Find the bait, find the trout
Springtime specks currently transitioning
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
Speckled trout have quickly transi tioned into springtime patterns, and most are being caught along main bay shorelines in knee- to waist-deep wa ter over stretches of sand with seagrass beds and scattered shell.
Strong winds have dictated where an glers have been able to fish, with calm days few and far between lately. Plenty of solid specks in the 2- to 5-pound range have been brought to hand, with some larger, trophy-caliber fish mixed in.
Rockport guide Capt. Josh Wagner has been targeting trout along main bay shorelines in the Aransas Bay com plex. His focus has been wade-fishing shallow flats in knee- to thigh-deep water over sandy bottoms with large, isolated grass beds.
“The most consistent speckled trout action has come from areas that are loaded with baitfish,” Wagner said. “If you can find concentrations of bait, there should be plenty of specks near by.”
Wagner said covering water has been the key with the rising temperatures, as the transition into springtime patterns continues to take place. Some wades have been producing solid numbers and consistent bites, while others have been a grind.
“Overall, the trout bite has been pret ty good,” he said. “We are consistently catching good numbers of fish in the 2- to 4-pound range. Some specks push ing 5 to 7 pounds have been in the mix, as well.”
Wagner said some of his best days for both numbers and size have occurred during rare windows of calmer weath er. During the few occasions that light
turn to page 9
Coming into
Alligator gar fishing season here
By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS
If you’re looking to fight one of the biggest fish in North America, then now is the time. The fishing for alligator gar is quickly improving as the best time to catch one of these river monsters arrives. These fish grow to colossal sizes all through the Trinity River system.
“It’s starting to get good right now,” said Capt. Bubba Bedre with Garzilla Guide Service.
He and his clients have been targeting bends, eddies, sandbars, and deeper holes.
“It all depends on river conditions. In certain river conditions, I’ll target different things. In low water conditions, I look for deeper pools. In high water conditions, I’ll target along the bank or
Different colors
Color variations common in wild Rio Grande turkey
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
Turkey hunters across the state have recently reported harvesting Rio Grande gobblers sporting various shades of tan, copper, and blonde-ish tipped feathers on their tail fans. Some of the birds that have feathers with light-colored tips have appeared to bear a strong resemblance to a Merriam’s turkey.
According to TPWD Wild Turkey Program Leader Jason Hardin, the Rio Grande subspecies of wild turkey is known for having a large variability in the coloration of its feathers, particularly along the tips of the feathers located in the tail fan.
“The Rio Grande turkey’s scientific subspecies name is Meleagris gallopavo intermedia, meaning it is an intermediate subspecies between the Eastern birds and the mountain birds,” Hardin said. “They can have variability in coloration that can resemble Eastern turkey or Merriam’s turkey. It’s not uncommon to see multiple
Two Toms taken recently on a North Zone ranch had very different tail feather colorations, making the hunters wonder what species of turkey they had shot. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Capt Josh Wagner lands a nice trout on a recent trip along the Texas coast.
Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Anglers can expect good gar fishing this spring on the Trinity River. Photo by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News.
HUNTING
What’s up with the duck stamp showing up after duck season?
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
Over the past several weeks, hunters across the state received their federal duck stamp in the mail, long after the 20252026 fall and winter waterfowl seasons came to an end. With the digital age of E-li-
Keeping the legacy alive
Muy Grande’s Garza family wins ‘Family Feud’ gameshow
By Meghan Jackson
The outdoors can prepare you for various opportunities the world has to offer. For the Garza family from Freer, winning the famous game show “Family Feud” hosted by Steve Harvey is a unique representation.
Known as “the Garza Girls,” Letty Escobar, Nori Tamez, Noelia Paniagua, Elsa Navarro, and Imelda Sharber were secretly nominated by daughter/ niece, Meghan Jackson, to compete on the show in November of 2023. Less than a week later, they were contacted to proceed with the application process. That’s when they found out their names were submitted.
“When Meghan told us the news, we were in absolute shock because we had no idea,” Escobar said. “Then our nerves quickly turned into the realization of how much we love ‘Family Feud.’”
Tamez said they have watched “Family Feud” since the 70s when it first appeared on television, and their mom loves playing and watching any type of game. To be selected for “Family Feud” was a chance of a lifetime.
“From our understanding, there is only a 10% to less than 20% chance of winning all five games consecutively,” Sharber said. “My sisters and I prayed before every game and prayed together every morning because only God could’ve given us this opportunity and success.”
As daughters of Leonel “Muy” and Elda Garza, their roots can be traced back to the legendary Muy Grande Deer Contest. They believe their upbringing prepared them for “Family Feud” in different ways.
“Hearing about our acceptance to compete on ‘Family Feud’ was the kind of surprise and news that Dad often shared with us growing up in the Muy Grande family,” Sharber said. “I never knew if a celebrity was hunting with my dad or was signing autographs at the Muy Grande store. He made life so exciting,”
The sisters explained the beginning of 2024 was dedicated to the application process which con-
Months late
censes and E-stamps upon us, many still remember the days of looking forward to receiving a physical federal duck stamp in the mail, signing it, and placing it on the back of their license. As the implementation of the E-stamp and this new process has become the new norm, many waterfowlers have been wondering, “What’s up with the duck stamp?”
According to the Federal Duck Stamp Program Manager for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ser-
vice, Valerie Fellows, the Duck Stamp Modernization Act of 2023 made E-Stamps valid for use throughout the entire waterfowl hunting season. The act was signed into law on Dec. 19, 2023, and became operational for the 2024-2025 migratory bird hunting season.
“When hunters purchase the E-stamp version of the Federal Duck Stamp with their hunting license, the E-stamp certification is valid through June 30,” Fellows said. “The
physical stamp is then mailed after March 10 of the purchase year by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s fulfillment center. The cost of a Federal Duck Stamp is $25, and the federal fulfillment fee, which is paid by the customer, is $4 per stamp.”
Fellows said hunters can avoid the $4 fulfillment fee by purchasing a physical Federal Duck Stamp directly from the U.S. Post Office, or other authorized in-person retailers,
Climbing the ladder
New TPWD Bighorn Program Leader lands dream job
By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS
Getting a hold of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s new Bighorn Sheep Program Leader Jose Etchart can be a challenge these days.
When he’s not trying to keep Texas
desert bighorn sheep safe and on the mountain from a number of things trying to knock the population down, he’s often guiding hunters on Big Time Texas hunts or the lucky winners who drew a sheep hunting permit this past season.
“We just finished up our hunt for the Big Time Texas hunt winner,” Etchart said. “I was guiding and the hunt took place at Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, for the first time in 11 years. Usually, we host these hunts at Elephant Mountain (WMA).”
Etchart was born and raised in El Paso, where he split time between there and his family’s ranch in Chihuahua Mexico. After high school, he attended Sul Ross State University in the Animal Science department. Persistence is one of his best traits, and Etchart employed that persistence by bugging the secretary daily to find a job.
