April 11, 2014 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper in Texas

April 11, 2014

Volume 10, Issue 16

Disappearing act Several big Port Mansfield bucks thought poached

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

The first time Port Mansfield resident Norman Lavelle saw his friend, he had a strand of Christmas lights wrapped POACHED: The buck residents called “Christmas” was photographed several days before he was killed in Port Mansfield by a poacher at night. Photo by Lance Kruger.

around his ample rack.

“I grabbed a bucket of corn and spread it around the table where I was sitting,” he said. “After about 30 minutes, he walked up and started to eat and allowed me to cut all of the Christmas lights off of him.”

That was more than four years ago, and Lavelle got to know the buck he named “Christmas” pretty well over the years.

Along with other bucks in a herd of semi-tame deer that hang around the small fishing community and are fed, often by hand, Lavelle would often scratch Christmas’ ears and watch him chase does in his front yard.

Last week, Christmas was found dead in a nearby field, the victim of a nightSee POACHED, Page 15

Last chicken hunt in Texas?

USFWS lists lesser prairie-chicken

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star outdoor newS

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PLANO, TX PERMIT 210

In the 20072008 hunting season, Carl Islett of Lubbock, then a Texas state representative, had the opportunity to hunt the lesser prairie-chicken at the Camphill Ranch near Levelland with his friend Todd Baxter of Austin, and shot the last bird of the group that day.

Little did he THE LAST ONE: Lubbock hunter Carl Islett know, he may poses with the last-known lesser prairiehave been the chicken legally harvested in Texas. Photo last hunter to by take one of the birds in Texas for a long time, and possibly ever.

“We had one permit left, and we jumped a bird in the sandhills,” said F.E. Shaheen, who guided the hunters. “Often where you jump one, there is another. Carl walked out, flushed another and got him. After that is when TPWD quit issuing the tags.”

That season, the 6,500-acre ranch held 150-200 birds, according to counts performed, Shaheen said. The ranch, involved in management for the birds through Texas Parks and Wildlife Depart-

INSIDE

Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP

See PRAIRIE CHICKENS, Page 13

TRULY CATCH AND RELEASE: Some bass tournaments, especially on the club level and kayak-only events, are switching toward a true catch-weighrelease model to put less stress on the fish and provide real-time scoring. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Paper trail

New format tournaments becoming more popular, better for fish

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

Johnny Allen began fishing in his local bass club — the Kellogg Fishing Club — last year.

Even though he quickly learned the meaning of, “You don’t know what you don’t know” when fishing tournaments, he quickly became a fixture on the leaderboard.

One of the things that struck him the most was the

HUNTING

Possum Kingdom aoudad turns heads Possum Kingdom hunter shoots large ram, says herd is expanding.

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paper tournament format — catching a bass, weighing or measuring the fish at the boat, recording the information and releasing the fish immediately.

“I like the paper tournaments format, especially on slot lakes because it allows you to log the length of every fish caught and then enter your top five fish for tournament results,” Allen said. “Catch and release is practiced in both paper tournaments and weigh-in

tournaments.”

The paper tournament format is catching on in bass tournament circles, especially kayak tournaments and local bass club events.

One major tournament trail, Major League Fishing, has gone to a completely digital format that practices catch, measure and release.

“When the anglers developed the format for MLF, one of the keys was to have a live leaderboard on the boat,” said Don Rucks, com-

FISHING

Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014 Pullout advertising section, fresh and saltwater fishing reports inside.

missioner of MLF. “For television, we wanted instant weigh-ins. It created tremendous excitement. We also had to break old habits.

In MLF, we score every fish above our length limits. Because you are weighing and releasing the fish, we can set the minimum at any length.

It doesn’t have to be a slotlimit lake.”

MLF even devised its own scoring system, scoretrackSee PAPER TOURNEY, Page 13

CONTENTS Crossword . . . . . . . . . Page 16 Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 10 Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 22 Sun, Moon and Tide data . . Page 16

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HUNTING

Pittman-Robertson funding jumps for Texas More than $35 million headed to state for projects

By Mark England

Lone Star Outdoor News Until two years ago, Texas anglers regularly received more federal money for game fish conservation than hunters here received for wildlife conservation.

An explosion of sales in guns and ammunition, though, changed all that.

The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program apportionment for 2014 was a record $760.9

million, more than $35 million of which is going to Texas. That amount more than doubles the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program apportionment of $325.7 million, of which Texas will get about $16 million.

Both programs are funded by excise taxes that anglers and hunters pay on outdoor recreational products.

Total Pittman-Robertson funding in Texas jumped more than $18 million over the last two years. Clayton Wolf, director of the Wildlife Divi-

sion for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, said he doesn’t expect the boom to continue.

“I think this is the peak of the curve,” Wolf said. “Just go to Cabela’s or Walmart and look at the ammunition rack. People aren’t standing in line like they were months ago. Revenues will start dropping, although I don’t think there will be a crash in funding.”

Texas anglers, on the other hand, have already seen a bite taken out of the funds distributed by DingellJohnson.

In 2009, Texas got more than $20 million from the program.

“We believe some of our decrease is because we don’t have water in a lot of our lakes, so we’re not getting as

many people going out fishing,” said Robin Riechers, director of TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division. “There are drought conditions throughout the United States. That and broader economic issues might have impacted the funding available.”

TPWD splits the Dingell-Johnson money between its inland and coastal fisheries programs.

Inland gets about two-thirds of the funding.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service distributes the money through grants, with states contributing a 25 percent match.

“We write grants, for example, to obtain money for gill nets and bag seines so we can collect information regarding our fisheries,” Riechers

said. “We continually update our grants to obtain that money. This year, we (coastal) will receive about $4 million from Dingell-Johnson.

Our overall budget is in the neighborhood of $16 million, so you can see the funding is significant.”

Although funding for the two federal restoration programs has gone in opposite directions lately, they share one thing in common — Texas stands at the head of the line in both.

“Texas is a large state with a large number of hunters and anglers, so it typically receives the maximum allowable (funding) under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration acts,” according to Laury Parramore, a senior public affairs specialist for the See FUNDING, Page 6

Aoudad turns heads in PK Herd has been there for a long time, according to biologists

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Keller hunter and trapper Emmitt Woods has spent a lot of time at various ranches near Possum Kingdom Lake trapping hogs, coyotes, bobcats and other predators.

While he’s seen a decrease of those types of critters on the ranches where he works, he has noticed an uptick in the number of exotics he has been seeing — mostly axis and aoudad.

So when a ranch owner told Woods he could take one of the big aoudads he had been catching on trail cameras, Woods jumped at the chance.

“On one of the properties I trap, we’ve got the deer and turkey pop-

KNEW HE WAS THERE: Trapper Emmitt Woods knew this big aoudad was on a ranch where he worked, and he was lucky enough to harvest the big ram recently. Photo by Emmitt Woods, for LSON.

ulations up,” he said, “but the aoudad also moved in. It is a low fence ranch in Palo Pinto County, and I saw this big ram about a month ago on trail cams. I had planned to hunt him one weekend.”

While setting hog traps several weeks ago, Woods saw a big boar he had been trying to catch running around the side of a hill.

“I tried to run around the other side and flank him,” he said. “As

I ran around one side of the hill, the aoudad was coming up right toward me.”

One perfect shot later and Woods was admiring his first aoudad — a big ram with thick bases and one of the longest manes of any aoudad he had ever seen.

“That’s a fish out of water if I’ve ever seen one,” Woods said.

Once the big ram was down, another problem presented itself —

Woods was all alone and had to load the big-bodied sheep by himself. He managed to use a winch in the back of his truck to get the ram loaded. He headed to Cinnamon Creek Wild Game Processing to have the ram butchered and the cape readied for a mount. A rough score on the big ram put him at 93 inches total.

“I am seeing a lot more aoudad; just a ton of them,” he said. “We’ve

noticed after the fires around Possum Kingdom a few years ago that a lot more exotics are out there.

We think a few fences might have burned and let some of these animals get out. The exotics are breeding like crazy.”

Kevin Mote, the Possum Kingdom area district leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife said it is posSee AOUDAD, Page 7

Hunters dealing with henned up birds in North Zone

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Florida hunter Braxton Gillam made his yearly trip to the Lone Star state to chase longbeards during the opening weekend of the North Zone near San Angelo.

“The guide had been seeing lots of toms still bunched up the week before the hunt,” Gillam said. “On opening morning, there were a lot of birds in the area, but many had moved about a mile down the creek BIRDS ARE TALKING: A recent April cold snap got some birds fired up, like this one for a hunter near San Angelo. Photo by Double Barrel Outfitters.

bed onto another property. One gobbler was roosted at the top of a power tower and he flew down into the field in front of me.”

Gillam called the lone tom across the field and shot him at 20 yards.

“Birds were gobbling like crazy on the roost, but it got pretty quiet after they flew down,” he said. “They were all in a big group except that one lone gobbler. He was puffed up and drumming all the way into the decoys.”

Many hunters who had birds scouted before opening day reported a baffling lack of gobbling on opening weekend.

See TURKEYS, Page 7

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USFWS bans elephant imports from two African countries Scott O’Grady, a decorated war hero and best-selling author from Dallas, just returned from living his dream as an avid hunter. O’Grady traveled to Zimbabwe and harvested a bull elephant.

His dream, though, turned into more of a nightmare when he returned home to learn the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, on April 4, had announced a suspension of imports of sport-hunted African elephant trophies taken in Tanzania and Zimbabwe during calendar year 2014.

The suspension, if maintained, would prevent O’Grady from bringing any part, including the tusks, of the trophy home.

“This is a tragedy for the African elephant,” O’Grady said.

“It will only open the doors for more poaching in Zimbabwe and Tanzania because safari operations are critical to the anti-poaching efforts.

USFWS cited questionable management practices, a lack of effective law enforcement and weak governance as reasons for the suspension that it said has resulted in population declines of African elephants in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

See IMPORTS, Page 15

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Water wars

New EPA draft rule brings varying responses

By Craig Nyhus

Lone Star Outdoor News The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on March 25 released a draft rule purporting to clarify the extent to which Clean Water Act protections may apply to wetlands, streams, tributaries and “other waters.”

While some conservation groups were eager to praise the proposed rule, Texas landowners and ranchers weren’t so quick to dive in with their support.

“The release of the draft rule gets us one step closer to better defining Clean Water Act regulations in regard to wetlands,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Dale Hall. “EPA’s draft science report last year showed many categories of wetlands, including prairie potholes, may be geographically isolated but are still connected to, and have a significant impact on, downstream waters.”

The draft rule was prepared in response to several U.S. Supreme Court decisions that restricted the agency’s ability to protect certain waters. The agency seeks to define “Waters of the

PROTECTION OR OVERREACHING? The EPA’s new definition of “Waters of the United States” help protect wetlands, say some groups, but causes problems for farmers and ranchers that don’t have navigable waters on their land, say others. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

United States” in the rule in order to clarify protection for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources.

Some conservation organizations joined environmental groups in indicating their support of the rule, including Trout Unlimited, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and the National Wildlife Federation.

Texas landowners and ranchers aren’t so sure, saying the devil of the rule is in the details.

The draft rule’s proposed definition of “Waters of the United States” includes expected items such as all interstate waters and wetlands, navigable waters and their tributaries and waters affected by tides.

The description of waters “adjacent to” a navigable river or stream and

“other waters”, though, have the attention of Texas landowners, reminding them of issues they have fought, and won, in the past. Other waters are suggested to be waters that include those having “a significant nexus to a traditional navigable water.”

Greg Simons, president of the Texas Wildlife Association, said there were some inherent concerns for landowners.

“It appears to similar to the navigable waters issue from a few years ago, only at a federal level,” he said. “From what I’m hearing, the interpretation could be far-reaching and permitting requirements for landowners could be affected.”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association expressed its opposition, stating it is “deeply concerned by this vast overreach by the EPA and the ad-

ministration.”

NCBA President Bob McCan of Victoria said the proposal will hinder producers’ ability to undertake necessary tasks and could result in ranchers leaving the field.

“This proposal by EPA and the Corps would require cattlemen like me to obtain costly and burdensome permits to take care of everyday chores like moving cattle across a wet pasture or cleaning out a dugout,” McCan said.

Carmen Fenton, communications director with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, put it another way.

“It’s like, here we go again,” she said.

“It seems the EPA is out of touch with the everyday activities on a ranch.

Ranchers are all about conservation, that’s what they do.”

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Funding Continued from Page 4

USFWS. Parramore noted that allocations for both Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson take into account a state’s area in square miles and the number of hunting and fishing licenses sold.

Texas (with 268,596.46 square miles — land and water — and 1,036,946 licensed hunters) and Alaska (with 665,384.04 square miles and 101,547 licensed hunters) both received the maximum wildlife restoration allocation of $31,129,125. However, Texas’ total funding ended up being almost $3 million higher than Alaska’s once hunter education monies as well as sequestered funds were distributed.

USFWS officials reported that 2014 Pittman-Robertson funding included $20 million withheld last year during the government shutdown.

Dingell-Johnson had $18.5 milRED TAPE FOR TURKEYS: Private landowners who meet several requirements must get approval through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before attempting to relocate Rio Grande turkeys. Photo by LSON.

Permits required for trapping turkeys Although illegal to go about it on your own, private landowners can trap, transport and relocate Rio Grande turkeys with the proper permit from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, along with a $750 fee.

All of the permitting is done through TPWD’s Texas Wildlife Information Management Services

(TWIMS).

According to TWIMS, relocation operations may utilize one or more of the following trapping methods: rocket net; cannon net; stationary drop net; or walk-in trap.

“It’s not very common, but we do get (requests),” said Tyler Myers, a permit specialist with TPWD. “We have permits for all game animals in Texas — deer, javelina and turkeys, to name a few. We’ve had two applications in the past six months.”

Landowners work with their local biologists to survey turkey numbers, including how many adults, juveniles and gobbler to hen ratios and check habitat conditions.

“If all of the data looks good, a biologist will then go to the possible release site and analyze that property,” Myers said. “If a landowner is looking to get rid of or has excess turkeys, they talk to a biologist. They can get with landowners who want turkeys — most of the time the biologists just bring it up in meetings to let other biologists know if someone is looking to get rid of or looking to add some turkeys.

“It is pretty much word of mouth.”

Only two ranches have applied for turkey relocation permits in the past year, so the practice is not common.

— Staff report

lion returned to it.

Texas (1,615,426 licensed anglers), Alaska (412,830 licensed anglers) and California (with 163,694.74 square miles and 1,600,054 licensed anglers) all received the maximum Dingell-Johnson allocation of $16,287,011 this year.

TPWD used recent Pittman-Robertson funds for everything from buying land for a Panhandle habitat to shelter lesser prairie-chicken, to upgrading shooting ranges across Texas.

“Across the state, we’re also reinvesting in shooting ranges, which we weren’t doing when times were lean, so people have a place to go practice their shooting,” Wolf said.

However, Wolf said the Wildlife Division will not fund new ongoing programs — given TPWD sees its bounty as “onetime funds.”

“Over the years, we’ve gotten more than $300 million in P-R funding,” he said. “This year, we got 10 percent of that. I’m not sure we’ll ever see such a jump again.”

New SWFA store opens in Midlothian

Texas hunters who have shopped the online sporting goods website swfa.com can now head over and view merchandise in person at the newest SWFA store located on Highway 287 in Midlothian.

According to Skylar McMahon, a salesman for SWFA, the retail location will help the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex outdoorsmen meet all of their needs for riflescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, range finders, night vision and thermal sights, cameras and accessories.

“We still do most of our business with online and phone orders,” McMahon said. “But with the new store, we now have a retail location where we will be able to meet face to face with customers and be able to sell.

“We will still carry all of our brands — Nikon, Leupold, Vortex, Swarovski and many others.”

The new store is approximately 6,000-square feet and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The location is 5840 East U.S. Highway 287 in Midlothian.

Go to swfa.com for more information.

— Staff report

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Many Texas Ducks Unlimited chapters earn place in President’s Elite The President’s Elite are among Ducks Unlimited’s most prestigious volunteer chapters throughout the nation. Every year, the list is reserved for the chapters that raise $100,000 or more for DU’s habitat conservation work. In 2013, 18 Texas chapters made the list as one of the organization’s best fundraising chapters.

