Texas Fish & Game May/June 2021 by Texas Fish & Game

May/June 2021 | $3.95

Striper Lake Rankings

Feral Hogs in the Night

Post-Freeze S.T.A.R. Strategies 2105-MayJun-CoverDIG.indd 1

www.FishGame.com

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

ROY AND ARDIA NEVES PUBLISHERS

CHESTER MOORE EDITOR IN CHIEF

C O N T R I B U T O R S JOE DOGGETT DOUG PIKE LOU MARULLO MATT WILLIAMS LENNY RUDOW DUSTIN ELLERMANN REAVIS WORTHAM STAN SKINNER NICOLE BECKA LISA MOORE

• • • • • • • • • •

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR HUNTING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR BOATING EDITOR SHOOTING EDITOR HUMOR EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR DIGITAL CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

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TEXAS FISH & GAME (ISSN 0887-4174) is published bi-monthly by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC., 3431 Rayford Road, Suite 200-408, Spring, TX 77386. ©Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. All rights reserved. Content is not to be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1 year $24.95; 2 years $42.95; 3 years $58.95. Address all subscription inquiries to Texas Fish & Game, 3431 Rayford Road, Suite 200-408, Spring, TX 77386. 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, 3431 Rayford Road, Suite 200-408, Spring, TX 77386. Address all subscription inquiries to TEXAS FISH & GAME, 3431 Rayford Road, Suite 200-408, Spring, TX 77386. Email change of address to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Email new orders to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Email subscription questions to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 772679946 and at additional mailing offices.

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May/June 2021 | Vol. 38 • No. 1

FEATURE ARTICLES

STRIPER ALLSTARS Our annual ranking of the top five lakes in Texas for striped bass.

by Matt Williams

A S.T.A.R. LIKE NO OTHER This year’s CCA-Texas S.T.A.R. Tournament will be dramatically different, with changes necessary to protect species affected by the killer freeze.

by TF&G Staff

COVER STORY

NIGHT HOGS Thermal hunting is a blast, and one sure-fire way to track down and eliminate the scourge of feral hogs.

FROZEN! An assessment of the long term consequences of February’s brutal winter storm and what to expect after the thaw.

TEXAS OUTDOOR NATION

from TF&G Staff Reports

COLUMNS

OUTDOOR PLAN FOR MOM & DAD A novel idea for a great way to spend Mom’s & Dad’s day.

Editor’s Notes

Doggett at Large

Fish & Game Forecast Center: Saltwater

Texas Boating

Fish & Game Forecast Center: Freshwater

Texas Whitetails

by TF&G Staff

by CHESTER MOORE

by JOE DOGGETT

by LENNY RUDOW

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Bass University by PETE ROBBINS

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Sportsman’s Daybook

DEPARTMENTS

by LARRY WEISHUHN

by Brooklee Grant

T E X A S

Letters

from TF&G Readers

Outdoor Directory

Guides, Outfitters & More

Texas Tasted by Brian Slaven

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LETTERS to the Editor Flounder Revolution TEXAS FISH & GAME MAGAZINE posted on their Facebook page, “send us photos of kids with their first flounder” so I did, and they sent her a neat token & sticker to promote flounder conservation. Hailey caught her first doormat flounder that we CPRed (Catch Photo & Released) back in June. Thank you, Chester Moore, for the token!

Daniel Langford Editor: Thank you for sending us the great photos and for teaching your daughter CPR of flounder. Any kid who caught their first flounder from 2020 on can earn the First Flounder token and Flounder Revolution decal. Email photos and kid’s name to chester@chestermoore.com. Hailey Langford earned a token and decal with her ﬁrst ﬂounder catch.

Doggett Fan I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED YOUR stories and tips on hunting and fishing for years. When I lived in Houston, Bob Brister and you were the outdoors writers for the Houston Chronicle. I left Texas for job offers in the Midwest back in ’85 and since then I was lucky enough to get your writings in the TF&G magazine. I like your stories of the old days around Houston and the Gulf Coast. You may remember back in the ’70s that Houston had a few local TV shows hosted by outdoorsmen that would show their exploits on 16mm (or 8mm) film and narrate accordingly. (Channels 26 & 39 come to mind.) I always watched them with my dad on our black and white console showing trips to the valley for white-wing shooting or the gulf for trout or a lake like Toledo Bend for bass in those new-fangled narrow fiberglass “bass-boats.” In TF&G, I would love to read your recollections of those old guys and their contributions to the outdoors. I bought your book “Outdoor Chron6

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icles” and would certainly enjoy a new publication by you. Thank you for sharing your stories and advice on the great Texas outdoors and keep that ink flowing!

Rex Cauthen Kansas City, MO

were the first I saw and the most detailed. Thank you for going the extra mile in putting out that information. I was particularly interested in what you wrote about the nilgai antelope and other exotic animal deaths.

Tyson Moxley

Editor: We love Joe’s work too. Thanks for following him in TF&G.

Freeze Coverage THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR coverage of the freeze in the e-newsletter. I appreciated the fact you had someone out in the field gathering information. That kind of coverage is why I am a loyal reader.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK RAISing awareness to tarpon and snook deaths in the freeze. Everyone was understandably totally focused on trout, but you also touched on tarpon and snook and for someone who loves both species that meant a lot.

Evan Englund

Email your comments to: editor@ﬁshgame.com

Ted Dickinson YOUR STORIES ON THE FREEZE |

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PHOTO: COURTESY DANIEL LANGFORD

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EDITOR’S Notes by CHESTER MOORE :: TF&G Editor-in-Chief

Young Artist Inspired by Wild Turkeys

ILD TURKEYS ARE FAST on their feet and often flee from danger by running instead of taking to the air. They can however fly quite fast and as each box opened on a private tract of land in Titus County, Texas, the flying ability of the wild turkey was on display. Marked with the logo of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), these six boxes held six Eastern turkey hens captured in Missouri. They were then transported to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Working together on restoring the Eastern turkey to East Texas, TPWD and NWTF have forged a powerful partnership that saw hope for this subspecies in the region literally taking flight. According to TPWD Turkey Program Director Jason Hardin, there are now about 10,000 Eastern turkeys in the region thanks to stocking birds from partner states like Missouri and enhanced management on public and private lands. It’s a brilliant conservation program that has inspired turkey hunters and private landowners to do more to manage forests for turkeys. This particular turkey release, however, inspired another group of people. Our Wild Wishes program provides wildlife encounters to children with a critical illness or loss of a parent or sibling. To date, the outreach has granted 119 wishes and is working on many more. “We filmed the release with our smartphones and put together a virtual turkey release for one of our wish families,” said Lisa Moore (my wife), director of the Wild Wishes program. “They have been basically shut-in since COVID started because of health issues with children, so we wanted to do something special for them. We knew they would love seeing

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the turkeys released, and TPWD and NWTF officials have been very gracious in allowing us to have our kids participate in these releases.” Emily Odom, 16 of Graham, got to participate in a release on the same property and said it was one of her life highlights. “I’ve been in the Wild Wishes program

ago and for NWTF and TPWD for letting me be part of a release.” As Emily said, there is something special about seeing those turkeys fly out of the boxes into an area that needs a population boost. East Texas by the early 1980s was essentially devoid of wild turkeys, but thanks to TPWD and NWTF, there is a growing population. That’s inspirational for turkey hunters, wildlife lovers and a very special group of kids who have been able to take part in person and virtually. In an era such as this, we all need inspiration, and this is especially true for young people facing special challenges.

Emily Odom and a box containing an eastern turkey gobbler that was shipped from Missouri. TPWD is making big advances in restoring Eastern turkeys to the Pineywoods.

Emily Odom did this watercolor of a turkey after her encounter in Titus County. She has been inspired to continue working to raise awareness of wildlife conservation.

since I was nine, and it changed my life so much for the better,” she said. “Getting to open that box and watching those turkeys fly out was so freeing and inspiring for someone like myself who has had some challenges. I loved it.” It inspired her so much in fact she went home and did some wild turkey artwork and has begun a program to raise awareness of wildlife conservation through artwork. “That turkey release helped inspire that,” Emily said. “I’m so grateful to the Moore’s for taking me into the Wild Wishes program years

That’s exactly who the Wild Wishes program reaches. If you would like to connect a kid with the program or donate go to www. wildwishes.org.

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« Email Chester Moore at cmoore@ﬁshgame.com

PHOTOS: CHESTER MOORE

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DOGGETT at Large by JOE DOGGETT :: TF&G Contributing Editor

Snakes on a Trail

back instigates attacks on humans. Instead, it tends to come out swinging—striking—when its space is violated, or it feels trapped. Texas records approximately 1,000 to 1,500 venomous snake bites each year, and the highstrung diamondbacks account for roughly one-half of the tally. Southern copperheads, common in urban areas of southeast Texas, muster about onequarter, with cottonmouths a distant third. That’s the bad news. The upside is that only one or two people die per year. Fatalities are minimal because qualified medical help in Texas is rarely more than an hour or two away—and many rural facilities are experienced in dealing with snake bites. Contrary to western lore, the venom is relatively slow-acting on a human-sized target. But, by all reports, a “hot” bite (compared to a dry pop) is an excruciating and long-lasting ordeal. Incidentally, experts agree that several semirare rattlesnake species (mainly in West Texas) have venom that drop-for-drop is more toxic. But the diamondback boasts three trumps: great size, large glands, and long fangs. A four- or five-footer coiled in the typical aggressive posture with head and neck elevated in an intimidating “S loop” can use the wide, flat coils to launch a formidable strike. With solid purchase, the superfast lunge may carry up to one-half the body length. Ironically, the bite from an immature diamondback is no bargain. Experts also conclude that in most cases the toxicity from a juvenile is stronger than that from a full-blown swashbuckler. The positive news is that the young snake has much less carrying capacity. South Texas is the mother lode for diamondbacks, as any experienced brush country rancher or hunter will attest. Other high-density regions are western portions of the Hill Country and the barrier islands and coastal prairies along the lower and middle coast. As a boy growing up in Houston during the late ’50s, I was a junior-high herpetologist, scouring the banks of urban bayous and fields for an impressive assortment of snakes. But not once did I see or even hear of a diamondback in northern Harris County. We eschewed parental warnings and captured the occasional southern copperhead, as well as

“Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the Bunny Trail…”

O GOES THORTON BURGESS’S classic children’s tale. Regrettably, if the Bunny Trail happens to be winding through the deep South Texas brush, Peter’s next hippety-hop might land him squarely in front of a huge western diamondback rattlesnake. The six-foot pit viper strikes in a blur and Peter squeals in pain and terror. Poor Peter did not just receive a long-overdue COVID vaccine; he got twin hypodermic doses of hemotoxic venom from statistically the most dangerous snake in North America. He dashes several yards and falls. The burly rattler uncoils and, using its heat-sensing facial pits, confidently follows the warm-blooded trail to claim a satisfying meal. Texas truly is snake country. The vast size of our state combined with mild temperatures and diverse ecological regions allows an abundance of snakes to flourish. At least 72 species have been documented (Texas Snakes, Werler and Dixon, 2000). Ten of these species are rattlesnakes. The most plentiful and widespread (roughly the western two-thirds of the state) of the buzzing options is Peter’s nemesis, Crotalus atrox. The western diamondback is the largest, with documented specimens topping seven feet. Such a diamondback might weigh 12 to 15 pounds. In the real world, that is plenty of snake. Most adults are less than four or five feet—and that’s still plenty of snake. The eastern diamondback of the southeastern lowlands can exceed eight feet, but the distribution numbers are not there; they are seldom encountered. The awesome eastern issue is not as irritable. This does not suggest that the western diamond10

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several cottonmouths and Texas coral snakes, but the only rattlers I recall were two western pigmy rattlesnakes near Buffalo Bayou/Memorial Park. I do not now condone catching dangerous snakes. Those rash forays occurred 60 years ago, and three of my “collecting” friends were bitten— one on the thumb, one on the index finger, one on the arm. It is a minor miracle I was not nailed. Leave the poisonous ones to the experts and understand that sooner or later many rattlesnake handlers get well and truly zapped. One of the oddities of the outdoors is that an individual utterly terrified of serpents cannot walk 100 yards through brushy terrain during mild weather without stirring up a wad of writhing coils. Meanwhile, those of us stoked to see the occasional flickering forked tongue can poke around for days without flushing so much as a piddly ribbon snake. Frankly, following that theme, I have not encountered all that many —one here, one there, that sort of thing. I have yet to see an honest sixfoot diamondback in the field. Such a beast viewed at safe distance would be an awesome spectacle for anyone who appreciates the wildness of Texas. The fact that one could swallow Peter Cottontail says something about the bulk and mass of the reptile. But, to repeat, the average western diamondback is less than four feet in length. Campfire smoke aside, those are the documented facts. I once had to hand-grab a furious, escaped diamondback that was at least four feet—but the less said about that herpetological misadventure, the better. If, on an innocent outdoor foray, a terrible mistake carries you within reach of a whirring buzz and a flashing strike, current wisdom recommends forgetting all the celebrated do-it-yourself treatments involving knives, razor blades, suction cups, tight tourniquets, ice packs or whisky bottles. As they say, the best first aid for a venomous snake bite is a set of car keys. Or, increasingly, perhaps one of those snazzy vehicle starter buttons. Either way, crank that sucker and aim amid a cloud of dust and caliche for the nearest medical facility.

Email Joe Doggett at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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PHOTO COMPOSITE: TF&G; BACKGROUND, TPWD

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INTER WEATHER THAT hit during the week of February 14, 2021 led to fish kill events on the entire Texas coast. If fish do not make it to a refuge in deeper, more temperature stable water during cold weather, they may die when water temperatures reach a certain threshold. After the first fish kill was reported in the Lower Laguna Madre, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) biologists began the process of assessing kills across multiple bay systems on the coast.

Impacts from the February 2021 Freeze An estimated minimum of 3.8 million fish were killed on the Texas coast during the February 2021 freeze. This fish kill consisted of at least 61 species. Non-recreational species

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contributed to 91 percent of the total mortality in numbers of fish. This includes species such as silver perch, hardhead catfish, pinfish, bay anchovy and striped mullet. Although they’re not sought after by most anglers, nongame fish are ecologically important, providing food for larger game fish as well as adding to the overall diversity of Texas bays. Recreationally important game species accounted for the other nine percent of the total. Of that nine percent, the dominant species included spotted seatrout (48 percent), black drum (31 percent), sheepshead (eight percent), sand seatrout (seven percent), red drum (three percent), gray snapper (two percent), and red snapper (less than one percent). Both the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre bay systems were hit particularly hard. The Lower Dead redﬁsh Laguna Madre had the highest mortality of ﬁll an area in spotted seatrout with an estimated 104,000 Pringle Lake at Espiritu Santo fish killed. That comprised 65 percent of the Bay.

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PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

total estimated spotted seatrout killed. When combined with the Upper Laguna Madre, it comprised 89 percent of the total estimated spotted seatrout mortality along the Texas coast. Similarly, the Upper Laguna Madre had experienced black drum mortality at an estimated 82,600 fish and comprised 78 percent of the coastwide black drum killed.

Historical Comparison This is not the first freeze to occur in Texas coastal waters. Multiple freezes during the 1980s killed almost 32 million fish, with the most severe impacts being on the lower coast. Although the February 2021 event impacted a large area of the Texas coast, the overall number of fish killed in this event appears to be lower than any of the three freezes in the 1980s. “Using history as a guide, we believe our fishery has the potential to bounce back fairly quickly as it did after the 1980s freeze. Based on our long-term monitoring, we saw

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This was one of the few dead trout found in Sabine Lake. Areas of the Middle Coast, Lower & Upper Laguna Madre were hit hard.

