Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 77267-9946 and at additional
TInside FISH GAME
:: by ROY & ARDIA NEVES TF&G Owners/Publishers
Dissecting the Polls
HIS ISSUE OF FISH & GAME
is hi ing the streets around the time most of us will be exercising our right and sacred duty at the quadrennial election polls.
No one—at least no one still in possession of a controlling interest in their wits—would argue the fact that this has been an election cycle for the history books. But we are not about to grab the white-hot end of THAT topic. (seriously... how do you rationally contemplate a political environment in which a campaign bumper sticker with the F-word emblazoned across it is a fairly common sight in tra c, supermarket parking lots... even in the pickup lane of an elementary school?)
Instead, we think this is, coincidentally, an opportune time to examine polls of a di erent nature: Surveys.
If you have done business of any sort lately, from a simple pizza order to a dental appointment, you have more than likely been inundated with surveys wanting to know how “exceptional” the service or product you just received had been.
ese customer service surveys are a relatively new and annoying addition to our lives. But surveys have been around for a long time.
e Gallup Poll was once a household name, as were the Nielson Ratings, those mysterious tabulations that determined whether your favorite TV show lived or died.
Now everyone, from your dentist to the kid who delivered your half-pepperoni/ half-Canadian bacon pizza eight minutes ago, are ge ing in on the action.
Statistical analysis is as much an art as it is a discipline in modern mathematics. It is easy to see why the results of polls and surveys are met with distrust and outright disbelief. How can a sample of just a few hundred or a few
thousand people voice the opinions of millions? How can such tiny demographic slivers predict the actions and preferences of the greater masses? And when you consider how much harder it is now for pollsters to reach sample respondents than when everyone had landline phones and physical mail vs. email addresses, the potential for survey inaccuracy must have risen exponentially.
And yet, the public seems to be as hungry as ever for survey results as a menu item in their content consumption.
Top 10 lists, Top 100 lists, Best Places to Live, Eat, Work, Vacation, Retire... these staples of popular media are all compiled by polling.
In our arena, shing and hunting regulations are managed to a large degree by creel and tagging surveys. Wildlife agencies use participation and expenditure surveys to determine the allocation of funding for o en competing resources.
In the la er instance, the US Fish & Wildlife Service conducts a national survey of Fishing, Hunting and WildlifeAssociated Recreation about every ve years. In the past, their survey was a gold mine of data. It enabled us to track the strength of shing and hunting participation in Texas and compare our state’s levels to other markets.
Texas anglers and hunters led the nation by wide margins in the last survey that broke out state-level statistics. Texas hunters dominated the rest of the nation with 40% more resident hunters than the next most active state—and spent 2 million more days in the eld than the closest competitor.
We also beat out every other state in shing, with more resident anglers for both fresh and saltwater. Our shing days statistic was also dominant: Number one for freshwater and number two in salt (second only to Florida, with its many non-resident anglers).
Unfortunately, USFWS streamlined their methodology and their most recent surveys no longer provide state-level data. Still, when reviewing the region Texas is now grouped into—West South Central, with our TALO neighbors: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma— we can apply a li le “sidearm” to the statistics and get a bit more granular into the data.
In the 2022 survey, published last year, the West South Central region had a total of 4,355,000 anglers—3,971,000 resident and 385,000 non-resident.
Assuming the ratios remained consistent since the last USFWS state-level survey—a reasonable assumption—we can extrapolate that Texas’s 56% share of the regional total is around 2.65 million angers. at’s well over a half million more home-based anglers than second place Florida.
Hunting is an even more dramatic story. Assuming the same share-of-region ratios as shing, Texas still dominates with 1.065 million resident hunters— almost 50% more than the next state on the list—and Texas is the only state with more than a million hunters.
Of course, our interpretation of the available data could be all wrong. But unless and until we can nd more complete data, we’ll stand by our conclusions. If anything, we could argue that our numbers are smaller than the actual. We have access to another proprietary data source that contains over 4 million hunting points of contact in Texas.
ese ndings— interpreted, extrapolated, or, if you prefer, sliced and diced—serve to validate our original concept for Texas Fish & Game—to cover all of the shing and hunting available, year-round in the Lone Star State.
Kelly’s Killing It
I JUST WANTED TO SHOOT A NOTE over and say I love the work Kelly Groce does in the magazine and in the e-newsletter I get a few days a week.
She has done some great stu on tarpon, and I really loved something she did on of all things lookdowns a while back. Tell her I said to keep it up.
Patrick T.
Editor: Yep, Kelly’s a great talent. I too enjoy her writings and appreciate her contributions to Texas Fish & Game.
Port Arthur Cougar
WHAT WAS YOUR OPINION OF THE supposed cougar that showed up on the security camera in Port Arthur this summer?
Ken Faye
Editor: Southeast Texas is within the cou-
u LETTERS to the EDITOR
:: by TF&G READERS
gar’s range, despite some state o cials downplaying their presence over the years.
Upon close inspection of the photo in question, the animal in my opinion is a large domestic cat, made to appear more imposing due to its distance om the camera.
Perspective can play tricks, and this in my opinion is a classic case of misidenti cation—a phenomenon I’ve encountered many times in my investigations of alleged cougar sightings.
People make mistakes in identifying things in blurry pictures. It happens.
Over the years, I’ve analyzed numerous photos that were believed to depict cougars. In many instances, these turned out to be domestic cats or even bobcats, their true size exaggerated by camera angles or distances.
Something I noticed about the animal in these photos is the size of the paws. ey are domestic cat size in proportion to the body.
Cougars are present, in my opinion, at some level state-wide even if it’s only passing through but that was not a cougar on that camera that night.
We Need Your Help
Editor:We have some upcoming stories where we could use your participation with in regard to experience and opinions.
Have you ever seen an elk outside of a high fence in East Texas, the Hill Country or Panhandle? Let us know for a second part of our well-received article about hidden Texas elk populations.
Do you have any photos of corvina, or corvina-trout hybrids caught back in the 80s and 90s when they were stocked on Braunig and Calaveras? We would love to get photos for an article about that program.
Also, what are your thoughts on dangers in the wild? We’re talking about the dangers of the human kind? Do you feel more or less safe in the great outdoors than you did 10 years ago? Have you had run-ins with dangerous people?
Email cmoore@ shgame.com. We would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Email Your Comments to editor@fishgame.com
Sunrise surf fishing at Bolivar.
Submitted by reader
Steven Grantham
:: by CHESTER MOORE, JR.
TF&G Editor-in-Chief
Why So Serious?
SOME OF THE FUNNIEST moments of my life have happened in the great outdoors. In the last issue, I shared one of my funniest moments: I thought a poodle I encountered on a stream in Montana was a grizzly. But by the time this issue hits subscribers, we will be in the midst of a contentious election and will have survived six months of nonstop political ads; so, I thought we would end the year with more laughs.
ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE interactions occurred on the opening day of the 2000 season. e late outdoor writer and former TF&G Editor Larry Bozka and I were hunting with Will Bea y’s Central Flyway Out ers, and a big wad of teal showed up right at rst shooting light.
ere were 10 hunters in pit blinds along the levee we were hunting on, and the 20 or so birds didn’t have much of a chance if we were even half good at shooting.
Bozka and I red at three birds on our end of the setup, and a er we dispensed all six of our rounds, the birds fell.
e last one we shot at must have decided it was going to go out in a blaze of glory and take out a hunter because it started spiraling toward us at an intense speed.
Larry and I looked on in horror as this teal headed straight for us with its last bit of strength. When you are in a pit blind like this, there is no real way to retreat, not even a duck.
We knew it wouldn’t kill us, but a duck
EDITOR’S Notes
traveling at the speed it was could easily break a nose or crack a rib, and that would be hard to explain back home.
lot of talking to convince Marullo to hunt hogs with me again, although he eventually bagged several.
• • •
“Honey, I need to go to the hospital; a green-winged teal gave me one heck of a rib shot this morning.”
Larry and I looked at each other with that ‘oh well’ look and watched as the seemingly angry teal hit the ground, lodging itself in the four—or ve-inch gap between our blinds.
We got revenge by our group bagging about 40 of its relatives that morning and pu ing that one in a gumbo back at camp.
•
• •
BACK IN 2004, I TOOK TF&G
Hunting Editor Lou Marullo on a hog hunt in the Pineywoods of East Texas. I was in a ground blind lming just under his tripod stand and watched as his arrow went about halfway into the rib cage. I knew the hog would die, but it might take a while, so I called my Dad on the radio, and he rode up from camp on a four-wheeler with his .357 Taurus.
Me, being possibly kin to a bloodhound as I have a natural knack for blood trailing, took the gun because I would probably be the rst to the wounded boar. Marullo clutched tightly his bow, and Dad carried an axe handle. Marullo turned to Dad and asked what it was for.
“Be er than a stick,” he said.
We soon found the hog with the arrow still in it, breathing heavily in a mud puddle. Marullo chose to take it out with a bow, so he drew back and released the arrow. We heard a big “Smack!”
e arrow struck bone, and the hog that seemed to be on death’s door jumped and let out a deep, gu ural grunt. My hunting party of three soon changed to one. I looked to my right, and my Dad, who was 60 at the time, was about 20 yards back, running in the other direction. I looked to my le , and Marullo was nowhere to be seen.
He was gone!
So, there I was, standing like Dirty Harry with his giant hog facing me at 15 yards, just knowing it was about to head in my direction when it fell to the ground.
It took a four-wheeler and a lot of ingenuity to get that beast back to camp, and a
RECENTLY, I WAS FLY FISHING AT
a friend’s pond, and I le my favorite black and red “love bug” pa ern sinking just below a sunken log where I suspected a big bass might strike.
My ve-weight bent over, and I set the hook on what I thought for a second might be a huge bass. en I realized it was moving too slowly.
Perhaps I had caught a athead cat sh. I caught one on traditional gear here years before a er a hurricane ooded the ponds.
Nope.
It was a red-eared slider.
I caught a turtle on the y!
Later that day, TF&G columnist Paul Fuzinski called to tell me he had caught his rst smallmouth on something I have yet to do.
He laughed out loud when I told him of my turtle catch.
Fast-forward a few months, and we’re shing with Capt. Steve Stubbe of Mud sh Adventures on Toledo Bend.
A big diamondback water snake popped up by the boat and shot o toward a cypress stump near the bank.
I chunked my popper right in front of it, but the snake ignored it and swam away.
“Dude, what are you trying to do?” Paul asked.
“I gured since I’ve caught a turtle, I might as well get a snake and bullfrog, too. I can call it the Bayou Slam.”
Capt. Stubbe had enough at this point.
“I don’t think that will take on the y world, Chester. Fly shing is about nesse, not freaky stu .”
He’s right but I still think it’s a cool idea.
Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com
FORGIVE ME FOR BELABORING
a disheartening point, but I miss the Texas coastal prairie in its waterfowl-a racting prime.
Its peak of staggering spectacle spanned some 40 years, a rock-solid run starting roughly in the late 1960s and continuing through the turn of the century. It encompassed a huge chunk of Texas along I-10 roughly between Sealy and Winnie for 20 miles north and about as far south. Houston interrupted it almost in the middle, and on any winter night, city people could hear geese trading between the two vast expanses of farmland.
Beginning late each fall, that ground wintered more than a million waterfowl and as many or more non-waterfowl migratory birds, including everything from tiny songbirds running from the cold to bald eagles feasting on weary or wounded geese.
As a waterfowl hunter and guide during three quarters of that span, I and my peers saw things few other people on the planet would believe possible. We all had our home turf, intricate checkerboards of leased land, and we knew every inch of ground behind those gates. Every rice eld and bean eld and corn eld and peanut eld, every stock tank and irrigation canal and ca le guard and locked gate and muddy farm road. And as personal and productive as we believed those parcels were, truth was that every eld on both prairies wound up blanketed in ducks or geese or both at some point during a long winter.
Our relationships with the prairie were personal, something among guides and outers akin to dozens of men being in love with the same woman. And every one of us fought for her, fought to keep that prairie healthy so that it could keep us giddily happy ‘til death do us part.
Only the prairie ran into poor health not long into this century, something of a cancer in the form of reduced agriculture and
PIKE on the Edge
Interstate 10 in its Prime: Waterfowl Super Highway
increased development. Farming was the backbone of that prairie, and in a relative blink, maybe 15 years or so, it weakened and snapped. Families that had generational ties to that ground let it go, and the prairie – as a winter home to waterfowl – saw it’s pulse weaken and ultimately stop.
I can’t blame the children of those farmers for abandoning the combines and tractors. Farm life is hard. City life, by comparison, is a cakewalk. Slowly but inevitably, the heirs of passing farmers divvied up the family land and sold it, each making more money with a single signature than their parents made in a decade.
e change was certain, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing to those of us who most enjoyed the ride. Places I hunted then are monstrous warehouses now, or neighborhoods that at least carry recog-
:: by DOUG PIKE TF&G Senior Contributing Editor
nizable family names, although that’s of no value to anyone outside those families.
e rst time I accepted that the prairie on which I spent so much time wallowing in cold mud and blowing bird calls and watching a great dog save me thousands of steps was on a brief tour with my son, in the December a er he turned seven, 2014. It was hard to convince him that the ground on either side of the winding, twolane asphalt road once was covered in rice or soybeans or corn or peanuts as far as he could see. ere was no agriculture then but for a random 10 or 20 acres, which by the prairie’s former identity wouldn’t be enough room to park a pickup.
Bothersome as it was to know he’d never get to see what I saw, the experience instilled in me a desire to share that prairie’s history with anyone who’d listen or read.
Recalling the Texas coastal prairie comes easily for those of us who were there in its heyday. Memories aren’t much compared to those rsthand experiences, but they are a source of quiet comfort.
For younger hunters, those of you who’ve found productive waterfowl spots where you can share sunrises and great times with friends and family, know that those places someday also will be threatened.
