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Texas Fish & Game® ★ MAY 2010 • VOL. XXVI NO.1 $3.95US

INLAND EDITION

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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

DON ZAIDLE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHESTER MOORE EXECUTIVE EDITOR

C O N T R I B U T O R S

JOE DOGGETT DOUG PIKE TED NUGENT BOB HOOD MATT WILLIAMS CALIXTO GONZALES LENNY RUDOW STEVE LAMASCUS LOU MARULLO KENDAL HEMPHILL TOM BEHRENS GREG BERLOCHER PAUL BRADSHAW HERMAN BRUNE CAPT. MIKE HOLMES REAVIS WORTHAM JOHN GISEL

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR EDITOR AT LARGE HUNTING EDITOR FRESHWATER EDITOR SALTWATER EDITOR BOATING EDITOR FIREARMS EDITOR BOWHUNTING EDITOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR HUMOR EDITOR WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGER

A D V E R T I S I N G

ARDIA NEVES VICE PRESIDENT/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

NICOLE MCKIBBIN • DENISE BELL •

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DENNISE CHAVEZ ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR 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. Contents may not 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: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email new orders to: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email subscription questions to: dhruzek@fishgame.com.

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FEATURES MAY 2010 • Volume XXVI • NO. 1

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WALKABOUT ANGLER PART 5: BORN ON A BAYOU What are the two types of bayous, and what distinguishes a bayou from a stream, a creek or a river? Most importantly, how should you fish one? A bayou native provides answers.

by Chester Moore COVER STORY:

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SLOW SUMMER SINKERS

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All winter, saltwater anglers are coached to slow down in both tackle and technique to match the lethargic speed of cold water fish.

But, those same lures and tactics can still be effective in the boiling, feeding-frenzied waters of summer.

by Calixto Gonzales

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CAT CALLS If you’re not opposed to tilting the odds in your favor, we’ve got some How, When and Where chumming tips that can help lure catfish to your “honey hole.”

by Reavis Wortham

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UN-CANDID GAME CAMS Many mysterious animals lurking the best lurking spots of Texas are being captured on motion-sensing game cameras, lightweight digital still and video cameras, and cell phones. This new recurring feature spotlights some of those images.

Cover Photo & Story by Chester Moore

by Chester Moore

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AFFORDING THE HUNT A downside to Texas becoming the World’s Capitol for deer hunting is that the price of a lease — and almost everything associated with hunting — has gone up. But there still remain plenty of opportunities for those of us who have to hunt on a budget.

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Chester Moore, TF&G ’s intrepid Executive Editor, spent a couple of days last fall interviewing some of the professional bass tour’s most successful anglers, as part of our ongoing Pro’s Corner series.

The interviews were videotaped and are available on our website, www.FishGame.com.

This month, we are spotlighting one of those interviews, in which 11-year veteran and 8time Bassmaster Classic competitor Kelly Jordon talks about ‘offshore’ bass fishing.

Jordon, who makes his home on legendary Texas bass factory Lake Fork, gave Chester some great pointers on why deepwater fishing produces a greater share of big fish (and big numbers of fish) and also, the three most important things an offshore bass angler needs.

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www.FishGame.com

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COLUMNS and DEPARTMENTS MAY 2010 • Volume XXVI • NO. 1

COLUMNS 10 Editor’s Notes Redneck Holiday

30 Texas Saltwater The Fish Story

by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

by CALIXTO GONZALES TF&G Saltwater Editor

14 Chester’s Notes

DEPARTMENTS 8

LETTERS

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TF&G REPORT

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BIG BAGS & CATCHES

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TRUE GREEN

Where the Wild Things Are

by CHESTER MOORE, JR. TF&G Executive Editor

16 Doggett at Large Dream Snakes

by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

18 Pike On the Edge Hanging Together

32 Texas Freshwater The ‘41-Pound Hole’

by DOUG PIKE TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

20 TexasWild 10mm Backstraps

by MATT WILLIAMS TF&G Freshwater Editor

53 Hunt Texas

Dog of Another Color

by TED NUGENT TF&G Editor at Large

21 Commentary Talking Trash

by BOB HOOD TF&G Hunting Editor

54 Open Season SemiTough

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www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Fish-Game-Magazine/86524948620

by REAVIS WORTHAM TF&G Humor Editor F I S H

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www.twitter.com/FishandGame

www.FishGame.com

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Letters Nugent & the Draft It’s difficult to watch a video of Ted Nugent, talking about discipline, when it is a fact that he was a draft dodger. His comments regarding the manner in which he attained a deferment are easy to research and verify.

His father, a drill sergeant, must have been disgraced by this. It’s a subject that Mr. Nugent has ignored, and to this day, I cannot fully appreciate or respect most of what he has to say because of it.

My comments are a response to the inkind comments of your readers regarding the politicizing of issues so prevalent in your magazine. I will continue to read your mag-

azine, not because I am a conservative minded person, but because there is still a ton of useful information within. It’s fairly obvious that several of your editors sit around with a can of paranoia, awaiting their next visit from the “anti” fairies that haunt them. I just hope they don’t completely tarnish the image you all set out to create: a magazine of hunting and fishing.

Charles Marcucci Richmond, TX I was not drafted into the US Military due to a 1Y deferment, which has always been public record since 1968. Unless, of course, the loony fringe far-left idiots insist on quoting very funny interviews written by

stoned hippie rock and doper magazine writers--always a good source of accurate info.

I didn’t volunteer to serve, as I have stated in literally thousands of interviews, because of my abject ignorance about war, Nazis, tyrants, slave drivers, despots, and the horrors of communism, and the overall wonderful history of the U.S. military heroes wiping out evil wherever they found it--a direct result of my graduation from the U.S. “education” system that intentionally left out these pivotal chapters in U.S. history.

These continuous and totally false Saul Alinsky-guided attacks against me, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and all others who stand up for logic, self-evident truth, and the American Way are to be expected from the deceitful far left, which has

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no facts or believable content whatsoever to stand on. I drive them batty with my sincerity, passion, patriotism, good will, decency, and relentless fight for our hunting rights and Second Amendment rights. I take their hate as a badge of honor, proving to all sensible people that I am on the right track, where I will proudly and defiantly remain.

I am inspired by the curse of bad Americans within. I am turning up the heat.

Drive safely. — Ted Nugent

Please Don’t Feed the Women Don Zaidle’s “Please Don’t Feed the Women” Editor’s Notes column in the April issue was spot-on.

When I started my blog 2-1/2 years ago, I thought women hunters/women hunting would be the focus. What I found is that most of what I had to say (hunting stories, commentary, philosophy of hunting) is gender neutral, so I actually have a significant male audience share, too. I still write about some women-centric stuff occasionally because it’s an obvious part of my niche, but there’s just no reason for it to be my whole focus.

And that’s just like hunting--most of the experience is completely gender neutral.

Women need clothes that fit differently, have some bathroom needs that are different, and need shotguns that fit our proportions properly, but that’s about it. The rest of hunting is just hunting.

Thanks again for the great column.

Holly A. Heyser NorCal Cazadora Via email

Shooting from the Bench Thank you for Steve LaMascus’ Guns & Gear column, “Shooting from the Bench,” and bringing out the truth about accuracy in rifles. Excellent story!

I have also found that the majority of folks who claim to shoot these tiny groups are rare, even if they do have a bench-worthy rifle. As you pointed out, it takes a lot of skill to shoot well, and simply put, unless they spend an excessive amount of time developing these skills, it just won’t happen.

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Take the range out beyond 250 yards, and it gets really tough. You can’t just have good glass, barrels, and triggers--the skill must be there as well.

Greg Nasco Via email

Send Your Comments to: Letters to the Editor 1745 Greens Road Houston TX 77032 E-mail: letters@fishgame.com

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Editor’s Notes

by Don Zaidle| TF&G Editor-in-Chief

Redneck Holiday HAVE AT SUNDRY TIMES IN THIS PUBLICATION held forth with an admixture of reticence, acknowledgement, and boast regarding my personal state of redredTM neckedness . One of those instances involved the public exposure of a secret “redneck wish list.” Since Father’s Day is coming up (notwithstanding that Mother’s Day is this month), I thought it wholly fitting to reproduce that list (with a few revisions) in order to inspire inspired gifting to the redneck patriarchs in your life.

Since I have to clear guns out of the living-, dining-, and bathroom when company comes; own a hound; start my pickup with a screwdriver; have at least one major household appliance in my front yard; and believe Larry the Cable Guy might be a lost relative, I qualify as a redneck and acknowledge such in full recognition of the potential social consequences. Nonetheless and therefore, the following is not a case of casting aspersions or metaphorical stones from within a crystallized silicate domicile, and I can hold forth on redneck matters with impunity if not authority.

Just as there are fly-fishermen, bait-fishermen, lure-fishermen, offshore fishermen, etc.; and deer hunters, quail hunters, duck hunters, etc.; there are classes and sub-classes of rednecks. There are trailer park rednecks, ranch country rednecks, small town rednecks, suburban rednecks, Saturday night rednecks, and intellectual rednecks, to name a few. (I have heard of urban rednecks, but they are mere philosophical disciples rather than practitioners and lean toward political correctness--some of them even own poodles--so do not count for our purposes. I allow some leeway for Saturday night rednecks in that, although parttimers, they subscribe to the doctrine full time and eschew political correctness.)

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All fishermen are fishermen regardless of chosen practices, and all hunters are hunters notwithstanding species affinity. In like manner, all rednecks are rednecks and as such share certain core beliefs and innate desires.

One could characterize the latter as a “wish list” seldom expressed for reasons some might construe as political correctness, but it is actually more akin to the sense of selfpreservation overriding the redneck gene.

In the interest of diversity, multiculturalism, and furthering societal understanding and tolerance, I decided to publicly expose the Redneck Secret Wish List, or at least part of it, in order to inspire sons, daughters, and sundry grandprogeny to discover the innermost secret desires of redneck patriarchy and gift them accordingly in observance of Father’s Day. In the event you cannot locate the items or services listed below, any of the offerings proffered via advertisement in these pages make suitable substitute.

- a gasoline-powered chainsaw pocketknife - a Tackle, Bait, & Ammo department at Home Depot - a store chain called “Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms” - a 24-hour Field Dressing & Butchering Channel - a restaurant chain featuring a Jerky, Slim Jim, & Sardine Bar - a pocket baling wire dispenser - legalized pickup bed Howitzers - horseshoes, spitting for accuracy, and catfish noodling as Olympics events - a 24-hour Gun & Reel Cleaning Channel - free smokeless tobacco samplers in the mail (for personal use or as gifts) - concealed carry licensing by mail - a Ronco Home Lobotomy kit (to treat annoying relatives or neighbors) - a multi-tool with a sledgehammer implement - good drip gas - Dr. Pepper in water fountains - a 24-hour NASCAR Channel - keys to the General Lee F I S H

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- the South had won (if you think this has anything to do with slavery, you are an urban redneck) - weekly Carhartt’s sale at Tractor Supply - a .270-06 - a pickup with gun rack, spare gas can, dog seat, duct tape dispenser, and builtin jumper cables as factory-standard equipment - a hog- and deer-size deep fryer - all vehicles are street legal if you have a driver’s license - gravy in a bottle at Allsup’s - that John Deere made pickups - membership in Sausage of the Month Club - an open season and no bag limit on poodles - the return of Hee Haw, Curt Gowdy, and The American Sportsman - the same guns featured on the Military Channel available at Wal-Mart - Fred Bear, Elmer Keith, and Elvis were still alive - Tabasco sauce in vending machines - a 24-hour gun and tackle store with shooting range - one-size-fits-all long johns - water-, diesel-, snake-, axe-, and beerproof boots - a spouse detector (same principle/ purpose as a radar detector) - jerky flavor PEZ in a Ted Nugent dispenser - a microwave freezer to quick-chill beer and Dr. Pepper - an HAV (High Altitude Vehicle) freeway lane for lift-kitted pickups - an express lane at the feed store - cash-and-carry day at the zoo - jeans with waistbands sized “.44 Revolver,” “.357 Magnum,” and “1911A1” - a “Wedding Model” shotgun - camouflage tuxedos - microwave safe sausage on a stick - Ron “Tater Salad” White for President

E-mail Don Zaidle at editor@fishgame.com.

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TF&G Report

DU Expo Comes to Texas UCKS UNLIMITED (DU) IS COMING TO THE D/FW Metroplex and inviting everyone who loves to hunt and fish.

The DU Convention and Sporting Expo will be held at The Gaylord Texan in Grapevine May 28-30, putting the national outdoors spotlight on the Lone Star State.

“This added component to the DU con-

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vention will offer outdoor-related exhibitors and sponsors the chance to interact with DU members and outdoor enthusiasts as part of the annual DU family reunion,” said Randy Graves, DU executive vice president. “We plan to open the Ducks Unlimited Sporting Expo to the public and we are sure that outdoorsmen and women from Texas and surrounding states will not want to miss this event.”

The event will include hunting and fishing personalities from the Outdoors Channel, duck calling contests, a climbing wall, industry pro staff, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Trophy Tour, exhibits from leading outdoors manufacturers, and an appearance by legendary call maker Will Primos.

Texas Fish & Game (TF&G) staff will be on hand to conduct seminars and meet with

attendees throughout the weekend.

“I was surprised and tickled spitless when DU called and said the Expo was coming to Texas,” said editor-in-chief Don Zaidle. “Those boys know how to put on a show, and adding other hunting to the traditional waterfowl element is gravy on the biscuits.”

“We’ve been involved with this project since before it was announced to the public and are very enthused about what DU is doing with this event,” said executive editor Chester Moore. “As a dedicated waterfowler, it’s exciting to have a national convention come to our great state, but this is much, much more. The Expo component involves a huge cross section of the outdoors industry, and there will be something for everyone, from waterfowlers and deer hunters to bass fishermen and more.”

PRESENTS

BIG BAGS AND C ATCHES

LARGEMOUTH BASS—PRIVATE POND

FERAL HOG—TRINITY COUNTY

SPECKLED TROUT—REDFISH BAY

Charles Behrend, age 9, caught this 10-pound bass in a neighbor’s stock pond near Bastrop. He caught the same fish a year earlier, but released it because he did not have a camera. This time around the bass was 25 inches long and 19 inches in girth.

Wintter Watts shot this hog in Trinity county. She shot it during youth weekend in October with a 6mm her dad bought her.

Michael Medcalf of San Marcos, caught this 28-inch speckled trout while drifting off Ransom Island in Redfish Bay. The speck was caught on live croaker with the first and last cast of the day.

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Zaidle, an authority and book author on the ethology of animal attacks, will speak on this subject and common media misportrayal of animals and animal behavior.

Moore will conduct seminars on coastal fishing and his experiences hunting with Chesapeake Bay retrievers.

TF&G hunting editor Bob Hood will speak on crossbow hunting.

Other staffers will man a TF&G booth at the event to meet and greet readers and attendees all weekend.

Show hours are 12-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Advance tickets are available at Academy Sports & Outdoors, and on the web at expo.ducks.org.

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who worked in Hartford, Connecticut, for Colt during the Civil War. In 1870, Marlin “hung out his sign” on State Street in New Haven, Connecticut, manufacturing his own line of revolvers and derringers. In 1924, Frank Kenna bought Marlin and the Kennas owned and operated it until the sale to Remington.

Marlin’s brands have included Marlin, Harrington and Richardson, New England Firearms and L.C. Smith.

Legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley, who toured with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in the 1880s, is said to have owned a Marlin lever-action .22 repeater rifle.

—Staff Report

Marlin Firearms Manufacturing to Relocate EMINGTON ARMS, WHICH OWNS MARLIN Firearms Co., announced in late March that it was ceasing production of the Marlin brands in its North Haven, Connecticut, factory in mid-2011 and the manufacturing is to be relocated to Remington’s Ilion, New York, facilities. The Marlin lines are not moving offshore.

Remington agreed to buy Marlin in late 2007 and acquired it in 2008. At the time, the North Haven plant had 345 employees and a Marlin plant in Gardner, Massachusetts, had 225 workers.

Remington, which began in upstate New York in 1816 and later was based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is part of a group of gun makers owned by private equity firm, Freedom Group Inc., under the Cerberus Capital Management umbrella. Executives told investors in early 2009 that the profit margin in its firearms division had dropped even as sales surged after Obama’s election, partly because of Marlin.

“This decrease was primarily due to an unfavorable product mix during the first quarter of ‘09 including product sales attributable to the Marlin acquisition,” said Chief Financial Officer Steve Jackson.

Marlin was founded by John M. Marlin,

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Chester’s Notes

by Chester Moore | TF&G Executive Editor

Where the Wild Things Are What’s out there?

HAT QUESTION HAS DOMINATED MY interest in wildlife since I was a little boy growing up in the swamps of Southeast Texas. I can’t remember a time I passed by a forest, marsh, or pasture and not wondered just what kind of wild creatures roamed there, hiding in the shadows, prowling after the setting of the sun.

As I look at the window of my office, I see a patch of woods a few hundred yards away that links to a bayou running through my hometown.

Even now, the thought of the animals that might dwell there stimulates my curiosity and inspires me to seek them out.

My fascination on this subject ran into some problems in the earliest years of this quest. Back in 1984, when I was just in fourth grade, I read an article in Outdoor Life about the red wolf.

The article discussed how this once-common species was declared extinct in the wild and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service went out and captured the remaining animals for a captive breeding program. The coolest part of the story was that the last ones came from Orange County, Texas, which was where I lived. I thought wolves were great to begin with, but this article helped inspire a lifelong love affair with wolves that burns as strongly today as it ever did.

My little league baseball team, the Bucs, had its end of the year party at Claiborne West Park, a beautiful 500-acre wooded park on the edge of Cow Bayou, which intersects near the southern boundary of the Sabine River. Our party was held at one of several bungalows near the park entrance, which is right on the edge of the woods. As we were eating hot dogs and chips, I looked over on the edge of the trees and saw a

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reddish-brown, long-legged canine that looked a whole lot like a red wolf.

“Dad, look at that!” I exclaimed. “Is that a red wolf?”

“Yes it is,” he said.

I can still see the animal as plainly as if I were looking at it, and remember it had its thin summer coat, tall ears, broad forehead, and was panting from the brutal heat and humidity. The animal eventually disappeared into cover, but never from my mind.

This would be the first time I would learn that what I saw in the wild would sometimes conflict with official reports. I learned at a very young age that what the textbooks said about wildlife wasn’t always accurate.

The red wolf was the first animal that inspired me to seek out mysterious animal reports, and also the first animal I wrote about professionally. My very first newspaper column published in October 1992 was about a report of alleged red wolf sightings in Orange County, and featured a photograph I took of a pair that was part of the captive breeding program at the Texas Zoo in Victoria.

One thing I have learned is that maps in wildlife guidebooks are not always so accurate when it comes to animal distribution. Take for example a road-killed porcupine photographed

by Dean Bossert, manager of the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Sabine Pass last December.

“In my 10 years working at McFaddin NWR, I have never seen a porcupine. I asked guys who have been here all there lives and they have never seen one, either,” Bossert said.

Porcupines are native to Texas, but as far as I can tell, the easternmost population is around Austin. They tend to like drier climates, but apparently, this one had a penchant for the marshlands and prairies Was this someone’s escaped pet?

This is super unlikely as no one keeps porcupines. Not only are they illegal to possess, but they are not exactly the easiest critter to cuddle with.

So, why was there a porcupine in Sabine Pass? Could it be there are isolated populations of animals living far away from their supposed native ranges?

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Jaguars are native to Texas and once roamed throughout most of the state, but they were eliminated by the 1920s. Now, jaguars have been verified by state-sponsored trail camera programs in New Mexico and Arizona, and are believed to be coming in from Mexico. I first hypothesized jaguars were still moving into Texas on these pages several years ago, and have since spoken with a couple of very reliable witnesses who claim sightings along the border in South Texas.

How could this be?

If they are crossing into two neighboring states, there is no reason they can’t cross into ours. Some argue that on the South Texas border there is too much development between the Mexican side and known jaguar populations in Mexico. Well, there is a lot of development between Sabine Pass and Austin, but somehow a porcupine (and I imagine a few of his friends) made it down to the coast.

Animals are extremely crafty in their migrations, and in the case of the jaguar, it could be possible they are crossing into the much less densely populate Trans Pecos region and traveling down the Rio Grande corridor toward the Brush Country. Or maybe there have been a few in Texas all along and we just did not notice.

After all, officials have been denying cougar sightings in East Texas for decades, but obviously someone didn’t tell the one that walked in front of me 20 years ago that it was not supposed to be there. And there are hundreds of people with similar experiences throughout the state.

In Texas, you never know what you’re going to encounter because our wild lands are truly the place where the wild things are.

NOTE: If you have had encounters with animals that are not supposed to be in your neck of the woods, email me your stories or photographs.

I will run the best of them in a future column.

Email Chester Moore at cmoore@fishgame.com

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Doggett At Large

by Joe Doggett | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Dream Snakes WATER SNAKE WAS BETTER THAN A RIBBON snake, and a hognose snake was better than a water snake, and a rat snake was better than all of them. That was the scale of measure we junior-high snake collectors used amid the fields and bayous of Houston during the early 1960s.

We were aspiring herpetologists, using every spare warm-weather weekend to prowl the banks and brush, and I remain amazed at the abundance of snakes amongst those urban patches and slices of wildness.

Catching a 5-foot Texas (Lindheimer’s) rat snake was a big deal. The fortuitous flip of debris with a homemade “snake stick” that revealed the bounty of thick coils could make an entire season. Mostly, we captured the routine ribbon snakes and irritable water snakes.

Snake collecting was high drama, a great hands-on introduction to the fascinations of nature; and I remain sympathetic. Can’t help it. The old teachings from big-league experts such as Ross Allen, Carl Kauffeld, and John Werler are hard to shed.

One advantage to a far-flung career of outdoor travel was the opportunity to visit wild places and encounter some glamorous serpents. Still, it’s astounding how scarce they can be even in remote corners; at least they seem to be when you really want to find them.

Naturally, the individual horrified of snakes cannot walk 10 feet off a jungle trail in Costa Rica without bumbling over a giant bushmaster. I’ve made several dozen trips to Costa Rica and encountered exactly the same amount of snakes on the “Rich Coast” as I have during a similar number of expeditions to Alaska. That would be zero. And I’ve yet to see a significant snake in the Amazon. Or Africa.

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But, travel enough and poke through sufficient brush and you will be rewarded with the occasional hissing, writhing surprise. I caught a 4-foot common boa constrictor near Punta de Mita, Mexico, about 10 years ago; a piddly specimen, for sure, but an exotic encounter beyond all comprehension on the long-ago banks of Brays Bayou.

About 15 years ago, I caught a 5-foot sea snake during a surfing trip to Tavarua Island, Fiji. Sea snakes are highly poisonous but very lethargic on land; you can pick one up by the paddle tail (just keep the blunt head at arm’s length).

The remote sightings are memorable, but Texas truly is snake-rich country. The variety of ecological regions combined with generally temperate climate and considerable expanses of natural habitat provide impressive quantity--and quality, once you get beyond the humdrum environs of Houston.

Over the past year or so, I found three classy non-venomous snakes, any of which would have been the prize of a collection during my junior-high forays.

The first was a bullsnake near a bass tank on a South Texas ranch. It was about 4 feet...well, maybe 3-1/2 (snake collectors, as anglers, tend to stretch things). It was sprawled across a dirt trail, sunning, and I pounced, clutching it in the middle of the body with one hand while relying on my “cat-like reflexes” to pin the head with the other.

Of course, I bumbled the job and missed the head as the bullsnake darted in retreat. It could have bitten me several times as we played tag, but it proved surprisingly gentle.

I admired it for several minutes, then allowed it to crawl away. Catch and release, as we fishermen say.

The second was a magnificent indigo snake on Bill Carter’s Sombrerito Ranch in Webb County. We were driving a back sendero in a Polaris Ranger, searching for whitetail “photo ops” on a mild, sunny December morning, and there up ahead was the glossy blue-black bulk of an indigo piled atop a clump of yellow grass.

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some non-poisonous snake genus in North America, known to exceed 8 feet in length.

Okay, the eastern indigo of Florida and Georgia is a bit bigger and shinier than the Texas/Mexico issue, but both are dream snakes on any herpetologist’s scale.

I hurtled from the buggy before Carter could stop, and gathered the dazzling coils.

As with the bullsnake, the indigo refused to bite and glided with powerful flex and mass through my bare hands. The dark tongue flickered and the bright eyes glittered. It was about 5-1/2 feet, not much as mature indigos go, but still a double handful. We took several photos and released it on the spot.

Carter was pretty casual about the whole encounter; he sees them occasionally on the game-rich Sombrerito. And, like most knowledgeable ranchers, he covets the presence of the proven rattlesnake and rodent killers. Indigos are protected by law--as they should be by common sense.

The final high-grade encounter occurred last summer in the salt grass of Quintana Beach near Freeport. A friend called and reported a 4-foot black snake covered with yellow dots. The serpent was hiding amid a rock pile in the backyard of his neighbor’s bay house.

“Good lord, Jack!” I exclaimed. “That’s a big speckled kingsnake! Don’t let it get away and don’t let anybody kill it!”

I jumped in the Tahoe and lickety-split drove the 70 miles from Houston to Quintana (as I said, old habits die hard). The kingsnake remained in place mainly because it was in a severely depleted condition, dehydrated and starving during the brutal coastal drought last July and August.

I met the woman who owned the property and got her permission to attempt to resuscitate the snake at home. Following a month or so of TLC in a screened terrarium and regular rations of pet store mice, the speckled kingsnake recovered nicely. For various reasons, I named it “Lucky.”

E-mail Joe Doggett at doggett@fishgame.com PHOTO BY JOE DOGGETT

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Pike on the Edge

by Doug Pike | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Hanging Together URING MY RADIO SHOW A COUPLE OF months ago, outdoor writer and friend Bink Grimes laughed harmlessly with me about the widespread and spreading use of live croaker as bait for summertime speckled trout. Some people didn’t get the joke and missed the point of the discussion.

Neither of us is a big fan of the tactic, so we poked a little fun, but we didn’t cross the line and take a stance against anyone using

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any lawful means to catch any fish.

Two minutes later, I noticed through the studio glass that my producer was on the phone. A listener wanted to talk about fishing with croaker. Fair enough. Rather than keep Bink on the line and maintain a majority, I thanked him for his time and cut my friend loose. In hindsight, that might have been a mistake. A little knot formed in my stomach as I pressed the button to open the phone line.

“Thanks for listening this morning; you’re on SportsTalk 790.

What’s on your mind?”

Or something like that.

Turns out, the guy was offended by that light-hearted exchange a few minutes earlier.

He wanted first to sing the praises of croakers as trout bait. If not for the almighty croaker, which he had discovered a couple of summers past, James said that he might have abandoned coastal fishing altogether. If you listened closely, you could

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almost hear a tear roll down the man’s cheek as the words passed over his quivering chin.

He then spent another minute shaking a finger in Bink’s face and mine for what he believed was a direct attack on his precious little baits.

For goodness sakes, and for the record: So long as you are fishing within the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department definitions of legal means and methods, and doing so in accordance with length and daily bag limits, I don’t care how you catch your speckled trout or largemouth bass or catfish or king mackerel. What I care about far, far more is how many fish are available to you and me each time we are on the water.

Promise me, please, that in exchange for my disinterest in what you pin on a hook and sling at the horizon, you will join me in challenging unreasonable, unscientific threats to the future of recreational fishing.

And make no mistake that there are people whose primary missions in life are to “protect” marine life and other animals-from you and me. Typically, they are college students or city folks who know nothing about anything that exists beyond four-lane roads and Wii and Xbox. But they’re real.

And they’re noisy.

Never mind that fisheries are “renewable” resources. And never mind that recreational fishing is proven therapeutically beneficial and a bona fide means of relieving everyday stresses (such as college study and living in the city). They won’t let facts get in the way of their fairytales.

Somewhere in their outdoors-deprived childhoods, probably near the intersection of Animated Feature and Animal Rights Propaganda, these folks were led astray by their tambourine-banging predecessors. And they’re so far off the path now that they’ll never find their way back.

Hook, line, and sinker, they’re for nofishing zones, closed seasons, unbridled expansion of marine-protected areas, and generally for the methodical elimination of recreational fishing.

And they are exactly why I don’t care what you use for bait. If you are a fisherman, you fish within the law, and are courteous to other fishermen, you are a friend and ally of mine. Doesn’t matter if you catch lots of fish or no fish at all. Doesn’t matter if you chase marlin offshore on a 70-foot sportfishing boat or catch bluegill in an irrigation ditch on the side of a country road. Doesn’t mat-

ter what you do for a living or where you live.

Doesn’t matter. None of it.

We are all fishermen, and all we dream about is our next fish being bigger and stronger than the previous one. Our singular purpose should be to make certain that dream isn’t taken away by people who think a gingerbread latte is a real cup of coffee and soy burgers make a tasty alternative to beef.

If that caller wants to chase his dream with a bucket full of croaker, that’s his busi-

ness. I’ll take topwaters. So far, at least, we both still have the choice every morning to either fish or not fish that day. Let’s keep it that way.

E-mail Doug Pike at dpike@fishgame.com

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Ted Nugent’s TexasWild

by Ted Nugent | TF&G Editor-at-Large

10mm Backstraps ROJECTILES. THAT’S MY LIFE. THE management and control of projectiles has fascinated me since birth. Mom even said my vomit was accurate. Go

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figure.

Slingshot marbles, suction cup arrows, BBs, pellets, rocks, spears, arrows, chilled shot, and bullets; hell, I killed a bluejay with a well place goofball once. That’s what has always turned me on, no end. “Aim small, miss small” is my religion, more intense in my old age than ever. Why waste one’s time with mere hobbies when we can immerse ourselves in genuine passions? It is a beautiful thang.

I shoot incessantly--rifles, shotguns, handguns, machineguns, and bows and arrows of every make, model, action, caliber, and description. I even still fire off an occasional volley of hand-picked pebbles with my good old Wrist Rocket slingshot. Hand-eye coordination is my calling. I simply can’t get enough of it.

Although for many, many years now 90 percent of my hunting has been with archery gear, I still crave the challenge of long-range sniper rifle discipline and the allure of handgun accuracy. I know my shortcomings, which is why I work so hard at it. I want to be the best that I can be, and it takes diligent, constant, exhaustive practice for me to be any good at all. I love the practice and I love the outcome. It is rather inebriating, obviously in a good way.

So, as I dragged myself up the steps of my elevated Shadow Hunter blind on the 3P Ranch in Uvalde, Texas, I carried my Remington .270 scoped rifle, Martin Firecat bow with a quiver full of arrows, and on my hip my ever-present 10mm sidearm. In this instance, my handgun of choice was my super duper stainless steel Kimber 1911 20 |

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semi-auto in 10mm, far and away my caliber of choice for everything from plinking and self-defense to big game hunting. With a belt full of spare mags loaded up with Cor-Bon 180-grain hollow points, I do believe I was loaded for bear, and then some.

At the tail end of deer season, I was out to fill some final MLD tags with my friends, the Packers, and if I could lure a deer into bow range, I would celebrate the mystical flight of the backstrap arrow. If the deer would break the 40-yard line, my Kimber would be put into service. And if these late season spook deer stayed out there a poke, I knew the GA Precision Remington could reach out there and dump someone nicely. I wasn’t messing around.

Phil and Josh Packer had given me specific instructions to reduce the herbivore population, and I wasn’t about to renege on my sworn duties. Yes, I actually swear to kill deer. I took an oath many years ago. So far, so good.

After the first day and many hours on stand with no action, a lone doe emerged from the South Texas scrub a bit over 100 yards out. VidCamDude Bobby Bohannon and I waited. Peeking around the corner as the sun began to set, four more she-deer picked at corn down the sendero to our left.

As they moved beyond bow range, I reached for the .270 when the does’ gaze brought my attention behind the blind. Bingo! Buckaroo at six o’clock and closing in.

With ultra caution, I silently lowered the back window of the blind, but the buck moved away and into the thickets. As Bobby poked the camera that-a-way, I slipped my Kimber from the Galco holster and settled the barrel on the windowsill.

At about 60 yards, the buck began to walk out from the tangles and into a slight opening when I let out a rather seductive doe bleat, if I do say so myself, causing him to stop right where I wanted him.

The black front ramp site squared off with the rear site grooves, right behind the beautiful eight-point buck’s shoulder, and with a sight picture I had perfected a million times at the range, my trigger finger executF I S H

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ed its memorized squeeze, and pow!

My buck bucked and lurched, Bobby exclaimed “Perfect!”, and the mortally hit deer scrambled into the cactus, blackbrush, and mesquite jungle in an instant.

In the same instant, I placed my Kimber on my backpack, swung 180 degrees while snatching my rifle, Bobby naturally following my every move, and within two seconds the .270 barked and the 125-yard doe bit the dust.

Hallelujah and pass the garlic and butter, baby! Two in two! Wild!

Bobby and I giggled and did quite the dandy little jig in the blind, rejoicing what we lovingly refer to as the “predator ballet.” No words were exchanged as the shots unfolded.

We both knew instinctively and from many, many hours on stand together exactly what had to be done if a double were to be pulled off. And pull it off we did.

Did I mention “Hallelujah!”?

The buck had run only 40 yards and was piled up in the prickly pears. On our way to the doe, a cottontail stopped in the trail, and Kimber sent it flying, too. I suppose it qualified as a triple, but either way, I was one very happy hunter.

We recovered and tagged the critters, took many photos, loaded them up, and headed back to camp for a rejoiceful American deer hunter celebration, Texas style.

Growing up wandering the woods of Michigan many years ago, I just wanted to shoot a lot, get to be a real good shot, and hunt as much as I possibly could. Viola! The American Dream lives, and it lives on the 3P Ranch in Uvalde, Texas, Motor City Madman style.

E-mail Ted Nugent at tnugent@fishgame.com

On the Web For more Ted Nugent writings, visit www.tednugent.com

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Commentary

by Kendal Hemphill | TF&G Political Commentator

EVERAL YEARS AGO, MY WIFE AND I TOOK our three sons swimming at one of our favorite spots on the Llano River. The boys were playing in the shallow water, my wife was preparing hot dogs, and I was busy wetting a hook when my oldest son screamed.

This was a scream of pain, immediately discernable from a squeal of anger or delight.

I splashed to where the boys were and picked up the kid, and noticed a stream of blood running from his foot. He had stepped on a broken beer bottle, which was impossible to see in the slightly murky water.

Readers constantly send emails and letters to the TF&G staff about issues they believe are important and warrant addressing in the magazine. I get my fair share of these messages, and often research the subjects mentioned to determine whether they fall under my area of responsibility.

High-profile issues and those that are time-sensitive in terms of reader involvement and activism always get first priority when it comes to which subjects receive ink in the magazine. Other “less important” topics are put on the back burner and sometimes forgotten altogether.

A recent email from a reader named James Turner alerted me to the fact that I have been ignoring an issue that affects every Texan who enjoys the outdoors, no matter where in the state they live. This issue is not high profile or time sensitive, and is definitely not controversial, but it is something we all deal with and should be one of the main concerns of sportsmen everywhere.

The problem is trash. Mr. Turner’s email specifically addressed the beaches at Freeport and Quintana and the mouth of the Brazos River, but the problem, of course, is not confined to those places. Nearly every-

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Problems, of course, are a dime a dozen;

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Talking Trash

where we go in the outdoors, we see evidence of carelessness for our natural resources--and many of us do nothing about it.

Recreation areas with public access are often indistinguishable from trash dumps.

James River Crossing on the Llano River is a popular spot for day use because Ranch Road 2389 crosses an island in the river, making access to the state-owned island convenient. The area is one of the most heavily used on the river, and is consequently one of the dirtiest, primarily after holiday weekends.

Discarded cans, bottles, boxes, and wrappers of all kinds litter the island, especially near the shorelines. Fire pits are scattered throughout the area, and dirty diapers often plague the landscape. Broken chairs,

solutions come at a far higher price

umbrellas, tables and tents lie abandoned at times, and partially eaten food is left to rot and stink. No doubt you have seen the same mess at your favorite public access recreation areas.

Once a little trash is left in an area, more is sure to follow. It seems easier, I guess, to litter where someone has already gotten the ball rolling. If left unchecked, a favorite camping or fishing spot can be virtually ruined in a very short time.

Problems, of course, are a dime a dozen; solutions come at a far higher price. Mr. Turner suggested restricting access to hightraffic areas, allowing recreational use by permit only. This would help weed out those who care so little for the resource that they would ruin it for others, and provide much needed funds for patrols and clean-up efforts.

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While acknowledging the logic of Mr. Turner’s idea, I don’t think that’s the best answer. It would probably protect permitted areas from destruction, but would no doubt send those who litter somewhere else. The problem would not be solved so much as moved.

We also cannot expect the state to handle this problem on its own. Those who view issues with common sense and objectiveness realize, for instance, that they are responsible for their own safety, and cannot rely on the police to protect them from harm. The same rule applies here. Without citizen activism, our public outdoors will remain trashed.

Granted, many who enjoy these recreation areas do their best to help keep them clean. Groups are formed at high-traffic sites and volunteers donate their time and effort to pick up trash. If you are one of those, you know that this work is generally under appreciated, and that you are by far in the minority.

Most of us, sadly, wish the problem would go away, but fail to get involved. I regret that this might be partly because not enough is written about it, and that I am partly to blame. My son cut his foot several years ago on that broken beer bottle. James River Crossing on the Llano River has been a mess all my life, a yet this is the first time I can recall addressing it in print.

The great outdoors of Texas belongs to all of us. We all need to do our part to help keep it clean, and encourage others to do the same. We can complain, discuss, recuss, and dissimilate ‘til the cows come home, but until we roll up our sleeves and get to work, the trash is here to stay.

Someone coined the phrase, “Pack out more than you bring in.” If some of us started picking up trash other than our own and carrying it out with us, perhaps others would see and follow our example.

G A M E ®

E-mail Kendal Hemphill at commentary@fishgame.com

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MAIN PHOTO BY JLFCAPTURE

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by Chester Moore INSET PHOTO BY H. ROBERT

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I WAS BORN on the bayou... literally.

In 1973, I came into this world at Orange Memorial Hospital, which sits about 100 yards from Adams Bayou, a body of water about 300 yards from my home today.

I grew up learning most of what I know about fishing from the slow-moving, dingycolored waters of bayous, ranging from freshwater tributaries of our river systems to the salty sloughs feeding intou our bays. And if there is one thing I have learned, it is that fishing bayous is unlike any other kind of fishing.

There are numerous varieties of bayous,

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but there are two basic types most anglers are likely to encounter: inland bayous and coastal marsh bayous.

Inland bayous are the slow-moving, winding waterways most people think of when “bayou” is mentioned. Often lined with cypress trees draped with Spanish moss, these bayous typically drain upland areas into a river system. Species likely encountered in bayous include largemouth bass and other sunfishes, catfishes, gaspergou, alligator gar, and the ever-present grinnel (bowfin, choupique—a Cajun word derived from the Choctaw shupik, meaning “mudfish”; likewise, “bayou” derives from the Choctaw bayuk for “river”). Locating these fish can be daunting for anglers with little knowledge of bayous, which differ from rivers and reservoirs.

In inland bayous, water movement is crucial. Stagnant areas hold very few fishes, whereas locations with lots of water movement hold many. Look for drainages into the bayou, such as a man-made canal or the confluence with another bayou. Where you have water meeting water, you have more dissolved oxygen (crucial in summer months) and you have more baitfishes. Drainpipes put in place

by drainage districts are great, but not for the reason you might think. In a reservoir, it would be the cover and structure afforded by the pipe itself that attracts fish, but in this case, it is the water movement coming from it, even if just a trickle.

I fish Adams Bayou near my home all the time, mainly for bass, and quite often see people running right past the very best spots.

They tend to go for the scenic backwater areas, while some of the best fishing is in the main channel where the water is flowing best.

Most bayous have islands, which are great places to target predatory species like bass, grinnel, and flathead catfish. Bayou islands tend to have deeply eroded shorelines strewn with logjams and cypress knees, which are great fish-holding structure. The points of the islands are also strong areas, especially if they drop off quickly. Everything in a bayou is magnified because of the slow-moving nature of the water. If you have even a 5-foot dropoff at the tip of an island, you can be assured fish are on it.

Coastal bayous are quite a bit different, mainly because they are tidally driven and tend to have a bit faster-moving water.

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TACKLEBOX WALKABOUT

Soft Plastic Crab

GEAR

Float Bobber

Berkley Gulp Peeler Crab Fishing Tackle Unlimited Float Rig

www.berkley.com

www.fishingtackleunlimited.com

Berkley Power Pack Carolina Rig Kit Tracker Topper Johnboat

www.trackerboats.com

Johnboat

Whether you are fishing for flounder, redfish, or trout, the first thing to look for is an eddy or area of slack water. They form at the mouths of bayous and are often very pronounced, particularly on incoming tides.

Baitfishes moving into or out of a bayou seek refuge in the slack water and are easy prey for predators.

The second thing to look for is stands of roseau cane, which often grow around the mouths of bayous and along bay shorelines.

This is the tall cane duck hunters use for blinds, and it often signals a change in bottom structure, as it needs slightly harder bottom than marsh grasses to grow. On high tides, its intricate root system draws baitfishes, and when the tide starts to drop, predators—especially flounder—take advantage.

Moving into the bay, look for the first big “S” turn. This spot is usually the deepest spot in the coastal bayou, and like those inland areas, any drop-off will hold lots of fish. One coastal bayou I fish has a 19-foot deep hole in the first “S” turn in a system that averages about 8 feet deep, and it is a killer spot to fish.

Many of our coastal bayous have manmade canals and square lakes dug by pipeline companies and ranchers to make levees and PHOTOS COURTESY RESPECTIVE MANUFACTURERS

www.berkley.com

Carolina Rig

roadways, and at times, these spots can make for killer fishing. High tides and big south winds bring lots of fishes into these spots, as the fish are almost pushed in by the forces of nature. A good way to gauge if the fish are in these spots is the presence of alligators. If there are lots of gators, there are lots of fish; and although they might steal one from you from time to time, their indicating powers makes them a welcomed sight.

Unlike inland bayous that have lots of structure, coast bayous do not. So, when there is some kind of structure in the water, fish it. Bridges, pipe stands, old docks, boat wrecks, and other man-made habitats are fish magnets. We pay attention to things that stand out, and so do fish. That is why any kind of structure in these barren areas can be such hotspots.

Bayous are common in Texas, whether little more than ditches flowing through our largest cities, or wide tidal canals adjoining our bays. They all contain fish, and often lots of them.

Take that from someone who was born on the bayou and still lives there.

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PHOTO COMPOSITE: BACKGROUND PHOTO BY TOMASZ ZACHARIASZ; LURE PHOTO COURTESY BOMBER SALTWATER GRADE

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AS SUMMER SALTWATER ACTION SPEEDS UP, DON’T BE SO QUICK TO ABANDON YOUR SLOW GAME

BY CALIXTO GONZALES ALL WINTER LONG, you hear (or read), “Fish the Flying Wampus as slow as you can, then fish it even slower.” It’s sound advice, too. Regular cold fronts and chilly water temperatures put coastal game fishes into a serious case of the mulligrubs, and their cold-blooded bodies lack the energy to chase after a fast-moving bait or lure.

It is far more effective to crawl a plug or soft plastic along and let it slowly sink down the water column. Countless trout, redfish, and other species have fallen prey to the “donothing” drop of a Corky or Saltwater Assassin.

The warmer waters of late spring and early summer spell more active,

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aggressive fish. Piscine metabolisms speed up and appetites kick into overdrive. Schools of ravenous trout, herds of hungry redfish, and insatiable snook, mangrove snapper, flounder, and other predators make life miserable for every prey species they can chase down and crunch. It is a bad time to be a mullet, pogy, or shrimp.

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baits at up-tempos to trigger crashing strikes.

Countless happy fishermen and full ice chests attest to the effectiveness of the readyor-not-here-I-come style of angling in summer.

Now, if anglers would not abandon the slow sinkers, they would catch some of the fish they miss while zipping along.

That Sinking Feeling There is no denying that a straightforward, aggressive style of fishing lures is an effective warm weather tactic, but the slowand-steady approach to fishing still has its place, especially with larger fish.

“A big trout is a naturally lazy fish,” said Captain Eddie Curry of South Padre Island. “It doesn’t want to go around chas-

ing its meal. It’s gonna want something that it can eat with the least amount of effort.”

Economy-sized trout prefer to sit on the perimeter of potholes, weedlines, around bridges, and under docks waiting for hapless prey to wander literally within a few feet.

Then, with a swish of his palm-sized tail, Old Mustardmouth darts out, swallows lunch, and settles back into his haunt. This is not the habit of a fish willing to chase down a Cocahoe swimming along at Mach 2.

A slow-sinking bait, on the other hand, is just the ticket to draw a strike from these lurking predators. The slow drop of the Corky Fatboy, for example, presents a large target that even the most finicky big trout can’t pass up.

Seductive Slow Sinkers Berkley Saltwater PowerBait Eel

Berkley Saltwater PowerBait Mullet

Pre-rigged Berkley Saltwater PowerBait Shrimp

Bomber Saltwater Lifelike Shrimp

Pre-rigged YUM Fat Money Minnow

Classic DOA Shrimp PHOTOS COURTESY BERKLEY, BOMBER SALTWATER GRADE, YUM BRANDS, DOA LURES

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Slower baits allow—nay, force—fishing a spot more thoroughly before moving on. The same level of patience required in winter is also necessary in warm weather, and it can be just as effective.

Time for School Slow-sinking baits are excellent go-to baits when fishing schools under birds. They allow anglers to be a bit more selective about the fish they target, even when schoolies are tearing up bait under the birds.

“I use a big 1/2-ounce DOA Shrimp when I’m fishing the birds,” said longtime Corpus angler Gabriel Castro. “I don’t cast directly into the middle of the school, but around the edges where bigger trout sit near the bottom to finish off the bait the schoolies injure. I cast and let the big shrimp sink to the bottom. If it reaches the bottom, I hop it back up with a long sweep of my rod. That’s usually all it takes to get a bite.”

Shrimp imitators such as the DOA and the Bomber Lifelike Shrimp offer natural presentations when they slowly fall through the water. The do-nothing style also presents the image of a wounded or dead shrimp that the frenzied school trout have let slip by. The bigger trout that hang out below the school take what they believe is an easy meal, and the fight is on.

The technique is effective on any bay system along the Texas Coast from Sabine to South Padre. It is more effective in deeper bays, however, where fish tend to school over shell pads and deep water. Sabine Lake is an excellent example, where trout, redfish, and gafftopsail catfish school up under bait on the south end of the lake. Then the shrimp imitators or a shad tail on a 1/8ounce jighead work like a charm--even on the gafftops.

Swimbaits such as the YUM Money Minnow are also great choices in this application. The weighted hook rigged inside the bait body facilitates an even, vertical freefall.

At the same time, the body’s shape continues a wobble that mimics wounded bait, and the paddle tail gives off a subtle vibration that completes an illusion predators cannot ignore. The body shape is also an excellent imitation of a finger mullet.

Not Just for Trout or Reds Slow-sinking baits are powerful medicine for popular game fishes, but other “lesser” predators can be partial to slow-sinking lures, particularly ultra-aggressive species

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such as mangrove snapper.

“There are thousands of mangrove snapper that hang around the oil rigs in the summer,” said Captain Allen Salinas. “I’ll take a client out there and rig up with a weightless SPI Lures Tandem rig, cast it out by one of the rig legs, and let it sink slowly.

Those big mangroves race each other for the lures.”

Salinas said snook that hold along mangrove lines, the edges of jetties, and the Brownsville Ship Channel shoreline are also suckers for slow sinkers. Much like trout,

bigger snook are not interested in chasing down a fast bait. Salinas has seen snook follow a client’s fast-moving bait, only to turn away after a brief chase.

“If I see that, I switch over to a weightless Tandem. If the snook follows it again, I tell my client to stop his retrieve and let the tails fall right in front of the snook. They almost never pass that up.”

When that happens, things speed up...fast.

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Texas Saltwater

by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor

The Fish Story T HAD BEEN A VERY LONG NIGHT WITH VERY little sleep. My poor wife, Sandie, had been up and down until 3 a.m. with food poisoning from a questionable holiday ham, and I was dozing on the couch in front of the television. Around 8:15, my phone roused me with that loud, obnoxious ringing it makes only when you have slept poorly. I looked at the Caller ID: Roberto Cantu.

Had it been “Unknown,” I would have

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stuck the phone under a sofa cushion and gone back to sleep. Instead, I answered to find out what this Roberto Cantu wanted.

“Is this Calixto Gonzales?” an unfamiliar voice asked.

“It is,” I answered.

“Forgive me for asking, but are you the one who writes for Texas Fish & Game magazine?”

“I'm the saltwater editor, yes,” I said.

I was a little suspicious, because when a caller opens a phone call like that, usually I am about to get a story suggestion that I can't use, hear that I am a complete and total idiot who is contributing to the ruination of Texas saltwater fishing, or receive a business offer I can’t refuse.

“Mr. Gonzales, I'm Robert Cantu,” the man continued. “I hope that you'll excuse me

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for calling you at home on a Saturday morning, but I read your writing every month, and I get the feeling that you're a person I can share this with. May I tell you what happened to me yesterday?”

Mr. Cantu had decided to go fishing on a blustery Friday because he was suffering from a case of cabin fever. He couldn't find anyone to go with him, so he took off alone on his 16-foot Scooter.

“Alone?” I asked, remembering the north wind that had gusted to 25 the day before.

“I know it wasn't very smart, and my wife wasn't happy, but I needed to get out on the water,” he said, sounding as sheepish as I do when I pull such a stunt. “I was going crazy at home.”

He told me that he had followed one of my recommendations from the monthly

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Hotspots section of the magazine, and fished the spoil islands near Long Bar with a topwater lure.

“I hooked only one fish,” he said. “But let me tell you about that fish.”

He made three casts with a Bone-colored Super Spook, and on the third cast, a trout inhaled his lure. It didn't splash on the lure, “but sucked it in from underneath, the way only a big fish can.”

“I didn't see the fish for a long time,” Cantu continued. “But he pulled line off my reel four times in big spurts. [I didn't bother explaining that most big trout are females].

When I finally got him next to the boat, he was exactly as you described: a baseball bat in the water. He was the biggest trout I've ever seen.”

This is where I stopped being a journalist and became a fisherman. He had my attention.

“I was alone, so I was handling both the net and the fish. I tried scooping it once, and missed. Then it made a big shake, and the whole lure came flying at me, and the trout was gone.”

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With an almost breathless voice, I asked, “How big was the fish?”

“That's the thing,” Cantu said. “I'm a retired architect, so I'm pretty good at judging size. I had the lure for scale, so I had something to judge the fish by. Mr. Gonzales, I swear to you that trout was all of 36 inches long. I've never seen anything like it.”

Bud Rowland's TPWD-sanctioned record was reported a little over 35 inches, and allegedly weighed 15 pounds. All I could say was a slow, long, “Wow.” “After I lost him, I sat in my boat for about 20 minutes,” Cantu said. “My hands were shaking so bad that I couldn't make another cast. I finally packed it in and headed home.

“My problem is, I was alone on the boat, so I don't have any witnesses. I can't tell my wife, and I can't tell my compadres because they'll all think it's a fish story.”

I suddenly remembered the story about the man who hit a hole in one, but nobody witnessed it. It was the same predicament.

Whatever the circumstances, I believed him. Everyone should. We've all hooked a

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gorilla-sized fish, whether bass, trout, redfish, or bluegill, and lost it. We also know how frustrating it is to tell a friend or spouse (well, at least our friends, because spouses are usually unimpressed either way) and have them give us that look and say, “Feh! You didn't hook a big fish! It was probably a 14-incher that fell off when you were flipping it in.”

For that reason, I give Robert Cantu the benefit of the doubt. I've hooked a big fish like that, and so have you. We know that there are giant trout along the Texas Coast, and they get that big by being survivors. I don't question his story for a moment.

Mr. Cantu, you can tell your story to everyone, and if they start to laugh, tell them that I believe you. And if they want to know why, give them my number and tell them to call.

After all, you went through the trouble of looking me up.

E-mail Calixto Gonzales cgonzales@fishgame.com

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Texas Freshwater

by Matt Williams| TF&G Freshwater Editor

The ‘41Pound Hole’ OMEWHERE IN THE MOUTH OF VELE O Creek on Lake Falcon, there is a mysterious sweet spot cloaked in thick brush in 12 feet of fertile South Texas water. It is a magical place where piscatorial titans to shock the imagination patrol the depths like a roving wolf pack driven by an insatiable appetite for blood.

While there is nothing easy about finding the spot, getting bit there can at times be so easy that it hardly seems like a challenge.

Some bass anglers might refer to such a place as the Promised Land. Keith Combs fondly refers to it as the “41-Pound Hole.”

Combs is a personable bass pro from Del Rio who guides on lakes Falcon and Amistad when he is not on the road casting for cash. Through the years, he has made some valuable discoveries on both reservoirs.

Admittedly, none has rewarded him like the submerged roadbed he found during the pretournament practice leading up to the 2010 FLW Outdoors American Fishing Series Texas Division season opener on Falcon last January.

In three days, Combs checked in 15 bass that totaled nearly 88 pounds. Included in the mix was an enormous five-bass limit weighing 41 pounds, 1 ounce, that came in the tournament’s final round.

The monstrous sack not only propelled Combs from seventh place to second overall, it also garnered a spot in the record books as the heaviest single-day limit weighed in the organization’s 30-year history.

Amazingly, the 34-year-old pro mined all but six of his 15 fish from the big bass mecca he stumbled across sort of by mistake just two days before the tournament got underway. He used a Carolina-rigged Zoom Brush Hog (Watermelon) to do the damage.

“I was on pad running across a big, open

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flat adjacent to the Rio Grande River when I noticed this little bump on my depthfinder,” Combs recalled. “It wasn’t anything major, maybe a foot or so difference, but I immediately thought to myself, Hmm, that looked like a roadbed.”

Combs’ Humminbird 1197 side-imager confirmed his suspicions as it graphed a welldefined gravel road lined with bushes and trees in about 20 feet of water. He followed the road for about 50 yards before it climbed a main lake ridge in 12 feet of water and

Keith Combs at the FLW weigh-in. intersected with a second road that banked hard right --the “spot within a spot.”

“There was a submerged tree right there at that intersection and that’s where they were piled up,” Combs said. “I caught four big ones on consecutive casts in practice, so I knew the spot was loaded. The strike zone was about the width of two pickup trucks on either side of the tree. Once you felt the gravel rubble on the bottom, you could pretty much count on getting bit. It didn’t take long.”

It took Combs only seven casts to collect a 29-pound, 1-ounce, limit off the spot on Day 1. Though high winds made it impossible to hold in the open water the following day, the calm, clear conditions that moved in F I S H

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just ahead of Day 3 set the stage for the perfect storm.

