Lone Star Outdoor News 111425

November 14, 2025

Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004

Volume 22, Issue 6

Sunrise on a new season Texas rifle opens with a bang

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News The Texas general season for white-tailed deer opened November 1, and hunters were greeted with what many would describe as ideal conditions. Temperatures were fairly cool across the state on opening morning, the result of a cold front passing through. Reports indicated steady movement from young bucks and does. However, some hunters were lucky enough to score a shot opportunity at a mature buck, while others enjoyed the cooler weather and their time in the outdoors.

Matthew Ebrom hunted opening morning on a family property in Wilson County where he said the deer movement was pretty good.

“The weather was nice and cool, and there were quite a few bucks and does moving around the feeder I was overlooking at sunrise,” Ebrom said.

“The younger bucks still seemed to be hanging out together, while the more mature bucks were off by themselves doing their own thing.”

Ebrom said he did not see any bucks pushing does around, but he heard some reports from buddies in other portions of Wilson County that young bucks were starting to chase does.

On the second day of the season, Ebrom sat for an evening hunt on a property he leases in Atascosa County, where he saw a good number of does and young bucks. The mature bucks were not coming to corn.

Katie Montalvo harvested a mature 10-point buck on her husband’s family’s property in Medina County, called the Zuercher Ranch, on open-

Wade anglers have been catching good numbers of slot redfish in coastal bays this month, while surf anglers are pulling in bigger bull reds. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Serious momentum Bull reds and slots aggressive as tides drop

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News Redfish action along the coast has gained some serious momentum since the arrival of the first fall cold fronts. Water levels have finally dropped, and the fish aren’t nearly as scattered as they had been with the above-average tides.

Bull reds are consistently being caught along stretches of the surf, in channels and passes, and along the jetties. Slot reds and some oversized redfish are cruising the flats, marshes, and back lakes, as well. Anglers fishing shallow have had good success sight casting to redfish with soft plastics, and natural baits have been bringing plenty of fish to hand, as well.

A cool opening morning greeted hunters in Texas, with some lucky enough to lift a trophy as the sun rose on another season.

Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Please turn to page 12

Please turn to page 21

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814

Still open Public hunters getting green light for draw hunts on federal land

By Conor Harrison Good news for hunters who drew hunting opportunities at many federal properties, including National Wildlife Refuge hunts, through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s

Texas hunters who drew permits to federal areas will be able to hunt this season, according to TPWD. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Please turn to page 23 Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 20 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 24 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 26 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 31

HUNTING

INSIDE

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Lone Star Outdoor News

public hunt draw – those who drew will still get to hunt despite the current government shutdown.

“The hunters who were drawn were notified and those hunts are still happening,” said TPWD’s Public Hunting Coordinator Kelly Edmiston. “(Those properties) do keep a number of furloughed employees. It might be a skeleton crew. The visitor center might not be open and the check-in or orientation might be virtual, but there will be someone there.”

Below average (P. 4)

FISHING

Big win (P. 8)

Duck numbers not great to start season.

Texas anglers win Bisbee’s Black & Blue.

Impressive (P. 4)

Drum bite solid (P. 8)

Quail hunters thrilled with opening weeks.

Winter fronts turning on black drum bite.

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November 14, 2025

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HUNTING Youth hunters score on home properties

Slowly building

Lincoln Maraffa, 9, took this 10-point buck during the youth-only early season on his home property in Bell County. Photo from Cheri Maraffa.

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News The Texas youth-only early season for white-tailed deer occurred at the end of October, and two 9-year-olds were able to put their tags on mature bucks. Both of the youngsters harvested deer on home properties where they live.

Ever Wood harvested her very first deer, a mature 8-point buck, on the opening morning of the early youth weekend on the property she and her family live on in Bandera County. The nine-year-old was sitting with her dad, Chris Wood, who said they had never seen the buck prior to that morning, either in person or on trail cameras.

“I was actually hunting for a different buck,” the nine-year-old said. “When the deer hadn’t shown up about 20 minutes after the feeder went off, my dad and I both thought the chances of getting a shot opportunity that morning were going to be pretty slim. We decided to sit a little longer before my dad had to go to work and I had to go to dance practice.”

A few minutes later, some does showed up.

Then all of a sudden, a buck came into view.

“My dad spotted the buck first,” Wood said.

“I watched him come toward the feeder from the right, and waited for him to give me a shot as I steadied my rifle. The buck kept moving around the feeder and wouldn’t stand still.

My dad finally stopped him, and I pulled the trigger.”

When the shot rang out from her 6.5 Creedmoor, the buck took off out of sight.

Wood and her dad were initially worried that her shot placement may have been less than ideal, so her dad walked out to where the buck was standing to see if he could find a blood trail. He immediately found a solid trail and brought Wood and her mom out to follow.

Wood began following the blood trail, and her mom and dad followed behind her. She was so focused on looking for drops of blood that she nearly walked right up on top of the buck, which had expired about 40 yards away from where she had shot him.

“I was so surprised with how big he was,” the youngster said. “I couldn’t believe it!”

After loading the buck, her dad took her to her dance practice. The buck was in the back of his truck, and Wood was able to show off her buck to her friends.

Another 9-year-old, Lincoln Maraffa, hunted with his mom, Cheri, on their family property where they live in Bell county for the youth-only early season. After a mishap Please turn to page 25

Beautiful sunrises have been greeting coastal waterfowl hunters this month, although duck numbers remain average or below for many. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Early season duck hunters greeted with tough conditions

By Conor Harrison Lone Star Outdoor News

South Zone duck hunters got an early jump on their counterparts to the north as duck season opened a week earlier on Nov. 2.

Coming off a largely disappointing blue-winged teal early season that saw fewer birds than normal, hunters were hoping for a better open-

er for the main duck season this time around. The opener was tough, although some hunters found birds. But several cold fronts the first week of the season did bring ducks down to Texas, and hunters took advantage.

On public land along the coast, hunters had good numbers opening weekend.

“At JD Murphree WMA, hunters averaged more than 4 birds for the weekend,” said Kelly Edmiston with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “On opening day (Saturday), a total of 151 hunters

harvested 800 birds. I think that is pretty strong.”

Fifty hunters harvested 170 ducks on day two, continuing a solid opening weekend.

A north wind brought cooler temps and more birds on Thursday of the opening week, with many hunters reporting the arrival of redheads and pintails, along with some widgeon. However, overall, bird numbers remain below average to average for this time of year.

Farther north, hunters with local birds and good habitat had a good opening weekend,

but many found low numbers of ducks overall.

Around Lake Texoma, hunters were reporting good numbers of wood ducks and greenwinged teal, along with some gadwalls. Opening weekend was windy and not as many hunters were seeing birds flying after sunrise.

In West Texas near Hamlin, Jeff Elder with Silver Creek Outfitters said he has been scouting heavily, and the area is holding a surprising number of birds, although a lack of water in the area has them concentrated.

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Quail numbers high Scenting conditions making it tougher

By Cory Byrnes

For Lone Star Outdoor News Expectations were high heading into the opening weekend of the Texas quail season based upon solid range conditions and positive surveys from the preseason. And for many hunters, opening day validated those expectations with impressive covey sizes and flushes on opening week.

In the Panhandle, hunters

found good numbers of birds during the first few days of the new season.

“For the most part, everybody found a handful of birds; anywhere from eight coveys a day to above 50,” said Cline Strickland with Cline Kennels. “It’s going to be a very good rebound year for the quail.”

Strickland also noted it is the same in South Texas as well. One trend he has noticed over the last several years, because of the mild winters, “most of the state carried over quite a few birds.”

Hunters in Texas are having a very good start to the season, with many reporting high numbers of birds across the landscape. Photo by David Wasson.

He estimates 35 to 50 percent of the quail were successful in raising a clutch this past season, leading to good numbers of birds.

“Scenting conditions

weren’t very good on opening weekend,” Strickland added.

“Luckily this year we had very cool, mild temperatures on opening day. As the weather warmed up, the dogs had a Please turn to page 27

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November 14, 2025

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We have a winner Vivian Leopold was drawn on Nov. 1 as the winner of The $10 Deer Hunt Raffle to support the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation.

The foundation provides opportunity for Texans who wouldn’t normally get to experience the outdoors.

Vivian, who lives near Lake Fork, is an avid bass fisherwoman, but relishes the opportunity to chase deer.

“I don’t have a whitetail deer on my wall,” she said. “I am so excited to win the deer hunt from Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation’s recent fundraiser.”

Vivian will be heading in a few weeks to the Three Amigos Ranch, which boasts an impressive population of white-tailed bucks. Along with the trip to Three Amigos Ranch, VivPhoto from Vivian Leopold. ian was also drawn as the winner of the duck hunt raffle near Rockport at the recent event. It was money well spent to support a great cause and resulted in two hunts being won.

“Youth education and exposure to outdoor opportunities like hunting and fishing are critical to conservation and preserving our rights,” she said. “I can’t wait to get to Three Amigos Ranch!”

SCORE BIG WITH

—Staff report

Survey says The annual round of helicopter surveys at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch was completed several weeks ago. These surveys give a valuable snapshot of how quail populations are holding up year to year — and this season’s results are encouraging.

In 2025, RPQRR observed a total of 91 coveys and 1,316 individual birds across 4,500 acres, with an average covey size of 14.46 birds. For comparison, the 2024 survey recorded 1,252 birds with an average covey size of 13.75. That steady increase in both total birds and covey size suggests habitat conditions continue to support healthy populations across the ranch.

Using this year’s data, it was estimated about 0.75 birds per acre, just shy of the ranch goal of one bird per acre. While it didn’t quite reach that benchmark, the stability in overall numbers — paired with good summer weather and strong habitat conditions — paints a very positive picture.

With this year’s numbers trending slightly higher for hunting season, biologists are optimistic that hunters can look forward to another successful season ahead.

—RPQRR

The Texas Big Game Awards recognizes those individuals who harvest quality big game animals in Texas, the land managers who produce these animals, the importance of our hunting heritage, and the achievement of young and first-time hunters.

Learn how to enter and find a scorer near you, by visiting our Texas Big Game Awards Website.

DATE

THE OFFICIAL HUNTING PROGRAM OF TEXAS

Whiteta & Exotic Hunting

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High in the sky Crane numbers good in early season

By Cory Byrnes

For Lone Star Outdoor News

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Sandhill crane season is off to a great start this year, thanks to multiple factors.

Hunters have seen larger-thanaverage numbers of sandhill cranes, and a wet spring and dry summer contributed to the uptick in numbers.

The birds are also acting a bit differently than in past seasons, according to local guides.

Near Lubbock, “it has been as good an opening few weeks as we have had in a long time,” said Stephen Dieb with Longneck Outfitters.

Dieb attributed the larger numbers of cranes to a good hatch. The season just kicked off, and it is looking promising.

“For 80 degrees, there are more birds than you would expect this Lots of cranes are hitting the ground in some non-traditional time of year,” Dieb said. “They are areas of West Texas this month. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News. in the early season spots right now.

There are some other areas that are expected to pick up soon.”

Dieb said one early cold front has come through already, bringing some migrating cranes with it, and the cooler it gets, the better the hunting.

“We have had one cold front, which always helps,” he said. “I think we just have the birds that come earlier here. It is shaping up to be a better season.”

