Texas Fish & Game January/February 2024

The Sci-Fly Approach to Speckled Trout

January/February 2024 | $4.99

Outfit a Kayak on a Tight Budget

Edwards Plateau Turkey in Peril

Your Best Shots at Late Season Deer

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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

PHOTO: TPWD

January/February 2024 Vol. 40 • No. 5

EDITOR IN CHIEF

COVER PHOTO: Brady Rosenquist with a 10.87 pound ShareLunker caught at OH Ivie last April.

Cover Story

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

FEATURE ARTICLES

Can the Ivie Hype 10 Hold Up



PUBLISHERS

CHESTER MOORE

DOUG PIKE

Turkey Trouble on the 22 Edwards Plateau

Will the bass legend continue to crank out lunkers?

Researchers study threats to Hill Country Rio Grande Turkeys.

by Matt Williams

by David Gladowski

tting a Kayak on The Late 14 aOutfi 26 Chase Limited Budget I bought a inexpensive kayak... now what?

Forgotten opportunities for late season whitetails.

by Paul Fuzinski

by TF&G Staff

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Saltwater Strategies: Sci-Fy 18 Big 32 Specks Winter Trout Part One in a year-long series looks at tactics for trophy specks.

3431 RAYFORD RD. SUITE 200-408 SPRING, TX 77386 PHONE

by Chester Moore

COLUMNS

4 7 Editor’s Notes 8 Doggett at Large 21 Going Coastal

Inside Fish & Game

by ROY & ARDIA NEVES

by CHESTER MOORE

by JOE DOGGETT

29 30 Texas Freshwater 64 Aptitude Outdoors Texas Whitetails

by LARRY WEISHUHN

by MATT WILLIAMS

by PAUL FUZINSKI

by KELLY GROCE

TEXAS OUTDOOR NATION

The Fish & Game 36 Report/Hot Shots

Fish & Game 48 Forecast Center: Freshwater

by TF&G STAFF

Fish & Game 38 Forecast Center: Saltwater

(800) 725-1134

ONLINE SUBSCRIBER SERVICE

Taking a Sci-Fly approach to speckled trout fishing.

by TF&G Staff

• SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR • SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR LENNY RUDOW • BOATING EDITOR MATT WILLIAMS • FRESHWATER EDITOR PAUL FUZINSKI • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR KELLY GROCE • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR LOU MARULLO • HUNTING EDITOR LARRY WEISHUHN • WHITETAIL EDITOR DUSTIN ELLERMANN • SHOOTING EDITOR REAVIS WORTHAM • HUMOR EDITOR MORIAH FORMICA • DIGITAL CONTRIBUTOR LISA MOORE • CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR JOE DOGGETT

Sportsman’s 56 Daybook:

Tides & Prime Times

DEPARTMENTS Fish & Game 62 Photos 6 Letters 60 Texas Hunting Center from TF&G Readers

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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.

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by TF&G Readers

by Chester Moore & Staff

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Inside FISH GAME :: by ROY & ARDIA NEVES

TF&G Owners/Publishers

Political Fatigue and the Appeal of Fish & Game

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ECOUNTING TEXAS FISH & Game’s forty year history in recent issues has allowed us to reflect not only on what and how things happened, but why as well. Looking back, from today’s world of bitter and angry discourse at every level of daily life, it is ironic that politics helped drive our decision to make Texas Fish & Game our main focus so many years ago.

Local politics can be just as mind wearying and soul taxing as anything that slithers out of Austin or Washington. In earlier installments, we established that Fish & Game was born into a publishing family that included The Highlander weekly newspaper in Marble Falls.

Today, most people think of, or remember, weekly newspapers as quaint chronicles of simple small-town life, promoting the area’s businesses, glorifying the town’s high school teams, boosting local civic organizations and, most importantly, supporting those anointed (self- or otherwise) into leadership positions.

That is not the way most people remember The Highlander of the 1970s and 80s. That weekly was anything BUT a docile tool of the boards, councils, courts and other assorted power players in and around Burnet and Llano Counties.

Our coverage area—the Highland Lakes— was huge, encompassing two full counties, with three equally sized school districts, three municipalities of around 5,000 citizens each, and several smaller incorporated communities.

Then, since the area surrounded the fivelake chain of major impoundments on the Colorado River above Austin, we had to play watchdog over the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)—then, and probably still today, one of the most powerful independent agencies in the state. On top of that, electric power in the region was served by the 4

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Pedernales Electric Co-Op. PEC, in those days, was run with an iron fist by A.W. Morsund, a longtime crony of Lyndon B. Johnson.

While the other weeklies in the area were more than happy to side with the politically and quasi-politically powerful, and to provide cover when they misbehaved, The Highlander just wasn’t built that way. We operated with a clear mandate to report news, unfiltered and unbiased. But we also had a habit of hiring editors whose comfort zone always seemed to sit right in the middle of stirred-up controversy.

This meant that in any given week, somebody would have a gripe with the newspaper.

And we—as publisher (Roy) and head of advertising (Ardia)—were usually the first to hear the complaints, retraction demands, threats of boycotts and, a time or two, threats of physical violence. Those were exciting times, to be sure. We still had enough of the “young and indestructible” lack of sense and self-preservation to relish all the notoriety and controversy.

But it eventually started to wear on both of us, as well as on our fearless leader and owner of the publishing company, Bill Bray (to whom we paid tribute here two issues back).

By the end of the 1980s, Fish & Game was well established. It had climbed to more than 50,000 readers, and Scan to Hear in January 1989 we Audio Version converted from rough  newsprint to slick coated paper stock— becoming a “real” magazine.

As TF&G drew more of our time and interest, it began to serve as an escape from the constant turmoil The Highlander kept churning up around us.

Meanwhile, the Highland Lakes area kept |

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growing, and so did the opportunities for those in power, and those thirsting for power, to act on their greediest impulses. The prospect of more controversy—and more anger directed our way—looked less and less appealing.

In early 1990, Bray got an offer to sell The Highlander. Before he accepted it, he met with us and pitched the idea of jumping over to Fish & Game full time and moving it out of Marble Falls. Feeling the effects of chronic political fatigue, we were both ready for a change. By mid-year, The Highlander was in new hands, and we had opened Fish & Game’s new offices in San Antonio, free of the burden of political intrigue... and secure in the belief that there was no controversy in fishing and hunting.

Right?

Again, irony had the last laugh. While there is no comparison to the battle between honest news agencies and the entities of power they try to cover, controversy does exist in the fishing and hunting community.

Any time a resource is regulated, people can get touchy. Any time people with money and power gain exclusive access to public resources, people get either angry or defensive. It didn’t take long for us to realize that points of view and emotions are as potentially explosive in this world as in the world of general news coverage.

After all, the outdoors sports are a “passion.”

This has reared up in minor skirmishes, from readers upset over our objective reporting of actions by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, to major battles with organizations and individuals who accused us of bias against their sacred positions on particular outdoors causes.

There have been times we were glad we kept the old Highlander libel insurance policy in force in the new company’s name.

All things considered, though, our day-today, week-to-week environment is a lot calmer than when we had to take heated calls from the Burnet undertaker/school board president or the Llano car dealer/city council member.

The outdoors may inspire controversy and raise tempers from time to time, but hunting and fishing are still great escapes from the anger and disharmony that have infected the rest of modern everyday life. The political clamor of our past seems tame compared to the cultivated chaos of today, but it was enough to put us on the trail to our present life and work, and for that, we will always feel thankful.

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Email Ardia at aneves@fishgame.com Email Roy at rneves@fishgame.com

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LETTERS to the EDITOR Doggett Stirs Harrowing Memory

And I’m glad you enjoy Dark Outdoors. I’m about to release season 3 and it’s going to be wild.

:: by TF&G READERS

I READ JOE DOGGETT’S ARTICLE on the various mishaps over the years with shotguns (read it twice actually). It reminded me of an event I had with my grandfather about 50 years ago while squirrel hunting in the San Jacinto County river-bottom.

He had an old H&R single shot 16 gauge dated 1903. We had a squirrel treed dead to rights and when he squeezed off the shot it knocked him to the ground.

Upon inspection it had peeled about four inches off the end of the barrel like a peeled banana.

We never proved it, but we all came to the conclusion that a dirt dauber had built a nest in the end of the barrel.

Luckily my grandfather wasn’t hurt, and we ended up sawing off and honing that barrel and it went on to take many more squirrels and doves over the years. I still have that shotgun and the safety aspect of that event is etched in my mind.

I have followed you since your younger years and have always enjoyed reading your work.

Toddler’s First Fish

Staying Alive I REALLY ENJOYED THE STAYING Alive articles you have been doing. Not enough people in your positions put an

HERE IS A PHOTO OF SADIE MAE Stroud, giving thumbs up as her dad, Dakota Stroud holds her first fish, a trout she caught while fishing in New Mexico.

Dale Hollon

Croaker Memories IN RESPONSE TO CHESTER Moore’s story on Atlantic Croaker. I used to go, back in the early to mid 70’s, fishing with a neighbor and his sons. We would go mid to late October to Padre Island croaker fishing. We slept on the beach all weekend and fished when we weren’t sleeping. We literally caught 100’s of 2–3-pound croaker.

My wife and I tried it 20 something years ago with no success.

My neighbor said the croaker started running after the first couple of cold fronts.

This is back when there used to be cold fronts in early October. Hopefully they keep making a comeback so I can take my grandkids fishing for croaker.

emphasis on safety and I appreciate that.

I especially appreciate the article about the human dangers out there and have recently tuned into Chester Moore’s Dark Outdoors podcast. A few of those shows were pretty scary.

People need to know there are some bad people out there and to take the precautions you have suggested to stay alive in the great outdoors.

Jack Hill Editor: We’re glad you enjoyed those articles. We feel it’s important to not only give information on how to catch fish and where to hunt ducks, etc. but to give a look at the parts of the great outdoors most media doesn’t cover.

Ray Donsbach

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Sadie was just 19 months old at the time of the catch, last summer.

Tanya Runyon-Worley Editor: Thanks for the photo submission.

You can find more photos from readers in Hot Shots on page 34 and on the Fish & Game Photos spread, on pages 62-63.

If you would like your your action photos published in the magazine, or as a Photo of the Day on our Facebook page, email them to photos@fishgame.com.

u Email Your Comments to editor@fishgame.com

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EDITOR’S Notes Hunter-Conservationist Movement Gains Steam

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UNTER-CONSERVATIONIST is a term used within the hunting community to describe those who hunt with great ethics and within the confines of conservation-based hunting policy. It’s often associated with Teddy Roosevelt and other forefathers of groups like the Boone & Crockett Club, Pope & Young, and other pro-wildlife, pro-hunting organizations.

Over the last three years, I have been privileged to see a powerful shift happen among hunter-conservationists, and it’s coming in the form of women and young people getting involved.

Let’s start with the ladies.

Women Hunt® is a program of the Wild

:: by CHESTER MOORE, JR. TF&G Editor-in-Chief

From basic firearm handling to precision shooting at ethical hunting distances, the course has a track record of turning those who have never taken big game into safe, successful, and conscientious hunters.

Hunting whitetail and exotic does and feral hogs after training is part of the package.

Women Hunt is also, however, helping launch informed female hunter-conservationists into a world where their voice is more sorely needed than ever.

“I never really knew about the North American Model of Conservation before taking the course. Now it’s a passion of mine,” said 2022 graduate and native Texan Kat Hunter.

chapters, and affiliates, as well as engaging in other pro-hunting conservation work.

“Giving back is something we emphasize in our program, and we are seeing many of the ladies do that all around the country,” Thornton said.

This year, Women Hunt saw a big increase in applicants and numerous new states and provinces included. Texan Stacey Wink of Dripping Springs was among the ladies, and she got to harvest her first-ever game animal, a feral hog.

I’ve personally seen the impact this program has on women, and it’s truly inspiring.

The game is also changing in youth conservation participation.

My Higher Calling Wildlife outreach works with children facing a critical illness, traumatic loss, living in the foster system, and other challenges, and we have done conservation-centered expeditions in Texas, Colorado, Florida, Wyoming, Scan to Hear Tennessee, and Audio Version Arkansas.  We focus on fishing and wildlife photography to engage young people with wildlife in their local area and mentor them to use photos and videos to raise awareness of conservation issues.

That took us to beautiful Estes Park, CO, in 2023.

We granted a sloth encounter for a beautiful, sweet little girl named Juno in 2022 as she was struggling with cancer and could not walk. Now, she’s cancer-free and full of energy.

We got to take Juno out to photograph mule deer, elk, and wild turkeys, and we had an incredible time.

The 2023 Class of The Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt® program.

Sheep Foundation®, and it has deep roots in Texas as annually, 12 women are chosen through a blind application process to take FTW Ranch’s cutting-edge Sportsman’s AllWeather All-Terrain Marksmanship (SAAM) New Hunter Course.

“Taking the SAAM Precision Rifle course in 2018 was an inspiring, life-changing event.

Participating in the New Hunter Course has been as well as it has been for the ladies who have taken it over the last three years,” said Renée Thornton, WSF’s Women Hunt Chair.

“It’s a comprehensive on-ramp to the world of hunting and conservation. And we all get to learn from former U.S. Special Forces operators and experienced hunters.”

PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

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“For me, Women Hunt® has sparked a responsibility to give back, and the FTW/ SAAM delivered New Hunter Course has empowered within me the confidence to hunt & harvest and a renewed and incredibly deeper passion for passing these skills on to the next generation.”

Kat and Tiffany Osburn, who applied for the initial year of Women Hunt after reading a story about it in our TF&G report newsletter in 2021, were invited to be part of a panel discussion at The Wildlife Society’s national conference in Louisville, KY. Numerous women from the program over the last three years have begun volunteer work with the Wild Sheep Foundation, their

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DOGGETT at Large to be, and talking myself out of gearing up and going became easier and easier.

The 4 a.m. alarm clock also must be considered. All my life I have loathed waking before sunrise. And, as any seasoned hunter or angler will agree, the first few hours of daylight often provide the best odds of success …. ducks, deer, bass, trout, they all seem to move well as the sun rises.

Living in Houston and planning a serious surgical strike afield or afloat demands that predawn alarm. A drive of at least one hour beyond the 610 Loop is required. Often, against increasing urban sprawl, it’s closer to two.

Years ago, I was better with the predawn reveille. I didn’t like it, but I did it.

I would make an early hunting or fishing trip then roll straight downtown to the old Houston Chronicle building, there to peck out a column due on the Sports Desk by 5 p.m. That was a long day; no wonder the copy had a few dangling participles.

Now, I would have difficulty waking at 4 a.m. to watch David fight Goliath. What can I say … I’m an old man and getting older. I only go when it’s necessary … when a splash of rich green tide or a whistle of incoming wings is overdue to put a lifetime over rods

:: by JOE DOGGETT

TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Echoes on the Wind

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ITH A PAIR OF SEVENS draped over my sagging shoulders, I am well and truly embedded in the grossly overrated Golden Years. In truth, I don’t go fishing and hunting as much as I did even a few years ago.

The slowdown started at about age 70. A combination of declining energy and ongoing issues with a bad lower back aided and abetted the sedentary slump. The Stoke Meter regarding local trips wasn’t where it needed

EDITOR’S Notes

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It was difficult to hold back tears as I watched this full-of-life kid walking with me in the wild when, a year earlier, she was in a wheelchair.

My favorite part was taking her to the hills around her home and teaching her to capture images of prairie dogs. That’s something she can do easily on her own, and it lets her know that adventure doesn’t have to be in a faraway place.

Our very first expedition was in 2019 with Reannah Hollaway from The Woodlands, and courtesy of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s Alpine office, she got to go on a desert bighorn capture.

It was a transformative event for her.

I’m proud to say last fall, she graduated from Texas Tech with a Natural Resources Management degree with a

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conservation science concentration.

We expect great things from this smart, brave young lady who has battled cystic fibrosis her whole life and has an amazing, impactful, long life ahead of her.

What we have found is that young people going through challenges understand wildlife under threat or habitat loss. They often feel like outsiders and jump at the chance to help.

And out of all of the kids we have worked with, we have never had one balk at the idea of hunting as conservation and jump at the chance to learn more.

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and guns back into focus.

Even though the trips are less frequent, one element of the outdoors remains constant. Every morning, without fail, I am keenly aware of wind velocity and direction. (As I write this in Houston, the wind is gusting 15 to 18 miles-per-hour from the southeast).

This habit has been ingrained since my teenage years during the 1960s. Confirming the variables provides critical “intel” for determining the day’s direction, first as a young enthusiast, ultimately as a professional outdoor writer.

Decades ago, with nothing but a few strategic tree branches and the odd rooftop flag, fine-tuning velocity was sketchy (basic rating: limp, fluttering, gusting, honking), but a practiced eye could pinpoint the all-important direction.

Now, thanks to a smartphone, within minutes accurate data is available, not only straight out my door but at various significant upper coastal locations. It’s an easy and addictive ritual.

Granted, the current information, as I putter around the house, usually is useless. No, that’s not quite true. A favorable report may not result in the frantic outbound drives of yesteryear, but it can fan fond recollections of

We target the last in line. We focus on the least, and those with the greatest challenges are seeing amazing results.

We just released a new mini-documentary on our outreach that you can view at www.highercallingwildlife.com.

You can also learn how to connect kids with what we do there.

It’s an exciting time for the hunter-conservationist movement. Good things are happening, and from places many would have never expected, even a decade ago.

In a world that seems upside down, it’s good to see there are positive strides for the sake of conservation and conservationists.

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Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com

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trips under similar conditions.

You might have the image of a crusty old geezer sitting in a rocker on the porch and nodding and smiling, perhaps lapsing into a maudlin daydream. It hasn’t come to that, but I do tend to do less and reflect more. And this is not all bad. If nothing else, recalling the various facets of an old campaign can be a pleasing and worthwhile mental exercise.

For example, today’s dawn of gusting southeast wind combined with muggy low pressure and heavy cloud cover was ideal some 50 years ago for decoying ducks on a back pothole in the old Barrow Marsh near Anahuac.

I’m sitting here at my desk, remembering the sights and sounds and smells as the coastal prairie came to life. The billows of scudding clouds were tinged with yellow and orange from the rising sun, and whipping wind knocked down the mosquitoes while stirring restless flocks of waterfowl and shorebirds.

Bob Brister, my outdoor mentor, and Forrest West, my favorite waterfowl guide, and I were huddled in a makeshift blind of cane and oleander stalks. I readied Old Hungry, my salty Model 12 pump gun with

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its improved cylinder 26-inch barrel.

Several dozen decoys were scattered in a rough crescent 25 to 30 yards from our soggy hide, and a gap of open water in the center of the spread invited lowered webs. Long individual cords allowed the decoys to move and weave amid the leeward riffles.

Wads of teal moved first, as they usually do under gusting Gulf wind, dipping and twisting in the gray light from pothole to pothole. Big ducks came later. Shooting was steady as West repeatedly rattled his raspy Yentzen double-reed caller.

My Lefty Molnar hand-tooled leather strap held a typical mixed bag of marsh ducks … green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, gadwalls, widgeons, a pair of mottled ducks, and (“Take him, Doggett! He’s all yours!”) the inevitable spoonbill.

We needed three ducks to fill the daily limit. Then West nodded as a thrilling flock of pintails returning from distant rice fields banked and sailed with cupped wings. A shaft of struggling sun illuminated the white breast and chocolate head and long pin of the drake that caught my eye. It was a gorgeous duck, rivaled in the coastal marsh only by a semi-ra-

re northern mallard.

“Take ‘em!” West barked, and we rose together … left, middle, right … as the three guns boomed. Three “bull sprigs” folded and fell. West’s huge black Lab, the intimidating Boncho, splashed and swashbuckled across the knee-deep pothole and made three stylish retrieves. Perhaps best of all, the big brute didn’t bite anybody.

That long-ago marsh hunt inspired by today’s forecast is Scan to Hear among thousands Audio Version of outdoor reruns  I can muster.

They are swirling in the mists of my mind, waiting to be recovered before being lost to senility, or worse, apathy. That day is long gone, as are so many others, but the echoes on the wind help me remember.

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Email Joe Doggett at ContactUs@fishgame.com

12/16/23 11:05 AM

T’S NO SECRET THAT LAKE O.H. IVIE HAS

had the hottest hand of all Texas lakes for heavyweight bass in recent times. The 19,000-acre reservoir near San Angelo has been on fire with lunkers for three years now. Depending on who you talk to, the bonanza doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of dying down anytime soon.

Nebraska transplant and YouTuber Ben Milliken of New Caney and his friend, Joe McKay, lit the flame in February 2021 when a first-time visit to ‘Ivie turned 10

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into a big bass beat down. Fishing on the heels of Winter Storm Uri, McKay kicked off the big bass blitz with a 16.40 pounder that ranks as the No. 18 heaviest Texas bass of all-time.

The former lake record anchored what may be one of the heaviest five-fish, single-day catches ever documented on camera on a public lake Above: — 60 pounds! You can watch the Casey Sobczak with a 14-2 beat down at www.youtube.com/ lunker caught watch?v=1TEgp_DiaxI. in 2021.

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Scan to Hear Audio Version 

Mike Stanford of New Braunfels entered this 12.21 pound O.H. Ivie ShareLunker last November.

PHOTOS: LEFT, COURTESY B.A.S.S.; RIGHT, TPWD.

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Screen grab of Ben Milliken’s 60-pound, five fish blitz caught on video.

To wit: He’s the first angler to turn in four Legacy Lunkers. In a September interview, Jones told me his boat had accounted for 84 double digit bass at ‘Ivie during 90 days of guiding in 2023 alone.

He said he and his clients have cracked 50 pounds on their heaviest five fish 10 times. Last September, Jones and Larry Walker of Irving topped 50 pounds twice in as many days. He’s lost track of the times he’s busted 30 pounds.

Other guides like Brady Stanford, Wendell Ramsey, Brandon Burks and Dalton Smith have reported their share of storybook fishing days at ‘Ivie, many of them coming as the result of using forward facing sonar to sniff

News of the epic fishing trip raced across the world on social media outlets, spurring an onslaught of fishing traffic arguably unrivaled since the hey days of Lake Fork.

The pressure hasn’t let up since, either. Nor have the reports of fairy tale fishing trips.

