January 28, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting

LSONews.com Lone✯Star Outdoor News January 28, 2011 Page 1

PR

SRT

STD

US

PO

STA

GE

PAID

PLA

NO

, TX

PER

MIT

210

Tim

e Se

nsiti

ve M

ater

ial •

Del

iver

ASA

P

January 28, 2011 Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper Volume 7, Issue 11

Timber ghostNot albino: Rare Wisconsin white

deer dropped by Texan. Page 5

Inside

❘❚ LSONews.com

Redfi sh success coincides with mild weather.

Page 8

Fair weather reds❘❚ FISHING

Three teal species downed in one hunt.Page 4

Texas trifecta

Pro bass anglers debate which matters most — bait or spot.

Page 8

Bass strategy

Season still open in three counties that seemingly have no ringnecks.

Page 5

Phantom pheasants

❘❚ HUNTING

By Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Texas hunters spend millions of dollars annu-ally to purchase licenses to hunt upland game birds. That money is supposed to go back into upland game bird conservation.

But the Super Combo option for buying licenses has made it tough for Texas Parks and

Wildlife Department offi cials to determine exactly how much money is generated for upland game birds.

There are an estimated 50,000 and 60,000 upland game bird hunters in Texas, according to harvest surveys released by Dave Morrison, TPWD’s small game program leader.

He said TPWD gets guidelines on how to spend money from the Texas legislature and

also said there currently is a surplus of funds.Upland game bird conservation groups are

hoping to persuade TPWD and the Legislature to release funds totaling nearly $14 million back to conservation and habitat restoration.

Morrison did not have exact dollar fi gures, but he did address where money is intended to go.

Anglers hook big bass when cold eases

WINTER TROUT: Anglers are reeling

in big speckled trout on the Texas

Coast. Sight castingwith a fl y rod has been effective in shallow fl ats that

draw trout on sunny days. Photo

by ScottSommerlatte, for

LSON.

See UPLAND BIRDS, Page 23

By Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Ellen Hatridge of Austin was having a hard time seeing the big speckled trout, but she still made a great cast.

“I could see it better than she could,” said Capt. Billy Trimble, who guides out of Aransas Pass, “so I told her where to put the fl y.

“She made a 65-foot cast, and the trout turned and ate it.”

But the fl y, one of Trimble’s white-on-white “Blind Chickens,” came loose, so the angler made another long cast.

“She turned around and put it right back there,” Trimble said, “and this time, the hook got set.”

The trout, plump with eggs, was measured at 30 inches before Hatridge eased her back into the water.


About the only thing warm in Texas the past few weeks has been the bass fi shing on some of

the state’s reservoirs.In fact, some of the

action has been down-right hot as several lakes saw records fall, or at least get rattled, in January.

First there was the 15.63-pound largemouth that shattered the lake record Jan. 7 at Falcon Lake on the U.S.-Mexican border. Next, a 5.62-pound spot-ted bass caught Jan. 15 on Lake Alan Henry in

the Panhandle might be a new state record.

And there have been only a few interrup-tions, according to James Bendele, co-owner of Falcon Lake Tackle in Zapata.

“Barring a few cold fronts, every nice day has been really good,” he said. “I’ve never seen as many 10- and 12-pounders caught as I’ve seen lately.”

Bendele said during the third week of January that the fi sh were in a pre-spawn pattern, but a new cold front might push them down for a day or two.

“But the weather warms and right back they come,” he said.

Anglers are catching big bass on big soft plas-tics and spinner baits.

HOOKED: Bass are being caught on soft plastics in many parts of the state. An-glers who fi nd warm water are having the best success in January. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON. See BIG BASS, Page 23

Money hard to track for upland birds

PURSUIT: The Super Combo option for buying licenses has made it tough for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offi cials to determine exactly how much money is generated for upland game birds. Conservation groups hope to persuade TPWD to release about $14 million in surplus funds to help pay for upland game bird habitat restoration. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Action on the fl ats

See TROUT ACTION, Page 23

❘❚ CONTENTSClassifi eds . . . . . . . . . Page 20Crossword . . . . . . . . . Page 18Fishing Report . . . . . . . Page 9For the Table. . . . . . . . Page 18Game Warden Blotter . . . . Page 12Heroes. . . . . . . . . . . Page 16Outdoor Datebook . . . . . Page 21Outfi tters and Businesses . . Page 21Products . . . . . . . . . . Page 20Sun, Moon and Tide data . . Page 18

Page 2 January 28, 2011 Lone✯Star Outdoor News LSONews.com



HUNTING

Waterfowl season ends,results mixed

IT’S A WRAP: Mixed results were reported for the Texas waterfowl season, which wrapped up on Jan. 23. However, a lot of hunters reported great late-season shoots, thanks to early winter rainfall in the state. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.


Many hunters took advantage of late sea-son rains to get in a few good shoots before the Texas waterfowl season ended last weekend across much of the state.

In the goose country near the Texas coast, Wharton County Game Warden Chris Bird said the duck hunting was slow all season, with the exception of a “great” early teal season.

“The bay is holding quite a few birds, but in Wharton County there just wasn’t many ducks or duck hunters this year,” Bird said. “The geese started out slow but they are here now. There are lots of snows and more sandhills than I’ve ever seen.”

Bird said the goose hunting picked up the last three weeks of the season as more guides zeroed in on birds that had just arrived.

“The geese showed up a lot later than normal this year,” Bird added. “Speaking with guides, goose numbers have been on a steady decline the past couple of years.” Hunters still can

shoot geese through Feb. 6 in the zones west of Interstate 35.

Along the coast, hunters had good late-sea-son outings over decoys around the bays near Rockport and Port O’Connor.

In East Texas, late showers brought more ducks into the area during the late season, but rain also tended to spread the birds out because it gave them more areas to feed.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offi -cials were hopeful for a good season after abun-dant rains in the spring and early summer, but after the rains stopped in September, those expectations were dampened.

Offi cials called the season “average at best,” especially in North Texas where the duck hunt-ers struggled to fi nd good hunting throughout the year.

More mallards had moved into the north-ern part of the state during the last two weeks, which gave hunters in the central portion of the state some good shoots.

In the Panhandle, hunters and guides were

reporting outstanding hunting after several major cold fronts pushed through the area late in the season.

Several outfi tter blogs reported high goose numbers around Lubbock.

According to Marcus Collins, game war-den for Hale and Floyd counties, the water-fowl hunting was outstanding, especially later in the season.

“It’s been phenomenal,” Collins said. “It’s as good as I’ve seen it in years. I checked a lot of do-it-yourselfers and guided hunters and if you have any idea what you’re doing, it’s hard not to kill birds.”

Collins said from November through the end of the season, more than 15 outfi tters were working in the area and they all were having successful shoots.

He said they were still doing well toward the end of the season, although the geese were starting to “get wiser.”

“But overall,” he said, “it’s been very good for everyone.”

More mule deer check station participation wanted

Triple-tealTriple-tealtrophy stilltrophy stillsavoredsavored


January is Rob Gokey’s favorite month. While he didn’t hunt much this season, last January is still on his mind.

It was January a year ago that Gokey, hunting near Buckeye in Matagorda County, nailed a trifecta.

In a single day, he shot three teal — one blue, one green and a duck that is rarely found on the Texas Coast, the cinnamon teal.

“It is very uncommon to get all three species in one hunt,” Gokey said. “We call that the ‘Texas Trifecta’ because the cinnamon teal is pretty rare.”

That is to say, rare on the Gulf Coast because they usually are found in the Pacifi c Flyway, although one might occasionally get confused and wind up in a fl ock of blue or green teal.

The cinnamon teal is aptly named for the drake’s body — a rich shade of brown.

Its range extends from southern British Columbia to South America, according to the “Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds.”

The species sometimes appears in Texas, but usually in the western area of the state.

It’s uncommon to fi nd them near the Texas coast, where Gokey was a guest at a duck camp operated by Bill Ansell of Galveston, a regional vice president for Ducks Unlimited.

Gokey, a businessman, has been active with DU for about 15 years, and

CHECKMATE: TPWD offi cials hopemore hunters come to check stationsto register their mule deer harvests nextseason. Photo by Morgan Tyler.

