Toledo Bend Reservoir
TODAY www.tbrtoday.com JANUARY 2018
Complimentary Issue INSIDE
Bass Fishing Hall of Fame..................................1, 6, 7 Woods and Water Bass Club.................................1, 8 Tournament Schedule................................................2 TBLA................................................................................3 Country Roads & Fishing Holes.............................. 4 Texas Parks & Wildlife.......................................... 5, 15 Bassin’ Facts & Trends................................................ 9 Fishing Report....................................................... 10, 15 Great Catches..............................................11, 12, 13, 16 Lake Records...........................................................12, 13 Blooming on the Bend........................................ 14, 15 Toledo Bend Map................................................. 16, 17
Bass Fishing Hall of Fame celebrates grand opening, inducts 2017 class at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium Springfield, Mo – Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, photos by Ronnie Moore
T
he all-new Bass Fishing Hall of Fame celebrated its grand opening and honored the 2017 inductees at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, located next to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri.
The first expansion within Wonders of Wildlife since its grand opening in
French wins Woods and Water tournament By Kim Smallwood – Six Mile Marina & RV Park
W
ell another tournament is in the books for the Woods and Water Bass Club. Anglers met at Six Mile Marina on T-Bend. As always the Smallwood’s Kimberly D Smallwood were great host for the Club. The Anglers were met with very tough conditions today with below freezing temps at take off alone with blue bird skies and wind. Fishing was tough for most but a few Anglers were able to bring in some nice fish.
Submitted photo Jason French wins 1st place with three fish total weighing 11 lbs 11.5 oz.
Jason French came in 1st place with See Woods, page 8
September 2017, the all-new permanent exhibit is a gift from Johnny Morris to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Established in 1999, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is an organization committed to celebrating and promoting the storied sport of bass fishing, serving as a shrine to the men, women and companies who have supported and elevated the sport. Located inside the Aquarium, the exhibit’s first-ever permanent home includes a fascinating collection of artifacts and memorabilia including authentic rods and reels, antique lures and historical photos. Several artifacts date back to the early days of competitive bass fishing tournaments in the 1960s, including the scale used to weigh record catches and the first Bassmaster Classic victory trophy. The Hall of Fame exhibit features more than 60 members including Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin, Johnny Morris, Ray Scott, President George H.W. Bush and many others. The 2017 inductees included the late Wade Bourne, Shaw Grigsby, Bob Sealy, Morris Sheehan, and Louie Stout, each recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the sport. Admission to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is included with admission to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. With more than 1.5 miles of immersive trails to explore, the Aquarium features saltwater and freshwater exhibits home to more than 35,000 live animals including double-digit largemouth bass inside the Lunker Lake exhibit. See Fame, page 6
2018 Toledo Bend Reservoir
Tournament Schedule DATE ORGANIZATION
SITE
DATE ORGANIZATION
Army Rec Site Army Rec Site Cypress Bend Fin & Feather
5 6 6 12 12 18-20 27
Media Bass Texas Bass Couples Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament Bass Champs ABA Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour Big Bass Splash American Bass Anglers Ram Open Series
2-3 3 23
ABA Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament Media Bass
Cypress Bend
1
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament
Cypress Bend Army Rec Site San Miguel TBA Cypress Bend San Miguel Cypress Bend Army Rec Site
5
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament
2 23-24
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament Ram Open Series Area Championship
7
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament
4
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament
2
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament
7 13 13 27
January
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament ABA Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour Texas Team Trail Texas Tournament Zone
February
2 3 4 4 10 10-11 11 17 24
Fishers of Men Team Series Texas East Division Media Bass American Bass Anglers Ram Open Series Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament SCLA High School Bass Trail ABA Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour Texas Bass Couples Bass Champs SETX HS Fishing Association Tournament
2-3 4 9-10 11 16-17 17 24 24-25
Haynesville Shale Bass Tournament Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament First Annual Ross Granger Memorial Tournament Texas Bass Couples Texas Oilmen’s Bass Invitational Southeast Regional Texas Bass Nation 3rd Annual Dylan Kyle Poche Memorial ABA Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour
1 7 14 14 16
March
April
Army Rec Site Monthly Bass Tournament Fishers of Men Team Series Texas East Division Media Bass ABA Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour Louisiana Oilmen’s Bass Invitational
Huxley Bay Marina Cypress Bend Fin & Feather Army Rec Site Big Bass Marina Army Rec Site TBA
Army Rec Site Six Mile Marina Cypress Bend Army Rec Site Cypress Bend
Jewelry Signs Used Furniture Kitchenware Sewing Notions
July
August
September October
November
December
Army Rec Site Cypress Bend Fin & Feather Army Rec Site Army Rec Site Cypress Bend Army Rec Site Army Rec Site Army Rec Site Cypress Bend Army Rec Site Army Rec Site Army Rec Site
oledo Town and Tackle, LA side, Mid Lake -Hwy 191 and LA 6 (318) 256-5613; Buckeye Landing, LA side, South Lake- 268 Buckeye Lane, Many, La (24-hr. on call #’s) (318) 586-4757 or (318) 508-2971); Fin & Feather Resort, TX side South Lake- 245 Fin & Feather Drive., Hemphill, Tx (409) 579-2056; Fairmount General Store, Tx side South Lake- 2419 Fairdale Rd., Hemphill, Tx (409) 579-9080; Keith’s Toledo Bend Tackle, Tx side, Mid Lake- 6302 State Hwy 21 E, Hemphill, Tx (409) 625-0181; Holly Park Mid-lake TX side, 3000 E Carter’s Ferry Rd, Milam, Tx (409) 625-4424, 24Hr# (936) 596-5343; Huxley Bay Marina, Tx side, North Lake, 13200 FM Rd 2694, Shelbyville, Tx (866) 733-8193.
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June
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May
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TBLA Gun Raffle announced TEXAS TOLEDO BEND REALTY By Ramona Moore
Selling or Buying call the Toledo Bend
T
he Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) is pleased to announce the Fifty-Two Gun Raffle for 2018-19. These guns are comprised of only shotguns and rifles. Only 1000 tickets will be sold, and ALL tickets will be eligible for ALL 52 drawings. Two tickets will be drawn at the TBLA Bass Unlimited Banquet held on April 20, 2018. The remaining winners will be determined by the numbers from the Louisiana Pick 3 Lottery on Friday nights from April 27, 2018, through April 5, 2019.
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Raffle tickets are $50 each. To purchase your tickets contact Bruce Rogers at 281-543-0184 or bruce.rogers@hughes.net. Tickets can also be purchased through your PayPal account at www.toledobendlakeassociation.com. A $2.00 processing fee applies for online purchases.
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Country Roads & Fishing Holes by Jim Binns
Do you really want to do tournament fishing with your wife?
R
ecently at our monthly bass club meetings one of our “big mouth” members suggested that it might be nice if we got our wives a bit more involved in bass fishing. Nothing serious you know, just enough to let them know what’s happening out there when us “Pros” blast off at tournament time. My wife and some of the other women protested – No, No, No ….. but we insisted. Tournament morning rolled around and my alarm went off at 4:30am. I had dreamed about Big Bass all night long, and while the coffee was perking I went out and got everything all “tidied up” in the boat. When I returned I fully expected to see my wife “chomping at the bit” and ready to go fishing. Wrong! She was still in bed ASLEEP! She turned over,
groaned, and informed me that only an IDIOT would go fishing at this time of the “night”. That should have been my first clue that perhaps this day was not going to go as well as I expected.
For the next few hours things smoothed out and we even put a couple of bass in the boat. It was about this time that my favorite crankbait got hung up in of all things.. an old partially submerged wire fence. The wind was playing havoc with the trolling motor as I tried to free the bait, so I told my wife, “Start up the big motor and when I get the bait free slowly b a c k m e out of here”. She started the motor, popped it into reverse at about 9000 rpm, and proceeded to dump me over the front of the boat and into the water with my hung-up bait. Later, after I had changed into some dry clothes, she did say that she was sorry. Lunch was uneventful.
My early morning “breakfast” usually consisted of a stale donut, candy bar or whatever I could quickly grab as I headed out the door to hit the “early morning bite”. My wife quickly informed me that the early morning bite would consist of bacon, eggs and toast at the local café. After a “leisurely” breakfast we headed for the lake. At 8:30 we were at the launching area. I figured that by now most of the fishermen would have limited out with 5-pounders and be heading back in. I backed the boat off the trailer and waved as my wife drove our truck up into the parking area. After a long wait for her to return I finally beached the boat and walked up the hill to see what was causing the delay. I guess no one will ever know for sure how the keys got locked up in the pickup. Fortunately a nearby camper with a coat hanger came to our rescue and after about 45-minutes we were able to get the door open. It was almost 10:30 before I pointed the boat north and headed for one of my highly secret “honey holes”.
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ing.
For the next hour or so I tried to give my wife all of the “professional” fishing advice that I could. It was about this time that she questioned my selection of baits. I chuckled to myself and said, “Why dear, you just fish with whatever bait you want”. She dug around in my tacklebox and came out with a pink/chartreuse topwater Stanley frog. I chuckled again as she tied the bait to her fishing line. During the next hour I have to admit that I did make a few comments about the type of people that use a topwater frog for wintertime bass fishing. Just as I made one of my comments the water behind her lure exploded and a HOMONGOUS bass took to the air with my wife’s pink/chartreuse frog in the corner of its mouth. The rod was bent double as the lunker crashed and tail-walked thru the brush, its gi-
On the very first cast of the day my wife threw a brand new Lew’s rod and reel into the lake. I Couldn’t Believe It! “I’m Sorry”, she said as I started jumping up and down and yelling. Then she started bawling, and that just made things worse. I now look at the deep six’ing of the rod and reel combo as a sacrifice to the fishing gods for better fish-
4
ant gills clattering’ and the huge tail spraying water in all directions.
“KEEP COOL – KEEP COOL!” I screamed, while frantically searching for the landing net. By the time I was able to get the landing net out of the tangle in the storage compartment my wife had already horsed the bass in, grabbed it by the tail, and flipped it into the boat. All I could do was stare at the fish and gasp!!! My heart was pounding, my knees were weak and I felt faint. THE BASS HAD TO BE EVERY BIT OF 10 POUNDS! It was one of the biggest bass I had ever seen. “Hey, that’s a pretty good one isn’t it” was my wife’s comment. … I just groaned!! Later at the club weigh-in the bass pulled the scales down to the 10lb, 9-oz mark which won the Heavy Stringer and it is the biggest bass our club has ever caught. My wife would have also won the Big Bass Calcutta of $195, but I had entered only myself. (Who would have thought that a newcomer would catch a fish that big … I-Felt-Sick!!) My wife is now a member of a local Gals Bass Club, has eight color-coordinated pink rod and reels and stocks her own tacklebox (which has about 100 pink/chartreuse colored frogs). Do I mind fishing bass tournaments with my wife? Not on your life. In fact, every now and then she lets me run the front of the boat and even use one of her silly pink/chartreuse baits. Wives and fishing .. They sure are a dangerous combination. Good Fishing - JB
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Toyota ShareLunker Program to begin new year-round season Jan. 1 By: Todd Driscoll, TX Parks and Wildlife
TPWD implementing year-round participation system, expanding weight categories
A
fter more than 31 years of collecting and spawning 13 pound or larger “lunker” largemouth bass, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Toyota ShareLunker Program is announcing big changes and an expanded mission in an effort to better engage the public in the promotion and enhancement of lunker bass fishing in Texas public waters.
