May 2015 - PDF - Texas Outdoors Journal
Transcription
May 2015 - PDF - Texas Outdoors Journal
TEXAS OUTDOORS r oo rs d t a u s O 17 Ye ation!) a x m r e o for p T e f re in To azin for mo g , #1 Ma page 75 Right Set Up to Stay Hooked Up (see “Texas’ Most Comprehensive Outdoors Publication” May 2015 / $3.99 texasoutdoorsjournal.com Journal Baffled by Baffin Bay | Prescribed Fire & Supplemental Feeding Proper Care of Trophy Bass | Late Spring Coastal Fishing Practically Perfect Cartridge | Texas Blue Chip Wade Fishing Fishing - Before & After the Drought | “DIY” Euro Hog Mount coastal & lake forecasts | tide & solunar tables FINANCING L AND OWNER SHIP NMLS493828 Grow with us. Let us return profits to you FINANCING Rural Land Homes Farms & Ranches Livestock & Equipment Operating Capital Improvements Agribusiness SERVICES Real Estate Appraisal Crop Insurance Leasing 877.944.5500 | CapitalFarmCredit.com proud member of the Farm Credit System TEXAS OUTDOORS “Texas’ Most Comprehensive Outdoors Publication” Journal For Hunters . . . 16 Guns N’ Stuff —Harold Gunn The Practically Perfect Cartridge 22Prescribed Fire & Supplemental Feeding- A variety of spring techniques can be performed to enhance deer quality.—Bob Zaiglin Just Shooting 34 —Kerry O’Day Barrel Break-In Does Work 60 Just Hunting —Mike Holmes Euro Mounts for Euro Hogs? 70Field Tips & Techniques— Bill L. Olson & Danno Wise Spring Squirrel Hunting Tips Freshwater For Anglers . . . Saltwater 14 Bassology 10 Late Spring Coastal Fishing- —Matt Williams Unraveling the mystery behind Bills and Bass where to go and what to throw dur- ing the last full month of spring. 30 Getting a Grip- Big bass require —Danno Wise special care to help ensure their survival. —Matt Williams Lake Roundups — Pros Forecasts 40 East – Matt Williams 42 North – Brian Hughes 54 Central – John Jefferson 62 South - Danno Wise 64 West – TOJ Staff 64 High Plains – TOJ Staff 18 Just Fishing —Nate Skinner Right Set Up to Stay Hooked Up CoastWatch – Danno Wise 26 Upper Forecast 28 Louisiana Forecast 56 Lower Forecast 57 Middle Forecast 36 Baffled by Baffin Bay?- Recent poor public perception of this fabled bay’s trout output is dispelled when compared to the latest scientific data. —David Sikes 48 Just Fishing —Brian Hughes New Water Provides New Opportu- 46 Saltwater Journal nities —Mark Sosin 68 Tackle Tips & Techniques Fish Have Ears —Danno Wise 50Texas Blue-Chip Wade Fishing Surface to Subsurface - Fishing Sabine Lake to Port Mansfield Through the Day offers a variety of productive fishing areas —Robert Sloan For Everyone . . . On the Cover . . . 4Editor’s Insight – Bill L. Olson 6 TOJ Notebook – TOJ Staff 67, 69, 71 G uides, Gear & Getaways 72 Outdoors Calendar 74 Fishing & Hunting Times 75 Subscription Information “Sunset School” april 2015 May 2015 By artist Calvin Carter. For more information on “Sunset School” and other works of art by Calvin Carter visit www.calvincarterart, or call (409) 201-6685. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 66 Tackle Tips & Techniques —Danno Wise More Than One Way to Rig a Bait 3 Editor’s Insight Bill L. Olson THOSE WE FISH WITH The title of this month’s clip could just have easily been “Those We Hunt With.” However since May is such a prime month for fishing this afforded the opportunity to share some experiences from a lifetime on the water. There have been times when I have spent time fishing alone. There were plenty of afternoons on Lake Waco catching bass while friends took advantage of other activities or studied. There have been forays on other lakes and coastal bays when I was my only companion. While that is not a bad thing, in almost every instance I experienced or observed something that made me long for someone to share the moment. Maybe it was simply a desire to have someone validate what had been seen. There have been special destinations or times of success when the thought of, “I know who would have loved this,” or “I need to come back and bring (fill in the name). There are fishing buddies that have provided the companionship when fish hit anything cast their way, provided the friendly banter to fill in the time when the bite was slow, or just to share insignificant moments that only those close can fill. Plus new acquaintances become lifelong friends. From the ranks of the fishing guide community angling tips have been learned and shared while close friendships established. While mentoring a spouse or children it is not about one’s own success, it is about seeing to their success. Insignificant events like catching, observing, or learning about bait can be a fun diversion. Then there are times when the action explodes with everyone’s rod bowed that you leave your rod stowed and pick up a camera or simply assist with the landing of one fish after another. Over time those you are responsible for introducing to the sport may become as consumed with researching any information available. They read, question, and experiment as their knowledge grows. In time they may become the skilled reliable companion or even teacher. Having raised a son on the water I can say when offshore he is my first choice to run the cockpit while I handle duties at the helm. Fishing buddies can also be worthy competitors or teammates. How many times are numbers of fish, or length and weight of fish compared? The sole purpose is to see who has “bragging rights” for the moment or for that particular trip. Anyone that thinks lady anglers are less competitive should hang around some of the growing number of female only fishing tournaments. Regardless of skill level it is not long before competitive juices start to flow and individual or team honors become a potential goal. Even when goals are not achieved the laughter and banter about events on the water are well worth the adventure. With lower fuel prices many may spend time “running and gunning.” This type of time shared can be memorable on slow days, or test a pattern to stay on or find fish. It is on-the-water recon that may payoff sometime in the future. The bottom line is May is one of the best months to fish and share that experience. In life there are plenty of things we keep personal and unshared as it relates to work, problems and frustrations. However, being on the water with special people help put aside those issues for another today. On this day it is about time shared with those we fish. Until next month: Pursue all of your outdoor activities in a safe and ethical manner. CAUTION: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reflect the limited experience of individuals using specific tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which Texas Outdoors Journal has no control. The data have not otherwise been tested or verified by Texas Outdoors Journal. Texas Outdoors Journal, its agents, officers and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. 4 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal “Texas’ Most Comprehensive Outdoors Publication” Publisher/Editor Bill L. Olson Administrative Assistant Adala Ruhge Contributing Outdoors Editors Harold Gunn Brian Hughes Mike Holmes John Jefferson Cody Koehler Kerry O’Day Billy Olson David Sikes Nate Skinner Robert Sloan Mark Sosin Matt Williams Danno Wise Whitetail Deer Editor Bob Zaiglin Art/Production Editor Sunni Gonzales Advertising Sales 713/957-3997, 713/957-3996 (fax) Subscription Information Call 1-800-222-4TOJ (4865); In Houston, 713/957-3997 to charge your subscription by phone. Subscription prices: one year $18.95, two years $29.95, three years $39.95. Mail inquiries/changes of address to: TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 1706 West Sam Houston Parkway North Houston, Texas 77043 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal (ISSN 1082-5940) is a publication of Texas Outdoors Journal, Inc. Editorial and advertising offices are located at 1706 West Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston TX 77043. Phone (713) 957-3997. Fax (713) 957-3996. E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] TOJ Online: www.texasoutdoorsjournal.com TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal is published monthly. Photographs and manuscripts for publication consideration are welcomed, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for such material while in transit or in the office of the publication. Copyright 2015 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is prohibited. Views expressed by TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Outdoors Journal, Inc. Publication of advertising in TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal does not constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. Volume 24, Number 5 may 2015 BEST-IN-CLASS MAXIMUM TOWING. YEP. THAT’LL WORK. The first and only pickup with a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body /// Up to 700 lbs. lighter so you can haul even more /// Best-In-Class EPA-Estimated Gas MPG: 26 HWY * /// Best-In-Class Maximum Towing: 12,200 lbs.** Best-In-Class Maximum Payload: 3,300 lbs.† /// THIS IS THE FUTURE OF TOUGH. THE ALL-NEW F-150 /// FORD.COM Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR. *EPA-estimated rating of 19 city/26 hwy/22 combined mpg, 2.7L EcoBoost® V6, 4x2. Actual mileage will vary. **When properly equipped with 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 4x2. †When properly equipped with 5.0L V8, 4x2. TOJ Notebook TPW Commission Adopts Changes in Fishing Regulations Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved at its March 26 public hearing adjustments to bass length limits on several lakes, a change in alligator gar bag limit on Falcon Lake and clarifications to commercial crab and finfish rules. The adopted changes to the 2015-16 Statewide Recreational and Commercial Fishing regulations, which take effect Sept. 1, include: Braunig and Calaveras Reservoirs — The largemouth bass length limit will revert back to the statewide 14-inch minimum limit. Daily bag limit would remain at five fish. O. H. Ivie Reservoir — The length limit for smallmouth bass will revert back to the statewide 14-inch minimum limit and five fish daily bag. Lake Nasworthy —The length limit for largemouth bass will change to a 14to 18-inch slot limit (no harvest between 14 and 18 inches). Daily bag limit would remain at five fish. Falcon Lake — The current daily bag limit of one alligator gar will change to five fish per day. The increased bag limit will be in effect in the all impounded waters of the Rio Grande from the Falcon Dam upstream to the Zapata/Webb County line. Spring Shrimp Rules — Legal har- vesting hours will be extended from the current closure time of 2p.m. until 30 minutes after sunset, and the daily bag limit for bay shrimping will increase from 600 pounds to 800 pounds. TPW Commission Adopts Turkey Hunting Regulation Changes On March 26 Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, at its public hearing, approved closing spring eastern turkey hunting in 11 East Texas counties effective next year, while restructuring the season in two other counties. Hunting season for eastern turkey will be closed in 2016 in Angelina, Brazoria, Camp, Fort Bend, Franklin, Harrison, Hopkins, Morris, Titus, Trinity, and Wood counties and on National Forest lands in Jasper County. While closed, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife biologists will evaluate the prospects for future eastern turkey restoration compatibility and restocking efforts. The department’s goal is to reopen hunting should the eastern turkey populations in the affected counties become capable of sustaining harvest. TPWD is also restructuring the existing spring turkey hunting season in Wharton and Matagorda counties. The new regulations, which take effect for the 2016 season, will continue to allow for a 30-day spring only, one gobbler season and eliminate mandatory harvest reporting. In an effort to expand hunting opportunity for youth and reduce regulatory complexity, the Commission also adopted a 14-day extension of the late youth-only season in counties having an open Rio Grande fall turkey season, to run concurrent with the late youth-only season for white-tailed deer. Mule Deer Relocated in West Texas to Help Boost Population In an effort to boost a struggling mule deer population in and around the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area, 40 mule deer does were relocated from Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area in early February. The mule deer population within Black Gap WMA and surrounding area has struggled to rebound from the drought of the late 1990’s. “This relocation is the first in a multiyear project aimed at restoring mule deer at Black Gap WMA and the El Carmen Land and Conservation Co. property,” says Mitch Lockwood, director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s big game program. “Despite the excellent mule Cover Art May is a special month along Texas’s Gulf coast. Waters have warmed so coastal anglers start wading “wet” as they pursue voraciously feeding speckled trout. As the light fads on the distant horizon quality trout are hooked while birds feed over bait pushed to the surface by other fish. It’s been a great day and time to catch some fish. Popular Texas artist Calvin Carter’s gouache painting entitled “Sunset School“ has captured so many elements of fishing Texas inshore waters in late spring. As the day wanes there is crispness to the air that allows for a colorful backdrop to the end of what has be an awesome day. For more information on “Sunset School” and other works of art by Calvin Carter visit www.calvincarterart, or call (409) 201-6685. 6 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal “Sunset School” may 2015 deer habitat at the El Carmen Land and Conservation Co. property and Black Gap WMA, mule deer numbers have remained very low over the past 35 years. These partners aim to help boost populations while researching why the region has seen limited growth in the population.” After surveying the herd numbers of locations near Black Gap WMA, Elephant Mountain WMA was chosen to be where the first deer would be captured. “ The population on Elephant Mountain is doing quite well,” says Mark Garrett, Trans-Pecos WMA Project Leader with TPWD. “The surplus deer that were removed will benefit habitat conditions for the vast array of other wildlife species living at this location.” TPWD, along with the ECLCC — CEMEX-USA and Cuenca Los Ojos, Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services, Mule Deer Foundation, and Houston Safari Club have partnered together to help mule deer populations grow at Black Gap WMA/ECLCC. “We are truly grateful for the generous contributions and tireless efforts of these dedicated partners,” says Lockwood. “They are no strangers to wildlife restoration in Texas, and we appreciate their steadfast support.” The ECLCC property joins TPWD’s Black Gap WMA to comprise 135,000 contiguous acres dedicated to wildlife and habitat conservation. This diverse site of Chihuahuan desert scrub and desert grasslands climbs from the Rio Grande River to the Sierra del Carmen Mountain Range. TPWD and their partners plan to translocate an additional 100 mule deer to the Black Gap WMA/ECLCC area in 2016, and will continue to monitor their movements, habitat utilization, survival, and causes of mortality through 2017. To view video from this relocation, visit https://youtu.be/XywYkHNQ4Kc. For information about the Texas Conservation Action Plan, visit tpwd. texas.gov/landwater/land/tcap. investigation by state game wardens into a series of illegal hunting incidents. Logan B. Smith, 21, and Aaron T. Mclarey, 21, both of Whitehouse, TX, were arrested by game wardens on charges ranging in severity from Class C misdemeanor to state jail felony. Among the charges include: hunting white-tailed deer at night and hunting white-tailed deer with a light. A rifle alleged to have been used in the crimes has been seized pending the outcome of the cases. The investigation included several hours of surveillance, multiple interviews, and search warrants. Wardens believe these two individuals were responsible for illegally hunting three deer from a Smith County road at night during deer season on more than one occasion. The pair is also suspected of illegally killing a hog on a Lake Tyler property and dumping the carcass into the lake, in addition to killing a goose by intentionally running it over with a boat. Smith has been released on bond and Mclarey remains in the Smith County jail on an unrelated charge. A special thank you to the Smith County Sheriff ’s Office, Whitehouse Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety for assistance with this case. Please report any illegal hunting activity to your local Game Warden or call the Operation Game Thief hotline 1-800-792-GAME (4263). One New Positive Found in 2014– 2015 Trans Pecos CWD Surveillance Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected in only one of 222 tissue samples that were collected from hunter harvested deer and elk from the Trans Pecos ecoregion during the 2014–15 season as part of a CWD surveillance effort. This sample was collected from a mule deer buck harvested in the Hueco Mountain area of far West Texas. “Without the hunter check stations and the strong cooperation of hunters and landowners, we would know very little about the prevalence of the disease or where it exists,” said Mitch Lockwood, Big Game Program Director with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Also included in the sampling effort Smith County Duo Facing More Than 30 Charges for Illegal Hunting Activity Two Smith County men have been arrested and face more than 30 charges after a random tip sparked a two-month may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 7 last season, 143 deer and elk brought to check stations were tested for bovine tuberculosis as part of a cooperative effort between TPWD and Texas Animal Health Commission to monitor for bovine tuberculosis. No positives were found. To date, 839 deer and elk have been tested through the CWD check stations and strategic sampling that occurred during the summer of 2012; 282 were in the Containment Zone, 205 were in the adjacent High Risk Zone, 117 were in the Buffer Zone, and 235 were outside of the CWD zones. The disease has been detected in only 7 animals, all within the Hueco Mountain area, indicating a disease prevalence of 10–15 percent within that population. “Additional sampling is necessary to develop more confidence in the geographic extent and prevalence of the disease, but the fact that CWD has not been detected in Texas outside of the Hueco Mountain area of northern El Paso and Hudspeth counties is encouraging,” said Lockwood. CWD is a member of the group of diseases called transmissible spongiform 8 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal encephalopathies (TSEs). Other diseases in this group include scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) in cattle, and Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. CWD among cervids is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior as a result of microscopic changes made to the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication, but in the latter stages, signs may include listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of responsiveness. CWD is not known to affect humans or livestock. There is no vaccine or cure for CWD, but steps have been taken to minimize the risk of the disease spreading from beyond the area where it currently exists. The Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Animal Health commissions adopted rules to restrict movement of deer, elk, and other susceptible species within or from the CWD Zones as well increase surveillance efforts. More details about CWD and the 2014-15 findings can be found online at https://tpwd.texas.gov/wildlife/diseases/ chronic-wasting-disease/test-results Toyota Texas Bass Classic Preview Memorial Day weekend event to mix music, outdoor activities and big bass The Toyota Texas Bass Classic will return to Lake Fork on Memorial Day weekend, May 23 – 25, 2015. The top 35 professional bass anglers will compete for the world championship in a tournament benefitting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fishing programs. So far the TTBC has raised more than $2 million for such programs as Neighborhood Fishin’ and the Texas State-Fish Art Contest. While the pros are battling it out on the water, attendees can enjoy a variety of games and activities at the TPWD Outdoor Adventures Area, dine on food from a number of vendors, and shop for fishing gear and accessories. A feature attraction of TTBC is a starstudded lineup of daytime and evening concerts. Concerts will be headlined by Billy Currington on Saturday, May 23; Lee Brice on Sunday, May 24; and Rodney Atkins and Joe Nichols on Monday, May 25. “It is an exciting musical lineup this year,” said Lenny Francoeur, tournament director. “Combining country music’s biggest stars, the best bass anglers in the world, a large outdoor expo and fan-friendly activities, the ninth year of TTBC promises to be one of the most exciting yet.” Tickets are now on sale and are available online at ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or at your local Toyota dealership, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Brookshire’s Grocery Stores and Kim’s Convenience Stores throughout East Texas. TTBC sponsors include Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, NITRO Boats, Wood County Industrial Commission, Leer Truck Caps, GoPro, Holt CAT, Republic Services, Tellespen, Geico, Lamar Advertising, The Links at Land’s End, Brookshires, Kim’s, TLC Radio, KYKX 105.7, KMMO 99.9, 104.1 The Ranch, the Coca-Cola Company and the Sabine River Authority. For additional information or to volunteer at the tournament, visit ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or call (866) 907-0143. may 2015 CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROTECTING HUNTER’S RIGHTS It’s who we are. It’s what we do. JOIN Greatest Hunters Convention on the Planet™ January 7-10, 2016 For more information, go to www.bigggame.org LATE SPRING COASTAL FISHING Unraveling the mystery behind where to go and what to throw during the last full month of spring. Story and photography by Danno Wise F irst things first — May is a spring month. Temperatures in the Lone Star State will undoubtedly have a summer feel by the end of the fifth month of the year, but spring won’t end until mid-June. So, fishermen should still approach May as part of the spring season, which almost always means “transition” in the angling realm. Over the next few weeks, speckled trout and redfish will be making their final “spring transition,” as by month’s end, they will have established a pattern of behavior they will follow through summer and into early fall. During the final full month of spring, although the temperatures will be rising, the water will still be pleasantly 10 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal cool enough for fish to stay up shallow throughout most of the day. And, as the water warms, fish will be found over sand rather than muddy bottom areas of the bay. This makes wade fishing an outstanding option during late spring, as the hard bottom, shallow water areas that make for easy wading are also holding plenty of fish this time of year. As an added bonus, fishing shallow water makes for a great way to avoid the spring winds, which will still be blowing a substantial portion of the time during May. However, knowing what to throw in shallow water during spring is a little trickier than when fish are found on the flats during fall or in the early morning hours of summer. That is because, again, spring weather changes from day-to-day while summer and fall weather tends to be more stable. The ever-changing weather, of course, affects the water conditions. While one day may find the water over the shallow flats clear and calm, the next day may see it roiled and muddy. The fish won’t leave just because the water turns dirty, but anglers will need to adjust their lure choices and presentations. Regardless of water conditions, when fishing during May, anglers will generally do better using small baits, as most of the prey items are still in their juvenile stage following the spring hatch. Of course, clear water is certainly a bonus when using may 2015 “junior”-sized baits, but it’s not a necessity. If, however, the water is clear and the wind is at least reasonably calm, anglers can experience some excellent sight-casting opportunities during May. SEE YOUR TARGET Clear, calm conditions and plenty of active fish on the flats equates to excellent sight-casting. Whether wading, drifting or poling, if they are fishing over shallow flats inshore anglers can expect plenty of sightcasting opportunities for both speckled trout and redfish over the next month. Both conventional tackle anglers and fly fishermen can get in on the sight-casting action during May. As is always the case when sight-casting, using smaller, soft landing lures and flies is the best bet. But, since fish are quite a bit more active during May — meaning they will swim a greater distance to attack a bait — anglers often don’t need to “put it right on their nose” to get a strike. In fact, when fish are active, it is often better to cast beyond the sighted fish and reel back in front of them to prevent them from spooking. Spoons are outstanding for this type of duty, while anglers using the traditional sight-casting approach of placing a lure close to a feeding fish will do well with DOA Shrimp or 3 1/2 inch soft-plastics on 1/16 ounce jig heads. One method anglers use to “psuedo sight-cast” when fish aren’t regularly being sighted, is to cast into sand pockets or “potholes” over grass flats. Often times, fish will lurk in the grass ringing these bare spots and ambush prey swimming through the pothole. Anglers can take advantage of this behavior by placing lures and baits in the potholes and tempting fish to strike. and techniques. Blind casting over shallow flats can produce plenty of fish. Often times anglers will resort to live bait when the water becomes stained or dirty. But, while natural baits can result in good catches under these conditions, so can artificial lures. Anglers simply need to use lures that emit sound and/ or vibration. Noisy topwater plugs and paddle-tail soft-plastics are generally the best options. Whether throwing natural or artificial baits, when the water is windblown or otherwise dirty, pinning baits under a popping cork can help attract more attention. MAY MEANS POWER Another bonus for coastal fishermen in May is that late spring’s mild to moderate water temperatures usually results in more active fish. This means a greater variety of species will be in play and all of those species will be much more actively feeding than they were in winter or early spring. Depending on which area of the Texas coast anglers are fishing, they can expect to find flounder, speckled trout, redfish, snook, black drum, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, tarpon and more. And, again, because the water temperature is generally “comfortable” for the fish, they are feeding more actively. This allows fishermen to use more “power” fishing techniques, which allows them to fish faster and cover water at an increased clip. With that in mind, spoons can be used to cover water quickly and will draw fish from a great distance, especially with decent visibility and sunlight. When the water is too stained for using spoons, paddle-tail plastics, either fished straightlined or under a popping cork, will produce good results. FULL BUFFET Something else to keep in mind during May is that late spring generally means a varied diet for speckled trout, redfish, flounder and other predator fish. During this time, fish will be feeding not just on FISHING BLIND When the wind or tides kick up or when the notoriously copious amount of water moved by spring tides serve to dirty the water on shallow flats, anglers can still experience good fishing by adjusting their lure choices may 2015 Artificial shrimp lures fished on a light jighead or under a popping cork is a good option in late spring. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 11 the masses of shrimp moving out of the bay, but also on finger mullet, pinfish, shad, marine worms, sand eels, crabs and glass minnows. The key to finding success on many days is figuring out the preferred meal of the day. Although it may seem as if fish are enjoying a never-ending smorgasbord during late spring and gorging on anything that swims, the target prey is actually usually very specific at any given time. For instance, when glass minnows are freshly hatched and covering the bay surface, it is often hard to get fish to strike a shrimp or mullet imitating lure. They tend to key in on whatever is the dominate bait source at that moment. During late spring, that can vary widely and change often. Fishermen should make observations of active bait from day to day and even from area to area within the same bay. When sight-casting, using smaller, soft landing lures is best as most of the prey items are still in their juvenile stage following the spring hatch. fishermen, but in spring this impact is usually most extreme. The majority of inshore anglers associate spring with extremely high tides. While it is true the SPRING TIDES AFFECT FISHING spring months see unusually high tides, Tides are always a factor for coastal the spring season also sees some extreme low tides. As a rule, spring tides have higher highs and lower lows. With such water level extremes, anglers must remain flexible in order to find fish. When a huge flood tide rolls into the bay, areas that had been too shallow or in some cases, high and dry during low tide, will be in play. Fish will take advantage of this new real estate and spread out over the newly flooded bars and flats. Often times, these fresh patches of water also benefit anglers in that they are in areas that are somewhat protected by the wind, giving fishermen more options when the wind is really howling. Conversely, some of the mid-depth and deeper areas of the bay will become too deep - and at times too rough - to fish on high tide. Low tide fishing during spring can be reminiscent of fishing low On the lower Texas coast snook can be caught right alongside tides during winter, after a speckled trout and redfish. north wind has blown all 12 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal the water out of the bay. Those flats that held schools of fish on high tide are often dry or too shallow to fish on low tide. But, although an extremely low tide may eliminate some shallow water areas, it also serves to concentrate fish in channels, holes and around mid-bay structures. Additionally, some mid-bay structure is easier and more productive to fish on a low tide. The other factor, which is often overlooked, dealing with spring tides is the velocity of current during periods of tidal movement. It only stands to reason that when more water is moving in and out of the bay, the current will be stronger and, often, longer. Stronger current doesn’t always mean better fishing. In fact, some areas close to major passes may become unfishable during periods of peak tide movement as the current may be rushing through too fast. Those areas are better fish as the tide first begins moving or as it slows right after peak movement. Conversely, some of the back bay areas that rarely see a noticeable tidal flow will often benefit from a strong, sustained flow during spring. Spring tides have other impacts on the bay as well. Large amounts of water moving in and out of bay often cause the water to be murky, especially in areas with heavy current flow. Coupled with the previously mentioned effects of the high wind on water clarity, anglers can certainly expect at least portions of the bay to be “off-color” more often than not. But, again, as noted above, anglers need not fret fishing in murky water. Instead, they just need to be prepared for it and make good choices in regards to lure selection and retrieve. may 2015 BASSOLOGY | Matt Williams Bills and Bass It is rarely perceived as good business when state politicians start nosing around in Texas Parks and Wildlife Department affairs. Especially when it results in attempts to bend state regulatory laws in order to benefit a few rather than the majority. TPWD has a trained staff of biologists who get paid to make decisions on fisheries and wildlife regulations. These experts spend gobs of time conducting research and collecting significant amounts of data that is used for making sound management calls regarding game and fish laws. Implementing changes in these laws typically means going through a lengthy regulatory process. If a change is warranted, scientists pitch the idea to the department’s regulations committee and discuss it with law enforcement. If given the green light, the idea becomes a formal proposal that is opened for discussion at scheduled public hearings. The TPW Commission then takes all the information into consideration before making the final decision on a proposed change at its annual regulatory hearing, usually during the spring. State Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, of Jefferson County, apparently thinks there is room for TPWD to do some tweaking to bass limits on select waters in deep southeast Texas. And he is looking to bypass TPWD’s regulatory process and get the change done pronto. In February, Phelan filed a bill (HB 1979) in the 84th Texas Legislative session calling for TPWD to issue a bag limit exemption on largemouth bass on the southern stretches of the Sabine or Neches rivers, in the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway, or in the Gulf of Mexico as those bodies of water lie within or adjacent to a six county area including Chambers, Jefferson, Galveston, Hardin, Newton and Orange counties. Interestingly, the bill applies only to anglers who are participating in high school and college fishing tournaments held on the aforementioned waters. Those waters, some of which are managed under reciprocal agreements with Louisiana, are 14 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal currently governed by the Texas statewide limit of five fish, 14 inches. If passed, the bill would exempt participants in high school or college fishing derbies held on those waters from abiding by the statewide limit. Instead, anglers would be allowed to bring five fish as short as 12 inches to the scales. The fish would be released after being weighed. The way the bill is written, the exemption would take effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. If the bill does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, it would take effect on Sept. 1, 2015. On March 12, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Culture , Recreation and Tourism for review. Shopping for Favors When a politician takes the lead in making changes to TPWD game and fish laws it is often times the result of an outside source with friends in high places going shopping for a favor. In this particular case the shopper is a group of citizens from around the Orange area who believe a more lenient limit on largemouths would bring more bass tournaments to town, thus providing a boost to the local economy through angler and spectator dollars spent on gas, food, lodging, etc…… The group is headed up by John Gothia of Bridge City. Gothia, who says he was heavily involved with negotiations to bring the Bassmaster Elite Series events to Orange in 2013 and 2015, believes reducing the length limit on bass from 14 inches to 12 inches would make the rivers and bayous in the area more attractive to fishing organizations because it would make it easier for anglers catch a legal limit they could bring to weigh-in. Gothia says he his pushing for the exemption because the waters in question have a long history of producing tough fishing. So tough, he says, that many anglers who fish there routinely struggle to catch legal limits under the 5-14 rule. To wit: During the 2013 Elite Series Sabine River Challenge, 100 of the country’s best bass pros were able to wrangle only 35 limits during the first two days of competition. Jasper’s Todd Faircloth ultimately won the four-day tournament with a total of 49 pounds, six ounces on 19 fish. Gothia says he and dozens of locals regularly compete in Tuesday night tournaments on the river, during which competitors are allowed to weigh no more than three fish. He pointed out that many of those events are won with two fish. “The water here is brackish and the river system just doesn’t grow the numbers of bigger fish like a lot of the other waters in Texas do,” Gothia said. “I know that because I live here and fish here all the time. TPWD fisheries biologists have told me the same thing. These fish grow slow and they just don’t get very big.” Gothia says he has consulted with numerous tournament organizations about bringing events to the Sabine but hasn’t had much success in finding takers. “They don’t feel like they can catch enough keeper fish under the 14-inch limit, so they don’t feel comfortable about bringing a tournament here,” he said. “The first things they ask are what the size limit is and what the catch rate is. When you tell them it’s about about 40 percent, they’re out.” An Economic Cash Cow? Gothia said he thinks lowering the length limit to 12 inches would enable the lower Sabine River area to be more competitive as a tournament destination and help the area reap some of the financial rewards enjoyed by other venues. How much revenue does tournament fishing generate? That typically depends on the caliber and number of anglers involved. Gothia said the 2013 Elite Series Sabine River Challenge pumped an estimated $2.6 million into the local economy and drew as many as 35,000 spectators over the course of the event. It would be reaching to think that a school boy or collegiate event with a few hundred fishermen might leave behind that much dough or attract an Elite size crowd interested in seeing a bunch of pintsize bass. But when considering how the sport has exploded at those levels in recent may 2015 times, Gothia thinks the gains would be significant just the same. “Tournament fishing is big business and we’re just trying to do what we can to get a piece of the pie,” he said. “I ran this past our state representative (Phelan) and he thought it was a good idea. That’s how this bill came about.” Zach Johnston, the legislative director for Phelan’s office, agreed that the main purposes of the bill are to make the river system more attractive to bass tournaments and to bolster the local economy. Johnson says the legislator’s office was originally approached with the exemption idea by members of the local chamber of commerce. “To get some of these lower end tournaments to come - for people to want to come - they want to be able to catch a bag limit,” Johnson said. “Being a brackish water system, we don’t have the bass that Lake Fork or Sam Rayburn have. It’s definitely not an area where there are a lot of big bass.” “Our role is to provide information to policy makers,” Bonds said. “Primarily that means providing info within our area of expertise, based on the best available science.” TPWD has experimented with issuing tournament exemptions at Lake Fork in the past. When asked if any issues were encountered during that process, Bonds indicated that things didn’t run very smoothly. However, the experience did lead to the creation of some innovative methods for conducting tournaments on that lake without tampering with the regulations. “A previous experiment to test the impact of an exemption to a slot length limit for largemouth bass on Lake Fork Reservoir in Texas resulted in substantial conflicts among angling groups in the local area, and the effort to create a permanent exemption was abandoned,” Bonds said. “Following that experiment, TPWD worked with the Professional Anglers Association and other partners to develop the catch-weigh-and-immediate-release procedures used in the Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament. By adopting technology and procedures to weigh fish onboard the boat, this method negated the need for a size limit exemption in this case and alleviated any concerns over mortality and displacement of fish transported to weigh-in activities.” Problems on the Horizon What nobody chose to address with this deal are the potential sociological, biological and law enforcement problems that might surface if such an exemption were put in place. Socially, it would be a terrible idea, mainly because it would create two different regulations for two different angler groups on the same body of water. Not only could that stir some animosity among anglers, it also could create some challenging law enforcement issues for game wardens. Biologically, a tournament exemption probably wouldn’t be detrimental to the overall health of the fishery, but it certainly wouldn’t help it, either. Previous research studies have shown there is a percentage of mortality that occurs in tournament-caught bass that are retained in livewells and hauled to weigh-ins. As a result, a size exemption could result in the mortality of some smaller fish that would otherwise be protected by the more restrictive statewide limit. Still another problem that could arise if the bill were to pass is it would set a very bad precedent that could spur other special interest groups to seek out similar actions on other lakes by buzzing their local politician. TPWD inland fisheries director Craig Bonds says the department typically steers clear of weighing in for or against legislative proposals. may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 15 GUNS ‘N STUFF | Harold Gunn The Practically Perfect Cartridge The beautiful Winchester 1885 Single Shot. The perfect all around cartridge is the .22 Long Rifle…period. Since its introduction in 1887 by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. nothing has come close to the versatility of this little gem. Training, practice, plinking, target shooting, small game hunting, it does it all. Though not the recommended round, in the hands of a trained shooter the .22LR can be used for self defense and the hunting of larger game where legal. I have dropped a 250 lb. feral hog like a rock with one .22LR hollow point through the ear. Economical and readily available, it is the world’s most popular cartridge with over five billion rounds produced each year. Another thing in our favor is the unlimited and ever increasing choices of firearms chambered for this little gem. Great satisfaction is to be had by using an old favorite. Every once in a while I plink or hunt with the 16 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal first gun my Dad gave me nearly 60 years ago. It is a Winchester Model 67 Boys Rifle built from 1934 to 1963. A classic bolt action single shot with which I learned to shoot and hunt. Lord what memories it stirs in my old brain. There is no more perfect training tool for the young shooter than a single shot .22. Why not “go back to the future” with a modern version of one of the all time greats. In 1885 competitive shooting was a major sport the world over and that was the year John Moses Browning created his first and to many finest firearms, the 1885 Single Shot. Also, this was the gun that started Browning’s relationship with Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The modern built Model 1885 is true to the original with minor differences mainly due to improvements in metallurgy and manufacturing to tighter tolerances. The built for stout falling-block action mated to a precision tapered octagon barrel make this rifle super accurate and drop dead gorgeous. The exposed hammer is the traditional three-position design of dropped, half cock and full cock. This is outstanding for training and shooting. The trigger is crisp, clean and adjustable. If you must, the barrel is drilled and tapped for scope mounting, but I’m tickled I can still use open sights. Shoot one of these and you feel the history. The 1885 Single Shot and other designs are found at www.winchesterguns.com. Fans of repeaters should take a look at Browning’s upgrade of their T-Bolt action rifle. The straight “T” bolt design lets you load and eject with a simple pull back and push forward. This system is faster than The Browning T-Bolt Micro Midas. may 2015 Ruger 10/22 Briley Mfg. custom. a standard bolt action while retaining the accuracy of the bolt action design. Their new Double Helix 10-round rotary box magazine is easy to load, operates smoothly, and extras are easy to carry. The three-lever trigger design is slick. The new Browning T-Bolt Micro Midas puts all of the above in a fast handling package with a free floating 16 ¼ inch sporter barrel all set in a walnut stock. www.browning.com. One of the most popular .22 rifles on the planet is the Ruger 10/22. Not only available from Sturm, Ruger & Co. in configurations like carbine, target, tactical, sporter and takedown with stocks of wood, composite or laminate and finishes of blue or stainless the design has created an entire industry of aftermarket bolt-on, screw-on, drop-in accessories. This is like the AR world with cheaper bullets. I have Birchwood Casey’s Sidewinder Spinner. may 2015 a 10/22 customized by Briley Manufacturing in Houston that has such features as a free floating Lothar Walther match chambered, target crowned, hammer forged stainless steel fluted barrel; Kidd trigger and extended magazine release with all nestled in a laminated target stock. This gun is an honest 150 yard tack driver and responsible for the demise of thousands of Wyoming ground squirrels and prairie dogs. To shoot it is to love it. Begin your search with www.ruger.com, move over to www.briley.com and then surf Google for more options. Practice and plinking have a great deal to do with space. Most of us can’t blaze away in our back yard and indoor ranges demand paper targets. The real joy of .22 shooting is in the open where you can safely bounce cans as far as your eye can see or ding steel targets. Here we insert the usual reminder to be sure to wear proper hearing and eye protection. Fun dinger targets are available from the likes of Birchwood Casey who have introduced two new targets into their World of Targets line. The Little Rattler and Sidewinder Spinner are both designed to provide training while offering the satisfaction of movement and noise when hit. The Little Rattler has a heavy duty frame that suspends a gong between two swivels. Shooting the target makes it spin and rattle to provide instant gratification to keep the shooter interested. The Sidewinder Spinner features a swiveling double paddle target mounted on a tough, heavy duty stake. The target spins when shot and the self-correcting paddles always return to face the shooter, so there’s no need to go down range to reset. These target and others are available at www. birchwoodcasey.com. To me the most practical use of this perfect cartridge is in the pursuit of our state’s abundant squirrel population. Some northern states advocate the use of shotguns when squirrel hunting, but that is for amateurs, when a real sportsman will go for a head shot with a .22LR to preserve the tasty torso for chicken frying (see sidebar). While some may think squirrel hunting is an excellent way to learn how to hunt, I feel it affords a lifetime hunting experience. Chicken Fried - Squirrel Chicken fried squirrel does not have to be complicated. • Soak the skinned, gutted, beheaded squirrel(s) in a bowl of milk whipped with two eggs for 30 minutes. • Put a skillet with enough olive oil to cover at least half the squirrel on a max high burner. • Heat the skillet till the oil pops when you fling a drop of milk in it. • Fill a baggie with enough flour to coat the squirrel. • Pull the squirrel out of the milk mixture and shake off excess milk. • Put in baggie and shake till coated then fling in the skillet. • When brown on one side flip over and repeat. • Let guests spice to taste. Mashed potatoes and cream gravy are a must. You’re on your own here. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 17 Just FISHING | Nate Skinner Right Set Up to Stay Hooked Up Choosing the right rod and reel depends more on situation and application than “off-thewater” looks and feel. The saying, “Ten percent of fishermen catch ninety percent of the fish,” is one that carries some weight. Exceptional anglers along the Texas Coast don’t just wake up one day knowing when, where, and how to catch fish — the skills they possess run much deeper than having a little bit of luck. These best of the best fishermen (and women) also have an uncanny ability to make whatever kind of bait that is tied to the end of their line look and move naturally in the water, enticing even lethargic fish to strike. Two tools make this connection between angler and fish, and when held by experienced hands, seem to become just an extension of the arm, wrist, and hand. The rod and reel has been bringing fish to the surface for decades, and more so for those that are not only proficient with using them, but are good at choosing the right ones for the right situation. With the newest and latest innovations and technology anglers are busting at the seams to get their hands on a rod and reel combination that not only “feel” good, but will get them hooked up more often. Choosing the right rod and reel depends 18 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal more on situation and application than “off-the-water” looks and feel. With a variety of options on the market today there’s plenty of rods and reels to choose from. When paired correctly with the right presentation, these tools will help anglers catch more fish. The Rods Inshore anglers fishing from the boat should make at least three rods a staple in their arsenal at all times. These include a rod for throwing large topwater plugs, one for casting tails and soft plastic jigs, and a rod for Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits, and suspending and twitch-bait plug presentations. Rod actions are classified anywhere from slow to extra fast and refer to how much the rod bends when pressure is applied to the tip. A fast action rod will bend in only the top third or less of the blank, giving the rod a stiff, steady backbone towards the handle. A slower action rod will exhibit more bend down the length of the blank, providing more of a whip action when casting, increasing casting distance. Fast action rods provide more sensitivity with less bend in their length giving more direct action to a presentation, while a slower action adds more fluid movement to a presentation as it has more play and bend down its length. A topwater rod will have the heaviest action of the three rods, and also the shortest length. Something in the medium to medium-heavy range from six feet to six and half feet in length with a fast action tip will work best. American Rodsmiths’ Predator PR-C-66M-MF is an excellent choice for casting topwater plugs. The medium power of this rod will help to support the weight of the large plug it is casting — too light of a rod would bend under the weight of the lure. The fast tip allows anglers to stay in direct contact with the lure at all times, enabling them to give the bait the “walkthe-dog” action it needs through short, quick twitches from the rod tip on a slack line. A rod with a slower action would flex too much due to the size of the plug, requiring the angler to put forth more effort by twitching the rod harder with more force, to give the lure the same action. Topwaters are typically retrieved while standing in a boat either from the bow, deck, or casting platform, and the shorter length topwater rod makes presenting this lure much easier. As the bait gets closer to the boat during the retrieve anglers will drop the rod tip, pointing the rod down towards the water’s surface to prevent from jerking the plug out of the water. A longer rod may mean the rod tip is touching or entering the water when the angler has it pointed downwards, making it more difficult to work the bait. A shorter rod eliminates this issue. The rod used for casting tails and soft plastic jigs should be longer and lighter with a more moderate action. A medium light, medium-fast action rod in six foot nine inches to seven feet in length will work best. The Troutmaster Lite TMLC-69ML-MF by American Rodsmiths is an excellent choice for jig presentations. The longer length and moderate action gives the rod a whip-like motion when casting, enabling anglers to cast light jigs may 2015 longer distances. The length and softer through the water when retrieved. lightweight, smooth, and come in a variety tip also increases the effectiveness of the The Reels of gear ratios. presentation, allowing jigs to be hopped Low profile, baitcasting reels rule Shimano’s Curado, Chronarch, through the water column in a fluid the world of inshore fishing. Brands like