Texas Fish & Game February 2016

THE TEXAS OUTDOOR AUTHORITY

Hogging the Camera:

Photos of Trophy Ferals

February 2016 $3.95

FISHING THE

Early

Alligator Gar: A Bad Rap?

Spawn Bullet Basics

Handloading 101

Salt Sonar Electronics in the Brine

Bass Rush Catching Bass in a Current

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www.FishGame.com Published by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. TEXAS FISH & GAME is the largest independent, family-owned outdoor publication in America.

Owned by Ron & Stephanie Ward and Roy & Ardia Neves.

ROY NEVES PUBLISHER

CHESTER MOORE EDITOR IN CHIEF

C O N T R I B U T O R S JOE DOGGETT DOUG PIKE TED NUGENT LOU MARULLO MATT WILLIAMS CALIXTO GONZALES LENNY RUDOW STEVE LAMASCUS DUSTIN ELLERMANN KENDAL HEMPHILL WILL LESCHPER REAVIS WORTHAM TOM BEHRENS GREG BERLOCHER PAUL BRADSHAW CAPT. MIKE HOLMES DUSTIN WARNCKE STAN SKINNER LISA MOORE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EDITOR AT LARGE HUNTING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR SALTWATER EDITOR BOATING EDITOR FIREARMS EDITOR SHOOTING EDITOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR CONSERVATION EDITOR HUMOR EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR COPY EDITOR CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

A D V E R T I S I N G ARDIA NEVES VICE PRESIDENT/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR DIRECT PHONE: (281) 869-5549 EMAIL: ANEVES@FISHGAME.COM DUSTIN WARNCKE • ADVERTISING SALES DIRECT PHONE: (512) 497-7674 EMAIL: DWARNCKE@FISHGAME.COM LARRY DALTON • ADVERTISING COORDINATOR 1745 GREENS ROAD HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE: (281) 227-3001 • FAX (281) 784-2962 THE OMNI GROUP BRIAN THURSTON • PRESIDENT LEAHA WIRTH • VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES (971) 322-7548 TRISHA SCHULZ • AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE (206) 419-2630

C R E A T I V E ELLIOTT DONNELLY DIGITAL PUBLISHER ANNA CAMPBELL MELINDA BUSS HEATHER BRYAN TYLER BERG

• • • •

GRAPHIC DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER DIGITAL PROD. ASSISTANT

SUBSCRIPTIONS 1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032 PHONE (800) 725-1134

TEXAS FISH & GAME (ISSN 0887-4174) is published monthly by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC., 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. ©Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. All rights reserved. Content is not to be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1 year $19.00: 2 years $34.75; 3 years $48.50. Address all subscription inquiries to Texas Fish & Game, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for response.

Give old and new address and enclose latest mailing address label when writing about your subscription. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032. Address all subscription inquiries to TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032. Email change of address to: subscriptions@fishgame.com Email new orders to: subscriptions@ fishgame.com Email subscription questions to: subscriptions@fishgame.com.

Periodical postage paid at Houston, TX 77267-9946 and at additional mailing offices.

Paid Distribution of over 90,000 Verified by Independent Audit

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Table of

FEBRUARY 2016 Volume 32 • NO. 10

Contents FEATURES

GAR GET A BAD RAP

Age-old tales of attacks by alligator gar on humans, and more current stories of gar as ruthless gamefish destroyers are unfounded and unfortunate.

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by Chester Moore COVER STORY: Dawn of the Spawn

March is prime time u for the Texas bass spawn, but the first two months of the year are when a magical window opens for the first wave of big females that begin to nudge their way into the shallows. Widely known as the “pre-spawn,” this slice of time has produced big numbers of heavyweight bass over the years.

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Story and cover photo by Matt Williams

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

HANDLOADING 101

The two best reasons for handloading, or reloading, are 1) to save money, and 2) to make better ammo than you can buy.

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by Steve LaMascus

BASS RUSH

Many bass anglers avoid fishing in a current, but flowing water can be a big help in finding fish, especially the most aggressive ones.

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by John N. Felsher

Hogging the Camera

Last month we ran u photos of monster hogs captured on game cameras by TF&G readers.This month we’re featuring trophy shots of huge hogs killed by readers.

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SONAR IN THE BRINE

Imaging sonar systems may have first been introduced as a way to catch bass, but they’ve been proven worthy in saltwater, too.

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by Lenny Rudow

Submitted by TF&G Readers

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Contents (continued)

Inside FISH & GAME

COLUMNS

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by ROY and ARDIA NEVES TF&G Owners

Editor’s Notes

by Chester Moore

TF&G Editor in Chief

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Copycat Scammers

Doggett at Large

by Joe Doggett

TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

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IKE COCKROACHES, THIEVING S.O.B.S WHO attempt to defraud subscribers to magazines like TEXAS FISH & GAME are almost impossible to completely irradicate.

You may remember that last year we alerted you to a group of con artists who were operating a subscription scam from a base in Oregon. Thanks to a coordinated effort by attorneys general in a number of states, including Texas, that group was shut down.

But now there appears to be a new gang of copycats trying to get into the action.

Bogus renewal notices have been mailed to a number of our subscribers from a company identifying itself as Secured Publisher Mail Center, or SPMC. Inside a blaring red envelope is a form that looks like this: If you have received a notice like this, DO NOT send these clowns any money.

They will just keep it and not forward your order to us. If you have already responded to this fraudulent renewal notice, call us at (800) 725-1134 and we will honor your subscription.

A simple Google Earth search of the return address on the form revealed that this “company” is actually located in a UPS Store in a strip center in Sandy, Utah.

Pike on the Edge

by Doug Pike

TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

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Nugent in the Wild

by Ted Nugent

TF&G Editor At Large

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Commentary

by Kendal Hemphill

TF&G Political Commentator

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Texas Saltwater

by Calixto Gonzales

TF&G Saltwater Editor

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Bare Bones Hunting

by Lou Marullo

TF&G Hunting Editor

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Texas Freshwater

by Matt Williams

TF&G Freshwater Editor

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Open Season

by Reavis Wortham

TF&G Freshwater Editor

There are legitimate agencies out there selling subscriptions, but they operate on pre-arranged terms with publishers and we know every agency that represents TEXAS FISH & GAME. So, if you have any doubts about a solicitatiion for subscriptions, call the 800 number listed above.

SPMC world headquarters We have shared all of this information with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, along with the manager’s name and contact information at the Sandy, Utah UPS Store. Hopefully they will be able to squash these vermin before any more FISH & GAME readers are bothered.

After re-reading our first paragraph, we may have been a bit harsh in comparing these scammers to cockroaches. Our apologies to cockroaches.

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Texas Boating

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CATCHES

32 TEXAS

DEPT. OF DEFENSE

40 TRUE GREEN 64 INDUSTRY INSIDER

66 FISH AND GAME GEAR

68 HOTSPOT

Practical Angler

76 TEXAS

TF&G Contributing Editor

86 TIDES &

by Paul Bradshaw

Texas Guns

by Steve LaMascus

TF&G Firearms Editor

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8 LETTERS 12 TF&G REPORT 12 BIG BAGS &

by Lenny Rudow

TF&G Boating Editor

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DEPARTMENTS

FOCUS

HOTSPOTS PRIME TIMES

94 TF&G PHOTOS

Texas Tasted

by Bryan Slaven

The Texas Gourmet

www.FishGame.com

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LETTERS to the Editor Skyrocketing East Texas Lease Fees I AM 56 YEARS OF AGE. LIVE IN Jefferson County. Hunt in Tyler County.

About 80 miles to drive.

Been doing so on my own for 43 years, chasing squirrels at first. During deer season I sometimes sat on a high line right-of-way with a 12 gauge waiting for the dogs to run a deer by. I mostly failed at deer hunting ’til I took up a bow about the age of 25.

My family and friends have been hunting the same land for 50-plus years. Way back then, I learned it as the Dam-B hunting club. My first paying year (1976) as a member was to Tyler Wildlife Management. The cost, $25, got me in the gate for the 4th of July week for scouting purposes. Then gates stayed open from Labor Day weekend and closed February 1st.

Hunting the same property all this time I have taken many deer with my bow. Including one that made the Port Arthur News as the Phantom Buck. Not quite sure about the year (1985-88 maybe).

As the years went by lease cost rose. In 2004 the timber company stopped collecting monies from individuals. With positive and encouraging words of the current range master I was asked to manage 4000 plus acres.

The cost, $500 per gun.

Our hunter percentage for deer harvest was at 50 to 65 percent at 42 members.

One of our key rules was only one antlerless deer taken during the general gun season.

And eventually we got on the LAMPS program. The basis for one antlerless, was for every doe harvested we lost 3 deer. The doe herself and the 2 offspring for next year.

Tyler County is a 2 antlerless deer county, until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Unless LAMPS of MLD permits are issued.

In 2009 Texas Parks and Wildlife brought in the Antler Restriction rule.

Our first year was two 13 inch antlered, 15 spikes and a few does. In the following years our hunter percentage for deer harvest dropped to less than 25 percent at 42 members 8 |

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Last year we went to $1,000 per gun, with 33 Members. We harvested 5 does, 2 spikes, and one 13 inch “Shooter”.

So far this year we have harvested 5 antlerless (1 doe and 5 button bucks) and one13-inch shooter. The doe’s age, approximately 2 years. And I have seen some impressive pictures of antlered deer taken by game cameras at night. What is not being caught on camera is older full grown does.

My belief is that with the 13 inch rule a lot of hunters went to harvesting antlerless deer. Freezers starting getting empty.

Remember the thought “for every doe harvested we lost 3 deer”. And that back pocket sensation of the rising cost of private deer leases did not help any either.

With the new rule came mistakes of deer with less than 13 inches. And made some hunters poachers, for not turning themselves in. Scared, embarrassed, fear of lost lease membership, a lot of deer may have fallen without being recorded.

The last 4 to 5 years I have seen leases double in cost of membership. I have seen lease memberships drop, and truly harder to fill leases. I have seen the deer population drop. I have seen one man go before a Judge to explain himself for taking a 12 ¾ inch spread buck. All the while, when looking at the ears in alert position the antlers where beyond the horns. I have spent way too much time sitting in a blind waiting for a deer to be seen. Just a few years ago I would sit and watch the does being chased by young bucks.

I wish the State of Texas, when implementing the 13 inch rule, also made those counties a one antlerless harvest. I still believe today that Tyler County should be a one antlerless harvest. Along with other area counties until the hunter harvest percentage is proven to be 50 percent plus of antlered deer harvest.

Jody Hoyt Editor: Very interesting observations Jody. The rule seems to have had lots of

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different kinds of impact all across the spectrum. Thanks for your feedback.

–CM

Question for Dustin

DUSTIN, Can you shoot your LaRue 762 suppressed without ears?

Heath (no last name given) Yes, my OBR (16-inch) with Gemtech Sandstorm suppressor is plenty quiet without ears. I have had others mention how quiet it is as well, and this might be due to the cool OBR gas cut off switch for suppressors as well as my handloads. I had a buddy of mine run the QuickLoad reloading program on his computer and we found that IMR 3031 powder burns 100 percent in a 16-inch barrel. This might cut down noise and suppressor burn. I don’t have scientific proof of that but it sounds like a good theory to me. Thanks for reading TFG! Dustin Ellermann

Wild Kingdom LOVED THE FEATURE ON JIM Fowler. Didn’t know he was still around.

Glad to hear it. I too was a big fan of Wild Kingdom. So much better than most of the garbage on TV today. In my younger years, I wanted to be just like Fowler, jumping out of boats to wrestle anacondas and such.

John N. Felsher WHAT A COOL STORY ON JIM Fowler! Thanks for recognizing we hunters and fishers love wildlife and putting some of these kinds of stories in the magazine.

Gene Thompson Send your comments to: Texas Fish & Game 1745 Greens Rd Houston TX 77032 editor@fishgame.com

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EDITOR’S Notes

by CHESTER MOORE :: TF&G Editor-in-Chief

Discovering Wildlife

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HAT IS OUT THERE? That is the question that has led me to spend vast amounts of time in the woods and on the water since childhood.

What is out there?

I have yet to pass a woodlot, marsh or meadow without pondering whether there is a giant buck hidden beyond the shadows, or if there might be a wily coyote peering through the grass.

And just as intriguing are the anomalies and misunderstood behaviors and habits of wildlife.

From the mystery of thousands of “black panther” sightings in Texas to the rarity of melanistic (black) deer, there are many unique facets to the animal kingdom that need discovering.

That is why beginning February 1 at fishgame.com we begin broadcasting a new video series, Kingdom Zoo: Discovering Wildlife.

Each week on Monday we will release a three to five minute video that examines the mysterious, misunderstood and majestic side of nature. It has been a passion of mine for years and now we have a video format that allows us to tell a story, keep things exciting in a short format and also have the contacts to traverse wild grounds not only statewide, but worldwide.

If you are signed up for our Texas Fish & Game e-newsletter you will get a link to the video sent to your inbox with the newsletter every Monday. If you would like to get that newsletter, e-mail cmoore@fishgame.com and I will sign you up.

A link will also be posted to our Facebook page and that is how you can help us out.

The first four videos are on the subject of “Monster Hogs “so everyone who shares our video will be put in a weekly drawing.

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The winner will get a super cool wild boar necklace and pendant.

Kingdom Zoo: Discovering Wildlife Get ready for in your face wildlife action, obscure facts and maybe even a few mysteries solved along the way.

Check it out at fishgame.com.

Speaking of unusual wildlife.

In 2014 I wrote about my father and uncle seeing fully developed whitetail bucks that were about 1/3 the size of the average Texas Hill Country buck, putting the animals at about 30 pounds.

Here are a few we have received from around the country.

FROM JOSH IN ALABAMA… Just wanted to let you know I believe we have miniature deer in our area of north Alabama. I’ve only seen them twice in my life.

The first time was while hunting on Redstone Arsenal with my father 33 years ago. It was a fully formed doe (in November) that was the same size as our miniature poodle (about 16 inches to the top of the shoulders).

The second time was yesterday. I saw a very small, fully formed doe, about the same size and coloration of the one I had seen 33 years ago. Our regular whitetails in this area are pretty big, and I see them crossing our property all the time.

The doe I saw yesterday was no more than 18 inches (estimate) and less than half the size I would expect this year’s fawns to be by now. I can’t find any info on the internet about miniature deer in our area.

FROM RON IN MICHIGAN… I saw a post of yours online asking for photos of dwarfism in whitetail deer. I took a pic of a deer I believe is a dwarf at our local buck pole on Nov. 15 2014. It was half the size of other bucks in his age class, with a small body, short legs, but a normal size head and neck. I believe he is 3 or 4 years old.

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A possible “micro” deer from Michigan.

It’s hard to tell in this position but the head and antlers seem large in proportion to the body.

The reports from other areas including my family’s from Texas were more evenly formed deer, just super small.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A BAD RUNin with feral dogs?

I have had two in my life, one in Newton County and the other in Jasper County and both were quite intense.

One involved a pack of random medium to large dogs and the other was a lone pit bull.

While conducting research on the issue of feral dogs, I uncovered some interesting and unsettling facts from around the country.

We will be increasing our dialogue with you, the TFG community to help us with our stories and we need your help with this feral dog issue.

If you have had a run-in or experience with feral dogs killing your livestock or maybe you have seen them killing wild game, e-mail cmoore@fishgame.com.

The impact of feral dogs in some areas is tremendous, and we will be investigating this for a future article. Again, we will be doing much more outreach to all of you to help us put together the most in-depth, Texas-centric, unique articles to be found anywhere in outdoor media.

Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com

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The TF G Report Game Wardens Encounter Wild Situations THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE COMpiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement field investigations.

Into the Night As two Val Verde County game wardens conducted their nightly patrol, they came upon a vehicle that failed to stay in its lane.

While the game wardens tried to read the vehicle’s

license plate, the vehicle quickly accelerated and almost lost control of the car on a curve. The wardens activated their emergency lights to stop the vehicle, but it only went faster. After following the vehicle for a short time, the wardens saw the vehicle stop and the driver disappear into the darkness. The wardens pulled up beside the vehicle and secured the scene. However, when back up arrived, they were unable to find the driver. The wardens impounded the vehicle and the case is pending further investigation.

several hours, a Dawson County game warden was heading home through Lubbock County when he saw a vehicle driving in the wrong traffic lane. The vehicle was traveling head on in the direction of the warden, who swerved to avoid a head on collision with the vehicle. The warden stopped the vehicle and conducted field sobriety tests, which the driver failed. The warden learned the driver had 31 previous arrests and arrested him for driving while intoxicated.

Running Toward the Law After patrolling opening day of mule deer season for

BIG BAGS CATCHES

That’s a Lot of Illegally Taken Deer When two Matagorda County game wardens entered a deer hunting camp to check for deer hunting compliance,

GRAND SLAM Port O’Connor

BLACK DRUM Galveston Twelve-year-old Aidan Cardona caught and released this 40-inch, 55-pound black drum while fishing with his dad, Eric, at the Galveston Jetties. Aidan caught the big drum on a crab. In all, they caught 12 drum between 30 and 55 pounds.

Nine-year-old Clayton Dennison caught two reds, two trout and a flounder while fishing with his mom and dad in Port O’Connor, for a grand slam.

Visit FishGame.com to upload your Big Bags & Catches Photos and Vote for our next Winners 12 |

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they noticed a deer hanging from the bucket of a tractor. The three individuals in the camp, all from out of state, admitted to taking several deer, even though none of them had hunting licenses. Further inspection of the camp revealed eight more quartered whitetail deer in three coolers and six buck heads that all measured less than the required 13-inch minimum inside spread. The hunters said they had already thrown three doe heads in the nearby woods, though the wardens only recovered one. The wardens charged the hunters with hunting without a valid non-resident hunting license, taking illegal whitetail buck (six counts) and possession of whitetail deer with proof of sex removed (two counts).

The wardens transported all three hunters to meet with the local Justice of the Peace, who received a guilty plea from each hunter. The hunters were fined about $6,000 and owe an additional $8,000 in civil restitution. The wardens donated the seized deer to local charities.

Crossbow Hunters A Fort Bend County game warden was patrolling a neighborhood still under development when he saw two trucks using their headlights to spotlight deer

off the road. The warden let the trucks get close to his location, where a few deer were feeding next to him, and saw one occupant shoot at a deer with a crossbow.

The warden then pulled both vehicles over and found two occupants in one truck, both with crossbows, and one occupant in the other truck, with his own crossbow. During the warden’s investigation, he found the suspects had tree stands and deer feeders in place along the road, all without the landowner’s consent. The warden filed six charged on the three suspects. No deer were harmed.

It’s Your Own Fault As a Hudspeth County game warden patrolled an area of the Rio Grande River, he encountered some waterfowl hunters.

After talking with the hunters for a few minutes, the warden discovered that one of the individuals did not have a valid hunting license. The hunter admitted to taking several birds. When the warden asked him why he didn’t have a license, the hunter tried to blame an El Paso sporting goods store for not issuing him a proper license.

When the warden questioned the other hunters, he found they all had the correct licenses, state stamps and federal duck

stamps, all of which were issued by the same El Paso sporting goods store. The warden found an illegally taken coot and three cormorants in the unlicensed hunter’s possession. The warden issued citations for the violations and civil restitution is pending.

A Little Too Late A Henderson County game warden received a call from a pump technician who was checking well sites about a man dragging a deer off private property to a nearby wooded area. When the hunter noticed the pump technician, he ran to a nearby house and jumped into a truck and sped off. The warden arrived at the house and talked to a woman who lived there. She said her husband just left for town to buy tractor parts.

When the man returned to his house a few minutes later, he denied hunting or being on the private property. However, he then said he shot a buck on his property, but the buck jumped the fence to the private property, so he simply went to retrieve it. After the warden questioned him some more, the man confessed to shooting the deer on the private property. He said he got scared when he saw the pump technician, so he left the scene quickly to buy a hunting license in case a game warden showed up.

Cases and civil restitution are pending.

Follow the Vultures When two Willacy County game wardens spotted several turkey vultures in a ranch off a county road, they went to the scene and found a dump site of freshly

HAWAIIAN SHEEP Uvalde Six-year-old Boek Duffy brought down this black Hawaiian sheep with his dad’s .270 short mag while on a hunt out of Uvalde.

killed feral hogs and javelinas. The wardens followed the tracks to a hunters’ campsite and found a list of hunters who had hunted that morning. The warden contacted the lease master and found the individual responsible for the dump site. The warden filed waste of game charges against the hunter and civil restitution is pending.

— TPWD

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DOGGETT at Large

by JOE DOGGETT :: TF&G Contributing Editor

What’s In a Name?

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HE NAME GAME CAN BE confusing in fishing. You need to cast no farther than in the direction of the nearest “speckled trout” to realize this.

Our most popular inshore saltwater fish is not a trout. It is a weakfish, although nobody this side of an ichthyology class says,

“Wow, I just caught a spotted weakfish!”

Without getting into scientific jargon, trout are freshwater fish. The primary species of true trout are rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout. The first two are native to the Rocky Mountains and the Northwest. The brown trout is a transplant from Europe.

Regardless of origin, trout are covered with black spots and they spawn during the spring.

Well, that’s not quite true.

Just to keep things confusing, some brown trout boast red spots to complement the black dots, and all brown trout spawn in the fall. In doing so, they keep company with 14 |

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members of the char family. These lookalike trout include brook trout, lake trout and Dolly Varden trout. And, as you might expect, Arctic char. All sport light spots and white slashes on the pectoral fins.

But, back to our speckled trout.

The weakfish is native to the Gulf of Mexico and the lower Atlantic Coast. In Florida, it often is called a “sea trout.”

It’s hard to get away from the trout thing because the typical two or three pounder resembles a true member of the tribe. The gleaming profile and bold peppering suggest a real trout.

As far as that goes, the whole sea trout issue gets complicated. True sea trout are anadromous. They are born in freshwater, but migrate to the ocean and return several years later to spawn in their natal streams.

This genetic salmon-like quirk is shared

rivers. Superior fighting qualities notwithstanding, I have no idea why the steelhead gets special billing.

But again I’m getting sidetracked. The name game tends to lead you into tangled backwaters. Let’s return to Texas.

Our top freshwater sport fish is the largemouth bass; and as you might suspect by now, it is not a bass. The true bass family in North America includes striped bass, white bass and the diminutive yellow bass—and of course, the white/striper hybrids.

All black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Guadalupe, etc.) are members of the sunfish family. This is a bit of a letdown since other common members of the sunfish family are panfish such as bluegills, green sunfish and crappie.

Incidentally, “perch” is incorrect when referring to any of the smaller members of the sunfish tribe. Examples of true perch are walleyes, saugers and yellow perch. But let’s not follow that thread as we rig

Not a “trout.”

by various native trout species, and all are referred to as sea trout.

Well, almost all.

The sea trout label does not apply to the rainbow trout. A wild rainbow in the Pacific Northwest that abandons its stream and goes to sea is known as a “steelhead.” This is because a rainbow fresh from the ocean is silver and gun-metal gray, with virtually no red coloration on the sides or gill plates.

Of course, most other sea-run trout and salmon species share this monochromatic trait in the salt. They are referred to as “bright fish” or “chromers” as they enter the T E X A S

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for “perch jerking” on the nearest East Texas reservoir.

Returning to the coast, the common term “redfish” is reasonably accurate.

Technically, the redfish is a red drum; however on the mid-Atlantic coast, the same fish is known as a “channel bass.” Totally wrong—and now we’re back to that bass thing again.

So, any time you hear somebody on Galveston Bay or Matagorda Bay refer to a gleaming, coppery beauty as a channel bass, you may correctly conclude you are dealing with a transplant, and I don’t mean the fish.

The snook is another example of a fish PHOTO: JOE RICHARD

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with many regional names. “Snook” originated in South Florida and is regarded as the proper name in North America. Other tags include “linesider” and “soap fish.”

The former is obvious with one look at the snook’s dramatic black lateral line. The latter—I have no idea.

Decades ago, old salts along the Texas coast often called snook “pike,” presumably because the slim body and sloping head suggest the profile of the freshwater pike native to our midwestern and northern states.

Incidentally, just plain pike is the correct name for that species—not “northern pike” and certainly not “great northern pike.”

Great Northern is the name of a railroad, not a fish.

Put another way, there’s no such thing as a “southern pike.”

Because snook in Texas are found primarily along the lower coast, the Spanish influence spills over with “robalo.” This is perfectly acceptable since snook are most common in tropical regions of Mexico and Central America.

The Spanish influence also carries with

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“dorado” for dolphin. For years, every offshore fisherman who knew a feather jig from a cigar minnow was perfectly happy with “dolphin” when identifying the hardfighting, excellent-eating fish. Note I say “fish” not “mammal.” The dorado is in no way remotely related to Flipper.

But many non-anglers were horrified at the label of dolphin fillets in markets and on menus, so the politically correct media launched a campaign to avoid confusion.

Now it’s “dolphin fish” or maybe “dolphinfish” or, better yet, “dolphinfish.” I refuse to use any of them.

Some people prefer the Hawaiian term “mahi-mahi” when playing the name game with dolphin. Or, if you want extra style points, simply “mahi.” Bringing the Polynesian language into it is legitimate, but probably has more traction if you are an island-born, tough-guy kanaka rather than an inland tourist with a brand new Tommy Bahama shirt.

I wouldn’t overdo the Hawaiian thing in Texas. For example, don’t drop a triggerfish on a crusty dock in Seadrift and call it a

humuhumunukunuku-apua’a.

Finally, on the PC subject, the term “fisher” seems to be gradually replacing “fisherman” in print. Actually, the shift is logical, following the long-time lead of “hunter,” “surfer,” even “golfer.” I mean, nobody says “golferperson.”

But I’m not buying it.

I grew up with “fisherman.” I am comfortable with “fisherman,” and I go on the theory that since most anglers are male, the majority in a democracy should win. If somebody should point and say, “Look at the three fishers on the other bank,” I expect to see three fur-bearing mammals of the marten family—not a trio of bearded guys with receding hairlines and cans of Bud Light.