‘Ivie has produced 41 Legacy Class fish over 13 pounds for the Toyota ShareLunker program since 2019. It cranked out an all-time high 15 entries in 2023, including a 17.03 pounder that ranks No. 8 among Texas’ biggest bass of all time.

The lake kicked out a combined total of 24 Legacy lunkers during the 2021 and 2022 collection seasons, including a lake record 17.06 pounder that is the biggest Texas bass reported since 1992.

Impressive as those records may sound, the sheer number of double-digit fish that have been caught and released at the lake over the last three years would probably shock the imagination if it were possible to put a finger on the total.

While Milliken may have put ‘Ivie on the map, Josh Jones made it a household name with big bass junkies.

Jones is a fishing guide and forward fishing sonar expert who has arguably caught more giants from ‘Ivie than anyone.

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out suspended fish and making casts that otherwise would not have been made.

The point to be made by all of this is ‘Ivie is still teeming with big bass and continues to crank them out like a gum ball machine.

How long the run will last is anybody’s guess.

Lynn Wright thinks the lake may have already reached the peak of its current big bass cycle. Wright is the fisheries biologist who oversees the lake for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

He says all is still good in Bassville and he’s expecting another good year in 2024.

What happens after that is anybody’s guess, because ‘Ivie has a nemesis that no one can deny.

The lake is starving for water.

In late October, the reservoir was 29.34 feet low or at 29.5 percent full. With such a robust bass population crammed into a shrinking body of water, something is eventually going to have to give, Wright said.

“Falling water levels will result in less backwater areas and fish moving into main channel Roxy Mcfadden entered this 11.03 pound ShareLunker last July.

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areas,” Wright said. “This will concentrate fish in the short term but will also increase competition for food and space and may result in poor fish condition.”

Wright says the lake is already showing signs that there is not enough food around, especially among younger, smaller fish.

“Fall sampling data has shown over the last two years that bass from 12-18 inches were in below average condition,” he said.

“However, once bass reached about 20 inches the condition was good, likely due to being able to consume larger prey items.

Water losses should slow as we approach the winter season and lake levels should be more stable with less evaporation. Beyond 2024 I think we’ll see bass condition continue to decline if we don’t get a good rain and large water level rise.”

While ShareLunker entry numbers in O.H. Ivie remain significantly stronger than any other Texas lake, Wright pointed out a decline in mega-sized bass reported to the program over the last two years as a possible sign the fish aren’t getting enough to eat.

“We observed half the number of Lunkers over 14 pounds in 2023 (7) com-

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pared to 14 over 14 pounds in 2022,” he said. “This may be a result of falling water levels and greater competition for food.”

Plenty of anglers have speculated over the last couple of years about the possibility that a new state record might be finning around in ‘Ivie. Wright believes it is certainly possible, but thinks the chances were a lot better a year or so ago than they are now.

“On one hand we’ve had two bass over 17 pounds caught in the last two years,” he said. “It’s possible there could be one out there in the mid-18s. On the other hand, water levels in O.H. Ivie are still dropping and fish weights are down a bit. So, while it’s possible, I think changing reservoir conditions are moving in a direction that it’s less likely we’ll see a state record compared to previous years.”

Both Smith and Stanford said they think there is heavier than the 18.18 pound state record right now.

“I truly believe there is a potential state record out there,” said Smith. “If there is though, there aren’t many. There have been two 17 pounders caught here in the last two years. If a fish that size eats a 1-2 pound

gizzard shad, it’s going to be right there. I have personally witnessed a couple fish on forward facing sonar that I feel were 18 plus pounds.”

Like Smith, Stanford thinks there is a state record swimming around in ‘Ivie, possibly more than one.

“It just needs to be the right fish caught at the right time of year,” he said. “I see it all the time out here where some fish just get so much fatter than the others. I see plenty of long fish which can support that 18-19 pound frame as well. All it takes is one with both qualities caught just before it spawns, and it will be a state record.”

Jones isn’t quite as optimistic.

“I don’t think there is a state record in there,” he said. “We are catching many of the same fish and there are too many boats.

If there was a state record out there, I think someone would have already kicked onto one.”

It will be interesting to see what unfolds in 2024. Let the big bass wars begin.

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I Bought An Inexpensive Kayak... ...Now What?

OR MANY OF US, THE ALLURE OF high-end fishing-specific kayaks is undeniable.

They’re easy to haul, can squeeze into tighter spots than traditional fishing boats and allow us to get a little exercise somewhere along the way. But with price

by Paul Fuzinski

tags that can soar upwards of $5,000, not everyone can afford these top-tier vessels. However, with a bit of ingenuity and resourcefulness, you can transform an ordinary kayak from a big box store, Walmart or your local outfitter into a fishing powerhouse. While those state-of-the-art kayaks with all the bells and whistles are tempting, there’s no need to break the bank. In this piece, I’ll guide you through the process of turning any standard kayak into a formidable fishing machine.

Once you’ve obtained a kayak, a few essential additions will have you casting lines in no time. The list of bare essentials are as follows: rod holders, an anchor, rope to secure an anchor, a fish finder, fish finder mount, transducer mount, a battery, and a lifejacket.

Let’s break this list down item by item and build a lean, mean fishing kayak.

First things first, you need a kayak. It doesn’t have to be fancy; it simply needs to float and be rated to hold your weight. Whether it’s a sit-on-top or a sit-inside model, as long as it can navigate waters smoothly, you’re good to go. Unless you plan on going where the waves take you, you will also need a paddle. It doesn’t have to be the most high end paddle either, but a lesson I have learned over the years is that the lighter the paddle, the less tired you will get while out on the water, so take that into consideration.

Scan to Hear Audio Version 

If your kayak doesn’t come equipped with a rod holder, it’s time to get one, or if you are picky about what rods you use, a few. There’s a plethora of third-party rod holders available online. I’ve had great success with the Scotty brand and their interchangeable rail system.

They make rod holders for all the different types of fishing rods, spinning reels, baitcasters

and fly reels. These mount directly to your kayak with a few simple screws.

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Paul Fuzinski has caught many fish from his renovated kayak, ranging from smallmouths to huge bluegills.

running to the store and grabbing one, make sure that the leash is long enough to reach the depths that you will be fishing in.

While not essential, a fish finder can elevate your fishing success. It’s not solely about locating fish but, moreso about viewing and understanding the terrain beneath you where fish will potentially be. The Garmin Striker Plus 4 has served me very well, offering a range of features including water temperature reading, accurate depth reading and GPS mapping. I specifically sought out this model because the mapping allows me to mark locations on any water body so I can easily return to them at any time. My favorite thing about this fish finder is that it doesn’t break the bank and comes with everything you need to get out on the water aside from a battery.

To solve this problem, I hooked up a small jet ski battery that I had laying around and I was good to go. If you want to add a little more protection to your battery, you

Given unpredictable winds that can pop up at any time while you’re out on the water, an anchor is indispensable. While any old anchor will do, consider the type of water body you’ll be fishing in. There are several options for both river and lake anchors that are readily available online and in most outfitters. The most annoying part of hauling around an anchor is the problem of where to store all the rope you need to bring along to use it. There are a few good solutions that I have found. The Scotty deck mount anchor lock system is a game-changer. It allows you to easily lower and retrieve your anchor with one hand. As a great secondary and more affordable option a simple retractable dog leash will get the job done.

You can find these just about anywhere and I have used mine many times out on the water and have never had issues. The best part is that once you are done fishing, the line simply retracts back into the leash and you have no rope to tangle you up. Before 16

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can buy a plastic ammo box, drill a small hole in the top for the wires to pass through and add a waterproof cable seal of some sort where it comes through the box.

Aside from a battery you will also need a way to mount the fish finder to your kayak.

Scotty again saves the day with their fish finder and transducer arm mounts. I was able to mount my fish finder directly in front of me in the kayak and I mounted the transducer arm to the side so I can easily lift it up and down while passing through heavy weed cover or if I am pulling onto shore.

Before drilling any holes though, make sure your paddle isn’t going to smack the transducer arm while you’re underway!

With all these additions, your kayak might feel a tad different while you’re paddling so, always prioritize safety. I’ve invested in a fishing-specific lifejacket, ensuring I’m safe while chasing those big catches. There are a ton of options to choose from online but don’t let yourself PHOTOS: ABOVE, PAUL FUZINSKI; RIGHT, SCOTTY ROD HOLDERS

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If your kayak doesn’t have built-in rod holders, you will want to install one (or a few).

get overwhelmed. I like a simple jacket with a few spots to hang useful tools like scissors for cutting line, pliers and anything else you need to have at hand while sitting in your kayak.

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Don’t let the price tags of branded fishing kayaks deter you. With some grit, creativity, and a DIY mentality, you can craft the perfect fishing kayak tailored to your needs. After all, it’s not just about the

gear; it’s about the passion and the thrill of the catch. So, gear up, head out, and let the waters surprise you!

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12/16/23 11:15 AM

INTER FISHING CONDITIONS CAN BE challenging. With constant water temperature swings, run-off from heavy rains killing visibility and plain uncomfortable conditions, it is not for the faint of heart.

Informed anglers, however, know some of the best action for big speckled trout can be found when the temperatures drop. Here are some strategies we have learned from our columnists and experts in the industry.

TF&G columnist Lenny Rudow loves catching big specks in the winter and offered these three tips.

BUCKTAILING: Instead of casting tails on a bare jighead, tie a bucktail onto the end of your line. Using a bucktail as opposed to a jighead bulks up the presentation, and makes your offering look larger. In chilly weather as the fish’s metabolism slows down, they don’t want to expend a lot of energy to chase down small baits, and bigger is usually better.

Big trout, like this one Ken Chaumont caught, are the products of hard work.

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PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE:

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Tricking out topwaters with a trailer can help score on big winter trout.

FEATHER JIGGING: Feather jigging is incredibly effective when the fish school up in deep holes and channels, usually after a cold front pushes through and temperatures take a dive. In this scenario, rig a chicken feather jig on four or five feet of 20-pound fluorocarbon leader to a triple-swivel. Then, tie a two-foot dropper line on the third eye of the swivel, and add a three-quarter ounce or one-ounce weight to the end. Troll the rig at walking speed, sweeping the rod tip forward then allowing it to drop back to give it a swimming action. Let out just enough line that you can feel the sinker tap bottom at the very end of the sweep.

anglers. Trout that might normally hit the topwater would often hit the plastic and as most anglers know, setting the hook on a topwater bite can be tricky.

Depending on your depth, try 12-18 inches and it works best on a chugger. Think of the chugger as a bobber. This works great in winter because you can make one pop, let it sit 10 seconds and then move it along, whereas if you’re just walking the dog with a walking style plug, you might move too fast for winter specks.

CUT BAIT: For real. Cut bait can catch speckled trout during the winter. If it’s available, cut ballyhoo fished on a Carolina rig can be good for big trout down on the Lower Coast. You can throw and let it sit or crawl very slowly along the bottom. Over the years several anglers have reported on the Upper Coast catching trout on small chunks of cut mullet fished at the jetties.

No one talks about jetties for specks during winter, but there are some out there.

The good thing about the use of cut bait in winter is you won’t be dealing with sharks and catfish.

Mark Davis works a popping cork like no one we have ever seen. The host of The Outdoor Channel’s highest-rated fishing show, “Big Water Adventures,” pops his super hard, leaving only a brief pause for fish to strike especially when fishing for big speckled trout.

He calls this “creating your own school,” referring to finding schooling game fish.

Seven years ago, we watched him out fish everyone in the Lower Laguna Madre near Port Mansfield using a popping cork

DRIFTING LIVIES: Also good when the fish head deep, drifting live mud minnow or mullet can be a killer tactic. The beauty of doing so is that you can rig up a Fishfinder-style rig with a circle hook, set out the line, set the rod in a holder, then actively fish a second line with a different offering as you drift. With circle hooks the fish will set it themselves, so there’s no penalty in setting the rod down rather than holding it. In fact, don’t even touch the rod when you see the tip jiggle – let Rodney the Rod holder do his thing and wait until the rod bends all the way over before you even pick it up.

We at TF&G have received some unusual but effective tips from guides and readers as well.

TOPWATER AS A BOBBER: Years ago, Capt. Jim Onderdonk told us about tying a short fluorocarbon leader with a soft plastic behind a topwater for inexperienced 20

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to catch dozens of trout including a 30-inch monster.

“People think that popping corks are not effective for big fish, but they could not be more wrong. And these same people often talk about how effective topwaters are for the exact same fish. Corks, like topwaters, draw the attention of fish,” he said.

Davis noted using a soft plastic fish or shrimp imitation under a cork is like fishing a topwater with a trailer and big fish cannot resist it.

One version of Davis’ method is to pop the cork hard three times and let it sit for 1-2 seconds. Repeat process.

Another advantage according to Davis is you can cast long distances, which can be a big help in local waters during winter when anglers are wade fishing and covering a much smaller area than they would in a boat.

“Being able to make long distances is an advantage for another reason. Big fish are often spooky and do not like boats approaching them closely,” Davis said.

Davis said anglers should take a second look at popping corks and not be afraid to work them with gusto.

“This technique does not require a high-level fishing pedigree to fish effectively.

Anyone can do it and I guarantee they will start catching more big specks and reds,” Davis said.

This method works great in the winter but is best during warm spells when the trout are in an aggressive feeding pattern.

u PHOTO: CHESTER MOORE

12/14/23 12:10 PM

Going COASTAL A Very ‘Snooky’ Year

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NOOK ARE AN ELUSIVE fish especially here in the lone star state and only a select few anglers can say they are a part of the snook catching club. But with the recent trophy class and close to state record breaking snook being caught on the Lower Laguna Madre, the future looks promising for lunker linesiders.

Catching a snook is not an easy feat, especially when it comes to catching a large one. These fish are very temperamental and come down with lock jaw very often. Tidal movement and weather play a huge factor when targeting this fish and if the conditions are not right, they simply won’t eat. It is not uncommon to work your lure or bait directly in front of a snook and watch them show zero interest. Lots of time and frustration comes with targeting this species, but once hooked up you will experience a ferocious and explosive bite with some serious drag screaming tugs. “Snook are super picky, especially the big ones, but they pull hard, and they jump. They remind me of bass on steroids,” says Capt. Brian Barrera who has spent over a decade pursuing and learning about snook. “With a lot of persistence and a little bit of luck, you too can get this fish crossed off your bucket list.”

Places such as Florida or Costa Rica where the IGFA world record common snook was caught (53 lbs.) are known hot spots for larger fish over 40”, but fish of this caliber do inhabit Texas waters. The Texas State record common snook is 57.50 lbs. caught in 1937 beating the current world record, but the IGFA did not start documenting official world records until 2 years after the exceptional catch. Over the past few years, I personally have witnessed multiple 35-38” snook be caught and released on a PHOTO: KELLY GROCE

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variety of artificial lures and live baits. While fishing near an oyster bed with a steep dropoff, snook in the 34-38” range were showing off their true predator demeanor and exploding full body out of the water terrorizing baits. It was quite remarkable to watch, and even more so to see several be caught and released. After years of snook fishing on the Lower Laguna Madre, it’s always been said that there must be monsters looming amongst all the younger, smaller snook, they are just extremely choosey on when and what they eat. Every trip, the thought of the ‘big one’ has always been on the back of my brain.

:: by KELLY GROCE

TF&G Contributing Editor realized we had a true monster on the line.

We safely netted and measured the fish and was blown away by what we saw; a 39” Texas snook. After a quick picture, I revived the fish until she strongly swam off. That’s when it hit me that I had just Scan to Hear encountered a true Audio Version fish of a lifetime. I  was only 1” away from tying the catch and release Texas state record.

Catching a common snook of this size is a remarkable achievement. Snook are classified as protandric hermaphrodites, meaning they switch sexes from male to female once they mature. The probability that my 39” was a female is high considering the length. These fish are also known for being long-lived and believed to reach 20-30 years of age. After deep diving into big snook and realizing that fish was possibly 10 years or older, my catch became a whole lot more special.

2023 was a very ‘snooky’ year with multiple reports of both the common and fat snook being caught in places such as the mouth of the Colorado river in Matagorda and the jetties on North Padre Island. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, snook numbers are at an all-time high and the future is bright for this unique species and for the anglers in pursuit of catching one.

The author, with her 39-inch “snook of a lifetime.”

On a recent outing, I decided to throw a new topwater I had purchased, the MirrOlure C-Eye Pro Dog Jr. in hot pink with silver painted bones. There was a strong outgoing tide as we pulled up to the first fishing spot of the day. The goal was to catch snook and boy was I in for a real treat. I saw a cluster of bait on the surface getting chased and cast my lure right into the middle of the chaos. I saw the huge humpback of a snook come up and absolutely crush the topwater.

The fish came blasting out of the water and appeared to be a solid 32-33”. This fish was making freight train runs in all directions. As I cautiously got the fish closer to the boat, we T E X A S

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VER THE YEARS, the Edwards Plateau has recorded the highest number of Rio Grande wild turkey harvests in all of Texas. Researchers and managers, however, are noticing a dip in the number of birds harvested, which also coincides with some serious

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habitat threats, posing many questions that need answers.

“Data suggests that Rio Grande abundance, number of hunters and number of birds harvested have dipped in recent years,” said Blake Grisham, Ph.D., director and associate professor of wildlife management at Texas Tech University. “In the Edwards

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Plateau Ecoregion, degradation of riparian habitats has occurred and is likely associated with many factors, including changes in the frequency and magnitude of flood pulses, ungulate browsing, unmanaged grazing, lack of prescribed fire, feral pig damage and damage to riparian vegetation caused by large groups of invasive axis deer.”

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Capturing turkeys for GPS collaring and taking blood tests, etc is an important part of wild turkey research.

bank to the adjacent woodland.

This interface between the woods and water provides crucial ecological significance, and in the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion – with its 62 rivers, creeks, springs and watersheds – this is especially true for the Rios that call the region home.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept.

(TPWD) and the National Wild Turkey

The terms “riparian areas,” “riparian zones” or “riparian corridors” are how wildlife biologists, managers and researchers refer to those habitat-rich areas between water and land.

For instance, the area from the edge of a lake to the beginning of the surrounding forest would be considered a riparian zone.

Another example would be from the river

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Federation (NWTF) worry that the many challenges Grisham pointed out pose a severe and long-term threat to the Rio population, habitat quality and overall hunter satisfaction in what is considered some of the best turkey hunting in all of Texas.

“We will determine the sex and age of all captured birds using primary molt pattern and feather coloration and identify as juveniles or adults,” Grisham said. “We will then fit each individual with a uniquely numbered TPWD aluminum rivet leg band, draw blood from the brachial vein, swab the cloaca for diseases and pull two to five breast feathers. We will then attach one Ornitela 50-g GSM-GPS backpack-style transmitter and release each bird at the capture location. The goal is to maintain 20 tagged Rios on the study area each year of the project.”

Researchers will perform this routine for three years across nine counties throughout Texas Hill Country. From the sex of the birds to how they are moving around in their habitat, all the information gleaned from this project will provide insight into many of the questions being raised, such as “to what degree is degrading riparian habitat impairing Rios Grandes’ overall success?”

Using a comprehensive approach — integrating graph theory, movement data

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Grande wild turkey and, if managed well, cover all of a wild turkey’s basic needs for survival,” said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “This research will help managers connect the dots on how external effects like habitat, disease and genetics impact wild turkey populations that live in these riparian areas. By expanding our knowledge of how wild turkeys are using these areas and which factors or challenges may be playing a role in each stage of their life, we can better understand the wild turkey’s needs and ultimately boost their populations in this dynamic environment.”

This project is one of seven new research projects the NWTF is funding. At the 12th National Wild Turkey Symposium, the NWTF announced its new $360,000 investment into wild turkey research.

In addition to the recent investment, the organization further illustrated the importance of research by committing to hold the 13th National Wild Turkey Symposium in 2025. The symposium is usually held every five years, but the NWTF is working to fasttrack the meeting of researchers and managers to turn the tide of population declines.

Texas Fish & Game will keep you up to date on this project and others involving wild turkeys in Texas.

Rio Grande turkeys are the most abundant turkeys in Texas with around 400,000 populating from Mexico into the Panhandle and beyond.

and more — Grisham and the team of researchers will uncover the answers to many of these questions. Answers will benefit managers seeking to conserve existing populations and provide solutions for other regions where declines are happening.

“The wild turkey has been a great success story in wildlife restoration, but in recent years, many regions of the country have reported declining turkey numbers,” said Jason Hardin, TPWD upland gamebird specialist and NWTF Technical Committee member for Texas. “Texas is no exception.

Population declines are often confounded by annual weather patterns, the quantity and quality of habitat, both short and long term, and numerous other contributing factors. There are rarely silver bullets for addressing population declines, but research is key to our understanding of how and why declines may be occurring. Texas is pleased to see NWTF, our longtime partner in conservation, once again take an active role in wild turkey research in the Lone Star State.”

In addition to providing an overall better understanding of how Rios use riparian areas and how the degrading conditions affect where and when they roost and nest, the project will provide researchers and TPWD with other illuminating information, such as: PHOTOS: CHESTER MOORE

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• The degree to which Rios are infected with diseases and parasites.

• Many genetic factors, like population connectivity, genetic structure and others.

• Male Rio survival and harvest mortality.

• Estimates of female wild turkey survival and productivity, among much more.

“Riparian areas are critical habitat for Rio

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HE GENERAL WHITETAIL only season will be over just about the time you read this article.

In the North Zone, which includes a large portion of the state, it ends January 7.

But hunters should note there are late season options available in Texas and so we thought we would give a few of these to consider.

The south zone general season does not end until January 21.

January 8-21 marks the late muzzleloader season for whitetail deer in 90 counties across the state.

It gives hunters an option to score on deer that eluded them during the archery only and general season.

“Muzzleloader hunting is a great way to stay in the field and add a challenge to your deer hunting,” said Paul Fuzinski,

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Hunters still have an opportunity to score venison for the freezer in January and on some lands the season extends into February.

TF&G’s Aptitude Outdoors columnist.

“The late muzzleloader season sees very few hunters afield and a chance to hunt with less pressure on the deer. Even though

it’s after the general season there are good hunting opportunities.

Hunters are reminded a muzzleloader is any firearm that is loaded only through the

Few hunters take advantage of the late muzzle loader season, offering a chance to hunt with little pressure on the deer.

