June 2015 - PDF - Texas Outdoors Journal

Transcription

TEXAS OUTDOORS
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Consistent S.T.A.R. Caliber
(see
“Texas’ Most Comprehensive Outdoors Publication”
June 2015 / $3.99
Journal
Fishing South Texas Flats | Modern Whitetail Deer Management
Labor of Love - Catfish Trotlines | First Run for Offshore Action
Toying with Wild Pigs | Staying Safe in Stormy Weather
texasoutdoorsjournal.com
coastal & lake forecasts | tide & solunar tables
FINANCING L AND OWNER SHIP
TEXAS OUTDOORS
“Texas’ Most Comprehensive Outdoors Publication”
Journal
For Hunters . . .
16 Just Shooting
—Kerry O’Day
They Don’t Shoot the Same
20Origin of Modern Whitetail Deer
Management- The evolution of
techniques, results, and trends from
yesterday to today.—Bob Zaiglin
Freshwater
June 2015
For Anglers . . .
Saltwater
14
Just Fishing 10 Jump Start Summer Fishing on —Brian Hughes
South Texas Shallow Flats- Looking for GUIDE-ance
Anglers willing to adapt techniques based on the prevailing conditions Lake Roundups — Pros Forecasts
can expect hot action in June.
24 Central – John Jefferson —Danno
Wise
30 North – Brian Hughes 32 56
57
57 East – Matt Williams South - Danno Wise West – TOJ Staff
High Plains – TOJ Staff
40Labor of Love- Three Top Catfish
pros offer 15 tips to help fishermen
increase their catch. —Matt Williams
Just Hunting
48
—Mike Holmes
Toying with Pigs
NMLS493828
Grow with us.
62Field Tips & Techniques—
Bill L. Olson & Danno Wise
Early Summer Hog Tactics
Let us finance your weekend retreat
60 Tackle Tips & Techniques
—Danno Wise
Fishing for Bluegills & Other Panfish
FINANCING
Rural Land
Homes
Farms & Ranches
Livestock & Equipment
Operating Capital
Improvements
Agribusiness
SERVICES
Real Estate Appraisal
Crop Insurance
Leasing
877.944.5500 | CapitalFarmCredit.com
18 Saltwater Journal
—Mark Sosin
Feeding Strategy 26 First Run for Offshore Action- Gulf of Mexico currents are warm and full of a variety of line stretch
ing fish.—Robert Sloan
36Consistent S.T.A.R. CaliberCombine optimum feeding time
with the right location will consistently catch trophy speckled trout
and sometimes a Winner. —Nate
Skinner
54
Just Fishing
—Matt Williams
In a Storm
proud member of the Farm Credit System
For Everyone . . .
On the Cover . . .
4Editor’s Insight – Bill L. Olson
6 TOJ Notebook – TOJ Staff
43 Subscription Information
59, 61, 63 Guides, Gear & Getaways
64 Outdoors Calendar
66 Fishing & Hunting Times
“Sea Trout Deception”
By artist Chance Yarbrough. For
more information on “Sea Trout
Deception” and other works of art
by Chance Yarbrough visit www.
chanceyarbroughart.com or call (254)
424-3171.
june 2015
TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal
CoastWatch – Danno Wise
44 Lower Forecast
47 Middle Forecast 50 Upper Forecast
53 Louisiana Forecast
58 Tackle Tips & Techniques —Danno Wise
Fishing Close-To-Shore Offshore Options
3
Editor’s Insight
Bill L. Olson
REMEMBER WHEN
It’s a funny thing about dates of memorable events. Most remember month,
day and year of a birthday, anniversary, when a loved one passed or a newborn
entered this world.
Then the list starts to get a little thin. Graduations, reunions, special sporting
events, and the like may not carry the exact specifics however the year in which
they occurred may be recalled.
Our mind is also filled with a whole bunch of other clips that are on that list as
special. The first time you saw your spouse, or the events surrounding meeting
your best friend. The date may not be as important as the fact it happened.
Those of us in the outdoor world thank our lucky stars for many of these
happenings. Over time the exact date may escape us, but we can usually tie it to
some other milestone like, “you were just entering junior high school.” The year
can’t quickly be recalled, but oh how the experience and circumstances are.
Sometimes it is not the event, but something insignificant that is remembered.
Sitting in the south end late one June afternoon just before dusk waiting on some
hogs. The mosquitos so big and numerous you’d swear they lifted you off of the
seat of that old Bronco.
Swatting and mumbling under your breath of the annoying bloodsuckers when
suddenly a sounder of pigs come trotting through a stand of post oaks. The lead
is going to be critical to send a bullet between the trees and placing it on target,
right behind the shoulder. At the report of the rifle the bullet flattens the lead fat
pig and your young companion exclaims, “nice shot.” The date isn’t important, but
that moment and memory is.
Then there was a special place you had been fishing for trout and reds. That trip
was so impressive the family had to be brought back on a return trip to experience
it as soon as school was out for summer.
Upon the return expectations were high and what doubt there was of duplicating
such a day on the water was soon dispelled by the excited squeals as redfish had
rods bowed and drags screaming. This was their trip as you sit back and recorded
the action on some Kodak film. It was truly a redfish rodeo. If lucky and doing
some mental math, you might be able to guess within a year or two the year the
family was introduced to coastal fishing. There are other times and memories stored
throughout the years, but it seems the month of June is filled with them. Maybe
it’s because there are so many opportunities or this is the beginning of an entire
summer of spending time with those that are most important.
It could be family or a friend, or someone new that has touched your heart. I’d
hate to think all that is available outdoors is selfishly retained only for one. It is
there to share and when shared the smallest events are magnified.
Weather forecasters say this June should be on the mild side. And when it does
warm up the coast is available with its cooling breeze coming off of the Gulf of
Mexico.
Anyone that lives in the country knows temperatures are cooler if you get away
from the concrete and steel of the city. Add a lake or even a stock pond filled with
catfish plus a big old shade tree to sit under and it is just nice.
Today there are enough challenges that cloud our minds, so it is nice to be able
to remember when time was shared outdoors.
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’ 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
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:
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 6
june 2015
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TOJ Notebook
CCA Files Lawsuit To Stop Sector Separation
On April 22 Coastal Conservation Association announced it had filed a lawsuit
against implementation of Amendment
40 to the Fishery Management Plan for the
Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.
Also known as “sector separation,” the
amendment is a highly controversial management plan for red snapper that takes a
significant percentage of the recreational
quota and reserves it solely for use by the
charter/for-hire industry.
“Amendment 40 embodies everything
that is wrong with federal management of
our marine resources. It is completely out
of step with this nation’s heritage of wildlife resource management,” said Bill Bird,
chairman of CCA’s National Government
Relations Committee.
“It has been overwhelmingly opposed at every step in the process, but a
very small minority has been allowed to
manipulate the system to their personal
advantage.”
Amendment 40 is widely regarded as
the first step to a catch share program for
a privileged few in the charter/for-hire
industry, similar to the one in place for the
commercial red snapper industry. With
passage of this amendment, the way is
cleared for up to 70 percent of the entire
Gulf red snapper fishery to be privately
held, while recreational anglers who fish
on their own boats will find their access
to federal waters severely limited.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved Amendment 40
by a 10-7 vote in October 2014 over opposition from four Gulf states, Congress,
the vast majority of recreational anglers
and even from within the charter/for-hire
industry itself.
In the immediate aftermath of the
vote, eight representatives to the Council
submitted a scathing minority report that
was ultimately ignored. The amendment
was approved by the U.S. Secretary of
Commerce on April 10.
In its lawsuit, CCA charges that
Amendment 40 constitutes agency action
that is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse
of discretion, not in accordance with law
and in excess of statutory jurisdiction,
authority, or limitations. The lawsuit has
been filed in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Tex a s B i g G a m e Awa rd s t o
Recognize Texas Hunters and Land
Stewards
For 24 years, the Texas Big Game
Awards, a partnership of Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department and the Texas
Wildlife Association, has been the
leader in recognizing the contributions
that landowners, land managers and
responsible hunters make to managing
and conserving wildlife and wildlife
habitat on Texas’ private lands.
All entries for the 2014-2015 Texas Big
Game Awards have been submitted and
more than 1,200 hunters, 250 landowners,
160 youth hunters, and 260 first-time
hunters will be recognized across
Texas at this year’s TBGA Sportsman’s
Celebrations.
The top 30 big game animals taken
this past season will be on display and
recognized during the 2015 Statewide
TBGA Sportsman’s Celebration held in
conjunction with TWA’s 30th Annual
Convention, July 9-12th at the JW
Marriott San Antonio Hill Country
Resort and Spa.
Species recognized across the state
Cover Art
There is a new Texas artist making his mark on the wildlife
and sporting art scene. His name is Chance Yarbrough and he
has been a lifelong fan of the late John P. “Jack” Cowan, and was
mentored by the late Herb Booth. An observer of this young
talented art style reflects the influence from both of those highly
revered artists.
Chance has recently been named the 2015 Poster Artist for
the Rockport Art Festival in Rockport, Texas where a “one man
show” will feature his artwork June 20 – August 1. For more
information on the show visit www.rockportartcenter.com.
This month’s cover art is Yarbrough’s “Sea Trout Deception.”
Most anglers know that June is one of the very best months of
the year to catch speckled trout on grassy flats, and that includes
catching them on a fly.
For more information on “Sea Trout Deception” and other
works of art by Chance Yarbrough visit www.chanceyarbroughart.
com or call (254) 424-3171.
6
“Sea Trout Deception”
june 2015
include white-tailed deer, mule deer,
pronghorn antelope, desert bighorn and
javelina. Also being awarded across the
state will be the top scholarship recipients
of the Carter’s Country TBGA College
Scholarship Program, as well as the best of
the best field photos. In addition, thirteen
hunters and their respective landowners
will be awarded the coveted Texas Slam
Award, given to hunters who harvest
all three TBGA qualifying animals in
the same season meeting the minimum
scoring requirements.
To see some of this year’s entries,
make plans to attend one of the TBGA
Sportsman’s Celebration events scheduled
across Texas. Regions 5, 6 and 7 (Post
Oak Savannah, Pineywoods and Coastal
Prairies) celebration were held in Lufkin
on May 16. The remaining celebration
dates for 2015 include:
•June 20, Region 4 and 8 (Edwards
Plateau and South Texas), Uvalde, SSGT.
Willie De Leon Civic Center.
•June 27, Regions 1, 2 and 3 (Trans
Pecos, Panhandle and Cross Timbers), San
Angelo, McNeese Convention Center.
•July 10, Statewide TBGA Sportsman’s
Celebration, held in conjunction with
8
TWA’s Annual Convention, WildLife 2015,
July 9-12, San Antonio, JW Marriott Hill
Country Resort and Spa.
Under this program, awards are given
to all “Scored Entries” that meet minimum
regional requirements, first-time hunters,
youth hunters, and landowners, and there
are no entry fees.
All program information, program
history, entry rules, photos and sponsors
are also featured on the TBGA website
www.TexasBigGameAwards.org.
Texas Game Wardens
Commission 10 New K-9s
Ten canines are now official state
K-9s after receiving their badges and
commissions as Texas game wardens. The
K-9s were accompanied by their game
warden partners during a graduation
ceremony at the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department’s Austin headquarters this
morning.
“In a very short period of time, the
K-9 program has become a great asset to
Texas game wardens, state and local law
enforcement agencies, and the citizens
we serve throughout Texas,” says Colonel
Craig Hunter, Director of TPWD’s Law
Enforcement Division.
The dogs underwent an extensive
eight-week training led by Sgt. Wendell
Nope of the Utah Department of Public
Safety’s Peace Officer Standards and
Training (POST) program. The new
K-9s received training in search and
rescue, narcotics detection, and a few
are also trained in resource recognition,
which includes recovery of wildlife and
gunpowder residue detection.
“The K-9 program, which began two
years ago, has progressed attributes of
our job- especially our search and rescue
operations,” says game warden Captain
Jason Davis, who oversees the K-9 team
as part of the Law Enforcement Division’s
Tactical Operations. “Now, we can go to
the last place a person was and find them
faster than we would during a full-area
search.”
Davis says the dogs and their partners
have become an asset to not only TPWD,
but to other agencies as well.
“The K-9 program has evolved into a
stand-alone unit due to the large amount
of requests they receive,” says Davis.
“Handlers and their dogs are dedicated to
serving all of Texas, not just specific areas.
They are often called to assist other state
and local agencies with narcotics searches
and search and rescue efforts.”
The graduates are:
•“Turbo” partnered with game warden
Isaac Ruiz
•“Brooks” partnered with game
warden Trent Herchman
•“Blitz” partnered with game warden
Sam Shanafelt
•“Justin” partnered with game warden
John Thorne
•“Gus” partnered with game warden
David Thorne
•“Woodrow” partnered with game
warden Derek Nalls
•“Ray” partnered with game warden
Scott Kirkpatrick
•“Ruger” partnered with game warden
Christy Vales
•“Rusty” partnered with game warden
Royce Ilse
•“Cash” partnered with game warden
Marcus Vela
The Utah DPS’ POST program is
world-renowned, having trained more
than 2,500 teams from 50 countries.
The new K-9s are joining the ranks
of more than 500 Texas game wardens
stationed around the state.
june 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
JUMP START SUMMER FISHING
South Texas
Shallow Flats
ON
Anglers willing to adapt techniques based on the prevailing conditions
can expect hot action in June.
Story and photography by Danno Wise
M
ost often, the beginning of
June feels like mid-summer along the Lower Texas
Coast, although the calendar says the
year’s hottest season won’t officially begin
until near the end of the month. But,
thanks to warm spring tides, flats fishermen can jump start summer fishing action
on the shallow flats of South Texas.
Along the Lower Texas Coast, most
flats begin filling with fish during April.
By June, fish are already beginning to inch
closer to the deeper channels and holes
adjacent to the shallow flats. But, because
the midday temperatures in June aren’t
near as sweltering as they are in August,
fish will be active on these shallow water
areas throughout the day during early
summer.
Although the temperatures are relatively mild compared to what is yet to
come later in the summer, anglers hoping
for surface action will still find the most
consistent topwater bite early in the day.
During the early morning hours, the
shallows are sufficiently cool to encourage fish to feed aggressively. Throughout
June, “Jr” size topwater plugs work best.
On relatively calm days, floater/divers like
the Cordell Redfin and Bomber Long A
can produce plenty of fish as well. While
the topwater bite generally won’t last all
day like it might during the fall, the early
Anglers along the Lower Coast have become adept at utilizing spinning rigs that allows long accurate casts and to fish lures that will land softly.
june 2015
11
On relatively calm days, floater/divers like the Cordell Redfin and Bomber Long A can produce
plenty of fish.
summer surface action can very well
extend late into the morning. And, on
overcast days, anglers can often find fish
willing to strike surface plugs into the
afternoon hours.
Those same calm days that allow
floater/divers to be productive can result
in good sight casting action on the shallow flats. Usually, just about the time the
topwater bite begins to subside, the sun
is high enough to allow anglers to target
fish beneath the surface. And, on most
June days anglers can expect good sight
casting conditions from mid-morning on.
There are essentially two types of terrain for sight casting on the shallow flats
of South Texas bays — grass flats pocked
with sandy potholes and bare sand flats.
Both of these type of areas can be productive in June. It is really a matter of which
species anglers want to target and whether
they want to strictly target sighted fish
or mix in “selective blind casting” when
specific fish are not sighted.
Most often the bare sand flats will be
populated with redfish, although the occasional rogue sow speck will be cruising
the shallows. The advantage of working
over the sand flats is fish are easily sighted.
The disadvantage is fish are usually a bit
more skittish when found over “the sand.”
As a result, anglers need to be prepared
to make long, accurate casts. And, they
need to select lures that will land somewhat softly. For this reason alone, anglers
along the Lower Coast have become adept
at utilizing spinning rigs. However, even
12 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal
when making such casts, hooking up with
fish on the sand flats can be challenging —
but it is a blast when it happens, which is
why so many anglers continue to pursue
skittish fish over sand flats.
The other possible downside to spending a day on the clear, shallow sand flats
is the fact that when fish aren’t seen, they
likely aren’t there, meaning there may be
more time spent looking than casting.
Sand flats are pretty much devoid of
structure.
There may be slight depressions or
undulations in the bay floor which fish
will relate to while feeding on the flats, but
generally speaking, they only are on the
flats when they are feeding and there can
be long stretches of empty sand between
feeding pods of fish. So, while anglers’
adrenaline may run high when feeding
fish are in sight, they also usually have to
cope long periods of inactivity.
Anglers wanting to fill the void between sighted fish with casts that can
possible entice a strike from an unseen
target should opt for grass flats instead.
The most productive grass flats are not
a solid carpet of grass, but rather filled
with bare areas known as potholes or sand
pockets. If fish are suspended in potholes,
they are just as easily seen as when they are
over sand flats. But, when they are hanging
in or over the grass, they are much more
difficult to see — especially speckled trout,
which tend to blend into the turtle grass.
And, a good portion of the time, the fish
are not in the potholes, but rather lurking
in the grass beside them.
When fish, whether over grass or in
the potholes, are not sighted, anglers can
engage in “selective blind-casting.” This
entails casting lures in or near potholes
to entice fish that are awaiting to ambush
an easy meal swimming through the
potholes. A wide variety of baits and lures
can produce results in this situation, but
most anglers employ soft-plastic jigs or
weedless spoons.
While June provides many more calm
days that the spring months, not every
early summer day is without wind. When
the wind blows, anglers may be able to find
some decent visibility in protected coves
and along protected shorelines. More often than not, however, high wind spells an
end to sight casting. But, they certainly do
not end anglers’ chances at steady action.
Rather, fishermen just need to alter their
techniques.
Blind casting can be just as productive
as sight casting. Generally, drifting over
grass flats will provide the most consistent
action for blind-casting. There are basically two styles for blind-casting — with
a popping cork and without. Both types
can be effective over South Texas flats
during June.
Popping cork rigs can be used with
natural or artificial baits — then you
have the scented baits such as GULP!
and DOA Shrimp, which can be used
essentially in place of live bait. The vast
majority of fishermen use live shrimp or
one of the aforementioned scented plastics
when fishing a popping cork. They key to
consistently producing good results with
these popping cork rigs is to find the right
rhythm on a given day and make the right
amount of noise. As a rule of thumb, the
rougher the water, the noisier the cork rig
needs to be.