and Citica have been a staple amongst motion. Shimano, Diawa, and Lew’s dominate inshore anglers’ arsenals for years. These R a t - L - Tr a p s , c r a n k b a i t s , a n d the market with lines of reels that are reels are tried and true with rugged sinking/suspending twitch baits require a rod that is somewhere in between the topwater and tails rods. This rod can be anywhere from six and half to seven feet in length and should be a medium weig ht w ith a me dium to medium-fast action. American Rodsmiths Cobra CB-C-66M-MF is a great rod for these presentations. These baits are heavier than most jig presentations but not as heavy as a floating plug, and they require some finesse when working them properly. The flexible action allows for maximum casting distance, and the medium to medium-fast action helps American Rodsmiths’ Cobra line of rods are excellent for fishing ‘Traps, crankbaits and suspending lures. these baits move naturally may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 19 components that handle the abuse of saltwater, enabling them to cast long distances and spin smoothly trip after trip on the water. New innovations and technology in the reel industry are making other lines of reels a great option for anglers as well. Diawa’s Zillion and Tatula reels feature a new level wind system that is making these reels some of the farthest casting tools on the inshore scene. This new level-wind technology is called the “T-wing system” and solves an age-old issue with friction against line as it flows off the spool and through the level wind guide during a cast. Brad Downey, Daiwa sales rep, says the T-wing system provides 50% of spool coverage while the reel is in free spool, decreasing friction and increasing casting distance. “The level wind guide is shaped like a capitol T,” he says. “While reeling, the line stays in the narrow column of the T as it is guided onto the spool. When the free spool clutch is engaged, the T-shaped guide clicks forward, and the line is now in the wide-open T part of the guide. This eliminates friction by using larger guide that represents half of the width of the spool--even if the line is situated on the far right or far left of the spool, the wide part of the T-shaped guide decreases the angle at which the line is coming off the spool and out of the level-wind. Basically the line is not rubbing against the edge of a level wind guide as it exits the spool, so there is virtually no friction, creating a much longer cast.” A slower retrieve reel matched to a shorter rod in a medium to medium heavy action is the perfect combination to fish larger topwater lures. The Lew’s BB1 and BB2 inshore speed spool series also incorporate new technology that reduces friction through the level-wind and increases casting distance. Lew’s representative and professional angler, Andrew Upshaw, says these lines of reels cast further than any other reel he’s ever fished with. “The level wind on the BB1 and BB2 inshore speed spools features an over-sized guide that is positioned further forward and farther away from the spool,” Upshaw explains. “This decreases the angle at which the line is coming off the reel and through the guide during free spool, decreasing the amount of friction and increases casting distance tremendously.” Gear ratios on reels are fairly straight forward — the higher Lew’s Speed Spool Inshore incorporates new technology that reduces friction the ratio, the through the level-wind and increases casting distance. faster the line 20 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal intake is per handle turn. For example, Diawa’s Tatula R in the 8:1 ratio reels in over thirty three inches of line per handle turn, while the Tatula R in a 6.3:1 ratio reels in just a hair over twenty six inches per handle turn. This is something to consider when pairing a reel with a particular presentation. A slower gear ratio works better for topwater lures, allowing for the bait to move side to side with less forward motion, keeping it in the strike zone longer. A faster ratio is more effective for jigs and twitch baits that sink, as they are often retrieved over structure or in open water. With all the options out there today, it’s easy to get locked in on a rod and/ or reel that is extremely lightweight and has a “sleek, cool” look. Regardless of looks, rods and reels are tools that when used correctly, will catch a bunch of fish. Before mindlessly grabbing a rod and hitting the water, anglers should examine what presentations they are going to be fishing, and pair them with the right rod and reels accordingly. The right set-ups will produce more hook ups. Introducing the new American Rodsmiths American Rodsmiths has once again reemerged as the leader of premiere fishing rods. In November 2013 the may 2015 company was purchased by Houston resident, John F. Angelina, and is currently producing four excellent rod series. According to Jake Brewer, rod builder at the ARS shop in Houston, these rod series incorporate different features to fit the preferences of a variety of anglers. “Our goal has been to make the most indestructible rods on the market,” explains Brewer, “and each rod series sports the highest of quality components that are built to last.” The four ARS series include the Predator, Cobra, Troutmaster Lite, and Lady Rodsmiths. These lines of rods come in a variety of weights and actions suitable for any lure or bait presentation, and each series has a set of unique components to fit individual angler’s needs. When wading, toting several rods is pretty much impossible; however, anglers that prefer to wadefish can choose a rod that will handle a variety of bait presentations. A decent wading rod should be a medium six and half feet to six foot nine inches in length with a medium-fast action. American Rodsmiths Predator PR- Diawa’s Zillion and Tatula reels feature new level wind technology called the “T-wing system” and solves an age-old issue with friction against line as it flows off the spool and through the level wind guide during a cast. C-66M-MF is a lightweight rod that will effectively cast and work several types of presentations. The medium weight and medium-fast action will support heavy topwater lures while still encompassing enough finesse to give other baits the right action. For more information on the American Rodsmiths line of rods visit www.americanrodsmiths. com, call (713) 466-7849, or see them at better tackle retailers. A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS Relax, we’ll take care of the details! GIVE US A CALL! may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 21 A s I scanned openings in the bush from behind my African trackers methodically analyzing every crumpled straw of grass trampled upon by a group of dagga boys we had been spooring for most of the afternoon, my anticipation to catch up to the old bulls began to fade as the sun dropped below the tall marula trees. As light faded, an amber-red skyline appeared on the Zimbabwean horizon. It was a fire, a big one, stretching uncontrollably for nearly a mile and rapidly heading our way. The stolid look on my trackers’ faces insured me that we were not in harm’s way, and when I looked at my professional hunter, he simply smiled. This was my first introduction to fire in Africa, and like Native Americans, fire in the Zimbabwean bush is employed to increase visibility and reduce old growth, making room for new plants extremely attractive to the animals they pursued. Early American settlers used fire to clear farmland and establish homesteads as well as to attract animals upon which they depended upon for sustenance. Prescribed fire in the U.S. today is applied by trained professionals in a methodical fashion to a vast amount of our southern forests, primarily to achieve various silvicultural objectives, particularly the enhancement of pine production. In some cases it is used to reduce litter build-up, reducing the possibility of wild fires. On Texas private lands fire is employed for a variety of reasons, but remains an integral part of improving habitat. The basic consensus regarding fire ecology is that it is neither destructive nor constructive as it simply causes change, and dependent on weather conditions, the end result can be controlled. Prescribed fire is defined as fire applied in a knowledgeable manner to naturally occurring vegetation on a specific area under select weather conditions in order to accomplish well thought out management objectives. For example, if enhanced forb production is desirable, the area is subjected to what is referred to as a cool season burn. Such fires are conducted in the colder months of December and January to remove lignified grasses prior to the germination period of forbs. If grass production is one’s principal goal, a warm season burn is conducted during the later, warmer months of February through March. Simply lighting up an area and letting Supplemental feeding not only benefits bucks, but more importantly the lactating does. 22 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 Prescribed & FEEDING FIRE Supplemental A variety of spring techniques can be performed to enhance deer quality. Story and photography by Bob Zaiglin it burn like I experienced in Zimbabwe is not only dangerous; it is illegal in the U.S. Thus the planned out application of fire with a specific objective is imperative. Why? Because fire is difficult to control, and in some cases, life threatening. As part of their extensive field experience, I introduce my wildlife management students at Southwest Texas Junior College each winter to the proper application of fire in my wildlife techniques class. They not only learn how to develop a burn plan, but how to apply it safely to a preselected area. One of the first things they learn is that fire is dangerous. The wildfires may 2015 we have viewed on TV throughout the western U.S. fortify the fact that wild fire can be devastating. But like many things in life, the less we know about something, the more it is feared. However, for experienced individuals knowledgeable of fire behavior, controlled fire is an integral management tool in rangeland management. One of the principal commandments to prescribed fire is that it is not initiated unless the required conditions are met. Even when those fire lines on the prevailing wind side of the area to be burned are completed, the fire boss must confirm the current weather conditions with a portable weather kit to verify that the fire will not only be safe, but meet the management objective. Prescribed weather conditions for a head fire include a relative humidity of 25-40%; a temperature ranging between 70 to 80 degrees; and a wind speed of 8-15 mph. Weather conditions lying outside these parameters put a halt to ignition. A burn can also be postponed when one of what is referred to as “red flag conditions” exist such as wind gusts greater than 20 mph, a relative humidity below 20%, an air temperature greater than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or a predictable cold front is to pass within 12 hours. These TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 23 Controlled burning where allowed not only augments the presence of desirable forage; it also increases visibility and reduces the probability of wildfire. are scientifically based requirements determined by my friend, the late Dr. Henry Wright, and his associates at Texas Tech University back in the 1980s. Prescribed fire is a viable habitat management technique that achieves multiple objectives with a single treatment. It can control invader species like cedar, increase utilization, make forage more 24 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal available, improve wildlife habitat, and even control various diseases. In the hill country, for example, fire is the most economical method of controlling the encroachment of cedar. Since plant regeneration following fire does not materialize until spring, it is often conducted during late winter when the grass and brush are in a dormant stage, and the susceptible forbs have yet to germinate. Although fire is considered the most economic tool in managing our rangelands, it does take time, much planning, and adequate personnel to conduct it. Other spring deer management techniques are much more easily employed such as providing deer a nutritional supplement. During spring those calcified appendages referred to as antlers are jettisoned. But once those antlers separate from their oil-derrick-like pedicels located on top of the deer’s skull, regeneration of a new set initiates almost immediately. Antlerogenesis, which is considered the most rapid bone growth in a mammal, places a significant nutritional burden on those bucks. Not only are deer nutritionally strapped as a result of a strenuous breeding season, losing at times 20% of their body weight, they also must shed their winter coat to one more suitable for the summer period. All of these biological functions are nutritionally demanding, and how deer handle these changes depends on the availability of nutritionally strong vegetation. More importantly, only surplus crude protein from a deer’s diet is available for antler growth, thus, optimal antler size is often sacrificed for the health and survival of the animal, making it even more difficult to develop those larger antlers we all cherish. A supplemental source of nutrition can also assuage the acute demand deer place on the habitat, potentially augmenting the development, in turn frequency, of those highly desirable forage species. All deer benefit from a supplement, especially lactating does which require significantly higher amounts of crude protein in their diet to sustain quality milk production. Supplementing a deer’s diet is applicable as long as it remains just that — a supplement. The attempt to artificially inflate the carrying capacity of the land by feeding deer can be done, but only at the expense of the habitat. It’s also important to note that not all deer will use a supplement, and even those that consume it will often revert back to native plants of choice. By allowing a deer population to mushroom out of control, some highly preferred plant species will may 2015 be suppressed if not eliminated. The fact is, supplemental feed is not a cure-all. Another for m of nut r it ional supplement is the distribution of a mineral for deer. This can be accomplished by purchasing a fifty-pound sack of mineral and pouring its contents into several manmade depressions approximately six inches deep and several feet in diameter. In actuality, all one attempts to establish is a natural-like mineral lick. Another method of nutritionally benefitting a deer’s diet is to fertilize native habitat. The fertilizer should be distributed experimentally on small parcels at first to let the deer dictate whether it is desirable or not. By having an unfertilized control area for comparison, the visits by deer on the two areas will demonstrate its preference by deer. Disking, roller chopping, and aerating are beneficial habitat management techniques and should be implemented prior to spring greenup. Like fire, these techniques open up the understory and relinquish life-enriching sunlight to the ground layer in order to augment the germination of plant life. In the climatically favorable portions of Texas, early spring is the optimal time to prepare seed beds for warm season food plots. Farming for deer is effective, but remains totally dependent on rainfall. For example, summer food plots west of Interstate 35 and south of San Antonio are not practical unless a pivot system or some form of irrigation is available. In the drier portions of the state, fall season food plots represent a potential source of nutrition for deer throughout the spring, even early summer. This is particularly evident when fall plots are fertilized yet fail to develop due to drought conditions. Following spring showers, the disturbed sites will be inundated by highly desirable, succulent plants required by deer. A variety of spring techniques can be performed to enhance deer quality, but paramount to success is to maintain the deer population within the carrying capacity of the land, which should be accomplished by removing surplus deer during the hunting season. The fact is, the deer hunter is the ultimate management tool because each time that trigger is pulled, and the herd and the habitat upon which it depends are being managed. may 2015 Large antlers are a byproduct of nutrition, which can be elevated by manipulating the habitat, and fire is often considered the most economical method of improving the vegetation upon which they depend. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 25 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69, & 71 CoastWatch Danno Wise warmer climes have returned. In short, May is a slightly cooler version of June or July along the Texas coast. Most years, spring feels l i ke s u m m e r long before the official start on June 21 or even the unofficial start when Memorial Day weekend rolls around. These rising temperatures will always lead to increased inshore action up and down the coast – not to mention the first month of true offshore activity. On the inshore side of things, May combines the b est of b oth worlds. Across Texas bays, May Photo courtesy Capt. Tommy Countz tends to be one of those special This angler shows off a nice redfish he caught while fishing with Capt. months when Tommy Countz. Countz says he will spend a lot of his time in May fishing temperatures West Matagorda Bay. are high enough for the fish to be Spring is the season of transition and plenty active, but not so overbearingly hot May is the ultimate transition month. as to cause fish and fishermen to become Spring’s final full month sees fish, and lethargic. fishermen, fully transition into summer. As a bonus, May generally sees a Cold fronts — event freakishly late reduction in the winds which have arriving fronts — are in the past. Spring’s plagued coastal anglers the past few notorious winds have begun to lessen in months, allowing fishermen to fish pretty velocity. much when and where they please and for Temperatures have risen enough to stir a greater variety of species. fish from their lethargic winter ways. And, The warm, but not oppressively hot, many species which spent the winter in temperatures and lighter winds make 26 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal for a comfortable day on the water. For the same reasons anglers are more comfortable on the water in May, the fish are more comfortable and aggressive on the shallow flats up and down the coast. Unlike during the chill of winter or the heat of summer, fish will be feeding in relatively shallow water throughout the majority of the day. Since they will be inhabiting shallower water and feeding more aggressively, fish will be susceptible to a variety of lures, baits and techniques, making May one of the few times of the year when fishermen can target fish on the flats throughout the entire day. May is also the first month when the beachfront and offshore action becomes a realistic possibility along the Texas coast. Tarpon, kingfish, and snapper are just a few of the big water species that Texas anglers will target starting in May. As great as the weather and fishing is during May, anglers will still have the water mostly to themselves — especially on weekdays. Texas public schools will still be in session, so most fishing familes are still limited to weekend outings. However, by the month’s end, school will be out and summer will be in full swing So, for anglers hoping to avoid summer crowds, May represents their last chance at quality fishing without the crowds. UPPER COAST Matagorda guide Capt. Tommy Countz of Tommy’s Guide Service says May is usually a good month in the Matagorda area. He sees no reason this year will be any different. “I like to fish West Matagorda Bay in may 2015 May,” said Countz. “ I like fishing the east side of West Bay. The main thing I like to do in May is wadefish for trout. I like to start with topwaters in May. Once the topwater bite cools off, then I’ll move to plastics. “But, there’s some days in May when you can catch fish on topwaters all day long. May is also a good time for guys who want to fish with bait. It’s a good time to go into the lakes off the Intracoastal Waterway and fish for redfish with bait. And, we have some good reefs on the north end of West Matagorda Bay that also have some good fish on them during May. “Most of my fishing will be in West Bay, but you can do pretty well in East Bay during May as well. You can catch some good fish drifting over the reefs in East Bay or wading along the shorelines.” Galveston guide Capt. Greg Verm of Fishing Galveston TX Guide Service says he’s looking forward to lighter winds in May. “May is a good month for us,” said Verm. “The weather will become more stable. Most importantly we’ll have more light wind days in May than we have been having. There will still be some days with high wind, but we’ll have fewer high wind days and more light wind days, which allows us to fish in more areas. Starting in May speckled trout along the jetties will be really good. Slot-size redfish will be showing up around the jetteis. Freeling live shrimp and live croakers will be the best way to catch nice specks in May. “During May, the back lakes will be loaded with reds and flounder along with some specks, as well. Live shrimp under popping corks will be the ticket there. Flounder gigging on oyster reefs will also be getting good in May as well. We’ll have a lot of options in May,” Verm concluded. “The key will be those lighter winds, which will allow the water clear up a little and let us fish some areas we haven’t been able to fish early in the spring.” Along the Texas/Louisiana border May means good fishing according to Sabine Lake guide Capt. Randy Foreman. “May is the start of the shrimp migration,” said Foreman. “That means the birds will start working. Most of the bird activity will be on the lower end — from the south end to mid-lake. Usually, the fishing will be best on a falling tide during May. “If I don’t find active birds, I’ll be fishing over mussel beds and shell flats. If we have moving water, we’ll be looking Photo courtesy Capt. Greg Verm Want to put a smile on a youngster’s face, let ‘em tangle with a redfish at the Galveston jetties. Capt. Greg Verm says fishing will heat up in May with lots of fish around the jetties. may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 27 for eddies along the shoreline. This time of year, I find a lot of fish holding in those eddies. “During May, I mostly throw glow/chartreuse Down South Southern Shad. This is almost all I use on sunny days. If it’s cloudy, I’ll switch to a Red Shad.” “Trout fishing will be the main thing in May, but it won’t be the only thing. There will be redfish under the trout under the birds. But, if you want to catch redfish, you have to get beneath the trout. So, if I’m targeting redfish, I use a 1/2 or 3/4-ounce Terry V-Dog spoon with a yellow bucktail. I let it sink to the bottom then slow-roll it, keeping it just above the bottom. “A n d , f l o u n d e r Photo by Nate Skinner fishing should be good Capt. Nick Poe of Big Lake Guide Service shows off a quality Lake Calcasieu speckled trout. May is a month where in May. The last couple numbers of quality trout are caught on Big Lake. weeks of April and first couple of weeks of May are always good Canal, Redfish Bay and Blind Bay. solid specks in May. for flounder on Sabine. When I’m fishing Trout will also be found around the “I hope we’re catching a bunch of for flounder, I’ll concentrate on the points shallow water rigs beginning in May. The ‘em in May,” laughed Capt. Jeff Poe. and humps along the Sabine Channel or rigs in 8 to 15 feet of water are the best “May is usualy one of our better months the points and bayous along the Louisiana bet for trout. Once the trout show at the for fishing in the lake. In fact, almost Shoreline. And again, I’ll focus on the rigs, they usually remain there through everything we do is in the lake during eddies when I can find them. The best summer. May. There really isn’t too much going on fishing will be on an incoming tide. I’ll During May fishermen can expect to in the Gulf just yet. still be using Down South Southern Shad, find redfish mixed in with the trout. But, “Most of our fishing will be in fourbut I always coat them with Pro-Cure Gel those targeting redfish specifically will to six-feet of water over oyster. For the when fishing for flounder.” find good concentrations of redfish in the most part, we’ll be targeting trout with marshes and back lakes, as well as in areas soft-plastics, but we’ll be catching some like Yankee Pond and the Wagon Wheel. reds as well. Sometimes, we’ll find reds Offshore fishermen will have a few in the same generally areas where we are options as well. First and foremost, May catching trout. But, most of the time, means tuna off the Louisiana coast and we’ll find the redfish along the shorelines the first option for most offshore anglers in a foot or two of water. That is actually heading out of Venice will be chasing where will be finding some of our better tuna around the deep water floating oil trout, too. And, we do catch some good platforms. Tuna up to 50 pounds will be trout during May.” common catches around the “floaters” Anyone fishing out of Venice in May during May. Later in the month, once will have a variety of inshore and offshore the water temperature warms above 80 angling options from which to choose. For degrees, blue marlin will begin showing inshore fishermen, the key will be warmer up as well. water temperatures. By May, the water will Across the state line on Lake Calcasieu, May is also one of the year’s best be warm enough to see speckled trout guides Jeff, Mary and Nick Poe of Big Lake months for targeting swordfish in the Gulf and redfish getting much more active. Guide Service will be plenty busy catching of Mexico. Trout will be found in areas like the Burias LOUISIANA COAST 28 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 Texans Are “Talking” . . . About TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal “Hunting AND Fishing every month! That’s great!” “I love the new look of your covers.” “I read TOJ from cover to cover every month.” “Finally, a magazine that “I like it because it’s about “Best saltwater coverage covers Texas like it should Texas.” of any magazine around.” be covered.” “Your Lake Roundup “It’s the