Texas Fish & Game November/December 2020 by Texas Fish & Game

November/December 2020 | $3.95

Christmas Hunting Quest

All Hail the Silver King

Duck Hunting Forecast

Line Dancing with Big Reds

www.FishGame.com

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Inside FISH & GAME 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.

by ROY and ARDIA NEVES TF&G Owners

ROY AND ARDIA NEVES

Twenty-Twenty Hindsight

PUBLISHERS

CHESTER MOORE EDITOR IN CHIEF

N JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, WE HEADLINED OUR COLUMN, “TWENTY-TWENTY Vision” and embarked on an optimistic rant about tackling challenges and charging forth into a bright future. Holy bleeping bleep, did we blow it with that rosy prognostication. Within weeks of that column hitting the street, news of a mysterious virus out of China began to circulate. By the end of January, it was starting to sound different from every other virus “scare” that had been let loose in this era of modern medicine, an era in which billboards everywhere reinforced the notion that cancer had been “outsmarted” and TV commercials urged us to ask our doctors about cures for everything from acid reflux to restless leg syndrome. The first of March, we were conducting business as usual at the Houston Fishing Show. That’s when the real impact of the coronavirus began to spread, in terms of both public awareness and literal spreading. At the Fishing Show, people were lined up at lavatory sinks, washing their hands like hazardous waste crews, and the first sightings of surgical masks began to surface. Handshakes became awkward, then tentative, then abandoned altogether. Before we knew it, we were in a full-on pandemic, the likes of which had not been experienced in a hundred years. Government ineptitude at virtually every level—combined with a false sense of security that had been fostered by generations of advances in medicine and technology—left us wide open for a national sucker punch. One of our statements in that optimistic New Year column was a hope that this century’s Twenties would not spawn a depression as did the decade of the Twenties from the last century. We should have knocked on a pile of lumber on that one. So now, looking in hindsight at the Year from Hell, it is understandable for anyone to be reluctant to turn and look ahead, to wonder what is in store for us in the next year. Obviously, Covid-19 is still going to be with us in 2021, despite what we’re being told about miracle 7-day cures. We’re not in a TV medical drama where the star doctor struggles mightily for 40 minutes before discovering the exact serum needed to save humanity, right after the final commercial break. Like almost everything in the modern world, this crisis is extremely complex, and extracting ourselves from it is proving to be complicated and difficult. Reality is hard, especially as our surroundings continue to spiral away from orderly and familiar relative stability. But this is our reality. It’s all we have. So there is no alternative but to look ahead, and trudge forward. No matter what the next year brings—disappointments, delays, or failures on the vaccine front; or spectacular success and cures available in vending machines; or, if we’re lucky, something more realistic in between—life will go on. And the signs of life are still everywhere. In other columns we have written this year we have tried to point to a number of indications that things will improve once we are past this. The dramatic decline in fishing and hunting participation that has been recorded for years now has made an equally dramatic turnaround. Restrictions on travel and other activities have pushed large numbers of people back to more basic recreational pursuits. As a result, more people are buying boats, fishing gear, guns, and everything from camo to ATVs. Maybe this return to outdoor roots will stick, and will represent a renewed vigor in what had become a threatened lifestyle. Assuming things do return to a more normal pre-pandemic state and supply channels get back to capacity, we hope this exciting new demand holds and every corner of the outdoor world experiences a true and full renaissance. Beyond that, we’re not making any predictions, rosy or otherwise. The only thing we can know for sure is that whatever happens will be real. No amount of spin, denial or finger pointing will change the fact that what happens, happens, and we just have to deal with it and live with it. One of the great things about our place in this reality, where fish bite, birds fly and game runs, is that we have an outlet that makes living with whatever happens a lot more tolerable.

« E-mail Roy at rneves@ﬁshgame.com and Ardia at aneves@ﬁshgame.com

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2020

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C O N T R I B U T O R S JOE DOGGETT DOUG PIKE TED NUGENT LOU MARULLO MATT WILLIAMS CALIXTO GONZALES LENNY RUDOW STEVE LAMASCUS DUSTIN ELLERMANN REAVIS WORTHAM KENDAL HEMPHILL TOM BEHRENS GREG BERLOCHER RAZOR DOBBS CAPT. MIKE HOLMES STAN SKINNER NICOLE BECKA CYNDI DELANA LISA MOORE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EDITOR AT LARGE HUNTING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR SALTWATER EDITOR BOATING EDITOR FIREARMS EDITOR SHOOTING EDITOR HUMOR EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR DIGITAL CONTRIBUTOR DIGITAL CONTRIBUTOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

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TEXAS FISH & GAME (ISSN 0887-4174) is published monthly by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC., 3431 Rayford Road, Ste 200-408, Spring, TX 77386. ©Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. All rights reserved. Content is not to be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1 year $24.95; 2 years $42.95; 3 years $58.95. Address all subscription inquiries to Texas Fish & Game, 3431 Rayford Road, Ste 200-408, Spring, TX 77386. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for response. Give old and new address and enclose latest mailing address label when writing about your subscription. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TEXAS FISH & GAME, 3431 Rayford Road, Ste 200408, Spring, TX 77386. Address all subscription inquiries to TEXAS FISH & GAME, 3431 Rayford Road, Ste 200-408, Spring, TX 77386. Email change of address to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Email new orders to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Email subscription questions to: subscriptions@fishgame.com. Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 77267-9946 and at additional mailing offices.

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Contents November/December 2020 | Vol. 37 • No. 5

FEATURE ARTICLES

ALL HAIL THE SILVER KING From doves to sandhill cranes, wingshooting kicks off the Texas hunting seasons.

by TF&G Staff

A CHRISTMAS HUNTING CHALLENGE Plan a Texas-sized hunting quest for the holiday season.

by Chester Moore

COVER STORY PUBLIC DEER YOU NEVER HEARD OF

A host of free-range trophy bucks that never got the attention they deserved.

story by Matt Williams

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Pike on the Edge

by CHESTER MOORE

by DOUG PIKE

Texas Boating

Texas Whitetails

FLIGHT CONTROL A look at the numbers, to forecast what will be landing in your decoy spread this duck season.

by TF&G Staff

... is outdoor gear and grub! A holiday guide for the outdoors.

by Chester Moore

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by Chester Moore

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...

56 Sportsman’s Daybook

Fish & Game Forecast Center

by LENNY RUDOW

by LARRY WEISHUHN

Tis that time of year to dance with big reds on your saltwater line.

TEXAS OUTDOOR NATION

COLUMNS Editor’s Notes

BULL!

Letters

DEPARTMENTS Outdoor Directory

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from TF&G Readers

Texas Tasted

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by Bryan Slaven &

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Guides, Outfitters & More

Fish & Game Photos by TFG Readers

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LETTERS to the Editor Horse Killings I READ WITH GREAT HORROR THE series of articles and podcasts you did on the horse killings in Texas and in Florida. Do you think it’s possible there is someone out there killing horses like a killer would kill multiple people?

Deborah K. Editor: I think there are at least two different things going on. I think, as in the cases we covered in the Houston metro area, an underground horsemeat trade is involved. In these cases, meat is harvested, and there has been some proof of illegal horsemeat showing up in markets. The killings we have discussed involving the shooting and leaving of horses is different. It is possible someone connected to several of these is essentially a pattern killer of horses. We also have to consider just random bad people who see a horse and think it’s funny to kill it. Strange world we live in for sure. Horse killings around Texas have been the topic of Chester’s recent podcasts at ﬁshgame.com

Fishing Lights I HAVE FISHED MOST OF MY LIFE up until about 10 years ago. I just retired from the sheriff’s office and am getting back into saltwater fishing. I want to do some night fishing using lights. Are there months that are more productive than others? I know summer is big because it’s only 85 degrees at night like a blue norther. Is the fall and spring just as productive? And would you focus more on shallower water during these seasons, instead of places like the dike? Not sure winter is a great idea during nighttime hours. I appreciate any help you can provide.

where you have concentrations of baitfish. The baitfish are the link to the sportfish around the lights.

Strange Sightings CHESTER, WHAT IS THE WEIRDEST thing you have ever seen in terms of exotic animals driving around Texas. I saw a big red kangaroo in the Hill Country behind a high fence, and I thought that was pretty crazy.

Robert Noack

Pete Campbell Editor: Summer is great. Late spring can be good as well. Fall is pretty good up until around November in my experience. Focus on 4

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summer as we were driving in an undisclosed part of the Hill Country when I saw a pair of tapirs from South America in a large highfenced pasture. We were on a Higher Calling Wildlife expedition with some boys and I told them, “No one will ever be able to one-up you now on roadside sightings.”

Email your comments to: editor@ﬁshgame.com

Editor: Yes, seeing a big red kangaroo would be pretty crazy. I saw my ultimate this |

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

The Stand

with a critical illness or loss of a parent or sibling. Teens in the program with an interest in conservation are being guided in investigations by yours truly. They are writing articles as well as doing artwork for the publication. The idea is for them to eventually do about 75 percent of the work, with me doing only the deepest of investigative pieces and guiding the educational side of things. Our stand for youth was not to just check things off a publication relations list—you know, like you see in some realms of the industry.

HE STAND IS AN ICONIC book written by one of the world’s greatest selling authors, Stephen King. It’s about a constantly changing antigen called “Captain Trips” that kills the vast majority of humanity and the surviving humans who make a stand for humanity. COVID-19 has by the grace of God proved to be nothing like the fictional Captain Trips, but it has forced humanity to make a stand. Every person has had to evaluate where they are, where they want to go and what life really means in this world. No matter what your opinions about where we find ourselves, the COVID-19 situation has changed everything. Texas Fish & Game has made a stand. We have decided to increase the depth of our weekly e-newsletter. Now instead of getting a total of eight stories a week, you are getting 16. We figured if 2020 meant double trouble for many, the least we could do is give you double coverage. Yes, we are currently going bi-monthly, but we believe we are more than making up for that with our online coverage. We offer stories about the COVID-19 impact on the outdoor world, the mysterious horse killings throughout Texas as well as web features on everything from bonefish in Texas to cuttingedge studies on giant bass. We’re covering it all. On a personal level, my wife and I decided to make a more powerful stand on behalf of wildlife conservation and young people facing great challenges. We have founded a new project called “Higher Calling Wildlife.” The mission of Higher Calling Wildlife is to raise awareness about the conservation of mountain and forest wildlife and stream fisheries through investigative journalism and cutting-edge educational outreach. You can join for free at www.highercallingwildlife.com and receive a bi-monthly emag and monthly updates. This outreach is done in great part by young people from our Wild Wishes program. Wild Wishes grants wildlife encounters to children

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• Photo of Senator with Inner City Kids Planting a Tree (Check) • Stories of wanting to help the “next generation” get involved in the outdoors, but no commitment to things like mentoring that will make that work. (Check) • Promoting hunting and fishing camps for rich kids only. (Check) Wait? What did I just say, you ask? Yes, hunting and fishing camps created for rich kids only. Part of my and Lisa’s stand was thinking back to a writer’s event we attended about 15 years ago where someone was there promoting a camp that was for rich kids only. He said that we needed a camp that was for rich kids because the kids who go on orphan’s hunts and those things will “never go hunting again.” He wanted a camp for rich kids because “they can be senators when they grow up who help hunting and fishing.” I don’t care whether a kid is rich, poor or in the middle. If they face a challenge in life, such as a critical illness, we will work with them. We don’t look at socio-economic data for that. I take offense about the idea that a kid who goes on an amazing event such as Operation Orphan (which has gone on for many years in the Texas Hill Country) can’t be a senator one day. Although America ain’t what she used to be, great opportunity still exists here. The boy on that hunt can grow up to be a senator or whatever he chooses to be. The young lady in the foster system who goes on a stream fishing trip can become a great entrepreneur who contributes big money to wildlife |

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conservation. What these kids need is people willing to serve and mentor them. They need these opportunities to see they can do great things. They don’t need people excluding them because they’re not rich. The kids from affluent families don’t need to be targeted in such a way either. They need to be seen as who they are, not by the size of their family’s pocketbook. That’s our stand at Higher Calling Wildlife. We give the young people who society puts at the back of the line a chance to be in the front. Our first two e-mags are out. In total they have five articles and an incredible piece of artwork done by young people in these categories. We are giving them opportunities and allowing them to be an inspirational voice for mountain and forest wildlife and stream fisheries. For 28 years, through the leadership of Roy and Ardia Neves, Texas Fish & Game magazine has been giving free copies to high school wildlife classes around the state to inspire students and to promote wildlife, fishing and hunting. Their teachers get free lesson plans sent to them weekly to teach them about conservation through these stories. Guess what, no one has ever sponsored this program. Not once has anyone stepped up to sponsor the teacher’s newsletter. In the history of giving out the magazines to students, only one company has sponsored it, yet TF&G does it anyway. Maybe we should have said it was for rich kids only, and someone would have stepped forward. I say that with sarcasm but it’s probably true. I’m proud to bring Higher Calling Wildlife to you for free. Go to highercallingwildlife.com to join or email me at chester@chestermoore.com. I’m proud to start this new project and work with Texas Fish & Game, a company that does more for young people and wildlife than just photo ops and platitudes. That’s a stand I can make.

 Email Chester Moore at cmoore@ﬁshgame.com

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PIKE on the Edge by DOUG PIKE :: TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

So Long, 2020!

F YOU STACKED EACH AND every year in human history that stands out as an unmitigated train wreck of weirdness, despair and frustration, 2020 might be atop the heap. So long, 2020, and don’t let the door hit you in the backside on the way out! Then again, as the saying goes, all dark clouds have silver linings. In Texas, thank goodness, we never have to look far for them. One of the most interesting phenomena of 2020 was spawning an unprecedented interest in fishing. Beginning in mid-March—perfect timing, some would say. People were told to stay home from work, from school, from everything they’d become accustomed to. Hmm. “Working” from home, half days of online study. No movies. No concerts. No gatherings. No parties. No. No. No. No. What about fishing? Oh, yeah, you can do that. And oh, yeah, we did. Experienced fishermen were on the water in a blink. Newcomers bought tackle and got out as soon as they could. Anyone who was on the water in April and May will attest to the rush of boat traffic at every open ramp in the state. No matter—clear or cloudy, wet or dry, seven days of every week. When some counties closed their boat ramps, for whatever flimsy reasons they cooked up, we found walk-in access to the bays and lakes. When some counties closed their beaches and state parks to any more than foot traffic, we strapped on backpacks, shouldered rods and walked ourselves to the fish. One hurdle after another, all under the guise of protecting us from each other, and a virus that continued to grab people, was laid

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the entire world. The lucky ones—and I do believe this—were those who already knew the values of outdoor recreation, those who already knew where to turn. Back to one of those little dark clouds, briefly. It’s been nearly impossible to find some of my favorite lures. Or rods and reels, for that matter, or dip nets or anything else a fisherman might want or need. Let’s not overlook ammo shortages. The nation’s fear of violence sparked another rush on gun stores, and smart people don’t buy guns without buying ammo. In September, as dove season opened, you could still find bird loads, but you’d have been hard pressed to score enough pistol ammo to load more than a single magazine. All this because of 2020, a year that opened on a virus previously unknown to man. It was a virus so new there was no cure, so new there wasn’t even a proven way to relieve its symptoms while bodies fought to regain health. In recollection someday, we’ll blame 2020 for the mess. We’ll blame a number, because doing so is a lot easier than searching out the real causes of a world turned suddenly upside down. Instead of letting 2020’s negatives taint our souls, maybe we should see those silver linings. Maybe we should be thankful that so many people found their way this year to outdoor recreation. Maybe they will stick with fishing and hunting and camping and hiking for years to come. The plus side of 2020 is its timely infusion of new interest in wildlife and fisheries. The more people who care about our natural resources, the better. On second thought—thanks, 2020.

before fishermen. We kept fishing, because it gave us peace. It brought us comfort—and the occasional tasty fillet. How much more or better could Texans be socially distanced than when they fished? When was the last time you saw two wade fishermen standing fewer than six feet from each other? For each challenge presented to fishermen, each attempt to keep us off the water for our own good, we found a workaround. No saltwater fishing? cool. I’ve got bass spots. Close down the park where I like to catch bass? I’ll fish a neighborhood pond, for catfish, or perch. Or, as my son caught at a golf-course lake in late August, a big grinnel, on a crankbait no less. My summer of pandemic-related rules and restrictions actually resulted in considerably more outdoor activity than usual. Working from the den, I didn’t have to endure the time or tension of freeway traffic between office and home. At the end of my professional day, when show prep was done and I’d visited with a client or two, I’d just walk to the next room and ask my son whether he’d like to fish out the remaining time before dusk. It’s been vitally important throughout the pandemic for most of us who are passionate about the outdoors to maintain that connection. Physically, the vitamin D provided by sunlight has helped boost our immune systems. Sunshine or clouds, the simple state of being outdoors, anywhere, has done us all a world of emotional good. Among so many other things, the pandemic of 2020 generated a ton of worldwide depression. Some untold number of people never were connected to the outdoors, not as kids or adults. They found themselves with nothing of substance to occupy the extra hours they had to fill daily. That went badly in many cases. Make no mistake. Men and women and kids suffered from the absence of familiar structure that lockdown orders heaped upon F I S H

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 Email Doug Pike at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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NE OF THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS many deer hunters have when it comes to hunting on public hunting lands—national forest properties in particular—is that the game is sparse and good quality bucks are few and far between. No doubt, the hunting can be way tougher on public land than private, particularly in areas that are heavily pressured. But there are some king-size rewards to be reaped for those who put forth the effort, hunt smart and are fortunate enough to find a little luck in their corner. I’ve interviewed dozens of successful East Texas deer hunters over the years. One of my favorite public lands stories was told by private lands hunter Clint Croft. In 1999, Croft killed a monster 17-pointer in Houston County that netted 202 3/8 Boone and Crockett inches. It’s among the highest scoring bucks ever taken in that county.

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story by Matt Williams PHOTO: LARRY WEISHUHN

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Clockwise from top: Dyllon Pate, Shawn Lewis, and Katelyn Chappell |

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Cody Brister with his 2017 buck from the Davy Crockett National Forest near Trinity.

national forest and got lured out onto the small private tract by a doe in heat.” National forest lands always seem to produce one or two outstanding bucks each hunting season. The same is true of TPWD wildlife management areas and national wildlife refuges. There, hunting pressure is typically more regulated by hunt drawings that keep the number of hunters allowed at one time on the properties to a minimum. Here’s a sampling of some of the better public lands bucks taken over the last decade. The Davy Crockett National Forest has had a particularly hot hand since 2013, producing four top shelf non-typical bucks with gross Boone and Crockett scores beyond 160. One of the most remarkable Crockett bucks reported to the Texas Big Game Awards program belongs to Dyllon Pate of Apple Springs. Pate shot his Trinity County whopper on November 13 of the 2015 season. Aged at

Actually, Croft didn’t kill his buck on public land, but it probably grew up there. Croft shot the buck at his uncle’s farm, which is surrounded on three sides by the Davy Crockett National Forest. Croft said the small farm had been hunted hard by other family members for 18 previous seasons. No one had ever reported seeing such a freak deer. When Clayton Wolf heard about Croft’s buck shortly after opening weekend, he had a pretty good idea it was a product of the big woods. Wolf rode shotgun over the Pineywoods region for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the time as the District 6 wildlife biologist. “It never comes as a surprise to me when I hear about big deer coming from those types of places,” recalled Wolf. “I suspect the buck was savvy enough to escape the heavy hunting pressure for several years. He was probably holed up in a core area of the

Leonard Mechler

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Bill William

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6 1/2, the tall-tined 11-pointer grosses 171 2/8 as a non-typical and 156 1/8 net. It’s among the Top 10 Trinity County bucks ever entered in the TBGA. It’s also one of best non-typicals from the county since 2012. Trent Kendrick is a huge fan of the state’s public hunting lands program, and he loves doing business on Davy Crockett real estate. He hunts the Alabama Creek WMA southwest of Lufkin every fall with his dad, Gerald. In November 2013, Kendrick shot a monster 13-pointer off the 14,500-acre WMA that wound up being the top public lands buck reported statewide. It was the No. 4 non-typical from the Pineywoods that season. The Trinity County buck grossed 172 4/8 and netted 167 1/8 B&C. The 160,000-acre Davy Crockett was back in the news again in 2017 and 2018, courtesy of Cody Brister and Shawn Lewis. In November 2017, Brister bagged a 5 1/2-year-old 11 pointer in Trinity County that grosses 165 3/8 and nets 159 B&C. It was the top scoring public lands buck from eastern Texas that season and ranked 9th among the region’s non-typicals that year. Even more impressive was Lewis’s buck taken the following November. Sporting nine points, the 5 1/2-year-old Houston County whitetail gross scores 168 7/8 and nets 161 5/8. It was the top scoring public lands buck turned over to TBGA from eastern Texas that season and the No. 4 nontypical reported from Region 6. As earlier mentioned, state-run WMAs crank out some dandy whitetails each year.