Fight like it ma ers to keep them as they are. Because it does ma er.
Email Doug Pike at contactus@fishgame.com
Sealy
Winnie
HOUSTON
UNTING AIN’T CHEAP. THIS IS ESPEcially true in Texas where 97 percent of the land is privately owned and instead of getting a public hunting permit or special tag to hunt, you have to pay for a season lease, day lease or an outfitter to take you hunting. There’s nothing wrong with those things but once again-it ain’t cheap.
Here are some ways to make for good hunts even when your next decision probably won’t be which stock portfolio best suits your needs.
TARGET SMALL GAME: Hunting rabbits and squirrels almost seems like a lost art in Texas.
We’re so deer-centric that it’s easy to lose sight of what probably started us hunting to begin with. Public lands throughout Texas have ample, high-quality small game opportunities and they can not only be fun but can help you score good meat for the table.
Also, it’s a lot more likely you will talk the landowner next door into allowing you to come over with your daughter and your shotgun to bag some rabbits than asking if you can shoot the big buck you’ve been seeing in their field.
TRADE OUTS: Several of our points will involve the use of social media and it begins here. Maybe you have a brush-clearing business. Post on some hunting groups on social media or even simply on your profile you would be willing to trade work for hunting opportunities.
I know someone who has done some interior work and got to hunt deer in several states because of it.
And maybe you have access to a private fishing lake for example. Trade out a chance to fish with you there for a deer hunt, a duck hunt or a turkey hunt.
SOCIAL MEDIA SALES: Join as many hunting groups as you can, and you will see many “flash” sales for hunting opportunities.
One Texas hunter got to bag a 1,200 pound bison for $900 because the rancher was trying to get rid of them due to conflicts with other animals. You will often see cancellations of hunts where an outfitter might be stuck in a situation where you can save bucks.
Free-ranging aoudad, axis and other abundant exotics may be an alternative to overpriced deer hunts. Hunters could also consider bartering work on exotic ranches for a chance to hunt some of these animals.
ere are quite a few exotic hunting opportunities that come from this situation where people for example might have an issue with aoudad tearing up their deer feeders and they decide they’re not worth messing with anymore. If you keep your eyes out for deals, many of them will be exotic hunting.
HUNT POOLS: We’re all familiar with the idea of carpooling. Hunt pooling is a thing as well.
Sometimes ranches o er great package deals for a group of four and a group of three can’t nd a reliable person to step in. is could be you!
You can also look for deals for group discounts and put together hunting pools for your dream hunt.
HUNTING RANCH WORK: ere are a surprising amount of hunters who only use out ers that never clean their game.
If you live near a hunting ranch, you could strike a deal with an out er or rancher to come in and skin and clean game for the opportunity to hunt.
You might also nd yourself doing some assistant guiding which would likely give you even more opportunities. A well-run out ing service or hunting ranch needs lots of help and you could be the one that provides that. You just need to be bold and ask around.
Also, you need to be speci c in terms of what you want in return and it is helplful to put it on paper if you can. It’s not like some of these folks haven’t been unethical over the years. Most are great but more than a few are squirrely.
If you run into one who promises the moon, move on.
CAMP INSTEAD OF LODGING:
Rather than staying in hotels or cabins, consider camping at your hunting location. Many public lands and parks o er low-cost or even free camping options. If you already own camping gear, this can be a great way to save on lodging. Plus, camping immerses you in the hunting environment and gives you a more rugged, authentic experience.
USE
AFFORDABLE GEAR:
Hunting gear can be expensive, but you can save by buying second-hand or borrowing from friends and family. Prioritize essential items like a good ri e or bow and look for deals or discounts online or at local sporting goods stores. Maintaining your equipment well
Gift Ideas for the Hunter on a Budget
INFLATION IS NO JOKE. IN CASE
you haven’t noticed, the cost of everything has gone up and that includes hunting gear.
If you would like to hook your hunting loved one up with some great Christmas gi s I have a few suggestions.
While this may seem like a small gi , a great pair of hunting socks can make a world of di erence on cold days in the eld.
can also reduce long-term costs by preventing the need for frequent replacements.
LAST MINUTE DEALS: As deer and waterfowl seasons come to a close you can
ermal, moisture-wicking socks are essential to keeping feet dry and warm, especially in harsh winter conditions.
Hunters constantly need ammunition, and it can get expensive. Gi ing a box of their preferred caliber or gauge can help them save for other hunting needs. Beyond ammo, simple accessories like gun cleaning kits or scent elimination sprays are budget-friendly yet vital components of a suc-
cessful hunt. I mean if you want to go all the way, buy them a camo stocking and stu it full of these items.
I like to process my own meat. A quality game processing knife, vacuum sealer bags, or even a DIY butchering kit can make a huge di erence and it’s something they will use over and over again.
A subscription to a good outdoors magazine (such as, ahem, Texas Fish & Game) would be a great gi as it will keep them connected to great information on the great outdoors.
Another idea is to get them a membership in a hunting-centric wildlife conservation group like Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the Texas Bighorn Society.
nd last minute deals.
You just need to be ready to move fast.
As you can see there are plenty of ways
Sometimes guides don’t meet their quotas or ranches haven’t taken enough deer for their management programs and if you keep an eye on social media groups or subscribe to ranch/out er newsle ers you might nd some great deals in the last days of the season.
is will contribute to conservation in their name and perhaps give them a launching pad to get more involved in the hunter-conservationist movement.
If you’re unsure about speci c gear, a gi card to an outdoor retailer is always a good option. Even small amounts can help hunters save up for bigger purchases like boots, jackets, or gear they’ve been eyeing.
to make the economy work for you when it comes to hunting.
Hunters just need to realize they need to keep their focus on the goals and aspirations at focus for them and their families
Even
via online services through all kinds of places, even CVS and Walmart stores. You can make a thoughtful collage of their favorite outdoors photos and put them in a simple but a ordable frame.
at’s a great way to commemorate their love of the outdoors and let them know you love them on Christmas.
Nowadays you can make photo collages very inexpensively
and not compare themselves to social media stars, many of whom are quite fake.
Go hunting for the enjoyment and perhaps to bag some delicious meat for your family.
Keep that in focus and use these tips to help make it work no ma er the nancial situation.
PHOTO: ADOBE
—Paul Fuzinski •
Scan to Hear Audio Version
Tips for Catching Big Trout in Late Fall | story
by Chester Moore
FALL IS A PRIME TIME for speckled trout. ey are generally working under the birds and feeding along the surface so nding specks can be easy. Finding big ones, however, is not so easy. It can seem as if you have to go through 50 small ones to get one over 20 inches. Here are 10 tips to help you locate and catch bigger speckled trout during the fall months on the Texas Coast.
Work Outside the Birds
Some of the larger trout will feed outside the birds. While the li le ones go crazy and push bait to the surface, bigger trout will o en be on the periphery and usually on the bo om. is is a great time to break out a silver spoon that you
can cast past action and sh slowly on the edges to see if there are any bigger specks around. is is also a great way to catch red sh.
Return to Spots with Big Trout
If you’ve caught a big speckled trout in a certain area, chances are that sh or others like it are still there. A migration study in Alabama tagged 477 speckled trout, with 58 returns showing 53 percent of the sh exhibited no movement from their original location. So, if you missed landing a trophy sh at a particular spot, keep shing there – she’s likely still hanging around.
Use Large Lures
Bigger trout tend to eat bigger prey. Research from Texas and Mississippi indicates that mullet is a preferred meal
for the largest trout, with some trout eating mullet that is half or two-thirds their own size. While using large mullet or croaker-imitating lures may result in fewer bites, it signi cantly increases the chances of hooking a trophy-sized trout. e larger the bait, the larger the potential catch.
Play To Their Eyes
Speckled trout are superior night feeders, thanks to a special layer of tissue in their eyes that allows them to see in low light conditions. Take advantage of this by shing during pre-dawn hours and using lures that glow or create strong silhoue es against the low light. Additionally, trout’s large “sagi ae” (sound
Scan to Hear Audio Version
Salinity is a big deal for big trout. If there’s a lot of rain this fall you can expect the bigger trout to be near the jetties or at least in the southern tier of bays.
Anglers should be mindful of what type of topwater they use in certain water situations. Chuggers and walk-the-dog lures have their strongpoints at certain times.
receptors) make them highly a uned to sounds in the water. Adding subtle ra les to your lures can combine sight and sound to increase your chances of a racting big sh.
Imitate Small Specks
Big trout are cannibalistic and o en eat smaller trout. When choosing topwater lures or hard plastics, opt for pa erns that mimic juvenile speckled trout. A trout-colored lure, rarely used on the Texas coast, can be particularly e ective. e popping action of these lures mimics the sounds of small trout feeding, which can draw the a ention of nearby larger sh looking to prey on them.
Use Fluorocarbon
Speckled trout have sharp color vision and are particularly line-shy in clear water. To avoid spooking potential catches, switch to uorocarbon leader lines, which are nearly invisible underwater. is can be a game-changer when shing in crystal-clear conditions where trout are more cautious.
One Shot at Glory
While they may take an initial interest in your lure, they can quickly reject it if they detect something funky. It’s important to make sure your lure is as lifelike as possible and to react quickly when a big sh strikes,
minimizing the chance of the trout sensing anything unnatural.
Consider Salinity
Trout have speci c salinity preferences, and understanding these can help you locate trophy sh. Researchers with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have found that adult trout prefer water with salinity levels close to seawater, rather than more brackish conditions. Focus on areas where the salinity is higher if you’re targeting big trout.
The Right Bottom
Bo om structure plays an important role in where big trout are likely to be found. A study in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, concluded that larger trout are more likely to be located over shell or so (mud) bo oms when water temperatures rise above 75 degrees. Keep this in mind as you scout locations and aim to sh over similar structures for be er results.
Vary Your Topwaters
Di erent types of topwater lures perform best under speci c water conditions. Walkers, which create a side-to-side motion on the water’s surface, are ideal for calm or slightly choppy conditions and mimic injured prey, triggering aggressive strikes. In rougher conditions, poppers, which create more commotion on the surface, are be er. Understanding which lure to use based on the water’s condition can increase your odds of scoring on trout.
Something to keep in mind is that a trophy sh is something that should be personal to the angler.
In reality, most anglers have never caught a 30-inch trout and probably never will. If your biggest sh is 20 inches, then a 25-incher which would weigh signi cantly more is quite the trophy.
If a kid has only caught a barely legal trout, then that 20 incher is a beast.
We always want to catch that big sh but not everything has to be a water body record to ma er, at the end of the day.
:: by LENNY RUDOW TF&G Boating Editor
The Boy Scout’s Motto
YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES: always be prepared. is is a good mo o to live by, especially when it comes to captaining a boat. is is true whether you boat in the backcountry or blue water, whether you’re miles from the ramp or miles from land. And being prepared means carrying backups—lots and lots of backups.
PLUGGING THE HOLE: this one comes into play before you ever shove o the dock. Have you ever arrived at the boat ramp, only to discover your drain plug is missing? I have, and I never did nd out if it bounced out of the boat on the road, someone snatched it at a fuel stop, or it just mysteriously disappeared into the fourth dimension. But when you’re si ing there scratching your head unable to go shing, who cares what the reason is? Keeping a few spare drain plugs in your tow vehicle is always a good idea.
JUICE BOX: We need uids to stay hydrated, and our boats need uids to operate. Oil is the biggie, and it’s smart to keep a spare quart or two somewhere aboard in case a low oil alarm unexpectedly goes o . If your boat has a hydraulic steering system, you should have some uid for it stashed away, too.
Texas BOATING
ALL TIED UP: Most boaters carry spare lines, but some of us have honed our launching and retrieving skills to the point that we don’t use lines at all. at’s ne, but you still should be carrying a few lengths of ropes just in case. A power loss may mean needing to tie o to a tree or stump, assisting another boat may require securing your boat to theirs, or you may need to lash something down. You just never know when some extra mooring lines will come in handy.
POWER HUNGRY: If you have any devices aboard that run on ba eries, you can bet those ba eries will die when you’re in the middle of nowhere.
A true story: a er the electrical system on a boat I was running went on the fritz and we lost all power at the helm, I began navigating to the inlet from 40 miles out with my backup handheld GPS. About 10 miles into the voyage the ba eries died, but fortunately I had backups aboard. Li le did I know, they had been si ing for too long… and I only got 10 or 12 miles further before they died, too.
I proudly whipped out my backups to the backup ba eries, turned the unit on intermi ently to make sure my heading remained true, and made it back to the inlet without any additional issues.
Whatever devices you may carry, always make sure there are backup ba eries aboard—and if it’s a critical device like a handheld GPS, stash away backups to the backups, too.
POWER HUNGRIER: A loss of propulsive power is problematic to say the least, and while you can’t necessarily carry a spare outboard, small boat owners can keep a collapsible paddle stowed under a bench seat or in a rod locker. Your range may be limited, and your speed may be slow but unless you pass out from exertion there’s no more reliable means of moving a boat through the water than rowing it.
Boats with an electric trolling motor on the bow can use that as alternative powerplant for emergency propulsion, but only if you have plenty of juice at the ready so keep those ba eries fully charged whether
you plan on using that electric motor or not. What if your boat is too big to paddle, too small for twin engines, and there’s no electric trolling motor aboard? Keep current on your towing insurance, because in most areas there’s no be er backup for a power failure than a tow boat.
SOS: is one is probably the most critical of all. Assuming your boat has a VHF, you still need to have a backup method of calling for help even when you stay within radio range. Like anything on a boat, the VHF can fail (electrical gremlins, moisture intrusion, a broken antenna, etc.) So, for starters, carry a handheld backup VHF. Unfortunately, the range on these units is extremely limited, usually to just a couple-few miles.
