Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors

DEER SEASON JUST BEGINNING E-COLLARS DOGS FLOUNDER TIPS

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INSIDE 20 Pirates Landing is booming once again thanks to the forward-thinking vision of ownership, and a bunch of teamwork.

WHAT’S INSIDE TEXAS SPORTSMAN - DEC. 2016 - 15

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Hunting a Nilgai My first Nilgai Hunt was in 1999. We were hunting them that day close to Port Mansfield, driving around safari style.

When it comes to hunting Nilgai, you can do it several ways. One of the ways is to sit in a deer blind as we call them down here in South Texas.

What I like to do is to pick a blind where you know the Nilgai Bull or cow are going to be passing by. These animals are creatures of habit and they like to relieve themselves in the same spot. Their dung piles can get as 20 to 25 inches in circumference.

The Nilgai’s are constantly moving; its rare when Fred Rodriguez is the Texas Sportsman and has decades of experiyou see them ence and knowledge regarding hunting and fishing. You can watch his show, The Texas Sportsman, on FOX in the Rio Grande Valley at standing still.The 11:30 a.m on Saturdays. mature bulls can weigh from 500 to 700 pounds and the females 300 to 400 pounds.

When going hunting for this game it’s very important to use the right caliber of rifle. I prefer my trusty Ruger 30-06. Shot placement is very important in the neck or the vitals.

The meat of the nilgai is very good table fare, you can turn it into hamburger, sausage, jerky, chorizo or summer sausage. The key is to find a great location that has been processing deer and Nilgai, like Aguilar’s Meat Processing in Edinburg.

The Nilgai was introduced to the King Ranch back in 1920s that help feed the cowboys working on the King Ranch.

As for bow hunting for a Nilgai - it can be done. I have not done that yet, but when I do I will most likely get on a tripod and place close to a trail where you have seen the dung pile or their trail. I enjoy hunting Nilgai and having them processed.

There are so many different ways to cook up your Nilgai meat. If you have ever wondered about the gestatation period, it’s 8 to 9 months and sometimes they may have one calf or two or even three.

If you are interested in going on a Nilgai Hunt give me a call and we can go have a great adventure. There are different hunting packages available. Call me at (956) 776 4623 for more information.

DOG TRAINING

Gus’ Corner

INTRODUCING YOUR DOG TO ELECTRONIC COLLARS

BY MANNY PEREZ For Miranda Ramirez seven years was...

WORTH O THE WAIT MR. VICTOR Passion For Business & The Outdoors INSIDE: CHOOSING A DOG BEWARE DEER! FISH & CHIP CLASSIC

HIGH OR LOW FENCE? RECOVERY DOGS TIDES

Brought To You By Laguna Lifestyle

ON THE COVER Miranda Ramirez waited seven long years to get back into the deer blind.

When she did, she definitely made it count.

STAFF Fred Rodriguez The Texas Sportsman fredrsportsman@yahoo.com (956) 776-4623

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gus Escobar Brent Johnson Capt. Nick Lapre Manny Perez Capt. Alan Stewart PHOTOGRAPHY Albino Mendoza

Oftentimes people wonder what makes the magic that gets dogs to perform as if an invisible hand were guiding them along.

Most often the answer is E-Collar, otherwise known as an electronic collar. Not only is the “E-Collar” also recognized by labels such as “Shock Collar,” “Stim Collar,” and “Power Collar,” but its uses and methods of use have changed drastically over the years, mostly in part to technology.

My goal for this article is to help the reader identify with these collars and their use, both on and off the field. Additionally, to help the reader with basic use and how to avoid common mistakes. When considering using one of these collars to enhance your training regimen, it is extremely important to know and understand the use and overall effectiveness of E-Collars.

First things first, collar conditioning is a must, as well as “dummying” your dog up. i.e. place an E-Collar on the dog prior to training or a false E-Collar that looks and feels the same as wearing the real thing. This ensures that the dog you are preparing to train does not become collar smart and only responds to training or commands when it believes he or she is wearing the collar that will correct them. In simple words, you want the dog to believe that the hand of God corrected them for not listening to a trained command.

While on the subject of a trained command and collar conditioning, it is absolutely necessary that the dog you are preparing for e-collar conditioning/training already understands the commands and trained behavior that you are asking them to respond to. In other words, the dog needs a clear understanding on-leash or in close proximity to the handler of the command, and must already be trained to perform the command. All of this is a must before E-Collar use. When your dog’s training has advanced to the next level, you are now ready to create more distance between you and your dog, and an e-collar is a necessary tool to ensure proper communication and correction. Never, never, never give your dog a command that you, the trainer, cannot immediately enforce. So this is where off-leash training begins and the e-collar training takes over to assist in enforcing the command with the minimal amount of stimulation necessary.

Now, let’s talk about technological advances and brand selec-

Deer Season: Is it over? Not, it’s just beginning The biggest question we get asked as Ranch Managers, Outfitters and Guides is what do we do when Deer Season is over?

This is the time when the work really begins. Like the saying goes “ You Reap what you Sow,” the preparation for next deer season starts now. My partner, Fred Rodriguez, and I are already preparing for next season. We start by continuing to manage the property by shooting does and several Cull Bucks we still have available on the ranch.

We are an MLD Level 3 ranch that allows us to hunt until the end of February. We have harvest recomendations by Parks & Wildlife Biologist that we adhere to. We are now preparing for our first shipments of supplemental protein for our deer population because our bucks are going through Post Rut and they require the protein to help in the recovery of their bodies. The faster they recover (mature whitetail lose an average of 20% or more of their body weight) the faster they can start growing those big horns South Texas is known for.

We start cleaning out all of our blinds and securing them by locking all windows and doors. We let all our Corn Feeders run dry and then we make sure we disconnect all the batteries (just to give a plug out to Energizer 6volt batteries but, they last for up to two-three seasons if you disconnect them after the season is over). We make sure we remove all game cameras and store them for next year. We also start with

predator control of coyote and bobcats to insure that we will have a healthy fawn crop in June, July and August without these predators killing our fawns. These fawns are the future of the ranch and if you as the ranch owner dont have a game plan to keep these predators in check you run the risk of your herd being depleted sometimes up to 50% will become prey for these very aggressive predators. If you are a ranch that has hogs you must continue to shot this very evasive species through out the year in order to keep those numbers down. To give you an idea just how invasive these hogs are 10,000 sows will produce 200,000 hogs in one year, truly a bacon factory so shoot them year round not only during deer season.

So, if there is anything we get out of this is that we start working now to prepare our ranch or lease for the following year.

If you have any questions or would like for Texas Sportsman Outfitters to help you reach your ranches full potential please call us or send us an email. We can prepare a management package to suit your ranches needs.

Sailboats - which ones are what and which ones do what some up to seven. Most schooners used multiple head sail Only the world of sailboat aficionados know which kind of combinations including-from top down-the flying jib, the boat has what and what they do. You can ask any of these jib and the forestaysail. These were guys and they will tell you about what originally work boats, mainly fishing each do and where you can use them. vessels. Equipped with tall, powerful Here are some of the most popular rigs, they raced back home from the kinds of sail boats that you may enGrand Banks to get top dollar for their counter while on the water. catches.

A SLOOP is very possibly the most The schooners are most comfortable popular one. It has one mast amidship in steady trade winds on long ocean with two sails on it. The back one is the passages. Although they do not go to main and the front one is the jib. You winward as well as other rigs, they can sail these without the jib sail or make up for it when the wind is on or even reef the mainsail which means not aft of the beam. putting it up all the way.