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the recovery in terms of numbers of spotted seatrout bounce back in approximately two to three years. This does not mean the fish size and age structure were the same as prefreeze, but the overall numbers did return in that timeframe.” said Robin Riechers, Coastal Fisheries Division Director. However, the spotted seatrout mortality in the combined Upper and Lower Laguna Madres is comparable to the events from the 1980s. Below is a breakdown of each event in the 1980s. • December 1983: 14.4 million fish killed with a geographic extent of the entire coast. • February 1989: 11.3 million fish killed with a geographic extent of East Matagorda Bay south to the Lower Laguna Madre. • December 1989: 6.2 million fish killed with a geographic extent of the entire coast. The February 2021 freeze appears to have been larger than any other fish kill seen since the 1980s, including those in the 1990s and 2000s. The 1997 freeze saw 328,000 fish killed but had a significantly higher percentage of game species killed (56 percent) than in 2021. Although some areas of the coast and some species of fish were clearly impacted more than others, overall this is the worst freeze-related coastal fish kill Texas has experienced since the 1980s. “There are some important lessons from those historical events that we need to draw upon as we work to accelerate the recovery of our fish stocks, particularly speckled trout along the mid and lower coast,” said Carter Smith, Executive Director of TPWD. “The most obvious, and immediate one for speckled trout is conservation, a practice where every Texas coastal angler can make a contribution right now. Practicing catch and release and/or keeping fewer fish to take home in areas like the Laguna Madre will only give us that many more fish to rebuild from as we augment populations through our hatchery efforts, and we carefully evaluate what regulation changes may be needed to foster a quicker recovery for our bays.”

and distribution of fish. This is achieved through observations from staff, state, and local partners as well as the public. Rapid assessments to determine the rough estimates of the number of fish killed as well as species impacted are completed. Next, TPWD coastal teams are assigned sampling areas, and staff count, measure and record each individual fish present in an area. By following American Fisheries Society guidelines for sampling in this manner, a summary can then be completed for

each bay system along with a coast wide assessment. While assessment methods have evolved slightly over time due to better technology and resources, general methodology for how TPWD assesses fish kills is comparable over the decades. As the TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division continues to assess this event and determine the impact to the overall fish populations, they will compare it to past freezes and brief the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) on those impacts relative to the

Fish Kill Assessment Methodology Assessments for large geographic fish kills occur using a phased approach. The first phase is determining the geographic extent

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PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

Dean Thomas of Slow-Ride Guide Services with a dead tarpon he found after the freeze in the Aransas Pass area.

historical record of coastal freezes. In the near term, TPWD coastal fisheries biologists will continue to analyze the impacts

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on populations by species and bay systems. They will work with the TPWC to determine what actions, if any, may be needed to accel-

erate recovery of fish populations and to help address future events. The Coastal Fisheries Division’s longterm routine monitoring programs (e.g. gill nets, bay trawls, and bag seines) allow for analysis of this freeze by comparing it to past events, even before additional routine sampling is conducted. Additionally, as a part of year-round survey efforts, biologists are already collecting information from recreational anglers. This provides additional information regarding the impacts of this cold-weather event on angler catch rates of game fish. TPWD will also be evaluating an increase in spotted seatrout production at its coastal fish hatcheries to aid the recovery efforts What can you do to help? As fish stocks recover from this freeze, anglers are encouraged to practice conservation by choosing to catch and release fish or to take only those fish they feel they need to take home to eat. Conserving fish now can only aid in a quicker recovery.

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TRIPED BASS WON’T win any statewide popularity contests in these parts, but there are a handful of Texas lakes where Morone saxatilis kicks butt, takes names and grabs plenty of attention along the way. Anyone who has ever caught one of the saltwater transplants cracking the double digits will surely agree with the allure. The striper is one rough customer, widely known for its brute strength and territorial disposition. This tenacious fish might be described as a piscatorial cross between Dick Butkus and Mike Tyson wrapped into a silvery stick of dynamite tipped with a really short fuse.

metabolism and spark violent feeding frenzies on hapless schools of shad. In some cases, it’s not uncommon to see virtual blood baths unfold in the shallows as marauding schools of stripers drive the succulent bait fish to the surface and gobble them up at will. Stripers rarely hold anything back when they pin a group of shad against the surface. Sometimes the attacks are so vicious that it sends the succulent bait fish cartwheeling in a last second dash for safety. Venture onto any reputable striper lake over the next 30 to 45 days and there’s a good chance of cashing in with a topwater plug or any number shad imitations. So, which Texas impoundments offer best opportunities for getting in on late spring’s striper fishing bonanza? To learn more, we reached out to regional and district fisheries biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildllife Department.

That fuse tends to become particularly short during late spring. That’s when warming temperatures spur their

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Here are our Top Five striper lakes for 2021: NO. 1: TEXOMA SIZE: 75,000 ACRES LAKE RECORD: 35.12 LBS. COMMENTS: This is a five-star impoundment that supports one of the few self-sustaining striper fisheries in the U.S. Oklahoma biologists jumpstarted the population with generous stockings from 1965 through ’74. Since then, the fishery has carried itself on bountiful spawning runs that occur each spring in the free-flowing Washita and Red Rivers that feed into Texoma. The striper factory cranks out mega numbers of eating-size fish, but it’s also one where trophy hunters have good shot of connecting with fish in the 14to 17-pound range, or quite possibly one more than 20, according to Dan Bennett, TPWD’s district supervisor based in Pottsboro. “Intensive angler surveys completed in 2019 and 2020 estimated that Texoma striper fishermen catch just over a million striped bass each year and take home about half of those fish to eat,” said Bennett. Those anglers spend a boat load of dough in the process. Economic studies indicate striper fishing pumps around $20 million annually into local businesses.

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Amazingly, the fishery is able to maintain that type of output with no outside help from annual stockings, which is necessary to carry some other Texas lakes. “Catch rates in nets indicate that striper abundance is currently more than 10 times what we see in lakes where stocking is required to maintain the fishery,” Bennett said. As earlier mentioned earlier, late spring is a great time to catch stripers on topwater plugs. Bennett says the action is generally best early and late but overcast skies may spark a midday bite. “The fish will school and voraciously feed on spawning shad along shallow shorelines,” Bennett said. “They can be caught just about anywhere. However, good areas to find them are from the dam west to Preston Peninsula along the Texas shoreline, in the shallows around the islands mid-lake, and around Caney and Soldier Creek.” Anglers may retain 10 per day. There is no minimum length limit, but only two stripers or hybrids may be retained each day. Culling of striped bass and hybrid striped bass is prohibited on Texoma.

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NO 2: WHITNEY SIZE: 23,500 ACRES LAKE RECORD: 39.69 POUNDS COMMENTS: According to TPWD fisheries biologist John Tibbs of Waco, Whitney continues to benefit from increased inflows from the Brazos and Nolan rivers. This has helped maintain a near constant level, bolstered vital threadfin shad populations and reduced the threat of golden algae blooms. “Those factors combined with an aggressive approach to stocking, and even some natural reproduction over the past few years, has resulted in an incredible striper fishery— as good or better as at any time in the past,” Tibbs said. Tibbs said Whitney produces good numbers of box-size keepers in the four- to eightpound range, but anglers do connect with 15- to 20-pounders on occasion. In 2021, the biologist says anglers can look for a lot of stripers just making it to legal size (18 inches). He added that some of the best fishing usually occurs from mid-lake at the Katy bridge to the dam. Spring hotspots worth a look include the mouth of Cedron Creek, Bee Bluff, Walling Bend Park island and main lake areas

near Whitney and Towash Creeks. Anglers can retain five fish, 18-inch minimum length limit per day. NO. 3: POSSUM KINGDOM SIZE: 15,588 ACRES LAKE RECORD: 34.19 POUNDS COMMENTS: TPWD Fisheries biologist Robert Mauk says Possum Kingdom has benefited from increased water levels and flows the past few years, resulting in natural reproduction and recruitment, so stocking has not been required. The lake also maintains a bountiful threadfin shad population to help keep the stripers fat and sassy. Mauk said the lake currently has good numbers with many fish in the 16- to 20-inch size class. Fish upwards of 12 pounds are reported on occasion, but not often. Soaking live shad is a highly preferred tactic on Whitney, though success can be had on slabs, jig/swimbait combos and topwaters. “Following working birds is the easiest technique to locate the fish,” Mauk said. continued on page

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Texas BOATING by LENNY RUDOW :: TF&G Boating Editor

Coastal Mapping Systems

of all major electronics manufacturers. In recent years, however, electronics manufacturers have also made an investment in developing their own proprietary mapping systems. Garmin has developed BlueChart g3 and g3 Vision maps. These maps include bathymetric contour detail to one foot, auto-guidance ability, depth and shoal water shading, and some high-resolution relief shading via ActiveCaptain. The g3 Vision mapping also includes high-resolution satellite photography, aerial photography, and 3-D “fisheye” underwater perspectives. Humminbird recently entered the proprietary saltwater mapping game with their CoastMaster charts, which won the 2020 ICAST award for Best of Electronics. CoastMaster charts are an add-on compatible with Helix G3/G3N and Solix models, with contour data to one foot, depth and shallows highlighting, and customizable fishing and navigation presets. These charts also have several unusual fishing-specific features that will prove valuable for shallow water anglers casting along the coast. This includes the ability to color-shade areas that will be above water at low tide but submerged at high tide, and a water level offset that synchronizes contours and shorelines with current tidal levels. Raymarine offers LightHouse charts and LightHouse Premium. This feature adds high-

SING THE BEST SYSTEMS can help you cruise directly to the hotspots—and then catch more fish. Any discussion of coastal mapping for anglers should certainly start with the Texas Lakes & Bays Atlas. We’ve been publishing this book for 32 years. It covers more than 3,000 fishing hotspots in 63 lakes and coastal bays Although the GPS coordinates, tips, and detailed contour maps are invaluable to anglers of all kinds, the conversation certainly does not end there. The digital mapping system in the MFD at your boat’s helm is also a critical component to locating hotspots, cruising directly to them, and identifying similar benthic geography in an area that potentially holds fish.

MAPPING MATTERS Marine chartography has long been dominated by two players, Navionics and C-Map. They are still the mapping providers of choice

resolution satellite imagery and points-ofinterest intel with data on marinas, fuel docks, and the like. This will come in handy during road trips to unfamiliar waters. Contours can be displayed up to that same epic one-foot detail, and there are “verified” fishing hotspots included on the maps. Most of these systems depend on a mix of different databases, usually starting with NOAA soundings and building from there with proprietary information. In some cases, data is sourced from charter captains or even crowd-sourced information. Some additional mapping system providers, however, take a different tack. CMORE Mapping is compatible with many Navico brand, Raymarine, Mercury VesselView, and Furuno products. It produces bathymetry for limited geographical areas including some Gulf waters. These color-shaded maps with one meter resolution feature data gathered via full-coverage echosounder surveys with no interpolation. This produces mapping with far fewer errors and significantly more accurate detail than the norm. However, coverage areas are limited. Most of the West Gulf bathymetry and much of the Eastern Gulf is offshore waters, only, and the price is steep at $700 for a chart card. Another on-the-water data gatherer is StrikeLines, which details a wider swath of

STRIPER ALLSTARS:  CONTINUED FROM PAGE

of 20 pounds. The state record 53-pounder was caught there in 1999. Anglers may retain five striped bass/hybrids per day, 18-inch minimum length limit.

“Broadway, the Peanut Patch, and north of Costello Island are the most popular places to target stripers, but they can be found anywhere in the reservoir.” Mauk said there are quite a few reputable guides available for those who don’t own a boat or know the lake very well. An added bonus is fishing the Brazos River tailrace below the dam. This is a great option when the winds get up, or for anglers having trouble locating biting fish on mainlake. Mark says the tailrace bite can be outstanding at times, particularly for larger fish upwards 22

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NO. 4: BUCHANAN SIZE: 22,211 ACRES LAKE RECORD: 27.80 COMMENTS: TPWD fisheries biologist Patrick Ireland says the scenic Hill Country impoundment near Burnet is typically big on numbers but light on size. While recreational anglers frequently box limits of three- to five-pounders along with an occasional dou|

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ble-digit fish exceeding 10 pounds— which rarely show up in TPWD’s sampling efforts. “A 15- to 20-pounder be considered a ‘big’ fish for Buchanan based on our sampling and creel data,” Ireland said. Ireland said guides and weekenders alike typically have the best springtime results trolling with inline spinners, spoons, swim baits, Rat-L-Traps or soaking live bait. Topwaters also can produce outstanding results, especially during the early morning hours. “The most important tactic is to look for baitfish and do not sit on an unproductive PHOTO: LENNY RUDOW

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Texas’s inshore and coastal waters and a large portion of offshore water. However, it still has gaps in the coverage areas. StrikeLines chartography is compatible with many Navico, Raymarine, and Mercury VesselView units. It can also be utilized on Android and iOS devices, and is available both in downloadable and MicroSD chart card forms. Pricing is a bit more palatable, too, at $199 to $449. It’s important to remember that systems like CMORE and StrikeLines are constantly updated and expanded as more and more mapping surveys get done. If the areas you fish most often aren’t yet covered, it’s worth revisiting in the future. Strikelines also offers some spectacular 4K aerial imaging with clarity good enough to pick out features like sandbars and weedbeds in the shallows, but the coverage for 4K currently runs from Florida through Louisiana. We certainly hope these folks plan on working their way west in the near future. DELIVERING THE DATA If you look at all the systems and the perks and features, they offer, you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that all of them deliver a whole lot more than the digital mapping systems we used just a few years ago. What tops them all, however, is the ability to create your own bathymetric mapping. While it’s often limited to midrange and higher units in the model lines, all of the major manufacturer’s modern MFDs now include the ability to self-chart. Lowrance calls it Genesis, Raymarine calls it RealBathy, Humminbird calls it AutoChart Live, and Garmin uses the moniker Quickdraw Contours. Each of these systems is a bit different, but the bottom line

remains the same. Your own sonar and GPS work together to collect pings and position data, allowing you to draw your own digital charts as you fish. In the long run, this may be the most important mapping capability of them all. When considering digital chartography, you have to recognize at the outset that there’s no such thing as an error-free data pool. As great as all these mapping systems may be, there will be times when the chartplotter says you’re parked over a tall hump or reef that comes up to 20 feet, and the fishfinder screen reads a steady 50 feet. If you have an MFD with digital maps you already know this—we’ve all been there. Selfcharting, however, allows you to gather 100 percent accurate, real-time, interpolation-free data for the waters you personally fish. What about identifying new and faraway hotspots? Self-mapping may not help in that regard, but stock chartography is almost always good enough to get you into the general vicinity of a reef, wreck, or shelf, and with a few passes you should be able to locate what you’re looking for, record on-site data, and then access that data forever, at a glance.

we’ve described here, you can still get into the game with a cell phone or tablet. Navionics and C-Map both offer apps that allow you to essentially turn your Android or iOS device into a chartplotter that displays their mapping systems. The Navionics app offers a rather amazingly comprehensive set of features, including high-resolution bathymetry with one-foot contours, user-selected color depth shading, and dock-to-dock auto-routing. In fact, if your fishfinder is WiFi enabled you can even pull data from it to enjoy SonarChart Live, the Navionics version of self-mapping. In many cases older MFDs have WiFi, but not the ability to self-chart. Using the Navionics app and your phone allows you to tap into this ability without having to make an expensive electronics upgrade. A one-year subscription goes for a mere $14.99. C-Map’s app is free and has similar functionality, but without the self-charting abilities or the ability to download maps and use them offline unless you upgrade to the Premium version ($25.99/year). So, which of these systems is “best?” The truth of the matter is that most anglers will have the option of using Navionics or C-Map, but beyond that, will be limited by the brand of MFD sitting at the helm of their boat. The good news is that all of these systems offer you data and detail that’s light years ahead of what you’d have seen on the screen just a few short years ago. Whichever mapping system you might employ, one thing is for sure: learn how to use it effectively, and it will help you become a more effective angler.

MOBILE MAPPING If you don’t have an MFD capable of enjoying mapping features such as those

Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

Humminbird’s CoastMaster

TOP 5 TEXAS STRIPER LAKES area for too long,” Ireland said. “Move on until you locate the stripers.” NO. 5: CANYON LAKE SIZE: 8,308 ACRES LAKE RECORD: 38.12 POUNDS COMMENTS: Located north of New Braunfels, Canyon is fed by the cool, gin-clear waters of the Guadalupe River. Likewise, the Comal County experiences moderate fluctuation and maintains excellent water clarity over the course of the year. Despite being characterized as a low-productivity reservoir, Canyon is able to maintain

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large fish. “Trolling with in-line spinners and crankbaits is another popular method,” he said. “Of course, using live bait such as shad or large minnows is always a popular method to target these fish. From March to May, big swim baits such as red fins are great, too. From February through April, stripers can often be found concentrated in the river portion of the reservoir. At other times of the year, productive locations are variable and likely dependent upon forage abundance.”

an abundant forage base of gizzard shad to feed what is arguably the best trophy class striper fishery in the region. According to Ireland, Canyon is best known for producing larger fish as opposed to big numbers. “Generally, stripers provide a popular catchand-release fishing opportunity at Canyon as guides and angler reports showcase the availability of quality and trophy-sized fish,” he said. “A big Canyon striper is a10- to 17 pounder.” In late spring, Ireland says topwaters produce some explosive strikes with the best action coming during low light conditions. Spoons and assorted crankbaits also produce F I S H

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ECOGNIZING THE extraordinary impact of the recent winter storm, the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Texas 2021 S.T.A.R. Tournament will feature a significantly revised format. The speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead and gafftop divisions have been removed entirely from this year’s tournament. The 2021 STAR will feature three different tagged redfish divisions utilizing a mandatory release format with bigger prizes than ever, including $325,000 in college scholarships for youth anglers. Although the offshore categories of the tournament will continue as in past years, a soon-to-be-disclosed new category will be added for 2021. At the

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especially during periods of high tide,” Martin said. “Times of higher tide will allow wading anglers to get closer to the reef on their initial approach,” Martin said. “This should be done on the leeward side of the reef when possible, as most of the baitfish will have been pushed against the windward side of the reef.” The number one thing to remember when hunting for redfish among the oyster reefs is the necessity to first locate active baitfish. The presence of bait typically coincides directly with the presence of predator fish—in this case, the redfish. Focusing your efforts on the downcurrent end of the reef will also tend to pay dividends more times than not, according to Martin. “Microorganisms, small crustaceans, and baitfish are all relocated by the

time of this writing, no further details were available about the new category. But by the time you read this in print, subscribers who receive our our weekly e-newsletter will have had the full details delivered to their inbox. Since tagged redfish will be a bigger part of the equation, we thought we would celebrate this year’s S.T.A.R. by giving you some redfish strategies to give you a better shot at getting a winning fish. REDS ON THE SHELL Captain Chris Martin, owner of Bay Flats Lodge on San Antonio Bay, provides some great tips for finding reds on shell. “At the start of your trip, look for reds atop the shell near the crown of the reef or in shallow guts cutting through the upper portion of the reef, T E X A S

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electronics, you will see all kinds of fascinating structures to fish.

current,” Martin said. “Anglers should focus on the down-current end of the reef. That’s where the redfish will be staged as they await the presentation of their next meal.”