13 pounds or larger and 13 pounds or larger with a spawning donation.
The ShareLunker participation season will now run each year from Jan.1 through Dec. 31; a change from previous seasons. But similar to last year, only those entries collected between Jan. 1 – March 31 will be accepted as broodstock for spawning.
“This citizen scientist initiative will allow fisheries biologists to better monitor the impact of ShareLunker stockings across Texas and provide more incentives and opportunities for Texans to help us make our bass fishing bigger and better than ever,” Brookshear said.
“This provides the greatest opportunity to obtain eligible fish for spawning while minimizing the risk of additional handling and possible mortality,” said Kyle Brookshear, ShareLunker program coordinator. Outside of the spawning window, the new year-round participation season will allow for anglers catching bass 8 pounds or larger to submit information about their catch through a web application in four categories: 8 pounds or larger, 10 pounds or larger,
Additionally, attempts will be made to spawn all donated eligible ShareLunkers — regardless of the degree of genetic introgression. Offspring of female genetic intergrades will be combined and stocked back to the source locations for all ShareLunker entries for the year.
The goal is to increase the number of participants in the Toyota ShareLunker program and expand large fish catch rate data for fisheries biologists, Brookshear said. As a bonus, the new size categories open up more ways for anglers to receive prizes and incentives for participating.
“People come to Texas from all over the country for our lunker bass fishing, and it’s still very rare to catch a 13 pounder,” said Mandy Scott, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center director. “So that’s why ShareLunker is special. We learned a long time ago that these
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Brookshear said the program will announce the full list of changes and the new prizes closer to the beginning of the season, but anglers can also look forward to a complete rebranding of the program to include a new logo, graphics, and eventually more ShareLunker Weigh Stations to aid in the weigh-in process. Additionally, education and outreach specialists at the See ShareLunker, page 15
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Other spawning program changes include converting the entire hatchery broodstock to pure-Florida ShareLunker offspring. Genetically pure offspring will be maintained on the hatchery, grown to adulthood, then distributed to production hatcheries and used as broodstock. Eventually, all hatchery-held Florida largemouth bass broodstock will be descendants of ShareLunkers, Brookshear said.
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Fame
from page 1
About the Inductees
A native of Clarksville, Tenn., Wade Bourne was a senior writer for Bassmaster for more than 40 years before his passing in 2016. A popular host of the In-Fisherman radio shows, he authored six books and more than 3,000 magazine articles in his career. Amongst countless other awards, Bourne was honored with the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award presented by the American Sportfishing Association and the Professional Outdoor Media Association, and induction into the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. Bourne also received Southeastern Outdoor Press Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Shaw Grigsby fished his first national tournament in 1977, 40 years ago this year. A former motorcycle racer, he became a full-time pro angler on the Bassmaster Tournament Trail in 1984, and since then has won nine Bassmaster tournaments, qualified for the Bassmaster Classic 16 times, and competed in four FLW championships. Known for his sight fishing expertise, in his fishing career with B.A.S.S. Grigsby has 60 top ten finishes and has won more than $2 million. To many of his fans, Shaw is the 20-year-plus host of One More Cast with Shaw Grigsby, airing on the Sportsman Channel.
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Combining his love of fishing and his efforts to promote tourism and economic growth around Sam Rayburn Lake in Southeast Texas, Bob Sealy convinced Ray Scott to bring a Bassmaster event to the lake. From there, he worked his way into creating the world’s largest amateur bass tournament — the Big Bass Splash. Open only to amateurs, the Big Bass Splash events today have spread across the nation. During the past 33 years, Sealy’s idea to bring some competitive fun to bass fishing has paid out over $30 million dollars and raised more than $2.3 million dollars to support Ronald McDonald House Charities and the St. Jude Children’s
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amphibians, and birds, and immersive wildlife galleries that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled. Created by noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris, the 350,000square-foot experience celebrates people who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water. Located next to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri the campus is a centerpiece of America’s Conservation Capital in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. For more information, visit www.wondersofwildlife.org. About The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization led by a 16 person volunteer board, dedicated to all anglers, manufacturers, tackle and marine dealers, media and other related companies who further the sport of bass fishing. Just announced in July 2017, the Hall now has an all-new permanent home for exhibits and collections honoring bass fishing’s legends as part of Johnny Morris’ (a 2002 BFHOF inductee) Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo. Support the BFHOF by becoming a member. Visit www.bassfishinghof.com for more details, or 888-690-2277 for more information.
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Retiring from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service, Morris Sheehan purchased the Military Bass Anglers Association and changed the name to American Bass Anglers. Through his leadership and foresight, ABA has become the largest tournament trail for weekend anglers, with more than 1,000 bass tournaments held annually. Sheehan’s efforts have given amateur anglers a place to hone their skills and the opportunity to gain the experience for competition in higher-level events. More than 35,000 anglers compete in ABA tournaments today. His contributions to the bass fishing industry have elevated him to a position of respect by all those he has touched.
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Starting his writing career in daily newspapers, Louie Stout sold his first article to Bassmaster in the early 1980s. He has been a full-time freelance writer specializing in bass fishing since 1987, and has covered every Bassmaster Classic since 1979. The co-author of three successful books about bass fishing with seven-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kevin VanDam, Stout was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2013 was awarded the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award. He continues his senior writer/boating role for Bassmaster Magazine, his long-time outdoor column in the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune, and even though newspaper ink flows through his veins, Stout also keeps anglers and hunters informed and entertained with his website, www.michianaoutdoorsnews.com.
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Woods
from page 1
a nice 3 fish Stringer weighing 11lbs 11.5ozs Jason also won 2nd Big Bass with a 4lb 13oz bass. Jimbo Jennings came in 2nd place with just 2 fish weighing 8lbs 4.5ozs Jimbo also won 1st Big Bass with a nice fish that weighed 6lbs 10ozs Shannon Carroll finally showed up to fish his first tournament of the new season and came in 3rd with a 3 fish limit of 7lbs 15ozs. Hope to see you at the next tournament Shannon.
Next Tournament is January 6th at San Augustine Park.
Below you will find the current standing with the lowest two tournaments drop.
Total YTD Tour Drop
Total YTD Tour Drop
Name
Weight
Weight
Name
Weight
Weight
B French
27-3.5
12-5
L. Bland
9-5.5
4-10.5
J French
26-1
11-11.5
N Griffith
4-6.5
4-6.5
Doug Killough
24-3.5
11-7.5
E Murdock
6-12.5
3-6.5
C. Booker
17-14.5
11-4
K Rohwedder
3-3
3-3
S Welch
13-13.5
11-1
R Revera
5 2-8.5
2-8.5
W.Murdock 16-7.5 9-14
A Bland
2-4.5
2-4.5
B Croom
Vernier
3-8
2-2
J.Jennings 23-2.5 8-4.5
F Harvey
3-2
1-12
W Waters
0
8-10
8-10
15-10.5
8-4
C Larocca
0
15-3.5
8-0.5
E Harvey
0
7-15
7-15
L Ortiz
0
W Deramus
7-6.5
7-6.5
D. Boatman
0
E. Oxley
15-10
7-4
Kirk Foret
0
D. May
13-12
7-4
C Chapman
0
Justin Smith
14-8
6-9
C Cooley
0
B Arrant
6-0.5
6-0.5
T Landry
0
T Sowell
5-15.5
5-15.5
Greg Stanley
0
0
E Harvey
5-6.5
5-6.5
C Boatman
0
0
5-5
5-5
B. McBride
0
0
5-3.5
5-3.5
J. Nation
0
0
4-14.5
4-14.5
J Simpson
0
0
W Williford S. Carroll
D Deramus L Hodgkinson A Killough
Jimbo Jennings came in second place with two fish total weighing 8 lbs 4.5 oz., and is shown with his winning big bass weighing 6 lbs. 10 oz.
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Shannon Carroll took third place with three fish total weighing 7 lbs 15 oz.
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BASSIN’ FACTS AND TRENDS by Pro Guide, Joe Joslin
Late Winter/Early Spring patterns that work on Toledo and Rayburn
H
ello anglers and outdoor addicts. Here we are in 2018 with an entire year of fishing in front of us, God willing. Sometimes I don’t think we realize how blessed we are to have access to two of the best bass lakes in the country. I have a lake house on the Texas side just above the Toledo Dam and I am 35 minutes from the Rayburn Corp of Engineers launch at the pavilion. Wow! That is exciting. Let’s get on to fishing! We are dealing with both January and February so there will be a lot of patterns to cover. Since I guide both on Toledo and Rayburn I often get asked “Which lake is your favorite?” Fortunately I get to fish both and to be truthful they both excel according to the year. This is my personal opinion: In 2016 Toledo excelled and 2017 I say Rayburn.” Mainly it was due to hydrilla as Rayburn has lots of it and Toledo has very little. In January I use a lot of Jerk baits (See my South Toledo Report to see my preference on jerk baits. It’s hard to beat a jerk bait in cold, shallow water (4-10 feet) when it’s set up properly with correct bait, line and rod and reel set-up. When fishing deep water in January (15-25 feet) I like a football jig, Carolina rig and drop shot rig. My favorite football jig is a ½ or ¾ oz. Stanley Bug Eye jig which I fish on 17 lb test Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, medium heavy Fenwick Elite 7’3” Extra fast tip which is a great set up for subtle bites in cold water. On Carolina rigs in winter I use 17 lb. fluorocarbon, 3.5’ leader, ¾ oz. bullet sinker and Berkley Power Lizard in green pumpkin and watermelon red.
Photo by Joe Joslin Outdoors Bill Boom with a trophy largemouth caught with a drop shot rigged Bottom Hopper.
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I use two different drop shot set ups. One is conventional with 8-10 lb test fluorocarbon with spinning tackle, #1 hook which I use to nose hook a Bottom Hopper JR. The other is a medium heavy action rod, 15 or 17 fluorocarbon with a 3/0 Daiichi or Berkley Fusion wide gap worm hook which a Texas rig a 6.25 Bottom Hopper in June Bug. I fish the conventional drop shot totally vertical and cast the heavy ac-
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tion rig working it similar to a Carolina rig. As water worms in February bass start to move shallow and I begin to use more soft plastics. I’ll lighten up my Carolina rig to an 1/8 oz. sinker, and also start to use more wacky rigs using a slightly weighted Bottom Hopper with inserting a 1 inch paneling nail in the nose of the BH. Also I will wacky the new “General” as well as Senkos but I will fish these weightless since they are salt impregnated and sink on their own. For wacky worming I use 10 lb Big Game mono and a 7’ Veritas Spinning rod (medium action) and a Revo S20 Spinning reel. For wacky hooks I am using the Fusion Aberdeen 2/0 and 3/0. I describe this hook as a crappie hook on steroids. I also love to fish The General and Senkos Texas weightless using a 3/0 wide gap hook and burring the hook in the bait. Doing so allows you to throw this bait into grass and shoreline timber without getting hung up. Fishing the General and Senko in this manner is an excellent presentation in shallow water and is a “hard to beat” pattern in late February. This is also a great pattern for catching big bass. However, it is very important to not fish this bait fast….. the slower the better in cold water. HINT/REMINDER: We still have a lot of cold weather so after a day’s fishing and you arrive home make sure you tilt you outboard all the way down so water left in cooling system can drain to prevent it from freezing. This can cause a very costly repair replacing a water pump and possibly a complete lower unit. When water freezes it expands which can be extremely costly. Joe Joslin is a syndicated writer and is published by numerous websites, newspapers and magazines plus is a pro guide on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn and a TPWD licensed guide since 1998. Contact at joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com, 337-4633848/409-565-1288 and website www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
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Toledo Bend Fishing Report North End Greg Crafts-Toledo Bend Guide Service & Lake Cottage – gregcrafts@yahoo.com (936) 368-7151, www.toledobendguide.com
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ow’s the time to check your calendar and pick out the dates you want to schedule your Spring fishing trip. Give us a call to get the dates you want!