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muzzle. A cap and ball firearm in which the powder and ball are loaded into a cylinder is not a muzzleloader according to TPWD. Muzzleloader deer seasons are restricted to muzzleloading firearms only.

Hunters utilizing lands under the MLD permit system can hunt through Feb. 29.

In counties with a Special Late Season, harvest is restricted to antlerless and unbranched antlered deer (a buck with at least one antler that has no more than one point). A point is a projection that extends at least one inch from the edge of a main beam or another tine. The tip of the main beam is also a point.

There is a late season Jan. 8-21 in the north zone and Jan. 22-Feb. 4 in the south.

In counties with a special late season, harvest is restricted to antlerless and unbranched antlered deer (a buck with at least one antler that has no more than one point).

And don’t forget, there is a youth-only season that runs Jan. 8-21 in the north and south zones.

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Texas WHITETAILS Managed Lands Deer Permits

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N RECENT YEARS, MORE AND more landowners and hunters have started taking advantage of our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s “Managed Lands Deer Permit”, or MLDP. After the property is on an approved program, landowners and those who hunt those properties have the ability to hunt whitetail deer from the beginning of the archery season in the fall though the end of February. The two MLDP options open to landowners are the Harvest Option and the Conservation Option. To learn more about these two programs go to www.tpwd.texas.gov website.

I am fortunate to be involved in a couple of hunting properties that are under a MLDP Conservation Option. Immediately after our annual DSC Convention and Hunter Exposition at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas in early January I am headed to the deer woods.

If you have the opportunity to hunt on MLDP property, January is a great time to hunt for several reasons. One is that any deer taken on MLDP property do not count against your hunting license whitetail deer limit. As a matter of fact, you cannot use one of your license tags on deer harvested under this program, you have to use a tag supplied to you by the landowner.

January too, is a time when in some areas there is a secondary rut. That secondary rut usually does not involve grown does, most of them have already been bred, but six-month old doe fawns that are experiencing their first estrus period. The number of six-month old does that come into heat in January varies from area to area and is really based more upon the nutritional status of the local deer herd, the better the nutrition, the higher percentage of doe fawns that get bred.

Several years ago, when MLDP was first begun, on one of the ranches I managed we

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saw several bucks chasing younger six-month old does in mid-January. I had seen the same the previous two years. With our MLDP in place I waited until the latter part of February, then we shot ten does born the previous spring. Eight of those ten young does had been bred and had developing fetuses. On that property deer never went hungry a single day. Through our wildlife management program, we fertilized native browse plants and mast-producing trees, planted browse species, planted food plots that provided forage

:: by LARRY WEISHUHN

TF&G Whitetail Hunting Editor are fortunate in that bucks on that property usually do not start casting their antlers until the middle of March. Thus, if we still have

Hunting on Texas MLDP program in January and February is an ideal time to take a big buck or does...

MLDP buck tags, this is a great time to take a late season buck.

While I like to harvest does as early as possible, usually in October or as soon as hunting seasons allow, if property is on a MLDP the late season is also a great time to take whatever does still need to be taken. But be careful not to shoot a buck that has already cast his antlers.

If you do not have access to hunt MLDP property, and even if you do, January and February are also perfect months to do some predator hunting and control.

throughout the year, and made supplemental feed available on a daily basis. Many properties and hunting groups now do the same.

The interesting thing about that late rut is that we saw mature bucks we had not seen during what Scan to Hear would have been Audio Version the regular hunting  season. That in itself is another reason to hunt in January, if you can legally do so.

On my lease west of San Angelo, as many other places once February arrives, deer are best hunted on food sources. We T E X A S

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Texas FRESHWATER caught with Kirkland. One of the alligator gar line class records is a 110 pounder caught on twopound line in October 2022 at Choke Canyon.

Weston’s previous personal best biggest alligator was a 251 pounder he caught and released in April 2023 on the Trinity River. That fish should be certified as the IGFA 80-pound line class record by now.

It’s hard to imagine catching an even bigger fish with much smaller line, but the 52-year-old finan-

:: by MATT WILLIAMS

TF&G Freshwater Fishing Editor

New World Record Gar ...on Six Pound Line

strength, according to the report.

Weston used a 5 1/2 foot GOOFISH rod matched with a Daiwa 19 Emcast freespool spinning reel to haul in the new world record.

Amazingly, he managed to land the fish on sixpound test line.

The Momoi monofilament line was tethered to 70 inch, 175-pound test steel leader and an 8/0 J-hook that was tipped with a chunk of carp for bait — a set-up that is well within IGFA’s legal

F

OR THOSE WHO MAY NOT have heard, one of the world’s oldest and most hallowed freshwater fishing records was crushed by a 283 pound alligator gar caught and released at Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Lufkin by Art Weston of Union, Kentucky.

The news of the giant fish first surfaced in early September, courtesy of Kirk Kirkland of Trinity. It really came as no surprise.

Kirkland is a veteran fishing guide who specializes in targeting the toothy titans using rod and reel. He calls his aluminum fishing boat the “Garship Enterprise.” Weston is a thrill-seeking big fish hunter and with a passion for chasing International Game Fish Association line class records.

The Florida-based IGFA is the official records keeper of fish caught from fresh and saltwater.

The organization follows a distinctive code when critiquing world record applications. The idea is to ensure that all catches are legitimate, weights are accurate, and all paperwork is in order.

Weston has a knack for cracking record marks using tackle better suited for smaller fish. At last count, he had 23 IGFA rod and reel line class records to his name, numerous others pending and a couple that have been retired.

His current list of certified records is comprised of 14 species from six different countries, including eight alligator gar and longnose gar that have been 30

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Art Weston, with his 283 pound alligator gar, caught on six pound line at Lake Sam Rayburn.

cial analyst pulled it off on a muggy Saturday that fell during the heart of Labor Day weekend.

Weston’s 283-pound bruiser measured 8 feet, 4 inches long with a 48 inch girth. It is the biggest alligator gar documented by IGFA in 72 years and tops the former world and Texas all-tackle state record by four pounds.

The former world record — a 279 pounder — was set in December 1951 by the late Bill Valverde of Mission. In 2019, Houston Chronicle outdoors writer Shannon Tompkins reported that Valverde reeled in the huge fish using a homemade pole fashioned from bamboo. His Montague reel was spooled with nylon line of an unknown breaking |

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guidelines for world record catches.

Weston was somewhat amused by the number of anglers who questioned why he would go after giant fish with such light tackle. Truth is, tangling with the all-tackle world record alligator wasn’t even on his radar when he and Kirkland went fishing that morning. His goal at the time was to catch one heavier than IGFA’s 123 pound, 9 ounce six-pound line class record.

“I could have used 130-pound test, and it still would have been the all-tackle world record,” Weston said. “It’s just not logical to think you are going to land a 283-pound fish on six-pound test line, but that’s the line I was using at the time and PHOTOS: KIRK KIRKLAND

12/16/23 11:23 AM

The world record gar’s weight, displayed on the official IGFA scale carried by Guide Kirk Kirkland.

somehow it worked out.”

The giant gar didn’t come easy. Once hooked, Kirkland used the outboard engine to keep pace with the fish as it cruised around a 15-acre open pasture just south of the State Highway 103 bridge.

The water is about 12-15 feet deep with a sand bottom and very few snags. Kirkland discovered

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years old.

“Alligator gar over eight feet in length are exceedingly rare, he said. “Over the years, we have handled thousands of alligator gar. The six footers are pretty abundant, seven footers aren’t unexpected, but we’ve only seen a few in the 8-foot class.

Therefore, we have Scan to Hear very little data on Audio Version the age of fish this  size. The data we do have suggests this fish is likely very old.

For comparison, we aged the 8 foot, 5.25 inch fish that was incidentally caught in a commercial fisherman’s net in Lake Chotard, Mississippi in 2011. The most up-to-date estimate for that fish is in the neighborhood of 100 years old. I would venture to bet the Sam Rayburn fish is in the same ballpark.”

the area decades ago. He called it a spot where the fish like to gang up.

“They were really rolling in there that day,” he said.

Weston said plenty could have gone wrong during an exhausting battle that lasted close to three hours, but it didn’t. It would have ended quickly had the thin line brushed against a tree limb or rock.

“I still can’t believe we pulled it off,” he said. “It was a shockingly big fish. I can’t say enough about Captain Kirk and how he has helped me land so many wonderful fish. There are not too many guides that will put up with a record hunter and all the effort it takes, but he is the best there is.”

Fertile imaginations might be wondering how old such a fish might be. The only way to know for certain is to examine the otolith bone inside the fish’s skull, but that requires killing the fish.

Weston did the sporting thing and released the big gar alive after weighing it on a nearby beach using the IGFA certified scale Kirkland carries in his boat.

Dan Daughterty is a fisheries scientist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department who aged thousands of alligator gar over the years. He believes the fish could have easily been 80-100

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Taking A Sci-Fly Approach to Speckled Trout Fishing | by Chester Moore HILE LAUNCHING OUR kayaks into a small lake last spring to flyfish for largemouths, my friend Mike Williams said he was going to name his kayak “Bass Hunter.”

“I always seem to be after bass, so I think that’s a good fit.

Chester, you should name yours,” he said.

After going through a few names like “Vader” and “Hulk,” the words “SciFly” came to mind.

It’s now not only the name of my kayak, but it’s also an ideology I have developed for fishing in general. It’s taken root since seriously pursuing flyfishing for the last five years, mainly in freshwater, but the idea behind it is deeply involved in my saltwater fishing as well.

Sci-Fly Fishing is all about going to the “outer limits of shore, stream, flats and flyfishing.”

Whether it’s with a popping cork rigged with Gulp! or hopper/midge Scan to Hear Audio Version combo for  rainbows, the

REPORT: NEWS 36  TF&G OF THE NATION Reported by TF&G Staff

& GAME 36  FISH HOTSHOTS Trophy Photos from TF&G Readers

& GAME 38  FISH FORECAST CENTER SALTWATER

Reported by Capt. Eddie Hernandez Capt. Derek York Capt. Mark Talasek Capt. Kim Goulden Capt. Richard Thompson Capt. Jake Wheelis Capt. Gerad Meritt and Capt. Brian Barerra

& GAME 48  FISH FORECAST CENTER FRESHWATER

Reported by TJ Ranft and TF&G Staff

56  SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK Tides and SoLunar Data

idea is trying new things for various species.

Speckled trout are particularly fascinating because there is so much tradition based in how we pursue them in Texas. Typically, it’s a big bait for big CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 

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“Sci-Fly” Fishing is all about going to the outer limits of shore, stream, flats and flyfishing.

fish thing and it lines up with how they are wired as trout 20 inches or larger typically go after larger finfish.

But I have seen some evidence of some really tiny stuff working for big trout as well, so here’s what I will be trying this year.

On the flyfishing front I’m going to rig a

small bone-colored popper with a fluorocarbon trailer rigged with a black/sliver bead head this winter. That bead head is the size of some of these tiny menhaden and other baitfish and if the popper can get the trout’s attention, I have a feeling I can get hits on the trailer.

We actually profile something similar done with a large topwater and plastic in another feature in this issue but I think this one will work. And it’s something that might get the job done on days when you have high barometric pressure, and the fish are a little more lethargic. Maybe, the flash of the tiny bead head will get it done.

On the side of shore fishing for specks in general, something I am going to target more is manmade canals that drop into ship channels. These areas are rarely targeted for specks, and I have caught some there while winter flounder fishing.

You have moving water, a prevalence of baitfish and the ability to get into deeper, more stabilized water when fronts hit.

This is the kind of thing I think about when I’m out on the water.

Let me know your thoughts on this. I’d love to hear some of your “Sci-Fly Fishing” strategies.

Email cmoore@fishgame.com

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PHOTO: ADOBE; SCIFLY LOGO, CHESTER MOORE

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NEWS of the

OUTDOOR Nation

Rainbow Stockings to Continue in New Year THE ANNUAL TEXAS WINTER TRAdition of rainbow trout stocking returns to waterbodies across the state to kick off the holiday season. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) began stocking thousands of rainbow trout the week of Thanksgiving 2023 to give anglers a chance to catch one of these iconic fish.

It doesn’t take a lot of sophisticated fishing equipment to reel in a rainbow trout.

They can be caught using simple, light tackle or hand-tied flies on a fly rod. However, anglers should keep an array of baits and lures nearby as well as ice to keep trout fresh.

Rainbow trout are an attractive, tasty fish with recipes easily foung online.

TPWD began

In addition to stocking the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Lake, TPWD also stocks rainbow trout in the Brazos River downstream of Possum Kingdom Lake, portions of the Frio and South Llano rivers, and the Clear Fork of the Trinity River.

Although trout stockings take place at numerous locations in Texas, TPWD’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program provides a unique experiScan to Hear ence for families Audio Version and new anglers  to reel in a fish in and around major cities.

TPWD manages 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes statewide in most major urban centers, including Amarillo, Austin, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Houston, San Angelo, San Antonio and Wichita Falls. These lakes — frequently stocked with rainbow trout during winter — offer plenty of amenities

the stocking of 343,331 rainbow trout in Texas Nov. 22, 2023, and it continues through March 1. Because rainbow trout are unable to survive in most areas of Texas after winter, anglers are encouraged to keep up to their daily bag limit of five trout.

Exceptions exist within special trout management zones on the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Lake, which often remains cool enough for rainbow trout to survive year-round. This portion of the Guadalupe River is recognized as one of the top 100 trout streams in the nation and is considered the southernmost trout stream in North America.

AMBERJACK

SPOTTED BASS

WHITETAIL BUCK

Gulf of Mexico

Dallas

Newton County

Brad Brown caught this hefty amberjack out in the Gulf of Mexico, about 43 nautical miles out of the Port of Matagorda.

Grover Malduney caught this spotted bass with a minnow from a dock in an undisclosed Dallas area waterbody.

Eight-year-old Hayes Puls shot his first buck, a very healthy eight point, while hunting in Newton County.

PHOTO:

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Between November 2023 and March 1, 2024 TPWD will have stocked more than 340,000 Rainbow trout in rivers and neighborhood lakes around Texas.

so family members of all ages can enjoy a fun and relaxing day fishing and connecting in nature. Other stocking locations include dozens of local city and county park ponds.

In addition, anglers can enjoy complementary fishing without a license in a Texas State Park from a bank, dock or pier. TPWD recommends anyone planning a trip to a park reserve a day pass in advance. Day passes can be reserved online at the TPWD website by calling (512) 389-8900.

“TPWD stocks catchable-sized fish during winter months to create unique winter angling opportunities throughout Texas,” said Carl Kittel, TPWD Rainbow Trout Program Director. “Rainbow trout love cold water and can be caught on a variety of baits and lures (worms, commercially available pastes, corn, spinners, spoons, flies and more), and are great to take home and eat.

Our winter rainbow trout program has been a favorite of anglers for over forty years.”

Texas does not require a fishing license for youth under the age of 17, but adults must have a fishing license with a freshwater fishing endorsement. Funds from the sale of fishing licenses and freshwater fishing endorsements directly support efforts by TPWD to provide great fishing opportunities for current and future generations.

An angler fishing in a Community Fishing Lake or from a dock, pier or jetty within a Texas State Park may use no more than two poles. The statewide bag limit is five trout with no minimum length limit, except on parts of the Guadalupe River where special limits are in effect.

The dates and locations are subject to change due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Be sure to check

the 2023-24 Trout Stocking Schedule online before you go fishing to confirm the stocking date, check fishing regulations and to find other winter trout stocking program angling tips.

Birdsong Named New TPWD Inland Fisheries Director TIM BIRDSONG HAS BEEN SELECTed as Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) next Inland Fisheries Division director. Birdsong has served as interim division director since July, following the promotion of Craig Bonds to chief operating officer.

“Tim has a passion for fishing, aquatic resources stewardship, building collaborative partnerships and for TPWD,” said TPWD executive director David Yoskowitz,.

Birdsong is a 17-year veteran of TPWD, having served within the Inland Fisheries

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Division as deputy division director and habitat conservation branch chief. Prior to joining TPWD, Birdsong was a fisheries biologist and data program leader with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“TPWD is an inspiring and impactful organization, and daily I’m struck with feelings of purpose and gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to this great mission,” said Birdsong. “The division is recognized nationally as a progressive leader among state fisheries programs, routinely taking risks to develop new and innovative solutions to challenges facing freshwater fisheries resources that are science-based, cost-effective, scalable and transferable.”

Birdsong’s contributions to the management and conservation of the state’s public freshwater fisheries resources have been recognized at state, national and international levels. He has garnered multiple honors, including the Conservation Award from Fly Fishers International (2021), National Fish Habitat Award (2014), Texas Parks and Wildlife Conservation Award (2015), James A. Henshall Warmwater Fisheries Award (2016), Sport Fish Restoration Outstanding Project Award (2016, 2020) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Outstanding Team Award (2020).

Birdsong was also named Outstanding Texas Fisheries Worker of the Year by the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society two different times during his TPWD career (2013, 2020).

—TF&G Staff Reports

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in the chilly water and they are not feeding aggressively. They are just looking for a meal, and the easier the better.

Slow sinking plugs like Mirr O Lure Catch 2000, Catch V and Corky’s are very effective. Let the bait do its job and sink slowly. Give it a couple of very Scan to Hear Audio Version light twitches,  then give it time to make another slow descent.

Some fishermen don’t twitch it at all. They just give the reel about 1/4 of a turn, then let it sink and do it again. Natural colors work well, as do lighter colors depending on the water clarity.

Good colors are bone and chrome/ chartreuse. You never know which one they want, but I sometimes think it depends on which one crosses their faces first. Make sure to experiment with different colors to figure them out.

Keep in mind it is wintertime, so come armed with lots of patience. It could be the difference maker between a successful or frustrating day.

Patience in the Cold SABINE

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

O

NE OF THE MOST important characteristics that all successful anglers have in common is that of patience. It is a key ingredient to successful angling.

Mixed with confidence, knowledge, skill and luck, a little patience can definitely go a long way.

This is never more true than in the cold months. January and February routinely produce some of our biggest trout of the year here on Sabine. A good majority of these trout, for the most part, are ones that you are not going to catch if you don’t have patience....lots of it.

When fishing for cold water trophy trout, you have to be disciplined enough to grind it out for hours hoping for one or two big bites.

Fish dropoffs and cuts that are holding bait.

Mullet and mud are two CAPT. EDDIE of the key HERNANDEZ components

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CONTACT CAPT. HERNANDEZ: Email: GHGS.Eddie@gmail.com Online: GoldenHookGuide.com

when hunting wintertime trophy trout. Set up in areas that you know have a nice hard mud bottom near a good dropoff or drain and match the hatch by using mullet imitation plugs.

Keep the depth between four and eight feet and work these areas thouroughly to cover as much water as possible. Wading is never a bad idea whent he water temperature drops as “old man winter” is breathing down your neck.

These fish are lethargic and it is important to take your time when presenting your lure to them. They are not feeding as often as they will in the warmer months, but they still need to eat. They just want it big and they want it slow.

One of the most common mistakes some people make in cold water is working their bait too fast. I like to tell my clients that if they think they’re working it too slow, they may want to try slowing down a little more. The trout’s metabolism is down |

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Put Winter Weather to Work GALVESTON

C

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

OLD TEMPERATURES, windy conditions, fog, rain and shorter days sure don’t sound very appealing to most fisherman, but wintertime fishing in Texas can be as good as it gets if you know how to use the weather to your advantage and get out on the better days we have early in the

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year. Trophy trout fishing is king in most bay systems along the coast in the wintertime and Galveston Bay is no exception.

Whether you are fishing from a boat, the shoreline or wading you have a shot at a true trophy this time of year. Corkies, Mirrolures and soft plastics produce plenty of quality fish in the wintertime with a slowed down presentation over mud bottoms which tend to warm faster than shell.

When I am drift fishing, we will be throwing artificials and live shrimp under popping corks. I also have a lot of luck on heavier spoons of ½ ounce or bigger for long casts at working birds. Kastmasters and the Johnson Sprites are always a good bet when fishing spoons for trout and reds.

I will also concentrate on fishing marsh drains this time of year when the tide is right as these fish will always focus on these ambush areas when bait is readily available.

Whether you are fishing in West Bay, Galveston Bay, East Bay or Trinity you can find fish this time of year when using these tactics. The main thing is just to go Scan to Hear when you can and Audio Version  have a variety of baits and lures to offer the fish. I will also spend a lot of my time fishing in smaller bodies of water like Clear Lake, Moses Lake and the upper Houston Ship channel.

And when the weather is right the jetties can be a big producer of some great catches for reds, black drum and sheepshead. Late February into early March is when the real push of big Black Drum start to run near the passes and deeper waters. This is also when the Sheepshead will start to transition out of the bay to the jetties for their annual spring spawning season.

Just remember to stay weather aware this time of year.

CAPT. DEREK Be prepared YORK for the unex-

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Christmas Bay

HOTSPOTLIGHT

BASTROP BAY BASTROP BAY IS LOCATED WEST OF FOLLETS ISLAND AND OFF THE WEST END OF West Bay in Brazoria County. It is the northern extension of Christmas Bay. The Intracoastal Waterway passes along its northern and western shorelines. Bastrop Bay can be reached through San Luis Pass and Cold Pass or through Mud Cut. SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

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Bastrop Bay Shell

2

Bastrop Channel

GPS

3

Mud Cut Flats

4

Bastrop Bay Shell

5

Bastrop Spoil

6

Christmas Point

FLOUNDER

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Mud Cut

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Oyster Lake

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Christmas Point

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Tit Tat Bayou

WADEFISHING

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Christmas Bay South Shore

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Bastrop Bay West Shore

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Bastrop Bay East Shore

FACILITIES KEY

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REDFISH

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Catch 2000’s, DOA Shrimp, She Dogs, Corkies.

Trout Killers, She Dogs, Corkies, Catch 2000’s

N 29 07.797, W 95 09.540 N 29 06.373, W 95 10.447 N 29 05.456, W 95 11.202 N 29 04.663, W 95 10.495

Drift the flat, look for sandholes, nervous mullet, grass; dawn thru morn, dusk.