REDS IN THE GRASS During summer, reds will feed in seagrass beds in Aransas and Redfish Bays as well as in backwaters along the Lower coast. Some of these areas are off limits to boats with propellers, but those where anglers can fish without restrictions are best fished with live bait. A live croaker or mullet pitched in the sand holes between the grass pockets is a surefire way to score on reds. “I don’t fish with live bait much but a croaker or mullet in those pockets is a great way to catch reds,” said Capt. Bobby Caskey. Caskey’s preferred method is drifting with artificials such as Gulp Shrimp. “Gulp works just as well as the real thing when you’re drifting and stays on the hook great. The reds love the shrimp and the crab as well,” Caskey said.

REDS ON THE ROCKS Reds in early summer will feed right along the edge of the rocks at the boat cut on the larger jetty systems. This is a difficult spot to fish as the current is strong and boats are constantly moving through. Use a gold spoon here and line the boat up parallel with the rocks, cutting across the current to hit both sides of the boat cut. With a heavy spoon anglers can cast a long way and pick up 20 or so yards of the opposite side. Then you can race it across the current and usually pick up the fish just as the spoon makes my side of the cut. When tides are moving in, the Gulf side of the jetties is generally much better to fish. This requires some different tactics. The most productive and least pressure spot for redfish big enough to put in the frying pan is at the very southern tip of the jetties. These spots are super current-laden. If you take the time to check them out with your

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REDS ON THE FLATS Topwaters along the King Ranch shoreline at sunrise can bring explosive action according to Capt. Joey Farrah. Shallow shorelines can

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be a great spot to find reds this time of year. “Although floating grass may interrupt your efforts, the DOA PT-7 is a completely weedless topwater that walks the dog and brings monster redfish up to the surface,” he said. Redfish will also be high in the shallow flats, so sight casting to tailing redfish along the east side of the Laguna Madre can be world class. The shoreline of the National Seashore south of Bird Island has a beautiful sandy shoreline with a drop off into waist high grass. “Here you can see reds in the crystal-clear water along the beach, then later in the day, catch them blind casting gold spoons out off the deeper drop off. Miles and miles of shindeep water in Nine Mile Hole is the best redfish action on earth. Schools of reds bask in the sun all day waiting for anglers to stalk them with DOA shrimp and gold spoons,” he said. This will be a STAR year like no other and one that puts a deeper emphasis on catch-andrelease conservation. With big prizes to win and more tagged reds than ever, the star of this year’s STAR is the reason CCA (then GCCA) was founded in the first place—the redfish.

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HERMAL HOG hunting is an adrenaline-filled adventure all hunters should try at least once. Texas is plentiful in hogs, but finding them in a Pineywoods thicket presents a true test for a hunter. Feral hogs are intelligent, adaptable, and pretty unpredictable if they’ve had any hunting pressure whatsoever. Pair that with stepping out to chase them in pitch darkness, and you’ve got an adventure on your hands. My husband Derrick and I hunt every Friday night we can. As we pulled up to the gate, I killed the headlights on the CanAm and proceeded to navigate my way up the dirt trail relying on memory and a tiny bit of moonlight. As we reached the top of the hill, I killed the side by side and let Derrick take up the scanning duties while I prepared my equipment. I could tell by the way he was hurriedly walking back to the side by side that there was something in the field below us. I grabbed my shooting sticks, adjusted my sling, and began walking as quietly as possible. When we reached the bottom of the hill the trail opened up to a large hay field that was just baled. I sat my AR on my shooting sticks to scan. Right beside the road about 100 yards away rooting his little heart out, was a lone boar, seemingly unconcerned with anything other than tearing up Dad’s pristine hay meadow. I decided to go straight in to close the distance and get a shot off as soon as possible. You have to be careful hunting hogs; they can smell so well all it takes is a change in wind direction and our cover would be blown. After closing the gap to around 50 yards I quietly placed my AR

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atop my shooting sticks. Next, I made sure my Pulsar thermal had the picturein-picture setting on, so I would be able to take a headshot. This feature allows me to open a small screen at the top of my display that shows a magnified image of the reticle. Hogs are tough and if you don’t hit them in just the right spot you might lose them. I’ve become spoiled using the picture in picture function because headshots are just so much easier with a zoomedin image. Between walking in and my adrenaline pumping, I tried to take a few deep breaths in a last-ditch effort to slow my heart rate before taking the shot. For a moment, the hog picked his head up which had me worried he smelled us.

Before giving him an opportunity to run I placed the crosshairs on his head and squeezed the trigger. THUMP! Using my SilencerCo suppressor you could hear the round hit hard and down he went. I kept the crosshairs on the pig just to make sure he was down and done. No squealing no kicking, no wasted ammo. Thankfully, we helped eliminate another pasture terrorist and had fun in the process making hunting memories together. If you’ve never had the opportunity to hunt with thermal, I encourage you to give it a try. Looking at products at an outdoor show doesn’t hold a candle to putting them to work in the field.

The author with a hog she took while “thermal hunting”

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TEXAS WHITETAILS by LARRY WEISHUHN :: TF&G Contributing Editor

Spring is a Season of Preparation

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PRING IS BORING!” PROclaimed my son-in-law, Lance Tigrett, in a loud voice. “Bucks are just starting to show antlers. Fawns are still young and small so you cannot tell whether they are bucks or does.” He continued, “Spring turkey season is over, grass is growing taller so it’s hard to find shed antlers… There are very few spring bear hunts anymore in the US, and the Canadian border is still closed! Thank goodness for wild hogs and coyotes.” He hesitated, “I guess we’ll just have to go fishing.” “Sounds like a really good idea, but before we do. Maybe we better plant the food plots we talked about. Had hoped to do so earlier, but got busy helping teach the FTW Ranch’s New Hunter Programs. Would like to have gotten it done in back in March to April. But with the late winter, early rains we had we should still have good soil moisture.” “Ordered a hundred pounds of Iron Clay peas about three weeks ago. Got a call this morning they came in.” I really like Iron Clay peas because they tend to do well in a wide variety of soil types and also do well in dry weather. And deer absolutely love them and as a nutritious legume they are good for deer.” Back during the winter, I leased an additional 130 acres next to property I already had leased and which adjoins the small acreage I own. Combined, it gives me control over about 300 acres. Not huge by normal Texas standards, but big enough to “do something with” in terms of improving wildlife habitat and hopefully holding some deer on the property where they will have an opportunity

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Improving habitat will hopefully hold deer on your property long enough to mature before being harvested.

to mature before being harvested. The new property is nearly totally wooded except for one small natural opening and a nice stock tank. Shortly after leasing it, I went into the center of the thickest part and cut some trails. I also half-cut some of the tall yaupon, thus, lowering the foliage to a height whitetail can reach, rather than a giraffe! Deer are not unlike people. Given an opportunity deer will walk the path of least resistance when going from one place to another. I cut trails that will lead deer past where I have ground blinds. This too is where I “half-cut” yaupons. In addition to lowering the yaupon canopy to where it will be available for deer to feed on. I also fertilized those areas with 13-13-13 fertilizer, creating natural food plots. Additionally, I fertilized several oak trees in the immediate area. This as I have mentioned in the past creates a “sweeter acorn,” hard mast with less tannic acid. Deer have an innate way of find|

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ing and then feeding on the most nutritious browse and mast in any area. I was fortunate to get all but the spring food plots done before the extreme winter storm in February. Having done so helped our area whitetails in terms of available and quality browse. Beyond planting food plots, cutting deer travel trails and the like this too, is a great time for scouting for the fall. You can learn the property you hunt, and to sight-in your rifle with its new Trijicon scope with “proper” Hornady ammo. Don’t forget about shooting your rifle, bow, crossbow, air rifle, handgun, shotgun or whatever you hunt with to stay proficient. Then when all that’s done, well maybe then some fishing.

Email Larry Weishuhn at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com PHOTO: LARRY WEISHUHN

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The BASS University by PETE ROBBINS :: for TF&G and Bass University

Follow Bass to Beds Before the Summer

N MAY AND JUNE, ALL BUT THE smallest percentage of Texas bass have completed the spawn, but many haven’t yet moved out to their true summering haunts. It’s an in-between stage that can be confusing, but Bass University co-founder Pete Gluszek shortens the learning curve by recommending that you find the bait to find the bass. “They’re recovering,” he said of the bass, “They’re number one priority is to get fed.” In many cases that means shad. On lakes with submerged vegetation, Gluszek will comb the grass edges looking for bait-attracting bass. Where no vegetation exists, he’ll go to channel edges and points. On both types of lakes, however, he’ll stay shallow, looking for another type of meal. “Nothing rejuvenates a big bass better than a big, giant bluegill,” he said. Shad typically spawn after the bass, and the bluegills do the job even later. If you find productive areas, they can reload throughout the summer as panfish continue the mating ritual. If you’ve never seen or noticed them before, bream beds tend to be in areas protected from winds and current, often in the backs of pockets, and they resemble “craters on the moon.” Gluszek said the best way to identify them is to put the trolling motor on high and keep your polarized glasses peeled. In areas where they bed a little deeper and the water is stained, he relies on his Humminbird 360 and sideimaging to serve as his underwater eyes. “The objective is to find as many of them as you can, running the backs of pockets or looking around brush piles,” he advised. “A lot of times it’s a one- or two-fish deal, so you need to develop a milk run.” Once you’ve marked up your map or your GPS with a selection of colonies, “that’s when the fun part starts.” He uses a one-two punch of topwater and PHOTO: CANSTOCK

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Because of the need to be accurate, he employs a seven-foot, medium-heavy Cashion baitcasting rod. “You need that little bit of tip to get around buck brush or overhanging willows,” he explained. He pairs it with a Lew’s Tournament Series baitcasting reel with an 8:1 gear ratio, which enables him to get the lure back to the boat faster after it exits the strike zone. It’s one of the limited number of situations where he still uses monofilament, and he likes Gamma’s version, in sizes up to 17-pound test where larger bass reside. If the topwater is not doing the trick, or he’s used it to pluck a fish or two from the beds quickly, he’ll fancast the area with a more finesse-oriented presentation, typically a simple five-inch Senko. This is one of the few times where he still uses a wacky rig. “I’ve moved away from it because it’s not as efficient,” he stated. “But in this case, it works better. I want to keep the bait right on the bed.” For this presentation he’ll switch to spinning tackle, but he still keeps it beefy. The rod of choice is a seven-foot, two-inch Cashion Shakey Head rod, which he pairs with a Shimano Stradic 4000-sized reel that allows for long casts and solid line control. Because the fish can be oversized (indeed, it’s hard for a one- or two-pound bass to swallow an adult bluegill), he’ll spool it up with 15-pound test Gamma Torque Braid affixed to a leader of 16-pound test Gamma Edge Fluorocarbon. “I might go to a lighter leader in open water, but there almost always seems to be something between me and the fish,” he said. If the offshore game isn’t your forte—or even if it is—go looking for shallow bluegills this time of the year. It might produce your best bass fishing to date, and it’s a pattern that stays stable longer than many others.

finesse. Most often, he starts with the former choice instead of the latter because it tends to trigger larger fish by “getting them out of their comfort zone.”

Most bass may be ﬁnished with the spawn, but they will still hang around their beds until summer.

His surface lure of choice is often the Storm Cover Pop in a bluegill shade. He also mixes in Ghost Chartreuse Shad, which features a healthy dose of gaudy chartreuse. If they’re slashing at one color and missing, he’ll switch to a different paint job before going to an altogether different presentation. “Ott DeFoe designed the Cover Pop to work in place for a long period of time,” Gluszek said of the mid-sized popper. “It sits with its tail low, and you can make it hover over the bream beds. It’s super fun. You’re target casting, not just covering bank.” T E X A S

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S MOTHER’S AND FATHER’S DAYS approach, many will be thinking of the best gifts for their outdoors-loving mothers and fathers. How about starting them on a slam quest? There are various slam quests where anglers and hunters pursue numerous species representing a related part of the outdoors world. It’s fun, motivating and can help inspire spending more time in the field. For saltwater there’s the Inshore Slam, sometimes referred to as the Bay Slam and that is catching a redfish, speckled trout and flounder. Some variations add a black drum to this. There’s the flats slam which includes a tarpon, permit and bonefish. The Gulf Seatrout slam is the speckled trout, sand trout and Gulf trout. The Pelagic Slam is the king mackerel, dolphin and wahoo. A little more exotic slam is the Billfish Grand Slam. It includes the Atlantic blue marlin, Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, white marlin, striped marlin, Atlantic sailfish, Pacific sailfish, swordfish and spearfish. Catching any three of these qualifies as a slam. On the more elegant side of things is the Western Native Trout Slam. Trout fishing on beautiful western streams is one of the greatest things a person can experience. By attempting to catch native trout in 12 states anglers can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. 32

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PLAN FOR 32  OUTDOOR MOM’S & DAD’S DAY Special Section by TF&G Staff

& GAME 40  FISH FORECAST CENTER SALTWATER

Reported by Capt. Eddie Hernandez, Capt. Mac Gable, Capt. Joey Farah and Capt. Gerad Meritt

& GAME 48  FISH FORECAST CENTER FRESHWATER

Reported by TF&G Staff

56  SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK Tides and SoLunar Data

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Cutthroat trout

And while rainbow and brown trout are no doubt the most widely sought species, they are not native to many of the streams they swim. In fact, brown trout are not even native to North America.

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Both of these wonderful sportfish have their place but so do a wide variety of native trout. And that is what the Western Native Trout Challenge is all about.

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Special MOM’S & DAD’S DAY Section The Western Native Trout Challenge invites anglers to help celebrate America’s western legacy by catching native trout and char in each of the 12 participating states, at their own pace. By attempting to catch these native trout in 12 states anglers can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. For every $25 program registration fee, $23 goes toward helping to conserve these species. In 2020, registration fees and donations supported Westslope Cutthroat Trout in a project called Cottonwood Creek Fish Passage Barrier Project for Native Trout Security in Montana. You can get more information at www.westernnativetroutchallenge.org.

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Special MOM’S & DAD’S DAY Section and you have a World Slam. Get an ocellated turkey on top of that and you qualify for a World Slam. The most famous slam of all in the hunting world is the Grand Slam of North

ON THE HUNTING SIDE OF things, is the Grand Slam of turkeys that includes the Rio Grande, Osceola, Eastern and Merriam’s. Add Gould’s turkey to that

Eastern tukey

American sheep which requires taking a Rocky Mountain bighorn, desert bighorn, Dall’s sheep and Stone sheep. This one is extremely difficult and expensive but it is the heart’s desire of many hunters around the country. A much more affordable slam is the Texas Slam which requires taking exotic sheep. These include the corsican, mouflon, Hawaiian black and Texas Dall. This is an especially fun slam for bowhunters who find stalking exotic sheep a different kind of challenge than standard deer hunting in stands. The Boars of American Record System (B.O.A.R.S.) has just introduced the Swine Slam which involves taking any three colors of feral hogs (black, brown, white, red, spotted, blonde, gray). For more information go to boarssystem.com. The Super Swine Slam is taking hogs representing five of those colors. One of the best gifts someone can give us inspiration and these slams are a gateway to inspiration and a whole lot of fun in the woods and on the water.

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lasts. Fish the area a little longer after they go down, then continue to run the lake slowly, watching the surface carefully for any sign of activity. A good pair of binoculars will definitely come in handy here. Oyster reefs and clam beds can also be major players, especially as the water temperatures first begin to rise. The month of May is a great time to concentrate your efforts on areas such as Hanna’s Reef, Fat Rat Pass or the giant oyster super structure that covers just about the entire south end of Sabine Lake. Sand eels and other baitfish are attracted to these reefs and use them for nutrition and protection. Naturally, the abundance of bait that the reefs hold will attract and hold the big, mean predators as well. Before the water temperature really heats up, we like to bounce big, long, and soft plastics over the shell. The longer baits emulate the size and shape of the sand eels, which are usually some of the first to show up on the big reefs.