“I literally bugged her daily until she asked if I wanted to be her assistant,” Etchart said. “It was great, because I got to meet all of the professors in the
It’s coming back
Popular Colt Boa available for limited run
By Conor Harrison one Star outdoor newS
One of the most collectible Colt model pistols of all time is about to hit the market again.
The original Colt Boa was a .357 Magnum revolver produced on a very limited run in 1985 of 1,200 units. Six hundred 4-inch barrel guns and 600 6-inch barrel models were made. That’s it. They quickly became the “Holy Grail” of the Colt snake gun series, featuring the Anaconda, Cobra, Viper, Diamondback, and Python releases.
A new original Boa is worth up to $40,000 at auction. Because of the rarity, many Colt collectors have not been able to fill out their snake gun collection. Until now.
For Lone Star outdoor newS
Since going to a digital E-stamp model, the Federal Duck Stamp is no longer sent to hunters before the season. Photo by USFWS.
The Garza Girls during the taping of “Family Feud,” in which they won five games to take the top prize. Photo by Family Feud.
Collectors are excited about the release of the new Colt Boa in 4- and 6-inch barrels. Photo by Colt.
New TPWD Bighorn Sheep Leader Jose Etchart standing in front of the landscape where he’s trying to keep Texas bighorns alive and thriving. Photo from Jose Etchart.
Acres of fun
NRA Convention a big success in Houston
By Conor Harrison Lone Star outdoor newS
Thousands of gun and Second Amendment enthusiasts descended upon Houston’s George R. Brown’s Convention Center last weekend for the Annual NRA Convention.
The crowd was big and the booth setups were even bigger, with many well-known companies having massive buildouts with stages, lights and big screens for attendees to see the latest and greatest in the world of firearms, tactical gear and accessories.
One of the biggest shifts from past years was the number of suppressor companies who are now showcasing state-of-the-art suppressors for all makes and models of firearms, including shotguns.
According to The Shooting Wire’s Paul Erhardt, “speaking with exhibitors, the general consensus is that consumer confidence has improved compared to 2025, as reflected in Q1 sales that met or exceeded expectations, with some companies exceeding expectations by a wide margin.
Nick Andrews, director of marketing for Benelli USA, summarized the transition from 2025 to 2026 as a shift from broad economic uncertainty — impacting both manufacturers and consumers due to fluctuating tariff rates — to a first quarter where the market has learned to live with that uncertainty.”
The crowd was an older demographic walking around the show floor on the first day, with many coming from out of state to see the latest offerings.
Craig Mayo from Stagecoach, Texas said he didn’t know about the Convention until he read his March issue of Lone Star Outdoor News and saw the show program.
“I knew I had to come down once I saw it was in the neighborhood,” he said as he walked past the LSON booth. “Good thing I read my Lone Star Outdoor News.”
Many of the gun manufactures attending were releasing new or special edition guns like the newly announced Colt Boa featured in this issue.
The U.S. Navy had its Fleet Week coinciding with the NRA Convention, so thousands of sailors were on shore leave for the first time in months, adding to the pageantry of the event already decked out in red, white and blue. Unfortunately for some of the younger sailors, Fleet Week got off to a rocky start with several seen being carried back to their rooms after over-indulging in the festivities. A different sort of seasickness, if you will.
The show ended Sunday afternoon, with a smaller crowd turning out for the last day. However, the event was a big success, with large crowds the first two days and many exhibitors pleased with the turnout.
Joshua Creek wins Orvis award
Boerne’s Joshua Creek Ranch has announced it has been named the 2026 Orvis Endorsed “Wingshooting Lodge of the Year.” This marks the ranch’s second win in the program, following its previous award in 2018, and continues a history of recognition as a finalist in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2021.
“We are humbled and proud to receive this prestigious recognition from Orvis,” said Kevin Welborn, managing director at Joshua Creek Ranch. “This award reflects the dedication of our owners, guides, and staff, our ongoing conservation and community support efforts, and the extraordinary feedback from the guests who visit us. After 36 years of successful operation, we remain committed to delivering an exceptional end-to-end wingshooting lodge experience in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.”
The Orvis Endorsed program evaluates operations for excellence in guest experience, facilities and operations, and conservation practices. There are around 30 Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting Lodges worldwide. These lodges are selected based on rigorous standards for hunting quality, service, and dining.
Each year, three lodges are celebrated as finalists for the “Orvis Endorsed Wingshooting Lodge of the Year” award.
—Staff report
PUBLIC COMMENT USFWS seeks wolf comments
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests information regarding the implementation of the Endangered Species Act section 10(j) nonessential experimental population rule (10(j) Rule) for gray wolves (Canis lupus) in the State of Colorado, 88 FR 77014 (Nov. 8, 2023).
Over the past few years, many wolf-livestock depredation events have been verified in Colorado, and the total number of verified depredations and associated claims has vastly exceeded the funds currently available under Colorado’s existing livestock compensation scheme. The service is seeking information on how the state of Colorado, including Colorado Parks and Wildlife and partner agencies, is implementing the 10(j) Rule and addressing conflicts between wolves and livestock.
The service also seeks information regarding the impact, if any, that the experimental wolf population is having on wild ungulate herds or populations, including on Tribal lands, as discussed in the final rule, as well as implementation of associated procedures to allow nonlethal and lethal management of gray wolves that are having an unacceptable impact.
Comments will be accepted on or before June 5, 2026. Go to the Federal Register website to comment.
—USFWS
Mike Perkins, from Richmond, Texas, checks out the new Ruger Red Label lll at the recent NRA Convention in Houston.
Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Back to normal
South Padre Island fishing returning after spring break fervor
By Cory Byrnes
For Lone Star outdoor newS
Spring break has ended, and South Padre Island is settling back into its normal routine. That means fishing, and the fishing has been good.
“The fishing has been really good. The
conditions have been very windy, which has made it great for red fishing,” said Mike Knox with Blast to Cast Guide Service.
He and his clients have been targeting the grass flats.
“I have been catching them in the shallow grass flats on both soft plastics and fresh-cut bait,” Knox said.
Two color combinations of soft plastics have been particularly productive — pumpkinseed/chartreuse and white with green back.
The fish are spread out, so anglers have
Shallow game continues
Largemouth bass being caught in skinny water across state
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
If you like targeting largemouth bass in shallow water, now is the time to get out on one of Texas’ inland lakes. The shallow bite is on fire as the spawning season continues. Anglers are catching numbers of fish on a variety of lures, and trophy-sized bass are still tipping the scales to double digits across Texas.
Shannon Stanley, owner of TriLakes Tackle Town in Granbury, said most of the bass being caught on Lake Granbury are up shallow in five feet of water or less.
“You can get a lot of bites on various top-water baits, Wacky Rigs, and Neko rigs,” Stanley said.