“These fundraising events are the backbone of DU’s habitat conservation efforts, and the volunteers who make up these chapters are the grassroots force making a difference for North American waterfowl populations,” said DU President George Dunklin.

The Denton, Dallas, Ft.Worth, Houston, Galveston, Sabine, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Ellis County, Midland, Shelby County, Big Thicket, WinnieStowell, Tomball, Navasota, Mexia, Aggieland and Lamar University chapters earned a spot in the President’s Elite out of the more than 2,600 DU chapters nationwide.

— DU

Aoudad Continued From Page 4

sible that some exotics escaped high-fenced ranches during the fire, but there have always been a resident herd of aoudad in the area.

“I talked to my biologist in that area and we have not heard about any increases in aoudad numbers,” Mote said. “He said the aoudad have been up there for many years. A couple of ranches up there do surveys on them and they have found the numbers to have actually been declining slightly.”

Mote said the fires did make visibility in many areas better, so hunters could be seeing more of them without an increase in overall numbers.

“Also, the drought has pushed some of them down to the shoreline of the lake and out on exposed ground,” he said. “Locally, there might have been a few fences burn and the next door landowner might see some more than in past years, but aoudad have a much broader diet than a white-tailed deer, so they do better in drought conditions.

“There are no real hard numbers (about herd size).”

Mule deer, squirrel seasons extended The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved expanded mule deer hunting in several counties and extended squirrel season across parts of East Texas.

An archery-only open season and 16-day general season for mule deer in Knox County, and a nineday general season for mule deer in Castro, Hale and Lubbock counties will be in effect for the 201415 hunting seasons. The mule deer season had previously been closed in these counties. The commission also clarified that use of antlerless mule deer permits would not count against a hunter’s county bag limit, nor require an antlerless mule deer tag from a hunting license. In addition, the use of the

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permit was extended to be used in archery season with archery equipment only.

The commission also approved extending squirrel hunting season in 51 East Texas counties to the end of February and permitting the use of air rifles meeting minimum standards of 600 fps (feet per second) muzzle velocity, fired from the shoulder (no handguns) and having projectiles of at least .177 caliber.

The commission also eliminated bag and possession limits on squirrel in 12 counties in north-central Texas.

In other commission action, effective for the spring 2015 season, turkey hunters in East Texas can use mobile technology for mandatory reporting of harvested Eastern turkeys. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is developing a mobile app and a web-based harvest reporting form to facilitate the process electronically.

— TPWD

April 11, 2014

Turkeys Continued from Page 4

Guide Alan Hutchins with Double Barrel Outfitters has properties from Ozona to north of San Angelo and reported a mix of success during the first week of the season.

“They have been completely on and off,” Hutchins said. “Once you hear a gobble, it’s game on.

But when they have been quiet, it’s been making for some long sits. As a whole, it has been getting better and better each day.”

Once Gillam was done with his North Zone hunt (he took another mature tom on the second day of the season, as well), he headed to the Tilden area for a South Zone hunt.

He reported lots of hens had the gobblers’ attention, so changing tactics was needed.

“Lots of hens,” he said. “You

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have to work the hens to get the gobblers to respond and come in. It is still pretty early in the program down here. I shot a bird with 1 3/8-inch spurs and called in two more for another guy, but he missed.

“Both sets of birds I called in were strutting, though.”

Internet reports said much of the same — if a hot gobbler responds to the calls, hunters had a good chance of killing him. But all too often, gobblers were henned up and hunters were left frustrated they couldn’t pull the big birds away from the ladies.

Cooler temperatures and rain greeted many hunters last weekend, but many reported good gobbling and fired up birds when the rain held off.

Even though higher winds made hearing gobblers tougher, birds were definitely more receptive than they were opening weekend in the North Zone.

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FISHING

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

Crappie anglers across the state are beginning to see crappie move up into a prespawn position on many lakes, with many slabs being caught in the 10- to 14foot range.

Although weather has made for an up and down start to the spring, water temperatures are finally hitting the magic mark when the crappie move from deep water to shallower areas.

“We are catching them shallow,” said Lake Fork guide Paul O’Bier. “We have been catching them in 1 to 3 feet of water. The water temperatures have warmed up to between 58 and 59 degrees on Fork.”

O’Bier said chartreuse and black tube jigs have been the ticket, along with a 1/4-ounce pink jighead.

“We have been fishing stumps, blowdowns and boat docks,” he said. “We fished a tournament last week and our best seven went 15.19 pounds.”

O’Bier said he has been catching all males until this week, when a few females began showing up.

“When the next full moon hits (April 15), it will be on,” he said.

On Lake Livingston, guide Simon Cosper said he has been catching fish, but inclement weather has made finding fish tougher than normal this time of year.

“The rain messed up a lot of creeks on the lake,” Cosper said. “But I have started to catch some nice slabs shooting jigs under main lake boat docks next to creek channels. I think it will break wide open in a week or two before they start to spawn.”

Other reports farther south indicate fish ready to spawn in places like Choke Canyon and Falcon International Reservoir. Live minnows and chartreuse jigs are also catching fish in less than 10 feet.

Internet reports a good bite on Cedar Creek Reservoir.

“They were in 13 feet of water and 14 feet down where the water was deeper,” said angler Bud Baker on Texasfishingforum.com. “I caught them on a 2-inch smoke glitter tube, on a 1/8-ounce tube jighead in 71to 74-degree water.”

Feeling the thump

Crappie moving shallow with full moon coming

SLABS ARE MOVING: Plenty of good crappie are being caught this month, although the spawn is looking a little later than normal. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Waiting for change

Matagorda anglers waiting for spring patterns to kick off

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

It has been a tough month for anglers in the Matagorda Bay complex.

Strong winds, high tides and fish that haven’t transitioned into the major spring patterns have all contributed to a tougher-than-normal April bite.

“It’s been drizzling for two days and the fishing has been tough,”

said Capt. Ken Sabin. “Most of us are fishing in the river or the diversion canals because the wind has been so bad.

“The high tides brought the bait back, and we’ve been having good luck in the canals catching flounder and redfish.”

Sabin said soft plastics have been working, with fish feeding in the deeper drainages and cuts See MATAGORDA, Page 17

NOT DOWN HERE: Falcon anglers think TPWD should not restrict gar angling on Falcon, where numbers are rising, according to locals. Photo by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Lack of gar information an issue for officials, anglers

By Steve Schwartz Lone Star Outdoor News

Anglers at Falcon International Reservoir have strong opinions about new alligator gar regulations set by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department— both sides agree there is a substantial lack of information.

The most recent regulation gives TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith authority to close any fishing for gar during any possible spawning period. Anglers at Falcon believe the regulations are be-

ing placed before TPWD has all of the facts.

“These fish need to be studied for each specific body of water,” said Cody Soele, owner of Extreme Bowfishing, which targets gar on Falcon. “The bass population according to a lot of people has declined because of the alligator gar.”

That is where concerns have been raised. Bass populations have been in decline at Falcon for several years, TPWD biologist Randy Myers said. Soele, along with avid Falcon angler James Bendele, said the regulations are increasing the

population of the gar in the lake and they “are overrun.”

“They’re spawning like crazy right now and they are all over the place,” Bendele said. “We are overrun with them.”

Myers said any closures are not likely at Falcon in the near future, due to the apparent large population of the gar.

“In all likelihood, there will be no closure at Falcon,” Myers said.

“The chances are pretty slim, because we just don’t know.”

See GAR, Page 11

HERE COMES THE RUSH: Matagorda guides and anglers report good fishing, although weather patterns haven’t been steady enough for fish to switch to fullblown spring patterns. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

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Oil spill has little effect on redfish in Galveston

By Steve Schwartz Lone Star Outdoor News

The March 22 oil spill is having little-to-no effect on the redfish conditions in the Galveston area, contrary to what some clients may believe.

Guides throughout the area are seeing slot redfish in large numbers on the jetties across the island.

“With this cold, everything is running a few weeks behind,” said

Capt. Adam Kreczkowski, of Sea Wolf Fishing Charters, about the conditions. “Things will be better if we could just get some warmer weather.”

With colder temperatures, bull reds are hitting live bait in a frenzy, according to Capt. Rusty Foster, with Get U Sum Fishing Charters.

Guides have seen numerous cancellations in reaction to the oil spill, but Foster said the fishing has See REDFISH. Page 11

THE WINNING FISH: Ferris angler DeWayne Thomas holds the winning, 9.94-pound largemouth bass he caught last weekend on Lake Fork.

The fish won Thomas a truck and boat package. Photo by Bass Champs.

Ferris angler wins Mega Bass on Fork

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

UP-AND-COMING: According to guides in the Galveston area, redfish are still good around jetties and rocky areas. Cool temperatures have kept them near to the shore, and they have been biting heavily on live shrimp and crab. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News

DeWayne Thomas has been fishing all his life and likes to fish a few tournaments every year — a few Bud Light tournaments, maybe the Legends of Lake Fork or the Skeeter tournaments.

But when a friend asked him to fish the Ford Mega Bass Tournament presented by Bass Champs, he agreed, never realizing it would be the biggest tournament win of his career.

“It’s a little overwhelming,”

Thomas said.

Thomas caught a 9.94-pound bass during the second hour of the event, and the weight held up throughout the day, giving the Ferris angler the overall victory, a pile of cash and a Skeeter bass boat.

Not bad for a couple hours of fishing.

The self-described shallowwater fisherman only got one bite, but it was the only one he needed.

“It was a pretty short day,” he said. “We’d only been fishing

about two hours. It was the only bite I had. I caught her and got her in the livewell but we headed to the dock. I wasn’t going to take any chances with that fish.”

When Thomas arrived at the weigh-in site, there were already three “over” bass at the docks.

Lake Fork is a slot lake, so fish between 16 and 24 inches must be thrown back.

“I weighed my fish on another guy’s scale, and mine was bigger than his,” Thomas said. “He See MEGA BASS, Page 19

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GAME WARDEN BLOTTER HOG-DOG GROUP IN CONTEST DQ’D, TICKETED FOR TRESPASSING Atascosa County Game Wardens Derek Iden and Brian Scott received a call that some hog-dog hunters might be hunting illegally. The wardens were told that the hunters were going to hunt on some property along the Atascosa River where the wardens have had reports of trespassing and theft of game cameras. The wardens went to a 70-acre tract of land and located several trucks and ATVs where the hunters began their hunting adventure. Around 11 p.m., Scott located nine subjects running hogdogs, scattered as far as three properties outside of where they had permission to be hunting. Scott used his handheld GPS to mark where he found the hunters and the wardens transposed the tracks onto a Google Earth application, and three landowners executed non-consent affidavits. Class A misdemeanor charges are pending for hunting without landowner consent and criminal trespass. The eight subjects had entered into the Los Cazadores Hog Dog Hunting contest and were subsequently disqualified from the “weigh-in” for violating the terms of the contest.

A WARDEN IS NEVER TRULY “OFF DUTY” On his day off, Val Verde County Game Warden Dustin Barrett had just finished a day of fishing on Lake Amistad when he ran across a retail truck dealer selling aquatic products door-to-door in his neighborhood. He stopped and inquired if they were selling any fish and asked them to stop by his house down the street so that he could look the fish over. After they arrived, he identified himself as a game warden and proceeded to inspect the dealer, who was from out of town. Cases pending for no retail fish truck dealer license and for the vehicle not being properly marked.

LOOKING FOR DEER AND GATORS, WARDEN FINDS MOONSHINE STILL Jasper County Game Warden Justin Eddins was investigating a local resident for killing alligators and white-tailed deer out of season. When Eddins pulled up in the yard he was greeted by the man’s wife, who said, “What has he done now?” Eddins met the resident in his backyard and NEPHEW LEAVES ILLEGALLY TAKEN DEER WITH UNCLE, BOTH GET CITATIONS Limestone County Game Warden Trent Marker received information that a local man had possession of a deer illegally, but he was only given a nickname of the man. He located and went to the man’s home, where a butchered deer was found. The man said his nephew’s friend had brought it over. Both the nephew and his friend were contacted and it was determined that the nephew had shot the deer out of season, at night, with artificial light and then the deer was transported by the nephew’s friend to the uncle’s house. Citations were issued for possession of white-tailed deer in closed season and the nephew was charged with hunting at night and with an artificial light.

VEHICLE STOP FINDS NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS, WEAPONS While returning from an in-service training, Dimmit County Game Warden Gene Fernandez and Zavala County Game Warden Chris Stautzenberger conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was turning its lights on and off at nighttime while driving on a state highway. After removing the individual from his vehicle due to his nervous demeanor, a K-9 unit was requested from another agency and it was discovered that the driver had a semiautomatic pistol in the center console of his vehicle. The individual, a con-

noticed the subject did not want Eddins to see inside his shop. Eddins immediately noticed a 55-gallon drum and several other high dollar pieces of stainless equipment used for making moonshine. Eddins seized the evidence and turned it all over to TABC. Charges are pending.

victed felon, had previously spent time in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 11 years of age, 2nd degree rape, injury to a child less than 17 years of age, aggravated burglary, unlawful use of a credit card (all convictions), and a most recent charge by the U.S. Marshal’s Service for failing to register as a sex offender in Texas.

During the time he was out of the vehicle, he pled with the wardens to allow him to get his phone from the center console in order to call his boss and let him know he was going to be late to work. While searching the vehicle, a machete was discovered between the driver seat and console. Cases pending.

WARDENS RESCUE GRANDFATHER, GRANDSON AFTER BOATING ACCIDENT Jasper County Game Wardens Justin Eddins, Brooks Yeates and Morgan Inman responded to a 911 call on the Angelina River. There had been a boat accident where both of the occupants of the boat were severely injured. The wardens helped transport the injured from the river to a helicopter where they were transported to Beaumont.

The wardens secured all evidence, including the wrecked boat. It appears a grandfather and his grandson were returning to the boat ramp after fishing and hit a floating log while travelling around 50 mph. The boat went out of control and hit a bluff bank.

GROUP OF YOUNG DUCK SHOOTERS SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN MATH CLASS Taylor County Game Warden James Cummings was handed an envelope, addressed to him, that arrived at the Abilene office. The letter had no return address and contained a brief, three-line statement and three photographs copied from Instagram. The photos showed several local teens who claimed to have shot 42 ducks on the last day of duck season. The statement named two individuals.

Cummings and Abilene Administrative Tech Merry Schwarz located the individuals through Internet searches.

Cummings contacted the two individuals, who said they had two other hunters with them, so they could not have shot the ducks. Cummings obtained statements from all four teens admitting they were hunting and shot too many ducks. One subject said that since there were four people hunting, they shouldn’t be over the limit and wondered why they were still receiving tickets. Cummings informed them the total limit for four hunters would be 24 ducks.

LICENSE NUMBER LEADS WARDEN TO CAST-NETTERS Denton County Game Wardens received a tip that three men were using a cast net to catch white bass.

Witnesses were able to provide a license plate. Griffin tracked the suspects to a Dallas apartment complex.

After contact and a short interview, multiple citations were issued.

IT HELPS TO UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE Williamson County Game Warden Joel Campos was checking fishermen along the San Gabriel River at the Dickerson River Bottom.

Campos heard one man tell another in Spanish to hide the casting net.

Several citations were issued for no fishing license, undersize crappie/ white bass and fishing with illegal means and method. Cases and restitution pending.

OFF-DUTY WARDEN HELPS NAB BOWFISHERMEN SHOOTING BASS Zapata County Game Wardens received information from an off-duty warden who was fishing on his day off. The off-duty warden had talked to several bow-fishermen who said they had shot one gar and one largemouth bass with a bow. The wardens located the boat described by the offduty warden, and after a brief water safety check and investigation, multiple water safety violations were present, along with the one illegally taken largemouth bass. Cases and restitution pending.

SOMEONE PUT THOSE SMALL CRAPPIE IN MY BASKET Taylor County Game Wardens Roy Johnson and James Cummings received a call informing them about a man at Lake Fort Phantom keeping undersized crappie. The wardens made contact with the man, who said he had caught a few fish but not many. A fish basket was located nearby that contained seven crappie, four of which were undersized. The man claimed that he leaves his fish basket at that location and sometimes people leave fish in it. Citations were issued for undersized crappie.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 11, 2014

Page 11

Gar Continued from Page 8

Both Bendele and Soele, along with Myers, said TWPD doesn’t have the information to halt fishing of alligator gar at Falcon. In 2009, TPWD set a one-gar limit for anglers across the state, and Soele said that alone has affected both the gar and bass populations across the area.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” he said.