The name game has many curious twists in fishing. Worth noting: Over time and tide the wrong word sometimes becomes the right word.

Email Joe Doggett at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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PIKE on the Edge

by DOUG PIKE :: TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Nature Calls

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T ISN’T EASY WORKING IN AN office of people who, with a handful of exceptions, are unfamiliar with hunting, fishing, or anything else related even marginally to the outdoors.

They’re bright and successful people, wellmeaning and even open-minded; but they just don’t understand nature because they are so totally, almost permanently, disconnected from it.

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resources, I don’t ignore opportunities—and even create them when necessary—to educate. And, in reciprocity, I listen closely to their thoughts on the management and future of those resources.

I actually once overheard a woman talking excitedly to a co-worker about an upcoming hike with her family, They’d be on their feet for hours, she explained, She’d packed snacks and water for all, made sure each had comfortable shoes, and planned to slather everyone in sunscreen.

Turns out, they’d also be meeting another family to put in some outdoor miles—at the zoo.

Teachable moment: “Here’s an idea,” I offered, “Why don’t you guys ditch the zoo and go to Brazos Bend

State Park?”

“And do what?” she asked, genuinely not having a clue.

“Walk around and look at animals in their natural habitat,” I proposed.

“But what if we don’t see any?” she wondered.

“Then maybe you should pull your head out of…” (I didn’t really say that, but I thought it a little.)

In an audible voice, I explained that the park has manicured and boldly marked trails, miles and miles of them, She and her family could walk quietly, and early or late in the day, probably see at least half a dozen species of mammals from raccoons to opossums to white-tailed deer and wild hogs—more if their eyes were tuned to see rodents darting

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quickly across those trails. There would be dozens of birds and a few different turtles— and the place is loaded with alligators.

Nope, They were going to the zoo, “to teach the kids about nature.” Aaaagh!

And more often than this audience might imagine, I get approached by adults who never have caught a fish, but think it’s high time they did.

“Can you recommend a good guide to help me get started in fishing?” the conversation often starts.

I tell them, “No.” I could hand off two dozen phone numbers and email addresses, actually, but I will not recommend a professional guide to get a grown man or woman started in fishing, That’s as much for my guide friends as for the newcomers, too.

Instead, I encourage anyone who was smart enough to earn a driver’s license to teach themselves the fundamentals of fishing.

I’ll teach them an improved clinch knot, and the rest they can learn either on their own or maybe with a friend who fishes a little.

Even if they’re too uppity to start with a cane pole (which I highly recommend for its

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centuries-long combination of simplicity and efficiency), any grownup can figure out how to cast a push-button rig, Put down your ego, and pick up a Zebco 202 outfit, Small cork, small hook, and a small bait cast anywhere near submerged structure, Add those things up, and it almost always equals a small fish, A “first” fish, Catch that one on your own, I tell them, and you’ll feel rightfully proud of yourself, Now go fish with a guide, and skip a bunch of steps toward getting better faster.

Another class of questions I get often has to do with the things that bite, sting or otherwise might ruin a day outside.

My quick counter is that there are fire ant mounds all over Texas, and stepping in one can really make you hurt, but I don’t know anyone who’s so scared of fire ants that they won’t leave the house.

Instead, you just do what you do and watch out for ant mounds—same with snakes and spiders and sharks and scorpions. You enjoy the outdoors, all the while keeping a respectful eye out for things that might get you, but not letting them get to you.

We have talks about carrying capacity, about overfishing, about conservation, about the roles of hunters and fishermen in safeguarding the nation’s resources. We talk about stewardship, and about how they also have tremendous stakes in what’s to come.

Not everyone in the office is ready to ditch his shiny shoes or her heels for snake boots, or to swap their suits for camo jackets, but they do listen. Then they talk, and I listen, It’s not my opinion or theirs, ultimately, that will make a hill-of-beans difference moving forward. What matters is our exchange of ideas, our better understanding of each other’s outlooks.

I still prefer a walk through the woods to a day at the zoo, but in the end, they’re both outdoor activities (except for the snake house, which is really cool). I won’t get to see a giraffe, but neither will I step on some kid’s dropped cotton candy.

Email Doug Pike at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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NUGENT in the Wild

by TED NUGENT :: TF&G Editor-at-Large

In the Wind, Dad is Still Alive

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CELEBRATE EVERYDAY I’M alive in America as a magnificent gift from God, especially during the dynamo that is my sacred hunting season. But every year on Thursday, December 17, something very special consumes me, as it is my dad’s birthday. Every year no matter what, I climb a Texas tree stand, like I do everyday throughout the fall and winter hunt season, but on my dad’s birthday, this magical hunting day is very, very special.

Warren Henry Nugent was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 17, 1920.

Those were wild, wild times in America, and especially in Detroit. America and the world was rejoicing and celebrating the victory of American good over Japanese and Nazi evil, and the industrial revolution was in full swing.

America was showing the world what freedom, independence and rugged individualism could do for the ultimate quality of life.

We call it The American Dream.

Michigan was an incredible hunting paradise back in those days, and dad, like pretty much every American during those formative years, enjoyed his hunting.

Pheasant was king and there were no deer in the southern part of the state. Michigan deer hunting in those days was strictly an Up North proposition, and dad looked forward to each November for the ritual camp life in the big timber North Country.

When dad went off to war in the 1940s, bow hunting was a rarity. With center-fire rifle ballistic development, it seemed weird to abandon the extended long-range possibilities to go backward to the incredible challenge and difficulties of bows and arrows.

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from WWII in 1945, this Michiganiac Fred Bear dude was gaining a lot of attention with his trusty yew wood longbow and Port Orford cedar arrows all fletched up handsome like with those killer, cool high profile natural turkey feathers.

And of course there was that uncanny knack of heart slamming, believable mystical flight of the arrow promotion that old Fred had mastered.

Time with our fathers in the great It was powerfully contagious. outdoors is sacred and Ted cherReturning GIs were desished the years he had with his. perate for some soul cleansing escape from the horrors of that bloody, nasty war, and without hesitation, dad formed his parenting duties hardcore. I thank got himself a beautiful laminated wood/glass him every day for it. longbow and a back-quiver of good looking Dad passed away in 1993, and my memory arrows down at Miller’s Feed Store on Grand bank bursts with phenomenal memories and River Avenue, and the Spirit fire was lit! visions of our annual jaunts into the deer woods By the time I came a rompin’ and a of Michigan and beyond. stompin’ and a rockin’ and a rollin’ into the Nobody gets out alive, and with my craving world in 1948, the bow hunting bug was all obsession for hunting, I make it a point to take ablaze in pockets across America. With Fred the best damn care of myself possible. I wish in Michigan, Roy Case in Wisconsin, Howard dad would have taken better care of himself Hill out in California and Ben Pearson down so that we could have made more wonderful in Arkansas, the bow hunting bug had us hunting memories together. surrounded, and those of us inclined to get Alas, he chose his path and I chose mine. down and dirty, up close and personal with Now I get to hunt with my sons as often as the beasts, we simply couldn’t help ourselves. possible, and I must admit I get a little pushy The mystical flight of the arrow called our prodding them to make time for more. name, and it called it hauntingly.

The lyrics to my Fred Bear song include After a few years of whackin’ and stackin’ the stanza; “The spirit of the woods is like stuffed critters in the living-room wilderness an old good friend. Makes me feel warm and with my suction-cup arrows from my little good inside. I know his name and it’s good to glass kid’s bow, I graduated around my 4th see him again, because in the wind, he’s still year on earth to my very own Osage orange alive!” longbow ad real arrows, and as they say, the In the wind, he’s still alive. I love you dad. rest is history!

Thank you.

Squirrels, coons, possums, skunks, river See you on the big hunt before too long. rats, chipmunks, sparrows, doves, pigeons, blue jays and blackbirds were in big trouble!

Young Ted sneaked and stalked and hunted Email Ted Nugent at hard every waking day!

TNugent@fi shgame.com Lord have mercy!

Dad taught me the aim small miss small stealth discipline of bow hunting and perT E X A S

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PHOTO COURTESY OF TED NUGENT

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TF&G COMMENTARY

by KENDAL HEMPHILL :: TF&G Political Editor

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OR SOME REASON, AMERIcans seem to have a knack for electing brainless goober heads to Congress and the Senate. One of the most popular examples of this phenomenon is the video, which can be found on YouTube, of Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) asking a military interviewee about a build-up of U.S. Marines on the island of Guam.

Rep. Johnson’s concern, as he clearly stated in the interview, was that the island would become overpopulated, and would then capsize. He emphasized his concern by making an inverting motion with his hands.

This penchant of officials being clueless of how the world works is most evident in the area of gun control. Many representatives just can’t seem to grasp the reality of what guns do, how they operate, and what they are capable of.

A case in point is the January 2014 press conference in which California State Senator Kevin de Leon (D-LA) held up an AR-type rifle and proclaimed that, “This right here has the ability with a .30-caliber clip to disperse 30 bullets within half a second. Thirty magazine clip in half a second.”

De Leon’s ludicrous claims were met with derision and howls of laughter by those who have even the most basic knowledge of firearms, but such misunderstandings arise not only from a mere lack of knowledge, they are begun, supported, and perpetuated by mainstream news media “experts” who are just as clueless.

Fox News host Greg Jarrett, in an interview shortly after the San Bernadino terrorist attacks of December 2, 2015, tried to describe what a “bullet button” does, with disastrous results.

A bullet button is nothing more than

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Any sale at a gun show, or online, is subject to the same laws as are sales made in any gun store.

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Vote Wisely

a device added to certain guns sold in California in order to comply with state laws which ban easily removable magazines.

Instead of a normal mag release button, the bullet button must be depressed using either the tip of a bullet or a similar tool. The laws make no difference to crime stats, but they make some liberals feel as if they’ve promoted safety.

Jarrett claimed, in the interview, that depressing the bullet button changes a semiautomatic rifle into a fully automatic rifle.

He said that the bullet buttons on the San Bernadino terrorists’ rifles failed when they

tried to use them. He also said that manufacturers are allowed to build and sell rifles with such devices attached.

The truth is that any rifle equipped with a selector switch enabling a rifle to be fired fully automatic has been a highly regulated item in the U.S. since the implementation of the National Firearms Act of 1934. Citizens are allowed to buy such rifles, provided they pay a $200 tax and apply through the BATFE for a permit, and provided they pass an extensive background check.

News media and federal representatives alike seem to have bought into the claim that there is a “gun show loophole.” Many seem to think that firearms dealers are not required T E X A S

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to call the NICS background check system when they sell guns at gun shows or online.

This is certainly not the case. Any sale at a gun show, or online, is subject to the same laws as are sales made in any gun store.

There is no loophole.

Even gun sales between individuals that are performed online must be conducted through FFL dealers, unless the individuals meet face to face, which occurs rarely.

Liberals just can’t seem to understand that loopholes don’t exist.

Which brings up FBI Director James Comey, Jr. In a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing held December 9, 2015, Comey was asked how online gun sales are conducted.

He didn’t know. Asked if a gun bought online was mailed to the buyer, he said, “I assume it’s shipped to you, but I don’t know for sure, actually.”

It’s difficult to believe that a man whose job is to enforce the law, a man who is in charge of the largest law enforcement organization in the country, could be so obtuse.

Then, to ice the cake, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ), reintroduced a bill in congress that would provide $360 million for a federal gun buy-back program. The proposal is to offer 25 percent above market price for firearms, to “get them off the streets.”

Any gun buy-back program is an exercise in futility. It’s like removing a bucketful of water from the Pacific Ocean once a year, in an effort to prevent drownings. But this proposal is beyond insane, for many reasons.

Rep. Payne seems to be unaware that citizens could sell a gun, replace it, and pocket the 25 percent difference. The bill will never pass, but its proposal is proof that our elected officials are completely disconnected from reality.

America doesn’t have a gun problem.

America has an ignorance problem, and it seems to be concentrated in the mainstream news media, Congress, and the Senate.

Hopefully the continent will capsize soon.

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LIKE MOST BASS FISHING JUNKIES, I ENJOY chasing America’s fish during all seasons of the year. But if I had to choose a time period when my radar really lights up, it would have be late winter through early spring.

In eastern Texas, where I am from, January through February is the magical window when the first wave of big females begin nudging towards the shallows, where they will eventually pair with a male suitor and spawn yet another generation of bass for us to catch.

Widely known as the “pre-spawn” phase, the slice of time leading up to the meat of the spawn has produced big numbers of heavyweight bass over the years. Not quite as many as March, when armies of fish crowd the shallows, but more than enough to earn it top billing among many anglers as one of the premier times of the year to connect with a whopper.

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Strategies for Early Spawning Bass

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The pre-spawn provides opportunities for catching giants as they move into “staging” areas.

A quick glance at Toyota ShareLunker records adds some solid evidence to that claim. ShareLunker is a spawning research/ public relations program run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department since November 1986. The program solicits anglers who catch bass weighing 13 pounds or more to loan the fish to the state for spawning and genetics research.

To date, 564 fish have been entered.

March has produced more ShareLunkers (239) than any other month. February is second with 130, followed by April with 87 and January with 58.

Interestingly, the percentages change significantly when you look at Texas’s biggest bass of all time. Both February and March have 14 entries on the Top 50 list. January has the next highest total, 7.

Narrow the list to the Top 10 and February is king with four entries, all weighing between 16.89 and 17.29 pounds. In fact, it is the only month with more than one Top 10 entry.

The current state record of 18.18 pounds from Lake Fork was a January 1992 fish and the No. 2 fish, Mark Stevenson’s famous 17.67 pounder from Lake Fork, was caught in November. The remaining Top 10 fish are divided between April, August, May and March, all with one apiece.

So, what does all this say for the historic belief that the biggest bass are the first to push toward the shallows and the first ones to spawn from one year to the next?

Anecdotally, it certainly hints that there may be some truth it. But it is not a theory that veteran TPWD fisheries biologist Todd Driscoll is willing to hang his hat on.

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heavy hitting East Texas bass lakes, is also a hardcore bass fisherman with a number tournament wins under his belt. He can talk sight fishing and flutter spoons with the best in the business, but when asked a question about bass behavior the scientist in him

comes out and he goes looking for data to support his answers. This biologist says he is not aware of any scientific research that has been performed to support the claim that the bigger bass in a lake are always the first dump their eggs.

March is the top month for entries in the Toyota ShareLunker program, but for the biggest fish, February is king.

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“I certainly don’t discredit it all, but I don’t have any real strong convictions that it is true, either,” Driscoll said. “I’ve seen big fish on beds in February, but I’ve also seen big ones on beds in March, April and May. The biggest fish I’ve ever sight fished (an 11 1/2 pounder from Lake Pinkston) was caught well into the spawn. I remember telling myself on the way to the lake that day that I’d probably already missed out on most of the spawn, but it didn’t work out that way.”

Pre-spawn bass start moving when water temperatures get into the upper 50s.

About Those ‘Staging Areas’ Research or no research, the fact remains that February has a rich history of kicking out some of the biggest bass of the year.

Although it is entirely possible some of these fish are caught off spawning beds, my guess is the highest percentage of the giants are pre-spawners that are caught in relation to “staging areas.”

Staging areas are places bass where choose to position themselves as they wait for Mother Nature’s call to spawn. The sweet spots can vary in composition depending on the geographic location of the reservoir and what it has to offer in terms of cover.

Pre-spawn bass will stage around trees, stumps, bushes, ledges, rock piles, brush, along inside grasslines, etc., usually at midrange depths. Stumble across one of these sweet spots and you can run up the score really quick. That’s because pre-spawners are prone to run in groups, often according to size. Plus, they tend to be pretty aggressive when you push the right buttons.

One of the main keys involved in pinpointing productive staging areas is covering plenty of water. The search can be fine-tuned by using a GPS/chartplotter to locate creeks, channel swings, ditches and road beds that connect deep water to shallow. Bass often use them as highways when making the transition from deeper water to shallower spawning flats, coves and pockets.

Water Temp is Huge As a rule, these early moves don’t occur overnight. Instead, pre-spawn bass will usually stop short of the shallows and suspend around a staging area as they wait for the adjacent shallows to warm to a suitable degree.

The first waves of bass usually begin gravitating toward the shallows and setting up around staging areas when water temperatures are in the low- to mid-50s. While some bass may spawn once surface temps reach the upper 50s, the majority won’t do their thing until water temperatures stabilize at 60 degrees or more.

Not surprisingly, the timing of the deal will vary from one geographic region to the next. Waters located in southern climates tend to warm up quicker than northern impoundments. This explains why bass may be locked on beds as early as January on a south Texas lake such as Falcon and as late as May on a north Texas lake such as Texoma or Ray Roberts.

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do their thing at the same time. As a rule, the first bass to spawn are those that live at the lake’s upper reaches. Most lakes are shallower on the upper end than at the deeper lower end, where the dam is located.

Shallower water naturally warms quicker than deep water, especially in areas situated so they catch plenty of warm sunshine, but are protected from chilly north winds.

Finding success with pre-spawn bass isn’t rocket science. It’s more about bundling up and investing some time on the water just ahead of one of nature’s greatest shows.

Time it right and that sneak peek could produce the biggest bass of your life.

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OR MANY YEARS, the alligator garfish has had a reputation as a possibly dangerous fish that occasionally would take a bite out of humans.

It supposedly ate its weight in game fish every day, particularly largemouth bass.

An article written by garfish expert Keith Sutton notes that the May 7, 1884 edition of the Arkansas Gazette, states,

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“While a boy named Perry was fishing in Shoal Creek, Logan County, a gar fish caught his right leg, which was hanging over the side of the boat in the water, and pulled him overboard. His companions rescued him, but not before the leg was terribly lacerated.”

A few years ago, I found a reference to a 1922 article in the New Orleans Times Picayune that said garfish are,

“more dangerous to humans than sharks.”

During that period, it was common to throw table scraps out around boat docks, and gars became conditioned to this. Any so-called “attacks” were probably related to someone soaking their feet among the food and not the result of human bloodlust on the gar’s part. In fact, there are no verified human attacks by garfish in recent times.

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The reputation of the gar as a game fish population destroyer is almost as unfounded rumors of human attacks. In 1987, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) TPWD biologist Paul Seidensticker conducted a study called Food Selection of Alligator Gar and Longnose Gar in a Texas Reservoir on Sam Rayburn. From September through October, using jug lines and gillnets, he and his team captured 209 alligator gars weighing from 18 to 156 pounds. Most of their stomachs were empty.

Of those that did have food in their bellies, gizzard shad made up 26.4 percent of their diet, channel catfish, 14.9, freshwater drum, 12.6, bluegill 7.9, spotted sucker, 6.8, white bass, 4.5, largemouth bass, 3.4, spotted gar, 3.4, crappie, 2.2, lake chubsucker, 2.2 and carp, 1.1. Other items included two coots, 11 fishhooks, an artificial lure and a plastic bag.

“Gars really are outcasts that are misunderstood. They have unlimited potential as sportfish, but have unfortunately suffered in the court of public opinion,” said Craig Springer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

In the past gar tournaments were held to help rid the waterways of them to “save” game fish populations from their predatory wrath.

Author Smokey Crabtree used to win many of these tournaments by fishing in the Sulphur River bottoms in Arkansas. “We would catch them six and seven feet long and have them all stacked like cordwood.

It was a sight to behold,” he said. Crabtree would utilize jug lines baited with live carp in the two to five pound range to catch gars sometimes in excess of 200 pounds.

Today the most pressure on garfish comes from commercial fishing and bowfishing.

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The author with a huge garfish he shot (and ate) in 2001.

decline in gar numbers there.

TPWD’s own profile of the lake said, “The number of large alligator gars in the reservoir is presently low due to commercial harvest.”

While the official status of alligator gars in Texas is unknown, those of us who grew up fishing for them have seen tremendous declines in catches in some areas and found some waters that were formerly loaded with gar to be in decline.

With increased channelization and reservoir construction has come an overall decline of alligator gar numbers recognized at even the federal level.

The garfish regulations put in place have gone a long way in helping conserve this amazing fishing resource. Texas is the last state in the nation with a viable trophy alligator gar fishery. By making sure we don’t overharvest what we have left we can keep it that way.

I fondly remember the grand adventure of pursuing “Big John” the massive alligator garfish that lived in a nearby gully. When I was in elementary school, some high school boys came up with the idea of tying a nylon rope to the end of a truck, baiting it with a whole chicken attached to a shark hook and floating it out under a jug.

When the jug went under, they would crank up the truck and pull the behemoth ashore. All of the elementary school boys thought that was the greatest idea anyone T E X A S

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had ever concocted.

The only problem was they were going to do it at the big pond on the high school agriculture department’s property where only Ag students could tread without getting in serious trouble.

We would have to watch from the road and hope they could fit the creature in the bed of their truck so we could get a glimpse.

Half a dozen or so of gathered at the gully that day to do some fishing and of course see which of these legendary fish was going to take the bait. We just did not see how they could resist a whole chicken.

We could see that the small crowd of Ag students that gathered to see the capture of Big John were scattering like ants. They were running all over the place.

Were our fabled fishes so humongous they would run from it? Did it attack one of the bystanders?

Our imaginations ran wild.

It turned out they had pulled in a ninefoot long alligator that was not very happy at being hooked and pulled behind a truck.

It’s that kind of intrigue that keeps the alligator garfish interesting. Now thanks to enhanced conservation, they will continue to inspire for generations to come.

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Texas SALTWATER

by CALIXTO GONZALES :: TF&G Saltwater Editor

Cold Trout, Warm Hearts

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UCH LIKE MANY OTHER anglers out there, I have been the victim of a myth. I have believed, for quite some time in fact, that fishing is the pits in February.

January fishing is good. March is excellent. So are the other nine months of the year, but February fishing is a sure way to really put a crimp into your batting average.

The weather stinks. The wind is always out of the north or northwest (and as Rudy Grigar once noted, a northwest wind will muddy up a 50-foot well). Not only that, but the fish have disappeared. No telling where they went Miami, maybe, but wherever they went, they’re gone.

The truth is that fishing actually isn’t any worse in February than it is any other winter month. In fact, some anglers prefer fishing in February for myriad reasons, such as decreased on-water traffic, no jet skis, less heat stroke, and, most important of all, good fishing for large trout. Professional anglers, such as Captain Dan Land (361-8767610; txsportsmancharters.com) makes a lot of his money in February.

“As colder weather sets in a little better, you will see the fishing pick up,” said Captain Land, who specializes in fishing Baffin Bay and Upper and Lower Laguna Madre. “Rather than catching five fish in one area, you can catch 15 or 30 or find a good school where it’s non-stop action.”

According to Land, with colder weather and temperatures stabilized (in other words, it’s colder longer), trout will settle into their dedicated winter patterns and settle their cold-water comfort zones. Once the fish have

become established into their winter haunts, they begin feeding on a more routine schedule, and that makes them easier to locate and predict. When this happens, says Land, the fishing is much more consistent and steady.

“If you do your homework, it can be very rewarding,” says Land.

So what is a trout’s winter haunt?

According to Land, trout tend to look for deeper water. Deeper water tends to retain its heat more efficiently, and the poikilothermic speckled trout tend to gravitate to warmer water. “Deeper water” may mean four to six feet, rather than the two to four feet where trout normally congregate in warmer months.

During this deeper water period, Land throws suspending baits such as the B&L Corky or a Brown Lure. On cooler days, he will fish a larger lure such as the Corkie Fat Boy, which can be fished slower and kept in the strike zone longer.

This is slow work, according to Land, and requires a patient approach and a soft touch. These trout don’t necessarily strike with the fast slash a smaller, hot weather fish might. The bite is much lighter, akin to a nip a pinfish might make. Sometimes you will only feel a “mushy” sensation on your rod.

When you do, set the hook.

Land also advises that you don’t ignore the middle and upper levels of the water column. If the water begins to warm, speckled trout become more active and move up and down the depth column and feed more aggressively.

On mild days, it isn’t uncommon for trout to chase bait up to the surface. Don’t expect to see bait popping on the surface and gulls diving. The clue to feeding trout might be more discreet, such as a single baitfish flitting across the surface. When you see this, work your bait a little shallower and a little faster.

The end result may be some hot action in an otherwise cold month.

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don’t forget to dress warmly. More than a few anglers seem to forget this very important rule. They don’t take into account how biting a north wind can be, or how chilling the spray can be from even a slightly bumpy boat ride. In those situations, the best case scenario may be some miserable shivering.

The worst case can be hypothermia and a stint in the hospital.

A mistake a lot of anglers seem to make is thinking that traditionally warm clothing is warm enough. They wear jeans, a long cotton “Rugger” shirt, and sneakers with athletic socks. If you stay dry, then you will probably stay relatively comfortable.

The problems arise if you get wet by spray or drizzle or an unexpected drenching.

Then, those jeans become more of a liability.

Denim retains moisture and doesn’t dry easily. Even on a windless day, the chill of cold water on bare skin can cause discomfort and even lower your body temperature.

Athletic shoes also tend to retain moisture, and certainly athletic socks do (how many times have you taken off a pair of socks after working hard and find that you sweated through them?). All of these can contribute to hypothermia.

It never hurts to own a set of insulated rain gear to shield you from cold spray and unexpected drizzling. The comfort of dry clothing can’t be understated. If the day becomes warmer, you can always peel the top layers off and continue fishing. You can’t do that with jeans and a shirt.

Well, you could, but you better have really close friend on board with you.

Email Calixto Gonzales at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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How-To Basics for Beginners

andloading, also known as reloading, is in its simplest form the act of replacing the components of an expended centerfire cartridge.

This can be rifle, pistol, or shotgun. It is not possible for the handloader to reload rimfire cases such as the .22 Long Rifle or .22 WMR. The handloader takes the cartridge case that remains after firing a cartridge. After lubricating the case so that it will not stick, he runs it up into a sizing die. The sizing die resizes the case back to near the original dimensions, squeezes the neck of the case to hold a bullet friction tight, and at the same time removes the expended primer.

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story by Steve LaMascus COMPOSITE PHOTO: TF&G

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IMR 4955 IS THE LATEST INTRODUCTION TO THE Enduron series of smokeless powders.