Trent Kendrick

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David Forsatti

Perhaps the most impressive was taken during a 2015 archery draw hunt on the Chaparral WMA in South Texas by crossbow hunter Bill William of Ganado. The 5 1/2-year-old non-typical grosses 172 3/8 and nets 165 4/8. It is the second largest gross scoring buck from the WMA in last 30 years. Remarkably, the buck also scores high as a typical, 167 6/8 gross and 155 4/8 net. The high fence WMA in LaSalle and Dimmit counties was equally good to 14-year-old Katelyn Chappell last season.

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Chappell was participating in a Youth Only draw hunt when she brought down an outstanding 12-pointer that grosses 166 2/8 and nets 165 3/8 as a typical. It was the No. 1 typical reported from public lands statewide last year and the No. 5 high fence typical turned in to TBGA from Region 8. Draw hunters on two East Texas WMAs scored big during the last two seasons. In 2019, Leonard Mechler shot at a 12-pointer at the Gus Engeling WMA in Anderson County. Mechler’s buck gross scores 161 3/8 and nets 156 1/8. The buck, was report-

edly caught on game camera the week before Mechler took it, is the top scoring nontypical reported from the WMA since 1997. In 2018, the David Fosatti of Alvin shot a magnificent 12-pointer during a draw hunt on the Alazan Bayou WMA in Nacogdoches County. The deer grosses 161 4/8 as a typical and 166 7/8 as a non-typical. It’s the highest scoring buck ever reported from the 2,100acre WMA. Fosatti, who has made several hunts on public land in the past, wasn’t the only one surprised by the whopper whitetail. The buck also left the TPWD staff that oversees the WMA scratching their heads. “We ran five different game cameras out there all summer long and we never got the first picture of that deer,” said Bill Adams, leader of the department’s Pineywoods Ecosystem Project. “We’ve seen some really nice bucks out there, including a 170plus. But this deer was a complete surprise. There’s no telling where he came from.”

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HE ATLANTIC TARPON (MEGALOPS ATLANTICUS) stands out in the minds of those that have had the privilege to catch or even hook one. If their sheer size, upwards of 200 and 300 lbs., doesn’t impress you, their fight surely will. When hooked, a tarpon will fly head over tail into the air displaying its true power. After witnessing such an acrobatic maneuver, you won’t wonder why they have been adorned and crowned with the nickname, “The Silver King.”

Tarpon fishing has deep roots in the Gulf of Mexico, with Port Aransas, Texas, known for decades as the “Tarpon Capitol of the World.” Since the late-1800s, anglers from big cities such as Chicago and New York have flocked to this humble town along the Texas coast to spar with the Silver King. A testament to the Texas tarpon heyday can be seen at the historic Tarpon Inn, Port Aransas. There, tarpon scales line the walls, many signed by the anglers who were able to bring the fish to hand. Even former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s signature can be found there. These scales also provide an important benchmark for conservation efforts because back then it was not uncommon to hook up and land several 100-pound tarpon on any given summer day. Unfortunately, in the 1960s, this once bountiful fishery collapsed. With it so did the important tourism dollars and bragging rights. Today, this sharp decline in tarpon numbers is largely attributed to drought that resulted in the construction of reservoirs and, in turn, the damning of free-flowing Texas rivers.

PHOTOS: MAIN, CANSTOCK; INSET, AARON ADAMS

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PHOTO: INTERNATIONAL GAME FISH ASSOCIATION

ILLUSTRATION: ANNEKE WILDER

In fact, a handful of tarpon have been tagged in Texas, and showed a southern migration toward Mexico in the fall. We now understand there are likely two separate tarpon populations within the Gulf of Mexico, with the Mississippi River Delta serving as a melting pot and the divider between the east and the west. However much of the past science focused only on large tarpon. Coastlines are also changing, This makes it even more imperative to establish a deeper understanding of movement patterns of tarpon of all ages, consistent from year to year. Based on an extensive multi-year tarpontracking project using acoustic telemetry, key movement patterns are beginning to emerge. This innovative technology involves stationary acoustic receivers or “listening stations” moored on the sea floor. These receiv-

Tarpon migrate a thousand or more miles each season.

fuel the needs of the visiting adult Silver King. Finally, oil spills off the coastline of Mexico and Texas began regularly infiltrating our tarpon’ coastlines. In addition to large-scale ecosystem changes, we can also point toward historic overfishing of large adult tarpon in the region and more broadly throughout the Gulf of Mexico. At the time, when tarpon seemed plentiful and never ending, anglers would often haul their catches to the dock for photos at what we now realize were unsustainable rates. Similarly, overfishing for tarpon also existed in Mexico, however, unlike in Texas, there it was for table fare, not trophy photos. In recent decades, research efforts have increased to better understand and uncover the secret lives of tarpon, with a goal to guide protection and perhaps even restoration of tarpon stocks and the important habitats on which they rely. For example, with ongoing tarpon tracking studies, we now have evidence that these fish may travel hundreds to thousands of miles for spawning and foraging. This is especially troublesome since it means tarpon caught in Texas, for instance, may be from the same population that spends time in Mexico where they could be readily harvested.

PHOTO: AARON ADAMS

When freshwater is restricted from estuarine environments and bays, salinity levels drastically increase leading to large seagrass die offs and ecosystem-wide changes. Ultimately, these estuarine systems, serving as critical juvenile tarpon habitats, began to disappear. Important prey including shrimp, crabs, and bait fish, also became less abundant to

If a tarpon’s size doesn’t impress you, its ﬁght will.

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Tarpon have been a part of Texas history.

ers detect the signals from acoustic tags that we surgically implant into Atlantic tarpon. The transmitters are the size of a AA battery and have a lifespan of five years. This means not only can we implant them in a wide size range of tarpon, including those around 15 pounds, we can also track them over multiple years. As the tarpon swims past the network of receivers, a unique ID code, date and time are saved on the receiver. With thousands of these receivers deployed across the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern USA, we can now track tarpon across the Gulf and adjacent waters. Now we can build a more detailed understanding of what really makes a tarpon move—or, in some cases, stay. Our study has already revealed that small

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tarpon once considered resident to a particular area from season to season actually make extraordinary 1000-plus-mile migrations along the coast. By using sophisticated analyses of more than a million detections to date, the data are providing other important clues about the movement patterns of Atlantic tarpon, including that the likely locations of numerous offshore spawning locations in the Gulf of Mexico. The data are also beginning to reveal that tarpon rely heavily on the many rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern USA. These rivers deliver nutrients that fuel the coastal ecosystems that tarpon prey rely on. Our data highlight river deltas such as the Santee Delta, South Carolina; Shark River, Florida; Apalachicola Delta, Florida; and the Mississippi Delta, Louisiana. These deltas are probably important foraging areas for tarpon in the summer and fall months. However, when river flows are altered and extensive commercial harvest of menhaden off Louisiana and the Chesapeake Bay occurs, it could spell trouble for tarpon that travel great distances to gorge and recover

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from their spawning migrations. Knowledge gained through science is an important foundation for how modern-day tarpon populations are managed, and hopefully restored. Results from tracking studies can now anchor the testimony of anglers and scientists alike for the need for multi-state and even broader international management strategies. This includes restricted harvest quotas for tarpon, while also promoting best handling practices. This ensures a caught fish will survive to reproduce once more. We will also need another call to action for the restoration of waterways and estuaries that provide essential habitat and forage for juvenile tarpon. Now we understand that without healthy forage base there will not be enough food for adult tarpon. So, we need more attention to conservation of forage fish. Today, we are witnessing the revitalization of Texas tarpon fishing. Although it may not yet be able to reclaim the title of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tarpon Capital of the World,â&#x20AC;? fishing guides and anglers are beginning to see numbers increase at a steady rate. This is likely a direct benefit of Texan anglers adopting catch-and-release practices.

Imagine what may be in store if anglers, scientists, and fisheries managers from across the Gulf of Mexico unite in a larger effort to restore and protect Atlantic tarpon populations. Finding ways to balance human needs with the needs of tarpon is the only way to ensure that future generations of anglers have the opportunity to bow to the Silver King, and for a place like Port Aransas to share the crown.

Calling all Tarpon Anglers Have you ever fished for Atlantic tarpon? Want to support the conservation of the silver king? Help us learn more about the secret lives of these fish and how to best protect them. Complete this survey at http://bit.ly/ Tarponurvey. Also included is an optional raffle for a free Patagonia Stormfront Rolltop Backpack.

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HE CHRISTMAS SEASON IS A TIME OF reflection for many people. Family traditions bring joy, laughter and thoughts of yesteryear that can put a smile on the face or bring sadness. Sometimes the reason there are fewer presents under the tree is because there are fewer people in the family.

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Christmas can be a reminder of loss. The deepest roots of Christmas are celebrating the birth of a savior that brought hope to the world and this article is to inspire all of us to search out that hope in the great outdoors. Plenty of hunting challenges exist out there. The Grand Slam of turkey means lots of travel and some challenging times calling in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest game bird.

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The Grand Slam of sheep means lots of travel, far more money than most of us have and the incredible physical strain of hunting in North America’s highest elevations. Hunters can even take up lesser-known challenges such as those involving pursuing myriad whitetail subspecies, However, we want to put out something perhaps more challenging than these.

The good news is it won’t cost you like the sheep slam, require the travel of pursuing turkeys from Florida to South Dakota or make you dig out a whitetail distribution chart figuring out where one subspecies ends and another begins. This challenge is all about the heart and blessing others. Two groups of people are disenfranchised in our hunting culture—impoverished youth and the elderly.

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Let’s start with the latter first. Imagine that you spent most of your life hunting. You craved the encounter with whitetails and waterfowl and spent thousands of days on your life in the field, but now you’re relegated to a retirement center. When fall comes you see it through the windows of the facility as graying skies and falling leaves reminds you of something you used to love. Maybe your spouse is gone and your children simply don’t care. What would it mean to one of these senior citizens if you committed to picking them up and taking them to hunting camp this Christmas season? Maybe they can’t get out to the blind, but they would certainly love the camaraderie at camp and being part of something that brings life to them. After all, their heart is still pumping. Maybe you could bring out a .410 and set them up in a pecan grove to hunt squirrels or shoot doves in the field behind the camp. The encounter would bless them but the fact someone remembers them might just restore their hope. And then there’s the economically challenged youth. The only thing standing in the way of youth from poor communities getting opportunities to hunt is us. Yes, us. These kids live in our neighborhoods, go to our churches and are parts of our community.

Put a youngster on a proven stock tank for duck action, and you will spark a life-long connection.

We get incredible feedback on the photos of smiling kids with game and fish we run at fishgame.com and here in the magazine. The only difference between these and thousands of poor kids in our state is someone brought them into the field. Although it has become politically incorrect to say men have an important role in our society, we refuse to bow to this idiotic thinking. God created man and woman and when men fail their families in large numbers, entire communities fail. The majority of our readers are men. By connecting with young people you can show the boys how a man leads and the girls how a good man treats women. Young people are easy to please in a hunting setting.

Take them on a stock tank hunt for ducks where the action will be fast and the results spectacular. Let them take the does on your lease or bring them out at night on a spooky, fun hog hunt. That connection to hunting might just save a young person’s life. An interest in something natural and challenging might be the thing that inspires them to push beyond the temptations of drugs, gangs and even suicide. The highest rate in suicide growth is 11- to 14-year-old teens. Suicide rates go up during the Christmas season for the reasons stated at the beginning of this article—memories of loss and despair for the future. Hunting isn’t a cure-all for the young or the fountain of youth for the old. However, this year could be the thing that lets them know life is worth living and great things can still happen. This year has brought incredible challenges to our world, nation and state. For some it has been a challenge to simply go on and fight to live when they don’t feel like fighting. No matter what you think of COVID-19, consider the elderly locked away and literally not able to see any guests for months. Children in foster facilities have experienced the same thing. Jobs have been lost and so have lives. This Christmas, take up a greater cause and bring those who are struggling the most to hunting camp. You can shoot all the big bucks, banded ducks or trophy elk you want, but it won’t fulfill you like taking someone hunting or fishing. Give the gift of hunting and know the joy you give will come back to you, perhaps in miraculous ways.

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10/14/20 6:19 PM

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

Go Hunt!

EMEMBER TO TURN ON camera. Focus. Widen the field of view, but not too wide. Gun up and in position, deer on camera’s screen. Don’t rush it, but hurry before he walks out of the scene. “Aaaccckkkkk!” Buck stops, check camera one more time, place Trijicon Huron’s crosshair squarely on deer’s shoulder. Gently pull the trigger, sending the Hornady ELD-X on its mission. BAM! Buck down. Reload! Keep crosshairs on downed deer with one eye. Make certain the camera is still on what can be seen of the buck’s antlers above the grass. Yes, still there. Breathe! This fall unlike many before, I will be selffilming numerous hunts for A Sportsman’s Life found on YouTube and Pride Outdoor Network. Rather than having a cameraman with me all the time, I am adding new dimensions to my hunt. First week of our Texas deer season, the above is how I hope things will happen on opening morning. Then again, as I hunt several more times throughout the season on properties under Texas’s Managed Land Deer Permit. I am thankful that here in Texas we have a long hunting season and tremendous deer herds with multiple hunting opportunities especially on land under MLDP. Looking into a camo crystal ball, I am hoping the above will happen on my own property, which is not under MLDP. For the past many months, I have been practicing with Ruger No. 1 single-shot rifles, topped with Trijicon scopes and shooting Hornady ammo. I now am proficient with them at ranges near and far. I do hope when a buck or doe appears, it will be within 100 yards, and—even better—less. Hunting to me means getting as close as possible before taking the shot, rather than shooting at extreme range. Yet, I do PHOTO: LARRY WEISHUHN

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enjoy shooting at targets out to 400 yards and beyond on my home range. Hunting near food, be it native and natural, planted in plots, feeders or bait is always a key to finding whitetails. Does stay where there is food. Does are followed by bucks throughout much of our Texas fall hunting season. Also, do not overlook a deer’s need to drink water. Throughout our fall deer hunting season, I

from a biological perspective, but also psychologically. When I put out scents and lures, I expect bucks to visit scrapes I freshened and/or come to the alluring aroma of a doe in estrus. So, I am attentive and watching, rather than daydreaming. When something approaches, I see it happen. I am frequently asked as a long-time hunt-

pay attention to activity charts based on moon phases. I do not necessarily plan my daily hunts by them. However, if the charts say a major feeding period is going to begin in the immediate area at 11:45 am, I will be in the field rather than heading back to camp to eat lunch. Deer movement is not always parallel to what the activity charts suggest, but it’s right often enough for me to use them as a tool. I am a firm believer in staying as scentfree as possible. Before each hunt, I spray my clothes, hat, gloves, boots with TRHP Scent Guardian, then also use their scents and lures when hunting. TRHP’s scents and lures work

er/wildlife biologist, “What is the best advice I can give to a hunter?” My reply is always the same: “Go hunt, hot or cold, wind or no, rain, sleet, snow, fog or bright sunshine. Never look for excuses not to go hunting.” Follow that little bit of advice, and your hunting season will be hugely successful, regardless of whether you pull the trigger or release an arrow.

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10/14/20 6:22 PM

HE MAJORITY OF MY WINTER COASTAL FISHING during the last five years has been in the Sabine River, and it was not always by choice. Brutal winds, combined with an equally brutal schedule have forced me to fish when I can, no matter the conditions. So, the Sabine River is my backup plan, but that’s not a bad thing. This time of year, I have found that if I can find mullet, I can find redfish and usually big ones. Here are the patterns I discovered and notes I have taken. • AS NOTED EARLIER, the reds are around the mullet. The area near the Interstate 10 bridge on the saltwater line produced big reds, but only when big numbers of mullet were there. There are many small shad in the system, but that is not what the reds are on. They feed heavily on mullet, so be mindful of that when scouting out areas. • THE BAYOUS on the river hold some big reds. However, most of the fish seem to be in the mouths of the bayous where they meet the river or near-drop offs in the main river channel. If you do not find mullet on the surface, look below with your electronics, because that could be what the reds are holding on. A steep drop-off with big mullet concentrations is the perfect scenario. • THE REDS in deeper water (or on the edges of the deep) prefer either crankbaits with deep-sounding rattles or none at all. I have caught them on the Super Pogy from Bomber, saltwater grade, which has a couple of big ball bearings that give a deep-resonating sound. I’ve also caught them on a Rick Clunn R2 Squarebill from Luck E. Strike that has no rattles. Both of these have produced for me recently, but crankbaits with small rattles did not. I have always been far more confident in heavier rattles with reds. Although they will hit virtually anything at times, I think the louder rattles are great in deep water. I also think the much quieter, rattle-free Squarebill is great for searching out fish in super shallow water. That’s where I had one demolished by a 36-inch-plus red. Reds can get spooky in the shallows. So, a quiet Squarebill is what I usually start off with in the shallows. The Sabine River and Neches River as well, can offer excellent action for big redfish during the winter months. In some cases, these reds will be as big as those found at the Sabine Jetties, 20 miles to the south. On days when the winds are blowing and the lake and jetties are inaccessible, give these rivers a shot. You might just find some really big redfish.

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

Repower Your Boat?