Combs struck with the swiftness of a Brush Country diamondback, sacking up a limit weighing an estimated 35 pounds before the final round was an hour old. The biggest fish finning around in his livewell at the end of the day weighed slightly more than 10 pounds, the smallest nearly 8.

“It was a pretty incredible day, but that just shows you what can happen on Falcon when you stumble across the right spot,” Combs said. “That place was set up perfect. It had everything.

It was close to the river and it jumped up on top of a 12-foot ridge that was surrounded by 20 feet of water all sides. All of it came together at the junction of those two old farm roads.”

Interestingly, the sweet spot just kept getting sweeter time as time wore on. Combs said he and his customers corralled two more sacks up to 45 pounds and several giants up to 11 pounds on the roadbed during the following two weeks.

The guide is convinced most were pre-spawn fish that were using the road as a migratory route between deep and shallow water.

“I don’t know what it is about that spot, but all it seems to hold is big ones,” Combs said. “We caught 15 or 20 fish over 6 pounds off of it every time we fished it. The smallest thing we caught there was around 3 pounds, and I can probably count those on one hand.”

E-mail Matt Williams at freshwater@fishgame.com

PHOTO BY MATT WILLIAMS

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OST ANGLERS HAVE BOATS THAT WEIGH more than the fish they catch. Not T. J. Pilgrim. He routinely catches fish that weigh quite a bit more than his 60-pound kayak. Pilgrim and his circle of friends armed with only light tackle and plastic hulls paddle beyond the breakers in search of big sharks.

Beyond the breakers, known as BTB to the kayak crowd, is an area overlooked by the majority of offshore anglers. Light tackle enthusiasts target the first few troughs and bars of the beach zone, while deep-V hulls powered by hundreds of ponies race many miles offshore in search of red snapper, cobia, and amberjack. The shallow Gulf draws a virtual blank when it comes to fishing pressure, yet this broad swath of water holds plenty really big fish, and if you want to have your string stretched, you need only paddle a few hundred yards from the beach.

Pilgrim fishes the entire Texas coastline, but you normally find him fishing off the beaches near High Island between Galveston and Winnie. Pilgrim isn’t picky about what he catches—tarpon, jackfish, kingfish, bull reds, or drum—but he has a fondness for sharks, especially blacktip.

“Blacktip in the 5-foot range are the perfect size for kayak fishing,” Pilgrim said.

“They are like miniature marlin and will tail-

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walk across the surface. When they clear the water, it is a great sight.

“You can whip a blacktip in 15 or 20 minutes, while it will take you an hour to wear down a big bull shark. By the time the battle is over, the shark is so exhausted it will likely die and you are so tired you don’t want to fish any more. Neither one is good.”

Pilgrim uses stout tackle for sharks. He starts with a stiff 7-foot Ugly Stick and bolts on a wide frame casting reel spooled with 30pound-test line.

by Greg Berlocher “Having a long rod is very helpful,” Pilgrim said. “You want to be able to reach around the nose of your kayak when the shark decides to swim underneath. If you can’t get you rod tip around the bow, you will likely break your rod.”

Not to imply that is a big deal to Pilgrim’s kayak comrades: “I break about three rods a year,” he said. “This isn’t finesse fishing, and an expensive rod won’t give you a significant advantage.”

Pilgrim stressed safety as the No. 1 issue when fishing beyond the breakers: “Never, ever go by yourself. Too many bad things can happen offshore. We fish in a large group.

When one of us hooks up, we stop fishing in

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Psycho Surf-Fishing case that person might need help. On some weekends, there are 30 or 40 of us. We all carry radios and stay in contact with one another. Of course, we love to give each other grief if someone looses a fish.’

Pilgrim’s group thinks getting bait is half the fun.

“The first thing we do when we get to the beach in the morning is to catch some bait,” he said. “We might buy a stingray from a bait stand on the way, but we usually cast a net for mullet in the surf, or catch whiting on dead shrimp. Sharks really love finfish, so that is what we use most of the time.”

For terminal tackle, Pilgrim tags a 6- to 7-foot piece of 200-pound-test mono with a 2-foot wire leader. On the end of the wire, he twists on a size 12/0 Mustad circle hook.

“We use circle hooks because sharks remain hooked even if there is slack in the line,” he said. “The long length of mono is needed for several reasons. First, the fish’s tail will cut right through the 30-pound-test main line fairly easily. Second, the heavy mono leader can be hauled in hand-overhand when you land the fish. It won’t cut your hands like braid or light mono will.”

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In This Issue

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TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots | BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPER COAST • Temps, Action on the Rise |

BY CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON • COMPLEX • Temps to Tempt Trout |

BY CAPT. BRIAN TREADWAY

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA • Matagorda Offshore Awesomeness |

BY CHESTER MOORE

downwind: “We generally fish in 12 to 15 feet of water, and spinner and blacktip sharks tend to frequent the mid-depths of the water column. Suspending the bait fairly shallow minimizes the chances of a hookup with a bull shark, although they still occur. Plus, when you suspend the bait just under the sur-

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT • Bays Exit Abeyance |

BY CAPT. MAC GABLE

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NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers |

BY TF&G STAFF

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • Take a Shark Break |

BY CHESTER MOORE

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SPECIAL SECTION • Father’s Day Gift Guide |

BY TF&G STAFF

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SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times |

BY TF&G STAFF

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

HOW-TO SECTION

COVER STORY • Pscho Surf-Fishing |

BY GREG BERLOCHER

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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BOWHUNTING TECH • Outfoxing a Predator|

BY LOU MARULLO

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BAITS & RIGS • Shallow Drop Shotting |

BY PAUL BRADSHAW

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Ackley Reloaded|

BY STEVE LAMASCUS

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TEXAS TASTED • Mahi Mahi, Schrimp & Scallop Ceviche |

BY BRYAN SLAVEN

CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • C60 OUTDOOR Classifieds | TF&G S ALBUM • C62 PHOTO Your Action Photos | TF&G R BY

TAFF

BY

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TEXAS BOATING • The Great Compromise |

BY LENNY RUDOW TEXAS KAYAKING • Walkabout Angler Takes ShareLunker |

BY GREG BERLOCHER

GEARING UP SECTION

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TEXAS TESTED • Hevy Metal Jigs, Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging | BY TFG STAFF

face the blacktip is likely going to come out of the water when it is hooked.

“Big sharks can take you for a sleigh ride.

One of my friends hooked a large male spinner shark and the GPS unit on his kayak verified that it towed him over two miles.”

Pilgrim and friends rarely keep any of the

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www.FishGame.com sharks they catch, opting for catch and release. When a shark is ready to land, it will roll over on its side or hang vertically in the water. At that point, you pull in the leader, have a friend in a nearby kayak take a hero shot or two, and then cut the leader.

Usually there is a color change just beyond the surf zone where the water goes from sandy or muddy to green. Bait and sportfish will hang in the sandy water to hide, while sharks roam the clear water. Pilgrim usually finds plenty sharks in the first 200 yards of clear green water, keeping him relatively close to the beach.

Tarpon and jackfish often crash the party during the summer. “If it sounds like someone is throwing bowling balls at you, it is a school of big jackfish moving through,” Pilgrim said with a chuckle.

If you head “offshore” this summer, make sure you go with several friends, take extra tackle, pliers, a knife and a lot of water. It is easy to get dehydrated fighting big fish. Wear sunscreen and long sleeves to avoid sunburn.

If you have dreamed of catching a really big fish, point the bow of your kayak beyond the breakers and venture into the shallow Gulf. If successful, you can honestly say that you caught a fish bigger than your boat.

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Trout Take Chicken on a Chain LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South end of Lake GPS: N29 47.221, W93 55.919 SPECIES: speckled trout

BY TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin Chicken on a Chain Sea Shad in Glow/green tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: It all depends on the salinity and where the shrimp are migrating. Follow the bids.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Jetties GPS: N29 40.371, W93 50.250 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Gulp! early in May on a 3/8-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Use the trolling motor to move along the rock face, throwing the bait up on the rocks. Let if fall down along the rocks, working it as it falls.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93 90.111 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins in Wild Firetiger and Morning Glory with green tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Wade-fish this area along about the middle of May if the conditions are C4 |

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area produces some nice fish in May. right. Look for a flat surf.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93.90.111 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Gulp! early in May in Molten Shrimp color on a 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Look for a flat surf. May can be good, but it just depends on the weather and water conditions.

LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93.90.111 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Gulp! and bass Assassins CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Try wade-fishing this area along about the middle of May. BANK ACCESS: Wade-fishing in area south of Sabine Pass. Take Dowling Road out of Sabine Pass and turn on First Ave and go all the way, crossing Texas Bayou, to the end. The road runs right up to it; cross the riprap to get on the beach.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Keith Lake fish pass GPS: N29 46.150, W93 57.002 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: shrimp fished on the bottom, Carolina rigged CONTACT: Jerry Mambretti, TPWD biologist, 409-983-1104 TIPS: Vary the size of weight to the strength of current in the pass.

BANK ACCESS: On Hwy. 87, there is access to the channel side of the pass. This F I S H

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LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Keith Lake fish pass GPS: N29 46.150, W93 57.002 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: shrimp fished on the bottom, Carolina rigged CONTACT: Jerry Mambretti, TPWD biologist, 409-983-1104 TIPS: Vary the size of weight to the strength of current in the pass.

BANK ACCESS: On Hwy. 87, there is access to the channel side of the pass. This area produces some nice fish in May LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Texas Bayou GPS: N29.72.879, W93 88.906 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: shrimp fished on the bottom, Carolina rigged CONTACT: Jerry Mambretti, TPWD biologist, 409-983-1104 TIPS: Slowly fish the shrimp along the bottom.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Behind Stewts Island GPS: N29 57.899, W93 50.900 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Gulp!, particularly in turbid waters CONTACT: Jerry Mambretti, TPWD biologist, 409-983-1104 TIPS: Wade-fish the area.

LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Ship Channel GPS: N29 70.277, W93.90.111 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastics in Limetreuse or yellow on a 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409-6739211 TIPS: If the Sabine and Neches Rivers are still flowing hard as they do during the winter, the fish are going to be on the lower

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quarter of the lake. By May, the fish should be moving down the ship channel toward the jetties.

450-4037 TIPS: By the end of May, start checking for bait action in the surf.

Black Magic Trout

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Smith Point GPS: N29 31.465, W94 46.372 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastic in Limetreuse, Pumpkin Seed, Cajun Pepper on a 1/4ounce lead jighead CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: Key on shell bottom along the north shoreline

LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N28 29.887, W96 14.202 SPECIES: speckled trout

by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: topwaters; Black Magic Norton Sand Eels in Pumpkin Seed or Chicken on a Chain colors on a 1/8-ounce leadhead jig CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: This is the time of the year to get on the grass beds early in the morning and wade-fish. Start off the day throwing topwater baits and as the day progresses switch over to soft plastics working the drops off from the sand bars.

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Mad Island Reef GPS: N28 36.952, W96 05.504 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters early then switch to a sub-surface lures like a Corky or a Catch 2000. Later in the morning switch to leadhead soft plastic baits such as Norton Sand Eels in the darker colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: If you can catch the wind calm enough, wade-fish some of the mid-bay reefs. Look for the bait action.

LOCATION: Matagorda Beachfront HOTSPOT: Surf GPS: N28 43.213, W95 41.828 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early; Corky, Catch 2000, leadhead soft plastics in darker colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281C6 |

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LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Quarantine Island GPS: N27 55.006, W97 04.070 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: free-lined live croaker on the bottom CONTACT: Capt. George Rose, 361-4637700 TIPS: After a not-so-good last year, TPWD biologists are predicting good speckled trout fishing year in the Aransas area.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Whitehead Reef GPS: N29 31.412, W94 42.892 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastic in Limetreuse, Pumpkin Seed, Cajun Pepper on a 1/4ounce lead jighead CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: Key on mullet action.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Richard’s Reef GPS: N29 31.429, W94 45.323 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastic in Limetreuse, Pumpkin Seed, Cajun Pepper on a 1/4ounce lead jighead CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: If you are throwing topwaters, downsize your baits.

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HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 57.058, W97 05.331 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live and cut finger mullet CONTACT: Capt. George Rose, 361-4637700 TIPS: Fish the sand holes.

LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Dagger Flats GPS: N27 50.742, W97 09.068 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live and cut finger mullet on a No. 4 or 5 Kahle hook CONTACT: Capt. George Rose, 361-4637700 TIPS: Fish the sand holes LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Siever’s Cut GPS: N29 25.994, W94 42.834 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: She Pup or Super Spook in chartreuse, black, or Bone CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: Outgoing tide is the best time to target speckled trout as the fish wait to ambush food being washed out of marsh drains.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: East Kleberg Point GPS: N27 16.526, W97 30.973 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, topwaters early, soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Limetruese CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout are still working around the point before settling into summer patterns.

A topwater in the shallows is a good choice for early in the morning. Back off into deeper water as the day wears on, and either work soft plastics over the bottom, or live shrimp under a popping cork. Once you find trout, stick to the area you are on, as they will hold in good numbers.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay

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HOTSPOT: Alazan Bay GPS: N27 18.467, W97 31.030 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait; eel-type plastics in Glow/chartreuse, Pearl/chartreuse, Plum/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish over and among the rocks to find trout holding near the structure. Live bait free-lined among the rocks works well, as will suspending and countdown plugs worked slowly. You can also fish deeper in the water column with soft plastics such as a Saltwater Assassin.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: JFK Causeway GPS: N27 38.052, W97 14.773 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, topwaters, soft plastics in Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Glow/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: The JFK Causeway is very popular during the month of May. The fishing really begins to pick up around the pilings and along the flats. Anyone fishing with live bait under a popping cork, or free-lined with the current past the pilings will find all the trout and reds they can handle. Topwaters fished over the flats early, or soft plastics worked either shallow or in the deeper water work, too.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Bird Island GPS: N27 23.083, W97 21.351 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait; soft Plastics in Limetreuse, red/white CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Drift with the wind, and work methodically. Use live shrimp or pinfish if using bait. Or, use soft plastics on a 1/8ounce jighead are always effective. Look for grasslines and bottom contours and fish perpendicular to them.

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Speck Shrimp Fest LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: The Y GPS: N26 3.061, W97 12.542 SPECIES: speckled trout

by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: large live shrimp or mullet, SPI Tandems and other soft plastics in Pearl, Smoke CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Fish the drop-offs along the points opposite both sides of the islands for big speckled trout. A large live shrimp or shrimp imitator under a popping cork can be lethal. Soft plastic jerkbaits sink slowly through the water column and present easy targets for lazy yellowmouths.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Brownsville Ship Channel GPS: N26 2.124, W97 13.108 SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: live shrimp, live finger mullet, SPI Tandems and other soft plastics in Pearl, Glow CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: If you are particularly bold, try night-fishing during the full moon. Beg snook patrol the drop-offs and near dock pilings and are suckers for a free-lined shrimp or live mullet. Again, slow-sinking jerkbaits are good choices.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats GPS: N26 03.603, W97 11.771 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: topwaters, gold spoons, cut ballyhoo or mullet, live shrimp or piggy perch under a popping cork CONTACT: Jimmy Martinez, 956-5519581 TIPS: Fish the flats between the sand bar parallel to the Brazos Santiago channel (which leads into the Brownsville Ship F I S H

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Channel) and the Old Causeway during an incoming or high tide. Topwaters near the shore are effective early, as are gold spoons, which both trout and redfish love.

The choice live bait would be a pinfish or live shrimp under a cork, but these fish aren’t proud. They will eat cut-ballyhoo on a 3/0 circle or Kahle hook, too. Cast in the direction of your drift and slowly reel in the slack.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Long Bar GPS: N26 8.349, W97 14.194 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Mauler/shrimp tail, Gulp!

Shirmp in New Penny, chartreuse patterns CONTACT: Captain Eddie Curry, 956943-8301 TIPS: You can drift or wade over the top of the bar during a Spring Tide for speckled trout. Use light weights (1/16-ounce) if fishing under a float, or try a circle hook through the nose of a shrimp tail and twitched slowly along just over the bottom.

This is finesse style fishing, but it can produce some big May trout.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: South Spoils GPS: N26 12.164, W97 15.957 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: topwaters, fresh finger mullet, or soft plastics CONTACT: Captain Mike Knox, 956243-0039 TIPS: Best time to fish are when tides are moving and find the bait fish. Early in the morning work topwater plugs across the tops and along the edges of the old spoils dumps. As the sun gets higher the fish will move deeper, switch to soft plastics and work slowly across the bottom in three to four foot of water.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: The Pasture GPS: N26 06.00, W97 11.10 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters, soft plastics, or live bait CONTACT: Captain Mike Knox, 956243-0039

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TIPS: Ideal time to fish this area is on a strong incoming tide mixed with margarita green colored water. Work large topwaters slowly through sand holes in 3 feet of water. Walk the dog as slowly as possible.

When you think it’s too slow, go slower and get ready. Nice speckled trout over 25 inches will be waiting to feed. If topwaters aren’t producing switch to large soft plastics in lighter colors.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: The Killing Fields GPS: N26 5.217, W97 9.930 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: gold spoons, cut ballyhoo or mullet, live shrimp or piggy perch under a popping cork CONTACT: Jimmy Martinez, 956-5519581 TIPS: You can see redfish tailing near the boat channel near the condos. Put a live bait or piece of cut bait in their path and hand on tight. These redfish are hungry after a lean winter, and nothing is safe.

Fish the edges of the channel with a gold spoon early in the morning. Kayakers can fish this area effectively.

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: South Cullen Bay GPS: N26 13.421, W97 16.773 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters, Gulp! Shrimp in Nuclear Chicken, Pearl CONTACT: Captain Eddie Curry, 956943-8301 TIPS: A topwater like the Super Spook, Jr. is a good choice to use early in the morning near the shoreline. As the sun gets higher, then fish the flats with a Gulp!

Shirmp under a popping cork or weightless. If you fish the latter, crawl it through the grass and hop it through potholes.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.282, W97 17.702 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: large topwaters early, DOA Tandems in Salt/Pepper, clear/red flake, gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Redfish will be patrolling the area in herds of 3-5 fish. Noisy topwaters in Bone, Bone/Diamond are effective, espe-

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cially those with high-ptiched rattles such as the He-Dog or Skitterwalk. Soft plastics on a 1/8- 1/4-ounce jighead or 1/2 ounce gold, weedless spoons are also effective.

Swim either one around the edges of the holes.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: The Saucer GPS: N26 26.782 W97 22.757 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early, plasitics in Bone/clear, Bone/Diamond, Salt and Pepper CONTACT: Captain Steve Devries, 956289-3631 TIPS: Speckled trout will push bait up against the weedlines and feed heavily.

Thus, the action really picks up in May. A topwater modified with single hooks to cut down on fouling and damaging fish can be worked early in the morning. Fish soft plastic shad tails such on 1/8th ounce heads later in the morning. If you locate fish, ease an anchor over the side and focus on the area. A Power Pole comes in handy.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Fred Stone Park (bank access) GPS: 34.329, W97 25.642 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, soft plastics in Glow patterns CONTACT: Harbor Bait and Tackle, 956994-2367 TIPS: Repairs should be complete to the pier, which is a boon to shorebound anglers. The lights will draw springtime trout in large numbers. Most will be schoolies, but there are some big fish lurking in the shadows around the lights. Fish live bait for numbers, soft plastics in Glow patterns around the edges for the big ones.

Weeknights are easier to fish than weekends because of the crowds.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Community Bar GPS: N26 34.669, W97 25.124 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters; soft plastics in red/white CONTACT: Captain Steve Devries, 956289-3631 TIPS: Fish will be all over the bar and the dropoff during May. Your favorite soft plastic in red/white is a real killer. Topwa-

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ter are great near the shoreline or up on the bar. Wading is a popular practice, as is kayaking. Wear bright colors so boaters can spot you. Sometimes they need a little help paying attention.

Carolina rig, use a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce TruTungsten weight on 30- to 50-pound Mean Green braided line with a black swivel and 6mm Force beads. The Kicker Kraw’s larger size moves more water.

Drop-Shot Bass

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Carl White Hump GPS: N32 15.02, W96 11.22.92 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: drop-shot and Carolinarigged Kicker Kraw or other soft plastic creature lures CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 817-9290675 TIPS: Keep your boat in 12-14 feet of water close to drop-offs and ledges. Cast to the ledges and drop-offs and let your bait lay motionless for 15 seconds before moving it. Use a 12- to 14-inch leader on a drop-shot with 1/4-ounce weight. On a Carolina rig, use a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce TruTungsten weight on 30-50-pound Mean Green braided line with a black swivel and 6mm Force beads. The Kicker Kraw’s larger size moves more water.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N31 58.817, W96 7 57.871 SPECIES: largemouth bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: drop-shot and Carolinarigged Kicker Kraw or other soft plastic creature lures CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 817-9290675 TIPS: Keep your boat in 12-14 feet of water close to drop-offs and ledges. Cast to the ledges and drop-offs and let your bait lay motionless for 15 seconds before moving it. Use a 12- to 14-inch leader on a drop-shot with 1/4-ounce weight. On a

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Cobb Bay

GPS: N32 05.00, W95 27.30 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Shad-colored Bomber BD7, Carolina-rigged lizards CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299 TIPS: Look for post-spawn bass bunching up in the creeks that swing in close to points. Saline Bay also is a good place to try. You also may encounter crappie on brush piles and white bass on main-lake points early and late.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Big Creek Marina tires GPS: N30 17.10, W96 34.340 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for spawning crappie near structure. Tie up to the tires outside the marina and fish where the water comes up shallow. The tires offer good spawning areas for crappie.

LOCATION: Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Outlet Point GPS: N31 34.267, W96 56.913 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: buzzbaits, spinnerbaits CONTACT: Jimmy D. Moore, rayado@earthlink.net, 254-744-2104, bigtroutman.tripod.com TIPS: Slowly drag spinnerbaits and buzzbaits across grass in and out of open pockets.

BANK ACCESS: Old boat ramp by South Levee, catfish at night with stinkbait, chicken livers. Go just past the end of the road/levee, turn left and park in the old park at the top of the hill.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Yegua Park shoreline GPS: N30 17.760, W96 32.781 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad or stinkbait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103,

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Fish-TalesGuideService.com TIPS: Look for spawning fish in 3-6 feet of water. Anchor away from the shore and target structure and algae growth. Use a No. 1 Kahle hook with shad or a No. 4 treble hook with stinkbait. Occasionally move up or down the shoreline to cover more areas where the fish are nesting.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Winkler Creek GPS: N31 57.307, W96 13.069 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: small minnows, jigs under slip corks CONTACT: Royce Simmons, royce@gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS: This is at the end of the crappie spawn. Fish the shallow water on the far southeast area of the lake and from the bank in the coves around Fisherman’s Point Marina.

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Employee Dock area GPS: N30 37.611, W96 04.591 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, crawfish, punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, wel-

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don_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor in the cove next to the rock dam and fish the lily pads left of the cove for post-spawn catfish feeding there.

Also, fish 10 feet off the water line on the rocks using a cork. Shad and small crawfish likely will produce larger fish. Yellow and blue cats also spawn in this area.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N31 58 718, W96 06 878 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Trap, 1-ounce silver slab CONTACT: Royce Simmons, royce@gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS: Look for the feeding gulls over 2030 feet of water to help locate the baitfish that the white bass are feeding on.

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Lake HOTSPOT: crappie Hole.

GPS: N30 36.711, W96 04.001 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows, black/chartreuse jigs CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, wel-

don_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for anything to tie onto in this area. Brush piles are numerous from the shoreline out to about 30 feet from the bank. The rocks near the shoreline also may hold crappie. Use a sonar unit to locate structure or fish close to the trees.

Start at the bottom and work up the water column to find the bite. Crappie may bite one hour and not the next so be patient or move to fish various depths.

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Point GPS: N31 54.672, W97 20.873 SPECIES: Striped bass BEST BAIT: live gizzard shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: Anchor just off the hump and fish a Carolina-rig with 2-ounce weight and No. 2 circle hook on a gizzard shad. Make long casts onto the hump and lock in the reel. When a striper picks up the shad let it run and use a sweeping hook set. Also, drop two lines straight down in 26 feet of water with the same rig and reel three to four turns off the bottom. Stripers are coming off the top of the hump and in deeper water off its sides.

BANK ACCESS: Lake Whitney State Park LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Snake Island GPS: N31 55.215, W97 12.891 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Little George, chrome and blue Rat-L-Trap CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: White bass should be chasing schools of shad along the edge of the island. Make long casts and work the bait back to you. Use binoculars and glass the lake for birds working above occasional schools of white bass chasing shad to the surface.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: North End and Washita Point

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GPS: North End: N 33 52.072, W96 41.672; Washita Point: N33 55.395 W96 35.400 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad jigs, topwater lures, live shad CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: This is most anglers’ favorite month of the year because the fish have finished spawning and are traveling in large schools gorging on shad. Cast Pencil Poppers or Chug Bugs on the shallow banks early and then switch to white glow oneounce Sassy Shad jigs or live shad on main lake ledges down to 30 feet. Drift or anchor when using live shad. Limits of stripers are common.

BANK ACCESS: Platter Flats, Washita Point LOCATION: Fayette County Lake HOTSPOT: Park Cove GPS: N29 56.541, W96 44.962 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: stinkbait, worms, shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The fish will be shallow after the spawn. Anchor or tie up to the timber and chum close to the timber. Use a slip cork to avoid hanging up. The fish should show up within 30 minutes after the area has been chummed. If you don’t get bites, move to the next timber.

LOCATION: Lake Waco HOTSPOT: North Bosque River GPS: N31 30.366, W97 17.414 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shrimp, bloodbait, stinkbait, Punch Bait CONTACT: Jimmy D. Moore, 254-7442104, rayado@earthlink.net, 254-7442104, bigtroutman.tripod.com TIPS: Catfishing is best from April through early summer with the North and South Bosque Rivers favored by trotliners.

Hog Creek and the Middle Bosque are also good. Drift-fishing over main lake points like the point at Twin Bridges and its submerged structure and the flats near Speegleville and other bays next to creek channels that run through them also are good. These are the areas where most rod

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and reel anglers go for cats. Shrimp, bloodbait, and stinkbait work well for channel cats, while blues and flatheads prefer live shad or fresh cut bait or punch bait. Cumming is a good idea, too.

BANK ACCESS: Reynolds Creek Park has a public fishing area on the shoreline south of the new boat ramp and is good for largemouth bass, crappie, white bass.

LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow HOTSPOT: Big Island, east side GPS: N31 01.258, W97 34.795 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: blue and silver Rat-L-Trap CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, holdingthelineguideservice.com TIPS: The best time to catch bass in this clear, shallow water is 30 minutes prior to sunrise through two hours after sunrise.

Watch for feeding shad and fish the areas thoroughly.

Stripers on Broadway LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Lake HOTSPOT: Broadway (between mouths of Cedar and Caddo Creeks) SPECIES: striped bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: live shad, jigs, Slabs, deepdiving crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Look for suspended stripers 24 feet down in 50 feet-plus of water on points, humps, and edge of the river channel. This also is a good time for down-rigging 1-ounce bucktail jigs with 6-inch white, yellow, or chartreuse trailers. My favorite area is the south end of Broadway at Tabletop, a flat underwater area of limestone the size of three football fields that is about 30-36 feet down close to 50-65 feet of water. Stripers often chase schools of shad on top of Tabletop.

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LOCATION: Lakes Graham-Eddleman HOTSPOT: Lake Graham Lower End Humps SPECIES: white bass and hybrid stripers BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Trap type lures, topwater lures CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Check the action at the hot-water outlet on Lake Eddleman, then go through the canal connecting the two lakes and fish the humps on the lower end of Lake Graham with live shad off the bottom and swimming lures. Keep a topwater lure handy for sporadic schools of surfacing fish.

LOCATION: Lake Palo Pinto HOTSPOT: Major feeder creeks with incoming water SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Road Runners, Sassy Shads CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Check the hot-water outlet first for concentrated schools of fish during periods of runoffs. Then go to the upper ends of the creeks to runoff areas and bump the lures off the bottom downstream to locate where the fish are stacked up, paying attention to the speed of your retrieve that is catching the most fish.

Go Vertical for Crappie LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Brush Piles GPS: Entire Lake SPECIES: crappie

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: chartreuse jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmail.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com TIPS: Fish jigs vertically over brush in 412 feet of water. Lower the jig until it makes contact with the brush and raise it slightly. Hold the jig still and wait for the bite. If you don’t get action in a few secG A M E ®

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onds, move around until you get hit. For murky water, use a 1/16-ounce jig. For clear water, use a 1/32-ounce jig.

BANK ACCESS: Wilson Fox Park dock LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Elm Cove GPS: N29 34.515, W98.557 SPECIES: Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: shad patterned Pop R, Zara Puppy, and 1/4-ounce buzzbait; Shad and chartreuse 4- to 5-inch jerkbait, fluke, and 1/4-ounce Rat-L-Trap, Watermelon, cotton candy and pumpkin Shaky Heads, dropshot-rigged finesse worms CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Most post-spawn bass are feeding aggressively around main lake points and flats. Look for schools of bass in 8-10 feet of water. Top-water action should be good all day. If the topwater action slows switch to a jerkbait, fluke, or Rat-L-Trap. If a high-pressure system slows the bite, fish slow with a Shaky Head or drop-shot rig.

BANK ACCESS: Reds Cove for catfish on shad sides and cheese bait LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Morgan Creek GPS: N30 49.583, W98 21.303 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white buzzbaits, white and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, brown/red topwater frogs, Watermelon/pearl flukes, 1/2-ounce Texas Craw or black/blue jigs with matching trailers; Junebug Texas-, Carolina-, or wacky-rigged plastic worms CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Focus on points, small pockets, and ledges around spawning areas in creeks where bass are feeding on bluegill, baby bass, and shad. Target docks and vegetation. Cover area quickly with buzzbaits, frogs, flukes, or spinnerbaits until the bite fades and then fish slow with jigs or worms for less active fish.

BANK ACCESS: Burnett County Park for catfish on stinkbait and cut shad

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LOCATION: Lake Dunlap HOTSPOT: Middle to lower lake GPS: N29 40.399, W98 04.021 SPECIES: Bluegill BEST BAITS: worms and crickets CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: This is a great time to put kids into lots of action. Look for banks with a flatter contour than others as well as small pockets. Overhanging trees will cluster the bluegills waiting for insects to fall into the water. Fish worms or crickets under a slip cork with small split shot that will keep the bait just above or at the bottom. Expect lots of strikes when the bait is on the fall.

BANK ACCESS: I-35 bridge public launch ramp and park.

LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Cypress Creek GPS: N30 25.241, W97 53.480 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Chrome Pop-R and Zara Spook, white spinnerbait, shad-colored jerkbait and fluke; Watermelon Texas, Carolina, or drop-shot soft plastic CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Post-spawn bass should be schooled up over points and ledges along channels in 5 to 15 feet of water. Some bass will be suspended at those depths in 70-100 feet of water. Start with topwater lures. If the action is slow, fish a jerkbait or fluke at the same depths and follow up with the soft plastics to catch less-active and deeper fish holding tight to the bottom.

BANK ACCESS: Pace Bend for crappie on minnows and white crappie jigs LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Horseshoe Bay GPS: N30 33.401, W98 21.345 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows and white crappie jigs CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Look for brush piles in 10-15 feet

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of water in front of docks in areas with deeper water and on points. Crappie should be suspended over the brush. Work the baits just above the brush for the most bites.

BANK ACCESS: Flying K for bass on spinnerbaits and soft plastics LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Turkey Creek GPS: N29 51.406, W98 13.081 SPECIES: smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: Smoke-red flake, Watermelon, Pumpkin, and silver tubes, grubs, and worms on 1/8- or 1/4-ounce leadhead jigs CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Smallmouth bass should be moving along the creek and river channel ledges in 10 feet of water feeding on baby bass, bluegill, and shad. Fish at a 45degree angle to the ledges allowing the bait to fall to the bottom. Allow the bait to drag the bottom on the retrieve, periodically hopping the bait to draw a reaction bite.

BANK ACCESS: Cranes Mill for crappie on minnows and white jigs

Hit the Points LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 43.34, W95 59.51 SPECIES: hybrid striped bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAIT: live shad, Storm Swim Shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, admin@fishdudetx.com, 936-291-1277, fishdudetx.com TIPS: The fish will be feeding on shad all around the lake on main-lake points.

Use sonar unit to locate schools of shad in 20-30 feet of water and fish the depth where you find the most shad. Live shad will work best but the Swim Shad will work, too, if you can control the depth.

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BANK ACCESS: Stowaway Marina LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: The Pocket off the river chan-

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nel GPS: N30 55.662, W95 15.054 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas-rigged Watermelon Seed and Junebug creature baits, Texasrigged Junebug, black and chartreuse lizards, shad-patterned and Firetiger medium-diving crankbaits CONTACT: David S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Fish soft plastics around boathouses, keying on brush piles and laydowns.

Fish crankbaits off rocky points.

BANK ACCESS: Highway 19 bridge at Riverside and Carolina Cove Marina

BEST BAITS: Shad and Perch-colored medium-diving crankbaits, 10-inch Red Shad and Plum plastic worms CONTACT: Robert’s Fish N’Tackle, robert@robertsfishntackle.com, 956-7651442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: The bass are getting super active with the shad and tilapia spawn. They will be shallow early and then move out to 1215 feet of water. Drag big worms or throw medium-size crankbaits around flooded brush using 20-pound fluorocarbon line and medium-heavy rod. Once you hook a fish, keep it close to the surface above the brush.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Bayou Seipe main & secondary points GPS: N31 43.865, W93 49.351 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: Bass are in transition heading to deep water. Work the shallow flats early and late close to deep water and points with buzzbaits, stickbaits, or swimming frogs, spinnerbaits, surface lures, shallowdiving crankbaits and soft plastics until the sun is overhead then go to deeper water and fish the bends of the creeks with crankbaits and Texas or Carolina-rigged soft plastics. At end of month as water continues to warm fish the main lake points, river channel ledges, ridges and humps targeting structure and cover holding baitfish. Keep a shallow-diving crankbait, lipless crankbait, and topwater plug handy for schooling activity, which will increase as the water warms.

LOCATION: Choke Canyon HOTSPOT: North Shore GPS: N28 27.589, W98 15.519 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater frogs; buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatter Baits, shallow-diving, square-billed crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, swimming flukes and wacky-rigged Senkos CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Bass are shallow and feeding heavily on bluegill and other baitfish, roaming open water as well as positioning themselves in the grass and brush. This can create an awesome topwater frog bite. Have several rods rigged with various baits to match the cover you are fishing. Ripping crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps in the grass or brush can create a great reaction bite.

BANK ACCESS: South Shore State Park for catfish on shrimp and cut bait

Brush Up for Bass LOCATION: Falcon Reservoir HOTSPOT: School bus cove, Arroyo Leon GPS: N26 48.067, W99 14.128 SPECIES: largemouth bass

with cut bait or shrimp for big cats. Also, look for nesting cormorants in back of Veleno Creek in trees at 8 to 10 feet and fish straight down with Danny King’s and Sure Shot punch baits under slip corks.

LOCATION: Falcon Reservoir HOTSPOT: Marker No. 11 on main river channel GPS: N26 50.02, W99 16.115 SPECIES: channel catfish, yellow catfish BEST BAITS: cut shad, shrimp, cut tilapia CONTACT: Robert’s Fish N’ Tackle, robert@robertsfishntackle.com, 956-7651442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: Big cats are moving close to creek channels off the river. Anchor near the marker in 40 feet of water close to the point at the mouth of Veleno Creek or drift

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Temps, Action on the Rise ABINE LAKE, LIKE EVERY MAJOR BAY SYSTEM along the Texas coast, should welcome the month of May with open arms.

Anglers will reap the benefits of the ever-increasing water temperatures and stable weather conditions that early summer brings with it.

With the wind finally starting to settle somewhat, and the mercury climbing higher into the 80s, the fishing just keeps getting better. Being able to plan a trip knowing the conditions should be favorable is enough to get anyone excited. The fact that everything is biting is icing on the cake.

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The jetty bite always seems to catapult to a different level during this month. As if someone flips a switch, it goes from fairly consistent to phenomenal almost overnight. Bring your entire arsenal of baits because the fish will seek and destroy everything from soft plastics to topwaters.If the real thing is your tactic of choice, simply anchor off on a rock pile or washout. Chunk a Carolina rig or popping cork with about 3 feet of leader toward the rocks. A 3/0 Kahle hook should be perfect for this setup. Chances are you won’t have time to set your rod down, but if you do, make sure that it’s secure in a rod holder. Don’t be one of the many people that have lost expensive rods and reels to these cold-blooded thieves.

Anglers who choose hard or soft imitations should do well by trolling down the wall. Cast as close as you can to the rocks and work your lure all the way back to the boat. Vary your retrieve until you determine whether the fish are deep, suspended or near the surface.

Don’t forget: if you fish anywhere on the east jetty, including the channel, you need a Louisiana fishing license.

The action should be equally as good in the lake.

The rocks on the north revetment of Pleasure Island is a good place to start. Throwing topwaters early on calm mornings can result in some serious action. Incoming tides should be your best bet, but as long as you have moving water, you should be in business. A 3-inch Gulp! Shrimp rigged under a popping cork can be a deadly combination for specks and reds. Bone or pink SkitterWalks are tough to beat as topwater choices, and new penny and white are the best colors for Gulp! shrimp.

Another proven area for trout and reds as well as some bonus flounder is the shoreline from East Pass all the way to Willow Bayou.

Soft plastics rigged with 1/8- or 1/4-ounce leadheads (as well as topwaters, and plastics under a cork) will get the job done. Again, a moving tide will work in your favor. Glow and Glow/chartreuse soft plastics are hard to beat if the water is clear. If it’s murky, darker colors like Morning Glory and Red Shad will get better results. Good topwater colors are black with a chartreuse head, and Bone.

If you want to get serious about flounder, then key on the mouths of the bayous and cuts on the Louisiana shoreline. Work over these areas thoroughly as you slowly work your way down the bank. The stretch from Willow Bayou to Garrison’s Ridge is prime real estate for flounder in May. Mud minnows or white curl-tail grubs tipped with fresh shrimp should be all you need for a good excuse to light the broiler.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Old Coast Guard Station (Sabine Pass) SPECIES: Flounder, Reds, Croaker BAITS: Live mud minnows, Fresh Dead Shrimp BEST TIMES: Moving tides

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AY IS A MONTH THAT GETS EVERY FISHerman fired up. The water temperatures have hit their magic number of 70 degrees on a consistent basis, and the fish are hungry. The West Bay of Galveston will have its fair share of fisherman looking to fill stringers, but before you hit the bay, pay attention to the surf.

With any semi-flat days, you need to hit the beachfront. I expect this year to be an epic year for surf-fishing, especially if you like speckled trout. With the 2009 drought and then an extra-wet 2010 spring, the trout have been pushed to seek the right salinity of water. Picking a surf-fishing spot is key, and any kind of structure in the surf will draw bait, and with bait, you will have predators.

Throw MirrOlures, gold spoons, and go-to live shrimp, but if you want to really drive them nuts, try a Rat-L-Trap. I like the red and white Rat-L-Trap found in most tackle stores, but any color will do, as the sound will drive them nuts.

After the surf, the passes and jetties like San Luis Pass or the Surfside jetties will produce some quality catches. An incoming tide will generally bring in surf specks, but if it slows down, try peeling a shrimp and applying it to a smaller hook like a No. 8 treble. Get it down to the bottom or let if float with the current, and be ready to set the hook for some serious sheepshead action. The “convict fish” with the black and white vertical stripes get a bad rap for being trash fish, but if you can get good at

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cleaning them, they make excellent table fare.

In the bays, such as Christmas, I prefer to wade the shorelines tossing a Super Spook topwater in chrome and blue. Trout and reds love it. Read the water and look for jumping mullet.

Any point or grass line that sticks out might be that little change that could hold fish. Also, slow down your wade and cover the area. Fancast during your wade before walking through it. A big fish did not get big by eating everything it saw; you sometimes have to make them mad, and that extra cast might do the trick.

Another popular spot is the guts around Bird Island. Trout and reds will the main catches. Most waders like to toss a plastic. Good friend Capt. Greg Francis generally has only one plastic on his 1/8-ounce jighead—a Plum and chartreuse Bass Assassin.

Francis catches trout on a consistent basis, and more often than not, generally boxes a flounder or two every trip. The flounder spring run will be winding down, but if you know where to focus, they can be caught.

The last big fish to be on the lookout for is the big bad shark. Bull sharks will follow the

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fishes into the bays through these deep passes, so watch those stringers around that area for the next few months.

If you enjoy flounder, and would like to fish a fun event that supports the species, I encourage you to make it out on June 12 to Lute’s Marine on Chocolate Bayou. Lute’s hosts a unique family tournament that supports the Sea Center Texas flounder restocking program.

Among the categories, the flounder category requires the fish to be alive and in good condition. These flounder are used for breeding and restocking back into Galveston bay. For more info, call Lute’s Marine at 281-393-1021.

Email Brian Treadway at: btreadway@fishgame.com

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Matagorda Offshore Awesomeness UCH IS WRITTEN ABOUT THE GREAT FISHing out in the blue water 50-plus miles off the upper coast, but the fact is some of the best fishing is within a few miles of shore, especially out of the Matagorda area.

Beginning in May, the rigs closest to shore can be great for ling, which are one of the more unusual and finicky fish out there.

Ling have a shark-like appearance and will swim right up to your boat to check you out.

In fact, one of the best ways to get a ling’s attention is to pull up to a rig and smack the water with a paddle. If the fish appear, throw out a live crab rigged on a circle hook, or a soft plastic like a Berkley Gulp! Crab or DOA shrimp.

M

Ling often open their large mouths, taking bait in and then spitting it back out just before you can set the hook. This has caused more than few anglers to lose their cool, but is also one of the charming things about the species.

Sharks are my favorite quarry in the nearshore Gulf during summer, and the

by Chester Moore Matagorda area has lots of them. The elasmobranchs roam around the rigs and surf, but the very best action is a little later in the summer behind shrimp boats. When shrimp boats cull their by-catch, it creates a giant chum line that invites sharks from all

around. I have seen literally hundreds of sharks feeding behind shrimp boats in an intense frenzy that must be seen to be believed.

The best part about this fishing is that it is really easy, and the sharks will hit pretty much anything you throw in the water, from cut bait to trolling plugs.

Another species worth mentioning here is the tripletail, which can also be caught in West Matagorda Bay. These bizarre looking fish are common around weedlines, channel buoys, rigs, and literally any kind trash floating in the Gulf. They are sticklers about hanging around shady structure and are easy to locate when the surf is running smooth.

Live shrimp is the best bait, but tripletail will also taking a variety of soft plastics and sometimes even small spoons. They, like everything else out there, fight hard and taste good.

If the surf is calm, fishing from a boat casting toward the beach can lead to catches of massive trout and redfish beginning this month. Look for nervous schools of mullet, and structure like boat wrecks and the edges of sandbars to provide the most action.

Live shrimp fished under a popping cork, or silver spoons worked just under the surface, will catch both trout and the redfish and give you a good opportunity for other species like Spanish mackerel.

If you have never fished in the nearshore Gulf, try it; you will not be disappointed.

There are lots of fish to be caught and they are usually larger than those that dwell in the bays.

THE BANK BITE HOT SPOT: Foley Reserve Park LOCATION: East Bayshore/Palacios SPECIES: Flounder LURE/BAITS: Live mud minnows BEST TIMES: First hour of falling and last hour of rising tides.

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bait on high tide in the shallows of Newcomb Bend for keeper reds. Cut mullet or sardines are best. Use peeled shrimp in Smith Channel on a Carolina rig for black drum when the tide is moving.

Bays Exit Abeyance S THE MONTH OF MAY DAWNS, THE BAITfishes have now arrived and the many schools of trout, reds, and other game fishes are close behind. The bays are warming, and the action soon sizzling.

A

Copano Bay: On a high tide, the Turtle Pens are a safe bet for trout. Free-lined croaker or shrimp are good choices. Use cut

Aransas Bay: Use soft plastics in Watermelon and chartreuse colors for trout on Grass Island Reef. The new water break just west of Goose Island has been holding keeper reds. Use cut mullet and menhaden on a fish-finder rig. Deadman Island has been good for black drum on peeled shrimp and a Carolina rig.

St Charles Bay: East Pocket on high tide using a silent cork and live shrimp is

good for reds early in the morning. The mouth of Cavasso Creek is good for trout on free-lined mud minnows. Drift-fish McHugh Bayou throwing Bone- and redcolored Super Spooks for reds and a few nice trout.

Carlos Bay: Fish the southeast shoreline using Berkley Gulp! Shrimp under a bubble cork for reds and trout. A silent drift into Spalding Bight using soft plastics in New Penny and Watermelon colors is good for trout.

Mesquite Bay: The south shoreline is good wading for reds and trout using croaker. The mouth of Little Brundrett Lake is good for some flounder on white grubs on a 1/16-ounce jighead. The key here is a very slow retrieve and delayed hookset.

Ayres Bay: The east shoreline, fishing into the second chain, has been good using topwaters in Bone and red/white colors for reds. With a north wind, the backside of Ayres Reef is good for trout on free-lined piggy perch.

Here’s wishing you tight lines, bent poles, and plenty of bait.

THE BANK BITE Wade-fish the deeper edges off Live Oak Point for some big trout. A gold or gold/red spoon is a good choice. Move slowly and fish 360 degrees.

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

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Take a Shark Break HARK FISHING HAS BECOME EXTREMELY popular along the Gulf Coast, especially with surf anglers who find the superior fighting of these brutes highly appealing.

Summer is peak shark fishing time with species like blacktip, spinner, Atlantic sharpnose, bull, bonnethead, lemon, and hammerhead ranging from offshore rigs to the beachfront.

Landbound anglers should consider targeting the piers along the coast on high tides, fishing preferably with oily cut bait like jack crevalle or bonita. Cut mullet and stingrays are also high on the sharks’ list of favorites.

Large circle hooks rigged on steel leaders is the most popular terminal tackle for bagging sharks. Sharks not only can cut a line with their teeth, but also with their skin, which is sharp in its own right. One quick slap of the tail can cut even heavy-duty line with no problem.

Offshore, sharks are easy to find around rigs and wrecks. Simply pour out some menhaden oil or squeeze a few pogies and you will find yourself in ample supply of these voracious predators.

For targeting blacktip and spinner, my personal favorite chumming method involves bringing along a bucketful of small menhaden, grabbing a handful, and squeezing.

Some of them will float, others will sink quickly, and others slowly. This creates a feeding frenzy situation.

I once had more than 50 blacktip and spinner feeding behind the boat and ended up catching and tagging 30 of them for the Mote Marine Laboratory. These two species are highly acrobatic and rival bill-

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fishes in terms of tail-walking. I personally believe the spinner equal to tarpon in that department.

The ideal setup for this kind of fishing is having one bait on the bottom for species like bull and Atlantic sharpnose, and a couple of free-lines to get the species that feed in the upper levels of the water column.

Jetties are also good spots to target sharks, especially bull and Atlantic sharpnose during the summer. Although the jetties at Port Mansfield and Port Isabel are small, they can hold considerable numbers of sharks.

Fish with big chunks of cut bait on incoming tides, as they bring in sharks from out around the short rigs. Chumming works great at the jetties as well, although you tend not to get as many of the smaller schooling blacktip and spinner.

Capt. Billy Sandifer said that some sharks can be caught in the Padre Island surf. He once guided a friend to an 820pound tiger in the surf, and has put cus-

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tomers onto numerous sharks weighing more than 300 pounds.

“There are some big ones still out there,” he said.

THE BANK BITE HOT SPOT: Park Road 100 Bay Access 1 LOCATION: Across from Edwin King Atwood Park, South Padre Island SPECIES: Redfish, trout LURE/BAITS: Soft plastics fished under a popping cork, topwaters BEST TIMES: Evenings on strong, moving tides

Contact: Chester Moore by email at cmoore@fishgame.com

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Tides and Prime Times

MAY 2010 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

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.

T13 T7

T6 T5 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

AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets. These phases last 1 to 2 hours.

T14 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

SOLAR & LUNAR ACTIVITY: Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 7:51p

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.

T20

AM Minor: 9:11a AM Major: 2:57a PM Minor: 9:40p PM Major: 3:25p

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.

Moonrise:9:27a Moon Set: None Moon Overhead:

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4:55p

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE Add or subtract the time shown at the right of the Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine the adjustment from the time shown for GALVESTON CHANNEL in the calendars.

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 a wide variety of wildlife species.