The lake is running about 5 feet below high pool at the time of this report. A lot of main lake ramps are to shallow to launch a boat but the Huxley Bay Marina ramp has plenty of deep water. With the recent cold weather the water temperature is starting to drop into more normal temperatures for this time of year. The Crappie are bunching up, the Whites are feeding heavy and the Blacks are moving into deeper water. Fishing Forecast: In January the water temperature usually drops to the lower fifties and forties moving the bass into deep water. Their metabolism slows down and they become less active, feeding less and conserving energy. The easiest way to locate the bass is to locate the baitfish. Look for balls of shad on your LCR in
deep creeks, sloughs and along the river channel. When you locate the shad the bass are usually underneath just off the bottom or suspended. If the bass are on the bottom, they will orient themselves close to some type of structure or cover, brush-tops, lay-downs, stumps, ledges, drops or humps. A jig, jigging spoon, Texas rigged plastic or drop-shot fished vertically can be very affective in triggering a strike. If the bass are suspended, a fluttering spoon or tail spinner cast out and counted down and retrieved with a pumping motion can also trigger a strike. Once the fish have moved into deep water, the strong northern fronts don’t affect them as much as they do when the fish are in shallow water. Remember when See Fishing, page 15
Mid-Lake Fishing Report Miles McDaniel,Holly Park Fishing Guide – 409-625-4424 – www.hollyparkmarina.com
L
ake level is @ 167.31 and water temp. is holding around 55 deg. The water level has ben leveled out for a good while now and with the cold fronts coming and water temps dropping the bass have started grouping up more in there winter spots. There are many fish being caught shallow towards the back of the creeks on rattle traps, soft plastics, and top waters. But this time of the year is a great time to start looking for them deep water winter fish that like to school up and drop a spoon right on top of them. Most of these deeper fish I have ben finding in 15-20’ off the end off points and drops. Once you find a good school they should be hungry. Great time of the year to catch a big one getting full of eggs. If the bite is slow the Carolina rig with a trick worm has ben working well. The colder the water gets the slower you should fish. If you just like to stay shallow you cant go wrong with a 1/2 oz chrome/blue back rattle trap. As the water warms up throughout the day you might get lucky and find a group of big fish coming up shallow to feed and normally if you find that sweet spot it can produce a few nice bass in back to
back cast. Crappie are starting to move back in the creeks as the water cools down. The numbers of fish being caught up patroon creek go up everyday and we hope to see the water temp keep falling or at least stay cool. Its ben a while since the Chicken Coop has ben on fire but the conditions are looking good. If we keep getting these cold fronts and cold nights the chicken coop might be the place to crappie fish in the next week or so. Minnows have ben the best bait but crappie jigs are doin the job also. There are some white bass being caught mixed in with those deep schools of bass on spoons.
South Lake Fishing Report
Pro Guide Joe Joslin, 30 Yrs. Experience – joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com – 337-463-3848 – 409-565-1288
H
ello anglers and outdoor addicts. 2018 is here and a lot of the success that we anglers will have this year depends on how much the hydrilla (desirable grass cover for bass) recovers and how widespread will be the coverage. Currently, there are only a handful of areas that have hydrilla but I am starting to find more and more. Hopefully, by April and May we will have broad coverage which will definitely change our fishing patterns and for the better for this fisherman. Most years there is a lot of difference for patterns in January than February for bass because January is usually the coldest month of the year. February is what I call ‘pre spring’ especially the last half of February as bass start to move shallow and start to ‘stage’ just prior to spawning. In south Toledo (From the dam to Housen Bay) in January the water is usually clear to very clear so I will use a lot of jerk baits and my favorites are Berkley Cutter 110 and also the Berkley Skinny Cutter 110. On bright days I like blue/silver and pearl vapor and cloudy days the clown and Table Rock 2. I use 10 and 12 lb. Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon on my jerk baits with a 7’ or 7’2” medium action Veritas rod and a Revo STX reel with a 7.1 :1 ratio retrieve. With 10 or 12 lb. test fluorocarbon and this rod/reel set-up, I can make long casts which is very important when fishing a jerk bait. In addition, depending on how cold the water temperature determines how fast or slow my presentation (retrieve). Fluorocarbon line sinks so this allows the jerk bait to go slightly deeper which sometimes can make a huge difference. The Berkley Cutter jerk baits also suspends so
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when you pause it the Cutter just sets there giving the bait a very ‘life like’ appearance. Another family of baits I use in January and February are lipless crankbaits and my favorites are Bill Lewis’s Rat-l-Traps and Berkley’s Warpig. I like red crawfish, fire tiger and blue/silver olors. I like to fish these in submerged grass and let the bait touch the grass and then rip it out and let it fall which is usually when the strike occurs. It is very important to use fluorocarbon or braid when using this pattern because monofilament has too much stretch so you will have difficulty ripping the bait out of the grass. I use 17 lb. test Trilene 10% Fluorocarbon. Depending on the weather I also will use football jigs and fish them on main lake points and also on creeks coming off the main lake. As the water warms in February I will move more to soft plastics. For more details check out my column in this publication entitled “Late Winter/Early Spring Patterns That Work On Toledo and Rayburn.” Joe Joslin is a syndicated writer and is published by numerous websites, newspapers and magazines plus is a pro guide on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn and a TPWD licensed guide since 1998. Contact at joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com, 337463-3848/409-565-1288 and website www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
Email: info@tbrtoday.com
Great catches from around the lake!
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Gavin Zeringue caught this 6lb 8oz bass on a deep diving bait off the dock at Holly Park.
Mike Hagler pictured with his 6 lb. bass caught November 14th out of Holly Park Marina. Submitted photo Rosyln, Valerie, Chris, Clint, Tristen caught some nice ones at Bill’s Landing November 4, 2017.
PICTURED LEFT: Submitted photo Bill Havard with some good ops! A 61, 44 and 33 lbs. Caught on stump hooks out of Bill’s Landing on October 31, 2017!
PICTURED RIGHT: Submitted photo Scott, Matt, Nathan, Greg, Jason, and Terry from Indiana caught crappies like this for 6 days with table full everyday. November 14, 2017 at Bill’s Landing.
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Texas All-Tackle Records for Toledo Bend
Great Hunt!
Updated December 1, 2017
Species
Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass, White x Yellow Bass, Yellow Bluegill Bowfin Buffalo, Bigmouth Buffalo, Smallmouth Bullhead, Yellow Carp, Common Carp, Gass Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Crappie, Black Crappie, White Drum, Freshwater Gar, Alligator Gar, Longnose Gar, Spotted Pickerel, Redfin Shad, Gizzard Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Other Hybrid Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Warmouth
Species Bass, Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Bass, White x Yellow Bass, Yellow Bluegill Bowfin Buffalo, Smallmouth Bullhead, Yellow Carp, Common Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Crappie, Black Crappie, White Drum, Freshwater Gar, Spotted Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Other Hybrid Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Warmouth
Weight Length 15.81 15.32 3.40 33.22 4.40 2.01 1.86 1.12 19.00 81.50 84.76 1.25 39.50 53.50 84.00 7.94 97.50 4.00 3.44 31.50 260.00 43.80 8.78 0.66 0.83 0.54 1.12 0.88 0.80 1.09
32.50 28.00 16.25 41.00 20.00 16.00 15.00 10.63 32.50 47.50 47.00 13.00 40.25 49.00 51.25 25.00 48.00 17.00 17.13 30.00 96.00 60.50 36.25 13.00 12.75 8.50 10.88 9.75 10.50 11.00
Date May 25, 1987 July 3, 2000 Feb. 7, 2009 Feb. 8, 1980 June 19, 2010 June 12, 2013 May 19, 2013 June 2, 2015 Jan. 3, 1975 July 4, 2011 Sept. 9, 2006 March 16, 2011 March 31, 2013 Aug. 2, 2006 April 13, 2007 April 25, 2009 May 24, 1991 Dec. 5, 2002 Feb. 21, 2011 March 3, 1995 March 18, 2017 March 13, 2016 March 11, 2012 Feb. 10, 2009 March 30, 2014 May 5, 2012 April 4, 2016 July 4, 2010 Sept. 5, 2008 April 14, 1995
Angler
Method
Johnny Pritchett Eric Weems Larry Upshaw James Kent Jr. Lisle Brook Jody Holden Grant Ketelers Angela H. Eastridge George E. Lord Martin McIntyre Miles McDaniel Mark Balderas Michael Hutto Tontie Pennock Thomas Allcorn Clint Walker Otis L. Pleasant Hazel Bolton Claude Gilcrease Jr. Freddie Keel Hunter Graham Michael Hutto Dylan Lyons Bill Ritzell Richard Fleury Hunter Woodward Dennis Taylor Gage Shepherd Robert Prejean William Tawney
JUNIOR ANGLER RECORDS Weight Length Date Angler 11.48 1.50 2.24 1.48 1.86 1.03 8.75 53.15 1.25 24.40 43.50 3.68 26.60 2.54 2.75 4.48 8.78 0.54 0.89 0.88 0.80 0.68
26.00 13.75 17.25 14.25 15.00 10.50 27.00 38.00 13.00 0.00 43.50 22.00 36.00 15.13 16.50 24.25 36.25 8.50 10.50 9.75 10.00 8.75
March 6, 2007 March 17, 2011 May 12, 2008 Oct. 21, 2011 May 19, 2013 May 18, 2014 March 17, 2011 Oct. 28, 2014 March 16, 2011 March 13, 2012 July 1, 2017 April 8, 2012 July 4, 2017 Feb. 19, 2011 March 18, 2011 May 22, 2011 March 11, 2012 May 5, 2012 May 31, 2015 July 4, 2010 April 12, 2011 May 21, 2010
Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod & Reel Trotline Bow and Arrow Bow and Arrow Rod and Reel Bow and Arrow Rod and Reel Trotline Rod and Reel Trotline Cane Pole Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Bow and Arrow Bow and Arrow Bow and Arrow Rod and Reel Bow and Arrow Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel
Submitted photo Conor McDaniel with a nice spike buck taken on youth weekend.
Method
Dylan Lyons Gage Shepherd Dylan Lyons Nicholas Hirsch Grant Ketelers Jayden C. Romero Gage Shepherd Dylan Lyons Mark Balderas Dylan Lyons Gage Shepherd Lexie Murty Gage Shepherd Forrest Gothia Gage Shepherd Mashaelie Blackwell Dylan Lyons Hunter Woodward Gunner R. Norton Gage Shepherd Carson Downey Holly Berry
Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Bow and Arrow Rod and Reel Bow and Arrow Handline Jug Line Handline Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Bow and Arrow Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel Rod and Reel
Submitted photo Kelsi Moore, 13, with her 9 point buck taken Nov. 10 in Sabine County around 6pm.
