December 2010

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Texas Fish & Game® ★ DECEMBER 2010 • VOL. XXVI NO.8

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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 CAPT. MIKE HOLMES REAVIS WORTHAM JOHN GISEL

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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 HUMOR EDITOR WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGER

A D V E R T I S I N G

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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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E DREAMSTIM CAMPBELL, PHOTO: TONY

FEATURES DECEMBER 2010 • Volume XXVI • NO. 8

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CHRISTMAS TREE CRAPPIE Brush piles are to crappie what 24-hour Mexican food joints are to after hours honky tonk crowds. Here, one of Toledo Bend’s brush pile experts shares his brush-building skills in a step-by-step rundown.

by Matt Williams

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DROP TINE BUCKS

THE DUCK-FISH CONNECTION

Looking for fish to fry? Not so easy in a conservation spirited world of catch-andrelease and reduced bag limits. Well, there is the gulf whiting, a plentiful fish that makes a tasty — and sporting — alternative.

Competition among trophy hunters is fierce for the bragging rights to a high-scoring “typical” antler rack.

But in some hunting circles, the unique majesty of a one-ofa-kind non-typical set of horns, characterized by one or more “drop tines,” trumps the obssession with balanced symetry.

In these circles, hunters strive for imperfection.

by Greg Berlocher

by Paul Bradshaw

STORY:

Just because a certain conservation effort is aimed at one species, say waterfowl, doesn’t mean it can’t also have significant benefits to other species, say those with scales and fins.

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by Chester Moore

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COVER STORY:

WINTER WHITING

On the Web

PUBLIC FISHING In the final installment in our Walkabout Angler series, we look at the use of public and nominal fee-access fishing as an alternative to big-lake, big boat, big expense trips.

by Bob Hood

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LATE SEASON DOVE This year’s late dove season starts on Christmas Day in all three Texas Zones, and runs through January 9.

www.FishGame.com

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COLUMNS and DEPARTMENTS DECEMBER 2010 • Volume XXVI • NO. 8

COLUMNS 9 Editor’s Notes

35 Texas Freshwater

The Riches of Poverty

Ethical or Not?

by DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

by MATT WILLIAMS TF&G Freshwater Editor

12 Chester’s Notes

39 Texas Saltwater

The Gift of Time

DEPARTMENTS 8

LETTERS

Deep Thinking

by CHESTER MOORE, JR. TF&G Executive Editor

by CALIXTO GONZALES TF&G Saltwater Editor

14 Doggett at Large Time and Trophies

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TF&G REPORT

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BIG BAGS & CATCHES

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TRUE GREEN

47 Hunt Texas The Game Clock

by JOE DOGGETT TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

by BOB HOOD TF&G Hunting Editor

15 Pike On the Edge A Gander at Geese

by DOUG PIKE TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

16 TexasWild Archery for All

by TED NUGENT TF&G Editor at Large

17 Commentary

48 Open Season

Concealed Carry Questions

Little League Chew

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www.FishGame.com

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Letters to the Editor Border Skirmishes Herman Brune’s two-part article on the Mexican border situation was excellent. I would comment on quoting Keith Bowden’s trip--which took place in 2007. Much has changed since then. I also felt the last line was too open ended. It left the reader with the impression that going to Mexico was up to the individual. That, in my opinion, is not true. Anytime you go across the border, there is a possibility you will run into violence no matter why you went across.

Jeff Burkett Via email

Family Deer Camp Ted Nugent’s column on Family Deer Camp is 100 percent on target. I have always thought there is nothing more important than family and the time spent with family.

Growing up hunting with my father and fishing with my grandfather, I have learned to cherish those moments. Even in the modern world of Facebook, Twitter, PS3, and X-Boxes, my sons and daughter are always with me, whether it be stalking redfish in the flats of Lower Laguna Madre or in the brush tracking those pesky hogs. I know those memories are going to last forever in them, more than their virtual world of nothingness.

David Fuentes Via email I enjoyed Ted Nugent’s “Family Deer Camp” column almost as much as the first time I saw him live--cheek to cheek with Aerosmith at the Cotton Bowl, probably in 1976.

I have since replaced those days with the deer camp and hunting. We are at the Redline Hunting Club in Newton, Texas, every weekend from bow season until muz8 |

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zleloader seasons ends--established (for me at least) in 2001.

One member that is aged 41 claims his mother was at the Hunting Club when she was pregnant with him. One set of guys has four generations represented.

I can still remember like it was yesterday my son’s first doe, his first buck (a nice eightpoint), his first bow kill, and the list goes on and on. We look ahead with great anticipation to each new season and become saddened when its closure sneaks up on us. He is off at college up near your neck of the woods (Tarleton @ Stephenville), but he will arrive for opening weekend just like clockwork, I’m sure.

As you know, there is nothing like the smell of the camp breakfast (the local game wardens claim we have the best breakfast in the county). Happy hunting, and if you’re ever in the area, stop on by for some good old Cat Scratch Fever--or some scrambled eggs.

PRESENTS

Steve Thompson Via email

P.S. When the season closes, we switch back to Sabine Lake and chase a different quarry, namely redfish, speckled trout, and my old college buddy Chester Moore’s favorite, saddle-blanket flounder.

I liked Ted Nugent’s Family Deer Camp column. That’s the way I was brought up-love nature, love what God gives us to enjoy, and love family.

I have two daughters , Stormie and Hannah, who love the outdoors. On our camping and fishing trips, I would tell them it’s about the adventure of the trip, and catching fish is the bonus. Keep Texas wild.

Kimuel Haygood Via email

In Praise of 13 Inches I am 33 years old and have been hunting

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on the same stretch of 200 acres in east Texas since I was old enough to walk. My grandparents bought this property in 1970.

Since I have been tromping around on our little piece of the great state of Texas, I have noticed a lot.

We had troubles with poachers killing everything they saw, and our deer population went to near zero. We once shot any buck that moved because it was all we had to tag, as does were not legal for many years.

Since the antler restrictions, I have gone from seeing maybe 10 deer in an entire season to seeing 10 to 15 deer in the morning and another 10 in the evening.

My son will be 8 in December and sits in the deer stand quite frequently. He is able to see decent deer in the 120-130 B&C range due to antler restrictions. Thanks to it, he will be able to kill a much better deer than I did when I was a youngster.

I enjoy being able to video and photograph deer bigger than I have mounted on my living room wall, all thanks to the restrictions. Our herd has done nothing but improve I am a seasoned hunter and now choose to let legal deer walk in hopes they will actually reach a mature 5-1/2 years old. This does two things: it teaches my son that not every deer needs to be shot, and it improves the herd he will hunt for years to come.

That’s why we are still hunting.

S. Ward Via email

SEND YOUR LETTERS AND COMMENTS TO: Texas Fish & Game Letters 1745 Greens Rd. Houston, TX 77032 Email: Editor@FishGame.com

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Editor’s Notes

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

The Riches of ‘Poverty’ Due to a harried schedule and reader interest, I decided to reprise in this issue a column I wrote in 2003. May it resonate a shared chord in those reading it for the first time, and rekindle dormant flames in those reading it again.

Y EARLIEST MEMORIES INVOLVE FISHING camps, open-fire cooking, and the smell of my grandfather’s hunting vest. I grew up on a small ranch with a halfdozen dogs and adult ranchers as friends, companions, and playmates. I was half feral, prowling the woods and creeks with a homemade spear fashioned from a broken hoe handle and an old butcher’s knife.

“Culture shock” doesn’t begin to describe what starting school was like. That was when I learned my family and I were “poor.”

The teachers insisted we play baseball, a game I had never seen let alone played. The concept of hitting the ball made sense, but all the silly rules about running the bases in order, and shoving the first baseman out of the way being bad form, took all the fun out of it. I quickly figured out that I needed a fielder’s glove (I was too given to daydreaming about trails and creeks to be trusted in the infield). When I asked for one, we simply couldn’t afford it. Who would have thought a yard or so of stitched cowhide cost as much as the monthly electric bill or a halfton of cottonseed cake?

So, I played baseball without a glove, which was fine with me. I didn’t really care about the game, and knew who Mickey Mantle was only because the other kids raved about him every day. Besides, for the price of one lousy fielder’s glove (which was only useful a few weeks of the year), I could get three rods with Zebco 202 reels and a

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respectful amount of tackle to boot--all useful year-round.

Santa always knew what I wanted, and I could count on him for important stuff on Christmas morning--and no lousy baseball glove. At least two boxes of 20-gauge No. 6’s were a surety, along with some tackle, new socks, and maybe a pocketknife to replace the one I lost. (Actually, the kids at school thought it was neat, but the teacher didn’t. I thought *everybody* carried a pocketknife. She promised to return it at the end of school, but meanwhile, I was out of a knife for the duration.)

Sometimes I got new clothes, but not often. We did most of our clothes shopping at Goodwill and the flea market across the street from the cattle auction in Bridgeport on Saturday. It is amazing what you can get at a flea market (we called it “the sale”), everything from hardly-worn boots to warm flannel shirts and housewares. May favorite first-grade ensemble was a pair of tan corduroy pants and brown-and-tan plaid shirt. I thought it made me look appropriately “rugged.”

I always thought it a dirty rotten gyp that they planned school season to run concurrently with hunting season. Where were their priorities, for Pete’s sake! The few short hours of daylight left after the hour-long bus ride home left precious little hunting time, but I made the best of it. Homework had no priority at all.

My prospects and mood always picked up as Christmas drew nearer. The week of parole from school for the holiday meant plenty of time in the woods during the day, and family time after sundown. The luscious smells from my grandmother’s kitchen peaked during Christmas week. The usual scents of fried chicken (killed fresh that morning), cream gravy, and vegetables canned fresh from that summer’s garden gave way to rare fragrances of pumpkin pie, smoked ham, dressing, and giblet gravy. The scent of a red cedar Christmas tree cut fresh that very week accented the rest in olfactory symphony.

I helped my grandmother retrieve the T E X A S

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ancient ornaments from the back porch closet to decorate the tree. We worked together stringing popcorn and making colorful paper chains for the final touches.

Each evening, Pop, Grandmother, and I sat in the living room, talking about the day and what tomorrow held. Grandmother sat nearest the Dearborn heater, crafting ordinary textile into works of crocheted, knitted, and embroidered art. When conversation waned, Pop kicked back with a paperback western novel while I poured over the latest copy of Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, or Sports Afield procured (sometimes illicitly) from the barber shop. The combined warmth of the heater, Christmas lights, and the atmosphere made the drafty living room a cocoon of unparalleled comfort. I was “home.”

Summer’s three-month parole from school meant long days prowling the creek and swimming in the deep, crystal pool below “White’s Dam” (a 3-foot wide concrete barrier placed by a rancher named White to provide a summer water hole for cattle), sometimes with a companion from a neighboring ranch, but usually not. The water was always cool and clear, the sunand catfishes hungry, the bass an enigma and great prize, and the beauty of it all mine for the taking. I was “home” then, too, and unimaginably rich, but didn’t know it.

Pop and Grandmother are long since gone; the ranch has new owners; the old house and barn torn down; the creek bulldozed, diverted, and dammed. My “home” is gone, I can never go back. I have made a new home with my wife, one to which our children and grandchildren can always return so long as we live, and maybe beyond.

The secret, I have learned, is to recognize that today is one of the “good old days” they will talk about in years to come.

May you realize the riches in your life, enjoy the prosperity of family, and find your way “home” this holiday season.

G A M E ®

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TF&G Report No-Kill Deer Hunting Tournament THE AMERICAN WHITETAIL AUTHORITY ORGANIzation has launched a no-kill deer “hunting tournament” modeled after pro bass tournaments, which a report on the organization’s website bills as “like Bassmasters, except with deer—and no bullets.”

According to an AWA press release: Greg Koch is founder of the American Whitetail Authority, a Tulsa, Okla.-based endeavor that is launching a nationwide search for the country’s best whitetail deer hunter.

The wildlife specialist has come up with

a concept that will entertain and educate millions of deer hunters across the country while determining who the best deer hunters are in the nation.

“We believe in education and entertainment,” Koch said.

To that end Koch is taking his family to every Bass Pro Shops store in 22 states.

Koch, his wife Kim, and children Mackenzie, 4, Tucker, 2, Samantha, 7 and Colt, 13, will travel in a 38-foot motor home covered with 1000 square feet of high-definition vinyl featuring pro bass angler Kevin VanDam as spokesman.

Bass Pro Shops is letting AWA go to stores and recruit hunters, said Andrew George of Bass Pro Shops Partnerships and Business Development segment.

Koch will be visiting Bass Pro Shops in Texas, Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania,

George said.

“We are excited to watch the organization get off the ground and see where it leads,” he said.

Koch approached Don Rucks in 2006 with the idea to use digital scopes to create a competitive deer hunting series. Koch’s concept gives hunters a yardstick where deer hunters have measurable results during a hunt.

Following a marketing career with Citgo Petroleum, Rucks joined ESPN/BASS as vice president and general manager. ESPN teamed with the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society to create the Bassmaster Elite fishing series that Rucks oversaw until 2006, when he joined Koch. Currently, Rucks is a director of the AWA series.

The concept is a quantum leap forward for the sport, Rucks said.

PRESENTS

B IG B AGS&C ATCHES

Redfish

Whitetail Buck

Port O’Connor

Houston County

Bill Slavik of Burleson, and Scott Slavik of Southlake, hooked these 40+-inch bull reds simultaneously while night fishing at Port O’Connor. Both were released.

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Tyler Cecil, age 13, shot this 13-point buck on opening day of youth weekend on his grandmother’s property in Houston County.

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“I take a lot of kidding when I say that.

But it is the most exciting development in whitetail deer hunting because of how much it will change and impact the sport,” Rucks said. “It is not just about the competition, but we hope to make the hunters better.”

The result is better hunters and more effective deer herd management, Rucks said.

“Like the pro bass fishing, we are creating a platform that allows these hunters, under difficult, but equal conditions, to compete against each other.”

Beginning in August, the 40 best hunters will compete in regional events and on Oct. 27, the top competitors will vie for the title in a championship event near Antlers in southeast Oklahoma.

Koch sees a parallel with bass fishing tournaments.

The nation’s top professional bass angler agrees. VanDam, the all-time money winner on the Bassmaster Tournament series, a fivetime champion and three-time Bassmaster Classic champion, has put his face and name on the AWA Series.

The AWA Whitetails Pro Series creates a competition where no deer are killed, but

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digital images from the scopes are evaluated by judges. Hunters take an image of the deer each time the trigger is pulled. The rifle is loaded with blanks, which trips the shutter.

“The moment the blank fires the scope takes a digital image of what you are looking at with the cross hairs on the photo,” Koch said. Scoring will be based on shot placement, the size of the antlers and the age of the animal.

Koch has recruited four other investors.

He declined to offer details other than to say the investment is in six figures.

In five years, Koch expects to have 200,000 members, with each paying a $25 annual membership fee.

Education is the goal for the next two months, Koch said.

“At our first event a year ago, about half of the competitors said they were not sure about the concept,” Koch said.

That was before they went out on the hunt.

“Deer hunters are the greatest. They are the salt of the earth. They are slow to accept things but once they see it they understand and become enthusiastic about it,” Koch said.

The event won over all of the hunters, Koch said.

“Out of the few guys who were negative to the idea, they all said they had a great time. They had fun,” Koch said.

Now, Koch’s job as he hits the road will be to generate interest among the rest of the deer hunting nation.

—Staff Report

Redfish Matagorda Bay

Kyle Mersinger, age 7, of San Antonio, caught this 38-inch redfish while fishing with his dad and papaw in Matagorda Bay. The red was caught on a Berkley Gulp! shrimp.

U.S. Hunter Numbers Greater Than Expected A NEW STUDY FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) carried out by Southwick Associates has found that the pool of American hunters is much T E X A S

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larger than previously thought. This discovery can lead to major conservation and economic benefits. If many "casual hunters" (hunters that do not purchase a hunting license on an annual basis) can be converted into annual license buyers, a major benefit would be realized.

This report estimates that 21.8 million Americans hunted at least once over the past five years. Previous estimates have shown over 14 million youth and adults hunt each year, but not all hunters take to the field every year. Conducted in partnership with 17 state wildlife agencies, the study assessed license sales patterns and found that 78 percent of the U.S. hunters who bought a license in a given year also purchased one again the following year. By examining purchasing patterns over multiple years, it was determined that for every two hunters in the field this year, one is taking the year off.

"Considering hunters' contribute over $1 billion every year to wildlife conservation via licenses and excise taxes, if half of the hunters who lapsed this year actually bought a license, conservation dollars would have increased by $97 million," reported Rob Southwick, President of Southwick Associates. "This estimate doesn't even include the extra dollars possible from increased hunters' excise taxes. Considering the limited government dollars allocated for wildlife and the tremendous impact hunters provide to rural communities, increased efforts to boost hunter numbers would make smart conservation and economic sense."

The NSSF study monitored license-buying patterns over multiple years, and produced demographics of various segments of the hunting community.

"We know there are many types of hunters with a wide range of interests. This study reveals who our hunters are beyond the usual demographic descriptions. We now have a better idea of hunters' regional purchasing habits, recreational choices and overall lifestyle preferences," said Jim Curcuruto, Director of Research and Analysis for NSSF. "The results will be used to strengthen existing hunting participation programs and develop new programs designed to convert the casual hunter into an annual license buyer. Savvy industry marketing and communications professionals will use these data to enhance their advertising efforts." |

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Chester’s Notes

by Chester Moore | TF&G Executive Editor

HRISTMAS 1986 WAS VERY SPECIAL FOR ME. My parents saved up and paid for three days of deer hunting on the Winkle Ranch in Llano County, which allowed me to take my first-ever deer, a young doe. I could not have been more excited, a record-book buck or not. At 12 years old, even seeing a deer was a big thing for me.

Something else happened that Christmas that taught me a lot about the value of time and thoughtfulness.

On Christmas Eve, we went to my grandmother's house to exchange gifts with her side of the family. When it was time to get mine from my Uncle Jackie and Aunt Brenda Moore, I was led out to the garage.

When I opened the door, a large livetrap was sitting on a table. As my eyes widened, my uncle said, "That's for you."

I had wanted a livetrap for some time, but the ones they sold at the feed store were small. They might have held a small raccoon or opossum, but this one was big enough to catch a bobcat or red fox. I was ecstatic!

The thing that hit me even at such a young age is that he would take so much time to make something just for me. My dad was always making things so I knew the kind of hard work it would take to put together something like this customized livetrap.

Twenty-five years later, thinking about it still puts a smile on my face.

One of the greatest gifts you can give a person is your time; spending it with them, or using your hands and ingenuity to create a special gift.

I know there are people reading this who can barely afford their mortgages, much less expensive electronic gadgets and other things

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The gift of time is not just for the economically disadvantaged. It is for everyone.

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high on most kids’ wish lists. My advice is to be honest with them and let them know the economic reality, but then follow it with an invitation to go on a special fishing trip or present them with their own custom built livetrap or something of the sort.

Kids crave our time.

Over the last couple of years, my wife Lisa and I have had the great privilege and honor of serving as volunteers in our church's children's ministry, and have seen this first hand.

Certain kids light up when you simply pat them on the head, say hello, and let them know you are glad they are there. And as much as it warms my heart to see them smile, it also breaks it.

If that little attention from someone they see for a few hours a week gives them that much joy, what are they missing at home? Most of our kids come from great, loving families, but some are dropped off as soon as the church doors open and picked up after the rest of the kids are already home. It goes without saying their home lives are lacking.

Giving the gift of time is not just for the economically disadvantaged, but for everyone. I have known several people that had plenty of money and went hunting and fishing all the time, but spent very little time with their kids.

Someone who logs 100 days on the water but only a few--if any--with their children does not impress me. That is not a passion for the outdoors, but the very definition of selfishness. If this is you, change course this T E X A S

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Christmas. Put your family in focus and see what real living is all about.

Forty years from now, when you are in ill health, those big bucks you shot are not going to matter much. But the time you spent with your children will mean everything, dictating what kind of relationship you have as they assume the role of caregivers.

I say these things not to judge but to offer inspiration--and to remind myself of life's true priorities.

Speaking of which, take time to make Christmas traditions. Explain to your children the reason for the season and that it truly is better to give than receive. Teach them to use their time to make a gift for someone less fortunate, or spend time with those in need during this very special time of year.

In my opinion, the reason our country is in the shape it is in now is because we lost priority and linked our happiness to money and possessions; when in reality, true gifts cannot be printed at a mint or sold on a store shelf.

I will close with one of my favorite Bible passages, one that explains this concept of giving our time and resources to help others: If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Actions really do speak louder than words, and whether we take our daughter fishing or build our nephew a livetrap like the one I was blessed with 25 years ago, we can rest assured time is the gift that keeps on giving.

E-mail Chester Moore at CMoore@fishgame.com.

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Doggett At Large

by Joe Doggett | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

Time and Trophies F MEMORY SERVES, THE 1968 WHITE-TAILED deer season opened the fourth of November.

It might as well have been the twelfth of Never. Such were my odds of going deer hunting.

I was a student at the University of Houston and, with several fraternity brothers, had access to dove and waterfowl dayhunts along the upper coast. But a deer hunt to South Texas or the Hill Country--or even the Pineywoods--represented a different league.

You had to have contacts to open the gate on a private ranch or a seasonal lease.

Money helped, too.

The situation changed during the fall of 1972, my first year as an outdoor writer with the Houston Chronicle. I bought my first center-fire rifle (a bolt-action chambered for .270 Winchester and fitted with a 4X scope) and went deer hunting.

My first buck was a forkhorn tagged on a chill, damp morning on a lease near Junction. The young buck looked as large as a royal elk as it stepped down a dry creek bed and paused about 75 yards from the box blind.

The first mature buck was tagged the next season--a solid eight-pointer from a ranch near Kerrville. I was really proud of that deer; I still have the "horn mount."

The Brush Country of South Texas beckoned. The aura was as strong then as now-but things were a lot different.

For starters, the average trophy-class buck was smaller, in both body weight and antler mass. Few ranches even in prime counties such as Webb, LaSalle, and Dimmit were high-fenced, and the concept of game management was just getting started. For sure, nobody was selectively breeding big deer.

Leases were much cheaper (even factor-

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ing inflation) and, size-wise, nobody much cared what you shot. Every now and then, word of a "book" Boone & Crockett 170-net buck would surface (usually through Leonel Garza's Freer-based El Muy Grande contest), but bucks grossing an honest 140 to 150 B&C were considered serious deer to most hunters.

In truth, not as much emphasis was placed on the B&C scoring format during the mid-70s. What most Brush Country hunters wanted was a "dark horned" 10pointer with a 20-inch beam spread--inside measurement, of course.

Spread was a big deal in South Texas.

"How wide is he?" was the refrain around pickup trucks and meat lockers. A thinhorned eight-pointer with stubby tines gained instant status with, say, a 22- or 23inch inside spread.

It took several years and various so-so 8's and young 10's before I got a shot at a legitimate Brush Country trophy. Sadly, I wounded and lost the buck--a terrible experience. The heavy 10 was crossing a long sendero, just stepping back into the brush, and I pulled the shot too far back.

The .270 became the unfortunate scapegoat for my lousy performance and, right or wrong, confidence in the rifle was undermined. The next season I upgraded to a 7mm Remington Magnum. I still like the concept of hitting hard with a big rifle and a heavy bullet on the big-bodied bucks of the Brush Country.

Of course, you must learn to shoot the harder-kicking caliber with accuracy and blah-blah-blah, but when the moment of a lifetime is there, I'll take a big gun over a little one every time. This especially is true on a quartering shot--and these sketchy angles are more common on wary Brush Country bucks than the beginner might think. You want penetration and blood for an easy recovery amid the thick stuff.

The 7 Mag took my first big-league buck.

The rut-juiced Webb County 10-pointer was angling across a root-plowed field at 175 yards. The 10-pointer grossed almost 160 B&C and netted 153. It lacked the coveted T E X A S

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spread, just shy of 17 inches inside, but boasted 24- and 26-inch beams and high, curving tines.

That rack would be mediocre measured against many of today's genetically spiked and carefully managed bucks, but back then, veteran hunters wearing dusty boots and salty hats actually came around for a look.

It was the real deal, a beautiful South Texas warlord, and the shoulder mount still rates a place of honor.

Over the next 15 or 20 years, I tagged a dozen or more fine bucks, but I'm not as hungry as I used to be. I still enjoy the experience of deer hunting, but I don't need another 140- or 150-class buck. Maybe that's a sign of maturing as a hunter.

I'd rather just absorb being there, perhaps shooting a "cull buck" or a management doe, and saving the routine trophy for the youngster or maybe the newcomer who would view it as I once did. Of course, all hardcore deer hunters still hope for "The One." I still dream of tagging a monster buck, a bona-fide book deer netting the magical 170.

Even a gross score would do. But I doubt it ever will happen. Deer are, for better or worse, a cash crop and the gates to recordbook whitetails simply are too rich for what my pocketbook is willing to pay.

I can live with that. It has always cost money to hunt big deer in Texas. The numbers were much less during late 60s, but the concept was the same. If you have the horsepower, go for it.

But I sort of miss the old days, when most of the fences were a lot lower and most of the leases were a lot cheaper, and all of the deer were pure products of the native land. And the biggest buck on the place was fair game under the glowing promise of the next sunrise.

E-mail Joe Doggett at JDoggett@fishgame.com

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Pike on the Edge

by Doug Pike | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

A Gander at Geese OURTEEN YEARS OF GUIDING WATERFOWL hunts on the prairie west of Houston generated plenty of outstanding memories, but there were mornings also on which the birds, figuratively and literally, left me holding an empty sack. This may be the winter in which I even the score.

Forecasts call for an exceptional percentage of juvenile light geese to find their way down the continent this season. That got me thinking, all the way back in September, about returning to the rice fields and soybean fields and hallowed, fallow ground on which I logged so many cold, muddy hours.

Many of those fields are gone, of course, or at the least unrecognizable as what they were. Agriculture has given way to architecture across much of the region in our unachievable quest to sate suburban sprawl.

With a little extra gas in the tank and a few more minutes on the road, however, anyone can—especially this winter—still find plenty of geese and plenty of ground.

As much as the landscape has changed since I last met handfuls of hopefuls over buffet breakfasts in crowded cafes, so have hunting methods. And if not for those changes—especially the introduction of ATVs for moving gear and people—I wouldn’t be so quick to jump. Tired knees and occasional backaches were sufficient most mornings to keep me from answering the gosh-awful alarms, from rolling another sack of wet rags onto my shoulders.

Instead, thanks to all-terrain transportation, all I’ve got to do now is slither into my waders and find a comfortable spot on the trailer between dog and decoys. That I can do, even on too little sleep, and still help set the decoys.

There’s much bending and stooping involved in setting a proper goose spread so

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that each decoy is placed in its proper place.

And once there is agreement that the spread is right, there is the arranging of hunters, and eyeing of “the line” to be sure all are well hidden within that sea of white and brown and gray and black.

At this writing, opening day of the current waterfowl season is less than 12 hours out. I will miss that kickoff, opting (wisely) instead to fulfill professional obligation behind a radio microphone. Somewhere between then and now, in all likelihood, I will have made at least a couple of goose hunts and made full effort to knock down every lawful bird within range.

I won’t mind swinging on gray-feathered juveniles, but I’ll take particular pleasure as always in singling out older birds. Mature snow geese—white birds with pitch-black wingtips or slate blue with snowy heads— are the smart ones. Averaging 8 years of age, they have experienced all that hunters could throw at them. The see decoys all the way down the flyway, and they see decoys all the T E X A S

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way back. They are migration-proven veterans fully capable of heaping a world of frustration on any hunter who doubts their searching eyes and tiny ears.

Under any clearer sky than heavy overcast, lesser snow geese can make one or three or five grown men—regardless of their experience—look downright silly. One overturned decoy in a spread of 500. A single missed note in a two-minute calling sequence. The glint of sunshine off an uncovered cheek or gun barrel. These and any of six dozen other seemingly insignificant “mistakes” can cause an older goose or geese suddenly to reverse its commitment and disappear within a few motivated wingbeats.

It’s unfair, I suppose, to blame the birds for blunders and shortcomings attributable to inexperienced hunters in my spreads. Or my own mistakes, which usually occurred within seconds after feeling over-confident.

Perhaps—probably—my rediscovered enthusiasm for goose hunting comes more from being away and simply missing it.

A small part of me wants to settle the tab for all those bluebird days, under light northeast wind, when geese west of Houston wouldn’t give a spread a second look. A bigger part, though, has forgotten the tough hunts and remembers vividly the ones on which more went right than wrong.

I crave the excitement, the rush that builds when one circling bird attracts six more, and they are suddenly followed by several dozen right over the gun barrels. So long as I’m dreaming, let’s put those geese at 25 or 30 yards, right about where a Texas goose hunter wants them. The shot pattern has opened enough to forgive a little swing error but hasn’t yet developed any bird-sized holes.

In a way, I sort of miss the cold and the mud, too. Especially now that I get to ride out and back on a 4-wheeler.

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Ted Nugent’s TexasWild

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

Archery for All N NUMEROUS ARTICLES I HAVE WRITTEN OVER the years, I have made the emphatic point how the mystical flight of the arrow has always turned me on, thrilled me, and cleansed my soul. Amazingly, more now than ever. Those of us who celebrate the discipline of archery simply cannot get enough. Archery as a physics of spirituality art form, and particularly the ultimate Zen of bowhunting, brings us so much joy and excitement as to be rather challenging to describe. Take my bright-eyed bushytailed word for it.

Not being one to want to keep such pleasurable pursuits of happiness to myself, and surely not one to simply complain without offering a solution, it is here and now that I will do all in my power to assist all parties so interested in joining the ranks of the bowhunter brotherhood.

I have witnessed so many potential archers ignore the basics, and then give it up after a brief, feeble attempt at flinging arrows hither and yon. With all due respect, do please pay close attention, as I am convinced that when pursued properly, bowhunting is indeed for everybody who loves to hunt, and archery for just plain everybody.

First and foremost, it will not come as easily or as quickly as firearms marksmanship or firearms hunting capability.

Compared to rifle hunting, bowhunting is downright difficult. Hence, the magical allure. The rewards of gratification are directly linked to the efforts expended.

The absolute ultimate introduction to the mystical flight of the arrow is best experienced with a lightweight traditional bow.

The Genesis youth bow also falls into this introductory category because of its natural archery feel and basically unlimited draw length capability. But lightweight draw, I say 30-40 pounds for grown men, 20-30 for

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kids and women, once again is the key so that the new archer, young, old, strong, weak, no matter what, will develop their natural hand eye coordination more naturally and smoothly with such graceful equipment.

Another important element, especially with a first bow, is to use properly spined arrows based on the archer’s draw length.

These arrows should be fletched with feather fletching, not plastic vanes so arrow flight off of a usually hard, unforgiving arrow rest will go where they are pointed instead of kicking off erratically in flight.

Of equal importance is to shoot at a good, safe backstop target like bales of hay or straw, at close range, say about 20 feet, not 20 yards to begin with. A simple paper plate to draw your natural focus is perfect.

Start without a bow sight, what is referred to as “bare bow” shooting. With the Apache draw of three fingers under the arrow, properly knocked on the string for center shot, draw back so that the string hand touches the face in the exact same spot every time. This anchor is critical for consistent accuracy, as the anchor represents the rear sight of your hand eye coordination sight picture.

Tutored by an experienced archer, slowly and patiently develop proper archery form, how to stand and address the target, how to look at the target from behind the bow and arrow, how to draw, anchor, release and follow through properly.

These critical basics will be the foundation for ultimate archery. Anything less, will be a hindrance.

Once your arrows group close together constantly at close range, back off in five step increments until you extend your range where your accuracy is solid. This is the test.

Do not expect to shoot accurately beyond 12-20 yards for a while. Be patient. It will come in time.

Rule One: Do not borrow a compound bow. This simple mistake has caused more people to get a woefully mistaken misunderstanding of archery basics and give up before they even get started. With the modern compound bow, personal fit and feel is a make it T E X A S

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or break it issue. You must get a bow that fits you to a T, with the proper draw length and comfortable, graceful draw weight.

I bet you that there are more bows gathering dust hanging up in Texas garages than anywhere in the world because so many borrowed a bow to give it a try.

Suffice it to say, that according to the world’s master bowmen, all agree that the draw length is critical, and that a slightly shorter than perfect draw length is still quite shootable, but a too long a draw length is literally anti-archery, and you will never know if you can shoot accurately or not.

Visit a qualified archery pro-shop and try as many different makes, models, poundage and draw lengths as possible, and discover the ultimate feel based on your own dimensions and physical properties. A little extra time choosing the best bow for you is more than worth it.

My pet peeve is the inexplicable phenomena where most archers purchase a bow that they have to lift above the line of sight to draw because someone sold them a bow that is too heavy of draw weight. It is The Curse of American archery. I have witnessed it so often I remain baffled.

And the most amazing part is that of the thousands of archery shops across the country, the vast majority of wannabe archers will not and cannot find a bow of the proper lightweight draw in order to actually get into the sport. Absolutely weird.

Stealth, grace, timing, and shot placement make venison. Know it, live it, enjoy it, and celebrate it.

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, A TEXAS COUNTY JUDGE, who happens to be a close friend, received numerous threats against his life and the lives of his family members. The judge had sentenced a repeat offender to jail time on more than one occasion, and career criminals tend to take that sort of thing personally. The police regarded the threats as credible, and the perpetrator as both slippery and intelligent.

The judge called me to ask my advice on concealed carry weapons. He was not a shooter, and owned only two guns: an ancient Mauser he had bought because it was cheap, and a sorely neglected .38 revolver he had taken as collateral on a loan.

Neither, he realized, was appropriate for his purposes. The Mauser was not concealable, and the .38 was undependable.

My friend asked me, "Can you recommend a small, cheap pistol, maybe a .380, that I could use to defend myself if this guy tries something?"

There are several serious problems with this question, and obviously, some education was in order. I think many people who are not familiar with firearms have been making similar queries of their gun-owning friends of late. Applications for concealed handgun permits are on the rise and, especially along our southern border, violence seems to be spilling into our everyday lives. America's crime rate continues to drop overall, probably because more people are realizing the police cannot protect them and they must defend themselves.

With record numbers of Texans applying for concealed carry permits, it stands to reason many of them could be first-time gun

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owners. And one of the most common mistakes new firearm buyers make when purchasing a weapon for self-defense is to spend too little. Our natural desire is to save money, like my friend the judge, but there are certain areas of our lives where spending more is usually a better idea, and this is one of them.

This does not mean you have to break the bank, but it's a good idea to buy as much gun as you can afford. The way I put it to the judge was: "If you decide to rappel from a 500-foot cliff, will you go to REI and ask for the cheapest rope they have?" When our lives depend on our equipment, we should have the best we can afford, even if it means doing without something else. After all, a wide-screen television is nice, but it's not easy to shoot a would-be rapist with one.

Another problem with my friend's question is the issue of size.

Smaller is definitely more concealable, but more concealable does not necessarily mean better. And once a gun is concealable, it will do. For some, a too-small pistol may be more difficult to control, and “gun control” is an absolute must in a gunfight.

My favorite carry weapon is a 1911 .45 ACP. I have two, a Smith & Wesson with a 4-1/4-inch barrel, and a Kimber with a 4inch barrel. Neither is necessarily diminutive, but they are both easily concealable under a shirt. The single-stack 1911 magazine makes for a narrow grip that fits my hands very well, and makes the gun easier to control. I like both these pistols so much that, if I absolutely had to sell one of them, I T E X A S

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would probably open bidding on a kidney.

Another issue my friend's question raises is that of caliber. His impression was that a .380 might be adequate for his protection, but he was probably thinking the diminutive cartridge would mean a lower sticker price, which is not necessarily the case. I recommended, at minimum, a .38 revolver, and that with the caveat that he keep it loaded with +P ammo made for inflicting maximum damage, such as Federal Hydra-Shok JHPs. Bigger is definitely better if the time ever comes when your gun is needed to protect you or a loved one. Remember the Texas Ranger who, when asked why he carried a .45, said, "Because they don't make a .46."

If a .380 will do the job, a .357 will do the job better.

Anyone who plans to carry a weapon for self-defense must practice enough with it to be proficient, but for those whose range time will be limited, a factor to consider is ease of use. The more doo-dads, wing-dings, and whatzits there are on a gun, the harder it is to learn to use, and the less likely the new shooter will be to remember how to make it go bang!, especially under stressful circumstances.

My judge friend decided on a hammerless Smith & Wesson Airweight 5-shot .38 revolver, which is about as simple as it gets.

He carries it constantly in his trousers pocket, and usually forgets he has it. If he ever needs it, there it will be, unlike a bigger, heavier gun that might get left at home for convenience.

Choosing the right gun for concealed carry might not be quick or easy, but the process can be enlightening and enjoyable.

The most important choice, however, is the one we make when we decide not to be a victim.

E-mail Kendal Hemphill at KHemphill@fishgame.com.

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SOME HUNTERS OBSESS ABOUT taking a white-tail buck with wide spread, tall tines, and an almost symmetrically perfect rack without any noticeable difference between the left and right sides. Their ultimate goal is to put a beautiful, huge, clean typical buck on the wall, or better yet in the record books. I’m not one of them. I want to shoot something that looks like it has been drinking out of the cooling ponds of a nuclear power plant. My ideal buck will look like the offspring of an angus bull and a live oak tree with a massive body and gnarly antlers that have points sticking in every direction. The real coup de grace would be a monster buck with multiple drop tines that look like a collection of steak knives hanging down on each side of its head.

These kinds of bucks are rare, living up to their moniker of non-typical, which means that there is something different about them that set them apart from all the other bucks in the woods. Exactly what causes their antler deformations is different for every buck but can be categorized into one of three groups, genetics, long or short term bodily injury, or damage to the antler itself during the growth process.

In the case of what we would consider a standard drop-tine buck, which has a typical frame with a drop coming off the main beam, genetics may play the largest role in causing the drop. Think of it this way, if your parents are both seven feet tall there is a good chance you will in turn be tall. This is called a heritable trait (big word of the day) which is something passed down from parent to offspring. Antler width, tine length, main beam length, and the propensity for drop tines are all heritable traits. This is why deer breeders choose bucks with certain antler characteristics to use as sires for their herds.

However, out here in the real world where we hunt deer that aren’t behind fences and breeding is done by natural selection the question is if we do have a drop tine buck in our hunting area what are the odds that it will pass along those characteristics to the rest of the herd? Sadly enough the answer is it’s not very likely based on statistics.

If you have a balanced deer herd with a two to one doe to buck ratio then the odds are that each buck will breed two does annually on average (some three, others one, but we’re going to work with the average of two).

That’s it. The big monster drop-tine buck will only pass along his genes to two fawns a year. But wait, it gets worse. Making the 22 |

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same assumption of a two to one doe to buck ratio, and a herd population that remains relatively constant, this same buck will only have three fawns that survive to maturity (one to

g e t that large by eating natural browse. They have the feed poured to them by the truck load. The

replace it because it will eventually die and two to replace two does) So only three deer will be passed along the trait of drop tines, and even then if the doe involved doesn’t have any genes for producing drop tines then there is even less of a chance the offspring will have any. So banking on one T E X A S

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Keep in mind that these traits are passed along from the parents but are affected quite a bit by age and nutrition.

Big bucks behind fences don’t

The author’s ideal trophy buck: a cross between an angus bull and a gnarly live oak tree.

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makes the drop tines these bucks would grow naturally longer and thicker. Think of it this way, Nolan Ryan was given the genetics to throw 100 mph from his parents but had he been malnourished he never would have lived up to his potential. The same goes for deer. If range conditions are less than optimum it is less likely a buck with the genetics to grow drop tines will actually do so.

As far as age is concerned, the older a buck becomes the more likely he will grow drop tines if genetically predisposed. Young bucks use the nutrition they receive to grow body structure (bone and muscle) not antlers. After a buck hits four years old it puts less nutrition into building body structure and more into antler development, meaning that it has a better chance of growing drops if it is genetically inclined to do so.

The less traditional drop tine is one caused by an injury to the antlers while they are in velvet. About 15 years ago I was on stand late in the season, like last day of the

The characteristic drop tine of a non-typical antler spread adds a degree of unique majesty.

season late, and I still Poetic Asymetry hadn’t shot anything. Not holding out much hope for filling my tag I looked across the frozen hay meadow and saw what looked like a moose wearing a rocking chair on its head. The grizzled old buck was cutting the corner of the field trying to get to his bedding area before the sun got all the way up; he just chose to do it on the wrong day. One shot from my .270 put him down and as I walked up to him I could see his left main beam was severely deformed. The main beam started out normal with a brow tine and G2 then it made a hard turn south, not a true drop tine but a deformation that could have lead to one.

This buck did not start out growing a non-typical antler but bumped his rack hard against something while still in velvet turning what had initially been a normal main beam into a mangled wreck. Had the buck made T E X A S

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it through the season it would have developed a normal rack the next year.

The other way a buck might grow a drop tine is through an injury to its body, either long term, or during the antler growth process. Many documented cases have shown that an injury to a hind leg will cause a deformation on the antler on the opposite side of the deer’s head. (a left rear leg injury will cause the right antler to be deformed).

If the injury is a one time affair (like a break) it may only cause the deformation one time.

If it is a life-long injury (like amputation) the buck will grow a deformed antler every year.

A true monster drop tine buck roaming around the woods is a rarity, and those of you who have one on the wall should feel privileged because there are a lot of out there still looking for ours.

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BUILDING AND SINKING BRUSH piles to attract crappie is definitely no piece of cake. It’s hard work. The type that will make brows sweat, muscles ache and consume vast amounts of spare time. But rest assured, the fruits to be reaped from the drill can be well worth it for anglers who are willing to put forth the effort to do it right.

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Brush piles are to crappie what 24-hour Mexican food joints are to after hours honkey tonk crowds.

Build one at a favorable location and chances are pretty good you’ll pack the house.

Perhaps no one is more familiar with this alluring labor of love than Stephen Johnston of Hemphill. Johnston works full-time as a fishing guide on Toledo Bend Reservoir. He is also a crackerjack bass pro with a passel of Top 10 tournament finishes wins under his

belt.

The 40-year old guide has been building “fish hotels” on his home lake for more than two decades now. Like many in his profession, he was quick to admit that brush piles play a huge role in his ability to consistently keep his crappie fishing clientele happy.

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fish to one specific spot,” he said. “Without it the fish would really scatter out and you would have to hunt and peck to find them.

Brush helps take the guesswork out of it. It is pretty much a guaranteed catch so long as the weather is right.”

The crappie’s attraction to brush comes natural. In addition to providing the fish with cover, brush serves as a foundation for the formation of zooplankton and other microorganisms on which shad, minnows and other bait fish feed. Once the bait shows up, the crappie usually won’t be far behind.

As earlier mentioned, constructing fish hotels is a demanding chore that means hard work and dirty hands. It also calls for a little ingenuity on the builder’s part when it comes to selecting materials, putting them together, choosing a location and securing the goods to bottom in a way that they will last for the long haul.

In the segments that follow, Johnston

takes TF&G readers step-by-step through the process of building and sinking a brush pile for crappie:

ally repels fish instead of attracting them.

Christmas trees are an excellent choice.

These should be readily available on street corners everywhere after Dec. 25. Check the ritzy neighborhoods first. Often times that’s where the taller trees will be. It might be wise to check with retail outlets, too. Unsold surplus can usually be purchased for next to nothing.

“The only problem I have with Christmas trees is the limbs are so thick the fish can’t get in them good,” Johnston said.

“Be sure to prune some limbs to create some cavities so the crappie can get inside.”

Johnston’s favorite trees include willows and sweet gums. When using willows, he will pluck a few limbs off several individual trees and bond them together as opposed to axing an entire tree. That way he doesn’t exhaust his stock. Sweet gums can be be diced into sections or utilized whole if the water depth is sufficient.

Toledo Bend crappie guide Stephen Johnston is an expert on the placement and construction of brushpiles.

Brushpile Builder Material Selection Johnston says crappie will gravitate to The guide said it is important to check just about any type of brush, provided it’s with local authorities and/or property owners not cedar or pine. The guide believes those before cutting any trees along the shores of a trees displace a funk into the water that actu- public reservoir. In many cases it is illegal. “I T E X A S

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When weighting trees, use something heavy enough to sink it and hold it in place in turbulent conditions. It takes about 100 pounds to secure an 8X15 tree.

Cinder blocks and buckets of concrete will work, but this can get expensive when sinking multiple brush piles. Johnson says woven polypropylene sandbags equipped with ties are a much cheaper alternative.

He fills the bags for free using sand from the shoreline, then cuts a hole in both sides before tying them shut. He loops a secondary rope through the holes, which is used for securing the bag to tree base.

Johnston uses one-liter Coke bottles or milk jugs to float the top. He attaches them to the crown using zip ties.

“Ideally, you should have everything except the weight attached before the boat ever leaves the bank,” Johnston said. “It’s a lot easier that way.”

Pulling Maintenance Brush will rot in time. For that reason, Johnston will re-brush his most productive spots once a year. “I’m always careful to drop the new brush right in the middle of the old stuff,” he explained. “Otherwise, the brush it will spread out too far and the fish won’t group up as well.”

Crappie are naturally drawn to submerged brush, for the cover and for the bait that is also attracted to the structure.

Structure Lovers get all my trees off of a friend’s private property and haul them to the lake,” Johnston said. “That’s the neat thing about Christmas trees. In a few weeks they will be laying around everywhere.”

Store bought or homemade fish trees constructed from scrap plastic and PVC are viable alternative for those who may not be physically able cut and sink cumbersome brush.

Size Matters Johnston likes small piles over big ones.

Anything larger than 8-10 feet in diameter can cause the fish scatter out too much.

The ideal height hinges on the depth of the water. The best depth range can vary

from one lake to the next, according to the season of the year and water level.

On Toledo Bend, Johnston likes his piles situated at depth ranges from 2032 feet. He usually prefers to have 10-15 foot window between the top of the brush and the surface.

“For springtime fishing you’ll want brush in shallower water, say 10 feet deep,” he said. “I’d use a five-foot tall tree for that, so the fish can get on top of it.”

Erecting A Home The best brush piles for crappie are those that stand vertical. Trees must be weighted at the bottom and equipped with some type of float on top to accomplish this stance. Christmas tree sets or willow limbs should be snugged tight at the base using nylon rope.

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Location, Location, Location Submerged points, humps and ridges are great places to sink brush. However, they also are among the most obvious, which means they probably won’t be secret for very long. Johnston likes to sink his piles in creeksbeds, usually in S-bends, in areas where hydrilla is not overly abundant. Each spot is marked GPS for future reference.

It is interesting to note that just because a spot looks good does not mean it will attract fish. On average, Johnston said about one in four brush piles will become a reliable fishing hole.

“Sinking brush piles is trial and error,” he said. “It’s sort of like street corner convenience stores. One store might not see much traffic at all, whereas another one located a mile down the road might stay covered up with business all the time.”

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BY CHESTER MOORE PHOTOS: FISH, CHOICE GRAPHX, ISTOCK; DUCK, VERNERF, DREAMSTIME

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IN TODAY’S WORLD OF SPECIALIZED news coverage and increasing threats to all of our natural resources, we tend to think about conservation efforts as having a singular aim. However, in most cases many species benefit and in the case of coastal habitat conservation what helps scaled creatures also benefits those with feathers and vice versa.

The Lower Neches Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a fine case in point.

I grew up fishing this area before it was under control of the state and saw it go from a thriving marsh to a series of open lakes intersected by chunks of marsh, particularly on the western side of the unit. During that time, the fishing declined and so did the waterfowl hunting. What was once heaven for gadwalls with acres of widgeon grass became mud flats as saltwater intruded the area.

Like many spots on the coast, channelization had allowed saltwater to intrude into these marshes and turn what was once brackish into an unproductive, dying salt marsh.

Now, you are probably thinking “salt marsh” and saltwater fish go hand in hand.

Well, not necessarily. In many areas, ideal estuary habitat for fish, crabs and shrimp is actually brackish leaning toward freshwater.

“One of the things people have to realize is that good marsh is not always super salty, and species like redfish thrive in brackish marsh that can sustain good vegetation.

When the Intracoastal Canal was put in and a lot of these areas had channels cut for various things it degraded the habitat for species like redfish and also for ducks,” said the late Ed Holder, a respected outdoor writer and avid redfish angler and duck hunter.

Holder was my mentor and when he first took me under his wing, he took me into the back of the Keith Lake chain where the McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and J.D. Murphree WMA intersect to drive home this point.

On that day, we were able to sight cast to redfish in shallow water that were swimming next to largemouth bass.

“People get the idea that redfish have to be in this super salty water but healthy marshes are just not that way. And this is really good duck country in here,” he said.

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up a series of saltwater barriers at the Lower Neches WMA. At first, the response from local anglers was not good.

“TPWD just wants to coddle the ducks.”

for fish and ducks and the very saltwater barrier that people complain about became the favorite fishing hole in the area.

A few years later, Ducks Unlimited (DU) worked with TPWD on a program to

Coastal habitat conservation efforts aimed at ducks benefit multiple species, including those with scales and fins.

“They are going to ruin the fishing.”

What’s Good for the Waterfowl...

However, it did not take long for the anglers to realize the fishing did not create grass terraces in that marsh to halt decline, it got better. The marsh began to erosion. That combined with the saltwater come alive with all kinds of vegetation good barriers turned the marsh into a haven for T E X A S

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waterfowl. Last year just before the second split of the duck season opened I stopped along the side of Highway 87 to do a rough duck count. I stopped counting at around 300 and that was only in one section of the marsh.

“The projects that we do along the coast are certainly designed to help ducks but there is a real benefit to everything from redfish to speckled trout and blue crabs in many of them. Good coastal waterfowl habitat in most cases is good coastal fishing habitat,” said David Schuessler with DU. Often times these habitat needs will meet in a single, politically charged issue and that was the case with interbasin water transfer.

Officials with the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) believed it would cause serious damage to estuaries by reducing crucial freshwater inflows and that is exactly what waterfowlers feared would happen. At times, there have been conflicts between waterfowlers and anglers even within state and federal bureaucracies but in most cases habitat conservation is mutually beneficial.

A fine example is the seagrass conservation initiatives forwarded by TPWD recent-

ly for the Redfish Bay complex.

“Seagrass meadow supplies everything that many marine organisms need. It provides food for grazing animals at the base of the food chain, surfaces to cling on for small crawling critters, shelter and hiding places for small invertebrates and fish, and ambush points for the larger predators and game fish.

For them it’s the nursery, the roof over their heads and the grocery store all rolled into one,” TPWD officials said.

Duck hunters know that seagrass is an important factor in the wintering of duck species on the Middle and Lower Texas coasts.

“The grass is our bread and butter and what keeps us in ducks when other places don’t have them,” said Keith Walberg of Port Aransas, TX. For redheads, it is even more important than that as the Texas coast winters 80 percent of the continent’s population.

“The Laguna Madre de Tamaulipas, just south of the delta of the Rio Grande, is an integral part of the winter life-support system of redheads. In most years, more redheads overwinter in Texas than Mexico;

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however, in years of drought in Texas, more ducks continue south into Mexico,” said Christopher P. Onuf of the National Biological Service in a paper on the importance of seagrass.

“The large geographic extent of available habitat apparently buffers the population by increasing the probability that suitable conditions prevail somewhere in the system every year.”

Onuf wrote that Mexico is pushing for the extension of the Intracoastal Waterway into Mexican Laguna territory.

“In all likelihood, this development will reduce the support capacity of the Laguna in Mexico for redheads, further increasing the reliance of the ducks on the laguna in Texas.”

And that will make the projects being conducted by groups like DU and CCA even more important to not only redheads, but the fish they share their habitat with.

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GREEN

Big Lake Blues A NEW BAYLOR UNIVERSITY STUDY HAS FOUND BIG RESERVOIRS WITH LARGE SURFACE AREAS PROVIDE OPTIMUM CONDITIONS FOR BLUE

PHOTO: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The Color Purple PAINTING WIND TURBINES PURPLE COULD HELP CUT THE NUMBER OF BIRDS AND BATS KILLED BY FLYING INTO THEM, NEW RESEARCH CLAIMS. Birds and bats are attracted to insects that collect around the turbines, and scientists from Loughborough University, Great Britain, have discovered different colored turbines are more or less likely to attract bugs.