“Most of the fish being caught on these presentations are smaller in size, ranging anywhere from 1 1/2 to 5 pounds.”
Stanley said anglers have been catching both post-spawn and pre-spawn bass recently. It’s a great time to be on the lake, and fish are being caught from the backs of canals all the way out to main lake points.
“More quality bites have been coming on Texas-rigged creature baits and jigs,”
been utilizing the wind to assist their drifts through good areas.
“The fish aren’t concentrated in little areas. With the wind, you’re able to do longer drifts and you’re able to hit more fish,” Knox said. “The incoming tide has been better. With the higher tide, you can go pretty much anywhere.”
Knox reports the trout have been steadily biting, as well. As the season progresses into May and the winds die down, Knox said the baitfish will push back into the bay in higher numbers, and the seatrout will be easier to target.
Captain Craig Woolly with SPI “Fish On” Guide Service has been targeting reds and trout lately, as well.
“The fishing has been absolutely amazing,” Woolly said. “We have been focusing on combined grass and sand flats for reds. They have been pretty hot over the last couple of weeks. The trout have been coming in several different places in different water depths. The main ones have been in 2 to 3 feet of water over sandy pockets.” He and his clients have been successful
Popular destination
By Nate Skinner For Lone Star outdoor newS
Capt. Storm Brodnax and his wife, Meghan, opened the doors of La Pesca Lodge in 2022.
As the owners and operators of the fishing and hunting lodge located in Riviera on Baffin Bay, their desire was to create a place known for being a destination sportsmen and women want to visit, and revisit often. La Pesca Lodge offers all-inclusive packages
for fishing on Baffin Bay, including luxury lodging, delicious meals, and professional fishing guides. They also offer these services separately, for folks that just need lodging and may want to bring their own boat. In addition to fishing trips, the operation also offers a variety of hunts, including dove hunts, duck hunts, sandhill crane hunts, nilgai hunts, and predator hunts.
According to Brodnax, La Pesca offers 9 rooms downstairs, including 4 bunk rooms, 4 queen rooms, and 1 king suite. The lodge has a total of 30 separate beds and also has an upstairs suite in its second story that has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen.
New lodge quickly becoming a favorite of anglers on Baffin Bay
Big trout are biting near South Padre Island like this one caught by young angler Nelson.
Photo by Capt. Mike Knox.
Don Callahan caught this 9-pound bass while fishing with Lake Fork fishing guide, Danny Holder. Photo from Danny Holder.
La Pesca Lodge opened on Baffin Bay several years ago.
Photo by Meghan Brodnax.
Making them earn it
Bad weather greets Bass Champs anglers on Fork
By Vivian Leopold For Lone Star outdoor newS
In the world’s richest one-day bass tournament hosted by Bass Champs Mega Bass, anglers battled heavy rain and wind on April 12 on Lake Fork. Weather reports earlier that week were a concern for some who chose not to compete for $25,000 every hour, including a payout of $15,000 for the top hourly spot. According to Jeff Welch, 1,451 anglers took part in the tournament which paid out 15 places per hour.
In the 9 a.m. weigh-in, Kirk Folse of Chauvin, Louisiana turned in his personal best, a 10.76-pound over-the-slot fish to win a Skeeter ZX200 boat, Yamaha motor, trailer and Garmin Electronics, along with the $15,000. A friend of his had recommended a spot to fish and he arrived there in the dark. About 10 minutes before the 6:30 a.m. first cast, another boater cut in between him and the bank. Folse had to readjust his boat angle. He joked he was both disappointed in the other angler for the maneuver but thankful that the angle pivot put him on the winning bass. Folse’s brother manned the net, and both thought the big fish was in the slot. At Lake Fork, no bass over 16 inches and under 24 inches in length may be presented to the scales.
Justin Williams, of Temple, had already seen some 16-inch line burners weighed in and thought his 15 1/2-inch big belly bass wouldn’t weigh enough.
His 2.94-pounder was caught in 10-feet of water with a Rapala shad rap and won him a Kubota Sidekick for the heaviest bass under-the-slot, plus $2,000 for second place that hour. When asked where he caught the winner, Williams explained this was his first time fishing Lake Fork and he had no idea where to go, so he fished not far out from Lake Fork Marina, the tournament’s base.
A tournament first for Bass Champs, there was a 5-way tie with 2.3 pounds in the final hour of the weigh-in, vying to be in the money.
High tides
Sabine Lake anglers dealing with winds, tidal movements
By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS
Sabine Lake anglers have reported the tides have been higher than normal due to a strong south wind. It’s making fishing challenging, but anglers who put in the time to find fish have found success.
“It’s been pretty good. I’d say it’s been steady,” said Jerry Norris with Sabine Lake Guide Service.
He and his clients have been targeting seatrout and redfish.
“It’s been half and half lately,” Norris said. “When targeting trout, I’m keying in on the transitions to structure where the fish have access to deeper water. Look for those structures with 4 to 6 feet of water around them.”
For reds, he and his clients remain focused on the same structure.
“We’re just catching them (reds) mixed in with the trout,” Norris said. “Some reds are being caught in the marsh, too. Our best bites have been on an incoming tide.”
For baits, Norris has been using strictly artificials.
“Jig heads and paddletails in pearl and chartreuse have been good,” Norris said.
Capt. Chris Phillips with Sabine Outdoors reports he has been catching quality reds, and they are starting to see trout on the incoming tide in the Neches River. He and his clients have been targeting reds with live shrimp under corks, and for trout, he has been sticking to knocker tails in pearl and chartreuse.
“I’ve just been fishing points and rock piles. That’s what I have been keying in on up and down the river,” Phillips said. “I am just fishing where they are dropping off. Anywhere between 3 and 5 feet of water. Stay mobile. I give it 10 minutes, maybe 20 minutes, if I caught fish there the day before. If nothing happens, I am moving to the next set. I am hitting and going.”
Other captains echo the good fishing report on Sabine.
“Fishing has been excellent on Lake Sabine. Even in the wind, the fish are eating,” said
These five anglers all brought in a 2.3-pound bass in the final weigh-in, a first for the Mega Bass tournament. Photo by Vivian Leopold, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Angler Don Prescott holds a nice redfish he caught recently on Sabine Lake. Photo by Capt. Steve Ingram.
27
28 Tue 3:24
TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES
Freeport Harbor
Port O’Connor
Nueces Bay
Matagorda Port Aransas
A day of firsts
Jetty anglers have memorable trip with multiple species
By Tony Vindell For Lone Star outdoor newS
Fishing off a jetty is, more often than not, an unpredictable sport.
It takes time, money and a lot of work carrying all sorts of equipment, often on slippery rocks in dangerous conditions.
But all that work leads to the excitement of sitting on the rocks never knowing what could bite the end of your line.
Anglers Devin Hudson and Thad Pearson recently found that lesson out, as both anglers reeled in different species from the South Padre Island jetties.