IMR 4955 lands between IMR 4451 and IMR 7977 on the burn rate chart and is an ideal choice for many popular cali-

Then the handloader replaces the expended primer, puts in a new load of powder, and seats a bullet on top— simple. To reload a shotgun shell, the handloader takes the expended shotgun shell, resizes it, replaces the primer, drops a fresh charge of powder, seats a plastic wad over the powder, drops in a fresh charge of shot, and crimps the mouth of the shotgun shell to hold the components in place.

Again, simple. Well, sort of simple, anyway.

Enduron IMR 4955

bers such as .270 Winchester, .25-06 Remington and .300 Winchester Magnum. Enduron Technology allows accuracy to be maintained over longer shooting sessions, thanks to a special additive which helps remove copper fouling as the rifle is fired.

This environmentally friendly formulation delivers ideal loading densities in medium and big game hunting calibers.

Ballistic variations based on climate conditions are a thing of the past with IMR 4955, thanks to its temperature insensitivity.

From extreme heat to extreme cold, shooters will see uniform velocities. IMR 4955 has a small grain size, making it extremely accurate, and it flows easily through a powder measure.

With the addition of IMR 4955 to the series of Enduron Technology powders, reloaders can find a technically advanced powder for reloading anything from .223 Remington all the way up to the .500 Nitro Express.

IMR 4955 will be available in early 2016 in one-pound and eightpound containers. Complete reloading data is available in the 2016 Hodgdon Annual Manual or in the Reloading Data Center online at www.imrpowder.com.

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The two best reasons for a person to begin handloading are 1) to save money, allowing him to shoot more for the same price and 2) to make better ammunition than he can buy.

Most of us started in handloading to save money, but have found it to be a fun and relaxing pastime in itself. Not only that, we learned that we can tailor our ammunition to our individual firearms, providing ammunition that is actually more dependable and more accurate than we can buy over the counter.

PHOTO: IMR LEGENDARY POWDERS

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To reload metallic cartridges, the handloader needs a number of tools to accomplish the task.

Along with primers, bullets, and powder, the beginning handloader will need a reloading press; a set of dies for the cartridge being reloaded; a shell holder; a powder scale; something to hold the cases to be loaded; a pad to lubricate the cases to be resized; case lubricant; and a set of brushes to clean and lubricate the inside of the case necks.

As he progresses he will find he has use for other devices such as case trimmers, powder measures, powder tricklers, primer seating tools, primer pocket cleaners; and other gadgets that help him to more easily make better ammo. Starter kits are sold by most reloading tool makers. For the last 35 years I have used the same old press for all my rifle reloading. The most difficult part is selecting the correct components.

Today there is a bewildering array of components for about every cartridge you can think of. The vast majority of the powders I use are Hodgdon products. I have used them for 40 years with perfect satisfaction. Hodgdon currently produces both Hodgdon and IMR powders.

If I am able to choose the brass to reload, I prefer Winchester, Federal, or Hornady, but any name brand brass is perfectly okay.

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Go to www.HodgdonReloading.com for instructional videos and other handloading resources.

I use brass from many sources. From time to time I buy new commercial unprimed brass. This is especially true for cartridges that are hard to find or very expensive, such as my .240 Weatherby Magnum or .348 Winchester.

New unprimed brass may not be cheap, but new brass can be used many times— with mild loads, as many as ten or even fifteen times—so the price is relative. Don’t turn your nose up at brass discarded at the local rifle range. Properly cleaned and resized, it will work just as well as new brass, as long as it is not corroded or damaged If you are loading practice rifle ammo, you can use homemade lead bullets and lower the price per round tremendously, but if you are using the ammo for hunting, commercial jacketed bullets are the best way to go. Revolvers, on the other hand, which operate at much lower velocities than rifles, can be used with perfect satisfaction for hunting with cast lead bullets. I shoot almost nothing else in my personal revolvers. Most semi-autos of any caliber—rifle or handgun—need perfect ammo with jacketed bullets to operate properly.

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To make cast lead bullets you will need more tools, such as a melting pot, which can be either a plain steel or cast iron pot heated on a propane burner, or a commercial electric melting pot. You will also need a mold for each of the bullets you intend to make.

You can buy your lead and tin from a website, such as Midway USA, or you can scrounge it from tire shops and garages in the form of wheel weights. Wheel weights are very cheap and make perfectly good bullets. Lyman publishes a very good book on casting and loading lead bullets.

Wildcat cartridges necessitate handloading. I have several such wildcats, cartridges that are not loaded commercially. These include the Ackley improved series such as the .243 Ackley Improved, .257 Roberts Ackley Improved, and other non-factory cartridges such as the .30-338 Winchester Magnum. A real rifle nut takes great pleasure in loading for and shooting such cartridges, and they have many advantages over their factory parents.

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TEXAS Dept. of DEFENSE

by STEVE LAMASCUS & DUSTIN ELLERMANN

Self Defense Tactical :: Concealed Carry

Practicing for SelfDefense

rounds, then reload as quickly as possible.

This teaches you to move and shoot.

Firing one round every couple of seconds gives you the maximum amount of cover fire and allows you to keep your opponent’s head down as you move to cover.

For instance, with a Glock 17 holding 18 rounds fully loaded, you can, by firing one round every two seconds, keep an opponent

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down for more than 30 seconds. That is a long time in a gunfight.

If you run out of rounds during your movement, practice reloading on the run, but do it safely. If you are not practiced in reloading as you move, stop, reload, and then continue. In everything you do, think safety first.

Another thing you need to practice is

HEN YOU GO TO THE range to practice with your concealed carry handgun, you need to do more than just stand at 10 yards and shoot a few magazines at a target. If you have a range that allows it, you should do a lot of move and shoot drills and shooting from concealment.

Put up a target, then park your car about 25 yards from the target. Start at about seven yards, draw your weapon and fire two rounds, then, firing as you move, fire a round and move, fire a round and move, until you reach the vehicle, then use the vehicle as cover to fire the remaining

Awkward Positions ON A FLAT SHOOTING RANGE IT’S most comfortable to just sit on a rocksolid bench, with your rifle secured by sandbags, and put the tightest groups possible on a sheet of paper 100 yards away. This definitely has its place in testing your rifle, ammunition, and marksmanship skills under prime conditions.

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Firing a rifle on its side might be something we will never encounter, but if you are faced with a situation that requires it, you really need to know how your rifle hits from that position.

ing the time and place of the attack.

You are forced to adapt to the current environment. This is why we train to shoot in awkward positions that are less than ideal.

In competitions and tactical drills, we occasionally fire through small horizontal slots in barricades that force you to know how your rifle shoots when holding it at a 90-degree angle. This type of shooting can help when firing

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from under cover or concealment such as underneath a vehicle or other barrier or in the “roll over prone” position that places you as low to the ground as possible.

Considering the clearance needed for a longer defensive rifle magazine, turning your rifle sideways allows you to get nearly a foot lower to the ground.

This position is rather awkward to most shooters so it’s a foreign concept. In the

PHOTO: HANNAH ROYER

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firing at multiple targets, again firing as you move. Remember that if you are faced with a shooting situation, you should always try to find cover. You should never stand toeto-toe with an opponent and shoot it out unless you have absolutely no other options.

Cover is life.

Now, put up three targets with at least one target width between them, more if possible. Then back off 10 yards, draw, and put two shots on each target. After reloading, do the same thing; but this time, move between each pair of shots, putting distance between you and the targets.

Now move up to within three yards of the target on the left. Draw and fire two rounds unaimed, then start moving to your right and back, firing two rounds at each of the other targets as you move.

If your range is equipped with steel targets, make use of them. Falling plates and pepper poppers are great training aids. The best training is where the falling plates and a hostage target are placed side by side. Start on the falling plates, then as you finish the plates, reload and engage the hostage target.

Start slow. Speed will come as you practice. Don’t try for speed. Shoot for accuracy and the speed will come, in time.

A group of as many as six pepper poppers is also a great training aid. They can be moved around to simulate various shooting scenarios.

past I had not tested shooting with my rifle held at 90 degrees, so I was forced to figure it out on my own during a training session while hoping to see the bullet splashes in the berm and compensate accordingly.

For this experiment I used my Adams Arms AR15 in 5.56mm/.223 rifle topped off with a 1-4x Trijicon Accupoint from a bench at 50 yards with a confirmed 50 yard zero. Because I’m right handed/ right eye dominant, shooting with the gun on its left side on the bench was easiest for me because the optic was turned towards me.

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For instance: Set up three poppers on the left, place your vehicle or other cover 25 yards back, and then place another three poppers to the right. Now from 10 yards draw and engage the three on the left as you move to your cover, reload and engage the three on the right from cover. This is teaching you to think on your feet.

There are endless scenarios that can be simulated with steel targets.

If you are near a range that hosts shooting matches such as IPSC or IDPA, I strongly urge you to try it. You probably won’t win, but it is some of the best practice in the world for the concealed carry permit holder. It gives you a lot of trigger time, and the competition adds some stress that you will never experience if you practice by yourself. And if you stay with it you

may, in time, win a few.

A wise man once said: “People become good shots just as they become good tennis players, good golfers, and good baseball players, or anything else—by intelligent practice. A man who would enter a golf tournament with only one round of practice behind him in a year would be considered eccentric, if not actually off the beam….”

If you would consider it wise to practice for any of the sports mentioned, it only makes sense to practice even more for a situation that may involve life or death.

—Steve LaMascus

The point of impact shift when the rifle was fired at 90 degrees was rather substantial, even from 50 yards.

over bore, and offset change from when the rifle is held vertical. Shooting with the rifle on the right side found the point of impact to be a little lower at 5 o’clock than shooting on the rifle’s left side.

When shot from 100 yards with the rifle on either side the bullet drifted nearly nine inches to either 5 or 7 o’clock depending on which side it was fired from. That would definitely result in a miss from this distance.

We have two lessons to learn from this experiment. First, you should pracT E X A S

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tice in those awkward positions in order to learn your rifle better and become a better marksman under a variety of conditions. Next, as known to most precision shooters, rifle cant matters. Your optic is mounted directly over the bore of your rifle for a reason, and we must keep that in mind for any rifle engagements in order to shoot straight.

—Dustin Ellermann

PHOTO: HANNAH ROYER

1/11/16 12:42 PM

Bare Bones HUNTING

by LOU MARULLO :: TF&G Hunting Editor

Cold Season

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HAVE TO SAY THAT FOR ME, February is the worst month of the year.

The rut is over, whitetail hunting is over, and unless you are after exotics or hogs, hunting is over—period.

All that’s left are the memories, good and bad—more good than bad, we hope.

Even though your time in the woods is basically over for hunting, you still need to get out there and take care of a few things.

Think of it as the clean-up month. That means it is time to retrieve your stands from your lease and inspect them for anything that might cause you problems next season. On a personal level, I know that one of my stands had a squeak in it when I shifted my weight on the stand. Not Good.

We all know that in the woods, any sound at all that’s foreign will send a whitetail off to the next county, especially if he is a big boy with a few years under his belt. He did not get big being stupid. It’s important that we take the time to do some maintenance on all of our stands and now is the time to do it Yes, sometimes it can be a major pain in the butt to lug all of your stands out. That is why some hunters prefer to just leave them there year after year. It’s in a great spot, and you just want to leave it there.

I can see a few problems with that strategy. First, at least where I hunt, you have to be a little concerned about theft. Even though you chain it to the tree (to keep honest people honest), it is a bad feeling when you go to your favorite spot to hunt at ohdark-thirty only to find that your tree stand is no longer there. One year, I went to my spot only to find that not only was my stand was gone, but so was the tree

Second, you need to remember that a tree grows constantly, and the strap you tightened around the tree to hold your stand in place might not be the safest strap any longer. If you elect to leave your stand attached to the tree, then you run the risk of the strap snapping when you put your weight on it causing what could be a serious injury. My advice is to take the time to bring them home where you can go through them carefully.

Are there any loose bolts? Or worse, missing all together. I would take the time to tighten EVERY bolt and screw on each stand. Then while I have them right in front of me, spray some WD 40 on them. The scent will be gone before you need to use them again. It will not only take care of any squeaks you might have had; but also, it will help keep the rust off.

February is also a good month to do a little after season scouting. By now, the bucks have already, or will very soon, drop their antlers. If you have the time, get off the pavement for a while and take a hike on your lease.

You might be lucky and find the antlers of the buck you hunted hard last season. At least that will confirm he made it through another year and avoided being taken by any other hunters.

I love it when I find both antlers of the same buck I have on camera during pre-season. One of my friends framed the picture he had of the buck and next to it were the antlers displayed on a finished board.

So don’t forget to look up on the bushes or the lower branches of trees. Too many times, when looking for antlers the hunter makes the mistake of looking on the ground, only. Once, when I wore a younger man’s clothes, I was bent over walking slowly looking for sheds. When my back hurt so bad I had to stop and stretch, I stood up. There in front of me was a shed caught in the branches at chest height. I almost missed that.

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area on your lease that you never knew existed. Maybe you will locate a new food source. You would be surprised what the deer will eat to survive.

Think of the whitetails in the northern states. Last winter in New York, the snow was much deeper than normal, and the temperatures dropped to ridiculous levels. As a matter of fact, my outdoor thermometer actually says ridiculous on the bottom of the temp glass. I thought it had frozen there for good. I know I was.

The snow was so deep that the deer could not dig down to the food (what little was around). The white stuff also caused a problem when the deer were chased by coyotes. It was so deep that the deer could not run fast and the coyotes would be able to run on top of the snow and catch the deer.

My friend Nathan Jones was filming a segment for his television show when a young buck ran right under his stand followed closely by a group of coyotes. The whitetail ran out on a lake and slipped on the ice, then could not get back up; and the coyotes had their dinner. Mother Nature sure can be cruel at times.

So, it really does not matter if you are looking for sheds, scouting for deer or just enjoying a crisp February day in the outdoors, the point is you ARE out there and that alone beats sitting on the couch all day long.

Have fun and always remember to hunt safe.

Email Lou Marullo at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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Catching Largemouth in a Current

by John N. Felsher

OT ALL TEXAS BASS are caught in reservoirs.

In fact, not even all major bass tournaments are held on reservoirs as evidenced by two very successful Bassmater Elite Series events in Orange on the Sabine River. Many anglers fish the rivers, yet there seems to be little information on how to successfully fish these areas.

That’s changing here right now.

Many bass anglers avoid a current, but flowing water could help them find fish that few other anglers tempt. In a current, bass typically stay in eddies behind obstructions, but the most aggressive fish usually face upstream, waiting to ambush anything flowing toward them.

“Current tends to concentrate fish and put them into more predictable areas,” said Alton Jones, a former Bassmaster Classic champion from Waco. “Once an angler understands where fish want to be, current becomes the angler’s friend. A bass likes to sit just out of the current, but keeps its nose right against it. When I’m fishing a current, I have to figure out exactly where to present the bait so it flows right in front of the fish.”

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Pro angler Alton Jones says current tends to concentrate bass into more predictable areas.

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Most current fishing occurs in rivers.

Good river fishermen learn to “read” water by watching how it reacts to obstructions so they can target honey holes. A “vee” shaped wake indicates a snag or other obstruction.

Choppy, whitish water could identify a shallow riffle or shoal. Deeper water generally turns darker. Long stretches of shoreline may hold nothing, while a sweet spot with the right combination of current relief; plentiful oxygen and food could harbor several fish.

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from Austin. “Not all river shorelines are alike. Many factors determine why certain banks hold more fish than other banks. It could be the structure along that shoreline, the way currents wash in certain directions, or a million other reasons.”

Snags protruding from the surface make obvious eddies, but submerged objects may create unseen pockets. Although bass usually hide behind current breaks, eddies can form upstream.

Water smashing against an object “mushrooms” like a bullet hitting steel. That backwash may create an opposite current.

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hold lunkers that seldom see lures. Probe all around obstructions with jigs or Texasrigged plastics.

“If I could only bring one bait to fish rivers, it would be a half-ounce jig, but a Texas-rigged tube is another good choice,” Jones explained. “Current hits the upstream side of an obstruction and goes straight down. Underwater, it switches directions. A fish near the bottom may face upstream, but be looking toward the stump or rock.”

Drop jigs, Texas-rigged worms, creature baits or tubes vertically, tight to snags. Some river fishermen say, “Put the bait between the bark and the tree.”

PHOTO: JIM OLIVE

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Fish completely around cover in a current. Not wanting to move far from its slack lair, a bass may slurp an easy enticement, but not chase a bait. Don’t just drop a bait; pay attention to the line as it descends to detect subtle bites. Bass often bite on the fall. Use just enough weight to control the fall.

“The swifter the current, the heavier the bait I use,” Rowland advised. “I tend to throw downstream and pull it back against the current to give me more control of the bait. At times, fish prefer it moving in the same direction as the current. If I catch a bass out of a laydown going downstream at half-a-mile an hour, I turn around and fish every little branch in that tree.”

Like putting a thumb over a water hose, current breaks constricting flow can also scour holes. Fish drop into these holes as water washes over their heads. They look up to snatch whatever flows over them.

Moreover, water moves faster around an outside bend, often digging deep holes. Logs and other debris may fall into these holes, creating more bass-attracting cover. Fish these holes with jigs, Texas-rigged worms or

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Carolina rigs.

Boat traffic and water control structures can also create divergent currents. When locks open, water flows either in or out, disrupting “normal” conditions. On large commercial rivers, ships or barge traffic can push water in front of them, creating bulges of rising water.

In coastal areas, anglers must learn how to deal with tidal currents that can change directions every few hours. During an incoming tide, bass may stay on one side of an object. As the tide falls, it may reposition itself to face the opposite direction.

“Since tide might run one way in the morning and in another direction a few hours later, fish change positions,” said Denny Brauer, a former Bassmaster Classic champion who now resides in Texas near Lake Amistad. “It takes a little experience to learn how to fish in a current, but once one learns how to do it, it’s the easiest fishing around. It’s very visual and obvious where fish should be.”

Most people think of inland lakes as placid water bodies, but stiff winds can also generate current. Winds may push water

to one shoreline, causing a “high tide” on the windward side and “low tide” on the leeward side. Water flowing through the dam can also generate currents in reservoirs and stimulate fish. The windward shoreline or areas with current near a dam frequently offer the best bass action.

“Often, bass feed best when the wind blows,” said Mark Davis, former Classic champion and multiple time Angler of the Year.

“When I fish points or other structure, I always fish the windy side first. Wind creates current. Fish usually position themselves facing into the wind or current. They look for bait coming toward them.”

However generated, a little current can affect fishing by positioning bass, moving more bait around or helping oxygenate water. Knowing how those currents work could put more lunkers in the livewell.

1/12/16 2:53 PM

True GREEN TF&G Conservation Editor

Edited by WILL LESCHPER

leader, said that wildlife officials continue to monitor the eastern turkey situation carefully, using past data from check stations as “trigger points” in identifying areas of concern – specifically those counties with declining turkey numbers. “(Historically) Just because there has been low harvest in some counties doesn’t necessarily mean those areas don’t have any birds,” Hardin said. “When we went out to our field biologists and landowners in some areas, they indicated there were still plenty of turkeys out there, but they were protecting them and not hunting them.”

Hardin said the overall turkey outlook across the state is as good as it has ever been, despite the negative connotations associated with eastern turkey hunting in some traditional hot spots.

“There was a lot of moisture this past winter going into early spring. Good moisture means early green-up, and those hens are going to be in great shape,” Hardin said.

“We had a fair amount of production so we had a fair number of juvenile birds out there.

And they went into the nesting season and the breeding season in great shape.”

East Texas Needs More Turkeys

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HE PINEYWOODS REGION of Texas has long been a bastion of wildlife, harboring some of the best deer hunting and duck hunting in the state.

However, one outdoor pursuit that seemingly lags somewhat behind is turkey hunting, specifically hunting for the eastern subspecies that calls the pine thickets and hardwood bottoms its home. Make no mistake, the Lone Star State is the No. 1 hot spot in the country for turkey hunting, but that’s for the much more abundant and flourishing Rio Grande subspecies that calls the Hill Country, Rolling Plains and South Texas home.

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of timely rainfall, it’s not uncommon for the Rio Grande turkey population statewide to top 600,000, according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department biologists. However, the eastern turkey population is a fraction of that, which has those same wild game managers looking for answers and ways to boost that figure for hunting purposes.

Since 1995, when Texas’ first spring eastern turkey hunting season was opened in Red River County, biologists and state officials have maintained a mostly conservative approach—a shorter season, mandatory check stations, one gobbler bag limit —to give the birds ample opportunity to establish themselves in new haunts.

Jason Hardin, TPWD’s turkey program T E X A S

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The Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission last year approved closing spring eastern turkey hunting in 11 East Texas counties in 2016, while restructuring the season in two other coastal counties.

Hunting season for eastern turkeys is closed this year in Angelina, Brazoria, Camp, Fort Bend, Franklin, Harrison, Hopkins, Morris, Titus, Trinity and Wood counties, and on National Forest lands in Jasper County. The closures will allow biologists to evaluate the prospects for future eastern turkey restoration compatibility and restocking efforts, according to TPWD. The department’s goal is to reopen hunting should the eastern turkey populations in the affected counties become capable of sustaining harvest.

TPWD also restructured the existing Continued on page 42 u

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True GREEN

Oyster Lake Restoration Phase 2

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UCKS UNLIMITED RECENTly worked with the Galveston Bay Foundation to deliver construction on phase 2 of the Oyster Lake restoration project in Brazoria County. Phase 2 built upon the successful protection of 500 feet of severely eroding shoreline between West Bay and Oyster Lake by extending the shoreline protection an additional 4,700 feet. Ultimately, we protected more than 60 acres of habitat and provided the opportunity to restore 10 acres of intertidal wetlands through future work.

Waves have long impacted the shoreline with severe erosion, resulting in vegetation and soil losses. It is estimated that since 1944, up to 650 feet of shoreline has been lost on the West Bay side and up to 150 feet of shoreline has been lost from the Oyster Lake side. Furthermore, the rate of erosion appears to be more extreme in recent years, as just since 1995, up to 175 feet of shoreline has been lost on the West Bay side and 55 feet from the Oyster Lake side.

E. Texas Turkeys t Continued from page 40 spring turkey hunting season in Wharton and Matagorda counties.

The new regulations will continue to allow for a 30-day, spring-only, one-gobbler season and eliminate mandatory harvest reporting.

Hunters are reminded that all eastern turkeys must be reported to TPWD within 24 hours of harvest via electronic reporting at www.tpwd. texas.gov/turkey or on the My Texas Hunt Harvest app. Hunters who use the electronic reporting options are issued a confirmation number

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Longer term impacts include habitat conversion within Oyster Lake. Historically, the calm, shallow waters of Oyster Lake have supported submerged aquatic vegetation and oysters. The concern is that a breach in the project shoreline would open Oyster Lake up to the higher wave energies of West Bay and likely result in conditions within Oyster Lake that would no longer be conducive to supporting seagrasses or oysters.

Installing hard structure breakwaters immediately reduces wave energy affecting the shoreline. The breakwaters will also result in sediment accretion behind the structures, building up intertidal elevations for the expansion of marsh habitat. Breakwaters also provide substrate on which oyster spat can attach and grow into matured oysters, increasing oyster habitat and reinforcing shoreline protection features. Additionally, elevations suitable for emergent marsh were planted with native marsh grasses to restore and improve marsh functions, including habitat and feeding grounds for waterfowl, upon completion of the registration process. Hunters still have to tag harvested birds accordingly.

Last year’s spring framework was the final hunting season that physical check stations were open as TPWD has transitioned from the physical checks for mandatory eastern turkey harvest reporting to electronic reporting only this spring. The harvest reporting app also can be used as a tool for voluntarily reporting and tracking harvest of other resident game species, including Rio Grande turkeys.

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Email Will Leschper at WillLeschperOutdoors@gmail.com

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fish and wading birds.

The project was conducted in phases in order to immediately address a portion of the overall site that is in most extreme danger of eroding—to the point of breaching and creating an opening between West Bay and Oyster Lake. Oyster Lake phase 2 partners included the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge and Coastal Program), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, the Texas General Land Office, Coastal Conservation Association of Texas, NRG, Ducks Unlimited and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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—Andi Cooper

The Big Game HUNTERS CAN SHOW THEIR Texas pride by entering their big game kill in this year’s Texas Big Game Awards program. The program is accepting entries through March 1.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Texas Big Game Awards is a partnership of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Wildlife Association recognizing the contributions landowners, land managers and responsible hunters make to managing and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat on Texas’s private lands.

Texas Big Game Awards promotes awareness about wildlife management and the role that hunting plays in habitat conservation. It also fosters cooperation among stakeholders who ensure that our state’s wildlife habitat is conserved forever.

«—Will Leschper

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IMAGING SONAR SYSTEMS MAY have first been introduced as a way of catching more bass, but they’ve proved their worth in saltwater, too.

In this day and age if you don’t upgrade your phone and your computer on an annual basis, you’re operating in the dark ages. Whether we want to admit it or not, the same is true of the sonar systems on our boats.

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There’s no substitute for on-the-water experience, so we rigged a boat with three units and tested them while looking for a set of pilings and a sea wall at different ranges.

Down and side imaging systems have revolutionized our ability to see beneath the water’s surface. Although they might have initially targeted sweetwater anglers, salty guys have figured out that imaging can give them a serious leg up on the competition, too.

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There’s a lot of confusion as to exactly what constitutes an “imager” versus a regular old fish finder, so for starters, let’s take a look at what we’re talking about. Traditional down-looking sonar commonly uses a frequency in the 200-kHz range to ping through the water. Compared to imagers, this is a very low frequency. Generally speaking, imaging units send out their transmissions at 350, 450, or even as high as 800-kHz. Why difference does it make? A big one, once you understand how sonar waves work.

Here’s an easy way to wrap your head around it: Picture a calm pond. Now throw a boulder into the water; it will create large waves that travel for long distances, and roll right over small obstructions or floating objects without being reflected back. This is similar to a low frequency sonar ping.

Next, throw a pebble into the pond. It will make tiny waves which don’t go nearly as far—but are reflected by the smallest stick or leaf they strike. That’s how high frequency waves act. In practice, the low frequency sonar waves get you more range (often up to and even beyond 1,000 feet) but significantly less detail.