TROPHY: Rob Gokey of Richardson pres-ents the rare three-teal trophy he downed last year near Buckeye. His “Texas Trifec-ta” is rare because the teal trio included one blue, one green and a cinnamon. The cinnamon is seldom found on the Texas coast. Photo by Rob Gokey.

See TRIPLE-TEAL, Page 7


About 135 mule deer were brought to volunteer check stations last fall in the Trans-Pecos region, but the offi -cial in charge of the program believes it can be improved next season.

Data collected at the stations helps monitor harvest intensity, herd con-ditions and age structures, and to develop revisions in regulations.

The 2010 numbers still were being crunched in late January, said Shawn Gray, program leader for mule deer and pronghorn at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Meanwhile, Gray said he would study ways to encourage more hunter

participation at the check stations.He said the 135 entries would

provide important information, but TPWD biologists will learn more in the future from a much bigger sample.

The stations were set up during the weekends of Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6 in Culberson, Jeff Davis, Ward, Pecos, Terrell and Brewster counties.

Gray noted, however, the station at Monahans State Park was out of the way for some hunters. “I think we need to have them in areas where peo-ple are already stopping,” Gray said.

Gray said he would seek out more places like taxidermist shops or deer processors for future check stations.

He added that other stations last season might have gotten more traffi c if their road signs had been more prominent.

Gray plans, therefore, to get larger signs and put them where hunters easily can see them while traveling highway speeds.

“The data that we use from that person’s deer is going to be used for future mule deer management deci-sions,” Gray said. “So, each person’s deer is very important.

“The better we understand mule deer in the state, the better we identify hunting regulations in the future.”

The information includes age by tooth wear and replacement, num-

ber of antler points, antler inside spreads and basal circumferences, and fi eld-dressed weights.

Although last year’s check-sta-tion sample is smaller than Gray would like, he still expects it will confi rm some good news.

Biologists already believe the mule deer herd is quite healthy, thanks to wet weather earlier in 2010 that bolstered habitat from the Panhandle to the Trans Pecos.

“I haven’t seen the hard data yet,” Gray said, “but our biologists said they saw a lot of nice deer, and it was a good year for antler development.

“There were several 180- to 200-class deer across West Texas.”


Texan harvests rare Wisconsin ‘timber ghost’By Bill MillerLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Deborah Meritt went on a ghost hunt last fall in Wisconsin, but this was no Halloween gag.

With husband Rick, she arrived shortly after Labor Day at a tro-phy deer operation in northeast Wisconsin.

Her goal was to harvest a white-tailed buck — but one that was com-pletely white.

The Meritts, who operate Outback Wildlife Feeders in Gilmer, hunted with brothers Gary and Jimmy Nelson of Wild Rivers Whitetails, near the community of Fence in Wisconsin’s “Northwoods.”

Both companies regularly promote their products on the outdoor show circuit, and that’s how the Meritts and the Nelsons became friends.

“What attracted us most, aside from their charming personalities and quick wits, were their mounts of the piebald and white bucks featured in their show display,”

Deborah said. “I decided that I would like to hunt for one of their unique white bucks.”

Small herds of white deer are legend-ary in northern Wisconsin, but the deer at Wild Rivers Whitetails are not albino, Gary Nelson said.

“The type of deer we have is a white-color phase whitetail,” he said. “They actu-ally have a white gene that is dominant.”

White deer, albino or not, only can be hunted in Wisconsin if they are on a licensed breeding operation, like the one operated by the Nelsons.

Wild Rivers Whitetails has been in operation since 1996.

Brilliant autumn colors greeted the Meritts when they arrived at the farm.

“We unknowingly visited Wisconsin at the perfect time of year,” Deborah said.

She set out with Jimmy Nelson, cover-ing densely forested hillsides that had a few scattered food plots.

“Early and late we would hunt from blinds and hunt through the timber dur-ing the day,” Deborah said. “I was sur-prised to see several white deer, both does and bucks, along with the normal

white-tailed deer.”Rick harvested a northern whitetail early dur-

ing the visit that gross scored 246. He joined Deborah on the third day, which was rainy.

In the morning they saw a nice white buck with a non-typical rack, but it was a bit uneven. Jimmy assured the Meritts that there was an even nicer buck in the woods, and he was right.

They got a glimpse of him during an after-noon downpour, and they could see that his rack was wider.

“He vanished back through the timber just as quickly as he had appeared,” Deborah said.

They stalked the deer with light fading, but they caught more glimpses of him moving through the dense woods with a group of does.

“We circled around to intercept them and waited for the perfect shot,” Deborah said. “The does stepped slowly and timidly across the only opening that presented a clear shot, but when this white ghost buck stepped up to the clearing, he leapt across it in a blink and once again into the trees.

“As he slowed behind the does, he did fi nally make a fatal mistake and I claimed my timber ghost.”

The 10-point buck scored 143 6/8.

TIMBER GHOST: Deborah Meritt of Gilmer downed this rare all-whitewhite-tailed buck last fall in northeast Wisconsin. Photo by RickMeritt.

Pheasant season still open in 3 counties, but good luck killing oneBy Conor HarrisonLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Jefferson County Game Warden Colt Crawford has a running joke with his fellow wildlife offi cers.

“What were you doing this morning?” he asks.

“Out chasing pheasant hunters,” replies his friend.

It’s a little bit of a joke along

the southeastern coast of Texas in Chambers, Jefferson and Liberty counties, where the pheasant season extends through Feb. 27, long after the Jan. 2 closing in the Texas Panhandle.

But it’s hard to fi nd anyone who hunts pheasants in those counties because there seemingly are no ringnecks to be found there.

“I’ve been here 2 1/2 years and I’ve never seen a pheasant

or checked a pheasant hunter,” Crawford said.

The reason for those three coun-ties remaining open?

According to Dave Morrison, Texas Parks and Wildlife small game program leader, the area was stocked with pheasants during the late 1980s, but those efforts largely failed.

“They didn’t do very well for

whatever reason,” Morrison said. “But there are probably a few rem-nant birds and this gives people extra time to get out and maybe shoot a few birds.”

Morrison said he worked in Louisiana during that time and knows the three counties had birds at one time because Louisiana received extra birds from the area.

But wardens haven’t seen pheas-

ants in many years.Capt. Rod Ousley said he has been

in the area for 23 years and has never seen a pheasant or anyone kill one.

“About twice a year I get a call from someone who wants to come hunt them down here, and I do all I can to discourage it and point them towards the Panhandle,” Ousley said. “It’s hard to kill some-thing that isn’t here.”


By Mary Helen AguirreLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Jeremy Ruiz, a bow hunter who has spent seri-ous time hiding amid the cedar that dots the Texas Hill Country, knew fi rst-hand there was a gap in the camo industry.

There was just no pattern designed specifi cally for use in cedar country. Period.

Imagine his surprise, then, when he spotted Cedar Creek Camo hunting apparel on the shelves of an Austin store last fall.

Ruiz tried it. He liked it. He told his hunting bud-dies about it. They tried it and they liked it.

The 33-year-old from Wimberly is president of the Camo Cartel, a group

who hunts in Texas’ Hill Country and New Mexico. Now, all 10 hunt-crazy members are wearing the camo Ruiz found.

“These colors are spot-on,” he said of the Cedar Creek Camo pattern. “For hard-core bow hunters, especially turkey hunters, you want to be as concealed as possible.”

Austin-based Cedar Creek Camo is one of three Texas com-panies that have recently unveiled cedar camoufl age hunting

apparel and hope to claim a share of the lucrative camo industry.

Cedar Creek Camo was able to get its apparel on the marketplace just before last hunting season.

Hill Country Camo, based in Deer Park, received its fi rst shipment of apparel last year and sold plenty at a recent Texas Trophy Hunters Show.

And Eldorado-based CedarFlage plans to make a big push this spring when the turkey hunters will be out in droves.

The companies each came up with a pattern that the owners say best mimics the homely evergreen shrub-like cedar tree with its grayish, brownish shedding bark.

James Reynolds, an owner of Cedar Creek Camo, said his company set out to design a pattern that offered maximum concealment while hunting in the cedar breaks. His 3D pattern combines 12 earth tones and was designed through the use of digital photography and a touch of artistry.

Likewise, Hill Country Camo and CedarFlage developed their patterns based on digital photography.