O shore boaters should also carry an EPIRB or PLB, which noti es the USCG in case of emergency regardless of distance— and gives them a homing beacon to get a x on. Today’s satellite messenger is another option, and these work well both o shore and in the back country. ey have an SOS bu on you can press in case of emergency, and most models made these days also allow you to send text messages via satellite from virtually anywhere on the face of the planet.
Okay—ready to earn that merit badge? Go through your boat and identify all the backups you need to carry to always be prepared. Sooner or later, you’ll be glad you have ‘em aboard.
Email Lenny Rudow at contactus@fishgame.com
story and photos by Matt Williams
ALL ALWAYS MARKS THE ARRIVAL OF A long list of much anticipated Texas hunting seasons.
But don’t make the mistake of stashing those ipping sticks and topwater plugs just yet, bass busters. You could miss out on some of the best shing of the year.
FAutumn is the harbinger of cold fronts that bring a gradual chill to water temperatures on lakes across the state. It’s a feel good time of year when the earth shi s on its axis, causing days to gradually grow shorter and nights longer. e mornings become increasingly crisp with the passage of time.
Like us humans, bass welcome the change in the weather, too. e shing prospects can be outstanding at times at lakes all around the state. Following in random order are my Top 5 picks for ge ing in on the action:
LAKE O’ THE PINES
Size: 18,700 acres
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THE FISHING: Lake O’ the Pines is a lake you don’t hear a lot about, mainly because locals do their best to keep it under the radar of the masses. Jim Tu of Longview has been chasing bass on the northeast Texas reservoir for decades and ranks it among his favorite lakes to do fun shing.
“It’s full of them,” Tu said. “You don’t get a lot of the big weights in fall tournaments that you see during winter and spring, but the numbers can be really good.”
Tu summarized the best plan of a ack for late fall largemouths with one word — Rat-L-Trap. Craw sh (red/orange) and shad (chrome or bone) pa erns always work best.
“A lot of guys think it’s too early to throw one, but I know be er,” Tu said. “ ey eat it here.”
Tu says the ‘Trap always works best around hydrilla beds, some of the best stu north of the Highway 155 bridge. He recommends working a 1/2-ounce bait just fast enough to keep it ticking the tops of scattered grass beneath the surface. Best water depth is 3-5 feet.”
SAM RAYBURN
Size: 114,000-acres
THE FISHING: Built on the Angelina and A oyac rivers in 1965, Big Sam is like the Energizer bunny of Texas bass lakes — it just keeps going and going. It’s got numbers and bigs, alike.
Something to keep in mind is water level. e lake was ve feet high as July gave way to August. Repairs are still needed on the dam and the Corp of Engineers will need to drop the level about six feet below full pool to get it done. When that will happen is anybody’s guess.
Regardless, shing guide Brian Branum predicts bass will be on a strong feeding binge over the next couple months as water temps chill with the changing seasons.
Branum says multiple pa erns will be working, both shallow and deep. He pointed to brush piles, ridges and steep drops near major creeks as the best bets away from the bank. Big balls of bait sh can be major draw, too.
“If the shad bunch up in huge schools, look out,” Branum said.
“Huge numbers of deep bass will be on shad alone with no real structure holding them much of the time as they begin to stock up on food for the winter.”
Branum says tailspins, football jigs and spoons of various sizes worked around schools of sh located with electronics could produce some 50-plus- sh days.
He added that anglers can’t go wrong targeting outside grass edges with Texas
rigs. Flipping could be another option if the grass is walled o at 10 feet or more. Places where the grass makes a point, indention or gut will be potential sweet spots.
Additionally, there also could be some sh to be caught on top. Whopper Ploppers and Zara Spooks will fool some big ones.
BOIS ‘D ARC
Size: 16,600 acres
THE FISHING: Located in Fannin County, Bois D’ Arc is Texas’ newest shing hole and the rst major reservoir to open statewide since 1991. e lake opened to recreational tra c in April 2024. It has already produced an o cial lake record of 9.05 pounds for shing guide Jason Conn and numerous other sh in the eight-pound class, including an 8.15 pound Toyota Sharelunker, also caught by Conn.
Scale samples from both sh were turned over to TPWD for genetic testing. Testing on the 9.05 pounder was inconclusive but the 8.15 pounder was a ve-year old ShareLunker o spring originally stocked in a brood pond in 2019. Fisheries biologist Dan Benne believes the two sh were sisters.
Growth rates on stocked bass have obviously been outstanding and certain to continue. Benne said he believes the lake could challenge the state record mark as early as 2029.
is is the rst fall for anglers to sh the lake, and Conn predicts it will be good. He pointed to ooded bushes and old pond dams east the FM 897 bridge as the best bet for numbers and quality. All of the brood ponds (3-7 acres) that were stocked prior to the lake lling are located in that area of the lake. Water depths of 15 feet or less will be best.
“ at’s the way it was all summer and I don’t look for it to change,” he said. “If it’s a normal Texas fall, we could have some good topwater action as well as a good bite ipping creatures or throwing spinnerbaits, swim jigs and Cha erbaits. e sh aren’t everywhere, though. ey can be really spot oriented. Conn says Live Scope is a big player on Bois d’ Arc.
“At times it can be like crappie shing. Just scan around with ‘Scope until you nd a tree or bush that’s got sh in it. If they are near the top of the tree that’s when they eat really good.”
Pro Angler Jim Tutt has one word for late fall bass on Lake O’ the Pines: RatLTraps.
O.H. IVIE
Size: 19,000-acres
THE FISHING: The remote West Texas reservoir east of San Angelo caught fire with big bass following the big freeze in February 2021. It’s been smokin’ ever since.
‘Ivie has been the leading producer of Toyota Legacy Class ShareLunkers for the last three years. It also finished among the Top 2 in Bassmaster’s annual Top 100 Lakes in America three times. It was No. 1 in 2023.
Conn is a traveling guide who sets up camp at ‘Ivie each fall and winter. He and his clients have caught their share of big ones there, including a 17.03 pounder Conn reeled in during February 2023.
Conn says ‘Ivie always produces some heavyweights during fall, many on big crank baits and swim baits. The majority are caught by anglers savvy with forward-facing sonar. He pointed out that the fish won’t be suspended in the water column like they will be later on during the pre-spawn.
“A lot of times they’ll be right on bottom
with their bellies buried in the mud,” he said. “That can make them a lot harder to see on ‘Scope.”
Something anglers need to watch this year is water level. The lake was only 26.3 full (less than 7,500 acres) and falling in mid-August.
After this year, Conn doesn’t expect there to be much cover left in the water other than big hardwoods along the Colorado and Concho rivers without some big rains to recharge things.
TOLEDO BEND
Size: 186,000 acres
THE FISHING: T-Bend is another Texas favorite that consistently ranks high in Bassmaster’s annual Best Lakes in America ratings. It came in as No. 6 in the Central Division in 2024.
Veteran fishing guide and former Bassmaster Classic champ Tommy Martin of Hemphill says the bass fishing prospects on his home lake almost always heat up as the water begins to cool down. Water levels are historically low during fall. If that’s the
case this year, he predicts some of the best action will be away from the bank along major creek channels as well as the Sabine River channel in water ranging 15-25 feet deep. Brush piles, isolated stumps and natural lay downs will be potential sweet spots.
Martin expects the fish to be grouped close to bottom. He pointed to Texas rigs, jigs, spoons and tail spinners as the top producers. Forward facing sonar is helpful in locating areas holding fish.
Martin says fishing around hydrilla beds also can be productive. Some of the best stuff is in Hausen, Six Mile and Mill creeks.
Martin likes to target the deeper, outside edges using a jig or creature bait with a heavy tungsten weight. Grass that is walled off in 10-12 feet or deeper near a creek channel is typically best for flipping.
“There will also be fish to be caught along the edges of the grass on big topwaters like P71 Pop-R, Whopper Plopper or Zara Spook,” Martin said. In shallower grass, say 3-5 feet, try a Chatterbait, spinnerbait or swim jig.”
AS A KID, I remember hearing the late great comedian Richard Pryor do a skit about watching cheetahs hunt gazelles in Africa. It was hilarious because he had the gazelles ge ing the advantage and poking fun at the cheetahs. I experienced the same thing with pronghorns in Yellowstone.
At about ⅓ mile away, I saw two pronghorn bucks feeding on the edge of the Lamar River. Slowly creeping up along the river were two gray wolvesone standard grayish-brown color and one black.
I watched for 10 minutes as they tried to get in range.
And it was like the pronghorns had a talk about it because they looked right at the wolves several times.
“Hey Earl, what do you think? You wanna let them get 20 yards?”
“Yeah, Bubba, that’ll at least give them a semi-sporting chance.”
When the wolves got about 20 yards away, these two pronghorns took o at a pace I had never seen in wildlife. I thought blackbucks on Texas ranches were fast.
ey’re chumps compared to pronghorns!
ese two animals quickly put an unbelievable amount of space between them and the wolves. e wolves gave chase, but I’m pre y sure I heard one of them say,
“Let’s go back to chasing mule deer.”
e pronghorn is a fantastic Texas native that gets overlooked, and that’s a shame.
ey are, a er all, the fastest land animals in North America and the second
fastest on planet Earth. Only the cheetah is faster.
ese incredible creatures have been clocked at 61 miles per hour!
According to o cials with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), pronghorns are prairie animals that once roamed the plains along with the American bison.
“Now found in Texas only in the deserts of the Trans-Pecos and the high
plains of the Panhandle, the pronghorn is a unique animal in many ways.”
“ e pronghorn is considered the fastest land mammal in North America, clocked at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and can maintain a relatively high speed for hours. ey have excellent vision, which helps them see vast distances in the wide-open prairie. ough they run very fast and can jump small obstacles, they tend to resist jumping even low fenc-
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es, preferring to climb between or under them.”
is habit has contributed to reductions in their numbers, although drought is by far their biggest challenge.
Pronghorn were once widely distributed in Texas, but various factors, including the development of their habitat and drought, have greatly harmed their numbers. In 2011, the population had dipped down to about 3,000 but has since increased.
Part of the increase comes from TPWD restocking e orts.
Pronghorns captured from public and private lands around Dalhart have been transplanted to a restoration site south of Valentine, TX. Since 2011, about 780 pronghorns have been translocated from the Texas Panhandle to supplement populations around Marfa and Marathon, Texas.
Permits are issued for landowners a er careful surveys are conducted to best manage the available herd.
e general public can draw for a pronghorn tag as part of the Big Time Texas
Hunts drawing.
Hunting pronghorn antelope presents several challenges, primarily due to their exceptional vision. eir large, wide-set eyes give them a nearly 360-degree eld of vision, allowing them to detect hunters from afar.
In Texas, hunters o en use long-range shooting techniques due to the open areas that pronghorns inhabit. Because pronghorn are constantly moving and rarely remain in one location for long, hunters must be adept at stalking and long-range accuracy, o en taking shots from distances exceeding 200, usually 300 yards. Wind conditions in Texas’ plains further complicate the situation, as gusts can a ect the bullet’s trajectory.
Texas o ers pronghorn hunting opportunities in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos regions. Hunting seasons are short, lasting only a few weeks in the fall. is year, it was Sept. 28-Oct. 13. Permits can be challenging to obtain due to the limited number of tags, but hunting on private ranches is an
option for those looking to increase their chances.
Even then, ge ing on a hunt can take a lot of work due to a high demand for limited tags.
Ge ing a permit in another state like Wyoming, Montana, or New Mexico is easier, especially if you go through an out er. And in comparison to guided elk or mule deer hunts, pronghorn hunts remain fairly a ordable.
I have become really intrigued by them as I have had a lot of experience photographing them on our expeditions to Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. ey’re now near the top of my list of animals I would like to hunt, and although the budget is tight, I’m planning on raising some funds for a pronghorn hunt in the near future.
A er all, there’s something to be said for an animal that can only be outrun by a cheetah.
Pronghorns are the fastest land animal in North America and they live in some of the most beautiful places.
TBare Bones HUNTING
Ready or Not, Go-Time has Arrived for Hunters
HE GOLDEN TIME HAS
nally arrived! ose long hot days of summer have given way to beautiful cooler fall weather. Whitetail season is here baby! And all those days lled with sweat as you scouted for that big deer are over. All those hours of walking through your favorite hunting spot are a memory. And all of those days of just visualizing your upcoming deer season are nally a reality. Now it is go time! Are you fully prepared?
Your tree stands should already be up, safety straps that hold the stands in place should have already been loosened and then tightened against the tree. If they look worn, replace them. Remember that the trees will continue to grow, and nature will tighten that strap during the o season. Make sure they are safe to use.
I am sure the readers of this column know how crazy I get when it comes to scent control. If you are one of the people that are not familiar, then buckle up…the ride is about to begin!
If there is only one thing you get from reading my column over the years, then this is it. You must respect the nose of a whitetail deer. Not only do these creatures have excellent vision that can detect movement from across a eld, but their hearing is also superb. If there is the slightest sound that is unnatural to the area they are in, these majestic animals will pinpoint exactly where it is coming from and be alerted for any danger. Add that super nose to the mix and it is a wonder we can ever get close enough for a humane shot. So, here are some ways to control some of your human scent.
First and foremost, you need to understand that most products that are made to hide your scent will never hide all of it. But anything can help. Wash your hunting clothes in a scent free detergent. ere are many on the market today and all seem to be good. Do not make the mistake of
pu ing them in a dryer with those scented dryer sheets that smell like you just walked through a ower garden! Wildlife Research Center makes an earth scent dryer sheet. As a ma er of fact, Wildlife Research Center has a large inventory of products to help hide your human scent. And I still use most of them.
Deodorant that is scent free is a must. Boots that are le in a plastic container along with your hunting clothes is a great idea. I know some friends that go to their hunting location and scoop up some of the leaves and debris and put it in a plastic bag. en, they store their hunting clothes in the bag as well. When they arrive at their area to hunt, they open the bag and dress for the hunt. Believe me, this helps hide your odor and it does work.