The high frequency waves provide stellar detail, but at significantly less range (usually just a few hundred feet). When the sonar waves and their reflections are digitized and projected onto an LCD screen, the difference between the low and high frequency waves is akin to the difference between an X-ray and 46 |

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an MRI. The latest and greatest imaging models take things a step farther by incorporating a “CHIRP” transmission, which pings through a spread in the frequency spectrum instead of pinging at a single or dual frequency. Just like the potent CHIRP units used on bluewater battlewagons, they send their signals out through an entire range, in quick succession.

Interestingly, the returns you see on-screen when an imager’s transmission bounces back from a fish is a bit different from the return provided by a traditional fishfinder. Schools usually show up as individual fish instead of being lumped together. Fish are distinctly separate from the structure they’re hiding near, even when they’re hovering between tree branches or right next to a wreck. And at these higher frequencies, fish tend to show up as dots or blobs more often than arches.

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Whatever type of fishing you do, if you’ve seen the stellar on-screen images provided by a modern imager, be it down-looking or sidescanning, you already know that the detail levels are far and away better than a traditional fishfinder can provide. But awesome though they may be, there is a substantial difference between how they behave in freshwater versus the salty stuff.

The first thing you’re likely to notice is a significant reduction in range due to the common presence of suspended solids, water density differences (freshwater had a density of 1.0 grams per milliliter while salt is 1.025), the presence of more algae and/or plankton, and other variables.

As a general rule of thumb, fishfinders of any type can penetrate the depths better in freshwater than they can in saltwater. There are, of course, exceptions. In a cloudy lake churned up by strong winds, for example, T E X A S

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range may be lower than it is in a clear saltwater bay.

So, just how much range can you expect?

Among the different manufacturers currently producing side and down imaging units, the claimed maximum range (in ideal conditions, such as gin-clear freshwater) is between 500 and 750 feet. During a recent test in saltwater, using three different side imaging systems from three different manufacturers, I was able to consistently see large obstructions (a seawall and a cluster of pilings) out to 300 feet. At 400 feet, they were visible on about half the passes. Fish hanging around the pilings were identifiable out to about 75 feet, but beyond that, became very difficult to distinguish.

Why would the fish become difficult to detect so much sooner than solid structure?

Size is part of the issue, but that doesn’t tell the whole story because of another difference between saltwater as opposed to freshwater.

The fish—or more accurately, the sea life— found in the brine is quite different and more diverse.

In saltwater you’re likely to encounter more shrimp, jellyfish, and other assorted critters that will create a good deal of clutter on your fishfinder screen. As a result, it can be much more difficult to pick out individual fish. This problem is compounded when using a side-scanner, where the LCD screen is divided in half to look in two directions at the same time.

Your screen has no more pixels than it would if you were using it to look directly down, so all other things (such as range and zoom variables) being equal, a target will appear to be half the size on-screen when in side-finding mode. Now mix in a few jellyfish and a crab or two, and it’s easy to see how a redfish might be tough to pick out among all the specks and blobs.

Finally, we need to consider the different ways saltwater anglers often use their electronics, most importantly, the way chartplotters are used to keep tabs on your exact position in open waters. Without a close-by shoreline and easy visible targets, many saltwater anglers need to have a chartplotter screen front and center as they fish, zoomed in tight to track drifts, keep trolling courses on track, or maintain station over structure.

Splitting the screen for side-finding cuts into your available LCD space, which in turn, makes it harder to spot details on the fish-finding section of your screen.

PHOTOS: LENNY RUDOW; HUMMINBIRD

1/11/16 12:04 PM

Concept Reality

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Understanding these imagers and the differences that show up between fresh and saltwater should have an impact not only on how you use them, but also on how you choose them. First and perhaps most important—when you choose a new imaging system get the biggest screen possible, period.

It’s very difficult to take advantage of all the detail an imager has to offer if you’re squinting at a four- or five-inch diagonal screen. It’s sort of like watching a high-definition movie on your cell phone. Sure, it looks great, but you simply can’t pick out all the little details you’d see if you were watching it on a full-sized TV. The problem is exacerbated if you’re using a side-finder, since you’re effectively cutting the viewing area of your LCD in half by looking out in two directions at once. It becomes even worse when you split the screen between chartplotter and fishfinder.

Now add in all the blobs and specks that

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Humminbird’s new “supersized” HELIX CHIRP imagers offer bigger screens and networking features.

are no more than clutter. Remember that fish are likely to appear as dots and blobs rather than arches (especially on side-finders).

The bottom line? I’ve personally lived with a seven-inch unit, and found it frustrating. I currently have a nine-inch display and find it barely sufficient. While using a 12.1 inch display, I felt like a whole new world of fish-finding ability was opened up to me.

Out on the water, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you’ll have a much easier time finding structure than you will finding fish. In fact, most experienced saltwater anglers who depend on side-scan-

ners depend on them more to find items and features that attract fish, than to find the individual fish themselves. Don’t be discouraged if you spot a submerged tree or a rockpile and don’t also see fish around it. Use that unit to mark the spot. Most modern scanners allow you to scroll into the unit’s history and make a waypoint where a piece of structure appears on the screen. Always take a few casts before moving on.

One final thought, which I hate to say as much as you hate to hear: plan on your unit going obsolete within a couple of years. Yes, I know it’s painful to think about replacing your fishfinder every other season, but these units are improving so quickly and so significantly that if you don’t constantly swap them out, you’re at a technological disadvantage.

Even though you may not be targeting bass, you can bet each and every one of us salty guys wants to turn that disadvantage into an advantage—and out-fish the competition.

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HUNTING SHOTS OF FERAL GIANTS Submitted by TF&G READERS, On the next two pages u T E X A S

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Blaine Garcia took this massive spotted hog that looks more than just a little mean to us.

Seventeen-year-old Caroline Wahl shot these two brutes near Willow City.

LAST MONTH WE PUBLISHED photos of monster hogs TEXAS FISH & GAME readers have captured on their game cameras. This month we look at absolutely huge hogs killed and caught by our readers.

These should inspire hog hunters to get out there and bag the big ones. Perhaps everything is bigger in Texas.

If you have photos of massive hogs, email them to us

Lint Jerrels sent this photo of a big hog with absolutely massive tusks he took while hunting in Florida.

at cmoore@fishgame.com. You can check out more giant hogs at www.monsterhogs.com.

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This photo was submitted by Abrama Moya. The hog was taken near Childress and weighed 470 pounds!

Is this a hog or a rhino? What a mutant! Tyler Clines shows a true monster he and his crew caught.

Cody Robbins’s photo isn’t the clearest but we had to show you this huge Eurasianlooking boar with the thick coat. A hog of a lifetime!

Kim Billman shows off a very impressive hog taken near Montalba.

Brady Green submitted this shot of an awesome looking pig that shows its European roots.

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1/11/16 12:06 PM

Texas FRESHWATER

by MATT WILLIAMS :: TF&G Freshwater Editor

Giant Salvinia Finds Its Way to Fork

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T’S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT one knucklehead could change the face of what is arguably the most storied bass lake in all of America in a matter of seconds, but that’s exactly what happened at Lake Fork in northeast Texas late last summer.

Not to say the lake is going to crap or anything of the sort. Fork is still Fork. But you can bet things are going to be different around the 27,000-acre reservoir now that giant salvinia has finally found its way into the bass-rich waters that have produced Texas’s last two state records and 257 Toyota ShareLunkers.

Giant salvinia is an invasive plant from Brazil that was first discovered in Texas on Toledo Bend in 1998. It has since been confirmed in more than 20 Texas lakes and has cost the controlling authorities a fortune in herbicides and man hours to control it.

Also known as Salvinia molesta, the plant was discovered just before Thanksgiving in Chaney Branch and another small pocket west of the Lake Fork dam. The finding resulted in the closure of the Chaney Point and Secret Haven boat ramps as experts with TPWD’s aquatic enhancement branch and the Sabine River Authority worked to contain the plant by physical removal and spraying with herbicides. Additionally, a 1,100-foot boom barrier was installed across the creek in hope of preventing it from spreading to other areas of the fabled East Texas bass lake.

The total coverage area was estimated to be about 3.25 acres. Based on plant’s ability to spread quickly, experts believe it was probably introduced to the lake sometime in early September.

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giant salvinia found its way to Fork, scientists have a good hunch that it hitch-hiked there on a boat trailer. That’s usually how a new infestation take place—a careless boater backs a boat trailer into infested water, drives away with plants clinging to the bunks and then backs the rig into a different body of water a few days later. The plant fragments drift away and another lake is infected.

“We suspect that is what happened at Fork,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries biologist Kevin Storey of Tyler. “Plant fragments can survive for weeks on boat trailer bunks if they are kept moist. We knew it was only a matter of time until it showed up at Fork. What surprises me is that it didn’t happen sooner.”

Also surprising is the fact that nobody reported the infestation sooner they did.

Storey says TPWD signs and posters depicting pictures and descriptions of the invasive plant have been posted near the ramps for years. Furthermore, the biologist said he was told that maintenance workers at one of the facilities had actually pulled clumps of the plants onto shore to clear the ramp on more than one occasion, yet nobody chose to report it.

“It sure would have been nice if we could have gotten on it a few weeks earlier, before the weather turned off cold,” Storey said.

“I think it will take a while to get it under control. Once this stuff gets into a lake it can be really hard to stamp out, unless you get to it very soon after it is introduced. I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but the reality of it is that you often times wind up having a long term with giant salvinia once it shows up in a lake.”

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root to the bottom; it forms thick rafts and free-floats, so it goes where the wind takes it.

Shifting winds can cause plants to go adrift, thus resulting in new infestations in different areas of a lake. The plant also fragments easily and can be tough to spot amid flooded bushes and other terrestrial vegetation.

Even the smallest fragments can grow into the big problem in short order. Left unchecked during the summer growing season giant salvinia can double in mass in two weeks. It also can form a surface canopy so dense that sunlight cannot penetrate it. The lack of sunlight sparks a chain reaction of negatives which can eventually turn a fertile body of water into a sterile one. It’s not a wonder some scientists have labeled it the world’s worst aquatic plant.

“This is a painful way to find out some people have not got the message to ‘Clean, drain, and dry’ their boats,” said Storey. “I hope this experience will serve as a reminder to boaters of just how important it is to be vigilant for the presence of invasive species.”

The threat of spreading giant salvinia and other invasive plants on boat trailers is so pronounced that the Texas Legislature passed a law in 2005 requiring that any invasive plants be removed from boats and trailers before transport. Failure to comply is a Class C misdemeanor. Fines can go as high as $500.

That is a ridiculously low punishment considering the amount of damage the plant can do in a short time. Not to mention the resources it takes to control it.

Email Matt Williams at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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1/11/16 12:49 PM

Open SEASON

by REAVIS Z. WORTHAM :: TF&G Humor Editor

Through a Scope

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ARM PINE TREES scented the air. I tried to be absolutely still, even though an angry squirrel chattered forty yards away, scolding me for being in his woods.

I employed my Husband Senses and ignored the scolding. Soon it faded into the background and I was able to concentrate. It also works in the living room…

My attention returned to the event at hand. I was lucky enough to have a good brace, so I laid the rifle across the steady surface and snugged the stock against my shoulder.

“Are you ever going to shoot?”

“Shhhhh. I didn’t turn my head back toward Woodrow.

I blinked and reacquired the target an estimated hundred yards away. It took a second to find my point of aim. The crosshairs sharpened, and then blurred slightly as I centered on the target’s chest.

Still not happy where I was, I thought about moving. Woodrow sensed it. “You’re fine.”

I rooted around with my feet to create a more stable base to shoot.

There was the chest, the neck, the head.

The neck shot was risky. I lowered the crosshairs.

I sensed movement and knew I had to shoot soon.

Woodrow’s whisper jolted me, almost making me pull the trigger before I was ready.

“Deer don’t stand still for long.”

“They sure don’t if people are having cocktail conversations loud enough for them to hear.”

“They hear pretty well.”

“You’re whispering loud enough for the folks back home to tell you to be quiet.”

“You’re getting louder.”

“I’m getting frustrated.”

“People are coming from behind us.”

I thought about laying my head down and forgetting the whole thing, but the feel of the stock against my cheek brought me back.

“Shhhhh!!!!”

Back to the scope. The figure seemed farther away. I blinked to clear my vision and tried again. My rest was steady. I flicked off the safety on the .270, took breath, let out half of it, and tightened my finger against the trigger.

A stick cracked behind me.

“Sorry.”

Back to the scope. I realized I’d been holding that breath, so I let it out to breathe for a second. Deep breath, let half out.

The report surprised me, as it should.

Back to the scope. There was nothing out there but woods. The squirrel figured I was shooting at him and scurried away.

“I can’t believe you hit him.”

I clicked the safety on and stood. “You don’t have to whisper anymore.”

I handed Woodrow’s rifle back. “This thing still shoots straight for its age.”

“You hit it.”

“I was supposed to. The scope’s dead on. When was the last time I sighted it in?”

“Somewhere around 1990.”

“You don’t hunt much, do you?”

“Not like the rest of you guys. Let’s go see.”

We walked downhill toward where the target disappeared. The squirrel reappeared and followed, angrier than before. Pine needles softened our steps. Despite that, what sounded like a herd thundered toward us from behind.

Woodrow turned. “Here they come.”

“It’s all right. We’re finished. He’s down.”

He was laying on the opposite side of a downed log. Woodrow stopped, stunned.

“You actually hit him. Right in the chest.”

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“That’s where I was aiming.”

“But he’s so little.”

“All the better. Now you know your scope really is dead on.”

Woodrow’s grandkids gathered around us and looked downward. “Where’s the hole?” the youngest asked.

He pointed right there.

They quieted, studying on the scene.

The oldest finally spoke up. “Can we have him back now?”

“Sure.”

He picked it up. “Come on!”

They charged back up to the house and the sand pile, a hundred and fifty yards away.

Woodrow watched them run. “You know, that new hole is right beside the other.”

“It’s hard to believe the kids found him at all.”

“He was buried in the sandbox all these years.”

I thought about the small, yellow plastic cowboy we’d used to sight the rifle in twentyfive years ago. I recognized him immediately when one of the grandkids asked why there was a hole in it.

Woodrow and I were both surprised at a number of things when the three-inch figure popped back up; the passage of the years, losing and then finding the toy, the way the plastic opened and closed around the first solid core bullet without falling apart, the way the second round only chipped off part of the toy, and the fact that I could still see well enough to shoot after so many years.

It’s the little things that make life enjoyable.

We refilled our coffee cups and sat at the picnic table to watch the kids play in the sand while we pondered life.

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Texas BOATING

by LENNY RUDOW :: TF&G Boating Editor

Boat Buzz Words: Six Things You Need to Know

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OING BOAT SHOPPING IN this day and age can be as confusing as shopping for a computer or a new car. What meets the eye is only a small portion of what you need to learn about a boat, to make the best choice and get the most value for your hard-earned cash. But buyer beware—there are so many buzz words and confusing terms out there, that it can be quite difficult to cull through the marketing gobble-de-gook and figure out what really matters. Here are six key things you should know about, before buying your next boat.

1. CORED CONSTRUCTION — This is just what it sounds like: the boat is built with a core, usually made of closed-cell foam, a

honeycomb, or balsa wood, which is sandwiched between two (relatively thin) layers of fiberglass. The sandwich construction is much lighter than solid glass, and it’s significantly stiffer, too. Other advantages include enhanced sound-deadening and insulating properties.

Unfortunately, cored construction has a bit of a bad rap out there in the boating world because early on it did lead to a number of problems, mostly related to delamination. That was decades ago, though, and today you shouldn’t worry one bit about buying a cored boat from a reputable builder. Still, there are, of course, some down sides. The biggest is cost. It takes a lot more time and effort to build with modern coring techniques than it does to simply roll

out more fiberglass, so as a result, it’s bound to raise the overall price of a boat.

2. DEEP V —Yes, this one sounds supersimplistic, but the term “Deep V” is much bandied about and often improperly. It all boils down to this: most marine architects would consider a boat with 21 or more degrees of transom deadrise (measured at the transom—not at the entry) to be a true Deep V. Those with less are Semi V hulls, and those with none are flat-bottom boats.

As a general rule of thumb, Deep V boats are best for smoothing out the bumps in heavy seas, but they also aren’t the greatest when it comes to stability. Flat-bottom boats do best in that regard, and as you might guess, Semi V hull boats lie somewhere in-between on both counts.

3. NOTCHED TRANSOM — The big misconception with this term is that many people mistakenly use it to describe transoms with a low, cut-out section in the middle, where the outboard is mounted. This is actually a “cut-out” transom; the term “notched transom” describes what’s below the waterline.

A boat with a notched transom has a foot or two section of the hull bottom, at the transom, which is slightly higher than the rest of the hull’s surface area. The idea is to allow you to raise the outboard a bit higher and reduce draft. Some also feel that a notched transom improves performance slightly, acting something like a bracket.

4. RESIN INFUSION — This is a construction technique that reduces weight, without reducing strength. The fiberglass (or other composite materials, like Kevlar or carbon fiber) are surrounded by a plastic bag, which has a number of tubes attached to it. A vacuum pump is used to suck all the air out of the bag, drawing resin in through the tubes. The vacuum then pulls the resin through the fiberglass.

Because the builder can carefully control

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Texas BOATING the entire process, it results in the optimal resin-to-fiberglass ratio. Most traditional layup techniques leave lots of excess resin behind, which results in a heavier part that has no additional strength. As a result, a boat built with resin infusion is generally considered superior to one that’s constructed with old-fashioned open-molding techniques.

5. STEPPED HULLS — Hull steps are variations in the running surface which are designed to improve a boat’s running efficiency and speed by reducing drag. When done properly they do net you a boost, usually of between eight and 15 percent.

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misconception about how hull steps work. You may have heard they create turbulence, and as the bubbles run aft they reduce adhesion.

You may have also heard that steps increase lift. Both assertions are false. In fact, steps work by creating a low-pressure area under the hull, which sucks in air and maintains

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a sort of pocket of air under a segment of the boat. That portion of the hull doesn’t maintain contact with the water, so it doesn’t create any drag.

The down side here is that it can also reduce a boat’s stability. On top of that, a poorly-designed step may aerate the prop.

The bottom line? A well-designed step is an excellent way to enhance a boat’s performance, but a poorly-designed step can be detrimental. Fortunately, the vast majority of the reputable boat-builders have invested a lot of time and effort into getting steps right, and if you’re looking at a well-known brand of boat, chances are the design has gone through a lot of R & D and testing, and works properly.

6. VACUUM BAGGING — What a builder is going for with vacuum bagging is a lighter, more uniform part that retains all possible strength. In this case, similar to resin infusion the entire part—be it a hull or

a hatch—is wrapped in plastic. Unlike resin infusion, however, the part is wetted out with resin prior to the bag being sealed and the vacuum being drawn. The vacuum then applies pressure evenly across the part, and sucks out excess resin.

Some will argue that resin infusion is slightly superior, others will argue that the end result is virtually identical when the procedure is done properly. Truth be told, both methods are far more efficient and effective that traditional open molding and should be looked upon as a plus.

Email Lenny Rudow at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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The Practical ANGLER

by PAUL BRADSHAW | TF&G Contributing Editor

White Bass: Feeling the Love

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OMETIMES AN ARTICLE writes itself. It flows from my fingers into the keyboard and onto the screen easily and 20 minutes later I’m done.

This is not one of those articles. Why? Because I write these things months in advance. Well, I’m supposed to anyway, so right now as I’m typing, it is hunting season which means I’m concentrating on deer and ducks, not fish. I’m

a guy, I can only focus on one thing at a time, it’s how I’m made.

With that being said, while I was driving home yesterday with a cooler full of deer. (No I didn’t shoot them, the wife and daughter did, thanks for asking.) I crossed the Sabine River which was swollen from all the recent rain and this month’s topic hit me, white bass.

That’s right, we’re going to talk about the unsung little fish that most of us rarely try to catch on purpose, but should because they are becoming more abundant in more locations than ever before.

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fishing, then you may not know that white bass require moving water to spawn so every year about this time they make a run up rivers leading out of the lakes they reside in.

One of the most famous spawning runs in our state is on the Sabine River as the white bass leave Toledo Bend and head north looking for love. If you time it right, know where to go, and what to use, you can quickly put a limit in the boat (or on the stringer for bank fishermen).

When white bass are on a spawning run they can be stupid. Well, maybe not stupid, but really hungry. Think teenage high school boy hungry. There are times when they eat just about anything so as long as you are throwing something that closely resembles a shad or minnow. Then you can catch fish.

During these times use as simple a bait as possible. Although white bass are hungry, they are

also usually close to structure so when you’re not hanging a fish then you’ll be hanging a bush or overhanging limb and losing a lot of lures.

So, in order to not spend your kid’s college tuition on new lures use basic (cheap) lures. Often enough a simple 1/8- ounce jig head trimmed with a white curly-tail grub is all it takes to catch them when they are gorging themselves.

If they are being a little picky then switch over to a small spinnerbait to add a little flash to your presentation. Go out and purchase a dozen Road Runners (1/16 or 1/8 ounce will work, you just need a light rod to T E X A S

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throw them) and dress it up with the same white, curly- tailed grub mentioned earlier.

You can also use the small Crème Lil Fishy bodies in place of the grub with outstanding results.

Feeling adventurous and have money to burn on lost lures? Then go find some 1/8ounce Tiny Traps (little Rattle Traps) in chrome and start chunking them. You will catch white bass but you will also donate some of them to underwater cover. That’s just part of it.

Not really a fan of using artificial baits to catch fish? No problem, you can use live bait just as easily. This is a great way to catch fish if you have located them near cover or in a specific bend of the river since it allows you to put the bait in front of them and leave it there until they decide to bite.

If you bass fish then you’d call this a Carolina rig but when we’re using live bait we prefer to call them fish finder rigs. Don’t ask me why. Slide either an egg weight or bullet weight

onto your main line then tie on a barrel swivel.

To the other side of the swivel, tie on a short monofilament leader that’s lighter than your main line so it will break when you get hung up. At the end of the leader, tie on a small crappie hook. For bait, hook a small minnow through the nose so that it will face upstream into the current and stay alive longer.

Email Paul Bradshaw at ContactUs@fishgame.com

ILLUSTRATION: PAUL BRADSHAW

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Texas GUNS

by STEVE LAMASCUS | TF&G Shooting Editor

He’ll Do to Ride the River With Editor’s Note: This was a feature that was submitted a few years ago and fell through the cracks. I loved it when it came to my attention and we are excited to run this story, which is far longer than a normal column, this month. LaMascus is a great writer and this is a prime example of his skills.

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HERE IS AN OLD SAYING IN Texas: “He’ll do to ride the river with.” This is the epitaph on the headstone of my old friend Bill

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Waldrop. Bill was a Texas game warden and a man that I would have followed into hell, should the need have arisen, or if Bill had simply wanted to take an evening stroll in warmer climes.

“He’ll do to ride the river with,” has deep, deep meaning. It is not a trivial statement to be spoken lightly or in jest. It means that the person being spoken of is fearless, honest, deeply loyal, and willing to go to any length to protect his loved ones and friends, and in the case of many such men I have known, to enforce the law. In my long life among the lawless and the law enforcers of the State of Texas and the United States, I have known only, maybe, 10 such men.

That is, I have only known that many that I was dead certain it would apply. There were others that may be such men, but I did not know them well enough to attach such a weighty statement to their names.

To give you an idea of why this is such an

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incredibly substantive statement, let me tell you how it came about.

The Rio Grande River is the division between Texas and the sovereign nation of Mexico. The area on either side of this not so impressive ribbon of water is and has been for the last 200 years, the most lawless, crime-ridden real estate in North America.

If a person commits a crime in the U.S., all he has to do to escape the officers of the law in the U.S. is to cross into Mexico. I have seen it at least a dozen times or more in the last 30 years. In several instances I was the officer in pursuit. In one instance a now retired state game warden and I chased the suspects all the way onto the Mexican bank of the river before we gave up and returned to the U.S. I have invaded Mexico several times for various reasons, and I make no apologies for it.

Now in this nasty old ball of mud, there are many wannabes. That is, people who

IMAGE: US BORDER PATROL/DONNA BURTON

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pretend to be something they are not. This is particularly prevalent now because of the extended war in the Middle East. There are hundreds if not thousands of men (I use the term loosely) wandering around claiming to be war veterans who have never been closer to combat than the closest television. The only sound of gunfire they ever heard was in old war movies, and the only combat training they ever had was on the Military Channel.

Sad but true.

In the field of sports hunters there are far too many people who claim to have been Marine Scout Snipers. It takes only a couple of seconds of watching them handle a weapon to see that they are liars.

Sadly enough, there are also wannabes in the business of training people to shoot handguns. With the immense increase in the number of people wanting a concealed handgun license, there has been an equivalent increase in the number of “Combat Handgun Trainers.” Many of these people are very good at their jobs, but as in all things, there are also a few poseurs and just plain fakes. Choose carefully before

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you decide to seek training. Check out the person very, very carefully, and ask the tough questions. If they claim to be too much, be suspicious. A very young instructor with unbelievable credentials is probably a fake.

Most retired Navy SEALs and Marine Scout Snipers are at least in their mid-30s.

I said, most. There are a very few who are younger. Again, be careful. If you find the real thing, like my old friend Greg Murphy, retired SEAL instructor, you can be very certain that he will do to ride the river with.

Greg and I worked the river together a few times over the years and I was inconceivably happy to have him for a partner. He is one of the ten I spoke of.

My father Kenneth is another such man.

He is still living and is one of the few completely fearless men I ever met. Many of us were frightened to death when we went into a dangerous situation. We wanted to be almost anywhere else, but we overcame our fear and did the job anyway. Dad never showed fear. He was careful, but I never once saw any indication that fear was within him.