Performance can be enhanced if you upsize the engine. Often, even a motor of the same horsepower rating will provide a bit of a performance boost simply because it’s fresh. Performance may also go up a (small) notch because the rig’s overall weight can be reduced, as well. Many modern four-strokes are lighter than the versions built in previous years. Reducing the weight of your rig means better efficiency plus potentially a better running angle. Another possible positive side effect in this case is a reduced fuel burn. Not only is this because of weight reduction, but many modern four-strokes are more fuel efficient than the versions built five or 10 years ago. This might be to the tune of four to seven percent. You might enjoy some peripheral benefits after repowering a boat, too. If you replace the steering and controls at the same time (which is commonly the case) handling can be greatly enhanced. You might have the option of upgrading to fly-by-wire as opposed to cable controls. This can make the boat easier to run and more reliable. Maybe you covet a jack plate, power-assisted steering, or an autopilot. A repower job offers the perfect opportunity to have it installed. One must recognize, of course, a few downsides to repowering. The biggest relates to cost and value. You’re likely to devalue the new engine the moment you hang it on your old boat’s transom. Resale value of the package can’t be expected to increase by more than around 70-percent of the cost of the engine. And yes, additional devaluation does go on from there. Remember, however, somewhat counter-intuitive cost-savings are involved with a repower. With a new engine that doesn’t need constant repairs, your maintenance costs will probably go way down, at least for the first several years. Added bonus: if something does go wrong early in the game, you’ll be covered by a warranty. More potential downsides arise when considering what upgrades (read: additional expenses) may be necessary to support the

MONG THE RATHER SHOCKing, unpredictable, and downright weird effects of the Covid pandemic is a shortage of boats. Yes, boats. This spring and summer family after family canceled their vacation travel plans and tried to think of safe forms of recreation. So, the popularity of fishing from a boat shot through the roof. In a matter of months it became difficult to find some specific makes and models. According to the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, boat sales nationwide jumped a hair-raising 59 percent from April to May this spring. This is great news for boat dealers and manufacturers. But, what about for those of us who had hoped to buy a new boat? In some cases we may have to pay a premium, and in others we may have to wait for months on end to get the exact boat we want. These issues have led a lot of people who already own fishing boats to consider another option: repowering them. Before even beginning this discussion, we should note that most powerboats today are built so well they will outlast their power plants by a wide margin. However, it might mean a rewiring job, replacing things such as canvas and vinyl, and/or deoxidizing the gel coat. If you own a boat built in the past 20 or so years, chances are it’s structurally solid and will remain so long after the engine(s) it was first sold with go kaput. If you like the boat you already have, but the engine has become aged or unreliable—or maybe you’d just like to add a bit of zing to the boat’s performance—repowering has several plusses and minuses. On the upside, the number-one benefit is your boat will probably be very reliable for a number of years—hopefully, many years. 22

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new power plant. Some newer model outboards may have integrated power steering systems that require electrical and/or battery upgrades. If you up the horsepower, you might need to have larger fuel lines installed. If you switch brands, going from cable to fly-by-wire, or to replace a very old outboard, you can bet that all your gauges and wiring harnesses should be replaced. If you get rid of an older two-stroke you might have a net increase in the package’s weight. This negates some of the potential upsides of having a new motor. However, if you go from a smoky old two-banger to a modern four-stroke, you’ll be thrilled at the vast reduction in sound, vibration, and emission levels. Once upon a time you needed a serious wad of cash to repower a boat. However, repowering has become popular enough that marine lenders now offer financing programs specifically for these jobs. Most of the major outboard manufacturers offer financing programs or work directly with companies that do. This can make the financing process easy and seamless. It’s common for your local dealer to set up the deal, then roll the cost of removing the old engine and mounting the new one right into the loan—sometimes with no money down. Is repowering the best move for you, personally? That’s a decision only you can make. The first step is asking yourself whether you love your boat or not. If you do, repowering is probably an option deserving serious consideration. Either way, one thing is for sure. If you want a better fishing boat and your choices are limited, repowering will give that old boat a new lease on life. In the long run, that may be exactly what you need to seek out more and bigger fish.

Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@ﬁshgame.com

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BOATING EXTRA

Landing Fish Too Big for Your Gear IF YOU ENJOY LIGHT TACKLE angling in saltwater, there will come a day when an unexpected beast of one species or another attacks your lure or bait, and you’ll be faced with a battle in which you’re outgunned and under prepared. It’s inevitable, and it’s also one of the reasons why fishing is so dang fun - you just never do know what you’ll hook up with. This picture is a great example: a family sat at anchor over a reef in 20 feet of water, bottom fishing for croaker with light spinning rods and eight pound test line. I happened to be jigging

If you’re at anchor and you can pull the anchor up, do so. This will not only allow you to chase the fish and prevent getting spooled, it’ll also eliminate the need to maneuver the rod and/or fish around the anchor line if it circles the boat. If you don’t have a net big enough for the fish and you intend on keeping it, make an insta-gaff. A large bucktail or jig head ducttaped to a mop handle makes an amazingly effective gaff which can hold a shocking amount of weight. Just use plenty of tape!

hooked up with on this micro-gear. But there are a few specific tips to keep in mind, when you’re out-gunned. To get that huge fish into the boat, always remember: Be patient and let the drag do its work. Whatever you do, don’t feather the spool or increase drag pressure with your finger. That’s a sure-fire way to break the fish off, even if you don’t apply too much pressure. A big fish like this can shift from regular into overdrive with one kick of its tail, and if you’re increasing drag pressure even slightly, that sudden increase in force can snap the line. If you feel that you do need to increase the pressure, do so by incrementally turning up the drag setting bit by bit - not by touching the spool. Don’t chase the fish with the landing net. Again, patience is key. You need to wait for an ideal opportunity when the fish is positioned perfectly and you can scoop it head-first without hesitation. Try chasing a big fish with the net and it’ll escape every

—Lenny Rudow

That huge tail you see to the lower right in the picture belonged to a monster black drum.

close by, when one of their K-Mart-style rods doubled over and something far larger than a croaker ate their shrimp. I watched and photographed as they struggled with the 50-pound-plus black drum for 45 minutes, finally brought it up to the boat, and... seconds after this shot was captured, snapped off the line. What could these folks have done differently, to make the catch? Truth be told, not much. They put up a good battle and actually caught a second big black that they PHOTO: LENNY RUDOW

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time - starting the tug of war to get it back to the boat all over again. Don’t grab the rod above the grip, to try and increase leverage. That’s the one mistake we can see the angler above making. He got lucky, but when you grab a rod above the grip when there’s this much tension on the line, it can snap. Modern rods are incredibly strong as long as you allow them to arc as they’re designed to do. Interrupt that arc, and there’s a good chance that rod will break. T E X A S

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ELTA WATERFOWL, ONE OF America’s leading conservation organizations, is giving duck hunters a fall flight forecast despite the cancelation of the 2020 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey. “The Service’s cancelation of the survey due to Covid-19 means we don’t have estimates of breeding duck populations or pond (wetland) counts this year,” said Dr. Frank Rohwer, president of Delta Waterfowl. “However, a far more important metric for predicting a quality hunting season is duck production. That’s the overriding factor in whether we’ll see a good fall flight.” Therefore, duck production among species likely varied based on their regional preferences.

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Delta expects that mallards took advantage of wet conditions in the Dakotas and prairie Manitoba, which will send plenty of greenheads down the Central and Mississippi flyways. This was reflected in the North Dakota survey, which estimated 872,982 breeding mallards, the 18th highest index recorded. The Dakota prairies are the core breeding range of bluewinged teal, which spells good news for early teal seasons. Bluewings increased 58 percent in the North Dakota survey. “Bluewings were off the charts in the Dakotas and should, in turn, provide an outstanding fall flight,” Rohwer said. “Greenwinged teal are more challenging to predict, but they typically nest farther north in the stable wetlands of the Canadian parklands and boreal forest. It’s rare for greenwings to have a bad year.”

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Gadwalls are expected to have an average fall ﬂight this year.

Redheads are far more adaptable in their habits based on the presence of water, which they found plenty of in the Dakotas. Though redheads declined in the North Dakota survey by 11.64 percent, their breeding population estimates of 203,121 birds remains a whopping 72.34 percent above the longterm average. “The Dakotas will give redheads a much better fall flight than canvasbacks,” Rohwer

Delta anticipates an average fall flight of gadwalls. Roughly 50 percent of the population nests in prairie Saskatchewan, where conditions suffered from low precipitation, while the other half settles in the Dakotas. Breeding gadwalls climbed 6.16 percent to 440,379 birds in the North Dakota survey. The news is less favorable for pintails, as conditions were well below average in prairie Saskatchewan, the traditional heart of the pintail’s breeding range. However, an increasing ratio of pintails have settled in the Dakotas in recent years in response to vastly better wetland conditions. “If enough pintails nested in the U.S. prairies, it could help offset the drier conditions in Canada,” Rohwer said. “Regardless, I don’t expect a good year for pintails. This wasn’t the spring we needed to get them back on track.” Wigeon are believed to have had an average nesting season, given conditions in their preferred prairie Canada breeding grounds. Delta expects a decreased fall flight of canvasbacks due to the poor nesting conditions in the Saskatchewan parklands. “The canvasbacks that nested in Manitoba will fare better, but it’s just not going to be a good year for cans,” Rohwer said. “They’re very inflexible nesters and will fly right past good water in the Dakotas to reach the Canadian parklands.” 26

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said. “Even more cans than normal settled in the Dakotas, though not in any significant numbers.” This is the first year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not produced a survey, and the TF&G staff appreciates Delta’s indepth and unique analysis.

Redheads numbers are running 72 percent above their long term average.

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PHOTOS: BIGSTOCK

10/16/20 4:27 PM

Texas TASTED by BRYAN SLAVEN :: The Texas Gourmet

Teal Tenderloin Wraps

AWN ROLLS IN SLOWLY and stunningly Little pink wisps off to the east, then more light, gets the frogs sounding off, then the birds, until the wetlands are alive with soft morning light and animal calls. We are excited to see the first group of teal come into the decoys. The first shots ring out, and the lab is shaking with excitement and ready to hit the water.

Ingredients 6 to 7 Teal or other duck breasts 24 Slices of thin-sliced center cut bacon 1 Large purple onion, peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch strips 12 Fresh jalapeños, halved, seeded, and scraped inside 1 8 oz. cake of cream cheese, allow to sit out until softened 3 Green onions, sliced thin 1 tablespoon- fresh chopped cilantro 30 to 40 round toothpicks—uncolored—place in a shallow cup or bowl of water

Baste 1 bottle of cold St. Arnolds Santo Beer (or your favorite amber ale)—open and take a good sip just to make sure it’s OK! Then save the rest for the recipe. 1 Jar Texas Gourmet’s Jalapeno Kiwi Jelly 2 Cloves fresh garlic – minced 2 Tsp. Sesame seeds 1 T. Black pepper 2 Tsp. Soy Sauce 1 Tsp. Coarse mustard PHOTO: BRYAN SLAVEN

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peno half on the bacon, and then top it with a duck breast strip. Wrap the bacon around tightly from one end all the way to the other end to hold in the cream cheese mixture, then seal with a moistened toothpick. Use 2 if necessary. Repeat until all wraps are made up.

3 Tsp. Olive oil Powdered ginger (Heat basting ingredients over a low fire until well blended, then remove from heat)

Preparation Remove the breasts from the bone, carefully inspect, rinsing and removing any pellets or feathers from the meat, then slice long ways into ½ “thick strips- you should have at least 24 strips, then place in a bowl of iced brine water (3 T. sea salt to 1 qt. of water along with 25 to 30 ice cubes, add water if needed to fully submerse all meat) for 1 hour, pour off the water, then refill the bowl with straight cold water and soak for an additional 30 minutes. Pour off water again, then drizzle a couple teaspoons of olive oil over the strips, toss well to be sure and touch all pieces, then cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until time to prepare. In a small bowl combine the cream cheese, chopped green onion and cilantro, add 1 teaspoon of fresh black pepper, stir well until well blended. Place approx. ¾ teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture into each jalapeno half and spread evenly. Lay the bacon strips separated on a cookie sheet, and lightly dust with powdered ginger, fresh cracked pepper, and sesame seeds, While holding a strip of bacon in one hand with the spices to the inside, lay a jalaT E X A S

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Grilling NOTE: Keep lid closed as much as possible to evenly cook the wraps and hold in the heat.

Delicious Teal Wraps.

Grill over a mesquite, charcoal, or gas fire with a medium-high fire. Cook the wraps indirectly over the heat, and I would suggest using a grilling mat, turning frequently and basting often to keep them moist. When bacon appears done, approximately 10 to 12 minutes, move the wraps to a warmed platter, and cover loosely with a piece of foil for 8 to 10 minutes to rest the meat. Remove all toothpicks and serve. Bon Appétit!

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Email Bryan Slaven at Bryan@thetexasgourmet.com |

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COMPOSITE PHOTO: TF&G

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& GAME 38  FISH FORECAST CENTER SALTWATER

Reported by Capt. Eddie Hernandez, Capt. Mike Holmes, Mike Price, Capt. Chris Martin, Capt. Mac Gable, Capt. Joey Farah and Capt. Gerad Meritt

& GAME 48  FISH FORECAST CENTER FRESHWATER

Reported by TF&G Staff

56  SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK Tides and SoLunar Data

IF YOU’RE READING THIS THEN YOU ARE someone who participates in the outdoor lifestyle. You’re obviously not checking this out for the latest in fall fashions—well perhaps, if you consider camouflage stylish this year. In a crazy year with a pandemic, up and down economy, record storms, record fires and all-out chaos, survival has become something more than a fantasy. If this snowball continues to roll down the mountain then an avalanche is in the forecast. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 

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Special SECTION Here are some things to consider about our topics.

Concealed Carry Have you been to a large department store post-pandemic? Hit one at the right time, and it looks like the zombie apocalypse is really unfolding. The campaign of fear in the media on top of the protests in the streets and cities burning has been a reminder that concealed carry is something to be taken very seriously. If you’re not certified it might be time. If you are and leave your gun in the car, it might be time to actually carry. For everyone, training needs to be part of the equation. Learn how to properly use and clean your gun. Be prepared men-

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tally and physically for any situation you might encounter. I’d like to say you won’t come across some living-dead creature trying to eat your brain, but I went to one of these department stores at midnight recently. It was like George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, albeit without the subtle humor. Yes, it was much scarier.

Practical Outdoors Tips If there’s ever been a time to know how to skin a buck and run a trotline it’s now. Look, if you’re actually quoting a Hank Williams, Jr. song as practical advice you know things are serious. Granted, A

Country Boy Can Survive is more firmly rooted in morality than Whisky Bent and Hell Bound. However, when Hank seems more reasonable than most of society, see the zombie apocalypse note above. We need to be showing our children and grandchildren how to do things like tie fishing knots, run trotlines and to safely shoot guns. They need to know there is food in the woods and in the water, if things go way farther south. Posting videos on TikTok may be fun, but it ain’t gonna put food on the table. If the power is out, the video thing is null and void anyway. Yes, we have conditioned our youth to see slow WiFi as torment and persecution, but they need to know they can make it

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PHOTO: CANSTOCK

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Sharing survival skills with a kid (or anyone) is a perfect gift in today’s world.

out alive when things get really bad. Then they can post a clip about their adventure. Wild game will become a valuable commodity if things continue down their current path. Have you seen beef prices lately? It’s ridiculous. We’re not even talking about the expensive Japanese beef where they massage the cattle and give them chiropractic adjustments before taking them to slaughter. Regular old pasture beef is becoming a delicacy. Chicken prices aren’t what they used to be either. The person who can kill, catch and clean game is at an advantage now and will be the man of the hour if the zombie crisis reaches phase 2. This would be a great time to share our knowledge of the tastes of wild game and fish to friends on the fence about the 32

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issue. Even animal rights-leaning folks might convert if beef continues its pace to be the meat of kings and queens. You didn’t think all of those people were vegans, did you? They’re animal rights friends only when the following things line up. 1. They can feel good about being a good person and not actually killing animals. 2. They get attention from others about being a good person and not actually killing animals. 3. They don’t have to put more thought than points A and B into their philosophy. Former anti-hunters will be glad to eat Bambi’s momma when they know it tastes good and even has the bonus of being |

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Special SECTION “organic.” Yes, you can always sell them on that one. Obvious or not, it sounds good. As Christmas season rolls along you can invite them all over for some quality wild game and maybe a lesson in sur-

vival. Remember, the anti-hunter usually changes their mind when a feral hog is in the rose garden. The vegan may compromise when roasted nutria is more environmentally friendly than their tofu. The anti-gunner is typically not fond

of idiots in masks burning down their business. After all, they are capitalists. Well, maybe not, but a riot or two in front of their store window might make them replace the Castro painting in their office with one of Washington. Where is all of this going? We don’t know. We’re praying for a turnaround. We’re hoping for a business boom. And we’re preparing to do the best with what comes our way. If it’s a reversed pandemic and economic sunshine we rejoice. If it’s more zombies, we’ll be ready for that too. With that in mind here’s some parting shots of practical advice: • When Christmas shopping you might want to go in disguise and wear an “Animals Are People Too” shirt or something of the sort. • The zombies you’re likely to encounter in large numbers during the Christmas shopping rush only eat brains. • If they think you’re one of them, they’ll just walk on by. • • •

ITH ALL OF THAT SAID, in this age of uncertainty the following are some great Christmas gift ideas for the outdoors lover.

BEACON: An emergency beacon can be a lifesaver for a hunter, fishermen or anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. Most of these have the ability to push a button and signal all relevant emergency agencies with a signal of your location. Some of these even have the option of being able to have preset text messages like, “I have arrived at my desired loca34

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A well thrown cast net provides free bait and is poetry in motion.

tion” for example”. All of them come with some kind of a monthly service plan that is well worth it when it comes to potentially saving your life. This may seem like something that’s a natural for a deep woods hunter but consider how far out of civilization some fishermen venture into back bays and deep marshes. This is not a stocking suffer priced item but again, it could be a difference maker. CASTNET: This might seem a little odd for a gift but with the price of live and dead bait skyrocketing, a castnet is a practical and money saving gift. Make sure and get one no smaller than four feet (unless you are buying for a kid) or larger than six feet. And in all sincerity if we have some sort of deep financial meltdown this isn’t a bad way to catch dinner. SNAKE PROOF BOOTS: Nothing in the outdoors arsenal of a hunter can be more more frequently used than snake proof boots. There are a variety of brands PHOTO: COURTESY AMERICAN MAPLE

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out west where rattlesnakes are common a pair of snake boots can save you and them a lot of worry and maybe a trip to the hospital. Leggings are also available and can be effective at deflecting fangs. FILLET KNIVES: A good set of fillet knives is a valuable gift for serious anglers. That is the ones that occasionally release their fish into grease or perhaps prefer more refined (and healthy) grilled offerings.

out there and they can be a little pricey but if your loved one is always stomping through cottonmouth country or ventures

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ELECTRIC KNIVES are great for most applications but if you have an angler in your life who catches lots of thick-scaled redfish look at the reviews. Reds will burn out a lot of electric knives. Good standard blades tend to do the job better than most.

SELFIE STICK: Who doesn’t like to take cool photos of themselves with fish and game? If no one is around, a selfiestick can help get the job done. And you never know what could happen. You might get that elusive video of a mountain lion sneaking up behind you while you’re cutting a promo for Youtube on the big buck you just shot. A word of advice is to get a batterypowered one. Rechargeables are hit and miss on their longevity. We couldn’t help but be a little sarcastic here ending 2020 but in all sincerity we wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We’re believing for a better 2021.

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the flats or shorelines of Galveston and Sabine until you are able to zero in on them can result in a box of hefty wintertime trout. Morning Glory, Red Shad and Glow Assassins on 1/8 or ¼ oz. lead heads work really well, as do Corkys, Catch 2000’s and topwaters. Another thing that is exciting to us is the number of redfish that we catch in early winter. The shorelines and bayous hold lots of reds year round but November and December are two of our favorite months to seek them out. The presence of bait especially mullet is a big player, so if you see mullet on the bank there’s a very good chance there will also be hungry reds there too. Straight tailed soft plastics rigged on 1/8 oz. lead heads should be hard for them to resist. Darker colors like Root Beer, Morning Glory, and Red Shad will usually draw more strikes.