The pair are both avid outof-state anglers, but both of them spend a good time of the year fishing in Texas’ gulf waters.
Springtime specks
Continued from page 1
On Friday, April 17, the two were fishing off the South Padre Island jetty and hooked fish they have never caught before.
“A pompano,” Pearson said. “This is my first one ever.”
About 20 feet away, Hudson positioned himself and began fishing using live shrimp as bait.
“I got another on, too!” he said. “My first, also.”
Hudson said he has fished all over the country, including in northern Minnesota for trout.
He said this was his fifth time fishing off the jetty in hopes of catching an eating-sized sheepshead, but the ones he caught were all undersized. Hudson said he also fished in Galveston and caught several redfish, but he said their colors are not like the reds farther south on South Padre Island.
Pearson said he has fished all over, including in Alaska and in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
As the anglers kept on fishing, Pearson caught a good-sized sheepshead, followed by another pompano and, finally, a Spanish mackerel.
“One, two and three,” he said touching the fish with one of his fingers. “Three fish species I have never caught. Wow.”
Meanwhile, Hudson rose his voice after pulling another fish out of the water.
“Another pompano,” he said. “This is awesome!”
A few minutes later, Hudson made a suggestion to bleed the fish to make them taste better by removing the blood. He then pulled out a fillet knife, opened a section of the fish below the head, exposing the gills and cut it in half.
“This is how you do it,” Hudson said. “I do this on any fish I catch. You will taste the difference.”
winds have prevailed recently, he has been able to cover areas that have typically been blown out and unfishable under breezy conditions.
“Calm winds really open up the playing field and allow us to check out stretches of water that may not have received much fishing pressure lately,” Wagner said. “On the random days that these ideal conditions have occurred, the bite has been excellent.”
Wagner said most of the trout he and his anglers have been catching have been striking large soft plastics. Natural color patterns and baits with a plum or purple color pattern have been the ticket.
Billy and Ty Gerke of ForEverlast Inc. recently pursued speckled trout in Baffin Bay with several of their brand ambassadors while fishing with Capt. Christian Schneider and Capt. Ryan Norrell.
While testing out new products and gear, they caught plenty of speckled trout in the 16- to 22-inch range. A handful of larger trout weighing up to 5 1/2 pounds were brought to hand, as well.
“The most consistent action took place in about thigh to waist deep wa-
ter over stretches with grass beds and sandy potholes,” said Ty Gerke. “Many of us tried throwing top-waters, but the fish didn’t seem to want to come up to the surface. Most of them were hunkered down in the grass and biting soft plastics rigged on an 1/8-ounce jig head.”
Gerke had his best luck throwing a Big Smooth by Down South Lures, which is a large straight-tail soft plastic bait. Others in the group had good success using paddletail swim baits.
“We caught the most fish during the mid-morning hours,” Gerke said. “The bite was pretty steady for a couple of hours, especially from fish in the 2- to 3-pound range.”
Trey Thumann said he’s been finding decent numbers of trout in the 2to 4-pound range over sandy bottoms with scattered shell while wading along protected main bay shorelines in East Matagorda Bay in thigh- to waistdeep water. He said top-water baits have been drawing plenty of strikes recently, especially on windy days when the fish have seemed to be more attracted to noisy presentations that emit a lot of vibration.
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Thad Pearson is proud of his stringer of pompano and sheepshead. Photo by Tony Vindell, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Capt Christian Schneider lands a good-sized trout in Baffin Bay over grass beds with scattered potholes. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Brady Willis caught this 5.75-pound hybrid striped bass on Lake Nasworthy.
Crystal Sanchez of Fort Worth shot this wild boar using her .308 while being guided by her husband on their family ranch in Clay County.
Jacob Morgan landed this 6-pound trout in Port O’Connor. Lucas angler Ted Taylor caught this 14.22-pound bass from O.H. Ivie Reservoir on March 31.
Beckett Coleman was hunting with his father who shot this turkey in Atascosa County.
VIEW FROM THE FRONT PORCH
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Expansive views, varied terrain, and commanding hilltops create a landscape that is both visually striking and deeply peaceful. With its scale, location, and topography, the property offers exceptional flexibility for a variety of long-term uses, including a
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Today’s rural buyers are seeking more than wide-open acreage. They are seeking:
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the value of water
Recreational ranch owners often want different things from their property.
Some see the land as something to hold for generations and family enjoyment, others may purchase a tract to make improvements and sell for a profit, while some others might view land as strictly a recreational investment.
According to Matt Hageman, owner of Shepco Development Company, enhancing a property for recreation or investment begins with learning about the client and specifically tailoring a project to the goals and vision of the landowner. That often includes adding water to a property in the form of a pond or lake. His crew are experts in heavy construction, pond and ranch development throughout Texas and the western U.S.
“We have a fiduciary duty to take care of our clients and their money,” Hageman said. “We will not do a project just to take someone’s money. We’ll first look at a satellite image of the property, sit down with the client and really talk about their goals. Soil and geography will tell us the scope of the project. We look at how we can add value to a property. We know we are only as good as our last project, and we are not going to build a bad project.”
Hageman said water shortages are on the horizon as population growth expands, reservoirs reach their tipping points, governments look to purchase private water wells and the fracking industry continues to use water resources.
“There is a huge amount of water being consumed, and some people think ponds or lakes can’t exist on small acreages,” he said. “This isn’t Grandpa’s day of pushing dirt around with a dozer. And it’s getting harder to build. Costs are increasing, as are land values. Texas is still pretty wide open for pond construction but 10 years from now, you’re probably not going to be able to build just any lake. Water rights are big and the window to get these are closing.”
Shepco Development Company is your one-stop-shop from drawing plans that maximize enjoyment and return on investment to final construction of the project. They currently work with several of the largest land brokers in Texas, who trust Shepco to work with clients looking to purchase land by including the team throughout the buying process.
And according to Ben Strang, Shepco’s vice president of branding, there is a “cool factor” that also comes into play when looking to enhance a property with water.
“A lot of our clients get excited to build something cool,” he said. “They want to grow big fish or maybe take their family out on the boat. Putting water onto a property can be one of the coolest things someone does, but it has to be done right.”