In Muleshoe, Buster Thibodaux with Skybuster Adventures reported, “it’s kind of been weird this year. Some of the spots that usually hold 100,000 cranes aren’t holding nearly as many. But some spots that I haven’t seen cranes in 7 or 8 years, there’s a lot over there.”

Thibodaux attributes it to the rains they had in the spring.

“Some of it may be that it is a little hot, so they’re just freelancing around and aren’t keying in on any specific food,” he said.

As winter comes in and temperatures drop, he predicts the cranes will come in big pushes of birds.

“It has its downsides. If roost ponds freeze, you can lose birds. The only way to find out is to just drive around and look,” Thibodaux said. “Hunters should key in on any small ponds in their area that they have access to. They will move around as the season goes on.”

Wyatt Dahl with Full Throttle Outdoors said the season has gotten off to a good start.

“So far it has been pretty good,” he said. “We have a decent number of cranes right now. It depends on what area of the Panhandle you are in, but in those areas where the roost waters are, there has been a really good concentration of them.”

Dahl agreed with other hunters that the bird numbers overall have been better than last season.

“If this is any indication of what’s coming, I am really excited,” Dahl said.

Dahl speculated the cranes weren’t in their normal areas was because of drought and heat.

“We haven’t exactly had the weather that pushes them down to the areas they are normally at,” Dahl said.

Leadership change at DSC Less than a year after appointing a new Executive Director, Dallas Safari Club has announced Russell Stacy, former DSC Board Director and DSC Foundation President, has been appointed to serve as Interim Executive Director, effective immediately.

Stacy steps into this role as the organization initiates a succession plan for its top executive position following the departure of Rob McCanna in October, who had served as CEO since January 2025.

“Russell brings a wealth of experience, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of DSC’s mission and vision,” said Ray Mulholland, DSC President. “He is exceptionally qualified to guide our organization through this interim period, ensuring stability and continued progress as we move forward to celebrate DSC’s Convention, taking place this coming February in Atlanta.”

Stacy has co-chaired the DSC Convention for the past four years alongside his wife, Mary Edith.

“I am honored to step into this role and continue working alongside our dedicated board members, staff, volunteers, members, and exhibitors,” Stacy said. “Together, we have accomplished great things, and I look forward to building on that momentum. The future holds exciting opportunities for DSC, and I am committed to advancing our key organizational priorities and to ensuring the future of our hunting heritage.”

—DSC

Hunters reminded of TAHC tick requirements The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is reminding hunters of additional requirements for moving white-tailed deer, nilgai, antelope, black buck, axis deer, and other exotic cervid hideon carcasses, hides, capes, or live animals from quarantine zones in South Texas.

Landowners, lessees, hunters, or anyone harvesting, relocating, or capturing native or exotic free-ranging animals on a quarantined premises are required to arrange for inspection and treatment of these animals.

A representative from TAHC or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must inspect and treat carcasses, hides, capes, or the animals themselves before they are removed from the premises.

Currently, fever tick quarantines are established in Brooks, Cameron, Starr, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata counties.

—TAHC

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FISHING

Staying flexible

The largemouth bass bite is changing daily on Central Texas lakes as weather and lake temps fluctuate, making a number of presentations possible for anglers. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Central Texas lakes offer variety of patterns to catch bass

By Nate Skinner

For Lone Star Outdoor News With water temperatures finally beginning to cool down, largemouth bass across central Texas lakes are starting to move shallow.

Fall patterns are slowly setting in, and the bite is heating up.

Some bass, however, continue to remain deep, as daytime tem-

peratures fluctuate up and down, depending on the weather. This has allowed anglers and fishing guides to employ a variety of tactics and presentations at a variety of depths to successfully bring fish to the boat.

According to fishing guide Ander Meine, the largemouth bite on Lake Austin has been changing daily, depending on the conditions.

“This is pretty typical during fall,” Meine said. “One day, they’ll eat top-water presentations really

well, and then the next day, they will completely ignore them. Staying flexible with lures and bait presentations right now is key.”

Meine said the most consistent action he has found on Lake Austin recently has come from dropshot-rigged finesse worms fished along the outside, deeper edges of submerged grass lines in 15 to 20 feet of water. Most of these fish have been in the 1- to 4-pound range, but there have been some larger bass mixed in.

“Focus on clean edges of vegeta-

tion,” Meine said. “If you are willing to adjust your presentations with the changing weather, you can still find quality fish.”

Meine has also been targeting bass on Stillhouse Hollow Lake recently, where he said the best action has been on football jigs worked around rocky structure in 3 to 15 feet of water.

“Bass have also been striking both hard and soft plastic jerk baits in these same areas, especially when they are chasing baitfish close to the rocks,” Meine said.

Lake Travis fishing guide Tyler Torwick, said bass have been shallow in the early morning hours around points with brush. Weedless-rigged swim baits, along with small top-waters have been drawing strikes in these areas.

“There’s a ton of shad moving up around Lake Travis right now,” Torwick said. “Focusing on stretches of water with plenty of bait is key. If you’re not seeing active baitfish, then you need to keep moving and covering water until you find them.”

Please turn to page 12

Turned on

Decade in the making

Black drum bite on coast picking up

Some dreams do come true – even if it takes 10 years

By Cory Byrnes

By Tony Vindell

Bigger tide movements combined with cold fronts have black drum, the oversized versions often referred to as ‘big uglies,’ moving.

In Texas City and Galveston Bay areas, the fishing has been good for keepersized black drum.

“They’re fun to catch.

They eat just as good - just a good fish,” said Trenton St. John with Get Tight Fishing Charters.

Anglers have their nets out this month for black He and his clients have drum as the fall bite turns on. Photo by David J. been targeting shell reefs, Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News. pilings and shell pads off of a well.

“That’s what we really catch them off of all the time,” St. John said.

“You definitely need moving water. It doesn’t matter if it is outgoing or incoming. It does seem to be better on the incoming tide, though.”

Anglers should keep around mid-depth, 8-feet of water or less, for the more active fish.

Some things are worth the wait.

Ronald Weisfeld and three of his buddies took the ultimate honor in the 45th annual Bisbee Black & Blue Fishing Tournament held Oct. 2224 in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico’s Baja California State.

The event is dubbed as both “The World’s Richest Tournament,” and as “The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing.”

The Rio Grande Valley and Florida team walked away with more than $2.4 million in prizes by catching two marlin during the third day of the tournament that brings anglers from all over the world.

The heavier fish weighed 459 pounds and the second one 344 pounds.

“It was a dream come true,” Weisfeld said. “I have been fishing this tournament for 10 years.

We have prepared all this time but never had the chance (to win).”

But that chance took place this time as they fished off San Jose del Gordo, narrowly beating another fish by a mere two pounds.

The thrill was so intense that Wesfield relayed

Please turn to page 18

Please turn to page 18

For Lone Star Outdoor News

For Lone Star Outdoor News

Texans from the winning boat poses with their million-dollar winning fish at the Bisbee’s Black & Blue Tournament last month.

Photo by Bisbee’s.

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CCA STAR WINNERS TEXAS FORD DEALERS RED TAG DIVISION: Gary Miertschin, Marina Bay Harbor Nate Opela, Indianola Fishing Marina BLUE TAG DIVISION: Steve Isaacs, Surfside Marina Mitchell Mays, Terry’s Seaworthy Robbi Pratt, Surfside Marina Bryan Cook, Terry’s Seaworthy Alfred Williams, Matagorda HB&T INSHORE DIVISION: Sheepshead Eric Harper, 9 lbs., 10 ozs.

Enrique Rangel, 9.9 Joel Martinez Sr., 8.10 Gafftop Sharie Andrada, 6 lbs., 14 ozs.

Justin Morrison, 6.1 Gary Shepherd, 6.0 Black Drum Jason Smith, 17 lbs., 2 ozs.

Warren Williams, 12.8 Su Lee, 11.10

Dorado Omar Quezada, 42 lbs., 4 ozs.

Faith Miller, 42.0 Jack Brinkmann, 37.4

(800) 701-4754 | KTCoolers.com

Ling/Cobia Danielle Gruenewald, 56 lbs., 15 ozs.

Red Snapper Joseph Hanson, 25 lbs., 8 ozs.

Logan Crocker, 20.14 Roger Holland III, 20.13 STAR KIDS SCHOLARSHIP DIVISION: Sheepshead Caroline Koeneke (9), 6 lbs., 3 ozs.

Gafftop Kohen Faickney (8), 5 lbs., 10 ozs.

STAR TEENS SCHOLARSHIP DIVISION: Sheepshead Hudson McBride (14), 9 lbs., 1 oz.

Gafftop Wyatt Neyland (16), 5 lbs. 15 ozs.

HOFFPAUIR OFFSHORE DIVISION: Kingfish Leslie Maybin, 51 lbs., 4 ozs.

Robert Burns III, 48.1 Russell Edgerton, 26.15

—CCA

Federal red snapper season closes Nov. 21 The longest red snapper federal season since 2007 comes to a close at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. Texas saltwater anglers enjoyed 173 days of offshore red snapper fishing off the coast this year.

After the closing date, anglers in Texas state waters out to nine nautical miles can continue to keep up to four red snapper per day with a 15-inch minimum length limit.

“The 2025 federal red snapper season offered nearly six months of red snapper fishing opportunities to the people of Texas,” said Robin Riechers, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division Director. “This remarkable milestone clearly shows that regional management of fisheries works to provide greater benefits and fishing opportunities to anglers.

We look forward to continuing to work with Texas’ saltwater anglers to maintain this important fishery and ensure we create the maximum benefits to Texas and our anglers.”

The Nov. 21 closing date ends an extraordinary season in federal waters, added Riechers, and allows state waters to remain open until the total allowed state catch limit is reached.

TPWD establishes the opening and closing of the recreational red snapper fishery in federal waters off Texas’ coast under an agreement between the department and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The federal red snapper season is managed by a quota system that uses red snapper catch data (in pounds of fish) to determine when a federal water closure is necessary.

Texas closes the federal water fishery when the state’s catch limit in pounds is reached for the year, with enough cushion to make sure state waters can remain open until the end of the year.

—TPWD

Gulf Council makes venting tools mandatory The Gulf Council took final action to require commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the federal waters of the Gulf of America.

These requirements will replace regulations required by the DESCEND Act which is scheduled to expire in January of 2026. The use of descending devices or venting tools reduces release mortality of many reef fish, resulting in increased conservation and sustainability of reef fish stocks.

This Amendment will be transmitted to the secretary of Commerce for consideration and implementation as soon as practicable.

—Gulf Council

Wardens still searching for man on Trinity On Sunday, Nov. 9, Texas Game Wardens in San Jacinto and Polk counties responded to the Trinity River south of Lake Livingston Dam after receiving reports of three missing people.

Two teenage boys, ages 14 and 15, were kayaking when their kayak overturned. The father of one of the teens, a 53-year-old male, entered the water in an attempt to rescue them. He also went underwater and did not resurface.

The two teenagers were recovered by Polk County Game Wardens Nov. 9. The search for the adult male resumed Nov. 10. Finding him and providing closure to the families remains the top priority.

The Texas Game Warden Underwater Search and Recovery Team, Texas State Park Police, San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and local first responders are assisting with the ongoing search.

—TPWD

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TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHING REPORT ALAN HENRY: 70 degrees; 3.70’ low. Crappie are good on minnows.

