Sportsman’s Daybook

Now is the Time to Be Out on the Water

Reported by DEAN HEFFNER

WATER TEMPERATURES on West Texas Lakes are getting into the 60s and sh are spawning and migrating. So are the bait sh. Now is the time to be out on the water. Stripers, hybrids, largemouth and others are either spawning or xing to.

Stick to natural colors, but mainly sh the right length baits to up your catch numbers.

On the bigger lakes, such as Possum Kingdom and Amistad, watch the birds, as many of them haven’t migrated yet. Blue herons will put you on sh. So will turtles.

Cat sh action is great on cut shad and hotdogs shed under deeper docks and creek entrances. Black bass action is excellent on so plastics worked near bedding grounds.

In April, crappie will be at peak activity. Bring jigs in white and chartreuse, pink, red and pearl. eir spawn is nearing its end on most water bodies, and these tasty species are moving out to deeper docks and structure. Best bait for crappie are small jigs or small minnows. Cat sh are spawning and can be found in the backs of creeks and are good on cut shad, worms and prepared baits.

Passing cold and storm fronts will continue dominate the weather pa erns through March.

Watch for spring rains, and work the headwaters of creeks for all spawning species.

WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Gobbler and Ince Creeks GPS: N 33 1.506, W 101 9.3179 (33.0251, -101.1553)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shad colored crankbaits, Shakey Head jigs with a blue, camo, or green pumpkin worm, Bomber Fat Free Shad in Foxy Shad Color, Strike King XDS in Sexy Shad color SOURCE: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 TIPS: Look for the warmest water you can fi nd, and you will fi nd the bass. Even though Big Grape is a south creek, it still is one of the warmest creeks in the early spring. If you do not have any luck in the creeks, go to the steep banks close to deep water, and throw a shaky head jig and worm.

LOCATION: Amistad HOTSPOT: Rough Canyon Area GPS: N29 34.20456, W100 58.4892 (29.570076, -100.974820)

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, plastic worms, crankbaits, soft plastic jerkbaits CONTACT: Stan Gerzsenyl 830-768-3648 TIPS: Fish the shallow pockets in the various arms off the river channel. Start at the mouths of the coves and work your way to the back of them slowly. On bright days, make long casts with soft plastic jerkbaits and Carolina-rigged worms.

LOCATION: Lake Amistad HOTSPOT: East Side of Devil’s River GPS: N 29 30.708, W 100 58.256 (29.5118, -100.9709)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jerkbaits, crankbaits SOURCE: Stan Gerzsenyl 830-768-3648 TIPS: Fish fl ats to the back during spawn, early morning through the afternoon.

LOCATION: Fort Phantom Hill Reservoir HOTSPOT: Old Water Intake GPS: N 32 34.833, W 99 41.197 (32.580545, -99.686617)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Ghost minnows, crappie tube jigs SOURCE: Natalie Goldstrohm, TPWD Natural Resources Specialist 325-692-0921 TIPS: Springtime is great crappie fi shing at Fort Phantom Hill. The old water intake facility is only accessible by boat. Fishing this spot while the water temperatures are still below 65° might pay off big if