People that wear their hunting boots on the way to their spot are not thinking of the consequences. Did you stop and get gas? Any foreign smell will send deer to another county and quick.
e one and only thing I have found that truly hides human scent is from Ozonics. I put an Ozonics 300 to the test one year and was amazed at the results. I purposely set up so that the wind would take my scent directly towards where deer were expected to enter a eld. And as planned, when the whitetails arrived, I just sat in my tree stand and waited for them to pick me out. What I witnessed was something I would not soon forget. Although they li ed up their nose, they did not smell human odor. e ozone created by the Ozonics machine hid my scent 100 percent. As a ma er of fact, the deer ended up walking right under my location none the wiser!
Ozonics have now come out with a new and improved version called the Ozonics HR 600. I gave that a test as well and noticed that the improvements were noticeable and a welcomed addition to any hunting backpack. e new design makes
:: by LOU MARULLO TF&G Hunting Editor
it much quieter and comes with a replaceable coil so that this unit can be used for years to come. e biggest thing I noticed was the ba ery life. In the 300, the ba ery would last about 3 hours in the eld. In the Ozonics HR 600, the smart ba ery will last about 13 hours!! Wow! Finally, you could spend many more hours in your stand without worrying about the ba ery going dead! Can you tell I love this machine? Once I strap myself in a tree, the Ozonics is the rst thing I set up.
With Christmas right around the corner, I cannot think of a be er gi for the hunter in your family. Of course, there are so many other fantastic gi s for the outdoorsman or woman in your life. Tree stands, arrows, broadheads, hunting boots, ashlights… and so much more. You may have to be more creative when you shop for the man who has everything. I once had a woman come to me and she overheard me ask what can I give a man who has everything. She immediately spoke up and said, “Give him my phone number!” So, I did! And he never forgave me!
It is my sincere hope that you have a memorable hunting season this year and, my deepest wish for a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Have fun and hunt safe!
Email Lou Marullo at ContactUs@fishgame.com
HOUSANDS OF TURKEYS ARE killed during the fall months in Texas. Most of those turkeys however are not called in like they are during the spring breeding season. ey are shot at feeders and usually when deer don’t show up.
During the fall, wild turkeys are less responsive to calls because it’s not their breeding season, making this hunt even
more about strategy and patience than in the spring. However, with the right techniques, a successful hunt is more than possible.
In Texas, the Rio Grande wild turkey dominates the landscape as all Eastern turkey hunting is o limits. e birds will gather in large numbers and in some counties, hunters can bag either a gobbler or a bearded hen. Check your county regulations before deciding to go on a fall turkey hunt or pull the trig-
ger when one shows up at the deer feeder.
Here are four tips to improve your chances of success while turkey hunting in the fall:
LOCATE FOOD SOURCES: In the fall, turkeys are focused on feeding to prepare for winter, which makes nding their food sources a key to success. In Texas, wild turkeys o en forage on acorns, mesquite beans, and other available seeds. Scout
for areas with an abundance of these food sources, especially near water, where turkeys are likely to congregate. And yes, corn feeders can be great places to hunt.
USE FLOCK SCATTER TECHNIQUES: Since turkeys travel in large groups during fall, one e ective method is to locate and sca er a ock. By breaking up the group TF&G Hunting Editor Lou Marullo said turkeys will instinctively try to regroup.
“A er sca ering them, you can wait and use lost yelps or assembly calls to draw them back in,” he said.
BE PATIENT AND STILL: Fall turkeys are wary and highly observant. A er locating a feeding area or scouting their movements with trail cameras, nding a concealed spot and staying still is essential. Turkeys have incredible eyesight, so wearing camou age and minimizing movement will signi cantly increase your odds. Turkeys in some areas are real creatures of habit, but in others they will hit an area for a day or two and then switch things up. You might need to try a few times to gure out the rhythm of your turkeys.
PUT THEM TO BED: Spring turkey hunters know about nding where the birds are roosting and hunt nearby in the morning. is works in the fall too and if you can locate the roost and their early morning feeding spot, you could bag a big gobbler for anksgiving dinner.
Turkey hunting in the fall often gets overlooked but it can be big fun.
LTexas TACTICAL
Precision Takedown
ARUE TACTICAL HAS BEEN
well known for years for their high tier AR style ri es as well as their return to zero quick detach optic mounts. e Siete is one of their newest editions to the LaRue line and it does not disappoint.
Manufactured in the dead center of Texas, the LaRue Siete is not only a precision bolt action ri e, but an entire system with
would
and mated to a CNC-machined aluminum chassis with a quick detachable free oating hand guard with M-LOK a achments. Most users would ask - “Why would someone need a quick detachable hand guard?” Answer: Because you can swap calibers in a li le over a minute.
e LaRue Siete is available in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, .243 Winchester, .22-250 Remington, .338 Federal, .260 Remington or all of the above. ese are all match grade barrels of calibers based o the 308 bolt face, thus utilizing the same bolt. Head spacing is set on the shoulder of the receiver that the barrel screws to and bo oms out on. e Siete package includes a LaRue made torque wrench preset to 40 foot pounds and an action bar so you can easily swap barrels out at your own convenience as simply as unscrewing one and
:: by DUSTIN ELLERMANN TF&G Shooting Editor
whitetail during the day, then throw on the .22-250 barrel that evening to dispatch coyotes while never needing to re-zero your ri e, just use your adjustments from earlier.
I shot the best one-hole three round group of my life with my 17” .308 Winchester barrel measuring in at 0.117” with some 168 grain hand loads. Me and my son also hit golf balls at 250 yards with the .22-250 barrel during a video review I
six di erent caliber options along with a quick takedown and return to zero feature. Usually when I review a gun my rst question is always “Well what’s di erent about it?” However, with the LaRue Siete being so unique, it’s shorter to list what’s similar to traditional ri es.
e Siete has an AR style compatible folding stock shipping with their LaRue T stock with 3 di erent height cheek risers so you can perfectly match your optic height. It includes a 2.5 pound Timney trigger and utilizes AICS pa ern magazines.
Now for what’s di erent. e Siete is built onto a CNC-machined billet action
replacing it with another in about a minute.
I tested the Siete by nding the scope adjustments for all of my ve di erent barrels. Using a Nightforce scope in a LaRue QD mount (which was also removed every time I swapped barrels) I had adjustments ranging up to 6.25 MOA elevation and 2.5 windage. A er having my point of impact information for each di erent barrel and caliber, I went back through the same process of shooting 3 round groups at 100 yards a er se ing the optic to my same adjustments as found earlier. Every barrel swapped returned to the same point of impact it had earlier. So, you could be using the .338 Federal for
have posted on my YouTube channel.
And if that isn’t cool enough for you, LaRue is now o ering a Briefcase Siete package. e entire ri e packs up into a Pelican 1495 case along with a range nder, bipod, TranQuilo suppressor and optic. Prices start at $3,999 and you can nd out more at LaRue.com.
Email Dustin Ellermann at ContactUs@fishgame.com
The LaRue Siete with the 17” 308 Win barrel installed along with the LaRue TranQuilo suppressor.
HE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS o ers some truly unique outdoors experiences during the anksgiving and Christmas season.
Here are six easily accessible (for the most part) opportunities awaiting you and also some great wild game recipes that can bring joy to the table this holiday season.
Capt.
RIDICULOUSLY LARGE REDFISH: e comeback of the red sh has been truly tremendous. Catching breeding-sized bull reds used to be a rarity but now it is commonplace, and the giant sh can be caught in the surf and around our je y systems yearround. Lower a live croaker or cut mullet around a deep je y hole or chunk it out past the second sandbar in the surf and be prepared to do ba le with brutes.
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CALLING BOBCATS: I love wildlife photography and while predator hunting can be fun, I prefer hunting them with
a camera as it is incredibly challenging to get them into photo range. Bobcats can be called into within a few feet, but
it requires patience. Get you a solid electronic game calling unit, set up a ground blind on your deer lease or wood lot near your home and start calling. Bird calls and dying rabbits tend to work the best. Cats come in slow but will come in closer than you might like. And if you’re on a lease that needs to trim the bobcat population this is a great way to contribute to their management plan.
LUNKER HUNT: rowing big jigs and swimbaits around deep cover and structure can yield monster bass on virtually any lake in the state in the fall.
Texas has so many great lakes to choose from that it’s almost mind-boggling and in recent years most have churned up beastly bass. You can’t go wrong with Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork, Texoma, Alan Henry, Faye e
Capturing a bobcat photo is both challenging and rewarding.
County and Lake Austin to name a few.
WOODIES: If you can nd something more fun than shooting at wood ducks piling into a hole in the timber let me know. I want to experience it. Texas wood duck numbers are larger and now with three in the bag limit we have an extra incentive to hunt the nation’s most beautiful fowl.
HELI-HOGS: is is not for everyone because the price is high but if you have the means treat yourself to an incredible hunting experience. e ride in the helicopter alone is worth it.
And at Texas Fish & Game we get lots of questions about it from out of state hunters who tend to think we all have our private helicopter to take us hog hunting daily. It’s one of those things you just can’t do in every state.
GEESE FOR DINNER: Want a great anksgiving or Christmas dinner? en head out to the coastal prairie and take you a couple of specklebellies. ese dark
Fish & Game Firearms Editor Dustin Ellermann takes aim on a chopper hog hunt in Matagorda County.
Nilgai are arguably the finest tasting animal of all wild game.
geese are delicious and super fun to hunt. We rarely eat goose for the holidays in Texas, but new traditions can be made.
SPEAKING OF DINNER, HERE ARE a couple of our favorite wild game recipes
for the two best-tasting cri ers you will nd in Texas—nilgai and axis deer.
Axis Deer
With its high protein content and essential nutrients, Axis venison is a
superb choice for health-conscious individuals. Its delicate, slightly sweet avor lends itself to a variety of culinary creations. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional value of axis venison per 3-ounce cooked serving:
Calories: 120
Protein: 26 grams
Fat: 1.9 grams
Cholesterol: 71 mg
is simple yet delicious Axis deer recipe comes from the Department of Natural Resources in Ohio. e recipe was originally for whitetail but tastes far be er with axis:
AXIS DEER ROAST
• 2½-3 pound venison roast
• Creole bu er marinade, injected
• Seasoning salt
• Pepper
• Potatoes
• Onion
INSTRUCTIONS: Inject creole butter marinade into the roast. Add the seasoning salt and pepper and place the roast into a medium sized cooking bag with potatoes. Cook the roast for 1½ hours. Remove the roast from the bag, cut and serve.
Nilgai Antelope
Another exotic alternative for the table is nilgai, with nutritional values similar to those of axis:
Calories: 121
Protein: 25 grams
Fat: 2.1 grams
Cholesterol: 58 mg
Here’s a great nilgai recipe, courtesy of Texas Agrilife:
VEGETABLE STUFFED NILGAI
• 3 lbs. nilgai ham or loin
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1 cup fresh herbs
• 1 Tbsp. cooking oil (coconut, vegetable, or olive)
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 3 cups red onion diced
• 1 pint button mushrooms sliced
• 6 garlic gloves minced or pressed
• 20 oz. fresh spinach
• 3 sliced sprouted- grain bread chopped into crumbs
Servings: 12
INSTRUCTIONS: Wash your hands and clean your cooking area. Clean nilgai ham or loin of any connective tissue and
butterfly meat. Season meat with black pepper and fresh herbs; set aside. In a medium pan, quickly warm the oil on high heat. Add red bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and spinach to the pan and sauté until the vegetables are cooked and soft. Place in a strainer to drain excess liquid. Spread bread crumbs and cooked, drained vegetables on top of the butterflied meat. Roll loin with mixture inside and tie with butcher twine.
Preheat oven to 350 °F. Sear rolled meat on all sides in a pan over medium-heat. Remove stuffed meat from pan and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
Waterfowlers Cautioned About Invasive Species
AS TEXANS GEAR UP FOR WATERfowl season and the fall shing season, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges boaters, paddlers and waterfowl hunters to do their part to protect the Texas lakes we love from aquatic invasive species.
“While we want everyone to have a great time, we also want to avoid giving invasive species free rides to new lakes,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries regional director. “ e best way to prevent the spread of many harmful aquatic invasive species is to clean, drain and dry your boats and equipment every time you visit any lake.”
Zebra mussels and giant salvinia continue to spread to new areas in Texas. While they remain some of the biggest threats
to Texas lakes, other highly invasive species can also be spread or introduced by boaters, including common salvinia, water hyacinth and crested and yellow oating hearts.
Zebra mussels, non-native shell sh that a ach to hard surfaces, pose a signi cant threat to Texas lakes. ese invasive mussels damage boats and infrastructure for water supply and control, alter lake ecosystems and cause harm to native species. ey also li er shorelines with hazardous, sharp shells that impact lakefront recreation.
Zebra mussels are now found in 37 Texas lakes across seven river basins, as well as in river reaches downstream of infested lakes.
“Zebra mussels and quagga mussels can be a ached to boats or even carried
NEWS of the OUTDOOR Nation
by anchors or a ached to plants clinging to boats,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species. “Microscopic zebra mussel larvae can also be transported in residual water in the boat.”
Giant salvinia, a highly invasive, free- oating aquatic fern that can double its coverage area in a week, is one of the major threats to Texas lakes. is invasive plant can produce thick surface mats that make shing, boating, swimming and other water recreation nearly impossible.
Giant salvinia is currently present on 27 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks and marshes between Houston and Beaumont. While TPWD e orts have kept giant salvinia from currently limiting angling or boating access in Texas public waters, they could still hitchhike from one lake to another on a boat, trailer or other equipment.