best – and most “I’ve cancelled all my useful – gift I’ve ever received. other magazines except TOJ. Keep up the good work. even talks about some of the smaller East Texas lakes I fish. “Glad TOJ knows how to count to 12!! LOL!” “Love the new look.” “TOJ just keeps getting better, and better.” ” ” ” Isn’t it time YOU found out what all the talk is about? To subscribe, call 1-800-222-4865 (4TOJ) or go online at www.texasoutdoorsjournal.com GETTING A GRIP Big bass require special care to help ensure their survival. Story and photography by Matt Williams T exas big bass junkies got an unfortunate wake up call regarding big fish care earlier this spring when word surfaced that a 14.30-pound bass caught from a private lake in Zapata County and a new Ray Roberts lake record weighing 15.18 pounds died at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s ShareLunker headquarters in Athens. The 14.30 pounder was caught on February 19 by Blair Schwarz of McAllen and the 15.18 pounder was reeled in on March 7 by Shannon Elvington of Pilot Point. Both fish were subsequently turned over to the Toyota ShareLunker program 30 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal for spawning and genetics research. Genetics testing confirmed the two fish carried pure Florida genes, making both ideal candidates for spawning under the program’s restrictive criteria. Sadly, the two bass died shortly after arriving at the program headquarters at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. A post-mortem examination showed the 14.30 pounder had developed a bacterial infection that resulted from a broken jaw. According to ShareLunker caretaker Juan Martinez, the bacterial infection likely compounded the rigors of being transported and a combination of other stress factors that ultimately caused the bass to die. Martinez said the Elvington bass also had a broken jaw and that the fish appeared to be stressed when it was picked up for transport to hatchery. While nobody knows for certain what caused the broken jaws, it is known that the angler who caught the 14.30 pounder spent some time getting his picture made holding the fish before the TPWD hatchery truck arrived to retrieve it. Some of the pictures on the La Perla ranch website show the angler holding the big bass by the lower lip in a vertical position. I learned about the bad news after TPWD posted a blurb about it on its may 2015 More than 25 years ago TPWD began advertising through news releases that the most widely accepted method for holding or displaying a bass for photographs is not necessarily the best way. The effort has since been ramped up through various postings on the Internet. TPWD has a video link on its ShareLunker Facebook page that shows the proper way to handle a big bass. You can see it at www.facebook. com/video/video.php?v=1230248924140. Anglers need to be particularly careful about the way they handle heavyweight bass weighing upwards of 10 pounds, according to Martinez. Martinez says holding a big fish vertically by the lower lip with one hand places a significant amount of stress on the jaw bone. The amount of pressure increases exponentially if the lower lip is folded downward. ShareLunker Facebook page. The news segment was accompanied by a TPWD poster that illustrates the right way and the wrong way to hold a big bass. The lip-and-grip manner in which Schwarz held the bass for some of the photos is no different than those you see in countless outdoors magazines every month and on television everyday. Some bass pros do the same thing as they parade across the stage showing off their catches at tournament venues all across the country. may 2015 The ShareLunker program was still in its infancy stages back then, and much of what is now known about handling big fish was still a mystery. Not knowing any better, I instructed the angler to hold the fish by the lower jaw while I fired away with the camera before former ShareLunker program manager David Campbell arrived. Campbell (now retired) took the fish back to the Tyler Fish Hatchery, where it died about a week later. He said the bass’ jaw was broken. In looking back it is logical to assume that stress from the ordeal probably played a role as well. I felt terrible about what happened. I still do. On a more positive note, the incident taught me and a whole lot of others a huge lesson about big bass care and handling. Soon thereafter, TPWD labeled the Shannon Elvington with his 15.18 pound big bass. You might get away with holding a big bass improperly for one photo, but doing it repeatedly for extended periods of time can cause irreparable damage to a bass’ jaw and a host of other problems. I learned that lesson way back in 1989 when I got the opportunity to photograph a 13.3 pounder that was caught from Lake Nacogdoches in eastern Texas. one-handed lip grip as a no-no when it comes handling large bass. Instead, biologists now recommend holding large fish with two hands — one in the bass’ mouth and one under the anal fin. That way the fish is supported from both ends. This prevents excessive pressure on the jaw of the fish. Martinez used a human analogy to TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 31 Tips for Big Bass Care Courtesy of BroFrog 1. Land the fish as quickly as possible. Playing a fish to exhaustion diminishes its chance of survival. 2. If possible, refrain from using a dip net that has a mesh larger than ¼ inch and/or is not a smooth mesh. When using a net, always make sure it is wet before it touches the fish. 3. Avoid excessive handling or dropping of the fish while removing the hook. The fish will benefit from remaining in water (boat livewell or a large cooler filled with water) while the hook is removed with needlenosed pliers. Hold the fish vertically by the lower lip while it is in the water so that the total weight of the fish doesn’t rest on the lower jaw. 4. Take the fish to a marina or closest certified scales as soon as possible. Transport the fish in a properly aerated livewell or a large cooler equipped with an aerator. 5. Before removing the fish from the transport container, have the certified scales ready for weighing. Try to arrange to hold the fish in the marina’s minnow vat after it is weighed. 6. To reduce stress when removing the fish from the transport container for weighing, move the fish as close as possible to the scales and holding vat before removal. If everything is ready before the fish 32 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal is removed from the transport container, weighing time can be less than one minute. 7. It is best to sedate the fish in the transport container before weighing or taking pictures. Marinas and bait shops can supply the recommended chemicals. Wet your hands before handling the fish. Lift the fish from the water vertically by clamping your thumb on the bottom lip. To raise the fish into a horizontal position, support the fish’s weight by placing your off-hand under the fish just behind the anal fin. This method should also be used if the fish is not sedated. Don’t roll back the lip in an effort to paralyze the fish. This can damage the lower jaw and hinder or prevent the fish from feeding after being released. The fish should not be out of the water longer than 30 seconds. Persons taking pictures should have their cameras ready before the fish is removed from the holding container. Holding the fish out of the water two to three minutes, or holding it in a plastic bag without proper aeration, causes stress that can damage the eyes or cause a bacterial and/or fungal infection. Such damage could cause mortality even several weeks later. Note that stress is increased by extremes in temperatures and/or windy weather conditions. 8. Ideal water temperature for holding fish is 55 to 75 degrees, and the water temperature should not be changed more than five or six degrees per hour. If water is aerated and treated with bacterial/fungal retardant, low water temperature may not be crucial. Source: TPWD may 2015 illustrate the point. “I’m an above average size guy,” he said. “I can just imagine what it would be like if someone were to hold me up by the jaw. It would be good if anglers held every fish with two hands, but it is especially critical with these big, trophy class fish.” The biologist says be believes how and where the fish is hooked during the fight also can play a role in jaw stress. If the jaw is already stressed from the fight, holding the fish improperly could complicate things even more. “It’s like a broken leg or any other bone that breaks,” Martinez said. “You can only apply so much pressure before something gives.” Just as important as holding the fish properly is making sure your hands are wet before you do it. Martinez says holding or gripping any bass with dry hands can remove the protective slime coating from the body of the fish. This can allow bacteria to attack the skin and cause fungal infections to form. Biologists are sometimes able to use salt treatments to reverse the process. Left untreated, however, fungal infections can lead to delayed mortality days or weeks after a fish is released. Something else to remember when handling big fish is to do so as little as possible. If you catch a solid bass and want to get photos or document the weight, do it quickly and get it back in the water. Some tournament organizations are now encouraging anglers to weigh in large fish early in the day so they aren’t carted around in a livewell all day long. When taking photos, never keep a fish out of the water for longer than 30 seconds at a time. Not only does this deprive the fish of oxygen and cause stress, but it also can cause the bass’ eyes to dry out. This is especially true in windy conditions or when it is extremely hot outside. How a big bass is cared for after it is caught plays a critical role in its chances of survival once released. Anglers can do their part by handling the heavyweights with kid gloves. Big they are. Tough they are not. Avoid cocking or bending lower lip to prevent damaging jaw bones. may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 33 Just Shooting | Kerry O’Day Barrel Break In Does Work When I deliver a new custom rifle I will explain to the owner how to break in the barrel. Most shooters have heard that you need to break in your rifle barrel. However, most shooters have no idea “why” you need to break in your rifle barrel. If you buy a custom rifle from any reputable maker it will come with instructions on how to break in the barrel. However, I have never seen any large rifle manufacturer give instructions or even recommend how to break in a rifle barrel. I asked several custom barrel makers if they thought it was important to break in their custom barrel. They both told me yes. Their barrels are smother and lapped finer than any factory barrel, but for the best accuracy and life of the barrel break in is important. They also so said to never shoot the barrel dry when the barrel is new. They also agreed that factory barrels will be helped by break in. Most shooters are so excited to go out and shoot their new rifle; they won’t even clean the barrel before they take it out to shoot it for the first time. All rifles should be cleaned before shooting. Rifles are shipped with packing oil or grease which needs to be removed before you start shooting. You won’t damage your rifle if you don’t but you will wonder why you are not hitting any thing the first few shots. Why would you have to clean or break in a new rifle barrel? The first few shots fired from your rifle are some of the most important shots that you will ever fire. When a rifle barrel is made, the riflings are cut, as well as the chamber. All the cuttings in a rifle barrel are done with buttons or reamers as well as chamber reamers. All of these tools will leave small burrs or cut marks inside the barrel. The last thing you want is for these cut marks to get worse and turn into small holes. If you end up with small holes in the barrel, these holes will start to strip brass or copper from the bullets. The holes will also fill up with carbon from the burned powder. The carbon will start rust or corrosion in the barrel. The corrosion will make the holes bigger which will strip more brass from the bullets and so on. What you end up with is a nasty cycle which leads to an inaccurate rifle or one that will have a shortened life. I just worked on a Kimber rifle which would not shoot any more. The barrel had never been cleaned let alone had proper break in. The rifle was ruined and needs a new barrel. I have broken in hundreds of rifle barrels in my lifetime, but I have never given one a true test just to see how much a properly broken in barrel would help its accuracy. I grabbed a new Remington 700 in 30-06 caliber off the shelf and did a quick trigger adjustment, setting the pull at three pounds. Then I loaded my favorite 30-06 load of 165gr. Hornady boattail bullets and 57 grains of IMR 4350. I packed my cleaning equipment, two boxes of factory ammo and headed to the range. My normal break in procedure is to shoot the rifle, clean it and shoot it again and clean it again. This is done for the first 10 shots. Then I will clean the barrel after every three shots for the next 20 rounds. For this exercise I wanted to see how much difference breaking in a barrel on a factory rifle could really make. The first thing I did was to shoot a three shot group You can make a difference by r eporting illegal hunting and fishing activity! Up to $1,000 may be paid for information leading to arrest and conviction of poachers Reward Hotline 800-792-GAME Support anti-poaching efforts by becoming a member of the Operation Game Thief Program (call 512-389-4381 for membership information) or by sending your tax deductible contribution to Operation Game Thief, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 34 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 with my handload for both accuracy and velocity. The group surprised me, a .910 group from a factory rifle with nothing done to it but a trigger adjustment. The velocity was where I figured it should be at 2784 feet per second with an extreme spread of 55 FPS. I then cleaned the rifle. I used the same cleaning routine from then on. First, I would run a solvent covered brush through the barrel five times, then I would run five Sweets soaked patches through the barrel and follow up with three patches soaked with Gum-Out carburetor cleaner to remove the Sweets. For the last step, run one dry patch through the gun to dry everything out. I would then shoot one round of factory ammo. I did the same shoot and clean, shoot and clean process until I had 10 rounds fired through the rifle. Then, I went to a three shot routine of shooting three shots and clean and shoot three shots and clean. I used the same cleaning program for the three shots as I did for the one shot. Some shooters think Sweets is too harsh on the barrel, but I have had great luck with it. I just don’t let the Sweets sit in the barrel for a long period of time. Once I start a cleaning job I try to finish it. I use Gum-Out because it is inexpensive and works as well as any gun solvent I have found. By the time 16 rounds had been fired through the rifle the cleaning became easier. There was a lot less copper fowling and blue color on the patches than when I started. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed easier to push the patch through the barrel which made me think that the barrel was starting to smooth out. By the time I had fired and cleaned 31 times, the rifle cleaned very easily with very little blue on the patch. My last cleaning was very thorough. I spent more time cleaning the barrel so I could see what kind of group the rifle was capable of with a properly broken in barrel. I set up the chronograph and fired three shots. The results amazed me. The group was under ½ inch and the velocity had picked up more than 70 feet per second. The extreme spread was less than 40 feet per second with an average velocity of 2856 FPS. The entire process took just over two hours and by the time I paid range fees, for two boxes of factory ammo, the components to load a box of custom may 2015 ammo I spent just over $150.00. Now, that is about the most inexpensive way I know of to make a rifle accurate. The rifle was very accurate to start with, but the cleaning and shooting just made everything better. Picking up 70 feet per second is great, but the rifle might have done this on its own after some shooting time anyway. But maybe not. The rifle could have gone the other way and ended up shooting worse than when I started. The author at the range with all of the clean components he needs to properly break in a new rifle barrel. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 35 Recent poor public perception of this fabled bay’s trout output is dispelled when compared to the latest scientific data. Story and photography by David Sikes BAFFLED BY A BAFFIN BAY? ny Texan who targets speckled program leader, tried to put it all into which sparked a movement to research trout is aware of Baffin Bay’s perspective. TPW records for 2013 showed the problem. elite status as an angling a modern day high for salt content in To set the stage, by 2014 the 63destination. Rarely is this high ranking Baffin Bay, but a remarkably healthy mile Upper Laguna Madre system from disputed. And recent biological surveys fishery. Keep in mind, the salinity of Corpus Christi Bay to the south end of indicate the title is not in jeopardy, despite the Gulf of Mexico is about 35 parts per the Landcut had endured three years rumors. thousand. The salt content in Alazan Bay, of drought, accompanied by extreme Folks who accept these as facts would an offshoot of Baffin Bay, in July 2013 heat and high salinity levels. A couple most likely be familiar with Captains Sally reached 92.5 ppt. Extreme salinity levels of minor fish kills followed by a cold and Aubrey Black, a pair of fishing and can blind fish and negatively impact snap that stunned sea turtles added to hunting guides who operate Baffin Bay spawning. But larger fish simply seek the concerns. In this atmosphere came Rod and Gun Club in Riviera. Anglers more hospitable conditions if they can. dubious reports of poor fishing from a within this enterprising couple’s social Three years earlier those same waters handful of individuals, which received media reach are aware the lodge, which had become completely fresh after several more media attention than the 307 trout also was their home, was destroyed by fire tropical storms hit the Rio Grande Valley. greater than 25 inches caught in 2013 by last year while they plied home waters. Such extremes remain unprecedented. the Blacks and their clients. During the Blacks’ struggle to recover Black drum have been known to Above the fray, Texas Parks & Wildlife’s from this personal setback, they also survive in salinity levels from 0-80 Faye Grubbs, the Upper Laguna Madre w e re b a t t l i n g a ppt. Redfish in the well-meaning but lagoon have been double-edged found in salinity campaign with levels from 20-40 short-term negative ppt and trout have consequences for been observed in the Blacks but salinities ranging long term positives from zero to for their beloved 77 ppt. So the bay. A poor public lagoon, however perception of Baffin inhospitable, is Bay’s trout output highly resilient to was emerging, extremes, as are its driven by concerns inhabitants. But, over water quality. it seems, there is This unscientific a breaking point. v iew threatened A nasty bloom of to damage the brown tide from bay’s trophy trout 2012, generally reputation, if only considered temporarily. nontoxic, returned Further cause i n Ma rch 2 0 1 3 . for concern came New evidence from a persistent may indicate brown algae bloom high densities of and a 2012 diethe microscopic Sally, Aubrey, and their clients are starting to fill a new “glory board” with multiple 10 pound off of black drum, organism can kill or and larger trout already caught in 2015. may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 37 Aubrey Black shows off a big bull red drum. Redfish numbers in Baffin Bay are stable and continue a long term upward trend. Juvenile redfish numbers from the 2014 state survey are the fifth highest on record. inhibit growth in larval fish and mollusks such as clams by choking out other microbes at the base of the food chain. Something was killing the lagoon’s surf clams, which is a primary food source for black drum. The emaciated drum from 2012 was a call to action by a group of anglers and scientists who created the Baffin Bay Water Quality Study. No significant reports of starving drum came in 2013 or 2014. And the overall population of black drum in the lagoon, which peaked in 2013, did not suffer, according to Grubbs. Typically, catch rates for drum based on gillnet sampling in the lagoon are four to five times higher than catch rates in other Texas bays. Perhaps the die-off was the result of an overtaxed bay with too many drum. Even with the die-off, the latest figures show the drum population nearly 50 percent above the 35-year average. Likewise the lagoon’s trout population, based on the latest gillnet catch rates, is the second highest on record. And the number of big trout caught by Aubrey, Sally and their clients was nearly unchanged in 2014. They caught 301 trout that measured at least 25 inches that year. 38 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal And their records show an increase in the average trout size compared to the catch length of fish caught in 2013, Aubrey said. No bad news there. State biologists say they are not surprised by these Laguna Madre trout numbers. They saw it coming, based on particularly successful trout spawns in 2007 and 2008. By 2011 these newborns had grown to a size large enough to be captured in state gillnets. The gillnet numbers that year remain the highest on record. Trout generally live about nine years. The survivors from the 2007 and 2008 spawn are 7 and 8 years old today. Keep in mind that only 0.04 percent of adult trout statewide reach the 30-inch mark. About 10 percent of Laguna Madre trout caught in gillnet surveys reach 25 inches, Grubbs said. Average salinity levels for 2014 in the lagoon have dropped somewhat, but remain higher than normal. The average for 2013 was 52.8 ppt and 45.4 ppt in 2014. Typically the salt content is 35-40 ppt, Grubbs said. Officially she said there were no reports of discolored water in 2014, but the brown tide cells are always present in the system. Of some concern, the juvenile trout numbers in 2014 were below the long term average following a record high in 2011. Redfish numbers are stable and continue a long term upward trend. Juvenile redfish numbers from the 2014 state survey are the fifth highest on record. Flounder numbers for 2014 climbed higher than the lowest point in 2005 but still were the fifth lowest on record. The Laguna Madre’s brown shrimp population reached an all-time high in 2014. Blue crab harvest numbers climbed slightly last year but recruitment remains below average and declining over the long term. The water quality study continues with particular focus on testing terrestrial runoff into the bay following rainfall. Brown tide blooms can be triggered by a variety of sources, such as nutrients from fish kills and agricultural runoff. The trigger for Baffin Bay’s brown tide remains a mystery. Volunteers such as angler Scott Murray are assisting scientists and other researchers with the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, the Center for Coastal Studies at Texas A&M UniversityCorpus Christi, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife may 2015 Service, TPW, the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies and high school students in Riviera. The study is funded through 2016, thanks to Celanese. Previous funding came from Texas Sea Grant, Kleberg County Commissioners Court and the bays and estuaries program. As the fishery rebuilds and the bay system recovers from what most anglers hope was a cyclical episode, Sally and Aubrey Black also are about to complete a circle with the construction of a bigger better lodge atop the ashes of their old homestead. Among those ashes are the remains of the club’s wall of fame, a list of anglers and friends who caught at least a 25-inch trout since 2003, with special notations for personal bests and, of course, highlighting members of the 30-inch club. They’ve started a new glory board. The tally for 2014 included 15 fish that measured 30 inches, six that stretched 31 inches and three that tickled or covered the 32-inch mark. “We’ve already got multiple 10-pound trout in 2015,” Sally said. “Looks like it’s only going to get better.” Regarding those complaints about poor fishing success, TPW’s director of science for Coastal Fisheries offered this simple explanation in March. “ It’s m i d - Ma rch a n d o u r b ay temperatures are still in the mid- to upper-50s,” said Mark Fisher. “We’ve never seen water this cold for Spring Break. Last year anglers were not very successful in late spring and early summer because of an extended winter. They assumed it was because of a lack of fish. Everything will be delayed about a month, which means anglers who fish their usual summer patterns in June may not be as successful. Last year things got back to normal around July. I expect the same this year.” The Blacks — Baffin’s Enterprising Couple When Aubrey met Sally each was a well-established professional in their respective disciplines in separate regions of the Texas coast. Sally burst onto the Rockport fishing scene 1998 as Sally Moffett, the first woman fly-fishing guide on the Texas coast. Soon, this pioneer entrepreneur became a high-profile promoter of coastal kayak fishing. Sally grew up in Erie, Michigan, fishing since the age of 4 with her dad, who she likes to say treated her as the son he never had. Sally purchased her first boat in Rockport in 1985, while working as a paralegal for a law firm. She never looked back. As a child Aubrey spent time bass fishing in the rivers and reservoirs within reach of his West Texas birth town of Sanderson. Later, the freshwater tournament circuit held some appeal for Aubrey until he discovered Baffin Bay in 2002. The lure and challenge of big speckled trout was enough to revive this burnt-out bass competitor. Aubrey learned quickly and wasted no time establishing himself as a professional trophy trout specialist, with a particular penchant for wade fishing In 2010, the romance was brief