of times our biggest dilemma is deciding on which flock of gulls we want to fish. When approaching the birds, shut down well ahead of them and troll until within casting range. Keeping the wind to your back will definitely help in making the long casts needed to get your lure to the fish. (It doesn’t hurt in the backlash department, either.) Sometimes the fish don’t stay up very long, so you need to maximize your time by fishing instead of untangling knots. As far as baits are concerned, I’ve yet to discover anything that doesn’t work when

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: South Revetment (Pleasure Island) SPECIES: trout, reds, flounder BAITS: shad, fresh shrimp, chartreuse soft plastics BEST TIME: mornings and evenings on a moving tide the fish are in a shrimp eating frenzy. Soft plastics, topwaters, Rat-L-Traps, spoons, jerkbaits, and slow sinkers all get the job done. My personal favorites are soft plastics with a 1/4-ounce jighead. This is mainly so I don’t have to deal with treble hooks every time we hook up. There are times, however,

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when the better fish want topwaters and that’s enough persuasion for me to get off of the single hook. Another thing to remember is that just because the birds leave doesn’t mean the fish do. It’s not a bad idea to drop a buoy when you hit a school and make a few more drifts once the fish go down. A good number of reds and better trout are taken by doing this. Just fish a little slower and deeper and you should have more success. The fall flounder run is in high gear and Black’s, Johnson’s, and Madame Johnson’s Bayous should produce some nice saddle blankets. Bridge and Willow Bayous are also very productive flounder hotspots. However, both are closed to fishing from 15 October through 15 March because they

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are part of the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. If you plan on fishing in any bayou on the Louisiana side of the lake, you will need a Louisiana fishing license. If you want to do something a little different for October, give the short rigs a try. Just anchor and cast near the legs of the rig. Use a fish-finder rig with fresh dead shrimp or cut mullet and you should be able to load the ice chest with nice Gulf trout, slot reds, and black drum. Time it right, and you should have a successful trip.

October is prime time for fishing the birds on Sabine.

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Contact: Eddie Hernandez, ehernandez@fishgame.com

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Skills to Catch Fall Redfish RECENT ISSUE OF A NATIONAL OUTDOORS magazine featured a listing of special outdoor skills developed or needed in each state. Billed on the cover as “Fishing, hunting & camping tips from every state”, some were probably of interest, as tracking a deer for miles in Vermont, rafting nasty whitewater in West Virginia, and barking a squirrel like Daniel Boone from Kentucky (I did read that one, and I guess ol’ Dan’l did it differently than East Texas hunters, or the writer didn’t do much research). Without naming the publication, it was one of the fabled “Big Three” when I was a kid, but I somehow always considered it the smallest of the three. Among all the skills from all the states, a few good ones, most rather silly, the “outdoor skill” they deemed most important from Texas was how to use a folded dollar

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Gulf beaches, from High Island to San Luis Pass ALTERNATE SPOT: Galveston, Freeport jetties SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: For bull reds, live or cut mullet, shad, or skipjack. For light tackle reds, gold spoons, surface plugs, live or dead natural baits. BEST TIMES: Early and late. Nights with a moving tide pay off for beach casters. C18

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bill to open a beer bottle in camp. I kid you not one bit. Besides the fact that this could be taken as a slight to our state, it completely overlooks the many, many more important skills used in the various outdoor pursuits available to Texans. October, for instance, is redfish time in the bays and on the Gulf beachfront. While every year a total rookie (and all of us began that way) stumbles onto a nice batch of keeper reds using his bass tackle and a freshwater lure that he didn’t know was a “use once and throw away” type until immersing it in saltwater, or hooks a good bull red from a pier or jetty on one of those blue plastic cable leaders decorated with all the pretty red beads and baited with squid, success in redfishing comes easier for those who master certain skills. Since I have caught more reds of the bull variety (at least in pounds, if not in individual fish), I am more familiar with the skills that help the long-rod fisherman. Starting, of course, with tackle, many surf-casters “build” their own rods. This can be a very involved hobby, resulting in beautiful custom sticks of fiberglass or a graphite composite, but could also be as simple as attaching a reel to a Calcutta cane pole with hose clamps (stainless preferred) and taping guides to the rod. Grips can be wrapped on using nylon trotline cord; line guides can be wrapped with lighter cord in more advanced versions. These cane poles will cast long and catch big fish; they just don’t have as long a usable life as a good glass unit. Learning to properly toss a cast net will keep a coastal fisherman in bait his entire life, and it is especially good for the mullet, shad (menhaden), skipjack, and croaker that redfish of all sizes love to feed on. Leaders of single strand stainless wire with a “spider weight” surf sinker on one end, a single drop from a three-way swivel with a good circle hook attached, and perhaps a slider hook for that nice extra touch perform better than those red and blue concoctions. F i s h

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Reading the water to find a sweet spot in the surf or in a back bay area is a skill needed by those after redfish, as is learning to adjust the commonly published tide tables so they actually apply to the area being fished. The light tackle angler must know when to use a slow fluttering gold spoon and when to switch to a noisy topwater plug. Although I will not pretend the enjoyment of a cold brew is not important at the end of the day (after the boat is on the trailer or the waders hanging to dry is best, especially considering the number of boating deaths already reported this season), to many a Texas angler, learning to open the bottle with a dollar bill is not a skill I would place high on the list. After all, this is Texas; we’d use a $100, even in a depressed economy. Besides, beer in Texas comes with twist off bottle caps mostly, just like in the rest of the country.

Capt. Mike Holmes runs tarpon, shark, and bluewater trips on a classic 31 Bertram. To book a trip, call 979-415-0535. Email him at mholmes@fishgame.com.

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

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October Tides Push Reds into Back Lakes HEN ROCKPORT GUIDE CHARLIE Newton backed his boat down the ramp at Cove Harbor, he didn’t have to tell me he had been doing this for 25 years. His tanned, leather skin conveyed that message, but had I missed that telltale sign, his boat trailer would have spoken up. If Newton decided to stay pinned to the dock every time the wind blew in Rockport, there wouldn’t be rust on his trailer and a creaking sound coming from its wheel bearings. Newton’s 24- foot Carolina Skiff is built for skinny-water redfishing. As we eased through the mouth of a bayou, an oyster reef carved more scars on the flatbottom. Newton saw mullet flipping, so he eased the anchored overboard and begin preparing Carolinarigged Kahle hooks with chunks of fresh mullet. Newton has arguably put more people on redfish than anyone along the Coastal Bend. As the name implies, Redfish Charters is all about catching the bronze-backed fish with the spot on its tale. October is a prime month along the middle coast to catch redfish, especially with swelling equinox tides. “My boat allows me to get in the backwaters where a lot of other boats cannot go,” said Newton. “When tides are high during the fall, these fish push into the back reaches and bayous and I can still get to them.” Newton likes to catch his own bait and match the stomach contents of caught redfish. “Sometimes, reds want mullet; sometimes crab, sometimes piggies, sometimes shrimp. You have to give them what they want to catch fish consistently,” he said. Oyster shell in Christmas Bay and Chocolate Bayou near Freeport also hold redfish in

October. Again, cracked crab and shrimp are the ticket. In Matagorda, fish the back lakes of Lake Austin, Crab Lake, and Oyster Lake to find reds. The higher tides also push trout into the lakes and the out-flowing of shrimp from the marsh congregates the fish, usually under diving gulls. “If you want to get away from the crowds chasing birds in East Matagorda Bay, work the back lakes,” said guide Mark Talasek. “The back lakes are a good weekend spot and many times you will catch trout, redfish, and flounder with soft plastics or shrimp on the bottom.” San Antonio Bay anglers should work the tips of hundreds of oyster reefs littered throughout the bay.

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THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Beachfront from Surfside to Matagorda SPECIES: bull redfish BAITS: cracked blue crab, mullet TIPS: Bull redfish run the guts of the beach to spawn. The rougher the waves the better, as strong tides disperse eggs better. “You can go from reef to reef until you find fish,” said Bay Flats Lodge owner Chris Martin. “Most of the time, the fish are hanging in the mud just off the edge of the shell, but when tides are high, they can be right on top of the reef.” Martin likes bouncing Norton Sand Eels and Bull Minnows slowly through the mud and shell, but never discount a topwater. “There are good fish out there ready to eat a SkitterWalk, and usually you have the bay to yourself.” Contact: Bink Grimes, www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com

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Time, Tide, & Temp LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR; IT’S THE MONTH OF true changes on our beloved bays. As the first cold front of the year pushes down on us, it’s a pleasant reprieve from the relentless heat of the summer. How can one not be energized by these seasonal changes? It’s also a slam-dunk time to get hooked up with some of the best hook-set action of the year. I have found that the second or third cold front is usually the trigger that sets this great bite action into motion. The first cold front is usually too weak to exact much change in water temperature, but the stronger second or third fronts have historically dropped water temps by 10-15 degrees, and this sets a whole list of primordial genetically evolved instincts into motion. The changes set trout, reds, flounder, and just about anything else in the bay into a survival feeding frenzy. Timing and placement are critical, granted, but the rewards are sore wrists and tired shoulders from reeling mega amounts of fish in.

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There is still plenty of bait at the stands, and for those prank baiters, the action picks up threefold. Anything that lives in the bay that is 4 inches or less long is swimming in hyper drive for its life. I have caught big reds with 12-inch trout in their stomachs, and seen trout next to my Haynie with piggies so big that the tails were still sticking out of each corner of the yellow mouths. The timing of this magic season is four hours before a front, and

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Experience has taught me that 12-24 hours after a major front, the bite shuts down big time.

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fishing the second or third day after the front passes. This is not a difficult science; cooler temperatures and a

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THE BANK BITE GOOD SHEEPSHEAD ACTION AT THE LBJ CAUSEWAY. THE KEY IS USING THE LIGHTEST LINE YOU CAN GET BY WITH AND A SMALL KAHLE HOOK. FREE-LINE IS PREFERRED, USING BITS OF FRESH SQUID OR CHUNKS OF SHRIMP THAT HAS NOT BEEN PEELED. WHEN FISHING THIS AREA, BITES FROM SHEEPIES ARE NOT ALWAYS FELT, SO WATCH YOUR LINE FOR MOVEMENT, USE A THREE COUNT, THEN SET THE HOOK. changing barometer stimulate the genetic survival tendencies of most predator bay fishes. Many have argued why this happens before a front and I am convinced it’s two main phenomena: pressure changes, and the stillness factor that occurs right before a front. Experience has taught me that 12-24 hours after a major front, the bite shuts down big time. The reasoning is the drastic changes that happen in the shallow bay environment. A 15-degree drop triggers the fishes’ metabolisms to slow way down to conserve energy. Catching and digesting a meal takes energy. Short of plopping the bait or lure in front of a fish means a slow bite. I have also found that during these changes, time of day matters little. Three factors I would advise you commit to memory: bait action, tidal flow channels, and deep/deeper water. A drop in water temperature causes fish to move close to the protection that deeper water affords. As these fronts hit, the fish dive off into these deep-water havens for thermocline protection. They don’t like a drastic drop in temperature any more that most species on our planet. If you don’t know what a tidal flow channel is, have you ever thrown a cork, lure, or suspended bait into an area and grabbed a cold drink, only to find your

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offering 180 degrees from where you cast it? If so, you are in a tidal flow channel. These areas move bait, and predator fishes capitalize on this movement. Bait action this time of year can be short lived, but when it occurs, the water churns into froth for a few seconds to a few minutes. The reason bait is exploding on top is something is trying to eat them. I have had bait literally jump into my boat trying to escape schools of trout and reds as I drifted across the bait action. Bait action, tidal flow channels, close to deeper water—find all three and you have the makings for a bent pole, drag-screaming day you will never forget. ST. CHARLES BAY: It’s a little early for the black drum bite that every guide, his dog, and three not-so-close friends know about as winter moves into our bay system. Try free-lining shrimp as you drift across Cow Chip for trout and a few reds. The mouth of McHugh Bayou is a good place for reds using cut menhaden or mud minnows on a Carolina rig. COPANO BAY: Several days after a cold front, fish the grass lines off of Newcomb Point using Electric Grape shrimp tails for trout. The cooler the water temp, the slower the retrieve. On the colder days, finger mullet free-lined in Smith Channel will produce keeper reds. The key is to get the bait down in the deeper water; use a slip sinker if needed. ARANSAS BAY: Morning Glory sand eels on Grass Island Reef will produce some good trout action. When you feel a bump or a tap, set the hook; don’t wait or the trout will spit the lure out. On the eve of a norther, the north edges of Scotch Tom Reef will be a good place for trout and reds using live bait, I prefer piggies and small finger mullet in this area. CARLOS BAY: Pelican Reef is a good place for some hot red action using Berkley Gulp! Shrimp under a cork. A few trout frequent this reef as well, so switch your color offering periodically until you find the bite color. MESQUITE BAY: Drift across Brays Cove using free-lined shrimp for flounder and trout. Let the shrimp frequent the bottom

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for founder, and don’t overreact. The outer reefs of Brays Cove will hold some reds susceptible to cut mullet or sardines on a fish-finder rig. Wading the south shoreline will produce some nice trout using topwaters in Bone, white/red, and natural (sliver/black). AYRES BAY: The south side of Ayres Reef with a north wind will find some good trout action and a few flounder using a popping cork and shrimp. A few reds will

be in the area, so try a Berkley Gulp! Crab under the cork as well.

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

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The Curse of the Weretrout F ALL THE FULL MOONS THROUGHOUT THE year, my favorite occurs in October. It always seems that nature goes absolutely nuts during the Harvest Moon (the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox). Shrimp are everywhere, mullet

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start schooling in earnest, and blue crab are in the midst of their annual spawn. Tides pull fresh saltwater in and out of the system and pushes all sorts of prey in and out of bays and washes up and down Lower Laguna Madre. Fishermen who want to take a shot at getting in some night fishing should focus on the cool, still nights of October. They key to night fishing Lower Laguna Madre is finding areas that create ambush areas for speckled trout and redfish. Of course, if you are able to fish the lighted private piers of condos or on one of the two public piers (Pirate’s Fishing Pier in Port Isabel and Fish Bonze Pier on South Padre Island), that eliminates a lot of the guesswork on finding fish. Trout will

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If you are hunting for a true Halloween monster, then turn your attentions and your bow northward.

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be around the lights pretty much from the time the lights come on at dusk until the dawn. The problem usually is that unless you do have access to the aforementioned private docks, you will be sharing the trout with a few hundred of your closest friends, and not all of them are polite. Moreover, you will have to work through a bunch of dinks and the ubiquitous sand trout to box a keeper or two. An underrated but productive nightfishing area is the current Queen Isabella Causeway. The lights from the bridge wash over the water around the pilings, and trout, redfish, and other predators hold downcurrent of the pilings to snap up any baitfishes attracted to the lights. Fish live bait on free-line rigs or under a brightly colored popping cork. Feed line as your bait drifts by the pilings and back into the

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Convention Center Shoreline GPS: N26 06.150, W97 10.350 SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish TIPS: Wade-fish with live bait, gold spoons, or soft plastics. C22

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current breaks and eddies. Usually, the fish will dart out from their ambuscades to take the bait. Do not ignore artificials at night. Between the full moon and the streetlights, visibility is quite good. A soft bait such as a Fish Belly 3.5-inch Gator Minnow (www.fishbelly.com) in a Pearl or chartreuse finish is very effective. Use the lightest possible jighead you can find, let the bait drift crosscurrent with occasional twitches, and work it back to you. If the fish are short-striking, fish the same soft bait, complete the illusion with an aftermarket additive such as Carolina Lunker Sauce in mullet or shrimp flavor. If you are comfortable with running a boat at night, you can find some excellent night-fishing spots that offer a variety of fishing styles. If you prefer fishing deeper water with your own fish-attracting lights, try the pilings of the old Queen Isabella Causeway (N26 4.330, W97 11.310). This is another speckled trout hotspot, with the fish holding around the pilings much as they do around the newer causeway. The biggest difference is that the currents have scoured deeper holes around certain pilings, which are apt to hold more fish, and pieces of the causeway’s structure have fallen into the bay over the years and created some hidden structure. Trout gravitate to this structure, and you will locate them around spots you think are in relatively open water. If you are hunting for a true Halloween monster, then turn your attentions and your bow northward. Night-fishing on the flats around Three Islands (N26 17.243, W97 17.548) is a timeless tradition that has produced countless big trout, as well as some really great boxes of redfish. The most common technique is to simply anchor on the backside of the islands (east of the ICW) and bottom-fish with cut mullet, shiners (menhaden or shad), or ballyhoo. The latter of the three is best for trout, with shiner running a close second. A dropper rig is most effective because it suspends your bait above the turtle grass, whereas a fish-finder rig will leave your bait hidden and prime fodder for hardheads and other bait thieves. Anglers who prefer a more active style of fishing should try casting topwaters under a full moon. The darkness adds a completely different element to the experi-

Page C23

ence. Quietly set up along the spoil islands near the ICW, and fish parallel to the shoreline with a large, noisy topwater in black or some other dark color. Your eyes are not as useful as in the day, so you have to rely on your ears to listen for the clackclack-clack of a topwater’s internal rattle to know where it is. If you listen carefully, you won’t hear the scream of your bait dying, but you will hear the bloosh! when some unseen monster of the night explodes on it. Then you will feel the hard yank

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

F i s h

when that monster tries to steal your rod from your hands. Contact: Calixto Gonzales by email at cgonzales@fishgame.com

www.twitter.com/FishandGame

G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

2 0 0 9

•

C23

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Tides and Prime Times

OCTOBER 2009 USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10

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

T13 T7

T6 T5 T17

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

T15 T16

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

T14 T18

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

T19

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

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

T20

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

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

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

T21

4:55p

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

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

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

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

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

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

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

T22 T23

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

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

12p

AM/PM Timeline

12a

Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Green: Falling Tide

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

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

AM/PM Timeline

C24

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

12a

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

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

• O C T O B E R

2 0 0 9 /

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

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Yellow: Daylight

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

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

T E X A S

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

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

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

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

OC T 1

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 4:00p

Set: 7:08p Set: 2:01a

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 4:33p

Set: 7:07p Set: 2:56a

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 5:03p

Set: 7:06p Set: 3:51a

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 5:33p

Set: 7:05p Set: 4:46a

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 6:02p

Set: 7:04p Set: 5:40a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 6:31p

Set: 7:02p Set: 6:36a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 7:04p

Set: 7:01p Set: 7:33a

AM Minor: 1:33a

PM Minor: 7:44p

AM Minor: 2:14a

PM Minor: 8:25p

AM Minor: 2:52a

PM Minor: 9:03p

AM Minor: 3:29a

PM Minor: 9:40p

AM Minor: 4:07a

PM Minor: 10:17p

AM Minor: 4:46a

PM Minor: 10:57p

AM Minor: 5:29a

PM Minor: 11:41p

AM Major: 7:44a

PM Major: 8:07p

AM Major: 8:25a

PM Major: 8:47p

AM Major: 9:03a

PM Major: 9:24p

AM Major: 9:40a

PM Major: 10:01p

AM Major: 10:17a

PM Major: 10:38p

AM Major: 10:57a

PM Major: 11:19p

AM Major: 11:41a

PM Major: ——-

Moon Overhead: 9:26p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:52p

Moon Overhead: 10:09p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:33p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:15a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

12a

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

Moon Overhead: 12:59a 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 9:03a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

3:00 — 5:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 11:12a BEST:

4:00 — 6:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 11:54a BEST:

9:30A — 12:20P

Moon Underfoot: 12:37p BEST:

10:00A — 12:30P

Moon Underfoot: 1:22p +2.0

BEST:

10:30A — 1:00P

12:00 — 1:30 A TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 10:31a

TIDE LEVELS

2:30 — 4:30 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:48a

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

3:40 AM 10:15 AM 10:36 AM 7:35 PM

1.68 ft 1.48 ft 1.48 ft 0.47 ft

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

3:35 AM 9:21 AM 12:40 PM 8:15 PM

1.63 ft 1.41 ft 1.49 ft 0.55 ft

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

3:35 AM 9:11 AM 1:53 PM 8:49 PM

1.59 ft 1.28 ft 1.53 ft 0.65 ft

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

3:41 AM 9:18 AM 2:55 PM 9:21 PM

1.57 ft 1.12 ft 1.57 ft 0.77 ft

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

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

F i s h

3:49 AM 9:35 AM 3:52 PM 9:52 PM

1.56 ft 0.94 ft 1.63 ft 0.91 ft

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

3:58 AM 10:00 AM 4:48 PM 10:24 PM

1.56 ft 0.75 ft 1.68 ft 1.07 ft

G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

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

4:06 AM 10:30 AM 5:46 PM 10:59 PM

2 0 0 9

1.56 ft 0.57 ft 1.74 ft 1.23 ft

•

C25

+1.0

-1.0

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Page C26

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: 7:40p

Set: 7:00p Set: 8:34a

Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: 8:21p

Set: 6:59p Set: 9:37a

Sunrise: 7:14a Moonrise: 9:09p

AM Minor: 6:17a

PM Minor: 12:05p

AM Minor: 7:11a

PM Minor: 12:58p

AM Major: 12:05a

PM Major: 12:29p

AM Major: 12:58a

PM Major: 1:24p

Moon Overhead: 1:45a

12a

12p

12a

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Set: 6:58p Sunrise: 7:14a Set: 6:55p Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 6:57p Sunrise: 7:15a Set: 10:41a Moonrise: 10:05p Set: 11:45a Moonrise: 11:06p Set: 12:46p Moonrise: None

Set: 6:54p Set: 1:42p

AM Minor: 8:10a

PM Minor: 1:56p

AM Minor: 9:13a

PM Minor: 2:58p

AM Minor: 10:18a

PM Minor: 4:03p

AM Minor: 11:22a

PM Minor: 5:07p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 6:08p

AM Major: 1:56a

PM Major: 2:24p

AM Major: 2:58a

PM Major: 3:28p

AM Major: 4:03a

PM Major: 4:33p

AM Major: 5:07a

PM Major: 5:37p

AM Major: 6:08a

PM Major: 6:37p

Moon Overhead: 3:29a

Moon Overhead: 2:35a 12a

THURSDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:26a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:26a

Moon Overhead: 5:25a 12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 6:53p Moonrise: 12:12a Set: 2:32p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:25a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 2:09p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 4:55p

BEST:

2:00 — 4:20 P

BEST:

3:10 — 5:20 P

Moon Underfoot: 6:56p BEST:

4:20 — 6:10 P

Moon Underfoot: 7:54p +2.0

BEST:

11:30A — 1:00P

12:00 — 1:30 P

TIDE LEVELS

12:40 — 3:00 A

Moon Underfoot: 5:56p

TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 3:57p

BEST:

12:00 — 2:30 A

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 3:01p

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

C26

4:10 AM 11:04 AM 6:47 PM 11:35 PM

1.58 ft 0.40 ft 1.79 ft 1.41 ft

High Tide: 4:06 AM 1.62 ft Low Tide: 11:43 AM 0.25 ft High Tide: 7:56 PM 1.82 ft

• O C T O B E R

2 0 0 9 /

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

T E X A S

12:12 AM 3:56 AM 12:28 PM 9:17 PM

1.58 ft 1.69 ft 0.14 ft 1.84 ft

F i s h

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

12:46 AM 3:46 AM 1:21 PM 10:57 PM

1.73 ft 1.79 ft 0.07 ft 1.88 ft

Low Tide: 1:20 AM High Tide: 3:39 AM Low Tide: 2:22 PM

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

1.85 ft 1.87 ft 0.05 ft

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

12:55 AM 2:41 AM 2:49 AM 3:31 PM

1.91 ft 1.91 ft 1.91 ft 0.08 ft

High Tide: 1:44 AM Low Tide: 4:46 PM

1.92 ft 0.14 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Page C27

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Page C28

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

118

Sunrise: 7:17a Moonrise: 1:20a

Set: 6:52p Set: 3:16p

Sunrise: 7:17a Moonrise: 2:28a

Set: 6:51p Set: 3:55p

Sunrise: 7:18a Moonrise: 3:34a

Set: 6:50p Set: 4:31p

Sunrise: 7:19a Moonrise: 4:38a

Set: 6:49p Set: 5:04p

Sunrise: 7:19a Moonrise: 5:41a

Set: 6:48p Set: 5:38p

Sunrise: 7:20a Moonrise: 6:44a

Set: 6:47p Set: 6:13p

Sunrise: 7:21a Moonrise: 7:47a

Set: 6:46p Set: 6:50p

AM Minor: 12:50a

PM Minor: 7:04p

AM Minor: 1:41a

PM Minor: 7:54p

AM Minor: 2:27a

PM Minor: 8:40p

AM Minor: 3:10a

PM Minor: 9:22p

AM Minor: 3:53a

PM Minor: 10:05p

AM Minor: 4:38a

PM Minor: 10:50p

AM Minor: 5:26a

PM Minor: 11:39p

AM Major: 7:04a

PM Major: 7:31p

AM Major: 7:54a

PM Major: 8:20p

AM Major: 8:40a

PM Major: 9:04p

AM Major: 9:22a

PM Major: 9:47p

AM Major: 10:05a

PM Major: 10:29p

AM Major: 10:50a

PM Major: 11:15p

AM Major: 11:39a

PM Major: 12:04p

Moon Overhead: 8:22a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:06a

Moon Overhead: 9:16a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:55a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:31p

Moon Overhead: 11:43a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:21p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 8:49p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

7:40 — 10:00

Moon Underfoot: 11:19p BEST:

8:20 — 11:00 A

Moon Underfoot: None BEST:

9:10 — 11:30 A

Moon Underfoot: 12:07a

Moon Underfoot: 12:56a

BEST:

9:50A — 12:10P

+2.0

BEST:

10:40A — 1:00P

11:45A — 1:30P TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 10:31p

TIDE LEVELS

1:00 — 2:45 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:41p

High Tide: 2:04 AM Low Tide: 6:00 PM

C28

1.86 ft 0.24 ft

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

• O C T O B E R

2:19 AM 8:24 AM 11:32 AM 7:08 PM

1.78 ft 1.45 ft 1.52 ft 0.40 ft

2 0 0 9 /

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

T E X A S

2:34 AM 8:22 AM 1:25 PM 8:10 PM

1.68 ft 1.18 ft 1.57 ft 0.59 ft

F i s h

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

2:47 AM 8:47 AM 2:52 PM 9:07 PM

1.61 ft 0.88 ft 1.66 ft 0.82 ft

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

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

3:00 AM 9:20 AM 4:07 PM 9:59 PM

1.56 ft 0.58 ft 1.75 ft 1.06 ft

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

3:13 AM 9:56 AM 5:15 PM 10:50 PM

1.56 ft 0.32 ft 1.83 ft 1.28 ft

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

3:25 AM 10:34 AM 6:20 PM 11:38 PM

1.58 ft 0.14 ft 1.87 ft 1.46 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Page C29

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

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009 MONDAY

TUESDAY

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 6:43p Moonrise: 10:52a Set: 9:06p

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 6:42p Moonrise: 11:46a Set: 9:59p

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunrise: 7:21a Moonrise: 8:51a

Set: 6:45p Set: 7:31p

Sunrise: 7:22a Moonrise: 9:53a

Set: 6:44p Set: 8:17p

AM Minor: 6:19a

PM Minor: 12:06p

AM Minor: 7:16a

PM Minor: 1:02p

AM Minor: 8:14a

PM Minor: 2:01p

AM Minor: 9:13a

PM Minor: 3:00p

AM Minor: 10:10a

PM Minor: 3:57p

AM Major: 12:06a

PM Major: 12:32p

AM Major: 1:02a

PM Major: 1:29p

AM Major: 2:01a

PM Major: 2:28p

AM Major: 3:00a

PM Major: 3:26p

AM Major: 3:57a

PM Major: 4:23p

Moon Overhead: 2:13p

12a

THURSDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:00p

Moon Overhead: 3:06p 12a

12p

12a

12p

12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 6:41p Sunrise: 7:25a Moonrise: 12:35p Set: 10:54p Moonrise: 1:19p

Moon Overhead: 4:53p

12p

Set: 6:40p Sunrise: 7:25a Set: 11:50p Moonrise: 1:57p

Set: 6:39p Set: None

AM Minor: 11:04a

PM Minor: 4:52p

AM Minor: 11:53a

PM Minor: 5:42p

AM Major: 4:52a

PM Major: 5:16p

AM Major: 5:42a

PM Major: 6:05p

Moon Overhead: 6:33p

Moon Overhead: 5:44p 12a

SUNDAY

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:19p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 1:47a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

1:10 — 3:20 P

Moon Underfoot: 4:26a BEST:

2:05 — 4:25 P

9:00 — 10:30

Moon Underfoot: 5:18a BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 6:09a BEST:

A9:50 — 11:00 A

Moon Underfoot: 6:56a +2.0

BEST:

10:45A — 12:15P

11:30A — 1:10P TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 3:33a

TIDE LEVELS

12:20 — 2:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:40a

High Tide: 3:34 AM 1.61 ft Low Tide: 11:14 AM 0.04 ft High Tide: 7:24 PM 1.87 ft

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

12:25 AM 3:34 AM 11:56 AM 8:32 PM

1.59 ft 1.65 ft 0.02 ft 1.84 ft

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

1:16 AM 2:59 AM 12:42 PM 9:50 PM

1.69 ft 1.69 ft 0.06 ft 1.80 ft

Low Tide: 1:31 PM 0.15 ft High Tide: 11:36 PM 1.76 ft

Low Tide: 2:26 PM

0.26 ft

High Tide: 1:59 AM Low Tide: 3:27 PM

1.74 ft 0.37 ft

High Tide: 1:55 AM Low Tide: 4:32 PM

1.70 ft 0.48 ft

+1.0

-1.0

ALMANAC C.qxd:0910 Coastal

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Page C30

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

3 1 N OV 1

End DST

Set: 6:38p Sunrise: 7:27a Set: 12:46a Moonrise: 3:02p

Set: 6:37p Set: 1:41a

Sunrise: 7:28a Moonrise: 3:32p

Set: 6:36p Set: 2:35a

Sunrise: 7:28a Moonrise: 4:01p

Set: 6:35p Set: 3:29a

Sunrise: 7:29a Moonrise: 4:30p

Set: 6:34p Set: 4:23a

Sunrise: 7:30a Moonrise: 5:01p

Set: 6:34p Set: 5:20a

Sunrise: 6:31a Moonrise: 4:36p

Set: 5:33p Set: 5:20a

AM Minor: 12:15a

PM Minor: 6:28p

AM Minor: 12:59a

PM Minor: 7:10p

AM Minor: 1:38a

PM Minor: 7:48p

AM Minor: 2:15a

PM Minor: 8:25p

AM Minor: 2:51a

PM Minor: 9:01p

AM Minor: 3:28a

PM Minor: 9:39p

AM Minor: 3:09a

PM Minor: 9:22p

AM Major: 6:28a

PM Major: 6:50p

AM Major: 7:10a

PM Major: 7:31p

AM Major: 7:48a

PM Major: 8:09p

AM Major: 8:25a

PM Major: 8:46p

AM Major: 9:01a

PM Major: 9:22p

AM Major: 9:39a

PM Major: 10:02p

AM Major: 9:22a

PM Major: 9:46p

Moon Overhead: 8:03p

12a

WEDNESDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:27p

Moon Overhead: 8:46p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:09p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:37p

Moon Overhead: 10:51pn 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 7:26a Moonrise: 2:31p

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 7:42a +2.0

BEST:

7:10 — 9:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 9:48a BEST:

7:50 — 10:20 P

Underfoot: 10:30a

Moon Underfoot: 11:14a

BEST:

8:20 — 10:30 P

BEST:

9:10 — 11:15 P

Moon Underfoot: 12:01p +2.0

BEST:

9:55 — 11:50 P

9:10A — 12:20P TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 9:07a

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 1:30 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:25a

-1.0 High Tide: 1:49 AM Low Tide: 5:33 PM

1.65 ft 0.58 ft

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

1:51 AM 8:52 AM 11:08 AM 6:27 PM

1.60 ft 1.31 ft 1.34 ft 0.70 ft

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

1:56 AM 8:25 AM 12:52 PM 7:15 PM

1.55 ft 1.17 ft 1.36 ft 0.82 ft

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

2:04 AM 8:22 AM 2:08 PM 7:58 PM

1.52 ft 0.98 ft 1.43 ft 0.95 ft

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

2:12 AM 8:35 AM 3:13 PM 8:41 PM

1.50 ft 0.77 ft 1.53 ft 1.09 ft

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

2:19 AM 8:57 AM 4:11 PM 9:23 PM

1.50 ft 0.55 ft 1.64 ft 1.23 ft

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

1:26 AM 8:26 AM 4:07 PM 9:06 PM

1.51 ft 0.33 ft 1.74 ft 1.37 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Skills from Kills to Chills OST SPORTING “SKILLS” ATTACH TO THE “higher” tasks of accuracy with firearms or bows, field processing game, scouting and tracking, and even light gunsmithing. Surprisingly, many seemingly mundane essential items we take for granted require knowledge and skills to use properly.

Roof prism (L) and porro prism binoculars

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

Binoculars Many outdoorsmen use binoculars, but might not know how to select a model and get the best performance. The “X” factor in binocular designations

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such as 8X40 signifies the magnification factor; 8X means viewed images appear eight times closer than with the naked eye. For hand-held use, choose a binocular in the 6-10X range. Anything higher than 10 is too “shaky” to yield good images when hand-held. The second number represents the diameter in millimeters of the objective lenses. Larger objective lenses “collect” more light and yield a brighter image, and influence resolution or visible detail. Binoculars come in two basic styles: porro prism and roof prism. Porro binoculars have a lateral offset between the eyepiece and objective lenses, whereas roof prism models have straight twin tubes. Most modern binoculars come equipped with roll-up soft rubber or twist-up hard eyepiece cups. These accommodate users who wear glasses and adjusting for eye relief distance. Roll-up rubber eyecups have two

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Twist-up eyecups accommodate eyeglass wearers and provide adjustable eye relief.

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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positions—down for eyeglass wearers and up for others—whereas twist-up models adjust to whatever distance best suits the individual’s eye relief.

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Although some binoculars are fixed focus and others have individual focusing rings for each eyepiece, the most common and popular features a center focus adjustment and a

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single focus ring for one eyepiece, usually the right. Optimum performance requires proper adjustment: - Adjust the distance between the eyepieces by flexing the hinged barrels in or out until you see a circular field of view—not the hourglass shape you see on TV and in movies. - With the eyecups braced against the bones above each eye, adjust the eyecups for eye relief distance to eliminate “tunnel vision” or “vignette” effects (a dark border around the edges). - (1) With a lens cover or your hand, cover the objective lens on the side of the binocular that has individual focus adjustment (usually the right). (2) Adjust the center focus wheel for a sharp detailed image of a distant object, such as tree branches. (3) Without disturbing the center-focus wheel, uncover the right objective lens and cover the opposite lens. View the same distant object and adjust the individual focus ring for optimum sharpness. You binoculars should now produce a sharp, detailed image when viewed with both eyes.

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inside are insulated from the heat-infusing or heat-removing properties of the environment. The old joke about selling iceboxes to Eskimos is no joke at all, because an ice chest helps prevent items placed inside from freezing in cold ambient conditions. Since an ice chest works by insulating its

contents, it stands to reason that enhancing insulating properties increases efficiency, and reducing insulation qualities reduces efficiency. In an episode of The Three Stooges, Moe asks Curly where he put the eggs. “On top of the load, where they’ll be nice and

Ice Chests The notion of “skills” to properly use an ice chest seems absurd, but there is more to this piece of common yet essential outdoor gear than most imagine. Commonly called “cooler,” “ice chest” is a more accurate term. A true cooler performs a dynamic function that removes heat, such as the coolant compressor and fans in an electric refrigerator or freezer. (Cold is to heat as dark is to light. Cold and darkness are natural default states. You cannot infuse darkness into a space, but you can introduce light. Likewise, you cannot cool an object or space, but you can remove heat. Hence the term “heat pump.”) An ice chest is a static device, simply a box with insulation qualities. An ice chest works by insulating its interior from ambient temperature conditions, whether hot or cold. Thus, items placed A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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fresh in the sun.” Silly as this is, I often see hunters traveling to or from the lease with ice chests strapped to the luggage rack atop the vehicle—the worst possible place unless ambient temperatures are cooler than the inside of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle underneath the rest of

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the gear is the best place for an ice chest. Coats, sleeping bags, backpacks, and other soft gear insulate the chest and thus increase its efficiency; wrapping the chest in a sleeping bag helps even more. If it is cool outside, then atop the vehicle is the better option; the cooler air helps

remove heat from the exterior (and eventually the interior) of the chest, and passing wind accelerates this action. The rule of thumb is: If you must run the vehicle air conditioner or roll down its windows to be comfortable, keep the chest inside; if you must run the heater, keep the chest outside. The same principles apply in camp. Keep ice chests indoors or in shade and wrapped in a sleeping bag or blanket. Open it as infrequently as possible, and keep icemelt water drained so it does not damage the contents.