If there is one epitaph that I would like to see on my own headstone, it would be that old Texas saying, “He’ll do to ride the river with.” This one sentence carries with it more meaning and more deep understanding than any other that I have ever heard. It is much more eloquent than the oft quoted, “Cogito ergo sum” (I think, therefore I am.) That is just a simple statement of being, pronounced by the speaker of himself. The former, however, is pronounced of someone by someone else, and is a flat statement of trust and faith far beyond the normal or ordinary. It means that the speaker has sufficient faith in the one spoken of to place his very life in the other’s hands.

My own personal definition of friendship is somewhat the same. I believe that a true friend is one who when called for help never says, “why?” but only, “Where, when, and will I need a gun?”

I got my tail in a wringer once over a load of smuggled marijuana. This was on the banks of the Rio Grande just south of Laredo. I was separated from my partner when I jumped three bravos carrying suitcas-

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Texas GUNS es full of marijuana; all three were armed. In the ensuing melee some shots were fired and confusion reigned. When my partner, Joe Martinez, and I got back together we had one doper under arrest, three big suitcases full marijuana, and a gang of well armed smugglers just on the other side of the Rio Grande, which at that point seemed much too narrow.

We called for backup and forted up with the dope and the handcuffed prisoner to wait for help to arrive. I found out later that one agent, who I will not name, was less than a mile from us during the whole time, but he never did show up or respond to our calls for assistance, at least not until after the coast was clear. Such men are not to be trusted.

He knows who he is, and what he is. I have forgiven him, but I will never trust him, and whatever respect I ever had for him was destroyed that day.

On the other hand, my friend, Gene Meeks, is a man of uncommon valor and

unquestionable honesty. Had Gene been near that day, you can bet the bank that he would have busted his hump to get to us, as fast as whatever he was driving would run.

Gene is one of those rare men who inspire unquestioned trust. When working with Gene, I knew that if we got into a noisy scuffle I would not have to look to see where Gene was. He would have been right there, shoulder to shoulder, with a smoking gun in his steady hand.

All these men and more are cut from a different cloth than many today, and that is sad. Truth, justice, and the American way are almost jokes today, but I still hold all three in high regard. There are, definitely, things worth fighting for, and even dying for, if that becomes necessary.

I have two sons-in-law. I am proud of my sons-in-law and happy that my daughters were wise enough and lucky enough, or should I say blessed enough, to find such men and marry them.

Both of them have decided to go into law enforcement. I actually tried to talk them out of it; law enforcement is not what it was a few decades ago when I started my career.

Today if you have to use force, and at some point in your career, you will, the incident is not just investigated; it is dissected and studied under a microscope. The action the officer had to decide on, or rather, react with, in a split second is studied by a committee of men and women—none of whom ever had to walk the walk—for months to decide if the officer reacted properly. In my opinion, it just is not worth it any more. However, good men, and women, still put their lives on the line every day, in spite of the drawbacks.

God bless them. My sons are both agents of the United States Border Patrol, and they are both men who will do to ride the river with. I would place my life in their hands any day, without a second thought. Not only do I respect them, I admire them, and since we are being honest here, I love them.

The old saying is more than an epithet of bygone days. Those who do not believe this are badly mistaken. It speaks of courage, of course, but it also speaks of honor, wisdom, veracity, faithfulness, and many more qualities that modern society has deemed unnecessary or antiquated. Business today requires long and involved contracts and teams of lawyers, where the business of yesteryear required nothing more than a word and a handshake. I still believe in the old ways. My word is my bond, no contract is needed.

I cannot mention all the men I admire, and I will name none of the women, although there are some that I do admire very much.

This is not a list of those I wish to thank, like actors when they are given an academy award. It is just an explanation, written in a way that I hope you can understand. If you do not understand, well, then you are not one who would do to ride the river with.

Email Steve LaMascus at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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Industry INSIDER Berhorst Wins Lew’s Speed Fishing Title LEW’S ANNOUNCES THAT MISsouri’s Dennis Berhorst is the first to win the company’s new Speed Fishing Angler of the Year title, and also that it will be offering the awards incentive program again for 2016.

Berhorst earned the inaugural distinction by accumulating the highest number of points through participation in Dennis FLW’s 2015 Berhorst Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournaments.

The Holt Summit angler amassed 1,355 points competing in the league’s Ozark Division.

The accomplishment earned him a $1,000 gift certificate redeemable for his choice of Lew’s rods, reels and accessories totaling that value.

Bryan Barnard from Harrison, Ark., finished second in the Lew’s AOY race with 1,320 points. He competed in BFL’s Arkie Division. Barnard was awarded a Lew’s Speed Spool and Speed Stick baitcast combo as runner up.

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Carolina Division. He won a Speed Spool baitcast reel as a consolation prize.

The membership-based Lew’s Speed Fishing loyalty program was launched in early 2015 as a way for participating anglers to earn rewards above and beyond the tournaments’ prizes. The popularity of the first-year program is responsible

for Lew’s decision to continue it again in 2016.

The Lew’s Speed Fishing program applies to all BFL divisions and tournaments held across the United States. The program provides reward opportunities for T E X A S

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the highest member finishing in the Top 20 of a BFL competition. To be eligible, anglers must be a 2016 Speed Fishing Awards member and meet all program criteria, including ownership of Lew’s rods and reels manufactured since 2013. The $29.95 annual membership fee includes a Lew’s cap and decals.

Prize choices for Speed Fishing members who win a BFL tournament are $250 cash or a $500 Lew’s gift certificate.

Otherwise, the highest member making any BFL Top 20 has the choice of $125 cash or a $250 Lew’s gift certificate.

The program’s highest honor is the AOY title like Berhorst won and comes with the $1,000 gift certificate top prize.

Online enrollment for the 2016 Lew’s Speed Fishing Awards Incentive Program is open now at www.lews.com.

Refer to the Angler Resources section and then click on Rewards Program. The information includes a full description of program rules and frequently asked questions.

Lew’s is an official sponsor of the FLW. Visit www.FLWfishing.com for FLW’s 2016 BFL tournament information.

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Fish and Game GEAR Hip Hugger Classic Holster

THE HIP HUGGER CLASSIC HOLster is America’s premier solution for today’s conceal carry woman on the go.

The most popular item in our line, the HipHugger conforms to a woman’s body and works with her wardrobe. The Hip Hugger discreetly accommodates up to 4 firearms and 3 magazines. Compression holstering conceals your weapon under separates while keeping it within your reach.

For all day comfort wear, your Hip Hugger Holster will be the first thing you put on in the morning and the last thing you

take off at night. No un-holstering to use the restroom or change clothes at the mall.

Built-in safety features included in the 360* carry HipHugger holster are: ‘head’s up’ Re-Holstering Tabs, rare earth ‘Magnetic Weapon Retention’ for no muzzle re-holstering and Non-Slip Tacti-Grip backing which keeps your holster firmly in place. The three row hook and eye tapered front closure offers the perfect fit all through the month! High-end military grade woven elastic is machine washable. Available in 3 styles to fit all size handguns and XS-2XL to fit all size women.

Other items include Garters/Garter Belts for skirts and dresses, Corsets for layered separates and our unisex velcro closure

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Sport Belts for hiking, jogging, biking. Wear it under sweats, pajamas or gym shorts.

No belt needed! Proudly hand made for women, by women in the USA! CanCan Concealment LLC, is self defense with fashion sense! Check them out online at www.cancanconcealment.com.

NEW J-Braid Line

DAIWA INTRODUCES NEW J-BRAID line to complement their already popular Samurai braided line. J-Braid line is a complete line up of high quality 8 carrier braid made of the finest materials from Japan.

The 8 strands of tightly woven fibers helps make it have a perfectly round profile. This results in a much stronger, softer and smoother line that is more sensitive and farther casting.

J-Braid comes in three colors Dark Green, Chartreuse and Multi-Color.

Dark Green is more natural in situations where you may want to tie your hook or lure directly onto your line without a leader.

Chartreuse line is highly visible and this helps detect even the slightest line movement. Multi-color is for deep drop fishing. Color changes every 10 meters for easy depth indication, line movement and quick programing into Dendoh reel memory for maximum readout accuracy. Available in 165 yd., 330 yd. and 1650 yd. spools in a variety of line sizes.

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Features: • Made In Japan • 8 strands of tightly woven fibers • Stronger, softer and smoother • Three colors (Dark Green, Chartreuse and Multi-color )

Ahi Live Deception

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LIVE DECEPTION JIGS ARE THE latest offering from Ahi USA. An idea that’s been in the making for many years but it was only until a recent technological breakthrough did the idea turn into reality. Unlike wraps or decals, the “Real” images of bait fish are printed directly on to the jig body. This gives a much more vibrant and realistic finish and presentation that game fish can’t resist. They look like real bait fish! It also makes the Live Deception

finish incredibly chip and flake resistant.

You can fish the same jig on toothy critters, bounce them on reefs, and at the end of the day the finish is still holding strong, leaving most of the paint intact.

Not just a pretty face, the body has been reinforced with “thru-wire” rigging,

beefy split ring in the nose, and 3X Mustad hook connected to the body via solid welded ring. This very same welded ring offers better jigging performance, inhibits more wobble and side to side action, and prevents the hook from wrapping the main line.

Live Deception Jigs are designed to mimic wounded bait fish and are incredibly versatile. Cast & retrieve them, fish vertically, or slow troll them. All methods can be incredibly effective and since they’re available in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8 ounce, they cover a wide range of fishing, from coastal flats to offshore deep water. For more information or to find a dealer near you, visit Ahi USA online at AhiUSA. com or call toll free 866-264-1562.e

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE STORE for an expanding selection of innovative, new and hard-to-find outdoor gear.

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SABINE Area Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

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ISHING ALONG THE TEXAS Gulf Coast in the month of February can at times be pretty tough.

From the bone chilling north winds, to the frigid waters, extremely low tides, and seeming lack of action, it’s no wonder most folks choose to find something much more comfortable to do. There are fish to be caught, however and the experienced diehards know exactly where to go and what to do.

Experience from years of winter fishing can help eliminate a lot of water. First of all, bait fish and game fish don’t particularly like the cold any more than we do.

Shallow flats and shorelines are not exactly where they like to hang out on blustery February mornings. They will seek

“ Look for deep holes and channels.

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Wintery Fish Finds

out deeper, warmer nest beds until the sun warms the shallows to something a little more tolerable.

Look for deep holes or channels. Finding hidden structure like oyster or clam beds can be like finding a hidden treasure. Baitfish will utilize these areas for comfort as well as protection.

The south end of Sabine Lake is basically one giant oyster reef with depths fluctuating from four to about fifteen feet. There is also a deep channel for large boats just north of the Causeway Bridge that allows them to

enter the Sabine Neches Waterway or the Intracoastal Canal. The entire reef can be an ideal location when targeting Sabine specks in February.

Your sonar is your best friend as it helps you mark bait and find guts, humps and ledges along the massive oyster bottom.

Anchor or drift over those areas and work them thoroughly with long soft plastics.

Gilraker worms, sand eels, and Assassins rigged with 1/2 oz. or 1/4 oz. lead heads work well. Darker colors like Morning Glory, Red Shad and Purple usually do the most damage.

Another time-tested hotspot in February is the Entergy Outfall Canal. Located about 1/2 mile up river from the Veterans Memorial Bridge, this is a very consistent wintertime fish producer. The water discharged from the power plant feels as warm as bath water making its way down the canal and into the Neches River.

The mouth of the canal is always a good place to start. Drop the anchor and cast toward the middle of the channel. Live mud minnows, finger mullet and fresh dead shrimp work well for specks, reds, flounder and black drum.

Place an egg sinker or split shot about 18 inches above a 3/0 Kale hook and let it roll along the drop-off with the current. The very back of the canal can also be hot at times.

Mud minnows, fresh shrimp, gold spoons and Rat-L-Traps work well on the redfish that stack up along the rocks.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Port Neches Riverfront Park SPECIES: Redfish, Croaker, and Whiting BAITS/LURES: Finger Mullet, Mud Minnows, Fresh Dead Shrimp BEST TIMES: Moving Tides

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GALVESTON Area Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. MIKE HOLMES

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ARLY IN MY SURF FISHING “career,” I can remember a nice, sunny Sunday evening in February near San Luis Pass—on the Galveston side.

After a chilly Saturday and a cold night, temperatures warmed enough to venture out in shorts and a Tee shirt, at least briefly—as long as you didn’t actually go in the water that way.

My friend. Dave, and I had gone to the shore mostly to “get away,” not actually expecting to catch anything. But with the warmer air and little wind we caught a few small stingrays and some hard heads —better than a sharp stick in the eye.

Later, Dave reeled in a decent sized “Gulf” trout, which would sort of be a sand trout caught in the Gulf, and not the bay. In better fishing weather at a better time of the year, this small fish would have been instant bait, but on that particular day it seemed special.

The attractive golden hue was especially welcome after a dreary start to the trip, and as it flopped on the wet sand just past the receding foam from the last wave there was a sense of promise, that spring—and better fishing weather—was actually on its way, maybe just around the corner?

Although February is hardly a prime month for surf fishing, I have caught, or have seen caught, bull reds in the suds in every month of the year—including February. Of course, I used to spend a great deal of my time surf fishing.

Besides reds and Gulf trout, I have seen large black drum, croakers, an occasional small flounder, and at least one smallish bull shark taken in the surf on warm February days.

The drum fishing was actually better on

“ The attractive golden hue was especially welcome.

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February Memories

the other side of the Pass off the old bulkhead near the KOA campground. That property is now a nice County Park (Brazoria), with a store and boat ramp, but the Pass side before entering the park should still be a good spot to intercept migrating drum.

While we are on the subject of Gulf trout,

boaters catching a calm day can hit near shore reefs and banks and sometimes find good

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concentrations of these often overlooked fish.

There are no limits or seasons on Gulf trout, but there will usually be some smallish red snappers in the same habitat, and these are completely off limits in Federally controlled water beyond nine miles from the beach.

Bluefish have no such restrictions, and fight harder than a small snapper.

Big blues can be found around rigs from just off the beach to 20 miles out or so, providing good light tackle action and decent eating. When bottom fishing in water over 50 feet or so in depth the sort of tackle used for snapper bottom fishing might be appropriate.

Big blues fight hard, and on multi-hook leaders, more than one might join the battle.

Fishermen who venture into deeper water are always in a position to see or catch unseasonal sea creatures. I don’t advocate fishing for vermillion snapper any more, because there are too many red snapper that are caught incidentally and have to be released.

Red snappers—or any deep-water bottom fish—have a high release mortality rate, CONTINUED ON PAGE

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MATAGORDA Area Hotspot Focus :: by MIKE PRICE

Finding Fish in February

while we didn’t?

The water temperature was 65°F, warm enough so that redfish will leave deep water and forage the flats. But at this time of year, they don’t get too far from deep water, so if a norther comes through they can quickly move back to the warmer water at depth.

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“ Why did they catch fish while we didn’t?

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T MATAGORDA HARBOR on a mid-February afternoon I was cleaning a redfish—the only fish my wife and I caught on that day. As I worked, two young men came to the cleaning table carrying a heavy ice chest.

They had each limited on redfish, and released many more, all caught using Egret Baits Vudu Shrimp soft plastics while fishing in West Matagorda Bay. I didn’t ask where they went; even if you do ask that question at the cleaning table you rarely get a truthful answer. But the wind was blowing a hard 15 knots from the southeast, which put them on the south shore. So why did they catch fish

In addition to the challenge of fishing in a 15-knot wind, the water was low, so the guys who caught the redfish had to be careful about where they went with their 17-foot boat, even though it had a shallow draft. The tide was

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incoming strong, and if you find the fish under those circumstances, they will probably be aggressively feeding. I speculate that they went to a spot that some fishermen call “The first house.” It is the next bayou west after Maverick Bayou on the south shore of West Matagorda Bay. There are several places similar to this one on the south shore of West Matagorda Bay. These are places where you can get to the back of a bayou, even at low tide, if you know where the gut is, and then drift out, casting to the flats. Find one of these spots that are holding fish, and you too will come to the cleaning table with an ice chest full of redfish. If you don’t know where the guts are, or you just want to go with a guide who is a good teacher and who knows the bay, set up a fishing trip with Coach Floyd Ciruti (979-533-0893).

The challenge in February is that the water can be warm enough (over 60°F) so that the fish can be found anywhere in the bay. Typically, at the beginning of the month water temperatures are from 52 to 56°F, and then go up to 65 or so near the end of February. Therefore if you do not find the fish after giving it thirty or forty minutes, it is best to move. One spot to look for reds in February is the Diversion Channel south of Braggs Cut. You have shallow flats, deep areas, logs, shorelines, and marshes all in one area.

If the wind is blowing hard, it’s best to fish the deep areas, because the shallow areas would be muddy. But if the wind is light and there is water covering the flats, move your boat to a spot where you can cast to both the deep and shallow spots. Or better yet, put a kayak in the water and hunt for reds along the shorelines.

If you only get to fish once or twice a year, you may want to go with guide Albert Garrison (979-240-3822). Al knows how to maneuver his custom-designed catamaran into these flats and find the reds.

A good place to find trout is Half Moon Reef, just south of Palacios Point where the Intracoastal Waterway meets West

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Matagorda Bay. The reef is well marked, near the deep channel of the Intracoastal Waterway, and now that it has been in place for a couple of years, it attracts a variety of marine life that in turn brings in predator fish.

If you drift this reef on a low tide, raise your engine all the way, because at times there will only be a foot or two of clearance between your hull and the structures. A Matagorda guide who knows this reef well is Charlie Paradoski (713-725-2401).

Fog is sometimes a concern early in February. This happens when the water is cool and the air is warm. However, if you fish in the afternoon when the fog burns off, the fish are more active because the water warms a few degrees The challenge of fishing in February is finding schools of redfish or trout. The best way to search for them is to pick several spots that are not far apart that have both deep (over four feet) water and shallow water, and then fish each spot long enough to determine whether the fish are there.

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and are not good candidates for successful catch and release fishing. Still, there are tuna, wahoo, and even billfish in the waters along and beyond the 100-fathom curve, for those with the boat and the mind-set to go after them.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Lighted piers and docks that allow fishing are good bets at night. Deep water in harbors or canals can hold fish day or night. In February warm spells, “meet” the fish in shallows near their deep-water winter haunts.

THE BANK BITE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY: CR 259 goes east at the Matagorda Cemetery in the village of Matagorda. You can fish the Intracoastal Waterway in several places along this road, but you may

SPECIES: Speckled trout and reds can be found. Pan fish such as croaker and sand trout will be more common, with some flounders as a welcome winter surprise.

BEST BAITS: Live bait is hard to come by this time of year, unless you catch your own—or use mud minnows. These hardy little fish will almost live without water, and will attract more than just flounders.

BEST TIMES: Night fishing under lights can be good in cooler weather, but a warm, sunny day with good tidal flow can get them moving in shallower areas.

Email Mike Holmes at ContactUs@fishgame.com

want to try the west side of Little Boggy, a creek that drains a couple of lakes north of the road. At this spot there is an oyster reef in the Intracoastal Waterway that you can cast to, and sometimes it holds redfish on an outgoing tide.

1/11/16 11:11 AM

UPPER MID Coast Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. CHRIS MARTIN

Coastal February Fishing

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ORMALLY IN FEBRUARY we begin noticing an increase in the frequency of frontal passages, which means there is a good possibility that there will also be a lot of variation in water levels, water clarity, wind direction and speed.

To top things off, it’s going to be cold when you’re out there fishing in all of this.

But, don’t worry because the fish will be cold too. They’ll be looking for a warm place to snuggle-down and rest for a while whenever a strong front rolls through that drops air and water temps considerably.

They’ll be looking for places where the bay floor consists primarily of thick, dark mud that may be spotted occasionally by grass or shell.

Mud serves as a solar-panel of sorts in that it soaks up the day’s heat and then releases the heat throughout the night and day. Because of this, fish will naturally stay close to the mud bottom during periods of extreme cold.

Another prime wintertime spot is shell.

Shell offers protection and cover to small baitfish, so if the bait happens to be hiding within a shell environment, you can almost always anticipate that trout and red fish may very well be gathered in the same area.

Because the number of days between fronts can be minimal right now, anglers might not have the option of waiting a certain period of time after the passage of a front before heading out in search of their cold-water treasure.

Instead, a lot of folks will probably be forced to endure a significant amount of wind change while fishing in February.

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water each time we’re out wandering around the bay. Don’t let this dampen your hopes at success, as it is not unheard of to experience an epic day of fishing on a muddy shoreline even right after a front has passed.

In these conditions, look for a patch of fairly shallow real estate that is protected from the strong north wind. There’s a good chance you’ll find bait activity in the area. That’s because just before the arrival of the front, the wind was pumping out of the south, pushing bait fish tight against the north shoreline areas.

That same strong south wind also muddied the water of this north shoreline considerably, but don’t let that bother you—where there’s baitfish, there’s almost certain to be game fish.

Park the boat in waist-deep water, and start your wade session at that depth while casting into more shallow water toward the bank. A lot of anglers like throwing some of the heavier models of top water baits that contain loud rattles because they are usually attempting to cast directly into a fairly stiff north wind.

As you slowly make your way toward the shallow water, Note any troughs or slight undulations you may come across.

As you walk into these small guts, turn to either side and cast your bait directly down the somewhat deeper water that you’ve just stepped into. Water temperature often varies by depth, so even a few inches might mean a couple degrees difference in warmth to a big wintertime trout, especially in really cold months like February.

If you’re out fishing immediately following a major cold front and are able to get to some of the more secluded back lakes, take advantage of the opportunity. These secluded backwater areas will not see much boat traffic this time of the year, which means these areas will not have seen much fishing pressure.

It will be quiet, and you may feel alone, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it can be welcome when you’re hunting for a February trophy trout. So, enjoy the solitude and

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accept the opportunity that might mean a visit to the cleaning table at the end of the day.

Whenever you’re fishing in some of the back-lake spots during the cold months, try experimenting with artificial baits both above and below the surface of the water. Toss top water baits only when conditions are ideal for doing so. This means cloud cover over shallow areas consisting of heavy mud and grass, with a bit of wind and off-colored water.

If you happen upon some really clear water conditions in the back lakes, present some of my more favored plastic baits, especially some of the suspending baits. Regardless of tops or tails, when it comes to lure color this month I stick primarily to the dark colors with bright accents. Colors light pumpkinseed, plum, and black, all with chartreuse accents.

There is, however, one exception to the dark-color rule. That’s the selection of a pink, slow-sinking, plastic bait. You’ll find a lot of folks throwing this particular lure throughout the entire year, but many have found that its action and efficiency in cooler water conditions can seldom be matched.

For those coastal anglers looking primarily for redfish in February, place your focus on the same basic environmental and structural elements—shell, mud, and bait fish. But also look for your prizes in some of the more shallow waters. Red fish are hardier than trout, especially when it’s really cold, so they can handle some extremely shallow water.

All of the fish will probably be moving a lot slower this month, so above all else, remember the necessity for patience and the importance for you to keep grindin’!

Contact Capt. Chris Martin at bayflatslodge@gmail.com or visit bayflatslodge.com

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1/12/16 3:28 PM

ROCKPORT Area Hotspot Focus :: by Capt. MAC GABLE

Rituals & Superstitions: Are We Crazy?

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HAD THE FORTUNE OF FISHING with a physician and his psychologist wife a few years back. We had a good trip but I must admit I suspected she was psychoanalyzing me throughout the day.

She asked me, “Capt. Mac, I notice you bait hooks on the same side of the boat as well as cast off of the opposite side. Do you always do it that way?”

Hmmm.

“Well ma’am, the reason I do that is so you and your husband can utilize the space on one side of the boat and I the other, besides I mostly anchor off the starboard side of the boat.”

“Interesting,” she replied. “have you ever tried it the other way?”

“The OTHER WAY?” I asked. “Not lately,” I said, meaning not in the last 20 years.

She persisted. “I can’t help but wonder if perhaps there is another reason why you do it that way. Is it a ritual or is it superstition perhaps?”

“The power controls are mostly on the starboard side of the helm on this boat and I like to be close to help control any situation that might arise. If the power controls were on the port side I would reverse the setup,” I said more defensively than I cared to admit.

“So you like to be in control,” she said.

“Yes” I quickly answered, “when on the water with clients their safety is my responsibility, it’s mostly impossible to control a boat or its situation without power.”

“Power,” she said “... very interesting.”

“Yes ma’am” I almost barked back at her.

“I’ve yet to meet a person who spends as much time on the water as you that’s not superstitious. Are you Capt. Mac?” “Not in the least,” I said.

She reached into her bag of goodies for the day and produced a banana.

“Does this, for example, cause you any consternation?” she calmly asked.

“A little,” I said. “Ahh” she said with a smile.

I continued: “I forgot mine this morning and am consternationing (a smart aleck word I made up) whether I should ask you for a bite!” She and her husband busted out laughing, as did I, and he retorted “Well Doc, I guess the session is over for Capt.

Mac. I guess he won’t be on your couch anytime soon.”

As the day progressed, we did talk a lot about the scientific and non-scientific basis for superstitions and rituals.

I believe I’m not superstitious at all, nor

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do I have unbending rituals.

Take my boat anchor for example, I’ve had it for close to 25 years; it’s as much a part of my fishing as any piece of fishing gear I own. It is an old Super Hooker brand Danforth style anchor and I have lost it multiple times. But I always marked the spot with a floatie or my GPS and, donning mask and snorkel, I always went back and found it. It doesn’t even closely resemble the anchor that I bought... it’s been filed to keep the flukes sharp for digging in hard shell bottoms and the stock and shank have gotten their own special attention as well. I catch more fish with this anchor and, trust me, I have tried without it and at the end of the day I end up cleaning fewer fish.

My anchor helps me catch fish, so please don’t touch it! I get razzed about my anchor by other guides and one time as I launched my boat to go retrieve it from yet another apparent watery grave, another guide and friend hollered as I launched with no fishing rods on board, “Well, here we have the great Capt. Mac. He’s such a fantastic guide

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Focus: ROCKPORT he can forget his rods and still catch fish!”

Everyone within ear shot laughed.

“I didn’t forget my rods! I’m going to find my anchor!” I proudly stated.

“OMG” was the response from the nowI’m-not-so-sure-he-is-my-friend-friend.