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

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 PLACE T12 Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay T13 Gilchrist, East Bay T14 Jamaica Beach, W. Bay T15 Alligator Point, W. Bay T16 Christmas Pt T17 Galveston Pleasure Pier

T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: 12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

6a

12p

6p

12a

Green: Falling Tide

AM/PM Timeline Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

SOLUNAR AC TIVIT Y: MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the Sky 12a

AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

6p

AM/PM Timeline

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

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LOW +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:33 +2:31 -1:06

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

PLACE San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor Pass Cavallo Aransas Pass Padre Island (So. End) Port Isabel

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Yellow: Daylight

HIGH +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -1:06

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LOW -0.09 -1:02 -1:20 -1:31 -1:45 -0:42

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

28

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

30 MAY 1

29

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 6:18p

Set: 7:51p Set: 5:07a

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 7:24p

Set: 7:51p Set: 5:44a

Sunrise: 6:40a Moonrise: 8:30p

Set: 7:52p Set: 6:25a

Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 9:34p

Set: 7:53p Set: 7:10a

AM Minor: 3:49a

PM Minor: 4:15p

AM Minor: 4:36a

PM Minor: 5:02p

AM Minor: 5:27a

PM Minor: 5:54p

AM Minor: 6:23a

PM Minor: 6:51p

AM Minor: 7:23a

PM Minor: 7:51p

AM Minor: 8:23a

AM Major: 10:02a

PM Major: 10:27p

AM Major: 10:49a

PM Major: 11:15p

AM Major: 11:41a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 12:09a

PM Major: 12:37p

AM Major: 1:09a

PM Major: 1:37p

AM Major: 2:10a

Moon Overhead: None 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:57a

Moon Overhead: 12:04a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 7:53p Moonrise: 10:34p Set: 7:59a

Moon Overhead: 1:52a

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 7:54p Moonrise: 11:28p Set: 8:53a

6a

12p

6p

Set: 7:55p Set: 9:49a

PM Minor: 8:51p

AM Minor: 9:23a

PM Minor: 9:50p

PM Major: 2:37p

AM Major: 3:10a

PM Major: 3:37p

Moon Overhead: 3:44a

Moon Overhead: 2:48a 12a

2 Sunrise: 6:36a Moonrise: None

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

27

26

12a

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

Moon Overhead: 4:38a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:39a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 2:20p

BEST:

BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 PM

BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 4:11p BEST:

8:00 — 10:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:04p +2.0

BEST:

8:30 — 10:30 PM

9:00 — 11:00 PM

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:16p

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 1:24p

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 12:30p

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

3:52 am 9:41 am 2:33 pm 9:27 pm

1.52 ft 0.90 ft 1.28 ft -0.04 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:01 am 10:41 am 2:49 pm 10:09 pm

1.63 ft 1.09 ft 1.31 ft -0.23 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

6:04 am 11:39 am 3:05 pm 10:52 pm

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1.70 ft 1.24 ft 1.35 ft -0.33 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

7:04 am 12:38 pm 3:16 pm 11:37 pm

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Low Tide: 12:24 am -0.28 ft Low Tide: 1:13 am -0.16 ft High Tide: 9:08 am 1.62 ft High Tide: 10:13 am 1.55 ft

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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 Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

3

4

SATURDAY

7

SUNDAY

8

9

Set: 7:56p Sunrise: 6:33a Set: 12:38p Moonrise: 2:09a

Set: 7:57p Set: 1:31p

Sunrise: 6:32a Moonrise: 2:39a

Set: 7:58p Set: 2:24p

Sunrise: 6:31a Moonrise: 3:08a

Set: 7:58p Set: 3:16p

Sunrise: 6:31a Moonrise: 3:36a

Set: 7:59p Set: 4:09p

AM Minor: 10:20a

PM Minor: 10:46p

AM Minor: 11:13a

PM Minor: 11:37p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:01p

AM Minor: 12:24a

PM Minor: 12:45p

AM Minor: 1:04a

PM Minor: 1:25p

AM Minor: 1:42a

PM Minor: 2:02p

AM Minor: 2:17a

PM Minor: 2:38p

AM Major: 4:08a

PM Major: 4:33p

AM Major: 5:02a

PM Major: 5:25p

AM Major: 5:50a

PM Major: 6:13p

AM Major: 6:34a

PM Major: 6:56p

AM Major: 7:15a

PM Major: 7:35p

AM Major: 7:52a

PM Major: 8:12p

AM Major: 8:28a

PM Major: 8:48p

Moon Overhead: 5:30a 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:04a

Moon Overhead: 6:19a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:48a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:09a

Moon Overhead: 8:29a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:50a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

FRIDAY

6 6

5

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 7:55p Sunrise: 6:34a Set: 7:56p Sunrise: 6:34a Moonrise: 12:17a Set: 10:46a Moonrise: 12:59a Set: 11:42a Moonrise: 1:36a

12a

THURSDAY

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:55p +2.0

BEST:

0

-1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 8:08p BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:49p BEST:

1:00 — 3:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:29p BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:10p +2.0

BEST:

2:00 — 4:00 AM

3:30 — 5:30 PM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 7:26p

TIDE LEVELS

10:00 — 11:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 6:42p

Low Tide: 2:05 am -0.02 ft Low Tide: 3:01 am 0.14 ft High Tide: 11:17 am 1.48 ft High Tide: 12:07 pm 1.41 ft

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

4:02 am 12:37 pm 8:24 pm 8:57 pm

0.30 ft 1.35 ft 1.12 ft 1.12 ft

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

5:05 am 12:55 pm 7:44 pm 11:29 pm

0.46 ft 1.30 ft 0.99 ft 1.10 ft

Low Tide: 6:08 am High Tide: 1:09 pm Low Tide: 7:44 pm

0.62 ft 1.25 ft 0.83 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

1:05 am 7:08 am 1:21 pm 7:55 pm

1.15 ft 0.77 ft 1.23 ft 0.65 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

2:21 am 8:03 am 1:32 pm 8:14 pm

1.25 ft 0.91 ft 1.23 ft 0.47 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

12

FRIDAY

13

SATURDAY

14

15

Sunrise: 6:30a Moonrise: 4:06a

Set: 8:00p Set: 5:04p

Sunrise: 6:29a Moonrise: 4:37a

Set: 8:00p Set: 6:02p

Sunrise: 6:29a Moonrise: 5:12a

Set: 8:01p Set: 7:03p

Sunrise: 6:28a Moonrise: 5:53a

Set: 8:02p Set: 8:05p

Sunrise: 6:27a Moonrise: 6:39a

Set: 8:02p Set: 9:08p

Sunrise: 6:27a Moonrise: 7:33a

AM Minor: 2:53a

PM Minor: 3:15p

AM Minor: 3:31a

PM Minor: 3:54p

AM Minor: 4:13a

PM Minor: 4:38p

AM Minor: 5:01a

PM Minor: 5:27p

AM Minor: 5:54a

PM Minor: 6:22p

AM Major: 9:04a

PM Major: 9:25p

AM Major: 9:43a

PM Major: 10:05p

AM Major: 10:25a

PM Major: 10:50p

AM Major: 11:14a

PM Major: 11:40p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:36p

Moon Overhead: 10:32a 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:04p

Moon Overhead: 11:16a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:56p 12a

6a

12p

6p

6a

12p

6p

16

Set: 8:03p Sunrise: 6:26a Set: 10:08p Moonrise: 8:32a

Set: 8:03p Set: 11:04p

AM Minor: 6:53a

PM Minor: 7:23p

AM Minor: 7:57a

PM Minor: 8:26p

AM Major: 12:39a

PM Major: 1:08p

AM Major: 1:42a

PM Major: 2:12p

Moon Overhead: 2:50p

Moon Overhead: 1:52p 12a

SUNDAY

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 3:49p 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

11

10

12a

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 10:54p +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 12:30a

BEST:

4:30 — 6:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 1:24a

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:21a

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 PM

BEST:

6:30 — 8:30 PM

7:00 — 9:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:20a +2.0

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 PM TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: None

TIDE LEVELS

4:00 — 6:00 PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 11:40p

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

3:24 am 8:54 am 1:40 pm 8:39 pm

C26 |

1.36 ft 1.04 ft 1.24 ft 0.28 ft

M A Y

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:18 am 9:43 am 1:46 pm 9:09 pm

2 0 1 0

1.48 ft 1.15 ft 1.27 ft 0.11 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:08 am 10:32 am 1:47 pm 9:43 pm

T E X A S

1.58 ft 1.25 ft 1.31 ft -0.05 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

F I S H

&

5:58 am 11:20 am 1:43 pm 10:21 pm

1.66 ft 1.35 ft 1.37 ft -0.18 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

G A M E ®

6:49 am 12:09 pm 1:36 pm 11:03 pm

1.72 ft High Tide: 7:44 am 1.75 ft High Tide: 8:40 am 1.43 ft Low Tide: 11:48 pm -0.33 ft 1.44 ft -0.28 ft

A L M A N A C

1.74 ft

+1.0

0

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= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

17 SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

18

Set: 8:04p Sunrise: 6:25a Set: 8:05p Set: 11:55p Moonrise: 10:43a Set: None

20

19

Sunrise: 6:25a Set: 8:05p Sunrise: 6:24a Set: 8:06p Moonrise: 11:50a Set: 12:40a Moonrise: 12:56p Set: 1:20a

SATURDAY

21

SUNDAY

22

23

Sunrise: 6:24a Moonrise: 2:00p

Set: 8:07p Set: 1:57a

Sunrise: 6:23a Moonrise: 3:03p

Set: 8:07p Set: 2:31a

Sunrise: 6:23a Moonrise: 4:06p

Set: 8:08p Set: 3:06a

AM Minor: 9:02a

PM Minor: 9:31p

AM Minor: 10:06a

PM Minor: 10:34p

AM Minor: 11:06a

PM Minor: 11:33p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:02p

AM Minor: 12:28a

PM Minor: 12:52p

AM Minor: 1:14a

PM Minor: 1:38p

AM Minor: 1:57a

PM Minor: 2:22p

AM Major: 2:47a

PM Major: 3:17p

AM Major: 3:52a

PM Major: 4:20p

AM Major: 4:53a

PM Major: 5:20p

AM Major: 5:49a

PM Major: 6:15p

AM Major: 6:40a

PM Major: 7:04p

AM Major: 7:26a

PM Major: 7:50p

AM Major: 8:10a

PM Major: 8:34p

Moon Overhead: 4:48p

12a

FRIDAY

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 6:39p

Moon Overhead: 5:45p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:30p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:08p

Moon Overhead: 8:19p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:26a Moonrise: 9:37a

THURSDAY

Moon Overhead: 9:57p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:19a +2.0

BEST:

0

-1.0

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 7:05a

Moon Underfoot: 7:55a

BEST:

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:43a BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:32a +2.0

BEST:

2:00 — 4:00 PM

3:00 — 5:00 PM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

9:30 — 11:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 6:12a

TIDE LEVELS

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:17a

Low Tide: 12:38 am -0.32 ft Low Tide: 1:30 am -0.25 ft Low Tide: 2:27 am -0.10 ft Low Tide: High Tide: 9:36 am 1.71 ft High Tide: 10:26 am 1.65 ft High Tide: 11:05 am 1.56 ft High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

A L M A N A C

3:27 am 11:35 am 6:11 pm 9:57 pm

T E X A S

0.12 ft 1.46 ft 0.98 ft 1.08 ft

Low Tide: 4:33 am 0.38 ft High Tide: 11:59 am 1.37 ft Low Tide: 6:34 pm 0.68 ft

F I S H

&

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

G A M E ®

12:11 am 5:47 am 12:18 pm 7:10 pm

1.12 ft 0.66 ft 1.31 ft 0.37 ft

M A Y

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

2 0 1 0

1:58 am 7:11 am 12:34 pm 7:49 pm

|

1.26 ft 0.92 ft 1.29 ft 0.07 ft

C27

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0

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

26

25

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

28

27

SUNDAY

29

30

Sunrise: 6:22a Moonrise: 5:10p

Set: 8:08p Set: 3:41a

Sunrise: 6:22a Moonrise: 6:14p

Set: 8:09p Set: 4:20a

Sunrise: 6:22a Moonrise: 7:18p

Set: 8:09p Set: 5:02a

Sunrise: 6:21a Moonrise: 8:19p

Set: 8:10p Set: 5:49a

Sunrise: 6:21a Moonrise: 9:16p

Set: 8:11p Set: 6:41a

AM Minor: 2:40a

PM Minor: 3:06p

AM Minor: 3:25a

PM Minor: 3:52p

AM Minor: 4:13a

PM Minor: 4:41p

AM Minor: 5:05a

PM Minor: 5:33p

AM Minor: 6:01a

PM Minor: 6:29p

AM Minor: 6:58a

PM Minor: 7:25p

AM Minor: 7:56a

PM Minor: 8:22p

AM Major: 8:53a

PM Major: 9:18p

AM Major: 9:38a

PM Major: 10:05p

AM Major: 10:27a

PM Major: 10:54p

AM Major: 11:19a

PM Major: 11:47p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:15p

AM Major: 12:45a

PM Major: 1:12p

AM Major: 1:43a

PM Major: 2:09p

Moon Overhead: 10:47p 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: None

Moon Overhead: 11:40p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:35a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 6:21a Set: 8:11p Moonrise: 10:07p Set: 7:36a

Moon Overhead: 2:26a

Moon Overhead: 1:31a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 6:20a Set: 8:12p Moonrise: 10:53p Set: 8:33a

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 3:19a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

24

12a

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 10:22a +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 1:03p BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 PM

6:30 — 8:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 1:58p BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:53p BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 3:45p +2.0

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 PM

9:00 — 11:00 PM TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 12:08p

TIDE LEVELS

4:30 — 6:30 PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 11:14a

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

3:24 am 8:40 am 12:49 pm 8:30 pm

1.43 ft 1.13 ft 1.30 ft -0.18 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:35 am 10:08 am 1:01 pm 9:12 pm

1.57 ft 1.28 ft 1.33 ft -0.35 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:36 am 11:33 am 1:07 pm 9:55 pm

1.66 ft High Tide: 6:30 am 1.69 ft High Tide: 7:20 am 1.67 ft High Tide: 8:07 am 1.37 ft Low Tide: 10:38 pm -0.46 ft Low Tide: 11:22 pm -0.41 ft 1.38 ft -0.45 ft

1.62 ft

Low Tide: 12:05 am -0.32 ft High Tide: 8:52 am 1.55 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

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= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

31 SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:20a Moonrise: None

2

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

4

3

SUNDAY

5

6

Set: 8:13p Sunrise: 6:19a Set: 8:13p Sunrise: 6:20a Set: 8:14p Sunrise: 6:19a Set: 10:27a Moonrise: 12:07a Set: 11:22a Moonrise: 12:39a Set: 12:15p Moonrise: 1:08a

Set: 8:14p Set: 1:07p

Sunrise: 6:19a Moonrise: 1:36a

Set: 8:15p Set: 1:59p

Sunrise: 6:19a Moonrise: 2:05a

Set: 8:15p Set: 2:52p

AM Minor: 8:52a

PM Minor: 9:16p

AM Minor: 9:45a

PM Minor: 10:08p

AM Minor: 10:34a

PM Minor: 10:56p

AM Minor: 11:20a

PM Minor: 11:40p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:02p

AM Minor: 12:22a

PM Minor: 12:42p

AM Minor: 1:00a

PM Minor: 1:21p

AM Major: 2:39a

PM Major: 3:04p

AM Major: 3:33a

PM Major: 3:56p

AM Major: 4:23a

PM Major: 4:45p

AM Major: 5:09a

PM Major: 5:30p

AM Major: 5:52a

PM Major: 6:12p

AM Major: 6:32a

PM Major: 6:52p

AM Major: 7:10a

PM Major: 7:31p

Moon Overhead: 4:10a

12a

THURSDAY

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 5:42a

Moon Overhead: 4:57a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 6:24a

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:44a

Moon Overhead: 7:05a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:20a Set: 8:12p Moonrise: 11:32p Set: 9:30a

WEDNESDAY

JUN 1

Moon Overhead: 8:25a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:34p +2.0

BEST:

0

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:44p

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 7:24p

BEST:

10:00P — 12:00A

BEST:

12:30 — 1:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 8:05p BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:46p +2.0

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 PM

2:00 — 4:00 PM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

10:00P — 12:00A

Moon Underfoot: 6:03p

TIDE LEVELS

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:20p

Low Tide: 12:48 am -0.19 ft Low Tide: 1:30 am -0.03 ft Low Tide: 2:11 am 0.15 ft High Tide: 9:33 am 1.47 ft High Tide: 10:08 am 1.40 ft High Tide: 10:36 am 1.33 ft

A L M A N A C

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

2:51 am 10:58 am 6:21 pm 9:22 pm

T E X A S

0.34 ft 1.27 ft 0.91 ft 0.95 ft

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

F I S H

3:31 am 11:16 am 6:24 pm 11:29 pm

&

0.54 ft 1.22 ft 0.74 ft 0.95 ft

Low Tide: 4:15 am 0.74 ft High Tide: 11:29 am 1.19 ft Low Tide: 6:39 pm 0.55 ft

G A M E ®

M A Y

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

2 0 1 0

1:16 am 5:09 am 11:37 am 7:02 pm

|

1.03 ft 0.92 ft 1.19 ft 0.36 ft

C29

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0

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Heavy Metal Jigs IF YOU ARE INTO HEAVY METAL, THIS IS GOING be a great fishing year for you. Three hot new metal lures hit the market for 2010, and each go for less then $10 a pop at your local tackle shop. After testing them all, I am leaving those jazzy lures, classic lures, and rapping lures behind; it is time to give heavy metal some play time.

Jerk That Jig

The first new beat comes from Drone Spoons that has always produced the same-old, same-old spoons—which were effective, but boring. Not anymore. Their new Electric series amplifies the shine with powder-coat paint jobs. Different shades and levels of reflection are created by using single or multiple coatings, and color patterns are enhanced with reflective tape. The tape’s tough, too, and mine survived multiple encounters with bluefish and Spanish mackerel with only minimal scratching. What is really amazing is how durable the powder-coat finish is; even those toothy fish couldn’t touch it.

Anglers who march to the beat of a different drum will want to check out the Octojig, from Jerk That Jig. This vertical-jigging cannonball-style jig is available up to 150 grams (over 5 ounces), so you can use it in high-current or deep-water areas. The silicon skirt has two paddle tails, along with multiple rubber strips and twin hooks. The head also has 3D

Jager OTI C30 |

M A Y

2 0 1 0

Drone Spoon eyes and a thick strip of glow paint, so it will prove handy when night-fishing. I found it best to match this jig with a bait strip and slowly bounce it off bottom, or suspend it over structure to catch snapper and grouper.

If you want a jig that has a glowing “lasereffect” finish, glow-in-the-dark edges, and high quality terminal tackle already rigged up and ready to fish, Ocean Tackle’s new Jager OTI jigs fit the bill. These 4-1/2- to 8-inch jigs weigh from 3-1/2 to 14 ounces, so sizes are available for everything from speed jigging to deep dropping. They have a nice wobbling action on the fall, and the aft-weighted design takes them deep quickly.

My favorite part of the Jager is how it comes rigged. Many high-quality jigs are available only un-rigged, and many less expensive jigs are pre-rigged with junky tackle. But the Jager swings a pair of Raptor Assist hooks, and the split ring is an Owner Hyperwire, and that’s music to any savvy angler’s ears.

—Lenny Rudow

Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging TEXAS FISH & GAME BOATING EDITOR LENNY Rudow has a new book out, Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging. Yeah, we’re biased, but we bet that any angler who wants to get in on the new forms of jigging will find this book extremely helpful.

The first section of the book details different jigging styles, starting with the traditional vertical jigging method then moving on to new techniques such as speed jigging, Butterfly jigging, yo-yoing, and meat jigging.

Unlike many how-to fishing books, this one examines different tackle on a manufacturer by manufacturer basis, and lays out

T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

which rods, reels, jigs, and line work best for each form of jigging, and why.

As you read the book, two things become apparent about modern jigging tackle: choosing the proper gear is critical, and there is no single source that clearly illustrates and details exactly how jigs, lines, and leaders should be rigged for different styles of jigging. Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging sets out to fill this gap, explaining and illustrating rigging methods developed by tackle manufacturers, then detailing his own tweaks and changes brought about after several years of indepth jigging research done in the field.

The second section of the book goes into specific species, and how, where, and when to target them.

Different chapters focus on big game like tunas and wahoo; reef and wreck fish like grouper and snapper; deepwater dwellers like tilefish and wreckfish; and inshore game fishes like mackerel and flounder. Each jigging method that effectively applies to a species is discussed, as well as why it is--or is not--a good way to target a species.

The book is 172 pages, and includes over 90 pictures and nearly two dozen diagrams and illustrations, including step-by-step knot diagrams for connections that are imperative when fishing with braid. —Staff Report

On the Web Jerk That Jig: www.jerkthatjig.com Drone Spoons, LB Huntington: www.dronespoon.com Jager OTI Jigs: www.oceantackle.com Modern Jigging by L. Rudow: www.geareduppublications.com

A L M A N A C

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A L M A N A C

T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E 速

M A Y

2 0 1 0

|

C31

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Page C32

Install this Closet Vault in a Snap

deterred, and gun owners’ rights preserved.

For more information or to purchase a SnapSafe Closet Vault visit http://www.snapsafe.com.

INNOVATIVE SNAPSAFE CLOSET VAULTS MOVE easily piece-by-piece and assemble anywhere in minutes with no tools. At 60” or 30” tall and under 18 inches deep they fit anywhere – even an upstairs closet – but with none of the hassle and cost of conven-

ATV Revolution

SnapSafe closet vaults

tional safes.

Their patented “post & keyhole” assembly system latches together like a ski boot, to provide all the impenetrable security of a conventional welded safe, with none of the hassle and cost of moving a conventional safe.

With full 1 hour 2300°F fire protection, SnapSafe closet vaults help protect firearms, and valuables from fire as well as theft. They feature American made digital locks with non-volatile memory and a commercial grade “non breech seal” dead bolt door system.

Most important, SnapSafe Closet Vaults let you store firearms and valuables in the most logical area of the home – close by and out of sight. That means they’ll get used, and the more safes are used, the more children are protected, crime C32 |

M A Y

2 0 1 0

THE GEAR GATOR ATV RACK QUICKLY AND securely attaches to the ATV’s front and rear racks. It’s designed to transport boats, tree stands, lumber and other gear. Its heavy duty construction handles rough terrain and transports up to 250 pounds. Width, length and height are adjustable. Change your ATV into an RV! Visit www.geargator.com for a full line of other custom built accessories for The Gear Gator, made in the Gear USA. Gator MSRP: $219.00 ATV rack www.geargator.com

Forget All You Know About Hooks

New Axiom Crossbow Kit THIS SUPERBLY CRAFTED CROSSBOW IS CAPAble of producing arrow speeds in excess of 300 feet per second and like all Excalibur crossbows, the Axiom’s accuracy is amazing and its reliability is bullet-

Excalibur Axiom

proof. Generating plenty of horsepower, the Axiom has what it takes to efficiently handle any of North America’s largest game. It’s 175 pound draw weight

T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

and 14 ½ inch power stroke make it comfortable to cock and the Axiom’s light 6 pound mass weight make it a joy to carry on a long day afield.

The Axiom is sold only as a kit including a matching multiplex crossbow scope with mounting hardware, our 4 arrow quiver plus 4 Firebolt arrows complete with field points.

The Axiom kit is designed as a budget priced option to help new and seasoned crossbow hunters enjoy Excalibur quality at a low cost, but make no mistake, this is one serious hunting combination! Quality of manufacture, reliability, and accuracy of this economical kit is comparable with their most expensive options.

For more information visit: www.excaliburcrossbow.com, 800.463.1817

THE LAZER TROKAR TK130 COMES IN SIZES 4/0 – 6/0 and plated in Black Chrome. A hook with a point that was designed in the medical field and manufactured with cutting edge technologies in the USA. The TK130 is the ultimate Flippin’ Hook. Designed with the most innovative bait retention device ever applied to a fishhook, the new TroKar Barb provides the best bait holding power available. Tests have proven the Surgically Sharpened TroKar hook to consistently pierce a test medium with half the pressure as other hook brands.

The multi-faceted, freakishly sharp point on the TK130 is only the beginning.

They used ultra clean, cold forged highcarbon steel to beef up this bad-boy.

A L M A N A C

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They tweaked the tempering process, amped up the Lazer wire diameter, perfected the Trokar barb profile and wound up TK130 with a gnarly instrument that will slice through your jugular.

Go ahead, set the hook like you actually mean it. Feel the strength and confidence course through your veins as you realize you are now playing in the big leagues, with big boys and sharp toys.

For more information on TroKar, be sure to visit their website @ www.lazertrokar.com.

Carolina Skiff 25 Elite SS

Page C33

or fit and finish, quality, versatility and value...after all it is a Carolina Skiff. Additional models to come.

Visit a Carolina Skiff dealer for more information, or to find a dealer nearest to you call (800) 422-7282 or visit www.carolinaskiff.com

Catch a Predator’s Attention The Trick Fisch by Castalia Outdoors is perfectly balanced for a swimming action that is like no other swim bait. It is finely crafted with seven fish-catching colors for a realistic look. The matching jighead notches into the body and completes the illusion.

The fat belly allows the bait to sit upright on the bottom and a glass rattle chamber is located in each action tail. For freshwater or inshore saltTrick water, the Trick Fisch is available Fisch in 3-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch. and 6-inch, and is packaged with two bodies and a single jighead. MSRP from $3.99 to $10.19.

THE NEW CAROLINA SKIFF 25 ELITE SS, designed as a multi functional boat; 3 in 1 as we call it…a deck boat, a bay boat and an offshore boat. Complete with all the functions of a deck boat with a plush cushion bow seating area with optional deck table with cup holders. The cushions and table stow away easily in the boat to transform the bow into a fish-able bay boat and offshore boat. The stern has open seating with removable cushions to complete the bay and offshore boat transformation. This boat wouldn’t be complete without the step down walk-in console with port-a-potty or the optional full flushable head.

Standard features include: Bow and Stern eyes; 1150 GPH bilge pump; 12/24 Volt trolling motor panel; 16 / Rod Carolina Skiff’s gunnel storage; Deluxe Rub Rail new 25 Elite SS with Stainless Steel insert; Deluxe See the swimming action of the Trick Fisch Bow and Stern cushion with Bolster Pads; at www.castaliaoutdoors.com 1-800-558Flush mounted cup holders; Fuel/Water 5541 Separator; Hydraulic Steering and Tilt Helm; Insulated 22 Gallon Rear bait well; Leaning Post with 70 qt cooler; LED Bow and Stern lights; LED Courtesy light package; Motor matching gauge package; 4 Stainless Steel rod holders; 4 Stainless The new Pinnacle Vision Slyder BaitSteel Pop-up cleats; Walk in Console with caster ushers in a new era of finesse-fishing port-a-potty. ease, precision and control. Featuring The performance is outstanding, a Pinnacle’s exclusive “Finesse Wheel,” the smooth and comfortable ride. The New Vision Slyder lets you work a lure along Carolina Skiff 25 Elite SS is sure to impress every boaters family with its superi- the bottom in exacting increments, effort-

The Pinnacle of Finesse Casting

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lessly, using just one hand.

The Finesse Wheel operates just like the scrolling wheel on a computer mouse, allowing you to create the ultimate finesse presentations. Simply advance the wheel with your thumb to move a plastic worm or creature bait slowly and enticingly over structure. Even sluggish bass will find this kind of tantalizing action hard to resist.

Faster, continuous pushes of the wheel let you pick up slack line quickly and easily.

When the fish are more active, you’ll also have the Vision Slyder’s blazing 7:1 gear ratio at your fingertips. Use this speedy retrieve for ripping reaction baits back to the boat and covering large areas of water in a hurry.

Regardless of the situation or presentation, you can count on the Vision Slyder for outstanding durability and quality performance. Six stainless steel bearings housed within the Slyder’s lightweight, yet rugged, graphite frame ensure smooth operation under all conditions. There’s also an externally adjustable anti-backlash system for long, trouble-free casts, plus an ultra-consistent multi-disc drag for putting the brakes on determined adversaries.

Additional Vision Slyder features include a machined aluminum spool, precision-cut brass gears, and Unlimited Anti-Reverse.

With an MSRP of just $69.99, the Vision Slyder is not only an innovative, versatile fishing machine, it’s also an exceptional value. To learn more about Pinnacle’s Vision Slyder, or the complete lineup of quality Pinnacle Fishing products, visit: www.pinnaclefishing.com.

When it Rains it Pours… Live Bait NIGHTCRAWLERS ARE A CINCH TO COLLECT AND easy as pie to maintain in a managed environment “They come up to eat, breed, and poop,” said Frabill’s Jeff Kolodzinski sumG A M E ®

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ming up the three calling cards that bring nightcrawlers to the surface: food, mating and defecating.

“The best picking happens right after a thunderstorm, particularly after dark, and then again at daybreak after an overnight rainstorm,” continued Kolodzinski.

(TIP: Press lightly on the center of the nightcrawler’s body with a plastic fork. The crawler will loosely wrap itself in the tines, saving you from futile attempts to peel its slippery body off a wet surface.)

According to Kolodzinski, you don’t need to operate next to a garden center where the soil is fortified, either. With a decently soft and fertile loam, preferably associated with sod or a forest edge, about all you need are a bucket, decent flashlight, and good set of peepers.

(TIP: Typically, the best gathering spots occur on the first flat surface below a gradually sloping hill. Night crawlers will congregate in those areas.)

Frabill’s Habitat V provides ideal long-term environment for worms.

As passionate as Kolodzinski is about harvesting nightcrawlers, he’s equally as fanatical about maintaining them. “On a good night, you can collect hundreds of nightcrawlers. Think about them like an investment and you’ll have the right mindset for being a crawler caretaker, too.”

Long term caretaking of crawlers concerns four core elements: food, bedding, temperature, and aeration. For long-term care, Frabill’s Habitat V is what the Dirt Doctor ordered. “The Habitat V is the perfect environment for keeping a volume of crawlers, blood worms, clam worms, or sand worms. It’s constructed of insulating C34 |

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foam to manage temperature. Plastic vents keep the bedding properly aerated, too,” said Kolodzinski. He adds that 50-degrees F is the optimum temperature for storing crawlers.

The Habitat V is kitted as well, standard equipment including Super-Gro Bedding and Fat & Sassy Worm Food.

Visit www.frabill.com.

Make Your Bait Come Alive ULTIMATE BUCKETMOUTH BAITS HAS THE PERfect fish attractant for use on all your favorite soft plastic fishing baits. Our unique formula brings three key elements too trigger, quicker and harder strikes. The formula combines and creates the ultimate scent trail of an injured bait fish. The formula brings natural fish oil, meat protein and bone into one deadly combination.

All you need is a couple drops onto your bait and you are ready to fish. LiveJive juice comes in a 4oz bottle with a dispensing cap.

When you dispense the formula onto your bait; you will notice there will be visible particles in the juice. Those visible particles are an essential part of the attractant.

When you are working the bait the particles will slowly release from the bait. The particles and oil create a slight slick around the bait. The slick attracts bait fish which in turn will attract the bass and cause a feeding frenzy.

We have created the perfect formula by using natural products and by utilizing the right combination of the products in our formula.

Our formula not only attracts Bass but it attracts the baitfish Bass eat. The scent trail brings the Bass in and the activity of the baitfish around the slick creates a strike.

In case you are curious, it’s not for human consumpLive Jive Juice tion, tasting not advised.

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Shake well before each use to obtain highest performance. www.UltimateBucketMouth.com

Buck Introduces Folding Fillet Knife AFTER BUCK KNIVES INTRODUCED THEIR SERies of Silver Creek fishing knives, they were pleased with the positive reaction, but braced themselves for the predictable question from fishermen who asked when they could get a folding version with the same advantages, including the desired blade flexibility that is difficult to achieve in a folder.

The answer is Buck’s new Model 220 Silver Creek Folding Fillet Knife. It has a 6-1/2” blade that locks open to a solid 133/4”, yet folds to a compact 7-1/4” for easy carry in a heavy-duty nylon sheath. It weighs just 6.0 oz. The blade, made of 420J2 stainless steel and titanium coated for added corrosion resistance, is so flexible it can run flat on the table for clean fillets.

A thumb-notch in the blade makes it easy to open with one hand. And Buck’s reliable mid-lock mechanism ensures safe use.

As with the other SilBuck folding ver Creeks filet knife knives, the glass-reinforced polypropylene base handle has a textured, soft rubber overmold, ergonomically shaped for comfort, with anti-slip ridges for sure grip.

A stainless steel guard adds durability and safety. A lanyard loop at the end of the handle helps keep secure in use.

With its promise of durability, flexibility and reliable performance, the Silver Creek Folding Fillet knife is backed by Buck’s unconditional Forever Warranty.

MSRP is $36.

For more information: (800) 3262825; www.buckknives.com

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FEATURING GREAT IDEAS FROM THESE MAKERS OF OUTDOOR GEAR AND ACCESORIES American Rodsmiths • C43

Fishing Tackle Unlimited • C39

Angler Products • C38

Foreverlast Inc. • C45

Ardent Outdoors, Inc. • C37

Husky Liners • C46

Bay Flats Lodge • C36

Katchmor /Nemire Lures • C44

Edson International • C40

Lansky Sharpeners • C42

EHP • C38

Mad Cow Cutlery • C44

Faultline Outdoors • C47

Precision Fishing Resources • C48

Fish-N-Hunt • C42

S.W.F.A. Inc. • C41

Fishing Lights, Etc • C40

Swift Hitch • C48

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The Curse Y FAMILY LIVES UNDER A GENERATIONAL curse, first (I think) pronounced on me by my grandfather: “Boy, one of these days, you’re going to have a grandson just like you, who scatters your tools, loses your belongings, and tears up the rest.”

Perhaps my grandfather’s Cherokee ancestry and claims of occult knowledge imparted potency and staying power to the

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curse, for not only did it come true, but has spread to every grandson (and only the grandsons; the feminine grandprogeny seem unaffected) within eyesight or earshot.

“I used to have a (fill in the blank)” is a common refrain, usually uttered in moments of intense stress for which possession and application of said missing or broken item would provide immediate and lasting relief.

I have irretrievably lost to The Curse firearms, tools, knives, flashlights, game calls, hats, boots, coats, coveralls, and even underwear and pickup trucks—two of the latter.

The slings and arrows of outrageous ill fortune notwithstanding, I suppose I should count myself fortunate. Since my grandsons have affinity for the same things I need, use, and enjoy, they know how to buy decent gifts for Christmas and Father’s Day. That they later scatter, lose, or break said gifts in a perpetual cycle is beside the point; it’s the

thought that counts.

I am fortunate, too, to have grandsons with interests conducive to perpetuation of The Curse. They could have become serial killers or lawyers instead of outdoorsmen and shade tree craftsmen.

Kismet smiled a perverse, crooked smile in giving me grandsons with enough sense of decency if not affection to spur them to at least try to make amends for their sins. And I know it could be worse; I know from experience it is possible to “lose” a farm tractor.

Another benefit to the never-ending Curse is it has afforded the opportunity to own (however briefly) an astonishing assortment of guns, gear, and goodies. Almost anything you can name (and some that you can’t) in the way of hunting, fishing, or camping gear has passed through my hands.

My grandsons are nothing if not imaginative and creative in their gifting. Makers of guns, rods, reels and gear are the true beneficiaries

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of The Curse, and presumably shall remain so in perpetuity; for you see, I have pronounced The Curse on each of my grandsons.

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N THAT FATHER’S DAY (AND BY EXTENSION, Grandfather’s Day) is fast upon us, it is wholly fitting and appropriate to suggest offerings whereby to directly or tangentially make amends to patriarchal progenitors should The Curse be active in your family.

I

Aside from the obvious items of interest surrounding this text, outdoors books make fine gifts that, once committed to memory, cannot be lost, stolen, or destroyed. Of course, no one buys a fishing rod without trying it out in the store, or plunks down cash for a firearm without first firing a few rounds through a “demonstrator” at the range or in a buddy’s pasture. Likewise, you do not buy books for self, kin, or friend without sampling a paragraph or four.

To that end, we present the following for your enlightenment and influence in gift-giving endeavors:

Kayak Texas —by Greg Berlocher IN 1858, A SCOTTISH LAWYER WITH A PASSION for travel toured the United States, traversing the entire continent and ultimately stopping at the Bering Sea. During his stay in the Arctic, John MacGregor witnessed Inuits paddling their skinned boats, and the unique vessels captured his imagination.

Back in London, MacGregor commissioned a boat builder to construct a “decked canoe” based on sketches he had made of the Inuit boats.

The craft, although labeled a canoe, was a kayak and served as the genesis for recreational paddling.

Measuring twelve feet long, twenty-eight Kayak Texas inches wide, and nine inches deep, $14.95 from Texas Fish & Game Publishing MacGregor ’s kayak featured a deck and a cockpit. A seven-foot doublebladed paddle provided propulsion.

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the lawyer claimed as an extended family member.

The new kayak was a delight to paddle, and MacGregor took off soon after on a pan-European trek. After crossing the English Channel by conventional means, he paddled the Rob Roy down streams and

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across lakes in France, Germany, and Switzerland. Back home, he chronicled his adventure in the first kayak book ever published, A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe on Twenty Lakes and Rivers of Europe. The text was published in 1866 and contained woodcut illustrations.

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The text captured the imagination of a continent, and Europeans became interested in paddling as recreation. Based on the book’s success, MacGregor set off on new paddling adventures, ultimately writing a series of books, all with the Rob Roy moniker in the title.

MacGregor founded The Canoe Club in 1866. The club’s name was changed to The Royal Canoe Club in 1873. Recreational paddling was now firmly entrenched in Europe.

An American, A. H. Siegfried, the business manager of a Louisville, Kentucky, newspaper, was so taken with MacGregor’s adventure books that he commissioned two kayaks to be built. His goal was to take a paddling adventure similar to Macgregor’s, but in American waters, and then writing about it in his paper. Siegfried’s boats were a foot longer than the Rob Roy and the frames were covered with waterproof canvas, which shaved nearly 40 pounds of weight off each hull. The boats were a success and more were commissioned.

Siegfried convinced several fiends to set off with him to discover the headwaters of the Mississippi River in their kayaks. Geographers refuted his claim to have discovered the source of the mighty river, but Siegfried’s accounts of the adventure published in his newspaper fascinated readers, and orders for the new style boat poured in.

The New York Canoe Club was founded a few years later in 1871.

Over the next five decades, kayaking grew in popularity and boat builders tinkered with different hull designs. Kayaking made its first appearance at the Paris Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1924 and gained full medal status in 1936. The kayaking events were known as “flat water racing.” Whitewater kayaking made its first appearance in the 1972 Olympiad, fueling another huge increase in the sport’s popularity.

Kayaks have an interesting lineage with important links to hunters, fishermen, and paddling enthusiasts. It isn’t surprising that those same people still enjoy paddling kayaks today.

When adjusting a backrest, take care not to over tighten the straps. Resting your full

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weight against overly tightened straps causes stress and, often, damage to your backrest.

Make adjustments in small increments until you get the fit that you like.

Some higher-end backrests feature inflatable lumbar supports and cushioned seats; both provide added comfort. The lumbar

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support is certainly nice but it isn't an absolute necessity if you are on a tight budget. A rolled-up towel placed between the small of your back and your backrest is an inexpensive alternative.

Cushioned seats, AKA butt pads, make sitting for long periods easier on your poste-

rior and legs. These cushions reduce stress on the sciatic nerve and help keep the femoral arteries open. The femoral arteries direct blood flow from the abdomen, through the hip area and down into the legs.

Many kayakers complain about their toes going to sleep, which is caused by reduced blood flow. A good butt pad will minimize this troublesome occurrence. Not all backrests come with padded seats though. Not to worry! You can buy stand-alone pads to compliment any backrest. Test fit your pad and when you are satisfied with its location, peel off the backing and apply the adhesive side to the cockpit.

After an outing, a quick rinse with a water hose will prolong the life of your backrest. Flush all the snaps to dislodge any trapped grit. Hang the wet backrest and allow it to air dry. Avoid laying in the direct sunlight. High heat from the sun is harsh and will break down the bond between the interior foam and fabric cover. When the backrest is dry, lubricate the snaps with a silicone lubricant. WD-40 is a fine product but will gum up the slides of your snaps over time.

In addition to providing support, many backrests can be outfitted with ancillary pockets, pouches, and rod tubes. Hydration packs are popular add-ons that can be snapped onto the backrest, allowing paddlers to sip liquids from a “camel-back” while afloat without having to turn around or get out of their kayak.

Although this may be intuitive to most, always remove your backrest from your hull when transporting your kayak. Backrests are not designed to stand up to highway-speed winds.

Texas Waterfowl —by Chester Moore TWO OF THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF waterfowl hunting are calls and decoys. The two go hand in hand as crucial elements of allowing waterfowlers to fool their quarry into shooting range, and they add an artistic touch to the sport that other types of hunting simply do not have.

Let’s examine calls and calling first.

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Noted waterfowler John Taylor wrote improper calling style. Either way, single or that when it comes to selecting a call: double, you still have to blow the call cor“Today's duck hunter is confronted with a rectly or it still sounds like a New Year's Eve bewildering array of calls made of synthetic party favor. The best advice is to try both and wood, and single and double reeds. and see which complements your “Wood calls tend to be softer in tone, calling style.” and because wood absorbs moisFor beginners, I would recture, they can change pitch as ommend a double reed call they expand and contract. because they are easier to Synthetics, mainly made of use and a bit more consisacrylic resin, don't change tent. Experienced hunters dimensions, and tend to be would do better to use a louder, although that's not single reed call, as they always true. tend to make sounds that “The biggest quandary is are more realistic. One of whether to pick a single or the biggest mistakes made double reed. Single-reed calls with novice callers is the are traditional, and are the idea that you "blow" into a exclusive choice of contest call. You do not really blow callers. Hunters will often at call; you "talk" into it.

Texas Waterfowl find a double-reed call more $14.95 from Texas Fish & When you read instructions to appealing because they tend to say “tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk” or Game Publishing have a more raspy sound that's "tikit-tikit-tikit" into a call, they closer to the sound of a hen mallard. really mean to say it, or at least sort of groan “The biggest mistake made is thinking it into the call. that a double-reed call will compensate for Master caller and call maker Buck

Gardner said there are many theories about duck calling, and he is not sure that any one of them works 100 percent of the time: “Sometimes ducks seem to want a lot of calling, with long and nearly continuous highballs. ‘Put them on a string and don't give them time to think,’ as the old reelfoot-style callers used to say.

“At other times and places, too much calling seems to put ducks off. Maybe not flaring them, but keeping them endlessly circling when they should be landing. Heavy hunting and calling pressure often results in call-shy birds, but sometimes I think it's a matter of their mood or some other factor that we don't understand. I favor the style of calling that puts ducks in the bag. I don't hesitate to change my style--more or less, loud or soft--when whatever I am presently doing isn't doing the job. Sometimes, a simple change-up from the locally popular calling style tells the birds something that they haven't already heard.”

Gardner said he didn't win any of his duck-calling championships by showing up with no practice and otherwise unprepared

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to compete: “Neither do I go to the blind unready to do my best calling job to waterfowl. Neither should you. If you get a new call, it is a very wise idea to get the instructional tape or video that goes with it. Calls from different makers often blow a bit differently. Listening to the guy who made the

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call tell you how to blow it best is a far shorter learning curve than trial and error.”

Now let's examine decoys, starting with the basic types: Floaters: These are your basic floating duck or goose decoys that, as the name implies, float. A cord and small anchor keep

them in place. Some have a built-in keel weight to help them float upright, while others do not.

Rags: Goose hunters use white or sometimes black rags or sheets of plastic spread across a field to entice geese.

Shells: These are typically goose decoys that have a realistic head but just a shell of a body.

Mangum: These are oversized decoys designed to draw birds from up high (waterfowl have poor depth perception). Magnums can range from mallard decoys twice the normal size to Canada goose decoys that literally double as a blind.

Life-size: The term "life-size" typically refers to full body, realistic goose decoys.

Mechanical: These are decoys with moving parts. Some simply have wings that move in the wind, while others are battery powered. A few models swim in circles or produce bubbles.

Kite: These are simply kites shaped like ducks or geese that are used when the wind is blowing strongly.

Two-Liter Soda Bottles: Two-liter plastic soda bottles can make decent decoys with the proper application of paint and a little imagination.

Freshwater Strategies —by Doug Pike THE FOLLOWING PAGES REFLECT 40-PLUS years of fishing experiences in Texas. Having soaked hard plugs and soft plastics in two dozen other states and almost as many countries, I cannot recall another place on the planet that offers more or better opportunities for recreational anglers. As a fisherman, I feel extremely fortunate that I was born here and raised here.

My early years on the water were marked by mistakes, and I made plenty of them.

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and all that it encompasses, and my enthusi- who ever helped me bait a hook, everyone asm runs as deep and feels as real now as who ever took me fishing, and a whole lot of when I was a child. people whose brains I have picked over barIn this book, you will read often about becue or beer or both. how I learned to fish and from whom. Some I hope that you find this book of the people mentioned are professional light-hearted and honest; it is fishermen, but as many or more not at all intended to be the are just friends who shared last word on any of the my addiction during a time subjects it covers. It is when there were plenty of merely a guide to the funother things to which people damentals, simple and were addicted, none of them proven techniques that can particularly healthy. help beginners catch more There is a tremendous fish and remind experiamount of information and enced anglers of old tricks no shortage of opinion worth bringing back into between these covers. Most service. of it is right there in print, but I am not afraid to present the occasional bit of personal my own errors as examples philosophy is tucked between of what not to do, and neiFreshwater Strategies the lines as well. If you come $14.95 from Texas Fish & ther am I scared to poke fun at across a line you like that is not a colleague whose gaffs help Game Publishing attributed to someone else illustrate a point. Where some specifically, I will gladly take credit. Under- fishermen might inflate the size of the fish stand, however, that every word herein rep- they catch or the effort made to catch it, I resents the collective thinking of everyone believe the truth is every bit as amusing and

entertaining when given a chance.

Throughout my career, I have never presented myself as a professional fisherman. I am a passionate fisherman and a devoted student of the sport. My work--and it is work, for those of you who just snickered-has afforded me the privilege of sharing boats and banks with some of the finest anglers in Texas. Afterward, it becomes my professional responsibility to share those experiences with readers, hopefully in a way that does not cause any of them to nod off mid-page.

In this book, I share lessons learned over a lifetime of watching, listening, and learning from some of the state's greatest fishermen and fishing minds.

For whatever talents I have with rod and reel, I thank my father, who died in 1992.

He introduced me to fishing as soon as I was old enough to hold a cane pole and put a worm on a hook without drawing my own blood or his. He started me as any child should be started in the sport, chasing pintsized fish on easy-to-use tackle.

My first fishing memories are of trips

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that took place while I was still young enough to be absolutely mesmerized by the sight of a tiny cork twitching, dancing, and then vanishing beneath the surface. Imagination ran wild with every bite and every nibble, which it should in a child's head. To this day, I am not entirely convinced there were not 30-pound largemouth bass and 100-pound catfish in the drainage ditch that ran through our neighborhood in southwest Houston. I fished for them often with tiny pieces of bologna dangling off a No. 10 hook. I never caught a fish that large in that spot, but that doesn't mean they weren't there.

Fishing has kept me young. If pressed, I could categorize almost everything that has taken place in my life as happening after one memorable fishing trip or before another.

Just knowing there will be a "next" fishing trip is enough to roll me out of bed every morning, although perhaps not quite so

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early on office days. For every place I have been, even in Texas, there are dozens more I have not fished, and hundreds of potential fishing partners I have not met. Time will solve those problems.

There probably will come a day when I am no longer physically able to fish. When that day comes, somebody had better drag my wilted carcass down to the nearest lake once or twice a week so I can at least watch other people fish. The other drooling, mumbling old men in the nursing home will not like the person I become after too many days away from the water.

I cannot begin this book without mentioning my wife, Amy, whose patience and tolerance may qualify her for sainthood.

The enthusiasm she once had for fishing waned mysteriously (not really) a week or so after we married, and neither of us has tried particularly hard to relocate it. She is not an avid angler. We both have accepted that,

and our relationship is stronger for that understanding.

She knows enough about the sport (her dating/engagement credits include largemouth bass, white bass, yellowfin tuna and sailfish) to appreciate my accounts of a good trip or a bad one. Her passions lie elsewhere, however, and so she seldom accompanies me on "business trips." It works for me, because missing my wife makes it as exciting to come home from a fishing trip as to leave for one.

Amy has heard all of the reminiscences in this book at least once, and she has endured various versions of the better ones at nearly every dinner party and social gathering we've attended in our time together.

I hope you enjoy this tour of Texas and its magnificent freshwater fisheries, and that you finish this book equally informed and entertained.

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Saltwater Strategies —by Pat Murray THERE ARE VERY FEW GREAT DRIFT-FISHERmen. Drifting is arguably the worst part of most bay anglers' game. It sounds strange.

Logically, drift-fishing should be simple.

You stop your boat, drift and cast. Unfortunately, it is one of the hardest parts of successful bay angling, yet one of the most important.

The farther north and east you are on the Gulf coast, the more critical drift-fishing becomes. Although drifting can be a key tool in South Texas, from the Colorado River north it is crucial. The generally steep shorelines and deep mid-bay structure of Matagorda, Galveston, and Sabine make it an inescapable reality of successful fishing.

Learning to drift-fish successfully is not easy or always fun. It is like trying to make

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yourself go to the gym and work out. You and maximize their catching potential. It is want the body, but you feel like you are miss- an underutilized technique. If you want to ing all the fun as you labor through the edu- find secret spots in overcrowded bay syscation and building process. You would like tems, the best secrets of all may in the midthe muscles and all the perceived perks that dle of the bay. go with them, but the investment of time, Think about any bay system, effort, and sweat seem too high a particularly the deeper bays price. of the upper coast. WadeLearning to drift takes able shorelines and reefs dedication. If you learn to be are a minor portion of the an effective fisherman out of total bay acreage. Granted, a boat, you are ahead of litshorelines are a key piece of erally 95 percent of the habitat for almost all baitentire Texas coastal fishing fish and game species, but public. To be honest, you are speckled trout to a large ahead of the majority of prodegree and redfish to a lessfessional guides. er degree spend more time Effective drift-fishing is away from shorelines. The what separates the great key to catching these fish is from the weak in guiding, learning the bottom strucSaltwater Strategies tournament fishing, and week- $14.95 from Texas Fish & ture, the signs to look for, the end angling. It adds a key techniques to use, and the conGame Publishing dimension that is missed by fidence to stick with it. most fishermen. Even among the die-hard The final component to successful driftdrifters who fill the mid-bay reefs and well ing is being aggressive. I do not mean behavpads every summer weekend, few excel at it ior that would incite "bay rage," but a focus

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and drive to actively pursue fish from a boat.

Boat fishing is often associated with lazy and simple fishing. It is actually the opposite. To be consistently successful while drifting, you have to constantly look for signs and always plot your next move. You have to be alert to your surroundings, and capitalize

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on the smallest clues to where the fish might be. A good drift-fisherman is always working, pushing the tempo of his or her fishing.

E HOPE THAT BETWEEN THE MANY offerings displayed in the surrounding ads within this gift guide, and the samples we have provided for some of the books available for outdoorsmen, that we have stimulated your Father’s Day gift-giving imagination.

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On the Web American Rodsmiths: www.americanrodsmiths.com Angler Products: www.angler-products.com Ardent Outdoors, Inc.: www.ardentreels.com Bay Flats Lodge: www.bayflatslodge.com Edson International: www.edsonmarine.com EHP: www.ehphearing.com Faultline Outdoors: www.faultlineoutdoors.com Fish-N-Hunt: www.fishandhunt.com Fishing Lites, Etc: www.fishinglightsetc.com Fishing Tackle Unlimited: www.fishingtackleunlimited.com Foreverlast Inc.: www.foreverlast.com Husky Liners: www.huskyliners.com Katchmor /Nemire Lures: www.nemirelures.com Lansky Sharpeners: www.lansky.com Mad Cow Cutlery: www.madcowcutlery.com Precision Fishing Resources: www.troutsupport.com S.W.F.A. Inc: www.swfa.com Swift Hitch: www.swifthitch.com Texas Fish & Game Publishing: www.fishgame.com C48 |

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Outfoxing a Predator T WAS A DARK MORNING. THE STORM CLOUDS passed in the night, leaving nothing but a low blanket of gray above the treetops for the early morning sky.

Sunrise seemed later than usual this morning, but I could hear the turkey start to wake up with soft tree yelps, occasionally interrupted by a loud gobble. My decoy setup looked impressive, if I say so myself.

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As I sat with my back up against a large tree, I slowly moved my head to investigate movement was to my right. There, in the shadows, a gray fox slithered closer to my hen decoy. Finally, convinced it had fooled its prey, the fox pounced with full force on the decoy.

This was my introduction to predator hunting.

For me, predator hunting was never a passion like whitetail hunting. I have spent hours in the woods with limited success, not because of any lack of game, but I just did not have the patience or time needed to hunt this gray ghost of the forest. The only time I have taken a coyote has been during rifle season when a few of them made the mistake

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of coming to a hunter who had a slow morning. I have taken two with my bow, but again, that was after a very slow morning and I was actually after a whitetail.

Still, it was fun and I considered at the time (and still do) that these animals were trophies because of how hard it usually is to draw them in for a good shot.

To hunt predators with your bow certainly is a huge challenge, and success with an arrow gives you bragging rights with your hunting buddies for years to come; that might be where the “fun” part of hunting comes in.

Hunting from an elevated position is probably your best chance of being successful. A ground blind works very well, too,

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but remember that scent control, as with most wild animals, is imperative. Being elevated will help disperse your scent above the game. Wearing clothing that has a scentlocking agent also helps a great deal.

If you choose to hunt from a ground blind, it would be a good idea to use the natural surroundings to help conceal your “home away from home.” Coyotes often stop and carefully look for any sign of danger before making another step. Many of today’s portable ground blinds already have slots on the side for holding small branches or tall grasses.

Coyotes are crafty creatures to say the least. They will always check downwind to look for any danger. Oddly enough, you might find that they come running in to any setup or call, while at other times they will hang up out of range and assess the situation very carefully.

I have found that a fox will come to a call much more readily than a coyote. A foam rabbit on a spring seems to be the decoy to use, but a brown furry slipper with an electronic call next to it works pretty well too.

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Just remember to get it back in the closet before the wife wakes up. Some hunters even have success using ordinary stuffed toy animals as decoys, so long as they are in natural colors; Energizer Bunny Pink is definitely out.

If you already hunt deer with a bow, then no new equipment is required. Except for a few calls you might want to try, the broadheads you use for deer work fine for coyotes.

Most bowhunters prefer to use electronic instead of manual calls. Reed calls, either open or closed, have a tendency to freeze up on you while you try to call. With the electronic calls, that problem is eliminated.

Also, if you place the electronic call near whatever decoy you are using, it is more convincing to the coyote that the distress call of a rabbit is real and will make an easy meal for him.

Another important reason to choose an electronic call is the fact that there is virtually no movement from the hunter, and as soon as the coyote sees the decoy, his attention will be on the “prey” and not drawn to you.

Stay in one spot for at least 30 minutes before deciding to pull up and try a new area. Although most predators will come to a call quickly (often times 8 to 10 minutes), there are times when a coyote will take its time getting close to you.

Breeding time for coyotes is in late January through February. You will have more success hunting these predators in the colder winter months. This is when coyotes will be looking for an easy meal, one that will not cause them to use a large amount of energy to acquire. Coyotes are hungry, food is scarce, and they will be more easily fooled by calls than in the warmer months.

Most bowhunters call it a day once the whitetail season has ended. They put their bows away and just wait for next year. But some extend the season and the fun by predator hunting with a bow; and when you arrow your first coyote, you will never forget the feeling.

E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

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Ackley Reloaded OST DEDICATED RELOADERS EVENTUALLY have an urge to delve into the world of the wildcat cartridges (wildcat: a cartridge not loaded commercially; a modified standard cartridge). The first true wildcat I loaded for was a Sako Vixen in .17-222 that I had back in the mid 1970s. It was a straightforward wildcat

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made by simply necking the .222 Remington down to .17 caliber, with no other alterations. It was simple and effective.

Now, however, I am faced with my first Ackley Improved cartridge, the .222 Remington Magnum Ackley Improved, and it isn’t quite so simple.

Most shooters these days have never even heard of the .222 Remington Magnum. Remington invented it as a trial cartridge for the U.S. military. When the military chose the .223 over the .222 Remington Magnum, in spite of the .222 Magnum’s ballistic superiority, Remington introduced it as a commercial venture in 1958. It is essentially a lengthened version of the standard .222, thus the “Magnum”

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moniker. When the .222 RM is “improved,” it further increases its ballistic advantage over the .223 and standard .222, putting it about halfway between the .222 and .22-250.

To create a .222 RM, a standard .222 cartridge must be fire-formed to fit the new chamber. The most problematic aspect of this alteration is proper headspacing. If the gunsmith has chambered the gun to be a slight crush-fit with unaltered factory brass, then the fire-forming is simple and easy; just load the parent cartridge with a stiff but not maximum load and shoot it (the lower pressure of reduced loads can allow the cartridge to develop excessive headspace).

If, however, the gunsmith is unfamiliar with the idiosyncrasies of the Ackley Improved cartridges and sets the headspace normally, then you have a more difficult problem to solve. Make certain the gunsmith you choose is experienced with Ackley Improved cartridges.

If the headspace is such that the cartridge head is not held against the face of the bolt when firing that first time, the result is excessive headspace, which sooner or later (usually sooner) will cause case/head separation.

This is a very dangerous condition and can cause catastrophic failure, otherwise known as an Earth-shattering ka-boom!

Assuming everything is as it should be, loading for an Ackley Improved is straightforward. The reason these cartridges are popular and have been for over 70 years is that the standard factory cartridges can be fired in the “improved” chamber without danger; the result is a cartridge that stretches in every direction to fill the new Improved chamber. Then, all you have to do is use your Improved reloading dies to load the cartridge case with something suitable for the “new” cartridge. (I recommend only neck sizing for most of these cartridges. Sizing the neck for about 2/3 of its length prevents accidentally moving the shoulder back, which can induce excessive headspace.)

To gain the increase in case capacity, the

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cartridge uses a more radical shoulder, generally 35 to 40 degrees, and the sides of the case are straightened out for minimum body taper from rim to shoulder, increasing the case capacity by 5-10 percent (depending on the parent caliber) and increasing case life.

All this makes the cartridge more “efficient.” The cartridge now, because of the minimum taper, does not have as much thrust back against the face of the bolt as did the original, but more evenly distributes the pressure on the sides of the chamber. This means that the pressure signs are not as obvious, which is why you need to be a very experienced reloader before you tackle this project.

My .222 RMAI was built by a young, enthusiastic, talented gunsmith named Jason Bowman. Jason is a cowboy, farmer, leather worker, and fledgling gunsmith.

I had a little .222 Remington Model 700 ADL of 1960s vintage that had a bad barrel. I tried everything I could think of to get it to shoot, but it balked at it all. Then, one day I was talking to Wyman Meinzer

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and his brother, Rick, wildcat aficionados both. We were discussing the possibilities when Rick mentioned Jason and what great work he was doing. I wrangled an introduction, and the next afternoon took my recalcitrant Remington to Rhineland, which is near Munday, which is north of Abilene, and turned it over to Jason to be made into the above-mentioned .222 RMAI. In due time, especially considering that the old barrel was not the only problem Jason encountered with the old rifle (apparently nothing on my rifle had been true and square, a symptom of pre-computer manufacturing, I suspect), the gun was ready.

Well, I am positively giddy (well, as giddy and a jaded old lawman can get) with the performance of the rifle. The first group I shot from it, with pre-fire-formed brass and bulk bullets, went into just over a half-inch.

Later that afternoon, with a working load and 55-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets, in a 20 mile-per-hour wind I managed several three-shot groups of less than an inch, and one, when my wobbles compensated for the gusty wind, that was just one ragged hole.

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On a calm day, it will shoot better than I do.

Good job, Jason.

The Ackley has been a learning experience, and I am still learning from it, which is one reason I ordered it. I have a burning desire to learn, as I hope we all do. If you are an experienced handloader, I recommend you try a wildcat at least once. You might find a new passion.

Author’s note: Jason Bowman does not have a website and asked that I not publish his phone number. However, if you want to contact Jason to discuss a project or gunsmith work, send your contact information and a short synopsis of what you are interested in to me by email at guns@fishgame.com, and I will forward it to Jason.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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The Great Compromise F POLITICIANS WERE BOATS, THE BUDGET would be balanced, our national deficit would be nil, and we would have a new health care system so sensible it could be understood by the lowliest of bilge rats— maybe even by the legislators themselves.

Now, I am not saying we would be better off if our “leaders” were molded from resin and fiberglass cloth (though it surely wouldn’t make matters any worse), but if politicians were boats, they would at least understand the meaning of the word “compromise.” In fact, they would be forced to exist in one big state of agreement.