N 29 06.163, W 95 09.519 N 29 07.348, W 95 10.829 N 29 04.843, W 95 10.240 N 29 04.737, W 95 09.492

Great night gigging, sure-foot wading, mud minnows; dawn; morn, dusk

Gold spoons, plastics, Corkies, mullet.

Plastics, gold spoons, crabs, mullet.

Mullet, crabs, Texas Red Killers, gold spoons.

DOA shrimp, Bass Assassin Sea Shad, shrimp.

Bass Assassin Sea Shad, Little Fishies, shrimp.

Shrimp, DOA shrimp, Bass Assassin Sea Shad.

N 29 02.681, W 95 10.384 N 29 04.977, W 95 11.591 N 29 05.853, W 95 09.825

Trout, redfish, flounder; Spring thru Fall Trout, redfish, flounder; Spring thru Fall Trout, redfish, flounder; Spring thru Fall

GPS

LOCATION

N 29 04.724, 14001 CR 257 W 95 07.844 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS

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pected and have a plan if something were to go wrong. Always check your safety equipment (life jackets, first aid kit, signaling devices and any other items) and think about adding an emergency blanket, extra water and food and a change of clothes to your boat. Hypothermia can set in quick and being prepared could be the difference.

Making a float plan is always a good idea even if it is just a simple text to a friend saying where you are planning on going and expected return time.

So make sure to get out and enjoy some of the great fishing we have this time of year and remember to always try and take a kid fishing!

CONTACT CAPT. YORK: Email: SportStalkerFishing@sbcglobal.com Online: FishGalvestonBayTX.com

•••

The ‘Good Ole Days’

A typical stringer in “the good ole days,” when the author’s dad guided around the Matagorda system.

MATAGORDA

al fishermen. Many days you wouldn’t see another boat while out on Matagorda bay.

Most people fished west Matagorda Bay because of the easy access. This was before the Matagorda harbor was built.

Parker’s cut was still open. East bay was such a long trip around it hardly ever got fished. The diversion channel was still an idea on someone’s desk as well as the jetty.

My have things changed. Nothing it’s like it used to be.

Night fishing under the lights used to produce five pound trout. Oyster reefs were alive and healthy. The bay system was full of shrimp. A winter time drift down the Colorado River might produce the next 30” wall hanger. The draw bridge was replaced with a high level overhead. Then the fisherman kept Scan to Hear coming.

Audio Version Those who  are looking to get out of the house this winter should venture into East bay. Find some mud and tie on a corky lure. Work it

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

N

OTHING IS LIKE IT USED to be! We all hear stories of “the good ole day’s.” Full stringers of five pound trout. Limited out in the first hour of fishing. Then catching and releasing the rest of the day. I grew up the son of a Matagorda fishing guide in the 1970s. I didn’t realize that I was living the good ole days at the time. Boy was I blessed.

My father told me stories boxes of fish that were caught.

There were no limits.

Commercial fishermen were the major strain on the fisheries. Gill nets lined the shoreline.

There wasn’t CAPT. MARK an abundance TALASEK of recreation-

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slowly until a big gurl hits. Tight lines and Godbless. Captain Mark Talasek 979 479 1397.

CONTACT CAPT. TALASEK: Email: MarkTalasek@sbcglobal.com Online: TalasekGuideService.com

•••

UPPER COAST HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Freeport HOTSPOT: Swan Lake GPS: N 28 58.098, W 95 16.446 (28.9683, -95.2741)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Corkies or Catch 2000 SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

PHOTO: CAPT. MARK TALASEK

12/19/23 11:08 AM

TIPS: In January the water gets a lot clearer and lower.You can do a lot of sight fishing with the majority for redfish.

Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish live shrimp 2-3’ under popping cork, anchor or drift; dawn through afternoon.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: April Fool Reef GPS: N 29 29.077, W 94 54.773 (29.4846 -94.9129)

LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Kemah Flats GPS: N 29 32.777, W 95 0.648 (29.5463 -95.0108)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Shrimp, croaker SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish live shrimp or croaker, work reef top and edges, drift; dawn-midday, dusk.

LOCATION: Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Halfway Reef GPS: N 29 33.406, W 94 58.207 (29.5568 -94.9701)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Shrimp, crab, topwaters SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish live shrimp or crab, work topwaters early, live bait later; dawn-midday.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

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LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Tong Reef GPS: N 29 32.232, W 94 30.351 (29.5372 -94.5059)

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay HOTSPOT: Oliver Point GPS: N 28 38.265, W 96 13.92 (28.6378, -96.2320)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live and artificial trout bait SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Drift reef edges, fish afternoon through dusk & under full moon.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Wade the shoreline grass from Oyster Point to Oyster Lake; avoid midday, night.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Brown Cedar Flats GPS: N 28 44.406, W 95 42.09 (28.7401 -95.7015)

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Spillway GPS: N 29 45.223, W 94 48.857 (29.7537 -94.8143)

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay HOTSPOT: Twin Island Reef GPS: N 28 38.828, W 96 2.425 (28.6471, -96.0404)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Corkys SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: You want a slow sinking bait, such as a yellow/chartreuse Corky; good all day.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Shrimp, finger mullet, topwaters SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Anchor or drift with live shrimp or finger mullet, fish topwaters early; dawn through midday, dusk.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Cleveland Reef GPS: N 28 39.983, W 95 51.982 (28.6664 -95.8664)

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Lake GPS: N 29 16.245, W 94 59.539 (29.2708 -94.9923)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Anchor or drift the reef with shrimp under a popping cork; dawn-morning, dusk.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Black’s Bayou GPS: N 29 59.866, W 93 45.182 (29.9978 -93.7530)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Drift with pumpkinseed soft plastics, looking for slicks; morning.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish shrimp 18 inches under cork, fish shallow early; dawn through morning, afternoon through dusk.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Live bait, soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish Stanley Wedgetails, jig-tipped shrimp, or fish live finger mullet.

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Espiritu Santo Bay

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Tips for Big Winter Trout

ESPIRITU SANTO BAY

SIXTEEN MILE LONG, FIVE MILE WIDE ESPIRITU SANTO BAY IS A NORTHEASTERN extension of San Antonio Bay. It is part of the Guadalupe River estuary. Oyster reefs are scattered throughout the sand and mud bottom, attracting a variety of gamefish. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.

Reported by CAPT. KIM GOULDEN

T IS TIME FOR WINTER TROUT fishing in the coastal bend area. Crisp mornings will greet you on the water and often offer opportunities for heavy trout targets. Consistent trout fishing is in the details. Here are some suggestions to tip the odds in your favor.

BAIT PRESENCE: When targeting winter trout, the first and most important piece of the puzzle is the presence of bait. The main bait source for trout in January and February is mullet. When evaluating an area with sustained water temperature in CAPT. KIM the 50s or 60s, GOULDEN the presence of bait (flipping or nervous bait) is significant. During January and February, these opportunities

SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

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Dewberry Island

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Josephine Reef

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Pringle Lake

REDFISH

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Raphael Bayou

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Contee Lake

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Transition Edge

FLOUNDER

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Pringle Cut

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Long Island Shoreline

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Steamboat Pass

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Spoil Area Cut

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Cut

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Shell Edge

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South Pass

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PORT O’CONNOR

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BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 28 23.054, W 96 30.488 N 28 20.055, W 96 31.423 N 28 18.925, W 96 31.151

Wade, work waist deep grassbeds on east or northeast wind; dawn through morning, dusk.

N 28 18.376, W 96 32.911 N 28 17.779, W 96 33.157 N 28 17.977, W 96 35.482

Fish live croaker, along the edge and bottom of the bayou on moving tides; dawn-morning.

N 28 19.509, W 96 30.831 N 28 20.255, W 96 35.803 N 28 18.103, W 96 34.566

Mud minnows, fish the cut edges with moving tides; dawn-morning, night.

N 28 19.195, W 96 32.302 N 28 20.566, W 96 35.539

Fish next to the well, let bait sit, after 2 or 3 hits, set hook; morning through afternoon.

N 28 19.423, W 96 32.016 N 28 17.769, W 96 35.793

Use cut squid, with aggressive popping action, keeping bait medium/shallow depth; morning through afternoon.

Anchor on reef edge and freeline croaker on the top; dawn through afternoon Drift with Topwaters, plastics or live shrimp under popping cork; dawn-morning, dusk.

Anchor or wade along grass beds with live croaker, crab; productive all day.

Cast large shrimp at this transition edge, move slowly; dawn,

dusk

Mud minnows, fish the cut edges with moving tides; dawn-morning, night.

Mud minnows, fish the pass edges with moving tides; dawn-morning, night.

Cast into the cut, let bait suspend just off the bottom; morning, afternoon.

Use cut squid, with aggressive popping action, keeping bait medium/shallow depth; morning through afternoon.

N 28 19.166, 10W40 Salt Assassins, wade from shore, fish the guts; W 96 32.319 dawn-morning, dusk.

N 28 18.258, Fish black/chartreuse topwaters for trout. Be on the lookout Contee Outside Shore W 96 33.750 for jumping mullet; dawn-morning, dusk.

SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS Josephine Motts

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ARTIFICIAL LURES: With the main bait source being mullet, heavy-bellied suspending twitch baits and similarly-shaped larger tails can produce some elbow-rattling thumps that will live rent free in your head for a while. Vary your retrieval until you draw a bite. Slowing lures way down in cold water can have outstanding results.

MirrOLure Corkies and Soft-Dines are very effective. A down-sized version of larger profile lures is a must. If they will not commit to the larger version, downsize the offer.

The cat-and-mouse game of winter speckled trout fishing is a great way to spend a day on the water. I hope these tips will give you ideas for a game plan and lead to a personal best speckled trout to start your year off right!

MIDDLE COAST  CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

are often found over softer bottom as opposed to hard sand.

CONTACT CAPT. GOULDEN: Email: KimGouldenFishing@gmail.com Online: PortOConnorFishingTrip.com

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Epic Times on Aransas ROCKPORT PORT ARANSAS Reported by CAPT. RICHARD THOMPSON

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Crisp winter conditions often improve the chances of catching big speckled trout.

perature plays a role in consistency. It is not necessary to target a certain water temperature, but being aware of the dynamics that produce areas of warmer water may give you an edge. During winter, water off a leeward shoreline on a sunny day Scan to Hear Audio Version will warm rela tively faster than middle areas. This can bring bait up shallower and give trout opportunities for easy meals.

STRUCTURE: The Port O’Connor area is blessed with an intricate system of marshes and back lakes that stretch for miles.

The softer bottom found in these areas is ideal for winter trout fishing. This type of structure will absorb heat on sunny days after cold fronts and hold the heat longer than hard sand. The bait moves in, and the predators follow. Deeper holes with soft bottoms can be very productive, as well. On unseasonably warm days, the bait can ease out over adjacent warming sand pockets to sun and trout will follow.

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T’S A STELLAR AND TRULY epic time of the year for trophy Trout enthusiasts to be fishing in South Texas!! The first thing that pops into one’s mind when folks think about catching trophy Trout is Baffin Bay. However, we want to change that mindset and spotlight some great areas that produce some solid Trout and Redfish in the Corpus Christi Bay system from Nueces Bay to the Laguna Drive shoreline.

The opportunity to catch solid CAPT. RICHARD limits of Trout THOMPSON and Redfish PHOTO: CAPT. KIM GOULDEN

12/19/23 11:09 AM

and slowly. Make Scan to Hear sure you work Audio Version grass lines and the  edges of potholes and try not to rush through them.

We are excited to announce that our new Laguna Madre Lodge will be ready for you to stay with us as we are steps away from the Laguna Drive shoreline located on the upper Laguna Madre. We would love to be your outfitter that puts you on your personal best trophy Trout.

Krystal White of R&K Coastal Outfitters shows off a limit of Corpus Christi specks and reds.

CONTACT CAPT. THOMPSON: Email: RandKCoastalOutfitters@gmail.com Online: RandKCoastalOutfitters.com

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The Winter Games Begin is possible because they are congregating around flats and drop offs like we have on the Laguna Drive shoreline. There are several areas like this topography i.e., North shoreline of Nueces Bay, Oso Bay, Night Hawk, and Bird Island. With that being said, we have asked our clients to be conservative when thinking about which fish and how many they would like to harvest. After the last major freeze, Texas Parks and Wildlife have put out new size limits which really did help our bay system. This past August, everything went back to the original limits and sizes. Keeping this in mind, that it really helped, we are trying to stress the importance of being responsible fishermen and not taking out of the system more than we need to. We personally agree and want to set an example that taking a picture of an over 25” Trout and releasing it to lay her eggs and for someone else to catch her later is very gratifying.

When it comes to catching these over 25” Trout, typically, everyone talks about MirrOlure MirrOdine or corkys this time of PHOTO: CAPT. RICHARD THOMPSON

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CORPUS CHRISTI

the year. But, one of our favorite go to baits is a topwater when the conditions allow.

Some of the lures that we recommend are the One Knocker Spook, She Dog, and the Skitter Walk are extremely successful for enticing these big girls to hit them. The retrieve of a walk the dog motion with a slight pause is a very successful method to get your best results. Watching that big yellow mouth engulf your topwater is one of the most heart pumping adrenaline rushes you will ever experience on the water.

Personally, I also like to feel that big thump when I use soft plastics and corkys to lure in the big Redfish and Trout alike. One of my favorite soft plastic colors I use this time of year is the Down South Victorious Secret Super Model with a pink lead head.

That pink lead head may be more of a confidence thing, but it sure seems to work for me time after time.

We recommend targeting areas with particularly good bait action and as this time of year when you see a few mullet flips slow down and work the area thoroughly

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Reported by CAPT. JAKE WHEELIS

S WINTER GETS IN FULL swing, it can be very rewarding to bundle up and get on the water to catch a fish of a lifetime.

With the majority of the bait and Fin fish migration over, this time of the year is a lure fisherman’s Dream.

January is my favorite time of the year to fish.

That being said an eye for the weather is essential for having a CAPT. JAKE successful and WHEELIS safe fishing trip this time of year. With multiple fronts passing through weekly, it can be very rewarding to be able to fish right before the fronts hit.

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shad, Downsouth super model, and new for this year is the Slicks original paired with a 6’9 slam mag fromWaterloo, is a dangerous combination. Just remember the rule dark water dark lure. Fish this time of year really like to hit a falling bait so we will be pairing

MIDDLE COAST  CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

water and mud adjacent. Like the hundreds of spoil banks and islands we have in the

MIDDLE COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Nueces Bay GPS: N 27 51.894, W 97 21.132 (27.8649 -97.3522)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish Gulp! New Penney and any other soft plastic in purple are effective colors.

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay HOTSPOT: Pringle Lake GPS: N 28 18.984, W 96 30.865 (28.3164 -96.5144)

Big winter trout action can be found throughout the Aransas/Corpus/Upper Laguna bay system.

Upper Laguna Madre. Post fronts with barometric pressure high and colder water we like to focus on deeper guts and holes with a muddier bottom. Like Kates Hole, Boat Hole, or Dead Man’s.

As the transition from fall to winter is over, my lure bag is getting a lot smaller. The fish have gone from a fin fish, shrimp diet to more of a mullet, Scan to Hear menhaden diet. As Audio Version that happens, we  adapt to throwing larger baits such as Custom Corkey’s in the Fat Boy, Fat Boy floater, and Soft Dine XL 5” Gambler flapping 46

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these baits on 1/8 or 1/16 ounce jig head for the slicks we will be rigging them weedless unweighted and an 1/8 ounce belly hook in deeper water. That being said, if you can work your lure slower do it!

As always please remember conservation! Only take what you need and lets set a standard for the next generation of fisherman!

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Shrimp, soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish live shrimp under a popping cork When using lures, go with purple/chartreuse soft plastics.

LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Cedar Bayou GPS: N 28 6.708, W 96 49.812 (28.1118 -96.8302)

CONTACT CAPT. WHEELIS: Email: Wheelis85@gmail.com Phone: (361) 575-9056

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Down South & Kelley Wiggler soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish seem to like the round body of Down

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12/19/23 11:09 AM

South soft plastics, and the willow tail of Kelley Wigglers dipped in Garlic.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N 27 29.130, W 97 20.913 (27.485504, -97.348542)

LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Mud Island GPS: N 27 56.635, W 97 1.266 (27.9439 -97.0211)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Paddle Tails or live shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: January and February are almost identical as far as spots and baits. A big difference is there is no reason to be on the water at the crack of dawn. The fish are cold too. You can start fishing around 10 am.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: The color of the lure depends on whether it’s sunny or cloudy. Early in the morning, use a brighter color. Pink is a good color.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Cut bait on the pot holes…it will all be good when the water warms up.

LOCATION: Rockport-Fulton HOTSPOT: Long Reef GPS: N 28 3.618, W 96 57.679 (28.0603 -96.9613)

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Pita Island GPS: N 27 36.023, W 97 17.008 (27.600382, -97.283461)

LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Quarantine Shoreline GPS: N 27 54.468, W 97 3.5159 (27.9078 -97.0586)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Paddle Tails or live shrimp SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: The fish will be real lethargic, especially on the flats until the sun rises and warms everything up.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Down South & Kelley Wiggler soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Whatever soft plastic you choose, make sure to fish slow across the bottom.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: If you use a real light color in the morning, the fish are looking up and the light color will stand out.

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Guadalupe Bay East Shore GPS: N 28 24.803, W 96 45.342 (28.4134 -96.7557)

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Nine Mile Hole GPS: N 27 5.159, W 97 24.621 (27.0860 -97.4104)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp under a popping Cork SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: When wading, concentrate around Panther, south of Panther and Cedar Bayou.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Slow Sinking Artificial Baits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: If you use a real light color in the morning, the fish are looking up and the light color is sticking out.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: Dagger Island GPS: N 27 50.1019, W 97 10.2659 (27.8350 -97.1711)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Paddle Tails or live shrimp

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Big Trout & Redfish LOWER LAGUNA MADRE set yourself back tenfold.

When we are fishing out of the boat, we will drift the flats and fish the deeper rocks looking for our box fish. While doing this, we also hope to find a once in a lifetime fish for most people.

The top water wading bite is great this time of year as the sun comes up. As it continues to rise mid-morning, I will switch to swim baits and corkeys, also keeping in mind if something isn’t working, we must switch tactics.

Live bait is something we are still using, and this time of year and it is live shrimp under a popping cork. We have also had some success in the wind with a slip weight and treble hook. This allows the winds and current to blow the bait and line, while the slip weight stays somewhat on the bottom.

This keeps the shrimp off the top of the water, away from birds, and in the zone.

These methods also work in the currents in the Laguna Madre and land cut. We produced some of our biggest fish this past year out there and the Scan to Hear fishing is typically Audio Version solid. When drift ing the boat in the bay over the flats, I tend to work my anchor as a drifting tool. Using it in place of a trolling motor to stop and hold the boat when we have a decent bite going. Pulling the anchor allowing it to drag the bottom and mimic a drift sock, allows me to stay on the trail of the fish.

Good luck this winter!

Fat Winter Specks BAFFIN BAY

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

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T IS THE FIRST FEW MONTHS of the 2024 fishing season and colder weather is leading to lower water temperatures. This means the speckled trout have packed on some pounds! January and February are exciting months for anglers wanting to hit Baffin Bay looking for “the one,” and these waters have been proven time and time again.

This is what CAPT. GERAD every serious, MERRITT speckled trout angler lives for when targeting that one big fish in Baffin Bay. When the sun is up and bright, the warmer water temperatures bring fish up shallow to sun themselves. On overcast days, you will find trout in the deeper, warmer water since the temperature in the flats will not rise without sun.

Make sure when targeting these fish, while wading, to outfit yourself with proper layers of gear to stay warm in the colder waters. If you are not comfortable, you will

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CONTACT CAPT. MERRITT: Email: GeradMerritt@gmail.com Online: ParadiseGuideServices.com

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ANUARY AND FEBRUARY are both great months to chase big fish. I fish both, shallow and deep during these months due to somewhat inconsistent weather conditions.

Some days it’s 75° and beautiful, others it can be 50° and blowing 20mph out of the north and you need to improvise. When fishing shallow I’m talking about sand/ grass flats in the sub 2.5 ft range this time of year.

While drifting these flats I absolutely love throwing CAPT. BRIAN topwaters, my BARERRA favorite being the weedless DOA lures pt-7 in pink ice color. I have caught some of my biggest trout ever on that setup. If they’re not too keen on eating the top piece we’ll switch over to 1/8-¼ oz jigheads with our favorite soft plastics and get to work that way, dropping in and out of potholes with anything that has a chartreuse tail. The tides do run low this time of year so make sure you know the area you’re fishing in.

Deep water strategies can be a bit more technical for me this time of year depending on the depth the fish we are targeting are hanging in. Are they in the bottom? Are they suspended somewhere near the middle in thermocline? Or are they up top?

If they’re on the bottom (which most are) in deep water (6ft plus) I tend to use a heavier jig because I don’t want the rate of current to be sweeping the bait too far from the location I cast it before it has the chance to hit the bottom. Usually a 1/4-3/8 with a 4” jerkbait.

If they’re in the middle suspended, I use

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a lot of suspending Scan to Hear or slow sinking Audio Version hard jerkbaits or  weighted swimbaits that spend more time in the desired area, the strike zone.

If they’re up top in the water column that’s usually a good sign that they’re ready to party. If I see fish activity like bait chasing or surface blowups, I almost immediately tie on a topwater and get to work. I prefer a walk the dog style topwater but am not afraid of a popper one bit.

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Email: CaptBrianBFishing@gmail.com Online: InshoreFishingSouthPadre.com

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LOWER COAST HOTSPOTS

LAGUNA VISTA COVE The western shoreline of the Lower Laguna Madre, above and below Laguna Vista Cove offers good year-round troug and redfish action, but the cold months are expecially productive for reds.

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: Peyton Bay GPS: N 26 26.122, W 97 22.3519 (26.4354 -97.3725)

SPECKLED TROUT

SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish BEST BAITS: 3 inch Berkley Gulp under a popping cork SOURCE: Capt. Joel Ramos 956-626-5143 TIPS: Bounce the bait off the grass a little. Use a clear 18-20 inch monofilament leader under the cork.

Give it two solid pops and let it sit for five or six seconds. Then move it and repeat the popping.