“Leave that rusty, ugly, worthless thing on the bottom of the bay where it belongs. I will buy you another one, just so I don’t have to look at it every time I see you!”

“HHMMMPPPFF,” I grunted and powered away from the dock.

I have a fishing net I have similar fondness for but, alas, it recently broke beyond repair so I retired it. It hangs fondly in my fishing garage.

You can see, while I am determined not to have superstitious, ritualistic, and similar maladies, I guess, God forbid, I do have a few idiosyncrasies, just like 99.9% of other avid anglers.

I have been fortunate enough to travel pretty extensively and always make it a habit to talk to local anglers in whatever city, state or country I am in. I have found that we (anglers) all are pretty much the same in many, many ways.

I also am proud to announce that our foreign brothers and sisters suffer from their own set of, shall we say, “syndromes.”

If you are one of us and share similar infirmities, you might find the following interesting. Below are some of the quirky beliefs I have run across in my travels: • Having a woman on board is plain and simple bad luck • Never say the words alligator or pig while on board. It’s as bad as breaking a mirror or having a black feline cross your path; • Whistling brings gale force winds; • Never start a fishing trip on Friday Sunday is much better for the fishing gods; • Never cross paths with a red head — I know one guide who will not buy bait from a particular bait stand for this very reason; • Bananas on board are bad luck. In fact there is some basis for this one. It seems research shows in the days-of-old wind powered ships transported bananas to other countries. However local vermin such 74 |

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as rats, mice and poisonous spiders often accompanied the cargo and, being attracted to the fruit, brought disease and death during the ship’s voyage. Also fermenting bananas give off methane gas, so when crews were trapped below deck breathing the fumes could be deadly; • A dog seen near fishing tackle is bad luck; • Dolphins seen near boats or ships in any form is good luck; • Fishing poles / rods brought into an angler’s dwelling the day before a fishing trip would not catch fish; • Talking loud while fishing will cause fish not to bite; • A walleye guide in Minnesota cut the Fruit-of-the-Loom tag out of his underwear believing it was related to the bad luck banana theory; • In Morayshire, Scotland it was unlucky to start a voyage unless blood had been shed so just for fortune’s sake fights were started to achieve the desired results; • Hats. Most anglers I know wear one for obvious protection reasons but many, and I do mean many, believe a certain hat brings them good luck much to the chagrin of our/ their spouses, girlfriends or boyfriends, for the smelly old fishing cap is often hanging within nose range of said living spaces; • Never net the first fish of the day.

Always horse/lift it over the gunwale as netting the first fish guarantees a bad fishing day; • Kiss the first fish ( I’ve been known to do this on slow fishing days); • Never catch a fish on the first cast it guarantees bad luck; • No romantic encounters the night before a fishing trip (early morning action is, however, ok); • How about “red skies at night sailors delight; red sky at morning sailor take warning”? This one also has some history. It originated in England where weather conditions come from the ocean. If the air is clear, sunsets will be tinted red. In the morning red light will be reflected by the clouds to the west, which means moisture in the air and possible storms; • Rings around the moon means rain is coming. Based in some fact, the rings were T E X A S

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caused by ice crystals in the upper atmosphere, and meant moisture which could invoke rain; • One fellow wouldn’t be caught dead in a church but after each fish he caught he would say a very low key prayer to the Lord and at the end of the fishing day he always had an offering to the fish, be it bread, ham, deer sausage or even a can of his favorite beverage.

Strangely enough burials at sea have very few superstitions associated with this interment process. Ocean burials have been going on since man started frequenting watery reaches of our planet.

One process, as an old Cajun from Louisiana told me, seems a bit superstitious.

Back in the day, when demise occurred aboard ship, the sail maker was recruited to make a shroud to entomb the body. He handily sewed the deceased into the shroud and would sew the final stitches through the nose of the deceased.

Many believed this sealed the spirit into the body for its final journey into the hereafter. Others believed it was to insure the person being sewn up was indeed dead. It seems a few were heard moaning just as they hit the water, waking from whatever comatose state they were in.

No matter how much science we apply we still perceive the seas, oceans and vast lakes as mysterious and treacherous places.

Rituals and superstitions are passed down from generation to generation, or shared from close friends and acquaintances.

A Gallup poll several years ago attempted to quantify just how common these practices were. The poll found 1 in 4 people were superstitious or 1.7 billion people (of 7.125 billion people worldwide). Suffice to say, a bunch of these are anglers, either by trade or by hobby. Is it the brave soul who turns his or her back on these old rituals or superstitions?

Would you be willing to see what happens the next time you reject these century old practices? Is that wisdom or foolishness?

I am not trying to lead you into the hocus pocus of the supernatural. When great psyCONTINUED ON PAGE

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1/11/16 11:11 AM

LOWER Coast Hotspot Focus :: by CALIXTO GONZALES

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’M SLOWLY BEGINNING TO warm up to February. Most anglers will tell you that the shortest month is also the toughest, angling-wise.

The stout cold fronts, north wind, and otherwise snotty conditions make for tough fishing for the weekend angler (especially since it seems that cold fronts seem to blow in on Fridays and spoil the weather for three days.)

That seems to be more myth than reality.

I’ve learned that trout and redfish are quite frisky in February. Some guides, like Captain Dan Land, make a lot of their money in February (I refer you to my Saltwater column, “Cold Trout, Warm Hearts,” elsewhere in this issue).

Sheepshead are really starting to stack up and continue the staging they began in January in preparation for their March spawn. And most of all, the black drum fishing that has been steady on the Lower Laguna Madre really starts taking off.

There are plenty of black drum lurking within a very short run from anywhere on South Padre Island and Port Isabel. These fish are low maintenance, and don’t require sophisticated tackle or techniques, they’re dogged fighters, and they can grow quite large.

More than a few anglers have latched into a gnarly, buffalo-shouldered monster black that tipped the Toledos in the upper 30s and 40s while fishing for more moderate-sized fish. There are also plenty of 14 to 30 inch puppy drum cruising to make most anglers happy.

For the past three or four years, there have been large schools of black drum roaming the flats throughout the Lower Laguna Madre.

Fisheries biologists believe a large portion of the biomass in the Upper Laguna Madre migrated down the Land Cut into the Lower

“ I’ve learned that trout and redfish are quite frisky in February.

“

My Black Valentine

Laguna Madre, and found the environment to their liking. Much to the delight of local anglers, these noisy fish have made the LLM their permanent home.

These schools are prodigious in size, and though most fish average three to five pounds, there are some big rogues cruising around the edges of these schools and ready to cause some accelerated heartbeats. You can often spot these fish because the school darkens the waters for large swaths.

The water is clouded by the mud and debris black drum kick up while foraging for

crabs, shrimp, and the other little morsels they love to grind up. Most of the time, these fish aggregate on flats adjacent to guts and dropoffs that provide an escape route in the event of a large predator, but they’ll also move farther out onto shallower flats that are too shallow for sharks and dolphins.

It isn’t difficult to find an area that produces good numbers of black drum. Just a little north and west of the Causeway is a broad flat known as the Pasture near the current Pirate’s Fishing Pier (a long cast from the pier can easily reach the area).

The best times to fish the area are the calm days after a cold front, and at night during the full moon. Large shrimp on a Carolina rig work well for these bruisers—most of the fish will be over the maximum 30-inch slot—but the best bait for large black drum are crab T E X A S

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chunks with the carapace removed. Pass a 5/0 circle hook through a leg socket and out the top of the crab, chunk the whole rig out, and set the rod in a holder to wait.

Boat anglers can have some great success fishing the flats adjacent to the boat guts in South Bay. The drum cruise along the eastern edge of South Bay and retreat into the guts when the tide falls.

Many anglers use a free-line rig with a ¼ ounce sinker or a dropper rig with longshanked hooks (the shrimp is threaded onto the hook from tail to thorax). Other anglers who can’t sit and wait for a bit will pin a live or dead shrimp onto an ¼ ounce jighead, then cast and hop the bait back to the boat and wait for the tell-tail thump!

My preferred technique is the use a ¼ ounce bucktail, usually in white or pink, with the same sthirmp. Pompano darts, available at Bass Pro Shops, is an effective jig for tipping.

It isn’t a bad idea to use stouter 17 to 20 pound tackle for this application. There aren’t any real snags in the area, but it’s much easier to turn one of these finny bulldozers with the heavier stuff.

An ambitious angler might try night fishing during February’s full moon. The calm, misty nights that are typical of a South Texas are prime black drum nights. Bundle up, take some hot coffee and a few sandwiches, motor out to the Pasture just east of the IntraCoastal Waterway, and set out your baits. It shouldn’t be too long before a big ugly comes calling.

Even when the weather sours in February, you will have some good fishing opportunities on the Lower Laguna Madre. Be sure to remember to get plenty of roses so you can earn permission to go.

Email Calixto Gonzales at ContactUs@fishgame.com

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Texas HOTSPOTS

UPPER COAST

Anahuac Trout Take Refuge

by TOM BEHRENS LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Anahuac Wildlife Refuge GPS: N 29 33.573, W 94 39.0389 (29.5596, -94.6507)

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GPS COORDINATES are provided in two formats: “Decimal Degrees” (degrees.degrees) and “Degrees and Minutes” sometimes called “GPS Format” (degrees minutes.minutes).

Examples (for Downtown Austin): Decimal Degrees: N30.2777, W97.7379; Degrees and Minutes: N30 16.6662, W97 44.2739. Consult your manual for information specific to your GPS device.

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captjohnhavens@att.net www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: “To catch big trout, wadefish using a topwater or a corky.” Capt. Havens

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corky Fat Boys or topwaters CONTACT: Capt. John Havens 832-250-5147 captjohnhavens@att.net www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: Wade fish all the way from the refuge to Marsh Point for a chance for big trout.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Anahuac Wildlife Refuge GPS: N 29 33.573, W 94 32.266 (29.5596, -94.5378)

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Marsh Point GPS: N 29 31.9339, W 94 34.339 (29.5322, -94.5723)

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corky Fat Boys or topwaters CONTACT: Capt. John Havens 832-250-5147

HOTSPOT FOCUS: ROCKPORT t CONTINUED FROM PAGE

because these actions invoke some supernatural power ... it just makes me feel good!

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chological minds have sought answers to this phenomenon, some pretty solid facts arise.

Psychologists found the ritualistic and superstitious activity we engage in often leaves us with a positive attitude, pleasant and happy feelings and even relief. It brings brightness to our soul, applying positive energy, resulting in an ultimate outcome of happiness. Our whole being forecasts good will and even success. Our health is reinforced in positive ways and our body language projects the way we feel. This doesn’t sound like black magic to me! It’s really pretty basic • what we think is what we become.

I will still cherish my anchor and continue to fish with it as long as I can. I will still pitch pennies into a wishing well not 76 |

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••• FEBRUARY IS PROBABLY the coldest month of the coastal year. The best advice is to think soft • that is soft baits and soft plastics. Though this has never been proven, I believe a fish’s mouth becomes much more tender during these colder months. Examine the next fish you catch during February and you might just find very red if not bloodshot looking lips especially on black drum and redfish who have sub-terminal, inferior mouths (mouths on the bottom of the jaw line). Bait is not at all plentiful, so black drum, redfish, and even trout foraging on shell bottoms or sandy reefs opt for softer baits due to tender mouths.

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COPANO BAY • The deeper parts of Smith Channel are a good place for trout using salt water assasins in watermelon and black colors. Wading the Italian Bend shoreline is a good place for some keeper reds and trout using free lined live shrimp or Berkley gulp shrimp on a light jig head.

ARANSAS BAY • On high tide Paul’s Mott Reef is good for reds using cut mullet or mud minnows free lined or on a light Carolina rig. Some black drum may be found on Long Reef using a silent cork and peeled shrimp. The deep edges of Nine Mile Point are a good place for some keeper trout using Jerk shad in new penny colors on a 1/8 or 1/16 ounce jig head.

ST. CHARLES BAY • The mouth of East Pocket is a good place to set up for reds

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1/26/16 8:52 AM

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. John Havens 832-250-5147 captjohnhavens@att.net www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: Havens’ favorite color on Down South soft plastics is plum or the Chartreuse Glitter.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Blacks GPS: N 29 31.0339, W 94 31.753 (29.5172, -94.5292)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corkys, topwaters or soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. John Havens 832-250-5147 captjohnhavens@att.net

www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: Havens prefers the Down South plastics because they are durable, are five inches long and have a lot more action.

LOCATION: Galveston West Bay HOTSPOT: Confederate Reef East GPS: N 29 15.823, W 94 54.684 (29.2637, -94.9114)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. John Havens 832-250-5147 captjohnhavens@att.net www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: Havens prefers a 1/8 oz. jig head but will sometimes use a 1/16 oz. jig head if he doesn’t want the bait to sink as fast.

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tail in bone or chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Van Crittendon Jr. 361-481-1886 raiseemuptx@hotmail.com TIPS: “Trout will stack up in the local rivers that flow into the bays. Check the LCRA website to see how much water they letting down the river.

If the flow is heavy, the fish will move out.” Capt.

Crittendon LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Raymond Shoals GPS: N 28 40.446, W 95 53.898 (28.6741, -95.8983)

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LOCATION: Matagorda HOTSPOT: Colorado River GPS: N 28 40.5419, W 95 58.08 (28.6757, -95.9680) SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Large topwaters

HOTSPOT FOCUS: ROCKPORT using mud minnows or cut mullet. Free line is best here or a very light Carolina rig. The mouth of Little Devils Bayou on a changing tide is good for reds using cut menhaden or cut mullet.

CARLOS BAY • Carlos Trench is your best bet for keeper trout especially on the colder days. Fish the deeper water the colder it is, and the shallower shell edges if the weather warms up. Deep running lures like rattle traps in blue and white work well here, or soft plastics in morning glory and glow chartreuse colors. Drifts across Carlos Lake are good for some keeper trout using live shrimp and/or Berkley gulp shrimp under a clear bubble cork.

sand eels in new penny and electric chartreuse colors. Brays Cove is a good place to drift across for trout and a few flounder.

I like 1/16 ounce jig heads here with white grubs. Jigs tipped with shrimp or squid is good for flounder. Drift slowly and anchor / set off immediately when you get a bite.

AYERS BAY • The shoreline of Rattlesnake Island is a good place for black drum and some sheep head using a silent cork and peeled shrimp. Ayers Reef is a good place for reds using cut mullet and/or mud minnows under a silent cork or free lined.

Here’s Wishing You Tight Lines Bent Poles and Plenty of Bait!

THE BANK BITE WADES FROM THE LBJ CAUSEWAY to Newcomb Point are good for trout and some reds using soft plastics in the following colors: new penny, electric chartreuse and gold. Spoons work well here - gold with inlaid red is best. Move very slowly and be far enough away from the shoreline to cast 360 degrees.

Contact Capt. Mac Gable at Mac Attack Guide Service, 512-809-2681, 361-790-9601 captmac@macattackguideservice.com

MESQUITE BAY • Wades down Third Chain Island are a good tactic for reds using T E X A S

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Texas HOTSPOTS CONTACT: Capt. Van Crittendon Jr. 361-481-1886 raiseemuptx@hotmail.com TIPS: Crittendon likes to fish East Matagorda Bay along the shoreline for trophy trout in February. “I throw a large topwater lure. You never know what is going to snatch it up.”

LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Eidelbach Flat GPS: N 28 41.499, W 95 47.614 (28.6917, -95.7936)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corkys in Day Glow CONTACT: Capt. Hollis Forrester 979-236-3115 capthollisf@gmail.com www.capthollisforrester.com TIPS: Fishing for trophy trout on muddy grass flats with scattered shell. “The fish like to bury up in the mud because of the chilly water temperatures.”

Capt. Forrester LOCATION: Matagorda East Bay HOTSPOT: Brown Cedar Flat GPS: N 28 44.4079, W 95 42.088 (28.7401, -95.7015)

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FOR E MAP

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Down South soft plastics in red/ white or Plumtreuse with a 1/8 oz. jig head CONTACT: Capt. Hollis Forrester 979-236-3115 capthollisf@gmail.com www.capthollisforrester.com TIPS: “It’s very slow fishing with pauses mixed in when using the Corkys and with the soft plastics. Two cranks, pop it, pause and repeat.” Capt.

Forrester LOCATION: Matagorda West Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N 28 29.545, W 96 13.521 (28.4924, -96.2254)

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jig head with the soft plastic tail and jig it along the bottom, waiting for that soft, little bite.” Capt.

Crittendon LOCATION: Upper Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Tabbs Bay GPS: N 29 41.634, W 94 56.544 u TAP FOR (29.6939, -94.9424)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corkys or other suspending lures CONTACT: Capt. Van Crittendon Jr. 361-481-1886 raiseemuptx@hotmail.com TIPS: “If you find any color change, or open grass, throw to it and work it across , let it sink into the grass bed.” Capt. Crittendon LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Coffee Ground Cove GPS: N 29 58.182, W 93 46.158 (29.9697, -93.7693)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. John Havens 832-250-5147 captjohnhavens@att.net www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: “Deep water close by if the fish are not shallow.” Capt. Havens LOCATION: Upper Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Scotts Bay GPS: N 29 44.628, W 95 2.364 (29.7438, -95.0394)

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: MirrOLure Lil John and Provoker CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins 409-673-9211 4097862018@sbcglobal.net www.fishsabinelake.com TIPS: Where to fish all depends on how much freshwater runoff we get. “’The trout will try to winter on the north end of the lake around the islands.

There will be redfish around along the banks of the Louisiana shoreline.” Capt. Watkins LOCATION: Tres Palacios Bay HOTSPOT: Tres Palacios GPS: N 28 40.7329, W 96 13.1479 (28.6789, -96.2191)

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SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tails with a 1/4 oz. jig head CONTACT: Capt. Van Crittendon Jr. 361-481-1886 raiseemuptx@hotmail.com TIPS: “When fishing for redfish, use a 1/4 oz.

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. John Havens 832-250-5147 captjohnhavens@att.net www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: “Almost all of these bays have water, deep water 5-6 feet in the middle, but the shoreline is wadable.” Capt. Havens LOCATION: Upper Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Burnett Bay GPS: N 29 46.1136, W 95 3.0459 (29.7686, -95.0508)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. John Havens

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Texas HOTSPOTS 832-250-5147 captjohnhavens@att.net www.captainjohnhavens.com TIPS: “No early morning trips at this time of the year. We fish from 11 a.m. till dark.” Capt. Havens

ping mullet.” Capt. Chad Verburgt

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LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Laguna Madre ICS GPS: N 27 40.8529, W 97 13.672 (27.6809, -97.2279)

MIDDLE COAST SPECIES: Black Drum

Specks Know the Way to San Jose

by TOM BEHRENS LOCATION: Aransas Bay HOTSPOT: San Jose Island GPS: N 28 0.726, W 96 58.365 (28.0121, -96.9728)

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SPECIES: Speckled Trout BEST BAITS: Soft Plastics CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland 361-290-6302 treblecharters@yahoo.com www.treble-j-charters.com TIPS: “Redfish are always on the flats unless we get a freeze that pushes them deep. For trout always try to fish close by to a where this a drop into deep water close by.” Capt. McPartland LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: Terminal Area GPS: N 27 52.387, W 97 9.5479 (27.8731, -97.1591)

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SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Pink Devil Eye soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: Before a front I’ll be doing a lot of drifting adjacent to deeper water on the flats. Look for flipT E X A S

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Texas HOTSPOTS BEST BAITS: Dead or live shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “The Drum will be the edges of the dropoffs, 3-10 ft. of water.” Capt. Verburgt LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Laguna Madre ICS GPS: N 27 40.8529, W 97 13.672 (27.6809, -97.2279)

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: New Humble Channel GPS: N 27 35.472, W 97 15.8119 (27.5912, -97.2635)

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SPECIES: Black Drum BEST BAITS: Dead or live shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: Freeline the shrimp because you don’t want to spook the fish.

LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: California Hole GPS: N 27 55.561, W 97 4.8479 (27.9260, -97.0808)

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SPECIES: Black Drum BEST BAITS: Dead or live shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “If live shrimp are not available, dead shrimp works just as good. The fish don’t care. If you find them in the holes they are usually so thick they are waiting for what ever bait comes by.” Capt.

Verburgt LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Mustang Point/Ship Channel GPS: N 27 49.444, W 97 8.2109 (27.8241, -97.1369)

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SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “Look for holes and depressions in the flats.

It’s not going to be a real deep hole, but it will be a little bit deeper than the rest of the flat.” Capt. Chad Verburgt LOCATION: Port Lavaca HOTSPOT: Lavaca River GPS: N 28 41.833, W 96 34.5319 (28.6972, -96.5755)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastic tail in bone or chartreuse CONTACT: Capt. Van Crittendon Jr. 361-481-1886 raiseemuptx@hotmail.com TIPS: Same as the Colorado River, but check with the Lavaca Navidad River Authority for river flow.

LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N 27 56.541, W 97 5.944 (27.9424, -97.0991)

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SPECIES: Flounder BEST BAITS: Devil Eye soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “Usually I prefer fishing after the frontal passage, on dropping tides. The dropping tides congregate the fish in the holes.” Capt. Verburgt LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Humble Channel GPS: N 27 39.153, W 97 15.664 (27.6526, -97.2611)

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SPECIES: Black Drum BEST BAITS: Dead or live shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Chad Verburgt 361-463-6545 rockportredrunner@yahoo.com www.rockportredrunner.com TIPS: “Fish will be some fish hanging on the edges.” Capt. Verburgt

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LOWER COAST

SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corkys CONTACT: Capt. Jack McPartland 361-290-6302 treblecharters@yahoo.com www.treble-j-charters.com TIPS: “If you want big fish you need to use baits that suspend, such as MirrOLures and Corkys” Capt.

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by CALIXTO GONZALES and TOM BEHRENS LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: The Saucer GPS: N 26 28.149, W 97 23.874 (26.4692, -97.3979)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft plastics in LSU, Black/Chartreuse, Gold spoons.

CONTACT: Catpain Jeff Neu 979-942-0164 TIPS: Trout lurk in the sand holes thorughout the area. It’s tough to beat a soft plastic fished slowly.

Bigger fish will key in on spoons and Corkies.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Queen Isabela Causeway GPS: N 26 4.97, W 97 12.06 (26.0828, -97.2010)

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SPECIES: Sheephead BEST BAITS: Live Shrimp, fresh shrimmp, crab chunks CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 TIPS: Sheepshead increase in numbers and size as fish continue to aggregate for next month’s spawn.

Live shrimp are the best bet for the larger fish. Use #1 short shanked hooks for maximjm hookups.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Long Bar GPS: N 26 12.164, W 97 15.957 (26.2027, -97.2660)

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SPECIES: Redfish BEST BAITS: Live shirmp, cut bait, old spoons, soft plastics in New Penny, Tequila Gold CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 TIPS: “Sharp shoot around the sand spots in the grass. Redfish cruise in and out of the potholes looking for forage.”

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Browsnville Ship Channel GPS: N 26 2.124, W 97 13.108 (26.0354, -97.2185)

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SPECIES: Mixed Bag BEST BAITS: Live shirmp, Gulp! Baits on 1/4 ounce jigheads.

CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Marintez 956-551-9581 TIPS: . Sheepshead, black drum, redfish, croaker, mangrove snapper, even speckled trout are in good numbers in Ship Channel. Live bait is tought to beat, but fishing the edges of points with heavy jigs dressed with Gulp! Shrimp tails are also very effective.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mouth of South Bay GPS: N 26 2.961, W 97 11.031 (26.0494, -97.1839)

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CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 TIPS: Fish the dropoffs along the channel edge with live bait or fresh bait on split shot rigs.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Holly Beach GPS: N 26 8.802, W 97 16.304 (26.1467, -97.2717)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Live shirmp, Shirmp tail/popping cork, soft plastics in red/white, Tequila Gold.

CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 TIPS: Fish the shallow mud on sunny days. Trout will use the warmth of the mud for comfort Live shrimp under a popping cork is best. Fish soft plastics on warmer days when fish are aggressive.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Marker 124 GPS: N 26 7.5, W 97 14 (26.1250, -97.2333)

SPECIES: Sheephead BEST BAITS: Live bait, fresh shrimp.

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Live bait, soft plastics in pearl, Smoke.

CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez 956-551-9581 TIPS: Locate the color change wich marks the depth change and fish the edge for trout that are ambushing bait. Live shirmip under a popping cork works best, but don’t be afraid to use red plastics with a white tail. Red/white will treat you right.

LOCATION: Arroyo City HOTSPOT: Lighted Docks GPS: N 26 20.061, W 97 26.375 (26.3344, -97.4396)

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SPECIES: Speckled trout BEST BAITS: Live bait. Soft plastics in glow.

CONTACT: Arroyou City Bait and Hardware 956-748-3255 TIPS: “.Ease up rto the edges of lights and use live bait or glow tails to snare nighttime trout. If the pier is occupied, move on to another one.”

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: Unnecessary Island GPS: N 26 22.002, W 97 18.82398 (26.3667, -97.313733)

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SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, soft plastics in red/ white, LSU, Rootbeer/chartreuse, New Penny.

CONTACT: LG Outfitters 956-371-0220 lgoutfittters.com TIPS: Tuck into the leeward side of Unnecessary and drift the length of the flats near the ICW. Watch for mud-boils to cue you into where redfish are

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Texas HOTSPOTS cruising. Live shrimp is good, so are scented soft plastics. Long casts may be necessary if the water is very clear.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Black’s Bluff GPS: N 27 14.23698, W 97 33.93498 (27.237283, -97.565583)

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LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Bird Island and Whatley Island GPS: N 32 41.946, W 94 4.2299 u TAP FOR (32.6991, -94.0705)

SPECIES: all species BEST BAITS: Fresh Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp CONTACT: Quick Stop 956-943-1159 TIPS: Fish two hook rigs with 1 to 2 ounce sinkers (spider weights are best if the surf is sloppy) in the first or second gut (the latter on an outgoing tide) to target pompano and whiting. You can purchase live shrimp and keep them alive in sawdust for easy portability, or fresh shrimp. Use long-shanked hooks. You’ll be impressed by the size of some of these “bull” whiting.