Everything in a boat is a compromise, from hull and deck design, to construction, to power choice. That’s why there is no such

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thing as the “perfect” boat, and it is also why there are so few boats out there that are easy to hate. Even if you own a 65-foot custom sportfisher, you probably still have a soft spot for kicking around in a leaky 14-foot johnboat.

Of course, when it comes to marine machines, the nature of compromise is quite different from those of politics. And whether you plan on getting a new boat, going out on a friend’s, or even building your own, you’ll need to understand where the middle ground lies. So, before you set your legislative agenda, make sure you consider these important arguments.

THE CLASH: Degree of Deadrise — We are not talking about the human-to-vampire ratio in the senate (it’s about 60-40 just in case you were wondering) but the amount of V in the hull bottom of your boat. A flat-bottom boat has zero degrees of deadrise, and a deep-V boat has 21 degrees or more of deadrise. The deepest you will find on a modern powerboat is 24 or 25 degrees. Boats that fall somewhere in-between are usually considered semi-V. Power cats, tri-hulls, and other unusual hull

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designs do not have a dog in this fight, though they do face their own sets of clashes and compromises.

THE COMPROMISE: All other factors being equal, the deeper the V is the smoother the ride will be—but, the lower the lateral stability will be. In other words, you can reduce the pounding you take in rough seas by getting a boat with a deep V, but it’s bound to do more rocking and rolling, particularly in a beam sea.

Other trade-offs to consider include dryness of ride (deeper V’s tend to be wetter), speed and efficiency (flat bottom boats plane easier and more quickly,) and cost (deep V boats are usually more expensive, for a number of reasons).

Chine design, weight distribution, and beam-to-length ratio can all be tweaked to mitigate these factors, and variable-degree deadrise hull designs try to take the best of both designs by changing the deadrise angle fore and aft. But the bottom line remains the same: you will have to compromise, to some degree.

THE CLASH: Good for One or Good for All — Do you want a hard-core fish boat that’s highly specialized for a specific fishery, do you want one that’s appropriate for multi-species fishing in different environments, or do you want one that can be used for everything from whaling to water skiing? This is one of the most difficult choices boat buyers face, especially when you and Mom are tugging at opposite ends of the purse strings (not unlike the Prez and congress, arguing over economic priorities). And as our Budgeteer-in-Chief has discovered, it is impossible to please all the people all the time.

THE COMPROMISE: As with many things in life, boats that try to do everything generally do it all poorly, while those that focus solely on one specific task tend to do it effectively. A bass boat, for example, is ideal for targeting largemouth in a reservoir. But if you use it to troll for wahoo around the rigs, set a spread of duck decoys, or pull a water skier across the bay, you are going to be sorely disappointed.

That’s why you need to (sigh) compromise quite often when choosing what type of boat to

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get. The best compromise, of course, is to get several different boats so you can choose the most appropriate one for the mission at hand.

If the Budgeteer-in-Chief of your family disagrees, explain to her that boating is much like the defense budget: it’s too important to cut, and you need all of those different weapons to keep the Homeland safe.

THE CLASH: A Weighty Debate — They say obesity is a problem our health care system hasn’t fixed, and it’s also a problem with boats. Except when it’s not.

In fact, many modern boat builders go well out of their way to make their boats Jenny Craig graduates. The idea is to go faster with a given amount of power, but if you’ve ever blasted through a 2-foot chop in a hopped-up eggshell of a boat, you know that going fast in a light boat isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Especially when the boat—or your back—is the thing getting cracked.

THE COMPROMISE: On a boat, weight is both a curse and a blessing. It’s a curse because it takes more energy (fuel and power) to move a heavier object through the water then it does to move a lighter one. It’s a blessing because more weight gives a boat more momentum, which can help it bull waves out of the way without slowing down. As a perk, weighty boats also tend to be extremely strong because that weight usually comes in the form of thicker fiberglass laminates. But you had better sit down at the table ready to bargain, because if you fail to find a happy middle ground, you will end up with a boat that can’t handle heavy seas, or one that’s a pig.

THE CLASH: Power vs. Efficiency — We all like going fast, but none of us enjoy paying fuel bills. And our energy policy is something we constantly argue over. In this case, national security might not enter the debate, but family economics are certainly at stake.

THE COMPROMISE: In a nutshell, boats with less power generally give up speed in favor of efficiency. Many other details influence the result (including the design and weight compromises mentioned earlier), but when push comes to shove, you have to decide how important it is to be the first guy to the hotspot, and weigh it against how important it is to pay that fuel bill instead of slapping it onto the credit card and swelling your own national debt. Yet another major point of contention enters this debate when one also considers environmental impact. The more emphasis you place on speed and power, and less you are placing on being “green.”

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Loophole Alert: You can always opt for the larger power plant, and simply run your boat at slower speeds. In most cases, the result is not that different from getting a smaller engine and working it harder.

You might not be hearing about these points of contention on the nightly news, but make no mistake about it, they are of dire importance. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, wash that mud off of our hands, and prepare to work together. Only with compromise will we

be able to work through these problems and leave a better boating world for our grandchildren. And to those of you in the halls of congress: keep doing exactly what you’ve been doing for the past few years and you’ll soon have a lot more free time of your own to go boating—the rest of us will see to it.

E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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Walkabout Angler Takes Sharelunker N JANUARY, TEXAS FISH & GAME KICKED OFF its Walkabout Angler feature series, and as has often been the case, the articles proved prophetic. In the wake of Walkabout features on fishing from small, handlaunched boats and “walk-up trophies,” Jacksonville dentist Michael Banks caught a 13.6pound largemouth from his kayak while fishing in Purtis Creek Lake in early March.

A lifelong fan of paddle sports, one of Bank’s favorite fishing vessels was a canoe up until several years ago, when he started fishing from a sit-on-top kayak.

“I was introduced to canoeing in Boy Scouts, and even had the chance to paddle the boundary waters in Canada,” Banks said.

“As an adult, I still enjoy canoeing. The Neches River is one of my favorite places to spend time paddling.”

On the morning on March 11, Banks launched his Hobie Quest kayak near the dam around 9:00 a.m. and fished his way up the lake, a healthy breeze at his back. One by one, he ducked into the coves that punctuate the shoreline, looking for refuge from the biting wind. The fifth cove proved to be the lucky one.

“The wind was blowing pretty good and the coves offered the only protected water on the whole lake,” Banks said. “I often use my kayak as transportation to a likely looking area and then hop out and wade-fish. The water was still way too cold to wade. We had snow just three weeks before. When I’m not wading, I usually dangle my legs over the side of my kayak, but I kept them in the boat that day.”

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destination. Bucking the stiff wind, it took Banks 35 minutes to paddle back to his starting point.

When he got to shore, certified scales verified the bass’ weight at 13.6 pounds, heavy enough to be loaned to the ShareLunker program, which does genetic research on large bass and uses offspring from 13-pound-plus fish to stock Texas reservoirs.

The big fish, which Banks affectionately named “Imma Hog,” was in good shape with the exception of an overinflated air bladder.

TPWD personnel quickly punctured the bladder and the fish was soon swimming upright in a special holding barrel.

The big female showed no adverse affects from the whole affair, likely a combination of the cold water and gentle tow back to the ramp. Within an hour, the biologist assigned to pick up the fish for ShareLunker was at the ramp and the fish was loaded into the special tank for the ride back to the Athens Hatchery.

Banks emailed me the day of his catch, and I had initially thought it was the first ShareLunker caught from a kayak. I was wrong.

David Utz of Lovelady actually caught the first two kayak-caught ShareLunkers in 2006 while fishing in Ratcliff Lake: a 13.03-pound fish on March 2 and a 13.65 one day later.

The official ShareLunker tally book now stands at three grand fish caught by two kayak anglers.

Purtis Creek Lake is a kayak-friendly bass factory. The 349-acre lake is small enough to paddle to plenty of fishy locations. There is plenty of standing timber, and catch and release rules have allowed the lake’s population of largemouth to get fat and sassy.

TPWD electroshock surveys revealed that the lake is a good candidate to give up the next state record.

Banks concluded his emailed with: “Texas is THE place. God bless Texas!”

Indeed.

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Michael Banks and his kayak-caught Sharelunker from Purtis Creek Lake.

Banks doesn’t have a depth-finder on his kayak and guessed the depth at around 12 feet in the creek where the big fish hit. Working a large-billed crankbait slowly, Banks felt a small tap and then a sluggish weight on the other end of the line. The big fish didn’t put up much of a fight; Banks speculated that the cold water induced its lethargic state.

Seconds later, the fish of a lifetime was finning next to Banks’ kayak. “I didn’t start getting nervous until I saw how large the bass was,” Banks said with a chuckle. “I grabbed her by the lip with my gripper scale, and the weight kept changing between 12.9 and 13.4 pounds. I knew I had a potential 13-pound fish and the battery in my cell phone was running low, so I called my wife and asked her to call the TPWD personnel at Purtis Creek State Park to have some certified scales waiting for me at the boat ramp.”

In addition to the low battery in his cell phone, Banks faced another pressing problem: his kayak didn’t have a livewell. Banks left the gripper scales secured to the fish’s lower jaw, tied his anchor rope to the scale, and began towing the mighty fish back to the ramp, stopping periodically to check on its well-being.

His wife phoned soon after, directing him the boat ramp on the other side of the lake. In the middle of the white-capped lake, Banks’ phone rang again. TPWD personnel were standing by at the boat ramp at his original

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Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com PHOTO BY LARRY HODGE, © TPWD

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move the bait quite a bit with just a slight twitch of the rod tip.

Complacent fish are not going

Shallow Drop Shotting ORM FISHING HAS COME A LONG WAY in the past 50 years. The original Crème soft plastic worm came pre-rigged with hooks, ready to fish straight out of the package.

Since then, we have fished them on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, weightless, wackyrigged, with split shot, and, in the past decade, just about half the anglers you talk to that fish a worm deep will have a dropshot rig tied on.

For the few who don’t know, drop-shots are finesse rigs originally used to present small baits to finicky fish in deep water.

There is some debate over whether it began in California’s gin clear fish bowl lakes, or in Japan where lakes are crowded. Either way, it is an outstanding way to horizontally present bait to sensitive fish.

In an interview I did with Jay Yelas a few years back, he said at the time one of the few rigs he kept in his boat on all trips was the drop-shot. It seems that this finesse rig has replaced traditional methods of fishing a worm and become a favorite of tournament anglers as well.

The horizontal presentation noted earlier is because, originally, all anglers using a drop-shot would simply drop it over the side of the boat into a school of fish relating to deep-water humps and points. If the fish were shallow, these same anglers would put away drop-shot in favor of a wacky worm or soft plastic jerkbait, both of which work great if the fish are in a feeding mood. If the fish are shallow but not aggressive, there was a problem because these two methods of fishing

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to chase a bait far, so anglers needed a method of presenting a worm that would keep the bait in the strike zone for an extended time. A few anglers with some grey matter between their ears decided to try a drop-shot in shallow water for these bass, and much to their surprise, it worked with delightful frequency.

The main reason it works is because you can put the bait in a specific spot and leave it there as long as you like. You can jiggle your rod tip and make small twitches, but the bait stays in one spot, anchored by the weight, and irritates the fish so much they strike out of anger rather than hunger.

A drop-shot for deep-water fishing and one for shallow water are the same rig

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with one minor difference—the distance between the weight at the end of the line and the hook. For deep-water applications, this distance is measured in feet, stretching anywhere from 2 to 8 feet between the two. For shallow water, this distance is measured in inches with no more than 12 between the two.

Tying a drop-shot is simple, since there are no leaders involved.

Start by tying a short shank drop-shot hook on your main line with a Palomar knot, leaving the tag end about 18 inches long.

With the point of the hook facing up, run the tag end back through the eye of the hook from the top side. This will help the hook point stay upright while fishing, which seems like a small thing, but will increase your hook-ups and decrease snagging on grass.

On the tag end of the line, slide on a dropshot weight. The line tie on these weights are specifically designed for the line to be pushed through, then pulled up into the smaller secCONTINUED on Page C59

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Mahi Mahi, Shrimp, & Scallop Ceviche HAT’S GREEN AND GOLD AND SPOTTED blue? If you are an offshore fisherman, the answer is dorado, mahi mahi, or, as us old timers call it, dolphin.

This flashy acrobat is a coveted catch for many offshore anglers for its aerial antics, speedy runs, and great beauty at boatside.

After the dolphin has been caught and placed on ice to chill, its vibrant colors quickly fade, but it continues to shine as a culinary treat. The next time you experience a hot dolphin bite, bring a few home and prepare them Texas Gourmet style.

Almost every Pacific and Gulf coast state has its own version of this raw fish cocktail, which naturally cooks itself in limejuice. I learned this recipe from an old native of Acapulco while dining beachside, listening to the waves roll in. This recipe combines elements from this Acapulco style while adding a touch of Texas flair.

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2 lbs. mahi mahi filets (substitute redfish or other firm-fleshed fish) 1/2 lb. bay scallops 1 lb. shrimp, 21-25 count, peeled but raw 2 cups limejuice, fresh squeezed 4 Tbs extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

Redfish can be substituted for mahi, in a pinch.

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6 Roma tomatoes, cored and diced 1 cup purple onion, chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, rinsed well and chopped 3 Tbs serrano peppers, seeded and chopped 2 avocadoes, ripe, peeled and diced 2/3 cup green olives with pimentos, sliced thin 1/3 cup capers 1 Tbs oregano, dried 1 cup tomato sauce 1 tsp black pepper, fresh cracked 1 tsp white pepper 2 tsp Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice

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discarding the used limejuice. Meanwhile, rinse the glass bowl then pour in the reserved 1/3-cup limejuice and tomato sauce. Add remaining ingredients except avocadoes and cilantro and stir gently to combine. Add seafood to the tomato mixture and salt to taste. Chill for two hours.

Before serving, garnish with diced avocadoes and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, saltine crackers, or tortilla chips.

Muy sabroso!

See thetexasgourmet.com for other wild game and spicy food recipes, and a selection of quality seasonings and sauces.

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com

Place the fish, scallops, and shrimp in a large glass bowl and cover with limejuice, reserving 1/3 cup for later use. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator; marinate 8-10 hours or overnight. Take the plastic off once while marinating and stir the seafood to allow the limejuice to get to every piece, then re-cover for the remainder of the time. I like the fish to be firm and opaque; marinating it overnight will accomplish this.

After marinating, pour seafood into a colander and rinse under cold water briefly,

BAITS & RIGS Continued from Page C57 tion of the eye, which holds the line in place without tying. This allows you to slide the weight up and down the tag end to adjust the depth of the worm without having to retie. It also lets the weight slip off the line if it gets hung up; that way, you lose only the weight and not the entire rig.

Selecting a worm to drop-shot is a matter of personal preference, but in general, you should use small worms in basic colors like Watermelon and Pumpkinseed. This is not the time to bust out with an 18-inch mega-worm in Electric Chicken.

The best way to rig the worm is to nosehook it by pushing the point of the hook though the nose from the bottom, leaving the point exposed.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

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ROCKPORT

TEXAS SALTWATER CORPUS CHRISTI

Steve Strasmeyer Striper Striper Express Kendal McMahon w/ her Redfish Redfish Charters

GALVESTON

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE) ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS SALTWATER

For Classified Rates and Information call Dennise at 1-800-750-4678, ext. 5519.

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Bert Trinity BayTrout Hillman’s Guide Service

Kendal’s Redfish North Padre Boating

Nice Reds!

Rockport RedRunner

TEXAS FRESHWATER

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

LAKE TEXOMA

EAST TEXAS

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

LAKE AMISTAD

SPOTLIGHT: NORTH PADRE BOATING ADVENTURES Captain Chuck Matthews, licensed by U.S.C.G. and T.P.W.D., is a retired Firefighter/ Paramedic who established North Padre Boating Adventures in 2008. As an avid angler and lover of the outdoors, he’s taken these two loves and combined them into a new career.

Captain Chuck Matthews believes in customer service, and giving his clients the best possible fishing experience he can.

It is his belief if you catch a legal limit, the fishing is not over, because you paid for a certain service and it is his job to provide that service to best of his ability. If you limit out on a species he will take you to find another species. Captain Chuck Matthews also believes in “C.P.R.” Catch Photograph and Release. Catching a limit may be fun, but releasing them back into nature to have something to catch on another day for you or your kids is just as important.

Fishing trips are from 1 to 4 anglers. Fishing gear and tackle provided, but you are welcome to bring your favorite fishing gear. Additional services: Romantic Sunset Cruises, Dolphin Watching, and Bird Watching or just a family outing in a boat for something different to do with friends and family. He can accommodate up to six persons on these adventures.

Captain Chuck Matthews: Official Fishing Guide for Ambit Energy www.myambitenergyconsultant.com and KOUL 103.7 Country for the Coastal Bend.

Contact Captain Chuck at 361-855-FISH (3474) or check out www.northpadreboatingadventures.com

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ht e, Texas, caug n of Woodvill while fishing Donald Horto ss ba ce un , 13-o this 10-pound urn. at Sam Rayb

Michael Edwa rd this 27.5-inch s, age 13, of Austin, caug ht re around the bo dfish with live shrimp at docks on Little Bay in port.

Rock-

7caught this 5.

Parks, age 5, e David Chase s River, abov es pr Cy g Bi on Star, Texas. pound bass nes near Lone Lake O’ the Pi ry proud. ve Dad, Andy, is

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Texas, caught Brownsville, e scales at 8 Joe Molina of th ng pi tip trout, this 28-inch nd. It is the la Is e dr Pa uth pounds, in So e has caught.

Jo biggest trout

Three-year-o ld William Bu tler of Austin Texas, caught , hi great-grandpa s first fish, a drum, off of rents’ pier on hi parents are W Trinity Bay. Hi s eston and St ephanie Butle s r.

Columbus, ez, age 9, of ile ch redfish wh Marcus Olivar -in 28 9-pound, Connor, He O’ rt snagged this Po at s his parent fishing with work!

A member at is a future CC

“Captain” Ry an McKeever and “Co-Capt Tad Miguez, ain” both of Ham shire, off their 2-man limit of redfis Texas, show Sabine Lake h ca ug ht in .

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(L-R) George and Sonia Ga rcia and Edna Armando Lu na of Edinbu and rg, caught th redfish off Po ese rt Mansfield in Texas. Th ranged from e fish 22 inches to 26-1/2 inches .

LibSpiking from ile th-old Wyatt Eighteen-mon to reel in his first trout wh ed m erty Hill, help parents in Rockport. Mo his fishing with ed in the fish. el re he ile wh held the pole

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o ught these tw of Houston ca He Jeff Schaberg reds in San Antonio Bay. ch st 24- and 25-in a personal be and released same trip. e th on also caught ut speckled tro 9.5-lb., 30-in.

Brandon Sm ith of Kirbyv ille speckled tro ut in Keith La caught this ke. The 10-p 4 ounce, 24.2 ound 5-inch speck was caught wi , plum-colored th a bull minnow.

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Logan Bell, ag e caught his fir 6, of The Woodlands, Te xas, st port, while fis redfish, a 25-incher, in Ro hing with Da cknny Poffenber He did all the ger. work himself.

is risti caught th a of Corpus Ch dre fishing Eric Soriano Ma na gu La e in th won el. The trout 27-inch trout th his dad, Jo al category. tournament wi du vi di in e th e in him first plac

this cona caught e, age 6, of No ile fishing in a id Br Mc a nn Je f wh all by hersel 5-pound bass r dad Jeff (pic . pond with he e at iv pr l ca d” on fishing lo ke oo “h w no is tured). Jenna

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Bryce Pilley, age 14, of Ma rble Falls took first buck wi th a his yards while hu 25-06 at approximately 130 nting with hi s proud papa Mike Pilley, on , the last day of a hunting trip.

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speckthis 20-inch age 4, caught with p tri ng hi Kyler Ross, fis on her first d) in led trout while a and Uncle Joe (picture ar her Aunt Barb ti.

Corpus Chris

Avery Farmer , age 8, of Lu bbock, Texas, shot his first de Matador. The er on a ranch outside of deer was a 6pointer.

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erl yant of Kopp -old Travis Br on a private ss Sixteen-year ba nd ou -1/2-p and caught this 12 was spawning erl. The fish ll.

Bi pond in Kopp d, da by o . Phot was released

Jessie Cepak, age 8, of Pala caught her fir ci st big bass at os, Texas, Coleto Creek Reservoir in Victoria, Texa s.

does ries shot two Rhett Humph st deer hunt durSix-year-old fir s hi on ck t bu He and a 5-poin uth season. morning of yo n County. ing opening to or m ck ro in Th was hunting

Calf r first deer at n bagged he CulColleen Wathe st outside of Brady in Mc ju Creek Ranch, e was guided by her son, Sh loch County.

Riley.

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Karen Holland and her son proudly show the buck that sh of Leverett’s Ch e shot while hunting near f apel in Rusk County.

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Rider Sessio ns, age 7, of Wells, Texas, his first deer shot at the Sessio ns Family Ra nch.

pound ught this 5.4Jack Webb ca private lake a ng hi fis ile black bass wh ing his lure of s. He was us in East Texa een Senko. gr d ge rig s choice, a Texa

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PHOTO COMPOSITE BY TF&G

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Moonlight Bass IGHT-FISHING FOR BASS IS A NEARLY forgotten art. Once hugely popular, it seems to have faded slightly into obscurity, according to my observations, or the anglers doing it are seriously tight-lipped.

There is good reason to keep it a secret.

Some of the best fishing to be found anywhere for lunker largemouths is under moonlight on big East Texas lakes like Toledo Bend, Fork, Conroe, and Lake O’ the Pines.

The main thing to remember is there are certain things to look for after dark. The first is shallow water with deep-water access.

One of the reasons novice anglers have a hard time catching bass during the day in late summer is the fish tend to move deeper, where many anglers are not familiar with catching them and where a strike is harder to notice and hookset is difficult.

These areas are “transition zones” where bass can easily hang in the deep water during the day and move into the shallows at night, when baitfishes are prowling the shorelines and associated structure. A prime spot would be the point of a deep creek that has a submerged weedline bordering a shallow shoreline, especially if the drop-off is sudden. Often times the main point you see

N

on a creek can fool you as the best fishing is on the secondary point, which is typically submerged and only visible with electronics.

Run these areas over and watch your graph for large fish right on the edge of the deep, and keep an eye out on the shoreline for baitfish. Also, make sure to listen. Bass can get quite aggressive at night when feeding along the shorelines and can make quite a ruckus.

by Steve Schaffer Some of the best structure to fish is deep grasslines, particularly deeper beds of hydrilla.

Some of the largest bass never leave the deep, and research proves the largest fish are the most lethargic. Anglers must put their lures right in front of these fish and target the areas they haunt.

The first place to consider for extra large lunkers is the reverse of the areas mentioned.

Instead of targeting shallow areas near dropoffs, fish the deeper spots below the dropoffs and hit hard spots on the bottom. Any spot in deeper water adjacent to grass or brush that has a hard, rocky bottom is a good spot to seek larger bass at night. These spots typically hold more crawfish, which is

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a crucial component in the big-bass diet.

Gearing up for night-fishing is a bit different. The general rule is to use heavier tackle, as it is much easier to coax a big fish out of heavy structure with strong gear.

Thrill-seeking anglers prefer fishing topwaters in the shallows. They can produce more big fish than other baits in the shallows, and hearing the sound of a big bass crashing the surface on a quiet night is more than enough to get the heart racing.

There are two schools of thinking on color. Most anglers prefer to use dark-colored plugs, particularly solid black. The idea is black blocks out any available light and creates a better silhouette for bass to focus on. A few anglers prefer using topwaters that glow or have glowing strips of tape attached to them. These anglers use a camera flash unit to “charge” the lure before chucking into the darkness.

Anglers should consider moon phases when planning a night-fishing trip on Texas waters. The general rule is the fishing is better immediately before, after, and during a full moon. The fish seem to be more active during these times and increased light will allow you to make more accurate casts and Continued on Page I2 G A M E ®

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In This Issue HOW-TO SECTION

I1

COVER STORY • Moonlight Bass |

BY STEVE SCHAFFER

I45

BOWHUNTING TECH • Outfoxing a Predator |

BY LOU MARULLO

I46

TEXAS BOATING • The Great Compromise |

BY LENNY RUDOW

I48

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Ackley Reloaded |

BY STEVE LAMASCUS

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BAITS & RIGS • Shallow Water Drop Shotting |

BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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TEXAS KAYAKING • Walkabout Angler Takes ShareLunker |

BY GREG BERLOCHER

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

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TEXAS TESTED • Hevy Metal Jigs, Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging | BY TFG STAFF

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TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots |

BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD

I28

NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers |

BY TF&G STAFF

I18

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times |

BY TF&G STAFF

I31

SPECIAL SECTION • Father’s Day Gift Guide |

BY TF&G STAFF

avoid getting hung up.

Some anglers like to fish the first half of the night, and others from midnight until dawn. The most popular times are right after dark until the angler gets sleepy and decides to go home. There might be some science to this, as some studies suggest fish

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TEXAS TASTED • Mahi Mahi, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche |

BY BRYAN SLAVEN

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OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Classifieds |

BY TF&G STAFF

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FISH & GAME PHOTOS • Your Action Photos |

BY TF&G READERS

GEARING UP SECTION

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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actively feed very heavily right after the sun falls and for a few hours afterward. On the other hand, fish tend to feed again right before dawn, and the hours leading up to it can be productive.

While night-fishing can be highly exciting, it can also be more dangerous than day-

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time fishing. Recently, there have been several incidents of deaths in Texas related to night-fishing, and nearly all of them could have been prevented.

The first thing an angler needs to do is to make a plan with their family or friends.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials recommend they write down where they will be fishing, where they launched, and what time they expect to be home. That way, if the angler does not show up when expected, authorities will have an idea where to search.

If possible, anglers should have a cell phone and VHF radio to call for help if needed.

The major thing to watch out for in the dark is running over stumps and other obstacles that might be easy to spot during the day, but nearly invisible at night. This is a particularly dangerous proposition on Toledo Bend, where standing timber is considered a real problem in parts of the reservoir.

Also, be wary of storms, which pop up frequently at night in Texas during the summer.

If you see a storm approaching, do not gamble. Not only will you have to deal with dangerous lightning, but the water can get dangerously rough in a hurry. You can always fish another day if you play it safe.

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Trout Take Chicken on a Chain LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South end of Lake GPS: N29 47.221, W93 55.919 SPECIES: speckled trout

BY TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin Chicken on a Chain Sea Shad in Glow/green tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: It all depends on the salinity and where the shrimp are migrating. Follow the bids.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake

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HOTSPOT: Jetties GPS: N29 40.371, W93 50.250 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Gulp! early in May on a 3/8-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Use the trolling motor to move along the rock face, throwing the bait up on the rocks. Let if fall down along the rocks, working it as it falls.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93 90.111 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins in Wild Firetiger and Morning Glory with green tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782

TIPS: Wade-fish this area along about the middle of May if the conditions are right. Look for a flat surf.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93.90.111 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Gulp! early in May in Molten Shrimp color on a 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Look for a flat surf. May can be good, but it just depends on the weather and water conditions.

LOCATION: Sabine Pass HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93.90.111 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Gulp! and bass Assassins CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Try wade-fishing this area along about the middle of May. BANK ACCESS: Wade-fishing in area south of Sabine Pass. Take Dowling Road out of Sabine Pass and turn on First Ave and go all the way, crossing Texas Bayou, to the end. The road runs right up to it; cross the riprap to get on the beach.

Black Magic Trout LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N28 29.887, W96 14.202 SPECIES: speckled trout

by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: topwaters; Black Magic Norton Sand Eels in Pumpkin Seed or I4 |

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Chicken on a Chain colors on a 1/8-ounce leadhead jig CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: This is the time of the year to get on the grass beds early in the morning and wade-fish. Start off the day throwing top-

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water baits and as the day progresses switch over to soft plastics working the drops off from the sand bars.

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Mad Island Reef GPS: N28 36.952, W96 05.504 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters early then switch to a sub-surface lures like a Corky or a Catch 2000. Later in the morning switch to leadhead soft plastic baits such as Norton Sand Eels in the darker colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: If you can catch the wind calm enough, wade-fish some of the mid-bay reefs. Look for the bait action.

LOCATION: Matagorda Beachfront HOTSPOT: Surf GPS: N28 43.213, W95 41.828 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early; Corky, Catch 2000, leadhead soft plastics in darker colors CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: By the end of May, start checking for bait action in the surf.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Smith Point GPS: N29 31.465, W94 46.372 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastic in Limetreuse, Pumpkin Seed, Cajun Pepper on a 1/4ounce lead jighead CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: Key on shell bottom along the north shoreline LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Quarantine Island GPS: N27 55.006, W97 04.070 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: free-lined live croaker on the bottom CONTACT: Capt. George Rose, 361-4637700 TIPS: After a not-so-good last year, TPWD biologists are predicting good

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speckled trout fishing year in the Aransas area.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Siever’s Cut GPS: N29 25.994, W94 42.834 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: She Pup or Super Spook in chartreuse, black, or Bone CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: Outgoing tide is the best time to target speckled trout as the fish wait to ambush food being washed out of marsh drains.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: East Kleberg Point GPS: N27 16.526, W97 30.973 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, topwaters early, soft plastics in Plum/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Limetruese CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Trout are still working around the point before settling into summer patterns.

A topwater in the shallows is a good choice for early in the morning. Back off into deeper water as the day wears on, and either work soft plastics over the bottom, or live shrimp under a popping cork. Once you find trout, stick to the area you are on, as they will hold in good numbers.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Alazan Bay GPS: N27 18.467, W97 31.030 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait; eel-type plastics in Glow/chartreuse, Pearl/chartreuse, Plum/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish over and among the rocks to find trout holding near the structure. Live bait free-lined among the rocks works well, as will suspending and countdown plugs worked slowly. You can also fish deeper in the water column with soft plastics such as a Saltwater Assassin.

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: JFK Causeway GPS: N27 38.052, W97 14.773 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, topwaters, soft plastics in Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Glow/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: The JFK Causeway is very popular during the month of May. The fishing really begins to pick up around the pilings and along the flats. Anyone fishing with live bait under a popping cork, or free-lined with the current past the pilings will find all the trout and reds they can handle. Topwaters fished over the flats early, or soft plastics worked either shallow or in the deeper water work, too.

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Bird Island GPS: N27 23.083, W97 21.351 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait; soft Plastics in Limetreuse, red/white CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Drift with the wind, and work methodically. Use live shrimp or pinfish if using bait. Or, use soft plastics on a 1/8ounce jighead are always effective. Look for grasslines and bottom contours and fish perpendicular to them.

Speck Shrimp Fest LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: The Y GPS: N26 3.061, W97 12.542 SPECIES: speckled trout

by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: large live shrimp or mullet, SPI Tandems and other soft plastics in Pearl, Smoke CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Fish the drop-offs along the points opposite both sides of the islands for big speckled trout. A large live shrimp or shrimp imitator under a popping cork can be lethal. Soft plastic jerkbaits sink slowly through the water column and present easy targets for lazy yellowmouths.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Brownsville Ship Channel GPS: N26 2.124, W97 13.108 SPECIES: snook BEST BAITS: live shrimp, live finger mullet, SPI Tandems and other soft plastics in Pearl, Glow CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: If you are particularly bold, try night-fishing during the full moon. Beg snook patrol the drop-offs and near dock pilings and are suckers for a free-lined shrimp or live mullet. Again, slow-sinking jerkbaits are good choices.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats GPS: N26 03.603, W97 11.771 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: topwaters, gold spoons, cut ballyhoo or mullet, live shrimp or piggy perch under a popping cork CONTACT: Jimmy Martinez, 956-5519581 TIPS: Fish the flats between the sand bar parallel to the Brazos Santiago channel (which leads into the Brownsville Ship Channel) and the Old Causeway during an incoming or high tide. Topwaters near the shore are effective early, as are gold spoons, which both trout and redfish love.

The choice live bait would be a pinfish or live shrimp under a cork, but these fish aren’t proud. They will eat cut-ballyhoo on

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a 3/0 circle or Kahle hook, too. Cast in the direction of your drift and slowly reel in the slack.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: The Saucer GPS: N26 26.782 W97 22.757 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early, plasitics in Bone/clear, Bone/Diamond, Salt and Pepper CONTACT: Captain Steve Devries, 956289-3631 TIPS: Speckled trout will push bait up against the weedlines and feed heavily.

Thus, the action really picks up in May. A topwater modified with single hooks to cut down on fouling and damaging fish can be worked early in the morning. Fish soft plastic shad tails such on 1/8th ounce heads later in the morning. If you locate fish, ease an anchor over the side and focus

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on the area. A Power Pole comes in handy.

Drop-Shot Bass LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N31 58.817, W96 7 57.871 SPECIES: largemouth bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: drop-shot and Carolinarigged Kicker Kraw or other soft plastic creature lures CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 817-9290675 TIPS: Keep your boat in 12-14 feet of water close to drop-offs and ledges. Cast to

the ledges and drop-offs and let your bait lay motionless for 15 seconds before moving it. Use a 12- to 14-inch leader on a drop-shot with 1/4-ounce weight. On a Carolina rig, use a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce TruTungsten weight on 30- to 50-pound Mean Green braided line with a black swivel and 6mm Force beads. The Kicker Kraw’s larger size moves more water.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Carl White Hump GPS: N32 15.02, W96 11.22.92 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: drop-shot and Carolinarigged Kicker Kraw or other soft plastic creature lures CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 817-9290675 TIPS: Keep your boat in 12-14 feet of water close to drop-offs and ledges. Cast to the ledges and drop-offs and let your bait lay motionless for 15 seconds before moving it. Use a 12- to 14-inch leader on a drop-shot with 1/4-ounce weight. On a Carolina rig, use a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce TruTungsten weight on 30-50-pound Mean Green braided line with a black swivel and 6mm Force beads. The Kicker Kraw’s larger size moves more water.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Cobb Bay GPS: N32 05.00, W95 27.30 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Shad-colored Bomber BD7, Carolina-rigged lizards CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299 TIPS: Look for post-spawn bass bunching up in the creeks that swing in close to points. Saline Bay also is a good place to try. You also may encounter crappie on brush piles and white bass on main-lake points early and late.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Big Creek Marina tires GPS: N30 17.10, W96 34.340 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs

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CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for spawning crappie near structure. Tie up to the tires outside the marina and fish where the water comes up shallow. The tires offer good spawning areas for crappie.

LOCATION: Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Outlet Point GPS: N31 34.267, W96 56.913 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: buzzbaits, spinnerbaits CONTACT: Jimmy D. Moore, rayado@earthlink.net, 254-744-2104, bigtroutman.tripod.com TIPS: Slowly drag spinnerbaits and buzzbaits across grass in and out of open pockets.

BANK ACCESS: Old boat ramp by South Levee, catfish at night with stinkbait, chicken livers. Go just past the end of the road/levee, turn left and park in the old park at the top of the hill.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Yegua Park shoreline GPS: N30 17.760, W96 32.781 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad or stinkbait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, Fish-TalesGuideService.com TIPS: Look for spawning fish in 3-6 feet of water. Anchor away from the shore and target structure and algae growth. Use a No. 1 Kahle hook with shad or a No. 4 treble hook with stinkbait. Occasionally move up or down the shoreline to cover more areas where the fish are nesting.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Winkler Creek GPS: N31 57.307, W96 13.069 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: small minnows, jigs under slip corks CONTACT: Royce Simmons, royce@gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS: This is at the end of the crappie spawn. Fish the shallow water on the far southeast area of the lake and from the bank in the coves around Fisherman’s Point Marina.

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LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Employee Dock area GPS: N30 37.611, W96 04.591 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, crawfish, punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor in the cove next to the rock dam and fish the lily pads left of the cove for post-spawn catfish feeding there.

Also, fish 10 feet off the water line on the rocks using a cork. Shad and small crawfish likely will produce larger fish. Yellow and blue cats also spawn in this area.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N31 58 718, W96 06 878 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Trap, 1-ounce silver slab CONTACT: Royce Simmons, royce@gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS: Look for the feeding gulls over 2030 feet of water to help locate the baitfish that the white bass are feeding on.

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Point GPS: N31 54.672, W97 20.873 SPECIES: Striped bass BEST BAIT: live gizzard shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: Anchor just off the hump and fish a Carolina-rig with 2-ounce weight and No. 2 circle hook on a gizzard shad. Make long casts onto the hump and lock in the reel. When a striper picks up the shad let it run and use a sweeping hook set. Also, drop two lines straight down in 26 feet of water with the same rig and reel three to four turns off the bottom. Stripers are coming off the top of the hump and in deeper water off its sides.

BANK ACCESS: Lake Whitney State Park LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Snake Island GPS: N31 55.215, W97 12.891 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Little George, chrome and blue Rat-L-Trap

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CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: White bass should be chasing schools of shad along the edge of the island. Make long casts and work the bait back to you. Use binoculars and glass the lake for birds working above occasional

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schools of white bass chasing shad to the surface.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: North End and Washita Point GPS: North End: N 33 52.072, W96 41.672; Washita Point: N33 55.395, W96 35.400

SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad jigs, topwater lures, live shad CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: This is most anglers’ favorite month of the year because the fish have finished spawning and are traveling in large schools gorging on shad. Cast Pencil Poppers or Chug Bugs on the shallow banks early and then switch to white glow oneounce Sassy Shad jigs or live shad on main lake ledges down to 30 feet. Drift or anchor when using live shad. Limits of stripers are common.

BANK ACCESS: Platter Flats, Washita Point LOCATION: Fayette County Lake HOTSPOT: Park Cove GPS: N29 56.541, W96 44.962 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: stinkbait, worms, shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The fish will be shallow after the spawn. Anchor or tie up to the timber and chum close to the timber. Use a slip cork to avoid hanging up. The fish should show up within 30 minutes after the area has been chummed. If you don’t get bites, move to the next timber.

LOCATION: Lake Waco HOTSPOT: North Bosque River GPS: N31 30.366, W97 17.414 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shrimp, bloodbait, stinkbait, Punch Bait CONTACT: Jimmy D. Moore, 254-7442104, rayado@earthlink.net, 254-7442104, bigtroutman.tripod.com TIPS: Catfishing is best from April through early summer with the North and South Bosque Rivers favored by trotliners.

Hog Creek and the Middle Bosque are also good. Drift-fishing over main lake points like the point at Twin Bridges and its submerged structure and the flats near Speegleville and other bays next to creek channels that run through them also are

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good. These are the areas where most rod and reel anglers go for cats. Shrimp, bloodbait, and stinkbait work well for channel cats, while blues and flatheads prefer live shad or fresh cut bait or punch bait. Cumming is a good idea, too.

BANK ACCESS: Reynolds Creek Park has a public fishing area on the shoreline south of the new boat ramp and is good for largemouth bass, crappie, white bass.

LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow HOTSPOT: Big Island, east side GPS: N31 01.258, W97 34.795 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: blue and silver Rat-L-Trap CONTACT: Bob Maindelle,

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Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, holdingthelineguideservice.com TIPS: The best time to catch bass in this clear, shallow water is 30 minutes prior to sunrise through two hours after sunrise.

Watch for feeding shad and fish the areas thoroughly.

Broadway Stripers LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Lake HOTSPOT: Broadway (between mouths of Cedar and Caddo Creeks) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad, jigs, Slabs, deep-

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diving crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Look for suspended stripers 24 feet down in 50 feet-plus of water on points, humps, and edge of the river channel. This also is a good time for down-rigging 1-ounce bucktail jigs with 6-inch white, yellow, or chartreuse trailers. My favorite area is the south end of Broadway at Tabletop, a flat underwater area of limestone the size of three football fields that is

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about 30-36 feet down close to 50-65 feet of water. Stripers often chase schools of shad on top of Tabletop.

LOCATION: Lakes Graham-Eddleman HOTSPOT: Lake Graham Lower End Humps

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SPECIES: white bass and hybrid stripers BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Trap type lures, topwater lures CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Check the action at the hot-water outlet on Lake Eddleman, then go through the canal connecting the two lakes and fish the humps on the lower end of Lake Graham with live shad off the bottom and swimming lures. Keep a topwater lure handy for sporadic schools of surfacing fish.

Vertical Crappie LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Brush Piles GPS: Entire Lake SPECIES: crappie

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: chartreuse jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmail.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com TIPS: Fish jigs vertically over brush in 412 feet of water. Lower the jig until it makes contact with the brush and raise it slightly. Hold the jig still and wait for the bite. If you don’t get action in a few seconds, move around until you get hit. For murky water, use a 1/16-ounce jig. For clear water, use a 1/32-ounce jig.

BANK ACCESS: Wilson Fox Park dock LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Elm Cove GPS: N29 34.515, W98.557 SPECIES: Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: shad patterned Pop R, Zara Puppy, and 1/4-ounce buzzbait; Shad and chartreuse 4- to 5-inch jerkbait, fluke, and 1/4-ounce Rat-L-Trap, Watermelon, cotton candy and pumpkin Shaky Heads, dropshot-rigged finesse worms CONTACT: David Burlington, I14 |

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dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Most post-spawn bass are feeding aggressively around main lake points and flats. Look for schools of bass in 8-10 feet of water. Top-water action should be good all day. If the topwater action slows switch to a jerkbait, fluke, or Rat-L-Trap. If a high-pressure system slows the bite, fish slow with a Shaky Head or drop-shot rig.

BANK ACCESS: Reds Cove for catfish on shad sides and cheese bait LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Morgan Creek GPS: N30 49.583, W98 21.303 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white buzzbaits, white and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, brown/red topwater frogs, Watermelon/pearl flukes, 1/2-ounce Texas Craw or black/blue jigs with matching trailers; Junebug Texas-, Carolina-, or wacky-rigged plastic worms CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Focus on points, small pockets, and ledges around spawning areas in creeks where bass are feeding on bluegill, baby bass, and shad. Target docks and vegetation. Cover area quickly with buzzbaits, frogs, flukes, or spinnerbaits until the bite fades and then fish slow with jigs or worms for less active fish.

BANK ACCESS: Burnett County Park for catfish on stinkbait and cut shad LOCATION: Lake Dunlap HOTSPOT: Middle to lower lake GPS: N29 40.399, W98 04.021 SPECIES: Bluegill BEST BAITS: worms and crickets CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: This is a great time to put kids into lots of action. Look for banks with a flatter contour than others as well as small pockets. Overhanging trees will cluster the bluegills waiting for insects to fall into the water. Fish worms or crickets under a slip cork with small split shot that will keep the bait just above or at the bottom. Expect

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lots of strikes when the bait is on the fall.

BANK ACCESS: I-35 bridge public launch ramp and park.

LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Cypress Creek GPS: N30 25.241, W97 53.480 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Chrome Pop-R and Zara Spook, white spinnerbait, shad-colored jerkbait and fluke; Watermelon Texas, Carolina, or drop-shot soft plastic CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Post-spawn bass should be schooled up over points and ledges along channels in 5 to 15 feet of water. Some bass will be suspended at those depths in 70-100 feet of water. Start with topwater lures. If the action is slow, fish a jerkbait or fluke at the same depths and follow up with the soft plastics to catch less-active and deeper fish holding tight to the bottom.

BANK ACCESS: Pace Bend for crappie on minnows and white crappie jigs LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Horseshoe Bay GPS: N30 33.401, W98 21.345

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SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows and white crappie jigs CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Look for brush piles in 10-15 feet of water in front of docks in areas with deeper water and on points. Crappie should be suspended over the brush. Work the baits just above the brush for the most bites.

BANK ACCESS: Flying K for bass on spinnerbaits and soft plastics LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Turkey Creek GPS: N29 51.406, W98 13.081 SPECIES: smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: Smoke-red flake, Watermelon, Pumpkin, and silver tubes, grubs, and worms on 1/8- or 1/4-ounce leadhead jigs CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Smallmouth bass should be moving along the creek and river channel ledges in 10 feet of water feeding on baby bass, bluegill, and shad. Fish at a 45degree angle to the ledges allowing the bait

to fall to the bottom. Allow the bait to drag the bottom on the retrieve, periodically hopping the bait to draw a reaction bite.

BANK ACCESS: Cranes Mill for crappie on minnows and white jigs

Hit the Points LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 43.34, W95 59.51 SPECIES: hybrid striped bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAIT: live shad, Storm Swim Shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, admin@fishdudetx.com, 936-291-1277, fishdudetx.com TIPS: The fish will be feeding on shad all around the lake on main-lake points.

Use sonar unit to locate schools of shad in 20-30 feet of water and fish the depth where you find the most shad. Live shad will work best but the Swim Shad will work, too, if you can control the depth.

BANK ACCESS: Stowaway Marina LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: The Pocket off the river channel GPS: N30 55.662, W95 15.054 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas-rigged Watermelon Seed and Junebug creature baits, Texasrigged Junebug, black and chartreuse lizards, shad-patterned and Firetiger medium-diving crankbaits CONTACT: David S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Fish soft plastics around boathouses, keying on brush piles and laydowns.

Fish crankbaits off rocky points.

BANK ACCESS: Highway 19 bridge at Riverside and Carolina Cove Marina LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Bayou Seipe main & secondary points

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GPS: N31 43.865, W93 49.351 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: Bass are in transition heading to deep water. Work the shallow flats early and late close to deep water and points with buzzbaits, stickbaits, or swimming frogs, spinnerbaits, surface lures, shallowdiving crankbaits and soft plastics until the sun is overhead then go to deeper water and fish the bends of the creeks with crankbaits and Texas or Carolina-rigged soft plastics. At end of month as water continues to warm fish the main lake points, river channel ledges, ridges and humps targeting structure and cover holding baitfish. Keep a shallow-diving crankbait, lipless crankbait, and topwater plug handy for schooling activity, which will increase as the water warms.

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SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater frogs; buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatter Baits, shallow-diving, square-billed crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, swimming flukes and wacky-rigged Senkos CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Bass are shallow and feeding heavily on bluegill and other baitfish, roam-

ing open water as well as positioning themselves in the grass and brush. This can create an awesome topwater frog bite. Have several rods rigged with various baits to match the cover you are fishing. Ripping crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps in the grass or brush can create a great reaction bite.

BANK ACCESS: South Shore State Park for catfish on shrimp and cut bait

Brush Up for Bass LOCATION: Falcon Reservoir HOTSPOT: School bus cove, Arroyo Leon GPS: N26 48.067, W99 14.128 SPECIES: largemouth bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: Shad and Perch-colored medium-diving crankbaits, 10-inch Red Shad and Plum plastic worms CONTACT: Robert’s Fish N’Tackle, robert@robertsfishntackle.com, 956-7651442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: The bass are getting super active with the shad and tilapia spawn. They will be shallow early and then move out to 1215 feet of water. Drag big worms or throw medium-size crankbaits around flooded brush using 20-pound fluorocarbon line and medium-heavy rod. Once you hook a fish, keep it close to the surface above the brush.

LOCATION: Choke Canyon HOTSPOT: North Shore GPS: N28 27.589, W98 15.519 A L M A N A C

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Tides and Prime Times

MAY 2010 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

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.

T13 T7

T6 T5 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.

AM & PM MINOR phases occur when the moon rises and sets. These phases last 1 to 2 hours.

T14

T15 T16

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

SOLAR & LUNAR ACTIVITY: Sunrise: 6:34a Sunset: 7:51p

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.

T20

AM Minor: 9:11a AM Major: 2:57a PM Minor: 9:40p PM Major: 3:25p

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.

Moonrise:9:27a Moon Set: None Moon Overhead:

T21

4:55p

TIDE CORRECTION TABLE Add or subtract the time shown at the right of the Tide Stations on this table (and map) to determine the adjustment from the time shown for GALVESTON CHANNEL in the calendars.

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 a wide variety of wildlife species.

T9 T8

T3 T2 T1

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 PLACE T12 Pt Barrow, Trinity Bay T13 Gilchrist, East Bay T14 Jamaica Beach, W. Bay T15 Alligator Point, W. Bay T16 Christmas Pt T17 Galveston Pleasure Pier

T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: 12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

6a

12p

6p

12a

Green: Falling Tide

AM/PM Timeline Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Gold Fish: Best Time

Blue: Rising Tide Red Graph: Fishing Score

Blue Fish: Good Time

SOLUNAR AC TIVIT Y: MINOR Feeding Periods (+/- 1.5 Hrs.) Time Moon is at its Highest Point in the Sky 12a

AM/PM Timeline

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AM Minor: 1:20a

PM Minor: 1:45p

AM Major: 7:32a

PM Major: 7:57p

MAJOR Feeding Periods (+/- 2 Hrs.)