Currently, the vast majority of wind turbines are painted either white or light grey, and only the color yellow is more attractive to insects.

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insects than any of the other color tested, suggesting turbines that color would stop flying animals from hitting them.

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TPWD stocking records indicate more than 10 million catfish stocked in reservoirs since 1993, some producing established fisheries, others failing to produce established populations.

Researchers sampled 30 reservoirs across Texas and compared blue catfish abundance, condition, and natural reproduction with multiple physicochemical and biological variables at each reservoir.

The study found environmental factors such as surface area of the lake, climate, and nutrients influence blue catfish populations. Surface area and nutrients showed the most influence, but the correct combination of the two provides optimal conditions for blue catfish to thrive.

The combination of high nutrient productivity of phosphorus and chlorophyll in large reservoirs provides optimum conditions to support blue catfish populations.

Reservoirs that showed no evidence of catfish reproduction had relatively very small surface areas.

—Staff Report TG

PHOTO: USFWS

CATFISH REPRODUCTION AND SURVIVABILITY.

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PHOTO: COURTESY TIFFANY WOODS

Stocking the Snookery A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THAT INCLUDES TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY IS LOOKING TO DEVELOP SNOOK AQUACULTURE WITH AN EYE TO PROVIDING MARKET FISH AND RESTOCKING WILD POPULATIONS. Scientists at the Autonomous Juarez University of Tabasco in Mexico are trying to use wild fish as a broodstock to crank out juveniles in captivity. The university aims to sell young snook to fishermenturned-fish farmers as a way to relieve fishing pressure on wild stocks. It also hopes to sell them to the government to release into coastal lagoons and rivers.

“We need to increase the population in the wild. They're overfished. There has also been a lot of habitat degradation from cutting down mangroves and from oil refineries and wells,” said Kevin Fitzsimmons, a professor at the University of Arizona and former president of the World Aquaculture Society.

Snook, robalo in Spanish, are highly overfished in Mexico.

“In Texas there's anecdotal evidence that they're making a comeback,” said Reynaldo Patino, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit leader at Texas Tech.

—Staff Report TG

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GREEN Planted vs. Unplanted Wetlands ESEARCHERS AT OHIO STATE HAVE BEEN comparing the behavior of two experimental marshes on the campus, one that was planted in 1994 with wetland vegetation and another that was left to colonize plant and animal life on its own. The 2.5-acre marshes are part of the Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, a 30-acre complex that functions as a “living laboratory” in ecological science.

After year 15, the two wetlands contained nearly the same number of plant species, and their rates of retaining phosphorus and nitrates — nutrients that can become potential water contaminants — were almost identical. Both wetlands also hold carbon in their soil, with this function increasing steadily over the years.

Plant productivity and greenhouse gas emissions were two ways in which the wetlands differed at this stage in their lives: The naturally developing wetland produced more plant biomass and emits more of the greenhouse gas methane, the latter because it contains more decayed organic material from the higher biomass production. Bacteria that produce methane during that decaying process cause wetlands to release the gas into the atmosphere.

“These experimental wetlands have enabled us to start new ecosystems from scratch. You don't get to do that very often,” said William Mitsch, an environ-

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Continued from page 32 growing over the phenomenon of avian and bat mortality at wind turbine installations.

“The finding that the common turbine colors white and light grey were amongst the most attractive colors to insects, independent of time of day, is of significant importance.

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ment and natural resources professor at Ohio State and director of the wetland research park.

Often called the “kidneys” of the environment, wetlands act as buffer zones between land and waterways. In addition to absorbing carbon and holding onto it for years — a process called sequestration — wetlands filter out chemicals in water that runs off from farm fields, roads, parking lots and other surfaces.

When the two experimental wetlands were created in 1994, researchers planted 13 common wetland species in one marsh and left the other to develop as a natural wetland. Water from the nearby Olentangy River has been continually pumped into both marshes at rates to mimic water flow in a freshwater river wetland setting.

Within five years, both wetlands contained almost 100 different species each, and that plant diversity was maintained through the study period's end in 2008.

By 1998, the planted wetland hosted 96 species and the naturally developing marsh was home to 87 species. Those numbers increased to 101 and 97 species, respectively, by 2008.

Seven dominant plant types were growing in year 15 in the created wetland: burreed, a variety of cattails, river bulrush and softstem bulrush, American lotus, sago pondweed and rice cutgrass. The three dominant plant types in the natural wetland

“Insects attracted to a turbine mast and rotor present a foraging opportunity to local insectivores, and thus this is likely to greatly increase the time spent in the vicinity of the turbine, which in turn increases the risk of fatal interaction with operational rotors.”

—Staff Report TG

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at year 15 were the rice cutgrass, softstem bulrush and cattails.

“The naturally developing wetland was more powerful, the planted wetland still slightly more diverse,” Mitsch said.

Even with that growth, Mitsch calls the wetlands “unfinished.”

“I foresee that they will become more and more tree-like every year,” Mitsch said.

“We've got forest developing on the edges.

We think they will be much more dominated by woody vegetation in 50 years.”

The researchers have predicted that both wetlands' ability to sequester carbon in their soil will increase at a steady pace through year 50. At the 15-year mark, these two wetlands were sequestering carbon about 40 percent faster than was a similar reference natural wetland — 200 grams of carbon per square meter per year vs. 140 grams of carbon per square meter per year. This could be because of the high biomass production in the created wetlands, Mitsch said.

Though almost all freshwater wetlands are known to release methane, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere, Mitsch asserts that wetlands are valuable carbon dioxide sinks and that more than compensates for the methane emissions. Methane oxidizes in the atmosphere while carbon dioxide does not, tipping the balance of value for protection against greenhouse gases in favor of wetlands because of their carbon storage capacity, he said.

“I think wetlands' value as carbon sinks is gigantic, but it is still under-appreciated,” Mitsch said.

Phosphorus is problematic in inland freshwater systems, where, in excess, it can stimulate the growth of algae. The experimental wetlands at Ohio State started strong at retaining phosphorus, but the retention rate has declined over time, from 60 percent to 10 percent over the course of the 15 years of study.

For nitrates, which can lead to algae blooms and kill some fish species in coastal waters, the rate of retention in the wetlands has decreased some from the early years but remains consistent, from about 35 percent to 25 percent.

—Staff Report TG

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Texas Freshwater

by Matt Williams| TF&G Freshwater Editor

Ethical or Not? HEN IT COMES TO FISHING AND fishermen, some things just fray my line.

I hate it when a tournament angler constantly digs for ways to bend the rules, or snoops around looking for loopholes to exploit voids in the system. While some might call it fishing smart, experience has taught me that once an angler goes down that trail there is a good chance a rocky ending is in store. Eventually, he might even cross a line that can tarnish a reputation for life.

Equally annoying is the potlicker who purposely shadows a fishing guide with the sole intention of learning his sweet spots so he can hammer the fish therein when the guide is not around. Or the loser who hedges in on another angler's fishing spot the second he sees someone catch a fish. In bass fishing arenas, we call this running the "bent pole pattern."

Not everyone may see things the same as me, but that's all right. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and fishermen can be among the most opinionated, bullheaded souls in the crowd.

What follows are a few more fishing scenarios that are sure to stoke some fires on both sides of the fence. What's your opinion? Ethical or not? We want to know.

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- Let's say a crappie fishing guide spends hours cutting brush, hauling it to the lake, and securing it to bottom at a strategic location for the sole purpose of creating a personal honey hole.

The guide takes a group of clients to the spot one morning, only to discover it is no longer a secret. Another boat is camped over the brush pile and its occupants are catching fish one after another. Rage sets in and the PHOTO CREDIT: FOTOLIA

guide proceeds to give the anglers a tonguelashing for fishing "his" spot without permission.

While it is easy to understand the guide's grief, in no way does he have the right to aggressively defend the spot as his own. In fact, doing so could be interpreted as angler harassment in the eyes of the law, which could result in a fine and/or jail time if the other party decides to press charges.

Here's the deal: Once a brush top leaves a boat deck and goes into public water, it automatically becomes community property.

It is sort of like building a permanent duck blind in a Texas saltwater bay. Exclusivity does not exist. Anyone can use it.

process, introduces him to some of his best spots.

Unbeknownst to the fishing guide, the client is packing a handheld GPS. He secretly marks each location so he can return later.

A year later, the client and guide separately enter the same bass tournament. The client gets the earliest boat draw of the two, beats the pro to his very best hole, and eventually wins the tournament there. Dirty pool or not?

- It is early spring and a group of bass anglers pays a visit to a public reservoir, where they experience what turns out to be a magical day. Together they hook and land

Such confrontations among anglers have become commonplace on lakes Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend these days, largely due to the advent of side-imaging and down-scan sonar technology introduced by Humminbird and Lowrance. If there are any secrets out there, they probably will not remain that way for long.

Now, ask yourself these two questions: If you accidentally stumbled across a brush pile that you didn't construct, would you fish it? What would your reaction be if you were approached by an angler who claims he did the dirty work and politely asked you to leave?

- A weekend bass angler hires a fishing guide/tournament pro for a day trip on his home water. As he should, the guide does his best to put the client on fish and, in the

nearly a dozen trophy-class fish. Among them are several bass weighing upwards of 8 pounds.

While most of the fish are released, they elect to retain nearly a half-dozen of the biggest bass so they can be stocked into a private pond. While no laws were broken in the process, most fisheries scientists will agree that such exploitation could take a serious toll on a fragile trophy fishery, especially if repeated multiple times.

What's your take?

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ONE OF THE CASUALTIES OF THE COASTAL CONSERVATION movement is the family fish fry.

As regulations got tighter, bag limits smaller, and stringers shorter, coastal fish fries replaced American alligators and brown pelicans on the endangered species list. Fish fries, where good food and tall tales are mixed with good company, are an important part of angling heritage.

The problem is keeping enough fish legally to feed a large gathering of people.

Winter whiting are a tasty solution to this problem.

Whiting are members of the drum family, making them relatives to speckled trout, redfish, black drum, and croaker. It is no wonder that they taste so good. Whiting is actually the common name for a kingfish, which causes a lot of confusion as king mackerel on the Texas coast are also called kingfish. The gulf kingfish (Menticirrhus littoralis) and the southern kingfish (Menticirrhus americanus) are both sleek fish with a humped back and sharply tapered snout. Their under-slung mouth is small and designed for taking their meals on the bottom. The gulf kingfish is primarily silvery-gray while the southern kingfish is dusky brown, with splotches of color that become very vibrant when the fish is excited. Kingfish enjoy a number of common names, with whiting the most popular on the Texas coast.

Although whiting inhabit all of Texas’ major bay systems, they are abundant in the surf. There isn’t a wealth of scientific literature on whiting but one study utilizing a towed shrimp trawl along the beach revealed that whiting were found in coastal waters less than 5 meters to 27 meters in depth, with the majority of fish captured nearer the beach.

Whiting favor areas scientists describe as “high energy”, such as sand bars with waves crashing over them. When a wave washes across a bar, the moving water scours the bottom and dislodges crabs, crustaceans, and marine worms hidden in the top inch of sediment. Whiting station themselves in the trough behind the bar and rush in after the wave has passed to eat the dislodged marine organisms.

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many species abandon the surf and drop back into deeper water or migrate to different regions. Fortunately, whiting never leave the surf making them an ideal target of opportunity during the winter.

If there is one knock against whiting it is their size. They are a small fish, with most adults ranging in size from 10 – 16 inches.

The current state record for the gulf kingfish weighed just 2.3 pounds and southern kingfish weighed 3.6 pounds.

What whiting lack in size they make up in attitude. They don’t tap at a bait, they smash it. Since whiting only have precious seconds between the wash of one wave and the next to scope out dislodged invertebrates on the bottom, they don’t have the luxury of eyeballing potential meals. When they spot something to eat, they take decided action.

Tackle requirements are as basic as it gets: Whatever rod and reel you have will work fine. Trout tackle is a good option.

Limber surf rods are also good, providing the angler added casting distance. If you have more than one rod in your quiver, choose a long rod with a limber tip and a reel spooled with light line.

Terminal tackle needed to take whiting is also very basic; a simple bottom rig with one or two droppers. There is no need for steel leaders adorned with gaudy, fluorescent beads. Instead, fold a short length of 20pound test in half, tie an overhand knot in the doubled line to form a loop you can tie your main line to, and then attach a hook to one tag and a sinker to the other.

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ation. I personally favor single hooks, such as VMC flounder hooks, as they are just the right size and easy to pluck from your catch.

Whiting are not picky eaters and a wide variety of baits appeal to them. Live shrimp will work but the added expense and the hassle of keeping it alive doesn’t pay substantial dividends. Dead shrimp is cheaper, easier to transport, and just as effective. Squid is another good option and is much more resilient, standing up nicely to repeated pecks.

On my last whiting trip I enjoyed good success soaking Fish’NStrips from Fishbites.

The man-made baits come packaged in a small plastic bag which is just the right size to tuck into a shirt pocket – not something I would advise doing with dead shrimp. The foam-like strips come in different scents and are quite rugged when they are impaled on a hook.

Targeting the second and third bar in the surf will increase your chances of success when fishing for whiting. A comfortable set of chest waders will allow you to wade into shin-deep water to cast, as well as keep you warm in a whipping, winter wind. Piers extending into the surf, rock groins, and jetties are other good ambush spots should you prefer not to wade.

Whiting and Atlantic croaker are two species which have historically made up a large percentage of the bycatch found in shrimp trawls. Over the last decade the number of shrimping licenses have been reduced through TPWD’s buyback program. In addition, shrimp trawls are now required to be outfitted with bycatch reduction devices.

The results of these two initiatives appear to be positive. TPWD’s latest gill net studies reveal a significant increase of whiting and croaker captured in their nets, which is good news for the overall health of our bays.

Whiting are definitely an underutilized resource, considered by some to be trash fish rather than skillet stinkers. Just one taste of a crispy fried whiting fillet will convert the all but stubbornest neigh-sayer.

Since there are no size and bag limits on whiting, an angler can make a responsible harvest and come away with enough fillets for a fish fry without hurting the resource.

Whiting can be caught year round but are readily available in the surf during chilly months. When your seafood itch needs scratching during the winter, whiting are a delectable answer.

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Texas Saltwater

by Calixto Gonzales | TF&G Saltwater Editor

Deep Thinking HE GREAT THING ABOUT TEXAS IS THAT, most of the time, even winter weather is stable. Cold fronts blow down every couple of weeks and dip temperatures into the frigid 40's or 50''s for a couple days, and then ease back into the 70's. The fish respond accordingly, getting a brief case of the blehs for the duration of the cold front, and then they get back to feeding. However, sometimes, a serious cold snap turns weather colder than the usual winter fare, and water temperatures will dip down below 60 degrees. When that happens, cold-blooded trout will abandon their shallow water haunts and seek the warmer, more comfortable environment of deeper water.

Fishermen being fishermen, most of us are willing to brave 50, 40, even high-30 degree weather to wet a line, especially if we've had a trip to the coast planned for quite some time. Our wives will stay buried under the warm, soft blankets and mumble that we're crazy, and our dogs won't even get up and follow us to the kitchen, but we'll grab rods and tackle box, hitch up the boat and make the run to the coast. The only thing that will keep us in bed is a howling north wind. No one will buck that (well, some will, but those people are truly in need of advice).

If you are among the happy few that will brave drizzle, even rain, and cold temperatures to have a shot at some trout, there are plenty of deep water spots to turn your attention to, and some of them are not very far from most popular boat ramps up and down the coast. These spots hold some good numbers of fish and can make you forget about the miserable conditions in a hurry.

One spot that anglers that want to consider is a boat turning-basin. The deep water of a turning basin is a major fish magnet after a serious cold snap, and can offer some excel-

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lent fishing. Speckled trout will hold along the drop-offs near the shoreline, or in the deepest point if the weather is particularly cold. A depth finder can be very useful here, because it will pinpoint the depth break.

Some anglers prefer anchoring in the shallows and casting out towards the drop-off, but I've been more successful setting up in deeper water and casting up to the edge and easing the bait or lure into the drop-off. The windward side seems to be more productive, but I've found fish all over a turning basin after a norther has blown through my fishing grounds.

Tackle and techniques are relatively simple. A live shrimp on a #1/0 Octopus 14 inches below a #3 split shot will present a very natural offering that a trout won't pass up. Let the bait fall along the edge on a semi-slack line. When you feel a bump or see the line jump, ease the rod up until the line comes tight, and you're hooked up. Faux shrimp, such as the 1/4 ounce DOA Shrimp or the Gulp! 3" Shrimp are good choices too. Fish them the same way as you would live bait.

Another good cold-water trout spot is the Intra-coastal waterway, which wends its way along the Texas Coast and is a deep-water haven for cold-shocked fish. The drop-offs along the inner channel edges and the points have structure that trout aggregate around in cooler weather. The same techniques work well, but don't neglect a suspending plug or a slash baits such as the #8 Rapala X-Rap. These suspending, darting stick baits can get down to 12 feet and then sit in front of the fish's nose. Trout have a hard time passing one up.

Don't neglect the ICW spoils if you have a stretch of warmth, by the way. Up and down the coast, trout and redfish take advantage of the warm, muddy flats to get their body temperatures up, and they actively forage while up there. If you choose to work the shallows on a mild day, a gold spoon, Topwater in Bone or Pearl, or a swimbait such as a SPI Lures Tandem or Yum Money Minnow are tough to beat.

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quite a bit over the last couple of years, and for good reason. They flat out catch fish.

The lure, which is sold by SPI Lures (956943-FISH), is a unique rig. Two eel-style jerkbaits are rigged on 3/0 worm hooks.

Rather than on separate stagings, however, the baits are in line with one another with a 1/16 ounce bullet weight in between. The smallest amount of action -even just turning the reel handle-facilitates a darting, walk the dog action. The setup is effective on a variety of game fish, but especially deadly on trout. This is a shallow bait, but I have experimented with them in deep water and slow retrieves and a bit heavier worm weight, and I've been very pleased with the results.

Another effective way of using these is by using a 4 or 5-inch bait on the forward hook, and a 7 or 8" bait aft. The image of a large fish chasing a smaller fish seems to get fish in a feeding mood. Don't be surprised if the big bait is eaten by the largest trout you'll ever see.

One last thing, this is structure-oriented fishing. Do not be surprised if you run into a variety of structure-loving species during your outing. It is not uncommon to find sheepshead, mangrove snapper, black drum, or even a flounder keeping company with the trout in your cooler. All these fish gravitate to deep-water structure at one point or another during foul weather. On one trip, my fishing partner Jim Brewster and I were only catching dink trout after dink trout. On speculation, I eased my boat further away from the drop-off and located a school of keeper-sized drum cruising along the bottom of the depth-break.

Still, the trout were there, and they will be pretty much all winter when the weather goes in the toilet.

E-mail Calixto Gonzales at CGonzales@fishgame.com.

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SO YOU THINK YOU NEED A FANCY BOAT or to hire a fishing guide to go fishing?

Your great grandfather might beg to disagree and that may be because he didn’t realize some of his best waters were not free of any charges. My great grandfather traded eggs from his chicken house for the privilege of fishing a neighbor’s lake, and my grandfather let a few people fish his stock tanks for the price of a few cleaned fish in return.

Sure, there have been a lot of changes in fishing opportunities over the past century and there is no argument that fishing guides are among the best sources today for acquiring great fishing experiences. Owning your own fishing rig can provide wonderful memories, too, but you still have other options, just as my great-grandfather and grandfather did without trading chickens or fishing opportunities. In fact, many of today’s fishing guides and died-in-the-wool anglers got their start at fishing from the banks of a river, lake or stream without a boat much like their ancestors did.

Let’s take a walk through Texas, discover or reacquaint ourselves with what’s out there for today’s anglers. You may be surprised at the broadness of it all.

Around a hundred years ago, most of the fishing in Texas was on privately-owned land, along public rivers and streams and on a few lakes built to supply water for small towns and larger growing municipalities such as Lake Worth (1917) near Fort Worth.

By the 1950s, heavy flooding during that period resulted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers building flood-control reservoirs along major rivers such as Lake Whitney (1951) on the 820-mile long Brazos River and Lake Benbrook (1952) on the Clear Fork of the Trinity River in the Fort WorthDallas Metroplex.

Although many of these larger lakes were designed for flood control and water supply, other lakes such as Possum Kingdom soon came on the horizon to provide hydro-electric, coal or nuclear-generated power.

Regardless whether large or small, these lakes began to provide anglers with much more fishing opportunities than their ancestors may ever have dreamed of having.

On the freshwater platform, indoor fishing barges are among those on the first level.

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These “crappie houses” are supported by floating devices and poles located near marinas. Some are heated during the wintertime to bring more comfort to the anglers inside.

Many have underwater brush piles that attract bait and game fish.

Some barges are lighted for night-time use, and bait, tackle, food, ice and drinks are available at a nearby marina. These indoor fishing barges provide what some call the basic fishing opportunities - places to catch crappie, bream, catfish and occasionally bass and other species in a comfortable setting.

High winds, freezing winter temperatures or hot summer months are not a major factor inside such comfortable fishing areas.

Indoor fishing barges aren’t found on all lakes but a telephone call to chambers of commerce generally will get you information about the ones in your area of the state.

Among the Central, East and North Texas barges are Highview Marina on Lake Bardwell, the Lake Lewisville Fishing Barge, Lynn Creek Marina Fishing Barge on Lake Joe Pool, Duck Cove Fishing Barge on Lake Tawakoni, Rocky Creek Marina Fishing Barge on Lake Benbrook, Lakeside Fishing Barge on Lake Ray Hubbard, the Lake Weatherford Marina Fishing Barge and Lake Kickapoo Fishing Barge near

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While indoor fishing barges provide good angling opportunities year-round, summertime is what it all is about on the numerous privately-owned “catfish ponds” dotted throughout the state. These catfish ponds are stocked regularly with channel catfish ranging from about 1 ½ pounds to six pounds or more in size. Generally, no access fees are charges; anglers simply pay for what they catch on a per-pound basis.

Fisherman’s Corner near Canyon Lake is one of them and the prices there are similar to others around the state: $3.99 per pound live weight or $4.69 per pound filleted weight, $4.99 for each rented pole and from $2.50 to $7 for bait.

Access to bank fishing also can be found on Corps’ parks and near boat ramps on most public reservoirs, and at parks and below bridge crossings and parks at many of the state’s largest river sytems. A simple approach to finding them is what I call “following the blue lines” on a Texas state map.

The blue lines on the maps mark the various rivers and major creeks, as well as lakes around the state.

More than 75 state parks also provide fishing and other recreational opportunities,

Many neighborhoods now have community lakes stocked with a variety of fish. Be sure you have legal access before you make your first cast.

Community Lakes especially for crappie, catfish, largemouth and bream. Among my favorites are the state parks at reservoirs including Inks, Choke Canyon, Mineral Wells, Meridian, Arrowhead, Martin Creek and Corpus Christi. However, there are many other great state park lakes in between these jewels that await your next cast including Purtis Creek State Park near Eustace.

On a similar road to catching pan-sized fish, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department annually stocks 100 or more Community Fishing Lakes with both rainbow trout and channel catfish. The Community Fishing Lakes are 75 surface acres in size or smaller and are located right at most anglers’ back doors.

Overall, the state stocks at least 119 sites, including Community Fishing Lakes, with rainbow trout from December through March with commercially-raised trout bought from a northern fish hatchery with money gained from the sales of annual $7 state trout stamps.

The rainbow trout program began in the early 1970s and has been one of the most T E X A S

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successful put-and-take fisheries ever implemented by the state. The popularity of the trout program has grown to such a level that many local communities now buy and stock rainbow trout during weeks in between the Parks and Wildlife Department’s scheduled stockings to provide local anglers with additional fishing opportunities.

A list of Community Fishing Lakes as well as sites under the state’s rainbow trout stocking program are readily available at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s web site.

On the Web Read the full WALKABOUT ANGLER series in our Online Archives: www.FishGame.com/Emag

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BY RALPH WININGHAM WINTER COLD FRONTS ARE CALLED “blue northers” in some circles, but Texas dove hunters in the know have found that referring to them as “grey fronts” might be a little more appropriate.

Many times when the cold fronts come through the South Texas area, they bring in waves of migrating mourning or white-winged doves. Being in the right place at the right time can result in some excellent late season wingshooting activity.

This year, the late season in all three Texas zones starts on Christmas Day and continues through Jan. 9 in the Central and North Zones, with Jan. 18 the last day of hunting in the South Zone. Unlike the fall season, particularly on opening day when thousands of dove hunters participate in one of the largest outdoor activities in the state, late season shooters have plenty of elbow room in fields and along flight paths.

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North and Central Zone hunters – generally the areas north of Interstate 10 and U.S. 90 – normally see limited late season dove action. Migrating birds tend to pass over the areas as they head south to the better sources of food and water that are scattered about in the South Zone.

The trick is in finding a pattern of the migrating birds and then in luring the darting and diving grey aerial acrobats into shotgun range.

“Late season doves are much harder to pattern than the birds we hunt when the season opens in the fall,’’ said Foard Houston of the Sandy Oaks Ranch and Resort near Devine.

“The birds might be in one area one day and gone the next day. Any kind of hunting pressure will drive them out of an area quicker than anything. There is a lot more time required to track them down than we get in shooting time,’’ he said.

Houston is a seasoned veteran of tracking down doves for hunters on his 1,100acre ranch and in other areas of South Texas, although he specializes in bobwhite quail hunts at his Orvis-endorsed facility.

Quail hunts in the morning and dove hunts in the afternoon are a popular double tap during the late season.

One of the few certainties about South Zone dove hunting is that colder weather is an incentive for both hunters and birds to get out and about earlier in the afternoon. Most late season dove hunting is over by 5 p.m., rather than at sunset during the warm afternoons of the first season.

“Just like people, the doves don’t like being out in the cold. They get out to eat; stop for a drink; and then head back to the roost,’’ Houston said.

“There won’t be any hunting until sunset during the late season. The birds will be gone and hunters should be back at the camp telling stories and getting warm,’’ he said.

The same keys to attracting doves that work at the beginning of the fall season – a ready supply of food such as crops or native seeds and some type of water – also important in the late season. If fall rain comes at the right time, crouton or tea weed – two dove magnets – will produce seeds that will attract birds to an area.

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under hunters’ guns.

“I believe that the birds don’t drink as much in the cold, so fields with crouton or other seed are better spots than at tanks,” he said.

A little farther to the southeast, Benny Lyssy, a veteran late-season hunter and one of the coordinators of the annual Karnes County Lonesome Dove Fest, attempts to track down the winter birds each season by knowing their habits.

“We normally have a lot of doves around here during the late season, but they don’t have any loyalty to any certain place,’’ Lyssy said. “There will be a lot of birds in big bunches at a place, but as soon as you shoot a few times they will just leave.’’

Among his favorite hunting spots are areas where cattle are fed and graze in lots near brush or around water tanks. Using the motorized decoys to bring in the birds is particularly effective in the late season.

“The decoys work well all the time, but in the late season, if the birds can see them, they will really come in,’’ he said.

The recommended method of using decoys is to set out several of the motorized models on the ground or on posts just a few feet off the ground within shotgun range of the concealed hunter. Incorporating static decoys in the top of bushes or along a fence line near where the motorized models are placed can also help attract the birds.

Doves have excellent vision and can spot the decoys from quite a distance, and they can also see any movement of a hunter waiting to put a load of shot in the right place at the right time. Hunters should move into T E X A S

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shooting position and bring their shotgun to their shoulder only after the bird is within range in order to keep the dove from flaring.

In addition to the doves being a little more wary and alert in the late season, Lyssy noted that winter birds typically are healthier and more mature than doves at the start of the fall season.

“They have been sitting around eating corn at deer feeders all season and are bigger and fatter than early season doves,’’ he said. “That does not make them any easier to hit.”

Winter dove hunts have been a popular side benefit of the Lonesome Dove Fest, which is held on the opening weekend of the South Zone dove season every year and attracts about 8,000 hunters and their families to the Karnes County area.

The event, which is the largest gathering of its kind to celebrate the opening of the dove seasoning, also serves as a clearing house to hook up wingshooters interested in finding dove action with landowners interested in offering hunting leases.

“The late season is a better time for getting out and enjoying the outdoors because it is cooler. You can drop the tailgate of your truck, lay out some snacks and drinks and enjoy the sunset,’’ Lyssy said.

Bagging a limit of winter birds, if the hunter is at the right place at the right time, is just a little extra benefit.

CONTACT INFO: Foard Houston at the Sandy Oaks Ranch in Devine can be reached for information about dove hunting during both the regular and winter seasons at (210) 415-4401 or at www.sandyoaksranch.com.

Information about winter season hunting in the Karnes County area and about the Karnes County Rotary Club Lonesome Dove Fest is available at (830) 780-2670 or (830) 780-3314, or at www.lonesomedovefest.com.

PHOTO: JAMES METCALF, ISTOCK

PHOTO RALPH WININGHAM

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Hunt Texas

by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor

The Game Clock ANY HUNTERS ARE CREATURES OF HABIT, and that can be both good and bad.

One bad habit among hunters is to conclude that they know all there is about the particular bird or animal they are hunting, and especially the best places to find them.

Like the Timex on your wrist, things in the outdoors constantly are changing. You might not notice it on an everyday basis, but you can be sure the deer, turkey, dove, and other animals you hunt are changing their behaviors, ranges, and even food choices as the clock ticks.

It is no front-page news that whitewinged doves once found only in Texas’ southwestern and far western counties now are in abundance throughout Central and portions of North Texas all the way to the Red River.

Bobwhite quail populations are not what they used to be in many Texas counties, and eastern turkey have been expanding their ranges for several decades.

As for feral hogs that once were found only in portions of East Texas and pockets of the Hill Country and a few other areas, I have said it many times that any rancher that does not have feral hogs on his ranch today is fixin’ to have them. It’s just a matter of time, changing land use practices, and Mother Nature.

It is an interesting stage of changing events involving animals and birds, so let’s put the javelina at center stage for a bit. I hunted javelina in the Hill Country around Bandera, Sabinal, Hondo, Concan, and Junction for several years from the late 1960s through the 1970s with dogs, and have followed and shot them with rifle, handgun, longbow, and camera in the Brush Country and Trans-Pecos desert mountains for decades. What I hadn’t done until last

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year was hunt them in far North Texas not far from the Red River, where little has been known about their existence except by a few local ranchers and wildlife biologists.

My visit last fall to Ranger Creek Ranch west of Seymour near the small community of Vera in Knox County began as a quest for a whitetail deer with my crossbow. Ranger Creek Ranch is well known for producing some great whitetail bucks, as well as offering hunting opportunities for geese and quail. However, when I learned from hunting guide Rick Matson that the ranch also had a large population of javelina, my plans for the first evening’s hunt quickly turned to the collard peccary.

I had learned several years earlier that javelina once ranged from South Texas and the Hill Country all the way to the Red River, but had never seen them on the many West and North Texas ranches I had hunted until 2001. That’s the year I saw a boar javelina come to a deer feeder on a ranch near Caddo east of Breckenridge in Stephens County.

Javelina are among the smallest “big” game animals in Texas, averaging 35 to 50 pounds at maturity. In addition to singles, they travel in pairs and small groups of up to 20 or more, preferring prickly pear as a main food source, but eating roots, mesquite beans, grains, berries, and other foods available in their area. They generally travel in family groups but often join other family groups, thus increasing the size of their bands.

With small eyes and relatively poor eyesight, the javelina relies mainly on its sense of smell and hearing for defense. This makes the animal prime quarry for a hunter with a handgun, crossbow, or handbow. Javelina also move throughout all hours of the day and night, stopping occasionally on warmer days to rest in the shade of a heavy draw or stand of brush.

Matson drove me to a blind at an intersection of two pasture roads in this rugged area of red dirt canyons. We saw several javelina near the blind and did not spook them with the vehicle. When not alerted, T E X A S

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javelina often simply stay in a small area to feed. I decided to hunt from the blind rather than stalking them for two reasons: I wasn’t familiar with this portion of the ranch, and I thought my best chances of bagging one was to simply let them come close enough for a good shot rather than taking a chance of spooking them or other javelina I had not seen.

My hunch paid off, not only with a javelina weighing around 35 pounds that I shot at about 25 yards, but also with several photographs of the animals upon their approach and departure.

Back at the Ranger Creek Ranch headquarters, the javelina was skinned, quartered, and iced down for my trip home. Over the years, I have had several people ask me what a javelina tastes like. That’s like asking what a quail taste like. It all depends on how it is taken care of, prepared, and cooked. I use quail as an example because most hunters know the differences in the tastes of quail that have been fried, sautéed, grilled, baked, smoked, or made into fajitas.

Smoked javelina is one of my favorites, but served as fajitas or chicken fried is mighty tasty, too.

Wildlife biologists have said they think the javelina in extreme North Texas are the result of expanding populations of javelina stocked in the late 1950s on the famed Waggoner Ranch west of Wichita Falls.

Others believe they simply might be pockets of javelina that have existed there historically.

Whatever the reason, don’t be surprised if you see the interesting littlie pig-like animals where you never have seen them before, right there along with white-winged dove, feral hog, or eastern turkey. The wildlife clock is moving forward in interesting directions.

E-mail Bob Hood at BHood@fishgame.com. |

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Open Season

by Reavis Wortham | TF&G Humor Editor

Little League Chew HE HUNTING CLUB DESCENDED ON THE chilly fishing dock with all the subtlety of a stampeding herd of terrified emus.

Mothers shielded their children and urged them to avert their eyes.

We were there to join the masses and catch pen-raised trout.

As you know, each winter the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department stocks selected lakes and small willow-lined mud holes with engineered rainbow trout. The fish survive as long as the weather stays cool and the water cold. They are called Put and Take fish Anyway, we joined a dozen other coated and muffled anglers on the dock, armed with a shameful array of fishing tackle, baits, and lures.

I carried an ultralight spinning rig. My plan was to use Power Bait.

Doc held an Ugly Stick and a can of whole-kernel corn.

Wrong Willie was equipped with Rooster Tail spinners and an elderly Zebco 33 that looked as if it belonged in a museum.

Jerry Wayne had a long, whippy crappie rod and a carton of worms.

Woodrow carried a spinning rig and a tackle box the size of a steamer trunk. It was packed so full of assorted lures that, had he opened it and offered the contents for sale, the local Wal-Mart would have gone out of business.

Youngster, crackling annoyingly in his starched jeans and shirt, clutched a $500 fly rod. In his other hand, he held a fishing vest stuffed full of his own hand-tied flies.

We looked suspiciously at the other

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anglers, some who had apparently been on the dock for quite a while. It was littered with refuse such as candy wrappers, empty drink cans, coolers, crushed foam containers that had originally housed worms, and unidentifiable odds and ends. My little troupe moved to the far right-hand arm of the T-shaped wooden dock.

A chill wind raced across the open water and penetrated deep under the layers of insulation. My nose was already cold and run-

ning before I could get a line in the water.

The last person we passed was a six-year-old boy who was busy extracting a hook from the jaw of a 12-inch trout.

"Good fish," I said to him, one fisherman to another, hoping for a response. Doc prepared the water around us by chumming with half a can of corn.

I could have sworn the kid looked like he had a chew tucked into one cheek. He reminded me of a tiny grown man. His eyes were expressionless. He looked as if he needed a shave. Without a response, he slipped the trout on a stringer and completed his five-fish limit. They were all the same size.

He cast again.

We all had lines in the water by this time, and were making no headway. Youngster stood at the extreme end of the dock, shivering and casting his fly rod for all he was worth. He was having as much bad luck as the rest of us, despite his Secret Fly. At the end of a yearlong study on farmraised trout, he had designed a fly he was convinced the fish couldn't resist. It was pure genius, in his words. The fly looked like a small brown pellet of fish food, the same kind they use in the farms. Sort of a Trout T E X A S

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Chow fly.

Unfortunately, his brilliant creation was as unproductive as our own corn, spinners, and worms.

The kid beside us shifted his chew and pulled in another 12-inch trout.

"What are you using there?" I asked again, my breath a vapor in the cold air.

The kid removed the trout, slipped it back into the water, and turned his back on us.

He was into catch and release. He re-baited and threw his line back into the water.

"I saw it. He's using worms," Woodrow alleged.

Jerry Wayne frowned. "I'm using worms, too, but I haven't gotten one single bite."

We fished for the next hour, not catching a thing, while the silent kid caught and released nearly a dozen more trout.

I'd had enough of his rude silence and our lack of success, not to mention the cold.

I walked over to the kid, knelt down to eye level. "What's your secret? We're using worms, too, but we're not doing any good."

We stared at each other for a long minute while the guys watched our actions. He shook his head as if his six years on Earth were full of suffering brought on by imbecilic adults.

Finally, the kid spat something in his hand and held it out to me. "Mister, it's simple. You gotta keep the worms warm."

"What did he say?" Doc asked, trying to see over my shoulder.

I stared at the glistening, writing mass in his hand. "He said we won't be catching any fish today," I answered.

E-mail Reavis Wortham at RWortham@fishgame.com.

PHOTO / ILLUSTRATION: CARAMAN, FOTOLIA

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CHRISTMAS BULLS

BY DECEMBER, THE OFFICIAL “bull redfish” run is pretty much over.

For those not familiar with the terminology associated with this phenomenon, the “bull redfish” run is when the large, sexually mature redfish (called bulls whether they are males or females) enter the surf and points of structure in the near shore Gulf of Mexico to spawn. This period lasts from late August well into October.

A great spot to find bull reds at the jetties any time are the deep holes usually found around the southern • Executive Editor tip of the rocks and back about 50 yards. These spots are where the current wraps around the rocks and carves out large holes. Fish these spots with a fish finder (Carolina) rig on the bottom with a steel leader and circle hook. Your best chances of catching bull reds in these spots is to fish right along the drop off from the shallow to deep on the deep side. All predatory fish use drop-offs to feed and bull reds are no different.

PHOTO: JOE RICHARD

by Chester Moore

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The reds in these areas tend to move through in small schools. If you get one bite, you should be prepared for more within a few minutes, which is why I recommend fishing with more than one rod. My friends and I have had as many as three bull reds on at once and believe it or not, we managed to land them all without getting tangled.

If there are dolphins feeding in the area consider that a good omen. In my logbook, I have noted that every time I have caught lots of bull reds there have been dolphins feeding in the vicinity. The few times we had few fish, there were no dolphins feeding. The presence of dolphins is a great indicator of the presence of baitfish.

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In This Issue

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT • A Majical Time | BY CAPT. MAC GABLE HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWER COAST • An Ugly Christmas | BY CALIXTO GONZALES SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK • Tides, Solunar Table, Best Hunting/Fishing Times |

BY TF&G STAFF

HOW-TO SECTION

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COVER STORY • Christmas Bulls |

BY CHESTER MOORE

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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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 • December Strategies |

BY CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVESTON • COMPLEX • Christmas on the Bay |

BY CAPT. MIKE HOLMES

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HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGORDA • Prepare Yourself |

BY TF&G STAFF

A third option for bull reds this month are in the Intracoastal from the just past the Gulf and upwards of two miles north. If you run this area on your depth finder, you will notice large pods of baitfish that sort of stack up between cold fronts. Most of the time it is menhaden but often it can be mullet. Both will draw in these big reds, which tend to suspend below the bait.

If you do not want to troll for these fish, drifting is a viable option. Drop some marker buoys around the baitfish schools and then drift over them with a live croaker (preferred) or mullet on a drop shot rig with a one-ounce weight and a circle hook. On the drift, big reds tend to pick up the bait and run slowly with it and eventually pick up speed. By using circle hooks, you can avoid having to worry about when to set the hook.

Simply pick up the rod and start reeling. If you set the hook when using a circle you can lose the fish.

As redfish populations have skyrocketed in Texas bays over the last 25 years, the numbers of mature fish in the Gulf have increased to the point where finding them is commonplace in many areas. I have heard anglers say that the only time you can catch these big fish is during the breeding season but the fact is they are present year-round in 50 |

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BOWHUNTING TECH • A Great Christmas Gift | BY LOU MARULLO TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Shotgun Reloading | BY STEVE LAMASCUS TEXAS KAYAKING • In a Perfect World | BY GREG BERLOCHER TEXAS BOATING • Boating Through & Through |

BY LENNY RUDOW

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BAITS & RIGS • Do-It-Yourself Weights |

BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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HUNTING TALES • East Texas Turkey in Trouble? |

BY CHESTER MOORE

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INDUSTRY INSIDER • Xpress Boats, Abilene COC |

BY TF&G STAFF

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

BY TF&G STAFF

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • Special Holiday Advertising Section |

BY TF&G STAFF

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TEXAS TASTED • Sugar-Cured Feral Hog Ham |

BY BRYAN SLAVEN

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OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Classifieds | BY TF&G STAFF PHOTO ALBUM • Your Action Photos |

BY TF&G READERS

GEARING UP SECTION

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TEXAS TESTED • Quantum, Stanley | BY TFG STAFF

certain areas and after the spawn their seem to be large numbers concentrated in key areas.

Something anglers should keep in mind is that it is illegal to keep any redfish in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You cannot have them in your possession even if you caught them in state waters and decided to go out and fish the rigs in federal waters. If you get caught you will get ticketed.

This regulation is in place to protect breeding stocks of these fish, which at least in the past have been subject to over fishing.

In fact, it was the commercial harvest of these mature fish that greatly depleted redfish numbers into the late 1970s. It does not take a fisheries biologist to figure out that if you kill of the breeders, it will not take long to send shockwaves throughout the population.

What is interesting is that scientists are discovering that nature does its own redfish conservation by distributing the population more than previously believed. Over the last 10 years, anglers in some areas have found large numbers of slot-sized redfish around oil rigs and other structure in the Gulf of Mexico as far as 50 miles out. This as discussed in my book, Texas Reds, is contrary to formerly held beliefs about the life cycle of T E X A S

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Popular opinion was that redfish spent the first part of their lives in the marshes and bays and then entered the Gulf to live the majority of their adult lives as breeding fish.

The presence of immature reds around rigs in the Gulf shows that nature has its way of not putting all of its eggs in one basket so to speak so that if a major freeze were to occur in the bays there would be reds of all age classes in the Gulf.

The frightening part of that is there are commercial anglers wanting to reopen commercial fishing for redfish in the Gulf of Mexico. A few years ago, commercial anglers tried to create an “experimental” commercial season for redfish in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico to see if a commercial harvest was warranted. Luckily that idea was shot down but there are those that are seeking commercialization right now.

The Texas bull red fishery is an amazing resource for anglers to enjoy but we have to be diligent about maintaining high standards of conservation and keep the commercial fishing sector at bay if we want it to last.

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LOWER GULF COAST

Top Baffin Trout, Target Mansfield

by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: South Shoreline GPS: N27 15.852, W97 25.43598 (27.264200, -97.423933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters in chrome/blue, baby trout, soft plastics in Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, plum/chartreuse; CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: North winds push bait up against windward shorelines during northerns.

Watch for nervous bait as a cue to where to fish. Use soft plastics with 1/8 or lighter jigheads. Deadstick Corkies in deeper water.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: Penescal Point GPS: N27 15.852, W97 25.43598 (27.264200, -97.423933) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait; Topwaters in chrome/blue, baby trout, soft plastics in Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, plum/ CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Redfish like the deep rocks arond the point.Watch for nervous bait as a cue to where to fish. Fish live bait deep, and soft plstics on 1/8-ounce jigheads. Use abrasion-resistant line to avoid breakoff..

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GPS: N27 18.228, W97 24.33798 (27.303800, 97.405633) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters in chrome/blue, baby trout, soft plastics in Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, plum/chartreuse; CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Winter is big trout time on Baffin.

Plenty of larger fish survived the late summer debacle. Fish around color changes and over muddy bottom. Fish stretches of clean water more deliberately with soft plastics.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: The Targets GPS: N26 30.58998, W97 24.603 (26.509833, -97.410050) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft Plastics in red/white, Original Corkies in Smoke, chartreuse patterns,Bone/chartreus CONTACT: Captain Steven Devries, 956289-3631 TIPS: Fish over dark mud on colder days for Lesnar-sized trout. Work deliberately and without hurry. Big trout donít like chasing their food. If you have a lot of short strikes on top, fish below the surface with a soft plastic with an eel tail.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Big Oak Motts GPS: N26 41.46498, W97 27.49998 (26.691083, -97.458333) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft Plastics in red/white, Bone/chartreuse, Pearl CONTACT: Captain Steven Devries, 956289-3631

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LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: The Cabins GPS: N26 23.93202, W97 20.59098 (26.398867, -97.343183) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, soft plastics in red/white, mullet patterns CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Keep a rig with a soft plastic when fishing for drum. If you see bait skipping, thatís a sign that trout are feeding. Flick the bait or lure over there, and work it. You might latch into a jumbo winter trout.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: The Y GPS: N26 3.06102, W97 12.54198 (26.051017, -97.209033) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, soft plastics in red/white, purple/chartreuse, glow CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Free-shrimp or deep jig the pints around the ilsand. Use a split shot to bring a live shrimp along the edges, or fish the soft plastic on just enough for a slow sink.

Keep a deft touch, because these fish are light hitters.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: The Cabins GPS: N26 23.93202, W97 20.59098 (26.398867, -97.343183) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh shrimp CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Anchor near the docks and fish C O A S T A L

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the deep water adjacent to the ICW. Use a free-shrimp rig with a split shot. Incoming tide is the best time to fish.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.548, W97 11.02302 (26.025800, -97.183717) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, SPI Tandems in Smoke, mullet, black/glitter CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Drift the southeast corner near shoreliine cuts, especially during outgoing tides. Cast bait and lures along color changes and depth breaks. Fish near cuts when current is running.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: South Bay GPS: N26 1.45398, W97 12.195 (26.024233, -97.203250) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait, cut bait; SPI Tandems in Smoke, mullet, black/glitter CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Watch for tailing redfish on calm days. Fish soft plastics aggressively after warm stretch. Use live shrimp or cut bait in post frontal conditions.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Marker 53 GPS: N26 15.58902, W97 16.99398 (26.259817, -97.283233) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh shrimp, topwaters, soft plastics CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: Big trout set up in this area during the winter. Live shrimp should be fished under a popping cork or Mauler. If there is nervous bait, then try a topwater for some mean strikes. If it is cool, fish slowly and patiently.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Mexequita Flats GPS: N26 3.624, W97 11.532 (26.060400, -97.192200) 54 |

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SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live bait, cut bait; SPI Tandems in Smoke, mullet, black/glitter CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956943-3474 TIPS: High tide allows you access to the mangroves along shorelines. Fish slowly and methodically. If reds are in a snotty mood, sharp shoot at them and let the bait sit.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Andie Bowie Park GPS: N26 11.541, W97 10.3482 (26.192350, -97.172470) SPECIES: mangrove snapper BEST BAITS: live or fresh shrimp, sand fleas, Gulp! baits CONTACT: Quick Stop, 956-943-1159 TIPS: Pompano are in the middle of a winter run. Surfcasters can make some great catches soaking fresh or live shrimp and sand fleas up against the breakers. Bits of Gulp! baits are also effective. Youíll also score on some big whiting, too.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Brazos Santiago Jetties GPS: N26 4.08, W97 9.28002 (26.068000, -97.154667) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live or fresh shrimp, crab chunks CONTACT: Quick Stop, 956-943-1159 TIPS: Fish the deep holes just off the channel side of the jetties. There are some big drum cruising up and down there. Use a dropper or fish-finder rig with enough weight to hold the bait near the bottom.

Use a flat sinker that will glide over the rocks.

MIDDLE GULF COAST

Lydia Trout and Pothole Reds

by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

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LOCATION: Copano Bay HOTSPOT: Lone Tree Reef GPS: N28 4.47402, W97 6.86202 (28.074567, -97.114367) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croaker CONTACT: Capt. Randy Filla, 361-2152332 TIPS: Work the edges of the reef LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Shamrock Cove GPS: N27 44.95098, W97 10.00002 (27.749183, -97.166667) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Spoons CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: You have some flats in this area that are really made for redfish, 16-18inches of water LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Cedar Lake GPS: N28 13.75698, W96 39.666 (28.229283, -96.661100) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Chrome blue Spook Junior; Texas Trout Killer, plum/chartreuse color using 1/16-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-7852686 TIPS: wade-fishing has lots of grass and deeper guts LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Lydia Ann Channel GPS: N27 57.40998, W97 3.58998 (27.956833, -97.059833) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in a white color with 1/8-ounce jighead; live shrimp with a split shot for weight CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Fish the bait or lure slowly off the bottom LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Ransom Flats GPS: N27 51.816, W97 8.94402 (27.863600, -97.149067) SPECIES: redfish C O A S T A L

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BEST BAITS: live bait CONTACT: Capt. Randy Filla, 361-2152332 TIPS: Fish the potholes LOCATION: Port O'Connor HOTSPOT: Whitaker’s Flats GPS: N28 13.7454, W96 15.5388 (28.229090, -96.258980) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Texas Killer Flats Minnow in a Roach and chartreuse color using a 1/8-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-7852686 TIPS: Excellent for drift and wade-fishing at this time of the year LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: Intro Coastal Canal GPS: N27 41.388, W97 13.73298 (27.689800, -97.228883) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in a white color with 1/8-ounce jighead; live shrimp with a split shot for weight CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: If trout are in the sand pockets, an Alameda Cork works good; if the fish are in the deeper water, let the bait/lure free fall and then bounce the bait off the bottom.

LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 57.1182, W97 5.1492 (27.951970, -97.085820) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in a white color with 1/8-ounce jighead; live shrimp with a split shot for weight CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Look for holes LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Sheel Reef GPS: N21 36.24, W96 30.72 (21.604000, -96.512000) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Gulp shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-7852686 TIPS: Excellent for drift fishing

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LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Emmords Hole GPS: N27 30.057, W97 19.54602 (27.500950, -97.325767) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Popping cork and shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: Drift the flats

UPPER GULF COAST

Confederate Specks

by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South Levee Park GPS: N29 51.58398, W93 55.54698 (29.859733, -93.925783) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corkys and Catch 2000; soft plastics in Cajun Pepper/ chartreuse tail CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409.673.9211 TIPS: Real good shoreline fishing on both sides of the lake at this time of the year LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Coffee Ground Cove GPS: N29 57.75702, W93 46.33098 (29.962617, -93.772183) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Gold spoons; soft plastic jigs in Pumpkinseed or Red Shad colors using a 1/4-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409.673.9211 TIPS: Look for mud bottoms LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Bridge Bayou GPS: N29 54.14802, W93 46.272 (29.902467, -93.771200) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corky in gold/chartreuse, Catch 2000 in Clown color CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409.673.9211 TIPS: Fish a Corky very slow. Hop the T E X A S

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bait two or three times. If you don’t get bit, throw to the next spot. Put a lot of action in the Catch 2000.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Blue Buck Point GPS: N29 47.77998, W93 54.43902 (29.796333, -93.907317) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Big topwater baits CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409.673.9211 TIPS: Throw topwaters late in the afternoon LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Fisher’s Reef GPS: N29 39.91398, W94 50.55198 (29.665233, -94.842533) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 4-inch Bass Assassins with paddle tails in chartreuse or Hot Chicken colors, using with 1/8-ounce jigheads CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409256-7937 TIPS: Count to three and do a straight retrieve LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: HL&P Spillway GPS: N29 44.90598, W94 48.48702 (29.748433, -94.808117) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 1/4 jigheads with Gulp CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409256-7937 TIPS: Fish the cuts. If water clarity is good throw lighter colors; if the water is dirty, throw darker colors LOCATION: West Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Confederate Reef GPS: N29 16.19502, W94 56.97402 (29.269917, -94.949567) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 4-inch Bass Assassins with paddle tails in chartreuse or Hot Chicken colors, using with 1/8-ounce jigheads CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409256-7937 TIPS: Cast out, let the bait sink to the bottom and pop it up two or three times, let if fall back down 56 |

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LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N28 29.88702, W96 14.202 (28.498117, -96.236700) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters and Black Magic Norton soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: After a cold front, wade some of the cuts for redfish. Work the bait real slow LOCATION: Matagorda HOTSPOT: Selkirk Island GPS: N28 41.75802, W95 58.67598 (28.695967, -95.977933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Hogie Double Tail shrimp with 3/8 leadhead jig CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: If temperatures drop, trolling a bait is good way to catch fish. Feed the bait out behind the bait, get the it down deep and drift along using the trolling motor to keep the bait straight.

