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2 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

Published by Texas Fish & Game Publishing Co., LLC.TEXAS FISH & GAME is the largest independent,

family-owned outdoor publication in America.Owned by Ron & Stephanie Ward and Roy & Ardia Neves.

ROY NEVESPUBLISHER

DON ZAIDLEEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHESTER MOOREEXECUTIVE EDITOR

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

JOE DOGGETT • SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

DOUG PIKE • SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

TED NUGENT • EDITOR AT LARGE

BOB HOOD • HUNTING EDITOR

MATT WILLIAMS • FRESHWATER EDITOR

CALIXTO GONZALES • SALTWATER EDITOR

LENNY RUDOW • BOATING EDITOR

STEVE LAMASCUS • FIREARMS EDITOR

LOU MARULLO • BOWHUNTING EDITOR

KENDAL HEMPHILL • POLITICAL COMMENTATOR

REAVIS WORTHAM • HUMOR EDITOR

GREG BERLOCHER • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

PAUL BRADSHAW • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

CAPT. MIKE HOLMES • CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

LISA MOORE • CONTRIBUTING PHOTO EDITOR

JOHN GISEL • WEBSITE CONTENT MANAGER

A D V E R T I S I N G

ARDIA NEVESVICE PRESIDENT/ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

VIGA HALL • NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES

TOM DERRAH • LOCAL & INTERNET SALES

1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032PHONE 281/227-3001 • FAX 281/227-3002

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

1745 GREENS ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77032

PHONE 800/725-1134

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TEXAS FISH & GAME (ISSN 0887-4174) is published monthly by Texas Fish &Game Publishing Co., LLC., 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. ©TexasFish & Game Publishing Co., LLC. All rights reserved. Content is not to be reprint-ed or otherwise reproduced without written permission. The publication assumes noresponsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts. Subscription rates: 1year $19.00: 2 years $34.75; 3 years $48.50. Address all subscription inquiries toTexas Fish & Game, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, Texas 77032. Allow 4 to 6weeks for response. Give old and new address and enclose latest mailing addresslabel when writing about your subscription. POSTMASTER: Send address changesto: TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX 77032. Address allsubscription inquiries to TEXAS FISH & GAME, 1745 Greens Road, Houston, TX77032. Email change of address to: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email new ordersto: dhruzek@fishgame.com Email subscription questions to:dhruzek@fishgame.com.

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FEATURES

4 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

OCTOBER 2011 • Volume XXVII • NO. 6

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ON THE COVERS:

Floats for FlounderPopping corks andother new-techfloat rigs can helpyou fish the

unfishable — but prime — flat-fish feeding grounds.

by Chester Moore

The Rut InterruptedA new study bywhitetailresearchers hasuncovered a num-

ber of factors that can put thebrakes on a region’s rut after ithas started. Their findings offerboth obvious conclusions(weather) and a few interestinginsights.

by Paul Bradshaw

STORY:

50

www.FishGame.com

STORY:

30

24 THE WINGS OF AUTUMNQuail numbers are in declineagain, but fortunately, Texas wing-shooters have plenty of otheropportunities from plentiful water-fowl to sandhill cranes.

by Bob Hood

40 STRING JUMPERSJust how good are whitetails atsensing the subtle noises a bow —or a bowhunter — makes at themoment of the shot?

by Ted Nugent

46 GOING DEEPER BUTKEEPING IT WACKYWith a jighead designed especial-ly for “wacky-style” fishing, theFlick Shake technique gives bassan action they’ve never seen indeep water.

by John N. Felsher

52 TF&G BOWHUNTING QUIZBowhunting has evolved since thedawn of civilization. Technology andmethods have improved, but suc-cess still requires knowledge andskill. Here’s a little quiz to see howfar your bowhunting has evolved.

by Lou Marullo

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6 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

COLUMNS

OCTOBER 2011 • Volume XXVII • NO. 6

DEPARTMENTS

8 LETTERS

12 TF&G REPORT

12 BIG BAGS &CATCHES

34 NEW! TEXASDEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

44 TRUE GREEN

www.FishGame.com

10 Editor’s NotesThe Hunt forRed Octoberby DON ZAIDLE TF&G Editor-in-Chief

14 Chester’s NotesHard QuestionsAwait Huntersby CHESTER MOORE TF&G Executive Editor

16 Doggett at LargeThen, Now &Tomorrowby JOE DOGGETTTF&G Senior Contributing Editor

18 Pike On the EdgeThe Case of Clientv. Guideby DOUG PIKETF&G Senior Contributing Editor

19 TexasWildDeer Baiting101by TED NUGENTTF&G Editor At Large

22 CommentaryRunnin’ andGunnin’by KENDAL HEMPHILLTF&G Politcal Commentator

33 Texas Bow HuntingThe Bow-TechAssassinby LOU MARULLOTF&G Bow Hunting Editor

38 Hunt TexasGhosts of GooseHunts Pastby BOB HOODTF&G Hunting Editor

43 Texas FreshwaterWildBillby MATT WILLIAMSTF&G Freshwater Editor

49 Texas SaltwaterOur TrojanHorseby RICHARD SANCHEZGuest Contributor

56 Open SeasonAdultToysby REAVIS WORTHAMTF&G Humor Editor

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Waterfowl ExpoI WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF MY EXPE-

riences at the Gulf Coast Waterfowl Expo

held at the Pasadena Convention Center

recently. That was the best money I have

spent in a long time. There were knowledge-

able seminars that covered duck hunting,

dog training, what is being done to benefit

the ducks’ nesting areas, and how to handle

your wild game after harvesting. I was so

impressed, my wife and I joined the local

Ducks Unlimited chapter.

While at the Expo, I had the opportuni-

ty to meet Chester Moore and talk about

fishing. I have been reading his articles for

years and some of his books, but this was the

first time meeting him. And, I’m telling you,

you want to meet him if you love fishing. He

will talk fishing with you. He was happy to

answer any questions about fishing and

shared information as long as you were will-

ing to listen. He was quick to shake your

hand and talked to you as if he had known

you for years. Hats off to you, Chester, for

being a first-class representative for us who

fish and hunt.

Then, there was the Texas Gourmet,

Bryan Slaven, who was willing to share his

recipes.

I was even able to get my wife an auto-

graph from Gator Queen Liz, from Swamp

People.

It was a very enjoyable and informative

expo. Remember everyone—Buy Local,

Buy American, Buy Union. Because the

one job you save may be your own.

Richard Holcomb

Texas City

How to CarrySTEVE, THANKS FOR YOUR ARTICLE IN THE

September 2011 issue. I just finished read-

ing “How to Carry a Concealed Weapon.”

I am an “older” woman who currently car-

ries my gun in a purse. I completely agree

with you about that being an invitation to

have my purse/gun snatched. I have looked

at and considered every possible type of hol-

ster. I even went as far as buying a couple,

including a “soft” IWB holster which I tried

to modify to fit my gun. Needless to say, I’m

not happy with the result. Otherwise, I

wouldn’t be writing to you. When is the

piece dedicated entirely to holsters going to

be published? Please hurry!!! I want some

more input before I continue my search for

the “perfect” method of concealed carry.

Gail Mullinax

via www.FishGame.com

Gail,

Finding the perfect holster is, sad to say, a

life-long quest for most of us. After nearly 40

years of searching I still buy the occasional

holster because I think it has some quality

that will make it better. Since you took the

time to write, I will tell you a couple of

secrets.

I suggest that you try two different types of

holsters.

I had a lady friend in the Border Patrol

who seemed to love her Pancake holster. That

is a holster that has ears on each side that the

belt fits through. This allows the holster to lay

flatter against the side than one with the belt

loop on the back. Several makers produce

such a holsters, both with and without reten-

tion devices, but I think you will find High

Noon Holsters makes as good a holster as

any. The Slide Guard and Sky High are two

examples of what I am talking about. These

are both standard waist and strong-side waist

holsters.

If you like an inside the waistband holster,

something that fits inside the waistband of

your clothing, I recommend the Milt Sparks

Versa Max 2, or one of its clones. This is the

most comfortable such holster I have ever car-

ried. I carried mine, filled with my Kimber

Pro Carry .45, all over Kerrville yesterday,

covered only by a square-tailed nylon fishing

shirt.

Thanks for reading, thanks for writing,

and good luck. And remember that the more

you practice with that handgun, the luckier

you get.

—Steve LaMascus

Dixie Jet SpoonRE: YOUR 2010 ARTICLE “5 LURES NOT

Fished Anymore,” concerning the Dixie Jet

Spoon. This lure is now back in full produc-

tion through American Legend Tackle,

located in Richland, Missouri, 573-774-

0631. This is a fish catching machine.

Recommend you check them out.

Tom Murphy

via www.FishGame.com

PoliticallyDisappointed

I AM RESPONDING TO THE LETTER,“Politically Disappointed”, by Gene Brake

of San Antonio. Hello, Kendal Hemphill is

the “political editor,” so one should expect to

find a political opinion expressed!

Texas Fish & Game is honest enough to

state it is a political editorial. I have read

articles in other hunting and fishing maga-

zines which promote “global warming,” but

state it as a fact, not opinion. I would sug-

gest Mr. Brake just skip political commen-

tary if he is not open minded enough to see

what other opinions might be.

Keep up the good work, Kendal

Hemphill!

Keith Garner

Abilene

Send Comments and Letters to:Editor, Texas Fish & Game

1745 Greens RD

Houston, Texas 77032

Email: Editor@fishgame.com

8 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

Letters to the Editor

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The Hunt forRed October

TECHNO-THRILLER BOOK ENTHUSIASTS(mea culpa) and movie buffs connect

“Red October” with the book and

subsequent movie of the same name.

Historians and political pundits think of the

Bolshevik Revolution led by Vladimir Lenin

October 25, 1917—notwithstanding that

the backward Russians still used the Julian

calendar and the actual date was November

7 by the Gregorian calendar, “Red

October” stuck nonetheless.

To the hunter, “Red October” means some-

thing quite different, although the sanguine con-

notations of “red” remain consistent—whether

shed in anger, revolution, or predatory con-

quest, blood’s color doesn’t change.

The world changed in Russia’s Red

October, which seems wholly fitting. October

has marked a time of change ever since Man

named the months and seasons. It is the time

of the Harvest Moon—the first full moon

nearest the autumn equinox, when waning

days give way to longer nights—followed by

the Hunter’s Moon—the first full moon after

the Harvest Moon.

Harvest and hunt are the essence of Man’s

very existence, the bread and meat of body

and soul. To reap the herbaceous bounty of

Earth satisfies hunger, but leaves wanting a

deeper need untended by seed and scythe.

The hunt slakes a primordial thirst common to

all men—an imperative to kill, taste flesh, and

smell the sweet warmth of blood, a need driv-

en by genetic, saber-toothed memories of prey

and triumph.

In October, autumn woods turn the color

of blood and bone, a rich mix of crimson and

ochre that reminds the hunter of his predatory

ancestry. The air smells different, a burnt

umber scent of ancient campfires and roasted

flesh of hard-won prey. The world feels differ-

ent, a subtle inner throb that drives a man to

he knows not what—unless he is a hunter.

For many, the October primordial drive

finds relief in dove and other avian weight in

the game bag. But to some—those still suffi-

ciently “uncivilized” to embrace their roots—

it is a time of blooding in earnest, a reconnec-

tion to the surrogate fang and claw of ancient

ancestors, a time to take up the simple instru-

Editor’s Notes

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

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 11

ments that propelled Man to the top of the

food chain—the time of the bow.

The name (if he had one) of our ancient,

hairy ancestor that discovered the utility of

wood held bent into a bow by sinew to launch

a stick tipped with chiseled flint is lost to antiq-

uity. Nonetheless, his nameless legacy

endures, personified in Saxton Pope, Arthur

Young, Howard Hill, Fred Bear, et al—men

who understood what it means to be a preda-

tor, equipped not with fang and claw, but intel-

lect sharper than any corporeal weapon in

Nature. And it was those men, their ancestors

and progeny, that secured the future of the

modern hunter, and more—the very survival

and continued ascendance of Homo sapiens.

The bowman’s art figures prominently in

Man’s history, reaching beyond mere suste-

nance to the fortunes and defilement of politi-

cal pretenders. Britain’s War of the Roses

reached resolution with the Act of Accord that

recognized York as King Henry’s successor to

the throne, disinheriting Henry’s six-year-old

son Prince Edward (largely due to the effica-

cy of bowmen) in October of 1460. Bows in

the hands of American Indians wrought crush-

ing defeat against Kentucky and Pennsylvania

militiamen in two separate engagements on

October 18 and 22, 1790.

October saw Columbus discover America;

the birth of King Henry III of England, and

Commander James Lawrence, who uttered

the famous last words, “Don’t give up the

ship!”; Alexander the Great defeat the

Persian army; and Spain cede Louisiana to

France in a secret treaty.

The magic of October drives men to great

things in field, fiefdom, and boardroom. It stirs

an inner cauldron long dormant in some, that

conjures ambitions and machinations beyond

normal reach; awakening the primordial

hunter that sleeps in our psyches, restoring life

to dreams undreamt for perhaps millennia to

hunt, stalk, and kill creatures vulnerable to our

schemes—prey and predator-foe alike.

The ancient hunter-gatherer with his bow

of wood, medieval British archer with his long-

bow, and French soldat with his crossbow are

all the same—torch-bearers of an ancient art

that gave rise to tribal leaders, kings, and

despots with equal utility. For the same

strength of arm and shrewdness of eye that

wielded the bow that brought meat to hearth,

also made kings, dethroned cruel overlords,

and changed the fortunes of nations.

Without the bow, the world as we know it

would not exist—perhaps Man would not rule

Creation. The hunt itself might lay dead

beneath the detritus of antiquity, but because

of the bois de arc—the “bow of wood”—Man

rules the known cosmos, civilization exists, and

the hunter is the bulwark of culture.

Maybe, someday, the hunter and his bow

will go the way of the dodo and Clovis point.

Meanwhile, the hunter and his instincts rule

the corporate boardroom, the headship of

nations, and the suburban bedroom. The

hunter’s instinct and baser drives cleave the

way of progress, innovation, and triumph.

And the man who draws the bow holds in his

fingers the history and fate of the world at

large, and Mankind in particular.

It could not rest in better hands than of the

man who hunts and yearns for Red

October—the season of blood.

E-mail Don Zaidle at

DZaidle@fishgame.com.

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12 More Chargedin KansasPoaching Probe

THE KANSAS DEER POACHING SAGA CAR-ries on, with charges filed recently against 12

more men—including several from East

Texas—who prosecutors say broke federal

game laws by taking deer illegally and trans-

porting them across state lines.

More than two years have passed since

dozens of federal agents and Texas game

wardens swarmed the small East Texas town

of Center, Texas, and surrounding towns

and communities in Texas and Louisiana, to

begin cleaning up what some are now calling

one of the dirtiest deer poaching cases in

U.S. history.

Authorities seized dozens of mounted

deer heads and antlers, many of them

believed to have been taken illegally in con-

nection with a deer hunting operation based

from a hunting camp called “Camp Lone

Star” near Coldwater, Kan., between 2005

and 2008.

There, and on other leased property in

Kansas, prosecutors say the camp’s owner,

James Bobby Butler, and his brother, Marlin

Jackson Butler, encouraged, directed and

allowed some clients to kill deer illegally

without proper licenses and permits, and by

using illegal means and methods such as

spotlighting and rifles during archery season.

In May 2010, a federal grand jury hand-

ed down a 23-count felony indictment charg-

ing the Butler brothers with a long list of

hunting violations, including multiple viola-

tions of the Lacey Act.

The Lacey Act is a federal law that pro-

hibits the transport of illegally taken game

across state lines. The law has razor teeth,

carrying a maximum penalty of five years in

prison and a $250,000 fine per count.

Last June, U.S. Senior District Judge

Wesley Brown of Wichita, Kan., sentenced

the Butler brothers to jail time and slapped

them with healthy fines following months of

legal wrangling that ended in plea deals.

James Butler was sentenced to 41 months

in federal prison and fined $50,000. Marlin

Butler was sentenced to 27 months in feder-

al prison and fined $20,000. Both men are

appealing their sentences.

Court records indicate the U.S. govern-

ment at one time targeted as many as 60

Camp Lone Star hunters suspected of ille-

gally killing more than 100 deer—many of

them trophy bucks—during hunting seasons

spanning 2005-08.

Judging from recent developments in the

case, not everyone in that group is out of the

woods just yet.

In July, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom of

Wichita announced that two more East

BIG BAGS CATCHES&

12 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

The TF G Report&

8-year-old George Torreros III of Dickinsoncaught his first bull red while fishing withhis dad George Jr and grandfather GeorgeSr at the Galveston jetty.

Hannah Shelby Booth, age 10, of Booth,Texas got her first deer, this 8 point buck,on the Booth Ranch in Ft. Bend County.Hannah’s buck scored green at 130 5/8B&C and weighed 155lbs. Hannah’s mom,Sarah Booth, assisted her on the hunt.

Charles Gonzalez and his son John werefishing the surf at Crystal with the familywhen they caught this bull shark, estimat-ed to weigh 50 pounds. They caught sev-eral more sharks and some bull reds too.

WHITETAIL BUCK

Ft. Bend County

REDFISH

Galveston

SHARK

Crystal Beach

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 13

Texas men had been indicted on federal

poaching charges related to the Butler case.

According to court records, Justin Klein

of Center was indicted on three counts of

transporting deer across state lines that were

taken illegally in Kansas between Nov. 1,

2006 and Nov. 1, 2007. Meanwhile,

Johnny Risinger of Mt. Enterprise was

indicted on one count of transporting a deer

across state lines after the deer was taken

illegally in Kansas on Dec. 1, 2005.

If convicted on the felony charges, Klein

and Risinger face a maximum penalty of five

years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines,

according to Jim Cross, public affairs officer

for the U.S. Attorney in Kansas.

On Aug. 11, federal prosecutors filed

misdemeanor Lacey Act charges against 12

more men from Texas and Louisiana in con-

nection with illegal hunting activity in

Kansas. What follows is a list of the defen-

dants and a description of the federal

charges filed against each one:

• Charles B. Sapp, 32 of Center, Tx:

Charged with taking deer unlawfully without

valid license and tags, and in excess of the

bag limit.

• Michael Herne, 37, of Monroe, La.:

Charged with unlawfully taking deer without

valid license and tags, and in the improper

Deer Management Unit.

• Arthur Clemons, 67, of Cushing, Tx.:

Unlawfully taking deer without valid license

and tags.

• Michael Scarber, 31, of Center, Tx.:

Unlawfully taking deer with illegal equip-

ment.

• Harry Wells, 53, of Denham Springs,

La.: Unlawfully taking deer without valid

license and tags, and in the improper Deer

Management Unit.

• James Jacobs, 41, of Shelbyville, Tx.:

Unlawfully taking deer without valid license

and tags, in the wrong Deer Management

Unit, and in excess of the annual bag limit.

• James Donnan, 57, of Center, Tx.:

Unlawfully taking deer with illegal equip-

ment and failing to tag the deer upon kill.

• Jerry Deville, 39, of Denham Springs,

La.: Unlawfully taking deer without valid

license, and failing to tag the deer.

• Kyle Bush, 39, of Timpson, Tx.:

Unlawfully taking deer without valid license

and tags, in excess of the bag limit, with ille-

gal equipment, and failing to tag the deer

upon kill.

• Zach Belrose, 21, of Center Tx.:

Unlawfully taking deer without valid license

or tags, and in excess of the annual bag limit.

• Douglas Baker, 52, of Palestine, Tx.:

Unlawfully taking deer without a valid

license.

• Bazil Moore, no age or hometown

available: Unlawfully taking deer without

valid license or tags.

According to Cross, the charges against

the 12 men are categorized as misdemeanor

Lacey Act violations based on “the value of

the game they crossed state lines with.”

Cross said the the maximum penalty facing

each hunter is one year in prison and a fine

up to $10,000, if convicted.

Cross held his cards close to the vest

when asked if charges against more hunters

might be forthcoming.

“This case is still open,” he said.

—by Matt Willams

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HardQuestionsAwaitHunters

AS A HUNTER I HAVE BEEN ON GUARD FORthings that could steal this important

part of my lifestyle. For years we

have looked at anti-hunting groups

as bogeymen, but are there other factors out

there far more detrimental to the sport?

These are a list of questions I recently

asked myself along with some of my opin-

ions. I hope you will take the time to answer

and perhaps share your opinions with me via

email at cmoore@fishgame.com.

Here we go…

1. WHAT HAS BEEN MORE DETRIMENTAL TOhunters in Texas, anti-hunting groups or the

federal government? There are hundreds of

thousands of acres off limits to hunting and

fishing. Let’s take the Aransas National

Wildlife Refuge for example. Sure, they

allow very limited deer and hog hunts but

the entire 100,000 plus acre refuge located

on the coast is off limits to waterfowl hunt-

ing. And, it was purchased by duck stamp

money! Think about that. Who has given us

more restrictions? Is it the antis with their

pathetic signs and slogans or bureaucrats

with real authority and no publicly stated

agenda?

2. WHERE ARE ALL OF THE MORTALLYwounded hunters, deer and immense hunt-

ing pressure caused by the legalization of

crossbows in the archery-only season? For

decades, many in the so-called leadership in

bowhunting in Texas said it was going to be

a disaster to make them legal. The facts

show their resistance had more to do with

cliquish attitudes (hey, I’m better than you

because I shoot a real bow) than any con-

cerns for deer or safety.

3. HAS THE TROPHY WHITETAIL CRAZE OFthe last 30 years benefitted or hurt you? Has

deer hunting outpaced your other living

expenses in great fashion or has it stayed the

same? How much longer can you afford to

deer hunt?

4. IS IT ME OR IS THE FEAR OF CHRONICWasting Disease (CWD) way out of line

with reality? Sure, it is a real thing but it has

undoubtedly been around forever and with

all of the deer in Texas along with exotics

imported from everywhere you would think

Texas would have deer dropping left and

right if it CWD were such a huge threat.

5. SHOULD TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFECommissioners be elected instead of

appointed? On one hand it would give them

more accountability if they wanted to seek

reelection but I remember reading a brilliant

article by Ron Henry Strait once that float-

ed the idea that we have done a good job of

keeping the antis out with appointed candi-

dates. With growing urban populations who

have no clue about hunting, he might be

right. What do you think?

6. I WATCH VERY LITTLE OUTDOORS TELEVI-sion but occasionally find myself at a hunting

camp when one of the myriad deer hunting

programs is on. Doesn’t it get a little old to

have a hunter get a shot the very “last day”

of the hunt on a huge buck that is supposed

to be ultra wary, yet while they are talking

about the buck, they have tons of full frame

footage of the deer looking right at the cam-

era? Sometimes clichés need to be dumped

in the trash bin of history.

7. IF FERAL HOGS ARE SUCH A DIRE THREATthen why are the most effective methods

(trapping, hunting at night and hunting with

dogs) prohibited on most state and federal

lands? Oh, I almost forgot baiting is also

illegal so add that to the mix.

8. WHY IS TEXAS NOT THE TOP BOWHUNT-ing state in the nation? We have by far the

most abundant game and are always among

the top in overall license sales, so why do we

consistently rank below the top 10 in

bowhunting? Some say it is because

Midwestern states either have no rifle season

(shotgun only) or very short ones and that

could be a contributing factor for them.

What is the reason for Texas?

9. IF I HAVE TO VISUALLY MEASURE THEspread distance of a whitetail in about 1/3 of

the state before shooting, does that mean I

can throw a speckled trout in the ice chest

and measure it when I get back to the dock?

The possibilities of walking up to the deer

and measuring it before shooting are about

one in a million after all. It is really the same

thing isn’t it? You can’t shoot and release a

deer, nor freeze and release a fish. So how

are antler spread restrictions supposed to be

anywhere in the neighborhood of just?

10. WHAT HAVE YOU AND I DONE TO MENTORsomeone with an interest in hunting? Taking

someone once is fine but as my friend T.J.

Greaney has found with his Kids Outdoors

Zone project, mentoring is key.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A FISHINGtrip with me and the legendary Jimmy

Houston? If so, go to page 17 to find out

the details and sign up. This contest is

being brought to you by Texas Fish &

Game and U.S. Reels and not only

includes winning a trip but also a shot of

you with Houston on our cover in a

future edition. Why are you waiting? Go

sign up now.

—CM

Fish with Me & Jimmy Houston

E-mail Chester Moore at

CMoore@fishgame.com.

Chester’s Notes

by Chester Moore | TF&G Executive Editor

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Then, Now &Tomorrow

ACOPY OF THE 1972/73 TEXAS HUNTING &Fishing Guide was stashed in the bot-

tom drawer of my work desk. I’m a bit

of a pack rat. I almost tossed it, then

decided to take a look.

The yellowed brochure defined the hunting

and fishing regulations during the year I was

hired as an outdoor writer for the Houston

Chronicle. The slim booklet has 48 pages.

By contrast, the 2010/11Texas Parks and

Wildlife Hunting and Fishing Regulations is

104 pages. But that’s not the remarkable dif-

ference. The shocker is the woeful lack of

attention devoted to saltwater angling.

Fishing regulations began on page 30 of

the old booklet. The only requirement under

the “Texas Sportfishing Guide” was an annu-

al $2.15 fishing license. That was good for

freshwater or saltwater, resident or non-resi-

dent. An additional $1.00 saltwater tag was

required for “sport” anglers using trotlines.

The following 14 pages were devoted to

convoluted freshwater sport fishing regula-

tions. But at least the lakes and rivers had size

and bag limits on most sport species.

The final 3 1/2 pages of the1972/73 book-

let were devoted to saltwater fishing. But three

of those pages dealt with various aspects of

commercial fishing for finfish and shellfish.

A total of four sentences concerned regula-

tions pertaining to the huge and growing

industry of sport fishing for speckled trout, red

drum and flounder in the coastal waters of

Texas. And they were short, incomplete sen-

tences, at that. Here, take a look:

Minimum Size Limits:

In all counties: Redfish — 14 inches.

In Cameron, Kenedy and Willacy

Counties: Flounder and Speckled Trout —

12 inches.

All other species — No size limits.

That’s it. No elaboration, no fine tuning

— and no bag limits on any saltwater species.

And, with the exception of three South Texas

counties, no size limits on trout or flounder.

Frankly, I suspect the 14-inch minimum on

reds was imposed to prevent rod-and-reel fish-

ermen from retaining them before they were

large enough to be caught in gill nets.

Younger anglers who have known nothing

but realistic limits might have trouble accepting

the fact that Texas was so lax in protecting

such a valuable resource/industry. This espe-

cially is true considering that, during the past

30 years, the Lone Star State led the way in

coastal finfish conservation and restoration.

The turnaround was achieved by sport fish-

ermen who recognized the serious decline of

redfish and speckled trout, and a growing

commitment by the Texas Parks and Wildlife

Department to protect the resource.

Commercial trotlines, gill nets and beach

seines took heavy tolls. And, let’s be honest,

unregulated rod-and-reel pressure was a factor.

Balding, graying old salts remember all this

— the “Redfish Wars” — but some young

lions might benefit from a refresher course in

why our inshore fishing flourishes today.

Space does not permit a blow-by-blow, but

here are some of the highlights:

1977 — The Gulf Coast Conservation

Association was founded in Houston by

approximately 40 anglers determined to fight

the powerful commercial fishing industry. Talk

about the proverbial acorn growing into the

mighty oak — GCCA made it happen.

1979 — The first significant limits on

sport fishing (supported by GCCA) were

enacted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife

Commission. A rod-and-reel fisherman could

keep 20 trout and 10 reds per day. The mini-

mum length on trout was 12 inches. While

that daily bounty might seem remarkably liber-

al now, it was a big start in the right direction.

1981 — House Bill 1000, the “Redfish

Bill,” was signed into law by Gov. Bill

Clements. The law established red drum and

speckled trout as “gamefish,” effectively pro-

tecting them from commercial harvest in state

waters. This was huge; it established the value

of these species as a sport resource.

1982 — The John Wilson Marine

Hatchery run by TPWD and funded by

GCCA was opened near Corpus Christi.

1983 — The first batch of 2.3 million

hatchery spawned redfish fingerlings was

released in the bays near Port O’Connor.

Other coastal states were in awe of the can-do

attitude of Texas.

1984 — TPWD cut the daily speckled

trout limit from 20 to 10. The minimum

length was increased to 14 inches (to improve

spawning recruitment). The redfish limit was

cut to five fish, 18-inch minimum length. The

drastic reductions were in response to the killer

freeze during the winter of 1982/83.

1985 — TPWD approved the $5 Texas

Saltwater Stamp, required in addition to a

valid fishing license. Funds raised were used

specifically for conservation projects.

1989 — The limits again were tightened.

Another killer freeze played a part but so, also,

did the growing acceptance of catch-and-

release. The concept works. Three reds per

day, with a 20-to-28-inch slot limit, were

allowed (plus one annual tag for an over-sized

fish). The trout daily limit remained 10 but

the minimum length was upped to 15 inches.

2002 — TPWD acknowledged the fact

that large speckled trout are special. The big

fish deserve recognition and protection, and

the commission adopted the current rule

allowing only one trout measuring 25 inches or

more per day. In addition, licensed guides

were not permitted to retain trout, reds or

flounder while fishing with clients.

2007 — TPWD cut the daily limit for

speckled trout to five per day in the lower

Laguna Madre system south of Marker 21 in

the Land Cut. The move was made in

response to dwindling returns of mature trout

in the shallow South Texas bays. Two years

later, based on creel survey returns, both num-

bers and sizes were up.

The future for saltwater sport fishing in

Texas looks positive, mostly because of a lega-

cy of commitment along the coast and in

Austin. I think I’ll keep the old brochure. In

many ways, 1972 was a long, long time ago.

E-mail Joe Doggett at

JDoggett@fishgame.com

Doggett at Large

by Joe Doggett | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

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The Case of Client v.Guide

GUIDED FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPSdon’t always end successfully, even

when they do.

If you think that doesn’t make

sense, try sorting out the details of a hunting

trip this past season that led to disappoint-

ment and, ultimately, a lawsuit.

Sometimes I’ll name names in columns,

and sometimes I will not. In this case, it’s the

latter, because there isn’t yet resolution of the

case.

Generally, a couple of hunters signed on

for what they thought would go one way, and

it went another in a big way. They paid for

a good time and didn’t get it.

Most such disappointments end with

promise of a free trip, which seems at face

value a fair exchange if best-laid plans lay an

egg. In this case, however, the plaintiffs hope

to recover actual costs, plus damages and

attorneys’ fees.

A judge or jury will sort it all out, or the

sides will square up before trial. That’s how

our system works. If you’re angry or feel

wronged, whatever the circumstances that

got you that way, you can get a day in court.

Good system, mostly.

As much as I’d like to pick a side and

beat its tambourine until everyone tapped

toes in agreement, that would only alienate

folks. Instead, I’d rather offer thoughts on

how any guided trip could go better and how

both guide and client can ensure that it does.

We begin with the hunter or fisherman

who searched the Web and found what

seemed a reputable, respected guide service.

Its site featured photo galleries of success-

ful sportsmen and their kills or catches, all

smiles and not a one of them looking disap-

pointed. Secondary pages detail how and

where the service hunts or fishes, then wrap

with pricing and other services. Standard

stuff.

Online or on the phone, a reservation is

made, and that’s where both parties tend to

miss the opportunity to avoid problems; nei-

ther asks the other enough questions.

The more information is exchanged

beforehand, the fewer potential surprises.

Clients should express wants and needs, and

guides should explain the realities of pursu-

ing wild game.

Do you still run the boat in the photos?

Can you provide a rifle? Do you always hunt

from blinds? Does everybody catch fish or

get close shots at trophy bucks?

And on the flip side...

How much experience do you have?

What would you consider a successful trip?

Do you prefer lots of little fish or a few big

fish? Do you mind walking, or would you

prefer to ride to a blind?

Lots of people can cast plugs or blow

duck calls and stumble into the business, but

only a few last more than a season. They’re

magicians, in a way, only they can never be

certain that all their assistants will show up

for work.

Nobody who paid full freight wants to be

in the hands of an unseasoned guide, either,

but no great guide ever earned that reputa-

tion hunting by himself.

Hundreds, sometimes thousands of dol-

lars change hands on a dock or in some

sleepy pancake joint before dawn, often

between people who would be total strangers

but for a single call or email. Everyone

hopes it goes well.

But when it doesn’t, even when they were

told in advance about “worst case” out-

comes, clients don’t want to believe it could

happen to them.

It can, and it does. That’s when you pon-

der whether the guide did everything in his

or her power to provide opportunity to get

clean shots or catch fish. Did the guy work?

And make no mistake that guiding, on 90

percent of trips, is work. The crazy-good

trips are well earned bonuses for anyone who

puts in the daily effort of a professional

hunter or fisherman.

The highest hurdle for guides is that none

of them can make fish eat or ducks fly or deer

stand still. When a chef promises a great

meal, he’s got a kitchen full of food behind

him. When the Astros promise a major-

league ballgame…well, maybe that’s not the

best example.

If something goes wrong, a guide should

do all in his or her power to overcome that

situation. And if that person’s equipment

was in good shape, skills were to par, and

full effort was made to meet client expecta-

tions, then as a guide, the test was met.

As a client, you must cover your end by

being on time and following the guide’s

instructions – so long as they are within pre-

set boundaries.

Of course, even when both sides do

everything absolutely right, straps and

stringers can hang empty at day’s end.

That’s the exception more than the rule, but

such are hunting and fishing.

In all its forms, the service industry is

burdened with customer expectations that

sometimes are vague and impossible to meet.

A “good” hunting or fishing trip has hun-

dreds of definitions. Some of my best hunts,

as noted by the hunters themselves, only put

a handful of birds on the strap. Value was in

the experience, not the meat.

To make clients smile when wildlife does-

n’t cooperate, however, the experience itself

has to have genuine value. A guide has to

know his or her craft and execute it as well

as or better than the people with whom he’s

sharing a boat or blind. If there’s a valid rea-

son why animals weren’t where they should

have been, it should be explained in high-

dollar detail.

I can’t say how this particular case will be

resolved, but it will spark more first-contact

discussion between guides and their clients,

and both sides ultimately will benefit.

E-mail Doug Pike at

DPike@fishgame.com

18 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

Pike on the Edge

by Doug Pike | TF&G Senior Contributing Editor

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DeerBaiting101

THAT THERE IS A SO CALLED DEBATEabout the sensible, effective practice

and proven hunting strategy of bait-

ing deer is rather laughable, except

for the very tragic reality that such buffoon-

ery and denial has manifested themselves in

the most egregious and offensive of ways.