AMISTAD: Water very stained; 81 degrees; 59.28’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on chatterbaits, soft plastics, and square-billed crankbaits.

AQUILLA: Water stained; 74 degrees; 1.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Sand bass are fair on jigging spoons. Catfish are good on prepared baits.

ARLINGTON: Water slightly stained; 80 degrees; 1.76’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. White bass are fair on spinners and jigs. Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

ARROWHEAD: Water stained; 69 degrees; 2.12’ low. Catfish are good on shad.

ATHENS: Water stained; 74 degrees; 0.13’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics, frogs, and spinnerbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.

AUSTIN: Water clear; 76 degrees; 0.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on moving baits and soft plastics.

B.A. STEINHAGEN: Water stained; 87 degrees; 0.25’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics.

BASTROP: Water stained; 88 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads, crankbaits, frogs, and wakebaits.

BELTON: Water stained; 76 degrees; 0.39’ high. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

BENBROOK: Water stained; 73 degrees; 2.94’ low. Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait. Hybrids are fair on live bait.

Crappie are good on minnows.

BOB SANDLIN: Water stained; 75 degrees; 1.17’ low.

Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

BOIS D’ARC: Normal stain; 73 degrees; 1.82’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, soft plastics, and crankbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs.

BRADY: Water stained; 73 degrees; 1.67’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow.

BRAUNIG: Water stained; 79 degrees; Largemouth bass are slow. Redfish are slow. Catfish are slow.

BRIDGEPORT: Water clear; 73 degrees; 3.78’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, flukes, Senkos, and chatterbaits. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass and hybrids are fair on top-waters, slabs, and trolling.

Catfish are good on cut bait and live bait.

BROWNWOOD: Water stained; 73 degrees; 2.30’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on wake baits, chatterbaits, crankbaits, and jigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. White bass are slow. Catfish are good on cut shad and perch.

BRYAN: Water stained; 75 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on top-water baits and Carolina rigs.

BUCHANAN: Water stained;

74 degrees; 1.76’ low. Largemouth bass are good on frogs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and flukes. Stripers are slow. Hybrid stripers and white bass are slow.

CADDO: Water stained; 69 degrees; Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. White bass and crappie are slow.

CALAVERAS: Water stained; 78 degrees; Redfish are good on spoons, fish bites, and live tilapia. Catfish are good on stink bait and shrimp.

CANYON LAKE: Water stained; 76 degrees; 18.66’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on top-waters. Smallmouth bass are good on jigs, and creature baits. Stripers and white bass are slow.

CEDAR CREEK: Water slightly stained; 73 degrees; 2.54’ low.

White bass and hybrids are good on slabs, spinnerbaits, and Alabama rigs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

CISCO: Water stained; 78 degrees; 15.89’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on minnows and worms.

COLEMAN: Water stained; 72 degrees; 2.56’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on finesse worms.

Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.

COLETO CREEK: Water stained; 91 degrees; 2.48’ high.

Largemouth bass are slow.

Crappie are fair on minnows.

COMANCHE CREEK: 80 degrees; 0.14’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics.

Catfish are good on prepared baits.

CONROE: Water stained; 78 degrees; 0.81’ high. Largemouth bass good on creature baits and crankbaits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.

Hybrid and white bass are fair on slabs, spoons, and shad.

Catfish are good on liver, worms, and punch bait.

COOPER: Water stained; 73 degrees; 3.10’ low. Crappie are good on minnows.

CORPUS CHRISTI LAKE: Water stained; 81 degrees; 17.00’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics.

CYPRESS SPRINGS: Water stained; 73 degrees; 0.84’ low.

Crappie are good on minnows.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN: Water stained; 75 degrees; 2.26’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on swimbaits and spinnerbaits.

Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.

Catfish are good on cut bait.

FALCON: Water stained; 87 degrees; 47.50’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics.

FAYETTE: Water slightly stained; 82 degrees; full pool.

Largemouth bass are fair on shaky heads, dropshots, rattle traps, swimbaits, and underspins. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

FORK: normal stain; 74 degrees; 2.03’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters, buzz baits, chatterbaits, spin-

nerbaits, and flukes. Sand bass are good on slabs. Crappie are good on jigs.

FT. PHANTOM HILL: Water stained; 5.01’ low; 78 degrees.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Hybrid and white bass are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut bait.

GEORGETOWN: Water stained; 76 degrees; 8.46’ high.

Largemouth bass are good on shaky heads, jigs, and crankbaits.

GRAHAM: Water stained; 73 degrees; 3.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on moving baits.

Crappie are good on minnows.

Sand bass and hybrids are good on slabs. Catfish are good on cut shad.

GRANBURY: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.76’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters and soft plastics.

Sand bass are good on slabs and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are slow. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared bait.

GRANGER: Water stained; 78 degrees; 0.30’ high. Largemouth bass are good on plastic worms. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows. White bass are good on slab spoons. Catfish are good on live bait.

GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 70 degrees; 0.08’ low. White bass are good on slabs.

GREENBELT: Water stained; 78 degrees; 50.47’ low. Sand bass are good on minnows.

HAWKINS: Water slightly stained; 75 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters and soft plastics.

HOUSTON: Water clear; 77 degrees; 0.01’ high. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and chatterbaits.

White bass are fair on slabs, swimbaits, and trolled baits.

Catfish are good on cut bait.

HOUSTON COUNTY: Water stained; 77 degrees; 0.09’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on reaction baits.

HUBBARD CREEK: Water Stained; 73 degrees; 13.49’ low. Largemouth bass are slow.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.

INKS: Water stained; 81 degrees; 8.72’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics.

JACKSONVILLE: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.11’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics, topwaters, and buzz baits.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water stained; 78 degrees; 0.19’ high. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged creature baits, spinnerbaits, and bladed jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared baits and cut bait.

LAVON: Water stained; 76 degrees; 2.71’ low. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are good on slabs. Catfish are fair on punch bait, stink bait, and cut bait.

LBJ: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.27’ low. Largemouth

bass are fair on top-water frogs, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits.

Crappie are fair on minnows.

Catfish are good on punch bait.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 73 degrees; 0.71’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics and crankbaits. White bass are fair on slabs, spoons, spinnerbaits, and live bait.

Hybrid stripers are fair on slabs and live bait. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut shad.

LIMESTONE: Water clear; 70 degrees; 1.60’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on Texas rigs and spinnerbaits. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on spoons. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

LIVINGSTON: Normal stain; 78 degrees; 0.98’ high.

Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, jigs, soft plastics, and shallow crankbaits. White bass and stripers are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on stink bait, liver, and fresh shad.

MARBLE FALLS: normal stain; 78 degrees; 0.71’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on top-waters and soft plastics.

MARTIN CREEK: Water slightly stained; 79 degrees; 1.39’ low. Largemouth bass are good on flukes and Senkos.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs.

Sand bass are good on slab spoons.

MEREDITH: Water stained; 70 degrees; 43.35’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-waters and minnows.

Smallmouth bass are good on spinnerbaits. Crappie are slow.

Bluegill and perch are fair on worms and corn. Walleye are good on jigs and live minnows.

Catfish are good on minnows, worms, stink bait, and frozen shrimp.

MILLERS CREEK: Water stained; 85 degrees; 3.16’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and buzzbaits. Crappie are good on jigs and minnows.

NOCOGDOCHES: Water stained; 72 degrees; 1.56’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on top-water baits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are fair minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and liver.

NACONICHE: Water stained; 72 degrees; full pool.

Largemouth bass are good on square-billed crankbaits, jerkbaits, glide baits, top-waters, and deep-diving crankbaits.

Crappie are good on jigs. Catfish are slow.

NASWORTHY: Water slightly stained; 72 degrees; 1.04; low.

Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on jigs.

Catfish are fair on cut bait and stink bait.

NAVARRO MILLS: 80 degrees; full pool. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait.

O.H. IVIE: Water stained; 71 degrees; 18.82’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on vibrating

jigs, frogs, and plastic worms.

Crappie are fair on minnows.

Catfish are good on cut shad.

OAK CREEK: Water lightly stained; 72 degrees; 21.75; low. Largemouth bass are slow.

Crappie are slow.

PALESTINE: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.16’ low. Crappie are slow. Catfish are slow.

PALO PINTO: Water stained; 75 degrees; 2.30’ low. feet below pool. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie and white bass are fair on minnows. Catfish are slow.

PINKSTON: Water lightly stained; 71 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on top-water poppers and Carolina rigs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are slow.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 72 degrees; 1.94’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow.

Striper and white bass are good on slabs and flutter spoons.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on punch bait and fresh cut shad.

PROCTOR: Water stained; 80 degrees; 2.34’ low. Catfish are good on worms and cut bait.

Sand bass and hybrids are fair on top-water lures.

RAVEN: Water stained; 79 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on top-water popping frogs and crankbaits.

RAY HUBBARD: Water stained; 73 degrees; 1.47’ low. White bass are fair on swimbaits, tail spinners, and rattletraps. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait.

RAY ROBERTS: Water slightly stained; 75 degrees; 0.61’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on buzz baits, top-water lures, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and swimbaits. Crappie are good on live minnows and jigs. Sand bass are fair on live bait and slabs.

Catfish are fair on cut bait.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water slightly stained; 73 degrees; 1.56’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chatterbaits and square-billed crankbaits.

Hybrids are slow. White bass are fair on slabs.

SAM RAYBURN: Water stained; 80 degrees; 8.54’ low.

Largemouth bass are fair on topwater frogs, Senkos, crankbaits, and jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs.

Catfish are good on cut bait.

SOMERVILLE: Water stained; 75 degrees; 2.09’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. White bass are fair on spoons. Hybrids are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are fair on spoons. Catfish are fair on cut shad and punch bait.

SPENCE: Water stained; 74 degrees; 50.37’ low. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait.

STAMFORD: Water stained; 73 degrees; 0.89’ high. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are slow.

STILLHOUSE: Water stained; 76 degrees; 0.26’ high. Large-

n Saltwater reports Page 26

mouth bass are good on soft plastic jerkbaits. White bass are fair on slabs.

TAWAKONI: Water lightly stained; 74 degrees; 1.25’ low.

Largemouth bass are good on shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Hybrid stripers and white bass are good on inline spinners and slab spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are good on punch bait, dip bait, and cut bait.

TEXANA: Water stained; 78 degrees; 4.20’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are slow.

TEXOMA: Water stained; 74 degrees; 0.39’ high. Stripers are good on live bait. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Catfish are good on cut bait.

TOLEDO BEND: 90 degrees; 3.89’ low. Largemouth bass are good on top-water baits, frogs, buzzbaits, Carolina rigs, and Texas rigs. Crappie are slow.

TRAVIS: Water stained; 75 degrees; 11.46’ low. Largemouth bass are good on swim baits and soft plastic worms.

TWIN BUTTES: Water stained; 72 degrees; 34.71’ low.

Crappie are fair on live minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and punch bait.

TYLER: Water stained; 75 degrees; 1.29 low. Largemouth bass are fair on trick worms, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits.

Bream are good on red worms.

Catfish are good on cut bait, liver, and nightcrawlers.

WACO: Water stained; 75 degrees; 0.38’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on soft plastics.

Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows.

WEATHERFORD: Water stained; 74 degrees; 5.34’ low.

Largemouth bass are slow.

Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait and shad.

WELSH: Water stained. 85 degrees. Crappie are fair on jigs.

WHITE RIVER: Water stained; 73 degrees; 18.13’ low. Crappie are fair on minnows.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 76 degrees; 1.21’ low. Largemouth bass are good on soft plastics.

Striped bass are fair on live bait and top-water baits. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. White bass are slow. Catfish are good on punch bait.

WORTH: Water normal; 78 degrees; 1.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on crankbaits.

Crappie are good using minnows. Sand bass are good on slabs and fast-moving baits.

Catfish are good on cut bait.

WRIGHT PATMAN: Water stained; 75 degrees; 4.23 feet above pool. Crappie are slow.

Catfish are fair on stink bait and cut bait.

—TPWD

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

November 14, 2025

THANK YOU! WILD GAME NIGHT SPONSORED BY

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November 14, 2025

LoneOStar Outdoor News

Bull reds Continued from page 1

Don Godsey and his wife, Pat, have been targeting bull reds in the surf along the Padre Island National Seashore lately. Godsey said the oversized reds seem to be running south right now, and they have been catching one to two fish every half hour or so on finger mullet.

“The key has been getting the baits out past the first sand bar,” Godsey said.

“The largest bull red we have caught recently measured 42 inches in length, and we have safely released them all back into the Gulf.”

Godsey said he has been catching his bait along the beach with a cast net.

“The finger mullet have been in large swarms and fairly easy to catch,” he said.

Kayak fishing guide Josh Johnson has been targeting redfish in the back lakes and marshes around Freeport and Surf- Steve Baugher and William Gardner landed these redfish while fishing the edges side. He said reds have been stacked up of a shallow back lake with fishing guide Capt. James Hinton in Rockport. Photo in the shallows and easy to find now that by Capt. James Hinton. tide levels have dropped out some due to recent cold fronts.

“I’ve been coming across schools of reds, pods of fish, and some redfish that are just cruising by themselves,” Johnson said. “The largest schools have been concentrating in marsh ponds and back lakes that are just a tad bit deeper than the surrounding areas.”

Johnson said most of the reds he and his anglers have been catching have been in a foot of water or less.

“Some reds have been sitting in as little of 6 inches of water with their backs above the surface,” Johnson said. “We’ve been seeing fish in the upper slot range, as well as some oversized fish in the 28.5- to 33-inch range.”

Johnson has been focusing on shallow stretches with mud and shell bottoms. Sight casting to reds with paddletail soft plastics and swim baits has been the ticket. Natural and dark color patterns have been drawing the most strikes.

Rockport area fishing guide Capt. James Hinton said redfish have started to pull out to the edges of mangroves and shallow flats leading to super shallow back lakes as water levels have dropped. His anglers have been catching redfish in all sizes, from 20 to 30 inches in length.

“We are also seeing a lot of undersized reds,” Hinton said. “Most are measuring about 19 inches in length.”

Hinton said most of the reds are feeding in about 10 to 12 inches of water. Live finger mullet and cut mullet have been producing the most consistent bites.

“There’s plenty of keeper-sized black drum in the 20- to 23-inch range starting to school up in the same areas as the redfish,” Hinton said. “Free-lining fresh, jumbo dead shrimp has been the ticket for targeting drum. We are catching some redfish on dead shrimp as well, while targeting drum.”

LSONews.com

Bass

Continued from page 8

The top-water bite is improving across Central Texas lakes this month. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.

Torwick said stretches of shallow, isolated rocky areas have been producing some fish on top-waters and swimbaits as well.

“Later in the day after the shallow bite dies down, the fish have been moving out off of the edges of those brushy points and rocky areas into a little deeper water,” Torwick added. “When this happens, medium-diving crankbaits have been producing.”

Torwick said lures in shad patterns have been catching the most fish. He and his anglers have been catching bass in the 2- to 5-pound range, with some larger ones mixed in.

“Drains with brush in 10 to 25 feet of water have also been holding good numbers of bass lately,” Torwick said. “The best presentation in these areas has been weedless-rigged worms on a drop-shot.”

According to fishing guide Evan Coleman, the bass on Lake LBJ are starting to move shallow as water temperatures continue to cool off. Top-water frogs and spinnerbaits have been producing plenty of bites.

“You can still catch some fish along main lake points in 10 to 25 feet of water with a drop-shot or Texas rig,” Coleman said.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

November 14, 2025

Page 13

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November 14, 2025

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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GRIP & GRIN

Dylan Garza went on a white-winged dove hunt recently with his grandfather, Jimmy Garza, east of Harlingen.

Joseph and Bill Honza with a 76-inch Trinity River alligator gar caught with Kevin Davis of Gar Dangit Guide Service.

Ten-year-old Evalynn Reese Masters killed her best buck ever, scoring 146 1/4 inches.

SHARE AN ADVENTURE

n 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 Grip & Grin, Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355.

Steven Hays and Martin Tomerlin enjoyed a recent day on the water with Capt. Freddy Lynch, each boating a redfish over 40 inches.

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

November 14, 2025

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November 14, 2025

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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November 14, 2025

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November 14, 2025

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Black drum

Bisbee’s

“The further you push away, it can be harder to catch them,” St. John said.

Live shrimp on a Carolina rig has produced the most fish for St. John and his clients.

“Popping corks are good too,” he said.

For the bigger drum, he prefers half a crab fished still on the bottom.

“This has been my best year for black drum. Some of the best fishing I have seen for them was this past summer,” St. John said.

In Port Aransas Capt. Franky Eicholz with Just One More Outfitter and his clients have been finding black drum over shell in the channel. He has been sticking to the transition zone at the drop off.

“Tide doesn’t matter,” he said. “If I had to choose, the outgoing tide is better. You want some movement in the water. If it is moving too hard, you’re not going to catch them.”

He and his clients have been using dead shrimp on a split-shot rig with a weight to slow it down in the current. He predicts the fishing will improve as the water temperature drops a little bit.

“For drum fishing for us, it is better when the tide drops out, when we have very low tides,” Eicholz said. “If you can get out around those big tide shifts you will have more success.”

In the Clear Lake area, Harrison Woods with Rippin & Running Guide Service reports the fishing has been pretty good.

“They have been feeding on crustaceans on piling pillars and rocks,” he said. “We’ve just been throwing popping corks or on bottom with dead or live shrimp. Anywhere near structure really.”

When the water is headed out into the ocean is when Woods said the best bite has occurred.

“Outgoing tide has been best for me because in The big black drum bite is picking up, with cracked crab and dead shrimp elicitClear Lake you can fish right there at the mouth,” ing bites. Photo by Harrison Woods.

Woods said. “On an incoming tide I am having to fish further into the lake and bay where the cuts and outlets are to find them.”

Anglers should seek deeper water as the outgoing tide goes slack.

“I have caught them 23 feet deep,” Woods said. “On an incoming tide, follow the fish further back into the bays and marsh. Fall is a good time to fish. That transition from cool to hot during the day gets them riled up and they are feeding good.”

the information to the people he knows by exclaiming, “Can you freaking believe it? We won first place!”

He said they hooked the big fish about 8:15 a.m. on day three and it took them more than hour to bring it by the boat.

It almost wasn’t meant to be. A very close call happened as the fish was alongside the boat. The lure pulled from the mouth of the marlin, but the winning fish couldn’t get away because a quick thinking deck man had it already gaffed.

Weisfeld, who works in the real estate industry from the Valley to Dallas, could not contain his excitement.

“You’re talking to Ronnie Weisfeld, born in McAllen, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas in Austin, the best fisherman in the world,” he wrote. “I have spent the last 35 years fishing in the bay and offshore of South Padre Island. It was a lifelong dream to win the 45th annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue, the world’s richest fishing tournament on my tenth year participating.”

He said they put together a team stacked with some of SPI’s best, including Capt. Justin Drummond on the sonar and gaff and Kieler Gentry in the cockpit and gaff.

A fourth team member was Capt. Rick Ramsdell of West Palm Beach.

Weisfeld said they beat out 177 boats captained by the world’s best offshore anglers.

He said two fish bit the same Ruckus lure in the same fishing area near San Jose Del Cabo Gordo banks in about 450 feet of water at about the same time after the 7 a.m. shotgun started.

“All the stars aligned for our Magic Touch Team and the angels in heaven were on our side that week,” he said. “I have spent the summers fishing off South Padre Island for the past 35 years. My wife, Michelle, and our children, Jacob and Emily, all enjoy fishing.”

Continued from page 8

Continued from page 8

LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS STRIVES TO DELIVER THE MOST COMPLELLING STORIES AND RELIABLE HUNTING AND FISHING REPORTS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS WITH ITS TWICE MONTHLY PRINT NEWSPAPER.

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WHY DID THE RAM CROSS THE RIVER? COME TO THE

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It’s why we say, Come for the Sheep, Stay for the Party®

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November 14, 2025

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TEXAS SUN, MOON AND TIDES Moon Phases Houston

New

First

Full

Last

Nov 20

Nov 28

Dec 4

Dec 11

Solunar Sun times Moon times Dallas

2025 Nov

A.M. Minor Major

P.M. Minor Major

SUN Rises Sets

MOON Rises Sets

2025 Nov

A.M. P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri

12:40 6:50 1:16 7:25 1:50 8:00 2:25 8:36 3:03 9:14 3:45 9:57 4:32 10:44 5:22 11:05 6:16 12:03 7:12 12:59 8:08 1:55 9:03 2:51 9:56 3:44 10:46 4:35 11:33 5:21

1:00 7:10 1:35 7:45 2:10 8:20 2:46 8:57 3:25 9:36 4:08 10:20 4:56 11:08 5:47 ----6:41 12:29 7:37 1:24 8:33 2:21 9:28 3:16 10:20 4:08 11:09 4:58 11:56 5:44

06:44 05:26 06:45 05:25 06:46 05:25 06:47 05:24 06:48 05:24 06:49 05:23 06:49 05:23 06:50 05:23 06:51 05:22 06:52 05:22 06:53 05:22 06:54 05:21 06:54 05:21 06:55 05:21 06:56 05:21

1:46a 2:22p 2:41a 2:49p 3:35a 3:15p 4:29a 3:43p 5:25a 4:14p 6:22a 4:48p 7:20a 5:28p 8:17a 6:13p 9:10a 7:03p 10:00a 7:58p 10:45a 8:57p 11:25a 9:57p 12:00p 10:58p 12:33p NoMoon 1:03p NoMoon

14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri

12:45 6:56 1:21 7:31 1:56 8:06 2:31 8:42 3:09 9:20 3:51 10:03 4:37 10:49 5:28 11:11 6:22 12:09 7:17 1:05 8:14 2:01 9:09 2:57 10:02 3:50 10:52 4:40 11:39 5:27

1:06 7:16 1:41 7:51 2:16 8:26 2:52 9:02 3:31 9:42 4:14 10:26 5:02 11:14 5:53 ----6:47 12:34 7:43 1:30 8:39 2:26 9:34 3:21 10:26 4:14 11:15 5:04 ----5:50

06:55 05:26 06:56 05:25 06:57 05:25 06:58 05:24 06:59 05:24 07:00 05:23 07:01 05:23 07:02 05:22 07:03 05:22 07:04 05:22 07:05 05:21 07:06 05:21 07:07 05:21 07:07 05:20 07:08 05:20