Moon Overhead: 8:50a 6a

12p

6p

12a

Time Moon is Directly Underfoot (at its peak on opposite side of the earth)

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p M A Y

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LOW +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:33 +2:31 -1:06

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

PLACE San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor Pass Cavallo Aransas Pass Padre Island (So. End) Port Isabel

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

Yellow: Daylight

HIGH +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -1:06

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LOW -0.09 -1:02 -1:20 -1:31 -1:45 -0:42

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

28

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

30 MAY 1

29

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 6:18p

Set: 7:51p Set: 5:07a

Sunrise: 6:41a Moonrise: 7:24p

Set: 7:51p Set: 5:44a

Sunrise: 6:40a Moonrise: 8:30p

Set: 7:52p Set: 6:25a

Sunrise: 6:39a Moonrise: 9:34p

Set: 7:53p Set: 7:10a

AM Minor: 3:49a

PM Minor: 4:15p

AM Minor: 4:36a

PM Minor: 5:02p

AM Minor: 5:27a

PM Minor: 5:54p

AM Minor: 6:23a

PM Minor: 6:51p

AM Minor: 7:23a

PM Minor: 7:51p

AM Minor: 8:23a

AM Major: 10:02a

PM Major: 10:27p

AM Major: 10:49a

PM Major: 11:15p

AM Major: 11:41a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 12:09a

PM Major: 12:37p

AM Major: 1:09a

PM Major: 1:37p

AM Major: 2:10a

Moon Overhead: None 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:57a

Moon Overhead: 12:04a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 7:53p Moonrise: 10:34p Set: 7:59a

Moon Overhead: 1:52a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SUNDAY

Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 7:54p Moonrise: 11:28p Set: 8:53a

6a

12p

6p

Set: 7:55p Set: 9:49a

PM Minor: 8:51p

AM Minor: 9:23a

PM Minor: 9:50p

PM Major: 2:37p

AM Major: 3:10a

PM Major: 3:37p

Moon Overhead: 3:44a

Moon Overhead: 2:48a 12a

2 Sunrise: 6:36a Moonrise: None

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

27

26

12a

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

Moon Overhead: 4:38a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:39a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:16p BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 4:11p BEST:

8:00 — 10:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:04p +2.0

BEST:

8:30 — 10:30 PM

9:00 — 11:00 PM

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:20p

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 1:24p

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 12:30p

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

3:52 am 9:41 am 2:33 pm 9:27 pm

1.52 ft 0.90 ft 1.28 ft -0.04 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:01 am 10:41 am 2:49 pm 10:09 pm

1.63 ft 1.09 ft 1.31 ft -0.23 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

6:04 am 11:39 am 3:05 pm 10:52 pm

A L M A N A C

1.70 ft 1.24 ft 1.35 ft -0.33 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

7:04 am 12:38 pm 3:16 pm 11:37 pm

T E X A S

1.71 ft High Tide: 8:05 am 1.35 ft Low Tide: 1:50 pm 1.39 ft High Tide: 3:09 pm -0.34 ft

F I S H

&

1.68 ft 1.42 ft 1.42 ft

Low Tide: 12:24 am -0.28 ft Low Tide: 1:13 am -0.16 ft High Tide: 9:08 am 1.62 ft High Tide: 10:13 am 1.55 ft

G A M E ®

M A Y

2 0 1 0

|

I19

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:1002 Coastal

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9:40 AM

Page I20

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 Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

3

4

SATURDAY

7

SUNDAY

8

9

Set: 7:56p Sunrise: 6:33a Set: 12:38p Moonrise: 2:09a

Set: 7:57p Set: 1:31p

Sunrise: 6:32a Moonrise: 2:39a

Set: 7:58p Set: 2:24p

Sunrise: 6:31a Moonrise: 3:08a

Set: 7:58p Set: 3:16p

Sunrise: 6:31a Moonrise: 3:36a

Set: 7:59p Set: 4:09p

AM Minor: 10:20a

PM Minor: 10:46p

AM Minor: 11:13a

PM Minor: 11:37p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:01p

AM Minor: 12:24a

PM Minor: 12:45p

AM Minor: 1:04a

PM Minor: 1:25p

AM Minor: 1:42a

PM Minor: 2:02p

AM Minor: 2:17a

PM Minor: 2:38p

AM Major: 4:08a

PM Major: 4:33p

AM Major: 5:02a

PM Major: 5:25p

AM Major: 5:50a

PM Major: 6:13p

AM Major: 6:34a

PM Major: 6:56p

AM Major: 7:15a

PM Major: 7:35p

AM Major: 7:52a

PM Major: 8:12p

AM Major: 8:28a

PM Major: 8:48p

Moon Overhead: 5:30a 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:04a

Moon Overhead: 6:19a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:48a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:09a

Moon Overhead: 8:29a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:50a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

FRIDAY

6 6

5

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 7:55p Sunrise: 6:34a Set: 7:56p Sunrise: 6:34a Moonrise: 12:17a Set: 10:46a Moonrise: 12:59a Set: 11:42a Moonrise: 1:36a

12a

THURSDAY

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:55p +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:08p

Moon Underfoot: 8:49p

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:29p

BEST:

1:00 — 3:00 AM

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:10p +2.0

BEST:

2:00 — 4:00 AM

3:30 — 5:30 PM TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 7:26p

TIDE LEVELS

10:00 — 11:30 PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:42p

Low Tide: 2:05 am -0.02 ft Low Tide: 3:01 am 0.14 ft High Tide: 11:17 am 1.48 ft High Tide: 12:07 pm 1.41 ft

I20 |

M A Y

2 0 1 0

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

T E X A S

4:02 am 12:37 pm 8:24 pm 8:57 pm

0.30 ft 1.35 ft 1.12 ft 1.12 ft

F I S H

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

&

5:05 am 12:55 pm 7:44 pm 11:29 pm

0.46 ft 1.30 ft 0.99 ft 1.10 ft

Low Tide: 6:08 am High Tide: 1:09 pm Low Tide: 7:44 pm

G A M E ®

0.62 ft 1.25 ft 0.83 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

A L M A N A C

1:05 am 7:08 am 1:21 pm 7:55 pm

1.15 ft 0.77 ft 1.23 ft 0.65 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

2:21 am 8:03 am 1:32 pm 8:14 pm

1.25 ft 0.91 ft 1.23 ft 0.47 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:1002 Coastal

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9:40 AM

Page I21

ALMANAC I.qxd:1002 Coastal

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9:40 AM

Page I22

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

12

FRIDAY

13

SATURDAY

14

15

Sunrise: 6:30a Moonrise: 4:06a

Set: 8:00p Set: 5:04p

Sunrise: 6:29a Moonrise: 4:37a

Set: 8:00p Set: 6:02p

Sunrise: 6:29a Moonrise: 5:12a

Set: 8:01p Set: 7:03p

Sunrise: 6:28a Moonrise: 5:53a

Set: 8:02p Set: 8:05p

Sunrise: 6:27a Moonrise: 6:39a

Set: 8:02p Set: 9:08p

Sunrise: 6:27a Moonrise: 7:33a

AM Minor: 2:53a

PM Minor: 3:15p

AM Minor: 3:31a

PM Minor: 3:54p

AM Minor: 4:13a

PM Minor: 4:38p

AM Minor: 5:01a

PM Minor: 5:27p

AM Minor: 5:54a

PM Minor: 6:22p

AM Major: 9:04a

PM Major: 9:25p

AM Major: 9:43a

PM Major: 10:05p

AM Major: 10:25a

PM Major: 10:50p

AM Major: 11:14a

PM Major: 11:40p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:36p

Moon Overhead: 10:32a 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:04p

Moon Overhead: 11:16a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:56p 12a

6a

12p

6p

6a

12p

6p

16

Set: 8:03p Sunrise: 6:26a Set: 10:08p Moonrise: 8:32a

Set: 8:03p Set: 11:04p

AM Minor: 6:53a

PM Minor: 7:23p

AM Minor: 7:57a

PM Minor: 8:26p

AM Major: 12:39a

PM Major: 1:08p

AM Major: 1:42a

PM Major: 2:12p

Moon Overhead: 2:50p

Moon Overhead: 1:52p 12a

SUNDAY

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 3:49p 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

WEDNESDAY

11

10

12a

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 10:54p +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

4:30 — 6:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 12:30a

Moon Underfoot: 1:24a

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:21a

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 PM

BEST:

6:30 — 8:30 PM

7:00 — 9:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 3:20a +2.0

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 PM TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: None

TIDE LEVELS

4:00 — 6:00 PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 11:40p

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

3:24 am 8:54 am 1:40 pm 8:39 pm

I22 |

1.36 ft 1.04 ft 1.24 ft 0.28 ft

M A Y

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:18 am 9:43 am 1:46 pm 9:09 pm

2 0 1 0

1.48 ft 1.15 ft 1.27 ft 0.11 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

T E X A S

5:08 am 10:32 am 1:47 pm 9:43 pm

1.58 ft 1.25 ft 1.31 ft -0.05 ft

F I S H

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

&

5:58 am 11:20 am 1:43 pm 10:21 pm

1.66 ft 1.35 ft 1.37 ft -0.18 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

G A M E ®

6:49 am 12:09 pm 1:36 pm 11:03 pm

1.72 ft High Tide: 7:44 am 1.75 ft High Tide: 8:40 am 1.43 ft Low Tide: 11:48 pm -0.33 ft 1.44 ft -0.28 ft

A L M A N A C

1.74 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:1002 Coastal

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9:42 AM

Page I23

= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

17 SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

18

Set: 8:04p Sunrise: 6:25a Set: 8:05p Set: 11:55p Moonrise: 10:43a Set: None

20

19

Sunrise: 6:25a Set: 8:05p Sunrise: 6:24a Set: 8:06p Moonrise: 11:50a Set: 12:40a Moonrise: 12:56p Set: 1:20a

SATURDAY

21

SUNDAY

22

23

Sunrise: 6:24a Moonrise: 2:00p

Set: 8:07p Set: 1:57a

Sunrise: 6:23a Moonrise: 3:03p

Set: 8:07p Set: 2:31a

Sunrise: 6:23a Moonrise: 4:06p

Set: 8:08p Set: 3:06a

AM Minor: 9:02a

PM Minor: 9:31p

AM Minor: 10:06a

PM Minor: 10:34p

AM Minor: 11:06a

PM Minor: 11:33p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:02p

AM Minor: 12:28a

PM Minor: 12:52p

AM Minor: 1:14a

PM Minor: 1:38p

AM Minor: 1:57a

PM Minor: 2:22p

AM Major: 2:47a

PM Major: 3:17p

AM Major: 3:52a

PM Major: 4:20p

AM Major: 4:53a

PM Major: 5:20p

AM Major: 5:49a

PM Major: 6:15p

AM Major: 6:40a

PM Major: 7:04p

AM Major: 7:26a

PM Major: 7:50p

AM Major: 8:10a

PM Major: 8:34p

Moon Overhead: 4:48p

12a

FRIDAY

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 6:39p

Moon Overhead: 5:45p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:30p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:08p

Moon Overhead: 8:19p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:57p 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:26a Moonrise: 9:37a

THURSDAY

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:19a +2.0

BEST:

0

-1.0

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 7:05a BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 7:55a BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:43a BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 9:32a +2.0

BEST:

2:00 — 4:00 PM

3:00 — 5:00 PM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

9:30 — 11:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 6:12a

TIDE LEVELS

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:17a

Low Tide: 12:38 am -0.32 ft Low Tide: 1:30 am -0.25 ft Low Tide: 2:27 am -0.10 ft Low Tide: High Tide: 9:36 am 1.71 ft High Tide: 10:26 am 1.65 ft High Tide: 11:05 am 1.56 ft High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

3:27 am 11:35 am 6:11 pm 9:57 pm

0.12 ft 1.46 ft 0.98 ft 1.08 ft

Low Tide: 4:33 am 0.38 ft High Tide: 11:59 am 1.37 ft Low Tide: 6:34 pm 0.68 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

12:11 am 5:47 am 12:18 pm 7:10 pm

1.12 ft 0.66 ft 1.31 ft 0.37 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

1:58 am 7:11 am 12:34 pm 7:49 pm

1.26 ft 0.92 ft 1.29 ft 0.07 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:1002 Coastal

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9:42 AM

Page I24

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION BEST:

= Peak Fishing Period

7:45-9:40 AM

= FALLING TIDE = RISING TIDE = DAYLIGHT HOURS = NIGHTTIME HOURS

Fishing Day’s Best Good Score Graph Score Score

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

26

25

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

28

27

SUNDAY

29

30

Sunrise: 6:22a Moonrise: 5:10p

Set: 8:08p Set: 3:41a

Sunrise: 6:22a Moonrise: 6:14p

Set: 8:09p Set: 4:20a

Sunrise: 6:22a Moonrise: 7:18p

Set: 8:09p Set: 5:02a

Sunrise: 6:21a Moonrise: 8:19p

Set: 8:10p Set: 5:49a

Sunrise: 6:21a Moonrise: 9:16p

Set: 8:11p Set: 6:41a

AM Minor: 2:40a

PM Minor: 3:06p

AM Minor: 3:25a

PM Minor: 3:52p

AM Minor: 4:13a

PM Minor: 4:41p

AM Minor: 5:05a

PM Minor: 5:33p

AM Minor: 6:01a

PM Minor: 6:29p

AM Minor: 6:58a

PM Minor: 7:25p

AM Minor: 7:56a

PM Minor: 8:22p

AM Major: 8:53a

PM Major: 9:18p

AM Major: 9:38a

PM Major: 10:05p

AM Major: 10:27a

PM Major: 10:54p

AM Major: 11:19a

PM Major: 11:47p

AM Major: ——-

PM Major: 12:15p

AM Major: 12:45a

PM Major: 1:12p

AM Major: 1:43a

PM Major: 2:09p

Moon Overhead: 10:47p 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: None

Moon Overhead: 11:40p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 12:35a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 6:21a Set: 8:11p Moonrise: 10:07p Set: 7:36a

Moon Overhead: 2:26a

Moon Overhead: 1:31a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 6:20a Set: 8:12p Moonrise: 10:53p Set: 8:33a

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 3:19a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

24

12a

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 10:22a +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 1:03p BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 PM

6:30 — 8:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 1:58p BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 2:53p BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 3:45p +2.0

BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 PM

9:00 — 11:00 PM TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 12:08p

TIDE LEVELS

4:30 — 6:30 PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 11:14a

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

3:24 am 8:40 am 12:49 pm 8:30 pm

1.43 ft 1.13 ft 1.30 ft -0.18 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:35 am 10:08 am 1:01 pm 9:12 pm

1.57 ft 1.28 ft 1.33 ft -0.35 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:36 am 11:33 am 1:07 pm 9:55 pm

1.66 ft High Tide: 6:30 am 1.69 ft High Tide: 7:20 am 1.67 ft High Tide: 8:07 am 1.37 ft Low Tide: 10:38 pm -0.46 ft Low Tide: 11:22 pm -0.41 ft 1.38 ft -0.45 ft

1.62 ft

Low Tide: 12:05 am -0.32 ft High Tide: 8:52 am 1.55 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:1002 Coastal

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9:42 AM

Page I25

= New Moon = First Quarter = Full Moon = Last Quarter = Best Day

Tides and Prime Times for MAY 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

31 SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:20a Moonrise: None

2

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

4

3

SUNDAY

5

6

Set: 8:13p Sunrise: 6:19a Set: 8:13p Sunrise: 6:20a Set: 8:14p Sunrise: 6:19a Set: 10:27a Moonrise: 12:07a Set: 11:22a Moonrise: 12:39a Set: 12:15p Moonrise: 1:08a

Set: 8:14p Set: 1:07p

Sunrise: 6:19a Moonrise: 1:36a

Set: 8:15p Set: 1:59p

Sunrise: 6:19a Moonrise: 2:05a

Set: 8:15p Set: 2:52p

AM Minor: 8:52a

PM Minor: 9:16p

AM Minor: 9:45a

PM Minor: 10:08p

AM Minor: 10:34a

PM Minor: 10:56p

AM Minor: 11:20a

PM Minor: 11:40p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:02p

AM Minor: 12:22a

PM Minor: 12:42p

AM Minor: 1:00a

PM Minor: 1:21p

AM Major: 2:39a

PM Major: 3:04p

AM Major: 3:33a

PM Major: 3:56p

AM Major: 4:23a

PM Major: 4:45p

AM Major: 5:09a

PM Major: 5:30p

AM Major: 5:52a

PM Major: 6:12p

AM Major: 6:32a

PM Major: 6:52p

AM Major: 7:10a

PM Major: 7:31p

Moon Overhead: 4:10a

12a

THURSDAY

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 5:42a

Moon Overhead: 4:57a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 6:24a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:44a

Moon Overhead: 7:05a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:25a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:20a Set: 8:12p Moonrise: 11:32p Set: 9:30a

WEDNESDAY

JUN 1

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 4:34p +2.0

BEST:

0

-1.0

BEST:

10:00P — 12:00A

Moon Underfoot: 6:44p BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 7:24p BEST:

12:30 — 1:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 8:05p BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

1:30 — 3:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 8:46p +2.0

BEST:

2:00 — 4:00 PM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

BEST:

10:00P — 12:00A

Moon Underfoot: 6:03p

TIDE LEVELS

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 5:20p

Low Tide: 12:48 am -0.19 ft Low Tide: 1:30 am -0.03 ft Low Tide: 2:11 am 0.15 ft High Tide: 9:33 am 1.47 ft High Tide: 10:08 am 1.40 ft High Tide: 10:36 am 1.33 ft

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

2:51 am 10:58 am 6:21 pm 9:22 pm

0.34 ft 1.27 ft 0.91 ft 0.95 ft

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

3:31 am 11:16 am 6:24 pm 11:29 pm

0.54 ft 1.22 ft 0.74 ft 0.95 ft

Low Tide: 4:15 am 0.74 ft High Tide: 11:29 am 1.19 ft Low Tide: 6:39 pm 0.55 ft

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

1:16 am 5:09 am 11:37 am 7:02 pm

1.03 ft 0.92 ft 1.19 ft 0.36 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC I.qxd:1002 Coastal

3/31/10

9:42 AM

Heavy Metal Jigs IF YOU ARE INTO HEAVY METAL, THIS IS GOING be a great fishing year for you. Three hot new metal lures hit the market for 2010, and each go for less then $10 a pop at your local tackle shop. After testing them all, I am leaving those jazzy lures, classic lures, and rapping lures behind; it is time to give heavy metal some play time.

The first new beat comes from Drone Spoons that has always produced the sameold, same-old spoons—which were effective, but boring. Not anymore. Their new Electric series amplifies the shine with powder-coat paint jobs. Different shades and levels of reflection are created by using single or multiple coatings, and color patterns are enhanced with reflective tape. The tape’s tough, too, and mine survived multiple encounters with bluefish and Spanish mackerel with only minimal scratching. What is really amazing is how durable the powder-coat finish is; even those toothy fish couldn’t touch it.

I26 |

M A Y

2 0 1 0

T E X A S

Page I26

Anglers who march to the beat of a different drum will want to check out the Octojig, from Jerk That Jig. This vertical-jigging cannonball-style jig is available up to 150 grams (over 5 ounces), so you can use it in high-current or deep-water areas. The silicon skirt has two paddle tails, along with multiple rubber strips and twin hooks. The head also has 3D eyes and a thick strip of glow paint, so it will prove handy when night-fishing.

If you want a jig that has a glowing “lasereffect” finish, glow-in-the-dark edges, and high quality terminal tackle already rigged up and ready to fish, Ocean Tackle’s new Jager OTI jigs fit the bill. These 4-1/2- to 8-inch jigs weigh from 3-1/2 to 14 ounces, so sizes are available for everything from speed jigging to deep dropping.

My favorite part of the Jager is how it comes rigged. Many high-quality jigs are available only un-rigged, and many less expensive jigs are pre-rigged with junky tackle. But the Jager swings a pair of Raptor Assist hooks, and the split ring is an Owner

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

Hyperwire, and that’s music to any savvy angler’s ears.

—Lenny Rudow

Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging TEXAS FISH & GAME BOATING EDITOR LENNY Rudow has a new book out, Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging. Yeah, we’re biased, but we bet that any angler who wants to get in on the new forms of jigging will find this book extremely helpful.

The first section of the book details different jigging styles, starting with the traditional vertical jigging method then moving on to new techniques such as speed jigging, Butterfly jigging, yo-yoing, and meat jigging.

As you read the book, two things become apparent about modern jigging tackle: choosing the proper gear is critical, and there is no single source that clearly illustrates and details exactly how jigs, lines, and leaders should be rigged for different styles of jigging. Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging sets out to fill this gap, explaining and illustrating rigging methods developed by tackle manufacturers, then detailing his own tweaks and changes brought about after several years of in-depth jigging research done in the field.

The second section of the book goes into specific species, and how, where, and when to target them. Different chapters focus on big game like tunas and wahoo; reef and wreck fish like grouper and snapper; deep-water dwellers like tilefish and wreckfish; and inshore game fishes like mackerel and flounder.

The book is 172 pages, and includes over 90 pictures and nearly two dozen diagrams and illustrations, including step-by-step knot diagrams for connections that are imperative when fishing with braid.

—Staff Report

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Install this Closet Vault in a Snap

deterred, and gun owners’ rights preserved.

For more information or to purchase a SnapSafe Closet Vault visit http://www.snapsafe.com.

INNOVATIVE SNAPSAFE CLOSET VAULTS MOVE easily piece-by-piece and assemble anywhere in minutes with no tools. At 60” or 30” tall and under 18 inches deep they fit anywhere – even an upstairs closet – but with none of the hassle and cost of conven-

ATV Revolution

SnapSafe closet vaults

tional safes.

Their patented “post & keyhole” assembly system latches together like a ski boot, to provide all the impenetrable security of a conventional welded safe, with none of the hassle and cost of moving a conventional safe.

With full 1 hour 2300°F fire protection, SnapSafe closet vaults help protect firearms, and valuables from fire as well as theft. They feature American made digital locks with non-volatile memory and a commercial grade “non breech seal” dead bolt door system.

Most important, SnapSafe Closet Vaults let you store firearms and valuables in the most logical area of the home – close by and out of sight. That means they’ll get used, and the more safes are used, the more children are protected, crime I28 |

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THE GEAR GATOR ATV RACK QUICKLY AND securely attaches to the ATV’s front and rear racks. It’s designed to transport boats, tree stands, lumber and other gear. Its heavy duty construction handles rough terrain and transports up to 250 pounds. Width, length and height are adjustable. Change your ATV into an RV! Visit www.geargator.com for a full line of other custom built accessories for The Gear Gator, made in the Gear USA. Gator MSRP: $219.00 ATV rack www.geargator.com

Forget All You Know About Hooks

New Axiom Crossbow Kit THIS SUPERBLY CRAFTED CROSSBOW IS CAPAble of producing arrow speeds in excess of 300 feet per second and like all Excalibur crossbows, the Axiom’s accuracy is amazing and its reliability is bullet-

Excalibur Axiom

proof. Generating plenty of horsepower, the Axiom has what it takes to efficiently handle any of North America’s largest game. It’s 175 pound draw weight F I S H

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and 14 ½ inch power stroke make it comfortable to cock and the Axiom’s light 6 pound mass weight make it a joy to carry on a long day afield.

The Axiom is sold only as a kit including a matching multiplex crossbow scope with mounting hardware, our 4 arrow quiver plus 4 Firebolt arrows complete with field points.

The Axiom kit is designed as a budget priced option to help new and seasoned crossbow hunters enjoy Excalibur quality at a low cost, but make no mistake, this is one serious hunting combination! Quality of manufacture, reliability, and accuracy of this economical kit is comparable with their most expensive options.

For more information visit: www.excaliburcrossbow.com, 800.463.1817

THE LAZER TROKAR TK130 COMES IN SIZES 4/0 – 6/0 and plated in Black Chrome. A hook with a point that was designed in the medical field and manufactured with cutting edge technologies in the USA. The TK130 is the ultimate Flippin’ Hook. Designed with the most innovative bait retention device ever applied to a fishhook, the new TroKar Barb provides the best bait holding power available. Tests have proven the Surgically Sharpened TroKar hook to consistently pierce a test medium with half the pressure as other hook brands.

The multi-faceted, freakishly sharp point on the TK130 is only the beginning.

They used ultra clean, cold forged highcarbon steel to beef up this bad-boy.

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They tweaked the tempering process, amped up the Lazer wire diameter, perfected the Trokar barb profile and wound up TK130 with a gnarly instrument that will slice through your jugular.

Go ahead, set the hook like you actually mean it. Feel the strength and confidence course through your veins as you realize you are now playing in the big leagues, with big boys and sharp toys.

For more information on TroKar, be sure to visit their website @ www.lazertrokar.com.

Carolina Skiff 25 Elite SS

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or fit and finish, quality, versatility and value...after all it is a Carolina Skiff. Additional models to come.

Visit a Carolina Skiff dealer for more information, or to find a dealer nearest to you call (800) 422-7282 or visit www.carolinaskiff.com

Catch a Predator’s Attention The Trick Fisch by Castalia Outdoors is perfectly balanced for a swimming action that is like no other swim bait. It is finely crafted with seven fish-catching colors for a realistic look. The matching jighead notches into the body and completes the illusion.

The fat belly allows the bait to sit upright on the bottom and a glass rattle chamber is located in each action tail. For freshwater or inshore saltTrick water, the Trick Fisch is available Fisch in 3-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch. and 6-inch, and is packaged with two bodies and a single jighead. MSRP from $3.99 to $10.19.

THE NEW CAROLINA SKIFF 25 ELITE SS, designed as a multi functional boat; 3 in 1 as we call it…a deck boat, a bay boat and an offshore boat. Complete with all the functions of a deck boat with a plush cushion bow seating area with optional deck table with cup holders. The cushions and table stow away easily in the boat to transform the bow into a fish-able bay boat and offshore boat. The stern has open seating with removable cushions to complete the bay and offshore boat transformation. This boat wouldn’t be complete without the step down walk-in console with port-a-potty or the optional full flushable head.

Standard features include: Bow and Stern eyes; 1150 GPH bilge pump; 12/24 Volt trolling motor panel; 16 / Rod Carolina Skiff’s gunnel storage; Deluxe Rub Rail new 25 Elite SS with Stainless Steel insert; Deluxe See the swimming action of the Trick Fisch Bow and Stern cushion with Bolster Pads; at www.castaliaoutdoors.com 1-800-558Flush mounted cup holders; Fuel/Water 5541 Separator; Hydraulic Steering and Tilt Helm; Insulated 22 Gallon Rear bait well; Leaning Post with 70 qt cooler; LED Bow and Stern lights; LED Courtesy light package; Motor matching gauge package; 4 Stainless Steel rod holders; 4 Stainless The new Pinnacle Vision Slyder BaitSteel Pop-up cleats; Walk in Console with caster ushers in a new era of finesse-fishing port-a-potty. ease, precision and control. Featuring The performance is outstanding, a Pinnacle’s exclusive “Finesse Wheel,” the smooth and comfortable ride. The New Vision Slyder lets you work a lure along Carolina Skiff 25 Elite SS is sure to impress every boaters family with its superi- the bottom in exacting increments, effort-

The Pinnacle of Finesse Casting

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lessly, using just one hand.

The Finesse Wheel operates just like the scrolling wheel on a computer mouse, allowing you to create the ultimate finesse presentations. Simply advance the wheel with your thumb to move a plastic worm or creature bait slowly and enticingly over structure. Even sluggish bass will find this kind of tantalizing action hard to resist.

Faster, continuous pushes of the wheel let you pick up slack line quickly and easily.

When the fish are more active, you’ll also have the Vision Slyder’s blazing 7:1 gear ratio at your fingertips. Use this speedy retrieve for ripping reaction baits back to the boat and covering large areas of water in a hurry.

Regardless of the situation or presentation, you can count on the Vision Slyder for outstanding durability and quality performance. Six stainless steel bearings housed within the Slyder’s lightweight, yet rugged, graphite frame ensure smooth operation under all conditions. There’s also an externally adjustable anti-backlash system for long, trouble-free casts, plus an ultra-consistent multi-disc drag for putting the brakes on determined adversaries.

Additional Vision Slyder features include a machined aluminum spool, precision-cut brass gears, and Unlimited Anti-Reverse.

With an MSRP of just $69.99, the Vision Slyder is not only an innovative, versatile fishing machine, it’s also an exceptional value. To learn more about Pinnacle’s Vision Slyder, or the complete lineup of quality Pinnacle Fishing products, visit: www.pinnaclefishing.com.

When it Rains it Pours… Live Bait NIGHTCRAWLERS ARE A CINCH TO COLLECT AND easy as pie to maintain in a managed environment “They come up to eat, breed, and poop,” said Frabill’s Jeff Kolodzinski sumG A M E ®

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ming up the three calling cards that bring nightcrawlers to the surface: food, mating and defecating.

“The best picking happens right after a thunderstorm, particularly after dark, and then again at daybreak after an overnight rainstorm,” continued Kolodzinski.

(TIP: Press lightly on the center of the nightcrawler’s body with a plastic fork. The crawler will loosely wrap itself in the tines, saving you from futile attempts to peel its slippery body off a wet surface.)

According to Kolodzinski, you don’t need to operate next to a garden center where the soil is fortified, either. With a decently soft and fertile loam, preferably associated with sod or a forest edge, about all you need are a bucket, decent flashlight, and good set of peepers.

(TIP: Typically, the best gathering spots occur on the first flat surface below a gradually sloping hill. Night crawlers will congregate in those areas.)

Frabill’s Habitat V provides ideal long-term environment for worms.

As passionate as Kolodzinski is about harvesting nightcrawlers, he’s equally as fanatical about maintaining them. “On a good night, you can collect hundreds of nightcrawlers. Think about them like an investment and you’ll have the right mindset for being a crawler caretaker, too.”

Long term caretaking of crawlers concerns four core elements: food, bedding, temperature, and aeration. For long-term care, Frabill’s Habitat V is what the Dirt Doctor ordered. “The Habitat V is the perfect environment for keeping a volume of crawlers, blood worms, clam worms, or sand worms. It’s constructed of insulating I30 |

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foam to manage temperature. Plastic vents keep the bedding properly aerated, too,” said Kolodzinski. He adds that 50-degrees F is the optimum temperature for storing crawlers.

The Habitat V is kitted as well, standard equipment including Super-Gro Bedding and Fat & Sassy Worm Food.

Visit www.frabill.com.

Make Your Bait Come Alive ULTIMATE BUCKETMOUTH BAITS HAS THE PERfect fish attractant for use on all your favorite soft plastic fishing baits. Our unique formula brings three key elements too trigger, quicker and harder strikes. The formula combines and creates the ultimate scent trail of an injured bait fish. The formula brings natural fish oil, meat protein and bone into one deadly combination.

All you need is a couple drops onto your bait and you are ready to fish. LiveJive juice comes in a 4oz bottle with a dispensing cap.

When you dispense the formula onto your bait; you will notice there will be visible particles in the juice. Those visible particles are an essential part of the attractant.

When you are working the bait the particles will slowly release from the bait. The particles and oil create a slight slick around the bait. The slick attracts bait fish which in turn will attract the bass and cause a feeding frenzy.

We have created the perfect formula by using natural products and by utilizing the right combination of the products in our formula.

Our formula not only attracts Bass but it attracts the baitfish Bass eat. The scent trail brings the Bass in and the activity of the baitfish around the slick creates a strike.

In case you are curious, it’s not for human consumpLive Jive Juice tion, tasting not advised.

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Shake well before each use to obtain highest performance. www.UltimateBucketMouth.com

Buck Introduces Folding Fillet Knife AFTER BUCK KNIVES INTRODUCED THEIR SERies of Silver Creek fishing knives, they were pleased with the positive reaction, but braced themselves for the predictable question from fishermen who asked when they could get a folding version with the same advantages, including the desired blade flexibility that is difficult to achieve in a folder.

The answer is Buck’s new Model 220 Silver Creek Folding Fillet Knife. It has a 6-1/2” blade that locks open to a solid 133/4”, yet folds to a compact 7-1/4” for easy carry in a heavy-duty nylon sheath. It weighs just 6.0 oz. The blade, made of 420J2 stainless steel and titanium coated for added corrosion resistance, is so flexible it can run flat on the table for clean fillets.

A thumb-notch in the blade makes it easy to open with one hand. And Buck’s reliable mid-lock mechanism ensures safe use.

As with the other SilBuck folding ver Creeks filet knife knives, the glass-reinforced polypropylene base handle has a textured, soft rubber overmold, ergonomically shaped for comfort, with anti-slip ridges for sure grip.

A stainless steel guard adds durability and safety. A lanyard loop at the end of the handle helps keep secure in use.

With its promise of durability, flexibility and reliable performance, the Silver Creek Folding Fillet knife is backed by Buck’s unconditional Forever Warranty.

MSRP is $36.

For more information: (800) 3262825; www.buckknives.com

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FEATURING GREAT IDEAS FROM THESE MAKERS OF OUTDOOR GEAR AND ACCESORIES American Rodsmiths • I-39

Fishing Tackle Unlimited • I-35

Angler Products • I-34

Foreverlast Inc. • I-41

Ardent Outdoors, Inc. • I-33

Husky Liners • I-42

Bay Flats Lodge • I-32

Katchmor /Nemire Lures • I-40

Edson International • I-36

Lansky Sharpeners • I-38

EHP • I-34

Mad Cow Cutlery • I-40

Faultline Outdoors • I-43

Precision Fishing Resources • I-44

Fish-N-Hunt • I-38

S.W.F.A. Inc. • I-37

Fishing Lights, Etc • I-36

Swift Hitch • I-44

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The Curse Y FAMILY LIVES UNDER A GENERATIONAL curse, first (I think) pronounced on me by my grandfather: “Boy, one of these days, you’re going to have a grandson just like you, who scatters your tools, loses your belongings, and tears up the rest.”

Perhaps my grandfather’s Cherokee ancestry and claims of occult knowledge imparted potency and staying power to the

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curse, for not only did it come true, but has spread to every grandson (and only the grandsons; the feminine grandprogeny seem unaffected) within eyesight or earshot.

“I used to have a (fill in the blank)” is a common refrain, usually uttered in moments of intense stress for which possession and application of said missing or broken item would provide immediate and lasting relief.

I have irretrievably lost to The Curse firearms, tools, knives, flashlights, game calls, hats, boots, coats, coveralls, and even underwear and pickup trucks—two of the latter.

The slings and arrows of outrageous ill fortune notwithstanding, I suppose I should count myself fortunate. Since my grandsons have affinity for the same things I need, use, and enjoy, they know how to buy decent gifts for Christmas and Father’s Day. That they later scatter, lose, or break said gifts in a perpetual cycle is beside the point; it’s the

thought that counts.

I am fortunate, too, to have grandsons with interests conducive to perpetuation of The Curse. They could have become serial killers or lawyers instead of outdoorsmen and shade tree craftsmen.

Kismet smiled a perverse, crooked smile in giving me grandsons with enough sense of decency if not affection to spur them to at least try to make amends for their sins. And I know it could be worse; I know from experience it is possible to “lose” a farm tractor.

Another benefit to the never-ending Curse is it has afforded the opportunity to own (however briefly) an astonishing assortment of guns, gear, and goodies. Almost anything you can name (and some that you can’t) in the way of hunting, fishing, or camping gear has passed through my hands.

My grandsons are nothing if not imaginative and creative in their gifting. Makers of guns, rods, reels and gear are the true beneficiaries

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of The Curse, and presumably shall remain so in perpetuity; for you see, I have pronounced The Curse on each of my grandsons.

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N THAT FATHER’S DAY (AND BY EXTENSION, Grandfather’s Day) is fast upon us, it is wholly fitting and appropriate to suggest offerings whereby to directly or tangentially make amends to patriarchal progenitors should The Curse be active in your family.

I

Aside from the obvious items of interest surrounding this text, outdoors books make fine gifts that, once committed to memory, cannot be lost, stolen, or destroyed. Of course, no one buys a fishing rod without trying it out in the store, or plunks down cash for a firearm without first firing a few rounds through a “demonstrator” at the range or in a buddy’s pasture. Likewise, you do not buy books for self, kin, or friend without sampling a paragraph or four.

To that end, we present the following for your enlightenment and influence in gift-giving endeavors:

Kayak Texas —by Greg Berlocher IN 1858, A SCOTTISH LAWYER WITH A PASSION for travel toured the United States, traversing the entire continent and ultimately stopping at the Bering Sea. During his stay in the Arctic, John MacGregor witnessed Inuits paddling their skinned boats, and the unique vessels captured his imagination.

Back in London, MacGregor commissioned a boat builder to construct a “decked canoe” based on sketches he had made of the Inuit boats.

The craft, although labeled a canoe, was a kayak and served as the genesis for recreational paddling.

Measuring twelve feet long, twenty-eight Kayak Texas inches wide, and nine inches deep, $14.95 from Texas Fish & Game Publishing MacGregor ’s kayak featured a deck and a cockpit. A seven-foot doublebladed paddle provided propulsion.

MacGregor christened his new oak and cedar-skinned vessel the “Rob Roy” in honor of a Scottish outlaw of the same name I34 |

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the lawyer claimed as an extended family member.

The new kayak was a delight to paddle, and MacGregor took off soon after on a pan-European trek. After crossing the English Channel by conventional means, he paddled the Rob Roy down streams and

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across lakes in France, Germany, and Switzerland. Back home, he chronicled his adventure in the first kayak book ever published, A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe on Twenty Lakes and Rivers of Europe. The text was published in 1866 and contained woodcut illustrations.

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The text captured the imagination of a continent, and Europeans became interested in paddling as recreation. Based on the book’s success, MacGregor set off on new paddling adventures, ultimately writing a series of books, all with the Rob Roy moniker in the title.

MacGregor founded The Canoe Club in 1866. The club’s name was changed to The Royal Canoe Club in 1873. Recreational paddling was now firmly entrenched in Europe.

An American, A. H. Siegfried, the business manager of a Louisville, Kentucky, newspaper, was so taken with MacGregor’s adventure books that he commissioned two kayaks to be built. His goal was to take a paddling adventure similar to Macgregor’s, but in American waters, and then writing about it in his paper. Siegfried’s boats were a foot longer than the Rob Roy and the frames were covered with waterproof canvas, which shaved nearly 40 pounds of weight off each hull. The boats were a success and more were commissioned.

Siegfried convinced several fiends to set off with him to discover the headwaters of the Mississippi River in their kayaks. Geographers refuted his claim to have discovered the source of the mighty river, but Siegfried’s accounts of the adventure published in his newspaper fascinated readers, and orders for the new style boat poured in.

The New York Canoe Club was founded a few years later in 1871.

Over the next five decades, kayaking grew in popularity and boat builders tinkered with different hull designs. Kayaking made its first appearance at the Paris Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1924 and gained full medal status in 1936. The kayaking events were known as “flat water racing.” Whitewater kayaking made its first appearance in the 1972 Olympiad, fueling another huge increase in the sport’s popularity.

Kayaks have an interesting lineage with important links to hunters, fishermen, and paddling enthusiasts. It isn’t surprising that those same people still enjoy paddling kayaks today.

When adjusting a backrest, take care not to over tighten the straps. Resting your full

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weight against overly tightened straps causes stress and, often, damage to your backrest.

Make adjustments in small increments until you get the fit that you like.

Some higher-end backrests feature inflatable lumbar supports and cushioned seats; both provide added comfort. The lumbar

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support is certainly nice but it isn't an absolute necessity if you are on a tight budget. A rolled-up towel placed between the small of your back and your backrest is an inexpensive alternative.

Cushioned seats, AKA butt pads, make sitting for long periods easier on your poste-

rior and legs. These cushions reduce stress on the sciatic nerve and help keep the femoral arteries open. The femoral arteries direct blood flow from the abdomen, through the hip area and down into the legs.

Many kayakers complain about their toes going to sleep, which is caused by reduced blood flow. A good butt pad will minimize this troublesome occurrence. Not all backrests come with padded seats though. Not to worry! You can buy stand-alone pads to compliment any backrest. Test fit your pad and when you are satisfied with its location, peel off the backing and apply the adhesive side to the cockpit.

After an outing, a quick rinse with a water hose will prolong the life of your backrest. Flush all the snaps to dislodge any trapped grit. Hang the wet backrest and allow it to air dry. Avoid laying in the direct sunlight. High heat from the sun is harsh and will break down the bond between the interior foam and fabric cover. When the backrest is dry, lubricate the snaps with a silicone lubricant. WD-40 is a fine product but will gum up the slides of your snaps over time.

In addition to providing support, many backrests can be outfitted with ancillary pockets, pouches, and rod tubes. Hydration packs are popular add-ons that can be snapped onto the backrest, allowing paddlers to sip liquids from a “camel-back” while afloat without having to turn around or get out of their kayak.

Although this may be intuitive to most, always remove your backrest from your hull when transporting your kayak. Backrests are not designed to stand up to highway-speed winds.

Texas Waterfowl —by Chester Moore TWO OF THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF waterfowl hunting are calls and decoys. The two go hand in hand as crucial elements of allowing waterfowlers to fool their quarry into shooting range, and they add an artistic touch to the sport that other types of hunting simply do not have.

Let’s examine calls and calling first.

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Noted waterfowler John Taylor wrote improper calling style. Either way, single or that when it comes to selecting a call: double, you still have to blow the call cor“Today's duck hunter is confronted with a rectly or it still sounds like a New Year's Eve bewildering array of calls made of synthetic party favor. The best advice is to try both and wood, and single and double reeds. and see which complements your “Wood calls tend to be softer in tone, calling style.” and because wood absorbs moisFor beginners, I would recture, they can change pitch as ommend a double reed call they expand and contract. because they are easier to Synthetics, mainly made of use and a bit more consisacrylic resin, don't change tent. Experienced hunters dimensions, and tend to be would do better to use a louder, although that's not single reed call, as they always true. tend to make sounds that “The biggest quandary is are more realistic. One of whether to pick a single or the biggest mistakes made double reed. Single-reed calls with novice callers is the are traditional, and are the idea that you "blow" into a exclusive choice of contest call. You do not really blow callers. Hunters will often at call; you "talk" into it.

Texas Waterfowl find a double-reed call more $14.95 from Texas Fish & When you read instructions to appealing because they tend to say “tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk” or Game Publishing have a more raspy sound that's "tikit-tikit-tikit" into a call, they closer to the sound of a hen mallard. really mean to say it, or at least sort of groan “The biggest mistake made is thinking it into the call. that a double-reed call will compensate for Master caller and call maker Buck

Gardner said there are many theories about duck calling, and he is not sure that any one of them works 100 percent of the time: “Sometimes ducks seem to want a lot of calling, with long and nearly continuous highballs. ‘Put them on a string and don't give them time to think,’ as the old reelfoot-style callers used to say.

“At other times and places, too much calling seems to put ducks off. Maybe not flaring them, but keeping them endlessly circling when they should be landing. Heavy hunting and calling pressure often results in call-shy birds, but sometimes I think it's a matter of their mood or some other factor that we don't understand. I favor the style of calling that puts ducks in the bag. I don't hesitate to change my style--more or less, loud or soft--when whatever I am presently doing isn't doing the job. Sometimes, a simple change-up from the locally popular calling style tells the birds something that they haven't already heard.”

Gardner said he didn't win any of his duck-calling championships by showing up with no practice and otherwise unprepared

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to compete: “Neither do I go to the blind unready to do my best calling job to waterfowl. Neither should you. If you get a new call, it is a very wise idea to get the instructional tape or video that goes with it. Calls from different makers often blow a bit differently. Listening to the guy who made the

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call tell you how to blow it best is a far shorter learning curve than trial and error.”

Now let's examine decoys, starting with the basic types: Floaters: These are your basic floating duck or goose decoys that, as the name implies, float. A cord and small anchor keep

them in place. Some have a built-in keel weight to help them float upright, while others do not.

Rags: Goose hunters use white or sometimes black rags or sheets of plastic spread across a field to entice geese.

Shells: These are typically goose decoys that have a realistic head but just a shell of a body.

Mangum: These are oversized decoys designed to draw birds from up high (waterfowl have poor depth perception). Magnums can range from mallard decoys twice the normal size to Canada goose decoys that literally double as a blind.

Life-size: The term "life-size" typically refers to full body, realistic goose decoys.

Mechanical: These are decoys with moving parts. Some simply have wings that move in the wind, while others are battery powered. A few models swim in circles or produce bubbles.

Kite: These are simply kites shaped like ducks or geese that are used when the wind is blowing strongly.

Two-Liter Soda Bottles: Two-liter plastic soda bottles can make decent decoys with the proper application of paint and a little imagination.

Freshwater Strategies —by Doug Pike THE FOLLOWING PAGES REFLECT 40-PLUS years of fishing experiences in Texas. Having soaked hard plugs and soft plastics in two dozen other states and almost as many countries, I cannot recall another place on the planet that offers more or better opportunities for recreational anglers. As a fisherman, I feel extremely fortunate that I was born here and raised here.

My early years on the water were marked by mistakes, and I made plenty of them.

Most happened only once, and all of them improved my angling skills. To this day, I consider myself an eager student of the sport I40 |

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and all that it encompasses, and my enthusi- who ever helped me bait a hook, everyone asm runs as deep and feels as real now as who ever took me fishing, and a whole lot of when I was a child. people whose brains I have picked over barIn this book, you will read often about becue or beer or both. how I learned to fish and from whom. Some I hope that you find this book of the people mentioned are professional light-hearted and honest; it is fishermen, but as many or more not at all intended to be the are just friends who shared last word on any of the my addiction during a time subjects it covers. It is when there were plenty of merely a guide to the funother things to which people damentals, simple and were addicted, none of them proven techniques that can particularly healthy. help beginners catch more There is a tremendous fish and remind experiamount of information and enced anglers of old tricks no shortage of opinion worth bringing back into between these covers. Most service. of it is right there in print, but I am not afraid to present the occasional bit of personal my own errors as examples philosophy is tucked between of what not to do, and neiFreshwater Strategies the lines as well. If you come $14.95 from Texas Fish & ther am I scared to poke fun at across a line you like that is not a colleague whose gaffs help Game Publishing attributed to someone else illustrate a point. Where some specifically, I will gladly take credit. Under- fishermen might inflate the size of the fish stand, however, that every word herein rep- they catch or the effort made to catch it, I resents the collective thinking of everyone believe the truth is every bit as amusing and

entertaining when given a chance.

Throughout my career, I have never presented myself as a professional fisherman. I am a passionate fisherman and a devoted student of the sport. My work--and it is work, for those of you who just snickered-has afforded me the privilege of sharing boats and banks with some of the finest anglers in Texas. Afterward, it becomes my professional responsibility to share those experiences with readers, hopefully in a way that does not cause any of them to nod off mid-page.

In this book, I share lessons learned over a lifetime of watching, listening, and learning from some of the state's greatest fishermen and fishing minds.

For whatever talents I have with rod and reel, I thank my father, who died in 1992.

He introduced me to fishing as soon as I was old enough to hold a cane pole and put a worm on a hook without drawing my own blood or his. He started me as any child should be started in the sport, chasing pintsized fish on easy-to-use tackle.

My first fishing memories are of trips

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that took place while I was still young enough to be absolutely mesmerized by the sight of a tiny cork twitching, dancing, and then vanishing beneath the surface. Imagination ran wild with every bite and every nibble, which it should in a child's head. To this day, I am not entirely convinced there were not 30-pound largemouth bass and 100-pound catfish in the drainage ditch that ran through our neighborhood in southwest Houston. I fished for them often with tiny pieces of bologna dangling off a No. 10 hook. I never caught a fish that large in that spot, but that doesn't mean they weren't there.

Fishing has kept me young. If pressed, I could categorize almost everything that has taken place in my life as happening after one memorable fishing trip or before another.

Just knowing there will be a "next" fishing trip is enough to roll me out of bed every morning, although perhaps not quite so

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early on office days. For every place I have been, even in Texas, there are dozens more I have not fished, and hundreds of potential fishing partners I have not met. Time will solve those problems.

There probably will come a day when I am no longer physically able to fish. When that day comes, somebody had better drag my wilted carcass down to the nearest lake once or twice a week so I can at least watch other people fish. The other drooling, mumbling old men in the nursing home will not like the person I become after too many days away from the water.

I cannot begin this book without mentioning my wife, Amy, whose patience and tolerance may qualify her for sainthood.

The enthusiasm she once had for fishing waned mysteriously (not really) a week or so after we married, and neither of us has tried particularly hard to relocate it. She is not an avid angler. We both have accepted that,

and our relationship is stronger for that understanding.

She knows enough about the sport (her dating/engagement credits include largemouth bass, white bass, yellowfin tuna and sailfish) to appreciate my accounts of a good trip or a bad one. Her passions lie elsewhere, however, and so she seldom accompanies me on "business trips." It works for me, because missing my wife makes it as exciting to come home from a fishing trip as to leave for one.

Amy has heard all of the reminiscences in this book at least once, and she has endured various versions of the better ones at nearly every dinner party and social gathering we've attended in our time together.

I hope you enjoy this tour of Texas and its magnificent freshwater fisheries, and that you finish this book equally informed and entertained.

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Saltwater Strategies —by Pat Murray THERE ARE VERY FEW GREAT DRIFT-FISHERmen. Drifting is arguably the worst part of most bay anglers' game. It sounds strange.

Logically, drift-fishing should be simple.

You stop your boat, drift and cast. Unfortunately, it is one of the hardest parts of successful bay angling, yet one of the most important.

The farther north and east you are on the Gulf coast, the more critical drift-fishing becomes. Although drifting can be a key tool in South Texas, from the Colorado River north it is crucial. The generally steep shorelines and deep mid-bay structure of Matagorda, Galveston, and Sabine make it an inescapable reality of successful fishing.

Learning to drift-fish successfully is not easy or always fun. It is like trying to make

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yourself go to the gym and work out. You and maximize their catching potential. It is want the body, but you feel like you are miss- an underutilized technique. If you want to ing all the fun as you labor through the edu- find secret spots in overcrowded bay syscation and building process. You would like tems, the best secrets of all may in the midthe muscles and all the perceived perks that dle of the bay. go with them, but the investment of time, Think about any bay system, effort, and sweat seem too high a particularly the deeper bays price. of the upper coast. WadeLearning to drift takes able shorelines and reefs dedication. If you learn to be are a minor portion of the an effective fisherman out of total bay acreage. Granted, a boat, you are ahead of litshorelines are a key piece of erally 95 percent of the habitat for almost all baitentire Texas coastal fishing fish and game species, but public. To be honest, you are speckled trout to a large ahead of the majority of prodegree and redfish to a lessfessional guides. er degree spend more time Effective drift-fishing is away from shorelines. The what separates the great key to catching these fish is from the weak in guiding, learning the bottom strucSaltwater Strategies tournament fishing, and week- $14.95 from Texas Fish & ture, the signs to look for, the end angling. It adds a key techniques to use, and the conGame Publishing dimension that is missed by fidence to stick with it. most fishermen. Even among the die-hard The final component to successful driftdrifters who fill the mid-bay reefs and well ing is being aggressive. I do not mean behavpads every summer weekend, few excel at it ior that would incite "bay rage," but a focus

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and drive to actively pursue fish from a boat.

Boat fishing is often associated with lazy and simple fishing. It is actually the opposite. To be consistently successful while drifting, you have to constantly look for signs and always plot your next move. You have to be alert to your surroundings, and capitalize

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on the smallest clues to where the fish might be. A good drift-fisherman is always working, pushing the tempo of his or her fishing.

E HOPE THAT BETWEEN THE MANY offerings displayed in the surrounding ads within this gift guide, and the samples we have provided for some of the books available for outdoorsmen, that we have stimulated your Father’s Day gift-giving imagination.

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On the Web American Rodsmiths: www.americanrodsmiths.com Angler Products: www.angler-products.com Ardent Outdoors, Inc.: www.ardentreels.com Bay Flats Lodge: www.bayflatslodge.com Edson International: www.edsonmarine.com EHP: www.ehphearing.com Faultline Outdoors: www.faultlineoutdoors.com Fish-N-Hunt: www.fishandhunt.com Fishing Lites, Etc: www.fishinglightsetc.com Fishing Tackle Unlimited: www.fishingtackleunlimited.com Foreverlast Inc.: www.foreverlast.com Husky Liners: www.huskyliners.com Katchmor /Nemire Lures: www.nemirelures.com Lansky Sharpeners: www.lansky.com Mad Cow Cutlery: www.madcowcutlery.com Precision Fishing Resources: www.troutsupport.com S.W.F.A. Inc: www.swfa.com Swift Hitch: www.swifthitch.com Texas Fish & Game Publishing: www.fishgame.com I44 |

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Outfoxing a Predator T WAS A DARK MORNING. THE STORM CLOUDS passed in the night, leaving nothing but a low blanket of gray above the treetops for the early morning sky.

Sunrise seemed later than usual this morning, but I could hear the turkey start to wake up with soft tree yelps, occasionally interrupted by a loud gobble. My decoy setup looked impressive, if I say so myself.

As I sat with my back up against a large tree, I slowly moved my head to investigate movement was to my right. There, in the shadows, a gray fox slithered closer to my hen decoy. Finally, convinced it had fooled its prey, the fox pounced with full force on the decoy.

This was my introduction to predator hunting.

For me, predator hunting was never a passion like whitetail hunting. I have spent hours in the woods with limited success, not because of any lack of game, but I just did not have the patience or time needed to hunt this gray ghost of the forest. The only time I have taken a coyote has been during rifle season when a few of them made the mistake of coming to a hunter who had a slow morning. I have taken two with my bow, but again, that was after a very slow morning and I was actually after a whitetail.

Still, it was fun and I considered at the time (and still do) that these animals were trophies because of how hard it usually is to draw them in for a good shot.

To hunt predators with your bow certainly is a huge challenge, and success with an arrow gives you bragging rights with your hunting buddies for years to come; that might be where the “fun” part of hunting comes in.

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Hunting from an elevated position is probably your best chance of being successful. A ground blind works very well, too, but remember that scent control, as with most wild animals, is imperative. Being elevated will help disperse your scent above the game. Wearing clothing that has a scentlocking agent also helps a great deal.

“

Convinced it had fooled its prey, the fox pounced full force on the decoy.

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If you choose to hunt from a ground blind, it would be a good idea to use the natural surroundings to help conceal your “home away from home.” Coyotes often stop and carefully look for any sign of danger before making another step. Many of today’s portable ground blinds already have slots on the side for holding small branches or tall grasses.

Coyotes are crafty creatures to say the least. They will always check downwind to look for any danger. Oddly enough, you might find that they come running in to any setup or call, while at other times they will hang up out of range and assess the situation very carefully.

I have found that a fox will come to a call much more readily than a coyote. A foam rabbit on a spring seems to be the decoy to use, but a brown furry slipper with an electronic call next to it works pretty well too.

Just remember to get it back in the closet before the wife wakes up. Some hunters even have success using ordinary stuffed toy animals as decoys, so long as they are in nat-

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ural colors; Energizer Bunny Pink is definitely out.

If you already hunt deer with a bow, then no new equipment is required. Except for a few calls you might want to try, the broadheads you use for deer work fine for coyotes.

Most bowhunters prefer to use electronic instead of manual calls. Reed calls, either open or closed, have a tendency to freeze up on you while you try to call. With the electronic calls, that problem is eliminated.

Also, if you place the electronic call near whatever decoy you are using, it is more convincing to the coyote that the distress call of a rabbit is real and will make an easy meal for him.

Another important reason to choose an electronic call is the fact that there is virtually no movement from the hunter, and as soon as the coyote sees the decoy, his attention will be on the “prey” and not drawn to you.

Stay in one spot for at least 30 minutes before deciding to pull up and try a new area. Although most predators will come to a call quickly (often times 8 to 10 minutes), there are times when a coyote will take its time getting close to you.

Breeding time for coyotes is in late January through February. You will have more success hunting these predators in the colder winter months. This is when coyotes will be looking for an easy meal, one that will not cause them to use a large amount of energy to acquire. Coyotes are hungry, food is scarce, and they will be more easily fooled by calls than in the warmer months.

Most bowhunters call it a day once the whitetail season has ended. They put their bows away and just wait for next year. But some extend the season and the fun by predator hunting with a bow; and when you arrow your first coyote, you will never forget the feeling.

E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com G A M E ®

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The Great Compromise F POLITICIANS WERE BOATS, THE BUDGET would be balanced, our national deficit would be nil, and we would have a new health care system so sensible it could be understood by the lowliest of bilge rats— maybe even by the legislators themselves.

Now, I am not saying we would be better off if our “leaders” were molded from resin and fiberglass cloth (though it surely wouldn’t make matters any worse), but if politicians were boats, they would at least understand the meaning of the word “compromise.” In fact, they would be forced to exist in one big state of agreement.

Everything in a boat is a compromise, from hull and deck design, to construction, to power choice. That’s why there is no such

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thing as the “perfect” boat, and it is also why there are so few boats out there that are easy to hate. Even if you own a 65-foot custom sportfisher, you probably still have a soft spot for kicking around in a leaky old 14-foot johnboat.

Of course, when it comes to marine machines, the nature of compromise is quite different from those of politics. And whether you plan on getting a new boat, going out on a friend’s, or even building your own, you’ll need to understand where the middle ground lies. So, before you set your legislative agenda, make sure you consider these important arguments.

THE CLASH: Degree of Deadrise — We are not talking about the human-to-vampire ratio in the senate (it’s about 60-40 just in case you were wondering) but the amount of V in the hull bottom of your boat. A flat-bottom boat has zero degrees of deadrise, and a deep-V boat has 21 degrees or more of deadrise. The deepest you will find on a modern powerboat is 24 or 25 degrees. Boats that fall somewhere in-between are usually considered semi-V.

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Power cats, tri-hulls, and other unusual hull designs do not have a dog in this fight, though they do face their own sets of clashes and compromises.

THE COMPROMISE: All other factors being equal, the deeper the V is the smoother the ride will be—but, the lower the lateral stability will be. In other words, you can reduce the pounding you take in rough seas by getting a boat with a deep V, but it’s bound to do more rocking and rolling, particularly in a beam sea.

Other trade-offs to consider include dryness of ride (deeper V’s tend to be wetter), speed and efficiency (flat bottom boats plane easier and more quickly,) and cost (deep V boats are usually more expensive, for a number of reasons).

Chine design, weight distribution, and beam-to-length ratio can all be tweaked to mitigate these factors, and variable-degree deadrise hull designs try to take the best of both designs by changing the deadrise angle fore and aft. But the bottom line remains the same: you will have to compromise, to some degree.

THE CLASH: Good for One or Good for All — Do you want a hard-core fish boat that’s highly specialized for a specific fishery, do you want one that’s appropriate for multi-species fishing in different environments, or do you want one that can be used for everything from whaling to water skiing? This is one of the most difficult choices boat buyers face, especially when you and Mom are tugging at opposite ends of the purse strings (not unlike the Prez and congress, arguing over economic priorities). And as our Budgeteer-in-Chief has discovered, it is impossible to please all the people all the time.

THE COMPROMISE: As with many things in life, boats that try to do everything generally do it all poorly, while those that focus solely on one specific task tend to do it effectively. A bass boat, for example, is ideal for targeting largemouth in a reservoir. But if you use it to troll for wahoo around the rigs, set a spread of duck decoys, or pull a water skier across the bay, you are going to be sorely disappointed.

That’s why you need to (sigh) compromise

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quite often when choosing what type of boat to get. The best compromise, of course, is to get several different boats so you can choose the most appropriate one for the mission at hand.

If the Budgeteer-in-Chief of your family disagrees, explain to her that boating is much like the defense budget: it’s too important to cut, and you need all of those different weapons to keep the Homeland safe.

THE CLASH: A Weighty Debate — They say obesity is a problem our health care system hasn’t fixed, and it’s also a problem with boats. Except when it’s not.

In fact, many modern boat builders go well out of their way to make their boats Jenny Craig graduates. The idea is to go faster with a given amount of power, but if you’ve ever blasted through a 2-foot chop in a hopped-up eggshell of a boat, you know that going fast in a light boat isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Especially when the boat—or your back—is the thing getting cracked.

THE COMPROMISE: On a boat, weight is both a curse and a blessing. It’s a curse because it takes more energy (fuel and power) to move a heavier object through the water then it does to move a lighter one. It’s a blessing because more weight gives a boat more momentum, which can help it bull waves out of the way without slowing down. As a perk, weighty boats also tend to be extremely strong because that weight usually comes in the form of thicker fiberglass laminates. But you had better sit down at the table ready to bargain, because if you fail to find a happy middle ground, you will end up with a boat that can’t handle heavy seas, or one that’s a pig.

THE CLASH: Power vs. Efficiency — We all like going fast, but none of us enjoy paying fuel bills. And our energy policy is something we constantly argue over. In this case, national security might not enter the debate, but family economics are certainly at stake.

THE COMPROMISE: In a nutshell, boats with less power generally give up speed in favor of efficiency. Many other details influence the result (including the design and weight compromises mentioned earlier), but when push comes to shove, you have to decide how important it is to be the first guy to the hotspot, and weigh it against how important it is to pay that fuel bill instead of slapping it onto the credit card and swelling your own national debt. Yet another major point of contention enters this debate when one also considers environmental impact. The more emphasis you place on speed and power, and less you

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are placing on being “green.”