One has to look no further than the infesta-

tion of a gang of America hating, power

abusing, corrupt gangsters in the White

House and throughout much of the govern-

ment of the United States of America for

definitive proof that way too many

Americans have lost their minds.

We can only pray such ignorance is cor-

rected soon, very, very soon.

For the record, those clowns who frown

on, or worse, would ban the baiting of deer,

are the very same clowns who would bait up

a leopard, bait up a bear, a hog, plant an

ambush friendly foodplot, make a mock

scrape, put out some doe in heat pee, sit at a

waterhole to ambush the creature of their

choice, or maybe hunker down in a govern-

ment or hunt club flooded corn field to

whack an incoming mallard. Really. Think

about that for moment. Ugly ain’t it.

Being that as it may, this old backstrap

addicted predator would like to state right

here and now that without question, my

absolute favorite hunting joys come from

picking the perfect tree in a perfect gamey

area, where there are either falling acorns, or

scattered kernels of golden corn, or maybe a

few small piles of commercial deer attrac-

tants or feed so as to optimize my close

encounter dreams with the delicious herbi-

vore of my choice.

I simply love hunting a spot where it is

most likely to get a shot, instead of less like-

ly to kill a deer. Ya think!

So let us examine the lessons learned of

the hunting'est bowhunting fool the world

has ever known, for I, your loving Uncle

Ted, The Nuge, Strap Assassin1, the hum-

ble WhackMaster, through much trial and

error, (heavy on the error) have discovered

better than average baiting techniques to

bring 'em in. Usually.

Of course, in some areas, one has to only

whip out a bag of shell corn and climb a tree

to get a crack at a deer, but on my outra-

geously heavily hunted grounds, a bit more

thought must go into baiting to get a strap-

per to show up.

First and foremost is stand location.

Repeat after me; wind, sun, cover. Say it

again; WIND, SUN, COVER.

It is always best to play the wind in our

favor, and we never want the sun shining on

us. Of equal importance is our silhouette

breaking hideout. We must have the advan-

tage, and the disappearance of the human

form is paramount. Do it all and do it all

completely.

The clowns who poo-poo baiting always

ignorantly beller that a real hunter scouts the

wild grounds, and learns all about the ani-

mals, and that baiting eliminates these basic

dues of hunting. Bull dung.

I doubt there is a human being alive that

scouts more than I do. I refuse to believe that

any hunter anywhere walks, explores, probes

or examines more deer ground in many sea-

sons that I do every season. Searching for a

baiting location is the same thing as scouting

for any and all deer ambushing endeavors.

Who doesn’t know this? I hear these guys

squawk this nonsense and actually feel sorry

for them.

Once we have determined the ultimate

travel routes, bedding, feeding and staging

zones, the proper treestand or groundblind

spot must be chosen for optimal wind, sun

and hiding cover. I like funnels and edge,

where there is plenty of ground cover to pro-

vide a sense of security for approaching deer

or hogs.

We hear a lot about “bait piles.” Don’t

put your bait in piles. Deer are on red alert

when they approach a pile of feed, but are

more relaxed when they encounter small

amounts spread far and wide, especially a

few kernels in dense ground cover. Deer

seem to gain confidence when they get a lit-

tle taste and nothing happens, and then

more readily move around looking for more,

eventually moving in for a shot where more

bait has been placed for the ultimate shot.

Shell corn works darn good almost

always, but with so many commercial baits

on the market, you would be wise to try them

all and see what brings em in the best.

I have found Primos Swamp Donkey to

be killer. So too the various WildGame

Innovations products. The 30-06 blend of

grains out of Ohio works like gold on both

my MI and TX sacred deer grounds.

Whatever your choice, a little extra effort

in finding and setting up that ultimate loca-

tion, and the sensible spreading of assorted

baits in optimal shot spots is as legitimate a

hunting strategy as any, anywhere, anytime.

I for one hunt as hard as possible to

encounter as much game as I possibly can.

Deer need to be killed, we insist on back-

straps aplenty, and I love being around

wildlife. I never bother fishing without a

worm on my hook, and baiting deer, bear,

hogs, turkey, where legal, gives me a thrill

that cleanses my soul.

E-mail Ted Nugent at

TNugent@fishgame.com.

On the Web

For more gung-ho hunting cele-bration, visitwww.tednugent.com

T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 19

by Ted Nugent | TF&G Editor at Large

Ted’s TexasWild

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Runnin’ andGunnin’

IF YOU, LIKE MANY AMERICANS, BREATHE,you have no doubt heard about the gun

running debacle held recently by

America’s premier gun control organi-

zation, the BATF&E, which has become a

government acronym for Officers Who

Can’t Find Their Ammo With Both

Hands. In case you’re wondering why the

letters don’t correspond, so is everyone else,

but nobody has had the guts to ask yet.

My editor, Don Zaidle, asked me to do a

news story about this fiasco when it first

started, but so far I haven’t done one. The

problem is that it’s not easy to get new infor-

mation from people who belong to a govern-

ment organization so arrogant the employees

don’t even talk to each other. It’s also diffi-

cult to get new information from people who

have been so terrorized by that agency, and

forced by that agency to commit heinous

crimes, that they check with their lawyers

before they tie their shoes.

Basically, in case you’ve been living in a

cardboard box on Jupiter for the past several

months, the BATF&E had an operation

going in which they told gun dealers to

knowingly and illegally sell guns to people

who were supplying the arms for the bad

guys in Mexico. Instead of then arresting

these people, the BATF&E allowed them to

take the guns south. And we’re not talking

about ten or fifteen rifles, here. We’re talking

about over a thousand, minimum.

One of these guns later turned up at a

shootout in which an American law enforce-

ment officer was killed. According to

America’s litigious standards, if the trans-

gressor in this case were the tobacco industry

or a gun company instead of the BATF&E,

they would have already been sued for bil-

lions of dollars. And they would have lost.

Eric Holder, our AG (a government

acronym for Boss Who’s Probably Lying),

is in charge of the BATF&E. Holder claims

he didn’t know any of this was happening. If

Holder really didn’t know what was going

on he’s incompetent, and if he did he’s a

criminal. Either way he doesn’t belong in

charge of a kiddie train at Fiesta Texas,

much less a large agency that plays with

Commentary

by Kendal Hemphill | TF&G Political Commentator

22 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

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guns.

All this comes on top of the recent claims

of the Mexican government that their gun

problem is our fault. They can’t control their

citizens because the Mexican government

has taken away their rights, so somehow the

U.S. is the culprit. Blaming us for Mexico’s

illegal gun problem is like replacing your

spare tire because your gas tank is empty.

Some in our government also claim that

90 percent of the guns going into Mexico

illegally are coming from the U.S. This has

turned out to be less than accurate, inas-

much as it is a bald-faced lie.

No one knows exactly how many of

Mexico’s illegal guns come from the U.S.,

but the 90 percent figure cannot be support-

ed by any evidence whatever. That number

was invented because a small fraction of

guns confiscated in Mexico during a given

period were thought to have come from the

U.S., and when that fraction was checked,

90 percent of the guns in that fraction were

found to have originated in America.

Politicians hate to let a little thing like facts

ruin a good story.

The most dependable estimates I have

found that can be supported by factual evi-

dence indicate the number of Mexico’s ille-

gal guns that came from the U.S. is about

17 percent. Many will find that number

unacceptable, of course, but the laws of sup-

ply and demand will be met, from one source

or another.

The question is, if Mexico can blame the

U.S. for its illegal guns, can the U.S. blame

Mexico for its illegal drugs? The data I’ve

turned up indicates that at least 80 percent

of America’s illegal drugs come from

Mexico. This is obviously the fault of the

Mexican government.

Also coming to light recently is the fact

that many of Mexico’s illegal guns were sold

legally, by U.S. companies, under U.S. gov-

ernment oversight, to the Mexican military.

They were issued to Mexican troops, who

became unhappy and left the army, taking

their M16s with them when they joined the

Mexican drug cartels, where they were paid

more, treated better, and were far more pop-

ular. So a lot of the guns our government is

complaining about going to Mexico from the

U.S. were sent there by the people com-

plaining about them. This is known as

‘spin.’

Mexico most definitely does have a gun

problem. The problem is that Mexican citi-

zens are denied the right to keep and bear

arms. The way to solve the problem is to

issue a military-style rifle and several maga-

zines of ammo to each Mexican head of

household, so those good people can defend

themselves against the bad guys.

No, I don’t expect that to happen. Once

you give up rights, you rarely get them back.

What I do expect is for Americans to be

smart enough to refuse to accept the blame

for Mexico’s gun problems. I also expect

Americans to recognize the BATF&E for

what it is, a government agency that has

become so powerful, corrupt, and lawless it

must be disbanded.

American lives are at stake, but more

importantly, so is American freedom.

E-mail Kendal Hemphill at

KHemphill@fishgame.com.

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24 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTOS: JAY CRIHFIELD); INSET, THOMAS BURLISON;

LEAVES, MAKSIM SHMELJOV), BIGSTOCK

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 25

THE WHISTLE OF A BOBWHITE QUAIL on a ranch near Nix in

Central Texas at daybreak one morning recently may not be regarded as

front-page news to some people but it was like a choir

of hope for me. After all, wild quail numbers have

been declining all across the south and west and the

voices of the prince of all game birds from anywhere

brings me to attention.

by Bob Hood

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26 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

Fortunately for Texas wing-shooters, quail

aren’t the only birds available, both season-

ally and almost year-round. Doves, quail,

ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, and pheasants

provide a large variety of wing-shooting

opportunities all across the state.

Mother Nature also has stepped in to

provide many of us with even more wing-

shooting opportunities. She has expanded

white-winged doves populations all the way

from South and West Texas and Mexico into

many northern communities in recent years,

providing additional hunting opportunities

for dove hunters.

Sandhill crane hunting is excellent in the

Texas Panhandle, especially from Floydada

to Muleshoe, and goose hunting is a yearly

attractant to hunters from the Texas

Panhandle grain and cotton fields all the

way to the rice fields of the South Texas

coastal plains. Even resident Canada geese

in East Texas are now fair game to hunters

at the same time the special teal duck-only

season is under way in September.

Other species of migrating ducks and

geese also offer great hunting throughout the

state in private ponds and lakes, public reser-

voirs, rivers and coastal bays.

So, just where are your best wing-shoot-

ing areas for any of these upland and water-

fowl birds? It’s where the water and food

sources are the most plentiful.

Some commercial hunting operations

such as the WS Sherrill Waterfowl Resort

near Wharton go several steps beyond just

hoping the weather and natural water

sources attract the ducks and geese from

their northern wintering grounds. Bill

Sherrill annually pumps water into 40

pounds ranging from 10 to 100 acres in size

to attract ducks and geese and hunts them

sparingly so not to over-pressure them with

hunting.

Sherrill’s conservation efforts have

worked to produce some of the greatest

wing-shooting of waterfowl in the state.

Elsewhere, many outfitters rely on

Mother Nature to provide food and water on

their hunting properties. In Knox and sur-

Yes, this was a male bob white quail assembling his assembly on the Lampasas

County ranch, an area that normally does not host large quail populations. Three

double-syllable notes in a row was music to my ears as I sat in front of a hunting

cabin watching two whitetail deer feeding nearby just after the crack of dawn.

Mother Nature hasstepped in to providemore wingshooting

opportunities.

“

“Wild quail numbers have been declin-ing all over Texas. Fortunately, Texaswingshooters have plenty of otheravailable opportunities, including...

Sandhill crane offer great huntingopportunities in the Texas Panhandleregion that stretches from Floydadaand Muleshoe.

Waterfowl hunting is strong throughoutthe Lone Star State, from the grainfields of the Panhandle, through to therice fields of the coastal plains.

NO

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; B

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Fea1-Hood-Wings of Autumn.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 2:46 PM Page 26

rounding counties, Jeff Stanfield of Stanfield

Outfitters moves his hunters from field to

field to follow Canada and specklebelly

geese feeding patterns while his father, Ron,

provides released pheasant and quail hunt-

ing on nearby grassy fields when he isn’t

helping guide goose hunting groups.

With the exception of some blue quail

populations in far West Texas, bob whites

have continued on the down-slide, but that

doesn’t mean Texas hunters are out of the

game for bagging the prized upland game

bird. Good populations of wild bob white

quail still exist in South and Central Texas

as well as portions of North Texas where

adequate rainfalls have helped them survive.

Also, a number of operations that provide

released bird hunting have improved their

selections of quail to provide birds that are as

flighty, and sometimes more flighty, than

native quail.

One such operation is the S.M. Brown

Game Bird Ranch north of Nocona near

Spanish Fort bordering the Red River on

the Texas-Oklahoma border. Ranch owner,

Matt Brown is not only consistently looking

for the best quail for his released-bird opera-

tion but he tailors his land to accommodate

and propagate already existing populations

of native bobwhites by improving the habitat.

Billy Bunett, owner of Hidden Lakes

Resort at Yantis near Lake Fork, does the

same. Burnett releases pheasants, chucker

and quail, has a good brace of bird dogs and

takes care of hunters’ needs in lodging,

meals and bird cleaning.

Burnet’s tiny Jack Russell wirehaired

retriever, Huckleberry, has become a celebri-

ty among Burnett’s wing-shooting cus-

tomers.

Mourning and white-winged dove hunt-

ing may not be as good as usual in many

areas of the state this year due to recent

drought conditions and wildfires which

affected nesting activity of native birds, but

there likely will be hot spot areas of migrat-

ing doves from the north that target the best

available food plots.

Some of the best places to find doves will

be around stock tanks, gravel pits and irri-

gated fields that surpassed drought condi-

tions to produce adequate sources of foods.

The key to successful wingshootingin these times of challenging condi-tions is to find where food andwater sources are plentiful.

BO

B H

OO

D

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30 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTO: NATUREGUY, CANSTOCK PHOTO

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 31

What Factors Can Disrupt theGenerations-Old Timing of a Region’s

Rutting Season?

BY PAUL BRADSHAW

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32 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

Without a doubt, the rut was on and why

shouldn’t it be. The date was November

12th, right on schedule for the peak rut in

my hunting area but is this always the case?

Can you look at the rut charts for your sec-

tion of the state and put in for vacation on

the peak and be assured that there will love

struck bucks running around like ants or are

there other factors that lead to an interrupt-

ed rutting period?

“There is a time for everything, and a

season for every activity under heaven.” I’m

quoting Ecclesiastes, not The Byrds. Every

activity in nature has a very specific time,

including white-tail rutting activity. The

purpose behind the rut is simply to make

more little deer so that one day some of them

can grow up to be big deer and start the

process over again.

It is theorized that this timing is all based

on a culmination of factors including the

amount of available daylight (photo period)

and phase of the moon. I say it is theorized

and not confirmed because as of yet we have

not discovered a way for the deer to talk and

tell us why they rut when they do. We can

only observe the behavior and make educat-

ed guesses. Realistically, the rut happens

around the same time every year in a gener-

al area in order to maximize survival rates of

the fawns produced in a specific area.

In optimum conditions 200 days after the

doe is bred (200 days is the gestation period

for white-tails) the fawn will hit the ground

at a time when there is a lot of food and

cover around. In areas where there are mul-

tiple factors affecting fawn survival, the rut is

sometimes timed so that fawns are born dur-

ing a period when there is the least likeli-

hood of a natural disaster occurring.

For example, deer born in the Mississippi

River Delta would have low survival rates if

they were born in late spring (even though

the weather conditions are ideal and there is

plenty of forage for the does to turn into

milk), when the region is susceptible to

flooding. Looking at the peak rut charts for

this area we see that the majority of the

breeding is done later in surrounding areas

to allow the potential for floods to pass

before fawns are born. Since this area is less

likely to receive harsh winter weather than

North Dakota, the weather is not the main

determining factor for when the rut occurs.

This isn’t something the deer learn, but

rather a hereditary trait passed down by the

generations upon generations of deer that

have called the region home.

So overall, the main driving force behind

deer breeding when they do is the fawn sur-

vival rate but around here that just puts the

rut into about a two month period. Are

there other short-term factors that even fur-

ther define when the rut will occur and can

it actually be interrupted? I’m glad you

asked and the answer is yes.

White-tail expert Charles Alsheimer and

Vermont Biologist Wayne Laroche are work-

ing on a study to determine the effects of the

moon on rutting activity; but other interest-

ing information has come from the study,

most notably being the affect of weather and

human disruption have on rutting activity.

You can read more about the study at

charlesalsheimer.com but here’s the part that

I believe will have the most impact on how

you hunt during the rut.

First, air temperature plays a large roll in

the intensity of rutting. More accurately,

when it gets hot the rutting activity stops all

together. During the study, when the tem-

perature rose above 45 degrees (this is up

north) the rut stopped. The animals were

unable to chase without overheating due to

their heavier winter coats. Around here that

rut stopping temperature will probably be

close to 75 but as long as it is unseasonably

hot don’t expect the see any bucks chasing

even when temperatures fall during the

night.

Second, the more you move around in

your hunting area, the less the deer do dur-

ing the day, even during the peak of the rut.

I know that most hunters think that the rut is

a magical period when they can run around

the woods doing whatever they please and

the deer won’t pay them any attention, but

that’s simply not true. In Alsheimer’s study

the deer in areas with a large human pres-

ence traveled less than 30% of the time dur-

ing the day, even during the rut. So one of

the quickest ways to interrupt the rut is to let

your guard down and tip the deer off that

you are hunting them.

The third thing that can mess up the rut

in your area is an abnormally high doe to

buck ratio. When there are a lot more does

than bucks on your hunting grounds then the

bucks have little motivation to chase for does

because they know there is another one

around the corner. Sure, the young bucks

will chase anything that passes by, but

mature bucks with a few seasons behind

them know better. An over abundance of

does leads to a long drawn out breeding

period, with very little chasing, making many

hunters wonder if they missed the rut when

they are right in the middle of it. This

should be motivation enough to take a few

does out of your heard every year.

We all know that at some point this hunt-

ing season the deer in our respective areas

will be breeding. Exactly when they do this

is still somewhat of a guess but it most cer-

tainly can be affected by the heat, how much

they are disturbed, and the doe to buck ratio.

Keep an eye on, and work around, these

three factors and you’ll have a better chance

and taking a rutting buck.

SITTING ON THE GROUND UNDER a centuries old oak tree, I was trying to

stay warm and dry in the cold November drizzle. I love hunting on days like this

and my early morning vigil was soon rewarded as a doe sprinted by almost within

arms reach. Hot on her tail was a young buck that was probably wearing his first

set of antlers. As that duo disappeared into the underbrush another buck trotted

down the same trail with its neck out and nose down. A few minutes later a third

young buck came running down the trail looking for love.

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 33

TheBowTechAssassin

OCTOBER TO ME MEANS DEER SEASON.Bow hunting whitetails is my pas-

sion. After reading some of my

columns, you might have figured

that out already. Although I, along with

most of you, feel that we are fully prepared

to enjoy success this season, we still need to

remember to grab a bow and shoot some

arrows to stay in “hunting” shape. I make

sure that I still practice often during the sea-

son so I can make a clean, humane shot

when the time comes.

This year, I decided to add a new bow to

my arsenal. Although I already shoot a

BowTech and have for years, I decided it

was time for a new one. I am glad I made

that decision. I have been shooting the

Justice and it has been good to me. I try to

keep up with the many changes that compa-

nies like BowTech are making, changes for

the better I might add.

Enter the new 2011 BowTech Assassin.

From the minute I picked this up and felt the

familiar BowTech grip, I knew this was a bow

I could love, and I was not disappointed.

You may be asking yourself “Why is he

talking about practicing and then bring up

the new bow?” Well, I just came in from the

shooting range and had to tell you how

impressed I am with this bow. The very first

group of arrows I shot at 20 yards were all

touching each other, 30 yards brought the

same result. I was totally impressed. I have

not tried my 40 and 50-yard pins yet, but I

do not expect any big problems.

Not only does this bow have a super

smooth draw, but it also comes with the

speed of 333 fps. BowTech has been famous

for having a very fast bow since Day 1. They

do mean it when they say, “We take the arc

out of archery.” They even brought back the

“smooth draw” cams for those who want a

smoother draw. For those who prefer the

smoother cams, BowTech claims that you

will lose about 5 fps. Personally, I think that

would go unnoticed.

One thing I loved about the Assassin was

that I had the option to order it with the new

RAK system. Simply put, RAK means

ready, aim, kill. The knowledgeable techs at

BowTech take each bow and will set it up for

you at the factory. Mine came ready to hunt.

It was already equipped with a peep sight,

arrow rest, sights, wrist strap, stabilizer and

a quiver. It even came equipped with a string

loop. I only needed to slightly adjust the

sights and I was ready to go. The whole

process took me less than 10 minutes. I pre-

fer a drop away rest, but that was the only

change I made.

I love the fact that with the Assassin, I

have the option to change my draw length

without the use of a bow press. I am not sure

yet if I want to shorten my draw length, but

I might. The bow just feels so good and is

shooting so well right out of the box that I

just might leave things as they are. I must

admit that it sure is nice to have that option.

BowTech is not only famous for produc-

ing fast and accurate bows, but their Binary

Cam system is also legendary in the bow

hunting world. Combine all of this with a

very generous 7 inch brace height and this

Assassin is not only very forgiving for a fast

bow, but with a weight of only 3.8 pounds,

it is a pleasure to hunt with.

Although the bow already came with all

the silencers included and installed, I still

could not believe how quiet this bow was. I

must have shot 30 or 40 arrows before I even

realized that fact. I was mesmerized at how

smooth the draw was and just took the fact

that the bow was so quiet for granted.

For those interested in the specs of this

bow, here they are:

Speed: 333 FPS

Let-Off: 65-80%

Draw Length: 26-30”

Draw Weights: 50, 60, 70

Brace Height: 7”

Weight: 3.8 lbs.

Axle to Axle Length: 30 5/8”

I have saved the best for last. With other

quality bows running up towards $800 or

higher, BowTech has kept this price at

around $600. That is not the price of a bare

bow like the other companies. That price

includes everything you need to hunt with. I

joked with my friends and said, “The only

thing they forgot is the tree stand.”

I realize that bow season has already

started for us in Texas. I am not suggesting

you get a new bow mid-stream here, but for

those of you who are thinking about a new

bow, The BowTech Assassin would be an

excellent choice, particularly with the RAK

system. The price is right, and the bow is a

high quality bow from a company that

embraces quality technology. BowTech has

been around for years and after personally

trying out this new Assassin bow, I can

understand why.

The sun just came out again and I want

to get out and do a little shooting with my

new bow. Good luck this season. Have fun

and be safe out there.

Texas Bowhunting

by Lou Marullo | TF&G Bowhunting Editor

PHOTO: COURTESY BOWTECH ARCHERY

E-mail Lou Marullo at

Lmarullo@fishgame.com

The Assassin

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ConcealedCarryRevolvers

FOR THE FIRST HALF OF MY CAREER IN LAWenforcement I carried revolvers almost

exclusively. In all those years I never

had a complaint about the revolver as

a self-defense weapon. In fact, today,

admitting the ascendency of the

semi-auto as king of personal

defense handguns, I still carry a

revolver on regular occasions, espe-

cially while prowling around in the

brush or back country. Nothing in hand-

guns beats a big magnum revolver as a bear

dissuader.

For concealed carry the revolver does

have a couple of deficiencies. For a revolver

to hold several rounds of powerful ammuni-

tion it must have a cylinder that is rather

large in diameter. This is not the case with

semi-autos, as the cartridges for them are

carried in a magazine that can be only

slightly wider than the cartridge

itself. Still, even though there are

admitted drawbacks to revolvers,

they are minor and I believe that

their strengths far outweigh

their weaknesses.

One of the advantages of a

r e v o l v e r

over an auto is obvious

when a dud cartridge is encountered. One of

the loudest sounds in the world is a click

when you are expecting a bang. One game

warden who had to shoot a bear in self-

defense said he did not remember hearing a

single one of the very loud .357 Magnum

cartridges that he fired, but that he distinctly

heard the click when he ran out of ammo and

the hammer struck an already fired round.

With a revolver, should you have a dud,

all that is required is to pull the trigger again.

The gun, which is double-action (a better

term is trig-

ger cocking-action)

does all the work for you

TexasDepartmentof Defense

34 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

| Self Defense |

| Concealed Carry |

| Tactical |

by Steve LaMascus

AMMUNITION IS ALWAYS AN ISSUEin self-defense. There are a number of

things you must consider when buying

ammunition your life may depend on.

First is, how good a manstopper is it?

It is silly to buy ammunition that is not

the best there is for stopping a threat.

Second is, is it too powerful for you

to shoot well? Even if it is the best in

the world at stopping an assailant in

his tracks, it is worthless if you can't

put it where it needs to be. A great

example of this would be the massively

powerful .454 Casull. Ruger makes a

snub-nosed handgun in .454 Casull. It

is intended as a carry weapon for

those who want a handgun for stop-

ping big bears. As a manstopper it

would be wonderful, but it has several

disadvantages that prevent it from

being a viable candidate for that

purpose. It is so powerful

Ammunition for SelfDefense Revolvers Continued on page 40 �

PHOTO STEVEN MCSWEENY,

DREAMSTIME

PH

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DeptOfDef.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 4:35 PM Page 34

except pulling the

trigger. When the

trigger is pulled

the cylinder

rotates and brings

a fresh round in

line with the bore,

the trigger also brings back the hammer and

when the round is in battery, releases the

hammer to strike the primer, firing the

round.

If you have a dud in an auto, you must

then go into the various drills that will clear

the gun, chamber a fresh round, and fire the

gun. This takes an eternity when you are in

a life and death situation.

The only danger with the revolver in such

a situation is if the primer fired but failed to

ignite the powder charge. If this happens it is

probable that the bullet has been forced into

the barrel or forcing cone by the pressure of

the primer, but that it did not exit the barrel.

If this is the case, firing the gun before the

obstruction is cleared can and probably will

destroy the handgun and may injure the

shooter. I choose not to worry about such

things when my life is being threatened.

Revolvers are simpler to learn to use than

autos. My wife, Kandace, simply cannot

pull back the slide of the smaller semi-autos.

She can, however, shoot small-frame

revolvers like the S&W J Frames very well. I

recently bought her a little Smith & Wesson

Model 632 in .327 Federal Magnum. It is

lightweight and easy to shoot, with very little

recoil. It took her about 10 minutes to be

shooting it well enough to keep the shots on

a standard bullseye target at 10 yards.

As I sit at this computer I am wearing an

old Smith & Wesson Model 38 Bodyguard

with aluminum frame. It is so light I some-

times forget I am wearing it, but should I

need it, it is there, comfortable in the old

handmade pancake holster I use for it. As a

friend of mine says, in regard to the little J-

Frame revolvers – “five for sure.” They hold

5 rounds and unlike a semi-auto, cannot

have a magazine-caused failure.

If I am prowling around the place here,

or someplace else out in the brush, I will

often be wearing one of a pair of Smith &

Wesson revolvers – a 4-inch Model 629 .44

The primary weakness of aconcealed revolver — namelyits bulk — is outweighed bythe reliability of the revolvingchamber.

PH

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DeptOfDef.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 4:36 PM Page 35

Magnum, or a 4-inch Model 625 Mountain

Gun in .45 Colt. I carry them in an El Paso

Saddlery Street Combat, on my pants belt,

or a Tom Three Persons holster, also by El

Paso Saddlery, carried on a thick leather

belt. One of these two are my bear protec-

tion when I am fly-fishing in the back coun-

try of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana,

Idaho, or wherever bears are common. I also

carry the .45 Colt, in the same Street

Combat holster, around town here some-

times as my concealed carry gun. Six 250-

grain .45 caliber hollow points are pretty

much all the persuasion anything short of a

main battle tank will need. For bear protec-

tion I simply replace the hollow points with

hard-cast Keith bullets.

Another advantage of a revolver is that it

can handle much more powerful cartridges

than the standard semi-auto. The .44

Texas Department of Defense

that it is almost impossible to shoot

well in rapid fire; and it is so power-

ful that a human body would hardly

slow down the big bullets, which

would continue on to pass through

walls, cars, school buses, and many

other obstacles. Therefore, if you

have a .454 Casull that you like and

would like to use for self-defense,

you can opt to carry .45 Colt ammo

in it. A 250-grain or 225-grain hol-

low point .45 caliber bullet is right

at the top of the heap as a manstop-

per.

Smith and Wesson makes several

super-lightweight models in .44

Magnum, such as the Model 329

PD. If you want to carry one of

these marvelous handguns as your

primary self-defense weapon, I sug-

Ammo� Continued from page 34

Six 250-grain .45caliber hollow

points are all thepersuasion

anything short of amain battle tank

will need

“

“

DeptOfDef.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 4:37 PM Page 36

Magnum, .454 Casull, and the massive

.500 Smith & Wesson are good examples of

this.

These days there are three main manu-

facturers of handguns suitable for concealed

carry, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, and

Charter Arms. Smith & Wesson is the pref-

erence of most knowledgeable handgunners,

but Taurus makes a fine gun and is general-

ly considerably less expensive than S&W.

The most accurate revolver I have ever

owned was a 6-inch Taurus Model 44 in .44

Magnum. Charter Arms makes a good

revolver, and their little 5-shot 3-inch

Bulldog in .44 Special is a fine choice for

concealed carry.

The best choices for revolvers for con-

cealed carry are obviously the small-frame

.38 Specials and .357 Magnums. These

can be made very small, very lightweight,

and are easily concealed under very light

clothing. There are, however, some larger

guns that can be carried should the shooter

desire them and be prepared to deal with the

larger frames and cylinders, and heavier

weight.

Smith & Wesson makes a number of fine

choices, including revolvers in .45 ACP and

.40 S&W, so if you prefer the semi-auto-

type cartridges, but like revolvers, you can

have your cake and eat it too. In addition,

Smith & Wesson still makes a full line of

small frame revolvers for concealed carry.

Taurus also offers a large line of fine

revolvers.

Boiled down to the most basic concept, I

guess I would put it this way: If you shoot a

lot and are experienced with handguns, buy

what you prefer -- you know better what you

need than I do.

If you are a novice, shoot very little, and

do not have much experience with a hand-

gun, buy a revolver; at least until you are

confident enough in your ability to graduate

to an auto, if you ever do. Even some of the

most experienced handgunners out there still

prefer the wheel guns to the semi-autos. Me?

I haven't fully decided yet.

gest that you use .44 Special ammu-

nition in it. Then it would be a great

manstopper and a great carry gun.

In the smaller calibers such as

the .357 Magnum and .38 Special,

the best loads are generally mid-

weight bullets pushed to high veloci-

ties. The best load ever developed

in the .357 is the 125-grain hollow

point at around 1250 feet per sec-

ond. It is powerful and controllable.

In the .38 Special the current crop

of +P and +P+ loads using a 125-

grain (or thereabout) bullet are as

good as it gets in that caliber.

Important note: Be certain to

check your firearm before shooting

any modern high pressure ammuni-

tion. Some of the older guns are not

intended for such ammunition and

might blow up or be wrecked by it.

Be safe and not sorry.

—Steve LaMascus

DeptOfDef.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 4:38 PM Page 37

Ghosts ofGooseHunts Past

DAYBREAK CREPT SLOWLY ACROSS THElarge, sandy Knox County field

marked with peanuts, stubble and

goose tracks. I raised myself from

the coffin-shaped hole I had dug into the

sandy ground moments earlier, scanned my

surroundings and amused myself with the

thoughts of how goose hunting has changed

in Texas in just a few decades.

The first time I hunted geese was almost

42 years ago when I joined some friends to

hunt with a goose hunting guide in the rice

fields south of Columbus, Texas. It was a

wet morning where some hunters bogged

down in the ankle-deep mud while trying to

walk a few hundred yards into the harvested

field, spent more than an hour draping white

diaper-sized cloths over foot-high stubble

and then donned white parkas before lying

down on their backs on shallow levees.

The cloth “decoys” were intended to

replicate snow geese feeding on the spent

rice. A few years later they were replaced by

white sheets of plastic because the hunting

guides had learned they held up better than

cloth even though they had to be washed

after each hunting trip.

A few years later, I was fortunate to hunt

with another guide whose answer to staying

out of the mud or having to lie on your back

was to use pit blinds which actually were

barrels placed below the ground with small

stools to sit on. He added a few sheets of

gray plastic to his otherwise white spread to

simulate specklebelly geese feeding with the

snows.

Although it took a lot of work spreading

200 or more rags, the system worked and we

shot a lot of geese both lying on or backs and

from the sunken barrels. One hunting guide

who moved to Muleshoe in West Texas to

work as a crop duster took the rag spread

idea with him and used gray rags only to

work as decoys near water or grain stubble to

hunt sandhill cranes.

As I laid there that morning in the Knox

City peanut field waiting for action, the more

I thought about the past the more I appreci-

ated the present. The spread still numbered

around 200 or more decoys as in the old

days but they were a combination of Canada

and snow photo imprinted silhouettes along

with half and full bodied geese.

Instead of lying on our backs in parkas to

blend in with the decoy spread, each of the

nine hunters near me lay in a reclined posi-

tion in individual coffin-shaped holes that

were covered on top first with sheets of par-

ticle boards and then layered with peanut

stubble gathered from the field.

Camouflaged ammunition bags were within

arm’s reach.

Shovels for digging the holes as well as

the particle boards and decoys had been

driven into the field before daybreak by Tony

Stanfield of Stanfield Hunting Outfitters of

Knox City and each hunter joined in digging

the holes and setting out the decoys under

the headlights of their vehicles.

Choosing a place to set up to hunt geese

isn’t just guess work. It requires pre-hunt

scouting to find which fields the geese are

feeding in and then setting up there before

daybreak the following day.

The fresh goose tracks and other signs in

this spread told me this likely was going to

be a good day.

The honking of a single Canada goose

sent each hunter sliding deeper into their

individual dugouts. It soon was followed by

the calls of doubles, triples and groups of six

or more as the geese began entering the field

from their roosting areas not far away.

A lone specklebelly saw the spread and

decoyed to it as if on a string. A hunter on

the opposite end of the line of fire downed it

as it cupped its wings and began to descend.

Soon, the roar of hundreds of Canada and

specklebelly geese could be heard.

The sight of so many geese in the air with

many flocks of 25 to 100 flying toward you

at the same time is awesome. At times, as

many as six to eight geese fell to the ground

from a flock under the No.2, BB and larger

shotshells. And then, as with any type of

waterfowl hunting, there were times when

everyone was left scratching their heads and

wondering how they could have missed.

But that’s goose hunting, and it’s one

thing that makes the hunter want to go back.

E-mail Bob Hood at

BHood@fishgame.com.

38 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTO: BOB HOOD

Hunt Texas

by Bob Hood | TF&G Hunting Editor

Preparing for a goose hunt in a Knox City, Texas, peanut field.