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Louisiana State Fish Records for Toledo Bend Rod & Reel
Documented and kept by the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association - Updated August 16, 2017 Rank Species
2 3 7 1 3 4 2 1 2 3 8
Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Striped Bass, Striped Bass, Striped Bass, Yellow Bowfin Crappie, Black Drum, Freshwater Drum, Freshwater
Weight 15.21 15.00 11.75 47.50 38.75 38.25 2.56 20.50 3.55 23.18 20.0
Angler Tadd R. Jennings Richard Thompson J.D. Murphy James L. Taylor Larry Simmons Anthony Clemens Dean Higginbotham Brian Fant Jodie E. Crouch, Jr. Dallas Cole Richard L. Doggett
Date May 1992 June 1993 March 1979 August 1991 September 1992 June 1988 January 2011 April 1976 March 2003 February 2002 March 1994
Send your great catch to info@tbrtoday.com Include name, date of catch, and if possible the general location, weight and bait used.
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Jim, Jerry and Rick from Ohio caught some nice crappies December 11, 2017 out of Bill’s Landing.
Curtis Fry from Ohio with a 2.5# crappie caught December 2nd out of Bill’s Landing.
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Bloomingon the Bend
by Madilyn Flowers
Chase the winter chill, growing bulbs H
as the Winter weather trapped you inside when you would rather be landscaping? Watching something grow always lifts my spirits and takes away the chill, so here is a suggestion. There are ways to fill your living spaces with beautiful growing things outside of the growing season. It’s called “forcing” and the technique is really quite simple and applies to a large range of growing things. Let’s start with the things you can do right now. We will be talking about bulbs and flowering twigs. Most bulbs require some chilling to bloom, but there are a few that do not. My favorites are the “paper white Narcissus” and many colors of Amaryllis. You can find these bulbs at most places that feature gardening supplies. The complete kits for forcing bulbs are usually seasonal items, but some may be available on the markdown racks after Christmas. Don’t skimp on the quality of the bulbs, because you won’t get any better blooms than you have bulbs. After you have chosen the bulbs, you will need to find a suitable forcing container. There are actually some made specifically for the purpose and I recently saw them listed on Amazon. Any receptacle that will hold water and allow enough depth and height to contain the bulbs and their growth
Paperwhites
n w To
Re
Judy Cathey, Associate Broker Tori Cathey, Broker Bus: 318.256.9844; Cell: 318.452.0185 judycatheybroker@yahoo.com
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The bulb arrangement depends on your receptacle and the look you want to achieve. When you complete your arrangement, water just to the base of the bulbs. Too much water will cause your bulbs to rot. Replace the water as it is used by the plants, as they develop roots. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t dry out. The rate of growth depends on the amount of sunlight your plants get. You will need to rotate the arrangement as it grows toward the light. This has been forcing bulbs 101, but with more advance time for chilling and practice you can design entire floral arrangements by choosing several different kinds and colors. Different bulbs take different amounts of chilling time. Some bulbs, like Paper Whites are highly scented. The size of the bulb will often determine the size of the bloom, so take this into consideration when choosing your planter. If you choose a clear container you
We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and look forward to serving you in 2018!
o d . e c l n I o T alty, 12000 Texas Hwy Many, LA 71449 info@toledo-town.com
is fine. They tell me that adding a tiny bit of alcohol will stunt the height of growth. Currently, and in the past, I have tied the tall growth together with raffia or ribbon before it gets tall enough to flop. Make a layer of small rocks with enough depth to settle your bulbs upright, root side down. Then place a few larger ones on top to hold the bulb in place.
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Wide Variety of Fruit Trees to choose from!
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ShareLunker Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center are developing ShareLunker science curriculum for Texas classrooms.
For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.texas.gov/ sharelunker/ . The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program. Or follow the
Fishing
from page 5 program on social media at www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram/ . The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a longtime supporter of the Foundation and TPWD, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.
from page 10
fishing cold water; down size your lures and fish slowly. The Crappie will be ganging up on the ledges of the old river channel. Either drop your own brush or look for natural cover where the Crappie will bunch up. This is where your side scan sonar can really pay off. Cruise the river close to the edges and drops and you will see the cover and brush and if any fish are stacked up. The White bass will be feeding heavy and holding on the north end of the old river channel sandbars. Concentrate on the inside bends of the river channel sandbars. Usually, the Whites will start migrating into the river proper towards the latter part of January to begin their spawn. Numerous lures can be productive; slab spoons, Road Runners, tail spinners, shallow diving crank baits and Rattle-LTraps.
Autumn Joy
will be able to see the roots grow.
Harkness Litter Service
Bulbs that can be forced successfully include: Daffodils, Amaryllis, Paper whites, Hyacinth, Tulips, and Crocus. After the bloom, let the foliage dry completely before removing, because these leaves feed the bulb for next year.
936.254.9810
Fruit trees and other blooming shrubs can also be forced by cutting the branches, bringing inside, and putting in vases of water. They can create a wonderful architectural effect. There are always crossing branches that need to be pruned so that the tree will not suffer at all. ENJOY!
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Submitted photo Rick Battles with nice catfish which includes a 40# op caught November 5, 2017 at Bill’s Landing.
Greg Crafts Toledo Bend Guide Service & Lake Cottages
Operating out of Huxley Bay
Located on the fishin’ end of lake Toledo Bend
Over 20 Years Experience Specializing in... Black Bass, White Bass, Crappie & Bream
936-368-7151 gregcrafts@yahoo.com www.toledobendguide.com
Visit one of our local dealers to pick up your tournament winning
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Sealy
from page 9 fishing history to win a national tournament, and the youngest to win over $100,000 at a major fishing event.
In 2016, another record was broken. The first female angler won the Big Bass Splash tournament with a 12.04 lb. bass snagged by Tonja Woytasczyk of Dayton, Texas. Submitted photo Sealy said it was Woytasczyk’s very first fishing Donna, Bob and Nicole Sealy at BFHOF ceremony. tournament and she took home a prize package valued at $100,000.00. Sealy says, “I always like to be the first to do stuff.”
Rayburn, in five days time we generated $17.8 million dollars in economic revenue. McBass became a household word.” And who was that lucky amateur angler to win the prize package of a quarter of a million dollars? Larry McNeese of College Station, Texas. McNeese’s bass took the top slot weighing in at 10.90 pounds.
“Records continue to be broken,” said Sealy, and their slogan “Where Amateurs Win Like The Pros” is true! A record breaker that remains a favorite of Sealy’s is the win of 11-yearold Brandon Adams, “It was the most emotional, rewarding show that I have ever done.” With three generations in the boat, Brandon was fishing the tournament with his father and grandfather. At the event, the youngster asked Sealy if he could fish in the adult division? Sealy said yes, as long as it was okay with his father. Then the father asked Sealy, “‘just what if he did win, would he get the prize package offered?’” Again, Sealy said yes. When the youngster heard this, he then told Sealy, “I really want a four-wheeler.” Sealy told him that if he won, he would see what he could do. On the second day of the tournament, as if the fishing gods were watching, young Brandon boats an 11.57 pounder. At the awards ceremony, ever true to his word, Sealy tells the youngster, “‘Brandon, I got your four-wheeler,’” and as Brandon’s eyes widen, Sealy reaches in his pocket and brings out the keys, “‘But,” Sealy tells Brandon, “it’s a little different four-wheeler than what you’re expecting - as matter of fact - it may be the biggest four-wheeler you’ve ever seen. It’s an H2 Hummer.’” “And when I said that, his dad almost passed out!” Brandon is the youngest angler in bass
“We’ve changed peoples lives,” said Sealy, “Its been very exciting, and I do have to say its been rewarding.” Sealy points out that he is grateful for the accolades he has received in his professional career, “In 2014, I was contacted by Garry Mason in Tennessee that I had been nominated for Legends of The Outdoors National Hall of Fame.” In August 2014, Sealy was inducted in The Legends of The Outdoors National Hall of Fame.” Sealy said the award remains a highlight in his life. In mid 2017, Sealy had upcoming surgery, and while in the hospital he received a call, “I was told that I had been nominated for the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in Springfield, Missouri at the new museum that Johnny Morris, who owns Bass Pro Shops, had created.” On Nov. 9, 2017, Sealy was inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) class of 2017. “Oh, just to be nominated for that was just so rewarding,” Sealy says with obvious gratitude. Sealy describes with awe the induction ceremony at the new home of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame within the Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium, “It was absolutely breathtaking, mind boggling! That museum is probably one of the most unique facilities I have ever seen in my life. It is amazing the vision that Johnny Morris and his teams have to create such a remarkable wonder, I highly recommend it. It doesn’t make any difference if you’re five-years-old or 95 years-old, you need to go see that!”
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Sealy also relates his high regard for all the BFHOF inductees that he now shares an award space with on the BFHOF Wall of Honor. “That plaque alone, to see it on the wall. And just two plaques over is George H.W. Bush!” “To be on the same wall to be recognized with the other icons that are there, including the President of the United States. To be a part of that I would have never, ever dreamed that in my life.” At the induction ceremony, Sealy spoke on creating a grass roots concept that is strictly for the amateur fisherman. “All it takes is one cast, one bite, and it can change their whole life.” Back at home in the Sealy Outdoors office, Sealy takes a moment to sum up his thoughts on all his accomplishments and credits his wife Donna, and daughter Nicole, “I’m very blessed. I am blessed with a wife that has been there from day one. To work as hard as she does, and be in the background. She needs to be recognized too because of her advice and honesty about how things should run. She is a perfectionist, and a professional. We both count our blessings also, that our daughter, who grew up and took such an interest in the business that she wanted to be a part of it, and carry the legacy on if something happens to me. When my daughter told me that she wanted to be a part of this, I was just elated. I have learned from her so much, and still learning today. I have people ask me all the time if I’m going to retire. But you’ve got to stay active.” Sealy adds, “I’ve got the best staff in the world. There are only four of us in this office and Tonya, our other staff person, has done a remarkable job. We all learn something everyday. It’s amazing how this industry has changed. But our goal is still the same as it was in the beginning. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right. And people are going to be rewarded that have earned it. I just want to be a lot more creative.” “People don’t realize how big this industry is,” Sealy said. Taking time to recognize another fishing industry icon, Sealy adds, “I have the most respect for Ray Scott. To have the vision he had, because he has put me where I am today. He’s put so many people where they are today, because of his
vision of making bass fishing a competitive sport. And without him, I’d either be ranching or selling real estate, or whatever. But I count my blessing everyday that I do what I get to do.” Every tournament that Sealy Outdoors produces, Sealy takes out time to recognize the U.S. Armed Forces, “They are fighting to protect our freedom to be able to do all that we do. We take too much for granted. And I want those folks (men and women in military) to understand that we appreciate what they do. Every chance I get I say ‘Thank you.’” This appreciation for others that give unselfishly, such as those who help care for sick children, is also demonstrated by Sealy. In addition to benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities for 33 years, Sealy Outdoors also benefits the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Sealy said he believes in tying the tournament events into a worthy cause such as these charities, and adds, “To educate people on what they do. We have a passion for these.” “I am a firm believer that every human being that is put on this earth, is here for a reason. And we (Sealy Outdoors) always keep in mind that we are doing something good. When I get on stage and do my show - that is the most rewarding deal. We have so much fun.” Looking over the generations of Sealy Outdoor events, Sealy is proud to have always guaranteed the tournament payouts, and the next anniversary event will no doubt go down in history too. “So, I’m about to do 2019 (anniversary event). I’m hoping to break that 25th anniversary event record. I have already started promoting it now. The guaranteed payout will be $1.2 million and the winner of that event will win a sportsman’s package valued at $300,000.00. This will be the largest guaranteed payout ever done in big bass tournament history.” Then, with a broad grin Sealy adds, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” For more information on Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash and the 2018 tournament schedule, go to www. sealyoutdoors.com.