1:51a 2:29p 2:47a 2:53p 3:43a 3:18p 4:39a 3:45p 5:36a 4:14p 6:35a 4:47p 7:34a 5:25p 8:32a 6:09p 9:26a 7:00p 10:15a 7:55p 10:59a 8:55p 11:38a 9:57p 12:12p 10:59p 12:42p NoMoon 1:11p 12:02a

San Antonio

Amarillo

2025 Nov

A.M. Minor Major

P.M. SUN MOON Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets

2025 Nov

A.M. Minor Major

P.M. Minor Major

SUN Rises Sets

MOON Rises Sets

14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri

12:52 7:02 1:28 7:38 2:03 8:13 2:38 8:48 3:16 9:27 3:58 10:09 4:44 10:56 5:34 11:18 6:28 12:15 7:24 1:11 8:20 2:08 9:16 3:03 10:09 3:57 10:59 4:47 11:45 5:34

1:13 7:23 1:48 7:58 2:23 8:33 2:59 9:09 3:38 9:49 4:21 10:32 5:08 11:20 6:00 ----6:54 12:41 7:50 1:37 8:46 2:33 9:40 3:28 10:33 4:21 11:22 5:10 ----- 5:57

14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri

1:05 7:16 1:41 7:51 2:16 8:26 2:51 9:02 3:29 9:40 4:11 10:23 4:57 11:10 5:48 11:31 6:42 12:29 7:38 1:25 8:34 2:21 9:29 3:17 10:22 4:10 11:12 5:01 11:59 5:47

1:26 7:36 2:01 8:11 2:36 8:46 3:12 9:23 3:51 10:02 4:34 10:46 5:22 11:34 6:13 12:01 7:07 12:55 8:03 1:50 8:59 2:47 9:54 3:42 10:46 4:34 11:35 5:24 ----- 6:10

07:20 05:41 07:21 05:41 07:22 05:40 07:23 05:39 07:24 05:39 07:25 05:38 07:26 05:38 07:27 05:37 07:28 05:37 07:29 05:36 07:30 05:36 07:31 05:36 07:32 05:35 07:33 05:35 07:34 05:35

2:11a 2:50p 3:08a 3:13p 4:05a 3:36p 5:03a 4:01p 6:02a 4:29p 7:03a 5:01p 8:03a 5:38p 9:01a 6:22p 9:56a 7:12p 10:45a 8:08p 11:27a 9:09p 12:05p 10:12p 12:37p 11:16p 1:06p NoMoon 1:33p 12:21a

06:56 05:39 06:57 05:38 06:58 05:38 06:58 05:37 06:59 05:37 07:00 05:37 07:01 05:36 07:02 05:36 07:03 05:36 07:04 05:35 07:04 05:35 07:05 05:35 07:06 05:35 07:07 05:34 07:08 05:34

2:00a 2:35p 2:54a 3:01p 3:47a 3:28p 4:41a 3:56p 5:37a 4:27p 6:34a 5:02p 7:32a 5:42p 8:28a 6:27p 9:22a 7:18p 10:11a 8:13p 10:56a 9:11p 11:36a 10:11p 12:12p 11:12p 12:45p NoMoon 1:16p 12:13a

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 minute per 12 miles west of a location.

Sabine Pass, north Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 6:09 AM 12:02 AM 12:13 AM 12:22 AM 12:31 AM 12:42 AM 12:52 AM 1:01 AM 1:07 AM 1:13 AM 1:23 AM 1:27 AM 12:39 PM 1:36 PM 2:39 PM

Height 1.00L 1.72H 1.66H 1.62H 1.59H 1.58H 1.58H 1.60H 1.62H 1.66H 1.67H 1.66H 0.04L 0.23L 0.45L

Time 11:55 AM 6:29 AM 6:52 AM 7:18 AM 7:45 AM 8:13 AM 8:44 AM 9:16 AM 9:50 AM 10:25 AM 11:04 AM 11:48 AM 9:21 PM 9:57 PM 10:21 PM

Height 1.55H 0.69L 0.41L 0.17L -0.03L -0.18L -0.28L -0.33L -0.34L -0.30L -0.22L -0.10L 1.68H 1.63H 1.57H

Time 5:34 PM 1:16 PM 2:22 PM 3:10 PM 3:44 PM 4:11 PM 4:35 PM 5:03 PM 5:40 PM 6:32 PM 7:32 PM 8:31 PM 5:22 PM 6:13 PM 6:55 PM

Height 0.86L 1.69H 1.83H 1.96H 2.04H 2.08H 2.07H 2.03H 1.95H 1.86H 1.78H 1.73H 1.89H 2.36H 2.31H

Time 8:00 PM 6:35 PM 7:34 PM 8:30 PM 9:16 PM 9:49 PM 10:11 PM 10:25 PM 10:35 PM 10:49 PM 11:22 PM 10:24 PM 11:12 PM 11:39 PM

Height 2.70H 1.06L 1.22L 1.33L 1.41L 1.46L 1.51L 1.55L 1.59L 1.62L 1.64L 1.36L 1.73L 1.83L

Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 12:15 AM 12:33 AM 12:47 AM 12:51 AM 12:43 AM 12:37 AM 9:07 AM 9:40 AM 10:15 AM 10:50 AM 11:26 AM 12:06 PM 12:53 PM 1:48 PM 2:49 PM

Height 1.70H 1.61H 1.55H 1.52H 1.52H 1.56H -0.09L -0.15L -0.17L -0.15L -0.09L 0.00L 0.13L 0.30L 0.52L

Time 6:35 AM 6:57 AM 7:19 AM 7:43 AM 8:08 AM 8:36 AM 5:40 PM 6:27 PM 7:27 PM 8:27 PM 9:15 PM 9:53 PM 10:21 PM 10:40 PM 10:51 PM

Height 1.06L 0.80L 0.56L 0.34L 0.15L 0.01L 2.04H 2.01H 1.97H 1.93H 1.89H 1.84H 1.77H 1.69H 1.60H

Time 11:59 AM 1:24 PM 2:34 PM 3:32 PM 4:19 PM 5:00 PM

Height 1.50H 1.63H 1.76H 1.88H 1.98H 2.03H

Time 6:13 PM 7:11 PM 8:10 PM 9:25 PM 10:35 PM

Height 0.91L 1.11L 1.29L 1.43L 1.52L

Height 0.97L 0.72L 0.50L 0.30L 0.14L 0.02L -0.07L -0.13L -0.16L -0.17L -0.15L -0.09L 0.02L 0.18L 0.41

Time 11:23 AM 12:56 PM 2:09 PM 3:12 PM 3:59 PM 4:38 PM 5:15 PM 5:56 PM 6:50 PM 7:58 PM 8:53 PM 9:31 PM 9:56 PM 10:09 PM 10:17 PM

Height 1.35H 1.51H 1.67H 1.82H 1.93H 1.99H 2.01H 2.00H 1.96H 1.92H 1.89H 1.83H 1.74H 1.62H 1.47H

Time 6:01 PM 7:22 PM 8:45 PM

Height 0.91L 1.10L 1.24L

Time 11:55 PM 11:52 PM 11:41 PM

Height 1.49H 1.38H 1.31H

Time 6:37 AM 6:51 AM 7:05 AM 7:18 AM 7:33 AM 7:53 AM 8:20 AM 8:53 AM 9:31 AM 10:12 AM 10:54 AM 11:38 AM 12:29 PM 1:27 PM 2:29 PM

Height 0.82H 0.73H 0.74H 0.21L 0.11L 0.04L -0.00L -0.03L -0.05L 0.98H 0.98H 0.95H 0.90H 0.81H 0.69H

Time 7:01 PM 9:19 AM 9:30 AM 8:53 PM 9:24 PM 10:01 PM 10:50 PM 11:59 PM

Height 0.53L 0.51L 0.35L 0.91H 0.97H 1.00H 1.00H 0.99H

Time

Height

Time

Height

5:22 PM 10:33 PM

0.69H 0.81H

7:31 PM

0.68L

1:21 PM 2:04 PM 2:47 PM 3:29 PM 4:10 PM 4:48 PM

-0.06L -0.07L -0.07L -0.03L 0.05L 0.17L

Height 0.72H 0.68H 0.69H 0.18L 0.82H 0.86H 0.86H 0.86 0.85H 0.84H 0.83H 0.81H 0.76H 0.69H 0.61H

Time 10:20 AM 10:50 AM 11:25 AM

Height 0.63L 0.45L 0.30L

12:34 PM 1:07 PM 1:40 PM 2:21 PM 3:14 PM 4:11 PM 5:07 PM 5:59 PM 6:50 PM 7:41 PM 8:32 PM

0.11L 0.08L 0.06L 0.05L 0.03L 0.00L -0.03L -0.03L -0.00L 0.07L 0.20L

Port O’Connor Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 3:43 AM 2:46 AM 12:09 AM 9:53 AM 10:20 AM 10:50 AM 11:23 AM 11:59 AM 12:39 PM 1:20 AM 2:18 AM 2:58 AM 3:23 AM 3:23 AM 2:40 AM

Time 5:07 AM 3:46 AM 2:47 AM 12:00 PM 12:48 AM 1:24 AM 2:00 AM 2:36 AM 3:13 AM 3:54 AM 4:37 AM 5:16 AM 5:32 AM 4:52 AM 4:21 AM

San Luis Pass Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 12:32 AM 12:27 AM 12:18 AM 12:05 AM 8:11 AM 8:34 AM 9:01 AM 9:32 AM 10:08 AM 10:48 AM 11:33 AM 12:21 PM 1:13 PM 2:10 PM 3:17 PM

Height 1.31H 1.23H 1.17H 1.07L -0.01L -0.11L -0.16L -0.18L -0.18L 1.38H 1.39H 1.38H 1.34H 1.27H 1.16H

Time 11:14 AM 11:26 AM 11:39 AM 3:41 AM 9:00 PM 9:29 PM 10:08 PM 11:47 PM

Height 0.79L 0.55L 0.32L 1.15H 1.40H 1.43H 1.42H 1.38H

Time 3:38 PM 5:04 PM 6:43 PM 11:51 AM

Height 1.02H 1.08H 1.19H 0.13L

Time 9:55 PM 11:04 PM

Height 0.64L 0.88L

8:22 PM

1.32H

3:05 PM 4:07 PM 5:11 PM 6:01 PM 6:41 PM 7:17 PM

-0.16L -0.15L -0.12L -0.06L 0.07L 0.27L

Height 1.30H 1.21H 1.16H 1.16H 0.13L 0.02L -0.05L -0.09L -0.11L -0.10L -0.07L -0.01L 0.07L 0.20L 0.37L

Time 6:51 AM 7:11 AM 7:31 AM 7:51 AM 4:48 PM 5:31 PM 6:15 PM 7:08 PM 8:25 PM 10:07 PM 11:01 PM 11:23 PM 11:29 PM 11:26 PM 11:16 PM

Height 0.88L 0.66L 0.45L 0.27L 1.48H 1.51H 1.50H 1.48H 1.45H 1.42H 1.40H 1.35H 1.27H 1.17H 1.07H

