Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors / April - May 2022

SPORTSMAN TEXAS

TRACKING OUTDOORS

SHALLOW SPORT

TOURNAMENT - PG. 24

LUNAR TIMES

PG. 33

TIDE TABLES

PG. 40

APRIL - MAY 2022

EVERYONE QUALIFIES AVAILABLE PROPERTIES

- 1,236 ACRES -

LINN SAN MANUEL AREA

USFW BRUSHLINE - NEXT TO WILDLIFE REFUGE

100 ACRE RANCHES AVAILABLE

- 954 ACRES -

TACUBAYA, TX - BROOKS COUNTY

100 ACRE RANCHES AVAILABLE

Sales Team: (956)278-0541 Derek: (956)270-8902 Victor Daniec: (956)821-7108 Sales Office: 5121 TX-107, Edinburg, TX 78539

TABLE OF CONTE T

PG24

Rodriguez 06 / Fred Fishing Season

10 / Capt Brian Spencer

Flounder Tips & Tactics

Perez 16 / Manny Just the Basics

PG06

Corner 20 / Cindy’s Cindy Rodriguez Capt. James Stewart 28 / Things That Sting Times 33 / Lunar Best Times for Fishing Johnson 36 / Brent Bumble Tinder Fish...

40 /

Tide Tables SPI, TX

44/

Is That You? Reader Photos

4

APRIL MAY

PG20

2022

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

PG16

ENTS

meet the WRITERS

TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKING OUTDOORS

Cindy Rodriguez

Albino Mendoza III

Brent Johnson

Brian Spencer

James Stewart

Manny Perez

TEXAS SPORTSMAN TRACKING OUTDOORS

Fred Rodriguez

staff

fred rodriguez The Texas Sportsman fredrsportsman@yahoo.com (956)776-4623

PG36 Volume 9, Issue 2. April 2022. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is a production Sportsman Media LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are strictly those of the writers, photographers and contributors, and are not necessarily those of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors or its publisher. Every effort has been taken to ensure the correctness and accuracy in the material published in this magazine.

Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors reserves the right to edit, rewrite and refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequence arising from it. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors shall be held harmless and indemnified against any third - party claims. Advertisements appearing in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors present only the viewpoint of the advertisers. All correspondence to the publication become the property of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors.

To advertise in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors Call (956)776-4623 Email: fredrsportsman@yahoo.com

Cindy Rodriguez Mrs. Texas Sportsman Executive Producer cindyrsportsman@yahoo.com Albino Mendoza III Executive Editor albino.txsmagazine@gmail.com (956)873-3457 5

5

Fishing Season

By Fred Rodriguez

F

ishing season is upon us!

Awesome, as we roll into our 9th year of the Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoor Magazine we are so excited about all of the new connections and TV Stations our TV Program is coming out on.

Let’s talk about fishing as we are closing out Spring Turkey Season.

This is a reminder to everyone out there about our Speckle Trout limits and regulations. The new rules reduce the spotted sea-trout bag limit to 3 fish and restrict the allowable size to 17-23 inches. The goal of this rule is to leave more spawning fish in the water for two spawning seasons to help the populations recover quickly from the

6

2021 winter storm. Be sure and turn to TPWD for all your fishing and hunting regulations.

I like to fish for trout along the color change. Go north from Jim’s Pier and line up with the Zip line and look for the color change. It works great when you have a south-east breeze blowing about 15 miles per hour. My favorite bait is fishing with live shrimp using a STX popping cork. Using a size 4 treble hook and 2 orange fluorescent beads, with a 25 lb. test line as my leader line. Cast out your cork as far as you can and once it lands in the water pop it and reel it a couple of times.

Keep doing that and you will probably catch some trout and maybe a redfish .Another good spot is on the north

side of the saucer. Look for the dropoff where it gets deeper using the same rig. I have caught plenty of fish in these two spots.