HuntingHood.qxd:Layout 1 8/31/11 11:06 AM Page 38

HuntingHood.qxd:Layout 1 8/31/11 11:06 AM Page 39

40 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTOS: DUSTIE, CANSTOCK PHOTO; TED NUGENT

Just How Good are Whitetails at Sensing the

Subtle Noises a Bow — or Bowhunter — Makes at

the Moment of the Shot? by Ted Nugent

Fea6-Bowhunt.qxd:Layout 1 8/31/11 11:09 AM Page 40

T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 41

THIS IS IT. THIS BUCK IS AS GOOD AS gut, hung and strapped as far as I

was concerned. With the steady breeze caressing my face, a setting sun behind my

back, invisible in my little leafy oak ambush pocket, a carpet of white oak acorns

blanketing the ground before me, this suicidal whitetail was literally asking for it,

Fea6-Bowhunt.qxd:Layout 1 8/31/11 11:09 AM Page 41

42 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

broadside, angling slightly

away, leg stretched for-

ward, head down facing

away, chowing down, and

oblivious to the venison

addicted predator fifteen

feet up just fifteen yards

away.

Sixty gungho years of

proven bowhunting trial

and error preparation had

come to fruition as I

anchored my arrow into

the corner of my mouth

for the gimme shot of a

lifetime. I could taste his

flesh. My cocky meter was

pegged. I could already

see the killer video on

Spirit of the Wild TV.

Case closed. Game over.

No problem. Sharpen

your knives and fire up the

camera for some celebrato-

ry photos of the perfect

deer hunt. Whip out the

garlic and butter and

mesquite charcoal baby.

This is a done deal.

With all the time in the world to calm

down, focus, review my time-tested killer

shot sequence mantra, say a little prayer for

the wildthings, take a deep breath, relax,

zero in on the pumpstation window, aim

small miss small, I could already envision

my lovely arrow vanishing into the vitals of

this dream shot of a lifetime. So I let ‘er rip

for the easiest dump shot of my life.

Woops! Never mind. As my highly visi-

ble black and white zebra Gold Tip arrow

with the big white feathers sailed just over

the buck’s back, I was speechless, aghast.

Spellbound. Flabbergasted. Befuddled.

Shocked. Dismayed. Bewildered. In total

disbelief. Getting angry. Questioning life

itself. Was I being punked by God? What

in tarnation?

With a deeply furrowed brow and the

look of abject confusion, I glanced back at

ace vidcamdude Bobby Bohannon and

asked “What the

heck?!”

He looked as aston-

ished as I felt. Our

brains couldn’t accept

the information that our

eyes were attempting to

convey. Bobby immedi-

ately rewound the tape

and we gazed into the

vid screen to inspect the

video evidence of what

had just taken place.

The tape doesn’t lie,

and in stop-frame slow

motion, we watched as the big deer buckled

at the shot, dropped his body twenty plus

inches as he gathered himself for the instan-

taneous spring loaded initial leap away

from the sound of danger.

Bobby hears much better than I do, and

he and the video tape proved that this buck

didn’t jump the sound of my bow going off,

but rather the noisy “whoosh” of wind

against the high profile helical feathers I

was using at the time.

Since switching to silent plastic vanes, it

is the rare deer that has leaped out of the

way of my arrows.

And remember, I shoot a lightweight,

48-53 pound draw bow, attaining moderate

velocities of around 200-225 feet per sec-

ond, much slower than the average speed

demon archer today.

But all my bows are set up at their maxi-

mum draw weight so that my limbs are as

tight as they can be, making my bows very

quiet. I add on all the sound and vibration

dampening goodies I can to create the qui-

etest rig possible.

A quiet bow, quiet clothing and silent

arrow rest are critically essential to mini-

mize the chance of alerting the target ani-

mal at the shot.

Of equal importance is tactical prepara-

tion. A bowhunter must become one with

his bow so that the drawing sequence is

graceful, smooth, and virtually unobtrusive.

If you are still one of these blundering

archers that insists on heavy draw weights

that force you to lift your bow awkwardly

into the air and strain to pull it back, you

will do what all such archers end up doing;

quitting or alerting every animal to your

position and blowing the shot, then eventu-

ally quitting.

Rule #1 for efficient archery predator-

ship is stealthy grace. And beyond a bow

we can draw gracefully, that includes intelli-

gent ambush setups where wind, sun and

background cover are proper. An alert deer

that is aware of your presence is so instinc-

tually high strung that your arrow will never

get there in time to defeat its miraculous

dodging ability. Know that.

The prime bowhunting goal is to get to

full draw on an animal virtually unaware

that you are there. With this in mind, a

quiet bow and a quiet arrow provide the

final advantage to make that accurate hit we

all dream of and dedicate ourselves to.

Deer don’t jump the string; they dodge

the hunter and our projectile. The name of

the game is to get it in his vitals before his

amazing defense mechanisms go to

DefCom1.

Visit tednugent.com to learn more about

the gungho hunting celebration.

PHOTO: TED NUGENT

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 43

Wild Bill

THIS AIN'T YOUR TYPICAL TEXASFreshwater piece. Rather, it is a fresh

look at an old warrior with a rich taste

of adventure and a heart the size of

Texas. One who has influenced the lives of

some, touched the souls of many and been a

mentor to the select few who were smart

enough to listen.

Casual acquaintances call him Bill. But

those familiar with his history know him as

"Wild Bill."

He earned that distinctive nickname, but

nearly killed himself in the process.

At 87, he doesn't get around near as well

as he once did. Even so, Wild Bill is still as

tough as boot leather. Just ask and he'll tell

you.

I've been thinking about Wild Bill a lot

lately. His days are numbered, and he knows

it.

Perhaps that's why I felt the urge to reflect

on a man who is largely responsible for who I

am today. Someone who I will always look up

to while he's here, and dearly miss once he is

finally gone.

He's the guy who took me fishing and hunt-

ing as a kid. The same one who taught me

how to twitch a topwater, trim horse's hoof and

shoot a shotgun.

He's the guy who constantly warned me

about keeping the empty beer cans swept out

of my pick-up bed at a time in my life when I

honestly believed I was bulletproof. The same

one who cautioned me to steer clear of girls

who wore too much make-up, and always told

me to treat every woman with respect.

He's the guy with a passionate love for fly-

ing who claims to have spun a 450 Stearman

10,000 feet before pulling it out just above my

grandparent's front yard, all for the mere hell

of it. The same one who landed a plane in a

wheat field between Dallas and Sweetwater

after a strong headwind drained his fuel

reserves prematurely, then finished the leg on

tractor gas.

He's the guy who once owned a black stud

horse named "Bullet" that would rear and

stand on its haunches on command. The same

one who grew up during the Great

Depression, working fields with his siblings to

raise cotton that sold for four cents a pound.

He's the guy who enlisted in the Navy in

1942, one year after the Japanese bombed

Pearl Harbor. The same one who spent 3 1/2

years working as an electrician aboard the

USS Fogg, a 306-foot Naval destroyer escort

that carried him on six trips across the Atlantic

and Mediterranean oceans.

He's the guy who raced home on military

leave in 1944, just so he could marry the

woman he once relied on to shuffle love notes

to another girl while he was in high school.

The same one who has been calling my moth-

er his wife for going on 68 years now.

He's the guy who once owned a herd of

cows so crazy and mean that they wouldn't

load without chasing him through the trailer

and out the emergency hatch. The same one

who sped his '68 Ford down the highway so

fast that my Uncle Glenn couldn't catch up to

warn him that the load of hay stacked high in

his pick-up bed was ablaze.

I could go on and on with stories about

"Wild Bill," but not all of them would be good.

He has lived through heart attacks, prostate

cancer and multiple bouts with pneumonia

and other respiratory problems. His rugged

face bears at least a dozen scars from skin can-

cer removal.

In 1980, he twisted the throttle too hard on

my dirt bike and flipped it on solid white rock.

The blow to his tail bone was so hard it

crushed two vertebrae in his spinal column.

The doctors told him he may never walk

again. Obviously, they didn't know "Wild Bill"

very well.

"Wild Bill" nearly met his match in 1986

when he was thrown from a horse in the New

Mexico high country. His friends found him

unconscious with blood trickling from his ear.

Two hoof scars in the trail indicated the horse

had stopped hard, throwing him into a head-

on collision with a fir tree.

It was a rough time for Wild Bill. His brain

swelled, demanding surgery to relieve the pres-

sure.

Some doctors believed he might not make

it. And if he did, the long term prognosis was

forecast as rocky.

And rocky it was. "Wild Bill" spent three

months in an intensive care unit in Santa Fe

and another two tied in hospital bed at Dallas

Baylor, haunting nurses and anyone else who

crossed his path.

Doctors there said his brain injuries were

likely terminal and that he would probably

never make a full recovery. I was standing in

the room the morning a physician told my

mother he would never drive again, but I

refused to accept it.

So did Wild Bill. It took several years, but

he gradually bounced back to a level nobody

ever expected. Except him.

Wild Bill is a fighter who doesn't know the

meaning of the word "quit."

True. All the beatings have taken their toll.

Though he walks with a sidewards swagger

and speaks in a muffled tone at times, his wit

is genuine as ever and his handshake is like a

vice. Best of all, his heart still beats to a solid

rhythm that is Texas to the bone.

I'm proud to call him my Dad.

PHOTO: MATT WILLIAMS

E-mail Matt Williams at

MWilliams@fishgame.com.

Texas Freshwater

by Matt Williams | TF&G Freshwater Editor

“Wild” Bill Williams

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44 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

‘PorkChoppers’Take FlightAS OF SEPT. 1, QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS

CAN NOW PAY TO HUNT FERAL HOGS OR

COYOTES FROM A HELICOPTER.

In August, Texas Parks &

Wildlife Dept. commissioners

approved permit requirements for

HB-716 passed by the 82nd Texas

Legislature. The new law supports

control of feral hogs or coyotes by

allowing qualified landowners or

their agents to participate in feral

hog or coyote hunts from a heli-

copter. Previously, a person was

prohibited from paying, bartering or

exchanging anything of value to par-

ticipate in aircraft hunts.

About 130 helicopter operations

are currently permitted by the

TPWD to conduct aerial manage-

ment of depredating feral hogs or

coyotes. The new rules permit qual-

ified landowners or their qualified

agents to pay these helicopter oper-

ators to participate in aerial hunts.

To qualify, landowners or

landowner agents must have on file

with TPWD a completed Landown-

er’s Authorization to Manage

Wildlife or Exotic Animals by Air-

craft (LOA) form. There is no appli-

cation fee to become qualified, but

the LOA does not take effect until

TPWD issues an authorization

number.

Feral hog populations in Texas

are estimated at 2 million. Accord-

ing to a Texas Dept. of Agriculture

study, each hog is responsible for

$50-500 in damage to agriculture

and wildlife habitat annually.

GREEN

TPWD BudgetCut 21.5%THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMIS-

SION HAS APPROVED A 2012 BUDGET THAT

REFLECTS A 21.5 PERCENT CUT IN FUNDING

OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

The 2012 operating and capital budget

approved by the commission totals

$332.31 million, down from $423.2 mil-

lion in 2011 and $468.8 million in 2010.

TPWD had requested $700 million for

the 2012-2013 biennium in its Legislative

Appropriations Request and received

$550 million, a reduction of 21.5 percent.

The state budget bill also reduced

TPWD’s employee count. After account-

ing for vacancies, 111 people were laid off

across the agency, which employs about

3,100 people statewide.

“These are challenging times for all

state agencies, but if those who love wildlife

and parks feel moved to help, there is an

easy way to do so,” said Carter Smith,

TPWD executive director.

“It’s this simple: go fishing and hunting,

and visit your state parks,” Smith said.

“Regardless of how often you go, when

you buy a license or a state park pass, it’s

an investment in the user-pay, user-benefit

model of North American conservation.

We will need healthy license sales and park

attendance to get us through the next two

years.”

About a quarter of the agency budget

goes to State Parks Division, where 23 of

the 93 Texas state parks will see some

reduction in staff, operations or both,

though no parks are currently expected to

close.

Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine will

move to 10 printed issues per year in

2012, and will offer digital fishing and

hunting guides in the off months.

Fewer fish will be produced in Inland

Fisheries Division hatcheries for statewide

stockings. Also, TPWD lost $1.5 million

for the biennium to treat noxious aquatic

vegetation, meaning a drop in control of

dangerous water weeds like giant salvinia.

The budget also cut $2 million from the

Coastal Fisheries Division’s commercial

license buyback program. This means an

estimated 244 licenses (122 per year) will

not be purchased and retired in the shrimp,

finfish and crab fisheries.

—Staff Report �TG—Staff Report �TG

TrueGreen.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 12:27 PM Page 44

CCA Texas’s habitat program, Habitat

Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT)

teamed up with Texas Parks & Wildlife

Department’s (TPWD) Artificial Reef

Program and Alamo Concrete Products to

further enhance the existing Port Mansfield

nearshore reef with more than 4,000 con-

crete culverts.

“This is a huge project for Texas

anglers. It will take 10 days of work around

the clock to move 4,000 culverts so we are

talking about creating a significant amount

of new habitat out there that will be within

easy reach of recreational anglers,” com-

mented HTFT Committee chairman Jay

Gardner. “You can’t just snap your fingers

and pull together a habitat effort on a scale

like this – it takes time, money and commit-

ment. We can’t give enough credit to our

partners at TPWD and Alamo Concrete

Products. CCA Texas is proud to be able

to do our part to bring this project to com-

pletion and we look forward to tackling

many more.”

CCA Texas contributed $50,000

toward the total cost of about $537,000 to

expand the existing reef, which already held

an old tug boat and about 800 culverts.

The expanded reef will provide additional

habitat for many species of fish and marine

life, including red snapper. The Port

Mansfield reef is the second major reefing

project undertaken

by HTFT. In

August 2010,

more than 250

tons of concrete

and granite

splashed down on

the Vancouver reef

site off the coast of Freeport, and a new

reefing project is planned for a third site off

the coast between Matagorda and Sargent.

To date, CCA Texas has committed more

than $200,000 to nearshore reefing in

Texas waters.

The state’s Artificial Reefing Program’s

nearshore and public reefing portion has

been in existence since 2006 and aims to

establish a 160-acre site at each major port

in Texas. Sites currently exist at Port

Isabel, Port Mansfield, Packery Channel,

Port Aransas (2), Matagorda and

Freeport. These nearshore sites, located in

Texas state waters, allow the general public

to place reefing materials within those

areas, as long as those efforts conform to

the guidelines of the program and have

prior approval from the state.

“Port Mansfield is a popular destina-

tion for many Texas anglers and for our

‘winter Texans’ who come down every year

to enjoy our warm weather. Our economy

benefits a great deal from the quality fish-

eries that we have to offer, and projects like

this help ensure that we will have them in

the future,” said Matt Klostermann, presi-

dent of the CCA Texas Rio Grande Valley

Chapter. “Anglers are the driving force

behind our efforts as a chapter to raise

funds for these kinds of habitat projects that

ultimately benefit conservation. We find

tremendous satisfaction from being a proac-

tive part of the solution.”

To find the acres of new fishing oppor-

tunity, plug the following coordinates into

your GPS: N 26 31.535, W 97 09.215

Port Mansfield ReefExpansion UnderwayRECREATIONAL FISHERMEN IN THE NEARSHORE WATERS OFF THE COAST OF PORT MANS-

FIELD WILL HAVE ALMOST FIVE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF HABITAT TO FISH WITHIN EIGHT

MILES OF THE PORT MANSFIELD JETTIES AFTER A MAJOR INFUSION OF HARD STRUCTURE.

PHOT

O: C

OURT

ESY

CCA

MAP:

BIN

G

More than 4,000 concrete culvertsare being used to expand the reef atPort Mansfield.

The reef is located in the nearshorewaters of the Gulf, about 8 milesfrom the Port Mansfiel jetties.

—Staff Report �TG

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46 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTO: JOHN N. FELSHER

The

‘Flick Shake’

Rig Does

Wacky One

Better

BY JOHN N.FELSHER

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 47

OVER THE DROP-OFF, the shoreline

shelf of this South Texas lake plunged rap-

idly into water approaching 20 feet deep.

Finicky bass looking for subtle baits hovered just

over the edge.

Terry Scroggins, a Florida bass pro, rigged a jighead

with a weight ball attached to the shank of a short wide-

Fea4-Wacky-Felsher.qxd:Layout 1 8/31/11 11:12 AM Page 47

“A flick shake uses a jighead designed

specifically for wacky-style fishing, but deep-

er,” Scroggins explained as he set the hook

on a 5-pound largemouth that slurped the

temptation dropping through the water.

“With the weight in the center, the action is

unbelievable on a straight fall.”

Developed in eastern Texas, a wacky

worm rig employs a hook inserted through

the center or its bulbous “egg sack” instead

of through the worm head like with a Texas

rig. Rigged with no weight, wacky worms

shake and undulate as they slowly sink.

However, since a wacky worm descends so

slowly, anglers can’t fish it in water much

deeper than five feet – until now!

Using as little weight as possible, typi-

cally 1/16 to 1/4 ounces depending upon

water depth, a flick shake rig allows

anglers to make subtle presentations at

deeper depths

without forfeiting

that scintillating

natural wacky

worm action.

Also called a

wacky jighead or

flip shake tech-

nique, this sight

bait works best in clear water such as that

found in Lake Amistad. As the weight

drags the bait down, the worm ends fold

upward and quiver.

“A flick shake offers great action even

when the angler doesn’t do anything,”

Scroggins said. “Where this technique real-

ly excels is in deep, clear water, down to

about 20 feet. In stained water, I like to leave

the bait on the bottom and shake to give it

more action. A flick shake works very well

when fishing vertical structure like bulkheads

or steep ledges with vertical drops.”

For fishing bulkheads, bridge or dock pil-

ings, bluffs, standing timber, ledges or simi-

lar vertical cover, toss a flick shake as close to

the edge as possible. Let it sink on a semi-

slack line without adding any artificial move-

ment. Most strikes occur on the fall, making

it a killer presentation for targeting suspend-

ed bass. Watch the line for any adverse

movement that could indicate a strike.

Anglers could also fish it around deep

rock piles or other bottom structure. On the

bottom, the worm ends stand up and vibrate.

Pull the bait up a few feet and the worm

opens up to fold again on the fall. Hop it up

and down off the bottom a few times.

“A flick shake gives bass an action they’ve

never seen before in deeper water,” advised

Mike Iaconelli, the 2003 Bassmaster Classic

champion from New Jersey. “I use it around

woody cover, trees, docks or anything with

vertical edges. It’s a great bait to work the

edges of deep grass beds.”

On grassy lakes like Sam Rayburn or

Toledo Bend, anglers can drop a flick shake

next to thick mats, but not into entangling

vegetation. To make it a bit more weedless,

use hooks with wire weed guards, but even

“weedless” jigheads won’t keep baits out of

the salad entirely.

“I’ve caught fish with it around rocky

bluffs, sandy banks, standing wood, grassy

edges, everything but matted grass,” recalled

Ish Monroe, a California bass pro. “It’s

more aggressive than a wacky worm, but not

as aggressive as a spinnerbait or crankbait. I

use a flick shake when I want to fish a worm

wacky style, but deeper and faster to get that

reaction bite. On the bottom, I just shake the

rod tip.”

Although designed primarily to fish water

about 10 to 25 feet deep, a flick shake can

also provoke strikes in extremely shallow

water. When fishing sloping banks or long

points, toss it beyond a good spot and

bounce it across the bottom until it falls over

the drop-off edge. A flick shake works great

for tempting spawning fish. Toss it into the

bed and let it sit on the bottom twitching

with natural water movements.

This rig also works well on schooling

bass. The falling bait mimics a dying shad.

Keep fishing it through the same area even

after schoolies go deep.

Although bass sometimes grab a flick

shake worm and run, anglers usually only

feel a slight thump on the line or perhaps just

a little extra weight as if the bait snagged a

weed clump. The line may simply move the

wrong way, straighten or just feel mushy.

Since the soft bait feels lifelike, a bass might

hold it in its mouth or swallow it quickly.

Reel down all the slack to feel for the fish

on the line.

“Fish don’t really thump it,” Monroe

advised. “I just feel weight and the fish is

there. Don’t set the hook. Just start reel-

ing. It’s more of a reel pressure set.”

Most anglers prefer to

throw a light flick shake

on a 6.5- to 7.5-foot

light- to medium-action

spinning rod. For line,

stick with the lightest

practical fluorocarbon,

especially when fishing

very clear water. Most

anglers use 4- to 12-pound test. Denser

and more difficult for a fish to see in the

water, fluorocarbon sinks quicker than

monofilament.

“Line is very important,” Iaconelli said.

“Monofilament tends to float, so fluorocar-

bon line enhances the fall of the bait. I use

100 percent fluorocarbon, usually 6- to 10-

pound test. After the bait hits the water, flip

open the bail on the spinning reel and feath-

er the line by hand so it falls smoothly on a

semi-slack line.”

Since fishing this finesse bait requires

considerable patience, most anglers probably

wouldn’t reach for a flick shake as their first

option, but it can put more bass in the boat

under certain conditions. When lunkers hun-

ker down near deep cover and refuse other

offerings, trying tickling their noses with

undulating worm tips!

48 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTOS: JOHN N. FELSHER

gap hook instead of at the eye. On the jighead, he

hooked a straight worm wacky style and tossed it toward

the shoreline. As he dragged the bait over the drop-off

edge, a bass grabbed it.

A flick shake rigconsists of a

weighted jigheaddesigned for fishing

with a straightworm, rigged wacky

style. �

� When itsinks, theworm endsundulate inthe water.

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T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 49

Our TrojanHorse

THE MORNING SUN HAD NOT YETtouched the horizon and at 10 years

old, I was not keen on wading into

the cold dark water. Mostly I was

afraid I’d step on something icky and risk

sinking in the smelly muck. We had to try

fishing somewhere else.

We had not been to the south side of Port

Mansfield. My sixteen year old brother had

heard from a school friend that the fishing

was pretty good there. Henry was older

than I was, he could drive and make deci-

sions. On this trip, we invited my cousins

David and Steven to share our adventure.

My cousins and I ranged in age from eight to

twelve.

Days before, Henry put us to work. He

had us help him build a contraption out of

salvaged lumber. We had two large “A”

frames and three long boards. He would not

tell us what our project was. “Fishing sur-

prise.” He said.

Friday afternoon, we drove to Port

Mansfield. At the bridge we caught some

shiner for bait. Henry’s net spiraled into the

air and landed in the murky brine. In just a

few casts, we had more than plenty. Our

fishing trip was already looking good.

About a half mile outside of the port,

Henry turned right onto a rough dirt road

and we bumped our way past the dunes and

tall grasses. The place was remote, primi-

tive. We parked next to the fence and eager-

ly unloaded our stuff. With a hammer and

some nails we set out to work. Before long

we had a large “A” frame, a carpenter’s

horse. The side boards gave the structure

stability and the top board gave us a place to

sit. We built a fishing platform.

We set our Trojan horse in waist deep

water and waited for night fall. By the light

from a lantern we caught a number of nice

speckled trout. We laughed at our success.

Soon the disadvantages of our Trojan horse

became apparent. Whenever someone

brought in a fish, the other person had to get

into the water to remove the hook.

Another problem was the structure itself.

We were eight, ten and twelve, but we were

by no means lightweight. Every time we

moved, the structure moved. About 4 a.m.,

Steven went to unhook a fish. On the way

up, he wiggled just a tad too much. One

second, David told Steven not to move so

much and the next we headed south. With

a whoosh and splash the Trojan horse fell

over. We sank into the cold Laguna Madre.

We must have been a sight. When we hit

the water, the lantern went dark. We came

up gasping for air. Wet, cold and a little

miffed, we waded in the dark and made our

way to the car.

That next morning, we slept in. We

laughed at the ordeal and gathered what was

left of our project. We still had all of

Saturday and since we had bait left over, we

decided to go to the north side of the port.

We fished at the public pier. The fishing

slowed and we caught mostly saltwater cats

and other bottom dwellers.

I don’t know what possessed David, but

after he unhooked a good sized catfish, he

decided to kick it over the side. He gave it a

good field goal-type kick and, wouldn’t you

know it, he was barefooted. The catfish did

not go flying off into the distance. It was

stuck, pectoral fin embedded deep into

David’s big toe. He yelled out something

about a devil fish and fell sitting on the

planks. I could not believe the sight.

Henry grabbed the fin with some pliers

and Steven and I grabbed David. We

pulled in different directions. It looked

painful. Fishing was over for David. He

hobbled off the long pier and slept in the car.

Henry, Steven and I went wade fishing just

beyond the fence.

They say that disasters come in sets of

threes. It seemed that we were fulfilling

some ancient prophecy. I cast my line to the

far right and moments later felt a strong

strike. I set the hook. The fish battled, refus-

ing to give up the fight. At long last, it swam

in my direction and I saw it come up to the

surface. It was a stingray. I had to wade to

shore to remove the hook. Henry saw my

dilemma and came to my rescue. He

grabbed the line above the swivel and with

his other hand grabbed the hook.

At that moment, the stingray brought its

tail up and pushed its barb into the backside

of Henry’s right hand. Henry screamed in

pain and pulled the barb out. Blood oozed

from the puncture wound and Henry stuck

his hand in the water to rinse off the blood.

It was a long drive home. Henry was in

great pain and David looked like he was a

combat survivor. By the time we got to

Raymondville, Henry was turning green

around the gills and passing out. We

stopped at the hospital where Henry was

treated, sedated and released.

David, Steven and I looked at each other

and wondered how we’d get home. In his

stupor, Henry lifted his head and mumbled

something about David being the oldest and

assigned him to drive. We looked at David

and offered a quick prayer. Slowly, the ’66

Chevy rolled onto FM 186.

Aside from the cold water dunking,

Steven and I survived unscathed. David

went on to play high school football, but not

as a kicker. Henry survived the killer

stingray and gained a new respect for the

slimy flat critters. As for the Trojan horse,

we never did build another one; instead, we

built a pontoon raft out of 55 gallon drums,

but that is a story for another day.

Texas Saltwater

by Richard Sanchez | Guest Columnist

With a whoosh andsplash, the Trojan

horse fell over.

““

Saltwater.qxd:Layout 1 9/6/11 11:44 AM Page 49

Popping Corks Can Help You Fish theUnfishable — but Prime — Flatfish Feeding Grounds

BY CHESTER MOORE

50 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTO COMPOSITE: TEXAS FISH & GAME

Fea5-Flounder-ALT.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 3:03 PM Page 50

T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 51

I mention fishing these kinds of habitats

because some of the best flounder fishing can

be found there. Call it the Moore Theory if

you will, but the fact is flounder are territori-

al and fish that stay within certain zones are

most likely to receive heavy fishing pressure.

With flounder, that translates into getting

thrown in the ice chest. The fact is the only

people I am aware of who catch-and-release

legal-sized flounder are those participating

in my Flounder Revolution program spon-

sored by the Coastal Conservation

Association.

Thus, for anglers seeking big flounder,

the best shot they have for catching a trophy

flounder is either during the fall or spring

migrations when the vast majority of the pop-

ulation are funneling through a few passes or

by targeting unpressured zones. And that is

exactly why we are talking about using floats

for flounder.

Riprap, bulkheads and oyster reefs are

thick with flounder but as we have already

mentioned, they are super hard to fish with

bottom rigs. Floats however allow anglers to

fish just out of reach of snags and entice the

big flounder that dwell there.

I have one spot that has light, mixed shell

that is conducive to bottom fishing but there

is a small drop-off that is covered with oys-

ters and is often covered up with flounder.

You can see them swirling at the surface on

high, rising tides, yet any efforts at bottom

fishing equal getting snagged.

The first time I tried a float there, it was

the typical white and red weighted cork slip

float designed to sit kind of low in the water

and to be cast a good distance. Rigged with

a live finger mullet it did not take long to see

something was paying attention to it as the

float bobbed up and down. After a few min-

utes, I reeled in to see the mullet had trade-

mark flounder tooth marks and was scaled,

but the fish did not want to commit. The

same thing happened several times that day.

The next day we returned and I tried the

same thing and got the same results.

However, I began to suspect these flounder,

which were feeding but not in an aggressive

pattern were not fond of pulling something

down, so I rigged up a light slip float with no

weight. Instead I put a 1/16-ounce split shot

about a foot above the mullet to give it a bit

of load so it would not move around too

much.

Within five minutes we had a fish on.

That pattern repeated a couple of times that

day.

Since then this rig has proven very effec-

tive at fishing for flounder over shell and

rock. One of the best methods is to find

riprap in the ship channel that is covered

with menhaden, position the boat parallel to

the rocks, adjust the float to be six inches to

a foot over the rocks and make as long a cast

as possible. Slowly reel in and pop the cork

every once in awhile. The fish tend to hit

fairly aggressively if they do not feel much

pressure and are fairly easy to hook.

For these situations I am using 30-pound

Spider Wire Ultracast and attaching a swiv-

el to rig a 40-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon

leader finished off with an Eagle Claw kahle

hook. Live mullet or mud minnows are per-

fect but a Gulp! Swimming Mullet is effec-

tive as well.

For bank fishermen using this same rig

and walking along bulkheads can be

extremely effective. Simply walking slowly,

giving the float a little slack and popping it.

Give it some extra time if you fish an eddy or

washout of some sort because these spots are

more likely to hold flounder.

This fall I will be experimenting with

some clear plastic floats in pristine South

Texas waters over seagrass beds. Flounder in

those areas love to hang right on the edge of

the seagrass and working a standard rig

through it can be difficult. In addition, floun-

der are very shy of brightly colored things in

super clear water so the idea of catching

them in 2-3 feet of water using a neon float

is not exactly appealing. I have located some

clear floats called Rainbow Tough Bubbles

that I have tested on super lure, line and

color shy bass in some private ponds and it

has been effective. We will see what happens

with the flatfish.

Over the summer of 2011 my

father and I came across a very

unique example of flounder feed-

ing that played perfectly into using

popping corks. While trout fishing

we saw menhaden getting slammed

on the edge of a big drop off in the

ship channel near Sabine Lake.

I threw my favorite trout pop-

ping cork, the Bomber Saltwater

Grade Paradise Popper X-

Treme, and used a “pop-pop-

pop-sit five seconds” cadence.

On the first cast I caught a floun-

der. That seemed to be a fluke

(pun intended) but after three

flounder in a row, we saw there was

something very interesting going on.

The flounder were coming out of

20 feet of water in the channel, a flat

that was 8-10 feet deep and pushing

the menhaden against the steep

bank. They were rolling on the sur-

face and hitting a lot like trout but

bottom rigs were not working.

These flounder were feeding in the

middle to upper reaches of the water

column and because of the aggressive

nature of the phenomenon they took

the heavier float like they normally would a

small one.

This gave us an advantage because we

were able to watch fish surface and make

long casts to catch them. We repeated this

performance twice in the next two weeks but

I have not been able to do it enough to say I

have it all figured out.

It does however show that using floats can

give you an advantage when seeking floun-

der, even in locations that seem totally inap-

propriate.

IF YOU WANT A LESSON IN FRUSTRATION

management try dragging a Carolina rig over riprap in

the ship channel or over an old, virgin oyster reef where

the shells can be a foot long.

Ditto for fishing soft plastics rigged on standard jig-

heads. The fact is you will spend more time retying than

you will fishing, which is of course no way to spend your

limited time on the water.

PHOTO: COURTESY PRADCO FISHING

Fea5-Flounder-ALT.qxd:Layout 1 9/2/11 3:58 PM Page 51

52 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® PHOTO COMPOSITE: TEXAS FISH & GAME

Fea2-BowQuiz.qxd:Layout 1 8/31/11 11:23 AM Page 52

T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 53

BY TF&G BOWHUNTING EDITOR

Lou Marullo

Fea2-BowQuiz.qxd:Layout 1 8/31/11 11:23 AM Page 53

1. If you are bowhunting, which is mostlikely to give your presence away to thatelusive whitetail?

A) The absence of wearing good camo

B) A slight movement made by the

hunter

C) Human scent that is carried by a very

small breeze

D) The color of your feathers or fletching

2. What is the spine of an arrow?

A) Just another name for the shaft

B) How light the material is

C) How stiff an arrow is

D) How much penetrating power the

arrow carries

3. Injuries to a bowhunter are mostly

A) Equipment issues (limbs snapping

back and possible breaking)

B) Self inflicted

C) Other careless bowhunters in the field

D) Pig Attacks

4. A beginner bowhunter should pur-chase his equipment…

A) At an all-purpose department store to

keep the cost down

B) Find a deal at a garage sale

C) Online or mail order

D) An archery pro shop

5. Which is the most ideal shot for abowhunter?

A) Walking directly towards you

B) Quartering away from you

C) A broadside shot

D) Quartering towards you

6. After making a good humane shot,how long should a bowhunter waitbefore going after the animal?

A) About 30 minutes

B) 4 to 6 hours to let the deer expire

C) Immediately, as long as the shot was

good

D) Best to leave it until morning if it was

an evening shot

7. Assuming you have tuned andmatched equipment, what is the mostimportant item to have for success?

A) Camo clothes

B) Razor sharp broadheads

C) A high tree stand

D) A super fast bow

8. How does an arrow harvest game?A) Severe hemorrhaging

B) Shock impact

C) Causing the animals lungs to collapse

D) All of the above

9. What is the best way to practice?

A) In the morning to simulate hunting

times

B) From known distances to group your

BOWHUNTING IS A METHOD that has proven effective in harvesting game

since the dawn of civilization. Throughout the centuries, the bow itself has gone

through many changes.

Arrows have improved and the methods we use today to hunt game with a bow are

also a little different from years gone by. The bowhunter of today simply has to know

the game he is pursuing and try to use a little common sense (that is not so common)

and he or she will be successful.

Think you could pass a little quiz on bowhunting? Go ahead…give it a shot!

54 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

12. ANSWER: FALSE Hypothermia can

happen if you are wet with sweat and a breeze

picks up. The first sign of hypothermia is a shiv-

er.

13. ANSWER: D) although the others are

important, the most important is the safety har-

ness.

14. ANSWER: A) 4 to 6 hours! Read a

whole bunch of Texas Fish and Game mags!

15. ANSWER: FALSEwhitetails see

shades. If you are wearing orange and a deer

looks at you, you moved!

16. ANSWER: B) Gotta respect that nose!

17. ANSWER: B) Even if your broadheads

never left your quiver, oxidation could set in. You

should change them every bow season to make

sure you have a razor sharp blade.

18. ANSWER: D) Branches behind you will

help hide you and break up your outline. You

might just get away with a little movement.

19. ANSWER: B) and it is difficult to see

sometimes, take it slow.