Todd St. Francis, who owns Hill County Camo along with his wife, Debbie, described the company’s “Deadwood Cedar” pattern as a 12-color 3D pattern that refl ects the hues of the evergreen cedar, merged with a live oak whose limbs have died.

Steve Elmore, an outfi tter and owner of CedarFlage, said of his camo: “It’s just like looking at a cedar bush.”

The Texas entrepreneurs have traveled similar paths.

All three men said they recognized there was no cedar camo pattern on the market and worked to come up with a design for the cedar country where they hunt.

Then, there was the business of arranging for manufacturing, distribution and all the other work that accompanies the launching and nurturing of an embryonic business.

So far, the response has been positive.The Cedar Creek Camo currently is in

23 retailer stores, including three Buc-ee’s truck stops.

“It’s doing really, really well,” said Reynolds, noting that the most popular items are the cargo pants and the long-sleeve hunting shirt.

CedarFlage is in about fi ve retailers in the San Angelo area.

Hill Country Camo’s made-in-the-USA apparel is in a couple of retailers and some online sites.

Because of the coloration of the new cedar camo patterns, they have the potential of becoming popular in any part of the country where cedar, pine trees or any such colored veg-etation can be found. Time will tell if hunters across the U.S. are sold on these Texas-born patterns.

But Ruiz is already sold.“It’s awesome,” he said. “It conceals you like no other

we’ve tried.”See www.lsonews.com for more information on this camo.


An unsuspecting Hill Country buck drives his muzzle into a bin of feed corn to sneak a treat, but researchers in Kerrville have a different agenda.

The buck is feeding at a device called a "4-Poster," which slathers the deer with pesticides that kill dreaded cattle fever ticks. The chemicals are applied as the deer pushes its head through a port to feed.

At the same time, the head brushes against paint rollers saturated with pesticides. Later, as the deer grooms, the pes-ticide spreads to other parts of its body.

The 4-Poster is one of several devices devel-oped by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Research Lab in Kerrville. Scientists suspect that the ticks don’t harm deer, but they worry that white-

tails and other wildlife could become springboards for the tick's return to Texas livestock.

Fever ticks on cattle were largely eradicated in the 1940s, but the scientists aren't taking any chances on a return of the para-site. History shows that the ticks can carry deadly diseases such as bovine babesiosis, which has the potential to kill 90 percent of a cattle herd.

“It is a very real threat to agriculture bio-security for the U.S.,” said Dr. Adalberto Perez De Leon, lab director.

The scientists hope to prevent that by patenting several new methods like the 4-Poster. An automatic deer-collaring device was also developed at the lab by entomologist Mat Pound. It was patented in 1999.

According to the USDA, Pound and co-inventor Craig LeMeilleur designed it to automatically apply pesticide-soaked collars to wild deer in a bait station

apparatus.The device has an assem-

bly for holding a collar in an open position. The deer moves into a V-shaped area to eat corn and the collar suddenly snaps around its neck when its presses against a trigger mechanism.

“White-tailed deer are regarded as the major com-plicating factor in current eradication efforts since they are suitable hosts for cattle fever ticks,” Pound said. “Removing cattle from infested pastures was a via-ble eradication method in past years, but now it’s unlikely to be effective as long as white-tailed deer remain within an area.”

Perez De Leon said the lab currently is working on other tick eradication methods.

The cattle fever ticks do not present a health risk to hunters, although deer that can carry other ticks that that can infect people with lyme disease.

Included are the deer tick,

the western black legged tick and the Lone Star tick. The devices developed at Kerrville can be used to treat deer for those ticks, the scientists said.

Meanwhile, Perez De Leon said more research is needed to confi rm the suspicion that deer are immune to cattle tick fever.

“We are addressing that issue right now,” he said. “When cattle fever ticks bite a deer, they are exposed. But as far as we know, they don’t become sick with the disease.”

A main goal of the lab is spreading the word to ranchers and deer breed-ers in South Texas about the possibility of wildlife spreading the diseases to cattle through ticks.

“A partnership is needed with ranchers to raise aware-ness,” Perez De Leon said. “Ranchers raising cattle and deer together is a double-whammy as far as risk.”

To learn more about this issue, go to www.lsonews.com.

Lab working to keep fever ticks off deer

Cedar camo companies vie for Hill Country nicheMADE TO HUNT: Three Texas companies have almost simultaneously entered the hunting apparel market with camoufl age clothes that blend with the cedars of the Hill Country. Austin-based Cedar Creek Camo was able to get its apparel, shown here, on the marketplace just before last fall’s hunting season. Photo by Cedar Creek Camo.

ROLLING: A Texas buck eats corn at a "4-Poster" feeding station designed to ridthe deer of ticks. Photo by USDA.

Eradication research continues in Kerrville

READY FOR SPRING: CedarFlage, based in Eldorado, plans to make a big push in the upcoming spring turkey season with pieces like the shirt shown here. Photo by CedarFlage.

CEDAR BREAKS: Hill Country Camo, based in Deer Park, outfi ts hunters from head to toe. A complete en-semble is shown here. Photo by Hill Country Camo.


Triple-tealContinued From Page 4

currently serves as Texas state sponsor chairman.He completed the triple-teal trophy in a single

morning, from the same blind.“There was just a tremendous amount of teal and

we got lucky on getting all three,” Gokey said. “There was no other cinnamon teal killed that weekend.”

Gokey began waterfowl hunting 30 years ago with his father, Bob, who is his partner in their family food sales company.

He also enjoys hunting with his 14-year-old son, Kyle.Gokey once shot two banded mallards in one day,

but he said the hunt near Buckeye tops that.“This year has been a little bit slower,” he said. “I

haven’t gotten out as much because of business and family obligations.”

Gokey, however, relived the Buckeye experience recently when the three-teal mount was brought home from the taxidermist.

“When I fi nished the trifecta out, it was like scor-ing the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl,” he said. “There was so much hooting and hollering, they heard us over on the neighboring property.”

TEAL TRIO: The teal slam taken by Rob Gokey of Richardson is showcased in this mounted display of the three birds. Photo by Rob Gokey.

Texas Duck Stamp prints still fund projectsBut proceeds have dwindled since 1980s


Since the early 1980s, the state of Texas has had a duck stamp, with proceeds from its print sales ben-efi ting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Those funds, however, have declined signifi cantly since TWPD switched to electronic license sales and hunters no longer had to pur-chase actual stamps.

The story begins in 1981, said Bubba Wood, owner of Collector’s Covey in Dallas.

He recalled recently that a bill intro-duced in the Legislature would have sent 50 percent of revenue gained from the sale of duck stamp prints to an international waterfowl founda-tion, such as Ducks Unlimited.

Wood wasn’t against foundations, but he was concerned about money leaving Texas.

“I was opposed to that bill because I didn’t want to see Texans getting taxed and the money going out of state,” Wood said.

Wood turned to Perry Bass, the Fort Worth oilman. In 1981, Bass,

who died in 2006, was chairman of the TPW Commission.

“He helped get the bill killed,” Wood said.

The bill was rewritten to guaran-tee proceeds went to Texas water-fowl, and that bill passed into law.

A bidding process ensued with retailers vying to become the exclu-sive seller of the prints, and Collector’s Covey was awarded the bid.

Wood acknowledged it was a good deal for him.

“It was a lot of fun back in the day — just magi-cal,” he said. “The fi rst year, royalties from

the print sales were greater than the money the state raised from the actual sale of the stamps.”

In 1981, the state made $670,395 from the sale of 16,500 prints.

“Back then, the state duck stamps were so collectible, especially the fi rst edition,” Wood said. “Texas spawned a lot of state duck stamp programs.”

The 1981 Texas Duck Stamp print was the largest single signed and num-bered print of any kind ever sold, including the federal duck stamp print, Wood said.

In the second year, 9,500 prints were sold and the state made approx-imately $400,000 in royalties.

“It’s declined every year except 1985, when (Texan) Jack Cowen was the artist,” Wood said. “It went up a little bit that year because Jack was such a well-known artist.”

These days, fewer than 1,000 duck stamp prints are sold annu-

ally, although TPWD still makes royalties from the sales. In 2009, the state received $37,410 from the proceeds of all wildlife stamp prints; of that amount, $20,500 came from the duck stamp prints.