Sharpening Knives People often bring me knives for sharpening, and are amazed when I hand them back a shaving-sharp instrument after just a few minutes. Knife (or axe, or machete) sharpening is not rocket surgery, but it takes a bit of knowledge and technique to consistently achieve a good cutting edge. Cutting edges come in many flavors, each designed to a specific function. The most common are the V-edge, double beveled edge, chisel ground edge, and convex edge. Fortunately, the V-edge is easiest to create and maintain, and the most utilitarian for hunting, skinning, and general-purpose sportsman’s knives. Sharpening an edge (as opposed to maintaining an edge) entails removing metal—but not too much—to form a “V”

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

Close-up of a Carbide Sharpener

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Sharpener Blade Replacement angle of approximately 40 degrees. This is accomplished by honing—never grinding— the edge with increasingly fine mediums. There are many sharpening methods and

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even more sharpening mediums, with stones, ceramic, diamond, and carbide the most common. Stones come in various hardness and coarseness or “grit.” Sharpening begins with the coarsest stone, and progresses through to the finest. The technique seems rather simple: Simply draw the blade across the face of the stone at a 20-degree angle as if trying to cut a thin slice off the stone, the same number of strokes on each side of the blade. Repeat with stones of increasingly finer grit. While the principle is simple, the execution is not. The most troublesome aspect is maintain-

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ing the proper blade-to-stone angle. Many devices help eliminate this problem; some attach to the knife for use with conventional

Rest the blade tip on a table edge to use a carbide sharpener.

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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stones, others are sharpening “systems” to the same effect. The simplest employ two super-hard carbide insert “blades,” one for each side of the cutting edge, held at a constant angle. These come in bench and hand-held versions, each with its strengths and weakness-

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es. With bench models, you simply draw the knife from base to tip through a slot (sometimes two) that houses the carbide sharpening blades. With a hand-held model, the knife remains stationary and the device is drawn along the blade. Bench versions reduce hand fatigue, and

hand-helds are sometimes difficult when sharpening knives with non-straight backs, such as drop-point designs. On the plus side, hand-held carbide sharpeners provide portability in a pocket or day pack for field use. In better models, you can replace the carbide inserts as they wear. To overcome hand fatigue and difficulty stabilizing an oddly shaped blade, position the knife on its back with the tip end resting on a hard surface. Steels and ceramic “sticks” are for edge maintenance once it is sharp. Use the same “cutting a thin slice” technique, stroking from blade base to tip while maintaining the proper angle and applying an equal number of strokes to each side of the cutting edge.

Custom Rifles In this matter, I defer to the superior knowledge of TF&G shooting editor, Steve LaMascus. To discuss this subject, we first need to define the term “custom rifle.” I have several rifles that have different barrels or stocks than they started out with. Are those custom guns? Probably not. To qualify as a true custom rifle a gun must be drastically changed, and preferably to the owner’s exacting desires. Taking a Winchester Model 70 in .257 Roberts and running a chamber reamer into it to change it to the Ackley Improved version doesn’t qualify. Putting a cheap synthetic stock on a Remington Model 700 doesn’t qualify, either. Neither does rebarreling a shot-out rifle. I have three custom rifles, and several that tread closely on the definition. My pet .270 began life as a Plain Jane Remington Model 700 ADL. I took it to Hill Country Rifle Company in New Braunfels and they rebuilt it to my specifications. It has a McMillan stock and Lilja barrel. HCR added a hinged floor plate to replace the blind magazine of the ADL model, and coated the entire gun with black Teflon. The stock is longer than normal because I crawl a rifle stock and need the extra room to keep from getting whacked between the eyes with C38

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the scope. All in all, the only thing original is the action. In addition to the obvious things, HCR did a bunch of fancy invisible things to make the rifle shoot. This rifle will consistently deliver 1/2-inch accuracy at 100 yards. Velocity out of the 24-inch barrel with my handloads averages 3220 feet per second with a 130-grain bullet. That is just about what my 7mm Remington Magnum gets with a 145-grain bullet from a 26-inch barrel. In its current guise, this rifle is my pet of pets. It is weatherproof, super accurate, and made for hunting in the mountains and on the prairies. When I pull the trigger, I have absolutely no doubts that it will hit exactly where I aim it, every time. I also have a custom Sako .22/250. Another gunsmith made this gun with focus on beauty rather than accuracy. It is beautifully engraved and has a drop-dead gorgeous piece of mesquite wood on it. It shoots

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GUN PHOTOS COURTESY HILL COUNTRY RIFLES

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very well, just over an inch usually, but the inletting was a bit sloppy and made up for with a liberal application of Acraglas. The barrel, while good, is not the same quality as the Lilja, and it was not lapped or trued in any way that I can tell. The Sako is picky about the bullets and loads it likes, whereas

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the Hill Country rifle shoots everything well and to practically the same point of impact. It would probably shoot jellybeans into an inch if I could figure out how to load them. If for some reason I was out in the woods and couldn’t find my standard 130-grain load, anything that I could find would still

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shoot close enough to the original point of impact that I could hunt. This is a testament to the precision of the bedding and barrel. It is also extremely uncommon in production rifles. My other custom and near-custom rifles run the gauntlet from a low-number 1903 Springfield .30-06 that my father built in the 1960s (yes, I do shoot it) and a 1917 Eddystone Enfield, also a .30-06, that belonged to my late father-in-law, to an FN Mauser in .35 Whelen built for me by Hill Country Rifles. Each is different and unique and I would never consider selling any of them; they are just too much a part of me. Now for the question: Is a custom rifle worth the money? The answer is not simple. If you shoot only factory ammunition; if you only shoot your rifle a couple of times before you head to the lease, just to be sure it’s still sighted properly, and never shoot during the off season; if you are satisfied when your rifle shoots “good enough for government work”; and if you look upon your rifle as nothing more than a tool, then you don’t need a custom rifle. However, if you are a reloader, or shoot a lot during the year; if you consider your rifle a finely tuned instrument; if you are dissatisfied with a rifle that won’t group consistently into an inch or less at 100 yards; and if you have a very specific vision of what a perfect rifle for your purposes would be, then you probably are justified in paying the bucks it takes to have a custom rifle. A custom rifle is not only fitted to you, if built properly it will shoot better than 99.9 percent of all factory rifles. It will be a thing of beauty and a work of art that will hammer bullet after bullet into practically the same hole. It will be a source of pride and confidence because you know that it will perform to your exacting standards, and there are no excuses in it. If you miss, it is your fault. This in itself will cause you to be a better hunter and a better shot. Is a custom rifle worth the money? You’d better believe it is!

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Forrest and Nina Wood in Hall of Fame ORREST AND NINA WOOD, LEGENDARY founders of Ranger Boats, have long been an integral part of the fishing and boating community, both in the Natural State (Arkansas) and beyond. Their lifetime of accomplishments and contributions to a host of worthwhile organizations per-

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sonify those of a true American success story—pioneers of industry who never forget their Arkansas roots. Recently, the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame enshrined the couple, the highest honor bestowed by the institution, awarded at the Forrest Wood Cup in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame reserves the honor of enshrinement for individuals whose lasting efforts have benefited freshwater sportfishing. “Forrest and Nina are recognized as pioneers in the world of freshwater fishing,” said Emmett Brown, executive director of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. “The impact they’ve made continues to raise the awareness of the sport of fishing while also reinforcing the importance of conservation

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and the positive experience fishing affords to families and individuals alike.” Forrest and Nina Wood join the founders of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Bob and Fannie Kutz, as the only couples enshrined together. The Hall recognizes individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in fishing, science, education, conservation, communications, technology, or other areas related to freshwater sportfishing with five different categories of recognition: Enshrinement, Legendary Angler, Legendary Communicator, Legendary Guide, Organizational/Governmental Agency, and Special Recognition.

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Real-World Lighting I USE MANY DIFFERENT LIGHTING DEVICES (calling them “flashlights” just doesn’t fit) in the course of a day. The little pocket light (3.5 inches long and about the diameter of a lipstick cylinder, it is truly “pocket-size”) comes out every time I dig in a file drawer, probe around in the dark recesses of the pantry for the last can of tomato sauce, peer under the hood of whatever vehicle I am in that isn’t running properly, and during frequent nighttime forays to the little editor’s room. The one I now carry is a Rayovac brand, but I have used several others. The little PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

lights operate off of one AAA cell (which lasts weeks thanks to LED technology), are suitably rugged with water resistant aluminum construction to last me about a year (probably 10 for normal people), simple to operate with one hand, and typically cost around $5. I carry one with me always and everywhere, and inevitably use it dozens of times daily. (I am always the hero whenever a power failure occurs.) My Energizer Trailfinder series sixLED, three-AAA cell headlight serves for everything from dark-thirty deer and hog trailing, skinning, and processing, to C42

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providing reflected targets for dispatching nighttime varmints in the backyard, and lighting up the inside of whatever equipment I am desperately trying to repair before its owner finds out I broke it. Obviously, it leaves both hands free for wielding tools or fending off assaults from truculent equipment owners. A single button clicks through four operating modes: spot, flood, spot-plus-flood, and red. I am sure the red lighting will come in handy for something eventually, although I have yet to need it. (My wife says it is a portable red-light district to match the mobile ghetto of my daily ensemble; sartorial splendor is not among my penchants.) The Trailfinder LED Clip Light serves more serious duty. Clipped to the bill of my EMT uniform cap, it helps me assess and treat patients at nighttime accident scenes or inside dark structures, and to later fill out patient reports. I routinely use the pocket light, too, to check pupil reaction. I have used each of these lights for well over a year without complaint (unless you count batteries running down at inopportune moments, or sticky-fingered grandsons never returning “borrowed” lights until “encouraged” with a half-nelson or strangle hold). All are available from sundry retailers, including Wal-Mart and many on-line sellers. —Don Zaidle

On the Web Energizer, www.energizer.com Rayovac, www.rayovac.com

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Phasers Not on Stun IF YOU WANT A NEW CHART PLOTTER/FISHfinder that doesn’t require black-box installation or extra antenna, but has an extra-wide screen, Interphase’s newest unit, the Chart Master Pro, is worth a serious look. I tested a Chart Master Pro with Jeppesen Marine MAX chartography, and found it showed every dip and bump on-screen. MAX cartography also includes satellite imagery, so you can get a real-world bird’s-eye view of the inlet or harbor before you cross through it. At the same time, I could get a good view on the fish-finder, because splitting the 7-inch (480 x 234 pixel) LCD screen maintains large window views, thanks to the wide 16:9 ratio format. Many other screens become PHOTO COURTESY OF CHART MASTER PRO

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crowded when you split between the chart plotter and fish-finder, but not this one. Doing the split is easy, too, because the Chart Master Pro has large “soft menu” keys along the bottom. Construction is “splash proof,” but I would prefer it was rated completely waterproof. Naturally, I had to see just how splash proof it was, so I hit it for a solid 10 seconds with the raw water washdown without apparent ill effects. The fish-finder has the usual list of features you would expect, plus a few high-end perks. It can handle splitting the screen with 50-kHz and 200-kHz images, pushes 600 watts of

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power, and has high and low water temperature alarms. Same goes for the chart plotter; the common features are present and accounted for, with two major features added: “Smooth Zoom” allows for fast, seamless zooming in and out (thanks to a 300-mHz ARM processor), and “Route Check” automatically examines routes you program in to make sure you haven’t accidentally set a course that takes you over obstacles or shallows too close to the surface for your boat to float. Program in one that cuts across a rock jetty, for example, and the chart plotter will highlight that leg of the route in red to alert you. I found the menu and functions intuitive, and didn’t have to resort to checking the instruction manual very often. My favorite thing about the unit was easy installation. With the internal GPS antenna and fish-finder processor, all you have to do is mount the binnacle on the dash, run a power wire, plug in a transducer, and the unit’s 100-percent up and running. Contact: Interphase Technologies, 888777-6627, www.interphase-tech.com —Lenny Rudow

Trilene’s Virtues Trans-Apparent WHEN IT COMES TO MONOFILAMENT FISHING line, you have two choices: go with a line that’s nearly invisible underwater and just as hard to see in the air, or a high-vis line that you can see well, but the fish can, too. That’s why Berkley came out with TransOptic, a new nylon mono that’s high-vis above the waterline, and low-vis beneath the surface. Out of the water, TransOptic appears gold, yet when it hits the waves, where UV rays are filtered out, it goes stealth. I found the visibility helpful for tying knots and while watching lines for tangles in a trolling spread. The best perk came while jigging for yellowfin sea trout; I could completely slack the line as my jig dropped, and easily watch the line for that telltale twitch of a bite. When I saw it— wham!—I set the hook and it was game-on. TransOptic is available in the usual selection of tests from 4 up to 25 in 220- and 2000-yard spools. Other characteristics of the line will seem PHOTO COURTESY OF BERKLEY

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familiar to those who regularly use Trilene. Knot strength and abrasion resistance were excellent, and memory was relatively low. Of course, the usual monofilament gripe holds true, and TransOptic stretches just as much as any other nylon monofilament.

Then again, for certain fishing situations, this is an advantage—as is being able to clearly see your line, even though the fish can’t. Contact: Pure Fishing, www.purefishing.com —LR

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

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Fishing Camo from CastAway NEW HYDROGRAPHIC PRINTING PROCESSES allow production of realistic, detailed camoflauge finishes without adding any significant weight and without changing the desired action. Camo breaks up a solid outline CastAway against the sky, sand, Skeleton or water. Fish are sensiCamo tive to colors and patterns, so a camo pattern can be used to blend the rod into the background and increase your success. Skeleton camo rods come complete with a matching camo reel seat and tough, durable Fuji SIC guides with a matte finish and “invisible” thread wrap. Available in 8 different actions in military digital, wetlands, and King’s Field Shadow. Retails from $119 - $299. CastAway Fishing Products, Inc., 118 Cape Conroe Dr., Montgomery, Tx 77356. Phone: 936-582-1677. Web: customerservice@castawayrods.com castawayrods.com

Badonk-A-Donk SOME CATEGORIES OF BAITS KEEP GETTING better with age and innovation. After studying decades of walk-the-dog style saltwater baits, Bomber Saltwater GradeÒ refined the category to perfection with the new 2010 BADONK -A- DONK. Classic features blended with a new shape, smoking hot colors and cutting edge hydro-phonic innovations create the ultimate topwater

Badonk-A-Donk

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weapon. The attraction starts with three sizes: 3 ½-, 4-, and 4 ½-inches to make sure you have the right size for any condition or fish mood. The BADONKA-DONK is also offered in two independent sound frequencies, high pitch (Hp) and low pitch (Lp) giving the bait even more versatility for different conditions and a wide range of species. The BADONKA-DONK comes armed with the heavyduty saltwater grade hardware and components. All three sizes in the Hp and Lp are available in 15 hot colors, making the BADONK-A-DONK the answer to any walk-the-dog situation. Contact: 3601 Jenny Lind Rd, Ft. Smith, AR 72901. Phone: 479-782-8971 www.bombersaltwatergrade.com

Drop a Hot Bomb HEAT THINGS UP THIS DEER SEASON WITH THE Hot Bomb. This heated lure dispenser contains a pre-loaded scent pad, which disperses scent molecules in the air when warmed by an airactivated heat pouch. The scent pad is permeated with Tink’s # 69 Doe-in-Rut Formula, which is made from 100 % natural urine collected from live whitetail doe in Tink’s #69 Doe-in-Rut their estrous cycle – a scent no buck can resist. Once you’ve reached your stand location, remove the Hot Bomb from the wrapper. Then place it on the ground or hang it in your hunting location. The airactivated pouch will instantly begin to heat the deer lure dispersing the scent.

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Tink’s Hot Bomb will last up to four hours even in freezing weather. Packages contain two individually wrapped Hot Bombs — one for the morning hunt and one for the afternoon hunt. For best results, use during the pre-rut or rut when bucks are looking for does to breed. Draw the big boys in and then take them out with a bang using Tink’s # 69 Doe-InRut Bomb. For more information about Tink’s quality products, check out www.tinks69.com, or call 1-800-624-5988.

Russell AllWeather Jacket RUSSELL OUTDOORS INTRODUCED THE NEW APXg2 line just in time for Fall. This amazing line is designed to provide protection against the elements while keeping outdoorsmen comfortable in all weather conditions. APXg2 is all about value as well – MSRP for the jacket is $119.99; the pant is $109.99. The APXg2 L3 Jacket and Pant from Russell Outdoors offers wind and rain resistance. APXg2 L3 is a soft, quiet singlelayer soft shell fabric providing superior comfort and flexibility. A lightweight and versatile jacket and pant that can’t be beat for early season hunts. Available in Mossy Oak® Treestand™ and Black. The jacket features a closer fitting cut and stretch storm cuffs to keep the sleeves snug around the wrist – especially useful for APXg2 Jacket G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

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the bowhunter. The offset shoulders seams reduce bulk when layering and friction points when equipment is being carried. The droptail hem provides additional coverage when stalking or sitting. The pants feature articulated knees and a double layer seat. Bonded pockets and seams provide added stability on fabric joins. The fabric is extremely lightweight with multidirectional stretch. The APXg2 Pant cut, construction and fabric allow for full range of motion – a requirement for any hunt. Russell Outdoors, 755 Lee Street, Alexander City, AL 35010; Phone: 256500-4000 www.russelloutdoorsgear.com

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opening storage door and a compartment that houses 2 Plano tackle boxes with more room to spare. Under the forward facing console seat is a 25 gallon livewell. The rear livewell is 20 gallons and just like the forward console livewell, can be plumbed to be used as a recirculating livewell. The rear deck of the XP 21 converts easily from passenger jump seating for 2 to an ample size fishing platform. This boat also comes standard with 6 pop up stainless cleats, a swim platform and bay star

hydraulic steering to make this bay boat a tough value to beat. The XP 21 has a Length of 12’2”, Beam of 7’9”, Max. 200 Horsepower, and holds 58 gallons of fuel. For more information about the XP 21 and to find a dealer near you – please visit www.seahuntboats.com or call 803-7556539.

Sea Hunt XP 21 SEA HUNT INTRODUCES ITS NEXT STEP INTO the bay boat fishing market. The new XP21 is designed with all the quality materials and manufacturing that is synonymous with Sea Hunt Boat Company. Adding to Sea Hunt’s line of bay boats from 19-24 feet, the new XP 21 leans more toward the traditional bay boat with all the features you would want in a shallow water boat, with a lower profile, large casting decks & multiple livewells. The XP 21 comes standard with lockable rod storage for 8 rods, a large 120

Sea Hunt XP 21

quart insulated box, standard trolling motor plug, anchor locker and storage for a 5-gallon bait bucket in the floor. Unique to Sea Hunt, the center console has a forward A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Aimpoint Micro H-1 IMPOINT—YOU KNOW, THE LITTLE electronic sight with the red dot—is a Swedish-made aiming device (I can’t really call it a “scope” even though it

A by Steve LaMascus

is an optical device) has been around for years. They first became popular with the handgun guys and those who used shortrange rifles for deer in heavy woods. There is no magnification involved, just a red dot of light generated by a tiny battery. The real advantages are that it can be used with both eyes open, gives a huge field of view, is much faster acquisition of both the sight and the target, and puts the sight and target in the same visual plane so the eye does not have simultaneously focus at on two objects. Another great application is on various military- and policestyle weapons, such as the AR15, M-16, M-14, and its civilian version, the M1A. Now, there is a sight that is even better for this and other civilian applications—the Aimpoint Micro H-1. This neat little sight is so small it adds almost no weight to the weapon, yet allows swift and highly accurate placement of shots, even in low light conditions. It would be right at home on one of the new Mossberg Model 464 .30-30s in deep woods. I first tried the H-1 on my son-in-law’s Springfield M1A Socom 16, a short-barreled version of the civilian semi-auto M14. C46

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David’s gun is fitted with a Picatinny rail, so the Micro H-1, which has an integral mounting clamp, took about 10 seconds to attach. Since David likes to burn ammo in semiautos, I sent him to the range with his friend, Billy Walker, to check out he H-1. Both David and Billy are Border Patrol agents highly skilled with long guns and handguns. David has qualified as a Distinguished Master, the highest classification with a handgun. Soon, I could hear the pop-poppop of the M1A getting a workout. After a lengthy range session, David and Billy reappeared smiling broadly. Their report (and my later testing) proved the H-1 a great device. Adjustment was simple, accomplished by turning the

dials for windage and elevation. The aiming dot has an intensity control on the right side and is sufficiently adjustable so the red dot is easily visible in any light conditions I could imagine, except one—predator hunting with a red spotlight; the red dot becomes invisible. Aimpoint might consider another model with a different color dot for nighttime use; green would be nice. Accuracy with the H-1 was very good. The only drawback was that the sight sat just enough higher than standard battle sights that I had to raise my head slightly off F i s h

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the stock to acquire the dot, destroying my cheek-to-stock meld. This is not a serious disadvantage, and the superiority of the H1 to the standard aperture-and-blade sights is substantial. The H-1 weighs 105 grams (less than 4 ounces). It is suited for rifles, handguns, shotguns, and archery equipment. The company website claims the new technology allows 50,000 hours of operation on one 3-volt Lithium battery, which I find astounding. The dot covers 4 minutes of angle (4 inches at 100 yards). The H-1 is also waterproof, submersible to a depth of 15 feet. This little sight would be right at home on a big-bore revolver for those of us who are getting a bit far-sighted. In fact, that might just be its best sporting application. It is obviously not intended as a long-range sight for precision sniping. If you want a scope for your prairie dog gun, look elsewhere. But, if you need a new sight on your .30-30 Winchester or can’t see the sights on your favorite .44 Magnum handgun anymore, this little sight is just the ticket. Its light weight makes it a really great choice for the handgunner. The Aimpoint H-1 Micro is well-made, simple to mount, simple to use and adjust, and a very good choice for the aforementioned applications and many more.

On the Web www.aimpoint.com/products/aimpoint_ product_lines/aimpoint_micro_h-1

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com PHOTO COURTESY AIMPOINT

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OT MANY PEOPLE TODAY CAN BOAST OF making beds from the feathers of ducks they shot—but, then, not many people have spent as many years in the woods or around water as 101year-old Eston Fontenot of Bacliff. Born January 18, 1908 in Elton, Louisiana, Fontenot plans to join his rela-

PHOTOS COURTESY THE FONTENOT FAMILY

Hunting (at) 101: Eston Fontenot

by Bob Hood tives this fall on their hunting lease near Refugio for a family tradition that goes back more than 45 years. “We all have a really good time, and it is as much of a story-telling event as it is hunting,” said Betty Latham of Rockport, Fontenot’s daughter. “We all love to get together and hunt deer, turkey, and hogs, but it is more about all of us getting together in the outdoors and having a good time.” Fontenot hunts from a box blind located off a dirt road on the Refugio ranch. Last fall, he bagged two deer, a buck and a doe, from the blind as well as a hog. He also has bagged numerous turkey in previous years. Although Fontenot’s hunting stories are numerous, the story about the man himself describes a fascinating journey in life that has been recorded in a storybook project by Kevin Fontenot, his grandson. It begins with significant events that occurred the year Fontenot was born, which included

Theodore Roosevelt being president of the U.S., Boy Scouts started, western bandits Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid reportedly killed in Bolivia by soldiers, and Henry Ford producing his first Model T. Fontenot and his first wife, Mable, who passed away in 1984, had six children. His second wife, Marie, who he married in 1994, hunts deer, turkey, and hogs with their respective families on the Refugio ranch. Fontenot said he went to school for only a few months when he was five years old. His father was a sharecropper and the family moved from farm to farm in those days, and the closest school was 10 miles away. He said he was called “Kid” in his early youth, but after he married and began working for a construction company, people called him “Frenchy” because he had been raised to speak the French language and he spoke English with only a few scattered words. It wasn’t until the 1920s that Fontenot began to improve his English while A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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working in a New Orleans battery shop. Today, he is known as “Peepaw” in the Fontenot family. Fontenot has been a rice farmer, owned and worked a sawmill, worked in a shipyard, was employed by the Chevrolet Motor Company, and later became a millwright and maintenance mechanic for a company near Texas City. He retired there in 1969. Fontenot has fond memories of his childhood and early adulthood, including the days of the Great Depression in the 1930s when his mother sold chickens to raise money to buy a radio. Fontenot said the radio had a dry cell battery that didn’t work. Fontenot bought two car batteries and hooked up one to the generator on a tractor, and hooked up the second battery to the radio. When the radio battery got weak, G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

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I have made two feather beds from duck feathers in my life.

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they swapped it with the battery from the tractor. Family members entertained themselves at night by lying on the floor to listen to music and stories on the radio. One of Fontenot’s most interesting stories involved his duck hunting days during the Great Depression in the 1930s. “Back in the 30s, I killed enough ducks to make a

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feather bed,” Fontenot told his grandson. “I have made two feather beds from duck feathers in my life.” Fontenot said he also sold ducks to a local patrolman for 50 cents a pair to raise money for his family during the Depression days. The patrolman took the ducks to New Orleans, where he sold them for $23 per pair. Fontenot recalled another time when he was hunting with a .22 rifle in the Louisiana swamps: “There was a big log in front of me. I started to go across it and a black bear got up in front of me.” Fontenot said it was “a little bitty bear” but the incident left a large impression on him.

Indeed, people make great impressions, too. It is evident Eston Fontenot has made great impressions on his family and others who know him.

Eston Fontenot at 101, ready for a shot in his favorite hunting blind.

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PHOTO COURTESY THE FONTENOT FAMILY

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The October Lull T NEVER FAILS: DURING PRE-SEASON, IT SEEMS like every step you take a deer bounds off. Certainly, one can say that Texas has an over abundance of deer, so why is it that every October the deer seem to disappear off the face of the earth? Welcome to what is known as the October Lull, a time when deer sightings drop dramatically. I used to joke around with my friends that the deer all have their own calendars with the hunting season dates circled. As I grew older, it would seem the joke was now on me and—and the joke was getting old. Right during the peak of the rut, when the bucks are very busy with the chase phase, the action suddenly and without warning comes to an abrupt halt. Your favorite hunting ground, infested with whitetails just a few days ago was, is now void of any deer at all (or it seems that way). Where have they gone? What has happened to the frenzied chase doe chases just days before? Last year, I witnessed something in the deer woods that gave me the answer to that question. As I sat in my favorite tree stand, I caught some movement off to my left. To my amazement, a huge 10-point buck suddenly shook its head back and forth and gave its bed location away. I stared at that buck with my binoculars for 10 minutes worth of hours. Suddenly, a doe stood up only a few feet from where the buck was bedded. Immediately, the buck stood and tried to mount her. She wanted no part of it and lay back down.

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I even watched the doe stand and try to feed a little while avoiding the harassing buck that dogged every step. It was not long before the doe lay back down. The buck knew pending estrus when he smelled it and the doe would soon mate. The buck was holding the doe captive until it could mate. A smaller buck caught the doe’s scent and made a beeline for it, but the 10-pointer was not about to let that happen. Stifflegged with ears back and it neck hair bristling, the oldster chal-

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It is most important to remember why we are out there at darkthirty in the morning.

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lenged the younger deer. The little six-pointer, not willing to go toeto-toe with the big boy of the woods, immediately lost interest and retreated. As a doe comes closer estrus, the scent becomes irresistible to a buck. It will follow the trail until it finds the female. Nothing short of another doe in estrus will distract him. Once he finds her, he will try to mate. The does might not be receptive to his advances yet, but soon will be and the bucks will sense this. During these few weeks, the deer activity will most definitely slow down, at least what we see of it. The bucks will not travel when they have a hot doe close by. The only thing we can do as bowhunters is wait it out and be ready when the bucks start to roam again. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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The rut comes at different times in Texas depending on where you live, but whenever it comes, you need to be in the woods. There is a small window of opportunity at the beginning of what is called the Harvest Moon, the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox. This is the very best time to be out there. The bucks are in their chase mode and the odds are in your favor to score on a nice whitetail. At the very least, I can guarantee that you will witness a flurry of whitetail activity. Not only will you see more deer, but you will also hear them, as they make different grunting sounds. I have heard a buck snortwheeze only once, but it was enough to put a smile on my face and give me a morning to remember for years. You can also try rattling a nice buck into range; I have found that the best time to do that is during this small window of opportunity. I had an opportunity to hunt whitetails in Missouri a few years ago. After talking to the rancher, I was convinced I would take a nice buck in short order. The first evening in the stand, I saw plenty of deer. Unfortunately, they were out of bow range. That was it. The action came to a halt and I spent the rest of the week in a tree stand catching up on my reading. It became obvious to me that I had hit the October Lull head-on. It happens. It is most important to remember why we are out there at dark-thirty in the morning. Knowing that the October Lull seems to hit every year at the same time, you need to pay attention to the harvest moon and the dates when it appears. Improve your odds by being at the right place at the right time. You already know that the tree stand you put up is in the right place. Now you need to make sure that you are out there at the right time.

E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

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E-15 Ethanol Could Kill Your Outboard HE PROBLEM STARTED WITH A FUEL GAUGE. Brian, a hard-working, middle-class American, had sunk a good portion of his discretionary income into buying a used 18-foot center console with a 140-hp outboard on the transom. It ran well for years, but one day the fuel gauge simply stopped reading. He replaced the sending unit and took the boat out a week later. After a few hours, about 15 miles from the dock the engine coughed, sputtered, and died. These problems occurred in the weeks following the mandated use of E-10 ethanol blended fuels, and were no coincidence. Brian learned that parts of his old fuel sender (and parts of a fuel line and fitting as well) had actually dissolved from the E-10 into tiny particulates known as di-iso-octylphalate, a tarry substance that makes its way through fuel filters and injectors into the engine. When it cools, it hardens, often on the intake valves and push rods. The next time you run the motor, kabam!, she’s deader than easy credit.

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The tow home cost Brian several hundred dollars. A new motor went for the paltry sum of $12,000. On top of all that, he had to have the fuel tank pumped dry. It just about knocked him out of boating altogether. But over the course of the next year, he took out a loan to re-power the boat and got back into the game. Now, just a few months later, the nightmare could begin anew. His new outboard, like virtually all of them on the water today, is rated to run with fuel blends including up to 10 percent ethanol. Growth Ethanol, a pro-ethanol energy group, is now pushing the EPA to boost ethanol content to 15-percent.

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is elevated between 1/4- to 1/2-inch off the bottom), it is usually not a problem. But ethanol binds with the water and mixes with the fuel, and hence carries it into the rest of your fuel system. On top of these issues, ethanol dissolves gum and varnish, carries it, then deposits it elsewhere in the system. Older plastic fuel lines, fittings, and anything else exposed to the ethanol are at risk of being dissolved. Knock and pre-ignition, fuel vaporization, lubrication deficiencies, lack of power, rough operation, inability to stop the engine, no or poor starting, throttle sticking, and engine seizure are all problems associated with higher ethanol contents in fuel used with outboard motors. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), higher ethanol mixes will cause catastrophic deterioration in the butyl rubber fuel hoses commonly found on the vast majority of boats. Ethanol also dissolves fiberglass, which is a huge issue for fiberglass fuel tanks. My own father was forced by the introduction of E-10 to have the fiberglass fuel tank cut out of his boat and replaced with an aluminum tank. He spent nearly $2500, was down for three weeks of prime fishing season, and lost 10 percent of the fuel capacity in his boat. He had to pay for all this out of his own pocket, even though he did nothing wrong, did not experience mechanical failure, and maintains his boat meticulously. Like thousands of other boat owners, he was forced to make pre-emptive repairs or risk the certain and complete destruction of his engines. Thanks, ethanol lobby. It gets worse. Virtually every outboard manufacturer advises against higher ethanol mixes, and states that running E-15 will void the warranty. So, why is Growth Energy making this push? According to BoatU.S. Vice President of Government Affairs, Margaret Podlich, this is not about renewable energy. “ This is really about a group of investors attempting to profit at the expense of 13 mil-

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lion recreational boat owners,” she said. “We had significant problems with the nationwide rollout of E-10 a few years ago, and without further independent testing of E-15 with marine engines, we’re likely to see similar issues.” If you do not have a boat, you are still at risk. Hunters who use ATVs or landowners who run chain saws stand to suffer damage to their equipment. Light, air-cooled, carbureted engines are at high risk because they produce more oxygen during combustion and are forced to run lean. In fact, some testing suggests that damage can occur in as little as 25 hours of running time. Virtually any gasoline-powered engine not designed for ethanol blends could end up ruined if Growth Energy gets its way. Meanwhile, Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) says it will not certify service station gasoline pumps dispensing E-15 because variations in the ethanol mix could result in higher blends accidentally being dispensed.

E-action Obviously, the best way to combat this problem is to head off the ethanol lobby at the pass. Visit the BoatU.S. website regularly to get up-to-date information on the fight. Whenever you have the opportunity to send comments to the government, do so. (Boat US often provides links to the EPA, your congressional representatives, and others who receive public input.) And make sure you raise this issue with friends and family, and encourage them to take these same actions. Whether we go to E-15 or not, there are some actions you can take to help minimize ethanol damage to your boat. - Invest in a good fuel/water separator (it should have at least a 10-micron filter) and change it twice as frequently as you used to. - Don’t let gas sit in your tank for extended periods. The longer it is there, the more it will bind with water. - If your engine starts knocking or running rough, drain the tank and replace the old fuel with new gasoline. - “Sumping” old gas on a regular basis is also a good preventative measure. Since the good gas is lighter than that bound with water, it sits higher in the tank. If your boat has sat for longer than a month, insert a tube to the bottom of the tank and pump out the bottom inch or two of fuel. You should pull

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out the worst of the mix this way without disturbing or having to pump out the good fuel. - Top off the tank regularly to minimize condensation. So, what happens if you follow all these procedures and still take a beating from E-15? No one can answer that question just yet, but Brian can make a pretty good guess as to who will pay for Growth Energy’s vigorous campaign. The only problem is, he and thousands like him don’t have anything left to pay with.

On the Web www.boatus.com/gov E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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The Net from ForEverlast HE TAUGHT STRAND OF MONOFILAMENT transmitted the wild energy harnessed to the other end. The big sow showed itself and protested by wallowing a frothy hole in the surface, stubbornly refusing submit. As the tantrums continued, I began to worry about another hole getting wallowed in the fish’s jaw. Time and pressure took their toll and the big trout finally began to yield. My fears were confirmed as the big trout slid close; a sinewy strip of membrane was all that connected the big fish to the rear treble on the big cigar-style topwater. Sensing the danger of my approaching hand, the fish made a violent lunge and the

by Greg Berlocher big plug pulled free. In less than a second, the trout of a lifetime became nothing but a fish story. If I had a landing net with me that day, that trout would be hanging on the wall instead of haunting me in my dreams. With the exception of coldwater anglers that chase elusive rainbow trout, most wadefishermen shun landing nets, preferring to grab scaled prizes with bare hands. Landing nets are a nuisance to tote along—they sink, get caught on underwater obstructions, weigh you down, and hooks become helplessly snarled in mesh just as a school of big fish meanders into casting distance. Overlooking for a moment the machismo factor involved in grabbing fish with bare hands, a flipping and skittering fish is much C52

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easier to capture with a net. Big trout tend to pull free at the last minute, and unexpected flounder are certainly a bonus on the stringer, but lack handles and are master escape artists. Don’t overlook safety when trying to grab a thrashing fish pinned to a plug with multiple sets of dangling treble hooks. Imagine the plight of the angler impaled with several sets of hooks while the angry fish attempts to free itself. The creative types at ForEverlast have come up with a solution to this problem, called simply, “The Net.” The Net is specifically designed for wadefishermen and solves the problems previous mentioned. The hoop is a 16x18 inch oval made of extremely lightweight but stiff aluminum tubing. The tubing terminates inside a padded foam handle featuring contoured ridges, and the closed-cell foam provides a comfortable, non-slip grip. Two small floats adorn the top edge of the net, keeping it riding on the surface and preventing it from sinking. The floats are small enough to not affect your netting motion or make it hard to keep your net underwater when a quick upsweeping motion is needed. Take that, Mr. Flatfish! The handle is almost 7 inches long, allowing you to safely hoist double-digit fish. F i s h

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A longer handle would be nice, but would make the net too long to tuck inside a boat compartment. The bag is generous in volume, extending 18 inches below the tubing frame. Due to the special mesh, the bag stays open rather than collapsing. To prevent hooks from snagging, The Net uses a special hexagonal mesh featuring a rubberized coating. This coating prevents hooks from sticking in the twist of the fiber; it is also easier on the protective slime that protects fish. Several things about The Net could be improved. First, the color. Since Bud Adams moved the Oilers to Tennessee and renamed his team the Possums (they get killed on the road and play dead at home), I tend to shun things colored Columbia blue. I will make an exception with The Net. I would also change the elastic cord with a snap that extends out of the handle. The cord is useful, but a bit taught for my liking. The Net is a well-thought out product that should provide many years of reliable service. It is available from Academy, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, and other fine outdoor stores.

Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com PHOTO BY GREG BERLOCHER

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Factory Ammo vs. Handloads HEN I STARTED RELOADING IN THE 1970s, I did it because I wanted to shoot more and couldn’t afford it without reloading. In those days, I could reload a box of 20 high-power rifle cartridges for less than $3 as compared to about $7 or $8 for factory. The first guns I loaded for were a .25-06 and a .22-250. Both were pretty new on the market at that time, having been recently standardized by Remington from their previous wildcat status, and were considered real hotrods. (They still are, by the way.) I bought factory ammunition and shot it to get brass for the .22-250, but I just resized .30-06 brass I was given or picked up at the range for my .25-06. To be honest, I expected to get better accuracy from that pretty, shiny factory ammo than I did from my handloads, so I was terribly surprised when the exact opposite was true. In general, my handloads performed considerably better than factory fodder. There are several reasons for this: Once a round has been fired in a gun, the brass conforms to the dimensions of the chamber. If the reloader doesn’t drastically resize the cartridge case, it is nearer to the exact measurements of the chamber and more in line with the center of the bore than a factory cartridge is, which must be of such dimensions that it will fit easily in any chamber, large or small. If a cartridge is neck-sized only (a common practice), it is even more closely fitted to the chamber

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and is more accurate when reloaded, but is sometimes difficult to chamber, which is why it is generally better to full-length resize hunting ammunition. When the cartridge is fired and conforms to the shape of the chamber, it also is exactly aligned with the bore, which can only improve accuracy. Also, rather than being loaded to a pre-determined length, bullets can be seated out to the optimum distance from the beginning of the lands or to the maximum length allowed by the length of the magazine. This, too, improves accuracy. One very good example of the superiority of handloads happened to me with a Remington Model 7 in 6.8 SPC. I ordered one of the rifles along with some Remington Match ammunition for testing. At the same time, I ordered a set of Redding dies. Hornady V-Max bullets are made in the correct weight for the 6.8, so I called the guys at Hornady and asked for a couple boxes of the 110-grainers. The Remington ammo was loaded with 115-grain OTM (open-tip match) bullets. I mounted a scope and shot for group. I was stunned when the first group with the factory ammo went nearly 3 inches. Several more averaged between 2 and 3 inches. While I am not one who believes every gun should shoot 1-inch groups, I knew the 6.8 should do better than that, so I took the empty cases and reloaded them using the Hornady 110-grain V-Max bullets. The first group with the reloads measured almost exactly an inch, and subsequent groups stayed pretty close to that size. So, my handloads were just over twice as accurate as the Remington matchgrade factory loads. I have been a reloader for almost 40 years now. In addition, I have shot and tested ammunition made by every major U.S. and some foreign manufacturers. Almost without exception, my handloaded ammunition has been more accurate than that loaded at the factories. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Ammunition factories load huge quantities of ammunition, and spot check for problems. While modern computer controlled processes are light-years ahead of previous methods, there is no practical way to check every single round for deformity and continuity. I have found misloaded or malformed cartridges a number of times in factory boxes. I have also had misfires from factory ammunition, both rifle and shotgun. Just last week as I write this, I had a factory cartridge misfire on the range in a Mossberg Model 464 .3030. I have never, not once, had a failure to fire when hunting with handloaded rifle ammunition. Don’t think for a second that reloads are somehow inferior. When carefully crafted to keep from getting lubricant on the primers or in the powder, handloads are superior to factory loads. Even today, with the super-premium loads on the market, this is still true, although much less so than in the past. The factory has to load cartridges that will work properly in everything from a rusty hand-me-down 1903 Springfield to a new T/C Encore or 20year-old Remington Model 742 semiauto. You, on the other hand, can tailor the round to the exact needs of your rifle, handgun, or shotgun, and for the purpose to which you intend to put it. If you want to be a better all around shooter and hunter, learn to reload your own ammunition. You will learn more about the sport, guns, and ammunition; shoot more, and become a better shot because of it. Not only that, reloading is a relaxing and fulfilling pastime in its own right.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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Circle Jigs— Another Look HE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED—CIRCLE HOOK leadhead jigs have finally become commercially available. Last year, I wrote two pieces on egg weight-headed circle hook jigs of my design, plus some by readers who had contacted me. I recently came across two versions of a true leadhead jig, each with a freeswinging circle hook attached to the rear. The first one was being used by a fellow fisherman, Randy Derusha, a 3-ounce model with a circle hook connected to the jig body’s rear eye. No skirting or dressing was on the body, but the long shank circle hook was white bucktail dressed. I have used it, and red snapper and barracuda ate it. Since that first use, I have added bucktail dressing to the jighead, too. Randy found his on eBay under “bucktail jigs.” I couldn’t find them; apparently, they were sold out. The second version came my way from Matt Wells of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, after he saw one of my past columns and illustrations. His first email contained information and photos of his circle hook leadhead jigs. After a few idea-swapping emails, he sent me three samples. Matt makes the body-to-hook connection with a heavy-duty split ring. This connection has more wobble of the hook in relation to the body, possibly quickening hook penetration since it doesn’t have to fight the weight of the jighead so much. My first concern with Matt’s jig was that its soft plastic “squid body” would interfere with a hookset. He assured me that is not the case.

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His circle hook leadhead jigs are available with and without a stinger hook. Due to the placement of the hook, well behind the jighead, that makes it sort of a stinger, anyway. A second hook might not be as important unless you place a whole, nose-hooked baitfish on the primary hook. At that point, a stinger in the mid-body of the baitfish would help in hooking a short-striker. I haven’t fished one of these Dead Eye Circle Hook Jigs (www.deadeyeoffshorelures.com, 228-313-7378 as of this writing, but it’s obvious from my years of using these type jigs and the one from Randy that it’s a nobrainer as to their effectiveness. The use of either of these circle hook leadhead jigs allows the addition of a natural bait to the combination and it will comply with National Marine Fisheries Service regulations. That regulation requiring circle hooks when using natural baits when fishing for reef fish species is the genesis for this family of leadhead jigs. They have been an offshore favorite for many years, and these with circle hooks give them a new lease on life. F i s h

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When fishing these jigs, you must let the line come tight, then lift the rod in a smooth up or side sweep, and your circle hook is set. “Pull their lips off ” hooksets don’t work with circle hooks. Don’t forget to use that old musky fishing trick, the figure eight maneuver. When you have a follower, as your jig approaches boatside, do a series of quick, figure eight maneuvers of your rod with the jig about two feet off the tip and the rod in the water, to put the jig about 5 feet or so below the surface. This “fleeing” or “escape” look drives predators wild. I have used it successfully many times over the years. These circle hook leadhead jigs, due to their size, do a great job of being a small fish eliminator. This is especially true when a baitfish is added, giving a larger profile and thus attracting larger predators. These two types are the first I have seen on the market, and I am sure others will follow soon. E-mail Patrick Lemire at saltrigs@fishgame.com ILLUSTRATION BY PATRICK LEMIRE

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Learn Tung Fu, Grasshopper OW MANY RODS DO YOU CARRY ON ANY particular fishing trip? I wrote a blog about this a year or two ago, but just in case you missed that one, let me recap: Most serious anglers carry an arsenal of rods that allow them to fish at multiple depths with multiple techniques at any time. The front deck of most bass boats looks like a rod factory exploded with pieces of graphite laying everywhere. I, on the other hand, typically fish out of a kayak, so carrying more than two rods is not feasible. Honestly, I carry two rods, but typically use only one. Most of the time, you will catch me with my spinning rod in hand with a 3/0 hook tied on the end. Feel free to take away my Man Card for openly admitting to wielding a dainty spinning rod most of the time. This sounds like a pointless setup to most anglers, since at first glance it seems to limit me to very few bait presentation options. I typically use it to throw wacky worms around boathouses or toss soft plastic jerkbaits into grass, and it works exceptionally well for both. However, a product I ran across a while back can turn a simple onedimensional hook and line into a multiple depth rig, allowing me to make multiple presentations with just one rod. This product isn’t really new, just rarely used, but is worth giving a try. The item I am referring to is a tungsten putty called Tung Fu. I’m a sucker for products with irritating names, so I bought some just to see how it worked. Tung Fu is a moldable tungsten putty that can be used to add weight to just about fishing rig in any shape imaginable. Think back to your days

ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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as a kid playing with Play-Doh, and you will get some idea of what this stuff can be turned into. In the past, if you were throwing a soft plastic jerkbait and needed to get it down a little deeper, you had two options—add a split shot to the line, or insert a nail into the nose of the bait. The problems with these methods are the split shot tends to hang in thick grass, and you don’t always have a nail available in your boat. With the tungsten putty, you can create a long thin weight that you mold around your fishing line. The thin weight won’t snag and is always available as long as the Tung Fu is in your tackle box, which should be all the time since it is still moldable at zero degrees Fahrenheit, and stays solid at high temperatures as well (on the package it says storing it in your hot car is fine, which means someone did that by accident). Moving the weight down to the hook and

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molding it into the shape of a bullet weight turns the single hook and line rig into a Texas rig. Put on a worm, craw, or creature bait and you can hop the rig around trees, stumps, or boathouses. Slide it up the line a few feet and you suddenly have a Carolina rig. Really, any way you use a traditional bullet weight or split shot, you can use Tung Fu. The best part is, it is reusable. At the end of the day, or when you want to change methods, jut remove the putty from your line and mold it back in with the amount you still have left. Even though it is somewhat expensive, it will last a long time, paying for itself over and over in savings on split shot and bullet weights. It also will keep the anti-lead freaks off your back, since it is deemed environmentally friendly.

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Hunters vs. Anglers VERY YEAR, WATERFOWL AND REDFISH peacefully share the same skinny water in coastal bays, but duck hunters and anglers clash every fall in the pursuit of their respective preys. A troubling incident described in a post on a popular website caught my attention early this year. During the last duck season, a kayaker started drift-fishing about 150 yards from a spread of decoys, and the hunters inside the blind announced to the paddler that he was going to get shot. Troubling? Yes. Isolated event? No. I was eager to write about this encounter, but have purposely waited until the beginning of a new duck season. Conflicts between shallow-water anglers and duck hunters have occurred for decades, long before plastic hulls and carbon fiber paddles. Kayaks make marshes and flats much more accessible, so the conflicts are happening with much more frequency. Whose is right and who is wrong isn’t always a clear-cut question. Duck hunters invest a lot of time, money, and sweat building and maintaining duck blinds. They then lug heavy bags of decoys and gear across hostile mud flats just to start setting up their spread. Pre-dawn wakeup calls and hours of preparation go into a successful hunt. Most birds are taken just as the sun is announcing its arrival.

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Imagine the frustration of a huffing waterfowler, just catching his breath, seeing a kayaker paddling around his spread, and then hop out of his boat and start whipping around a topwater bait. Autumn is a magical time to be outdoors. Chamber of commerce weather patterns, dropping water temperatures, and still mornings with just a puff of breeze allow you to see tailing reds from a distance. The fish are frisky and feeding up for winter’s arrival. Autumn is simply perfect to be on the water with a rod and reel. Should the hunter not be allowed to hunt? Should the angler who has waited all year for the best fishing be denied? Who should prevail, hunter or angler? Before I give you my thoughts, let me be up front about this: Regardless of the situation, threats of armed violence are uncalled for. Real sportsmen don’t resort to violence to make their point. That established, common courtesy should always prevail, and I do my best to practice what I preach when I am on the water. If someone gets to a spot first and I am the second to arrive, I accept my fate and modify my plans accordingly. There isn’t an absolute in these matters, as every circumstance and situation is different. Since most duck hunters hit the water well before dawn, I will assume for the sake of discussion that they arrive first and the kayaker is the interloper. Shame on any paddler who uses his kayak as an excuse for rude and disrespectful behavior. I have met several selfrighteous paddlers that tried to excuse their poor manners, like cutting too close to someone who is fishing, justifying their actions with

excuses like, “Since I am paddling, I need to take this path to get where I am going.” Nonsense! Take the long way around and burn a few extra calories. Fortunately, these folks make up a small minority in the paddling community. As a rule, kayakers should stay at least 200 yards—preferably more—from floating decoys or a duck blind. Space is limited in some venues, making it difficult to give such a wide berth. To avoid conflicts with hunters, consider your choice of fishing spots for the first two weeks of November. Opening weekend is by far the most crowded. Later in the season, crowds thin out and many blinds are empty. Second, use your mobility and find other spots, or at least maintain a courteous distance that doesn’t interfere with nearby hunters. Likewise, hunters should note kayak activity in an area during summer months before building a blind. There are certain areas that draw throngs of kayakers and building your blind in such an area is asking for trouble. Even when you do all the right things, there will always be a yahoo out there who is a bad apple. Threatening to shoot someone is foolish and harms the reputation of all lawabiding hunters and fishermen. Should someone threaten you while you are on the water, call a game warden immediately, noting the time of the incident and, if possible, the GPS coordinates. Redfish and redheads have shared the same shallow water for eons. Hunters and anglers can, too, with a little common courtesy. Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com

FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS Continued from Page C55 Another advantage to the tungsten putty is that you can add as much or little as you need, which doesn’t limit you to specific pre-molded weights and shapes. If C56

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you need a 1/43-ounce bullet weight, you can have it. For those who don’t want to or can’t haul everything and the neighbor’s bathtub with you on your next fishing trip, then a hook, line, pocket full of soft plastics, and F i s h

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some Tung Fu is all you really need to fish the entire water column.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

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The Best Laid Plans HE YAUPON JUNGLE WAS SILENT. A FINE MIST hung in the heavy air, and the humidity was thick enough to chew. Nothing moved, and my senses were honed to my surroundings. This was old growth and the stalks stood 8 feet or taller with giant umbrella fronds on top. The forest floor was bare, and where the hounds were baying moments before, all was now quiet. My pulse beat in my ears while my eyes scanned for our prey. The .44 hung waiting for a cross-draw on my left hip, and my right hand rested on my Bowie knife. This place smelled like the lair of a wild boar, and it’s always good when in such places to have a plan. Crockett Leyendecker had a plan. He was retired and was going to hunt every day that the weather allowed. I was his young wheels. When the hounds bayed, I would take off running to get in the fight while Crockett followed, maneuvering his fourwheeler through the brush. Sometimes I would have a long jaunt, but most times, it was never more than a few hundred yards. Then we would parlay over whether to kill or catch. He had a high-fenced pasture that he was populating for weekend paid hunters, and if possible, we would hog-tie the porker, castrate it if male, and transport it to Crockett’s sanctuary. My plan was less focused. Presently, I was waiting for either a hog or the dogs to arrive on the scene; but in real life, my plan had slipped away. I’m not sure what happened. There was an early desire to be a pilot, and being a football coach was a nice dream. More seriously, I had considered

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military service and law enforcement, but somewhere that all went to hell. No desk ever enticed me, and I have always eschewed the idea of becoming soft and pink. I am also a fool for the romantic. Campfires and the cowboy life had lured me away from lucrative lifestyles. My ideals were my curse, and my course was to be a wandering grubline cowboy. Now, here I stood waiting for a hog and thinking that being broke really sucked. Something clicked. The hog materialized trotting toward me through the yaupon. It was huge, black, and had its own Bowies protruding from both sides of its fierce, chomping mouth. The devilish pig eyes bored into me, and I hesitated. For a quick instant, I pondered the whereabouts of the dogs, and then drew my pistol. At my movement, the creature changed direction and a sudden howling bellow announced my companions were back in the game. Donnie was the first hound to appear, followed by Junior, a little female, Willie, and Demon. The hog kicked into gear, I holstered my gun, and the race turned into a brush-busting sprint for Dry Branch Creek. Once there, the hog took refuge in a waterhole with its back to a washed-out bank. The pups were satisfied baying and I decided to be satisfied with an ear shot. I again drew the pistol again, and this time administered the sentence. Crockett puttered into the fray as I drug the boar from the waterhole. “Hey, boy, that’s a big hog!” he exclaimed, then proceeded to show me the characteristics defining the critter as a descendent of European ancestry. “See this finer hair under his regular coat? That’s for cold weather. And the silver hairs at the corners of his mouth are traits of the Old Russian boars. Boy, I’d sure like to catch one like this to put in my pasture.” As if on order, Donnie stuck his nose in the air and walked away. Crockett and I loaded the carcass and tied it down. Then we motored back to a sendero that cut F i s h

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through the center of our hunting grounds. The ride on the ATV lulled me toward dullness, but that was broken when Willie yipped and dove into the brush. We jerked to a stop and saw that all the dogs were gone. “Dadgummit, where did they go?” I asked I strode away from the muttering gas buggy so I could hear. “They sound far off! How did they get so far away so quick?” I glanced at Crockett. “See you in a bit—I’m going to run!” And I tore off through the brush, lunging and jumping, anxious to join the fight. Briars slashed at my face and ripped my clothes. I swallowed air in great gulps and stopped to make sure of my direction. Then I bolted like a track star leaving the blocks, hurdling logs, falling down, twisting, and dashing. I heard a hog squealing and Crockett’s hounds locked in combat. My nerves piqued, I could run without air, my legs kicked into overdrive, and I flashed through the wiry undergrowth. This is what keeps a predator species alive—the hunt. Then I hit a wall. There was a small opening, but in the middle of it was fortress of impenetrable yaupon with a giant cedar tree fallen atop the upper branches. Muffled barks and squeals were coming from inside the barrier. I circled, threw my hat on the ground, and got on my belly to crawl into the mess. The yaupon walls were 3-feet thick and opened into a round mud hole. It was the critter’s den. The boar was fighting for its life, and Donnie, Junior, and Demon had it by the ear, jowl, and flank. Willie skirted the melee, yipping and baying. The hog ripped with its tusks and broke free. I leaped for the cedar limbs and pulled myself off the ground. In seconds, the dogs had new holds and I tried to grab the hog’s hind legs. Three times it broke free, but finally I attained my wheelbarrow hold and we danced in the ankle-deep slop. The animal’s hind legs were too big for me to close my

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hands, and it dragged me as it fought the dogs. I prayed that Crockett would arrive soon. Then he called. “Brune! Are you in there?” “YEAH!” “Hang on, boy, I’m coming!” The tall, aged hunter got down on all fours and wriggled into the pig’s sanctum. Once inside, he inspected the woodland hideout and shook his head in awe, then proceeded to pull off the dogs. We threw the hog, tied its feet, and chopped a route

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through the wall. This one was going back alive. We struggled to load the grunting beast and headed for the truck. The hounds trotted along content, and I reflected. I was glad to be Crockett’s young wheels—and I wondered if such a helper was in the plans for me. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com

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BAFFIN BAY

GALVESTON

CORPUS CHRISTI

Kendal 28-inch R Ezell edfish Nort Boating A h Padre dventure s

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS SALTWATER BAFFIN BAY

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

SPOTLIGHT: BLAIR’S GUIDE SERVICE My name is Vaughn Blair. I was born and raised in east Texas. My dad took me to the lake every weekend as soon as I could walk. I have always loved being outdoors, and I enjoy showing others what they sometimes miss in this rushed world we now live in. I got my guide license and started Blair’s Guide Service because I wanted to give people a place where they could go to relax and have fun. I use a 22-foot center console Mako, which allows 360 of casting area and the ability to follow your fish and bring it in. I fish primarily for bass, stripers, catfish, and just about anything that’s biting. I fish in Lake Nacogdoches, Lake Palestine, and Sam Rayburn Reservoir. I not only take people out to fish, but have been asked to take people on tours and day trips of local lakes. Most of my clients would love to own a boat, but for various reasons, don’t. They all love to be on the water, but not all of them fish. I want everyone to have a fun, relaxing time and to leave with a smile and some good stories. That’s why I’m here. I’m all about the outdoors and want to share it with people who have the same passion. So pick a lake and give me a call! — Vaughn Blair 903-646-3889 www.eastex.net/blair C60

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ROCKPORT

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Thompson, III First Redfish Hillman Guide Servi ce

on Capt. Charlie Newt BJ fe wi d an Redfish Redfish Charters

d Shelley L-R Shirley, Pam an ut Tro d an Redfish ide Service Gu r ate ltw Sa ins Ak

ROCKPORT

TEXAS HUNTING

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS FRESHWATER

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

LAKE AMISTAD

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

EAST TEXAS

COSTA RICA

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY! A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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For the Brine

Mesquite Grilled Dove Wraps S THE LONG DAYS OF SUMMER WIND DOWN, our thoughts move toward autumn. Kids getting back to school, football games, and, of course, dove season. There are great times spent and memories made while enjoying the outdoors with family or friends. The thrill of seeing a group of whitewings our mourning dove flying over, darting and diving, reminding you of just how challenging this sport is. This recipe is tried and true, with some helpful hints to make your harvest dinner a great meal and a fond memory for all.

Fillet the breast meat from the breastplate. Place the fillet halves into a large bowl of ice water. They should be fully submerged. Add 1/2 cup sea salt to 1/2 gallon of ice water. Allow meat to sit for 1-2 hours. Pour off water and rinse the meat again with cold water.

Preparation 24 dove breasts 24 Jalapenos (halved and seeded to make 48 halves) 2 purple onions peeled and cut into 1inch thick wedges 2 8-oz packages of cream cheese (allow to sit out to soften for 1-2 hours)

In a mixing bowl, add to the cream cheese 1 tablespoon each of black pepper, garlic salt, and basil leaves Stuff a Jalapeno half with 3/4 tsp cream cheese mixture. Place the breast on top of the cream cheese and place the purple onion on top of the breast. Wrap the pepper and breast with a half slice of bacon. Hold the bacon in place with a moist round toothpick. (Be sure to wrap tightly to hold in cheese.)

For the Baste The baste will help to cook the bacon faster and keep the meat from overcooking and drying out. 1 whole bottle of Syrah or Merlot wine 3/4 jar Jalapeno Kiwi Jelly 3 Tbs soy sauce 3 Tbs olive oil 1 Tbs Dijon mustard 3 tsp beef bullion 1 Tbs butter 1 Tbs black pepper 2 Tbs rosemary leaves, chopped coarsely 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic Place all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and reduce by 1/2 of volume. Remove from heat. C62

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Grilling Because they are small, delicate, and prone to flare ups on the fire, place the dove wraps indirectly over medium high heat on the grill and keep it covered when not basting. Turn the wraps every 4-5 minutes and baste every time you turn until bacon is browned. Remove from the grill to a platter and cover loosely with a piece of foil for approx. 7-8 minutes to rest the meat. Then remove the toothpicks and enjoy.

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blender, puree the soup until smooth. Add the parsley, season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into a shallow bowl. Garnish with crème fraiche, and chives.

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com

Cream of Winter Squash Soup 2 acorn squash, about 2 pounds each 1 butternut squash, about 2 pounds 1 stick of butter, cut into tablespoon portions 1/4 cup molasses 2 carrots, peeled and halved 1 onion, julienned 6 cloves of garlic, peeled 2 cups white wine 8 cups chicken stock 1 tsp allspice salt and white pepper 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 Tbs finely chopped parsley 2 Tbs crème fraiche 1 Tbs chopped chives Preheat oven to 350. Cut the squashes in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Season the squash with salt and white pepper. Place the halved squashes, skin side down, in a shallow roasting pan. Place one tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of molasses in the center of each squash. Arrange the carrots, onions, and garlic cloves around the squash. Pour 1 cup of the wine and 1 cup of the stock into the pan, cover with foil, and bake for two hours. Remove from the oven and cool the vegetables for five minutes. Scoop the flesh out of each squash and place in a large saucepot. Discard the skin. Place the other roasted vegetables and the cooking liquid in the pot. Add the remaining wine and chicken stock to the pot. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Season with allspice, salt, and pepper. Simmer the soup for 10 minutes and then remove from heat. Using a hand held A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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

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

1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032

SPECKLED TROUT—UPPER LAGUNA MADRE

REDFISH—PORT ARANSAS

BASS—COLORADO RIVER

Reagan DeJohn proudly shows off this speckled trout that she caught while fishing with her family in the upper Laguna Madre, near Pita Island, Texas.

Debbie Milligan of Lytton Springs, Texas, caught this 27.5-inch, 8-pound redfish while fishing the Brown & Root Flats near Port Aransas. The red was caught on Berkley Gulp! Crab.

Danielle Hernandez, age 8, of Frisco, Texas, proudly shows off her first bass caught during a week-long fishing trip with her dad, Amado, on the Colorado River near Lake LBJ. The bass was later released.

CATFISH—CHOKE CANYON

REDFISH & SPECKLED TROUT—BIRD ISLAND BASIN

Mandy and Ryan Mosel of Marion, Texas, caught this 18-pound catfish on a trotline while fishing Choke Canyon.

John DeJohn and his father, Dr. Pedro Magel of Elgin, Texas, caught these 25-inch redfish and 25-inch speckled trout while fishing near Bird Island Basin.

HYBRID STRIPER & WHITE BASS—INKS LAKE

HYBRID STRIPER BASS—INKS LAKE

Andrew Ness of Harker Heights, Texas, shows off a Nathan Ness of Harker Heights, Texas, caught this 22-inch, 2-pound, 13-ounce hybrid striper and a 24-1/4-inch hybrid striper bass while fishing at Inks white bass, both caught while fishing Inks Lake in Lake, Texas. The striper weighed 4.5 pounds. Texas. C64

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SPECKLED TROUT—KING RANCH SHORELINE George Cantu holds up a 9-1/2-pound, 30-1/4inch speckled trout that he caught with live piggy perch while fishing on the King Ranch shoreline.

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GREW UP ON THE PRAIRIES OF NORTH TEXAS, just off the Caprock, the rugged escarpment that marks the edge of the Llano Estacado—that huge flatness the old buffalo hunters called the Yarner—and separates it from the lower Rolling Plains. If you suffer from agoraphobia (the fear of wide-open spaces), stay away from this end of the state. My wife and I once moved to Perryton, the northernmost county seat in Texas. One night I asked someone what those lights on the northern horizon were, and they told me it was Liberal, Kansas. Liberal was on the other side of the Oklahoma Panhandle, 50 air miles from where we were standing. The purpose of the wool gathering is to point out that there are places in Texas where the only place to hang a tree stand is on a telephone pole, and where any kind of cover is a rare commodity. I have never seen anyplace that was absolutely featureless. I have hunted in North Texas, the Panhandle, far West Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Okla-

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homa, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Old Mexico, and have never seen anyplace where finding a place to hide from game was impossible. There is usually some type of terrain feature to accommodate a stalk or stand. Even on the flattest prairie, there are

by Steve LaMascus gentle folds and shallow draws, tufts of grass, tall weeds, low brush, wild plum thickets, the occasional big rock, concrete water tanks, earthen tank dams, old houses, and other things that serve as cover. In New Mexico, we were hunting mule deer and calling coyotes where the country was flat as an ironing board. We finally found the remains of a broken down windmill along with the wind-twisted pieces of a rusty water trough. The remains of the old trough were about 3 feet high and 6 feet long, just tall and long enough that when we sat in front of it we were mostly concealed. We got into position and I started calling. In a few minutes, a coyote came trotting in. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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It never suspected a thing. It saw the water trough, windmill, and other things it had seen before. My partner shot it at about 70 yards with a .22-250. While I personally do not recommend the practice, oilfield tanks can be used for both cover and elevation in a land notoriously short of both. The drawback is the danger. Flash fires and poison gas (hydrogen sulfide) can be encountered around such structures. I once stalked a pronghorn buck to within a hundred yards by crawling nearly a quarter of a mile through a little draw that wasn’t 2 feet deep, and then belly-crawling the last hundred yards behind a boulder that was about 3 feet long and a couple of feet high. The fact that I missed the antelope (the scope was off, I swear!) doesn’t alter the fact that it was a brilliantly executed stalk, even if I do say so myself. And I was not wearing camouflage. When stalking, you must learn to use the terrain. Anywhere it rains (and that is nearly everywhere) there will be draws and G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

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In This Issue

I42 I44 I50

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

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

SHOOT THIS • Aimpoint Micro H-1 | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

I29 I45 I56 I60 I62

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION • Essential Hunting Gear | BY TF&G STAFF

I64

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

FISH THIS • The Net from ForEverlast | BY GREG BERLOCHER

HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Hide in Plain Sight | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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

I22

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

GEARING UP SECTION

I39 I40

INDUSTRY INSIDER • Forrest and Nina Wood in Hall of Fame | BY TF&G STAFF TEXAS TESTED • Rayovac; Energizer; Chart Master Pro; and more | BY TF&G STAFF

I47 I48 I51

BOWHUNTING TECH • The October Lull | BY LOU MARULLO TEXAS BOATING • E-15 Ethanol Could Kill Your Outboard | BY LENNY RUDOW

I52 I54

TEXAS KAYAKING • Hunters vs. Anglers | BY GREG BERLOCHER

I55

FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Learn Tung Fu, Grasshopper | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

I58

WILDERNESS TRAILS • The Best Laid Plans | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

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DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS • Classifieds | BY TF&G STAFF TEXAS TASTED • Mesquite Grilled Dove Wraps | BY BRYAN SLAVEN

SALTWATER BAITS & RIGS • Circle Jigs - Another Look | BY PATRICK LEMIRE

your clothing to your surroundings. Most camouflage lacks sufficient contrast, so at a distance it becomes just a big, dark blob. On the deserts or prairies, dull colored clothing of the same general color as the surrounding foliage and landscape often works better than camouflage intended for woodland conditions. For example, I have a gray flannel shirt the color of cenizo sage. When I am hunting in country where there is a lot of sage, I find it much more effective than designer camo that does not match the local vegetation. If you wear camouflage, make certain that it has the largest, most open pattern with the greatest contrast you can find, and that it matches the terrain and vegetation. My personal preferences are Predator and ASAT brands because they use the biggest patterns with the greatest contrast. Mossy Oak Brush pattern is also good, as is Realtree Advantage Max-1 HD. Don’t forget your boots and rifle. A black rifle in a dead grass-colored environment will stand out like a neon light. If it is synthetic and stainless steel, painting it won’t hurt it a bit. Just be certain to keep the paint off your scope lenses and out of the action, trigger, and bore. A couple of cans of the right colors of spray paint can make that

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SALTWATER TALES • Hey, Slick! | BY KYLE TOMEK

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Factory Ammo vs. Handloads | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

arroyos caused by running water, even if they are shallow. Use these low areas to get from one place to another. The plains are crisscrossed with such features. When anyone says “camouflage” these days, we immediately think of designer patterns made to resemble everything from cattails to oak forests. In certain circumstances, these designs work perfectly. The truth is that anything that generally matches the background color and breaks up your outline is effective camouflage. If you stand on top of a bald hill with only the sky as background, nothing yet invented will disguise you. Any coyote, deer, or antelope in the neighborhood will immediately realize you are a human predator and hightail it for other regions. Keep off the skyline. If you must cross a high spot, go around the side, keep low, go slow, bend over, and try to keep from looking like a human. If you need to look over a ridge, crawl up, trying to stay behind a weed or clump of grass, peek over, and then back off. Do not stroll to the top and stand there looking around with your binoculars. Stay low and stay off the skyline. Another thing to remember is that just because you are wearing camouflage does not make you invisible. You must match • O C T O B E R

TROPHY FEVER • Hunting (at) 101: Eston Fontenot | BY BOB HOOD

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black rifle into one that matches the surroundings. The same thing apples to boots. If you don’t want to buy a pair of boots for the occasion, simply spray paint an old pair—and don’t forget the soles. If you run across one of those rare places where there simply is no cover, take some along with you. One of the more productive hunting techniques for antelope and deer on the prairies entails the use of a decoy. A cardboard cutout of an antelope or cow held in front of the hunter as he stalks quarry allows approach into rifle or even bow range. In all cases, approach very, very slowly and at an oblique angle, always appearing to be moving away rather than head on. Hunting on the Yarner and other such places is relatively simple, but allows no mistakes. Just pay attention to your surroundings, use what cover there is, and try to match your clothing to the prevailing earthy tones. These are the things that mark the difference between hunting and just shooting.

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Trinity Trout Take Assassins LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Fishers and Dow Reefs(west shoreline) GPS: N29 39.202’, W94 53.889’ / N29 39.914’, W94 50.552’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins in Copper, Black Cat in stained water, chartreuse, Limetreuse in clear; MirroLure 52MR28 CONTACT: Steve Hillman, 409-256-7937 TIPS: Look for slicks and birds. If it’s, calm drift; if it’s blowing, wade. With each passing front, white shrimp pop out of the bayous and are heading for the Gulf. Bigger fish tend to be on the shorelines. BANK ACCESS: Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, McCollum Park in Trinity Bay LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Madame Johnson Bayou area

GPS: N29 50.839’, W29 50.839’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Glow Cocahoe Minnow with chartreuse tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Steve Davis, 409-4601220 TIPS: Look for birds looking for bait. BANK ACCESS: levees on Pleasure Island LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Madame Johnson Bayou area GPS: N29 50.839’, W29 50.839’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Glow Cocahoe Minnow with chartreuse tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Steve Davis, 409-4601220 TIPS: Look for birds looking for bait. BANK ACCESS: levees on Pleasure Island I4

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LOCATION: Extreme north end of Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Pass out of the Sabine River GPS: N29 58.920, W93 47.135’ SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish BEST BAITS: Glow Cocahoe Minnow CONTACT: Capt. Steve Davis, 409-4601220 TIPS: Fish working birds. Drift-fish through the pass looking for the dropoffs. Make sure your bait is bumping off the bottom. Sometimes you will pick a few larger fish. LOCATION: Extreme north end of Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: East Pass out of the Sabine River GPS: N29 58.920, W93 47.135’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Glow Cocahoe Minnow CONTACT: Capt. Steve Davis, 409-4601220 TIPS: Fish working birds. Drift-fish through the pass looking for the dropoffs. Make sure your bait is bumping off the bottom. Sometimes you will pick a few larger fish. LOCATION: Trinity Bay F i s h

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HOTSPOT: Anahuac Pocket GPS: N29 46.485’, W94 41.166’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Brown lures in Red Shad on 1/16- to 1/8-ounce jigheads CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567 TIPS: Bounce the bait off the bottom. Key on working birds and slicks. LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Skyline Drive GPS: N29 22.832’, W94 51.288’ SPECIES: speckled trout, redfish, flounder BEST BAITS: B&L Corky in red or chartreuse; black, Bone colored topwaters CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567 TIPS: Fish early and late using topwaters. BANK ACCESS: Skyline Drive, along the dike LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Skyline Drive GPS: N29 22.832’, W94 51.288’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: B&L Corky in red or chartreuse; black, Bone colored topwaters CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567

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TIPS: Fish early and late using topwaters. BANK ACCESS: Skyline Drive, along the dike LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Skyline Drive GPS: N29 22.832’, W94 51.288’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: B&L Corky in red or chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. L.G. Boyd, 409-7703567 TIPS: Work Corky near bottom. BANK ACCESS: Skyline Drive, along the dike LOCATION: Upper Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Hodges Reef GPS: N29 3530’ W94 4440’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: SkitterWalk, Bass Assassin in Plum/chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Robert Liebert, 281-7995728 TIPS: Cool fronts are going to push all the bait out of the marshes and the trout will be focused on the bait. This is a good time for wade-fishing the shoreline. Focus on birds and slicks. LOCATION: East Bay HOTSPOT: South Shoreline GPS: N29 31.834’, W94 34.339’

SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: SkitterWalk, Bass Assassin in Plum/chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Robert Liebert, 281-7995728 TIPS: Fish the marsh outlets where the current is pulling the bait out into the bay. BANK ACCESS: Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge (N29 33.573’, W94 32.266’) LOCATION: West Bay HOTSPOT: Confederate Reef GPS: N29 1582’, W94 5532’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin in Plum/chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Robert Liebert, 281-7995728 TIPS: Quite a few flounder can be caught from this area in late October. BANK ACCESS: Access to wade-fishing from Sportsman Road LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South & North Levees GPS: N29 51.584’, W93 55.547’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: mud minnows CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811

TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Either jetty; no wade-fishing LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South & North Levees GPS: N29 51.584’, W93 55.547’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: mud minnows CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811 TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Either jetty; no wade-fishing LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Keith Lake Cut GPS: N29 46.150’, W93 57.002’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: mud minnows; Gulp! baits in white, chartreuse on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811 TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow or Gulp! slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 87 toward Sabine Pass LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Keith Lake Cut GPS: N29 46.150’, W93 57.002’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: mud minnows; Gulp! baits in white, chartreuse on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle, 409-985-4811 TIPS: Retrieve the mud minnow or Gulp! slowly along the bottom, similar to fishing a plastic worm. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 87 toward Sabine Pass

Deviled Oyster Trout LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Oyster Farm GPS: N28 41.611’, W95 48 2403’

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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Sea Devil, Devil Eyes in Copper, Black Cat in stained water; SkitterWalks in Bone/chartreuse, Super Spooks in chrome/blue in clear; Corky Devil in Texas Chicken, amber, pink CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-2567937 TIPS: Wade or drift looking for slicks or feeding birds. LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Raymond Shoals Landing GPS: N28 39.790’ W95 54.482’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Sea Devil, Devil Eyes in Copper, Black Cat in stained water; SkitterWalks in Bone/chartreuse, Super Spooks in chrome/blue in clear; Corky Devil in Texas Chicken, amber, pink CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-2567937 TIPS: Wade or drift looking for slicks or feeding birds. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Hog Island GPS: N27 54.284’, W97 06.002’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Hog Island GPS: N27 54.284’, W97 06.002’ SPECIES: trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: California Hole GPS: N27 55.561’, W97 04.848’ SPECIES: trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail I8

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CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: California Hole GPS: N27 55.561’, W97 04.848’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork, jighed with Pumpkinseed shrimp tail CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Make sure the jig is bumped off the bottom. LOCATION: Aransas Pass HOTSPOT: Intracoastal Waterway between Aransas Pass, Rockport GPS: N27 52.327’, W97 05.302’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Rigging the popping cork leader (12-18 inches) depends on the depth of the water. BANK ACCESS: several dirt roads off Hwy 35 provide access to the water LOCATION: Aransas Pass F i s h

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HOTSPOT: Intracoastal Waterway between Aransas Pass, Rockport GPS: N27 52.327’, W97 05.302’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a popping cork CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Rigging the popping cork leader (12-18 inches) depends on the depth of the water. BANK ACCESS: several dirt roads off Hwy 35 provide access to the water LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Lighthouse Lake Park GPS: W27 43.775’, N97 33.204’. SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: live mullet CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: After the first couple of cold fronts, the flats start emptying off and the flounder action should be starting. BANK ACCESS: kayak or wade-fishing the Intracoastal Waterway LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Lighthouse Lake Park GPS: W27 43.775’, N97 33.204’. SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp under Alameda Rattler; Bass Assassin in Root Beer, Pumpkinchartreuse on 1/8- to 1/2-ounce jighead; live mullet CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: Work the float with plenty of noise. BANK ACCESS: kayak or wade-fishing the Intracoastal Waterway LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Lighthouse Lake Park GPS: W27 43.775’, N97 33.204’. SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under Alameda Rattler; Bass Assassin in Root Beer, Pumpkinchartreuse on 1/8- to 1/2-ounce jighead; live mullet CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: Work the float with plenty of noise. BANK ACCESS: kayak or wade-fishing the Intracoastal Waterway

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LOCATION: Aransas Pass HOTSPOT: Estes Flats near ICW GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp under Alameda Rattler; Bass Assassin in Root Beer, Pumpkinchartreuse on 1/8- to 1/2-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: Normally, by this time the season’s first cold front has passed through. Anglers should be fishing drop-offs, guts, stained water, and anywhere the water feeds into the Intracoastal Waterway. LOCATION: Aransas Pass HOTSPOT: Estes Flats near ICW GPS: N27 95.197,’ W97 08.852’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin in Root Beer, Pumpkin-chartreuse on 1/8- to 1/2-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt, 361-4636545 TIPS: Normally, by this time the season’s first cold front has passed through. Anglers should be fishing drop-offs, guts, stained water, and anywhere the water feeds into the Intracoastal Waterway. LOCATION: Aransas Pass / Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Redfish Bay GPS: N27 .9078’ W97.11277’ SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live piggy and pin perch; live mullet or cut shad CONTACT: Capt. Marvin Engel, 361-6680104 TIPS: Free-line the bait, casting into the sand pockets. LOCATION: Aransas Pass / Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Redfish Bay GPS: N27 .9078’ W97.11277’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live piggy and pin perch; live mullet or cut shad CONTACT: Capt. Marvin Engel, 361-6680104 TIPS: Free-line the bait, casting into the sand pockets. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Rockport Beach GPS: N28 00.139’, W97 03.257’ SPECIES: speckled trout

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BEST BAITS: Berkley Gulp! Shrimp in New Penney; Super Spook Jr. in Bone/silver CONTACT: Rockport Tackle Town, 361729-1841 TIPS: Rig Gulp! baits on a 1/8-ounce jighead and “walk the dog” with the Super Spook. LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Rockport Beach GPS: N28 00.139’, W97 03.257’ SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Berkley Gulp! Shrimp in New Penney CONTACT: Rockport Tackle Town, 361729-1841 TIPS: Rig Gulp! baits on a 1/8-ounce jighead. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: North Jetty GPS: N27 50.615’ W97 03.443’ SPECIES: bull reds BEST BAITS: live piggy perch with a 1/2-ounce slip sinker CONTACT: Capt. Marvin Engel, 361-6680104 TIPS: You need extremely calm conditions.