Warming Water Ups the Ante for Anglers itself, finding trout, reds and flounder shouldn’t be that difficult. Several different paths will lead you to the fish. On Sabine Lake, the number of CAPT. HERNANDEZ ContactUs@Fishgame.com bayous you’ll encounter on the eastern side from Blue Buck Point to East Pass should keep things interesting. Bouncing soft plastics off the bottom or dragging curl tail grubs, live mud minnows or finger mullet in one to six feet of water should work well. Fishing the mouths of these bayous can be killer on trout, reds and flounder as the warm water and bait fish move in and out with the tide. Another option is to run the open bay in search of schooling trout and reds. Whether gulls and terns are giving up their coordinates or you just find shrimp skipping along the surface and fish blowing up the calm water, this is an action-packed way to spend the day. Topwaters, spoons, rattletraps, plastics and just about anything else you can reach the fish with, will get hit. The action is fast and furious while it

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

S WE EASE INTO THE LATE spring and early summer months on Texas’s upper coast, we are blessed with vast amounts of pretty, warm water and an endless array of fishing patterns, techniques, destinations and opportunities. Just about every inshore species are beginning to bite as the water consistently continues to warm. From Galveston Bay to Sabine Lake, deciding where to go is often the toughest part since the bite should be on from the Sabine River to the Bolivar rigs. If that decision brings you to the lake 40

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UPPER COAST HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Deep Reef GPS: N 29 30.802, W 94 40.581 (29.5134, 94.6764)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, live croaker or live Piggy Perch SOURCE: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 TIPS: There should be some outstanding ﬁshing around the reefs the around the water ﬂowing in from around the jetties…the near entrance reefs. Use a popping cork with live shrimp under it.

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LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Willies Head Island GPS: N 29 32.155, W 94 48.5239 (29.5359, -94.8087)

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Galveston Bay

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Super Spook & Baby Spooks SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio 281-788-4041 TIPS: Fish the Super Spook in water that is choppy; ﬁsh the Baby Spook on calmer water.

HOTSPOTLIGHT: 11

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Dollar Reef GPS: N 29 26.339, W 94 52.356 (29.4390, -94.8726)

EAGLE POINT AREA EAGLE POINT IS SITUATED ON THE WESTERN SHORE OF GALVESTON BAY, IN SAN Leon. It is just above Dickinson Bay and to the west of the Houston Ship Channel. To the south are Moses Lake and the Texas City Dike. The area has many access points, primarily via TX 146, FM 646 and FM 517. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map. SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

Redﬁsh Island North

Redﬁsh Island South

April Fool Reef

Miller Point

Levee Flats

REDFISH

Redﬁsh Island North

Redﬁsh Island South

FLOUNDER

April Fool Reef

Spillway Flats (San Leon)

SHEEPSHEAD Mosquito Island Flats

WADEFISHING

Dollar Flats

FACILITIES

KEY FACILITY NAME

A B

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 29 30.490, W 94 53.144 N 29 30.220, W 94 52.547 N 29 29.077, W 94 54.773 N 29 27.619, W 94 55.800 N 29 26.614, W 94 54.316

Live shrimp, croaker; work reef top and edges, drift; Summer; Early

N 29 30.490, W 94 53.144 N 29 30.220, W 94 52.547

Croakers, Kelly Wiggler soft plastics. Watch for ship wakes.; Summer; Early

N 29 29.077, W 94 54.773 N 29 30.501, W 94 57.002

Live shrimp, ﬁnger mullet; work top and reef edges; Apr-Oct; dawn-am, dusk-night

N 29 31.741, W 94 52.629

Live/dead shrimp, anchor, cast, wait for thump, set; Jan-Mar, Sep-Dec, morning-afternoon

N 29 26.544, W 94 54.316

Walk using sting ray shufﬂe, cast assortment of live; April thru August; avoid midday, night

Pearl/chartreuse soft plastics on C-rig; drift or anchor; Summer; Early Live shrimp, croaker; work reef top and edges, drift; All Year; dawn-midday, dusk Pearl/chartreuse soft plastics on C-rig; drift or anchor; All Year; dawn-midday, dusk Suspending twitch baits; wade shallow early, drift late; Feb-May, Oct.-Dec; dawn-midday

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: San Luis Pass Flats GPS: N 29 04.957, W 95 7.425 (29.082617, -95.12375)

Croakers, Kelly Wiggler soft plastics. Watch out for ship wakes.; Summer; Early

Live shrimp, ﬁnger mullet; great night gigging lights; Oct.-Feb; dawn-am, dusk-night

LOCATION

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, live croaker or live Piggy Perch SOURCE: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 TIPS: Capt. Williams prefers the Bass Assassin soft plastics in a pink/pearl, chartreuse/pearl, or chartreuse//gold along with a 1/8 oz. jig head.

PHONE

N 29 30.345, Off Bayshore Dr. W 94 57.325 N 29 27.699, Dickenson SR 146 Ramp Off SH 146 W 94 58.508 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2020

409-763-5326

Bayshore Ramp & Pier

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, live croaker or live Piggy Perch SOURCE: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 TIPS: Capt. Williams says the best ﬁshing along the jetties is from boat cut out, along the Gulf side.

281-534-4380

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GPS: N 28 35.328, W 96 2.286 (28.5888, -96.0381)

UPPER COAST LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Long Reef GPS: N 28 40.3879, W 95 53.0899 (28.6731, -95.8848)

TIPS: Raymond Shoal on the east end of the bay is like one big reef. You can drift for over a mile. SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 271-450-4037 TIPS: In June, drift an area that we call the Log, which is south of Half Moon Shoal, not to be confused with Half Moon Reef.

LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N 28 31.094, W 96 12.617 (28.5182, -96.2103)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Small soft plastics in a translucent color SOURCE: Capt. Kendall Kersh 979-248-1871 TIPS: During the month of May Capt. Kersh is wading two to three feet of water looking for trout. LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Cottons Bayou GPS: N 28 31.094, W 96 12.617 (28.5182, -96.2103)

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Three Mile Reef GPS: N 28 38.1, W 95 56.449 (28.6350, -95.9408) SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Small soft plastics in a translucent color SOURCE: Capt. Kendall Kersh 979-248-1871 TIPS: Focus on ﬁnding bait activity…no activity you usually are not going to catch any ﬁsh. SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 271-450-4037 TIPS: We will either throwing live shrimp or a 1/4 ounce, maybe a 3/8 ounce lead head in either Black Magic or Chicken-On-A-Chain.

LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Maverick Bayou GPS: N 28 34.592, W 96 3.625 (28.5765, -96.0604)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters SOURCE: Capt. Kendall Kersh 979-248-1871 TIPS: A small Skitter Walk, pink color, is about the only topwater Capt. Kersh will throw. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Jetty Tower GPS: N 29 39.314, W 93 49.872 (29.6552, -93.8312)

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Raymond Shoal GPS: N 28 40.449, W 95 53.898 (28.6742, -95.8983) SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Small soft plastics in a translucent color SOURCE: Capt. Kendall Kersh 979-248-1871 TIPS: Capt. Kersh’s favorite soft plastic color is white. “I use something a little more translucent, keying in on the grass. Use a 1/8 oz. jig head.”

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz 271-450-4037

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LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Golds Bayou

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, live croaker or live Piggy Perch SOURCE: Capt. Mike Williams 713-256-9260 TIPS: Silver or gold Johnson Sprites and either the 51m704, 51m54 or 51mshp MirrOlures will take their share of trout in May.

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A Guide, a Bully, and a Butt-Whuppin’

ROCKPORT AREA Reported by CAPT. MAC GABLE

F YOU HAVE AN AVERSION toward conflict or colorful metaphors, then keep turning the page—this article is not for you. You’ve been warned. A certain client had a reputation in guide circles of frequently being difficult—to put it mildly. He was loud, foul-mouthed, and liked to push folks around to get his way. His nickname was “Storm,” which was apt as he would often fly off the handle. Nor was he shy when he bragged about his exploits. So, for most guides, he wasn’t the first choice as a client. Ninety-nine percent of clients are great people: they are true sportsmen, polite and a real joy to take on the water. However, in every line of work there is always one rude, crude, annoying, small-minded jerk. Storm fit this definition to a bonafide tee. So far, I had been lucky enough to steer clear of him while others had not been as fortunate. That was to change. The fishing day was made for success. Most guides worth their salt were catching their limits of multiple species. It was good times! I was off this day, looking forward to

sleeping in, but as luck would have it, a guide friend needed help with a dead battery. I was therefore up and out early, spare battery in hand, headed to a local boat CAPT. GABLE ContactUs@Fishgame.com ramp. (I probably would have been up anyway, I kept telling myself.) Despite the great fishing ahead, the mood at the dock wasn’t its usual sunny disposition. Instead, it was, shall I say, a bit STORMY! It seems everyone’s favorite was in attendance and up to his usual antics. He berated a lady walking her dog, saying “Keep that flea bag away from me or your gonna be in the market for a new mutt!” He then verbally attacked an older couple whom he felt parked too close to his jacked-up truck. Another angler who frequents the boat ramp said “It’s a boat ramp! Everybody parks close.” “Mind your own damn business OLD MAN, and you better get that mad look off your face before I knock it off ! I might just let you try, I was thinking to myself as I handed my friend the battery. “A little bit of him goes a long way,” my friend said under his breath. “Where the hell is my guide?” Storm hollered. The lucky guide this day was a middleaged man I’ll call “Cory.” He hadn’t been a guide long and was a bit of a loner. He was disarmingly courteous. If good manners and comportment were the measure of a man, he was that. He was short, stocky, and built for power. I had seen him lift the back of a boat, motor and trailer with a broken axle to help another angler. “Expect me to go out in that piece of crap boat?!” Storm exclaimed. Cory’s expression never changed. “It’s all I’ve got sir, and it will serve you well.” T E X A S

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The insults continued as Storm picked up a rod and reel, glared at it, and tossed it on the dock. “Your reels look like hand-me downs. “Please don’t throw my gear around,” Cory said. “Watch your mouth boy. I’ve pushed little boys like you out of the way trying to get to a real man!” Everybody has a line that is a deal breaker, and I had a feeling this bully was about to cross the line. “I am Da Man on this trip! What I say goes, you got that boy?” “Yes sir,” Cory said with a smile. “You laugh at me boy, and you’ll get a beating ten types of antiseptics won’t fix, and you can crawl back to that @##$%% you call a wife!” As he shoved Cory in the chest, the intensity in Cory’s face was what I remember. I never saw the punch. I heard two hits. Cory hit Storm, and Storm hit the bottom of the boat. I ran toward the scene as Cory bent over Storm. I thought he was gonna finish him. Instead, after the bully revived, Cory said, “I am sorry, but someone needed to teach you some manners. Don’t ever talk like that about my wife or my kids again, please.” There was no fishing trip this day, but a lesson was learned. Do I promote or suggest violence? NO! Yet sometimes, it’s unavoidable. Bullying happens at every level in our society, and our hunting and fishing industry is no exception. Some believe simply walking away to defuse the situation is the answer. Others say seek help. Still others say stand up and fight back. The reality is you or a loved one will probably encounter this kind of coercion. So, it’s best to decide beforehand how you choose to deal with it. ••• |

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MAY AND JUNE ARE GOLDEN months, not too hot or too cold. The bull tides are happening or have happened and fishing for multiple species is very productive. Use multiple baits and a wide variety of lures. Gaff tops are plentiful, are not hard to clean and make good table fare. COPANO BAY: I target reds early morning and trout as the day wears on. Finger mullet for reds on a free line is hard to beat. Use croakers freelined for trout. Work the area around Redfish Point for reds and Shellbank Reef for trout. Some black drums still frequent the mouth of Mission Bay. Live shrimp under a silent cork being best to rake them in.

CORPUS CHRISTI AREA

Mid Coast Leaps into Summer

ARANSAS BAY: Grass Island Reef is a great spot for trout using croakers freelined. Allyn’s Bight is a good spot for reds using cut mullet or finger mullet on a light Carolina rig. ST CHARLES BAY: The back of Cavasso Creek is a good spot for black drum and flounder on fresh dead shrimp on a light Carolina rig. Big Sharp Point is a good spot for reds on a bubble cork and live shrimp. On high tide, fish close to the grass edges.

AY AND JUNE ARE always a leap of excitement into our Summer Fishing Season here in the bays of the Coastal Bend. Anglers may choose from miles of Gulf beaches and Jetty fishing, endless public bay fishing access, and some of the state’s most famous remote back bay fishing destinations.

CARLOS BAY: Drifts across Carlos Lake with a rattle cork and live shrimp work well for trout. The mouth of Carlos Trench near Beldon Dugout is a good spot for reds using finger mullet freelined.

Reported by JOEY FARAH

With all the excitement, it’s important to remember to respect other sportsmen and our resource. When the waters along the beachfront are calm, anglers flock to the surf to throw silver spoons, soft plastics, and hard baits. They hope to hook up with speckled trout and Spanish mackerel in the surf along Padre Island. One of my favorite surf lures is the DOA Deep Water Bait Buster. This is a perfect and easy lure to consistently catch everything from CAPT. FARAH specs to tarpon. jfarah@yahoo.com

MESQUITE BAY: The east shoreline adjacent to Cedar Bayou is good for trout using freelined croakers. Live shrimp jigged across the bottom works well for flounder. The area known as East Pocket is a good place for black drums using fresh, dead shrimp. A south wind here helps. This is heavy shell so a free line or a popping cork works best. AYERS BAY: Ayers Reef is a good spot for trout using freelined live shrimp. Wades near Second Chain using soft plastics in nuclear chicken and morning glory colors work well for trout and reds.

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Fishing the surf at high tide, especially when it occurs at sunrise or sunset will increase your odds of gamefish chasing bait up into the shallows. When the waves are up, you can drive south along the National Seashore to hunt black tip, Atlantic sharp nose, and other mid-sized sharks from the beach. Specialized metal leaders will help land these fish as well as the absolute need for the use of circle hooks to ensure a clean release for sharks you don’t want to keep. Cut mullet, stingray, and jack fish are the most popular dead baits, although many fishermen prefer live whiting. Walking the jetties in Port Aransas at first light with a top water plug is a great way to get your blood boiling with explosive topwater trout action. Taking the jetty boat to the north side of the channel can land you along some remote and spectacular light tackle action. The Corpus Christi area is rich in public access for families and the most serious bay fishermen. Along the backside of Padre Island there are miles of shallow marshes and back lakes where anglers can walk or kayak into great ultra-shallow water fishing. Start off at the Wilson’s Cut boat ramp, or the Fish Pass Trail in Mustang Island State Park. Start with a weedless DOA Topwater plug or a gold spoon for blind casting toward all signs of fish activity. This will usually cross your path with a redfish. Sight casting at redfish, drum, trout and more demands that you stay in water less than shin deep. Multiple casts will spook fish, walk with the wind scanning into the water with the sun behind you. Look for pieces of fish, or colors that just don’t look like grass. Predict the direction of the moving fish and softly present your lure, or small peeled pieces of dead shrimp to the gamefish. Practice makes a better angler in sight casting, but your heart never quits jumping out of your chest when you come face to face with a drum or redfish. Some of my most consistent sight casting baits that are easy to master in only inches of water are the 1/4- and 1/2-ounce DOA Shrimp. This bait sounds like a shrimp landing in the water and will not spook reds in shallow water. It floats with the hook up and can be dropped along the bottom in thick grass and doesn’t ball up with snags Redfish love

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to inhale the natural color patterns of red as well as the Near Clear versions. Fishing along the Downtown shorelines of Corpus Christi is beautiful, easy, and productive for many species. Gafftop catfish swarm Corpus Christi Bay along all the structure in the downtown area. The T-head and L-head area as well as the many waterfront parks all have great access. Use dead shrimp, squid, and cut bait to find everything from croakers, whiting, sheepsheads and lots of mangroves. Corpus Christi is the gateway to the most prolific bay systems in the state. The rich Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay areas have been my backyard for over 40 years, and it’s been an amazing 26 years of guiding others into this bountiful wild place. I will host anglers on daily expeditions into untouched water. Learning the art of sight casting teaches us how, when and why gamefish feed. Drifting or walking silently across the flats allows us to watch giant redfish, trout, and black drums explode the water into whitewater as they peel drag from our light tackle. A long day here in the sun leaves you full in the heart. Visit the Corpus Christi Area this summer and enjoy the Coastal Bend’s amazing fishery. Visit me on Facebook at Joey Farah’s Fishing or give me a call at (361) 442-8145 for any questions on fishing our waters.