LOCATION: Matagorda HOTSPOT: Selkirk Island GPS: N28 41.75802, W95 58.67598 (28.695967, -95.977933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 3/8-ounce jigs with Norton Bull Minnows in a Limetreuse color; Hot Pink is another good color CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: During warm spells, start fishing at Selkirk Island and drift south, plugging the west bank

PINEY WOODS

Livingston Cats, Buzzard Whites

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Whatley Island GPS: N32 42.0057, W94 4.56954 (32.700095, -94.076159) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jig and pork or soft plastic trailer, Rat-L-Trap, topwaters CONTACT: Paul Keith, caddoguide1@att.net, 318-455-3437, caddolakefishing.com TIPS: Fish dark-colored jig and pig on the scattered cypress trees and use red or chrome Rat-L-Traps over the grass flats.

Keep a topwater lure handy for schooling bass in the open waters.

LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Old 190 Bridge Channel GPS: N30 45.3, W95 8.0502 (30.755000, -95.134170) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh dead shad, live perch CONTACT: Dave S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Use a Carolina rig and work the baits along the bottom along the edge of the old river channel on both sides of the bridge.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res. HOTSPOT: Buzzard Bend GPS: N31 21.63468, W93 39.3177 (31.360578, -93.655295) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slab spoons, tail-spinners, Rat-L-Traps, medium diving crankbaits CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: The lake level has been lowered by 7 feet for dam repair. Check the ramps to make sure there is enough water to launch. The fish will stack up on sand bars along the river channel, mainly on the south ends of major bends. Shad colors are best.

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

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Fish and Cut Bait for Hybrids

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake Humps GPS: N32 12.90276, W96 5.2182 (32.215046, -96.086970) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Cut shad, buffalo, carp, drum CONTACT: Jason Barber, kingcreekadventures@yahoo.com, 903-887-7896, kingcreekadventures.com TIPS: Cut bait as you need it. Keep remaining bait on ice but not submerged to retain juices and aroma. Cut bait into golf ball-sized pieces. Drift humps in 5-25 feet of water with Carolina, Santee Cooper or drop-shot rigs. Target shallows early and late.

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LOCATION: Fayette County Res. HOTSPOT: Intake Cattails GPS: N29 55.3083, W96 44.9337 (29.921805, -96.748895) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shrimp, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for cattails on the right side going into the intake area. The water is about five feet deep outside the cattails.

Chum along the cattails and use a Carolina rig with No. 4 treble hook for punch bait and Nos. 2-3 Kahle hook for worms and shrimp.

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Hog Creek GPS: N30 37.30686, W96 4.16238 (30.621781, -96.069373) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh shad, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Hog Creek comes close to Pelican Island. On the lake-side of the island is 13 feet of water. Anchor and fish any lily pads

that may be there. Chum if the weather is warm. Big blues travel here during the winter so be prepared to cach a big fish.

LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N31 55.03266, W97 12.17286 (31.917211, -97.202881) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse slabs CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS: Use your graph to locate schools of white bass at the ends of major points and along their edges leading toward deep water. The shad are running these edges and quick limits can be made by bouncing slabs off the bottom. Most strikes come on the fall.

LOCATION: Lake Cooper HOTSPOT: Dam Riprap GPS: N33 19.8939, W95 37.80654 (33.331565, -95.630109) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad CONTACT: Tony Parker, tawakonifihing@yahoo.com, 903-348-1619, tonyparkerfishing.com TIPS: Look for both hybrids and sand bass to be moving along the riprap. I keep my boat in 25 feet of water and throw a 3/4-ounce Sassy Shad, keeping it close to the bottom on a slow retrieve. Also keep an eye out for surfacing fish in open waters.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: The Dam GPS: N33 2.01384, W96 27.91692 (33.033564, -96.465282) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Use 1/8-ounce black-chartreuse or black-blue jigs on a spider rig. With six to eight-pound test line and an ultra-light rod,fish slowly across the face of the dam.

The crappie will be deep, usually in 25 to 40 feet of water.

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LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Clear Lake Park Cove GPS: N33 4.33602, W96 29.38974 (33.072267, -96.489829) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh gizzard shad, cut bait CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Fish this area and other shallow coves by drifting shad or cut bait on a heavy line up to 40-pound test. Many big blue catfish roam these areas at this time of the year.

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Main Lake Ledges GPS: N33 5.01282, W96 56.85096 (33.083547, -96.947516) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh gizaard or threadfin shad CONTACT: Bobby Kubin, bobby@bobbycatfishing.com, 817-455-2894, bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: Blue cats are beginnng to move into their winter patterns. Anchor over main lake ledges and channels. Use a 2ounce weight. 24-inch leader and 5-0 circle hook for eating-sized fish and 8-0 hook for trophy fish on Santee-Cooper or Carolina rigs.

LOCATION: Lake Monticello HOTSPOT: Upper Lake Timber GPS: N33 2.10876, W95 6.76572 (33.035146, -95.112762) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cheese bait CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Fish the timbered area here with cheese bait in 10 to 15 feet of water. Tie up to the trees and fish vertically. Expect to catch limits daily.

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lines and trotlines along the edge of the river channel. Use live shad to catch the larger blue and yellow catfish.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Flat Creek GPS: N32 13.05552, W95 32.90112 (32.217592, -95.548352) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, jigs, Shimmy Shakers CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Fish the back of Flat Creek in two to eight feet of water as well as on the north end of the main river channel. The main lake points near the dam also are good. Fish the lures very slowly at this time of the year because the bite is slow.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Highway 155 Bridge GPS: N32 7.84662, W95 28.14072 (32.130777, -95.469012) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Spoons, swimbaits CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Good early-morning and lateevening action can be found on the mainlake points south of the Highway 155 bridge. Fish the lures at depths of two to

six feet during early-morning hours, later shifting to 18 to 25 feet as the sun rises.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Dam Riprap GPS: N32 3.48816, W95 26.21148 (32.058136, -95.436858) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Mr; Twister Minnows CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Crappie will be next to the dam along the rock wall close to the river channel. Use white or blue-white jigs at 17 to 25 feet deep. The Highway 155 bridge pilings also are good at this time of the year at the same depths.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Tire Reef GPS: N30 19.164, W96 34.374 (30.319400, -96.572900) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh shad, shrimp CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The submerged tire reef runs from six to 23 feet of water. Start shallow and work toward deeper water to locate the fish. Fish a Carolina rig off the bottm. Blue cats, yellow cats and hybrids will take the

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Kickapoo Channel GPS: N32 17.08422, W95 27.18996 (32.284737, -95.453166) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh live shad CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: This is a good place to set jug C O A S T A L

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shad. Use punch bait for channel cats.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Juniper Point East GPS: N33 51.89202, W96 49.833 (33.864867, -96.830550) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Road Runners, Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfiship@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: Fish main-lake points, mouths of creeks and humps near deep water. Large fish to 20-pounds can be expected. Watch for large schools under the birds. White glow and chartreuse colors are best. My favorite is a 4-6-inch Sassy Shad on oneounce jig.

LOCATION : Lake Whitney HOTSPOT : Big Rocky Creek GPS : N31 52.99014, W97 23.4528 (31.883169, -97.390880) SPECIES : striped bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse slabs CONTACT : Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS : Make long casts behind the boat and use your trolling motor to slowly troll the lures in and around Big Rocky Creek.

Large schools of shad are roaming the mouth of the creek and the stripers are gorging themselves on the shad.

LOCATION : Richland-Chambers Res.

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HOTSPOT : 309 Flats GPS : N31 59.4189, W96 8.71314 (31.990315, -96.145219) SPECIES : hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: One-ounce Silver Glitter RSR Shad Slabs CONTACT : Royce Simmobsm royce@gonefishin.biz.,903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS : Watch for gulls and pelicans diving to pick up shad off the surface.

Hybrids and white bass are caught throuthout the flats. Concentrate on dropoffs and ridges in water depths ranging from 20-30 feet. Bounce slabs off the bottom for best results.

LOCATION : Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT : Windsock Point GPS : N31 59.50626, W96 12.51894 (31.991771, -96.208649) SPECIES : hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: RSR Silver Glitter Slab CONTACT : Royce Simmons, simmonsroyce@yahoo.com, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS : Fish will relate to the deeper side of the point at 30-35-foot depths and will be on or near the bottom. I use a oneounce Silver Glitter Slab and jig it slowly off the bottom. Keep your drag set loosley.

This is a prime time to catch a big hybrid.

LOCATION : Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT : Wood Creek GPS : N32 4.33692, W96 17.1228 (32.072282, -96.285380) SPECIES : largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jigs CONTACT : Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 682-5188252, schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS : Use brown, black or black-blue jigs with pork or soft plastic trailers. Fish boat docks first and then the stumps. You may flip at one stump three or four times before getting a strike. Target everything on the sunny side of the docks and timber.

PANHANDLE

Power Up for Graham Hybrids

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Graham HOTSPOT : Power Plant Outlet GPS : N33 8.0361, W98 36.4956 (33.133935, -98.608260) SPECIES : hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, jigs, live shad CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : As the water cools the fish will be attracted to the warm water outlet. Fish inside the fence with shad, jigs or slabs as close to the bottom as possible unless you see feeding fish pushing shad to the surface.

LOCATION : Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT : River Channel Near Bird Island GPS : N32 56.2383, W98 26.1315 (32.937305, -98.435525) SPECIES : striped bass BEST BAITS: Gamefisher slab, Rat-LTrap,crankbaits CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : Look for the fish to stack up along the 20-foot contour along the old river channel. I prefer a 3/8-ounce Gamefisher slab but live minnows also work. Fish slowly and sneak up on feeding fish with your trolling motor to avoid spooking them.

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LOCATION : Lake Palo Pinto HOTSPOT : Power Plant Outlet GPS : N32 39.3237, W98 18.81282 (32.655395, -98.313547) SPECIES : white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : Choose a day just ahead of a cold front. If the plant is generating, the fish will be in the current close to the plant. Use yellow, chartreuse or shad colors. The fish may be suspended but more likely will be right off the bottom.

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HOTSPOT : Highway 90 Bridge GPS : N29 29.35758, W101 2.403 (29.489293, -101.040050) SPECIES : largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastic frogs, Senkos, Zara Spooks, spinnerbaits CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofhmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : Work plastic frogs, Zara Spooks or white spinnerbaits early and late in four feet of water or less in the pockets and off points. Use Senkos during the day, in shallow stickups and rocky banks in the coves.

TIPS : Big blue catfish like cool and cold water temperatures and are prowling the flats in the main body of the lake. They can be caught on live bait drifted or on jug lines. Live shad is the best bait.

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

Falcon Creek Bass Like Lizards

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

HILL COUNTRY

BIG BEND

Devilish Amistad Smallies

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Pecos River GPS : N29 42.13758, W101 22.1424 (29.702293, -101.369040) SPECIES : catfish BEST BAITS: Goldfish, cheese baits CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : For yellowcats, set trotlines baited with goldfish along the Pecos River channel as well as the Rio Grande.This area draws little attention from anglers. For channelcats and blues, fish cheese baits along the rock ledges and in the deep pockets.

Granger Catfish on Shad

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Granger HOTSPOT : Main Lake Flats GPS : N30 42.08406, W97 20.49684 (30.701401, -97.341614) SPECIES : catfish BEST BAITS: live or cut shad CONTACT : Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmain.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com

LOCATION : Falcon Lake HOTSPOT : Tributary Creek Channel GPS : N26 40.6884, W99 11.56854 (26.678140, -99.192809) SPECIES : largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastic lizards, Brush Hawgs CONTACT : Robert Amaya, robertsfishntackle@gmail.com, 956-765-1442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS : Stay on the edge of the channel, starting deep and working toward shallow water. Drag Carolina-rigged black-red glitter or Watermelon-red lures for staging fish.

Water temperatures are cooling and baitfish are forming big schools in this area.

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Devilís River GPS : N29 35.31936, W100 59.088 (29.588656, -100.984800) SPECIES : smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: crankbaits and diving lures CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : Fish medium-running crankbaits across the sloping points and small flats in the numerous cuts here. Work diving crankbaits along the deeper drop-offs and across the rocky ledges. Many 3 to 4pound smallmouths are caught here.

LOCATION : Lake Amistad C O A S T A L

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December Strategies F THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ARE ANY indication of how the fishing is going to be in December, we should be in for a treat on Sabine Lake.

Historically, December is a relatively mild month on the upper Texas Coast, and if that holds true, this holiday season could bring a little extra cheer. Barring any major freezes, the fish should be on the same patterns as they were in October and November.

Schools of trout and reds will push the still plentiful shrimp to the surface where flocks of seagulls will give up their coordinates. Anglers should have little problem staying with these schools when weather

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Trout and reds will push the shrimp to the surface, where seagulls will give up their coordinates.

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conditions are favorable.

Look for the hottest action to be on the north end of the lake.

The area between the north revetment, Johnson’s Bayou, Coffee Ground Cove and Stewtes Island should hold lots of shrimp and fish. Good bait choices are soft plastics in Morning Glory, Rootbeer, Red Shad and Glow. CT Shad by Flounder Pounder, Paddle Tail Assassins and Old Bayside Shadlyns with a 1/4 oz. head will work well.

Topwaters like Skitterwalks and Top Dog Jr. in bone and black with chartreuse as well

as rattle traps and hoginars will also get the job done.

Expect to find hungry trout and reds cruising the eastern bank of the bay when the water is clear and there is tidal movement. Coffee Ground Cove is a good place to start. Work the shoreline over good with topwaters early as you head south towards Willow Bayou. Pay special attention to the mouths of the bayous and drains and key on areas that are holding bait. Plastics rigged on 1/8 oz. lead heads, gold spoons and Catch 2000’s are also good bait choices.

Trout, reds and some nice bonus flounder also tend to pile up in East and Middle Pass at times in December.

These passes are definitely worth devoting some time and attention to because when the fish are there, they are usually thick. Baitfishes and shrimp will move in and out with the tides and the fish will be hot on their heels or be there eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Again, tops early and soft plastics bounced off the bottom should produce strikes. Throw a curl tail tipped with fresh shrimp if you’re looking for flatfish. If you’re not getting the results you anticipated by beating the banks, try casting out towards the middle before moving on.

THE BANK BITE LOCATION: Mesquite Point (South End of the lake by the Causeway Bridge) SPECIES: Reds, Black Drum, Whiting BAIT: Fresh Dead Shrimp, Cut Mullet BEST TIMES: Mornings with Incoming Tide

Contact: Eddie Hernandez at, ehernandez@fishgame.com

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Christmas on the Bay ECEMBER IS A STRANGE MONTH ON THE upper Texas coast. I have spent days offshore or on the beach in shorts and T-shirt (or no shirt), and gone home with a nice reddish glow to my skin.

Then there was the “blizzard” of a few years back, when there was drifted snow on the beach and driving to the immediate coast was legitimately difficult. With such differences in climatic conditions from year to year, or even from week to week, fishing conditions and prospects naturally change.

Spots to fish, techniques, and even clothing cannot always be planned very far ahead of time, and “fall-back” plans are probably more important than in other times of the year.

As this is being written, our coast has escaped the damaging storms predicted for the 2010 hurricane season (if one did hit us before publication, I deeply apologize).

This means the bay and surf bottom should have only experienced the normal changes caused by current from last year – not the drastic repositioning that can occur after a “big one” comes ashore. If temperatures are chilly to downright cold, fish will be holding in deep spots, such as Offett’s Bayou on The Island, or in holes along the jetties. In these conditions, live baits like mud minnows and finger mullet – or croaker – can be allowed to do our work for us, and a cast net or minnow traps can furnish these baits when the bait camp can’t. Failing live bait, fresh dead cut bait works well for many species – including speckled trout and flounder – but it is a slow style of fishing. Using artificials won’t be much faster paced, as the best bets are soft plastics worked slowly across the bottom or wobbling spoons

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worked slowly above the bottom. Reds, puppy black drum, speckled trout, sand trout, croaker, and flounder will be the most likely to answer your call.

On those wonderful days when the sun shines bright and the heavy coat can be left in the truck, the shallow flats and reefs will see specks and reds chasing bait in the warming water. This would be the rare opportunity for cashing in with top waters, slow sinking plugs, or lipped floating/diving plugs. Colors imitating silvery baitfish like mullet are probably the best bet, although extremely visible shades of green, yellow or even orange might get more attention in offcolor water. Luckily, the water clarity in a cold winter is the best it gets on the upper coast, as the cold weather discourages algae and the low tides discourage shallow running boats whose operators lack experience or discretion – or both.

Winter is always a good time to scout, as clear water and low tides can reveal a lot of any bay’s secrets. If you choose to do some of that scouting further south, the water should be even more clear, temperatures a little warmer, and “new” fish in new places will beckon. Fishing road trips to Padre Island and the Laguna Madre are often more enjoyable without the extreme heat and crowded conditions of summer.

THE BANK BITE

SPECIES: Although pompano and other rare catches show up in winter off the beachfront piers, most catches will be of sand trout, croaker, puppy drum, speckled trout, reds, and the occasional flounder. Flounder DO make a run to the deeper waters of the Gulf during winter, and we’ve caught them around rigs in 90 feet of water, but I’ve also seen porpoises tossing them in the air during winter in the ICW, so some flatfish remain inshore all year, and these may average out to be larger fish, old enough to dread the journey out the pass to deeper water. Some of the largest flounder I’ve seen were caught in shrimp nets in the ICW during winter.

BEST BAITS: Live baits are not as necessary, as fish feed slower and more by scent than vision. Also, crabs and other bait stealers are largely buried in the mud except on very warm days. Cut small baitfish, dead shrimp, and sometimes squid will attract these fish when weighted near the bottom.

The two largest flounder I have ever taken were caught on large chunks of mullet fished on circle hooks for other species, and just sitting on the bottom in fairly shallow water.

Except on very warm days, soft plastic artificials get the nod in winter, especially those impregnated with natural scents.

BEST TIMES: This is the time of year when it is probably best to fish during the warmth of the day, if that particular day has any warmth. Pair the sun’s effect on shallower water with a moving tide for best results.

LOCATION: Beachfront piers and rock groins, both sides of the jetties to reach deeper water.

ALTERNATE SPOT: Small piers in coastal bayous, marina docks (with permission), and the surf near passes are probably the best alternates. A short drive to the mouth of the “new” Brazos River, where deeper water can be reached with a decent cast, or a bit longer road trip to the city of Palacios to fish off the municipal pier – which extends over several nice oyster reefs – are good for a change of pace.

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Capt. Mike Holmes runs tarpon, shark, and bluewater trips on a classic 31 Bertram.

To book a trip, call 979-415-0535.

Email him at mholmes@fishgame.com.

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Prepare Yourself NE THING IS CERTAIN IN FISHING: FISH swim. They move from guts, to sand flats, to mud, to shell, to back lakes, to the pass, to channels, to bars, to spoil islands, to grass, to the first gut, to the second gut, and to the short rigs, not necessarily in that order.

Water temperatures, hours of daylight, tide levels, moon phases, the presence of

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bait, and many other undetermined factors play a role in when and where to fish. Fish like constants; too cold, and they retreat to warmer, deeper water; too hot and they retreat to cooler, deeper water. More often than not, fish frequent the same areas as they did a year ago, give or take a few weeks—but, not always.

The pros keep a logbook, diary, or journal of their outdoor experiences (good and bad), logging the date, temperature, wind speed, sky conditions, water temperature, tidal flow, location, and lunar phase.

The advantage of keeping an outdoor journal or log is it helps you trend fish movements, feeding times, and locations annually. Chances are, if you caught fish in a par-

ticular spot a year ago, they are often in the same vicinity a year later.

Serious anglers know the value and success of keeping with the movements and patterns of fishes. Writing down your detailed experiences and exploits is the best recipe for return success on the water.

All good fishermen have a checklist in their heads before they leave the dock of where they want to fish. Most have a good memory, but it never hurts to write it down.

If you are out of the loop and do not know the current pattern, refer to newspapers or internet sites with fishing reports.

Read through the lines and look for patterns, then fish the appropriate terrain (e.g., sand, shell, grass, mud) for the conditions.

Check the tide forecasts. Knowing your tides before you hit the water can help eliminate unproductive water. Incoming tides push fish closer to shorelines, depending on the height of the tide. The outgoing tide pulls fish away from the shoreline; as the tide falls, so do the fish off the shore. Typically, trout and redfish stage in guts, channels, and drop-offs until the next incoming tide pushes more water and bait onto the flats.

When fishing around cuts, drains, and back lakes, work the outside on a falling tide and the inside of the back lakes on a rising tide. The best tides occur around a full or new moon. Four-tide days are best on the upper coast, while two-tide days are proven along the middle and lower coast.

One thing is for certain: as long as the water is moving and your bait is in the water, you have a chance.

THE BANK BITE HOTSPOT: Colorado River SPECIES: speckled trout LURES/BAITS: Glow DOA Shrimp, Glow Bass Assassins, MirrOlure MirrOdines BEST TIMES: At night under the lights on your favorite pier or at the jetty pier.

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11:45 AM

A Magical Time HE MAGIC OF THIS COOLER TIME OF YEAR never ceases to amaze me on our beloved bays. Gin clear water and rare bait pods tweaks one’s instincts that this is a time for stealth fishing. As usual for this time of year I am always looking for thermocline temperature changes, especially in water over 12 feet deep and tide movements that trigger mud lines - but my absolute focus is noise reduction.

As the cooler water temperatures slow predator fish metabolisms, the bite also slows.

Factors like noise and movement that were not as important in the warmer months multiply themselves tenfold during the stealth days of winter. Case in point: Five guide boats all fishing the same waters and same reef system, all using the same bait and similar rigs and gear... two slammed the reds and the other three couldn’t catch fish with a drag net. Of the three that had no hook-ups, one had a party going on board and the other two had the stereo systems blaring. This time of year you gotta decide, are you gonna dance, sing or catch fish?

For sound to travel, it needs a medium.

Air is one and water is another. Water is the much better medium as it’s much more dense than air.

I remember buying my daughter Michelle “an avid and passionate angler” a fish whistle as a joke for Christmas one year and forgot that I had taught her the importance of sound and vibration and its affects on one’s approach to catching fish. The instructions for the attractant whistle simply said “stick head in water and blow” to which she responded “Dad, the sides of your boat are too high, think it would be okay to slip off the back of the boat and blow it?” God I love my daugh-

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ter ... she reminds me of me! The point being: sound or the lack thereof is a serious factor in winter.

The way one approaches the action zone of a wade area is yet another way to fish effectively this time of year. If you blow into a wade area full throttle, then scratch your head in wonder when the fish that were there aren’t biting, you need to consider the sight and sound factor. It takes less than 5 minutes to drift silently into an area, ease over the side and quietly wade to the action.

I was one of the first guides to use a Power Pole on my boat and this time of year is the main reason. Banging anchors and clanking chains are like dynamite going off to the underwater world. After a drift into an area, the Power Pole goes down silently and is much less disruptive to the backyard of predator fish.

Bottom line for this time of year: go slow, keep a low profile and if nothing else be as silent as you can. If you need proof, on those hot summer wading days when a cool dip

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COPANO BAY: On gin clear water days a DOA in tandem in glow pink and electric chartreuse colors thrown at the edge of the mud and sand transitions will be good for trout and reds. A good place for this is the west shoreline. Mud minnows on a Carolina rig fished over dark mud bottoms like the back of Turtle Pen is good for some nice red action.

ARANSAS BAY: The edges of Long Reef will hold some trout with Gulp Jerk Shad in root beer and new penny colors preferred. Spoil Area at the mouth of Dunham Day is still good for black drum and sheepshead using free lined peeled shrimp and cut pieces of squid.

ST. CHARLES BAY: Mouth of Cavasso Creek is good for black drum and reds using peeled shrimp and cut mullet on a fish finder rig.

Trout action will CONTINUED be good where the SEE PAGE 66 mouth of Cavasso

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11:45 AM

An Ugly Christmas VEN THOUGHT DECEMBER IS STILL SUPPOSED to be a good month for both trout and redfish, the simple truth is that sometimes they won’t bite. Maybe it is because of a super-low tide, or a full moon, or maybe they simply aren’t hungry. Whatever the reason, trout and redfish develop a case of zipperlips, and nothing you do short of dynamite will get one in the boat. I can make for a long day, especially if you have your kid in the boat during the Christmas break.

So, what do you do? Do you turn around, head over to White Sands Marina and have breakfast? Rail and rant away that Jerry Jones should have drafted Randy Moss and never hired Wade Phillips? How about turning your attention to a couple of other species that are still cooperative when conditions aren’t quite optimal?

There are plenty of sheepshead and black drum lurking within a very short run from anywhere on South Padre Island and Port Isabel. These fish are low mainte-

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nance, and don’t require sophisticated tackle or techniques, they’re dogged fighters, and they can grow quite large (the current state record 15 pound sheepshead, and the two prior records, as well as my personal best—12 pounds eight ounces—all came from the same fishing pier on South Padre Island). Black drum come in sizes ranging from the 14-16 inch “puppy drum,” to big ugly thugs (“thuglies?”) that measure over 40 inches and tip the Toledos over the 50 pound mark.

One very good spot for sheepshead is the Queen Isabela Causeway (N26 05.10, W97 10.46). The pilings are sheepshead magnets. On calmer days, when clean water is flowing around the pilings, you can actually see some fat sheepies hovering up and down along the concrete, grazing on barnacles. Maneuver your boat in between two sets of pilings and drop your anchor

upstream. Feed out line until your boat is positioned about 8-10 feet from the piling.

If you have a trolling motor, you can regularly re-position your boat near to work the pilings more thoroughly.

Once you have your boat in position, rig up a free-shrimp rig and get to fishing. The standard rig involves a #2 Long-shank hook, a #3 split shot 8-10 inches above the hook (which affords you better control and sensitivity), and a live or fresh shrimp. The former bait costs a bit more than the latter, but the larger fish seem to prefer the live stuff. Simply flip your rig up next to the pilings, and feed line until the rig is near the bottom. Spinning tackle is preferable for this application because you can control the descent of your bait more effectively. Keep a finger tip on your line. You can actually feel a hungry sheepshead chewing on your bait. When he starts to move off, set the

ROCKPORT FOCUS opens into the bay. A silent FROM PAGE 65 cork with live shrimp fished over the deep water transition in this area is the place to be.

CARLOS BAY: On colder days focus on Carlos Dugout using soft plastics like bass assassins in glow/chartreuse. Fish the deeper water early. As the temperature warms up focus on the edge of the cut next to the shell. On high tide wade the south shoreline of Carlos Lake with red bass assassins on a 1/8 ounce jig head.

MESQUITE BAY: The north shoreline adjacent to the fish huts is a good place for reds and flounder using grubs in white chartreuse pulled in tandem. The key here is a slow retrieve with a lot of bottom contact.

The southeast shoreline next to Cedar Bayou is good for trout using Berkley Gulp Jerk Shads in new penny and morning glory colors.

AYERS BAY: The south shoreline behind CONTINUED

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the fish huts is a good place late evening for reds using cut bait on a light weighted Carolina rig, Menhaden and sardines are the ticket. The deeper shell in mid-bay is good for black drum and sheepshead with peeled shrimp on a lightweight fish finder rig.

THE BANK BITE The south end of LBJ causeway is the place for some really nice trout. Mud minnows or DOA's in electric grape and smoke/red flake is the ticket. Wading is the best bet with the key being wading deeper water on the cooler days and SLOWLY working your way to the shallow sand.

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

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hook and be ready for a tough, short fight that features your striped foe swimming in circles and surging back towards his concrete-and-barnacle lair.

You can use standard trout tackle, but I would recommend winding about 20 to 30 feet of 20 pound fluorocarbon onto your reel to provide some abrasion-resistance and durability to your outfit. Some sheepshead aficionados have taken to buying a heavy popping rod and rigging with a 400-sized reel and 30 pound braid specifically for ripping sheepies from the holes. The beefier outfit means combo means fewer lost fish..

A strange feature of sheepshead is that they tend to congregate according to size.

You’ll find smaller mails hanging together, and larger females doing likewise. If you pull up 12-incher after 12-incher, move on to the next set of pilings, and keep moving until you find a better size class of fish.

OK, so now you and your partner have saved your fishing trip by each catching a limit of 5 chunky convict fish per person.

What do you do now, head in for lunch at White Sands? Well, like the great Lee Corso is wont to say, “Not so fast, my friend.” There are still drum to catch.

It isn’t difficult to find an area that produces good numbers of black drum. Just a little north and west of the Causeway is a broad flat known as the Pasture (N26 04.58, W97 12.08) near the current Pirate’s Fishing Pier (a long cast from the pier can easily reach the area). The best times to fish the area are the calm days after a cold front, and at night during the full moon. Large shrimp on a Carolina rig work well for these bruisers—most of the fish will be over the maximum 30-inch slot—but the best bait for large black drum are crab chunks with the carapace removed. Pass a 5/0 circle hook through a leg socket and out the top of the crab, chunk the whole rig out, and set the rod in a holder to wait.

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

An ambitious angler might try night fishing during December’s full moon. The calm, misty nights that are typical of a South Texas December are prime black drum nights. Bundle up, take some hot coffee and a few sandwiches, motor out to the Pasture just east of the Intra-Coastal Waterway, and C O A S T A L

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set out your baits. It shouldn’t be too long before a big ugly comes calling.

Even when the weather sours, you will have some good fishing opportunities on the Lower Laguna Madre. So get out there and apprehend some convicts and thugs.

SPECIES: Sheepshead, drum, whiting, sand trout.

TACTICS: Freelined live shrimp, fresh bait on the bottom.

Contact Calixto Gonzales at CGonzales@fishgame.com

THE BANK BITE HOTSPOT: Fish Bones Fishing Pier GPS: N26 04.39, W97 10.12

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Tides and Prime Times

DECEMBER 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:

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

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

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

HIGH -0.09 -0:44 0:00 -0:03 -0:24 +1:02

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: Yellow: Daylight

12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

6a

12p

6p

12a

Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Green: Falling Tide

AM/PM Timeline

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

68 |

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 D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

C O A S T A L

A L M A N A C

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

ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal

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11:46 AM

Page 69

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

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

29

30

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

THURSDAY

D EC 1

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

2

SUNDAY

4

3

5

Set: 5:20p Set: 1:33p

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 2:36a

Set: 5:20p Set: 2:11p

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 3:42a

Set: 5:20p Set: 2:52p

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 4:48a

Set: 5:20p Set: 3:37p

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 5:54a

Set: 5:20p Set: 4:27p

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 6:56a

Set: 5:20p Set: 5:22p

AM Minor: 11:44a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 12:06a

PM Minor: 12:30p

AM Minor: 12:50a

PM Minor: 1:16p

AM Minor: 1:36a

PM Minor: 2:02p

AM Minor: 2:24a

PM Minor: 2:52p

AM Minor: 3:15a

PM Minor: 3:44p

AM Minor: 4:11a

PM Minor: 4:40p

AM Major: 5:32a

PM Major: 5:56p

AM Major: 6:18a

PM Major: 6:43p

AM Major: 7:03a

PM Major: 7:29p

AM Major: 7:49a

PM Major: 8:16p

AM Major: 8:38a

PM Major: 9:06p

AM Major: 9:30a

PM Major: 9:58p

AM Major: 10:25a

PM Major: 10:54p

Moon Overhead: 6:47a 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:27a

Moon Overhead: 7:36a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:19a 12a

6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:12a

Moon Overhead: 10:15a

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 5:20p Sunrise: 6:54a Moonrise: 12:29a Set: 12:58p Moonrise: 1:32a

12a

WEDNESDAY

Moon Overhead: 12:10p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 7:11p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:47p

BEST:

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

BEST:

2:30 — 4:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 11:41p BEST:

3:0 — 5:30 AM

4:30 — 6:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: None +2.0

BEST:

5:00 — 6:00 AM

TIDE LEVELS

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:43p

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 8:53p

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:01p

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

5:07 am 10:24 am 3:57 pm 10:49 pm

0.71 ft 1.02 ft 0.57 ft 1.27 ft

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

C O A S T A L

5:43 am 12:21 pm 5:15 pm 11:05 pm

0.37 ft 1.13 ft 0.84 ft 1.25 ft

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

A L M A N A C

6:23 am 1:57 pm 6:45 pm 11:20 pm

0.03 ft 1.30 ft 1.06 ft 1.26 ft

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

T E X A S

7:07 am 3:13 pm 8:14 pm 11:35 pm

-0.26 ft 1.45 ft 1.22 ft 1.30 ft

F I S H

&

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

7:51 am 4:17 pm 9:32 pm 11:52 pm

-0.48 ft Low Tide: 8:37 am -0.62 ft 1.56 ft High Tide: 5:14 pm 1.59 ft 1.33 ft Low Tide: 10:34 pm 1.38 ft 1.35 ft

G A M E ®

D E C E M B E R

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

12:15 am 9:23 am 6:06 pm 11:17 pm

2 0 1 0

|

1.39 ft -0.67 ft 1.57 ft 1.39 ft

69

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal

11/1/10

11:46 AM

Page 70

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

7

THURSDAY

8

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

9

10

SUNDAY

11

12

Sunrise: 6:59a Moonrise: 7:54a

Set: 5:20p Set: 6:20p

Sunrise: 6:59a Moonrise: 8:45a

Set: 5:20p Set: 7:20p

Sunrise: 7:00a Moonrise: 9:31a

Set: 5:20p Set: 8:19p

AM Minor: 5:09a

PM Minor: 5:37p

AM Minor: 6:08a

PM Minor: 6:35p

AM Minor: 7:06a

PM Minor: 7:31p

AM Minor: 8:01a

PM Minor: 8:25p

AM Minor: 8:53a

PM Minor: 9:15p

AM Minor: 9:40a

PM Minor: 10:01p

AM Minor: 10:24a

PM Minor: 10:45p

AM Major: 10:51a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 11:50a

PM Major: 12:21p

AM Major: 12:53a

PM Major: 1:18p

AM Major: 1:49a

PM Major: 2:13p

AM Major: 2:41a

PM Major: 3:04p

AM Major: 3:30a

PM Major: 3:51p

AM Major: 4:14a

PM Major: 4:34p

Moon Overhead: 1:07p 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 2:53p

Moon Overhead: 2:01p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 5:20p Moonrise: 10:10a Set: 9:16p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 5:20p Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 5:20p Sunrise: 7:03a Set: 5:21p Moonrise: 10:45a Set: 10:11p Moonrise: 11:16a Set: 11:04p Moonrise: 11:45a Set: 11:56p

Moon Overhead: 3:41p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 5:07p

Moon Overhead: 4:25p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 5:48p 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

6

12a

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 12:38a +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:17a BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:04a BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 AM

8:30 — 10:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:47a BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 5:28a +2.0

BEST:

9:00 — 11:00 AM

11:00 A — 1:00 P TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 2:28a

TIDE LEVELS

5:30 — 7:30 AM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:34a

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

12:47 am 10:09 am 6:54 pm 11:48 pm

70 |

1.40 ft High Tide: 1:27 am 1.38 ft Low Tide: -0.65 ft Low Tide: 10:54 am -0.57 ft High Tide: 1.51 ft High Tide: 7:40 pm 1.43 ft Low Tide: 1.37 ft High Tide:

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

12:23 am 2:05 am 11:38 am 8:20 pm

1.31 ft 1.32 ft -0.44 ft 1.34 ft

T E X A S

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

1:32 am 2:27 am 12:20 pm 8:54 pm

F I S H

1.22 ft Low Tide: 1:01 pm 1.22 ft High Tide: 9:21 pm -0.27 ft 1.26 ft

&

G A M E ®

-0.08 ft Low Tide: 1:40 pm 1.18 ft High Tide: 9:43 pm

C O A S T A L

0.13 ft 1.11 ft

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

4:55 am 7:55 am 2:17 pm 10:01 pm

A L M A N A C

0.76 ft 0.80 ft 0.34 ft 1.05 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal

11/3/10

4:45 PM

Page 71

ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal

11/1/10

11:46 AM

Page 72

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

13

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

14

THURSDAY

15

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 5:21p Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 12:43p Set: 12:48a Moonrise: 1:14p

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

16

17

SUNDAY

19

18

Set: 5:22p Set: 1:40a

Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 1:48p

Set: 5:22p Set: 2:35a

Sunrise: 7:06a Moonrise: 2:26p

Set: 5:22p Set: 3:32a

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 3:10p

Set: 5:23p Set: 4:30a

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 4:01p

Set: 5:23p Set: 5:30a

AM Minor: 11:06a

PM Minor: 11:26p

AM Minor: 11:45a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 12:03a

PM Minor: 12:24p

AM Minor: 12:41a

PM Minor: 1:04p

AM Minor: 1:22a

PM Minor: 1:46p

AM Minor: 2:05a

PM Minor: 2:31p

AM Minor: 2:53a

PM Minor: 3:21p

AM Major: 4:56a

PM Major: 5:16p

AM Major: 5:35a

PM Major: 5:55p

AM Major: 6:13a

PM Major: 6:35p

AM Major: 6:53a

PM Major: 7:15p

AM Major: 7:34a

PM Major: 7:58p

AM Major: 8:18a

PM Major: 8:44p

AM Major: 9:07a

PM Major: 9:34p

Moon Overhead: 6:28p

12a

WEDNESDAY

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:51p

Moon Overhead: 7:09p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:37p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 10:18p

Moon Overhead: 9:26p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 11:14p 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 5:21p Moonrise: 12:14p Set: None

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 6:08a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:01a

Moon Underfoot: 9:52a

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

BEST:

2:30 — 4:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:46a +2.0

BEST:

3:30 — 4:30 AM

4:00 — 6:00 AM

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:14a

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 7:30a

BEST:

11:30A — 1:30P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:48a

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

5:15 am 10:06 am 2:55 pm 10:15 pm

72 |

0.58 ft 0.76 ft 0.55 ft 1.02 ft

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

5:39 am 12:03 pm 3:40 pm 10:26 pm

D E C E M B E R

0.38 ft 0.82 ft 0.74 ft 1.01 ft

2 0 1 0

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

6:04 am 1:42 pm 4:45 pm 10:32 pm

0.19 ft 0.94 ft 0.90 ft 1.02 ft

T E X A S

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

6:33 am 2:51 pm 6:25 pm 10:31 pm

F I S H

0.00 ft 1.06 ft 1.02 ft 1.05 ft

&

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

7:05 am 3:39 pm 8:11 pm 10:20 pm

G A M E ®

-0.17 ft 1.17 ft 1.10 ft 1.10 ft

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

7:40 am 4:21 pm 9:06 pm 10:25 pm

C O A S T A L

-0.34 ft 1.26 ft 1.16 ft 1.16 ft

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

8:17 am 5:00 pm 9:25 pm 11:14 pm

A L M A N A C

-0.49 ft 1.33 ft 1.20 ft 1.21 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal

11/1/10

11:46 AM

Page 73

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

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

21

THURSDAY

22

FRIDAY

23

SATURDAY

24

SUNDAY

25

26

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 4:57p

Set: 5:23p Set: 6:29a

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 5:59p

Set: 5:24p Set: 7:24a

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 7:05p

Set: 5:24p Set: 8:16a

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 8:11p

Set: 5:25p Set: 9:03a

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 9:17p

Set: 5:25p Set: 9:45a

AM Minor: 3:45a

PM Minor: 4:14p

AM Minor: 4:42a

PM Minor: 5:11p

AM Minor: 5:41a

PM Minor: 6:10p

AM Minor: 6:42a

PM Minor: 7:10p

AM Minor: 7:43a

PM Minor: 8:09p

AM Minor: 8:41a

PM Minor: 9:07p

AM Minor: 9:37a

PM Minor: 10:02p

AM Major: 10:00a

PM Major: 10:28p

AM Major: 10:56a

PM Major: 11:25p

AM Major: 11:56a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 12:28a

PM Major: 12:56p

AM Major: 1:29a

PM Major: 1:56p

AM Major: 2:29a

PM Major: 2:54p

AM Major: 3:25a

PM Major: 3:50p

Moon Overhead: None 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 1:10a

Moon Overhead: 12:12a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 2:07a 12a

6a

12p

Set: 5:26p Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:26p Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 10:22p Set: 10:23a Moonrise: 11:25p Set: 10:59a

Moon Overhead: 3:54a

Moon Overhead: 3:02a

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

20

12a

WEDNESDAY

Moon Overhead: 4:44a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:43a +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 2:34p

BEST:

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:19p BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 5:09p +2.0

BEST:

9:00 — 11:00 AM

9:30 — 11:30 AM

TIDE LEVELS

5:00 — 7:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:28p

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 1:38p

BEST:

4:30 — 6:30 AM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 12:41p

Low Tide: 8:57 am High Tide: 5:41 pm Low Tide: 9:50 pm

-0.62 ft High Tide: 12:10 am 1.36 ft Low Tide: 9:39 am 1.22 ft High Tide: 6:20 pm Low Tide: 10:25 pm

C O A S T A L

1.24 ft -0.70 ft 1.37 ft 1.21 ft

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

A L M A N A C

1:08 am 10:23 am 6:58 pm 11:09 pm

1.24 ft High Tide: 2:09 am 1.20 ft Low Tide: -0.73 ft Low Tide: 11:07 am -0.68 ft High Tide: 1.34 ft High Tide: 7:32 pm 1.28 ft Low Tide: 1.15 ft High Tide:

T E X A S

F I S H

&

12:02 am 3:22 am 11:53 am 8:02 pm

1.03 ft 1.10 ft -0.54 ft 1.19 ft

G A M E ®

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

1:03 am 4:56 am 12:39 pm 8:27 pm

0.84 ft 0.95 ft -0.31 ft 1.10 ft

D E C E M B E R

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

2:08 am 6:54 am 1:26 pm 8:48 pm

2 0 1 0

|

0.59 ft 0.79 ft -0.02 ft 1.01 ft

73

+1.0

0

-1.0

ALMANAC C.qxd:1002 Coastal

11/1/10

11:46 AM

Page 74

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

29

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

30

31

SUNDAY

Ja n 1

2

Set: 5:28p Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 12:51p Moonrise: 2:38a

Set: 5:29p Set: 1:33p

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 3:43a

Set: 5:29p Set: 2:21p

Sunrise: 8:12a Moonrise: 5:45a

Set: 6:30p Set: 4:13p

Sunrise: 8:13a Moonrise: 6:43a

Set: 6:31p Set: 5:09p

AM Minor: 10:30a

PM Minor: 10:55p

AM Minor: 11:21a

PM Minor: 11:46p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:10p

AM Minor: 12:32a

PM Minor: 12:59p

AM Minor: 1:21a

PM Minor: 1:49p

AM Minor: 3:11a

PM Minor: 3:39p

AM Minor: 4:02a

PM Minor: 4:30p

AM Major: 4:18a

PM Major: 4:43p

AM Major: 5:08a

PM Major: 5:34p

AM Major: 5:57a

PM Major: 6:23p

AM Major: 6:46a

PM Major: 7:13p

AM Major: 7:35a

PM Major: 8:03p

AM Major: 9:25a

PM Major: 9:53p

AM Major: 10:16a

PM Major: 10:44p

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:15a

Moon Overhead: 6:23a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:08a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 11:00a

Moon Overhead: 9:03a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 11:56a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

THURSDAY

Set: 5:27p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:28p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 11:35a Moonrise: 12:29a Set: 12:11p Moonrise: 1:33a

Moon Overhead: 5:34a

12a

WEDNESDAY

28

27 Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: None

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:58p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:31p

Moon Underfoot: 11:28p

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: None +2.0

BEST:

3:30 — 5:30 AM

4:30 — 6:30 AM

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:35p

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 7:41p

BEST:

11:00A — 1:00P

+1.0

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AUTOMOTIVE Swift Hitch BOATING Coveralls DuraSafe Edson International Onyx Outdoor Texas Marine of Beaumont Unified Marine/Seasense FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES Ammunition To Go Chiappa Firearms/MKS Supply Cor-Bon Custom Bullet Co.

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Howard Leight/Sperian MG Arms Steiner Binoculars Trijicon FISHING ACCESSORIES Angler Products Faultline Outdoors Gulf Coast Waders Third Stone Software

GENERAL PRODUCTS Camo Carpet Jewelry Connection KT Coolers Randolph Engineering ZipVac

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OUTDOOR CUTLERY AccuSharp Lansky Sharpeners Mad Cow Cutlery Puma Knife Company USA

RETAIL Fishing Tackle Unlimited

RODS & REELS American Rodsmiths Daiwa TAXIDERMY Texas European Mounts

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Gifted Outdoorsmen ACQUAINTANCES, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, and not-so-friends have at sundry times over the years labeled me “special.” I was never quite sure what to make of this, as the appellation came under such diverse circumstances no discernable pattern was evident.

For example, I once overheard my fourth grade school teacher, Miss Peachbottom, telling the principal, “Don’t worry, Mister Longenschnauser, Donald is a special child.”

Why she thought bringing a bale of hides, several cured animal skulls, and a half-dozen steel traps for show-and-tell made me “special” was beyond me, but it seemed to comfort Mister Longen-

schnauser, who at that moment appeared to suffer some sort of seizure involving an exaggerated lip curl and eye twitching. Perhaps she mistook my gift for woodsmanship, skinning, taxidermy, and trapping as something special, which perhaps it was, since none of the other kids seemed possessed of such talents.

My penchant for outdoors pursuits made me the recipient of some pretty cool gifts over the years, too, a few of which I still have and use. Not everybody owns a still-functional 40-year-old crawdad trap.

Quality will tell.

The moral of all this is: Not all outdoorsmen are special, and not all are gifted, but you can gift all outdoorsmen with

something special.

And, in case you are in need of suggestions for such giving, below is this year’s selections for our annual Holiday Outdoor Gift Guide.

—Don Zaidle

AUTOMOTIVE Swift Hitch Swift Hitch is an easy-to-use video system that assists you in hitching a vehicle to a trailer. A portable video camera with a magnetized base attaches to the vehicle tailgate, focused on the trailer hitch.

A hand-held display unit shows a live

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picture in full color while you guide your hitch right up to the trailer.

The camera transmits to a distance of 300 feet. It has fully automatic night vision (up to 15 feet) and comes with a 4 hour built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery.

The display unit has a full color 2.5-

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inch LCD color screen with 960 x 240 resolution. It can display either Normal or Reverse image. The display unit also has a 4-hour rechargeable lithium ion battery.

Boat Owners can position the camera on the corner of their boat while backing down a ramp to launch or while backing in

to a slip; to visually inspect an inboard engine for leaks while performing preventive maintenance; to locate something dropped in the bilge.

The camera and display unit are priced at $239.00 for the set.

For more information, see www.swifthitch.net.

BOATING Coveralls BoatSkinz Boat Skinz from Coveralls are totally new and innovative covers for the boater.

Whether it is a center console, a leaning post, an outboard motor, or free standing electronics, they all should be covered while not in use. BoatSkinz marine covers are totally new and revolutionary in the boating industry.

BoatSkinz are100% UV proof—Ultraviolet rays are the silent enemy in the marine environment. They are 100% Waterproof. And, they reflect 95% of the sun’s radiant heat.

BoatSkiz are also lightweight—they fold and stow in small spaces.

Tough and durable, they all carry a three-year warranty. There is a size for every center console, outboard motor, or leaning post on the market.

If your boat has a T-top, check out their unique center console cover for T-toped boats.

Visit www.coveralls.biz

DuraSafe Durasafe makes security products to protect your boat, trailer, electronics and other outdoor equipment.

Their new Bolt one-key lock technology is the first codable locks for a variety of applications, including padlocks, cable locks, receiver locks and swing away trailer locks. These locks allow you to use your vehicle’s key.

DuraSafe’s new Coupler Connect is the perfect problem solver if you have trouble backing up your vehicle to a trailer. With the Coupler Connect, hooking up to a trail78 |

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er takes just seconds, saving time and effort. No assistance or physical effort is required. No need to continually get in and out of the vehicle to check on position.

Coupler Connect guides your trailer coupler directly over your tow ball every time, and helps prevent dings and scratches to

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your tow vehicle. Made of zinc-plated steel for durability.

Visit www.DuraSafeLocks.com

Edson International Edson has been in operation for 152

years..

Edson’s core values back “then” when Jacob Edson founded this company in 1859, and what they stand for “now” remains remarkably similar and still totally entwined.

Through Edson’s history these words ring as true today as they did 150 years ago, “Honesty”, “Integrity”, “Innovation” and “Passion”.

Edson has introduced countless marine innovations in its long history, serving the commercial, sailing and recreational boater.

Their vast catalog is available online, including new steering products such as their Power Knob Sportsman Series Composite steering knob. This attachment straps or bolts to any off-road vehicle or boat wheel, making it easy to turn the wheel quickly with one hand.

Edson also carries a wide selection of stainless steel comfort steering wheels, including their Pro Series Stainless wheels.

Check out the entire inventory at www.edsonmarine.com, or call toll free, 1-800-450-8405.

Onyx Outdoor Onyx outdoor recreation products provide reliable, dependable, and trustworthy gear you are looking for to keep you outdoors longer and will allow you to experience nature on your terms.

Onyx products are comprised of a complete line of EVA, PVC, and Nylon rainwear, fishing & hunting life jackets and accessories.

Explore the outdoors in a new way with our exciting line up of new products sure to enhance your fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, camping, or any other memorable outdoor experience. Our products will make a good experience great…and wherever you’re going, we’ll be keeping you there.

Onyx is a newly formed brand under the Absolute Outdoor, Inc. company, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.onyxoutdoor.com.

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SeaSense Unified Marine, Inc. was formed in 1984 to provide the marine industry with the latest in innovative products at competitive prices, backed by a service commitment second to none.

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Unified boasts a 40,000 square foot distribution center and 5,000 square foot office building on 37 acres in Newport, Tennessee. This central location puts Unified within a one day shipment of most U.S. businesses.

SeaSense offers a vast catalog of marine

equipment, and has a huge selection of products that make great gift ideas. These products cover a wide range of prices, from under $10 to over $100.

From rod holders to trailer winches, aerators to anchors, SeaSense is the perfect source for boaters’ gifts.

Check us out at www.seasense.com.

Texas Marine of Beaumont Texas Marine has a large variety of boats from which to choose, bass boats, bay boats and offshore boats.

Texas Marine is proud to be a Marine Industry Certified Dealership.

Certified Dealers must pass rigorous tests by an independant third party showing that customers can expect to find: Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff, Quality Products, Reliable Service.

Visit the store at 1140 IH-10 North in Beaumont. Check out their website at www.texasmarine.com, or call (409) 8987632.

FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES AmmoToGo.com AmmoToGo.com, located in Brenham has done something quite unique for the shooting sports industry. They sell ammo—Rifle, Pistol, Shotshell, Rimfire, Specialty ammo—on the Internet. You can now purchase all your ammo needs in a new, quick and convenient way that is as simple as 1, 2, 3. First, go to www.AmmoToGo.com. Second, browse the website for all that is available there.

Third, place and submit your order. That order will be delivered right to your door via fast UPS Ground service.

Let your fingers do the driving. Let the ammo experts at AmmoToGo.com be your one stop shop, one shot resource for all your ammo needs. It’s easy, fast, convenient, absolutely safe and secure. Terrific prices. Ready to take your order every minute, hour, day, week of the year, 82 |

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MG Arms

www.AmmoToGo.com.

Chiappa Firearms/MKS MKS Supply of Dayton, Ohio is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Rhino revolvers by Chiappa Firearms.

The new Chiappa Rhino has revolutionized the revolver with a patented design that tames the prehistoric characteristic of conventional revolvers. The new Chiappa Rhino barrel is aligned with the bottom most chamber which is the key component to Rhino's tame characteristics. The position of the barrel lowers the center of gravity and yields a centerline of the bore more in line with the shooter's arm allowing for the most natural "point ability" while engaging a target.

Visit www.ChiappaFirearms.com

Each firearm crafted by MG Arms, Inc. is a culmination of years of experience, dedication to detail, and love for the art of fine gun making. Only the best parts and components are used in the process. Extensive inspection and testing are performed before any MG Arms firearm is released into commerce.

This is why MG Arms proudly stands

behind each firearm they complete with their Infinity Guarantee (for full details, visit their website).