Late Fall Brings the Best of Both Worlds coast of Texas. What makes it special is that we get to experience two very different fishing patterns while targeting speckled trout in November and December. Basically, we have the best of both worlds. With our usual mild winters, December gives us an extension of the fantastic fall bird action that typically lasts through about the first half of the month. Then, as if someone flips a switch, we can have an Arctic front that drops the temperature into the lower 30’s for a few days. We have, on numerous occasions been running the birds on mild December mornings, and then, the next thing you know, one of those fronts pushed through and the next day we were launching the boat in 33 degree temperatures. Our strategy changed overnight and we were drifting the flats the next day. Fortunately, for us here on the upper coast we have some nice cold water real estate that holds some good fish at least fairly consistently when the mercury dips down into the chill zone. Making CAPT. HERNANDEZ long drifts on ContactUs@Fishgame.com

SABINE Reported by CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

NOTHER WINTER SEASON is rapidly approaching and we all have so much to be thankful for. Everyone is excited about getting to spend quality time with family and friends during the holidays and the children are all anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival. Texas coastal fishermen should also be excited for all these things as well as the great angling opportunities that this season brings. Late fall and early winter is unique when it comes to trout fishing on the upper 38

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THE BANK BITE Location: Mesquite Point (South end of the lake by the Causeway Bridge). Species: Black Drum, Reds, Whiting. Best Baits: Fresh Dead Shrimp, Cut Mullet. Best Times: All day with tidal movement

UPPER COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Chocolate Bay HOTSPOT: Chocolate Bay Shoreline GPS: N 29 7.797, W 95 9.54 (29.1300, -95.1590)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp under a popping cork TIPS: The ﬁsh are going through a transition period, moving from one type of structure to another, from sand bottom too a muddy shell bottom.

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LOCATION: Chocolate Bay HOTSPOT: The Narrows GPS: N 29 10.983, W 95 6.4 (29.1831, -95.1067)

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Inset

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Down Soft Paddle Tails TIPS: Bigger fish will eat fin fish in the winter less, whereas the smaller trout and school fish will eat lots of shrimp and smaller baits.

LOCATION: Christmas Bay HOTSPOT: Wildlife Refuge Shoreline GPS: N 29 3.6329, W 95 12.1849 (29.0606, -95.2031)

1 See Inset

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HOTSPOTLIGHT: SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: TTF Trout Keller soft plastics TIPS: You will see birds working in the middle of the bay. The trout will be in the deeper water.

SAN JACINTO RIVER AT THE MOUTH OF THE SAN JACINTO RIVER ON UPPER GALVESTON BAY IS SOME truly great saltwater fishing. Hidden in plain sight on the urban and industrial edge of Houston, this area also home to sandy beaches, birdwatching and sweeping views. From Morgan’s Point where the river joins Galveston Bay, to Burnet Bay in the shadow of the San Jacinto Monument, this area features a number of small bays and shoreline pockets. In these spots are some of the finest fishing holes on the Upper Texas Coast. Selected hotspots are shown on the table below and on the map above. SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

Morgan’s Point

Tin Can Reefs

REDFISH

Morgans Point

Upper San Jacinto Bay

FLOUNDER

Tabbs Bay

FACILITIES

KEY FACILITY NAME

A B

GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 29 40.509, W 94 58.861 N 29 40.271, W 94 56.113

Pearl/chartreuse soft plastics on C-rig; drift or anchor; dawn-midday.

N 29 40.509, W 94 58.861 N 29 43.104, W 95 02.641

Live mullet, gold spoons; anchor or drift, freeline; avoid afternoon.

N 29 41.635, W 94 56.542

Live shrimp, ﬁnger mullet; great night gigging lights; avoid midday.

Drift birds, shallow water big ﬁsh, deeper smaller; dawn thru dusk.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: TTF Trout Keller soft plastics TIPS: Redfish will be schooled up in the back lakes, sitting on the banks feeding on shrimp, finger mullet, etc.

Drift bouncing plastics or working popping corks; noon thru dusk.

LOCATION

PHONE

N 29 42.776, 1305 Arizona St., Baytown W 94 59.576 N 29 40.901, Thompson Fishing Camp Off FM 2354 W 94 56.212 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2020 W.C. Britton Park

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LOCATION: Christmas Bay HOTSPOT: Christmas Point GPS: N 29 4.663, W 95 10.495 (29.0777, -95.1749)

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BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: If the water is extremely clear, ﬁsh a dark color…Limetreuse is the color of choice for most guys. A favorite dark color is Drunk Monkey with a Limetreuse tail.

UPPER COAST LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Hanna’s Reef GPS: N 29 28.92, W 94 43.6559 (29.4820, -94.7276)

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Burnet Bay GPS: N 29 46.1136, W 95 3.0462 (29.7686, -95.0508) HOTSPOT: Hodges Reef GPS: N 29 34.963, W 94 44.574 (29.5827, -94.7429)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin soft plastics TIPS: Use 1/8- and1/4-ounce jig heads. The 1/8 is good for when the ﬁsh are up and under working birds. If you are ﬁshing slicks, throw the 1/4 ounce. LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Richard’s Reef GPS: N 29 31.429, W 94 45.3229 (29.5238, -94.7554)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Fish the shell reefs, beginning in 2-3 feet of water, working out to deeper locations. Watch continuously for slicks, birds working. LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Dows Reef GPS: N 29 38.8579, W 94 54.1999 (29.6476, -94.9033)

SPECIES: Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Topwaters TIPS: A good topwater is the She Dog in the 808 (orange/black/gold) colors. It works in any color of water, and it has a higher pitch rattle. LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Tong Reef GPS: N 29 32.2319, W 94 30.3509 (29.5372, -94.5059)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Fishing the slicks … “Normally we throw tails or Corkys,” says Capt. Frazier. His favorite soft plastic is the Sea Shad from Bass Assassin.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: MirrOlure MirrOdene TIPS: Favorite lure colors are pearl, chartreuse, black or plum, depending on what the water color is. He uses a 1/4-ounce jig head, dragging it along the bottom, letting the ﬁsh pick it up. LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Scotts Bay GPS: N 29 44.628, W 95 2.364 (29.7438, -95.0394)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: MirrOlure MirrOdene TIPS: Concentrate on ﬁnding some mullet action. You won’t ﬁnd a great deal, just a mullet or two, and then really work that area; don’t give up on it. I will spend 30-45 minutes casting in 180 degrees around me, making sure I have worked the whole area. LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Lake GPS: N 29 16.248, W 94 59.538 (29.2708, -94.9923)

LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Beasley Reef GPS: N 29 40.2679, W 94 52 (29.6711, -94.8667) SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin soft plastics TIPS: If you are catching a bunch of little ﬁsh from under the birds or out a slick, cut off the jig and tie on a topwater, and you will catch the biggest ﬁsh in the school.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout LOCATION: Galveston Trinity Bay

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BEST BAITS: MirrOlure MirrOdene TIPS: Your best bite is probably going to happen after 10:00 a.m., and probably be closer to 3:00 p.m., depending on moon phase and tidal flow. LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: North Deer Island Flats GPS: N 29 16.954, W 94 56.223 (29.2826, -94.9371)

which way it’s moving, as long as it’s moving. LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: San Luis Pass GPS: N 29 4.851, W 95 6.7759 (29.0809, -95.1129) SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin soft plastics TIPS: Determining how fast to fish the lure is based

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: MirrOlure MirrOdene TIPS: Fishing in December is more based on frontal passages than anything else. Fishing the day of the front, in his, opinion, is not time well spent. LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: South Deer Island Flats GPS: N 29 16.2109, W 94 51.96 (29.2702, -94.9204)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: MirrOlure MirrOdene TIPS: Best fishing will be two days after a cold front. Your water levels are going to be 2-3 feet lower than normal. Water temperatures in a normal December, should be in the higher 50s. LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Confederate Reef GPS: N 29 15.7549, W 94 55.177 (29.2626, -94.9196)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: MirrOlure MirrOdene TIPS: In West Bay, the number one spot for wading is Confederate Reef, North Deer Island. The bottom is pretty solid. Moving tides are essential. I don’t care

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LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Live Oak Bay Cut GPS: N 28 44.8339, W 95 44.391 (28.747483, -95.748902)

UPPER COAST on how deep the water you are fishing... 1/8 ounce if the fish are up; under slicks, a 1/4 ounce jig head. LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Dana Cove GPS: N 29 12.768, W 94 58.308 (29.2128, -94.9718) TIPS: One is on the east end, some big mud flats that we drift. They seem to concentrate a lot of fish on them. LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Burkhart Cove GPS: N 28 38.4829, W 95 55.5829 (28.6414, -95.9264)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin soft plastics TIPS: With a shad soft plastic, throw it out as far as you can and reel it back at different speeds until you ﬁnd the speed the ﬁsh want. You don’t have to impart any action to the bait. The little paddle tail on the bait does it all. LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Boiler Bayou GPS: N 28 38.4682, W 95 35.6479 (28.642089, -95.897222)

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: St. Mary’s Bayou GPS: N 28 39.621, W 95 56.667 (28.6604, -95.9445)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: The bird action could be anywhere on the bay, shorelines, middle of the bay in November. LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Old Gulf Cut GPS: N 28 42.919, W 95 53.2099 (28.7153, -95.8868)

SPECIES: Redﬁsh BEST BAITS: Topwaters TIPS: A good lure is the Dog Walker by Unfair Lures. It has more of a sway back to it; walks a lot tighter. LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Oyster Farm Drain GPS: N 28 41.452, W 95 48.627 (28.6909, -95.8105)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Normally sometime in mid to late December this area will start getting some cold snaps that will start dropping the water temperature and that will drive the shrimp off. SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Matagorda East Bay doesn’t have a strong tidal movement. Most of the water movement in and out of the drains is caused by winds. Fish shorelines that stretch adjacent to the drain.

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Half Moon Shoal GPS: N 28 43.345, W 95 46.392 (28.7224, -95.7732)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: When ﬁshing from a boat, use a 1/8 ounce jig head; when wading, throw a 1/16 ounce Screw Lock jig head.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Fish the birds. If they stay grouped together, I’ll troll from 40-50 yards away from them, and drift into them. They have been small ﬁsh, but last November we caught three ﬁsh between 28-29 inches.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics

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LOCATION: Matagorda HOTSPOT: Selkirk Island GPS: N 28 45.3324, W 95 59.3808 (28.7555, -95.9897)

(29.9978, -93.7530)

TIPS: Effective colors are white/glow chartreuse, red and gold flake/chartreuse tail and Chartreuse Gold. Dip the tails with a limetreuse color or white to get a little contrast.

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout and Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics with 1/4 jig heads SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: The 521 bridge is about 8 miles above the Intracoastal. Most of the fish will be in an area around Selkirk Island. LOCATION: Matagorda HOTSPOT: Colorado River GPS: N 28 35.683, W 95 58.981 (28.5947, -95.9830)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: The nice thing about fishing the river in the wintertime is that you can have a Norther blowing and you can find some protected areas that wind doesn’t seem to bother you that much. LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay HOTSPOT: Cottons Bayou GPS: N 28 30.45, W 96 12.3816 (28.5075, -96.2064)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: You want to be tickling the shell with your bait. As you drift you have to work it so you don’t hang up a bunch, but you want to keep it pretty close to the bottom. LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Black Bayou GPS: N 29 59.866, W 93 45.1819

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Cool Water Recipe for Speckled Trout of the angler forced to fish on a particular day merely because his schedule says so. Here are a few tips on how we’ve continued to catch pre-winter trout when things aren’t always in your favor. A big thing to remember about late fall and early winter trout is their dislike for idle water. They prefer water movement, whether it’s a brisk flow, or just a slight current. You need water movement to catch trout right now. If you can find moving water with active bait, you’re ahead of the curve. Moving tides are great for speckled trout fishing, but don’t let a slack tide keep you from fishing this month, or next. When the cooler weather sets in, look to the flats located just adjacent to the deeper waters of the Intracoastal Waterway between Port O’Connor and San Antonio Bay. A lot of those flats are mud flats with occasional grass and shell. They’re great places to explore on windy days, especially when the morning is cold, and the afternoons are warm. Other options include the many back lakes strung across Matagorda Island. If you can locate a drain area emptying water from one lake to another, or emptying into San Antonio Bay, set up on the outside and fan the area with casts. You might draw a surface strike with a top water bait, but most often the fish are going to be feeding in the lower portion of the water column in these areas. Those who have fished the Texas coast know that when things start getting colder, trout start hitting baits worked primarily in the bottom half of the water column. We’ve fished a lot of different baits over the years, but some of the today’s best are those that worked so well decades ago, such as the MirrOlure crankbaits, and of course the Catch 2000. Corkys will also become very popular in cooler weather and will usually remain at the top of many lists throughout April and May. Other great cool water bait options include the multitude of plastic tails offered on the market today. Some of the oldiesbut-goodies include tplastic shrimp tails by

SAN ANTONIO BAY AREA Reported by CAPT. CHRIS MARTIN

OVEMBER AND DECEMBER are times when change has taken hold, and folks are prepping for the holiday season along with other seasons, such as duck season and deer season. Fishing gets really good this time of year along our Texas coast. Many anglers try planning their trip based on forecasted tidal movements and predicted weather patterns. Others, however, have to plan their trip around CAPT. MARTIN their availabilbayﬂatslodge@gmail.com ity. This can make locating speckled trout somewhat of a challenge. Trout love clean water, water movement, and a food source. Put those three ingredients in one place at one time and you’ll almost certainly find an active trout bite. Unfortunately, the odds are not in favor

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H&H, Hogie, and of course the ever-popular Gulp shrimp. White with a chartreuse tail often works great under a popping cork. Some of the more popular colors are the Texas Roach, Chicken on a Chain, Root beer/Chartreuse, Morning Glory, and Tequila Sunrise. For those who are not artificial bait enthusiasts, don’t ever count out using live bait. Suggestions for live bait in our neck of the woods include live shrimp, live mullet, and live mud minnows, especially for flounders. Flounders love live mud minnows. If you’re going to use live mullet, try finding some of the smaller ones. If you’re fishing these baits in shallow water of three to five feet, try suspending them beneath a popping cork. Remember to gently keep the bait moving by popping the cork on a regular basis—the more popping, the better. If you’re in deeper water, try free-lining these guys for a while. When the trout takes the bait, you’ll feel it. Try to be patient and let the trout run with the bait for a few seconds before gently setting the hook. Trout have soft mouths, especially at this time of year. So, be careful to not jerk the hook right out of the trout’s mouth. If it’s trout you’re looking for, remember to find clean, moving water along with some bait activity. That recipe won’t fail you. Have fun out there and be safe.

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ROCKPORT AREA Reported by CAPT. MAC GABLE

Y FIRST YEAR OF GUIDing came with much anticipation. I was like a poor kid in a candy store and had high hopes of being the best guide in Texas, making

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San Antonio Bay

my fortune and living the dream. Money was tight, but that was normal. My phone was not exactly ringing off the hook with trips. To make CAPT. GABLE ContactUs@Fishgame.com matters worse, I had decided to start guiding in the month of October, not exactly the peak of the fishing season. Most of my trips to date had come via other guides who were either already booked or just didn’t want the trip for various reasons. When the phone rang that Friday night, I was hoping for a trip. The man introduced himself and said he had read my advertisement in a local magazine (not TF&G, shame on me). I thought, “Wow! Things are finally beginning to work.”

6 8

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HOTSPOTLIGHT:

SAN ANTONIO BAY THE MATAGORDA ISLAND SHORELINE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SAN ANTONIO BAY is a hotbed of fishing hotspots. Access this area by boat, then drift or wade the points, inlets and lakes for trout, redfish, flounder and more. Selected hotspots are shown in the table below, and on the map. SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

Panther Reef

Twin Lakes South

Twin Lakes North

REDFISH

Panther Reef

Panther Lake

Cedar Lake

FLOUNDER

Brook Bayou

Cedar Lake

Twin Lakes

WADEFISHING

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GPS

BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 28 13.634, W 96 41.834 N 28 14.180, W 96 39.300 N 28 14.683, W 96 39.088

Fish the cuts in the reef looking for jumping bait ﬁsh; dawn thru midday.

N 28 13.634, W 96 41.834 N 28 12.255, W 96 41.923 N 28 13.754, W 96 39.561

Fish the cuts in the reef looking for jumping bait ﬁsh; dawn thru midday.

N 28 13.080, W 96 41.160 N 28 13.981, W 96 39.907 N 28 14.575, W 96 39.513

Pumpkinseed Bull Minnows, work bayou edge bottom; morning, afternoon.

Work early with tops & plastics, midday use croaker; dawn thru midday, dusk. Work early with tops & plastics, midday use croaker; dawn thru midday, dusk.

Drift deeper waters, anchor & ﬁsh points and grass; dawn thru midday. Gold spoons, mullet, wade grass, look for sandpockets; dawn thru midday.

Work along dropoffs edges near shell reef, night gig; avoid midday and afternoon. Good gigging at night under lights, work pts. & edges; avoid midday, afternoon.

N 28 14.184, Catch reds, trout & a few ﬂounder, muddy water, use dark worms. W 96 39.659 N 28 14.777, Catch reds, trout & a few ﬂounder, croaker, perch. Twin Lake Shoreline W 96 39.379 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2020 Cedar Point

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MIDDLE COAST The usual questions were asked and answered, and the trip was slated for the following morning. I was excited. It was my first trip NOT forwarded by another guide. I busied myself getting my old boat and my well-used rods ready, and was praying I could get bait. The next morning, I was up at 3 a.m. eager to get bait. I was waiting when the bait stand owner arrived. “You goin’ out today?” the owner asked. “Got a trip!” I beamed back proudly as I helped him open the stand. “Eager beaver,” he said shaking his head. “Have you checked the weather?” In fact, I had not, being so excited, it slipped my mind. “Well, get your fish and get off the water,” he told me, sternly. “A front is due here this afternoon, and my shrimp boat captain says the water will be no place to be when it comes in.” My only source of weather was a not-verygood marine radio I had picked up at a garage sale. Honestly, it needed to be thrown away. Cell phones were something you saw on Star Trek, so I was pretty much blind in one eye and couldn’t see with the other this day. The marine forecast said the front would hit around 1500 hours, if I heard it correctly. 1500 hours was 5 p.m. I said to myself, plenty of time to get a trip in. (You can fix young and stupid, but it takes a while). The signs were there. I just didn’t know what they meant. The bait stand owner started locking up after I paid for the bait. At the boat ramp, not a single guide was there—and on a Saturday of all things. The morning had a calm crispness to it and an ever so faint cool breeze that felt wonderful, but I should have known it was truly out of place. To my young, naive mind, the day promised greatness for fishing. The man and his son arrived on time, and we were off. The fishing was enough to keep things interesting, but not stellar. As we approached noon, things changed. A slight north wind with cooler temperatures and a barometric change had turned the bite on. We were on a small reef on the southern edge of San Antonio Bay with more than 200 square miles of open water to our backs. A blue norther, dubbed a “Texas norther,” is a fast-moving cold front, carrying with it 46

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extreme drops in temperature, hellacious winds, and trademark dark blue-black skies. Like a freight train, the blue norther was heading south, and we were directly in its path—one of the worst places you could be for such a front. Excited by the bite, we never noticed the whitecaps heading our way, or the flocks of seagulls blown offshore right over the top of us. When the wind hit, it went from one knot to 40-plus knots in under two minutes. The temperature dropped more than 30 degrees in under a few minutes. At first, we were reluctant to leave the great fishing, but safety has a way of quickly becoming a priority. The father and son were soon rattled and cold. I was scrambling to get my mid-deck anchor line loose. We were taking waves over the side. The boat was filling with water, so I grabbed PFDs. At the top of my voice, barely being heard, I told the father to get one on while I worked to take care of his son. The anchor rope had too much pressure and could only be cut. In a lame attempt, I hooked a line and a cork in the braided rope before I cut it, in hope that I could come back and find my anchor. I didn’t think to start the motor before cutting the anchor rope, so now we were drifting. My then-carbureted motor would not start because of the high waves getting under the cowling and the rapidly dropping temperature. We were in a world of hurt. The man grabbed his son, who was now crying, and the two huddled up on the front console seat. My plan was simple: the boat would not sink, even full of water, but we would need to get off to an island, which was about a mile away. I saw my push pole and grabbed it. I ran to the front of the boat and lashed it to a front cleat then stabbed it into the soft bottom. |

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It was being dragged along, but it did put the bow into the wind. I told the father to get behind the console to block the wind as I wrestled the cowling loose only to be greeted by a gush of water from underneath. I snapped it back into place and headed for the console. Before hitting the start button, I remembered a mechanic telling me that if an outboard won’t start, try to tilt the motor forward, then give it a minute or two before trying to start. (It was the first good thought I had all day.) It worked! The motor finally started after about 20 cranks. Everything was floating now, ice chests, fish box, seat box, tackle boxes, rods were covered in saltwater and we were wetter and colder than a puppy in a rainstorm. I had to run the water out of the boat, which is not easy with four- and five-foot waves, but at least we were underway. Trying to lighten the moment, I said, “Now the motor’s running, I’ll turn on the heater.” It helped, but not much. Navigating back was a nightmare. Nothing looked the same. Reefs were hidden, and GPS was non-existent in those days. Trial and error got us back to the dock. The waves were such that I missed my trailer three times. I thought my clients were going to kiss the ground after stepping off my boat. I went to clean the many trout we had, and the father said, “Keep ‘em.” He handed me my fee and a hundreddollar tip, grabbed my hand and said, “Thank you for getting us back alive!” I grew up that day as a guide, and the lessons learned have served me well for more than 25 years. As I stood there still a bit stunned, I wondered, “Reckon I can find my anchor?”