“When the state went to computer licenses in 1996, it hurt sales,” Wood said. “The stamp prints are collectible, but not investments.”

In a 2005 press release from TPWD, the agency said more than $15 mil-lion had been raised through the Texas Duck Stamp program, with another $5 million raised through the sales of the

stamps and prints.Major conser-

vation initiatives funded through the program included the acquisition of more than 18,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas, the restoration of more than 112,000 acres of wetland habitat and more than 35 marsh proj-

ects with Ducks Unlimited.“Perry Bass was the real hero of this

story,” Wood said. “He shepherded this through the process. I think people like the fact that Texas gets the money.”

STAMP OF APPROVAL: Proceeds from the sale of duck stamp prints, like the ones pictured in these three images, help TPWD fund conservation proj-ects around the state. Photos by Bubba Wood.


FISHING

Mild weather extends redfi sh bite for someOthers skunked

by cold water, high winds

By Nicholas ConklinLONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Anglers searching the Texas Gulf Coast for redfi sh are reporting differ-ences that are like night and day.

For some, an abundance of reds has kept the consistent 2010 bite going strong in 2011.

But for others, cold temperatures and high winds have all but sunk their hopes for fi sh.

The action in Galveston Bay has held steady because of the large, con-sistent population of redfi sh.

“In fact, I have never seen as many redfi sh in my life in the bay as there has been last year (and into this year),” guide Tom Brown said. “We’ve just had an incredible redfi sh population.”

Brown’s target depths are 4 to 6 feet over muddy or shell-covered bottoms.

He also has had success fi shing artifi cial baits like the Deadly Dudley in pearl and chartreuse. This is a sim-ple paddletail bait, about 4 ounces.

Although weather has been a con-cern along much of the coast, Brown said that only matters for fi nding redfi sh holding patterns. Some of the places he has marked are along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Galveston Ship Channel.

Fishing has been strong in the Laguna Madre area, where reds have been drawn to abundant baitfi sh, said guide Ruben Cisneros.

He credited recent rainfall for stirring up the bait.

“I have seen a particularly large increase of crab and shrimp in our secluded fl ats,” Cisneros said.

Cisneros also found success with small paddletail baits. He added that while sight

casting in winter, fi sh are likely to strike at a variety of bait presentations.

Guide Jamie Spears reported high-catch totals in the Port Isabel/South Padre Island area.

By working gold spoons, Spears reported reds of 23 to 28 inches. He said that although fi shing has been steady, the weather has been challenging.

With winds close to 20 mph, the fi shing shuts down quickly, Spears said.

Farther north, Baffi n Bay continues to pro-duce fair numbers of fi sh for those working Bass Assassins and other soft body baits.

Guide Jim Leavelle of Tarpon Adventures has found success while fi shing artifi cial baits in a cantaloupe color with a 1/8-ounce jig head.

Water temperatures around 67 degrees have been stable in the area, which has added to success, Leavelle said.

But, for those fi shing near Rockport, foul

weather has throttled much of the activity. With water temperatures dipping into the

low to mid-50s, guide Marvin Landers has been forced to wait out the weather.

Success depends on close attention to water temperatures because redfi sh retreat to lower depths when it’s cold, Landers said.

“It’s pretty miserable fi shing out there right now,” Landers said. “But, when that water temperature gets back to about 68 degrees, we’ll start to fi sh again.”

FAIR WEATHER REDS: Abundant redfi sh are being caught this winter on the Gulf Coast, as long as winds stay light and water temperatures don’t dip into the 50s. Photo by Scott Sommerlatte, for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Bait or spot?Bass anglers debate which matters most

By Kyle CarterFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

At the end of a bass fi shing trip, no mat-ter how well it went, there’s some analyz-ing to be done.

If you caught them, you contemplate why, how, and how you might do it again. If you missed them, it’s why, how, and how can you avoid it in the future. And in a sport that, for the most part, takes place in an unseen world underwater, the analysis mostly takes place through educated guesses.

Those educated guesses often spur debate among anglers about what it takes to catch more bass. What should an angler spend his time analyzing?

Most agree that to catch bass you have to be near them and offer them something they’ll stick in their mouths. But which one of those is more important — the spot or the bait — is up for endless debate.

“Obviously if you fi gure both of those out that’s the day you never forget, but I think it’s more important to fi nd the right spot,” said Trevor Romans, who fi shes the North and Central regions of the Texas Bass Champs tour.

“It’s harder to fi nd the right spot,” he said, “especially this time of year. They get bunched up in the winter, so when you do fi nd the right spot, it’s actually pretty easy to catch them.”

Charles Whited, who fi shes the South and Central regions of Bass Champs, sim-plifi ed it even more.

“You’ve got to fi nd them before you can catch them,” he said. “Any angler can catch them. I do a lot of guiding and they rely on me to fi nd the fi sh so that they can go there and catch them.

“It’s always about fi nding the right spot.”But nothing is

ever that simple. Allen Shelton,

who fi shes all four regions of Bass Champs, said bait and presentation are more impor-tant than spots.

“Guys like Kevin VanDam and Skeet Reese can’t win tournament after tourna-ment by fi nding the right spot,” Shelton

said. “They fi nd patterns that can work from lake to lake, and you can’t fi nd a good pattern without the right bait.”

All three anglers agreed that the ulti-mate goal is to fi nd a pattern — some-thing that is working all over the lake in multiple spots — but they disagreed on how to get there.

Shelton says he likes to start with a crankbait, experimenting in different depths with crankbait lips of different sizes and shapes. Once he fi nds suc-cess, he starts paying more attention to the spot he is in and looks for simi-lar areas across the lake.

Romans said he tries multiple styles in multiple areas.

“Once you’ve identifi ed where they are and what they’re doing, you can start trying to identify other parts of the water that are offering the same thing,” Romans said. “It’s always better to have a pattern than relying on one spot.”

The difference between search-ing for the right spot and searching for the right bait is subtle — it’s hard to have one without the other — but Shelton said the correct approach var-ies among anglers.

“I’m a shallow fi sherman, so I’m always looking for a pattern over a spot,” Shelton said. “I think having a pattern is more important than any-thing, but if you’re a guy who likes to fi sh deep, it might be more important to fi nd the right spot.

“You just do whatever suits your style.”

PRIORITIES: Most agree that to catch bass you have to be near them and offer them something they’ll stick in their mouths. But which one of those is more important – the spot or the bait – is up for endless debate. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

Changes to sea trout regulations

debatedMeetings over, decision

expected soon


Texas anglers and guides are bracing for pos-sible changes to sea trout regulations — includ-ing smaller bag limits — after a series of meetings conducted along the coast by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists.

TPWD concluded the series of scoping meet-ings on sea trout Jan. 18 in Corpus Christi and, according to Art Morris, TPWD fi sheries outreach specialist, the reaction from anglers and conser-vation groups was split down the middle.

“We received an overall response from more than 1,000 people,” Morris said. “Nearly half of those (48 percent) were favorable to some sort of change and half were not favorable.

“Of those that did favor change, most sup-ported going to a fi ve-fi sh bag limit.”

The current limit is 10 sea trout per person with a minimum size of 15 inches.

Morris said other ideas supported by some anglers included slot limits, raising or lowering the minimum size and having different regula-tions for guided and recreational trips.

He added that anglers on the lower coast were more open to changes in bag limits than the upper coast.

See TROUT REGULATIONS, Page 11

SEE MORE■ Scan Technology: Page 11


ALAN HENRY: Water lightly stained; 44–48 degrees; 1.77’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on live minnows over brush piles. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers.

AMISTAD: Water clear; 60 degrees; 0.68’ high. Largemouth bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, spoons, and soft plastic worms and lizards. Striped bass are good on crankbaits and jigging spoons. White bass are good on crankbaits and jigging spoons. Catfi sh are good on cheesebait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers over baited holes to 120 feet. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

ATHENS: Water fairly clear, 45–48 degrees; 1.8’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfi sh are fair on cut shad.

BASTROP: Water clear. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on chicken livers and nightcrawlers. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

BELTON: Water clear; 61 degrees; 3.10’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Hybrid striper are good on live shad early. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on doughbait and snails. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

BOB SANDLIN: Water off-color; 44–48 degrees; 3.52’ low. No reports on Largemouth bass. White bass are fair on slabs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs under the Hwy 21 Bridge. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

BRAUNIG: Water clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on minnows. Striped bass are fair on live shad and striper jigs. Redfi sh are fair on live perch and shrimp near the dam. Channel cat-fi sh are good on chicken livers, shrimp, and nightcrawlers.