Carol and Kerry O’Day have been building the perfect firearm to since 1980.

Kerry is a devoted and innovative gunsmith who honed his craft by training with two of the great master gunsmiths: P. O. Ackley and Ron Freshour. Carol’s custom stock work is without peer and includes checkering, wood finishing and custom

Cor-Bon Custom Bullet Co. Cor-Bon is the manufacturer of loaded high performance ammunition. Cor-Bon’s product line includes high velocity hollow point ammunition for law enforcement and self-defense, hunting and cowboy action.

Glaser safety slug, the original pre-fragmented ammunition.

Cor-Bon has made additions to their popular Pow'R Ball, DPX and Cor-Bon ammunition line.

Cor-Bon is the original designer and manufacturer of the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum ammunition and the 460 Smith & Wesson Magnum.

Visit www.corbon.com.

Howard Leight Howard Leight by Sperian is a leading manufacturer of quality hearing and sight protection products for the hunting and shooting markets.

In addition to ear plugs and ear muffs, they produce a line of Electronic Ear Muffs designed to provide a higher level of protection. The Howard Leight Impact Sport muff amplifies low-level sounds and conversation while automatically reducing harmful gunfire or impuls noise above 82 decibles.

For more information online, visit www.howardleightshootingsports.com

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camo patterns that truly makes each firearm a work of art.

Located in Spring, north of Houston, MG Arms is a proud Texas-based manufacturer.

Visit www.mgarmsinc.com

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Steiner Germany For over a half-century, Steiner Germany has been a leader in the high-quality binocular market.

Their new high contrast Predator optics give wildlife no place to hide.

With the 10 x 56 and 8 x 56 Predator C5, whether you’re glassing Africa’s savannas, tracking a buck across the Plains, clambering around barren mountainsides or trekking across the sparse deserts of the Southwest, these Predators have the power to tackle distances and bring your quarry into sharp focus. Steiner’s years in the field, and brand of precision engineering have created an outstanding 10x binocular.

The large 56mm objective lenses and special coatings on both C5s offer the superior brightness and contrast needed to separatebirds and game from their surroundings, no matter how well they blend in.

Visit www.steiner-binoculars.com

Trijicon If you want the very best riflescopes and sights money can buy, look no further than Trijicon. Trijicon’s optical excellence has been battle-tested by those who protect and defend us around the globe — rightfully gaining Trijicon the reputation as having the most sophisticated and dependable optics on the market.

Trijicon’s Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights, or ACOGs, allow you to hit fast in any light. They are internallyadjustable, compact telescopic sights with tritium illuminated reticle patterns for use in low light or at night. Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC) models feature bright daytime reticles using fiber optics which collect ambient light. The ACOGs combine traditional, precise distance marksmanship with close-in aiming speed. Although the ACOGs have many features which are very advantageous for military use, they were developed by Trijicon without government funding.

Designed for use with the M16 family, every feature of its mechanical and optical design was chosen for a single purpose: to provide increased hit potential in all lighting conditions -- without failure-prone batteries.

Visit www.trijicon.com

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FISHING ACCESSORIES The Fisherman’s Analyst The Fisherman’s Analyst is a compre-

hensive computer program which provides an integrated tide prediction table, journaling section, and charting capabilities. The

Angler Products Angler Products sells Fishing Hotspots preloaded on a card for most current GPS makes and models. Simply choose the area you want to fish, show us what GPS you have and we'll send you a preloaded card with simple installation instructions that will allow you to load literally hundreds of good fishing locations in less time than you can manually load one.

Angler Products and Hook-N-Line Fishing Maps have teamed up to bring you Post Ike Galveston Bay Fishing Maps and Hotspots Now you can have the best, most recent fishing map for the Galveston Bay area and be able to load over 400 updated fishing locations and boat ramps to your GPS instantly.

Visit www.angler-products.com.

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software is sold by Third Stone Software (www.thirdstonesoft.com). TF&G Kayak Editor Greg Berlocher reviewed The Fisherman’s Analyst in the June, 2009 issue.

In his review, Berlocher wrote: “The main screen features a tide chart which can be easily adjusted to display a

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day at a glance, a week, or even longer.

The bright colors on the tide chart are configurable, allowing you to pick your favorite colors for high tides, low tide, and periods of major feeding activity.

“Many tide charts provide high and low tide information but not much granularity

on tide strength. The Fisherman’s Analyst takes this to a whole new level.

“Because entire bay systems are large bodies of water you won’t see a lot of height change during a tide but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of tide strength.

There is a strong horizontal movement of water but it takes a while to affect the height. The horizontal movement of water is what triggers fish to feed.

“The Fisherman’s Analyst allows anglers to see these strong horizontal movements of water and target fishing trips around water movement.

“I found the software easy to manipulate and extremely affordable: $39.95 MSRP. It is available online from Third Stone Software’s website, www.thirdstonesoft.com, and you can also find it on Amazon.com.”

Faultline Outdoors The Hook-Holster provides a fast and convenient place to hang your hook or lure.

This great product has many other advantages that make it a great tool for all fishermen.

The Hook-Holster conceals points on single hooks, prevents tangled lines in the car or boat, protects hands, clothing, carpet and upholstery, fits snuggly to your rods with no noticeable effect on balance. It’s also immune to damage from UV and saltwater.

Hook barbs make small abrasions in rod eyelets that damage fishing line, causing the line to weaken and break. Hooks placed in the eyelet can weaken the eyelet and cause it to break. And placing hooks into a cork handle dulls the hook.

The Hook-Holster is available at Academy, Bass Pro Shops, and online at www.faultlineoutdoors.com.

Gulf Coast Waders Gulf Coast Waders is a family owned and operated business, selling quality products with superior customer service to fisherman (and women) all over Texas.

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the best prices and fast delivery. All suits are in stock at our Houston facility and ready for immediate delivery. You can buy your waders at any time at the Gulf Coast Waders website, www.gulfcoastwaders.com or by phone at 281-682-0656.

Gulf Coast Waders has a wading suit for Texas fishermen, by Texas fishermen, so give them a call today.

You too will see why their motto is “We build waders to keep you in the water and keep the water off you.�

For more information and to see the full line of waders and other products, visit their website, www.gulfcoastwaders.com.

General Products Camo Carpet Now you can get camo carpet or rugs for your home or business and bring the outside in. Our carpet is made of the highest quality, is durable and unbelievably life like. Our camouflage carpets will tie your outdoor themed room together and give it a

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style all your own. You love the outdoors, now you can express that love from top to bottom.

Their high quality carpet is now avaiable for your home or cabin in 9 patterns of Realtree and Mossy Oak camouflage.

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Outdoor carpeting is also now available from Camo Carpet.

Visit www.camocarpet.com

KT Coolers KT Coolers is a Texas-based manufac-

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turer of walk-in deer, wild game, and ranch coolers. They build a variety of standardsize coolers ranging from 4’ wide x 6’ long x 7.5’ tall to 8’ wide x 10’ long x 7.5’ tall.

Coolers are available with or without insulated floors.

Standard features include Galvalume

finish with aluminum floor; insulated door with hardware; thermometer, light, fully self-contained refrigeration system by Bhon, a brand of Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC; 110 volt systems, 4 inches of insulation; and 2 galvanized steel meat rails with hooks.

Optional delivery and installation is also available.

Visit www.ktcoolers.com.

The Jewelry Connection The Jewelry Connection, located at 1214 E. Tyler Avenue in Harlingen, carries a wide selection of Guy Harvey Fine Jewelry. Contact the store at 956-3643030.

Randolph Engineering Eye protection is always important, whether you're in the field or on the line.

RE Ranger lenses, by Randolph Engineering, are designed to protect your eyes while highlighting your target and increasing overall contrast.

Key design elements include fast and easy interchangeability of lenses, optical grade polycarbonate lenses in 16 custom tints, prescription frame quality with a lifetime warranty on all solder joints, and comfort fit temples.

The Ranger series has four models: XLW, XL, Classic and Sporter. Each model offers a variety of temple styles, including Skull which follow the curve of your ear and head; Cable which securely and comfortably hold eyewear in place even in extreme conditions; and Bayonet (XLW only), for military pilots to fit comfortably under head-gear.

See the full line of eyewear at www.randolphusa.com.

Zip Vac Zip Vac is a revolutionary, resealable vacuum storage system that's rugged enough for the outdoorsman.

Fully portable: The cordless electric and manual units allow you to seal in freshness while at home, in the field, on the boat, or back at camp.

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ZipVac’s patented valve technology ensures freshness, while the patented Zip Closure allows for quick, easy, and secure sealing.

The rechargeable electic unit plugs in to standard 110v outlet to charge. Fully charged unit seals over 150 bags.

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ZipVac also has a handy manual pump. Replacement zip bags are available in many sizes.

Visit www.zipvac.net.

OUTDOOR CUTLERY AccuSharp The AccuSharp Knife and Tool Sharpener is a knife sharpener anyone can use.

No more messy oils or stones. In about 10 seconds, sharpen knives, (even serrated knives), cleavers, axes, machetes, and many other cutting tools.

The large ergonomic handle fits either hand safely and securely. The full length finger guard protects your fingers.

Sharpening blades are Diamond Honed Tungsten Carbide for years of reliable use. AccuSharp Knife Sharpeners will not rust and can be cleaned with soap and water or in the dishwasher. Replacement sharpening blades are available.

Sportsmen, Cooks, Craftsmen, and Gardeners will appreciate the easy-to-use, affordable AccuSharp line of knife and tool sharpeners.

Visit www.accusharp.com.

Lansky Sharpeners Since 1979, Lansky Sharpeners has been recognized as the world leader in Sharpening Technology.

Each Lansky Sharpeners product is carefully designed to meet unparalleled performance, reliability, and safety standards.

All Lansky Sharpeners products are engineered to be completely ambidextrous, and manufactured with superior quality materials by craftsmen who are committed to providing you with a product that is second to none.

For the 2010 holiday season try the Lansky Controlled-Angle Sharpening System. The Lansky system makes it easy to keep professional edges on all sporting, household and work knives.

The Controlled Angle Sharpening System is a gift of sharper, safer knives.

Visit www.lanskysharpeners.com.

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the Heart of Texas, between Austin and San Angelo. Their central location helps reduce shipping times and expense.

Being a small business doesn't mean small selections and limited services. Since they are more specialized in the products they sell, Mad Cow Cutlery stocks larger

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selections of cutlery and cooking utensils than the larger corporate distributors of processing and restaurant knives and accessories.

Personal service is the key to shopping with Mad Cow Cutlery.

Their vast inventory includes knives,

sharpeners and processing tools for meat processing, hunting and fishing, commercial and residential food service.

Shop online for gifts, starting at around $3 for stocking stuffers, at www.madcowcutlery.com.

Puma Knife Company USA Puma Knives have been produced in Germany since 1769. Hunters and craftsmen know and trust Puma performance, heritage and technology.

The highest grades of stainless steel, innovative designs, genuine stag handles, and traditional German craftsmanship are why Puma knives are considered at the top of every major ranking of classic hunting and sporting knives.

Key innovations include the Puma White Hunter, the Duke, The Prince, and the Earl.

A Puma knife is a gift that will last more than a lifetime. See the full line at www.pumakifecompanyusa.com.

RETAIL Fishing Tackle Unlimited In 1980, Cut Rate Sporting Goods began in space less than 1,200 sq.ft. carrying general sporting goods.

Today, Cut Rate Fishing Tackle Unlimited is still an independently owned retail store serving customers world wide with their tackle needs.

In 2002, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, and Gulf Coast Trolling Motors moved from Telephone Road to Gulf Freeway at Fuqua into a 33,000 sq. ft. building. It is said to be one of the largest independent fishing tackle stores in the world.

Whether you are a freshwater, saltwater, fly fisher, bank, pond, party boat, offshore, tournament fisherman or fisherwoman Fishing Tackle Unlimited has the inventory and selections you will need.

Visit their online store at www.fishingtackleunlimited.com.

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RODS AND REELS American Rodsmiths American Rodsmiths has become one of the nation’s premiere manufacturers of performance fishing rods for both fresh and saltwater.

Innovation is the key to their success, both in sales and in wins on the bass and saltwater tournament circuits.

This innovation is in full view with their new V17 Pro Tour Grips, which meld the functionality of a golf-club grip into stateof-the-art fishing rod grip design.

A key feature of the V17 Pro Tour is its wet-grip functionality; the wetter it gets, the better it gets..

Visit their website, www.americanrodsmiths.com.

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Texas European Mounts.

They are located in Charlie, TX, which is a farming community about 25 Miles northeast of Wichita Falls.

Their mission is to provide you with a beautiful and unique plaque to accent your prized trophy.

They have their own sawmill and access to land for harvesting lumber, so most of the wood that they use comes from a tree

that they harvested and milled into lumber.

Having a sawmill also gives them access to unique pieces of lumber that are not commercially available.

Visit their website at www.texaseuropeanmounts.com, or call (940) 631-4334.

Daiwa Daiwa began making reels in 1955. It has since grown into one of the largest tackle companies in the world.

By continuing to create new and innovative rod and reel technology, Daiwa continues to earn the appreciation of freshwater, offshore and inshore anglers.

One such new innovation is the TD Zillion Type R reel. Pulling 32" of line with every crank of the handle, Daiwa’s new TD Zillion Type R baitcasting reel is among the fastest ever built. Like a fine race car, a reel running at this speed requires special engineering attention to ensure long-lasting performance and ease of use. Precision, Helical-cut gearing, 11 high speed ball bearings — even a carbon swept handle — this machine is ready to race.

To learn more about the TD Zillion Type R and all of Daiwa’s innovative fishing products, visit www.daiwa.com.

TAXIDERMY Texas European Mounts Texas European Mounts is a family owned and operated business. A passion for hunting and wood working mixed with an entrepreneurial spirit brought forth C O A S T A L

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EAST TEXAS TURKEY IN TROUBLE? WILD TURKEYS ARE MORE numerous than they have been in decades and in some regions, there are arguably more birds than ever.

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With that said it might be difficult to there was even in the late 1990s. Texas’ imagine anything posing a real threat to population is growing, and there are conturkey populations, but dangers loom on the cerns about turkey habitat particular that in horizon. Some of them are the eastern third of the regionalized while others state. cover the map but collecProbably the biggest tively they paint a questionthreat to turkeys in relation • Executive Editor able future for America’s to human growth comes in favorite game bird. the form of the quest for It is quite evident than in recent years water. Currently there are millions of acres there is a lot less open game habitat than of reservoirs proposed through the country

by Chester Moore

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and for those not familiar with reservoir construction, it goes something like this.

Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or some other agency dam up a prime spot on a river or large creek system and slowly fill in the surrounding bottomlands. As any turkey hunter knows, bottoms are extremely important to the birds and they are currently the most endangered type of wildlife habitat on the continent.

In Texas, there are currently three major reservoir systems being debated including one planned along the Sulphur River bottoms between Texas and Arkansas, which is some of the best eastern turkey hunting in the state.

Hunting-based conservation groups are concerned about the plans but rival interests in the fishing community applaud them due to the increased fishing opportunities they would bring.

“There is going to be serious problems over this fight for water and as a fishing guide and a hunter I can tell you it’s going to be very interesting. Unfortunately wildlife will lose out in the end as you just can’t replace a hardwood bottom,” said Roger Bacon.

Of all threats, feral hogs are the most misunderstood and their potential for impact is growing. These non-indigenous omnivores have spread from the Deep South into 20 states with their most recent conquest being the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Hogs have significant impacts on their environments and research suggests there is a negative effect on turkey nesting success.

Take for example a study conducted in Rio Grande turkey country, the Edwards Plateau of central Texas in 1993. There, researchers used chicken eggs to simulate turkey nestings and found that hogs destroyed 28 percent of them. On the other hand, some researchers, including V.G. Henry debate the hog’s effectiveness at nest predation arguing that they are “haphazard nest predators” and that hogs are, “not additive to nest predation, but only replaced that which would have occurred by other predators either driven off or preyed upon by feral hogs, especially snakes.”

Research conducted on other groundnesting animals, including reptiles may shed some light on the potential for hogs to harm turkey nests. In Georgia, for example, 80 percent of sea turtle nests were lost on Ossabow Island due to hog predation.

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“There is no doubt that feral hogs have a negative impact on their environment and research certainly suggests that they can and do destroy the nests of turkeys and other ground nesting birds,” said Rick Taylor, retired feral hog specialist with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Of all state agencies, TPWD has had the most experience dealing with hogs and they are seeing them increase in numbers, especially in areas where turkey populations are most sensitive. The Pineywoods of East Texas has seen more than 20 years of restoration efforts bring huntable populations of eastern turkeys back to the region.

At the same time, feral hog populations have skyrocketed there in the last five years.

“East Texas has had a tremendous increase in feral hogs and there are some concerns as to how this might impact the eastern turkeys,” Taylor said.

I personally witnessed hog’s impact on eastern turkey nests in 2005 on a 25,000acre hunting club along the Sabine River corridor in Newton County, TX. While scouting for (ironically) an area to hunt hogs I came across a turkey nest. A few days later, I returned with a camera to capture photos of the nest and found it destroyed by the snouts of feral hogs that rooted the area to the point of looking like a tilled field.

What is interesting to note is that the only area in East Texas turkeys have not suc-

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cessfully colonized is in the extreme southern portion where hogs are the most numerous. The Tony Houseman State Park and Blue Elbow Wildlife Management Area sits on 5,000 acres of some of the most pristine bottomlands in the state and it is currently devoid of turkeys. Feral hogs however are so numerous that they frequently feed in broad daylight along the side of Interstate 10, which divides the area.

In conclusion, wild turkeys are resilient creatures that have bounced back from an estimated population of 500,000 birds in 1900 to nearly 10,000,000 in 2007 throughout North America. However, much of that population growth had to do with strict conservation practices including stocking, seasons, bag limits and even forest reclamation.

“It’s hard to imagine that we would ever see turkeys on the endangered species list, but what we need to be watching out for are region specific problems, not just the whole country’s population or even that within a state,” said TF&G Bowhunting Editor Lou Marullo.

“To keep turkey hunting on the acreage we have at a maximum level it’s going to take the collective effort of hunters, landowners, fish and game departments and everyone with a stake in the issue.”

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Smokin’ Hot Baitcaster SERIOUS BASS ANGLERS CAST FROM SUNUP TO sunset, and they need a high-performance reel that’s as light as possible. But there’s a catch: building a high-quality baitcaster that’s light as a feather isn’t inexpensive. Could someone please give up a top-shelf reel that doesn’t cost a million bucks? That’s the concept behind Quantum’s new Smoke reels.

At $199 to $219 the Smoke isn’t exactly cheap, but according to bass pro Kevin VanDam, the Smoke “has the smoothness, the speed, the balance, and the light weight you need to compete all day.” I met up with VanDam and had the chance to play with a Smoke before these reels even hit the market, and one thing is for sure: at 6.2 ounces you barely even notice the Smoke 100 is in your hand.

And at 6.8 ounces, the Smoke 150 still feels incredibly light. Yes, there are lighter reels in existence, but not all-metal models.

But, are the Smoke reels fast enough to rip a lure along at warp speed? Yep—they’re available in 7.0:1 and 6.3:1 gear ratios, and the Smoke 150 is also available in 5.3:1.

How can these reels be so light without giving up longevity and smoothness? Nine PT stainless-polymer hybrid bearings, a titanium-nitride coated line guide, openframe handles with EVA grips, aluminum side plates, a one-piece aluminum body, and a layered ceramic drag system all contribute to the mix. Then add in the “Micro ACS” nine-position cast-control system, which allows you to fine-tune the amount of centrifugal braking to match the exact 96 |

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casting conditions, and you have the ability to fish like a pro.

Once I turned the crank and felt the drag, I thought the Smoke was every bit as

smooth as they come.

I also liked the cast control systems because frankly, I’m often guilty of professional over-run.

That’s not a problem, with these reels. Will they hold up in the long run? Only time will tell, but the fact that the Smoke is aluminum bodes well for its longevity.; check them out, at www.quantum.com.

Watertight Light EVERY OUTDOORSMAN, BOATER, AND HUNTER needs to have a good spotlight in his bag of tricks. Unfortunately, most spotlights can’t take the abuse of heavy rain, saltwater spray, and drops onto rocks or concrete. Stanley came out with a new spotlight, however, which they said would survive a Texas-style torture test—so we put the screws to it.

This is a compact spotlight, which weighs less than a pound and is half the size of a traditional spot. It puts out 520 lumens, which is startlingly bright for a light of this size. The candlepower T E X A S

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comes from a five-watt LED bulb, and yes, it is blinding if you dare to look directly at it. The light has a 7.2-V rechargeable NiMH battery, lasts for up to 10 hours per charge, and comes with both AC (12V cigarette lighter) and DC chargers.

I prefer a trigger switch to the rotating on-off switch this light has, but you get an extra feature with it: push the second switch to the right, and the spotlight drops to half-power and dims accordingly. Push back to the left, and bring the spot back up to its full capability. And on the bright side, you don’t have to hold down a trigger to keep the light illuminated.

Stanley claims the light is submersible to six feet, and floats pointing up in case you drop it overboard. Naturally, I had to try it for myself! Instead of just dropping the light into the water, however, I shoved it under at arm’s length and held it there while I turned it on and off, and used the dimmer a few times. The light seemed unaffected, so I decided to put Stanley’s next claim to the test—could it really survive 10 foot drops onto hard ground? The answer is yes. Since it has rubberized armor on the front and back and on parts of the handle, falling onto the riverbed rocks didn’t even chip or crack the casing. I could spot channel markers in the dark from hundreds of yards away, and it came in particularly handy when we had trouble finding our duck blind for the first time of the season, in the predawn hours. The Stanley isn’t incredibly expensive, either, listing at $60. If you need a rugged, waterproof spotlight, check this one out – it gets a whopping-big thumbs-up.

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Xpress Your Love for Mud THANKS TO CUSTOMER DEMAND, XPRESS BOATS has introduced a pair of mud-ready aluminum boats that have the ability to travel through anything from water to slick, sticky marsh goo. “The Bayou16 and Bayou18 are designed for mud motors,” says Xpress’s Rory Herndon. “They feature a slick bottom, built-in gun boxes and fuel tanks, and a longitudinal rib structure for extra strength.”

Xpress has built plenty of boats that were run through mud on a regular basis in the past, but they knew that some specific design tweaks would make them much more applicable to use with dedicated mud motors. One of the most important features on the new Bayous is the step-down transom. Boats with mud motors often suffer from backwash when reversed, but these transoms allow the operator to back up through the mud without splattering the inside of the boat. Other hunting and mudspecific standard features on these new models includes a camo paint job, Xtreme coat liner (which leaves a rugged, non-slip, camo finish inside the boat), a welded-in aluminum floor, foam-injected construction, an accessory rail, rear pod seating, and an aluminum back track trailer. The Bayou16 is 16 feet long, the 18 is 18 feet long, and they share a 77-inch beam and a 20-inch transom. Hull construction is a beefy .100 gauge aluminum.

You say you want to see proof that these boats can really handle the backcountry?

No problem. Go to www.youtube.com/user/JBCEST1966?feat ure=mhum and check out the video Xpress put up on Youtube. On it, you’ll watch a Bayou running through everything from open water to mud so thick, the boat leaves a trench instead of a wake. You’ll also be able to see the effect of the longituC O A S T A L

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dinal rib and foam injection construction. On many mud boats you can see the sides move as you plow into thick mud, or make a sharp turn.

But on the Bayous, you won’t see those stiff, rigid sides move one bit. If you want to be the king of the mud-running crowd, check these boats out. www.xpressboats.com.

Farm-Ranch AND Wildlife Expo COME TO ABILENE FOR THE ONLY TEXAS FARM – Ranch and Wildlife Expo (TFRWE).

The Expo is a one of a kind venue giving agri-business an opportunity to showcase and sell products or services which directly relate to the farm, ranch and wildlife businesses of the region and State.

The primary Expo objective is to provide the farmer, rancher and wildlife manager the tools and education to meet the changing demands of agri-business in Texas, both today and tomorrow. Many other venues in the U.S. cater to smaller, more targeted groups but to our knowledge, we are unique in that our focus is on helping the agri-business owner and operators in all three areas of management. The Expo has several other objectives such as publicizing and educating the public on the many benefits agriculture and wildlife related businesses bring to the state, regional and local economies.

The Abilene Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Taylor County, will hold the 2011 Texas Farm – Ranch – Wildlife Expo on Tuesday, February 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and WednesT E X A S

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day, February 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, Texas. The event is sponsored by Dodge. The Expo has also partnered with Go Texan to assist with promoting this event. There is space for 190+ booths/exhibits inside the coliseum main floor and mezzanine area and many more spaces outside the Taylor County Coliseum. The Expo attracts about 4,500 visitors during the two day event.

The Expo will coincide with annual meetings of the Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association, Texas Wildlife Association, as well as with a Women’s Fair produced by the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service of Taylor County. Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service office provides dozens of classes in the Abilene area for agri-education/information, and classes that qualify for Continuing Education Units (CEU) credit.

For the past two years, AgriLIFE has reached out to the next generation, by hosting the Future Farmers of America (FFA) judging contest with over 360 students from across the region. They also hold an annual luncheon used to recognize the local “Farm Family of the Year.”

Admission to the Expo is free.

To reserve a booth contact Debra at the Abilene Chamber of Commerce (325-6777241 or dhuntley@abilenechamber.com).

For more information go to http://www.abilenechamber.com/yourchamber/event-information/tfrwe.php

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World’s First Shotgun Solo Vault TRUCKVAULT, INC., LEADING MANUFACTURER of secure in-vehicle storage systems, is bringing to market the world’s first shotgun solo-vault.

Designed to hold a single shotgun, the ShotLock™ SoloVault is the first product designed to keep home defense shotguns both secure and accessible.

Created as an answer to the home-

owner’s need to keep a home defense firearm close at hand, “The ShotLock Solo-Vault is the perfect answer for the DIY home defense market,” stated Don Fenton, Sales & Marketing Director at TruckVault, Inc. “More and more people are using a shotgun as a home defense weapon; but there has never been a convenient and secure way to store one, while still keeping it quick and easy to access. The ShotLock Solo-Vault solves that problem.”

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Bass Angler.

The NuCanoe Bass Angler is the ideal fishing platform for lakes, ponds, World’s first shotand flat rivers. The gun solo-vault. unique NuCanoe hull provides ShotLock remarkable stability, unmatched versatility, superior comfort, and ease of use. Sit high and stay dry.

Stand to cast. Rotate 360 degrees. Paddle, row, or troll.

Modular seating enables solo or tandem use, and leaves plenty of room for your gear. The accessories are customizable and reconfigurable, so you can outfit the NuCanoe Bass Angler to fit your needs.

The NuCanoe Bass Angler is available in three configurations: Solo 10’, Solo 12’, and Tandem 12’. It includes folding swivel seat(s), rod holders, paddle holders, and an anchor system. The NuCanoe is 42” wide and weighs 59lbs (10’) or 77lbs (12’). It transports easily in a pickup truck or on a roof rack.

For more information, go to www.nucanoe.com/ or call 888.226.6310.

and over/under shotguns, as well as most side-by-side and pistol grip shotguns. The small and compact size allows it to be mounted securely anywhere in the home or a vehicle. “With its 5button inline programmable lock, the ShotLock

Solo-Vault can be opened and put a weapon in hand in less than 3 seconds,” explained Fenton.

Marketing plans to launch the ShotLock SoloVault include print advertising, television spots, Internet ads and sponsorships, an aggressive pricing strategy, and sleek, contemporary point of purchase. The ShotLock Solo-Vault is available online at www.shotlock.com and at select retailers.

NuCanoe Bass Angler BASS BOATS ARE SWEET BUT THEY ARE EXPENsive and can’t always get into the thick cover and skinny water where the monsters hang out. Kayaks go just about anywhere but are often small, unstable, and

uncomfortable.

To get the best attributes of each, NuCanoe, Inc. developed the NuCanoe T E X A S

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Benjamin Marauder MultiShot Air Rifle DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE ELEGANT LOOK AND feel of the Benjamin Marauder PCP. This .25 caliber air rifle is a powerhouse of sophistication and quiet accuracy.

The choked and internally

shrouded barrel provides both precision and ultra-hushed operation, producing the most accurate, and quietest rifle in its class. The two-stage, adjustable, match-grade trigger system helps make every shot smooth and steady, while the innovative 8-round autoindexing clip allows for faster follow-up shots. The Marauder uses only 2500 psi of compressed air, allowing for a quicker fill using either the compressed air or the CO2 , DUAL FUEL® option. It features a beautifully finished, hard wood stock with an ambidextrous, raised comb and custom checkering. With its built-in pressure gauge displaying the gun’s level of charge and its quick-disconnect Foster fittings, this gun is quick and easy to fill, so you can return to shooting sooner.

For more information and to find a dealer near you, please visit: www.crosman.com or call 1-8007AIRGUN (724-7486).

Fuel Care System as Easy as 1-2-3 MERCURY MARINE’S SIMPLE, EASY TO FOLLOW fuel care system takes the guesswork out of choosing the right fuel additive for your C O A S T A L

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boat engine. Easy to read, numbered labels describe when each product should be used – eliminating unnecessary confusion.

Quickare, Quickleen and Quickstor fuel additives are essential in helping keep your engine running at its peak. By regularly using these fuel care products, your engine may start easier, idle smoother and hit the hole shot quicker. Other benefits include extended spark plug life and less

la customers have relied on for years. The deep cleaning engine treatment keeps engine parts lubricated and free of excess carbon deposits, which can cause performance problems or even engine damage.

Powerful cleaning properties remove and prevent carbon from forming on spark plugs, combustion chambers, pistons, intake valves, and carburetors. Thus, it can help prevent fouled spark plugs, damaged pistons, broken rings and scored cylinders. RegNew Marauder ular use of Quickleen helps maximize multi-shot air rifle. stalling from cold engine performance, fuel economy and starts. All three of Merengine reliability. One 12-oz. bottle Benjamin cury’s fuel care products will treat up to 60 gallons of fuel. can be used in any 2-cycle or 4-cycle gasoQuickstor, Mercury Marine’s improved line engine with any octane grade – includfuel stabilizer, is now two times stronger. ing ethanol-blended. They are also safe for Help prevent fuel from breaking down and catalyzed engines. oxidizing by adding it to gasoline before Most of storing your today’s gasoengine. It also line can begin prevents fuel to break down system corroand oxidize sion and keeps within weeks, fuel injectors leaving and carburebehind tors lubrideposits cated. that hinOne 12der an oz. bottle engine’s will treat perforup to 60 mance gallons of and fuel gasoline. economy.

Customers Mercan purcury’s chase all new fuel three fuel New 3-step fuel treatment, care system for products at their local Mercury marine enjines.

Quickare, dealership. Additional informais designed tion is available at mercurymaMercury to be used rine.com. with every fill-up. Besides keeping fuel fresh between fill-ups, it helps prevent problems associated with ethanolblended fuel, such as corrosion, rust, oxidation, gum and varnish build-up and phase separation. It also controls moisture and corrosion problems associated with www.ShotLock.com non-ethanol fuel. A 12-oz. bottle will treat www.NuCanoe.com up to 120 gallons of gasoline. www.Crosman.com Quickleen, Mercury Marine’s engine www.MercuryMarine.com and fuel system cleaner, is the same formu-

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A Great Christmas Gift T’S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT THE HOLIDAY SEAson is already upon us! If you are a procrastinator like me, then you will soon be heading out to buy your friends and family members some gifts that you hope they need (or want).

Recently, I received an email from a reader of this magazine who inquired about what bow they should buy for their grandson. After I answered the email, I thought buying a bow for a young person in your life that would last for many years to come would make a great Christmas gift.

What should you be looking for when it comes to purchasing a youth bow for that future hunter? After a little research, I can give you some place to start, and also some ideas of different bows that would suit your purpose.

I spoke to Frank Holley at the Corpus Christi Academy store and also to Tim

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Cool at Bass Pro. Both stores offer a bow pro shop with a staff of very competent, knowledgeable bow hunters. The staff are always more than willing to share their knowledge and make sure you get whatever you need to make your season more enjoyable.

One of the most important things to look for in a youth bow is adjustability. You want to be able to adjust the weight and the draw length as your young hunter grows. Today’s youth bows range in price from about $300 to $450. With all the accessories that are available, it depends on how deep your pockets are.

Tim suggested you start them off with a Genesis bow. These bows are nice because they are made to fit anybody from young hunter to grizzled veteran. You need to understand that this is not a hunting bow, but it will help develop the muscles needed to be able to draw back a heavier bow…one that is suited Introducing a young more for hunting. So, if your boy or girl to archery young one is just starting out is a great Christmas and wants to shoot tar- gift. child to a bow that will work for gets…this might be the bow Christmas Bow them. It is a free service and one you are looking for.

Youth bows usually have a draw length that you should take advantage of. Uncle that will adjust from 19 to 29 inches. The Bob might say he knows everything about bow weight varies from 30 to 60 pounds. bow hunting, but in this case, it is a better Both pro shops offer to measure and fit your idea to listen to the professionals. They really DO know everything you need to know and will make sure you are a satisfied customer.

When it comes to accessories, there are a few that I consider a must. A rest for a youth bow should be a “full containment” rest.

Examples of this would be a whisker biscuit or the Hostage by Bowtech. These rests will eliminate the risk of the arrow falling away from the bow when it is moved and will also keep the arrow in line as it is drawn back.

For sights, you should look for a very simple model that is equipped with a fiber wrap that will gather as much light as possible. I would not have a sight with more than two pins. It just is not needed. Remember T E X A S

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that most bow shots will be less than 20 yards. It is sufficient if you have a 20 and 30 yard pin on your bow.

A release should be, like everything else, adjustable. One that has a nylon strap is recommended. A release that has a rigid protrusion will sometimes get in the way and, when bumped up against something, will make a noise that will give your location away to any whitetails in the county!

As far as which broad head you should get, both of the pros I talked to recommended the smaller 40 KE (Kinetic Energy) models. The Rage expandable makes a cut of 1-½ inches and fits the bill for a good broad head for both the youth and adult bow hunter. If you want to go to a fixed or replaceable blade broad head, then I would recommend a Thunderhead 85 or 100 grain. Personally, I have harvested many whitetails using a 100-grain Thunderhead.

Hey…it works for me!

So…what bows do they both recommend?

There a many youth models to choose from. How developed your child is would

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determine if he or she can handle certain bows.

The PSE Chaos offers two models. One has a bow weight that ranges from 30 to 40 pounds, the other ranges from 40 to 50 pounds. Both have a draw that will expand from 17 to 27 inches.

Bear offers the Apprentice. This bow will range from 20 to 50 pounds and has an expandable draw length from 15 to 27 inches. The Apprentice also is available in a pink camo for your little lady huntress.

If your little one is not so little anymore and he or she can handle a heavier bow, then Bass pro offers their own Red Head Kronik. Classified more as an adult bow, it shoots like a dream and will go down as low as a 25-inch draw length.

Frank and Tim both recommended the Diamond Razor Edge (made by Bowtech).

They claim that this bow will range in draw weight from 30 to 60 pounds and has a draw length of 30 inches all the way down to 15 inches. Talk about adjustability!

Most youth bows come as a package deal where you can get not only the bow, but also

a sight, rest, and some even come with a few arrows to start off with. The arrows might not be exactly what you need, but the kids would still have fun learning how to shoot a bow with your guidance the whole way.

Whichever bow you decide to get, try it out first. Both Academy and Bass Pro have a small range to shoot the bows right in the store. Try before you buy. Let the pros set you up with a bow that will not only fit you today, but for years to come. These guys will make sure that you have the correct tools to be able harvest your first whitetail and once that is done, you will keep coming back to get all those other toys that we bow hunters get…every Christmas.

Happy Holidays and remember to hunt safe and have fun out there.

Lou Marullo

E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

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Shotgun Reloading HOTGUN RELOADING WAS ONCE EXTREMELY popular. My father reloaded his own 12-gauge shells way back when paper hulls were all that were available and before plastic shot collars replaced cardboard wads. I started reloading for shotguns back in the mid-70s because it was much cheaper than buying factory ammunition.

My first reloader was an old Texan singlestage reloader. It worked just fine, too.

Today about the only folks who reload shotshells are those who shoot the high-volume games like skeet, trap, and sporting clays, who don't have sponsors, and who can't afford to buy factory ammo in vast quantities. Some folks say that the primary reason for reloading shotshells, that they are cheaper to reload than to buy them, is no longer a valid reason. When I first started stuffing my own shotshells I could buy a 25 pound bag of shot for less than 10 bucks. If we bought in bulk, by the ton, by getting all the guys at the gun club involved, we could get shot for about $7.00 a bag. Today that same 25-pound bag of shot will cost more than $30.00.

With this in mind, the obvious question is: Is reloading for your shotgun still worth the effort?

My answer is a qualified, yes. Today a box of 25 shotgun shells will cost from about $7 to over $30, depending on the gauge, type of shot, and quality of the shells. Bargain basement “game loads” can be had for around $6, but quality shells like Winchester AA, Remington STS, or Federal's Premium Game-Shok will run from about $9 to as much as $12.

To make it even more interesting, Federal Premium Wing-Shok is currently listed

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by Midway USA for $18.99, Fiocchi 12gauge Golden Pheasant is $17.99, and Remington 12-gauge Pheasant Loads are $11.49. As I browse through the various websites and catalogs, I get the impression that the average price for a box of 12-gauge shotgun shells today is just about $10.00, with the standard mass produced game load running nearer to $7.

Now, is reloading cheaper? Well, according to my admittedly shakey arithmetic, and excluding the original cost of the fired hull, each reloaded shell will cost you about 18 cents. That means that each box of 25 shells will cost you about $4.50, roughly two-thirds to one-half of what it would cost if you bought it at the sporting goods store.

So, even considering the greatly increased price of lead shot, you will still save 2 to 3 dollars, or even more, on every box of reloaded shotshells you shoot. Not bad, is it?

Now what about quality?

Well, I will tell you that the difference in quality between the shells you load and the shells you can buy will be negligible as long as you compare the reloads with the higher quality store bought shells. However, when you compare by price, you will find that the quality of your handloaded shells and that of the cheapest factory shells will be quite evident. The price I quoted above is for high quality components. If you take a few pains in assembling your handloads, you will have very good ammunition, much better than the cheapest factory loads and just as good as the best factory ammunition.

As an example, my longest continuous run in skeet with a 12-gauge was just short of 400 straight. I shot every one of those targets with a handload that consisted of 1-oz. of number 8 magnum shot, in either Winchester AA or Remington STS hulls, charged with Hodgdon Clays powder and Winchester 209 primers.

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loading a 7/8 oz. load in the 12-gauge. This is a mild load, equivalent to what you would get in a 28-gauge. My brother loads this for his wife because recoil is very mild. It also makes that expensive bag of shot go farther.

The possibilities are almost infinite. And if you shoot, say, a 16-gauge, you can stock up on components and not have to worry about finding shells at the local sporting goods store.

Another consideration is evident when you are shooting the smaller gauges. Ammunition for the .410 and 28-gauge costs as much or more than for the 12-gauge. But if you are a reloader you can save more money by reloading, because the smaller gauges take smaller amounts of the high-priced components. For instance: the .410 uses 11/16 oz. of shot in the 3-inch shell, and ½ oz. in the 2 1/2-inch, as compared to 1 1/8 oz. of shot in the standard 12-gauge field load. The 28-gauge uses three-quarters of an oz. of shot. The savings on the small gauges can be significant in the long run.

I enjoy reloading and get a bit of a thrill when I shoot a bird with a shell I loaded myself. The fact that I have saved some money just adds to my enjoyment, and it lets me shoot more for the same price. So, is reloading shotshells worth the time, price, and bother? You bet it is. And one of these days you will be very, very glad that you are a reloader. Bet on it.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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5:12 PM

In a Perfect World N A PERFECT WORLD THE SUN WOULD ALWAYS shine during a fishing trip, and skies would be clear and visibility outstanding. This wasn’t the case as I raced for the entrance to the Intracoastal Waterway at the northern tip of Traylor Island, waterspouts nipping at the wake of our center console. A torrent of rain was beating against the lenses of my eyeglasses, forming puddles and obliterating my vision.

Although partially blinded, I could vaguely make out the red and green channel markers signaling safe passage back to Cove Harbor.

What started out as a trip with my wife to the fish the gas wells on a beautiful day, turned ugly with cat-like quickness. Glass calm water turned rough in an instant as groups of scattered grey clouds turned angry as they unionized over the bay. A watchful eye picked up the transition in weather and the sprint back to the launching ramp was rough but dry until we neared shore, then the bottom dropped out As I approached the entrance to the ICW, three strange shapes looking like mutated channel markers appeared in my rain-blurred vision. I was almost on top of them by the time I pulled my eye glasses down on the bridge of my nose to get a different visual reference. Three kayak anglers, wet as drowned rats, were slowly making their way back to Shell Ridge Road in confused seas, their white kayaks blending in nicely with the white capping waves.

With a backwards jerk of the throttle, the center console quickly came off plane and we paused to let the paddlers pass in front of us as the fury and vile of the storm bore down on us. After a quick wave and shout of good luck to the paddlers, I adjusted our

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course and kicked all 150 horses on the transom in the flanks.

The unexpected encounter with the paddling anglers was an enlightening experience. Since I enjoy fishing out of both kayaks and powerboats I believe I bring a balanced perspective to this column. The lesson of the day: If you are a paddler, increasing your visibility is imperative.

Brightly colored hulls are a good start as they much easier to spot by passing motorboats than ones in drab colors or camo paint jobs. I would have thought a bright white hull would stand out like a diamond ring, and they do in certain conditions, but in a torrential rain and against a backdrop of frothy seas, the white hulls blended into

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Conditions on the water often change for the worse in a matter of minutes.

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their surroundings rather than standing out.

Conditions on the water often change for the worse in a matter of minutes. I always keep a keen eye out for threatening weather and we were almost back to ramp when the drenching came. If I had been oblivious to the building weather we would have been overtaken in the open bay – a dangerous situation no matter what size boat you are in.

The rain storm, which spawned some nasty looking waterspouts, wasn’t caused by a passing cold front. Heck, rain wasn’t even in the forecast, but the storm surprised both the paddlers and me.

TPWD requirements posted on the Safety Requirement for Vessels page of their web site read: All vessels including motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, punts, rowT E X A S

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boats, rubber rafts, or other vessels when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight visible all around the horizon from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility.

It is important to note that the regulations say that the light is required “from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility”. My close call didn’t occur at dawn or dusk but at 1:00 in the afternoon, not a time you normally associated with restricted visibility. Unfortunately, the paddlers either didn’t have the required safety lights with them, or in their rush to escape the storm, they opted not to display them which could have had a tragic end.

Fortunately, disaster was averted and both parties returned to shore safely.

Kayak light kits are inexpensive and every kayaker should include them in their kit whenever they are afloat – even if you are paddling midday. Keep in mind that a single white light source is the minimum requirement. Nothing prohibits paddlers from adding additional lights to make other boater’s aware of your presence. One of my favorite accessories is a clip-on flashing LED which can be attached to a PFD or hat.

In a perfect world the sun would always shine during a fishing trip and the skies would be clear. Unfortunately, this isn’t the world we live in. Cold fronts, squalls, sudden storms, and fog tend to crash the party when least expected. Please make sure your kayak is equipped with the safety lights required by law AND then use them.

Greg Berlocher can be reached for question or comment at kayak@fishgame.com.

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Boating, Through & Through HAVE A REOCCURRING NIGHTMARE: I’M AT THE helm of my father’s boat (read: larger and much more expensive than my own), running up a river, and the farther I go the tighter the banks become. Soon, there are only a few inches of water on either side of the boat. Then the river disappears entirely, and I’m running the boat through mud. I’m shocked that the boat keeps going, and try to pull a 180 to get back to the water. But then the mud turns into asphalt.

Still, the boat keeps moving forward. I smell something burning. I wonder how much

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damage I’ve done to dad’s boat, then suddenly wake up. Weird? Youbetcha. But many of us—myself included—have lived this dream to one degree or another in reality.

While boats were most certainly meant to run through water and water alone, they regularly run through mud, weeds, sand, and other forms of moist terra-firma. Waterfowl hunters probably experience this the most. They may arrive at the blind during high tide, have a great hunt, then exit the blind to discover that falling water has left mud flats between them and the boat ramp.

Shallow water angling is another way we get ourselves and our boats into this mess. Sure, it looked like the water was deep enough to get over that flat, but…

The question is, when you encounter this type of situation, will you create havoc with your boat’s mechanical systems, or will you manage to get through the solid stuff without doing any damage? It may not be possible to avoid the destructive forces of asphalt, but when it comes to boating through other sub-

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stances, you do have a chance. Here’s how.

MUD Mud in and of itself won’t usually harm your engine, unless the propeller strikes something solid in the muck. Your greatest danger with this substance is in the engine’s cooling system. Obviously, the best way around this issue is to prevent it, either by missing the mud or by running an air-cooled engine like the systems used by Go Devil, Mud Buddy, or Bog Hog. Most of us, however, need the versatility provided by a regular outboard. So let’s say you’re running yours through the marsh, the water grows thin, and for a five-foot stretch that takes five seconds to get through, you’re churning mud. Depending on its size, your engine has probably just ingested a half a cup or so of goop. In that goop is sand and grit, which will make its way through the cooling system—if it doesn’t clog it entirely.

Once clear of the mud, the first thing you need to do is check to see if the system is still functional. Look at the motor’s tell-tale, and make sure it’s pumping a steady stream of water. If not, emergency repair procedure number one is to shift into neutral and rev the engine a few times to increase the cooling system’s water pressure, hopefully busting the clog loose. If it doesn’t start pumping within a few seconds, however, shut down the engine to prevent overheating.

The next thing you can try is cutting a piece of stiff monofilament leader (40 pound test is usually about right) three or four feet long, and threading it into the telltale. When it gets stuck twirl the mono between your fingers as you push. If it still won’t move, pull a few inches out, twirl, and push again. Sometimes you will feel the line hit a clog and break it free, other times you won’t. After working it as far as possible into the system, remove it, re-start the engine, and check for water flow again.

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system or a chunk of grit has locked up the raw water intake impeller. In either case, you’re going to have to take the system apart and clean it (this would be a good time to replace that impeller entirely, since there’s a fair chance it’s been worn or damaged during this ordeal). This, of course, is rather difficult while you’re sitting in the middle of a marsh or swamp. So for the moment your priority should be getting home without frying the engine. Remove the cowl before restarting it, so the block gets as much air as possible. Then run at a normal cruising speed; without cooling water, the engine’s going to overheat no matter how slow or fast you run it. As the engine heats up you’ll have to stop, shut down, and allow it to cool before continuing on your way again. Reach back and tap the engine quickly (be careful, or you’ll get burned), to help judge when it’s time to shut down. If it’s warm or hot to the tap, you’re still OK. When it’s scalding, it’s time to give it a rest. Generally speaking, you’ll be able to run for a couple of minutes between shut-downs.

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SAND

engine seems to be running afterwards.

Sand has the same set of issues as mud, as well as more potential for mechanical damage when you first run aground—particularly if you do so at a high rate of speed.

The shock can be severe enough to sheer the shaft pin, in which case you’ll need to replace the pin (many outboards carry a spare under the cowl) or substitute it with a similarly-sized piece of metal. What if you’ve bent the prop? There’s not much you can do about it on the water, but note that in almost all cases, the propeller will function well enough to get you back to the dock. Just be aware of excessive vibrations, and back off on the throttle when you feel them.

Assuming the propeller is still spinning and/or you’ve fixed the pin after grounding, you’ll need to follow the same routine as you would in mud, so far as the cooling system goes. But sand can do a lot more damage to the impeller, and if you run through so much that you can actually see grit coming out of the tell-tale, you should plan to replace that impeller ASAP regardless of how the

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Weeds and Grass cause a completely different set of problems, usually due to entanglement. (Note: rope entanglements can cause the same issues). Running through them may seem like it’s not creating any sort of damage, until you notice the boat’s going slower and slower. Keep running, and eventually the boat stops. Tilt up the outdrive at this point, and there’s probably going to be a large mass of weeds wrapped around the propeller. In most cases simply clearing the prop is all it takes to get moving again. But occasionally, you’ll clear the prop, shift into forward, the engine revs, and the boat doesn’t move one iota. The reason? You’ve spun out your prop hub.

Most modern propellers have a rubber hub pressed into the bore, which lines up with the splines. If stress causes the rubber to rip or melt, the CONTINUED hub will merely SEE PAGE 106 spin inside the

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Do-ItYourself Weights ’LL ADMIT IT, I’M CHEAP AND I MAKE NO apologies for it. If I can do something for myself rather than paying someone to do it, I will, and I bet that in these continued times of economic downturn there are more and more of you becoming just like me. Disposable income is not something that most people have a lot of right now so learning a fishing tip that also saves a few cents is more than welcome. So this month we’re going to cover a way to make your own weights that work just as good as anything you buy at the store and might even save a little money at the same time.

If you’re fishing this time of year chances are you’re fishing deep, really deep. There is also a good chance that you are drift fishing in areas with some type of structure since that’s where the fish are. The problem is that you will lose a lot of tackle in these areas due to sinkers hanging up on the rocks or brush that hold the fish. The solution to this is to buy some of the snag free sinkers on the market but at three dollars each it can get expensive once you start losing them. Yes,

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they are “snag free” but you will eventually snag on something and lose one. If you want to keep these losses from breaking the bank then you can make some snag free weights on your own for pennies each.

To start your home made snag free weights you need to get some parachute cord (paracord). I happen to have some laying around from making duck call lanyards but you can find it at just about any military surplus store around the state. If yours doesn’t have any then it can also be ordered from a multitude of on-line stores. If you’re really really cheap you can even use old shoe-laces, just make sure they are the kind that are hollow. Solid laces, like those used in boots, will not work.

If you are using paracord, cut a small length (about three to four inches long) and pull out the center strands. Depending on which paracord you have there will be between five and seven small strings inside the hollow outer covering. Take one end of the section you just cut, melt it, and then squeeze the melted part with a pair of needle nose pliers while it’s still warm. This will seal that end shut. You can use a small handheld lighter or even a torch to melt the paracord but I prefer to use a candle which provides a small constant flame which is easier to control. Also, if you get in the mood to build a lot of weights you don’t have to continue lighting a small cigarette lighter over and over.

Now, you should have a tube that is open

on one end and melted closed on the other. Get some of the smallest split shot you can find, I mean really small, and start filling the tube with it. If you don’t have split shot you can substitute the shot out of a shotgun shell. Number two shot will fit inside the paracord but number four fits easier. How much shot you put in the tube is dependant on how heavy you want it. Next, cut off the excess tubing leaving about half an inch above the last split shot you inserted. Melt this end and squeeze it with the pliers just like the other end.

You should now have a short length of paracord filled with weights and sealed at both ends. Now you need a way to connect this to your line since you cannot tie your main line directly to it. Take a snap swivel and run it through the end of the weight. If you can’t work the snap swivel through the weave of the paracord you can melt a hole through it by heating paperclip and pushing it through. This will leave a nice clean hole to slide the barrel swivel through.

This weight can be used in applications you would normally use an egg, barrel, or bell sinker and should be able to slip through brush without getting hung up as often as these other types of weights. It can also be used around rip rap since it won’t wedge into the crevice as easily.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

TEXAS BOATING prop without transferring any FROM PAGE 105 of the power to the propeller itself. The engine is still running just fine, but you’re not going anywhere. Unfortunately, there’s no quick-fix to this problem, and you’ll need to have the prop repaired by a professional.

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In the mean-time, how will you get home? This is an excellent argument—one of many—for carrying a spare prop at all times. While we’re at it, don’t forget a wrench to pull the prop nut and an extra cotter pin, too. Because no matter what you might end up driving your boat through, you’ll want to be able to get back T E X A S

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on the road again. Just make sure it’s a road that’s made of water—not mud, weed, sand, or asphalt.

E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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ILLUSTRATION COURTESY PAUL BRADSHAW

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ANY HUNTERS AND OTHER FOLKS VIEW the feral hog as anuisance and as a result they are often shot and left to the critters for dinner. Many other hunters have harvested them, only to find the meat strong tasting and dry. The truth is, the meat is and can be fantastic, and you will have a meat that is free of chemicals used in traditional processing.