The CATBOAT or day sailor carries The CUTTER is a single masted sailonly one mast with only a main sail. boat similar to the sloop but has a mast Traditionally, these were small inshore more midship and may have three sails boats. They were used in earlier years combined to the one mast.

Master Captain Alan Stewart owns and by coastal fishermen because there A KETCH has a mainsail and a short- operates Stewart Training Center and holds was less rigging to get in the way when er one mizzenmast in the rear which a Master license with the U.S.C.G. Stewart flies a smaller sail. Individual sails are Training Center is located at 39572 Loop Road, handling nets in the water or unloadBayview, Tx., 78566. ing the catch ashore. Have you heard of more manageable in size and more a catamaran? It is based on that Idea. easily handled by a small crew. Both They may be unmasted which means they are made fast by may fly a large jib-like sail between the masts called a mizwiring and not permanently connected to the boat. zen stay sail. These are are popular among cruising sailors I hope this helps some of you who were in the market for a for long distance voyages. sailboat.

The SCHOONER is a vessel with at least two masts with

Until next time Happy Hunting!!

Gus Escobar Texas Sportsman Outfitters Game Management Specialist

to ensure the correctness and accuracy in the material published in this magazine. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors reserves the right to edit, rewrite and refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequence arising from it. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors shall be held harmless and indemnified against any third-party claims. Advertisements appearing in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors

GIGGING OR REELING Fantastic basic tips for flounder fishing.

present only the viewpoint of the advertisers. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is printed in the U.S.A. All correspondence to the publication become the property of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors.To advertise in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors call (956) 776-4623 or email fredrsportsman@yahoo.com

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8 BIG HUNT Going after prized nilgai with Fred Rodriguez.

10 DOG TRAINING Things you need to know about E-collars.

LUNAR TIMES Check out when the best huting and fishing times are

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tion. My experience in collar use and brand selection includes Garmin, Tri-tronics, Dogtra, Sport Dog and DT Systems. I would recommend you do your own research on brand selection including effectiveness, durability, water proof level and distance at which the particular system works. There are many other advantages and disadvantages to consider, but for the purpose of this article, we will consider the basics.

DESIGN Henry Miller

Volume 4, Isssue 1. January 2017. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is a production Sportsman Media LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are strictly those of the writers, photographers and contributors, and are not necessarily those of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors or its publisher. Every effort has been taken

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IS IT OVER? Deer season is actually just beginning

READ THIS Things you need to know about hypothermia.

32 TRYING TO GET AWAY Read what some people try to get away with - and how our Game Wardens catch em anyway!

APOCOLYPSE TROUT: ‘If you don’t look, you won’t find it’

BY BRENT JOHNSON When a friend of mine who happens to be an accomplished writer and well-known fishing guide posted his opinion on social media, what followed was a brush fire of commentary. Some of the comments came from respected saltwater anglers, a lot of the comments came from one guilty conscience, and some came from those akin to schoolyard bullies.

You could say the coyotes were howling when they smelled the blood of one aspiring writer who took it personal when she thought the online opinion was aimed entirely at her. Truthfully, she wasn’t on his radar when he made the comment, but it didn’t make her feel any better when another well-known guide commented “guilty dogs bark first, and if you smelt it you dealt it,”… Ouch!

The post read as follows “If I read one more article that fish are lethargic so you have to fish slow and low over waist deep mud I’m going to puke!” While the theory of cold-water fishing slow and low is as old as Ernest Hemingway, this same theory has also been disproven and I shall elaborate on this in a moment. But before I do let’s see if I can chum the water a bit on trophy trout season.

If you were to ask me when my favorite time to fish for big trout and I wasn’t allowed to say anytime, my answer would be February. It is this time of year that Cynoscion Nebulosus, or speckled trout, are at their heaviest, which just so happens to be when I’m at my heaviest, hmm. Going back a few months in October, a phenomena known as the mullet migration begins.

Throughout the fall trout are scarfing grimace proportions of mullet and other baits like shrimp, eels, and pogeys. As the water temperatures drop into the 50s shrimp and other baits become less abundant on the flats. Mullet now becomes their primary source of protein.

One thing I have learned is it’s not always necessary to get on the water early as the bite tends to start later in the day after it warms up a few degrees. Having said that, if there is a particular hole you have in mind that others may also be thinking of, you might not want to hit the snooze button.

Sure there’s plenty of water, but when you’ve been thinking about a certain spot all year to fish this time of year and you know a select few who also know about it, maybe less sleep is a good thing.

Last year this fact was critical to producing good numbers of fish. I told my guys we

needed to be the first ones there in order to be in the sweet spot as it was sure to have some boats on it. The next morning we were up running out the door like firemen responding to a call at the Playboy Mansion.

The sun had not come up yet and I was confident in our efforts that we would achieve our goal, but when we arrived, it turned out we were the third boat on the scene.

I steered a wide distance from them up wind then cut the engine and drifted about 300 yards to the outskirt of their position.

I was at a respectable distance from them and every maneuver was calculated in stealth so as not to spook any fish. If there is one thing I hate it is other boats coming in too close and banging around on the deck when my party is in a honey hole.

As the sun lifted I swear there were atleast seven more boats that eventually made it to this same spot. Some were respectful, but one cut right in front of us and burned the shoreline before shutting down. I do believe the two fisherman in that boat felt the telepathic wrath of some of us casting in their direction. After catching a few I realized how ridiculous this was and motioned to move on. As we left we idled quietly out of the area until we were far enough to push the throttle.

To be perfectly honest there is not a whole lot I do different in cold weather fishing from warm weather. Other than waders and sometimes snooze button on the clock, I would say lures would be one thing I do different. In the summer I throw topwaters and Kelly Wiggler Ball Tail Shad.

In the winter I will throw Corky Fat Boys, Catch 2000, Catch 5, MirrOdines and Kelly

26 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

Wiggler Ball Tail Shad. If the water is murky I will elect to go with darker colors like Midnite Diamond, or Purple Chartruese. For clear water I recommend Bone Diamond, Chrometruese, and Flamingo and for water that is in between murky and clear you can’t beat Mansfield Margarita. If I’m tossing a plastic a 1/16th ounce jig head will keep the bait falling slow, and a 1/8th ounce jig head will keep it low.

This year has been odd in that one day will feel like winter and the next like spring.

Some days the fish will be feeding high in the water column and the next they will be on the bottom. If it’s cold a Corky with the right retrieve should get the job done. The key is to experiment until you find what they like. Sometimes that will be 3 twitches and a full pause, and sometimes you gotta work it like a Briggs and Stratton engine with varied speeds, and a constant walk the dog motion.

Always keep the major and minor feed times in the back of your head when planning your execution. If you have a few people wading put one guy in 2 feet, and the tall guy a little deeper like 4 feet. Experiment until you figure out what depth and level of the water column is producing.

Sometimes zig and zag the line you are walking, because they may be 20’ out of casting range. High, low, fast, slow, tic tac, twitch pop, to the beat of a favorite song you get the picture.

One year during a cold snap ,my buddy Chase Smith was filming my other two buddies Mike McBride, and Mike Jones. A week before, Tricia Whitley had shared the location of some monster trout she had found in skinny water. So these boys thought they would investigate this weird coincidence as it went against all rules of thought regarding cold weather fishing. When they got to the spot she had told them about they could not believe what they were seeing. There in 8”-5” of water over crystal clear conditions were trout in the 25”-35” caliber by the hundreds. Gone were the myths of lone monster trout, over deep shell and mud, only slow presentation gets em’. These fish were cold as could be in large schools and eating top waters and fast plastics.