“The worst thing Texas Parks and Wildlife has done for the gar is the limit. It turns everyone into a trophy hunter.”

He said the population of medium-sized gar — 3 to 5 feet — has increased, and they are “bass assassins.” The trophy-sized fish are generally too slow to catch any sort of bass, Soele pointed out.

Both sides of the argument agreed the issue is a lack of information, and Myers said Falcon could see regulation changes in the future following a several-week study by TPWD this month.

“We are going to need data before we make any change,” Myers said.

The survey of the fish population will include examinations of the size, numbers and diet of the fish to see what effect they are having on the ecosystem. But the information will not be limited to the fish; they are going to talk to anglers as well.

They should get an earful.

“I hold out hope that after they do a little research we’ll see things change,” Bendele said. “You can’t compare Falcon to the Trinity River or Sam Rayburn — they’re completely different regions.”

For now, Myers said his TPWD region is in a holding pattern before they make any sort of plans to change the regulations. He reiterated that spawning closures at Falcon are unlikely — they are optional — but possible.

“We’ll try to answer as many questions as we can about the gar,” Myers said. “There’s no guarantee an area will be shut down, but there’s also no guarantee an area won’t be shut down.”

BEATING THE ROCKS: Redfish anglers are finding good numbers of fish this month as winds push baitfish toward the Galveston jetties. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Redfish Continued from Page 9

not been impacted, and they are bringing in good numbers.

“It’s been pretty rough because of the oil spill, but hasn’t slowed down as far as the fishing goes,” Foster said.

Foster and Kreczkowski, along with Capt.

Mike Short of Get Hooked Fishing Charters, have been having luck throwing live shrimp and crabs near the rocks lining the jetties.

Foster said he tends to fish for the larger

bull redfish near the jetties that have a wave break, speculating that small fish are pushed along the rocks.

“It’s not hard to catch a redfish when you’ve been doing this as long as I have,” Foster said.

As for artificials, the guides said it has been slower, because of the cooler temperatures, but that could change with any warm spell.

Warmer temperatures will begin to push the fish out towards the causeway bridge, Kreczkowski said. He has been using crankbaits, along with blue and white soft

plastics.

Short said the fishing has been excellent across the island, especially considering they have cool temperatures and oil to contend with. His crew is hoping the negative press from the oil spill will fade away in the near future.

“The truth is, the fishing is better than ever,” he said. “(The negative perception) should be changing any day now.”

Capt. Adam Kreczkowski, (903) 390-6652 Capt. Rusty Foster, (409) 750-2430 Capt. Mike Short, (409) 698-7112

Page 12

April 11, 2014

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

2014 TEXAS BAG LIMITS Saltwater

Freshwater Daily Length In Bag Inches

Daily Bag

Length Inches

Amberjack, Greater

1

34 - No Limit

Bass: striped, hybrids

5

18 - No Limit

Catfish: channel, blue

25

12 - No Limit

Catfish, flathead

5

18 - No Limit

18 inches

No Limit

14 - No Limit

Bass, striped & hybrid striped

5

Catfish, gafftopsail Cobia

2

37 - No limit

Bass, white

25

10 inches

Drum, black

5

14 - 30 in.

Drum, red

3

20 - 28 in.

Bass, yellow

No limit

No min.

Flounder

5/2

Gar, alligator

1

Grouper, gag

2

Species

Grouper, goliath

14 - No limit No limit 22 - No limit Catch and release only

Mackerel, king

2

27 - No limit

Mackerel, Spanish

15

14 - No limit

Marlin, blue

No limit

131 - No limit

Marlin, white

No limit

86 - No limit

Mullet

No limit

No limit - 12

Sailfish

No limit

84 - No limit

Seatrout, spotted

10

15 - 25 inches

Species

Bass: • largemouth and 5 smallmouth • spotted & Guadalupe 5

14 inches No min.

Catfish: channel & blue 25

12 inches

Catfish, flathead

18 inches

5

Crappie: white & black 25

10 inches

Paddlefish

No harvest allowed

Gar, alligator

1

No min.

Saugeye

3

18 inches

Sunfish: various species included

No limit

No min.

Trout: rainbow & brown 5

No min.

Walleye

No min.

5

Sharks: • Atlantic sharpnose,

1

• Other shark species

1

24 - No limit blacktip, bonnethead

• Prohibited species

64 - No limit Catch and release only

Sheepshead

5

Snapper, lane

No limit

Snapper, red

4

Snapper, vermilion

No limit

Snook

1

24 - 28 inches

Tarpon

1

85 - No limit

Triggerfish, gray

20

16 - No limit

Tripletail

3

17 - No limit

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15 - No limit 8 - No limit 15 - No limit 10 - No limit

Consult www.tpwd.state.tx.us for additional regulations.

EXPIRES AUG. 31, 2014

Make the adventure last with ICEHOLE coolers

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hether you are drifting for trout along the Texas coast or throwing plastics to spawning bass, keeping your fish, ice, food and drinks colder longer is paramount. The ICEHOLE High-Performance Cooler sets the standard for toughness and long-lasting cold food and drink.

The family owned business has supplied the U.S. military with products for an array of combat vehicles and equipment. Using the same military specifications when deciding to manufacture coolers, ICEHOLE’s design features a custom engineered one-piece exclusive freezer seal design with no adhesives or seams causing air infiltration, assuring a tight fit that makes the cold stay in and the warm air stay out. Other features include non-skid feet, a leak-proof drainage system and latches from the U.S. military’s M2 Bradley fighting vehicle.

ICEHOLE takes pride in its coolers being 100-percent American made, removing the risk of foreign components compromising the coolers.

To prove it, every cooler has its own serial number and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Lone Star Outdoor News put the ICEHOLE 60-quart cooler to the test on several hot South Texas days this past season. After long days of filling feeders, checking game cameras, scouting for deer and doing other chores, the drinks were gone but the ice was hardly affected. We suggested a new slogan for when you aren’t driving or handling a firearm, “You’ll run out of beer before you run out of ice.”

ICEHOLE Coolers / iceholecoolers.com / (830)-895-4405

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

Rapala unveils shallow- and deep-water scatter raps

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ith Rapala’s release of new shallow- and deep-running Scatter Raps, bass can run, but have nowhere left to hide.

“I’ve fished them both and they are incredible,” said Rapala Pro Ott DeFoe, the 2011 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year. “I like the originals, but these two new ones are very exciting. The actions are just out of this world.”

While the initial Scatter Rap models covered the mid-depth range, the new Scatter Rap Crank Shallow brings Scatter Rap action to the 4-foot depth range and the Scatter Rap Crank Deep dives 10 to 12 feet. But the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story — Scatter Raps not only cover the water column vertically, they extend coverage horizontally as well.

“That allows you to cover so much more water and so much more efficiently,” said Rapala Pro Brandon Palaniuk, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic runner-up.

Featuring what’s best described as evasive action, Scatter Raps “perfectly mimic a spooked baitfish fleeing attack, moving from one side to the next, triggering reactive bites,” said Rapala Pro Mike “Ike” Iaconelli, the 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion.

Built on classic Rapala balsa body shapes, Scatter Raps derive their name and signature sweeping action from an innovative, patentpending, curved Scatter Lip. Both the Scatter Rap Crank Shallow and Scatter Rap Crank Deep measure 2 inches and weigh 5/16 oz. They run silently, float when paused and come with No. 5 black-nickel round-bend VMC hooks. They come in 18 color patterns, including four new “Ike’s Custom Ink” patterns — Bruise, Girlfriend, Mule and Rasta. The suggested retail price is $8.99.

Rapala / rapala.com

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT Cats on Houston LAKE HOUSTON — For anglers hoping to get in some early spring catfishing trips, the guides at Lake Houston Catfishing Guide Service report a good bite for blues.

“Channel cats are hitting mostly shallow water near bulkheads and weeded shorelines,” they said.

“Blues are in deeper water — 11 to 25 feet. Channels are averaging around 2 pounds with blues averaging around 4 pounds. Several blues are being caught each day to around 10 pounds.

“The crappie are also biting well in 5 to 10 feet of water.”

To contact Lake Houston Catfishing Guide Service, call (832) 439-7103.

Tough bite LAKE ALAN HENRY — According to angler Thad Rains on the Texas Fishing Forum, the Working

AMISTAD: Water fairly clear; 63–67 degrees; 35.26’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits, jerkbaits, soft plastics and jigs. Striped bass are fair on slabs and small crankbaits.

ATHENS: Water clear; 58–63 degrees; 0.13’ high. Largemouth bass are good on white spinner baits and shad-pattern shallow crankbaits along the shoreline. Some fish being caught on watermelon soft plastics.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

BASTROP: Water clear; 62–66 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on dark soft plastics, crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs over brush piles.

BELTON: Water clear; 58–62 degrees; 9.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on lipless crankbaits and spinner baits. Hybrid striper are good on downriggers. White bass are slow.

Crappie are fair on minnows around structure under lights at night.

BOB SANDLIN: Water clear; 59–63 degrees; 2.89’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged lizards and creature baits. Some fish are being caught from beds as well. Crappie are good on minnows and white jigs.

White bass are good on slabs.

BONHAM: Water stained, 57–62 degrees; 2.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits and spinner baits as well as soft plastics. Crappie are good. Catfish are good on jug lines.

BRAUNIG: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits and Lipless crankbaits near the dam.

Striped bass are fair down rigging silver and gold spoons and marble spinner baits near the dam.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear, 56–60 degrees; 21.46’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Bahama milk-color crankbaits. Crappie are good on chartreuse jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Channel catfish are good on trotlines.

BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 59–63 degrees; 10.77’ low. Largemouth bass to 10 pounds are good on crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinner baits and jigs around docks in 4–8 feet.

BUCHANAN: Water stained; 61–65 degrees; 31.08’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkin jigs, jerkbaits and Carolina-rigged lizards along break lines and ledges. Striped bass are good drifting live bait in

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25–35 feet, and trolling white/chartreuse striper jigs and crankbaits.

White bass are fair on slabs and crankbaits in creeks.

6” Yumdingers and spinner baits.

Striped bass are slow. Channel and blue catfish are good on frozen shrimp, stinkbait, and cut bait.

CADDO: Water stained; 58– 63 degrees; 0.99’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits and weightless soft plastics.

White and yellow bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad.

FAYETTE: Water stained. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin Carolina-rigged soft plastics off deep points. Channel and blue catfish are good.

CALAVERAS: Water clear. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on cut perch and shad along the shoreline.

CANYON LAKE: Water murky; 61–65 degrees; 8.45’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jerkbaits and Texas-rigged worms on shaky jigheads in 20–25 feet. Striped bass are slow.

CEDAR CREEK: Water clear; 58–62 degrees; 3.97’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on spinner baits and square-billed crankbaits. White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and white jigs. Catfish are good on cut shad and trotlines.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 63–67 degrees; 23.80’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinner baits and heavy jigs in grass. White bass are good on minnows and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and white tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are good on stinkbait and live perch.

COLEMAN: Water clear; 60–64 degrees; 16.32’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and lipless crankbaits. Hybrid striper are slow.

Crappie are fair on minnows over brush piles. Channel catfish are good on stinkbait and nightcrawlers.

FORK: Water clear; 59–63 degrees; 4.24’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged plastics in super bug around shallow stumps. Bed fish being caught on white Zoom Speed Craws.

FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 13.35’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair to good on live minnows. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers.

GIBBONS CREEK: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on pumpkinseed soft plastics, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and pink tube jigs.

GRANBURY: Water stained; 59–63 degrees; 10.02’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse/black soft plastics and lipless crankbaits over grass. Striped bass are fair on silver striper jigs. White bass are fair on minnows.

GRANGER: Water clear; 61–65 degrees; 0.16’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on white spinner baits and soft plastic worms upriver. White bass are good on pet spoons and spinner baits at Dickerson’s Bottom. Crappie are slow. Blue catfish are fair on juglines baited with shad.

COLETO CREEK: Water clear; 68 degrees in main lake, 94 degrees at hot water discharge; 3.87’ low.

Largemouth bass to 6 pounds are good on soft plastics and spinner baits in 6–10 feet.

GRAPEVINE: Water clear; 57–61 degrees; 10.04’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits in pumpkinseed and white spinner baits. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are good on slabs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad and trotlines.

CONROE: Water stained; 59–63 degrees; 0.47’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on pumpkinseed soft plastics, crankbaits, and lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are fair on silver striper jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 63–67 degrees; 0.09’ high. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and grubs in coves near the dam.

Bream are slow.

COOPER: Water clear; 66–70 degrees; 12.55’ low. Largemouth bass are good on medium crankbaits and Carolina-rigged plastics up to 15’ deep. Crappie are fair on jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are good.

FALCON: Water clear; 62–66 degrees; 24.24’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon red Brush Hogs,

HUBBARD CREEK: Water offcolor; 57–61 degrees; 24.35’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair to good on Senkos, flukes, Texas rigs and shallow-running crankbaits in 1–5 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows.

JOE POOL: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 1.40’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on shallow crankbaits and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are

Mans Tournament was a tough one this year on Alan Henry, with many bass in the 1- to 2-pound range being caught.

Rains said water temperatures were in the mid-50s, with some bass being caught on crankbaits, shaky heads and a few on buzzbaits.

Deeper is better WHEELER BRANCH RESERVOIR — This small reservoir near Glen Rose has been producing solid catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass, according to Steve Schwartz of LSON who fished the lake last weekend. Bass were caught in 15 to 25 feet of water using small silver spoons and crankbaits. The shallow bite near cover did not produce, as colder weather pushed fish back off of spawning flats to deeper cuts.

— Conor Harrison

good on slabs. Catfish are good on prepared bait.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 59–63; degrees; 1.28’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on flipping jigs and lipless crankbaits. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on trotlines and cut shad.

LAVON: Water lightly stained; 57–61 degrees; 12.36’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on black/blue flipping jigs and green pumpkin creature baits. White bass are fair on slabs.

Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on trotlines.

LBJ: Water stained; 62–66 degrees; 0.30’ low. Largemouth bass are slow.

Striped bass are fair on white striper jigs. White bass are fair jigging jigs and Pirk Minnows.

LEWISVILLE: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 7.97’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged craws in green pumpkin near shallow cover.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on jigs. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

SEE MORE

■ Saltwater fishing reports: Page 8 LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 60– 64 degrees; 0.32’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow.

Crappie are very good on minnows.

Blue catfish are good on shad.

MARTIN CREEK: Water clear; 68–71 degrees; 0.03 high. Largemouth bass are fair on shallow crankbaits and weightless soft plastics. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are good on minnows.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 59– 65 degrees; 0.94’ high. Largemouth bass are good on black and blue flipping jigs and Texas-rigged green pumpkin creature baits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on nightcrawlers.

NAVARRO MILLS: Water murky; 59–63 degrees. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies. Crappie are good on min-

nows and pink tube jigs. Channel and blue catfish are fair on chicken livers and stinkbait.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 56–61 degrees; 46.69’ low. Largemouth bass are fair to good on Senkos, jigs and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows.

OAK CREEK: Water stained; 56–61 degrees; 22.77’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs, weightless soft plastics and jigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

PALESTINE: Water clear; 56–61 degrees; 0.31’ high. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin wacky worms. Crappie are good on jigs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs.

White bass are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on trotlines.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water fairly clear; 56–62 degrees; 13.93’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on flukes, jigs and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers.

PROCTOR: Water stained; 60–64 degrees; 8.58’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon lipless crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair trolling crankbaits.

Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfish are good on live shad and shrimp.

RAY HUBBARD: Water clear; 57–61 degrees; 7.52’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits and Texas-rigged soft plastic craws.

Crappie are good on chartreuse jigs.

White bass are good on slabs. Hybrid striper are good on slabs. Catfish are good on trotlines and cut shad.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 56–60 degrees; 8.06’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas-rigged watermelon red creature baits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on minnows. Catfish are good on cut shad.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water lightly stained; 57–62 degrees; 7.44’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on medium- and deep-diving crankbaits.