20. ANSWER: D)Check for everything you

can before looking for the deer. It will give you

clues as to where your shot placement was.

BONUS…

I AM NOT GOINGto answer that one…just

in case my wife is reading this right now!

Fea2-BowQuiz.qxd:Layout 1 9/2/11 4:02 PM Page 54

arrows

C) From unknown distances and eleva-

tions

D) With field tips

10. How many glands does a whitetailhave?

A) 5

B) 6

C) 7

D) 4

11. On a whitetail, what is thevomeronasal organ mainly used for?

A) Causes a buck to chase doe

B) Causes the buck to curl his lip also

called flehmen

C) Helps a buck to smell if a doe is in

estrous

D) All of the above

12) A Texas bowhunter never has toworry about hypothermia.

A) True

B) False

13. When bowhunting from a tree stand,which is the most important piece ofequipment you would need?

A) Razor sharp broadheads

B) A fast bow

C) Good binoculars

D) A safety harness

14. On a gut shot deer, how long shoulda bowhunter wait before looking for thedeer?

A) 4 to 6 hours

B) As soon as he loses sight of the ani-

mal

C) 30 minutes

D) 1 hour

15. True or False…whitetails can see col-ors

A) True

B) False

16. What is the best defense of a deer?

A) Sight

B) Smell

C) Hearing

D) The ability to blend into their sur-

roundings

17. If a bowhunter uses replaceableblades on their broadhead, how oftenshould they be changed?

A) After they have been shot

B) Before every bow season

C) Every few years

D) Only after they get rusty

18. The best place for a tree stand is…

A) Next to a deer path

B) On the edge of a waterhole or noisy

stream

C) On a tree with no branches to get in

the way

D) In a tree with branches behind you

19. With an arrow wound, what is theblood color is a liver shot?

A) Bright red

B) Dark and almost brown

C) Bright with bubbles

D) Red with green particles

20. After the shot and you have waitedthe appropriate time, what is the firstthing you should look for once you areout of your tree stand?

A) Your arrow

B) Any signs of blood

C) Any hair, which might give you a clue

as to where the shot placement was

D) All of the above.

Bonus Question…What will your wife be doing to keepbusy while you are out there hunting?

A) Shopping

B) Shopping

C) Shopping

D) All of the above!

1. ANSWER: C) gotta respect a nose of a

deer!

2. ANSWER: C) depending on your set up,

you may need a stiffer arrow to fly straight. A pro

shop can set you up correctly.

3. ANSWER: B)that may be the reason not

too many injuries are ever reported! “Hello ..yes

I was stupid and grabbed the wrong end of the

arrow!”

4. ANSWER: D)Let the professionals do it

right for you the first time.

5. ANSWER: B) that’s the most lethal. A well

placed arrow on a deer that is quartering away

will penetrate the lungs, liver, spleen, and might

even catch a piece of the heart.

6. ANSWER: A)good time to read Texas

Fish and Game!

7. ANSWER: B) A bowhunter should take

pride in a clean humane harvest and that can be

accomplished with razor sharp broadheads.

8. ANSWER: A) A bullet from a rifle will

cause impact shock, but an arrow will cause

severe hemorrhaging to harvest the deer.

9. ANSWER: C) always helps to put yourself

to the test and guess the distance so you can be

more proficient with the bow.

10. ANSWER: C)interdigital, metatarsal,

tarsal, Pre-orbital, forehead, nasal and preputial.

11. ANSWER: D) located on the roof of a

deer’s mouth. It is black and triangular in shape.

Also called the secondary nose of a whitetail!

ANSWERST E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 55

Flip the Page for the Correct Answers

RA

YM

ON

D G

RE

GO

RY

, B

IGS

TO

CK

Fea2-BowQuiz.qxd:Layout 1 9/6/11 12:35 PM Page 55

Adult Toys

DO R E E N ’ S 24 H R E AT G A S NOW CAFÉwas full when Delbert P. Axelrod,

my personal albatross, and I stepped

out of the twilight and into the café.

Squirrel season was on as of that morning

and the members of the Hunting Club were

in full camo regalia after a hard day in the

woods. Squirrel tails were in abundance.

I placed my new toy on the counter in

front of Doc, Wrong Willie, and Patrick.

Jerry Wayne dozed peacefully in a booth,

across the table from two little old blue-

haired ladies who whispered quietly to each

other, lest they wake him up.

I started to ask why Jerry Wayne was

sleeping in a booth, but Doc picked up the

rifle and took my attention away from our

sleeping partner. “This is the fanciest airgun

I’ve ever seen. Look here, Willie, it even has

a scope on it.”

“Just got it the other day,” I answered.

“It’s an RWS Model 48 Magnum air rifle.

It’s made in Germany. The muzzle velocity

is over eleven hundred feet per second,

which makes it darn close to a .22 caliber

rifle.

The members of the Hunting Club were

impressed. A crowd gathered, nodding in

the appreciation that men share over souped-

up BB guns.

“What have you been shooting with it,

squirrels?” Wrong Willie asked.

“Me and Delbert have been down at that

field not far from the dump. We settled in

under the shade and picked off rats for a

couple of hours to sight it in. We’ll shoot

some squirrels with it tomorrow.

“I love to do that,” Jerry Wayne mumbled

from under his tilted gimme cap. We looked

over at the booth. Jerry Wayne was already

asleep again. The little ladies nervously hud-

dled together over their coffee, making tink-

ing sounds with their spoons while they

watched Jerry Wayne snore.

Doreen came out of the kitchen. “Why

do I have firearms on my counter?”

“We were just out shooting and came in

for supper, Doreen. Give us whatever you

have on special today,” Delbert answered.

She’s sweet on him, so she forgave our little

firearm transgression and plopped a glass of

tea on the counter.

“Get anything?” Doreen asked.

“Shot about 15 of the little rodents,” I

answered, and reached for the sugar.

“Where are the tails? You know, you

have to have proof,” she stated and then

handed me a teaspoon so I wouldn’t have to

stir with my finger.

Her question kinda shocked me. I

thought about it for a minute and said,

“Well, we didn’t cut their tails off.”

She snorted. “I hope you guys cleaned

them as soon as you got back to the truck.

My daddy used to say that they tasted better

if they were cleaned as soon as possible.”

Conversation in the restaurant came to an

abrupt halt. We stared at Doreen for a full

minute, waiting for a punch line.

Delbert gulped. “Your daddy ate them?”

“Sure. We were raised so far back in the

woods that we ate whatever Daddy would

shoot. If it wasn’t for them, we’d eat quail, or

possum, ducks, or any varmint he shot and

brought in.

The two little old blue-haired ladies

rushed from their seats and headed at a tot-

ter for the ladies room.

“Urp,” said Delbert and virtually threw

himself off the counter stool. His headlong

rush carried him between the two little nau-

seated ladies like a seven-ten split in bowl-

ing. They whirled around in place for a

moment and then resumed their rush as if it

had been nothing more than a windstorm.

“Maybe that’s why she looks like she

does,” Jerry Wayne mumbled from under his

cap. He reached out and pulled one of the

abandoned coffee cups toward him.

“Doreen, I know times are hard for us all

from time to time,” I said, “but I’m not sure

I’d go around telling that story if I were

you.”

“Why not?” she asked. “My lands, we’ve

served them enough times in here and you

guys didn’t say anything. What do you think

that stew you were eating was made out of?

Remember guys, this café serves a lot of wild

game.”

Doc mopped his whiteface. No one

moved throughout the café.

“Is that rifle loaded?” Willie asked. “I

need to shoot myself.”

“You classify this as wild game?” I asked

and pointed at my untasted bowl with a

spoon.

“I sure didn’t trap them in the kitchen,

bub.”

More patrons hit the door. “What’s

wrong with everyone?” Doreen complained.

“Y’all act like you’ve never eaten squirrel

stew before.”

The rush immediately stopped.

“Squirrel.” Willie stated.

“What did you think I was talking

about?” Doreen looked at the four of us.

“You guys feeling all right?”

“We’re fine now,” Doc answered and

took a long drink of iced tea.

Doreen threw open the kitchen door and

stormed off shouting at James Albert who

was looking in from outside the back door.

“You’d think those boys were eating rats out

there the way they were carrying on about a

little squirrel head stew.”

Delbert had just resumed his place at the

counter and was mopping his brow with a

shaky hand. “She puts squirrel heads in her

rat stew, too?” He asked with a wavering

voice.

Dock shook his head and handed me the

rifle. “Take this outside and come in again.”

I just took it and went on home.

This is an excerpt from Reavis

Wortham’s book, Doreen’s 24 HR

Eat Gas Now Café. The book is

available in print from Texas Fish &

Game Publishing Company, LLC

and can be ordered online at

www.FishandGameGear.com or by

calling 1-800-750-4678.

E-mail Reavis Wortham at

RWortham@fishgame.com.

56 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ®

Open Season

by Reavis Wortham | TF&G Humor Editor

HumorWortham.qxd:Layout 1 9/1/11 5:08 PM Page 56

“Paddling is an effective way to hunt ducks, although it’s not

as common as it once was,” said Kevin Kraai, Texas Parks and

Wildlife Department waterfowl program leader in Amarillo.

“It’s almost a lost art by people who still do it. It’s a particu-

larly good way to hunt wood ducks on rivers and backwaters.”

Federal laws prohibit shooting at ducks from boats under

power or sail. Before anyone may shoot at a duck from a boat,

the motor must stop and all forward momentum cease. How-

ever, sportsmen can shoot at migratory birds from boats pro-

pelled by human power. In Texas, navigable waters belong to

the public, but local laws might prohibit shooting in certain

places. Adjacent lands or backwaters might remain private.

PHOT

O: JO

HN N

. FEL

SHER

WATERFOWLERS TRADITIONALLY hunt from blinds surrounded by

decoys, but even in Texas, ducks don’t always respond. When birds don’t

come to the blind, go to them. A canoe, kayak or even a skiff or johnboat may

put more birds within range of sportsmen willing to do a little extra work.

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 57

Paddlingto the DucksIF THE DUCKSWON’T COMETO THE BLIND,TAKE THE BLINDTO THE DUCKSBY JOHN N. FELSHER

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:24 PM Page 57

Skilled paddlers can often approach fair-

ly close to ducks and may target birds few

others try to hunt. Winding sloughs or bay-

ous with broken vegetated shorelines provide

outstanding places to jump ducks. Birds

often hide around bends where they can see

anything coming from one direction while

remaining unseen by anything approaching

from the other direction. When coming

around bends, stick as close to the inside

shoreline as possible. Masters of conceal-

ment, ducks may explode from high reeds

just yards from the boat.

Many paddlers work in teams. Designate

a shooter to sit in the bow at ready for any-

thing erupting from cover while another per-

son in the stern paddles and acts as spotter.

For safety reasons, only the designated

shooter should hold a loaded gun, but

sportsmen can take turns shooting. This

method provides an excellent way to intro-

duce hunting to young sportsmen who may

grow bored sitting in cold blinds for long

hours.

When hunting solo, paddlers put shot-

guns across their laps or in some other con-

venient, but safe, place to wait for flushing

birds. Ease the paddles into the water and

glide along as silently as possible. In very

shallow, hard-bottomed areas, use long pad-

dles almost like push poles. Scull along

without lifting them from the water. Sound

travels extraordinarily well over water so a

dripping paddle can alert wary ducks.

Periodically, stop paddling to listen for

quacking, splashing or other sounds that

could indicate duck activity. Scan ahead for

movement, telltale wakes or anything unusu-

al. Floating feathers might mark good hiding

places. Sometimes, flushed birds won’t fly

far, especially in areas with little other water.

Sportsmen might note where the ducks land

and make another sneak on them.

In Texas, coastal marshes generally pro-

vide the best paddling action. Jumping may

offer the most effective method for bagging

illusive mottled ducks that habitually avoid

blinds. In the Sabine-Neches River delta,

Texans might hunt the 7,998-acre Lower

Neches Wildlife Management Area near

Bridge City. The 7,411-acre Guadalupe

Delta WMA near San Antonio Bay pro-

vides another good area.

“All the bay systems along the coast hold

good duck populations,” Kraai advised.

“Some better places to hunt from a canoe or

kayak include Matagorda Bay, Laguna

Madre or Corpus Christi Bay. In remote

estuaries, people could take a powerboat

into the hunting area, anchor it and launch

a canoe or kayak to paddle up ducks.”

Most Texans don’t live near the coast,

but the Lone Star State also provides many

inland places to hunt. Rivers and winding

swampy creeks make excellent places to

jump wood ducks, mallards and hooded

mergansers. Birds often hide on the down-

stream side of fallen trees, logjams or current

breaks. Birds might also explode from flood-

ed shoreline timber.

58 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

HOW-TO SECTION

60 TEXAS BOATING • Corrosion,101 | BY LENNY RUDOW

64 TEXAS KAYAKING • Good News& Bad News | BY GREG BERLOCHER

65 PAUL’S TIPS • Don’t Think, Shoot| BY PAUL BRADSHAW

68 TEXAS GUNS & GEAR • RealMuzzleloaders | BY STEVE LAMAS-CUS

GEARING UP SECTION

70 INDUSTRY INSIDER • Polaris | BY

TF&G STAFF

72 FISH AND GAME GEAR • HotNew Outdoor Gear | BY TF&GSTAFF

74 TEXAS TESTED • Fishkid, Mid-land Radio | BY TF&G STAFF

75 SPECIAL SECTION • HuntingGear Innovations | BY BOB HOOD

FISHING FORECASTSECTION

88 HOTSPOTS FOCUS: UPPERCOAST • Sabine Octoberfest | BY

CAPT. EDDIE HERNANDEZ

89 HOTSPOTS FOCUS: GALVE-STON • Is Change Good for theGulf? | BY CAPT. MIKE HOLMES

90 HOTSPOTS FOCUS: MATAGOR-DA • Target Reds Until the BirdsWork | BY BINK GRIMES

92 HOTSPOTS FOCUS: ROCKPORT• Fish or Hunt? | BY CAPT. MAC

GABLE

94 HOTSPOTS FOCUS: LOWERCOAST • 7 Keys to Lower CoastFall Success | BY CHESTER MOORE

96 TEXAS HOTSPOTS • Texas’Hottest Fishing Spots | BY TOM

BEHRENS, CALIXTO GONZALES, & BOB

HOOD AND CAPT. CHARLES NEWTON

104 SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK •Tides & Prime Times | BY TF&GSTAFF

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLESECTION

114 HUNTING TALES • Hungry forHogs | BY CHESTER MOORE

116 TEXAS TASTED • An Out-of-the-Way Treasure | BY BRYAN SLAVEN

118 OUTDOOR CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY • Guides, Gear andMore | BY TF&G STAFF

120 TF&G PHOTOS • Your ActionPhotos | BY TF&G READERS

TF&G ALMANAC Table of Contents

57 COVER STORY • Paddling tothe Ducks | BY JOHN N. FLESHER

www.FishGame.com

CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 �

Daniel Felsher shows off a henmerganser he bagged while jumpshooting from a canoe. PH

OTO:

JOHN

N. F

ELSH

ER

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Corrosion,101

IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPINGat night you could try popping a

Lunesta and chugging a bottle of red

wine, or you could read an average

article on some technical marine subject.

The effects are usually about the same. Prop

specs, gear ratios, and laminate schedules

are nearly guaranteed to numb your gray

matter into submission. So when you realize

that this article is about corrosion, how it

works, and what you can do about it, you’ll

probably either keep flipping pages or posi-

tion yourself on the couch in case you keel

over from an abrupt onset of REM cycles.

Wait! Though it may be a bit on the dry

side this is important stuff, and a better

understanding of corrosion will help you

keep your boat and its systems in tip-top

shape. And I promise—it won’t be boring.

There are several types of corrosion, all

of which have the same final result, your pre-

cious metal equipment turns into a chunk of

useless crud. If you immerse yourself in an

exhaustive in-depth scientific study of the

topic (as I did), by typing “corrosion” into

the search box on Wikipedia, you’ll learn

that corrosion is “the disintegration of an

engineered material into its constituent

atoms due to chemical reactions with its sur-

roundings.”

According to prevailing theory, this

occurs because the constituent atoms have as

much animosity towards each other as cur-

rent American partisan constituents; in

other words, Eric Cantor atoms and

Michelle Bachmann atoms gang up against

Nancy Pelosi atoms and Barak Obama

atoms, and they smash each other to

smithereens. As a result, your boat sinks…

or something like that. Another leading

school of thought—to which I lend far less

credence to—is that the metal object loses

mass as its molecules are transformed into

oxides. Take your pick as to which theory

you subscribe to.

UNIFORM corrosion is the most common

form of corrosion, and causes a slow degra-

dation of the metal’s surface. This form of

corrosion is also called “general” corrosion,

because it occurs whenever metal is exposed

to the general environment.

Though all boaters will be faced with

uniform corrosion, fortunately, it’s a slow

process which is easily combated. Regularly

coating metals every month or two with a

barrier spray, such as CorrosionX,

Boeshield T-9, or Boat Saver, will do the

trick indefinitely. But be careful when you

apply this stuff, since some formulations can

stain fiberglass. A good method is to spray

the coating onto a rag, then wipe down your

rails, hardware, and all metal objects from

stem to stern.

GALVANIC corrosion is the bane of all

mariners who leave their boats in saltwater.

“One of the best public places in Texas

to paddle up ducks is White Oak Creek

WMA,” Kraai said. “The creek is a small,

narrow stream that provides excellent cover

for jumping ducks from a boat. It holds a lot

of mallards and wood ducks. Another excel-

lent place for paddling is Old Sabine Bot-

tom WMA off the Sabine River. The

Sabine and Neches rivers hold ducks.

Cypress Creek in east Texas attracts a lot of

wood ducks. The Sulphur River in north-

east Texas is a good place to drift for

ducks.”

White Oak Creek WMA covers about

25,777 acres of hardwood bottomlands near

the Arkansas and Oklahoma lines at the

confluence of the Sulphur River and White

Oak Creek. The Sulphur River flows about

175 miles through northeast Texas and

Arkansas. Old Sabine Bottom WMA

includes 5,158 acres of bottomlands and

streams north of Tyler.

On swift streams where paddling back

upstream might pose a problem, use two

vehicles to drift through property few others

ever see. Position one vehicle downstream at

a take-out point and drive a second vehicle

to the launch spot. Sportsmen can even use

motorboats to retrieve game or head

upstream as long as they don’t shoot while

the motor runs.

“Several Texas rivers provide good drift

hunting,” Kraai said. “People can hunt the

Trinity, but it’s a large river without as many

twists and turns to provide cover. In central

Texas, people could hunt the Brazos River.

In west Texas, the Colorado River would be

the best bet for paddling up ducks.”

Not everyone can afford a lease or a huge

decoys spread, but waterfowlers on a budget

can jump ducks without even buying fuel!

Sportsmen can purchase many good canoe

or kayak models plus accessories for less

than $1,000. After obtaining a suitable

boat, sportsmen can start paddling up ducks

for very little additional investment. They

just need a gun and ammunition to hunt

most public waters.

In the days before motors, sportsmen pri-

marily hunted from canoes or rowboats.

Today, a dozen mallards erupting from

behind a logjam in a river bend only yards

away stills makes the heart pump faster.

Paddling can put a few extra birds in the

bag, especially for those sportsmen who can-

not afford private leases or expensive equip-

ment.

COVER STORY

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The water acts as an electrolyte; different

metals have different electrical potentials,

and when placed in an electrolyte, the metal

with a more “active” potential becomes an

anode and corrodes more quickly than if it

were alone in the environment. The more

noble (less active) metal in the electrolyte

becomes the cathode, since it has more pos-

itive potential. Electrical current flows

between the metals until their potentials are

equal. This not only results in the rapid

destruction of the anode (yawn), it also

quenches the electrical field’s thirst for

equality much in the same way as common

electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and Power-

ade quench our own thirst. Sort of.

Most of you already know that the best

way to fight galvanic corrosion is to equip a

boat with a sacrificial anode—commonly

zinc—which is meant purely to corrode

quickly, saving more important metals from

the same fate. But you should also make

sure your boat isn’t leaking electricity into

the water, a common occurrence which

speeds galvanic corrosion and can overcome

the effects of a sacrificial anode.

A simple “leak check” can be performed

with a voltmeter. You’ll also need to mount

a square of copper flashing, about seven by

seven inches, on the end of a wooden pole or

an old broomstick. Run a wire down the

pole and connect it to the copper, and con-

nect the positive lead of your voltmeter to the

wire’s end. Next, connect the negative lead

to a negative battery terminal or another

reliable ground. Then submerge the copper

plate next to your boat, set the multimeter to

read zero to one volt, and move the copper

around the vessel's parameter as you look for

a change in voltage. The voltmeter should

always show a natural reading of around 0.6

to 0.9 volts, depending on salinity and tem-

perature. If it doesn’t, you know you have a

problem. Next, turn on every electrical item

on the boat, one by one. Does the voltage

change? If so, you’ve identified a leaky

accessory.

Usually you’ll discover this accessory has

a bunch of green crud on a connection or

two. To eliminate the leak you need to elim-

inate the green crud which, in partisan con-

stituent terms, is known as campaign funds;

it pollutes the system horribly. Clean it

away, to plug the leaks and bring down your

electrical budget deficit, or something.

EROSION corrosion is one you might not

have heard about in the past. This is a

mechanical rather than electro-chemical

process, but it’s no less deadly to metals on

your boat. Erosion corrosion is exactly what

it sounds like: the erosion of a metal surface

resulting from constant physical contact with

something other than water. Commonly this

is going to be an issue for props and possi-

bly through-hull fittings. It’s usually caused

by ventilation, cavitation, or regularly run-

ning aground.

In the case of ventilation or cavitation,

unusual sounds or over-revving props might

give away the problem. But just as com-

monly, you won’t notice the damage until an

inspection of the metal in question exposes

pitting and wear. In all likelihood, you’ll

need to take the boat to a pro to have the

problem resolved.

When running aground is the culprit,

solving the problem is simple: stop driving

over sandbars and through mud, before you

wear your prop down to a nub.

You’d be surprised at how quickly this

can happen. After two years of hunting out

of a duck blind that’s surrounded by nearly

exposed mud flats, my 11” x 16” prop is a

10” x 14”.

PITTING corrosion is the last type most

boaters need to be concerned about, and

this form of metallic mayhem usually occurs

on aluminum rails, pipework and framing. It

forms when corrosion attacks a limited

amount of surface area, usually where an

anodized surface has been scratched or

dinged. The pits that result in the surface

are deeper than they are wide, and can even-

tually thin the metal until it’s substantially

weakened.

The best way to fight pitting is to prevent

it in the first place, by regularly washing and

waxing the aluminum on your boat. If it

does form, you can strip away impurities

with a rag soaked in vinegar, then re-seal the

surface—temporarily of course—with more

wax. Unfortunately, there’s no effective way

to fill the pits once they’ve formed.

There now. That wasn’t so bad, was it?

You made it through an entire article about

corrosion. Hopefully learned a thing or two,

and… Hey. Hey! WAKE UP!!!

E-mail Lenny Rudow at

boating@fishgame.com

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GoodNews and BadNews

“IHAVE GOOD NEWS AND BADnews,” I announced to the col-

lection of relatives gathered in

our hotel room at the family

reunion. “The good news,” I continued, “is

that I caught something. The bad news is

that it is me,” lifting my cap to reveal a gold

spoon impaled in my scalp.

Questions were plentiful and rapid fire

as I recounted the morning wade fishing trip

with my brother Stewart. We were probing

a shallow flat that was littered with oyster

shell. The tide was right and bait was all

around us. The set up looked perfect. A

long arching cast touched down and my

spoon came to an immediate halt. My rod

arched as I drove the hook home; unfortu-

nately it was into a large clump of oyster

shell. Rather than shuffle over and jiggle the

shiny lure free, I tried tugging it free, gently

at first, then with gusto. With a violent

sweep of the rod, the Johnson Sprite came

free. Monofilament line has roughly 22%

stretch and the glistening spoon came hur-

dling out of the water, straight toward the

bridge of my nose. Sensing I was going to

take a direct hit I began tilting my head

downward. A fraction of a second later, the

spoon struck my hair line, made its way

under my baseball cap, the treble hook

skewering the top of my noggin.

During a phone call last week, my broth-

er Bill recalled my good news, bad news

proclamation as he told a somewhat similar

story. He and his wife had invited friends

from Kansas City down to fish the Coastal

Bend and he was serving the role of guide,

netting fish and unhooking all of them. As

the trip was winding down, one of his guests

hooked one final trout. Bill was busy with

the anchor and his friend waved him off,

saying, “It’s OK. I will get this one.” You

can guess what happened. The thrashing

trout drove one of the treble hooks on the

plug well into the man’s finger.

Dangling treble hooks are dangerous

and represent a threat to anyone trying to

“bare-hand” a protesting fish. Treble hooks

are especially dangerous to kayakers.

Thrashing fish are more likely drive hooks

into hands and arms, but exposed legs can

easily become pin cushions if a slippery fish

wiggles free from your grasp.

Double bladed paddles require two good

hands to operate. While technically possible

to paddle with one hand, it isn’t really an

option when you are paddling in a breeze or

against a tide. A hand incapacitated by a

hook wound simply isn’t as functional as a

healthy one, more often than not stranding

the angler.

There are several things you can do to

mitigate the risk associated with treble

hooks. The most obvious thing is to simply

get rid of them. Many coastal sharpshooters

replace trebles with circle hooks without any

loss of hook ups. The more time you spend

unhooking plugs from fish’s mouths, the

greater the chance that you will get impaled.

These elite anglers know this and have taken

steps to reduce the odds. You should too.

If you have a phobia about single hooks

and insist on using trebles, use some sort of

landing aid instead of bare-handing fish. A

small landing net or Boga Grips should be

on everyone’s yak, making sure either option

is equipped with flotation aids. Landing

nets are a pain as hooks get tangled in web-

bing, but consider that the hooks could be

impaled in your flesh is you don’t use a net.

In addition to a landing device, good

tools, such as hemostats or fishing pliers,

allow you to get a firm grip on hooks and

help keep fingers out of harm’s way. I prefer

long handled hemostats and lock them onto

a shirt pocket so they are always within

reach when I need them.

Even though I prefer hemostats for

unhooking duties, I also pack a set of needle

nose pliers that have side cutters. Should

someone get hooked, I can prune the offend-

ing lure off the hooked person, leaving only

the embedded hook to deal with on the trip

back to shore.

You never really appreciate the buddy

system until you get into trouble, but once

you do you will never paddle alone. Always

paddle with a partner. Should you get

hooked and can’t use your paddle, your fish-

ing partner can tie a rope or stringer to your

bow and tow you home.

Kayakers that get accidentally hooked

don’t have the luxury of limping home with

the aid of a 150 horsepower outboard. Even

if you aren’t hooked in the hand, the pain

can be debilitating. The best game plan is to

take the necessary precautions to avoid get-

ting hooked. Then you won’t have to

announce to friends and loved ones that you

have good news and bad news.

Greg Berlocher can be

reached for question or comment at

kayak@fishgame.com.

64 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

Treble hooksrepresent a threatto anyone trying to

bare-hand aprotesting fish.

“

“

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Don’tThink,Shoot

IF YOU HUNT WHITETAILS LONG ENOUGHyou will eventually shoot a deer and

not be able to find it. It happens to all

of us and it is probably one of the most

gut wrenching experiences in any hunter’s

life. I speak from experience.

I also speak from experience when I

say that the majority of the time the

responsibility for the shanked shot

lies with the shooter and not the

firearm. Sure, there are cases

where the scope get’s knocked

around or the gun doesn’t like a

particular brand of ammunition

so it sends the occasional flyer

but 99% of the time it’s our fault.

The reason for this is very sim-

ple, we’re human. We are made of

flesh and bone and muscles that

never stop moving (or make the exact

same movement twice in a row) but

rather make a series of little moves in order

to give a sense of stability.

To prove my point, take a yard stick and

hold one end of it in your dominant hand.

Now take it and point it straight out in front

of you pointing the end you are not holding

towards something in the distance. It is

impossible to hold the far end of the yard

stick completely still due to the minute

movements your hand constantly makes.

Now imagine that stick is 100 yards long

and you can see how these little involuntary

movements you are continually making can

lead to a missed deer.

The good news is there is a way to over-

come these involuntary movements and that

is to replace them with voluntary ones. If

you are telling your muscles what to do,

making deliberate movements, then you can

increase you accuracy and put more deer

down on the first shot. These deliberate

movements also give you something to con-

centrate on other than the antlers. Thinking

too much about the rack leads to buck fever

and missed shots.

What you need to understand up front is

that the point behind this technique is to

move, but on your own terms, so get beyond

the mindset of trying to get the rifle to sit

rock solid.

We’re not

trying to shoot a five shot group that you can

cover with a quarter. The purpose here is

place one shot precisely where you want

instead of wobbling all around the spot and

then jerking the trigger out of desperation

praying that the crosshairs are in the right

location. Here’s what I do, and you can

modify this technique to suit your shooting

style.

You have no doubt read thousands of

times that if you own a variable power scope

that you need to keep it cranked down to

around four power for most hunting situa-

tions. Well for this I like to turn mine up to

around eight. It may be a personal prefer-

ence but I feel it helps me place the shot

more precisely.

If you are more comfortable moving your

rifle on a horizontal plain then start out with

your scope’s crosshairs on the back hip of

the deer you intend to shoot. No, you’re not

shooting it here; this is just the starting

point. Now move the crosshairs slowly

towards the shoulder of the deer along a line

about six inches below, and parallel with,

the deer’s back. When you get to the shoul-

der, pause for a half second and squeeze the

trigger. This isn’t one of those times when

you want to take a breath and let it out

slowly, that should be done while you

are moving the crosshairs. You

should be ready to shoot when the

crosshairs touch the shoulder and

if you’re not then just start over.

Some shooters are more stable

moving the crosshairs vertically

and if that’s you then instead of

starting on the deer’s hip, start

on the front foot. Move the

crosshairs slowly up the leg until

you get to the upper third of the

shoulder, pause for half a second

and squeeze the trigger.

It really is that simple. This year while

sighting in at the range, take a few practice

shots using this method and you’ll be sur-

prised how accurate you can be by moving

on purpose.

E-mail Paul Bradshaw at

freshrigs@fishgame.com

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 65

On the Web

Get more tips from Paul’s Blog:www.FishGame.com

ILLU

STRA

TION

BY

PAU

L B

RADS

HAW

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Real Muzzle-loaders

THE TREND IN MOST SPORTS TODAY ISto get the best and most modern

equipment that money can buy, in

the hope that it will give us some kind

of edge over our competition or our game.

That includes what we euphemistically call

primitive weapons; generally that is archery

gear and muzzleloaders. With archery there

is only so much you can do, apparently. You

still have to have a stick and a string, even if

the stick is made of space age carbon fiber

and the bow looks like something out of Star

Wars. Muzzleloaders, on the other hand,

offer a much wider field for experimentation.

Some people get carried away with

“primitive” weapons. Hunting wild hogs—

the 4-legged kind, not leather-clad weekend

motorcyclists—with Bowie knives comes to

mind. But I am a gun guy. I'm too old to

run, and like my hunting tools to go bang, so

when discussing primitive weapons, that

pretty much means some kind of muzzle-

loader or black powder cartridge rifle.

With muzzleloaders, more than with

archery, we have lost the original intent,

which was to have fun shooting and hunting

with the antiquated weapons, taking us back

to the romantic days—they really weren't,

but we seem to need to think so—of Kit

Carson, Jim Bridger, Joe Walker, Jed Smith,

and others of what used to be called “The

Buckskin Brigade.”

When the current muzzleloader trend

began back in the 1960s, the idea was to

find a good Hawken or Pennsylvania long

rifle replica and go hunting. Thompson

Center (T/C) was the most common, and

was made to shoot either patched round

balls or what T/C calls Maxi-balls. Pretty

soon the market was glutted with all grades

and types of muzzleloaders, and there were

all kinds of big city suit-types wandering

around in the woods, wearing flannel and

buckskins, smoking corncob pipes, chewing

tobacco, and acting like they had never slept

under a roof. I loved the idea and joined in

with glee.

Today we have decided—at least many

of us seem to have—that muzzleloading is

not a way to enjoy a different and more

archaic form of shooting and hunting, but is

a way to cheat the system by going hunting

during special seasons and on muzzleloader-

only hunts with weapons that are muzzle-

loaders-only by way of having to be loaded

from the front. Instead of putting more zing

into our hunts by accepting intentional, self-

imposed limitations, we have tried to equip

ourselves right back into modern guns,

thereby cheating the regulations and our-

selves, by missing out on something really

special. Naturally, the manufacturers are

more than happy to help, since that means

profit.

Modern muzzleloaders shoot bullets,

wear high-power scopes, shoot modern

black powder substitutes, are fired by mod-

ern shotgun primers, are accurate to several

hundred yards, are impervious to the ele-

ments, such as rain, and have almost no

resemblance to the muzzleloaders carried by

Kit Carson, Daniel Boone, or Jim Bridger.

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One manufacturer says of their muzzle-

loaders: “This .50 caliber rifle, with 209

primer [standard shotgun primers] ignition,

can deliver 1 1/2” groups at 100 yards with

velocities exceeding 2300 fps with more

than 3,000 ft lbs of knock down energy.”

Doesn't sound very primitive to me.

Another says: “Our [deleted] rifles are

like no other Muzzleloaders on earth, fea-

turing the patent pending Electronic [delet-

ed] ignition is completely sealed from the

elements. (Not even a flash hole). No parts

other than the barrel have to be cleaned of

fouling. Ever! Ignition is absolutely instan-

taneous. The trigger pull is incredibly clean-

because the trigger is really an electronic

switch. And since there is no pressure explo-

sion, as there is with primer ignitions, there

is no accuracy robbing displacement of the

charge allowing full and constant burn of the

power charge at the bottom of the barrel.”

Now explain to me, if you can, why that

is considered a “primitive weapon.”

These guns have no business being

called primitive. So they load from the muz-

zle with individual components rather than

from the breech with a self-contained car-

tridge. Big deal. If you go to the lease and

shoot a deer with either of these modern

rifles, don't try bragging to me about how

you did it with your muzzleloader. 'cause I

ain't buyin' it!

On the other hand there are still some

fine old-fashioned guns out there. I have an

old .54 caliber Lyman Great Plains Rifle

that is a real peach. It looks enough like an

original caplock Hawken that Jim Bridger

himself couldn't tell the difference. It has a

slow-twist barrel intended for shooting

round balls. In fact, I tried to shoot some

bullets in it and it did not shoot them well at

all. With patched round balls it will keep its

shots in about 4 or 5 inches at 100 yards. It

runs out of steam at about 125 yards, due to

the ballistically inferior round ball.