As Chase said “it was sight casting at its purest, and it was the best of what we all seek!” So when McBride said if he read one more article about this is how you gotta do it he would puke, well I guess he has the right. “If you don’t look you won’t find it.”

I got a good idea where that treasure was buried so I may have to go look.

See you on the water my friends.

TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 - 27

Introducing The Crappie Psychic

BY CAPT. NICK LAPRE Fishing is all over the board here in Southeast Louisiana, as are the species.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am always chasing the elusive tailing Redfish. But our family also has a camp on an area here in Louisiana close to Lake Pontchartrain where I can sneak off down the canals to change up the game.

If you have never fished for sac a lait, it is a thrill you may want to try. This is how I met up with some locals at a show a few years back. Let me share with you a secret about a small family company in Raceland, La. The owners, Captain Clyde Folse and his wife, Janelle have figured out a way to not only catch sac a lait but fresh and salt water species in variety. You will not only catch consistently, but nice sized fresh and saltwater fish of all sorts.

Capt. Clyde Folse, owner of The Crappie Psychic LLC, has been living his dream of opening a business, being successful and helping others does so as well. He isn’t alone as he has a lot of help including his wife, Ms. Janelle, his son, daughter and friends. No matter what you call them, whether it is Crappie, Sac a lait or White Perch, The Crappie Psychic has a little must have add-on to boost your bite.

Crappie Psychic Crappie Trailers have been amazing fisherman all over South Louisiana along with other states. This 1.5” add-on trailer has patent-pending edges creating a movement crappie love. There is an assortment of colors such as Grass Shrimp, Chartreuse, White, Cypress Melon, Pink Flamingo and Craworm.

Capt. Clyde’s favorite jig body called Bass Crappie Maxx Ringer 1.5”. This, along with his Crappie Trailer is a deadly combination. With the rave over these baits reaching many states, the uses of the trailer are endless and can be rigged different ways.

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APOCALPSE TROUT

CRAPPIE PSYCHIC

IS THAT YOU?

If you don’t look, you won’t find it.

Living the life with his own business.

You may find yourself in these reader-submitted photos - if you sent a photo.

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Hunting a Nilgai My first Nilgai Hunt was in 1999. We were hunting them that day close to Port Mansfield, driving around safari style.

When it comes to hunting Nilgai, you can do it several ways. One of the ways is to sit in a deer blind as we call them down here in South Texas.

What I like to do is to pick a blind where you know the Nilgai Bull or cow are going to be passing by. These animals are creatures of habit and they like to relieve themselves in the same spot. Their dung piles can get as 20 to 25 inches in circumference.

The Nilgai’s are constantly moving; its rare when Fred Rodriguez is the Texas Sportsman and has decades of experiyou see them ence and knowledge regarding hunting and fishing. You can watch his show, The Texas Sportsman, on FOX in the Rio Grande Valley at standing still.The 11:30 a.m on Saturdays. mature bulls can weigh from 500 to 700 pounds and the females 300 to 400 pounds.

When going hunting for this game it’s very important to use the right caliber of rifle. I prefer my trusty Ruger 30-06. Shot placement is very important in the neck or the vitals.

The meat of the nilgai is very good table fare, you can turn it into hamburger, sausage, jerky, chorizo or summer sausage. The key is to find a great location that has been processing deer and Nilgai, like Aguilar’s Meat Processing in Edinburg.

The Nilgai was introduced to the King Ranch back in 1920s that help feed the cowboys working on the King Ranch.

As for bow hunting for a Nilgai - it can be done. I have not done that yet, but when I do I will most likely get on a tripod and place close to a trail where you have seen the dung pile or their trail. I enjoy hunting Nilgai and having them processed.

There are so many different ways to cook up your Nilgai meat. If you have ever wondered about the gestatation period, it’s 8 to 9 months and sometimes they may have one calf or two or even three.

If you are interested in going on a Nilgai Hunt give me a call and we can go have a great adventure. There are different hunting packages available. Call me at (956) 776 4623 for more information.

PIRATE’S LANDING FISHING PIER DEER SEASON JUST BEGINNING E-COLLARS DOGS FLOUNDER TIPS

ON THE COVER Pirates Landing continues to be a hot spot in Port Isabel.

STAFF Fred Rodriguez The Texas Sportsman fredrsportsman@yahoo.com (956) 776-4623

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gus Escobar Brent Johnson Capt. Nick Lapre Manny Perez Capt. Alan Stewart PHOTOGRAPHY Albino Mendoza DESIGN Henry Miller

Volume 4, Isssue 1. January 2017. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is a production Sportsman Media LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are strictly those of the writers, photographers and contributors, and are not necessarily those of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors or its publisher. Every effort has been taken

8 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

to ensure the correctness and accuracy in the material published in this magazine. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors reserves the right to edit, rewrite and refuse editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequence arising from it. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors shall be held harmless and indemnified against any third-party claims. Advertisements appearing in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors

present only the viewpoint of the advertisers. Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors is printed in the U.S.A. All correspondence to the publication become the property of Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors.To advertise in Texas Sportsman Tracking Outdoors call (956) 776-4623 or email fredrsportsman@yahoo.com

2016-2017 Season

5

TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 - 9

DOG TRAINING

INTRODUCING YOUR DOG TO ELECTRONIC COLLARS

BY MANNY PEREZ Oftentimes people wonder what makes the magic that gets dogs to perform as if an invisible hand were guiding them along.

Most often the answer is E-Collar, otherwise known as an electronic collar. Not only is the “E-Collar” also recognized by labels such as “Shock Collar,” “Stim Collar,” and “Power Collar,” but its uses and methods of use have changed drastically over the years, mostly in part to technology.

My goal for this article is to help the reader identify with these collars and their use, both on and off the field. Additionally, to help the reader with basic use and how to avoid common mistakes. When considering using one of these collars to enhance your training regimen, it is extremely important to know and understand the use and overall effectiveness of E-Collars.

First things first, collar conditioning is a must, as well as “dummying” your dog up. i.e. place an E-Collar on the dog prior to training or a false E-Collar that looks and feels the same as wearing the real thing. This ensures that the dog you are preparing to train does not become collar smart and only responds to training or commands when it believes he or she is wearing the collar that will correct them. In simple words, you want the dog to believe that the hand of God corrected them for not listening to a trained command.

While on the subject of a trained command and collar conditioning, it is absolutely necessary that the dog you are preparing for e-collar conditioning/training already understands the commands and trained behavior that you are asking them to respond to. In other words, the dog needs a clear understanding on-leash or in close proximity to the handler of the command, and must already be trained to perform the command. All of this is a must before E-Collar use. When your dog’s training has advanced to the next level, you are now ready to create more distance between you and your dog, and an e-collar is a necessary tool to ensure proper communication and correction. Never, never, never give your dog a command that you, the trainer, cannot immediately enforce. So this is where off-leash training begins and the e-collar training takes over to assist in enforcing the command with the minimal amount of stimulation necessary.

Now, let’s talk about technological advances and brand selec-

10 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

tion. My experience in collar use and brand selection includes Garmin, Tri-tronics, Dogtra, Sport Dog and DT Systems. I would recommend you do your own research on brand selection including effectiveness, durability, water proof level and distance at which the particular system works. There are many other advantages and disadvantages to consider, but for the purpose of this article, we will consider the basics.

TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 -11

A second important group of factors to consider is if the system has “continuous stimulation” only or if it has a “Nick” feature, also known as “momentary” stimulation. Along with these advancements, one can also consider features such as a vibrate mode and even a tone mode.