White bass are good on jigs and minnows. Hybrid striper are good on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows. Catfish are good on trotlines and cut shad.

SAM RAYBURN: Water murky; 61–65 degrees; 2.73’ low. Largemouth bass are good on Carolina-rigged green pumpkin soft plastics, crankbaits and spinner baits. White

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

bass are good on live minnows and watermelon jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and green tube jigs. Bream are fair on worms.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 61–65 degrees; 2.46’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin spinner baits and lipless crankbaits. Hybrid striper are fair on silver striper jigs.

White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 60–64 degrees; 11.24’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and spinner baits. Crappie are good on minnows and yellow tube jigs.

SWEETWATER: Water murky; 55–59 degrees; 24.46’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Senkos, lipless crankbaits and Texas rigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfish are fair to good on prepared bait.

TAWAKONI: Water stained; 57–61 degrees; 9.85’ low. Largemouth bass are good on green pumpkin or black and blue flipping jigs. Crappie are good on jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Striped bass and hybrid striper are good on slabs.

TEXOMA: Water clear; 57–60 degrees; 8.81’ low. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads and Texasrigged worms. Crappie are good on chartreuse jigs. Striped bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad and trotlines.

TOLEDO BEND: Water murky; 59–63 degrees; 1.99’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon and watermelon red soft plastics and spinner baits. Striped bass are fair on live bait.

TRAVIS: Water murky; 61–65 degrees; 53.62’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on smoke grubs, white jigs, and crawfish crankbaits in 8–20 feet. Striped bass are fair on white spoons in 20–40 feet. White bass are fair on white spoons and chrome crankbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and pink tube jigs.

WALTER E. LONG: Water lightly stained. Largemouth bass are fair on white crankbaits and chartreuse soft plastics and lipless crankbaits.

Hybrid striper are fair on silver slabs. White bass are good on perch colored spinner baits.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 58–62 degrees; 12.23’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Striped bass are fair on white striper jigs. White bass are fair on minnows. Crappie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs.

Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and stinkbait.

Uncle Josh, said they created the new pork baits as an alternative to live bait.

“We wanted a product that catches fish like live bait but doesn’t have all the hassle and cost of live bait,” he said. “Let’s face it, a juicy crawler will catch about anything that swims — we wanted that type of fish catching ability in a product that is much more user-friendly. Our pork baits are made with real crawlers, minnows, and leeches but they never die, stay on the hook longer, and are easier to rig.”

Have the best fishing bait for the job when you can quickly switch from Uncle Josh’s Meat Night Crawler or Leech to the Meat Craw or Meat Frog. The lifelike scent trail left by Uncle Josh’s Meat fishing baits will have a line of fish following your hook.

Available for fresh or saltwater in a wide range of sizes, shapes and colors, check out the new line of Meat freshwater and saltwater fishing baits at unclejosh.com.

The ‘live’ bait that never dies New pork baits from Uncle Josh like the real thing, but better

U

ncle Josh, the original manufacturer of pork baits, has kicked things up a significant notch by creating a new and improved series of pork baits made out of pork fat and 100 percent natural ingredients. The baits get their scents from leeches, minnows, and real night crawlers providing a lure that caches fish like live bait with none of the problems of live bait.

Kurt Kellogg, owner of

Uncle Josh Bait Company / unclejosh.com / (866)-BIG-BASS

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

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PRODUCTS HYDRO-FLO FLEX ‘N GO SATCHEL: This versatile tackle case from Plano Molding features a deep storage bin with adjustable compartments on one side and two 3600 HydroFlo StowAway Utility Boxes on the other. This innovative configuration enables anglers to quickly customize their gear for each outing. And its utility boxes, which are easy to clean between fishing trips, will keep gear dry.

The double-sided storage box offers fixed and removable storage options. The Flex ’N Go Satchel, which measures 15.375 inches by 11.875 inches by 4.875 inches, is available in blue and yellow and tan and brown. It costs about $38.

(800) 226-9868 www.planomolding.com

For information, visit: www.rapala.com

>>

SCATTER RAP CRANK DEEP & SHALLOW LURES: Rapala’s lure series with the one-of-akind Scatter Lip and evasive, erratic swimming action now offers the Scatter Rap Crank Deep, whose elongated lip allows the lure to dive quickly and work the deep side of the water column, and the Scatter Rap Crank Shallow, whose shorter lip design takes the action to the shallow 4- to 5-foot depth range. Both come armed with premium VMC Hooks and are available in 18 color patterns. Especially potent when targeting bass, the lures’ compact balsa body delivers a responsive action that searches from side to side on the retrieve, mimicking a spooked baitfish fleeing attack and triggering strikes from multiple game species. The MSRP is $8.99.

MAGELLAN OUTDOORS POLARIZED SUNGLASSES: Academy Sports + Outdoors’ lightweight sunglasses offer tough black TR90 frames and highfidelity, encapsulated REVO blue mirror glass lenses that provide 100 percent protection against UV rays on those all-day sunshine-filled fishing trips. The lenses have an antireflective and scratchresistant coating. The sunglasses sell for just under $100.

>>

PHANTOM SERIES: Waterloo Rod Company U.S.A. has introduced the Phantom Series, designed specifically for the avid universal angler.

Offered in 6-foot, 6-inch medium light, 6-foot, 6-inch medium fast, 7-foot medium light, 7-foot spinning medium action and 7-foot, 6-inch medium action, these rods are very lightweight and sensitive.

They are manufactured in North America with a split-grip model, Fugi reel seats, 3:16 stainless steel Keegan guides and are the most versatile rods Waterloo makes. Anglers can fish with tails, plastics, popping corks, spoons and many more baits with these rods.

Available at Academy, Rockport Tackle Town and Tackle Box in Victoria.

>>

>>

HYPER-LIFT BAY BOAT: Xpress Boats starts with its Hyper-Lift Hull to build this agile and durable boat. Xpress Boats promises that in sea of options, its “HBay” platform rides and performs better than any other in its category. A guide favorite, this striking fishing boat offers plentiful storage, including a live well, bait well and rod holders. It offers comfortable, dry seating. And, it is available in 18-foot, 20-foot, 22-foot and 24-foot lengths. The H22B with F150LA, shown, sells for about $27,895, which does not include dealer prep or freight charges.

(501) 262-5300 www.xpress.com

>>

(888) 922-2336 www.academy.com

(361) 573-0300 www.waterloorods.com

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LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

Lower seatrout limits creeping up coast Five-fish daily bag approved by TPW Commission

By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS

Anglers looking to catch a 10-trout limit after Sept. 1 need to head to the Upper Coast of Texas.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commisioners approved a measure that extends a five-fish bag limit currently in effect in the Lower Laguna Madre up the coast through the Highway 457 bridge near Sargent with a five-year sunset date. The commission also modified the original proposal to set the possession limit on spotted seatrout for the area from the Lower Laguna Madre to the Highway 457 bridge to twice the daily bag limit (10 fish in possession).

The changes were not met with smiling faces in the new areas, although the regulations that were changed several years ago in the Lower Laguna Madre have had a positive effect on the fishery, according to area guides.

“A number of our guides attended the meeting(s) and, based on the fact that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s own gill-net surveys show no shortage of trout or flounder in our area from Port O’Connor to Port Mansfield, we are against any changes that would affect bag limits or changing season dates,” said Coastal Bend Guides Association Director Chuck West.

In other changes to saltwater fishing regulations, the commission extended the two flounder per day bag limit restrictions currently in effect for the month of November into the first two weeks of

December. During these first two weeks of December, however, harvest would be allowed by any legal means.

For freshwater, the commission approved changes to the rainbow and brown trout fishery along a section of the Guadalupe River below Canyon Reservoir establishing a 12- to 18-inch slot length limit with a five-fish daily bag limit, harvest by artificial lures only, and only one trout over 18 inches could be retained.

The new regulation zone would begin 800 yards downstream from the Canyon Dam release and extend downstream to the easternmost Highway 306 bridge crossing.

The commission also granted authority for TPWD’s executive director to impose temporary prohibition of alligator gar fishing in specified areas to provide additional protection during spawning activity. Closures would be invoked in a selected area, limited to no more than 30 days, and occur only in areas having an active moderate flood event with water temperatures within an optimum range for alligator gar spawning.

In other freshwater fishing regulation changes, the commission adopted the following: • Texas/Louisiana Border Waters (Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake, and the Lower Sabine River in Newton and Orange Counties): regulations for blue and channel catfish changed to no minimum length limit and a 50-fish daily bag limit in any combination, of which no more than five blue or channel catfish 30 inch-

New Guide Series bags keep the fun in fishing

L

ife is a workstation. The world is laid out before you and it’s how you manipulate the components that governs success or failure. Successful individuals organize and manage life’s bits and pieces, keeping factors and faces compartmentalized and within reach.

Significant to sporting types is maintaining control and organization of one’s gear. In fishing, that means isolating tackle by species, technique, season and lure size. Since tackle first went in boxes, Plano has given anglers the organizational tools to manage perhaps the most diverse and potentially chaotic collection of things — fishing lures.

For 2014, improving upon the improved, Plano brings the reengineered Guide Series Tackle Bag collection. For years, the Guide Series has yielded the utmost in tackle storage solutions.

But unwavering in its pursuit of perfection, Plano has implemented a game-changing feature: a work surface.

Instead of being just the top tray, the new Guide Series tackle bags provide a workbench surface to individualize the way you fish. A StowAway tackle box rests in an accessible, molded depression on the top while five additional boxes stand at the ready inside.

Tackle storage visionary Tom Neustrom gives the new design his respected seal of approval.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “The top of the bag has been converted into the workingman’s platform. I can study jig sizes and colors for bass, and by just swapping a StowAway, be instantly rerigging for crappies.”

Other features include a molded, impact-resistant waterproof base that makes the Guide Series as rugged as it is ingenious. The outside features two padded pockets for sunglasses, a smartphone and other valuables; cavernous easy-access compartments flank its sides and a clear, zippered pocket under the top cover is ideal for maps and that often misplaced fishing license.

Available in four sizes, the Guide Series model and coming with up to six StowAway boxes.

And that makes fishing more fun.

Plano / planomolding.com

See REGULATIONS, Page 9

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT Afternoon bite ROLLOVER PASS — The best trout bite has been on an incoming tide with strong moving water pushing bait through the pass, according to multiple Internet reports.

The trout have been hitting better in the afternoons on jigs and shrimp, along with some twitchbaits.

Also, flounder are becoming more plentiful fishing soft plastics and dead shrimp, along with the occasional redfish.

Few, but good ones BAFFIN BAY — The weekend trout bite was tougher than in past weeks, but anglers reported if you had a strike, it was likely a good fish.

Multiple reports on 2coolfishing.com confirmed the big fish are biting in Baffin, but patience is needed.

Fat Boys in pink have been working, along with

NORTH SABINE: Trout are fair to good on the Louisiana shoreline on top-waters and Corkies. Flounder are fair on jigs tipped with shrimp around marsh drains. Redfish are good in the marsh.

SOUTH SABINE: Sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good around Blue Buck Point on top-waters and live shrimp.

BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and plugs. Black drum and redfish are good at Rollover Pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on soft plastics, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Trout are fair for waders on the east shoreline on top-waters.

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EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and twitchbaits. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp. Black drum are fair to good in the Ship Channel on crabs.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters working shell on live shrimp. Trout, sheepshead, redfish and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and croakers. Redfish are good in the back lakes on shrimp and scented plastics.

TEXAS CITY: Redfish are fair to good in Moses Lake on shrimp.

Trout and black drum are good on the reefs on live shrimp.

FREEPORT: Trout are fair at San Luis Pass on live bait. Sand trout, trout, redfish and sheepshead are

soft plastics in Morning Glory color. The trout are shallow and on some sort of structure like rock or shell.

Shallow is best SABINE LAKE — With a north wind blowing, Capt. Lindy Hebert headed for the north end of Sabine Lake and found trout, redfish and flounder.

Most of the fish the past few weeks have been caught shallow in less than 4 feet of water.

Scented plastics have put plenty of redfish in the boat and trout are beginning to start their Sabine springtime pattern.

High tides have pushed in plenty of bait and higher winds, but Hebert said just go to the side of the lake that doesn’t have as much wind — usually the fish will also be there.

To contact Capt. Lindy Hebert, call (409) 720-8148.

good on live shrimp on the reefs in Christmas Bay and at the jetties.

Bull redfish are good just off the beach on crabs.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair to good over deep shell on pumpkinseed plastics, scented plastics and live shrimp. Trout and redfish are fair for drifters in the back lakes on live shrimp.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfish are fair to good on the edge of Oyster Lake on shrimp and crabs. Black drum and redfish are fair to good at the jetty on crabs.

PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfish are fair on soft plastics over sand and grass. Trout and redfish are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp. Trout, black drum and redfish are good at the jetty on mullet.

— Conor Harrison

ROCKPORT: Trout are fair to good in Morris–Cummings Cut on free– lined shrimp. Black drum are good in the Lydia Ann Channel on crabs.

Redfish are fair to good on the Estes Flats on mullet and crabs.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfish are fair to good at East Flats on gold spoons and small top-waters. Black drum are good in the Shrimpboat Channel on crabs and finger mullet.

Redfish, trout and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on scented plastics and live shrimp.

Black drum and redfish are fair to good in the Packery Channel on crabs. Trout are good in Oso Bay on top-waters.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good over sand and grass on soft plas-

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

tics and other paddle–tailed baits.

Black drum are good in the Land Cut on crabs. Redfish are fair on mullet at Yarborough.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on top-waters around sand and grass. Redfish are fair to good while drifting pot holes. Black drum and redfish are good on crabs at East Cut. SOUTH PADRE: Trout are good around the spoil islands, channel edges and color changes on artificial shrimp and live shrimp. Black drum and redfish have been taken at the jetty on shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: Trout are fair to good on sand bars on DOA Shrimp and live shrimp. Redfish are fair to good at in the back lakes on DOA Shrimp and live shrimp.

Capt. Carl’s floating cabins offer fun, fishing Spring is upon us and summer is fast approaching.

What could be better than spending a couple of days on a floating cabin in the Upper Laguna Madre, Land Cut or Baffin Bay? Captain Carl and Judy Wentrcek have four different floating cabins in the Corpus Christ-area available for single night or weekend rentals.

Two are located in the Upper Laguna Madre, one is in Baffin Bay and the other is in the Land Cut. People have the time of their lives fishing from these cabins, especially at night when the surrounding waters come alive with baitfish attracted to the cabin’s lights.

Below is a sample of what happy clients had to say after spending a night or two on the water.

• Greetings Capt. Carl and Judy, I just wanted to express my thanks for providing my group with a fishing experience we’ll always remember. We had such a good time.

I’m ready to schedule another outing. Again, thank you.

• Judy, We all had a wonderful time catching fish and

my wife truly enjoyed her birthday bash. We plan to visit the cabin again in the near future.

Rhod, San Antonio, Nov. 2013 • Capt. Carl and Judy, We had a lot of fun. The water was “boiling” with trout and skip jack Saturday night before the front. The cabin was in top shape and a great new generator!

Thank you, Carl, San Antonio, March 5, 2014 • Capt. Carl and Judy, We had another memorable experience on the floating cabin. The night fishing is amazing!

Thank you very much!

Rene, San Antonio • Judy, Just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful time at the cabin.

We will be booking it again — thanks so much!

We were fishing fools!

Thanks again, Cindy, Victoria, Feb., 2014

Regulations

blue catfish, largemouth bass, or any sunfish species.

• Canyon Lake Project #6: Harvest regulation for channel and blue catfish changed to no minimum length limit and a five-fish daily bag and anglers restricted to only two poles.

• North Concho River from O. C. Fisher Dam to Bell Street Dam and the South Concho River from Lone Wolf Dam to Bell Street Dam: Anglers restricted to using two poles.

• Recreational anglers who fish with jug lines will be allowed to use floats of any color, except orange. Commercial anglers will continue to be restricted to using orangecolored floats.

Continued from Page 7

es or longer could be retained.

• Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir: the special limits for freshwater lakes where red drum have been stocked are removed and regulations revert to statewide length limits (20-inch minimum length limit, 28-inch maximum length limit, and harvest of up to two red drum 28 inches or longer per year with trophy drum tag). Bag limit remains at three.