When throwing plastics without a cork
in windy conditions, baits that produce
vibration, such as paddle-tail plastics
work best. Along channel edges and
deeper flats, lipless crankbaits — which
give off fish attracting rattling sounds
as well as vibration — can also produce
good results, although they are very much
underutilized by Texas flats fishermen.
Regardless of what lure is being thrown,
anglers usually need to slow their retrieve
in off-colored water in order to give fish a
chance to locate the lure.
Of course, blind casting isn’t just for
high wind, ugly water days. When the
june 2015
when using plastic jigs. If the water clarity is very
go o d, ang l e rs
can effectively
use straight-tail
soft-plastic jerkbaits, as well as
hard plastic jerk
baits and slows i n k i ng plu g s
such as 51 and
52 Series MirrOlures and
Bomber Mullets.
Whether
blind casting or
s i g ht c ast i ng ,
anglers can be
productive in or
out of the boat
In June, smaller or “Junior” sized baits will produce the best when fishing
in June. By June,
Texas’ shallow flats.
the water is warm
water is “trout green” over the deeper
enough for “wet wading” — that is, wadflats (thigh to waist-deep), anglers can
ing without waders. And, since fish are
do very well blind casting with plastics
found over sand, wade fishermen have
or shrimp and popping cork rigs. Often
sure footing over hard bottom. Then
times, anglers can gain casting distance
again, June usually also regularly features
with the added weight of a cork, even
near perfect drift-fishing breezes — winds
june 2015
that push the boat just quick enough to
efficiently cover water, but slow enough to
place plenty of casts in productive areas.
So, anglers can usually be effective no
matter what their preferred method for
covering water.
An added bonus for flats fishermen
is the usual presence of glass minnows
during June. When swarms of glass
minnows are present, speckled trout and
redfish will often go on a feeding frenzy.
However, although it may seem the fish
will hit anything at times like this, they
are usually so tuned into the tiny profile
of the prolific glass minnows that they
will only strike lures of a similar size
and shape. Lures such as MirroLure
MirroMinnows, small silver spoons and
2-inch Yum Money Minnows are the best
options when casting to fish feeding on
glass minnows.
Regardless of whether they are sightcasting or blind-casting, anglers will find
plenty of opportunity awaiting them on
the early summer flats of South Texas. As
long as they are willing to adapt their techniques based on the prevailing conditions,
anglers can expect to catch fish virtually
every day in June.
13
Just FISHING | Brian Hughes
Looking for GUIDE-ance
June marks the true beginning of
that he had noticed the problem before we
Now this is by no means indicative of all,
summer. The kids get out of school and
took off, but for some unexplained reason,
or even most guides, but had I asked more
families can finally spend some quality
decided not to say anything.
questions, and given him a better idea of
time at the lake. For many, it will be the
While I spent the next 20 or so minutes
what I expected, I may have had a better
first trip of the year, and the lake may be
working on that mess, he hopped on the
day, or I may have selected another guide.
a vacation destination.
front deck, dropped the trolling motor
A guide can definitely put the odds
What fun, the entire family swimming,
and began pitching a jig along a creek
of actually catching in your favor, but
skiing and fishing for
you have to do your
days on end. Until,
par t in order to
that is, the fish refuse
provide yourself the
to cooperate. Fishing
best opportunities.
is fun, but catching is
There are several
better.
things you need to
In our hectic lives
decide before you
today most of us are
even begin to look
so busy making a
for a guide. What is
living, we don’t have
your ultimate goal?
nearly enough time
Of course, the short
to go fishing as much
answer is to catch
as we would like. And
fish. But does it
when we do get the
matter what kind of
opportunity to go,
fish? Do you want to
we really want to
try for a trophy fish?
make the most of our
Or would you rather
time, and catch fish.
simply catch a lot of
To t h a t e n d ,
fish in a day on the
many people look
water? Or do you just
to fishing guides for
want to spend some
Even pros will look to other pros when fishing a lake they are not as familiar with or have
help. And every year
time fishing with the
not fished in a while. The author with a striper caught while fishing with Texoma guide Dan
many of those people
kids?
Barnett.
are disappointed in
All of these
the result. From not catching any fish, or
channel. When I was finally ready to
questions, and more, will be important
enough, to the personality of the guide,
fish I asked what I should be doing and
factors in choosing your guide. Let’s look
many factors are part of the formula that
he informed me I should go to the back
at a few examples.
makes for a good day on the water.
deck and just pitch a jig along the channel
If you would like to catch a lot of
I remember my first guided trip. It
edges. Now, keep in mind, he was on the
fish, and don’t really care what species,
was at a famous big bass lake, early in the
front of the boat with a graph just below
then white bass (or sand bass as they
spring. The guide was well known and
him, and he could see the channel as we
are commonly known) would be a great
had a reputation for big fish. I paid my
went along. From the back of the boat,
choice. They are also a good choice for the
deposit, booked my day, and purchased
all I could see was water and timber in
parent that wants to get the children on
the suggested lures, line and gear for
every direction. I had no idea where this
the water for a day of fishing.
my big day. I couldn’t sleep the night
channel was.
Sand bass hang out in big schools and
before! I met my guide at the lake and he
After a couple of hours without a fish
don’t generally take a lot of skill to catch,
introduced himself and told me to stow
I went into my tackle box and pulled out
rather the trick is in finding them. This is
my rods on the deck and we’d get going.
a favorite lure and managed to catch a
where a guide will come in handy.
After an exhilarating ride to the fishing
couple of fish before the day was over, and
However, not all guides will fish for
spot I was dismayed to find my three rods
that was all that was caught by either of us
sand bass. Many guides specialize, whether
a tangled mess. You see, I’d never been
that day. When we returned to the dock,
in largemouth bass, catfish, or striped
in a go-fast bass boat before, and had no
the “guide” mumbled something about a
bass, or something else. You’ll need to
idea that if you left your lures hanging
tough day and held out his hand for the
look for a guide that deals with sandies
about four inches from the rod tip, the
rest of his money.
for this trip.
run across the lake would tie them in all
On the way home I realized that I had
On the other hand, suppose you want
kinds of knots. My “guide” mentioned
just paid for his day of fishing — not mine.
a trophy largemouth bass trip? Then you’ll
14
june 2015
want a guide that specializes not only in
bass fishing, but BIG bass fishing. And that
brings us to another question. What lake
will you fish? While this seems obvious
at first, consider the many, many, lakes
in Texas and what each lake has to offer.
Some will be better for certain species
than others. Texoma is known for great
striped bass fishing, while Lake Fork has
a trophy largemouth reputation that is
unrivaled. It is important to match your
desires with the fishery that offers the best
chance for success. That can’t always be
accomplished, in which case you’ll have
to compromise.
As an example, maybe you have
a vacation home on Cedar Creek, so
that’s where you’ll be fishing. While you
may want to catch the next state record
largemouth, Cedar Creek is probably not
the best candidate for that. But Cedar
Creek does have a great largemouth bass
population, and it is possible to have a
great day catching numbers of fish.
Maybe your family reunion will be
at Lake Texoma. You may want to catch
the 100 bass-a-day grail of largemouth
fishing, but since Texoma is better known
june 2015
for the striper fishing, go with the flow so
to speak and look for a good striper guide.
And remember, no matter if you
want trophy fish or lots of fish, keep your
expectations within reason. No guide
can promise a 10 pound largemouth, 100
sandies, or 20-plus pound striper on every
trip. Even guides will have tough days on
the water, it’s the nature of the beast.
Which brings us to some questions
you should be asking potential guides
when you start the selection process. As an
example, let’s say you would like to catch
a bunch of keeper-sized catfish. There are
times of the year or seasons that will lend
themselves to this approach, and times
that will be tougher. A good guide should
be able to tell you what is going on, or will
be, when you are ready to fish.
If your schedule is flexible, I
recommend you listen to his advice
and book when the season favors you.
If your date is set in stone then you’ll
need to understand that the fish may not
cooperate. You will also want to share
with your guide your experience level,
and be honest.
If you have trouble with a baitcasting
reel, say so. If you are used to left-handed
reels be sure to mention that too. If
you have special health issues, if you
are especially large, or small, if you are
bringing a child, or children, tell the guide.
If you have to be off the water and on the
way home at a certain time, mention that
as well.
The guide needs to know as much as
possible about you, your expectations, and
abilities as possible in order to tailor your
trip to your needs. There are countless
sources for guides, including the pages in
the back of this magazine. The internet
listed 30+ pages of guides when I entered
“fishing guides Texas” and hit the search
bar.
I generally don’t ask for references
as you’ll only get the names and contact
info for satisfied customers. I think it is
far better to spend a little time on the
phone with any potential guide. Have a
conversation about something other than
fishing and you’ll probably be able to get a
feel for the person. Just be sure to give and
get as much information as possible, and
you’ll know better if you can spend eight
hours in a boat with them.
15
Just Shooting | Kerry O’Day
They Don’t Shoot the Same
Four different 30 caliber 180 grain bullets that are different in length will result in difference
performance and point of impact.
A customer came in to the shop asking
to speak to the manager. This is never a
good thing; I always try to find a place to
hide. The customer told me he had just
picked up his rifle and ammo that we had
sighted in over the weekend, headed down
to Carter’s Country’s range and shot, but it
didn’t hit anywhere near the bulls-eye. He
showed me his target and the group was
8 inches low and 2 inches right. Instead
of shooting the 300 Win. Mag. himself, he
had the shooter at Carter’s try it.
Now I knew that the rifle was sighted
in, I had done it myself. I also knew that
different shooters shoot differently, but
not 8 inches different and I thought to
myself how could this customer plan on
going on a big game hunt without ever
shooting his rifle? I asked the customer
to let me check the scope; it might have
come loose or stripped a scope base screw.
I also asked him how many shots it took
to sight the rifle in. The customer handed
me his rifle and the box of ammunition
and said he just wanted his money back.
I looked at the box of ammunition
and said, “here is the problem; this is not
the ammo I returned to you with the rifle.” He said different ammunition didn’t
make any difference; the rifle should still
hit the bull’s-eye if it had been properly
sighted in. I told him different bullets
will hit different places on a target and he
should have been using the same ammo
I had sighted the rifle in with. He started
to tell me I didn’t know what I was talking
about and how could a scoped rifle shoot
bullets of the same weight to a different
point of impact on a target or for that
matter how could two different shooters
shoot different and that he should never
have to sight in his rifle or shoot it until
the big buck steps out.
It seems the older I get the less patience
I have for misinformed, and hardheaded
people who don’t want to listen and believe they know it all. However, in this
instance I decided to try and show him
the difference in bullets and explain how
they fly differently.
I can take four different brands of factory ammo using the same bullet weight
and they will all shoot different. Not only
will they shoot to a different point of aim,
the bullets will group different.
Notice the difference between the two bullets coming out of the same rifle barrel.
First the velocity will be different
from brand to brand. Not every ammo
company is going to load 300 Win. Mag.
ammo with 180 grain bullets to the exact
3000 feet per second velocity. Some
ammo manufacturers will have a velocity
of 2900 FPS and others will have a velocity
of 3050 FPS. Just the difference in velocity
will make the bullet have different points
of impact.
Also the bullets will have a different
shape. Some bullets will be longer than
others, some will be a flat base and other
bullets will have a boat-tail. This too will
make the bullets hit differently. Some
bullets will have a longer point some will
have a blunt or flat point. And the ogive
(the area of the bullet just before the curve
of the point begins) will be different on all
of the bullets.
Different velocity is easy to understand why the impact would change, but
why would the different shape of a bullet
make it hit differently on the target. The
answer is simple; the body of the bullet
is different and is a different length. The
body of the bullet also will have a different
contact area so when it exits the rifling of
the barrel, it might be at a different point
of contact with each shot. If the bullet
leaves the upper rifling it will hit different than a bullet which leaves the lower
rifling. A boat-tail bullet will have more
body sticking out of the barrel than a flat
base bullet will and a flat point bullet will
have a higher ogive than a long pointed
bullet will. Now that’s a lot to think about
when trying to have consistent groups and
to make each grouping hit the same point
of impact every time the gun is shot.
I can take four different bullets and
load the exact same type of powder with
the same amount of powder and I will
get four different velocities, four different
groups and four different points of impact.
If I could load all four to the exact same
velocity I would still have different groups
and different points of impact. It’s simple,
different bullets will come out of the barrel
in a different place so they each will shoot
differently.
After explaining this to my customer,
he proceeded to tell me that the scope on
his rifle will take care of all that and scoped
rifles will make up for different ammo
and that it shouldn’t make any difference.
I’m sure he believes that a bullet rises as
it leaves the barrel of a rifle and gravity
doesn’t exist, but that’s a different story.
Well no matter how hard you try you
can’t cure misinformed and hardheaded
people; it is easier just to give their money
back.
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
16
june 2015
june 2015
17
SALTWATER JOURNAL | Mark Sosin
Feeding Strategy
Photo by Bill L. Olson
Feeding patterns and rest periods govern fish behavior. Fish draw heavily on energy stores
to feed, but then they must rest for a considerable amount of time before they are able to feed
again.
Anglers are continuously puzzled by
the vagaries of feeding gamefish. For no
apparent reason, fish will begin to feed
voraciously and then stop feeding with
the same suddenness and disappear. The
fact is that fish try to exploit situations
that give them the maximum intake of
food for the energy expended.
It is natural to believe that fish can
swim perpetually and that they have the
speed and energy to feed whenever they
want to and for as long as they want to.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way
in Nature. When anglers are not getting
strikes or catching fish, most of them
think there are no fish around or that they
are using the wrong bait or lure.
Feeding patterns and rest periods
govern fish behavior. Fish draw heavily
on energy stores to feed, but then they
must rest for a considerable amount of
time before they are able to feed again.
Keep in mind that survival in the water
is predicated on the ability of each fish
to escape pursuit from a predator. That
means fish must maintain enough reserve
energy to survive attacks.
Predators select and attack one
specific victim at a time. They don’t swim
through a school of baitfish with their
mouths open hoping that something will
fall into it. At the same time, predators
18
choose a victim that is isolated, disabled,
or looks different. At a federal marine
research facility, I was once allowed to
observe the feeding of a school of bluefish
in a 30,000 gallon aquarium with live bait.
It was instantly obvious that although
the predators were charging their prey
in a feeding frenzy from several angles
simultaneously, in each instance the
bluefish selected a single prey.
Whether a species is a nighttime,
daytime, or twilight feeder, there is a
definite rhythm to its daily life. Many
of its activities may be automatic so that
the fish has no deliberate control over
metabolic rate, eye adjustment, and even
cruising speed.
For example, bluefish swim constantly
without stopping to rest, but at night
they cease feeding and automatically
slow down and cruise at about one-fifth
of their daytime speed. Also, their eyes
automatically begin to adjust for extra
nighttime sensitivity even before dusk
settles. Scientifically, this automatic
behavior present in most species is called
circadian rhythm.
Researchers tell us that in any stock
of gamefish, some are more clever than
others in resisting a lure or a baited hook.
Consequently, anglers usually catch the
“dumber fish” first, leaving those that
boast a feeding shyness. These hookshy fish remain and it becomes more
and more difficult to hook one of them.
Sometimes, this resistance applies only to
a particular lure or specific type of lure.
The dilemma most anglers face is why a
particular lure that was fabulous last year
no longer proves as effective, while other
artificials become standards and work
season after season.
Fish face another problem. During
strenuous exercise such as feeding, lactic
acid builds up in the muscles with the
maximum amount some two to four
hours after the expenditure of energy.
When the fish rests, blood rinses the
muscles and the lactic acid dissipates. It
can take about 12 hours before the fish is
lactic acid free. A fish can be killed by a
high amount of lactic acid in the blood
either because it stops the heart or it
blocks oxygenation through the gills.
Lactic acid buildup can be a serious
problem if you plan to release a fish. Many
anglers battle their quarry much longer
than necessary and the result is severe
lactic acid buildup. A fish should be
fought as effectively as possible and then
released quickly without much fanfare or
too long a time posing for pictures. Even
if a fish swims off and looks healthy, the
possibility of too much lactic acid buildup
could exist.
From a fishing standpoint, the
problem is to get a fish to chase a bait
or lure in the first place. Once the fish
commits itself and gambles the initial
burst of energy, it usually will continue the
attack. If the fish does turn away without
striking, there are two possible reasons
to consider. Your quarry may decide it is
not worth the additional effort or output
of energy to pursue the bait or lure any
further or the presentation may suddenly
look unnatural.
There are countless variables to
consider when a fish follows your offering,
but fails to strike. Simple things such as
too heavy a leader or a retrieve that is too
fast or too slow. When water temperatures
are low for the species you seek, they may
choose not to follow a bait or lure too far.
And, it’s important to understand that a
june 2015
or a smaller hook fashioned from lighter
fish’s digestion is much slower in cooler
lure to flash will bring a strike.
wire. You may have to hide the hook in a
water, so it might not be ready to strike as
Success comes from continued
bait. Sometimes, something as simple as
often as you might suspect.
observation and modification of your
pausing for an instant during the retrieve
Veteran anglers try to present a bait
technique. Effective fishing is anything
when you are fishing a plug or vibrating
as close to where they suspect a fish is
but a relaxing sport.
the hand holding the rod which causes a
holding without getting close enough to
scare it. They frequently start
with a slow retrieve or trolling
speed and then begin to increase
it if that doesn’t work. Bait
fishermen often have at least
a few choices of various baits,
since fish can be fussy in their
feeding preferences.
It’s also important to rig a
bait neatly and then change it
frequently so that the scent of
that bait is fresh. With live bait,
you want to keep the offering
frisky and active, which means
it, too, should be changed often.
You can put the tired bait back
in the live well and use it again,
later, when it has regained its
strength.
Usually, it’s a few little
Veteran anglers try to present a bait as close to where they suspect a fish is holding without getting close
things that determine a strike
enough to scare it. They frequently start with a slow retrieve and then begin to increase it if that doesn’t
or no strike. Try a lighter leader
work.