Port Bay

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

PORT BAY

PORT BAY IS AN EXTENSION OF COPANO BAY, LOCATED ON ITS SOUTHERN shoreline, below Rattlesnake Point, to the west of Rockport. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map. SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

Swan Lake

James’ Bend

Italian Bend

REDFISH

Pete’s Bend

Rattlesnake Point

Swan Lake

Italian Bend

Port Bay

FLOUNDER

Grass Island

Mud Flat

Swan Lake Mouth

Rattlesnake Bay

Port Bay Mouth

WADEFISHING

Rattlesnake Point

FACILITIES

KEY FACILITY NAME

Redﬁsh Camp

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 28 03.322, W 97 09.630 N 28 02.453, W 97 09.341 N 28 01.711, W 97 08.632

Drift with live shrimp or croaker under cork, jig, plastic; Jan-Apr, Nov-Dec, morn-dusk

N 28 03.322, W 97 07.772 N 28 03.287, W 97 08.357 N 28 03.067, W 97 10.393 N 28 02.566, W 97 08.089 N 28 00.796, W 97 09.133

Topwaters before sun up, live deeper later in the day; Mar-Dec, dawn thru midday

N 28 03.184, W 97 09.124 N 28 03.493, W 97 10.262 N 28 02.987, W 97 09.518 N 28 03.133, W 97 07.690 N 28 01.694, W 97 08.694

Subtly cast into shallows, bump jig off bottom; AugOct, midday thru aftn

N 28 03.287, W 97 08.357

Trout, reds, ﬂnder, sheeph, Black D; live bait; free ﬂoat or freeline; Mar-Nov; dawn-morn, dusk

Drift with 1 78/16 oz jig head and Specantor cork; JanApr, Nov-Dec, morn-dusk Drift with live shrimp under cork, jig or soft plastic; Jan-Apr, Nov-Dec, morn-dusk

MIDDLE COAST HOTSPOTS

Mullet, ﬁsh falling tide, drift/anchor, hit sandpockets; Apr-Sep, dawn thru dusk Pumpkinseed/chart. soft plastics, same tactic as #1; Apr-Sep, dawn thru dusk Topwaters before sun up, live bait deep later in the day; Apr-Dec, dawn thru midday

LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N 27 54.282, W 97 3.254 (27.9047, 97.0542)

Mullet, ﬁsh falling tide, drift/anchor, hit sandpockets; Apr-Sep, dawn thru dusk

Flounder in clusters, cast 10 times, no action, move; Aug-Sep, morning, aftn Live shrimp, mud minnows, best with moving tide; Spring, Fall, dawn-morn, dusk Great gigging at night under lights, freeline live bait; Spring, Fall, avoid midday Live shrimp, ﬁnger mullet on C-rig, ﬁsh with tides; Spring, Fall, dawn-morn, dusk

LOCATION

F I S H

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Cut Mullet SOURCE: Capt. Scott McCune 361-563-8862 TIPS: If it’s not windy I will be in deeper water areas going for trout, and redﬁsh second.

PHONE

N 27 59.620, Off FM 188 W 97 09.900 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2020

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LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Southeast Mud Island Shoreline GPS: N 27 56.006, W 97 1.0041 (27.9334, -97.0167)

MIDDLE COAST LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Corpus Christi Bay Wells GPS: N 27 44.764, W 97 11.141 (27.7461, -97.1857)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Cut Mullet SOURCE: Capt. Scott McCune 361-563-8862 TIPS: Capt. McCune is Carolina rigging croaker or shrimp, consisting of a small sliding egg weight and a Kahle hook. LOCATION: Copano Bay HOTSPOT: 40 Acre Reef GPS: N 28 4.543, W 97 11.209 (28.0757, -97.1868)

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Cut Mullet SOURCE: Capt. Scott McCune 361-563-8862 TIPS: Early in May if we can find live shrimp, we will be fishing shrimp in the potholes.

SPECIES: Black Drum BEST BAITS: Cut menhaden and cut perch head, dead shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Garrett Frazier 409-354-3865 TIPS: If you are looking for a meat haul you can catch a whole lot of black drum off the reefs of San Antonio if the wind is low LOCATION: Redﬁsh Bay HOTSPOT: Lydia Ann Channel GPS: N 27 51.11, W 97 3.298 (27.8518, -97.0550)

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GPS: N 27 35.066, W 97 17.658 (27.5844, -97.2943)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Cut Mullet SOURCE: Capt. Scott McCune 361-563-8862 TIPS: Heavy winds: fish for trout first on windy days, unless I’m on a big redfish school.

CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland 361-290-6302 treblejcharters@yahoo.com treble-j-charters.com TIPS: The same terminal rigging will work for redﬁsh, but probably cut mullet will work better than dead shrimp.

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SPECIES: Black Drum BEST BAITS: Dead Shrimp under a popping cork

LOCATION: Redﬁsh Bay HOTSPOT: East Flats GPS: N 27 48.991, W 97 7.139 (27.8165, -97.1190)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Cut Mullet SOURCE: Capt. Scott McCune 361-563-8862 TIPS: Capt. McCune’s go to bait in May is live croaker, but if he is on a good redﬁsh bite, he will use dead mullet. LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Cedar Point GPS: N 28 14.184, W 96 39.659 (28.2364, -96.6610)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics SOURCE: Capt. Nathan Beabout 210-452-9680 TIPS: Capt. Beabout’s favorite soft plastic colors are Strawberry Wine and Pumpkin Seed fished with a 1/8 oz. jig head. “Vary the retrieve until you find what the fish want.” LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Pita Flats

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Conservation is Key to Post-Freeze Fishing

FTER EXPERIENCING A hard freeze along the Texas coast in February, fishing will look a little different this year. Each angler will have their opinion as to what should be done, and it will be up to them to choose their method of conservation. Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

This is going to be a learning year for everyone, even those who have fished through the last big freeze down south. Remember every year is different, and we are presented with new challenges we must overcome. At this point, it appears Baffin Bay did not get hit as hard as some other coastal areas, but we should always remember to be as conservative as possible. In my opinion some of our fish moved down CAPT. MERRITT geradmerritt@gmail.com to the land cut during the freeze, and there’s no realistic way to tell how our specific fish did other than getting out there and fishing. Typically, this time of year leads to successful fishing trips. Below I will tell you about my normal methods and what I will continue to try throughout this season. Targeting structures and deeper water will be key on fish numbers. Wading the shallow flats and sight casting for “the one” will be best early in the mornings when the sun is just coming out and the water is heating up. We normally fish deep rocks and use croakers, because the trout are starting to change their diet. As the croakers start coming in from the gulf, the trout and red fish have a hard time resisting the temptation to feed on them. Fishing the edges of rocks and structures allows the fish to ambush the baits. Normally when doing this, I try throwing 48

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from the deep side to the shallow side if the wind allows. If the wind is not in your favor, you may have to improvise. When I’m wade fishing this time of year, I start shallow and work deep as the sun heats the water. I continue to play with colors and like to use artificials that are going to sparkle and catch the sun light when fishing shallow. As the sun rises and I move a little deeper, I tend to lay off my top waters and start working more sinkers and bigger paddle tails. With all that said, it’s not always going to work this way and just finding a rhythm and something you are comfortable with, can give an angler the confidence they need to keep moving forward. All in all, keep in mind new methods may be key this year, as we still do not know what effects the weather events had on our fish in Baffin Bay. Always remember to enjoy your time out on the water, be safe, and we wish good fishing to all anglers.

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp SOURCE: Capt. Daniel Land 361-876-7610 TIPS: The trout will start feeding on live croaker in May. Hook the croaker by the anal ﬁn. Live shrimp under a popping cork over deep rocks works well. LOCATION: Bafﬁn Bay HOTSPOT: Kieberg Point Rocks GPS: N 27 17.337, W 97 35.202 (27.2890, 97.5867)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp SOURCE: Capt. Daniel Land 361-876-7610 TIPS: Freeline the croaker using a Bay Finger Chatter weight. You want just enough leader length to keep the bait off the bottom. LOCATION: Bafﬁn Bay HOTSPOT: South Shore Rocks GPS: N 27 14.436, W 97 33.568 (27.2406, 97.5595)

LOWER COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Bafﬁn Bay HOTSPOT: Kennedy Shoreline GPS: N 27 14.567, W 97 25.459 (27.2428, 97.4243) |

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1 SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Capt. Daniel Land 361-876-7610 TIPS: Berkley Gulp, white, under the popping cork will work if live shrimp are not available.

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LOCATION: Bafﬁn Bay HOTSPOT: Yarbrough GPS: N 27 12.779, W 97 23.85 (27.2130, 97.3975)

Gulf of Mexico

3 4

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Croaker SOURCE: Capt. Daniel Land 361-876-7610 TIPS: Use a 6/0 Mustad croaker hook when using croaker. Give a spot about 15-30 minutes. If you don’t have a taker by then, move on.

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Cullen Channel GPS: N 26 15.6, W 97 17.415 (26.2600, -97.2903)

MIDDLE GROUND

LOCATED IN THE LAGUNA MADRE, BETWEEN BAFFIN BAY AND PORT MANSFIELD. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map. SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

Yarborough Flats South

Rocky Slough

East Side of Graveyard

Marker 2

REDFISH

Murdock Flats

Rocky Slough

Summer House Flats

Lost Cut

East Side of Graveyard

FLOUNDER

1 2 3 4

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 27 12.532, W 97 24.414 N 27 10.639, W 97 26.445 N 27 07.062, W 97 25.123 N 27 05.898, W 97 26.604

Freeline soft plastics, drift shrimp under cork slowly; Apr-Sep, dawn thru dusk

N 27 11.589, W 97 23.476 N 27 10.639, W 97 26.445 N 27 08.650, W 97 26.634 N 27 06.901, W 97 26.682 N 27 07.062, W 97 25.123

Wade or drift shallows along shoreline w shrimp, Topwaters; Apr-Oct, dawn thru midday

Work bait slow early season, work deeper late season; Feb-Jun, morning-afternoon Gold spoons or live shrimp under a pop-n-cork; AugNov, all day

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Kelley Wigglers soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Joseph Prado 956-357-1301 TIPS: On calm days I like to throw Kelley Wigglers on a jig head.

Live shrimp, freeline with slide weight along the bottom; Mar- May, Aug-Nov

Freeline croaker, lots of rocks, take lots hooks/leaders; Jun-Aug, dawn thru morning Topwaters or live shrimp under a pop-n-cork; May-Nov, all day Topwaters, red/white soft plastics on 101/8 oz. leadhead; Mar-Aug, all day

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Gold spoons or live shrimp under a pop-n-cork; AugNov, all day

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N 27 12.636, W At low tide this is a great gigging hotspot, soft bottom; Apr-Oct, dawn, morn, dusk, ngt 97 24.539 N 27 10.681, W Finger mullet, mud minnows, best w moving tide; JulMurdock’s Channel Oct, dawn, morn, dusk, ngt 97 24.272 N 27 10.518, W Finger mullet, mud minnows, use lights at night; JulRocky Slough Spoils Oct, dawn, morn, dusk, ngt 97 25.784 N 27 06.901, W Live mud minnow or shrimp, freeline with split shot; Lost Cut Mar-May, all day 97 26.682 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2020 Yarborough Flats

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range in the water column from 12 to 26 feet. Find the depth the bait are in and you will ﬁnd the ﬁsh. Live shad will be the bait of choice, but the swim shad and crankbaits will work if you can control the depth. LOCATION: Lake Cooper HOTSPOT: Finely Branch Creek GPS: N 33 17.402, W95 41.223 (33.2900, -95.6871)

May and June Good for Consistent Conditions EAST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics, swim baits SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Ofﬁce 903-593-5077 TIPS: Fish red/shad plastics or watermelon swimbaits. You’ll want to work the banks. Dawn through afternoon. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Main Lake Creeks GPS: N 32 56.2319, W95 38.796 (32.9372, -95.6466)

Reported by TF&G STAFF LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Ames Spring Basin or Old Folks Playground GPS: N 32 42.678, W 94 5.3399 (32.7113, -94.0890)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Plastic frogs, buzzbaits, flukes SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021 www.FishGame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Fish the vegetation/cypress tree mix in these areas. Look for water that is 2-4 ft. deep that is in shady areas during the bright part of the day. Use a heavy braid when fishing around all the cover and because of the trophy sized bass that Caddo Lake regularly serves up.

SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers BEST BAITS: Live shad, Storm Swim Shad and crankbaits SOURCE: Richard Tatsch (936) 291-1277 TIPS: The hybrids are in full swing now and this is the time to catch trophy ﬁsh. They will be all around the lake on main lake points and humps. Electronics will be the key to ﬁnding schools of shad. They will

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 22.974, W95 34.9259 (30.3829, -95.5821)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Popping Frog in white, Yellow Magic topwater lure, and Wacky Worm in Watermelon Red SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021 www.FishGame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: May is one of the best months to fish for bass on Lake Fork. The topwater bite is outstanding in May. The female bass are now in post spawn and are feeding up after not eating while they were spawning. You will find them in the shallow areas close to the spawning areas. Also, the lily pads are growing along with the hydrilla which provides ambush cover for these big females. Burch, Running, Coffee, and Big Mustang Creeks will be places to check out for these big bass to be feeding. LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: The Lump GPS: N 30 41.172, W95 5.658 (30.6862, -95.0943)

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

EAST TEXAS

CAPACITY AC. FT. Addicks -n.a.B A Steinhagen 69,186 Barker -n.a.Bob Sandlin 192,417 Bonham 11,027 Caddo 29,898 Coleto Creek 31,040 Conroe 410,988 Crook 9,195 Cypress Springs 66,756 Fork 605,061 Houston 130,147 Houston County 17,113 Jacksonville 25,670 Jim Chapman 260,332 Lake O’ the Pines 241,363 Livingston 1,741,867 Monticello 34,740 Murvaul 38,285 Nacogdoches 39,522 Palestine 367,303 Pat Mayse 113,683 Sam Rayburn 2,857,077 Striker 16,934 Sulphur Springs 17,747 Toledo Bend 2,236,450 Wright Patman 122,593 As of 3/30/2021

CURRENT AC. FT. -n.a.66,257 -n.a.192,417 10,942 29,898 22,402 410,988 9,195 66,756 602,149 129,696 17,113 25,670 260,332 241,363 1,741,867 30,100 38,285 38,633 367,303 113,683 2,797,617 16,934 17,546 2,034,106 122,593

% FULL -n.a.96% -n.a.100% 99% 100% 72% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 87% 100% 98% 100% 100% 98% 100% 99% 91% 100%

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Martin Creek Res.

10 Miles East of Henderson

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

MARTIN CREEK LAKE LOCATION: In Rusk County, on Martin Creek 10 miles east of Henderson on Texas Highway 43 SURFACE AREA: 4,981 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 35 feet IMPOUNDED: 1974

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Jigging White Slabs, trolled Spoons on downrigger and Jigs (1 oz pink/silver glow). SOURCE: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 TIPS: Fish the slope of the drop off and jig the slabs and Tright off the bottom. Feel for strikes on the fall. LOCATION: Lake Nacogdoches HOTSPOT: Mills Branch GPS: N 31 35.929, W94 49.374 (31.5988, -94.8229)

Habitat in Martin Creek Reservoir consists of standing timber, creek channels, and minor stands of lily pads. Since Martin Creek is a power plant lake, water temperatures are elevated, especially during the winter months.

THE MOST POPULAR GAMEFISH SPEcies at Martin Creek Reservoir include largemouth bass and catﬁsh (both blue and channel catﬁsh).

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SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Ofﬁce 409-698-9114 TIPS: Fish live minnows or jigs. Use bottom rigs and ﬁsh around trees. Avoid midday. LOCATION: Lake O the Pines HOTSPOT: Billy Bass Slough GPS: N 32 53.261, W94 42.763 (32.8877, -94.7127)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Lizards SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Ofﬁce CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 

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www.FishGame.com/ﬁshandgamegear

EAST TEXAS  CONTINUED FROM PAGE

TIPS: May is the month the Crappie will be moving off the beds and following the creeks back to their main lake haunts. If you drop some brush or locate some natural cover along the creek channels the Crappie will hold in these areas before heading back to the main lake. Straight-line shiners or jigs over the cover.

903-938-1007 TIPS: Blind cast Carolina-rigged green/pumpkin lizards. Morning through midday LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn HOTSPOT: Little Farmer Flats GPS: N 31 06.843, W94 04.909 (31.11405, -94.081817

LOCATION: Lake Wright Patman HOTSPOT: Big Creek Cove Points GPS: N 33 19.883, W94 11.628 (33.3314, -94.1938) SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Live minnows, jigs SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Ofﬁce 903-938-1007 TIPS: Fish live minnows or white/chartreuse jigs. Hit the timber and weeds. Morning through afternoon.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Bayou Seipe GPS: N 31 43.602, W93 49.4879 (31.7267, -93.8248)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Chicken livers, night crawlers. SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021 www.FishGame.com/ﬁshandgamegear TIPS: Fish chicken liver or cut bait on Carolina rig. Work the bushes.