for this driven couple, who had a history of grabbing what they wanted from life and forging ahead with gusto. On Aug. 28, 2010, several dozen onlookers with wet legs witnessed Sally and Aubrey exchange vows during a sunrise wedding ceremony. The bride and groom, along with most guests stood waist deep along a section of the south shore of Baffin Bay known as Los Corralos. After Sally spent two years commuting from Baffin Bay to Rockport, the couple decided to marry their businesses into one. Baffin Bay Rod and Gun was born in early 2012. Two years later, in the spring of 2014, fire destroyed their home and lodge near Sunrise Beach. Clients and friends rallied to help, allowing them to continue offering charters while putting up guests in nearby rented quarters and planning to rebuild a bigger and better facility. Construction of the 5,300-square-foot Baffin Bay Rod and Gun lodge, with accommodations for 20 guests, is underway, and should be completed in the fall of 2015. may 2015 Captains Sally and Aubrey Black TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 39 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69, & 71 Lake Roundup EAST TEXAS By Matt Williams The bulk of the spawn should be winding down by the time this issue of TOJ gets on the streets, but shallow is still a good way to go throughout the month of May. So long as there is grass in Lake Nacogdoches, the bass aren’t going to leave it. Grass isn’t the only thing that will attract bass to shallow water. If this May is like most, there will be good numbers of fish in skinny water guarding and feeding on fry hatched earlier in the spring. Bream will also be funneling into the shallows to build their spawning beds. Translation: It’s going to be like a dinner buffet up there. The bass will be aggressive, too. That means you should be able to draw strikes on any number of moving baits such as Chatterbaits, square bills and spinnerbaits. Just remember to match the hatch. Baby bass, bream and shad pattern baits are hard to beat this time of year. Now is also a prime time to test the water with surface plug. Chugger style lures, prop baits and buzz baits all can be effective. It would also be smart to keep a buzz frog and a hollow body frog handy. Stanley’s Top Toad covers both bases simultaneously. The frog floats. Twitch it and it performs like a hollow body. Reel it and its boot shaped feet kick up a commotion like a Ribbit frog. Frogs will draw some explosive strikes. For best results, fish it around new growth lily pads and over hydrilla beds in 2-4 feet 40 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal of water. as willows, weeds and other terrestrial Other good bait choices for May are vegetation growth that sprouted several a wacky worm, Texas-rigged Senko or years ago when the lake was low. Stanley Mud Puppy. These baits are super “The areas around Caney Creek and effective when the fish are less aggressive up around the national forest can be or in a finicky mood. They work great especially hot,” Terpe said. “That’s where when tossed along outside grass lines I’ll spend a lot of my time.” or scattered clumps of vegetation in the Any number of baits and techniques shallows. will work. Terpe’s go-to bait choices Crappie should be in transition from include a Senko, spinnerbait, Texas-rig shallow water to deep this month. Good worm and Stanley Ribbit frog. He says spots to look will be outside grass lines or the frog bite is generally best during the any brush piles in the mouths of spawning first 90 minutes of daylight. However, it pockets at mid-range depths of 8-14 feet. can last for extended periods when there Small hair jigs, Roadrunners and a Mini is some cloud cover. Wedgetail Runner tipped with a small “You’ll also have a pretty decent bite Wedgetail minnow or one of Stanley’s offshore around old pond dams, points new Ribbit Runts are g reat bait choices. CONROE — Lake Conroe guide Butch Terpe says his home lake offers a mixed bag of opportunity when May rolls around. Here are some viable plans of attack for what he considers to be Conroe’s Big 3 — largemouth bass, channel cat and hybrid bass: Largemouth Bass: Terpe says the fish will be in a post spawn mode and feeding aggressively in the shallows. Water depths of two to four feet are ideal. He will target points and shorelines Photo courtesy Chase Grey a t t h e l a k e ’s northern reaches, On March 24, while fishing out of Stow-A-way Marina, Kathleen Costine especially those caught this Kentucky spotted bass from Lake Conroe. According to the angler the fish measured 19” in length and weighed right at four pounds that offer some on a handheld scaled before the fish was released back into the lake. sort of cover such may 2015 and roadbeds in 8-15 feet of water,” Terpe said. “It’s all according to what you want to do. I’m more of a shallow water guy.” Channel Catfish: Terpe says the best way to catch a limit of channel cat for the freezer is to set over a baited hole along the edges of the San Jacinto river channel or a major creek in 15-22 feet of water and soak any number of baits on or close to the bottom. His favorite is cheese bait on a sponge hook. However, night crawlers, punch bait, shrimp, liver and cut shad also will work. The guide baits his holes with range cubes, but you also can use soured milo or other grains. The key is to not use too much. It’s also a good idea to secure the boat at both ends to prevent it from drifting and moving you off the sweet spot. “Anglers who don’t have electronics can also have pretty good luck around the bridge pilings at the FM 1097 crossing,” Terpe said. “There are a lot of catfish that prowl around there. When you bait them it will put them right under the boat.” Hybrid Bass: Hybrid bass have been finning around in Conroe for years and Terpe says May is a good time to catch some solid fish in the 5-7 pound range. “What I like to do is fish for catfish or bass early, then go offshore for the hybrids in the middle of the day,” he said. “If you can find them, they will usually bite.” Terpe will tempt the fish using one of two techniques, depending on how they are positioned on the water column. If the fish are suspended he likes to troll a deep diving crankbait trailed by a pet spoon. If they are on bottom he likes a slab spoon. SAM RAYBURN — When Sam Rayburn guide Stephen Johnston heads out for a day of bass fishing on the 114,000-acre lake near Lufkin during May, you will rarely see his boat in water deeper than 12 feet. In fact, 12 feet might be on the deep side of Johnston’s comfort zone. “Everything is going to be shallow this month,” Johnston said. “There will still be some fish on beds down south and there will be plenty of others up there feeding on and guarding fry. Plus, the bream will be beginning to bed. There will be quite a few big fish up there, too.” One of Johnston’s favorite things to do in late spring is throw a buzz frog or hollow body frog around pepper grass beds and new growth lily pads in water that’s one to six feet deep. There is plenty may 2015 of it all around the reservoir, but the midlake area can be especially good. “A swim jig or a shad pattern swim bait can be real good in the same areas,” Johnston said. “These baits come through cover exceptionally well and they produce a lot of big bites.” Johnston says May also kicks off a strong topwater bite that will typically carry on through June and on up into the summer. Yellow Magics and other chugger style baits are heavy favorites, as are larger surface plugs like the Super Spook or Sammy. These baits work best along outside grass edges and over the tops of grass beds on main lake flats. Another pattern worth checking out is flipping jigs and creatures into flooded willows and buck brush. With big rains we had in February and March, chances are good there will be plenty of water in the bushes to hold fish. Johnston says May also can be an outstanding month for crappie fishing. The fish will be setting up in brush piles, but perhaps the most enjoyable way to ALUMINUM BOAT SPECIALISTS For All Your Fishing & Hunting Needs Excel 2172 Viper Centerconsole Pro Drive Duck Hunter Special Excel Bay 203 Centerconsole COASTAL BOAT & DOCK SPECIALISTS Models from 1860 to 2420 Professional Accommodating Any Design and Need 12525 I-10 East | Baytown, TX www.genespowersports.com | 281-385-5888 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 41 fish is casting or strolling small jigs or Roadrunners along outside grass edges in water ranging 8-14 feet deep. The better grass will be along secondary and main lake points in the mouths of major creeks and coves where the fish spawned earlier in the spring. TOLEDO BEND — T-Bend bass fishing has been on fire all year long, and things aren’t likely to cool off anytime soon. According to fishing guide Stephen Johnston, there are a variety of ways to catch fish over the next 30 days. “You have to remember that Toledo Bend is a huge lake, so the fish are going to be doing different things,” Johnston explained. “Up north, the spawn has been over for a while now because the water is shallower and warms up faster. There’s not much grass up there, either. So a lot of those fish will have already moved offshore onto ridges and underwater points.” Down south, it’s an altogether different story, Johnston said. “There’s a lot of grass down south and there are still going to be a lot of fish shallow,” he said. “There could even be a few that are still on beds down around some of the bigger creeks close to the dam. The water is much deeper down south than it is up north, so it doesn’t warm up near as quick.” When fishing above the Pendleton bridge, Johnston suggests targeting offshore structure like ridges and points in water depths of 10-18 feet using Carolina rigs and deep diving cranks like a Strike King 5XD or 6XD. Texas rig plastics and football jigs also will produce some strikes. Farther south, the guide said he will key on water ranging one to six feet deep using frogs, swim jigs and swim baits around pepper grass, new growth lily pads and hydrilla in any number of major creeks. Secondary points will be a major draw. Some the better areas he pointed out include Toro Bay, Hausen Bay, Six Mile Creek and Indian Mounds. “You’ll also have some fish holding along the outer edges of the grass that you can catch on a Senko or a wacky worm,” Johnston said. T-Bend always produces some outstanding crappie fishing in May. One of the most reliable ways to catch a limit down south is to stroll a jig along outside grass edges in water ranging 8-14 feet. Strolling is simple to do. Just cast the 42 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal jig 20-30 feet behind the boat and use the trolling motor to bump it along at a slow pace. Once you catch one or two fish out of the same area, hold the boat steady and work it over thoroughly by fan casting. “The crappie are going to be grouped up pretty good,” Johnston said. “Where you catch one, there are probably going to be others.” LIVINGSTON — May bass fishing prospects on Livingston can be a hit or miss proposition, according to former fishing guide Randy Dearman. Dearman says the fish will be making the transition from traditional spawning areas and setting up along points and channel swings. “The fish are going to be on the move,” says Dearman. “They’ll be pretty aggressive and they’ll bite once you find them.” Dearman says the fish will hit assorted baits ranging from moving lures such as spinnerbaits, cranks and bladed jigs. If they don’t seem willing to chase, he’ll switch to a Texas rig Rage Craw or a jig, especially when fishing cover around channel swings or points. “The main thing to remember on Livingston is we don’t have any grass to speak of,” Dearman said. “These fish relate primarily to wood — stumps, lay downs, brush and stuff like that.” Dearman says late spring also produces a pretty decent topwater bite from time to time. A white Strike King buzz bait ranks among his favorites. Another pattern the guide pointed to is fishing around boat docks. He said the better docks will almost always be situated near deeper water such as a creek channel or a drop off. Best baits are square bill cranks, spinnerbaits and jig/craw combos. The white bass spring spawning run is history and big numbers of fish will be filtering back into Lake Livingston this month. A school fish by nature, the whites should be setting up camp in large groups on deep main lake points in the mouths of major feeder creeks as well as along the banks of the Trinity River. “You can catch them all over the lake from the north end all the way to the dam, but my guess is the larger schools are still going to be up north,” Dearman said. “Spoons are the best bet when they are on bottom and moving baits like a ‘Trap or topwater are tickets when they come up schooling on the surface.” PALESTINE — Lake Palestine fishing guide Ricky Vandergriff says May ranks among his favorite months of the year to chase largemouths on his home lake, mainly because the fish will are typically in a head hunting mood and ready to munch after the spawn. “They’ll be aggressive and ready to chase,” Vandergriff said. “That’s why I’ll be throwing quite a few moving baits — things like a spinnerbait, Shimmy Shaker and crankbait. They be setting up fairly shallow, mostly around docks, points and in the backs of creeks around any available cover.” Vandergriff also thinks there will be a reliable bite on main lake points and old road beds towards the south end of the lake. He says he’ll throw a Carolina rigged Brush Hog or Senko on points 4-10 feet deep and a deep diving crankbait on roadbeds in the 10-15 foot range. If you are looking to box a few crappie this month, Vandergriff suggests targeting brush piles in water 10-15 feet deep. Live shiners are always a good choice, while small jigs and Roadrunners are ideal when the fish are in an aggressive mood. Baits weighing 1/16 to 1/8 ounce are his favorites. White is the best color. Good as crappie are to eat, channel cat aren’t very far behind. Lake Palestine harbors a healthy population of channels, blues and flatheads, but channel cat rank as the most reliable option when it comes to rod and reel prospects. Vandergriff says the fishing is always best around areas that are pre-baited using soured maize or range cubes. Best depth range along the edges of the Neches are about 14 feet. There also will be shallower bait around boat docks. NORTH TEXAS By Brian Hughes may 2015 May in Texas is a great month for fishing. Not just bass fishing, but ALL fishing. As the last group to spawn, catfish are in the shallows this month and are easily accessible. Crappie have spawned and are returning to deeper water to set up on cover near structure. Hybrids and sand bass are also finished and will be chasing the shad that are moving in for their spawn. Bass will still be hitting topwaters early and late, and feeding on and off throughout the day in the shallows. All in all, most fish species will be active throughout the day, and active fish are much easier to catch. Add to that the fact that May brings some of our best weather of the season, and planning a trip for this month is almost bulletproof. Of course they call it fishing, and not catching, for a reason. No trip is guaranteed to produce fish on the line. But May could very well be the best shot you’ll have. CEDAR CREEK — I talked about Cedar Creek last month, and I usually skip a month or two before covering a lake again in these reports. There are so many lakes I try to rotate them to cover as much area as possible. Having said that, Cedar Creek is included again simply because May should be a bust-out month. The water level returned to full pool after some three years of extremely low levels. The northern end of the lake saw levels so low you could walk out to “islands” that should have had water four to eight feet deep surrounding them. These are now islands again, and the vegetation that grew during the low water offers a veritable playground for the fish. All species will benefit with hatched fry having plenty of cover, as well as sunfish, spawning baitfish and catfish, and the predator fish. Throwing topwaters like a frog or buzzbait should keep the bass fisherman busy for hours. Crickets and worms under a cork, strategically placed will catch plenty of bluegill, and prepared baits will have the catmen on fish in no time. The frog fishermen have three choices, a popping frog (these have a concave face, much like a hard popper bait), a buzz-frog (these are the solid-body, soft plastic baits with the legs that putter across the surface when retrieved) and the hollow-body frogs like a Snag-Proof or Scum Frog. All of these will work on different days, just throw them and let the fish tell you which one they want on a particular day. Try to stay with standard colors, your greens, blacks, whites and spotted frog types. Sometimes I’ll add a little chartreuse dye to the legs of a watermelon/red buzz frog for contrast. Many boat docks that were highand-dry are now back in the water and the flippin’/pitchin’ fan will have literally hundreds of docks to work with a jig and pig, or Texas rigged Yamamoto Kreature bait. Your standard Texas colors work here, black/blue, watermelon/red, chartreuse/ pepper and June Bug. Crappie on Cedar Creek will also take advantage of the higher water, hanging out below docks that now have water beneath them. Depending on the level, you may be able to “shoot” these docks with a crappie jig on a spinning rod. “Shooting” docks is a technique whereby you open the reels bail, grasp the jig in one hand, and pull back on the lure, bending Largest Selection of BLUE WAVE BOATS Powered by YAMAHA in North Texas Bringing Families Together for 60 Years! East HWY 82 | Gainesville 940-665-9331 may 2015 www.northtexasmarine.com 1100 NE Loop 820 | Fort Worth 817-246-2100 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 43 It’s frog time on many north Texas lakes. Clockwise from top -- SPRO-Dean Rojas Signature Bronzeye POP, Stanley Ribbit Buzz-frog, Sang Proof hollow-body and River 2 Sea Spittin’ Pop. the rod. Then release the jig, “shooting” it underneath the dock. It takes time and practice to master, but is well worth the effort as you can launch a jig well back under the dock where no traditional casting method will reach. COOPER — Cooper is another success story regarding lake levels. After being closed to boat traffic twice in the last three years, Cooper has seen an eight foot rise with the spring rains and is poised to provide some of the hottest action in Texas for hybrid stripers. Guide Tony Parker has been on the lake for many years and says this may be one of the best ever, “I’m looking for a real hot season on Cooper. Having the lake down and seeing so few anglers the fish have relaxed a little. And even though the lake was down they are still here, better than ever.” One tip that Tony passed on was something new to me, “I don’t use my electronics to find these May fish.” Now, I’ve fished with a lot of striper guides, hybrid striper guides, sand bass guides and more, and the ALL used the electronics to search out their fish. So 44 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal when Tony said that I had to make him go back and explain it to me, “On Cooper there are a lot of shallow humps the hybrids and sandies will gather around. These humps top out anywhere from eight to less than two feet deep. If you try to “chart” them you’ll spook them off the hump. The only thing I use is the GPS to locate the hump itself. Then we throw a ½ ounce or ¾ ounce jighead, rigged with a Sassy Shad at ‘em. If there are fish there you’ll know it.” Since you may not have all of the data Tony has collected over the years on your unit, many of today’s navigational aids are available to plug into your unit, or you can download them onto your phone. These usually have the GPS coordinates for things like the humps. With all of the new water, bass fishermen can expect the bass to be scattered. The best approach will be moving baits. Try the buzzbait early in the morning and spinnerbaits and ‘Traps later. If the buzzbait produces fish in an area, you may want to go back over that area with a Spook, popper or frog. The same idea applies to the spinnerbait and trap. If you catch a couple, turn back and cover that area again with a Senko or Texas rig to thoroughly plumb the area. White in your buzzbait, white chartreuse, (or both), red and orange are good spinnerbait colors, while watermelon/ red or bubblegum (depending on water clarity) work for the Senko and Texas rigs. Catfish will also be found in the new growth, in the shallows. Use your standard prepared, cut, or live baits. FORK — Guide Mark Stevenson also likes Lake Fork in May. “One of my favorite times of the year, without a doubt,” said Mark. “We’ll start the day on top with a Yellow Magic, ‘Spook or buzzbait, working any kind of shallow cover. Hydrilla, timber, pondweed or pads if they are present.” (Remember to use the type of bait that is suited to the cover. For example, you wouldn’t want to throw the Spook in heavy timber unless you are really good at working one, and don’t mind spending a lot of time getting your bait off the trees!) There will still be spawning bass this time of year and they will generally be off the main lake points in five to six feet of water. “I like to throw a mini-Carolina rig may 2015 at these fish, along with a Texas rig, jig or square-billed crankbait,” said Stevenson. “These are the last of the spawning fish and you’re not really sight fishing, you just kinda know they are around. Some of these fish will be the nine and ten pound fish everybody wants to catch.” May also signals the beginning of the deep water patterns. Off the shore structure will begin to see a lot of bass visiting for the daily meal and they can be caught on a variety of baits. “Starting early in the month and lasting ‘til the water starts getting hot we’ll use a Carolina rig with a 10 inch worm, ribbed worm, or fluke on these fish. I even like to tip a ½ oz. or ¾ oz. jig with the 10 inch worm occasionally,” suggests Mark. “I like a lot of flake for these deeper approaches, colors like Red Bug, June Bug, Watermelon Magic, Watermelon Candy and Tequila Sunrise.” The first two or three weeks of the month will also see deep-diving crankbaits come into play. “We use the DD22, XD6 and XD10 a lot this time of year, along with a swimbait on a heavy jighead.” Mark suggests chartreuse/blue and shad colors on the crankbaits and the LFT Magic Shad in watermelon/shad laminate for the swimbait. Crappie fishermen at Fork should look for the papermouths returning to deeper water on points, at channels and brushpiles, and don’t forget the bridges, “We always do very well at the bridges in May, using crappie jigs and minnows.” RAY ROBERTS — Ray Bob got a lot of attention back in March with a new lake record bass and ShareLunker entry. At 15.18 it was a monster and well deserved the attention. Ray Roberts also deserves more attention than it usually gets as it is a fantastic lake for all types of fishing. Guide Dannie Golden was the captain when the record was caught and he has nothing but rave reviews for the lake. “What most people don’t know about that record fish is that it was the second double-digit fish we caught that day,” he confessed. “We had also had several other big fish that week, and the week after.” Early in May the bass will still be spawning on the south end of the lake, while the north end will be in a postspawn pattern. Dannie likes to use frogs around the main lake grass. “We use all three types of frogs,” says Golden. “We catch bigger fish using that bait so it’s one of my favorites.” He also likes a Spook around the areas where the shad spawn, “I also use the Vixen by Reaction Innovations quite a bit. It has a little different something that the fish seem to like more on some days.” On the flats, adjacent to channels and main lake points Dannie uses the Carolina rig and will flip a Kreature bait or Mag Fluke. “It’s really important to be accurate in your lure placement when flippin’ on Ray Roberts,” he cautions. Baits for the Carolina rig include the Larew Salt Flik’R and the Kicker Fish Bubble Fry. Colors are chartreuse/pepper in the fry, and Sooner Run (a laminate) in the Flik’R. Watermelon/gold flake is another favorite Ray Bob color. Crappie will be back on the Corps of Engineers brushpiles (marked on almost all lake maps) or the timber, and sand bass will be on almost every windy point. “Look for a heron on the points,” suggested Golden, “If the heron is there, the sandies will be too!” May is a great month to fish in north Texas. Get your frogs and topwaters out, get out early, take a youngster with you, and GO FISHING. Check back often for the latest outdoor news from across Texas, the United States, and around the world. • • • • • • • • Stay informed in between issues Latest outdoor updates and news Links to all your favorite resources Information for hunters and anglers Tide Tables Hunting & Fishing times Read issues online for subscribers And much, much more! Stay OUTDOORS informed! Follow us on Facebook! Texas Outdoors Journal Updates, News, Giveaways and More, delivered straight to your newsfeed! may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 45 SALTWATER JOURNAL | Mark Sosin Fish Have Ears highly developed and sensitive that it can hear a worm wiggling in the bottom. Even when vision is obscured as the turbidity of the water changes, day turns into night, or clean water flows into a muddy or polluted stretch, a fish’s hearing remains acute. S o u n d s transmitted into the water will either repel or attract fish. The key for an angler is to avoid driving fish away with the wrong Photo by Bill L. Olson kind of sound. The lateral line starts at the head as a network of tiny canals running Instead, you want just under the surface of the skin. Right behind the head, the canals join to arouse their together forming the lateral line proper, which extends down each side curiosity or gain of the fish to the tail. The most vivid example occurs on snook. their attention with the right kind of sound. We know Although fish don’t have protruding that sound travels five times faster in earflaps like those of humans or other water than it does in air and we also mammals, they do have ears and good know that fish are alert to a wide range of ones. The hearing apparatus of a fish is so frequencies. You’ll seldom see a fish make a mistake and swim toward an alarming sound. As an example if you drop a bait or lure too close to a fish, it will spook no matter how small the offering seems to be or how big the fish is. A fish’s ears are buried on either side of the head in roughly the same position as our own inner ears, but they are much closer together. Unlike us, fish do not have eardrums and the ears are not open directly to the water. Sounds are transmitted directly from the water through the skin, flesh, and bone of the fish’s head to the ear. Those species that inhabit turbulent water or a crashing surf don’t have as sophisticated hearing as those critters that cruise around in calmer waters. Fish anatomists tell us that one clue to extremely sensitive hearing is the internal connection in some species of the ear to the swim bladder. The swim bladder is a gas filled chamber enclosed by an elastic membrane. It serves as an underwater microphone, resonating chamber, and amplifier all rolled into one. The bladder picks up vibrations in the water and transmits them to the ear. High-sensitivity hearing is a valuable asset to the hunted as well as the hunter. In addition to their ears, fish have a second sound-detecting organ known as the lateral line which is unique in the animal kingdom. This organ senses So much more than a push pole! STIFFY SHAW WING CAVITATION PLATE STIFFY FLOUDER GIG STIFFY PUSH POLES STIFFY FISHING RODS STIFFY RAM-RODS STIFFY FLOUDER LED LIGHT Stiffy Hotline (888) 273-7077 | www.stiffypushpoles.com PREMIER FIBERGLASS SHOP - We can repair anything made of fiberglass material. 