• Lake Kyle: regulations changed to catch and release (no harvest) of channel and

captaincarl.com (800)-368-8175

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

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LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

Frabill’s Crankbait Net – the angler’s dream

Y

ou would think it would be all high fives — after all, you just landed the behemoth bass that gobbled your crankbait moments ago.

But it’s no Kodak moment.

On the floor lies your fish, now wound tighter in the net than a fly in a blackwidow’s web. The lure’s hooks have sewn the now encased fish shut well beyond what any surgeon would suture. The fish needs to be released. Pocket knife here you come. Your net is about to meet its maker.

Talk about creating a cranky situation...

But this unhooking horror story’s a thing of the past with Frabill’s new Crankbait Net. Designed for quick removal of multiple-hook lures, the specialty netting takes the sting out of crankbaits, topwaters, swimbaits and any other bait sprouting hooks.

“This isn’t just another rubber net. In fact, it’s not just another coated net. This netting was developed after several years of trial and error to perfect its design,” said Freshwater Hall of Fame inductee and Frabill prostaffer Tom Neustrom. “From the way the material is woven, to the shape of the loop and the composite of the coating, this netting makes untangling hooks a breeze.”

It all starts with the Crankbait Net’s unique hexagonal mesh that resists snarls from all styles of hooks. Second is the fabric’s knotless composition that further denies

hook-points. Third, the meshing is sealed in poke-resistant double-dipped flat-black vinyl coating, which means there’s nothing for even the most razor-sharp hook’s point to penetrate.

The Crankbait Net is now offered in three sizes and on a number of Frabill’s most admired hoop and handle options, including the Conservation Series 9517, 9521 and 9522, and the Conservation’s saltwater-safe 9510, 9512 and 9515, as well the Tru-Trax 3813 and 3814 and Sportsman Net’s 3443 and 3444.

Don’t be afraid to ladle up a lunker next time one smashes a crankbait. Frabill’s new Crankbait Net takes the crankiness out of fishing — and that’s definitely a high-five moment.

Frabill/ frabill.com

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

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LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS O Texas Fishing Spring Annual 2014

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 11, 2014

Page 13

Prairie chickens Continued from Page 1

ment and Natural Resource Conservation Service, was issued several permits, and filled all of the tags.

“After that, the numbers just dropped,” he said. “Each year, we would see only a few.”

The ranch has since been sold to The Nature Conservancy and TPWD, and is still managed for lesser prairiechickens. Joint conservation efforts have been established in the five states making up the birds’ range: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado, involving each of the state agencies, landowners and industry.

“We are justifiably proud that 32 companies, particularly in the oil and gas sector, have voluntarily committed to enroll more than 3.5 million acres and provide more than $21 LAST HARVEST: Todd Baxter of Austin unknowingly participated in Texas’ last lesser prairiechicken hunt more than six years ago and preserved his trophies. Photo by Todd Baxter. million to conserve prairie-chicken habitat, as part of a comprehensive, the listing. hunt these birds may be lost,” he said. science-based conservation stratThe special rule, TPWD announced “It’s a fascinating bird and very diffiegy under the range-wide plan,” said on its website, does provide some cult to hunt — and it wasn’t hunting Carter Smith, TPWD executive direc- good news for landowners. that had anything to do with the detor and president of the Western Asso“There are still several avenues for cline.” ciation of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. landowners such as ranchers and inIslett said the management should Despite the massive conservation ef- dustry groups like oil and gas com- be left to the states. fort, on March 27, The U.S. Fish and panies to obtain assurances that will “The feds superseding us frustrates Wildlife Service listed the species as protect them from the regulatory me as a sportsman,” he said. “Some “threatened” under the Endangered constraints of the Endangered Species people don’t understand that sportsSpecies Act. Act,” the site said. man are the first line of protection — “We at Texas Parks and Wildlife, Landowners who have not volun- nobody cares about an animal more along with all of our partners who tarily enrolled in conservation pro- than a person that hunts it, and nohave worked tirelessly to conserve the grams may be subject to regulation, body cares about a stream more than lesser prairie-chicken and its habitat, though, and TPWD suggests they get a fly-fisherman.” are obviously disappointed with the with TPWD and/or their local NRCS Smith said the focus now shifts to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s deci- office for details to get involved in the the bird’s recovery. sion to list the bird as threatened,” conservation effort.

“The significance and gravity of a Smith said.

“There will be another sign-up for game bird being added to the endanUSFWS praised the states’ efforts, but the range-wide plan this fall,” said gered species list should not be lost on it didn’t stop the agency from mak- Calvin Richardson, wildlife district anyone,” he said. “It is sobering and ing the lesser prairie-chicken the first leader with TPWD. “And the NRCS not a precedent any of us wanted to game bird listed in Texas. However, program is similar, just at a federal see established. Rest assured we will the agency did issue a special rule level.” continue to do everything we can exempting those participating in the Other states weren’t as congenial. with our private landowner, business, conservation efforts from further reg- Oklahoma and Kansas sued USFWS government, and nonprofit partners ulation of activities. over the decision. to recover this species to huntable “The special rule will allow the five “It’s the declaration of ‘threatened.’ numbers again. Anything else would range states to continue to manage That’s the line that we did not want be a disservice to the species and conservation efforts for the species them to come across,” Kansas Gover- sportsmen of Texas.” and avoid further regulation of ac- nor Sam Brownback said. “They went And what became of the two birds Istivities such as oil and gas develop- ahead and did it.” lett took years ago? ment and utility line maintenance Islett, a former chairman of the Texas “I had them mounted and they are at that are covered under the Western Legislature’s Sportsman’s Caucus, was the National Windmill Museum (now Association of Fish and Wildlife Agen- saddened by the listing. the American Wind Power Center) in cies’ range-wide conservation plan,” “As a sportsman and a conservation- Lubbock,” he said.

USFWS said in its release announcing ist, it’s sad the opportunity to see and

Paper tourney Continued from Page 1

A BELIEVER: Johnny Allen holds a bass he caught recently in a bass club tournament where anglers catch, weigh and immediately release the fish. Photo by Johnny Allen.

erlive.com, that is available for bass clubs to purchase and use in their own tournaments.

“It runs off of our servers,” Rucks said. “It is not an app, though. We got such a demand from fans to be able to duplicate our scoring system.

We have a different business model where we don’t depend on huge

numbers of anglers to make money.

I think it is the wave of the future.”

Rucks said along with all of the anglers being able to see real-time scoring at all events, the “conservation value of this is huge.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries East Texas District Leader Craig Bonds said the de-

partment has been advocating paper tournaments for years because of the conservation benefits to largemouth bass.

“We’ve been advocating as many (tournaments) as possible to enact a catch-and-release model,” Bonds said. “Since 2007, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic has adopted that. The fish are weighed by an on-boat judge and released. Since then, MLF pros are doing it. From what I’ve seen, it has taken fish conservation to a whole new level.”

Bonds said when an angler catches a fish and releases that fish immediately, it has a 90 percent chance of survival. That number drops significantly when a bass is put in a livewell and taken to a weigh station.

“During warm weather, especially, if you put a big bass in a livewell, then in a weigh-in bag, then on scales, it puts a lot of stress on the fish,” he said. “We aren’t considering any changes to regulations, but we have been working with tournament directors trying to advocate this approach. I understand the crowds love to see big fish — I get that.

“The TTBC lets the anglers bring their biggest fish over a certain size to the weigh-in. The crowds don’t want to see a bunch of 2- and 3-pound bass, so I think it is a great compromise.”

Page 14

April 11, 2014

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

HEROES

Brothers MIKE AND TOM KIEFER, along with Tom’s son EVAN, 13, and several others shot limits of green-winged teal and one mallard drake on a hunt at Cedar Creek Resevoir.

Eight-year-old BRILEY and her uncle, JAMES NUGENT, with her first deer — this 8-pointer taken on Nugent’s deer lease near Junction.

TANNER PETTITT harvested his first deer in Jack County with a perfect 133-yard shot.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE ■ Want to share hunting and fishing photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers?

Email them with contact and caption information to editor@ lonestaroutdoornews.com.

High-resolution original jpegs only. Mail prints to Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

WILL SHARP nabbed this 5-pound bass on a popper with a fly rod while fishing with guide ALVIN DEDEAUX on the Colorado River.

KAYLA HUGHS, 3, caught her first crappie March 28 in Frisco.

Dallas angler PARKER MORGAN caught this 39.6-pound catfish on Lake Athens.

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Newsstand copies are $2, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2014 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material without written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or email them to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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Poached

Imports

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 5

time poacher who shot the buck between 1 and 4 a.m., leaving him to rot near a county road.

And Christmas wasn’t the only buck that has disappeared in the last few months. Two more bucks, Big Able and Able Jr., each sporting 160-class antlers, turned up missing without a trace. While he can’t prove it, Lavelle is convinced the other bucks met the same fate as Christmas.

“The last time I saw Able, a 10-point with massive antlers, was Jan. 6 when he came into my yard, ate corn off my table and then slept for three hours. Able Jr. was a massive 16-point nontypical. My theory is this — everyone who does something underhanded like this, they brag about it. They might tell someone and then they might have a falling out.

“We’re going to be really vigilant if this person makes a mistake.”

According to Willacy County Game Warden Oscar Casteneda, Christmas appeared to have been shot in an open pasture near the airport.

“We are running a metal detector to see if we can find any bullet fragments in the buck’s body,” Casteneda said. “By all ac-

MISSING SINCE JANUARY: Both of these bucks went missing from Port Mansfield. Both are believed to have been killed by poachers, according to local residents. Photo by Howard Steussy.

counts, it looks like the buck was shot. There was a pretty good blood trail from where we believe he was shot to where he was found.

“There aren’t many deer left with antlers.”

Another Port Mansfield resident, Howard Steussy, said he has many pictures and memories with the deer presumed to be poached.

“We’ve got some quality deer with some age on them down here,” he said. “A lot of them have

been hand-fed and they have some quality antlers — 160- to 180-class bucks. I think it is the same group or same guy.

“The other two deer that disappeared, I know they went the same way.”

Residents of Port Mansfield have posted a reward for information leading to an arrest, along with an Operation Game Thief reward.

If anyone has any information, call OTG, (800) 792-GAME, or Casteneda at (956) 245-9964.

Page15

in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

“Given the current situation on the ground in both Tanzania and Zimbabwe, the Service is unable to make positive findings required under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Endangered Species Act to allow import of elephant trophies from these countries,” USFWS said in its release. “Additional killing of elephants in these countries, even if legal, is not sustainable and is not currently supporting conservation efforts that contribute towards the recovery of the species.”

USFWS said it would reevaluate the suspension for calendar year 2015, and acknowledged that sport hunting can benefit the conservation of listed species.

“Legal, well-regulated sport hunting, as part of a sound management program, can benefit the conservation of listed species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve the species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation,” the agency said in its release. “At this time, the Service does not have conservation concerns with African elephant sport hunting in Namibia, South Africa, or Botswana; though it should be noted that Botswana is not currently open to sport hunting.”

O’Grady is best known for his experience while in the U.S. Air Force in June of 1995.

While helping enforce the NATO no-fly zone policy in the skies over Bosnia, he ejected after a Serbian anti-aircraft missile slammed into his F-16. Presumed lost for several days, O’Grady relied on his survival training to narrowly evade capture by Bosnian Serbs.

Signaling his presence to overhead American aircraft, O’Grady was picked up several hours later in a flawless Marine rescue effort that brought him to safety and soon after a White House celebration. His story, told in his book, “Return With Honor,” spent six weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.

— Staff report

Page 16

April 11, 2014

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Sun | Moon | Tides Texas Coast Tides Sabine Pass, north Date Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Apr 17 Apr 18 Apr 19 Apr 20 Apr 21 Apr 22 Apr 23 Apr 24 Apr 25

Time 2:07 AM 2:51 AM 3:32 AM 4:12 AM 4:52 AM 5:35 AM 6:22 AM 7:14 AM 8:14 AM 9:22 AM 2:41 AM 3:50 AM 5:02 AM 6:13 AM 7:19 AM

Height 1.5H 1.6H 1.7H 1.8H 1.8H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.8H 1.8H 0.1L 0.2L 0.4L 0.5L 0.6L

Time 8:04 AM 8:45 AM 9:24 AM 10:01 AM 10:38 AM 1:15 AM 11:54 AM 12:36 PM 1:25 PM 2:30 PM 10:34 AM 11:38 AM 12:28 PM 1:08 PM 1:43 PM

Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty Date Time Apr 11 2:07 AM Apr 12 3:11 AM Apr 13 4:05 AM Apr 14 4:48 AM Apr 15 5:28 AM Apr 16 6:13 AM Apr 17 7:14 AM Apr 18 8:20 AM Apr 19 12:54 AM Apr 20 1:50 AM Apr 21 2:45 AM Apr 22 3:41 AM Apr 23 5:00 AM Apr 24 12:15 AM Apr 25 1:36 AM

San Luis Pass

Date Time Apr 11 2:09 AM Apr 12 3:08 AM Apr 13 4:01 AM Apr 14 4:52 AM Apr 15 5:42 AM Apr 16 6:33 AM Apr 17 7:27 AM Apr 18 8:25 AM Apr 19 12:59 AM Apr 20 1:53 AM Apr 21 11:36 AM Apr 22 12:29 PM Apr 23 5:27 AM Apr 24 12:09 AM Apr 25 1:45 AM

Freeport Harbor Date Time Apr 11 1:34 AM Apr 12 2:32 AM Apr 13 3:24 AM Apr 14 4:13 AM Apr 15 5:01 AM Apr 16 5:51 AM Apr 17 6:43 AM Apr 18 7:40 AM Apr 19 12:04 AM Apr 20 12:57 AM Apr 21 2:00 AM Apr 22 3:15 AM Apr 23 4:40 AM Apr 24 6:09 AM Apr 25 12:56 AM

Rollover Pass

Date Time Apr 11 12:07 AM Apr 12 12:30 AM Apr 13 12:49 AM Apr 14 1:03 AM Apr 15 1:22 AM Apr 16 1:51 AM Apr 17 2:28 AM Apr 18 3:13 AM Apr 19 4:07 AM Apr 20 5:18 AM Apr 21 6:59 AM Apr 22 8:34 AM Apr 23 1:08 AM Apr 24 3:03 AM Apr 25 4:34 AM

Height 0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 1.1L 1.2L 1.3L 1.4L 1.4L 1.7H 1.7H 1.7H 1.7H 1.6H

Time 2:41 PM 2:59 PM 3:16 PM 3:33 PM 3:50 PM 4:08 PM 4:28 PM 4:52 PM 5:24 PM 6:11 PM 3:56 PM 5:19 PM 6:19 PM 7:06 PM 7:49 PM

Height 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H 1.6H 1.6H 1.6H 1.5H 1.4L 1.2L 1.0L 0.8L 0.5L

Time 8:24 PM 8:51 PM 9:22 PM 9:56 PM 10:32 PM 11:12 PM 11:56 PM 12:45 AM 1:40 AM

Height 0.8L 0.6L 0.4L 0.3 L 0.1 L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L

7:41 PM 10:12 PM 12:04 AM 1:25 AM 2:31 AM

1.5H 1.43H 1.5H 1.7H 1.8H

Height 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.8H 1.8H 1.9H 1.9H 1.9H -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L 0.2L 0.4L 1.4H 1.5H

Time 7:55 AM 8:41 AM 9:39 AM 10:31 AM 11:12 AM 11:51 AM 12:36 PM 1:30 PM 9:12 AM 10:00 AM 10:52 AM 11:46 AM 12:32 PM 6:23 AM 7:20 AM

Height 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 1.1L 1.2L 1.3L 1.4L 1.9H 1.9H 1.8H 1.8H 1.7H 0.6L 0.7L

Time 2:50 PM 3:21 PM 3:42 PM :42 PM 3:50 PM 4:12 PM 4:37 PM 5:01 PM 2:22 PM 3:08 PM 4:05 PM 6:13 PM 6:46 PM 1:10 PM 1:46 PM

Height 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.6H 1.4L 1.4L 1.3L 1.2L 1.0L 1.7H 1.6H