A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS
Relax, we’ll take care of the details!
GIVE US A CALL!
june 2015
19
T
he management and pursuit
of whitetail deer has evolved
as much as the iPhone over
the last 30 years. Modern day sportsmen
have at their disposal a variety of new tools
from fine-tuned compound bows to long
range shooting rifles to pursue some of the
largest racked bucks in existence.
Obviously, the playing field has
changed whether one’s favorite piece of
hunting turf is high fenced or not, as no
time in the history of Texas deer hunting
has the number of exceptionally large
racked bucks inhabited managed lands
as they do at present.
Like all challenges man faces, the
concept of making it better is inherent.
But to critique the methods, whether
it is the management of the species or
the pursuit of the animal in the wild, it’s
important to look back at the history of
modern day deer management.
I was privileged to witness the advent
of modern day deer management as a
graduate student at Texas A&I University
under the supervision of renowned
deer researcher Dr. Charlie DeYoung.
An innovative and curious-minded
individual, Charlie wanted to investigate
the practical aspects of managing
whitetails, and together we researched
the benefits of supplemental feeding
free-ranging whitetail deer. Documented
as the first study of its kind in 1975, it
was less than popular at the time, but we
discovered that it was an applicable yet
expensive tool to impact deer in a positive
fashion. Many more studies followed
The attempt to improve antler quality continues with the expansion of water and the provision
of supplemental feed.
20
as the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research
Institute emerged as the reliquary for such
research and its findings.
More important to me at the time
was where I was privileged to conduct my
research, which was on the H. B. Zachry
Rancho Blanco located in Webb County,
Texas, right in the center of the golden
triangle. More importantly, the ranch
manager was Al Brothers, and under his
tutelage I was privileged to witness just
how intensively a deer herd could be
managed. The Rancho Blanco to me is
ground zero when it comes to defining
the origin of modern deer management.
Shortly after my arrival on the ranch,
Al, along with Murphy Ray, published a
book titled ‘Producing Quality Whitetails’,
an easy-to-read-and-interpret work that
allowed deer advocates an opportunity
to realize just how large-racked bucks
could develop on their properties. The
authors addressed what is often referred
to as the three-legged stool when it comes
to deer management — age, nutrition,
and genetics. And since genetics at the
time remained an ambiguous aspect, the
remaining two were rapidly accepted and
applied.
Since the publication of ‘Producing
Quality Whitetails’, the word spread
across the brush country, then throughout
the state, crossing its borders, and
eventually entering and impacting the
southeastern U.S. Armed with this
applicable information, landowners, deer
managers, and hunters began to employ
the concepts laid out in the “Book”.
The original mindset of shooting the
first legal buck observed if not the best
buck regardless its age began to unravel.
Sportsmen suddenly began to allow those
young deer to walk and were proud to do
so. The concept rapidly evolved into a
hunting ritual, and those practicing the
concept began to see older, larger-racked
bucks. With success, the word spread even
faster as it became a common practice.
Once quality bucks began to surface,
managers required a method to measure
their progress. Prior to the early 80s,
data collected from harvested deer was
minimal. If an exceptionally largebodied deer was taken, it might have
been weighed by curious sportsmen, but
little information outside of spread and
numbers of points were collected from the
antlers. By applying Boone and Crockett
scoring procedures, individuals acquired
june 2015
Origin of
Modern Whitetail
Deer Management
The evolution of techniques, results, and trends from yesterday to today.
Story and photography by Bob Zaiglin
the ability to measure management
progress based on inches of antler. As a
result, bucks were referred to numerically
as the number of inches of antler they
developed became the way in which
hunters described the animal they
harvested, as well as how successful their
season was.
Paralleling the practice of passing
june 2015
over young bucks was the application
of supplemental feeding, along with
the establishment of food plots, at least
in user-friendly environments. As a
result, sportsmen realized even larger
racked bucks, which they considered as
byproducts of their efforts. With this
attitude, we witnessed an increase in
game deterrent fences in the 80s, which
expanded exponentially in the 90s,
onward.
Throughout the 90s, many deer
enthusiasts evolved into managementoriented hunters. Suddenly the bucks
sportsmen passed over became more
impor tant than the number they
shot. They were also removing does
at accelerated rates to balance deer sex
21
The escalation of high-fenced ranches was not only the result of protecting deer on private
landholdings, but more importantly to reduce the influx of neighboring ranch deer onto well
managed landholdings.
22
ratios. It was the era of conventional
management. But it didn’t stop there
as managers continued to investigate
additional management strategies, like
sculpting the habitat to enhance the
nutritional status of deer even further.
During the 80s and 90s, results of
management were reflected in popular
antler contests like the Freer Muy Grande
Contest and the Las Cazadores in Cotulla.
In the 90s, a 160-inch whitetail was
considered an outstanding deer and
“still is today”, but larger deer in the
170-plus range began to surface. By the
new millennium, several generations
of deer had been subjected to intensive
management and positive results began to
become more obvious. Deer management,
particularly in South Texas, was operating
on all cylinders and the sky was the limit.
As antler size rose following the turn
of the century, landowners and their
managers pressed even harder to take it
to another level, and we arrived at the
era of nonconventional management.
To satisfy the desire to employ intensive
management on private lands, the state
provided managers with additional legal
tools to achieve success.
With the de velopment of the
Management Land Deer Program
(MLDP), landowners were provided
additional time to accomplish their
required harvest, oftentimes enhancing
their selection process. The origination
of the deer management permit (DMP)
allowed high-fenced operators the
opportunity to capture select breeders
and confine a single buck with as many
as 20 doe temporarily throughout the
breeding season before releasing them
back onto the ranch.
The DMP program facilitated the
opportunity to improve antler size based
on the phenotypic traits exhibited by
select males, and since the average number
of doe bred by a buck in the wild is
minimal, it made sense that the more does
bred by a male with exceptional antlers
would result in more bucks exhibiting
desirable antler traits.
Another important tool provided by
the state was the Trap, Transfer, Transplant
Permit, or Triple T. By acquiring this
permit, a landowner could capture
deer from ranches with surplus deer,
particularly those that exuded exceptional
antler traits, and release them onto their
ranch in an attempt to augment the
june 2015
genetic integrity of the deer herd.
Although the aforementioned
permits available to landowners make
biological sense, there exists no scientific
proof that they will work, but like all
management practices, it takes time to
witness results.
The arrival of the deer breeding
industry changed the playing field as it can
be employed on smaller land tracts where
the animals are sustained by a commercial
feed. And although it is recognized as one
of the most rapidly growing industries
in rural Texas, the concept remains
questionable by many. One thing for
certain, a substantial number of largeantlered deer are being developed in
licensed breeding facilities, which in
some cases could be employed as a tool
to improve antler quality on landholdings
inhabited by bucks exhibiting less than
desirable genetic traits.
Like the introduction of Florida bass
into Texas waters back in the early 1980s,
I doubt fishermen would be enjoying the
size of bass they catch today without the
introduction of this superior strain of fish.
The same can be said for whitetail deer,
and although it may not be accepted as a
common practice for those dedicated to
hunting in the most natural way, it will
remain for some as a potential technique
to improve deer quality on their property.
Regardless of one’s opinion, there remains
a vast amount of wildlands that have not
been impacted by this latest, sometimes
referred to as silver bullet fix, and in a state
as large as Texas, one can manage or hunt
how they like.
Change is always hard to accept,
but like we witnessed with the once
controversial practice of supplemental
feeding, it takes time before it becomes
commonly accepted. Modern day hunters
have opinions on how they hunt to how
the animals are managed, but one fact
remains and that is few individuals do not
relish the sight of a buck crowned with a
large set of antlers.
The bottom line is the animals we
pursue must be hunted in an ethical
fashion with emphasis on fair chase,
which is decreed upon all hunters as a
responsibility. And antlers are not the
only reason people hunt as deer represent
tons of venison to some, while to others
they are an integral part of our natural
environment, which is enjoyed by Texans
on a daily basis.
june 2015
The basic concepts of allowing young deer to walk may have had the greatest impact on the
increase in antler size Texas sportsmen presently enjoy.
23
For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 59, 61, & 63
Lake Roundup
By John Jefferson
I’m not sure why I think this is
something worth calling attention to; it
should be the rule, not the exception. But
here goes anyway.
A poster on austinbassfishing.com told
of returning to the dock after fishing and
finding a note on his truck saying the note
writer had made a tight turn and knocked
out a light on the poster’s trailer. The note
also had the driver’s phone number and
a promise to pay. After getting the light
fixed, the poster notified the note guy and
ultimately received the $46 and change,
plus a little boot for the effort.
Maybe this says there is honor among
fishermen. I believe there is. Maybe not
among all of them/us, but certainly among
most. (Another post spoke of some bad
apples.) I hope the note writer sees this,
and feels good about what he did. I also
hope some who might have thought
about doing otherwise will now give that
another thought. Ethics are about what
you do when nobody’s looking. Integrity
is far from being an outdated concept.
And life has taught me that what goes
around really does come around.
There was also a post from a fisherman
who had gone to several lakes in the past
and found them crowded with events
ranging from rowing competitions to bass
tournament fishermen or even triathlons.
He was even denied access to one lake over
it. This isn’t intended as a hit on those or
any other aquatic activities, but if there
were a calendar of sorts that listed what
24
water events were happening and where,
it would at least give fishermen an option
of fishing there or going to another of
the lakes with which we are blessed in
Central Texas.
I would offer to list those events – and
WILL do so for anyone who wants to
contact me with information about events
– but my column goes to press at least a
month before publication, and could miss
a number of activities. And although I’m
not one to advocate adding another level
of bureaucracy to the myriad rules and
regulations we operate under, I wonder
if LCRA might be the forum for such. It
could help inform the public of events
they might want to participate in as well as
let others avoid frustrating boat jams and
other human and boat traffic problems.
Think Aquapalooza on Lake Travis a few
years back. Any thoughts?
O.K., enough of the current events and
preachy stuff, let’s talk fishin’.
The bait shop buzz – when it has dwelt
on something besides cussing grass carp
in Lake Austin has lately focused on Lady
Bird Lake. It’s evident from a number of
sources that Bird has dethroned Austin as
the top bass lake entirely within the city
limits of Austin … at least temporarily.
I almost referred to Bird as the top
such lake in
Central Texas.
Arguably, it
just might
be. Bastrop,
records, Austin and Bird have been tied
for the past year: one each in the 20132014 season and none so far this season
as this column is submitted two days
prior to the season closing on April 30.
(The ShareLunker season runs October
1 through April 30).
But the talk around the boat docks says
Bird is hot and Austin is not. A number of
big fish have come from Bird, and Austin
has been quiet except for a 12-pounder
Duke Kinley boated recently. Several
guides have told me they have moved
to greener waters, like Bastrop, since the
hydrilla became the main course for the
salad-stuffing grass carp.
Don Gordon (512-784-7793) guides
Lady Bird, and agrees that it’s the go-to
pond in Austin. He’s known for years that
Bird had some big fish and plenty of them.
“It’s better than ever,” Gordon told me.
So what makes Lady Bird fly … as a
bass fishery?
Gordon replied: “Lots of good habitat
– plenty of milfoil, and some kind of
wort.”
Don’s right, but according to TPWD
biologists in San Marcos that monitor
Lady Bird Lake, fanwort is the dominant
species of aquatic vegetation. Eurasian
milfoil is present, but not as profuse as
fanwort. Hydrilla did not show up in their
vegetation survey last year. The carp in
Lake Austin probably ate it faster than it
could escape through the dam.
“The fish are also relating to the
new structure – the walking bridge (the
boardwalk),” Don said, “and we had about
30 people watching us catch fish. One even
said he didn’t know there were any fish in
the lake! Some were taking pictures.”
How does he fish it?
“We throw under the boardwalk, just
under the outer projection in the water,”
he answered. “Small jigs Texas-rigged with
a very small presentation.”
He prefers a 3/16th jig with a 3.25inch Grande Bass baby rattlesnake that
he developed. It’s a green, pumpkin flake
snake laminated with motor oil. He says
it’s now the fastest-selling Grande. And
it’s appropriately named “El Jefe.” If you’re
new to our culture, that J is pronounced
like an H, and Jefe means “Chief ” or
“Boss.” Gotta get me some!
Something else he has observed on
Lady Bird is that there are schools of
hybrids working near the boardwalk
and if your lure manages to escape their
Texans Are “Talking”about
Texas Outdoors Journal
F a y e t t e
Co u n t y a n d
Walter E. Long
(formerly
Decker) ,
however, just
might want to
re co u n t t h e
votes on that
one. All three
have had good
springs.
W h e n
you look at
the recent
TPWD/Toyota
ShareLunker
onslaught and sink below them, there
the only ShareLunker in Lady Bird Lake?
are largemouths eagerly awaiting the
His response --“No way!”
opportunity to snatch a meal.
He says double-hooking is
not uncommon.
For June, he suggests that
a lot of fish will be shallow.
His approach is to allow a
slow fall and slow retrieve.
Don fishes mid-lake, from
Congress Avenue to Barton
Creek. His friend, Charles
Whited, another Bird guide
(barefootfishing.com), fishes
the upper end, from Mopac
to the dam.
A client of Whited’s caught
the lake record last year, a
12.8 pound bass. The very
next day, March 18, Charles
was getting a client’s lure
out of a tree when the other
fisherman in the boat cast
and hooked a 13-pounder –
the first ShareLunker from
Lady Bird … and the new
Photo courtesy Don Gordon
lake record.
Don Gordon with a healthy 8.94 pound largemouth taken
Does Don think that was
near the lady Bird Lake Boardwalk.
“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 covers Texas like it
should be covered.”
“I like it because it’s
about Texas.”
“Best saltwater coverage
of any magazine
around.”
“It’s the best – and most
useful – gift I’ve ever
received.”
“I’ve cancelled all my
other magazines except
TOJ.”
“Lake Roundup even
talks about the smaller
East Texas lakes I fish.”
“Glad TOJ knows how
to count to 12!!”
“Love the new look.”
“TOJ just keeps getting
better, and better.”
Photo courtesy Don Gordon
Don Gordon delights in taking kids fishing. That’s his grandson Merle
Gordon with his nice largemouth, and Don’s other grandson Nathaniel
Gordon waiting his turn.
june 2015
To subscribe, call 1-800-222-4865 (4TOJ)
or go online at www.texasoutdoorsjournal.com
june 2015
25
F
First Run for
or many of us the first run
from the Sabine jetties to Galveston. One
to chow down on oily pogies.
offshore is in June, and more
reason for the numbers of kings caught
Last summer I fished a group of rigs
often than not it’s among the
here each June is due to the huge schools
located a few miles off the beach front at
best we’ll make throughout the summer
of pogies that can found anywhere from
Sea Rim State Park, just west of Sabine
months. Right about now offshore
1 to 15 miles offshore. King mackerel love
Pass. We were actually working jigs around
currents are warm and full
of a variety of line stretching
fish from big king mackerel
to yellow fin tuna.
The most dependable
bite you can find offshore
this month comes from the
silver rockets, best known
as king mackerel. These fish
are abundant and can be
caught just about anywhere
along the entire Texas coast
from the mouth of the jetties
and on out to 50-plus miles
offshore. The unique thing
about a king mackerel is that
this hard fighting game fish
will smack live or dead baits,
as well as an assortment of
lures.
Some of the best action
on big kings can be found
on the upper Texas coast
Jigs of all sizes and colors can be used to catch grouper around the sub-structure of rigs all day long.
OFFSHORE
Action
Gulf of Mexico currents are warm and full of a variety of line stretching fish.
Story and photography by Robert Sloan
State waters out to nine nautical miles are open year round for snapper fishing. From Port
O’Connor on down to Port Mansfield there are plenty of snapper hanging around buoys, rigs,
wrecks and rocks.
26
june 2015
june 2015
the rigs for triple tails when we noticed
that a school of pogies had surfaced and
kings were ripping through them. We
rigged up with Bomber Bug Eye Duster
king rigs and set up for a troll through the
pogies. On our first run both rods doubled
over and the fight was on. Both of those
kings were in the 30 pound class – the
type of fish that can make blistering runs.
Trolling around rigs is always a good
thing. When the water is green and clear
it’s almost a sure bet that kings will be
feeding around the many oil and gas
production platforms.
Another hard fighting and very tasty
fish that is structure oriented is a ling,
a.k.a. cobia. They can be found around
rigs, over wrecks and even along the jetties.
But one thing that is often overlooked are
the buoys that mark the shipping lanes.
These buoys are abundant up and down
the Texas coast and are about the size of
a VW. These buoys attract baitfish and in
turn ling. Years ago I learned to never pass
up a buoy. You never know what’s going
to be lurking nearby.
The typical drill for fishing a buoy is to
idle by with one or two anglers on point
for pitching rigged baits to any ling that
show up from the depths. One of the best
27
ling and even snapper from
around buoys. These smelly
shrimp can also be used to
tip jigs or attached to a silver
spoon.
By the way, don’t forget
that state waters, out to nine
nautical miles, are open
year round for snapper
fishing. From about Port
O’Connor and on down to
Port Mansfield you can find
plenty of snapper hanging
around buoys, rigs, wrecks
and rocks. For example, I fish
an old shrimp boat wreck
out of Port O’Connor that’s
located about 7 miles offshore
in 67 feet of water. It’s usually
loaded with snapper. I can
take a daily limit of four from
this spot year round.
One of my go to lures for
fishing nearshore structure
is a Bomber Original Nylure
jig. This is a half ounce jig
tied with a nylon tail on a 2/0
hook. My top color patterns
are silver head/white skirt or a
The dream trip for anglers looking for
ultimate offshore action is to head out past
100 miles fish the huge floater rigs in 2000
to 3000 feet of water. This is major league
fishing for blackfin, yellowfin and even billfish
such as blue marlin.
rigs you can use around the buoys is some
sort of a jig/dead bait combo. Or another
option is an 8-inch Bomber Jig and Eel in
white or chartreuse. This is an easy bait
to fish shallow or deep. It’ can be quickly
pitched or cast to visible ling.
