Texas Fish & Game July-August 2023

www.FishGame.com

Published by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC.

TEXAS FISH & GAME is the largest independent, family-owned outdoor publication in America. Owned by Ron & Stephanie Ward and Roy & Ardia Neves

ROY AND ARDIA NEVES

PUBLISHERS

CHESTER MOORE

EDITOR IN CHIEF CONTRIBUTORS

JOE DOGGETT • SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

DOUG PIKE • SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

LENNY RUDOW • BOATING EDITOR

MATT WILLIAMS • FRESHWATER EDITOR

PETE ROBBINS • BASS FISHING EDITOR

KELLY GROCE • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

LOU MARULLO • HUNTING EDITOR

LARRY WEISHUHN • WHITETAIL EDITOR

DUSTIN ELLERMANN • SHOOTING EDITOR

REAVIS WORTHAM • HUMOR EDITOR

MORIAH FORMICA • DIGITAL CONTRIBUTOR

LISA MOORE • CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

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:: by ROY & ARDIA NEVES TF&G Owners/Publishers

Artificial Intelligence vs. Authentic Stupidity

WE HUMANS, ESPECIALLY those of us of the American persuasion, have developed a remarkable propensity for freaking out.

We freak out over a watered down beer’s marketing blunders with a modern day Corporal Klinger. en, we jump to worstcase assumptions over the latest topic of media hyper-hype, arti cial intelligence. Endof-world threats come from every direction and in every form, from the absurd to the eerily plausible. It almost seems as if none of us are happy unless none of us are happy.

at second example, arti cial intelligence (AI) has suddenly gained widespread a ention and has set freak-out senses on edge everywhere, most notably in all corners of mainstream and social media.

It is an appropriate subject here, because we have, ourselves, begun dabbling in the dark arts of AI

More on that in a bit.

Progress in the development of this technology is advancing at an exponential pace, now that engineers are using AI to design AI

We remember si ing in a presentation at a publishing technology conference while shopping for our rst MacIntosh computers (8K ram and two oppy disk drives... $4,200!) and hearing our rst real world discussion about Arti cial Intelligence. is was in 1986, just two years a er e Terminator came out, with its plot suggesting that teaching machines to think might not be a good idea. It was interesting to learn that research in AI, by scientists and not science ction writers, was actually moving forward, and that someday computers would be capable of managing a wide range of tasks in every industry, and everyday life.

Four decades later, “thinking” machines have become a reality. Now that AI is here, so is a lot of hyperbolic hand wringing over potential threats... from the plausible cultural and economic disruptions, to the borderline absurd: Matrix-like takeovers, or war against time-traveling robots with Austrian accents.

But most of the progress that gives such platforms as ChatGPT the ability to emulate human-like conversation, writing, and problem solving is not based on replicating human brain function, but on using the brute-force of computing power to examine countless variations and outcomes to produce the impressive results that are being heralded by researchers. AI might run convincing programs, but it’s still just a big, number-crunching virtual machine.

Existential threat? Doubtful, at least as long as the so ware acts more like Rain Man than a T-800 model Terminator.

e more immediate concern—as is o en the case with breakthrough technology—is how humans can, and will, use the technology with dishonest and evil intentions. “Deep Fakes” have already become commonplace online, and the ability to identify falsi ed images, audio, and video eludes the toughest scrutiny, including that of law enforcement.

e quality of these fakes will only get be er and will increase faster than the same technology can be used to police it.

Arti cial Intelligence is like any other tool. A hammer in the hands of a skilled cra sman can be used to build works of great carpentry. A hammer in the hands of a psychopath, or an incompetent moron, can create mayhem. Despite the

bad potential that AI brings with it, the odds are be er than even that it will produce more good, and make more of a positive di erence in our lives than the harm this tool—in the wrong hands—might in ict. is relative comfort helped encourage us to take our rst tentative steps into the AI workshop.

THE WAY FISH & GAME IS EXPLOR-

ing this new technology is by using it to produce audio versions of our print articles. It wouldn’t be practical to a empt recording live voice overs for all the content in each issue. But with AI driven so ware, we found a way to quickly turn our wri en words into spoken audio. e result may not be perfect... but it’s perfect enough.

See for yourself. Just scan the QR Code below with your phone and give this article a listen.

e possibilities this opens are tremendous. Now, for the rst time, you can listen to virtually an entire issue while driving, or while you’re on your boat or in your deer blind. Audiobooks and podcasts are growing faster than just about any other form of media. at alone serves as the motivation to move into the mobile/audio arena with our content. e available technology makes it possible.

Again, it’s not perfect, but it is perfectly acceptable, for now. And the technology is only going to get be er—and probably quite soon.

is initial foray into AI generated voices will hopefully branch out into other ways we can use this technology to improve what we do to help you enjoy the outdoors... Imagine what brute-force computing could do with the endless variations and potential outcomes that face anglers before every trip, every tackle choice, every cast.

So, give our li le step into the world of AI a shot. Listen and nd out if it sounds like it might not be a great alternative or at least another option for you to consume our content.

Hopefully, Arti cial Intelligence is a smart move for Fish &Game, and for the world.

ere’s a lot of Authentic Stupid out there. Using technology to shine light on ignorance seems like a good way to sti e our inherent Freak-Out re exes.

Speckled Trout Hybrids

I READ THE ARTICLE ON SPECKLED trout hybrids in the May/June issue with great fascination. I did some research on the orangemouth corvina they crossed the trout with and would love to catch one. Do you think there is a chance of the state ever stocking these hybrids again?

TERRY LINK

Editor: No, I do not think there will ever be speckled trout/corvina hybrids stocked again. In the article I mentioned how coastal o cials were worried about corvina somehow ge ing into bay or Gulf waters and breeding with speckled trout and om what I have seen that is what killed the program. ere were corvina stockings and also corvina/speck stockings. It’s not because they are not a native sh. We stock striped bass in numerous lakes and have an active rainbow trout stocking program and neither of them are native, but I think any kind of corvina stocking is a thing of the past.

:: by TF&G READERS

The Brady Buck

RECENTLY I DROVE THROUGH Brady and now when you enter the city, they have a big iron cut-out of the famous Brady Buck. You never hear about that buck anymore and growing up it was a really big deal. Why do you now not really know about the big bucks of Texas past like that? anks.

CONRAD ANDERSON

Editor: It is because of the prevalence of bucks larger than that one on highfenced deer ranches. Do an Internet search of Texas trophy deer and you will see buck a er buck that are absolutely massive and they were created by selective breeding, protein feeding etc. And that’s perfectly ne, but it has made many forget about bucks that naturally get big. You don’t hear about the “hole in the horn” buck or the massive typi-

cal “Jordan buck” either. And that’s a shame because all of these deer are true marvels of nature.

Cattle Mutilations

CHESTER, I LISTENED TO YOUR podcast on the ca le mutilations and appreciated you and your guests looking at potential human-causes. Have you ever heard of a toxicology report on those ca le?

MARIAH HENDERSON

Editor: ank you very much. I never did hear about any toxicology report and could not get an o cial statement om law enforcement other than the press release that got the whole story out there. Neither could ABC news so I don’t feel too bad. ere are some strange things going on with livestock in Texas right now as we have also covered horse killings that now seem to be spreading.

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

about these unexpected inhabitants of its wilde following is from TPWD.

tite.

Black is Back T

HE BLACK BEAR IS BACK in

Texas.

While their populations are a long way from huntable, numbers in the Trans Pecos are such that sightings are common in the Big Bend area and at places like Black Gap Wildlife Management Area.

Bears have also been seen fairly frequently around Lake Falcon and there are sca ered sightings throughout South Texas and the southwestern portion of the Edwards Plateau.

Add to that some bear activity in Northeast Texas and you have the greatest chance in modern history for Texans to encounter a bear in their home state.

Black bears are generally shy, reclusive creatures but there comes a point when populations grow when that can change.

Again, there is no hunting pressure in Texas and neither in Mexico so there is no reason to fear people. In these situations, they may begin approaching human habitations and dry conditions like west Texas is facing now will amplify the issue.

My concern is Texans are not bear aware.

To most encountering bears is something that might happen once-in-a-lifetime when they visit Yellowstone or in the Smoky Mountains.

And these Texas bears are not just in the Trans Pecos.

For more than a decade I have recorded sightings in the Hill Country, South Texas, and along the Middle Coast. e East Texas bear population is a di erent issue, but there are increasing sightings in the eastern third of the state as well.

Texans need to understand a few things

“Bears have an excellent sense of smell and much of their behavior is driven by their appetite. ese natural characteristics can, however, become a problem when bears nd an easy meal from a human-related source such as garbage, pet food or corn from a deer feeder. If over time a bear continually nds food around humans, it can become habituated, losing its fear of people and creating a potentially dangerous situation.”

Fellow hunters, we are now in the o -season. If you have a bear hi ing a feeder, a good option is to shut it down and let the bear move on. Feeding in an area might keep the bear around and give you problems with your feeder (they’ll tear it up) or maybe an unwanted up close and personal encounter.

Another option is electricity.

“Bears are sensitive to electricity, so electric fences can be used to prevent bears from accessing feeders while still allowing deer to reach them because of their ability to jump the fence. Although an added cost, electric fencing can pay for itself in the prevention of lost feed and damage to a feeder.”

TPWD biologists say education is the best way to prevent human-bear con icts

“Residents in areas where bears have been spo ed should secure anything that could be a potential a ractant (e.g., garbage, pet food, bird and deer feeders, etc.). Residents can also choose to invest in bear proof garbage dumpsters, a resource that many communities in the western U.S. have deployed to reduce or prevent bear encounters. Double-bagging garbage to reduce odors and keeping bags in a secure location until the morning of trash pickup are also encouraged practices. Similarly, TPWD biologists recommend feeding pets inside or limiting pet food portions to an amount that can be consumed completely at each feeding.”

Black bears are potentially dangerous animals. And while they are not likely to a ack, their ferocity upon a ack can be fatal.

In a story in the March/April 2020 edition of Sports A eld, I outlined a surprising study on black bear a ack behavior.

e study, published in e Journal of Wildlife Management, documents 63 people killed in 59 incidents by non-captive black bears between 1900-2009.

Here is the standout quote.

“We judged that the bear involved acted as a predator in 88 percent of fatal incidents. Adult or subadult male bears were involved in 92 percent of fatal predatory incidents, re ecting biological and behavioral di erences between male and female bears. at most fatal black bear a acks were predatory and were carried out by one bear shows that females with young are not the most dangerous black bears.”

ere are a couple of things that should jump out at outdoor lovers here.

1. If you are a acked by a black bear, you must ght back. While many grizzly a acks are territorial or perhaps because the grizzly didn’t like the way you looked that day, most black bear a acks are predatory and nearly all of the fatal ones are. Play dead for grizzlies. Fight like crazy against a black bear.

2. Big male bears are the biggest threat. If you see one in an area or have game camera photos of one, take extra precautions.

Black bears are protected in Texas, so hunters should keep that in mind and especially when hunting hogs in areas with bear sightings at night. A bear could easily look like a hog hitting a bait pile especially if you are using night vision or thermal imaging.

Black bears returning to Texas is exciting, but everyone needs to stay informed. I will continue coverage here as the great American bear returns to the Lone Star State and shows up in places where few expect to see them.

It’s an exciting thing to see and a testament to the North American Model of Wildlife Management.

I’m happy to see it and have been advocating for bear conservation in Texas for a long time. We do however need to go into this new era of the Texas wild with open eyes.

Bears can be bears and if we treat them as such both people and these great animals will bene t.

ese natural characteristics can, however,

PIKE on the Edge

How AI Could Pose a Threat in the Outdoors

THE EMERGENCE OF ARTIFIcial intelligence holds great promise to both improve outdoor recreation and to disrupt it with equal e cacy.

Essentially, AI is ramped-up VR, virtual reality, that erases the critically important line between what’s real and what’s not.

In our day-to-day lives, AI already is being used for less than noble purposes. Parents are receiving calls believed to be from their children in which a voice identical to that of their child says he or she is in trouble and needs money sent immediately. Banks are being scammed by arti cial voices, cloned to sound like yours or mine, instructing the bank to move huge sums of money to places where it can never be recovered.

Equally wrong-minded people also, certainly, are cooking up schemes in which AI could be used to threaten outdoor recreation. And unless countermeasures are developed rst, here are a few ways that could happen.

In tournament shing, some events have taken to using photographs or video as ocial veri cation of catches. Fish are weighed or measured on camera then promptly released, and that’s an idea I wholeheartedly embrace. No long trips in livewells, no release into unfamiliar water. And it’s all based on the notion that pictures don’t lie. And they didn’t, until now.

If someone has the sophistication and so ware onboard to do so, that someone could create an image or video of themselves catching and weighing just about any size sh of any species necessary to win a tournament by an ounce or a pound or an inch or a foot. And the technology to do so already is crisp enough to produce images virtually undetectable indistinguishable from actual photos or videos.

at is real. at already is possible.

On the arti cial-voice scene, imagine a

tournament director ge ing a call from your best friend to say that you – his best friend – is cheating in tournaments. Only it wasn’t your friend who made the call. It was a rival who happened to grab a voice sample and used AI to put fake words into your friend’s mouth.

e blurring of the line between real and unreal in the outdoors isn’t new. It started long ago, when people would cut photographs of big deer or big sh out of magazines and place them in advertisements for their own businesses. e question then was whether the deer on a particular ranch really were that big or the photo came from somewhere else. At least, though, we all could safely presume that the photograph, wherever taken, was of a real animal.

Selling points are important to folks who sell things, too, so it’s not surprising that some sellers would try to make their product look be er than it actually does. For reference, watch most any fast-food restaurant commercial on television.

I mentioned AI on my radio show on the nal Saturday of April and learned during the next break that my own producer, Adam Snydar, had experienced AI fraud.

He’s young and still lives with his parents. And one night, someone using AI to clone his voice called and told his mother that he’d been wrongly arrested and needed several hundred dollars sent right away to avoid being jailed.

e only reason his mother didn’t take the bait was that she knew Adam was asleep upstairs, in the same house.

To put this in a criminally pro table outdoors perspective, imagine ge ing a call from your best beachfront-wading friend late on a Saturday a ernoon.