PINEY WOODS

White Bass on White Rock

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LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: White Rock Creek GPS: N 30 58.1159, W 95 20.07 (30.9686, -95.3345)

LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N 30 22.331, W 95 33.560 (30.372176, -95.559327)

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SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Roadrunners, Bear Paws Ribbed Shad, 1/8 or ¼ oz. Rattletraps, Bluefox, Sassy Shad CONTACT: David S. Cox, Palmetto Guide Service 936-291-9602 dave@palmettoguideservice.com www.palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: The best fishing time is following a warming trend after a 1 -2 inch local rain with the water temperature getting up over 60 degrees. Go all the way up the creek until the water begins to clear and fish the sandbars and points where they drop off into deeper holes. Fish slowly downstream until you find the fish. BANK ACCESS: White Rock City or Hwy 94 T E X A S

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: V&M Thunder Rattle Jig 1/2 oz. in black/blue and black/blue chatterbaits CONTACT: Caddo Lake Guide Service/Paul Keith 318-455-3437 caddoguide1@att.net www.caddolakefishing.com TIPS: This is the month we begin fishing around the cypress trees on a regular basis. I like to work jigs and chatterbaits around the base of the cypress trees in 3-5 feet of water.

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by DUSTIN WARNCKE

SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters, Catch 5s in smoke, pinfish patterns. Soft plastics in LSU, gold or chrome spoons.

CONTACT: Captain Danny Neu 979-942-0165 TIPS: Fish topwaters early on mild days, and throughout the whole trip when clouds dominate.

If the fish are sitting deeper, switch to suspending plugs in natural patterns, or soft plastics on small (1/16-1/8 ounce) jigheads.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Andy Bowie Park Shoreline GPS: N 26 11.55918, W 97 10.53294 (26.192653, -97.175549)

Public Ramp

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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in limetreuse, pumpkinseed/chartreuse.

CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-449-7441 TIPS: Look for nervous bait popping about near dropoffs. That’s usually a sign that there are predators lurking. Plastics should be fished on light jigs.

1/8th ounce is good. 1/16th is even better. Once you begin working the area, fish deeper water with soft plastics and suspending plugs for trout. Work your lures slowly, and pay attention. The bites can be very, very subtle.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Land Cut Spoils GPS: N 26 52.27008, W 97 27.7995 (26.871168, -97.463325)

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SPECIES: Hybrid Stripers BEST BAITS: Live shad, Storm Swim Shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch (936)291-1277 admin@fishdudetx.com www.fishdudetx.com TIPS: The hybrid stripers are in full swing now and this is the time to catch trophy fish and possibly lake record Hybrids. They will be all around the lake on main lake points and humps. The use of electronics is a necessity! Find the schools of shad and you will find the Hybrids. This time of year they will range in the water column from 12 to 40 feet. Find the depth the bait are in and you will find the fish. Live shad will be the bait of choice but the swim shad will work if you can control the depth. Good luck and good fishing! Bank Access: Stowaway Marina LOCATION: Lake Fork HOTSPOT: Highway 154 Bridge GPS: N 32 51.228, W 95 31.746 |

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Texas HOTSPOTS (32.8538, -95.5291)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: spinner bait or a red Red Eye Shad.

CONTACT: Doug Shampine 940-902-3855 doug@lakeforktrophybass.com www.lakeforktrophybass.com TIPS: Spend time around the Hwy 154 bridge fishing the bridge columns. If you don’t want to sit under the bridges look for a deep creek channel close to areas where the bass will be spawning in late March and April. Burch Creek, Coffee Creek and Running Creek will be areas to look. I like the black/ blue jig and a #11 black pork chunk moved slowly along the edge of the creek. Target the bigger stumps as they will hold heat. If you find a sharp bend in the creek, spend extra time along that area.

Or where the creek swings close to a main lake point. On the lower end of the lake, a big swim bait, or umbrella rig on the main lake points in the deeper water will also catch that big bass. I like throwing a suspending jerk bait this time of year at the lower end of the lake in deeper water. Don’t be afraid to use a jerk bait on the deeper points with timber.

One other bait that works this time of the year will be the red rattle trap if there is hydrilla in the lake. If not use the square bill crank bait around stumps. By the end of the month check out the deeper flats as the big females will be looking round and feeding as they make their way to the spawning areas.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Tucker’s Lake Area GPS: N 31 51.75, W 93 54.8099 (31.8625, -93.9135)

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SPECIES: Black Bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, swim baits, jigs, RatL-Traps and finesse plastics CONTACT: Greg Crafts, Toledo Bend Guide Service and Lake Cottages 936-368-7151 gregcrafts@yahoo.com www.toledobendguide.com TIPS: In February the bass will start moving or

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staging from their deep water haunts following the creeks and ditches towards the spawning flats in protected areas. The bass will be hungry and feeding heavy bulking up for the spawn. Work the ledges and drops along the creeks looking for the bait- fish. Use your temp gauge to find the warmest water in the area you are working. Rat-L-Traps are a great go to lure to cover a lot of water and to locate the bass. If you get bit, slow down and work that area hard. If you catch one bass, there are usually more around.

PRAIRIES & LAKES

Lavon Bass Go for a Spin

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Black and chartreuse and white and chartreuse jigs with a 1/32 and 1/16 oz. pink head.

CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com TIPS: At the time of this report, we are catching limits of crappie. The best action is at night. Rig a jig with a bobber and you should be in business. Also consider White Rock Lake, Lewisville, Hubbard, and Lavon for an up river trip.

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N 32 16.554, W 96 8.0339 (32.2759, -96.1339)

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by DUSTIN WARNCKE and DEAN HEFFNER LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 33 2.0279, W 96 27.228 (33.0338, -96.4538)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits in chartreuse and white, crankbaits, and worms CONTACT: Carey Thorn 469-528-0210 thorn_alex@yahoo.com TexasOklahomaFishingGuide.com TIPS: Bass prospects are good on chartreuse and white spinners in low light conditions. Work crankbaits and worms shallow early, then deep as the sun gets highest. Fish to 20 feet of water. This hotspot has underwater structure and brush.

LOCATION: Bachman Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 32 51.192, W 96 52.044 (32.8532, -96.8674)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Jigs with plastic trailers in 1/4 to 3/8-oz. in various colors, spinners, Rat-L-Traps CONTACT: Jason Barber (903) 603-2047 kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com www.kingscreekadventures.com TIPS: Fish all of the docks inside spawning coves from the main lake points to the back. Jigs with plastic trailers in 1/4 to 3/8-oz. in various colors will work skipped under the docks should be the mainstay. Mix in spinners and Rat-L-Traps in 2’ to 8’ as well.

LOCATION: Eagle Mountain Lake HOTSPOT: South of Pelican Island GPS: N 32 54.302, W 97 30.237 (32.9050, -97.5040)

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SPECIES: Blue catfish BEST BAITS: cut or whole shad CONTACT: Johnny Stevens 817-597-6597 johnnysguideservice.com TIPS: This area is surrounded by two channels, Walnut Creek on the West and Trinity River on the East. Depth is from 4 ft. to 10 ft. The water warms up during the day. The shad will go to the

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Texas HOTSPOTS warm, shallow water followed by the blue cats. I like to anchor the front and the back of the boat to eliminate boat sway. I use a Carolina rig with circle hooks. If you don’t get a bite in a short time, move until you find them. In this area, they tend to stack up in one spot.

LOCATION: Fayette County HOTSPOT: Dead Fish Cove GPS: N 29 56.058, W 96 43.4999 (29.9343, -96.7250)

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad or Punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103, W eldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: This cove is 8 feet deep for a good ways.

The North wind is blocked in this cove. Chum along edge of channel and drift bait with cork thru the chummed area.

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek HOTSPOT: Hog Island GPS: N 30 37.9919, W 96 3.498 (30.6332, -96.0583)

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Shad or CJ’s Punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103, W eldon_edna@hotmail.com www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Water is deeper here: 10-18 foot. Blues seek deeper water in the winter. Tie to a stump in shallower water and cast out using tight lines. Use a #4 Kahle hook with shad.

LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Willis Creek/San Gabriel River GPS: N 30 42.066, W 97 24.0059 (30.7011, -97.4001)

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SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: White grubs, Shysters, Road Runners, Marabou jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell (512) 365-7761 crappie1@hotmail.com www.gotcrappie.com TIPS: “Now is the time that the white bass start making their annual run up the rivers and creeks. A fisherman doesn’t need a boat to load up on some good white bass fillets. There are plenty of access areas to get to the fish. You can just walk the banks of the river or creek and try eddy areas where the fish can stack up. With all the rain this winter, the currents will be swift and the white bass will travel long distances up stream. This will make for more places to find the fish. Even though mid March is the peak of the spawn, February can produce some very good catches. The fishing can be hit or miss this time of year. One day everyone is limiting out and the next, no one can buy a bite. You just have to get out there and fish when you have a chance and be persistent. For those of you that like to fly fish, it can be very productive. However, if the fish are there and biting, almost anything that you throw will produce at least some fish. For those who fish for white bass, here is a final tip. White bass is a fish that will spoil very quickly especially if the weather is warm. When a white bass dies, it needs to be put on ice immediately. Lots of people keep their catch on a stringer and one or two fish may be dead after a few hours of fishing. Those dead fish will not be good and could cause your entire catch to have a bad taste. I found that out years ago and put white bass on ice immediately after catching them. Try to have a cooler close by and put your fish on ice as soon as possible. Good luck and good fishing.”

LOCATION: Lake Granbury HOTSPOT: Hunter Park GPS: N 32 32.869, W 97 48.959 (32.5478, -97.8160)

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Kickapoo Creek and Main Lake Points GPS: N 32 16.944, W 95 30.108 u TAP FOR (32.2824, -95.5018)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Big Eye Jig in black/blue, Carolinarigged Pocket Craw, Shimmy Shakers CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff 903-561-7299 OR 903-530-2201 ricky@rickysguideservice.com www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: At the time of this report, the lake is stained down south and muddy up in Kickapoo creek and fishing is good. Fish the Kickapoo creek channel with a Big Eye Jig. Down south fish your secondary points with a Carolina-rigged Pocket Craw in 10 to 16 feet of water. Fish the points near the shore line with a Shimmy Shaker.

LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Pond Creek GPS: N 33 23.5461, W 97 4.7691 (33.3924, -97.0795)

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SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Alabama rigs and suspending jerkbaits CONTACT: Dannie Golden, Get Bit Guide Service 817-228-5999 www.get-bit.com TIPS: February is a really good month to go huntT E X A S

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SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Small soft plastics fished on 1/4oz. jig heads near flats adjacent to deeper water in the bends of the river. Slabs will also work.

CONTACT: Michael W. Acosta, Unfair Advantage Charters 817-578-0023 www.unfairadvantagecharters.com TIPS: Look for baitfish huddled in the deeper holes in the river. Work the flats adjacent to these deeper holes. Stripers may be holding in these same areas. Be patient and work your jigs/slabs real slow through baitfish schools.

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Texas HOTSPOTS ing for a big fish on Ray Roberts. With the clearer water now on Roberts it really has helped the cold water fishing. Last year we caught the lake record in 45 degrees water. For the most part, you only need two rods ready to go. Alabama rigs and suspending jerkbaits will be the main players. We will be fishing mainly on the main lake and the mouth of the major creeks on the North end of the lake. Sexy Shad and Firetiger are great colors to use on your jerkbaits.

The suspending jerkbait is key. The key is too fish it slow. Make sure you are waiting in between jerks.

You want that bait to come to a complete stop.

Most of the bites come when it is sitting still. The Alabama rig will be working on main lake points with rock. Also working the bait over the top of the main lake brush piles will produce some quality fish.

LOCATION: Lake Ray Roberts HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 33 23.472, W 97 1.6728 (33.3912, -97.0279)

u TAP FOR ONLINE MAP

SPECIES: White Bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, jerkbaits CONTACT: Dannie Golden, Get Bit Guide Service 817-228-5999 www.get-bit.com TIPS: The white bass fishing will still be slow as well. The fish will be holding on their winter humps and ridges on the main lake. A 1-oz. or 1 1/2-oz. slab will work best. The key is going to be to keep your bait very close to the bottom. Small jerks off the bottom is all you need to do. The ridges along the East bank of the lower East arm are usually very productive this time of year.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Dam Area GPS: N 30 19.038, W 96 31.986 (30.3173, -96.5331)

u TAP FOR ONLINE MAP

SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: shad or cut bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk 979-229-3103, W eldon_edna@hotmail.com

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www.fishtales-guideservice.com TIPS: Water is at its coldest. Fish deep. Drifting is good using a no roll sinker. Drift 1/2 mph using a drift sock to slow down. It’s time to catch large blues in deep water!

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Slick’em Slough GPS: N 33 51.3539, W 96 52.686 (33.8559, -96.8781)

ONLINE MAP

u TAP FOR ONLINE MAP

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Road Runner and Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey 903-786-4477 bigfish@striperexpress.com www.striperexpress.com TIPS: “Winter fishing on Lake Texoma is legendary. Chances of landing trophy stripers in February are in your favor. Road Runner 1-ounce white Bucktail jigs with a 7-inch soft plastic worm are deadly on the big fish holding on structure. Always keep your eyes on the seagulls. Cast your 1-ounce White-Glo Sassy Shad jigs under the birds where large schools of stripers can be feeding. Multiple hook-ups are common with lots of action in the open water. Bank Access: Sand Point” LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Little Rocky Creek GPS: N 31 52.1699, W 97 23.0339 (31.8695, -97.3839)

LOCATION: Richland Chambers Res. HOTSPOT: Richland Creek Arm/Crab Creek GPS: N 31 58.7579, W 96 18.7919 u TAP FOR (31.9793, -96.3132)

u TAP FOR ONLINE MAP

SPECIES: Channel and Blue Catfish BEST BAITS: Danny Kings Punch Bait CONTACT: Royce Simmons 903-389-4117 simmonsroyce@hotmail.com www.gonefishin.biz TIPS: February is traditionally the toughest month of the year on RC as the weather plays such an important role in the bite. However, for my Customers and I, we’ll stick with the Catfish which will be on a good bite regardless of the weather, temps, fresh water or anything else that normally slows the other fish from biting! The best location will be up the Richland Creek Arm of the Lake in the heavy timber near Crab Creek. Fish the 20’-25’ depths with Danny King’s Blood Punch Bait on a # 4 Treble Hook and you’ll go home with lots of filets.

There are no specific GPS Coordinates, but just look for where the Comorrants are roosting and there you will find the Catfish!

PANHANDLE

The Northwest Bassage

by DUSTIN WARNCKE and DEAN HEFFNER

SPECIES: Striped Bass BEST BAITS: Triangle jig heads and 4” Swim Shad from RSRLures.com CONTACT: Randy Routh 817-822-5539 teamredneck01@hotmail.com www.teamredneck.net TIPS: The shad are starting to migrate up the creeks. If you see the Loons and Gulls in the creek, the bait and fish are there. Use swim baits, chartreuse colors working best. Make long casts behind the boat and slow troll on electric motor.

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LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry HOTSPOT: Northwest Creeks GPS: N 33 3.7319, W 101 3.24 (33.0622, -101.0540)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Shad colored crankbaits, Shaky Head with a worm, jerk baits, red spinner baits, Red Eye Shad.

G A M E ®

1/26/16 8:52 AM

Texas HOTSPOTS CONTACT: Norman Clayton’s Guide Services 806-792-9220 nclayton42@sbcglobal.net http://www.lakealanhenry.com/norman_clayton.htm TIPS: In February I will be looking for the warmest water that I can find. I will start looking in the backs of the major creeks, such as, Gobbler, Ince, and any of the Northwest creeks. Do not expect to catch a bunch of bass, but you might just catch the largest bass you ever caught this time of year.

LOCATION: Lake Leon HOTSPOT: LaMancha Resort GPS: N 32 21.6857, W 98 41.1983 (32.3614, -98.6866)

slabs. Fish on clear days in zero to 40 feet of water.

On cloudy days, in front of a cold front, they could be in 8 to 20 feet. Key on humps, points, sand bars, boulders and other structure. Structure does not have to be an object. a 5-foot depth change can act as structure.

BIG BEND

All Points Bass Bulletin

by DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Amistad HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N 29 30.32514, W 101 0.1446 (29.505419, -101.00241)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Jigs, curly tails, tubes CONTACT: Michael E. Homer, Jr., TPWD 325-692-0921 michael.homer@tpwd.texas.gov TIPS: During the cold months, many anglers can be successful by fishing the rocks and off the pier at LaMancha Resort on Lake Leon. The LaMancha Resort has a use-for-fee dock and pier that often yields successful catches in white crappie. Fishing along the rocks along the resort also may yield successful catches. Using 1/16 to ¼ oz. jigs with curly tails or tubes work very well for catching keeper crappie. Colors can be challenging to decide between, but chartreuse and red or white and blue combinations may work well. Other baits such as small spinner baits like rooster tails and beetle spins also work well.

LOCATION: Possum Kingdom HOTSPOT: Bonitaville GPS: N 32 54.003, W 98 28.037 (32.9001, -98.4673)

SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, Senkos, CONTACT: James Burkeen 830-734-9652 jjburkeen@gmail.com amistadbassin.com TIPS: Concentrate on the main lake points and the drains near bends in the creek channels. Drop shot rigs work well in these areas as well as jigs in the brush and Senkos along the banks.

HILL COUNTRY

Austin Bass Bed Down in Creeks

by DUSTIN WARNCKE

SPECIES: Striped/White Bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, slabs, crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner 940-329-0036 fav7734@aceweb.com TIPS: We are still in winter pattern, so fish jigs and

LOCATION: Lake Austin HOTSPOT: Creek Inlets and Bedding Areas GPS: N 30 17.826, W 97 47.2739 (30.2971, -97.7879)

T E X A S

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G A M E ®

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Cyclone and Picasso spinnerbaits, River2Sea S-Waver swim baits and crankbaits, T-rig or weightless rig with a V&M Wild Thang 8.5 worm or Chopstick CONTACT: Brian Parker - Lake Austin Fishing 817-808-2227 lakeaustinfishing@yahoo.com www.LakeAustinFishing.com TIPS: Find flats that are close to deeper/thick grass as this is the typical pattern for ambushing shad and smaller fish. Be prepared to throw multiple baits at the same area. I will usually throw Cyclone and Picasso spinnerbaits along the edges and River2Sea S-Waver swim baits and cranks as well. If the moving baits aren’t pulling the bigger fish out, I’ll tie on a T-rig or weightless rig and use a V&M Wild Thang 8.5 worm or Chopstick to work just off the grass. Work from shallow to deeper water.

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Point East Side of North Park GPS: N 29 52.182, W 98 12.264 (29.8697, -98.2044)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: “¼ oz. Picasso Shakey Head Carolina rigged Watermelon flukes (1/2 oz. or ¾ oz.), Senko type baits like Yamamoto Texas rigged w/ ¼-3/8-oz. Picasso -Tungsten weights, spinnerbaits in chart/white 3/8th oz.”

CONTACT: KC’S Bassin’ Guide Service 210-823-2153 kandie@gvtc.com www.kcbassinguide.com TIPS: “Use a good rod like the Denali J2 rod in Med-Heavy Wt. 7’ for Carolina rigging or the Denali 7’ in a medium for spinner baiting. These rods can handle anything you get into and then some! Good colors to use this time of year include Watermelon Red and Green Pumpkin Candy. Rig up your Picasso Shakey Head with a zoom trick worm and |

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Texas HOTSPOTS hop it along a hard bottom. Give it a cadence and hang on.”

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Potter’s Creek Park GPS: N 29 54.1799, W 98 16.14 (29.9030, -98.2690)

SPECIES: Striped Bass and White Bass BEST BAITS: 1-oz. Red Jigging Spoon CONTACT: Steve Nixon, Fishhooks Adventures 210-573-1230 steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com www.sanantoniofishingguides.com TIPS: Fish from the point back to the swim beach casting out the spoon and try to maintain a depth of 20 to 40 feet. The Striped Bass and White Bass like to school in this area this time of year.

LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Guadalupe River Area GPS: N 29 54.9959, W 98 20.094 (29.9166, -98.3349)

SPECIES: Crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows and jigs CONTACT: Teach ‘Em to Fish Guide ServiceBarry Dodd 210-771-0123 barry@teachemtofish.net www.teachemtofish.net TIPS: This area is protected and has lots of trees, drop-offs and ledges. Fish about 6’ to 10’ deep in the deeper water above and around the trees.

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: North of Main Lake/Up River GPS: N 30 54.312, W 98 26.7359 (30.9052, -98.4456)

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SPECIES: Catfish BEST BAITS: Cut bait, shrimp, chicken/beef liver, and store-bought catfish baits CONTACT: Clancy Terrill 512-633-6742 centraltexasfishing@yahoo.com www.centraltexasfishing.com TIPS: “At the time of this report the lake level up 4 feet from recent rains.

Catfish prospects are excellent up river where the highest flow of water is coming in but be very cautious when boating.”

LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Garret Island, The Paradise Point, and Silver Creek GPS: N 30 50.994, W 98 25.152 (30.8499, -98.4192)

SPECIES: Striped Bass and White Bass BEST BAITS: Medium diving shad lures CONTACT: Ken Milam 325-379-2051 kmilam@verizon.net www.striperfever.com.com TIPS: Stripers and Hybrids will be on the upper end of Lake Buchanan, around Garret Island and the Tow area. White bass will be staging around The Paradise Point and Silver Creek areas. Troll along the tree lines with medium diving lures that will look like a shad.

SOUTH TEXAS

Rio Bravo Largemouth

by DUSTIN WARNCKE LOCATION: Falcon Lake HOTSPOT: Rio Bravo GPS: N 26 57.35124 W 99 23.62398 (26.955854, -99.393733)

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SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jigs, soft plastic worms, deepdiving crank baits CONTACT: Robert Amaya 956-765-1442 robertsfishntackle@gmail.com robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: The bass will be following the main river channel, especially as it narrows from the Texas and Mexico banks. Concentrate on fishing the jigs in any stickups along the main channel as well as those close to slight drop-offs in the numerous coves, especially those coves with rocks visible along the banks close to the brush lines. The water temperatures will be slightly warmer in these areas as well as the far backs of the coves. Fish the jigs and Texas-rigged plastic worms slowly in the brush.

Deep-diving crank banks worked off the rocky points during the mid-morning hours also can produce some good catches of bass.

LOCATION: Coleto Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N 28 43.308, W 97 11.8619 (28.7218, -97.1977)

SPECIES: Largemouth Bass BEST BAITS: Pumpkin Chartreuse or Watermelon colored jigs, deep diving crankbaits CONTACT: Rocky’s Guide Service 361-960-0566 TIPS: February can be unpredictable. What we can predict is before and after our fronts is a great time to fish. This is also great time of year to get our boats and tackle cleaned and organized. Weather dependent I usually throw a Pumpkin Chartreuse or Watermelon colored jig deep and inch it along drop offs. Slow rolling deep divers also. I like black and silver this time of year . May your bites be big and your fish be healthy.

G A M E ®

1/26/16 8:52 AM

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1/26/16 8:52 AM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK FEBRUARY 2016

Tides and Prime Times

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

The following pages contain TIDE and SOLUNAR predictions for Galveston Channel (29.3166° N, 94.88° W).

T12

T4

T11

T10 T9

TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the upper white boxes on the Calendar Pages. Use the Correction Table below, which is keyed to 23 other tide stations, to adjust low and high tide times.

T8 T6 T17

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the lower color boxes of the Calendar pages. Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENT SCALE below to adjust times for points East and West of Galveston Channel.

T15 T16

TIDE PREDICTIONS are shown in graph form, with High and Low tide predictions in text immediately below.

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY data is provided to indicate major and minor feeding periods for each day, as the daily phases of the moon have varying degrees of influence on many wildlife species.

T13 T7

T3 T2 T1

T5

T14

AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets. These phases last 1 to 2 hours.

T18

AM & PM MAJOR phases occur when the moon reaches its highest point overhead as well as when it is “underfoot” or at its highest point on the exact opposite side of the earth from your positoin (or literally under your feet). Most days have two Major Feeding Phases, each lasting about 2 hours.

T19

T20

PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to your location, the stronger the influence. FULL or NEW MOONS provide the strongest influnce of the month.

PEAK TIMES: When a Solunar Period falls within 30 minutes to an hour of sunrise or sunset, anticipate increased action. A moon rise or moon set during one of these periods will cause even greater action. If a FULL or NEW MOON occurs during a Solunar Period, expect the best action of the season.

T21

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

Add or subtract the time shown at the rightof the Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine the adjustment from the time shown for GALVESTON CHANNEL in the calendars.