“ ere’s no doubt that Texans love their lakes, but we also need Texans to take action to help protect them,” said John Findeisen, TPWD aquatic habitat enhancement team lead. “It only takes a tiny fragment of an invasive plant to create a problematic infestation in a new lake. Preventing aquatic invasive species introductions avoids impacts on boater access as well as costly, long-term e orts to manage these species once they become established in a lake. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — it only takes a small amount of our time as responsible boaters to clean, drain and dry our boats and equipment to prevent new introductions of aquatic invasive species.”
TPWD urges boaters to follow these three simple but crucial steps to clean, drain and dry boats and gear before traveling from lake to lake. Remove plants, mud and debris; drain all water from the boat and gear; once back home, open compartments and allow everything to dry completely for at least a week, if possible.
If a boat or other equipment has been stored in the water at a lake with invasive mussels, it is likely infested and poses a high risk for transporting these invasive species to
a new lake unless it is properly decontaminated. Before moving the boat, call TPWD at (512) 389-4848 for guidance.
Freshwater Stamp Reaches 20 Year Milestone
OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, THE Texas Freshwater Fish Stamp has been instrumental in advancing the management and conservation of freshwater sheries resources in the state.
Established by the 78th Texas Legislature in 2004, the stamp has generated more than $130 million in funding dedicated to the construction, renovation, and operations of Texas freshwater sh hatcheries, construction and renovation of other facilities dedicated to the management and conservation of freshwater sheries resources, and the expansion of angler access and enhancement of sh habitats in Texas public waters.
e $5 Freshwater Fish Stamp is included with the purchase of all freshwater shing licenses. It replaced a $7 Freshwater Trout Stamp, which was sold from 19852003 supplemental to a freshwater shing license to enable Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to purchase rainbow trout from coldwater sh hatcheries outside the state. ose sh were stocked in Texas creeks, rivers, and community shing lakes to sustain popular winter trout shing opportunities throughout the state. e winter trout program continues to be supported by the Freshwater Fish Stamp. Funds made possible through the Freshwater Fish Stamp have enabled TPWD to purchase sh as needed to supplement production of the state sh
hatchery system, but the central purpose of the stamp has been to construct new and to renovate and repair the state’s existing freshwater sh hatcheries.
—TF&G Staff Report
Shrimp Fest on Sabine SABINE
Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ
AS WE FIND OURSELVES nearing the tail end of yet another calendar year, I nd it hard to ignore the feeling of excitement that keeps trying relentlessly to get my a ention.
I suppose one of the main reasons for this is because I know that the entire bay is absolutely loaded with shrimp. is, in itself, could be the number one reason for all the excitement, and it probably is. Shrimp in the bay equals sh in the bay; plain and simple. Whether you’re shing the shoreline in 12 inches of water, or the open bay, if you cast anywhere near an air-borne shrimp you are going to get bit. In fact, you may get bit a few times before you actually hook up, and that is not
at all a bad thing. It simply means the sh have one thing on their mind; eating! Li le things such as lead heads with very sharp hooks don’t seem to bother them at all. ey are not going to let something so trivial stand between them and an easy meal.
tion of the outdoorsmen who would typically be roaming the waters of Sabine will be se ling into box blinds about the same time I roll into the boat ramp. I am happy for them, and admi edly, at times a li le jealous, but the rewards of staying home and shing can be huge. As the crowds get smaller your window of opportunity gets bigger. Having about half of the boats that would normally be on the lake when shing is this good allows you to sh more spots that you know hold sh.
Scan to Hear Audio Version
e passes and mouths of the bayous will usually hold some really nice sh. Being able to work these areas thoroughly gives you the upper hand when it comes to catching a nice stringer. It is no di erent in the lake. Being able to choose your ock of birds and have it to yourself can be the di erence between ge ing early limits or having to work a li le harder for them. When it comes to shing and shing pressure on Sabine Lake, right now is about as good as it gets.
Another thing we’re blessed with in these nal two months is the decreasing water temperatures that the frequent cold fronts bring. When it begins to se le down a er the front blows through, predator sh and bait sh alike will cruise the bay with new-found adrenaline. You can almost feel the bite before your lure hits the water. Light northerly winds and high pressure are ideal conditions for scoring big.
It is the low pressure, however, that ranks near the top of reasons for me to be excited. Low, as in low shing pressure, that is. ere are no guarantees in shing, hence the appropriate name, but having signi cantly less competition on the water greatly increases your chances. A big por-
EVERY YEAR, TIME SEEMS to keep going by faster and faster and this year was no exception. Great shing, record heat and crazy weather hoping to be followed by a great winter of shing and hunting sure has made 2024 one to remember. We’ve had some major changes to our shery concerning spo ed seatrout with the new statewide size and bag limit going into e ect along with the trophy trout tag sys-
tem. With the new 15-20” slot and 3 sh bag, we are all hoping to see a dramatic increase in our trout populations up and down the Texas coast. is time of year, we still must remember that the ounder season closure will be in e ect from November 1 to December 14, with no sh being able to be kept during this time. With ounder season closed, that doesn’t mean you cannot keep shing for them. It has been a lot of fun to just go catch and release so many ounder. It is a great time to practice new lures and techniques and get ready for when ounder season opens back up on December 15th. is time of year, they are usually stacked up in all the normal spots such as the Galveston channel along drop o s and back inside many of the dock areas. Seawolf Park and the Texas City Dike are also great places to catch them from the shoreline.
I spend a lot of time chasing those Bull Reds out at the je ies and inside the bay in deeper water. I have a lot of clients that just want to play catch and release with those massive sh all day long! I am typically using a bo om setup baited with fresh shad, blue crab or mullet (*Remember, mullet over 12 inches cannot be used for bait from October – January). Live bait will also work such as shrimp and croaker or try using a larger bucktail jig or so plastic on a heavier jighead shed along the bo om.
e spo ed trout shing has been consistent all year and should be great this winter. Fishing around working birds always tends to produce lots of numbers, as well as dri ing mud and shell around the bay system. ere can be some great days for trout shing in Moses Lake, Clear Lake and the upper bays along the ship channel. So plastics and live shrimp always produce this time of year. And for those trophy trout try using Corky’s, topwaters, MirrOdines and So Dines. Slower presentations on colder days over
MATAGORDA EAST BAY
MATAGORDA EAST BAY IS THE SMALLER OF THE TWO HALVES OF THE MATAGOrda Bay Complex, separated from its western counterpart by the Colorado River’s confluence with the Gulf of Mexico. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.
can be the key to ge ing a bite from one of Galveston Bay’s biggest trout.
Since we are in the Holiday season again, be sure to spend some quality time with family outdoors this year. For some of us, it may be the only time we see a lot of our family and there is no be er way to pass the time than on the water or in the woods! Happy Holidays!
IWANT TO FIRST WISH EVERYone a very happy anksgiving and Merry Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys spending time with family and friends. Maybe you were able to get out on the water.
I am on the water 125 days a year on average. e most common question is when is the best time of year to go shing? My answer is anytime you can go. Followed by the best month is November for catching. Water tra c is slower with half the outdoorsmen hunting. Another portion are busy with school, kids, holiday plans, etc.
ging a big a ie. If you want guaranteed success, come on my gigging boat and experience the bay coming to life at night.
Cooler weather makes being out much more enjoyable than the summer heat. It also means red sh pods in the shallows. Schools of trout under diving birds. Trophy trout hi ing top waters. Flounder migrating to the gulf. Fish catches grow exponentially in the fall. It doesn’t get any be er than November.
UPPER COAST HOTSPOTS
LOCATION: Christmas/Bastrop Bay
HOTSPOT: Wildlife Refuge Shoreline GPS: N 29 3.633, W 95 12.185 (29.0606, -95.2031)
SPECIES: Flounder
BEST BAITS: Live bait, topwaters, soft plastics
TIPS: Fish topwaters early, then live shrimp, finger mullet or soft plastics
LOCATION: Galveston Bay
HOTSPOT: Red Bluff Flats
GPS: N 29 35.953, W 94 58.801 (29.5992 -94.9800)
SPECIES: Redfish
I like taking customers in my ounder boat up on the at. Pods of reds feed in less than 6” of water. I’m able to maneuver the shallow water with the help of my air motor. It’s a beautiful sight watching the tails stick out of the water. Cast your favorite bait in the vicinity and you are going to get a hookup. It’s not unusual to have four people hooked up at once. e pod will usually disperse but will eventually, with patience, regroup.
Standing in the water on a middle bay reef is another favorite tactic I have caught some of my biggest trout throwing top water in the fall. Chinquapin reefs are a favorite area to lure a big girl. Try not to crunch the shell much while walking. Being quiet won’t spook the sh, enhancing your chances for success. Remember to practice catch and release unless you plan on pu ing it on the wall.
For those who want to stay in the boat, chasing birds is a good option. Birds diving in the water are a good sign that sh are pushing them to the surface. Maneuver upwind of the birds and dri into them. Cast towards the school. In my experience the sh are bigger down deep. So let your bait sink lower for the big ones.
Flounder migrate to the gulf. Working cuts and channels are the ticket for snag-
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics, spoons
TIPS: Fish pumpkinseed soft plastics or gold spoon, watch for boils; dawn through midday.
LOCATION: Galveston East Bay
HOTSPOT: Galveston Ship Channel
GPS: N 29 27.814, W 94 50.6149 (29.4636 -94.8436)
SPECIES: Flounder
BEST BAITS: Live finger mullet or curly tail Gulp
TIPS: The flounder will be following the ship channel, headed toward the Gulf, heading to the jetty.
LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay
HOTSPOT: Sun Oil Lease
GPS: N 29 38.934, W 94 48.4379 (29.6489 -94.8073)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft plastic shrimp tails
TIPS: When drifting the Trinity Bay wells, use a 3/8ounce or 1/4-ounce lead head for your soft plastic. It all depends on the surface water temp. If it’s below 65 degrees, tie on 3/8-ounce jig head.
LOCATION: Galveston West Bay
HOTSPOT: Bird Island Flats
GPS: N 29 6.128, W 95 8.726 (29.1021 -95.1454)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics
TIPS: Drift, and work the grass/sand with topwaters early, live bait later; dawn through morn, dusk.
LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Bird Island
GPS: N 28 43.86, W 95 45.6169 (28.7310 -95.7603)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwater lures
TIPS: Pink is a great color for a topwater bait. Pink is one of the hardest colors for a redfish to see. They will hit it hard.
LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay
HOTSPOT: Kilbride Reef
GPS: N 28 43.361, W 95 50.069 (28.7227 -95.8345)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Salt & Pepper Bull Minnows
TIPS: Drift and work the reef top and edges; dawn through morning, dusk.
LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Hotel Point
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics
TIPS: Wade the shoreline from Hotel Point to Palacios Bayou; avoid midday, night.
LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay
HOTSPOT: Palacios Point
GPS: N 28 34.894, W 96 13.828 (28.5816 -96.2305)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics
TIPS: Wade the shoreline from Hotel Point to Palacios Point; avoid midday, night.
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
TIPS: Fish soft plastics in red/white.
Flounder fishing is closed until December 14. You can still have fun catching them, though. You just can’t keep ‘em.
GPS: N 28 38.81, W 96 17.986 (28.6468 -96.2998)
Fall/Winter Fishing in Our Sights PORT
O’CONNOR
Reported by CAPT. KIM GOULDEN
IT’S ALMOST HERE! WE’RE SO close!
Fall/winter shing is squarely in our sights. Anglers up and down the Texas coast are dusting o waders and jackets to enjoy some of the best saltwater shing of the year. If you like shing in the summer, you will love it during the upcoming months.
quick thump.
For ounder, slow your lure down, even slower, and bump it along the bo om. Bonus points if done in the mouth of a drain.
If you’re targeting trout, pinpoint what column of the water your strikes are occurring. If you don’t get a response in the top of the water column or they’re not coming to the top to eat, adjust your presentation to the middle and adjust further to the bottom if needed. Once they show you where and how they’re willing, rinse and repeat.
Red sh are fun to target knee deep, especially when sight-casting opportunities develop. If you see a school and can wait for them to move within casting range, this will increase odds at not spooking them. Picking them o the edge of the pod or school will also help minimize spooking.
Here are my top ve fall/winter arti cial lures for inshore shing:
1. MirrOlure Lil’ John XL “Watermelon Red Gli er”.
2. Texas Custom Lures Corky Fatboy Floater in “Boogey Man” and “Gringo”.
3. Steve’s Lures Peanut with bucktail in any color you can catch in stock.
4. Texas Custom Lures Double D Ascending Twitch Bait in “Bay Mistress” and “Pearl Harbor”.
5. Paul Brown’s So -Dine XL in SDXL-128 and SDXL-09.
Cooling air and water temperatures will be a welcome relief to sh and anglers, alike. Trout, red sh and ounder will begin to stay in shallow water longer, providing an extended window of opportunity for wade shing with arti cial lures. Casting a MirrOlure
Lil’ John XL on a light jig head at the back of sand pockets o en pays o with a
Whatever your target and favorite lure, remember to take it all in and enjoy every minute. When you think about all the great times on the water, the amazing friends shing has brought your way and the extraordinary scenery this sport provides, the sh are simply a bonus. As always, stay safe and be kind on the water whenever possible. Tight lines!
MOST MORNINGS DURING this time of year we feel like
kings and queens of the bay as we nd ourselves all alone on the islands and shallow ats along the shorelines, as if we own all this vast beautiful water system. is description describes the scenario perfectly about shing this time of year as most of your outdoorsmen are chasing their dream whitetails and we are le alone to chase our trophy trout. We saltwater anglers have waited patiently for the temperatures to start cooling o . e kiddos are now busy in extracurricular activities and sports as their poor parents are being dragged behind them across the state and sometimes nation, and the peace that surrounds us is in full swing.
e most important change that occurs this time of year is Mother Nature producing low cool fronts and a few cold fronts
CAPT. RICHARD THOMPSON
HOTSPOTLIGHT
PORT O’CONNOR
and we take absolute advantage of this barometric pressure transition because below the water what you don’t see, are big game sh that are really hungry and are ready to eat what you are about to feed them. We want to ensure we capture this transition for you to the best of our experience and others that have come way before us and their methods that are tried and true. You can’t expect to be victorious if you don’t know what you don’t know. I particularly nd this time to be one of the fondest as I have caught some real bruisers in my time and want to make sure I set you up for success just like my mentors did for me.