“Hey, man, I got my truck stuck on the

:: by DOUG PIKE TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

beach, and this wrecker driver isn’t going to pull me out unless I can get somebody to send him a hundred bucks pronto. He won’t take my credit card. Can you help me out? Phone’s about to die. Use that payment app we use and send the money to Joe’s Towand-Go. anks, Bro.”

Would you send the money? I’d call rst, but if I got any reply other than a live answer, I’d be really tempted to send that $100, even if that meant me losing the money to a crook. Be er than leaving a friend stranded, right? And then again potentially so wrong.

ere are good minds in this world who will nd ways to bene t mankind through the possibilities and potential of AI. But for each of them, there’s also an opportunistic, predatory criminal who will search out ways to exploit AI for personal gain.

e one thing AI can never replace is the opportunity each of us has to share outdoor experiences with friends and family members. Not on a screen, but in front of our eyes. Under our noses. Across our lips. On our ngertips.

ose interactions, at least for now, are irreplaceable. And if there comes a time when our own senses can be replaced or in any way substituted, the best I can hope is that we be treated to the sight of sunrises, the smell of trout slicks and the feeling of warm sunlight on a cold neck in a deer blind.

Editor’s Note: In case you blew past it, the Inside Fish & Game column also addresses arti cial intelligence, on page 4 of this issue.

HARK POPULATIONS ARE ON THE RISE. Although many species like the oceanic whitetip for example are far from recovery, many of the species more commonly associated with the Texas coastline have come back.

Overharvest, especially from commercial longliners had put a hurt on sharks, but more conservative regulations activated three decades ago, have helped.

“ ere has de nitely been a rise in blacktip, spinner and bull shark populations along with some other species,” said Dr. Greg Stunz with the Harte Institute in Corpus Christi.

You might have seen Dr. Stunz on a variety of “Shark Week” programming as he has worked all over to conserve the oceans and keep populations of its apex predator healthy.

When asked if growing human populations along the coast combined with increased shark numbers was a recipe for more a acks, Stunz said shark a acks are still very rare.

“You have a very small chance of being bi en by a shark. You need of course to remain cautious in waters where sharks dwell and keep an eye out for certain things, but we shouldn’t have an overbearing fear of shark a acks,” he said.

PRACTICAL TIPS

e rst thing to keep an eye out for is the sharks themselves. If you see large sharks on a beach or while wade shing in a bay, slowly head back to shore.

Marcus He in of Christian Surf Fishing Adventures was chest deep in the surf at Sea Rim State Park a few years back when a seven-foot-long hammerhead swam by.

“I looked up and I got a li le nervous, but the shark kept on swimming and minded its own business. It was beautiful to see but a li le too close for comfort,” he said.

Fishermen o en get into con icts with sharks due to stringers loaded with speckled trout, red sh, pompano, or some other surf-dwelling species. You need to keep long stringers and make sure they do not oat up to you. A shark taking a hunk out of a sh, doesn’t care if that also means striking your behind that is next to it.

e oating sh baskets work be er by the way.

A product called Sharkbanz has shown much promise in reducing shark con ict. Capt. Kyle Johnson wade shes and guides in the shark-infested Chandeleur Islands.

“We encounter a lot of sharks and constantly had sh being taken or hit on stringers. I tried Sharkbanz for a year and had zero incidents. We had some sharks come and then bolt away, as if something scared them,” he said.

e device works via the Earth’s magnetic eld and messes with a shark’s senses. It comes in two versions, a wearable and a

Marcus Heflin of Christian Surf Fishing Adventures, pictured here, had a big hammerhead swim right past him while wadefishing Sea Rim State Park. Sharks aren’t usually out to get people but you need to be cautious in their domain.

larger one called a Zeppelin you can a ach to a sh basket.

If a shark does approach you, as strange as it might sound, punch it. Seriously.

Punch it as hard as you can in the nose

and pray for the best. Many divers, surfers and waders have done this and lived to tell the tale.

Other things to consider are for women to stay out of the water when they are on their menstrual cycle and to avoid large

baitfish schools. Big pods of pogies and mullets bring in sharks and sometimes big ones.

TEXAS BIG SURF SHARKS

Texans can potentially encounter many of the most dangerous sharks along the coast. Bull sharks, tiger sharks, lemon sharks and hammerheads are on most top 10 dangerous lists, and they are all here.

Bull sharks are the most likely of these to encounter due to their abundance in not only the Gulf but our bays. They can live in completely fresh water and for example are frequently caught near the mouth of the Neches River in Sabine Lake and around the Interstate 10 bridge on the Trinity River, north of Trinity Bay.

Their grumpy nature is well-documented, but bulls are not the most common large species on the Texas Coast.

There are two species that can weigh more than 100 pounds and are overall more common than even bulls.

If you were to ask anglers whether these species were dangerous, most would answer with a resounding “No!” since they are not

in the lexicon of deadly sharks. In fact, the Discovery Channel produced a highly rated program about the top 10 most dangerous sharks and neither made the list.

Both the oceanic whitetip and shortfin mako did. However, those species rank far below both the blacktip and spinner in terms of unprovoked non-fatal attacks on humans according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

ISAF data show blacktips are responsible for 36 unprovoked attacks.

Spinners have been responsible for 16 unprovoked attacks. For comparison, the oceanic whitetip committed 12 unprovoked nonfatal but also three fatal attacks. The shortfin mako dished out nine unprovoked nonfatal attacks and one fatal. If these species were abundant and were common on beaches there would no doubt be more attacks.

For reference bull sharks have 93 unprovoked nonfatal and a terrifying 26 fatal attacks, showing for Texas-centric sharks they are the most dangerous.

In the Discovery Channel’s defense, its

list featured numerous factors, including fatalities and size. This would obviously put species like the great white above many other known attackers, but in terms of raw attack data, blacktips and spinners deserve our respect.

This is not to vilify these species which can be as acrobatic as a tarpon and put on an equal fight pound for pound. It is to make people think.

Just because a shark hasn’t killed someone doesn’t mean there isn’t a potential danger. Any shark can cause harm and we need to respect all of them, even species we often dismiss like blacktips and spinners.

Sharks are incredible, majestic creatures that have gotten more people interested in the oceans than all other things combined. We need to be good stewards of that resource, obey all size and bag limits and release those we do not wish to eat.

We also need to be cautious because sometimes sharks attack and we don’t want to end up on the negative end of any of these shark attack statistics.

Megalops atlanticus

ITH AN EPIC LATIN NAME like that, a sh needs some awesome a ributes and in the case of the tarpon, there are plenty.

e tarpon is arguably the most prized inshore/ nearshore game sh on the planet, and they happen to live on the Texas Coast with an uptick in catches in recent years.

e following are 10 tarpon truths that will increase your respect for the species and have you ready to do ba le with the “silver king” this summer.

MEGA RECORD: e Texas state record tarpon was caught

in 2017 by Michael Shane LaRue II. It weighed 229 pounds and measured 90 inches. e minimum length for tarpon is 85 inches with a daily bag of one. It is essentially a catch-and-release only sh and that’s a good thing.

e 85-inch limit allows for potential new record sh to be caught as it would take a sh likely even larger than that to break the current record.

TARPON MOVEMENTS: According to Texas A&M’s Texas Tarpon Tagging Initiative which is cooperating with other tarpon research, two tarpon were tagged with numbers “8616” and “8618” in October of 2018 near Galveston.

“A er a year of no detections, tarpon “8616” was detected o the coast of Corpus Christi in October of 2019 and then

again o the coast of South Padre Island in November of 2019. Tarpon “8618” was also detected a year later near Matagorda Bay in October 2019 and then again o the coast of Corpus Christi in November 2019.” As you can see, tarpon like to move.

JUVENILE TARPON: Young tarpon are common residents along the Lower Coast year-round and can also be found on the Middle and Upper Coasts.

Every year anglers catch young tarpon near Lake Jackson, Matagorda and around the Galveston Bay complex. According to

Scan to Hear < Audio Version

TPWD o cials, li le is known of the tarpon’s spawning activity or growth.

“Tarpon of 6 to 18 inches have been found in river mouths, lakes and bar-ditches and sometimes in polluted areas. Young tarpon o en go into the brackish water of small marsh channels, while adults may swim far up the larger rivers of South Texas, perhaps in search of food. Most commonly found o the beachfront in the Gulf.”

TARPON, TEXAS: Ever heard of Tarpon, Texas?

for it

Known as Port Aransas for the last 100 years, it was named for the main economic driver for the island city.

Beginning in the late 1880s thousands poured into the area to catch huge tarpon and for years thousands gathered to witness the

annual “Tarpon Rodeo” tournament. Similar accounts are found in Port O’Connor, Freeport and Port Arthur.

OLD FISH: Tarpon are long-lived sh. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the lifespan of a tarpon can be in excess of 50 years. e oldest tarpon in captivity lived to be 63 years old.

TARPON “ROLLING”: Tarpon will o en “roll” like alligator gar sh. is is because they have the ability to get air from the surface, much like a gar sh. is allows the species to live in areas with low dissolved oxygen levels, which in waterways with more stressed than ever, comes in quite handy.

SPAWNING MYSTERIES: According to o cials with the Bone sh & Tarpon Trust, spawning remains the most unknown variable of the equation, and one of the most important.

“Protection of spawning sites is vital to maintaining the tarpon shery, because without the future generations that result from spawning there would be no tarpon shery at all. We know that spawning occurs in late spring through summer, and

the limited information available suggests that tarpon spawn over 100 miles o shore, where they presently receive no protections.”

TARPON VISION: According to Fish Costa Rica, tarpon have amazing color vision with ve types of cones cells in their eyes.

“ ey can see into the ultraviolet spectrum even further than birds and insects that have four types of cones cells in their eyes. In case you are wondering, humans only have three types of cone cells.”

Oh yeah and we forgot to tell you. ere are no tarpon in Costa Rica. We o en think of the Paci c side but there is also a Caribbean side to the beautiful nation that has a great tarpon shery.

TARPON WILL TAKE A FLY: Tarpon will take a y and are high on the list of everyone who y shes in saltwater.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission o cials, on May 11, 2001 Jim Holland Jr., guided by Captain Steve Kirkpatrick, caught the rst tarpon with y shing equipment over 200 pounds. It weighed 202-pounds, 8-ounces and was caught on a 20-pound tippet.

I have yet to catch one on the y and

would be happy with catching a tarpon embryo, much less a monster of such proportions.

TARPON PROBLEMS: ere is much research being done on tarpon right now. Li le is known about them in comparison to species like speckled trout and red sh.

One major conservation issue that needs to be looked at is ne ing. Tarpon are caught as bycatch by pogy boats, especially in Louisiana where the bulk of that shery exists. ere are also issues on the Mexico side of the border. I have spoken with scientists doing shark surveys down there who have seen tarpon on the market alongside many other species.

No one is sure of the extent of either of these problems but they, along with water quality, development of habitat are concerns for this great species.

In my opinion, if we get tarpon conservation right in Texas, everything will bene t. ey are survivors in some ways and delicate in others and by working hard to ensure their survival, we can also secure a bright future for our other beloved sheries.

A tag and track study by Texas A&M Galveston, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Louisiana State University has received funding funding from the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, Pelagic Fisheries Institute, and the Lyons Charitable Foundation with Mark Lyons. It is revealing some amazing data on Texas tarpon movements.

New Tech You’ve Gotta Have I

’LL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT that I have a love-hate relationship with tech, especially when it comes to my boat and shing. at said, in the past couple of years we’ve seen some developments that quite simply make boating be er. And no, you don’t necessarily have to buy a new boat to enjoy these bene ts (though in many cases, it certainly helps). If you’re hitting the water without harnessing the advantages this tech delivers, you’re missing out.

CELL PHONE CHARGERS: Today most new boats have a cell phone cradle at the helm, which wirelessly charges your phone as you sh. Now, don’t get me wrong—nothing annoys me more than a ringing cell phone when I’m stalking reds or jigging for ounder. But we all have the darn things, and we all take them on our boats. Worse, we drop them overboard, they slide o the console and smash down to the deck, and we accidentally spray them with the washdown hose. Having that cradle at the helm not only keeps them charged, it keeps them safe and easy to locate. And if you have an older boat, adding one is incredibly easy: spend around $125 for the holder/charger, drill three holes for the mounting screws, run the power line to a bus-bar, and you’re done.

SMART TRIM SYSTEMS: You still ride with trim tabs that go up and down at the press of a bu on? In that case, every day on the water is rougher, your boat is less e cient, and your boating experience is less enjoyable than it might otherwise be. Modern systems like the SeaKeeper Ride and Zip Wakes eclipse old-school tabs, by adding faster actuators and a digital brain into the mix. e digital brain can sense the boat’s movements, and uber-rapidly deploy their trimming mechanisms to counter them. e net result is a vast reduction in the boat’s

motion. Just how vast? e systems we’ve tested (measuring both pitching and rolling motions with a digital inclinometer) have stabilized planing boats in the 30 to 70 percent range (varying depending on the boat, the system, and the sea conditions). Plus, the ability of these systems to keep a boat on an even keel means that the entry meets waves closer to the angle it’s designed to even as you move from peak to trough.

DIGITAL GAUGES: You’re still staring at analog needles? Modern digital gauges provide you with endless intel about what’s going on with your boat and outboard at the press of a bu on. You can instantly bring up data like current fuel burn, MPG, most ecient cruise, total burn for a trip, fault codes, and more. Bo om line, digital gauges don’t just present data in a di erent format, they allow you to tap right into that engine’s brain and take a look at what’s happening under the cowl even when you’re buzzing across the bay at 40 mph.

INTEGRATED TROLLING MOTOR

AND CHARTPLOTTER: I honestly never saw it as a big deal if the trolling motor and chartplo er stood alone or were fully integrated, but a er ge ing a new boat last fall which had the Humminbird and the Minn Kota tied together, I discovered it’s a lot more advantageous than I would have thought. e rst time it became apparent was when the ba ery in my remote control died, but I was able to run the trolling motor from the helm. at saved the day. But being forced to use the chartplo er, I soon discovered how much easier it was to tap a waypoint in and tell the motor to take me directly there, as opposed to steering back and forth via remote. en I found out I could make a few more taps and the motor would slowly take me down a contour line. Several trips later I realized that I didn’t pull out the remote anymore, because the chartplo er interface delivered substantial advantages, was larger and easier to see, and use.