Email: info@samrayburntoday.com
Kids fishing derbies, Rainbow Trout stocking By Dan Ashe and Ray Lenderman, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
T
exas Parks and Wildlife, along with local community partners and sponsors, conduct numerous youth fishing derbies each year. TPWD’s primary focus with these events is to get kids and their families fishing, and to let people know that local fishing opportunities exist that are easily accessible and affordable (i.e., you don’t need a $65,000 bass boat to take your kid fishing). TPWD works closely with local park departments and other entities and routinely stocks ponds all across the state every year to provide nearby fishing opportunities for those that cannot easily access our larger lakes and rivers. TPWD routinely stocks channel catfish into about 12 to 15 local park ponds within our management district each year (about 10,000 fish total). We stock 9-inch channel catfish so they are harvestable size going in and the limit is 5 fish per day (no minimum length limit). We encourage fishermen to harvest these fish as we view them as a “put and take” fishery and of course we will stock the ponds again in the near future. Ponds that are situated in parks that have a youth fishing derby
associated with it or some outreach event always receive stocking priority. We also factor in pond amenities such as ample parking, lights, picnic areas, bathrooms, etc. that would encourage people to come and fish. A list of all the ponds we stock can be found on the TPWD website, or you can simply call our office.
Rainbow trout are routinely stocked where youth fishing derbies takes place. Rainbow trout are not native to our area but they are an ideal fish for youth fishing events. Simply put, stocked trout are easy to catch, and for kids just learning to fish, catching fish is the name of the game. TPWD does not grow rainbow trout in our hatcheries (too warm in Texas to grow trout), so we purchase them from private producers. Most of the trout we stock are about 9 inches long and weigh about 1/8 to 1/4 pound with a few larger fish mixed in. We generally stock these fish a couple days prior to the fishing derby so they are not harvested immediately by the general public before the kids get a chance to fish, but as soon as the fishing derby is over everyone is welcome to fish for them. The limit is 5 fish per day and there is no minimum length limit. Again, we encourage people to harvest
Submitted photo Youngster views up close his Rainbow Trout catch from TPWD stocked pond.
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13
these fish especially given they will not survive our Texas summers.
TPWD sponsors several youth fishing derbies in our area where rainbow trout are utilized and they are at Jasper City Park, Lakeside Park in Nacogdoches, and Doornbos Park in Nederland. Additionally, we stock several other ponds with trout that are purchased by the entity that controls the pond and they are for the general public immediately upon stocking (Magnolia Ridge and Claiborne West Park – please note LNVA Barrier Ponds were not stocked in 2017 due to low oxygen levels). To give an example of just how many kids participate in these fishing derbies, the 2017 Jasper Youth Trout Derby had 338 kids participate, with nearly 1,000 people present. Over the 16 years that this annual event has taken place, over 4,300 kids have participated and over 800 rods and reels and 115 bicycles have been given out as prizes. Apparently hotdogs fuel all of that fishing, with over 6,500 hotdogs served over this same period. Youth fishing derbies are community events and would not be possible without the support and encouragement from local folks and businesses. The following businesses con-
tributed to the 2017 Jasper Youth Trout Derby and we thank them: Parker Lumber, Dr. Eric Koch, Dover Oil, Joe Knight State Farm Insurance, Gee Shipman Pharmacy, First Bank & Trust, First National Bank, Weaver Brothers Dodge, Jasper Ford-Lincoln, Hollis Tire, Wal-Mart, A-1 Refrigeration, Beard’s Office Supply, Brandon Shoemake, Farm Bureau Insurance, Allen Hart Law Office, Brookshire Brothers, City of Jasper, KJAS Radio, Jasper Evening Lions Club, Jasper H.S. Fishing Team, and most of all to the parents and adults that brought the kids out to fish. Local Trout fishing derbies dates: Jasper City Park – 1/20/2018; and Lakeside Park (Nacogdoches) – 1/20/2018; Doornbos Park (Nederland) – 2/17/2018.
Additional ponds to be stocked with rainbow trout include: Magnolia Ridge (Town Bluff) – 12/15/2017; and Claiborne West Park (Orange) – 1/15/2018 and 2/12/2018. As always, if you should have any questions concerning this article or have any other fishery questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at dan.ashe@tpwd.texas.gov or call me at 409-698-9114. Good Luck and Good Fishing!
Submitted photo TPWD wil host Kids Fishing Derbies at several area ponds. See related story above for dates and locations.
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Huntington’s Boles, Stringer win DETX qualifier By Terry Sympson, Jackson Hill Marina
A
bram Boles and Addy Stringer from Huntington High School lead the field of 84 boats with a limit of bass that weighed 17.91 lbs. Addy caught the days big fish, an 8.33 lb giant to edge out the second place team from Evans High School who managed to catch a 7.83 lb. kicker, but fell just under Boles and Stringer with 17.60 lbs. of Rayburn’s green gold. Third place went to Deweyville’s Matthew Williams who fished alone, but still managed to net his own 6.68 lb. big girl while coming to the scales with 17.16 lbs. The tournament marked the emergence of the lady anglers who have produced big fish to win or place their team in the top three spots for the first two tournaments of the year. “What we are seeing is that the lady anglers are serious about competing and winning” said Terry Sympson from Jackson Hill Marina.” In the four years that high school fishing has been around it has attracted younger student anglers, boys and girls, to get hooked on bass fishing. The young anglers are learning quickly and practicing harder to find their place on the stage. The winning team of each DETX qualifier also receives a paid entry into the Texas Fallen Heroes Open Youth Championship taking place in June. The tournament also included a Veterans Day tribute and thank you to all veterans with a standing ovation for those present for the weigh in. Robert “Buck” Collins was on hand to talk to the audience and present hats from our local Wounded Warrior Association of East Texas to the winners. Buck is a retired Special Forces member who was severely wounded in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded a Silver Star for Valor in Combat during his amazing service to our country. To see more and to get additional information about the Deep East High School Fishing Series you can go to www.deepeasthighschoolfishing.com.
Submitted photo Huntington High School anglers Addy Stringer and Abram Boles with their 17.91 lb. winning limit of fish.
Deep East Texas November Q2 Top 25 CLUB NAME 1 2 3 4 5
Beckville
6 7
ANGLERS
Huntington High School Abram Boles Evans High School Deweyville Pirate
Diboll High school Livingston Fishing
Douglass HS fishing
8
The Woodlands
Splendora BASS
Skyler Beason
Connor Moore
11 Garrison High School
Grant Millican
9
12 West Monroe
Addy Stringer Hunter Nash
Matthew Williams Reed Quarles
Breckett Long Jace Lindsay
Colin Cargol
N/A
Garret Morris
Kaden Mueck N/A
Isaac Smith
Jacob Bruener Austin Brewer
Tamlyn Duff
13 Livingston Fishing
10 Broaddus HS Fishing
Cody Mundy
Will Lambert
WEIGHT 17.91 17.60 17.16
16.75
14.66
14.55
14.51
14.34
Zachary Freeze 13.85
Wesley Stanley Tristan Adkinson 11.08
16 Garrison High School
Wyatt Wozniak Ethan Tant
14 LCM
15 Broaddus HS Fishing 17 LCM Bass Team
Jade Yates
Justin James
Submitted photo
12.57
12.30
Spencer Brister Brendan Brones 10.84
18 LCM Bass Team 19 LCM
Gavin Brish
Gavin Cooper
11.59
11.08 10.89
Jacob Longlois Hunter Denman 10.83 Christopher Cobb
Adam Smith
22 Colmesneil HS
23 LCM Bass Team
Top three DETX Q2 anglers are Matthew Williams of Deweyvile, 3rd place with 17.16 lbs.; Addy Stringer and Abram Boles of Huntington HS, 1st place with 17.91 lbs; and Skyler Beason and Hunter Nash of Evans HS, 2nd place with 17.61 lbs.
Brayden Askew 13.66
Dawson Dean
Jacob Pihl
Paige Blackmon 11.65
Andres Marquez Chandler Amos 10.81
20 Garrison High School 21 Corrigan-Camden
Blake Brown
24 Hardin High School 25 LCM Bass Team
N/A
Jordan James
Cooper McGraw Tanner Breaux Kade Massey
Dylan Balch
Trent Andrus
10.63
10.54
10.48
10.31
10.27
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12
Submitted photo Junior anglers Cody Mundy and Brayden Askew from Broaddus are challenging the high school anglers. The team finished 10th place with 13.66 lbs.
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Lore
from page 12
grog, any drink made with rum) was illegal, as the Puritans settled in Boston. From 1659 to 1681, merrymaking could cost you a fine of five shillings! After the Revolutionary War, the New Congress, found Christmas Day so unimportant that they held the first session of Congress on Christmas Day, 1789. Christmas wasn’t a federal holiday until nearly another century! Washington Irving not only wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” but also dreamed up Santa’s flying sleigh…this supposedly inspired Charles Dickens to write the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.” How The Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey is still the highest grossing Christmas movie of all time. Santa has his own zip code, H0H 0H0 in Canada. Mail started really coming in so postal workers started answering them. After a while, the “Santa Letter-Writing Program,” a literacy initiative, was begun! Stealing kisses used to be just a beginning. Mistletoe was believed to be an aphrodisiac. Xmas doesn’t remove Christ from Christmas because the word “Christianity” was spelled “Xianity,” as far back as 1100. X, or Chi, in Greek, is the first letter of “Christ,” and served as a symbolic stand-in. In 1551, the holiday was “Xtemmas,” but eventually it was shortened to “Xmas.” Ham, not turkey, is the festive favorite for Christmas! Despite the popularity of both festive entrees, spi-
ral-cut ham remains the more popular choice for the Christmas table. In 2013, Americans bought 318 million pounds of ham during November and December, or 50% of their annual total consumption. Poinsettia Care—Don’t water the colorful bracts and don’t overwater the plant itself. Consider dry/wet/ dry to be the best for the plant! Try to keep the plant at 65-75 degrees(for best results) and place near a window for light when not in use as a centerpiece. Poinsettias are forced to bloom for Christmas, so if one keeps a plant year-round, it might bloom earlier or later than Christmas next year….Poinsettias need a minimum of eight hours of sunlight, but no more when trying to have them bloom. Give me a call to let you know when to cut off the light next year!! Christmas Cactus- are easy to grow. When they bloom, they produce beautiful colors of pink, red, peach, white, rose, and lavender. One can take a “joint” of the cactus and regenerate a whole new cactus, and over a years’ time have a full bloomer in a 4” pot, or put together in a hanging basket for next year! Keep around 60 to 75 degrees in the house or greenhouse and don’t water much….it’s a cactus!! They like well drained soils. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks for growth, then leave off the fertilizer and water sparingly after blooms form. Try not to water directly onto the blooms.
Red Christmas Cactus
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Red and White Christmas Cactus
Rose colored Christmas Cactus
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Soil Culture
by John Talbott
Christmas Lore You Probably Didn’t Know
H
ere are some interesting facts about Christmas that many times are overlooked….