KEY

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Islands at Holly Beach

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 26 08.839, W 97 16.377 N 26 08.392, W 97 17.257 N 26 09.242, W 97 14.573 N 26 08.902, W 97 14.352

Drift with shrimp under a cork, best after a cold front; dawn, midday, dusk.

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Holly Beach

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Spoils at Marker 97

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Long Bar

N 26 08.349, W 97 14.144 N 26 07.211, W 97 17.767 N 26 05.793, W 97 16.829

Live finger mullet, soft plastics w 118/4 to 118/8 oz. jigs hds.; All Year, dawn thru midday

Loma de la Grulla

N 26 07.139, W 97 16.931

Live shrimp, finger mullet, drift between shore & spoils; JulOct, morning thru afternoon

Texaco Channel

N 26 07.424, W 97 16.638

Large live shrimp on slip shot leader, fish edges; May-Nov, morning-afternoon

REDFISH

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Long Bar @ ICW edge

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Laguna Vista Cove

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SH100/FM 510 Interchange

FLOUNDER

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Topwaters early, firetiger plastics, best after a cold front, drift; dawn through afternoon.

Cut bait, live shrimp, anchor between spoils at night; dawn-midday, night.

Live shrimp, pinfish, red/white plastics, drift the area; dawn through dusk.

Live mullet, fish cove mouth outgoing tide, back incmg.; MarApr, Jun-Nov, morn.-midday Live bait, spoons, wade/drift shore, fish canal openings; morning through midday

N 26 08.190, Trout & redfish, same as above or use spoons, topwaters; W 97 17.507 March thru November N 26 07.343, Trout & redfish, soft plastics with 1/4-1/8 oz. jig heads; March Laguna Vista Cove W 97 17.782 thru November N 26 05.553, Trout & redfish, live shrimp or finger mullet under cork; March Laguna Vista along Hwy. 100 W 97 16.717 thru November SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS Holly Beach

TIPS: When the water is clear, throw the Morning Glory color. Use the MirrOlure soft plastics because they are already scented. That enhances your chances of attracting fish.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: MirrOlure soft plastics with either a 1/8 or 1/16 ounce jig head SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4037

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CONTACT CAPT. BARRERA:

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Kennedy Rocks GPS: N 27 16.255, W 97 26.7329 (27.2709 -97.4456)

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: North Shoreline GPS: N 26 3.83, W 97 9.92 (26.0638 -97.1653)

LOWER COAST  CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Brownsville Ship Channel GPS: N 26 0.405, W 97 16.465 (26.0068 -97.2744)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Snook, & Redfish BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, mullet or Berkley Gulp!

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Work the edges and you might catch a triple header: trout, snook, and redfish.

SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Live bait, soft plastics in pearl, smoke.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish the weedline along the edge of the ICW. Look for cuts into the weeds and sharpshoot into them. Use a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce jighead and fish slowly.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Marker 67 GPS: N 26 13.877, W 97 16.178 (26.2313 -97.2696)

SPECIES: flounder BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, live finger mullet. Gulp!

Shrimp in New Penny, Ivory.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: The best time to fish this area is during an early morning high tide. Fish both live shrimp and soft plastics under a popping cork. If you want to try and tempt any flatties in the area, then fish Gulp!

Shrimp on a ¼ ounce jighead and bounce it along the bottom.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Queen Isabela Causeway GPS: N 26 4.97, W 97 12.06 (26.0828, -97.2010)

Winter is primetime for targeting big trout and redfish in the Lower Laguna madre

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PHOTO: CAPT. BRIAN BARRERA

12/19/23 11:10 AM

BEST BAITS: Topwaters, plastics, spoons SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish topwaters early and late—other times, go with red/white soft plastics, and gold or chrome spoons.

SPECIES: Black Drum BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp, crab chunks SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish the edges of the Intercoastal Waterway with either live shrimp, or fresh crab, shrimp, or sea lice on a dropper or Carolina Rig works.

LOCATION: Middle Ground HOTSPOT: Marker 9 GPS: N 26 59.831, W 97 26.944 (26.9972, -97.4491)

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Butchers Island GPS: N 26 38.1019, W 97 23.149 (26.6350, -97.3858)

LOCATION: Middle Ground HOTSPOT: San Antonio Shack GPS: N 26 41.945, W 97 26.563 (26.6991, -97.4427) SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Corkys SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Beginning in February it’s time again to be looking for that trophy trout.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Bull Minnow SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Purple/yellow Bull Minnow, work spoil islands with purple/yellow Bull Minnow; good spot all day.

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout

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SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers BEST BAITS: Live shad, Storm Swim shad SOURCE: Richard Tatsch 936-661-7920 www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrid stripers are schooling around ledges along the river channel. Find the schools of shad and you will find the hybrids. This time of year, they will run shad up on these ridges during the day they will move deeper around the area. Find the depth the bait is in, and you will find the fish. As the water temperatures drop, they will be in the 30 to 40 foot depths. Live shad will be the bait of choice in deeper

EAST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

TIPS: Look for bedding fish during the spawn; dawn-morning, dusk.

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Big Cypress River GPS: N 32 43.9559, W 94 8.682 (32.7326, -94.1447)

Reported by TF&G STAFF LOCATION: Lake Bob Sandlin HOTSPOT: Monticello Cove GPS: N 33 4.718, W 95 2.994 (33.0786, -95.0499)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits and umbrella rigs in shad or white color, 1/2 oz. chrome jigging spoons SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Concentrate on the bends and cuts in this main channel. When the bass are active, throw the shad or white colored crankbaits and umbrella rigs. When they are not feeding well, drop a 1/2 oz. chrome jigging spoon in these same areas and vertically jig off them off the bottom. Watch visibly and on your electronics for balls of shad to increase your odds of finding these wintertime schools of bass.

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Liver, prepared bait SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Anchor & tightline with liver or prepared bait on a Carolina rig; night LOCATION: Brandy Branch Reservoir HOTSPOT: Timber Cove #3 GPS: N 32 26.951, W 94 28.891 (32.449183, -94.481517)

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Live Branch, Near Dam GPS: N 30 22.3499, W 95 33.342 (30.3725, -95.5557)

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LOCATION: Lake Cooper/Jim Chapman HOTSPOT: Moore Creek GPS: N 33 17.998, W 95 38.011 (33.3000, -95.6335)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-593-5077 TIPS: This is a good spawning cove. Fish red/shad plastics on a Carolina or Texas rig. Dawn through afternoon.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

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water, but the swim shad will work as long as you can control your retrieve to keep the bait in the depth the fish are going to be in. The depths will vary from one day to the next. Today they may be in 20 foot of water and tomorrow they may be in 40 feet. It all depends on the schools of shad.

LOCATION: Lake Fork

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

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EAST TEXAS

5

CAPACITY CURRENT % AC. FT. AC. FT. FULL Addicks -n.a.-n.a.-n.a.B A Steinhagen 69,186 69,186 100% Barker -n.a.-n.a.-n.a.Bob Sandlin 192,417 181,632 94% Bonham 11,027 9,530 86% Caddo 29,898 29,898 100% Conroe 417,577 401,446 96% Crook 9,195 8,233 90% Cypress Springs 66,756 64,511 97% Fork 605,061 546,808 90% Houston 132,318 132,090 100% Houston County 17,113 15,102 88% Jacksonville 25,670 23,575 92% Jim Chapman 258,723 226,580 88% Lake O’ the Pines 241,363 241,363 100% Livingston 1,603,504 1,592,660 99% Monticello 34,740 27,448 79% Murvaul 38,285 32,750 86% Nacogdoches 39,522 31,988 81% Palestine 367,303 315,670 86% Pat Mayse 113,683 103,189 91% Sam Rayburn 2,857,077 2,130,049 75% Striker 16,878 13,874 82% Sulphur Springs 17,747 16,051 90% Toledo Bend 2,236,450 1,880,326 84% Wright Patman 122,593 122,593 100% As of 12/14/2023

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A

3

B 6

D

10 8

C

4

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

CADDO LAKE

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HOTSPOT: 2946 Road Bridge Creek Crossing GPS: N 32 53.958, W 95 39.691 (32.8993, -95.6615)

CADDO BEGAN AS A NATURAL LAKE, but was dammed for flood control in LARGEMOUTH BASS

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Jigs, minnows SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Use blue/white or pink/white 1/16-oz jigs; good all day.

KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

1

Clinton Lake

2

Government Ditch

3

Off Alligator Bayou

4

Whatley Island South

5

Alligator Bayou

Big Cypress River (Johnson’s) CATFISH

6 7

Big Cypress Bayou

8

The Hill

WHITE BASS

LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Elm Creek Point GPS: N 32 55.821, W 95 42.346 (32.9304, -95.7058)

the early 1900s. The dam was modernized in 1971.

Largemouth bass is the main draw on Caddo, with 8-pounders common.

Anglers also find quality crappie, white bass, and catfish action.

SURFACE AREA: 26,800 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 20 feet IMPOUNDED: 1914, 1971

CRAPPIE

9

Stumpy Slough

10

Big Cypress Bayou

FACILITIES KEY

FACILITY NAME

A

Shady Glade Marina

B

Johnson’s Ranch

C

Cripp’s Camp

D

Potter’s Point

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17 miles northeast of Marshall

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BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 32 44.825, W 94 06.467 N 32 43.777, W 94 06.876 N 32 42.972, W 94 6.216 N 32 41.946, W 94 4.2299

Chartreuse/white spinnerbaits, fish will be getting ready to spawn around the cypress trees; dawn through dusk.

N 32 43.889, W 94 05.504 N 32 42.440, W 94 07.018

Fish the main channel and hydrilla edge with minnows or dark jigs.

N 32 44.367, W 94 08.069 N 32 41.863, W 94 04.832

Fish beep bends in 25-30 feet of water with live bream, cut shad.

Spinnerbaits, fish tight around the cypress trees, good with current.

Use a 1/2 oz black/blue jig and pitch it around the base of the cypress trees in 4-5 feet of water.

1/2 oz. jig in black/blue, black/blue chatterbaits; fish around cypress trees in 3-5 ft.; Jan-Mar

Fish channel edges, grass and stumps with white/black tube jigs; dawn through dusk.

Cut or blood bait, rig limb lines and trotlines in trees.

N 32 43.619, W 94 05.793 N 32 42.337, W 94 06.847

White/chrome shiners, spoons, fish the main river channel.

With active fish, cast and reel... if they’re inactive, hop off bottom; dawn through dusk.

GPS

LOCATION

N 32 42.727, Texas 43 E to FM 2198 W 94 07.261 N 32 42.489, Texas 43 E to FM 2198 W 94 07.154 N 32 42.225, Texas 43 E to FM 2198 W 94 06.832 N 32 42.405, FM 727 at Gray W 94 04.360 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS

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LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn HOTSPOT: Bullet and Prairie Creeks GPS: N 31 19.727, W 94 18.199 (31.3288, -94.3033)

EAST TEXAS  CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, spinnerbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish jigs next to creek bends, spinnerbaits near shore and in the grass; early morning, midday.

LOCATION: Lake Houston HOTSPOT: Railroad Tracks GPS: N 29 59.361, W 95 7.567 (29.9894, -95.1261)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Hit top in spring, perimeter the rest of year; dawn, morning, dusk, night LOCATION: Lake Nacogdoches HOTSPOT: Highline Cove GPS: N 31 36.652, W 94 49.176 (31.6109, -94.8196)

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, spoons SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish jigs or troll with shiners or spoons.

LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Old 190 Bridge GPS: N 30 44.673, W 95 8.014 (30.7446, -95.1336)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Buzzbaits, frogs SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 409-698-9114 TIPS: Fish the inner hydrilla this time of year. This spot is good all year. Come back in the summer and fish the hydrilla edges.

LOCATION: Lake O the Pines HOTSPOT: Billy Bass Slough GPS: N 32 53.261, W 94 42.763 (32.8877, -94.7127)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Stinkbait, worms SOURCE: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 www.palmettoguideservice.com

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish soft plastics on a Carolina rig. Work the rip rap. Great year round spot.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend HOTSPOT: Horseshoe Slough GPS: N 31 40.895, W 93 48.991 (31.681591, -93.816512)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Cut bait, stink bait SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish bait on trotlines or freeline the bottom; dawn through morning, dusk-night.

LOCATION: Lake Wright Patman HOTSPOT: Sherman’s GPS: N 33 16.65, W 94 9.905 (33.277500, -94.165083)

TIPS: Work the bottom of pillars with stinkbait or earthworms; dawn through dusk.

LOCATION: Lake Murvaul HOTSPOT: Dam Hump GPS: N 32 2.08, W 94 25.827 (32.0347, -94.4305)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Lizards SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-938-1007 TIPS: Blind cast Carolina-rigged green/pumpkin lizards. Morning through midday

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sSPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Live minnows, jigs SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-938-1007 TIPS: Fish live minnows or jigs in any color, working rock piles in the creek. Action is good all day.

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C 35 miles northeast of Waco

B 3 1 6

7

Lake Navarro Mills

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8

10

CENTRAL TEXAS HOTSPOTS

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A

Reported by TF&G STAFF LOCATION: Lake Austin

2

HOTSPOT: Wood Island GPS: N 30 20.227, W 97 50.71 (30.3371, -97.8452)

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE NAVARRO MILLS

SURFACE AREA: 5,070 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 49 feet IMPOUNDED: 1963

crappie and catfish action. However, turbid water on the lakes makes angling for largemouth bass challenging. White bass action can be very good at times.

NAVARRO MILLS HAS EXCELLENT SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Lipless crankbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish RatLTraps or other lipless crankbaits; this is a reliable spot all day.

LOCATION: Lake Belton HOTSPOT: Cowhouse Point GPS: N 31 08.394, W 97 30.746 (31.1399, -97.5124)

LARGEMOUTH BASS KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

1

Wolf Creek

2

Timber

3

Pecan Point Cove

CRAPPIE

4

Wolf Creek

5

Liberty Hill

6

Pecan Point Cove

7

Wolf Creek Point

CATFISH

8

Harris Branch

9

Pecan Point

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish dark soft plastics on Texas-rig, casting parallel to the shoreline.

Mid Lake

FACILITIES KEY

A B C

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 31 9601, W 96.7341 N 31.9464, W 96.7513 N 31.9620, W 96.7389

Plastic worm or jig & pig; work close to cover.

White spinnerbait or plascic worms; work in shallow water.

Look for patches of pondweed along shore, fish buzzbait or jig;

N 31 58.353, W 96 43.757 N 31 57.107, W 96 43.111 N 31 57.620, W 96 44.439 N 31 57.718, W 96 43.644

Work timber and grass, watch for spawning fish; Jan-May, dawn-afternoon Live minnows on bobber, hit in, out and round brush.

Chartreuse grubs, Roadrunners, fish shallows, moderate retrieve.

Blue/white jigs, minnows, fish drops of brush in 25-30 ft; morning thru afternoon

N 31 57.468 W 96 44.882 N 31 57.533 W 96 44.186

WHITE BASS

10

GPS

FACILITY NAME

Cut or live shad on bottom rigs.

Cut or live shad on bottom rigs.

N 31 57.300, W 96 44.587

White crankbaits, look for topwater fish, fish ridge; morning-afternoon

GPS

LOCATION

N 31 56.772, Liberty Hill TX 31 to FM 709 W 96 42.616 N 31 58.118, Wolf Creek Park FM 667 to FM 639 W 96 43.702 N 31 58.095, Brushie Prairie Park FM 667 to FM 639 W 96 43.910 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS

PHONE

254-578-1431 254-578-1431 254-578-1431

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LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Deep docks GPS: N 32 53.342, W 97 27.982 (32.889027, -97.466375)

CENTRAL TEXAS  CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Upper Main Lake GPS: N 30 49.9739, W 98 25.512 (30.8329, -98.4252)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Jigs SOURCE: Kolby Kuhn, Final Cast Guide Service 817-243-5858 kolbymkuhn@gmail.com TIPS: There will be some crappie under deep docks through the winter. You can target them by shooting jigs up under them. Use as light of a jig head as possible to get more bites. Look for the crappie to be under the darkest part of the docks.

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Docks GPS: N 32 17.928, W 96 8.556 (32.2988, -96.1426)

SPECIES: Striped Bass and White Bass BEST BAITS: Stripers—Live shad; White Bass—2 in. to 4 in. shad, or white or chartreuse slabs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: For stripers, the upper half of the lake, drifting or anchored with 4-to-6 inch shad on top of ridges and humps. Fish 25 feet down in 30-40 feet of water.

For white bass, fish the upper half of the lake, drifting or anchored, with 2-to-4 inch shad, or jigging with white or chartreuse lead slabs on top of the ridges and humps, near bottom, in 25-35 feet of water.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: 1/4 oz. - 3/8 oz. bass jigs SOURCE: Jason Barber 903-603-2047 www.kingscreekadventures.com TIPS: This month is good for skipping docks. Fish all docks throughout the lake with 1/4 to 3/8 oz jigs on 14-to-20 pound line. Skip and flip bait under and around docks and fish super slow.

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: River Channel GPS: N 29 53.4479, W 98 17.778 (29.8908, -98.2963)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: CJ’s Punch Bait SOURCE: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103 www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Channel cats and yellow cats hang out in these rocks. Anchor up in 12-to-15 feet of water and use a cork to drift your bait through the rocks.

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: River channel GPS: N 32 53.342, W 97 28.970 (32.8890263, -97.4828371) SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: 1 oz. KT jigging spoon in white and sliver SOURCE: Capt. Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures 210-573-1230 sanantoniofishingguides.com TIPS: Fish from the point back to the river channel casting out the spoon and try to maintain a depth of 20 to 40 feet, the Striped Bass and White Bass like to school in this area this time of year, preparing for the spawn run.

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Cutbait SOURCE: Kolby Kuhn, Final Cast Guide Service 817-243-5858 kolbymkuhn@gmail.com Tips: Look for the catfish to be under clouds of bait in deep water this time of the year. The river channel is always a good place to look. Scan up and down the river channel until you see a lot of bait, and then either do a slow drift or anchor out. Keep your cut bait on or near the bottom for the best results.

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LOCATION: Fayette County HOTSPOT: Dam Rock Area GPS: N 29 55.05, W 96 44.55 (29.9175, -96.7425)

LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: River Sloughs GPS: N 30 39.984, W 97 23.2679 (30.6664, -97.3878)

SPECIES: Crappie and White Bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, Road Runners, crankbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Hackberry Point GPS: N 33 7.097, W 96 56.216 (33.1183, -96.9369)

CENTRAL TEXAS

LAKE

CAPACITY AC. FT. Aquilla 43,243 Arlington 40,157 Athens 29,503 Austin 23,972 Bardwell 43,856 Belton 432,631 Benbrook 85,648 Buchanan 866,694 Canyon 378,781 Cedar Creek 644,686 Choke Canyon 662,820 Coleto Creek 31,040 Corpus Christi 256,062 Eagle Mountain 185,087 Georgetown 38,005 Gibbons Creek 25,721 Granger 51,822 Grapevine 163,064 Halbert 6,033 Hubert H Moss 24,058 Inks 13,729 Joe Pool 149,629 Lavon 409,757 Lewisville 563,228 Limestone 203,780 Lyndon B Johnson 112,778 Marble Falls 7,597 Martin 75,726 Medina 254,823 Mountain Creek 22,850 Navarro Mills 49,827 New Terrell City 8,583 Ray Hubbard 439,559 Ray Roberts 788,167 Richland-Chamb. 1,099,417 Somerville 150,293 Stillhouse Hollow 229,796 Tawakoni 871,685 Texana 158,975 Texoma 1,243,801 Travis 1,098,044 Tyler 72,073 Waco 189,418 Waxahachie 11,060 Weatherford 17,812 Whitney 564,808 Worth 24,419 As of 12/14/2023

CURRENT AC. FT. 31,666 38,209 26,898 23,019 43,856 263,415 65,085 387,885 231,421 592,812 164,749 23,459 123,830 126,197 17,831 18,322 43,098 153,559 4,088 21,363 12,982 148,762 342,725 491,626 154,345 110,917 7,215 54,616 8,780 22,850 41,530 2,266 400,651 737,320 985,957 88,839 135,494 846,789 114,499 1,150,770 414,180 59,168 182,442 7,223 10,584 533,421 14,972

% FULL 73% 95% 91% 96% 100% 61% 76% 45% 61% 92% 25% 76% 48% 68% 47% 71% 83% 94% 68% 89% 95% 99% 84% 87% 76% 98% 95% 72% 3% 100% 83% 26% 91% 94% 90% 59% 59% 97% 72% 93% 38% 82% 96% 65% 59% 94% 61%

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows SOURCE: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 whitebassfishingtexas.com TIPS: Fish minnows along the edges of the creek and intersection roadbed. Morning to late afternoon.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Dam Area Ledges GPS: N 33 1.9379, W 96 28.7639 (33.0323, -96.4794)

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SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Look for birds and schools. Fish white or chartreuse inline spinnerbaits or jigs; all day action.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Kickapoo Creek GPS: N 32 17.7299, W 95 30.2699 (32.2955, -95.5045)

LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Sandy Creek GPS: N 30 34.54, W 98 25.241 (30.5757, -98.4207)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Texas Spinnerbait Company spinnerbaits in chartreuse and white, the famous Shimmy Shakers in Skeeter color, 3/8 oz. Big Eye Jig in black/ blue, Mister Twister Swim Satin in black/blue SOURCE: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 or 903-530-2201 www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Bass fishing is now and in the beginning of

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Work the bank shallow to deeper with red/ white plastics; avoid midday.

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LOCATION: Lake Limestone HOTSPOT: Mouth of Big Creek GPS: N 31 25.519, W 96 21.141 (31.4253, -96.3524)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Creature baits Texas rigged, or Carolina rigged and DD 22s crankbaits SOURCE: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 whitebassfishingtexas.com TIPS: This is a good time to pursue bass at the dam, using DD 22’s and creature baits along the ledges that run parallel along the dam. These fish could be 3 feet deep, or they could be 25 feet. You just have to find their pattern. It could be freezing cold outside, and they could be tucked up in some boulders in 4 feet of water. You just never know.

TIPS: Around the middle of February, the white bass start moving up the creek and river. Fish just like you would during the spawn using moving baits. Crappie also move into the shallow sloughs on warm days and can be caught with slip bobbers fished in two feet of water. If you get 3 foot warm nights in a row, try for the shallow crappie.

LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Roadbed crosses Creek Trees GPS: N 32 32.924, W 97 02.866 (32.5487, -97.0478)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish tree tops with live minnows or white/ yellow jigs; good all day.

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979-229-3103 www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Fish the sunny side of the island where the water is warming, and the wind is blowing into the island. Use a tight line and cast toward the stumps nearby.

CENTRAL TEXAS  CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE the spawn. Fish your Big Eye Jig along the creek channels and back waters around the islands and on the river. Fish the stumps and any brush you can find in two to four feet. Fish slow for best results.

LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni HOTSPOT: North Shore of Caddo Inlet GPS: N 32 55.63, W 96 2.84 (32.9272, -96.0473)

LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard HOTSPOT: Chandler’s Landing GPS: N 32 52.372, W 96 29.982 (32.8729, -96.4997) LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake HOTSPOT: 309 Flats and Windsock Point GPS: N 31 59.3039, W 96 8.4659 (31.9884, -96.1411)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, bream SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish cut shad or bream, drift just west of the marina; dusk-morning

SPECIES: White Bass and Hybrid Striper BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad jigs, 1oz. Silver Slabs SOURCE: Royce Simmons 903-389-4117 www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: February can be a really tough month on RC, or it can be a month when you catch the trophy fish you’ve always fished for! It all depends on what’s happening with the weather and water temperatures.

If we don’t have much of a winter or have an early spring warm up period, the water temps will begin to move into the low 50’s and the fish will turn on!

Sassy Shads and 1oz. Silver Slabs fished in 20’-30’ water off the 309 Flats will result in lots of white bass action and the occasional LARGE hybrid striper. Don’t forget the really deep water (40’ plus) off the end of the Windsock Point. Look for the gulls to help locate the baitfish that the whites are feeding on.!

LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Lodge Point GPS: N 33 24.787, W 96 59.658 (33.4131, -96.9943)

SPECIES: Crappie, white bass BEST BAITS: Minnows, white/chartreuse spinners, white/shad colored crankbaits SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas fishgame.com/fishgamegear

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Deer Island GPS: N 30 17.904, W 96 35.3099 (30.2984, -96.5885)

TIPS: Look for schools of white bass stacking up on points and humps close to creek channels in 20-30 feet of water. Diving gulls have been making it easy to find these schools. Slabs off the bottom work, but use lighter tackle and anchor beside the schools and run a bait right through them. Throw a jig with a spinner, or any shad-colored crankbait. The crappie bite has still been good. We’re having to cover some water to find schools of better fish, but they are there; we just have to bounce around to find the keepers. Crappie have been on brush piles and bridge pillars in 15-25 feet of water. Jigs are working well, but the quality of fish seem to be better on minnows.

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LOCATION: Lake Texana HOTSPOT: Sandy Creek GPS: N 29 1.671, W 96 33.278 (29.0279, -96.5546)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, shrimp, cheesebait SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish cut shad, shrimp or cheesebait on a bottom rig; catch fish here all day.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Slickem Slough GPS: N 33 51.5339, W 96 52.686 (33.8589, -96.8781)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: CJ’s Punch Bait/Crawdad SOURCE: Weldon Kirk

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastics SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: This is a good spawning area. Hit the stumps, vegetation, ditches, and points with soft plastics; dawn, morning, dusk.

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Road Runner jigs, Sassy Shad jigs

G A M E ®

12/19/23 11:11 AM

SOURCE: Bill Carey 903-786-4477 www.striperexpress.com TIPS: Winter fishing on Lake Texoma is legendary.

Chances of landing trophy striper in February are in your favor. Road Runner 1-ounce white buck tail jigs with a 7-inch soft plastic worm are deadly on the big fish holding structure. Always keep your eyes on the seagulls. Cast your 1-inch white-glo Sassy Shad jigs under the birds where large schools of stripers can be feeding. Multiple hook-ups are common with lots of action in the open water.

LOCATION: Lake Waco HOTSPOT: Texas Harbor Entrance GPS: N 31 35.537, W 97 13.692 (31.5923, -97.2282)

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Big Rocky Creek GPS: N 31 52.794, W 97 23.682 (31.8799, -97.3947)

Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish live minnows under cork, use electronics for brush; morning, afternoon

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Cut bait and live shad SOURCE: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 TIPS: Cast out 30 feet behind boat and turn trolling motor on medium speed and drag baits behind boat in the mouth of the creek and hump just out from creek. Stripers have baits pushed up in the mouth of Big Rocky gorging on them.

••

•••

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

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12/19/23 11:11 AM

254-396-4855

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear TIPS: Fish this Christmas tree pile with minnows or jigs; produces all day.

WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

TIPS: Work over structure slowly and work deeper until you locate the best depth. Very little movement is required to get bit. Granbury water temperatures continue to be in the upper 40s and low 50’s. Winter patterns are in full force with an early spring just around the corner. Striped bass are active and are moving back and forth from the river to deeper water on the main lake. The warmest water on the really cold days is near the bottom of the channel. Find the bait, find the fish. Wintering Birds are in place and are pointing anglers to active feeding fish from the dam to the river above Granbury. Passing cool fronts continue to dominate the weather pattern.

LOCATION: Lake Leon HOTSPOT: LaMancha Resort GPS: N 32 21.6857, W 98 41.1983 (32.3614, -98.6866)

LOCATION: Ft. Phantom Hill Res. HOTSPOT: Main Lake

Reported by TJ RANFT

GPS: N 32 35.421, W 99 41.605 (32.590358, -99.693412)

CONTACT TJ RANFT: Email: TJRanft17@gmail.com Online: RanftGuideService.com LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Gobbler Creek GPS: N 33 2.5379, W 101 6.99 (33.0423, -101.1165)

SPECIES: Blue catfish BEST BAITS: Cut carp, shad, live bait SOURCE: TPWD District Office, Abilene 325-692-0921 TIPS: Ft. Phantom Hill produces many quality-sized blue catfish for anglers. Anglers interested in catching wintertime blues will have luck using cut carp or shad bait as well as live bait. Fishing slopes and drop-offs or adjacent to bait balls may likely produce a bite.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits in shad colors, spinnerbaits, bass jigs, shaky heads, jerkbaits SOURCE: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 TIPS: February a great time to fish Alan Henry because a lot of big fish are caught this month. The bass will start moving up the creeks on warm days.

Use jigs, shaky heads, jerk baits, and crankbaits.

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Deep Water Ledge on the Lower Ends GPS: N 32 23.014, W 97 42.550 (32.383567, -97.709167)

LOCATION: Lake Arrowhead HOTSPOT: Brushpile S. Side of State Park Point GPS: N 33 45.146, W 98 22.955 (33.7524, -98.3826) SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: 3/4- to 1-oz. jig heads with 5 inch swimbaits/jerkbaits in blue/chartreuse SOURCE: Michael W. Acosta Unfair Advantage Charters www.unfairadvantagecharters.com

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SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Jigs, curly tails, tubes SOURCE: TPWD District Office, Abilene 325-692-0921 TIPS: During cold months, many anglers fish the rocks and off the pier at LaMancha Resort. The Resort has a use-for-fee dock and pier that often yields successful crappie catches. Fishing the rocks along the resort is also good. 1/16 to 1/4 oz. jigs with curly tails or tubes work well for keeper crappie.

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Upper end of the lake GPS: N 32 54.729, W 98 27.936 (32.912147, -98.465606)

SPECIES: Striped bass BEST BAITS: 1/2 to 1oz jig heads with 4-6 inch swimbaits/jerkbaits, live shad SOURCE: TJ Ranft TJRanft17@gmail.com RanftGuideService.com TIPS: Stripers will be in their winter patterns. Water temps will be in the 40-50s, and you will need to be looking for the birds and the bait. If you find one or

G A M E ®

12/19/23 11:11 AM

CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

WEST TEXAS

CAPACITY AC. FT. Abilene 7,900 Alan Henry 96,207 Amistad 1,813,408 Amon G Carter 19,266 Arrowhead 230,359 Brady Creek 28,808 Bridgeport 372,183 Brownwood 130,868 Champion Creek 41,580 Cherokee 40,094 Cisco 29,003 Coleman 38,075 Colorado City 30,758 E V Spence 517,272 Elephant Butte 1,985,900 Falcon 1,562,367 Fort Phantom Hill 70,030 Graham 45,288 Granbury 132,949 Greenbelt 59,968 Hords Creek 8,109 Hubbard Creek 313,298 J B Thomas 199,931 Kemp 245,307 Kickapoo 86,345 Leon 27,762 Lost Creek 11,950 Mackenzie 46,450 Meredith 500,000 Millers Creek 26,768 Mineral Wells 5,273 Nasworthy 9,615 Natural Dam 9,615 Nocona 21,444 N. Fork Buffalo Cr. 15,400 O C Fisher 115,742 O H Ivie 554,340 Oak Creek 39,210 Palo Duro 61,066 Palo Pinto 26,766 Pat Cleburne 26,008 Possum Kingdom 538,139 Proctor 54,762 Red Bluff 151,110 Squaw Creek 151,250 Stamford 51,570 Sweetwater 12,267 Twin Buttes 182,454 White River 29,880 As of 12/14/2023

CURRENT AC. FT. 1,273 86,864 480,432 15,951 124,280 10,549 210,326 77,694 24,282 31,566 17,635 23,290 14,738 85,620 412,581 253,601 48,214 31,417 128,032 6,213 1,800 160,636 44,297 155,975 43,969 13,504 10,511 4,373 218,807 12,036 4,381 8,910 8,910 14,435 4,424 2,326 155,955 13,297 3,043 9,614 25,977 508,346 15,020 59,385 151,250 35,494 5,824 28,057 7,699

2

% FULL 16% 90% 27% 83% 54% 37% 57% 59% 58% 79% 61% 61% 48% 17% 21% 16% 69% 69% 96% 10% 22% 51% 22% 64% 51% 49% 88% 9% 44% 45% 83% 93% 93% 67% 29% 2% 28% 34% 5% 36% 100% 95% 27% 39% 100% 69% 48% 15% 26%

4

B

9 10 10 miles north of Brownwood

•

••

A

8

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE BROWNWOOD

Brownwood also offers decent catfish and crappie action.

The lake is mostly rocky shorelines with numerous small coves. There are plenty of boat docks around the lake to provide additional cover.

Artificial structure has been installed in Lake Brownwood See this symbol... ...on the map.

SURFACE AREA: 6,490 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 95 feet IMPOUNDED: 1933

THE BEST FISHING ON LAKE BROWNwood is for white bass, which are typically strong in summer and early fall.

Largemouth bass are also in good supply on the lake, with the best action in fall to late spring.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

•

KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

GPS

1

Rocky Point Across from Dam

2

Rock Fence

4

State Park Point

5

North of McCartney Island

N 31 50.4363, W 99 0.5875 N 31 52.319, W 99 01.354 N 31 51.907, W 99 01.484 N 31 51.473, W 99 00.437

CRAPPIE Docks Along McCartney 6 Island South of Brownwood State 7 Park WHITE BASS

8

Dam Area

9

Bayou Channel

10

Docks Along McCartney Island

FACILITIES KEY

FACILITY NAME

A

Dam

B

T E X A S

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6

7 1

both of those, you should find the fish nearby. The fish will definitely be active. This is some of the best fishing if you can brave the cold. You can’t go wrong with live shad, but many anglers choose to deadstick them. This can be accomplished with a half- to one-ounce jig head and a soft plastic held still in the vicinity of fish. Deadsticking can be very affective this time of year and should not be overlooked.

••

5

BEST BAIT & TACTIC Live worms, smaller trick worm, curly-tailed jigs; spinnerbaits Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics; topwaters early & late; September-May Live worms, smaller trick worm, curly-tailed jigs; spinnerbaits Crankbaits, chatterbaits, and swim jigs are best for fishing these artificial structures

N 31 51.008, W 99 00.427 N 31 50.740, W 99 01.506

Fish along the docks; jigs, live minnows; April through October

N 31 50.322, W 99 00.266 N 31 51.516, W 99 00.656 N 31 51.008, W 99 00.427

Plastics wityh inline spinners; troll early & late; Mar-Oct; Morning thru dusk

GPS

LOCATION

Minnows, jigs; fish the artificial structure; Summer, Winter; All day

Look for schools May-October; slab spoons in 12-25 feet water Fish along lighted docks at night; live minnows, jigs, spinnerbaits

N 31 50.477, Across the Dam on FM 2632 W 99 00.220 N 31 51.729, TX 279 to Park Rd 15 Brownwood State Park W 99 01.169 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS

F I S H

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G A M E ®

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PHONE

325-643-2609 325-784-5223

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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12/19/23 11:11 AM

DAYBOOK

Sportsman’s

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

Tides and Prime Times The following pages contain TIDE and SOLUNAR predictions for our Base Point, Galveston Channel (N 29.317, W 94.88) Tidal movement and daily phases of the moon have varying degrees of influence on many fish and game species.

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

TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the White Area at the top of the Calendar Pages. You can use the CONVERSION TABLE below to make adjustments.

It is keyed to 23 other tide stations along the Texas Coast (see these map icons: T1 ). Adjust low and high tide times, plus or minus in minutes, from the times given for the Base Point at Galveston Channel.

While tides are not a direct factor in FRESHWATER FISHING, SoLunar Activity still accounts for increased feeding activity in freshwater species. It is also a prime factor in the movement and feeding habits of game species.

TIDE CONVERSION TABLE HIGH

LOW

KEY

Lubbock

SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE

PEAK TIMES: Our Forecast Calendar uses both Tide and SoLunar projections to predict the best fishing times and days. Generally, if a SoLunar Period (Major/Minor) falls within an hour of sunrise or sunset, fishing conditions should be better. On certain days where Tidal Activity is stronger, the best fishing times may fall ouside the normal SoLunar range.

PLACE

Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE on the map below to adjust times for points East and West of our Base Point at Galveston Channel.

Amarillo

(See Instructions for reading the Graphs on the opposite page)

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.

KEY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the Green Boxes on the Calendar pages. Moon Overhead and Underfoot times are given in the SoLunar Box and illustrated on the Fishing Graph.

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

PLACE

HIGH

LOW

KEY

San Antonio

PLACE

HIGH

Eagle Point

+3:54 +4:15

T17

Galveston Pleasure Pier

-1:06 -1:06

T9

Clear Lake

+6:05 +6:40

T18

San Luis Pass

-0.09 -0.09

T2

Sabine Pass Jetty

-1:26 -1:31

T10

Morgans Point

+10:21 +5:19

T3

Sabine Pass

-1:00 -1:15

T11

Round Pt, Trinity Bay

+10:39 +5:15

T12

Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay

+5:48 +4:43

T20

Pass Cavallo

0:00

-0:04 -0:25

T13

Gilchrist, East Bay

+3:16 +4:18

T21

Aransas Pass

-0:03 -1:31

LOWER COAST T22 Padre Island (So. End)

-0:24 -1:45

Port Isabel

+1:02 -0:42

Galveston Bay, S. Jetty

-0:39 -1:05

T14

Jamaica Beach, W. Bay

+2:38 +3:31

Port Bolivar

+0:14 -0:06

T15

Alligator Point, W. Bay

+2:39 +2:33

T7

Texas City Turning Basin

+0:33 +0:41

T16

Christmas Pt

+2:32 +2:31

MONDAY

TUESDAY

PRIME TIME 2 ft. 4:00 —

6:00 AM

UPPER MIDDLE COAST T19 Freeport Harbor

T23

WEDNESDAY

Galveston Port O’Connor

LOW

T8

T6

Port Arthur

Houston

-1:46 -1:31

T5

Dallas

Austin

SABINE AREA T1 Sabine Bank Lighthouse

GALVESTON BAY AREA T4 Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass

Fort Worth

Aransas Pass



Corpus Christi

BASE POINT: GALVESTON CHANNEL (N 29.317, W 94.880)

-0:44 -1:02

THURSDAY

Freeport

-1:20 Port Isabel

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

4:30 — 6:30 AM

5:00 — 7:00 AM

6:00 — 8:00 AM

6:30 — 8:30 AM

7:30 — 9:30 AM

8:00 — 10:00 AM

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

12p

Dec 25 «

Low Tide: 8:43a High Tide: 5:45p

6p

12a

6a

12p

Dec 26 «

-0.83 ft.

1.37 ft.

Low Tide: 9:27a High Tide: 6:31p

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:26p Moonrise: 4:14p Set: 3:16a AM Minor: 9:29a AM Major: 12:38a PM Minor: 3:43p PM Major: 9:57p Moon Overhead: 11:38p Moon Underfoot: 11:11a

6p

-0.85 ft.

1.33 ft.

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:26p Moonrise: 5:07p Set: 4:09a AM Minor: 10:23a AM Major: 1:47a PM Minor: 4:36p PM Major: 10:50p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:06p

MONDAY

TUESDAY

12a

6a

12p

Dec 27 l

6p

Low Tide: 10:09a -0.81 ft.

High Tide: 7:15p 1.27 ft.

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:27p Moonrise: 6:04p Set: 5:04a AM Minor: 11:17a AM Major: 2:51a PM Minor: 5:31p PM Major: 11:47p Moon Overhead: 12:34a Moon Underfoot: 1:01p

WEDNESDAY

12a

6a

12p

6p

Dec 28 «

12a

Low Tide: 10:51a -0.73 ft.

High Tide: 7:54p 1.19 ft.

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:27p Moonrise: 7:03p Set: 6:00a AM Minor: ----AM Major: 3:49a PM Minor: 6:26p PM Major: 12:13p Moon Overhead: 1:28a Moon Underfoot: 1:54p

THURSDAY

6a

12p

6p

Dec 29 «

Low Tide: 11:31a -0.62 ft.

High Tide: 8:26p 1.11 ft.

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:28p Moonrise: 8:02p Set: 6:55a AM Minor: 12:42a AM Major: 4:41a PM Minor: 7:19p PM Major: 1:07p Moon Overhead: 2:19a Moon Underfoot: 2:43p

FRIDAY

12a

6a

Dec 30

12p

6p

Low Tide: 12:08p -0.48 ft.

High Tide: 8:52p 1.04 ft.

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:29p Moonrise: 9:00p Set: 7:47a AM Minor: 1:36a AM Major: 5:27a PM Minor: 8:10p PM Major: 1:59p Moon Overhead: 3:07a Moon Underfoot: 3:29p

SATURDAY

12a

6a

Dec 31

6p

12a

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:29p Moonrise: 9:55p Set: 8:37a AM Minor: 2:27a AM Major: 6:09a PM Minor: 8:59p PM Major: 2:48p Moon Overhead: 3:51a Moon Underfoot: 4:12p

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

9:30 — 11:30 AM

4:00 — 6:00 AM

5:30 — 7:30 AM

5:00 — 7:00 AM

6:00 — 8:00 AM

1:00 — 3:00 AM

2:00 — 4:00 AM

2 ft.

12p

Low Tide: 12:44p -0.31 ft.

High Tide: 9:05p 0.93 ft.

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

12p

Jan 1 2024 Low Tide: 2:47a High Tide: 4:23a Low Tide: 1:16p High Tide: 9:19p

6p

12a

0.75 ft.

0.76 ft.

-0.07 ft.

0.87 ft.

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:30a Moonrise: 10:48p Set: 11:02a AM Minor: 9:24a AM Major: 3:14a PM Minor: 9:44a PM Major: 3:34a Moon Overhead: 4:32a Moon Underfoot: 4:52p

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6a

Jan 2

12p

Low Tide: 3:44a High Tide: 7:17a Low Tide: 1:46p High Tide: 9:30p

6p

0.58 ft.

0.61 ft.

0.14 ft.

0.82 ft.

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:31a Moonrise: 11:41p Set: 11:29a AM Minor: 10:07a AM Major: 3:57a PM Minor: 10:27a PM Major: 4:17a Moon Overhead: 5:12a Moon Underfoot: 5:31p

12a

12p

Low Tide: 4:16a High Tide: 9:41a Low Tide: 2:16p High Tide: 9:35p

6p

0.38 ft.

0.56 ft.

0.36 ft.

0.79 ft.

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:31a Moonrise: None Set: 11:54a AM Minor: 10:48a AM Major: 4:38a PM Minor: 11:08a PM Major: 4:58a Moon Overhead: 5:51a Moon Underfoot: 6:10p

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

OutdoorNation-2401-DIG.indd 62

6a

Jan 3 »

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12a

6a

Jan 4

12p

Low Tide: 4:47a High Tide: 11:53a Low Tide: 2:50p High Tide: 9:28p

6p

12a

0.17 ft.

0.63 ft.

0.58 ft.

0.79 ft.

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:32a Moonrise: 12:33a Set: 12:21p AM Minor: 11:28a AM Major: 5:18a PM Minor: 11:48a PM Major: 5:38a Moon Overhead: 6:30a Moon Underfoot: 6:51p

T E X A S

F I S H

&

6a

Jan 5

12p

Low Tide: 5:19a High Tide: 1:51p Low Tide: 3:43p High Tide: 8:45p

6p

-0.05 ft.

0.78 ft.

0.77 ft.

0.83 ft.

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:33a Moonrise: 1:28a Set: 12:50p AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:57a PM Minor: 12:08p PM Major: 6:19a Moon Overhead: 7:12a Moon Underfoot: 7:34p

12a

6a

Jan 6

12p

Low Tide: 5:55a High Tide: 3:06p

6p

-0.26 ft.

0.95 ft.

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:34a Moonrise: 2:26a Set: 1:23p AM Minor: 12:26p AM Major: 6:38a PM Minor: 12:50p PM Major: 7:02a Moon Overhead: 7:57a Moon Underfoot: 8:21p

12a

6a

Jan 7

12p

Low Tide: 6:35a High Tide: 3:52p

6p

12a

-0.48 ft.

1.10 ft.

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:34a Moonrise: 3:28a Set: 2:01p AM Minor: 1:09a AM Major: 7:22a PM Minor: 1:35a PM Major: 7:48a Moon Overhead: 8:47a Moon Underfoot: 9:14p

G A M E ®

12/19/23 11:12 AM

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

READING THE GRAPH MONDAY

TUESDAY

Moon Overhead

Fishing Score Graph

Moon Underfoot

WEDNESDAY

n

MOON PHASES

PRIME TIME

10:30A — 12:30P

Best Day Overall

Prime Fishing

THURSDAY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter

l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

« = Good Day by Moon Phase

FRIDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

2 ft.