In closure, make sure to put new line on your reels and head on over to 7 Day Addiction in Edinburg or Port I Marine Outfitters of Port Isabel. See you at the Shallow Sport Tournament. Gotta Have It and God Bless.

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Fred Rodriguez Texas Sportsman

Gotta Have It!!

z n

F l o u n de r t i p s a n d tactics

By Capt Brian “Flounder Professor” Joseph Spencer

Hoping that all of you are doing wonderful with some nicer weather coming along.

Windy of course but that is something you deal with when you live at the coast.

Water temperatures rising definitely have the flounder everywhere from the shallow flats to the deeper channels you can still find them around. Unfortunately due to family issues I am not at the coast at this time and won’t be for the unforeseen future which really makes me sad but family is more important than anything to me and I must do what’s best.

Now let me give you a quick last report that I have gotten from a good friend. Using a tandem rig when fishing deep is always my favorite technique due to the main factor of more flash the better the odds are for a bite, especially when the water has some murkiness to it. The most success has been while using white, pink and chartreuse Gulp Shrimp or swimming mullet, that or a set of Chickenboys will do the job just fine.

Remember that when the water is cooler to use a slower technique, try to adjust for the amount of exertion that the flounder will want to use to get the bait. Basically cold water equals slow retrieve and warmer water can be a faster retrieve adjusted to what they like.

Gigging has been great I have heard and lots of limits being stuck in the flats and little cutoffs that take you into the flats.

Edges of channels and areas with mainly sand and maybe a bit of grass to filter the water and make it a bit easier for you to see are always a good bet. The fish have been good sized, from 18-20 inches as a norm with the occasional huge one pushing 22s.

I have had a wonderful time writing about flounder for these last few years and am hoping to be able to write about fly fishing and give some tips to help you all learn. It is a fun and great sport and I would love to share what knowledge I have learned and will learn each time I get a chance to go.

Lots of different species up here in Colorado like musky, trout, pike, crappie and plenty of types of “ditch pickles” bass.

Everyone stay safe and blessed. If you ever have any questions I am still here to help.

Just shoot me a message.

Until the next time, tight lines and sharp gigs. Also I want to thank all of my awesome sponsors who have stuck with me through this transition. Thank you to all of my readers who took the time to see what I had to say.

Capt Brian “Flounder Professor” Spencer Flounder Professor Outdoors TV @ Youtube & Facebook Flounder Professor @ IG and Twitter www.trinityoutfitterstx.com

Thanks to all my Sponsors: Chickenboy lures, Power Pole, Redtail Republic, ForEverlast, Abu Garcia, Penn Fishing, Salt Thugz Apparel, Groomers Seafood, Eddies Taxidermy, Chupacabra Rub, Steves Lures, Midcoast corks, Berkley, Waypoint Marine, Houghy Sticks, Jerrys Leds, Fin Addict Angler, Marshrat Rods 10

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

11

11

12

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

SCAN AND BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY!

- GUIDING FISHING TRIPS

Capt. Aaron Wittreich

LET’S GO FISHING! (956)455-1014

South Padre Island, TX awfishingllc.com awfishing@yahoo.com

14

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

15

15

Just the Basics

By Manny Perez

O

n this month’s article of the Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors, I found it fitting to remind everyone of how important it is to ensure that your dog knows the basic commands to ensure a great relationship between dog and owner. The subject of the article was brought upon by one of my readers who owns a dog that we trained here at Coastal Concepts LLC. He has kept in touch and one day called to thank me for properly training his dog. He advised me of a situation that had come about that he was able to avoid due to his dogs training. The result of the situation which I will talk about shortly, gave me the idea to incorporate it as the subject of this article.

and “Heel” during basic training, but definitely not as important as the first three commands. “Sit” as simple as it may seem will challenge a dog team when trying to accomplish the command through distractions, for example in an uncontrolled environment (i.e. other dogs present, other people present, other commands being given and many others.) The same applies to all other training which is why we recommend that all dogs be taken out wearing an electronic training collar. Wearing an electronic collar ensures that when properly used and administrated, the dog team is in control at all times.