One thing you need to keep in mind
when fishing buoys, or even rigs for ling,
is that even though the water might look
empty, fish holding deep will slowly move
up to the surface. That’s especially true if
you toss in a handful of chum. Some of
the best chum you can use is a couple of
freshly diced pogies. Another option, one
that I’ve used with very good success, is
to get a few pounds of small table shrimp
from the grocery store and soak them in
Yum shrimp scent overnight. The next
day use them sparingly for chumming up
Be sure and
rig them with
6-inch brown
wire leaders.
Jigs of all
sizes and colors
can be used to
catch grouper
around the substructure of rigs
all day long. It’s
easy fishing,
but definitely
r e q u i r e s
precision boat
handling. The
drill is to ease
the boat up
close to the rig
and drop jigs
straight down
along the legs.
Once you
get a bite the
boat is moved
away from the
rig hopefully
pulling a
grouper away
from the line
Photo courtesy Coe Parker
shredding
Coe Parker and Jay Busey show off a solid yellow fin tuna caught by the
understructure.
Reel Estate Fishing Team while fishing Boomvang.
In this situation
you need a nosilver head/yellow and red skirt. The trick
nonsense rod with line capable of crossing
is to tip these jigs with a piece of scented
the eyes of a hungry grouper.
shrimp. This type of jig and bait combo
One of the all-time best tactics for
will catch just about anything that swims
catching a variety of fish offshore is to
in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s especially good
troll lures. It’s easy and productive. The
for catching Spanish mackerel and kings.
Bomber Certified Depth diving lures are
Are You Boat Ready for Offshore Fishing?
Photo courtesy Coe Parker
“Under the lights” takes on a whole different meaning when fishing at night around a deep
water floater rig.
june 2015
Before making that first run of the
year offshore it’s always a good idea to
make sure the boat, motor and trailer are
in working order.
The trailer – Without a trailer that can
roll down the road you won’t be going
fishing anytime soon. Make sure the hubs
and bearings are good. Check out tires for
wear and air. And always make sure the
trailer lights work.
Outboards – First and foremost you
should replace the impeller and water
pump at least every two years. Make sure
the batteries are hot, and will turn over the
june 2015
outboard. When in doubt about a battery
replace it. Take the prop off and look for
fishing line. Just to be safe it’s not a bad
idea to have the engine serviced.
The boat – Go over it from end to end
starting with the running lights. Make sure
the bilge and live well pumps work. Carry
along plenty of Coast Guard approved
lifejackets. Check out the electronics from
depth finders to GPS units. Don’t forget to
pack along a good first aid kit.
The main thing is to trouble shoot
everything that can go wrong, for peace
of mind.
an excellent option for taking anything
from kings to tuna. They can be trolled
from 25 to 30 feet deep. The flashy
colors are best for kings, and will attract
barracudas all day long. Top colors for
tuna, wahoo and dorado include cotton
candy, bonita and purple crush.
Some of the finest early season action
offshore can be found while trolling lures
on the surface or deep around structure
like rigs, shrimp boats, weed lines and
tidal rips. Weed lines are an all-time
favorite for Bill Panto, who has fished all
over the world.
“The Gulf of Mexico is a unique place
to fish,” says Panto, who served with the
Army Special Forces. “I especially like
fishing the weed lines because they attract
a wide variety of fish like dorado, ling,
kings and wahoo. The weed lines farther
offshore, in clear blue water, offer the
chance to sight cast to dorado with small
jigs and live baits. We have also trolled
lures along weed lines and caught tuna
and sailfish. That’s a type of structure that
will hold all sorts of hard fighting fish.”
The dream trip for anglers looking for
ultimate offshore action is to head out past
100 miles and fish the huge floater rigs in
2000 to 3000 feet of water. This is major
league fishing for blackfin, yellowfin and
even billfish such as blue marlin. This is
a run that I’ve made with Curtis Thorpe
aboard his 36- foot Contender many
times.
We would head out of Freeport, run
about 130 miles, and fish till we dropped.
Normally we would return on Sunday
afternoon loaded down with tasty tuna.
Most of those tuna were caught on
topwater chuggers at night. Yellow and
blackfin tuna typically feed all night long
under the lights of the rig. When the
topwater bite slows, you can use deep
water jigs to target blackfins in the 20 to
30 pound class. This is a type of fishing
that will bring you to your knees.
Sunrise is something you have to see
to believe when fishing the deep water
floaters. That’s when you want to rig up
and troll with a variety of lures in hopes
of catching big yellowfins, dorado, wahoo
and the occasional marlin. In water that
deep there is no telling what you’ll catch
from one minute to the next.
Texas Gulf coast offshore fishing is
some of the best you’ll find, and for a
variety of hard fighting fish. And guess
what – it’s happening right now.
29
Lake Roundup
NORTH TEXAS
By Brian Hughes
The first Saturday in June has long
been designated as National Fishing Day.
Technically, it is now called National
Fishing and Boating Week and this year
runs June 6-14. There will be a lot of
fishing events across Texas at state parks,
city parks and other venues. Many of these
are designed specifically for the family,
and children.
I’ve always liked fishing in June, and
this year should be better than ever. The
bass will have wrapped up their spawning
run for the most part, but with late spring
rains and cold fronts, the lake “schedule”
has been a little delayed. As a result,
bluegill and catfish should still be in the
spawning process. The sunfish should be
wrapping up in the early to mid-month
time frame, and cats will have moved up
to start their run by the same period.
By June, Texas has usually settled into a
very predictable weather pattern and it is a
little easier to plan a trip with confidence
that you won’t be chased off the water by
storms. And the heat usually isn’t too bad
in June. By the end of the month we’ll see
the hotter temps and it will be time to start
thinking about night fishing, but that’s
more of a July thing so we’ll save that for
next month.
Remember, if you are taking the kids
out, make it about them. Make sure
they are having fun, make sure they are
comfortable and protected from the sun
with plenty of sunscreen, be willing to
catch whatever is biting, ie- use minnows,
and don’t be afraid to call it a day sooner
than you might if you were fishing for
30
yourself. The goal is for the kids to have
Fork.
fun and want to go fishing again, so let ‘em
“You never really know when that fish
throw rocks, catch frogs and whatever. It’s
of a lifetime is going to bite,” Stevenson
not really about the fishing at this point,
said. “I constantly check the line, hook
but rather, about the future.
points, and drag to ensure the best chance
LAKE FORK — Guide Mark Stevenson
of landing that fish if it does bite.”
says “Where we have grass we’ll have
Also, keep a spoon or slab as a handy
good fishing early. We use buzzbaits and
“second chance” bait when the schooling
the Yellow Magic poppers, and some
fish abandon the surface. “Just because
Senkos.” Look to watermelon/red flake in
they quit chasing bait on top doesn’t mean
the Senko, and you just might want to dip
they have left the area,” he said. “Usually
the last ¼” of the tail in chartreuse dye.
they will still be chasing bait and scarfing
Bass will run baitfish toward the points.
up the dying shad below the surface.”
Use your topwaters on these points, and
Fork has had an explosion in the
around the bridges to start the day. “If the
white bass population. There are times
bite is good we’ll stick with it until it quits
when you can’t get through the sandies
working,” says Stevenson.
to catch a bass. Mark has a little trick for
Next is the Johnsons Limit Gitter,
this problem. “A 1 oz. Johnsons Pescado
“We like to throw the spinnerbait before
spinnerbait with double willow leaf
leaving the shallow water bite and going
blades can be counted down to the fish
deeper,” he suggested. “Again, the grass is
by looking at the graph to see how deep
key to being successful.”
they are,” he explained. “It’s too much
At some point he’ll move into deeper
bait for the sandies, so it’ll get down to
water around the points and bridges as
the bass. Once it gets down past the fish,
well as creek bends. Jigs in ¾ and ½ ounce
retrieve it back up through the school to
around the creeks will work. Black/blue,
catch the better bass.” You’ll want to use
green pumpkin, and the white jig are the
a 6 ½ to 7 ½ foot medium-heavy rod for
first color choices. Mark will then move
this technique.
out to the main lake humps and use the
Night fishing on the lake will begin
drop-shot, deep diving crankbaits and
with the full moon. Mark advises you to
Carolina rigs.
“By fishing the
vegetation early, we catch
the active fish first,” he
explained. “Then we’ll
look to the suspended
fish on structure. We’ll
also use shaky heads on
the deeper fish.”
It is a good idea to
keep a top water bait or
‘trap type bait ready for
schooling fish. Schooling
bass on Lake Fork can
sometimes average five
pounds, and on the right
This is the author;s line up of ures for fishing the water column
day you can run into
from top to bottom. They include (from top left to bottom
eight and 10 pounders
right): Bass Pro Shops Lazer Eye Buzzbait -1/2 oz.- White, Rebel
schooling around the
Pop-R - G-Finish/ Blue Back, Stanley Wedge Plus spinnerbait
baitfish. Although two
--1/2 oz.-- White Flake, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits (GYCB) 5”
and three pounders are
Yamasenko-- Red Shad Laminate, Luhr Jensen Hot Lips Express
Ultra Deep Diver--Mossback Craw and Silver Dollar Lures LS
the norm, always be ready
2-009 Slab- Pearl White.
for that really big fish on
june 2015
“Stay between 3-15 feet. Focus on the five
to ten foot range with buzzbaits and big
Colorado bladed spinnerbaits in black.
Fish over, in and around the grass. If there
isn’t any grass present in the area use soft
plastics like a Texas-rigged creature bait,
or 10”Power Worm in green pumpkin or
black with red flake.
Crappie will have moved out to the
deeper trees and the bridges. At the
bridges look to the cross-supports on the
bridge pilings. There are fish magnets
and every one will usually hold fish
across the span of the bridge. Minnows
and jigs of course, with chartreuse and
white being the two most popular colors.
Don’t hesitate to experiment with red/
yellow, yellow/black and cinnamon/teal
colors as well.
CADDO — It almost sounds like guide
Paul Keith read the report for Lake Fork
before I visited with him, “We’ll start the
day shallow around lily pads and hydrilla
grass with buzzbaits and frogs,” he began.
“Working over the top and openings will
get a few bass and get the day started.”
Such is fishing in June, predictable
and reliable. The baits and colors are a
little different from guide to guide, but
the approach is very similar. “I like darker
colors on the cloudy days and lighter
colors on the sunny days,” said Paul. “If
we get cloud cover the topwater bite can
go on through the day.”
Once the sun makes an appearance
it is time to switch to a Senko around
the grass and pads. June bug, black/blue
and watermelon/red are some of the
recommended colors. Then it is time for
Texas rigs around the channels. Stay with
the basic colors use a 3/16 to ¼ oz. weight,
working the Cypress knees closest to the
channel. Flipping and pitching a Kreature
bait can produce quality bass throughout
the day on Caddo.
The sunfish will be active and a cricket
or red worm will put a mess of fish in the
boat. Drop your bait in any openings in
the grasses and pads. “This is a great way
to introduce kids to fishing and it doesn’t
cost a lot of money, or require a lot of
fancy gear. I get a lot of parents wanting
me to take them out with the kids and I
usually steer them towards this kind of
fishing as opposed to bass” said Keith.
TAWAKONI — “If we don’t get rain in
May we could be restricted to bank fishing
in June,” Joe Read said, only half jokingly.
That was the way last years’ report on
Tawakoni began. What a difference a year
can make! This spring the sky opened
and rain, glorious rain, filled the lake to
normal pool. “We couldn’t be happier,”
said Joe. “We have our ramps back, the
lake is in great shape and fishing has been
really good.”
Hybrid striper fishing makes up the
bulk of Joes’ fishing. “Look for shallow
water, with deep water nearby. Use your
Assassins, and swim baits, on jig heads.
I’m also using the umbrella rigs.” The
gulls are gone by June, but you can also
look for herons along the shore to help
you find the baitfish, which will lead to
the hybrids. “I also look out to the 20 foot
areas for swirls, jumping bait or any sign
of baitfish activity to indicate a school may
show up,” said Read.
You should also be ready with a
Kahuna spoon. These are large and wide
spoons used for the bigger hybrids. “The
bigger baits keep the sand bass off the
lure,” said Read, “We’ll fish the same area
for sandies, but with smaller baits.”
For sand bass you can use the
hellbender/pet spoon rigs, trolling in 1025 feet of water. “You’ll want to keep the
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31
bait close to the bottom,” he suggests, “And
move just fast enough to keep it lively.”
Bass fishing will be much the same
as other north Texas lakes, use topwaters
early and follow the fish deeper as the
sun gets higher. After the topwater bite
plays out, spinnerbaits and Senkos will be
next in line. Chartreuse and white for the
spinnerbaits, and chartreuse and pepper
or bubblegum for the Senkos. Next will be
a transition to points and humps with the
Carolina rig, umbrella rig or deep-diving
crankbait. Shad colors will be the key.
Catfishing on Tawakoni couldn’t be
any easier. “Bait a hole in the timber with
range cubes or soured grain,” says Read.
“Wait a couple of hours and then come
back and top off the area with just a bit
of your bait to stir them up. You’ll have a
limit in no time.”
Remember to look for features like
a channel or hump near the timber and
don’t top off the area with so much grain
you feed the fish. You put out enough
the first time to draw them in, but the
second dose should just be enough to tease
them into the area, so they’ll be good and
hungry for your bait!
LAKE WORTH — This little lake has
become one of my favorite lakes that
is close to the city. Just north of Fort
Worth, Lake Worth is a relatively small
impoundment of just under 3500 acres,
and a maximum depth of about 22 feet.
Boat docks, reeds and rocky areas will be
the primary cover for bass.
Start the day on top with buzzbaits
and poppers along the rocks and reeds,
then go to Senkos and spinnerbaits. Senko
colors are watermelon/red flake, white,
and red shad, while spinnerbaits in white
will work. Later in the day, docks can be
pitched with Kreature baits and jigs in
black/blue or green/brown combinations.
Worth is an excellent catfishing
destination with fish holding just off the
points on the first cut. Live bait, cut bait
or prepared catfish baits will catch the
various species.
Crappie are good with most fish
being caught off the docks with brush
piles underneath. Locate several docks
featuring brush, then go back and fish
each one with chartreuse jigs by slingshotting the jigs under the dock. Let it
pendulum back into the brush and be
ready for a light bite as the fish takes the
jig.
I guess you would say June is a
32
“progressive” month. As you can tell
by the reports, you’ll progressively fish
deeper throughout the day as the sun gets
higher in the sky. Get out there, celebrate
National Fishing and Boating Week —
let’s go fishin’!
EAST TEXAS
By Matt Williams
NACOGDOCHES — After one of the
wettest springs in years Lake Nacogdoches
is entering the summer months at full
pool. But I am hesitant to say it is in great
shape.
The water clarity has been stained to
muddy for going on four months now. As
a result, the lake’s lush hydrilla beds aren’t
so lush any more.
Hydrilla needs sunlight to live and
grow. Extended periods of muddy water
can significantly reduce or stunt the
plant’s growth. This results in reduced
coverage areas of grass, particularly in
deeper water. Only time will tell the full
story on the status of the hydrilla at Lake
Nac. But my guess is there won’t be any
flipping with heavy jigs and creatures
going on in 12 foot hydrilla mats this
summer like there was last year, but there
will still be plenty of shallow grass and lily
pads soak your baits around.
Several tactics should shine this
month. Bream will be actively spawning
on hard bottoms in shallow water.
Bass anglers can play on that by tossing
buzz frogs, prop baits and buzz baits in
places where they suspect bream might
be bedding. Feeder creeks such as Yellow
Bank, Pine Cove and Loco offer plenty
of attractive water. There also is plenty
of shoreline cover on the lake’s west side
north of the island that is worth checking
out. There also should be a periodic
topwater bite early and late on main lake
and secondary points. Look for the stuff
located in close proximity to deep water.
Crappie should be settling into their
summer patterns by now. For best results
anglers should use their electronics to
locate brush piles up and down the lake
in water ranging 15-25 feet. Some of the
best brush piles for summer crappie are
located around the power lines and south
to the dam.
PALESTINE — Fishing guide Ricky
Vandergriff says Lake Palestine bass are
going to be in a head-hunting mood all
month along.
“It’s like that every year,” Vandergriff
said. “With the spawn behind them these
fish are going to be feeding up strong. It’s
a great month for numbers, but you can
catch some big ones as well.”
The best techniques will vary with the
area of the lake, Vandergriff says. When
fishing up north, he likes to throw buzz
frogs and popper-style topwater baits
over scattered hydrilla and flats adjacent
to slightly deeper water. Two of his favorite
areas are Kickapoo Creek and Cade’s Lake.
“That’s where the best grass is,” he said.
Farther south, Vandergriff suggests
targeting main lake points using shad
pattern crankbaits and Carolina rigs to
target the first break in about 10 feet of
water.
“You might pick up some small fish
in shallower water, but that first break
is where you’ll pick up your bigger fish,”
Vandergriff said.
The guide says crappie, catfish and
white bass will be settling into their
summer patterns, as well. That means
brush piles for crappie, baited holes for
catfish and main lake points for the whites.
“The crappie will be setting up in
brush piles in about 14 feet of water,”
Vandegriff said. “I’d rather catch them
on jigs if I can, but it’s always a good idea
to take some shiners along just in case.”
Vandergriff says the best spot to bait
up for catfish is along the Neches River
in water about 16 feet deep. Vandergriff
prefers to use range cubes or soured maize
to attract the fish to a given spot. He will
fish for them using night crawlers, punch
bait and liver. “You’ll catch a blue cat
occasionally, but most of the fish you’ll
catch will be channels, about 10-15 inches
long,” he said. “They are great eating fish.”
When chasing whites, Vandergriff
always checks main lake points early in the
day. “They’ll be feeding in about three to
seven freet of water right at first light,” he
june 2015
said. “After that they’ll move to the first
break in 15-20 feet.”
LIVINGSTON — Lake Livingston
fishing guide Randy Dearman says June
is a month when bass anglers can stack
up some solid weight on five fish if they’ll
follow his advice.
“June is always a pretty good month,”
Dearman said. “We had a wet spring
around here and the lake was pretty
muddy in late April. Things should be
cleared up by now and the fish will be
settling into their summer patterns.”
On Livingston, that always mean
fishing shallow, say two to four feet deep.
“The boat docks can be especially
good this time of year,” Dearman said.