ENGINE AUTO-TRIM: is isn’t

:: by LENNY RUDOW TF&G Boating Editor

something you can add to your boat short of repowering it, but it’s a feature to look for if you’re buying new. And that goes for captains who know how to properly trim a boat, because even the best of us will trim up when running, stop for one reason or another, and forget to trim back down when we take o — until we hear the howl of a ventilating propeller. Auto trim systems eliminate this common snafu, as well as trimming for the best performance all on their own.

Naturally, there are a number of other advancements that can only be found on the latest and greatest boats. Digital switching is probably the most signi cant example of a system that has to be built into a boat from the ground up and can’t (realistically) be retro ed. But there have also been substantial advancements in hull design and construction which add up to a be er boat.

Perhaps the most eye-opening di erence can be found in today’s bay boats versus those made a decade ago. Older models were o en rough riding in a chop, a fate accepted in trade for the enhanced stability of low-deadrise designs. Many of the bay boats currently rolling o the line, however, have tricked-out hulls with steps and tunnels. ey’re built via vacuum-infusion.

ey incorporate high-tech composites like Innegra and carbon ber. Or, they feature all of the above. Net result? ey can smooth out a chop be er than some deep-V’s.

e bo om line? Much as we may love to hate tech, it can change your experience out on the water. Whether you’re looking for a new ride or you want to enhance the boat you already own, paying a ention to tech’s advantages will make for be er boating.

HERE ARE MANY, MANY WAYS TO CATCH A BASS AND plenty of things to consider when crafting a good game plan to go about it. Right near the top of the goodie list is water depth. What works best in skinny water probably won’t work near as well in water that’s way over your head, and vice versa.

As the title suggests, this one is about targeting fish that are ultra-deep, say 25 feet deep or more. No use in mincing words. Let’s get right to the meat and look at some good ways to go after those denizens of the deep:

DROPSHOT RIG: The finesse technique originated in Japan, but the California guys are responsible for popularizing the dropshot in the U.S in the early 1990s. Today, anglers are using it to catch bass shallow or deep on lakes all over the country.

Building a dropshot rig is simple. Spinning gear in combination with 8-10 pound line is heavily preferred.

The first order of business is to affix a No. 1 or No. 2 straight shank hook to the main line using a Palomar knot, leaving a tag of line about 12-24 inches for attaching a clip on tear or ball-shaped dropshot weight, 3/16 to 1/2 ounce depending the depth of water. The weight attatches to the loose end of the tag. Small worms and other finesse plastics rule.

The beauty of the dropshot is it gets to bottom quickly and will often catch fish when other methods fail. It can be dragged blindly or worked vertically to target open water fish marked with a depth finder. You can even “deadstick” it in the face of suspended fish that might be hounding pods of shad.

CAROLINA RIG: One thing that makes the Carolina-rig so effective is the bait is not restricted by weight. Instead, the weight is staged a couple of feet ahead of the hook using a swivel/keeper and a leader of varied length to divide the two.

The plastic remains unrestricted as the weight is dragged across bottom. It also allows anglers to use heavier weights (3/4 ounce or more) to improve casting and maintain better contact with the bottom in deep water.

Fishing it is easy. Just drag the weight across the bo om using sideward sweeps of the rod. O en times you will not feel a bite until the sh tries to run o with the bait. It’s a year-round producer heavily favored for open water situations around chunk rock bo oms or areas with sparse cover.

TEXAS RIG: Consists of a hook, worm and bullet-shaped sinker of varied sizes. e slip sinker rides ahead of the hook and

worm. e sinker can be held in place at the head of the worm using a bobber stop or rubber peg or allowed to slide freely. e mechanics of the bait make it snag free, so it can be tossed around main lake structures, brush or grass. It’s best to use the lightest slip sinker you can get away with.

FOOTBALL JIG:

wide, football-shaped head, the football jig is a heavy-hi ing hammer in deep water. It is widely known for its innate ability to bump, crawl, rock and roll across hard bo om structures like a 4X4. It really shines around rock, shell beds and sca ered stumps. You can drag it slow, hop it or stroke it fast.

Like other styles of jigs, the football head comes in varied sizes. Weights of 1/2, 3/4 and 1 ounce work best down there. Go with the lightest jig you can get away with and still maintain good contact with the bo om.

STRUCTURE JIG: Structure style jigs like Strike King’s Denny Brauer structure jig are a much be er choice around timber or brush piles. e “Cobra Head” and weed guard angle reduce hang-ups in thick, woody cover while the wide footprint of the head helps increase your feel of the bo om.

EXTRA DEEP CRANKING:

ere was a time when hi ing depths beyond 20 feet with a crankbait was a chore, but not

Understanding Barotrauma

BASS ARE ROUGH CUSTOMERS, BUT they aren’t near as tough as they might look.

One of the perils of catching fish out of deep water is it can cause “barotrauma” — a scientific term for an overinflated air bladder. It often occurs in fish that are reeled in quickly from deep water.

A bass’ air bladder gradually deflates as it swims shallow and inflates when it goes deep. This allows the fish to maintain neutral buoyancy as it changes depths.

A fish caught from deep water that is released immediately can usually regain neutral buoyancy on its own. Conversely, a deep caught fish that is placed in a livewell may exhaust itself trying to adjust. In severe cases, barotrauma will leave an exhausted fish floating on the surface, on its side, where it will die unless some of the excess air is removed from the internal air bladder using a specialized hypodermic needle. Fish handling experts refer to the process as “fizzing.”

In 2010, former Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries biologist Randy Myers of San Antonio led an extensive study on the fizzing of

tournament caught bass and fish that were collected using electrofishing at Lake Amistad.

The goal was to determine if fizzing results in greater survival in fish suffering from barotrauma, and whether it is best to fizz fish through the mouth or side. Myers said that side fizzing resulted in

the survival of 14 percent more fish than mouth fizzing.

The department produced a high quality video “Treating Barotrauma in Largemouth Bass” that shows in detail how fizzing should be carried out. You can see it at www.youtube. com/watch?v=pEeQrsHcwf8.

—Matt Williams

Treating barotrauma in largemouth bass (fizzing).

Football Jig

Texas Rig

Deep Diving Crankbait

A big crank is a great choice for ring up big bass holding around isolated stumps, brush, rock and other hard bo om structures. It works best in combination with a long, forgiving rod and a reel with a low gear ratio.

ALABAMA RIG: At rst glance, the A-rig resembles the “umbrella rig” used for trolling for stripers for years. e di erence is the A-rig is built for casting. It has a plastic head with ve wires that protrude from the bo om at downward angles. Each wire has a snap swivel for holding jig heads and small swim baits that simulate a small school of eeing bait sh.

A-rigs are deadly on deep water bass, especially when used in combination with forward-facing sonar. e trick is to cast past the sh, allow it to sink to the desired depth and use a slow, steady retrieve. It’s not uncommon to catch multiple sh on the same cast with the A-rig.

anymore. Several companies are building big lipped baits that will penetrate 25-feet plus on a long cast. Strike King’s 10XD,

Mann’s 30 Plus and the 6th Sense Crush 500DD are among the list of hard baits advertised to hit the mark.

Alabama Rig

IG SPECKLED TROUT are mysterious fish.

Just when an angler thinks he or she has cracked the code on their locations and habits, they get lockjaw. There are 367 miles of Texas Coastline with tens of thousands of square miles of bay and estuaries that comprise our speckled trout habitat.

Trout do not necessarily behave the same way in Port Isabel as they do in Port Arthur. With that in mind we thought it would be fun to look at some of our notes on trophy speckled trout from the surf to the short rigs and from the Louisiana to Mexico borders.

LAGUNA SPOOKY SPECKS: Fish in pressured areas in clear water are often spooky and speckled trout are no different.

A trout is probably more likely to try and remain camouflaged before it bolts as compared to a bonefish for example, but trout in the clear waters of both Lower

and Upper Laguna Madre can be spooky fish. Anglers often talk about being quiet on the boat so as to not spook reds.

Trout can be just as spooky and think about this.

How many times have you sight-casted to reds? Probably quite a bit.

How many times have you sight-casted to big trout? Probably far fewer times. Eliminating noise, approaching areas slowly and making delicate casts can make a big difference in Laguna trout fishing.

MATAGORDA ISLAND: It doesn’t get mentioned as much as it used to, but Matagorda Island can provide some incredible speckled trout fishing on the surf side as well as the bay side.

While your chances of catching a 30-incher aren’t huge, getting in on those 20-25 inch trout here is highly possible. And it’s an adventure.

The island is secluded enough to feel like you’re in some distant land and the fishing pressure is much lower than other areas due to not being located near a

PHOTO: MAIN, JOE DOGGETT; FOREGROUND INSET, CHESTER MOORE; BACKGROUND, ADOBE

large population center. e surf trout there are known for ghting super hard. And that’s probably from evading sharks. at surf has plenty of those as well.

RIBBONFISH: Ribbon sh are a top prey item of speckled trout in some areas. When you see ribbon sh in the 6-12 inch range being chased by a predator, it’s one of two things - specks or Spanish mackerel. And if it’s in the bay as opposed to the surf, it’s probably specks.

Silver spoons or eel imitations are a great way to score when they’re on the ribbon sh pa ern.

SPECKS THAT HATE CROAKER: Live bait is a controversial way to pursue big trout, but it is perfectly legal and popular in the Sabine area. Live croaker is the ticket for big trout on the Lower Coast but is not very e ective in Sabine Lake. Mullet is a much be er big trout a racting bait in the lake itself.

SHORT RIGS: e nearshore oil and gas platforms o the Texas Upper Coast and the bordering Louisiana coastline have lots of trout around them in the summer. And they grow to huge sizes.

e water around these rigs ranges from only 20-40 feet deep and the sh will hit a variety of lures and baits. A good tip is that some of the biggest sh will be on a particular spot on the rig. ey always seem to congregate on a certain ladder stand or pipe and not be spread around much. If you catch one big one, there’s a good chance there will be another one right there.

To save you from wasting time, don’t venture out if the water is murky. If the water is sandy-green to clear the trout will bite. If not, forget about it.

WOLF PACKS: ere are small packs of monster trout that will cruise the shorelines along our bay systems. ese big sh will be in groups of a few to perhaps a dozen or more. ey tend to be most prevalent in early summer in these locales, but we have a feeling they roam together like this more o en than we know. We’re not talking about six 30-inchers hanging out together although it is possible, but we have personally seen numerous schools of trout 20 inches plus.

JETTIES AT DAWN: Many anglers would be shocked to nd out how many big trout can be caught on topwaters at the je ies a half-hour before sunrise to about half an hour a er.

Topwaters and the je ies might seem like a strange combo, but the big girls will feed close to the surface early in the morning in places like the Galveston North Je y and over at Sabine.

INTERIOR CHANNELS: ere is a system of channels dug in the bayous along the Upper Coast bay systems. Go in quietly with a good pair of polarized shades, look for concentrations of mullet and even the big trout themselves. Bring slow-sinking plastics or big topwaters to score.

RIVER TROUT: During summer, look for the Upper Coast Rivers to hold big trout.

e key is ge ing out early or shing late because much like the je ies these sh like to feed on the surface early and late. e amount of bait in this area can be overwhelming so look for small slicks forming when they feed and areas where you have shallow shell dropping o to the deep channel.

Big trout are unique, mysterious creatures that drive thousands of anglers to spend thousands of dollars on specialized gear. Keep these observations in mind and you will greatly increase your odds of catching one this summer.

Anglers along the coast know when the surf gets sandy green big specks will bite topwaters, especially early in the morning.

uBig trout are spooky fish. Anglers should learn to throw even large lures as gently as possible.

LLIGATOR GAR HOLD A special place in Texans’ hearts as the largest and longest-living freshwater species in the state. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) works to ensure healthy populations remain in Texas for future generations. As gar fishing heats up this summer, TPWD is working with anglers, who play a key role in conservation efforts through proper catch-and-release practices.

“Catch-and-release fishing for alligator gar has become quite popular and data from a current evaluation in progress indicates high survival rates for released fish,” said Dan Daugherty, TPWD Inland Fisheries senior scientist. “We’ve even recorded some fish being caught and released three or four times over multiple years.”

TPWD biologists have put together some best practices for anglers to follow when they head out to the water in

search of these massive fish. Alligator gar can grow up to eight feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds. The best available science suggests gar anglers follow these key guidelines to maximize survival:

1. Use non-stainless-steel tackle and hooks no larger than 3/0.

TPWD recommends the use of single hook styles no larger than 3/0 when fishing for alligator gar. Larger hooks are more likely to result in damage to internal organs, particularly for smaller fish. Stainless steel hooks and leaders have been shown to persist in fish for years, while bronze hooks and leaders degrade relatively quickly.

2. Land large fish on shore rather than on a boat.

Whenever possible, landing the fish on shore is a better practice than lifting the fish over the gunnel and onto a boat deck. The use of lassos or snares to lift a fish over a boat gunnel may result in internal injury to a heavy fish like alli-

gator gar. If possible, keep the fish in or near the water; fully support the weight of the fish when taking photos before release. Minimize handling time.

3. Cut the line or leader on deeply hooked fish.

Hooks lodged beyond the mouth cavity (in the throat, gullet or stomach) should not be removed — most studies suggest additional damage is often caused by attempting to remove a deep hook. Long-term survival is more likely if the line or leader is cut and the hook left in place. Non-stainless-steel hooks degrade relatively quickly and can be more easily shed by a gar.

TPWD’s alligator gar webpage provides comprehensive information on the species, including management practices and additional tips for anglers.

OUDAD ARE BIG, STRONG AND impressive animals. Originally stocked in the Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle in the 1950s, they seemed like a perfect new game animal for that region of the state.

ey have become that and much more.

Aoudad, also known as Barbary sheep are natives of northern Africa where an estimated 10,000 survive in countries like Chad and Morocco. In Texas alone, the lowball estimate for their free-ranging population is more than 20,000 and there is likely that many behind high fences.

ey have become extremely popular with hunters who can’t a ord an out ed bighorn hunt or have had no luck drawing tags.

And they are causing problems for native Texas bighorn sheep, mule deer and other desert wildlife.

ey outcompete all of the above for food and water and have recently been proven to be carriers of a deadly pathogen that can wreak havoc among bighorn populations.