Santiago Tarpon LOCATION: Brazos-Santiago Pass HOT SPOT: North Jetties (bank access)

GPS: N26 04.080, W97 09.280 SPECIES: tarpon BEST BAITS: live finger mullet, jumbo shrimp, live pinfish; topwaters in chrome/blue, Bone CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: September is a good time to latch into a Silver King. You’ll see these flashy brutes rolling along the jetties and in the pass. When you see a tarpon surface, pitch a live finfish or a large shrimp in its general area. If the poons aren’t rolling, put the bait under a balloon and drift it in the current. Fortune favors the bold, so you might want to try tossing a Magnum Super Spook in red head/white body, or a Sebile Splasher. Be ready to duck, though. Sometimes those big tarpon will fling that plug back at your head.

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats GPS: N26 3.624, W97 11.532 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, topwaters, Sebile Magic Swimmers

CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Fish during a high tide. As always, live shrimp under a popping cork is very effective. If there is a high tide early in the morning, topwaters in bone and blue/chrome will draw crashing strikes. Fish around sand potholes scattered throughout the flats for speckled trout. Redfish will be cruising between the potholes. A little-used technique that is very effective is to sharp shoot potholes with a 1/4-ounce DOA Shrimp, YUM! Sweet Shrimp, or Tsunami Holoshrimp in clear/gold. If the redfish are short-striking your topwaters, switch to a suspending twitch bait such as the Magic Swimmer. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Long Bar GPS: N26 12.164, W97 15.957 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, ballyhoo; shad tails in red/white, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse; topwaters CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: This area is within sight of the Queen Isabella Causeway. Despite the short ride from all the major marinas, it is always good for solid speckled trout fishing. Fishing bait off the edge is the easiest way to find those trout. Drift the length of the bar and throw either chunks of ballyhoo or large topwaters. When the weather is cool, the topwater bite will last all morning and into the afternoon. If you are a boater, keep a sharp lookout; some fishermen prefer to wade the area in the fall. Plenty of big trout get caught by wet-footed fishermen. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Old Causeway GPS: N26 4.197, W97 11.305 SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: live shrimp, mud minnows; soft plastics in chartreuse patterns CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: The area where the old Causeway joins to Long Island is an underrated but productive spot for some really nice flounder. Fish the drop-off where the easement falls into Laguna Madre for best results. Try a bucktail jig

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sweetened with either a live shrimp with the tailfin removed for extra scent (break the horn off and pass the hook from underneath the carapace and out the top so the shrimp rides straight) or a frisky mud minnow. Hop the combo along the bottom. When you feel a tap, lower your rod tip, reel in the slack, count to three, and set the hook hard. A Bomber Saltwater Grade Mud Minnow on a 1/4-ounce jighead is a great option. Rootbeer and red/white are classic choices, but don’t ignore Opening Night. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Duncan House GPS: N26 17.908, W97 18.103 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait; topwaters; soft plastics in red/white, New Penny; gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Drift near the spoil islands. Redfish prowl all along the flats. Use either live shrimp under a popping cork or gold spoons; both will cover the most water in the shortest amount of time. If you prefer using topwaters, bone and blue/chrome are popular, and Halloween (black/gold/orange) catches its fair share. Try a swimbait such as the Reaction Strike Fathead Minnow slathered with Carolina Lunker Sauce on a 3/0 hook as a novel, but effective alternative. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Rattlesnake Bay GPS: N26 19.075, W97 20.454 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, ballyhoo; gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Cast towards pods of tailing reds with gold spoons or a “skipped” ballyhoo (a weightless 4-inch head segment of ‘hoo worked just under the surface). If the water is off-colored and sight-fishing is difficult, then bottom fish with ballyhoo chunks and live shrimp under a popping cork. Night-fishing in the general area is a good alternative. Bottom fish with cut bait or, if you are fishing the full moon, with topwaters. You’d be amazed at how exciting a redfish blowing up on a lure in the dark really is.

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.643, W97 15.102 SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: Fall offers an incredible variety of fishing opportunities for Laguna Madre fishermen. If the trout and redfish aren’t cooperating, there are always schools of slot-sized (14- to 30-inch) black drum to fish for. Watch for mud boils, which will tip you off to schools of foraging drum. A live shrimp under a cork is standard, but if you find one of those small crabs swimming around in your bait bucket, put him on the hook. A hungry black won’t turn those down. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.643, W97 15.102 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp/popping cork, gold spoons, topwaters CONTACT: Captain Ruben Garcia, 956459-3286 TIPS: It is awesome to see a bronze carpet of redfish foraging along the flats during October. There are hungry redfish putting on the feedbag prior to their fall run out Brazos Santiago and Mansfield Pass. These fish will aggressively attack both live bait and topwaters. The can be so aggressive that they’ll actually miss your bait. If that happens, slow the topwater down and give it a wider, gliding action that the redfish will key in on. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mansfield Jetties GPS: N26 34.025, W97 16.173 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, finger mullet; Long A’s in Sweet Grape, Firetiger; Sinking CW Crabs CONTACT: Captain Terry Neal, 956-9442556, www.terrynealcharters.com TIPS: Monster hunters should focus on the end of the jetties if they want to latch onto something big. Large redfish form big schools around the jetties during October. Large shrimp and live mullet on 1/2-ounce Carolina rigs can be fished around the outside of the jetties for best results. A Bomber Saltwater Grade Crab on a 1/4-ounce jighead can be skittered along the bottom. You may have to pick your days to avoid snotty conditions, but

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it’s well worth the effort. LOCATION: LLM @ Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: North of East Cut GPS: N26 34.669, W97 22.403 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Mauler/Bull Minnow combo, gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Terry Neal, 956-9442556, www.terrynealcharters.com TIPS: If you are more interested in slot-sized redfish for the table, the focus on the opposite end of the East Cut. Pods of redfish will be

harassing bait in the shallow flats North of the Cut. A Norton’s Bull Minnow in red/white or glow/chartreuse is the rig of choice for this scenario. YUM! Samurai Shad in black/chartreuse are also effective. Sight-fishing with 1/4-ounce Gold spoons is also effective. LOCATION: Laguna Madre @ Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Community Bar GPS: N26 34.669, W97 25.124

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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Gulp! Jerk Shads in Limetreuse, Pearl; topwaters early; soft plastics in red/white, Firetiger CONTACT: Captain Terry Neal, 956-9442556, www.terrynealcharters.com TIPS: The Western shoreline from Com-

munity Bar to the Land Cut will be productive for speckled trout through the fall. Wadefishing is the best option, because it allows fishermen to work the depth break near the shoreline. Topwaters worked in the shallows from gray light until dawn are effective. Switch over to jerk baits and soft plastics as the day progresses and fish between the cut and the sand bar. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: East Kleberg Point GPS: N27 16.300, W97 30.426 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: East Kleberg fishing improves even more as fall meander’s along. An angler can make an entire day by simply fishing this area. Fish the shallows around rock edges and let the bait fall into deeper water. Use a Texas Rattlin’ Rig Chatterweight and a 3/0 Kahlestyle hook for best results. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: East Kleberg Point GPS: N27 16.300, W97 30.426 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish, Sott plastics, topwaters CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: There are plenty of redfish in Baffin for anglers who want to add variety to the daily bag. They’ll strike the same baits as trout, but anglers can also trim their overhead by using soft plastics and topwaters. Popular color patterns in the plastics include Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, Plum/chartreuse, and black/chartreuse. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: ICW GPS: N27 27 16.674, W97 23.821 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, Gulp! lures CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout will be holding along the edges.

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When you locate a school, fish a Gulp! Shrimp or shad tail under an Old Bayside Paradise Popper. Use a 1/4-ounce jighead and no cork if the fish are deeper; switch to a 1/8-ounce jighead if using the X-treme cork. LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Rocky Slough GPS: N27 18.651, W97 33.465 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish; soft plastics in Morning Glory, Baffin Magic CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish the deep points rocks with live bait on a Chatterweight rig. Drift-fishing is better than anchoring because it allows you to cover more water around the reef. Once you find a concentration of fish, focus on the area they’re holding. Stake out sticks and Power Poles are very useful in these situations. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Beacroft’s Hole GPS: N27 33.092, W97 19.293 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish, croaker; soft plastics in Tequila Gold; gold weedless spoons CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Hit Beacroft’s for a quick trip before your favorite college football team takes the field. Work live pinfish or live shrimp under a Paradise Popper around the grasslines early in the morning. There will be tailing redfish around the grasslines. You can sight cast with soft plastics on light (1/8-ounce) jighead or 1/4-ounce gold spoons. Swim your baits just above the grass. LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N27 325.402, W97 2.075 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, pinfish, croaker; Gulp! Baits/Paradise Popper CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout will be lurking around the pot-

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holes along the grass beds. If you are fishing a weedline, then use a live pinfish or shrimp on a Chatterweight. If you’re drifting potholes, then rig a 3-inch Gulp! or Bayside Shrimp under an Old Bayside Paradise Popper. Again, slow is the catchword, so temper your drift with a drift anchor if you have one. As the sun gets higher in the sky, a stealthier approach will prevent from spooking fish.

Toledo Whites LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Main lake river channel sandbars GPS: N31 48.960, W93 52.410 SPECIES: white bass

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ter temperatures are falling. This occurrence sets off an “alarm” for fish to begin feeding heavy and bulking up for the winter. White bass will be holding on the main lake river channel sandbars. Use electronics to locate baitfish. If the white bass are slow, opt for crappie, which are now moving onto ledges and drops along the river channel around both natural and manmade cover. They can be easily caught with live minnows and crappie jigs. Concentrate on the bends and points along the river channel. BANK ACCESS: public parks and marinas, crappie on live minnows, catfish on cut bait and liver LOCATION: Lake Monticello HOTSPOT: Last point before bridge on left/Mouth of Smith Creek SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: chartreuse 4-inch Tornado, Pepper Alpha Hawg CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, jeff@jeffkirkwood.com, 800-965-0350 / 214385-0301 TIPS: These baits are best used on a standup jighead, Texas-rig, and lightweight Carolina

rig. On bright “blue-bird” days, make sure to downsize with these baits and pay special attention to your line. Best depths will be from 1’ to 14’ of water. LOCATION: Toledo Bend South HOTSPOT: Mill Creek GPS: N31 12.240, W93 38.260 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater poppers/chuggers in Bone or shad colors; 3/8-ounce double willow leaf spinnerbaits in white/chartreuse skirt with one gold and one nickel blade; mid- and deep-diving crankbaits in Firetiger and Sexy Shad colors; light Texas-rigged 7-inch with 1/2ounce sinkers CONTACT: Joe Joslin, 337-463-3848, www.joejoslinoutdoors.com TIPS: There are at least two strong fall patterns on Toledo Bend with the shallow early bite and deep patterns to use when the shallow bite slows. Use topwater and spinnerbaits early around grassy points and ridges with grass (Hydrilla) in 6 to 15 foot deep flats. Weightless Texas-rigged Senko style plastics are deadly when worked slowly over shallow grass. Work crankbaits on points in 10 to 20 feet of

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water, and Texas rigs on points and ridges in 10 to 25 feet. BANK ACCESS: Bass Haven Fishing Resort fishing pier just north of the dam for bream and crappie, below the dam generators when they are running, for catfish and striper. Call 337-286-5244 for pre-recorded generator schedule. LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Pine Island Pond GPS: N32 43.556, W94 09.177 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: BNB Jigs Caddo Lake Dream Team hair jigs, Ozark Secrets tube jigs CONTACT: Dennis North, 903-687-2128, www.fishingwithdennis.com TIPS: October is one of the best times to hit the upper river for crappie; specifically the treetops just up from Pine Island Pond. The fish have been in their summer pattern for some time and you can now find them in the many trees that line the river. Baits that have always produced big crappie this time of year are live baits and small 1/32 and 1/16-ounce BNB hair jigs and Ozark Secrets tube jigs. Also, try fishing drop-shot rigged live bait instead of with floats. BANK ACCESS: Caddo Lake State Park, panfishes, catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and white bass LOCATION: Wright Patman Lake HOTSPOT: Sally Keaton Island GPS: N33 15.011, W94 17.648 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: blue or black back with chrome belly Pop-R’s; topwater frogs in various colors; Sammy’s Topwater Lures in shad colors; jigs with Junebug craw worm trailers CONTACT: Doug Rochelle, 903-671-3494, reteeks77@aol.com TIPS: Fish early and late paying close attention to the brush on the river side of the island. Fish with a slow retrieval for the big fish and keep an eye out for those schooling. If the topwater bite slows, try flipping banks and brush with jigs with craw trailers. Check Solunar fishing tables for peak feeding times during the day you fish to maximize your action. Expect between 20 and 30 fish per day with some in the 3 to 4 pound range and larger.

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BANK ACCESS: Hwy 8 boat ramp, catfish with night crawlers and cut shad, bream by the rocks and bridge piers on crickets and worms

BANK ACCESS: public boat ramps, largemouth on artificials; catfish on cut bait, liver, or stinkbait

LOCATION: Lake O’ the Pines HOTSPOT: Brushy Creek Road Bed GPS: N32 44.613, W94 32.783 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Carolina-rigged Green Pumpkin finesse worms with heads dipped in chartreuse dye; shad colored DD22 crankbaits; Shaky Heads; Yellow Magic; Zara Spooks CONTACT: Dennis North, 903-687-2128, www.fishingwithdennis.com TIPS: Brushy Creek is a good area in October, with one of the most consistent spots being the old roadbed just across from the Tejas Boat Ramp. Work this area to find the day’s sweet spot; it could be the roadbed, the old bridge, or in spotted grass. This area is also good for early morning topwater action if you arrive early enough. You can spend a half-day working this area alone as it contains both shallow and deep areas that will produce fish. BANK ACCESS: Dam Shoreline around the Tejas boat ramp, bass, panfish and catfish, wadefishing good in this area

LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Riverside Texas GPS: N30 51.475, W95 23.973 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas-rigged Junebug colored plastic worms; black/chartreuse 6-inch lizards CONTACT: Dave Cox, 936-291-9602, www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Fish log jams in the river north and south of Highway 19 bridge boat launch. The water in the river is normally clear in the fall. Key on jams found on cut banks in roughly 20 feet of water. Fish will be suspended in shady areas under the logs. The logjams will produce good numbers of bass in the 12 to 15inch range with the occasional fish going 4 to 6 pounds. BANK ACCESS: public parks and boat ramps, largemouth bass on artificials; catfish on cut bait, stinkbait, or liver

LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: Canyon Ridge GPS: N31 13.830, W94 20.930 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: DD22 crankbaits with black backs and chartreuse bellies; Carolina-rigged plastic lizards and Baby Brush Hogs in Watermelon Red with tails dipped in garlic chartreuse Spike-It dye. CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-478-2633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: October is usually still hot in the area and big bass will move up on Canyon Ridge in the morning and afternoon. Position your boat to the ridge’s side and work your way down its drop from the canyon’s mouth out to the end of the ridge. Bass will move to feed up and down this ridge during the early morning. Try a DD22 crankbait with a medium action Kistler rod with 12- to 15-pound clear Berkley fluorocarbon line. The medium action rod helps prevent pulling hooks free from hooked fish. Carolina rigs are best with 17to 20-pound clear fluorocarbon line and a 2to 5-foot leader. F i s h

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LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 26.231, W95 35.510 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Pop-R’s in bone and shad colors, spinnerbaits in white and white/chartreuse colors, live shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, 936-291-1277, www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: With the cool fronts becoming more common, bass are now feeding on shad in preparation for colder weather. October is a great time for topwater and spinnerbait action. Try working Pop-R topwaters in the area and alternate with spinnerbaits to determine what the fish prefer on the particular day. If bass are slow, try your luck with catfish with stinkbait as they will be feeding in 15 to 20 feet of water in the same area. Hybrids will also begin aggressive feeding during this time and will be in 16 to 22 feet along channel edges. Live shad work best on hybrids, but they can be had on artificials and swimbaits when schooling. BANK ACCESS: Stowaway Marina, bream and catfish on live minnows or worms under cork

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Humpy Stripers LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump Point GPS: N31 54.672’, W97 20.873’

SPECIES: striper BEST BAITS: cut and live shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, 817-822-5539 TIPS: Use large gizzard shad and anchor boat just off of hump, cut shad in 1/2 and/or use live shad also and make longs casts up on and just off point. Leave reel open and use clicker. Stripers will pick up shad and make a long hard run, reel down and stick them and hang on. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Public Hump GPS: N32.51.174’, W95.31.811’ SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spoons, Carolina rigs CONTACT: Micheal’s Guide Service, 903383-3406, www.lake-fork-guides.com TIPS: Use large jigging spoons on large schools of fish when you have found them using your depth finder. If yellow bass are biting, stick around because largemouth bass are usually eating them. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Bell Ridge GPS: N32.52.539’, W95.31.367’ SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spinnerbug, football jig (black and blue) CONTACT: Micheal’s Guide Service, 903383-3406, www.lake-fork-guides.com TIPS: If yellow bass are biting, stick around because largemouth bass are usually eating them. Use your depth finder to find schools of fish and use larger jigs and spinner bugs to catch them. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: HWY 515 E Bridge (East Side) GPS: N32.53.713’, W95.31.224’ SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/32- 1/8-ounce gray and blue jigs; minnows CONTACT: Micheal’s Guide Service, 903383-3406, www.lake-fork-guides.com

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TIPS: Keep your line moving up and down in the water column until you find where the fish are located. Count how long it takes for your bait to reach that level and fish it there every cast. Don’t sit around at one piling for too long if they aren’t biting-just move to the next piling. LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Deep Humps GPS: N31 54.214’, W97 12.730’ SPECIES: White Bass

BEST BAITS: 1-ounce chartreuse slabs CONTACT: Randy Routh 17-822-5539 TIPS: Use graph and check out deep humps, the white bass will be stacked up and look like a Christmas tree on your graph. Anchor up or use trolling motor and drop slabs to the bottom. Lift and drop baits and stay in contact with slab, whites will hit it on the fall. If no bites off are received on bottom, try different depths using same lift and drop till you determine exactly what column of water they are feeding at.

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LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: North Island and Tabletop GPS: N33 52.072’, W96 41.672’ SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: topwater plugs and Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, 877-786-4477, bigfish@striperexpress.com TIPS: The big fish are on the banks during early mornings. Cast pencil poppers and big Chug Bugs for vicious strikes in shallow water. Mid morning, change your lures to fourinch sassy shad on a one-ounce jighead. Favorite colors are white glow and chartreuse fleck. Always keep your eyes on the seagulls. They can locate schools of stripers roaming in open water. Live shad fishing is also an excellent way to catch stripers. Locate the fish on the ledges, anchor up, and place your bait three turns off the bottom. The best depth will average thirty feet deep. BANK ACCESS: Washita Point and Platter Flats LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Backs of Main Lake Creeks SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwaters early, Carolina rigs CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, 903-5617299, ricky@rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Fish the back of your creek channels early with your topwater lures such as a yellow magic along the shore lines and along the creek channels and as the day goes on try moving out on the points and try fishing crankbaits (deep divers) on the points fishing every angle of the points. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir HOTSPOT: Red Roof Cove GPS: N31 01.995’, W97 34.208 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwaters, cranks, slabs CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Shad tend to congregate in this cove in early fall; a quick check with sonar will tell you when this has occurred. The presence of and position of the shad in the water column will drive the fishing from topwater, hard, or soft baits for shad on top, to crankbaits for suspended shad, or to slab spoons for shad near bottom. Beware of the standing timber.

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LOCATION: Belton Lake HOTSPOT: Temple’s Lake Park GPS: N31 07.429, W97 29.285 SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: topwater baits to match forage size in silver or clear; slabs in silver or white; live shad CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Look for topwater feeding early and late. Pay attention to the size of shad regurgitated by the fish you catch, and try to closely match that forage size with your baits. Action will continue to improve as cold fronts cause temperatures to moderate and continue a cooling trend in water temperatures. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Prairie Creek Tank GPS: N32 1’ 30.48” W96 11’ 35. 60” SPECIES: black bass BEST BAITS: topwater baits, Texas rig CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, 682-518-8252, 817-929-0675. steve@schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: Fish the tank dam and the flooded grass on the right hand side of the tank. Once you come out the tank, go across the cove and get close to the north bank in the creek. There will be flooded grass. Use Texas-rigs and topwater baits and fish this area all the way back to the first secondary point. One of the different techniques we are using in the morning is an S.O.B buzzbait 3/8 black on black no stinger hook. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Sundown Estates Tank Dam/Creek GPS: N32 2’ 1.90”, W96 11’ 55.07” SPECIES: black bass BEST BAITS: Texas or Carolina rig, Watermelon Red stickbaits, creature baits CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, 682-518-8252, 817-929-0675, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: At the start of the ramp will be the tank, you will see two markers. This is the cut when the dam was broke. You will want to fish this area with Texas Rig and or a C-rig. The first three docks past the dam are in deep water the fourth is very shallow. The fifth dock is sitting next to the creek and second entrance F i s h

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to a second tank. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Pelican Island GPS: N31’58’949 W96’106’00 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: 1-ounce silver or chartreuse Shad Slabs, 1/4-ounce blue/chrome Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Royce Simmons, 903-389-4117, www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Whites will be feeding aggressively most mornings and afternoons in 25-30 feet of water off Pelican Island. Look for the Gulls and Pelicans to be picking up Shad as the fish push them to the surface. If the fish are feeding on top, use a Rat-L-Trap or Tiny Torpedo and if not drop a 1-ounce Slab to the bottom and “burn” it quickly up thru suspended fish. BANK ACCESS: Fisherman’s Point Marina on the SE side of the Lake (903-389-5218) LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Pelican Island GPS: N31 58’949”, W96 106’00” SPECIES: hybrid stripers BEST BAITS: 1-ounce silver or chartreuse Shad Slabs, 1/4-ounce blue/chrome Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Royce Simmons, 903-389-4117, www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Hybrids will be feeding aggressively most mornings and afternoons in the 25’-30’ water off Pelican Island. Look for the Gulls and Pelicans to be picking up Shad as the fish push them to the surface. If the fish are feeding on top, use a Rat-L-Trap or Tiny Torpedo and if not drop a 1-ounce slab to the bottom and “burn” it quickly up thru suspended fish. BANK ACCESS: Fisherman’s Point Marina on the SE side of the Lake (903-389-5218) LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Brushy Creek GPS: N30 20.940 W96 33.201 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: punchbait, cut shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor in this area. Tight-line using cut shad or punch bait. Water will have cooled from what it was in the summer. The lake is usually low this time of year, so expect about 5 feet water and possibly some dead Lily Pads is this area. Fish the edge of the lily pads near the center of the creek. Use a tight line with

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TIPS: Make sure when fishing Hubbard that you fish parallel to the shoreline. Simply because the areas that indicated will require this type of approach to catch more than just a few fish.

GPS: N30 23.180, W97 57.260 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: chrome colored topwater lures; white and chartreuse buzzbaits; white and chartreuse spinnerbaits; Crawdad colored crankbaits; brown or black jigs; Green Pump-

Chrome Bass kin, black, Red Shad colored worms CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com

LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Hurst Creek

LOCATION: Fayette County Lake HOTSPOT: North West side Main Point GPS: N29 56.569, W96 434.062 SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: stinkbait, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Timber in this area, along with dying moss, attracts predator fish and Baitfish. This timber offers shallow structure and deeper structure in about 12 foot of water. In shallow water, throw out some chum and cast to that area. In deeper water, chum right around the boat and fish straight down by the boat. Expect the bite to be very light and set the hook at the first movement of the rod tip. A cork will help prevent hang-ups when casting away from the boat in this area. BANK ACCESS: Fishing Pier at Oak Thicket Park, next to swimming area LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard HOTSPOT: East Fork of Trinity River SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white/chartreuse buzzbait, chartreuse jig/Tornado or Gene Larew craw worm, Green Pumpkin Alpha Hawg CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 800-965-0350, 214-385-0301, jeff@jeffkirkwood.com A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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TIPS: Look for bass around points and channel swing banks in 5 to 15 feet of water. The outside corners of docks will hold fish with windy areas being very productive for active and larger bass. Shad are the main forage this time of year so look for them to locate bass. Active lures such as topwaters, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are starting to produce throughout the entire day. If the bite is tough due to weather conditions, work plastic worms and jigs, or find and fish a good brush pile in the area. BANK ACCESS: Pace Bend Park, bass on topwaters and plastic worms, catfish on stinkbait and cut bait LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Dam SPECIES: blue catfish BEST BAITS: shad, cut bait, Zote soap CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, 512-365-7761, www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: This is a good time to stock your freezer with catfish fillets. You can catch them by drift fishing deep water on the main lake or using jug lines. A breezy day and shad work best for drift fishing. Use a drift sock to control your drift. For jug lines, cut bait and Zote soap will work well. The soap works well because the gar will not bother it like they do the cut bait and shad. I recommend 11/0 circle hooks for jug lines. These are perfect for the blues because they cannot twist off of them and they have very high hook up ratios. LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Elm Cove GPS: N29,34.100 W98, 55.410 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: shad colored topwater poppers and Zara Puppies; white and chartreuse spinnerbaits; shad colored crankbaits; brown jigs; drop-shot worms in black/chartreuse, Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish the flats on the make lake, points of creeks and channel swing banks heading into the creeks. Topwaters will work both early and late. Look for wind-blown areas with shad and work crankbaits and spinnerbaits to catch active fish. When the topwater bite slows, use jigs and drop-shot rigs along breaklines in 5 to 25 feet of water. I20

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BANK ACCESS: Red’s Cove, white bass on minnows, spinners, and spoons LOCATION: Lake Dunlap HOTSPOT: Cypress Stump Flats GPS: N29 40.410, W98 04.040 SPECIES: bluegill BEST BAITS: worms, crickets, mealworms CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Set your bobber to fish a depth of 3 to 4 feet and use a small panfish hook and splitshot weights. Fish around cypress tree roots and in lily pads on flats, islands, and small pockets. Concrete washes where runoff enters the lake will also be productive. Panfishes present great opportunities for children as the action is often non-stop. BANK ACCESS: I-35 bridge public boat ramp and park, bluegill on worms and crickets, catfish on stinkbait or liver LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Striper Island GPS: N30 47.310, W98 24.580 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: shad colored Zara Spooks; large poppers; Red Fin minnow plugs; chrome and white slab spoons; shad colored swimbaits; freelined live bait CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Look for birds working over fish and/or schools of fish breaking the surface. Stripers are in proximity to humps and islands close to the river channel. Cast topwater lures while the fish are active on the surface. Once they go down, throw a swimbait or free-line live bait through the school. Once fish go deep, move directly over the school and jig a spoon vertically to catch them. Electronics are key when fish are not on the surface. If you don’t see stripers on your electronics, move to a new location. BANK ACCESS: Llano County/Black Rock Park, catfish on liver and cut bait LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Horseshoe Bay GPS: N30 33.140, W98 21.510 SPECIES: largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: shad and chartreuse crankbaits that dive 8 to 10 feet; white buzzbaits, 1/2F i s h

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ounce white spinnerbaits with gold willow and Colorado blades; Zara Spooks and Pop-R’s in shad patterns; 1/4- to 1/2-ounce brown jigs with matching craw trailers CONTACT: David Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Largemouth bass have started moving shallower as water temperatures continue to fall. Look for fish around points, main lake flats and channel swing banks in 3 to 10 feet of water. Outside corners of docks will hold many active bass. Fish will be using grass and wood cover; be sure to work these areas. Shad are the main forage this time of year so look for them to locate bass. Active lures like topwater baits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are starting to produce the entire day. If the bite gets tough, fish jigs around the same areas, slowly crawling them across the bottom or swimming them just beneath the water’s surface. BANK ACCESS: 1431 Bridge, white bass on minnows, small spinners and spoons LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Toms Cove GPS: N29 51.860, W98 14.070 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white and chartreuse spinnerbaits; Watermelon and Green Pumpkin Senkos; PBJ colored jigs with craw trailers; Texas-rigged Watermelon Red, Junebug, Green Pumpkin worms CONTACT: Kandie Candeleria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Look for bass to start heading toward the backs of creeks although most fish will still be found in the creeks’ first third. Be sure to focus on standing timber in these areas. 1/4to 1/2-ounce Jewel Jigs with craw trailers will now be very productive the entire day. On windy and/or overcast days, Secret Weapon spinnerbaits will catch fish. If the bite gets tough, a good change-up from jigs is 7-inch worms and Senkos with 1/8-ounce weights fished slowly along the bottom and through timber. BANK ACCESS: Canyon Park Campground, crappie on minnows and crappie jigs

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Neon Ivie Bass LOCATION: Lake O.H. Ivie HOTSPOT: Cove with Brush

GPS: N31 34.144, W99 44.043 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white/chartreuse patterned shallow crankbaits, white spinnerbaits, black/blue and black/neon creature baits CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-227-4931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Start at the mouth of the cove and work toward the back. Work spinnerbaits and crankbaits along the salt cedar edges, keeping them bumping around the cover. When you come to a good mesquite or hardwood, try flipping your favorite creature bait. If no luck, move into other coves south of this one, using the same baits and techniques. BANK ACCESS: Concho Park and Elm Creek Park LOCATION: Twin Buttes Reservoir HOTSPOT: Hump and nearby river channel GPS: N31 20.210, W100 33.375 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white spinnerbaits; Junebug and Green Pumpkin Texas-rigged Senkos CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-227-4931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: The brushy ledge that runs along Spring Creek will have fish cruising the hump for shad and perch. Cover water with spinnerbaits to learn the mood of these fish. Bass may be feeding aggressively and hit spinnerbaits, or may want the slower presentation of a Texas-rigged Senko. If fish are suspended in brush, flip with a Senko and hold on. BANK ACCESS: Twin Buttes Marina Road has access to all areas on the north side of the lake. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Lake HOTSPOT: Flats west of Sand Island GPS: N32 54.370, W98 27.457 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad; topwaters in shad colors; crankbaits in white and chartreuse of varying depths; slabs and jigs in chrome and chartreuse CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: The fall migration has begun. Start

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fishing west of Sand (Goat) Island about 1/2 mile north of Costello Island. This area is a natural highway between the depths and feeding flats; fish a depth of 20 feet to take maximum advantage. Pay close attention to gull action as they have the best eyes on the water. October is the time to favor jigs and slabs, and do more fishing off the bottom, as opposed to topwaters; however, live shad are always best. You may try actually casting jigs and hopping them with 2 to 5 foot hops across the surface when schools are marauding baitfish. If the birds put you on a school, go to the trolling motor to avoid spooking fish. Stealth is very important. BANK ACCESS: North D&D, largemouth and smallmouth bass on plastic worms, catfish on stinkbait and liver

a one-two jerking motion, continually reeling to keep your bait actively moving. Concentrate on 2- to 4-foot water columns. BANK ACCESS: Any of the parks and public boat ramps by the generator plant, crappie on live minnows, catfish on stinkbait, cut bait, and liver Email: Calixto: cgonzales@fishgame.com Kyle: ktomek@fishgame.com Tripp: tholmgrain@fishgame.com Tom: tbehrens@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Lake Graham-Eddelman HOTSPOT: Main lake points GPS: N33 08.370, W98 36.558 SPECIES: sand bass BEST BAITS: live shad, fresh dead shad, minnow, perch jigs, slabs, shallow crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Start out working either mouth of the canal connecting the two lakes. Work live bait, jigs, and slabs off the many humps and dropoffs in the areas. If fish surface and are active, work your baits fast with quick jerks to keep them in the 2 to four foot water column. Next, fish the bottoms off main lake points. Look for sand flats and fish depths of 12 to 30 feet. Fish will be working back and forth along natural highways feeding on balls of shad they run up against the flats or against the surface and humps. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 380 public boat ramp, crappie on live minnows, bass on plastic worms, catfish on cut bait and liver LOCATION: Palo Pinto Reservoir HOTSPOT: Mid-lake main lake points GPS: N32 39.063, W98 18.119 SPECIES: sand bass BEST BAITS: live shad, dead shad, minnows, jigs, slabs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Fish are now fattening up for the winter and are moving from deeper water by the dam to mid-lake areas. Begin fishing the main points at cove mouths (shallower coves are best), bouncing your baits off the bottom. If fish are close, cast to them and retrieve with A L M A N A C / T E X A S

F i s h

G a m e ÂŽ / O C T O B E R

2 0 0 9

â&#x20AC;˘

I21

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Page I22

Tides and Prime Times

OCTOBER 2009 USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10

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

T13 T7

T6 T5 T17

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

T15 T16

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

T14 T18

T19

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

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

T20

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

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

T21

4:55p

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

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

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

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

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

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

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

T22 T23

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

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

12p

AM/PM Timeline

12a

Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Green: Falling Tide

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

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

AM/PM Timeline

I22

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

12a

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

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

• O C T O B E R

2 0 0 9 /

T E X A S

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

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Yellow: Daylight

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

F i s h

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

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

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

ALMANAC I.qxd:0910 Inland

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

OC T 1

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 4:00p

Set: 7:08p Set: 2:01a

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 4:33p

Set: 7:07p Set: 2:56a

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 5:03p

Set: 7:06p Set: 3:51a

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 5:33p

Set: 7:05p Set: 4:46a

Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: 6:02p

Set: 7:04p Set: 5:40a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 6:31p

Set: 7:02p Set: 6:36a

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 7:04p

Set: 7:01p Set: 7:33a

AM Minor: 1:33a

PM Minor: 7:44p

AM Minor: 2:14a

PM Minor: 8:25p

AM Minor: 2:52a

PM Minor: 9:03p

AM Minor: 3:29a

PM Minor: 9:40p

AM Minor: 4:07a

PM Minor: 10:17p

AM Minor: 4:46a

PM Minor: 10:57p

AM Minor: 5:29a

PM Minor: 11:41p

AM Major: 7:44a

PM Major: 8:07p

AM Major: 8:25a

PM Major: 8:47p

AM Major: 9:03a

PM Major: 9:24p

AM Major: 9:40a

PM Major: 10:01p

AM Major: 10:17a

PM Major: 10:38p

AM Major: 10:57a

PM Major: 11:19p

AM Major: 11:41a

PM Major: ——-

Moon Overhead: 9:26p 6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:52p

Moon Overhead: 10:09p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:33p 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:15a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:59a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