BRIDGEPORT: Water fairly clear; 45–47 degrees; 3.42’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and Texas rigs. White bass are fair on jigging spoons and minnows. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Catfi sh are fair on stinkbait and cut shad.

BROWNWOOD: Water clear; 59 degrees; 9.46’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits, Persuader crankbaits, and watermelon red soft plastic worms over brush piles in 10–18 feet. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are fair on Li’l Fishies and crankbaits from lighted docks at night. Crappie are good on Li’l Fishies and minnows over brush piles in 10–20 feet. Channel catfi sh are fair on shrimp, stinkbait, and liver.

BUCHANAN: Water clear; 60 degrees; 10.49’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse curl tail grubs on jigheads, Texas-rigged watermelon Scoundrel worms, and trolling blue back Fat Free Shads along ledges in 10–25 feet. Striped bass are fair on live shad, Spoiler Shad swim baits, and Pirk Minnows in 20–30 feet. White bass are fair on jigging spoons, white crappie jigs, and spinnerbaits along main lake points in 15–20 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows.

CADDO: Water murky; 44–47 degrees; 0.24’ high. Largemouth bass are slow on jigs and weightless fl ukes. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair to good on spoons.

CALAVERAS: Water clear; 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on minnows and small spinnerbaits. Striped bass are good on live shad and chartreuse striper jigs. Redfi sh are fair on live perch and shad. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

CANYON LAKE: Water clear; 57 degrees; 1.07’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon Brush Hogs, Texas-rigged chartreuse JDC drop-shot worms, and tubes on jigheads along bluffs in 15–25 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits along main lake points. Smallmouth bass are good on watermelon red grubs, blue/red fl ake tubes on jigheads, and white soft plastic worms along main lake points. Crappie are fair on minnows.

CEDAR CREEK: Water stained; 44–49 degrees; 3.07’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, spoons and Texas rigs. White bass are fair to good on chartreuse/white slabs. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on live shad and Sassy Shad. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are fair to good on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

CHOKE CANYON: Water clear; 61 degrees; 5.70’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelon jigs, crankbaits, and soft plastic worms along grassy edges. White bass are slow. Crappie are on minnows and Li’l Fishies. Drum are fair on live

worms. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on minnows and hot dogs in 5–15 feet. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

COLEMAN: Water fairly clear; 58 degrees; 10.65’ low. Largemouth bass are good on watermelon soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. Hybrid striper are good on minnows and white striper jigs. Crap-pie are good on minnows and blue tube jigs. Channel catfi sh are fair on stinkbait and shrimp. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

COLETO CREEK: Water fairly clear; 63 degrees (82 degrees at discharge); 0.14’ high. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse Rat–L–Traps and spinnerbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are slow. Channel and blue catfi sh to 3 pounds are good on perch and stinkbait in 10–20 feet. Yellow catfi sh are fair on trotlines baited with live perch.

CONROE: Water fairly clear; 1.49’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rat–L–Traps in 10–20 feet. Striped bass are fair on silver striper jigs. Crappie are fair on minnows and green tube jigs. Catfi sh are good on stinkbait and shrimp.

FAYETTE: Water fairly clear; 64 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse Carolina-rigged soft plastic worms, Rat–L–Traps, and spinnerbaits in 10–20 feet. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on stinkbait, shrimp, and nightcrawlers over baited holes in 15–25 feet.

FORK: Water fairly clear; 44–47 degrees; 3.37’ low. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are good on prepared baits and nightcrawlers.

GRANBURY: Water clear; 1.06’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on water-melon spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and crankbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on min-nows and chartreuse tube jigs. Catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait. An active golden algae bloom has been confi rmed above HWY 377.

GRAPEVINE: Water stained; 46–49 degrees; 1.35’ low. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on jigs, drop-shot rigs and split

shot-rigged LFT Ring Fry. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfi sh are fair on cut shad.

JOE POOL: Water off-color; 45–49 degrees; 0.21’ high. Largemouth bass are good on drop-shot rigs and crankbaits in 6–10 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs around bridge columns and brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and prepared baits.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Water lightly stained; 44–48 degrees; 0.63’ low. Largemouth bass are good on

spinnerbaits, crankbaits and black/blue Power Worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in 20–25 feet (December 1st through February 28th, anglers keep their fi rst 25 crappie regardless of size). Catfi sh are good on bloodbait. Bream are slow to fair on cut nightcrawlers.

LAVON: Water stained; 45–47 degrees; 5.21’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair to good on minnows around bridge columns. White bass are fair on slabs and spoons. Catfi sh are fair on prepared bait.

LBJ: Water stained; 60 degrees; 0.18’ low. Largemouth bass are good on wa-termelon red jigs, pumpkinseed worms, and green pumpkin tubes off docks. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair to good on silver Pirk Minnows near the power plant. Crappie are fair on minnows over brush piles. Channel catfi sh are fair on shrimp and nightcrawlers. Yellow and blue catfi sh are slow.

LEWISVILLE: Water stained; 44–47 degrees; 0.52’ low. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on jigs and Power Tackle Lat-eral Perch. Crappie are fair on minnows. White bass are fair to good on slabs. Catfi sh are fair on cut shad.

LIVINGSTON: Water fairly clear; 47–52 degrees; 0.34’ high. Largemouth bass to 3 pounds are fair on soft plastics, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfi sh are good on trotlines baited with shad. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

MACKENZIE: Water lightly stained; 43–47 degrees; 78.11’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfi sh are fair on cut shad and prepared bait.

MONTICELLO: Water fairly clear; 68–85 degrees; 0.6’ low. Largemouth bass are good on weightless fl ukes, Rat–L–Traps, spinnerbaits and Texas rigs. No reports on crappie. Catfi sh are fair to good on prepared bait.

O.H. IVIE: Water lightly stained; 45–49

degrees; 27.16’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs. Crappie are fair on live min-nows. Catfi sh are fair on prepared bait.

PALESTINE: Water lightly stained; 44–47 degrees; 2.4’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in 20–25 feet around brush piles and bridge columns. Hybrid striper and white bass are fair on shad and slabs. Catfi sh are fair on cut shad.

POSSUM KINGDOM: Water stained; 45–49 degrees; 1.51’ low. Largemouth bass are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows over brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs. Striped bass are fair on live shad. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers and cut bait.

RAY HUBBARD: Water fairly clear; 46–48 degrees; 2.87’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and split shot-rigged fl ukes. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Hybrid striper are slow to fair on slabs. Catfi sh are fair on chartreuse (use Worm–Glo) nightcrawlers.

RAY ROBERTS: Water clear; 44–48 degrees; 1.18’ low. Largemouth bass are slow on jigs and crankbaits around rocky points. Crappie are slow. White bass are good on main lake humps and ridges in 30–35 feet on chartreuse/white 1 oz. slabs. Catfi sh are fair drifting cut shad around main lake humps.

RICHLAND CHAMBERS: Water off-color; 46–49 degrees; 2.48’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs and Texas rigs. White bass and hybrid striper are fair to good on live shad and slabs on main lake humps. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs around deep–water trees. Catfi sh are fair on nightcrawlers, prepared bait and liver.

SAM RAYBURN: Water lightly stained; 44–50 degrees; 8.64’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. White bass are fair on live minnows. Crappie are fair on minnows and blue tube jigs. Bream are fair on worms. Catfi sh are good on stinkbait and shrimp.

SOMERVILLE: Water murky; 61 degrees; 1.86’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Hybrid striper are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on juglines baited with perch and cut shad. Yellow catfi sh are slow.

TAWAKONI: Water fairly clear; 46–49 degrees; 3.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on jigs, slow–rolled spinnerbaits and Power Tackle Lateral Perch. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs over brush piles. White bass are fair on slabs and live min-nows. Striped bass and hybrid striper are fair on live shad and topwaters. Catfi sh are fair on prepared baits.

TEXOMA: Water off-color; 47–49 degrees; 0.7’ low. Largemouth bass are slow to fair on jigs and drop-shot rigs. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Striped bass are fair to good on live shad and dead–sticked slabs or Sassy Shad.