“I’ll fish a lot of the main lake docks down
south and I always look for the ones that
are close to deep water created by some
sort of drop off like a creek or a point.
Those are the docks that will hold the bait.
That’s why the fish are there.”
The best baits? Dearman says shad
pattern cranks and a Texas rig Rage Craw
in a junebug pattern rule this time of year.
Dearman says wood cover at the
lake’s upper reaches also draws fish like a
magnet. Stumps and lay down logs rank
among his favorite forms of cover above
the Highway 190 bridge.
“The best stuff will be right along
the edges of creeks or the Trinity River,”
Dearman said. “Fish tight to any wood you
come across. The crankbait and Texas rig
are hard to beat. Believe it or not a white
buzz bait also is a real good choice. I’ve
seen times when they would bust it all day
long, even under bluebird skies.”
June also produces some banner white
bass action over deep water on the main
lake. Dearman said the fish like to school
on the surface off and on, then they’ll
retreat to bottom and set up on humps,
often in large numbers.
The guide said topwaters and lipless
cranks are good choices when the fish
are chasing near the surface. Once the
fish go down he likes to set up on top of
the school and fish vertical with a spoon.
CONROE — Lake Conroe is a great
multi-species lake that caters largely to
black bass, channel cat and hybrid striper
crowds. According veteran guide Butch
Terpe, June is a month when you can catch
all three species, often in big numbers, if
you’ll play your cards right.
“The fishing is always good in June,”
Terpe said. “It’s not real hot yet and fish are
june 2015
feeding pretty strong. It’s a great month
to fun fish.”
Here’s how Terpe goes about targeting
Conroe’s “Big 3”:
Black Bass: Up north, the guide likes
to throw Texas rigs, Senkos and Ribbit
Frogs around terrestrial vegetation that
was flooded when the lake re-filled after
several months of low water. Willow
bushes, grass and other vegetation is very
abundant in skinny water bordering the
Sam Houston National Forest.
“That’s pretty much an early morning
deal, especially with the frog,” he said.
“Once the sun gets up I’ll move out to
deeper water on the main lake and target
points, humps, road beds and pond dams
in water ranging 6-12 feet.”
Terpe’s go-to baits out deep include a
Carolina rigged Trick Worm and a deep
or medium diving crankbait in a shad
pattern.
“Any brush or stumps you can find
down there is a big plus,” he said.
Catfish: While a percentage of the
channel cat will be up shallow spawning,
Terpe likes to spend most of his time
targeting whiskered fish around baited
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33
holes in 15-25 feet of water around
underwater channels and the FM 1097
bridge pilings. He fishes for them around
baited holes using cheese bait, night
crawlers or shrimp right beneath the boat.
“I also love fishing for them by casting
a cork and shad around the bulk heads in
four to six feet of water,” Terpe said. “It just
depends on the clients I have in the boat.
If they like to cast, that’s what we’ll do. I
still love seeing a cork go under.”
Hybrids: Hybrids are a school fish by
nature and now is when they like to set
up camp on main lake points, humps
and roadbeds in water ranging 18-32 feet
deep. How the fish are positioned in the
water column dictates the method Terpe
will use when fishing for them.
“You’ve got to watch your depth
finder,” he said. “When the fish are on
bottom you can really work on them
with a spoon. If they are suspended the
best way to go after them in by trolling
an Arbobgast Mud Bug along with a pet
spoon.”
SAM RAYBURN — Last winter and
spring, tons of rain fell on the massive
watershed that feeds this big East Texas
34
reservoir, causing water levels to swell
beyond six feet above pool for the first
time in years.
As of this writing, the water level was
still four feet above normal and the bass
were in the bushes big time. According to
fishing guide Stephen Johnston, ‘Rayburn’s
willows and buck bush will likely continue
to hold fish through much of June as water
levels remain above normal.
“You can’t go wrong fishing around the
bushes, lily pads and the shallow grass,”
Johnston said. “I’m looking for there to
be an awesome topwater and frog bite
this year, mostly around bushes and the
grass. If there is still a shad spawn going
on, there also could still be a pretty good
spinnerbait bite early in the month. You
can also throw a light Texas rig and catch
fish.”
As welcomed as all the rain was across
eastern Texas, Johnston fears the resulting
high water may have done a number on
Sam Rayburn’s grass beds.
“Hydrilla needs sunlight to grow; it’ll
die back without it,” he said. “The water
level got so high and stayed there for so
long that I’m afraid we’re going to lose
some of our grass. We’ll just have to wait
and see.”
With the loss of the grass in deep
water, hydrilla probably won’t be much
of a player in the early summer crappie
bite. Instead, Johnston thinks the fish
will be relating exclusively to brushpiles
in water ranging 15-22 feet deep. The
problem there is there aren’t many brush
piles at those depths because most of the
existing structures were planted when the
water level was significantly lower.
“A lot of the brush piles that are out
there are going to be way too deep to hold
fish,” Johnston said.
TOLEDO BEND — Like Sam Rayburn,
the water level on Toledo Bend has been
at full pool or above all spring long.
Fishing guide Stephen Johnston says
the high water situation came at a time
when it was great for the fish because it
provided optimum cover for spawning
and recruitment. However, it wasn’t so
good for the lake’s habitat, namely the
hydrilla.
“The high water didn’t kill it, but it
knocked it back big time,” Johnston said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes the
flipping bite off the table this summer.”
During June, Johnston predicts there
will be a number of patterns working
up and down the lake. One of the most
explosive will involve throwing frogs and
topwaters in skinny water where bream
are busy spawning.
“That’ll be going all over the lake,
mostly between the inside edges of the
hydrilla and the flooded hay grass,”
Johnston said.
As the weather heats up, Johnston
suggests moving to slight deeper, say 6-10
feet, and throwing a wacky worm or Senko
over the tops of any submerged grass beds
you can find. The better stuff is located
from mid-lake south, he said.
Towards the end of the month is when
Johnston will relocate to the outer rims
of the deeper grass beds and pick up his
Texas rig, Carolina rig or crankbait rod.
In a normal year, the guide says
strolling a small crappie jig along outside
grass edges in 14-16 feet of water would
be a good way to pick up a limit of crappie
in late spring. But that probably won’t be
the case this year with all the high water.
“I’m guessing brush piles are going
to be the main deal,” Johnston said. “The
best stuff will be in about 15-22 feet of
water.”
june 2015
As summer kicks off, Texas coastal
anglers find themselves smack dab in the
middle of two very important events; in
the heat of the peak spawning period for
speckled trout, and in the early stages of
one of the largest coastal tournaments in
the Lone Star State, Coastal Conservation
Association’s S.T.A.R Tournament.
Although they are two entirely different
things, these events have one thing in
common — monster trout.
When it comes to catching and landing
these elusive creatures, the saying “easier
said than done,” pretty much explains it all.
Trophy specks don’t live to be eight to ten
years old by just being lucky. These highly
sought after fish have endured immense
fishing pressure and harsh elements of the
Gulf of Mexico by perfecting their feeding
habits and learning to survive in a world
constantly bombarded by hook clad plugs
and racing outboard motors. To put it
simply, they aren’t everywhere.
Success in consistently tricking colossal
trout into striking is dependent on
location and timing. Anglers combining
the right location with the optimum
CONSISTENT
“S.T.A.R”
CALIBER
Captain Allen Sifford tries to focus on areas just off the beaten path, especially during the
summer. He says grassy flats near the edge of a channel that other boaters constantly pass by,
is perfect.
Combining optimum feeding times with the right
location will consistently catch trophy speckled
trout and sometimes a Winner.
Story and photography by Nate Skinner
I
t could be pretty good,” came the
words from the other end of the
line. “The weather looks to be
settling down, and some solid fish have
been showing on some grass flats on the
edge of the channel when the tide is right.”
The optimism in the voice of Captain
Allen Sifford of Fish On Guide Service,
had me feeling a little bit better about my
road trip south, which found me leaving
my home upper-coast waters in the
rearview with thunderstorms overhead.
Fast-forward about 12 hours and
a 6 mile boat ride across the Laguna
Madre, and there I was, on the bow of
Sifford’s Haynie casting one of my favorite
topwater plugs. Walking the bait over the
edge of a grass bed that extended some 15
yards out from the bank, forming a point,
I paused the bait for a second, maybe two
at the most. That’s when the fish hit.
Similar to the flushing of a commode,
the surface of the water where the bait
once floated just seconds before, turned
over on itself as the plastic fake was
slurped down. At first I just thought it
was an average sized speck, but soon the
pulls on the drag proved otherwise. A
giant yellow mouth came thrashing to
the surface, foaming full of aggression
as violent head shakes sprayed salt water
into the air. The first time she surfaced
at the boat it was clear she was heavy,
and the plug she inhaled could barely be
seen, the nose of it sticking out from her
toothy grin.
Putting net to scales, the beast was
landed and Sifford high fived me as the
photo shoots began. “That’s what it’s all
about,” he said. “Putting the right location
with the right time — then all that’s left
to do is fish!”
june 2015
Captain Nate Skinner with a big trout he caught while fishing with Capt. Allen Sifford of Fish-On
Guide Service.
june 2015
feeding time will continually catch bigger
specks, giving them the best chance of
making the Star Tournament Leader
Board.
Few anglers do this as well as Captain
Allen Sifford. Since 2001, Sifford has
boated nine trout for customers that have
graced the S.T.A.R. Tournament leader
board. Of these nine fish, four were
winners, three were first runner-ups, and
the remaining two were in both the second
and third runner-up places respectively.
Some of these individuals were teenagers,
and received scholarships. According to
Sifford, if all of his customers since 2001
had been entered in the Star tournament,
there would have been at least five more
fish that also placed.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure
of fishing with Sifford alongside TOJ’s
Publisher and Editor Bill Olson, and TOJ’s
Senior Saltwater Editor, Robert Sloan.
With four licensed captains on board,
the boat was full of on the water “knowhow.” Being the least experienced of the
group, I was all ears, listening to my more
seasoned counter parts talk about days
from the past. Lots of knowledge floated
on the breeze, and there was plenty of
nonsense to go around too. Aside from
the on-the-water antics, we caught quite
37
Nate Skinner says he was “all ears” as he listened to techniques used by Capt. Allen Sifford to
catch oversized speckled trout on the Laguna Madre.
a few quality fish on a variety of artificial
lures from topwaters to soft plastics, and
Sifford proved that his long resume of
heavy trout was more than just a little luck.
From the time we stepped onto his
vessel in the pre-dawn darkness until the
rub rail met the dock that afternoon, it
was clear Sifford was a true student of
saltwater estuaries. Guiding since the
early 90’s, he has made it his mission to
know and understand the patterns of
fish that inhabit the Laguna Madre and
its surrounding waters. This knowledge
is what keeps trophy trout hitting the
fiberglass deck of his boat, time and time
again.
Sifford says one of the biggest aspects
of his success is planning. “I always have
a plan. Before I launch my boat, I already
know where I’m going to start fishing at,
and I also know where I’ll go next if the
first spot doesn’t pan out.”
Having options of areas to fish is a
great way for anglers to ensure they can
continue to find and catch trophy speckled
trout. When fish are not biting or are not
present in a certain bay due to salinity or
whatever reason, they may be plentiful in
another system. For this reason, Sifford
does not limit himself to just one bay
system. Using the JFK Causeway on North
Padre Island in Corpus Christi as base,
Sifford can easily fish the Land Cut, Baffin
Bay, the Laguna Madre, Corpus Christi
Bay, Nueces Bay, and the Port Aransas
area. This list of options gives him several
places to look for monster trout, aiding to
his success.
When I talked to the veteran fishing
guide on the phone prior to our trip, he
already knew where he wanted to fish, and
this plan was based on two things, the tide
and the time of year. Throughout the day,
it seemed every stop had been planned out
as he left no leaf unturned, fishing several
areas thoroughly.
According to recently retired Texas
Parks and Wildlife Biologist, Bill Balboa,
the peak spawn for speckled trout takes
place between April and the end of August.
“During this time, the large females tend
to drop their eggs in shallow water with
grass beds so that their eggs and larvae
have some cover to survive.” he says.
Balboa also notes that recent studies
show that the spawn typically takes place
sometime between dusk and dawn, and
often around a full moon.
This pattern is what Sifford bases
all of his angling decisions on when
targeting big speckled trout during the
summer months. “I prefer to fish shallow
water around grass and sand pockets,” he
explains, “and the week of the full moon
tends to have the best days for catching
giants.”
When it comes to locations, finding
the right areas can be perplexing given the
vast amount of water that composes Texas’
bays and estuaries. Not just any shallow
area will do. Sifford relies on two things
when searching for a trophy trout hole.
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38
“The area has to receive some sort of tidal
movement, and the stronger the better.
The stretch of water also needs to have as
little boat traffic and fishing pressure as
possible.” he explains.
“I try to focus on areas just off the
beaten path, especially during the summer.
Grassy flats near the edge of a channel that
other boaters constantly pass by, is perfect.
Many times, bigger trout are holding just
outside of heavy traffic areas and popular
fishing locations, waiting for those that are
willing to try something different.”
Aside from fishing around the full
moon, Sifford prefers to focus his efforts
during periods of strong tidal movement.
“I like it incoming,” he says. “I’ll take an
outgoing tide over no current at all, but it
seems they just bite better on an incoming
tide.”
Fishing right in the middle of a strong
tide doesn’t guarantee the fish will bite.
Examining solunar tables and focusing
angling efforts during the major and
minor feed times is best. These optimal
fishing times usually occur when the
moon is rising or setting, or when it is
overhead and under foot.
As far as presentation is concerned,
large baits seem to catch bigger
fish. Speckled trout are classified as
opportunistic feeders, meaning they want
to work as little as possible to catch their
prey, and the bigger ones are more likely
to eat a large bait that will fill them up.
Because of this, artificial lures like
large topwaters, or magnum, soft plastic
swim baits are more likely to fool a trophy
trout into eating. When it comes to live
bait, it’s hard to beat a live croaker.
Another thing Sifford has done over
the years to ensure his success, is to keep
a detailed log. No matter what his outing
entails, Sifford documents important
details, such as what fish were caught,
june 2015
2001 – 3rd Runner-up – Adult
2001 – Winner – Adult
2002 – Winner – Teen
2002 – 1st Runner-Up – Adult
2004 – 1st Runner Up – Teen
2009 – 2nd Runner-Up – Teen
2010 – 1st Runner-up – Adult
june 2015
where, and what time along with the tidal
and weather conditions. “Year after year,
the same locations, during the same times,
and under the same conditions produce,”
he says.
Summer is heating up and so is the
Star Tournament. Anglers that can choose
the right location to fish and at the right
time will fill the standings. Grab a chart,
check the weather and tidal forecasts and
do some planning. The next first place
winner is just one cast away.
Capt. Allen Sifford says he always leaves the dock with a plan, as well as options in order to
consistently stay on large and trophy sized speckled trout.
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39
T
LABOR OF
hey call this passive fishing, but
for the life of me I can’t find
anything laid back about it.
I’ve just returned home from a weekend
of running trotlines with my good friends
Charlie Shively and M.Q. Williams and
my energetic juices are spent.
Not surprisingly, so is all of the spare
freezer space I had before I left. I’ve been
visiting Bill’s Landing on Toledo Bend
Reservoir since the early 1990s. Not
once have I ever returned home from a
trotlining trip without a big mess of fresh
filets to show for my time.
If there is such a thing as a catfish
factory, then Toledo Bend would have to
be it. Located along the Texas/Louisiana
border, the 181,000-acre reservoir
maintains what is sure to be one of
the most robust catfish fisheries in the
southern United States.
The lake produces its share of channel
cat, but it is the blues and flatheads that
make guys like Shively, Ed Snelson and
Dan Sestak tick.
All three men are as hardcore as you
will find when it comes to their catfishing.
I recently caught up with the three trotline
pros and asked them to share some tips to
help novice or beginning linesmen get a
little more bang for there buck.
Here are 15 tips trotliners everywhere
can use to put more catfish in their
freezers:
ANGLER: Charlie Shively
Occupation: Bill’s Landing Camp
Owner, Commercial Fisherman
Tip 1: Use Sharp Hooks — Shively says
trotline hooks undergo a tremendous
amount of abuse. The hook points will
dull over time. Making sure hook points
are needle sharp will provide better hook
penetration when a fish takes the bait.
“If a hook gets dull or bent, sharpen it or
replace it altogether,” Shively says.
Tip 2: Build a Stout Line — If you are
trotlining in waters known to produce
numbers of large fish, be sure to build
a heavy duty line made from quality
materials. Shively always builds his main
lines from No. 96 tarred nylon, which is
about 600-pound test. “The bigger line
makes it easier on your hands when you go
to run or bait the trotline. Plus, it is stout
enough that you can tie onto it with the
boat and pull it free without breaking it
if you happen to get hung up.”
Tip 3: Use Fresh Bait — Shively always
makes sure that his bait is fresh as possible,
LOVE
Three Top Catfish pros offer 15
tips to help fishermen increase
their catch.
Story and photography by
Matt Williams
40
june 2015
june 2015
whether he is using live or cut bait.
“If you’re using live perch, do
everything you can to keep them lively.
You don’t want your live bait to be half
sick when you put it on the hook,” he said.
Tip 4: Hook it Right — How a live
bait is placed on the hook can have a big
impact on how well it stays there. More
importantly, how easy it is for the fish to
get it off. “I always hook my live perch
dead center, right under the dorsal fin.
The fin helps hold the bait on the hook.
It’s real important to avoid hooking the
bait through the backbone, because it will
die.” he said.
When using cut bait, Shively always
makes sure the bait is hooked through the
skin, preferably through one side and out
the other. “If you hook it through the meat
it is way too easy to get off,” Shively said.
Tip 5: Watch Those Scales — When
using a large perch for cut bait Shively
will always scale the fish before dicing it
into one-inch chunks. “If you aren’t real
careful the hook point will embed in a
scale when you push the hook through,
and that can cause some hook penetration
problems when the fish takes the bait.
Those scales are pretty tough. Scaling the
bait eliminates that problem.”
ANGLER: Ed Snelson
Occupation: Fishing/Hunting Guide
Tip 1: Fish “Up in the Water Column”
— When trotlining in a major reservoir,
Snelson says he will rarely stage his lines
any deeper than 3 1/2 feet below the
surface, so long as he isn’t fishing in a
river channel.