12a

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 9:03a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

3:00 — 5:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 11:12a BEST:

4:00 — 6:00 P

Moon Underfoot: 11:54a BEST:

9:30A — 12:20P

Moon Underfoot: 12:37p BEST:

10:00A — 12:30P

Moon Underfoot: 1:22p +2.0

BEST:

10:30A — 1:00P

12:00 — 1:30 A TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 10:31a

TIDE LEVELS

2:30 — 4:30 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:48a

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

3:40 AM 10:15 AM 10:36 AM 7:35 PM

1.68 ft 1.48 ft 1.48 ft 0.47 ft

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

3:35 AM 9:21 AM 12:40 PM 8:15 PM

1.63 ft 1.41 ft 1.49 ft 0.55 ft

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

3:35 AM 9:11 AM 1:53 PM 8:49 PM

1.59 ft 1.28 ft 1.53 ft 0.65 ft

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

3:41 AM 9:18 AM 2:55 PM 9:21 PM

1.57 ft 1.12 ft 1.57 ft 0.77 ft

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

3:49 AM 9:35 AM 3:52 PM 9:52 PM

1.56 ft 0.94 ft 1.63 ft 0.91 ft

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

3:58 AM 10:00 AM 4:48 PM 10:24 PM

1.56 ft 0.75 ft 1.68 ft 1.07 ft

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

4:06 AM 10:30 AM 5:46 PM 10:59 PM

1.56 ft 0.57 ft 1.74 ft 1.23 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

TUESDAY

Set: 7:00p Set: 8:34a

Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: 8:21p

Set: 6:59p Set: 9:37a

Sunrise: 7:14a Moonrise: 9:09p

AM Minor: 6:17a

PM Minor: 12:05p

AM Minor: 7:11a

PM Minor: 12:58p

AM Major: 12:05a

PM Major: 12:29p

AM Major: 12:58a

PM Major: 1:24p

12p

12a

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Set: 6:58p Sunrise: 7:14a Set: 6:55p Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 6:57p Sunrise: 7:15a Set: 10:41a Moonrise: 10:05p Set: 11:45a Moonrise: 11:06p Set: 12:46p Moonrise: None

Set: 6:54p Set: 1:42p

AM Minor: 8:10a

PM Minor: 1:56p

AM Minor: 9:13a

PM Minor: 2:58p

AM Minor: 10:18a

PM Minor: 4:03p

AM Minor: 11:22a

PM Minor: 5:07p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 6:08p

AM Major: 1:56a

PM Major: 2:24p

AM Major: 2:58a

PM Major: 3:28p

AM Major: 4:03a

PM Major: 4:33p

AM Major: 5:07a

PM Major: 5:37p

AM Major: 6:08a

PM Major: 6:37p

Moon Overhead: 3:29a

Moon Overhead: 2:35a 12a

THURSDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Moonrise: 7:40p

Moon Overhead: 1:45a

12a

WEDNESDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:26a 12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:26a

Moon Overhead: 5:25a 12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 6:53p Moonrise: 12:12a Set: 2:32p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 7:25a 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 2:09p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 4:55p BEST:

2:00 — 4:20 P

Moon Underfoot: 5:56p BEST:

3:10 — 5:20 P

Moon Underfoot: 6:56p BEST:

4:20 — 6:10 P

Moon Underfoot: 7:54p +2.0

BEST:

11:30A — 1:00P

12:00 — 1:30 P TIDE LEVELS

12:40 — 3:00 A

Moon Underfoot: 3:57p

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:30 A

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 3:01p

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

4:10 AM 11:04 AM 6:47 PM 11:35 PM

1.58 ft 0.40 ft 1.79 ft 1.41 ft

High Tide: 4:06 AM 1.62 ft Low Tide: 11:43 AM 0.25 ft High Tide: 7:56 PM 1.82 ft

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

12:12 AM 3:56 AM 12:28 PM 9:17 PM

1.58 ft 1.69 ft 0.14 ft 1.84 ft

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

12:46 AM 3:46 AM 1:21 PM 10:57 PM

1.73 ft 1.79 ft 0.07 ft 1.88 ft

Low Tide: 1:20 AM High Tide: 3:39 AM Low Tide: 2:22 PM

1.85 ft 1.87 ft 0.05 ft

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

12:55 AM 2:41 AM 2:49 AM 3:31 PM

1.91 ft 1.91 ft 1.91 ft 0.08 ft

High Tide: 1:44 AM Low Tide: 4:46 PM

1.92 ft 0.14 ft

+1.0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:0910 Inland

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Page I25

ALMANAC I.qxd:0910 Inland

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Page I26

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

118

Sunrise: 7:17a Moonrise: 1:20a

Set: 6:52p Set: 3:16p

Sunrise: 7:17a Moonrise: 2:28a

Set: 6:51p Set: 3:55p

Sunrise: 7:18a Moonrise: 3:34a

Set: 6:50p Set: 4:31p

Sunrise: 7:19a Moonrise: 4:38a

Set: 6:49p Set: 5:04p

Sunrise: 7:19a Moonrise: 5:41a

Set: 6:48p Set: 5:38p

Sunrise: 7:20a Moonrise: 6:44a

Set: 6:47p Set: 6:13p

Sunrise: 7:21a Moonrise: 7:47a

Set: 6:46p Set: 6:50p

AM Minor: 12:50a

PM Minor: 7:04p

AM Minor: 1:41a

PM Minor: 7:54p

AM Minor: 2:27a

PM Minor: 8:40p

AM Minor: 3:10a

PM Minor: 9:22p

AM Minor: 3:53a

PM Minor: 10:05p

AM Minor: 4:38a

PM Minor: 10:50p

AM Minor: 5:26a

PM Minor: 11:39p

AM Major: 7:04a

PM Major: 7:31p

AM Major: 7:54a

PM Major: 8:20p

AM Major: 8:40a

PM Major: 9:04p

AM Major: 9:22a

PM Major: 9:47p

AM Major: 10:05a

PM Major: 10:29p

AM Major: 10:50a

PM Major: 11:15p

AM Major: 11:39a

PM Major: 12:04p

Moon Overhead: 8:22a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:06a

Moon Overhead: 9:16a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:55a

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 12:31p

Moon Overhead: 11:43a 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 1:21p 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 8:49p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

7:40 — 10:00

Moon Underfoot: 11:19p BEST:

8:20 — 11:00 A

Moon Underfoot: None BEST:

9:10 — 11:30 A

Moon Underfoot: 12:07a

Moon Underfoot: 12:56a

BEST:

9:50A — 12:10P

+2.0

BEST:

10:40A — 1:00P

11:45A — 1:30P TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 10:31p

TIDE LEVELS

1:00 — 2:45 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:41p

High Tide: 2:04 AM Low Tide: 6:00 PM

I26

1.86 ft 0.24 ft

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

• O C T O B E R

2:19 AM 8:24 AM 11:32 AM 7:08 PM

1.78 ft 1.45 ft 1.52 ft 0.40 ft

2 0 0 9 /

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

T E X A S

2:34 AM 8:22 AM 1:25 PM 8:10 PM

F i s h

1.68 ft 1.18 ft 1.57 ft 0.59 ft

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

2:47 AM 8:47 AM 2:52 PM 9:07 PM

1.61 ft 0.88 ft 1.66 ft 0.82 ft

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

G a m e ® / A L M A N A C

3:00 AM 9:20 AM 4:07 PM 9:59 PM

1.56 ft 0.58 ft 1.75 ft 1.06 ft

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

3:13 AM 9:56 AM 5:15 PM 10:50 PM

1.56 ft 0.32 ft 1.83 ft 1.28 ft

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

3:25 AM 10:34 AM 6:20 PM 11:38 PM

1.58 ft 0.14 ft 1.87 ft 1.46 ft

+1.0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:0910 Inland

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Page I27

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

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009 MONDAY

TUESDAY

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 6:43p Moonrise: 10:52a Set: 9:06p

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 6:42p Moonrise: 11:46a Set: 9:59p

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunrise: 7:21a Moonrise: 8:51a

Set: 6:45p Set: 7:31p

Sunrise: 7:22a Moonrise: 9:53a

Set: 6:44p Set: 8:17p

AM Minor: 6:19a

PM Minor: 12:06p

AM Minor: 7:16a

PM Minor: 1:02p

AM Minor: 8:14a

PM Minor: 2:01p

AM Minor: 9:13a

PM Minor: 3:00p

AM Minor: 10:10a

PM Minor: 3:57p

AM Major: 12:06a

PM Major: 12:32p

AM Major: 1:02a

PM Major: 1:29p

AM Major: 2:01a

PM Major: 2:28p

AM Major: 3:00a

PM Major: 3:26p

AM Major: 3:57a

PM Major: 4:23p

Moon Overhead: 2:13p

12a

THURSDAY

12p

Moon Overhead: 4:00p

Moon Overhead: 3:06p 12a

12p

12a

12p

12a

12p

Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 6:41p Sunrise: 7:25a Moonrise: 12:35p Set: 10:54p Moonrise: 1:19p

Moon Overhead: 4:53p

12p

Set: 6:40p Sunrise: 7:25a Set: 11:50p Moonrise: 1:57p

Set: 6:39p Set: None

AM Minor: 11:04a

PM Minor: 4:52p

AM Minor: 11:53a

PM Minor: 5:42p

AM Major: 4:52a

PM Major: 5:16p

AM Major: 5:42a

PM Major: 6:05p

Moon Overhead: 6:33p

Moon Overhead: 5:44p 12a

SUNDAY

12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

Moon Overhead: 7:19p 12a

12p

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 1:47a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

1:10 — 3:20 P

Moon Underfoot: 4:26a BEST:

2:05 — 4:25 P

9:00 — 10:30

Moon Underfoot: 5:18a BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 6:09a

Moon Underfoot: 6:56a

BEST:

A9:50 — 11:00 A

+2.0

BEST:

10:45A — 12:15P

11:30A — 1:10P TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 3:33a

TIDE LEVELS

12:20 — 2:30 P

Moon Underfoot: 2:40a

High Tide: 3:34 AM 1.61 ft Low Tide: 11:14 AM 0.04 ft High Tide: 7:24 PM 1.87 ft

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

12:25 AM 3:34 AM 11:56 AM 8:32 PM

1.59 ft 1.65 ft 0.02 ft 1.84 ft

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

1:16 AM 2:59 AM 12:42 PM 9:50 PM

1.69 ft 1.69 ft 0.06 ft 1.80 ft

Low Tide: 1:31 PM 0.15 ft High Tide: 11:36 PM 1.76 ft

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

Low Tide: 2:26 PM

F i s h

0.26 ft

High Tide: 1:59 AM Low Tide: 3:27 PM

1.74 ft 0.37 ft

High Tide: 1:55 AM Low Tide: 4:32 PM

G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

2 0 0 9

1.70 ft 0.48 ft

•

I27

+1.0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:0910 Inland

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

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

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

3 1 N OV 1

End DST

Set: 6:38p Sunrise: 7:27a Set: 12:46a Moonrise: 3:02p

Set: 6:37p Set: 1:41a

Sunrise: 7:28a Moonrise: 3:32p

Set: 6:36p Set: 2:35a

Sunrise: 7:28a Moonrise: 4:01p

Set: 6:35p Set: 3:29a

Sunrise: 7:29a Moonrise: 4:30p

Set: 6:34p Set: 4:23a

Sunrise: 7:30a Moonrise: 5:01p

Set: 6:34p Set: 5:20a

Sunrise: 6:31a Moonrise: 4:36p

Set: 5:33p Set: 5:20a

AM Minor: 12:15a

PM Minor: 6:28p

AM Minor: 12:59a

PM Minor: 7:10p

AM Minor: 1:38a

PM Minor: 7:48p

AM Minor: 2:15a

PM Minor: 8:25p

AM Minor: 2:51a

PM Minor: 9:01p

AM Minor: 3:28a

PM Minor: 9:39p

AM Minor: 3:09a

PM Minor: 9:22p

AM Major: 6:28a

PM Major: 6:50p

AM Major: 7:10a

PM Major: 7:31p

AM Major: 7:48a

PM Major: 8:09p

AM Major: 8:25a

PM Major: 8:46p

AM Major: 9:01a

PM Major: 9:22p

AM Major: 9:39a

PM Major: 10:02p

AM Major: 9:22a

PM Major: 9:46p

Moon Overhead: 8:03p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 9:27p

Moon Overhead: 8:46p 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 10:09p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:37p

Moon Overhead: 10:51pn 12a

12p

12a

12p

Moon Overhead: None 12a

12p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 7:26a Moonrise: 2:31p

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2009

12a

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 7:42a +2.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 9:48a

BEST:

7:10 — 9:30 P

BEST:

7:50 — 10:20 P

Underfoot: 10:30a

Moon Underfoot: 11:14a

BEST:

8:20 — 10:30 P

BEST:

9:10 — 11:15 P

Moon Underfoot: 12:01p +2.0

BEST:

9:55 — 11:50 P

9:10A — 12:20P TIDE LEVELS

Moon Underfoot: 9:07a

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 1:30 P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:25a

-1.0 High Tide: 1:49 AM Low Tide: 5:33 PM

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1.65 ft 0.58 ft

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1.60 ft 1.31 ft 1.34 ft 0.70 ft

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1.55 ft 1.17 ft 1.36 ft 0.82 ft

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

2:04 AM 8:22 AM 2:08 PM 7:58 PM

1.52 ft 0.98 ft 1.43 ft 0.95 ft

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

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2:12 AM 8:35 AM 3:13 PM 8:41 PM

1.50 ft 0.77 ft 1.53 ft 1.09 ft

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

2:19 AM 8:57 AM 4:11 PM 9:23 PM

1.50 ft 0.55 ft 1.64 ft 1.23 ft

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

1:26 AM 8:26 AM 4:07 PM 9:06 PM

1.51 ft 0.33 ft 1.74 ft 1.37 ft

+1.0

-1.0

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Roof prism (L) and porro prism binoculars

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

Binoculars Many outdoorsmen use binoculars, but might not know how to select a model and get the best performance. The “X” factor in binocular designations

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Twist-up eyecups accommodate eyeglass wearers and provide adjustable eye relief.

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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positions—down for eyeglass wearers and up for others—whereas twist-up models adjust to whatever distance best suits the individual’s eye relief.

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Although some binoculars are fixed focus and others have individual focusing rings for each eyepiece, the most common and popular features a center focus adjustment and a

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PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

Close-up of a Carbide Sharpener

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Sharpener Blade Replacement angle of approximately 40 degrees. This is accomplished by honing—never grinding— the edge with increasingly fine mediums. There are many sharpening methods and

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ing the proper blade-to-stone angle. Many devices help eliminate this problem; some attach to the knife for use with conventional

Rest the blade tip on a table edge to use a carbide sharpener.

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

9/1/09

PHOTO COURTESY ACCUSHARP

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GUN PHOTOS COURTESY HILL COUNTRY RIFLES

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On the Web Energizer, www.energizer.com Rayovac, www.rayovac.com

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CHART MASTER PRO

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Trilene TransOptic WHEN IT COMES TO MONOFILAMENT FISHING line, you have two choices: go with a line that’s nearly invisible underwater and just as hard to see in the air, or a high-vis line that you can see

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERKLEY

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well, but the fish can, too. That’s why Berkley came out with TransOptic, a new nylon mono that’s high-vis above the waterline, and low-vis beneath the surface. Out of the water, TransOptic appears gold, yet when it hits the waves, where UV rays are filtered out, it goes stealth. I found the visibility helpful for tying knots and while watching lines for tangles in a trolling spread. The best perk came while jigging for yellowfin sea trout; I could completely slack the line as my jig dropped, and easily watch the line for that telltale twitch of a bite. When I saw it— wham!—I set the hook and it was game-on. TransOptic is available in the usual selection of tests from 4 up to 25 in 220- and 2000-yard spools. Other characteristics of the line will seem familiar to those who regularly use Trilene. Knot strength and abrasion resistance were excellent, and memory was relatively low. Of course, the usual monofilament gripe holds true, and TransOptic stretches just as much as any other nylon monofilament. Then again, for certain fishing situations, this is an advantage—as is being able to clearly see your line, even though the fish can’t. Contact: Pure Fishing, www.purefishing.com —LR

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Badonk-A-Donk

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Sea Hunt XP 21

quart insulated box, standard trolling motor plug, anchor locker and storage for a 5-gallon bait bucket in the floor. Unique to Sea Hunt, the center console has a forward A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Aimpoint Micro H-1 IMPOINT—YOU KNOW, THE LITTLE electronic sight with the red dot—is a Swedish-made aiming device (I can’t really call it a “scope” even though it

A by Steve LaMascus

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On the Web www.aimpoint.com/products/aimpoint_ product_lines/aimpoint_micro_h-1

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com PHOTO COURTESY AIMPOINT

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PHOTOS COURTESY THE FONTENOT FAMILY

Hunting (at) 101: Eston Fontenot

by Bob Hood Louisiana, Fontenot plans to join his relatives this fall on their hunting lease near Refugio for a family tradition that goes back more than 45 years. “We all have a really good time, and it is as much of a story-telling event as it is hunting,” said Betty Latham of Rockport, Fontenot’s daughter. “We all love to get together and hunt deer, turkey, and hogs, but it is more about all of us getting together in the outdoors and having a good time.” Fontenot hunts from a box blind located off a dirt road on the Refugio ranch. Last fall, he bagged two deer, a buck and a doe, from the blind as well as a hog. He also has bagged numerous turkey in previous years. Although Fontenot’s hunting stories are numerous, the story about the man himself describes a fascinating journey in life that has been recorded in a storybook project by Kevin Fontenot, his grandson. It begins with significant events that occurred the year Fontenot was born, which included

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radio. When the radio battery got weak, they swapped it with the battery from the tractor. Family members entertained themselves at night by lying on the floor to listen to music and stories on the radio. One of Fontenot’s most interesting stories involved his duck hunting days during the

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Great Depression in the 1930s. “Back in the 30s, I killed enough ducks to make a feather bed,” Fontenot told his grandson. “I have made two feather beds from duck feathers in my life.” Fontenot said he also sold ducks to a local patrolman for 50 cents a pair to raise

Eston Fontenot at 101, ready for a shot in his favorite hunting blind. money for his family during the Depression days. The patrolman took the ducks to New Orleans, where he sold them for $2-3 per pair. Fontenot recalled another time when he was hunting with a .22 rifle in the Louisiana swamps: “There was a big

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I have made two feather beds from duck feathers in my life.

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log in front of me. I started to go across it and a black bear got up in front of me.” Fontenot said it was “a little bitty bear” but the incident left a large impression on him. Indeed, people make great impressions, too. It is evident Eston Fontenot has made great impressions on his family and others who know him.

PHOTO COURTESY THE FONTENOT FAMILY

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It is most important to remember why we are out there at darkthirty in the morning.

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E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

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as di-iso-octylphalate, a tarry substance that makes its way through fuel filters and injectors into the engine. When it cools, it hardens, often on the intake valves and push rods. The next time you run the motor, kabam!, she’s deader than easy credit. The tow home cost Brian several hundred dollars. A new motor went for the paltry sum of $12,000. On top of all that, he had to have the fuel tank pumped dry. It just about knocked him out of boating altogether. But over the course of the next year, he took out a loan to re-power the boat and got back into the game. Now, just a few months later, the nightmare could begin anew. His new outboard, like virtually all of them on the water today, is rated to run with fuel blends including up to 10 percent ethanol. Growth

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Ethanol, a pro-ethanol energy group, is now pushing the EPA to boost ethanol content to 15percent.

E-issues As you might remember from an earlier column, there are other problems associated with ethanol. It absorbs water, and there is probably some water already in your fuel tank right now. Most tanks have some amount in them, but since fuel floats on water (and the pickup line in your fuel tank is elevated between 1/4- to 1/2-inch off the bottom), it is usually not a problem. But ethanol binds with the water and mixes with the fuel, and hence carries it into the rest of your fuel system. On top of these issues, ethanol dissolves gum and varnish, carries it, then deposits it elsewhere in the system. Older plastic fuel lines, fittings, and anything else exposed to the ethanol are at risk of being dissolved. Knock and pre-ignition, fuel vaporization, lubrication deficiencies, lack of power, rough operation, inability to stop the engine, no or poor starting, throttle sticking, and engine seizure are all problems associated with higher ethanol contents in fuel used with outboard motors. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), higher ethanol mixes will cause catastrophic deterioration in the butyl rubber fuel hoses commonly found on the vast majority of boats. Ethanol also dissolves fiberglass, which is a huge issue for fiberglass fuel tanks. My own father was forced by the introduction of E-10 to have the fiberglass fuel tank cut out of his boat and replaced with an aluminum tank. He spent nearly $2500, was down for three weeks of prime fishing season, and lost 10 percent of the fuel capacity in his boat. He had to pay for all this out of his own pocket, even though he did nothing wrong, did not experience mechanical failure, and maintains his boat meticulously. Like thousands of other boat owners, he was forced to make pre-emptive repairs or risk the certain and complete destruction of his engines. Thanks, ethanol lobby.

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It gets worse. Virtually every outboard manufacturer advises against higher ethanol mixes, and states that running E-15 will void the warranty. So, why is Growth Energy making this push? According to BoatU.S. Vice President of Government Affairs, Margaret Podlich, this is not about renewable energy. “ This is really about a group of investors attempting to profit at the expense of 13 million recreational boat owners,” she said. “We had significant problems with the nationwide rollout of E-10 a few years ago, and without further independent testing of E-15 with marine engines, we’re likely to see similar issues.” If you do not have a boat, you are still at risk. Hunters who use ATVs or landowners who run chain saws stand to suffer damage to their equipment. Light, air-cooled, carbureted engines are at high risk because they produce more oxygen during combustion and are forced to run lean. In fact, some testing suggests that damage can occur in as little as 25 hours of running time. Virtually any gasoline-powered engine not designed for ethanol blends could end up ruined if Growth Energy gets its way. Meanwhile, Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) says it will not certify service station gasoline pumps dispens-

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ing E-15 because variations in the ethanol mix could result in higher blends accidentally being dispensed.

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with new gasoline. - “Sumping” old gas on a regular basis is also a good preventative measure. Since the good gas is lighter than that bound with water, it sits higher in the tank. If your boat has sat for longer than a month, insert a tube to the bottom of the tank and pump out the bottom inch or two of fuel. You should pull out the worst of the mix this way without disturbing or having to pump out the good fuel. - Top off the tank regularly to minimize condensation. So, what happens if you follow all these procedures and still take a beating from E-15? No one can answer that question just yet, but Brian can make a pretty good guess as to who will pay for Growth Energy’s vigorous campaign. The only problem is, he and thousands like him don’t have anything left to pay with.

On the Web www.boatus.com/gov E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com PHOTO BY GREG BERLOCHER

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took the empty cases and reloaded them using the Hornady 110-grain V-Max bullets. The first group with the reloads measured almost exactly an inch, and subsequent groups stayed pretty close to that size. So, my handloads were just over twice as accurate as the Remington matchgrade factory loads. I have been a reloader for almost 40 years now. In addition, I have shot and tested ammunition made by every major U.S. and some foreign manufacturers. Almost without exception, my handloaded ammunition has been more accurate than that loaded at the factories. Ammunition factories load huge quantities of ammunition, and spot check for problems. While modern computer controlled processes are light-years ahead of previous methods, there is no practical way to check every single round for deformity and continuity. I have found misloaded or malformed cartridges a number of times in factory boxes. I have also had misfires from factory ammunition, both rifle and shotgun. Just last week as I write this, I had a factory cartridge misfire on the range in a Mossberg Model 464 .3030. I have never, not once, had a failure to fire when hunting with handloaded rifle ammunition.

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ing duck blinds. They then lug heavy bags of decoys and gear across hostile mud flats just to start setting up their spread. Predawn wakeup calls and hours of preparation go into a successful hunt. Most birds are taken just as the sun is announcing its arrival. Imagine the frustration of a huffing waterfowler, just catching his

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There isn’t an absolute in these matters, as every circumstance and situation is different.

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breath, seeing a kayaker paddling around his spread, and then hop out of his boat and start whipping around a topwater bait. Autumn is a magical time to be outdoors. Chamber of commerce weather patterns, dropping water temperatures, and

still mornings with just a puff of breeze allow you to see tailing reds from a distance. The fish are frisky and feeding up for winter’s arrival. Autumn is simply perfect to be on the water with a rod and reel. Should the hunter not be allowed to hunt? Should the angler who has waited all year for the best fishing be denied? Who should prevail, hunter or angler? Before I give you my thoughts, let me be up front about this: Regardless of the situation, threats of armed violence are uncalled for. Real sportsmen don’t resort to violence to make their point. That established, common courtesy should always prevail, and I do my best to practice what I preach when I am on the water. If someone gets to a spot first and I am the second to arrive, I accept my fate and modify my plans accordingly. There isn’t an absolute in these matters, as every circumstance and situation is different. Since most duck hunters hit the water well before dawn, I will assume for the sake of discussion that they arrive first and the kayaker is the interloper. Shame on any paddler who uses his kayak as an excuse for rude and disrespectful behavior. I have met several self-righteous paddlers that tried to excuse their poor manners, like cutting too close to someone who is fishing, justifying their actions with excuses like, “Since I am paddling, I need to take this path to get where I am going.”

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR Continued from Page I-51 Don’t think for a second that reloads are somehow inferior. When carefully crafted to keep from getting lubricant on the primers or in the powder, handloads are superior to factory loads. Even today, with the super-premium loads on the market, this is still true, although much less so than in the past. The factory has I52

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to load cartridges that will work properly in everything from a rusty hand-me-down 1903 Springfield to a new T/C Encore or 20-year-old Remington Model 742 semi-auto. You, on the other hand, can tailor the round to the exact needs of your rifle, handgun, or shotgun, and for the purpose to which you intend to put it. If you want to be a better all around shooter and hunter, learn to reload your F i s h

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own ammunition. You will learn more about the sport, guns, and ammunition; shoot more, and become a better shot because of it. Not only that, reloading is a relaxing and fulfilling pastime in its own right.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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Nonsense! Take the long way around and burn a few extra calories. Fortunately, these folks make up a small minority in the paddling community. As a rule, kayakers should stay at least 200 yards—preferably more—from floating decoys or a duck blind. Space is limited in some venues, making it difficult to give such a wide berth. To avoid conflicts with hunters, consider your choice of fishing spots for the first two weeks of November. Opening weekend is by far the most crowded. Later in the season, crowds thin out and many blinds are empty. Second, use your mobility and find other spots, or at least maintain a courteous distance that doesn’t interfere with nearby hunters.

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Likewise, hunters should note kayak activity in an area during summer months before building a blind. There are certain areas that draw throngs of kayakers and building your blind in such an area is asking for trouble. Even when you do all the right things, there will always be a yahoo out there who is a bad apple. Threatening to shoot someone is foolish and harms the reputation of all law-abiding hunters and fishermen. Should someone threaten you while you are on the water, call a game warden immediately, noting the time of the incident and, if possible, the GPS coordinates. Redfish and redheads have shared the same shallow water for eons. Hunters and

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anglers can, too, if they practice a little common courtesy. Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com

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Learn Tung Fu, Grasshopper OW MANY RODS DO YOU CARRY ON ANY particular fishing trip? I wrote a blog about this a year or two ago, but just in case you missed that one, let me recap: Most serious anglers carry an arsenal of rods that allow them to fish at multiple depths with multiple techniques at any time. The front deck of most bass boats looks like a rod factory exploded with pieces of graphite laying everywhere. I, on the other hand, typically fish out of a kayak, so carrying more than two rods is not feasible. Honestly, I carry two rods, but typically use only one. Most of the time, you will catch me with my spinning rod in hand with a 3/0 hook tied on the end. Feel free to take away my Man Card for openly admitting to wielding a dainty spinning rod most of the time. This sounds like a pointless setup to most anglers, since at first glance it seems to limit me to very few bait presentation options. I typically use it to throw wacky worms around boathouses or toss soft plastic jerkbaits into grass, and it works exceptionally well for both. However, a product I ran across a while back can turn a simple one-dimensional hook and line into a multiple depth rig, allowing me to make multiple presentations with just one rod. This product isn’t really new, just rarely used, but is worth giving a try. The item I am referring to is a tungsten putty called Tung Fu. I’m a sucker for products with irritating names, so I bought some just to see how it worked. Tung Fu is a moldable tungsten putty that can be used to add weight to just about fishing rig in

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any shape imaginable. Think back to your days as a kid playing with Play-Doh, and you will get some idea of what this stuff can be turned into. In the past, if you were throwing a soft plastic jerkbait and needed to get it down a little deeper, you had two options—add a split shot to the line, or insert a nail into the nose of the bait. The problems with these methods are the split shot tends to hang in thick grass, and you don’t always have a nail available in your boat. With the tungsten putty, you can create a long thin weight that you mold around your fishing line. The thin weight won’t snag and is always available as long as the Tung Fu is in your tackle box, which should be all the time since it is still moldable at zero degrees Fahrenheit, and stays solid at high temperatures as well (on the package it says storing it in your hot car is fine, which means someone did that by accident). Moving the weight down to the hook and molding it into the shape of a bullet weight turns the single hook and line rig into a Texas rig. Put on a worm, craw, or creature bait and you can hop the rig around trees, stumps, or boathouses. Slide it up the line a few feet and you suddenly

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have a Carolina rig. Really, any way you use a traditional bullet weight or split shot, you can use Tung Fu. The best part is, it is reusable. At the end of the day, or when you want to change methods, jut remove the putty from your line and mold it back in with the amount you still have left. Even though it is somewhat expensive, it will last a long time, paying for itself over and over in savings on split shot and bullet weights. It also will keep the anti-lead freaks off your back, since it is deemed environmentally friendly. Another advantage to the tungsten putty is that you can add as much or little as you need, which doesn’t limit you to specific pre-molded weights and shapes. If you need a 1/43-ounce bullet weight, you can have it. For those who don’t want to or can’t haul everything and the neighbor’s bathtub with you on your next fishing trip, then a hook, line, pocket full of soft plastics, and some Tung Fu is all you really need to fish the entire water column. E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

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by Kyle Tomek Only a few miles from port, and Neu had already hooked a wide left to flank the fresh signs of feeding fish. We initiated a drift upwind.

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Three anglers achieve a quality catch while wading into a slick on a very calm morning in East Matagorda Bay.

When friends get together for a morning of fishing, it usually entails talk somewhere along the lines of whether a topwater or soft plastic would be better to start with. This morning was no different, and I chose to fish the same pink and white plug that Neu already had tied on from the day before. A light wind nudged his blue Shallow Sport nicely onto the skinny flat, allowing

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our bait-casters to plop Super Spook, Jr., topwaters toward the oily marks. We drifted very close to where Neu calculated that the slicks originated, and he received the first predatory response from a speckled trout. I followed suit with a bruiser redfish. Small baitfish became more noticeable on the surface. Confrontations ensued with many disgruntled redfish—or “carp” as Neu so often calls them—all because we spotted three oily slicks that smelled like watermelon. Oil slicks are common in saltwater habitats. They are usually the result of gluttonous feeding by predatory fish. Carnivorous specimens ranging from speckled trout to gafftop are all guilty of having appetites larger than their bodies can handle. Slicks bloom when relentless gorging causes them to clear their stomachs and regurgitate previously consumed baitfishes. This produces a small glassy patch of oil on the water. As the wind blows and time passes, the slicks move and expand in size. Experience is very important when determining how to home in on fish by the position and size of a slick. Over two decades of experience in Lower Laguna Madre has taught Danny Neu that three factors play crucial roles in fishing slicks—size, wind direction, and wind speed. There is no formula that Neu uses, just PHOTO BY KYLE TOMEK

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his best judgment to combine these factors to set up a wade or drift beyond a slick. Trial and error trains an angler’s eye and judgment. Neu pointed toward a huge downwind slick the size of a swimming pool: “My clients would have been screaming to fish that big slick. I always have to tell them that small slicks are much fresher than big ones. That slick there has surely drifted a long way from the fish.” Simply put, the smallest slicks are the freshest. “In Lower Laguna, I normally see slicks while I’m drifting. Especially in summertime smaller trout can really get slicks popping,” Neu said. Being that smaller trout are overaggressive feeders, they are notorious producers of slicks when baitfishes ball up across the shallows. “Trout are in competition for food a lot of the time,” Neu said. “They just feed, regurgitate, and don’t know when to stop; it can seem to be an endless cycle. Generally, I find slicks in about waist-deep or deeper water. It doesn’t happen much in knee-deep water, and if it does, 90 percent of the time it is redfish. “Last week, slicks pointed to an area just south of Glady’s Hole. We caught continuously and slicks popped during most of our wade. When the fish quit biting, the slicks quit showing up.” According to the late Rudy Grigar: “A slick always means there are fish around. The trick is to pinpoint their location.” Grigar, a legendary guide of the Texas Coast said a large slick only indicates that it was created somewhere upwind. “To find the concentration of fish go upwind, make a wide circle, and look for a fresh slick. You will find the fish under small slicks.” Grigar relied on a buoy to mark the slicks he encountered; but a GPS point would work equally well. In certain cases, oil slicks do not indicate feeding fish at all. This could result in many anglers losing faith in fishing slicks altogether. Ignore a slick that drifted downwind of a crab trap buoy. Crabbers often bait traps with menhaden and other oily baitfishes that produce slicks. Some will even with carry the unmistakable watermelon scent. Some anglers allegedly pour drops of fish oil into the water to distract fellow anglers. When birds work in autumn on migrating

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baitfishes, rumors arise every year in middle and upper coast bay systems of anglers performing the unscrupulous deed to draw in birds and create the look of a fresh slick to keep fishermen occupied and away from where the fish are actually feeding. A of pair of quality polarized sunglasses, like the new Costa Del Mar Permit, cuts major glare on the water and adds major benefits to anglers in search of a slick. Baitfishes, water color lines, changes in depth, and especially slicks become much more

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

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apparent viewed through polarized lenses. The major factor that separates successful slick fishermen from also-rans is to key on small slicks and use best judgment to set up a drift a proper distance away. One thing is for sure: Once you catch your first whiff of a Texas coast trout slick, the smell of fresh-cut watermelon will always make your mouth water—but for a very different reason.