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COPANO BAY: Croakers fished at Lap Reef work well for trout and the occasional red. Free line is best. New Penny Jerk shad is the go-to soft plastic around the Turtle Pen area (Copano Creek). Some large trout hang here this time of year. ST. CHARLES BAY: East Pocket is the place for reds using finger mullet on a light Carolina rig. It’s a short trip from the boat ramp and a quick ride home if the weather

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Some of the best spots are around the spoil islands along the ICW canal. The beach fishing here is great during the fall months as schools of giant bull reds have been making their annual migrations toward the beach front to have their spawn. Fish the first two guts along the beach, or one of the public jetties we have here. Port Aransas, Fish Pass, and Packery Channel jetties all have great access and will let you get out and into the outer reaches of the surf line during rough seas. Those first northers of the year are when the bull reds are aggressive. Live and cut mullet are the most popular, along with large blue crabs. Whiting, croakers, and sand trout will be easy to catch around the gulf passes on shrimp and small pieces of cut bait. There is no limit size or quantity. Small hooks are the key to catching these great eating fish. Take some time and come see the bountiful opportunities we have to share here in the Corpus Christi area. Visit the Coastal Bend and get hooked up. Follow all our hookups on Facebook at Joey Farah’s Backwater Fishing.

gets bad. The grass area around Egg Point is a good place to drift using a bubble cork and live shrimp. This is mostly red country, but on the deeper edges trout can be caught as well. ARANSAS BAY: If you have limited time, the one spot to go to is the north side of Mud Island. This time of year, the sand holes surrounded by grasses hold some nice reds and trout. Be patient and move short distances ‘til you get into the bite. Deadman’s Reef is a good spot for black drum using live shrimp under a silent cork. CARLOS BAY: On high tide with a north wind, drifts across Carlos Lake are good for trout using soft plastics in morning glory and new penny colors. MESQUITE BAY: The northeast shoreline is a good wade using free-lined croakers. Some nice trout frequent this area this time of year. A short distance away, the mouth of Cedar Bayou is a good wade spot for trout. Many use croakers, but have found live shrimp just as productive, free-lined. AYERS BAY: Ayers Reef for trout using free-lined shrimp. Second Chain is a good spot for reds using finger mullet on a light Carolina rig. BANK BITE: The boat channel between St. Charles Bay and Aransas Bay is good spot to wade to. Access can be gained through Goose Island State Park. This area is a natural fish pass this time of year. Live shrimp or Berkley Gulp shrimp under a rattle cork work well.

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CORPUS CHRISTI BAY Reported by JOEY FARAH

S WE DESCEND INTO FALL here in the Coastal Bend, coastal fishing is as crisp as a fresh north wind. Here on the coast, the drop in temperatures, and lack of fishing pressure will supercharge our fishery. Water temperatures will be hovering around that magical 70-degree mark, pushing monster speckled trout into their fall spawn.

The shallow grass flats along the back of Saint José Island, Shamrock Cove, the protected north shoreline of Nueces Bay, and of course the King Ranch shoreline of the Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay are all excellent places to start looking for that fall trophy speck. Topwater plugs will put the odds in your favor. Time-proven favorites such as the MirroLure SheDog in bone/chrome, and the Super Spook in natural colors are all good. Working the shallow flats, look for areas with scattered sand pockets within thick grass, preferably gravely sand. This is where big sow trout will group together with mature males to spawn and build up their bodies for the upcoming winter. Big stringers of trout will come from anglers drifting three to five feet of water with soft plastics. I love the D.O.A. 3-inch C.A.L. Shad as my most productive bait. Using a smaller plastic mimics pin perch, finger mullet, and mud minnows in their natural size and swim patterns. Match these with a D.O.A. short-shanked jig head in varied sizes. For wade fishing 1/16- to 1/8-, and from the boat 1/8- to 1/4-ounce sizes. Mix up your color patterns between darks, naturals, and bright colors. Mixed boxes of reds, drum, and sheepshead will be easy to build, drifting with live shrimp under popping corks this fall. Plan your drifts over changes of bottom structure along shorelines. Look for oyster reefs in Nueces Bay, and the flats south of Bird Island in the CAPT. FARAH jfarah@yahoo.com Laguna Madre. T E X A S

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MIDDLE COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: San Jose Shoreline GPS: N 28 0.7279, W 96 58.365 (28.0121, -96.9728)

SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Finger Mullet TIPS: Flounder ﬁshing should be good for at least the ﬁrst two weeks of December. It all depends on how severe our cold fronts are.

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LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Dagger Island Flats GPS: N 27 49.754, W 97 10.61 (27.8292, -97.1768)

MIDDLE COAST LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: Half Moon Reef GPS: N 28 4.5259, W 96 59.062 (28.0754, -96.9844)

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Portland Shoreline GPS: N 27 52.51, W 97 18.013 (27.8752, -97.3002)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Trout should be on deeper structure. Free lining a soft plastic bait should work once they are located. A favorite color is Pumpkin Seed/chartreuse.

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Gold or Silver Spoons TIPS: The redfish should up on the flats around the islands or along the shorelines. LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Chicken Foot Reef GPS: N28 15.92496, W96 47.34588 (28.265416, -96.789098)

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay HOTSPOT: Fish Pond GPS: N 28 21.867, W 96 24.415 (28.3645, -96.4069)

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Live Bait or Gulp under a popping cork TIPS: This time of the year is great time to ﬁnd a spot on the surf line. Look for diving birds in surf to try your luck. LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: South Jetty GPS: N 27 49.966, W 97 2.548 (27.8328, -97.0425)

SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Sardines or cracked crab TIPS: Pinfish will nibble on the sardine, breaking the sardine up, creating a slick. A redfish comes up and just hammers it. When you get that solid bite, lower the rod and then ‘flag pole’ it

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline GPS: N 27 29.134, W 97 21.108 (27.4856, -97.3518)

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Packery Channel Jetties GPS: N 27 36.8549, W 97 11.976 (27.6143, -97.1996)

SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Finger Mullet TIPS: The flounder will be making their major migration move out into the Gulf. Any place, such as the jetties or channels, is a good place to intersect a flatfish on his journey. SPECIES: Speckled Trout & Redfish BEST BAITS: Gulp under a Popping Cork TIPS: The STX Tackle popping cork is a solid cork, but it has a ceramic bead underneath the cork about the size of a marble, and then a little bead under that. Pop it and it has a deep sound.

SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Finger Mullet TIPS: A full moon at times can affect how good the founder ﬁshing can be, “But sometimes with a full moon they won’t move at all,” says Capt. Jack. “I’ve see the bite get better after the moon has gone down.

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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Kelley Wigglers and Down South soft plastic lures mainly in dark colors with 1/8-ounce jig heads TIPS: We will be concentrating on deeper reefs as the water cools down--shell and mud. Look for baitﬁsh action and stay close to the channels.

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Hit the Bafﬁn Flats for Fat Winter Specks

INTER IS A COMPLETEly different experience than summer when it comes to fishing Baffin Bay. This is the typical time for female trout, filled with eggs, to make their appearance. Let’s get into winter fishing on Baffin Bay and how you can find these beautiful trout. These next several months are critical to look for the heavier Baffin Bay trout. Remember I said heavier, not bigger. From November to the end of March, our trout are in their biggest spawn, which obviously makes them hungrier and fatter. The flats where bait runs will be good for fishing shallow water, when the sun is out and heating things up. However, warming temperatures will also cause the fish to move a little deeper, once water temperature heats up. The cooler water helps them calm down and get to a more comfortable body temperature. Most of the time, when I see the fish transitioning from warm to cooler water (or vise-versa); I tend to try CAPT. MERRITT two different geradmerritt@gmail.com things. The first strategy I attempt to do is work my bait or plastic way more aggressive than normal. I do this in attempt to attract more attention. The second approach would be the opposite. Slowing the bait or plastic will do relatively the same thing, if the fish already knows it is there. All you are trying to do allow them more time to decide to eat the bait. Your rocks and structural bottoms will continue to help you during the cooler months but may not be as productive. I look at it as bait still tries to hide and the predator still tries to eat. This time of year is also when I try to find new spots to fish and play around with different strategies. Like wildlife, we are also creatures of habit, and it is easy to get stuck in the same routine. I attempt to make every other trip on

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Avoid the “big lure” in December. If you’re a ﬁsh, you’re going to hit something small and easy to catch. The smaller the lure the better chance you have in enticing ﬁsh to eat. LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Butchers Island GPS: N 26 38.1019, W 97 23.149 (26.6350, -97.3858)

the bay this time of year something new, such as new spots or techniques. Switching up bait or lures is also exciting. It is important for all anglers to try different brands and designs. Just because one works for me or another angler, does not mean something else will not work for you. I have found that getting back to my roots and throwing a traditional top water, such as a “broke back”, or even just a gold or silver spoon, is still successful and can be very appealing to the fish. Not to mention, going back to those techniques can be fun for an angler who is learning. I want to wish everyone good luck during these cooler months of fishing. Remember, do not be afraid to change things up and try something new.

SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics TIPS: Fish the transition from grass to sand in December, right on the drop-offs, working his lure from deep to shallow. The ﬁsh are going to be sitting low waiting for any opportunity to feed. LOCATION: Port Mansﬁeld HOTSPOT: The Saucer GPS: N 26 28.149, W 97 23.874 (26.4692, -97.3979)

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LOWER COAST HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: Mouth of Arroyo Colorado River GPS: N 26 21.485, W 97 20.835 (26.358092, -97.347243)

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SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics in LSU, Black/Chartreuse, Gold spoons. TIPS: Redfish will be pushing bulges of water in front of them as they cruise around and scaring up small fish and crabs. A live shrimp or finger mullet can be fished under a popping cork, or sight cast into the holes themselves.

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LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Queen Isabella Causeway GPS: N 26 5.20602, W 97 11.03898 (26.086767, -97.183983)

SPECIES: sheepshead BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, fresh shrimp. TIPS: Fish live or fresh shrimp around causeway pilings on split shot rigs. These guys are notorious bait-stealers, so a smaller hook is the way to go. Some ﬁshermen use a #2 long-shank hook like the Eagle Claw 066N to zap them, but a more effective hook may be a 1/0 LazerSharp L7226 Octopus-style hook. The short shank and wide gap has a higher hook-up ratio, and they seem to lodge in the corner of the sheepie’s mouth .

Baffin Bay 4

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Color Change GPS: N 26 7.5, W 97 13.99998 (26.125, -97.233333)

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

CAYO DEL GRULLO SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Live bait. Gulp! Shrimp in glow, new penny, gold spinnerbaits with red/white tail TIPS: Fish just inside the color change between clear and sandy water. The off-colored water retains warmth more effectively and offers cover for predators. You can work live shrimp or Gulp! tails under a popping or Alameda ﬂoat. Fish slowly and deliberately. These trout may not be as aggressive as in spring, but they are there.

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CAYO DEL GRULLO IS POSITIONED AT THE WESTERN END OF BAFFIN BAY. NEUbauer Point and Sandy Hook mark the entrance of this shallow water inlet. To the south of this inlet is Laguna Salada, Riviera Beach and Pie de Gallo point. The area is accessable from ramps on the west shoreline at Kaufer-Hubert Park and Riviera Beach. Selected hotspots are shown in the table below, and on the map. SPECKLED TROUT KEY

HOTSPOT NAME

GPS

Neubauer Point Rock

Sandy Hook

REDFISH

Rivera Beach Pipes

Pie del Gallo Shoal

WADEFISHING

Sandy Hook Point Rocks

Pie De Gallo Shoreline

FACILITIES

KEY FACILITY NAME

Live shrimp, anchor upwind of rocks, cast to edge; dawn thru morning, dusk.

N 27 17.395, W 97 39.476 N 27 16.510, W 97 38.504

Cracked crabs, shrimp, work the pipe area at the bottom; dawn thru morning, dusk.

N 27 18.857, W 97 38.356 N 27 16.340, W 97 38.212

Speckled trout, warmer months croaker, cooler Corkys; dawn thru morning.

GPS

Live shrimp, croaker, drift w/ pop-n cork or anchor; dawn and dusk

Drift deeper rocks with jigs midday, topwater, early 1-2’ water; dawn thru morning, dusk.

Speckled trout, redﬁsh, gold spoons, live baits, plastics; dawn thru midday.

LOCATION

N 27 19.177, Kaufer-Hubert Park FM 628 Exd, Riviera, TX 78379 W 97 40.937 SOURCE: TEXAS LAKES & BAYS FISHING ATLAS 2020

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BEST BAIT & TACTIC

N 27 18.134, W 97 39.070 N 27 18.376, W 97 38.062

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800-333-5032

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Hot Winter Action for Bass, Crappie, Cats SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Chatterbaits, swim jigs and magnum flukes. TIPS: Fish the flats in areas in and like Ames Basin. Hydrilla covers all this part of the lake and is 2-5 ft. deep. Watch for schooling fish paying particular attention to any fish eating birds and shad hanging around in particular areas. Shad colored baits listed above work well here. A secondary pattern would be flipping any dark colored jig and trailer around the base of the trees in the same type areas. LOCATION: Lake Chapman/Cooper HOTSPOT: South Sulphur Channel GPS: N 33 17.733 , W 95 45.542 (33.2950, -95.7590) Reported by TF&G STAFF

EAST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Ames Basin GPS: N 32 42.756, W 94 5.376 (32.7126, -94.0896)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Cut bait TIPS: Fish cut bait on a split shot and Kahle hook. Drift channel edges. Action best from midday through night. LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 30 26.226, W 95 35.508 (30.4371, -95.5918)

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SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers BEST BAITS: Live shad, Storm Swim Shad, crankbaits and jigging spoons TIPS: The hybrids will begin their aggressive feeding habits in December. They should be in the 16 to 28 foot range along the channel edges and humps on the main lake. Use live shad to be more productive. Artificial baits like swim shad and crankbaits also work well if you find a good school of fish. Look for humps with bait stacked up around it and drop a jigging spoon. Let it hit bottom and jerk it in an aggressive manner. Do it repeatedly along the edges where the bait is bunched up, and it won’t be long before something is going to try and jerk the rod out of your hand. LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Dam Area GPS: N 32 48.6642, W 95 32.064 (32.8111, -95.5344)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows and jigs in Electric Chicken or a jig with pink and green. TIPS: December is a great time to crappie fish on Lake Fork. This is the first month the length limit changes on the lake and you must keep your first 25 crappie per person, no matter the size. The reason is that the crappie go deeper in the winter and when they are caught from the 35-45 foot range it will kill the crappie when you get it to the surface and no body wants to see dead fish floating around. So where to look for these deeper fish? Around the damn in that 30-foot plus range there are many humps where the crappie hang out. Depending on how warm or cold December is, will be the factor on depth. The warmer weather will have them shallower. The colder the water, the deeper they will be. Another place to check will be the flats in the mouth of Little Caney or Woodpecker point.

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

EAST TEXAS

CAPACITY AC. FT. Addicks -n.a.B A Steinhagen 69,186 Barker -n.a.Bob Sandlin 192,417 Bonham 11,027 Caddo 29,898 Coleto Creek 31,040 Conroe 410,988 Crook 9,195 Cypress Springs 66,756 Fork 605,061 Houston 130,147 Houston County 17,113 Jacksonville 25,670 Jim Chapman 260,332 Lake O’ the Pines 241,363 Livingston 1,741,867 Monticello 34,740 Murvaul 38,285 Nacogdoches 39,522 Palestine 367,303 Pat Mayse 113,683 Sam Rayburn 2,857,077 Striker 16,934 Sulphur Springs 17,747 Toledo Bend 2,236,450 Wright Patman 135,069 As of 10/8/2020

CURRENT AC. FT. -n.a.65,068 -n.a.187,382 10,890 29,898 20,369 382,946 9,070 64,638 560,173 127,120 16,920 25,670 208,896 241,363 1,735,317 28,617 36,516 35,156 367,303 113,683 2,472,710 16,934 13,449 1,912,422 135,069

% FULL -n.a.94% -n.a.97% 99% 100% 66% 93% 99% 97% 93% 98% 99% 100% 80% 100% 100% 82% 95% 89% 100% 100% 87% 100% 76% 86% 100%

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LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N 32 50.4419, W 95 37.506 (32.8407, -95.6251)

Located 5 miles East of Athens

See  Inset

HOTSPOTLIGHT:



LAKE ATHENS LOCATION: Approximately 5 miles east of Athens in Henderson County, south of FM 317. SURFACE AREA: 1,799 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 50 feet IMPOUNDED: 1962

of 14.19 pounds. Sunfishes provide excellent opportunities for fly fishing anglers and catches up to 10 inches in length are not unusual. Crappie are few in number but are usually of good size. White bass commonly reach 16-18 inches.

LAKE ATHENS IS KNOWN FOR LARGEmouth bass in the 3- to 8-pound range but has produced a lake record

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LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake River Channel at the Old 190 Bridge GPS: N 30 45.3959, W 95 6.864 (30.7566, -95.1144) SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Lipless rattle baits, bass jigs, spoons and umbrella rigs TIPS: December is great on Lake Fork. For one the lake is not as busy as people are hunting and/or it’s cold but that doesn’t keep big ones from biting. Flipping jigs at standing timber, around creek channel bends and cranking lipless rattle baits around grass on points is a good shallow pattern. Deep pattern spoons on points and humps and umbrella rigs around bridges put big uns’ in the boat.

Inset

LOCATION: Lake Nacogdoches HOTSPOT: Big Brush Pile GPS: N 31 37.721, W 94 48.454 (31.6287, -94.8076)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics TIPS: Look for a giant brush pile here. Best action at dawn and dusk.

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Fresh dead shad or live perch TIPS: Carolina rig off the bottom near drop offs in the old river channel. Drift baits across ﬂats.

LOCATION: Lake O the Pines HOTSPOT: Johnson Creek GPS: N 32 47.176, W 94 32.434

T E X A S

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good stretch to cover is the river ledges between Still Water and Bayou Seipe. Use your electronics to locate the bait-ﬁsh and natural cover or drop your own brush tops. As the water temperature falls the Crappie will move deeper. Either shiners or jigs will load up an ice chest

EAST TEXAS (32.7863, -94.5406)

LOCATION: Toledo Bend HOTSPOT: The Hay Meadow GPS: N 31 42.912, W 93 48.7379 (31.7152, -93.8123)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Shrimp, dough bait TIPS: Use bottom rigs. This spot is good all day.

LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn HOTSPOT: Parker Creek GPS: N 31 9.8879, W 94 11.622 (31.1648, -94.1937)

LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn HOTSPOT: Knife Blade GPS: N 31 17.209, W 94 19.307 (31.2868, -94.3218)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jerkbaits, shad imitating reaction baits TIPS: November at Sam Rayburn is about ﬁnding shad schools to ﬁnd bass. The shad will be bunched and constantly moving towards the backs of creeks. Shad imitating reaction baits will work best. Rayburn has lots of hydrilla that should be starting to recede deeper and the shad will be just above this deeper grass. A suspending jerkbait could be the secret weapon to catch a late fall personal best.

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Crankbaits, jigs, soft plastics TIPS: Fish point edges with crankbaits. Use jigs and plastics in the willows. Dawn to late morning, dusk. LOCATION: Lake Sam Rayburn HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 31 8.4599, W 94 7.7459 (31.1410, -94.1291)

LOCATION: Lake Wright Patman HOTSPOT: McGuthrie Slough GPS: N 33 18.885, W 94 11.137 (33.3148, -94.1856)

LOCATION: Toledo Bend HOTSPOT: Huxley River Channel GPS: N 31 44.5248, W 93 49.764 (31.7421, -93.8294)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jerkbaits, 3/4 oz. lipless crankbaits TIPS: Fish the drains of side coves in major bays with suspending jerkbaits and 3/4 oz. lipless crankbaits. If deep hydrilla is found in these side coves, the ﬁshing will be even better. Late December is a perfect time to catch a double-digit ﬁsh!

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SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Shiners and crappie jigs TIPS: November is a favorite month of the year to be ﬁshing on Toledo Bend. Besides the weather being pleasant with cool mornings and warm afternoons, the vista of the lake can be mesmerizing with the fall foliage and waterfowl migration. Besides soaking in all the glorious surroundings of nature, the ﬁsh will be feeding like crazy bulking up for winter. On the north end of the lake the Crappie will start moving and bunching up along the ledges of the river channel. A |

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SPECIES: Crappie & white bass BEST BAITS: Slab spoons & Rat-L-Traps for the Sandies and shiners and jigs for the Crappie TIPS: Unwrap an angler’s Christmas gift here: two “hotspot” species in one location. Catch both crappie and white bass. Toledo Bend is blessed with yearround fishing. December is the time to kill two birds with one stone, or two limits of fish with one rod and two baits in the same relative location. December is a prime month to be fishing on the north-end of the lake for both crappie and white bass. Crappie will be bunched up on the main lake river channel ledges over planted and natural brush. And, the white bass will be on the channel sandbars.

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Cut bait TIPS: Fish cut bait on a split shot and Kahle hook. Drift channel edges. Action best from midday through night.

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As Winter Descends, Fish Go Shallow BEST BAITS: 10” red and black worms Carolina rigged TIPS: Everything is shallow right now so ﬁsh in 1-8 feet of water. Bass prospects are good early and late. Bigger ﬁsh being caught at midnight hours on 10 inch red and black worms Carolina rigged. We are seeing a 3-6 lb. average.

anchor with live shad in 30’ to 50’ of water. Some top water showing throughout day but they don’t stay up very long in most cases. Pay close attention to the Willow sticking up near Shaw Island in the mornings.

LOCATION: Lake Belton HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N 31 7.092, W 97 29.4059 (31.1182, -97.4901)

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Humps and Old River Bed GPS: N 30 48.216, W 98 23.994 (30.8036, -98.3999)

Reported by TF&G STAFF

CENTRAL TEXAS HOTSPOTS LOCATION: Lake Austin HOTSPOT: Hog Pen Creek GPS: N 30 20.5199, W 97 48.8999 (30.3420, -97.8150)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, spinners, spoons. TIPS: December is some of the best bass ﬁshing in Texas, and a great time to catch giants. LOCATION: Bachman Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 51.1859, W 96 52.014 (32.8531, -96.8669)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Bass jigs and jerkbaits in natural colors TIPS: If jig fishing is your style of fishing, this is the time of the year for you. In December in Central Texas the bass have fattened up and have moved to their winter holding areas. Now is the time to be thinking about fishing deep points. Points close to deep river channels are going to be key for this time of the season. Fish natural color baits and keep in mind you will need to fish them really slow. Bass will not chase a bait and are looking for an easy target. Just because bass have moved to deep water, does not mean that they cannot be still taken in shallow water. On those nicer days in late fall, early winter, fish a jerkbait around stick-ups along the shoreline.

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Guadalupe River Area GPS: N 29 53.892, W 98 18.7199 (29.8982, -98.3120)

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Shaw Island Area GPS: N 30 49.0619, W 98 24.924 (30.8177, -98.4154)

SPECIES: Crappie & largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Top water lures, spinnerbaits, squarebilled crankbaits, and wacky-rigged worms TIPS: The water temperature will fall into the low 60’s in December. Both bass and crappie are still chasing schools of baitfish so they are in one place today and another place tomorrow. The cool fronts are becoming more influential on the surface water temperature and can drop several degrees overnight. Game fish respond to prefrontal conditions with feeding frenzies but can have lockjaw for a couple days with postfrontal conditions. Remember that neither

SPECIES: White Bass and Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Live Shad and top water lures TIPS: Fish mid-lake towards Shaw Island drifting or T E X A S

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SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Cut perch, carp or shad TIPS: “Catﬁsh will be along the old river bed around and off the sides of humps. Cut perch, carp and Shad should be the best bait.”

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LOCATION: Gibbons Creek HOTSPOT: Troy’s Ridge GPS: N 30 38.412, W 96 3.2279 (30.6402, -96.0538)

CENTRAL TEXAS largemouth bass nor crappie prefer places in direct north wind or strong current. If the wind is strong from the north, look for more protected areas. Key areas are those with a significant depth change and cover nearby. With the water temperature more comfortable (for fish and people), enjoy the serenity and productive fishing. This area is full of cover and shallows adjacent to deep water. Crappie and bass are holding on the drop-off ledges around the cover.

GPS: N 32 52.65, W 97 30.009 (32.8775 -97.50015)

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Mid to Lower Main Lake GPS: N 32 14.0339, W 96 5.868 (32.2339, -96.0978)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Shad, Shrimp, worms TIPS: This area is close to the hot water discharge and, therefore, holds shad. Trees and stumps are in this area for cover. Tight line here and expect cats that can be small or huge.

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Slab with a fly 12’’ above CONTACT: Johnny Stevens 817-597-6598 johnnysguideservice.com johnlu1313@gmail.com TIPS: This area is a long ridge surrounded by deeper water. White bass chase shad along this ridge. I have found the best way to work this area is to find fish with your electronics and anchor on them and let them come to you along this ridge. I use a slab and jig above, jig this rig up and down. This is also an area that they surface sometimes in the morning.

SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers BEST BAITS: Soft plastics TIPS: Fish the main basin of the lake from mid lake south in 25’ to 50’ of water using your electronics to locate bait and ﬁsh suspended throughout. Present the bait vertical off the bottom 2’ to 10’ up depending on where the ﬁsh are hanging. Use the “dead sticking” technique with soft plastics. LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Twin Points Hump GPS: N 32 53.16, W 97 29.672 (32.8860, -97.4945)

LOCATION: Fayette County HOTSPOT: Cedar Creek Bridge pilings GPS: N 29 56.448, W 96 44.562 (29.9408, - 96.7427)

SPECIES: White bass BEST BAITS: Mepps spinner or Tail Spinners, Slabs with a fly 12-in. above TIPS: This area has two very large humps surrounded by deeper water. During the late fall shad congregate around these humps and the sand Bass follow. Find the shad and fish on Electronics and jig straight up and down with a slab and fly and many times you will get a double.

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SPECIES: Blue Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad, perch and cut bait TIPS: With the weather getting colder and fronts coming in, the blue catfish become active feeding on shad being blown in to shallow points and flats. Jug lines work well for this type of pattern. However, rod and reel will also work well. LOCATION: Lake Joe Pool HOTSPOT: Joe Pool Dam Rip Rap GPS: N 32 38.590, W 96 59.599 (32.6432, -96.9933)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch Bait TIPS: The water is 40’ deep here at this hotspot. Throw out a buoy and chum beside the buoy so you know where to keep your hook. Anchor and ﬁsh straight down and set the hook at the slightest bump.

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Stinkbaits, prepared baits TIPS: Fish stinkbaits or prepared baits on Carolina rig. All day. LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Main Lake

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: Long Ridge South of Pelican Island

LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Flats and Points GPS: N 30 42.624, W 97 20.8019 (30.7104, -97.3467)

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS

CENTRAL TEXAS

LAKE

As of 10/8/2020

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

CAPACITY

(Acre Feet)

43,243 40,157 29,503 23,972 46,122 435,225 85,648 816,904 378,781 644,686 662,820 256,062 179,880 36,823 25,721 51,822 163,064 6,033 24,058 13,962 175,800 406,388 563,228 203,780 115,249 6,901 75,726 254,823 22,850 9,615 49,827 8,583 439,559 788,167 1,087,839 150,293 227,771 871,685 159,566 1,243,801 1,113,348 72,073 189,418 10,780 17,812 553,344 24,419

CURRENT

(Acre Feet)

41,383 32,885 29,503 22,818 45,746 435,225 69,894 752,242 349,721 632,658 249,431 147,210 169,373 21,877 21,011 47,243 161,161 5,285 23,521 12,802 170,413 381,930 555,422 201,305 110,881 6,831 66,688 126,726 22,850 8,306 49,169 7,827 416,453 776,311 1,065,685 129,820 227,771 822,356 158,373 1,130,355 785,991 71,555 186,916 8,270 16,596 520,893 20,886

% FULL 96% 82% 100% 95% 99% 100% 82% 92% 92% 98% 38% 58% 94% 59% 82% 91% 99% 88% 98% 92% 97% 94% 99% 99% 96% 99% 88% 50% 100% 86% 99% 91% 95% 99% 98% 86% 100% 94% 99% 91% 71% 99% 99% 77% 93% 94% 86%

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20 miles South of San Antonio

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE CALAVERAS LOCATION: 20 miles south of San Antonio off Loop 1604 SURFACE AREA: 3,624 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 45 feet IMPOUNDED: 1969

stocked with red drum (redfish). But channel catfish are the most popular fish on this lake. Calaveras also has excellent hybrid action, and is a fair location for largemouth bass.

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LAKE CALAVERAS IS ONE OF THE freshwater lakes that has been

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Flukes TIPS: Both White Bass and Crappie will be suspended in about 18-25 feet. Tapping on the boat with a rubber mallet or a broomstick will usually call them in as they will come to investigate the noise. Dead sticking ﬂukes is usually the best bet.

spinnerbait in white and shaky head worm TIPS: Fish the creek channel in 6 -10 foot and ﬁsh the ledges which will be about 3-6 foot deep. Fish any and all tree stumps along the creek. Down south, ﬁsh the boat docks on the main lake south of The Villages Marina. Fish them with the same lures and also a shaky head worm.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Kick-a-Poo Creek GPS: N 32 17.67, W 95 30.2219 (32.2945, -95.5037)

LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Main Lake Humps SPECIES: White Bass GPS: N 33 25.118, W 97 01.686 (33.418634 -97.028105)

GPS: N 33 5.5079, W 96 28.6799 (33.0918, -96.4780)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Big Eye Jig in black/blue, Big Eye T E X A S

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a roadbed. Use 1/0 Kahle hook with shad or #4 treble with CJ’s bait. Shad are moving deeper and ﬁsh will follow them.

CENTRAL TEXAS 940-727-3493 cliffspindle@yahoo.com spindleguideservice.com

LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow HOTSPOT: Weed Beds GPS: N31 1.72872, W97 33.0057 (31.028812, -97.550095)

TIPS: The whitebass action is hard to beat this time of year on Lake Ray Roberts. Using a jigging spoon or slab just off the bottom on the many main lake humps that Ray Roberts has to offer can be non-stop action. The sandies are feeding up for the winter so just look for the baitﬁsh and you will ﬁnd the sandies. LOCATION: Richland Chambers Lake HOTSPOT: Windsock Point GPS: N 31 56.424, W 96 7.194 (31.9404, -96.1199)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: 1 oz. RSR Silver Glitter slab or 2 oz. chartreuse jigging spoon TIPS: In December and usually for the remainder of the winter, the Windsock Point will hold quality White Bass and sometimes a great big Hybrid Striper. Fish will relate to the deeper sides ( 30’-35’ depths) of the Windsock Point and will normally be on or near the bottom. However, sometimes if you move out into the 50’ water depth, you’ll find huge schools of suspended fish. Use a 1 oz. RSR Silver Glitter slab or even a 2oz. chartreuse jigging spoon and jig it slowly off the bottom. If the fish are suspended, reel up to the depth they are in and then move the slab very slowly or even just hold it in place. (This is called “deadsticking”) Keep the drag set loosely on your reel as this is a prime time to hook into a large Hybrid Striper. LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Rocky Creek Road Bed GPS: N 30 18.522, W 96 33.39 (30.3087, -96.5565)

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Chrome/blue back lipless crankbaits or a shad colored weightless ﬂukes TIPS: The lake level is still dangerously low (9.75 feet low) and caution is a must. The water is stained at the lower end and clearer towards the dam. Fishing has been good early and then again in the evenings and both largemouths and a few smallmouths are being caught. Fish crankbaits along the edge of weed beds and ﬂukes on top of weed beds. LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni HOTSPOT: Sky Point GPS: N32 53.4261 W95 56.80956 (32.890435, -95.946826)

SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, Sassy Shads on lead-head jigs, spoons TIPS: Concentrate on the deepest or fastest dropoff at the end of the point. Work Slabs, spoons or Sassy Shad jigs in chartreuse, white and a combination of the two off the bottom, beginning at the top of the point and working out into deeper water to locate the bite. Watch your depth ﬁnder to locate schools of shad or schools of white bass. Start early in the morning and as the sun rises work your way out to the end of the point at the dropoff.

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: CJ’s punch Bait or cut shad TIPS: Use a tight line here in 15’-18’ of water along

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LOCATION: Lake Tawakoni HOTSPOT: Two Mile Bridge Area GPS: N32 54.34242, W95 58.83252 (32.905707, -95.980542)

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Juniper Point East GPS: N 33 51.888, W 96 49.83 (33.8648, -96.8305)

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Striper Point / Whitney Hump GPS: N 31 53.238, W 97 23.1059 (31.8873, -97.3851)

SPECIES: catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Punch bait TIPS: Use your sonar unit to locate where the main channel crosses beneath the two-mile bridge. Chum both sides of the river channel beneath the bridge with soured maize. Also chum a bridge piling to the east and west side of the channel closer to the shorelines. Use punch bait on a No. 4 treble hook and ﬁsh vertically close to the edge of the channel or close to the bridge pilings.

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Road Runner and Sassy Shad jigs TIPS: Few anglers know how good fishing is in December. Cool water temperatures make the fish go into a feeding frenzy. Large fish up to 20 pounds will be on the prowl. A 4 to 6 inch Sassy Shad on a 1-ounce jighead will work the best. Texoma’s stripers prefer white glow and chartreuse colors. Road Runner 1 ounce jigs with a 7-inch worm are deadly on the big fish holding on structure. Fish the main lake points, mouths of creeks and humps near deep water. Always keep your eyes on the seagulls. Large schools of stripers can be under the birds.

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Live Threadfin Shad, 1/2oz Stripaholic Lead Heads and chartreuse Swim Baits from RSRLures.com TIPS: If the birds are working and diving on shad, us chartreuse Swim Baits and cast out behind the boat. Use the trolling motor to slow troll or “stroll” the jigs along the edge of the fish. You can also make long casts and make a medium retrieve. Look along the ledge in 20’ to 30’ of water out from the island. You can also use live bait and fish 10’ to 21’ suspended below the boat.

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Water Temps and Birds Keys to Winter Fishing WEST TEXAS HOTSPOTS

LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Back of Main Creeks GPS: N 33 1.866, W 101 3.7979 (33.0311, -101.0633)

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Punch or stink bait SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shaky heads with worm, bass jigs, crankbaits and hard or soft jerkbaits TIPS: In December, fish the pretty days just before the cold fronts come through. Look in the back of the creeks first and then any of the steep banks with shaky heads with a worm, a jig, or even a crankbait. Don’t be afraid to try a jerkbait, hard or soft. Look in the backs of Big Grape, Little Grape, Ince, Rocky Creeks and also the main lake of the Brazos River. Fish Fun-Fish Safe!

Reported by DEAN HEFFNER

ATER TEMPERATURES continue to fall into the 60s and winter patterns will start to take shape toward the end of November. The constant passage of cool fronts dominates the weather patterns. Fall feeding frenzy continues and the wintering birds are in the region, to point you to active fish. White bass continue to school on the surface early and are on deeper humps later in the day. White bass are good on slabs and spinners jigged vertically. Best bait for striped bass continues to be live shad fished near channel ledges in 20 to 30 feet. Striped bass are also good on swimbaits worked under the birds and especially when pushing baitfish to the surface. Black bass are good in numbers using soft plastics fished near channel drop-offs, especially after a passing front. The largemouth will move up on those warmer days and then move out deeper on the colder days. Largemouth bass to seven pounds are possible. Fish for crappie around deeper brush and docks. Soon the crappie will be moving out to their wintering locations in deeper water near bridge pilings and deeper structure. Catfish catches are good on prepared baits, hot dogs or cut shad deeper docks and near humps during the day.

LOCATION: Lake Amistad HOTSPOT: San Pedro - Old Hwy. Bridge GPS: N 29 29.869, W 100 54.761 (29.4978, -100.9127)

SPECIES: Catﬁsh BEST BAITS: Live minnows, jigs CONTACT: Stan Gerzsenyl 830-768-3648 stan@amistadbass.com www.amistadbass.com TIPS: Work pilings and shade using live minnows or crappie jigs. Dawn to mid morning; dusk.

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LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Lower End Near Blue Water Shores GPS: N 32 23.014, W 97 42.550 (32.383567 -97.709167)

SPECIES: White bass BEST BAITS: Little Georges, Mepps spinners, roadrunners, rattle traps and holographic slabs in silver and chartreuse CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 254-396-4855 TIPS: Look for hovering birds and use the Little Georges, rattle traps and Spinners on schooling ﬁsh. Bring your binoculars. LOCATION: Lake Kirby HOTSPOT: Pump House GPS: N 32 22.6961, W 99 43.7744 (32.3783, -99.7296)

LOCATION: Lake Falcon HOTSPOT: Big Tiger Points GPS: N 26 42.631, W 99 09.982 (26.7105, -99.1664)

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TIPS: Use punch or stink bait, chum the points and be patient!