Though Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, there is no mention of December 25th in the Bible. (Most historians believe he was actually born in the spring.) Christmas wasn’t chosen as an official holiday until the 3rd Century. The Germans were credited with bringing the first evergreens into their homes, but it really took off with a tree when Prince Albert of Germany and his wife were sketched in front of a Christmas Tree in 1848. Coca-Cola came up with the red suit for Santa in an ad in the 1930s; previous suits had been various colors: Green, White, Blue, and Red. You probably knew that Santa Claus comes from St. Nickolas. St. Nickolas, Christian Bishop, living in the Fourth Century A.D., gave away
his wealthy inheritance to the poor. He was the protector of children, but also he was the Patron Saint of unmarried women, prisoners, thieves, and pawnbrokers! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rain Deer was an idea of Robert L. May, in 1939, for a marketing gimmick for Montgomery Ward’s holiday coloring books. He toyed with other names: Reginald and Rollo, but settled on Rudolph!! Jingle Bells was originally named “One Horse Open Sleigh,” and was a Thanksgiving song. In 1857, it was republished with the title of today. The Christmas Season sends over 15,000 people to the ER, from hanging lights, to hundreds of fires from dry Christmas trees, to car accidents from travel. Christmas produces an average of 17 deaths and over $13 million in property damages. Merrymaking and the word eggnog (nog comes from See Lore, page 11
Red and White Poinsettas
White Poinsettia
Marble Poinsetta
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McDonald House.” “You don’t want any money?” inquires the VP. “Nope,” Sealy answers. To which the VP replies, “Sign ‘em up!” And with that, McDonald’s Big Bass tournaments began spreading to other areas and lakes such as Lake Fork and Toledo Bend in Louisiana. Ever mindful of the economic impact that the Big Bass tournaments bring to Sealy’s hometown of Sam Rayburn, as well as the greater exposure of the sport of bass fishing and related influences, a 10th anniversary Big Bass tournament was planned. Sealy invited then Texas Governor Ann Richards to the anniversary event. While at the event Sealy took Governor Richards fishing, “We took Miss Ann and her daughter bass fishing and they caught ‘em!” Then, at the tournament awards ceremony, the Governor presented the winner with the award check and gave a speech to the tournament crowd. After speaking, Governor Richards met privately with Sealy and thanked him for inviting her and remarks that it had been an enlightening trip. The Governor then adds, “I really admire what you do and if there is anything I can ever do for you, what would it be?” Sealy simply replied, “Just protect our resources and keep them restocked with these pure Floridas.” The Governor responded she would see what she could do. Sealy said he had put the remarks aside until about three weeks
later when he received a call from her office asking if he would be near the Sam Rayburn Lake area because the Governor had something for him, and she wanted to meet with him at Twin Dikes Park boat ramp on that particular morning. Sealy said he would be there and when he arrived he was surprised to find a large group gathered. “There was media, TV, and press people. There were five Texas Parks and Wildlife Fisheries trailers, and each one had a quarter of a million pure Florida fingerlings,” said Sealy. “That day she (Governor Richards) signed a proclamation on behalf of Sealy Outdoors and our efforts for what we have done in education and the economic growth that we do for communities, that Rayburn and other premiere lakes in the State of Texas would receive a minimum of a half million fingerlings from now on.” Sealy emphasized that this injection of fingerlings has been very instrumental in putting lakes such as Rayburn, Fork, and other premier Texas lakes on the map for the sport of bass fishing. Sealy admits, “That day was an honor.” Sealy also stated that his parents were still living at that time and his parents were able to tell them how proud they were of their accomplishments. Sealy Outdoors continues to host anniversary events every five years. At the 20th anniversary event things got a little excited - most especially
for Donna Sealy. With a little chuckle, Sealy begins to explains the day’s events. “My wife is always behind the scenes. You never get to see her out, she’s always handling the accounting and things of that nature.” But at this particular event, the Sealy Outdoors trailer, which has a front window, also faced the stage. Sealy explains that when he gets on stage he doesn’t always tell his wife, or any others for that matter, what he’s going to do, in truth he says, he’s never quite sure himself, “Whatever comes to my mind at that point in time, that’s what I do!” So with Sealy’s best rousing enthusiasm, he takes the stage filled with his ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet’ determination, and as stealthily as a pro angler seeks a giant bass, Sealy reels in the mammoth crowd loudly declaring “At our next anniversary event we’re gonna guarantee a million dollar payout and the winner will win a quarter of a million dollar package!” Sealy said that his wife heard what he said, but not all the details. “My wife hollers out to Roger Gay, my weigh master, and says “‘Pull the plug on the mic (microphone) now!’” Sealy says with a laugh, “She panicked. “I could hear her in the trailer while I’m on stage!” Sealy said he had to go to the trailer window and tell her, “Hey we got five years to plan this out, not next year!” For the moment, there was a sigh of relief - for both Sealy and Donna, but
then soon after the event reality set in and he said, “Oh! It’s time for me to go to work! I’ve got five years, but I’ve got to start now!” Sealy said his goal was to break records in the industry, and there were over 6,100 entries at the 20th anniversary. The Sealy team went to work planning the 25th anniversary which would take place in 2009. The aim was to make it a festival event, and bring in a county music artist with a free concert. “Years ago, Sealy explained, “there was a real tall, lanky, longhaired, young man that fished our Lake Fork tournament for about three or four years. He was a country music artist by the name of Blake Shelton. He was 16 (years old) when we first met him. So, my daughter (Nicole) contacted his agency, and we booked Blake Shelton to come to that 25th anniversary.” As Sealy recalls that 25th event, his amazement of that final day is still evident, “We had over 30,000 people to attend the awards and the Blake Shelton concert. We drew 7,552 anglers from 42 states and six foreign countries to that event! It is still today, the largest bass tournament ever held in history. It was just mind-boggling! I have no words to express that event. It really put Sealy Outdoors on the map. Texas Parks and Wildlife did an economic study following the event of the five counties that surround Lake Sam See Sealy, page 14
Schedule of Events from Around the Lake JANUARY - FEBRUARY
DATE/TIME
January 29th February 18th
EVENT
97th Annual Chairman’s Banquet Mardi Gras 2nd Annual Mardi Gras Parade, Gumbo Cookoff
LOCATION
First UMC, 329 North Bowie, Jasper Jasper
The Closest Thing To Heaven in Texas!
Parkway Pantry & Grocery
Gary & Vicki Sheppard, Owners
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Bed & Breakfast Lakeside Cabins • Incredible Rishing • Quiet Atmosphere • Gourmet Meals 1705 FM 2851 • Broaddus, TX • 936-872-9266 • jacksonhill.us
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9
Sealy
from page 1
owned a Burger King restaurant, and the pair promoted the Burger King tournament for a couple of years. When it came to a close, Sealy was considering the direction of his big bass concept when he received a call from friends Jack and Suzanne Schwartz, owners of McDonald’s Restaurant in Jasper. The Schwartz’s told Sealy that they would be interested in backing a big bass tournament if it would benefit the Ronald McDonald House, a non-profit organization that helps families with sick children. Sealy said he and his wife, Donna, were not familiar with the organization and the Schwartz’s arranged for a tour of the Ronald McDonald House in Houston, “I was just absolutely blown away,” said Sealy. “We could not believe what this charity organization does. So we started with McDonald’s to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.” For the very first McDonald’s Big Bass Tournament, Sealy gave a $10,000 guaranteed payout, “The first year we had 692 entries, the entry fee I think was $25, and it was a one day
deal.” Scott Sorenson won the tournament with a 5.01 lb bass. Sealy said of the event, “I’ll never forget that day as long as I live.” The second year we went to a two day deal and we had 894 entries with the same $10,000 guaranteed payout.” After the second year, Sealy asked Jack Schwartz if the McDonald’s corporation would become involved with the tournament, but was told that it would not be likely, “I can’t stand it when I’m told something can’t be done,” said Sealy. “I had a friend that had a TV show in Dallas, Barry Stokes, and I contacted Barry and said your camera guy, I need to hire him or borrow him.” Stokes agreed to send his cameraman. After securing a cameraman for the upcoming Lake Sam Rayburn event, Sealy attended the AFTMA (American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association, now known as ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) event. At the event Sealy said, “I just started going down the isles, meeting people, telling them (tackle manufacturers)
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about the tournament. And I said, “‘I don’t want money - I just want products to give away.’” Whatever Sealy said, it worked. In fact, explains Sealy, “I had to move my truck out of my garage because it became a warehouse. I got 144 tackle manufacturers that sent me stuff! Practically every kind of bait you can think of.” During this time, Sealy was also fishing B.A.S.S. events and was sponsored by Evinrude, “I talked to Evinrude and told them what I wanted to do, and I talked to Skeeter Boats in Kilgore. I met a guy by the name of Tony Caladura. I told him I wanted to make a deal, ‘“I want to buy a boat, and you give me a boat, and together we’ll give two boats away.’” Sealy said Caladura liked the idea and the deal was made. “This was the third year (1984) of the McDonald’s Big Bass tournament,” said Sealy. “We drew 2,267. This was the biggest tournament that had ever been held in history. It was a huge success!” The final paycheck the winner received was over $16,000.00. Sealy said the wife of the winner was so excited, she shouted, “I love Big Macs!” Recalling the moment, Sealy laughs and says, “This just opened up doors, and the publicity we got off this event spread to other McDonald’s owners, and I started getting phone calls from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, and the next thing you know we’re creating other events.” Following the success of the third McDonald’s tournament, Sealy took his video of the event, and unannounced, visited “Hamburger University” in Oak Brook, Illinois, which is the home office of the McDonald’s Restaurant Corporation. Sealy, being
without an appointment, approaches the receptionist and states, “I need to see someone in your promotions and marketing department about McBass.” The receptionist politely says, “‘McDonald’s doesn’t have a McBass.’” Sealy, ready as ever to set the hook, replies, “No, but in about four hours you will!” The receptionist makes call to the marketing department, and Sealy knowing that he would likely be met by a trainee is not surprised when he is greeted by a young man from the marketing department. Sealy then asks the young man for a room that has a TV and an 8-track player, and Sealy tells him, “This will only take about four minutes and that’s all I need.” Sealy said about one and a half minutes into the video, the young man asks to stop the video and rewind it, to which Sealy obliged, and then young man got on the phone. Two more people come into the room and following introductions, the video is started again. And once again, almost at the same spot on the video, a request was made by the two new people in the room to stop the video. Again, Sealy stops the video, “Long story short, Sealy explains, “after about three and a half hours, there were 16 people in that conference room.” Amongst the group gathered that day was the senior vice president of the McDonald’s Corporation, the director of Ronald McDonald House, as well as an attorney. The full video was played and the senior vice president asks, “What do you want?” Sealy, prepared with his goal in mind, replies, “I just want a licensed agreement with corporate that I can go anywhere in the U.S. and put on a big bass tournament to benefit the Ronald See Sealy, page 9
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Tots
from page 1
saw some nice stringers come to the scales. Ultimately, Randy Turner and Justin Morton brought in the heaviest bag weighing an impressive 24.90. Not only did they take home the $1,000 prize sponsored by Kick’n Bass, but they also won the side pot taking home $2,160 for their day on the water. The team of David Morton and Scott Morehead were right on their heels with 5 fish weighing 24.06 earning the Beltco second place prize of $750 plus $960 in the side pot. Toledo hammers, Darold Gleason and Kevin Jeane are becoming a team to reckon with on Rayburn. They proved this by not only winning the Jasper American Overhead Door third place prize but also winning the Lakeview Motel big bass honors with a 8.20. They took a total of $1,590 back east across the border. Wrapping up the top four places and winning the East Tex Fiberglass fourth place prize and side pot totaling $950 was Phillip Hanks and Rodney Sammons with 23.53 pounds. The Toys For Tots Tournament is held each year with one purpose in mind - to collect as many toys as possible for the unfortunate kids of Angelina County. The gracious anglers this year allowed us to donate almost $13,000 in toys to the Lufkin Chapter of Toys For Tots. Also included in the festivities at weigh in was the Yarbrough family, whose Rayburn waterfront house burned to the ground in early December. 5 yr old Wyatt lost
his tackle box, all of his tackle and his rod and reel in the fire. Tackle Addict provided us with a Falcon tackle bag and the fishermen brought lures to registration and weigh in to fill the tackle bag. By the time we gave it to Wyatt, it had been filled about 4 times over. Wyatt left the Cassels Boykin Pavilion with 2 new reels, 3 new rods, a new tackle bag and enough tackle to last him through high school! A special thanks goes out to each and every business and fisherman that helped make this tournament such a success and make Christmas special for so many unfortunate kids. The date is already set for next year’s tournament. Be sure to mark December 8, 2018 on your calendar. Sponsors for the tournament were: Kick ‘N Bass; Beltco Vulcanizing Services; Jasper American Overhead Door, Inc.; East Tex Fiberglass; Lakeview Motel & Store; Due’s Wrecker; Bass Cash Bash; Tri Lakes Tackle & Outdoors; Outlaw Outdoors; Stanley Jigs; Ross Motorsports; V&M Baits; Rayburn Inn, Costa, Allstate Insurance, Dylan Williams; Rambo Outdoors; Rod Armorz; Kirbyville Veterinarian Clinic; Tackle Addict; So Sticky Cute; River Bottom Baits; S&P Custom Rods & Refurbishing; Buckin’ Fancy Boutique & Junk; Big Bass Splash; Wildlife Outfitters; Needmore Tackle Store; and Parker’s Building Supply.