Up to its maximum range it will pole-ax

a deer. It will not handle Pyrodex and hangs

fire almost every time I try to use some black

powder substitute, but shoots great when

stoked with regular old FFg black powder. It

does not use 209 primers, but is sparked

with #11 caps. I clean it using soap and

boiling hot water, and then oil it thoroughly

with a moisture displacing lubricant.

Like most muzzleloaders, when using

genuine black powder, if the barrel is not

swabbed out after every 5 shots it gets

almost impossible to load. And if it is not

cleaned immediately after a range session it

will rust like an old tin can. That I have had

it for 25 years and it is rust free is an indi-

cation of the loving care it is given after each

use.

I did make one concession to modern

technology. It now wears a Lyman micro-

adjustable rear aperture sight rather than the

original buckhorn that came on the gun.

This is because I never could get the buck-

horn to shoot exactly center, and because my

eyes are not what they once were. I will not,

however, stoop to mounting a scope on it;

that would be undisguised sacrilege.

I don't care if you hunt with a modern

muzzleloader. If it gets you into the field and

out of the office, I'm all for it. What ruffles

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New Limited Editions fromPolaris

POLARIS INDUSTRIES RECENTLYannounced the company’s new limited edi-

tion ATV and Side-by-Side offerings.

The new ATV models include:

2012 Sportsman 500 H.O.—

Polaris Pursuit Camo. Additional fea-

tures on the limited edition model include:

Photo-realistic Polaris Pursuit Camo;

Engine Braking System (EBS). It comes

with Kenda K590 25-inch tires. This

model was available as of July 2011.

2012 Sportsman XP 850

H.O./550 EPS—Orange

Madness. Additional features

on the limited edition model

include: Orange Madness

automotive-style paint; Black

Carbon; Fiber pattern side

panels ; Custom cut & sew

Orange and Black seat ;

Color-matched painted front

and rear suspension springs ;

Electronic Power Steering

(EPS) ; Lock & Ride front stor-

age box. It will also feature 14-inch

machined black cast aluminum wheels with

Carlisle AT 489 II tires. This limited edi-

tion will be available in October 2011.

2012 Sportsman XP 850

H.O./550 EPS—Browning Polaris

Pursuit Camo. Additional features on

the limited edition model include: Photo-

realistic Polaris Pursuit Camo; Electronic

Power Steering (EPS); Rear work lights;

and Rear rack extender. It has a 2500 lb.

winch and is equipped with Lock & Ride

gun scabbard. It has 14-inch Polaris Pur-

suit Camo steel wheels with Carlisle AT

489 II tires. It even features Hand/thumb

warmers. This model was also available as

of July 2011

2012 Sportsman Touring 850

H.O EPS—Bronze Mist. Additional

features on the limited edition model

include: Bronze Mist automotive-style

paint; Driver handguards; Driver; hand

and thumb warmers; Passenger hand

warmers; Mirrors; a Polaris 2500 lb

winch; Rear storage box; and 14-inch

machined black cast alu-

minum

wheels

with

Carlisle AT 489 II tires. This limited edi-

tion was available as of August 2011

The Side-by-Side models include:

2012 Ranger 500 EFI—Sunset

Red. Additional features on the limited

edition model include: Sunset Red painted

hood with custom-matched side decals;

Custom decal accent package; Turbo Silver

painted front and rear suspension springs;

Custom cut & sew stitched Black and Sun-

set Red deluxe seats; and 12-inch Black

Crusher rims with Carlisle 489 tires. This

limited edition side-by-side model was

available as of August 2011.

2012 Ranger XP 800—Magnetic

Metallic. Additional features on the limit-

ed edition model include: Magnetic Metal-

lic painted hood, dash and glove box with

custom matched side decals; Custom decal

accent package; Turbo Silver painted front

and rear suspension springs; Custom cut &

sew stitched Black and Magnetic Metallic

deluxe seats; 12-inch black Crusher rims

with PXT tires. It has been available

since July 2011.

2012 Ranger XP 800—Board-

walk Blue. Additional features on

the limited edition model include:

Boardwalk Blue painted hood,

dash and glove box with custom

matched side decals; Custom decal

accent package; Turbo Silver paint-

ed front and rear suspension

springs; Custom cut & sew

stitched Black and Boardwalk

Blue deluxe seats; and 12-inch

black Crusher rims with PXT tires. It was

available in July 2011.

2012 Ranger XP 800—Pearl

PHOT

O: C

OURT

ESY

POLA

RIS

INDU

STRI

ESSportsman 500 H.O. Polaris PursuitCamo Limited Edition ATV.

my feathers is the idea that we can somehow

cheat the rules by using such guns in primi-

tive weapons seasons. If you want to hunt

with a muzzleloader that shoots bullets,

wears a 3-9X scope, has electronic ignition,

and is accurate to 300 yards, use it during

the regular rifle season. Leave the primitive

seasons to the real primitive weapons, as

they were intended. Better yet, buy a replica

muzzleloader and use it. They really are a

lot of fun and hunting with one gives you a

very real sense of sharing in the past of Kit

and Jim.

E-mail Steve LaMascus at

SLamascus@fishgame.com

TEXAS GUNS

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 69

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ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:26 PM Page 70

White. Additional features on the limited

edition model include: Pearl White painted

hood, dash and glove box with custom

matched side decals

Custom decal accent package; Bright

White painted front and rear suspension

springs; Custom cut & sew stitched Black

and Pearl White deluxe seats; and 12-inch

black Crusher rims with PXT tires. It was

available in July 2011.

2012 Ranger XP 800—Walker

Evans. Additional features on the limited

edition model include: Premium Walker

Evans shock package; Black Metallic and

Indy Red painted hood, dash and glove

box with custom matched side decals; Cus-

tom Walker Evans graphic package; Indy

Red painted front and rear suspension

springs; Custom cut & sew stitched Black

and Indy Red deluxe seats; and 12-inch

black Crusher rims with PXT tires. It was

available in August 2011.

2012 Ranger XP 800 XP EPS—

Sunset Red. Additional features on the

limited edition model include: Electronic

Power Steering (EPS); Sunset Red paint-

ed hood, dash and glove box with custom

matched side decals; Custom decal accent

package; Turbo Silver painted front and

rear suspension springs; Custom cut & sew

stitched Black and Sunset Red deluxe

seats; and 12" black Crusher rims with

PXT tires. Available August 2011.

2012 Ranger XP 800 EPS—

Browning Edition with Pursuit

Camo. Additional features on the limited

edition model include: Electronic Power

Steering (EPS); Exclusive Browning Edi-

tion Ranger with Pursuit camo hood, dash

and glove box with custom-matched side

decals; Factory Installed Polaris 4500 lb.

winch; Dual Lock & Ride black gun scab-

bards, positioned above bed; Custom cut &

sew Browning seat with Buck Mark decal;

Matte Black steel rims with Polaris PXT

tires. It has been available since July 2011.

2012 Ranger CREW 500—Turbo

Silver. Additional features on the limited

edition model include: Turbo Silver paint-

ed hood with custom matched side decals;

Custom decal accent package; Turbo Silver

painted front and rear suspension springs;

Custom cut & sew stitched Black and

Turbo Silver deluxe seats; and 12" Black

Crusher rims with Carlise 489 tires. It was

available August 2011.

2012 Ranger CREW 800 EPS—

Sandstone. Additional features on the

limited edition model include: Electronic

Power Steering (EPS); Sandstone painted

hood, dash and glove box with custom

matched side decals; Custom Matte Black

decal accent package; Turbo Silver painted

front and rear suspension springs; Custom

cut & sew stitched Black and Sandstone

deluxe seats; and 12" Black Crusher rims

with PXT tires. It was available July

2011.

2012 Ranger RZR 800—White

Lightning/Red. Additional features on

the limited edition model include: White

Lightning painted dash and rear panels

with Indy Red painted hood; Custom

Rally graphics package; Color-matched

painted front and rear suspension springs;

Custom cut & sew stitched Black and Indy

Red seats with RZR emblem; with

Maxxis tires on 12" Black Crusher rims. It

was available as of July 2011.

2012 Ranger RZR 800—Magnet-

ic Metallic. Additional features on the

limited edition model include: Magnetic

Metallic painted dash and rear panels with

Liquid Silver painted hood; Custom Rally

graphics package; Custom cut & sew

stitched Black and Liquid Silver seats with

RZR emblem; Color-matched front and

rear suspension springs; and Maxxis tires

on 12" Black Crusher rims. It was avail-

able in July 2011.

2012 Ranger RZR 800 EPS-

Boardwalk Blue. Additional features on

the limited edition model include: Electron-

ic Power Steering (EPS); Boardwalk Blue

painted dash and rear panels with White

Lightning painted hood; Custom Rally

graphics package; Custom cut & sew three-

color stitched Black, Blue and White seats

with RZR emblem; Color-matched front

and rear suspension springs; Premium

Walker Evans Shock Package; and Maxxis

tires on 12" Black Crusher rims. Available

since July 2011.

2012 Ranger RZR S 800—

White/Orange Madness. Additional

features on the limited edition model

include: White Lightning painted dash

with Gloss Black painted hood and rear

panels; Custom three-color cut & sew

stitched Black, Orange and White seats

with RZR emblem; Color-matched paint-

ed front and rear suspension springs;

White Lightning painted control arms;

Premium Fox Podium X shocks; and it has

Maxxis Bighorn tires on 12" black Crusher

rims. This model was available in August

2011.

2012 Ranger RZR S 800—Liquid

Silver/Red. Additional features on the

limited edition model include: Liquid Sil-

ver painted dash and rear panels with Indy

Red painted hood; Custom graphics pack-

age; Custom cut & sew stitched Black and

Indy Red seats with Red RZR emblem;

Color-matched front and rear suspension

springs; Premium Fox Podium X shocks;

and Maxxis Bighorn tires on 12” Black

Crusher rims. It was available August

2011.

2012 Ranger RZR 4 800 EPS—

White/Orange Madness Robby Gor-

don. Additional features on the limited

edition model include: Electronic Power

Steering (EPS); White Lightning painted

dash with Gloss Black painted hood and

rear panels; Custom three-color cut & sew

stitched Black, Orange and White seats

with RZR emblem; Color-matched paint-

ed front and rear suspension springs;

White Lightning painted control arms; and

with ITP 900 XCT tires on 12” Black

Bruiser rims. It was available August 2011

2012 Ranger RZR XP 900—

White Lightning. Additional features on

the limited edition model include: White

Lightning dash and Black painted hood;

Custom Xtreme graphics package; Custom

two-color cut & sew White and Black seats

with RZR emblem; with Maxxis Bighorn

tires on 12" black Bruiser rims. It has been

available since July 2011.

2012 Ranger RZR XP 900—

Black/Orange Madness. Additional

features on the limited edition model

include: Metallic Black dash and Orange

Madness painted hood; Custom graphics

package; Custom three-color cut & sew

White, Orange and Black seats with RZR

emblem; White Lightning painted control

and trailing arms; Color-matched Orange

Madness front and rear fenders; and

Maxxis Bighorn tires on 12" black Bruiser

Information about the complete line of

Polaris products, apparel and vehicle acces-

sories is available from authorized Polaris

dealers or anytime from the Polaris home-

page at www.polarisindustries.com.

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ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:26 PM Page 71

A. G. Russell Cowboy & RancherPocket Knives

FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE, A. G. RUSSELLhas admired the Sodbuster style of knife,

with his favorites being made by the now

defunct Eye Brand of Solingen, Germany.

Recognizing that many others share his

interest and that he could produce and

offer it at a price that is affordable to nearly

every American, A. G. has designed his

own variation, which he has named the

Cowboy and the Rancher.

Both have blades of 8Cr13MoV steel

at 57-58 Rc. hardness, very properly flat

ground to a fine cutting edge. Both models

have been cycle tested in A. G.’s own shop

to more than 300,000 cycles of opening

and closing.

Measuring 4-3/8 inches closed, the

Cowboy, is big enough to trim a hoof, skin

a deer or perform any

of the jobs a cowboy or

hunter might perform. Model RUS-

CX12YD is priced at $29.95.

At 3 inches closed, the Rancher is a

perfect size for everyday use by the rancher

or foreman and carries comfortable in work

pants or your Saturday night jeans. The

Rancher, model RUS-CX13-ER sells for

$24.95.

Order at agrus-

sell.com/cowboyrancher or call 800-255-

9034.

Cool Off in the Outdoors

COOL OFF IS SURE TO BE YOUR NEWconstant companion, a pocket-sized, natur-

al cooling towelette is literally the “coolest”

product to have on-hand for outdoor enthu-

siasts. The invigorating, cooling must-

haves are the latest product to help you

stay refreshed and energized all day long.

Featuring the latest in cooling technology,

the multi-purpose cloths are one of the

hottest items to emerge in the fitness and

outdoor recreation categories, especially in

warm weather!

Infused with cooling herbs, plant botan-

icals and essential oils that sooth the skin,

the convenient towelettes offer relief for

any active, hot weather activity; so that you

can feel your best whether you’re hiking the

Appalachian, fishing in the deep blue,

camping in the wilderness, or simply tend-

ing to your garden. Whatever the reason is

to renew, refresh and re-energize, Cool Off

is there to guarantee your personal comfort,

so that you can keep trekking!

72 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

A.G. Russell’s Cowboy and Ranchermodels revive the Sodbuster styleof pocket knives.

PHOT

O: A

.G. R

USSE

LL

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:27 PM Page 72

So get cooled off with

Cool Off

(www.thequickchill.com),

the new convenient pock-

et-sized, natural, personal

cooling towelette, avail-

able online at

www.CVS.com,

www.Amazon.com,

and

www.drugstore.com

in packs of 4, boxes

of 12 and 24 tow-

elettes.

Great Line for Lessthan a Lincoln

C21 IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO THEP-Line family, and is sure to raise the bar

of what anglers can expect from an eco-

nomically priced line.

“This copolymer line is made with

Japanese raw materials and technology.

The ultimate goal of our engineers’ was to

create a line that bridged the gap between

two of our most popular lines, CX-Premi-

um and CXX-Xtra Strong, while main-

taining a great price point” stated Don

Newman of P-Line.

Castability is the most important

attribute for an angler, and C21 delivers

with a soft construction which literally flies

off the reel with virtually no memory. A

copolymer line made with two types on

nylon, C21 synergistically creates the ulti-

mate line for spinning or bait casting reels,

without putting a big dent in your wallet!

“We field tested this line in harsh win-

ter conditions in Alaska, and warm water

fisheries like

Clear Lake

and the

California

Delta and

were

impressed

with the

fishabili-

ty and

casta-

bility

of

C21” stated

Newman.

“Don’t let the inexpensive

price fool you, this is a high

quality Copolymer line

extruded with the best raw

materials available.”

C21 will be available in

300 yard spools of Crystal

Clear in sizes ranging from

4 to 30 pound test and will

begin shipping in November

of 2011. The suggested retail of

C21 will be $4.99-$5.99 with the

entire size run family priced.

For more information visit www.p-

line.com

Rifle Shoots a .50 Caliber Holethrough Red Tape

DRAGON CLAW .50 CALIBER RIFLE. NOpaper. It’s an airgun. Big bore airguns have

been around for over 500 years. Besides

the lack of government red tape, airguns

have other advantages over firearms.

Ammo is clean and easy—a lead bullet…

no powder, no primer, no case.

It also has a quieter report than a .50-

caliber firearm, yet the Dragon Claw deliv-

ers pounding power that quickly and

humanely takes hogs, javelina, coyotes and

other pests. The rifle features fine work-

manship, which is evident in the beautifully

executed checkered wood stock and the

deep, rich bluing.

Two versions of the pneumatic rifle are

available. One has dual air reservoirs and

the other has a single reservoir. The ver-

sion with dual reservoirs

will deliver

more shots

before needing to fill up with

high-pressure air. This bolt-action rifle is

available as a prepackaged deal at a dis-

counted price.

Three deal sizes are

available, with the large

one including ammo, rifle case, scope, rings

and bipod.

Order from www.PyramydAir.com,

877-309-4867, 18370 S. Miles Rd.,

Warrensville Heights, OH 44128.

Say ‘Nighty Night’to Flounder

YOUR FISHING PAL INTRODUCES THENew Lighted Flounder Unit for your night

time fishing enjoyment.

This unit has many features with

adjustable angles and depth for the 20”

LED light. It will run on a single 12 volt

gel cell 7.2 amps battery, for 4-6 hours

(depending on battery charge and condi-

tion). This Fish Light is made to with-

stand the rigors of salt water fishing as well

as fresh water. The bulbs are factory rated

for 20,000 hours use to provide years of

great fishing enjoyment. The light can be

removed from the Flounder Unit and used

to hang from the boat or dock for night

time fishing, comes complete ready to use

with 18 ft. of electrical cord. The intro-

ductory price is $194.99, (battery not

included). See their website,

www.yourfishingpal.com for more great

fishing products or call (979) 871-8700.

P-Line C21... high per-formance for less than5 bucks.

PHOT

O: P

-LIN

EPH

OTO:

COO

L OF

F

PHOT

O: C

OOL

OFF

Cool Off natural coolingtowlettes.

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 73

Dragon Claw .50 caliber air gun.

Your Fishing Pal’s Lighted Flounder Unit

PHOT

O:PY

RAMY

D AI

R GU

NS

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:29 PM Page 73

Fish KidIS YOUR KID A FISHING FANATIC? OR,

do you want to make sure you impress

upon him or her the awesome nature of fish

and fishing at an early age? Then dress up

your kid as a Fish Kid.

Fish Kid clothing, sunglasses, and hats

are designed to fit the youngest fish fans

among us, from newborns (seriously!) to

preteens. Hats and sunglasses (which meet

ANSI Z80.3 UV requirements for gener-

al purpose sun protection, and block out

99-percent of AVA and AVB sunlight)

are sized for kids, and come in multiple

styles and colors.

The T-shirts, however, are what most

kids are going to really like—few cool fish-

ing shirts are available in kid’s sizes, and

these come in toddler, youth, youth L, and

youth XL. Some sport the Fish Kid logo

(a youngster wrestling with a bent pole),

while others are available with a variety of

sport fish prints or

“cool” fish, like

the Metallic Mon-

ster Fish and the

wild-looking

Angler Fish.

Styles include

T-shirts,

hoodies,

and tank-

tops, in both

boy’s and

girl’s cuts

and colors.

Slide your

newborn into

one of

the Fish Kid Onesies (with easy diaper

access – yippie!) and start imprinting the

baby’s brain with fish and fishing from the

moment they’re born.

My 11 year old boys thought the

coolest catch in this line-up was the Surf

Shirt. This form-fitting nylon/spandex

blend comes in short and long sleeves, car-

ries a Solar Guard SPF factor of 50, and

prevented the rashes and burns that usually

come with boogie-boarding and surf-riding

at the beach during our family vacation.

When it came to hoodies and T’s, one son

decided Fish Kid’s camo print was the

best, while another liked the Hawaiian

flare of the Aloha print. Performance fish-

ing shirts with vented sleeves and foul

weather gear are all in the works, so your

kids can don Fish Kid gear in all kinds of

weather. Check out the styles and pricing,

at www.fishkid.com.

Midland Xtra TalkARE YOU SUFFERING FROM A COMMUNI-

cations breakdown, while you’re fishing or

hunting? A pair of FRS radios will help

you stay in touch with your friends and

family members, but the quality of dif-

ferent models varies radically. I had a

chance to try out Midland’s Xtra

Talk radios while on a cross-country

trip this summer, and we put them

to the test as we drove down the

highway, hiked up a mountain,

and fished along a river.

The LXT 380VP3 was

the perfect Xtra Talk package for

us, since it includes two radios, a

charger/base station, rechargeable

batteries, and an AC adaptor. Mid-

land says these radios

have a range of up to

24 miles; on the road

we never lost touch with

each other, including up to

a distance of about five

miles when I took the wrong

exit ramp. When hiking, range was defi-

nitely shorter and when there was a moun-

tain in the way, although communications

were still possible the transmissions were a

bit broken up. For close-quarters communi-

cations there’s a low-power option which

lets you conserve battery life, but we used

these radios extensively between charges—

at one stretch of driving for about 20

hours—and never tapped the power supply

out, so they get a big thumbs-up for charge

longevity.

As with most FRS radios, there was

some bleed-over from other people’s con-

versations. Particularly on a crowded high-

way near major cities, we had to change

channels often. Luckily, the Xtra Talk has

22 channels to choose from so we were

always able to switch them until we had

clear airwaves to talk over. And during a

full week in campgrounds, bleed-over was

surprisingly rare. Now: ready

for the big surprise? The

LXT 380 VP costs a mere

$40. You can also opt for

behind-the-ear mics ($40)

and headsets ($20). Hunters

will be most interested in the

LXT 385VP version,

which comes in a camo pat-

tern but costs $10 more.

And if you want the best

Midland has to offer in

outdoors FRS radios,

check out the GXT

1050VP4 models; these

cost significantly more at

$100 for

the pack-

age, but

they’re camo, water-

proofed, and have a long

list of features including

NOAA weather radio, an

SOS siren, an additional

28 channels to choose from, and 14 miles

more maximum range. Take your pick at

www.midlandradio.com

74 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

PHO

TOS:

FIS

H K

ID; M

IDLA

ND

Midland GXT

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:29 PM Page 74

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 75

CO

MPO

SITE

LAY

OU

T: T

EXAS

FIS

H &

GAM

E; D

EER

MO

UN

T, D

EEPS

PAC

E D

AVE,

FO

TOLI

A

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:29 PM Page 75

Whatever name you give it, the world

still is turning rapidly in the realm of innov-

ative hunting equipment, a fact that is evi-

dent at hunting shows, retail outlets, on the

internet and in hunters’ vehicles, packs and

cabins.

Major firearms manufacturers, ammuni-

tion producers, 4-wheeler companies, and

even the major auto industry and others

constantly are working to compete in the

hunting market, but it is the smaller, often

individual, businesses that are inventing

and presenting some of most useful hunting

gear for both the average hunter and the

veteran hunter.

New Camo FlavorsOne of the most interesting pushes

SOME ARE CALLED GADGETS, some are called items of necessity and some

are called “equalizer items” to even things with those new shoes your wife just

bought or that new shotgun your husband recently purchased.

BY BOB HOOD

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:30 PM Page 76

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:30 PM Page 77

among these new items for the hunter is the

latest advent of new camouflage clothing

patterns. A half century ago, most camou-

flage patterns were the same--simply patch-

es of green, brown, black and gray. Not so

today.

Even though camouflage patterns have

evolved with the presentations of clothes,

shirts, caps, hats, jackets, sweaters, waders

and other items with leaf-like prints or

those with prints simulating tree limbs, tree

trunks, sea grass and other natural-looking

items, the newest patterns are impressive,

indeed, and they are coming from individ-

ual or small businesses, not the major pro-

ducers.

One of the newest is a pattern that

blends in with sunflowers and comes in

“breathable” as well as other materials.

Another pattern being offered sinks a

hunter’s identity into cedars and shade

with its dark green pattern.

Although these new patterns are being

used on hunter’s clothing items, you can

expect to see them elsewhere such as on

hunting blinds, 4-wheelers, and maybe

even firearms and archery equipment in the

future, just as you have seen the trend in

other camouflage patterns being used on

various items.

Clothing Non-ScentsThe hunter clothing industry also has

seen a change not only in camouflage pat-

terns but also in “scent-control” products

PHO

TO: F

RAN

K BA

CH

, BIG

STO

CK:

Sunflowers make an ideal camopattern for Texas, in dove seasonand beyond.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:31 PM Page 78

such as several shirts, pants, jackets and

coveralls that have been treated with tech-

nology to permanently control human odor

caused by bacteria. Among them are those

that use silver or silver-based components

and nylon threads rather than sprayed-on

or dyed or dipped silver to control human

odor.

Nice RacksUntil recently, gun and bow racks have

changed little. Most are designed to hold a

bow, rifle or shotgun securely on a 4-wheel-

er or similar vehicle, in a Jeep, pickup

truck or other vehicle while strapped down.

One new gun and bow rack designed

recently holds the weapons securely without

PHO

TO: A

LEX

ABIG

OSI

S, D

REA

MST

IME

Cedar is such a prevalent cover, expecially inthe Hill Country and Central Texas, that it is anatural for a Texas camo pattern.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:31 PM Page 79

the use of a strap. It can be expanded by

hand to accommodate any size rifle or

archery equipment and even holds those

weapons securely when upside down such

as from overhead on a 4-wheeler or other

vehicle.

Glamour Game ShotsMany hunters today rely upon trail

cameras to help do the scouting for them.

In the early years of trail cameras, most

simply took black and white photos of any-

thing that triggered movement in front of

the camera. Modern technologies have

resulted in trail cameras that not only have

bulb-type flash units for night-time photos

but infrared night photos that do not alert

animals that their photo has been taken

other than a simple small red infrared light

on the unit itself.

Also, many of the new trail cameras not

only take still photos but short videos, run

on battery packs as well as a series of C

and D cell batteries and provide additional

information. One new trail camera is

designed to provide exceptionally longer

battery life than any other time-lapse cam-

era on the market. It records up to

1,000,000 images on a single set of batter-

ies with a full day using approximately

80 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

PHO

TO: M

ILAN

SU

RKA

LA, B

IGST

OC

K

Modern trail cameras shoot andstore thousands of high-definitioncolor photos and even video.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:32 PM Page 80

7,500 images.

This particular camera also records

high-definition images while taking pictures

every 5 or 10 seconds and saves them as

an HD video. You can take the SD card

out of the unit and load the content on

your computer, then the software manages

and loads the files by the dates recorded.

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 81

PHO

TO: C

OU

RTE

SY R

ICAR

DO

SIE

RR

A

Game cameras can shoot wildlifein all light conditions, withoutspooking them.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:32 PM Page 81

You can review all of the recorded images

in minutes. Other cameras require manual

organization and time to see the images.

Archery AchievementThe designs of archery broadheads may

even surpass the new innovations in trail

cameras. There are many new mechanical

broadheads that expand upon impact as

well as fixed broadheads of two and three

blades that do all the work without expand-

ing. Among the newest in this field is a

fixed broadhead whose “point” is hollow

with three very sharp spears up front. The

purpose of the “hollow point” broadhead is

for the sharp spears to open up an area of

hair, bone and/or meat to provide better

cutting by the blades of the broadhead that

82 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

PHH

OTO

: CO

UR

TESY

EAS

TON

New designs in broadheads havevastly improved the sport ofbowhunting.

PHO

TO: D

AVE

WIL

LMAN

, BIG

STO

CK

Archery hunting has continued tobe a fast-growing sport, especiallyamong younger hunters.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:32 PM Page 82

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 83

is behind the point. The result is a quicker

cutting of the broadhead as it passes into

and/or through the animal’s body cavity.

Perhaps one of the fastest growing fields

for manufacturers of hunting equipment is

that involving archery and crossbow

hunters. Archery hunting, like spring

turkey hunting, has continued to be a fast-

growing sport, especially among young

hunters, so it isn’t surprising that small

companies are rapidly competing with larg-

er well-known brand name companies not

only for a piece of the pie but because they

truly are made up of archery hunters who

are developing better and more reliable

equipment for themselves and fellow

archery hunters.

New broadheads, arrows and bolts are

being developed every day. Lighted nocks,

mechanical and stationary cutting edges,

new fletching, and more are hitting the

shelves every day. One of the newest

broadheads is one that appears as a “hol-

low point” on the tip but which has three

very sharp spear-like parts to that “hollow

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84 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

point” that cuts into bone, meat and other

areas of the animal to open up a broader

path for the blades to cut through when

they reach that point.

Modern AntiquesProponents of antique rifles for hunting

during muzzle-loading and “primitive”

firearms seasons are seeing their methods

of hunting improved annually. Other than

using actual antique muzzleloaders, the

sport of hunting with these firearms has

been expanded drastically by the produc-

tion of modern-day replicas of cap-and-ball

firearms and flintlocks.

The advent of disc charging systems

using basically shotgun primers for muzzle-

loaders as well as lighter and stronger flint-

lock rifles with specially-designed flints like-

ly would have been accepted very well with

the likes of Davey Crockett, Daniel Boone

and other early adventures and hunters.

WaterfowlWhen you drop away from big game

hunting, you will find a large number of

new items and gear for waterfowlers, dove

hunters, upland game hunters, predator

hunters and small game hunters. They

range from motion decoys, silhouette

decoys, magnum shotguns and magnum

shotshell, improved waders, coveralls,

chests, boots, flashlights, caplights, gear

bags, calls and much more.

Waterfowl hunters, for example, are see-

ing a growing array of motion decoys for

ducks and geese which also has expanded

into the dove and predator hunting fields.

PHO

TO: J

OR

GE

GO

NZA

LEZ,

BIG

STO

CK

Modern-day replicas of cap-and-ball firearms and flintlocks haveredefined “primitive” hunting.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:33 PM Page 84

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The “motion” waterfowl decoy presenta-

tions began more than a decade ago with

the presentations of duck decoys on stakes

whose wings were rotated by battery supply

to simulate ducks in flight to land on water.

That technology was later expanded to

include doves and even deer and other ani-

mals.

PHO

TO: T

ERR

ANC

E EM

ERSO

N, B

IGST

OC

K

Technology continues to advancein the service of waterfowl andother bird hunters.

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PredatorOn the predator calling avenue, there

are numerous motorized attractants that

simulate injured rabbits, rodents, birds and

even feathers of prey to distract a coyote,

bobcat, fox or other predator away from the

actual sound of the caller.

Remote-controlled predator calling

devices have revolutionized the predator

calling industry, replacing the old 45 rpm

record portable callers as well as the cas-

sette callers that were introduced in the

1970s and 1980s, but the traditional

mouth-blown calls have not fallen short on

innovations. Both historically-proven preda-

tor calls as well as modern-day manual

calls have been upgraded and remain the

favorites among many serious predator

callers.

Deer HuntersDeer attractants began with corn feed-

ers, spread to protein feeders and now

involves an array of mineral or “deer

PHO

TO: (

JOH

N P

ITC

HER

, BIG

STO

CK

Digital callers and innovations inhand-blown calls have revolution-ized predator hunting.

PHO

TO: T

ON

Y C

AMPB

ELL,

CAN

STO

CK

Supplement, scent, and feedermanufacturers have made a sci-ence of attracting deer.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:33 PM Page 86

blocks” and attractants that truly work to

bring deer in to specific spots. Among the

newest deer attractants is one mineral bag

that is hung from a tree or other above-

ground support, wet with water and then

left to attract deer. The mineral bag pro-

vides nourishment that provides nutrients

for fawns, buck antler growth and overall

health. Its other advantages is that is hog

proof because it can not be rooted and

rolled away and will withstand years of

abuse without showing signs of wear and

corrosion.

RangefindersAnother big plus for both rifle and

archery hunters is a race among manufac-

turers to improve their range finders. One

company now has a rangefinder that pro-

vides consistent readings of up to 1,300

yards. That overall distance capability may

not be important to some archery hunters

but the fact is that the rangefinder is accu-

rate at very close ranges as well as those

far-out shots for rifle hunters.

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 87

On the Web

A.G. Russell Knives:www.AGRussell.comAccuSharp Knife Sharpeners:www.AccuSharp.comAmmunition To Go:www.AmmunitionToGo.comBA Products:www.RemingtonFeeders.comBlack Hills Ammunition:www.Black-Hills.comCountry Home Products:www.DRPower.comDeSantis Holsters:www.DeSantisHolster.comHitch N Hunt:www.HitchnHunt.comKT Coolers:www.KTCoolers.comLarson Electronics:www.Magnalight.comLumenok/Burt Coyote Co.www.lumenok.netPuma Kniveswww.PumaKnifeCompanyUSA.comPyramyd Airwww.PyramydAir.comRAW Ranch Huntingwww.Worsham-RealEstate.comSpringfield Armorywww.Springfield-Armory.comSunflower Camowww.SunflowerCamo.netSure Gripwww.SureGripRacks.comThe Great Texas Gun Companywww.TXGunco.comTrophy Toolswww.TrophyTools.com

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:33 PM Page 87

SabineOctoberfest

WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT OCTOBER?You want big numbers? You

want action? How about excite-

ment, opportunity and endless

options? You want specks, reds and floun-

der? Sand trout? Bull reds?

If the word “yes” entered your brain to

any of these questions, you owe it to yourself

to get down here and join us in a Sabine-

style Octoberfest.

Many people are convinced that no other

month rivals October when it comes to sheer

numbers and the overall quality of the Big 3.

I’d have to agree because if I had to pick one

month out of the year to fish, this would be

it. The marsh and bayous are constantly

being purged as shrimp and batifish contin-

ue to pour out into the bay with every cold

front. As a result, the mouths of the bayous,

shorelines and open bay are all excellent

places to locate fish.

Flounder will set up ambush points in

the bayous at S curves and points near the

mouth on outgoing tides. Trout and redfish

will also take advantage of these areas as the

tide leads their next meal towards deeper

water.

Fishing the mouths of any bayou or cut

on the eastern bank of Sabine Lake can lead

to success. If you’ve got tidal movement and

bait present, the odds of you catching fish

increase greatly. The mouths of Willow and

Bridge Bayous are excellent places to start.

These areas hold bait year round and seem

to step it up a notch in October.

Throwing topwaters early and plastics

once the sun gets up should keep you on the

fish. It’s hard for flounder to resist the wob-

ble of a curl-tailed grub tipped with fresh

shrimp dragged slowly along the bottom.

Trout and redfish will like it worked a little

faster. Use an 1/8 oz. or 1/4 oz. lead head

and bounce it off the bottom or swim it back

to the boat.

The open bay should be wide open with

big flocks of birds leading anglers to schools

of trout and reds. Shrimp are making their

way out of the marsh and the fish have them

corralled and pushed to the surface where

the gulls, and hopefully you, will be waiting.

The big bulls have also invaded the

beachfront and jetties as they come in close

to spawn future generations. Break out the

big rods and catch some mullet and you

shouldn’t have to wait too long for the reels

to start singing. Make sure your drag is set

if you answered “yes” earlier and come be a

part of the Sabine Octoberfest!

LOCATION: McFaddin Beach

SPECIES: Bull Redfish

BAITS/LURES: Live or cut mullet

BEST TIMES: All day or night

Contact Eddie Hernandez at,

ehernandez@fishgame.com

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THE BANK BITE

Many are convinced that noother month rivalsOctober in sheer

numbers and overall quality.

“

“

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Is ChangeGood ForThe Gulf?

MY LAST TRIP TO GALVESTONbefore writing this column was

on a very lovely summer day –

just about as good as it gets.

Although it was hot, maybe record hot,

there was a cooling breeze off the water; the

surf was green to the beach with just a small-

ish scattering of whitecaps coming in. There

was a heavy load of seaweed on the beach

that was making it rough on surf fishermen.