46 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 the strong, low-frequency vibrations in the water and is important to a fish in pinpointing the source of a sound. The lateral line starts at the head as a network of tiny canals running just under the surface of the skin. Right behind the head, the canals join together forming the lateral line proper, which extends down each side of the fish to the tail. The most vivid example occurs on snook. You can identify it as a dark, black line on a lighter body running from the head to the tail. Sound sensors called neuromasts are attached at intervals within the lateral line canals and are especially sensitive to lowfrequency sounds. They are composed of tiny pods with sensory hairs inside. Each pod connects to a nerve fiber which carries the signal to the brain. When the sound wave reaches the neuromasts, it will push them in one direction or the other. If the neuromasts are moved rearward, the electrical charges increase and if they move forward, the charges decrease. Some scientists refer to the lateral line as “the sense of distant touch.” It’s almost as if a fish could reach out and feel. Sound plays a vital role in the daily activities of fish. Through the combined may 2015 use of the ears and the lateral line, they can detect any disturbance in the water. Nothing can trigger a response in fish faster than the vibrations given off by an injured fish or one with a hook in it. The sounds produced when a fish is injured are totally different than those given off by a fish swimming normally. Since the lateral line is directional, a predator can detect the precise location of a natural bait or a lure within 10 to 20 feet. At distances of two to five feet, a fish can precisely pinpoint another fish or lure without using its eyes at all and can whirl around and strike with total accuracy. A numb er of t ips are wor th remembering when you are on the water. If you fish at night and are using a topwater plug, the retrieve should be steady and constant because its easier for a fish to home in on it. Fish exhibit a negative reaction to unusual noises such as those coming from a boat. Particularly in shallow water, anything that scrapes the hull either in the boat or against the boat such as a pushpole, oar, or paddle will send fish packing. For those who fish bridges, working a dead bait on the surface with action from the rod will produce strikes. If you simply walk along working the bait (known as bridge trolling), the results should impress you. Aboard a boat, the sound of an outboard, particularly in shallow water, can alert fish a considerable distance away. It’s best to putt-putt toward the area you want to fish and then shut the engine down some distance away. Too many of us look at habitat where a fish is likely to be and then we pride ourselves on dropping a bait or lure on top of that spot. That’s enough to put any critter on the alert. And, if you’re trolling a live bait near a school of forage species, work the outside edges. That makes it easier for the fish you want to catch to find your bait. Fishing from the bank or wading can be much more effective if you move slowly. Bank fishermen need to stay some distance from the water’s edge because the sound of each step is transmitted into the water. And, if you are wading, any splashing or pushing water ahead of you telegraphs a danger sign to the fish you want to catch. Just remember that fish have excellent hearing and react to sound. Make sure the only sound you create are ones that signal an easy meal. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 47 Just FISHING | Brian Hughes New Water Provides New Opportunities BEFORE (Left) Anglers that shot photos of structure and cover when lake levels were down... ...will benefit now that lakes are starting to refill. (Below) AFTER The old saying, “It takes a flood to break a drought” is based on solid logic. A lake that is 10 feet low cannot be expected to see much improvement in lake level with just three or four inches of rain. During a drought, the ground will become parched. It will then soak up an enormous amount of rainfall before allowing the needed run-off that fills our lakes. It is no secret that Texas has been in a record busting drought for several years now. But, that said, Texas also covers an incredible amount of real estate. Dividing the state from east to west into three vertical regions, the easternmost region has fared the best. On a recent trip through east Texas I saw streams and rivers out of their banks, flooding thousands of acres of bordering lowlands. The western section has fared the worst. Some lakes like in the panhandle are, for all practical purposes, non-existent. In the middle of these extremes is the north Texas region and my “beat” so to speak. This portion of the state has seen both ends of the spectrum. While all of the lakes have been affected, some lakes fared worse than others. Boat docks, boat houses and boat ramps have been left high and dry, with the lake hundreds of feet away. Some lakes have simply been inconvenienced with temporary unavailability of some facilities. But late winter ice and snow saturated the ground, paving the way for early spring 48 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal rains to run directly into our reservoirs and replenish the water supplies to at least near-normal. As of this writing Tawakoni, once 10 feet low, recovered seven feet of pool level. Lake Fork went from almost eight feet low but has recovered to just two feet low as of early April. Ray Hubbard gained five feet in just a weeks time, and Cedar Creek gained over five feet to return to full pool. Other lakes in the region have seen similar gains. This is very good news for the municipalities that depend on these sources for water, as well as the homeowners with docks and boathouses. The fishermen can benefit from this higher lake level too, but there are a few things you’ll need to know. Heavy, late winter rains are usually cold. Cold water running into a lake will naturally drop the water temperature in the area of the run-off. In addition, these rains will usually bring a lot of mud, silt and debris with them, turning the water color into a chocolate milk affair. Cold, muddy water is not a fishermans friend. The good news is that by the time this issue is published the water will have warmed and the sediment will have settled so that shouldn’t be a factor. What will be a factor is the new cover, and structure, that will be available. As a quick tutorial, structure is defined a change in the bottom of the lake. Humps, channels, old pond dams, roadbeds and the like are all structure. Cover is a place a fish can hide. Brush, grasses, boat docks, submerged logs and such are cover. And another note, all species will use the new cover that’s available — from baitfish to bass. When the water was down, many advised you to take photographs of your favorite fishing waters to use as a reference when the water level returned. If you did so you now have an idea what is below the surface as you enter an area to fish. The cover that was exposed then will be clearly visible in your photos, and can be readily located with little effort. This will be your little “secret” fishing hole. However, many never took the time (and in some cases couldn’t get close enough due to the low water) to take these pictures on all the lakes we fish. In that case a good topographical map can help. Look to the previous water level, where channels enter the area in question. may 2015 are present. the docks. Do As you pass each dock you can cast a slow run past alongside both sides to find the brush a line of docks there. If you’re able, sling that weight and note the underneath the dock as far back as you ones that show can to plumb for brush underneath. Be c o v e r, t h e n aware that many times brush is hung come back from a dock support on a line or string, and fish those so keep an eye out for these as it is a dead thoroughly. giveaway that brush is present. Once If you located use your Texas rigged lizards, a re w i t h o u t worms, Kreatures, and crawfish imitations electronics on the shallower stuff, and Carolina rigs y o u’ l l h a v e on the deeper brush. Be sure to “paint” to find the all sides of a brushpile in order to cover it brush the old completely. If deep enough, you may use a fashioned way, deep diving crankbait, spinnerbait, spoon by “dredging”. or tail-spinner to come across the top and Use a ½ oz. sides of the brush. to one ounce Shoreline brush that grew up when lakes were low will be areas baitfish and Finally, keep in mind that this kind of w e i g h t ( n o gamefish will use for cover. fishing will be hard on your line. Braided hook) on the line or heavy mono or flouro is a good end of your line and make a long cast These channels will have funneled logs idea, as is repeatedly checking your line parallel to, and in front of, a line of docks. and brush, carried by the rains, into the for abrasions. You could very well catch a Cast as far as you can to cover as many area. It is now a matter of checking the big ‘un in this thick cover and you don’t docks as possible with each cast. Now bends with your electronics for cover want to lose it because of a line failure. simply reel in your weight slowly, paying that couldn’t make the corner so to speak, Remember, new water will provide attention to what you feel as it comes back and was caught up on the channel bend. new opportunities for catching fish. to the boat. You’ll feel the brush piles that Depending on the depth and thickness of this cover, some type of soft plastic is in order. Texas and Carolina rigs are a The Latest Freshwater and Coastal Reports good choice, although you may be able from around the Region to slip some moving baits through this cover as well. The most common and easiest new cover to find will be shoreline grasses and trees. In an extended drought such as the one we have been in, grasses, bushes and trees will grow along the exposed bank, only to be inundated when the lake level comes back up. TEXAS * LOUISIANA * OKLAHOMA * ARKANSAS This will be the first new cover fish will explore. You’ll want to fish the With Host Barry Stokes outside edges first using spinnerbaits, Weekly Reports Including: ‘Traps, Senkos and the like. Next you Lone Star Lakes - Brian Hughes, "On The Coast" - (Texas) Capt. Bill L. Olson, can penetrate the cover slipping a Texas Cajun Bites - Cajun Phil & Capt. Kevin Broussard, rig down into openings, or a frog across Sooner Beat - Gary Dollahon the top, being sure to look for breaks and edges where fish will wait to ambush prey. Another source of underwater cover no longer visible will be at boat docks. Many owners will have taken advantage of the low water to place, or refresh, brush piles below their docks. Docks that were out of the water for a long period of time may have natural growth below, and THURSDAYS 10:30 P.M. CST SATURDAYS 7:30 A.M. CST (NEW TIME) beside, them. Again, your electronics will show which docks have brush in front of Watch Last Week's Show In Full HD NOW At FoxSportsOutdoors.com them, and the side-scan units will show brush underneath and to the sides of may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 49 Texas Blue-Chip Wade Fishing Sabine Lake to Port Mansfield offers a variety of productive fishing areas. Story and photography by Robert Sloan O n the topic of wade fishing Rudy Grigar, a.k.a. The Plugger once told me that it was his only escape from the world. “When I’m out there in waist deep water with a rod and reel and silver spoon the only thing that I’m thinking about is that next bite,”said Grigar. “It’s that 50 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal simple. It’s me and the fish.” Actually the only thing that Grigar had to worry about was avoiding other fishermen. He started out in Galveston. But with the influx of more and more fishermen, he moved down the coast to Port O’Connor. And when he couldn’t escape pesky waders there, he packed up for his final escape and headed to the Chandeleur Islands. These days there is no such thing as escaping fishermen along the Gulf Coast — regardless of where you go. But it’s a fact that wade fishing for reds and trout is one sure fire way to drain the brain of the daily grind. And it’s also a fact that may 2015 going to be a real short bite at first light. After that you’ll do best with a 5-inch Yum Money Minnow in pearl/chartreuse back or herring. Rig this on a white 1/4 ounce jig head and work it fast along bottom on a steady retrieve. Another option is to use a Yum Houdini Shad in camo/pearl or watermelon/red flake rigged on a 1/8-ounce Bomber jig head in white or chartreuse. With this lighter jig head you can work the shallow shoreline in two to three feet of water for feeding reds. When fishing East Galveston Bay don’t ever pass up the option of wading the shallow edge of Gin clear water awaits anglers along Texas coast. Speckled trout, redfish, and flounder can be caught in water that is the guts on outgoing relatively unpressured if you know where and when to go. tides. That’s a great situation to work I like to wade Sabine in about thigh plastics on bottom for reds, trout and there is no shortage of great wade fishing deep water. Best lures will be a black/ flounder. Some of the best cuts are off Big water along the Texas coast. It’s simply a chartreuse Heddon Super Spook or a Pasture Bayou, Yates Bayous, Elmgrove matter of knowing where to go and when Super Spook Jr. in spectrum. You’ll do best Point and Pepper Point. to be there. with the Spook Jr. in very calm water at East Matagorda Bay is a hot spot On the upper Texas coast is Sabine dawn and dusk. The 5-inch Super Spook for wading. It used to be known for Lake, and this is where you can pretty draws more strikes in windy conditions consistently pumping out numbers of big much find blue-chip water to wade on and slightly stained water. trout. That’s not the case anymore. But any given day — even on the weekends. During the heat of the day, and it’s still a great wade fishing destination For some reason wade fishing on Sabine bright sunlight, Capt. Jerry Norris highly for numbers of solid trout, and lots of has never been all that popular. But it’s recommends using a red/shad Assassin slot reds. definitely a go-to destination for anglers on a ¼ ounce jig head sprayed with Yum The best thing going for fishermen on in the know. Sabine Lake gets very little shrimp scent. East Matagorda Bay is Matagorda Harbor. fishing pressure, in comparison to other Fishing anywhere on the Galveston This is a first class operation with good bays. I’ve been fishing this place for over Bay system, during the summer months, boat ramps, on-the-water gas pumps, a 20 years. The numbers of reds here, big can be a crowded experience on just about tackle shop, the best fish cleaning area reds, are incredible. If I had to pick a top any given day. That’s why it’s always best that I’ve ever seen, great restrooms and wade fishing spot for quality reds and to fish this popular spot on weekdays. My a restaurant. When it comes to a bay side trout it would be Sabine. personnel favorite is East Galveston Bay. marina this one is tough to beat. At Sabine you can put in at the The best option is to launch at Stingaree You can put in at the harbor, enter Causeway boat ramp, head north towards Marina, cross the Intracoastal Waterway the Intracoastal Waterway and head Blue Buck Point along the Louisiana and enter the bay. From there you can fish east to the Old Gulf Cut opening to East shoreline, and from there you can wade west or east. Another option is to put in Matagorda Bay. From there you want to until their ain’t no tomorrow. Some of on the northeast corner of East Bay at the head to the south shoreline where you’ll the best topwater action you’ll have for Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. find miles of primo wade fishing water. redfish will be about a mile up from Blue Early in the morning a 3-1/2-inch While traveling on this bay definitely be Buck Point. What you want to do is anchor Bomber Badonk-A-Donk in Mardi Gras aware of shallow oyster reefs — they are your boat up near the shoreline, get out or bone colors will work for trout. That’s everywhere and will wreck a hull and and fish. may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 51 the pass. On many days the water along escape the world and find some excellent injure boaters. My best advice is to get a this area of Matagorda surf is so clear you wade fishing is out of Port Mansfield, good chart that shows a lot of bay detail, can see sand dollars in two feet of water. located at about the middle of the Laguna or hire a guide like Charlie Paradoski or But better than that you can actually walk Madre. I’ve been fishing there for years Tommy Alexander. on dry sand while sight casting to trout and never get tired of it. The Laguna Guide Charlie Paradoski, has been and reds in the first gut. That, my friends, Madre is right at 130 miles long. That’s wading this bay for decades. His advice is awesome wade fishing. What you don’t a lot of water. You could actually fish is to locate mullet, stake out the boat and want do here is wade too far out. There the Laguna flats and never fish the same start wading. are strong currents and some mighty big water twice. “I like to wade in waste to chest deep sharks. “It’s some of the most incredible wade water,” says Paradoski. “At sunlight I’ll fish T he unique thing ab out Por t fishing on the entire Gulf Coast,” says Mike Super Spooks for about an hour. After that O’Connor are the many islands. Dewberry Sutton, who owns and operates Getaway I’ll switch over to soft plastics in junebug, and Blackberry islands are very popular Adventures Lodge in Port Mansfield. chartreuse or watermelon/shad colors among wade fishermen. They cover “Once you leave the Mansfield harbor you rigged on a ¼ ounce jig heads.” miles of clear water flats. You can wade can head east or west and find shallow and The main grassy flats for thing is to miles and miles.” fish where The west you see lots of s h o re l i n e o u t mullet. Other of Mansfield than that i s w h e r e I ’ ve you might had some t r y wa ding outstanding the many wade fishing for reefs. Some big trout over the of the good past few years. ones include This particular Cleveland, shoreline covers L o n g , over 20 miles 3-Beacon, of primo wade Raymond, fishing flats. Oyster Farm The shallow and Half flats along the Moon. These shoreline-side of reefs have the Intracoastal been favorites Wa te r w ay of waders for offer excellent years. topwater action P o r t for big trout right O ’ C o n n o r, about now. Last located on the May I fished that middle Texas shoreline about coast between five miles out of Matagorda All along the Texas coast there are hot spots where anglers can “get-in-amongst ‘em” and enjoy some the Mansfield a n d awesome wadefishing. harbor. We had Rockport, is up close to the island in a foot of water trout to 7 pounds on bone and chartreuse/ one of the most scenic places you’ll ever and sightcast to reds, or back off into silver flash Bomber Badonk-A-Donks. wade. This is where the water is often gin waist deep water and fish soft plastics for Another option is to wade the flats clear. There are numerous islands with the trout and reds. One of the best tactics, on the south side of the Intracoastal main one being Matagorda. This barrier when wading the deeper water, is to tie Waterway. This is where you can find guts island stretches for 38 miles and offers on a Paradise Popper with a Yum Mud between sand bars that hold lots of trout some of the prettiest wade fishing water Minnow or Houdini Shad. This particular and reds on any given tide. you’ll ever see. The bay side of the island rattle float attracts the fish and they eat the Guide Ted Springer says one of his offers shallow flats and guts that are drop soft plastic falling beneath the popper. It’s go-to lures for catching big trout along dead perfect for attracting reds and trout. a simple but deadly combination. Don’t the ICW flats is a saltwater Super Spook If you get tired of the bay, head out forget to use some sort of scent attractant. Jr. in red/white or silver/blue. through the jetties or Pass Cavallo and fish One of my favorites is the Yum shrimp or “Those flats offer drops and holes along the surf. One of my favorite options, on a garlic scent. the grass line that attract some pretty big light southeast breeze, is to wade the surf One of my favorite places to totally trout,” says Springer. “It’s good topwater anywhere from one to three miles west of 52 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 fishing all day. But a go-to option is to fish soft plastics in watermelon/red or red/white on a 1/8 ounce jig head.” Wa d e f i s h i n g is a year round inthe-water escape for thousands of fishermen along the Gulf Coast. But, for sure, the Texas coast offers the most diversified wade fishing adventures on Earth, and it’s happening r ig ht now. For more information on w a d i n g Te x a s bays email Capt. Rober t Sloan at sloan288@aol. com or visit www. luckystrikeguide. com. may 2015 Photo by Bill L. Olson North and south of Port Mansfield are miles of shoreline flats for anglers to wade fish for speckled trout and redfish. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 53 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69, & 71 Lake Roundup By John Jefferson Spring finally sprung, although a little later this year than usual. The late, cold and rainy winter seemed to retard the bass spawn, and it certainly kept fishermen home in front of fireplaces and off the water. As of late March, right at TOJ’s deadline time, there had only been five ShareLunkers (bass 13-pounds or over) entered: two from Sam Rayburn, one each from Fork and Ray Roberts, and one from a private lake. The one from Ray Roberts scaled 15.18 pounds. Really nice fish. By this time each year, there have usually been several more on the list. As the temperature is warming each day and more and more good weather is upon us, I expect additional entries will explode like an over-inflated balloon through the end of the competition. The ShareLunker competition ends on April 30, so there’s still time if you receive TOJ by mail. If you don’t subscribe, you should. As a reminder, there is a new weigh station for ShareLunker entries by the boat ramp on Lake Austin, beneath the Loop 360 Bridge. Directions on opening the scale cabinet will be provided to anyone calling on their cell phone. Your fish doesn’t have to be caught on Lake Austin if that site is the quickest and most convenient certified scale to you. If you aren’t close enough to use that scale, the number for the ShareLunker program is (903) 681-0550. Check the ShareLunker rules at the website http://tpwd.texas. 