“We know we can’t eliminate aoudad and we’re not going to try, so we are going to focus on dealing with them on public land where we have leeway and communicating to landowners

the value of bighorns and other native wildlife,” said Froylan Hernandez, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Desert Bighorn program leader.

Hernandez said the sheer amount of aoudad in some areas is amazing.

“We have seen herds of more than 200 on mountain ying helicopter surveys,” he said.

Aoudad are a highly challenging game animal.

In this writer’s opinion, they are superior to a whitetail in intelligence and have an incredible sense of vision, hearing and smell.

Taking an aoudad is an accomplishment for any hunter and I believe taking a free-ranging aoudad by bow is the hardest hunting challenge in Texas.

Most hunters pursue rams for the big horns but ewes have horns too and some are fairly large.

If hunters would like to contribute to conservation by helping reduce aoudad numbers, ewe shooting is a must. And despite popular reports, the meat is good. A big, old ram will have tough meat, but I have eaten ewes and it tasted like whitetail to me.

ere is no bag limit on aoudad, so if you have landowner permission and see one on your lease, by all means take it. And don’t just wait around on a big ram.

Harvesting a ewe can be good for our wildlife and its habitat and put some meat on your table.

at’s a win for everyone, perhaps except for the aoudad.

And as much as they’re winning in the realm of population expansion, they need a few losses.

Ryan Balusek shot this aoudad on a youth hunt at the Devil’s River State Natural Area.

PHOTOS: MAIN, ADOBE; INSET, RYAN BALUSEK

THE FALL HUNTING AND FISHING season is just around the corner.

While many automatically connect fall with hunting, the pursuit of game is not the only game in town deep in the heart of Texas. Our shing reaches its peak during fall months and in reality, our hunting never stops. Since we have so many opportunities to get in the woods

and on the water in the coming months, here are some reminders, tips and strategies to help you be prepared.

MAKE SURE YOU’RE LEGAL

As simple as it sounds, make sure you have your hunting and shing license and any other additional tags or permits you might need.

Will you be needing a federal duck stamp? What about an

annual public hunting permit?

Make sure you have all of the above before you hit the eld and nd yourself in an uncomfortable position in a game warden check.

BOOK IT!

Whether you’re shing for tarpon down in Lower Laguna Madre, shooting sandhills in the Panhandle or venturing to Colorado for muleys, get it booked. Make sure everything is good from your out er to your accommodations. CONTINUED

30  FALL FORWARD: GET READY FOR FALL FISHING & HUNTING

Reported by TF&G Staff

36  TF&G REPORT: NEWS OF THE NATION

Reported by TF&G Staff

38  FISH & GAME FORECAST CENTER SALTWATER

Reported by Capt. Eddie Hernandez, Capt. Derek York, Capt. Mark Talasek, Capt. Joey Farah, Capt. Richard Thompson, Capt. Gerad Meritt and Capt. Brian Barerra

48  FISH & GAME FORECAST CENTER FRESHWATER

Reported by TF&G Staff

56  SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK

Tides and SoLunar Data

Check and double check. It’s frustrating when the time rolls around, and you realize the closest hotel available is 100 miles away.

FREEZING BAIT

Bait is o en in abundance in summer. Whether its perch for blue cats, shrimp for specks or shad for any number of species, catch as much as you legally can and freeze it. is can save you frustration when the bite is on, and you can’t get good bait and save you money as well.

FALL’S FAVORITE LURES

Fall shing can be intense and we mean that in a good way. e action can be red hot with the best numeric catches of the year both in our bays and inland reservoirs.

If you have favorite lures or favorite color/pa ern lures, now is the time to stock up. Don’t wait until your favorite DOA shrimp color or Gulp Swimming Mullet is sold out. Get them now and stockpile them away so you will be ready when the action hits.

Freezing bait is a great practice that can save money and frustration.

PRACTICE THE RIGHT WAY

The archery-only season for whitetail deer is coming. TF&G Bowhunting Editor and master bowhunter education instructor Lou Marullo said the number one mistake he sees young hunters making in regard to shooting is not practicing with broadheads.

“It is extremely rare to find a bow that shoots with field points exactly like it would with broadheads of the same grain. All you have to do is look at the physical differences

and see that there are some serious aerodynamic differences,” he said.

A number of broadhead makers claim their products match up to field points, but there are simply too many variables.

“It’s an absolute must to get out there and shoot with broadheads before going hunting. Even if you are just off an inch or two that could mean the difference between taking a big buck and suffering the heartache of losing an animal,” Marullo said.

When it comes to shooting broadheads at a target, there are many options on the market nowadays

“When it comes to shooting broadheads, I have found 3-D targets with the removable core or vitals to be the best option although there are some good ones out there that are specific for broadheads as well,” Marullo said.

FILE A FIELD PLAN

This can be as easy as telling a loved one where you are headed and when you plan to return. Leaving this crucial information with someone on shore can help rescuers narrow down where to look if you don’t return when scheduled. If time allows, you should always try to fill out a completed float plan and update it as changes occur. Every piece of information proves more helpful than you may think.

On a boat, the easiest thing to have is a working marine-band VHF radio and a handheld GPS. This will easily allow you to call for help and give rescuers your position if necessary. Cell phones don’t always receive reception in the areas you may be going on your boat – so better to be prepared with extra equipment and not need

it, than need it and not have it. e Coast Guard always monitors VHF Channel 16 for distress.

Venturing into the woods on a hunting or camping trip has some similar guidelines. A great option is to get a transponder which links to a satellite and can send the GPS coordinate of your location to all emergency response units in your area by the push of a bu on.

SCOUTING

For hunters, pre-season scouting is an absolute necessity. is is especially true for waterfowlers when looking at vegetation growing in areas. Many hunters over the last decade have experienced showing up at a spot that was beautiful and full of ducks the previous season but was covered in salvina the next. Spend as much time as you can looking at areas and always have backup plan a er backup plan.

at way any weather scenario or change in conditions will not ruin your chance to hunt.

SHARING THE EXPERIENCE is year, consider being intentional about bringing others in the eld with you. Whether they’re your children, grandchildren or maybe someone from work who has never been shing or hunting, you can be a di erence maker in their lives.

ink about the times the outdoors has been a safe haven for you and all of the great experiences you have had beyond the pavement. at’s something that you can instill in others by simply investing time.

Take kids perch shing.

Take adults on a simple live bait speck shing trip or a duck hunt in a productive blind.

Get them hooked for life and help them prepare to become the new stewards of our resources.

Hunters should begin their deer scouting in the summer.

NEWS of the OUTDOOR Nation

Texas ShareLunker has an Epic 2023 Season

THE 2023 TOYOTA SHARELUNKER program delivered an exciting collection season for the third year in a row. Anglers contributed 18 Legacy Class ShareLunkers from four di erent lakes across the state, but the spotlight shined brightest on O.H. Ivie in west Texas. e waterbody produced a record-breaking 15 Legacy Class sh in 2023, following back-to-back years of 12 each during the 2021 and 2022 collection seasons.

Over the past three collections seasons,

O.H. Ivie has amassed 39 combined Legacy Lunkers and multiple Legend Class entries.

e Toyota ShareLunker website provides information on each Legacy sh from the 2023 collection season, archives of past seasons and details about how anglers can help make bass shing even be er in Texas.

“ ese amazing milestones do not just happen. Without a doubt, this program would not be possible without the tremendous support of the anglers,” said Natalie Goldstrohm, Toyota ShareLunker program

coordinator. “We’re grateful that so many anglers caught their sh-of-a-lifetime this season and then decided to share their Lunker with us to support a future full of bigger, better bass in Texas.”

Highlights from the 2023 season:

• A record 15 Legacy Class ShareLunkers for O.H. Ivie.

• Five sh weighing more than 14 pounds.

• Angler Kyle Hall recorded a Legacy Lunker in back-to-back seasons.

• Anglers Dalton Smith and Caden Cowan reeled in Legacy Lunkers at O.H. Ivie on the same day (Feb. 2).

• Anglers from seven states, including Texas, etched their name into the program’s record book: Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico and

Washington.

• ShareLunker 642 became the eighth-largest largemouth bass ever veri ed in Texas and the seventh-largest Legacy Class ShareLunker (public or private).

TPWD biologists implemented a genetic analysis of this year’s Legacy Lunkers and made some incredible discoveries.

ShareLunker 644 is the only sh of the 39 Legacy Class ShareLunkers caught at O.H.

Ivie in the past three years that has been determined to be a recapture.

However, ShareLunker 639 was a recapture of a sh that had genetics samples obtained through the year-round data collection program. at sh was previously caught and entered as a Legend Class Lunker by Josh Jones on Dec. 17, 2021.

ShareLunker 634 from Nacogdoches is the parent of an 8.15-pound sh caught by

Wade Allen on June 17, 2021.

Sharelunker 634 had not been entered into the program prior to Mr. Allen’s catch, which indicates that it had an in-lake spawn. ShareLunker 634 and Allan’s catch are both pure Florida-strain largemouth bass.

In addition, ShareLunker 649 is an ospring of ShareLunker 535, and is related to ShareLunker 536 and is a half-sister of ShareLunker 627. Genetic analysis also determined ShareLunker 636 is related to ShareLunker 600, ShareLunker 643 is related to ShareLunker 612 and ShareLunker 650 is related to ShareLunker 620.

A new procedure is in e ect for the 2023 season. Legend Class ShareLunkers no longer need to be weighed on a certi ed scale for entry. Anglers must include a photo of their Lunker on a digital scale to qualify.

—TF&G Staff Report

Jason Conn of Anna with ShareLunker 642. At 17.03 pounds, it was the eighth-heaviest bass ever caught in Texas.

Wish You Were Here SABINE

Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

OUR WISH HAS BEEN granted. A er months of dealing with strong winds and some cooler than normal days for the most part, the conditions have se led in a big way. Now that we are entering the two ho est months of the year the weather and wind have stabilized signi cantly and we are ge ing our wish of shing on warm (hot), calm days. Most days are so warm and calm that I have to remind myself to be careful what I wish for. I’ve gone from praying that the wind would give us a break, to praying for a li le breeze so that it wouldn’t be so miserable.

ese slick-o s are normal and should be expected in the hot, summer months, especially from about mid-July through August.

During these slick-o s, the wind will die down from about a whopping 6 mph to 1 or 0 mph. e entire lake

will become like glass and the best part is they usually occur around mid-day when the temperature is reaching its peak. During these periods, large schools of trout and reds push shrimp to the surface and are easy to locate and stay within the ultra-calm water. It’s nice being able to locate schooling sh easily without any help from birds for limits of trout and reds. You basically just need to look and listen for any surface activity whatsoever, from lady sh or trout popping, to shrimp skipping for their lives. e north end of Sabine Lake between the north revetment on Pleasure Island and ree Bayou is prime real estate. Come armed with 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 foot medium-light spinning or casting gear rigged with 1/8 to 1/4 oz. lead heads, 10-12 lb. test line, and a variety of so plastic baits. Some good choices are D.O.A. C.A.L. Series Shad Paddle Tail and Down South Lures. Experiment with di erent colors to see what they want the most, but usually light colors like glow or anything with a

chartreuse tail will get the job done.

Other good bait choices are topwaters like Ski er Walks and She Pups, which usually a ract some of the bigger trout.

rowing a so plastic bait about 24” under a popping cork is also very e ective.

ere is no shortage of shad in our system during these hot summer months. You should encounter several large clouds of them all over the lake. Fishing the perimeters and a li le deeper should yield some nice trout and bruiser reds.

Free-lining or rigging live or dead shad under a popping cork is another great technique for catching solid trout and reds near these pods of shad. e ounder bite is still going strong ahead of their fall migration, and the bayous on the Louisiana side of the lake have been giving up some nice boxes of a ies. Bridge, Willow and Johnson Bayous have been the most consistent lately and it’s only going to get be er over the next few months. Live mud minnows and curl tail grubs tipped with fresh shrimp have been the most productive.

If catching sh in excessive heat and basically no wind sounds like fun to you, come join us this summer for some slick action on Sabine.

CONTACT CAPT. HERNANDEZ:

Email: GHGS.Eddie@gmail.com

Online: GoldenHookGuide.com

The Early Bird Beats the Heat GALVESTON

Reported by CAPT. DEREK YORK

THE HEAT IS ON THIS TIME of year and that usually means early mornings for my clients and myself. Most of my days shing this time of the year start well before the sun comes up to try and enjoy some cooler tem-

CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

peratures. Speckled trout shing is typically very good this time of the year, especially when targeting deeper oyster reefs in West and East Galveston Bay. ese areas o er lots of oyster reef habitat and the deeper water which stays a li le cooler during the day. Other areas that are highly productive on Galveston Bay are the numerous oyster reefs along the Houston Ship channel. Dri ing these areas with arti cials or live bait such as croaker or shrimp can produce some quality sh and good numbers.

My tackle is fairly simple when shing in the summer, 1/4oz jigheads with your favorite so plastic or about an 18 inch leader with a kale hook when using croaker or shrimp. e cha er weights are a great product that you can a ach to the front of your live bait rig to produce lots of sound and the added weight to keep your bait in the strike zone. Don’t be surprised if you hook into a nice red or ounder also! is is also a great time to look for some of those sh species that nd their way into our nearshore waters and bay systems in warmer months. Sharks, jacks, tripletail and cobia can be targeted here in Galveston when the conditions are right. ese sh rarely turn down live bait and can provide some great action when hooked. Cobia and Tripletail are notorious for being around oating structures. Areas to target could be anything from sargassum to trash and even color changes. For cobia, I am typically using 60 pound uorocarbon leader about 18 inches long with a good circle hook. Live bait is usually my go-to for catching cobia and tripletail. I will use a 25 pound uorocarbon setup for tripletail with just a small circle hook in a 1/0 or 2/0 size to a small swivel. For sharks, you are typically using some sort of wire leader. is can be a single strand wire, but I prefer using the coated multistrand wire which is much easier to handle and less likely to cut you when you are handling it with a sh on the other

on the other end! Even of my

Even though most of my shing is done from a boat, there are numerous

HOTSPOTLIGHT

WEST BAY, DEER ISLANDS

NORTH AND SOUTH DEER ISLANDS ARE FOUND AT THE UPPER END OF WEST GALveston Bay, to the west of the Galveston Causeway and south of Jones Bay. Select HOTSPOTS and FACILITIES are shown in the table below, and on the map.

opportunities for shing from the shore or on the beachfront this time of year. e surf shing for speckled trout can be “speck-tacular”, especially at rst light. Pier shing also provides a great opportunity to sh around the beaches without ge ing in the water.