Loophole Alert: You can always opt for the larger power plant, and simply run your boat at slower speeds. In most cases, the result is not that different from getting a smaller engine and working it harder.

You might not be hearing about these points of contention on the nightly news, but make no mistake about it, they are of dire importance. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, wash that mud off of our hands, and prepare to

work together. Only with compromise will we be able to work through these problems and leave a better boating world for our grandchildren. And to those of you in the halls of congress: keep doing exactly what you’ve been doing for the past few years and you’ll soon have a lot more free time of your own to go boating—the rest of us will see to it.

E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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Ackley Reloaded OST DEDICATED RELOADERS EVENTUALLY have an urge to delve into the world of the wildcat cartridges (wildcat: a cartridge not loaded commercially; a modified standard cartridge). The first true wildcat I loaded for was a Sako Vixen in .17222 that I had back in the mid 1970s. It was a straightforward wildcat made by simply necking the .222 Remington down to .17 caliber, with no other alterations. It was simple and effective.

Now, however, I am faced with my first Ackley Improved cartridge, the .222 Remington Magnum Ackley Improved, and it isn’t quite so simple.

Most shooters these days have never even heard of the .222 Remington Magnum.

Remington invented it as a trial cartridge for the U.S. military. When the military chose the .223 over the .222 Remington Magnum, in spite of the .222 Magnum’s ballistic superiority, Remington introduced it as a commercial venture in 1958. It is essentially a lengthened version of the standard .222, thus the “Magnum” moniker. When the .222 RM is “improved,” it further increases its ballistic advantage over the .223 and standard .222, about halfway between the .222 and .22-250.

To create a .222 RM, a standard .222 cartridge must be fire-formed to fit the new chamber. The most problematic aspect of this alteration is proper headspacing. If the gunsmith has chambered the gun to be a slight crush-fit with unaltered factory brass, then the fire-forming is simple and easy; just load the parent cartridge with a stiff but not maximum load and shoot it (the lower pressure of reduced loads can allow the cartridge to develop excessive headspace).

If, however, the gunsmith is unfamiliar

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with the idiosyncrasies of the Ackley Improved cartridges and sets the headspace normally, you have a more difficult problem to solve. Be certain the gunsmith you choose is experienced with Ackley Improved cartridges.

If the headspace is such that the cartridge head is not held against the face of the bolt when firing that first time, the result is excessive headspace, which sooner or later (usually sooner) will cause case/head separation. This is a very dangerous condition and can cause catastrophic failure, otherwise known as an Earth-shattering ka-boom!

Assuming everything is as it should be, loading for an Ackley Improved is straightforward. The reason these cartridges are popular and have been for over 70 years is that the standard factory cartridges can be fired in the “improved” chamber without danger; the result is a cartridge that stretches in every direction to fill the new Improved chamber.

Then, all you have to do is use your Improved reloading dies to load the cartridge case with something suitable for the “new” cartridge. (I recommend only neck sizing for most of these cartridges. Sizing the neck for about 2/3 of its length prevents accidentally moving the shoulder back, which can induce excessive headspace.)

To gain the increase in case capacity, the cartridge uses a more radical shoulder, generally 35 to 40 degrees, and the sides of the case are straightened out for minimum body taper from rim to shoulder, increasing the case capacity by 5-10 percent (depending on the parent caliber) and increasing case life.

All this makes the cartridge more “efficient.” The cartridge now, because of the minimum taper, does not have as much thrust back against the face of the bolt as did the original, but more evenly distributes the pressure on the sides of the chamber. This means that the pressure signs are not as obvious, which is why you need to be a very experienced reloader before you tackle this project.

My .222 RMAI was built by a young, enthusiastic, talented gunsmith named Jason Bowman. Jason is a cowboy, farmer, leather F I S H

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worker, and fledgling gunsmith.

I had a little .222 Remington Model 700 ADL of 1960s vintage that had a bad barrel.

I tried everything I could think of to get it to shoot, but it balked at it all. Then, one day I was talking to Wyman Meinzer and his brother, Rick, wildcat aficionados both. We were discussing the possibilities when Rick mentioned Jason and what great work he was doing. I wrangled an introduction, and the next afternoon took my recalcitrant Remington to Rhineland, which is near Munday, which is north of Abilene, and turned it over to Jason to be made into the above-mentioned .222 RMAI. In due time, especially considering that the old barrel was not the only problem Jason encountered with the old rifle (apparently nothing on my rifle had been true and square, a symptom of pre-computer manufacturing, I suspect), the gun was ready.

Well, I am positively giddy (well, as giddy and a jaded old lawman can get) with the performance of the rifle. The first group I shot from it, with pre-fire-formed brass and bulk bullets, went into just over a half-inch. Later that afternoon, with a working load and 55grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets, in a 20 mile-per-hour wind I managed several threeshot groups of less than an inch, and one, when my wobbles compensated for the gusty wind, that was just one ragged hole. On a calm day, it will shoot better than I do. Good job, Jason.

The Ackley has been a learning experience, and I am still learning from it, which is one reason I ordered it. I have a burning desire to learn, as I hope we all do. If you are an experienced handloader, I recommend you try a wildcat at least once. You might find a new passion.

Author’s note: If you want to contact Jason Bowman to discuss a project or gunsmith work, send your contact information and a short synopsis of what you are interested in to me by email at guns@fishgame.com, and I will forward it to Jason.

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Shallow Drop Shot ORM FISHING HAS COME A LONG WAY in the past 50 years. The original Crème soft plastic worm came pre-rigged with hooks, ready to fish straight out of the package. Since then, we have fished them on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, weightless, wacky-rigged, with split shot, and, in the past decade, just about half the anglers you talk to that fish a worm deep will have a drop-shot rig tied on.

For the few who don’t know, drop-shots are finesse rigs originally used to present small baits to finicky fish in deep water. There is some debate over whether it began in California’s gin clear fish bowl lakes, or in Japan where lakes are crowded. Either way, it is an outstanding way to horizontally present bait to sensitive fish.

In an interview I did with Jay Yelas a few years back, he said one of the few rigs he kept in his boat on all trips was the drop-shot. It seems that this finesse rig has replaced traditional methods of fishing a worm and become a favorite of tournament anglers as well.

The horizontal presentation noted earlier is because, originally, all anglers using a dropshot would simply drop it over the side of the boat into a school of fish relating to deep-water humps and points. If the fish were shallow, these same anglers would put away drop-shot in favor of a wacky worm or soft plastic jerkbait, both of which work great if the fish are in a feeding mood. If the fish are shallow but not aggressive, there was a problem because these two methods of fishing move the bait quite a bit with just a slight twitch of the rod tip.

Complacent fish are not going to chase a bait far, so anglers needed a method of presenting a worm that would keep the bait in the strike zone for an extended time. A few anglers with some grey matter between their ears decid-

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ed to try a dropshot in shallow water for these bass, and to their surprise, it worked.

The main reason it works is because you can put the bait in a specific spot and leave it there as long as you like. You can jiggle your rod tip, but the bait stays in one spot, anchored by the weight, and irritates the fish so much they strike out of anger rather than hunger.

A drop-shot for deep-water fishing and one for shallow water are the same rig with one minor difference—the distance between the weight at the end of the line and the hook. For deep-water applications, this distance is measured in feet, stretching anywhere from 2 to 8 feet between the two. For shallow water, this distance is measured in inches with no more than 12 between the two.

Tying a drop-shot is simple, since there are no leaders involved.

Start by tying a short shank drop-shot hook on your main line with a Palomar knot, leaving the tag end about 18 inches long. With the point of the hook facing up, run the tag end back through the eye of the hook from the top

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side. This will help the hook point stay upright while fishing, which seems like a small thing, but will increase your hook-ups and decrease snagging on grass.

On the tag end of the line, slide on a dropshot weight. The line tie on these weights are specifically designed for the line to be pushed through, then pulled up into the smaller section of the eye, which holds the line in place without tying. This allows you to slide the weight up and down the tag end to adjust the depth of the worm without having to retie. It also lets the weight slip off the line if it gets hung up.

Selecting a worm to drop-shot is a matter of personal preference, but in general, you should use small worms in basic colors like Watermelon and Pumpkinseed. This is not the time to bust out with an 18-inch mega-worm in Electric Chicken.

It is best to nose-hook the worm by pushing the point of the hook though the nose from the bottom, leaving the point exposed.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

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Walkabout Angler Takes Sharelunker N JANUARY, TEXAS FISH & GAME KICKED OFF its Walkabout Angler feature series, and as has often been the case, the articles proved prophetic. In the wake of Walkabout features on fishing from small, handlaunched boats and “walk-up trophies,” Jacksonville dentist Michael Banks caught a 13.6pound largemouth from his kayak while fishing in Purtis Creek Lake in early March.

A lifelong fan of paddle sports, one of Bank’s favorite fishing vessels was a canoe up until several years ago, when he started fishing from a sit-on-top kayak.

“I was introduced to canoeing in Boy Scouts, and even had the chance to paddle the boundary waters in Canada,” Banks said.

“As an adult, I still enjoy canoeing. The Neches River is one of my favorite places to spend time paddling.”

On the morning on March 11, Banks launched his Hobie Quest kayak near the dam around 9:00 a.m. and fished his way up the lake, a healthy breeze at his back. One by one, he ducked into the coves that punctuate the shoreline, looking for refuge from the biting wind. The fifth cove proved to be the lucky one.

“The wind was blowing pretty good and the coves offered the only protected water on the whole lake,” Banks said. “I often use my kayak as transportation to a likely looking area and then hop out and wade-fish. The water was still way too cold to wade. We had snow just three weeks before. When I’m not wading, I usually dangle my legs over the side of my kayak, but I kept them in the boat that day.”

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destination. Bucking the stiff wind, it took Banks 35 minutes to paddle back to his starting point.

When he got to shore, certified scales verified the bass’ weight at 13.6 pounds, heavy enough to be loaned to the ShareLunker program, which does genetic research on large bass and uses offspring from 13-pound-plus fish to stock Texas reservoirs.

The big fish, which Banks affectionately named “Imma Hog,” was in good shape with the exception of an overinflated air bladder.

TPWD personnel quickly punctured the bladder and the fish was soon swimming upright in a special holding barrel.

The big female showed no adverse affects from the whole affair, likely a combination of the cold water and gentle tow back to the ramp. Within an hour, the biologist assigned to pick up the fish for ShareLunker was at the ramp and the fish was loaded into the special tank for the ride back to the Athens Hatchery.

Banks emailed me the day of his catch, and I had initially thought it was the first ShareLunker caught from a kayak. I was wrong.

David Utz of Lovelady actually caught the first two kayak-caught ShareLunkers in 2006 while fishing in Ratcliff Lake: a 13.03-pound fish on March 2 and a 13.65 one day later.

The official ShareLunker tally book now stands at three grand fish caught by two kayak anglers.

Purtis Creek Lake is a kayak-friendly bass factory. The 349-acre lake is small enough to paddle to plenty of fishy locations. There is plenty of standing timber, and catch and release rules have allowed the lake’s population of largemouth to get fat and sassy.

TPWD electroshock surveys revealed that the lake is a good candidate to give up the next state record.

Banks concluded his emailed with: “Texas is THE place. God bless Texas!”

Indeed.

TF&G FIRST

Michael Banks and his kayak-caught Sharelunker from Purtis Creek Lake.

Banks doesn’t have a depth-finder on his kayak and guessed the depth at around 12 feet in the creek where the big fish hit. Working a large-billed crankbait slowly, Banks felt a small tap and then a sluggish weight on the other end of the line. The big fish didn’t put up much of a fight; Banks speculated that the cold water induced its lethargic state.

Seconds later, the fish of a lifetime was finning next to Banks’ kayak. “I didn’t start getting nervous until I saw how large the bass was,” Banks said with a chuckle. “I grabbed her by the lip with my gripper scale, and the weight kept changing between 12.9 and 13.4 pounds. I knew I had a potential 13-pound fish and the battery in my cell phone was running low, so I called my wife and asked her to call the TPWD personnel at Purtis Creek State Park to have some certified scales waiting for me at the boat ramp.”

In addition to the low battery in his cell phone, Banks faced another pressing problem: his kayak didn’t have a livewell. Banks left the gripper scales secured to the fish’s lower jaw, tied his anchor rope to the scale, and began towing the mighty fish back to the ramp, stopping periodically to check on its well-being.

His wife phoned soon after, directing him the boat ramp on the other side of the lake. In the middle of the white-capped lake, Banks’ phone rang again. TPWD personnel were standing by at the boat ramp at his original F I S H

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Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com PHOTO BY LARRY HODGE, © TPWD

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1 Tbs oregano, dried 1 cup tomato sauce 1 tsp black pepper, fresh cracked 1 tsp white pepper 2 tsp Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice

Mahi Mahi Ceviche HAT’S GREEN AND GOLD AND SPOTTED blue? If you are an offshore fisherman, the answer is dorado, mahi mahi, or, as us old timers call it, dolphin.

This flashy acrobat is a coveted catch for many offshore anglers for its aerial antics, speedy runs, and great beauty at boatside.

After the dolphin has been caught and placed on ice to chill, its vibrant colors quickly fade, but it continues to shine as a culinary treat. The next time you experience a hot dolphin bite, bring a few home and prepare them Texas Gourmet style.

Almost every Pacific and Gulf coast state has its own version of this raw fish cocktail, which naturally cooks itself in limejuice. I learned this recipe from an old native of Acapulco while dining beachside, listening to the waves roll in. This recipe combines elements from this Acapulco style while adding a touch of Texas flair.

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Place the fish, scallops, and shrimp in a large glass bowl and cover with limejuice, reserving 1/3 cup for later use. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator; marinate 8-10 hours or overnight. Take the plastic off once while marinating and stir the seafood to allow the limejuice to get to every piece, then re-cover for the remainder of the time. I like the fish to be firm and opaque; marinating it overnight will accomplish this.

After marinating, pour seafood into a colander and rinse under cold water briefly, discarding the used limejuice. Meanwhile, rinse the glass bowl then pour in the reserved 1/3-cup limejuice and tomato sauce. Add remaining ingredients except avocadoes and cilantro and stir gently to combine. Add seafood to the tomato mixture and salt to

taste. Chill for two hours.

Before serving, garnish with diced avocadoes and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, saltine crackers, or tortilla chips.

Muy sabroso!

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com

2 lbs. mahi mahi filets (substitute redfish or other firm-fleshed fish) 1/2 lb. bay scallops 1 lb. shrimp, 21-25 count, peeled but raw 2 cups limejuice, fresh squeezed 4 Tbs extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 6 Roma tomatoes, cored and diced 1 cup purple onion, chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, rinsed well and chopped 3 Tbs serrano peppers, seeded and chopped 2 avocadoes, ripe, peeled and diced 2/3 cup green olives with pimentos, sliced thin 1/3 cup capers PHOTO BY BRYAN SLAVEN

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ROCKPORT

TEXAS SALTWATER CORPUS CHRISTI

Steve Strasmeyer Striper Striper Express Kendal McMahon w/ her Redfish Redfish Charters

GALVESTON

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE) ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS SALTWATER

For Classified Rates and Information call Dennise at 1-800-750-4678, ext. 5519.

BAFFIN BAY

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Bert Trinity BayTrout Hillman’s Guide Service

Kendal’s Redfish North Padre Boating

Nice Reds!

Rockport RedRunner

TEXAS FRESHWATER

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

LAKE TEXOMA

EAST TEXAS

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

LAKE AMISTAD

SPOTLIGHT: NORTH PADRE BOATING ADVENTURES Captain Chuck Matthews, licensed by U.S.C.G. and T.P.W.D., is a retired Firefighter/ Paramedic who established North Padre Boating Adventures in 2008. As an avid angler and lover of the outdoors, he’s taken these two loves and combined them into a new career.

Captain Chuck Matthews believes in customer service, and giving his clients the best possible fishing experience he can.

It is his belief if you catch a legal limit, the fishing is not over, because you paid for a certain service and it is his job to provide that service to best of his ability. If you limit out on a species he will take you to find another species. Captain Chuck Matthews also believes in “C.P.R.” Catch Photograph and Release. Catching a limit may be fun, but releasing them back into nature to have something to catch on another day for you or your kids is just as important.

Fishing trips are from 1 to 4 anglers. Fishing gear and tackle provided, but you are welcome to bring your favorite fishing gear. Additional services: Romantic Sunset Cruises, Dolphin Watching, and Bird Watching or just a family outing in a boat for something different to do with friends and family. He can accommodate up to six persons on these adventures.

Captain Chuck Matthews: Official Fishing Guide for Ambit Energy www.myambitenergyconsultant.com and KOUL 103.7 Country for the Coastal Bend.

Contact Captain Chuck at 361-855-FISH (3474) or check out www.northpadreboatingadventures.com

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ht e, Texas, caug n of Woodvill while fishing Donald Horto ss ba ce un , 13-o this 10-pound urn. at Sam Rayb

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Texas, caught Brownsville, e scales at 8 Joe Molina of th ng pi tip trout, this 28-inch nd. It is the la Is e dr Pa uth pounds, in So e has caught.

Jo biggest trout

Three-year-o ld William Bu tler of Austin Texas, caught , hi great-grandpa s first fish, a drum, off of rents’ pier on hi parents are W Trinity Bay. Hi s eston and St ephanie Butle s r.

Michael Edwa rd this 27.5-inch s, age 13, of Austin, caug ht re around the bo dfish with live shrimp at docks on Little Bay in port.

Rock-

7caught this 5.

Parks, age 5, e David Chase s River, abov es pr Cy g Bi on Star, Texas. pound bass nes near Lone Lake O’ the Pi ry proud. ve Dad, Andy, is

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Columbus, ez, age 9, of ile ch redfish wh Marcus Olivar -in 28 9-pound, Connor, He O’ rt snagged this Po at s his parent fishing with work!

A member at is a future CC

“Captain” Ry an McKeever and “Co-Capt Tad Miguez, ain” both of Ham shire, off their 2-man limit of redfis Texas, show Sabine Lake h ca ug ht in .

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(L-R) George and Sonia Ga rcia and Edna Armando Lu na of Edinbu and rg, caught th redfish off Po ese rt Mansfield in Texas. Th ranged from e fish 22 inches to 26-1/2 inches .

LibSpiking from ile th-old Wyatt Eighteen-mon to reel in his first trout wh ed m erty Hill, help parents in Rockport. Mo his fishing with ed in the fish. el re he ile wh held the pole

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o ught these tw of Houston ca He Jeff Schaberg reds in San Antonio Bay. ch st 24- and 25-in a personal be and released e trip. also caught ut on the sam tro ed kl ec sp .

-in 30 ., lb 59.

Brandon Sm ith of Kirbyv ille speckled tro ut in Keith La caught this ke. The 10-p 4 ounce, 24.2 ound 5-inch speck was caught wi , plum-colored th a bull minnow.

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Logan Bell, ag e caught his fir 6, of The Woodlands, Te xas, st port, while fis redfish, a 25-incher, in Ro hing with Da cknny Poffenber He did all the ger. work himself.

is risti caught th a of Corpus Ch e fishing dr Eric Soriano Ma na gu in the La won el. The trout 27-inch trout th his dad, Jo category. al tournament wi du vi di in e in the him first plac

this cona caught e, age 6, of No ile fishing in a id Br Mc a nn Je f wh all by hersel 5-pound bass r dad Jeff (pic . pond with he e at iv pr l ca d” on fishing lo ke oo “h w no is tured). Jenna

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Bryce Pilley, age 14, of Ma rble Falls took first buck wi th a his yards while hu 25-06 at approximately 130 nting with hi s proud papa Mike Pilley, on , the last day of a hunting trip.

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speckthis 20-inch age 4, caught with p tri ng hi Kyler Ross, fis on her first d) in led trout while a and Uncle Joe (picture ar her Aunt Barb ti.

Corpus Chris

Avery Farmer , age 8, of Lu bbock, Texas, shot his first de Matador. The er on a ranch outside of deer was a 6pointer.

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erl yant of Kopp -old Travis Br on a private ss Sixteen-year ba nd ou -1/2-p and caught this 12 was spawning erl. The fish ll.

Bi pond in Kopp d, da by o . Phot was released

Jessie Cepak, age 8, of Pala caught her fir ci st big bass at os, Texas, Coleto Creek Reservoir in Victoria, Texa s.

does ries shot two Rhett Humph st deer hunt durSix-year-old fir s hi on ck t bu He and a 5-poin uth season. morning of yo n County. ing opening to or m ck ro in Th was hunting

Calf r first deer at n bagged he CulColleen Wathe st outside of Brady in Mc ju Creek Ranch, e was guided by her son, Sh loch County.

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Karen Holland and her son proudly show the buck that sh of Leverett’s Ch e shot while hunting near f apel in Rusk County.

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Rider Sessio ns, age 7, of Wells, Texas, his first deer shot at the Sessio ns Family Ra nch.

pound ught this 5.4Jack Webb ca private lake a ng hi fis ile black bass wh ing his lure of s. He was us in East Texa een Senko. gr d ge rig s choice, a Texa

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PHOTO COMPOSITE BY TF&G

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Moonlight Bass IGHT-FISHING FOR BASS IS A NEARLY forgotten art. Once hugely popular, it seems to have faded slightly into obscurity, according to my observations, or the anglers doing it are seriously tight-lipped.

There is good reason to keep it a secret, as some of the best fishing to be found anywhere for lunker largemouths is under the moonlight on East Texas big lakes like Toledo Bend, Fork, Conroe, and Lake O’ the Pines.

The main thing to remember is there are certain things to look for after dark. The first is shallow water with deep-water access.

One of the reasons novice anglers have a hard time catching bass during the day in late summer is the fish tend to move deeper, where many anglers are not familiar with catching them and where a strike is harder to notice and hookset is difficult.

These areas are “transition zones” where bass can easily hang in the deep water during the day and move into the shallows at night, when baitfishes are prowling the shorelines and associated structure. A prime spot would be the point of a deep creek that has a submerged weedline bordering a shallow shoreline, especially if the drop-off is sudden. Often times the main point you see

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on a creek can fool you as the best fishing is on the secondary point, which is typically submerged and only visible with electronics.

Run these areas over and watch your graph for large fish right on the edge of the deep, and keep an eye out on the shoreline for baitfish. Also, make sure to listen. Bass can get quite aggressive at night when feeding along the shorelines and can make quite a ruckus.

by Steve Schaffer Some of the best structure to fish is deep grasslines, particularly deeper beds of hydrilla.

Some of the largest bass never leave the deep, and research proves the largest fish are the most lethargic. Anglers must put their lures right in front of these fish and target the areas they haunt.

The first place to consider for extra large lunkers is the reverse of the areas mentioned.

Instead of targeting shallow areas near dropoffs, fish the deeper spots below the dropoffs and hit hard spots on the bottom. Any spot in deeper water adjacent to grass or brush that has a hard, rocky bottom is a good spot to seek larger bass at night. These spots typically hold more crawfish, which is

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a crucial component in the big-bass diet.

Gearing up for night-fishing is a bit different. The general rule is to use heavier tackle, as it is much easier to coax a big fish out of heavy structure with strong gear.

Thrill-seeking anglers prefer fishing topwaters in the shallows. They can produce more big fish than other baits in the shallows, and hearing the sound of a big bass crashing the surface on a quiet night is more than enough to get the heart racing.

There are two schools of thinking on color. Most anglers prefer to use dark-colored plugs, particularly solid black. The idea is black blocks out any available light and creates a better silhouette for bass to focus on. A few anglers prefer using topwaters that glow or have glowing strips of tape attached to them. These anglers use a camera flash unit to “charge” the lure before chucking into the darkness.

Anglers should consider moon phases when planning a night-fishing trip on Texas waters. The general rule is the fishing is better immediately before, after, and during a full moon. The fish seem to be more active during these times and increased light will allow you to make more accurate casts and Continued on Page N2 G A M E ®

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In This Issue HOW-TO SECTION

N1

COVER STORY • Moonlight Bass |

BY STEVE SHAFFER

N4

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times |

BY TF&G STAFF

N6

TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots |

BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD

avoid getting hung up.

Some anglers like to fish the first half of the night, and others from midnight until dawn. The most popular times are right after dark until the angler gets sleepy and decides to go home. There might be some science to this, as some studies suggest fish

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BOWHUNTING TECH • Outfoxing a Predator |

BY LOU MARULLO

N38

TEXAS BOATING • The Great Compromise |

BY LENNY RUDOW

N40

TEXAS KAYAKING • Walkabout Angler Takes ShareLunker |

BY GREG BERLOCHER

N41

BAITS & RIGS • Shallow Drop Shotting |

BY PAUL BRADSHAW

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION TASTED • N42 TEXAS Mahi Mahi, Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche | B S BY

RYAN LAVEN

CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • N44 OUTDOOR Classifieds | TF&G S BY

TAFF

ALBUM • N46 PHOTO Your Action Photos | TF&G R BY

EADERS

GEARING UP SECTION

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

N2 |

N36

TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Ackley Reloaded |

BY STEVE LAMASCUS

T E X A S

N16

TEXAS TESTED • Hevy Metal Jigs, Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging |

BY TFG STAFF

N18

NEW PRODUCTS • What’s New from Top Outdoor Manufacturers |

BY TF&G STAFF

N21

SPECIAL SECTION • Father’s Day Gift Guide |

BY TF&G STAFF

www.FishGame.com

actively feed very heavily right after the sun falls and for a few hours afterward. On the other hand, fish tend to feed again right before dawn, and the hours leading up to it can be productive.

While night-fishing can be highly exciting, it can also be more dangerous than day-

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time fishing. Recently, there have been several incidents of deaths in Texas related to night-fishing, and nearly all of them could have been prevented.

The first thing an angler needs to do is to make a plan with their family or friends.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials recommend they write down where they will be fishing, where they launched, and what time they expect to be home. That way, if the angler does not show up when expected, authorities will have an idea where to search.

If possible, anglers should have a cell phone and VHF radio to call for help if needed.

The major thing to watch out for in the dark is running over stumps and other obstacles that might be easy to spot during the day, but nearly invisible at night. This is a particularly dangerous proposition on Toledo Bend, where standing timber is considered a real problem in parts of the reservoir.

Also, be wary of storms, which pop up frequently at night in Texas during the summer.

If you see a storm approaching, do not gamble. Not only will you have to deal with dangerous lightning, but the water can get dangerously rough in a hurry. You can always fish another day if you play it safe.

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Tides and Prime Times

MAY 2010

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

SYMBOL KEY

New Moon

3

First Quarter

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 2:05 am -0.02 ft High Tide: 11:17 am 1.48 ft

10:00 — 11:30 PM

Full Moon

Last Quarter

4

Good Day

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 3:01 am 0.14 ft High Tide: 12:07 pm 1.41 ft

PRIME TIME

6:00 — 8:00 AM

BEST DAYS

5 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

4:02 am 12:37 pm 8:24 pm 8:57 pm

0.30 ft 1.35 ft 1.12 ft 1.12 ft

PRIME TIME

6

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

PRIME TIME 5:05 am 12:55 pm 7:44 pm 11:29 pm

0.46 ft 1.30 ft 0.99 ft 1.10 ft

1:00 — 3:00 AM

Sunrise: 6:51a Set: 8:16p Moonrise: 12:40a Set: 11:00a AM Minor: 10:39a Set: 4:26a PM Minor: 11:04p Set: 4:51p Moon Overhead: 5:49a Moon Underfoot: 6:14p

Sunrise: 6:50a Set: 8:17p Moonrise: 1:22a Set: 11:58a AM Minor: 11:32a Set: 5:20a PM Minor: 11:55p Set: 5:44p Moon Overhead: 6:38a Moon Underfoot: 7:01p

Sunrise: 6:49a Set: 8:18p Moonrise: 1:58a Set: 12:54p AM Minor: ----Set: 6:09a PM Minor: 12:20p Set: 6:31p Moon Overhead: 7:23a Moon Underfoot: 7:45p

Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 8:18p Moonrise: 2:30a Set: 1:48p AM Minor: 12:42a Set: 6:53a PM Minor: 1:03p Set: 7:14p Moon Overhead: 8:07a Moon Underfoot: 8:27p

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11

12

13

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

PRIME TIME 3:24 am 8:54 am 1:40 pm 8:39 pm

1.36 ft 1.04 ft 1.24 ft 0.28 ft

4:00 — 6:00 PM

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

4:18 am 9:43 am 1:46 pm 9:09 pm

PRIME TIME 1.48 ft 1.15 ft 1.27 ft 0.11 ft

4:30 — 6:30 PM

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:08 am 10:32 am 1:47 pm 9:43 pm

PRIME TIME 1.58 ft 1.25 ft 1.31 ft -0.05 ft

5:00 — 7:00 PM

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

PRIME TIME 5:58 am 11:20 am 1:43 pm 10:21 pm

1.66 ft 1.35 ft 1.37 ft -0.18 ft

6:00 — 8:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:45a Set: 8:21p Moonrise: 4:23a Set: 5:25p AM Minor: 3:12a Set: 9:22a PM Minor: 3:33p Set: 9:44p Moon Overhead: 10:51a Moon Underfoot: 11:13p

Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 8:22p Moonrise: 4:54a Set: 6:24p AM Minor: 3:50a Set: 10:01a PM Minor: 4:12p Set: 10:24p Moon Overhead: 11:35a Moon Underfoot: None

Sunrise: 6:44a Set: 8:23p Moonrise: 5:28a Set: 7:25p AM Minor: 4:31a Set: 10:44a PM Minor: 4:56p Set: 11:08p Moon Overhead: 12:23p Moon Underfoot: None

Sunrise: 6:43a Set: 8:23p Moonrise: 6:08a Set: 8:29p AM Minor: 5:19a Set: 11:32a PM Minor: 5:45p Set: 11:59p Moon Overhead: 1:15p Moon Underfoot: 12:49a

17

18

19

PRIME TIME

20

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 12:38 am -0.32 ft High Tide: 9:36 am 1.71 ft

9:00 — 11:00 PM

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 1:30 am -0.25 ft High Tide: 10:26 am 1.65 ft

9:30 — 11:30 PM

Low Tide: 2:27 am -0.10 ft High Tide: 11:05 am 1.56 ft

PRIME TIME 3:27 am 11:35 am 6:11 pm 9:57 pm

0.12 ft 1.46 ft 0.98 ft 1.08 ft

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Sunrise: 6:41a Set: 8:26p Moonrise: 9:51a Set: None AM Minor: 9:20a Set: 3:06a PM Minor: 9:50p Set: 3:35p Moon Overhead: 5:07p Moon Underfoot: 4:38a

Sunrise: 6:40a Set: 8:27p Moonrise: 10:59a Set: 12:18a AM Minor: 10:24a Set: 4:10a PM Minor: 10:53p Set: 4:38p Moon Overhead: 6:04p Moon Underfoot: 5:36a

Sunrise: 6:39a Set: 8:27p Moonrise: 12:07p Set: 1:02a AM Minor: 11:25a Set: 5:11a PM Minor: 11:52p Set: 5:38p Moon Overhead: 6:58p Moon Underfoot: 6:32a

Sunrise: 6:39a Set: 8:28p Moonrise: 1:13p Set: 1:41a AM Minor: ----Set: 6:07a PM Minor: 12:20p Set: 6:33p Moon Overhead: 7:49p Moon Underfoot: 7:24a

24

25

26

27

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

PRIME TIME 3:24 am 8:40 am 12:49 pm 8:30 pm

1.43 ft 1.13 ft 1.30 ft -0.18 ft

4:30 — 6:30 PM

Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 8:30p Moonrise: 5:32p Set: 3:58a AM Minor: 2:59a Set: 9:11a PM Minor: 3:24p Set: 9:37p Moon Overhead: 11:07p Moon Underfoot: 10:41a

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High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

PRIME TIME 4:35 am 10:08 am 1:01 pm 9:12 pm

1.57 ft 1.28 ft 1.33 ft -0.35 ft

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:36a Set: 8:31p Moonrise: 6:37p Set: 4:36a AM Minor: 3:44a Set: 9:57a PM Minor: 4:10p Set: 10:23p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 11:33a

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High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

5:36 am 11:33 am 1:07 pm 9:55 pm

PRIME TIME 1.66 ft 1.37 ft 1.38 ft -0.45 ft

6:00 — 8:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:36a Set: 8:32p Moonrise: 7:42p Set: 5:17a AM Minor: 4:32a Set: 10:45a PM Minor: 4:59p Set: 11:13p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:27p

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High Tide: 6:30 am 1.69 ft Low Tide: 10:38 pm -0.46 ft

PRIME TIME 6:30 — 8:30 PM

Sunrise: 6:36a Set: 8:32p Moonrise: 8:43p Set: 6:04a AM Minor: 5:24a Set: 11:38a PM Minor: 5:52p Set: ----Moon Overhead: 12:54a Moon Underfoot: 1:22p

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Tides and Prime Times

MAY 2010

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1Low Tide: 12:24 am High Tide: 9:08 am

7

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 6:08 am High Tide: 1:09 pm Low Tide: 7:44 pm

0.62 ft 1.25 ft 0.83 ft

1:30 — 3:30 AM

-0.28 ft 1.62 ft

SUNDAY PRIME TIME

2

PRIME TIME

8:30 — 10:30 PM

Low Tide: 1:13 am -0.16 ft High Tide: 10:13 am 1.55 ft

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 8:15p Moonrise: 11:52p Set: 9:07a AM Minor: 8:42a Set: 2:28a PM Minor: 9:09p Set: 2:56p Moon Overhead: 4:03a Moon Underfoot: 4:30p

Sunrise: 6:52a Set: 8:16p Moonrise: None Set: 10:03a AM Minor: 9:42a Set: 3:29a PM Minor: 10:08p Set: 3:55p Moon Overhead: 4:57a Moon Underfoot: 5:23p

8

9

PRIME TIME

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

1:05 am 7:08 am 1:21 pm 7:55 pm

1.15 ft 0.77 ft 1.23 ft 0.65 ft

2:00 — 4:00 AM

PRIME TIME

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

2:21 am 8:03 am 1:32 pm 8:14 pm

1.25 ft 0.91 ft 1.23 ft 0.47 ft

3:30 — 5:30 PM

Sunrise: 6:48a Set: 8:19p Moonrise: 2:59a Set: 2:42p AM Minor: 1:23a Set: 7:33a PM Minor: 1:43p Set: 7:53p Moon Overhead: 8:48a Moon Underfoot: 9:08p

Sunrise: 6:47a Set: 8:20p Moonrise: 3:27a Set: 3:35p AM Minor: 2:00a Set: 8:10a PM Minor: 2:20p Set: 8:30p Moon Overhead: 9:28a Moon Underfoot: 9:48p

Sunrise: 6:46a Set: 8:20p Moonrise: 3:55a Set: 4:29p AM Minor: 2:36a Set: 8:46a PM Minor: 2:56p Set: 9:06p Moon Overhead: 10:09a Moon Underfoot: 10:29p

14

15

16

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

6:49 am 12:09 pm 1:36 pm 11:03 pm

PRIME TIME 1.72 ft 1.43 ft 1.44 ft -0.28 ft

6:30 — 8:30 PM

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 7:44 am 1.75 ft Low Tide: 11:48 pm -0.33 ft

7:00 — 9:00 PM

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 8:40 am

1.74 ft

7:30 — 9:30 PM

Sunrise: 6:42a Set: 8:24p Moonrise: 6:54a Set: 9:32p AM Minor: 6:12a Set: ----PM Minor: 6:41p Set: 12:55p Moon Overhead: 2:11p Moon Underfoot: 1:43a

Sunrise: 6:42a Set: 8:25p Moonrise: 7:47a Set: 10:32p AM Minor: 7:12a Set: 12:57a PM Minor: 7:41p Set: 1:26p Moon Overhead: 3:09p Moon Underfoot: 2:40a

Sunrise: 6:41a Set: 8:25p Moonrise: 8:47a Set: 11:28p AM Minor: 8:15a Set: 2:00a PM Minor: 8:45p Set: 2:30p Moon Overhead: 4:09p Moon Underfoot: 3:39a

21

22

23

Low Tide: 4:33 am 0.38 ft High Tide: 11:59 am 1.37 ft Low Tide: 6:34 pm 0.68 ft

PRIME TIME 12:30 — 2:30 AM

PRIME TIME

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

12:11 am 5:47 am 12:18 pm 7:10 pm

1.12 ft 0.66 ft 1.31 ft 0.37 ft

2:00 — 4:00 PM

PRIME TIME

High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide:

1:58 am 7:11 am 12:34 pm 7:49 pm

1.26 ft 0.92 ft 1.29 ft 0.07 ft

3:00 — 5:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 8:29p Moonrise: 2:18p Set: 2:17a AM Minor: 12:46a Set: 6:58a PM Minor: 1:10p Set: 7:23p Moon Overhead: 8:38p Moon Underfoot: 8:14a

Sunrise: 6:38a Set: 8:29p Moonrise: 3:22p Set: 2:50a AM Minor: 1:32a Set: 7:44a PM Minor: 1:57p Set: 8:09p Moon Overhead: 9:27p Moon Underfoot: 9:02a

Sunrise: 6:37a Set: 8:30p Moonrise: 4:27p Set: 3:24a AM Minor: 2:16a Set: 8:28a PM Minor: 2:40p Set: 8:53p Moon Overhead: 10:16p Moon Underfoot: 9:51a

28

29

30

High Tide: 7:20 am 1.67 ft Low Tide: 11:22 pm -0.41 ft

PRIME TIME 7:00 — 9:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 8:33p Moonrise: 9:40p Set: 6:55a AM Minor: 6:19a Set: 12:09a PM Minor: 6:47p Set: 12:33p Moon Overhead: 1:50a Moon Underfoot: 2:17p

High Tide: 8:07 am

PRIME TIME 1.62 ft

7:30 — 9:30 PM

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 8:33p Moonrise: 10:31p Set: 7:50a AM Minor: 7:17a Set: 1:03a PM Minor: 7:44p Set: 1:30p Moon Overhead: 2:45a Moon Underfoot: 3:12p

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Low Tide: 12:05 am -0.32 ft High Tide: 8:52 am 1.55 ft

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NOT FOR NAVIGATION PLACE SABINE BANK LIGHTHOUSE (29.47° N, 93.72° W) SABINE PASS JETTY (29.65° N, 93.83° W) SABINE PASS (29.73° N, 93.87°W) MESQUITE PT, SABINE PASS (29.77° N, 93.9° W) GALV. BAY, SO. JETTY (29.34° N, 94.7° W) PORT BOLIVAR (29.36° N, 94.77° W) TX CITY TURNING BASIN (29.38° N, 94.88° W) EAGLE POINT (29.5° N, 94.91° W) CLEAR LAKE (29.56° N, 95.06° W) MORGANS POINT (29.68° N, 94.98° W) ROUND PT, TRINITY BAY (29.71° N, 94.69° W) PT. BARROW, TRIN. BAY (29.74° N, 94.83° W) GILCHRIST, E. BAY (29.52° N, 94.48° W) JAMAICA BCH., W. BAY (29.2° N, 94.98° W) ALLIGATOR PT., W. BAY (29.17° N, 94.13° W) CHRISTMAS PT, CHR. BAY (29.08° N, 94.17° W) GALV. PLEASURE PIER (29.29° N, 94.79° W) SAN LUIS PASS (29.08° N, 95.12° W) FREEPORT HARBOR (28.95° N, 95.31° W) PASS CAVALLO (28.37° N, 96.4° W) ARANSAS PASS (27.84° N, 97.05° W) PADRE ISL.(SO. END) (26.07° N, 97.16° W) PORT ISABEL (26.06° N, 97.22° W)

HIGH

LOW

-1:46

-1:31

-1:26

-1:31

-1:00

-1:15

-0:04

-0:25

-0:39

-1:05

+0:14

-0:06

+0:33

+0:41

+3:54

+4:15

+6:05

+6:40

+10:21

+5:19

+10:39

+5:15

+5:48

+4:43

+3:16

+4:18

+2:38

+3:31

+2:39

+2:33

+2:32

+2:31

-1:06

-1:06

-0.09

-0.09

-0:44

-1:02

0:00

-1:20

-0:03

-1:31

-0:24

-1:45

+1:02

-0:42

PRIME TIME

31

PRIME TIME

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Low Tide: 12:48 am -0.19 ft High Tide: 9:33 am 1.47 ft

9:00 — 11:00 PM

Sunrise: 6:35a Set: 8:34p Moonrise: 11:16p Set: 8:47a AM Minor: 8:14a Set: 2:01a PM Minor: 8:40p Set: 2:27p Moon Overhead: 3:38a Moon Underfoot: 4:04p

T E X A S

TIDE STATION CORRECTION TABLE (Adjust High & Low Tide times listed in the Calendar by the amounts below for each keyed location)

Sunrise: 6:34a Set: 8:35p Moonrise: 11:55p Set: 9:45a AM Minor: 9:10a Set: 2:58a PM Minor: 9:34p Set: 3:22p Moon Overhead: 4:29a Moon Underfoot: 4:53p

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Tungsten weight on 30-50-pound Mean Green braided line with a black swivel and 6mm Force beads. The Kicker Kraw’s larger size moves more water.

bigtroutman.tripod.com TIPS: Slowly drag spinnerbaits and buzzbaits across grass in and out of open pockets.

BANK ACCESS: Old boat ramp by South Levee, catfish at night with stinkbait, chicken livers. Go just past the end of the road/levee, turn left and park in the old park at the top of the hill.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Cobb Bay GPS: N32 05.00, W95 27.30 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Shad-colored Bomber BD7, Carolina-rigged lizards CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299 TIPS: Look for post-spawn bass bunching up in the creeks that swing in close to points. Saline Bay also is a good place to try. You also may encounter crappie on brush piles and white bass on main-lake points early and late.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Yegua Park shoreline GPS: N30 17.760, W96 32.781 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad or stinkbait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, Fish-TalesGuideService.com TIPS: Look for spawning fish in 3-6 feet of water. Anchor away from the shore and target structure and algae growth. Use a No. 1 Kahle hook with shad or a No. 4 treble hook with stinkbait. Occasionally move up or down the shoreline to cover more areas where the fish are nesting.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Big Creek Marina tires GPS: N30 17.10, W96 34.340 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Minnows, jigs CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for spawning crappie near structure. Tie up to the tires outside the marina and fish where the water comes up shallow. The tires offer good spawning areas for crappie.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Winkler Creek GPS: N31 57.307, W96 13.069 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: small minnows, jigs under slip corks CONTACT: Royce Simmons, royce@gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS: This is at the end of the crappie spawn. Fish the shallow water on the far southeast area of the lake and from the bank in the coves around Fisherman’s Point Marina.

Drop-Shot Bass LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N31 58.817, W96 7 57.871 SPECIES: largemouth bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: drop-shot and Carolinarigged Kicker Kraw or other soft plastic creature lures CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 817-9290675 TIPS: Keep your boat in 12-14 feet of water close to drop-offs and ledges. Cast to the ledges and drop-offs and let your bait lay motionless for 15 seconds before moving it. Use a 12- to 14-inch leader on a drop-shot with 1/4-ounce weight. On a Carolina rig, use a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce TruTungsten weight on 30- to 50-pound Mean Green braided line with a black swivel and 6mm Force beads. The Kicker Kraw’s larger size moves more water.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: Carl White Hump GPS: N32 15.02, W96 11’22.92 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: drop-shot and Carolinarigged Kicker Kraw or other soft plastic creature lures CONTACT: Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 817-9290675 TIPS: Keep your boat in 12-14 feet of water close to drop-offs and ledges. Cast to the ledges and drop-offs and let your bait lay motionless for 15 seconds before moving it. Use a 12- to 14-inch leader on a drop-shot with 1/4-ounce weight. On a Carolina rig, use a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce TruN6 |

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LOCATION: Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir HOTSPOT: Outlet Point GPS: N31 34.267, W96 56.913 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: buzzbaits, spinnerbaits CONTACT: Jimmy D. Moore, rayado@earthlink.net, 254-744-2104, F I S H

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LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Lake HOTSPOT: Employee Dock area GPS: N30 37.611, W96 04.591 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shad, crawfish, punch bait CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103,

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FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Anchor in the cove next to the rock dam and fish the lily pads left of the cove for post-spawn catfish feeding there.

Also, fish 10 feet off the water line on the rocks using a cork. Shad and small crawfish likely will produce larger fish. Yellow and blue cats also spawn in this area.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers HOTSPOT: 309 Flats GPS: N31 58 718, W96 06 878 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Trap, 1-ounce silver slab CONTACT: Royce Simmons, royce@gonefishin.biz, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS: Look for the feeding gulls over 2030 feet of water to help locate the baitfish that the white bass are feeding on.

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LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Lake HOTSPOT: crappie Hole.

GPS: N30 36.711, W96 04.001 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows, black/chartreuse jigs CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for anything to tie onto in this area. Brush piles are numerous from the shoreline out to about 30 feet from the bank. The rocks near the shoreline also may hold crappie. Use a sonar unit to locate structure or fish close to the trees.

Start at the bottom and work up the water column to find the bite. Crappie may bite one hour and not the next so be patient or move to fish various depths.

LOCATION: Lake Whitney HOTSPOT: Whitney Point

GPS: N31 54.672, W97 20.873 SPECIES: Striped bass BEST BAIT: live gizzard shad CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: Anchor just off the hump and fish a Carolina-rig with 2-ounce weight and No. 2 circle hook on a gizzard shad. Make long casts onto the hump and lock in the reel. When a striper picks up the shad let it run and use a sweeping hook set. Also, drop two lines straight down in 26 feet of water with the same rig and reel three to four turns off the bottom. Stripers are coming off the top of the hump and in deeper water off its sides.

BANK ACCESS: Lake Whitney State Park LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Snake Island GPS: N31 55.215, W97 12.891 SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Little George, chrome and blue Rat-L-Trap CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.net TIPS: White bass should be chasing schools of shad along the edge of the island. Make long casts and work the bait back to you. Use binoculars and glass the lake for birds working above occasional schools of white bass chasing shad to the surface.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: North End and Washita Point GPS: North End: N 33 52.072, W96 41.672; Washita Point: N33 55.395, W96 35.400 SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad jigs, topwater lures, live shad CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: This is most anglers’ favorite month of the year because the fish have finished spawning and are traveling in large schools gorging on shad. Cast Pencil Poppers or Chug Bugs on the shallow banks early and then switch to white glow one-

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ounce Sassy Shad jigs or live shad on main lake ledges down to 30 feet. Drift or anchor when using live shad. Limits of stripers are common.

BANK ACCESS: Platter Flats, Washita Point LOCATION: Fayette County Lake HOTSPOT: Park Cove GPS: N29 56.541, W96 44.962 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: stinkbait, worms, shad CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The fish will be shallow after the spawn. Anchor or tie up to the timber and chum close to the timber. Use a slip cork to avoid hanging up. The fish should show up within 30 minutes after the area has been chummed. If you don’t get bites, move to the next timber.

LOCATION: Lake Waco HOTSPOT: North Bosque River GPS: N31 30.366, W97 17.414 SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: shrimp, bloodbait, stinkbait, Punch Bait CONTACT: Jimmy D. Moore, 254-7442104, rayado@earthlink.net, 254-7442104, bigtroutman.tripod.com TIPS: Catfishing is best from April through early summer with the North and South Bosque Rivers favored by trotliners.

Hog Creek and the Middle Bosque are also good. Drift-fishing over main lake points like the point at Twin Bridges and its submerged structure and the flats near Speegleville and other bays next to creek channels that run through them also are good. These are the areas where most rod and reel anglers go for cats. Shrimp, bloodbait, and stinkbait work well for channel cats, while blues and flatheads prefer live shad or fresh cut bait or punch bait. Cumming is a good idea, too.

BANK ACCESS: Reynolds Creek Park has a public fishing area on the shoreline south of the new boat ramp and is good for largemouth bass, crappie, white bass.

LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow HOTSPOT: Big Island, east side GPS: N31 01.258, W97 34.795 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: blue and silver Rat-L-Trap

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CONTACT: Bob Maindelle, Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com, 254-368-7411, holdingthelineguideservice.com TIPS: The best time to catch bass in this clear, shallow water is 30 minutes prior to sunrise through two hours after sunrise.

Watch for feeding shad and fish the areas thoroughly.

Broadway Stripers LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Lake HOTSPOT: Broadway (between mouths of Cedar and Caddo Creeks)

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

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SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: live shad, jigs, Slabs, deepdiving crankbaits CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Look for suspended stripers 24 feet down in 50 feet-plus of water on points, humps, and edge of the river channel. This also is a good time for down-rigging 1-ounce bucktail jigs with 6-inch white, yellow, or chartreuse trailers. My favorite area is the south end of Broadway at Tabletop, a flat underwater area of limestone the size of three football fields that is about 30-36 feet down close to 50-65 feet of water. Stripers often chase schools of shad on top of Tabletop.

LOCATION: Lakes Graham-Eddleman HOTSPOT: Lake Graham Lower End Humps SPECIES: white bass and hybrid stripers

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BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Trap type lures, topwater lures CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Check the action at the hot-water outlet on Lake Eddleman, then go through the canal connecting the two lakes and fish the humps on the lower end of Lake Graham with live shad off the bottom and swimming lures. Keep a topwater lure handy for sporadic schools of surfacing fish.

LOCATION: Lake Palo Pinto HOTSPOT: Major feeder creeks with incoming water SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Road Runners, Sassy Shads CONTACT: Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS: Check the hot-water outlet first for concentrated schools of fish during periods

of runoffs. Then go to the upper ends of the creeks to runoff areas and bump the lures off the bottom downstream to locate where the fish are stacked up, paying attention to the speed of your retrieve that is catching the most fish.

Go Vertical for Crappie LOCATION: Granger Lake HOTSPOT: Main Lake Brush Piles GPS: Entire Lake SPECIES: crappie

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: chartreuse jigs CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmail.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com TIPS: Fish jigs vertically over brush in 412 feet of water. Lower the jig until it makes contact with the brush and raise it slightly. Hold the jig still and wait for the bite. If you don’t get action in a few seconds, move around until you get hit. For murky water, use a 1/16-ounce jig. For clear water, use a 1/32-ounce jig.

BANK ACCESS: Wilson Fox Park dock LOCATION: Lake Medina HOTSPOT: Elm Cove GPS: N29 34.515, W98.557 SPECIES: Guadalupe bass BEST BAITS: shad patterned Pop R, Zara Puppy, and 1/4-ounce buzzbait; Shad and chartreuse 4- to 5-inch jerkbait, fluke, and 1/4-ounce Rat-L-Trap, Watermelon, cotton candy and pumpkin Shaky Heads, dropshot-rigged finesse worms CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Most post-spawn bass are feeding aggressively around main lake points and flats. Look for schools of bass in 8-10 feet of water. Top-water action should be good N10 |

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all day. If the topwater action slows switch to a jerkbait, fluke, or Rat-L-Trap. If a high-pressure system slows the bite, fish slow with a Shaky Head or drop-shot rig.

BANK ACCESS: Reds Cove for catfish on shad sides and cheese bait LOCATION: Lake Buchanan HOTSPOT: Morgan Creek GPS: N30 49.583, W98 21.303 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: white buzzbaits, white and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits, brown/red topwater frogs, Watermelon/pearl flukes, 1/2-ounce Texas Craw or black/blue jigs with matching trailers; Junebug Texas-, Carolina-, or wacky-rigged plastic worms

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CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Focus on points, small pockets, and ledges around spawning areas in creeks where bass are feeding on bluegill, baby bass, and shad. Target docks and vegetation. Cover area quickly with buzzbaits, frogs, flukes, or spinnerbaits until the bite fades and then fish slow with jigs or worms for less active fish.

BANK ACCESS: Burnett County Park for catfish on stinkbait and cut shad LOCATION: Lake Dunlap HOTSPOT: Middle to lower lake GPS: N29 40.399, W98 04.021

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SPECIES: Bluegill BEST BAITS: worms and crickets CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: This is a great time to put kids into lots of action. Look for banks with a flatter contour than others as well as small pockets. Overhanging trees will cluster the bluegills waiting for insects to fall into the water. Fish worms or crickets under a slip cork with small split shot that will keep the bait just above or at the bottom. Expect lots of strikes when the bait is on the fall.

BANK ACCESS: I-35 bridge public launch ramp and park.

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LOCATION: Lake Travis HOTSPOT: Cypress Creek GPS: N30 25.241, W97 53.480 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Chrome Pop-R and Zara Spook, white spinnerbait, shad-colored jerkbait and fluke; Watermelon Texas, Car-

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olina, or drop-shot soft plastic CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Post-spawn bass should be schooled up over points and ledges along channels in 5 to 15 feet of water. Some

bass will be suspended at those depths in 70-100 feet of water. Start with topwater lures. If the action is slow, fish a jerkbait or fluke at the same depths and follow up with the soft plastics to catch less-active and deeper fish holding tight to the bottom.

BANK ACCESS: Pace Bend for crappie on minnows and white crappie jigs LOCATION: Lake LBJ HOTSPOT: Horseshoe Bay GPS: N30 33.401, W98 21.345 SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: minnows and white crappie jigs CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Look for brush piles in 10-15 feet of water in front of docks in areas with deeper water and on points. Crappie should be suspended over the brush. Work the baits just above the brush for the most bites.

BANK ACCESS: Flying K for bass on spinnerbaits and soft plastics LOCATION: Canyon Lake HOTSPOT: Turkey Creek GPS: N29 51.406, W98 13.081 SPECIES: smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: Smoke-red flake, Watermelon, Pumpkin, and silver tubes, grubs, and worms on 1/8- or 1/4-ounce leadhead jigs CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: Smallmouth bass should be moving along the creek and river channel ledges in 10 feet of water feeding on baby bass, bluegill, and shad. Fish at a 45degree angle to the ledges allowing the bait to fall to the bottom. Allow the bait to drag the bottom on the retrieve, periodically hopping the bait to draw a reaction bite.

BANK ACCESS: Cranes Mill for crappie on minnows and white jigs

Hit the Points LOCATION: Lake Conroe HOTSPOT: Main Lake GPS: N30 43.34, W95 59.51 N12 |

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by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAIT: live shad, Storm Swim Shad CONTACT: Richard Tatsch, admin@fishdudetx.com, 936-291-1277, fishdudetx.com TIPS: The fish will be feeding on shad all around the lake on main-lake points.

Use sonar unit to locate schools of shad in 20-30 feet of water and fish the depth where you find the most shad. Live shad will work best but the Swim Shad will work, too, if you can control the depth.

BANK ACCESS: Stowaway Marina LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: The Pocket off the river channel GPS: N30 55.662, W95 15.054 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Texas-rigged Watermelon Seed and Junebug creature baits, Texas-

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rigged Junebug, black and chartreuse lizards, shad-patterned and Firetiger medium-diving crankbaits CONTACT: David S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Fish soft plastics around boathouses, keying on brush piles and laydowns.