Time 11:49 AM 1:36 PM 2:58 PM 4:00 PM

Height 1.13H 1.22H 1.32H 1.42H

Time 6:24 PM 7:37 PM 8:46 PM

Height 0.79L 0.94L 1.07L

Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 3:09 AM 1:09 AM 12:34 AM 12:17 AM 9:56 AM 10:26 AM 10:59 AM 11:39 AM 1:12 AM 2:15 AM 3:00 AM 3:36 AM 4:02 AM 3:49 AM 2:01 AM

Height 0.60H 0.56H 0.55H 0.54H 0.14L 0.10L 0.07L 0.05L 0.50H 0.50H 0.50H 0.49H 0.46H 0.41H 0.37H

Time 8:09 AM 8:33 AM 9:00 AM 9:28 AM 9:22 PM 10:12 PM 11:21 PM

Height 0.51L 0.40L 0.29L 0.21L 0.55H 0.54H 0.51H

Time 1:18 PM 3:35 PM 5:41 PM 8:20 PM

Height 0.57H 0.55H 0.55H 0.55H

Time 7:37 PM 8:24 PM 9:31 PM

Height 0.46L 0.50L 0.53L

12:23 PM 1:12 PM 2:06 PM 3:04 PM 4:03 PM 4:56 PM 5:41 PM

0.04L 0.03L 0.03L 0.04L 0.06L 0.10L 0.17L

Height 0.89L 0.69L 0.51L 0.35L 0.22L 0.12L 0.06L 0.02L 0.01L 0.02L 0.05L 0.09L 1.21H 1.11H 0.42L

Time 10:47 AM 12:32 PM 2:18 PM 3:30 PM 4:15 PM 4:52 PM 5:33 PM 9:23 PM 10:18 PM 11:03 PM 11:43 PM

Height 1.07H 1.11H 1.18H 1.24H 1.29H 1.30H 1.29H 1.29H 1.29H 1.28H 1.26H

Time 5:53 PM 7:01 PM 7:58 PM 9:01 PM

Height 0.79L 0.91L 1.02L 1.11L

Time 11:16 PM 11:12 PM 11:13 PM 11:06 PM

Height 1.07H 1.07H 1.10H 1.13H

12:47 PM 1:35 PM 10:20 PM

0.16L 0.27L 0.93H

11:02 PM

1.00H

Height 1.17L 0.95L 0.73L 0.52L 0.34L 0.18L 0.06L -0.02L -0.06L -0.07L -0.03L 0.06L 0.19L 0.39L 0.63L

Time 10:56 AM 12:56 PM 2:31 PM 3:37 PM 4:31 PM 5:22 PM 6:18 PM 7:26 PM 8:34 PM 9:30 PM 10:12 PM 10:41 PM 10:52 PM 10:38 PM 10:21 PM

Height 1.41H 1.54H 1.69H 1.79H 1.85H 1.86H 1.85H 1.83H 1.82H 1.82H 1.82H 1.79H 1.72H 1.61H 1.50H

Time 4:59 PM 6:28 PM 8:05 PM

Height 1.09L 1.32L 1.47L

Time 11:19 PM 11:00 PM 10:40 PM

Height 1.50H 1.49H 1.50H

Port Aransas

Nueces Bay Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 4:11 AM 4:04 AM 3:58 AM 12:40 AM 12:03 PM 12:23 PM 12:53 PM 1:30 PM 2:14 PM 3:17 AM 3:47 AM 3:55 AM 3:51 AM 3:43 AM 3:30 AM

East Matagorda

Freeport Harbor Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 6:31 AM 6:45 AM 7:02 AM 7:19 AM 7:39 AM 8:02 AM 8:29 AM 9:02 AM 9:41 AM 10:24 AM 11:12 AM 12:00 PM 12:12 AM 12:09 AM 2:29 PM

South Padre Island Time 3:41 PM 6:06 PM 8:36 PM

Height 0.78H 0.76H 0.77H

Time 10:50 PM 11:32 PM

Height 0.55L 0.66L

Date Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 18 Nov 19 Nov 20 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov 23 Nov 24 Nov 25 Nov 26 Nov 27 Nov 28

Time 6:20 AM 6:20 AM 6:31 AM 6:49 AM 07:11 AM 7:38 AM 8:08 AM 8:42 AM 9:20 AM 10:02 AM 10:48 AM 11:36 AM 12:26 PM 1:21 PM 2:23 PM

Texas Coast Tides

Galveston Bay entrance, north jetty

High Island

LSONews.com

LoneOStar Outdoor News

November 14, 2025

Page 21

Rifle season Continued from page 1

Katie Montalvo harvested this mature 10-point on opening weekend in Medina County.

Photo by Zach Montalvo.

ing weekend. She was sitting in a blind with her husband, along with her 3-year-old and 7-year-old daughters, when the buck made his appearance.

“We were watching herds of does come and go around the feeder from the time we got settled that afternoon,” Montalvo said.

“About 45 minutes into the sit, I heard my husband say, he’s here.”

Montalvo said she looked out and didn’t see anything but does, at first. All of a sudden, she spotted the buck she was after on a hill out in front of her, and he was slowly walking toward the feeder. She said she started shaking as the buck walked into range.

“I told my husband, I’m either going to cry or throw up,” she admitted. “He helped me calm down and regain my composure, and I got ready to shoot.”

With the amount of does at the feeder, Montalvo had to wait to get a clear shot at the buck. The deer finally moved to the left side of the feeder by himself and turned broadside 153 yards away. She steadied her

aim with her .308 and slowly squeezed the trigger. The buck fell within sight.

Montalvo’s daughters were peeking out of the blind window and watching as she took her shot. Her 3-year-old yelled, “Yaaay!” when she realized her mom had successfully taken the buck.

“It was really a special moment with my daughters and husband,” Montalvo said.

Quinn Mattson spent opening weekend in Kerr County hunting on family land, where he scored a mature buck on the second morning.

“I had never seen the buck on trail cameras before,” Mattson said. “He showed up about 45 minutes or so after sunrise, and I immediately grabbed my rifle.”

Mattson said the deer didn’t stop to eat corn for long. The buck cruised through out in front of his blind, and he shot him in stride at about 100 yards with his lever action 30-30.

“I watched the deer fall and was pumped to harvest a mature buck on opening weekend,” Mattson said.

SEE US AT THE COWBOY CHRISTMAS SHOW! We’re excited to announce that Glen Dene Hunting & Fishing NZ will be at the Cowboy Christmas Show, December 4–13, 2025, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nevada.

Booth #20327 Come meet us in person and learn more about world-class hunting and fishing adventures in New Zealand.

BOOTH #20327

COWBOY CHRISTMAS SHOW

4-13 DEC 2025

2026 Auction Highlights

Come to the Biggest Sportsmen’s Banquet in Fort Worth

WILD GAME DINNER Raffles, Live & Silent Auctions Thursday, February 26th, 2026 Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX Presented by:

Insurance and Financial Services

Guest Speakers Taya Kyle Widow of U.S. Navy SEAL, Chris Kyle, bestselling author, military family activist, and outdoor enthusiast.

• Gourmet Food • Open Bar • Live Auction • Silent Auction • Raffles • Guns • Hunting & Fishing Trips • Vacation Homes • Sports Memorabilia • Hunting & Fishing Gear

Colton Kyle Son of “American Sniper”, Chris Kyle, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and avid outdoorsman.

The Sportsmen’s Club of Fort Worth is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which devotes its resources to outdoor and wildlife charitable and educational activities with an emphasis on serving area youth and youth organizations.

Scan to purchase tables/tickets for the 2026 Wild Game Dinner sportsmensclub.org

Page 22

November 14, 2025

LoneOStar Outdoor News

LSONews.com

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ARIZONA

FLORIDA

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2026 spring hunts.

A customer’s AZGFD portal account is the only source for finding out draw results and viewing bonus points. A free portal account can be created at accounts.azgfd.com (account features for minor dependents are available).

AZGFD expects to mail hunt permit-tags to customers by Nov. 26, with the exception of those who have downloaded the free Arizona E-Tag mobile app (from either the Apple or Google Play stores) and opted-in to receive an electronic hunt permit-tag in their portal account.

—AZGFD

At its November meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved rule changes for lane snapper in Florida’s Gulf state waters to be more consistent with current and pending federal regulations.

Approved modifications of lane snapper in Gulf state waters include: • Increasing the commercial and recreational minimum size limit from 8 inches to 10 inches total length • Establishing a 20-fish-per-person recreational bag limit The new Gulf lane snapper recreational regulations will go into effect on April 1, 2026 —FWC

Senate extends wetlands funding

2025 Vermont moose hunt results

Spring draw results available

The U.S. Senate passed the Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act, which extends and reauthorizes the interest earned on funds held in the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund (PittmanRobertson) to continue to be available for the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA).

“The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act is an essential pillar of American conservation efforts,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “Duck hunters are among the most passionate conservationists on the planet, and their investments sustain wetlands, wildlife, and the future of waterfowl. Thank you to our friends in Congress for ensuring that hunters’ investments continue to support the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, where they can go right where they belong – onto the landscape to restore habitat that benefits waterfowl, other wildlife, and our communities.”

NAWCA is a non-regulatory, incentivebased voluntary wildlife conservation program that stimulates public-private partnerships to protect, restore, and manage wetland habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. The bipartisan Wetlands Conservation and Access Improvement Act was originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jeff Hurd (CO) and Rep. Sarah Elfreth (MD).

—DU

SCI awards industry grants Continuing in a long tradition of supporting the guide and outfitter industry, SCI awarded grants to 11 guide and outfitter associations around the US and globally. These funds will directly support efforts led by these groups to further SCI’s mission, goals, and values.

Requests for grants exceeded expectations, highlighting the continued need for hunters to support hunters across continents.

The

biggest game in wetlands conservation

Associations receiving grants: • Alaska Professional Hunters Association • Botswana Wildlife Producers Association • Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia • Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association • Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association • Montana Outfitters and Guides Association • New Mexico Council of Outfitters and Guides • New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association • Professional Guides and Outfitters Association of Zambia • Professional Hunters Association of South Africa • Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association —SCI

State updates Gulf lane snapper regs

VERMONT

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department issued 180 moose hunting permits this year, resulting in 68 moose harvested between the October 1-7 archery season and the October 18-23 regular season. Moose hunting was only allowed in Wildlife Management Unit E, in northeastern Vermont.

Of the 180 permits available, 174 were issued by lottery, to which nearly 6,000 hunters applied. The department reserves the first five lottery permits for Vermont military veterans. Three non-lottery permits are reserved for persons with life-threatening illnesses, and three more are auctioned as a fundraiser for conservation.

—VFWD

WYOMING

Wildlife charges brought A multi-year investigation recently wrapped up in Lincoln County on Sept. 24 when Rodney Gilstrap of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was sentenced on multiple wildlife-related charges following an appeal filed in August 2024.

The charges stemmed from Gilstrap falsely claiming to be a Wyoming resident beginning in 2018 and then illegally killing deer, elk, and pronghorn in western Wyoming.

Gilstrap was later charged with 22 wildlife crimes in Lincoln, Sublette and Teton counties. On August 1, 2024, Gilstrap accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to three counts of making false statements to procure Wyoming resident deer and elk licenses, and three counts of killing deer and elk without the proper licenses. Gilstrap was sentenced to 540 days in jail with 519 days being suspended and was sentenced to serve 21 days in jail, 3 years of unsupervised probation during which he is required to pay $10,000 in restitution to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and $17,905 in fines.