The weed gets on the lines of long rod

anglers and weights them down, pulling

even the best sand sinkers free, and harbors

mosquitoes and biting flies on land just as it

attracts small baitfish and crustaceans when

in the water. Those who love the Gulf see

the trade-off, however, and will take this as

an omen of good offshore fishing over the

horizon – especially for dolphin.

Coming up on the seawall from the

direction of San Luis Pass, it was sad to see

that the old Gulf Coast (90th Street) Pier is

still an island chain after Ike, with three

unconnected sections leading from Seawall

Blvd to the “T” – head. Again taking a

positive attitude, my thoughts were that a

surf-launched boat on a calm day might find

some excellent opportunities around those

pilings. The 61st Street Pier seemed to be

open for business, and it looked as thought

the store/restaurant area was being remod-

eled.

My reasons for coming to the Island that

day were not directly aimed at fishing, but

rather at the future of fishing, which we need

to face with a hopeful and positive attitude.

I was attending the Galveston segment of a

Gulf of Mexico Listening Session concern-

ing the Obama Administration’s National

Ocean Policy. Moderated by Dr. Larry

McKinney, former Coastal Fisheries Direc-

tor for TPWD and now Executive Director

of the HARTE Research Institute for Gulf

of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M Univer-

sity-Corpus Christi, this meeting followed a

gathering of the Gulf of Mexico Restoration

Task Force, and was attended by the major

players in the administration’s Ocean Policy

group, a couple of whom admitted this was

their first opportunity to see the Gulf in per-

son. There are nine objectives of the Ocean

Policy, which positively stresses communica-

tion between all the “stakeholders” and

users of the oceans, Gulf and Great Lakes,

while at the same time putting importance in

climate change, ocean acidification, and

changes in the Arctic that I think have

debatable importance. There are other pos-

itives, like concern over water from its source

to its final destination. The main thing to

watch for, however, is called Coastal and

Marine Spatial Planning. My favorite

deckhand, Jack “Six-Pack” Pierce, thought

they were saying “Special” planning, and

his thoughts were that “Hell, yes, the mari-

nas on the coast are special!” The UN

defines Spatial Planning, however, as “A

public process of analyzing and allocating

the spatial and temporal distribution of

human activities in marine areas to achieve

ecological, economic, and social objectives

that usually have been specified through a

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CONTINUED ON PAGE 90 �

The old 90th StreetPier is still an

island chain afterIke.

“

“

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TargetReds Untilthe BirdsWork

OCTOBER IN MATAGORDA IS NOTwhat it used to be. I remember

chilly earlobes, calm afternoons

and world-class light tackle fishing.

Ten years ago it was nothing to pop countless

4-5 pound trout on topwaters during an

evening session working birds.

Back then, it was crowded to see three

boats on an October weekday afternoon in

East Matagorda Bay. People were more con-

cerned with getting deer camp ready and

duck blinds brushed. Indeed, times have

changed.

Sure, the birds still work in October, but

the last few fall campaigns have been more of

a November thing. That doesn’t mean fish-

ing stinks in October, it just means if warm-

weather patterns persist, keep your Septem-

ber plan in your back pocket.

“It (bird action) has definitely been later

and later every year,” said guide Bill Puste-

jovsky. “We just keep plugging the reefs until

the shrimp leave the marsh and the birds

start working.”

The tell-tale spark that gets birds working

is the amount of water in the marsh. When

tides are high, which is normally the case in

early autumn, shrimp retreat to the backwa-

ter areas and nurseries. Then, as tides

recede, often after the first cold front of the

year, the marsh dumps those bloated tides

and shrimp ride the current to the bays.

“It seems to be later and later every year,”

said guide Tommy Alexander. “But there

are plenty of fish to catch until the birds get

really going.”

Swelling fall tides are a boon for redfish-

ers. Like shrimp, when tides are high, red-

fish wander to the back lakes and marshes. It

might be cruising the grass line in Oyster

Lake, staging on shell pads in Crab Lake or

circling the reefs and drop-offs at Shell

political process.

To me, this means dividing the waters

of our nation among users groups, and the

divisions will be determined by the same

people who cannot accurately and fairly

manage red snapper. To obtain more

information, or to register your own com-

ments online, go to

www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/26/sh

are-your-ideas-national-ocean-council-lis-

tening-session-near-you.

LOCATION: October should be a fine

month for fishing any part of the Galve-

ston area. Try the 61st Pier I mentioned

earlier on a green tide for a variety of

species.

ALTERNATE SPOT: “Wet” wading the

GALVESTON

� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 89

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Island. Live shrimp under a popping cork is

the best course of action.

“We Power Pole down and work the

grass line, then pull up and drift down the

shoreline and do it again,” said Alexander.

With all the shrimp in the back lakes, on

calm days schools of trout and redfish follow

the pods of crustaceans, and sea gulls usual-

ly follow.

“Birds will work in the back lakes in

October,” said Pustejovsky. “Other times of

the year the trout are usually small in the

lakes, but in October they all seem to be

keepers.”

Larger reds hang out in the surf and at

the jetty. Large table shrimp, finger mullet

and cracked crabs are the best offerings for

the big spawners. If you plan to target bull

redfish, the Gulf is the spot, but don’t be sur-

prised if you run in to a 40-incher in the bay.

“There are always big redfish in West

Bay,” said guide and redfish specialist

Jimmy Riddle. “We will be on a spot with

lots of slot-sized redfish and then a big bull

shows up and gives us a good time.”

As always, the scattered shell and mud in

East Bay is a player for trout with light

winds and green tides. Live shrimp under a

popping cork is normally the best bet for

bites, but as is the case every autumn, soft

plastics like Bass Assassins, Norton Sand

Eels and Bull Minnows, TTF Flats Min-

nows and Gulps become consistent players.

LOCATION: Matagorda jetty

SPECIES: Bull Redfish

BAITS: Table shrimp, cracked blue crabs,

finger mullet

Capt. Bink Grimes is a licensed fishing

guide and lodge proprietor

(www.matagordasunriselodge.com).

Email him at bgrimes@fishgame.comTHE BANK BITE

surf or bays is a very pleasant way to pass

your fishing time, and Galveston offers

many areas to try both, on either side of

the Island.

SPECIES: Speckled trout and redfish,

flounder, and various panfish species will

be most common, but this is also prime

bull red season, and there will still be big

jacks in the surf.

BEST BAITS: Live shrimp, mullet, or

croaker when available, dead bait when

they are not. Artificials will be good on

early tide changes for specks.

BEST TIMES: Early morning tide

changes are the best, but moving water at

any time will stir fish to feeding activity.

Capt. Mike Holmes runs tarpon,

shark, and bluewater trips

on a classic 31 Bertram.

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

Email him at mholmes@fishgame.com.

FOCUS

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Fish orHunt?

AS THE FIRST TRUE COLD FRONTSmake their way onto our beloved

bays, the refreshing chill can put

energy back in one’s step after a

summer of a record drought and so many

days of triple digit temperatures that I lost

count. Maybe it was just me, but this sum-

mer seemed unmercifully hot with most of

my clients giving me the “take me back to

the dock where I can soak up some A/C”

look by mid-day.

Most outdoors men/women seem to shift

from the first gear of fishing to the four

wheel drive of hunting as the cooler, lighter

air triggers some inherited evolutionary

switch that only a true outdoors person

experiences. While I love to fish, I must

admit that I, too, can hear the calling of my

old Mathews Drenalin bow to the pursuit of

critters of the 4 legged persuasion.

If I may, though, before you hang up

your favorite fishing rod and cover the boat

and treat the gas with Stabil for old man

winter’s visit, let me make a case for the piv-

otal month of October. As I go back in my

records over the years I am amazed at the

quality of fish I’ve caught at this time of year.

My biggest trout have been caught in

October; my biggest flounder as well as

biggest reds all caught in this magical

month. If you have followed my writings,

you know that the few hours just before a

significant cold front exacts some pretty

good fishing for those who keep rod, reel

and boat ready. Much has been written

about this feeding time and much debated.

Some say it’s barometric change, others

heatedly debate that fish cannot sense or feel

anything but the most drastic atmospheric

changes (barometric pressure is simply

atmospheric pressure as measured or indi-

cated by a barometer).

Others say it’s the sudden drop in water

temperature that triggers a survival feeding

cycle. Still others insist it’s the change in

light with wet cold fronts and their refractive

effects on fish at certain depths.

Then we have the wind gurus who swear

the northerly winds push bait from north to

south, in the opposite direction from which

it has been driven for most of the preceding

5 to 6 months, thus causing a stirring effect

to elicit the bite.

Let’s add into the equation the moon

and tidal effects have and we fisher-

men/women have much to ponder. Such is

the puzzled mysteries that an angler gets to

piece together.

Before we dive too deep into this pool of

theories and get totally confused, let us

remember we are talking about catching fish

in the month of October and why this month

merits a postponement of our cool-weather

fishing hiatus.

Over the years I have noted conditions

that correlate to this wonder bite and when

these conditions present themselves it will

make me stop whatever I am doing and put

my boat in the water for excellent opportu-

nities at some rod bending action.

First I think all the conditions previously

mentioned have merit and can, and do, fac-

tor into the equation; some more than oth-

ers. If you try to factor all these conditions in

the effort to arrive at the ultimate angler

answer, let me save you the time for there is

no such thing.

Instead let me tell you what I look for.

A cold front that promises to drop ambi-

ent temps by more than 30 degrees which in

turn will drop water temps by 10 degrees or

more in rapid fashion.

A crescent moon (new moon).

Frontal winds that promise to be around

20 knots (anything more and you will be

fishing in chocolate milk-muddy water);

winds less than that won’t likely move bait.

A wet front that drags a nice barometric

change with it and a light rain that follows.

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When these conditions line up, my boat

is either in the water or on the way to the

water and, yes, you do need to keep an eye

on the horizon; these fronts can bring much

mischief with them.

This is not all-day fishing, but rather a

select few hours of some of the best fish

action one can have on our bays. Seems the

big trout and reds and flounder, after a sum-

mer of warmer water, switch to overdrive for

these select few hours.

Note: For stronger fronts with colder

temperatures I wait for two to three days

after the front passes.

Now, so the hunter in you won’t think

that I’m trying to steer anyone away from

this special time of year, I found this writing

and it touched the hunter in me in a very

special way. So, for those that have already

mothballed their fishing gear and just can’t

scratch the itch enough for this coming hunt-

ing season, here’s a treat that most hunters

soulfully will understand. It was written by

a good friend, Dr. Dan McBride, an excel-

lent veterinarian in Marble Falls (the birth-

place of Texas Fish & Game) and a con-

summate outdoorsman/conservationist who

has dedicated his life to the animals we love,

those we pursue and those we dream about.

Enjoy and God Bless!

Memories Of HuntingMay the days of August find me

Far away from home,

Atop the Canadian Cathedrals

Hunting the sheep of stone

But all hunting is not killing.

For those who don’t, I must explain,

More are the memories of Gods majesty

And creatures living,

They are etched in one’s brain.

The feeling exalted when,

I peer over the next mountain top

My rifle I will stowe,

Shall that feeling ever go.

And the trophies that grace the wall

That I strived hard to find

Serve as only cues to memories of

Splendor

Carved indelibly in my mind.

Written by Dr. Dan on some distant

mountain top in Canada while sheep

hunting.

COPANO BAY—On low tide the mouth of

Mission Bay is good for reds using cut perch

and/or cut menhaden on a light Carolina

rig. Medium sized trout are in good num-

bers on Little Lap Reef and the grass line

just west of the reef. A popping cork and

shrimp work well here.

ARANSAS BAY—Good trout action on the

grass lines just east of the LBJ causeway just

off the north shoreline using free lined pig-

gies. The south end of Long Reef is good

for reds using mud minnows or cut mullet

and a light Carolina rig with early morning

high tide preferred. The spoil area at the

mouth of Dunham Bay is holding some

sheep head and medium sized black drum

using peeled shrimp and small 2/0 kale

hooks.

CARLOS BAY—As fronts push in between

tides Carlos Dugout is the place to be for

red and trout that seek shelter of deeper

water using soft plastics in pumpkin and

new penny colors. Corkies work well here

also; cast up to the shell and the work into

deeper water.

ST. CHARLES BAY—Egg Point is good for

reds using mud minnows on colder days.

Cow Chip is a good drift for reds using a

bubble cork and Berkley gulp crab during

high tide.

MESQUITE BAY—Rattle Snake Point is

good for reds with a light north wind. Cut

perch or finger mullet is the ticket here. The

east shoreline close to the fish huts is good

for trout using free lined shrimp or Berkley

Jerk shad in watermelon color. The key here

is to fish 50 to 75 yards off the bank work-

ing the baits or lures across the shell piles.

AYERS BAY—With a north wind Ayres

Reef is good for trout and reds using pig-

gies. On high tides throw on top of the reef

with strong leader material as this is oyster

shell country and try not to move the bait

until you get a hit. The east shoreline is a

good wade for keeper reds using soft plas-

tics, in morning glory and strawberry/white

colors.

THE SHORELINE OFF OF LAMAR BEACHRoad is good for reds and some trout. The

key here is to wade out into waist deep water

getting bait just off the edge into deeper

water. Live bait works best here with live

piggies and finger mullet best choices.

Contact Capt. Mac Gable at

Mac Attack Guide Service,

512-809-2681, 361-790-9601

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7 Keys toLowerCoast FallSuccess

FALL IS THE PEAK FISHING TIME ALONGthe Texas Coast.

And with the Lower Coast expe-

riencing some of its best-ever fishing,

there are incredible opportunities awaiting

anglers this year. Here are seven keys to

helping you unlock those opportunities and

maximize your time in the field.

1. AIM SMALL, MISS SMALL: As cold fronts

arrive and push baitfish and shrimp out of

back bays and out toward the Gulf it is easy

to get caught up in the vast amount of feed-

ing action going on. Trout and reds will

sometimes school in vast numbers under

huge ponds of shrimp and baitfish. Much of

the best action—for trout in particular—can

be found on small pods of shrimp. If you see

a few shrimp skipping across the surface

perhaps with little surface action, try these

areas by throwing a Gulp! under a popping

cork or a topwater and you stand a great

chance of getting it slurped under.

2. FLATFISH FUNNELS: With new regula-

tions for flounder in effect for two years now,

numbers of flatfish are increasing in the

region in a huge way. Anglers and Texas

Parks & Wildlife Department biologists are

reporting greatly increased counts of flatfish

in the area. After the first big cold front

blows through which should happen

between the middle and end of the month,

focus on small and large passes linking the

Laguna and the Gulf and bays and the

Laguna. Flounder will be migrating out

toward spawning grounds and providing

you with a great opportunity to catch them

on soft plastic curtltail grubs tipped with

shrimp or live finger mullet.

3. NATURAL COLORS: As water tempera-

tures begin to cool, anglers should consider

using more natural lure colors. Moving into

water this is important as the water can clear

dramatically. As a rule of thumb, the murki-

er the water, the brighter the lures (char-

treuse, pinks, etc.) and in clearer water

shad, shrimp and clear colored lures tend to

work better.

4. LIVE CROAKER: While the use of live

croaker for trout is controversial in the

region, there is no doubt of its effectiveness.

Here, however, I am talking about using it

for bull redfish. As the bull redfish hit the

nearshore Gulf, surf and jetty areas tie on a

large live croaker and throw it out on a Car-

olina rig. Croaker is by far the best bull red

bait as the distressed, hooked croaker give

the bulls an audible target as well as some-

thing that smells appetizing. Use circle

hooks to reduce deep hooking and consider-

ing releasing the big bulls to fight another

day. Despite the term “bull,” many of the

biggest fish are females who can produce

lost of offspring. Plus, their meat is tough

anyway.

5. FULL FRONTAL ASSAULT: Early cold

fronts can be great fishing opportunities but

they can also mislead anglers. When a front

approach the barometric pressure drops and

the fish feed very aggressively. This usually

means big winds which can in turn discolor

the water. Finding protected areas to fish

before a front arrives can lead to incredible

fishing. The day after a front however can

be tough because the pressure rises and the

fish get lethargic. If this is the only day you

can fish use more of a finesse strategy,

employing smaller lures and a slower

approach. Many times, it takes two days for

the pressure to drop a little and get the fish

feeding again and at this point baitfish and

shrimp from backwaters are exposed in open

water and opportunities abound.

6. CHUMMING REDS: Anglers in smaller

boats who like to anchor up and fish over

shell or around small passes can benefit from

chumming. Redfish will follow a chum line

right in, especially one consisting of mashed

up crab and shrimp. Take any old frozen

shrimp and mix with a few nice blue crabs

(legal size of course) and put them in a

chum or lingerie washing bag on the side of

the boat. As the tide moves, your chum slick

will spread out and sound the dinner ball for

roving reds.

7. LONG CASTERS: Always have a rod

rigged up you can cast a long distance with

a lure that compliments it. I always have a

silver or gold spoon rigged up during the fall

because sometimes the redfish in particular

are moving so far it is a real challenge to

keep up with a trolling motor. A ½ or ¾-oz

spoon rigged on a 7.5-8 foot long medium

heavy spinning rod spooled with 30-50

pound braid is ideal as it will let you make

those casts on fast moving fall reds and also

allow you to horse the fish in so you don’t

lose the school.

LOCATION: Padre Island National

Seashore

SPECIES: Redfish

LURE/BAITS: Live croaker, blue crab

BEST TIMES: High tides, particularly in

periods of low or falling pressure.

Email Chester Moore at

cmoore@fishgame.com

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THE BANK BITE

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LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay

HOTSPOT: Catchall Basin

GPS: N28 42.19698, W95 46.61202

(28.703283, -95.776867)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: 1/4 - 3/8-ounce; leadhead

with soft plastic

CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281-

450-4037

TIPS: Drift letting your lure sink to the

bottom.

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay

HOTSPOT: Hanna’s Reef

GPS: N29 28.70298, W94 45.70302

(29.478383, -94.761717)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Soft plastic Bass Assassins

in Lime/Chartreuse, Red Shad, and plum

colors

CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-

256-7937

TIPS: Choose a Limetreuse or char-

treuse color if there is a lot of sunlight.

LOCATION: East Galveston Bay

HOTSPOT: Deep Reef

GPS: N29 31.062, W94 41.20602

(29.517700, -94.686767)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Topwaters

CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-

256-7937

TIPS: Chop on the water ñ throw

Mirolure She Dogs in chartreuse/Pearl

color pattern. If the sun's up and the water

is green, throw a chrome/blue colored She

Dog.

LOCATION: East Matagorda Bay

HOTSPOT: St. Mary’s Bayou

GPS: N28 39.56802, W95 56.54298

(28.659467, -95.942383)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: 1/4-ounce leadhead with a

Norton Sand Eel Jr; in Margarita or

Limetreuse colors

CONTACT: Capt. Tommy Countz, 281-

450-4037

TIPS: On a good falling tide, the fish

start dumping out into the flats.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake

HOTSPOT: Blue Buck Point

GPS: N29 47.77998, W93 54.43902

(29.796333, -93.907317)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in bright colors

with a 1/4-ounce; leadhead

CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez,

409-721-5467, 409-673-3100

TIPS: Let the lure drop down a couple

of feet and pop it.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake

HOTSPOT: Coffee Ground Cove

GPS: N29 57.75702, W93 46.33098

(29.962617, -93.772183)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in bright colors

with a 1/4-ounce; leadhead

CONTACT: Capt. Edie Hernandez, 409-

721-5467, 409-673-3100

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GPS COORDINATESare provided in two for-mats: “Decimal Degrees”(degrees.degrees) and“Degrees and Minutes” some-times called “GPS Format” (degrees min-utes.minutes). Examples (for DowntownAustin): Decimal Degrees: N30.2777,W97.7379; Degrees and Minutes: N3016.6662, W97 44.2739. Consult your manualfor information specific to your GPS device.

Catchall the Redson E. Matagorda

UPPER GULF COAST

by TOM BEHRENStbehrens@fishgame.com

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:35 PM Page 96

TIPS: Look for the birds working bait.

LOCATION: Sabine Lake

HOTSPOT: Willow Bayou

GPS: N29 51.72702, W93 46.90698

(29.862117, -93.781783)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in bright colors

with a 1/4-ounce; leadhead

CONTACT: Capt. Eddie Hernandez,

409-721-5467, or 409-673-3100

TIPS: Let the lure drop to the bottom

and retrieve slowly.

LOCATION: Trinity Bay

HOTSPOT: Fischers Reef

GPS: N29 39.91398, W94 50.55198

(29.665233, -94.842533)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Bass Assassin soft plastics

CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-

256-7937

TIPS: Choose a Limetreuse or char-

treuse color if there is a lot of sunlight.

LOCATION: Trinity Bay

HOTSPOT: Dow Reef

GPS: N29 39.20202, W94 53.889

(29.653367, -94.898150)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Soft plastic Bass Assassins

in Lime/Chartreuse, Red Shad, or plum

colors

CONTACT: Capt. Steve Hillman, 409-

256-7937

TIPS: If you’re drifting throw a 1/4-

ounce. leadhead; if anchored and there is

current, throw a 3/8-ounce lead head.

LOCATION: Espiritu Santo Bay

HOTSPOT: Grass Island

GPS: N28 6.19998, W97 0.3

(28.103333, -97.005000)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Corkys and soft plastic

lures

CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-

785-2686

TIPS: Locating bait activity is the secret

to success.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay

HOTSPOT: Packery Channel

GPS: N27 37.48602, W97 12.88302

(27.624767, -97.214717)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Topwaters;

brown/chartreuse curly tail soft plastics

CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-949-

0133

TIPS: Redfish should be out of the grass

by October; cover the flats with soft plas-

tics.

LOCATION: Corpus Christi Bay

HOTSPOT: JFK Causeway

GPS: N27 38.07102, W97 14.46102

(27.634517, -97.241017)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Topwaters;

brown/chartreuse curly tail soft plastics

CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-949-

0133

TIPS: October should have schools of

redfish roaming in the Causeway area; high

water should have the fish moving.

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay

HOTSPOT: Refuge Reef

GPS: N28 18.63, W96 45.96996

(28.310500, -96.766166)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Corkys and soft plastic

lures

CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-

785-2686

TIPS: Fish early, late, or stay at home.

LOCATION: San Antonio Bay

HOTSPOT: Cedar Lake

GPS: N28 13.92996, W96 40.26996

(28.232166, -96.671166)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Topwater lures

CONTACT: Capt. Chris Martin, 361-

785-2686

TIPS: Walk the north shoreline from

north to south, while casting back to the

southwest.

LOCATION: Upper Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: King Ranch Shoreline

GPS: N27 35.20002, W97 17.99802

(27.586667, -97.299967)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Brown/chartreuse curly tail

soft plastics

CONTACT: Capt. Jon Fails, 361-949-

0133

TIPS: Fails likes a bait that he can fish

slow and still have a lot of movement.

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado

HOTSPOT: Colorado Island Hole

GPS: N26 22.25502, W97 19.857

(26.370917, -97.330950)

SPECIES: flounder

BEST BAITS: live shrimp

CONTACT: Capt. Ruben Garcia, 956-

459-3286

TIPS: Free line shrimp with a small split

shot weight above the leader, hook on the

end of leader.

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado

HOTSPOT: South Cullen Bay

GPS: N26 13.42098, W97 16.773

(26.223683, -97.279550)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Cut mullet or live shrimp

CONTACT: Capt. Ruben Garcia, 956-

459-3286

TIPS: Fish along the channel; look for

sand holes.

LOCATION: Arroyo Colorado

HOTSPOT: Gas Well Flats

GPS: N26 13.73298, W97 15.25602

(26.228883, -97.254267)

SPECIES: black drum

BEST BAITS: live shrimp under a pop-

ping cork

CONTACT: Capt. Ruben Garcia, 956-

459-3286

TIPS: Soft plastics will sometime work

for the drum.

LOCATION: Baffin Bay

HOTSPOT: Kenedy Ranch Shoreline

GPS: N27 15.55002, W97 25.15398

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 97

Get in the Spiritfor Specks

MIDDLE GULF COAST

by TOM BEHRENStbehrens@fishgame.com

Oh Boy, Oh BoyArroyo Action

LOWER GULF COAST

by CALIXTO GONZALEScgonzales@fishgame.com

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(27.259167, -97.419233)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in strawber-

ry/white, black back, plum/chartreuse, root

beer/red flake, Morning Glory

CONTACT: Captain Mike Hart, 361-

449-7441

TIPS: Watch for trout sitting in sand

pockets among the greasslines and sight

fish to them. Live bait is always effective,

but weightless plastics or Gulp! tails will

suspend in front of the gators.

LOCATION: Brazos-Santiago Pass

HOTSPOT: South Jetty Tip

GPS: N26 3.8802, W97 8.71002

(26.064670, -97.145167)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Logic Baits Tandems in

Tequila Gold, Mullet; live mullet or

shrimp, cut bait

CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956-

561-4535

TIPS: Big redfish begin staging in the

deep hole at the end of the jetties. Fish 5-

inch plastics, finger mullet, or large live

shrimp for best results. Keep your motor

on and in neutral for safety’s sake. Jetty

walkers can really do well with cut mullet.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: Green Island

GPS: N26 23.46798, W97 19.725

(26.391133, -97.328750)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: live bait under a popping

cork; soft plastics in strawberry/white tail,

chartreuse, or Nuclear Chicken using an

1/16-ounce jighead

CONTACT: Capt. Ruben Garcia, 956-

459-3286

TIPS: Fish along the spoil banks.

LOCATION: Lower Laguna Madre

HOTSPOT: Holly Beach

GPS: N26 8.83002, W97 17.75502

(26.147167, -97.295917)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: live shrimp, cut mullet and

ballyhoo, soft plastics in red/white,

Smoke/glitter, root beer

CONTACT: Captain Jimmy Martinez,

956-551-9581

TIPS: The pvc pipes will mark the path

into the Texaco channel, which always

holds trout. There will be green water,

even on a windy day. Live shrimp or cut

bait under a popping cork, or soft plastics,

are top choices for these mustardmouths.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: East Cut

GPS: N26 33.68502, W97 22.23402

(26.561417, -97.370567)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Mullet

CONTACT: Capt. Richard Lopez, 956-

207-4715

TIPS: Lopez is fishing for bull redfish.

Anchor off the channel and cast up on the

flats; He likes to use a 80-pound test

leader in case he really gets something big.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: Saucer Center

GPS: N26 27.651, W97 21.708

(26.460850, -97.361800)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Gold spoons

CONTACT: Capt. Richard Lopez, 956-

207-4715

TIPS: Water depth varies from 7í to 2í.

Lopez likes to cruise the area looking for

redfish.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: The Saucer

GPS: N26 27.64002, W97 22.24992

(26.460667, -97.370832)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Cut crab

CONTACT: Capt. Richard Lopez, 956-

207-4715

TIPS: Slice the crab in half, using one

half for the hook; leader length is 3í long,

tie 1/2-ounce sinker on end of line with

hook in the middle; looking for fish in 2-4

feet of water.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: South Side of East Cut

GPS: N26 32.814, W97 23.08902

(26.546900, -97.384817)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: Berkley Gulp

CONTACT: Capt. Richard Lopez, 956-

207-4715

TIPS: Fish in the mornings with a pop-

ping cork and Gulp.

LOCATION: South Bay

HOTSPOT: South Center South Bay

GPS: N26 1.45398, W97 12.195

(26.024233, -97.203250)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Soft plastics in Pearl with a

chartreuse tail

CONTACT: Capt. Luke Bonura, 956-

457-2101

TIPS: Sight cast for redfish on the flats

after frontal passages.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: Fifteen Fathom Rocks

GPS: N26 48.52998, W97 11.28

(26.808833, -97.188000)

SPECIES: mangrove snapper

BEST BAITS: Baitfish, squid, bonito

chunks; snapper slappers, jigs

CONTACT: Captain Richard Bailey, 956-

369-5090

TIPS: Larger snapper hang out on little

deeper rocks. these fish won’t hold on the

bottom, but suspend in the mid depths.

Large fish prefer large baits, so a larger

baitfish like a sand trout is in order.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: East Cut

GPS: N26 33.93, W97 16.30302

(26.565500, -97.271717)

SPECIES: speckled trout

BEST BAITS: live croaker, live bait, soft

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plastics in Smoke, Pearly/chartreuse

CONTACT: Captain Richard Bailey, 956-

369-5090

TIPS: Look for some nice speckled trout

in the deeper holes along the jetties and

around the point on calmer days. use 1/4-

ounce jigheads to get your baits down into

the strike zone. Use a freeline rig with live

bait.

LOCATION: Port Mansfield

HOTSPOT: Nine Fathom Rocks

GPS: N26 58.06998, W97 18.21

(26.967833, -97.303500)

SPECIES: mangrove snapper

BEST BAITS: Baitfish, squid, bonito

chunks; snapper slappers, jigs

CONTACT: Captain Richard Bailey, 956-

369-5090

TIPS: Red snapper, actually. The state

snapper fishery is burgeoning, and the

action gets better as the year rolls along.

Bottom fishing is typical, but it isn’t hard

to chum up a strawberry field and fish free-

lined baits.

LOCATION: South Padre Island

HOTSPOT: South Bay Channels

GPS: N26 2.961, W97 9.993

(26.049350, -97.166550)

SPECIES: flounder

BEST BAITS: Wiggly-jiggly/grub combos

in Smoke, chartreuse, Logic Tandems in

chartreuse combos; live shrimp, dead

shrimp

CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956-

561-4535

TIPS: Flounder sit in the edges of the

channel on the windward sides and let bait-

fish get pushed towards them. Swim a

Wiggly/curlytail grub combo or a tandem

along the edges. Let the wind push your

offering off the flats. Don't ignore live bait.

LOCATION: South Padre Island

HOTSPOT: Gaswell Flats

GPS: N26 13.81098, W97 15.42198

(26.230183, -97.257033)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: live shrimp, cut bait, topwa-

ters, gold spoons, Logic tandem rigs in

black/glow, Tequila Gold, char-

treuse/chartreuse

CONTACT: Captain Allen Salinas, 956-

561-4535

TIPS: Watch for redfish to start aggregat-

ing for their fall migration. These fish are

aggressive and will strike any fast retrieved

lures. Live shrimp or mullet under a pop-

ping cork are tough to beat, as well. Any

color combo with gold works great.

LOCATION: Lake Livingston

HOTSPOT: The Pocket

GPS: N30 55.662, W95 15.054

(30.927700, -95.250900)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Soft plastic lizards, jigs

CONTACT: David S. Cox,

dave@palmettoguideservice.com, 936-

291-9602, palmettoguideservice.com

TIPS: Fish Texas-rigged June bug or

Watermelon-jelly jigs with black neon craw-

fish trailers. Flip the docks, lay downs,

boathouses and rocks. Bank access and

launching is available at the Hwy. 19

bridge and Bethy Creek Resort.

LOCATION: Caddo Lake

HOTSPOT: Main Lake Flats

GPS: N32 40.5363, W94 4.50768

(32.675605, -94.075128)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Flukes, swimbaits, Rat-L-

Traps, spinnerbaits

CONTACT: Paul Keith,

caddoguide@att.net, 318-455-3437,

caddolakefishing.com

TIPS: October and November are my

favorite months of the year. The bass are

feeding heavy, schooling and the weather is

pleasant. Look for shad activity close to the

main channel and creeks that run past the

flats.

LOCATION: Lake Conroe

HOTSPOT: Main Lake Ripraps

GPS: N30 23.58078, W95 35.36784

(30.393013, -95.589464)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits,

Pop Rs, Bass Assassins

CONTACT: Richard Tatsch,

admin@fishdudetx.com, 936-291-1277,

fishdudetx.com

TIPS: During early mornings and on

cloudy days, cast a small single-blade spin-

nerbait close to rock ripraps and retrieve at

a very fast rate with the bait waking the

surface or try a buzzbait. Alternate with a

Pop R to see which bait the fish hit best.

Pick Livingston’sPocket for Bass

PINEY WOODS

by BOB HOODbhood@fishgame.com

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LOCATION: Toledo Bend Res.

HOTSPOT: Huxley River Channel,

Ledges

GPS: N31 44.43198, W93 49.67796

(31.740533, -93.827966)

SPECIES: crappie

BEST BAITS: Shiners, jigs

CONTACT: Greg Crafts,

gregcrafts@yahoo.com, 936-368-7151,

toledobendguide.com

TIPS: Now is the time to start dropping

brush along the old river channel ledges to

make crappie holes. Drop brush in a vari-

ety of places and let them rest periodically

so they aren’t over-fished. The baitfish will

move deeper as the water gets colder.

LOCATION: Lake Somerville

HOTSPOT: Pelican Island

GPS: N30 18.13548, W96 34.42548

(30.302258, -96.573758)

SPECIES: catfish

BEST BAITS: Punch bait, fresh shad,

shrimp

CONTACT: Weldon Kirk,

weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-

3103, FishTales-Guide Service.com

TIPS: Early-mornings and late-evenings

are best. Fish steep drop-offs on the north-

west side of the island. The lake is low and

the island larger. Watch for underwater

rocks. Use Carolina rigs with No. 4 treble

or 2-0 Kahle hooks. Big blues hang out

here.

LOCATION: Cedar Creek Res.

HOTSPOT: Twin Creeks Boat Docks

GPS: N32 17.5188, W96 7.57812

(32.291980, -96.126302)

SPECIES: hybrid striped bass

BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps

CONTACT: Jason Barber,

kingscreekadventures@yahoo.com, 903-

603-2047, www.kingcreekadventures.com

TIPS: Fish at night around the lighted

boat docks here and elsewhere around the

lake. The fish will be in the upper third of

the water column. Cast beyond the light

and use a medium retrieve. Use a 7-foot

medium rod, low profile reel with 15-20-

pound line.

LOCATION: Fayette County Res.

HOTSPOT: Dam Rocks

GPS: N29 54.9021, W96 43.88226

(29.915035, -96.731371)

SPECIES: catfish

BEST BAITS: Punch bait, shrimp, cut

shad, perch

CONTACT: Weldon Kirk,

weldon_edna@hotmail.com, 979-229-

3103, FishTales-GuideService.com

TIPS: Water is 20 feet deep with rocks

on the bottom. Use slip corks or straight

line with 4-0 Kahle or No.4 treble hooks

for perch and cut bait. Mark area with

buoy marker and chum around it. Large

fish hang around these rocks.