Upon harvesting, and after skinning and quartering, the meat should be placed in a cooler with plenty of ice to allow it to bleed down for a couple of days. This will remove most of the undesirable hormones and blood from the meat. Then you can de-bone and freeze your favorite cuts, or be ready to begin making sausage or whatever else you may desire. Remember, be sure to trim off all fat from the hog as it will turn rancid if left on the meat, even in the freezer!

Back in the April issue this year, I introduced a curing process on wild turkey, designed to take an otherwise generally dry piece of meat and turn it into a succulent and tender treat . The same process can be used on feral hog ham.

PHOTO: PATRICK DURKIN, TFG

SugarCured Feral Hog Ham

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The Sugar Cure: (Starting with a 6 to 10 lb. ham) Mix 1 pint each of sugar and sea or kosher salt into 1 to 2 gallons of cold water. Stir until its all dissolved. Place the ham in a large disposable plastic bag. Using your turkey injector, draw up two to three full syringes of the solution and inject it in next to the bone in several places on the ham.( This will help the curing process to get to the places most C O A S T A L

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vulnerable to spoiling when on a pit) .Then pour the rest of the cure solution in the bag with the ham. Squeeze all of the air out of the bag and tie it up tight and close to the meat. Place the bag in a refrigerator or a cooler lined with plenty of ice and allow it to sit in the solution for 24 to 48 hours.

Then, remove the ham from the bag, rinse it off, then it is ready for the pit.

Pit Instructions: After pre-heating the pit, I like to start with about five pounds of lump hardwood charcoal, then add seasoned pecan, post oak, and a little hickory wood for smoke and flavour enhancement. Place the ham in the pit at the far end from the firebox with the temperature at about 250 to 275 degrees, and baste every 45 minutes or so. Flip the ham every 1 to 2 hours and continue basting. (I would use 45 minutes to the pound as a guide for smoking times) or until a meat thermometer inserted next to the bone registers 160 degrees. Remove from the pit to a platter and drape a loose piece of foil over the ham for 30 to 45 minutes before carving, to rest the meat. Heat remaining baste to a boil on the stove then you can use the remainder as a sauce when serving. Try not to hurt yourself by attempting to eat the T E X A S

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whole ham while carving it. Enjoy with your favorite sides.

Baste for the ham: 1 jar- Texas Gourmet’s Mandarin orange Serrano jelly 4 T -Honey 3 T - fresh rosemary leaves - chopped 1 stick of butter (salted is OK ) 1/2 cup-olive oil 2 T- black pepper 3 T- soy sauce 6 cloves- fresh garlic- minced 1 T ground ginger 6 ounces - Crown Royal (that’s right partner, and don’t be drinking the darned sauce all up either) John Passmore says its larapin good! Heat all of the above ingredients until well blended together, then remove from heat and use a good silicone or paint style basting brush for applying (the cloth style will drink up too much baste and hold it ) Bon appetit,

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com D E C E M B E R

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TEXAS SALTWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

BAFFIN BAY

ROCKPORT

Rockport Red-Runners

CORPUS CHRISTI

Hillman Guide Service

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

GALVESTON

TEXAS FRESHWATER White Oak Outfitters

LAKE AMISTAD

Rockport Red-Runners

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT TF&G!

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Redfish Charters

Hillman’s Guide Service

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

TEXAS HUNTING

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN TEXAS?

EAT ACROSS TEXAS

BELLVILLE MEAT MARKET YOU GOTTA TRY IT!

EAT ACROSS TEXAS SPOTLIGHT: BELLVILLE MEAT MARKET Bellville Meat Market is an award-winning meat processor which has been recognized by their peers in meat processing industry for providing some of the tastiest jerky, sausage, briskets, and hot links in the Lone Star State. Some folks sing our praises for our exceptional deer processing, while others love our full service butcher counter and award-winning sausage.

Bellville is a short 15-mile jaunt from I-10 (Sealy) or Highway 290 (Hempstead) making it convenient for hunters heading back to Houston from the lease. During rifle season we accept deer on a 7 X 24 basis.

Don’t forget our slow-smoked Bar B Q sandwiches. Sit a spell and dine with us or have your sandwiches packed to go. If you are heading to Austin or College Station this fall, make the short jaunt to Bellville Meat Market to pick up a variety of meats for the pit and all your tailgating supplies. Bellville Meat Market - Meat is our middle name™

INTRODUCING TFG’S NEW EAT ACROSS TEXAS, PLEASE CALL 281.227.3001 X 5519 FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFO. A L M A N A C

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Redfish Texas Coast

Whitetail Buck Dripping Springs

Redfish redwith his first r of Bastrop, Chris Spoone ed with his cousin Matt. ctur illiam, mom fish. He is pi p were Dad W Also on the tri ey, and brother Timmy. hl Gina, sister As

Louisiana

Victoria Fluitt shows off he r 10-point bu taken on the ck, Fluitt Ranch in Dripping Springs.

doff her first re e 11, shows x, n in Delacroi Julia Dietz, ag tio ca va on ile fish caught wh Louisiana.

Whitetail Doe Hebbronville

Whitetail Buck Raymondville

Whitetail Buck

Kyle Fischer, ag this 9-point bu e 12, of Rancho Viejosho t ck at Torres Ranch, just we of Raymondv ille. This was st Kyle’s first de er.

Dripping Springs

ed this doe le Breed bagg 10-year-old Co g trip near Hebbronville g ntin while on a hu le also got a spike, makin Co ot. with his dad. deer ever sh ird th d an nd these his seco

Stormy Fluitt wi hunting on th th a 10-point buck, shot while e Fluitt Ranc h in Dripping Springs.

Shark Upper Coast

Whitetail Doe Houston County

Redfish Lake Calaveras

s off his first , age 12, show doe. The doe il Aaron Bowley ta ite wh ld -o at 80 year deer, a 6-1/2ty with a .243 Houston Coun in n ke ta s wa yards.

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Three-year-o ld Kolt Hack ebeil caught redfish while this fishing with his family at Calaveras La ke.

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dor shows of age 11, of Vi Trevor Duff, . er nd ou -p 15 first shark, a

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Whitetail Buck George West

Redfish Laguna Madre

Redfish Lake Calaveras

f

ows of s proudly sh e cole Tunche caught on liv Stephanie Ni e sh at th h redfis Ranch shorethis 26-inch ng Ki e th ng fishi shrimp while nches. dad Gerald Tu line with her

James Froehl ich, age 9, fro m Houston to his first buck ok wh outside of Ge ile hunting with his dad orge West.

ish ught this redf eil, age 7, ca Calaveras at Jayce Hackeb ily m fa s with hi while fishing Lake.

Redfish Redfish

San Antonio Bay

Brazoria County

Speckled Trout East Matagorda Bay

Mike Torres caught and re leased this 31 redfish while -inch fis Antonio Bay. hing with his dad in San

ows an proudly sh hCollin Sherid ught while fis Six-year-old ca , ut tro ed eckl a East Bay. rd off his first sp go ta Ma in papaw ing with his

Hayden Bish op, redfish while age 6, caught this 23-inch fishi Brazoria Coun ng with his family in ty.

Redfish Corpus Christi Bay

Speckled Trout Speckled Trout

Galveston Bay

ught Woodlands ca ile neau of The Roger Carbon trout in Galveston Bay wh ch ey were borTh this 24-3/8-in ll. ne La fe his wi fishing with boat. son, Arthur’s rowing their

Cory Lynn Re ys proudly show ack of Port Aransas, Texa s off her first s, 32-inch bull fish that she redcaught while fishing with papaw and au her nt in Corpus Christi Bay.

Aransas Pass

Morarts out! Jeff s, eat your he 20-inch is th Duck hunter ht ug ca , Texas, his ris of Corinth th the help of ansas Pass wi trout near Ar t. in lab on po two-year-old

Whitetail Buck Whitetail Buck

Redfish Rockport

Eight-year-old Hunter Shultz 1/2-inch redf caught a 27ish Island near Ro while fishing off of Mud ckport.

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Thicket, Texas

Madison County

tail buck while his first white n CJ Marze took andpa’s land in Madiso gr s his hunting on hi int buck with po 8e th ot rze. dad Cody Ma County. He sh 0-30. Photo by Winchester .3

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Ty McMahon of deer while hu Thicket, Texas, killed his nting in Thic first ket. The buck a 10-point. was

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EAST TEXAS TURKEY IN TROUBLE? WILD TURKEYS ARE MORE numerous than they have been in decades and in some regions, there are arguably more birds than ever.

With that said it might be difficult to imagine anything posing a real threat to turkey populations, but dangers loom on the horizon. Some of them are regionalized while others cover the map but collectively they paint a questionable future for America’s favorite game bird.

It is quite evident than in recent years there is a lot less open game habitat than there was even in the late 1990s. Texas’ population is growing, and there are concerns about turkey habitat particular that in the eastern third of the state.

Probably the biggest threat to turkeys in relation to human growth comes in the form of the quest for water. Currently there are millions of acres of reservoirs proposed • Executive Editor through the country and for those not familiar with reservoir construction, it goes something like this.

Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or some

PHOTO: JOE RICHARD

by Chester Moore

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other agency dam up a prime spot on a river or large creek system and slowly fill in the surrounding bottomlands. As any turkey hunter knows, bottoms are extremely important to the birds and they are currently the most endangered type of wildlife habitat on the continent.

In Texas, there are currently three major reservoir systems being debated including one planned along the Sulphur River bottoms between Texas and Arkansas, which is some of the best eastern turkey hunting in the state.

Hunting-based conservation groups are concerned about the plans but rival interests in the fishing community applaud them due to the increased fishing opportunities they would bring.

“There is going to be serious problems over this fight for water and as a fishing guide and a hunter I can tell you it’s going to be very interesting. Unfortunately wildlife will lose out in the end as you just can’t replace a hardwood bottom,” said Roger Bacon.

Of all threats, feral hogs are the most misunderstood and their potential for impact is growing. These non-indigenous omnivores have spread from the Deep South into 20 states with their most recent conquest being the Finger Lakes region of

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In This Issue OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

HOW-TO SECTION

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COVER STORY • East Texas Turkey in Trouble? |

BY CHESTER MOORE

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots |

BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD

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New York. Hogs have significant impacts on their environments and research suggests there is a negative effect on turkey nesting success.

Take for example a study conducted in Rio Grande turkey country, the Edwards Plateau of central Texas in 1993. There, researchers used chicken eggs to simulate turkey nestings and found that hogs destroyed 28 percent of them. On the other hand, some researchers, including V.G. Henry debate the hog’s effectiveness at nest predation arguing that they are “haphazard nest predators” and that hogs are, “not additive to nest predation, but only replaced that which would have occurred by other predators either driven off or preyed upon by feral hogs, especially snakes.”

Research conducted on other groundnesting animals, including reptiles may shed some light on the potential for hogs to harm turkey nests. In Georgia, for example, 80 percent of sea turtle nests were lost on Ossabow Island due to hog predation.

“There is no doubt that feral hogs have a negative impact on their environment and research certainly suggests that they can and do destroy the nests of turkeys and other ground nesting birds,” said Rick Taylor, retired feral hog specialist with the Texas 50 |

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BOWHUNTING TECH • A Great Christmas Gift |

BY LOU MARULLO

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE • Special Holiday Advertising Section |

BY TF&G STAFF

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TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • Shotgun Reloading |

BY STEVE LAMASCUS

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TEXAS TASTED • Sugar-Cured Feral Hog Ham |

BY BRYAN SLAVEN

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TEXAS KAYAKING • In a Perfect World |

BY GREG BERLOCHER

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OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Classifieds |

BY TF&G STAFF

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TEXAS BOATING • Boating Through & Through |

BY LENNY RUDOW

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PHOTO ALBUM • Your Action Photos |

BY TF&G READERS

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BAITS & RIGS • Do-It-Yourself Weights |

BY PAUL BRADSHAW

GEARING UP SECTION

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TEXAS TESTED • Quantum, Stanley | BY TFG STAFF

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

BY TF&G STAFF

INDUSTRY INSIDER • Xpress Boats, Abilene COC |

BY TF&G STAFF

Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Of all state agencies, TPWD has had the most experience dealing with hogs and they are seeing them increase in numbers, especially in areas where turkey populations are most sensitive. The Pineywoods of East Texas has seen more than 20 years of restoration efforts bring huntable populations of eastern turkeys back to the region.

At the same time, feral hog populations have skyrocketed there in the last five years.

“East Texas has had a tremendous increase in feral hogs and there are some concerns as to how this might impact the eastern turkeys,” Taylor said.

I personally witnessed hog’s impact on eastern turkey nests in 2005 on a 25,000acre hunting club along the Sabine River corridor in Newton County, TX. While scouting for (ironically) an area to hunt hogs I came across a turkey nest. A few days later, I returned with a camera to capture photos of the nest and found it destroyed by the snouts of feral hogs that rooted the area to the point of looking like a tilled field.

What is interesting to note is that the only area in East Texas turkeys have not successfully colonized is in the extreme southern portion where hogs are the most numerous. The Tony Houseman State Park and T E X A S

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www.FishGame.com Blue Elbow Wildlife Management Area sits on 5,000 acres of some of the most pristine bottomlands in the state and it is currently devoid of turkeys. Feral hogs however are so numerous that they frequently feed in broad daylight along the side of Interstate 10, which divides the area.

In conclusion, wild turkeys are resilient creatures that have bounced back from an estimated population of 500,000 birds in 1900 to nearly 10,000,000 in 2007 throughout North America. However, much of that population growth had to do with strict conservation practices including stocking, seasons, bag limits and even forest reclamation.

“It’s hard to imagine that we would ever see turkeys on the endangered species list, but what we need to be watching out for are region specific problems, not just the whole country’s population or even that within a state,” said TF&G Bowhunting Editor Lou Marullo.

“To keep turkey hunting on the acreage we have at a maximum level it’s going to take the collective effort of hunters, landowners, fish and game departments and everyone with a stake in the issue.”

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LOWER GULF COAST

Top Baffin Trout, Target Mansfield

by CALIXTO GONZALES cgonzales@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: South Shoreline GPS: N27 15.852, W97 25.43598 (27.264200, -97.423933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters in chrome/blue, baby trout, soft plastics in Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, plum/chartreuse; CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: North winds push bait up against windward shorelines during northerns.

Watch for nervous bait as a cue to where to fish. Use soft plastics with 1/8 or lighter jigheads. Deadstick Corkies in deeper water.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay HOTSPOT: The Badlands GPS: N27 18.228, W97 24.33798 (27.303800, -97.405633) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Topwaters in chrome/blue, baby trout, soft plastics in Baffin Magic, Morning Glory, plum/chartreuse; CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-9856089, 361-449-7441, brushcountrycharters.com TIPS: Winter is big trout time on Baffin.

Plenty of larger fish survived the late summer debacle. Fish around color changes and over muddy bottom. Fish stretches of clean water more deliberately with soft plastics.

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LOCATION: Port Mansfield HOTSPOT: Big Oak Motts GPS: N26 41.46498, W97 27.49998 (26.691083, -97.458333) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters, soft Plastics in red/white, Bone/chartreuse, Pearl CONTACT: Captain Steven Devries, 956289-3631 TIPS: Redfish will stay in the Oak Motts area for much of the winter. Fish the shallower water on mild days with topwaters and jerkbaits. If the weather has cooled, back off to the ddeper basin just off the shoreline and fish with 1/8th-ounce plastics.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: The Cabins GPS: N26 23.93202, W97 20.59098 (26.398867, -97.343183) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live shrimp, fresh shrimp CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez, 956551-9581 TIPS: Anchor near the docks and fish the deep water adjacent to the ICW. Use a free-shrimp rig with a split shot. Incoming tide is the best time to fish.

LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Andie Bowie Park GPS: N26 11.541, W97 10.3482 (26.192350, -97.172470) SPECIES: mangrove snapper BEST BAITS: live or fresh shrimp, sand fleas, Gulp! baits CONTACT: Quick Stop, 956-943-1159 TIPS: Pompano are in the middle of a winter run. Surfcasters can make some great catches soaking fresh or live shrimp and sand fleas up against the breakers. Bits of Gulp! baits are also effective. Youíll also score on some big whiting, too.

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LOCATION: South Padre Island HOTSPOT: Brazos Santiago Jetties GPS: N26 4.08, W97 9.28002 (26.068000, -97.154667) SPECIES: black drum BEST BAITS: live or fresh shrimp, crab chunks CONTACT: Quick Stop, 956-943-1159 TIPS: Fish the deep holes just off the channel side of the jetties. There are some big drum cruising up and down there. Use a dropper or fish-finder rig with enough weight to hold the bait near the bottom. Use a flat sinker that will glide over the rocks.

MIDDLE GULF COAST

Tree Trout and Pothole Reds

by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Copano Bay HOTSPOT: Lone Tree Reef GPS: N28 4.47402, W97 6.86202 (28.074567, -97.114367) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: live croaker CONTACT: Capt. Randy Filla, 361-2152332 TIPS: Work the edges of the reef LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay HOTSPOT: Shamrock Cove GPS: N27 44.95098, W97 10.00002 (27.749183, -97.166667) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Spoons CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: You have some flats in this area that are really made for redfish, 16-18inches of water I N L A N D

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LOCATION: Mesquite Bay HOTSPOT: Cedar Lake GPS: N28 13.75698, W96 39.666 (28.229283, -96.661100) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Chrome blue Spook Junior; Texas Trout Killer, plum/chartreuse color using 1/16-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-7852686 TIPS: wade-fishing has lots of grass and deeper guts LOCATION: Port Aransas HOTSPOT: Ransom Flats GPS: N27 51.816, W97 8.94402 (27.863600, -97.149067) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: live bait CONTACT: Capt. Randy Filla, 361-2152332 TIPS: Fish the potholes LOCATION: Port O'Connor HOTSPOT: Whitaker’s Flats GPS: N28 13.7454, W96 15.5388 (28.229090, -96.258980) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Texas Killer Flats Minnow in a Roach and chartreuse color using a 1/8-ounce jighead CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-7852686 TIPS: Excellent for drift and wade-fishing at this time of the year LOCATION: Redfish Bay HOTSPOT: Intro Coastal Canal GPS: N27 41.388, W97 13.73298 (27.689800, -97.228883) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in a white color with 1/8-ounce jighead; live shrimp with a split shot for weight CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: If trout are in the sand pockets, an Alameda Cork works good; if the fish are in the deeper water, let the bait/lure free fall and then bounce the bait off the bottom.

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LOCATION: Rockport HOTSPOT: Estes Flats GPS: N27 57.1182, W97 5.1492 (27.951970, -97.085820) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in a white color with 1/8-ounce jighead; live shrimp with a split shot for weight CONTACT: Capt. John Barbree, 361-2220477 TIPS: Look for holes LOCATION: San Antonio Bay HOTSPOT: Sheel Reef GPS: N21 36.24, W96 30.72 (21.604000, -96.512000) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Gulp shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-7852686 TIPS: Excellent for drift fishing LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre HOTSPOT: Emmords Hole GPS: N27 30.057, W97 19.54602 (27.500950, -97.325767) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Popping cork and shrimp CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-9490133 TIPS: Drift the flats

UPPER GULF COAST

Confederate Specks

by TOM BEHRENS tbehrens@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: South Levee Park GPS: N29 51.58398, W93 55.54698 (29.859733, -93.925783) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Corkys and Catch 2000; soft plastics in Cajun Pepper/ chartreuse tail CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409.673.9211 T E X A S

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TIPS: Real good shoreline fishing on both sides of the lake at this time of the year LOCATION: Sabine Lake HOTSPOT: Blue Buck Point GPS: N29 47.77998, W93 54.43902 (29.796333, -93.907317) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Big topwater baits CONTACT: Capt. Bill Watkins, 409.673.9211 TIPS: Throw topwaters late in the afternoon LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: Fisher’s Reef GPS: N29 39.91398, W94 50.55198 (29.665233, -94.842533) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 4-inch Bass Assassins with paddle tails in chartreuse or Hot Chicken colors, using with 1/8-ounce jigheads CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409256-7937 TIPS: Count to three and do a straight retrieve LOCATION: Trinity Bay HOTSPOT: HL&P Spillway GPS: N29 44.90598, W94 48.48702 (29.748433, -94.808117) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 1/4 jigheads with Gulp CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409256-7937 TIPS: Fish the cuts. If water clarity is good throw lighter colors; if the water is dirty, throw darker colors LOCATION: West Galveston Bay HOTSPOT: Confederate Reef GPS: N29 16.19502, W94 56.97402 (29.269917, -94.949567) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: 4-inch Bass Assassins with paddle tails in chartreuse or Hot Chicken colors, using with 1/8-ounce jigheads CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409256-7937 TIPS: Cast out, let the bait sink to the bottom and pop it up two or three times, let if fall back down I N L A N D

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LOCATION: West Matagorda Bay HOTSPOT: Greens Bayou GPS: N28 29.88702, W96 14.202 (28.498117, -96.236700) SPECIES: redfish BEST BAITS: Topwaters and Black Magic

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Norton soft plastics CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: After a cold front, wade some of the cuts for redfish. Work the bait real slow LOCATION: Matagorda

HOTSPOT: Selkirk Island GPS: N28 41.75802, W95 58.67598 (28.695967, -95.977933) SPECIES: speckled trout BEST BAITS: Hogie Double Tail shrimp with 3/8 leadhead jig CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281450-4037 TIPS: If temperatures drop, trolling a bait is good way to catch fish. Feed the bait out behind the bait, get the it down deep and drift along using the trolling motor to keep the bait straight.

PINEY WOODS

Livingston Cats, Buzzard Whites

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Whatley Island GPS: N32 42.0057, W94 4.56954 (32.700095, -94.076159) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jig and pork or soft plastic trailer, Rat-L-Trap, topwaters CONTACT: Paul Keith, caddoguide1@att.net, 318-455-3437, caddolakefishing.com TIPS: Fish dark-colored jig and pig on the scattered cypress trees and use red or chrome Rat-L-Traps over the grass flats.

Keep a topwater lure handy for schooling bass in the open waters.

LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Old 190 Bridge Channel GPS: N30 45.3, W95 8.0502 (30.755000, -95.134170) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh dead shad, live perch CONTACT: Dave S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Use a Carolina rig and work the baits along the bottom along the edge of 56 |

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the old river channel on both sides of the bridge.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res. HOTSPOT: Buzzard Bend GPS: N31 21.63468, W93 39.3177 (31.360578, -93.655295) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slab spoons, tail-spinners, Rat-L-Traps, medium diving crankbaits CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: The lake level has been lowered by 7 feet for dam repair. Check the ramps to make sure there is enough water to launch. The fish will stack up on sand bars along the river channel, mainly on the south ends of major bends. Shad colors are best.

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don_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for cattails on the right side going into the intake area. The water is about five feet deep outside the cattails.

Chum along the cattails and use a Carolina rig with No. 4 treble hook for punch bait and Nos. 2-3 Kahle hook for worms and shrimp.

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Res.

HOTSPOT: Hog Creek GPS: N30 37.30686, W96 4.16238 (30.621781, -96.069373) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh shad, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Hog Creek comes close to Pelican Island. On the lake-side of the island is 13

PRAIRIES & LAKES

Fish and Cut Bait for Hybrids

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake Humps GPS: N32 12.90276, W96 5.2182 (32.215046, -96.086970) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Cut shad, buffalo, carp, drum CONTACT: Jason Barber, kingcreekadventures@yahoo.com, 903-887-7896, kingcreekadventures.com TIPS: Cut bait as you need it. Keep remaining bait on ice but not submerged to retain juices and aroma. Cut bait into golf ball-sized pieces. Drift humps in 5-25 feet of water with Carolina, Santee Cooper or drop-shot rigs. Target shallows early and late.

LOCATION: Fayette County Res. HOTSPOT: Intake Cattails GPS: N29 55.3083, W96 44.9337 (29.921805, -96.748895) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shrimp, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, welI N L A N D

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feet of water. Anchor and fish any lily pads that may be there. Chum if the weather is warm. Big blues travel here during the winter so be prepared to cach a big fish.

LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N31 55.03266, W97 12.17286 (31.917211, -97.202881) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse slabs CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS: Use your graph to locate schools of white bass at the ends of major points and along their edges leading toward deep water.

The shad are running these edges and quick limits can be made by bouncing slabs off the bottom. Most strikes come on the fall.

LOCATION: Lake Cooper HOTSPOT: Dam Riprap GPS: N33 19.8939, W95 37.80654 (33.331565, -95.630109) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad CONTACT: Tony Parker, tawakonifihing@yahoo.com, 903-348-1619, tonyparkerfishing.com TIPS: Look for both hybrids and sand bass to be moving along the riprap. I keep my boat in 25 feet of water and throw a 3/4-ounce Sassy Shad, keeping it close to the bottom on a slow retrieve. Also keep an eye out for surfacing fish in open waters.

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LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: The Dam GPS: N33 2.01384, W96 27.91692 (33.033564, -96.465282) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Use 1/8-ounce black-chartreuse or black-blue jigs on a spider rig. With six to eight-pound test line and an ultra-light rod,fish slowly across the face of the dam.

The crappie will be deep, usually in 25 to 40 feet of water.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Clear Lake Park Cove GPS: N33 4.33602, W96 29.38974 (33.072267, -96.489829) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh gizzard shad, cut bait CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Fish this area and other shallow coves by drifting shad or cut bait on a heavy line up to 40-pound test. Many big blue catfish roam these areas at this time of the year.

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Main Lake Ledges GPS: N33 5.01282, W96 56.85096 (33.083547, -96.947516) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh gizaard or threadfin shad

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CONTACT: Bobby Kubin, bobby@bobbycatfishing.com, 817-455-2894, bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: Blue cats are beginnng to move into their winter patterns. Anchor over main lake ledges and channels. Use a 2-ounce weight. 24-inch leader and 5-0 circle hook for eating-sized fish and 8-0 hook for trophy fish on Santee-Cooper or Carolina rigs.

LOCATION: Lake Monticello HOTSPOT: Upper Lake Timber GPS: N33 2.10876, W95 6.76572 (33.035146, -95.112762) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cheese bait CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Fish the timbered area here with cheese bait in 10 to 15 feet of water. Tie up to the trees and fish vertically. Expect to catch limits daily.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Kickapoo Channel GPS: N32 17.08422, W95 27.18996 (32.284737, -95.453166) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh live shad CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: This is a good place to set jug lines and trotlines along the edge of the river channel. Use live shad to catch the larger blue and yellow catfish.

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LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Flat Creek GPS: N32 13.05552, W95 32.90112 (32.217592, -95.548352) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, jigs, Shimmy Shakers CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Fish the back of Flat Creek in two to eight feet of water as well as on the north end of the main river channel. The main lake points near the dam also are good. Fish the lures very slowly at this time of the year because the bite is slow.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Dam Riprap GPS: N32 3.48816, W95 26.21148 (32.058136, -95.436858) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Mr; Twister Minnows CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com

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TIPS: Crappie will be next to the dam along the rock wall close to the river channel. Use white or blue-white jigs at 17 to 25 feet deep. The Highway 155 bridge pilings also are good at this time of the year at the same depths.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Tire Reef GPS: N30 19.164, W96 34.374 (30.319400, -96.572900) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh shad, shrimp CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The submerged tire reef runs from six to 23 feet of water. Start shallow and work toward deeper water to locate the fish. Fish a Carolina rig off the bottm. Blue cats, yellow cats and hybrids will take the shad. Use punch bait for channel cats.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Juniper Point East

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LOCATION : Lake Whitney HOTSPOT : Big Rocky Creek GPS : N31 52.99014, W97 23.4528 (31.883169, -97.390880) SPECIES : striped bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse slabs CONTACT : Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS : Make long casts behind the boat

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and use your trolling motor to slowly troll the lures in and around Big Rocky Creek.

Large schools of shad are roaming the mouth of the creek and the stripers are gorging themselves on the shad.

PANHANDLE

Power Up for Graham Hybrids

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Graham HOTSPOT : Power Plant Outlet GPS : N33 8.0361, W98 36.4956 (33.133935, -98.608260) SPECIES : hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, jigs, live shad CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : As the water cools the fish will be attracted to the warm water outlet. Fish inside the fence with shad, jigs or slabs as close to the bottom as possible unless you see feeding fish pushing shad to the surface.

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LOCATION : Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT : River Channel Near Bird Island GPS : N32 56.2383, W98 26.1315 (32.937305, -98.435525) SPECIES : striped bass BEST BAITS: Gamefisher slab, Rat-LTrap,crankbaits CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : Look for the fish to stack up along the 20-foot contour along the old river channel. I prefer a 3/8-ounce Gamefisher slab but live minnows also work. Fish slowly and sneak up on feeding fish with your trolling motor to avoid spooking them.

LOCATION : Lake Palo Pinto HOTSPOT : Power Plant Outlet GPS : N32 39.3237, W98 18.81282 (32.655395, -98.313547) SPECIES : white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : Choose a day just ahead of a cold front. If the plant is generating, the fish will be in the current close to the plant. Use yellow, chartreuse or shad colors. The fish may be suspended but more likely will be right off the bottom.

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Pecos River GPS : N29 42.13758, W101 22.1424 (29.702293, -101.369040) SPECIES : catfish BEST BAITS: Goldfish, cheese baits CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : For yellowcats, set trotlines baited with goldfish along the Pecos River channel as well as the Rio Grande.This area draws little attention from anglers. For channelcats and blues, fish cheese baits along the rock ledges and in the deep pockets.

BIG BEND

Devilish Amistad Smallies

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Devilís River GPS : N29 35.31936, W100 59.088 (29.588656, -100.984800) SPECIES : smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: crankbaits and diving lures CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : Fish medium-running crankbaits across the sloping points and small flats in the numerous cuts here. Work diving crankbaits along the deeper drop-offs and across the rocky ledges. Many 3 to 4pound smallmouths are caught here.

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Highway 90 Bridge GPS : N29 29.35758, W101 2.403 (29.489293, -101.040050) SPECIES : largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastic frogs, Senkos, Zara Spooks, spinnerbaits CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofhmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : Work plastic frogs, Zara Spooks or white spinnerbaits early and late in four

60 |

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

I N L A N D

A L M A N A C

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feet of water or less in the pockets and off points. Swith to Senkos during the day and fish them around shallow stickups and rocky banks in the coves.

HILL COUNTRY

Granger Catfish on Shad

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Granger HOTSPOT : Main Lake Flats GPS : N30 42.08406, W97 20.49684 (30.701401, -97.341614) SPECIES : catfish BEST BAITS: live or cut shad CONTACT : Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmain.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com TIPS : Big blue catfish like cool and cold water temperatures and are prowling the flats in the main body of the lake. They can be caught on live bait drifted or on jug lines. Live shad is the best bait but donít hesitate to try something else.

I N L A N D

A L M A N A C

Page 61

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

Falcon Creek Bass Like Lizards

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Falcon Lake HOTSPOT : Tributary Creek Channel GPS : N26 40.6884, W99 11.56854 (26.678140, -99.192809) SPECIES : largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastic lizards, Brush Hawgs CONTACT : Robert Amaya, robertsfishntackle@gmail.com, 956-765-1442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS : Stay on the edge of the channel, starting deep and working toward shallow water. Drag Carolina-rigged black-red glitter or Watermelon-red lures for staging fish.

Water temperatures are cooling and baitfish are forming big schools in this area

T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

|

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Tides and Prime Times

DECEMBER 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:

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

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

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

KEY T18 T19 T20 T21 T22 T23

PLACE 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 T22 T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS TIDE LE VEL GRAPH: Yellow: Daylight

12a

Tab: Peak Fishing Period

6a

12p

6p

12a

Light Blue: Nighttime

BEST:

7:05-9:40 PM

Green: Falling Tide

AM/PM Timeline

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

62 |

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 D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

T E X A S

F I S H

&

G A M E ®

I N L A N D

A L M A N A C

HIGH -0.09 -0:44 0:00 -0:03 -0:24 +1:02

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

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

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

29

30

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

THURSDAY

D EC 1

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

2

SUNDAY

4

3

5

Set: 5:20p Set: 1:33p

Sunrise: 6:55a Moonrise: 2:36a

Set: 5:20p Set: 2:11p

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 3:42a

Set: 5:20p Set: 2:52p

Sunrise: 6:56a Moonrise: 4:48a

Set: 5:20p Set: 3:37p

Sunrise: 6:57a Moonrise: 5:54a

Set: 5:20p Set: 4:27p

Sunrise: 6:58a Moonrise: 6:56a

Set: 5:20p Set: 5:22p

AM Minor: 11:44a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 12:06a

PM Minor: 12:30p

AM Minor: 12:50a

PM Minor: 1:16p

AM Minor: 1:36a

PM Minor: 2:02p

AM Minor: 2:24a

PM Minor: 2:52p

AM Minor: 3:15a

PM Minor: 3:44p

AM Minor: 4:11a

PM Minor: 4:40p

AM Major: 5:32a

PM Major: 5:56p

AM Major: 6:18a

PM Major: 6:43p

AM Major: 7:03a

PM Major: 7:29p

AM Major: 7:49a

PM Major: 8:16p

AM Major: 8:38a

PM Major: 9:06p

AM Major: 9:30a

PM Major: 9:58p

AM Major: 10:25a

PM Major: 10:54p

Moon Overhead: 6:47a 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:27a

Moon Overhead: 7:36a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 9:19a 12a

6a

12p

Moon Overhead: 11:12a

Moon Overhead: 10:15a

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 6:53a Set: 5:20p Sunrise: 6:54a Moonrise: 12:29a Set: 12:58p Moonrise: 1:32a

12a

WEDNESDAY

Moon Overhead: 12:10p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 7:11p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

Moon Underfoot: 9:47p

BEST:

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

BEST:

2:30 — 4:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 11:41p BEST:

3:0 — 5:30 AM

4:30 — 6:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: None +2.0

BEST:

5:00 — 6:00 AM

TIDE LEVELS

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:43p

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 8:53p

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 PM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 8:01p

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

5:07 am 10:24 am 3:57 pm 10:49 pm

0.71 ft 1.02 ft 0.57 ft 1.27 ft

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

I N L A N D

5:43 am 12:21 pm 5:15 pm 11:05 pm

0.37 ft 1.13 ft 0.84 ft 1.25 ft

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

A L M A N A C

6:23 am 1:57 pm 6:45 pm 11:20 pm

0.03 ft 1.30 ft 1.06 ft 1.26 ft

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

T E X A S

7:07 am 3:13 pm 8:14 pm 11:35 pm

-0.26 ft 1.45 ft 1.22 ft 1.30 ft

F I S H

&

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

7:51 am 4:17 pm 9:32 pm 11:52 pm

-0.48 ft Low Tide: 8:37 am -0.62 ft 1.56 ft High Tide: 5:14 pm 1.59 ft 1.33 ft Low Tide: 10:34 pm 1.38 ft 1.35 ft

G A M E ®

D E C E M B E R

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

12:15 am 9:23 am 6:06 pm 11:17 pm

2 0 1 0

|

1.39 ft -0.67 ft 1.57 ft 1.39 ft

63

+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

WEDNESDAY

7

THURSDAY

8

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

9

10

SUNDAY

11

12

Sunrise: 6:59a Moonrise: 7:54a

Set: 5:20p Set: 6:20p

Sunrise: 6:59a Moonrise: 8:45a

Set: 5:20p Set: 7:20p

Sunrise: 7:00a Moonrise: 9:31a

Set: 5:20p Set: 8:19p

AM Minor: 5:09a

PM Minor: 5:37p

AM Minor: 6:08a

PM Minor: 6:35p

AM Minor: 7:06a

PM Minor: 7:31p

AM Minor: 8:01a

PM Minor: 8:25p

AM Minor: 8:53a

PM Minor: 9:15p

AM Minor: 9:40a

PM Minor: 10:01p

AM Minor: 10:24a

PM Minor: 10:45p

AM Major: 10:51a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 11:50a

PM Major: 12:21p

AM Major: 12:53a

PM Major: 1:18p

AM Major: 1:49a

PM Major: 2:13p

AM Major: 2:41a

PM Major: 3:04p

AM Major: 3:30a

PM Major: 3:51p

AM Major: 4:14a

PM Major: 4:34p

Moon Overhead: 1:07p 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 2:53p

Moon Overhead: 2:01p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 7:01a Set: 5:20p Moonrise: 10:10a Set: 9:16p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 5:20p Sunrise: 7:02a Set: 5:20p Sunrise: 7:03a Set: 5:21p Moonrise: 10:45a Set: 10:11p Moonrise: 11:16a Set: 11:04p Moonrise: 11:45a Set: 11:56p

Moon Overhead: 3:41p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 5:07p

Moon Overhead: 4:25p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 5:48p 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

6

12a

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 12:38a +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:17a BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:04a BEST:

7:30 — 9:30 AM

8:30 — 10:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:47a BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 5:28a +2.0

BEST:

9:00 — 11:00 AM

11:00 A — 1:00 P TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 2:28a

TIDE LEVELS

5:30 — 7:30 AM

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:34a

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

12:47 am 10:09 am 6:54 pm 11:48 pm

64 |

1.40 ft High Tide: 1:27 am 1.38 ft Low Tide: -0.65 ft Low Tide: 10:54 am -0.57 ft High Tide: 1.51 ft High Tide: 7:40 pm 1.43 ft Low Tide: 1.37 ft High Tide:

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

12:23 am 2:05 am 11:38 am 8:20 pm

1.31 ft 1.32 ft -0.44 ft 1.34 ft

T E X A S

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

1:32 am 2:27 am 12:20 pm 8:54 pm

F I S H

1.22 ft Low Tide: 1:01 pm 1.22 ft High Tide: 9:21 pm -0.27 ft 1.26 ft

&

G A M E ®

-0.08 ft Low Tide: 1:40 pm 1.18 ft High Tide: 9:43 pm

I N L A N D

0.13 ft 1.11 ft

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

A L M A N A C

4:55 am 7:55 am 2:17 pm 10:01 pm

0.76 ft 0.80 ft 0.34 ft 1.05 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

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Page 66

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

13

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

14

THURSDAY

15

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 5:21p Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 12:43p Set: 12:48a Moonrise: 1:14p

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

16

17

SUNDAY

19

18

Set: 5:22p Set: 1:40a

Sunrise: 7:05a Moonrise: 1:48p

Set: 5:22p Set: 2:35a

Sunrise: 7:06a Moonrise: 2:26p

Set: 5:22p Set: 3:32a

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 3:10p

Set: 5:23p Set: 4:30a

Sunrise: 7:07a Moonrise: 4:01p

Set: 5:23p Set: 5:30a

AM Minor: 11:06a

PM Minor: 11:26p

AM Minor: 11:45a

PM Minor: ——-

AM Minor: 12:03a

PM Minor: 12:24p

AM Minor: 12:41a

PM Minor: 1:04p

AM Minor: 1:22a

PM Minor: 1:46p

AM Minor: 2:05a

PM Minor: 2:31p

AM Minor: 2:53a

PM Minor: 3:21p

AM Major: 4:56a

PM Major: 5:16p

AM Major: 5:35a

PM Major: 5:55p

AM Major: 6:13a

PM Major: 6:35p

AM Major: 6:53a

PM Major: 7:15p

AM Major: 7:34a

PM Major: 7:58p

AM Major: 8:18a

PM Major: 8:44p

AM Major: 9:07a

PM Major: 9:34p

Moon Overhead: 6:28p

12a

WEDNESDAY

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:51p

Moon Overhead: 7:09p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:37p 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 10:18p

Moon Overhead: 9:26p 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 11:14p 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

Sunrise: 7:04a Set: 5:21p Moonrise: 12:14p Set: None

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 6:08a +2.0

BEST:

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:14a BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:01a BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:52a BEST:

2:30 — 4:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 10:46a +2.0

BEST:

3:30 — 4:30 AM

4:00 — 6:00 AM TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 7:30a

TIDE LEVELS

11:30A — 1:30P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:48a

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

5:15 am 10:06 am 2:55 pm 10:15 pm

0.58 ft 0.76 ft 0.55 ft 1.02 ft

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

5:39 am 12:03 pm 3:40 pm 10:26 pm

0.38 ft 0.82 ft 0.74 ft 1.01 ft

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

6:04 am 1:42 pm 4:45 pm 10:32 pm

0.19 ft 0.94 ft 0.90 ft 1.02 ft

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

6:33 am 2:51 pm 6:25 pm 10:31 pm

0.00 ft 1.06 ft 1.02 ft 1.05 ft

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

7:05 am 3:39 pm 8:11 pm 10:20 pm

-0.17 ft 1.17 ft 1.10 ft 1.10 ft

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

7:40 am 4:21 pm 9:06 pm 10:25 pm

-0.34 ft 1.26 ft 1.16 ft 1.16 ft

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

8:17 am 5:00 pm 9:25 pm 11:14 pm

-0.49 ft 1.33 ft 1.20 ft 1.21 ft

+1.0

0

-1.0

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Page 67

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

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010 MONDAY

TUESDAY

21

THURSDAY

22

FRIDAY

23

SATURDAY

24

SUNDAY

25

26

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 4:57p

Set: 5:23p Set: 6:29a

Sunrise: 7:08a Moonrise: 5:59p

Set: 5:24p Set: 7:24a

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 7:05p

Set: 5:24p Set: 8:16a

Sunrise: 7:09a Moonrise: 8:11p

Set: 5:25p Set: 9:03a

Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 9:17p

Set: 5:25p Set: 9:45a

AM Minor: 3:45a

PM Minor: 4:14p

AM Minor: 4:42a

PM Minor: 5:11p

AM Minor: 5:41a

PM Minor: 6:10p

AM Minor: 6:42a

PM Minor: 7:10p

AM Minor: 7:43a

PM Minor: 8:09p

AM Minor: 8:41a

PM Minor: 9:07p

AM Minor: 9:37a

PM Minor: 10:02p

AM Major: 10:00a

PM Major: 10:28p

AM Major: 10:56a

PM Major: 11:25p

AM Major: 11:56a

PM Major: ——-

AM Major: 12:28a

PM Major: 12:56p

AM Major: 1:29a

PM Major: 1:56p

AM Major: 2:29a

PM Major: 2:54p

AM Major: 3:25a

PM Major: 3:50p

Moon Overhead: None 6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 1:10a

Moon Overhead: 12:12a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 2:07a 12a

6a

12p

Set: 5:26p Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 5:26p Sunrise: 7:10a Moonrise: 10:22p Set: 10:23a Moonrise: 11:25p Set: 10:59a

Moon Overhead: 3:54a

Moon Overhead: 3:02a

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

20

12a

WEDNESDAY

Moon Overhead: 4:44a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 11:43a +2.0

BEST:

0

-1.0

BEST:

Moon Underfoot: 2:34p

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 3:28p

BEST:

5:30 — 7:30 AM

BEST:

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 4:19p BEST:

7:00 — 9:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 5:09p +2.0

BEST:

9:00 — 11:00 AM

9:30 — 11:30 AM TIDE LEVELS

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 1:38p

TIDE LEVELS

4:30 — 6:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 12:41p

Low Tide: 8:57 am High Tide: 5:41 pm Low Tide: 9:50 pm

-0.62 ft High Tide: 12:10 am 1.36 ft Low Tide: 9:39 am 1.22 ft High Tide: 6:20 pm Low Tide: 10:25 pm

I N L A N D

1.24 ft -0.70 ft 1.37 ft 1.21 ft

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

A L M A N A C

1:08 am 10:23 am 6:58 pm 11:09 pm

1.24 ft High Tide: 2:09 am 1.20 ft Low Tide: -0.73 ft Low Tide: 11:07 am -0.68 ft High Tide: 1.34 ft High Tide: 7:32 pm 1.28 ft Low Tide: 1.15 ft High Tide:

T E X A S

F I S H

&

12:02 am 3:22 am 11:53 am 8:02 pm

1.03 ft 1.10 ft -0.54 ft 1.19 ft

G A M E ®

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

1:03 am 4:56 am 12:39 pm 8:27 pm

0.84 ft 0.95 ft -0.31 ft 1.10 ft

D E C E M B E R

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

2:08 am 6:54 am 1:26 pm 8:48 pm

2 0 1 0

|

0.59 ft 0.79 ft -0.02 ft 1.01 ft

67

+1.0

0

-1.0

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Page 68

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

29

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

30

31

SUNDAY

Ja n 1

2

Set: 5:28p Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 12:51p Moonrise: 2:38a

Set: 5:29p Set: 1:33p

Sunrise: 7:12a Moonrise: 3:43a

Set: 5:29p Set: 2:21p

Sunrise: 8:12a Moonrise: 5:45a

Set: 6:30p Set: 4:13p

Sunrise: 8:13a Moonrise: 6:43a

Set: 6:31p Set: 5:09p

AM Minor: 10:30a

PM Minor: 10:55p

AM Minor: 11:21a

PM Minor: 11:46p

AM Minor: ——-

PM Minor: 12:10p

AM Minor: 12:32a

PM Minor: 12:59p

AM Minor: 1:21a

PM Minor: 1:49p

AM Minor: 3:11a

PM Minor: 3:39p

AM Minor: 4:02a

PM Minor: 4:30p

AM Major: 4:18a

PM Major: 4:43p

AM Major: 5:08a

PM Major: 5:34p

AM Major: 5:57a

PM Major: 6:23p

AM Major: 6:46a

PM Major: 7:13p

AM Major: 7:35a

PM Major: 8:03p

AM Major: 9:25a

PM Major: 9:53p

AM Major: 10:16a

PM Major: 10:44p

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 7:15a

Moon Overhead: 6:23a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 8:08a 12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 11:00a

Moon Overhead: 9:03a 12a

6a

12p

6p

12a

6a

12p

6p

Moon Overhead: 11:56a 12a

6a

12p

6p

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY

THURSDAY

Set: 5:27p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 5:28p Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 11:35a Moonrise: 12:29a Set: 12:11p Moonrise: 1:33a

Moon Overhead: 5:34a

12a

WEDNESDAY

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27 Sunrise: 7:11a Moonrise: None

Tides and Prime Times for DECEMBER 2010

12a

FEET

FEET

Moon Underfoot: 5:58p +2.0

BEST:

-1.0

BEST:

BEST:

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:31p

Moon Underfoot: 11:28p

BEST:

1:30 — 3:30 AM

BEST:

5:00 — 7:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: None +2.0

BEST:

3:30 — 5:30 AM

4:30 — 6:30 AM

TIDE LEVELS

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 8:35p

TIDE LEVELS

0

Moon Underfoot: 7:41p

BEST:

11:00A — 1:00P

+1.0

Moon Underfoot: 6:49p

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

3:11 am 9:04 am 2:17 pm 9:06 pm

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0.29 ft 0.72 ft 0.30 ft 0.96 ft

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

4:11 am 11:16 am 3:16 pm 9:20 pm

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-0.02 ft 0.77 ft 0.62 ft 0.95 ft

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

5:08 am 1:22 pm 4:53 pm 9:31 pm

-0.31 ft 0.94 ft 0.88 ft 0.98 ft

T E X A S

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

6:03 am 3:00 pm 8:15 pm 9:24 pm

F I S H

-0.56 ft 1.11 ft 1.02 ft 1.02 ft

&

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

6:55 am 4:04 pm 9:14 pm 10:29 pm

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-0.75 ft 1.22 ft 1.04 ft 1.04 ft

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

7:48 am 4:42 pm 10:01 pm 11:24 pm

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-0.81ft. Low Tide: 8:36 am -0.86ft.

1.20ft. High Tide: 5:20 pm 1.19ft.

1.05ft. Low Tide: 10:17 pm 1.04ft.

1.06ft.

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0

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AUTOMOTIVE Swift Hitch BOATING Coveralls DuraSafe Edson International Onyx Outdoor Texas Marine of Beaumont Unified Marine/Seasense FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES Ammunition To Go Chiappa Firearms/MKS Supply Cor-Bon Custom Bullet Co.

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Howard Leight/Sperian MG Arms Steiner Binoculars Trijicon FISHING ACCESSORIES Angler Products Faultline Outdoors Gulf Coast Waders Third Stone Software

GENERAL PRODUCTS Camo Carpet Jewelry Connection KT Coolers Randolph Engineering ZipVac

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OUTDOOR CUTLERY AccuSharp Lansky Sharpeners Mad Cow Cutlery Puma Knife Company USA

RETAIL Fishing Tackle Unlimited

RODS & REELS American Rodsmiths Daiwa TAXIDERMY Texas European Mounts

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Gifted Outdoorsmen ACQUAINTANCES, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, and not-so-friends have at sundry times over the years labeled me “special.” I was never quite sure what to make of this, as the appellation came under such diverse circumstances no discernable pattern was evident.

For example, I once overheard my fourth grade school teacher, Miss Peachbottom, telling the principal, “Don’t worry, Mister Longenschnauser, Donald is a special child.”

Why she thought bringing a bale of hides, several cured animal skulls, and a half-dozen steel traps for show-and-tell made me “special” was beyond me, but it seemed to comfort Mister Longen-

schnauser, who at that moment appeared to suffer some sort of seizure involving an exaggerated lip curl and eye twitching. Perhaps she mistook my gift for woodsmanship, skinning, taxidermy, and trapping as something special, which perhaps it was, since none of the other kids seemed possessed of such talents.

My penchant for outdoors pursuits made me the recipient of some pretty cool gifts over the years, too, a few of which I still have and use. Not everybody owns a still-functional 40-year-old crawdad trap.

Quality will tell.

The moral of all this is: Not all outdoorsmen are special, and not all are gifted, but you can gift all outdoorsmen with

something special.

And, in case you are in need of suggestions for such giving, below is this year’s selections for our annual Holiday Outdoor Gift Guide.

—Don Zaidle

AUTOMOTIVE Swift Hitch Swift Hitch is an easy-to-use video system that assists you in hitching a vehicle to a trailer. A portable video camera with a magnetized base attaches to the vehicle tailgate, focused on the trailer hitch.

A hand-held display unit shows a live

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picture in full color while you guide your hitch right up to the trailer.

The camera transmits to a distance of 300 feet. It has fully automatic night vision (up to 15 feet) and comes with a 4 hour built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery.

The display unit has a full color 2.5-

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inch LCD color screen with 960 x 240 resolution. It can display either Normal or Reverse image. The display unit also has a 4-hour rechargeable lithium ion battery.

Boat Owners can position the camera on the corner of their boat while backing down a ramp to launch or while backing in

to a slip; to visually inspect an inboard engine for leaks while performing preventive maintenance; to locate something dropped in the bilge.

The camera and display unit are priced at $239.00 for the set.

For more information, see www.swifthitch.net.

BOATING Coveralls BoatSkinz Boat Skinz from Coveralls are totally new and innovative covers for the boater.

Whether it is a center console, a leaning post, an outboard motor, or free standing electronics, they all should be covered while not in use. BoatSkinz marine covers are totally new and revolutionary in the boating industry.

BoatSkinz are100% UV proof—Ultraviolet rays are the silent enemy in the marine environment. They are 100% Waterproof. And, they reflect 95% of the sun’s radiant heat.

BoatSkiz are also lightweight—they fold and stow in small spaces.

Tough and durable, they all carry a three-year warranty. There is a size for every center console, outboard motor, or leaning post on the market.

If your boat has a T-top, check out their unique center console cover for T-toped boats.

Visit www.coveralls.biz

DuraSafe Durasafe makes security products to protect your boat, trailer, electronics and other outdoor equipment.

Their new Bolt one-key lock technology is the first codable locks for a variety of applications, including padlocks, cable locks, receiver locks and swing away trailer locks. These locks allow you to use your vehicle’s key.

DuraSafe’s new Coupler Connect is the perfect problem solver if you have trouble backing up your vehicle to a trailer. With the Coupler Connect, hooking up to a trail72 |

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er takes just seconds, saving time and effort. No assistance or physical effort is required. No need to continually get in and out of the vehicle to check on position.

Coupler Connect guides your trailer coupler directly over your tow ball every time, and helps prevent dings and scratches to

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your tow vehicle. Made of zinc-plated steel for durability.

Visit www.DuraSafeLocks.com

Edson International Edson has been in operation for 152

years..

Edson’s core values back “then” when Jacob Edson founded this company in 1859, and what they stand for “now” remains remarkably similar and still totally entwined.

Through Edson’s history these words ring as true today as they did 150 years ago, “Honesty”, “Integrity”, “Innovation” and “Passion”.