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SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows (shiners) and jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021

Fishing Heats Up with Summer Patterns CENTRAL TEXAS HOTSPOTS

right by depth changes. As the sun comes up, switch to a white or hatch color and work the 8-12 feet of water column with a yo-yo action. When the sun gets high, switch to a Carolina rigged worm in 15+ feet of water or start skipping docks with a jig. It’s very important to throw multiple times at the same spot when skipping or fishing docks and the reason is these fish are usually coming back from feeding in the mornings and are in metabolize mode (meaning they are digesting their meals from the morning feed). So, to trigger reaction strikes it is best to make sure you give that fish multiple opportunities.

Reported by TF&G STAFF LOCATION: Lake Austin HOTSPOT: Lake Austin Flats and Docks GPS: N 30 20.922, W97 48.5159 (30.3487, -97.8086)

LOCATION: Belton Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 31 8.49, W97 28.8359 (31.1415, -97.4806)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021 www.FishGame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: This will be post spawn feeding time on Lake Austin and other Lower Colorado River lakes. Mornings, fish a spinnerbait and work the sandy flats

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits and Topwater Baits in natural colors SOURCE: Henry Niemiec 254-368-0294 TIPS: With the water temperatures in the upper 70’s and low 80’s and daytime temperatures reaching into the 90’s, now is the time to plan your trips in the early morning or late afternoon. Bass will move into the shallow water to feed when the sun goes down and move back to deeper water when it comes back up. Look for shorelines with stickups or larger rocks in the water. The backs of coves are great starting points for

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS

CENTRAL TEXAS

LAKE

As of 3/30/2021

Aquilla Arlington Athens Austin Bardwell Belton Benbrook Buchanan Canyon Cedar Creek Choke Canyon Corpus Christi Eagle Mountain Georgetown Gibbons Creek Granger Grapevine Halbert Hubert H Moss Inks Joe Pool Lavon Lewisville Limestone Lyndon B Johnson Marble Falls Martin Medina Mountain Creek Nasworthy Navarro Mills New Terrell City Ray Hubbard Ray Roberts Richland-Chamb. Somerville Stillhouse Hollow Tawakoni Texana Texoma Travis Tyler Waco Waxahachie Weatherford Whitney Worth

CAPACITY

(Acre Feet)

43,243 40,157 29,503 23,972 46,122 435,225 85,648 860,607 378,781 644,686 662,820 256,062 179,880 36,823 25,721 51,822 163,064 6,033 24,058 13,962 175,800 406,388 563,228 203,780 115,249 6,901 75,726 254,823 22,850 9,615 49,827 8,583 439,559 788,167 1,087,839 150,293 227,771 871,685 159,566 1,243,801 1,113,348 72,073 189,418 10,780 17,812 553,344 24,419

CURRENT

(Acre Feet)

41,503 38,931 29,503 22,880 46,122 425,815 80,445 712,546 331,614 644,686 221,334 117,069 163,892 24,804 21,055 51,822 163,064 5,181 23,993 12,817 170,117 406,388 563,228 203,780 111,310 6,825 75,479 94,593 22,850 8,085 49,827 8,583 437,679 788,167 1,085,699 129,297 227,771 871,685 149,790 1,166,594 742,552 72,073 186,032 10,780 16,512 494,819 18,090

% FULL 96% 97% 100% 95% 100% 98% 94% 83% 88% 100% 33% 46% 91% 67% 82% 100% 100% 86% 100% 92% 97% 100% 100% 100% 97% 99% 100% 37% 100% 84% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 86% 100% 100% 94% 94% 67% 100% 98% 100% 93% 89% 74%

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4 miles Southwest of Ennis

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE BARDWELL LOCATION: Four miles southwest of Ennis in Ellis County SURFACE AREA: 3,138 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 43 feet IMPOUNDED: 1965

bridge offers good access to largemouth bass. Best structure is along the face of the dam. The upper end of the lake is highly silted and shallow and is only accessible during high water. Live bait (for catﬁshes and crappie) and noise making baits (for white bass and hybrid stripers) seem to work best. Good eating, too.

WITH THE INCREASE IN VEGETATION (hydrilla) in the upper end, fishing for largemouth bass has improved. Catfishes and open water species such as white bass and hybrid stripers are very good. Hybrids are stocked on an annual basis and have provided an excellent fishery. Hydrilla north of the Highway 34

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this time of the year. If you have been bitten by the top water bug, this is the time of the year for some great top water action!

SOURCE: Ken Milam 325-379-2051 TIPS: Stripers and Hybrid ﬁshing has been really good on the lower end of the lake! Fish in front of the dam on the sand and on deep water humps south of the Black Rock Park area.

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Dam Area/Lower End of Main Lake GPS: N 30 45.57, W98 27.2699 (30.7595, -98.4545)

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LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Sailboat Moorings & Jacobs Creek

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Live Shad F I S H

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CENTRAL TEXAS

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Dam GPS: N 32 52.693, W97 28.006 (32.8782, -97.4668)

GPS: N 29 52.83, W98 13.512 (29.8805, -98.2252)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, Jewel jigs in 1/8-oz. with Net Paca chunks in Texas Craw color, Texas Rigged Trick Worms in Watermelon Red with a 1/8oz Tungsten weight. SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021 www.FishGame.com/ﬁshandgamegear TIPS: As you approach the sailboat area, ﬁsh the point to the right and work your way to left to the marina. Fish in and around the end caps of the slots. Best colors for this time of year are Watermelon Candy, Blue Fleck, and Green Pumpkin. LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake Humps

GPS: N 32 18.288, W96 9.636 (32.3048, -96.1606)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Slabs SOURCE: Jason Barber 903-603-2047 TIPS: Fish mid-lake humps and points with slabs hopped along the bottom in 8’ to 16’,

SPECIES: Hybrid/White Bass BEST BAITS: Hell Pet or Deep running lure SOURCE: Johnny Stevens 817-597-6598 TIPS: This area just north of the dam is a series of humps with water all around them. As the water heats up the Hybrids that have come down from Lake Bridgeport during a ﬂood hang out in this area. An effective method is to troll a very deep running lure. A hell pet rig with a bell sinker on the front of the hell bender to make it to run deep. LOCATION: Fayette County HOTSPOT: Pekema Creek channel GPS: N 29 55.95, W96 42.87 (29.9325, -96.7145)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch Bait SOURCE: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 TIPS: Fish are done spawning now. They will move deep as the water warms. Chum straight down by the boat or out from the bank if bank ﬁshing. Fish right over the chum LOCATION: Gibbons Creek HOTSPOT: Employee dock area GPS: N 30 37.602, W96 4.5899 (30.6267, -96.0765)

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Crawfish, shad, or punch bait SOURCE: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 TIPS: Some fish have already spawned. Look for them 10 foot offshore along the rocks here or if lily pads are growing, close to the pads. LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Lynn Creek Treeline GPS: N 32 37.741, W 97 02.737 (32.629022, -97.045609)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, shad, jigs SOURCE: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 TIPS: Fish the treeline along creek channel. Avoid midday. LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 33 2.9099, W 96 31.7099 (33.0485, -96.5285)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows and black and chartreuse or white and chartreuse 1/16-ounce jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021 www.FishGame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: If the gates are closed, dependent on the rain this month, I would look for Crappie anywhere from 1 to 10 foot of water. In 7 to 10 foot of water you’ll find your females and shallower you should find your males. Fish with minnows under a cork or long rod with black and chartreuse or white and chartreuse 1/16-ounce jig head. LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N 32 13.5, W95 29.2499 (32.2250, -95.4875)

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www.FishGame.com/fishandgamegear TIPS: Post spawn fish will be plentiful in this area in May. The fish will feed on shad on most main lake points. Fish various topwaters and small swimbaits rigged on a 1/8-ounce jig head in 2-15 feet of water.

CENTRAL TEXAS  CONTINUED FROM PAGE

BEST BAITS: “Deep diver crankbaits in shad pattern, Carolina rig in Watermelon Red and the Big Eye jig in Watermelon Red or candy color. SOURCE: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201 TIPS: We will be in what we call post spawn which means that our spawn for the most part will be over, and the bass will be moving out away from their spawning grounds and the male bass will be in the shallows with the fry that are left. I will be working the main lake points for the larger bass. I will be ﬁshing the ﬁrst drop off from the shore looking at the 10- to 16-foot range. Best areas will be the points near the dam. Fish as slow as you can for best results.

LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N 31 58.71, W96 6.864 (31.9785, -96.1144)

LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Cates Point GPS: N 33 22.689, W97 3.22 (33.3782, -97.0537)

SPECIES: White Bass and Hybrid Striper BEST BAITS: Slabs

SPECIES: Largemouth, White bass BEST BAITS: Topwaters, small swimbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas 2021

SOURCE: Royce Simmons 903-389-4117 CONTINUED ON PAGE

58 

Great Time to be on West Texas Lakes bait up on feeding flats adjacent to deeper water. Best baits for white bass are slabs and small spinner baits. Limits of whites and striped bass are common this time of year. Best baits for stripers are slabs and live shad. Largemouth bass will be chasing perch that are up spawning so this is a good time to match their chartreuse colors. “Match the hatch.” That’s what my grandad would say every June. One June, he proved it to me on bass by matching the shad hatch and outcatching me so bad I will never forget that tiny RatLTrap and wee PopR he spanked me with. He caught 44 to my six! Everything else will be chasing shad, except crappie, which will be going after favorites like shrimp, bugs and minnows.

Reported by DEAN HEFFNER

AY AND JUNE ARE great times to be on the water in West Texas. The weather is generally nice, and everything is biting. Striped bass on Possum Kingdom and Granbury will be migrating from mid-lake toward the dam. White bass will be schooling and the other species will be coming off their spawns, while catfish will spawn in June. Look for stripers and white bass to push

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WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Bass jigs, worms (like Senkos), shakey head jigs rigged with a worm, top water lures CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 TIPS: May on Lake Alan Henry will find the bass in full spawn. In the clear water you can find lots of bass on the beds. These bass will hit a worm or jig while guarding the bed. Fish can be caught in the dingy water by just fishing with jigs or worms and shakey heads with a worm; some will hit a topwater. Clear water will mostly be near the dam. Dingy water will be up river and in the creeks. LOCATION: Daniel Reservoir HOTSPOT: South Shoreline GPS: N 32 38.086, W 98 51.533 (32.634762, -98.858889)

LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Dam Area GPS: N 33 3.702, W 101 3.192 (33.0617, 101.0532) |

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 SEE INSET

CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

WEST TEXAS

As of 3/30/2021

Abilene Alan Henry Amistad Amon G Carter Arrowhead Brady Creek Bridgeport Brownwood Champion Creek Cherokee Cisco Coleman Colorado City E V Spence Elephant Butte Falcon Fort Phantom Hill Graham Granbury Greenbelt Hords Creek Hubbard Creek J B Thomas Kemp Kickapoo Leon Lost Creek Mackenzie Meredith Millers Creek Mineral Wells Natural Dam Nocona N. Fork Buffalo Cr. O C Fisher O H Ivie Oak Creek Palo Duro Palo Pinto Pat Cleburne Possum Kingdom Proctor Red Bluff Squaw Creek Stamford Sweetwater Twin Buttes White River

CAPACITY

(Acre Feet)

CURRENT

(Acre Feet)

7,900 96,207 1,840,849 19,266 230,359 28,808 366,236 130,868 41,580 40,094 29,003 38,075 30,758 517,272 179,880 1,551,007 70,030 45,288 132,949 59,968 8,109 313,298 199,931 245,307 86,345 27,762 11,950 46,450 500,000 26,768 5,273 54,560 21,444 15,400 115,742 554,340 39,210 61,066 26,766 26,008 538,139 54,762 151,110 151,250 51,570 12,267 182,454 29,880

5,166 82,141 1,100,954 17,888 225,887 18,968 319,286 110,611 23,946 40,094 22,698 32,189 10,878 113,322 163,892 342,453 60,888 41,891 132,786 10,357 4,133 270,583 24,571 208,381 68,130 25,201 11,652 4,062 179,857 26,046 5,273 26,421 20,226 14,582 7,003 337,501 29,815 789 22,350 22,397 528,358 53,250 73,870 151,250 51,570 9,948 98,463 3,820

% FULL 65% 85% 60% 93% 98% 66% 87% 85% 58% 100% 78% 85% 35% 22% 91% 22% 87% 93% 100% 17% 51% 86% 12% 85% 79% 91% 98% 9% 36% 97% 100% 48% 94% 95% 6% 61% 76% 1% 84% 86% 98% 97% 49% 100% 100% 81% 54% 13%

•

SPECIES: Channel Catfish SOURCE: Natalie Goldstrohm Natural Resources Specialist Texas Parks & Wildlife Department 325- 692-0921 TIPS: Good numbers of channel catfish up to 24 inches can be found at Daniel Reservoir. Channel Catfish should be spawning in June and can be found in shallower waters. Target areas of shallow rocky



Six miles southewest of Bowie

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE AMON CARTER LOCATION: In Montague County, southwest of Bowie off Texas 59 or FM 1125 SURFACE AREA: 1,848 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 50 feet IMPOUNDED: 1956 LAKE AMON G. CARTER IS ACTUALLY two lakes in one. The original lake was impounded in 1956 and has different habitat than the 500-acre extension constructed in 1985. Habitat in the old lake consists of rocky shoreline, main lake points, cat-

•

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Mid Lake GPS: N 32 25.992, W 97 47.448 (32.4332, -97.7908)

shoreline or submerged logs since these structures are used by spawning catﬁsh. Bait your hooks with commercially prepared catﬁsh bait or even a few corn kernels. Fish on the bottom or suspended a few inches from lake bottom.

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 57

tail beds, and some standing timber in the upper end. The new lake features standing timber and weed beds along the shoreline. Both parts have rip-rap along their respective dams, providing excellent cover for fish. The 20-foot tunnel that joins the two lakes also provides good cover for fish. Lake Carter is an excellent largemouth lake, with good catfish, crappie and white bass fishing as well.

F I S H

G A M E ®

M A Y / J U N E

2 0 2 1

4/21/21 8:55 AM

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Dean’s Point GPS: N 32 51.34, W 98 31.002 (32.855667, -98.5167)

SPECIES: channel catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Prepared Stink bait, hot dogs and cut shad SOURCE: Michael Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 254-396-4855 www.unfairadvantagecharters.com TIPS: Fishing near docks and bridges near channel ledges. Fishing under docks, with baited holes producing the best action.

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Topwaters, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits SOURCE: Natalie Goldstrohm Natural Resources Specialist Texas Parks & Wildlife Department 325- 692-0921 TIPS: May can be a great time to ﬁsh for schooling white bass. Try ﬁshing for white bass on the three humps along the Sandy Creek arm north of the bridge. If the white bass are schooling, throw a topwater like a popper and if the topwaters are not working change to a bladed bait or a lipless crank bait. Lures that look like shad should work well.

LOCATION: Hubbard Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Big Sandy Creek Arm GPS: N 32 46.762, W 98 59.955 (32.7793 -98.9992)

CENTRAL TEXAS  CONTINUED FROM PAGE

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: The North End, Washita Point GPS: N 33 52.068, W96 41.67 (33.8678, -96.6945)

TIPS: May is a favorite month of many Richland anglers, as the weather is more predictable, the temperature is pleasant, and the fish are easy to find and catch. The Hybrid Stripers and White Bass will be feeding aggressively in the Main Lake area all month long. Silver RSR Slabs fished in 20’-30’ water off the 309 Flats will result in lots of White Bass action and the occasional LARGE Hybrid Striper. Look for Gulls to help locate the baitfish that the whites are feeding on.

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad jigs, topwater plugs and live shad SOURCE: Bill Carey 903-786-4477 TIPS: May is most fishermen’s favorite month of the year on Lake Texoma. Most of the stripers are finished with the spawn and are roaming the lake. Large schools of post spawn fish are hungry and will strike on artificial lures and live bait. Cast Pencil Poppers and big Chugbugs on the shallow banks early in the mornings. After the topwater bite, switch to 1oz white glo Sassy Shad jigs or live shad. Work the jigs on main lake ledges to 30’ depths. Drift or anchor with live shad on the same ledges. Limits of fish are common, and May is an exciting month on Lake Texoma.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Yegua Park Shoreline GPS: N 30 17.76, W96 32.784 (30.2960, -96.5464)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch bait or shad SOURCE: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 TIPS: Fish are still spawning. Fish shallows along the bank or structure. Use Kahle hook for Shad or a #6 treble hook for punch bait. Consider using a slip cork to prevent unwanted hookups.