So, make sure to get out and get in on some of this great shing this summer! And remember with our hot Texas summers to keep drinking water and stay protected from the sun as much as possible. See you on the water.

CONTACT CAPT. YORK:

Email: SpotStalkerFishing@sbcglobal.com

Online: FishGalvestonBayTX.com

School’s Out and Surf’s Up MATAGORDA

Reported by CAPT. MARK TALASEK

SCHOOL HAS LET OUT AND the buses have stopped running, except for those who have to a end summer school, and I pity you.

Summertime is in full swing right now. Water temperatures are in the 80’s and the bay is full of life. Cool fronts are staying up north and our prevailing southeast breezes are the norm.

is is when the surf will lay down and let the green water come to the shore. Trout and reds like to come feed on the bait sh in the clear water. e standing joke is anyone can catch sh in the surf.

I personally like to wade the surf. Tie on your favorite top water or plastic and chunk out away from the shore. I’ve had some of my best days shing in the surf. Look for bait in the vicinity and work that area. Be sure to have a long stringer because sharks will de nitely be in the area. I drilled some

holes in a ve gallon bucket and put a lid on it. Put a round oaty around it and it works great for keeping sh away from the sharks.

For those who want to stay in the boat, trout can be caught on plastics and top water as well. Anchoring on the second sand bar and casting into the rst gut usually works best. Live bait is always an alternative. Get ready for some pulls because something is always going to be hungry.

e late great Mr. Eddie Douglas had his favorite lure, the ED special that worked well in the surf. RIP Mr. Eddie. I like to throw a so plastic or top water. Spoons re ect the sun very well and catch sh. Spanish mackerel like them. ey will denitely stretch out your line.

Incoming tide is always the best because it brings in the clean water. I have caught sh on a falling tide but de nitely not as well. For those feeling adventurous, a trip to the rst oil rigs can be productive for redsh and snapper.

ere are so many options this time of the year to catch sh. Enjoy your time out on the water this summer and God bless.

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

UPPER COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Campbell Bayou

HOTSPOT: Sand Island

GPS: N 29 20.3141, W 94 54.0286 (29.3386, -94.9005)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Drifting Campbell’s Bayou can produce trout in the 16-17 inch trout. Look for bird action.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay

HOTSPOT: Big Pasture & Yates Bayou

GPS: N 29 29.55, W 94 36.011 (29.4925-94.6002)

SPECIES: Redfish

BEST BAITS: Live shrimp

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Fish grass shoreline, around bayou mouth; dawn-morning, dusk

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay

HOTSPOT: Deep Reef

GPS: N 29 30.802, W 94 40.581 (29.5134-94.6764)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

gofishgalveston.com

CAPT. MARK TALASEK

TIPS: As you approach an area that is holding multiple boats, use your trolling motor to ease in. When using your big motor, try to use idle speed only to not create a wake.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay

HOTSPOT: Ladies Pass

GPS: N 29 28.471, W 94 43.251 (29.4745-94.7209)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Live and artificial trout bait

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Work slicks, fish reef edges and depth changes; dawn-afternoon

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay

BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, croaker

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Work reef top and edges, drift; dawn-midday, dusk

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay

HOTSPOT: Channel Marker 44

GPS: N 29 35.22, W 94 55.806 (29.5870-94.9301)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Kelly Wiggler soft plastics, shrimp

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Key on slicks in bait

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay

HOTSPOT: Middle Reef

GPS: N 29 30.202, W 94 39.42 (29.5034-94.6570)

HOTSPOT: April Fool Reef

GPS: N 29 29.077, W 94 54.773 (29.4846-94.9129)

SPECIES: Redfish

BEST BAITS: Croakers, Kelly Wiggler Soft plastics

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041

gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Watch for ship wakes; fish early

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay

HOTSPOT: Exxon C Lease Wells

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

GPS: N 29 40.446, W 94 45.579 (29.6741-94.7597)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Live shrimp under 5” under popping cork

SOURCE: Capt. Paul Marcaccio

281-788-4041 gofishgalveston.com

TIPS: Fish moving tide; dawn through afternoon

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay

HOTSPOT: Catchall Basin Flats

GPS: N 28 43.7719, W 95 45.562 (28.7295-95.7594)

TIPS: Slicks …a lot of people will pull up on a slick and fish right in the middle of it. How you fish it depends on what it looks like. If it has a lot of ripples in it, and it’s not getting and bigger, it’s probably and older slick. Those fish could be 200-300 yards upwind.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay

HOTSPOT: Kain Cove

GPS: N 28 40.3249, W 95 50.43 (28.6721, -95.8405)

LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay

HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou

GPS: N 28 29.727, W 96 14.148 (28.495455, -96.235802)

SPECIES: Redfish

BEST BAITS: Weedless Gold Spoon

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4087 matagordafishing.com

TIPS: On the deeper edges of the grass flats there will be still decent numbers of redfish feeding, not visible, but grouped up, slicking along a drop-off.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay

HOTSPOT: East End Reef

GPS: N 28 45.0419, W 95 40.2119 (28.7507, -95.6702)

SPECIES: Speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Sea Shad soft plastic

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4087

matagordafishing.com

TIPS: August is a good time to sight cast for giant trout in shallow water.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay

HOTSPOT: Oyster Farm

GPS: N 28 41.47, W 95 48.5209 (28.6912-95.8087)

SPECIES: Speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Topwaters and soft plastics

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4087

matagordafishing.com

TIPS: Fish the grass beds early and maybe some of the little cuts that trickle through the grass beds.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake

HOTSPOT: Flats

GPS: N 29 56.404, W 93 50.919 (29.9401-93.8487)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics with either 1/2 or 3/8 oz jig head

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz 281-450-4087 matagordafishing.com

SPECIES: Redfish

BEST BAITS: Weedless Gold Spoon

SOURCE: Capt. Tommy Countz

281-450-4087

matagordafishing.com

TIPS: In August anglers will always see lots of schooling redfish…one of the best months for shallow water fishing.

SPECIES: Speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: By August anglers should be able to find trout in just about anywhere. Look for bird action.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake

HOTSPOT: Jetties

GPS: N 29 38.6029, W 93 49.584 (29.6434-93.8264)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: 3 inch Swimming Shad soft plastic

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Fish the channel side of the jetties when there is slow moving water. Fish the Gulf side on fast moving water.

Hot Diggity Dog Days CORPUS CHRISTI

Reported by CAPT. JOEY FARAH

THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER are some of the best days of the year to be on the water here in the Upper Laguna Madre and Ba n Bay. A er July 4th, crowds diminish and the frantic buzz of summer calms down. Life below the surface also gets in a lazy rhythm that can o er some of the most consistent shing opportunities of the year.

Light winds in the morning and night time cooling of shallow water ats moves red sh and black drum to the shallows by the thousands. Anglers stepping out of the boat or wading into less than knee deep water will nd these game sh rooting around looking for crabs, minnows, shrimp, and sand eels. Start o along the Eastern Shoreline of both Mustang Island between Port Aransas and North Padre Island, and the Padre Island National Seashore. Both areas have public access to some of the best

HOTSPOTLIGHT

ARANSAS PASS

THE COASTAL BEND COMMUNITY OF ARANSAS PASS IS SURROUNDED BY PRIME fishing. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.

live shrimp, best with SE wind, freeline; dawn through dusk

presentation, gigging;

trout; live bait works best; soft bottom here; work the shoreline; best times dawn through

CAPT. JOEY FARAH

shallow water shing in the world. At dawn tails and backs will be above water as these sh will be hunting with their heads down. rowing at direct targets, sight casting with weedless so plastics like the DOA Shrimp, and the DOA 3” Cal Shad hooked with an Owner Weedless Sled Head, will allow you to use the bait in less than a foot of water without hanging up on sea grass. As the sun comes up and tails go down, switch to a Mirrolure Topwater. e She Dog, is a smaller topwater that can easily be smashed on the surface by shallow water red sh. My favorite colors for summer wade shing are bone/chrome and chartreuse.

is topwater can be launched long distances and its surface vibration a racts red sh from long distances. For blind casting the ats I like to work the area in a grid pattern, walking so ly and casting with an open eye for any red sh that happen to appear in vision at my feet. Bird Island Basin inside the National Seashore is a perfect place to walk in and turn south into the best shallow water shing of your life! Shallow hard sand dropping o into waist deep marbled grass and sand, red sh and drum up shallow and trout in the grass!

I will be in my ultra shallow water Dargel Skout dri ing the shallow ats at dawn and working the edges of the ICW a canal with my Minn Kota Trolling Motor for trout willing to bust topwaters. We will move to the deeper drop o s along the ICW Canal using my Humminbird Side Scan to nd schools of trout and red sh. is important sonar unit can distinguish the di erence between species, distance facing, and position of every sh along the way. Summer time trout will move to deeper water where tidal ow cools the temperatures.

e Surf will start to go at as anglers ock to the beach for some late summer beach shing. Small sharks are just about the best thing for excited young anglers to catch. Start o with some dead shrimp on a small hook and weighted rig. Whiting will be everywhere which are great to eat, no limit, or min size. ese whiting also make great cut bait for the small black tip, and scalped head sharks in the second and

third gut.

e Dog Days of Summer are long and forever lasting, make lifetime memories with your family and get wet shing here in the Coastal Bend. Follow all of my hookups on Facebook and Instagram @joeyfarah’s backwater shing.

CONTACT CAPT. FARAH:

Email: jfarah72@yahoo.com

By Phone: 361-442-8145

Slip into Hot Water Patterns PORT ARANSAS

Reported by CAPT. RICHARD THOMPSON

SUMMER IS IN FULL SWING, temperatures and the heat index are brutal but that’s no surprise, it’s South Texas.

ese early summer sunrises are so magical as we prepare ourselves to slip o the boat into the calm water for that rst wade of the morning as we highly anticipate the rst massive top water blow up.

As the water temperature climbs up to that 90’s mark, trout

and red sh pa erns are typically predictable. Our routine doesn’t change much during this time of year. We start our mornings focused on using topwater lures if the oating grass allows us to.

If not, we would use 1/16 lead head with our go-to Down South Lures, Supermodel with a multitude of di erent colors depending mainly on water clarity and or sunny/ overcast skies.

As the temperature and sun rises throughout the day our method changes as we switch to a heavier lead head, 1/8 or 1/4 ounce to be able to get down to the trout that have dropped o to the cooler deeper water. is strategy is very similar to shing any mid-bay reefs and or spoils along the Intracoastal waterway. For example, Nueces Bay, the trout will hold closer to the reefs and drop o into the cooler waters as the day progresses. We have found that the best bite for trout will happen extremely early and for a short window. If we have missed this window, we will likely struggle and it will make for a long grind to put sh into the boat. We personally feel more con dent when we know of numerous areas with high possibilities in order to be comfortable with the day’s outcome.

We highly encourage you to have a backup game plan in place if you missed that window. Speaking of another game plan this time of year a er your early morning trout bite, is going a er red sh as they are not so temperamental to the water temperature rising.

We nd that red sh typically stay on the ats throughout the day or right on the drop o s. is time of the day when we are targeting red sh with arti cial lures, our go to is something with either a lot of tail vibration, Down South Lures, and one of Krystal’s favorites is the Lil John Dart as it has erratic action which drives the red sh nuts.

If you can get the a ention of the red sh, it will draw in their curiosity and will create a reaction strike even when they are not eating. O en, this tactic will out sh live or cut bait believe it or not.

Action is consistently good these months, and routinely we are catching limits of redsh and trout in a variety of ways. We are very passionate and take advantage of this time of year to have teachable moments on the boat with our clients to share with them why we are hard core arti cial shermen and the advantages of throwing arti cial vs. live bait so that we can cover vast amounts

CAPT. RICHARD THOMPSON

of water drift fishing or wade fishing. Being able to fan your cast increases probability of a strike vs. continually rebating your line eliminating the unwanted hardhead.

Numerous times we have been able to prove our theories to non-believers and convert them to lifetime artificial lovers.

We would like to remind you that this time of year our coastal waters are heavily populated with recreational boats, kite surfers, kayakers, and jet skiers and it is up to everyone to think about being safe in the water and practice being respectable and responsible towards each other.

CONTACT CAPT. THOMPSON:

Email: RandKCoastalOutfitters@gmail.com

Online: RandKCoastalOutfitters.com

MIDDLE COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Aransas Bay

HOTSPOT: North Mud Island

GPS: N 27 56.78, W 97 1.54

(27.9463, -97.0257)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder

BEST BAITS: Live Croaker

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Look for shell piles and work the edges from a boat. Trout, redfish, and an occasional flounder can be caught. The trout are the easiest to catch using a croaker freelined.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Soft Plastic Shrimp Tails

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Use soft plastics on the deep side of the islands, 4 to 8 feet deep. Topwaters will work in the early morning.

LOCATION: Ayers Bay

HOTSPOT: Ayers Reef

GPS: N 28 10.434, W 96 50.3659 (28.1739-96.8394)

LOCATION: Carlos Bay

HOTSPOT: Cedar Reef

GPS: N 28 8.251, W 96 53.049 (28.1375-96.8842)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder

BEST BAITS: Paul Brown Devil Eyes and Chickenon-a-Chain soft plastics

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Fish the Devil Eye in a chrome with a chartreuse tail and a 1/4-ounce jig head.

MIDDLE COAST

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay

HOTSPOT: Shamrock Cove

GPS: N 27 45.369, W 97 9.733 (27.7562-97.1622)

SPECIES: Redfish

BEST BAITS: Crab

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Redfish are going to be thick around Shamrock Island especially with all the rain we have had this spring. They will be looking for new crabs, new areas to feed in the shallows.

LOCATION: Mesquite Bay

HOTSPOT: Cedar Bayou

GPS: N 28 4.3309, W 96 50.832 (28.0722-96.8472)

up, and let it drop down. Let the tail do all he action. You will get most of your bites as the lure drops.