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CURRENT LAKE LEVELS LAKE

WEST TEXAS

As of 10/8/2020

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

CAPACITY

(Acre Feet)

7,900 96,207 1,840,849 19,266 230,359 28,808 366,236 130,868 41,580 40,094 29,003 38,075 30,758 517,272 1,985,900 1,551,007 70,030 45,288 132,949 59,968 8,109 313,298 199,931 245,307 86,345 27,762 11,950 46,450 500,000 26,768 5,273 54,560 21,444 15,400 115,742 554,340 39,210 61,066 26,766 26,008 538,139 54,762 151,110 151,250 51,570 12,267 182,454 29,880

CURRENT

(Acre Feet)

6,241 88,461 1,132,414 18,773 226,462 20,928 338,443 119,101 25,291 39,444 23,827 34,167 11,925 124,585 83,370 450,603 65,998 43,403 132,949 10,469 4,834 293,169 33,922 203,725 73,941 27,187 11,384 4,358 185,294 26,768 5,273 26,398 20,528 14,730 7,883 345,918 32,062 1,301 25,684 23,694 534,744 54,762 71,214 151,250 51,570 10,507 101,248 4,103

% FULL 79% 92% 62% 97% 98% 73% 92% 91% 61% 98% 82% 90% 39% 24% 4% 29% 94% 96% 100% 18% 60% 94% 17% 83% 86% 98% 95% 9% 37% 100% 100% 48% 96% 96% 7% 62% 82% 2% 96% 91% 99% 100% 47% 100% 100% 86% 56% 14%

20 Miles Southwest of Mineral Wells

HOTSPOTLIGHT:

LAKE PALO PINTO LOCATION: In Palo Pinto County, 10 miles due south of Palo Pinto and 21 miles southwest of Mineral Wells. SURFACE AREA: 2,399 acres MAXIMUM DEPTH: 47 feet IMPOUNDED: 1964 PALO PINTO RESERVOIR IS DISTINguished by a rocky shoreline and an abundance of shoreline docks surrounding the lake. The lake is a fair to good spot for largemouth bass, catﬁsh and crappie. White bass and hybrids are present,

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HOTSPOT: Peanut Patch GPS: N 32 53.627, W 98 30.988 (32.893783, -98.516467)

and jigs. The fall patterns are starting to give way to winter patterns, so change is in the air. Cold fronts will dictate the bite from here on out, so on warm days fish shallow and on cold days fish deeper. Birds will be on the prowl and will steer you to active fish, so keep an eye out for them. Live bait is best, but it is slabbin’ and jiggin’ weather. The best bite is before a cold front arrives. If you can’t schedule a trip before a front, then it’s best to wait 12 to 24 hours after. All species are biting now to fatten up for winter. Pay attention to little details when you catch a fish and then reproduce them for another fish.

SPECIES: Striped Bass, White Bass, Hybrids BEST BAITS: Slabs, jigs CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 TIPS: We love ﬁshing the Peanut Patch with slabs T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNation-2012-DIG.indd 61

but their numbers do not support great fishing. There is a peak-demand power plant located on this reservoir, which will raise water temperatures when it’s operating but does not provide consistent winter fishing. There are numerous rocky points to fish throughout the lake, and many lighted boat docks for fishing at night.

•

SPECIES: Blue Catfish BEST BAITS: Cut bait TIPS: Lake Kirby’s pump house has been a great bank fishing spot for landing decent blue catfish. Cut shad and carp as well as live sunfish are excellent baits to use. Punch baits can also be effective at landing smaller blues and channel catfish. LOCATION: Lake Possum Kingdom

SEE INSET BELOW

F I S H

G A M E ®

•• |

N O V / D E C

••• 2 0 2 0

10/23/20 12:32 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

Oct 26 FEET

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

1:49a 8:01a 11:03a 6:32p

TUESDAY

Oct 27

2.01 ft. 1.62 ft. 1.68 ft. 0.97 ft.

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

2:01a 7:55a 1:04p 7:36p

WEDNESDAY

Oct 28

1.91 ft. 1.46 ft. 1.75 ft. 1.17 ft.

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

2:04a 8:10a 2:29p 8:36p

THURSDAY

Oct 29

1.80 ft. 1.27 ft. 1.84 ft. 1.34 ft.

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

2:00a 8:29a 3:38p 9:38p

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Oct 30 « Oct 31 « Nov 1l

1.70 ft. 1.05 ft. 1.90 ft. 1.47 ft.

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

1:44a 8:50a 4:39p 10:52p

1.62 ft. 0.84 ft. 1.94 ft. 1.55 ft.

High Tide: 1:09a Low Tide: 9:12a High Tide: 5:33p

1.58 ft. 0.65 ft. 1.97 ft.

Low Tide: 8:35a High Tide: 5:25p

END DST

0.49 ft. 1.98 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

3:00 — 5:00 PM

12a

12:00 — 2:00 PM

0.36 ft. 2.00 ft.

3«

Low Tide: 9:31a High Tide: 7:13p

0.27 ft. 2.04 ft.

Low Tide: 10:06a High Tide: 8:14p

12a

0.23 ft. 2.09 ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 AM

12a

12:00 — 2:00 AM

12a

12:30 — 2:30 AM Sunrise: 7:31a Sunset: 6:33p Moonrise: 7:27p Moon Set: 8:20a

AM Minor: 5:22a AM Major: 11:32a PM Minor: 5:43p PM Major: 11:53p

Moon Overhead: 12:11a Moon Underfoot: 12:31p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:30a Sunset: 6:33p Moonrise: 6:54p Moon Set: 7:26a

AM Minor: 4:42a AM Major: 10:52a PM Minor: 5:02p PM Major: 11:13p

Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:51a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:29a Sunset: 6:34p Moonrise: 6:23p Moon Set: 6:34a

AM Minor: 4:05a AM Major: 10:15a PM Minor: 4:25p PM Major: 10:35p

AM Minor: 6:05a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:27p PM Major: 12:16p

Moon Overhead: 12:51a Moon Underfoot: 1:12p

Moon Overhead: 1:34a Moon Underfoot: 1:56p

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

5:00 — 7:00 AM

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

TUESDAY

12p

Sunrise: 7:28a Sunset: 6:35p Moonrise: 5:54p Moon Set: 5:42a

AM Minor: 3:29a AM Major: 9:39a PM Minor: 3:49p PM Major: 9:59p

Moon Overhead: 10:51p Moon Underfoot: 10:30a

MONDAY

BEST TIME

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

READING THE GRAPH

12a

Sunrise: 7:28a Sunset: 6:36p Moonrise: 5:25p Moon Set: 4:50a

AM Minor: 2:53a AM Major: 9:03a PM Minor: 3:14p PM Major: 9:24p

Moon Overhead: 10:09p Moon Underfoot: 9:48a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:27a Sunset: 6:37p Moonrise: 4:57p Moon Set: 3:57a

AM Minor: 2:14a AM Major: 8:25a PM Minor: 2:36p PM Major: 8:47p

Low Tide: 9:01a High Tide: 6:17p

11:30A — 1:30P

Sunrise: 7:26a Sunset: 6:38p Moonrise: 4:26p Moon Set: 3:03a

2«

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

Best Day Overall

THURSDAY

Low Tide: 10:49a High Tide: 9:15p

0.22 ft. 2.15 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter   = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 11:39a High Tide: 10:10p

0.26 ft. 2.21 ft.

SATURDAY

Low Tide: 12:37p High Tide: 10:52p

0.34 ft. 2.22 ft.

SUNDAY

8

Low Tide: 1:44p High Tide: 11:22p

0.47 ft. 2.17 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 AM Sunrise: 6:32a Sunset: 5:32p Moonrise: 7:04p Moon Set: 8:15a

AM Minor: 5:52a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:15p PM Major: 12:04p Moon Overhead: 1:18a Moon Underfoot: 1:41p

12p

BEST TIME

7:30 — 9:30 AM Sunrise: 6:32a Sunset: 5:31p Moonrise: 7:46p Moon Set: 9:11a

AM Minor: 6:43a AM Major: 12:31a PM Minor: 7:07p PM Major: 12:55p Moon Overhead: 2:05a Moon Underfoot: 2:29p

N O V / D E C

TexasOutdoorNation-2012-DIG.indd 62

2 0 2 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

8:00 — 10:00 AM Sunrise: 6:33a Sunset: 5:30p Moonrise: 8:32p Moon Set: 10:06a

AM Minor: 7:37a AM Major: 1:25a PM Minor: 8:02p PM Major: 1:50p

12a

9:00 — 11:00 AM

AM Minor: 8:34a AM Major: 2:21a PM Minor: 9:00p PM Major: 2:47p

T E X A S

Moon Overhead: 3:45a Moon Underfoot: 4:12p

F I S H

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 5:30p Moonrise: 9:24p Moon Set: 11:00a

Moon Overhead: 2:54a Moon Underfoot: 3:20p

12p

BEST TIME

10:00P — 12:00P Sunrise: 6:35a Sunset: 5:29p Moonrise: 10:20p Moon Set: 11:51a

AM Minor: 9:31a AM Major: 3:18a PM Minor: 9:57p PM Major: 3:44p

Moon Overhead: 4:38a Moon Underfoot: 5:05p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

11:00A — 1:00P Sunrise: 6:36a Sunset: 5:28p Moonrise: 11:20p Moon Set: 12:39p

AM Minor: 10:27a AM Major: 4:14a PM Minor: 10:54p PM Major: 4:41p Moon Overhead: 5:31a Moon Underfoot: 5:58p

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:00 — 2:00 PM Sunrise: 6:36a Sunset: 5:28p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 1:24p

AM Minor: 11:22a AM Major: 5:09a PM Minor: 11:49p PM Major: 5:35p Moon Overhead: 6:25a Moon Underfoot: 6:51p

G A M E ®

10/23/20 12:32 PM

NOV/DEC 2019

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

Low Tide: 2:57p High Tide: 11:41p

TUESDAY

0.63 ft. 2.03 ft.

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

FEET

7:11a 8:17a 4:16p 11:49p

1.49 ft. 1.50 ft. 0.83 ft. 1.85 ft.

WEDNESDAY

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

6:11a 11:28a 5:38p 11:48p

1.23 ft. 1.58 ft. 1.04 ft. 1.66 ft.

THURSDAY

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

6:22a 1:16p 7:05p 11:37p

FRIDAY

13 «

0.85 ft. 1.76 ft. 1.26 ft. 1.52 ft.

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

6:49a 2:42p 8:47p 11:08p

SATURDAY

14 «

0.41 ft. 1.94 ft. 1.44 ft. 1.48 ft.

Low Tide: 7:25a High Tide: 3:59p

SUNDAY

15 l

0.00 ft. 2.10 ft.

Low Tide: 8:07a High Tide: 5:11p

-0.33 ft. 2.19 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12:30 — 2:30 PM Sunrise: 6:37a Sunset: 5:27p Moonrise: 12:23a Moon Set: 2:05p

AM Minor: ----AM Major: 6:01a PM Minor: 12:14p PM Major: 6:27p

12a

12p

1:30 — 3:30 PM

AM Minor: 12:36a AM Major: 6:49a PM Minor: 1:02p PM Major: 7:15p

-0.53 ft. 2.23 ft.

8:30 — 10:30 AM

AM Minor: 1:22a AM Major: 7:35a PM Minor: 1:48p PM Major: 8:00p

Low Tide: 9:41a High Tide: 7:31p

-0.59 ft. 2.22 ft.

Low Tide: 10:33a High Tide: 8:37p

12a

-0.50 ft. 2.18 ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

9:00 — 11:00 AM

10:00A — 12:00P

12a

4:30 — 6:30 AM

12a

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:42a Sunset: 5:24p Moonrise: 7:06a Moon Set: 6:02p

AM Minor: 3:42a AM Major: 9:56a PM Minor: 4:10p PM Major: 10:24p

Moon Overhead: 10:43a Moon Underfoot: 11:11p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:41a Sunset: 5:24p Moonrise: 5:55a Moon Set: 5:16p

AM Minor: 2:52a AM Major: 9:06a PM Minor: 3:19p PM Major: 9:32p

Moon Overhead: 9:51a Moon Underfoot: 10:17p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:40a Sunset: 5:25p Moonrise: 4:46a Moon Set: 4:34p

AM Minor: 2:07a AM Major: 8:19a PM Minor: 2:32p PM Major: 8:45p

AM Minor: 4:37a AM Major: 10:52a PM Minor: 5:07p PM Major: 11:22p

Moon Overhead: 11:39a Moon Underfoot: None

Moon Overhead: 12:37p Moon Underfoot: 12:07a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

12p

Sunrise: 6:40a Sunset: 5:25p Moonrise: 3:39a Moon Set: 3:56p

Moon Overhead: 9:00a Moon Underfoot: 9:25p

TUESDAY

17 «

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:39a Sunset: 5:26p Moonrise: 2:33a Moon Set: 3:19p

Moon Overhead: 8:09a Moon Underfoot: 8:34p

MONDAY

12a

BEST TIME

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

READING THE GRAPH

Low Tide: 8:52a High Tide: 6:22p

Sunrise: 6:38a Sunset: 5:26p Moonrise: 1:28a Moon Set: 2:43p

Moon Overhead: 7:17a Moon Underfoot: 7:43p

16 «

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

Low Tide: 11:27a High Tide: 9:35p

-0.31 ft. 2.12 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter   = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 12:25p High Tide: 10:19p

-0.04 ft. 2.03 ft.

SATURDAY

Low Tide: 1:25p High Tide: 10:49p

SUNDAY

0.28 ft. 1.94 ft.

22 

Low Tide: 2:28p High Tide: 11:06p

0.59 ft. 1.83 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 AM Sunrise: 6:43a Sunset: 5:23p Moonrise: 8:17a Moon Set: 6:54p

AM Minor: 5:39a AM Major: 11:20a PM Minor: 6:10p PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 1:37p Moon Underfoot: 1:07a

12p

BEST TIME

6:00 — 8:00 AM Sunrise: 6:44a Sunset: 5:23p Moonrise: 9:25a Moon Set: 7:52p

AM Minor: 6:45a AM Major: 12:30a PM Minor: 7:16p PM Major: 1:01p Moon Overhead: 2:39p Moon Underfoot: 2:08a

12a

12p

BEST TIME

7:00 — 9:00 AM Sunrise: 6:45a Sunset: 5:22p Moonrise: 10:28a Moon Set: 8:52p

AM Minor: 7:53a AM Major: 1:38a PM Minor: 8:23p PM Major: 2:08p

Moon Overhead: 3:40p Moon Underfoot: 3:10a

T E X A S

TexasOutdoorNation-2012-DIG.indd 63

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

8:00 — 10:00 AM

9:00 — 11:00 AM Sunrise: 6:46a Sunset: 5:22p Moonrise: 12:11p Moon Set: 10:56p

AM Minor: 8:58a AM Major: 2:44a PM Minor: 9:27p PM Major: 3:13p

AM Minor: 9:59a AM Major: 3:46a PM Minor: 10:26p PM Major: 4:13p

Moon Overhead: 4:38p Moon Underfoot: 4:09a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:45a Sunset: 5:22p Moonrise: 11:24a Moon Set: 9:55p

F I S H

Moon Overhead: 5:32p Moon Underfoot: 5:05a

G A M E ®

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

10:00A — 12:00P Sunrise: 6:47a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 12:52p Moon Set: 11:55p

12a

11:00A — 1:00P Sunrise: 6:48a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 1:28p Moon Set: None

AM Minor: 10:54a AM Major: 4:41a PM Minor: 11:18p PM Major: 5:06p

AM Minor: 11:42a AM Major: 5:30a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 5:53p

Moon Overhead: 6:21p Moon Underfoot: 5:57a N O V / D E C

12p

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 7:07p Moon Underfoot: 6:45a

2 0 2 0

10/23/20 12:32 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

23 FEET

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

6:30a 8:10a 3:36p 11:14p

TUESDAY

1.34 ft. 1.35 ft. 0.88 ft. 1.72 ft.

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

5:59a 11:16a 4:48p 11:14p

WEDNESDAY

1.15 ft. 1.41 ft. 1.12 ft. 1.62 ft.

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

6:12a 1:05p 6:07p 11:04p

0.92 ft. 1.53 ft. 1.30 ft. 1.53 ft.

THURSDAY

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

6:32a 2:23p 7:38p 10:37p

0.68 ft. 1.64 ft. 1.42 ft. 1.47 ft.

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 6:55a High Tide: 3:24p

SATURDAY

28 «

0.44 ft. 1.71 ft.

Low Tide: 7:19a High Tide: 4:15p

SUNDAY

29 «

0.23 ft. 1.76 ft.

Low Tide: 7:43a High Tide: 5:01p

0.06 ft. 1.79 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

1:00 — 3:00 PM

12a

12p

9:00 — 11:00 PM

AM Minor: 1:18a AM Major: 7:28a PM Minor: 1:38p PM Major: 7:48p

Moon Overhead: 8:30p Moon Underfoot: 8:10a

MONDAY

TUESDAY Low Tide: 8:40a High Tide: 6:30p

2«

Low Tide: 9:14a High Tide: 7:18p

-0.17 ft. 1.85 ft.

12p

12a

-0.22 ft. 1.90 ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

10:30A — 12:30P Sunrise: 6:51a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 3:25p Moon Set: 3:29a

11:00A — 1:00P

12a

10:00P — 12:00A

12a

10:30P — 12:30A Sunrise: 6:54a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 5:03p Moon Set: 6:09a

AM Minor: 3:05a AM Major: 9:16a PM Minor: 3:27p PM Major: 9:38p

Moon Overhead: 10:32p Moon Underfoot: 10:11a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:53a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 4:27p Moon Set: 5:14a

AM Minor: 2:28a AM Major: 8:38a PM Minor: 2:48p PM Major: 8:59p

Moon Overhead: 9:50p Moon Underfoot: 9:30a

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:52a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 3:55p Moon Set: 4:21a

AM Minor: 1:52a AM Major: 8:02a PM Minor: 2:13p PM Major: 8:23p

AM Minor: 3:47a AM Major: 9:58a PM Minor: 4:09p PM Major: 10:21p

Moon Overhead: 11:15p Moon Underfoot: 10:53a

Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:38a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

Dec 1 «

-0.08 ft. 1.81 ft.

Moon Overhead: 9:10p Moon Underfoot: 8:50a

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

READING THE GRAPH

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:50a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 2:57p Moon Set: 2:37a

AM Minor: 12:42a AM Major: 6:52a PM Minor: 1:02p PM Major: 7:12p

Moon Overhead: 7:49p Moon Underfoot: 7:29a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:50a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 2:28p Moon Set: 1:45a

AM Minor: 12:03a AM Major: 6:13a PM Minor: 12:24p PM Major: 6:35p

Low Tide: 8:10a High Tide: 5:45p

8:00 — 10:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:49a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 1:59p Moon Set: 12:52a

30 l

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

Best Day Overall

THURSDAY

Low Tide: 9:53a High Tide: 8:05p

-0.23 ft. 1.95 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter   = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 10:35a High Tide: 8:49p

-0.19 ft. 1.97 ft.

SATURDAY

Low Tide: 11:23a High Tide: 9:24p

-0.08 ft. 1.95 ft.

SUNDAY

Low Tide: 12:15p High Tide: 9:48p

0.09 ft. 1.86 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 6:54a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 5:44p Moon Set: 7:05a

AM Minor: 4:32a AM Major: 10:44a PM Minor: 4:56p PM Major: 11:09p Moon Overhead: 12:02a Moon Underfoot: 12:26p

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 AM Sunrise: 6:55a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 6:29p Moon Set: 8:02a

AM Minor: 5:22a AM Major: 11:35a PM Minor: 5:48p PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 12:51a Moon Underfoot: 1:16p

N O V / D E C

TexasOutdoorNation-2012-DIG.indd 64

2 0 2 0

12p

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 6:17a AM Major: 12:04a PM Minor: 6:43p PM Major: 12:30p

12a

7:00 — 9:00 AM

8:00 — 10:00 AM

AM Minor: 8:13a AM Major: 1:59a PM Minor: 8:39p PM Major: 2:26p

Moon Overhead: 2:35a Moon Underfoot: 3:01p

F I S H

12p

Sunrise: 6:58a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 9:14p Moon Set: 10:38a

AM Minor: 7:14a AM Major: 1:01a PM Minor: 7:41p PM Major: 1:27p

T E X A S

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 6:57a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 8:15p Moon Set: 9:49a

Moon Overhead: 1:42a Moon Underfoot: 2:08p

12p

BEST TIME

6:00 — 8:00 AM Sunrise: 6:56a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 7:20p Moon Set: 8:57a

Moon Overhead: 3:28a Moon Underfoot: 3:55p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

8:30 — 10:30 AM Sunrise: 6:58a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 10:15p Moon Set: 11:23a

AM Minor: 9:11a AM Major: 2:58a PM Minor: 9:37p PM Major: 3:24p

Moon Overhead: 4:21a Moon Underfoot: 4:47p

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

9:30 — 11:30 AM Sunrise: 6:59a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 11:18p Moon Set: 12:04p

AM Minor: 10:07a AM Major: 3:54a PM Minor: 10:33p PM Major: 4:20p Moon Overhead: 5:13a Moon Underfoot: 5:38p

G A M E ®

10/23/20 12:32 PM

NOV/DEC 2020

Tides and Prime Times MONDAY

7

Low Tide: 1:14p High Tide: 10:01p

TUESDAY

0.32 ft. 1.71 ft.