Time Height 8:16 PM 0.7L 8:51 PM 0.6L 9:32 PM 0.4L 10:12 PM 0.3L 10:49 PM 0.1L 11:26 PM 0.0L 12:06 AM -0.1L

Height 1.0H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H -0.1L 0.0L 1.3H 1.3H 0.3L 1.1H 1.1H

Time 8:42 AM 9:21 AM 9:57 AM 10:34 AM 11:11 AM 11:49 AM 12:29 PM 1:11 PM 9:28 AM 10:34 AM 4:07 AM 6:58 PM 1:09 PM 6:49 AM 8:04 AM

Height 0.5L 0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 0.9L 1.0L 1.1L 1.4H 1.3H 0.2L 1.0L 1.2H 0.4L 0.5L

Time 3:02 PM 3:18 PM 3:34 PM 3:49 PM 4:02 PM 4:13 PM 4:24 PM 4:36 PM 2:02 PM 2:55 AM

Height 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2L 0.1L

Time 9:04 PM 9:24 PM 9:49 PM 10:18 PM 10:52 PM 11:29 PM 12:12 AM

9:59 PM 7:24 PM 1:42 PM 2:11 PM

Height 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.6H 1.7H 1.8H 1.9H 1.9H -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L 0.3L 0.5L 1.4H

Time 8:10 AM 9:00 AM 9:49 AM 10:38 AM 11:30 AM 12:31 PM 11:17 PM

Height 0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 1.1L -0.1L

8:42 AM 9:45 AM 10:47 AM 11:41 AM 12:25 PM 1:01 PM 7:31 AM

1.9H 1.9H 1.9H 1.8H 1.7H 1.6H 0.6L

Height 0.8L 0.7L 0.6L 0.5L 0.4L 0.4L 0.3L 0.3L 0.3L 0.3L 0.4L 0.4L 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H

Time 4:41 AM 5:41 AM 6:36 AM 7:31 AM 8:26 AM 9:25 AM 10:32 AM 12:03 PM 5:05 PM 5:40 PM 5:34 PM 5:13 PM 9:46 AM 10:49 AM 11:47 AM

Height 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.4H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H 0.5L 0.6L 0.7L

5:24 PM 5:47 PM 8:15 PM 9:40 PM

1.6H 1.5H 1.4H 1.4H

7:18 PM 7:54 PM

0.7L 0.5 L

Height 0.6 L 0.5L 0.3L 0.2L 0.1L 0.0L 0.0L

4:52 PM

1.2H

1.0H 0.8L 1.2H 1.2H

7:58 PM 8:35 PM

0.7L 0.5L

Time 2:18 PM 2:37 PM 2:54 PM 3:10 PM 3:23 PM 3:31 PM

Height 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H

Time 8:45 PM 9:00 PM 9:16 PM 9:38 PM 10:05 PM 10:38 PM

Height 0.7L 0.6L 0.4L 0.3L 0.1L 0.0L

7:09 PM 7:12 PM 7:32 PM 1:30 PM

1.1L 1.0L 0.8L 1.5H

9:18 PM 11:21 PM

1.2H 1.3H

7:58 PM

0.6L

Time 12:06 PM 12:48 PM 1:32 PM 2:19 PM 3:10 PM 4:11 PM

Height 0.5L 0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 1.1L

Time 6:09 PM 6:19 PM 6:33 PM 6:46 PM 6:59 PM 7:13 PM

Height 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H

10:08 PM 5:04 PM 4:58 PM 5:05 PM

1.1L 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H

10:35 PM 11:05 PM 11:36 PM

1.00L 0.8L 0.7L

Full

Date

Time

Date

0.6H 0.7H 0.7H 0.8H 0.8H 0.2L 0.2L 0.1L 0.1L 0.2L 0.2L 0.3L 0.3L 0.4L 0.7H

Time

Height

Apr 11 2:44 AM Apr 12 4:20 AM Apr 13 6:16 AM Apr 14 8:46 AM Apr 15 12:37 AM Apr 16 1:28 AM Apr 17 2:20 AM Apr 18 3:13 AM Apr 19 4:10 AM Apr 20 5:08 AM Apr 21 6:06 AM Apr 22 7:00 AM Apr 23 7:49 AM Apr 24 12:00 AM Apr 25 2:06 AM

0.3H 0.3H 0.3H 0.4H 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.4H 0.4H

Port Aransas Date

Time

Height

Apr 11 12:16 AM Apr 12 1:34 AM Apr 13 2:45 AM Apr 14 3:48 AM Apr 15 4:46 AM Apr 16 5:41 AM Apr 17 6:38 AM Apr 18 7:41 AM Apr 19 9:03 AM Apr 20 12:50 AM Apr 21 1:50 AM Apr 22 3:01 AM Apr 23 4:28 AM Apr 24 5:57 AM Apr 25 7:13 AM

Time

Apr 11 12:44 AM Apr 12 2:08 AM Apr 13 3:15 AM Apr 14 4:15 AM Apr 15 5:13 AM Apr 16 6:11 AM Apr 17 7:12 AM Apr 18 8:18 AM Apr 19 12:07 AM Apr 20 1:01 AM Apr 21 2:02 AM Apr 22 3:11 AM Apr 23 4:30 AM Apr 24 5:51 AM Apr 25 12:37 AM

East Matagorda Date

Time

Apr 11 1:49 AM Apr 12 1:38 AM Apr 13 4:52 AM Apr 14 8:38 AM Apr 15 9:18 AM Apr 16 1:12 PM Apr 17 12:10 AM Apr 18 2:07 AM Apr 19 2:58 AM Apr 20 3:32 AM Apr 21 4:12 AM Apr 22 5:51 AM Apr 23 6:51 AM Apr 24 1:11 AM Apr 25 1:49 AM

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

10:17 AM 11:19 AM 12:29 PM 11:40 PM

0.4L 0.5L 0.6L 0.3L

6:02 PM 4:20 PM 2:40 PM

0.6H 0.6H 0.6H

10:17 PM 10:39 PM 11:07 PM

0.5L 0.4L 0.39L

10:30 AM 11:41 AM 12:56 PM 2:14 PM 3:22 PM 4:06 PM 4:29 PM :43 PM 4:44 PM 9:29 AM

0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 1.0H 0.9H 0.9H 0.9H 0.8H 0.7H 0.5L

9:28 PM 3:22 PM

0.6L 0.7H

9:54 PM

0.5L

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

10:09 AM 10:37 AM 10:59 AM 11:01 AM 3:34 PM 3:37 PM 4:07 PM 5:02 PM 6:11 PM 7:28 PM 8:49 PM 10:17 PM

0.2L 0.3L 0.3L 0.4L 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H

4:03 PM 3:53 PM 3:47 PM 3:41 PM

0.3H 0.3H 0.3H 0.4H

9:17 PM 10:38 PM 11:42 PM

0.3L 0.2L 0.2L

8:28 AM 8:51 AM

0.3L 0.3L

3:42 PM 2:49 PM

0.4H 0.4H

7:52 PM 9:32 PM

0.4L 0.3L

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 1.1L 1.2L 1.2L 1.3L 1.3H 1.3H 1.2H 1.2H 1.2H 1.1H

2:06 PM 2:05 PM 2:20 PM 2:36 PM 2:50 PM 3:02 PM 3:14 PM 3:29 PM 2:27 PM

1.0H 1.0H 1.0H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H 1.3H

8:34 PM 8:57 PM 9:14 PM 9:30 PM 9:56 PM 10:30 PM 11:11 PM 11:57 PM

0.8L 0.7L 0.6 L 0.5 L 0.4L 0.3L 0.2 L 0.2 L

6:04 PM 6:38 PM 7:15 PM 7:53 PM

1.1L 1.0L 0.8L 0.7L

8:11 PM 10:12 PM 11:59 PM 1:49 AM

1.2H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.3H 1.4H 1.5H 1.5H 1.5H -0.1L -0.1L 0.0L 0.1L 0.3L 0.4L 1.0H

7:57 AM 8:50 AM :43 AM 10:36 AM 11:32 AM 10:38 PM 11:20 PM

0.6L 0.7L 0.8L 0.9L 1.0L 0.1L 0.0L

2:30 PM 2:30 PM 2:30 PM 2:25 PM 2:16 PM

1.1H 1.1H 1.0H 1.0H 1.1H

8:31 PM 8:47 PM 9:06 PM 9:31 PM 10:01 PM

0.8L 0.7L 0.5 L 0.3 L 0.2 L

9:31 AM 10:45 AM 11:43 AM 12:19 PM 12:41 PM 12:57 PM 7:09 AM

1.5H 1.5H 1.4H 1.3H 1.3H 1.2H 0.6L

6:55 PM 7:16 PM 1:10 PM

0.9L 0.7L 1.1H

10:18 PM

1.0H

7:46 PM

0.5 L

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

Time

Height

10:22 AM 10:54 AM 11:09 AM 11:13 AM 11:35 PM

0.2L 0.2L 0.2L 0.3L 0.1L

3:25 PM 1:42 PM 4:48 PM 2:34 PM

0.3H 0.3H 0.3H 0.3H

10:33 PM 10:41 PM 10:45 PM 11:08 PM

0.2L 0.2L 0.2 L 0.1 L

11:59 AM 12:45 PM 1:16 PM 1:46 PM 2:20 PM 3:17 PM 01:31 PM 7:16 AM 7:47 AM

0.4H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.5H 0.4H 0.4H 0.1L 0.2L

7:48 PM 1:50 PM 2:04 PM

0.3L 0.4H 0.4H

7:44 PM 10:00 PM

0.2 L 0.2 L

0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.4H 0.1L 0.1L 0.0L 0.0L 0.0L 0.1L 0.1L 0.4H 0.4H

Solution on Page 22

2014 April 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Sun > 14 Mon > 15 Tue F 16 Wed > 17 Thu> 18 Fri 19 Sat 20 Sun 21 Mon 22 Tue Q 23 Wed 24 Thu 25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun > 28 Mon > 29 Tue N 30 Wed >

A.M. Minor Major 3:00 9:11 3:39 9:50 4:19 10:30 5:02 11:14 5:49 ----6:41 12:28 7:38 1:24 8:39 2:25 9:41 3:27 10:44 4:30 11:44 5:30 12:17 6:28 1:07 7:20 1:56 8:09 2:42 8:55 3:27 9:40 4:13 10:25 5:00 11:13 5:51 ----6:45 12:32

P.M. Minor Major 3:22 9:33 4:01 10:12 4:42 10:53 5:26 11:38 6:14 12:02 7:07 12:54 8:05 1:52 9:07 2:53 10:10 3:56 11:12 4:58 ----- 5:59 12:41 6:55 1:34 7:47 2:22 8:35 3:08 9:20 3:52 10:05 4:38 10:51 5:26 11:39 6:17 12:30 7:10 12:58

SUN Rises Sets 6:59 7:44 6:58 7:45 6:57 7:46 6:55 7:46 6:54 7:47 6:53 7:47 6:52 7:48 6:51 7:49 6:50 7:49 6:49 7:50 6:48 7:50 6:47 7:51 6:46 7:52 6:45 7:52 6:44 7:53 6:43 7:54 6:42 7:54 6:41 07:55 6:40 07:56 6:39 07:56

MOON Rises Sets 4:42p 4:40a 5:36p 5:14a 6:31p 5:49a 7:29p 6:26a 8:27p 7:05a 9:28p 7:48a 10:28p 8:34a 11:28p 9:25a NoMoon 10:20a 12:24a 11:20a 1:18a 12:22p 2:07a 1:25p 2:52a 2:29p 3:35a 3:32p 4:16a 4:34p 4:56a 5:36p 5:36a 6:37p 6:17a 7:38p 7:00a 8:37p 7:45a 9:35p

A.M. Minor Major 3:06 9:17 3:44 9:55 4:24 10:36 5:08 11:19 5:55 ----6:47 12:34 7:44 1:30 8:44 2:30 9:47 3:32 10:49 4:35 11:50 5:36 12:23 6:33 1:12 7:26 2:02 8:15 2:48 9:00 3:32 9:45 4:18 10:31 5:06 11:19 5:57 ----6:50 12:37

P.M. Minor Major 3:28 9:39 4:07 10:18 4:47 10:59 5:31 11:43 6:20 12:07 7:13 1:00 8:11 1:57 9:12 2:58 10:15 4:01 11:18 5:04 ----- 6:04 12:47 7:01 1:39 7:53 2:28 8:41 3:13 9:26 3:58 10:11 4:44 10:56 5:32 11:44 6:22 12:35 7:16 1:03

SUN Rises Sets 7:02 7:52 7:01 7:53 6:59 7:54 6:58 7:54 6:57 7:55 6:56 7:56 6:55 7:57 6:53 7:57 6:52 7:58 6:51 7:59 6:50 8:00 6:49 8:00 6:48 8:01 6:47 08:02 6:46 08:03 6:44 08:03 6:43 08:04 6:42 08:05 6:41 08:06 6:40 08:06

MOON Rises Sets 4:47p 4:47a 5:42p 5:20a 6:39p 5:54a 7:37p 6:29a 8:37p 7:07a 9:39p 7:49a 10:40p 8:34a 11:40p 9:25a NoMoon 10:20a 12:36a 11:19a 1:29a 12:22p 2:17a 1:26p 3:02a 2:31p 3:43a 3:36p 4:22a 4:40p 5:01a 5:43p 5:39a 6:46p 6:20a 7:48p 7:02a 8:48p 7:46a 9:46p

P.M. Minor Major 3:35 9:46 4:14 10:25 4:54 11:06 5:38 11:50 6:27 12:14 7:20 1:07 8:18 2:04 9:19 3:05 10:22 4:08 11:25 5:11 ----- 6:11 12:54 7:08 1:46 8:00 2:35 8:48 3:20 9:33 4:05 10:18 4:51 11:03 5:39 11:51 6:29 12:42 7:23 1:10

SUN Rises Sets 7:11 7:57 7:10 7:57 7:09 7:58 7:08 7:58 7:07 7:59 7:06 8:00 7:05 8:00 7:04 8:01 7:03 8:01 7:02 8:02 7:01 8:03 7:00 8:03 6:59 8:04 6:58 8:04 6:57 8:05 6:56 8:06 6:55 8:06 6:54 8:07 6:53 08:08 6:52 08:08

MOON Rises Sets 4:55p 4:52a 5:49p 5:27a 6:44p 6:02a 7:41p 6:39a 8:40p 7:18a 9:40p 8:01a 10:41p 8:48a 11:40p 9:39a NoMoon 10:34a 12:37a 11:33a 1:30a 12:35p 2:19a 1:38p 3:05a 2:42p 3:48a 3:45p 4:28a 4:47p 5:09a 5:49p 5:49a 6:50p 6:30a 7:51p 7:14a 8:50p 7:59a 9:47p

SUN Rises Sets 7:20 8:15 7:19 8:15 7:18 8:16 7:16 8:17 7:15 8:18 7:14 8:19 7:12 8:19 7:11 8:20 7:10 8:21 7:09 8:22 7:07 8:23 7:06 8:24 7:05 8:24 7:04 8:25 7:03 8:26 7:02 8:27 7:00 8:28 6:59 8:28 6:58 8:29 6:57 8:30

MOON Rises Sets 5:07p 5:09a 6:03p 5:41a 7:01p 6:14a 8:01p 6:49a 9:02p 7:26a 10:04p 8:06a 11:06p 8:51a NoMoon 9:41a 12:06a 10:36a 1:02a 11:36a 1:55a 12:39p 2:42a 1:44p 3:25a 2:50p 4:05a 3:56p 4:44a 5:01p 5:21a 6:05p 5:59a 7:09p 6:38a 8:12p 7:19a 9:13p 8:03a 10:12p

Dallas 2014 April 11 Fri 12 Sat 13 Sun > 14 Mon > 15 Tue F 16 Wed > 17 Thu > 18 Fri 19 Sat 20 Sun 21 Mon 22 Tue Q 23 Wed 24 Thu 25 Fri 26 Sat 27 Sun > 28 Mon > 29 Tue N 30 Wed >