3:00 —

4:00 — 6:00 AM

4:30 — 6:30 AM

5:00 — 7:00 AM

5:30 — 7:30 AM

1:30 — 3:30 PM

2:30 — 4:30 PM

5:00 AM

1 ft.

2 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

Jan 8

12p

6p

Low Tide: 7:19a High Tide: 4:33p

12a

6a

Jan 9 «

-0.68 ft.

1.21 ft.

12p

6p

Low Tide: 8:05a High Tide: 5:14p

-0.86 ft.

1.28 ft.

12a

6a

12p

6p

Jan 10 «

Low Tide: 8:52a -1.01 ft.

High Tide: 5:55p 1.30 ft.

Low Tide: 10:46p 1.17 ft.

High Tide: 11:02p 1.17 ft.

6a

12p

Jan 11 l

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Jan 12 «

12a

High Tide: 1:05a 1.16 ft.

Low Tide: 10:29a -1.07 ft.

High Tide: 7:06p 1.21 ft.

Low Tide: 11:14p 1.02 ft.

Low Tide: 9:41a -1.08 ft.

High Tide: 6:32p 1.28 ft.

Low Tide: 10:36p 1.13 ft.

12p

6p

High Tide: 2:32a 1.09 ft.

Low Tide: 11:17a -0.95 ft.

High Tide: 7:34p 1.11 ft.

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

3:30 — 5:30 PM

4:00 — 6:00 PM

5:00 — 7:00 PM

6:00 — 8:00 PM

8:00 — 10:00 AM

1:00 — 3:00 AM

2:00 — 4:00 AM

2 ft.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

12p

6p

12a

Low Tide: 12:05a 0.84 ft.

High Tide: 4:00a 0.96 ft.

Low Tide: 12:04p -0.72 ft.

High Tide: 7:57p 1.00 ft.

PRIME TIME

THURSDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:39a Moonrise: 9:16a Set: 8:21p AM Minor: 6:52a AM Major: 12:37p PM Minor: 7:20a PM Major: 1:06a Moon Overhead: 2:45p Moon Underfoot: 2:17a

6a

Jan 14

PRIME TIME

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:38a Moonrise: 8:32a Set: 7:08p AM Minor: 5:48a AM Major: 11:29a PM Minor: 6:18a PM Major: 12:03p Moon Overhead: 1:47p Moon Underfoot: 1:17a

12a

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:36a Moonrise: 5:39a Set: 3:42p AM Minor: 2:47a AM Major: 9:02a PM Minor: 3:17a PM Major: 9:32a Moon Overhead: 10:41a Moon Underfoot: 11:12p

TUESDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:37a Moonrise: 7:41a Set: 5:55p AM Minor: 4:45a AM Major: 11:00a PM Minor: 5:16a PM Major: 11:32a Moon Overhead: 12:46p Moon Underfoot: 12:15a

6a

Jan 13 «

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:35a Moonrise: 4:33a Set: 2:47p AM Minor: 1:55a AM Major: 8:09a PM Minor: 2:24a PM Major: 8:38a Moon Overhead: 9:42a Moon Underfoot: 10:11p

MONDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:37a Moonrise: 6:43a Set: 4:45p AM Minor: 3:44a AM Major: 9:59a PM Minor: 4:15a PM Major: 10:31a Moon Overhead: 11:43a Moon Underfoot: None

12a

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:40a Moonrise: 9:54a Set: 9:30p AM Minor: 7:53a AM Major: 1:40a PM Minor: 8:20a PM Major: 2:06a Moon Overhead: 3:38p Moon Underfoot: 3:12a

SUNDAY

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

Jan 15

12p

6p

12a

6a

Jan 16

Low Tide: 1:04a 0.58 ft.

High Tide: 5:40a 0.80 ft.

Low Tide: 12:51p -0.40 ft.

High Tide: 8:17p 0.90 ft.

12p

Low Tide: 2:07a High Tide: 7:35a Low Tide: 1:39p High Tide: 8:33p

6p

0.29 ft.

0.66 ft.

-0.03 ft.

0.82 ft.

12a

6a

Jan 17

12p

Low Tide: 3:10a High Tide: 9:43a Low Tide: 2:28p High Tide: 8:45p

6p

-0.03 ft.

0.63 ft.

0.34 ft.

0.80 ft.

12a

6a

12p

Jan 18 º

6p

Low Tide: 4:12a -0.32 ft.

High Tide: 12:06p 0.73 ft.

Low Tide: 3:32p 0.66 ft.

High Tide: 8:47p 0.81 ft.

6a

Jan 19

12p

Low Tide: 5:12a High Tide: 2:37p

6p

12a

6a

Jan 20

-0.56 ft.

0.93 ft.

12p

Low Tide: 6:09a High Tide: 3:56p

-0.74 ft.

1.08 ft.

6a

Jan 21

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

2 ft.

3:00 —

4:00 — 6:00 AM

4:30 — 6:30 AM

5:30 — 7:30 AM

6:30 — 8:30 AM

12:30 — 2:30 AM

1:30 — 3:30 AM

5:00 AM

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

12p

Low Tide: 7:04a High Tide: 4:44p

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:42a Moonrise: 11:33a Set: None AM Minor: 10:37a AM Major: 4:25a PM Minor: 11:01a PM Major: 4:49a Moon Overhead: 6:04p Moon Underfoot: 5:40a

WEDNESDAY

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:45a Moonrise: 1:24p Set: 2:54a AM Minor: 12:36p AM Major: 6:49a PM Minor: 1:03a PM Major: 7:16a Moon Overhead: 8:38p Moon Underfoot: 8:11a

12a

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:42a Moonrise: 11:01a Set: 11:40p AM Minor: 9:46a AM Major: 3:34a PM Minor: 10:10a PM Major: 3:58a Moon Overhead: 5:16p Moon Underfoot: 4:53a

TUESDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:44a Moonrise: 12:43p Set: 1:49a AM Minor: ----AM Major: 6:02a PM Minor: 12:15p PM Major: 6:27a Moon Overhead: 7:45p Moon Underfoot: 7:19a

6p

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:41a Moonrise: 10:29a Set: 10:36p AM Minor: 8:51a AM Major: 2:39a PM Minor: 9:16a PM Major: 3:04a Moon Overhead: 4:28p Moon Underfoot: 4:04a

MONDAY

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 5:43a Moonrise: 12:07p Set: 12:44a AM Minor: 11:27a AM Major: 5:14a PM Minor: 11:51a PM Major: 5:39a Moon Overhead: 6:54p Moon Underfoot: 6:29a

12a

6p

12a

-0.86 ft.

1.15 ft.

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:46a Moonrise: 2:10p Set: 3:58a AM Minor: 1:24a AM Major: 7:37a PM Minor: 1:51a PM Major: 8:04a Moon Overhead: 9:32p Moon Underfoot: 9:05a

SUNDAY

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

12a

-1ft.

6a

Jan 22

12p

Low Tide: 7:55a High Tide: 5:24p

6p

12a

6a

Jan 23

-0.91 ft.

1.15 ft.

12p

Low Tide: 8:43a High Tide: 5:58p

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 5:47a Moonrise: 3:01p Set: 4:58a AM Minor: 2:12a AM Major: 8:26a PM Minor: 2:40a PM Major: 8:53a Moon Overhead: 10:27p Moon Underfoot: 10:00a

6p

-0.91 ft.

1.10 ft.

12a

6a

12p

Jan 24 «

6p

Low Tide: 9:26a -0.87 ft.

High Tide: 6:23p 1.03 ft.

Low Tide: 10:46p 0.94 ft.

12a

6a

12p

Jan 25 «

6p

High Tide: 1:08a 0.96 ft.

Low Tide: 10:05a -0.80 ft.

High Tide: 6:39p 0.95 ft.

Low Tide: 10:25p 0.87 ft.

12a

6a

12p

6p

Jan 26 l

12a

High Tide: 2:12a 0.94 ft.

Low Tide: 10:40a -0.70 ft.

High Tide: 6:52p 0.88 ft.

Low Tide: 10:40p 0.76 ft.

12p

6p

High Tide: 3:07a 0.89 ft.

Low Tide: 11:11a -0.56 ft.

High Tide: 7:05p 0.82 ft.

Low Tide: 11:13p 0.64 ft.

6a

12p

Jan 28 «

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:49a Moonrise: 5:53p Set: 7:26a AM Minor: 4:42a AM Major: 10:55a PM Minor: 5:07a PM Major: 11:19a Moon Overhead: 12:12a Moon Underfoot: 12:37p

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

22:00 ft. —

3:00 — 5:00 AM

3:30 — 5:30 AM

4:00 — 6:00 AM

5:00 — 7:00 AM

7:00 — 9:00 AM

8:00 — 10:00 AM

4:00 AM

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

6p

12a

High Tide: 4:03a 0.82 ft.

Low Tide: 11:39a -0.38 ft.

High Tide: 7:18p 0.77 ft.

Low Tide: 11:55p 0.51 ft.

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:48a Moonrise: 4:54p Set: 6:43a AM Minor: 3:52a AM Major: 10:05a PM Minor: 4:18a PM Major: 10:31a Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:47a

TUESDAY

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:51a Moonrise: 7:47p Set: 8:35a AM Minor: 6:20a AM Major: 12:09p PM Minor: 6:41a PM Major: 12:31p Moon Overhead: 1:47a Moon Underfoot: 2:08p

12a

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:48a Moonrise: 3:56p Set: 5:53a AM Minor: 3:02a AM Major: 9:16a PM Minor: 3:29a PM Major: 9:43a Moon Overhead: 11:21p Moon Underfoot: 10:54a

MONDAY

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:50a Moonrise: 6:51p Set: 8:03a AM Minor: 5:32a AM Major: 11:43a PM Minor: 5:55a PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 1:01a Moon Underfoot: 1:24p

6a

Jan 27 «

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:52a Moonrise: 8:41p Set: 9:04a AM Minor: 7:06a AM Major: 12:56p PM Minor: 7:27a PM Major: 1:17a Moon Overhead: 2:29a Moon Underfoot: 2:50p

SUNDAY

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

Jan 29

12p

6p

12a

High Tide: 5:04a 0.72 ft.

Low Tide: 12:05p -0.19 ft.

High Tide: 7:30p 0.73 ft.

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 5:53a Moonrise: 9:34p Set: 9:31a AM Minor: 7:52a AM Major: 1:42a PM Minor: 8:11a PM Major: 2:01a Moon Overhead: 3:10a Moon Underfoot: 3:29p

6a

Jan 30

12p

Low Tide: 12:40a High Tide: 6:17a Low Tide: 12:30p High Tide: 7:37p

6p

0.37 ft.

0.63 ft.

0.03 ft.

0.70 ft.

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 5:54a Moonrise: 10:25p Set: 9:56a AM Minor: 8:36a AM Major: 2:26a PM Minor: 8:55a PM Major: 2:45a Moon Overhead: 3:48a Moon Underfoot: 4:08p

12a

6a

Jan 31

12p

Low Tide: 1:26a High Tide: 7:49a Low Tide: 12:53p High Tide: 7:37p

6p

0.22 ft.

0.56 ft.

0.25 ft.

0.68 ft.

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 5:55a Moonrise: 11:18p Set: 10:22a AM Minor: 9:19a AM Major: 3:09a PM Minor: 9:39a PM Major: 3:29a Moon Overhead: 4:27a Moon Underfoot: 4:47p

T E X A S

OutdoorNation-2401-DIG.indd 63

12a

6a

Feb 1

12p

Low Tide: 2:14a High Tide: 9:43a Low Tide: 1:13p High Tide: 7:13p

6p

0.06 ft.

0.56 ft.

0.46 ft.

0.70 ft.

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 5:55a Moonrise: None Set: 10:50a AM Minor: 10:03a AM Major: 3:53a PM Minor: 10:24a PM Major: 4:13a Moon Overhead: 5:07a Moon Underfoot: 5:28p

F I S H

&

12a

6a

Feb 2 »

12p

6p

12a

Low Tide: 3:06a -0.10 ft.

High Tide: 12:15p 0.66 ft.

Low Tide: 1:13p 0.66 ft.

High Tide: 6:16p 0.78 ft.

Sunrise: 7:07a Set: 5:56a Moonrise: 12:14a Set: 11:20a AM Minor: 10:48a AM Major: 4:37a PM Minor: 11:10a PM Major: 4:59a Moon Overhead: 5:50a Moon Underfoot: 6:12p

G A M E ®

|

6a

Feb 3

12p

Low Tide: 4:02a High Tide: 5:43p

6p

-0.26 ft.

0.90 ft.

Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:57a Moonrise: 1:13a Set: 11:55a AM Minor: 11:34a AM Major: 5:22a PM Minor: 11:59a PM Major: 5:46a Moon Overhead: 6:36a Moon Underfoot: 7:01p

12a

6a

Feb 4

12p

Low Tide: 5:01a High Tide: 5:09p

6p

12a

-0.43 ft.

1.01 ft.

Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:58a Moonrise: 2:15a Set: 12:36p AM Minor: ----AM Major: 6:10a PM Minor: 12:23p PM Major: 6:36a Moon Overhead: 7:27a Moon Underfoot: 7:55p

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

|

63

12/19/23 11:12 AM

DAYBOOK

Sportsman’s

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

Tides and Prime Times

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

PRIME TIME

MONDAY

PRIME TIME

TUESDAY

PRIME TIME

WEDNESDAY

PRIME TIME

THURSDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

SUNDAY PRIME TIME

2 ft. — 1:30 3:30 AM

2:30 — 4:30 AM

3:30 — 5:30 AM

4:30 — 6:30 AM

11:30A — 1:30P

12:00 — 2:00 PM

1:00 — 3:00 PM

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

12p

Feb 5

Low Tide 6:00a High Tide 4:14p

6p

12a

-0.62 ft.

1.12 ft.

12p

Low Tide 6:57a High Tide 4:32p

Sunrise: 7:05a Set: 5:59a Moonrise: 3:19a Set: 1:26p AM Minor: 12:46p AM Major: 7:00a PM Minor: 1:15a PM Major: 7:29a Moon Overhead: 8:23a Moon Underfoot: 8:53p

6p

-0.79 ft.

1.19 ft.

12a

6a

Feb 7

Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

12p

6p

12a

7:51a -0.94 ft.

4:55p 1.21 ft.

9:55p 1.09 ft.

10:22p 1.09 ft.

6a

Feb 8 «

12p

6p

Low Tide 8:42a High Tide 5:19p Low Tide 9:21p

12a

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 6:01a Moonrise: 5:24a Set: 3:31p AM Minor: 2:33a AM Major: 8:49a PM Minor: 3:05a PM Major: 9:20a Moon Overhead: 10:26a Moon Underfoot: 10:57p

Sunrise: 7:03a Set: 6:01a Moonrise: 6:18a Set: 4:43p AM Minor: 3:31a AM Major: 9:46a PM Minor: 4:02a PM Major: 10:17a Moon Overhead: 11:28a Moon Underfoot: None

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

2:00 — 4:00 PM

3:00 — 5:00 PM

3:30 — 5:30 PM

4:30 — 6:30 PM

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

6a

Feb 9 l

-1.01 ft.

1.18 ft.

1.01 ft.

Sunrise: 7:05a Set: 6:00a Moonrise: 4:23a Set: 2:24p AM Minor: 1:38a AM Major: 7:54a PM Minor: 2:09a PM Major: 8:24a Moon Overhead: 9:24a Moon Underfoot: 9:55p

MONDAY

2 ft.

6a

Feb 6

High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

12p

6p

12:56a 1.10 ft.

9:31a -1.00 ft.

5:40p 1.11 ft.

9:53p 0.85 ft.

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 6:02a Moonrise: 7:06a Set: 5:57p AM Minor: 4:29a AM Major: 10:44a PM Minor: 4:59a PM Major: 11:14a Moon Overhead: 12:29p Moon Underfoot: None

THURSDAY

12a

6a

12p

6p

Feb 10 « High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

2:24a 1.09 ft.

10:18a -0.86 ft.

6:01p 1.01 ft.

10:36p 0.62 ft.

12a

6a

12p

6p

Feb 11 « High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

3:46a 1.04 ft.

11:05a -0.62 ft.

6:19p 0.92 ft.

11:25p 0.35 ft.

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 6:03a Moonrise: 7:48a Set: 7:10p AM Minor: 5:27a AM Major: 11:09a PM Minor: 5:55a PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 1:25p Moon Underfoot: 12:57a

Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 6:04a Moonrise: 8:25a Set: 8:19p AM Minor: 6:25a AM Major: 12:12p PM Minor: 6:51a PM Major: 12:38p Moon Overhead: 2:18p Moon Underfoot: 1:52a

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM

11:00P — 1:00A

12:00 — 2:00 AM

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

12a

SUNDAY

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

12p

Feb 12 «

6p

12a

6a

Feb 13

High Tide 5:09a 0.96 ft.

Low Tide 11:51a -0.29 ft.

High Tide 6:35p 0.85 ft.

Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

Sunrise: 7:00a Set: 6:05a Moonrise: 8:59a Set: 9:26p AM Minor: 7:22a AM Major: 1:10a PM Minor: 7:47a PM Major: 1:35a Moon Overhead: 3:09p Moon Underfoot: 2:44a

12p

6p

12:18a 6:40a 12:36p 6:48p

0.07 ft.

0.87 ft.

0.08 ft.

0.81 ft.

Sunrise: 6:59a Set: 6:05a Moonrise: 9:32a Set: 10:33p AM Minor: 8:19a AM Major: 2:06a PM Minor: 8:44a PM Major: 2:31a Moon Overhead: 3:58p Moon Underfoot: 3:33a

MONDAY

TUESDAY

12a

6a

Feb 14 Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

12p

6p

12a

1:15a 8:22a 1:21p 6:57p

-0.19 ft.

0.83 ft.

0.44 ft.

0.82 ft.

Sunrise: 6:59a Set: 6:06a Moonrise: 10:06a Set: 11:39p AM Minor: 9:15a AM Major: 3:02a PM Minor: 9:40a PM Major: 3:28a Moon Overhead: 4:49p Moon Underfoot: 4:23a

WEDNESDAY

6a

Feb 15 Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

12p

6p

12a

6a

Feb 16

2:17a -0.39 ft.

10:24a 0.86 ft.

2:10p 0.75 ft.

6:49p 0.86 ft.

12p

Low Tide 3:25a High Tide 1:29p

Sunrise: 6:58a Set: 6:07a Moonrise: 10:43a Set: None AM Minor: 10:10a AM Major: 3:57a PM Minor: 10:36a PM Major: 4:23a Moon Overhead: 5:41p Moon Underfoot: 5:14a

6p

-0.54 ft.

0.98 ft.

Sunrise: 6:57a Set: 6:08a Moonrise: 11:23a Set: 12:46a AM Minor: 11:05a AM Major: 4:51a PM Minor: 11:32a PM Major: 5:18a Moon Overhead: 6:34p Moon Underfoot: 6:07a

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

12a

6a

12p

Feb 17 º

Low Tide 4:37a High Tide 3:13p

6p

-0.62 ft.

1.12 ft.

Sunrise: 6:56a Set: 6:09a Moonrise: 12:08p Set: 1:51a AM Minor: 11:58a AM Major: 5:44a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:12a Moon Overhead: 7:29p Moon Underfoot: 7:01a

SATURDAY

12a

6a

Feb 18

12p

6p

Low Tide 5:49a High Tide 3:57p

12a

-0.67 ft.

1.18 ft.

Sunrise: 6:55a Set: 6:09a Moonrise: 12:57p Set: 2:53a AM Minor: 12:22p AM Major: 6:36a PM Minor: 12:50p PM Major: 7:03a Moon Overhead: 8:23p Moon Underfoot: 7:56a

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

2 ft. — 1:30 3:30 AM

2:30 — 4:30 AM

10:00P — 12:00A

10:30P — 12:30A

5:00 — 7:00 AM

11:30P — 1:30A

12:00 — 2:00 AM

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

Feb 19

12p

Low Tide 6:55a High Tide 4:33p

6p

12a

6a

Feb 20

-0.68 ft.

1.17 ft.

Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

Sunrise: 6:54a Set: 6:10a Moonrise: 1:51p Set: 3:50a AM Minor: 1:12a AM Major: 7:26a PM Minor: 1:39a PM Major: 7:52a Moon Overhead: 9:17p Moon Underfoot: 8:50a

12p

6p

7:51a -0.67 ft.

5:00p 1.11 ft.

10:18p 0.96 ft.

11:30p 0.96 ft.

Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 6:11a Moonrise: 2:48p Set: 4:41a AM Minor: 2:00a AM Major: 8:13a PM Minor: 2:26a PM Major: 8:39a Moon Overhead: 10:09p Moon Underfoot: 9:43a

MONDAY

TUESDAY

12a

6a

Feb 21

12p

6p

Low Tide 8:38a High Tide 5:15p Low Tide 9:48p

-0.63 ft.

1.04 ft.

0.91 ft.

Sunrise: 6:52a Set: 6:12a Moonrise: 3:46p Set: 5:25a AM Minor: 2:47a AM Major: 8:59a PM Minor: 3:12a PM Major: 9:24a Moon Overhead: 10:58p Moon Underfoot: 10:34a

WEDNESDAY

12a

6a

12p

6p

Feb 22 « High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

12a

12:56a 0.99 ft.

9:17a -0.55 ft.

5:20p 0.96 ft.

9:36p 0.83 ft.

6a

12p

6p

1:58a 9:51a 5:25p 9:44p

1.00 ft.

-0.44 ft.

0.90 ft.

0.71 ft.

Feb 23 « High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 6:12a Moonrise: 4:44p Set: 6:03a AM Minor: 3:32a AM Major: 9:43a PM Minor: 3:55a PM Major: 10:07a Moon Overhead: 11:44p Moon Underfoot: 11:21a

Sunrise: 6:50a Set: 6:13a Moonrise: 5:41p Set: 6:37a AM Minor: 4:15a AM Major: 10:26a PM Minor: 4:37a PM Major: 10:48a Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:06p

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

12a

6a

12p

6p

Feb 24 l High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

2:53a 1.00 ft.