Submitted photo Randy Turner and Justin Morton took first place in the Toys For Tots Tournament. The pair sacked a limit with 24.09 lbs.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Submitted photo The team of Dave Morton and Scott Morehead placed a close second wiith a catch of 24.06 lbs.
9K Lures – Live Bait (minnows, goldfish, worms) Fishgillz’s Sunglasses (Floating & Polarized) Interstate Batteries – Bruiser Baits Open Wednesday – Saturday Veteran Owned Submitted photo Darold Gleason and Kevin Jeane took the third place slot with a five fish limit weiighing 23.89 lbs.
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Allen West: 254-630-3654 Kandace West: 254-630-3653 13320 US Hwy 96 N., Brookeland
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7
Shootout
from page 2
the youngster and his fishing partner, his Godfather, Chad “Paran” Porto. Jacob explained that this was not his first Big Bass Splash event, it was, in fact, his fifth event, “I have been fishing it since I was eight-years-old.” Jacob said he had fished all his previous Splash events in the Junior Angler Division and has won in some of those events. But this weekend was his first try at the Adult Division and Jacob believed that if you try hard enough, you have a good chance at winning. And it was his try-hard-enough attitude that proved to be the hook in a young boy’s day of fishing that landed him a memory of a lifetime. Jacob and Paran got on the water Saturday morning at the start of the Shootout tournament. He said they were fishing a short distance from the tournament site at Umphrey Family Pavilion in Jasper. The first hour of fishing for the pair went smoothly enough, but just into the 7 a.m. hour, things took a very big turn. Fishing in thick grass, at about 12-foot of water, Jacob said he felt a heaviness on his fishing rod, “At first I thought I was hung up on something. Then, I felt it tug on it and it jumped out of the water!” The battle was on and Jacob describes the next few minutes as a test of wills in a man versus nature fight. “It jumped out of the water and started coming toward the boat.” Jacob said Paran went for the net and tried to bring the fish in the boat, but he said, “It went down, and we didn’t know where it went.” The fish was gone. Then Jacob heard a splash on the opposite of the boat, “We realized the fish had gone under the boat!” Hanging on to his catch, Ja-
cob said the fish was about 10-15 feet away from the boat and then the fish again swam toward him. It was a moment that will linger in the youngster’s mind likely forever as he describes the dance-like motion he saw the largemouth bass perform that morning. Jacob describes with awe what he saw that day, “He (the fish) had his head up out of the water, and it was like it was walking!” But there was no time to think about it. Paran once again tried in vain to net the stealthy bass, the bass swims out again. Jacob, still hanging on to his catch, as Paran makes a third attempt, and this time the catch is landed, “We finally scooped him up!” said Jacob still feeling very excited about the catch, “It was 7:14 a.m.” The duo did not have a fish scale to weigh the fish on, but Jacob knew this catch was much bigger than anything he had caught before. They had to get the giant bass to the weigh station. “As fast as we got it in the live well, and as fast as we got our life vests on, and as fast as we could we came in to weigh it in.” Back at the tournament site, Jacob is astounded, his catch is big, and it rocks the scales to at 9.60 pounds, putting Jacob in first place. “It was mind-boggling, I didn’t think it would be that big!”
loves to fish, just trying to improve his skills and compete with the big guys and gals, to take the win in the 2017 Big Bass Splash Fall Shootout. Jacob said he caught his winning bass on a Carolina-rig, fishing a blue and green Senko. For his win, the angler took home a shinning red 2017 Triton 18 TrX boat powered by Mercury, plus $6,000 cash which includes the $1,000 payout for the tournament’s heaviest bass. Jacob said he has not made any plans for his cash winnings yet, “I’m still trying to comprehend all this!” But—spoken like a true angler—he said it was hard not to sleep in the boat the first night it came home. Jacob said he would like to thank fishing partner, Paran, for taking him fishing that day, “Without him taking me fishing, that day would not have been possible.” Rounding out the top five in the tournament are Kurt Luker of Cleveland, with a 2nd place bass weighing in at 7.75 pounds, and winning $2,500.00; third place was won by Mark Richards of Houston, with a 7.71 pound bass, taking home $2,000.00; Owen Hinson of Lufkin, takes fourth place with his 7.67 pound fish and winning $1,500.00; coming in at fifth place was Bobby
Amacker of Cypress weighing in a 7.64 bass, and pocketing $1,000.00 in the tournament. Exact Weight winners in the Fall Shootout were Vickie Scott of Arlington; Brian Miller of Hutto; Alan Sandifer of Dry Prong, LA; and Larry Davenport of Yellville, AR. All Exact Weight winners received $2,500.00 each in prize money. Keith Combs won the Pro Invitational with a 4.73 bass. Combs won $500.00 for the hour weigh-in and $10,000.00 for the Overall Prize. Several other Pros Anglers also fished the Fall Shootout including Stephen Browning, Josh Douglas, Luke Dunkin, Paul Elias, Chad Morgenthaler, Dave Mansue, Zell Roland and James Watson. There were 765 anglers that fished the tournament, and 331 bass were weighed in for a total weight of 996.5 pounds. The Sealy Outdoors event benefits the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Bob Sealy, promoter of the tournament, presented Annie Smith of St. Jude’s hospital with a donation check for $1,000 at the event. For the full 2017 Fall Shootout results, go to www.sealyoutdoors.com.
As the fishing hours on Saturday come to a close, Jacob remains unseated. Stormy weather swoops in on Sunday morning and the remaining tournament anglers work the lake hard for a winning bite. But there would be no others to move Jacob from his top seat. And on the final tournament day, it would be a twelve-year-old angler that
Fisherman’s Delight • Sam Rayburn 477 CR 4730, Broaddus, Texas 75929 • 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath, Sleeps 4
Photo by JoAnna Martin Located at Harvey Creek just around the corner from the boat ramp.
Janice Williams: 936-201-3304 Evening Phone: 936-872-3729
VISIT WWW.SAMRAYBURNTODAY.COM
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Pictured are the top five winners of the Big Bass Splash Fall Shootout held Oct. 2122, on Sam Rayburn Lake. The top five winning anglers were (not in order pictured): Jacob Sumrall of Kirbyville, Kurt Luker of Cleveland, Mark Richards of Houston, Owen Hinson of Lufkin and Bobby Amacker. Pro Angler winner was Keith Combs.
Email: info@samrayburntoday.com
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Sam Rayburn Marina and Resort
All 1 gal. Shrubs - 8.95 ea. All Bark Mulch or Nuggets - 3 for $10 reg. $4.75 ea.
Corps Headquarters
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Compadre & Zenith Zoysia $68.95/lb Centipede Coated $29.95/lb Bermuda Coated/Hulled $5.99/lb
Grass Plugs Grass Pallets by pre-order
St. Augustine 50 yrds $280+tax
1250 E. Gibson, Jasper • 409-381-0128 Centipede & Zoysia 50 yrds $350+tax www.talbottnurseryandpoultry.com
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Bass, Hybrid Striped 2.95 21.00 June 21, 2007 Nicholas Montano • Rod and Reel Bass, Largemouth 11.57 28.25 April 23, 2005 Brandon Adams • Rod and Reel Bass, Spotted 4.10 19.50 Sept. 18, 2010 Tanner Moreno • Rod and Reel Bass, White 2.18 16.75 April 20, 2008 Hunter Muncrief • Rod and Reel Bass, Yellow 0.98 12.13 March 13, 2011 Hunter Boren • Rod and Reel Bluegill 0.71 10.25 June 14, 2007 Tyler Hutchison • Rod and Reel Carp, Common 14.98 32.75 March 13, 2017 Brittan Caraway • Rod and Reel Catfish, Blue 6.92 26.00 Nov. 9, 2013 Emily J. Baker • Rod and Reel Catfish, Channel 3.16 0.00 April 17, 2011 Cord Copley • Rod and Reel Catfish, Flathead 52.00 43.25 March 25, 2011 Blake Terry • Rod and Reel Crappie, Black 2.12 15.50 May 30, 2009 Ross Brusenhan • Rod and Reel Crappie, White 2.38 18.13 June 22, 2015 Daron Johnson • Rod and Reel Drum, Freshwater 2.45 17.25 June 13, 2017 Crew (Bear) Copley • Rod and Reel Gar, Alligator 192.00 93.00 April 21, 2007 Ariel Drewery • Rod and Reel Sunfish, Redbreast 0.45 8.50 June 14, 2008 Hunter Muncrief • Rod and Reel Sunfish, Redear 0.27 7.63 June 9, 2012 Branden Ringham • Rod and Reel Warmouth 0.57 9.00 July 11, 2015 Daron Johnson • Rod and Reel
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Bass, Hybrid Striped 11.58 27.25 April 6, 2005 John Olive • Rod and Reel Bass, Largemouth 16.80 28.75 May 31, 1997 Tommy Shelton • Rod and Reel Bass, Spotted 5.50 27.25 Feb. 14, 1987 Curt E. Smith • Rod and Reel Bass, White 4.75 22.50 July 7, 2010 Marc Shaw • Rod and Reel Bass, Yellow 1.78 14.88 Dec. 13, 2012 Brandon Domangue • Rod and Reel Bluegill 0.75 10.00 April 28, 2008 Robert Biskamp Sr. • Pole & Line Bowfin 11.75 28.50 Nov. 11, 2016 Benny Elliott • Bow and Arrow Buffalo, Bigmouth 76.00 47.00 April 8, 2016 Benny Elliott • Bow and Arrow Buffalo, Smallmouth 84.00 48.00 Aug. 17, 2005 Kevin LaForge • Bow and Arrow Bullhead, Black 1.46 15.13 Feb. 17, 2007 Randall Bradfield • Rod and Reel Bullhead, Yellow 2.51 18.38 May 27, 1997 Willis Francis Jr. • Trotline Carp, Common 27.00 36.50 April 18, 2004 Jim Welborn • Rod and Reel Carp, Gass 85.25 48.25 Nov. 14, 2016 Benny Elliott, Bow and Arrow Catfish, Blue 83.50 54.00 Jan. 15, 2001 Michael Crochet • Trotline Catfish, Channel 12.32 29.25 June 13, 2005 Gary Ritnour • Trotline Catfish, Flathead 84.06 53.00 March 17, 2003 Donald Latham • Trotline Crappie, Black 2.15 17.00 May 1, 2007 Ricky Ethridge • Rod and Reel Crappie, White 2.94 17.00 March 28, 1995 Paul Burleson • Rod and Reel Drum, Freshwater 6.50 23.75 Dec. 31, 2016 Benny Elliott • Bow and Arrow Gar, Alligator 244.50 97.75 Aug. 4, 2005 Keith Riehn • Bow and Arrow Gar, Longnose 49.25 64.00 May 7, 2016 Benny Elliott • Bow and Arrow Gar, Spotted 7.75 33.50 June 7, 2016 Benny Elliott • Bow and Arrow Pickerel, Redfin 0.55 13.75 April 6, 2009 Douglas Wright • Rod and Reel Sucker, Spotted 3.75 16.75 Jan. 1, 2017 Benny Elliott • Bow and Arrow Sunfish, Other Hybrid 0.52 8.25 June 1, 2014 Lucy Ray • Rod and Reel Sunfish, Redbreast 0.57 9.38 April 10, 2005 Randall Bradfield • Rod and Reel Sunfish, Redear 0.60 9.50 March 5, 2006 Randall Bradfield • Rod and Reel Warmouth 0.69 9.00 Dec. 22, 2016 Kenny Fountain • Rod and Reel
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Email: info@samrayburntoday.com
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Local hotel gets complete remodel and cabins, under new ownership and managment By JoAnna Martin, Sam Rayburn Today
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ow under new ownership and management, Rayburn Inn, formerly Bass Buster Inn, on Lake Sam Rayburn announces its complete room remodel, and the addition of five cabins. Guests staying at Rayburn Inn will find a refreshing, modernized room, with plenty of amenities including a welcoming staff. The hotel has 33 rooms that are nicely updated, suitable for a family and traveling companions. Guest rooms are well-equipped with two comfortable queen beds, refrigerator, microwave and a coffee pot in each room. And, for the fisherman’s convenience, each room is furnished with a fishing rod holder. For guests needing additional room space and conveniences, Rayburn Inn offers five cabins. These cabins feature two separate bedrooms, with full size appliances, microwave, and satellite television. Cabin guests are provided with linens, cookware and utensils. Additional amenities visitors will find at Rayburn Inn include a large, boat-friendly parking lot with 45-foot length spaces. Each space includes electrical hookups for charging needs. Also, Rayburn Inn offers an outdoor grilling area and wi-fi. Rayburn Inn is located within walking distance to restaurants, and nearby is a fuel/convenience store, Umphrey Pavilion, and bait and tackle stores. Coming in spring 2018, next to Rayburn Inn, will be Sombreros Restaurant, Hamburger Depot and the Doughnut Shop. A variety of shopping venues can also be found in Jasper, just a short drive from the hotel.