CURRENT LAKE LEVELS WEST TEXAS

LAKE CAPACITY CURRENT %

As of 2/08/2021

(Acre Feet) (Acre Feet) FULL Abilene 7,900 5,397 68% Alan Henry 96,207 83,950 87% Amistad 1,840,849 1,164,489 63% Amon G Carter 19,266 18,002 93% Arrowhead 230,359 227,901 99% Brady Creek 28,808 19,544 68% Bridgeport 366,236 322,507 88% Brownwood 130,868 111,969 86% Champion Creek 41,580 24,330 59% Cherokee 40,094 40,094 100% Cisco 29,003 22,946 79% Coleman 38,075 32,614 86% Colorado City 30,758 11,213 37% E V Spence 517,272 114,981 22% Elephant Butte 179,880 165,878 92% Falcon 1,551,007 1,551,007 100% Fort Phantom Hill 70,030 61,565 88% Graham 45,288 42,584 94% Granbury 132,949 132,297 100% Greenbelt 59,968 9,842 16% Hords Creek 8,109 4,306 53% Hubbard Creek 313,298 275,614 88% J B Thomas 199,931 26,780 13% Kemp 245,307 208,855 85% Kickapoo 86,345 69,932 81% Leon 27,762 25,497 92% Lost Creek 11,950 11,434 96% Mackenzie 46,450 4,129 9% Meredith 500,000 177,921 36% Millers Creek 26,768 26,702 100% Mineral Wells 5,273 5,273 100% Natural Dam 54,560 26,421 48% Nocona 21,444 20,018 93% N Fork Buffalo Cr. 15,400 14,859 97% O C Fisher 115,742 7,245 6% O H Ivie 554,340 337,639 61% Oak Creek 39,210 30,326 77% Palo Duro 61,066 901 2% Palo Pinto 26,766 23,064 86% Pat Cleburne 26,008 21,920 84% Possum Kingdom 538,139 530,833 99% Proctor 54,762 52,977 97% Red Bluff 151,110 74,256 49% Squaw Creek 151,250 151,187 100% Stamford 51,570 51,570 100% Sweetwater 12,267 10,021 82% Twin Buttes 182,454 99,009 54% White River 29,880 3,660 12%

the crappie are still in deeper water. Fishing ghost minnows works well, but if you don’t have bait try fi shing a crappie jig tube in purple glitter with chartreuse.

A

 SEE INSET B

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

55 miles east of Abiline

B

LAKE CISCO

LOCATION: On Sandy Creek 55 miles east of Abilene and 5 miles north of Cisco SURFACE AREA: 1,050 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 70 feet IMPOUNDED: 1923

LARGEMOUTH BASS FISHING IS GOOD to excellent for numbers of fi sh. Florida-strain largemouths were introduced 1991. Redear and redbreast sunfi sh are underutilized at Lake Cisco.

The steep-sided nature of Lake Cisco provides windy-weather fi shing opportunities. Willow trees in the upper end of the north arm and the Sandy Creek arm line the creek channel. The reservoir is also loaded with dead fl ooded brush, boat docks, and rocky bluffs and points. In 2016, TPWD worked with local partner organizations to install brush piles made of recycled Christmas trees. •

LOCATION: Lake Falcon HOTSPOT: Rio Grande River/San Ignacio GPS: N 26 54.949, W 99 19.230 (26.9158, -99.3205)

SPECIES: Catfi sh BEST BAITS: Cut shad, worms, shrimp SOURCE: Robert Amaya, Robert’s Fishing Tackle 956-765-1442 TIPS: Rig your bait to fi sh the bottom. LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: River Near Tin Top GPS: N 32 34.559, W 97 49.295 (32.575983, -97.821583)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Small jigs with soft plastics in Electric Chicken and Chartreuse colors worked near structure near banks/docks SOURCE: MichaelAcosta, Unfair Advantage Charters

WEST TEXAS

254-396-4855 TIPS: Swim or bounce your jigs across the bottom. Work the bends in the river and look for fi sh either in the deeper holes and when active on top of fl ats adjacent to the deeper water. Crappie will be spawning creeks and sloughs all over the lake and in the river.

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Mid Lake GPS: N 32 24.324, W 97 44.648 (32.4054, -97.744133)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, spinnerbaits SOURCE: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 254-396-4855 TIPS: Look for schools of baitfi sh holding on the bottom and bounce your slab off the bottom to draw the bite. Work spinnerbaits vertically. Chartreuse and silver are best colors. When surface schooling, chrome and white spinners and Little Georges are effective. LOCATION: Hubbard Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Lower Creek Arm GPS: N 32 45.468, W 99 0.6751 (32.7578, -99.0113)

SPECIES: White Crappie BEST BAITS: jigs, small spinnerbaits SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Offi ce 325-692-0921 TIPS: With Hubbard Creek Reservoir catching full in 2016, the crappie production is expected to be substantial in 2017. Historically, anglers have reported catching great numbers of crappie in the lower creek arm in the southern end of the reservoir. Fishing the submersed brush and vegetation with curly-tailed jigs and small spinners may yield a bite.