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Solution on Page 18
ACROSS
1. Often called ocean’s trash compactor
5. Desert dweller related to pigs
8. Historical people of NE Texas
9. Most common turkey subspecies
11. How bullet weight is measured
13. Famed region of South Texas
16. Deer hunters tiptoe around this spot
19. Total available food sources
21. Arc-shaped path of bullet
22. Polarizing coastal live bait
23. Final measurement for record book
25. TX/LA border water
26. Related to banks of a river
28. Most common game bird in Texas
30. Coastal fishing strategy in wind
32. Tender shoots eaten by deer
33. Coastal fishing strategy for calm days
34. Indian deer common in Texas
35. Tank for keeping fish
36. Where an angler wants to keep his bait
DOWN
2. Best time to catch a big bass
3. Game Warden checking for this
4. Common coastal gamefish
6. Predatory fish tactic
7. Coastal plant that provides habitat
10. Blue, green or cinnamon
12. Bucks tend to make these when walking
13. Incidental non-target fish in nets
14. Process of sighting in a rifle
15. Technique to lighten the load once a deer is killed
16. Good place to fish out of the wind
17. Hunters hope ducks fly into this
18. Big bucks under lots of hunting pressure
20. TPWD program: ____ ____
Deer Permits
21. Silver king
24. Measures line strength
25. Art of making memories for hunters and anglers
27. Invasive reef dweller
29. Holds fish in the water
31. Network of lines within eyepiece
FOR THE TABLE
*email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.
Spring shrimp salad
2 pounds of shrimp
1 red onion and several stalks of celery
1 cup mayonnaise
1 lemon, juiced
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsps. dill and parsley
1 clove garlic, minced salt and pepper
To make the dressing, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and zest, dill, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until cooked through and pink. While the shrimp are cooking, prepare an ice water bath. Use a skimmer to remove the shrimp from the ice water bath. Let them cool for 3 minutes, then drain them in a colander. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cooled shrimp, red onion, celery, and dressing, until creamy. Serve plain or with butter lettuce leaves.
—Staff report
Bighorn leader
Continued from page 4
department by delivering their mail. I met Dr. Louis Harveson, and I had just gone along on a scaled quail project on Nine Point Mesa. He said the group had liked me, and he asked if I’d be interested in becoming a wildlife technician? By my second term, they hired another grad student to track sheep from Elephant Mountain to Nine Point. I really got into tracking sheep. I knew it was something special.”
Etchart immediately began volunteering with the sheep program, and in 2011, TPWD hired Etchart for a seasonal positing for eight months.
“I loved it,” he said. “I applied for another wildlife technician job through the wildlife technician program, and in 2016, a wildlife biologist position opened up in Van Horn County. It involved a lot of sheep stuff, so I was excited to get that job. I’ve been going up the ladder ever since.”
After becoming a member of the state’s Bighorn Sheep Committee, Etchart moved back to El Paso in 2019 and got to participate in moving the first group of bighorns back into the Franklin Mountains. In December, 77 desert bighorn sheep were released into Franklin Mountains State park, including 40 ewes and 37 rams, all translocated from Elephant Mountain.
“I loved working there and thought maybe one day I can retire as the Bighorn Sheep Program Leader,” Etchart said. “I was maybe hoping one day, but it seemed to happen faster than I thought it would.”
Etchart took over for former leader Froylan Hernandez. He said several issues are facing Texas’ bighorn sheep that could impact their population numbers moving forward. Currently, the Texas bighorn population has decreased by 50% due to disease and competition from another sheep species, the aoudad. Etchart wrote his masters thesis on the relationship between bighorns and aoudad, which are much more disease-resistant and a hardier animal overall than a bighorn sheep.
“The Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, or Movi, is on the landscape. It’s a bacteria that turns into pneumonia in sheep,” Etchart said. “That is currently the biggest threat we face with bighorn sheep. The second biggest threat is the aoudad population. They compete for resources with bighorns and they carry the Movi disease and are potential transmitters for the disease.”
Etchart said a philosophical shift has occurred recently within the department, from a purely restoration mindset to now holding off on translocation projects while keeping the sheep currently on the landscape alive and healthy.
“We don’t really know exactly what triggers the Movi disease,” he said. “We think it comes from domestic sheep and goats, but did the sheep get it first? Did the aoudad get it first? Did it come strictly from feral goats or sheep? We know it is really detrimental to bighorn sheep but aoudad can deal with it and it won’t kill them.”
Etchart said bighorn sheep are a cornerstone species of southwest Texas, but they are a fragile species in some regards.
“These sheep live in tough environments often times at high elevation,” he said. “They are tough species but they are fragile. If something doesn’t go right, it’s hard on them. They also only have one lamb each year, so they don’t reproduce like other species.”
Etchart said hunting opportunities for Texas bighorns remain rare, with a few lucky hutners drawing a public permit through TPWD’s hunt system, or purchasing a tag, often close to $100,000, through conservation organizations’ auctions on private land.
“Some ranches are still getting permits after we complete our population checks,” Etchart said. “There are a couple of permits around, but very few.”
Etchart said the help TPWD receives from private stakeholders and groups such as the Texas Bighorn Society, Wild Sheep Foundation, DSC and SCI, is vitally important for the future of the species.
“Those groups are very important,” he said. “We need all hands on deck. This is the lowest population of sheep we’ve had in some time, but we aren’t starting at zero. In the 1960s, we started at zero.”
On the few days he’s not working, Etchart said he loves hunting mule deer, elk and now, sheep.
“I’m a big mountain guy,” he said. “I’m a big hunter but spend more time on the guide side of it. I do love chasing mule deer. I’m just so passionate about sheep hunting, even though I have yet to be the one to pull the trigger. I got to call the shot on the last sheep hunt, and it was really special.”
Turkey fans
Continued from page 1
Rio Grande turkey harvested on the same property with different color variations.”
Hardin said there were historical populations of Merriam’s turkey in Texas at one time in the Guadalupe Mountains.
“We did have some restocking efforts for Merriam’s in the Davis Mountains here in Texas years ago,” Hardin said. “However, studies dating back to 2003 indicated there were likely only about 500 pure Merriam’s remaining in the region at that time.”
Hardin said there is not any data or research that links color variations to the feathers on Rio Grande turkey to nutrition. He said variability in nutrition leads to variability in the body condition of birds, as well as the condition of their beard.
“Gobblers experiencing some sort of nutrient deficiency may have poor body conditions,” Hardin said. “They may also display signs of beard rot, where their beard becomes brittle and begins to break off in places. A nutrient deficiency can also cause a lack of pigmentation in their beard, which can make their beard have blond striations or even appear more red or lighter in color, rather than black.”
National Wild Turkey Federation certified wildlife biologist Jared McJunkin also confirms Rio Grande turkey often sport a wide range of variability in coloration in their tail fans. He said this is due to variations in genetics across the range of the subspecies.
Puzzle by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News
Duck stamp
for the base price of $25. This would require hunters to carry the physical stamp, along with their license, at all times while hunting.
Prior to the implementation of the Duck Stamp Modernization Act, E-stamp purchases were only valid for 45 days, and physical stamps were mailed in a timely manner.
“While waterfowl hunters over 16 years of age are required to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp along with state licenses and permits to legally hunt, many customers purchase duck stamps for other reasons,” Fellows said. “Duck Stamp purchases support conservation, provide free entry to National Wildlife Refuges that charge entry fees, and are considered treasured collectors’ items by many.”
Photo by USFWS.