LOCATION: Lake Aquilla

HOTSPOT: Dam Riprap

GPS: N31 53.98632, W97 12.2922

(31.899772, -97.204870)

SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, Tail Hum-

mers

CONTACT: Randy Routh,

teamredneck@hotmail.com, 817-822-

5539, teamredneck.net

TIPS: The white bass are schooling early

along the riprap and chasing threadfin

shad. Position your boat along the side of

the dam and make long casts. Use a fast

retrieve. A good pair of binoculars is

handy for locating the schooling activity.

LOCATION: Lake Belton

HOTSPOT: Temple’s Lake Park

GPS: N31 7.33632, W97 29.2746

(31.122272, -97.487910)

SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: topwater lures, slabs, live

shad

CONTACT: Bob Maindelle,

Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com,

254-368-7411,

HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

TIPS: Use silver or clear topwater lures

and match the lure to the size of forage

fish. Fish silver or white slabs after the top-

water bite is over. Action will continue to

improve as cold fronts cause temperatures

to moderate. Deep water is nearby.

LOCATION: Lake Cooper

HOTSPOT: Pelican Point

GPS: N33 19.81098, W95 40.29996

(33.330183, -95.671666)

SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: Four-inch Sassy Shads

CONTACT: Tony Parker,

tawakonifishing@yahoo.com

TIPS: White bass and hybrid striped

bass congregate on this point and other

main-lake points to feed on shad. Use a

chartreuse Sassy Shad on 3/4-ounce lead-

head jig. Watch for fish and bird action in

the flats and off points in 10 feet of water

or less.

LOCATION: Lake Lavon

HOTSPOT: Ticky Creek Park

GPS: N33 5.77842, W96 28.77666

(33.096307, -96.479611)

SPECIES: crappie

BEST BAITS: 1-3-inch Shaddy Shad,

small minnows

CONTACT: Billy Kilpatrick,

straightlineguide@yahoo.com, 214-232-

7847, straightlineguide.com

TIPS: The lake turned over last month

and the fish are moving back toward the

bank as shallow as 8-10 feet. Fish standing

timber on west bank of the park where fish

are 1-2 feet off the bottom. Also try timber

north of the discharge and the power plant.

LOCATION: Lake Lewisville

HOTSPOT: Lake Dallas Flats

GPS: N33 8.00106, W97 0.52878

(33.133351, -97.008813)

SPECIES: catfish

BEST BAITS: Fresh gizzard or threadfin

shad

CONTACT: Bobby Kubin,

bobby@bobby-catfishing.com, 817-455-

2894, bobby-catfishing.com

TIPS: Drift the flats in 15-25 feet of

water with a Santee Cooper rig with 1-

Punch a Cat onSomervile

PRAIRIES & LAKES

by BOB HOODbhood@fishgame.com

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T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 101

ounce weight, 36-inch leader and circle

hook before the lake turns over. Once the

lake turns over, look for fish in deeper

water. Expect to catch lots of eating-size

blue cats.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine

HOTSPOT: Main Lake Boat Houses

GPS: N32 6.21504, W95 26.5029

(32.103584, -95.441715)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Shimmy Shakers, Bomber

6As, topwaters

CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff,

ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-561-

7299, www.rickysguideservice.com

TIPS: Bass will be working the shallows

as well as deep water. Use Carolina-rigged

Shimmy Shakers, small Bomber 6A

crankbaits in shad color and topwaters in

the deeper water. Fish all boathouses you

can find with six feet of water in front of

them.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine

HOTSPOT: Hwy.155 Bridge Brushpiles

GPS: N32 8.64876, W95 28.49268

(32.144146, -95.474878)

SPECIES: crappie

BEST BAITS: Jigs and live minnows

CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff,

ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-561-

7299, rickysguideservice.com

TIPS: Crappie are gathering underneath

the Highway 155 bridge as well as the FM

315 bridge over Flat Creek. Use a sonar

unit to locate brush piles under the bridges.

Work the water column from the brush

piles upwards to locate where the fish are

gathered.

LOCATION: Lake Palestine

HOTSPOT: Saline Bay Point

GPS: N32 10.24446, W95 26.52864

(32.170741, -95.442144)

SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: Jigging spoons, Rat-L-

Traps

CONTACT: Ricky Vandergriff,

ricky@rickysguideservice.com, 903-561-

7299, www.rickysguideservice.com

TIPS: Fish this point as well as the Hen-

derson Point area with chrome-blue Rat-L-

Traps and chrome jigging spoons during

the early-morning hours for the best action.

White bass also will be feeding off the

points during the late-evening hours.

LOCATION: Lake Texoma

HOTSPOT: North Island and Tabletop

GPS: N33 52.07202, W96 41.67198

(33.867867, -96.694533)

SPECIES: striped bass

BEST BAITS: Topwater lures, Sassy Shad

jigs

CONTACT: Bill Carey,

bigfish@striperexpress.com, 877-786-

4477, striperexpress.com

TIPS: Look for stripers feeding in this

area, especially during early-morning

hours. Cast topwater lures and Sassy Shad

jigs and keep an eye out for surfacing

action.

LOCATION: Lake Whitney

HOTSPOT: Whitney Hump

GPS: N31 54.67194, W97 20.87298

(31.911199, -97.347883)

SPECIES: striped bass

BEST BAITS: Cut bait, live shad

CONTACT: Randy Routh,

teamredneck@hotmail.com, 817-822-

5539, teamredneck.net

TIPS: I am using cut gizzard shad and

making long casts up onto the hump and

leaving slack in the line. Leave the reel

open and the clicker on. The big stripers

are moving onto the hump very early. Let

them run until they stop and then set the

hook.

LOCATION: Richland-Chambers Res.

HOTSPOT: 309 Flats

GPS: N31 58.37718, W96 7.04508

(31.972953, -96.117418)

SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, RSR Slabs

CONTACT: Royce and Adam Simmons,

royce@gonefishing.biz, 903-389-4117,

www.gonefishing.biz

TIPS: Fall is my favorite season for white

bass. Look for surfacing fish in the 309

Flats with sea gulls and herons working

over them. Fish blue-silver Rat-L-Traps

early and then silver glitter one-ounce

RSR Slabs when the fish go deep.

LOCATION: Stillhouse Hollow Lake

HOTSPOT: Red Roof Cove

GPS: N31 1.995, W97 34.20798

(31.033250, -97.570133)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: topwaters, crankbaits, slabs

CONTACT: Bob Maindelle,

Bob@HoldingTheLineGuideService.com,

254-368-7411,

HoldingTheLineGuideService.com

TIPS: Low water has revealed lots of

standing timber making structure easy to

find. Shad tend to congregate in the cove

in early fall. Check the area with a sonar

unit to determine where shad are in the

water column and choose lures accordingly.

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:36 PM Page 101

LOCATION: OH Ivie Res.

HOTSPOT: Main Lake Grassbeds

GPS: N31 32.62308, W99 39.82548

(31.543718, -99.663758)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: topwaters, finesse worms

CONTACT: Dave Caudle,

fishinwithdave@aol.com, 325-365-1020,

fishinwithdave.com

TIPS: Target the edges of the grass beds

close to deep water. Fish topwater lures

during the early-morning hours and then

switch to finesse worms once the fish have

moved into deeper waters under a rising

sun.

LOCATION: Lake Alan Henry

HOTSPOT: Big Grape Creek and Ence

Cove

GPS: N31 01.902, W101 02.446; N33

03.352, W101` 04.853

SPECIES: largemouth, spotted bass

BEST BAITS: Senko, buzzbaits, jigs, blue

speed craw

CONTACT: Phillip Pool, 806-792-5587,

www.lakealanhenry.com

TIPS: Work in 10-25 feet of water, keep-

ing in mind that topwaters will still produce.

LOCATION: OH Ivie Res.

HOTSPOT: Main Lake Points

GPS: N31 33.04002, W99 41.01

(31.550667, -99.683500)

SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: topwater lures, Rat-L-

Traps, Slabs

CONTACT: Dave Caudle,

fishinwithdave@aol.com, 325-365-1020,

fishinwithdave.com

TIPS: Expect to find white bass school-

ing in the main-lake area, especially off

points and edges of flats during the morn-

ing hours with limits possible almost every

day.

LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res.

HOTSPOT: Costello Island

GPS: N32 54.07266, W98 28.12458

(32.901211, -98.468743)

SPECIES: white bass

BEST BAITS: live shad, jigs, slabs

CONTACT: Dean Heffner,

fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036

TIPS: The fish are transitioning from

deep clear water to shallower stained water

on the north end of the lake. Concentrate

on the break-lines at 20-30 feet deep off

edges of sand flats near deeper water. Live

shad will produce the most action.

LOCATION: Possum Kingdom Res.

HOTSPOT: Costello Island Area

GPS: N32 54.54828, W98 27.77946

(32.909138, -98.462991)

SPECIES: catfish

BEST BAITS: live shad, cut shad, punch

bait

CONTACT: Dean Heffner,

fav7734@aceweb.com, 940-329-0036,

heffnerguideortourpossumkingdom-

lake.services.officelive.com

TIPS: The catfish are undergoing their

annual fall migration to the north end of

the lake. Several yellow and blue catfish up

to 50-pounds are caught at this time of the

year along the edges of the river channel

from Costello Island northward.

LOCATION: Canyon Lake

HOTSPOT: Jacob’s Creek Point

GPS: N29 52.6947, W98 13.38294

(29.878245, -98.223049)

SPECIES: striped bass

BEST BAITS: Zara Spooks

CONTACT: Steve Nixon,

steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com, 210-

573-1230, sanantoniofishingguides.com

TIPS: Striped bass will be pushing shad

up onto the lake’s numerous points. When

you see surfacing action, move upwind

from the school and drift back to it. Some

schools are as large as two acres. Best

action is early mornings and on cloudy

days.

LOCATION: Canyon Lake

HOTSPOT: Turkey Creek Points

GPS: N29 51.60954, W98 13.24392

(29.860159, -98.220732)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: Plastic worm on drop shot

rig

CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria,

kandie@gvtc.com, 210-823-2153

TIPS: Fish a June bug, motor oil or red

bug soft plastic on a drop-shot rig off the

points and edges of the creek channels.

The bass will be close to the bank during

early morning hours and then move out to

the drop-offs near the channel during the

day.

LOCATION: Lake Granger

HOTSPOT: Main Lake Open Waters

GPS: N30 41.80056, W97 21.88722

(30.696676, -97.364787)

SPECIES: crappie

BEST BAITS: 1/16-ounce Stanley Wedge

Tail Minnow Jigs

CONTACT: Tommy Tidwell,

crappie1@hotmail.com, 512-365-7761,

www.gotcrappie.com

TIPS: The crappie are actively feeding in

water as shallow as four feet and around

man-made or natural brush piles in 6-15

feet of water. Standing timber and stumps

lining the river channel also are good

options at this time of the year.

LOCATION: Lake LBJ

HOTSPOT: Sandy Creek Rock Wall

GPS: N30 34.752, W98 26.440

BEST BAITS: Crankbaits & soft plastics.

CONTACT: Kandie Candelaria, 210-823-

2153, kandie@gvtc.com

TIPS: Work the cement wall and riprap,

secondary breaklines with laydowns and

stumps. Don’t be afraid to change baits.

102 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

Stripers in theCanyon

HILL COUNTRY

by BOB HOODbhood@fishgame.com

Panhandling forBass and Cats

PANHANDLE

by BOB HOODbhood@fishgame.com

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 2:36 PM Page 102

LOCATION: Lake Amistad

HOTSPOT: Deep Water Points

GPS: N29 29.67126, W101 8.2884

(29.494521, -101.138140)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: topwater lures, Texas-rigged

soft plastics, crankbaits

CONTACT: Larry Scruggs, Amistad

Lodge and Adventures,

fisherofmenlrs@hotmail.com, 210-789-

1645

TIPS: Move close to the steep banks

early with topwater lures. As the sun rises,

back off 10-15 yards and fish shallow-div-

ing crankbaits or Texas-rigged plastic

worms off the sloping banks. Fish Carolina

rigs over deep hydrilla beds at mid-day.

LOCATION: Falcon Lake

HOTSPOT: Veleno Creek Tributaries

GPS: N26 53.72604, W99 14.6481

(26.895434, -99.244135)

SPECIES: largemouth bass

BEST BAITS: topwater lures, plastic

lizards, crankbaits

CONTACT: Robert Amaya,

robertsfishntackle@gmail.com, 956-765-

1442, robertsfishntackle.com

TIPS: Start with popping topwater lures

and spinnerbaits early, targeting any rocks

and shallow cover in the area. Use Texas-

rigged soft plastic worms and lizards and

flip the trees on the west side of the creek

and points during mid-day.

LOCATION: Lake Calaveras

HOTSPOT: The Dam

GPS: N29 16.84686, W98 18.13878

(29.280781, -98.302313)

SPECIES: redfish

BEST BAITS: Rat-L-Traps, topwaters

CONTACT: Steve Nixon,

steve@sanantoniofishingguides.com, 210-

573-1230, sanantoniofishingguides.com

TIPS: Troll or cast topwaters and Rat-L-

Traps early along the riprap on the dam. If

trolling, keep lures at 10-20 feet, especially

at the east end of the dam, which usually

produces most catches.

Falcon Bass andCalaveras Reds

SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS

by BOB HOODbhood@fishgame.com

Crank ‘em Deepfor Amistad Bass

BIG BEND

by BOB HOODbhood@fishgame.com

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104 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

Tides and Prime Times OCTOBER 2011

SOLAR & LUNAR ACTIVITY:

Sunrise: 6:34aSunset: 7:51p

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

Moonrise:9:27aMoon Set: None

Moon Overhead: 4:55p

USING THE PRIME TIMES CALENDAR

SPORTSMAN’S DAYBOOK IS SPONSORED BY:

The following pages contain TIDE andSOLUNAR predictions for Galveston Chan-nel (29.3166° N, 94.88° W).TIDE PREDICTIONS are located in the upper white boxeson the Calendar Pages. Use the Correction Table below,which is keyed to 23 other tide stations, to adjust low andhigh tide times.

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY is shown in the lower color boxesof the Calendar pages. Use the SOLUNAR ADJUSTMENTSCALE below to adjust times for points East and West ofGalveston Channel.

TIDE PREDICTIONS are shown in graph form, withHigh and Low tide predictions in text immediatelybelow.

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY data is provided to indi-cate major and minor feeding periods for each day,as the daily phases of the moon have varyingdegrees of influence on many wildlife species.

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

AM & PM MAJOR phases occur when the moonreaches its highest point overhead as well as when itis “underfoot” or at its highest point on the exactopposite side of the earth from your positoin (or liter-ally under your feet). Most days have two MajorFeeding Phases, each lasting about 2 hours.

PEAK DAYS: The closer the moon is to yourlocation, the stronger the influence. FULL or NEWMOONS provide the strongest influnce of the month.

PEAK TIMES: When a Solunar Period falls with-in 30 minutes to an hour of sunrise or sunset, antici-pate increased action. A moon rise or moon set dur-ing one of these periods will cause even greateraction. If a FULL or NEW MOON occurs during aSolunar Period, expect the best action of the season.

T1T2

T3T4

T5T6

T7

T8

T9T10

T11T12

T13

T14T15T16

T17

T18

T19

T20

T21

T22T23

TIDE CORRECTIONTABLE

Add or subtract the time shown at the rightofthe Tide Stations on this table (and map) to

determine the adjustment from the time shownfor GALVESTON CHANNEL in the calendars.

NOT TO BE USEDFOR NAVIGATION

KEY PLACE HIGH LOWSabine Bank Lighthouse -1:46 -1:31Sabine Pass Jetty -1:26 -1:31Sabine Pass -1:00 -1:15Mesquite Pt, Sab. Pass -0:04 -0:25Galveston Bay, S. Jetty -0:39 -1:05Port Bolivar +0:14 -0:06

KEY PLACE HIGH LOWGalveston Channel/Bays

Texas City Turning Basin +0:33 +0:41Eagle Point +3:54 +4:15Clear Lake +6:05 +6:40Morgans Point +10:21 +5:19Round Pt, Trinity Bay +10:39 +5:15

KEY PLACE HIGH LOWPt Barrow, Trinity Bay +5:48 +4:43Gilchrist, East Bay +3:16 +4:18Jamaica Beach, W. Bay +2:38 +3:31Alligator Point, W. Bay +2:39 +2:33Christmas Pt +2:32 +2:31Galveston Pleasure Pier -1:06 -1:06

KEY PLACE HIGH LOWSan Luis Pass -0.09 -0.09Freeport Harbor -0:44 -1:02Pass Cavallo 0:00 -1:20Aransas Pass -0:03 -1:31Padre Island (So. End) -0:24 -1:45Port Isabel +1:02 -0:42

T1T2T3T4T5T6

T7T8T9T10T11

T12T13T14T15T16T17

T18T19T20T21T22T23

KEYS TO USING THE TIDE AND SOLUNAR GRAPHS

Yellow: Daylight

Light Blue:Nighttime

AM/PMTimeline

Blue:Rising Tide

12a12a 6a 12p 6p

Gold Fish:Best Time

Blue Fish:Good Time

Red Graph:Fishing Score

BEST:7:05-9:40 PM

Green: Falling Tide

Tab: PeakFishing Period

12a12a 6a 12p 6p

AM Minor:1:20a

AM Major:7:32a

PM Minor:1:45p

PM Major:7:57p

Moon Underfoot: 9:15p

Moon Overhead: 8:50aTime Moonis at its Highest Point in the Sky

SOLUNAR ACTIVITY:

Time Moon isDirectlyUnderfoot (atits peak onopposite sideof the earth)

AM/PM Timeline

MAJORFeedingPeriods(+/- 2 Hrs.)

MINORFeedingPeriods(+/- 1.5 Hrs.)

TIDE GRAPH:

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T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 105

= New Moon

= First Quarter

� = Full Moon

= Last Quarter

� = Best Day

� = New Moon

� = First Quarter

� = Full Moon

� = Last Quarter

� = Best Day

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

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

FishingScore Graph

Day’s BestScore

GoodScore

BEST:7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak FishingPeriod

�26

High Tide: 3:51 am 1.60ft.Low Tide: 9:35 am 0.76ft.High Tide: 4:04 pm 1.76ft.Low Tide: 10:08 pm 0.78ft.

� 27

High Tide: 4:08 am 1.59ft.Low Tide: 10:17 am 0.47ft.High Tide: 5:15 pm 1.83ft.Low Tide: 10:56 pm 1.01ft.

�28

High Tide: 4:25 am 1.61ft.Low Tide: 11:03 am 0.22ft.High Tide: 6:27 pm 1.87ft.Low Tide: 11:44 pm 1.25ft.

�29

High Tide: 4:42 am 1.65ft.Low Tide: 11:53 am 0.04ft.High Tide: 7:43 pm 1.87ft.

30

Low Tide: 12:32 am 1.47ft.High Tide: 4:59 am 1.69ft.Low Tide: 12:47 pm -0.05ft.High Tide: 9:05 pm 1.86ft.

1

Low Tide: 1:24 am 1.64ft.High Tide: 5:10 am 1.73ft.Low Tide: 1:47 pm -0.06ft.High Tide: 10:39 pm 1.84ft.

2

Low Tide: 2:44 am 1.74ft.High Tide: 4:43 am 1.75ft.Low Tide: 2:54 pm 0.00ft.

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 7:11pMoonrise: 6:09a Set: 6:27p

AM Minor:4:27a

AM Major:10:41a

PM Minor:4:54p

PM Major:11:07p

Sunrise: 7:08a Set: 7:10pMoonrise: 7:17a Set: 7:08p

AM Minor:5:19a

AM Major:11:32a

PM Minor:5:46p

PM Major:11:59p

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 7:09pMoonrise: 8:26a Set: 7:51p

AM Minor:6:15a

AM Major:12:01p

PM Minor:6:43p

PM Major:12:29p

Sunrise: 7:09a Set: 7:08pMoonrise: 9:37a Set: 8:39p

AM Minor:7:17a

AM Major:1:02a

PM Minor:7:46p

PM Major:1:31p

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 7:07pMoonrise: 10:46a Set: 9:32p

AM Minor:8:22a

AM Major:2:07a

PM Minor:8:53p

PM Major:2:37p

Sunrise: 7:10a Set: 7:05pMoonrise: 11:53a Set: 10:29p

AM Minor:9:29a

AM Major:3:14a

PM Minor:10:00p

PM Major:3:45p

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 7:04pMoonrise: 12:54p Set: 11:29p

AM Minor:10:35a

AM Major:4:20a

PM Minor:11:05p

PM Major:4:50p

Moon Underfoot: None

Moon Overhead: 1:16p

Moon Underfoot: 12:48a Moon Underfoot: 1:43a

Moon Overhead: 3:10p Moon Overhead: 4:11p Moon Overhead: 5:11p

Moon Underfoot: 5:41a

Moon Overhead: 6:11p

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

FEET FEET

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

Moon Overhead: 2:12p

Moon Underfoot: 4:41a

Moon Overhead: 12:22p

Moon Underfoot: 3:40a

BEST:3:30 — 5:30 PM

BEST:4:30 — 6:30 PM

BEST:10:00A — 12:00P

BEST:8:30 — 10:30 AM

BEST:7:30 — 9:30 AM

BEST:6:30 — 8:30 AM

BEST:5:30 — 7:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:41a

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2011MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

TI

DE

L

EV

EL

S TI

DE

L

EV

EL

SS

OL

UN

AR

A

CT

IV

IT

Y SO

LU

NA

R

AC

TI

VI

TY

12a 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 6a 12p 6p 12a 12a6a 12p 6p

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NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

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

FishingScore Graph

Day’s BestScore

GoodScore

BEST:7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak FishingPeriod

3

High Tide: 12:20 am 1.83ft.Low Tide: 4:08 pm 0.10ft.

� 4

High Tide: 1:35 am 1.81ft.Low Tide: 5:26 pm 0.22ft.

5

High Tide: 2:15 am 1.76ft.Low Tide: 8:46 am 1.49ft.High Tide: 9:57 am 1.50ft.Low Tide: 6:38 pm 0.34ft.

6

High Tide: 2:40 am 1.69ft.Low Tide: 8:39 am 1.36ft.High Tide: 12:02 pm 1.48ft.Low Tide: 7:40 pm 0.47ft.

7

High Tide: 2:57 am 1.62ft.Low Tide: 8:54 am 1.21ft.High Tide: 1:28 pm 1.51ft.Low Tide: 8:32 pm 0.62ft.

8

High Tide: 3:10 am 1.56ft.Low Tide: 9:11 am 1.05ft.High Tide: 2:38 pm 1.55ft.Low Tide: 9:16 pm 0.78ft.

9

High Tide: 3:22 am 1.52ft.Low Tide: 9:30 am 0.88ft.High Tide: 3:37 pm 1.61ft.Low Tide: 9:52 pm 0.94ft.

Sunrise: 7:11a Set: 7:03pMoonrise: 1:48p Set: None

AM Minor:11:36a

AM Major:5:22a

PM Minor:-----

PM Major:5:50p

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 7:02pMoonrise: 2:36p Set: 12:29a

AM Minor:12:07p

AM Major:6:18a

PM Minor:12:31p

PM Major:6:45p

Sunrise: 7:12a Set: 7:01pMoonrise: 3:17p Set: 1:29a

AM Minor:12:56p

AM Major:7:08a

PM Minor:1:21p

PM Major:7:33p

Sunrise: 7:13a Set: 6:59pMoonrise: 3:53p Set: 2:27a

AM Minor:1:41a

AM Major:7:53a

PM Minor:2:04p

PM Major:8:16p

Sunrise: 7:14a Set: 6:58pMoonrise: 4:27p Set: 3:22a

AM Minor:2:22a

AM Major:8:33a

PM Minor:2:44p

PM Major:8:54p

Sunrise: 7:14a Set: 6:57pMoonrise: 4:57p Set: 4:16a

AM Minor:3:00a

AM Major:9:10a

PM Minor:3:21p

PM Major:9:31p

Sunrise: 7:15a Set: 6:56pMoonrise: 5:28p Set: 5:08a

AM Minor:3:36a

AM Major:9:47a

PM Minor:3:57p

PM Major:10:07p

Moon Overhead: 8:00pMoon Overhead: 7:07p Moon Overhead: 8:50p Moon Overhead: 9:35p Moon Overhead: 10:19p Moon Overhead: 11:00p Moon Overhead: 11:41p

Moon Underfoot: 7:34a Moon Underfoot: 8:25a Moon Underfoot: 9:57a Moon Underfoot: 10:39a Moon Underfoot: 11:21a+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

FEET FEET

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

BEST:3:30 — 5:30 PM

BEST:4:00 — 6:00 PM

Moon Underfoot: 9:13a

BEST:5:00 — 7:00 PM

BEST:3:00 — 5:00 PM

BEST:2:00 — 4:00 PM

BEST:12:00 — 2:00 PM

BEST:11:00A — 1:00P

Moon Underfoot: 6:40a

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2011MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

TI

DE

L

EV

EL

S TI

DE

L

EV

EL

S

12a 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 6a 12p 6p 12a 12a6a 12p 6p

SO

LU

NA

R

AC

TI

VI

TY S

OL

UN

AR

A

CT

IV

IT

Y

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108 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

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

FishingScore Graph

Day’s BestScore

GoodScore

BEST:7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak FishingPeriod

�10

High Tide: 3:33 am 1.51ft.Low Tide: 9:50 am 0.73ft.High Tide: 4:31 pm 1.65ft.Low Tide: 10:23 pm 1.09ft.

�11

High Tide: 3:45 am 1.52ft.Low Tide: 10:14 am 0.61ft.High Tide: 5:21 pm 1.69ft.Low Tide: 10:50 pm 1.23ft.

� 12

High Tide: 3:56 am 1.53ft.Low Tide: 10:42 am 0.51ft.High Tide: 6:10 pm 1.71ft.Low Tide: 11:15 pm 1.34ft.

�13

High Tide: 4:04 am 1.56ft.Low Tide: 11:12 am 0.44ft.High Tide: 7:02 pm 1.71ft.Low Tide: 11:38 pm 1.44ft.

�14

High Tide: 4:06 am 1.58ft.Low Tide: 11:46 am 0.40ft.High Tide: 7:57 pm 1.71ft.

15

Low Tide: 12:03 am 1.53ft.High Tide: 3:55 am 1.62ft.Low Tide: 12:23 pm 0.38ft.High Tide: 9:01 pm 1.71ft.

16

Low Tide: 12:28 am 1.61ft.High Tide: 3:42 am 1.66ft.Low Tide: 1:05 pm 0.37ft.High Tide: 10:17 pm 1.71ft.

Sunrise: 7:15a Set: 6:55pMoonrise: 5:58p Set: 6:00a

AM Minor:4:14a

AM Major:10:24a

PM Minor:4:34p

PM Major:10:44p

Sunrise: 7:16a Set: 6:54pMoonrise: 6:29p Set: 6:52a

AM Minor:4:53a

AM Major:11:03a

PM Minor:5:14p

PM Major:11:24p

Sunrise: 7:17a Set: 6:53pMoonrise: 7:03p Set: 7:45a

AM Minor:5:35a

AM Major:11:46a

PM Minor:5:57p

PM Major:-----

Sunrise: 7:17a Set: 6:52pMoonrise: 7:40p Set: 8:39a

AM Minor:6:21a

AM Major:12:10p

PM Minor:6:43p

PM Major:12:32p

Sunrise: 7:18a Set: 6:50pMoonrise: 8:20p Set: 9:33a

AM Minor:7:10a

AM Major:12:58p

PM Minor:7:34p

PM Major:1:22p

Sunrise: 7:18a Set: 6:49pMoonrise: 9:05p Set: 10:27a

AM Minor:8:02a

AM Major:1:50a

PM Minor:8:27p

PM Major:2:15p

Sunrise: 7:19a Set: 6:48pMoonrise: 9:53p Set: 11:19a

AM Minor:8:57a

AM Major:2:44a

PM Minor:9:22p

PM Major:3:09p

Moon Underfoot: 12:02p

Moon Overhead: 12:22a

Moon Underfoot: 12:43p Moon Underfoot: 1:26p

Moon Overhead: 1:49a Moon Overhead: 2:34a Moon Overhead: 3:22a

Moon Underfoot: 4:36p

Moon Overhead: 4:11a

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

FEET FEET

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

Moon Overhead: 1:05a

Moon Underfoot: 3:47p

Moon Overhead: None

Moon Underfoot: 2:58p

BEST:7:30 — 9:30 AM

BEST:8:30 — 10:30 AM

BEST:9:00 — 11:00 AM

BEST:7:30 — 9:30 AM

BEST:6:30 — 8:30 AM

BEST:5:30 — 7:30 AM

BEST:5:00 — 7:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 2:11p

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2011MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

TI

DE

L

EV

EL

S TI

DE

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EV

EL

SS

OL

UN

AR

A

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IV

IT

Y SO

LU

NA

R

AC

TI

VI

TY

12a 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 6a 12p 6p 12a 12a6a 12p 6p

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17

Low Tide: 12:58 am 1.67ft.High Tide: 3:39 am 1.70ft.Low Tide: 1:52 pm 0.38ft.High Tide: 11:39 pm 1.74ft.

18

Low Tide: 1:48 am 1.72ft.High Tide: 3:38 am 1.73ft.Low Tide: 2:46 pm 0.39ft.

� 19

High Tide: 12:37 am 1.75ft.Low Tide: 3:46 pm 0.42ft.

20

High Tide: 1:07 am 1.75ft.Low Tide: 4:51 pm 0.48ft.

21

High Tide: 1:27 am 1.71ft.Low Tide: 8:50 am 1.42ft.High Tide: 9:56 am 1.43ft.Low Tide: 5:56 pm 0.57ft.

22

High Tide: 1:43 am 1.66ft.Low Tide: 7:34 am 1.22ft.High Tide: 12:34 pm 1.47ft.Low Tide: 7:01 pm 0.69ft.

23

High Tide: 1:59 am 1.62ft.Low Tide: 7:55 am 0.93ft.High Tide: 2:05 pm 1.58ft.Low Tide: 8:01 pm 0.86ft.

Sunrise: 7:20a Set: 6:47pMoonrise: 10:46p Set: 12:10p

AM Minor:9:52a

AM Major:3:40a

PM Minor:10:18p

PM Major:4:05p

Sunrise: 7:20a Set: 6:46pMoonrise: 11:42p Set: 12:57p

AM Minor:10:47a

AM Major:4:35a

PM Minor:11:13p

PM Major:5:00p

Sunrise: 7:21a Set: 6:45pMoonrise: None Set: 1:42p

AM Minor:11:41a

AM Major:5:28a

PM Minor:-----

PM Major:5:54p

Sunrise: 7:22a Set: 6:44pMoonrise: 12:41a Set: 2:24p

AM Minor:12:09p

AM Major:6:20a

PM Minor:12:33p

PM Major:6:45p

Sunrise: 7:22a Set: 6:43pMoonrise: 1:42a Set: 3:04p

AM Minor:12:56p

AM Major:7:09a

PM Minor:1:21p

PM Major:7:34p

Sunrise: 7:23a Set: 6:42pMoonrise: 2:44a Set: 3:42p

AM Minor:1:42a

AM Major:7:55a

PM Minor:2:08p

PM Major:8:20p

Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 6:41pMoonrise: 3:48a Set: 4:19p

AM Minor:2:27a

AM Major:8:40a

PM Minor:2:53p

PM Major:9:05p

Moon Underfoot: 5:27p Moon Underfoot: 6:18p

Moon Overhead: 5:53a Moon Overhead: 6:44a Moon Overhead: 7:35a Moon Overhead: 8:26a Moon Overhead: 9:16a Moon Overhead: 10:07aMoon Overhead: 5:02a

Moon Underfoot: 10:33pMoon Underfoot: 8:51pMoon Underfoot: 8:01p+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

FEET FEET

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2011

= New Moon

= First Quarter

� = Full Moon

= Last Quarter

� = Best Day

� = New Moon

� = First Quarter

� = Full Moon

� = Last Quarter

� = Best Day

BEST:1:30 — 3:30 PM

BEST:2:30 — 4:30 PM

BEST:3:30 — 5:30 PM

BEST:12:00 — 2:00 PM

BEST:11:00A — 1:00P

BEST:10:00A — 12:00P

BEST:9:00 — 10:00 AM

Moon Underfoot: 9:42p

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

TI

DE

L

EV

EL

S TI

DE

L

EV

EL

SS

OL

UN

AR

A

CT

IV

IT

Y SO

LU

NA

R

AC

TI

VI

TY

12a 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 6a 12p 6p 12a 12a6a 12p 6p

Moon Underfoot: 7:10p

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110 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION

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

FishingScore Graph

Day’s BestScore

GoodScore

BEST:7:45-9:40 AM

= Peak FishingPeriod

24

High Tide: 2:14 am 1.59ft.Low Tide: 8:31 am 0.60ft.High Tide: 3:22 pm 1.72ft.Low Tide: 8:59 pm 1.05ft.

�25

High Tide: 2:31 am 1.59ft.Low Tide: 9:12 am 0.29ft.High Tide: 4:33 pm 1.85ft.Low Tide: 9:55 pm 1.25ft.

� 26

High Tide: 2:49 am 1.63ft.Low Tide: 9:56 am 0.01ft.High Tide: 5:41 pm 1.93ft.Low Tide: 10:48 pm 1.43ft.

�27

High Tide: 3:09 am 1.68ft.Low Tide: 10:44 am -0.18ft.High Tide: 6:48 pm 1.97ft.Low Tide: 11:40 pm 1.58ft.

�28

High Tide: 3:30 am 1.73ft.Low Tide: 11:35 am -0.27ft.High Tide: 7:57 pm 1.95ft.

�29

Low Tide: 12:33 am 1.68ft.High Tide: 3:52 am 1.76ft.Low Tide: 12:29 pm -0.27ft.High Tide: 9:09 pm 1.90ft.

30

Low Tide: 1:41 am 1.72ft.High Tide: 4:06 am 1.74ft.Low Tide: 1:27 pm -0.18ft.High Tide: 10:22 pm 1.83ft.