LOCATION: Kirby Lake HOTSPOT: Dam GPS: N 32 23.1205, W 99 44.0777 (32.3853, -99.7346)

SPECIES: Catfi sh BEST BAITS: Live or cut carp, sunfi sh, punch baits SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Offi ce 325-692-0921 TIPS: Kirby Lake is a catfi shing gem in the Big Country. The reservoir is home to productive blue and fl athead catfi shes. While winds often blow from the south toward the dam, rigging your line heavy will allow you to cast in the windiest of days. Fishing off the dam can yield a catch of a large fi sh hanging out in the deeper waters. Cut carp, shad, or sunfi sh on slip sinker, three-way, or slip bobber rigs work well. Live 3-5” carp or live sunfi sh works for fl atheads. Punch baits, cut shad, and carp also work well for smaller fi sh. Be sure to use heavy test line and round sinkers to avoid getting snagged on the rocks too badly.

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Sand Flats GPS: N 32 53.200, W 98 30.988 (32.886667, -98.516467)

SPECIES: Striped Bass, Hybrids BEST BAITS: Jigs, slabs SOURCE: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 TIPS: Fish are spawning as well as the baitfi sh. Slabs with Mister Twister Curly Tails are mainstays. Troll crankbaits and RatLTraps. Swimbaits can help fi nd fi sh. LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Cedar Creek GPS: N 32 49.897, W 98 33.323 (32.831621, -98.55539)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Live shad, jigs, Sassy Shad, RatLTraps, crankbaits, minnows SOURCE: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 TIPS: Crappie jigs in white, chartreuse, pink, red and pearl. With all that said, live shad is always your best bet, with minnows next. Fish them on bobber and split shot, 18-24 inches below the bobber in 2 to 5 feet and deeper in the trees.

LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT: Pickwick Bridge GPS: N 32 54.777, W 98 27.939 (32.91295, -98.46565)

SPECIES: All species BEST BAITS: Jigs, RatLTraps, crankbaits, live shad CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 TIPS: The spawn is on, so either fi sh are running upstream or coming back into the lake from spawning. Of course, all of this depends on rainwater coming in and temperatures. But the mighty Brazos is the main tributary. Some fi sh spawn up Cedar and other creeks coming into the lake, but most are staged up to go up the Brazos. The lake is full of shad and now is the time to be fi shing live shad. Also, downrigging, trolling and various artifi cials are working this time of year. We are tipping our jigs with Mister Twister curly tails and also trolling RatLTraps and crankbaits. Live shad for multiple species and fresh dead cut shad for catfi sh.

Tides and Prime Times

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

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. 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.

T21 T20

T15 T16

T19 T12

T10

T9

T8

T7

T14

T18 T11

T6

T17 T5 T13

MARCH/APRIL 2021 MARCH/APRIL 2021

T4 T3

T2

T1

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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 infl uence on many wildlife species.

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

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

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

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

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

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

KEY PLACE HIGH LOW Sabine Bank Lighthouse -1:46 -1:31 T1 Sabine Pass Jetty -1:26 -1:31 T2 Sabine Pass T3 -1:00 -1:15 Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass -0:04 -0:25 T4 Galveston Bay, S. Jetty -0:39 -1:05 T5 Port Bolivar T6 +0:14 -0:06 KEY PLACE HIGH LOW Galveston Channel/Bays Texas City Turning Basin +0:33 +0:41 T7 Eagle Point T8 +3:54 +4:15 Clear Lake T9 +6:05 +6:40 Morgans Point +10:21 +5:19T10 Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39 +5:15T11 KEY PLACE HIGH LOW Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay +5:48 +4:43T12 Gilchrist, East Bay +3:16 +4:18T13 Jamaica Beach, W. Bay +2:38 +3:31T14 Alligator Point, W. Bay +2:39 +2:33T15 Christmas Pt +2:32 +2:31T16 Galveston Pleasure Pier -1:06 -1:06T17 KEY PLACE HIGH LOW San Luis Pass -0.09 -0.09 T18 Freeport Harbor -0:44 -1:02 T19 Pass Cavallo T20 0:00 -1:20 Aransas Pass -0:03 -1:31 T21 Padre Island (So. End) -0:24 -1:45 T22 Port Isabel T23 +1:02 -0:42