On June 10, 2025, Lincoln County District Court Judge Joseph Bluemel affirmed the judgement and sentence entered on August 1, 2024.

—WGFD

GEORGIA

Media passes available for DSC in Atlanta Media members ex attending the annual DSC Convention & Sporting Expo to be held February 6-8, 2026, can pre-register for credentials now.

One of the world’s biggest outdoor conventions, the 2026 DSC Convention & Sporting Expo will be held in Hall C of the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

To accommodate media members, DSC is catering to the sporting press with a convenient pressroom outfitted with charging stations, plenty of quiet space to conduct interviews, complimentary beverages and snacks, plus an easy pre-registration process.

To pre-register, please contact Mallory Communications owner Stephanie Mallory at (205) 999-8247.

—DSC

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

November 14, 2025

Page 23

Federal land Continued from page 1

One example of a virtual orientation was sent to hunters drawn to hunt the Hagerman WMA in North Texas.

“The national forests are open, a lot of the Corp of Engineers land is open, the National Refuge hunts are open,” Edmiston said.

Potter County Cross Bar BLM property The Cross Bar Management Area is the only BLM-administered land in the State of Texas.

It is a 12,000-acre tract originally purchased by the FedPhoto by Lone Star Outdoor News. eral government in 1931 as part of a program to establish a strategic helium reserve. Today, the land is used for a variety of ecological and archeological research projects and for public recreation, including drawn hunts beginning this weekend.

The BLM manages the land in cooperation with West Texas A&M University and other cooperating agencies.

Access to this unique property located just north of Amarillo is very difficult, with drawn hunters having to walk approximately 1.5 miles down a public riverbed to reach the landlocked piece of public property.

According to the TPWD public hunt brochure, “this remote, back country property requires hunters to be physically capable of wading through water and hiking long distances.

The terrain is rugged, arid, and extreme with no public amenities. Access to the property through the river is difficult and at your own risk. Emergency/Support services are very limited. Hunters are responsible for all hunting aspects and should have an emergency plan.”

“The only current access is through the river, although we are trying to get an easement and grants to build a bridge,” said Clay Roberts, Public Hunt Programs Specialist with TPWD. “It’s checkerboarded in places. We’ve had an agreement since 2016. It’s all archery hunting and it’s extremely difficult terrain. It’s a long walk through the river bottom.”

Being public land with difficult access, Lone Star Outdoor News called the BLM property manager, Adrian Escobar, for more information on the hunting and access, specifically if Texas hunters could access and hunt the property when TPWD was not conducting hunts.

Escobar told LSON he could not answer any questions from a reporter without the questions submitted and approved by his superiors at the federal office. LSON sent him the questions, which Escobar said should be approved that day.

Multiple follow-up attempts for answers about hunting and access to the property for drawn hunters went unreturned. Escobar’s phone message said he had been furloughed and would not return calls until after the government shutdown.

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Page 24

November 14, 2025

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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INDUSTRY

LONE STAR OUTDOOR PUZZLER Solution on Page 31

Beretta commemorates Marines

GSM acquires Smith’s Products

Beretta announces two new configurations of the A300 Ultima Patrol platform to commemorate the United States Marine Corps’ 250th birthday: the A300 Ultima Patrol Raider Commemorative Edition (limited to 250 units) and a mission ready standard A300 Ultima Patrol configuration.

GSM Outdoors has acquired Smith’s Products in the knife and scissor sharpening categories, adding the Arkansas-based manufacturer to its growing portfolio of outdoors brands.

Remington adds to Core-Lokt line

Henry Repeating Arms announced the release of the SPD CRUSR Rifle, a collaborative project between Henry’s Special Products Division and Field Ethos.

Remington Ammunition announces the availability of Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun cartridges, the newest expansion to the CoreLokt line.

Los Cazadores opening Granbury store Los Cazadores has announced the opening of its newest location in Granbury, Texas in 2026, complete with archery shop and expanded fishing section.

Federal’s 7mm Backcountry wins award Guns & Ammo magazine awarded Federal’s 7mm Backcountry cartridge as Ammo of the Year for 2025. The announcement was published in the December 2025 issue.

ACROSS 1. Hunting technique during the rut 4. Largest antelope in Africa 10. Group of quail 14. Bay fisherman’s favorite bottom structure 15. Elk prize 18. Stabilizes the arrow in flight 20. Used on flying ducks 21. Neck trap 22. Famous gun manufacturer 24. Wrote Green Hills of Africa 27. Adds score to a buck’s antlers 28. Common coastal duck 31. Favorite place to gather after the hunt 33. Rio and Osceola are two types 34. Another name for partridge 36. Woods enforcement 37. Favorite tasting freshwater fish 38. Invasive Texas aquarium exotic

Henry teams up with Field Ethos

Easton introduces Pack Mule Quiver Easton has announced Pack Mule arrow quiver. Built for competitive, 3D, and field archers with advanced outdoor fabrics and ergonomic design, the quiver is designed for all day sessions.

OSCF names new board members The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation announced that firearm industry veterans Justin Baldini and Leland Nichols have joined the OSCF board of directors.

DOWN 2. Head above it for early season mule deer 3. Most common goose 5. Hunter’s home 6. Common bass bait 7. Accompanies the turkey on the table 8. Often called dog catchers 9. Turkey hunting must have 11. Common gar in Texas 12. Bucks seek these out during the rut 13. Ribeye of the bay 16. Flashy bass bait 17. This month’s holiday 18. Shooter’s excited mistake 19. Setups for coyote, fox and other fur bearers 23. Wounded bucks often head here 25. Turkey call 26. Young gobbler 29. Public land duck hunters love to do this 30. Needed for hunters during the rut 31. Bucks are doing this before breeding 32. The mark of a buck 35. River in Central Texas

Puzzle by Conor Harrison, Lone Star Outdoor News

FOR THE TABLE *email LSON your favorite recipe to editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

Slow smoked venison shoulder 1 bone-in deer shoulder Dry rub of your choosing Mustard Apple juice Worcestershire sauce Soy sauce

Start by generously rubbing the deer shoulder with mustard and coating with a thick layer of your favorite dry rub. Start a smoker and set to 250 degrees. Lay the shoulder on the middle rack. Smoke for about 5 hours, adding wood every hour. Once the shoulder has a good bark, transfer to an aluminum pan. Fill the pan about halfway with apple juice, a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. Wrap the top of the pan with aluminum foil and place back on the smoker, now increasing the

temperature to 275. Cook for about 3 hours, checking the shoulder for tenderness, and flip over in the pan, cover, and cook for another 2 to 3 hours or until the meat is fork tender and falling off the bone.

Once the meat is cool enough to handle, shred the meat and add your favorite barbecue accompaniments for a great meal.

—AGFC

Gulf Shrimp Ceviche 1 pound deveined Gulf shrimp 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (10-12 limes) 12 oz. pico de gallo 1-2 avocados, diced Salt to taste Cut shrimp into bite-size pieces and add to bowl. Squeeze 10-12 limes (1 cup) over shrimp and add pico de gallo. Stir in diced avocado. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

When ready to serve, drain excess juice and salt to taste. Serve with tortilla chips or on top of tostados.

—TPWD

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LoneOStar Outdoor News

Youth hunt Continued from page 4

November 14, 2025

Atkinson Welding & Fabrication Metal Buildings Barndominiums Carports Garage Doors Concrete Work Horse Stalls Cattle Pens Entrance & Solar Gates Fencing (all types) General Welding Demolition Work Ranch Services Irrigation & Pivot Work Pond Cleaning Cattle Guards & more

Ever Wood, 9, harvested this mature 8-point buck on her home property in Bandera County during the youth-only early season. Photo from Robin Wood.

during a morning sit in which he shot at a buck but was unable to recover it, the youngster got redemption and harvested a 10-pointer later that afternoon.

“We were able to film my shot that morning,” said Maraffa. “After watching the footage with my mom, we both felt like it looked low. We decided to call a deer tracking service with a dog just to make sure.”

It was determined later that morning that Maraffa’s shot had just grazed the buck, and that it would survive without any issues or hardships. The youngster was eager to get back in the stand that afternoon.

“There were a lot of signs of rut activity, as several bucks came cruising through not long after we got back into the stand for an afternoon sit,” Maraffa said. “Then a 10-point buck showed up, and I got ready to shoot with my rifle.”

The deer came in and out of sight a few times, as it postured up towards the other bucks and pushed around a doe. The buck came by the feeder quickly and then started heading towards a tree line. Maraffa had the crosshairs of his rifle scope on the buck as it was walking. It stopped briefly, and the youngster took a shot with the .243, which had been passed onto him from his grandfather. The buck piled up and expired about 15 yards from where it was standing.

“It felt so awesome to successfully harvest a 10-point buck and get redemption after what had happened earlier that morning,” Maraffa said.

Page 25

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November 14, 2025

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING REPORT REDFISH BAY: 75 degrees. Black drum are good on shrimp. Redfish are good on cut mullet and shrimp. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp, piggy perch, and croaker on flats and along channels.

SAN ANTONIO BAY: 77 degrees. Speckled trout are good on top-waters, soft plastics, and live shrimp. Redfish are good on shrimp and mullet.

SABINE LAKE: 75 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on live shrimp under a popping cork and soft plastics. Black drum are fair on live shrimp.

BOLIVAR: 78 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Black drum are good on shrimp.

TRINITY BAY: 77 degrees. Redfish are good on crankbaits, soft plastics, and live shrimp. Speckled trout are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Sheepshead and drum are fair on live shrimp.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: 77 degrees.

Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp and soft plastics. Redfish are good on live shrimp and soft plastics.

GALVESTON BAY: 77 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp.

Redfish, sheepshead, and black drum are fair on live shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: 77 degrees.

Speckled trout are fair on soft plastics and live shrimp. Redfish, sheepshead, and black drum are fair on live shrimp.

TEXAS CITY: 77 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are fair on live shrimp, finger mullet, and soft plastics.

FREEPORT: 80 degrees. Speckled trout, sand trout, and redfish are good on live shrimp and soft plastics. Sheepshead, black drum, and mangrove snapper are good on live shrimp.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: 78 degrees. Redfish are fair on cut mullet and soft plastics.

Speckled trout are good on soft plastics and top-waters.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: 78 degrees. Redfish are fair on cut mullet and soft plastics.

Speckled trout are good on soft plastics and top-waters.

PORT O’CONNOR: 78 degrees. Bull redfish are good on Spanish sardines. Slot redfish are fair on dead shrimp and Spanish sardines.

Black drum are fair on dead shrimp. Speckled trout are slow.

ROCKPORT: 78 degrees. Speckled trout are fair on live shrimp, and piggy perch.

Redfish are good on shrimp, mullet, and piggy perch. Black drum are good on live and dead shrimp. Mangrove snapper are good on shrimp.

PORT ARANSAS: 78 degrees. Redfish are good on live shrimp, cut mullet, and silver spoons. Oversized redfish are good on cut crab and mullet. Speckled trout are fair with croaker, piggy perch and free-lined shrimp.

Pompano are fair on shrimp and Fish Bites.

CORPUS CHRISTI: 75 degrees. Black drum are fair on shrimp. Redfish are fair on cut mullet and crab. Trout are fair on croakers.

BAFFIN BAY: 82 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are fair on soft plastics, topwaters, and slow-sinking and suspending twitch baits.