As these fronts start rolling in more frequently and colder water temperatures start dropping and your shrimp and pinsh move out of the bay system, it’s time to start keying on your critical signs and pa erns.
Last year I wrote about the four signs that we really focus on and practice every time we are on the water. Not to be too repetitive, however, I feel like these are the keys to catching a really big trout and of course you can be pre y con dent that really big red sh can be caught by watching the signs and performing the same process.
e rst sign is one of the most important, which will line up the remaining three signs. e bo om. e presence of shells in the mud and grass is the ideal bo om as it warms up quicker when the sun comes out and it holds warmer water where your bait sh will congregate.
e second sign is mullet, as it is the prime food source this time of the year. As the water temperature cools, the mullet are not nearly as active. Just one ip of a mullet is a good sign that you have mullet in the area and most likely trout are not far behind.
e third sign you have to key in on are your major and minor feeding times which will tie into your tidal movement. Trout typically will feed during these hours of the day and more so during a summer pa ern where they will feed throughout the entire day. We use a free app called hunting and shing pro. We check it the night before, so we make sure
MIDDLE COAST
not to be driving around scouting when the major and minors are going on.
e nal sign is deeper water access for these sh to seek refuge as the temperature drops during a front rolling through.
Krystal and I want to wish you a very Happy anksgiving with your loved ones and a very Merry Christmas! We encourage you to look us up, reach out, and we will help you give the gi that keeps on giving and the best present ever…a Trophy Trout mounted on your wall.
CONTACT CAPT. THOMPSON:
Email: RandKCoastalOutfitters@gmail.com
Online: RandKCoastalOutfitters.com
Sleeping in for Fish?
ROCKPORT
Reported by CAPT. JARED MCcULLOCH
BY NOW WE HAVE HAD A couple of cool fronts we’ll allow to pass as a cold front or two. e water has lost a heavy amount of boat tra c. Your favorite li le slice of shoreline may not be touched unless it’s by your wading boots. It’s the only time of year it begins to feel like the old days. Where you may only see one or two boats the whole time. It’s only a ma er of days until the winter low water comes in and then it gets fun in the back lakes. Walking in one foot of water, clear water, reds tailing, mulling around. Don’t worry about being the rst there. e duck hunters will have been there since dark. Let them have their morning. Allow the sun to rise, enjoy a sit down breakfast. I like to
MIDDLE COAST HOTSPOTS
LOCATION: Copano Bay
HOTSPOT: Italian Bend
GPS: N 28 1.711, W 97 8.632 (28.0285, -97.1439)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Shrimp, jigs, soft plastics
downsize my lures for a so bite. D.O.A. 3” so plastics with a short sha 1/8 oz or less jig head. Don’t discount a small topwater in here as well. If they’re in the mood for a topwater then you can enjoy a mid-day of no grass to pull o your hook.
If you’re looking to spend your early winter in the boat, I don’t blame you. When you have had enough of the cold weather it’s a lot easier to re up and head in if you never le the boat. As always, the tide is your friend. e lower the tide the be er. Big ledges o the ats with a li le looking can nd schools of reds and black drum. Pick up some heavy jig heads to put your shrimp on. No need to throw your shoulder out.
If you’re looking for trout my suggestion is the same for wading and from the boat. Find your favorite reef and work it hard. Coves, the edges, the windblown sides. Shrimp and popping cork become your best friend again. Slow your retrieves on a lure. 10w-40, super model, southern shad are good colors to mimic the darker color along the reefs. ey also work good on water approaching chocolate from the heavy north winds.
So, sleep in, grab your favorite breakfast tacos, let the sun get up and warm up the shallow waters a few degrees. We have made it another year into winter shing. Don’t forget to check for leaks in your waders before you have to spend all day in them!
TIPS: Drift with live shrimp under cork, jig or soft plastic; morning through dusk.
LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay
HOTSPOT: Shamrock Cove
GPS: N 27 45.437, W 97 9.717 (27.7573 -97.1620)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Clouser Flay
TIPS: Try sight fishing for reds in November using fly rod and flies. You just kind of leave all the bait fishermen behind…they are not around. You are free to cover a lot more water.
LOCATION: Espirito Santo Bay
HOTSPOT: Bayucos Shoreline
GPS: N 28 23.647, W 96 26.619 (28.3941 -96.4437)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Bull Minnows
TIPS: Wade the shoreline with moving tides; dawn through afternoon.
LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: Dagger Island
GPS: N 27 50.217, W 97 9.967 (27.8370 -97.1661)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Gold or Silver Spoons
TIPS: The redfish should be up on the flats around the islands or along the shorelines.
LOCATION: Port Aransas
HOTSPOT: South Lake
GPS: N 27 53.4589, W 97 5.7889 (27.8910 -97.0965)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Live mullet and mud minnows
TIPS: South Lake is a good place because all of the lakes that drain into it. Use a pretty small bait with a 3/0 or 4/0 Kahle hook.
LOCATION: Port O’Connor
HOTSPOT: Jetties
GPS: N 28 25.212, W 96 19.544 (28.4202 -96.3257)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish
BEST BAITS: Sardines or shrimp
TIPS: Water depth is the key. Once you find the fish
Scan to Hear Audio Version
CAPT. JARED McCULLOCH PHOTO:
Cold fronts offer new opportunities to target big trout and even bigger reds.
at a certain depth when the tide is moving, they will always be at that depth. You will catch fish.
LOCATION: Port O’Connor
HOTSPOT: Keeping It Wild Reef
GPS: N 28 23.18, W 96 23.18 (28.3863 -96.3863)
SPECIES: Red Snapper
(27.8370 -97.1661)
SPECIES: Drum
BEST BAITS: Live Finger Mullet or dead shrimp
TIPS: For drum, fish edges and channels, sand holes up against wind-blown shorelines.
LOCATION: San Antonio Bay
HOTSPOT: Half Moon Reef
GPS: N 28 20.274, W 96 46.347 (28.3379 -96.7725)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under a popping cork TIPS: The lakes have a lot of grass pockets and by November you should pick up some decent fish.
LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline
GPS: N 27 29.134, W 97 21.108 (27.4856 -97.3518)
BEST BAITS: Sardines or Piggy Perch
TIPS: When snapper fishing, fish the bottom using a 4 - 6 oz sinker, 60-100 test leader, and a #6 Circle hook, with sardines or live piggy perch for bait.
LOCATION: Redfish Bay
HOTSPOT: Dagger Island
GPS: N 27 50.217, W 97 9.967
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics on a 1/8 oz. jig head
TIPS: Use a 1/8 oz. jig head. A lot of folks will switch over to a heavier weight in high wind but stick with the 1/8 oz. just because the presentation is more natural.
Prime Time for Sharing BAFFIN
BAY
Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER are full of festivities with family and friends, but it is also prime shing for those looking to explore Ba n Bay and the Land Cut. Whether you are reeling in a big catch or gathering with loved ones, it’s the perfect time to soak in the memories and enjoy all this special season has to o er! is time of year, we have to make some slight changes to our shing techniques. To start, we have transitioned from live croaker to live shrimp. Along with live bait, we occasionally use dead shrimp. e key to shing with dead shrimp is location.
I am extremely grateful for those who follow and read each issue. I want to wish you a Happy anksgiving and Merry Christmas. Enjoy some winter time shing with your family and friends!
Black drum in our bay tend to stay on a pattern this time of year. ey follow and move within the creeks, as well as the drop o s entering the creek area. Black drum stay close to areas with structure and move further up the creeks as the spawning period gets closer. In the land cut, drum nd a gut with safe, shallow structures to lay their eggs. Anglers can be successful by seeking out these locations in the bay and land cut if you are opting for dead shrimp as bait.
Always keep in mind, di erent techniques have di erent results. If we are not successful with the live bait approach, I move into the ats and let my anglers try out a variety of arti cials. Generally, I will have one angler experiment with a completely di erent approach than the other, while I stick to live bait. is allows me to gather information on how the sh are feeding and reacting to dif-
Snook, Snapper, Reds and Trout LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
Reported by CAPT.
BRIAN BARRERA
ITH COOLER DAYS
ferent bait/lures. Once we discover the bait that is performing the best we can all switch to that technique.
WIf you are looking for a trophy trout this winter, it is important to search for rocks they may be staying close to or lower lying grass areas where they are feeding. Typically, my rst approach is to nd a few structures that are ideal for holding trout. I start by using live shrimp and a popping cork for bait just a foot or two above the surface. If I shi into a grass line or drop o , I will make sure to shorten the leader below the cork.
We have to remember that these sh can be picky and may lose interest in the bait or a speci c lure mid- ght. Once this happens, the trout spit it out as they did not have enough in their mouth to have a good hook set. As a lot of people know, this applies everywhere with all types of shing. ey will eat until they are done and what worked an hour ago might not work now.
Scan to Hear Audio Version
trying
approaching we can expect a lot of changes in our shery and the way we target our sh. I’ll start chasing snook of all sizes from 16”39” in water slightly deeper than usual, targeting main bay points, deep riprap, and o the bank structure and seawalls. Doing this I like to use sinking twitchbaits, D.O.A. shallow running Bait Busters, and whatever your favorite so plastic is on a heavier jighead. Mangrove snapper on the other hand aren’t always as willing to hit the arti cial as a snook is or red sh is. Especially if you’re trying to catch a bucket full for a family sh fry. Use your favorite smaller lures, but don’t be afraid to toss some live shrimp around docks, bridges, and deeper structure when needed. When chasing
CAPT. BRIAN BARERRA
CAPT. GERAD MERRITT
red sh during cooler months I like to wait until the warmest part of the day when the sun is at its highest. is pulls the red sh up shallow to warm themselves and feed all at the same time making themselves easier to locate. I like to use D.O.A. Jerk Baits in a purple chartreuse or a black and chartreuse color whether it’s clear water or murky. I feel that these sh are in feeding mode and at this moment I am not trying to convince them to eat, I am trying to get them to see my life from as far away as possible, they’ll do the rest…. 1/8-1/4oz jigheads are my normal size during these times.
e good trout action heats up when the weather gets cold, so expect to see me on the ats chasing big yellow mouths as soon as it does.
My favorite way to target these sh is to dri or wade margarita green water that is murky enough to just barely see the potholes. rowing jigs and so plastics along with medium sized topwaters on the calmer days always seems to get some good bites. If you’re shing for these sh earlier in the morning, it’s never a bad idea to sh a bit deeper with a popping cork and D.O.A. Shrimp or bo om bouncing bigger lures o the intracoastal.
Safe travels on the water over the next couple months and tight lines!
TIPS: Dusk through night best with full moon, anchor or drift slowly; action is good here all day.
LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Badlands South
HOTSPOTLIGHT
LAGUNA ISLANDS
BELOW THE MOUTH OF THE ARROYO COLORADO IS featured here, from Rattlesnake Island to El Realto Penisula along the mainland coast. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.
EAST TEXAS HOTSPOTS
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: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Liver, prepared bait
TIPS: Cast onto the sand and retrieve across the grass; dawn through morning.
LOCATION: Brandy Branch Reservoir
HOTSPOT: Boat Ramp Point
GPS: N 32 32, W 94 28.206 (32.5333, -94.4701)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
LOWER COAST
GPS: N 27 17.152, W 97 25.053 (27.2859 -97.4176)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Shrimp, croaker
TIPS: Drift over the flats with shrimp or anchor near grass with croakers; good action all day.
LOCATION: Baffin Bay
HOTSPOT: Kennedy Shoreline
GPS: N 27 15.672, W 97 25.29 (27.2612 -97.4215)
SPECIES: Redfish
BEST BAITS: Topwaters & Soft Plastics
TIPS: Best baits for redfish here are a popping cork with a 1/16-ounce jig head with Gulp underneath, 18-inch drop and 3/0 croaker hook.
BEST BAITS: Jigs, crankbaits, flukes
TIPS: Work the contours of the point and hydrilla with your choice of crankbaits, jigs or flukes; morning, dusk, evening.
LOCATION: Caddo Lake
HOTSPOT: Big Cypress Bayou Cuts and Bends
GPS: N 32 41.5559, W 96 2.292 (32.6926, -96.0382)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Umbrella rigs, chatterbaits, crankbaits, topwaters
TIPS: This late fall/early wintertime of the year the bass are really feeding up. Shad is the main food source for them now so any white- or shad-colored lures like the ones listed above work great. Stay in the main channel and other creeks and concentrate on the cuts, intersections and bends along the edges of the channel. Sometimes you might find them schooling on a nearby flat from the channels.
LOCATION: Lake Conroe
HOTSPOT: Stump at 7 Coves
GPS: N 30 24.65, W 95 34.491 (30.4108, -95.5749)
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs
TIPS: Work vertically around stumps with minnows, red/pink jigs; morning, dusk, night.
LOCATION: Lake Cooper/Jim Chapman
HOTSPOT: Boat Lane Creek Channel
GPS: N 33 17.911 , W 95 43.634 (33.2985, -95.7272)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Jigs
TIPS: Bounce jigs with rattles and big trailers off the channel edge. Fish this spot all day.
LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: Dam
GPS: N 32 48.795, W 95 31.712 (32.8133, -95.5285)
LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Bowie Park
GPS: N 26 11.541, W 97 10.327 (26.1924 -97.1721)
SPECIES: Pompano
BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, fresh shrimp.