Lastly, and very high on my consideration, is the ability for the E-Collar to have GPS. capabilities. While all these features may seem “over the top” and unnecessary to some people, they're an absolute must for others. Being able to constantly monitor your dog and its location in the field is very nice and assists in not only easily locating your dog, but also in training them and correcting them when “trashing,” also known as chasing undesired quarry.

I also like the vibrate and tone features on an E-Collar. These features serve as a warning to your dog and correct the dog with no pain or shock. Most of all dogs quickly realize that if they comply with the warning first, they will never feel the “shock.” For example, you command your dog to “stay” in a location, a distance away from you, and your dog responds by hesitating and wanting to move from your set location. Your next move should be a vibrate or a tone stimulation followed by a light collar correction. Your dog should respond by obeying the command and staying.

After a few of these drills, your dog will naturally chain the Manny Perez is CEO of Coastal response and accept Concepts, LLC. Follow him on: the vibrate or tone as a Facebook at Coastal Concepts, correction and an elecLLC and Instagram tronic stim will become @coastalconceptsllc unnecessary. Always remember to praise and pay your dog when they give you the desired behavior.

So here’s the situation, E-Collars are a really big deal and if used improperly they can ruin a dog. Always correct the dog with the minimum amount of stimulation necessary to get the desired behavior. Again, I reiterate, educate yourself and learn the proper use before diving into it. I also recommend that you either contact a professional to help you train your dog, or at least help get you started.

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

12 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 PHOTO BY CHASE SMITH

SPECIAL! 4 FOR $400 MON-WED

TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 - 13

MAR. 2017 LUNAR TRANSIT TIMES

FEB. 2017 LUNAR TRANSIT TIMES DAY

MOON

COMMENTS

A.M.

BEST

P.M.

1

W

4:17

4:42

2

T

GROUNDHOG DAY

5:07

5:32

3

F

FIRST QUARTER

5:57

6:25

4

S

6:50

7:19

5

S

7:44

8:16

6

M

8:41

9:14

7

T

9:39

10:12

8

W

10:37

11:10

9

T

10 F

11:35 FULL MOON

12:06

12:31

11

S

12:59

1:26

12

S

1:50

2:15

13 M

2:38

3:03

3:24

3:44

15 W

4:09

4:34

16 T

4:53

5:18

14 T

VALENTINE’S DAY

17 F 18

S

19

LAST QUARTER

5:37

6:02

6:21

6:46

S

7:07

7:32

20 M

7:54

8:19

21 T

8:42

9:07

BEST

DAY

F

4

S

5:40

6:11

5

S

6:36

7:08

6

M

7:33

8:05

7

T

8:30

9:02

8

W

9:27

9:57

9

T

10:22

10:50

10

F

11:15

11

S

12

S

FIRST QUARTER

3:28

3:53

4:21

4:46

5:15

11:41 1:54

2:16

2:41

3:01

3:26

15 W 16 T

3:46

4:11

4:30

4:55

CLOCK SPRINGS FORWARD

17

F

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

5:15

5:40

18

S

APOGEE

6:00

6:25

19

S

6:47

7:12

LAST QUARTER/EQUINOX

7:34

7:59

8:22

8:47

20 M 21 T

9:57

24 F

11:13

9:11

9:36

10:01

10:26 11:17

11:38

24

F

10:52

12:04

25

S

11:42

12:29

12:55

26

S

1:20

1:45

2:10

2:36

27 M 28 T 29 W 30 T 31

F

BEST

12:06 1:29

10:47

MARDI GRAS

PERIGEE

3:01

13 M 14 T

9:32

28 T

P.M.

T

10:22

25 S

BEST

3

23 T

NEW MOON

A.M.

2

22 W

27 M

COMMENTS

W

22 W 23 T

26 S

MOON

1

12:07 NEW MOON

PERIGEE

12:33

12:58

1:25

1:50

2:17

2:42

3:11

3:36

4:07

4:33

5:04

Specializing in Complete Fishing Rod & Reel Repair

JOE’S TACKLE SHOP Parts O Sales O Service

607 W. Int. 2, Ste A, Pharr, TX, 78577 (956) 630-0180 O www.joestackleshop.com JOE’S TACKLE SHOP

14 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

Did you know that skin cancer is the most common of all types of cancers?

Nearly two million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

Dr. Sotelo has more than 30 years of experience and has treated more than 50,000 skin cancers.

If you have questions or concerns about your skin, call R. Sotelo now - don’t wait!

OSCAR SOTELO, M.D. Board Certified Dermatologist

6900 N. 10th St. Ste 3 McAllen, TX 78504 (956) 682-1591 osoteloskincancer.com

WHAT ARE LUNAR TRANSIT TIMES? Hunters, fishermen and farmers since ancient times have known of a certain relationship between the moon and nature. They knew that at certain times of the day the world of the animal kingdom came alive with activity. This knowledge had been passed on from generation to generation and used for their basic needs: planting, hunting and fishing.

Today we have come to understand the scientific basis for the moon’s biological effect on all wildlife and marine life. Very simply, it is peak gravitation of the moon that stimulates animal activity. That’s why deer, cattle and marine life feed at the same time of the day or night.

This gravitational stimulus is at its greatest when the moon is directly overhead or on the opposite side of the Earth. A law of physics states that for every pull there is an equal and opposite push. In other words, as the Earth rotates on its axis, any location on Earth will each day pass under two peak gravitational forces occurring 12 ½ hours apart. These peak forces coincide with lunar transit times.

The following lunar transit times coincide with high tide and increased game and fish activity. Just like at high tide, animal activity increases, peaks, then decreases around transit times. This “window” of activity usually lasts 2-4 hours. What this all means is that the best hunting and fishing occurs when gravitation is greatest at transit times of the moon.

From Dr. Oscar Sotelo’s Lunar Transit Times, 23rd edition

1737 Boca Chica Blvd., Brownsville, TX, 78528 Ph: (956) 546-3120

WITH SIX BROWNSVILLE AND SAN BENITO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 - 15

Gus’ Corner

Deer Season: Is it over? Not, it’s just beginning The biggest question we get asked as Ranch Managers, Outfitters and Guides is what do we do when Deer Season is over?

This is the time when the work really begins. Like the saying goes “ You Reap what you Sow,” the preparation for next deer season starts now. My partner, Fred Rodriguez, and I are already preparing for next season. We start by continuing to manage the property by shooting does and several Cull Bucks we still have available on the ranch.

We are an MLD Level 3 ranch that allows us to hunt until the end of February. We have harvest recomendations by Parks & Wildlife Biologist that we adhere to. We are now preparing for our first shipments of supplemental protein for our deer population because our bucks are going through Post Rut and they require the protein to help in the recovery of their bodies. The faster they recover (mature whitetail lose an average of 20% or more of their body weight) the faster they can start growing those big horns South Texas is known for.

We start cleaning out all of our blinds and securing them by locking all windows and doors. We let all our Corn Feeders run dry and then we make sure we disconnect all the batteries (just to give a plug out to Energizer 6volt batteries but, they last for up to two-three seasons if you disconnect them after the season is over). We make sure we remove all game cameras and store them for next year. We also start with

03/31/2017

16 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

predator control of coyote and bobcats to insure that we will have a healthy fawn crop in June, July and August without these predators killing our fawns. These fawns are the future of the ranch and if you as the ranch owner dont have a game plan to keep these predators in check you run the risk of your herd being depleted sometimes up to 50% will become prey for these very aggressive predators. If you are a ranch that has hogs you must continue to shot this very evasive species through out the year in order to keep those numbers down. To give you an idea just how invasive these hogs are 10,000 sows will produce 200,000 hogs in one year, truly a bacon factory so shoot them year round not only during deer season.

So, if there is anything we get out of this is that we start working now to prepare our ranch or lease for the following year.