TOLEDO BEND: Water fairly clear; 62 degrees; 8.17’ low. Largemouth bass are good on chartreuse crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. Crappie are fair on minnows over brush piles. Bream are fair on worms. Channel and blue catfi sh are good on shrimp and stinkbait.

TRAVIS: Water fairly clear; 59 degrees; 13.25’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on chartreuse crankbaits, soft plastic worms, and Rat–L–Traps in 10–25 feet. Striped bass are slow. White bass are fair on minnows and jigging spoons in 30–40 feet. Crappie are fair on minnows. Chan-nel and blue catfi sh are fair on shrimp and nightcrawlers in 20–40 feet.

WHITNEY: Water stained; 9.03’ low. Largemouth bass are fair on char-treuse and watermelon spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and Rat–L–Traps. Striped bass are fair on minnows and silver striper jigs. White bass are fair on minnows, hellbenders, and pet spoons. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfi sh are good on shrimp, liver, and hot dogs.

NORTH SABINE: Redfi sh are good in the marsh on small topwaters and live shad. Trout are fair on the shorelines on Corkies and Catch 2000s.

SOUTH SABINE: Sheepshead and black drum are good at the jetty on live shrimp. Trout are fair around the Reef on live shrimp. Trout are fair to good on shell and mud on Gulps.

BOLIVAR: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on soft plastics and plugs. Black drum and redfi sh are good at Rollover Pass.

TRINITY BAY: Trout are good for drifters working pods of shad and mullet on Bass Assassins, Trout Killers and Sand Eels. Redfi sh are good at the spillway on crabs and mullet.

EAST GALVESTON BAY: Trout are fair to good on the south shoreline on Catch 5s, MirrOlures and Catch 2000s. Whiting and sand trout are good on the edge of the Intracoastal on fresh shrimp.

WEST GALVESTON BAY: Sheepshead, redfi sh and black drum are good at the jetty on shrimp and crabs. Trout are fair for waders working slow–sinkers in the afternoon.

TEXAS CITY: Redfi sh are fair to good in the holes in Moses Lake on fresh shrimp and cracked crabs. Black drum are fair over reefs on shrimp.

FREEPORT: Sand trout and sheepshead are good on live shrimp on the reefs. Black drum are fair to good in San Luis Pass on cracked blue crabs.

EAST MATAGORDA BAY: Trout are fair to good for drifters in the afternoon on live shrimp over humps and scattered shell. Redfi sh are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on crabs and mullet. Waders have taken trout over mud.

WEST MATAGORDA BAY: Redfi sh are fair to good at the mouth of Oyster Lake on shrimp. Trout are fair on shell, mud and grass on soft plastics. Black drum are fair to good at the jetty on crabs.

PORT O’CONNOR: Trout and redfi sh are good on topwaters and live shrimp over reefs and soft mud in San Antonio Bay. Trout and redfi sh are fair for drifters working the back lakes with live shrimp.

ROCKPORT: Redfi sh are fair to good in the on the drop–offs in the channel on crabs. Trout are fair over grass while drifting with live shrimp.

PORT ARANSAS: Redfi sh and black drum are good in the Shrimpboat Channel on crabs and fi nger mullet. Redfi sh and sheepshead are fair to good at the jetty on shrimp.

CORPUS CHRISTI: Redfi sh are fair to good in the coves and bayous on small topwaters and spoons. Trout are fair to good on the edge of the spoils on Gulps and live shrimp.

BAFFIN BAY: Trout are fair to good in mud and grass on Corkies and topwaters. Redfi sh are fair along the spoils on shrimp and Gulps.

PORT MANSFIELD: Trout are fair to good on topwaters around sand and grass holes. Redfi sh are fair to good while drifting pot holes on Gulps under popping corks.

SOUTH PADRE: Trout and redfi sh are fair to good on the edge of the Intracoastal on DOA Shrimp and Gulps. Redfi sh are good in South Cullen Bay and Gas Well Flats on Gulps and shrimp.

PORT ISABEL: Trout and redfi sh are fair to good in South Bay on live shrimp. Redfi sh are fair at Three Island on small topwaters and soft plastics under rattling corks. Trout are fair on the edge of the channel on Gulps.

TEXAS FISHING REPORT

HOT BITES SALTWATERSCENE

n South Cullen Bay and

edgeg

LARGEMOUTH BASS

BASTROP: Good on chartreuse soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and Rat–L–Traps.

CANYON LAKE: Good on watermelon Brush Hogs, Texas-rigged chartreuse JDC drop-shot worms, and tubes on jigheads along bluffs in 15–25 feet.

COLEMAN: Good on watermelon soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and Rat–L–Traps.

JOE POOL: Good on drop-shot rigs and crankbaits in 6–10 feet.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and black/blue Power Worms.

CRAPPIE

BOB SANDLIN: Good on minnows and jigs under the Hwy 21 Bridge.

BROWNWOOD: Good on Li’l Fishies and minnows over brush piles in 10–20 feet.

LAKE O’ THE PINES: Good on minnows and jigs in 20–25 feet.

Sponsored by

CATFISH

BASTROP: Channel and blue catfi sh are good on chicken livers and nightcrawlers.

CHOKE CANYON: Channel and blue catfi sh are good on minnows and hot dogs in 5–15 feet.

FORK: Good on prepared baits and nightcrawlers.

to good on the edge of

WHITE, HYBRID, STRIPER

AMISTAD: Striped bass are good on crankbaits and jigging spoons. White bass are good on crankbaits and jig-ging spoons.

BELTON: Hybrid striper are good on live shad early.

RAY ROBERTS: White bass are good on main lake humps and ridges in 30–35 feet on chartreuse/white 1 oz. slabs.

HOT SPOT

Falcon LakeAfter the breaking of a 20-year lake record this month, Falcon continues

to produce plenty of great largemouth bass fi shing.Great water temperature has pushed big fi sh into a pre-spawn pattern,

and anglers are catching loads of 10- and 12-pounders. This 9-pound bass was caught on Jan. 19 by Johnny Miller while

fi shing with guide Tommy Law, (325) 439-6045.


Those who’ve met JP DeRose know that he is an avid fi sherman with a great outgoing personality.

From his hometown of Stouffville, Ontario, JP has been fi shing for more than 25 years. He grew up fi shing but never fully took it up until age 13 and the rest is history.

By age 26, JP had bought his fi rst boat and since then has been com-peting in tournaments all over North America.

With 127 top-10 tourna-ment fi nishes and 34 fi rst-place fi nishes, JP quickly fell in love with the sport.

Now in his third season with World Fishing Network, JP hosts his own show called Get-ting School'd with JP DeRose, a 30-minute show where he reviews the newest products in the fi shing industry — anything from the lat-est fi shing rods, to the best lures and the top accessories on the market today.

Fishing Questions:1. How many years have you been fi shing?

I've been fi shing since I could walk but re-ally got into it big time around the age of 13. Tournaments began at the age of 26 with the purchase of my fi rst real boat, a 16-footer with a 45-hp motor.

2. What was your fi rst fi sh that you ever caught?

The fi rst fi sh I can remember catching was probably a pumpkinseed. I used to travel by bike or bus to local ponds around Toronto, Ontario and spend endless hours catching panfi sh.

3. Who taught you how to fi sh? I really kind of taught myself ... I loved to read

magazines and loved to spend time on the wa-

ter trying the new stuff out. Learning to throw a baitcast-er at the age of 11 was my brother, Carmine, who gave me one of his old junkers!

4. Where is your favorite fi shing spot and why?

That is a tough one ... I really love to fi sh for every-thing, so picking one place is very challenging ... Lake Erie for smallmouth, Niagara River for rainbow trout and the Bay of Quinte for large-mouth bass.

5. Which types of fi sh do you like to fi sh for most?

Depending on the season I change quite a bit but my mainstay is defi nitely bass. Next would be trout, rainbows to be exact, and then crappie and perch. Walleye, pike and musky fall down on my list since I'm usually entwined in other spe-cies when they are in season.

6. Do you have any superstitions before/during each fi shing trip?

No superstitions; I have never really gotten into the whole banana in the boat thing or not shaving, but if I'm doing well I'll stick with the game plan.