Fellows said more than 98% of the money raised from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly toward helping acquire wetlands and conservation easements for the National Wildlife Refuge System.
“These wetlands and conservation easements help purify water, aid in flood control, reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities like hunting and fishing,” Fellows said. “Since the first duck stamp was sold in 1934, sales have raised more than $1.3 billion dollars toward conserving more than 6 million acres of wetlands habitat across the nation.”
Sabine Lake
Continued from page 7
Capt. Steve Ingram with N2 Fishing Charters. “They’re not going to stop biting just because it is windy.”
He and his clients have been targeting reds, trout, drum, and sheepshead.
“I have been targeting reds on structure in 3 to 5 feet of water,” Ingram said. “We have been us ing corks and a drop-shot (rig) with dead shrimp. I pinch the tails off and thread the shrimp onto the hook.”
For trout, he reports they are on the same structure holding in 5- to 6-feet of water.
“They’re moving back into the summertime locations. You’re just catching them in transition. I caught them in the jetties and the ship channel the other day,” he reported. “They are already moving in.”
Ingram has been finding sheepshead and drum along the jetties and ship channels, as well. However, those species have been holding in the deeper water.
“You just have to have a window of opportunity with this wind we have been having,” he said.
As water temperatures continue to heat up at the end of April, fish will really begin to transition into summertime patterns. All guides said they will target the jetties and deeper water for trout. For reds, they will be looking over shale and oyster reefs.
Alligator gar
Continued from page 1
in an eddy,” he said. “No matter what part of the river you choose, try to get out of the current.”
For bait fishermen, carp, buffalo, and shad can be used.
“I prefer carp personally,” Bedre said. He also recommended using no larger than a 3/0 lightweight bronze treble hook.
“I am just rigging like I am catfishing,” he said.
If you’re looking for an additional challenge, you can target these fish with a fly rod.
“It’s kind of hard to sight-fish them unless you have the perfect conditions,” he said. “That will be mostly like early spring. They will get shallow and sun like a turtle. If you are not seeing any, then keep moving and blind-cast in likely places.”
Fly-fishermen can also sight-cast to them effectively later in the summer once the water gets too hot for anything else. For flies, Bedre recommends a white baitfish pattern with a trailing hook.
“Something like a musky fly,” he recommended. “Ox hair works the best. I don’t recommend you go out with anything less than a 12-weight.”
Farther south, the fishing has been just as good, according to Mark Malfa with Big Fish Bowfishing Texas. He and his clients have been fishing the Trinity River nearer the coast.
“We’ve done very well. We caught a 7-footer and several smaller ones,” Malfa said. He and his clients have had the most success with carp.
“Carp’s probably your best all-around bait. I would say smaller buffalo are very good, and so is mullet,” he said.
In any given section of the river, Malfa is looking for and targeting the deeper holes.
“Maybe not the deepest, but deeper than the surrounding area,” he said. “I have caught them in holes that are 25 feet deep before, but most of the time, it’s in 5- to 10-feet of water. Once you find a spot, prepare for a long soak. I will move, maybe once, maybe twice, but if I get that feeling, I’ll just sit there.”
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Angler Jordan Beal beat the wind and found some decent redfish.
Photo by Capt. Steve Ingram.
FISHING REPORTS
Everything is biting
Lake Conroe hot this month
By Cory Byrnes For Lone Star outdoor newS
Everything is biting on Lake Conroe with the shad spawn still going strong.
Largemouth bass have been fair to good along the bulkheads.
“It was good. Snuck out today; it was a good overcast Friday,” said Chris Bulware with Hoodoo Sports. “We were kind of just following the shad schools. You could see them up against the bulkheads.”
Bulware was targeting bass in 2- to 4-feet of water around docks and off the bulkhead.
“(The fish are) mostly stuck to structure like boat lifts and docks coming off the bulkhead,” he said. “I am also catching fish on points where they dropped off to deeper water.”
He had most of his success with a 1/4-ounce white and chartreuse spinnerbait with a paddletail soft plastic trailer in white.
“I even caught a channel cat on it,” he laughed.
Once the spawn slows down, he works his way out to deeper water.
“I am just looking for points and drop-offs in the main lake. You know something in the 15- to 20-feet range,” Bulware said. “I think at some point we are down to 30 feet.”
The fishing slowed down for him on the main lake, he reported. Bulware said the bass have started moving back into the creeks, and anglers should focus on those areas in the morning hours before the heat sets in.
For hybrids, the fishing has been outstanding, according to Collin Edwards with Lake Conroe Fishing Adventures.
“It’s been really good,” he said, “We have a lot of fish out deep, Let’s say 30 to 36 feet, still out on open ledges and deep water areas. We have a lot of fish that have been up shallow on sandy points and ledges. I have been catching them anywhere from 12 to 36 feet.”
He and his clients have been using shad primarily.
“You can also get them on some casting slabs,” he added. “Right now, they are a little more active in the springtime, especially if you can find some fish actively feeding.”
White bass have been mixed in with the hybrids.
“They have been for the last couple of weeks. They will kind of separate here and there,” Edwards reported. “A client just caught the new junior lake record for white bass.”
As summer sets in, Edwards says the fish will continue to move deeper and settle into a 16- to 20-foot range. Don’t be afraid to pick up and move or even troll a deep-diving crankbait or spoon behind a hellbender while you’re searching for a school.
Texas team
No Le Hace takes top prize at Chub Cay
Weather played a big factor in the 6th Annual Chub Cay Invitational Tournament that just concluded in the Bahamas. A strong low-pressure system with high winds forced multiple boats to sit out, but the remaining fleet didn’t let that damped spirits. By the time the frontal boundary had passed, the fish turned on and Rockport’s No Le Hace, a 57 Spencer led by Capt. Freddy “Potatoes” Vicens and the team had captured first place.
No Le Hace released three sailfish and one blue marlin and all were caught by Denise McMahan, who was also named Top Lady Angler for the event.
On the first day of fishing two blue marlin, one white and four sailfish were tallied. Blues successfully released count for 500 points, whites are 200 and sails score 100.
No Le Hace made its charge on the second day.
The radio and dock were buzzing with Waterline’s (Capt. Jake Griffith/58 Viking) epic fight on light tackle. Rob McCall fought a big yellowfin tuna for five hours, 20 minutes on a Tallica 25 with 40-pound main line, 60-pound leader and a 7/0 circle hook. The fish ate a ballyhoo on the right long outrigger line and was finally boated at 5:04. The boat made it back to the scales within the two-hour deadline, with everyone cheering on. When the fish was finally weighed, it registered 140 pounds, easily winning the heaviest meat fish for the Invitational. That catch also was the largest game fish in Chub Cay Resort’s tournament history. Waterline also weighed a 38-pound dolphin to sweep the game fish categories. —Staff report
Fish art winners
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the 2026 winners of the Texas division of the Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest.