If you have any questions or would like for Texas Sportsman Outfitters to help you reach your ranches full potential please call us or send us an email. We can prepare a management package to suit your ranches needs.

Until next time Happy Hunting!!

Gus Escobar Texas Sportsman Outfitters Game Management Specialist

TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 - 17

Texas, Padre Island

February 2017

N 26° 04.1' / W 97° 09.4' Date

Day

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

1

We

4:50a

High Tide 0.8

6:34p

High Tide 0.9

12:14a

0.6

11:40a

0.1

7:13a

6:12p

10:23a

10:56p

2

Th

6:53a

0.7

6:35p

0.8

12:57a

0.3

12:33p

0.4

7:12a

6:13p

11:04a

11:57p

3

Fr

9:20a

0.8

6:29p

0.9

1:48a

0.0

1:38p

0.7

7:12a

6:14p

11:47a

4

Sa

11:49a

1.0

6:04p

0.9

2:43a

-0.3

3:28p

0.8

7:11a

6:14p

12:33p

12:58a

5

Su

1:28p

1.1

3:41a

-0.5

7:10a

6:15p

1:23p

2:00a

6

Mo

2:29p

1.3

4:40a

-0.7

7:10a

6:16p

2:16p

3:02a

7

Tu

3:16p

1.3

5:36a

-0.8

7:09a

6:17p

3:14p

4:03a

8

We

3:55p

1.4

6:31a

-0.9

7:09a

6:17p

4:14p

5:01a

9

Th

4:27p

1.3

7:24a

-0.8

7:08a

6:18p

5:15p

5:55a

10

Fr

4:53p

1.2

8:15a

-0.7

9:30p

1.0

7:07a

6:19p

6:15p

6:45a

11

Sa

12:32a

1.1

5:13p

1.1

9:03a

-0.5

9:52p

0.9

7:07a

6:19p

7:14p

7:30a

12

Su

1:56a

1.0

5:29p

1.0

9:49a

-0.3

10:23p

0.7

7:06a

6:20p

8:11p

8:12a

13

Mo

3:12a

1.0

5:42p

0.9

10:33a

0.0

11:02p

0.6

7:05a

6:21p

9:06p

8:51a

14

Tu

4:29a

0.9

5:50p

0.9

11:16a

0.2

11:46p

0.4

7:05a

6:21p

10:00p

9:28a

15

We

5:53a

0.9

5:53p

0.9

11:57a

0.4

7:04a

6:22p

10:52p

10:04a

16

Th

7:35a

0.8

5:48p

0.9

12:34a

0.3

12:37p

0.7

7:03a

6:23p

11:43p

10:41a

17

Fr

9:54a

0.9

5:32p

0.9

1:27a

0.2

1:19p

0.8

7:02a

6:23p

18

Sa

12:50p

1.0

4:08p

1.0

2:23a

0.1

3:18p

0.9

7:01a

6:24p

12:34a

11:57a

19

Su

1:56p

1.1

3:20a

0.0

7:01a

6:24p

1:25a

12:38p

20

Mo

2:28p

1.2

4:13a

-0.1

7:00a

6:25p

2:15a

1:22p

21

Tu

2:53p

1.2

5:02a

-0.2

6:59a

6:26p

3:06a

2:10p

22

We

3:15p

1.3

5:47a

-0.2

6:58a

6:26p

3:55a

3:00p

23

Th

3:35p

1.3

6:30a

-0.3

6:57a

6:27p

4:43a

3:54p

24

Fr

3:53p

1.3

7:13a

-0.3

9:05p

1.0

6:56a

6:27p

5:29a

4:50p

25

Sa

4:11p

1.2

7:55a

-0.2

9:03p

1.0

6:55a

6:28p

6:14a

5:48p

26

Su

12:35a

1.1

4:26p

1.1

8:39a

-0.2

9:19p

0.8

6:54a

6:29p

6:57a

6:47p

27

Mo

1:53a

1.1

4:38p

1.0

9:24a

-0.1

9:46p

0.6

6:54a

6:29p

7:39a

7:47p

28

Tu

3:10a

1.1

4:46p

0.9

10:12a

0.1

10:22p

0.4

6:53a

6:30p

8:20a

8:48p

11:05p

1.1

Low Tide

Low Tide

Phase

1st

Full

11:18a 3rd

New

©2017 FreeTideTables.com - For comparison only - Times are local - Tides in feet from MLLW

Most Insurance Accepted

8521 N. 10th Street McAllen, TX

ƯȯȺȹ˹ȷȼɁ ˱ ƛɀȯɅȺ˹ȷȼɁ ƯȳȺȱȽȻȳ

956.686.9355 www.healthyrgv.com

^ƵĨĨĞƌŝŶŐ &ƌŽŵ͗

THE OUTDOORS IS CALLING YOU DON·T LET PAIN GET IN YOUR WAY

භ EĞĐŬͬ ĂĐŬ WĂŝŶ භ ,ĞĂĚĂĐŚĞƐ භ :ŽŝŶƚ ^ƚŝĨĨŶĞƐƐ භ DƵƐĐůĞ ^ƉĂƐŵƐ භ EƵŵďŶĞƐƐ Žƌ dŝŶŐůŝŶŐ

Ăůů KƵƌ KĨĨŝĐĞ

ŚŝƌŽƉƌĂĐƚŝĐ DĂLJ ,ĞůƉ

ĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ EĂƚŝŽŶĂů ĂŶĚ dĞdžĂƐ ŽĂƌĚ ŽĨ ŚŝƌŽƉƌĂĐƚŝĐ džĂŵŝŶĞƌƐ 18 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

ƌ͘ KƌůĂŶĚŽ sŝůůĂƌƌĞĂů K ů Ě sŝůů ŚŝƌŽƉƌĂĐƚŽƌ

Slam It

With Capt. Walter Bode

Book now (956) 832-3761 South Padre Island, TX NO CATCH * NO PAY Gift Certificates Available!

TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 - 19

Make one stop & spend all day there If you stretched out the “Y” that makes up Pirates Landing Fishing Pier in Port Isabel, you would have 1,5000-feet of pier.

It’s the largest pier in Texas.

Along that 1,500 feet, you can drop a line – either yours or one you rented from the fully stocked store at the entrance – and maybe catch some whiting, or sheepshead, or black drum – maybe some mangrove snapper – or even some speckled trout.

Then you can take it to the restaurant and they’ll cook it for you – broiled, baked, fried, blackened, there are a number of options. Who knows, maybe you’ll go back out to the pier or look around and see what else is at Pirates Landing. But one thing is for certain – you can definitely make a family day out of it, even if all you want to do is spend a nice relaxing day on the pier, fishing and removing all your stress.

“This is a one-stop destination,” said Ray De La Rosa, who basically keeps things running and wears many hats at 14 1 4 -T --TEXAS TEXA XA X AS SPORTSMAN SPO SP ORT RTS RT SMA SM M MA AN - JAN. JA AN. N 2017 20 2 017 7

Pirates Landing. He’s been there 16 years and can tell everyone anything they need to know.

“People may not realize that we are a full-service fishing pier,” De La Rosa said.

“For any level of experience – or non-experience – we have everything someone needs to fish here.”

Pirates Landing is an official selling station for fishing licenses and offer single day, or one year, licenses to fish. If you’re a first-timer, you have nothing to worry about.

“We’ll rig up their line, we have all the tackle they need and we can supply the rod, the bait, hooks, weights – anything anyone needs from a first-timer to the experienced fishing person.”

No matter what level the angler is at, one thing that De La Rosa sees quite often is the magical disappearing rod act.