Fish crankbaits off rocky points.

BANK ACCESS: Highway 19 bridge at Riverside and Carolina Cove Marina LOCATION: Toledo Bend North HOTSPOT: Bayou Seipe main & secondary points GPS: N31 43.865, W93 49.351 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Texas- and Carolina-rigged soft plastics CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: bass are in transition heading to deep water. Work the shallow flats early and late close to deep water and points with buzzbaits, stickbaits, or swimming

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frogs, spinnerbaits, surface lures, shallowdiving crankbaits and soft plastics until the sun is overhead then go to deeper water and fish the bends of the creeks with crankbaits and Texas or Carolina-rigged soft plastics. At end of month as water continues to warm fish the main lake points, river channel ledges, ridges and humps targeting structure and cover holding baitfish. Keep a shallow-diving crankbait, lipless crankbait, and topwater plug handy for schooling activity, which will increase as the water warms.

Brush Up for Bass LOCATION: Falcon Reservoir HOTSPOT: School bus cove, Arroyo Leon GPS: N26 48.067, W99 14.128 SPECIES: largemouth bass

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

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BEST BAITS: Shad and Perch-colored medium-diving crankbaits, 10-inch Red Shad and Plum plastic worms CONTACT: Robert’s Fish N’Tackle, robert@robertsfishntackle.com, 956-7651442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: The bass are getting super active with the shad and tilapia spawn. They will be shallow early and then move out to 1215 feet of water. Drag big worms or throw medium-size crankbaits around flooded brush using 20-pound fluorocarbon line and medium-heavy rod. Once you hook a fish, keep it close to the surface above the brush.

LOCATION: Choke Canyon HOTSPOT: North Shore GPS: N28 27.589, W98 15.519 SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: topwater frogs; buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatter Baits, shallow-diving, square-billed crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, swimming flukes and wacky-rigged Senkos CONTACT: David Burlington, dave@bassindave.com, 210-833-9417, bassindave.com TIPS: bass are shallow and feeding heavily on bluegill and other baitfish, roaming open water as well as positioning themselves in the grass and brush. This can create an awesome topwater frog bite. Have several rods rigged with various baits to match the cover you are fishing. Ripping crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps in the grass or brush can create a great reaction bite.

BANK ACCESS: South Shore State Park for catfish on shrimp and cut bait LOCATION: Falcon Reservoir HOTSPOT: Marker No. 11 on main river channel GPS: N26 50.02, W99 16.115 SPECIES: channel catfish, yellow catfish BEST BAITS: cut shad, shrimp, cut tilapia CONTACT: Robert’s Fish N’ Tackle, robert@robertsfishntackle.com, 956-7651442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS: Big cats are moving close to creek channels off the river. Anchor near the marker in 40 feet of water close to the point at the mouth of Veleno Creek or drift with cut bait or shrimp for big cats. Also, N14 |

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look for nesting cormorants in back of Veleno Creek in trees at 8 to 10 feet and fish straight down with Danny King’s and Sure Shot punch baits under slip corks.

Trout Take Chicken on a Chain LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South end of Lake GPS: N29 47.221, W93 55.919 SPECIES: speckled trout

BY TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin Chicken on a Chain Sea Shad in Glow/green tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: It all depends on the salinity and where the shrimp are migrating. Follow the bids.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Jetties GPS: N29 40.371, W93 50.250 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Gulp! early in May on a 3/8-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Use the trolling motor to move along the rock face, throwing the bait up on the rocks. Let if fall down along the rocks, working it as it falls.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93 90.111 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Bass Assassins in Wild Firetiger and Morning Glory with green tail on 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Wade-fish this area along about the middle of May if the conditions are

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right. Look for a flat surf.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Texas Point Area GPS: N29 70.277, W93.90.111 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Gulp! early in May in Molten Shrimp color on a 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Jerry Norris, 409-7188782 TIPS: Look for a flat surf. May can be good, but it just depends on the weather and water conditions.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Keith Lake fish pass GPS: N29 46.150, W93 57.002 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: shrimp fished on the bottom, Carolina rigged CONTACT: Jerry Mambretti, TPWD biologist, 409-983-1104 TIPS: Vary the size of weight to the strength of current in the pass.

BANK ACCESS: On Hwy. 87, there is access to the channel side of the pass. This area produces some nice fish in May

Black Magic Trout LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N28 29.887, W96 14.202 SPECIES: speckled trout

by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

BEST BAITS: topwaters; Black Magic Norton Sand Eels in Pumpkin Seed or Chicken on a Chain colors on a 1/8-ounce leadhead jig CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: This is the time of the year to get on the grass beds early in the morning and wade-fish. Start off the day throwing topwater baits and as the day progresses switch over to soft plastics working the drops off from the sand bars.

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LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Smith Point GPS: N29 31.465, W94 46.372 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastic in Limetreuse, Pumpkin Seed, Cajun Pepper on a 1/4ounce lead jighead CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: Key on shell bottom along the north shoreline LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Quarantine Island GPS: N27 55.006, W97 04.070 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: free-lined live croaker on the bottom CONTACT: Capt. George Rose, 361-4637700 TIPS: After a not-so-good last year, TPWD biologists are predicting good speckled trout fishing year in the Aransas area.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Whitehead Reef GPS: N29 31.412, W94 42.892 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastic in Limetreuse, Pumpkin Seed, Cajun Pepper on a 1/4ounce lead jighead CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: Key on mullet action.

LOCATION: Galveston East Bay HOTSPOT: Richard’s Reef GPS: N29 31.429, W94 45.323 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: soft plastic in Limetreuse, Pumpkin Seed, Cajun Pepper on a 1/4ounce lead jighead CONTACT: Capt. Paul Marcaccio, 281788-4041 TIPS: If you are throwing topwaters, downsize your baits.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Alazan Bay GPS: N27 18.467, W97 31.030 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait; eel-type plastics in Glow/chartreuse, Pearl/chartreuse, Plum/chartreuse, Pumpkinseed/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-985-

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6089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Fish over and among the rocks to find trout holding near the structure. Live bait free-lined among the rocks works well, as will suspending and countdown plugs worked slowly. You can also fish deeper in the water column with soft plastics such as a Saltwater Assassin.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: JFK Causeway GPS: N27 38.052, W97 14.773 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, topwaters, soft plastics in Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Glow/chartreuse CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: The JFK Causeway is very popular during the month of May. The fishing really begins to pick up around the pilings and along the flats. Anyone fishing with live bait under a popping cork, or free-lined with the current past the pilings will find all the trout and reds they can handle. Topwaters fished over the flats early, or soft plastics worked either shallow or in the deeper water work, too.

Speck Shrimp Fest LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: The Y GPS: N26 3.061, W97 12.542 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: large live shrimp or mullet,

by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com

SPI Tandems and other soft plastics in Pearl, Smoke CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Fish the drop-offs along the points opposite both sides of the islands for big speckled trout. A large live shrimp or shrimp imitator under a popping cork can be lethal. Soft plastic jerkbaits sink slowly through the water column and present easy targets for lazy yellowmouths.

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LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: The Saucer GPS: N26 26.782 W97 22.757 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters early, plasitics in Bone/clear, Bone/Diamond, Salt and Pepper CONTACT: Captain Steve Devries, 956289-3631 TIPS: Speckled trout will push bait up against the weedlines and feed heavily.

Thus, the action really picks up in May. A topwater modified with single hooks to cut down on fouling and damaging fish can be worked early in the morning. Fish soft plastic shad tails such on 1/8th ounce heads later in the morning. If you locate fish, ease an anchor over the side and focus on the area. A Power Pole comes in handy.

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado HOTSPOT: South Cullen Bay GPS: N26 13.421, W97 16.773 SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: topwaters, Gulp! Shrimp in Nuclear Chicken, Pearl CONTACT: Captain Eddie Curry, 956943-8301 TIPS: A topwater like the Super Spook, Jr. is a good choice to use early in the morning near the shoreline. As the sun gets higher, then fish the flats with a Gulp!

Shirmp under a popping cork or weightless. If you fish the latter, crawl it through the grass and hop it through potholes.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Three Islands GPS: N26 16.282, W97 17.702 SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: large topwaters early, DOA Tandems in Salt/Pepper, clear/red flake, gold spoons CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Redfish will be patrolling the area in herds of 3-5 fish. Noisy topwaters in Bone, Bone/Diamond are effective, especially those with high-ptiched rattles such as the He-Dog or Skitterwalk. Soft plastics on a 1/8- 1/4-ounce jighead or 1/2 ounce gold, weedless spoons are also effective.

Fish around the edges of the holes.

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Heavy Metal Jigs IF YOU ARE INTO HEAVY METAL, THIS IS GOING be a great fishing year for you. Three hot new metal lures hit the market for 2010, and each go for less then $10 a pop at your local tackle shop. After testing them all, I am leaving those jazzy lures, classic lures, and rapping lures behind; it is time to give heavy metal some play time.

The first new beat comes from Drone Spoons that has always produced the sameold, same-old spoons—which were effective, but boring. Not anymore. Their new Electric series amplifies the shine with powder-coat paint jobs. Different shades and levels of reflection are created by using single or multiple coatings, and color patterns are enhanced with reflective tape. The tape’s tough, too, and mine survived multiple encounters with bluefish and Spanish mackerel with only minimal scratching. What is really amazing is how durable the powder-coat finish is; even those toothy fish couldn’t touch it.

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Anglers who march to the beat of a different drum will want to check out the Octojig, from Jerk That Jig. This vertical-jigging cannonball-style jig is available up to 150 grams (over 5 ounces), so you can use it in high-current or deep-water areas. The silicon skirt has two paddle tails, along with multiple rubber strips and twin hooks. The head also has 3D eyes and a thick strip of glow paint, so it will prove handy when night-fishing.

If you want a jig that has a glowing “lasereffect” finish, glow-in-the-dark edges, and high quality terminal tackle already rigged up and ready to fish, Ocean Tackle’s new Jager OTI jigs fit the bill. These 4-1/2- to 8-inch jigs weigh from 3-1/2 to 14 ounces, so sizes are available for everything from speed jigging to deep dropping.

My favorite part of the Jager is how it comes rigged. Many high-quality jigs are available only un-rigged, and many less expensive jigs are pre-rigged with junky tackle. But the Jager swings a pair of Raptor Assist hooks, and the split ring is an Owner

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Hyperwire, and that’s music to any savvy angler’s ears.

—Lenny Rudow

Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging TEXAS FISH & GAME BOATING EDITOR LENNY Rudow has a new book out, Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging. Yeah, we’re biased, but we bet that any angler who wants to get in on the new forms of jigging will find this book extremely helpful.

The first section of the book details different jigging styles, starting with the traditional vertical jigging method then moving on to new techniques such as speed jigging, Butterfly jigging, yo-yoing, and meat jigging.

As you read the book, two things become apparent about modern jigging tackle: choosing the proper gear is critical, and there is no single source that clearly illustrates and details exactly how jigs, lines, and leaders should be rigged for different styles of jigging. Rudow’s Guide to Modern Jigging sets out to fill this gap, explaining and illustrating rigging methods developed by tackle manufacturers, then detailing his own tweaks and changes brought about after several years of in-depth jigging research done in the field.

The second section of the book goes into specific species, and how, where, and when to target them. Different chapters focus on big game like tunas and wahoo; reef and wreck fish like grouper and snapper; deep-water dwellers like tilefish and wreckfish; and inshore game fishes like mackerel and flounder.

The book is 172 pages, and includes over 90 pictures and nearly two dozen diagrams and illustrations, including step-by-step knot diagrams for connections that are imperative when fishing with braid.

—Staff Report

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Install this Closet Vault in a Snap

deterred, and gun owners’ rights preserved.

For more information or to purchase a SnapSafe Closet Vault visit http://www.snapsafe.com.

INNOVATIVE SNAPSAFE CLOSET VAULTS MOVE easily piece-by-piece and assemble anywhere in minutes with no tools. At 60” or 30” tall and under 18 inches deep they fit anywhere – even an upstairs closet – but with none of the hassle and cost of conven-

ATV Revolution

SnapSafe closet vaults

tional safes.

Their patented “post & keyhole” assembly system latches together like a ski boot, to provide all the impenetrable security of a conventional welded safe, with none of the hassle and cost of moving a conventional safe.

With full 1 hour 2300°F fire protection, SnapSafe closet vaults help protect firearms, and valuables from fire as well as theft. They feature American made digital locks with non-volatile memory and a commercial grade “non breech seal” dead bolt door system.

Most important, SnapSafe Closet Vaults let you store firearms and valuables in the most logical area of the home – close by and out of sight. That means they’ll get used, and the more safes are used, the more children are protected, crime N18 |

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THE GEAR GATOR ATV RACK QUICKLY AND securely attaches to the ATV’s front and rear racks. It’s designed to transport boats, tree stands, lumber and other gear. Its heavy duty construction handles rough terrain and transports up to 250 pounds. Width, length and height are adjustable. Change your ATV into an RV! Visit www.geargator.com for a full line of other custom built accessories for The Gear Gator, made in the Gear USA. Gator MSRP: $219.00 ATV rack www.geargator.com

Forget All You Know About Hooks

New Axiom Crossbow Kit THIS SUPERBLY CRAFTED CROSSBOW IS CAPAble of producing arrow speeds in excess of 300 feet per second and like all Excalibur crossbows, the Axiom’s accuracy is amazing and its reliability is bullet-

Excalibur Axiom

proof. Generating plenty of horsepower, the Axiom has what it takes to efficiently handle any of North America’s largest game. It’s 175 pound draw weight

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and 14 ½ inch power stroke make it comfortable to cock and the Axiom’s light 6 pound mass weight make it a joy to carry on a long day afield.

The Axiom is sold only as a kit including a matching multiplex crossbow scope with mounting hardware, our 4 arrow quiver plus 4 Firebolt arrows complete with field points.

The Axiom kit is designed as a budget priced option to help new and seasoned crossbow hunters enjoy Excalibur quality at a low cost, but make no mistake, this is one serious hunting combination! Quality of manufacture, reliability, and accuracy of this economical kit is comparable with their most expensive options.

For more information visit: www.excaliburcrossbow.com, 800.463.1817

THE LAZER TROKAR TK130 COMES IN SIZES 4/0 – 6/0 and plated in Black Chrome. A hook with a point that was designed in the medical field and manufactured with cutting edge technologies in the USA. The TK130 is the ultimate Flippin’ Hook. Designed with the most innovative bait retention device ever applied to a fishhook, the new TroKar Barb provides the best bait holding power available. Tests have proven the Surgically Sharpened TroKar hook to consistently pierce a test medium with half the pressure as other hook brands.

The multi-faceted, freakishly sharp point on the TK130 is only the beginning.

They used ultra clean, cold forged highcarbon steel to beef up this bad-boy.

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They tweaked the tempering process, amped up the Lazer wire diameter, perfected the Trokar barb profile and wound up TK130 with a gnarly instrument that will slice through your jugular.

Go ahead, set the hook like you actually mean it. Feel the strength and confidence course through your veins as you realize you are now playing in the big leagues, with big boys and sharp toys.

For more information on TroKar, be sure to visit their website @ www.lazertrokar.com.

Carolina Skiff 25 Elite SS

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or fit and finish, quality, versatility and value...after all it is a Carolina Skiff. Additional models to come.

Visit a Carolina Skiff dealer for more information, or to find a dealer nearest to you call (800) 422-7282 or visit www.carolinaskiff.com

Catch a Predator’s Attention The Trick Fisch by Castalia Outdoors is perfectly balanced for a swimming action that is like no other swim bait. It is finely crafted with seven fish-catching colors for a realistic look. The matching jighead notches into the body and completes the illusion.

The fat belly allows the bait to sit upright on the bottom and a glass rattle chamber is located in each action tail. For freshwater or inshore saltTrick water, the Trick Fisch is available Fisch in 3-inch, 4-inch, 5-inch. and 6-inch, and is packaged with two bodies and a single jighead. MSRP from $3.99 to $10.19.

THE NEW CAROLINA SKIFF 25 ELITE SS, designed as a multi functional boat; 3 in 1 as we call it…a deck boat, a bay boat and an offshore boat. Complete with all the functions of a deck boat with a plush cushion bow seating area with optional deck table with cup holders. The cushions and table stow away easily in the boat to transform the bow into a fish-able bay boat and offshore boat. The stern has open seating with removable cushions to complete the bay and offshore boat transformation. This boat wouldn’t be complete without the step down walk-in console with port-a-potty or the optional full flushable head.

Standard features include: Bow and Stern eyes; 1150 GPH bilge pump; 12/24 Volt trolling motor panel; 16 / Rod Carolina Skiff’s gunnel storage; Deluxe Rub Rail new 25 Elite SS with Stainless Steel insert; Deluxe See the swimming action of the Trick Fisch Bow and Stern cushion with Bolster Pads; at www.castaliaoutdoors.com 1-800-558Flush mounted cup holders; Fuel/Water 5541 Separator; Hydraulic Steering and Tilt Helm; Insulated 22 Gallon Rear bait well; Leaning Post with 70 qt cooler; LED Bow and Stern lights; LED Courtesy light package; Motor matching gauge package; 4 Stainless Steel rod holders; 4 Stainless The new Pinnacle Vision Slyder BaitSteel Pop-up cleats; Walk in Console with caster ushers in a new era of finesse-fishing port-a-potty. ease, precision and control. Featuring The performance is outstanding, a Pinnacle’s exclusive “Finesse Wheel,” the smooth and comfortable ride. The New Vision Slyder lets you work a lure along Carolina Skiff 25 Elite SS is sure to impress every boaters family with its superi- the bottom in exacting increments, effort-

The Pinnacle of Finesse Casting

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Pinnacle Vision Slyder

lessly, using just one hand.

The Finesse Wheel operates just like the scrolling wheel on a computer mouse, allowing you to create the ultimate finesse presentations. Simply advance the wheel with your thumb to move a plastic worm or creature bait slowly and enticingly over structure. Even sluggish bass will find this kind of tantalizing action hard to resist.

Faster, continuous pushes of the wheel let you pick up slack line quickly and easily.

When the fish are more active, you’ll also have the Vision Slyder’s blazing 7:1 gear ratio at your fingertips. Use this speedy retrieve for ripping reaction baits back to the boat and covering large areas of water in a hurry.

Regardless of the situation or presentation, you can count on the Vision Slyder for outstanding durability and quality performance. Six stainless steel bearings housed within the Slyder’s lightweight, yet rugged, graphite frame ensure smooth operation under all conditions. There’s also an externally adjustable anti-backlash system for long, trouble-free casts, plus an ultra-consistent multi-disc drag for putting the brakes on determined adversaries.

Additional Vision Slyder features include a machined aluminum spool, precision-cut brass gears, and Unlimited Anti-Reverse.

With an MSRP of just $69.99, the Vision Slyder is not only an innovative, versatile fishing machine, it’s also an exceptional value. To learn more about Pinnacle’s Vision Slyder, or the complete lineup of quality Pinnacle Fishing products, visit: www.pinnaclefishing.com.

When it Rains it Pours… Live Bait NIGHTCRAWLERS ARE A CINCH TO COLLECT AND easy as pie to maintain in a managed environment “They come up to eat, breed, and poop,” said Frabill’s Jeff Kolodzinski sumG A M E ®

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ming up the three calling cards that bring nightcrawlers to the surface: food, mating and defecating.

“The best picking happens right after a thunderstorm, particularly after dark, and then again at daybreak after an overnight rainstorm,” continued Kolodzinski.

(TIP: Press lightly on the center of the nightcrawler’s body with a plastic fork.

The crawler will loosely wrap itself in the tines, saving you from futile attempts to peel its slippery body off a wet surface.)

According to Kolodzinski, you don’t need to operate next to a garden center where the soil is fortified, either. With a decently soft and fertile loam, preferably associated with sod or a forest edge, about all you need are a bucket, decent flashlight, and good set of peepers.

(TIP: Typically, the best gathering spots occur on the first flat surface below a gradually sloping hill. Night crawlers will congregate in those areas.)

Frabill’s Habitat V provides ideal long-term environment for worms.

As passionate as Kolodzinski is about harvesting nightcrawlers, he’s equally as fanatical about maintaining them. “On a good night, you can collect hundreds of nightcrawlers. Think about them like an investment and you’ll have the right mindset for being a crawler caretaker, too.”

Long term caretaking of crawlers concerns four core elements: food, bedding, temperature, and aeration. For long-term care, Frabill’s Habitat V is what the Dirt Doctor ordered. “The Habitat V is the perfect environment for keeping a volume of crawlers, blood worms, clam worms, or sand worms. It’s constructed of insulating N20 |

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foam to manage temperature. Plastic vents keep the bedding properly aerated, too,” said Kolodzinski. He adds that 50-degrees F is the optimum temperature for storing crawlers.

The Habitat V is kitted as well, standard equipment including Super-Gro Bedding and Fat & Sassy Worm Food.

Visit www.frabill.com.

Make Your Bait Come Alive ULTIMATE BUCKETMOUTH BAITS HAS THE PERfect fish attractant for use on all your favorite soft plastic fishing baits. Our unique formula brings three key elements too trigger, quicker and harder strikes. The formula combines and creates the ultimate scent trail of an injured bait fish. The formula brings natural fish oil, meat protein and bone into one deadly combination.

All you need is a couple drops onto your bait and you are ready to fish. LiveJive juice comes in a 4oz bottle with a dispensing cap.

When you dispense the formula onto your bait; you will notice there will be visible particles in the juice. Those visible particles are an essential part of the attractant.

When you are working the bait the particles will slowly release from the bait. The particles and oil create a slight slick around the bait. The slick attracts bait fish which in turn will attract the bass and cause a feeding frenzy.

We have created the perfect formula by using natural products and by utilizing the right combination of the products in our formula.

Our formula not only attracts Bass but it attracts the baitfish Bass eat. The scent trail brings the Bass in and the activity of the baitfish around the slick creates a strike.

In case you are curious, it’s not for human consumpLive Jive Juice tion, tasting not advised.

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Shake well before each use to obtain highest performance. www.UltimateBucketMouth.com

Buck Introduces Folding Fillet Knife AFTER BUCK KNIVES INTRODUCED THEIR SERies of Silver Creek fishing knives, they were pleased with the positive reaction, but braced themselves for the predictable question from fishermen who asked when they could get a folding version with the same advantages, including the desired blade flexibility that is difficult to achieve in a folder.

The answer is Buck’s new Model 220 Silver Creek Folding Fillet Knife. It has a 6-1/2” blade that locks open to a solid 133/4”, yet folds to a compact 7-1/4” for easy carry in a heavy-duty nylon sheath. It weighs just 6.0 oz. The blade, made of 420J2 stainless steel and titanium coated for added corrosion resistance, is so flexible it can run flat on the table for clean fillets.

A thumb-notch in the blade makes it easy to open with one hand. And Buck’s reliable mid-lock mechanism ensures safe use.

As with the other SilBuck folding ver Creeks filet knife knives, the glass-reinforced polypropylene base handle has a textured, soft rubber overmold, ergonomically shaped for comfort, with anti-slip ridges for sure grip.

A stainless steel guard adds durability and safety. A lanyard loop at the end of the handle helps keep secure in use.

With its promise of durability, flexibility and reliable performance, the Silver Creek Folding Fillet knife is backed by Buck’s unconditional Forever Warranty.

MSRP is $36.

For more information: (800) 3262825; www.buckknives.com

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FEATURING GREAT IDEAS FROM THESE MAKERS OF OUTDOOR GEAR AND ACCESORIES American Rodsmiths • N29

Fishing Tackle Unlimited • N25

Angler Products • N24

Foreverlast Inc. • N31

Ardent Outdoors, Inc. • N23

Husky Liners • N32

Bay Flats Lodge • N22

Katchmor /Nemire Lures • N30

Edson International • N26

Lansky Sharpeners • N28

EHP • N24

Mad Cow Cutlery • N30

Faultline Outdoors • N33

Precision Fishing Resources • N34

Fish-N-Hunt • N28

S.W.F.A. Inc. • N27

Fishing Lights, Etc • N26

Swift Hitch • N34

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The Curse Y FAMILY LIVES UNDER A GENERATIONAL curse, first (I think) pronounced on me by my grandfather: “Boy, one of these days, you’re going to have a grandson just like you, who scatters your tools, loses your belongings, and tears up the rest.”

Perhaps my grandfather’s Cherokee ancestry and claims of occult knowledge imparted potency and staying power to the

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curse, for not only did it come true, but has spread to every grandson (and only the grandsons; the feminine grandprogeny seem unaffected) within eyesight or earshot.

“I used to have a (fill in the blank)” is a common refrain, usually uttered in moments of intense stress for which possession and application of said missing or broken item would provide immediate and lasting relief.

I have irretrievably lost to The Curse firearms, tools, knives, flashlights, game calls, hats, boots, coats, coveralls, and even underwear and pickup trucks—two of the latter.

The slings and arrows of outrageous ill fortune notwithstanding, I suppose I should count myself fortunate. Since my grandsons have affinity for the same things I need, use, and enjoy, they know how to buy decent gifts for Christmas and Father’s Day. That they later scatter, lose, or break said gifts in a perpetual cycle is beside the point; it’s the

thought that counts.

I am fortunate, too, to have grandsons with interests conducive to perpetuation of The Curse. They could have become serial killers or lawyers instead of outdoorsmen and shade tree craftsmen.

Kismet smiled a perverse, crooked smile in giving me grandsons with enough sense of decency if not affection to spur them to at least try to make amends for their sins. And I know it could be worse; I know from experience it is possible to “lose” a farm tractor.

Another benefit to the never-ending Curse is it has afforded the opportunity to own (however briefly) an astonishing assortment of guns, gear, and goodies. Almost anything you can name (and some that you can’t) in the way of hunting, fishing, or camping gear has passed through my hands.

My grandsons are nothing if not imaginative and creative in their gifting. Makers of guns, rods, reels and gear are the true beneficiaries

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of The Curse, and presumably shall remain so in perpetuity; for you see, I have pronounced The Curse on each of my grandsons.

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N THAT FATHER’S DAY (AND BY EXTENSION, Grandfather’s Day) is fast upon us, it is wholly fitting and appropriate to suggest offerings whereby to directly or tangentially make amends to patriarchal progenitors should The Curse be active in your family.

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Aside from the obvious items of interest surrounding this text, outdoors books make fine gifts that, once committed to memory, cannot be lost, stolen, or destroyed. Of course, no one buys a fishing rod without trying it out in the store, or plunks down cash for a firearm without first firing a few rounds through a “demonstrator” at the range or in a buddy’s pasture. Likewise, you do not buy books for self, kin, or friend without sampling a paragraph or four.

To that end, we present the following for your enlightenment and influence in gift-giving endeavors:

Kayak Texas —by Greg Berlocher IN 1858, A SCOTTISH LAWYER WITH A PASSION for travel toured the United States, traversing the entire continent and ultimately stopping at the Bering Sea. During his stay in the Arctic, John MacGregor witnessed Inuits paddling their skinned boats, and the unique vessels captured his imagination.

Back in London, MacGregor commissioned a boat builder to construct a “decked canoe” based on sketches he had made of the Inuit boats.

The craft, although labeled a canoe, was a kayak and served as the genesis for recreational paddling.

Measuring twelve feet long, twenty-eight Kayak Texas inches wide, and nine inches deep, $14.95 from Texas Fish & Game Publishing MacGregor ’s kayak featured a deck and a cockpit. A seven-foot doublebladed paddle provided propulsion.

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the lawyer claimed as an extended family member.

The new kayak was a delight to paddle, and MacGregor took off soon after on a pan-European trek. After crossing the English Channel by conventional means, he paddled the Rob Roy down streams and

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across lakes in France, Germany, and Switzerland. Back home, he chronicled his adventure in the first kayak book ever published, A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe on Twenty Lakes and Rivers of Europe. The text was published in 1866 and contained woodcut illustrations.

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The text captured the imagination of a continent, and Europeans became interested in paddling as recreation. Based on the book’s success, MacGregor set off on new paddling adventures, ultimately writing a series of books, all with the Rob Roy moniker in the title.

MacGregor founded The Canoe Club in 1866. The club’s name was changed to The Royal Canoe Club in 1873. Recreational paddling was now firmly entrenched in Europe.

An American, A. H. Siegfried, the business manager of a Louisville, Kentucky, newspaper, was so taken with MacGregor’s adventure books that he commissioned two kayaks to be built. His goal was to take a paddling adventure similar to Macgregor’s, but in American waters, and then writing about it in his paper. Siegfried’s boats were a foot longer than the Rob Roy and the frames were covered with waterproof canvas, which shaved nearly 40 pounds of weight off each hull. The boats were a success and more were commissioned.

Siegfried convinced several fiends to set off with him to discover the headwaters of the Mississippi River in their kayaks. Geographers refuted his claim to have discovered the source of the mighty river, but Siegfried’s accounts of the adventure published in his newspaper fascinated readers, and orders for the new style boat poured in.

The New York Canoe Club was founded a few years later in 1871.

Over the next five decades, kayaking grew in popularity and boat builders tinkered with different hull designs. Kayaking made its first appearance at the Paris Olympics as a demonstration sport in 1924 and gained full medal status in 1936. The kayaking events were known as “flat water racing.” Whitewater kayaking made its first appearance in the 1972 Olympiad, fueling another huge increase in the sport’s popularity.

Kayaks have an interesting lineage with important links to hunters, fishermen, and paddling enthusiasts. It isn’t surprising that those same people still enjoy paddling kayaks today.

When adjusting a backrest, take care not to over tighten the straps. Resting your full

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weight against overly tightened straps causes stress and, often, damage to your backrest.

Make adjustments in small increments until you get the fit that you like.

Some higher-end backrests feature inflatable lumbar supports and cushioned seats; both provide added comfort. The lumbar

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support is certainly nice but it isn't an absolute necessity if you are on a tight budget. A rolled-up towel placed between the small of your back and your backrest is an inexpensive alternative.

Cushioned seats, AKA butt pads, make sitting for long periods easier on your poste-

rior and legs. These cushions reduce stress on the sciatic nerve and help keep the femoral arteries open. The femoral arteries direct blood flow from the abdomen, through the hip area and down into the legs.

Many kayakers complain about their toes going to sleep, which is caused by reduced blood flow. A good butt pad will minimize this troublesome occurrence. Not all backrests come with padded seats though. Not to worry! You can buy stand-alone pads to compliment any backrest. Test fit your pad and when you are satisfied with its location, peel off the backing and apply the adhesive side to the cockpit.

After an outing, a quick rinse with a water hose will prolong the life of your backrest. Flush all the snaps to dislodge any trapped grit. Hang the wet backrest and allow it to air dry. Avoid laying in the direct sunlight. High heat from the sun is harsh and will break down the bond between the interior foam and fabric cover. When the backrest is dry, lubricate the snaps with a silicone lubricant. WD-40 is a fine product but will gum up the slides of your snaps over time.

In addition to providing support, many backrests can be outfitted with ancillary pockets, pouches, and rod tubes. Hydration packs are popular add-ons that can be snapped onto the backrest, allowing paddlers to sip liquids from a “camel-back” while afloat without having to turn around or get out of their kayak.

Although this may be intuitive to most, always remove your backrest from your hull when transporting your kayak. Backrests are not designed to stand up to highway-speed winds.

Texas Waterfowl —by Chester Moore TWO OF THE PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF waterfowl hunting are calls and decoys. The two go hand in hand as crucial elements of allowing waterfowlers to fool their quarry into shooting range, and they add an artistic touch to the sport that other types of hunting simply do not have.

Let’s examine calls and calling first.

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Noted waterfowler John Taylor wrote improper calling style. Either way, single or that when it comes to selecting a call: double, you still have to blow the call cor“Today's duck hunter is confronted with a rectly or it still sounds like a New Year's Eve bewildering array of calls made of synthetic party favor. The best advice is to try both and wood, and single and double reeds. and see which complements your “Wood calls tend to be softer in tone, calling style.” and because wood absorbs moisFor beginners, I would recture, they can change pitch as ommend a double reed call they expand and contract. because they are easier to Synthetics, mainly made of use and a bit more consisacrylic resin, don't change tent. Experienced hunters dimensions, and tend to be would do better to use a louder, although that's not single reed call, as they always true. tend to make sounds that “The biggest quandary is are more realistic. One of whether to pick a single or the biggest mistakes made double reed. Single-reed calls with novice callers is the are traditional, and are the idea that you "blow" into a exclusive choice of contest call. You do not really blow callers. Hunters will often at call; you "talk" into it.

Texas Waterfowl find a double-reed call more $14.95 from Texas Fish & When you read instructions to appealing because they tend to say “tuk tuk tuk tuk tuk” or Game Publishing have a more raspy sound that's "tikit-tikit-tikit" into a call, they closer to the sound of a hen mallard. really mean to say it, or at least sort of groan “The biggest mistake made is thinking it into the call. that a double-reed call will compensate for Master caller and call maker Buck

Gardner said there are many theories about duck calling, and he is not sure that any one of them works 100 percent of the time: “Sometimes ducks seem to want a lot of calling, with long and nearly continuous highballs. ‘Put them on a string and don't give them time to think,’ as the old reelfoot-style callers used to say.

“At other times and places, too much calling seems to put ducks off. Maybe not flaring them, but keeping them endlessly circling when they should be landing. Heavy hunting and calling pressure often results in call-shy birds, but sometimes I think it's a matter of their mood or some other factor that we don't understand. I favor the style of calling that puts ducks in the bag. I don't hesitate to change my style--more or less, loud or soft--when whatever I am presently doing isn't doing the job. Sometimes, a simple change-up from the locally popular calling style tells the birds something that they haven't already heard.”

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to compete: “Neither do I go to the blind unready to do my best calling job to waterfowl. Neither should you. If you get a new call, it is a very wise idea to get the instructional tape or video that goes with it. Calls from different makers often blow a bit differently. Listening to the guy who made the

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call tell you how to blow it best is a far shorter learning curve than trial and error.”

Now let's examine decoys, starting with the basic types: Floaters: These are your basic floating duck or goose decoys that, as the name implies, float. A cord and small anchor keep

them in place. Some have a built-in keel weight to help them float upright, while others do not.

Rags: Goose hunters use white or sometimes black rags or sheets of plastic spread across a field to entice geese.

Shells: These are typically goose decoys that have a realistic head but just a shell of a body.

Mangum: These are oversized decoys designed to draw birds from up high (waterfowl have poor depth perception). Magnums can range from mallard decoys twice the normal size to Canada goose decoys that literally double as a blind.

Life-size: The term "life-size" typically refers to full body, realistic goose decoys.

Mechanical: These are decoys with moving parts. Some simply have wings that move in the wind, while others are battery powered. A few models swim in circles or produce bubbles.

Kite: These are simply kites shaped like ducks or geese that are used when the wind is blowing strongly.

Two-Liter Soda Bottles: Two-liter plastic soda bottles can make decent decoys with the proper application of paint and a little imagination.

Freshwater Strategies —by Doug Pike THE FOLLOWING PAGES REFLECT 40-PLUS years of fishing experiences in Texas. Having soaked hard plugs and soft plastics in two dozen other states and almost as many countries, I cannot recall another place on the planet that offers more or better opportunities for recreational anglers. As a fisherman, I feel extremely fortunate that I was born here and raised here.

My early years on the water were marked by mistakes, and I made plenty of them.

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and all that it encompasses, and my enthusi- who ever helped me bait a hook, everyone asm runs as deep and feels as real now as who ever took me fishing, and a whole lot of when I was a child. people whose brains I have picked over barIn this book, you will read often about becue or beer or both. how I learned to fish and from whom. Some I hope that you find this book of the people mentioned are professional light-hearted and honest; it is fishermen, but as many or more not at all intended to be the are just friends who shared last word on any of the my addiction during a time subjects it covers. It is when there were plenty of merely a guide to the funother things to which people damentals, simple and were addicted, none of them proven techniques that can particularly healthy. help beginners catch more There is a tremendous fish and remind experiamount of information and enced anglers of old tricks no shortage of opinion worth bringing back into between these covers. Most service. of it is right there in print, but I am not afraid to present the occasional bit of personal my own errors as examples philosophy is tucked between of what not to do, and neiFreshwater Strategies the lines as well. If you come $14.95 from Texas Fish & ther am I scared to poke fun at across a line you like that is not a colleague whose gaffs help Game Publishing attributed to someone else illustrate a point. Where some specifically, I will gladly take credit. Under- fishermen might inflate the size of the fish stand, however, that every word herein rep- they catch or the effort made to catch it, I resents the collective thinking of everyone believe the truth is every bit as amusing and

entertaining when given a chance.

Throughout my career, I have never presented myself as a professional fisherman. I am a passionate fisherman and a devoted student of the sport. My work--and it is work, for those of you who just snickered-has afforded me the privilege of sharing boats and banks with some of the finest anglers in Texas. Afterward, it becomes my professional responsibility to share those experiences with readers, hopefully in a way that does not cause any of them to nod off mid-page.

In this book, I share lessons learned over a lifetime of watching, listening, and learning from some of the state's greatest fishermen and fishing minds.

For whatever talents I have with rod and reel, I thank my father, who died in 1992.

He introduced me to fishing as soon as I was old enough to hold a cane pole and put a worm on a hook without drawing my own blood or his. He started me as any child should be started in the sport, chasing pintsized fish on easy-to-use tackle.

My first fishing memories are of trips

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that took place while I was still young enough to be absolutely mesmerized by the sight of a tiny cork twitching, dancing, and then vanishing beneath the surface. Imagination ran wild with every bite and every nibble, which it should in a child's head. To this day, I am not entirely convinced there were not 30-pound largemouth bass and 100-pound catfish in the drainage ditch that ran through our neighborhood in southwest Houston. I fished for them often with tiny pieces of bologna dangling off a No. 10 hook. I never caught a fish that large in that spot, but that doesn't mean they weren't there.

Fishing has kept me young. If pressed, I could categorize almost everything that has taken place in my life as happening after one memorable fishing trip or before another.

Just knowing there will be a "next" fishing trip is enough to roll me out of bed every morning, although perhaps not quite so

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early on office days. For every place I have been, even in Texas, there are dozens more I have not fished, and hundreds of potential fishing partners I have not met. Time will solve those problems.

There probably will come a day when I am no longer physically able to fish. When that day comes, somebody had better drag my wilted carcass down to the nearest lake once or twice a week so I can at least watch other people fish. The other drooling, mumbling old men in the nursing home will not like the person I become after too many days away from the water.

I cannot begin this book without mentioning my wife, Amy, whose patience and tolerance may qualify her for sainthood.

The enthusiasm she once had for fishing waned mysteriously (not really) a week or so after we married, and neither of us has tried particularly hard to relocate it. She is not an avid angler. We both have accepted that,

and our relationship is stronger for that understanding.

She knows enough about the sport (her dating/engagement credits include largemouth bass, white bass, yellowfin tuna and sailfish) to appreciate my accounts of a good trip or a bad one. Her passions lie elsewhere, however, and so she seldom accompanies me on "business trips." It works for me, because missing my wife makes it as exciting to come home from a fishing trip as to leave for one.

Amy has heard all of the reminiscences in this book at least once, and she has endured various versions of the better ones at nearly every dinner party and social gathering we've attended in our time together.

I hope you enjoy this tour of Texas and its magnificent freshwater fisheries, and that you finish this book equally informed and entertained.

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Saltwater Strategies —by Pat Murray THERE ARE VERY FEW GREAT DRIFT-FISHERmen. Drifting is arguably the worst part of most bay anglers' game. It sounds strange.

Logically, drift-fishing should be simple.

You stop your boat, drift and cast. Unfortunately, it is one of the hardest parts of successful bay angling, yet one of the most important.

The farther north and east you are on the Gulf coast, the more critical drift-fishing becomes. Although drifting can be a key tool in South Texas, from the Colorado River north it is crucial. The generally steep shorelines and deep mid-bay structure of Matagorda, Galveston, and Sabine make it an inescapable reality of successful fishing.

Learning to drift-fish successfully is not easy or always fun. It is like trying to make

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yourself go to the gym and work out. You and maximize their catching potential. It is want the body, but you feel like you are miss- an underutilized technique. If you want to ing all the fun as you labor through the edu- find secret spots in overcrowded bay syscation and building process. You would like tems, the best secrets of all may in the midthe muscles and all the perceived perks that dle of the bay. go with them, but the investment of time, Think about any bay system, effort, and sweat seem too high a particularly the deeper bays price. of the upper coast. WadeLearning to drift takes able shorelines and reefs dedication. If you learn to be are a minor portion of the an effective fisherman out of total bay acreage. Granted, a boat, you are ahead of litshorelines are a key piece of erally 95 percent of the habitat for almost all baitentire Texas coastal fishing fish and game species, but public. To be honest, you are speckled trout to a large ahead of the majority of prodegree and redfish to a lessfessional guides. er degree spend more time Effective drift-fishing is away from shorelines. The what separates the great key to catching these fish is from the weak in guiding, learning the bottom strucSaltwater Strategies tournament fishing, and week- $14.95 from Texas Fish & ture, the signs to look for, the end angling. It adds a key techniques to use, and the conGame Publishing dimension that is missed by fidence to stick with it. most fishermen. Even among the die-hard The final component to successful driftdrifters who fill the mid-bay reefs and well ing is being aggressive. I do not mean behavpads every summer weekend, few excel at it ior that would incite "bay rage," but a focus

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and drive to actively pursue fish from a boat.

Boat fishing is often associated with lazy and simple fishing. It is actually the opposite. To be consistently successful while drifting, you have to constantly look for signs and always plot your next move. You have to be alert to your surroundings, and capitalize

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on the smallest clues to where the fish might be. A good drift-fisherman is always working, pushing the tempo of his or her fishing.

E HOPE THAT BETWEEN THE MANY offerings displayed in the surrounding ads within this gift guide, and the samples we have provided for some of the books available for outdoorsmen, that we have stimulated your Father’s Day gift-giving imagination.

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On the Web American Rodsmiths: www.americanrodsmiths.com Angler Products: www.angler-products.com Ardent Outdoors, Inc.: www.ardentreels.com Bay Flats Lodge: www.bayflatslodge.com Edson International: www.edsonmarine.com EHP: www.ehphearing.com Faultline Outdoors: www.faultlineoutdoors.com Fish-N-Hunt: www.fishandhunt.com Fishing Lites, Etc: www.fishinglightsetc.com Fishing Tackle Unlimited: www.fishingtackleunlimited.com Foreverlast Inc.: www.foreverlast.com Husky Liners: www.huskyliners.com Katchmor /Nemire Lures: www.nemirelures.com Lansky Sharpeners: www.lansky.com Mad Cow Cutlery: www.madcowcutlery.com Precision Fishing Resources: www.troutsupport.com S.W.F.A. Inc: www.swfa.com Swift Hitch: www.swifthitch.com Texas Fish & Game Publishing: www.fishgame.com N34 |

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Ackley Reloaded OST DEDICATED RELOADERS EVENTUALLY have an urge to delve into the world of the wildcat cartridges (wildcat: a cartridge not loaded commercially; a modified standard cartridge). The first true wildcat I loaded for was a Sako Vixen in .17222 that I had back in the mid 1970s. It was a straightforward wildcat made by simply necking the .222 Remington down to .17 caliber, with no other alterations. It was simple and effective.

Now, however, I am faced with my first Ackley Improved cartridge, the .222 Remington Magnum Ackley Improved, and it isn’t quite so simple.

Most shooters these days have never even heard of the .222 Remington Magnum.

Remington invented it as a trial cartridge for the U.S. military. When the military chose the .223 over the .222 Remington Magnum, in spite of the .222 Magnum’s ballistic superiority, Remington introduced it as a commercial venture in 1958. It is essentially a lengthened version of the standard .222, thus the “Magnum” moniker. When the .222 RM is “improved,” it further increases its ballistic advantage over the .223 and standard .222, about halfway between the .222 and .22-250.

To create a .222 RM, a standard .222 cartridge must be fire-formed to fit the new chamber. The most problematic aspect of this alteration is proper headspacing. If the gunsmith has chambered the gun to be a slight crush-fit with unaltered factory brass, then the fire-forming is simple and easy; just load the parent cartridge with a stiff but not maximum load and shoot it (the lower pressure of reduced loads can allow the cartridge to develop excessive headspace).

If, however, the gunsmith is unfamiliar

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with the idiosyncrasies of the Ackley Improved cartridges and sets the headspace normally, you have a more difficult problem to solve. Be certain the gunsmith you choose is experienced with Ackley Improved cartridges.

If the headspace is such that the cartridge head is not held against the face of the bolt when firing that first time, the result is excessive headspace, which sooner or later (usually sooner) will cause case/head separation. This is a very dangerous condition and can cause catastrophic failure, otherwise known as an Earth-shattering ka-boom!

Assuming everything is as it should be, loading for an Ackley Improved is straightforward. The reason these cartridges are popular and have been for over 70 years is that the standard factory cartridges can be fired in the “improved” chamber without danger; the result is a cartridge that stretches in every direction to fill the new Improved chamber.

Then, all you have to do is use your Improved reloading dies to load the cartridge case with something suitable for the “new” cartridge. (I recommend only neck sizing for most of these cartridges. Sizing the neck for about 2/3 of its length prevents accidentally moving the shoulder back, which can induce excessive headspace.)

To gain the increase in case capacity, the cartridge uses a more radical shoulder, generally 35 to 40 degrees, and the sides of the case are straightened out for minimum body taper from rim to shoulder, increasing the case capacity by 5-10 percent (depending on the parent caliber) and increasing case life.

All this makes the cartridge more “efficient.” The cartridge now, because of the minimum taper, does not have as much thrust back against the face of the bolt as did the original, but more evenly distributes the pressure on the sides of the chamber. This means that the pressure signs are not as obvious, which is why you need to be a very experienced reloader before you tackle this project.

My .222 RMAI was built by a young, enthusiastic, talented gunsmith named Jason Bowman. Jason is a cowboy, farmer, leather

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worker, and fledgling gunsmith.

I had a little .222 Remington Model 700 ADL of 1960s vintage that had a bad barrel.

I tried everything I could think of to get it to shoot, but it balked at it all. Then, one day I was talking to Wyman Meinzer and his brother, Rick, wildcat aficionados both. We were discussing the possibilities when Rick mentioned Jason and what great work he was doing. I wrangled an introduction, and the next afternoon took my recalcitrant Remington to Rhineland, which is near Munday, which is north of Abilene, and turned it over to Jason to be made into the above-mentioned .222 RMAI. In due time, especially considering that the old barrel was not the only problem Jason encountered with the old rifle (apparently nothing on my rifle had been true and square, a symptom of pre-computer manufacturing, I suspect), the gun was ready.

Well, I am positively giddy (well, as giddy and a jaded old lawman can get) with the performance of the rifle. The first group I shot from it, with pre-fire-formed brass and bulk bullets, went into just over a half-inch. Later that afternoon, with a working load and 55grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets, in a 20 mile-per-hour wind I managed several threeshot groups of less than an inch, and one, when my wobbles compensated for the gusty wind, that was just one ragged hole. On a calm day, it will shoot better than I do. Good job, Jason.

The Ackley has been a learning experience, and I am still learning from it, which is one reason I ordered it. I have a burning desire to learn, as I hope we all do. If you are an experienced handloader, I recommend you try a wildcat at least once. You might find a new passion.

Author’s note: If you want to contact Jason Bowman to discuss a project or gunsmith work, send your contact information and a short synopsis of what you are interested in to me by email at guns@fishgame.com, and I will forward it to Jason.

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Outfoxing a Predator T WAS A DARK MORNING. THE STORM CLOUDS passed in the night, leaving nothing but a low blanket of gray above the treetops for the early morning sky.

Sunrise seemed later than usual this morning, but I could hear the turkey start to wake up with soft tree yelps, occasionally interrupted by a loud gobble. My decoy setup looked impressive, if I say so myself.

As I sat with my back up against a large tree, I slowly moved my head to investigate movement was to my right. There, in the shadows, a gray fox slithered closer to my hen decoy. Finally, convinced it had fooled its prey, the fox pounced with full force on the decoy.

This was my introduction to predator hunting.

For me, predator hunting was never a passion like whitetail hunting. I have spent hours in the woods with limited success, not because of any lack of game, but I just did not have the patience or time needed to hunt this gray ghost of the forest. The only time I have taken a coyote has been during rifle season when a few of them made the mistake of coming to a hunter who had a slow morning. I have taken two with my bow, but again, that was after a very slow morning and I was actually after a whitetail.

Still, it was fun and I considered at the time (and still do) that these animals were trophies because of how hard it usually is to draw them in for a good shot.

To hunt predators with your bow certainly is a huge challenge, and success with an arrow gives you bragging rights with your hunting buddies for years to come; that might be where the “fun” part of hunting comes in.

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Hunting from an elevated position is probably your best chance of being successful. A ground blind works very well, too, but remember that scent control, as with most wild animals, is imperative. Being elevated will help disperse your scent above the game. Wearing clothing that has a scentlocking agent also helps a great deal.

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Convinced it had fooled its prey, the fox pounced full force on the decoy.

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If you choose to hunt from a ground blind, it would be a good idea to use the natural surroundings to help conceal your “home away from home.” Coyotes often stop and carefully look for any sign of danger before making another step. Many of today’s portable ground blinds already have slots on the side for holding small branches or tall grasses.

Coyotes are crafty creatures to say the least. They will always check downwind to look for any danger. Oddly enough, you might find that they come running in to any setup or call, while at other times they will hang up out of range and assess the situation very carefully.

I have found that a fox will come to a call much more readily than a coyote. A foam rabbit on a spring seems to be the decoy to use, but a brown furry slipper with an electronic call next to it works pretty well too.

Just remember to get it back in the closet before the wife wakes up. Some hunters even have success using ordinary stuffed toy animals as decoys, so long as they are in nat-

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ural colors; Energizer Bunny Pink is definitely out.

If you already hunt deer with a bow, then no new equipment is required. Except for a few calls you might want to try, the broadheads you use for deer work fine for coyotes.

Most bowhunters prefer to use electronic instead of manual calls. Reed calls, either open or closed, have a tendency to freeze up on you while you try to call. With the electronic calls, that problem is eliminated.

Also, if you place the electronic call near whatever decoy you are using, it is more convincing to the coyote that the distress call of a rabbit is real and will make an easy meal for him.

Another important reason to choose an electronic call is the fact that there is virtually no movement from the hunter, and as soon as the coyote sees the decoy, his attention will be on the “prey” and not drawn to you.

Stay in one spot for at least 30 minutes before deciding to pull up and try a new area. Although most predators will come to a call quickly (often times 8 to 10 minutes), there are times when a coyote will take its time getting close to you.

Breeding time for coyotes is in late January through February. You will have more success hunting these predators in the colder winter months. This is when coyotes will be looking for an easy meal, one that will not cause them to use a large amount of energy to acquire. Coyotes are hungry, food is scarce, and they will be more easily fooled by calls than in the warmer months.

Most bowhunters call it a day once the whitetail season has ended. They put their bows away and just wait for next year. But some extend the season and the fun by predator hunting with a bow; and when you arrow your first coyote, you will never forget the feeling.

E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com G A M E ®

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The Great Compromise F POLITICIANS WERE BOATS, THE BUDGET would be balanced, our national deficit would be nil, and we would have a new health care system so sensible it could be understood by the lowliest of bilge rats— maybe even by the legislators themselves.

Now, I am not saying we would be better off if our “leaders” were molded from resin and fiberglass cloth (though it surely wouldn’t make matters any worse), but if politicians were boats, they would at least understand the meaning of the word “compromise.” In fact, they would be forced to exist in one big state of agreement.

Everything in a boat is a compromise, from hull and deck design, to construction, to power choice. That’s why there is no such thing as the “perfect” boat, and it is also why

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there are so few boats out there that are easy to hate. Even if you own a 65-foot custom sportfisher, you probably still have a soft spot for kicking around in a leaky14-foot johnboat.

Of course, when it comes to marine machines, the nature of compromise is quite different from those of politics. And whether you plan on getting a new boat, going out on a friend’s, or even building your own, you’ll need to understand where the middle ground lies. So, before you set your legislative agenda, make sure you consider these important arguments.

THE CLASH: Degree of Deadrise — We are not talking about the human-to-vampire ratio in the senate (it’s about 60-40 just in case you were wondering) but the amount of V in the hull bottom of your boat. A flat-bottom boat has zero degrees of deadrise, and a deep-V boat has 21 degrees or more of deadrise. The deepest you will find on a modern powerboat is 24 or 25 degrees. Boats that fall somewhere in-between are usually considered semi-V. Power cats, tri-hulls, and other unusual hull designs do not have a dog in this fight, though

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they do face their own sets of clashes and compromises.

THE COMPROMISE: All other factors being equal, the deeper the V is the smoother the ride will be—but, the lower the lateral stability will be. In other words, you can reduce the pounding you take in rough seas by getting a boat with a deep V, but it’s bound to do more rocking and rolling, particularly in a beam sea.

Other trade-offs to consider include dryness of ride (deeper V’s tend to be wetter), speed and efficiency (flat bottom boats plane easier and more quickly,) and cost (deep V boats are usually more expensive, for a number of reasons).

Chine design, weight distribution, and beam-to-length ratio can all be tweaked to mitigate these factors, and variable-degree deadrise hull designs try to take the best of both designs by changing the deadrise angle fore and aft. But the bottom line remains the same: you will have to compromise, to some degree.

THE CLASH: Good for One or Good for All — Do you want a hard-core fish boat that’s highly specialized for a specific fishery, do you want one that’s appropriate for multi-species fishing in different environments, or do you want one that can be used for everything from whaling to water skiing? This is one of the most difficult choices boat buyers face, especially when you and Mom are tugging at opposite ends of the purse strings (not unlike the Prez and congress, arguing over economic priorities). And as our Budgeteer-in-Chief has discovered, it is impossible to please all the people all the time.

THE COMPROMISE: As with many things in life, boats that try to do everything generally do it all poorly, while those that focus solely on one specific task tend to do it effectively. A bass boat, for example, is ideal for targeting largemouth in a reservoir. But if you use it to troll for wahoo around the rigs, set a spread of duck decoys, or pull a water skier across the bay, you are going to be sorely disappointed.

That’s why you need to (sigh) compromise quite often when choosing what type of boat to get. The best compromise, of course, is to get

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several different boats so you can choose the most appropriate one for the mission at hand.

If the Budgeteer-in-Chief of your family disagrees, explain to her that boating is much like the defense budget: it’s too important to cut, and you need all of those different weapons to keep the Homeland safe.

THE CLASH: A Weighty Debate — They say obesity is a problem our health care system hasn’t fixed, and it’s also a problem with boats. Except when it’s not.

In fact, many modern boat builders go well out of their way to make their boats Jenny Craig graduates. The idea is to go faster with a given amount of power, but if you’ve ever blasted through a 2-foot chop in a hopped-up eggshell of a boat, you know that going fast in a light boat isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Especially when the boat—or your back—is the thing getting cracked.