M A Y / J U N E

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 58

2 0 2 1

T E X A S

F I S H

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse crankbaits, topwaters SOURCE: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 Fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: Chartreuse is the color, as perch are spawning and the largemouth will be hunting them.

••

•••

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump GPS: N 31 54.612, W97 20.754 (31.9102, -97.3459)

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Live threadfin shad SOURCE: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 TIPS: After coming off the spawn, stripers are gorging and making for some awesome action. Live bait (threadfin shad) is working best. Rigging up on a Carolina rig and fishing straight down around 18’ just off ledges and edges at Whitney hump and other main lake points and humps is the key. Watch your graph along these edges and humps and if your screen lights up with big balls of bait, the stripers aren’t far behind. You should be in for some fast-paced action.

••

•••

G A M E ®

4/21/21 8:55 AM

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 59

4/20/21 7:31 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MAY/JUNE 2021

Tides and Prime Times

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

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

T12

T11

T10 T9

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.

T8 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

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

T13 T6

T3 T2 T1

T14

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

T18

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

T19

T20

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

T21

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

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

KEY 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

KEY T12 T13 T14 T15 T16 T17

PLACE Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, W. Bay Alligator Point, W. Bay Christmas Pt 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 HIGH San Luis Pass -0.09 Freeport Harbor -0:44 Pass Cavallo 0:00 Aransas Pass -0:03 Padre Island (So. End) -0:24 Port Isabel +1:02

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

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION T22 T23

READING THE GRAPH

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

Moon Overhead

Fishing Score Graph

Moon Underfoot

Day’s Best Day’s 2nd Score Best Score

Best Day Overall

MOON PHASES

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter «= Good Day by Moon Phase 60

M A Y / J U N E

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 60

2 0 2 1

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

4/20/21 7:31 PM

MAY/JUNE 2021

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

26 « FEET

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

4:46a 10:34a 3:41p 10:21p

TUESDAY

27 l

1.62 ft. 0.84 ft. 1.29 ft. -0.05 ft.

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

5:56a 11:30a 3:52p 11:07p

1.73 ft. 1.07 ft. 1.33 ft. -0.28 ft.

WEDNESDAY

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

7:07a 12:31p 3:58p 11:57p

1.79 ft. 1.28 ft. 1.38 ft. -0.41 ft.

THURSDAY

29 «

High Tide: 8:21a Low Tide: 1:51p High Tide: 3:46p

FRIDAY

Apr 30

1.81 ft. 1.43 ft. 1.45 ft.

Low Tide: 12:51a High Tide: 9:40a

SATURDAY

May 1

-0.45 ft. 1.78 ft.

Low Tide: 1:50a High Tide: 11:01a

SUNDAY

-0.39 ft. 1.74 ft.

Low Tide: 2:57a High Tide: 12:17p

-0.27 ft. 1.68 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:30 — 2:30 PM 1:00 — 3:00 PM

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

7:30 — 9:30 PM 8:00 — 10:00 PM 9:00 — 11:00 PM 10:00P — 12:00A 5:30 — 7:40 AM

Sunrise: 6:41a Sunset: 7:51p Moonrise: 7:40p Moon Set: 6:30a

Sunrise: 6:40a Sunset: 7:52p Moonrise: 8:51p Moon Set: 7:09a

Sunrise: 6:39a Sunset: 7:52p Moonrise: 10:03p Moon Set: 7:54a

Sunrise: 6:38a Sunset: 7:53p Moonrise: 11:14p Moon Set: 8:43a

Sunrise: 6:38a Sunset: 7:54p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 9:39a

Sunrise: 6:37a Sunset: 7:54p Moonrise: 12:20a Moon Set: 10:40a

Sunrise: 6:36a Sunset: 7:55p Moonrise: 1:19a Moon Set: 11:43a

Moon Overhead: 12:34a Moon Underfoot: 1:00p

Moon Overhead: 1:28a Moon Underfoot: 1:56p

Moon Overhead: 2:25a Moon Underfoot: 2:55p

Moon Overhead: 3:25a Moon Underfoot: 3:56p

Moon Overhead: 4:28a Moon Underfoot: 4:59p

Moon Overhead: 5:30a Moon Underfoot: 6:00p

Moon Overhead: 6:30a Moon Underfoot: 6:58p

AM Minor: 5:05a AM Major: 11:18a PM Minor: 5:32p PM Major: 11:45p

AM Minor: 5:58a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:26p PM Major: 12:12p

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS Fishing Score Moon Moon Graph Overhead Underfoot

READING THE GRAPH

MONDAY

Low Tide: 4:11a High Tide: 1:13p

AM Minor: 6:58a AM Major: 12:43a PM Minor: 7:28p PM Major: 1:13p

TUESDAY

4»

-0.10 ft. 1.60 ft.

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

FEET

5:30a 1:50p 8:32p 11:05p

0.07 ft. 1.50 ft. 1.09 ft. 1.14 ft.

AM Minor: 8:03a AM Major: 1:48a PM Minor: 8:34p PM Major: 2:19p

Low Tide: 6:45a High Tide: 2:14p Low Tide: 8:36p

0.24 ft. 1.40 ft. 0.92 ft.

AM Minor: 10:20a AM Major: 4:05a PM Minor: 10:51p PM Major: 4:35p

AM Minor: 11:25a AM Major: 5:10a PM Minor: 11:54p PM Major: 5:39p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

AM Minor: 9:12a AM Major: 2:56a PM Minor: 9:43p PM Major: 3:27p

Day’s 2nd Best Score

Best Day Overall

THURSDAY

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

12:54a 7:51a 2:31p 8:51p

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

FRIDAY

1.17 ft. 0.42 ft. 1.31 ft. 0.74 ft.

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

2:18a 8:48a 2:44p 9:08p

SATURDAY

1.24 ft. 0.60 ft. 1.25 ft. 0.56 ft.

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

3:26a 9:39a 2:54p 9:28p

SUNDAY

1.33 ft. 0.77 ft. 1.21 ft. 0.38 ft.

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

4:25a 10:25a 3:02p 9:49p

1.42 ft. 0.94 ft. 1.20 ft. 0.23 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 AM Sunrise: 6:35a Sunset: 7:55p Moonrise: 2:10a Moon Set: 12:46p

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 6:09a PM Minor: 12:23p PM Major: 6:37p

12p

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 AM Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 7:56p Moonrise: 2:53a Moon Set: 1:48p

AM Minor: 12:50a AM Major: 7:02a PM Minor: 1:15p PM Major: 7:27p

Moon Overhead: 7:26a Moon Underfoot: 7:53p

Moon Overhead: 8:18a Moon Underfoot: 8:42p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

9:00 — 11:00 AM Sunrise: 6:33a Sunset: 7:57p Moonrise: 3:30a Moon Set: 2:46p

AM Minor: 1:37a AM Major: 7:48a PM Minor: 2:00p PM Major: 8:11p

Moon Overhead: 9:06a Moon Underfoot: 9:28p

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 61

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

9:30 — 11:30 AM

12a

4:30 — 6:30 AM Sunrise: 6:32a Sunset: 7:58p Moonrise: 4:33a Moon Set: 4:36p

AM Minor: 2:18a AM Major: 8:29a PM Minor: 2:39p PM Major: 8:50p

AM Minor: 2:56a AM Major: 9:06a PM Minor: 3:16p PM Major: 9:26p

Moon Overhead: 9:50a Moon Underfoot: 10:11p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:33a Sunset: 7:57p Moonrise: 4:03a Moon Set: 3:42p

F I S H

Moon Overhead: 10:31a Moon Underfoot: 10:51p

G A M E ®

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:30A — 1:30P

12:00 — 2:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:31a Sunset: 7:59p Moonrise: 5:01a Moon Set: 5:28p

Sunrise: 6:30a Sunset: 7:59p Moonrise: 5:29a Moon Set: 6:21p

AM Minor: 3:31a AM Major: 9:41a PM Minor: 3:51p PM Major: 10:01p

AM Minor: 4:07a AM Major: 10:17a PM Minor: 4:27p PM Major: 10:37p

Moon Overhead: 11:12a Moon Underfoot: 11:32p M A Y / J U N E

Moon Overhead: 11:52a Moon Underfoot: None

2 0 2 1

4/20/21 7:31 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

10 « FEET

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

5:17a 11:09a 3:06p 10:14p

TUESDAY

11 l

1.49 ft. 1.08 ft. 1.22 ft. 0.11 ft.

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

6:06a 11:53a 3:03p 10:43p

WEDNESDAY

12 «

1.55 ft. 1.19 ft. 1.24 ft. 0.03 ft.

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

6:54a 12:45p 2:34p 11:14p

1.58 ft. 1.28 ft. 1.28 ft. -0.01 ft.

THURSDAY

13 «

High Tide: 7:43a Low Tide: 11:48p

1.59 ft. -0.02 ft.

FRIDAY

14 «

High Tide: 8:36a

SATURDAY

1.59 ft.

Low Tide: 12:27a High Tide: 9:34a

SUNDAY

-0.01 ft. 1.59 ft.

Low Tide: 1:09a High Tide: 10:36a

0.01 ft. 1.58 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 PM Sunrise: 6:30a Sunset: 8:00p Moonrise: 5:59a Moon Set: 7:14p

12a

12p

1:00 — 3:00 PM

AM Minor: 6:09a AM Major: 11:54a PM Minor: 6:32p PM Major: 12:21p

Moon Overhead: 1:16p Moon Underfoot: 12:54a

TUESDAY

18 º

0.05 ft. 1.57 ft.

Low Tide: 2:49a High Tide: 12:16p

0.10 ft. 1.55 ft.

Low Tide: 3:47a High Tide: 12:46p

12a

0.18 ft. 1.51 ft.

FEET

12p

12a

BEST TIME

7:30 — 9:30 PM

8:30 — 10:30 PM

12a

9:00 — 11:00 PM

12a

9:30 — 11:30 PM Sunrise: 6:26a Sunset: 8:04p Moonrise: 10:04a Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 8:45a AM Major: 2:32a PM Minor: 9:10p PM Major: 2:58p

Moon Overhead: 3:38p Moon Underfoot: 3:13a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:27a Sunset: 8:03p Moonrise: 9:12a Moon Set: 11:45p

AM Minor: 7:50a AM Major: 1:38a PM Minor: 8:15p PM Major: 2:03p

Moon Overhead: 2:49p Moon Underfoot: 2:25a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:27a Sunset: 8:02p Moonrise: 8:25a Moon Set: 10:53p

AM Minor: 6:58a AM Major: 12:46a PM Minor: 7:22p PM Major: 1:10p

AM Minor: 9:41a AM Major: 3:29a PM Minor: 10:07p PM Major: 3:54p

Moon Overhead: 4:29p Moon Underfoot: 4:03a

Moon Overhead: 5:20p Moon Underfoot: 4:54a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

12p

Sunrise: 6:28a Sunset: 8:02p Moonrise: 7:42a Moon Set: 9:59p

Moon Overhead: 2:01p Moon Underfoot: 1:39a

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS Fishing Score Moon Moon Graph Overhead Underfoot

MONDAY

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:28a Sunset: 8:01p Moonrise: 7:04a Moon Set: 9:04p

AM Minor: 5:25a AM Major: 11:36a PM Minor: 5:47p PM Major: 11:57p

READING THE GRAPH

12a

BEST TIME

12:30 — 2:30 PM

Moon Overhead: 12:33p Moon Underfoot: 12:12a

Low Tide: 1:56a High Tide: 11:33a

Sunrise: 6:29a Sunset: 8:01p Moonrise: 6:30a Moon Set: 8:09p

AM Minor: 4:44a AM Major: 10:55a PM Minor: 5:05p PM Major: 11:15p

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

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

4:50a 1:06p 7:46p 11:31p

0.29 ft. 1.44 ft. 0.99 ft. 1.07 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 5:57a High Tide: 1:21p Low Tide: 7:33p

0.45 ft. 1.37 ft. 0.73 ft.

SATURDAY

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

1:25a 7:06a 1:34p 7:58p

SUNDAY

1.19 ft. 0.64 ft. 1.31 ft. 0.41 ft.

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

2:51a 8:15a 1:46p 8:34p

1.36 ft. 0.85 ft. 1.29 ft. 0.07 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

10:30P — 12:30A Sunrise: 6:25a Sunset: 8:04p Moonrise: 11:00a Moon Set: 12:34a

AM Minor: 10:38a AM Major: 4:25a PM Minor: 11:03p PM Major: 4:50p

5:30 — 7:30 AM Sunrise: 6:25a Sunset: 8:05p Moonrise: 11:59a Moon Set: 1:18a

AM Minor: 11:32a AM Major: 5:20a PM Minor: 11:58p PM Major: 5:45p

Moon Overhead: 6:11p Moon Underfoot: 5:46a

12p

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 7:02p Moon Underfoot: 6:37a

M A Y / J U N E

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 62

2 0 2 1

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:30P — 1:30A Sunrise: 6:24a Sunset: 8:06p Moonrise: 1:00p Moon Set: 1:59a

AM Minor: 12:01a AM Major: 6:12a PM Minor: 12:25p PM Major: 6:37p

12a

12:30 — 2:30 AM

1:30 — 3:30 AM

AM Minor: 1:35a AM Major: 7:47a PM Minor: 2:00p PM Major: 8:12p

Moon Overhead: 8:41p Moon Underfoot: 8:17a

F I S H

12p

Sunrise: 6:23a Sunset: 8:07p Moonrise: 3:05p Moon Set: 3:12a

AM Minor: 12:49a AM Major: 7:01a PM Minor: 1:14p PM Major: 7:26p

T E X A S

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:24a Sunset: 8:06p Moonrise: 2:02p Moon Set: 2:37a

Moon Overhead: 7:52p Moon Underfoot: 7:27a

12p

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 9:30p Moon Underfoot: 9:05a

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

10:00P — 12:00A Sunrise: 6:23a Sunset: 8:07p Moonrise: 4:09p Moon Set: 3:47a

AM Minor: 2:19a AM Major: 8:31a PM Minor: 2:44p PM Major: 8:56p

Moon Overhead: 10:19p Moon Underfoot: 9:54a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

4:00 — 6:00 AM Sunrise: 6:23a Sunset: 8:08p Moonrise: 5:15p Moon Set: 4:22a

AM Minor: 3:02a AM Major: 9:15a PM Minor: 3:28p PM Major: 9:41p

Moon Overhead: 11:11p Moon Underfoot: 10:45a

G A M E ®

4/20/21 7:31 PM

MAY/JUNE 2021

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

24 « FEET

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

4:06a 9:24a 1:57p 9:17p

TUESDAY

25 «

1.55 ft. 1.06 ft. 1.31 ft. -0.25 ft.

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

5:15a 10:34a 2:06p 10:03p

WEDNESDAY

26 l

1.71 ft. 1.25 ft. 1.37 ft. -0.49 ft.

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

6:21a 11:47a 2:14p 10:52p

1.81 ft. 1.40 ft. 1.44 ft. -0.64 ft.

THURSDAY

27 « High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

7:26a 1:32p 1:52p 11:44p

1.85 ft. 1.49 ft. 1.49 ft. -0.68 ft.

FRIDAY

28 «

High Tide: 8:31a

SATURDAY

1.82 ft.

Low Tide: 12:39a High Tide: 9:35a

SUNDAY

-0.61 ft. 1.75 ft.

Low Tide: 1:37a High Tide: 10:35a

-0.47 ft. 1.66 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:00A — 1:00P

12a

12p

12:00 — 2:00 PM

AM Minor: 5:35a AM Major: 11:51a PM Minor: 6:06p PM Major: -----

Moon Overhead: 12:06a Moon Underfoot: 12:35p

MONDAY -0.26 ft. 1.55 ft.

FEET

TUESDAY

Jun 1 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

3:41a 12:03p 7:15p 9:18p

-0.02 ft. 1.43 ft. 1.00 ft. 1.02 ft.