54 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal gov/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/sl, though, before calling to make sure your fish is a possible entry. And speaking of Lake Austin, you probably noticed that it was absent from the list of this year’s five ShareLunkers. Most veteran fishermen feel the drastic removal of hydrilla has contributed to the recent decline of lunkers on the lake. A sort of a grassroots movement by fishermen was scheduled to help rebuild fish habitat on April 12 and 13. With permission and assistance from Texas Parks & Wildlife personnel, their plan was to sink cedar trees in the lake. The group also says if they have more donations than needed for purchase of cinder blocks, they will discuss with TPWD the idea of donating the surplus to TPWD for restocking bluegills, since the baitfish suffered from loss of habitat. If you are inclined to contribute, contact John Ward at (512) 825-0626. There are still some good fish in Austin, however, as the bass being held by Duke Kinley illustrates. Duke, a retired Austin policeman caught it on March 22. He acknowledges that hydrilla is gone from the lake, but it hasn’t affected his fish catching. Duke sent me pictures all winter of him bundled up like an Eskimo and holding nice bass, catfish and even a large striper. His largest winter largemouth weighed over 12 pounds. About 15 minutes from downtown Austin out MLK (formerly 19th St.), after it becomes FM 969, is the Webberville community. There’s a convenience store and a grocery store. Behind the convenience store is an old house that the ferryman built when there used to be a ferry across the Colorado River. Neal Cook lives there, now. He himself could probably pass for an old ferryman. Cook, who was editor of the highly acclaimed Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine in the ‘60s and ‘70s, operates a canoe livery there. He has canoes and a few kayaks for rent for a five mile trip down the river. He charges $40/boat, a reasonable enough price. For another $20, he’ll pick you up at the take-out point and shuttle you back to your car at his livery in Webberville. He operates by reservation only at (512) 276-7767. “The river is in great shape right Photo courtesy Duke Kinley. Although Lake Austin has produced few bass 13 pounds or over the past few years, there are still good fish in the lake. Duke Kinley holds a trophy he caught on March 22 in Austin. may 2015 Day in and day out, it is arguably some of the most predictable bass fishing water in C e n t r a l Te x a s . Lake Austin can sometimes skunk even the best guides and fishermen a n d Travis c a n be a hard lake to fish during the on-going drought since it’s difficult to find a place to launch a boat. And then you have to find the fish. Remember, too, that the Colorado is the venue where Dr. Bryce Townsend set the new state record f o r Gu a d a l u p e Photo courtesy Brandon Bray bass with a 3.71, 17.25-inch trophy Brandon Bray, a Lake LBJ fishing guide, holding a 9.51 pound bass caught last September. while fly-fishing with guide, Shea McClanahan on February 1, 2014. The now,” Cook says. “The moss and other largemouth record for the river is a vegetation that choked the river last summer are gone due to the rains that we’ve steadily had since October.” Those of us who complain incessantly about the heavy rains stopping at or a little east of I-35, just short of the Lake Travis and respectable 10.4 pounds, 17 inches, caught by Jorge Guerra on April 9, 2013. If you haven’t savored a leisurely float down a calm and very scenic and pastoral stream, May just may be the time to do it – before it gets too hot. Boat traffic is much less than on the lakes, too. Most of the bass will be off the beds since the spawn usually ends around the end of April, but their appetites will be in gluttony mode in May. Minnows and crawfish will work well for those who prefer live bait instead of artificial lures. And a can of worms or a sack full of crickets will put a couple of skillets-full of sunfish and maybe a catfish or two on your stringer. Largemouth and Guadalupe bass have gotten the lion’s share of printers’ ink through the years and a lot has been written about catchand-release for the bass, but nobody is going to sneer at you for taking home a mess of perch. And in case you’ve never dined on sunfish, you’ve missed a platter full of pure pleasure. We filet all of ours regardless the size and, although I accuse my wife of creating potato chip filets out of the small fries, I stow the sarcasm when it’s time to eat. Dust ‘em with corn meal or Bisquick and ease ‘em into a skillet of hot grease or olive oil. Yuuummm! Lake Buchanan watersheds, can at least find a little solace in the fact that those same rains clean out the river downstream f ro m Austin, making for a more enjoyable float trip … and much better fishing. And the fishing is some of the best around here. may 2015 Photo by John Jefferson May and June are good months for fishing for panfish. There is plenty of bank fishing throughout Central Texas, especially along Lady Bird Lake. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 55 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69, & 71 CoastWatch May is one of the best months to be fishing on the Texas coast. Lighter winds, warmer weather, more active fish - these are just a few of the elements that make May an excellent month for inshore anglers. Speckled trout, redfish, flounder and snook will all be realistic possibilities for fishermen along the bottom half of the Texas coast. Plus it won’t just be inshore action that’s heating up. Offshore anglers will start getting more opportunities as well during May. Kingfish and tarpon will begin showing up off the beachfront along the southern portion of the Texas coast. Best of all, May is the last month without huge summer crowds, so fishermen should enjoy the relative light traffic while it lasts and spend every possible day on the way this month. LOWER COAST Port Isabel guide Capt. Gencho “JR” Buitureira says fishing in the Lower 56 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal Danno Wise Billy Olson lands another fish while driftfishing with Capt. Gencho Buitureira Jr. Gencho says lots of good options will be available for anglers fishing the Lower Laguna Madre in May. Laguna Madre is almost too easy during May. “In May, we’ll have good fishing all over the bay. It is really just up to you as to how long of a boat ride you want to take,” said Buitureira. “We’ll still have lots of trout right out front of Port Isabel in May, so it is really a continuation of April in that sense. As long as the wind is not too heavy, we’ll start out throwing topwaters for big trout on top of the bars. If there is no wind or a really light wind, I’ll head further up north and fish along the Intracoastal Waterway. The trout will be thick along the edges of the channel. And, although almost everyone fishing along the ICW will be focused on trout, there will also be flounder and black drum up there. “Another thing you can do is hit the shacks up north for drum and trout. If you’ve got a slow moving tide and little wind, you can also fish the old causeway. You want to have some water moving if you fish around there, but you don’t want the current to be too strong. “Usually during May, I’ll save some skipjack if we catch them or take some may 2015 fresh mullet and fish potholes on Gas Wells for redfish after we get our trout or after the wind picks up. You can also jump to west side and fish south of Cullen and do the same thing. “And, we also fish the color changes a lot in May. If you are bait fishing along the color change, go to the dirty water side. If you are lure fishing go to the clean water side or fish right on the color line.” The guides at Port Mansfield’s Get-AWay Adventures will be offering a wide array of trips in May. Anglers making the trip to Port Mansfield can expect a variety of good fishing options this month. To begin with, the speckled trout bite will still be hot. Anglers can expect a good shallow water bite early, then will be able to find fish throughout the balance of the day hanging in three to four feet of water. Beginning in May, grass will be the key structure for trout, so potholes and the outside edges of grass beds will be the areas anglers need to key on. Redfish will also be active this month, with schools of spottails moving up onto the sand flats over the next few weeks. There will also be plenty of reds around may 2015 the ICW spoils north of town. May is also the time when Spanish mackerel, kingfish and tarpon begin showing up around the jetties lining the East Cut, giving anglers an additional nearshore option. Corpus Christi guide Capt. Allen Sifford of Fish On Guide Service says he’ll have plenty of options during May. “We’ll kind of be doing a little bit of everything in May,” said Sifford. “Once our croaker get big enough, I’ll switch over to croaker for bait. But, that’s usually not until the second week or so of May. So, early in the month, I’ll be wading and throwing topwaters, mostly around the reefs in Nueces. But, if it’s windy, I’ll fish the grass lines and drop offs. Later in the month, I’ll start concentrating on the backside of Baffin. “Another option in the early part of May is the Land Cut. We can usually catch some really good trout in the Land Cut until after the full moon in May. When I’m fishing the Land Cut, I fish the west bank. I start out throwing topwaters. Then, later in the morning I start fishing deeper with Bass Assassins. The redfish will be schooled up on the flats in the Upper Laguna. If we have a lot of big tournaments or busy weekends, those fish will either move off the flats or be very skittish. In that case, you need to look for them along the drops or along part of the shoreline where boats can’t run. If you find an area like a fence line or a point, you’ll find redfish holding real tight to it. Also, if you go onto the flats later in the afternoon after things have settled down a little, you’ll find a lot more fish on the flats. “Overall, I’m looking forward to some excellent trout fishing in Nueces and Baffin and some great redfishing in the Upper Laguna. I think May’s going to be a good month.” MIDDLE COAST TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 57 Aransas area anglers will certainly be in transition this month, as May usually signals the start of “croaker season.” Early in the month, most fishermen looking for speckled trout will be using plugs, plastics and live shrimp. Once croaker reach “bait size,” the vast majority of trout fishermen in the Coastal Bend region will switch from shrimp and plastics to croaker as their bait of choice. Most of the waters around Aransas Pass and Port Aransas will be holding good numbers of trout during May. Nueces, Aransas, and Corpus Christi bays will all have plenty of fish this month. For the most part, trout will be holding over mid-depth flats and along the drops. Later in the month, the fish will be found around the deeper structure. But, throughout the month of May, fishermen can expect a good shallow water trout bite early in the day. Redfish will also be a viable option for Aransas area anglers this month. There will be plenty of reds on the flats and along the shorelines where they can be taken with topwaters, spoons or cut bait. Trout fishing will also be at the 58 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal Back lakes and channels will afford protection on windy days, as well as some excellent sightfishing when the winds are light along Texas mid-coast in May. forefront in the Rockport area during May. “In May, our water will be quite a bit warmer and we’ll have plenty of active fish,” said Capt. Ray Burdette of Rockport Guides. “May will be a good month for trout. There will still be some big fish caught in May. Most of the bigger fish will still be up on the flats, just like they were in April. But, we’ll also have some good bird activity and plenty of keeper fish holding in a little bit deeper water. There will also be plenty of redfish up on the flats, as well as along the edges of the flats and over the drops. Soft-plastics, GULP!, live shrimp, crabs and cut mullet will be top redfish baits this month. Will also see some black drum schooling on the flats this month. Shrimp are always the best bait for black drum.” Rockport guide Capt. Jay Nichols of Just Add Water Guide Service is also looking forward to some good trout fishing in May. “The month of May comes with great sense of anticipation,” said Nichols. “With the opening of Cedar Bayou in late September last year, the hopes of regenerating our bay complex along the central Texas coastline are high. I will be spending as much time possible wading along the shoreline between Mud Island and Carlos Bay, and even further into San Antonio Bay when time permits. If I’m using bait, live croaker, piggy perch, and finger mullet will be in my live well, but I will be using more artificial baits this year due to clientele request. My lures of choice are D.O.A 5.5 inch jerk baits in glow/holo flake belly, purple/chartreuse tail, Pink Ice, and watermelon/clear Holo. While searching for trout, I use them rigged like a plastic worm with no weight and also with may 2015 a 1/16 ounce jig head unless the current is strong, then I will go a little heavier to keep it in the water column just above the grass. “If I am concentrating on redfish I like the D.O.A. CAL swim bait. This is a fairly new product that I have great success with. My choice of colors include Golden Shiner, Rainbow Trout, and Morning Glory. I generally will use a 1/16 to 1/8 ounce shank weighted 5/O hook and slowly reel it in while pausing occasionally to let it drop. It can also be used like a jerk bait to resemble a wounded baitfish. “Fishing should be excellent in May. There are large schools of fish heading in from the surf with every tidal surge. Be careful out there and good luck.” According to Capt. Jim Garrison of Redfish Roper Charters May is a good time to fish for trout in San Antonio Bay. “In May, I’ll spend most of my time fishing reefs in San Antonio Bay for trout,” said Garrison. “I’ll be out on the reefs every day the wind allows. There are still some high wind days in May when I won’t be able to work the reefs, but every time the conditions are right, that’s where I’ll be. “When I’m fishing the reefs in San Antonio Bay, I’ll be working with the current. I’ll work all around each of the reefs until I find a fish. Once I find the fish, I’ll sit there with a popping cork and with either live shrimp or plastics shrimp underneath. If I’m using plastics it’s usually going to be a curly tail GULP! Grub in either chartreuse, lime green or pink. When we’re fishing with shrimp around the reefs, we’ll also pick up quite a few drum and even some sheepshead every now and then. “If it’s windy, or if we’re chasing reds, we’ll get in the back lakes or along protected shorelines in the bay. If I’m fishing for trout, I’ll use the same baits — either plastics or shrimp under a popping cork. If I’m fishing for reds, I’ll use cut mullet or crabs with a slip sinker. “Although I’ll be fishing mostly in San Antonio Bay in May, the whole Seadrift area can be productive. I’ll spend some time in Shoalwater and other bays in the area. Usually, May is a real good month, especially if we have light winds.” Port O’Connor bow fishing guide Capt. Craig Carter of Outlaw Guide Service says May is when he starts seeing a greater variety of species. “Because of our style of fishing, we are may 2015 in the same areas most of the year,” said Carter. “But, the species we see change with the seasons. We are always targeting sheepshead and black drum. And, May is a good month for both of those species. But, in May, we’ll start seeing a lot more flounder along the shorelines in the back bays. And, there will be lots and lots of stingrays. So, we’ll start shooting a lot more flounder and stingray in May. “The other thing we’ll see in May is the big gar start moving out of the rivers and into the shallows. So, we’ll be targeting gar a little more in May. We’ll be seeing lots of different species in May, but the highlight will be getting a shot at some of those six to eight foot gar.” Bass pro Dennis Lala of Victoria shows off a nice speck he caught this spring while wadefishing out of Rockport. Look for good fishing to occur this month along the shorelines of St. Jo Island in May. More Fish. More Fun. More food, festivals & fun. www.rockport-fulton.org Call 1-800-242-0071 @ visitrockportfulton Photo by Dawn Huff TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 59 JUST HUNTING | Mike Holmes Euro Mounts For Euro Hogs? A big feral boar with a lot of European blood can be very impressive, with a larger head and massive shoulders compared to a domestic hog, slender hips with a pronounced slope towards the rear, longer mane of hair on the neck, straight tail, shoulder “shield”, and larger tusks. Folks sometimes give me strange looks when I talk about a “good looking” hog outside of the context of a livestock show. Of course, hogs are sort of ugly – especially when compared to “pretty” game animals like a nice whitetail buck, a majestic elk, or a trim pronghorn. A big boar, however, whether of European descent or even a feral hog whose ancestors have been on their own in the wild for many generations, does have attributes that make it worthy of notice – and consideration as a trophy animal. Sheer size alone makes a big hog impressive, since they can reach weights approaching and sometimes exceeding 300 pounds on the hoof – and even more on the internet. Their physical makeup is very different than even a domestic swine raised for judging especially when some “Euro” breeding is present. Interestingly the Eurasian characteristics show up more frequently in feral hogs than many people realize. This is because of the cross-breeding of domestic hogs gone wild with escaped hogs of pure European bloodlines from game ranches and private breeding programs over the years. The Euro traits are noticeable with more massive shoulders, trimmer hips, a longer mane of hair on the neck – and the outsized tusks that mark a hog in the wild. Those big shoulders also are armored by 60 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal above fireplaces than full head mounts, and in more recent times the European style of skull mount has become popular. The cleaned and bleached skull of a boar also makes a memorable mount that can be had for less expense than a full head mount from a taxidermist – and for even more savings, a hunter can prepare his own. The first step in a do-it-yourself Euro boar mount is the most fun part – collecting the boar. Once a trophy specimen has been harvested more than a little work is involved in getting your prize ready for exhibiting. The boar whose skull was used to illustrate this article was not huge by feral boar standards, but he was impressive enough for me to want to preserve his memory in some way. I did not get to weigh him, but from how difficult he was to move I think a weight of well over 200 pounds is very reasonable. The primary, or cutter, tusks were 2 ½ inches in length – again, not a record, but worthy of consideration. Unlike with a deer head, where most hunters will do little more than cape the head and neck before turning the project over to the boar’s trademark “shield” of thick skin and tissue which protects it in fights with other boars or from a hunter’s bullet. The old adage that a big boar exists only to breed, feed, and fight is very true. Of course, though, to hog hunters and the general public alike, the tusks are what a “trophy” boar is measured. It appears that more mounted boar heads are showing up on hunters’ walls e v e r y y e a r, a n d this trend should continue as hog hunting becomes even more popular. Such full head mounts are eyecatchers, but some might question if they are worth the expense? Men have been collecting trophies of some sort from the animals they hunt for as long as thet have hunted – long before modern methods of taxidermy were de ve l op e d . Even w ith de er, there Boiling the skinned skull in a peroxide solution helps to remove are still more sets remaining flesh. of antlers hanging may 2015 Several coats of white marine epoxy give the skull a more “polished” look, and also help to preserve it. At this point, the tusks are the original length. a professional, the boar’s head must be completely skinned out if you intend to prepare it yourself, and then all traces of meat and other tissue must be trimmed and scraped away. For further cleaning, boiling in a large pot or other container with a hydrogen peroxide solution will help remove, or at least loosen any remaining tissue and also begin the whitening process. This is not a procedure to be carried out on the kitchen stove, at least, not if you intend to keep living in that home. Checking the progress periodically will help determine just how long this step is going to take, and the final cleaning will likely still need to be done with some sort of hand tool. An alternate method of preparing a skull consists of leaving it “in the woods”, where insects and the elements will reduce it to only bone. Sometimes this will result in damage from animals, or the complete loss of the skull, but it everything goes well, all that would be left is to bleach the bone. There is also a breed of commercially reared beetles that will eat all the flesh and cartilage from a skull. Some taxidermists use these, and they can be purchased from the internet. When the skull is as “clean” as you can get it, it should be rinsed and allowed to thoroughly dry. This will reveal which spots require the most attention in the bleaching step. A chlorine based bleach can be used but I recommend a peroxide solution. Clean the teeth well, and be aware that may 2015 they may have loosened during the boiling and bleaching. It is best to reposition them and glue them in place properly. An interesting development is that the main tusks can become very loose, even to the point of being fairly easy to completely remove from the jaw. If you do this, you will discover that a 2 ½ inch “cutter” is actually as much as 6 inches in length – with most of that length protected inside the jaw. This is part of what makes the tusks so formidable, along with being kept sharp by honing against the upper tusks, they have a very solid foundation – allowing the boar to make effective use of them as tools or weapons. The lower jaw will normally separate from the upper during this preparation, but when it is re-positioned for the final mount, the lower and upper tusks – “cutters” and “whetters” – should be back in their natural complimentary relationships. The almost constant working of the these two is a self-sharpening effect not often found in nature, and not unlike using a stone to “whet” an edge on a knife. Of course, at this point it might be decided to just remove the tusks from the skull permanently and use them as stand-alone fixtures, either mounted on a board or hung on a necklace. With time, bleaching can be pretty effective, but for my own use painting the dried skull with several coats of marine epoxy gave it the bright white pigment and shine I desired. This paint will also help to preserve your trophy for much longer than if it were left uncoated. The norm for Euro mounts is probably to leave the skull in it’s natural state, with the eye sockets empty and unadorned. On the skull pictured with this story, I was so impressive with the size of the boar as we saw it in the dim red glow from my shooting lights that I aimed for the sure kill spot at the juncture of the spine and skull. Although it did drop the boar literally in his tracks – he almost crushed a couple of piglets feeding nearby - The 180 gr soft nose bullet from my .300 Savage made a bit of a mess of the rear portion of the skull, so I elected to fill the eye sockets with some eyes sold for the amusement of children at Halloween – which were the perfect size. Possibly a shoulder shot would be best when the head might end up being mounted. The sad state of my skull also was a factor in the type of display I ended up with. Without all that damage to the rear portion, the skull simply could be placed on a shelf or in a bookcase – even possibly on a living room or den coffee table. There are also mounting frames used by professional taxidermists to hang such a mount directly from a wall, or with a stylish wooden plaque behind the skull. I elected to fashion a backdrop plaque of wood, with a shelf base forming an “L” to sit the skull on, and then hang this fixture on a wall. Earlier I mentioned that the tusks can be pulled out of the skull after boiling. When I discovered this, I thought I might have found the answer to several mounts of boars with exceptionally long tusks I had seen exhibited! Without intending to deceive, merely as a way of letting my trophy show the full potential of those remarkable teeth, I pulled mine out to something approaching an African wart hog’s dental gear in length in relation to skull size and then glued them in place. With his out-sized tusks and those frightening Halloween eyes, Boris – as I call him in deference to his Russian heritage – is, I think, to the shoulder mount of the nice eight point buck I harvested off my property not far from where this hog went down. Worthy of respect and admiration in perhaps different ways, yet worthy all the same. Some day I may have a taxidermist do a full head mount of an exceptional boar, but in the meantime I hope to collect several of Boris’s cousins to join him in my collection. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 61 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69, & 71 Lake Roundup SOUTH TEXAS By Danno Wise For anglers on lakes across South Texas, May is the final month before reservoirs across the region will be covered with boats. With temperatures now consistently balmy, it is only a matter of time before South Texas lakes become overrun with jet skis, ski boats, and swimmers. But, thanks largely to Texas public schools running through the end of May, this month gives fishermen a rare warm weather month with relatively little traffic on the water. Most South Texas anglers have learned to get out on the water as often as possible during May. Not only is it the last opportunity for fishing without crowds, May also represents one of the final chances for fishermen to find fish relatively shallow. Although fish will be transitioning to deeper water as the month goes on, there should still be plenty of bass along the shorelines and shallow structure. Once summer gets in full swing, most of these fish will more than likely be deep for good. So, the combination of good fishing and relatively light crowds means fishermen should spend every possible day on the water in May. COLETO CREEK — According to Victoria bass pro Dennis Lala, May will signal the beginning of bass being in a warm water pattern on Coleto Creek. “May will see us getting into our warm water pattern,” said Lala. “We will have some topwater action, but it will be early. Baits like the Frenzy Popper should 62 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal produce good early in the morning around the points. However, that topwater bite usually doesn’t last long once the sun comes up. If you get an overcast day or something like that, they may stay on the topwaters a little longer, but usually it’s over pretty early. “Any fish that are still hanging around the points later in the day might whack a spinnerbait. But, I usually start working the outside edge of the grass once the sun is up good. Most of the time, your best bet is usually a Carolina-rigged worm, lizard or soft-plastic jerk bait on the outside edge of the grass. The worms you can rig straight or wacky style. I prefer throwing a Power Jerkshad. “I usually like fishing a pretty short leader on my Carolina rigs. I’ll typically use a ¼ or 7/16 ounce weight. You can also use a Texas rig, if you prefer. When I do use a Texas rig, I use a 3/16 ounce sinker and throw it right up against the grass and let it fall off the edge. “This time of year, our fish are really concentrated. If you catch one in a grass bed, there is probably at least one more in there with them. So, I make plenty of casts along the edge of the grass when I do find fish. And, make sure you don’t waste any time. If you catch one, cast back in there as quick as you can. Sometimes you can catch several from one hole. “We should also have some good crappie fishing in May. Most of the crappie will be stacked up and suspended around deep structure. You can do pretty well with small jigs and plugs but, you just absolutely can’t beat a live minnow for crappie. “Catfish will also be pretty good in May. Most of them will be caught along the deep channels. There will be some rod and reel caught cats, but most of those fish will be coming off jug lines.” MEDINA — According to Jim Gallagher of Jim’s ReBait Tackle, May is generally the final month of “easy fishing” before fish move into their summer pattern on Medina. “May is usually a pretty good month on this lake,” said Gallagher. “A lot of that has to do with the weather. May is a pretty stable weather month - no more late fronts like in March and April. It is also a warmer month, but not quite so hot that it makes the fish go deep like what happens in the summer. So, we usually have a little bit more ‘easy fishing’ in May. That is to say, our fish are a little shallower and a little more aggressive. “We tend to have a pretty good topwater bite in May. And, it lasts for a good part of the day. Again, it’s not like summer when the topwater bite is over at first light. In May, you might have a topwater bite that lasts all morning. But, you still need to throw small plugs. The fish on this lake just don’t hit big baits. So, stick with the downsized lures, even though the fish are more aggressive. “When the topwater bite stops, start focusing on the main lake and secondary points. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, worms this time of year, it really doesn’t matter. You can pretty much throw whatever you want, so long as it’s small, and catch plenty of bass. “That’s really what makes May so good on this lake. You can fish however you want and still do alright. We’ve got a lot of fish up shallow, around visible structure, so they’re easy to find. May is probably the best month to fish Medina, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the lake. You can catch fish on Medina year around if you know what you’re doing, but May is a time that anybody can come over here and do real well.” CHOKE CANYON — May is generally when Choke Canyon first starts seeing its hydrilla beds reaching the surface. Having experienced a relatively warm winter and early spring, this year the hydrilla beds are fairly well formed as May begins. While the grass beds still aren’t as dense as they will be later in summer, there will plenty of visible grass at or near the surface. And, the edges of the beds are well defined. This means it is time for fishermen to start focusing on the grass beds for big bass. Early in the day, anglers will be able to experience an excellent topwater bite over the grass beds. Choke Canyon bass usually may 2015 prefer noisy topwater lures like buzzbaits and Pop Rs. Stanley Ribbit Frogs are also effective and, when rigged weedless, can be worked directly over the beds without fouling. This is particularly effective as grass beds reach the surface. These soft-plastic frogs can also be weighted to dive into pockets and holes in the grass beds if fish are hesitant to rise to the surface. For most of May, anglers should see the topwater bite last well into midmorning. But, as the month wears on and the temperature continues to climb, the effective time for topwater baits will be shorter and shorter. Many fishermen mistakenly believe that when the topwater bite slows the fish have left the grass beds. In fact, they spend the entire day on the hydrilla beds, they will simply relocate elsewhere on the bed, moving deeper as the temperature rises. As the fish transition to depth, anglers can work the outside edges will spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Later, jigs and Texas rigs will be the best bets. They can also use punch jigs to drop straight through the canopy of hydrilla to reach the bass hiding beneath. While the grass beds will be the primary structure for bass during May and into summer, humps, tank dams and points will also be holding plenty of fish. Texas rigged plastics, crankbaits and jigs are the most effective baits for fishing points and offshore structure. FALCON — Falcon Lake’s resident largemouth bass will also be working shallow during much of May. But, unlike other South Texas lakes, which see largemouth bass relating to grass beds, anglers on this border lake will find most of the bass hanging around flooded brush. Anglers can catch bass by picking their way back through the densest of flooded brush or by fishing along the outside edge of the brushline. And, although most of the biggest bass will be holed up in hard to reach areas, there will be plenty of easy-to-access areas holding solid bass as well. Early in the day, fishermen can expect a steady topwater bite. When the surface bite subsides, fishermen should continue working around the flooded brush. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are effective when worked along the outside face of the flooded brush. Jigs and Texas rigged plastics can be worked back into some of 64 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal the denser portions of brush. Later in the month, anglers should spend more time concentrating on points, ledges and deep structure. Deep cranks, jigs, lipless cranks, creature baits and jumbo soft-plastics all produce plenty of big bass over deep structure in Falcon. WEST TEXAS By TOJ Staff AMISTAD — As of early April “Big Friendly” was just under 29 feet low and on a slow rise. Recent rains in March along with some downstream flow out of New Mexico was offsetting the spring drawdown for agricultural purposes. Based on records, last May this popular big bass producer was about 45 feet low so there is a lot more lake, and cover for anglers to fish. Even with conditions having run a bit late, look for bass to be catching up at the start of the fifth month of the year. There will still be a few spawning fish in the main lake and over deep flats. Up the rivers and creeks post-spawn fish will be eager to take most offerings. ‘Traps, spinnerbaits, as well as Texas rigs are good options to work around flooded grass and brush. Stripers will be in the deep water in front of the dam. Look for surface commotion as well as bait balls and fish on your electronics. These fish will be in this general area all summer long. Catfish will be spawning or just starting to move out to slightly deeper water. Look for catfish in water five to 15 feet deep. O.H. IVIE — Anglers fishing this big bass producer can only hope for a repeat of 2014. At the start of May last year the lake was about 44 feet low. By the end of the month the lake had caught some runoff and was only 37 feet low. Just for the record, at the start of April this year, Ivie was 43 feet low. Regardless of lake levels, this is the time to chase post spawn bass up the rivers and on the north end of the lake. In the main lake everyone will be doing the “Ivie Drift.” That is where reference markers are set out and 10 inch Power Worms are dredged behind a drifting boat over deep flats in water at least 25 feet deep. Once a drift is finished just set over and do it again. BROWNWOOD — Conditions on this popular lake are within a couple of feet to where they were last year. At the beginning of April Lake Brownwood was a little over 12 feet low. At the start of May 2014 the lake was right at 11 feet below pool. Look for some bass to still be on beds as the spawn runs a little lake. There will also be some post spawn bass as well. Anglers should concentrate on water from the bank out to about six feet deep. The fish will tell you where they are and the what stage of the spawn is underway through the month. Jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are a good trio to catch some good fish this month. HIGH PLAINS By TOJ Staff ALAN HENRY — Look for bass to be in all phases of the spawn. A few pre-spawn bass will be in deeper water with buck bass active along shorelines and shallow ledges. Those same areas will also have females that have moved up to deposit their eggs. And there will be a few post-spawn bass for those that spawned early. Lipless rattling crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and Texas rigs are good go-to baits. may 2015 TACKLE TIPS & TECHNIQUES | Danno Wise More Than One Way To Rig a Bait 66 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 Guides, Gear & Getaways SALTWater UPPER COAST | SABINE UPPER COAST | MATAGORDA FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK! TEXAS OUTDOORS JOURNAL News, Updates, Giveaways and more, delivered straight to your newsfeed! MIDDLE COAST | ROCKPORT Bay Fishing Seadrift to Rockport Texas! Captain Jim Garrison USCG/TP & W Licensed OFFSHORE | FREEPORT P: 512-393-9305 | E: [email protected] www.RedfishRoperCharters.com UPPER COAST | GALVESTON Texas by Design Embroidered Apparel with Texas Flair! Specializing in artist designs of the great outdoors. • Fishing Shirts & Caps • Wildlife to Wildflower Apparel • Coastal Bird Creations For all shapes and sizes of Women and Men. MIDDLE COAST | PORT O’CONNOR (361) 729-8995 www.texasbydesignembroidery.com 205 S. Austin St. Rockport, TX 78382 may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 67 TACKLE TIPS & TECHNIQUES | Danno Wise Surface to Subsurface - Fishing Through the Day 68 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 Guides, Gear & Getaways middle coast | port aransas MIDDLE COAST | CORPUS CHRISTI-NORTH PADRE ISLAND “Professional Property Management and Sales” Serving North Padre Island since 1988 Luxury Vacation Rentals by Gulf Beachfront or on Canals leading to Upper Laguna Madre & your favorite fishing spot. Many with private boat docks. Book online or call our rental specialist today! 361.949.9050 OFFICE 361.949.9070 FAX 14613 S. PADRE ISLAND DRIVE, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78418 www.rentalmgmt.com LOWER COAST | PORT ISABEL & SOUTH PADRE ISLAND LOWER COAST | BAFFIN BAY HAVE YOUR OUTDOOR EVENT INCLUDED IN TOJ’s OUTDOOR CALENDAR! Mail your Outdoor Calendar items to: 1706 W. Sam Houston Pkwy North, Houston, TX 77043 or fax to: 713.957.3996 or email: [email protected] may 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 69 FIELD TIPS & TECHNIQUES | Bill L. Olson & Danno Wise Spring Squirrel Hunting Tips 70 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal may 2015 Guides, Gear & Getaways LOWER COAST | PORT MANSFIELD HUNTING A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS Relax, we’ll take care of the details! TEXAS World Class Fishing Dove & Waterfowl Cast & Blast Inshore & Offshore Private & Corporate Events & Meetings GIVE US A CALL! LOUISIANA | LAKE CALCASIEU YOUR AD SHOULD BE HERE! WATERFOWL HUNTING CALL 713-957-3997 for GUIDES, GEAR & GETAWAY ADS CALL 713-957-3997 to find out how to get YOUR AD on our GUIDES, GEAR & GETAWAY pages! COLORADO COLORADO ROCKIES Texas Fresh Water SOUTH TEXAS LAKES | MEDINA TROPHY ELK-DEER-BEAR Archery, Rifle, Muzzleloader HUNT thousands of acres from secluded cabins on our private High Country ranch, directly bordering National Forest & BLM. Now booking 2014 bow & rifle. SUMMER VACATIONS: explore ranch and wilderness by horse and 4-wheel drive. Fish 7 trout-stocked lakes. Breathtaking scenery. EARLY RESERVATION DISCOUNTS. GR Bar Ranch Paonia, Colorado www.grbarranch.com 800-523-6832 GREAT HUNTING - Pagosa Springs, CO For Sale By Owner 1998 sq ft home. 3BD/2BA/3 Car on 40 wooded acres. Mountain views, barn with workshop/tack room, National Forest/BLM two sides, abundant wildlife, owner access to stocked trout lake and much more $30,000 below appraisal at $499,900 Full description with photos available at www.forsalebyowner.com/23994657 Owner contact: 970-264-3890 MISCELLANEOUS Be sure to check out texasoutdoorsjournal.com before your next hunting or fishing trip may 2015 YOUR AD SHOULD BE HERE! CALL 713-957-3997 for GUIDES, GEAR & GETAWAY ADS TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 71 Deadline for the June calendar is April 25, 2015 Outdoor Calendar THROUGH MAY 3, Spring Turkey Season — South Zone, 54 counties. For more information consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, or call (800) 792-1112. THROUGH MAY 17, Spring Turkey Season — North Zone, 101 counties. For more information consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, or call (800) 792-1112. THROUGH MAY 14, Eastern Turkey Season, available counties. For more information consult the TPWD Out-door Annual, or call (800) 792-1112. MAY 1-3, Texas Outdoor Family, Lake Mineral Wells, Mineral Wells, Come for a funfilled weekend designed to help your family discover the joys of camping and Texas State Parks. All camping gear and equipment required for an overnight stay at the park are included with each reservation. For more information and specific details (512) 389-8903. MAY 1 – 31, Spring squirrel season, 51 counties. For more information consult the TPWD Outdoor An-nual, or call (800) 792-1112. MAY 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Angler Academy, Garner State Park, Concan. Learn the basics (ages 7 and up). Whether you’re a child or an adult, beginning anglers can learn how to assemble basic tackle, tie fishing knots, and cast safely with a spin-cast rod and reel combo. Explore Texas freshwater species, aquatic habitats, and fish ecology.PLUS! Borrow equipment through our FREE Tackle Loaner program and try fishing on your own. For more information call (830) 232-6132, x236 MAY 2, Angler Education Instructor Training 72 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal Workshop, Bass Pro Shop, San Antonio. Become a TPWD certified Angler Education Instructor . This free workshop is open to anyone 18 or older interested in teaching fishing skills in their communities. The program provides the curriculum, equipment, materials and support to help volunteers successfully introduce youth and their families to fishing. SBEC credit available for teachers. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The workshop is free, but preregistration is required, please call (512) 389-4472. MAY 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30, Learn to Tie a Fly, Cabela’s on Highway 75, Allen. TPWD volunteers from the Dallas Flyfishers Club will be on hand to show you how easy and fun it is to tie a fly. This free demonstration is open to beginners and novice fly fishers. Equipment and materials provid-ed, or bring your fly tying tools if you have them. For more information call (972) 618-6714. MAY 2, 30, Kayak Basic Course, Purtis Creek State Park, Eustace. Instructional and hands-on training program to learn proper safety, functionality and paddling of kayaks. Play games and get familiar with the use of our kayaks or bring your own. Wear clothing you can get wet in. Reservations are required since the class size is lim-ited. Please contact the headquarters at 903-425-2332 for reservations. MAY 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Angler Academy, Garner State Park, Concan. Learn the basics (ages 7 and up). Whether you’re a child or an adult, beginning anglers can learn how to assemble basic tackle, tie fishing knots, and cast safely with a spin-cast rod and reel combo. Explore Texas freshwater species, aquatic habitats, and fish ecology. PLUS! Borrow equipment through our FREE Tackle Loaner program and try fishing on your own. For more information call (830) 232-6132, x236 MAY 5, Islander Chapter Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Banquet, Corpus Christi. For tickets and reservations call (361) 207-1770. MAY 6, West Houston Chapter Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Banquet, Houston. For tickets and reservations call (713) 724-2237. MAY 7, Cottonwood Creek Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraiser Banquet, Frisco. For tickets and reservations call (972) 436-4179. MAY 8, Brush Country Chapter Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Banquet, Floresville. For tickets and reservations call (210) 487-1665. MAY 9, 19TH Annual Open House/Outdoor Education, Lake Brownwood State Park, Brownwood. Join us for numerous activities and programs: Kid Fish Tank, Archery Intro, Angler Ed, Buffalo Soldiers, Wildland Firefighting, Texas Wildlife, Civilian Conservation Corps in Texas State Parks, Venomous Snakes in Texas, and more. For more information and reservations call (325) 784-5223 MAY 9, Go Fish! Learn-To-Fish Event, Eisenhower State Park, Denison. Equipment and bait provided or bring your own. No license necessary. Adults must accompany children. Bring sun protection and water. Regis-tration is 9:00 a.m. For more information and reservations call (903) 421-4984. MAY 14, Comal County Chapter Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Banquet, New Braunfels. For tickets and reservations may 2015 call (830) 609-8172. MAY 14, Lone Star Longbeards Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraiser Banquet, Bryan. For tickets and reservations call (979) 219-0286. MAY 15, Corpus Christi Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraiser Banquet, Robstown. For tickets and reservations call (361) 331-1227. MAY 16, Hopkins County Longbeards Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraiser Banquet, Sulphur Springs. For tickets and reservations call (903) 885-627. MAY 16, Four Hour Guided Kayak Trip, Martin Dies Jr. State Park, Jasper. Join a ranger for a four-hour, six-mile long guided kayak trip through the park’s back country sloughs and the Neches River. While paddling, we will be on the lookout for wildlife such as bald eagles, belted kingfishers, herons, turtles and alligators. This trip is from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm in the afternoon and costs $30 per kayak; which can fit one adult. For this trip kayak experience preferred, but participation is available to anyone capable of the moderate exertion of paddling for half a day. Space is limited so please call our headquarters office in advance to make your reservation. (409) 384-5231 MAY 16, Go Fish! Learn-To-Fish Event, Galveston Island State Park, Galveston. Take away a fishing fun pack and enter the drawing for prizes. Equipment and bait provided or bring your own. No license necessary. Adults must accompany children. Bring sun protection and water. Registration is 9:00 a.m. For more information and reservations call (847) 780-6474. MAY 16, Texas Outdoor Family, Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, Come for a funfilled weekend designed to help your family discover the joys of camping may 2015 and Texas State Parks. All camping gear and equipment required for an overnight stay at the park are included with each reservation. For more information and specific details (512) 389-8903. MAY 16, Texas Outdoor Family, Guadalupe River State Park, Spring Branch, Come for a fun-filled weekend designed to help your family discover the joys of camping and Texas State Parks. All camping gear and equipment required for an overnight stay at the park are included with each reservation. For more information and specific details (512) 389-8903. MAY 21, Plano Chapter Ducks Unlimited Fundraiser Banquet, Plano. For tickets and reservations call (940) 230-6054. MAY 21, Greater Houston Area – Fort Bend Chapter Chapter Mule Deer Foundation Fundraiser Banquet. For tickets and reservations call (713) 412-3067. MAY 23, Houston Chapter Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Big Game Banquet, J.W. Marriott – Westchase, Houston. For tickets and reservations call (713) 607-6522. MAY 23, Go Fish! Learn-To-Fish Event, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin. Take away a fishing fun pack and enter the drawing for prizes. Equipment and bait provided or bring your own. No license necessary. Adults must accompany children. Bring sun protection and water. Regis-tration is 9:00 a.m. For more information and reservations call (512) 751-5418. MAY 23-25, Toyota Texas Bass Classic, Lake Fork. The top 35 professional bass anglers will compete for the world championship. Attendees can enjoy a variety of games and activities, dine on food, shop for fishing gear and accessories. Concerts headlined by Billy Currington on Saturday, May 23; Lee Brice on Sunday, May 24; and Rodney Atkins and Joe Nichols on Monday, May 25. Tickets are available online at ToyotaTexasBassClassic. com or at your local Toyota dealership, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Brookshire’s Grocery Stores and Kim’s Convenience Stores throughout East Texas. Tournament proceeds benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fishing programs. For information call (512) 389-4855. MAY 28, DU Houston Chapter Ducks Unlimited Spring Fundraiser Banquet, Houston. For tickets and reservations call (713) 685-5835. MAY 28, Permian Basin Upland Game Bird Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraiser Banquet, Stanton. For tickets and reservations visit www. nwtf.org. MAY 29, Texas Fly Fishing Expo 2015, New Braunfels Civic Center, New Braunfels. “Destination Texas – All Fish All Waters”. Adult and youth activities to learn more about fly fishing. The Texas Council hosts a fly fishing expo for the novice or experienced fly fisher. Youth activities, Women’s Fly Fishing Breakfast and Programs, Casting Clinics, IF4 Film Show, demonstrations, workshops, presentations, exhibits, shopping and more! Visit www.txflyfishexpo.com for more details call (972) 567-4155. MAY 30, Dripping Springs Chapter Ducks Unlimited Spring Fundraiser Banquet, Dripping Springs. For tickets and reservations call (512) 496-8333. MAY 30, Panola Coounty Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation Fundraiser Banquet, Carthage. For tickets and reservations call (903) 754-4635. Mail your Outdoor Calendar items to: 1706 W. Sam Houston Pkwy North, Houston TX 77043 Fax: 713.957.3996 Email: [email protected] TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 73 Tide Tables Fishing & Hunting Times US TIME ZONES MAY 2015 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI H5:01A1.4 L10:16A1.1 H1:58P1.2 L9:39P-0.1 H4:08A1.4 L9:55A0.9 H3:02P1.3 L9:44P0.4 31 H5:38A1.5 L11:03A1.1 H3:31P1.3 L10:36P0.1 3 1 H6:22A1.6 L11:37A1.2 H3:42P1.3 L11:07P0.0 4 10 11 H5:30A1.7 L11:12A1.2 H3:07P1.4 L10:32P-0.3 H6:24A1.8 L12:09P1.3 H3:36P1.4 L11:14P-.03 5 12 6 H12:40A1.2 L6:34A0.6 H1:15P1.4 L7:49P0.6 13 7 8 H2:13A1.3 L7:55A0.8 H1:44P1.4 L8:28P0.3 H3:28A1.5 L9:08A0.9 H2:11P1.4 L9:08P0.0 14 15 19 20 21 22 H1:12A1.0 L6:19A0.8 H12:51P1.2 L8:13P0.5 H2:33A1.1 L7:37A0.9 H1:10P1.2 L8:30P0.3 L3:32A1.2H L8:41A1.0 H1:28P1.2 L8:49P0.2 25 MOUNTAIN CENTRAL EASTERN < (+) (-) > < (+) (-) > < (+) (-) > < (+) (-) > H4:54A1.5 L10:30A1.0 H3:17P1.3 L10:08P0.2 2 9 H4:32A1.6 L10:13A1.1 H2:39P1.4 L9:50P-0.1 16 H7:177A1.8 H8:09A1.7 L12:40A-0.2 L1:24A0.0 L2:09A0.1 L1:07P1.3 L2:17P1.2 H9:01A1.6 H9:53A1.5 H10:43A1.5 H4:02P1.4 H4:22P1.3 L11:67P-0.3 L2:58A0.3 L3:52A0.5 L4:59A0.7 H11:26A1.4 H12:01P1.3 H12:28P1.3 L7:48P0.8 L7:59P0.7 H11:22P0.9 24 18 PACIFIC H7:07A1.6 H7:54A1.6 L12:19A0.0 L1:03A0.0 L1:52A0.0 L12:13P1.2 L12:51P1.3 H8:46A1.6 H9:41A1.6 H10:36A1.6 H3:48P1.3 H3:52P1.4 L11:35P1.3 H3:58P1.4 L11:41P0.0 L2:48A0.2 L3:54A0.3 L5:10A0.5 H11:27A1.5 H12:10P1.5 H12:45P1.4 L6:53P1.0 L7:14P0.8 H10:33P1.1 17 SAT 26 27 28 29 23 H4:19A1.3 L9:33A1.1 H1:43P1.2 L9:12P0.0 120° 115° 30 110° 105° 100° 95° 90° 85° 80° 75° MAY 2015 JUNE 2015 SUN MON H5:40A1.5 L10:52A1.2 H2:11P1.3 L10:09P-0.2 1 TUE WED H6:20A1.6 L11:24A1.2 H2:26P1.3 L10:43P-0.3 2 THU FRI SAT H7:01A1.6 H7:45A1.6 L12:02A-0.3 L12:46A-0.2 L11:57A1.2 L12:34P1.2 H8:30A1.5 H9:14A1.5 H2:45P1.3 H3:12P1.3 L1:22P1.2 L11:21P-0.3 H3:46P1.3 3 4 5 6 L1:34A-0.1 L2:27A0.1 L3:28A0.3 L4:41A0.6 H1:23A1.1 H2:50A1.2 H3:57A1.4 H9:57A1.4 H10:36A1.4 H11:10A1.3 H11:42A1.3 L6:14A0.8 L7:51A1.0 L9:14A1.1 L5:21P0.8 L6:07P0.6 L6:50P0.3 H12:12P1.3 H12:42P1.3 H1:12P1.3 L7:32P0.1 L8:14P-0.2 L8:56P-0.3 H9:06P0.9 H11:30P0.9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Times are for Galveston, Galveston Channel TIME DIFFERENCES Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana Sabine Pass Lighthouse Sabine Pass Jetty Sabine Pass Mesquite Point, Sabine Pass Galveston Bay ent. south jetty Port Bolivar Galveston Bay Texas City, Turning Basin Eagle Point (1) Clear Lake(1) Morgan Point (1) Round Pt.,Trinity Bay (1) Point Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, West Bay Alligator Point, West Bay Christmas Point, Christmas Bay Galveston Pleasure Pier San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor Pass Cavallo Aransas Pass Padre Island (South End) Port Isabel HighLow -2:14 -1:24 -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 +3:54 +6:05 +10:21 +10:39 +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -1:06 -0:09 -0:44 0:00 -0:03 -0:24 +1:02 +0:41 +4:15 +6:40 +5:19 +5:15 +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:33 +2:31 -1:06 -0:09 -1:02 -1:20 -1:31 -1:45 -0:42 Tidal adjustments are not predictable for Port O’Connor, Matagorda Bay; Port Lavaca, Matagorda Bay; and Riviera Beach, Baffin Bay since they are driven by wind and weather. — NOAA 74 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal JUNE 2015 Fish, game and all wildlife move in search of food in cycles relative to the moon’s location to the earth. The time spans listed above are the prime times to start each day at and along each time zone meridian of longitude 75 degrees (Eastern) 90 degrees (Central) 105 degrees (Mountain) and 120 degrees (Pacific) during Standard time and Daylight Saving during the time it is in effect. To determine the feeding cycle time for best fishing and hunting in the area you plan to fish or hunt advance the sum of 4 minutes for each degree west and back up 4 minutes for each degree east. The next prime feeding cycle (not listed on the calendar) will be approximately twelve and one-half hours later. There are minor periods that occur between the prime or major periods. The minor periods are typically fair periods and last only about half as long as the prime periods. Feeding Times by Dan Barnett have been proven by analysis of 124 – 3 day bass tournaments between 1967 through 1983 to be reliable and accurate in predicting wildlife feeding activity. The Feeding Times are not a cure-all. Weather and other environmental conditions affect wildlife feeding activity. Annual vest pocket books, which show all the major and minor periods, can be ordered by sending a check or money order for $15.00 per book. For S&H, please add $4.00 to an order of 1 to 4 books. Make check or money order payable to: Feeding Times. Send to: Feeding Times, P.O. Box 2240, Covington, GA 30015. After Oct. 1, please indicate book year. For questions or comments, you can call 404-373-7151. Over 60 Years in Print Feeding Times by Dan Barnett 17 Years Test Proven may 2015 Managing Comfort in Port Aransas, TX For Over 30 Years