KEY T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

PLACE Sabine Bank Lighthouse Sabine Pass Jetty Sabine Pass Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass Galveston Bay, S. Jetty Port Bolivar

HIGH -1:46 -1:26 -1:00 -0:04 -0:39 +0:14

LOW -1:31 -1:31 -1:15 -0:25 -1:05 -0:06

KEY PLACE HIGH Galveston Channel/Bays T7 Texas City Turning Basin +0:33 +3:54 T8 Eagle Point +6:05 T9 Clear Lake +10:21 T10 Morgans Point T11 Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39

LOW +0:41 +4:15 +6:40 +5:19 +5:15

KEY T12 T13 T14 T15 T16 T17

PLACE Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, W. Bay Alligator Point, W. Bay Christmas Pt Galveston Pleasure Pier

HIGH +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -1:06

LOW +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:33 +2:31 -1:06

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

PLACE HIGH San Luis Pass -0.09 Freeport Harbor -0:44 Pass Cavallo 0:00 Aransas Pass -0:03 Padre Island (So. End) -0:24 Port Isabel +1:02

LOW -0.09 -1:02 -1:20 -1:31 -1:45 -0:42

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE GRAPH:

Yellow: Daylight

Tab: Peak Fishing Period Green: Falling Tide

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

AM/PM Timeline

Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY:

AM PM MINOR Minor: 1:20a Minor: 1:45p Feeding Periods AM PM (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Major: 7:32a Major: 7:57p Time Moon is at its Moon Overhead: 8:50a Highest Point in the Sky 12a

AM/PM Timeline

90 |

6a

12p

6p

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

F E B R U A R Y

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 90

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

12a

Time Moon is Directly Underfoot (at its peak on opposite side of the earth)

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T E X A S

F I S H

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G A M E ®

1/26/16 8:52 AM

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

MONDAY

2

TUESDAY

Tides and Prime Times

FEBRUARY 2016

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

3

4

5

SATURDAY

6«

7«

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 5:56p Sunrise: 7:07a Set: 5:57p Sunrise: 7:07a Set: 5:57p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:58p Sunrise: 7:06a Set: 5:59p Sunrise: 7:05a Set: 6:00p Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 6:01p Moonrise: 12:53a Set: 12:14p Moonrise: 1:45a Set: 12:55p Moonrise: 2:39a Set: 1:40p Moonrise: 3:32a Set: 2:29p Moonrise: 4:25a Set: 3:23p Moonrise: 5:17a Set: 4:21p Moonrise: 6:07a Set: 5:23p AM Minor: 11:33a

PM Minor: 11:55p

AM Minor: -----

PM Minor: 12:17p

AM Minor: 12:38a

PM Minor: 1:02p

AM Minor: 1:22a

PM Minor: 1:48p

AM Minor: 2:08a

PM Minor: 2:35p

AM Minor: 2:57a

PM Minor: 3:24p

AM Minor: 3:48a

PM Minor: 4:15p

AM Major: 5:21a

PM Major: 5:44p

AM Major: 6:06a

PM Major: 6:29p

AM Major: 6:50a

PM Major: 7:15p

AM Major: 7:35a

PM Major: 8:01p

AM Major: 8:22a

PM Major: 8:49p

AM Major: 9:10a

PM Major: 9:38p

AM Major: 10:01a

PM Major: 10:29p

Moon Overhead: 6:35a 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:10a

Moon Overhead: 7:21a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:01a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 10:48a

Moon Overhead: 9:54a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

1

Fishing Day’s Best 2nd Score Graph Score Best

Moon Overhead: 11:43a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 6:58p

+2.0

-1.0

BEST: 1:00 —3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:27p BEST: 1:30 —3:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:21p BEST: 2:30 —4:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 11:16p BEST: 3:30 —5:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: None

+2.0

BEST: 4:30 —6:30 AM

TIDE LEVELS

0

BEST: 12:30 —2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:35p

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST: 12:00 —2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 7:45p

Low Tide: 4:39 AM High Tide: 12:52 PM Low Tide: 2:22 PM High Tide: 9:05 PM

-0.06 ft 0.61 ft 0.61 ft 0.73 ft

Low Tide: 5:30 AM High Tide: 2:23 PM Low Tide: 3:36 PM High Tide: 9:18 PM

-0.18 ft 0.73 ft 0.73 ft 0.77 ft

Low Tide: 6:16 AM High Tide: 2:57 PM Low Tide: 6:38 PM High Tide: 9:59 PM

-0.30 ft 0.83 ft 0.80 ft 0.81 ft

T E X A S

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 91

Low Tide: 6:58 AM High Tide: 3:25 PM Low Tide: 7:50 PM High Tide: 11:06 PM

F I S H

-0.42 ft Low Tide: 7:39 AM 0.91 ft High Tide: 3:54 PM 0.82 ft Low Tide: 8:17 PM 0.85 ft

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G A M E ®

-0.54 ft High Tide: 12:10 AM 0.98 ft Low Tide: 8:19 AM 0.82 ft High Tide: 4:23 PM Low Tide: 8:49 PM

|

0.90 ft -0.63 ft 1.02 ft 0.78 ft

F E B R U A R Y

High Tide: 1:11 AM Low Tide: 9:01 AM High Tide: 4:52 PM Low Tide: 9:26 PM

0.94 ft -0.68 ft 1.03 ft 0.71 ft

|

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+1.0

0

-1.0

1/26/16 8:52 AM

Sportsman’s DAYBOOK

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best 2nd Score Graph Score Best

MONDAY

TUESDAY

8l

9«

Tides and Prime Times

FEBRUARY 2016

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

11

10 «

SATURDAY

12

13

14

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

AM Minor: 4:41a

PM Minor: 5:09p

AM Minor: 5:37a

PM Minor: 6:04p

AM Minor: 6:35a

PM Minor: 7:02p

AM Minor: 7:35a

PM Minor: 8:02p

AM Minor: 8:35a

PM Minor: 9:02p

AM Minor: 9:35a

PM Minor: 10:02p

AM Minor: 10:33a

PM Minor: 11:00p

AM Major: 10:55a

PM Major: 11:22p

AM Major: 11:19a

PM Major: -----

AM Major: 12:22a

PM Major: 12:49p

AM Major: 1:22a

PM Major: 1:48p

AM Major: 2:22a

PM Major: 2:49p

AM Major: 3:21a

PM Major: 3:48p

AM Major: 4:19a

PM Major: 4:46p

Moon Overhead: 12:39p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 2:28p

Moon Overhead: 1:33p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:21p

6p

12a

6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 5:09p

Moon Overhead: 4:15p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 6:02p Sunrise: 7:03a Set: 6:03p Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 6:03p Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 6:04p Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 6:05p Sunrise: 7:00a Set: 6:06p Sunrise: 6:59a Set: 6:07p Moonrise: 6:55a Set: 6:26p Moonrise: 7:41a Set: 7:31p Moonrise: 8:25a Set: 8:36p Moonrise: 9:08a Set: 9:41p Moonrise: 9:51a Set: 10:45p Moonrise: 10:34a Set: 11:49p Moonrise: 11:20a Set: None

Moon Overhead: 6:04p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

0

BEST: 5:30 —7:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:01a

BEST: 6:00 —8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:55a

BEST: 1:30 —3:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:48a

BEST: 2:30 —4:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 4:42a

BEST: 3:00 —5:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:36a

BEST: 4:00 —6:00 PM

+2.0

BEST: 5:00 —7:00 PM

-1.0

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:06a

TIDE LEVELS

+2.0

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 12:11a

High Tide: 2:11 AM Low Tide: 9:43 AM High Tide: 5:22 PM Low Tide: 10:07 PM

0.96 ft -0.67 ft 1.02 ft 0.60 ft

MONDAY

High Tide: 3:12 AM Low Tide: 10:26 AM High Tide: 5:51 PM Low Tide: 10:51 PM

0.96 ft -0.59 ft 0.98 ft 0.45 ft

TUESDAY

0.93 ft High Tide: 5:30 AM 0.87 ft Low Tide: 12:34 AM -0.44 ft Low Tide: 11:54 AM -0.22 ft High Tide: 6:51 AM 0.94 ft High Tide: 6:47 PM 0.89 ft Low Tide: 12:40 PM High Tide: 7:14 PM 0.28 ft

WEDNESDAY

16

15 º

High Tide: 4:18 AM Low Tide: 11:09 AM High Tide: 6:19 PM Low Tide: 11:40 PM

THURSDAY

17

0.10 ft 0.80 ft 0.04 ft 0.85 ft

FRIDAY

18

Low Tide: 1:35 AM High Tide: 8:24 AM Low Tide: 1:28 PM High Tide: 7:42 PM

-0.08 ft 0.75 ft 0.31 ft 0.83 ft

SATURDAY

19

Low Tide: 2:42 AM High Tide: 10:10 AM Low Tide: 2:25 PM High Tide: 8:11 PM

SUNDAY

20

21 «

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

PM Minor: 11:56p

AM Minor: -----

PM Minor: 12:22p

AM Minor: 12:45a

PM Minor: 1:12p

AM Minor: 1:33a

PM Minor: 2:00p

AM Minor: 2:20a

PM Minor: 2:46p

AM Minor: 3:06a

PM Minor: 3:31p

AM Minor: 3:52a

PM Minor: 4:16p

AM Major: 5:15a

PM Major: 5:42p

AM Major: 6:08a

PM Major: 6:35p

AM Major: 6:58a

PM Major: 7:25p

AM Major: 7:47a

PM Major: 8:13p

AM Major: 8:33a

PM Major: 8:59p

AM Major: 9:19a

PM Major: 9:44p

AM Major: 10:04a

PM Major: 10:28p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:47p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 11:20p

Moon Overhead: 10:31p

Moon Overhead: 9:40p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

AM Minor: 11:29a

Moon Overhead: 7:53p

Moon Overhead: None

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 6:31a

+2.0

-1.0

BEST: 6:00 —8:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 8:20a

Moon Underfoot: 9:14a

BEST: BEST: 6:30 —8:30 PM 9:00 —11:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:06a

BEST: 10:00A —12:00P

Moon Underfoot: 10:56a

BEST: 10:30A —12:30P

Moon Underfoot: 11:44a

+2.0

BEST: BEST: 11:00A —1:00P 4:30 —6:30 AM

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 7:26a

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

0

-1.0

-0.24 ft 0.75 ft 0.55 ft 0.83 ft

Sunrise: 6:58a Set: 6:07p Sunrise: 6:57a Set: 6:08p Sunrise: 6:56a Set: 6:09p Sunrise: 6:56a Set: 6:10p Sunrise: 6:55a Set: 6:11p Sunrise: 6:54a Set: 6:11p Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 6:12p Moonrise: 12:07p Set: 12:52a Moonrise: 12:57p Set: 1:52a Moonrise: 1:50p Set: 2:50a Moonrise: 2:44p Set: 3:44a Moonrise: 3:40p Set: 4:34a Moonrise: 4:36p Set: 5:19a Moonrise: 5:31p Set: 6:01a

Moon Overhead: 6:58p

+1.0

Low Tide: 3:54 AM High Tide: 12:04 PM Low Tide: 3:58 PM High Tide: 8:45 PM

-0.38 ft 0.82 ft 0.74 ft 0.84 ft

Low Tide: 5:06 AM High Tide: 1:43 PM Low Tide: 6:56 PM High Tide: 9:36 PM

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE

-0.49 ft 0.92 ft 0.82 ft 0.85 ft

Low Tide: 6:13 AM High Tide: 2:46 PM Low Tide: 8:10 PM High Tide: 10:46 PM

-0.57 ft 0.99 ft 0.82 ft 0.86 ft

Low Tide: 7:12 AM High Tide: 3:28 PM Low Tide: 8:45 PM High Tide: 11:58 PM

KEY

PLACE

HIGH

LOW

KEY

T1

Sabine Bank Lighthouse -1:46

-1:31

Galveston Channel/Bays

T2

Sabine Pass Jetty

-1:26

-1:31

T7

T3

Sabine Pass

-1:00

-1:15

T8

Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass -0:04

-0:25

Galveston Bay, S. Jetty -0:39

Add or subtract the time shown at the rightof the T4 Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine T5 the adjustment from the time shown for GALVES- T6 TON CHANNEL in the calendars.

Port Bolivar

PLACE

-0.61 ft Low Tide: 8:04 AM 1.01 ft High Tide: 3:59 PM 0.80 ft Low Tide: 9:09 PM 0.89 ft

HIGH

LOW

-0.61 ft High Tide: 1:02 AM 1.00 ft Low Tide: 8:50 AM 0.75 ft High Tide: 4:25 PM Low Tide: 9:30 PM

HIGH

LOW

0.91 ft -0.56 ft 0.96 ft 0.68 ft

High Tide: 2:00 AM Low Tide: 9:30 AM High Tide: 4:49 PM Low Tide: 9:50 PM

KEY

PLACE

KEY

PLACE

HIGH

LOW

T12

Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay +5:48 +4:43

T18

San Luis Pass

-0.09

-0.09

Texas City Turning Basin+0:33 +0:41

T13

Gilchrist, East Bay

+3:16 +4:18

T19

Freeport Harbor

-0:44

-1:02

Eagle Point

+3:54 +4:15

T14

Jamaica Beach, W. Bay+2:38 +3:31

T20

Pass Cavallo

0:00

-1:20

T9

Clear Lake

+6:05 +6:40

T15

Alligator Point, W. Bay +2:39 +2:33

T21

Aransas Pass

-0:03

-1:31

-1:05

T10

Morgans Point

+10:21 +5:19

T16

Christmas Pt

T22

Padre Island (So. End) -0:24

-1:45

+0:14 -0:06

T11

Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39 +5:15

T17

Galveston Pleasure Pier -1:06

T23

Port Isabel

+2:32 +2:31 -1:06

0.94 ft -0.47 ft 0.92 ft 0.59 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

+1:02 -0:42

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION 92 |

F E B R U A R Y

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 92

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T E X A S

F I S H

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1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 93

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Sportsman’s DAYBOOK

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best 2nd Score Graph Score Best

MONDAY

TUESDAY

23 ¡

FEBRUARY 2016

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

24 «

26

25 «

SATURDAY

27

28

Sunrise: 6:52a Set: 6:13p Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 6:13p Sunrise: 6:50a Set: 6:14p Sunrise: 6:49a Set: 6:15p Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 6:16p Sunrise: 6:47a Set: 6:16p Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 6:17p Moonrise: 6:25p Set: 6:40a Moonrise: 7:18p Set: 7:17a Moonrise: 8:10p Set: 7:52a Moonrise: 9:02p Set: 8:26a Moonrise: 9:53p Set: 9:01a Moonrise: 10:45p Set: 9:35a Moonrise: 11:36p Set: 10:12a AM Minor: 4:38a

PM Minor: 5:01p

AM Minor: 5:24a

PM Minor: 5:46p

AM Minor: 6:11a

PM Minor: 6:32p

AM Minor: 6:58a

PM Minor: 7:19p

AM Minor: 7:46a

PM Minor: 8:07p

AM Minor: 8:34a

PM Minor: 8:55p

AM Minor: 9:22a

PM Minor: 9:44p

AM Major: 10:49a

PM Major: 11:12p

AM Major: 11:35a

PM Major: -----

AM Major: 12:00a

PM Major: 12:21p

AM Major: 12:47a

PM Major: 1:09p

AM Major: 1:35a

PM Major: 1:56p

AM Major: 2:23a

PM Major: 2:45p

AM Major: 3:11a

PM Major: 3:33p

Moon Overhead: 12:08a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 1:37a

Moon Overhead: 12:53a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 2:21a 12a

6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 3:46a

Moon Overhead: 3:03a

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

22 «

Tides and Prime Times

Moon Overhead: 4:30a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 12:31p

+2.0

-1.0

BEST: 12:30 —2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:42p BEST: 1:30 —3:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:25p BEST: 2:00 —3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:08p BEST: 3:00 —4:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:52p

+2.0

BEST: 10:00P —12:00A

TIDE LEVELS

0

BEST: BEST: 11:00P — 1:00A 12:00 —2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 1:59p

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:16p

High Tide: 2:53 AM Low Tide: 10:06 AM High Tide: 5:10 PM Low Tide: 10:14 PM

94 |

0.95 ft -0.35 ft 0.89 ft 0.50 ft

High Tide: 3:44 AM Low Tide: 10:38 AM High Tide: 5:31 PM Low Tide: 10:42 PM

F E B R U A R Y

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 94

0.94 ft -0.21 ft 0.86 ft 0.40 ft

2 0 1 6

High Tide: 4:35 AM Low Tide: 11:08 AM High Tide: 5:52 PM Low Tide: 11:14 PM

|

0.91 ft -0.05 ft 0.84 ft 0.32 ft

T E X A S

High Tide: 5:27 AM Low Tide: 11:36 AM High Tide: 6:12 PM Low Tide: 11:51 PM

F I S H

&

0.88 ft High Tide: 6:24 AM 0.83 ft Low Tide: 12:30 AM 0.12 ft Low Tide: 12:03 PM 0.28 ft High Tide: 7:29 AM 0.82 ft High Tide: 6:31 PM 0.81 ft Low Tide: 12:29 PM High Tide: 6:46 PM 0.24 ft

0.18 ft 0.79 ft 0.44 ft 0.81 ft

Low Tide: 1:16 AM High Tide: 8:47 AM Low Tide: 12:55 PM High Tide: 6:52 PM

0.14 ft 0.77 ft 0.59 ft 0.82 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

G A M E ®

1/26/16 8:52 AM

SYMBOL KEY

l = New Moon º = First Quarter l = Full Moon » = Last Quarter « = Good Day n = Best Day SUNDAY

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak Fishing Period

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best 2nd Score Graph Score Best

MONDAY

Sunrise: 6:45a Moonrise: None

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

2

1»

3

4

5

SATURDAY

6

Set: 6:18p Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 6:18p Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 6:19p Sunrise: 6:42a Set: 6:20p Sunrise: 6:40a Set: 6:20p Sunrise: 6:39a Set: 6:21p Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 6:22p Set: 10:50a Moonrise: 12:28a Set: 11:32a Moonrise: 1:21a Set: 12:18p Moonrise: 2:13a Set: 1:09p Moonrise: 3:04a Set: 2:04p Moonrise: 3:55a Set: 3:03p Moonrise: 4:43a Set: 4:06p

AM Minor: 10:11a

PM Minor: 10:33p

AM Minor: 10:59a

PM Minor: 11:23p

AM Minor: 11:48a

PM Minor: -----

AM Minor: 12:10a

PM Minor: 12:36p

AM Minor: 12:58a

PM Minor: 1:24p

AM Minor: 1:46a

PM Minor: 2:13p

AM Minor: 2:34a

PM Minor: 3:02p

AM Major: 3:59a

PM Major: 4:22p

AM Major: 4:47a

PM Major: 5:11p

AM Major: 5:35a

PM Major: 6:00p

AM Major: 6:23a

PM Major: 6:49p

AM Major: 7:11a

PM Major: 7:38p

AM Major: 7:59a

PM Major: 8:27p

AM Major: 8:48a

PM Major: 9:16p

Moon Overhead: 5:15a 12a

FEBRUARY 2016

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 6:50a

Moon Overhead: 6:01a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:41a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:28a

Moon Overhead: 8:33a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

29

TUESDAY

Tides and Prime Times

Moon Overhead: 10:23a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:38p

+2.0

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:07p

BEST: BEST: 11:30P —1:30A 12:00 —2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:00p BEST: 1:00 —3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:55p BEST: 2:00 —4:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:50p

+2.0

BEST: 3:00 —5:00 AM

TIDE LEVELS

0

BEST: 11:00P — 1:00A

Moon Underfoot: 7:15p

TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST: 4:30 —6:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 6:25p

Low Tide: 2:08 AM High Tide: 10:22 AM Low Tide: 1:23 PM High Tide: 6:33 PM

0.09 ft 0.79 ft 0.73 ft 0.85 ft

Low Tide: 3:09 AM High Tide: 12:08 PM Low Tide: 2:00 PM High Tide: 5:55 PM

0.04 ft 0.86 ft 0.85 ft 0.90 ft

Low Tide: 4:14 AM High Tide: 1:31 PM Low Tide: 3:32 PM High Tide: 5:37 PM

-0.02 ft Low Tide: 5:17 AM 0.95 ft High Tide: 2:10 PM 0.94 ft 0.95 ft

T E X A S

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 95

F I S H

-0.11 ft Low Tide: 6:14 AM 1.03 ft High Tide: 2:39 PM Low Tide: 7:40 PM High Tide: 10:53 PM

&

G A M E ®

-0.20 ft Low Tide: 7:05 AM 1.09 ft High Tide: 3:05 PM 0.95 ft Low Tide: 7:49 PM 0.98 ft

|

-0.28 ft High Tide: 12:18 AM 1.12 ft Low Tide: 7:53 AM 0.89 ft High Tide: 3:31 PM Low Tide: 8:19 PM

F E B R U A R Y

2 0 1 6

|

1.04 ft -0.32 ft 1.14 ft 0.78 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

95

1/26/16 8:52 AM

Texas TASTED

by BRYAN SLAVEN :: The Texas Gourmet

Habanero Glazed High Flying Quail

Q

UAIL HUNTING IN SOUTH Texas may be having its best season in several years. With the wet spring and summer we experienced, there have been plenty of insects, especially those darned chiggers and chinch bugs, which are crucial to the nutritional health of the chicks. The undergrowth has created good cover for the bumper crop of hatches, thus resulting in a great comeback year.

With that in mind, don’t forget your snake leggings (we have seen a bumper crop of rattlers to keep the other critters on their toes too) and your favorite bird gun when you head out to your lease.

I created this recipe several years ago, and it has been enjoyed on many ranches, and in several gourmet restaurants. I hope you enjoy it as well.

A brine will aid in removing undesirable enzymes and flavors from the meat, so you can begin the preparation with the clean and natural flavor of the quail.

The Glaze: 1 Dried ancho pepper stemmed, seeded & chopped 1/2 Jar Texas Gourmet Habanero Pepper Jelly 16 oz. Chicken broth 3 T. Fresh Cilantro 4 T. Honey 2 Cloves Garlic 1 T. Black pepper 1 T Soy sauce 2 T. Lime juice 2 oz. Gold tequila (you may substitute apple juice) 2 Tsps. Olive oil Cooking spray (Pam Olive Oil) 96 |

F E B R U A R Y

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 96

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This recipe is for 12-18 quail. Be sure to pluck, clean and rinse well. Check for pellets.

For the Brine: Place the Quail into a large bowl of ice water. They should be fully submersed. Add ½ cup sea salt to ½ gallon of ice water.

Allow meat to sit for 1-2 hours. Pour off water and rinse the meat again with cold water.

Preparation: Place the ancho pepper into the sauce pot with the chicken broth, garlic and cilantro. Bring to a boil.

Boil for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat, scoop out ingredients with a slotted spoon, Add 1 cup liquid and place in blender.

Blend until all the chunks are gone and the mixture is smooth.

Return to a sauce pan and place on low T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

heat. Add the Habanero Jelly, honey and the remaining ingredients.

Heat for 8-10 minutes over medium high heat, allowing flavors to blend, then bring to a good boil.

Add the tequila and light the mixture with

a match or long handled lighter (be careful and use a long handled spoon as well).

Stir down while on boil until the flame goes away, then remove from heat.

Spray the quail with Pam or rub down with olive oil. Place the quail on a a preheated grill indirectly over fire (mesquite or charcoal) skin side up.

Cook with the lid closed or cover with an aluminum pan.

Baste, turning every 3-5 minutes basting as you turn.

Cook for about 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Don’t overcook.

Remove from grill and rest the meat by covering with a foil tent for approximately 8-10 minutes. Serve with your favorite sides.

Be sure and check out our website at www.thetexasgourmet.com for other wild game and spicy food recipes and our fine family of products. Or give us a call at 888.234.7883.

PHOTO: BRYAN SLAVEN

1/26/16 8:52 AM

TEXAS FRESHWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

LAKE AMISTAD

UPPER TEXAS COAST

NEW TF&G APP

MIDDLE TEXAS COAST

AVAILABLE

NOW.

DFW METROPLEX

LAKE TEXOMA

NEW 2016 EDITION HUNTING SOUTH TEXAS

DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS T E X A S

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 97

F I S H

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NOW AVAILABLE www.FishandGameGear.com |

F E B R U A R Y

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97

1/26/16 8:52 AM

WHITETAIL

SPECKLED TROUT Galveston

Holman

Four-year-old Bailey Desormeaux with two speckled trout, 16 and 24.5 inches, caught while fishing the Galveston beach front.

Reggie Desmormeaux says it was a team effort, but Bailey’s face says it all.

Matt Rayburn shot this 9-point buck with a 17-1/2-inch spread while hunting with his dad, Chip, in Holman, Texas.

ALLIGATOR GAR

WHITETAIL Eden

Caddo Lake

Thirteen-year-old Kaitlyn Weidemann took this nice buck with her dad near Eden, Tx, using her trusty .243 rifle.

Kit Maddox helped guide Esau Powell to his first gar with a bow. Esau is 13 years old and shot this gar on Caddo Lake.

TURKEY Eagle Pass Brandon, Dylan, and Carson Gill of Corpus Christi show off three gobblers shot while on a hunt near Eagle Pass with their Grandpa, W.T. Gill and Dad, Dr. John Gill. Sixteenyear-old Brandon and 13-year-old Dylan are already avid hunters and seven-year-old Carson is learning fast.

98 |

F E B R U A R Y

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 98

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T E X A S

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BOBCAT Bee County Ryan Murphy, his wife Kyristal and two of his buddies called in this bobcat while predator hunting in Bee County. Ryan shot the bobcat with a 22-250 he got from his grandfather.

G A M E ®

1/26/16 8:52 AM

MAIL TO: TFG PHOTOS 1745 Greens Rd, Houston TX 77032 NOTE: Print photos can not be returned.

EMAIL: photos@FishGame.com For best results, send MED to HIGH quality JPEG digital files only, please.

REDFISH

REDFISH

Olivia Seven-yearold Jessie Hernandez, Jr. caught his first redfish while fishing with his dad in Olivia.

PERCH Frog Pond Lake Three-year-old Brooklyn Armentor of Winnie caught her first perch at Frog Pond Lake, using corn for bait.

SHARK

Port O’Connor Last spring break, Stephanie Havemann and her boyfriend Matt Tacquard, went bow hunting for pigs, fishing in Port O’Connor, and rock climbing. Matt’s 35-inch red was the big score of the week.

CORSICAN RAM

Galveston

Colorado County

Thirteen-year-old Reagyn Pyfer of North Richland Hills caught this 42-inch blacktip shark while fishing with her family near the end of the North Jetty in Galveston.

Alex Frosinos got his first Corsican ram while hunting near Columbus in Colorado Count y. He bagged the ram with his Remington 700 SPS chambered in .308.

WHITETAIL

BASS

Menard

Caldwell County

Ryan Sanchez shot this deer in Menard, while hunting on the Henderson Ranch. It was his first deer!

Addison Dahse caught this nice bass in a stock pond located in Caldwell County.

T E X A S

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 99

No guarantee can be made as to when, or if, a submitted photo will be published.

F I S H

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G A M E ®

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F E B R U A R Y

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1/26/16 8:52 AM

1602-Almanac-DIG.indd 100

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C3_Alumacraft .indd 3

1/11/16 1:02 PM

C4_Bombardier.indd 4

1/11/16 1:02 PM