On this occasion, the dog in the story whose name is Bella was trained in basic obedience as well as basic retriever. The The basic commands that I recommend are “Sit”, “Stay”, dog was taken out to the and most importantly “Here”. ranch for the weekend where she really enjoys rides on their We also teach “Kennel”

Polaris Ranger UTV. At some point in the ride, they stopped near a deer feeder and much to their surprise, they were encountered by a javelina.

The dog immediately engaged the javelina and almost began to give chase. Thankfully her owner acted quickly and commanded her to get back on the vehicle with the “here” command and then reinforced it with a “stay” command.

Luckily, Bella responded perfectly and they were able to avoid a possible deadly confrontation.

Typically, I would have chalked this off as great avoidance training, only this situation was very different. I soon realized, that Bella had never been avoidance trained to avoid javelina, but rather well trained and proofed in her obedience training. So this story taught me a very important lesson, I need to spend more time training

Manuel Noel Perez Jr. “Manny” has been an outdoor enthusiast for most of his life. He began training his own hunting dogs at the early age of nine. He has been guiding deer and quail hunts for over twenty years and has a wealth of dog knowledge in the field. When not on a hunt of his own, Manny would rather be found working behind a blood trailing dog, a water dog, or a well-trained pointer.

Coastal Concepts, LLC Follow me on Facebook at Coastal Concepts, LLC and on Instagram @coastalconceptsllc 16

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

dogs through distraction “proofing” rather than only training in a controlled training environment. I have since incorporated more distraction during training exercises to help with this.

Feedback both positive and negative is what molds us all into better dog owners and trainers, it is through experiences such as this that I am able to make enhancements and incorporate them in my daily dog training.

In conclusion, I challenge any of you that have a dog that is trained in basic commands to do so through distractions. I myself am guilty of feeling like this was useless training and seemed more like games. However, being thanked by Bella’s owners for saving her life from a possible Javelina attack made my efforts well worth it.

"I would like to feature a totally awesome individual that shares the same passion as I do, being an educator, the love for fishing, and making memories with family and friends. Please sit back and enjoy Monica’s story as she shares her memories with her family and friends."

By: Cin

R

CORNE

CINDY’ S

dy Ro

drigue

z

-Cindy Rodriguez Mrs. Texas Sportsman

S

W

ummer is a time for us to fill up our memory reservoir. In the Kaufmann household it is synonymous with going to the island and living out of our 5th wheel in Isla Blanca park. We bring our boat named “Pontoony” and we bring as many friends and family with us as we can to fish for hours on end. Pontoony has been in the family for at least 5 years now and we are so glad we bought this used pontoon when we did. She has a 50 HP (yes, only 50 Horse Power) motor on it and that is all we need to scoot around the water. Who says we can’t get into the shallow with her? We like beaching Pontoony when we can then drag her out if need to. Pontoony literally is a party barge.

e have been on Pontoony where we experienced some intense weather as well. Doesn’t that happen to most of you all that have boats? “We can wait a little longer, clouds look like they are moving away from us” sort of discussion.

We caught a Water Spout coming into the bay side at one time while we were in the bay. I caught it on video screaming for my husband to go faster to the loading dock. We also tried to sink her in a really bad wind storm at one time with children on the boat. Not on purpose but by pure lack of common sense. Lost half our gear and some flip flops in the bay as it almost swallowed the boat, our gear and some children.

W

e are not great fisher-people but we love the relaxation and excitement it brings to us all. Our nieces and nephews remember beach time with Uncle Marcus and Aunt Monica and always talk about the time they spent with us when we see each other. Though fishing is an art form that my husband and I have not yet to mastered, we really just like going through the motions and practicing and hoping to be really good one day. There is something about it that draws my family and I to the water.