Edson has introduced countless marine innovations in its long history, serving the commercial, sailing and recreational boater.

Their vast catalog is available online, including new steering products such as their Power Knob Sportsman Series Composite steering knob. This attachment straps or bolts to any off-road vehicle or boat wheel, making it easy to turn the wheel quickly with one hand.

Edson also carries a wide selection of stainless steel comfort steering wheels, including their Pro Series Stainless wheels.

Check out the entire inventory at www.edsonmarine.com, or call toll free, 1-800-450-8405.

Onyx Outdoor Onyx outdoor recreation products provide reliable, dependable, and trustworthy gear you are looking for to keep you outdoors longer and will allow you to experience nature on your terms.

Onyx products are comprised of a complete line of EVA, PVC, and Nylon rainwear, fishing & hunting life jackets and accessories.

Explore the outdoors in a new way with our exciting line up of new products sure to enhance your fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, camping, or any other memorable outdoor experience. Our products will make a good experience great…and wherever you’re going, we’ll be keeping you there.

Onyx is a newly formed brand under the Absolute Outdoor, Inc. company, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.onyxoutdoor.com.

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SeaSense Unified Marine, Inc. was formed in 1984 to provide the marine industry with the latest in innovative products at competitive prices, backed by a service commitment second to none.

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Unified boasts a 40,000 square foot distribution center and 5,000 square foot office building on 37 acres in Newport, Tennessee. This central location puts Unified within a one day shipment of most U.S. businesses.

SeaSense offers a vast catalog of marine

equipment, and has a huge selection of products that make great gift ideas. These products cover a wide range of prices, from under $10 to over $100.

From rod holders to trailer winches, aerators to anchors, SeaSense is the perfect source for boaters’ gifts.

Check us out at www.seasense.com.

Texas Marine of Beaumont Texas Marine has a large variety of boats from which to choose, bass boats, bay boats and offshore boats.

Texas Marine is proud to be a Marine Industry Certified Dealership.

Certified Dealers must pass rigorous tests by an independant third party showing that customers can expect to find: Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff, Quality Products, Reliable Service.

Visit the store at 1140 IH-10 North in Beaumont. Check out their website at www.texasmarine.com, or call (409) 8987632.

FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES AmmoToGo.com AmmoToGo.com, located in Brenham has done something quite unique for the shooting sports industry. They sell ammo—Rifle, Pistol, Shotshell, Rimfire, Specialty ammo—on the Internet.

You can now purchase all your ammo needs in a new, quick and convenient way that is as simple as 1, 2, 3. First, go to www.AmmoToGo.com. Second, browse the website for all that is available there.

Third, place and submit your order. That order will be delivered right to your door via fast UPS Ground service.

Let your fingers do the driving. Let the ammo experts at AmmoToGo.com be your one stop shop, one shot resource for all your ammo needs. It’s easy, fast, convenient, absolutely safe and secure. Terrific prices. Ready to take your order every minute, hour, day, week of the year, 76 |

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MG Arms

www.AmmoToGo.com.

Chiappa Firearms/MKS MKS Supply of Dayton, Ohio is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Rhino revolvers by Chiappa Firearms.

The new Chiappa Rhino has revolutionized the revolver with a patented design that tames the prehistoric characteristic of conventional revolvers. The new Chiappa Rhino barrel is aligned with the bottom most chamber which is the key component to Rhino's tame characteristics. The position of the barrel lowers the center of gravity and yields a centerline of the bore more in line with the shooter's arm allowing for the most natural "point ability" while engaging a target.

Visit www.ChiappaFirearms.com

Each firearm crafted by MG Arms, Inc. is a culmination of years of experience, dedication to detail, and love for the art of fine gun making. Only the best parts and components are used in the process. Extensive inspection and testing are performed before any MG Arms firearm is released into commerce.

This is why MG Arms proudly stands

behind each firearm they complete with their Infinity Guarantee (for full details, visit their website).

Carol and Kerry O’Day have been building the perfect firearm to since 1980.

Kerry is a devoted and innovative gunsmith who honed his craft by training with two of the great master gunsmiths: P. O. Ackley and Ron Freshour. Carol’s custom stock work is without peer and includes checkering, wood finishing and custom

Cor-Bon Custom Bullet Co. Cor-Bon is the manufacturer of loaded high performance ammunition. Cor-Bon’s product line includes high velocity hollow point ammunition for law enforcement and self-defense, hunting and cowboy action.

Glaser safety slug, the original pre-fragmented ammunition.

Cor-Bon has made additions to their popular Pow'R Ball, DPX and Cor-Bon ammunition line.

Cor-Bon is the original designer and manufacturer of the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum ammunition and the 460 Smith & Wesson Magnum.

Visit www.corbon.com.

Howard Leight Howard Leight by Sperian is a leading manufacturer of quality hearing and sight protection products for the hunting and shooting markets.

In addition to ear plugs and ear muffs, they produce a line of Electronic Ear Muffs designed to provide a higher level of protection. The Howard Leight Impact Sport muff amplifies low-level sounds and conversation while automatically reducing harmful gunfire or impuls noise above 82 decibles.

For more information online, visit www.howardleightshootingsports.com

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camo patterns that truly makes each firearm a work of art.

Located in Spring, north of Houston, MG Arms is a proud Texas-based manufacturer.

Visit www.mgarmsinc.com

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Steiner Germany For over a half-century, Steiner Germany has been a leader in the high-quality binocular market.

Their new high contrast Predator optics give wildlife no place to hide.

With the 10 x 56 and 8 x 56 Predator C5, whether you’re glassing Africa’s savannas, tracking a buck across the Plains, clambering around barren mountainsides or trekking across the sparse deserts of the Southwest, these Predators have the power to tackle distances and bring your quarry into sharp focus. Steiner’s years in the field, and brand of precision engineering have created an outstanding 10x binocular.

The large 56mm objective lenses and special coatings on both C5s offer the superior brightness and contrast needed to separatebirds and game from their surroundings, no matter how well they blend in.

Visit www.steiner-binoculars.com

Trijicon If you want the very best riflescopes and sights money can buy, look no further than Trijicon. Trijicon’s optical excellence has been battle-tested by those who protect and defend us around the globe — rightfully gaining Trijicon the reputation as having the most sophisticated and dependable optics on the market.

Trijicon’s Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights, or ACOGs, allow you to hit fast in any light. They are internallyadjustable, compact telescopic sights with tritium illuminated reticle patterns for use in low light or at night. Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC) models feature bright daytime reticles using fiber optics which collect ambient light. The ACOGs combine traditional, precise distance marksmanship with close-in aiming speed. Although the ACOGs have many features which are very advantageous for military use, they were developed by Trijicon without government funding.

Designed for use with the M16 family, every feature of its mechanical and optical design was chosen for a single purpose: to provide increased hit potential in all lighting conditions -- without failure-prone batteries.

Visit www.trijicon.com

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FISHING ACCESSORIES The Fisherman’s Analyst The Fisherman’s Analyst is a compre-

hensive computer program which provides an integrated tide prediction table, journaling section, and charting capabilities. The

Angler Products Angler Products sells Fishing Hotspots preloaded on a card for most current GPS makes and models. Simply choose the area you want to fish, show us what GPS you have and we'll send you a preloaded card with simple installation instructions that will allow you to load literally hundreds of good fishing locations in less time than you can manually load one.

Angler Products and Hook-N-Line Fishing Maps have teamed up to bring you Post Ike Galveston Bay Fishing Maps and Hotspots Now you can have the best, most recent fishing map for the Galveston Bay area and be able to load over 400 updated fishing locations and boat ramps to your GPS instantly.

Visit www.angler-products.com.

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software is sold by Third Stone Software (www.thirdstonesoft.com). TF&G Kayak Editor Greg Berlocher reviewed The Fisherman’s Analyst in the June, 2009 issue.

In his review, Berlocher wrote: “The main screen features a tide chart which can be easily adjusted to display a

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day at a glance, a week, or even longer.

The bright colors on the tide chart are configurable, allowing you to pick your favorite colors for high tides, low tide, and periods of major feeding activity.

“Many tide charts provide high and low tide information but not much granularity

on tide strength. The Fisherman’s Analyst takes this to a whole new level.

“Because entire bay systems are large bodies of water you won’t see a lot of height change during a tide but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of tide strength.

There is a strong horizontal movement of water but it takes a while to affect the height. The horizontal movement of water is what triggers fish to feed.

“The Fisherman’s Analyst allows anglers to see these strong horizontal movements of water and target fishing trips around water movement.

“I found the software easy to manipulate and extremely affordable: $39.95 MSRP. It is available online from Third Stone Software’s website, www.thirdstonesoft.com, and you can also find it on Amazon.com.”

Faultline Outdoors The Hook-Holster provides a fast and convenient place to hang your hook or lure.

This great product has many other advantages that make it a great tool for all fishermen.

The Hook-Holster conceals points on single hooks, prevents tangled lines in the car or boat, protects hands, clothing, carpet and upholstery, fits snuggly to your rods with no noticeable effect on balance. It’s also immune to damage from UV and saltwater.

Hook barbs make small abrasions in rod eyelets that damage fishing line, causing the line to weaken and break. Hooks placed in the eyelet can weaken the eyelet and cause it to break. And placing hooks into a cork handle dulls the hook.

The Hook-Holster is available at Academy, Bass Pro Shops, and online at www.faultlineoutdoors.com.

Gulf Coast Waders Gulf Coast Waders is a family owned and operated business, selling quality products with superior customer service to fisherman (and women) all over Texas.

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the best prices and fast delivery. All suits are in stock at our Houston facility and ready for immediate delivery. You can buy your waders at any time at the Gulf Coast Waders website, www.gulfcoastwaders.com or by phone at 281-682-0656.

Gulf Coast Waders has a wading suit for Texas fishermen, by Texas fishermen, so give them a call today.

You too will see why their motto is “We build waders to keep you in the water and keep the water off you.�

For more information and to see the full line of waders and other products, visit their website, www.gulfcoastwaders.com.

General Products Camo Carpet Now you can get camo carpet or rugs for your home or business and bring the outside in. Our carpet is made of the highest quality, is durable and unbelievably life like. Our camouflage carpets will tie your outdoor themed room together and give it a

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style all your own. You love the outdoors, now you can express that love from top to bottom.

Their high quality carpet is now avaiable for your home or cabin in 9 patterns of Realtree and Mossy Oak camouflage.

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Outdoor carpeting is also now available from Camo Carpet.

Visit www.camocarpet.com

KT Coolers KT Coolers is a Texas-based manufac-

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turer of walk-in deer, wild game, and ranch coolers. They build a variety of standardsize coolers ranging from 4’ wide x 6’ long x 7.5’ tall to 8’ wide x 10’ long x 7.5’ tall.

Coolers are available with or without insulated floors.

Standard features include Galvalume

finish with aluminum floor; insulated door with hardware; thermometer, light, fully self-contained refrigeration system by Bhon, a brand of Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC; 110 volt systems, 4 inches of insulation; and 2 galvanized steel meat rails with hooks.

Optional delivery and installation is also available.

Visit www.ktcoolers.com.

The Jewelry Connection The Jewelry Connection, located at 1214 E. Tyler Avenue in Harlingen, carries a wide selection of Guy Harvey Fine Jewelry. Contact the store at 956-3643030.

Randolph Engineering Eye protection is always important, whether you're in the field or on the line.

RE Ranger lenses, by Randolph Engineering, are designed to protect your eyes while highlighting your target and increasing overall contrast.

Key design elements include fast and easy interchangeability of lenses, optical grade polycarbonate lenses in 16 custom tints, prescription frame quality with a lifetime warranty on all solder joints, and comfort fit temples.

The Ranger series has four models: XLW, XL, Classic and Sporter. Each model offers a variety of temple styles, including Skull which follow the curve of your ear and head; Cable which securely and comfortably hold eyewear in place even in extreme conditions; and Bayonet (XLW only), for military pilots to fit comfortably under head-gear.

See the full line of eyewear at www.randolphusa.com.

Zip Vac Zip Vac is a revolutionary, resealable vacuum storage system that's rugged enough for the outdoorsman.

Fully portable: The cordless electric and manual units allow you to seal in freshness while at home, in the field, on the boat, or back at camp.

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ZipVac’s patented valve technology ensures freshness, while the patented Zip Closure allows for quick, easy, and secure sealing.

The rechargeable electic unit plugs in to standard 110v outlet to charge. Fully charged unit seals over 150 bags.

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ZipVac also has a handy manual pump. Replacement zip bags are available in many sizes.

Visit www.zipvac.net.

OUTDOOR CUTLERY AccuSharp The AccuSharp Knife and Tool Sharpener is a knife sharpener anyone can use.

No more messy oils or stones. In about 10 seconds, sharpen knives, (even serrated knives), cleavers, axes, machetes, and many other cutting tools.

The large ergonomic handle fits either hand safely and securely. The full length finger guard protects your fingers.

Sharpening blades are Diamond Honed Tungsten Carbide for years of reliable use. AccuSharp Knife Sharpeners will not rust and can be cleaned with soap and water or in the dishwasher. Replacement sharpening blades are available.

Sportsmen, Cooks, Craftsmen, and Gardeners will appreciate the easy-to-use, affordable AccuSharp line of knife and tool sharpeners.

Visit www.accusharp.com.

Lansky Sharpeners Since 1979, Lansky Sharpeners has been recognized as the world leader in Sharpening Technology.

Each Lansky Sharpeners product is carefully designed to meet unparalleled performance, reliability, and safety standards.

All Lansky Sharpeners products are engineered to be completely ambidextrous, and manufactured with superior quality materials by craftsmen who are committed to providing you with a product that is second to none.

For the 2010 holiday season try the Lansky Controlled-Angle Sharpening System. The Lansky system makes it easy to keep professional edges on all sporting, household and work knives.

The Controlled Angle Sharpening System is a gift of sharper, safer knives.

Visit www.lanskysharpeners.com.

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the Heart of Texas, between Austin and San Angelo. Their central location helps reduce shipping times and expense.

Being a small business doesn't mean small selections and limited services. Since they are more specialized in the products they sell, Mad Cow Cutlery stocks larger

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selections of cutlery and cooking utensils than the larger corporate distributors of processing and restaurant knives and accessories.

Personal service is the key to shopping with Mad Cow Cutlery.

Their vast inventory includes knives,

sharpeners and processing tools for meat processing, hunting and fishing, commercial and residential food service.

Shop online for gifts, starting at around $3 for stocking stuffers, at www.madcowcutlery.com.

Puma Knife Company USA Puma Knives have been produced in Germany since 1769. Hunters and craftsmen know and trust Puma performance, heritage and technology.

The highest grades of stainless steel, innovative designs, genuine stag handles, and traditional German craftsmanship are why Puma knives are considered at the top of every major ranking of classic hunting and sporting knives.

Key innovations include the Puma White Hunter, the Duke, The Prince, and the Earl.

A Puma knife is a gift that will last more than a lifetime. See the full line at www.pumakifecompanyusa.com.

RETAIL Fishing Tackle Unlimited In 1980, Cut Rate Sporting Goods began in space less than 1,200 sq.ft. carrying general sporting goods.

Today, Cut Rate Fishing Tackle Unlimited is still an independently owned retail store serving customers world wide with their tackle needs.

In 2002, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, and Gulf Coast Trolling Motors moved from Telephone Road to Gulf Freeway at Fuqua into a 33,000 sq. ft. building. It is said to be one of the largest independent fishing tackle stores in the world.

Whether you are a freshwater, saltwater, fly fisher, bank, pond, party boat, offshore, tournament fisherman or fisherwoman Fishing Tackle Unlimited has the inventory and selections you will need.

Visit their online store at www.fishingtackleunlimited.com.

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RODS AND REELS American Rodsmiths American Rodsmiths has become one of the nation’s premiere manufacturers of performance fishing rods for both fresh and saltwater.

Innovation is the key to their success, both in sales and in wins on the bass and saltwater tournament circuits.

This innovation is in full view with their new V17 Pro Tour Grips, which meld the functionality of a golf-club grip into stateof-the-art fishing rod grip design.

A key feature of the V17 Pro Tour is its wet-grip functionality; the wetter it gets, the better it gets..

Visit their website, www.americanrodsmiths.com.

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Texas European Mounts.

They are located in Charlie, TX, which is a farming community about 25 Miles northeast of Wichita Falls.

Their mission is to provide you with a beautiful and unique plaque to accent your prized trophy.

They have their own sawmill and access to land for harvesting lumber, so most of the wood that they use comes from a tree that they harvested and milled into lumber.

Having a sawmill also gives them access to unique pieces of lumber that are not commercially available.

Visit their website at www.texaseuropeanmounts.com, or call (940) 631-4334.

Daiwa Daiwa began making reels in 1955. It has since grown into one of the largest tackle companies in the world.

By continuing to create new and innovative rod and reel technology, Daiwa continues to earn the appreciation of freshwater, offshore and inshore anglers.

One such new innovation is the TD Zillion Type R reel. Pulling 32" of line with every crank of the handle, Daiwa’s new TD Zillion Type R baitcasting reel is among the fastest ever built. Like a fine race car, a reel running at this speed requires special engineering attention to ensure long-lasting performance and ease of use. Precision, Helical-cut gearing, 11 high speed ball bearings — even a carbon swept handle — this machine is ready to race.

To learn more about the TD Zillion Type R and all of Daiwa’s innovative fishing products, visit www.daiwa.com.

TAXIDERMY Texas European Mounts Texas European Mounts is a family owned and operated business. A passion for hunting and wood working mixed with an entrepreneurial spirit brought forth I N L A N D

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Smokin’ Hot Baitcaster SERIOUS BASS ANGLERS CAST FROM SUNUP TO sunset, and they need a high-performance reel that’s as light as possible. But there’s a catch: building a high-quality baitcaster that’s light as a feather isn’t inexpensive. Could someone please give up a top-shelf reel that doesn’t cost a million bucks? That’s the concept behind Quantum’s new Smoke reels.

At $199 to $219 the Smoke isn’t exactly cheap, but according to bass pro Kevin VanDam, the Smoke “has the smoothness, the speed, the balance, and the light weight you need to compete all day.” I met up with VanDam and had the chance to play with a Smoke before these reels even hit the market, and one thing is for sure: at 6.2 ounces you barely even notice the Smoke 100 is in your hand.

And at 6.8 ounces, the Smoke 150 still feels incredibly light. Yes, there are lighter reels in existence, but not all-metal models.

But, are the Smoke reels fast enough to rip a lure along at warp speed? Yep—they’re available in 7.0:1 and 6.3:1 gear ratios, and the Smoke 150 is also available in 5.3:1.

How can these reels be so light without giving up longevity and smoothness? Nine PT stainless-polymer hybrid bearings, a titanium-nitride coated line guide, openframe handles with EVA grips, aluminum side plates, a one-piece aluminum body, and a layered ceramic drag system all contribute to the mix. Then add in the “Micro ACS” nine-position cast-control system, which allows you to fine-tune the amount of centrifugal braking to match the exact 88 |

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casting conditions, and you have the ability to fish like a pro.

Once I turned the crank and felt the drag, I thought the Smoke was every bit as

smooth as they come.

I also liked the cast control systems because frankly, I’m often guilty of professional over-run.

That’s not a problem, with these reels. Will they hold up in the long run? Only time will tell, but the fact that the Smoke is aluminum bodes well for its longevity.; check them out, at www.quantum.com.

Watertight Light EVERY OUTDOORSMAN, BOATER, AND HUNTER needs to have a good spotlight in his bag of tricks. Unfortunately, most spotlights can’t take the abuse of heavy rain, saltwater spray, and drops onto rocks or concrete. Stanley came out with a new spotlight, however, which they said would survive a Texas-style torture test—so we put the screws to it.

This is a compact spotlight, which weighs less than a pound and is half the size of a traditional spot. It puts out 520 lumens, which is startlingly bright for a light of this size. The candlepower T E X A S

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comes from a five-watt LED bulb, and yes, it is blinding if you dare to look directly at it. The light has a 7.2-V rechargeable NiMH battery, lasts for up to 10 hours per charge, and comes with both AC (12V cigarette lighter) and DC chargers.

I prefer a trigger switch to the rotating on-off switch this light has, but you get an extra feature with it: push the second switch to the right, and the spotlight drops to half-power and dims accordingly. Push back to the left, and bring the spot back up to its full capability. And on the bright side, you don’t have to hold down a trigger to keep the light illuminated.

Stanley claims the light is submersible to six feet, and floats pointing up in case you drop it overboard. Naturally, I had to try it for myself! Instead of just dropping the light into the water, however, I shoved it under at arm’s length and held it there while I turned it on and off, and used the dimmer a few times. The light seemed unaffected, so I decided to put Stanley’s next claim to the test—could it really survive 10 foot drops onto hard ground? The answer is yes. Since it has rubberized armor on the front and back and on parts of the handle, falling onto the riverbed rocks didn’t even chip or crack the casing. I could spot channel markers in the dark from hundreds of yards away, and it came in particularly handy when we had trouble finding our duck blind for the first time of the season, in the predawn hours. The Stanley isn’t incredibly expensive, either, listing at $60. If you need a rugged, waterproof spotlight, check this one out – it gets a whopping-big thumbs-up.

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Xpress Your Love for Mud THANKS TO CUSTOMER DEMAND, XPRESS BOATS has introduced a pair of mud-ready aluminum boats that have the ability to travel through anything from water to slick, sticky marsh goo. “The Bayou16 and Bayou18 are designed for mud motors,” says Xpress’s Rory Herndon. “They feature a slick bottom, built-in gun boxes and fuel tanks, and a longitudinal rib structure for extra strength.”

Xpress has built plenty of boats that were run through mud on a regular basis in the past, but they knew that some specific design tweaks would make them much more applicable to use with dedicated mud motors. One of the most important features on the new Bayous is the step-down transom. Boats with mud motors often suffer from backwash when reversed, but these transoms allow the operator to back up through the mud without splattering the inside of the boat. Other hunting and mudspecific standard features on these new models includes a camo paint job, Xtreme coat liner (which leaves a rugged, non-slip, camo finish inside the boat), a welded-in aluminum floor, foam-injected construction, an accessory rail, rear pod seating, and an aluminum back track trailer. The Bayou16 is 16 feet long, the 18 is 18 feet long, and they share a 77-inch beam and a 20-inch transom. Hull construction is a beefy .100 gauge aluminum.

You say you want to see proof that these boats can really handle the backcountry?

No problem. Go to www.youtube.com/user/JBCEST1966?feat ure=mhum and check out the video Xpress put up on Youtube. On it, you’ll watch a Bayou running through everything from open water to mud so thick, the boat leaves a trench instead of a wake. You’ll also be able to see the effect of the longituI N L A N D

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dinal rib and foam injection construction. On many mud boats you can see the sides move as you plow into thick mud, or make a sharp turn.

But on the Bayous, you won’t see those stiff, rigid sides move one bit. If you want to be the king of the mud-running crowd, check these boats out. www.xpressboats.com.

Farm-Ranch AND Wildlife Expo COME TO ABILENE FOR THE ONLY TEXAS FARM – Ranch and Wildlife Expo (TFRWE).

The Expo is a one of a kind venue giving agri-business an opportunity to showcase and sell products or services which directly relate to the farm, ranch and wildlife businesses of the region and State.

The primary Expo objective is to provide the farmer, rancher and wildlife manager the tools and education to meet the changing demands of agri-business in Texas, both today and tomorrow. Many other venues in the U.S. cater to smaller, more targeted groups but to our knowledge, we are unique in that our focus is on helping the agri-business owner and operators in all three areas of management. The Expo has several other objectives such as publicizing and educating the public on the many benefits agriculture and wildlife related businesses bring to the state, regional and local economies.

The Abilene Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Taylor County, will hold the 2011 Texas Farm – Ranch – Wildlife Expo on Tuesday, February 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and WednesT E X A S

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day, February 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, Texas. The event is sponsored by Dodge. The Expo has also partnered with Go Texan to assist with promoting this event. There is space for 190+ booths/exhibits inside the coliseum main floor and mezzanine area and many more spaces outside the Taylor County Coliseum. The Expo attracts about 4,500 visitors during the two day event.

The Expo will coincide with annual meetings of the Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association, Texas Wildlife Association, as well as with a Women’s Fair produced by the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service of Taylor County. Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service office provides dozens of classes in the Abilene area for agri-education/information, and classes that qualify for Continuing Education Units (CEU) credit.

For the past two years, AgriLIFE has reached out to the next generation, by hosting the Future Farmers of America (FFA) judging contest with over 360 students from across the region. They also hold an annual luncheon used to recognize the local “Farm Family of the Year.”

Admission to the Expo is free.

To reserve a booth contact Debra at the Abilene Chamber of Commerce (325-6777241 or dhuntley@abilenechamber.com).

For more information go to http://www.abilenechamber.com/yourchamber/event-information/tfrwe.php

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World’s First Shotgun Solo Vault TRUCKVAULT, INC., LEADING MANUFACTURER of secure in-vehicle storage systems, is bringing to market the world’s first shotgun solo-vault.

Designed to hold a single shotgun, the ShotLock™ SoloVault is the first product designed to keep home defense shotguns both secure and accessible.

Created as an answer to the home-

owner’s need to keep a home defense firearm close at hand, “The ShotLock Solo-Vault is the perfect answer for the DIY home defense market,” stated Don Fenton, Sales & Marketing Director at TruckVault, Inc. “More and more people are using a shotgun as a home defense weapon; but there has never been a convenient and secure way to store one, while still keeping it quick and easy to access. The ShotLock Solo-Vault solves that problem.”

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and over/under shotguns, as well as most side-by-side and pistol grip shotguns. The small and compact size allows it to be mounted securely anywhere in the home or a vehicle. “With its 5button inline programmable lock, the ShotLock

Solo-Vault can be opened and put a weapon in hand in less than 3 seconds,” explained Fenton.

Marketing plans to launch the ShotLock SoloVault include print advertising, television spots, Internet ads and sponsorships, an aggressive pricing strategy, and sleek, contemporary point of purchase. The ShotLock Solo-Vault is available online at www.shotlock.com and at select retailers.

NuCanoe Bass Angler

Bass Angler.

The NuCanoe Bass Angler is the ideal fishing platform for lakes, ponds, World’s first shotand flat rivers. The gun solo-vault. unique NuCanoe hull provides ShotLock remarkable stability, unmatched versatility, superior comfort, and ease of use. Sit high and stay dry.

Stand to cast. Rotate 360 degrees. Paddle, row, or troll.

Modular seating enables solo or tandem use, and leaves plenty of room for your gear. The accessories are customizable and reconfigurable, so you can outfit the NuCanoe Bass Angler to fit your needs.

The NuCanoe Bass Angler is available in three configurations: Solo 10’, Solo 12’, and Tandem 12’. It includes folding swivel seat(s), rod holders, paddle holders, and an anchor system. The NuCanoe is 42” wide and weighs 59lbs (10’) or 77lbs (12’). It transports easily in a pickup truck or on a roof rack.

For more information, go to www.nucanoe.com/ or call 888.226.6310.

BASS BOATS ARE SWEET BUT THEY ARE EXPENsive and can’t always get into the thick cover and skinny water where the monsters hang out. Kayaks go just about anywhere but are often small, unstable, and

uncomfortable.

To get the best attributes of each, NuCanoe, Inc. developed the NuCanoe T E X A S

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Benjamin Marauder MultiShot Air Rifle DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE ELEGANT LOOK AND feel of the Benjamin Marauder PCP. This .25 caliber air rifle is a powerhouse of sophistication and quiet accuracy.

The choked and internally

shrouded barrel provides both precision and ultra-hushed operation, producing the most accurate, and quietest rifle in its class. The two-stage, adjustable, match-grade trigger system helps make every shot smooth and steady, while the innovative 8-round autoindexing clip allows for faster follow-up shots. The Marauder uses only 2500 psi of compressed air, allowing for a quicker fill using either the compressed air or the CO2 , DUAL FUEL® option. It features a beautifully finished, hard wood stock with an ambidextrous, raised comb and custom checkering. With its built-in pressure gauge displaying the gun’s level of charge and its quick-disconnect Foster fittings, this gun is quick and easy to fill, so you can return to shooting sooner.

For more information and to find a dealer near you, please visit: www.crosman.com or call 1-8007AIRGUN (724-7486).

Fuel Care System as Easy as 1-2-3 MERCURY MARINE’S SIMPLE, EASY TO FOLLOW fuel care system takes the guesswork out of choosing the right fuel additive for your I N L A N D

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boat engine. Easy to read, numbered labels describe when each product should be used – eliminating unnecessary confusion.

Quickare, Quickleen and Quickstor fuel additives are essential in helping keep your engine running at its peak. By regularly using these fuel care products, your engine may start easier, idle smoother and hit the hole shot quicker. Other benefits include extended spark plug life and less

la customers have relied on for years. The deep cleaning engine treatment keeps engine parts lubricated and free of excess carbon deposits, which can cause performance problems or even engine damage.

Powerful cleaning properties remove and prevent carbon from forming on spark plugs, combustion chambers, pistons, intake valves, and carburetors. Thus, it can help prevent fouled spark plugs, damaged pistons, broken rings and scored cylinders. RegNew Marauder ular use of Quickleen helps maximize multi-shot air rifle. stalling from cold engine performance, fuel economy and starts. All three of Merengine reliability. One 12-oz. bottle Benjamin cury’s fuel care products will treat up to 60 gallons of fuel. can be used in any 2-cycle or 4-cycle gasoQuickstor, Mercury Marine’s improved line engine with any octane grade – includfuel stabilizer, is now two times stronger. ing ethanol-blended. They are also safe for Help prevent fuel from breaking down and catalyzed engines. oxidizing by adding it to gasoline before Most of storing your today’s gasoengine. It also line can begin prevents fuel to break down system corroand oxidize sion and keeps within weeks, fuel injectors leaving and carburebehind tors lubrideposits cated. that hinOne 12der an oz. bottle engine’s will treat perforup to 60 mance gallons of and fuel gasoline. economy.

Customers Mercan purcury’s chase all new fuel three fuel New 3-step fuel treatment, care system for products at their local Mercury marine enjines.

Quickare, dealership. Additional informais designed tion is available at mercurymaMercury to be used rine.com. with every fill-up. Besides keeping fuel fresh between fill-ups, it helps prevent problems associated with ethanolblended fuel, such as corrosion, rust, oxidation, gum and varnish build-up and phase separation. It also controls moisture and corrosion problems associated with www.ShotLock.com non-ethanol fuel. A 12-oz. bottle will treat www.NuCanoe.com up to 120 gallons of gasoline. www.Crosman.com Quickleen, Mercury Marine’s engine www.MercuryMarine.com and fuel system cleaner, is the same formu-

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A Great Christmas Gift T’S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT THE HOLIDAY SEAson is already upon us! If you are a procrastinator like me, then you will soon be heading out to buy your friends and family members some gifts that you hope they need (or want).

Recently, I received an email from a reader of this magazine who inquired about what bow they should buy for their grandson. After I answered the email, I thought buying a bow for a young person in your life that would last for many years to come would make a great Christmas gift.

What should you be looking for when it comes to purchasing a youth bow for that future hunter? After a little research, I can give you some place to start, and also some ideas of different bows that would suit your purpose.

I spoke to Frank Holley at the Corpus Christi Academy store and also to Tim

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Cool at Bass Pro. Both stores offer a bow pro shop with a staff of very competent, knowledgeable bow hunters. The staff are always more than willing to share their knowledge and make sure you get whatever you need to make your season more enjoyable.

One of the most important things to look for in a youth bow is adjustability. You want to be able to adjust the weight and the draw length as your young hunter grows. Today’s youth bows range in price from about $300 to $450. With all the accessories that are available, it depends on how deep your pockets are.

Tim suggested you start them off with a Genesis bow. These bows are nice because they are made to fit anybody from young hunter to grizzled veteran. You need to understand that this is not a hunting bow, but it will help develop the muscles needed to be able to draw back a heavier bow…one that is suited Introducing a young more for hunting. So, if your boy or girl to archery young one is just starting out is a great Christmas and wants to shoot tar- gift. child to a bow that will work for gets…this might be the bow Christmas Bow them. It is a free service and one you are looking for.

Youth bows usually have a draw length that you should take advantage of. Uncle that will adjust from 19 to 29 inches. The Bob might say he knows everything about bow weight varies from 30 to 60 pounds. bow hunting, but in this case, it is a better Both pro shops offer to measure and fit your idea to listen to the professionals. They really DO know everything you need to know and will make sure you are a satisfied customer.

When it comes to accessories, there are a few that I consider a must. A rest for a youth bow should be a “full containment” rest.

Examples of this would be a whisker biscuit or the Hostage by Bowtech. These rests will eliminate the risk of the arrow falling away from the bow when it is moved and will also keep the arrow in line as it is drawn back.

For sights, you should look for a very simple model that is equipped with a fiber wrap that will gather as much light as possible. I would not have a sight with more than two pins. It just is not needed. Remember T E X A S

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that most bow shots will be less than 20 yards. It is sufficient if you have a 20 and 30 yard pin on your bow.

A release should be, like everything else, adjustable. One that has a nylon strap is recommended. A release that has a rigid protrusion will sometimes get in the way and, when bumped up against something, will make a noise that will give your location away to any whitetails in the county!

As far as which broad head you should get, both of the pros I talked to recommended the smaller 40 KE (Kinetic Energy) models. The Rage expandable makes a cut of 1-½ inches and fits the bill for a good broad head for both the youth and adult bow hunter. If you want to go to a fixed or replaceable blade broad head, then I would recommend a Thunderhead 85 or 100 grain. Personally, I have harvested many whitetails using a 100-grain Thunderhead.

Hey…it works for me!

So…what bows do they both recommend?

There a many youth models to choose from. How developed your child is would

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determine if he or she can handle certain bows.

The PSE Chaos offers two models. One has a bow weight that ranges from 30 to 40 pounds, the other ranges from 40 to 50 pounds. Both have a draw that will expand from 17 to 27 inches.

Bear offers the Apprentice. This bow will range from 20 to 50 pounds and has an expandable draw length from 15 to 27 inches. The Apprentice also is available in a pink camo for your little lady huntress.

If your little one is not so little anymore and he or she can handle a heavier bow, then Bass pro offers their own Red Head Kronik. Classified more as an adult bow, it shoots like a dream and will go down as low as a 25-inch draw length.

Frank and Tim both recommended the Diamond Razor Edge (made by Bowtech).

They claim that this bow will range in draw weight from 30 to 60 pounds and has a draw length of 30 inches all the way down to 15 inches. Talk about adjustability!

Most youth bows come as a package deal where you can get not only the bow, but also

a sight, rest, and some even come with a few arrows to start off with. The arrows might not be exactly what you need, but the kids would still have fun learning how to shoot a bow with your guidance the whole way.

Whichever bow you decide to get, try it out first. Both Academy and Bass Pro have a small range to shoot the bows right in the store. Try before you buy. Let the pros set you up with a bow that will not only fit you today, but for years to come. These guys will make sure that you have the correct tools to be able harvest your first whitetail and once that is done, you will keep coming back to get all those other toys that we bow hunters get…every Christmas.

Happy Holidays and remember to hunt safe and have fun out there.

Lou Marullo

E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

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Shotgun Reloading HOTGUN RELOADING WAS ONCE EXTREMELY popular. My father reloaded his own 12-gauge shells way back when paper hulls were all that were available and before plastic shot collars replaced cardboard wads. I started reloading for shotguns back in the mid-70s because it was much cheaper than buying factory ammunition.

My first reloader was an old Texan singlestage reloader. It worked just fine, too.

Today about the only folks who reload shotshells are those who shoot the high-volume games like skeet, trap, and sporting clays, who don't have sponsors, and who can't afford to buy factory ammo in vast quantities. Some folks say that the primary reason for reloading shotshells, that they are cheaper to reload than to buy them, is no longer a valid reason. When I first started stuffing my own shotshells I could buy a 25 pound bag of shot for less than 10 bucks. If we bought in bulk, by the ton, by getting all the guys at the gun club involved, we could get shot for about $7.00 a bag. Today that same 25-pound bag of shot will cost more than $30.00.

With this in mind, the obvious question is: Is reloading for your shotgun still worth the effort?

My answer is a qualified, yes. Today a box of 25 shotgun shells will cost from about $7 to over $30, depending on the gauge, type of shot, and quality of the shells. Bargain basement “game loads” can be had for around $6, but quality shells like Winchester AA, Remington STS, or Federal's Premium Game-Shok will run from about $9 to as much as $12.

To make it even more interesting, Federal Premium Wing-Shok is currently listed

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by Midway USA for $18.99, Fiocchi 12gauge Golden Pheasant is $17.99, and Remington 12-gauge Pheasant Loads are $11.49. As I browse through the various websites and catalogs, I get the impression that the average price for a box of 12-gauge shotgun shells today is just about $10.00, with the standard mass produced game load running nearer to $7.

Now, is reloading cheaper? Well, according to my admittedly shakey arithmetic, and excluding the original cost of the fired hull, each reloaded shell will cost you about 18 cents. That means that each box of 25 shells will cost you about $4.50, roughly two-thirds to one-half of what it would cost if you bought it at the sporting goods store.

So, even considering the greatly increased price of lead shot, you will still save 2 to 3 dollars, or even more, on every box of reloaded shotshells you shoot. Not bad, is it?

Now what about quality?

Well, I will tell you that the difference in quality between the shells you load and the shells you can buy will be negligible as long as you compare the reloads with the higher quality store bought shells. However, when you compare by price, you will find that the quality of your handloaded shells and that of the cheapest factory shells will be quite evident. The price I quoted above is for high quality components. If you take a few pains in assembling your handloads, you will have very good ammunition, much better than the cheapest factory loads and just as good as the best factory ammunition.

As an example, my longest continuous run in skeet with a 12-gauge was just short of 400 straight. I shot every one of those targets with a handload that consisted of 1-oz. of number 8 magnum shot, in either Winchester AA or Remington STS hulls, charged with Hodgdon Clays powder and Winchester 209 primers.

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loading a 7/8 oz. load in the 12-gauge. This is a mild load, equivalent to what you would get in a 28-gauge. My brother loads this for his wife because recoil is very mild. It also makes that expensive bag of shot go farther.

The possibilities are almost infinite. And if you shoot, say, a 16-gauge, you can stock up on components and not have to worry about finding shells at the local sporting goods store.

Another consideration is evident when you are shooting the smaller gauges. Ammunition for the .410 and 28-gauge costs as much or more than for the 12-gauge. But if you are a reloader you can save more money by reloading, because the smaller gauges take smaller amounts of the high-priced components. For instance: the .410 uses 11/16 oz. of shot in the 3-inch shell, and ½ oz. in the 2 1/2-inch, as compared to 1 1/8 oz. of shot in the standard 12-gauge field load. The 28-gauge uses three-quarters of an oz. of shot. The savings on the small gauges can be significant in the long run.

I enjoy reloading and get a bit of a thrill when I shoot a bird with a shell I loaded myself. The fact that I have saved some money just adds to my enjoyment, and it lets me shoot more for the same price. So, is reloading shotshells worth the time, price, and bother? You bet it is. And one of these days you will be very, very glad that you are a reloader. Bet on it.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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In a Perfect World N A PERFECT WORLD THE SUN WOULD ALWAYS shine during a fishing trip, and skies would be clear and visibility outstanding. This wasn’t the case as I raced for the entrance to the Intracoastal Waterway at the northern tip of Traylor Island, waterspouts nipping at the wake of our center console. A torrent of rain was beating against the lenses of my eyeglasses, forming puddles and obliterating my vision.

Although partially blinded, I could vaguely make out the red and green channel markers signaling safe passage back to Cove Harbor.

What started out as a trip with my wife to the fish the gas wells on a beautiful day, turned ugly with cat-like quickness. Glass calm water turned rough in an instant as groups of scattered grey clouds turned angry as they unionized over the bay. A watchful eye picked up the transition in weather and the sprint back to the launching ramp was rough but dry until we neared shore, then the bottom dropped out As I approached the entrance to the ICW, three strange shapes looking like mutated channel markers appeared in my rain-blurred vision. I was almost on top of them by the time I pulled my eye glasses down on the bridge of my nose to get a different visual reference. Three kayak anglers, wet as drowned rats, were slowly making their way back to Shell Ridge Road in confused seas, their white kayaks blending in nicely with the white capping waves.

With a backwards jerk of the throttle, the center console quickly came off plane and we paused to let the paddlers pass in front of us as the fury and vile of the storm bore down on us. After a quick wave and shout of good luck to the paddlers, I adjusted our

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course and kicked all 150 horses on the transom in the flanks.

The unexpected encounter with the paddling anglers was an enlightening experience. Since I enjoy fishing out of both kayaks and powerboats I believe I bring a balanced perspective to this column. The lesson of the day: If you are a paddler, increasing your visibility is imperative.

Brightly colored hulls are a good start as they much easier to spot by passing motorboats than ones in drab colors or camo paint jobs. I would have thought a bright white hull would stand out like a diamond ring, and they do in certain conditions, but in a torrential rain and against a backdrop of frothy seas, the white hulls blended into

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Conditions on the water often change for the worse in a matter of minutes.

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their surroundings rather than standing out.

Conditions on the water often change for the worse in a matter of minutes. I always keep a keen eye out for threatening weather and we were almost back to ramp when the drenching came. If I had been oblivious to the building weather we would have been overtaken in the open bay – a dangerous situation no matter what size boat you are in.

The rain storm, which spawned some nasty looking waterspouts, wasn’t caused by a passing cold front. Heck, rain wasn’t even in the forecast, but the storm surprised both the paddlers and me.

TPWD requirements posted on the Safety Requirement for Vessels page of their web site read: All vessels including motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, punts, rowT E X A S

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boats, rubber rafts, or other vessels when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight visible all around the horizon from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility.

It is important to note that the regulations say that the light is required “from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility”. My close call didn’t occur at dawn or dusk but at 1:00 in the afternoon, not a time you normally associated with restricted visibility. Unfortunately, the paddlers either didn’t have the required safety lights with them, or in their rush to escape the storm, they opted not to display them which could have had a tragic end.

Fortunately, disaster was averted and both parties returned to shore safely.

Kayak light kits are inexpensive and every kayaker should include them in their kit whenever they are afloat – even if you are paddling midday. Keep in mind that a single white light source is the minimum requirement. Nothing prohibits paddlers from adding additional lights to make other boater’s aware of your presence. One of my favorite accessories is a clip-on flashing LED which can be attached to a PFD or hat.

In a perfect world the sun would always shine during a fishing trip and the skies would be clear. Unfortunately, this isn’t the world we live in. Cold fronts, squalls, sudden storms, and fog tend to crash the party when least expected. Please make sure your kayak is equipped with the safety lights required by law AND then use them.

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Greg Berlocher can be reached for question or comment at kayak@fishgame.com.

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Boating, Through & Through HAVE A REOCCURRING NIGHTMARE: I’M AT THE helm of my father’s boat (read: larger and much more expensive than my own), running up a river, and the farther I go the tighter the banks become. Soon, there are only a few inches of water on either side of the boat. Then the river disappears entirely, and I’m running the boat through mud. I’m shocked that the boat keeps going, and try to pull a 180 to get back to the water. But then the mud turns into asphalt.

Still, the boat keeps moving forward. I smell something burning. I wonder how much

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damage I’ve done to dad’s boat, then suddenly wake up. Weird? Youbetcha. But many of us—myself included—have lived this dream to one degree or another in reality.

While boats were most certainly meant to run through water and water alone, they regularly run through mud, weeds, sand, and other forms of moist terra-firma. Waterfowl hunters probably experience this the most. They may arrive at the blind during high tide, have a great hunt, then exit the blind to discover that falling water has left mud flats between them and the boat ramp.

Shallow water angling is another way we get ourselves and our boats into this mess. Sure, it looked like the water was deep enough to get over that flat, but…

The question is, when you encounter this type of situation, will you create havoc with your boat’s mechanical systems, or will you manage to get through the solid stuff without doing any damage? It may not be possible to avoid the destructive forces of asphalt, but when it comes to boating through other sub-

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stances, you do have a chance. Here’s how.

MUD Mud in and of itself won’t usually harm your engine, unless the propeller strikes something solid in the muck. Your greatest danger with this substance is in the engine’s cooling system. Obviously, the best way around this issue is to prevent it, either by missing the mud or by running an air-cooled engine like the systems used by Go Devil, Mud Buddy, or Bog Hog. Most of us, however, need the versatility provided by a regular outboard. So let’s say you’re running yours through the marsh, the water grows thin, and for a five-foot stretch that takes five seconds to get through, you’re churning mud. Depending on its size, your engine has probably just ingested a half a cup or so of goop. In that goop is sand and grit, which will make its way through the cooling system—if it doesn’t clog it entirely.

Once clear of the mud, the first thing you need to do is check to see if the system is still functional. Look at the motor’s tell-tale, and make sure it’s pumping a steady stream of water. If not, emergency repair procedure number one is to shift into neutral and rev the engine a few times to increase the cooling system’s water pressure, hopefully busting the clog loose. If it doesn’t start pumping within a few seconds, however, shut down the engine to prevent overheating.

The next thing you can try is cutting a piece of stiff monofilament leader (40 pound test is usually about right) three or four feet long, and threading it into the telltale. When it gets stuck twirl the mono between your fingers as you push. If it still won’t move, pull a few inches out, twirl, and push again. Sometimes you will feel the line hit a clog and break it free, other times you won’t. After working it as far as possible into the system, remove it, re-start the engine, and check for water flow again.

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system or a chunk of grit has locked up the raw water intake impeller. In either case, you’re going to have to take the system apart and clean it (this would be a good time to replace that impeller entirely, since there’s a fair chance it’s been worn or damaged during this ordeal). This, of course, is rather difficult while you’re sitting in the middle of a marsh or swamp. So for the moment your priority should be getting home without frying the engine. Remove the cowl before restarting it, so the block gets as much air as possible. Then run at a normal cruising speed; without cooling water, the engine’s going to overheat no matter how slow or fast you run it. As the engine heats up you’ll have to stop, shut down, and allow it to cool before continuing on your way again. Reach back and tap the engine quickly (be careful, or you’ll get burned), to help judge when it’s time to shut down. If it’s warm or hot to the tap, you’re still OK. When it’s scalding, it’s time to give it a rest. Generally speaking, you’ll be able to run for a couple of minutes between shut-downs.

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ferent set of problems, usually due to entanglement. (Note: rope entanglements can cause the same issues). Running through them may seem like it’s not creating any sort of damage, until you notice the boat’s going slower and slower. Keep running, and eventually the boat stops. Tilt up the outdrive at this point, and there’s probably going to be a large mass of weeds wrapped around the propeller. In most cases simply clearing the prop is all it takes to get moving again. But

occasionally, you’ll clear the prop, shift into forward, the engine revs, and the boat doesn’t move one iota. The reason? You’ve spun out your prop hub.

Most modern propellers have a rubber hub pressed into the bore, which lines up with the splines. If stress causes the rubber to rip or melt, the hub will merely spin inside the prop CONTINUED without transferSEE PAGE 98 ring any of the

SAND Sand has the same set of issues as mud, as well as more potential for mechanical damage when you first run aground—particularly if you do so at a high rate of speed.

The shock can be severe enough to sheer the shaft pin, in which case you’ll need to replace the pin (many outboards carry a spare under the cowl) or substitute it with a similarly-sized piece of metal. What if you’ve bent the prop? There’s not much you can do about it on the water, but note that in almost all cases, the propeller will function well enough to get you back to the dock. Just be aware of excessive vibrations, and back off on the throttle when you feel them.

Assuming the propeller is still spinning and/or you’ve fixed the pin after grounding, you’ll need to follow the same routine as you would in mud, so far as the cooling system goes. But sand can do a lot more damage to the impeller, and if you run through so much that you can actually see grit coming out of the tell-tale, you should plan to replace that impeller ASAP regardless of how the engine seems to be running afterwards.

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Do-ItYourself Weights ’LL ADMIT IT, I’M CHEAP AND I MAKE NO apologies for it. If I can do something for myself rather than paying someone to do it, I will, and I bet that in these continued times of economic downturn there are more and more of you becoming just like me. Disposable income is not something that most people have a lot of right now so learning a fishing tip that also saves a few cents is more than welcome. So this month we’re going to cover a way to make your own weights that work just as good as anything you buy at the store and might even save a little money at the same time.

If you’re fishing this time of year chances are you’re fishing deep, really deep. There is also a good chance that you are drift fishing in areas with some type of structure since that’s where the fish are. The problem is that you will lose a lot of tackle in these areas due to sinkers hanging up on the rocks or brush that hold the fish. The solution to this is to buy some of the snag free sinkers on the market but at three dollars each it can get expensive once you start losing them. Yes,

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they are “snag free” but you will eventually snag on something and lose one. If you want to keep these losses from breaking the bank then you can make some snag free weights on your own for pennies each.

To start your home made snag free weights you need to get some parachute cord (paracord). I happen to have some laying around from making duck call lanyards but you can find it at just about any military surplus store around the state. If yours doesn’t have any then it can also be ordered from a multitude of on-line stores. If you’re really really cheap you can even use old shoe-laces, just make sure they are the kind that are hollow. Solid laces, like those used in boots, will not work.

If you are using paracord, cut a small length (about three to four inches long) and pull out the center strands. Depending on which paracord you have there will be between five and seven small strings inside the hollow outer covering. Take one end of the section you just cut, melt it, and then squeeze the melted part with a pair of needle nose pliers while it’s still warm. This will seal that end shut. You can use a small handheld lighter or even a torch to melt the paracord but I prefer to use a candle which provides a small constant flame which is easier to control. Also, if you get in the mood to build a lot of weights you don’t have to continue lighting a small cigarette lighter over and over.

Now, you should have a tube that is open

on one end and melted closed on the other. Get some of the smallest split shot you can find, I mean really small, and start filling the tube with it. If you don’t have split shot you can substitute the shot out of a shotgun shell. Number two shot will fit inside the paracord but number four fits easier. How much shot you put in the tube is dependant on how heavy you want it. Next, cut off the excess tubing leaving about half an inch above the last split shot you inserted. Melt this end and squeeze it with the pliers just like the other end.

You should now have a short length of paracord filled with weights and sealed at both ends. Now you need a way to connect this to your line since you cannot tie your main line directly to it. Take a snap swivel and run it through the end of the weight. If you can’t work the snap swivel through the weave of the paracord you can melt a hole through it by heating paperclip and pushing it through. This will leave a nice clean hole to slide the barrel swivel through.

This weight can be used in applications you would normally use an egg, barrel, or bell sinker and should be able to slip through brush without getting hung up as often as these other types of weights. It can also be used around rip rap since it won’t wedge into the crevice as easily.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

TEXAS BOATING power to the propeller itself.

FROM PAGE 97 The engine is still running just fine, but you’re not going anywhere. Unfortunately, there’s no quickfix to this problem, and you’ll need to have the prop repaired by a professional.

In the mean-time, how will you get CONTINUED

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home? This is an excellent argument—one of many—for carrying a spare prop at all times. While we’re at it, don’t forget a wrench to pull the prop nut and an extra cotter pin, too. Because no matter what you might end up driving your boat through, you’ll want to be able to get back on the road again. Just make sure it’s a T E X A S

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road that’s made of water—not mud, weed, sand, or asphalt.

E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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ILLUSTRATION COURTESY PAUL BRADSHAW

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ANY HUNTERS AND OTHER FOLKS VIEW the feral hog as anuisance and as a result they are often shot and left to the critters for dinner. Many other hunters have harvested them, only to find the meat strong tasting and dry. The truth is, the meat is and can be fantastic, and you will have a meat that is free of chemicals used in traditional processing.

Upon harvesting, and after skinning and quartering, the meat should be placed in a cooler with plenty of ice to allow it to bleed down for a couple of days. This will remove most of the undesirable hormones and blood from the meat. Then you can de-bone and freeze your favorite cuts, or be ready to begin making sausage or whatever else you may desire. Remember, be sure to trim off all fat from the hog as it will turn rancid if left on the meat, even in the freezer!

Back in the April issue this year, I introduced a curing process on wild turkey, designed to take an otherwise generally dry piece of meat and turn it into a succulent and tender treat . The same process can be used on feral hog ham.