Judges chose 14 out of 714 total entries to be featured in the 2027 Texas Fish Art Calendar and displayed in an exhibit at TFFC.
Students are placed into grade categories for judging, where their skills are more closely matched. The judges grade the art based on accuracy of the chosen species, accuracy of the habitat, and the artist’s creativity to choose the winners for each grade category.
In the K-3 category, the winners were: First place, Jeremiah Lee of Dallas; second place, Franco Du of Flower Mound; third place, Nora Cheng of Austin.
In the grades 4-6 category, the winners were: First place, Candice Chen of Bee Cave; second place, Eva Huang of Austin; third
In the grades 7-9 category, the winners were: First place, Alice Zhang
Frisco; third place, Ivan Zaklyazminskiy of Frisco.
In the grades 10-12 category, the winners were: First
SALTWATER FISHING REPORTS
SOUTH PADRE
• Jim’s Pier posted a photo of a 6-man limit of redfish on their hanging board
• Capt. Brian Barrera posted a 36.5-inch snook he caught on a rainy day on a rattle trap
• Some oversized reds have been reported just off the jetties
• Capt. Eric Glass said after the recent cool front they had a great day catching tailing redfish; Water seems a little cooler than normal in the shallows this year, he said
• Reports of pompano, sheepshead and some Spanish mackerel from the jetties are coming in, as well
ROCKPORT
• Water temperature remains cooler than normal
• Good catches of trout reported in waist to chest deep water on hard sand with some grass
• Soft plastics in your favorite color will work great
• Capt. Jay Watkins mentioned on his social media that their big trout are ready to spawn; Windward points with shell and water movement are a good place to fish right now
• Black drum are good on fresh dead shrimp, and live shrimp under a popping cork
• Should be exciting when you find the schools
• Look for the redfish in guts and along the edges of deep water
PORT MANSFIELD
• Capt. Wayne Davies got on trout with the drizzle and cloud cover this weekend
• The Mansfield Knockers top-water baits were working well
• Capt. Aaron Cisneros reported grass lines and protective coves were the ticket for reds, trout, and flounder using soft plastics
• Look for oversized reds at the end of the jetties and on the East Cut; You should find black drum as well.
• Try fresh dead shrimp for bait
FRESHWATER FISHING REPORTS
LAKE FORK
• Water level is 2.72 feet below full pool
• Surface temps are between 68 and 71 degrees
• Bass are spawning in many areas, according to guide Eddie Garrett
• Best bite is between 2 and 7 feet
• Texas-rigged soft plastics fished shallow are getting bites
• Other area anglers say fishing shallow around stumps has also been productive
TOLEDO BEND RESERVOIR
• The bream bite has turned on, according to local anglers on social media
• Start your search shallow around docks and piers with crickets and nightcrawlers
• Shallow bite around boathouses has also been productive
• Also search around natural timber stands
• Crappie jigs have also been catching fish
• Crappie bite has been good, especially on a north wind
• Target laydowns and brush piles in 15 to 20 feet for crappie
LAKE O’ THE PINES
• Water level showing lake is at full pool
• Surface temps are between 65 and 72 degrees
• Crappie fishing is very good right now, according to lakeothepinesfishigngreport.com
• Crappie are good underneath all bridges around 8 feet deep
• Easier to catch in the evening after the sun goes down
• The bass bite has been decent along drop-offs with crankbaits and soft plastics
• Spawn is winding down and fish are returning to feeding patterns
place, Yueran Lang of Austin.
of Manvel; second place, Annabelle Yuan of
place, Dalia Morales of Houston; second place, Eliza Chung of Bee Cave (art above); third place, Adrienne Wang of Houston.
White bass are biting on Lake Conroe. Photo from Collin Edwards.
The team from No le Hace celebrates winning the 6th Annual Chub Cay Invitational. Photo from Chub Cay Invitational.
NATIONAL
Growth at NASP
The National Archery in the Schools Program continues to demonstrate steady growth and impacts in schools across the country, both on the range and in the classroom.
The 2025–2026 school year saw an impressive 12.3% increase in students being recognized for academic success compared to the previous year.
This continued growth reflects strong demand from educators, students, and communities seeking meaningful, in-school opportunities that engage students in new ways. More than 100 new schools reported having Academic Archers this year. With each participating school and every student who identifies as an Academic Archer, the meaning behind that achievement continues to grow.
—NASP
NEBRASKA
Big game recs made
The Game and Parks Commission approved recommendations for 2026 deer, antelope and elk hunting seasons at its meeting April 17 at Chadron State Park.
The approved 2026 big game season dates are:
Deer:
Archery – Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2026; November Firearm – Nov. 14-22 (nine consecutive days starting on the Saturday closest to Nov. 13), 2026; Muzzleloader – Dec. 1-31, 2026; Late Antlerless Only Firearm – Jan. 1-15, 2027; October River Antlerless Firearm – Oct. 1-15, 2026
Antelope: Archery – Aug. 20-Dec. 31, 2026; Muzzleloader – Sept. 19-Oct. 4, 2026; Firearm – Oct. 10-25, 2026; Late Doe/Fawn – Nov. 1, 2026Jan. 31, 2027
Elk:
Archery bull – Sept. 1-Oct. 31 and Dec. 16-31, 2026; Firearm bull – Sept. 21-Oct. 31 and Dec. 16-31, 2026; Antlerless – Aug. 1-Jan. 31, 2027; Antlerless, Private Land Only – Aug. 1-Sept. 20, 2026; Early General Antlerless –Aug. 1-Oct. 31, 2026; Late General Antlerless – Nov. 1-Jan. 31, 2027 —NGPC
Colt Boa
Continued from page 4
Austin Rohr, owner of Custom and Collectible Firearms based in Tyler, purchased the rights to the Boa line several years ago, and contacted Colt about a collaboration to bring back the Boa. Colt agreed and the two groups have been working on the new gun ever since. The new gun was announced at the recent NRA Convention in Houston.
“I’ve got a great relationship with Colt,” Rohr said at his booth at the show, where orders for the new firearm were being written fast and furiously. “This has been three years in the making. This will be a limited time release. We aren’t capping the number produced, but we are capping the timeframe the gun will be available.”
The classic model will be reproduced in both a 4- and 6-inch barrel model, just like the originals. The new releases will even fea-
SPI fishing
Continued from page 6
using cut bait and artificial lures.
MONTANA
Draw hunt results in
The drawings for Montana deer and elk permits and for nonresident combination licenses are complete and applicants can check their results online. This is the sixth year of the new online application process, which allows Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to complete the drawing much faster than in years past.
There are a few ways to get your drawing results. Visit fwp.mt.gov, click on MyFWP Login in the upper righthand corner, then click on Lookup Draw Results, Register for Lists tab on the left-hand menu, or login to your MyFWP account. You may also sign up for an account at myfwp.mt.gov. Applicants may also call any FWP Regional office or the licensing office at (406) 444-2950.