T

he good thing about fishing is that it can happen anytime. When I say anytime I mean in the middle of the night as well. We have so many memories watching the Friday night fireworks sitting on Pontoony and then casting in pure darkness as we look up into the night sky and admire all the stars. We have caught some pretty weird things at night! It does get a little spooky at times.

N

one the less, we can honestly say that we so look forward to our summers fishing on Pontoony real soon.

Cindy Rodriguez

Mrs. Texas Sportsman (956)648-8938 cindyrsportsman@yahoo.com 20

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Monica Kaufmann

R

2022

OWNERS TOURNAMENT SOUTH PADRE ISLAND

It’s almost tournament time in Texas and the big event that has kicked off the South Texas fishing tournament season every May for more than two decades is back and ready to set the gold standard once again. Plans are in full swing for the 21st annual Shallow Sport Owners Tournament, being held May 13th-14th on beautiful South Padre Island.

Last years’ event was a huge success with 265 teams and over 1500 registered participants and $20,000 in scholarships awarded! This year it is ready to live up to its well-earned reputation as one of the biggest, best and most fun tournaments on the Gulf Coast.

It all starts with the Registration Party on Friday, May 13th at the South Padre

Island Convention Centre, where you can enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and visit vendor booths while your team completes their registration.

There will be music and videos playing on the 60’ LED video screen and opportunities to purchase exclusive Shallow Sport and SCB merchandise and raffle tickets for the bucket raffles and prize boat. At registration, each registered participant will collect their coveted “swag bag”, which includes a custom long sleeve dri-fit event shirt, neoprene event koozie, custom KWiggler lures, and lots of other goodies from the sponsors. It is a great time to catch up with old friends and get ready for an amazing day on the water.

But the fun has only just begun! Boats begin to trickle

into the area in front of Louie’s Backyard before dawn to join in the coolest boat parade of the year. Sleepiness is quickly replaced by excitement as hundreds of boats gather to await the signature BOOM of the longest-running canon take off blast. A swarm of boats scatter in all directions, trailing behind long, white prop wash lines, as everyone takes off to find their first fishing spot of the day. After last years’ freeze, the tournament format changed to allowing just two redfish under 28” and one slot flounder per boat. However, even if the fish aren’t biting, there are still prizes to be found on the water. In 2021, the tournament created an extremely popular Scavenger Hunt competition, which guarantees a prize to the lucky anglers who come across

SCAN FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A SPI FISHING VACATION 24

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

one of the bright green balls that have been distributed throughout the fishing grounds. Participants head back to Louie’s Backyard for a live-streamed on-stage weigh in to show off their catch and take team photos from 1:003:00 before going to get ready for the night’s festivities.

The Convention Centre doors open at 6:00p.m. to an Awards Banquet unlike any other. The banquet hall is transformed for a true night of entertainment with professional light and audio shows and a video recap of the past couple of days.

Bill Miller BBQ will serve up a delicious sit-down dinner as you revel in the day’s exploits. You’ll have your last opportunity to purchase tickets for the 80+ bucket raffle items, all starting at a minimum of

$200 value and the Pick of the Litter tickets for a shot at one of three prizes valued at over $2000 each. Thirty-one beautiful handmade mesquite wood with turquoise inlay trophies will be awarded to the day’s top catches in Guided, Amateur, and Youth division before the highly anticipated drawing for the winner of the 2022 Tournament Prize Boat; a brand new 21’ Sport Shallow Sport with a 200hp Suzuki motor. Trophy winners are automatically entered into additional chances to win the boat. With over $200,000 in prizes given away, everyone has a good chance of going home a winner!

The 2022 Shallow Sport/SCB Owner’s Tournament will be an event you will NOT want to miss! This year it will be filmed

for two different television and online broadcasts.

Well-known Florida fishing celebrities Captain Rick Murphy & Brie Gabrielle of Sportsman’s Adventures, Florida Insider and Texas Insider Fishing Report will be competing in and filming the tournament for his shows as well as South Texas’ own Fred Rodriguez of the Texas Sportsman! This event is likely to sell out, so register early!