TIPS: Fish two hook rigs with 1-to-2-ounce sinkers (spider weights are best if the surf is sloppy) in the first or second gut (the latter on an outgoing tide) to target all of them.
LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre
HOTSPOT: Brownsville Ship Channel
GPS: N 25 2.302, W 97 12.799 (25.0384 -97.2133)
SPECIES: Mangrove Snapper
BEST BAITS: Live bait, cut squid, White bucktails. TIPS: Locate the edges and drop-offs along points in the Ship Channel and fish them with live or dead shrimp on a free-line rig.
LOCATION: Middle Ground
HOTSPOT: Oak Mott Shoreline
CURRENT LAKE LEVELS EAST TEXAS
LAKE CAPACITY CURRENT %
As of 10/1/2024 AC. FT. AC. FT. FULL
Addicks -n.a.- -n.a.- -n.a.-
B A Steinhagen 69,186 65,563 95%
Barker -n.a.- -n.a.- -n.a.-
Bob Sandlin 192,417 186,418 97%
Caddo 29,898 29,538 99%
Conroe 417,577 402,030 96%
Crook 9,195 7,688 84%
Cypress Springs 66,756 64,511 97%
Fork 605,061 560,422 93%
Houston 132,318 130,152 98%
Houston County 17,113 17,023 100%
Jacksonville 25,670 25,508 99%
Jim Chapman 258,723 220,018 85%
Lake O’ the Pines 268,566 262,453 98%
Livingston 1,603,504 1,547,681 97%
Monticello 34,740 28,425 82%
Murvaul 38,285 35,811 94%
Nacogdoches 39,522 36,678 93%
Palestine 367,303 345,751 94%
Pat Mayse 113,683 104,965 92%
Sam Rayburn 2,857,077 2,765,277 97%
Striker 16,878 16,878 100%
Sulphur Springs 17,747 16,270 92%
Toledo Bend 1,243,801 1,188,642 96%
Wright Patman 231,496 231,496 100%
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs, minnows
TIPS: Fish the Dam steps at deepest point; productive all day.
LOCATION: Lake Fork
HOTSPOT: Birch Creek
GPS: N 32 54.954, W 95 38.79 (32.9159, -95.6465)
GPS: N 26 40.66, W 97 27.322 (26.6777 -97.4554)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics shrimp
TIPS: Drift the shoreline with topwaters, soft plastics or live shrimp.
LOCATION: Port Mansfield
HOTSPOT: Sand Bar N of Bennie’s Shack
GPS: N 26 29.85, W 97 23.5 (26.4975 -97.3917)
SPECIES: Speckled Trout
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, plastics
TIPS: Cast onto the sand and retrieve across the grass; dawn through morning.
•
HOTSPOTLIGHT:
SURFACE AREA: 2,212 acres
MAXIMUM DEPTH: 40
Nacogdoches.
LAKE NACOGDOCHES
reputation for producing trophy-sized bass consitently. Crappie and catfish are present, but take a rear sea to the largemouth action.
Habitat structures have been placed in the lake. They are marked by this symbol... ...on the map.
EAST TEXAS
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, chrome Rat-L-Traps, square bill crankbaits in shad with a white belly, white buzzbaits.
TIPS: November bass fishing on Lake Fork is very good due to the fact the bass are feeding up before the lake cools off for the winter. The bass will push shad to the back of cover, creeks and pockets and stuff themselves till they cannot eat any more. Then they will hit a lure coming by. This is a great month to throw most anything except plastics. Keep in mind, the lower end of the lake (deeper water end) will cool off slower than the north end of the lake(shallow water) Head north early November and go south towards the end of the month. .
LOCATION: Lake Houston
HOTSPOT: Skier’s Cove
GPS: N 29 58.764, W 95 8.121 (29.9794, -95.1354)
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs
TIPS: Cast under birds with live minnows or jigs.
CENTRAL TEXAS HOTSPOTS
Reported by TF&G STAFF
LOCATION: Lake Austin
HOTSPOT: River Front Estates
GPS: N 30 19.77, W 97 54.619 (30.3295, -97.9103)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits
TIPS: Crankbaits work best; a good all day spot.
LOCATION: Bachman Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 32 51.1859, W 96 52.014 (32.8531, -96.8669)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass and Crappie
BEST BAITS: Bass: spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps | Crappie: minnows and jigs
TIPS: For bass, throw spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps along the weed line. Crappie are under the bridge this time of year. Minnows and jigs are your best bet right now.
LOCATION: Lake Belton
HOTSPOT: Cowhouse Point
GPS: N 31 08.394, W 97 30.746
LOCATION: Lake Livingston
HOTSPOT: Village Creek
crankbaits and flip jigs to deeper west docks; dawn, morning, dusk, night.
LOCATION: Lake Nacogdoches
HOTSPOT: The Hump
GPS: N 31 36.900, W 94 49.811 (31.6150, -94.8302)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
GPS: N 30 54.238, W 95 24.074 (30.9040, -95.4012)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits
TIPS: Fish white spinnerbaits on a slow roll; dawn through afternoon.
LOCATION: Lake Murvaul
HOTSPOT: Williams Point
GPS: N 32 1.697, W 94 26.22 (32.0283, -94.4370)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Jigs, crankbaits, plastics
TIPS: Fish Carolina rig plastics on the point,
(31.1399, -97.5124)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Soft plastics
TIPS: Dark soft plastics on Texas-rig, fish parallel to shoreline.
LOCATION: Lake Buchanan
HOTSPOT: Shaw Island to the Dam
GPS: N 30 47.742, W 98 24.2879 (30.7957, -98.4048)
SPECIES: Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Live shad, 1 oz. Roadrunner jigs with white and chartreuse flirt tails
BEST BAITS: Crankbaits
TIPS: Finesse the edges, beat the middle. This is a spot for Big Fish! Avoid midday.
LOCATION: Lake O the Pines
HOTSPOT: Johnson Creek
GPS: N 32 47.152, W 94 32.541 (32.7859, -94.5424)
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs, minnows
TIPS: Fish black/blue jigs or minnows. Use your depth finder to locate the fish. Midday through afternoon.
LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn
HOTSPOT: Peckerwood Point
GPS: N 31 11.015, W 94 17.806 (31.1836, -94.2968)
SPECIES: Catfish
TIPS: Stripers are scattered all over the lake. Drifting 6” shad in 30’ to 40’of water or trolling 1 oz. Roadrunner jigs with white and chartreuse flirt tails in any combination should also work well.
LOCATION: Canyon Lake
HOTSPOT: Potters Creek Park
GPS: N 29 54.1799, W 98 16.134 (29.9030, -98.2689)
SPECIES: Striped Bass & White Bass
BEST BAITS: 5/8 oz. Red Hoginar
TIPS: Fish from the point back to the swim beach 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.
LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 28 43.2959, W 97 11.7359 (28.7216, -97.1956)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, Zoom pearl white flukes
TIPS: November is when the holidays begin, the weather starts cooling and the lakes are not as busy. The lake is quiet the weather is comfortable, and the fishing is great. The big hogs move up shallower sometimes you can catch them all day shallow. Spinnerbaits are the fish locators. When the fishing
BEST BAITS: Night crawlers
TIPS: Fish night crawlers on either a Carolina rig or Texas rig. Work the grass beds.
LOCATION: Toledo Bend
HOTSPOT: Sulphur Springs Slough
GPS: N 31 43.011, W 93 47.449 (31.7169, -93.7908)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Cut bait, stink bait
TIPS: Fish bait on trotlines or freeline the bottom; dawn through morning, dusk-night.
LOCATION: Lake Wright Patman
HOTSPOT: Herron Creek and Malden
GPS: N 33 16.441, W 94 19.298 (33.2740, -94.3216)
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Slabs
TIPS: Fish chartreuse slabs. Bounce them off the bottom, then reel in a fast retrieve. Dawn through dusk.
gets slower during late morning, slow your baits down. Usually, fish are more aggressive in the early morning and then they lay back later in the day. If you watch the fry carefully, they are moving slow also. Fast baits don’t look natural. Try to match natural. When it’s windy you can get more aggressive. Focus on the backs of creeks early then move out little during the later morning.
LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake
HOTSPOT: Twin Points Humps
GPS: N 32 53.16, W 97 29.672 (32.8860, -97.4945)
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Slabs with a fly 12 inches above, or Mepps spinnerbaits
TIPS: This area has two very large humps surrounded by deeper water. During the late fall, shad congregate around these humps and the sand bass follow. Find the shad and fish on the electronics and jig straight up and down with a slab and fly and many times you will get a double. For people who like to cast, fan cast over the humps with a Mepps spinner, worked very slowly off the bottom.
LOCATION: Fayette County
HOTSPOT: Cedar Creek Bridge Pilings
GPS: N 29 56.448, W 96 44.562
(29.9408, -96.7427)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: CJ’s Punch Bait
TIPS: Water is about 40 feet deep here. Best to throw a buoy and chum close to the buoy. Then either anchor up or use a trolling motor to stay over chum. Fish tight line straight down.
LOCATION: Granger Lake
HOTSPOT: Open Lake Flats
GPS: N 30 42.216, W 97 21.324 (30.7036, -97.3554)
SPECIES: Blue Catfish
BEST BAITS: Shad, cut bait
TIPS: Now is a good time to catch blue catfish on jug lines fished all over the main lake. Depth of water really doesn’t matter. Some places to start would be windy sides of the lake. Shad are blown into these areas and thus concentrate the hungry blues. Use #11/0 Mustad circle hooks with no more than two hooks on each jug line.
LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool
HOTSPOT: Joe Pool Dam Rip Rap
GPS: N 32 38.590, W 96 59.599 (32.6432, -96.9933)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Stinkbaits, prepared baits TIPS: Fish stinkbaits or prepared baits on Carolina rig. All day
LOCATION: Lake Lavon
HOTSPOT: Main Lake
GPS: N 33 3.3479, W 96 30.438 (33.0558, -96.5073)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: 1-3 ft diving crankbaits, soft plastics TIPS: Fish 1–3-foot divers early in the morning and then soft plastics when the sun is up.
LOCATION: Lake LBJ
HOTSPOT: Big Bend
GPS: N 30 40.208, W 98 26.493 (30.6701, -98.4416)
SPECIES: Hybrid/Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: RatLTraps
TIPS: Troll RatLTraps along the edge of the river channel in 15-20 feet of water; dawn-morning.
LOCATION: Lake Lewisville
HOTSPOT: I35 Bridge
GPS: N 33 6.124, W 97 1.634 (33.1021, -97.0272)
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs
TIPS: Fish close to the piles with live minnows, crappie rigs with jigs; catch them here all day.
CURRENT LAKE LEVELS
CENTRAL TEXAS
LOCATION: Lake Limestone
HOTSPOT: Blains Creek
GPS: N 31 23.212, W 96 20.73 (31.3869, -96.3455)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits TIPS: If hydrilla is present, use a chartreuse/white spinnerbait; dawn thru
CENTRAL TEXAS
LOCATION: Lake Palestine
HOTSPOT: River Channel
GPS: N 32 3.666, W 95 26.4479 (32.0611, -95.4408)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: “
1/4 oz. Big Eye Jigs in black/blue”
TIPS: Bass fishing should be good in the river channel. Pitch around the stumps located along the river channel in 4-6 feet of water. Fish your lure slow for best results.
LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard
HOTSPOT: I-30 West Bridge
GPS: N 32 52.237, W 96 31.769 (32.8706, -96.5295)
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs, minnows
TIPS: Work the bridge pylons with black jigs or live minnows; morning through midday.
LOCATION: Ray Roberts Lake
HOTSPOT: Johnson Branch
GPS: N 33 24.084, W 97 2.812 (33.4014, -97.0469)
SPECIES: Crappie/ White Bass
BEST BAITS: Minnows, 3/4-1oz slabs
TIPS: Winter weather is here but if you can bare the weather it can make for some excellent fishing. Look for big schools of white bass stacking up on points and flats close to creek channels in 20-30 feet of water. Slabs off the bottom are usually best,
with bucktail teasers tied on as well. With little boat traffic it should be easier to stay on fish once you find them. Look for crappie holding close to brush piles in 20-30 feet of water. Jigs work well but the quality of fish are usually better on minnows. Bridge pylons and other concrete/rock structure are always a good bet. Pro tip: Tie a bucktail teaser hook with a Palomar knot with a long enough tag end to tie your slab on to catch multiple white bass. Keep the teaser 12-18 inches above the slab.
LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake
HOTSPOT: Windsock Point
GPS: N 31 56.586, W 96 7.452 (31.9431, -96.1242)
SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers & White Bass
BEST BAITS: For White Bass: 1 oz. Silver Glitter RSR Shad Slabs (www.rsrlures.com) & 1/4 oz. Blue Chrome Rat-L-Traps |For Hybrids: 2 oz. Chartreuse Slab
TIPS: If it’s a really cold November, bait and fish may be suspended in 40-foot-plus water. If it’s a
warm fall, watch for the gulls and pelicans dipping down to pick up shad off the surface. Concentrate on the sides of Windsock Point in depths ranging from 20’-30’. Bounce the Slab off the bottom and when the strike occurs HOLD ON! It might be a BIG Ol’ hybrid! If surfacing action occurs, bring out the Rat-l-Traps.
LOCATION: Lake Somerville
HOTSPOT: Yegua Park West Shoreline
GPS: N 30 17.76, W 96 32.784 (30.2960, -96.5464)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: CJ’s Monster Punch Bait
TIPS: Fish offshore a little way in 6 feet of water to keep from hanging up on submerged vegetation. Tight line toward the shore. Also chum close to the boat.
LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Res.
HOTSPOT: River Timber North
GPS: N 31 0.351, W 97 39.114 (31.0059, -97.6519)
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Minnows
TIPS: Fish minnows on a bobber, if you have them, use submerged lights, keep quiet; night.
LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni
HOTSPOT: Tall Man Reach
GPS: N 32 52.872, W 96 0.227 (32.8812, -96.0038)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Buzzbaits, worms
TIPS: Hit the coves with holding pads with buzzbaits or weedless worms; dawn, morning, dusk.
LOCATION: Lake Texana
HOTSPOT: Brackenridge
GPS: N 28 56.053, W 96 32.64 (28.9342, -96.5440)
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Spoons, crankbaits
TIPS: Fish jigging spoons or crankbaits; all day
LOCATION: Lake Texoma
HOTSPOT: Coves East of Highport
GPS: N 33 50.195, W 96 42.085 (33.8366, -96.7014)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Sassy shad, jighead
TIPS: Work around the edges at 18 feet with white 6-inch Sassy shad on 1 oz. jighead; morning through afternoon.
LOCATION: Lake Waco
HOTSPOT: South Bosque River
GPS: N 31 30.336, W 97 15.196 (31.5056, -97.2533)
SPECIES: Catfish
BEST BAITS: Cut bait, stink bait
TIPS: Fish the bottom; morning, dusk through night
LOCATION: Lake Whitney
HOTSPOT: Big Rocky Creek
GPS: N 31 52.794, W 97 23.682 (31.8799, -97.3947)
SPECIES: Striped Bass
BEST BAITS: Cut bait and live shad
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.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY:
Bill Carey: www.StriperExpress.com
Carey Thorn: whitebassfishingTexas@gmail.com
Royce Simmons: www.GoneFishin.biz
Weldon Kirk: www.FishTales-GuideService.com
HOTSPOTLIGHT
STILLHOUSE HOLLOW
SURFACE AREA: 6,429 acres
MAXIMUM DEPTH: 107 feet
IMPOUNDED: 1968
STILLHOUSE HOLLOW IS A DEEP, clear lake with steep rocky shorlines. Rocky points and numerous hydrilla beds provide the primary habitat.
The lake’s recent rise in water level (100% full at press time) has creates many new opportunities, as the
water level was significantly lower for many months.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are the main attraction on Stillhouse. While the lake also has populations of catfish, crappie and white bass, these fish take a back seat to the more popular and prolific large and smallmouth bass.
Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.
WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS
Reported by TJ RANFT
CONTACT TJ RANFT:
Email: TJRanft17@gmail.com
Online: RanftGuideService.com
LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry
HOTSPOT: Main Lake Cove
GPS: N 33 2.805, W 101 4.098 (33.0468, -101.0683)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Wacky worms
TIPS: Fish 10-inch wacky worm in dark colors and work 10 to 25 feet deep; morning through afternoon.
LOCATION: Lake Arrowhead
HOTSPOT: Post Oak Bridge
GPS: N 33 39.412, W 98 24.678 (33.6569, -98.4113)
SPECIES: Crappie
BEST BAITS: Minnows
TIPS: Fish the southeast corner of the causeway rip rap & pilings with minnows; dawn through morning, dusk.
LOCATION: Lake Brownwood
HOTSPOT: Across from Flat Rock
GPS: N 31 49.403, W 99 02.666 (31.8234, -99.0444)
SPECIES: Largemouth Bass
BEST BAITS: Topwaters, jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits
TIPS: Topwaters work best early and at dusk. As the sun gets higher, switch to the crankbaits, jigs and spinners. Avoid midday.
LOCATION: Fort Phantom Hill Res.
HOTSPOT: Main Body
GPS: N 32 34.8359, W 99 41.202 (32.5806, -99.6867)
SPECIES: White Crappie
BEST BAITS: Jigs
TIPS: In December, crappie can be fished off the bottom with 1/8-14 oz. jigs. This location has produced great crappie catches throughout the year.
LOCATION: Lake Granbury
HOTSPOT: Blue Water Shores
GPS: N 32 23.014, W 97 42.550 (32.3836, -97.7092)
SPECIES: White Bass
BEST BAITS: Little Georges, Mepps spinnerbaits, Roadrunners, RatLTraps and holographic slabs (in
silver and chartreuse).
TIPS: Slabs jigged off the bottom in 20 to 30 feet of water where baitfish are located. Look for hovering birds and use the Little Georges, RatLTraps and Spinners on schooling fish. Bring your binoculars. Granbury water temperatures continue to fall into the 50s and 60s and winter patterns will start to take
shape toward the end of November. The constant passage of cool fronts dominants the weather patterns. Fall feeding frenzy continues, and the wintering birds are here to point you to active fish. White bass continue to school on the surface early and are on deeper humps later in the day.
LOCATION: Lake Granbury
HOTSPOT: Lower End Near Blue Water Shores
GPS: N 32 23.014, W 97 42.550 (32.383567 -97.709167)
SPECIES: White bass
BEST BAITS: Little Georges, Mepps spinners, roadrunners, rattle traps and holographic slabs in silver and chartreuse
CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 254-396-4855
TIPS: Look for hovering birds and use the Little Georges, rattle traps and Spinners on schooling fish.
CURRENT LAKE LEVELS WEST TEXAS
Bring your binoculars.
LOCATION: Lake Kirby
HOTSPOT: Pump House
GPS: N 32 22.6961, W 99 43.7744 (32.3783, -99.7296)
shad and carp as well as live sunfish are excellent baits to use. Punch baits can also be effective at landing smaller blues and channel catfish.
LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom
HOTSPOT: Mid Lake
GPS: N 32 53.434, W 98 30.718 (32.8906, -98.5120)
SPECIES: Striped and White Bass
BEST BAITS: Live shad, your favorite topwater, slabs, spoons
TIPS: Keep your head on a swivel and watch the birds they will point you in the right direction. As we get into November, the winter feeding patterns start to take shape—but not fully commit to the winter pattern. Cold fronts will determine the bite and some of the pattern. With each cold front the pattern will change slightly and lean toward a winter pattern as we get into December. Birds will begin to show up and start to point you in the direction of fish. Feeding frenzies will not be out of the ordinary, so be prepared. Live shad is the favorite bait this time of year, but you should keep a topwater or a slab/spoon tied on just in case they decided to feed on top. Water temps will be in the 50s to 60s, depending on cold fronts. Look for fish in 20-30 feet of water but keep an eye open for action all over the lake and watch the birds.
LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom
HOTSPOT: Peanut Patch
GPS: N 32 53.627, W 98 30.988
SPECIES: Striped Bass, White Bass, Hybrids
BEST BAITS: Slabs, jigs
TIPS: Local anglers love fishing the Peanut Patch with slabs and jigs. The fall patterns are starting to give way to winter patterns, so change is in the air. Cold fronts will dictate the bite from here on out, so on warm days fish shallow and on cold days fish deeper. Birds will be on the prowl and will steer you to active fish, so keep an eye out for them. Live bait is best, but it is slabbin’ and jiggin’ weather. The best bite is before a cold front arrives. If you can’t schedule a trip before a front, then it’s best to wait 12 to 24 hours after. All species are biting now to fatten up for winter. Pay attention to little details when you catch a fish and then reproduce them for another fish.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY:
Michael W. Acosta
Unfair Advantage Charters:
HOTSPOTLIGHT
SURFACE AREA: 14,969 acres
DEPTH: 45 feet
1966
LAKE ARROWHEAD IS RECOGNIZED AS a premier white crappie lake. Arrow-
LAKE ARROWHEAD
head also contains channel, blue, and flathead catfish. Largemouth bass fishing is good near the dam. Fish attractors have been installed in the area around the state park. See this symbol... ...on the map.
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.
AM & PM MAJOR phases occur when the moon reaches its highest point overhead as well as when it is “underfoot” or at its highest point on the exact opposite side of the earth from your positoin (or literally under your feet). Most days have two Major Feeding Phases, each lasting about 2 hours.
PEAK 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. 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
Sportsman’s DAYBOOK
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR
(See Instructions for reading the Graphs on the opposite page)
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.
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.
Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE on the map below to adjust times for points East and West of our Base Point at Galveston Channel.
Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:28a Moonrise: 5:18a Set: 3:25p AM Minor: 2:33a AM Major: 8:46a
3:00a
9:13a
10:23a
ALLIGATOR GAR
Copano Bay
Brandon Ayers caught his first alligator gar while fishing on Copano Bay. The 48-inch gar was successfully released.
SHARK
Galveston
Darren Pyfer shows off a small blacktip shark that he caught near the Pelican Island Bridge in Galveston.
GIVE
SEND
SPECKLED TROUT
Galveston
Cooper Emery Russell caught and released this sixpound trout while fishing with his dad, Emery Vinklarek at the Galveston jetties. The six-pounder was the third personal best for Cooper of the day.
DUCK
Lake Conroe
Private Property
Jr. and Hayes Puls caught several blue and channel catfish on Lake Conroe during Spring Break.
Grayson Holland of took his first duck this season, a hooded merganzer, while hunting on private property with friends that took him for his first hunt.
A Different Experience W
ITH HER HANDS ON
both hips in the back forty of our Lamar County place, the War Department stared up at the 55-gallon barrel feeder si ing a hundred yards from our deer stand. “It’s awful rusty.”
“Willie helped me put it up when we got the place.” It hasn’t been here long enough to get this rusty. It’s really old, but I was trying to save money, instead of buying another one.”
“So you bought an expensive motor instead.”
Wrong Willie and I would have spent half an hour going back and forth over that subject, but with her, I had no defense. “Not the same thing.”
He and I usually put up and ll feeders before deer season, but he’d been tasked with helping with grandkids for the past several weeks, so it was the War Department at my side. I quickly learned she does things di erently than the Hunting Club membership when it comes to outdoor projects.
She pointed at the ladder she’d insisted on bringing. “I’ll hold it steady while you get the lid o .”
“When it’s me and Willie, I usually stand on top of the four-wheeler, or maybe balance on the edge of the truck bed. He stands over there and waits for me to fall so he can laugh.”
“ at’s too dangerous.”
“ at’s why he’s always ready.”
“Use the ladder.”
“It’s heavy.”
She put those hands back on her hips and I sighed. “We have to take the feeder down, anyway. ere’s ro en corn in the drop funnel, so it needs to be cleaned out.”
“How do we do that?”
“I tilt it up, get on the back side and we let the barrel down.”
“It’s ten feet up.”
“Yep.”
“ at’s dangerous. You could drop it on yourself.”
“Willie and I never had one fall on me.”
“You’d put him under the barrel.”
“See?”
Open SEASON
We tilted it, eventually ge ing the assembly
including myself. When I took the cover o , the interior was lled with half a bushel of wet,
She neglected to comment any further. We tilted it, eventually ge ing the assembly on the ground without damaging anything, including myself. When I took the cover o , the interior was lled with half a bushel of wet, black, ro ing corn that smelled like a feed lot.
I waited for the War Department’s com-
I waited for the War Department’s comments at the stench that would gag a buzzard o a tub of guts, but she just wandered away to nd something else to do. If Willie had been there, the air would have turned blue with choice words about how nasty the job was. He’d have complained that we should have cleaned it out earlier, that deer hunting wasn’t worth it, that he wished he brought a ri e to put the inanimate object out of its misery so we could go buy another, despite that he’s tight as Dick’s hatband with money.
:: by REAVIS Z. WORTHAM TF&G Humor Editor
Instead, she stayed upwind, cleaning out the shooting lane with a machete and small hand ax. I nished dragging out the sopping mess that plopped on the ground with the sound of a calf with the scours. She came back. “Don’t step in that.”
We blinked at each other for a moment.
I waited for something descriptive, but there was only silence. In my head, I heard Willie talk about cow op and how it reminded him of sometime in the past when he got it on his feet and tracked it into our deer camp, or the camper, or the pop-up trailer, and we had to smell it all night long.
Nothing.
It was abnormally hot that day and sweat soaked my shirt and poured o my forehead, ge ing into my eyes. “Why are we always doing this out in the sun!!!???”
My logical wife felt she needed to explain. “Well, you said that the feeder needed to be out in the open so we could see the deer and hogs coming in. It wouldn’t have been so hot if we’d put it down there in the shade.”
Now it was my turn to explain. “It’s harder to hit a deer in the shade, because they just suddenly appear and disappear, and we’d have to clear out a space in those trees that would block the shots.”
“You didn’t kill either one last year anyway.” Sigh. Willie would have commented that yep, it was hot, but it’d cool down a er dark and we’d feel be er with adult beverages. ere were a couple of holes in the side of the barrel, so I ran big screws in there to ll them. e bo om edge was rusted bad,
and that’s where rain had leaked in for several months to rot the corn. Like a true outdoorsman, I used a piece of tin, some silicone from an almost dried up tube, and four screws to apply a patch. Looking like a cartoon version of a deer hunter’s nightmare, it reminded me of Wrong Willie’s hunting clothes, and I smiled. “Okay, let’s stand it up.”
“How?”
“Pick up the barrel, walk down the two legs, and you stick that third one on as I balance it.”
“ at sounds like a disaster.” e look on her face told me that if I gave her half an hour, she’d gured out a be er way. Nevertheless, it went up with a minimum of female frustration and I anchored the legs.
“I have to adjust the level on this motor so it won’t throw out too much corn. Willie always complains about the volume when I set it.”
She peered upward, watching. I tightened the set screw and set o the test bu on. Corn ew everywhere, but there was no cussing. Willie wasn’t there to get hit in the forehead.
“I think we need to throw more,” she said. Love lled my heart! She’d taken up the torch and now we could have some back and forth banter, some wi y repartee, some fun at complaining at how we wished we did something else other than hunt and sh.
“I want to a ract the deer, not fa en them up.”
“Suit yourself.” She went silent and took a seat on the four-wheeler to watch the sun go down while I nished up, vowing to call Willie when we got home and chew him out for not being there.