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hand rested on my Bowie knife. This place smelled like the lair of a wild boar, and it’s always good when in such places to have a plan. Crockett Leyendecker had a plan. He was retired and was going to hunt every day that the weather allowed. I was his young wheels. When the hounds bayed, I would take off running to get in the fight while Crockett followed, maneuvering his four-wheeler through the brush. Sometimes I would have a long jaunt, but most times, it was never more than a few hundred yards. Then we would parlay over whether to kill or catch. He had a highfenced pasture that he was populating for weekend paid hunters, and if possible, we would hog-tie the porker, castrate it if male, and transport it to Crockett’s sanctuary. My plan was less focused. Presently, I was waiting for either a hog or the dogs to arrive on the scene; but in real life, my plan had slipped away. I’m not sure what happened. There was an early desire to be a pilot, and being a football coach was a nice dream. More seriously, I had considered military ser-

F i s h

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vice and law enforcement, but somewhere that all went to hell. No desk ever enticed me, and I have always eschewed the idea of becoming soft and pink. I am also a fool for the romantic. Campfires and the cowboy life had lured me away from lucrative lifestyles. My ideals were my curse, and my course was to be a wandering grub-line cowboy. Now, here I stood waiting for a hog and thinking that being broke really sucked. Something clicked. The hog materialized trotting toward me through the yaupon. It was huge, black, and had its own Bowies protruding from both sides of its fierce, chomping mouth. The devilish pig eyes bored into me, and I hesitated. For a quick instant, I pondered the whereabouts of the dogs, and then drew my pistol. At my movement, the creature changed direction and a sudden howling bellow announced my companions were back in the game. Donnie was the first hound to appear, followed by Junior, a little female, Willie, and Demon. The hog kicked into gear, I holstered my gun, and the race turned into a brushbusting sprint for Dry Branch Creek. Once there, the hog took refuge in a waterhole with its back to a washed-out bank. The pups were satisfied baying and I decided to be satisfied with an ear shot. I again drew the pistol again, and this time administered the sentence. Crockett puttered into th fray as I drug the boar from the waterhole. “Hey, boy, that’s a big hog!” he exclaimed, then proceeded to show me the characteristics defining the critter as a descendent of European ancestry. “See this finer hair under his regular coat? That’s for cold weather. And the silver hairs at the corners of his mouth are traits of the Old Russian boars. Boy, I’d sure like to catch one like this to put in my pasture.” As if on order, Donnie stuck his nose in the air and walked away. Crockett and I loaded the carcass and tied it down. Then we motored back to a sendero that cut through the center of our hunting grounds. The ride

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on the ATV lulled me toward dullness, but that was broken when Willie yipped and dove into the brush. We jerked to a stop and saw that all the dogs were gone. “Dadgummit, where did they go?” I asked I strode away from the muttering gas buggy so I could hear. “They sound far off! How did they get so far away so quick?” I glanced at Crockett. “See you in a bit— I’m going to run!” And I tore off through the brush, lunging and jumping, anxious to join the fight. Briars slashed at my face and ripped my clothes. I swallowed air in great gulps and stopped to make sure of my direction. Then I bolted like a track star leaving the blocks, hurdling logs, falling down, twisting, and dashing. I heard a hog squealing and Crockett’s hounds locked in combat. My nerves piqued, I could run without air, my legs kicked into overdrive, and I flashed through the wiry undergrowth. This is what keeps a predator species alive—the hunt. Then I hit a wall. There was a small opening, but in the middle of it was fortress of impenetrable yaupon with a giant cedar tree fallen atop the upper branches. Muffled barks and squeals were coming from inside the barrier. I circled, threw my hat on the ground, and got on my belly to crawl into the mess. The yaupon walls were 3-feet thick and opened into a round mud hole. It was the critter’s den. The boar was fighting for its life, and Donnie, Junior, and Demon had it by the ear, jowl, and flank. Willie skirted the melee, yipping and baying. The hog ripped with its tusks and broke free. I leaped for the cedar limbs and pulled myself off the ground. In seconds, the dogs had new holds and I tried to grab the hog’s hind legs. Three times it broke free, but finally I

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attained my wheelbarrow hold and we danced in the ankle-deep slop. The animal’s hind legs were too big for me to close my hands, and it dragged me as it fought the dogs. I prayed that Crockett would arrive soon. Then he called. “Brune! Are you in there?” “YEAH!” “Hang on, boy, I’m coming!” The tall, aged hunter got down on all fours and wriggled into the pig’s sanctum. Once inside, he inspected the woodland

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hideout and shook his head in awe, then proceeded to pull off the dogs. We threw the hog, tied its feet, and chopped a route through the wall. This one was going back alive. We struggled to load the grunting beast and headed for the truck. The hounds trotted along content, and I reflected. I was glad to be Crockett’s young wheels—and I wondered if such a helper was in the plans for me. E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com

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BAFFIN BAY

GALVESTON

CORPUS CHRISTI

Kendal 28-inch R Ezell edfish Nort Boating A h Padre dventure s

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS SALTWATER BAFFIN BAY

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

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ROCKPORT

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Thompson, III First Redfish Hillman Guide Servi ce

on Capt. Charlie Newt BJ fe wi d an Redfish Redfish Charters

d Shelley L-R Shirley, Pam an ut Tro d an Redfish ide Service Gu r ate ltw Sa ins Ak

ROCKPORT

TEXAS HUNTING

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS FRESHWATER

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

LAKE AMISTAD

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

EAST TEXAS

COSTA RICA

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY! A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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24 dove breasts 24 Jalapenos (halved and seeded to make 48 halves) 2 purple onions peeled and cut into 1inch thick wedges 2 8-oz packages of cream cheese (allow to sit out to soften for 1-2 hours)

For the Brine Fillet the breast meat from the breastplate. Place the fillet halves into a large bowl of ice water. They should be fully submerged. Add 1/2 cup sea salt to 1/2 gallon of ice water. Allow meat to sit for 1-2 hours. Pour off water and rinse the meat again with cold water.

Preparation In a mixing bowl, add to the cream cheese 1 tablespoon each of black pepper, garlic salt, and basil leaves Stuff a Jalapeno half with 3/4 tsp cream cheese mixture. Place the breast on top of the cream cheese and place the purple onion on top of the breast. Wrap the pepper and breast with a half slice of bacon. Hold the bacon in place with a moist round toothpick. (Be sure to wrap tightly to hold in cheese.)

For the Baste The baste will help to cook the bacon faster and keep the meat from overcooking and drying out. 1 whole bottle of Syrah or Merlot wine 3/4 jar Jalapeno Kiwi Jelly I62

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PHOTO BY JIM OLIVE

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3 Tbs soy sauce 3 Tbs olive oil 1 Tbs Dijon mustard 3 tsp beef bullion 1 Tbs butter 1 Tbs black pepper 2 Tbs rosemary leaves, chopped coarsely 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic Place all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and reduce by 1/2 of volume. Remove from heat.

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wine and 1 cup of the stock into the pan, cover with foil, and bake for two hours. Remove from the oven and cool the vegetables for five minutes. Scoop the flesh out of each squash and place in a large saucepot. Discard the skin. Place the other roasted vegetables and the cooking liquid in the pot. Add the remaining wine and chicken stock to the pot. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Season with allspice, salt, and pepper. Simmer the soup for 10 minutes and then

remove from heat. Using a hand held blender, puree the soup until smooth. Add the parsley, season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into a shallow bowl. Garnish with crème fraiche, and chives.

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com.

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

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

1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032

SPECKLED TROUT—UPPER LAGUNA MADRE

REDFISH—PORT ARANSAS

BASS—COLORADO RIVER

Reagan DeJohn proudly shows off this speckled trout that she caught while fishing with her family in the upper Laguna Madre, near Pita Island, Texas.

Debbie Milligan of Lytton Springs, Texas, caught this 27.5-inch, 8-pound redfish while fishing the Brown & Root Flats near Port Aransas. The red was caught on Berkley Gulp! Crab.

CATFISH—CHOKE CANYON

REDFISH & SPECKLED TROUT—BIRD ISLAND BASIN

Mandy and Ryan Mosel of Marion, Texas, caught this 18-pound catfish on a trotline while fishing Choke Canyon.

John DeJohn and his father, Dr. Pedro Magel of Elgin, Texas, caught these 25-inch redfish and 25-inch speckled trout while fishing near Bird Island Basin.

HYBRID STRIPER & WHITE BASS—INKS LAKE

HYBRID STRIPER BASS—INKS LAKE

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SPECKLED TROUT—KING RANCH SHORELINE George Cantu holds up a 9-1/2-pound, 30-1/4inch speckled trout that he caught with live piggy perch while fishing on the King Ranch shoreline.

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PHOTO BY GRADY ALLEN

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In This Issue HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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

N17

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION • Essential Hunting Gear | BY TF&G STAFF

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

N27 N28 N30 N32 N33 N38

INDUSTRY INSIDER • Forrest and Nina Wood in Hall of Fame | BY TOM BEHRENS

HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Hide in Plain Sight | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

N35

BOWHUNTING TECH • The October Lull | BY LOU MARULLO

N36

TEXAS BOATING • E-15 Ethanol Could Kill Your Outboard | BY LENNY RUDOW

N39

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Factory Ammo vs. Handloads | BY STEVE LAMASCUS

N40

FRESHWATER BAITS & RIGS • Learn Tung Fu, Grasshopper | BY PAUL BRADSHAW

N41 N42

TEXAS KAYAKING • Hunters vs. Anglers | BY GREG BERLOCHER WILDERNESS TRAILS • The Best Laid Plans | BY HERMAN W. BRUNE

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GEARING UP SECTION

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NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers | BY TF&G STAFF TEXAS TESTED • Rayovac; Energizer; Chart Master Pro; and more | BY TF&G STAFF SHOOT THIS • Aimpoint Micro H-1 | BY STEVE LAMASCUS TROPHY FEVER • Hunting (at) 101: Eston Fontenot | BY BOB HOOD FISH THIS • The Net from ForEverlast | BY GREG BERLOCHER

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

N44

DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS • Classifieds | BY TF&G STAFF

N46

TEXAS TASTED • Mesquite Grilled Dove Wraps | BY BRYAN SLAVEN

N48

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

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Tides and Prime Times

OCTOBER 2009

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

1High Tide:

SYMBOL KEY

New Moon

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

PRIME TIME 4:10 AM 11:04 AM 6:47 PM 11:35 PM

1.58 ft 0.40 ft 1.79 ft 1.41 ft

Sunrise: 7:32a Moonrise: 7:56p AM Minor: 6:36a PM Minor: 7:00p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

10:00A — 12:30P

Set: 7:18p Set: 8:56a AM Major: 12:23a PM Major: 12:48p 2:04a 2:29p

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 2:04 AM Low Tide: 6:00 PM

1.86 ft 0.24 ft

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 1:36a AM Minor: 1:08a PM Minor: 1:36p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 3:34 AM 1.61 ft Low Tide: 11:14 AM 0.04 ft High Tide: 7:24 PM 1.87 ft

Sunrise: 7:41a Moonrise: 9:14a AM Minor: 6:38a PM Minor: 7:04p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

9:50A — 12:10P

Set: 7:01p Set: 7:46p AM Major: 12:25a PM Major: 12:51p 2:32p 2:06a

26 High Tide: 1:49 AM Low Tide: 5:33 PM

4:20 — 6:10 P

Set: 7:09p Set: 3:38p AM Major: 7:22a PM Major: 7:50p 8:41a 9:08p

PRIME TIME 1.65 ft 0.58 ft

Sunrise: 7:47a Moonrise: 2:53p AM Minor: 12:33a PM Minor: 12:57p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

A9:50 — 11:00 A

Set: 6:54p Set: 1:02a AM Major: 6:46a PM Major: 7:08p 8:22p 8:01a

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First Quarter

Last Quarter

Full Moon

High Tide: 4:06 AM 1.62 ft Low Tide: 11:43 AM 0.25 ft High Tide: 7:56 PM 1.82 ft

Sunrise: 7:33a Moonrise: 8:36p AM Minor: 7:29a PM Minor: 7:56p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

2:19 AM 8:24 AM 11:32 AM 7:08 PM

Sunrise: 7:37a Moonrise: 2:45a AM Minor: 1:59a PM Minor: 2:25p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

1.78 ft 1.45 ft 1.52 ft 0.40 ft

10:30A — 1:00P

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

1.59 ft 1.65 ft 0.02 ft 1.84 ft

11:30A — 1:00P

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

10:40A — 1:00P

Set: 7:00p Set: 8:31p AM Major: 1:21a PM Major: 1:47p 3:25p 2:59a

1:51 AM 8:52 AM 11:08 AM 6:27 PM

Sunrise: 7:47a Moonrise: 3:23p AM Minor: 1:17a PM Minor: 1:39p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.60 ft 1.31 ft 1.34 ft 0.70 ft

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1.58 ft 1.69 ft 0.14 ft 1.84 ft

Set: 7:15p Set: 11:05a AM Major: 2:14a PM Major: 2:42p 3:48a 4:16p

1.68 ft 1.18 ft 1.57 ft 0.59 ft

1:16 AM 2:59 AM 12:42 PM 9:50 PM

10:45A — 12:15P

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

1:56 AM 8:25 AM 12:52 PM 7:15 PM

12:00 — 1:30 P

Set: 7:07p Set: 4:50p AM Major: 8:58a PM Major: 9:23p 10:25a 10:50p

PRIME TIME 1.69 ft 1.69 ft 0.06 ft 1.80 ft

Sunrise: 7:43a Moonrise: 11:16a AM Minor: 8:33a PM Minor: 8:59p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

12:00 — 1:30 A

PRIME TIME 2:34 AM 8:22 AM 1:25 PM 8:10 PM

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

Sunrise: 7:29a Moonrise: 5:52p AM Minor: 3:48a PM Minor: 4:09p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME 12:12 AM 3:56 AM 12:28 PM 9:17 PM

Sunrise: 7:38a Moonrise: 3:52a AM Minor: 2:46a PM Minor: 3:10p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME

Set: 6:53p Set: 1:57a AM Major: 7:28a PM Major: 7:49p 9:05p 8:44a

BEST DAYS

Sunrise: 7:33a Moonrise: 9:24p AM Minor: 8:28a PM Minor: 8:56p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME

Set: 7:08p Set: 4:16p AM Major: 8:12a PM Major: 8:39p 9:35a 10:00p

T E X A S

PRIME TIME

12:25 AM 3:34 AM 11:56 AM 8:32 PM

Sunrise: 7:42a Moonrise: 10:17a AM Minor: 7:34a PM Minor: 8:01p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

PRIME TIME

Set: 7:16p Set: 10:00a AM Major: 1:16a PM Major: 1:42p 2:54a 3:20p

PRIME TIME

Good Day

11:45A — 1:30P

Set: 6:59p Set: 9:20p AM Major: 2:19a PM Major: 2:46p 4:19p 3:52a

1.55 ft 1.17 ft 1.36 ft 0.82 ft

Sunrise: 7:48a Moonrise: 3:52p AM Minor: 1:56a PM Minor: 2:17p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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PRIME TIME

3:41 AM Low Tide: 9:18 AM High Tide: 2:55 PM Low Tide: 9:21 PM

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

PRIME TIME 12:46 AM 3:46 AM 1:21 PM 10:57 PM

Sunrise: 7:34a Moonrise: 10:19p AM Minor: 9:31a PM Minor: 10:01p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.73 ft 1.79 ft 0.07 ft 1.88 ft

PRIME TIME 2:47 AM 8:47 AM 2:52 PM 9:07 PM

Sunrise: 7:38a Moonrise: 4:57a AM Minor: 3:29a PM Minor: 3:53p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.61 ft 0.88 ft 1.66 ft 0.82 ft

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 1:31 PM 0.15 ft High Tide: 11:36 PM 1.76 ft

Sunrise: 7:43a Moonrise: 12:11p AM Minor: 9:31a PM Minor: 9:58p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

11:30A — 1:10P

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

1:00 — 2:45 P

Set: 7:06p Set: 5:23p AM Major: 9:41a PM Major: 10:05p 11:14a 11:38p

12:00 — 2:30 A

Set: 7:14p Set: 12:10p AM Major: 3:17a PM Major: 3:46p 4:45a 5:15p

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

2:30 — 4:30 P

Set: 7:23p Set: 5:04a AM Major: 9:58a PM Major: 10:19p 11:52p 11:31a

PRIME TIME

Set: 6:52p Set: 2:52a AM Major: 8:07a PM Major: 8:27p 9:46p 9:26a

1.57 ft 1.12 ft 1.57 ft 0.77 ft

12:20 — 2:30 P

Set: 6:58p Set: 10:13p AM Major: 3:18a PM Major: 3:45p 5:12p 4:46a

PRIME TIME 2:04 AM 8:22 AM 2:08 PM 7:58 PM

Sunrise: 7:49a Moonrise: 4:20p AM Minor: 2:33a PM Minor: 2:54p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.52 ft 0.98 ft 1.43 ft 0.95 ft

12:00 — 1:30 P

Set: 6:51p Set: 3:47a AM Major: 8:43a PM Major: 9:04p 10:28p 10:07a

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Tides and Prime Times

OCTOBER 2009

FRIDAY

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

PRIME TIME 3:49 AM 9:35 AM 3:52 PM 9:52 PM

1.56 ft 0.94 ft 1.63 ft 0.91 ft

Sunrise: 7:30a Moonrise: 6:20p AM Minor: 4:25a PM Minor: 4:46p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 1:20 AM High Tide: 3:39 AM Low Tide: 2:22 PM

1.85 ft 1.87 ft 0.05 ft

Sunrise: 7:34a Moonrise: 11:20p AM Minor: 10:36a PM Minor: 11:06p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

12:40 — 3:00 A

Set: 7:13p Set: 1:10p AM Major: 4:21a PM Major: 4:51p 5:45a 6:15p

PRIME TIME 3:00 AM 9:20 AM 4:07 PM 9:59 PM

1.56 ft 0.58 ft 1.75 ft 1.06 ft

Sunrise: 7:39a Moonrise: 6:01a AM Minor: 4:12a PM Minor: 4:36p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

7:40 — 10:00

Set: 7:05p Set: 5:55p AM Major: 10:24a PM Major: 10:48p 12:02p None

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 2:26 PM

0.26 ft

Sunrise: 7:44a Moonrise: 12:59p AM Minor: 10:28a PM Minor: 10:54p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1:10 — 3:20 P

Set: 6:57p Set: 11:09p AM Major: 4:16a PM Major: 4:41p 6:03p 5:38a

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

3:00 — 5:00 P

Set: 7:21p Set: 5:59a AM Major: 10:36a PM Major: 10:57p None 12:13p

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

SATURDAY

PRIME TIME 2:12 AM 8:35 AM 3:13 PM 8:41 PM

Sunrise: 7:50a Moonrise: 4:48p AM Minor: 3:09a PM Minor: 3:30p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.50 ft 0.77 ft 1.53 ft 1.09 ft

7:10 — 9:30 P

Set: 6:50p Set: 4:43a AM Major: 9:20a PM Major: 9:41p 11:10p 10:49a

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

3:58 AM 10:00 AM 4:48 PM 10:24 PM

Sunrise: 7:31a Moonrise: 6:49p AM Minor: 5:05a PM Minor: 5:26p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.56 ft 0.75 ft 1.68 ft 1.07 ft

3:13 AM 9:56 AM 5:15 PM 10:50 PM

Sunrise: 7:40a Moonrise: 7:05a AM Minor: 4:56a PM Minor: 5:21p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.91 ft 1.91 ft 1.91 ft 0.08 ft

4:00 — 6:00 P

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

2:00 — 4:20 P

Set: 7:12p Set: 2:06p AM Major: 5:25a PM Major: 5:55p 6:45a 7:15p

PRIME TIME 1.56 ft 0.32 ft 1.83 ft 1.28 ft

8:20 — 11:00 A

Set: 7:04p Set: 6:29p AM Major: 11:09a PM Major: 11:33p 12:50p 12:26a

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 1:59 AM Low Tide: 3:27 PM

Sunrise: 7:45a Moonrise: 1:42p AM Minor: 11:22a PM Minor: 11:47p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

1.74 ft 0.37 ft

2:19 AM 8:57 AM 4:11 PM 9:23 PM

Sunrise: 7:51a Moonrise: 5:18p AM Minor: 3:47a PM Minor: 4:09p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

2:05 — 4:25 P

Set: 6:56p Set: None AM Major: 5:10a PM Major: 5:34p 6:52p 6:28a

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

PRIME TIME 12:55 AM 2:41 AM 2:49 AM 3:31 PM

Sunrise: 7:35a Moonrise: None AM Minor: 11:40a PM Minor: ——Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

PRIME TIME

Set: 7:20p Set: 6:56a AM Major: 11:15a PM Major: 11:37p 12:34a 12:56p

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

SUNDAY

1.50 ft 0.55 ft 1.64 ft 1.23 ft

PRIME TIME 4:06 AM 10:30 AM 5:46 PM 10:59 PM

1.56 ft 0.57 ft 1.74 ft 1.23 ft

Sunrise: 7:31a Moonrise: 7:20p AM Minor: 5:48a PM Minor: 6:10p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

9:30A — 12:20P

Set: 7:19p Set: 7:54a AM Major: 11:59a PM Major: ——1:18a 1:40p

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 1:44 AM Low Tide: 4:46 PM

1.92 ft 0.14 ft

Sunrise: 7:36a Moonrise: 12:27a AM Minor: 12:17a PM Minor: 12:41p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

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

3:10 — 5:20 P

Set: 7:10p Set: 2:55p AM Major: 6:26a PM Major: 6:55p 7:44a 8:13p

PRIME TIME 3:25 AM 10:34 AM 6:20 PM 11:38 PM

1.58 ft 0.14 ft 1.87 ft 1.46 ft

Sunrise: 7:41a Moonrise: 8:10a AM Minor: 5:45a PM Minor: 6:10p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

9:10 — 11:30 A

Set: 7:02p Set: 7:06p AM Major: 11:58a PM Major: 12:23p 1:41p 1:15a

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 1:55 AM Low Tide: 4:32 PM

1.70 ft 0.48 ft

Sunrise: 7:46a Moonrise: 2:20p AM Minor: ——PM Minor: 12:12p Moon Overhead: Moon Underfoot:

9:00 — 10:30

Set: 6:55p Set: 12:05a AM Major: 6:00a PM Major: 6:23p 7:38p 7:15a

PRIME TIME

7:50 — 10:20 P

8:20 — 10:30 P

Set: 6:49p Set: 5:40a AM Major: 9:58a PM Major: 10:20p 11:56p 11:33a

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TIDE STATION CORRECTION TABLE (Adjust High & Low Tide times listed in the Calendar by the amounts below for each keyed location)

NOT FOR NAVIGATION PLACE SABINE BANK LIGHTHOUSE (29.47° N, 93.72° W) SABINE PASS JETTY (29.65° N, 93.83° W) SABINE PASS (29.73° N, 93.87°W) MESQUITE PT, SABINE PASS (29.77° N, 93.9° W) GALV. BAY, SO. JETTY (29.34° N, 94.7° W) PORT BOLIVAR (29.36° N, 94.77° W) TX CITY TURNING BASIN (29.38° N, 94.88° W) EAGLE POINT (29.5° N, 94.91° W) CLEAR LAKE (29.56° N, 95.06° W) MORGANS POINT (29.68° N, 94.98° W) ROUND PT, TRINITY BAY (29.71° N, 94.69° W) PT. BARROW, TRIN. BAY (29.74° N, 94.83° W) GILCHRIST, E. BAY (29.52° N, 94.48° W) JAMAICA BCH., W. BAY (29.2° N, 94.98° W) ALLIGATOR PT., W. BAY (29.17° N, 94.13° W) CHRISTMAS PT, CHR. BAY (29.08° N, 94.17° W) GALV. PLEASURE PIER (29.29° N, 94.79° W) SAN LUIS PASS (29.08° N, 95.12° W) FREEPORT HARBOR (28.95° N, 95.31° W) PASS CAVALLO (28.37° N, 96.4° W) ARANSAS PASS (27.84° N, 97.05° W) PADRE ISL.(SO. END) (26.07° N, 97.16° W) PORT ISABEL (26.06° N, 97.22° W)

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HIGH

LOW

-1:46

-1:31

-1:26

-1:31

-1:00

-1:15

-0:04

-0:25

-0:39

-1:05

+0:14

-0:06

+0:33

+0:41

+3:54

+4:15

+6:05

+6:40

+10:21

+5:19

+10:39

+5:15

+5:48

+4:43

+3:16

+4:18

+2:38

+3:31

+2:39

+2:33

+2:32

+2:31

-1:06

-0.09

-0:44

-1:02

0:00

-1:20

-0:03

-1:31

-0:24

-1:45

+1:02

-0:42

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by Calixto Gonzales, Kyle Tomek, and Tripp Holmgrain

Toledo Whites LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Main lake river channel sandbars GPS: N31 48.960, W93 52.410 SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: slab spoons, tail spinners, shallow-diving crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, shad colored topwater plugs, Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Greg Crafts, 936-368-7151, www.toledobendguide.com TIPS: The days are getting shorter and water temperatures are falling. This occurrence sets off an “alarm” for fish to begin feeding heavy and bulking up for the winter. White bass will be holding on the main lake river channel sandbars. Use electronics to locate baitfish. If the white bass are slow, opt for crappie, which are now moving onto ledges and drops along the river channel around both natural and manmade cover. They can be easily caught with live minnows and crappie jigs. Concentrate on the bends and points along the river channel. BANK ACCESS: public parks and marinas, crappie on live minnows, catfish on cut bait and liver

LOCATION: Toledo Bend South HOTSPOT: Mill Creek GPS: N31 12.240, W93 38.260 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater poppers/chuggers in Bone or shad colors; 3/8-ounce double willow leaf spinnerbaits in white/chartreuse skirt with one gold and one nickel blade; mid- and deepdiving crankbaits in Firetiger and Sexy Shad colors; light Texas-rigged 7-inch with 1/2ounce sinkers CONTACT: Joe Joslin, 337-463-3848, www.joejoslinoutdoors.com TIPS: There are at least two strong fall patterns on Toledo Bend with the shallow early bite and deep patterns to use when the shallow bite slows. Use topwater and spinnerbaits early around grassy points and ridges with grass (Hydrilla) in 6 to 15 foot deep flats. Weightless Texas-rigged Senko style plastics are deadly when worked slowly over shallow grass. Work crankbaits on points in 10 to 20 feet of water, and Texas rigs on points and ridges in 10 to 25 feet. BANK ACCESS: Bass Haven Fishing Resort fishing pier just north of the dam for bream and crappie, below the dam generators when they are running, for catfish and striper. Call 337-286-5244 for pre-recorded generator schedule.

LOCATION: Lake Monticello HOTSPOT: Last point before bridge on left/Mouth of Smith Creek SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: chartreuse 4-inch Tornado, Pepper Alpha Hawg CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, jeff@jeffkirkwood.com, 800-965-0350 / 214-385-0301 TIPS: These baits are best used on a standup jighead, Texas-rig, and lightweight Carolina rig. On bright “blue-bird” days, make sure to downsize with these baits and pay special attention to your line. Best depths will be from 1’ to 14’ of water.

LOCATION: Wright Patman Lake HOTSPOT: Sally Keaton Island GPS: N33 15.011, W94 17.648 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: blue or black back with chrome belly Pop-R’s; topwater frogs in various colors; Sammy’s Topwater Lures in shad colors; jigs with Junebug craw worm trailers CONTACT: Doug Rochelle, 903-671-3494, reteeks77@aol.com TIPS: Fish early and late paying close attention to the brush on the river side of the island. Fish with a slow retrieval for the big fish and keep an eye out for those schooling. If the topwater bite slows, try flipping banks and brush with jigs with craw trailers. Check Solunar fishing tables for peak feeding times during the

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day you fish to maximize your action. Expect between 20 and 30 fish per day with some in the 3 to 4 pound range and larger. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 8 boat ramp, catfish with night crawlers and cut shad, bream by the rocks and bridge piers on crickets and worms LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Pine Island Pond GPS: N32 43.556, W94 09.177 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: BNB Jigs Caddo Lake Dream Team hair jigs, Ozark Secrets tube jigs CONTACT: Dennis North, 903-687-2128, www.fishingwithdennis.com TIPS: October is one of the best times to hit the upper river for crappie; specifically the treetops just up from Pine Island Pond. The fish have been in their summer pattern for some time and you can now find them in the many trees that line the river. Baits that have always produced big crappie this time of year are live baits and small 1/32 and 1/16-ounce BNB hair jigs and Ozark Secrets tube jigs. Also, try fishing drop-shot rigged live bait instead of with floats. BANK ACCESS: Caddo Lake State Park, panfishes, catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and white bass LOCATION: Lake O’ the Pines HOTSPOT: Brushy Creek Road Bed GPS: N32 44.613, W94 32.783 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Carolina-rigged Green Pumpkin finesse worms with heads dipped in chartreuse dye; shad colored DD22 crankbaits; Shaky Heads; Yellow Magic; Zara Spooks CONTACT: Dennis North, 903-687-2128, www.fishingwithdennis.com TIPS: Brushy Creek is a good area in October, with one of the most consistent spots being the old roadbed just across from the Tejas Boat Ramp. Work this area to find the day’s sweet spot; it could be the roadbed, the old bridge, or in spotted grass. This area is also good for early morning topwater action if you arrive early enough. You can spend a half-

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day working this area alone as it contains both shallow and deep areas that will produce fish. BANK ACCESS: Dam Shoreline around the Tejas boat ramp, bass, panfish and catfish, wade-fishing good in this area LOCATION: Sam Rayburn Reservoir HOTSPOT: Canyon Ridge GPS: N31 13.830, W94 20.930 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: DD22 crankbaits with black backs and chartreuse bellies; Carolina-rigged plastic lizards and Baby Brush Hogs in Watermelon Red with tails dipped in garlic chartreuse Spike-It dye. CONTACT: Don Mattern Sr., 903-4782633, www.matternguideservice.fghp.com TIPS: October is usually still hot in the area and big bass will move up on Canyon Ridge in the morning and afternoon. Position your boat to the ridge’s side and work your way down its drop from the canyon’s mouth out to the end of the ridge. Bass will move to feed up and down this ridge during the early morning. Try a DD22 crankbait with a medium action Kistler rod with 12- to 15-pound clear Berkley fluorocarbon line. The medium action rod helps prevent pulling hooks free from hooked fish. Carolina rigs are best with 17- to 20-pound clear fluorocarbon line and a 2- to 5-foot leader. BANK ACCESS: public boat ramps, largemouth on artificials; catfish on cut bait, liver, or stinkbait LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Riverside Texas GPS: N30 51.475, W95 23.973 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas-rigged Junebug colored plastic worms; black/chartreuse 6-inch lizards CONTACT: Dave Cox, 936-291-9602, www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Fish log jams in the river north and south of Highway 19 bridge boat launch. The water in the river is normally clear in the fall. Key on jams found on cut banks in roughly 20 feet of water. Fish will be suspended in shady areas under the logs. The logjams will produce good numbers of bass in the 12 to 15inch range with the occasional fish going 4 to 6 pounds. BANK ACCESS: public parks and boat ramps, N8

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largemouth bass on artificials; catfish on cut bait, stinkbait, or liver LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 26.231, W95 35.510 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Pop-R’s in bone and shad colors, spinnerbaits in white and white/chartreuse colors, live shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, 936-291-1277, www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: With the cool fronts becoming more common, bass are now feeding on shad in preparation for colder weather. October is a great time for topwater and spinnerbait action. Try working Pop-R topwaters in the area and alternate with spinnerbaits to determine what the fish prefer on the particular day. If bass are slow, try your luck with catfish with stinkbait as they will be feeding in 15 to 20 feet of water in the same area. Hybrids will also begin aggressive feeding during this time and will be in 16 to 22 feet along channel edges. Live shad work best on hybrids, but they can be had on artificials and swimbaits when schooling. BANK ACCESS: Stowaway Marina, bream and catfish on live minnows or worms under cork

Humpy Stripers LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump Point GPS: N31 54.672’, W97 20.873’ SPECIES: striper BEST BAITS: cut and live shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, 817-822-5539 TIPS: Use large gizzard shad and anchor boat just off of hump, cut shad in 1/2 and/or use live shad also and make longs casts up on and just off point. Leave reel open and use clicker. Stripers will pick up shad and make a long hard run, reel down and stick them and hang on. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Public Hump GPS: N32.51.174’, W95.31.811’ SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spoons, Carolina rigs F i s h

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CONTACT: Micheal’s Guide Service, 903383-3406, www.lake-fork-guides.com TIPS: Use large jigging spoons on large schools of fish when you have found them using your depth finder. If yellow bass are biting, stick around because largemouth bass are usually eating them. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Bell Ridge GPS: N32.52.539’, W95.31.367’ SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spinnerbug, football jig (black and blue) CONTACT: Micheal’s Guide Service, 903383-3406, www.lake-fork-guides.com TIPS: If yellow bass are biting, stick around because largemouth bass are usually eating

them. Use your depth finder to find schools of fish and use larger jigs and spinner bugs to catch them. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: HWY 515 E Bridge (East Side) GPS: N32.53.713’, W95.31.224’ SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: 1/32- 1/8-ounce gray and blue jigs; minnows CONTACT: Micheal’s Guide Service, 903383-3406, www.lake-fork-guides.com TIPS: Keep your line moving up and down in the water column until you find where the fish are located. Count how long it takes for your bait to reach that level and fish it there every cast. Don’t sit around at one piling for too long if they aren’t biting-just move to the next piling. LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Deep Humps GPS: N31 54.214’, W97 12.730’ SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: 1-ounce chartreuse slabs CONTACT: Randy Routh 17-822-5539 TIPS: Use graph and check out deep humps, the white bass will be stacked up and look like a Christmas tree on your graph. Anchor up or use trolling motor and drop

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slabs to the bottom. Lift and drop baits and stay in contact with slab, whites will hit it on the fall. If no bites off are received on bottom, try different depths using same lift and drop till you determine exactly what column of water they are feeding at. LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: North Island and Tabletop GPS: N33 52.072’, W96 41.672’ SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: topwater plugs and Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, 877-786-4477, bigfish@striperexpress.com TIPS: The big fish are on the banks during early mornings. Cast pencil poppers and big Chug Bugs for vicious strikes in shallow water. Mid morning, change your lures to four-inch sassy shad on a one-ounce jighead. Favorite colors are white glow and chartreuse fleck. Always keep your eyes on the seagulls. They can locate schools of stripers roaming in open water. Live shad fishing is also an excellent way to catch stripers. Locate the fish on the ledges, anchor up, and place your bait three turns off the bottom. The best depth will aver-

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age thirty feet deep. BANK ACCESS: Washita Point and Platter Flats LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Backs of Main Lake Creeks SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwaters early, Carolina rigs CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, 903-5617299, ricky@rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Fish the back of your creek channels early with your topwater lures such as a yellow magic along the shore lines and along the creek channels and as the day goes on try moving out on the points and try fishing crankbaits (deep divers) on the points fishing every angle of the points. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir HOTSPOT: Red Roof Cove GPS: N31 01.995’, W97 34.208 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwaters, cranks, slabs CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Shad tend to congregate in this cove in early fall; a quick check with sonar will tell

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you when this has occurred. The presence of and position of the shad in the water column will drive the fishing from topwater, hard, or soft baits for shad on top, to crankbaits for suspended shad, or to slab spoons for shad near bottom. Beware of the standing timber. LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir HOTSPOT: Red Roof Cove GPS: N31 01.995’, W97 34.208 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: topwaters, cranks, slabs CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Shad tend to congregate in this cove in early fall - a quick check with sonar will tell you when this has occurred. The presence of and position of the shad in the water column will drive the fishing from topwater, hard, or soft baits for shad on top, to crankbaits for suspended shad, or to slab spoons for shad near bottom. Beware of the standing timber. LOCATION: Belton Lake HOTSPOT: Temple’s Lake Park GPS: N31 07.429, W97 29.285 SPECIES: white bass

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BEST BAITS: topwaters in silver or clear, slabs in silver or white and live shad CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, 254-368-7411, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com TIPS: Look for topwater feeding early and late. Pay attention to the size of shad regurgitated by the fish you catch, and try to closely match that forage size with your baits. Action will continue to improve as cold fronts cause temperatures to moderate and continue a cooling trend in water temperatures. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Prairie Creek Tank GPS: N32 1’ 30.48” W96 11’ 35. 60” SPECIES: black bass BEST BAITS: topwater baits, Texas rig CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, 682-518-8252, 817-929-0675. steve@schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: Fish the tank dam and the flooded grass on the right hand side of the tank. Once you come out the tank, go across the cove and get close to the north bank in the creek. There will be flooded grass. Use Texas-rigs and topwater baits and fish this area all the way back to the first secondary point. One of the different techniques we are using in the morning is an S.O.B buzzbait 3/8 black on black no stinger hook. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Sundown Estates Tank Dam/Creek GPS: N32 2’ 1.90”, W96 11’ 55.07” SPECIES: black bass BEST BAITS: Texas or Carolina rig, Watermelon Red stickbaits, creature baits CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, 682-518-8252, 817-929-0675, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS: At the start of the ramp will be the tank, you will see two markers. This is the cut when the dam was broke. You will want to fish this area with Texas Rig and or a C-rig. The first three docks past the dam are in deep water the fourth is very shallow. The fifth dock is sitting next to the creek and second entrance to a second tank. LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Pelican Island GPS: N31’58’949 W96’106’00 N12

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SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: 1-ounce silver or chartreuse Shad Slabs, 1/4-ounce blue/chrome Rat-LTraps CONTACT: Royce Simmons, 903-389-4117, www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Whites will be feeding aggressively most mornings and afternoons in 25-30 feet of water off Pelican Island. Look for the Gulls and Pelicans to be picking up Shad as the fish push them to the surface. If the fish are feeding on top, use a Rat-L-Trap or Tiny Torpedo and if not drop a 1-ounce Slab to the bottom and “burn” it quickly up thru suspended fish. BANK ACCESS: Fisherman’s Point Marina on the SE side of the Lake (903-389-5218) LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Pelican Island GPS: N31 58’949”, W96 106’00” SPECIES: hybrid stripers BEST BAITS: 1-ounce silver or chartreuse Shad Slabs, 1/4-ounce blue/chrome Rat-LTraps CONTACT: Royce Simmons, 903-389-4117, www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: Hybrids will be feeding aggressively most mornings and afternoons in the 25’-30’ water off Pelican Island. Look for the Gulls and Pelicans to be picking up Shad as the fish push them to the surface. If the fish are feeding on top, use a Rat-L-Trap or Tiny Torpedo and if not drop a 1-ounce slab to the bottom and “burn” it quickly up thru suspended fish. BANK ACCESS: Fisherman’s Point Marina on the SE side of the Lake (903-389-5218) LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Brushy Creek GPS: N30 20.940 W96 33.201 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: punchbait, cut shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor in this area. Tight-line using cut shad or punch bait. Water will have cooled from what it was in the summer. The lake is usually low this time of year, so expect about 5 feet water and possibly some dead Lily Pads is this area. Fish the edge of the lily pads near the center of the creek. Use a tight line with F i s h

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the smallest sinker that you can cast. If fishing at night, expect the possibility of a big blue or yellow cat feeding in the area. Strong line should be used to handle Lily Pad hook ups. BANK ACCESS: Somerville Marina pier fishing for crappie and catfish LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Employee Dock Area GPS: N 30 37.601, W96 04.590 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: punchbait, worms, shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, 979-229-3103, www.FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The 7- to 8-foot water comes up to the edge of Lily Pads in this spot. Baitfishes are using the lily pads for cover and the fish are taking advantage of the cover as well. Us a slip cork and fish the outer edge of the pads if the winds allow, otherwise use a tight line on bottom. Perch hang out in this area too. If you fish at night be prepared for larger blue and yellow cat to take the bait. The railroad dam also offers some wind blockage when the north wind is blowing this time of year. BANK ACCESS: Pier in camping area that goes out toward an island LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Riprap, Standing Timber SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Bandit 100 & 200 series Mistake; 3/8-ounce black/blue jig, tipped with Tornado or Gene Larew craw worm CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 800-965-0350, 214-385-0301, jeff@jeffkirkwood.com TIPS: These should be the only baits needed for your day of fishing on Lavon and expect to do well with them! When using these baits it will be imperative that you bump any structure that you see or know of in the area. LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard HOTSPOT: East Fork of Trinity River SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white/chartreuse buzzbait, chartreuse jig/Tornado or Gene Larew craw worm, Green Pumpkin Alpha Hawg CONTACT: Jeff Kirkwood, 800-965-0350, 214-385-0301, jeff@jeffkirkwood.com TIPS: Make sure when fishing Hubbard that you fish parallel to the shoreline. Simply

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because the areas that indicated will require this type of approach to catch more than just a few fish.

cle hooks for jug lines. These are perfect for the blues because they cannot twist off of them and they have very high hook up ratios.