For more information about the tournament, including registration, sponsorship opportunities, contests, scholarships, prizes and more go to www.ShallowSportTournament.com

THINGS THAT STING

By Capt. Alan Stewart It is getting close to summer and the temperature is above 65 in the water and that means things that sting in the water are rapidly coming more prevalent.

The Portugese man-of-war has stinging cells on their tentacles that discharge venom through threadlike tubes on contact, producing burning pain, a rash with minute hemorrhages in the skin and on occasion, shock muscular cramping, nausea and vomiting, and respiratory difficulty.

The first-aid is to gently remove the tentacles from your is to use a towel gently around the infected area then washed washed thoroughly with diluted ammonia or rubbing alcohol. A medicine for the relief of pain, such as aspirin, should be given. If the symptoms are severe, seek medical attention.

Stingrays will inflict a laceration or puncture and inject venom through their tail. The same symptoms may occur as with the Man-of-war.

You should soak the wound in hot water, control the bleeding , if any and apply a dressing.

On one of my snorkeling trips, a customer saw a stingray and freaked out. After comforting her about how gentle they are, the all gathered around and viewed one of the most beautiful creatures in our bays.

Stingrays are a bottom-dwelling, flat fish that live in salt water. Like sharks, stingrays are cartilaginous, which means, they have cartilage instead of bones. They also have a sharp barb on the base of a long tail that is capable of injecting poison. Most stings are usually delivered to a leg or foot when someone steps on a stingray while walking in shallow water triggering the reflexive response of the stingray. Stingrays eat worms, fish, crustaceans and mollusks. The stab of a stingray barb is characterized by immediate intense pain in the area of the wound and some blood loss. Severe allergies are rare but do occur. The optimum word here is, don’t step on them. Stingrays are not aggressive and will only attack if threatened.

The best way to avoid being stung is to shuffle your feet when you walk in surf or shallow bays where they live. That way, you give the stingray plenty of time to get out of your way and you don't bring your foot down on top of one.

Stingray poison is heat sensitive, which means, it is neutralized by very hot water.

If you are stung, submerge the wound in water as hot as you can stand, and the pain will subside very quickly. Medical attention should be sought afterwards because the barbs can frequently break off in the wound and need to be removed. Secondary infections can occur and Tetanus shots may need to be administered.

As always, be safe and see you on the water.

28

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Port Mansfield, Texas

SATURDAY ONLY!

Saturday, May 28 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Bay Divi

Port Mansfield, Mansfield, Texas Texas Port

BAY DIVISION $50 per person REDFISH, SPECKLED TROUT, & FLOUNDE

SATURDAY ONLY! ONLY! SATURDAY

1st - $400 each species 2nd - $200 each species Saturday, May May 28 28 66 a.m. a.m. –– 33 p.m. p.m.(Bay (BayDivision) Division) Saturday, 3rd - $100 each species BAYDIVISION DIVISION$50 $50per perperson person BAY Port Mansfield, Texas REDFISH,SPECKLED SPECKLEDTROUT, TROUT,& &FLOUNDER FLOUNDER REDFISH, Heaviest stringer, max 1 fish per species st SATURDAY ONLY! $400each eachspecies species 11st --$400 $500 plus trophy nd Saturday, May 6 a.m.

– 3species p.m. (Bay Division) $200 each species 22nd --28 $200 each $50species per person OFFSHORE DIVISION $100 per boat 3rdrd--DIVISION $100each each species 3BAY $100

Saturday, May 28 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Offshore D

REDFISH, SPECKLED TROUT, & FLOUNDER

1st - $400 each species 2nd - $200 each1species Heavieststringer, stringer, max 1fish fishRED perspecies species SNAPPER, Heaviest max per rd 3 $100 each species $500 plus trophy