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay

HOTSPOT: Chicken Foot Reef

GPS: N 28 15.832, W 96 46.8889 (28.2639, -96.7815)

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay

HOTSPOT: Shell Reef

GPS: N 28 12.9319, W 96 47.155 (28.2155, -96.7859)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder

BEST BAITS: Live Croaker

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Close to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge, use live croaker over shell and mud where the edges drop off.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay

HOTSPOT: Bird Island

GPS: N 27 56.035, W 97 5.119 (27.9339-97.0853)

SPECIES: Speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Live croaker

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Croaker rigging … Keep the bait looking as natural as possible using a 5/0 hook, moving to a 6/0 hook later as the month progresses.

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay

HOTSPOT: Panther Point

GPS: N 28 14.95, W 96 42.5819 (28.2492, -96.7097)

SPECIES: Speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Live croaker or live piggy perch

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: As August progresses, switch to live piggy perch.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline

GPS: N 27 29.134, W 97 21.1079 (27.4856, -97.3518)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Flappin Shad soft plastic by Gambler

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Nice and easy, slow, and easy, pump straight

SPECIES: Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder

BEST BAITS: Live Croaker

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Let the croaker sink to the bottom. Give it a few seconds, crank the reel a few turns, and move it around. Pop it a few more times. Once you feel the bump, let him run for second, then set the hook.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Topwaters

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Topwaters produce early in the morning. Silver, chartreuse, pink work under clear skies; Natural colors, a black or mullet color work better on cloudy days.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: Pita Island

GPS: N 27 36.169, W 97 17.1989 (27.6028-97.2867)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Live Croaker or Live Shrimp

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: The month of July is a great time to fish around the island using live croaker.

Hot and Healthy Trout BAFFIN BAY

Reported by CAPT. GERAD MERRITT

SUMMER TIME TEMPERAtures are in full swing down here on Ba n Bay and this means the water is also heating up. We are seeing plenty of speckled trout of all sizes!

e population is healthy, and sh are everywhere. With the water warming up, we have been shing a li le deeper and are having good success over deep rock structures, while using croaker on a free line. We change from shrimp in the spring to using the croaker as almost every customer we have wants to speci cally target trout and red sh. I am currently using thirty pound braid a ached straight to a number seven Kahle hook. To some, this may seem a li le big, but customers tend to miss less sh with the bigger hook.

e croakers will tend to try and hide in

HOTSPOTLIGHT

PORT MANSFIELD JETTIES

THE PORT MANSFIELD JETTIES AND CHANNEL IS ONE LOCATION THAT OFFERS A host of fishing opportunities, for everything from flounder to snook and tarpon. Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.

these rock formations because that’s just their instinct. Be active with your croaker. When they do get you hung up on a rock, I always advise my customers to give it some line and some time without jerking on it. More times than you would expect, these baits will swim o the rock when they realize they themselves can’t move or a sh in passing will pick it up seeing the easy target. ese trout and red sh are smart and will sometimes run your croaker through these rocks, so keep that in mind when selecting line type and strength.

Some days we may resort to live shrimp under a popping cork if we are targeting black drum, as very few black drum in my experience, will eat a croaker. When doing this I use a smaller treble hook. Drum, red sh, trout, and ounder, along with a lot of other species will all eat a shrimp and this for some anglers can be more interesting. You may nd yourself having to change hooks a li le more o en than with a circle or Kahle, but the smaller hook in this case allows anglers to have a be er hook set and thus results in more landed sh.

ere are also good sh lying in some of the guts and mud ats, as well as enjoying the grass lines and pot holes. Drop o s this time of year are producing good sh as well and I personally like to sh the deep side casting from the shallow and dragging back over the ledge. Our wade shermen will be basing their color selections on water clarity and paddle size (if using a paddle tail) on wave and current activity.

CONTACT CAPT. MERRITT:

Email: GeradMerritt@gmail.com

Online: ParadiseGuideServices.com

Schools, Flats & Jetty Bulls

LOWER LAGUNA MADRE

Reported by CAPT. BRIAN BARRERA

WITH JULY AND AUGUST in mind, it’s time to break out the big gear and make sure it’s ready to rock n’ roll for big tugs and lots of them.

Bull and slot red sh will make their way to the inlets in search of easy meals. Once you put a pa ern on these sh it can almost be like clockwork when they are gonna show up to the party.

I personally prefer an incoming tide or even be er the back end of the incoming tide when the inlets have had time to get clear with cool ocean water in them. Dri ing skyline jigs weighted circle hooks with live (preferably) or dead bait in or out of the inlet along the rock drop o s can and should produce big numbers of giant bull reds.

Another preferred method is a “power” drop shot rig or bottom rig with the weight on bottom and a hook about 2 feet above with preferred bait. Other

times I will drop heavy jigheads with baitsh mimicking plastics or weighted D.O.A. shrimp. ese areas can get saturated with other boats during weekends and holidays so it’s best to size up the gear one or two notches in order to stop these bruisers from popping o in other boats’ anchor lines, propellers, etc.

August brings calm days, more opportunities, big sh, and one of my favorite… chasing red sh schools! On glassy, calm days a preferred method is to cruise the ats looking for herds of red sh creating wakes as they move over the shallows. ey’ve had all summer to get consistent and stay in their pa erns so this tail end of that should still hold.

My preferred method once I spot the schools is to get down-path of these sh and use my Minn Kota trolling motor to get my clients and myself in perfect casting position. Once we’re on the sh I use the trolling motor to stay along side/parallel to them, picking them o until they’re on to us. Preferred bait is a 1/8 oz jighead and your favorite so plastic. Good stu !

CONTACT CAPT. BARRERA:

Email: CaptBrianBFishing@gmail.com

Online: InshoreFishingSouthPadre.com

LOWER COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Baffin Bay

HOTSPOT: Between ICW Spoils

GPS: N 27 17.392, W 97 24.51 (27.2899, -97.4085)

SPECIES: Founder

BEST BAITS: Mud minnows, best w moving tide or west, south, or southwest wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Scan

CAPT. BRIAN BARERRA

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Mud minnows, best with moving tide or west, south, or southeast wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night

LOCATION: Baffin Bay

HOTSPOT: East of Palms

GPS: N 27 19.116, W 97 23.609 (27.3186, -97.3935)

SPECIES: Founder

BEST BAITS: Finger mullet, best w moving tide or west, south, or southwest wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Finger mullet, best w moving tide or west, south, or southeast wind; dawn-morning, dusk-night

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: Color Change

GPS: N 26 10.429, W 97 12.7589 (26.1738, -97.2127)

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: The deeper water further south, 3-4 feet deep. Also the water has more color, greener.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: Long Bar

GPS: N 26 8.592, W 97 14.2249 (26.1432, -97.2371)

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: Community Bar

GPS: N 26 35.144, W 97 25.644 (26.5857, -97.4274)

SPECIES: Speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, ballyhoo; topwaters early, soft plastics in white/chartreuse, glow/chartreuse, red/chartreuse.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Look for the “trout green” water.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: El Realto Bay

GPS: N 26 15.354, W 97 18.4649 (26.2559, -97.3078)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Live Croaker

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: In July, you should be fishing further south with live croaker, always looking for the big trout.

LOCATION: Middle Ground

HOTSPOT: Mouth to Gladys’ Hole

GPS: N 26 48.691, W 97 28.592 (26.8115, -97.4765)

SPECIES: Speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in red/white, limetreuse, pearl/chartreuse.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Use soft plastics around the edges of the Bar for trout and redfish. Fish slowly in deeper water.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: Gladys’ Hole

GPS: N 26 48.723, W 97 29.4769 (26.8121, -97.4913)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Live Croaker

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: White/red plastics

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Drift soft bottom along ICW

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Live Croaker

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: When you put a chatter weight and a live croaker together you have a win-win situation.

LOCATION: South Bay

HOTSPOT: Grass Flats

GPS: N 26 1.399, W 97 10.5606 (26.0233, -97.1760)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout

BEST BAITS: Skeeter Walker, Super Spook, or Corky

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Use topwater lures, but not broken backs

EAST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

Reported by TF&G STAFF

LOCATION: Lake Bob Sandlin

HOTSPOT: Jakes Creek Main Lake Point

GPS: N 33 4.211, W 95 3.449 (33.0702, -95.0575)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Shrimp, topwaters

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Shrimp, topwaters; morning

LOCATION: Lake Conroe

HOTSPOT: North Lake Area

GPS: N 30 27.786, W 95 36.1799 (30.4631, -95.6030)

1/8 oz. weighted junebug colored worms on the bottom along the edges of the grass. Give extra attention to the bends and points.

LOCATION: Lake Cooper/Jim Chapman

HOTSPOT: Borrow Pits

GPS: N 33 17.976 , W 95 42.543 (33.2996, -95.7091)

(32.8294, -95.5982)

SPECIES: Catfish

BEST BAITS: Primos stink bait

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Fish the edges of these creeks on the upper end of Caddo Lake with the white frogs on top and

SPECIES: White Bass

BEST BAITS: Topwaters, slabs

SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-593-5077

TIPS: Fish shad-pattern topwaters or toy-colored slabs. Watch for birds. Dawn through dusk.

LOCATION: Lake Fork

HOTSPOT: Deep Points, Humps and Road Beds

GPS: N 32 49.764, W 95 35.892

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Top water poppers and frogs, Vicktory Jig from Finch Nasty Bait Company

SOURCE: Ricky’s Guide Service

903-530-2201

rickysguideservice.com

TIPS: Look for shad activities shallow around grass early. Catch them with topwater poppers and frogs. Then head to deep points, humps, and road beds.

LOCATION: Lake Houston

HOTSPOT: Skier’s Cove Point

GPS: N 29 56.877, W 95 9.4 (29.9480, -95.1567)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Roadrunners or shiners

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Cast or stroll using spider rigs

LOCATION: Lake Livingston

HOTSPOT: The Hump

GPS: N 30 40.8299, W 95 4.992 (30.6805, -95.0832)

SPECIES: Striped Bass

BEST BAITS: Live Shad, 1 ¼ oz. white slabs, spoons, hot pink/gold, 4 inch Swim Shad.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Bounce baits off the bottom; look for strikes on the fall. Troll Swim Shad behind a #10 jet diver.

LOCATION: Lake Murvaul

HOTSPOT: Docks

GPS: N 32 2.493, W 94 26.154

CURRENT LAKE LEVELS EAST TEXAS

TOLEDO’S NORTH END

(32.0416, -94.4359)

TOLEDO BEND IS TEXAS’S LARGEST impoundment, although it straddles the Texas/Louisiana border and is shared by the two states. The northernmost end of the lake, where the

Sabine River enters the reservoir, is a rich world of ample freshwater fishing opportunities.

Selected HOTSPOTS are shown in the table below, and on the map.

Jigs, tubes, medium cranks—work channel ledges; good all year, dawn-midday, dusk

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Jigs, cranks, plastics, fish the docks, look for brush; dawn, morning, dusk, night

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Jigs, cranks, plastics, fish the docks, look for brush; dawn, morning, dusk, night

LOCATION: Lake Nacogdoches

HOTSPOT: Loco Bend #2

GPS: N 31 38.198, W 94 48.203 (31.6366, -94.8034)

54.047

53.428

93 56.519

54.711

thru dusk

RatLtraps, live worms, work brushpiles with a slow roll; avoid midday, dusk

live shad, hit channel edges and ridges; dawn-midday, dusk

Live shiners, hit stumps and logs on and near the river channel bank; dawn-morning, dusk

Live bait, jigs; cast into channel and let fall to bottom; dawn through morning

Cut bait, stink bait, trotlines or freeline the bottom; good all year, dawn-morning, dusk-night

Cut bait, stink bait, trotlines or freeline the bottom; good all year, dawn-morning, dusk-night

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

EAST TEXAS

 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 409-698-9114

TIPS: Drag your lure over the edges. Fish move between the bends. Avoid midday.

LOCATION: Lake O the Pines

HOTSPOT: Shoreline

GPS: N 32 46.222, W 94 34.231 (32.7704, -94.5705)

SPECIES: Catfish

BEST BAITS: Shrimp, dough bait

SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-938-1007

TIPS: Use bottom rigs. This spot is good all day.

LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn

HOTSPOT: Big Caney

GPS: N 31 07.516, W 94 15.711 (31.1253, -94.2619)

CENTRAL TEXAS HOTSPOTS

Reported by TF&G STAFF

LOCATION: Lake Austin

HOTSPOT: Westwood Country Club

GPS: N 30 18.778, W 97 46.584 (30.3130, -97.7764)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Any lure will work here. Hit hydrilla, humps, roadbeds, channel, and timber. Morning and dusk.

LOCATION: Lake Toledo Bend

HOTSPOT: Lower 1/3 of Main Lake

GPS: N 31 12.174, W 93 36.6419 (31.2029, -93.6107)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastics

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: The best bites will be along the old river ledges and offshore humps in 25 to 30-foot depths.

LOCATION: Lake Wright Patman

HOTSPOT: Harpers Creek

GPS: N 33 16.525, W 94 10.344 (33.2754, -94.1724)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, soft plastics

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Spinnerbaits, soft plastic worms; action is good here all day

LOCATION: Bachman Lake

HOTSPOT: Main Lake

GPS: N 32 51.1859, W 96 52.02 (32.8531, -96.8670)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs

SOURCE: TPWD District Fisheries Office 903-938-1007

TIPS: Slowly fish minnows or green/black jigs 6 reels from the bottom. Action is good all day.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Bass: spinnerbaits and chatterbaits

SOURCE: Carey Thorn

469-528-0210

whitebassfishingtexas.com

TIPS: Bass will usually always be in 1 to 5 feet of water until August then they move out a little deeper in the middle of the lake. Spinnerbaits seem to work the best along with chatterbaits. When it gets a little warmer and it’s super bright out, fish the bridges or the rip rap where there is access to deeper water.

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan

HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake to Dam Area

GPS: N 30 46.53, W 98 25.2119

CURRENT LAKE LEVELS CENTRAL TEXAS

(30.7755, -98.4202)

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE AUSTIN

TOTAL SURFACE AREA: 1,599 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 75 feet IMPOUNDED: 1939

LAKE AUSTIN IS AN EXCELLENT PLACE to fish for trophy largemouth bass. The lake produces eight- to ten-pounders on a regular basis.