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

4:49a 12:31p 7:24p 11:32p

12a

0.23 ft. 1.33 ft. 0.80 ft. 0.99 ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

7:30 — 9:30 PM

8:00 — 10:00 PM

12a

9:00 — 11:00 PM

12a

10:00P — 12:00A Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:12p Moonrise: 12:01a Moon Set: 10:32a

AM Minor: 8:57a AM Major: 2:41a PM Minor: 9:27p PM Major: 3:12p

Moon Overhead: 3:12a Moon Underfoot: 3:44p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:11p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 9:26a

AM Minor: 7:47a AM Major: 1:31a PM Minor: 8:19p PM Major: 2:03p

Moon Overhead: 2:08a Moon Underfoot: 2:40p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:11p Moonrise: 11:05p Moon Set: 8:22a

AM Minor: 6:39a AM Major: 12:23a PM Minor: 7:11p PM Major: 12:55p

AM Minor: 10:03a AM Major: 3:49a PM Minor: 10:32p PM Major: 4:17p

Moon Overhead: 4:15a Moon Underfoot: 4:46p

Moon Overhead: 5:15a Moon Underfoot: 5:44p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

2»

12p

Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:10p Moonrise: 10:00p Moon Set: 7:22a

Moon Overhead: 1:05a Moon Underfoot: 1:36p

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS Fishing Score Moon Moon Graph Overhead Underfoot

READING THE GRAPH

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:10p Moonrise: 8:50p Moon Set: 6:28a

AM Minor: 4:38a AM Major: 10:53a PM Minor: 5:07p PM Major: 11:22p

Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:38a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:09p Moonrise: 7:37p Moon Set: 5:41a

AM Minor: 3:48a AM Major: 10:01a PM Minor: 4:15p PM Major: 10:28p

Low Tide: 2:38a High Tide: 11:25a

11:30A — 1:30P

Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:09p Moonrise: 6:25p Moon Set: 4:59a

May 31

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

Best Day Overall

THURSDAY

Low Tide: 6:01a High Tide: 12:51p Low Tide: 7:45p

0.47 ft. 1.24 ft. 0.59 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

FRIDAY

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

1:19a 7:14a 1:05p 8:08p

1.05 ft. 0.69 ft. 1.18 ft. 0.39 ft.

SATURDAY

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

2:46a 8:25a 1:16p 8:31p

SUNDAY

1.17 ft. 0.88 ft. 1.15 ft. 0.21 ft.

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

3:55a 9:36a 1:22p 8:55p

1.29 ft. 1.03 ft. 1.15 ft. 0.05 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:12p Moonrise: 12:49a Moon Set: 11:37a

AM Minor: 11:04a AM Major: 4:51a PM Minor: 11:30p PM Major: 5:17p

12p

BEST TIME

11:30P — 1:30A Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:13p Moonrise: 1:30a Moon Set: 12:38p

AM Minor: 11:58a AM Major: 5:46a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:10p

Moon Overhead: 6:11a Moon Underfoot: 6:37p

Moon Overhead: 7:01a Moon Underfoot: 7:25p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

7:00 — 9:00 AM Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:13p Moonrise: 2:05a Moon Set: 1:36p

AM Minor: 12:23a AM Major: 6:34a PM Minor: 12:45p PM Major: 6:56p Moon Overhead: 7:48a Moon Underfoot: 8:09p

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 63

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

7:30 — 9:30 AM

8:00 — 10:00 AM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:14p Moonrise: 3:04a Moon Set: 3:24p

AM Minor: 1:06a AM Major: 7:16a PM Minor: 1:26p PM Major: 7:37p

AM Minor: 1:44a AM Major: 7:54a PM Minor: 2:04p PM Major: 8:14p

Moon Overhead: 8:30a Moon Underfoot: 8:51p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:14p Moonrise: 2:36a Moon Set: 2:31p

F I S H

Moon Overhead: 9:11a Moon Underfoot: 9:31p

G A M E ®

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

9:00 — 11:00 AM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:15p Moonrise: 3:33a Moon Set: 4:16p

4:00 — 6:00 PM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:15p Moonrise: 4:01a Moon Set: 5:09p

AM Minor: 2:19a AM Major: 8:29a PM Minor: 2:40p PM Major: 8:50p

AM Minor: 2:55a AM Major: 9:05a PM Minor: 3:15p PM Major: 9:25p

Moon Overhead: 9:51a Moon Underfoot: 10:12p M A Y / J U N E

Moon Overhead: 10:32a Moon Underfoot: 10:53p

2 0 2 1

4/20/21 7:31 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

7 FEET

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

4:51a 10:47a 1:22p 9:21p

TUESDAY

8«

1.39 ft. 1.14 ft. 1.18 ft. -0.07 ft.

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

5:37a 12:24p 12:47p 9:50p

WEDNESDAY

9«

1.47 ft. 1.22 ft. 1.22 ft. -0.15 ft.

High Tide: 6:19a Low Tide: 10:22p

THURSDAY

10 l

1.51 ft. -0.20 ft.

High Tide: 7:00a Low Tide: 10:56p

1.54 ft. -0.23 ft.

FRIDAY

11 «

High Tide: 7:43a Low Tide: 11:32p

SATURDAY

1.55 ft. -0.24 ft.

12 «

High Tide: 8:28a

1.55 ft.

SUNDAY

Low Tide: 12:10a High Tide: 9:14a

-0.23 ft. 1.54 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 PM

12a

6:00 — 8:00 PM

-0.19 ft. 1.52 ft.

Low Tide: 1:32a High Tide: 10:34a

Low Tide: 2:18a High Tide: 11:03a

12a

-0.01 ft. 1.42 ft.

FEET

12p

12a

BEST TIME

7:30 — 9:30 PM

12a

8:00 — 10:00 PM

AM Minor: 7:25a AM Major: 1:13a PM Minor: 7:51p PM Major: 1:38p

Moon Overhead: 2:25p Moon Underfoot: 2:00a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:18p Moonrise: 8:00a Moon Set: 10:32p

AM Minor: 6:31a AM Major: 12:18a PM Minor: 6:57p PM Major: 12:44p

Moon Overhead: 1:35p Moon Underfoot: 1:10a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:17p Moonrise: 7:09a Moon Set: 9:42p

AM Minor: 5:40a AM Major: 11:53a PM Minor: 6:05p PM Major: 12:17p

8:30 — 10:30 PM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:18p Moonrise: 8:55a Moon Set: 11:18p

AM Minor: 8:22a AM Major: 2:09a PM Minor: 8:47p PM Major: 2:34p

Moon Overhead: 3:17p Moon Underfoot: 2:51a

Moon Overhead: 4:08p Moon Underfoot: 3:43a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

-0.13 ft. 1.48 ft.

7:00 — 9:00 PM

Moon Overhead: 12:46p Moon Underfoot: 12:22a

TUESDAY

12p

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:17p Moonrise: 6:23a Moon Set: 8:49p

AM Minor: 4:53a AM Major: 11:05a PM Minor: 5:17p PM Major: 11:29p

Moon Overhead: 11:59a Moon Underfoot: None

MONDAY

BEST TIME

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS Fishing Score Moon Moon Graph Overhead Underfoot

READING THE GRAPH

12a

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:17p Moonrise: 5:41a Moon Set: 7:54p

AM Minor: 4:10a AM Major: 10:21a PM Minor: 4:33p PM Major: 10:44p

Moon Overhead: 11:14a Moon Underfoot: 11:36p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:16p Moonrise: 5:05a Moon Set: 6:59p

AM Minor: 3:31a AM Major: 9:42a PM Minor: 3:52p PM Major: 10:03p

Low Tide: 12:50a High Tide: 9:57a

5:30 — 7:30 PM

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:16p Moonrise: 4:31a Moon Set: 6:03p

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

17 º Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

3:07a 11:25a 6:21p 9:51p

0.16 ft. 1.34 ft. 0.84 ft. 0.89 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 4:03a High Tide: 11:40a Low Tide: 6:17p

0.39 ft. 1.26 ft. 0.56 ft.

SATURDAY

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

12:18a 5:09a 11:51a 6:48p

0.96 ft. 0.65 ft. 1.21 ft. 0.23 ft.

SUNDAY

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

2:03a 6:28a 11:59a 7:28p

1.15 ft. 0.91 ft. 1.21 ft. -0.11 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

9:00 — 11:00 PM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:18p Moonrise: 9:53a Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 9:18a AM Major: 3:05a PM Minor: 9:43p PM Major: 3:31p

12a

10:00P — 12:00A Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:19p Moonrise: 10:53a Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 10:13a AM Major: 4:01a PM Minor: 10:38p PM Major: 4:26p

Moon Overhead: 4:59p Moon Underfoot: 4:34a

12p

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 5:48p Moon Underfoot: 5:24a

M A Y / J U N E

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 64

2 0 2 1

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30AM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:19p Moonrise: 11:54a Moon Set: 12:37a

AM Minor: 11:07a AM Major: 4:55a PM Minor: 11:31p PM Major: 5:19p

12a

10:30P — 12:30A

AM Minor: 11:57a AM Major: 5:45a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:09p

T E X A S

Moon Overhead: 7:24p Moon Underfoot: 7:00a

F I S H

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:19p Moonrise: 12:54p Moon Set: 1:12a

Moon Overhead: 6:37p Moon Underfoot: 6:13a

12p

BEST TIME

12:30 — 2:30 AM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 1:55p Moon Set: 1:46a

AM Minor: 12:21a AM Major: 6:33a PM Minor: 12:45p PM Major: 6:57p Moon Overhead: 8:11p Moon Underfoot: 7:47a

12a

12p

BEST TIME

8:00 — 10:00 PM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 2:58p Moon Set: 2:19a

AM Minor: 1:06a AM Major: 7:18a PM Minor: 1:31p PM Major: 7:43p

Moon Overhead: 8:59p Moon Underfoot: 8:35a

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 PM Sunrise: 6:19a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 4:04p Moon Set: 2:54a

AM Minor: 1:51a AM Major: 8:03a PM Minor: 2:16p PM Major: 8:29p

Moon Overhead: 9:51p Moon Underfoot: 9:25a

G A M E ®

4/20/21 7:31 PM

MAY/JUNE 2021

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

21 FEET

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

3:28a 8:01a 12:04p 8:13p

TUESDAY

1.36 ft. 1.14 ft. 1.25 ft. -0.42 ft.

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

4:39a 9:43a 12:07p 9:01p

WEDNESDAY

23 «

1.55 ft. 1.31 ft. 1.33 ft. -0.65 ft.

High Tide: 5:41a Low Tide: 9:52p

THURSDAY

24 «

1.68 ft. -0.80 ft.

High Tide: 6:38a Low Tide: 10:44p

FRIDAY

25 l

1.73 ft. -0.85 ft.

High Tide: 7:32a Low Tide: 11:36p

SATURDAY

1.71 ft. -0.80 ft.

26 «

High Tide: 8:22a

SUNDAY

27 «

1.64 ft.

Low Tide: 12:29a High Tide: 9:08a

-0.66 ft. 1.54 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

9:30 — 11:30 PM Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 5:13p Moon Set: 3:32a

12p

-0.45 ft. 1.42 ft. 1.12 ft. 1.13 ft.

5:30 — 7:30 AM

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

2:12a 10:20a 4:51p 7:43p

-0.19 ft. 1.31 ft. 0.92 ft. 0.97 ft.

3:03a 10:46a 5:34p 9:46p

12a

0.09 ft. 1.21 ft. 0.71 ft. 0.88 ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:30 — 2:30 AM

12a

8:00 — 10:00 PM

12a

3:00 — 5:00 PM Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 11:24p Moon Set: 9:18a

AM Minor: 7:31a AM Major: 1:16a PM Minor: 8:01p PM Major: 1:46p

Moon Overhead: 1:54a Moon Underfoot: 2:26p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 10:39p Moon Set: 8:11a

AM Minor: 6:25a AM Major: 12:09a PM Minor: 6:56p PM Major: 12:40p

Moon Overhead: 12:50a Moon Underfoot: 1:22p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 9:46p Moon Set: 7:04a

AM Minor: 5:20a AM Major: 11:36a PM Minor: 5:52p PM Major: -----

AM Minor: 8:36a AM Major: 2:21a PM Minor: 9:04p PM Major: 2:50p

Moon Overhead: 2:57a Moon Underfoot: 3:27p

Moon Overhead: 3:57a Moon Underfoot: 4:24p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

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

11:30P — 1:30A

Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:18p

Jun 30

12p

Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 8:44p Moon Set: 6:01a

AM Minor: 4:20a AM Major: 10:35a PM Minor: 4:51p PM Major: 11:07p

TUESDAY

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 7:36p Moon Set: 5:04a

Moon Overhead: 11:47p Moon Underfoot: 11:16a

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 3:25a AM Major: 9:40a PM Minor: 3:55p PM Major: 10:09p

MONDAY

FEET

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS Fishing Score Moon Moon Graph Overhead Underfoot

READING THE GRAPH

1:21a 9:47a 4:06p 5:42p

12a

10:00P — 12:00A

Moon Overhead: 10:47p Moon Underfoot: 10:18a

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

Sunrise: 6:20a Sunset: 8:20p Moonrise: 6:25p Moon Set: 4:15a

AM Minor: 2:36a AM Major: 8:50a PM Minor: 3:03p PM Major: 9:17p

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

Jul 1 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

3:56a 11:07a 6:12p 11:48p

0.38 ft. 1.14 ft. 0.50 ft. 0.88 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter º » = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

2»

Low Tide: 4:56a High Tide: 11:23a Low Tide: 6:47p

0.65 ft. 1.09 ft. 0.29 ft.

SATURDAY

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

1:44a 6:26a 11:33a 7:19p

SUNDAY

0.99 ft. 0.88 ft. 1.07 ft. 0.12 ft.

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

3:23a 8:38a 11:35a 7:51p

1.13 ft. 1.04 ft. 1.08 ft. -0.03 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

4:00 — 6:00 AM Sunrise: 6:21a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 10:23a

AM Minor: 9:36a AM Major: 3:23a PM Minor: 10:02p PM Major: 3:49p

12p

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 12:02a Moon Set: 11:25a

AM Minor: 10:32a AM Major: 4:20a PM Minor: 10:55p PM Major: 4:44p

Moon Overhead: 4:51a Moon Underfoot: 5:16p

Moon Overhead: 5:41a Moon Underfoot: 6:04p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 AM Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 12:36a Moon Set: 12:22p

AM Minor: 11:21a AM Major: 5:10a PM Minor: 11:43p PM Major: 5:32p

Moon Overhead: 6:26a Moon Underfoot: 6:48p

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNationDIG-2105.indd 65

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

6:00 — 8:00 AM

7:00 — 9:00 AM Sunrise: 6:23a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 1:35a Moon Set: 2:10p

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:56a PM Minor: 12:06p PM Major: 6:16p

AM Minor: 12:26a AM Major: 6:36a PM Minor: 12:47p PM Major: 6:57p

Moon Overhead: 7:08a Moon Underfoot: 7:29p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:22a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 1:06a Moon Set: 1:17p

F I S H

Moon Overhead: 7:49a Moon Underfoot: 8:10p

G A M E ®

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

8:00 — 10:00 AM Sunrise: 6:23a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 2:03a Moon Set: 3:03p

2:30 — 4:30 PM Sunrise: 6:24a Sunset: 8:21p Moonrise: 2:33a Moon Set: 3:57p

AM Minor: 1:05a AM Major: 7:15a PM Minor: 1:25p PM Major: 7:35p

AM Minor: 1:42a AM Major: 7:52a PM Minor: 2:03p PM Major: 8:14p

Moon Overhead: 8:30a Moon Underfoot: 8:51p M A Y / J U N E

Moon Overhead: 9:12a Moon Underfoot: 9:33p

2 0 2 1

4/20/21 7:31 PM

Texas TASTED by BRYAN SLAVEN :: The Texas Gourmet

Lazy O Ranch Sweet Chipotle Chicken THE TEXAS GOURMET’S SWEET Chipotle Season All is a delightfully spicy and sweet rub for ribs and chicken and tastes great on baked sweet potatoes, fries, and deviled eggs. This recipe was created by a longtime neighbor and good friend Jeff Ottmann. Serves 6 to 8. INGREDIENTS 6 to 8 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs may be used as well. ¼ cup Olive oil ¼ cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2105-Texas Tasted.indd 62

1/3 cup Texas Gourmet’s Sweet Chipotle Season All Foil A digital meat thermometer PREPARATION Place all liquids into a small sauce pot, then sift the Sweet Chipotle Season All into the liquids breaking up any large bits of brown sugar before adding to saucepan. Bring to a simmer and heat through to allow the flavors to meld together to form a thin paste. Space the chicken pieces onto a large platter and brush both sides

well with the paste, then transfer to a seasoned and preheated grill. Gas or charcoal are both OK but cook indirectly at about 350 to 375 degrees and keep covered when cooking. Turn the chicken every 5 minutes and baste with the paste each time you turn them. The chicken should be done in 10 to 12 minutes, but please use your meat thermometer and remove from fire when they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Transfer to a warmed metal tray and cover with foil 7 to 8 minutes to rest the meat and allow the juices to settle in the meat. Serve with your favorite sides and a nice glass of your favorite red wine. You can also chill the grilled breasts a few hours before your gathering and slice the meat thin to serve over a Greek style salad.

Email Bryan Slaven at bryan@thetexasgourmet.com

4/9/21 12:15 PM

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2105 Outdoor Directory.indd 63

F I S H

G A M E ®

M A R C H / A P R I L

2 0 2 1

4/9/21 12:16 PM

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Texas Fish & Game May/June 2021

Articles inside

Night Hogs

A S.T.A.R. Like No Other

Striper Allstars

FROZEN! What Happens After the Thaw?

Texas Whitetails

Texas Boating

Bass University

Doggett at Large

EDITOR'S NOTES