“This is especially true from April
through the winter months,” he said.
“During summer I may fish a little closer
to the surface. As a rule, I like to make my
sets just deep enough that an outboard
engine will clear them. If I’m fishing in the
river itself, I’ll fish deeper. Right now I’ve
got some river lines on Toledo Bend where
I’m fishing about four feet off bottom in
about 38 feet of water.”
Tip 2: Circle Hooks a Must — One of
the key ingredients to Snelson’s trotlining
success is he uses circle hooks exclusively
when he builds a line. “You can’t give me
a straight hook anymore,” he said. “On a
one day run you’ll catch a minimum of
20 percent more fish using circle hooks.
Over a period of three to four days your
catch rate will go up tremendously, mainly
because the fish stay hooked so much
better. A 6/0 straight hook doesn’t give
you half of the holding power that a 6/0
circle hook does.”
Tip 3: Swivels a Must — Another key
component of Snelson’s success is he
always uses quality swivels. The swivel
allows the hook staging to spin freely on
the main line, thus preventing fish from
twisting the staging into a tight ball and
pulling free.
“If you’re catching flatheads you can
get by running lines every one to two days
with long stagings and no swivels, but it
is going to cost you money, time and fish
without a swivel.”
Snelson prefers No. 4 Roscoe swivels.
Photo by Matt Williams
Running and baiting trotlines is hard work that pays off nicely when the fish are on a tear.
41
mush when it thaws. It’s just like
spaced out at least three feet apart.
a piece of sponge.”
Sestak says putting all your hooks on
ANGLER: Dan Sestak
one, long line is akin to putting all your
Occupation:
Lumber
eggs in one basket. “I’d much rather have a
salesman/fishing guide
bunch of short lines with fewer hooks,” he
Tip 1: Time It Right — Sestak
said. “That allows me to cover more water
is a big cat specialist sold on the
and fish a bunch of spots instead of just
idea that the later in the day you
a few. You better your chances that way.”
wait to bait trotlines the more
The guide says he likes use no more
poundage of fish that you will
than 15 hooks per line. He spaces the
catch. “I always bait my lines right
hooks about 15 feet apart to maximize
at dark, because that’s when the
his coverage area.
bigger fish feed the most,” he said.
Tip 4: Line Placement — Sestak never
“If you bait your lines too early in
makes a random line set. When he places
the day the smaller fish are going
a line, he always does so because there is
to get the baits before the bigger
something down there that makes the
ones do. I’ve seen it happen more
spot special.
than once.”
“I always place my lines relatively close
Tip 2: Mix It Up — Sestak likes
to some sort of structure change where
a mixture of live and cut bait on
there is an abrupt change in water depth,”
his lines. He normally baits every
he said. “The closer you place your lines
third hook with a live perch and
to deeper water the better.”
Tip 5: Bait Prep — Like Snelson and
the rest with cut bait. “That way
Shively, Sestak is a stickler when it comes
you get the opportunity to catch
to keeping his bait fresh. So much that
numbers as well as big fish,” he
never begins dicing up his cut bait until
said. “I’ve caught lots of fish
just minutes before he threads in on the
up
to
40
pounds
on
cut
bait,
Just about every serious trotliner will say stainless steel
hook.
but
to
catch
those
bigger
70-80
circle hooks are the way to go, whether using live bait
“I’m a firm believer that the fresher
pounders
you
need
a
good,
lively
or cut.
the bait the better,” Sestak says. “I never
bait.”
“The reason I use No. 4 is not so much for
Tip 3: Covering Water — Texas law
cut up my bait until the minute before I
strength but longevity. A No. 4 will last
allows trotliners to have a maximum of
use it. Keeping your bait fresh as possible
for three years before it starts breaking,
100 hooks per angler in the same water
makes a huge difference in the results you
whereas a No. 2 will last about two years.”
get with trotlines.”
body at the same time. Hooks must be
Tip 4: Finding Sweet Spots — Fishing
in relation to some sort of structure or
change is water depth is almost always a
plus when setting trotlines. “When water
levels are high, like they are now on a lot
of our East Texas lakes, I always look for
humps.
These are isolated places away from
the bank where the water shallows up
with deeper water around the perimeter.
If you can find a hump with four to eight
feet of water on top of it with 15 to 20 feet
of water around it you are going to catch
fish, and lots of them.”
Tip 5: Fresher the Better — Catfish,
especially blues and channel cat, are
one big olfactory gland. But you don’t
necessarily need to use something rotten
to catch them.
“I like to use the freshest bait I can get
my hands on, I don’t care if its perch or
shad,” he said. “The only two freshwater
baits that I’ve found that you can freeze
and it still be good are large shad and
buffalo. If you freeze perch it will turn to
The fresher the bait, the better it works on trotlines.
42
june 2015
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For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 59, 61 & 63
CoastWatch
Danno Wise
little further offshore, wahoo, tuna, sailfish
and marlin will be testing angler’s mettle
throughout the summer.
LOWER COAST
Photo courtesy Capt. Gencho Buitureira
In addition to the Big-3 Capt. Gencho Buitureira says in June he will start to pick up mangrove
snapper in the ICW, the causeways and the South Bay Channels.
June through October is the peak
angler period for fishermen along the
Lower and Middle Texas Coasts. Saltwater
fishermen working the waters along the
lower half of the Texas coast will have
more options available to them than at
any other time of year. The traditional ‘Big
3’ - redfish, trout and flounder - will be
plentiful in every bay system throughout
summer. Additionally, a good many
light-tackle anglers will be fishing ‘on the
outside’ for speckled trout in the surf.
44
Joining specks in the beachfront waters
will be hordes of Spanish mackerel,
jacks, ladyfish and, in some stretches of
coastline, bluefish.
June also marks the start of ‘big game’
season for coastal fishermen. Sharks will
be everywhere - from the guts just off
dry sand to offshore oil rigs. Tarpon will
be patrolling the nearshore waters off
the Texas coast from the Rio Grande to
Port Aransas. Kingfish, bonito and ling
will also provide close-to-shore action. A
On the extreme Southern end of
the Texas coast, Port Isabel guide Capt.
Gencho Buitureira Jr says June fishing is
simple and straightforward.
“In June, I will start on the ICW
up north almost every single day,” said
Buitureira. “I pretty much do the same
things I do in May. For the most part, I’ll
be fishing deep drops and structure. That
means I’ll spend most of my time fishing
areas like the ICW, the causeways and the
South Bay Channels.
“That’s where I’ll be catching most of
my trout. As the month goes on and the
water keeps warming up, I’ll also start
picking up some good mangrove snapper
in those areas.
“I’ll also spend some time up on the
flats looking for redfish. If it’s windy, I’ll
june 2015
fish the color lines on Gas Well Flats. If
we have an outgoing tide, I’ll fish South
Bay and Mexiquita Flats. We’ll also have
snook coming in those same areas in June.
“Basically, I live on the deep drops and
around the Old Causeway in June. For
me, it’s all about fishing deep drops and
structure - shaded structure especially.
I’ll be free-lining with live shrimp or
mullet. Then, when I move on the flats,
I’ll be fishing in two feet of water, drifting
potholes. On the flats, I’ll be bottom
drifting cut ballyhoo, mullet heads, piggy
perch, or cut skipjack.”
Another Port Isabel guide, Capt.
Austin Camacho, also expresses the belief
that June fishing should be “easy.”
“June is an easy month for us,” said
Camacho. “We can usually find plenty of
specks using popping corks and shrimp
along the ICW and around the spoil
islands. Then, later in the day, we’ll head
up north – over on the east side – and
look for reds.
“I’ll also spend some time chasing
redfish on the flats behind South Padre
Island. I usually mix it up when fishing
up there. During the calm morning hours,
june 2015
Photo courtesy Capt. Gencho Buitureira
Look for deeper drops to hold good speckled trout in June.
I’ll throw topwaters. After that, I’ll switch
between skipping ballyhoo and throwing
red Cocohoes. We can usually pick up
plenty of reds through the morning.
“By mid-June, we’ll start looking at
Gaswell Flats. There will also be plenty of
trout along the causeway and on the flats
just north of the causeway.”
In addition to bay fishing, anglers
working the waters around South Padre
Island and Port Isabel will have plenty
of beachfront and offshore options to
choose from. June usually sees plenty
of speckled trout, mangrove snapper,
45
Capt. Allen Sifford says beside catching specks in June he will also run across schools of redfish.
Spanish mackerel and snook along the
jetties. Additionally, schools of kingfish
and tarpon will be working in the Brazos
Santiago Pass between the jetties, as well
as along the beachfront. Boca Chica
46
Beach, which runs from the pass south
to the mouth of the Rio Grande River,
will be another surf fishing hot spot, with
snook, redfish, Spanish mackerel, speckled
trout and tarpon being frequent catches
during June.
Offshore, South Padre anglers will be
able to target kingfish, snapper, dorado
and amberjack beginning in early June.
As the month wears on, each of these
species will still be plentiful and will be
joined by sailfish, marlin, wahoo and an
occasional tuna.
In Port Mansfield, the guides at GetA-Way Adventures Lodge expect to see
inshore, offshore and nearshore action.
“You know what happens in June – it
starts getting hot,” said Capt. Steve “JR”
Ellis. “Anywhere along the ICW where
there are spoil islands along both sides
and clear water, there will be fish. The
sand flats along the east side will have fish
working over them.
“Personally I like fishing along the
spoils along the East Cut. Those can be
pretty good early in the morning. Along
the west shoreline, wadefishing is also
good. Usually it is too windy to fish that
area in the spring, but by early summer it
calms down enough to fish there.
“In the summer months, when the
traffic starts increasing and people are
running everywhere looking for fish, I like
to start in an area where I can kind of see
where all the traffic is moving.
“Once I get an idea where everyone has
been running, I will hit the areas where the
boats haven’t been running. That will save
you a lot of running and allow you to fish
water that hasn’t been hit.”
June is a time to focus on speckled
trout, according to Corpus Christi guide
Capt. Allen Sifford of Fish On Guide
Service.
“I will be fishing in Baffin and the
Upper Laguna, looking for trout,” said
Sifford. “Most of the time we’ll be throwing
croaker. But, you can also do pretty good
with Top Dogs and Bass Assassins. My
main focus will be on trout, but usually we
run across a school of reds during the day.
So, even if we’re fishing croaker for trout,
we always keep a rod rigged with a lure
to throw at redfish if we run across them.
“Really, we have a lot of opportunities
in June. If we have light wind, we can fish
the shell reefs in Nueces or the rocks in
Baffin. If the wind’s blowing, we can fish
up here in the Upper Laguna.
“And, if it’s really laid down calm, we
can fish the surf for specks and reds or
run out to the rigs for kingfish and ling.
That’s what is neat about June, there’s so
much that you can do.”
june 2015
MIDDLE COAST
As spring transitions to summer,
Aransas area anglers will set their sights on
speckled trout. Throughout early summer,
trout will be found in two to five feet of
water over sand and grass. Fishermen
can expect a good topwater bite during
the early morning hours. Later in the
morning, anglers will need to switch to
soft-plastics or live bait. The primary bait
for most trout fishermen in the Aransas
area starting in June will be live croaker.
There will also be good redfish action
during June. Reds can be found on the
flats throughout the day, but are usually
caught a little more consistently from
mid-day on, after the boat traffic has
died done. Soft-plastics and spoons will
produce plenty of reds, as will cut shad
and mullet. Anglers should also keep an
eye out for large schools of black drum
on the flats this month. When black drum
are found, dead shrimp will usually do
the trick, although it may be necessary to
use live shrimp when the fish turn finicky.
Rockport guide Capt. Ray Burdette
says June is one of the better months of
the year for fishing in the Coastal Bend
Region. “I love fishing in June,” said
Burdette. “We should have plenty of good
action for both speckled trout and redfish.
By June, our croaker fishing should be in
full swing and shrimp should be plentiful
throughout the bay. All fishermen should
be keying on bait and birds to find fish in
June. Most of the time, you find bait —
you’ll find fish.
“Most days, we’ll start out fishing
shallow, looking for schools of mullet
and feeding birds. Later in the morning
we will move to waist deep water and fish
sand spots and drop offs. As tides fall later
in the day, we’ll fish small side channels
and the edges of the grass beds. We’re
always looking for bait and bird action
during June.
“Tides are also a key factor for fish
june 2015
activity in June. When the tides are weak,
you should fish water that is pushed by
wind around points or along shorelines.
And, although we’re getting into summer,
we’ll still have some wind. But, always
remember that in bay fishing ‘the wind is
your friend.’”
Capt. Jim Garrison of Redfish Roper
Charters says fishing in the area between
Rockport and Port O’Connor will be
heating up as summer gets underway.
“I’ll spend most of June in San Antonio
Bay,” said Garrison. “Most of the time I’ll
be chasing redfish. I’ll be using cut mullet
and crab while fishing sand pockets in
back lakes and outer shorelines of San
Antonio Bay. We’ll be fishing all those
areas where little guts and drainages
dump out of back bays into San Antonio
Bay itself. I work a lot of shoreline and
structure type stuff when I’m fishing
for redfish, so I’ll also be working a lot
of those little coves and points and stuff
like that. But, we’ll pretty much be using
the same baits – cut mullet and crab – no
matter where we’re fishing.
“Trout fishing will also be getting really
good in June. By June, the trout will be
loaded up on reefs in San Antonio Bay.
This year, the trout moved onto the reefs
a little earlier than usual, so I’m expecting
trout fishing to be really good in June.
“When I’m fishing for trout, I’ll usually
be using shrimp and croakers. If I’m
fishing shrimp, 90 percent of the time I’ll
be using a popping cork. Otherwise I’ll
be freelining. But, I’ll be freelining the
croaker. Sometimes I’ll use just a hook
and leader, but other times I’ll be using a
little green glass bead above it. Sometimes
that works better. I don’t know why, but it
does. So, I always experiment to see what
is working best each day.
“As we run around the bay, I will keep
an eye out for slicks, active bait and birds.
If we see slicks popping or see good bait
working, we’ll make a drift through it. But,
I’m not real patient with that. If we get
some good fish right off the bat, we’ll keep
working it. But, if we don’t, we’ll move on
after a few casts. There will also be a little
bit of bird activity and there are usually
some trout under the birds. But a lot of
times in June it will be gafftop under the
birds, so for solid specks you’re usually
better off sticking to the reefs.”
More Fish. More Fun.
More food, festivals & fun.
www.rockport-fulton.org
Call 1-800-242-0071
@ visitrockportfulton
Photo by Dawn Huff
47
JUST HUNTING | Mike Holmes
Toying with Pigs
is to allow them to get enough corn out
them from helicopters
to keep them interested and working the
found that after great
pipe, while at the same time limiting the
success in their first
number and size of the holes to keep
hunts in an area, the
them from emptying it too soon. If
hogs quickly learned to
this is correctly done, several hogs will
associate the sound of
often keep rolling it until it is empty.
a “chopper” with grave
These devices have the advantages of not
danger, and hide in thick
needing battery power to operate, nor are
cover where it is difficult
they on a timer.
and nearly impossible to
Some hunters use “T” posts to anchor
see them.
their pipes. I have tied them to tree trunks
Still an experienced
or strong, low limbs, and logs - and I know
hunter will discover
guys who use rocks, where rocks of an
ways to actually use the
appropriate size can be found. It really is
intelligence and social
important to anchor them solidly, or the
tendencies of the feral
silly pigs will escape with them.
hog against them. The
A length of schedule 40 PVC pipe 6” in diameter and 4 - 6 feet
Actually, a post hole dug in a likely
fact that these animals
long, capped permanently on one end and with a screw type plug
spot and filled with corn makes a decent
will eat about anything
on the other for filling with corn will attract hogs and keep them
“quickie” feeder, and often results in
actually works against
occupied. This one was so engrossed in the pipe he ended up
a new water hole being excavated by
them as they are easily
under it after being shot by the author’s wife, Dorothy.
hungry hogs. I have watched hogs of all
baited by hunters.
sizes pushing pipes around - it is really
They can also be
amazing how young they learn to do this
attracted
by
a
heavy
rope
or
piece
of
old
Animals in the swine families are
from watching their elders - and they
carpet
soaked
in
used
motor
oil
as
they
generally accepted to have a fairly high
certainly seem to enjoy getting their own
know
enough
to
rub
against
such
things
level of intelligence. Domestic hogs are
dinner this way, hence the coining of the
to
discourage
ticks
and
fleas.
Another
way
sometimes credited with being “smarter”
term pig toy.
their
“smarts”
can
be
used
against
them
than dogs, for instance. After years of
Hogs are not the only animals a selfis
by
employing
“pig
toys”
to
attract
and
hunting and observing feral hogs, I would
service
corn feeder will attract. Deer and
hold
them
for
a
shot.
The
simplest
device
submit that these animals that spend their
coons
will
roll the pipes, squirrels and
of
this
type
is
the
“pig
pipe”,
normally
a
lives in the wild are even more intelligent
possums
will
try to, and crows are often
length
of
PVC
pipe
of
3
to
6
inches
in
than their pen-reared relations who
seen
around
them.
I get pictures of a lot
diameter
and
4
to
6
feet
long
with
a
cap
depend on humans for their livelihood.
of
rabbits
around
my
pipes, although I
closing
one
end
and
a
clean-out
sort
of
Of course, a wild hog has few real
doubt
they
move
them
around,
and more
fitting
with
a
screw-in
plug
in
the
other
enemies besides man to deal with or
end
through
which
corn
can
be
poured
in.
than
once
a
game
camera
has
captured
an
match wits. Coyotes get a few, and big cats,
owl
or
hawk
in
the
act
of
preying
on
one
The
pipe
should
have
holes
drilled
in
from bobcats to the occasional cougar
of them. One evening last deer season, as
it large enough to allow a few kernels to
undoubtedly claim their share - but even
fall
out
when
in these instance the victims are likely
it is rolled
younger hogs.
around, and
Bigger boars and older sows have
some means
size, strength, and natural defenses like
of attaching
sharp tusks and thick skin to defend them
a stout tether
against most predators, so they have been
by w h i ch i t
able to develop their intellect to protect
can be solidly
them from man. When trapping hogs,
anchored.
for instance, it is widely accepted that a
Hogs very
hog which has escaped from a trap - or
quickly learn
been released from one - is not only
to roll the pipe
unlikely to be trapped again, but will
to get corn out.
also try to discourage others in its group
The trick to
from entering a trap. Those who hoped
Feral hogs of all ages - including little striped piglets - will eagerly feed at a
this technique
to decimate hog populations by shooting
roll type pipe.