7. What is your favorite type of fi sh to eat? Subway Tuna on whole wheat! I really don't

like fi sh. If I were forced to choose, it would be a steak every time. Fried calamari is the only other water critter that I'll attempt to eat.

8. Out of all your years of fi shing, what would you say is your most memorable fi shing moment?

Probably winning the CFT/CRK Belleville open in 2005. It was my fi rst major win in my second year fi shing the Pro/Am circuit and the $10,000 was a nice added bonus.

Meet JP DeRose, host of Getting School’d with JP DeRose

ADVERTISEMENT

JP DEROSE


New sonar devices reveal the unseen By Ralph WininghamFOR LONE STAR OUTDOOR NEWS

Knowing what lies beneath the surface of any lake or river often is the key to fi shing success for anglers of any skill level.

Being able to gather and examine that information has become a lot easier and quicker with the recent appearance of space-age sonar tech-nology in the fi sh fi nder market.

Both Lowrance and Humminbird recently have introduced high-res-olution color fi sh fi nders that pro-vide underwater details far beyond systems that were mainstays of the fi shing industry just a few years ago.

“There is still a time and place for poking the tip of your rod into the water to see how deep it is, but it seems like every six months we are seeing new technology that can tell us more about what is down there,’’

said professional angler Cody Greaney of Austin. “It is just amaz-ing to fi nd that you have been fi sh-ing a place for years and thought you knew what was down there, and now you can see what the structure really is.’’

Greaney, who has been fi shing the FLW Outdoors tournament circuit for the past fi ve years, quickly added that the latest sonar images of fi sh, structure and the bottom still do not give anglers an unfair advantage.

“You still have to know how to catch the fi sh — the right bait, the right color, the right speed to make them bite,’’ he said.

Echoing his comments is veteran fi shing guide Manny Martinez, who said he thought he knew the bottom of Calaveras Lake at San Antonio like the back of his hand after 25 years of fi nding catfi sh, redfi sh and stripers in the CPS Energy reservoir.

Martinez recently installed the lat-est electronic system by Lowrance that provides him with all the bells and whistles possible: below-the-boat and side sonar; water and air temperature; Global Positioning System; Sirius radio including cur-rent weather information and nearly

unlimited music channels; and many other features.

“I have found out things that I never knew and never thought I would know,’’ he said. “You can see the tie wraps around underwa-ter pipes and what you might have thought was a log might turn out to be a row of rocks.

“We have come from watching funny little blips on the screen to get-ting a picture of what is really down there. I can tell if I am over baitfi sh, a striper or a redfi sh by the image on the screen. I can even tell if catfi sh are channel cats or blue cats. This new system is well worth all the pen-nies, nickels and dimes it costs.”

Ryan Roby, a pro-staff member of the marine center at the San Antonio Bass Pro Shops, said the latest elec-tronic systems by both Lowrance and Humminbird are top sellers with anglers looking for an edge.

“The technological advances in

the past 10 years have really been phenomenal,” he said. “The latest advances have been with the side imaging where the angler can see not only what is below their boat, but what is out on each side of the boat.

“The defi nition is also so much better. The images have become more like a picture than the car-toon-like view of earlier models. You can detect all the cracks and crevices in the bottom and can tell if the structure on the bottom is a tree or a sunken boat.’’

Although the data provided to anglers using the new electronic sys-tems has become far more exact and detailed, Roby agreed with Greaney and Martinez that there is no unfair advantage to high-tech anglers.

“No matter what you see on the screen, it is not going to make the fi sh bite,’’ he said. “You still have to put the right bait in the right place at the right time, just like always.’’

FINDING FISH: Today’s sonar technology on fi sh fi nders gives anglers a new perspective of structure when attempting to locate fi sh. Several different scan technologies are being used to see the bottom of lakes and rivers like never before. Photo by Lowrance.

A fi ve-fi sh limit currently is in effect for the Lower Laguna Madre, although Morris said the data, to date, was inconclusive about whether it has helped trout numbers there.

“From our gill-net survey, we have been catching a few less trout than we were prior to the rule change,” he said. “We have seen people catching slightly larger fi sh. The jury is still out on that.”

Morris said the main concern was the 60-percent decline in trout being caught in gill-net surveys in San Antonio and Aransas bays.

“That gets our phone ringing and people switching to other fi sh-eries,” he said. “That’s the reason we threw (the proposed conserva-tion methods) out for discussion.

“When you have constant fi sh-ing pressure on top of a depressed population, it leads to a decline.”

Like TPWD’s numbers, anglers and guides were split in their assessments of the new proposals.

“The lower coast has a fi ve-trout limit and I don’t think it would be a bad idea along the middle coast,” said Rockport angler Jeff Groseclose. “The fi sh are under high pressure. Personally, I am see-ing a decline in trout.

“I don’t know if it’s about the salin-ity or fi shing pressure, but it seems like the quantity hasn’t been there.”

In an unoffi cial survey on www.2coolfi shing.com’s mes-sage board, more than 300 anglers responded to a poll on the matter.

Thirty-three percent were in favor of no changes, the highest percentage total. Twenty-eight per-cent favored reducing bag limits to fi ve trout statewide. Ten percent wanted to raise the minimum size anglers are allowed to keep.

Guides also were divided on the issue, with many asking TPWD why they are proposing to lower limits when they don’t have evi-dence the lower limits are working in the Lower Laguna Madre.

“It’s discouraging because their sci-entifi c evidence doesn’t show it improv-ing,” said mid-coast guide Dan Kelly.

Several guides said they feared Texas anglers would start making the short trip to Louisiana, where there is a 25-fi sh limit and 12-inch minimum.

“People can drive two hours from Houston and keep a lot more fi sh,” Kelly added.

TPWD commissioners were scheduled to hear Morris’ recom-mendations at their Jan. 26 meet-ing, the results of which were unavailable at press time.

When asked if Morris knew what recommendations he was leaning toward, he answered, “not yet.”

Check for updates of the meeting on www.lsonews.com after Jan. 26.

Trout regulationsContinued From Page 8


POOR CHOICE OF SPOT TO HANG BUCKBrewster County Game Warden

Matthew Bridgefarmer received a call from his wife about a mule deer buck that was hanging just down the street from their residence. The deer was inspected and had a proper MLD tag, but the hunter had not purchased his hunting license for the year. Case pending.

PERMISSION NOT GRANTEDInformation from a confi dential

informant led to two men who had killed several deer in two counties. Brazos County Game Warden Jason Bussey investigated and determined that the two men had explicit per-mission to hunt only hogs and had been killing deer without permission. Felony cases pending.

CARCASSES LEAD TO CITATIONSGalveston County Game Warden

Mack Chambers investigated the illegal dumping of six white-tailed deer carcasses. Two individuals were charged with failing to complete the hunting license harvest log, one for an untagged deer and one for hunt-ing without a license. Cases pending.

GAME CAMERA PICS NAB TRESPASSERSA landowner had a problem with

trespassers and contacted Atascosa County Game Warden Derek Iden. Iden placed a hidden game camera on their property and got four images of the trespassers and determined their identities. When confronted with the photos, the trespassers, who were leasing adjacent property, admitted putting some corn, a mineral block, and “deer cane” on the complainant's property. Trespassing and no hunting lease license citations resulted.

CROSSING FENCE ONTO ANOTHER’S LEASE TO HUNT

A hunter reported seeing four peo-ple with rifl es on land that he leases to Webb County Game Wardens Mark

Nelson and Calvin Christian. Nelson and Christian made contact with four people matching the description in the area. Nelson identifi ed himself as a state game warden, and they imme-diately stated, “This is our property, we didn't do anything wrong.” Upon further questioning, one individual admitted that all four of them had crossed the fence with a rifl e and a shotgun and they knew the hunter saw them. Two weapons were seized; charges pending.

FISHERMAN FORGETS THE BOAT PLUGComal County Game Warden

Michael McCall responded to a call for assistance in the Guadalupe River above Canyon Lake where a man and his 9-year-old son were fi shing from a 16-foot bass boat. The boat operator reported that they were drift fi shing when they suddenly started taking on water. Within moments the boat sank and both occupants had to swim to shore with water temperatures near 50 degrees. The boy was treated for signs of hypothermia. McCall helped the operator retrieve his boat from the river and load it on the trailer. Once loaded on the trailer, the only appar-ent problem with the boat was that the plug was missing.