“People will just have their poles resting and all of a sudden a big fish grabs it and down goes the pole before anyone has the time to even know what’s happening,” he said.

De La Rosa said now is the perfect time of year to come to the pier to fish. The weather is cooler, the pier isn’t as packed with summer vacationers and they’re open 24 hours a day.

“Of course it’s seasonal there but I would say the best time to fish is when it’s cool and during the offseason,” he said. “There are a lot fewer people on the pier and more spots to fish at night.

On a Saturday night during peak time there could be as many as 2,000 people at any given time on the pier. The pier has security during those days and during other busy times.

They also have someone hired to walk up and down the pier from Friday through Sunday at nights, showing people how to tie rigs and bait hooks or measure fish and explain to them what fish to keep and which ones not to keep.

“We are an extremely family-oriented place,” De La Rosa said.

Pirates Landing is also forward thinking by being involved with the younger generation, pairing with Texas Parks and Wildlife as well as Cameron County to offer the “Take A Kid Fishing” promotion during a period in late Spring. There is no admission and Texas Parks & Wildlife will donate small rods for each child. De La Rosa said the program started with about 100 kids and has swelled to more than 250.

If pier fishing is of no interest, there are other options like booking a fishing trip with one of four captains who service Pirates Landing.

“We have four active charter captains on site that do the private charters,” De La Rosa said. “They’ll take you out to catch trout, flounder and redfish ;some will go offshore for snapper fishing.

If interested in the chartered fishing trip – or to just ask more questions about what Pirates Landing has to offer, call (956) 943PIER to set up an excursion. Visit piratespier.com or Facebook.com/piratespier to see more.

TEXAS T TE TEX E EX XAS AS S SP SPORTSMAN PORT RT TS SMA AN - DEC. AN DE D EC. 2016 20 016 16 - 15 5

Texas, Padre Island

March 2017

N 26° 04.1' / W 97° 09.4' Date

Day

Sunrise

Sunset

Moonrise

Moonset

1

We

4:32a

High Tide 1.0

4:49p

High Tide 0.8

11:03a

0.3

11:06p

0.2

6:52a

6:30p

9:03a

9:49p

2

Th

6:05a

1.0

4:47p

0.8

11:59a

0.6

11:57p

-0.1

6:51a

6:31p

9:46a

10:52p

3

Fr

7:54a

1.1

4:33p

0.9

1:10p

0.8

6:50a

6:31p

10:32a

11:54p

4

Sa

9:59a

1.1

12:55a

-0.3

6:49a

6:32p

11:20a

5

Su

11:50a

1.3

1:59a

-0.4

6:48a

6:33p

12:12p

12:56a

6

Mo

1:03p

1.4

3:07a

-0.5

6:47a

6:33p

1:07p

1:57a

7

Tu

1:52p

1.4

4:14a

-0.5

6:46a

6:34p

2:05p

2:54a

8

We

2:29p

1.4

5:19a

-0.5

6:45a

6:34p

3:04p

3:48a

9

Th

2:57p

1.3

6:20a

-0.4

7:59p

1.0

6:44a

6:35p

4:04p

4:38a

10

Fr

3:19p

1.2

7:17a

-0.2

8:08p

0.9

6:43a

6:35p

5:02p

5:24a

11

Sa

12:29a

1.2

3:36p

1.1

8:10a

-0.1

8:30p

0.8

6:42a

6:36p

5:59p

6:07a

12

Su

1:47a

1.2

4:48p

1.0

10:00a

0.1

9:59p

0.6

7:41a

7:36p

7:54p

7:46a

13

Mo

3:56a

1.2

4:56p

1.0

10:47a

0.3

10:31p

0.5

7:40a

7:37p

8:49p

8:24a

14

Tu

5:02a

1.2

4:59p

0.9

11:33a

0.5

11:06p

0.4

7:39a

7:37p

9:42p

9:01a

15

We

6:09a

1.2

4:56p

0.9

12:19p

0.7

11:43p

0.3

7:38a

7:38p

10:34p

9:37a

16

Th

7:22a

1.2

4:42p

0.9

1:08p

0.8

7:36a

7:38p

11:25p

10:14a

10:53p

1.1

Low Tide

Low Tide

17

Fr

8:49a

1.1

12:24a

0.2

7:35a

7:39p

18

Sa

10:38a

1.2

1:09a

0.1

7:34a

7:39p

12:16a

11:33a

19

Su

12:24p

1.3

1:59a

0.1

7:33a

7:40p

1:07a

12:16p

20

Mo

1:26p

1.3

2:56a

0.1

7:32a

7:40p

1:57a

1:01p

21

Tu

2:02p

1.4

3:57a

0.1

7:31a

7:40p

2:46a

1:50p

22

We

2:28p

1.4

4:58a

0.1

7:30a

7:41p

3:34a

2:41p

23

Th

2:50p

1.4

5:57a

0.1

7:29a

7:41p

4:20a

3:36p

24

Fr

3:09p

1.4

6:53a

0.1

8:41p

1.1

7:28a

7:42p

5:05a

4:32p

25

Sa

3:26p

1.3

7:47a

0.2

8:42p

1.0

7:27a

7:42p

5:48a

5:31p

26

Su

1:23a

1.2

3:39p

1.2

8:40a

0.2

9:00p

0.8

7:26a

7:43p

6:31a

6:31p

27

Mo

2:40a

1.3

3:49p

1.1

9:33a

0.3

9:27p

0.5

7:25a

7:43p

7:13a

7:32p

28

Tu

3:52a

1.3

3:54p

1.0

10:29a

0.5

10:01p

0.3

7:24a

7:44p

7:56a

8:35p

29

We

5:07a

1.4

3:54p

0.9

11:27a

0.7

10:42p

0.0

7:23a

7:44p

8:40a

9:39p

30

Th

6:26a

1.4

3:45p

0.9

12:35p

0.8

11:29p

-0.2

7:22a

7:45p

9:26a

10:44p

31

Fr

7:53a

1.4

7:20a

7:45p

10:15a

11:48p

11:53p

1.2

©2017 FreeTideTables.com - For comparison only - Times are local - Tides in feet from MLLW

4810 N. Raul Longoria Suite 7 (956) 781-1469 San Juan, TX 78589 Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Fishing & Hunting Apparel www.Laguna-Lifestyle.com

WOMEN, CHILDREN & MEN FISHING APPAREL 22 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

Phase

1st

Full

10:52a

3rd

New

KILLINGER’S Water Well Drilling (956) 279-8543 (956) 279-1045 NORIAS DE AGUA

FREE ESTIMATES Residential Q Commercial Q Farm/Ranch Now accepting credit cards TEXAS SPORTSMAN FEB. 2017 -23

Class is in session Whether gigging or with rod and reel, follow these tips for fantistic flounder fishing

BY BRIAN JOSEPH SPENCER Hi my name is Brian Joseph Spencer and I would have to say that fishing and hunting are my life.

My favorite fish to go after is the flounder. You can either fish for them or gig for them. Gigging is using a very bright light either above or below the water while walking or using a boat.

You shine the light and look for the flounder laying on the bottom, trying to camouflage themselves so that they can catch baitfish as they travel over them.

Flounder are ambush predators.

They spawn once a year in November or December depending on when the water temperatures reach 68 degrees, During that time the fish are working their way to the gulf and deeper water in order to spawn. They are unable to lay their own eggs without having to be in at least 60 feet of water at which the pressure allows the eggs to release.

Once they have completed their migration and have finished fertilizing their eggs they will then come back into the shallower bays and flats where they will remain again until next year.