THE COMPROMISE: On a boat, weight is both a curse and a blessing. It’s a curse because it takes more energy (fuel and power) to move a heavier object through the water then it does to move a lighter one. It’s a blessing because more weight gives a boat more momentum,

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which can help it bull waves out of the way without slowing down. As a perk, weighty boats also tend to be extremely strong because that weight usually comes in the form of thicker fiberglass laminates. But you had better sit down at the table ready to bargain, because if you fail to find a happy middle ground, you will end up with a boat that can’t handle heavy seas, or one that’s a pig.

THE CLASH: Power vs. Efficiency — We all like going fast, but none of us enjoy paying fuel bills. And our energy policy is something we constantly argue over. In this case, national security might not enter the debate, but family economics are certainly at stake.

THE COMPROMISE: In a nutshell, boats with less power generally give up speed in favor of efficiency. Many other details influence the result (including the design and weight compromises mentioned earlier), but when push comes to shove, you have to decide how important it is to be the first guy to the hotspot, and weigh it against how important it is to pay that fuel bill instead of slapping it onto the credit card and swelling your own national debt. Yet another major point of contention

enters this debate when one also considers environmental impact. The more emphasis you place on speed and power, and less you are placing on being “green.”

Loophole Alert: You can always opt for the larger power plant, and simply run your boat at slower speeds. In most cases, the result is not that different from getting a smaller engine and working it harder.

You might not be hearing about these points of contention on the nightly news, but make no mistake about it, they are of dire importance. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, wash that mud off of our hands, and prepare to work together. Only with compromise will we be able to work through these problems and leave a better boating world for our grandchildren. And to those of you in the halls of congress: keep doing exactly what you’ve been doing for the past few years and you’ll soon have a lot more free time of your own to go boating—the rest of us will see to it.

E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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Walkabout Angler Takes Sharelunker N JANUARY, TEXAS FISH & GAME KICKED OFF its Walkabout Angler feature series, and as has often been the case, the articles proved prophetic. In the wake of Walkabout features on fishing from small, handlaunched boats and “walk-up trophies,” Jacksonville dentist Michael Banks caught a 13.6pound largemouth from his kayak while fishing in Purtis Creek Lake in

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TF&G FIRST early March.

A lifelong fan of paddle sports, one of Bank’s favorite fishing vessels was a canoe up until several years ago, when he started fishing from a sit-on-top kayak.

“I was introduced to canoeing in Boy Scouts, and even had the chance to paddle the boundary waters in Canada,” Banks said.

“As an adult, I still enjoy canoeing. The Neches River is one of my favorite places to spend time paddling.”

On the morning on March 11, Banks launched his Hobie Quest kayak near the dam around 9:00 a.m. and fished his way up the lake, a healthy breeze at his back. One by one, he ducked into the coves that punctuate the shoreline, looking for refuge from the biting wind. The fifth cove proved to be the lucky one.

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was still way too cold to phone, Banks faced Michael Banks and his kayak-caught wade. We had snow just another pressing problem: Sharelunker from Purtis Creek Lake. three weeks before. When his kayak didn’t have a I’m not wading, I usually dangle my legs over livewell. Banks left the gripper scales secured the side of my kayak, but I kept them in the to the fish’s lower jaw, tied his anchor rope to boat that day.” the scale, and began towing the mighty fish Banks doesn’t have a depth-finder on his back to the ramp, stopping periodically to kayak and guessed the depth at around 12 check on its well-being. feet in the creek where the big fish hit. WorkHis wife phoned soon after, directing him ing a large-billed crankbait slowly, Banks felt the boat ramp on the other side of the lake. In a small tap and then a sluggish weight on the the middle of the white-capped lake, Banks’ other end of the line. The big fish didn’t put phone rang again. TPWD personnel were up much of a fight; Banks speculated that the standing by at the boat ramp at his original cold water induced its lethargic state. destination. Bucking the stiff wind, it took Seconds later, the fish of a lifetime was Banks 35 minutes to paddle back to his startfinning next to Banks’ kayak. “I didn’t start ing point. getting nervous until I saw how large the bass When he got to shore, certified scales veriwas,” Banks said with a chuckle. “I grabbed fied the bass’ weight at 13.6 pounds, heavy her by the lip with my gripper scale, and the enough to be loaned to the ShareLunker proweight kept changing between 12.9 and 13.4 gram, which does genetic research on large pounds. I knew I had a potential 13-pound bass and uses offspring from 13-pound-plus fish and the battery in my cell phone was run- fish to stock Texas reservoirs. ning low, so I called my wife and asked her to The big fish, which Banks affectionately call the TPWD personnel at Purtis Creek named “Imma Hog,” was in good shape with State Park to have some certified scales wait- the exception of an overinflated air bladder. ing for me at the boat ramp.”

CONTINUED on Page N42 In addition to the low battery in his cell

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PHOTO BY LARRY HODGE, © TPWD

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Shallow Drop Shotting ORM FISHING HAS COME A LONG WAY in the past 50 years. The original Crème soft plastic worm came pre-rigged with hooks, ready to fish straight out of the package.

Since then, we have fished them on Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, weightless, wackyrigged, with split shot, and, in

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plastic jerkbait, both of which work great if the fish are in a feeding mood. If the fish are shallow but not aggressive, there was a problem because these two methods of fishing move the bait quite a bit with just a slight twitch of the rod tip.

Complacent fish are not going to chase a bait far, so anglers needed a method of presenting a worm that would keep the bait in the strike zone for an extended time. A few anglers with some grey matter between their ears decided to try a drop-shot in shallow water for these bass, and much to their surprise, it worked with delightful frequency.

The main reason it works is because you can put the bait in a specific spot and leave it

there as long as you like. You can jiggle your rod tip and make small twitches, but the bait stays in one spot, anchored by the weight, and irritates the fish so much they strike out of anger rather than hunger.

A drop-shot for deep-water fishing and one for shallow water are the same rig with one minor difference—the distance between the weight at the end of the line and the hook.

For deep-water applications, this distance is measured in feet, stretching anywhere from 2 to 8 feet between the two. For shallow water, this distance is measured in inches with no more than 12 between the two.

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the past decade, just about half the anglers you talk to that fish a worm deep will have a drop-shot rig tied on.

For the few who don’t know, drop-shots are finesse rigs originally used to present small baits to finicky fish in deep water.

There is some debate over whether it began in California’s gin clear fish bowl lakes, or in Japan where lakes are crowded. Either way, it is an outstanding way to horizontally present bait to sensitive fish.

In an interview I did with Jay Yelas a few years back, he said at the time one of the few rigs he kept in his boat on all trips was the drop-shot. It seems that this finesse rig has replaced traditional methods of fishing a worm and become a favorite of tournament anglers as well.

The horizontal presentation noted earlier is because, originally, all anglers using a drop-shot would simply drop it over the side of the boat into a school of fish relating to deep-water humps and points. If the fish were shallow, these same anglers would put away drop-shot in favor of a wacky worm or soft ILLUSTRATION BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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Mahi Mahi, Shrimp, & Scallop Ceviche HAT’S GREEN AND GOLD AND SPOTTED blue? If you are an offshore fisherman, the answer is dorado, mahi mahi, or, as us old timers call it, dolphin.

This flashy acrobat is a coveted catch for many offshore anglers for its aerial antics, speedy runs, and great beauty at boatside.

After the dolphin has been caught and placed on ice to chill, its vibrant colors quickly fade, but it continues to shine as a culinary treat. The next time you experience a hot dol-

PHOTO BY BRYAN SLAVEN

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Redfish or other firm-fleshed fish can be substituted for mahi mahi, in a pinch.

TEXAS KAYAKING Continued from Page N40 TPWD personnel quickly punctured the bladder and the fish was soon swimming upright in a special holding barrel.

The big female showed no adverse affects from the whole affair, likely a combination of the cold water and gentle tow back to the ramp. Within an hour, the biologist assigned to pick up the fish for ShareLunker was at the ramp and the fish was loaded into the special tank for the ride back to the Athens Hatchery.

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Banks emailed me the day of his catch, and I had initially thought it was the first ShareLunker caught from a kayak. I was wrong. David Utz of Lovelady actually caught the first two kayak-caught ShareLunkers in 2006 while fishing in Ratcliff Lake: a 13.03-pound fish on March 2 and a 13.65 one day later. The official ShareLunker tally book now stands at three grand fish caught by two kayak anglers.

Purtis Creek Lake is a kayak-friendly bass factory. The 349-acre lake is small enough to paddle to plenty of fishy locations.

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There is plenty of standing timber, and catch and release rules have allowed the lake’s population of largemouth to get fat and sassy. TPWD electroshock surveys revealed that the lake is a good candidate to give up the next state record.

Banks concluded his emailed with: “Texas is THE place. God bless Texas!”

Indeed.

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Email Greg Berlocher at kayak@fishgame.com

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phin bite, bring a few home and prepare them Texas Gourmet style.

Almost every Pacific and Gulf coast state has its own version of this raw fish cocktail, which naturally cooks itself in limejuice. I learned this recipe from an old native of Acapulco while dining beachside, listening to the waves roll in. This recipe combines elements from this Acapulco style while adding a touch of Texas flair.

2 lbs. mahi mahi filets (substitute redfish or other firm-fleshed fish) 1/2 lb. bay scallops 1 lb. shrimp, 21-25 count, peeled but raw 2 cups limejuice, fresh squeezed 4 Tbs extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 6 Roma tomatoes, cored and diced 1 cup purple onion, chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, rinsed well and chopped 3 Tbs serrano peppers, seeded and chopped 2 avocadoes, ripe, peeled and diced 2/3 cup green olives with pimentos, sliced thin 1/3 cup capers 1 Tbs oregano, dried

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1 cup tomato sauce 1 tsp black pepper, fresh cracked 1 tsp white pepper 2 tsp Texas Gourmet’s Sidewinder Searing Spice Place the fish, scallops, and shrimp in a large glass bowl and cover with limejuice, reserving 1/3 cup for later use. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator; marinate 8-10 hours or overnight. Take the plastic off once while marinating and stir the seafood to allow the limejuice to get to every piece, then re-cover for the remainder of the time. I like the fish to be firm and opaque; marinating it overnight will accomplish this.

After marinating, pour seafood into a colander and rinse under cold water briefly, discarding the used limejuice. Meanwhile, rinse the glass bowl then pour in the reserved 1/3-cup limejuice and tomato sauce. Add remaining ingredients except avocadoes and cilantro and stir gently to combine. Add seafood to the tomato mixture and salt to taste. Chill for two hours.

Before serving, garnish with diced avocadoes and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, saltine crackers, or tortilla chips.

Muy sabroso!

See thetexasgourmet.com for other wild game and spicy food recipes, and a selection of quality seasonings and sauces.

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com

BAITS & RIGS Continued from Page N41 Tying a drop-shot is simple, since there are no leaders involved.

Start by tying a short shank drop-shot hook on your main line with a Palomar knot, leaving the tag end about 18 inches long. With the point of the hook facing up, run the tag end back through the eye of the hook from the top side. This will help the hook point stay upright while fishing, which seems like a small thing, but will increase your hook-ups and decrease snagging on grass.

On the tag end of the line, slide on a drop-shot weight. The line tie on these weights are specifically designed for the line to be pushed through, then pulled up into the smaller section of the eye, which holds the line in place without tying. This allows you to slide the weight up and down the tag end to adjust the depth of the worm without having to retie. It also lets the weight slip off the line if it gets hung up; that way, you lose

only the weight and not the entire rig.

Selecting a worm to drop-shot is a matter of personal preference, but in general, you should use small worms in basic colors like Watermelon and Pumpkinseed. This is not the time to bust out with an 18-inch mega-worm in Electric Chicken.

The best way to rig the worm is to nosehook it by pushing the point of the hook though the nose from the bottom, leaving the point exposed.

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E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

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ROCKPORT

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UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE) ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

TEXAS SALTWATER BAFFIN BAY

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For Classified Rates and Information call Dennise at 1-800-750-4678, ext. 5519.

TEXAS HUNTING

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Bert Trinity BayTrout Hillman’s Guide Service

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LAKE AMISTAD

SPOTLIGHT: NORTH PADRE BOATING ADVENTURES Captain Chuck Matthews, licensed by U.S.C.G. and T.P.W.D., is a retired Firefighter/ Paramedic who established North Padre Boating Adventures in 2008. As an avid angler and lover of the outdoors, he’s taken these two loves and combined them into a new career.

Captain Chuck Matthews believes in customer service, and giving his clients the best possible fishing experience he can.

It is his belief if you catch a legal limit, the fishing is not over, because you paid for a certain service and it is his job to provide that service to best of his ability. If you limit out on a species he will take you to find another species. Captain Chuck Matthews also believes in “C.P.R.” Catch Photograph and Release. Catching a limit may be fun, but releasing them back into nature to have something to catch on another day for you or your kids is just as important.

Fishing trips are from 1 to 4 anglers. Fishing gear and tackle provided, but you are welcome to bring your favorite fishing gear. Additional services: Romantic Sunset Cruises, Dolphin Watching, and Bird Watching or just a family outing in a boat for something different to do with friends and family. He can accommodate up to six persons on these adventures.

Captain Chuck Matthews: Official Fishing Guide for Ambit Energy www.myambitenergyconsultant.com and KOUL 103.7 Country for the Coastal Bend.

Contact Captain Chuck at 361-855-FISH (3474) or check out www.northpadreboatingadventures.com

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ht e, Texas, caug n of Woodvill while fishing Donald Horto ss ba ce un , 13-o this 10-pound urn. at Sam Rayb

Michael Edwa rd this 27.5-inch s, age 13, of Austin, caug ht re around the bo dfish with live shrimp at docks on Little Bay in port.

Rock-

7caught this 5.

Parks, age 5, e David Chase s River, abov es pr Cy g Bi on Star, Texas. pound bass nes near Lone Lake O’ the Pi ry proud. ve Dad, Andy, is

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Texas, caught Brownsville, e scales at 8 Joe Molina of th ng pi tip trout, this 28-inch nd. It is the la Is e dr Pa uth pounds, in So e has caught.

Jo biggest trout

Three-year-o ld William Bu tler of Austin Texas, caught , hi great-grandpa s first fish, a drum, off of rents’ pier on hi parents are W Trinity Bay. Hi s eston and St ephanie Butle s r.

Columbus, ez, age 9, of ile ch redfish wh Marcus Olivar -in 28 9-pound, Connor, He O’ rt snagged this Po at s his parent fishing with work!

A member at is a future CC

“Captain” Ry an McKeever and “Co-Capt Tad Miguez, ain” both of Ham shire, off their 2-man limit of redfis Texas, show Sabine Lake h ca ug ht in .

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(L-R) George and Sonia Ga rcia and Edna Armando Lu na of Edinbu and rg, caught th redfish off Po ese rt Mansfield in Texas. Th ranged from e fish 22 inches to 26-1/2 inches .

LibSpiking from ile th-old Wyatt Eighteen-mon to reel in his first trout wh ed m erty Hill, help parents in Rockport. Mo his fishing with ed in the fish. el re he ile wh held the pole

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o ught these tw of Houston ca He Jeff Schaberg reds in San Antonio Bay. ch st 24- and 25-in a personal be and released e trip. also caught ut on the sam tro ed kl ec sp .

-in 30 ., lb 59.

Brandon Sm ith of Kirbyv ille speckled tro ut in Keith La caught this ke. The 10-p 4 ounce, 24.2 ound 5-inch speck was caught wi , plum-colored th a bull minnow.

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Logan Bell, ag e caught his fir 6, of The Woodlands, Te xas, st port, while fis redfish, a 25-incher, in Ro hing with Da cknny Poffenber He did all the ger. work himself.

is risti caught th a of Corpus Ch e fishing dr Eric Soriano Ma na gu in the La won el. The trout 27-inch trout th his dad, Jo category. al tournament wi du vi di in e in the him first plac

this cona caught e, age 6, of No ile fishing in a id Br Mc a nn Je f wh all by hersel 5-pound bass r dad Jeff (pic . pond with he e at iv pr l ca d” on fishing lo ke oo “h w no is tured). Jenna

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Bryce Pilley, age 14, of Ma rble Falls took first buck wi th a his yards while hu 25-06 at approximately 130 nting with hi s proud papa Mike Pilley, on , the last day of a hunting trip.

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speckthis 20-inch age 4, caught with p tri ng hi Kyler Ross, fis on her first d) in led trout while a and Uncle Joe (picture ar her Aunt Barb ti.

Corpus Chris

Avery Farmer , age 8, of Lu bbock, Texas, shot his first de Matador. The er on a ranch outside of deer was a 6pointer.

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erl yant of Kopp -old Travis Br on a private ss Sixteen-year ba nd ou -1/2-p and caught this 12 was spawning erl. The fish ll.

Bi pond in Kopp d, da by o . Phot was released

Jessie Cepak, age 8, of Pala caught her fir ci st big bass at os, Texas, Coleto Creek Reservoir in Victoria, Texa s.

does ries shot two Rhett Humph st deer hunt durSix-year-old fir s hi on ck t bu He and a 5-poin uth season. morning of yo n County. ing opening to or m ck ro in Th was hunting

Calf r first deer at n bagged he CulColleen Wathe st outside of Brady in Mc ju Creek Ranch, e was guided by her son, Sh loch County.

Riley.

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Karen Holland and her son proudly show the buck that sh of Leverett’s Ch e shot while hunting near f apel in Rusk County.

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Rider Sessio ns, age 7, of Wells, Texas, his first deer shot at the Sessio ns Family Ra nch.

pound ught this 5.4Jack Webb ca private lake a ng hi fis ile black bass wh ing his lure of s. He was us in East Texa een Senko. gr d ge rig s choice, a Texa

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GREEN

Global Warming Didn’t Kill Golden Toad A RECENT DISCOVERY DEALT ANOTHER BLOW TO GLOBAL WARMING SCIENCE BY REVEALING WARMING DID NOT KILL THE MONTEVERDE PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Deer + Ticks Makes Humans Sick

GOLDEN TOAD, AN OFTEN-CITED EXAMPLE OF CLIMATE-TRIGGERED EXTINCTION.

AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM AT WASHINGTON fied as a new species, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and the disease named KEPT A WARY EYE ON EMERGING TICK-BORNE DIS- Human Ehrlichiosis. E. chaffeensis DNA was later found in lone star ticks collected EASES FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, REPORTS AMBLYfrom several states.

OMMA AMERICANUM, THE “LONE STAR TICK” A second Ehrlichia species also found (NAMED FOR THE WHITE SPOT ON THE FEMALE’S in lone star ticks was also identified as an agent of human disease.

BACK AND NOT AN ASSOCIATION WITH TEXAS) IS Ehrlichiosis typically begins with vague A VECTOR FOR DISEASES ONCE BELIEVED TO symptoms that mimic those of other bacteOCCUR ONLY IN ANIMALS. rial illnesses. In a few patients, however, it Bacterial clusters called morulae disprogresses rapidly to affect the liver and covered in a blood smear from a critically may cause death unless treated with ill man resembled the genus Ehrlichia, at antibiotics. the time thought to cause disease only in Scientists suspect the evolution of bacanimals. The bacterium was later identiContinued on page 36 UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, THAT HAS

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The toad vanished from Costa Rica in the late 1980s, apparently from a chytrid fungus outbreak that warming pundits have tried to link to climate change, but the new study asserts weather patterns at Monteverde were not out of the ordinary.

The role that climate change played in the toad’s demise has been fiercely debated in recent years. The new paper, in the March 1 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the latest to weigh in.

In the study, researchers used oldgrowth trees from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to reconstruct moisture levels in that region over the last century. They expected to see global warming manifested in the form of a long-term warming or drying trend, but instead discovered that the forest's dry spells closely tracked El Niño, the periodic and natural warming of waters off South America that brings drought to some places and added rainfall and snow to others.

“There’s no comfort in knowing that the golden toad’s extinction was the result of El Niño and an introduced pathogen...” said study lead author Kevin Anchukaitis.

—Staff Report TG G A M E ®

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GREEN Biotoxins in Seafood Studied

TF&G FIRST

TOXINS RELEASED BY CERTAIN MICROALGAE CAN CONTAMINATE FISHES AND SHELLFISHES, WHICH PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

IN TURN BECOME TOXIC TO HUMANS. RESEARCHERS HAVE FOR THE FIRST TIME IDENTIFIED HOW TWO OF THE TOXINS, SPIROLIDE AND GYMNODIMINE, AFFECT HUMANS AND WHY THEY CAUSE NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS. THE FINDINGS COULD ENABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW

TF&G LED Stance Validated IN NOVEMBER 2008, TEXAS FISH & GAME PUBLISHED THE ACCOMPANYING PHOTOGRAPH, A COMPOSITE OF NIGHTTIME PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEFENSE METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE PROGRAM SPACE PLATFORMS, AND POSED A NUMBER OF “WHAT-IF” SCENARIOS AND PROPOSED CONSERVATION MEASURES RELATED TO ENERGY CONSUMPTION. One proffered scenario/solution pair included: What if the U.S. government did something that would make an immediate difference in energy consumption, such as mandate that cities extinguish half of all streetlights (every other light along each street).

And what if those cities used the resulting energy savings to replace streetlights with highly efficient LED technology.

According to a new study, our proposal was spot-on.

Engineers in the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation based in Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering have conducted the first cradle-to-grave assessment of light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights and determined that the increasingly popular lamps strike the best balance between brightness, affordability, and energy conser34 |

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vation when their life span from production to disposal is considered. LEDs consist of clusters of tiny, high-intensity bulbs and are extolled for their power efficiency and clear luminosity.

Researchers compared LED streetlights to the two most common outdoor lamps: high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps found in most cities and metal halide lamps like those in sports stadiums, and the gas-based induction bulb, another emerging technology billed as bright and energy efficient.

The research team reported that although LEDs carry a formidable initial price tag, they outshine HPS and metal halide lamps by consuming half the electricity, lasting up to five times longer, and producing more light.

Induction lights proved slightly more affordable and energy efficient than LEDs, but may also have a greater environmental impact when in use. The authors also noted that LED technology exhibits more potential for improvement and may surpass induction lamps in the future.

The report also gauged the four technologies by output of nitrogen oxides-the noxious byproducts of burning fossil fuels that can return to Earth in rain and snow as harmful nitrate-and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), the chemical compound that contributes to the ozone layer's depletion. In both categories, LEDs ranked the highest during the bulb-manufacturing stage but the lowest during actual use. In this final phase, metal halides produced the greatest emissions of both pollutants, The City of Pittsburgh estimated that replacing HPS lamps with LED streetlights would save the metropolis $1 million F I S H

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TESTS TO SCREEN FOR THE TOXINS. These rapid-acting neurotoxins cause severe neurological symptoms that have a fatal outcome within a few minutes in laboratory mice.

Researchers characterized the target of these toxins as the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor nRACh, a channel receptor situated on the membrane of muscle or nerve cells that allows the passage of small, ionized molecules into and out of the cell. nRACh plays a crucial role in neuromuscular and neuronal transmission. More precisely, these toxins act by rapidly and almost irreversibly blocking the channel receptor function of nRAChs. This inhibition then causes muscle and/or cerebral dysfunctions, reminiscent of those observed during certain muscle diseases or cognitive disorders.

In humans, the consumption of shellfish contaminated by these substances can cause diarrheal, paralytic, neurological and other symptoms.

—Staff Report TG in energy costs and $700,000 in maintenance, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 6,818 metric tons.

The study authors said that despite civic enthusiasm for LEDs nationwide, until the Pitt’s study, no comprehensive analysis of LED streetlights existed. But, then, I doubt the study authors read Texas Fish & Game. For if they did, they would have been way ahead of the game.

—Don Zaidle TG

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Catch Shares Do Not Improve Health of Fisheries CATCH SHARE PROGRAMS RESULT IN MORE CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE FISHERIES BUT DO NOT NECESSARILY IMPROVE ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY PUBLISHED IN PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. Employed by nations around the world, catch shares (a management system that divides up and allocates percentages, or shares, of the total allowable catch to recreational fishermen and commercial interests) have generated controversy as to whether

they lead to better environmental stewardship than other fishery management options. The study, funded by the Lenfest Ocean Program, concludes that these programs help to eliminate erratic swings in fishing rates, catch landings and fish population sizes, among other factors, but may not necessarily lead to larger fish populations. This research is the most in-depth and comprehensive study of the ecological impacts of catch share programs in North America.

Publication of this research coincides with the public-comment period for the U.

S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) draft catch share policy, which evaluates catch share programs under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the nation's primary fisheries law.

NOAA's draft policy "encourages the consideration and adoption of catch shares wherever appropriate in fishery management and ecosystem plans and amendments and will support the design, implementation, and monitoring of catch share programs."

Participants in a catch share program may fish for their shares of the fishery at their discretion until their quotas are filled.

This management method is often contrasted with a "race-for-fish" management option, where fishermen compete with others in the fishery during a set time frame. —Staff Report TG

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GREEN

A PROPOSED EU BAN ON THROWING UNWANTED FISH OVERBOARD FROM COMMERCIAL BOATS COULD PUT SEA BIRDS AT RISK, SAY RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS.

Continued from page 33 terial pathogens that jump species could be due to exploding white-tailed deer populations encroaching on human habitat, providing a human vector for ticks and the diseases they carry.

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PHOTO BY JAMES YARDLEY

By-Catch Discard Ban Could Be Harmful to Sea Birds Researchers believe that gannets may have specialized feeding habits, with some individuals relying heavily on discards while others focus on finding sand eels or diving for mackerel and herring. If this the-

"If you had to point to one factor that led to the emergence of tickborne diseases in the eastern United States, it would have to be these unnaturally large populations of deer," said ecologists Brian F. Allan, one of the WU researchers.

—Staff Report TG

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ory is correct, a ban would disproportionately affect some breeding pairs, rather than impacting to a lesser degree on the whole colony.

The study has implications for the Texas Gulf due to commercial regulation and economic changes associated with bycatch reduction.

—Staff Report TG

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DST Actually Wastes Energy

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The study reinforces a 2007 Australian investigation of the extension of daylight saving time for two months in New South Wales and Victoria for the 2000 Summer Olympics. It also found an increase in energy use.

Daylight saving studies upon which the idea was based occurred in the 1970s. The difference between then and now is a huge increase in air conditioning use.

—Staff Report TG

LONG THE BANE OF SCHOOL KIDS AND CLOCK PUNCHERS OF ALL STRIPE, DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME HAS OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS AS AN ENERGY CONSERVATOR, AND ACTUALLY INCREASES ENERGY CONSUMPTION, ACCORDING TO A

PHOTO BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

RECENT STUDY. Matthew Kotchen, a professor of economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his PhD student, Laura E. Grant, examined energy consumption in 92 Indiana counties. Until 2006, only 15 of those counties adjusted for daylight saving time, with the remainder keeping standard time all year. Then, the Indiana Legislature decided the entire state should adopt daylight saving time.

This unique situation allowed researcherst to study energy use, which showed that electricity use went up in the

counties adopting daylight saving time in 2006, costing $8.6 million more in household electricity bills. The conclusion was that while lighting costs decreased in the afternoon, greater heating costs in the morning and more use of air-conditioners on hot afternoons more than offset the savings. Kotchen said the results were “clear and unambiguous.”

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PHOTO BY CHESTER MOORE

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WHEN I WAS 10

years old, my cousin, Cousin, of similar age met in the barn with a suspicious looking Mason jar in hand. He opened our discussion with a statement I have heared a number of times since, though the utterance is always alarming: “Here, smell this. It stinks.”

Then he twisted off the ring, popped the lid, and stuck the jar under my nose as he pulled his own head as far as possible from the end of his arm.

A vile odor shot out of the jar and up my nose, immediately assaulting my olfactory senses so badly that my eyes watered. I recoiled and retched, bringing up nothing but bile.

“Stinks, don’t it?” Cousin asked, pleased with the results “Yech!” I shouted enthusiastically.

“What are we gonna do with it?”

“Dad’s taking us to the lake to go catfishing. I’m going to catch Old Tom with it,” he answered, using the general term for any catfish over 10 pounds.

Later that afternoon, as Uncle and his friend went out in the boat to set some lines, they were courteous enough to drop two per-

forated cans of dog food some distance from the shore. We then cast our lines baited with Cousin’s potentially life threatening stinkbait and waited for the concoction to do its work.

We got our first bite less than half an hour later, and by the time the old men returned from setting their trotlines, we’d each landed several cats. I would like to say they weighed 3-4 pounds apiece, but memory is dim, though I recall they were “good eating size,” as the Old Man used to say.

After that first experience, I have become familiar with a number of catfish chumming techniques, as well as a variety of stinkbaits, both commercial and homemade. This time honored fishing technique seems to have lost its familiarity among today’s anglers, but more and more people seem to be rediscovering what the old folks have always known.

The mention of chumming often elicits mixed emotions. Some catfish purists feel

that chumming is beneath them, while exuberant stinkbait aficionados have created extensive websites to extol the virtues of these disagreeable baits. Prejudices notwithstanding, few argue that calling cats to a known locale is an effective technique.

Depending on the areas to be fished, chumming can be as simple as poking holes into a can of dog food and lowering it into a pond or small impoundment, or creating a mixture of astonishingly mundane ingredients, or brewing 5-gallon buckets of soured maize for distribution across large areas of underwater real estate.

Dispersing attractants in impoundments works better than using them in moving water such as creeks or rivers. There, the current disperses the bait far too quickly to be effective. Used properly in still water, chum virtually guarantees fish, though the size and type are matters of further discussion.

However, simply throwing or pouring attractants overboard isn’t guaranteed to bring fish into a desolate area of the lake naturally devoid of fish. The water is empty for a reason, and it might take a day or two to

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attract catfish to such locations. Utilizing underwater structure such as points, creek channels, drop-offs, overhanging banks, and submerged timber is essential to determining the locations that will make or break a fishing trip.

Some fishermen, both expert catfish guides and weekend anglers, disagree on what chumming actually accomplishes. The chum is designed to create the feeding frenzy and concentrate catfish numbers even more. Many feel the soured or reeking mixtures concentrates catfish through their incredible sensory capabilities (they have 250,000 taste buds, say those who enjoy counting catfish buds). Others say catfish are attracted by the vibrations of their feeding relatives.

Despite the question, chumming works for catfish, which are found on every continent except Antarctica. The most popular in Texas are, in order, channel, flathead, and blue catfish, while black and yellow bullheads quickly fall in line. All are bottom feeders of opportunity (though not exclusively; the flathead in particular prefers its fodder fresh and lively) and will eat anything

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from worms and stinkbaits to other things I won’t mention because they turn my stomach.

Chum and stinkbait recipes are as varied as the anglers themselves. Obviously, these particularly disagreeable brews of nastiness are far from an exact science, but certain tried and true recipes have proven successful time and again.

The aforementioned 5-gallon bucket of soured maize, cracked corn, milo, hen scratch, or wheat is a simple and effective concoction for large broadcast areas. Halffill the bucket with grain, add water to within 2 inches of the top, and seal. Some people include two or three cans of beer, but that just seems like a sad waste to me. Place the container in the sun and hold your breath when you open it a week later. For extrastrength chum, let it sour for two weeks. You might have to add water occasionally as the grain swells and absorbs the liquid.

Blood, dog food, cat food, or anything else that will be particularly unsettling after a week in the sun works well as an additive.

To avoid getting the stench on your hands, use a handled scoop to disperse the

chum. The Old Man used a water dipper.

Five to ten scoops of the stuff poured into the water should produce fish within an hour.

Experience Warning: Don’t scratch your nose if you get this stuff on your hands.

Distressed parents have been known to utilize Skunk Odor Neutralizing Techniques in trying to remove the stench from skin and clothing, which may include some or all of the following: hot baths with lye soap and brushes typically used to remove hog bristles; burning the offending clothing; a good drenching with tomato sauce; dish soap (and/or vinegar) mixed with baking soda; and more lye soap.

Experienced catfish anglers sometimes lower perforated containers of unpleasant ingredients into the water around tree stumps and then tie the line off within easy reach. This system, which works like a deer feeder, helps call in a constant supply of hungry catfishes. One old timer I know emptied several cans of dog and cat food or range cubes into a burlap bag (we called them “towsacks”; Yankees call them “gunnysacks”) and tied it off in the water in the same fashion.

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Let’s follow the process using range cubes in just such a bag. A biological process begins as cubes begin to break down in the water. Phytoplankton feed on the microscopic particles of decomposing bait, calling up zooplankton, which call in tiny baitfishes to feed off the tinier life forms, which in turn call larger baitfishes that call up catfishes—which call in fishermen.

Upon arrival at the baited hole, throw in a few dippers full of fresh or softened cubes.

They settle to the bottom, stimulating a feeding frenzy.

This system brings in all types of catfishes, but the bait on the end of the line helps determine the type of cat you boat. Blue cats like soap baits and stinkbaits. One of the cheapest baits, and the most pleasant, is chunks of Ivory soap. Cut a bar to the appropriate size chunks for a No. 2 to No. 6 circle hook, add a weight, and sink it to the bottom.

A shad dropped down in the same fashion will also gain the interest of a blue cat.

Channel cats lean toward anything from dead minnows and hot dogs to punch baits.

Punch baits are a longtime favorite and, again, can be homemade or commercially

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produced. The name is derived from the act of “punching” a treble hook into the doughy bait with a stick, whereupon the stick stuff gloms on the hook. The base of many punch baits is cheese, with a variety of other attractants mixed in such as garlic salt, anise extract, or other exotic, smelly components.

Need a quick and much more pleasant catfish bait? Make a sticky paste of breakfast cereal such as Wheaties or corn flakes by adding water. Sprinkle in garlic salt or any of the abovementioned catfish spices while kneading the dough until firm. Seal in an airtight container and mold the balls on your hooks.

An examination of any sporting goods display reveals a wide assortment of commercially produced stinkbaits. Many are designed as “systems” in which the rigging or hooks are molded from plastic or rubber baits that are then dipped, dribbled, marinated, or injected via squeeze tubes. Once prepared, the attractants are used just like any other bait.

Once the honey hole is baited or chummed, the possibility that a solid cat might take your offering requires some forethought to the appropriate rig.

There are many variations of acceptable rigs for catfish. The basic is a slip sinker above a 12- to 18-inch leader attached to a strong barrel swivel. Cats are tough and they like to roll. Don’t go cheap on the swivel. A circle hook on the business end of the line completes the rig.

Fishermen in shallow water often like to watch bobbers work. Thread a slip bobber on the line behind a small plastic bead. Tie the line to a barrel swivel. Attach the 12- to 18-inch leader with the hook of your choice onto the opposite end of the swivel. Adjust the bobber until the bait is approximately a foot off the bottom using enough split shot to keep the bait submerged. Give her a yank when the bobber disappears.

After all that, the only hard part is deciding whether to keep your honey hole to yourself, or offer it up to other people who like to release catfish filets to the grease.

Though the mere mention of stinkbaits is unsettling to those of lesser constitution, the smell of fresh fried fish will relegate the odiferous road to the pan to a hazy memory.

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RICHARD MALONE sent in this up-close and personal shot of a screech owl in his backyard.

Screech owls at times can be easy to approach and offer great photo opportunities.

AL WEAVER submitted this photo of a black bear he took while hunting in Bay City a few years ago.

Black bears are coming back to Texas, but they are not supposed to be in Bay City.

This photo proves otherwise.

compiled by Chester Moore

TF&G photographer GERALD BURLEIGH captured this image of a hawk eating a squirrel in his backyard. Raptors are extremely effective at picking off squirrels and other rodents common in urban areas.

VICKI BROWN captured a photo of a family of red foxes that took up residence on her suburban property. Foxes are very adaptable and readily take to backyards as long as there is a little cover.

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There is nothing candiD About wildlife photography. It is by nature surreptitious and downright sneaky, especially when performed with an automatic trail camera.

Many of the mysterious animals lurking the best lurking spots of Texas and beyond are being captured on motion-sensing game cameras, cell phone cameras, and lightweight “prosumer” grade digital still and video cameras.

Documenting the wildlife that lurks in our backyards and in the deepest recesses of the Texas wild has become a favorite pursuit for many who often share their photos with TF&G staff, so we decided to debut a new occasional feature of some of our readers’ successes.

Those interested in sharing and possibly seeing their photos in print can submit them to ReaderPhotos@fishgame.com.

Please include the name of photographer, location of animal in the photo, and any other pertinent information.

Here are some of the unique photos we have received.

RICHARD TRAHAN got a huge surprise while checking the game camera overlooking his feeder on a Tyler County lease last fall.

He knew a bunch of hogs were hitting it, but had no idea how big some of them were. The monster hog on the left is standing flatfooted and nearly touching the timer motor of the feeder. “The bottom of the motor on this feeder is 5 feet, 6 inches from the ground,” Trahan said.

Reader RON WEHMEYER sent in this amazing shot of a huge cougar standing over a javelina recently killed on his ranch in Brewster County.

Reader VANCE BARLOW submitted this photo of a bobcat and opossum having a stare down at a deer feeder. The bobcat has the power and speed advantage, but the opossum has ugly on its side; and sometimes that’s enough.

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KELLY JORDON is known as one of the best sight-fishermen on the pro tour, but he is also a skilled practitioner of “offshore” bass fishing in the deeper recesses of a lake.

The former pre-med student has been fishing professionally for over 11 years, winning more than $1.5 million along the way. He has fished in eight Bassmaster Classics.

Jordon is a Texas-based pro who calls Lake Fork his home lake.

Jordon fished Lake Conroe with TF&G Executive Editor Chester Moore recently and talked about bass fishing, and particularly about his affinity for the deep water.

FROM A VIDEO INTERVIEW BY

Chester Moore: You’re an “offshore” bass fisherman?

CHESTER

Kelly Jordon Yeah. I like it all, but I love it when I can catch ‘em offshore.

MOORE

CM: I was up on Lake Fork probably five or six years ago with a guide who lives up there. He was telling me just how many of those bigger bass like to spawn in much deeper water than people give them credit for. Have you found that to be true?

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where they all go. There’s also a lot of talk, and some biologists say this as well, that some of the really big fish in a lake may never come up and spawn. Maybe that’s why they’re big. They’re abnormal bass.

Whatever’s wrong with them, they stay out there all year.

There’s always some bass deep in a lake that has deep structure. It’s a comfort zone.

They have a lot more water, a lot more bait.

The pressure is not as much. Although guys do know where the sweet spots are and pick on them pretty good, but there’s so much offshore stuff, places the fish can be; it’s shelter out there. Most lakes, where the fish go deep, there are going to be more big ones out there than in shallow water.

CM: Is there one trick, any one thing an angler who wants to fish offshore for bass should pay attention to, to start them off?

KJ: I’d say there is a one-two combo.

One, you’ve got to have a map, so you know what’s out there. That’s your guide. One of the best things to come along in awhile is the Navionics chip. It has the contour lines built

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in right on your graph. Now, guys can go out and find stuff that took others years to find.

It exposes the whole lake.

Learning how to read that and what to look for is key. You can read magazines or go online, there are so many resources available now where you can get an idea what to look for, but nothing replaces your own experience and your own successes and failures out on the water. It comes through trial and error, and that’s the joy of bass fishing—figuring the puzzle out.

The map is key, but for your map to be any good at all you have to have good electronics. You gotta have a good graph where you can read what’s down there and you can get to where you’re familiar with what you’re looking at, whether you’re looking at bass or you’re seeing a brush pile on your graph.

Probably the best way to get a crash course is to go out with a really good guide on a lake somewhere. Most of the “bass factories” in Texas have a huge number of fantastic fishing guides that can take you out and put you way ahead of the game. I would highly recommend that investment. It’s not that much, say, $250 to $350 is typically

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what a guide runs a day. I promise it will be well worth it and save you a lot of hours on your own and get you ahead of the game.

But, fishing offshore, a map and a graph are the two most critical pieces of equipment.

CM: Are there a lot of times, for maybe no particular reason, you’ll find bass just simply on one piece of structure on a larger structure?

KJ: Absolutely. It’s just like what you said, a “spot within the spot.” The sweet spot. That exists. Not on every spot. How you find that is with your electronics. You can see the fish down there. My Humminbird [Side Imaging Sonar] is ridiculous. You can see everything down there and say, “Wow. I didn’t know there were three cinder blocks on this corner of one side of this drop here.” And that’s where they always seem to sit. But the best way to find out where they like to sit on a piece of structure is by fishing—see where you catch them.

And then, when you catch a fish offshore, you want to be able to cast exactly back

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where you caught that fish, and that’s hard to do when you have nothing around.

You can throw a marker buoy—and a quick note on that: Don’t ever throw your marker on top of the spot you want to fish; always throw it to the side and then know if its 10 feet or 20 feet to the left or right of it.

Then you don’t have to worry about hooking your buoy, or hooking your fish and it swims around your buoy line, messing it up. That being said, it’s critical to learn how to repeat your cast.

You can get a couple of lines and triangulate yourself on a spot. Finding the line you caught your fish on is as simple as [lining up a nearby] point [with some fixed landmark] that’s a mile behind it. You can move your head and see that line change. If you’ve got that line, you can repeat that cast and you can make your lure hit the same exact spot on the bottom—in 30 feet of water—cast after cast after cast.

You always want to throw exactly back where you caught that fish, because a lot of times, those fish are in schools, and there might be a school of three or four bass, or there might be a school of 500. And that lets you know if you found a spot within a spot.

CM: And you’re eliminating water that way?

KJ: Exactly, and you’re repeating a productive cast as well.

CM: If you’re fishing offshore and you had to pick one kind of lure, what would you fish?

KJ: Deep-diving crankbait.

CM: Deep-diving crankbait. Okay, why?

KJ: A crankbait, year-round, is the most deadly offshore bait for not only catching numbers, but for catching big ones. You can cover water fast, you can bump into whatever is down there, stump or rock, or rip it out of grass.

There are a lot of ways to trigger a strike when they otherwise might not be biting very well, and you have to nurse ‘em to get them to bite your Carolina rig or your 10-inch worm or whatever else you’re throwing in there. A crankbait can fire up a school of bass, and if you can get ‘em going, you can catch ‘em every cast, cast after cast, until you either catch ‘em all or they move on.

The Lucky Craft D20 crankbait is the bait I helped design. It dives down to 20 feet; you can hit 16 to 18 feet consistently on a long cast, and you can hit 20 feet as well on a super long cast. Getting that crankbait down there and having contact with the bottom and having a bait that will hit that deep is the important thing.

On the Web See the full series of Chester Moore’s video interviews with Kelly Jordon at www.FishGame.com/video Enter Title: Kelly Jordon

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BY PAUL BRADSHAW AS AN OUTDOOR WRITER I have the opportunity to see a lot of pictures of big deer and hear some great stories from hunters who worked hard (or simply lucked into) some truly tremendous bucks. However, there are occasions when a joyous story does not accompany photos of the outstanding animals.

Last year, a friend sent some pictures of a pair of true trophy whitetails he had taken off his lease. These were deer any hunter would be proud to shoot, but instead of being happy with the bucks, the story he told was about the last deer he

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would ever take off that particular lease. It seems that after years of these hunters managing the property to build a healthy mature deer herd, the landowner located someone with deeper pockets and the current group was being kicked out after the season. That’s the life of a deer hunter in Texas.

I’m not saying its right, just that it happens.

Around here, you have to pay to play; and the question going through most hunters’ minds at the end of every deer season is, “Can I afford to do it again next year?”

Is hunting in Texas still something the average middle-class hunter can afford, or has it become an exclusive of the wellheeled elite?

Someone looking into getting their first deer lease, or looking for a new one to replace last year’s, might suffer sticker shock when they start window-shopping. I’m not saying stumbling onto a once-in-a-lifetime deal isn’t going to happen, because I hear about them every year, but the days are long gone of $500 year-round leases on every corner.

Today, you can start your deer lease search in the $1000 range (on the very low end), and prices rise from there. This isn’t even in the traditional big buck mecca of the South Texas

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Brush Country. If you look for a lease down there, you can expect to spend enough to purchase a decent used car or send your kid to college. Try sneaking that expense by the wife. This price tag doesn’t include stands, feeders, lodging, or gas to get there and back.

Add all that up, and you are looking at a tremendous expense just to get the chance to see a deer.

When you finally have a place to hunt, you need a firearm or bow to carry or you are just going for a walk in the woods. Again, this is not an expense you can slip by the wife undetected. In a recent product test, another publication was evaluating the latest bullet drop compensating scopes and their bargain priced piece of hardware cost more than $400 (the most expensive one in the test cost four times as much). Add in a top-of-the-line rifle to take advantage of these optics and you have invested a few thousand dollars into a hunting rig that you use less than three months a year.

With all these numbers adding up to more than some people make in a year, the question about whether or not you can afford to hunt deer in Texas is a legitimate one. Luckily, the answer is yes, you can, but maybe not in the manner depicted on Saturday morning TV hunting shows.

Hunting on a budget is a possibility, but

is always a bonus. To see if public hunting locations are near you, check out the Texas Parks & Wildlife website, which shows a map of counties with public hunting and has a link to a booklet with maps of all public hunting locations.

Public hunting can get a little crowded, but it is not as bad as you might think. To optimize your opportunities on these parcels, you need to take advantage of the early archery season, since many public lands do not allow firearm hunting for deer. The few that do allow firearms have very limited seasons, typically consisting of just a few weekends a year.

Don’t be intimidated by the early archery season, since just this past year crossbows were legalized for use by any hunter during archery season. This makes getting into the woods in October a bit easier for those accustomed to shooting a rifle. I’m not here to debate whether or not hunting with a crossbow is any less challenging than with any other bow, but I will point out that crossbows now enables hunters who might otherwise never have an opportunity to get into the woods, and that’s never a bad thing.

You can spend just as much on a crossbow as you would a rifle, but if you shop around, they can be had for relatively little money. In fact, last season my wife took two deer with her crossbow that we purchased for less than $200. Add in carbon bolts and broadheads, and we spent around half as much for the whole outfit as Hunting on a budget may you would the cheapest bullet require a lowering of expectadrop compensating scope mentions, but there is more to a tioned earlier. Not a bad deal trophy than a B&C score. to open up an entire month of deer hunting and thousands of acres of public land.

Hunting deer in Texas can cost as much or as little as you want to spend. For those of us on a budget but still want to get outdoors, there are many low cost options for hunting locations and equipment that allow us to participate without putting us in the poor house.

you need to change your expectations slightly in order to do it. Don’t get sucked into the mentality that the only “good” deer measures over 150 B&C inches, and you can have a great hunting season.

If you are dead set on getting on a lease, then shift your search to the eastern part of the state. In spite of what you might think, there are deer in sections of the state other than the south or Panhandle. While prices for leases in the Pineywoods are on the rise, they are still much more affordable than anywhere else in the state. Just be careful when you see the advertisements promising a $750 lease on 200 acres that has never been hunted, because that, my friend, is akin to a unicorn.

Land in East Texas that has never been hunted just doesn’t exist.

If you can’t find a lease in your price range, you can still hunt on one of the many public hunting properties spread throughout the state. While Texas is the land of leases, we are also home to over 1 million acres of public land open to various types of hunting, from small game to waterfowl and deer. The best part of public hunting in Texas is that you gain access to all of this land for minimal cost, since a public hunting permit costs only $48.

Much of this public land is also overrun with wild hogs, so the potential to take a pig

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Hunt Texas

by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor them, head erect in a “backing” stance. Burnett, Luke Clayton, and I moved in behind the dogs. Once we were in a safe shooting position, Cord, Burnett’s son, instructed the little Jack Russell Terrier to flush the bird, which he eagerly did.

A cock pheasant rose high above the sorghum, cackling loudly seconds before being dropped on the outside edge of the stand of grain. True to form, Huckleberry was there ahead of the pointing dogs and HE LITTLE DOG WAS NO MORE THAN A CUP brought the bird back to Cord. I wanted to of fur, curled up in my lap as if he had cheer. laid there many times before even Indeed, Jack Russells are well known for though we had met only moments ear- their gusto and bravery. The breed was lier. developed from English foxhunters’ desire in The mid-day skies were blue and the air the 1800s for a dog that could keep up with cool under a slight breeze. As we rambled the larger foxhounds and go into foxholes to down a dirt road in the ATV hunting rig dig out the quarry. It was a British partoward a field of milo and sorghum, the ears son/bird hunter named John Russell born in on the little wirehair Jack Russell Terrier the late 1700s who began the breed of dogs named Huckleberry perked up. Seconds for that purpose. That trait also makes the later, he leaped from the ATV as if to let the breed great flushing dogs for upland bird much larger Brittany, pointers, and setters in hunters, especially on hunting areas like the ATV dog boxes know he was the first Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort where one on the ground. pheasant, chukar, and quail are hunted.

“He isn’t much for size but he makes up Burnett has created excellent food-cover plots on his resort by alternating the planting of two rows of milo with two rows of sorghum until he has achieved a 30-foot wide area. In all, there are 17-1/2 miles of sorghum/maize strips laced between heavily vegetated fencerows and open native grass fields. It is a perfect setting not only for upland birds, “Huckleberry,” a Jack Russell terrier, retrieves a chukar. hunters, and pointing for that in heart,” said Billy Burnett, owner dogs, but also for little flusher-retrievers like of Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort near Yan- Huckleberry. tis in East Texas, as Huckleberry disapBarnett’s brace of pointers and setters peared momentarily into the rows of uncut did an excellent job pointing numerous birds, grain behind the pointing dogs. but little Huckleberry earned the trophy this Within minutes, a setter and pointer were day. If he didn’t beat the other dogs to a on point and Huckleberry froze behind downed bird, which he did often, it wasn’t

Dog of Another Color

because he didn’t give it his all.

I wasn’t surprised the little dog could handle the retrieve of a downed quail, but it was somewhat surprising to see him manage the heavier task of bringing back the larger

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Billy Burnett goes after a chuckar at Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort. chukar and pheasant. And he did it with a lot of eagerness rather than struggling with the task.

It also was great to hear the following day from Billy’s wife, Kathryn, who had hunted behind Huckleberry during a video shoot.

“Huckleberry made a water retrieve and it was unbelievable,” she said. I can only imagine what it was like seeing the little fellow swimming back with a bird.

In fairness to all breeds of dogs used for upland game bird hunting, each has its own merits and it is with much pleasure I have hunted behind them, whether they were among the wide range of conventional pointers, setters, and spaniels or less conventional pointing labs, red setters, etc.

However, I had never hunted with a Jack Russell Terrier prior to this day last season at Hidden Lakes Hunting Resort, and realized once again that no matter how often we upland bird hunters take to the fields, few of us ever can say we have seen it all.

E-mail Bob Hood at hunting@fishgame.com.

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Open Season

by Reavis Wortham | TF&G Humor Editor

Semi-Tough UR STORY BEGAN WHEN WRONG WILLIE innocently stated that, as younger men, we had been much tougher. We took offense.

“Ain’t true,” Doc argued.

“We’re still just as tough, but we go about our activities much more intelligently.

Take camping for instance. Back in the day, we loaded ourselves with heavy exterior-frame backpacks, cut the handles off our toothbrushes to save weight, and hiked for days...”

“Now, we just drive RVs and camp in comfort with all the necessities we’ve come to depend on at home,” Woodrow interrupted.

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“Well, we’re still pretty tough,” Doc faltered and absently rubbed his bad knee.

So, with that opening volley, we somehow found ourselves two weeks later in the Colorado high country.

Panting and mostly exhausted in the thin alpine air, we gathered in the shade of a large pine tree. New high-tech backpacks thumped in

the fallen needles as we gasped for breath after a brief but intense walk.

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Doc sat on a large boulder and rubbed the aforementioned bad knee. “Lordy, these new interior frame packs are still heavy. I’d think this new technology would make things easier.”

Woodrow snorted. “The design might make the pack ride better, but no one has invented an antidote for gravity.”

“Water,” Willie croaked.

“These hiking boots need breaking in,” the Cap’n said, loosening the laces so his feet could breathe.

I looked at our vehicle across the parking lot 50 yards away. “This is going to be a long, hard hike.”

“We’ll make it,” Doc announced. “I can’t wait to hike up to that primitive campground Rev found on the map. Then we’ll set up our tents, catch some trout for supper, and watch the sun come up in the morning.

It’ll be glorious.”

“Map?” I asked with a sinking feeling.

“Which way?” Willie asked.

I pointed at the only obvious trail from the parking lot. “That way?”

We soon arrived at a small campground that was apparently uninhabited except for one lone, yellow, nylon dome tent at the far end.

“Is this the campground you were telling us about?” Wrong Willie asked, kind of running in place to prove how in shape he was.

“The one with the great view and the stream full of trout?”

“Uh, yeah,” I answered without enthusiasm. Five backpacks once again thumped onto the ground. “Let’s set up the tents.”

“I expected it to be farther from the parking lot,” Woodrow said, looking back through the trees at the vehicles.

“We don’t want to overdo it our first time PHOTO CREDIT - HAPPY CAMPERS © CARAMAN

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Open Season out this season,” the Cap’n said, and I agreed.

Four of the five tents we’d brought had poles. Willie’s tent was supposed to have poles, but he felt he’d probably been left somewhere in the Shenandoah National Park back in 1973.

“I haven’t been tent packing since then,” he explained, tying a spider web of ropes to various trees. The result was comical and somewhat unsettling, because the tent looked like a huge brown spider waiting for its next meal.

While I unpacked our stove, Doc ran an extension cord to a nearby power pole and plugged in a small fan. When I gave him a Look, he shrugged. “I can’t sleep when I’m hot,” he explained.

“It’ll get down to frosty tonight,” Willie predicted. “You won’t need a fan.”

Doc returned the fan to his spacious pack and pulled out a tiny electric heater. “I

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like to be comfortable,” he said defensively.

He unrolled a sleeping pad and threw his sleeping bag on top. Minutes later, Doc snore filled the camp.

Two sweaty young men appeared on the trail and stopped at their yellow tent. “You guys using this for a base camp, too?” one asked.

“Base camp?” Willie asked.

“Yep,” I said proudly for the benefit of group.

“Maybe you guys can join us for a run tomorrow. We come up here every weekend and run this trail to the top of the mountain, and then back down.”

We stared upward with our mouths open, like a nest of five baby birds. The mountain looked much steeper than it had on the missing map.

“Uh, we’ll have to get acclimated to the altitude for a few days first. Then we can join you,” Willie said.

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“Not a bad idea,” one said. “Hey, I’m walking over to the parking lot to get our cooler,” he said. “Can I get you guys anything from your vehicle?”

“We carried in everything we needed,” I said proudly.

He opened the back of their Suburban, removed a wheeled cooler, and pulled it to his campsite. “So did we,” he said over his shoulder and lifted out a bottle of flavored water.

Doc crawled out of his tent, raised up and groaned. “Wow, I’m not as sore as I thought I’d be. See? We’re still in great shape.”

We high-fived as the youngsters looked on in envy at their well-tuned elders.

E-mail Reavis Wortham at humor@fishgame.com

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