Chrome Bass

LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Elm Cove GPS: N29,34.100 W98, 55.410 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: shad colored topwater poppers and Zara Puppies; white and chartreuse spinnerbaits; shad colored crankbaits; brown jigs; drop-shot worms in black/chartreuse, Watermelon Red, Green Pumpkin CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Fish the flats on the make lake, points of creeks and channel swing banks heading into the creeks. Topwaters will work both early and late. Look for wind-blown areas with shad and work crankbaits and spinnerbaits to catch active fish. When the topwater bite slows, use jigs and drop-shot rigs along breaklines in 5 to 25 feet of water. BANK ACCESS: Red’s Cove, white bass on minnows, spinners, and spoons

LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Hurst Creek GPS: N30 23.180, W97 57.260

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: chrome colored topwater lures; white and chartreuse buzzbaits; white and chartreuse spinnerbaits; Crawdad colored crankbaits; brown or black jigs; Green Pumpkin, black, Red Shad colored worms CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Look for bass around points and channel swing banks in 5 to 15 feet of water. The outside corners of docks will hold fish with windy areas being very productive for active and larger bass. Shad are the main forage this time of year so look for them to locate bass. Active lures such as topwaters, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are starting to produce throughout the entire day. If the bite is tough due to weather conditions, work plastic worms and jigs, or find and fish a good brush pile in the area. BANK ACCESS: Pace Bend Park, bass on topwaters and plastic worms, catfish on stinkbait and cut bait LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Dam SPECIES: blue catfish BEST BAITS: shad, cut bait, Zote soap CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, 512-365-7761, www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: This is a good time to stock your freezer with catfish fillets. You can catch them by drift fishing deep water on the main lake or using jug lines. A breezy day and shad work best for drift fishing. Use a drift sock to control your drift. For jug lines, cut bait and Zote soap will work well. The soap works well because the gar will not bother it like they do the cut bait and shad. I recommend 11/0 cirN14

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LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Striper Island GPS: N30 47.310, W98 24.580 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: shad colored Zara Spooks; large poppers; Red Fin minnow plugs; chrome and white slab spoons; shad colored swimbaits; free-lined live bait CONTACT: Dave Burlington, 210-833-9417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Look for birds working over fish and/or schools of fish breaking the surface. Stripers are in proximity to humps and islands close to the river channel. Cast topwater lures while the fish are active on the surface. Once they go down, throw a swimbait or free-line live bait through the school. Once fish go deep, move directly over the school and jig a spoon vertically to catch them. Electronics are key when fish are not on the surface. If you don’t see stripers on your electronics, move to a new location. BANK ACCESS: Llano County/Black Rock Park, catfish on liver and cut bait LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Horseshoe Bay F i s h

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GPS: N30 33.140, W98 21.510 SPECIES: largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: shad and chartreuse crankbaits that dive 8 to 10 feet; white buzzbaits, 1/2ounce white spinnerbaits with gold willow and Colorado blades; Zara Spooks and Pop-R’s in shad patterns; 1/4- to 1/2-ounce brown jigs with matching craw trailers CONTACT: David Burlington, 210-8339417, www.bassindave.com TIPS: Largemouth bass have started moving shallower as water temperatures continue to fall. Look for fish around points, main lake flats and channel swing banks in 3 to 10 feet of water. Outside corners of docks will hold many active bass. Fish will be using grass and wood cover; be sure to work these areas. Shad are the main forage this time of year so look for them to locate bass. Active lures like topwater baits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are starting to produce the entire day. If the bite gets tough, fish jigs around the same areas, slowly crawling them across the bottom or swimming them just beneath the water’s surface. BANK ACCESS: 1431 Bridge, white bass on minnows, small spinners and spoons LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Toms Cove GPS: N29 51.860, W98 14.070 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white and chartreuse spinnerbaits; Watermelon and Green Pumpkin Senkos; PBJ colored jigs with craw trailers; Texas-rigged Watermelon Red, Junebug, Green Pumpkin worms CONTACT: Kandie Candeleria, 210-8232153, kandie@gvtc.com TIPS: Look for bass to start heading toward the backs of creeks although most fish will still be found in the creeks’ first third. Be sure to focus on standing timber in these areas. 1/4to 1/2-ounce Jewel Jigs with craw trailers will now be very productive the entire day. On windy and/or overcast days, Secret Weapon spinnerbaits will catch fish. If the bite gets tough, a good change-up from jigs is 7-inch worms and Senkos with 1/8-ounce weights fished slowly along the bottom and through timber. BANK ACCESS: Canyon Park Campground, crappie on minnows and crappie jigs

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Neon Ivie Bass LOCATION: Lake O.H. Ivie HOTSPOT: Cove with Brush

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TIPS: The fall migration has begun. Start fishing west of Sand (Goat) Island about 1/2 mile north of Costello Island. This area is a natural highway between the depths and feeding flats; fish a depth of 20 feet to take maximum advantage. Pay close attention to gull action as they have the best eyes on the water. October is the time to favor jigs and slabs, and do more fishing off the bottom, as opposed to topwaters; however, live shad are always best. You may try actually casting jigs and hopping them with 2 to 5 foot hops across the surface

when schools are marauding baitfish. If the birds put you on a school, go to the trolling motor to avoid spooking fish. Stealth is very important. BANK ACCESS: North D&D, largemouth and smallmouth bass on plastic worms, catfish on stinkbait and liver LOCATION: Lake Graham-Eddelman HOTSPOT: Main lake points GPS: N33 08.370, W98 36.558 SPECIES: sand bass

LOCATION: Twin Buttes Reservoir HOTSPOT: Hump and nearby river channel GPS: N31 20.210, W100 33.375 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white spinnerbaits; Junebug and Green Pumpkin Texas-rigged Senkos CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: The brushy ledge that runs along Spring Creek will have fish cruising the hump for shad and perch. Cover water with spinnerbaits to learn the mood of these fish. Bass may be feeding aggressively and hit spinnerbaits, or may want the slower presentation of a Texas-rigged Senko. If fish are suspended in brush, flip with a Senko and hold on. BANK ACCESS: Twin Buttes Marina Road has access to all areas on the north side of the lake. LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Lake HOTSPOT: Flats west of Sand Island GPS: N32 54.370, W98 27.457 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad; topwaters in shad colors; crankbaits in white and chartreuse of varying depths; slabs and jigs in chrome and chartreuse CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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ALL GPS COORDINATES VERIFIED BY

BEST BAITS: live shad, fresh dead shad, minnow, perch jigs, slabs, shallow crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Start out working either mouth of the canal connecting the two lakes. Work live bait, jigs, and slabs off the many humps and dropoffs in the areas. If fish surface and are active, work your baits fast with quick jerks to keep them in the 2 to four foot water column. Next, fish the bottoms off main lake points. Look for sand flats and fish depths of 12 to 30 feet. Fish will be working back and forth along natural highways feeding on balls of shad they run up against the flats or against the surface and humps. BANK ACCESS: Hwy 380 public boat ramp, crappie on live minnows, bass on plastic worms, catfish on cut bait and liver

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Green Pumpkin flukes and Trick Worms; shad colored topwater lures CONTACT: Wendell Ramsey, 325-2274931, bram4@suddenlink.net TIPS: Cow Creek is no secret to most anglers that visit Amistad. However, few venture back where the deep-water shallows and Huisache trees take notice. Always start with your favorite topwater here and stay around the grass and brush. Follow up with a Green Pumpkin fluke or Trick Worm, slowly twitching the bait so they move side to side, pausing occasionally to allow them to sink a bit. Be sure to work all depths from 2 to 18 feet; these baits can be magic. BANK ACCESS: Diablo East Park or Black Brush area; contact the National Parks Service for more information

LOCATION: Palo Pinto Reservoir HOTSPOT: Mid-lake main lake points GPS: N32 39.063, W98 18.119 SPECIES: sand bass BEST BAITS: live shad, dead shad, minnows, jigs, slabs CONTACT: Dean Heffner, 940-329-0036, fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Fish are now fattening up for the winter and are moving from deeper water by the dam to mid-lake areas. Begin fishing the main points at cove mouths (shallower coves are best), bouncing your baits off the bottom. If fish are close, cast to them and retrieve with a one-two jerking motion, continually reeling to keep your bait actively moving. Concentrate on 2- to 4-foot water columns. BANK ACCESS: Any of the parks and public boat ramps by the generator plant, crappie on live minnows, catfish on stinkbait, cut bait, and liver

Trinity Assassins

Cow Bass

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Oyster Farm GPS: N28 41.611’, W95 48 2403’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Sea Devil, Devil Eyes in Cop-

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Black Cat in stained water, chartreuse, Limetreuse in clear; MirroLure 52MR28 CONTACT: Steve Hillman, 409-256-7937 TIPS: Look for slicks and birds. If it’s, calm drift; if it’s blowing, wade. With each passing front, white shrimp pop out of the bayous and are heading for the Gulf. Bigger fish tend to be on the shorelines. BANK ACCESS: Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, McCollum Park in Trinity Bay

Oyster Trout

LOCATION: Lake Amistad HOTSPOT: Back of Cow Creek

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LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Fishers and Dow Reefs(west shoreline) GPS: N29 39.202’, W94 53.889’ / N29 39.914’, W94 50.552’ SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins in Copper,

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per, Black Cat in stained water; SkitterWalks in Bone/chartreuse, Super Spooks in chrome/blue in clear; Corky Devil in Texas Chicken, amber, pink CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-2567937 TIPS: Wade or drift looking for slicks or feeding birds.

Santiago Tarpon LOCATION: Brazos-Santiago Pass HOT SPOT: North Jetties (bank access) GPS: N26 04.080, W97 09.280 SPECIES: tarpon BEST BAITS: live finger mullet, jumbo shrimp, live pinfish; topwaters in chrome/blue, Bone CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: September is a good time to latch into a Silver King. You’ll see these flashy brutes rolling along the jetties and in the pass. When you see a tarpon surface, pitch a live finfish or a large shrimp in its general area. If the poons aren’t rolling, put the bait under a balloon and

drift it in the current. Fortune favors the bold, so you might want to try tossing a Magnum Super Spook in red head/white body, or a Sebile Splasher. Be ready to duck, though. Sometimes those big tarpon will fling that plug back at your head.

Email: Calixto: cgonzales@fishgame.com Kyle: ktomek@fishgame.com Tripp: tholmgrain@fishgame.com Tom: tbehrens@fishgame.com

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Roof prism (L) and porro prism binoculars

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

Binoculars Many outdoorsmen use binoculars, but might not know how to select a model and get the best performance. The “X” factor in binocular designations

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Twist-up eyecups accommodate eyeglass wearers and provide adjustable eye relief.

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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positions—down for eyeglass wearers and up for others—whereas twist-up models adjust to whatever distance best suits the individual’s eye relief.

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Although some binoculars are fixed focus and others have individual focusing rings for each eyepiece, the most common and popular features a center focus adjustment and a

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PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

Close-up of a Carbide Sharpener

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Sharpener Blade Replacement angle of approximately 40 degrees. This is accomplished by honing—never grinding— the edge with increasingly fine mediums. There are many sharpening methods and

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ing the proper blade-to-stone angle. Many devices help eliminate this problem; some attach to the knife for use with conventional

Rest the blade tip on a table edge to use a carbide sharpener.

PHOTO BY DON ZAIDLE

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PHOTO COURTESY ACCUSHARP

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GUN PHOTOS COURTESY HILL COUNTRY RIFLES

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Sea Hunt XP 21

quart insulated box, standard trolling motor plug, anchor locker and storage for a 5-gallon bait bucket in the floor. Unique to Sea Hunt, the center console has a forward A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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On the Web Energizer, www.energizer.com Rayovac, www.rayovac.com

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PHOTO COURTESY OF CHART MASTER PRO

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Trilene’s Virtues Trans-Apparent WHEN IT COMES TO MONOFILAMENT FISHING line, you have two choices: go with a line that’s nearly invisible underwater and just as hard to see in the air, or a high-vis line that you can see well, but the fish can, too. That’s why Berkley came out with TransOptic, a new nylon mono that’s high-vis above the waterline, and low-vis beneath the surface. Out of the water, TransOptic appears gold, yet when it hits the waves, where UV rays are filtered out, it goes stealth. I found the visibility helpful for tying knots and while watching lines for tangles in a trolling spread. The best perk came while jigging for yellowfin sea trout; I could completely slack the line as my jig dropped, and easily watch the line for that telltale twitch of a bite. When I saw it— wham!—I set the hook and it was game-on. TransOptic is available in the usual selection of tests from 4 up to 25 in 220and 2000-yard spools. Other characteristics of the line will seem familiar PHOTO COURTESY OF BERKLEY

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to those who regularly use Trilene. Knot strength and abrasion resistance were excellent, and memory was relatively low. Of course, the usual monofilament gripe holds true, and TransOptic stretches just as much as any other nylon monofilament. Then again, for certain fishing situations, this is an advantage—as is being able to clearly see your line, even though the fish can’t. Contact: Pure Fishing, www.purefishing.com —LR

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Aimpoint Micro H-1 IMPOINT—YOU KNOW, THE LITTLE electronic sight with the red dot—is a Swedish-made aiming device (I can’t really call it a “scope” even though it

A by Steve LaMascus

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On the Web www.aimpoint.com/products/aimpoint_ product_lines/aimpoint_micro_h-1

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com PHOTO COURTESY AIMPOINT

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PHOTOS COURTESY THE FONTENOT FAMILY

Hunting (at) 101: Eston Fontenot

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I have made two feather beds from duck feathers in my life.

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feather bed,” Fontenot told his grandson. “I have made two feather beds from duck feathers in my life.” Fontenot said he also sold ducks to a local patrolman for 50 cents a pair to raise money for his family during the Depression days. The patrolman took the ducks to New Orleans, where he sold them for $2-3 per pair. Fontenot recalled another time when he was hunting with a .22 rifle in the Louisiana swamps: “There was a big log in front of me. I started to go across it and a black bear got up in front of me.” Fontenot said it was “a little bitty bear” but the incident left a large impression on him. Indeed, people make great impressions, too. It is evident Eston Fontenot has made

great impressions on his family and others who know him.

Eston Fontenot at 101, ready for a shot in his favorite hunting blind.

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It is most important to remember why we are out there at darkthirty in the morning.

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E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

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tered, and died. These problems occurred in the weeks following the mandated use of E-10 ethanol blended fuels, and were no coincidence. Brian learned that parts of his old fuel sender (and parts of a fuel line and fitting as well) had actually dissolved from the E-10 into tiny particulates known as di-iso-octylphalate, a tarry substance that makes its way through fuel filters and injectors into the engine. When it cools, it hardens, of-

ten on the intake valves and push rods. The next time you run the motor, kabam!, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deader than easy credit. The tow home cost Brian several hundred dollars. A new motor went for the paltry sum of $12,000. On top of all that, he had to have the fuel tank pumped dry. It just about knocked him out of boating altogether. But over the course of the next year, he took out a loan to re-power the boat and got back into the game. Now, just a few months later, the nightmare could begin anew. His new outboard, like virtually all of them on the water today, is rated to run with fuel blends including up to 10 percent ethanol. Growth Ethanol, a pro-ethanol energy group, is now pushing the EPA to boost ethanol content to 15percent.

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rine engines, we’re likely to see similar issues.” If you do not have a boat, you are still at risk. Hunters who use ATVs or landowners who run chain saws stand to suffer damage to their equipment. Light, air-cooled, carbureted engines are at high risk because they produce more oxygen during combustion and are forced to run lean. In fact, some testing suggests that damage can occur in as little as 25 hours of running time. Virtually any gasoline-powered engine not designed for ethanol blends could end up ruined if Growth Energy gets its way. Meanwhile, Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) says it will not certify service station gasoline pumps dispensing E-15 because variations in the ethanol mix could result in higher blends accidentally being dispensed.

pay for Growth Energy’s vigorous campaign. The only problem is, he and thousands like him don’t have anything left to pay with.

On the Web www.boatus.com/gov E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

E-action Obviously, the best way to combat this problem is to head off the ethanol lobby at the pass. Visit the BoatU.S. website regularly to get upto-date information on the fight. Whenever you have the opportunity to send comments to the government, do so. (Boat US often provides links to the EPA, your congressional representatives, and others who receive public input.) And make sure you raise this issue with friends and family, and encourage them to take these same actions. Whether we go to E-15 or not, there are some actions you can take to help minimize ethanol damage to your boat. - Invest in a good fuel/water separator (it should have at least a 10-micron filter) and change it twice as frequently as you used to. - Don’t let gas sit in your tank for extended periods. The longer it is there, the more it will bind with water. - If your engine starts knocking or running rough, drain the tank and replace the old fuel with new gasoline. - “Sumping” old gas on a regular basis is also a good preventative measure. Since the good gas is lighter than that bound with water, it sits higher in the tank. If your boat has sat for longer than a month, insert a tube to the bottom of the tank and pump out the bottom inch or two of fuel. You should pull out the worst of the mix this way without disturbing or having to pump out the good fuel. - Top off the tank regularly to minimize condensation. So, what happens if you follow all these procedures and still take a beating from E-15? No one can answer that question just yet, but Brian can make a pretty good guess as to who will A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Email Greg Berlocher at fishthis@fishgame.com PHOTO BY GREG BERLOCHER

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Factory Ammo vs. Handloads HEN I STARTED RELOADING IN THE 1970s, I did it because I wanted to shoot more and couldn’t afford it without reloading. In those days, I could reload a box of 20 highpower rifle cartridges for less than $3 as compared to about $7 or $8 for factory. The first guns I loaded for were a .25-06 and a .22-250. Both were pretty new on the market at that time, having been recently standardized by Remington from their previous wildcat status, and were considered real hotrods. (They still are, by the way.) I bought factory ammunition and shot it to get brass for the .22-250, but I just resized .30-06 brass I was given or picked up at the range for my .25-06. To be honest, I expected to get better accuracy from that pretty, shiny factory ammo than I did from my handloads, so I was terribly surprised when the exact opposite was true. In general, my handloads performed considerably better than factory fodder. There are several reasons for this: Once a round has been fired in a gun, the brass conforms to the dimensions of the chamber. If the reloader doesn’t drastically resize the cartridge case, it is nearer to the exact measurements of the chamber and more in line with the center of the bore than a factory cartridge is, which must be of such dimensions that it will fit easily in any chamber, large or small. If a cartridge is neck-sized only (a common practice), it is even more closely fitted to the chamber

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and is more accurate when reloaded, but is sometimes difficult to chamber, which is why it is generally better to full-length resize hunting ammunition. When the cartridge is fired and conforms to the shape of the chamber, it also is exactly aligned with the bore, which can only improve accuracy. Also, rather than being loaded to a pre-determined length, bullets can be seated out to the optimum distance from the beginning of the lands or to the maximum length allowed by the length of the magazine. This, too, improves accuracy. One very good example of the superiority of handloads happened to me with a Remington Model 7 in 6.8 SPC. I ordered one of the rifles along with some Remington Match ammunition for testing. At the same time, I ordered a set of Redding dies. Hornady V-Max bullets are made in the correct weight for the 6.8, so I called the guys at Hornady and asked for a couple boxes of the 110-grainers. The Remington ammo was loaded with 115-grain OTM (open-tip match) bullets. I mounted a scope and shot for group. I was stunned when the first group with the factory ammo went nearly 3 inches. Several more averaged between 2 and 3 inches. While I am not one who believes every gun should shoot 1-inch groups, I knew the 6.8 should do better than that, so I took the empty cases and reloaded them using the Hornady 110-grain V-Max bullets. The first group with the reloads measured almost exactly an inch, and subsequent groups stayed pretty close to that size. So, my handloads were just over twice as accurate as the Remington match-grade factory loads. I have been a reloader for almost 40 years now. In addition, I have shot and tested ammunition made by every major U.S. and some foreign manufacturers. Almost without exception, my handloaded ammunition has been more accurate than that loaded at the factories. A L M A N A C / T E X A S

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Ammunition factories load huge quantities of ammunition, and spot check for problems. While modern computer controlled processes are light-years ahead of previous methods, there is no practical way to check every single round for deformity and continuity. I have found misloaded or malformed cartridges a number of times in factory boxes. I have also had misfires from factory ammunition, both rifle and shotgun. Just last week as I write this, I had a factory cartridge misfire on the range in a Mossberg Model 464 .30-30. I have never, not once, had a failure to fire when hunting with handloaded rifle ammunition. Don’t think for a second that reloads are somehow inferior. When carefully crafted to keep from getting lubricant on the primers or in the powder, handloads are superior to factory loads. Even today, with the super-premium loads on the market, this is still true, although much less so than in the past. The factory has to load cartridges that will work properly in everything from a rusty hand-me-down 1903 Springfield to a new T/C Encore or 20year-old Remington Model 742 semi-auto. You, on the other hand, can tailor the round to the exact needs of your rifle, handgun, or shotgun, and for the purpose to which you intend to put it. If you want to be a better all around shooter and hunter, learn to reload your own ammunition. You will learn more about the sport, guns, and ammunition; shoot more, and become a better shot because of it. Not only that, reloading is a relaxing and fulfilling pastime in its own right.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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putty called Tung Fu. I’m a sucker for products with irritating names, so I bought some just to see how it worked. Tung Fu is a moldable tungsten putty that can be used to add weight to just about fishing rig in any shape imaginable. Think back to your days as a kid playing with Play-Doh, and you will get some idea of what this stuff

looks like a rod factory exploded with pieces of graphite laying everywhere. I, on the other hand, typically fish out of a kayak, so carrying more than two rods is not feasible. Honestly, I carry two rods, but typically use only one. Most of the time, you will catch me with my spinning rod in hand with a 3/0 hook tied on the end. Feel free to take away my Man Card for openly admitting to wielding a dainty spinning rod most of the time. This sounds like a pointless setup to most anglers, since at first glance it seems to limit me to very few bait presentation options. I typically use it to throw wacky worms around boathouses or toss soft plastic jerkbaits into grass, and it works exceptionally well for both. However, a product I ran across a while back can turn a simple one-dimensional hook and line into a multiple depth rig, allowing me to make multiple presentations with just one rod. This product isn’t really new, just rarely used, but is worth giving a try. The item I am referring to is a tungsten

can be turned into. In the past, if you were throwing a soft plastic jerkbait and needed to get it down a little deeper, you had two options—add a split shot to the line, or insert a nail into the nose of the bait. The problems with these methods are the split shot tends to hang in thick grass, and you don’t always have a nail available in your boat. With the tungsten putty, you can create a long thin weight that you mold around your fishing line. The thin weight won’t snag and is always available as long as the Tung Fu is in your tackle box, which should be all the time since it is still moldable at zero degrees Fahrenheit, and stays solid at high temperatures as well (on the package it says storing it in your hot car is fine, which means someone did that by accident). Moving the weight down to the hook and molding it into the shape of a bullet weight turns the single hook and line rig into a Texas rig. Put on a worm, craw, or creature bait and you can hop the rig around trees, stumps, or boathouses. Slide

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it up the line a few feet and you suddenly have a Carolina rig. Really, any way you use a traditional bullet weight or split shot, you can use Tung Fu. The best part is, it is reusable. At the end of the day, or when you want to change methods, jut remove the putty from your line and mold it back in with the amount you still have left. Even though it is somewhat expensive, it will last a long time, paying for itself over and over in savings on split shot and bullet weights. It also will keep the anti-lead freaks off you back, since it is deemed environmentally friendly. Another advantage to the tungsten

putty is that you can add as much or little as you need, which doesn’t limit you to specific pre-molded weights and shapes. If you need a 1/43-ounce bullet weight, you can have it. For those don’t want to or can’t, haul everything and the neighbor’s bathtub with you on your next fishing trip, then a hook, line, pocket full of soft plastics, and some Tung Fu is all you really need to fish the entire water column. E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

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ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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ing up for winter’s arrival. Autumn is simply perfect to be on the water with a rod and reel. Should the hunter not be allowed to hunt? Should the angler who has waited all year for the best fishing be denied? Who should prevail, hunter or angler? Before I give you my thoughts, let me be up front about this: Regardless of the situation, threats of armed violence are uncalled for. Real sportsmen don’t resort to violence to make their point. That established, common courtesy should always prevail, and I do my best to practice what I preach when I am on the water. If someone gets to a spot first and I am the second to arrive, I accept my fate and modify my plans accordingly. There isn’t an absolute in these matters, as every circumstance and situation is different. Since most duck hunters hit the water well before dawn, I will assume for the sake of discussion that they arrive first and the kayaker is the interloper. Shame on any paddler who uses his kayak as an excuse for rude and disrespectful behavior. I have met several self-righteous paddlers that tried to excuse their poor manners, like cutting too close to someone who is fishing, justifying their actions with excuses like, “Since I am paddling, I need to take this path to get where I am going.” Nonsense! Take the long way around and burn a few extra calories. Fortunately, these folks make up a small minority in the paddling community.

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As a rule, kayakers should stay at least 200 yards—preferably more—from floating decoys or a duck blind. Space is limited in some venues, making it difficult to give such a wide berth. To avoid conflicts with hunters, consider your choice of fishing spots for the first two weeks of November. Opening weekend is by far the most crowded. Later in the season, crowds thin out and many blinds are empty. Second, use your mobility and find other spots, or at least maintain a courteous distance that doesn’t interfere with nearby hunters. Likewise, hunters should note kayak activity in an area during summer months before building a blind. There are certain areas that draw throngs of kayakers and building your blind in such an area is asking for trouble. Even when you do all the right things, there will always be a yahoo out there who is a bad apple. Threatening to shoot someone is foolish and harms the reputation of all law-abiding hunters and fishermen. Should someone threaten you while you are on the water, call a game warden immediately, noting the time of the incident and, if possible, the GPS coordinates. Redfish and redheads have shared the same shallow water for eons. Hunters and anglers can, too, if they practice a little common courtesy. Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com

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hand rested on my Bowie knife. This place smelled like the lair of a wild boar, and it’s always good when in such places to have a plan. Crockett Leyendecker had a plan. He was retired and was going to hunt every day that the weather allowed. I was his young wheels. When the hounds bayed, I would take off running to get in the fight while Crockett followed, maneuvering his fourwheeler through the brush. Sometimes I would have a long jaunt, but most times, it was never more than a few hundred yards. Then we would parlay over whether to kill or catch. He had a high-fenced pasture that he was populating for weekend paid hunters, and if possible, we would hog-tie the porker, castrate it if male, and transport it to Crockett’s sanctuary. My plan was less focused. Presently, I was waiting for either a hog or the dogs to arrive on the scene; but in real life, my plan had slipped away. I’m not sure what happened. There was an early desire to be a pilot,

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and being a football coach was a nice dream. More seriously, I had considered military service and law enforcement, but somewhere that all went to hell. No desk ever enticed me, and I have always eschewed the idea of becoming soft and pink. I am also a fool for the romantic. Campfires and the cowboy life had lured me away from lucrative lifestyles. My ideals were my curse, and my course was to be a wandering grubline cowboy. Now, here I stood waiting for a hog and thinking that being broke really sucked. Something clicked. The hog materialized trotting toward me through the yaupon. It was huge, black, and had its own Bowies protruding from both sides of its fierce, chomping mouth. The devilish pig eyes bored into me, and I hesitated. For a quick instant, I pondered the whereabouts of the dogs, and then drew my pistol. At my movement, the creature changed direction and a sudden howling bellow announced my companions were back in the game. Donnie was the first hound to appear, followed by Junior, a little female, Willie, and Demon. The hog kicked into gear, I holstered my gun, and the race turned into a brush-busting sprint for Dry Branch Creek. Once there, the hog took refuge in a waterhole with its back to a washed-out bank. The pups were satisfied baying and I decided to be satisfied with an ear shot. I again drew the pistol again, and this time administered the sentence. Crockett puttered into the fray as I drug the boar from the waterhole. “Hey, boy, that’s a big hog!” he exclaimed, then proceeded to show me the characteristics defining the critter as a descendent of European ancestry. “See this finer hair under his regular coat? That’s for cold weather. And the silver hairs at the corners of his mouth are traits of the Old Russian boars. Boy, I’d sure like to catch one like this to put in my pasture.” As if on order, Donnie stuck his nose in

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the air and walked away. Crockett and I loaded the carcass and tied it down. Then we motored back to a sendero that cut through the center of our hunting grounds. The ride on the ATV lulled me toward dullness, but that was broken when Willie yipped and dove into the brush. We jerked to a stop and saw that all the dogs were gone. “Dadgummit, where did they go?” I asked I strode away from the muttering gas buggy so I could hear. “They sound far off! How did they get so far away so quick?” I glanced at Crockett. “See you in a bit—I’m going to run!” And I tore off through the brush, lunging and jumping, anxious to join the fight. Briars slashed at my face and ripped my clothes. I swallowed air in great gulps and stopped to make sure of my direction. Then I bolted like a track star leaving the blocks, hurdling logs, falling down, twisting, and dashing. I heard a hog squealing and Crockett’s hounds locked in combat. My nerves piqued, I could run without air, my legs kicked into overdrive, and I flashed through the wiry undergrowth. This is what keeps a predator species alive—the hunt. Then I hit a wall. There was a small opening, but in the middle of it was fortress of impenetrable yaupon with a giant cedar tree fallen atop the upper branches. Muffled barks and squeals were coming from inside the barrier. I circled, threw my hat on the ground, and got on my belly to crawl into the mess. The yaupon walls were 3-feet thick and opened into a round mud hole. It was the critter’s den. The boar was fighting for its life, and Donnie, Junior, and Demon had it by the ear, jowl, and flank. Willie skirted the melee, yipping and baying. The hog ripped with its tusks and broke free. I leaped for the cedar limbs and pulled myself off the ground. In seconds, the dogs had new holds and I tried to grab the hog’s hind legs. Three times it broke free, but finally I attained my wheelbarrow hold and we danced in the ankle-deep slop. The animal’s hind legs were too big for me to close my hands, and it dragged me as it fought the dogs. I prayed that Crockett would arrive soon. Then he called. “Brune! Are you in there?”

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“YEAH!” “Hang on, boy, I’m coming!” The tall, aged hunter got down on all fours and wriggled into the pig’s sanctum. Once inside, he inspected the woodland hideout and shook his head in awe, then proceeded to pull off the dogs. We threw the hog, tied its feet, and chopped a route through the wall. This one was going back alive. We struggled to load the grunting beast and headed for the truck. The hounds trot-

ted along content, and I reflected. I was glad to be Crockett’s young wheels—and I wondered if such a helper was in the plans for me.

E-mail Herman W. Brune at wilderness@fishgame.com

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ROCKPORT

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24 dove breasts 24 Jalapenos (halved and seeded to make 48 halves) 2 purple onions peeled and cut into 1inch thick wedges 2 8-oz packages of cream cheese (allow to sit out to soften for 1-2 hours)

For the Baste The baste will help to cook the bacon faster and keep the meat from overcooking and drying out. 1 whole bottle of Syrah or Merlot wine 3/4 jar Jalapeno Kiwi Jelly N46

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PHOTO BY JIM OLIVE

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spoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of molasses in the center of each squash. Arrange the carrots, onions, and garlic cloves around the squash. Pour 1 cup of the wine and 1 cup of the stock into the pan, cover with foil, and bake for two hours. Remove from the oven and cool the vegetables for five minutes. Scoop the flesh out of each squash and place in a large saucepot. Discard the skin. Place the other roasted vegetables and the cooking liquid in the pot. Add the remaining wine and chicken stock to the pot. Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Season with allspice, salt, and pepper. Simmer the soup for 10 minutes and then remove from heat. Using a hand held blender, puree the soup until smooth. Add the parsley, season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into a shallow bowl. Garnish with crème fraiche, and chives. Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com.

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

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

1745 Greens Road Houston, Texas 77032

SPECKLED TROUT—UPPER LAGUNA MADRE

REDFISH—PORT ARANSAS

BASS—COLORADO RIVER

Reagan DeJohn proudly shows off this speckled trout that she caught while fishing with her family in the upper Laguna Madre, near Pita Island, Texas.

Debbie Milligan of Lytton Springs, Texas, caught this 27.5-inch, 8-pound redfish while fishing the Brown & Root Flats near Port Aransas. The red was caught on Berkley Gulp! Crab.

CATFISH—CHOKE CANYON

REDFISH & SPECKLED TROUT—BIRD ISLAND BASIN

Mandy and Ryan Mosel of Marion, Texas, caught this 18-pound catfish on a trotline while fishing Choke Canyon.

John DeJohn and his father, Dr. Pedro Magel of Elgin, Texas, caught these 25-inch redfish and 25-inch speckled trout while fishing near Bird Island Basin.

HYBRID STRIPER & WHITE BASS—INKS LAKE

HYBRID STRIPER BASS—INKS LAKE

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SPECKLED TROUT—KING RANCH SHORELINE George Cantu holds up a 9-1/2-pound, 30-1/4inch speckled trout that he caught with live piggy perch while fishing on the King Ranch shoreline.

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Trophy Quest

Freshwater Reds EDFISH AND SALTWATER GO TOGETHER, and July Trophy Quest winner, Gary Adams, who has fished for redfish in the bays of coastal Texas, caught the biggest redfish of his fishing career from freshwater Lake Fairfield in Central Texas. The fish measured 31 inches and was estimated at 12 pounds. Adams, a Waco resident, and his 18-yearold nephew, Zack, were fishing with fishing guide Jackie Kennedy, who specializes in freshwater redfish during the summer months, and then switches to trophy blue catfish at Cedar Creek Reservoir during winter and early spring. Kennedy’s clients have landed 8 state records and 13 water body records while fishing with him.

by Tom Behrens “Jackie said we were going to fish in the morning, go back to his house for a midday break, and then go back out in the evening,” said Gary. “I suggested why not fish the evening we arrived, then fish the next morning. He said it sounded like a good plan to him.” The fishing plan did work out great, as the best fishing was the evening trip. Fourteen reds were caught Thursday evening, with Adams’ 31-inch trophy the biggest. Zack caught a twin of Gary’s fish, also measuring 31 inches. “We caught several fish in the 28-inch

HOW YOU CAN WIN! TEXAS FISH & GAME HAS GIVEN AWAY OVER 200 TROPHY QUEST TRIPS. TROPHY QUEST is free guided hunting or fishing trips within the state of PHOTO COURTESY OF JACKIE KENNEDY

Gary Adams (right) and his nephew, Zack, show off one of the redfish they caught while fishing at Fairfield Lake. Both Zack and Gary caught 31-inch fish. range, and several others that were undersized,” said Gary. “We had to throw three other keepers back; we already had our limit.” Kennedy reported they fished to about midnight. They heard and saw some redfish schooling close to the boat. All their fish came on either cut bait or live tilapia fished on Carolina rigs on the bottom. Kennedy estimated the trio was fishing in about 12 feet of water: “I like to rig up with cut bait on half of the rods and 2- to 4-inch live tilapia on the other half. Tilapia is a fabulous bait because they are constantly struggling all the time, trying to get off the hook, drawing the fish to them.” Friday’s fishing was a little bit slower with the catch total only five rat reds. The biggest redfish was 19 inches. The rest of the catch was in the 12- to 15-inch range. After making the hard choice of something

Texas. The package includes a guided trip for two people, one night's lodging and all food and beverage (non-alcohol). Winners are responsible for all travel expenses getting to and from the destination point. HERE'S HOW YOU WIN! If you are a TF&G subscriber, your name is automatically entered on our monthly Trophy Quest Trip drawing. If you are a subscriber and would like

from the menu or the great buffet at Sam’s Restaurant in Fairfield, Gary and his nephew relived their great fishing trip over dinner. Zack, who lives in Houston, and fishes off the coast, had never caught a redfish before. He described the Trophy Quest action at Fairfield Lake as the trip of a lifetime. WHAT: Redfish WHERE: Fairfield Lake GUIDE: Jackie Kennedy, 903-603-3793, www.jackiekennedyfishingguide.com ACCOMMODATIONS: Jackie Kennedy lodgings MEALS: Sam’s Restaurant, Fairfield, TX; 903-389-4695

your name entered 15 more times in our next monthly drawing, simply send us an email with your name, address and phone number* to trophyquest@fishgame.com. You can still win even if you are NOT a subscriber. Simply email us with your name, address, and phone number* to trophyquest@fishgame.com and you're entered in our next drawing. One winner is chosen at random each

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month. The winner must be available to go on one of two previously scheduled dates. If the winner is unable to attend on either dates scheduled for the TROPHY QUEST TRIP, the winner's name will be returned to the pool for future drawings and another winner will be drawn. *Phone numbers will ONLY be used to contact the winners and will not be used for any other purpose.