Low Tide: 2:23p High Tide: 10:03p

WEDNESDAY

0.59 ft. 1.53 ft.

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

FEET

5:03a 10:38a 3:48p 9:56p

0.81 ft. 1.14 ft. 0.88 ft. 1.37 ft.

THURSDAY

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

5:16a 12:49p 5:37p 9:37p

0.40 ft. 1.35 ft. 1.14 ft. 1.28 ft.

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 5:46a High Tide: 2:21p

SATURDAY

-0.05 ft. 1.58 ft.

Low Tide: 6:24a High Tide: 3:33p

SUNDAY

13 «

-0.45 ft. 1.77 ft.

Low Tide: 7:07a High Tide: 4:38p

-0.77 ft. 1.89 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:00A — 1:00P

12a

12:00 — 2:00 PM

12p

12a

7:30 — 9:30 PM

MONDAY

15 «

-0.96 ft. 1.93 ft.

Low Tide: 8:42a High Tide: 6:37p

16 «

Low Tide: 9:32a High Tide: 7:32p

Day’s Best Score

-0.93 ft. 1.86 ft.

Low Tide: 10:22a High Tide: 8:18p

12a

2:30 — 4:30 AM

-0.73 ft. 1.78 ft.

12p

12a

BEST TIME

11:00A — 1:00P Sunrise: 7:04a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 5:53a Moon Set: 4:38p

AM Minor: 2:29a AM Major: 8:43a PM Minor: 2:57p PM Major: 9:11p

AM Minor: 3:21a AM Major: 9:36a PM Minor: 3:50p PM Major: 10:05p

Moon Overhead: 10:19a Moon Underfoot: 10:48p

Moon Overhead: 11:18a Moon Underfoot: 11:48p

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter   = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY Low Tide: 11:12a High Tide: 8:54p

12a

3:30 — 5:30 AM

Moon Overhead: 9:24a Moon Underfoot: 9:51p

Sunrise: 7:03a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 4:43a Moon Set: 3:50p

AM Minor: 1:41a AM Major: 7:55a PM Minor: 2:08p PM Major: 8:21p

Day’s 2nd Best Score

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:03a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 3:34a Moon Set: 3:07p

THURSDAY

17 «

12p

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 8:32a Moon Underfoot: 8:57p

WEDNESDAY

-1.01 ft. 1.91 ft.

12a

8:00 — 10:00 PM

Moon Overhead: 7:42a Moon Underfoot: 8:06p

TUESDAY

AM Minor: 12:57a AM Major: 7:09a PM Minor: 1:22p PM Major: 7:35p

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

READING THE GRAPH

12p

Sunrise: 7:02a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 2:28a Moon Set: 2:28p

AM Minor: 12:12a AM Major: 6:24a PM Minor: 12:37p PM Major: 6:49p

Moon Overhead: 6:53a Moon Underfoot: 7:17p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:01a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 1:24a Moon Set: 1:52p

AM Minor: 11:50a AM Major: 5:38a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 6:02p

Moon Overhead: 6:03a Moon Underfoot: 6:28p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:01a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: 12:21a Moon Set: 1:17p

AM Minor: 11:00a AM Major: 4:48a PM Minor: 11:25p PM Major: 5:13p

Low Tide: 7:54a High Tide: 5:39p

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:00a Sunset: 5:20p Moonrise: None Moon Set: 12:42p

14 l

SATURDAY

-0.46 ft. 1.69 ft.

Low Tide: 12:01p High Tide: 9:17p

-0.14 ft. 1.58 ft.

SUNDAY

Low Tide: 12:49p High Tide: 9:30p

0.19 ft. 1.47 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 7:04a Sunset: 5:21p Moonrise: 7:03a Moon Set: 5:33p

AM Minor: 4:18a AM Major: 10:34a PM Minor: 4:49p PM Major: 11:05p Moon Overhead: 12:19p Moon Underfoot: None

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 AM Sunrise: 7:05a Sunset: 5:22p Moonrise: 8:09a Moon Set: 6:33p

AM Minor: 5:21a AM Major: 11:01a PM Minor: 5:52p PM Major: ----Moon Overhead: 1:21p Moon Underfoot: 12:50a

12p

BEST TIME

6:00 — 8:00 AM Sunrise: 7:06a Sunset: 5:22p Moonrise: 9:09a Moon Set: 7:36p

7:00 — 9:00 AM Sunrise: 7:06a Sunset: 5:22p Moonrise: 10:02a Moon Set: 8:39p

AM Minor: 6:26a AM Major: 12:11a PM Minor: 6:56p PM Major: 12:41p

AM Minor: 7:30a AM Major: 1:16a PM Minor: 7:59p PM Major: 1:44p

Moon Overhead: 2:22p Moon Underfoot: 1:52a

T E X A S

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12a

BEST TIME

Moon Overhead: 3:19p Moon Underfoot: 2:51a

F I S H

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

Sunrise: 7:07a Sunset: 5:23p Moonrise: 11:25a Moon Set: 10:41p

AM Minor: 8:31a AM Major: 2:18a PM Minor: 8:58p PM Major: 2:45p

AM Minor: 9:28a AM Major: 3:16a PM Minor: 9:52p PM Major: 3:40p

Moon Overhead: 4:12p Moon Underfoot: 3:46a

Moon Overhead: 5:01p Moon Underfoot: 4:37a

N O V / D E C

12p

12a

BEST TIME

10:00 — 11:00 AM 8:30 — 10:30 AM Sunrise: 7:07a Sunset: 5:23p Moonrise: 10:47a Moon Set: 9:42p

G A M E ®

12a

BEST TIME

9:30 — 11:30 AM Sunrise: 7:08a Sunset: 5:24p Moonrise: 11:59a Moon Set: 11:37p

AM Minor: 10:18a AM Major: 4:07a PM Minor: 10:41p PM Major: 4:30p Moon Overhead: 5:45p Moon Underfoot: 5:23a

2 0 2 0

10/23/20 12:32 PM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK MONDAY

Low Tide: 1:38p High Tide: 9:33p

TUESDAY

22 

0.51 ft. 1.37 ft.

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

FEET

4:43a 9:29a 2:34p 9:29p

WEDNESDAY

0.81 ft. 0.96 ft. 0.79 ft. 1.28 ft.

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

4:58a 12:18p 3:49p 9:13p

THURSDAY

0.57 ft. 1.07 ft. 1.01 ft. 1.21 ft.

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

End CDT 2:02p 5:53p 8:33p

0.31 ft. 1.22 ft. 1.16 ft. 1.18 ft.

FRIDAY

Low Tide: 5:49a High Tide: 3:03p

SATURDAY

0.07 ft. 1.33 ft.

Low Tide: 6:18a High Tide: 3:48p

-0.14 ft. 1.40 ft.

SUNDAY

Low Tide: 6:48a High Tide: 4:28p

-0.31 ft. 1.46 ft. FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 PM

12a

12p

12a

7:30 — 9:30 PM

29 «

-0.45 ft. 1.50 ft.

Low Tide: 7:52a High Tide: 5:45p

30 l

Low Tide: 8:28a High Tide: 6:24p

12p

12a

BEST TIME

12p

12a

BEST TIME

10:30A — 12:30P Sunrise: 7:10a Sunset: 5:26p Moonrise: 2:27p Moon Set: 3:07a

11:00A — 1:00P

AM Minor: 1:53a AM Major: 8:04a PM Minor: 2:16p PM Major: 8:27p

Moon Overhead: 9:11p Moon Underfoot: 8:49a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:11a Sunset: 5:27p Moonrise: 3:01p Moon Set: 4:01a

AM Minor: 1:15a AM Major: 7:26a PM Minor: 1:37p PM Major: 7:47p

Moon Overhead: 8:28p Moon Underfoot: 8:08a

9:00 — 11:00PM Sunrise: 7:11a Sunset: 5:27p Moonrise: 3:40p Moon Set: 4:57a

AM Minor: 2:34a AM Major: 8:46a PM Minor: 2:58p PM Major: 9:09p

Moon Overhead: 9:57p Moon Underfoot: 9:33a

Moon Overhead: 10:45p Moon Underfoot: 10:20a

MOON PHASES

Day’s Best Score

WEDNESDAY

-0.56 ft. 1.54 ft.

12a

AM Minor: 12:39a AM Major: 6:49a PM Minor: 1:00p PM Major: 7:10p

Moon Overhead: 7:47p Moon Underfoot: 7:27a

TUESDAY

8:30 — 10:30 PM

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

MONDAY

12p

Sunrise: 7:10a Sunset: 5:26p Moonrise: 1:56p Moon Set: 2:14a

AM Minor: 12:03a AM Major: 6:13a PM Minor: 12:23p PM Major: 6:33p

Moon Overhead: 7:07p Moon Underfoot: 6:47a

READING THE GRAPH

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:09a Sunset: 5:25p Moonrise: 1:27p Moon Set: 1:22a

AM Minor: 11:45a AM Major: 5:35a PM Minor: ----PM Major: 5:55p

Moon Overhead: 6:27p Moon Underfoot: 6:06a

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:09a Sunset: 5:25p Moonrise: 12:58p Moon Set: 12:30a

AM Minor: 11:04a AM Major: 4:53a PM Minor: 11:25p PM Major: 5:14p

Low Tide: 7:19a High Tide: 5:06p

6:30 — 8:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:08a Sunset: 5:24p Moonrise: 12:30p Moon Set: None

28 «

12p

BEST TIME

Day’s 2nd Best Score

THURSDAY

31 «

-0.62 ft. 1.59 ft.

Low Tide: 9:06a High Tide: 7:16p

-0.63 ft. 1.68 ft.

l = New Moon l = Full Moon = First Quarter   = Last Quarter « = Good Day by Moon Phase

Best Day Overall

FRIDAY

Jan 1 « Low Tide: 9:47a High Tide: 7:49p

-0.63 ft. 1.68 ft.

SATURDAY

Low Tide: 10:31a High Tide: 8:12p

-0.51 ft. 1.61 ft.

SUNDAY

Low Tide: 11:16a High Tide: 8:26p

-0.31 ft. 1.48 ft.

FEET

+3.0

+2.0

+1.0

+1.0 0

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

4:30 — 6:30 AM Sunrise: 7:11a Sunset: 5:28p Moonrise: 4:24p Moon Set: 5:54a

AM Minor: 3:18a AM Major: 9:31a PM Minor: 3:43p PM Major: 9:56p Moon Overhead: 11:36p Moon Underfoot: 11:10a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

5:00 — 7:00 AM Sunrise: 7:12a Sunset: 5:29p Moonrise: 5:14p Moon Set: 6:50a

AM Minor: 4:07a AM Major: 10:20a PM Minor: 4:33p PM Major: 10:46p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:02p

N O V / D E C

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2 0 2 0

12p

12a

BEST TIME

AM Minor: 4:59a AM Major: 11:13a PM Minor: 5:26p PM Major: 11:40p

12a

6:00 — 8:00 AM

AM Minor: 5:55a AM Major: ----PM Minor: 6:22p PM Major: 12:09p

T E X A S

Moon Overhead: 1:23a Moon Underfoot: 1:50p

F I S H

12p

BEST TIME

Sunrise: 7:12a Sunset: 5:30p Moonrise: 7:07p Moon Set: 8:36a

Moon Overhead: 12:29a Moon Underfoot: 12:56p

12p

BEST TIME

5:30 — 7:30 AM Sunrise: 7:12a Sunset: 5:29p Moonrise: 6:08p Moon Set: 7:44a

6:30 — 8:30 AM Sunrise: 7:12a Sunset: 5:30p Moonrise: 8:09p Moon Set: 9:22a

AM Minor: 6:53a AM Major: 12:40a PM Minor: 7:20p PM Major: 1:06p Moon Overhead: 2:17a Moon Underfoot: 2:44p

12a

12p

BEST TIME

7:00 — 9:00 AM Sunrise: 7:13a Sunset: 5:31p Moonrise: 9:12p Moon Set: 10:05a

AM Minor: 7:51a AM Major: 1:38a PM Minor: 8:17p PM Major: 2:04p

Moon Overhead: 3:10a Moon Underfoot: 3:36p

12a

12p

12a

BEST TIME

8:00 — 10:00 AM Sunrise: 7:13a Sunset: 5:32p Moonrise: 10:14p Moon Set: 10:43a

AM Minor: 8:48a AM Major: 2:36a PM Minor: 9:13p PM Major: 3:01p

Moon Overhead: 4:01a Moon Underfoot: 4:26p

G A M E ®

10/23/20 12:32 PM

baited areas are enforced, so make sure there are no corn feeders where you hunt. Check with your local game warden if you are in doubt. Texas Parks and Wildlife has a very generous Texas Public Hunting Lands map. This book outlines all the public hunting properties in partnership with private landowners for the general public. I’ve hunted many of these tracts in South Texas and have found some world-class hunting. Scouting these tracts is essential. Some may have water tanks, fields, or brush lines swarming with flocks of doves at any time. A license to hunt these properties is only $48 which opens up more than 180 sites. With the high price of big game hunting, a second season dove hunt can make it easy to get friends and family into hunting. Many of the migrating doves we hunt in the September season move south into Mexico. The second season fills in with birds from the northern reaches of the Midwest. Don’t lock up your shotgun when deer season rolls in. Grab some shells and take a second shot at dove season here in Texas.

Dove Hunting Beyond September

LTHOUGH MANY TEXAS hunters see the opening of dove season as a holiday, very few take advantage of the second season. This second season starts on December 18 statewide and continues into January. Most hunters will be hunting big game and pay little attention to the flights of doves. The second season can be more consistent and opens many uncrowded public lands for dove hunters.

just a few decoys on a homemade stick frame can bring an afternoon of birds to hand. Follow the daily routines of flocks of doves and intercept them. Strict regulations against hunting over

•

story by JOEY FARAH

September tropical rains and early cold fronts can break the hearts of dove hunters that find empty fields and water holes. As December rolls around, the Texas landscape dries out making water hole hunts very productive. Crops that draw a large percentage of the dove population will have been harvested and fields plowed under. This moves birds to find natural food sources, which play into the late season hunter’s advantage. Summer grasses and seeds will drop to become the most common natural food source for our winter dove populations. Large fields with brush lines are great spots to find doves moving in and out at dawn and dusk. I like to hunt large trees in the fields, or along their edges. Landing birds are much easier to take than those sweeping and changing direction. Decoys, simple and wing moving models, both, are a great attractor. Even PHOTO: CANSTOCK

TexasOutdoorNation-2012-DIG.indd 67

Dove hunting’s second season opens December 18.

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

N O V / D E C

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10/23/20 12:32 PM

South Texas Quail Keep You on Your Toes

HIS MAGAZINE IS ABOUT Texas hunting and fishing and let me tell you, it’s one of the best! This time of year, is extremely eventful for Paradise Guide Services. As a guide, I am currently on the water fishing, as well as working bird dogs for quail season. Although I am not able to be on the water as frequently during the winter season, I am still going strong with both of my passions, hunting and fishing. Here we go!

hunting during this season is to keep your bird dogs hydrated, rested, and out of the sand spurs as much as possible. This year we had above average rainfall on the ranch I am guiding on. With this being said, the birds are not going to have to travel as often to find food. It is important to keep this in mind when trying to find the right spot to drop dogs down to begin the hunt. The green grass is abundant and pretty after high rainfall amounts, but poses an obstacle, as it will cover and mask the scent that our bird dogs rely on to locate and point a covey. Yes, that is right, the dogs smell them, not see them! Each year, a commonly asked question by hunters is, “How did that dog see those bird’s way over there?!?” This question is by

story by GERAD MERRITT

Hunting bobwhite quail this time of year in South Texas can be tough. The weather is typically hot and dry, with the occasional humid, cold, or windy day. The key while

•

South Texas quail hunting this time of year can be tough, but rewarding.

N O V / D E C

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no means something to be ashamed of! Many people do not realize how much effort goes into the breeding and training of these bird dogs. Their noses are AMAZING tools when hunting bobwhite quail. Hunting in this terrain will continually keep you on your toes. For example, bobwhites have a tendency to run rather than fly. If the cover is thin, there is a good chance the birds are running while hunters are approaching, leaving no birds to be flushed. Listening to the calls can be challenging for many hunters as well. Many people hear a single bird calling and want to rush over thinking there is a covey to hunt. However, this normally does not work out in their favor. More often than not, it is a single bird looking for a mate or a lost covey. Learn your animals. Most dogs will have a tell-tale sign if there are actually birds in front of them or not. Sometimes it is a roost or a spot where birds were earlier that day. A dog not wanting to disappoint his owner or handler will lock up and point, but there will normally be something to tell an experienced handler there are not birds. For instance, I have an English setter male who is great at pointing birds, but he normally has an ear flipped when he is marking a false point. Last year, the same dog also grew into a habit (which I don’t mind) of his tail leaning to his left side when he knows birds are very close to his nose. All this information is helpful when deciding if a dog is telling the whole story. Hunting season in South Texas is just as challenging as it is rewarding. It is extremely gratifying to work behind amazing birds’ dogs and learn from them as they learn from you. I am excited to see what the entire season brings for me, the ranch, the dogs, and the quail. I hope you enjoy you hunting season as much as I will enjoy mine!

T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

10/23/20 12:32 PM

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T E X A S

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F I S H

G A M E Â®

N O V / D E C

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10/14/20 6:01 PM

SUNFISH Private Pond Ten-year-old Audrey Votaw caught this sunﬁsh while ﬁshing at her Uncle Bubba’s pond.

BASS Lake Conroe Twelve-year-old Aidan Castro caught his personal best bass on Lake Conroe, popping a topwater frog.

CATFISH

Champion Lake

Lake Somerville

Thirteen-year-old Hunter Votaw caught this catﬁsh while ﬁshing at Champion Lake.

Patrick Bailey, Jr. of Brazoria caught this 30-pound blue catﬁsh using CJ’s Punch Bait at Lake Somerville.

N O V / D E C

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T E X A S

F I S H

G A M E ®

10/14/20 6:04 PM

SEND YOUR PHOTOS TO photos@FishGame.com For best results, send MED to HIGH quality JPEG digital ﬁles only, please.

Also Upload Online: FishGame.com/HotShots No guarantee can be made as to when, or if, a submitted photo will be published.

SPECKLED TROUT Rockport Seven-year-old Hunter Sparks caught this trophy trout off a private pier at Rockport. He used Gulp! on a popping cork.

REDFISH Rockport Five-year-old Harper Jacque and her Momo, Peggy Peterson, caught these gorgeous Redfish during their weekend getaway in Rockport. Harper’s Redfish is 24 inches and Peggy’s Redfish is 28 ½ inches.

BASS Private Pond Ten-year-old Savana Votaw caught this bass while ﬁshing at a friend’s private pond.

T E X A S

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F I S H

G A M E ®

N O V / D E C

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