10:20a -0.30 ft.

5:32p 0.86 ft.

10:08p 0.58 ft.

Sunrise: 6:49a Set: 6:14a Moonrise: 6:36p Set: 7:07a AM Minor: 4:57a AM Major: 11:08a PM Minor: 5:18a PM Major: 11:29a Moon Overhead: 12:28a Moon Underfoot: 12:48p

SATURDAY

12a

6a

12p

6p

Feb 25 « High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

12a

3:46a 0.97 ft.

10:45a -0.13 ft.

5:40p 0.84 ft.

10:38p 0.44 ft.

Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 6:15a Moonrise: 7:28p Set: 7:34a AM Minor: 5:39a AM Major: 11:49a PM Minor: 5:59a PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 1:08a Moon Underfoot: 1:28p

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

2 ft. — 12:30 2:30 AM

1:30 — 3:30 AM

3:00 — 5:00 AM

2:00 — 4:00 AM

4:00 — 6:00 AM

11:30A — 1:30P

12:00 — 2:00 PM

2 ft.

1 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

0 ft.

-1ft.

-1ft.

12a

6a

12p

6p

4:41a 11:10a 5:49p 11:11p

0.94 ft.

0.05 ft.

0.82 ft.

0.30 ft.

Feb 26 « High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

12a

Sunrise: 6:47a Set: 6:15a Moonrise: 8:20p Set: 8:00a AM Minor: 6:22a AM Major: 12:12p PM Minor: 6:41a PM Major: 12:31p Moon Overhead: 1:48a Moon Underfoot: 2:07p

64

|

6a

Feb 27 High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

12p

6p

5:39a 11:35a 5:54p 11:47p

0.90 ft.

0.25 ft.

0.81 ft.

0.18 ft.

Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 6:16a Moonrise: 9:13p Set: 8:26a AM Minor: 7:05a AM Major: 12:55p PM Minor: 7:24a PM Major: 1:14a Moon Overhead: 2:26a Moon Underfoot: 2:46p

12a

12p

6p

High Tide 6:45a 0.87 ft.

Low Tide 12:00p 0.45 ft.

High Tide 5:49p 0.81 ft.

Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 6:17a Moonrise: 10:07p Set: 8:52a AM Minor: 7:49a AM Major: 1:39a PM Minor: 8:09a PM Major: 1:59a Moon Overhead: 3:06a Moon Underfoot: 3:26p

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

OutdoorNation-2401-DIG.indd 64

6a

Feb 28

|

12a

6a

Feb 29 Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

12p

6p

12:25a 8:04a 12:24p 5:23p

0.06 ft.

0.86 ft.

0.65 ft.

0.85 ft.

12a

Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 6:17a Moonrise: 11:04p Set: 9:21a AM Minor: 8:36a AM Major: 2:25a PM Minor: 8:57a PM Major: 2:46a Moon Overhead: 3:47a Moon Underfoot: 4:09p

T E X A S

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6a

Mar 1

Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

12p

6p

1:08a -0.04 ft.

9:46a 0.90 ft.

12:43p 0.84 ft.

4:44p 0.94 ft.

Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 6:18a Moonrise: None Set: 9:53a AM Minor: 9:25a AM Major: 3:13a PM Minor: 9:48a PM Major: 3:36a Moon Overhead: 4:31a Moon Underfoot: 4:55p

12a

6a

Mar 2 »

12p

Low Tide 2:00a High Tide 4:27p

6p

-0.13 ft.

1.06 ft.

Sunrise: 6:42a Set: 6:19a Moonrise: 12:03a Set: 10:31a AM Minor: 10:16a AM Major: 4:03a PM Minor: 10:41a PM Major: 4:29a Moon Overhead: 5:19a Moon Underfoot: 5:45p

12a

6a

Mar 3

12p

Low Tide 3:04a High Tide 4:23p

6p

12a

-0.23 ft.

1.18 ft.

Sunrise: 6:41a Set: 6:19a Moonrise: 1:05a Set: 11:16a AM Minor: 11:10a AM Major: 4:56a PM Minor: 11:37a PM Major: 5:24a Moon Overhead: 6:12a Moon Underfoot: 6:40p

G A M E ®

12/19/23 11:13 AM

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME

MONDAY

PRIME TIME

TUESDAY

PRIME TIME

WEDNESDAY

PRIME TIME

THURSDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

12:30 — 2:30 AM

1:00 — 3:00 AM

2:00 — 4:00 AM

3:00 — 5:00 AM

10:00A — 12:00P

11:00A — 1:00P

11:30A — 1:30P

2 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

2 ft.

12a

1 ft.

-1ft.

6a

Mar 4

12p

Low Tide 4:17a 0 ft.

High Tide 4:03p

6p

12a

6a

Mar 5

-0.34 ft.

1.27 ft.

12p

Low Tide 5:30a High Tide 3:39p

6p

-0.46 ft.

1.32 ft.

12a

6a

Mar 6

12p

Low Tide 6:35a High Tide 3:46p

6p

-0.57 ft.

1.32 ft.

-1ft.

Sunrise: 6:40a Set: 6:20a Moonrise: 2:07a Set: 12:08p AM Minor: ----AM Major: 5:51a PM Minor: 12:05p PM Major: 6:20a Moon Overhead: 7:08a Moon Underfoot: 7:38p

Sunrise: 6:39a Set: 6:21a Moonrise: 3:08a Set: 1:09p AM Minor: 12:31p AM Major: 6:46a PM Minor: 1:02a PM Major: 7:17a Moon Overhead: 8:08a Moon Underfoot: 8:38p

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 6:21a Moonrise: 4:04a Set: 2:18p AM Minor: 1:27a AM Major: 7:42a PM Minor: 1:57a PM Major: 8:12a Moon Overhead: 9:09a Moon Underfoot: 9:39p

WEDNESDAY

12a

6a

Mar 7

12p

Low Tide 7:33a High Tide 3:59p Low Tide 8:24p

6p

-0.62 ft.

1.27 ft.

1.08 ft.

Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 6:22a Moonrise: 4:54a Set: 3:30p AM Minor: 2:21a AM Major: 8:36a PM Minor: 2:51a PM Major: 9:06a Moon Overhead: 10:09a Moon Underfoot: 10:39p

THURSDAY

12a

6a

Mar 8 « High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

1:52a 9:17a 4:27p 9:24p

1.24 ft.

-0.44 ft.

1.11 ft.

0.58 ft.

Mar 9 «

12:19a 1.20 ft.

8:27a -0.58 ft.

4:13p 1.19 ft.

8:46p 0.86 ft.

High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

Sunrise: 6:36a Set: 6:23a Moonrise: 5:38a Set: 4:44p AM Minor: 3:14a AM Major: 9:29a PM Minor: 3:43a PM Major: 9:57a Moon Overhead: 11:07a Moon Underfoot: 11:35p

12a

High Tide Low Tide High Tide Low Tide

Sunrise: 6:34a Set: 6:23a Moonrise: 6:17a Set: 5:55p AM Minor: 4:07a AM Major: 10:20a PM Minor: 4:34a PM Major: 10:47a Moon Overhead: 12:02p Moon Underfoot: None

FRIDAY

6a

12p

Mar 10 l

6p

12a

Beg DST

4:13a 1.27 ft.

11:05a -0.20 ft.

5:42p 1.04 ft.

11:07p 0.28 ft.

Sunrise: 7:33a Set: 7:24a Moonrise: 7:53a Set: 8:04p AM Minor: 5:59a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:25a PM Major: 12:37p Moon Overhead: 1:55p Moon Underfoot: 1:29a

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

PRIME TIME

1:00 — 3:00 PM

1:30 — 3:30 PM

2:00 — 4:00 PM

3:00 — 5:00 PM

9:30 — 11:30 PM

10:00P — 12:00A

7:00 — 9:00 AM

2 ft.

1 ft.

0 ft.

2 ft.

12a

1 ft.

-1ft.

6a

12p

Mar 11 «

High Tide 0 ft.

Low Tide High Tide -1ft.

Low Tide

6p

12a

5:31a 1.28 ft.

11:53a 0.12 ft.

5:55p 1.00 ft.

11:54p -0.01 ft.

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 7:24a Moonrise: 8:27a Set: 9:13p AM Minor: 6:52a AM Major: 12:39p PM Minor: 7:17a PM Major: 1:05a Moon Overhead: 2:46p Moon Underfoot: 2:20a

6a

12p

Mar 12 «

6p

High Tide 6:50a 1.28 ft.

Low Tide 12:41p 0.45 ft.

High Tide 6:07p 1.00 ft.

Sunrise: 7:31a Set: 7:25a Moonrise: 9:02a Set: 10:21p AM Minor: 7:48a AM Major: 1:35a PM Minor: 8:14a PM Major: 2:01a Moon Overhead: 3:37p Moon Underfoot: 3:11a

12a

6a

Mar 13 Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

12p

6p

12:43a -0.24 ft.

8:14a 1.26 ft.

1:30p 0.77 ft.

6:13p 1.03 ft.

Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 7:26a Moonrise: 9:38a Set: 11:31p AM Minor: 8:46a AM Major: 2:33a PM Minor: 9:13a PM Major: 3:00a Moon Overhead: 4:30p Moon Underfoot: 4:03a

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12a

6a

Mar 14 Low Tide High Tide Low Tide High Tide

12p

6p

1:37a 9:49a 2:29p 5:59p

-0.38 ft.

1.25 ft.

1.03 ft.

1.09 ft.

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 7:26a Moonrise: 10:18a Set: None AM Minor: 9:47a AM Major: 3:33a PM Minor: 10:14a PM Major: 4:01a Moon Overhead: 5:25p Moon Underfoot: 4:58a

F I S H

&

12a

6a

Mar 15

12p

6p

12a

Low Tide 2:37a -0.43 ft.

High Tide 11:49a 1.27 ft.

Sunrise: 7:28a Set: 7:27a Moonrise: 11:03a Set: 12:39a AM Minor: 10:47a AM Major: 4:33a PM Minor: 11:16a PM Major: 5:01a Moon Overhead: 6:21p Moon Underfoot: 5:53a

G A M E ®

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6a

Mar 16

12p

Low Tide 3:46a High Tide 2:29p

6p

-0.41 ft.

1.33 ft.

Sunrise: 7:26a Set: 7:27a Moonrise: 11:52a Set: 1:45a AM Minor: 11:47a AM Major: 5:33a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:01a Moon Overhead: 7:18p Moon Underfoot: 6:50a

12a

6a

12p

Mar 17 º

Low Tide 5:06a High Tide 3:38p

6p

12a

-0.36 ft.

1.37 ft.

Sunrise: 7:25a Set: 7:28a Moonrise: 12:46p Set: 2:45a AM Minor: 12:19p AM Major: 6:29a PM Minor: 12:43p PM Major: 6:56a Moon Overhead: 8:13p Moon Underfoot: 7:45a

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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12/19/23 11:13 AM

CWD Detected at Kerr Deer Research Center TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE Department (TPWD) biologists have reported a suspect-positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a 14-monthold captive male white-tailed deer at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area (WMA) research facility. The detection resulted from ante-mortem testing conducted on all captive white-tailed deer as part of ongoing research. Samples from the buck were sent to the National Veterinary Service Laboratory in Iowa for confirmation.

Out of an abundance of caution, TPWD staff euthanized all deer in the research

facility and collected post-mortem samples, which resulted in no additional detections.

TPWD will continue monitoring for CWD throughout the research facility and the WMA. “TPWD staff are disappointed to abruptly end nearly 50 years of white-tailed deer research that has significantly influenced deer management in Texas and across the country” said John Silovsky, Wildlife Division Director. “Staff will continue to investigate opportunities to enhance the understanding of this insidious disease in both captive environments and free-ranging

populations.”

Built in 1974, the high-fenced research facility offers researchers facilities to study white-tailed deer in a controlled setting.

The 23-acre facility now is double high fenced and consists of breeding and rearing enclosures, and a series of other structures that facilitate the safe handling of research animals.

The initial stock of deer in the research facility consisted of native Texas whitetails from various locations throughout the state.

TPWD did not routinely move deer into or out of the facility after that initial stocking.

The research herd has been maintained as a pedigreed herd investigating nutritional, age and genetic relationships in deer.

Research programs in the facility have supported wild deer herd management activities, outreach programs, trainings and the development of antler regulations across the state.

The Kerr WMA has conducted CWD surveillance of its wild and captive deer herds since 2002. Surveillance efforts within the research facility totaled 242 regulatory tests since 2018. Wild deer harvested on the WMA through the public hunting program and field research since 2018 have provided an additional 259 regulatory tests with no detections.

TPWD has intensified its investigations within the facility for the presence of CWD prions since May 8, when the agency received conflicting results —from a presumptive positive RT-QuIC amplification test and not-detected regulatory tests— on a female deer euthanized in January of this year. Assessments within the facility this summer included surveillance with swabs of equipment, water and feed sites paired with targeted euthanasia and tissue testing.

Subsequent amplification and regulatory tests confirmed not-detected results on the 66 deer postmortem tested, as part of the investigation. Remaining individuals in the facility were screened with ante-mortem tonsil and rectal biopsies in October resulting in the positive detection from a tonsil biopsy on the 14-month-old male.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease found in certain cervids including deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family. This slow, progressive disease may not produce visible signs in susceptible species for several years after infection.

TF&G Staff Report

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Chronic Wasting Disease

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PHOTO: WDNR

12/19/23 11:13 AM

Texans Encouraged to Practice Bear Safety AS WINTER HAS ARRIVED, TEXAS residents in the western, southwestern and northeastern portions of Texas to practice appropriate bear safety measures and report sightings.

Black bears are native to Texas and part of the state’s natural heritage and ecosystem.

Guided by an excellent sense of smell, their behavior is driven largely by appetite. Fall provides their last opportunity to feast before denning up for the winter.

The natural instincts to forage become a problem for bears when they find easy meals from humans, such as garbage, pet food or corn from a deer feeder. If a bear continually finds food around humans, it can become habituated, losing its fear of people and creating a potentially dangerous situation.

Individuals enjoying the outdoors are encouraged to stay alert and stay together, keep dogs leashed, double bag food and trash while hiking or camping, camp safely

and know what to do if you see a bear.

Bear-proof garbage containers are a great option that many communities have deployed to reduce bear encounters. TPWD biologists encourage keeping trash bags in a secure location until the morning of trash pickup and feeding pets inside or limiting pet-food portions to an amount that can be consumed completely at each feeding.

More information can be found on the TPWD and Bear Wise websites, including how to secure deer feeders or apiaries with electric fences and the how to use “unwelcome mats.” Unwelcome mats, made from rough wood and nails or brads, can be placed under windows, at doors and fence openings and around outdoor freezers and refrigerators to discourage bears without causing serious injury.

Bears are a non-game animal that have been granted state protected status as a threatened species, so it is against the law to

Black bears are native to Texas and sightings have been increasing in different parts of the state

hunt, harass or kill them.

If you see a bear, stay away and do not attempt to feed it, and notify your local police or sheriff dispatch immediately to request the local TPWD biologist or game warden.

TF&G Staff Report

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Unusual Cat Sightings Reported Around Texas TEXAS HAS A RICH NATURAL HIStory of wild felines.

Bobcats, cougars (mountain lion), jaguars, jaguarundi and ocelots are all native to the state.

Jaguars haven’t been verified in many years and jaguarundis are a controversial topic with no verified sightings in a couple of decades.

Reports of cats where they’re not supposed to be in Texas are prevalent.

There are also reports of cats of unusual size and color.

Examples are cougars in East Texas and a report of a white cougar. Before you laugh, there have been verified white cougars in Brazil recently, born in a zoo in Belgium and see repeatedly near Red Rocks in Colorado.

There are however no verified case of black cougars.

Some bobcats have long tails.

They can also be black in rare occasions.

PHOTOS: ADOBE

OutdoorNation-2401-DIG.indd 67

supposed range, size or color? I am working on cataloging as many of these as I can.

You can send photos and videos to cmoore@fishgame.com.

I can help you identify mystery cats and you can help me catalog interesting wild and feral feline information in Texas.

Have you ever seen a cat in the wild you can’t explain? Do you have videos or photo from trail cameras or maybe your cell phone of cats that don’t quite fit the mold of their

story by CHESTER MOORE

•

Bobcats and other wild felines have been reported in areas where they are not supposed to be.

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12/19/23 11:13 AM

REDFISH Port O’Connor Krystal White, of R&K Coastal Outfitters, picked up this nice 30-inch bull on the edge of a flat as she was chasing a school of Reds with artificials in Port O’ Connor.

LARGEMOUTH BASS Possum Kingdom Brendyn Gettens caught his biggest largemouth bass yet—a 5-1/2-pounder—on Possum Kingdom Lake, using a baby brush hog.

SHARK Galveston Jackson Polk of Allen caught this blacktip shark off the north Jetty at Galveston.

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SHEEPSHEAD

FLOUNDER

Corpus Christi

Trinity Bay

Mia Sanchez caught this black drum while fishing off the Dimitt Pier on Corpus Christi Bay.

Nash Nichols caught this nice flounder while fishing on his Pa Pa’s boat in Trinity Bay.

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12/14/23 12:23 PM

GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT!

SEND YOUR ACTION PICS TO Photos@FishGame.com For best results, send MED to HIGH quality JPEG digital files only, please.

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

WHITETAIL Nordheim

REDFISH

Ryan Curry shot his best buck ever, a 12-pointer taken on his friend’s place near Nordheim.

Port Mansfield Rebecca Grimes boated this huge red while fishing at Port Mansfield.

REDFISH Trinity Bay John Cassell caught this 45-inch redfish on a nighttime trip in Trinity Bay.

LARGEMOUTH BASS Conroe Harper Wyatt caught this bass while fishing with her brothers, Chase and Jaxon, at Conroe.

T E X A S

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12/14/23 12:44 PM

APTITUDE Outdoors that I still cherish.

While it’s true that the sport can be expensive, it’s also possible to start on a budget.

Entry-level fly rod combos are available for as low as $50 on sites like Amazon, and while there are high-end rods that can set you back by hundreds if not thousands of dollars, the joy of fly fishing doesn’t lie in the price tag.

The average entry level fly rod combo ranges from $100 to $350 and these will include everything you need to get started.

As I began asking around, I was told over and over again to make sure to get something with a warranty. The best bang for the buck that I have found so far is the Path series combos from Reddington. These come with Reddington’s warranty and start around $100.

If you ask an experienced fly fisherman what rod to start with, they state across the board a 5 weight fly rod. This will handle anything from the small but mighty panfish, to trout and all the way up to bass. It is essentially the Swiss Army Knife of the fly fishing world. It is not too light as to break under the stress of slightly larger fish, but can finesse the smallest, lightest flies gently onto the water’s surface.

Many people ask what is the most important piece of the fly fishing rod setup and I have been told over and over again that it is the fly line itself. The rod can fight the fish and help propel the line, the reel is more often than not used to simply hold the fly line unless you’re fighting very large fish, in which case you can use the drag system of the reel to help wear them out, but the fly line is what connects you directly to the fish itself and accounts for much of your ability to cast. The line that comes on an entry level rod is wonderful to learn on, but you may consider upgrading in the future.

Like any sport, fly fishing has its share of elitists, however, my experience has been overwhelmingly positive. Most anglers I’ve met are passionate about the sport and eager to share their knowledge. It’s essential to remember that every community has its critics, but they shouldn’t deter you from pursuing your passion. Most people who love a sport want to help you learn and are more than willing to give you advice on how to cast, where to fish and what flies to use to get started.

:: by PAUL FUZINSKI

TF&G Contributing Editor

Flyfishing: Beyond the Myths

F

LY FISHING, OFTEN SHROUDed in myths and misconceptions, has been a topic of debate for many.

From its association with trout to the perceived high costs and an aura of elitism, many have hesitated to embrace this form of angling. However, as someone who once shared these reservations, I embarked on a journey to uncover the truth and joys of fly fishing. From the versatility of targeting various species to the thrill of mastering the art of casting, this article sheds light on the true essence of fly fishing and why it might just become your next favorite outdoor activity.

While trout might be the poster child for fly fishing, there is no reason to limit yourself to just this one species. As a matter of fact, I find catching bass and panfish on the fly to be my favorite. There are many others who find joy in catching everything from carp to tarpon on the fly rod. If you’ve been running around on the lakes and rivers of Texas your whole life with traditional fishing gear, and are looking for an entirely new challenge and thrill, grab yourself a fly rod and start chasing bass at your favorite fishing hole and I promise it will change your view on the sport.

One of the deterrents for many is the perceived cost of fly fishing. When you go to a fly shop and see the price of some fly rods, your eyes can bulge out of your head. My initiation into fly fishing began with a TFO NXT Black Label combo, a mid-range rod

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Fly fishing does come with its challenges.

Casting can be tricky for beginners, but with practice and patience, it becomes second nature. I would not say that fly casting is particularly hard, it is just different from what you are used to. I have shown people how to cast and had them catching fish within twenty minutes of being out on the water. The thrill of watching a fish chase your fly, the anticipation of the bite, and the satisfaction of a successful catch make the learning curve worth it. If you want to get a head start from a true professional, visit Captain Steve “Scooby” Stubbe at Mudfish Adventures for a guide trip out on Lake Toledo Bend. Not only does he build top notch fly rods, but is a wonderful casting instructor and all around fun guy to be around. He will put you on the bass.

One of the underrated advantages of fly fishing is its portability. Fly rods are compact and easy to travel with, making them perfect for spontaneous fishing trips. Whether you’re flying across the country or driving to a local spot, a fly rod is a hassle-free companion. I have taken my fly rod and gear on multiple trips this year everywhere from Gulf Shores, Alabama to Estes Park, Colorado. Even on completely full Scan to Hear flights where they Audio Version began checking  bags, no one has ever made a hassle of me throwing my fly rod in an overhead bin. As a bonus, the hooks on most flies are so small you can bring them along in your carry on with no issue getting through TSA checkpoints.

Fly fishing has reshaped my perspective on angling. It’s not just about catching fish; it’s about understanding them, adapting to their environment, and mastering a skill.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a curious beginner, I urge you to give fly fishing a try. It’s a journey of discovery, challenge, and immense satisfaction.

u Email Paul Fuzinski at ContactUs@fishgame.com

G A M E ®

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