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

T22

T23

READING THE GRAPH

Fishing Score Graph

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

Moon Moon Overhead Underfoot

Day’s Best Score Day’s 2nd Best Score

n

Best Day Overall

MOON PHASES

l = New Moon l = Full Moon  = First Quarter  = Last Quarter «= Good Day by Moon Phase SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

Mar 1 «

High Tide: 5:03a 1.07 ft. Low Tide: 11:28a -0.02 ft. High Tide: 6:02p 0.94 ft. Low Tide: 11:45p 0.14 ft.

2

High Tide: 6:24a 1.04 ft. Low Tide: 12:13p 0.28 ft. High Tide: 6:14p 0.91 ft.

3

Low Tide: 12:37a -0.08 ft. High Tide: 7:56a 1.02 ft. Low Tide: 1:00p 0.59 ft. High Tide: 6:21p 0.92 ft.

4

Low Tide: 1:35a -0.27 ft. High Tide: 9:44a 1.05 ft. Low Tide: 1:53p 0.87 ft. High Tide: 6:09p 0.98 ft.

5

Low Tide: 2:41a -0.40 ft. High Tide: 11:51a 1.14 ft.

6 

Low Tide: 3:55a -0.49 ft. High Tide: 1:52p 1.25 ft.

7

Low Tide: 5:13a -0.54 ft. High Tide: 2:53p 1.31 ft.

6a 12p 6p 12a 6a 12p 6p 12a 6a 12p 6p 12a 6a 12p 6p 12a 6a 12p 6p 12a 6a 12p 6p 12a 6a 12p 6p

BEST TIME BEST TIME BEST TIME BEST TIME BEST TIME BEST TIME BEST TIME 1:00 — 3:00 AM 2:00 — 4:00 AM 3:00 — 5:00 AM 4:00 — 6:00 AM 5:00 — 7:00 AM 11:00P — 1:00A 12:00 — 2:00 AM

Sunrise: 6:44a Sunset: 6:18p Moonrise: 9:05p Moon Set: 8:29a AM Minor: 6:55a AM Major: 12:42a PM Minor: 7:19p PM Major: 1:07p

Moon Overhead: 2:18a

Moon Underfoot: 2:43p Sunrise: 6:43a Sunset: 6:19p Moonrise: 10:11p Moon Set: 9:05a

AM Minor: 7:51a AM Major: 1:38a PM Minor: 8:16p PM Major: 2:03p

Moon Overhead: 3:08a

Moon Underfoot: 3:34p Sunrise: 6:41a Sunset: 6:19p Moonrise: 11:18p Moon Set: 9:42a

AM Minor: 8:49a AM Major: 2:35a PM Minor: 9:15p PM Major: 3:02p

Moon Overhead: 4:00a

Moon Underfoot: 4:26p Sunrise: 6:40a Sunset: 6:20p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 10:24a

AM Minor: 9:48a AM Major: 3:34a PM Minor: 10:15p PM Major: 4:01p

Moon Overhead: 4:53a

Moon Underfoot: 5:21p Sunrise: 6:39a Sunset: 6:21p Moonrise: 12:26a Moon Set: 11:09a

AM Minor: 10:47a AM Major: 4:33a PM Minor: 11:15p PM Major: 5:01p

Moon Overhead: 5:50a

Moon Underfoot: 6:18p Sunrise: 6:38a Sunset: 6:21p Moonrise: 1:32a Moon Set: 12:01p

AM Minor: 11:45a AM Major: 5:30a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:00p

Moon Overhead: 6:48a

Moon Underfoot: 7:17p Sunrise: 6:37a Sunset: 6:22p Moonrise: 2:36a Moon Set: 12:57p

AM Minor: 12:12a AM Major: 6:27a PM Minor: 12:41p PM Major: 6:56p

Moon Overhead: 7:46a

Moon Underfoot: 8:16p