KING MACKEREL, SHARK LING, BONITO

$500 plus trophy OFFSHORE DIVISION $100 perboat boat Heaviest stringer, max 1 fish per species 1st - $250 & Trophy each species OFFSHORE DIVISION $100 per $500 plus trophy 2nd - $150 each species Saturday, May May 28 28 66 a.m. a.m. –– 55 p.m. p.m. (Offshore (OffshoreDivision) Division) Saturday, OFFSHORE DIVISION $100 per boat

Saturday, May 28 KING 6KING a.m. –MACKEREL, 5 p.m. (OffshoreSHARK, Division) RED SNAPPER, MACKEREL, SHARK, RED SNAPPER, LING, BONITO RED SNAPPER, KING MACKEREL, SHARK, LING, BONITO LING, BONITO

st $250 && Trophy each species 11st --$250 & Trophy each species 1stnd - $250 Trophy each species nd $150 each species - $150each each species 22 -2-nd$150 species

E-mail: johnj_butler@yahoo.com

E-mail: johnj_butler@yahoo.com

!

Division)

UNDER

es

at

re Division)

HARK,

Fred Rodriguez The Texas Sportsman

PRICE LIST 2022

whitetail

HOG HUNTS

TURKEY

Cull Bucks $1300 Management Bucks $2000 (Trophy Upon Request) Doe $300

$150 Per Hog ($150 Daily Guide Fee)

Spring Turkey $500

NILGAI

EXOTICS

Nilgai Bull & cow Lodging Available

Axis - Fallow - Blackbuck

book your hunt call 956-776-4623 TEXASSPORTSMANTV.COM

* Non-hunting Guest $150 Per Day. If no kill, then $150 per night plus a $250 Guide fee. $500 Non-refundable deposit to book a date.

Wounded animals counted as a kill. Guide tip is not included. Group discounts are available.

WATCH THE TEXAS SPORTSMAN

IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

M A 0 :3 11 Y A D N U S V G R W C E TH CBS LAREDO - Sunday 7:30aM

M P 0 :3 10 Y A D R TU A S O ED R LA abc :00AM KQSY CORPUS CHRISTI - SATURDAY

10

ON SUNDAYS AT 11:30AM IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY

“Where you’re Buying Direct” cougarmarineusa.com ( 956 ) 399-3272 APRIL 2022 LUNAR TRANSIT TIMES

VISIT US ONLINE: OSOTELOSKINCANCER.COM

BEST MORNINGS OR AFTERNOONS

MAY 2022 LUNAR TRANSIT TIMES

33

33

Standard oil & filter Starting at $25.00 05/31/2022

34

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

WHAT ARE

YOU CRAVING TODAY?

ON SITE CATERING ALL SPECIAL EVENTS CURBSIDE PICKUP

AVAILABLE

10801 N 10TH ST, MCALLEN, TX 78504

CALL IN YOUR ORDER

956-386-1818

Bumble Tinder Fish and the Dos Rios Getaway

By Brent Johnson

N

ow that Winter has finally passed and Spring time is here I figured I’d be writing about some hot bass action on one of my favorite South Texas lakes, but instead I am here to talk about my other love the Laguna Madre and monster trout. Sure I could be doodle sockin some mean ass bass guarding it’s nest on Choke Canyon, but this year I have only been up to three things: workin’, online datin’, and a heavy dose of saltwater fishin’. Yea that’s right I said online dating. Believe it or not it’s a whole nother form of fishing, but more about that later. Let me get back on track here about what’s going on this time of year. Right now there is a big nasty yella mouth speckled trout of some thirty inches or better swimming out there somewhere. I haven’t found her yet, but she’s out there somewhere and I aim to find her. I will say I have been catching a few of her friends and while it was fun, they were not “the one”. Artificial, or live bait somehow I’m gonna find my soul mate!

Starting around April mature female trout start spawning around estuary inlets and tidal flats. Up to now mullet has been the primary source of protein for large trout which translates to heavier fish. Up until a couple weeks ago you couldn’t find live shrimp in any of the bait

36

stores, but now the shrimp are starting to make their way back into the bays so you should start seeing live shrimp available again. My preference is to throw artificial lures to catch big fish and what has been working for me lately are the garlic scented AM Baits on an 18” leader under an FP3 Power Popper cork when drift fishing depths of a 2 to 3 feet.