48
june 2015
I sat in a tripod stand watching a pipe, a
large Great Horned Owl landed in a tree
next to me and watched the pipe with me
for an hour or so. I think he said he was
squirrel hunting.
Although my preference is to have
a pig pipe near a good, reasonably
comfortable stand, I have probably killed
just as many hogs near pipes just walking
up on them in daylight. Of course, this
happens most often early or late in the
day. At night, a good red or green light
trained on a pipe viewed through a quality
rifle scope is about as effective as using
night vision equipment - and a great deal
less expensive. The biggest draw back to
using a pig pipe made from a length of
pipe is that even a small group of hogs
can - and will - empty it easily in a fairly
short period of time, regards of if it has
smaller holes and fewer of them. If corn
can come out of a pipe, determined hogs
will get it out. Of course, they are smart
enough to realize it gets refilled somehow,
and I often have them come to the sound
I make pouring corn into a feeder - even
in the middle of the day.
Using a larger feeder helps if you can’t
or don’t want to refill them as often. I use
plastic drums up to 55 gallon capacity in
size for this (although filling them can get
expensive), but those of 30 gallon size or
so may be better. Pretty much anything
that can be refilled and sealed and that
will roll can work.
For a time I used an old poly sand
filter container we were left with after
converting our pool to a salt water system.
This worked well until the hogs broke
my rope and rolled it to parts unknown.
Another interesting roll device was made
from an old round plastic inboard diesel
boat engine exhaust muffler, salvaged
from a boat scrap pile. Just like with a
pipe, one end was permanently plugged,
the other fitted with a screw type plug.
I mentioned having pipes “stolen” by
hogs when the tether rope was broken.
Some hunters use metal cable or chain
to prevent this, and I have a cable on
one of my drums - but as long as a good
rope lasts, that is what I choose for most
of my pipes. While PVC pipes are very
tough, occasionally hogs will destroy one.
Squirrels and ‘coons do more damage by
gnawing the holes until they are too large
and let too much corn out. These same
culprits will eat a large hole in a poly
barrel. Some who build pig pipes will
“ wall” off a small compartment in the
plugged off end to be filled with gravel.
The resulting rattle when the pipe is rolled
approximates the sound of corn kernels in
action, thus fooling the hog into thinking
that there is still corn in the pipe after it
has actually been emptied.
My version of this trick is to just put
some rocks or gravel too large to come
out the holes in the pipe in with the corn.
Occasionally, though, this has simply
enraged a large hog to the point they
damage the pipe when they are frustrated
by nothing coming out to eat. They can
do this by wedging it against or between
two trees. I have had them stand the larger
roll drums on end - and leave them like
that. I have also had to unwrap pipes that
were tethered from around trees, roots,
and logs.
Roll pipes are easy and cheap to
build, Easy to deploy and relocate when
necessary, and very effective for getting
hogs in close for shots by archery or
handgun hunters, or for those who might
wish to observe and photograph feral hogs
and other animals - which is an enjoyable
past time with its own merits.
The power of a solid
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june 2015
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49
For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 59, 61 & 63
CoastWatch
Memorial Day, which symbolizes the
unofficial “beginning of summer,” is now
in the past, meaning summer crowds have
already hit the coast. However, despite
an increasing number of anglers on the
water in June, there will still be plenty of
action both inshore and offshore. And,
since summer weather allows for a greater
variety of areas to fish, there should be
plenty of room for fishermen to spread
out.
The relatively calm winds of June will
allow access to all corners of most bays.
Additionally, consistently flat seas will
allow more anglers offshore access and,
of course, the slick surface and “green to
the beach” tides of the surf will encourage
more fishermen to hit the beachfront and
jetties.
UPPER COAST
June is a time when Matagorda area
anglers can get good results in both bays.
However, longtime Matagorda guide
Capt. Tommy Countz says he’ll spend
most of his time in West Bay.
“During June, I’ll mostly be wading
West Bay, fishing around grass beds,”
said Countz. “I’ll be keying on slicks
and bait. Early in the morning I’ll be
throwing topwaters. I like She-dogs and
Skitterwalks, but basically you can throw
whatever bait you have confidence in.
Once the sun gets up, I’ll switch to a
Tequila-colored Norton Sand Eel Jr.
“We have birds all over West Matagorda
Bay in June. A lot of the fish under them
are small trout, so you don’t get a lot of
keepers. But, they are real consistent and
it works well if you are fishing with kids or
beginners who just want steady action. In
East Bay, we can have some ‘pseudo-fall’50
Danno Wise
like bird activity
if we have enough
shrimp in the bay.
There can be some
good fish under
these birds, but they
aren’t as consistent
as in West Bay.
“ I n Ju n e w e
also start looking
real heavy at the
surf. That can be
really good action
if it’s flat. I normally
start out with a
big topwater, then
switch to a Corky
or a Sand Eel.
“We’ll also have
some really good
tripletail action in
June. In my opinion,
Photo courtesy Capt. Greg Verm
Matagorda is the
A smorgasbord of fish including sheepshead await anglers fishing the
premier tripletail
Galveston Jetties.
fishery on the Gulf
you don’t have to be the one on the stick
Coast. The average fish we catch is 10 to
to get excited. It is really exciting when
15 pounds, but we’ve caught them over 25
someone hooks a big tripletail.
pounds. This is the type of fishing where
“When the
tripletail get here
varies a little from year
to year, but usually
they come in around
mid-June and stay
through August. Most
people think we will
fish for them in the
surf, they just don’t
realize they come up
in the bay like they do.
These are structureoriented fish, so you
need to key in on
any structure you
come upon. We pay
particular attention
to marker posts and
structure near the
channels.”
Galveston guide
Photo courtesy Capt. Greg Verm
Capt.
Greg Verm of
With the influx of of freshwater into the Galveston Bay system look
for speckled trout fishing around the jetties to be much improved
FishingGalvestonTX.
over recent years.
com expects excellent
june 2015
Look for flats and structure on the lower end of Galveston Bay to hold lots of fish due to
freshwater runoff in the upper portion of the bay.
angling action in the Galveston Bay
Complex during the month of June.
“With all of the rainfall we are
currently having here along the Galveston
Gulf Coast, I am anticipating an awesome
june 2015
summer for fishing,” said Verm. “The
salinity levels have been so high the past
few years, that there have been a lot of
fish literally up in the rivers and estuaries.
This rain has pushed a lot of fish to the
passes and jetties in Galveston. The last
few years the Galveston Jetty has been
somewhat down for numbers of speckled
trout. This has been due to the salinity
levels. We were still catching good trout
- resident trout that never leave - but not
the numbers we are used to.
“The month of June will find us along
the jetties for those looking for specks,
reds, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel,
sharks, and more. Live shrimp will be
our baits of choice as well as live piggy
perch and croaker. I personally like piggy
perch better than croakers for the simple
fact they catch bigger fish in my opinion.
“It looks like we will have a 30 to 45 day
Red Snapper season due to Amendment
40 passing. This is great news for those
recreational anglers that use charter
boats for their access to the Gulf. I had
an amazing last year offshore. We caught
some trophy fish - giant red snapper, ling,
wahoo, kingfish, amberjack, barracuda,
dorado, tuna and more.
“The back lakes and bayous are really
disturbed right now due to the salinity
levels from all of the freshwater runoff. It
will straighten up after about two weeks of
51
no rain and some good tidal movement.
We will be back there during June looking
for reds, trout and flounder exclusively.
Live shrimp under a popping cork and live
mullet fished on bottom are our ‘go-to’
baits in the back lakes and bayous.
“Flounder gigging will be good in
areas that have clean water. Of course
winds and rain affect this - so lately the
gigging has been slow. But in June the
winds generally die down a little and
the water clears up, so gigging should be
better.
“May and June are also great months
for our night fishing for speckled trout.
It is not uncommon to catch a four man
limit in less than an hour when conditions
are good. Tandem rigged plastics or
live shrimp free lined or under a small
popping cork usually work best for us on
these trips.”
Sabine Lake guide Capt. Randy
Foreman says fishing will be getting hot in
the lake and on the beachfront as summer
gets going.
“In the lake, we’ll have quite a bit of
bird activity. And, we’ll also have a lot of
fish along the ship channel. I’ll primarily
be fishing the Down South Southern Shad
rigs. It’s just a matter of having the right
conditions.”
LOUISIANA COAST
marlin action should be heating up and
there will still be some tuna hanging
around. Later in the month tarpon should
begin showing in catchable numbers
around the passes.
Sight casting for redfish in the marshes
will be the main inshore angling activity
for Venice area fishermen during June.
Trout fishermen can chase the birds
looking for boxes of keeper fish. When
the birds aren’t working, trout will most
often be found around deeper structure
this month and are best targeted with live
shrimp or soft-plastics.
Photo by Nate Skinner.
Look for speckled trout to inhale a variety of soft plastics on the Upper Texas and Louisiana
coast this month. June is one of the best months of the year to fish for bragging sized trout.
in either Midnight Money or glow. That
bait is just the right size and you can either
jig it or swim it. When I want to get down
below the smaller fish, I’ll also use a B-Dog
Spoon and slow-roll it along the bottom.
“Another thing I’ll be doing is fishing
for redfish in the ICW. I just cast up
toward rocks with popping cork and
a Down South Southern Shad. Those
redfish will be cruising right along the
rocks. And, these are big redfish. Most of
them are 28-36 inches.
“The other thing we have going in June
is the surf. Those fish aren’t as affected by
the runoff. So, once the surf cleans up,
there will be plenty of good fish caught.
I’ll usually start out with a topwater early
in the morning, then switch over to a
soft-plastic. I’ll still be using the Down
South Southern Shad. Glow is the best
color in the surf.
“June is also right at the start of when
we start running out to the short rigs.
It really just depends on the conditions.
Those fish are always out there. Once
the water gets right, we’ll start running
out there and picking up speckled trout,
Spanish mackerel, redfish... pretty much
everything hangs around those short
52
shrimp or soft-plastics around the reefs.
Anglers should also keep an eye out for
birds working over schools, as well as
slicks popping up on the surface. Redfish
will also be around in June. Those hoping
to tangle with reds this month should
concentrate on the shorelines, throwing
spoons, topwaters, and soft-plastics.
Both inshore and offshore action will
be heating up in the waters off Venice
during early summer. Red snapper,
kingfish, dorado, wahoo and ling can all
be caught within a relatively short run
offshore during June. A little further off,
june 2015
Photo by Nate Skinner.
Anglers will tangle with big redfish as well
as speckled trout on Lake Calcasieu in June.
Capt. Nick Poe shows off a Big Lake red that
busted a Super Spook Jr.
For many fishermen on Lake Calcasieu,
June means trophy trout time. While June
is usually beyond the peak sow speck
season in Texas bays, June is almost
always one of the better months to catch
a big trout on Big Lake. As a result, most
fishermen will be focused on quality over
quantity, although fishermen can do
both on Big Lake during June. Fishermen
looking strictly for big trout should start
out throwing topwater plugs, such as Top
Dogs, She Dogs and Super Spooks. Later
in the day, soft-plastics and slow-sinking
plugs will begin producing good results.
But, again, Calcasieu will offer plenty
of opportunities for fishermen looking
to catch a nice box of “eaters” as well
during June. Consistently good numbers
of keeper specks can be taken on live
june 2015
53
Just FISHING | Matt Williams
In A Storm
Anglers may leave the dock in the morning with nice conditions, however, Texas weather conditions can change in an instant, and that can spell
disaster if you happen get caught on the lake unprepared or in a position where you can’t make it to dry ground before a storm rolls in.
I have always believed that the best
time to go fishing is whenever you can.
Conversely, the absolute worst time to
be out there is when nasty weather is
promised in the forecast.
Texas weather conditions can change
in an instant, and that can spell disaster
if you happen get caught on the lake
unprepared or in a position where you
can’t make it to dry ground before a
storm rolls in. One of the most dangerous
weather elements anglers should always
be aware of is lightning. That’s because
lightning can kill you in a split second.
According to a recent study published
by the National Weather Service, there
were 261 lightning related deaths in the
United States between 2006 and 2013. The
study was conducted by John Jensenius, a
NWS lightning safety specialist.
Not surprisingly, the study showed the
majority of the fatalities were incurred by
people who were participating in outdoor
“leisure activities” around water. It also
showed that 81 percent of the victims
were male. Of all the 12 leisure activities
on the list, fishing accounted for the most
(30) lightning related deaths of all. Golfing
accounted for the least with eight deaths.
Camping, boating, soccer and beach
activities also were among the Top 5.
It comes as no surprise that fishing
ranks so high on the hit list. Fishermen
are usually in a boat, often times with a
graphite fishing rod held high in the air.
54
Being the highest point in a wide-open
area increases your chances getting struck
by lightning. Based on media reports of all
the lightning related deaths, many of the
victims were headed to safety at the time
of the lightning strike.
“People often wait far too long to
head to safety, and that puts them in
a dangerous and potentially deadly
situation,” says Jensenius. “In some
cases, people decide to wait to see if the
conditions improve rather than heading
toward safety immediately. It’s important
to note that some activities require a
considerable amount of time to get to a
safe place.”
Fishermen are among the worst
procrastinators. I don’t mind fishing in the
rain, but when lightning starts popping
I’ve learned it is never a good idea to dally
for very long.
A few years ago I was competing in a
bass tournament on Sam Rayburn when a
nasty thunderstorm came rolling in. I was
fishing around several boats near the State
Highway 147 Bridge when something
weird happened. With thunder rumbling
in the distance, I made a long cast with a
topwater plug. Interestingly, the fishing
line between my rod and the bait free
floated in mid-air after the bait landed in
the water. I twitched the rod tip to yank
the line down, but all the static electricity
in the air sucked it right back up.
Realizing I was in a dangerous
situation, I quickly reeled in my line
and secured my gear for a fast run to the
Jackson Hill boat ramp. When I arrived
there was an ambulance parked near
the water and the EMT’s were loading a
fisherman on to the gurney.
Turns out the angler had been struck
by lightning. Amazingly, he lived to tell
me about it a month or so later, after he
got out of the hospital.
The angler said his foot was on the
trolling motor when the lightning hit,
which caused the head on the control unit
to explode when the current made its exit.
The blow left five holes on the side of
his boat just above the water line, where
the lightning either burned through or
blew out the fiberglass. The powerful
current fried both of his electronic fish
finders, the boat’s wiring system and the
computer in the 300 horsepower Mercury
outboard. It also blew the glass facings off
some of the cockpit gauges and welded
the pedestal of the butt seat to the floor.
The strike was so violent that it
knocked the anglers’ clothes off and threw
him into the water.
“It basically disintegrated everything
I had on,” he said. “The only thing left on
me was the belt band of my bluejeans,
a portion of my zipper, one hip pocket
that still had my billfold in it and the
waterproof booties I wear when it rains.”
The angler added he had heard
thunder rumbling in the distance, but
june 2015
didn’t heed the warning.
“It sounded like it was miles away
and I really didn’t think much about it,
because I hadn’t seen any lightning,” he
said. “Anytime I see lightning I get off the
water immediately. I’ve fished in the rain
a bunch of times, so I just put my rain suit
on and kept on fishing.”
The most obvious lesson to be learned
here is that when you hear thunder, there
is always lighting associated with it. If
you can see lightning, the storm cloud
that produced it is likely within 15-20
miles of your location. A good way to
estimate the distance between you and an
approaching thunderstorm is to use the
“flash-bang” method. If you see a flash
of lightning, count the seconds until you
hear the thunder.
The sound of thunder travels about
one mile every five seconds. If it takes 15
seconds to hear the thunder, that means
the storm cloud is about three miles away.
Three miles might sound like a safe
distance, but it’s not. Lightning has been
known to strike objects as far as 10 miles
from the epicenter of the storm.
While it is always best to avoid getting
caught out in bad weather, sometimes it
can’t be avoided. So what is the best plan
action to take if you find yourself in a bind
in a boat? It is always best take the quickest
(and safest) path to safety. Get out of
the boat on dry ground and take cover,
preferably in a low spot squatting on the
balls of you feet. If you’re in the woods,
avoid taking cover beneath tall trees or on
hilltops. In the event you cannot make it
to land, disconnect all of your electronics
and get in the bottom of the boat away
from any metal hardware.
Another dangerous weather hazard
associated with spring storms is wind. Big
wind can turn a lake into an ugly frenzy
of whitecaps and nasty rollers quickly. Tall
waves can capsize or swamp a small boat,
so you need to be especially mindful of
weather forecasts when planning a fishing
trip in a jon boat this time of year.
When navigating big waves, it is always
best to zig-zag or diagonally back and
forth across waves. Running head on into
big waves increases the chances of taking
one over the bow and swamping the boat.
Getting caught on the water in a boat
in foul weather is never good business. If
it does happen, make sure everyone on
board is wearing life jacket, don’t panic,
think before you act and get to the bank
as quickly as possible.
Lightning Safety Rules For
Boaters
* Listen to the weather forecast on
NOAA Weather Radio or local media.
Watch for increasing wind, flashes of
lightning, thunder, darkening skies and
static on an AM radio.
* Get out of boats and away from
water.
* Avoid being the tallest object.
* Don’t stand under or near an isolated tree or small group of trees.
* Get inside a sturdy structure before
the storm approaches.
* If a sturdy shelter is not available,
get inside a hard-topped automobile and
keep the windows up.
* If you feel you skin tingle or your
hair stands on end, squat low to the
ground on the balls of your feet. Place
your hands on your knees with your
head between them. Make yourself the
smallest target possible and minimize
your contact with the ground -- do not
lay flat on the ground.
Source: National Weather Service.
Check back often for the latest outdoor news
from across Texas, the United States, and
around the world.