PHOTO: PATRICK DURKIN, TFG

SugarCured Feral Hog Ham

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The Sugar Cure: (Starting with a 6 to 10 lb. ham) Mix 1 pint each of sugar and sea or kosher salt into 1 to 2 gallons of cold water. Stir until its all dissolved. Place the ham in a large disposable plastic bag. Using your turkey injector, draw up two to three full syringes of the solution and inject it in next to the bone in several places on the ham.( This will help the curing process to get to the places most I N L A N D

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vulnerable to spoiling when on a pit) .Then pour the rest of the cure solution in the bag with the ham. Squeeze all of the air out of the bag and tie it up tight and close to the meat. Place the bag in a refrigerator or a cooler lined with plenty of ice and allow it to sit in the solution for 24 to 48 hours.

Then, remove the ham from the bag, rinse it off, then it is ready for the pit.

Pit Instructions: After pre-heating the pit, I like to start with about five pounds of lump hardwood charcoal, then add seasoned pecan, post oak, and a little hickory wood for smoke and flavour enhancement. Place the ham in the pit at the far end from the firebox with the temperature at about 250 to 275 degrees, and baste every 45 minutes or so. Flip the ham every 1 to 2 hours and continue basting. (I would use 45 minutes to the pound as a guide for smoking times) or until a meat thermometer inserted next to the bone registers 160 degrees. Remove from the pit to a platter and drape a loose piece of foil over the ham for 30 to 45 minutes before carving, to rest the meat. Heat remaining baste to a boil on the stove then you can use the remainder as a sauce when serving. Try not to hurt yourself by attempting to eat the T E X A S

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whole ham while carving it. Enjoy with your favorite sides.

Baste for the ham: 1 jar- Texas Gourmet’s Mandarin orange Serrano jelly 4 T -Honey 3 T - fresh rosemary leaves - chopped 1 stick of butter (salted is OK ) 1/2 cup-olive oil 2 T- black pepper 3 T- soy sauce 6 cloves- fresh garlic- minced 1 T ground ginger 6 ounces - Crown Royal (that’s right partner, and don’t be drinking the darned sauce all up either) John Passmore says its larapin good! Heat all of the above ingredients until well blended together, then remove from heat and use a good silicone or paint style basting brush for applying (the cloth style will drink up too much baste and hold it ) Bon appetit.

G A M E ®

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com D E C E M B E R

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TEXAS SALTWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

BAFFIN BAY

ROCKPORT

Rockport Red-Runners

CORPUS CHRISTI

Hillman Guide Service

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

ADVERTISERS, SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS TODAY!

GALVESTON

TEXAS FRESHWATER White Oak Outfitters

LAKE AMISTAD

Rockport Red-Runners

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT TF&G!

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Redfish Charters

Hillman’s Guide Service

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

TEXAS HUNTING

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN TEXAS?

EAT ACROSS TEXAS

BELLVILLE MEAT MARKET YOU GOTTA TRY IT!

EAT ACROSS TEXAS SPOTLIGHT: BELLVILLE MEAT MARKET Bellville Meat Market is an award-winning meat processor which has been recognized by their peers in meat processing industry for providing some of the tastiest jerky, sausage, briskets, and hot links in the Lone Star State. Some folks sing our praises for our exceptional deer processing, while others love our full service butcher counter and award-winning sausage.

Bellville is a short 15-mile jaunt from I-10 (Sealy) or Highway 290 (Hempstead) making it convenient for hunters heading back to Houston from the lease. During rifle season we accept deer on a 7 X 24 basis.

Don’t forget our slow-smoked Bar B Q sandwiches. Sit a spell and dine with us or have your sandwiches packed to go. If you are heading to Austin or College Station this fall, make the short jaunt to Bellville Meat Market to pick up a variety of meats for the pit and all your tailgating supplies. Bellville Meat Market - Meat is our middle name™

INTRODUCING TFG’S NEW EAT ACROSS TEXAS, PLEASE CALL 281.227.3001 X 5519 FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFO. I N L A N D

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Redfish Texas Coast

Whitetail Buck Dripping Springs

Redfish redwith his first r of Bastrop, Chris Spoone ed with his cousin Matt. ctur illiam, mom fish. He is pi p were Dad W Also on the tri ey, and brother Timmy. hl Gina, sister As

Louisiana

Victoria Fluitt shows off he r 10-point bu taken on the ck, Fluitt Ranch in Dripping Springs.

doff her first re e 11, shows x, n in Delacroi Julia Dietz, ag tio ca va on ile fish caught wh Louisiana.

Whitetail Doe Hebbronville

Whitetail Buck Raymondville

Whitetail Buck

Kyle Fischer, ag this 9-point bu e 12, of Rancho Viejosho t ck at Torres Ranch, just we of Raymondv ille. This was st Kyle’s first de er.

Dripping Springs

ed this doe le Breed bagg 10-year-old Co g trip near Hebbronville g ntin while on a hu le also got a spike, makin Co ot. with his dad. deer ever sh ird th d an nd these his seco

Stormy Fluitt wi hunting on th th a 10-point buck, shot while e Fluitt Ranc h in Dripping Springs.

Shark Upper Coast

Whitetail Doe Houston County

Redfish Lake Calaveras

s off his first , age 12, show doe. The doe il Aaron Bowley ta ite wh ld -o at 80 year deer, a 6-1/2ty with a .243 Houston Coun in n ke ta s wa yards.

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Three-year-o ld Kolt Hack ebeil caught redfish while this fishing with his family at Calaveras La ke.

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dor shows of age 11, of Vi Trevor Duff, . er nd ou -p 15 first shark, a

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Whitetail Buck George West

Redfish Laguna Madre

Redfish Lake Calaveras

f

ows of s proudly sh e cole Tunche caught on liv Stephanie Ni e sh at th h redfis Ranch shorethis 26-inch ng Ki e th ng fishi shrimp while nches. dad Gerald Tu line with her

James Froehl ich, age 9, fro m Houston to his first buck ok wh outside of Ge ile hunting with his dad orge West.

ish ught this redf eil, age 7, ca Calaveras at Jayce Hackeb ily m fa s with hi while fishing Lake.

Redfish Redfish

San Antonio Bay

Brazoria County

Speckled Trout East Matagorda Bay

Mike Torres caught and re leased this 31 redfish while -inch fis Antonio Bay. hing with his dad in San

ows an proudly sh hCollin Sherid ught while fis Six-year-old ca , ut tro ed eckl a East Bay. rd off his first sp go ta Ma in papaw ing with his

Hayden Bish op, redfish while age 6, caught this 23-inch fishi Brazoria Coun ng with his family in ty.

Redfish Corpus Christi Bay

Speckled Trout Speckled Trout

Galveston Bay

ught Woodlands ca ile neau of The Roger Carbon trout in Galveston Bay wh ch ey were borTh this 24-3/8-in ll. ne La fe his wi fishing with boat. son, Arthur’s rowing their

Cory Lynn Re ys proudly show ack of Port Aransas, Texa s off her first s, 32-inch bull fish that she redcaught while fishing with papaw and au her nt in Corpus Christi Bay.

Aransas Pass

Morarts out! Jeff s, eat your he 20-inch is th Duck hunter ht ug ca , Texas, his ris of Corinth th the help of ansas Pass wi trout near Ar t. in lab on po two-year-old

Whitetail Buck Whitetail Buck

Redfish Rockport

Eight-year-old Hunter Shultz 1/2-inch redf caught a 27ish Island near Ro while fishing off of Mud ckport.

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Thicket, Texas

Madison County

tail buck while his first white n CJ Marze took andpa’s land in Madiso gr s his hunting on hi int buck with po 8e th ot rze. dad Cody Ma County. He sh 0-30. Photo by Winchester .3

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Ty McMahon of deer while hu Thicket, Texas, killed his nting in Thic first ket. The buck a 10-point. was

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EAST TEXAS TURKEY IN TROUBLE? WILD TURKEYS ARE MORE numerous than they have been in decades and in some regions, there are arguably more birds than ever.

With that said it might be difficult to imagine anything posing a real threat to turkey populations, but dangers loom on the horizon. Some of them are regionalized while others cover the map but collectively they paint a questionable future for America’s favorite game bird.

It is quite evident than in recent years there is a lot less open game habitat than there was even in the late 1990s. Texas’ population is growing, and there are concerns about turkey habitat particular that in the eastern third of the state.

Probably the biggest threat to turkeys in relation to human growth comes in the form of the quest for water. Currently there are millions of acres of reservoirs proposed • Executive Editor through the country and for those not familiar with reservoir construction, it goes something like this.

Officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or some

PHOTO: JOE RICHARD

by Chester Moore

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other agency dam up a prime spot on a river or large creek system and slowly fill in the surrounding bottomlands. As any turkey hunter knows, bottoms are extremely important to the birds and they are currently the most endangered type of wildlife habitat on the continent.

In Texas, there are currently three major reservoir systems being debated including one planned along the Sulphur River bottoms between Texas and Arkansas, which is some of the best eastern turkey hunting in the state.

Hunting-based conservation groups are concerned about the plans but rival interests in the fishing community applaud them due to the increased fishing opportunities they would bring.

“There is going to be serious problems over this fight for water and as a fishing guide and a hunter I can tell you it’s going to be very interesting. Unfortunately wildlife will lose out in the end as you just can’t replace a hardwood bottom,” said Roger Bacon.

Of all threats, feral hogs are the most misunderstood and their potential for impact is growing. These non-indigenous omnivores have spread from the Deep South into 20 states with their most recent conquest being the Finger Lakes region of

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In This Issue OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE SECTION

HOW-TO SECTION

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COVER STORY • East Texas Turkey in Trouble? |

BY CHESTER MOORE

HOTSPOTS & TIDES SECTION

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

BY TF&G STAFF

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TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’ Hottest Fishing Spots |

BY TOM BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB HOOD

New York. Hogs have significant impacts on their environments and research suggests there is a negative effect on turkey nesting success.

Take for example a study conducted in Rio Grande turkey country, the Edwards Plateau of central Texas in 1993. There, researchers used chicken eggs to simulate turkey nestings and found that hogs destroyed 28 percent of them. On the other hand, some researchers, including V.G. Henry debate the hog’s effectiveness at nest predation arguing that they are “haphazard nest predators” and that hogs are, “not additive to nest predation, but only replaced that which would have occurred by other predators either driven off or preyed upon by feral hogs, especially snakes.”

Research conducted on other groundnesting animals, including reptiles may shed some light on the potential for hogs to harm turkey nests. In Georgia, for example, 80 percent of sea turtle nests were lost on Ossabow Island due to hog predation.

“There is no doubt that feral hogs have a negative impact on their environment and research certainly suggests that they can and do destroy the nests of turkeys and other ground nesting birds,” said Rick Taylor, retired feral hog specialist with the Texas 50 |

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BOWHUNTING TECH • A Great Christmas Gift |

BY LOU MARULLO

61

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GEARING UP SECTION

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Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Of all state agencies, TPWD has had the most experience dealing with hogs and they are seeing them increase in numbers, especially in areas where turkey populations are most sensitive. The Pineywoods of East Texas has seen more than 20 years of restoration efforts bring huntable populations of eastern turkeys back to the region.

At the same time, feral hog populations have skyrocketed there in the last five years.

“East Texas has had a tremendous increase in feral hogs and there are some concerns as to how this might impact the eastern turkeys,” Taylor said.

I personally witnessed hog’s impact on eastern turkey nests in 2005 on a 25,000acre hunting club along the Sabine River corridor in Newton County, TX. While scouting for (ironically) an area to hunt hogs I came across a turkey nest. A few days later, I returned with a camera to capture photos of the nest and found it destroyed by the snouts of feral hogs that rooted the area to the point of looking like a tilled field.

What is interesting to note is that the only area in East Texas turkeys have not successfully colonized is in the extreme southern portion where hogs are the most numerous. The Tony Houseman State Park and T E X A S

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www.FishGame.com Blue Elbow Wildlife Management Area sits on 5,000 acres of some of the most pristine bottomlands in the state and it is currently devoid of turkeys. Feral hogs however are so numerous that they frequently feed in broad daylight along the side of Interstate 10, which divides the area.

In conclusion, wild turkeys are resilient creatures that have bounced back from an estimated population of 500,000 birds in 1900 to nearly 10,000,000 in 2007 throughout North America. However, much of that population growth had to do with strict conservation practices including stocking, seasons, bag limits and even forest reclamation.

“It’s hard to imagine that we would ever see turkeys on the endangered species list, but what we need to be watching out for are region specific problems, not just the whole country’s population or even that within a state,” said TF&G Bowhunting Editor Lou Marullo.

“To keep turkey hunting on the acreage we have at a maximum level it’s going to take the collective effort of hunters, landowners, fish and game departments and everyone with a stake in the issue.”

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Tides and Prime Times

DECEMBER 2010

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

DEC 1 Low Tide: High Tide: Low Tide: High Tide:

6

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

PRIME TIME 12:47 am 10:09 am 6:54 pm 11:48 pm

1.40 ft -0.65 ft 1.51 ft 1.37 ft

5:30 — 7:30 AM

7

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 1:27 am 1.38 ft Low Tide: 10:54 am -0.57 ft High Tide: 7:40 pm 1.43 ft

6:00 — 8:00 AM

6:23 am 1:57 pm 6:45 pm 11:20 pm

THURSDAY PRIME TIME

0.03 ft 1.30 ft 1.06 ft 1.26 ft

1:30 — 3:30 AM

2

PRIME TIME

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

7:07 am 3:13 pm 8:14 pm 11:35 pm

-0.26 ft 1.45 ft 1.22 ft 1.30 ft

2:30 — 4:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:17a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 2:57a Set: 2:27p AM Minor: 1:09a Set: 7:21a PM Minor: 1:34p Set: 7:47p Moon Overhead: 8:46a Moon Underfoot: 9:12p

Sunrise: 7:18a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 4:04a Set: 3:07p AM Minor: 1:54a Set: 8:07a PM Minor: 2:21p Set: 8:34p Moon Overhead: 9:39a Moon Underfoot: 10:06p

8

9

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

PRIME TIME

12:23 am 2:05 am 11:38 am 8:20 pm

1.31 ft 1.32 ft -0.44 ft 1.34 ft

7:00 — 9:00 AM

PRIME TIME

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

1:32 am 2:27 am 12:20 pm 8:54 pm

1.22 ft 1.22 ft -0.27 ft 1.26 ft

7:30 — 9:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:21a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 8:18a Set: 6:35p AM Minor: 5:27a Set: 11:09a PM Minor: 5:56p Set: ----Moon Overhead: 1:26p Moon Underfoot: 12:58a

Sunrise: 7:22a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 9:09a Set: 7:35p AM Minor: 6:26a Set: 12:13a PM Minor: 6:53p Set: 12:40p Moon Overhead: 2:20p Moon Underfoot: 1:54a

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 9:53a Set: 8:35p AM Minor: 7:24a Set: 1:11a PM Minor: 7:49p Set: 1:37p Moon Overhead: 3:12p Moon Underfoot: 2:47a

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 10:32a Set: 9:33p AM Minor: 8:19a Set: 2:07a PM Minor: 8:43p Set: 2:31p Moon Overhead: 4:00p Moon Underfoot: 3:36a

13

PRIME TIME

14

15

16

11:30A — 1:30P

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

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

5:15 am 10:06 am 2:55 pm 10:15 pm

0.58 ft 0.76 ft 0.55 ft 1.02 ft

PRIME TIME 5:39 am 12:03 pm 3:40 pm 10:26 pm

0.38 ft 0.82 ft 0.74 ft 1.01 ft

12:00 — 2:00 AM

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

PRIME TIME 6:04 am 1:42 pm 4:45 pm 10:32 pm

0.19 ft 0.94 ft 0.90 ft 1.02 ft

12:30 — 2:30 AM

PRIME TIME

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

6:33 am 2:51 pm 6:25 pm 10:31 pm

0.00 ft 1.06 ft 1.02 ft 1.05 ft

1:30 — 3:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:26a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: 12:32p Set: 12:15a AM Minor: 11:24a Set: 5:14a PM Minor: 11:44p Set: 5:34p Moon Overhead: 6:47p Moon Underfoot: 6:27a

Sunrise: 7:27a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: 1:01p Set: 1:07a AM Minor: ----Set: 5:53a PM Minor: 12:03p Set: 6:14p Moon Overhead: 7:27p Moon Underfoot: 7:07a

Sunrise: 7:27a Set: 5:36p Moonrise: 1:31p Set: 2:01a AM Minor: 12:21a Set: 6:32a PM Minor: 12:42p Set: 6:53p Moon Overhead: 8:10p Moon Underfoot: 7:49a

Sunrise: 7:28a Set: 5:36p Moonrise: 2:04p Set: 2:56a AM Minor: 1:00a Set: 7:11a PM Minor: 1:22p Set: 7:34p Moon Overhead: 8:56p Moon Underfoot: 8:33a

20

PRIME TIME

21

22

23

4:30 — 6:30 AM

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

Low Tide: 8:57 am High Tide: 5:41 pm Low Tide: 9:50 pm

-0.62 ft 1.36 ft 1.22 ft

PRIME TIME 12:10 am 9:39 am 6:20 pm 10:25 pm

1.24 ft -0.70 ft 1.37 ft 1.21 ft

5:00 — 7:00 AM

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

1:08 am 10:23 am 6:58 pm 11:09 pm

PRIME TIME 1.24 ft -0.73 ft 1.34 ft 1.15 ft

5:30 — 7:30 AM

PRIME TIME

High Tide: 2:09 am 1.20 ft Low Tide: 11:07 am -0.68 ft High Tide: 7:32 pm 1.28 ft

6:00 — 8:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 5:37p Moonrise: 5:12p Set: 6:52a AM Minor: 4:04a Set: 10:18a PM Minor: 4:32p Set: 10:47p Moon Overhead: None Moon Underfoot: 12:02p

Sunrise: 7:31a Set: 5:38p Moonrise: 6:14p Set: 7:48a AM Minor: 5:00a Set: 11:15a PM Minor: 5:29p Set: 11:44p Moon Overhead: 12:31a Moon Underfoot: 1:00p

Sunrise: 7:31a Set: 5:38p Moonrise: 7:20p Set: 8:39a AM Minor: 6:00a Set: ----PM Minor: 6:28p Set: 12:14p Moon Overhead: 1:29a Moon Underfoot: 1:58p

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 5:39p Moonrise: 8:28p Set: 9:25a AM Minor: 7:01a Set: 12:47a PM Minor: 7:28p Set: 1:14p Moon Overhead: 2:26a Moon Underfoot: 2:54p

27

PRIME TIME

28

29

30

11:00A — 1:00P

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

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

3:11 am 9:04 am 2:17 pm 9:06 pm

0.29 ft 0.72 ft 0.30 ft 0.96 ft

Sunrise: 7:33a Set: 5:41p Moonrise: None Set: 11:53a AM Minor: 10:49a Set: 4:36a PM Minor: 11:14p Set: 5:01p Moon Overhead: 5:53a Moon Underfoot: 6:17p

52 |

D E C E M B E R

PRIME TIME 4:11 am 11:16 am 3:16 pm 9:20 pm

-0.02 ft 0.77 ft 0.62 ft 0.95 ft

12:00 — 2:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:34a Set: 5:42p Moonrise: 12:50a Set: 12:28p AM Minor: 11:39a Set: 5:27a PM Minor: ----Set: 5:52p Moon Overhead: 6:42a Moon Underfoot: 7:08p

2 0 1 1

T E X A S

F I S H

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

PRIME TIME 5:08 am 1:22 pm 4:53 pm 9:31 pm

-0.31 ft 0.94 ft 0.88 ft 0.98 ft

12:30 — 2:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:34a Set: 5:42p Moonrise: 1:55a Set: 1:07p AM Minor: 12:03a Set: 6:16a PM Minor: 12:29p Set: 6:42p Moon Overhead: 7:34a Moon Underfoot: 8:00p

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G A M E ®

PRIME TIME

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

6:03 am 3:00 pm 8:15 pm 9:24 pm

-0.56 ft 1.11 ft 1.02 ft 1.02 ft

1:30 — 3:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:34a Set: 5:43p Moonrise: 3:01a Set: 1:49p AM Minor: 12:51a Set: 7:04a PM Minor: 1:18p Set: 7:31p Moon Overhead: 8:27a Moon Underfoot: 8:55p

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Tides and Prime Times

DECEMBER 2010

FRIDAY

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

SATURDAY PRIME TIME

7:51 am 4:17 pm 9:32 pm 11:52 pm

-0.48 ft 1.56 ft 1.33 ft 1.35 ft

3:0 — 5:30 AM

4

SUNDAY PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 8:37 am -0.62 ft High Tide: 5:14 pm 1.59 ft Low Tide: 10:34 pm 1.38 ft

4:30 — 6:30 AM

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

PRIME TIME 12:15 am 9:23 am 6:06 pm 11:17 pm

1.39 ft -0.67 ft 1.57 ft 1.39 ft

5:00 — 6:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:19a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 5:11a Set: 3:52p AM Minor: 2:42a Set: 8:56a PM Minor: 3:10p Set: 9:24p Moon Overhead: 10:34a Moon Underfoot: 11:02p

Sunrise: 7:20a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 6:17a Set: 4:42p AM Minor: 3:34a Set: 9:48a PM Minor: 4:02p Set: 10:17p Moon Overhead: 11:31a Moon Underfoot: None

Sunrise: 7:20a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 7:20a Set: 5:37p AM Minor: 4:29a Set: 10:44a PM Minor: 4:58p Set: 11:13p Moon Overhead: 12:29p Moon Underfoot: None

10

11

PRIME TIME

12

9:00 — 11:00 AM

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

PRIME TIME

Low Tide: 1:01 pm High Tide: 9:21 pm

-0.08 ft 1.18 ft

8:30 — 10:30 AM

Low Tide: 1:40 pm High Tide: 9:43 pm

0.13 ft 1.11 ft

PRIME TIME 4:55 am 7:55 am 2:17 pm 10:01 pm

0.76 ft 0.80 ft 0.34 ft 1.05 ft

11:00 A — 1:00 P

Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 5:34p Moonrise: 11:06a Set: 10:28p AM Minor: 9:11a Set: 3:00a PM Minor: 9:33p Set: 3:22p Moon Overhead: 4:44p Moon Underfoot: 4:23a

Sunrise: 7:25a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: 11:36a Set: 11:22p AM Minor: 9:59a Set: 3:48a PM Minor: 10:20p Set: 4:09p Moon Overhead: 5:26p Moon Underfoot: 5:06a

Sunrise: 7:25a Set: 5:35p Moonrise: 12:05p Set: None AM Minor: 10:43a Set: 4:33a PM Minor: 11:03p Set: 4:53p Moon Overhead: 6:07p Moon Underfoot: 5:47a

17

18

19

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

PRIME TIME 7:05 am 3:39 pm 8:11 pm 10:20 pm

-0.17 ft 1.17 ft 1.10 ft 1.10 ft

2:30 — 4:30 AM

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

PRIME TIME 7:40 am 4:21 pm 9:06 pm 10:25 pm

-0.34 ft 1.26 ft 1.16 ft 1.16 ft

3:30 — 4:30 AM

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

PRIME TIME

8:17 am 5:00 pm 9:25 pm 11:14 pm

-0.49 ft 1.33 ft 1.20 ft 1.21 ft

4:00 — 6:00 AM

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 5:36p Moonrise: 2:42p Set: 3:54a AM Minor: 1:40a Set: 7:52a PM Minor: 2:04p Set: 8:16p Moon Overhead: 9:45p Moon Underfoot: 9:20a

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 5:37p Moonrise: 3:25p Set: 4:54a AM Minor: 2:24a Set: 8:37a PM Minor: 2:50p Set: 9:03p Moon Overhead: 10:38p Moon Underfoot: 10:11a

Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 5:37p Moonrise: 4:15p Set: 5:54a AM Minor: 3:11a Set: 9:25a PM Minor: 3:39p Set: 9:53p Moon Overhead: 11:33p Moon Underfoot: 11:05a

24

25

26

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

PRIME TIME 12:02 am 3:22 am 11:53 am 8:02 pm

1.03 ft 1.10 ft -0.54 ft 1.19 ft

7:00 — 9:00 AM

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

1:03 am 4:56 am 12:39 pm 8:27 pm

PRIME TIME 6:55 am 4:04 pm 9:14 pm 10:29 pm

-0.75 ft 1.22 ft 1.04 ft 1.04 ft

5:00 — 7:00 PM

9:00 — 11:00 AM

A L M A N A C

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

PRIME TIME 2:08 am 6:54 am 1:26 pm 8:48 pm

0.59 ft 0.79 ft -0.02 ft 1.01 ft

9:30 — 11:30 AM

Sunrise: 7:33a Set: 5:40p Moonrise: 11:45p Set: 11:18a AM Minor: 9:56a Set: 3:43a PM Minor: 10:21p Set: 4:08p Moon Overhead: 5:03a Moon Underfoot: 5:28p

PRIME TIME

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

PRIME TIME

SYMBOL KEY

New Moon

Sunrise: 7:35a Set: 5:43p Moonrise: 4:06a Set: 2:36p AM Minor: 1:39a Set: 7:53a PM Minor: 2:07p Set: 8:21p Moon Overhead: 9:22a Moon Underfoot: 9:51p

N O R T H

0.84 ft 0.95 ft -0.31 ft 1.10 ft

Sunrise: 7:33a Set: 5:40p Moonrise: 10:40p Set: 10:43a AM Minor: 9:00a Set: 2:47a PM Minor: 9:25p Set: 3:13p Moon Overhead: 4:13a Moon Underfoot: 4:38p

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 5:39p Moonrise: 9:35p Set: 10:06a AM Minor: 8:01a Set: 1:48a PM Minor: 8:28p Set: 2:14p Moon Overhead: 3:21a Moon Underfoot: 3:47p

31

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

PRIME TIME

TIDE STATION CORRECTION TABLE (Adjust High & Low Tide times listed in the Calendar by the amounts below for each keyed location)

T E X A S

First Quarter

F I S H

Full Moon

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PRIME TIME

Good Day

BEST DAYS

D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

Last Quarter

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PINEY WOODS

Livingston Cats, Buzzard Whites

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Caddo Lake HOTSPOT: Whatley Island GPS: N32 42.0057, W94 4.56954 (32.700095, -94.076159) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Jig and pork or soft plastic

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D E C E M B E R

2 0 1 0

trailer, Rat-LTrap, topwaters CONTACT: Paul Keith, caddoguide1@att.net, 318-455-3437, caddolakefishing.com TIPS: Fish dark-colored jig and pig on the scattered cypress trees and use red or chrome Rat-L-Traps over the grass flats. Keep a topwater lure handy for schooling bass in the open waters.

LOCATION: Lake Livingston HOTSPOT: Old 190 Bridge Channel GPS: N30 45.3, W95 8.0502 (30.755000, -95.134170)

T E X A S

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SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh dead shad, live perch CONTACT: Dave S. Cox, dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com TIPS: Use a Carolina rig and work the baits along the bottom along the edge of the old river channel on both sides of the bridge.

LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res. HOTSPOT: Buzzard Bend GPS: N31 21.63468, W93 39.3177 (31.360578, -93.655295) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Slab spoons, tail-spinners, Rat-L-Traps, medium diving crankbaits

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CONTACT: Greg Crafts, gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151, toledobendguide.com TIPS: The lake level has been lowered by 7 feet for dam repair. Check the ramps to make sure there is enough water to launch. The fish will stack up on sand bars along the river channel, mainly on the south ends of major bends. Shad colors are best.

PRAIRIES & LAKES

Fish and Cut Bait for Hybrids

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Mid-Lake Humps GPS: N32 12.90276, W96 5.2182 (32.215046, -96.086970) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Cut shad, buffalo, carp, drum CONTACT: Jason Barber, kingcreekadventures@yahoo.com, 903-887-7896, kingcreekadventures.com TIPS: Cut bait as you need it. Keep remaining bait on ice but not submerged to retain juices and aroma. Cut bait into golf ball-sized pieces. Drift humps in 5-25 feet

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of water with Carolina, Santee Cooper or drop-shot rigs. Target shallows early and late.

LOCATION: Fayette County Res. HOTSPOT: Intake Cattails GPS: N29 55.3083, W96 44.9337 (29.921805, -96.748895) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shrimp, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Look for cattails on the right side going into the intake area. The water is about five feet deep outside the cattails.

Chum along the cattails and use a Carolina rig with No. 4 treble hook for punch bait and Nos. 2-3 Kahle hook for worms and shrimp.

LOCATION: Gibbons Creek Res. HOTSPOT: Hog Creek GPS: N30 37.30686, W96 4.16238 (30.621781, -96.069373) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh shad, worms CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: Hog Creek comes close to Pelican Island. On the lake-side of the island is 13 feet of water. Anchor and fish any lily pads that may be there. Chum if the weather is warm. Big blues travel here during the winter so be prepared to cach a big fish.

LOCATION: Lake Aquilla HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points GPS: N31 55.03266, W97 12.17286 (31.917211, -97.202881) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse slabs CONTACT: Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS: Use your graph to locate schools of white bass at the ends of major points and along their edges leading toward deep water.

The shad are running these edges and quick limits can be made by bouncing slabs off the bottom. Most strikes come on the fall.

LOCATION: Lake Cooper HOTSPOT: Dam Riprap GPS: N33 19.8939, W95 37.80654 (33.331565, -95.630109) SPECIES: hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Sassy Shad CONTACT: Tony Parker, tawakonifihing@yahoo.com, 903-348-1619, tonyparkerfishing.com TIPS: Look for both hybrids and sand bass to be moving along the riprap. I keep my boat in 25 feet of water and throw a 3/4-ounce Sassy Shad, keeping it close to the bottom on a slow retrieve. Also keep an eye out for surfacing fish in open waters.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: The Dam GPS: N33 2.01384, W96 27.91692 (33.033564, -96.465282) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Crappie jigs CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Use 1/8-ounce black-chartreuse or black-blue jigs on a spider rig. With six to eight-pound test line and an ultra-light rod,fish slowly across the face of the dam.

The crappie will be deep, usually in 25 to 40 feet of water.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon HOTSPOT: Clear Lake Park Cove GPS: N33 4.33602, W96 29.38974 (33.072267, -96.489829) SPECIES: catfish

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T E X A S

F I S H

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BEST BAITS: Fresh gizzard shad, cut bait CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Fish this area and other shallow coves by drifting shad or cut bait on a heavy line up to 40-pound test. Many big blue catfish roam these areas at this time of the year.

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville HOTSPOT: Main Lake Ledges GPS: N33 5.01282, W96 56.85096 (33.083547, -96.947516) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh gizaard or threadfin shad CONTACT: Bobby Kubin, bobby@bobbycatfishing.com, 817-455-2894, bobby-catfishing.com TIPS: Blue cats are beginnng to move into their winter patterns. Anchor over main lake ledges and channels. Use a 2ounce weight. 24-inch leader and 5-0 circle hook for eating-sized fish and 8-0 hook for trophy fish on Santee-Cooper or Carolina rigs.

LOCATION: Lake Monticello HOTSPOT: Upper Lake Timber GPS: N33 2.10876, W95 6.76572 (33.035146, -95.112762) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Cheese bait CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick, straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-7847, straightlineguide.com TIPS: Fish the timbered area here with cheese bait in 10 to 15 feet of water. Tie up to the trees and fish vertically. Expect to catch limits daily.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Kickapoo Channel GPS: N32 17.08422, W95 27.18996 (32.284737, -95.453166) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Fresh live shad CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: This is a good place to set jug lines and trotlines along the edge of the 58 |

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river channel. Use live shad to catch the larger blue and yellow catfish.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Flat Creek GPS: N32 13.05552, W95 32.90112 (32.217592, -95.548352) SPECIES: largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, jigs, Shimmy Shakers CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Fish the back of Flat Creek in two to eight feet of water as well as on the north end of the main river channel. The main lake points near the dam also are good. Fish the lures very slowly at this time of the year because the bite is slow.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Highway 155 Bridge GPS: N32 7.84662, W95 28.14072 (32.130777, -95.469012) SPECIES: white bass BEST BAITS: Spoons, swimbaits CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, www.rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Good early-morning and lateevening action can be found on the mainlake points south of the Highway 155 bridge. Fish the lures at depths of two to six feet during early-morning hours, later shifting to 18 to 25 feet as the sun rises.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine HOTSPOT: Dam Riprap GPS: N32 3.48816, W95 26.21148 (32.058136, -95.436858) SPECIES: crappie BEST BAITS: Mr; Twister Minnows CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff, ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-5617299, rickysguideservice.com TIPS: Crappie will be next to the dam along the rock wall close to the river channel. Use white or blue-white jigs at 17 to 25 feet deep. The Highway 155 bridge pilings also are good at this time of the year at the same depths.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville HOTSPOT: Tire Reef T E X A S

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GPS: N30 19.164, W96 34.374 (30.319400, -96.572900) SPECIES: catfish BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh shad, shrimp CONTACT: Weldon Kirk, weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-3103, FishTales-GuideService.com TIPS: The submerged tire reef runs from six to 23 feet of water. Start shallow and work toward deeper water to locate the fish. Fish a Carolina rig off the bottm. Blue cats, yellow cats and hybrids will take the shad. Use punch bait for channel cats.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma HOTSPOT: Juniper Point East GPS: N33 51.89202, W96 49.833 (33.864867, -96.830550) SPECIES: striped bass BEST BAITS: Road Runners, Sassy Shad jigs CONTACT: Bill Carey, bigfiship@striperexpress.com, 877-786-4477, striperexpress.com TIPS: Fish main-lake points, mouths of creeks and humps near deep water. Large fish to 20-pounds can be expected. Watch for large schools under the birds. White glow and chartreuse colors are best. My favorite is a 4-6-inch Sassy Shad on oneounce jig.

LOCATION : Lake Whitney HOTSPOT : Big Rocky Creek GPS : N31 52.99014, W97 23.4528 (31.883169, -97.390880) SPECIES : striped bass BEST BAITS: Chartreuse slabs CONTACT : Randy Routh, teamredneck01@hotmail.com, 817-822-5539, teamredneck.com TIPS : Make long casts behind the boat and use your trolling motor to slowly troll the lures in and around Big Rocky Creek.

Large schools of shad are roaming the mouth of the creek and the stripers are gorging themselves on the shad.

LOCATION : Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT : 309 Flats GPS : N31 59.4189, W96 8.71314 (31.990315, -96.145219) N O R T H

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SPECIES : hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: One-ounce Silver Glitter RSR Shad Slabs CONTACT : Royce Simmobsm royce@gonefishin.biz.,903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS : Watch for gulls and pelicans diving to pick up shad off the surface. Hybrids and white bass are caught throuthout the flats.

Concentrate on drop-offs and ridges in water depths ranging from 20-30 feet.

Bounce slabs off the bottom for best results.

LOCATION : Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT : Windsock Point GPS : N31 59.50626, W96 12.51894 (31.991771, -96.208649) SPECIES : hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: RSR Silver Glitter Slab CONTACT : Royce Simmons, simmonsroyce@yahoo.com, 903-389-4117, gonefishin.biz TIPS : Fish will relate to the deeper side of the point at 30-35-foot depths and will be on or near the bottom. I use a oneounce Silver Glitter Slab and jig it slowly

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off the bottom. Keep your drag set loosley.

This is a prime time to catch a big hybrid.

PANHANDLE

LOCATION : Richland-Chambers Res. HOTSPOT : Wood Creek GPS : N32 4.33692, W96 17.1228 (32.072282, -96.285380) SPECIES : largemouth bass BEST BAITS: 1/4 or 3/8-ounce jigs CONTACT : Steve Schmidt, steve@schmidtsbigbass.com, 682-5188252, schmidtsbigbass.com TIPS : Use brown, black or black-blue jigs with pork or soft plastic trailers. Fish boat docks first and then the stumps. You may flip at one stump three or four times before getting a strike. Target everything on the sunny side of the docks and timber.

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LOCATION : Lake Graham HOTSPOT : Power Plant Outlet GPS : N33 8.0361, W98 36.4956 (33.133935, -98.608260) SPECIES : hybrid striped bass BEST BAITS: Slabs, jigs, live shad CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : As the water cools the fish will be attracted to the warm water outlet. Fish inside the fence with shad, jigs or slabs as close to the bottom as possible unless you see feeding fish pushing shad to the surface.

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LOCATION : Possum Kingdom Res. HOTSPOT : River Channel Near Bird Island GPS : N32 56.2383, W98 26.1315 (32.937305, -98.435525) SPECIES : striped bass BEST BAITS: Gamefisher slab, Rat-LTrap,crankbaits CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : Look for the fish to stack up along the 20-foot contour along the old river channel. I prefer a 3/8-ounce Gamefisher slab but live minnows also work. Fish slowly and sneak up on feeding fish with your trolling motor to avoid spooking them.

LOCATION : Lake Palo Pinto HOTSPOT : Power Plant Outlet GPS : N32 39.3237, W98 18.81282 (32.655395, -98.313547) SPECIES : white bass BEST BAITS: Slabs CONTACT : Dean Heffner, fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036 TIPS : Choose a day just ahead of a cold front. If the plant is generating, the fish will be in the current close to the plant. Use yellow, chartreuse or shad colors. The fish may be suspended but more likely will be right off the bottom.

BIG BEND

Devilish Amistad Smallies

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Pecos River GPS : N29 42.13758, W101 22.1424 (29.702293, -101.369040) SPECIES : catfish BEST BAITS: Goldfish, cheese baits CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : For yellowcats, set trotlines baited with goldfish along the Pecos River channel 60 |

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as well as the Rio Grande.This area draws little attention from anglers. For channelcats and blues, fish cheese baits along the rock ledges and in the deep pockets.

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Devilís River GPS : N29 35.31936, W100 59.088 (29.588656, -100.984800) SPECIES : smallmouth bass BEST BAITS: crankbaits and diving lures CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : Fish medium-running crankbaits across the sloping points and small flats in the numerous cuts here. Work diving crankbaits along the deeper drop-offs and across the rocky ledges. Many 3 to 4pound smallmouths are caught here.

LOCATION : Lake Amistad HOTSPOT : Highway 90 Bridge GPS : N29 29.35758, W101 2.403 (29.489293, -101.040050) SPECIES : largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastic frogs, Senkos, Zara Spooks, spinnerbaits CONTACT : Larry Scruggs, fisherofhmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-1645 TIPS : Work plastic frogs, Zara Spooks or white spinnerbaits early and late in four feet of water or less in the pockets and off points. Swith to Senkos during the day and fish them around shallow stickups and rocky banks in the coves.

HILL COUNTRY

Granger Catfish on Shad

BEST BAITS: live or cut shad CONTACT : Tommy Tidwell, crappie1@hotmain.com, 512-365-7761, gotcrappie.com TIPS : Big blue catfish like cool and cold water temperatures and are prowling the flats in the main body of the lake. They can be caught on live bait drifted or on jug lines. Live shad is the best bait but donít hesitate to try something else.

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

Falcon Creek Bass Like Lizards

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Falcon Lake HOTSPOT : Tributary Creek Channel GPS : N26 40.6884, W99 11.56854 (26.678140, -99.192809) SPECIES : largemouth bass BEST BAITS: Soft plastic lizards, Brush Hawgs CONTACT : Robert Amaya, robertsfishntackle@gmail.com, 956-765-1442, robertsfishntackle.com TIPS : Stay on the edge of the channel, starting deep and working toward shallow water. Drag Carolina-rigged black-red glitter or Watermelon-red lures for staging fish.

Water temperatures are cooling and baitfish are forming big schools in this area.

by BOB HOOD bhood@fishgame.com

LOCATION : Lake Granger HOTSPOT : Main Lake Flats GPS : N30 42.08406, W97 20.49684 (30.701401, -97.341614) SPECIES : catfish T E X A S

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AUTOMOTIVE Swift Hitch BOATING Coveralls DuraSafe Edson International Onyx Outdoor Texas Marine of Beaumont Unified Marine/Seasense FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES Ammunition To Go Chiappa Firearms/MKS Supply Cor-Bon Custom Bullet Co.

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Howard Leight/Sperian MG Arms Steiner Binoculars Trijicon FISHING ACCESSORIES Angler Products Faultline Outdoors Gulf Coast Waders Third Stone Software

GENERAL PRODUCTS Camo Carpet Jewelry Connection KT Coolers Randolph Engineering ZipVac

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OUTDOOR CUTLERY AccuSharp Lansky Sharpeners Mad Cow Cutlery Puma Knife Company USA

RETAIL Fishing Tackle Unlimited

RODS & REELS American Rodsmiths Daiwa TAXIDERMY Texas European Mounts

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Gifted Outdoorsmen ACQUAINTANCES, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, and not-so-friends have at sundry times over the years labeled me “special.” I was never quite sure what to make of this, as the appellation came under such diverse circumstances no discernable pattern was evident.

For example, I once overheard my fourth grade school teacher, Miss Peachbottom, telling the principal, “Don’t worry, Mister Longenschnauser, Donald is a special child.”

Why she thought bringing a bale of hides, several cured animal skulls, and a half-dozen steel traps for show-and-tell made me “special” was beyond me, but it seemed to comfort Mister Longen-

schnauser, who at that moment appeared to suffer some sort of seizure involving an exaggerated lip curl and eye twitching. Perhaps she mistook my gift for woodsmanship, skinning, taxidermy, and trapping as something special, which perhaps it was, since none of the other kids seemed possessed of such talents.

My penchant for outdoors pursuits made me the recipient of some pretty cool gifts over the years, too, a few of which I still have and use. Not everybody owns a still-functional 40-year-old crawdad trap.

Quality will tell.

The moral of all this is: Not all outdoorsmen are special, and not all are gifted, but you can gift all outdoorsmen with

something special.

And, in case you are in need of suggestions for such giving, below is this year’s selections for our annual Holiday Outdoor Gift Guide.

—Don Zaidle

AUTOMOTIVE Swift Hitch Swift Hitch is an easy-to-use video system that assists you in hitching a vehicle to a trailer. A portable video camera with a magnetized base attaches to the vehicle tailgate, focused on the trailer hitch.

A hand-held display unit shows a live

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picture in full color while you guide your hitch right up to the trailer.

The camera transmits to a distance of 300 feet. It has fully automatic night vision (up to 15 feet) and comes with a 4 hour built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery.

The display unit has a full color 2.5-

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inch LCD color screen with 960 x 240 resolution. It can display either Normal or Reverse image. The display unit also has a 4-hour rechargeable lithium ion battery.

Boat Owners can position the camera on the corner of their boat while backing down a ramp to launch or while backing in

to a slip; to visually inspect an inboard engine for leaks while performing preventive maintenance; to locate something dropped in the bilge.

The camera and display unit are priced at $239.00 for the set.

For more information, see www.swifthitch.net.

BOATING Coveralls BoatSkinz Boat Skinz from Coveralls are totally new and innovative covers for the boater.

Whether it is a center console, a leaning post, an outboard motor, or free standing electronics, they all should be covered while not in use. BoatSkinz marine covers are totally new and revolutionary in the boating industry.

BoatSkinz are100% UV proof—Ultraviolet rays are the silent enemy in the marine environment. They are 100% Waterproof. And, they reflect 95% of the sun’s radiant heat.

BoatSkiz are also lightweight—they fold and stow in small spaces.

Tough and durable, they all carry a three-year warranty. There is a size for every center console, outboard motor, or leaning post on the market.

If your boat has a T-top, check out their unique center console cover for T-toped boats.

Visit www.coveralls.biz

DuraSafe Durasafe makes security products to protect your boat, trailer, electronics and other outdoor equipment.

Their new Bolt one-key lock technology is the first codable locks for a variety of applications, including padlocks, cable locks, receiver locks and swing away trailer locks. These locks allow you to use your vehicle’s key.

DuraSafe’s new Coupler Connect is the perfect problem solver if you have trouble backing up your vehicle to a trailer. With the Coupler Connect, hooking up to a trail64 |

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er takes just seconds, saving time and effort. No assistance or physical effort is required. No need to continually get in and out of the vehicle to check on position.

Coupler Connect guides your trailer coupler directly over your tow ball every time, and helps prevent dings and scratches to

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your tow vehicle. Made of zinc-plated steel for durability.

Visit www.DuraSafeLocks.com

Edson International Edson has been in operation for 152

years..

Edson’s core values back “then” when Jacob Edson founded this company in 1859, and what they stand for “now” remains remarkably similar and still totally entwined.

Through Edson’s history these words ring as true today as they did 150 years ago, “Honesty”, “Integrity”, “Innovation” and “Passion”.

Edson has introduced countless marine innovations in its long history, serving the commercial, sailing and recreational boater.

Their vast catalog is available online, including new steering products such as their Power Knob Sportsman Series Composite steering knob. This attachment straps or bolts to any off-road vehicle or boat wheel, making it easy to turn the wheel quickly with one hand.

Edson also carries a wide selection of stainless steel comfort steering wheels, including their Pro Series Stainless wheels.

Check out the entire inventory at www.edsonmarine.com, or call toll free, 1-800-450-8405.

Onyx Outdoor Onyx outdoor recreation products provide reliable, dependable, and trustworthy gear you are looking for to keep you outdoors longer and will allow you to experience nature on your terms.

Onyx products are comprised of a complete line of EVA, PVC, and Nylon rainwear, fishing & hunting life jackets and accessories.

Explore the outdoors in a new way with our exciting line up of new products sure to enhance your fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, camping, or any other memorable outdoor experience. Our products will make a good experience great…and wherever you’re going, we’ll be keeping you there.

Onyx is a newly formed brand under the Absolute Outdoor, Inc. company, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.onyxoutdoor.com.

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SeaSense Unified Marine, Inc. was formed in 1984 to provide the marine industry with the latest in innovative products at competitive prices, backed by a service commitment second to none.

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Unified boasts a 40,000 square foot distribution center and 5,000 square foot office building on 37 acres in Newport, Tennessee. This central location puts Unified within a one day shipment of most U.S. businesses.

SeaSense offers a vast catalog of marine

equipment, and has a huge selection of products that make great gift ideas. These products cover a wide range of prices, from under $10 to over $100.

From rod holders to trailer winches, aerators to anchors, SeaSense is the perfect source for boaters’ gifts.

Check us out at www.seasense.com.

Texas Marine of Beaumont Texas Marine has a large variety of boats from which to choose, bass boats, bay boats and offshore boats.

Texas Marine is proud to be a Marine Industry Certified Dealership.

Certified Dealers must pass rigorous tests by an independant third party showing that customers can expect to find: Friendly, Knowledgeable Staff, Quality Products, Reliable Service.

Visit the store at 1140 IH-10 North in Beaumont. Check out their website at www.texasmarine.com, or call (409) 8987632.

FIREARMS & ACCESSORIES AmmoToGo.com AmmoToGo.com, located in Brenham has done something quite unique for the shooting sports industry. They sell ammo—Rifle, Pistol, Shotshell, Rimfire, Specialty ammo—on the Internet. You can now purchase all your ammo needs in a new, quick and convenient way that is as simple as 1, 2, 3. First, go to www.AmmoToGo.com. Second, browse the website for all that is available there.

Third, place and submit your order. That order will be delivered right to your door via fast UPS Ground service.

Let your fingers do the driving. Let the ammo experts at AmmoToGo.com be your one stop shop, one shot resource for all your ammo needs. It’s easy, fast, convenient, absolutely safe and secure. Terrific prices. Ready to take your order every minute, hour, day, week of the year, 68 |

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MG Arms

www.AmmoToGo.com.

Chiappa Firearms/MKS MKS Supply of Dayton, Ohio is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Rhino revolvers by Chiappa Firearms.

The new Chiappa Rhino has revolutionized the revolver with a patented design that tames the prehistoric characteristic of conventional revolvers. The new Chiappa Rhino barrel is aligned with the bottom most chamber which is the key component to Rhino's tame characteristics. The position of the barrel lowers the center of gravity and yields a centerline of the bore more in line with the shooter's arm allowing for the most natural "point ability" while engaging a target.

Visit www.ChiappaFirearms.com

Each firearm crafted by MG Arms, Inc. is a culmination of years of experience, dedication to detail, and love for the art of fine gun making. Only the best parts and components are used in the process. Extensive inspection and testing are performed before any MG Arms firearm is released into commerce.

This is why MG Arms proudly stands

behind each firearm they complete with their Infinity Guarantee (for full details, visit their website).

Carol and Kerry O’Day have been building the perfect firearm to since 1980.

Kerry is a devoted and innovative gunsmith who honed his craft by training with two of the great master gunsmiths: P. O. Ackley and Ron Freshour. Carol’s custom stock work is without peer and includes checkering, wood finishing and custom

Cor-Bon Custom Bullet Co. Cor-Bon is the manufacturer of loaded high performance ammunition. Cor-Bon’s product line includes high velocity hollow point ammunition for law enforcement and self-defense, hunting and cowboy action.

Glaser safety slug, the original pre-fragmented ammunition.

Cor-Bon has made additions to their popular Pow'R Ball, DPX and Cor-Bon ammunition line.

Cor-Bon is the original designer and manufacturer of the 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum ammunition and the 460 Smith & Wesson Magnum.

Visit www.corbon.com.

Howard Leight Howard Leight by Sperian is a leading manufacturer of quality hearing and sight protection products for the hunting and shooting markets.

In addition to ear plugs and ear muffs, they produce a line of Electronic Ear Muffs designed to provide a higher level of protection. The Howard Leight Impact Sport muff amplifies low-level sounds and conversation while automatically reducing harmful gunfire or impuls noise above 82 decibles.

For more information online, visit www.howardleightshootingsports.com

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camo patterns that truly makes each firearm a work of art.

Located in Spring, north of Houston, MG Arms is a proud Texas-based manufacturer.

Visit www.mgarmsinc.com

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Steiner Germany For over a half-century, Steiner Germany has been a leader in the high-quality binocular market.

Their new high contrast Predator optics give wildlife no place to hide.

With the 10 x 56 and 8 x 56 Predator C5, whether you’re glassing Africa’s savannas, tracking a buck across the Plains, clambering around barren mountainsides or trekking across the sparse deserts of the Southwest, these Predators have the power to tackle distances and bring your quarry into sharp focus. Steiner’s years in the field, and brand of precision engineering have created an outstanding 10x binocular.

The large 56mm objective lenses and special coatings on both C5s offer the superior brightness and contrast needed to separatebirds and game from their surroundings, no matter how well they blend in.

Visit www.steiner-binoculars.com

Trijicon If you want the very best riflescopes and sights money can buy, look no further than Trijicon. Trijicon’s optical excellence has been battle-tested by those who protect and defend us around the globe — rightfully gaining Trijicon the reputation as having the most sophisticated and dependable optics on the market.

Trijicon’s Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights, or ACOGs, allow you to hit fast in any light. They are internallyadjustable, compact telescopic sights with tritium illuminated reticle patterns for use in low light or at night. Bindon Aiming Concept (BAC) models feature bright daytime reticles using fiber optics which collect ambient light. The ACOGs combine traditional, precise distance marksmanship with close-in aiming speed. Although the ACOGs have many features which are very advantageous for military use, they were developed by Trijicon without government funding.

Designed for use with the M16 family, every feature of its mechanical and optical design was chosen for a single purpose: to provide increased hit potential in all lighting conditions -- without failure-prone batteries.

Visit www.trijicon.com

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FISHING ACCESSORIES The Fisherman’s Analyst The Fisherman’s Analyst is a compre-

hensive computer program which provides an integrated tide prediction table, journaling section, and charting capabilities. The

Angler Products Angler Products sells Fishing Hotspots preloaded on a card for most current GPS makes and models. Simply choose the area you want to fish, show us what GPS you have and we'll send you a preloaded card with simple installation instructions that will allow you to load literally hundreds of good fishing locations in less time than you can manually load one.

Angler Products and Hook-N-Line Fishing Maps have teamed up to bring you Post Ike Galveston Bay Fishing Maps and Hotspots Now you can have the best, most recent fishing map for the Galveston Bay area and be able to load over 400 updated fishing locations and boat ramps to your GPS instantly.

Visit www.angler-products.com.

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software is sold by Third Stone Software (www.thirdstonesoft.com). TF&G Kayak Editor Greg Berlocher reviewed The Fisherman’s Analyst in the June, 2009 issue.

In his review, Berlocher wrote: “The main screen features a tide chart which can be easily adjusted to display a

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day at a glance, a week, or even longer.