San Antonio

2014 A.M. April Minor Major 11 Fri 3:13 9:24 12 Sat 3:51 10:02 13 Sun > 4:31 10:43 14 Mon > 5:15 11:26 15 Tue F 6:02 ----16 Wed > 6:54 12:41 17 Thu > 7:51 1:37 18 Fri 8:51 2:37 19 Sat 9:54 3:39 20 Sun 10:56 4:42 21 Mon 11:57 5:43 22 Tue Q 12:30 6:40 23 Wed 1:19 7:33 24 Thu 2:09 8:22 25 Fri 2:55 9:07 26 Sat 3:39 9:52 27 Sun > 4:25 10:38 28 Mon > 5:13 11:26 29 Tue N 6:04 ----30 Wed > 6:57 12:44

Amarillo

2014 A.M. P.M. April Minor Major Minor Major 11 Fri 3:26 9:37 3:48 9:59 12 Sat 4:05 10:16 4:27 10:38 13 Sun > 4:45 10:56 5:08 11:19 14 Mon > 5:28 11:40 5:52 ----15 Tue F 6:15 12:04 6:40 12:28 16 Wed > 7:07 12:54 7:33 1:20 17 Thu> 8:04 1:50 8:31 2:18 18 Fri 9:04 2:50 9:33 3:19 19 Sat 10:07 3:53 10:36 4:21 20 Sun 11:10 4:56 11:38 5:24 21 Mon ----- 5:56 12:10 6:24 22 TueQ 12:43 6:53 1:07 7:21 23 Wed 1:33 7:46 2:00 8:13 24 Thu 2:22 8:35 2:48 9:01 25 Fri 3:08 9:21 3:34 9:46 26 Sat 3:53 10:06 4:18 10:31 27 Sun> 4:38 10:51 5:04 11:17 28 Mon> 5:26 11:39 5:52 12:05 29 TueN 6:17 ----6:43 12:56 30 Wed> 7:10 12:58 7:36 1:23

FOR THE TABLE Crappie with lemon butter

38. The rear end of a gun barrel 42. A game bird 43. The hunter’s prey 44. Color hunter wears for safety DOWN 1. Wild ones are in the Rockies 2. The scoter can do this 3. Fish to be 4. A kind of fireplace 5. The male pheasant 6. An archery organization 7. Sheep have them, deer don’t 10. A fishing catch 15. A flock of geese 16. A part on a fishline 17. Refers to strength of a fishline 18. Code letters for type bullet 19. Dogs that fetch 20. A large group of animals

May 7

8:04 AM 8:55 AM 9:43 AM 10:29 AM 11:13 AM 11:53 AM 11:19 AM 11:21 AM 11:50 AM 2:38 PM 11:38 AM 12:14 PM 12:34 PM 12:43 PM 12:55 PM

1.1H 1.1H 1.1H 1.2H 1.2H 1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 1.3H 0.2L 0.3L 0.3L 0.4L 0.5L 0.7L

South Padre Island Date

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

First

Apr. 29

Apr. 22

Height

Apr 11 2:32 AM Apr 12 4:43 AM Apr 13 6:49 AM Apr 14 8:09 AM Apr 15 9:20 AM Apr 16 12:16 AM Apr 17 12:56 AM Apr 18 1:40 AM Apr 19 2:30 AM Apr 20 3:27 AM Apr 21 4:30 AM Apr 22 5:40 AM Apr 23 6:54 AM Apr 24 8:11 AM Apr 25 2:43 AM

Rockport

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Last

Houston

Port O’Connor

OUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen ACROSS 1. Mr. goose 5. A pheasant food source 8. Female bear 9. Outdoor activity laws 11. Part of an antler 12. Boat designed for solo fishing 13. Lures by mouth 14. Act of reading freshness of tracks 17. A still hunter’s locale 21. Arrows and shells 22. A female pheasant 23. A name for a goose species 24. The ____-necked pheasant 25. Trail food 26. Name for a certain lure 29. Main fin on a fish 32. Letter code for grain measurement 33. A long-armed tree dweller 34. A snare is one type 35. A wildfowl resting place 36. To down a game 37. A line grommet on a fishrod

Solunar | Sun times | Moon times

Moon Phases Apr. 15

LSONews.com

4 crappie, cleaned and scaled Salt and pepper Flour 8 tbsps. butter 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1/2 tsp. marjoram 2 tbsps. lemon juice Salt and pepper the fish to taste.

Roll the fish in the flour. Melt the

butter in a skillet. Stir in the garlic and the marjoram. Add the floured crappie. Brown both sides of the fish. Add the lemon juice. Cover and cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Remove the fish and save any of the lemon butter to pour over the fish when it’s served.

— backwoodsbound.com

Thai turkey spring rolls

26. Appendage on a turkey’s feet 27. A quick-to-erect type tent 28. Used to fry fish over open fire 30. A mammal trapped for the fur 31. Term for crack in a

bow stave 32. Axis are classed as this 38. A name given an owl 39. It is thought that fish have this sense 40. Good wood for arrow shafts 41. To treat a hide

1 pound wild turkey breast Cucumber strips Olive oil (for frying) Tomato, thinly sliced Extra-virgin olive oil (for seasoning) Carrot strips Fresh-squeezed lemon juice Endive or lettuce leaves Fresh ground pepper Thai rice spring roll wrapper (round) Salt Sweet chili sauce Watercress sprigs Peanuts, crushed Cilantro sprigs Lightly pound wild turkey breast to 3/4-inch thick. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Pan-fry it in

olive oil until both sides are lightly browned and meat juices run clear.

Let cool, slice into 1/2-inch strips and soak turkey breast in dressing made from three parts lemon juice, one part extra-virgin olive oil, pepper and salt. Refrigerate meat until chilled. Soak one rice wrapper in water until soft, lay on plate or cutting board and assemble roll. Use turkey meat, watercress, cilantro, cucumber, tomato and carrot combinations as filling and use lettuce and rice paper as the outer layers of the spring roll wrap. Chill spring rolls in refrigerator and serve with sweet chili sauce and crushed peanuts.

— NSSF

*email LSON your favorite recipe to news@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 11, 2014

Page 17

Henne Jr., White win IFA Redfish event

SOME NICE TROUT WADING: Matagorda anglers getting out and finding wadeable water have been rewarded with some nice trout this month. Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

Matagorda Continued From Page 8

adjacent to shallow flats.

“Anything in plum color,” he said. “That is my go-to bait and I fish it a lot.”

Capt. “Matagorda” Matt David said the fishing has been slow due to high winds, although some decent trout are being caught.

“There has been a lot of wind,” David said. “But when we can get out, we’ve been putting some

5-pound trout in the boat on soft plastics. There are also good numbers of redfish and flounder in the back bays.”

David said he is waiting on the spring pattern to take shape.

“We still haven’t had a good transition into spring,” he said. “We are catching a lot of redfish in the back lakes and I’ve caught flounder from the north to the south shoreline. Not a lot of people fish the spring flounder run, but it can be

Faircloth on early season roll B.A.S.S. pro Todd Faircloth is off to strong start in 2014, posting back-to-back top 10 finishes in the first two tournaments of the season.

The Jasper native took second place in the Dick Cepek Bassmaster Elite Series March 13-16 kickoff event on Lake Seminole, following that up with a 10th-place finish in last week’s Bassmaster Elite Series event, March 20-23, on the St. Johns River.

In the season opener on Seminole, Faircloth

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a good time.

“I’ve caught at least one on every trip and I’m not really targeting them.”

Internet reports show anglers catching good boxes of redfish and the occasional big trout on paddle tails, spoons and scented plastics in less than 4 feet of water over scattered shell.

Capt. Ken Sabin, (281) 814-3531 Capt. Matt David, (832) 549-8183

weighed in a four-day total of 84.10 pounds, finishing second to Brett Hite, who bagged 97.10 pounds of bass to win the tournament. Faircloth found most of his Seminole bass around the lake’s lily pads, hydrilla and milfoil in anywhere from 1 to 6 feet of water.

“On Seminole, there were plenty of bass on the beds, but I also encountered some fish that were in pre- and postspawn modes,” said Faircloth. “I was able to do some sight fishing, but for the most part, I was casting to open pockets of water within the pads where I couldn’t actually see the fish.”

— CastAway Rods

Eleven-year-old Dallas hunter Tommy Kay recently harvested these two big gobblers during the opening day of youth season with a single shot from his 20-gauge on family land near Coleman. They were Tommy’s first birds, and they sported beards of 8 and 10 inches.

Ron Henne Jr., of Corpus Christi, and Brad White, of San Antonio, weighed a two-redfish limit that totaled 17.44 pounds to win the first regular-season event for the Texas Division of the IFA Redfish Tour presented by Cabela’s at Port Aransas, on April 5.

Starting the day off late due to battery issues, the anglers fought tough, windy conditions all day. One the way across Corpus Christi Bay the team’s boat took a huge wave over the bow, breaking their trolling motor.

“Despite battery issues, weather condition and the toll taken on the boat and equipment, we kept our focus and game plan,” Henne Jr. said.

The anglers long drifted scented plastic jerk shads in the upper Laguna Madre area for their winning limit.

Lopez wins Port A kayak event Rene Lopez, of Port Aransas, measured a combined limit of 51 inches to win the first regularseason event for the Texas Division of the IFA Kayak Fishing Tour presented by Hobie Fishing at Port Aransas, on April 6.

After a windy Saturday at the IFA Redfish Tour event, the weather calmed to give the kayak anglers great fishing conditions.

Fishing top-water baits and scented plastics around Piper Channel and the Island Moorings area, the angler hugged the shoreline to follow the bait.

— IFA

Page 18

April 11, 2014

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

NATIONAL Montana’s wolves continue to grow Montana’s verified wolf population remained stable last year while livestock depredations by wolves continued to decline, dropping about 27 percent from 2012.

A total of 627 wolves were counted in Montana at the end of 2013, compared to 625 last year, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ federally required annual wolf conservation and management report released today.

The report shows that 231 wolves were taken by hunters and trappers in the 2013 calendar year — or between Jan. 1, 2013 and Dec. 31, 2013 — compared to 175 taken in 2012.

The additional 94 wolves harvested in 2014 — as a result of the trapping season, which concluded Feb. 28, and the hunting season, which ended March 15 — will be considered in the 2014 minimum wolf counts.

— M FWP

Louisiana approves hunting changes The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved the 2014-16 hunting season dates and the 2014-15 General and Wildlife Management Areas rules and regulations at their April 3 meeting. The season dates approved include the 2015 Turkey season and associated rules and regulations.

The notices of intent presented in January by the Louisiana Department of Wild-

life and Fisheries for the upcoming hunting seasons were approved with amendments made subsequently in February and March, and following the public comment period.

Changes in the final approvals include but are not limited to: • Allowing small game hunters to carry buckshot and/or slug while small game hunting on private lands.

• Beginning with the 2014-2015 small game season, increasing the possession limit for rabbit, squirrel, and quail from two to three times the daily bag limit. The daily bag limit will remain eight for rabbits and squirrels, and 10 for quail.

To view all of the changes, go to wlf.louisiana.gov/action-items.

— LWFD

Oklahoma lake turns out huge bag If not for the two that got away, tournament anglers Marco Vaca and Doyle Idleman might possibly have weighed in a five-bass stringer of nearly 50 pounds. As it turned out, their 42.71-pound sack on March 23 at Lake of the Arbuckles was enough to win the Future Bass Team Trail’s first 2014 divisional contest, Trail Director Joe Copeland said.

The giant stringer also eclipsed Arbuckle’s heavy-sack record: 42.04 pounds caught by former Elite Series angler Jeff Reynolds and Johnny Thompson in January 2013.

For the past several years, Lake of the Arbuckles in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area has been giving up lunker largemouth bass. Vaca and Idleman’s largest fish bent the scale at 10.93 pounds, but even that did not win the biggest-bass honor at the tournament. The second-place

team of Terry Alsup and Brad Hill had the day’s big bass at 11.69 pounds, with a fivefish stringer totaling 34.16 pounds.

Six bass at the tournament weigh-in went more than 10 pounds. And only 14 boats were entered.

“I’ve been fishing tournaments for 30 years in Oklahoma, and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Copeland said of the southcentral Oklahoma lake. “With what’s coming out of it now, there’s no doubt a state record is in there.”

— ODWC

Cormorant hunt in S.C. removes 11,000 birds South Carolina hunters, more than 1,000 of them, received special permits this winter to hunt double-crested cormorants on two lakes in the state. During the season in February and March, hunters killed 11,653 of the birds.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources responded to the requests of local anglers who asserted that the cormorants eat enough fish to negatively impact game fish populations by introducing a special hunting program this year on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, part of the Santee Cooper lakes habitat.

Hunters participating were required to attend a training program and agree to strict regulations.

Cormorants are traditionally considered a non-game migratory species, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has permitted special removal programs in past years.

Similar hunts occurred in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin last year, resulting in a com-

bined harvest of 21,312 cormorants, according to USFWS. In Texas, Nuisance Double-crested Cormorant Control Permits may be obtained from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to remove cormorants if specific criteria are met by the applicant.

— Staff report

Ken Hammond elected new board chairman of RBFF The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation announced Ken Hammond as the organization’s new board chairman.

Hammond, who currently serves as chairman and CEO for independent sporting goods and outdoor product sales company The Hammond Group, will work closely with RBFF leadership to advance its mission.

Hammond has been on RBFF’s board of directors since 2003 and has more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the fishing and outdoor recreation industry.

“It’s an honor to have been asked to serve again as chair of the RBFF board,” said Hammond. “The work RBFF does to promote participation in boating and fishing is critical to the industry and state conservation efforts, and I’m proud to be involved.”

Hammond is active in anti-drug and stayin-school campaigns including “Hook a Kid on Fishing.” He has served on several industry boards including the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association, the American Sportfishing Association and the Sport Fishing Institute.

Hammond attended Baylor University.

— RBFF

LSONews.com

Mega Bass Continued from Page 9

knew that his was bigger than the other two, so I knew mine was the best so far.”

Once Thomas weighed his fish, he won the hourly prize for biggest bass — a truck.

He and his partner decided not to go back out once they were leading the tournament.

The bad weather helped make the decision an easy one.

Thomas caught the fish in a prespawn position.

“I caught her on a Texas-rigged Zoom Ol’ Monster in red shad color,” he said. “She was in a prespawn position on a point in 8 to 12 feet of water. I’ve fished that point for years and with the lake being low, it was a good spot.”

Thomas said he’s never won anything like this tournament in his life, and he began to think he had a shot to win the whole thing once the noon hour rolled past.

LoneOStar Outdoor News

“After about 1 p.m., I knew unless someone got lucky and caught a big one during the last hour, I felt a lot better,” he said.

Thomas held on for the win, and received a new boat to go along with his new truck, although he declined the truck and took the cash option, splitting it 50/50 with his partner.

“I took the boat, although I need to call the dealer today and see what my options are,” he said. “I’m unsure at this time. I’ve got a boat that is currently in the shop getting an engine rebuilt. I’ve got two boys, so I might just give it to them to fish.”

The rest of the hourly truck winners were: Archie Haley. Mount Vernon, 9.51 Richard Carroll Magnolia, Ark., 9.05 Gary Jackson, Flower Mound, 8.38 Chris Sinkey, Lewisville, 2.77 Robert Cooksey, Amity, Ark., 2.62 James Burrow, Conway , Ark., 2.57

Deaver wins Walmart BFL on Toledo Bend Randy Deaver of Blanchard, La., weighed a five-bass limit totaling 20 pounds, 5 ounces Saturday to win the third Walmart Bass Fishing League Cowboy Division tournament of the season on Toledo Bend Lake. For his victory, Deaver earned $4,963.

Deaver, a part-time guide on Caddo Lake and 2012 BFL Cowboy Division angler of the year, picked up the first BFL win of his career despite losing a fish the he estimated at nearly 9 pounds.

“It felt really good to win,” Deaver said. “I’ve been trying to get this for several years now. I’ve been real close but still, I didn’t have a win. I’m pumped. One of the fish I weighed in came on a V&M swimjig, but the rest I caught off of beds. I had several fish marked on beds, but I couldn’t get to several because of the wind.

“All the bigger fish that I weighed in were ones I’d marked in practice. I targeted the south end of the lake all day, in the clear water.

“My biggest fish was only about five and a half pounds. The one that I lost was close to 9 pounds, and I had fished for her for about 45 minutes trying to get her to bite. At the time I had a 2-pounder in my livewell, and I knew that fish would have put me way up.”