PORT MANSFIELD: 78 degrees. Speckled trout and redfish are good on top-waters and soft plastics.

SOUTH PADRE: 80 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on soft plastics, topwaters, and live shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: 80 degrees. Redfish and speckled trout are good on soft plastics, topwaters, and live shrimp.

—TPWD

Cole Fine Guns introduces new exclusive Beretta 688 When quality meets expert craftsmanship, the results can be amazing.

Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing has introduced the Cole Exclusive Beretta 688 with walnut wood. Utilizing its unique partnership with stock producers in Italy, Cole Gunsmithing now offers the Beretta 688 with upgraded Turkish walnut. This Cole Exclusive celebrates both innovation and heritage, demonstrating Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing’s ongoing commitment to craftsmanship.

Following in the tradition of Cole Exclusive upgraded stocked shotguns, the upgraded Beretta 688 Turkish walnut is now available in grades 3, 3.5 and 4. Machined to Beretta factory specifications, these wood sets further elevate the appearance and feel of the Beretta 688.

Each piece is carefully selected and expertly crafted to ensure every Cole Exclusive Beretta 688 achieves Cole Gunsmithing’s renowned balance of elegance and performance.

“Cole Gunsmithing is excited to upgrade our Cole Exclusive Beretta 688 with new furniture grades,” said Rich Cole, Owner of Cole Gunsmithing. “Through close collaboration with our stock producers, we were able to expand this offering and provide shooters with more options to fit their preferences and needs. We look forward to working with both new and longtime clients to help carefully personalize their firearms.”

—Cole Fine Guns

Waterfowl Continued from page 4

“I have seen lots of pintails, wigeon and gray ducks,” Elder said. “The cold front about a week ago they showed up. We are holding a decent amount of ducks right now. The wigeon seemed to have moved out a bit with the most recent front, but it brought in a bunch of pintails.”

Elder said he will start his waterfowl hunts this weekend and is looking forward to a good season in a new area of operation.

“We moved out here from Weatherford,” he said. “I’ve been impressed with the duck numbers I have been seeing. There is a lot of food but water is rough in a lot of areas out here.”

Photo by Lone Star Outdoor News.

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Page 27

ARE YOU FED UP WITH

Continued from page 4

harder time finding the birds.”

Despite the somewhat challenging conditions, he and his clients had a fantastic hunt on opening day.

“We quit counting after more than 50 covey contacts,” Strickland said.

Strickland is waiting on cooler temperatures for the hunting to really kick off.

“The cover gets knocked back, so it is easier for the dogs to go through it and in less cover, they will be able to smell the birds better,” Strickland added.

Travis Spring with Jo Kreed Outdoors reported conditions and bird numbers have set up for a great year for he and his clients hunting wild blue quail in West Texas.

“With all the rain, we are seeing three and four hatchlings of blue quail,” Spring said.

“That is a major improvement from previous years. There are guys who have been quail hunting a lot longer than me and they’ve told me with the current quail numbers, this will be like back in the heyday. It’s going to be Travis Spring and his clients had a successful amazing for Texas.” day in the field, flushing several coveys with as However, there were still challenges for many as 30 birds. Photo by Travis Spring, Jo Kreed hunters to overcome.

Outdoors.

“The mornings were really good because it was cool,” Spring said. “The afternoons were a little rough because it got into the 80s. There is not a lot of scent for the dogs to work with.”

So far during the early season, Spring and his clients are averaging eight birds per person.

“They’re hiding in some thick cover. If we get some real cold weather and it drops down into the 40s and 50s, that is prime quail hunting weather,” Spring said.

Public land quail hunters also got into the action. According to the Matador Wildlife Management Area Facebook page, the WMA saw a large number of hunters.

“Opening weekend of quail season produced one of the biggest crowds that we have had in several years for the quail opener,” the post read. “Through Monday, a total of 177 hunters harvested 895 quail. There were a lot of reports of 8 to 12 coveys a day.”

Other areas available to the public for quail hunting include the Teacup Mountain WMA in north Texas and the Chaparral James E. Daughtry WMAs down south.

“South Texas remains a stronghold and bobwhite populations appeared to increase the further south you go within the region,” said Patrick Schutz, TPWD Upland Game Bird Program Leader. “This region accounted for over 50 percent of the estimated total bobwhite harvest last season and biologists are encouraged by the bobwhite numbers they’ve observed recently. We expect these WMAs to provide fair hunting conditions.”

On opening weekend at the walk-in hunt at the Chaparral, a total of 84 hunters over the two days that harvested 76 bobwhites, one scaled quail, and 16 rabbits, averaging just under one bird per person. Seventy-five percent of the harvested birds were hatch year birds, therefore lots of young birds on the ground this year.

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November 14, 2025

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November 14, 2025

Page 29

Jeff Demaske named 2026 Conklin winner

Photo from the Conklin Foundation.

The Conklin Foundation has announced their 2026 award winner as Jeff Demaske.

Demaske was born in Mauston, Wisconsin, in 1968 and started hunting at an early age on his family farm in central Wisconsin, primarily hunting grouse and squirrels with a .410/.22 over/ under shotgun. Eventually, he moved on to hunting white-tailed deer. After college, Jeff moved to Greeley, Colorado, and started multiple construction, land development, and infrastructure companies.

Jeff’s primary passion is mountain hunting. He has hunted 36 Ovis species, harvesting more than 91 rams, including multiples and completing 13 Grand Slams of North American Sheep.

He’s successfully harvested 38 Capra species, with over 50 total billies. In total, he has harvested more than 300 species around the world. In addition to his passion for mountain game, Jeff always looks forward to his yearly trips with friends and family to hunt white-tailed deer and mule deer on his ranch in Kansas.

Not only is Jeff a dedicated hunter, but he is a staunch conservationist. He is a life member of the Wild Sheep Foundation, Grand Slam Club/Ovis, Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, and countless smaller chapters and affiliates. He is a dual member of the WSF Marco Polo Society (#29 and #100) and gives back by 100% donating hunts to the <1 Club, as well as a Dall sheep hunt to a United States Marine Corps and Purple Heart recipient.

—Staff report

NWTF helping Rio hens A new research project in Texas, funded in part through the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2025 investment in wild turkey research, seeks to investigate the season-specific survival rates of female Rio Grande wild turkeys, giving biologists a clearer picture of how to keep these iconic birds thriving on the landscape.

The research project is both collecting new data and utilizing data collected over the past decade on Rio Grande wild turkeys across diverse ecoregions in Texas.

Between 2016 and 2025, more than 700 female Rio Grande wild turkeys were captured and fitted with leg bands and GPS-VHF backpack transmitters using drop-nets and walk-in traps.

Currently, there are over 20 birds with active transmitters on the landscape, and project investigators plan to deploy more solar transmitter units this year to collect new data.

“A very cool aspect of this project is that this is one of the longest-running wild turkey data sets in Texas,” said Nicholas Bakner, Ph.D., project lead and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware. “The data was collected from over 775 female wild turkeys by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and was only used for a few master’s projects looking at smallerscale things like precipitation and survival. Looking at resource selection, like what we’re looking to do, has not yet been scratched.”

Using the GPS tracking data and state-specific reproductive timing, Bakner and his team will assign individual females to five seasonal life-cycle stages: pre-laying, laying, incubation, brooding and post-reproduction and then evaluate mortality within each stage. Researchers are curious to see what periods during the female’s life cycle are associated with the highest mortality risk. Project results will help evaluate how landscape characteristics and habitat management practices influence survival during those high-risk periods.

This research will allow for the integration of more private landowners in wild turkey habitat management by providing the science behind it.

—NWTF

Game Warden from TV show indicted A San Augustine County grand jury indicted Justin Charles Eddins, 47, known from the popular television show Lone Star Law on a charge of False Statement to Obtain Credit in Provision of Certain Services, according to a report by KFDM. According to the reported indictment, the Jasper County warden, beginning on or about March 22, 2022 and ending on or about November 10, 2023, intentionally and knowingly made a materially false or misleading written statement to Southside Bank, namely using another person’s name and credit, with the intent to obtain credit, namely loans, and the value of the amount of credit was $150,000 or more but less than $300,000.

The grand jury returned the indictment October 21.

The charge is a 2nd degree felony. If convicted, he could face the possibility of 2-20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

—KFDM

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Page 30

November 14, 2025

LoneOStar Outdoor News

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Florida anglers win Redfish Cup in Port Aransas A pair of Florida anglers took the Texans to school to win the Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter at Port Aransas Nov. 7-9.

Tony Vercillo and Darren Frost, hailing from Fort Pierce and Melbourne, respectively, placed third on Day 1 with a two-fish limit of 15 pounds, 6 ounces and held that spot with a second-round limit of 13-5. On Championship Sunday, the winners posted 12-6 and tallied a three-day total of 41-1.

Overtaking Easton Fothergill and Clark Jordan Jr., who led the first two days, by 4 1/2-pounds, Vercillo and Frost split the $75,000 top prize.

“This is a dream come true; I’ve been doing this (redfishing) since I was 5,” Vercillo said.

“We’ve worked so hard to get here.”

Frost echoed his partner’s sentiment: “It hasn’t completely hit me yet, but I was about to cry three or four times (while sitting in the hot seat). I don’t remember the last time I cried.”

For two days, Vercillo and Frost had worked a two-stage plan in which they started their mornings in areas north of the takeoff site at Fisherman’s Wharf, inside Port Aransas Municipal Boat Harbor. By late morning, they would run south to the Upper Laguna Madre, where they caught their better fish.

That plan likely would have worked again, but day 3 saw a cold front unleash brutal conditions. With a forecast for 25- to 35-knot north-northeast winds, Vercillo and Frost discussed the option of fishing closer the night before, but Championship Sunday’s harsh reality prompted an easy decision.

“Our best fish were a good ways south and we’d have to cross Corpus Christi Bay,” Vercillo said. “Last night, we were 80/20. We were desperate to get to those fish. We could win if we got to them.

“This morning, it was more like 50/50 and by the time we came around the corner for check-out, I said, ‘No sir, we’re staying close.’ We both agreed. We were very much at peace; there was no argument.”

Spending their final day on the west side of Redfish Bay, north of Port Aransas, the winners targeted oyster bar habitat.

“We dedicated Wednesday’s practice to finding spots that were out of the wind,” Vercillo said. “We found two spots that were holding fish and we just let it ride. We were done by 9 o’clock. We never caught another good fish after that.”

Frost said he and Vercillo anticipated they could catch about 12 pounds in Redfish Bay, so their final-round productivity was right on point.

“That’s what we saw pre-fishing; we had a couple of low-6’s and that’s what we ended up catching,” Frost said. “We kinda knew what was there and that’s why we didn’t go there yesterday.”

Vercillo threw a Rapala Crush City, The Mayor paddletail-rigged weedless on a Strike King Hack Attack heavy cover flipping hook. His partner fished a Berkley Gulp! Shrimp.

“I rigged (the Gulp! Shrimp) weedless on a wide gap hook with a 3/16-ounce tungsten weight,” Frost said. “I added a little gold Colorado blade between the weight and the bobber stop to add a little flash.”

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For home or office delivery, go to LSONews.com, or call (214) 361-2276, or send a check or money order to the address below. Lone Star Outdoor News, ISSN 2162-8300, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $35 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are $3, in certain markets copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2025 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 editor@lonestaroutdoornews.com.

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