Also what has worked for me lately is suspending twitch baits like the Mirrordine XL, or the Paul Brown Corky Fat Boy. I have not had much luck catching any fish on top water just yet, but I’m sure the fish will be hitting top soon as the water temperatures start to rise.

Recently we got into some good action one day before a major cold front was to hit. The wind was breezy blowing out of the north and my buddy was on the windward east side of this spoil bank while I was on the leeward west side of the bank that dropped off into the ICW. I look over and see him pull his stringer out and I asked him if he had a fish and his response was “no, but I’m about to”. Before I could say a word, I’ll be damned if he didn’t catch himself a nice 20” trout. I wasn’t having any bites on the non windy side so I waded around the end of the spoil bank to the windy side and sure enough we found the trout stacked on an edge that dropped off from knee deep to about chest deep. About

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

every other cast was a mad speckled trout on the other end of the line. We just stayed in one spot not having to move a step and casting into the wind. I switched my bait casting rod for my new 7’2” Toadfish spinning rod to avoid getting backlashed on the baitcast reel. This rod was able to punch through the strong wind getting some good distance for my lure. Not only does the Toadfish rod cast well and catch fish the way I want to feel when fighting a fish, but also a percentage of every rod sold goes into oyster bed restoration which is very nice incentive for conservation minded anglers.

So recently I had the pleasure of staying at a place I have often wondered about every time I fish out of Arroyo City. It is a place you can rent on Airbnb called Dos Rios Rod & Gun Club and is located on a peninsula known as the Y. The only way to get to this lodge is by way of a boat as it is located on the other side of the Arroyo Colorado. If you don’t have a boat no problem Dos Rios has a launch site where you park your car and hop on the private ferry that will take you across.

There is a ranch house that can accommodate up to 14 guests with 3 bedrooms, 11 bed, and 2 baths. Outside there is a large palapa patio with a huge barbecue pit perfect for pachangas. The fishing on the lighted pier is phenomenal and it is not uncommon to catch trophy trout and redfish under those lights. Another amazing feature about this place is the safari style full length high rack suburban that you can take tours of the beautiful native South Texas landscape. Hunts for wild Nilgai, Rio Grande Turkey, Whitetail Deer, and Hogs are available with Nilgai option year round. This could be the perfect getaway for that new Bumble date who loves the outdoors.

When I’m not working I’m fishing , and when I’m not fishing I’m casting lines online. Kind of like setting jug lines waiting for a catfish to bite. Metaphors aside one thing I have come to learn from the world of online dating is that there are many women who love to fish and hunt. There’s a song from the 80’s by the band Foreigner that goes “I’ve Been Waiting for a Girl like You”. I guess that song could also apply to a 30” trout. Here I am in the prime of my older years finding myself back on the market, and all this time I thought I was a keeper. Turns out I must be a trophy cuz I keep getting caught and released back into the wild. Sure they have their fun with me, take me out of the water, snap a few photos and then back I go. Guess I’m so amazing they figure I have made it this far why not put me back for someone else to catch and enjoy. If they want to mount me go ahead mount me, but do it with a glass replica rather than kill me at the taxidermy, this way future generations can set a hook in me too. Well that does it for this round. See you on the water my friends.

37

37

1-855-771-1650 38

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Dr. T’s Primary Care for Men

EST. 2020

Dr. T’s Primary Care

1-855-771-1650

for Men

39

39

EST. 2020

Bayside Marine, Home of Shallow Stalker Boats www.shallowstalker.com - 47838 State Hwy 100, Port Isabel, Tx Texas, Padre Island, Port Isabel

TIDE TABLES 2022

MAY

APRIL

N 26° 03.6' / W 97° 12.9'

40

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

2

There’s a reason why Redfish hate LASIK anglers!