The bright colors on the tide chart are configurable, allowing you to pick your favorite colors for high tides, low tide, and periods of major feeding activity.

“Many tide charts provide high and low tide information but not much granularity

on tide strength. The Fisherman’s Analyst takes this to a whole new level.

“Because entire bay systems are large bodies of water you won’t see a lot of height change during a tide but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of tide strength.

There is a strong horizontal movement of water but it takes a while to affect the height. The horizontal movement of water is what triggers fish to feed.

“The Fisherman’s Analyst allows anglers to see these strong horizontal movements of water and target fishing trips around water movement.

“I found the software easy to manipulate and extremely affordable: $39.95 MSRP. It is available online from Third Stone Software’s website, www.thirdstonesoft.com, and you can also find it on Amazon.com.”

Faultline Outdoors The Hook-Holster provides a fast and convenient place to hang your hook or lure.

This great product has many other advantages that make it a great tool for all fishermen.

The Hook-Holster conceals points on single hooks, prevents tangled lines in the car or boat, protects hands, clothing, carpet and upholstery, fits snuggly to your rods with no noticeable effect on balance. It’s also immune to damage from UV and saltwater.

Hook barbs make small abrasions in rod eyelets that damage fishing line, causing the line to weaken and break. Hooks placed in the eyelet can weaken the eyelet and cause it to break. And placing hooks into a cork handle dulls the hook.

The Hook-Holster is available at Academy, Bass Pro Shops, and online at www.faultlineoutdoors.com.

Gulf Coast Waders Gulf Coast Waders is a family owned and operated business, selling quality products with superior customer service to fisherman (and women) all over Texas.

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the best prices and fast delivery. All suits are in stock at our Houston facility and ready for immediate delivery. You can buy your waders at any time at the Gulf Coast Waders website, www.gulfcoastwaders.com or by phone at 281-682-0656.

Gulf Coast Waders has a wading suit for Texas fishermen, by Texas fishermen, so give them a call today.

You too will see why their motto is “We build waders to keep you in the water and keep the water off you.�

For more information and to see the full line of waders and other products, visit their website, www.gulfcoastwaders.com.

General Products Camo Carpet Now you can get camo carpet or rugs for your home or business and bring the outside in. Our carpet is made of the highest quality, is durable and unbelievably life like. Our camouflage carpets will tie your outdoor themed room together and give it a

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style all your own. You love the outdoors, now you can express that love from top to bottom.

Their high quality carpet is now avaiable for your home or cabin in 9 patterns of Realtree and Mossy Oak camouflage.

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Outdoor carpeting is also now available from Camo Carpet.

Visit www.camocarpet.com

KT Coolers KT Coolers is a Texas-based manufac-

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turer of walk-in deer, wild game, and ranch coolers. They build a variety of standardsize coolers ranging from 4’ wide x 6’ long x 7.5’ tall to 8’ wide x 10’ long x 7.5’ tall.

Coolers are available with or without insulated floors.

Standard features include Galvalume

finish with aluminum floor; insulated door with hardware; thermometer, light, fully self-contained refrigeration system by Bhon, a brand of Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC; 110 volt systems, 4 inches of insulation; and 2 galvanized steel meat rails with hooks.

Optional delivery and installation is also available.

Visit www.ktcoolers.com.

The Jewelry Connection The Jewelry Connection, located at 1214 E. Tyler Avenue in Harlingen, carries a wide selection of Guy Harvey Fine Jewelry. Contact the store at 956-3643030.

Randolph Engineering Eye protection is always important, whether you're in the field or on the line.

RE Ranger lenses, by Randolph Engineering, are designed to protect your eyes while highlighting your target and increasing overall contrast.

Key design elements include fast and easy interchangeability of lenses, optical grade polycarbonate lenses in 16 custom tints, prescription frame quality with a lifetime warranty on all solder joints, and comfort fit temples.

The Ranger series has four models: XLW, XL, Classic and Sporter. Each model offers a variety of temple styles, including Skull which follow the curve of your ear and head; Cable which securely and comfortably hold eyewear in place even in extreme conditions; and Bayonet (XLW only), for military pilots to fit comfortably under head-gear.

See the full line of eyewear at www.randolphusa.com.

Zip Vac Zip Vac is a revolutionary, resealable vacuum storage system that's rugged enough for the outdoorsman.

Fully portable: The cordless electric and manual units allow you to seal in freshness while at home, in the field, on the boat, or back at camp.

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ZipVac’s patented valve technology ensures freshness, while the patented Zip Closure allows for quick, easy, and secure sealing.

The rechargeable electic unit plugs in to standard 110v outlet to charge. Fully charged unit seals over 150 bags.

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ZipVac also has a handy manual pump. Replacement zip bags are available in many sizes.

Visit www.zipvac.net.

OUTDOOR CUTLERY AccuSharp The AccuSharp Knife and Tool Sharpener is a knife sharpener anyone can use.

No more messy oils or stones. In about 10 seconds, sharpen knives, (even serrated knives), cleavers, axes, machetes, and many other cutting tools.

The large ergonomic handle fits either hand safely and securely. The full length finger guard protects your fingers.

Sharpening blades are Diamond Honed Tungsten Carbide for years of reliable use. AccuSharp Knife Sharpeners will not rust and can be cleaned with soap and water or in the dishwasher. Replacement sharpening blades are available.

Sportsmen, Cooks, Craftsmen, and Gardeners will appreciate the easy-to-use, affordable AccuSharp line of knife and tool sharpeners.

Visit www.accusharp.com.

Lansky Sharpeners Since 1979, Lansky Sharpeners has been recognized as the world leader in Sharpening Technology.

Each Lansky Sharpeners product is carefully designed to meet unparalleled performance, reliability, and safety standards.

All Lansky Sharpeners products are engineered to be completely ambidextrous, and manufactured with superior quality materials by craftsmen who are committed to providing you with a product that is second to none.

For the 2010 holiday season try the Lansky Controlled-Angle Sharpening System. The Lansky system makes it easy to keep professional edges on all sporting, household and work knives.

The Controlled Angle Sharpening System is a gift of sharper, safer knives.

Visit www.lanskysharpeners.com.

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the Heart of Texas, between Austin and San Angelo. Their central location helps reduce shipping times and expense.

Being a small business doesn't mean small selections and limited services. Since they are more specialized in the products they sell, Mad Cow Cutlery stocks larger

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selections of cutlery and cooking utensils than the larger corporate distributors of processing and restaurant knives and accessories.

Personal service is the key to shopping with Mad Cow Cutlery.

Their vast inventory includes knives,

sharpeners and processing tools for meat processing, hunting and fishing, commercial and residential food service.

Shop online for gifts, starting at around $3 for stocking stuffers, at www.madcowcutlery.com.

Puma Knife Company USA Puma Knives have been produced in Germany since 1769. Hunters and craftsmen know and trust Puma performance, heritage and technology.

The highest grades of stainless steel, innovative designs, genuine stag handles, and traditional German craftsmanship are why Puma knives are considered at the top of every major ranking of classic hunting and sporting knives.

Key innovations include the Puma White Hunter, the Duke, The Prince, and the Earl.

A Puma knife is a gift that will last more than a lifetime.

See the full line at www.pumakifecompanyusa.com.

RETAIL Fishing Tackle Unlimited In 1980, Cut Rate Sporting Goods began in space less than 1,200 sq.ft. carrying general sporting goods.

Today, Cut Rate Fishing Tackle Unlimited is still an independently owned retail store serving customers world wide with their tackle needs.

In 2002, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, and Gulf Coast Trolling Motors moved from Telephone Road to Gulf Freeway at Fuqua into a 33,000 sq. ft. building. It is said to be one of the largest independent fishing tackle stores in the world.

Whether you are a freshwater, saltwater, fly fisher, bank, pond, party boat, offshore, tournament fisherman or fisherwoman Fishing Tackle Unlimited has the inventory and selections you will need.

Visit their online store at www.fishingtackleunlimited.com.

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RODS AND REELS American Rodsmiths American Rodsmiths has become one of the nation’s premiere manufacturers of performance fishing rods for both fresh and saltwater.

Innovation is the key to their success, both in sales and in wins on the bass and saltwater tournament circuits.

This innovation is in full view with their new V17 Pro Tour Grips, which meld the functionality of a golf-club grip into stateof-the-art fishing rod grip design.

A key feature of the V17 Pro Tour is its wet-grip functionality; the wetter it gets, the better it gets..

Visit their website, www.americanrodsmiths.com.

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Texas European Mounts.

They are located in Charlie, TX, which is a farming community about 25 Miles northeast of Wichita Falls.

Their mission is to provide you with a beautiful and unique plaque to accent your prized trophy.

They have their own sawmill and access to land for harvesting lumber, so most of the wood that they use comes from a tree that they harvested and milled into lumber.

Having a sawmill also gives them access to unique pieces of lumber that are not commercially available.

Visit their website at www.texaseuropeanmounts.com, or call (940) 631-4334.

Daiwa Daiwa began making reels in 1955. It has since grown into one of the largest tackle companies in the world.

By continuing to create new and innovative rod and reel technology, Daiwa continues to earn the appreciation of freshwater, offshore and inshore anglers.

One such new innovation is the TD Zillion Type R reel. Pulling 32" of line with every crank of the handle, Daiwa’s new TD Zillion Type R baitcasting reel is among the fastest ever built. Like a fine race car, a reel running at this speed requires special engineering attention to ensure long-lasting performance and ease of use. Precision, Helical-cut gearing, 11 high speed ball bearings — even a carbon swept handle — this machine is ready to race.

To learn more about the TD Zillion Type R and all of Daiwa’s innovative fishing products, visit www.daiwa.com.

TAXIDERMY Texas European Mounts Texas European Mounts is a family owned and operated business. A passion for hunting and wood working mixed with an entrepreneurial spirit brought forth N O R T H

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Smokin’ Hot Baitcaster SERIOUS BASS ANGLERS CAST FROM SUNUP TO sunset, and they need a high-performance reel that’s as light as possible. But there’s a catch: building a high-quality baitcaster that’s light as a feather isn’t inexpensive. Could someone please give up a top-shelf reel that doesn’t cost a million bucks? That’s the concept behind Quantum’s new Smoke reels.

At $199 to $219 the Smoke isn’t exactly cheap, but according to bass pro Kevin VanDam, the Smoke “has the smoothness, the speed, the balance, and the light weight you need to compete all day.” I met up with VanDam and had the chance to play with a Smoke before these reels even hit the market, and one thing is for sure: at 6.2 ounces you barely even notice the Smoke 100 is in your hand.

And at 6.8 ounces, the Smoke 150 still feels incredibly light. Yes, there are lighter reels in existence, but not all-metal models.

But, are the Smoke reels fast enough to rip a lure along at warp speed? Yep—they’re available in 7.0:1 and 6.3:1 gear ratios, and the Smoke 150 is also available in 5.3:1.

How can these reels be so light without giving up longevity and smoothness? Nine PT stainless-polymer hybrid bearings, a titanium-nitride coated line guide, openframe handles with EVA grips, aluminum side plates, a one-piece aluminum body, and a layered ceramic drag system all contribute to the mix. Then add in the “Micro ACS” nine-position cast-control system, which allows you to fine-tune the amount of centrifugal braking to match the exact 80 |

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casting conditions, and you have the ability to fish like a pro.

Once I turned the crank and felt the drag, I thought the Smoke was every bit as

smooth as they come.

I also liked the cast control systems because frankly, I’m often guilty of professional over-run.

That’s not a problem, with these reels. Will they hold up in the long run? Only time will tell, but the fact that the Smoke is aluminum bodes well for its longevity.; check them out, at www.quantum.com.

Watertight Light EVERY OUTDOORSMAN, BOATER, AND HUNTER needs to have a good spotlight in his bag of tricks. Unfortunately, most spotlights can’t take the abuse of heavy rain, saltwater spray, and drops onto rocks or concrete. Stanley came out with a new spotlight, however, which they said would survive a Texas-style torture test—so we put the screws to it.

This is a compact spotlight, which weighs less than a pound and is half the size of a traditional spot. It puts out 520 lumens, which is startlingly bright for a light of this size. The candlepower T E X A S

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comes from a five-watt LED bulb, and yes, it is blinding if you dare to look directly at it. The light has a 7.2-V rechargeable NiMH battery, lasts for up to 10 hours per charge, and comes with both AC (12V cigarette lighter) and DC chargers.

I prefer a trigger switch to the rotating on-off switch this light has, but you get an extra feature with it: push the second switch to the right, and the spotlight drops to half-power and dims accordingly. Push back to the left, and bring the spot back up to its full capability. And on the bright side, you don’t have to hold down a trigger to keep the light illuminated.

Stanley claims the light is submersible to six feet, and floats pointing up in case you drop it overboard. Naturally, I had to try it for myself! Instead of just dropping the light into the water, however, I shoved it under at arm’s length and held it there while I turned it on and off, and used the dimmer a few times. The light seemed unaffected, so I decided to put Stanley’s next claim to the test—could it really survive 10 foot drops onto hard ground? The answer is yes. Since it has rubberized armor on the front and back and on parts of the handle, falling onto the riverbed rocks didn’t even chip or crack the casing. I could spot channel markers in the dark from hundreds of yards away, and it came in particularly handy when we had trouble finding our duck blind for the first time of the season, in the predawn hours. The Stanley isn’t incredibly expensive, either, listing at $60. If you need a rugged, waterproof spotlight, check this one out – it gets a whopping-big thumbs-up.

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Xpress Your Love for Mud THANKS TO CUSTOMER DEMAND, XPRESS BOATS has introduced a pair of mud-ready aluminum boats that have the ability to travel through anything from water to slick, sticky marsh goo. “The Bayou16 and Bayou18 are designed for mud motors,” says Xpress’s Rory Herndon. “They feature a slick bottom, built-in gun boxes and fuel tanks, and a longitudinal rib structure for extra strength.”

Xpress has built plenty of boats that were run through mud on a regular basis in the past, but they knew that some specific design tweaks would make them much more applicable to use with dedicated mud motors. One of the most important features on the new Bayous is the step-down transom. Boats with mud motors often suffer from backwash when reversed, but these transoms allow the operator to back up through the mud without splattering the inside of the boat. Other hunting and mudspecific standard features on these new models includes a camo paint job, Xtreme coat liner (which leaves a rugged, non-slip, camo finish inside the boat), a welded-in aluminum floor, foam-injected construction, an accessory rail, rear pod seating, and an aluminum back track trailer. The Bayou16 is 16 feet long, the 18 is 18 feet long, and they share a 77-inch beam and a 20-inch transom. Hull construction is a beefy .100 gauge aluminum.

You say you want to see proof that these boats can really handle the backcountry?

No problem. Go to www.youtube.com/user/JBCEST1966?feat ure=mhum and check out the video Xpress put up on Youtube. On it, you’ll watch a Bayou running through everything from open water to mud so thick, the boat leaves a trench instead of a wake. You’ll also be able to see the effect of the longituN O R T H

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dinal rib and foam injection construction. On many mud boats you can see the sides move as you plow into thick mud, or make a sharp turn.

But on the Bayous, you won’t see those stiff, rigid sides move one bit. If you want to be the king of the mud-running crowd, check these boats out. www.xpressboats.com.

Farm-Ranch AND Wildlife Expo COME TO ABILENE FOR THE ONLY TEXAS FARM – Ranch and Wildlife Expo (TFRWE).

The Expo is a one of a kind venue giving agri-business an opportunity to showcase and sell products or services which directly relate to the farm, ranch and wildlife businesses of the region and State.

The primary Expo objective is to provide the farmer, rancher and wildlife manager the tools and education to meet the changing demands of agri-business in Texas, both today and tomorrow. Many other venues in the U.S. cater to smaller, more targeted groups but to our knowledge, we are unique in that our focus is on helping the agri-business owner and operators in all three areas of management. The Expo has several other objectives such as publicizing and educating the public on the many benefits agriculture and wildlife related businesses bring to the state, regional and local economies.

The Abilene Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Taylor County, will hold the 2011 Texas Farm – Ranch – Wildlife Expo on Tuesday, February 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and WednesT E X A S

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day, February 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Taylor County Expo Center, Abilene, Texas. The event is sponsored by Dodge. The Expo has also partnered with Go Texan to assist with promoting this event. There is space for 190+ booths/exhibits inside the coliseum main floor and mezzanine area and many more spaces outside the Taylor County Coliseum. The Expo attracts about 4,500 visitors during the two day event.

The Expo will coincide with annual meetings of the Rolling Plains Cotton Growers Association, Texas Wildlife Association, as well as with a Women’s Fair produced by the Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service of Taylor County. Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service office provides dozens of classes in the Abilene area for agri-education/information, and classes that qualify for Continuing Education Units (CEU) credit.

For the past two years, AgriLIFE has reached out to the next generation, by hosting the Future Farmers of America (FFA) judging contest with over 360 students from across the region. They also hold an annual luncheon used to recognize the local “Farm Family of the Year.”

Admission to the Expo is free.

To reserve a booth contact Debra at the Abilene Chamber of Commerce (325-6777241 or dhuntley@abilenechamber.com).

For more information go to http://www.abilenechamber.com/yourchamber/event-information/tfrwe.php

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World’s First Shotgun Solo Vault TRUCKVAULT, INC., LEADING MANUFACTURER of secure in-vehicle storage systems, is bringing to market the world’s first shotgun solo-vault.

Designed to hold a single shotgun, the ShotLock™ SoloVault is the first product designed to keep home defense shotguns both secure and accessible.

Created as an answer to the home-

owner’s need to keep a home defense firearm close at hand, “The ShotLock Solo-Vault is the perfect answer for the DIY home defense market,” stated Don Fenton, Sales & Marketing Director at TruckVault, Inc. “More and more people are using a shotgun as a home defense weapon; but there has never been a convenient and secure way to store one, while still keeping it quick and easy to access. The ShotLock Solo-Vault solves that problem.”

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and over/under shotguns, as well as most side-by-side and pistol grip shotguns. The small and compact size allows it to be mounted securely anywhere in the home or a vehicle. “With its 5button inline programmable lock, the ShotLock

Solo-Vault can be opened and put a weapon in hand in less than 3 seconds,” explained Fenton.

Marketing plans to launch the ShotLock SoloVault include print advertising, television spots, Internet ads and sponsorships, an aggressive pricing strategy, and sleek, contemporary point of purchase. The ShotLock Solo-Vault is available online at www.shotlock.com and at select retailers.

NuCanoe Bass Angler

Bass Angler.

The NuCanoe Bass Angler is the ideal fishing platform for lakes, ponds, World’s first shotand flat rivers. The gun solo-vault. unique NuCanoe hull provides ShotLock remarkable stability, unmatched versatility, superior comfort, and ease of use. Sit high and stay dry.

Stand to cast. Rotate 360 degrees. Paddle, row, or troll.

Modular seating enables solo or tandem use, and leaves plenty of room for your gear. The accessories are customizable and reconfigurable, so you can outfit the NuCanoe Bass Angler to fit your needs.

The NuCanoe Bass Angler is available in three configurations: Solo 10’, Solo 12’, and Tandem 12’. It includes folding swivel seat(s), rod holders, paddle holders, and an anchor system. The NuCanoe is 42” wide and weighs 59lbs (10’) or 77lbs (12’). It transports easily in a pickup truck or on a roof rack.

For more information, go to www.nucanoe.com/ or call 888.226.6310.

BASS BOATS ARE SWEET BUT THEY ARE EXPENsive and can’t always get into the thick cover and skinny water where the monsters hang out. Kayaks go just about anywhere but are often small, unstable, and

uncomfortable.

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Benjamin Marauder MultiShot Air Rifle DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE ELEGANT LOOK AND feel of the Benjamin Marauder PCP. This .25 caliber air rifle is a powerhouse of sophistication and quiet accuracy.

The choked and internally

shrouded barrel provides both precision and ultra-hushed operation, producing the most accurate, and quietest rifle in its class. The two-stage, adjustable, match-grade trigger system helps make every shot smooth and steady, while the innovative 8-round autoindexing clip allows for faster follow-up shots. The Marauder uses only 2500 psi of compressed air, allowing for a quicker fill using either the compressed air or the CO2 , DUAL FUEL® option. It features a beautifully finished, hard wood stock with an ambidextrous, raised comb and custom checkering. With its built-in pressure gauge displaying the gun’s level of charge and its quick-disconnect Foster fittings, this gun is quick and easy to fill, so you can return to shooting sooner.

For more information and to find a dealer near you, please visit: www.crosman.com or call 1-8007AIRGUN (724-7486).

Fuel Care System as Easy as 1-2-3 MERCURY MARINE’S SIMPLE, EASY TO FOLLOW fuel care system takes the guesswork out of choosing the right fuel additive for your N O R T H

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boat engine. Easy to read, numbered labels describe when each product should be used – eliminating unnecessary confusion.

Quickare, Quickleen and Quickstor fuel additives are essential in helping keep your engine running at its peak. By regularly using these fuel care products, your engine may start easier, idle smoother and hit the hole shot quicker. Other benefits include extended spark plug life and less

la customers have relied on for years. The deep cleaning engine treatment keeps engine parts lubricated and free of excess carbon deposits, which can cause performance problems or even engine damage.

Powerful cleaning properties remove and prevent carbon from forming on spark plugs, combustion chambers, pistons, intake valves, and carburetors. Thus, it can help prevent fouled spark plugs, damaged pistons, broken rings and scored cylinders. RegNew Marauder ular use of Quickleen helps maximize multi-shot air rifle. stalling from cold engine performance, fuel economy and starts. All three of Merengine reliability. One 12-oz. bottle Benjamin cury’s fuel care products will treat up to 60 gallons of fuel. can be used in any 2-cycle or 4-cycle gasoQuickstor, Mercury Marine’s improved line engine with any octane grade – includfuel stabilizer, is now two times stronger. ing ethanol-blended. They are also safe for Help prevent fuel from breaking down and catalyzed engines. oxidizing by adding it to gasoline before Most of storing your today’s gasoengine. It also line can begin prevents fuel to break down system corroand oxidize sion and keeps within weeks, fuel injectors leaving and carburebehind tors lubrideposits cated. that hinOne 12der an oz. bottle engine’s will treat perforup to 60 mance gallons of and fuel gasoline. economy.

Customers Mercan purcury’s chase all new fuel three fuel New 3-step fuel treatment, care system for products at their local Mercury marine enjines.

Quickare, dealership. Additional informais designed tion is available at mercurymaMercury to be used rine.com. with every fill-up. Besides keeping fuel fresh between fill-ups, it helps prevent problems associated with ethanolblended fuel, such as corrosion, rust, oxidation, gum and varnish build-up and phase separation. It also controls moisture and corrosion problems associated with www.ShotLock.com non-ethanol fuel. A 12-oz. bottle will treat www.NuCanoe.com up to 120 gallons of gasoline. www.Crosman.com Quickleen, Mercury Marine’s engine www.MercuryMarine.com and fuel system cleaner, is the same formu-

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A Great Christmas Gift T’S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT THE HOLIDAY SEAson is already upon us! If you are a procrastinator like me, then you will soon be heading out to buy your friends and family members some gifts that you hope they need (or want).

Recently, I received an email from a reader of this magazine who inquired about what bow they should buy for their grandson. After I answered the email, I thought buying a bow for a young person in your life that would last for many years to come would make a great Christmas gift.

What should you be looking for when it comes to purchasing a youth bow for that future hunter? After a little research, I can give you some place to start, and also some ideas of different bows that would suit your purpose.

I spoke to Frank Holley at the Corpus Christi Academy store and also to Tim

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Cool at Bass Pro. Both stores offer a bow pro shop with a staff of very competent, knowledgeable bow hunters. The staff are always more than willing to share their knowledge and make sure you get whatever you need to make your season more enjoyable.

One of the most important things to look for in a youth bow is adjustability. You want to be able to adjust the weight and the draw length as your young hunter grows. Today’s youth bows range in price from about $300 to $450. With all the accessories that are available, it depends on how deep your pockets are.

Tim suggested you start them off with a Genesis bow. These bows are nice because they are made to fit anybody from young hunter to grizzled veteran. You need to understand that this is not a hunting bow, but it will help develop the muscles needed to be able to draw back a heavier bow…one that is suited Introducing a young more for hunting. So, if your boy or girl to archery young one is just starting out is a great Christmas and wants to shoot tar- gift. child to a bow that will work for gets…this might be the bow Christmas Bow them. It is a free service and one you are looking for.

Youth bows usually have a draw length that you should take advantage of. Uncle that will adjust from 19 to 29 inches. The Bob might say he knows everything about bow weight varies from 30 to 60 pounds. bow hunting, but in this case, it is a better Both pro shops offer to measure and fit your idea to listen to the professionals. They really DO know everything you need to know and will make sure you are a satisfied customer.

When it comes to accessories, there are a few that I consider a must. A rest for a youth bow should be a “full containment” rest.

Examples of this would be a whisker biscuit or the Hostage by Bowtech. These rests will eliminate the risk of the arrow falling away from the bow when it is moved and will also keep the arrow in line as it is drawn back.

For sights, you should look for a very simple model that is equipped with a fiber wrap that will gather as much light as possible. I would not have a sight with more than two pins. It just is not needed. Remember T E X A S

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that most bow shots will be less than 20 yards. It is sufficient if you have a 20 and 30 yard pin on your bow.

A release should be, like everything else, adjustable. One that has a nylon strap is recommended. A release that has a rigid protrusion will sometimes get in the way and, when bumped up against something, will make a noise that will give your location away to any whitetails in the county!

As far as which broad head you should get, both of the pros I talked to recommended the smaller 40 KE (Kinetic Energy) models. The Rage expandable makes a cut of 1-½ inches and fits the bill for a good broad head for both the youth and adult bow hunter. If you want to go to a fixed or replaceable blade broad head, then I would recommend a Thunderhead 85 or 100 grain. Personally, I have harvested many whitetails using a 100-grain Thunderhead.

Hey…it works for me!

So…what bows do they both recommend?

There a many youth models to choose from. How developed your child is would

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determine if he or she can handle certain bows.

The PSE Chaos offers two models. One has a bow weight that ranges from 30 to 40 pounds, the other ranges from 40 to 50 pounds. Both have a draw that will expand from 17 to 27 inches.

Bear offers the Apprentice. This bow will range from 20 to 50 pounds and has an expandable draw length from 15 to 27 inches. The Apprentice also is available in a pink camo for your little lady huntress.

If your little one is not so little anymore and he or she can handle a heavier bow, then Bass pro offers their own Red Head Kronik. Classified more as an adult bow, it shoots like a dream and will go down as low as a 25-inch draw length.

Frank and Tim both recommended the Diamond Razor Edge (made by Bowtech).

They claim that this bow will range in draw weight from 30 to 60 pounds and has a draw length of 30 inches all the way down to 15 inches. Talk about adjustability!

Most youth bows come as a package deal where you can get not only the bow, but also

a sight, rest, and some even come with a few arrows to start off with. The arrows might not be exactly what you need, but the kids would still have fun learning how to shoot a bow with your guidance the whole way.

Whichever bow you decide to get, try it out first. Both Academy and Bass Pro have a small range to shoot the bows right in the store. Try before you buy. Let the pros set you up with a bow that will not only fit you today, but for years to come. These guys will make sure that you have the correct tools to be able harvest your first whitetail and once that is done, you will keep coming back to get all those other toys that we bow hunters get…every Christmas.

Happy Holidays and remember to hunt safe and have fun out there.

Lou Marullo

E-mail Lou Marullo at lmarullo@fishgame.com

11/1/10

5:27 PM

Shotgun Reloading HOTGUN RELOADING WAS ONCE EXTREMELY popular. My father reloaded his own 12-gauge shells way back when paper hulls were all that were available and before plastic shot collars replaced cardboard wads. I started reloading for shotguns back in the mid-70s because it was much cheaper than buying factory ammunition.

My first reloader was an old Texan singlestage reloader. It worked just fine, too.

Today about the only folks who reload shotshells are those who shoot the high-volume games like skeet, trap, and sporting clays, who don't have sponsors, and who can't afford to buy factory ammo in vast quantities. Some folks say that the primary reason for reloading shotshells, that they are cheaper to reload than to buy them, is no longer a valid reason. When I first started stuffing my own shotshells I could buy a 25 pound bag of shot for less than 10 bucks. If we bought in bulk, by the ton, by getting all the guys at the gun club involved, we could get shot for about $7.00 a bag. Today that same 25-pound bag of shot will cost more than $30.00.

With this in mind, the obvious question is: Is reloading for your shotgun still worth the effort?

My answer is a qualified, yes. Today a box of 25 shotgun shells will cost from about $7 to over $30, depending on the gauge, type of shot, and quality of the shells. Bargain basement “game loads” can be had for around $6, but quality shells like Winchester AA, Remington STS, or Federal's Premium Game-Shok will run from about $9 to as much as $12.

To make it even more interesting, Federal Premium Wing-Shok is currently listed

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by Midway USA for $18.99, Fiocchi 12gauge Golden Pheasant is $17.99, and Remington 12-gauge Pheasant Loads are $11.49. As I browse through the various websites and catalogs, I get the impression that the average price for a box of 12-gauge shotgun shells today is just about $10.00, with the standard mass produced game load running nearer to $7.

Now, is reloading cheaper? Well, according to my admittedly shakey arithmetic, and excluding the original cost of the fired hull, each reloaded shell will cost you about 18 cents. That means that each box of 25 shells will cost you about $4.50, roughly two-thirds to one-half of what it would cost if you bought it at the sporting goods store.

So, even considering the greatly increased price of lead shot, you will still save 2 to 3 dollars, or even more, on every box of reloaded shotshells you shoot. Not bad, is it?

Now what about quality?

Well, I will tell you that the difference in quality between the shells you load and the shells you can buy will be negligible as long as you compare the reloads with the higher quality store bought shells. However, when you compare by price, you will find that the quality of your handloaded shells and that of the cheapest factory shells will be quite evident. The price I quoted above is for high quality components. If you take a few pains in assembling your handloads, you will have very good ammunition, much better than the cheapest factory loads and just as good as the best factory ammunition.

As an example, my longest continuous run in skeet with a 12-gauge was just short of 400 straight. I shot every one of those targets with a handload that consisted of 1-oz. of number 8 magnum shot, in either Winchester AA or Remington STS hulls, charged with Hodgdon Clays powder and Winchester 209 primers.

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loading a 7/8 oz. load in the 12-gauge. This is a mild load, equivalent to what you would get in a 28-gauge. My brother loads this for his wife because recoil is very mild. It also makes that expensive bag of shot go farther.

The possibilities are almost infinite. And if you shoot, say, a 16-gauge, you can stock up on components and not have to worry about finding shells at the local sporting goods store.

Another consideration is evident when you are shooting the smaller gauges. Ammunition for the .410 and 28-gauge costs as much or more than for the 12-gauge. But if you are a reloader you can save more money by reloading, because the smaller gauges take smaller amounts of the high-priced components. For instance: the .410 uses 11/16 oz. of shot in the 3-inch shell, and ½ oz. in the 2 1/2-inch, as compared to 1 1/8 oz. of shot in the standard 12-gauge field load. The 28-gauge uses three-quarters of an oz. of shot. The savings on the small gauges can be significant in the long run.

I enjoy reloading and get a bit of a thrill when I shoot a bird with a shell I loaded myself. The fact that I have saved some money just adds to my enjoyment, and it lets me shoot more for the same price. So, is reloading shotshells worth the time, price, and bother? You bet it is. And one of these days you will be very, very glad that you are a reloader. Bet on it.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at guns@fishgame.com

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In a Perfect World N A PERFECT WORLD THE SUN WOULD ALWAYS shine during a fishing trip, and skies would be clear and visibility outstanding. This wasn’t the case as I raced for the entrance to the Intracoastal Waterway at the northern tip of Traylor Island, waterspouts nipping at the wake of our center console. A torrent of rain was beating against the lenses of my eyeglasses, forming puddles and obliterating my vision.

Although partially blinded, I could vaguely make out the red and green channel markers signaling safe passage back to Cove Harbor.

What started out as a trip with my wife to the fish the gas wells on a beautiful day, turned ugly with cat-like quickness. Glass calm water turned rough in an instant as groups of scattered grey clouds turned angry as they unionized over the bay. A watchful eye picked up the transition in weather and the sprint back to the launching ramp was rough but dry until we neared shore, then the bottom dropped out As I approached the entrance to the ICW, three strange shapes looking like mutated channel markers appeared in my rain-blurred vision. I was almost on top of them by the time I pulled my eye glasses down on the bridge of my nose to get a different visual reference. Three kayak anglers, wet as drowned rats, were slowly making their way back to Shell Ridge Road in confused seas, their white kayaks blending in nicely with the white capping waves.

With a backwards jerk of the throttle, the center console quickly came off plane and we paused to let the paddlers pass in front of us as the fury and vile of the storm bore down on us. After a quick wave and shout of good luck to the paddlers, I adjusted our

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course and kicked all 150 horses on the transom in the flanks.

The unexpected encounter with the paddling anglers was an enlightening experience. Since I enjoy fishing out of both kayaks and powerboats I believe I bring a balanced perspective to this column. The lesson of the day: If you are a paddler, increasing your visibility is imperative.

Brightly colored hulls are a good start as they much easier to spot by passing motorboats than ones in drab colors or camo paint jobs. I would have thought a bright white hull would stand out like a diamond ring, and they do in certain conditions, but in a torrential rain and against a backdrop of frothy seas, the white hulls blended into

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Conditions on the water often change for the worse in a matter of minutes.

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their surroundings rather than standing out.

Conditions on the water often change for the worse in a matter of minutes. I always keep a keen eye out for threatening weather and we were almost back to ramp when the drenching came. If I had been oblivious to the building weather we would have been overtaken in the open bay – a dangerous situation no matter what size boat you are in.

The rain storm, which spawned some nasty looking waterspouts, wasn’t caused by a passing cold front. Heck, rain wasn’t even in the forecast, but the storm surprised both the paddlers and me.

TPWD requirements posted on the Safety Requirement for Vessels page of their web site read: All vessels including motorboats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks, punts, rowT E X A S

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boats, rubber rafts, or other vessels when not at dock must have and exhibit at least one bright light, lantern or flashlight visible all around the horizon from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility.

It is important to note that the regulations say that the light is required “from sunset to sunrise in all weather and during restricted visibility”. My close call didn’t occur at dawn or dusk but at 1:00 in the afternoon, not a time you normally associated with restricted visibility. Unfortunately, the paddlers either didn’t have the required safety lights with them, or in their rush to escape the storm, they opted not to display them which could have had a tragic end.

Fortunately, disaster was averted and both parties returned to shore safely.

Kayak light kits are inexpensive and every kayaker should include them in their kit whenever they are afloat – even if you are paddling midday. Keep in mind that a single white light source is the minimum requirement. Nothing prohibits paddlers from adding additional lights to make other boater’s aware of your presence. One of my favorite accessories is a clip-on flashing LED which can be attached to a PFD or hat.

In a perfect world the sun would always shine during a fishing trip and the skies would be clear. Unfortunately, this isn’t the world we live in. Cold fronts, squalls, sudden storms, and fog tend to crash the party when least expected. Please make sure your kayak is equipped with the safety lights required by law AND then use them.

G A M E ®

Greg Berlocher can be reached for question or comment at kayak@fishgame.com.

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Boating, Through & Through HAVE A REOCCURRING NIGHTMARE: I’M AT THE helm of my father’s boat (read: larger and much more expensive than my own), running up a river, and the farther I go the tighter the banks become. Soon, there are only a few inches of water on either side of the boat. Then the river disappears entirely, and I’m running the boat through mud. I’m shocked that the boat keeps going, and try to pull a 180 to get back to the water. But then the mud turns into asphalt.

Still, the boat keeps moving forward. I smell something burning. I wonder how much

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damage I’ve done to dad’s boat, then suddenly wake up. Weird? Youbetcha. But many of us—myself included—have lived this dream to one degree or another in reality.

While boats were most certainly meant to run through water and water alone, they regularly run through mud, weeds, sand, and other forms of moist terra-firma. Waterfowl hunters probably experience this the most. They may arrive at the blind during high tide, have a great hunt, then exit the blind to discover that falling water has left mud flats between them and the boat ramp.

Shallow water angling is another way we get ourselves and our boats into this mess. Sure, it looked like the water was deep enough to get over that flat, but…

The question is, when you encounter this type of situation, will you create havoc with your boat’s mechanical systems, or will you manage to get through the solid stuff without doing any damage? It may not be possible to avoid the destructive forces of asphalt, but when it comes to boating through other sub-

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stances, you do have a chance. Here’s how.

MUD Mud in and of itself won’t usually harm your engine, unless the propeller strikes something solid in the muck. Your greatest danger with this substance is in the engine’s cooling system. Obviously, the best way around this issue is to prevent it, either by missing the mud or by running an air-cooled engine like the systems used by Go Devil, Mud Buddy, or Bog Hog. Most of us, however, need the versatility provided by a regular outboard. So let’s say you’re running yours through the marsh, the water grows thin, and for a five-foot stretch that takes five seconds to get through, you’re churning mud. Depending on its size, your engine has probably just ingested a half a cup or so of goop. In that goop is sand and grit, which will make its way through the cooling system—if it doesn’t clog it entirely.

Once clear of the mud, the first thing you need to do is check to see if the system is still functional. Look at the motor’s tell-tale, and make sure it’s pumping a steady stream of water. If not, emergency repair procedure number one is to shift into neutral and rev the engine a few times to increase the cooling system’s water pressure, hopefully busting the clog loose. If it doesn’t start pumping within a few seconds, however, shut down the engine to prevent overheating.

The next thing you can try is cutting a piece of stiff monofilament leader (40 pound test is usually about right) three or four feet long, and threading it into the telltale. When it gets stuck twirl the mono between your fingers as you push. If it still won’t move, pull a few inches out, twirl, and push again. Sometimes you will feel the line hit a clog and break it free, other times you won’t. After working it as far as possible into the system, remove it, re-start the engine, and check for water flow again.

If you’re still not having any luck, the chances are that there’s a serious clog in the N O R T H

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system or a chunk of grit has locked up the raw water intake impeller. In either case, you’re going to have to take the system apart and clean it (this would be a good time to replace that impeller entirely, since there’s a fair chance it’s been worn or damaged during this ordeal). This, of course, is rather difficult while you’re sitting in the middle of a marsh or swamp. So for the moment your priority should be getting home without frying the engine. Remove the cowl before restarting it, so the block gets as much air as possible. Then run at a normal cruising speed; without cooling water, the engine’s going to overheat no matter how slow or fast you run it. As the engine heats up you’ll have to stop, shut down, and allow it to cool before continuing on your way again. Reach back and tap the engine quickly (be careful, or you’ll get burned), to help judge when it’s time to shut down. If it’s warm or hot to the tap, you’re still OK. When it’s scalding, it’s time to give it a rest. Generally speaking, you’ll be able to run for a couple of minutes between shut-downs.

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ferent set of problems, usually due to entanglement. (Note: rope entanglements can cause the same issues). Running through them may seem like it’s not creating any sort of damage, until you notice the boat’s going slower and slower. Keep running, and eventually the boat stops. Tilt up the outdrive at this point, and there’s probably going to be a large mass of weeds wrapped around the propeller. In most cases simply clearing the prop is all it takes to get moving again. But

occasionally, you’ll clear the prop, shift into forward, the engine revs, and the boat doesn’t move one iota. The reason? You’ve spun out your prop hub.

Most modern propellers have a rubber hub pressed into the bore, which lines up with the splines. If stress causes the rubber to rip or melt, the hub will merely spin inside the prop CONTINUED without transferSEE PAGE 90 ring any of the

SAND Sand has the same set of issues as mud, as well as more potential for mechanical damage when you first run aground—particularly if you do so at a high rate of speed.

The shock can be severe enough to sheer the shaft pin, in which case you’ll need to replace the pin (many outboards carry a spare under the cowl) or substitute it with a similarly-sized piece of metal. What if you’ve bent the prop? There’s not much you can do about it on the water, but note that in almost all cases, the propeller will function well enough to get you back to the dock. Just be aware of excessive vibrations, and back off on the throttle when you feel them.

Assuming the propeller is still spinning and/or you’ve fixed the pin after grounding, you’ll need to follow the same routine as you would in mud, so far as the cooling system goes. But sand can do a lot more damage to the impeller, and if you run through so much that you can actually see grit coming out of the tell-tale, you should plan to replace that impeller ASAP regardless of how the engine seems to be running afterwards.

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Do-ItYourself Weights ’LL ADMIT IT, I’M CHEAP AND I MAKE NO apologies for it. If I can do something for myself rather than paying someone to do it, I will, and I bet that in these continued times of economic downturn there are more and more of you becoming just like me. Disposable income is not something that most people have a lot of right now so learning a fishing tip that also saves a few cents is more than welcome. So this month we’re going to cover a way to make your own weights that work just as good as anything you buy at the store and might even save a little money at the same time.

If you’re fishing this time of year chances are you’re fishing deep, really deep. There is also a good chance that you are drift fishing in areas with some type of structure since that’s where the fish are. The problem is that you will lose a lot of tackle in these areas due to sinkers hanging up on the rocks or brush that hold the fish. The solution to this is to buy some of the snag free sinkers on the market but at three dollars each it can get expensive once you start losing them. Yes,

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they are “snag free” but you will eventually snag on something and lose one. If you want to keep these losses from breaking the bank then you can make some snag free weights on your own for pennies each.

To start your home made snag free weights you need to get some parachute cord (paracord). I happen to have some laying around from making duck call lanyards but you can find it at just about any military surplus store around the state. If yours doesn’t have any then it can also be ordered from a multitude of on-line stores. If you’re really really cheap you can even use old shoe-laces, just make sure they are the kind that are hollow. Solid laces, like those used in boots, will not work.

If you are using paracord, cut a small length (about three to four inches long) and pull out the center strands. Depending on which paracord you have there will be between five and seven small strings inside the hollow outer covering. Take one end of the section you just cut, melt it, and then squeeze the melted part with a pair of needle nose pliers while it’s still warm. This will seal that end shut. You can use a small handheld lighter or even a torch to melt the paracord but I prefer to use a candle which provides a small constant flame which is easier to control. Also, if you get in the mood to build a lot of weights you don’t have to continue lighting a small cigarette lighter over and over.

Now, you should have a tube that is open

on one end and melted closed on the other. Get some of the smallest split shot you can find, I mean really small, and start filling the tube with it. If you don’t have split shot you can substitute the shot out of a shotgun shell. Number two shot will fit inside the paracord but number four fits easier. How much shot you put in the tube is dependant on how heavy you want it. Next, cut off the excess tubing leaving about half an inch above the last split shot you inserted. Melt this end and squeeze it with the pliers just like the other end.

You should now have a short length of paracord filled with weights and sealed at both ends. Now you need a way to connect this to your line since you cannot tie your main line directly to it. Take a snap swivel and run it through the end of the weight. If you can’t work the snap swivel through the weave of the paracord you can melt a hole through it by heating paperclip and pushing it through. This will leave a nice clean hole to slide the barrel swivel through.

This weight can be used in applications you would normally use an egg, barrel, or bell sinker and should be able to slip through brush without getting hung up as often as these other types of weights. It can also be used around rip rap since it won’t wedge into the crevice as easily.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at freshrigs@fishgame.com

TEXAS BOATING power to the propeller itself.

FROM PAGE 89 The engine is still running just fine, but you’re not going anywhere. Unfortunately, there’s no quickfix to this problem, and you’ll need to have the prop repaired by a professional.

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home? This is an excellent argument—one of many—for carrying a spare prop at all times. While we’re at it, don’t forget a wrench to pull the prop nut and an extra cotter pin, too. Because no matter what you might end up driving your boat through, you’ll want to be able to get back on the road again. Just make sure it’s a T E X A S

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road that’s made of water—not mud, weed, sand, or asphalt.

E-mail Lenny Rudow at boating@fishgame.com

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ILLUSTRATION COURTESY PAUL BRADSHAW

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ANY HUNTERS AND OTHER FOLKS VIEW the feral hog as a nuisance and as a result they are often shot and left to the critters for dinner. Many other hunters have harvested them, only to find the meat strong tasting and dry. The truth is, the meat is and can be fantastic, and you will have a meat that is free of chemicals used in traditional processing.

Upon harvesting, and after skinning and quartering, the meat should be placed in a cooler with plenty of ice to allow it to bleed down for a couple of days. This will remove most of the undesirable hormones and blood from the meat. Then you can de-bone and freeze your favorite cuts, or be ready to begin making sausage or whatever else you may desire. Remember, be sure to trim off all fat from the hog as it will turn rancid if left on the meat, even in the freezer!

Back in the April issue this year, I introduced a curing process on wild turkey, designed to take an otherwise generally dry piece of meat and turn it into a succulent and tender treat . The same process can be used on feral hog ham.

PHOTO: PATRICK DURKIN, TFG

SugarCured Feral Hog Ham

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The Sugar Cure: (Starting with a 6 to 10 lb. ham) Mix 1 pint each of sugar and sea or kosher salt into 1 to 2 gallons of cold water. Stir until its all dissolved. Place the ham in a large disposable plastic bag. Using your turkey injector, draw up two to three full syringes of the solution and inject it in next to the bone in several places on the ham.( This will help the curing process to get to the places most N O R T H

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vulnerable to spoiling when on a pit) .Then pour the rest of the cure solution in the bag with the ham. Squeeze all of the air out of the bag and tie it up tight and close to the meat. Place the bag in a refrigerator or a cooler lined with plenty of ice and allow it to sit in the solution for 24 to 48 hours.

Then, remove the ham from the bag, rinse it off, then it is ready for the pit.

Pit Instructions: After pre-heating the pit, I like to start with about five pounds of lump hardwood charcoal, then add seasoned pecan, post oak, and a little hickory wood for smoke and flavour enhancement. Place the ham in the pit at the far end from the firebox with the temperature at about 250 to 275 degrees, and baste every 45 minutes or so. Flip the ham every 1 to 2 hours and continue basting. (I would use 45 minutes to the pound as a guide for smoking times) or until a meat thermometer inserted next to the bone registers 160 degrees. Remove from the pit to a platter and drape a loose piece of foil over the ham for 30 to 45 minutes before carving, to rest the meat. Heat remaining baste to a boil on the stove then you can use the remainder as a sauce when serving. Try not to hurt yourself by attempting to eat the T E X A S

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whole ham while carving it. Enjoy with your favorite sides.

Baste for the ham: 1 jar- Texas Gourmet’s Mandarin orange Serrano jelly 4 T -Honey 3 T - fresh rosemary leaves - chopped 1 stick of butter (salted is OK ) 1/2 cup-olive oil 2 T- black pepper 3 T- soy sauce 6 cloves- fresh garlic- minced 1 T ground ginger 6 ounces - Crown Royal (that’s right partner, and don’t be drinking the darned sauce all up either) John Passmore says its larapin good! Heat all of the above ingredients until well blended together, then remove from heat and use a good silicone or paint style basting brush for applying (the cloth style will drink up too much baste and hold it ) Bon appetit.

G A M E ®

Contact Bryan Slaven, "The Texas Gourmet," at 888-234-7883, www.thetexasgourmet.com; or by email at texas-tasted@fishgame.com D E C E M B E R

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TEXAS SALTWATER

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BAFFIN BAY

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MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT TF&G!

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Redfish Charters

Hillman’s Guide Service

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

OUTDOOR SHOPPER

TEXAS HUNTING

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT IN TEXAS?

EAT ACROSS TEXAS

BELLVILLE MEAT MARKET YOU GOTTA TRY IT!

EAT ACROSS TEXAS SPOTLIGHT: BELLVILLE MEAT MARKET Bellville Meat Market is an award-winning meat processor which has been recognized by their peers in meat processing industry for providing some of the tastiest jerky, sausage, briskets, and hot links in the Lone Star State. Some folks sing our praises for our exceptional deer processing, while others love our full service butcher counter and award-winning sausage.

Bellville is a short 15-mile jaunt from I-10 (Sealy) or Highway 290 (Hempstead) making it convenient for hunters heading back to Houston from the lease. During rifle season we accept deer on a 7 X 24 basis.

Don’t forget our slow-smoked Bar B Q sandwiches. Sit a spell and dine with us or have your sandwiches packed to go. If you are heading to Austin or College Station this fall, make the short jaunt to Bellville Meat Market to pick up a variety of meats for the pit and all your tailgating supplies. Bellville Meat Market - Meat is our middle name™

INTRODUCING TFG’S NEW EAT ACROSS TEXAS, PLEASE CALL 281.227.3001 X 5519 FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFO. N O R T H

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Redfish Texas Coast

Whitetail Buck Dripping Springs

Redfish redwith his first r of Bastrop, Chris Spoone ed with his cousin Matt. ctur illiam, mom fish. He is pi p were Dad W Also on the tri ey, and brother Timmy. hl Gina, sister As

Louisiana

Victoria Fluitt shows off he r 10-point bu taken on the ck, Fluitt Ranch in Dripping Springs.

doff her first re e 11, shows x, n in Delacroi Julia Dietz, ag tio ca va on ile fish caught wh Louisiana.

Whitetail Doe Hebbronville

Whitetail Buck Raymondville

Whitetail Buck

Kyle Fischer, ag this 9-point bu e 12, of Rancho Viejosho t ck at Torres Ranch, just we of Raymondv ille. This was st Kyle’s first de er.

Dripping Springs

ed this doe le Breed bagg 10-year-old Co g trip near Hebbronville g ntin while on a hu le also got a spike, makin Co ot. with his dad. deer ever sh ird th d an nd these his seco

Stormy Fluitt wi hunting on th th a 10-point buck, shot while e Fluitt Ranc h in Dripping Springs.

Shark Upper Coast

Whitetail Doe Houston County

Redfish Lake Calaveras

s off his first , age 12, show doe. The doe il Aaron Bowley ta ite wh ld -o at 80 year deer, a 6-1/2ty with a .243 Houston Coun in n ke ta s wa yards.

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Three-year-o ld Kolt Hack ebeil caught redfish while this fishing with his family at Calaveras La ke.

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dor shows of age 11, of Vi Trevor Duff, . er nd ou -p 15 first shark, a

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Whitetail Buck George West

Redfish

Redfish

Laguna Madre

Lake Calaveras

f

ows of s proudly sh e cole Tunche caught on liv Stephanie Ni e sh at th h redfis Ranch shorethis 26-inch ng Ki e th ng fishi shrimp while nches. dad Gerald Tu line with her

James Froehl ich, age 9, fro m Houston to his first buck ok wh outside of Ge ile hunting with his dad orge West.

ish ught this redf eil, age 7, ca Calaveras at Jayce Hackeb ily m fa s with hi while fishing Lake.

Redfish Redfish

San Antonio Bay

Brazoria County

Speckled Trout East Matagorda Bay

Mike Torres caught and re leased this 31 redfish while -inch fis Antonio Bay. hing with his dad in San

ows an proudly sh hCollin Sherid ught while fis Six-year-old ca , ut tro ed eckl a East Bay. rd off his first sp go ta Ma in papaw ing with his

Hayden Bish op, redfish while age 6, caught this 23-inch fishi Brazoria Coun ng with his family in ty.

Redfish Corpus Christi Bay

Speckled Trout Speckled Trout

Galveston Bay

ught Woodlands ca ile neau of The Roger Carbon trout in Galveston Bay wh ch ey were borTh this 24-3/8-in ll. ne La fe his wi fishing with boat. son, Arthur’s rowing their

Aransas Pass

Cory Lynn Re ys proudly show ack of Port Aransas, Texa s off her first s, 32-inch bull fish that she redcaught while fishing with papaw and au her nt in Corpus Christi Bay.

Morarts out! Jeff s, eat your he 20-inch is th Duck hunter ht ug ca , Texas, his ris of Corinth th the help of ansas Pass wi trout near Ar t. in lab on po two-year-old

Whitetail Buck Whitetail Buck

Redfish Rockport

Eight-year-old Hunter Shultz 1/2-inch redf caught a 27ish Island near Ro while fishing off of Mud ckport.

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Thicket, Texas

Madison County

tail buck while his first white n CJ Marze took andpa’s land in Madiso gr s his hunting on hi int buck with po 8e th ot rze. dad Cody Ma County. He sh 0-30. Photo by Winchester .3

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Ty McMahon of deer while hu Thicket, Texas, killed his nting in Thic first ket. The buck a 10-point. was

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