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The year was 1970. My brothers and I had been invited to hunt a ranch about halfway between Uvalde and Brackettville. It was 6000 acres of prime whitetail country with plenty of water. During the first few years we hunted the ranch, we regularly saw javelina along the creek and around the tanks, but as years went by, we saw fewer and fewer. Finally, they disappeared altogether. We hunted there for another 15 years and never saw another javelina. Where did they go?

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hen I first transferred to Brackettville from Laredo in 1986, I saw a good number of javelina in the brush. Then, as time passed, I saw fewer and fewer. Once again, they eventually just went away. I haven’t seen a javelina here in the last 15 years. Others have told me of seeing a few, usually in the southern part of the county near the Rio Grande River, but obviously there are not many. Where did they go? I was talking to a landowner from South Texas a few years ago about the deer hunting in his area. He was very happy, he told me, because he was seeing more and bigger bucks than ever. Part of the reason, he said, was because he was shooting every javelina he saw. “Damned little pigs just won’t stay away from my deer feeders. They run the deer off.” He killed over 30 in a few months. A “hunter” once told me of his adventure somewhere on the Pecos River when he encountered a herd of about 10 javelina. They were taking shelter from the sun in the rocks along the Pecos. This Nimrod stumbled upon them looking for something else, but the temptation was too great and he shot one. While the rest of the herd milled around in confusion, he shot another, and another, and another, and continued the massacre until all of them were dead. “I really stacked ‘em up,” he said. “They were too stupid to run away.” I looked hard, but could detect no sign of remorse in his eyes for the unnecessary and completely illegal slaughter. I was astounded that a person could be so callous. He just left them lying there for the buzzards and coyotes. What a waste. Texas law sets the limit of javelina at two per year, with two in possession. There is no closed season in South Texas, where the javelina is most numerous. In North Texas, the 2008-2009 season runs from 1 October to 22 February. There are no javelina tags on the Texas hunting license. Javelina can be hunted in 93 counties—50 in South Texas and 43 in North Texas. However, a paper, The Javelina in Texas, written by TPWD biologist Rick Taylor and David R. Synatzske in 2008, states: “Originally distributed in Texas from Brownsville to the Red River, the javelina’s current range has been restricted to the southwestern one-third of the state, including portions of the lower coastal plains, the South Texas Plains, the western half of the Edwards Plateau, the Trans-Pecos, and the southern edge of the Rolling Plains.” 52

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This seems to contradict the open season in the 43 North Texas counties. That same paper also states: “Although habitat improvement for whitetailed deer, such as food plots, supplemental feeding, and water development improved habitat for javelina, in many cases it also exacerbated problems between deer enthusiasts and javelina. Incidental and illegal harvest of javelina due to their perceived nuisance of predation, agricultural damage, and competition with deer has added to this decline.” I agree completely. In fact, I think it might be the No. 1 cause of the decline. Regarding the law and limits, think about this: If a game warden stops a man coming out of a ranch and the hunter has two javelina in the back of his truck, how does the game warden know if those two javelina are the first two he shot, or the 21st and 22nd? The point is that this is, in reality, an unenforceable law. Why have a law that can’t be enforced? The only people this law will deter are those who wouldn’t mass slaughter javelina in the first place. An honor system applies only to the honorable. With this system in place, the vast majority of Texas hunters do not think of javelina as game animals, but more as they think of jackrabbits—as targets of opportunity. If the state would put a tag on the license, set a statewide season and stiff penalties for violations, hunters would then understand the javelina is a game animal and be less likely to “really stack ‘em up.” The Texas javelina is not a true pig, although most of us still call them pigs. It is a collared peccary, Tayassu tajacu, a distant relative of both swine and hippopotami. Their senses are not the sharpest in the animal kingdom, which makes them easy targets for the slob hunter. The sad truth is that the little desert pigs don’t see well, hear about as well as you do, but have a pretty keen sense of smell. They do not seem to be very sharp mentally, either. They are not very sporting quarry for the hunter with a high-powered rifle. However, for the hunter who uses a bow or open-sighted big-bore revolver, the javelina is a sporting adversary. I have killed exactly two javelina in my lifetime. One I euthanized, as it was caught in a coyote snare and almost dead already. The other I hunted fairly, stalked on foot, and shot with a .357 Magnum handgun. That one now snarls savagely from a place of honor on my den wall. I will probably never shoot another. Most folks don’t eat them (they smell terrible and have more fleas than any animal I have ever seen), and the only other reason to shoot one is for a mount. When I was stationed in the Laredo F i s h

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Border Patrol office, I saw literally hundreds of javelina. I walked within a few feet of many. Once, I walked unsuspecting into a herd of them. They snarled, popped their teeth, and ran around like a bunch of half-blind children, a couple coming within spitting range, but they did not charge me. I never felt threatened. I once saw a video of Kim Hicks, producer of the TV show Hunting 201: Beyond the Basics, and a good friend of mine, stalking a javelina just for kicks. He moved slowly toward the little animal, stopping when it looked up, until he, literally, reached out and poked it with his rifle barrel. Try that on a buck deer. Then there are the hair-raising stories of the vicious wild javelina. The truth is that the old myth of the hunter treed by a savage herd of javelina that keep him up the tree all night, is just that—an old myth. If such did happen, and I doubt it completely, it was simply an inexperienced hunter misconstruing the actions of a bunch of confused javelina. My personal experience is that under normal circumstances they are about as dangerous as a pet hamster. I expect that if cornered they would fight, as will any animal, and they might try to protect their young. They are certainly equipped to do some serious damage; their tusks are self-whetting stilettos as sharp as my wife’s kitchen knives (not razor-sharp). They are not, however, the vicious, bloodthirsty, vengeance-crazed demons as portrayed by some misinformed overly imaginative writers. I am asking to join me in a crusade to help protect the javelina. Stronger laws are needed. These valuable game animals need and deserve the same protection as wild turkey and white-tailed deer. They are an integral part of the Brush Country, and I cannot imagine it without them. It would be a simple matter to put a tag on the hunting license and set the season to run concurrently with deer season. I doubt that the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department wants the javelina driven to extinction, so it is endemic to its conservation mission to provide protection and hence management. Note: I contacted TPWD for information when researching this article. A staffer told me that there is very little data available on the javelina. He said that there is evidence that the population is in decline “in certain parts of the state,” but that it is not known if this is because of overhunting, climate change, or human encroachment into habitat. From this, I deduced TPWD has little or no interest in managing the javelina as a game animal. I was advised that I could petition for stronger and better regulations, which I intend to do.

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Hunt Texas by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor

Javelina the Hard Way HILE GOING THROUGH SOME OLD newspaper clippings recently, I came across an article I wrote 25 years ago about a veteran javelina hunter recalling the good old days. His name was Dooley Elkhart and the period he talked about was from 1965 through the early 1970s. It was a time when feral hogs were located in more isolated regions of Texas and when javelina were more likely to be seen on many West and South Texas ranches, especially near Hondo where Elkhart lived. Elkhart was a stoutly built man who always wore a big smile. His sidekick, Tommy Timmerman, always was at his side with their brace of crossbred hunting dogs. Their playing field was the rugged hills near Hondo and Sabinal. Their game plan was simple: Get a group of hunters together, turn the dogs loose to find javelina, and hope the hunters were in good enough shape physically and mentally to follow the dogs up and down the rugged hills to the bayed area— usually a small cave or similar cavity in the bottom of a draw. Many hunters wanted to take a javelina only to have its head mounted. To bag one, they had to crawl into the cave with a flashlight and shoot the animal at 5-8 feet with a .22 handgun or, occasionally, bow and arrow. That might sound simple until you factor in the possibility of a group of cornered javelina deciding to rush the hunter with their extremely sharp tusks popping in defense.

I first met Elkhart when I joined a hunting party arranged by Bob Grisham, a Fort Worth taxidermist whose intent was to mount the heads for each hunter. I went along for the fun of the chase and to collect whatever meat the hunters did not want. I already had gained a likeness for javelina meat from hunting them with various methods, including handgun, bow, and rifle. “That was a type of hunting that is no more,” I recorded Elkhart saying in October 1984. “It didn’t take a special breed of dog to make a javelina dog. Most were crossbreeds, but we did use some blueticks and red Walkers. They usually were easy to train. You just had to hunt them a lot, put them into enough javelina, and they usually would know what to do. Of course, we always had to break them from chasing deer, but that usually didn’t take very long. It was a lot like breaking a bird dog from chasing rabbits.” At times, Elkhart and Timmerman led as many as eight hunters up and down the rugged Hill Country terrain after their dogs had struck javelina. The javelina were in groups of 6 to 15, and the herd often would split before finally baying in the brush or inside a cave. If only one javelina split from the group, it was not uncommon for one dog to go after the rest of the herd and the other five or six dogs to chase after the lone javelina that had split. In that case, there was a good chance the group of javelina would bay in front of the lone dog, surround it, and eventually make charges at the dog, crippling it with their sharp tusks. Somehow, I always managed to stay right behind Elkhart and Timmerman while chasing after the dogs. We had to run as fast as possible up the hills to be able to hear the dogs’ barking. At times, we had to stop at the highest peaks and try to hear the dogs before they crossed over another steep hill, but we always managed to find them with javelina bayed inside a small cave. After using ropes to tie the dogs away from the cave, it was a matter of waiting for the other T E X A S

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hunters to find us and convince themselves they wanted a javelina bad enough to crawl into the cave with a flashlight and handgun and take one at point-blank range. Javelina are not aggressive animals toward dogs or Man, but they will protect themselves and other javelina when cornered or threatened. Even a tiny mouse will do that. One day, while chasing after the sounds of the barking dogs, I found a female dog owned by Elkhart that had been severely injured by four or five javelina at the top of a mountain during one of the chases. The dog had several puncture wounds and was unable to stand. I carried the dog off the mountain and back to our trucks. “I thought that was going to be the first dog I ever lost,” Elkhart said. “But we took her to a vet, he sewed her up, and she lived. She never was able to hunt again, but she didn’t die.” No, the dog didn’t die, but Elkhart’s way of hunting javelina in the Hill Country did. Although a few hunting outfitters still hunt javelina with dogs, it just isn’t the same. Elkhart usually hunted about 16 weeks out of the year, handling approximately 200 hunters. In the 1960s, Elkhart could hunt javelina year-round, but waited until the deer season was over because ranchers were more likely to allow him on their lands once the deer hunters were through. A few years later, TPWD put a season on javelina that coincided with deer season, which just about wiped out Elkhart’s way of hunting. Elkhart is gone now, and so is the chase. I miss them both. Editor’s Note: See the feature “Peccary in Peril” on the previous 3 pages in this issue for more about javelina.

E-mail Bob Hood at hunting@fishgame.com. G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

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he trueblue offshore fisherman is perhaps the world’s greatest optimist. His recreational world is almost devoid of landmarks, and most often consists of open water from horizon to horizon. Sometimes the presence of game fish is obvious, as when the fish themselves are seen breeching the surface, or when birds dive on baitfish driven to the top by predators. When surface conditions such as weed and trash lines, current rips, and even abrupt color changes appear, the savvy skipper can guess that fish are likely around. Oil production platforms are both markers for navigation and gathering points for fish of all types. But the best fishing spots in the Gulf of Mexico are unseen, hidden beneath fathomless fathoms of deep blue sea, the fish visible only as blips on a depth-finder screen. Wrecks and reefs (natural and man-made) dot the seafloor topography, but none compare in sheer beauty (if you are a scuba diver) and species diversity to the natural formation known as The Flower Gardens. The Flower Gardens Bank area is located on a line projected from the border of Texas and Louisiana. The East Flower Gardens are roughly 120 miles from Galveston, and the West Gardens are 110 miles from Freeport. The Flower Gardens are the northernmost coral reef system in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the most impressive. Divers view giant boulders of brain coral, and small growths of delicate elk’s horn coral. Fishermen were visitors to the Gardens long before scuba diving became a recreational sport, and this was a fabled offshore angling mecca before modern electronics allowed anglers to find and return to spots the size of a small automobile on the bottom of the Gulf. The Gardens were named, in fact, by snapper and grouper fishermen in the 1890s because of the brightly colored corals and sponges that often came up in nets and on lines. The Flower Gardens are salt dome upwellings just inside of the edge of the continental shelf. The East Gardens have 250 acres covered by coral, while the West Gardens, 12 miles away, consist of 100 acres of coral. On the shoreward side, surrounding water depth averages 300 feet, 56

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while the southern edge borders waters of 100 fathoms and more. At the shallowest spots, water depths range 50-60 feet. These reefs were among the earliest “hotspots” for pioneer Gulf billfish anglers, and are still viable for blue and white marlin, as well as that famous reef lover, the sailfish. Huge snapper and grouper as well as big amberjack have always attracted bottom fishermen. Recently, anglers with big, fast outboard boats have taken advantage of good weather windows in winter to blast out to the Flower Gardens and make outstanding catches of big wahoo. Fishing pressure at the Gardens has never been heavy because of the sheer distance from shore. Those who do dream of fishing the Flower Gardens should be in a seaworthy boat with plenty of fuel, redundant safety gear, food and water, communications equipment other than a standard cell phone, and file a “float plan.” Anchoring is prohibited on the reefs to avoid damaging the delicate coral. There are up to 14 mooring buoys (some were damaged by Ike), but these are highly coveted by dive boat operators, who helped position them. The best bet for recreational fishermen is a day trip, or tying up for the night at one of the many oil production platforms located within a 10-mile radius of the banks. Recreational fishing with hook and line gear is the only type of fishing permitted fishing since the Flower Gardens became a Marine Sanctuary in 1992. When bottom-fishing in a current, use your engine to hold the boat over fish and do not drop your bait all the way to the bottom, thus avoiding sinker and hook damage to the fragile growth below, as would occur with a bottom-bouncing drift. Stetson Rock, 30 miles closer to Freeport, is included in the same sanctuary with the same rules about fishing and anchoring. Anyone serious about fishing these banks should hunt for a copy of the Oceans Bottoms Marine chart books published back in the early 1980s. These were the most detailed bottom charts of the Flower Gardens I ever saw, and also pointed out many other bottom formations surrounding the bank that had good fishing potential—and where anchoring is legal. Note, however, that part of the Management Plan for the Flower Gardens Marine Protected Area includes adding several other banks and reef formations along the 100-fathom curve, including Bright Bank, Geyer Bank, McGrail Bank, Sonnier Bank, Alderdice Bank, Horseshoe Bank, F i s h

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MacNeil Bank, Rankin Bank, and 28Fathom Rock. On some of these, the same restrictions on anchoring and fishing gear would be put into place.

Fishing Banned? Public Scoping Meetings held in 2006 discussed threats to the Gardens, and what measures might be taken to prevent them. On the question banning recreational fishing, 46 of 54 comments said “yes”; only five were against such a ban. Forty respondents favored also banning spear fishing, which is already prohibited; 43 of 54 comments were in favor of no-fishing or no-take zones, and a 336-signature petition from dive groups recommended an end to all fishing at the Gardens. Several possibilities are being discussed to study/reduce fishing activities at the Gardens. • Option 1A would close either the East or West Gardens to fishing for a period of no more than 8 years, while leaving the other bank open to recreational angling. This would be to study and compare the effects of fishing or no fishing. • Option 1B would extend the closure to one of the Flower Garden banks, plus Stetson Rock. • Option 2 would be to close some portions of both banks. Also under consideration is restricting permitted fishing gear to a maximum of three hooks per line, no electric reels, and no bottom contact. Sanctuary staff hopes to have a draft management plan completed and released this summer. Boundary expansion will probably be the first priority, followed by the consideration of the various “research site” options for fishing and/or diving restrictions. At this point, it appears that some angling restrictions are swirling in the currents, but a lot of public discussion still has to take place. Fishermen who want their voices heard should contact Jennifer Morgan, Management Plan & Advisory Council Coordinator for the Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary, at Jennifer.Morgan@noaa.gov.

On the Web http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/

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Texas Offshore by Capt. Mike Holmes | TF&G Associate Offshore Editor

Offshore Fishing Inshore HE TERM THE REGULARS USE “OFFSHORE fishing”. Anyone who refers to fishing over the horizon as “deep-sea fishing” is a rookie. Truly deep seas have fewer fish to catch than waters along the continental shelf, where reefs, rock outcroppings, oilrigs, and the drop into 100 fathoms or more of water itself attract fish and bait species. Trying to bottom-fish in several thousand feet of water would be an exercise in futility; most snapper fishing is done in less than 200 feet of water, often much less. Those with a lot more than the normal amount of saltwater coursing through their veins will refer to fishing past 150 feet or so of depth as “blue-water fishing.” This is where trolling pays off with bull dolphin, wahoo, tuna, and billfish farther out. Technically, then, any water beyond the breakers could be called “offshore” because it is, in fact, beyond the shoreline. There is a stretch of water between beach sand and 9 miles out in the Gulf I have always called “near shore” or “inshore-offshore”. This is an area most often fished by prudent souls in smaller boats who understand their 16-footer is not suitable for routinely running out 20 or more miles to fish. It is also an area routinely (and quietly) fished by more experienced skippers, regardless of the size of their vessel. Fish species encountered in this zone in warm water include shark, tarpon, bull reds, bonito, king and Spanish mackerel, ling, jack crevalle, bluefish, occasionally dolphin, and occasionally sailfish. There are spots in this

zone that might harbor “sow” snapper and hefty grouper, but these will be carefully guarded secrets. Being inside state waters, private boats that have such “numbers” can take four-snapper “Texas” limits year round. My first experiences fishing beyond the surf in my own boat was in the inshore-offshore zone. As a long rod surf-fisherman, my fishing buddies and I were always striving to wade just a little farther in hopes of casting a little farther to present a bait to larger, more exciting fish. We would sometimes swim baits out beyond casting range. In this manner, we hooked some big sharks, our best bull reds, and some critters we just couldn’t hold on 40-pound line. Of course, we also caught the occasional king and hooked a few tarpon just by casting from the beach. At some point, we graduated to motorized inflatable boats, first to haul shark baits out and later to make daytime forays up to 2 miles from the beach in calm weather. From these boats, we took reds, shark, stingray, bluefish, and lots of Spanish mackerel. This was lunching in the surf with a 15 hp. My next step up was to a 16-foot dory hull skiff with a 35 hp outboard. I didn’t really stop trolling the surf line and driftchumming in close until my boats got over 30 feet, and the ability to run long and hard answered the call of deeper, bluer water. Fall is a magic time on the Gulf, and inshore has much to offer the serious light tackle fisherman. Tarpon are the kings, of course, and can be found just past the surf. When schools of mullet are rafting into the beach in rolling green breakers and then swiftly swimming back out to do it again before forming up to move further down, tarpon will launch themselves through the startled baitfish like Polaris missiles blasted from a submarine. I swear I saw one in the summer of 1976 that would have shattered all existing Tarpon records. It could not get its huge bulk completely out of the water, but the half so exposed was longer than my height, and easily as big around as a 55-gallon drum. This magnificent fish played among my surf rod baits for some time, long T E X A S

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enough to reduce me to the state of a jabbering idiot, then splashed out of sight to the west. Dave Shaeffer hooked a 6-footer on a bull red rig late one evening, and it had him on his knees in the sand before breaking off. Sharks were more common. We caught 6footers and better on baits I swam out, and one 200-pound, 7-foot lemon on a redfish rod. I got stripped from the beach one night using a 6/0 reel loaded with 50-pound line, and it wasn’t even a contest. Other big sharks were hooked and lost, including a couple on my 12/0 reel, and a big blacktip that almost jumped in the little 16-foot skiff a few miles out. We missed that one, but came in pulling a 90-pound bull the next morning. A charter customer on my old 24-footer had an 80 Penn International destroyed by what had to be a huge tiger shark around 8 miles out, then saved some face by boating a 135-pound blacktip later in the day. This was in the same area where I caught an 8foot, 4-inch male bull shark that won first place in the 1982 Freeport Fishin’ Fiesta. A state record tiger shark of nearly 800 pounds was taken from the beach at the mouth of the “New” Brazos River in the late 70’s by a shore-based angler. With bull reds, giant stingray, hefty jacks, the twin mackerel species, and sometimes a ling in the mix, those who fish closer in (whether because of their boat size and experience in the Gulf, or because their experience in the Gulf causes them to choose to sometimes stay close) have a wide and exciting variety of species available. Back when I rowed an 8’ Avon inflatable past the breakers, Dave called for more trolling speed by whacking me with his rod tip, and we caught a boat full of Spanish macks pulling silver spoons on trout tackle; we thought it was pretty exciting sport.

Capt. Mike Holmes runs tarpon, shark, and bluewater trips on a classic 31 Bertram. To book a trip, call 979-415-0535. Email him at mholmes@fishgame.com. G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

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WFN contest Winner Chet Clayton and Jay Novacek pose with the first bass of the morning on Lake Fork. The World Fishing Network is an all-fishing television network with a wide variety of subject matter, but a heavy focus on Texas.

by Chester Moore, Jr.

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ost Texans know Jay Novacek as a member of the legendary 1990s Dallas Cowboys lineup that saw him rack up three Super Bowl wins and five

Pro Bowl appearances. However, even in the height of his football glory, Novacek’s passion was the great outdoors. “Football was obviously the priority, but I was a fisherman and a hunter before I ever played football, and even if I had never made a career out of football, I would have still been an outdoorsman,”

Novacek told me. “At the time, I was always looking for opportunities to get into the field. Since then, I have been involved in several business ventures, and always make as much time as I can for hunting and fishing. One reason I never went into coaching is the football season coincides with hunting season.” Over the summer, I had the opportunity to spend some time on the water with Novacek on Lake Fork, and found out he was down-to-earth, passionate about the outdoors and wildlife conservation. “The Lord gave us dominion over the earth, and he wanted us to take good care of it,” Novacek said. “Lake Fork is a prime example of Man

WFN contest winner Kix Paxson caught the biggest fish of the day, this 5pounder.

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doing something amazing with what God initially created. The kind of conservation ethic you see on this lake does not happen everywhere, and you have a real world-class fishery. It’s pretty amazing.” The former Cowboy has experienced outdoors adventures all over the world, but said his favorite memories are times spent with friends and family on old hunting grounds in his home state of Nebraska. “Those were really special times, and no matter where I go or what amazing thing I get to experience, those times will probably always be something I look back on very fondly,” he said. The Fork trip called was put together by the World Fishing Network and involved contest winners from around Texas who got to spend a morning fishing with Novacek. To show what kind of person Novacek is, one of the contest winners got a backlash and Novacek put his rod down and worked to untangle the mess. It seemed perfectly natural for him to do, but blew away those on the boat. That is not the kind of behavior most would expect of a celebrity. Novacek said one of his next projects is introducing his young daughter to the great outdoors: “She is already showing an interest, and I look forward to spending time with her in the field. An interest in the outdoors was an important part of my growing up, and it is something that has a positive impact on millions around the country. I’m just blessed to get to spend a lot of time in it and see its beauty and wonder.”

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Texas Saltwater by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor

Getting Mooned FFSHORE ANGLERS SHOULD NOT UNDEREStimate lunar influence on their quarry, especially reef and wreck fishes such as snapper, grouper, and amberjack. The moon has a strong effect on far-off fishing grounds, whether through tides and offshore currents, or cues for biological functions such as feeding and reproduction. Inshore fishermen have long been familiar with the moon’s effect on tides and the feeding habits of speckled trout, striped bass, red drum, flounder, and other bay and near-shore species. “You can never underestimate the how the moon affects fish,” said Capt. Bruce Shuler, owner/operator of Getaway Adventures Lodge in Port Mansfield. “Their activity level is certainly affected. If you check a lunar chart, you can correlate that behavior with the timing of a major or minor feeding movement.” The moon’s effect on reef fishes varies in different parts of the world. On reefs along the Texas coast, where water temperatures are more stable and don’t fluctuate with season changes, the moon’s biological influence affects fish’s reproduction cycles. That comes as no surprise to Dr. James H. Cowan, Jr. of the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at Louisiana State University: “Some fish do spawn in response to lunar cycles. Most of the lunar spawners actually spawn on new moons, and feeding in preparation to spawning must occur weeks to months before the spawning event, which could coincide with the full moon.” These spawning aggregations can lead to some spectacular fishing, so much so that fishermen should practice restraint while fishing them. These are the adult brood stock of these fisheries. It can be easy to overfish them and hammer the population. The moon phases with the strongest influence on reefs and their denizens are the full

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and new moons, said Digsfish Services Director and Marine Biologist Ben Diggles, PhD, of Australia. A full moon’s pull on tides increases current flow over reefs and wrecks that snapper, grouper, and amberjack call home. “The full moon can dictate whether currents are too strong to fish some locations, while other locations might need a certain amount of tidal run to fire,” Diggles said. “The moon obviously affects inshore and inter-tidal marine animals via its influence on the tides, but even in deep offshore waters and pelagic systems where the currents do not change water flow direction with tide changes, we see bite times linked in with tide changes and the like.” Capt. Leaf Potter of Freeport agreed: “We can get a pretty good current when we have a full moon.” Potter said bottom fish tend to hold closer to structure when offshore currents are strong. Reef fish don’t like being pushed around by strong currents. Rocks and structure serve as both shelter and a current break. Snapper and grouper will turn head-to into the current and hold position. Amberjack also hold closer to the bottom in heavy currents. The fish are also less active, even the normally hyper-aggressive amberjack. A new moon, on the other hand, means lighter currents offshore, and reef fish begin feeding more actively and move farther from the front porch in search of protein. For-hire captains don’t always have the luxury of planning when they will go out and fish. When they have a charter scheduled for a certain time, the trip is a go unless inclement weather or some other unforeseen event puts the kibosh on the trip. The trip is on regardless of the moon phase; whether the fish are being finicky because of the moon is irrelevant. Recreational fishermen, on the other hand, can pick and choose when to go. The key to timing a trip to the Flower Gardens or the Mud Lump is therefore being aware of how moon phases affect reef fishes’ habits. The same holds true inshore. “There are four movements of fish activity F i s h

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during the day,” said Shuler, who fishes the near-shore rocks off South Padre Island for red snapper and kingfish. “When the moon is rising, there is a minor feeding movement. There is a major feeding movement when the moon is directly overhead. When you have a full moon, the major feeding movement is strongest in the middle of the day.” Shuler said a smart angler will consult a lunar table to determine when the major movements occur: “When I have an area that has been producing for me, I will make sure that I will be there at the time that the fish are going to be most active. It doesn’t matter if it is in the bay or offshore. I’m going to be there, because the fish will be.” During a full moon, the peak daytime bite comes about midday. The window of activity during the major movements is 2-4 hours, and then it begins to slowly taper off over the course of the next hour. Something that is really effective during a full moon is night fishing. Fish seem to feed more at night when there is a peak moon. Reef fish take advantage of the increased visibility a full moon provides for both forage and avoiding predators. “Fish are more aggressive during the increased light during full moons, which provides a background against which predators can see prey in contrast to their background,” said Cowan. “Predators take full advantage of the opportunity. It puts them at a tremendous advantage with their prey.” Snapper are especially aggressive at night, and move closer to the surface to forage. The same free-lining tactics that work during the day also work at night. Since major movements occur roughly 12 hours apart, a full moon evening bite occurs roughly around midnight and could last until 4 a.m. Anglers should be familiar with the structure they plan on fishing and set out to anchor over the rocks prior to sunset. You might lose some sleep, but the payoff could leave you howling at the moon.

E-mail Calixto Gonzales cgonzales@fishgame.com

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Texas Freshwater by Matt Williams| TF&G Freshwater Editor

Record Growth ATTLE GROWERS, HORSE BREEDERS, AND deer farmers have been relying on selective breeding to exploit favorable genetic traits in animals for decades. Is it possible to accomplish the same with big bass? Early findings of a multi-year research project being conducted by a team of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department inland fisheries scientists indicate it is a distinct possibility. The project, dubbed “Operation World Record (OWR),” is built around offspring collected through the state’s popular ShareLunker program. ShareLunker solicits anglers to “loan” Texas-caught bass weighing 13 pounds or more to TPWD for spawning and genetics research. The program has taken in nearly 475 bass from dozens of lakes since its inception in 1986. Biologists rely on DNA testing to identify ShareLunkers with pure Florida largemouth genes. The heavyweight females are paired in hatchery raceways for spawning with selected males collected from previous ShareLunker spawns. Scientists rob the eggs from the artificial nests and hatch them. Though most of the ShareLunker fry are returned to their maternal parents’ lakes of origin, a percentage of the youngsters are retained in hatchery growing ponds for inclusion in the OWR research study. While some fisheries scientists are hopeful the study might one day result in someone catching a world record bass from a Texas fishing lake, others view the lofty goal as wishful thinking and nothing more. Still, at the very least, the research should validate the merit of the ShareLunker program and determine its true worth to the state hatchery system and the anglers of Texas. The OWR laboratory consists of a half-

dozen small lakes handpicked using criteria conducive for producing trophy bass. The lakes are divided in two groups: Group 1 includes Mill Creek Reservoir, 237 acres, in Canton; Lake Raven, 203 acres, in Huntsville State Park; and Meridian Lake, 50 acres, in Meridian State Park. Group 2 includes Lake Pinkston, 523 acres, near Center; Purtis Creek, 349 acres, near Eustace; and Marine Creek, 250 acres, in Ft. Worth. Beginning in 2005, the OWR lakes were stocked on alternate years using available ShareLunker progeny from the previous season. Bass were stocked at a rate of 25 per surface acre. The 6-inch ShareLunker offspring were implanted with coded wire tags for easy identification during subsequent population evaluations performed via nighttime electrofishing. “This process makes it possible to compare growth rates between the ShareLunker progeny and fish of the same age that are spawned in the wild,” said Alan Forshage, OWR program leader and director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. Initial evaluations took place last spring at the Group 1 lakes. Biologists spent 11 hours sampling each fishery, according to TPWD fisheries biologist, Tom Hungerford of Ft. Worth. Hungerford, Tim Bister of Marshall, Michael Baird of Waco, and Mukhtar Farooqi of San Angelo comprise the team of TPWD researchers assigned to oversee the project. Although the final numbers were not available by copy deadline for this issue of TF&G, Hungerford said researchers did notice a difference in the weights of the fouryear-old ShareLunker fish compared to wild offspring of the same age. Biologists identified wild offspring by sacrificing fish that fit the age-four size criteria, based on historical growth rate data for the individual lakes. Fish were aged by counting rings in the otolith, a small bone located in the inner ear. “On average, the ShareLunker offspring T E X A S

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weighed about 1/3 pound heavier than the wild fish we sampled across all three lakes,” Hungerford said. Although the size difference was not as significant as biologists had hoped to see, researchers say the study is still too young make any solid assessments. “We have just scratched the surface of this project and expect to learn more as we go along,” Hungerford said. “We will be sampling four-year-old fish on the second set of lakes next spring, and that should give us a much clearer picture of what we are looking at. It will be real interesting to see if the same pattern continues, or if we see something different.” Hungerford said electrofishing results varied from lake to lake during the first round of shocking, probably because of the disparity in the sizes of the impoundments. For instance, at 50-acre Lake Meridian, biologists collected only two of the 1250 tagged ShareLunker fish for sampling. Shocking efforts were much more productive at Lake Raven, an East Texas lake with a high incidence of Florida bass genes. Biologists collected 83 “wild” females that were four years of age, and an additional 26 females fitted with ShareLunker tags. Raven received 5975 ShareLunker fish in 2005. The average weight of 26 ShareLunker fish was just under 3 pounds. The shortest of the tagged fish measured 14.4 inches. The longest measured 23.2 inches and weighed a whopping 7.3 pounds, a full 2 pounds heavier than any of the tagged fish biologists collected at the three study lakes. “That just goes to show how much variability there can be when it comes to fish growth, even in a group of fish with superior genetics,” Hungerford said. “Some fish grow really slow, while others are genetically programmed to grow really fast.” The OWR study has been approved to continue through 2017 with an average annual budget of around $44,000. Here’s hoping it is time and money well spent. E-mail Matt Williams at freshwater@fishgame.com G a m e ® / O C T O B E R

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Open Season by Reavis Wortham| TF&G Humor Editor

On the Road Again... WAS THE LAST PERSON DOC PICKED UP on Friday night after work. My gear was stacked beside the curb when Greenvan pulled up in front of the house. Doc looked a little frazzled, and I realized it was probably from good cause. The Hunting Club members were deep into a loud disagreement about baloney. “What took you so long to get here?” I asked, opening the back doors and throwing my sleeping bag on top of the large pile of camping and hunting gear. “These four morons in here with me,” Doc said. “Get in, sit down, and shut up.” “He told us the same thing,” the Cap’n said from the front seat. Woodrow, Wrong Willie, and Jerry Wayne took up the other seats, leaving me just enough room to make a nest in the corner. I felt something crumble under my backside when I sat down. “Anyone missing a cigar?” I asked, holding up the shredded vegetation. Willie looked pained. “Dang it. Now I’m down to one. You’d better make sure you aren’t on fire.” I sniffed the cigar. “This one wasn’t lit.” “Dang it again.” Willie rummaged through his pockets and examined the dark floorboard. “What are you doing?” Doc wanted to know. “Looking for my cigar.”

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“You really are going deaf. Rev just told you he found it.” “The one I’m looking for was lit.” Our interest was suddenly piqued. We were especially inspired, since one of the cans behind us was full of camp stove fuel. As Doc guided us toward the interstate, the Club members searched the dark interior in vain. Greenvan was built in 1972, so a number of treasures were discovered. None of them was lit. A few were unidentifiable. “I need to stop at a drugstore,” Jerry Wayne said loudly, as if we’d been waiting for some sort of announcement from him. “I have aspirin,” Wrong Willie said helpfully. “I forgot my snoring medication.” “Quick, find the nearest drugstore,” the Cap’n said. Remembering the last time we all shared a room, I crawled over the back seat to find

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my backpack. I wanted to be sure I’d packed my earplugs. I hadn’t. “You gonna stop to get gas?” I asked Doc. “Wasn’t intending to. We’re not going to get to the lease until midnight at this rate. What’s wrong? You need to use the restroom?” “Nope, I can do that when the van catches fire from Willie’s cigar and we finally pull over. I just need to buy earplugs.” “Stop at the gas station up there,” Wrong Willie directed. “I can get some more cigars there.” “When did you backslide?” the Cap’n asked. “I thought you’d quit.” “I did. Then one night my wife made meatloaf and that’s all it took.” We didn’t know what to say. The meatloaf revelation required some thought. “I have some Copenhagen,” Doc said,

ILLUSTRATION BY J GOODWIN

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Open Season instead of getting deeper into the meatloaf issue. “Use that instead.” “It won’t stay lit,” Willie said. He seemed serious. “Cap’n, look under your seat and see if my cigar is burning under there.” I handed them a flashlight from the pack and three rears were suddenly in the air as everyone searched. “I thought I wasn’t going to make it tonight,” Willie said from under Doc’s seat. “I had to help wrap presents, and then the lights on the tree went out and it took me a while to find the short. If I hadn’t, the whole house would have probably gone up. Hey, Doc, here’s the cell phone you lost two months ago.” “I know what you mean,” I told him. “I had to clean the leaves out of the pool, feed the dog instead of letting him eat out of the

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cat box, dump the cat box, make room in the garage for a large Christmas present that’s on the way, and there’s one more thing, but I can’t remember what it was.” “You’ll think of it,” Wrong Willie said. “You can call the War Department and tell her.” He dug around the floor beside his feet. “That’ll earn him some points,” Doc said. “I’m hungry. Somebody make me a sandwich.” Woodrow turned to look for the cooler. “Who was in charge of food this time?” “Me,” Jerry Wayne said. “Where is it?” Woodrow asked. Jerry Wayne pointed ahead. “You need to pull into that grocery store. I forgot to get food.” My cell phone rang. I immediately knew who it was and what I’d forgotten. I was

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supposed to pick up Taz from school half an hour ago. “You’ll need to turn around and take me by the middle school,” I told Doc. “We can pick up Taz and stop by the grocery store on the way home to drop her off.” “Found it!” Wrong Willie announced and held up the still smoldering cigar. “Uh, was that a new coat you had back here, Doc?” His face a mask, Doc turned Greenvan around. “And people wonder why my hair is turning gray so fast,” he sighed.

E-mail Reavis Wortham at humor@fishgame.com

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