The Official Eyewear Provider of “The Texas Sportsman”

• Best Price LASIK Guarantee • 25% Off All Designer Eyewear & Sunglasses (Mention ‘Redfish’ when you come in)

956-777-7200 • ThurmondEyeAssociates.com

McAllen • Mission • Rio Grande City • Harlingen • Weslaco • Edinburg

SAN

JOSE RANCH

FREER, TEXAS

GUIDED HUNTS • BREEDER BUCKS • AXIS BUCKS • BLACK BUCKS • MONSTER WHITETAILS

Ruuno Garza Jr. 956-330-1482 / Robert Carlos Jr. 956-342-9237 sanjosewhitetails.com

sanjoseranchfreertx@gmail.com

facebook.com/SanJoseWhitetails

risicaandsons.com 956-781-3840

403 East Expressway 83 San Juan, TX 78589

RISICA & SONS, INC. The Glass Specialists of the Valley... if it’s glass, we do it!

It’s Hurricane Season, Be Prepared!

We can ease your glass worries during the hurricane season. Have we mentioned we install, replace, and provide hurricane resistant glass for commercial, and residential.

FREE ESTIMATES! CUSTOM MADE

BOAT WINDSHIELDS

CUSTOM MADE DEER BLIND WINDOWS

AUTO GLASS • WET BARS • FRAMED MIRRORS • MIRRORS MADE TO ORDER SHOWER DOORS • COMMERCIAL STORE FRONTS • GLASS CUT ANY SHAPE & SIZE INSULATED WINDOWS • WINDSHIELDS • CUSTOM MADE STORM DOORS • RE-SCREENING TUB ENCLOSURES • PATIO DOORS • CUSTOM MADE SCREENS & SCREEN DOORS DECORATIVE MIRRORS......AND SO MUCH MORE!

IS THAT YOU?

If you would like to submit a photo for the next issue. Follow the Texas Sportsman Magazine on Facebook! Gotta Have It! facebook.com/texassportsmann

44

T E X A S S P O R T S M A N T R AC KI N G O U T D O O RS | A P R I L 2 0 2 2

Haul home more quality and comfort with this great deal.

L60LE Series

Heavy-Duty Chassis

37- 42 HP

Stop by today and get a great deal on the Kubota L60LE Series compact tractors.

Part of our under 100 HP tractor line-up rated #1 for reliability*. A well-equipped and affordable package with heavy-duty chassis, HST Plus™ transmissions, and an optional climate-controlled cab.

$0

DOWN

0%

APR PLUS

SAVE UP TO

UP TO

60

MONTHS

$1,100 VISIT US TODAY FOR THIS LIMITED-TIME OFFER

KubotaUSA.com *2020 Progressive Farmer Reader Insights Award for Fewest Reported Problems Overall in the category of Small Tractor (Under 100 Horse Power). Award based on 2020 Progressive Farmer Readers Insights Tractors Study. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2022. $0 Down, 0% A.P.R. financing for up to 60 months on purchases of new Kubota L60LE equipment from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory is available to qualified purchasers through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A.; subject to credit approval. Example: 60 monthly payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. Customer instant rebates of $700 are available on qualifying finance or $1,400 on cash purchases of L60LE equipment. Additional instant rebate of $400 is available with purchase of one new qualifying implement. Some exceptions apply. Offers expire 6/30/22. Terms subject to change. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, disclaimer, safety, incentive offer and product information, consult your Dealer or KubotaUSA.com.

2KBB03852_L60LE_F1_3-1_0223.indd

Find

your escape As a local cooperative, we share our profits with the Texans we serve. Since 2006, we’ve returned almost $2 billion in combined cash and allocated equities to our members through our cooperative returns program, so when you’re ready to secure a loan for your perfect retreat, try a partnership that really pays. Together we’re better.

EDINBURG 956.383.1488 | HARLINGEN 956.440.1676 NMLS493828 | capitalfarmcredit.com