Deaver said that his primary baits were a white-colored craw and a white V&M Split Tail Beaver.

Rounding out the top 5 pros were: 2nd: Randy Despino, Colfax, La., five bass, 18-9, $1,981 3rd: Andy Gaia, Tomball, Texas, five bass, 18-6, $1,123 3rd: Bob Vote, Kingwood, Texas, five bass, 18-6, $1,123 + $300 Evinrude Bonus 5th: Dean Lee, Longview, Texas, five bass, 18-4, $793 — Walmart BFL

Rock Island New TK

April 11, 2014

Page 19

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April 11, 2014

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

Time 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM Midnight Time 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM Midnight Time 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM Midnight

FRIDAY SATURDAY

Time 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM Midnight Time 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM Midnight Time 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM Midnight Time 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM Midnight

SUNDAY

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY

MONDAY

Prime Time | April OUTDOOR CHANNEL Western Extreme Whitetail Freaks Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector Gregg Ritz’s Hunt Masters Heartland Bowhunter Territories Wild Adventure Bowhunter Ram Outdoorsman The Best of the West Wardens Presented by Streamlight Pro Hunt Journal RMEF Team Elk Ram Outdoorsman OUTDOOR CHANNEL Tecomate Whitetail Nation American Birdhunter ScentBlocker’s Most Wanted Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild Mossy Oak’s Hunting the Country Driven with Pat and Nicole Wardens Presented by Streamlight Wardens Presented by Streamlight Eastman’s Hunting TV Wardens Presented by Streamlight Primos Truth About Hunting Mossy Oak’s Hunting the Country Driven with Pat and Nicole OUTDOOR CHANNEL NRA Gun Gurus The Best Defense Shooting Gallery Shooting USA American Rifleman TV Shooting USA’s Impossible Shots NRA Gun Gurus Wardens Presented by Streamlight Shooting USA Midway USA’s Gun Stories OUTDOOR CHANNEL Wardens Presented by Streamlight Jack Link’s Major League Fishing Bottom Feeders Tecomate Whitetail Nation Bow Madness RMEF Team Elk PSE’s Wild Outdoors Wardens Presented by Streamlight Crush with Lee and Tiffany Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector Greg Ritz’s Hunt Masters OUTDOOR CHANNEL Trev Gowdy’s Monster Fish The Hunt for Big Fish Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show Bottom Feeders Arrow Affliction Alaska Outdoors Television Gold Fever RMEF Team Elk Wardens Presented by Streamlight Wardens Presented by Streamlight Bottom Feeders OUTDOOR CHANNEL Fly Rod Chronicles Buccaneers and Bones Outdoors in the Heartland Steve’s Alaska Adventures Gridiron Outdoors Trophy Quest The Best of the West Choose Your Weapon Western Extreme Wardens Presented by Streamlight Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild Cabela’s American Archer Western Extreme OUTDOOR CHANNEL Mathews TV with Dave Watson Crush with Lee and Tiffany Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures Wildgame Nation Realtree Outdoors Primos Truth About Hunting NRA All Access Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector Bottom Feeders Wardens Presented by Streamlight Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures Realtree Outdoors Wildgame Nation

PURSUIT CHANNEL F&Ts Freedom Outdoors Avian X Sport Fishing TV The Hitmen Turkey Thugs The Outdoor Option Chasing Waters Make Ready TV Midwest Outdoors Northwest Hunter Trophy Time TV TNT Outdoor Explosion Winchester & Drurys Natural Born PURSUIT CHANNEL Fish PAA National Walleye Tour Lake Commandos Bob Redfern Outdoor Magazine Scott Martin Challenge Hank Parker Outdoor Magazine Cabelas Fisherman Handbook Fishing Texas Lake Commandos Bob Redfern Outdoor Magazine Scott Martin Challenge Hank Parker Outdoor Magazine Cabelas Fisherman Handbook PURSUIT CHANNEL Fish PAA Deer & Wildlife Stories Long Range Pursuit Man verses Elk Gamekeepers of Mossy Oak Get in the Game Avian X TomBob Outdoors Flatliners The Hunting Show The High Road w/Keith Warren The Hitmen Turkey Call PURSUIT CHANNEL The High Road w/Keith Warren Bowhunting Addiction Outdoor Edges The Great Outdoors Turkey Call Backland Outdoors Trophy Time TV KT Diaries Where in the World is Colorado Buck Big Boys TNT Outdoor Explosion Gamekeepers of Mossy Oak Carnivore American Trigger Sports PURSUIT CHANNEL National Bird Dog Circuit Make Ready TV Trigger Time American Airgunner American Trigger Sports Freedom Fighters - Blaine Goodloe - 3 Gun Nation Goodloe - 3 Gun Nation Ammo & Attitude The Right Stuff Fight Night Fight Night Fight Night PURSUIT CHANNEL Trigger Time Turkey Call Spur Chasers Turkey Thugs Avian X Fishing Texas Hunting with HECS Boondock Boys The Outdoor Shopper The Outdoor Shopper Backland Outdoors Turkey Thugs Gamekeepers of Mossy Oak PURSUIT CHANNEL Where in the World is Colorado Buck Make Ready TV Turkey Thugs The High Road w/Keith Warren Inside the Obsession Winchester & Drury’s Natural Born Turkey Call Get in the Game Brush Country Monsters Wallhanger TV Hunting with HECS Wingshooting USA

SPORTSMAN CHANNEL MeatEater-Hardest Hunts MeatEater-Hardest Hunts Guns & Ammo Guns & Gear TV Hot Shots Personal Defense TV TAC TV Gun Talk TV Guns & Ammo Guns & Gear TV Hot Shots Personal Defense TV TAC TV SPORTSMAN CHANNEL MeatEater-Hardest Hunts MeatEater-Hardest Hunts Realtree’s Monster Bucks Major League Bowhunter Elite Archery’s Respect the Game TV Whitetail Properties Dreams to Reality Savage Outdoors Brad Farris’ Game Plan Realtree’s Monster Bucks Major League Bowhunter Elite Archery’s Respect the Game TV Savage Outdoors SPORTSMAN CHANNEL MeatEater-Hardest Hunts MeatEater-Hardest Hunts North American Whitetail Skull Bound TV Mathews Dominant Bucks Outfittersrating TV Whitetail SLAM DreamPoint’s Extend Your Range TV North American Whitetail Skull Bound TV Mathews Dominant Bucks Outfittersrating TV Whitetail SLAM SPORTSMAN CHANNEL MeatEaterMeatEater Dead Meat Meet the McMillans Outlanders Yeti’s Ultimate Hunt MeatEater Dead Meat Meet the McMillans Outlanders SPORTSMAN CHANNEL MeatEater-Hardest Hunts MeatEater-Hardest Hunts Bowhunter TV Relentless Pursuit Nock On TV YoungWild Outback Outdoors Maximum Archery Bowhunter TV Relentless Pursuit Nock On TV YoungWild Outback Outdoors SPORTSMAN CHANNEL Excalibur’s Huntin’ the Backwoods The Outdoor Option Canada in the Rough Bahama Lobster Pirates Silent Draw Outdoors 100% Real Hunting Phil Phillips Unleashed On The Road Canada in the Rough Bahama Lobster Pirates Silent Draw Outdoors 100% Real Hunting Phil Phillips Unleashed SPORTSMAN CHANNEL Bullets And Broadheads Maximum Outdoors TV Pigman: The Series Predator Nation Petersen’s Hunting The Season with Justin Martin Dead Dog Walkin’ Dog Soldier TV Pigman: The Series Predator Nation Petersen’s Hunting The Season with Justin Martin Dead Dog Walkin’

WORLD FISHING NETWORK Angler West TV The Scott Martin Challenge Breaking Boundarioes Bass 2 Billfish Skeeter’s Bass Champs Timmy Horton Outdoors Kayak Bassin’ TV Bigg Bass Battle South Bend’s Lunkerville Canadian Sportfishing Breaking Boundaries Bass 2 Billfish WORLD FISHING NETWORK Sportsman 360 TV The New Fly Fisher Silent Invaders In the Loop Kings of the River Season on the Edge The Next Bite TV Ultimate Fishing Experience The Legacy Experience Florida Adventure Quest Silent Invaders In the Loop WORLD FISHING NETWORK Reel Animals Lindner’s Ultimate Angler Bill Boyce’s Baja George Poveromo’s Saltwater Fishing Women’s Pro Tarpon Florida Adventure Quest Canadian Sportfishing Jarrett Edward’s Outdoors Fishing 411 Extreme Angler TV Bill Boyce’s Baja George Poveromo’s Saltwater Fishing WORLD FISHING NETWORK Musky Hunter The Fishi’n’ Crazee Show Silent Invaders The Kayak Fishing Show Outdoor Passion World Fishing Journal Fishing with Bill MIller Big Coast Sportfishing Fish TV Hookin’ Up with Nick and Mariko Silent Invaders The Kayak Fishing Show WORLD FISHING NETWORK Fish’n Canada Jimmy Houston Outdoors Inside Sportfishing Carolina’s Perfect Cast John Gillespie’s Water & Woods Lunkerville Classics Fishing the Flats The Bass Doctor FLW Tour Inside Sportfishing Krappie Kings John Gillespie’s Water & Woods WORLD FISHING NETWORK Inside Sportfishing The New Fly Fisher Women’s Pro Tarpon Tour Skeeter Bass Champs The Next Bite TV Timmy Horton Outdoors Krappie Kings The Hook and the Cook Jarrett Edward’s Outdoors The Fish Finders Women’s Pro Tarpon Tour Skeeter Bass Champs WORLD FISHING NETWORK King of the River The Scott Martin Challenge Lindner’s Ultimate Angler Game Fisher’s Diary Breaking Boundaries Bill Boyce’s Baja George Poveromo’s Saltwater Fishing Bass 2 Billfish Lunkerville Classics The Fish Finders Lindner’s Ultimate Angler Game Fisher’s Diary

New shows highlight WFN this month World Fishing Network delivers 26 new and returning series — including five World Fishing Network original productions — starting Sat., April 5.

World Fishing Network originals JP DeRose Breaking Boundaries and Bill Boyce’s Baja debut Sun., April 6 at 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. CT, respectively, preceded by a new monthly episode of World Fishing Journal at 10:30 a.m. CT. Season premieres of Guided with Mark Melnyk (11 p.m. CT) and Force on Force (11:30 p.m. CT) air Sat., April 19.

Shows making their World Fishing Network debut in April include: Jimmy Houston Outdoors, Carolina’s Perfect Cast, Women’s Professional Tarpon Tournament, Jack Link’s Major League Fishing, The Hook & The Cook, Fishing with Bill Miller, King of the River, Lindner’s Ultimate Angler and Lunkerville Classic.

New seasons of In the Loop, Outdoor Passion, Skeeter Bass Champs, The Kayak Fishing Show with Jim Sammons, The Fish’n Crazee Show, George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing, Canadian Sportfishing and Flats Class are joined by continued new episodes of Inside Sportfishing, The New Fly Fisher, John Gillespie’s Waters & Woods and Bass 2 Billfish with Peter Miller.

“I’m thrilled about the spring programming we’ll be presenting to our audience starting April 5,” said Ana Rodrigues, director of programming for World Fishing Network. “Not only does World Fishing Network have five outstanding original productions that we’ll see go from script to screen, but we’re pleased to have several new shows making their first appearance on the network along with new seasons of many other viewer favorites. Our goal is to have every angler tune in and find something he or she will enjoy at any time of the day, and I’m convinced that will be the case this spring.”

World Fishing Network is available to cable, satellite and telco subscribers in the U.S. and Canada as part of a free preview now through April 30.

— WFN

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 11, 2014

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April 11, 2014

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

DATEBOOK APRIL 12

Safari Club International North Texas Chapter Dinner, Banquet and Auction Embassy Suites Outdoor World, Grapevine (817) 605-1010 scinorthtexas.com Coastal Conservation Association Northeast Houston Chapter Annual Banquet Humble Civic Center (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org Texas Team Trail Lake Texoma Tournament (210) 788-4143 texasteamtrail.com Bass Champs Central Series, Belton Lake (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

APRIL 12-13

Cinnamon Creek Ranch Rinehart R100 Shoot (817) 439-8998 cinnamoncreekranch.com

APRIL 17

Coastal Conservation Association Dallas Chapter Annual Banquet Frontiers of Flight Museum (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org

APRIL 26

Dallas Safari Club Monthly Meeting Double Tree Hotel (972) 980-9800 biggame.org

Coastal Conservation Association San Antonio Chapter Annual Banquet Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org

Ducks Unlimited Winnie Dinner Winnie-Stowell Community Building (409) 267-7116 ducks.org/texas

APRIL 24

Ducks Unlimited Seguin Dinner Rio Cibolo Ranch (830) 832-0855 ducks.org/texas

Kimble County Chamber of Commerce Outdoor Women Gone Wild (325) 446-3190 junctiontexas.com

Ducks Unlimited Tomball DU Texas Hold’em Tournament Wilt Ranch (713) 724-2639 ducks.org/texas

Bass Champs South Series, Falcon Lake (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

Coastal Conservation Association Brenham Chapter Annual Banquet Silver Wings Ballroom (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org Coastal Conservation Association Fort Bend Chapter Annual Banquet Fort Bend Fairgrounds (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org Coastal Conservation Association Rio Grande Valley Chapter Annual Banquet Pharr Events Center (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org Coastal Conservation Association Tri-County Chapter Annual Banquet Atascosa County Show Barn (713) 626-4222

Orange Grove Area Museum Pioneer Days Celebration (361) 384-1300

APRIL 26-27

Mud Hole Rod Building and Tackle Corp.

Rod Building Class Crowne Plaza Houston mudhole.com

APRIL 30

Ducks Unlimited West Houston Dinner Chateau Crystale Ballroom (713) 966-0884 ducks.org/texas

MAY 1

Coastal Conservation Association Central Houston Chapter Annual Banquet Bayou City Event Center (713) 626-4222

Coastal Conservation Association Fort Worth Chapter Annual Banquet Joe T. Garcia’s (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org Ducks Unlimited The Woodlands Crawfish boil Rob Fleming Park (281) 636-4883 ducks.org/texas Ducks Unlimited Katy-Brookshire Patos de Mayo Crawfish Boil The Cotton Ranch, Katy (713) 858-7669 ducks.org/texas

MAY 3

Dallas Safari Club Spring S.A.F.E.T.Y. Event Greystone Castle, Mingus (972) 980-9800 biggame.org Ducks Unlimited Gulf Coast Greenwing Conservation Day Dewberry Farms, Brookshire (713) 501-5584 ducks.org/texas Texas Team Trail Lake Livingston Tournament (210) 788-4143 texasteamtrail.com

LONE STAR MARKET

Dallas CCA 33rd Annual Banquet Thursday, April 17, 2014 Frontier Flight Museum - Dallas Doors open at 5:30pm

Lefty Kreh - Conservation Sportsmen of the Year Tables of 8 $1,000 • Individual Tickets $125 Tickets Include:

TABLE SEATING • OPEN BAR • DINNER BY TJ’S SEAFOOD

Raffle Item Highlights: Rolex and Polaris Ranger Live Auction Highlights:

Offshore Tuna in Canada, Montana Fly Fishing, 7 Days in Colorado, Bahamas, Argentina Dove Hunt and Sea of Cortez fishing.

For tickets and more information please contact: John Hansen, mesalogistics@sbcglobal.net – 214-243-9435

Puzzle solution from Page 16

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or email him at mhughs@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Bass Champs East Series, Sam Rayburn Reservoir (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com Meals on Wheels Erath County Annual Sporting Clay Shoot Rough Creek Lodge, Glen Rose (254) 965-3510 erathmow.org

MAY 8

Coastal Conservation Association Austin Chapter Annual Banquet Palmer Event Center (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org Coastal Conservation Association Mid Coast Chapter Annual Banquet Victoria Community Center (713) 626-4222 ccatexas.org

MAY 10

Ducks Unlimited Dripping Springs Banquet Hog Heaven (512) 496-8333 ducks.org/texas Bass Champs North Series, Cedar Creek Lake (817) 439-3274 basschamps.com

MAY 14

Duck Unlimited Houston Dinner The River Oaks Country Club (713) 775-0423 duck.org/texas

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

April 11, 2014

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April 11, 2014

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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