Submitted photo Rayburn Inn Hotel, formerly Bass Buster Inn, was built in the mid 90s. Now under new ownership and management, the hotel has completely updated its 33 rooms with amenities guests will appreciate.
Rayburn Inn is located at 3967 Sam Rayburn Parkway, Brookeland, TX 75931. For more information call 409-698-3002, or to book your stay at Rayburn Inn, go to www.rayburninn.com, or email Rayburn Inn manager, Mary McMurrough, at info@rayburninn.com.
3967 Sam Rayburn Pkwy. Brookeland, TX 75931
409-698-3002
Completely remodeled in 2017! www.Rayburninn.com
Under new ownership and management. 1 mile from Umphrey Pavilion Offers: 33 rooms equipped with refrigerators and microwaves; 5 cabins; Parking Lot with Electricity for Boats; Outdoor Patio Area for Grilling, etc.; Restaurants within walking distance Online booking available through Expedia & Booking.com or give us a call! 940 Dahlia Vines St. Zwolle, LA 71486
318-645-9200 Submitted photo Rayburn Inn Hotel located near Lake Sam Rayburn, has added five cabins for guests needing additional space. These cabins feature two separate bedrooms with full size appliances. Linens, cookware and utensils provided.
VISIT WWW.SAMRAYBURNTODAY.COM
3
Under New Ownership!
Call for reservations!
Offers: 14 rooms with 2 queen size beds in each; Updated Linens and Furniture; Refrigerators and Microwaves; Outdoor Patio Area
Cabins Coming Soon!
Email: info@samrayburntoday.com
2018 Sam Rayburn Sumrall wins Big Bass Tournament Schedule Splash Fall Shootout DATE
ORGANIZATION
MONTH
SITE
MARCH Fishers of Men ET Div. Media Bass American Bass Anglers Sweet Sixteen Sunday Series DETX Qualifer #6 Bass Champs SETX High School Anglers Quest Texas Tournament Zone Sweet Sixteen Sunday Series American Bass Anglers APRIL DETX Qualifer #7 Anglers Quest American Bass Anglers SETX High School Big Bass Splash Dodge Ram Series Outlaw Outdoors Spring Average Joe Texas Bass Couples
7 7-8 8 14 20-22 28 28 29
SEND US YOUR 2018 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE! JANUARY DETX High School Qualifer #4 Jackson HIll Marina SETX High School Umphrey Pavilion Texas Bass Couples TBA Bass Champs Umphrey Pavilion American Bass Anglers Monterey PR Anglers Quest Lakeview FEBRUARY SETX High School Umphrey Pavilion Sweet Sixteen Sunday Series Cassels Boykin Texas Team Trail Umphrey Pavilion Outlaw Outdoors Bass ‘N Bugs Cassels Boykin DETX High School Qualifer #5 Jackson HIll Marina Ram Dodge Series Umphrey Pavilion American Bass Anglers Monterey PR Texas Bass Couples TBA Anglers Quest Lakeview
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Young angler proves age doesn’t matter to bass By JoAnna Martin, Sam Rayburn Today
A
young East Texas angler receives an early Christmas gift of a lifetime— decked out in red—when he took the winners seat in the 2017 Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash Fall Shootout held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22, on Sam Rayburn Lake. Jacob Sumrall, 12-years-old, of Kirbyville, made a dream come true when he hooked a largemouth bass shortly after the first hour of the Fall Shootout. But Jacob didn’t know he had the winning bass until nearly a nail-biting day and a half later, and as Jacob puts it, “I was just about to start on my toes!” The first day of the Big Bass Splash Fall Shootout started normal enough for See Shootout, page 6
Cassels Boykin Jackson Hill Monterey PR Cassels Boykin Jackson Hill Marina Umphrey Pavilion Umphrey Pavilion Lakeview Umphrey Pavilion Cassels Boykin Monterey PR Jackson Hill Marina Lakeview Monterey PR Umphrey Pavilion Umphrey Pavilion Umphrey Pavilion Cassels Boykin TBA
EDITORIAL STAFF
Cheryl Gilcrease, Designer; JoAnna Martin, Editor Published by Main Street Marketing of East Texas PO Box 1058, Center, TX 75935 • 936-591-7210 www.samrayburntoday.com • Email: info@samrayburntoday.com
The opinions expressed by the writers are theirs and do not necessarily represent the views of Sam Rayburn TODAY.
Photo by JoAnna Martin Jacob Sumrall gives the crowd a wave from his brand new Triton boat at the Big Bass Splash Fall Shootout held at Lake Sam Rayburn. In addition to his new boat, the 12-year-old took home $6,000.00 in cash. Jacob’s winning bass weighed 9.60 lbs.
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TODAY www.samrayburntoday.com JANUARY 2018
Complimentary Issue INSIDE
Sealy accepts HOF award .............1, 8, 9, 14 Outlaw Outdoors Tourney ....................1, 7 Bass Tournament Schedule ...................... 2 Sumrall wins Fall Shootout ..................2, 6 Rayburn Inn gets remodel ........................ 3 Schedule of Events ...................................... 3 Sam Rayburn Reservoir Map ............... 4, 5 Sam Rayburn All Tackle Records ...........4 Sam Rayburn Junior Angler Records .... 5 Schedule of Events ......................................9 Soil Culture ............................................ 10, 11 DETX Qualifier ...........................................12 TPWD Fishing Derbies ............................13
Sealy accepts BFHOF award, recollects career in Big Bass Splash By JoAnna Martin, Sam Rayburn Today “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” A boastful statement for some, but for one man, it’s a battle-cry. And his plans for making good on that bold statement seem to be boundless.
Wyatt Yarbrough, 5 years-old, gives a thumbs-up to “Angler Santa” (aka Clint Wade) for his Christmas sack full of fishing equipment. Wyatt lost all his fishing tackle in a fire that destroyed his home on Dec. 5th. (See story below.)
Turner, Morton Top 117 Teams In Annual Toys For Tots Tournament By Clint Wade, Outlaw Outdoors
T
he 3rd Annual Toys For Tots Tournament on Lake Sam Rayburn was once again a huge success. The 7:00 am start saw 117 teams that braved the sub-freezing temperatures. Sunny skies brought warmer temperatures, but the northwest wind kept the wind chill down in the 40’s. Despite the cold temperatures and steady wind, we See Tots, page 7
Bob Sealy of Sam Rayburn, Texas, owner and promoter of the Sealy Outdoors Big Bass Splash, has been breaking bounds in the bass fishing industry for over 30 years, and has successfully supplied a shiny lure for numerous others to benefit from his competitive bass fishing concept. Sealy’s career efforts in the professional promotion of the sport of bass fishing were recently recognized and honored on Nov. 9, 2017 in Springfield, Missouri where he was inducted into the Class of 2017 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. Sealy’s success comes from a lifestyle of hard work and a generation that appreciated the life on a ranch, “I grew up on a ranch in Mexia. My father was a cattle auctioneer and I worked on the ranch and at the auction sales. My dad taught me quite a bit.” Sealy’s father was successful in his career too, being a recognized auctioneer for the Santa Gertrudis cattle on the King Ranch in
South Texas. Sealy said a large photo of his father auctioneering at a King Ranch auction is on display at the King Ranch Museum. “My dad was a workaholic,” Sealy says affectionately, “and my grandfather taught me fishing. Every once in a while my dad would let me off to go fishing with my granddad.” These fond memories of fishing are an obvious foundation for Sealy’s enjoyment in his career today. After leaving home, Sealy sold real estate for Boise Cascade for a project at a resort, Lake Summerset, in Rockford, Illinois. Following the completion of the project, Sealy was invited by a former real estate associate to come to Lake Sam Rayburn. When the associate asked if Sealy had ever been to East Texas, Sealy said he told him, “The furtherest I’ve ever been is Livingston. So, he sent me a plane ticket and asked me to come here (Sam Rayburn) to help with a project. So, I flew down and when I crossed that dam, I automatically knew, oh yeah, I’ll come back here. This is where I want to be.” In November 1969 Sealy made his home in the Sam Rayburn area and continued in the real estate industry. In the early 70s, Sealy met Ray Scott. “I knew I wanted to do what Ray Scott did, but I knew I
Bob Sealy couldn’t compete with him. Following a real estate transaction, I saw some opportunities and the economic growth of the fishing industry. So, a little over 40 years ago, I had an idea and I had a good friend who happened to own three major radio stations. I took this idea (to create the big bass competitive tournament concept) to him, his name was Rusty Reynolds. And I created the big bass concept, and did it for about six years with radio stations over at Lowe’s Creek on the Texas side of Toledo Bend Lake. As every year we did that thing, I saw more and more opportunities.” Having realized the potential for his concept, Sealy approached a friend in Jasper who See Sealy, page 8