Sunrise: 7:24a Set: 6:40pMoonrise: 4:54a Set: 4:58p

AM Minor:3:12a

AM Major:9:25a

PM Minor:3:38p

PM Major:9:51p

Sunrise: 7:25a Set: 6:39pMoonrise: 6:01a Set: 5:40p

AM Minor:4:00a

AM Major:10:13a

PM Minor:4:27p

PM Major:10:41p

Sunrise: 7:26a Set: 6:38pMoonrise: 7:11a Set: 6:26p

AM Minor:4:52a

AM Major:11:07a

PM Minor:5:22p

PM Major:11:36p

Sunrise: 7:26a Set: 6:37pMoonrise: 8:22a Set: 7:17p

AM Minor:5:52a

AM Major:-----

PM Minor:6:22p

PM Major:12:37p

Sunrise: 7:27a Set: 6:37pMoonrise: 9:32a Set: 8:13p

AM Minor:6:56a

AM Major:12:41p

PM Minor:7:27p

PM Major:1:12p

Sunrise: 7:28a Set: 6:36pMoonrise: 10:38a Set: 9:14p

AM Minor:8:04a

AM Major:1:49a

PM Minor:8:35p

PM Major:2:20p

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 6:35pMoonrise: 11:37a Set: 10:16p

AM Minor:9:12a

AM Major:2:57a

PM Minor:9:42p

PM Major:3:27p

Moon Underfoot: 11:26p

Moon Overhead: 11:54a

Moon Underfoot: None Moon Underfoot: 12:22a

Moon Overhead: 1:51p Moon Overhead: 2:54p Moon Overhead: 3:56p

Moon Underfoot: 4:26a

Moon Overhead: 4:56p

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

FEET FEET

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

Moon Overhead: 12:51p

Moon Underfoot: 3:25a

Moon Overhead: 10:59a

Moon Underfoot: 2:23a

BEST:2:30 — 4:30 PM

BEST:3:30 — 5:30 PM

BEST:9:00 — 11:00 AM

BEST:7:30 — 9:30 AM

BEST:6:00 — 8:00 AM

BEST:5:00 — 7:00 AM

BEST:3:30 — 5:30 AM

Moon Underfoot: 1:21a

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2011MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

TI

DE

L

EV

EL

S TI

DE

L

EV

EL

SS

OL

UN

AR

A

CT

IV

IT

Y SO

LU

NA

R

AC

TI

VI

TY

12a 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 6a 12p 6p 12a 12a6a 12p 6p

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31

Low Tide: 2:29 pm -0.03ft.High Tide: 11:29 pm 1.76ft.Nov

NOV 1

Low Tide: 3:36 pm 0.16ft.

2

High Tide: 12:19 am 1.68ft.Low Tide: 4:46 pm 0.35ft.

� 3

High Tide: 12:52 am 1.60ft.Low Tide: 7:33 am 1.22ft.High Tide: 10:36 am 1.30ft.Low Tide: 5:58 pm 0.54ft.

4

High Tide: 1:15 am 1.52ft.Low Tide: 7:52 am 1.03ft.High Tide: 12:25 pm 1.30ft.Low Tide: 7:04 pm 0.73ft.

5

High Tide: 1:33 am 1.46ft.Low Tide: 8:14 am 0.84ft.High Tide: 1:52 pm 1.36ft.Low Tide: 8:03 pm 0.89ft.

END DST 6

High Tide: 1:48 am 1.42ft.Low Tide: 7:36 am 0.66ft.High Tide: 2:03 pm 1.44ft.Low Tide: 7:54 pm 1.05ft.

Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 6:34pMoonrise: 12:29p Set: 11:18p

AM Minor:10:16a

AM Major:4:02a

PM Minor:10:44p

PM Major:4:30p

Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 6:33pMoonrise: 1:14p Set: None

AM Minor:11:14a

AM Major:5:01a

PM Minor:11:40p

PM Major:5:27p

Sunrise: 7:31a Set: 6:32pMoonrise: 1:54p Set: 12:19a

AM Minor:-----

AM Major:5:54a

PM Minor:12:06p

PM Major:6:18p

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 6:32pMoonrise: 2:28p Set: 1:16a

AM Minor:12:30p

AM Major:6:41a

PM Minor:12:52p

PM Major:7:03p

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 6:31pMoonrise: 3:00p Set: 2:11a

AM Minor:1:12a

AM Major:7:22a

PM Minor:1:33p

PM Major:7:43p

Sunrise: 7:33a Set: 6:30pMoonrise: 3:31p Set: 3:04a

AM Minor:1:50a

AM Major:8:00a

PM Minor:2:10p

PM Major:8:20p

Sunrise: 7:34a Set: 6:29pMoonrise: 4:01p Set: 3:56a

AM Minor:2:26a

AM Major:8:36a

PM Minor:2:46p

PM Major:8:56p

Moon Underfoot: 5:25a Moon Underfoot: 6:19a

Moon Overhead: 6:45p Moon Overhead: 7:33p Moon Overhead: 8:17p Moon Overhead: 9:00p Moon Overhead: 9:41p Moon Overhead: 10:21pMoon Overhead: 5:52p

Moon Underfoot: 10:01aMoon Underfoot: 8:39aMoon Underfoot: 7:55a+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

FEET FEET

+2.0

+1.0

0

-1.0

Tides and Prime Times for OCTOBER 2011

= New Moon

= First Quarter

� = Full Moon

= Last Quarter

� = Best Day

� = New Moon

� = First Quarter

� = Full Moon

� = Last Quarter

� = Best Day

BEST:3:00 — 5:00 PM

BEST:4:00 — 6:00 PM

BEST:5:00 — 6:00 PM

BEST:2:00 — 4:00 PM

BEST:12:30 — 2:30 PM

BEST:11:30A — 1:30P

BEST:7:30 — 9:30 PM

Moon Underfoot: 9:20a

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

TI

DE

L

EV

EL

S TI

DE

L

EV

EL

SS

OL

UN

AR

A

CT

IV

IT

Y SO

LU

NA

R

AC

TI

VI

TY

12a 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 12a6a 12p 6p 6a 12p 6p 12a 12a6a 12p 6p

Moon Underfoot: 7:09a

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112 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

Tides and Prime Times OCTOBER 2011

Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 7:21pMoonrise: 2:11p Set: NoneAM Minor: 11:55a AM Major: 5:40aPM Minor: ----- PM Major: 6:09pMoon Overhead: 7:27pMoon Underfoot: 6:59a

Sunrise: 7:31a Set: 7:19pMoonrise: 2:58p Set: 12:44aAM Minor: 12:26a AM Major: 6:37aPM Minor: 12:50p PM Major: 7:03pMoon Overhead: 8:19pMoon Underfoot: 7:54a

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 7:18pMoonrise: 3:39p Set: 1:44aAM Minor: 1:14a AM Major: 7:27aPM Minor: 1:39p PM Major: 7:51pMoon Overhead: 9:09pMoon Underfoot: 8:45a

Sunrise: 7:32a Set: 7:17pMoonrise: 4:14p Set: 2:43aAM Minor: 2:00a AM Major: 8:11aPM Minor: 2:23p PM Major: 8:34pMoon Overhead: 9:54pMoon Underfoot: 9:32a

3High Tide: 12:20 am 1.83ft.Low Tide: 4:08 pm 0.10ft.

4 �High Tide: 1:35 am 1.81ft.Low Tide: 5:26 pm 0.22ft.

5High Tide: 2:15 am 1.76ft.Low Tide: 8:46 am 1.49ft.High Tide: 9:57 am 1.50ft.Low Tide: 6:38 pm 0.34ft.

6High Tide: 2:40 am 1.69ft.Low Tide: 8:39 am 1.36ft.High Tide: 12:02 pm 1.48ft.Low Tide: 7:40 pm 0.47ft.

Sunrise: 7:35a Set: 7:12pMoonrise: 6:16p Set: 6:20aAM Minor: 4:32a AM Major: 10:42aPM Minor: 4:53p PM Major: 11:03pMoon Overhead: NoneMoon Underfoot: 12:20p

Sunrise: 7:35a Set: 7:11pMoonrise: 6:46p Set: 7:13aAM Minor: 5:11a AM Major: 11:22aPM Minor: 5:32p PM Major: 11:43pMoon Overhead: 12:41aMoon Underfoot: 1:02p

Sunrise: 7:36a Set: 7:10pMoonrise: 7:19p Set: 8:07aAM Minor: 5:53a AM Major: -----PM Minor: 6:15p PM Major: 12:04pMoon Overhead: 1:24aMoon Underfoot: 1:45p

Sunrise: 7:37a Set: 7:09pMoonrise: 7:56p Set: 9:01aAM Minor: 6:39a AM Major: 12:28aPM Minor: 7:02p PM Major: 12:51pMoon Overhead: 2:08aMoon Underfoot: 2:30p

10 �High Tide: 3:33 am 1.51ft.Low Tide: 9:50 am 0.73ft.High Tide: 4:31 pm 1.65ft.Low Tide: 10:23 pm 1.09ft.

11 �High Tide: 3:45 am 1.52ft.Low Tide: 10:14 am 0.61ft.High Tide: 5:21 pm 1.69ft.Low Tide: 10:50 pm 1.23ft.

12 �High Tide: 3:56 am 1.53ft.Low Tide: 10:42 am 0.51ft.High Tide: 6:10 pm 1.71ft.Low Tide: 11:15 pm 1.34ft.

13 �High Tide: 4:04 am 1.56ft.Low Tide: 11:12 am 0.44ft.High Tide: 7:02 pm 1.71ft.Low Tide: 11:38 pm 1.44ft.

Sunrise: 7:39a Set: 7:04pMoonrise: 11:01p Set: 12:33pAM Minor: 10:11a AM Major: 3:58aPM Minor: 10:36p PM Major: 4:23pMoon Overhead: 5:21aMoon Underfoot: 5:46p

Sunrise: 7:40a Set: 7:03pMoonrise: None Set: 1:20pAM Minor: 11:06a AM Major: 4:53aPM Minor: 11:31p PM Major: 5:19pMoon Overhead: 6:12aMoon Underfoot: 6:37p

Sunrise: 7:41a Set: 7:02pMoonrise: None Set: 2:05pAM Minor: ----- AM Major: 5:47aPM Minor: 12:00p PM Major: 6:12pMoon Overhead: 7:03aMoon Underfoot: 7:29p

Sunrise: 7:42a Set: 7:01pMoonrise: 12:57a Set: 2:46pAM Minor: 12:27a AM Major: 6:38aPM Minor: 12:51p PM Major: 7:04pMoon Overhead: 7:54aMoon Underfoot: 8:20p

17Low Tide: 12:58 am 1.67ft.High Tide: 3:39 am 1.70ft.Low Tide: 1:52 pm 0.38ft.High Tide: 11:39 pm 1.74ft.

18Low Tide: 1:48 am 1.72ft.High Tide: 3:38 am 1.73ft.Low Tide: 2:46 pm 0.39ft.

19 �High Tide: 12:37 am 1.75ft.Low Tide: 3:46 pm 0.42ft.

20High Tide: 1:07 am 1.75ft.Low Tide: 4:51 pm 0.48ft.

Sunrise: 7:45a Set: 6:57pMoonrise: 5:13a Set: 5:16pAM Minor: 3:30a AM Major: 9:43aPM Minor: 3:57p PM Major: 10:10pMoon Overhead: 11:18aMoon Underfoot: 11:45p

Sunrise: 7:45a Set: 6:56pMoonrise: 6:22a Set: 5:57pAM Minor: 4:18a AM Major: 10:32aPM Minor: 4:46p PM Major: 11:00pMoon Overhead: 12:13pMoon Underfoot: None

Sunrise: 7:46a Set: 6:55pMoonrise: 7:33a Set: 6:42pAM Minor: 5:11a AM Major: 11:25aPM Minor: 5:40p PM Major: 11:55pMoon Overhead: 1:10pMoon Underfoot: 12:41a

Sunrise: 7:47a Set: 6:54pMoonrise: 8:45a Set: 7:32pAM Minor: 6:10a AM Major: -----PM Minor: 6:40p PM Major: 12:56pMoon Overhead: 2:11pMoon Underfoot: 1:40a

24High Tide: 2:14 am 1.59ft.Low Tide: 8:31 am 0.60ft.High Tide: 3:22 pm 1.72ft.Low Tide: 8:59 pm 1.05ft.

25 �High Tide: 2:31 am 1.59ft.Low Tide: 9:12 am 0.29ft.High Tide: 4:33 pm 1.85ft.Low Tide: 9:55 pm 1.25ft.

26 �High Tide: 2:49 am 1.63ft.Low Tide: 9:56 am 0.01ft.High Tide: 5:41 pm 1.93ft.Low Tide: 10:48 pm 1.43ft.

27 �High Tide: 3:09 am 1.68ft.Low Tide: 10:44 am -0.18ft.High Tide: 6:48 pm 1.97ft.Low Tide: 11:40 pm 1.58ft.

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

11:00A —1:00P

PRIME TIME

12:00 —2:00 PM

PRIME TIME

2:00 —4:00 PM

PRIME TIME

3:00 —5:00 PM

PRIME TIME

5:00 —7:00 AM

PRIME TIME

5:30 —7:30 AM

PRIME TIME

6:30 —8:30 AM

PRIME TIME

7:30 —9:30 AM

PRIME TIME

9:00 —10:00 AM

PRIME TIME

10:00A —12:00P

PRIME TIME

11:00A —1:00P

PRIME TIME

12:00 —2:00 PM

PRIME TIME

3:30 —5:30 AM

PRIME TIME

5:00 —7:00 AM

PRIME TIME

6:00 —8:00 AM

PRIME TIME

7:30 —9:30 AM

PRIME TIME

SYMBOL KEY

�New

Moon

�First

Quarter

�Full

Moon

�Last

Quarter

�

Good DayBESTDAYS

PRIME TIME

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Sunrise: 7:29a Set: 7:23pMoonrise: 12:16p Set: 10:44pAM Minor: 9:48a AM Major: 3:33aPM Minor: 10:18p PM Major: 4:03pMoon Overhead: 5:31pMoon Underfoot: 5:00a

Sunrise: 7:30a Set: 7:22pMoonrise: 1:17p Set: 11:43pAM Minor: 10:53a AM Major: 4:39aPM Minor: 11:23p PM Major: 5:08pMoon Overhead: 6:30pMoon Underfoot: 6:01a

1Low Tide: 1:24 am 1.64ft.High Tide: 5:10 am 1.73ft.Low Tide: 1:47 pm -0.06ft.High Tide: 10:39 pm 1.84ft.

2Low Tide: 2:44 am 1.74ft.High Tide: 4:43 am 1.75ft.Low Tide: 2:54 pm 0.00ft.

Sunrise: 7:33a Set: 7:16pMoonrise: 4:47p Set: 3:39aAM Minor: 2:40a AM Major: 8:51aPM Minor: 3:02p PM Major: 9:13pMoon Overhead: 10:37pMoon Underfoot: 10:16a

Sunrise: 7:33a Set: 7:15pMoonrise: 5:17p Set: 4:34aAM Minor: 3:18a AM Major: 9:29aPM Minor: 3:39p PM Major: 9:49pMoon Overhead: 11:19pMoon Underfoot: 10:58a

Sunrise: 7:34a Set: 7:13pMoonrise: 5:46p Set: 5:27aAM Minor: 3:55a AM Major: 10:05aPM Minor: 4:15p PM Major: 10:26pMoon Overhead: NoneMoon Underfoot: 11:40a

7High Tide: 2:57 am 1.62ft.Low Tide: 8:54 am 1.21ft.High Tide: 1:28 pm 1.51ft.Low Tide: 8:32 pm 0.62ft.

8High Tide: 3:10 am 1.56ft.Low Tide: 9:11 am 1.05ft.High Tide: 2:38 pm 1.55ft.Low Tide: 9:16 pm 0.78ft.

9High Tide: 3:22 am 1.52ft.Low Tide: 9:30 am 0.88ft.High Tide: 3:37 pm 1.61ft.Low Tide: 9:52 pm 0.94ft.

Sunrise: 7:37a Set: 7:07pMoonrise: 8:35p Set: 9:56aAM Minor: 7:29a AM Major: 1:17aPM Minor: 7:52p PM Major: 1:40pMoon Overhead: 2:53aMoon Underfoot: 3:17p

Sunrise: 7:38a Set: 7:06pMoonrise: 9:20p Set: 10:50aAM Minor: 8:21a AM Major: 2:09aPM Minor: 8:45p PM Major: 2:33pMoon Overhead: 3:41aMoon Underfoot: 4:06p

Sunrise: 7:39a Set: 7:05pMoonrise: 10:08p Set: 11:43aAM Minor: 9:15a AM Major: 3:03aPM Minor: 9:40p PM Major: 3:28pMoon Overhead: 4:30aMoon Underfoot: 4:55p

14 �High Tide: 4:06 am 1.58ft.Low Tide: 11:46 am 0.40ft.High Tide: 7:57 pm 1.71ft.

15Low Tide: 12:03 am 1.53ft.High Tide: 3:55 am 1.62ft.Low Tide: 12:23 pm 0.38ft.High Tide: 9:01 pm 1.71ft.

16Low Tide: 12:28 am 1.61ft.High Tide: 3:42 am 1.66ft.Low Tide: 1:05 pm 0.37ft.High Tide: 10:17 pm 1.71ft.

Sunrise: 7:42a Set: 7:00pMoonrise: 1:59a Set: 3:24pAM Minor: 1:14a AM Major: 7:27aPM Minor: 1:40p PM Major: 7:52pMoon Overhead: 8:45aMoon Underfoot: 9:10p

Sunrise: 7:43a Set: 6:59pMoonrise: 3:02a Set: 4:01pAM Minor: 2:01a AM Major: 8:13aPM Minor: 2:26p PM Major: 8:39pMoon Overhead: 9:35aMoon Underfoot: 10:01p

Sunrise: 7:44a Set: 6:58pMoonrise: 4:07a Set: 4:38pAM Minor: 2:45a AM Major: 8:58aPM Minor: 3:11p PM Major: 9:24pMoon Overhead: 10:26aMoon Underfoot: 10:52p

21High Tide: 1:27 am 1.71ft.Low Tide: 8:50 am 1.42ft.High Tide: 9:56 am 1.43ft.Low Tide: 5:56 pm 0.57ft.

22High Tide: 1:43 am 1.66ft.Low Tide: 7:34 am 1.22ft.High Tide: 12:34 pm 1.47ft.Low Tide: 7:01 pm 0.69ft.

23High Tide: 1:59 am 1.62ft.Low Tide: 7:55 am 0.93ft.High Tide: 2:05 pm 1.58ft.Low Tide: 8:01 pm 0.86ft.

Sunrise: 7:48a Set: 6:53pMoonrise: 9:55a Set: 8:28pAM Minor: 7:15a AM Major: 12:59aPM Minor: 7:46p PM Major: 1:30pMoon Overhead: 3:13pMoon Underfoot: 2:42a

Sunrise: 7:49a Set: 6:52pMoonrise: 11:01a Set: 9:29pAM Minor: 8:22a AM Major: 2:07aPM Minor: 8:53p PM Major: 2:38pMoon Overhead: 4:15pMoon Underfoot: 3:44a

Sunrise: 7:49a Set: 6:51pMoonrise: 12:00p Set: 10:31pAM Minor: 9:30a AM Major: 3:15aPM Minor: 10:00p PM Major: 3:45pMoon Overhead: 5:15pMoon Underfoot: 4:45a

Sunrise: 7:50a Set: 6:50pMoonrise: 12:52p Set: 11:34pAM Minor: 10:34a AM Major: 4:20aPM Minor: 11:02p PM Major: 4:48pMoon Overhead: 6:11pMoon Underfoot: 5:44a

28 �High Tide: 3:30 am 1.73ft.Low Tide: 11:35 am -0.27ft.High Tide: 7:57 pm 1.95ft.

29 �Low Tide: 12:33 am 1.68ft.High Tide: 3:52 am 1.76ft.Low Tide: 12:29 pm -0.27ft.High Tide: 9:09 pm 1.90ft.

30Low Tide: 1:41 am 1.72ft.High Tide: 4:06 am 1.74ft.Low Tide: 1:27 pm -0.18ft.High Tide: 10:22 pm 1.83ft.

31Low Tide: 2:29 pm -0.03ft.High Tide: 11:29 pm 1.76ft.

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

4:30 —6:30 PM

PRIME TIME

10:00A —12:00P

PRIME TIME

3:30 —5:30 PM

PRIME TIME

4:00 —6:00 PM

PRIME TIME

5:00 —7:00 PM

PRIME TIME

7:30 —9:30 AM

PRIME TIME

8:30 —10:30 AM

PRIME TIME

9:00 —11:00 AM

PRIME TIME

1:30 —3:30 PM

PRIME TIME

2:30 —4:30 PM

PRIME TIME

3:30 —5:30 PM

PRIME TIME

2:30 —4:30 PM

PRIME TIME

3:30 —5:30 PM

PRIME TIME

9:00 —11:00 AM

PRIME TIME

7:30 —9:30 PM

PRIME TIME

PLACE HIGH LOWSABINE BANK LIGHTHOUSE(29.47° N, 93.72° W) -1:46 -1:31SABINE PASS JETTY(29.65° N, 93.83° W) -1:26 -1:31SABINE PASS(29.73° N, 93.87°W) -1:00 -1:15MESQUITE PT, SABINE PASS(29.77° N, 93.9° W) -0:04 -0:25GALV. BAY, SO. JETTY(29.34° N, 94.7° W) -0:39 -1:05PORT BOLIVAR(29.36° N, 94.77° W) +0:14 -0:06TX CITY TURNING BASIN(29.38° N, 94.88° W) +0:33 +0:41EAGLE POINT(29.5° N, 94.91° W) +3:54 +4:15CLEAR LAKE(29.56° N, 95.06° W) +6:05 +6:40MORGANS POINT(29.68° N, 94.98° W) +10:21 +5:19ROUND PT, TRINITY BAY(29.71° N, 94.69° W) +10:39 +5:15PT. BARROW, TRIN. BAY(29.74° N, 94.83° W) +5:48 +4:43GILCHRIST, E. BAY(29.52° N, 94.48° W) +3:16 +4:18JAMAICA BCH., W. BAY(29.2° N, 94.98° W) +2:38 +3:31ALLIGATOR PT., W. BAY(29.17° N, 94.13° W) +2:39 +2:33CHRISTMAS PT, CHR. BAY(29.08° N, 94.17° W) +2:32 +2:31GALV. PLEASURE PIER(29.29° N, 94.79° W) -1:06 -1:06SAN LUIS PASS(29.08° N, 95.12° W) -0.09 -0.09FREEPORT HARBOR(28.95° N, 95.31° W) -0:44 -1:02PASS CAVALLO(28.37° N, 96.4° W) 0:00 -1:20ARANSAS PASS(27.84° N, 97.05° W) -0:03 -1:31PADRE ISL.(SO. END)(26.07° N, 97.16° W) -0:24 -1:45PORT ISABEL(26.06° N, 97.22° W) +1:02 -0:42

TIDE STATION CORRECTIONTABLE

(Adjust High & Low Tide times listedin the Calendar by the amountsbelow for each keyed location)

NOT FOR NAVIGATION

Tides and Prime Times OCTOBER 2011

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“There are all kinds of reports in the

media about hogs and some talk about the

need to ‘eliminate’ them but the fact is that

is not going to happen. I had one rancher

tell me that would be like trying to eliminate

all the mesquite in Texas. It’s not going to

happen,” Standifer said.

“We can however manage their numbers

and do a lot of good in the process which is

why we developed the Texas Feral Hog

Roundup.”

The first event kicks off Oct. 1-Dec. 31

2011 with a second one taking place Jan. 1-

April 30, 2012 and it is unlike anything you

have ever heard of for hog hunting.

Hunters will compete in a firearms and

archery division to tally up their five heaviest

hogs.

“We were originally going to

make it a big hog event but one

of our sponsors told us there is

more ammunition sold in

Texas by far for hog hunting

than anything else, so we

decided to make it a

‘stringer’ type tournament

and make it more about

consistency than lucking

out and getting a big one,”

Standifer said.

“In other words if you fish a tournament

you might weigh in your five biggest bass.

Here you weigh in your hogs and the five

biggest you have at the end will

be what competes with the

other hunters out there.”

There will be weigh-in stations

throughout the state where

hunters can have their hogs

officially tallied. The tour-

nament itself will be broken

into four regions with one

from Interstate 10 to 190

east to the Louisiana border.

Another will go from 1-35

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Hungryfor Hogs

BY CHESTER MOORESOME CALL THEM A NUISANCE, others call them dangerous, yet others con-

sider them their favorite quarry. Bobby Standifer and Rich Schultz of the American

Hog Hunting Association (AHHA) call them an “opportunity.”

114 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 3:06 PM Page 114

South from the Okla-

homa border, another

1-35 West through Fort Worth and the final

1-35 South to Laredo.

Prizes will include pickup trucks, ATVs,

rifles, bows, hunting blinds and much more.

Plus every full season contestant gets a $30

to $50 gift card.

Firearms contestants can get a $50 gift

card good at the retailer where they choose

to sign up and Archery contestants get a

$30 gift card. Sign up online at

www.americanhoghunting.com using the

Academy Sports + Outdoors link and get

an Academy Gift Card.

There will be 100 prizes for the firearms

division with 20 winners for 5 heaviest hogs

overall and 20 winners in each geographical

region. For archery there will be 20 winners

for overall heaviest hogs and 10 in each

region.

“There are hogs just about everywhere in

the state and we believe there will be a lot of

participation from all over.”

While this tournament’s concept sounds

like good business it also translates to good

deeds.

“The original idea was to do something

about helping trim hog numbers in areas

and stop some of the waste of meat. You

have landowners and others having to shoot

them out of helicopters and just leave them

laying and I won’t argue with that but we

wanted to make sure we could do something

that could help feed people in need,” Stan-

difer said.

Tournament officials will promote

hunters donating the meat to facilities that

will process them or to help out families they

know need the extra help in these tough eco-

nomic times.

Wild pork is nutritious with lean cuts of

the meat having fat and cholesterol levels

much lower than the domestic fare. In addi-

tion it tastes great and is considered a deli-

cacy in high-dollar restaurants all over the

country.

“Why not make a positive out of what

can be a negative out there?” asked AHHA

CEO Rich Schultz.

“Hunters can spend more time in the

field, have a direct hand in helping manage

our wild grounds and agriculture and help

people in need. Plus, they can win lots of

great prizes and enjoy the thrill of competi-

tion.”

Are you up for the challenge of the Texas

Feral Hog Roundup? If so, go to

www.americanhoghunting.com or call

Bobby Standifer at (817) 366-1664 to

learn how to participate.

TF&G Hunting Editor Bob Hood (right) interviews BobbyStandifer of the American Hog Hunting Association. Seethe video interview at www.FishGame.com/video.

On the Web

www.americanhoghunting.com

Prizes includetrucks, ATVs, rifles,

bows, and more.Plus everyfull season

contestant gets a$30 to $50 gift

card.

“

“

PHO

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T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 115

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An Out-of-the-WayTreasure

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU RUNacross one of those restaurants that

becomes one of your favorite spots.

Gilhooly’s just made the list.

Located in San Leon just down the road

from Kemah, this out of the way place at

first looks like a beer joint. But don’t let the

rustic appearance fool you, Gilhooly’s is a

great restaurant serving only fresh local

seafood. Oysters are a house specialty roast-

ed on an open wood burning pit.

The Oysters Gilhooly are amazing,

grilled on the halfshell in a garlic butter

sauce with parmesan cheese, and the Oys-

ters Picante comes topped with zesty salsa

and melted Colby jack cheese. They serve

great gumbo, oyster stew, seafood cakes, and

even have breakfast on the weekend with

some killer seafood omelettes stuffed with

shrimp, crab, and oysters.

The restaurant’s name came from the

John Wayne movie Donavan’s Reef. The

servings are generous, and the all female

waitstaff will make you feel at home, but

kids under 18 are not allowed.

They accept only cash, no credit cards.

BYOB is okay too!

Oysters Gilhooly12 – oysters on the halfshell

Spoon a little garlic butter sauce over the

oyster, then top with about a tea-

spoon of grated parmesan cheese , then

carefully place the oysters on the grill with

some wood chips to add some smoky flavor.

Cook with the lid open for 3 to 4 minutes,

then close the lid or cover with foil and cook

until the cheese is melted, approx. another 4

minutes. Remove to a platter and serve with

crackers, red sauce and horseradish!

Email Bryan Slaven, “The Texas

Gourmet,” at texas-tasted@fishgame.com

Chuck Glass, and Brandon Slaven enjoyingsome Oysters Gilhooly and South of the Bor-der grilled Oysters.

Bryan Slaven, The Texas Gourmet, with thefriendly wait staff from Gilhooly’s

JOIN THE TEXAS GOURMET FANCLUB on Facebook, athttp://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=152165096156.Come and share your favorite recipes, restaurants, and hang-outs. The Texas Gourmet is waiting on you!

116 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

PHOT

OS C

OURT

ESY

BRYA

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AVEN

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118 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

ROCKPORT

UPPER COAST (SABINE LAKE)

TEXAS SALTWATER

BAFFIN BAY

TEXAS HUNTINGMIDDLE COAST

TEXAS SALTWATER

TEXAS SALTWATER

GALVESTON

TEXAS SALTWATER

WWW.FISHGAME.COM

NORTH EAST TEXASJack and Jeff Lee

Happy 40th Anniversary

Rockport Redrunner

The Swedesh Gang / Hook and Ladder

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 3:24 PM Page 118

T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 119

LAKE TEXOMA

SPOTLIGHT: WHITE OAK OUTFITTERS

White Oak Outfitters is an owner-operated outfitting service offering deer, boar and bear huntssince 1993. They provide fair-chase hunts for hunters of all ages on 3000 acres in beautiful EastTexas. Bear hunts take place in August and September in cooperation with Nolalu outfitters inOntario Canada and carried out on 4 Bear Management Areas. Texas hog hunts have a two-dayminimum and are conducted year around. Deer hunts run from October through December.Hunters can hunt as long as they want for the flat daily rate.

White Oak Outfitters processes all game by quartering, wrapping and freezing all the meat. Thereare no trophy fees or any other hidden costs. Living quarters are provided along with cookingfacilities at no extra charge.

“We try to treat people the way we would like to be treated if we were hunting with them,” saidBruce Hunnicut, owner. “We feel we have one of the premier hunting areas in the country. Wewould be glad to book a hunt for anyone who wants to experience a hunt of a lifetime.”

Call Bruce to schedule your next hunt @ (903) 537-2651 or visit www.whiteoakoutfittersinc.com

LAKE AMISTAD

TEXAS FRESHWATER

EAST TEXAS

TEXAS FRESHWATER

SOUTH TEXAS

COLORADO HUNTING

White Oak

OutfittersDavid Trove

Trout

Kighten’s Guide

Service

TF&G’s

Saltwater

Fishing Trip

Winner!!!

White Oak

Outfitters

Aerich and

Allycia

Redfish Charters

ALMANAC DIGITAL.qxd:1002 Coastal 9/22/11 3:17 PM Page 119

120 | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® T F & G A L M A N A C

REDFISH

High IslandTwelve-year-oldMeaghan Bryanof Clear Lakewith her first bullred, a 25pounder, takenon cut mullet inthe surf nearHigh Island. Sub-mitted by JohnBryan(Meaghan'sfather).

➤ CATFISH

Highland VillageGarrett Gibson, age 8, from Highland Villagewith a 20-pound blue catfish he reeled in allby himself.

➤LARGEMOUTH BASS

Private PondCori Chandler, age 12, of Corsicana caught this7-pound largemouth on his grandfather’s pond(Frank and Betty Crawford’s ranch) in Streetman.He caught the bass on a 7-inch lizard.

➤

REDFISH | Port AransasLinda Bouchard caught this 38-1/2-inch bullred on her birthday. She and her husband,Don (see previous photo) were at Woody’sSport Center in Port Aransas.

REDFISH | Port AransasDon Bouchard caught this 40-1/2-inch bull red-fish at Port Aransas. He and his wife, Linda, wereat Woody’s Sports Center. Linda also had a goodday (see next photo).

➤➤

REDFISH | Baffin BayMichaela Ayers and family friend DannyAdams of Rockport hold a 50-inch, 40-poundbull red Michaela caught while fishing with livecroaker in Baffin Bay. The fish was revivedand released.

SAND TROUT | GalvestonHaidyn Pyfer, 16, of North RichlandHills with the Sand Trout that shecaught while fishing on the Gulfside of the North Jetty in Galveston.

CATFISH | Lake O’ the PinesHaley & Kenzie Pyle of Bullard caught thesecatfish while fishing with their dad Shane andgrandfather Jimmy on Lake O' the Pines. Theycaught 59 fish weighing up to 3 pounds.

WHITETAIL DEER

Stephens CountyColton Olson, 8, of Arlington, shot his first deernear Strawn in Stephens County, opening morn-ing of the Special Youth Season, with one shotfrom a .243 at 100 yards. Submitted by Colton’sPapa, Jim Withaeger.

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T F & G A L M A N A C T E X A S F I S H & G A M E ® O C T O B E R 2 0 1 1 | 121

MAIL TO: TFG PHOTOS1745 Greens Rd, Houston TX 77032NOTE: Print photos can not be returned.

EMAIL: photos@FishGame.comFor best results, send MED to HIGHquality JPEG digital files only, please.

No guaranteecan be madeas to when,or if, a sub-mitted photowill bepublished.

SANDTROUT

CrystalBeach

Logan Ng ofCypresscaught thesetwo sandtrout, at thesame time,while fishingwith his Papain East Baynear CrystalBeach.

REDFISH

InglesideKristin Heiderof Pleasantonlanded this25-inch red-fish to limitout for herfirst time. Itwas a beauti-ful day onIngleside Baywhere BobCameroncould onlywatch andremove all theperfectly sethooks.

REDFISH | RockportLogan Kuenstler of Austincaught his first redfish –plus two more –in Rockport.He was fishing with his dad,uncle, cousin and Capt.Terry Coufal.

JACK CREVALLE | GalvestonJon Shipley of Bayou Vista caught this 26-inchjack crevalle at the tip of the Galveston Northjetty, using live fingerling mullet on bottom. Hefought the jack for almost an hour.

BLACK DRUM

West Galveston BayGilbert Moreno of Pasadena caught this blackdrum while kayaking the West Bay area inGalveston. Gilbert released the fish.

➤

➤

➤

➤

WHITETAIL BUCK | Kinney CountyJaye Widner, age 11, shot this 5-point buck dur-ing youth weekend at the TDW Ranch in KinneyCounty. Dad Wray says it took a couple of yearsto convince Jaye that hunting was more fun thandolls. The gleam in her eyes says he succeeded.

➤ REDFISH | Crystal BeachJoseph Gonzalez caught this bull red in thesurf at Crystal Beach while fishing withJoseph’s brother and other family members.They caught and released 12 reds in the surfand 11 more out in a kayak. They also caughta few sharks.

➤CATFISH | Village Mills

Seven-year-old Logan Fant, Daryl Fant and four-year-old McClain Fant show off a nice yellow catthey caught at Lake Kimble in Wildwood near Vil-lage Mills, Texas.

➤

WAHOO | Port AransasEdward Martin, his son-in-law David Munk andgrandson Logan Munk caught a 66-inch, 42-pound wahoo with Capt. Butch Finley out ofPort Aransas. It was Logan's 17th birthday.

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