The best spots to find flounder

24 -TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017

during the migration is going to be near deep channels that are leading to a passageway to the gulf. Flounder also like lying next to rocks or bridge pilings. I guess they feel comfortable when structure is around them. That and it is easy to ambush bait against a wall or rock.

Another good spot to find flounder is around spoil islands and inlets and outlets to small channels. If you can find a shore with Roseau cane then you will most likely to be able to find them, bait likes to congregate and hide in that grass. Therefore by default, the flounder will be around.

If you are going to be fishing for them with rod and reel I have a couple of go-to methods. One of them is using a live mullet or mud minnow on a fish finder rig (Carolina rig). I will tie a 30-pound leader below a swivel with a weight above the swivel that is free moving. You can work the bottom very well using that method.

My favorite way of catching flounder is with artificial. Get whatever size jig head that will allow you to stay on bottom but not too heavy to where you get stuck, I normally use a quarter ounce jig with either my chickenboy lures

four-inch shrimp. I pick the colors by the water. If it’s clear water, use clear lures and for dark water, use darker lures.

The most important tip I can give you is to fish with your rod tip and bounce it while working the bottom. When you feel the thump just stop and let your line loose so they can’t detect any pressure on the line. Count to 15 or 20 seconds and then tighten your line and set that hook good. Flounder have tough mouths.

I hope that some of this info will help. If you have any questions feel free to email me or join my group Flounder Fanatics on Facebook. Thank you to my sponsors for making everything possible. Chickenboy lures, Stinky Pants Fishing, Fin Addict, Fishing Reactant Compound, Thump Kings and Team Ardent.

Until next issue tight lines and sharp gigs.

Brian Joseph Spencer Flounder Fanatics @ Facebook Flounderfanatics@gmail.com

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APOCOLYPSE TROUT: ‘If you don’t look, you won’t find it’

BY BRENT JOHNSON When a friend of mine who happens to be an accomplished writer and well-known fishing guide posted his opinion on social media, what followed was a brush fire of commentary. Some of the comments came from respected saltwater anglers, a lot of the comments came from one guilty conscience, and some came from those akin to schoolyard bullies.

You could say the coyotes were howling when they smelled the blood of one aspiring writer who took it personal when she thought the online opinion was aimed entirely at her. Truthfully, she wasn’t on his radar when he made the comment, but it didn’t make her feel any better when another well-known guide commented “guilty dogs bark first, and if you smelt it you dealt it,”… Ouch!

The post read as follows “If I read one more article that fish are lethargic so you have to fish slow and low over waist deep mud I’m going to puke!” While the theory of cold-water fishing slow and low is as old as Ernest Hemingway, this same theory has also been disproven and I shall elaborate on this in a moment. But before I do let’s see if I can chum the water a bit on trophy trout season.

If you were to ask me when my favorite time to fish for big trout and I wasn’t allowed to say anytime, my answer would be February. It is this time of year that Cynoscion Nebulosus, or speckled trout, are at their heaviest, which just so happens to be when I’m at my heaviest, hmm. Going back a few months in October, a phenomena known as the mullet migration begins.

Throughout the fall trout are scarfing grimace proportions of mullet and other baits like shrimp, eels, and pogeys. As the water temperatures drop into the 50s shrimp and other baits become less abundant on the flats. Mullet now becomes their primary source of protein.

One thing I have learned is it’s not always necessary to get on the water early as the bite tends to start later in the day after it warms up a few degrees. Having said that, if there is a particular hole you have in mind that others may also be thinking of, you might not want to hit the snooze button.

Sure there’s plenty of water, but when you’ve been thinking about a certain spot all year to fish this time of year and you know a select few who also know about it, maybe less sleep is a good thing.

Last year this fact was critical to producing good numbers of fish. I told my guys we

needed to be the first ones there in order to be in the sweet spot as it was sure to have some boats on it. The next morning we were up running out the door like firemen responding to a call at the Playboy Mansion.

The sun had not come up yet and I was confident in our efforts that we would achieve our goal, but when we arrived, it turned out we were the third boat on the scene.

I steered a wide distance from them up wind then cut the engine and drifted about 300 yards to the outskirt of their position.

I was at a respectable distance from them and every maneuver was calculated in stealth so as not to spook any fish. If there is one thing I hate it is other boats coming in too close and banging around on the deck when my party is in a honey hole.

As the sun lifted I swear there were atleast seven more boats that eventually made it to this same spot. Some were respectful, but one cut right in front of us and burned the shoreline before shutting down. I do believe the two fisherman in that boat felt the telepathic wrath of some of us casting in their direction. After catching a few I realized how ridiculous this was and motioned to move on. As we left we idled quietly out of the area until we were far enough to push the throttle.

To be perfectly honest there is not a whole lot I do different in cold weather fishing from warm weather. Other than waders and sometimes snooze button on the clock, I would say lures would be one thing I do different. In the summer I throw topwaters and Kelly Wiggler Ball Tail Shad.

In the winter I will throw Corky Fat Boys, Catch 2000, Catch 5, MirrOdines and Kelly

Wiggler Ball Tail Shad. If the water is murky I will elect to go with darker colors like Midnite Diamond, or Purple Chartruese. For clear water I recommend Bone Diamond, Chrometruese, and Flamingo and for water that is in between murky and clear you can’t beat Mansfield Margarita. If I’m tossing a plastic a 1/16th ounce jig head will keep the bait falling slow, and a 1/8th ounce jig head will keep it low.

This year has been odd in that one day will feel like winter and the next like spring.

Some days the fish will be feeding high in the water column and the next they will be on the bottom. If it’s cold a Corky with the right retrieve should get the job done. The key is to experiment until you find what they like. Sometimes that will be 3 twitches and a full pause, and sometimes you gotta work it like a Briggs and Stratton engine with varied speeds, and a constant walk the dog motion.

Always keep the major and minor feed times in the back of your head when planning your execution. If you have a few people wading put one guy in 2 feet, and the tall guy a little deeper like 4 feet. Experiment until you figure out what depth and level of the water column is producing.

Sometimes zig and zag the line you are walking, because they may be 20’ out of casting range. High, low, fast, slow, tic tac, twitch pop, to the beat of a favorite song you get the picture.

One year during a cold snap ,my buddy Chase Smith was filming my other two buddies Mike McBride, and Mike Jones. A week before, Tricia Whitley had shared the location of some monster trout she had found in skinny water. So these boys thought they would investigate this weird coincidence as it went against all rules of thought regarding cold weather fishing. When they got to the spot she had told them about they could not believe what they were seeing. There in 8”-5” of water over crystal clear conditions were trout in the 25”-35” caliber by the hundreds. Gone were the myths of lone monster trout, over deep shell and mud, only slow presentation gets em’. These fish were cold as could be in large schools and eating top waters and fast plastics.

As Chase said “it was sight casting at its purest, and it was the best of what we all seek!” So when McBride said if he read one more article about this is how you gotta do it he would puke, well I guess he has the right. “If you don’t look you won’t find it.”

I got a good idea where that treasure was buried so I may have to go look.

See you on the water my friends.

TEXAS SPORTSMAN - FEB. 2017 - 27

Introducing The Crappie Psychic

BY CAPT. NICK LAPRE Fishing is all over the board here in Southeast Louisiana, as are the species.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am always chasing the elusive tailing Redfish. But our family also has a camp on an area here in Louisiana close to Lake Pontchartrain where I can sneak off down the canals to change up the game.

If you have never fished for sac a lait, it is a thrill you may want to try. This is how I met up with some locals at a show a few years back. Let me share with you a secret about a small family company in Raceland, La. The owners, Captain Clyde Folse and his wife, Janelle have figured out a way to not only catch sac a lait but fresh and salt water species in variety. You will not only catch consistently, but nice sized fresh and saltwater fish of all sorts.