The water in Lake Austin is normally clear, with cold water regularly flowing in from Mansfield Dam on Lake Travis to the north.

Lake Austin is a major recreational boating attraction, so summer fishing is best done at dusk and later.

Artificial fish attractor structures have been placed throughout the lake. See this symbol... ...on the map).

Selected hotspots and facilities are shown on the table below and on the map.

SPECIES: Striped Bass

BEST BAITS: Live shad

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

CENTRAL TEXAS

TIPS: Fish mid-lake to the dam early morning and late evening. Fish drifting or anchored with 5-8” live shad. Concentrate on 25-30 foot depths on humps and ridges around Flag Island. Mid-day fish near or just above the trees in 50-70 feet of water.

LOCATION: Canyon Lake

HOTSPOT: Dam Area

GPS: N 29 52.2479, W 98 12.276 (29.8708, -98.2046)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: ¼ oz. Picasso Shakey Head, Carolina rigged Watermelon flukes (1/2 oz. or ¾ oz. weights.), Senko type baits Texas rigged w/ ¼-3/8oz Picasso Tungsten weights.

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Fish the point near the drop off slowly. Work shallow early and then move deeper. With the weather being warm, bass are not apt to be aggressive in nature. Use a heavy weight 7 foot rod for Carolina rigging. Summer colors include, watermelon red, blue fleck, junebug, watermelon candy.

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake

HOTSPOT: Main Lake

GPS: N 32 16.11, W 96 7.7279 (32.2685, -96.1288)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Live minnows, crappie jigs

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Hit right side of dam, look for brush in 7-14’ top to bottom; action is good here all day.

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake

HOTSPOT: Pelican Island

GPS: N 32 54.592, W 97 30.002 (32.909871, -97.50003)

SPECIES: crappie

BEST BAITS: jigs

SOURCE: Kolby Kuhn, Final Cast Guide Service

817-243-5858

kolbymkuhn@gmail.com

TIPS: Crappie will get in the shade under main lake docks in the summer. You can catch them by shooting jigs up under them.

LOCATION: Fayette County Res.

HOTSPOT: Point Off Third Boat Ramp

GPS: N 29 55.878, W 96 43.368 (29.9313, -96.7228)

SPECIES: Hybrid Striper

BEST BAITS: Deep diver crankbaits

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: This is a great time of year to load up on hybrids! Troll humps and points on the main lake in 14’ to 24’ with deep divers at about 3 mph.

LOCATION: Lake Corpus Christi

HOTSPOT: Dam

GPS: N 28 2.735, W 97 52.078 (28.0456, -97.8680)

SPECIES: Catfish

BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch bait

SOURCE: Weldon Kirk

979-229-3103

fishtales-guideservice.com

TIPS: Water is 20 feet deep here off the point. Anchor and chum straight down. Use a tight line fishing just off from the bottom.

LOCATION: Granger Lake

HOTSPOT: Standing Timber and San Gabriel River

GPS: N 30 39.894, W 97 23.094 (30.6649, -97.3849)

SPECIES: White bass

BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, RatLTraps

SOURCE: Kolby Kuhn, Final Cast Guide Service 817-243-5858

kolbymkuhn@gmail.com

TIPS: Look for fish feeding on the surface early. Cast crankbaits or RatLTraps to them. When the surface feeding stops, troll over the humps with crankbaits.

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake

HOTSPOT: Fort Worth Boat Club

GPS: N 32 53.599, W 97 29.09 (32.893323, -97.484858)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Jigs and minnows

SOURCE: Tommy Tidwell

512-365-7761

gotcrappie.com

TIPS: Now is a good time to catch crappie in standing timber at the mouth of the river and creek. They suspend at about 6 to 12 feet of water. Try different depths to locate them. This pattern is better than other times of year because the water clears up with light winds during August.

LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool

HOTSPOT: Road/Rockpile

GPS: N 32 37.236, W 97 03.830 (32.6206, -97.0638)

SPECIES: White Bass

BEST BAITS: Hellbender, spoons

SOURCE: Carey Thorn

469-528-0210

whitebassfishingtexas.com

TIPS: Troll with a Hellbender or chunk a silver Pet spoon. Avoid midday. Good spot for night fishing.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon

HOTSPOT: Little Ridge Point

GPS: N 33 3.7859, W 96 27.792 (33.0631, -96.4632)

BEST BAITS: White & chartreuse spinnerbaits, square bill crankbaits, Series 5 Sexy Shad

SOURCE: Carey Thorn

469-528-0210

whitebassfishingtexas.com

TIPS: Fish the rip rap and rocks for largemouth bass. White and chartreuse spinnerbaits work well early in the morning. Then switch to a square bill crankbait, a 1 to 6 foot diver, until 9 AM. Then switch to a 12 to 15 foot Series 5 Sexy Shad.

LOCATION: Lake LBJ

HOTSPOT: Honeymoon Hump Area

GPS: N 30 34.35, W 98 21.474 (30.5725, -98.3579)

TIPS: Bass are settled into their summer patters of holding near the thermocline, along deep water ledges and points. They prefer cover near these areas or around grass edges. Work topwaters, buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits before the sun comes up and just before dark. During the day, go deeper with soft plastics, umbrella rigs and spinnerbaits at grass edges.

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville

HOTSPOT: East Shoreline in 22-32’

GPS: N 33 8.058, W 96 57.067 (33.1343, -96.9511)

SPECIES: Bass and Crappie

BEST BAITS: Top water lures, buzzbaits, soft plastics, umbrella rigs, and lipless crankbaits;

SPECIES: Hybrid Striped Bass

BEST BAITS: Live shad, drift fish

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishandgamegear

TIPS: Live shad, drift fish; all day

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass & White Bass

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

continued on next page u

CENTRAL TEXAS

 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

LOCATION: Lake Limestone

HOTSPOT: Mouth of Mine Creek

GPS: N 31 21.58, W 96 18.628 (31.3597, -96.3105)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: White or chartreuse jigs

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Fish the large trees in 15-20 of water.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine

HOTSPOT: County Line Area

GPS: N 32 11.1419, W 95 27.306 (32.1857, -95.4551)

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Minnows or red/black jigs, vertical jig trees

LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts

HOTSPOT: Marina Flats

GPS: N 33 21.9376, W 97 4.9271 (33.3656, -97.0821)

Pelican is a good spot to find them. Fish a clear Tiny Torpedo or the smallest blue/chrome Rat-L-Trap you can throw. When they stop feeding on the surface, you can often catch them slabbing off the bottom.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville

HOTSPOT: Little Crappie Point

GPS: N 30 18.4979, W 96 31.758 (30.3083, -96.5293)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass and Crappie

BEST BAITS: Bass: Indian swim jig w/ Mister Twister Hawg Frog as trailer; Crappie: jigs

SOURCE: Ricky’s Guide Service 903-530-2201

rickysguideservice.com

TIPS: Bass fishing is good around boat docks and along the creek in the county line area. Concentrate on stumps and other structure. For crappie action, fish brush piles in 15 feet of water and under bridges.

LOCATION: Lake Ray Hubbard

HOTSPOT: Heath Point

GPS: N 32 50.141, W 96 30.528 (32.8357, -96.5088)

SPECIES: White bass

BEST BAITS: topwaters, slabs

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Schooling sand bass will be on the flats South of the Marina. When not on top, check your graph for fish hanging on the drop off’s of the flats in 20-25 feet of water. Fish a 1oz. chartreuse/white slab, bounced off the bottom. Also, look for schools around Cates Point and the face of the dam.

LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake

HOTSPOT: Pelican Island

GPS: N 31 58.9439, W 96 10.5959 (31.9824, -96.1766)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs light blue or grey

SOURCE: Weldon Kirk

979-229-3103

fishtales-guideservice.com

TIPS: Fish 1/16 oz jigs, try free falling jig and try lowering jig to crush pile slowly. Minnows under cork fished right above brush or large rocks is best.

LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni

HOTSPOT: Wolf Cove Humps West

GPS: N 32 49.333, W 95 56.962 (32.8222, -95.9494)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Minnows or red/black jigs, vertical jig trees

SPECIES: White Bass

BEST BAITS: Top water lures, Rat-L-Traps, slabs

SOURCE: Royce Simmons

903-389-4117

gonefishin.biz

TIPS: Early mornings, acres of whites will be chasing shad to the surface and feeding on them and

SPECIES: Catfish

BEST BAITS: Cut shad, Carolina or Texas rigs

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Fish cut shad, or drift across the hump a Carolina or Texas rig; best in the morning.

LOCATION: Lake Texana

HOTSPOT: Sandy Creek

GPS: N 29 1.997, W 96 33.544 (29.0333, -96.5591)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics on Carolina rig, white

WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

Reported by TJ RANFT

CONTACT TJ RANFT:

Email: TJRanft17@gmail.com

Online: RanftGuideService.com

LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry

HOTSPOT: Dam - Deep Water Area

GPS: N 33 3.6959, W 101 3.1229 (33.0616, -101.0521)

HUBBARD CREEK RES.

SURFACE AREA: 14,922 acres

MAXIMUM DEPTH: 60 feet

IMPOUNDED: 1962

HUBBARD CREEK IS A POPULAR WEST Texas fishing destination, offering excellent bass, catfish and crappie opportunities.

Standing timber is a dominant structural feature throughout the reservoir. Abundant cover is also provided by boat docks, hydrilla, and rocky shorelines.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Spoons, jigs, spinner jigs

SOURCE: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220

TIPS: Fish clear water with big worms. The clear water will mostly be found near the dam area. If fishing in the daytime, you will need to use your depth finder to locate the schools of shad.

LOCATION: Lake Amistad

HOTSPOT: Marker 17 Flats

GPS: N 29 31.362, W 101 15.167 (29.5227, -101.2528)

WEST TEXAS

 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Deep diving crankbaits, Carolina rigs

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas

Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: During daylight (morning to dusk) work inside edge of grass, drag Carolina rigs

LOCATION: Lake Coleman

HOTSPOT: Rear Cove

GPS: N 32 2.3976, W 99 27.6871 (32.0400, -99.4615)

worms, Senkos, and trick worms. Sunrise often produces a great top-water bite in the rear cove.

LOCATION: Ft. Phantom Hill Reservoir

HOTSPOT: Main Lake

GPS: N 32 34.074, W 99 40.902 (32.5679, -99.6817)

SOURCE: Lance Benson, TPWD

325-692-0921

TIPS: Throw flashy lures such as 1/8-1/2 oz. spinner baits, chrome or white RatLtraps, and Texas rigged soft plastics.

LOCATION: Lake Granbury

HOTSPOT: Lower End

GPS: N 32 22.659, W 97 42.009 (32.37765, -97.70015)

SPECIES: Largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Shad, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, slabs

SOURCE: Lance Benson, TPWD

325-692-0921

TIPS: The coordinates listed mark an old concrete structure surrounded by flooded brush. Fish that shoreline into the rear cove with spinner baits, whacky

CENTRAL TEXAS

 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

spinnerbaits

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Soft plastics on Carolina rig, white spinnerbaits; all day

LOCATION: Lake Texoma

HOTSPOT: Juniper Point East and the Islands

GPS: N 33 51.888, W 96 49.8779 (33.8648, -96.8313)

SPECIES: Largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: spinnerbaits, RatLTraps, soft plastics

SPECIES: Striped Bass

BEST BAITS: Live Shad and Perch. White or Chartreuse Curly Tail trailers on large pony head jigs

SOURCE: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage

Charters

254-396-4855

TIPS: Work channel ledges near feeding flats. Fish large live baits away from the boat under a balloon for the bigger striped bass. Let the balloon float into the shallows where top water action is occurring.

TIPS: The big fish move onto the flats in August. Early mornings cast Pencil Poppers and Chug Bugs on the shallow banks. Mid morning, change to soft plastics. Fish on the flats that run about 24’ in depth. Locate the creek channel and drop offs, these are the routes the fish use to move up from deep water. Later in the month the seagulls arrive. Pay attention to the birds as they are the best fish finder.

LOCATION: Lake Waco

HOTSPOT: Rip Rap along the Dam

GPS: N 31 34.961, W 97 12.038 (31.5827, -97.2006)

LOCATION: Lake Whitney

HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump and Hwy 22 Road Bed

GPS: N 31 54.612, W 97 20.754 (31.9102, -97.3459)

SPECIES: Striped Bass

BEST BAITS: Top water lures and Sassy Shad jigs

SOURCE: Bill Carey, Striper Express 903-786-4477 striperexpress.com

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, worms

SOURCE: Texas Lakes & Bays Fishing Atlas Fishgame.com/fishgamegear

TIPS: Work shallow cranks parallel to shore, bump worms; all day

SPECIES: Striped bass

BEST BAITS: Live threadfin shad fished suspended at 11 to 12 feet.

SOURCE: Randy Routh

817-822-5539

TIPS: Fish early morning using live bait suspended at 12” drifting along the hump. Watch graph as the fish are changing depths sometimes daily.

CURRENT LAKE LEVELS WEST TEXAS

LOCATION: Lake Granbury

HOTSPOT: Decordova Area

GPS: N 32 25.269, W 97 41.402 (32.42115, -97.690033)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

BEST BAITS: Texas Rigged Soft plastics in Red Shad, Blue Fleck and Black

SOURCE: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters

254-396-4855

TIPS: Look for shaded docks and stick ups with some deeper water close by. Work main lake points and creek channels. Early top water bite is possible. Summer patterns are in full force. The fishing is best early and late.

LOCATION: Hubbard Creek Reservoir

HOTSPOT: Main Lake

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

GPS: N 32 47.974, W 99 00.084 (32.799567, -99.001404)

LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom

HOTSPOT: Lower End

GPS: N 32 51.332, W 98 26.346 (32.855536, -98.439095)

BEST BAITS: Topwaters, buzzbaits, lipless crankbaits, jigs

SOURCE: Natalie Goldstrohm

Natural Resources Specialist, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

325-692-0921

TIPS: August can be a great month for bass fishing around the islands at Hubbard Creek Reservoir. Largemouth Bass will be waiting to ambush prey along the edges of the hydrilla mats. In the cooler mornings, try fishing a top water such as a white/ chartreuse buzz bait along the edges of the hydrilla mats. Once the water starts to warm up, switch over to a chrome lipless crankbait fished along the hydrilla edge. Also try using a black and blue football head jig and punch down into the holes of hydrilla.