Deadline reminders: The deadline to apply for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and bison is May 1; the deadline to apply for elk B, deer B and antelope is June 1.
—MFWP
UTAH
$6.5M to conservation projects
Dozens of projects benefiting wildlife — including wildlife research, conservation and habitat restoration projects — have been funded after $6.5 million was committed to the projects by participating conservation groups during the annual conservation permit project funding meeting held on April 1.
The conservation groups that participated in the meeting and helped fund the conservation projects include:
Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit Association
Dallas Safari Club
Mule Deer Foundation
National Wild Turkey Federation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Safari Club International
—UDWR
ture the same blue box and packaging synonymous with the Colt Boa.
“The response has been phenomenal,” Rohr said. “The plan is to take orders for one year. This collaboration has been a lot of fun, and the Colt Collectors Association is really excited.”
Each limited edition gun will have the starting serial number of BOA 001, followed by its unique number.
SPECS:
Caliber: .357 Magnum Barrel Length: 4.25 or 6”
Finish: Blued
Front Sight: Brass Bead
Custom Serial Number
Limited Edition Cost: $1,999
“Trout 100% have been coming on artificial,” he said. “Coastal Brew’s Deceiver in Hoochi Coochie has been the most productive color. That and Watermelon Red.”
Captain Lee Alvarez with Captain Lee’s South Padre Fishing Charters has been spending the days when the winds have been howling back in the bay chasing reds and trout.
“Reds, we are finding them in the flats fishing clear water. We are catching them on cut bait and artificial,” Alvarez said.
Most of his success has come on DOA lures in the Texas Croaker color.
“Right now, we are mostly getting them (black drum) in the channels. On live shrimp in 10 to 15 feet of water,” he said.
When the weather permits, he and his clients will go out to the beachside and jetty for sheepshead before the end of the run.
Like others, Alvarez has used the wind to help set a long drift on good stretches of water. He said anglers need to keep moving if they want to be successful. Look for transitions on the edge of flats and reefs. Even little potholes in the sand will hold fish.
‘Family Feud’
Continued from page 4
sisted of Zoom meetings, including a mock game. Months later, they were scheduled to fly in April, 2025 to Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia to compete.
“We practiced as much as we could during our free time and when it was time to film, we won three games in one day,” Navarro said. “We returned for game four the next day and surprisingly we were able to win all five games total and the trip to Florida.”
After their appearance, the sisters learned their shows would not air until February and April of 2026. This meant they had to keep their experience a secret until then due to signing contracts.
“We had to keep this secret for a whole year and didn’t even tell our mom because we knew she would tell everyone,” Tamez said.
Escobar said “Family Feud” granted the
entire family a unique opportunity to stop and focus on the “us” as a family. The bond created this last year is something they will cherish forever.
“I believe our dad would be very proud because we proved that it doesn’t matter where you come from, when you believe in yourself and finish strong anything is possible,” Paniagua said.
Sharber said their experience in the outdoors also taught specific models of character like stillness and patience. This was exemplified during their preparation for “Family Feud.”
“Normally, you’re not going to find instant success by harvesting an animal on the first hunt or try,” Sharber said. “You must plan the trip and be prepared for anything to happen … and that is exactly what my family did.”
Largemouth report
Continued from page 6
Stanley said. “There’s been bass in the 6- to 7-pound range caught during recent local tournaments, and even some pushing double digits.”
Lake Fork fishing guide Danny Holder said he’s been targeting bass in water depths ranging from 5 to 7 feet. Holder said these fish are either staging to push up shallow onto beds to spawn or just coming off beds to move out to deeper water.
“There are bass in all stages of the spawn right now,” Holder said. “There’s also a shad spawn taking place, and you can usually find bass chasing them along windy banks early in the mornings, late in the evenings, and even throughout the day during overcast or cloudy conditions.”
Holder said the most consistent action has been taking place along the bases of trees. He and his anglers have been flipping the trees with Texas-rigged craw worms. Carolina rigs have also been producing strikes.
“Spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and top-water lures have been working well when the fish have been up feeding on shad,” Holder said. “We’ve been catching a lot of bass in the 3- to 5 1/2-pound range, with some fish weighing up to 9 pounds or more.”
Holder said there are also plenty of bass to be caught right along the bank on Lake Fork right now. He said most of those fish are on the smaller side, with some random, larger fish mixed in.
Kayak angler Sergio Romanos has been chasing bass on Inks Lake, where he said he’s been catching bass in 5 feet of water or less on Texas-rigged soft plastic tube baits. A lot of these fish have been in the 4- to 5-pound range.
“On Inks, I’ve been focusing on stretches of grass up shallow that look just a little bit different than the grass in the surrounding areas,” Romanos said. “This might include patches of grass that are more dense, or just areas where the grass comes out a little further off the bank.”
La Pesca Lodge
Continued from page 6
“Our goal is to provide our customers with the best experience possible,” Meghan Brod nax said. “From the amenities to the hospi tality and the food, we want folks to not only have an unforgettable time, but we also want them to view La Pesca as a place they can’t just visit once. We want it to become a desti nation they can’t wait to return to.”
In his early years as a fishing guide, Capt. Storm ran fishing trips for another local lodge before deciding to start and operate his own fishing guide service.
“After starting my own guide business, I quickly realized I would be more successful if I had someone to help answer phone calls and book trips,” he said. “I was able to talk Meghan into working with me, and things just started to evolve quickly.”
Soon they were coordinating places for cli ents to stay when they came down to Riviera to fish with Storm, as well as cooking or pro viding meals for them throughout the duration of their trips. This quickly turned into a goal of one day opening a lodge for anglers that wanted a full-service experience from a guided fishing trip, to meals and lodging. The Brodnaxes had some family members in terested in investing in their business idea of starting their own lodge in Riviera on Baffin Bay, and the rest is history.
Capt. Storm grew up just down the street from where La Pesca Lodge sits today and he cut his teeth fishing Baffin Bay.
“I spent a lot of time on the water with commercial fishermen when I was growing up to make extra money,” Brodnax said. “I feel like I have probably waded every inch of Baffin Bay’s shorelines over the years. This is my home, and I absolutely love it.”
Meghan has spent the majority of her life and her career in and around the hospitality and the service industry. She worked at other lodges and restaurants before she and Storm started their own operation.
The Brodnaxes have 3 children and are excited about the family legacy they are building with La Pesca Lodge.
“The kids are getting to see the ins and outs of running a business, and we can’t wait for them to become more involved as they get older,” they said.
The husband-and-wife team strive day in and day out to ensure their guests at La Pesca Lodge are well taken care of. From small family adventures to corporate events and everything in between, they are ready to provide anglers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts with a quality, memorable experience.
La Pesca Lodge owners Storm and Meghan Brodnax. Photo from Meghan Brodnax.
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