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june 2015
55
Lake Roundup
SOUTH TEXAS
By Danno Wise
Summer – and, thus, the summer
vacation season – starts in June. With
Texas public schools releasing for summer
break and consistently good weather
settling across the state, thousands of
people will be heading to the nearest body
of water. As a result South Texas fishermen
can expect plenty of company on the water
this month.
However, during June, as with other
summer months, the best bite usually
occurs early in the day, well before the
water sport crowd hits the lake. So,
fishermen don’t need to avoid their
favorite South Texas lake this month.
Rather, they just need to adjust their start
time.
COLETO CREEK – June means the
beginning of the summer fishing pattern
on lakes across South Texas, including
Coleto Creek.
“As we get into June, our fish will be
starting to get into their summer pattern,”
said Victoria bass pro Dennis Lala. “Once
they settle into a summer pattern, that
will pretty much hold through September.
“Early in the morning, we’ll have
some shallow water action. You’ll be able
to catch fish right up against the bank.
You can do real well with topwaters like
the Frenzy Popper or with spinnerbaits.
Buzzbaits are also real good early in the
day, when fish are holding tight to the
bank.
“Once the sun gets up, the fish will
start moving to deeper water and we’ll
just follow the fish out. They’ll stay on the
grass beds, they’ll just move to the outside
edges. The best bet is to concentrate on the
grass beds that are on edges that drop to
about 12 or 14 feet of water. That’s where
those fish will be hanging out once the
sun gets up.
“Both Texas-rigged and Carolinarigged plastics will work real well. But, this
time of year, I usually go pretty short on
the leader on my Carolina rigs. Most of the
time, about 10 to 12 inches will be enough.
My favorite bait to throw on the outside
edges is a Power JerkShad. But, you can
also do real well using a Power Bait Craw.
Shaky Worms and Sinker Worms also
work good around the grass.
“The water on Coleto Creek is usually
pretty clear in June. So, I usually prefer
throwing a watermelon color. The only
thing that will really change that is if we
get a lot of rain. If that happens and they
have to hold the gates open a long time,
the water will muddy up a bit. Then I’ll
go with a darker color.
“Bass fishing will be good throughout
the month of June. But, we’ll also start
seeing more people on the lake who
are just looking to feel something pull.
For people just looking to catch some
fish, there will be a lot of catfish caught
in June, too. If you’re fishing for catfish
with a rod and reel, you can do good with
nightcrawlers or shrimp or some of the
prepared baits. There will also be a lot of
folks setting jug lines for catfish during
the summer.
“About the only downside to June
is we’ll have all kinds of people on the
lake. It can get crowded, especially on the
weekends. But, most of the water skiers
and jet skiers don’t come out until later
in the day. Since most of our best fishing
during the summer is early, it works out
pretty well. You can catch your fish and
be off the lake before the crowd arrives.”
MEDINA – June begins the summer
fishing pattern on Medina, according to
Jim Gallagher of Jim’s ReBait Tackle. This
typically means fishing deep structure on
Medina, but this year, as has been the case
many years in the recent past, “deep water”
is a relative term.
“We’re still really low,” said Gallagher.
“Generally we don’t get much rain during
the summer months unless we get a
tropical storm or some other big rain
event that sits over our watershed and
dumps a lot of rain. It doesn’t happen
often, but it is possible. In years when we
do get a big tropical storm that moves
inland over us this lake can fill up really
fast. But, again, we normally don’t get
that kind of rainfall in summer unless we
have some sort of big storm. So, I expect
we’ll be dealing with low water levels this
summer.
“On a lake that is as deep as Medina,
sometimes having a lower lake level can
make finding the fish a little easier. That’s
especially true during the summer when
the fish are primarily holding over deep
structure. They’ll still be on the deep
structure, but the deep structure won’t
have as much water over it, so it’s easier
to find and easier to work. The main issue
with the low water will be access. Once
you’re on the water, the fishing should
be okay.
“This has always been a main and
secondary point lake. That’s especially
true in summer. But, although a lot of
people will be fishing the points, there’s
not many of them who fish far enough
offshore. You can catch some fish along
the entire length of the points, but you
really need to concentrate on the deepest
portions. It’s not unusual to find fish as
much as 300 yards off the points and
suspended in 50 feet of water.
“When the fish are suspended that
deep, vertical fishing techniques are
usually the best. Jigging spoons, dropshot rigs and things like that will usually
produce the best results.
“Early, early in the morning, we’ll still
have some fish up shallow – especially
around the points. But, for the most part,
the fish will be deep. You can usually do
pretty well on the deeper points and ledges
– usually you need to be in about 25 feet
of water. And, a lot of our fishing during
the summer is vertical fishing with jigging
spoons, drop shot rigs and that sort of
thing. But, you can also do pretty well on
deep diving crankbaits.
june 2015
“You also want to downsize your plugs
during the summer. We never really use
big baits on this lake, but during summer
you especially want to go small. This is
particularly true if the water’s clear, which
it almost always is in the summer and most
definitely is when we don’t get any rain.”
CHOKE CANYON – June is the start to
summer fishing and on Choke Canyon,
that usually means fishing the hydrilla
beds. By June, the majority of the bass
will be holding on the outside edges of the
grass beds and over offshore structure in
the main lake or in the river channel. The
best baits from probing in and around the
dense grass beds on Choke Canyon be a
Texas-rigged lizard and punch jigs. Lipless
crankbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits
will also produce plenty of bass along the
outside edges of the grass beds.
Although air and water temperatures
will continue rising over the next few
weeks, there will still be some shallow
water action on Choke during June. Early
in the morning, fish can still be found
holding shallow in the grass beds and
along shorelines where they will strike a
variety of surface baits.
Noisy topwater lures such as Ribbit
Frogs, buzzbaits and Pop Rs are usually
the best choices for surface feeding fish on
Choke Canyon.
As is the case on lakes across Texas,
Choke Canyon will see an increase in
traffic as jet skiers, water skiers, boaters
and fishermen look to spend a day on
the water.
But, because Choke Canyon lacks the
shoreside development found on other
lakes it will still be one of the least crowded
lakes in South Texas, making it an ideal
destination for bass fishermen looking to
escape the smothering crowds found on
other lakes during the summer months.
FALCON LAKE – June will see plenty
of big bass caught out of Falcon Lake.
Like other South Texas lakes, most of the
largemouth bass in Falcon will be found
over deep structure. That means deep
points, brushpiles, deep ledges and other
main lake structure will hold fish over the
next few weeks.
Most of the anglers targeting bass
holding on this deep structure in Falcon
Lake will be throwing deep diving
crankbaits and jumbo soft-plastics. But,
jigs and swimbaits will also take their fair
share of bass during June.
But, not every fisherman heading
june 2015
to Falcon will be looking for big bass.
Many are just looking for steady action.
Anglers just wanting to ‘catch some fish,’ as
opposed to working for a wallhanger, will
find plenty of smaller bass still hanging
around the shorelines and in the coves.
These fish will hit topwaters early and
spinnerbaits throughout the day.
On the lower end of the lake, hybrid
stripers will still be active in the deeper
water near the dam. On the opposite end
of the lake, catfish will be active in the
river.
WEST TEXAS
By TOJ Staff
AMISTAD — There is a lot bigger lake
out west of Del Rio and “Big Friendly” is
covering a lot more vegetation than one
year ago. Last June this popular big bass
producer was over 45 feet low through the
month of June. As of early May 2015 this
lake is just under 29 feet low.
With the additional flooded cover
look for topwater lures, frogs, as well as
lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs
worked around this vegetation to all be
productive. Topwater lures early and until
the bite quites, then work the other lures
through the middle of the day.
Striper anglers will be fishing for these
brutes out in front of the dam throughout
summer. Use large topwater lures as well
as spoons or cut bait to catch these fish.
Catfish anglers will see their favorite
specie starting to move toward deeper
water. Use cut/live bait, or prepared baits
in water five to 15 feet deep.
O.H. IVIE — June is typically the end of
the “Ivie Drift.” That is where anglers set
up an on the water drift grid and go after
spawning bass on the deeper flats. Best
depths is 25 feet or deeper.
On the majority of the lake bass will
be settling into post-spawn or summer
patterns. Look for topwater lures to be
excellent choices early and late in the day.
Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits, and Texas rigged
worms worked around structure are other
good options.
Anglers should also keep an eye out
for surface activity as schooling whites,
blacks and smallies will begin to chase
bait. All three species many times will be
in the same school.
BROWNWOOD — As of early May this
popular lake was about a foot and a half
lower than it was in June 2014. Look for
conditions to be similar to last year as this
issue is read.
Anglers fishing the docks or water in
the eight to 15 feet range should do well
for black bass. Green pumpkin or redbug
soft plastics have worked best.
The crappie spawn should be winding
down in early June. Look for papermouths
in water one to eight feet deep. Lil’ Fishies,
minnows, or Stanley’s Ribbit Runt are
good choices.
HIGH PLAINS
By TOJ Staff
ALAN HENRY — This popular bass
producer has about six and a half feet
more water in early May than it did at the
start of June 2014.
That additional water will have
inundated brush as well as rocky slide
areas. Look for bass to be in a post spawn
pattern with some females still spawning
on deep flats. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits,
flukes, Senkos, and jigs are all good
choices.
Crappie anglers should fish the shallow
water cover for spawning papermouths.
Minnows or Stanley Ribbit Runts are good
choices.
57
Guides, Gear & Getaways
TACKLE TIPS & TECHNIQUES | Danno Wise
Fishing Close-To-Shore Offshore Options
SALTWater
UPPER COAST | SABINE
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JUNE 3-7,
Houston Summer Boat Show, Reliant
Center, Houston. For more information call (713) 526-6361 or visit
houstonboatshows.com.
JUNE 3, 10, 17, 24,
Fly Tying Demonstration, 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 provided, or bring your fly
tying tools if you have them. Held at
Cabela’s on Highway 75. 6:00 p.m.8:00 p.m. For more information call
(972) 618-6714.
JUNE 4,
Hays County Chapter Ducks Unlimited fundraiser banquet, Kyle. For
information and reservations call
(512) 294-7428.
JUNE 6,
National Fishing Day, Free Fishing,
Statewide. Free fishing day is a great
opportunity for beginners to try
out fishing for the first time, or take
a friend who’s never been fishing.
You can also fish without a license
throughout the year at Texas State
Parks.
Take away a fishing fun pack and
enter the drawing for door prizes.
Equipment and bait provided or
bring your own. No license necessary. Adults must accompany
children. Bring sun protection and
water. Registration and start time is
9:00 A.M. For more information and
reservations call (847) 780-6474.
JUNE 6,
Angler Education Program, Seaborne
Creek Nature Park, Rosenberg. Parents and youth, ages 5-12, can learn
the basics of fishing such as tying the
hook on the line, casting a rod and
reel, identifying fresh and saltwater
fish and demonstrating safe and
responsible fishing. All necessary
equipment will be provided. Wear
comfortable clothing for outdoor
casting activities and games. Free.
Preregistration is required. Note: It’s
National Free Fishing Day: no fishing license required for this event. 8:00 a.m.
until noon. For more information call
(281) 342-3034 ext. 7028.
JUNE 6,
Go Fish! Learn-To-Fish Event, Eisenhower State Park, Denison. 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. Registration is
9:00 a.m. For more information and
JUNE 6,
National Fishing Day, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Athens. Kick off
summer with free hot dogs and soft
drinks, games and fishing! 9:00 a.m.
until 4:00 p.m. For more infor-mation
call (903) 670-2266.
JUNE 6,
Annual LBJ Fishing Day, Pedernales
River in LBJ State Park, Stonewall.
Fishing clinic for children and families. After fishing on the Pedernales
River there will be a short clinic for
all the participants. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00
p.m. (830) 644-2252
JUNE 6,
Go Fish! Learn-To-Fish Event, Galveston Island State Park, Galveston.
Families can learn the basics of fishing through fun, hands-on activities.
JUNE 6, 13, 20, 27,
Fishing with a Ranger, Inks Lake State
Park, Burnett. Learn the basics of
fishing with a park ranger. Borrow
a pole or bring your own. Loaner
64
tackle available. Meet behind the
Park Store. 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. For more
information call (512) 793-4689.
JUNE 11,
Bexar County Chapter Mule Deer
Foundation fundraiser banquet, San
Antonio . For information and reservations call (210) 219-0988.
JUNE 12,
Tri-Country Hunting Heritage National Wild Turkey Federation fundraiser banquet, Jewett. For information and reservations call (903)
322-3677.
JUNE 12, 27,
Two Hour Ranger Guided Canoe
Trip, Martin Dies State Park, Jasper.
Want to go out on a canoe, but not
sure where? Join a ranger for a fun
paddling adventure. Do you want
to ca-noe, but not sure where to go
or what to do? Sign up for the $15
Ranger guided two-hour canoe trip.
This trip includes basic canoeing instruction, and allows you to discover
one of the great paddling trails that
the park offers. 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Call
ahead to sign up at the park’s headquarters’ building at (409) 384-5231.
JUNE 13,
Go Fish! Learn-To-Fish Event, Bastrop
State Park, Bastrop. 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) 581-0377.
JUNE 18,
Southeast Texas Chapter National
Wild Turkey Federation fundraiser
banquet, Beaumont. For information
and reservations visit www.nwtf.org.
JUNE 19,
Texas State Convention Ducks Unjune 2015
JUNE 20,
Rains County Struttin’ & Ruttin’ Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation
fundraiser banquet, Emory. For
information and reservations call
(903) 348-1845.
JUNE 20,
Go Fish! Learn-To-Fish Event, Cedar
Hill State Park, Cedar Hill. 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
JUNE 25,
Corpus Christi Chapter National
banquet, Robstown. For information
JUNE 25,
Eastland County Chapter National
banquet, Eastland. For information
and reservations visit www.nwtf.org.
JUNE 26,
Cypress Creek Chapter National
banquet, Gilmer. For information
JUNE 27,
Central Texas Chapter Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Big Game Dinner.
Killeen/Waco. For information and
JUNE 27,
Harrison County Chapter National
banquet, Marshall. For information
call (903) 407-2305.
Mail your Outdoor Calendar
items to:
1706 W. Sam Houston Pkwy
North, Houston TX 77043
Fax: 713.957.3996
Email: [email protected]
JUNE 20,
Two Hour Guided Kayak Trip, Martin Dies State Park, Jasper. Want to
explore our sloughs on canoe but
not alone? Join a ranger for a fourhour, six-mile long guided kayak
trip through the park’s backcountry
sloughs and the Neches River. While
paddling be on the lookout for wildlife such as bald eagles, belted kingfishers, herons, turtles and alligators.
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 in advance to make your reservation. (409) 384-5231.
JUNE 20,
Go Fish! Learn-To -Fish Event,
Buescher State Park, Smithville. 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
JUNE 23,
Cottonwood Creek Chapter National
banquet, Frisco. For information and
june 2015
65
Tide Tables
Fishing & Hunting Times
US TIME ZONES
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
PACIFIC
MOUNTAIN
CENTRAL
EASTERN
< (+) (-) >
< (+) (-) >
< (+) (-) >
< (+) (-) >
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
H3:46P1.3
L11:21P-0.3
3
4
5
THE LEADER OF
6
Premiere Fishing Rods
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
H4:52A1.5
L10:21A1.2
H1:43P1.3
L9:37P-0.4
H5:41A1.6
L11:17A1.2
H2:15P1.3
L10:17P-0.5
H6:27A1.6
L12:06P1.2
H2:48P1.3
L10:57P-0.5
14
15
16
10
11
12
13
H7:10A1.5 H7:51A1.5 L12:14A-0.3 L12:50A-0.1
H8:31A1.4 H9:09A1.3
L12:54P1.1
H3:201.2
L11:36-0.4
17
18
19
FOR SERIOUS ANGLERS
20
L1:26A0.0 L2:02A0.2 L2:39A0.4 L3:20A0.6 H1:15A0.8 H2:44A1.0 H3:38A1.1
H9:44A1.3 H10:16A1.2 H10:45A1.2 H11:10A1.1 L4:16A0.7 L5:53A0.9 L7:51A1.0
L6:28P0.6 L6:41P0.6 L7:00P0.4 H11:32A1.1 H11:51A1.1 H12:07P1.1
L7:21P0.2 L7:43P0.0 L8:09P-0.1
H8:56P0.7 H11:15P0.7
21
22
H4:19A1.2
L9:07A1.0
H12:22P1.1
L8:38P-0.3
H4:55A1.3
L9:51A1.1
H12:42P1.2
L9:11P-0.4
28
29
23
24
25
26
27
H5:31A1.4
L10:18A1.1
H1:12P1.2
L9:46P-0.5
30
120°
115°
110°
105°
100°
95°
90°
85°
80°
75°
JUNE 2015
JULY 2015
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
H6:07A1.4
L10:44A1.1
H1:53P1.2
L10:25P-0.5
1
L12:35A-0.3
H8:34A1.3
L1:55P0.9
H6:08P1.0
5
L1:23A-0.1
H9:08A1.3
L3:08P0.7
H8:00P0.9
6
THU
FRI
H6:45A1.4
L11:17A1.1
H2:42P1.2
L11:06P-0.5
2
SAT
H7:22A1.4 H7:59A1.4
L11:58A1.1 L12:50P1.0
H3:37P1.2 H4:42P1.1
L11:50P-0.4
3
4
L2:14A0.2 L3:11A0.5 H12:10A0.9 H1:57A1.1 H3:17A1.2
H9:40A1.2 H10:11A1.2 L4:26A0.8 L6:17A1.0 L8:12A1.1
L4:21P0.5 L5:25P0.2 H10:42A1.2 H11:15A1.2 H11:49A1.2
L6:21P0.0 L7:12P-0.2 L7:59P-0.4
H12:06P0.9
7
8
9
10
11
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
+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
66
Featuring Four Great Rod Series:
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
JULY 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
june 2015
A portion of the proceeds from each
Lady Rodsmiths sold is donated to
the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
www.americanrodsmiths.com (713) 466-7849
7449 Wright Road, Houston TX 77041
Available at better tackle retailers. Dealer inquiries welcomed.
Managing Comfort in Port Aransas, TX
For Over 30 Years

June 2015 - PDF - Texas Outdoors Journal

Transcription

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