SPECIES: Striped Bass

BEST BAITS: Live shad, jigs

SOURCE: TJ Ranft, Ranft Guide Service

940-452-8439

TJRanft17@gmail.com

TIPS: Stripers will be in their summer patterns. Live bait and downriggers will be the best ways to catch them. Live shad and jigs with some form of tail on them will be best for downriggers. Some may be caught using large spoons. Chartreuse, white, silver, and the occasional pink are typically the best colors. Look at points, ledges and even tree tops. It is definitely a early morning and late evening bite. May see some surface action early in the mornings and late in the evenings so be prepared with some form of topwater tied on ready to go.

LOCATION: Possum Kingdom

HOTSPOT: Stump Patch

GPS: N 32 52.516, W 98 29.427 (32.875267, -98.49045)

SPECIES: Crappie

BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs

SOURCE: TJ Ranft, Ranft Guide Service

940-452-8439

TJRanft17@gmail.com

TIPS: Fish the treetops in 40 to 50 feet of water, at around 20 feet.

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

Instructions for reading the Graphs on the opposite page)

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.

SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE

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.

TIDE

Texas TACTICAL

Canik MC9 Micro Carry

I’M GUILTY OF BEING A VICTIM of the never ending pursuit to nding the “perfect” carry pistol. Years back I preferred the smaller single stack 9mms. But then manufacturers realized they could double the capacity of carry pistols and only add about 25% of widthenter the Sig P365 and Spring eld Hellcat. I se led on the Hellcat a while only because I shot a 5” group at 50 yards on my own YouTube video review. But a er a few months of carrying and training with it I realized that while I could be accurate with the Hellcat, the trigger was long and mushy resulting in having to compromise speed for accuracy. I wanted something more “match grade” with a crisp break and short reset.

Canik handguns come with some of the best factory triggers. is is vital since the trigger is the main user interface with a rearm. at doesn’t mean great shooters can’t still be accurate with a poor trigger, but it’s more di cult and either accuracy or speed will su er. So, when Canik introduced their METE MC9 this year I was very interested.

e MC9 is a “micro” double stacked 9mm designed for comfortable defensive carry, along with a good trigger, rail for light, and milled for co-witness capability red dot optic. e provided magazines hold 12 or 15 rounds, but it is also compatible with the full sized TP model magazines, giving you the option of using the 20 round mags as well.

e trigger is de nitely be er than any other competitors’ micro compacts at the moment. At rst there is a light 3/8” of take up, and then it hits a solid wall for a 4.5 pound press with only about 1/8” of travel upon break, then allowing for reset on that 1/8” return, you can press though that solid wall again. is allows not only for accurate shots, but fast shots. Last range trip I shot several 5 round sub 1” groups from 15 yards

free standing. And even connected on a LaRue sniper target several times out to 175 yards. Stay tuned for the full video.

e MC9 has been 100% reliable so far and my only complaint has been how tight the magazines t. ey do not “drop free” and usually require being pulled from the pistol. Some online forums recommend wrapping a magazine in tape, pu ing it in the frame and heating it with a hair dryer to expand the magazine well but I haven’t tried this yet so don’t take that as a recommendation, just evidence that it is a known issue.

and usually require being pulled from the

:: by DUSTIN ELLERMANN TF&G Shooting Editor

I chose the Holosun EPS Carry for the

only makes you feel unprepared otherwise. Awesomely enough Werkz is o ering several holsters for use with the Streamlight TLR-7 that mates perfectly with the MC9.

MC9’s Shield RMSC optic footprint. Carry guns get horribly dirty/dusty and same as the EPS name (Enclosed Pistol Sight) it keeps the optic from becoming a dust collection area. is low pro le optic also allows for co-witnessing of the factory iron sights. And once I started carrying a handgun with a mounted pistol light, it

e MC9 has been extremely well received by the market at its low retail price of $439. However, it’s such a hot item they can be di cult to nd. But if you do, check it out, especially the trigger. I think you’ll be impressed.

The Canik MC9 is the latest in “micro-carry 9mm” pistols on the market. Its trigger sets this model apart from the competition.

Bare Bones HUNTING

:: by LOU MARULLO

The Hog Days of Summer

MOST OF THE HUNTERS IN Texas nd themselves scratching their heads wondering what to do during the summer months. A good old shing hole comes to mind but if tossing a line in the water is not your thing, then what to do? Let me give you some ideas.

Of course, you can always choose to hunt exotics year-round, but if you are looking for some real excitement, might I suggest hunting hogs and leave the ri e at home. Hunting pigs with a stick and string will surely remind you where all your nerves connect! Now THAT’S some excitement!

e rst time Chester invited me to hunt with him, he said in a very calm voice that we would be hunting hogs. I never gave it much thought until I read a li le bit about these beasts and what they were capable of with those huge tusks. By accepting his invitation, I was convinced that I had momentarily lost my mind. However, I never had so much fun, so much adrenaline rushing through my body. And isn’t that one of the main reasons we get up at dark thirty and try our luck at having a successful hunt?

Mid- summer is also a fantastic time to get an early start to do some scouting. A er all, deer season is not that far o . Check to make sure the whitetails are using the same trails they normally use. Has the landscape changed in any way? I went back to my hunting spot before with some lopping shears, a

shovel and a rake. Why you may ask? Deer are lazy creatures, and they will seek the easiest route through the woodlot. Why struggle and walk through a thick patch of thorns when they can just walk around it? With just a li le work you can actually funnel the deer right to your favorite tree stand. I nd a nice trail and at a certain point, I block it with tree limbs, brush and anything else I can nd in the woods. en, using my lopping shears, I start cu ing a trail so it will go about 20 yards from my stand. I make it as obvious as I can by clearing a path and then raking the path clean. e whitetails that use that trail

Ba eries are a must for any hunter, and I have a nice supply of AA’s. I mean look at what you would use them for. A range nder, walkie-talkie, ashlights and any scouting cameras you may have out in the eld. at is an awful lot of ba eries. e cameras alone will take 8 ba eries each.

Take this time to go through all your tree stands in detail. Check and make sure that all the nuts and bolts are tightened and in place and they are lubricated. You really should set them up in your yard and try them out. Do any of them creak or groan when you distribute your weight at various angles? Man, you do not want to be in your stand and watch a beautiful buck step in range only to have that faint sound of metal on metal. If you neglected to lubricate your tree stand, then you will understand just why they are called “whitetails.”

will soon start using your man-made ambush path bringing them closer and closer until they are in your sights and about to have a bad day! Just remember to wear rubber boots and latex gloves to help keep your human scent to a minimum.

ese warm summer months are also an excellent time to go through your inventory of hunting supplies and order what you may need before you cannot nd them, or they may be out of stock. I just recently checked my broadhead supply. I found that I needed them for both bows, compound and crossbow. Last season I tried some lighted nocks on my crossbow. I picked ones that light up blue. WOW! ose really are fantastic. I ordered more already, and they should be at my house next week. As a matter of fact, I am going to order some for my compound as well. I just have to make sure I order the right size.

I don’t know about you, but this child needs to purchase some new camo this year. My hunting camo is so faded, you can no longer see much of a design. Any deer looking at me will pick me out with no trouble at all. To him, I will look like one solid color. And that is out of place in his living room. at reminds me. If your stands are already up, bring along a friend and climb up on your stand. You will be surprised how fast things grow. Suddenly, what was a clear shot before, no longer exists. You might need to clear a li le for a clean shot or you may have to clear a lot. Just remember, you are in the deer’s living room and he will need time to get used to the new look. It may take him some time to feel safe there so the quicker you take care of that, the be er it will be.

As you can see, it takes some time to properly get ready for opening day. It is a horrible feeling when the night before the season begins you realize you cannot nd something you know you need! It may be a new pair of boots, your deer calls, binoculars, just to mention a few. So, make it easy on yourself and get ready now so you can have plenty of time to make sure you are prepared. And most of all…

Have fun and hunt safely.

right to your favorite tree stand. I nd a nice

TF&G Hunting Editor

Bowhunting hogs is one way to scratch your hunting itch in the summer.

Dead Deer Crossing T

HE HUNTING CLUB MEMbership was gathered around the large round corner table in Doreen’s 24 HR Eat Gas Now Café when a gaggle of women pushed through the door. We’d been talking about a big doe in the median that was hit the night before.

“I wish it had been a rabbit.” I sighed and watched the women stop to survey the cafe. “Rabbits are like roaches around here these days.”

e ladies ignored us and took a table in the center of the café, pu ing them in close proximity to our big booth.

One woman that looked like Maude on the Golden Girls spoke with a voice heard by dogs a mile away. “I texted out a warning on the way over here to our neighborhood watch and said I just saw a dead deer in the street between El Dorado and Panther Creek.”

Woodrow grinned. “Now I know where to hunt this season. at has to be the same one we were talking about, but it’s in the median, so there’s no danger to anyone unless folks are slowing down to look, or texting while they drive!” His voice rose in emphasis, but the newcomers appeared not to hear.

“ at’s so sad.” It was a skinny gal wearing lots of makeup, and I assumed she was talking about the doe, and not Woodrow’s comment.

Jerry Wayne spoke in his usual loud voice, since he can’t hear it thunder these days and refuses to wear his hearing aids. “It’s the nature of things. I was raised on venison in Mississippi.”

As a group, the women frowned and leaned in. Maude waved to get Doreen’s a ention. “Poor animals. No wilderness to live in anymore. It’s because of all this construction around here. ese animals are going to come out more and more.

ey should take them to a habitat somewhere when they build these housing additions. It is very dangerous and sad to see them die this way.”

Her astonishing comment clammed all of us up, and we listened as they took turns spilling thoughts.

Skinny Makeup Gal nodded as if to authorize her next statement. “If the people who hit it had tagged that poor li le thing, they could have called

the game warden. ey will give it to you.”

“You have to bleed it out immediately for it to taste good. at one’s been dead too long now. Sad.” Maude paused. Apparently, the Secret Word of the Day was “sad.”

She sighed and continued. “At least that’s what my next-door neighbor said. He’s a hunter.”

A woman with sprayed helmet hair dabbed at her eyes as if overcome by emotion. “I can’t stand deer hunters and I’ve been living here 21 years when it was wilderness and I’ve never seen anything but bobcats, coyotes, and greyhawks.”

Willie turned to me. “Wilderness? Wasn’t this farmland?”

I shrugged. “Depends on your de nition.”

“You know,” Maude took a cup of co ee from Doreen and smiled her thanks. “We need one of those Deer Crossing signs so the poor animals will know where to safely cross.”

Doreen glared in our direction, daring us to say anything. I looked around the table and saw Jerry Wayne, Willie, and Woodrow, and all bite their lips at the same time.

Helmet Hair pursed her lips. “I didn’t know wildlife was prevalent in this area of Texas when we moved here.”

Willie dissolved into hysterical giggles and slapped the table, slipping down in his seat.

A dishwater blonde shook her head at the enormity of it all. “I was surprised to see a deer in the residential neighborhood by e Ponds. But you know, to a deer, the neighborhood ponds connected to the wooded lakeshore are their native habitat and it’s all encroached by human development. It’s arguable whether that back drop of wilderness area is manicured for human development or if it belongs to wildlife.”

Jerry Wayne raised a nger to make some point, but I shook my head. I wanted to hear more. e blonde sighed. “Of course, that poor deer was lost because how would it expect wooded lakeshore pond trails to dead-end in concrete roads and blocks of framed structures that we call houses.”

She almost spat the word, and the boys at my table nodded in encouragement, hoping they’d notice and keep talking.

“It’s a puzzle for the deer to navigate their way back to their native wooded areas without running into human-erected structures.” e blonde was

:: by REAVIS Z. WORTHAM TF&G Humor Editor

apparently speaking to her phone she held in one hand, or maybe she was reading a statement she’d prepared for a social media platform.

“ ey’re stuck in these urban areas not because they want to live here, but are lost in the maze, like the poor rabbits and squirrels. Of course, they don’t have GPS to guide them back to the wilderness areas.”

She paused again. “You know, I have an idea. I’ll make a post and suggest the city create a deer farm for them, so they don’t run in the street, and maybe add deer speed limits like school zones. People need to slow down. It’s hard to hit wildlife if you drive the speed limit.”

Woodrow couldn’t help himself. “I wonder if that includes squirrels. ey have the most malfunctioning sense of self-preservation in the world. ey’ll run across a street where it’s safe and then dart back across three lanes of tra c.”

e guys were wheezing in delight, slapping the table and giggling like schoolgirls.

Doreen came over. “Don’t! Y’all shouldn’t be eavesdropping anyway!”

“But,” Woodrow laid his head on the table. “Put the deer in farms!!!???”

Doreen’s demeanor cracked and she leaned in to whisper in a giggle. “Well, they’re move-ins, bless their hearts.”

Helmet Hair dabbed at her eyes. “And what’s worse, I saw a poor calf that had escaped from a pasture this morning. e poor sweet baby was standing on the side of the road when I was coming into town, and its mother wasn’t in sight. What’s worse, it didn’t even have a collar on. ese country people.”

Maude took a deep breath. “Well, at least we’re aware of the deer now. at makes me feel be er, but you’re right. ey need to move the deer crossing somewhere with less tra c.”

And we all fell out.

my next-door neighbor said. He’s a hunter.”

TURKEY Cuero

Lindsay Anselmo called in her first turkey on a box while hunting near Cuero.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

Honeygrove

Three-year-old Luke Gaskill caught this bass while fishing at a pond near Honeygrove.

GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT! SEND YOUR ACTION PHOTOS TO Photos@FishGame.com For best results, send HIGH quality JPEG digital files.

No guarantee can be made as to when, or if, a

REDFISH

Galveston

Reagyn Pyfer shows off a 37-inch redfish she caught near the Pelican Island Bridge while on a trip to Galveston with her family.

RED SNAPPER

Port O’Connor

Nine-year-old Aiden Matey caught this 12-pound red snapper while fishing out of Port O’Connor.

REDFISH

Galveston

Art Murray caught and released this bull red at Galveston just prior to last winter’s freeze.