Capt. Clyde Folse, owner of The Crappie Psychic LLC, has been living his dream of opening a business, being successful and helping others does so as well. He isn’t alone as he has a lot of help including his wife, Ms. Janelle, his son, daughter and friends. No matter what you call them, whether it is Crappie, Sac a lait or White Perch, The Crappie Psychic has a little must have add-on to boost your bite.

Crappie Psychic Crappie Trailers have been amazing fisherman all over South Louisiana along with other states. This 1.5” add-on trailer has patent-pending edges creating a movement crappie love. There is an assortment of colors such as Grass Shrimp, Chartreuse, White, Cypress Melon, Pink Flamingo and Craworm.

Capt. Clyde’s favorite jig body called Bass Crappie Maxx Ringer 1.5”. This, along with his Crappie Trailer is a deadly combination. With the rave over these baits reaching many states, the uses of the trailer are endless and can be rigged different ways.

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The company just introduced a new item called Crappie Ammo. This is a scent pellet that hasn’t even hit the stores yet!

Last week at a sportsman show they were flying off the shelf. The Crappie Ammo comes in a 50 pack but also in variety of colors. This hot new item was a hit for Capt. Clyde last week as he filmed a show for WWL, a local news channel, along with The Louisiana Sportsman Magazine. As the company has freshwater side covered, like I said before, they have not left out us saltwater fishermen.

The Crappie Psychic has what is known as the Trout Trailers for inshore fishing chasing Speckled Trout and Redfish.

These are a little larger and have a tougher plastic to hold up to those piercing trout teeth. There is such a magnitude of uses for Trout Trailers, such as bouncing jigs off the bottom, under a popping cork, with live bait, or added to your favorite hard baits. Like the other trailers, these come in a variety of colors. There are endless uses for these trailers.

Capt. Clyde has even more tricks up his sleeve by having all the trailers soaking packaged in his “Secret Sauce,” which is a family guarded recipe. Don’t worry…

I have tried to sneak the recipe but he

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uses and salt water but what about the offshore guys or the bass tournament fishermen? Well, that is where the Mega Trailers come in. These were designed for offshore trips of Mahi-Mahi, Cobia and Tuna… so the company thought! Somehow the mega trailer ended up in the hands of Bass anglers. Who knew the bass would love the Mega Trailers. But why wouldn’t they? It is all in how you want to rig it and like I said before on the other trailers, the options are endless again, from rigging weightless, using them as worms, and on the back of spinnerbaits as trailers.

The world of trailers has changed thanks to Louisiana local, Capt. Clyde Folse and his devoted family. I am sure this is not the last you will hear of this company as the world of fishing will continue to change and I look for big things for these locals.

For more information on the crappie trailers, the trout trailers, mega trailers, crappie ammo and all the other Crappie Psychic products I didn’t get to share, visit them at www.thecrappiepsychic.com, on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Check them out as I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. won’t give!

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Texas Game Warden Field Notes A Houston County game warden was contacted by the Houston County Sheriff ’s Office one evening in regards to a lost hunter.

The hunter had been out all day and failed to return to his hunting camp in the Davy Crockett National Forest. Since the temperature was below freezing, a Department of Public Safety helicopter was called to assist in the search.

The helicopter located the subject at 2 a.m. and kept a spotlight on the subject while the game warden and another first responder walked in to make contact. The hunter had injured his ankle and was very cold, but otherwise OK. Paramedics were called to the scene to assess the hunter.

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

CATCH, TICKET AND RELEASE A Val Verde County game warden responded to a call from a landowner concerning trespassers that were fishing on his private pond.

The individuals had been warned several times previously that the pond was private and that fishing there was prohibited. The warden cited the individuals for fishing without consent of landowner. All fish were released back into the water.

SHOOTING OFF THE ROOST Game wardens in Trinity and Angelina counties investigated a tip about hunters roosting ducks after legal shooting hours along the Neches River, but by the time they arrived on the scene the shooting had stopped and they were unable to locate the suspects. Based on the tip, there were two groups hunting after hours; one on each side of the Neches River.

Believing the suspects might attempt to repeat their actions the following evening, Trinity County game wardens set up surveillance on the Trinity County side of the Neches and an Angelina County game warden Wood set up on the Angelina County side of the river. Wardens waited and listened for shots and once the shooting began again well after legal hours wardens were able to pinpoint the suspects’ location on the Trinity County side. All three wardens converged and made contact with four individuals. Cases for hunting waterfowl after legal hours, possession of lead shot, and no hunter’s education were filed as well as civil restitution. It was determined that this was

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one of the groups hunting late the day before.

REGISTERED OFFENDER A Shelby County game warden received a call about duck hunters trespassing and hunting without landowner consent. Upon the warden’s arrival, the hunters quickly fled the area but left behind decoys on the water and a small vessel. Further inspection of the scene revealed empty lead shotshells, which are illegal for hunting waterfowl. The warden also found corn scattered around the area, indicating illegal baiting of waterfowl. A quick call to dispatch returned a registered owner and address for the vessel, which wasn’t far from the scene.

The warden was able to quickly locate and make contact with the subjects. Charges and restitution are pending for trespassing, hunting over bait, hunting waterfowl with unplugged shotguns, and illegal use of lead shot.

LOST AND FOUND

FAILED TO MENTION A Frio County game warden patrolling an area for illegal road hunting activity came upon a vehicle driving slowly and erratically. After observing the driver periodically position his vehicle broadside in the road and shine his headlights into ranch pastures, the warden made a traffic stop. The driver had a loaded rifle in the seat next to him and admitted to hunting from the road, but denied shooting anything. The warden issued a citation for hunting from a public roadway and cut him loose. A few hours later, the warden received a call from a ranch manager and advised that he had found a dead 10-point buck that appeared to have been shot from the same road where he had just issued a citation.

The warden made contact with the road hunter and during the interview the driver admitted to shooting the buck the night before and had gone back out in hopes of shooting another buck. Charges and civil restitution pending.

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What you need to know about hypothermia Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.

Normal body temperature is around 98.6 F (37 C). Hypothermia (hi-poe-THURme-uh) occurs as your body temperature passes below 95 F (35 C). This is a big concern when you may fall overboard in the winter. Time is of the essence when this happens.

When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can't work normally. Left untreated, hypothermia can eventually lead to complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and to death.

Hypothermia is most often caused by exposure to cold weather or immersion in a cold body of water. Primary treatments for hypothermia are methods to warm the body back to a normal temperature.

The hypothalamus, the brain's temperature-control center, works to raise

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Master Captain Alan Stewart owns and operates Stewart Training Center and holds a Master license with the U.S.C.G. Stewart Training Center is located at 39572 Loop Road, Bayview, Tx., 78566.

body temperature by triggering processes that heat and cool the body. During cold temperature exposure, shivering is a protective response to produce heat through muscle activity. In another heat-preserving response -- called vasoconstriction

-- blood vessels temporarily narrow.

It may be possible to revive a drowning victim who has been under water for considerable time and shows no signs of life. Numerous documented cases exist where victims have been resuscitated with no apparent harmful effects after long immersions.

If you are a properly documented captain, you should know first aid/cpr and should immediately and get him to the hospital. Down here, there is low probability of hypothermia as the water doesn’t get below 70 very often. This temperature is kind of a shut off frame. Of course it depends on the time in the water.

If just you fall overboard, ball up to preserve heat by protecting your chest and crouch areas. If more than one falls overboard, face each other into a close ring.

As always, be safe and see you on the water

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