LATE BIRD HUNTING ONLY THE BEGINNING

Game Warden William Heath was patrolling a ranch north of O.H. Ivie Reservoir when he heard several shot-

gun blasts. Heath was able to locate three individuals who were hunting ducks and dove. Upon checking the individuals, he fi led several cases for hunting ducks with nontoxic shot, hunting migratory birds with unplugged shotguns, no migratory bird stamps, no federal duck stamps, and hunting without a valid license and hunting migratory birds after legal shooting hours. Cases pending.

DUCK HUNTER THROWN FROM BOAT, RESCUED

While checking deer camps, Runnels County Game Warden Lane Pinckney received a call about an overturned boat on Old Winters Lake. Lane responded along with other offi -cers. They arrived to fi nd a duck hunter hanging on to the side of a swamped johnboat in the middle of the lake. A row boat was utilized to rescue the hypothermic hunter, who was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The hunter had left the blind to retrieve a duck and lost his grip on the tiller motor sending the boat hard right, throwing him to the left side of the boat and swamping it.

MISSING LICENSE USED BY ANOTHER TO TAG DEER

Bell County Game Warden Brandt Bernstein contacted Williamson County Game Warden Joel Campos to assist him in making contact with a violator in Taylor in regards to an improperly tagged

white-tailed deer at a processing facility. Campos made contact with the suspect who advised he didn't hunt deer, he just bird hunted and fi shed. Bernstein met Campos at the suspect’s house. After a short time trying to track down the license, which he didn't have in his pos-session, the suspect made contact with one of his friends, who advised he had the license and would be bringing it to the wardens. Later, the friend said he wanted to tell the wardens in person he didn't have it and invited the wardens to his home to search his truck that was at his residence. As soon as the wardens pulled into the residence, the friend broke down and stated that he was untruthful to the wardens and that he did use the suspect’s license to tag the deer. The license remains missing. Citations issued.

WOULD YOU LIKE US TO SEARCH ANYTHING ELSE?

Williamson County Game Warden Turk Jones fi nally caught up with a poacher from three years prior. Once located, Jones summoned fellow wardens to assist with the warrant service. Jones had obtained two fel-ony warrants for the prior poaching incident, and Lampasas County had confi rmed a Felony 2 warrant for pos-session of controlled substance with intent to sell. The wardens extracted the subject from an RV camper with-out incident. However, he then asked the wardens to fi nd his wallet and cell

phone. The wardens obliged him by thoroughly searching for these items. Another felony charge was fi led when the wardens found methamphet-amine in a dollar bill located on top of his wallet. The subject insisted the wardens fi nd his cell phone. The wardens then found a loaded revolver, a light bulb bong with tub-ing, other drug paraphernalia, and numerous prescription pills pack-aged and priced to sell. Additional felony charges were fi led for posses-sion of controlled substance with intent to sell. Cases pending.

BAITING DEER OK, BUT NOT ON THE ROADAtascosa County Game Warden

Derek Iden came upon a county road with about 150 yards worth of corn spread along the road. Iden pulled into a nearby camp and found an illegal buck that did not meet the antler restriction requirements. The subject said he put the corn on the county road to hunt varmints and that in hindsight it was a bad idea and that he was very sorry. Cases and civil restitution pending.

DOG FINDS CARCASSES, HELPS FETCH POACHER

Hays County Game Warden James Michael responded to a call from a person whose dog had drug up sev-eral deer parts, and he wanted to know what the law was concerning dumping. Michael met with the caller and located two carcasses and three deer heads approximately 50 yards inside the property. On the neigh-bor’s property, a metal pole barn was observed with blood, deer hair and bloody knives on the fl oor. Michael made contact with the neighbor and said he needed to talk to him about the deer that had been killed. The neighbor dropped his head and said he had done it. The neighbor said he had killed two and his friend had killed two. The neighbor did not have a license and had killed all four bucks with a .22 rifl e. Cases pending.

GAME WARDEN BLOTTER

Hays County Game Warden James Michael located a hunter who had an untagged deer at a processor. The man had hastily tried to remove tags from his license upon Michael’s arrival to cover up the untagged deer. Unfortunately, the hunter had removed the wrong tags (turkey and mule deer). To correct the situation, the hunter was told that he would have to burn two of his buck tags by fi lling out the county and ranch name, cut

out the harvest dates, and fi ll out his harvest log. While Michael was fi lling out the hunter’s citation, the hunter borrowed a pen and started fi lling out the back of the tags and his harvest log. He then cut out the dates and promptly pulled out a lighter and lit the tags on fi re. Michael stopped the hunter and asked what he thought he was doing, to which he replied, “You told me I had to burn my tags.” Cases pending.

BURNING A BUCK TAG TAKEN LITERALLY



NATIONAL

Firearms industry set for banner year

The health and resilience of America’s outdoor and fi rearms industries was demonstrated last week in Las Vegas.

The 2011 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show set records for buyer attendance at 31,769 and media attendance at 2,074.

Overall attendance of 57,390, comprising buyers, exhibitors, media and guests, ranked the show as the third largest ever behind the 2008 and 2010 events.

"Based on what we're hear-ing, industry has every reason to think that 2011 shows prom-ise of being another strong year,“ said Steve Sanetti, president and CEO of National Shooting Sports Foundation.

—NSSF report

NMMA, engine builders sue EPA over E-15 fuels

A newly formed coalition, the Engine Products Group, has sued the Environmental Protection Agency after its decision to give partial waiver to the production and sale of gasoline with up to 15 percent ethanol (E-15) for vehicles built later than 2007.

But the coalition is concerned the new fuel will harm non-road engine systems such as snowmobiles, marine motors, lawn and garden equipment and other small gasoline-powered engines.

The petition was fi led in December at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

And since then, the EPA on Jan. 21 revised its position and said a mix of gasoline and E-15 was safe for cars and light-duty trucks manu-factured since 2001.

The coalition’s original petition, however, asks that EPA’s decision be remanded back to the agency.

It also requests judicial oversight and review over whether EPA’s “par-tial waiver” approval for E-15 fuels violates the federal Clean Air Act provisions, which limit the circum-stances under which the EPA can approve applications for new fuels and fuel additives.

The Engine Products Group is a coalition made up of Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers and the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

The NMMA, the trade association for the recreational boating industry in the U.S. and Canada, is concerned the EPA does not plan to take steps to address issues with consumer confu-sion and the risk of misfueling.

—Staff report

Texan named new president of Boone and Crockett Club


Trophy animals have been a constant in the life of Ben B. Wallace, the Corpus Christi lawyer who recently was named president of the Boone

and Crockett Club.Wallace fondly recalled his boyhood visits

to the Fort Worth home of his uncle, the late tax attorney Ben Bird.

With his wife, Emily, Bird traveled the globe, frequently in pursuit of big game.

During the visits, Wallace slept in the couple’s trophy room, surrounded by mounts from around the world.

At fi rst he was a little frightened by the taxidermy work. But at age 13, Wallace eagerly accompanied his uncle on a jaguar hunt to Belize.

“We ended up getting one,” Wallace said. “For a kid just 13 years old, I was tickled to death.”

The sporting life took hold. But when he was asked to join Boone and Crockett Club in 2001, Wallace was somewhat apprehensive.

“It took me a year to decide,” he said. “The Boone and Crockett people were real intense.

“When I saw what the Texas members were doing, I saw that it was a true commitment.”

The Boone and Crockett Club widely is considered the oldest hunter-conservation group in the United States.

Theodore Roosevelt and like-minded sportsmen formed the club in 1887. They were alarmed by rapidly decreasing populations of

North American big game animals.The club authored a code of "fair chase"

ethics while working to end the wholesale slaughter of game animals for food.

Today, the club’s system for evaluating trophies, the “Boone and Crockett score,” generates important data used in wildlife management programs.

But it was the intensity of Texas members that ultimately inspired Wallace to join the club.

For example, the man who invited him, fellow Corpus Christi resident Dan Pedrotti, is not only a past president of the club, but also the founder of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners.

This consortium of conservation and sporting groups, including the Boone and Crockett Club, was founded in 1999 to com-bine their efforts for wildlife.

For this and other works, the Dallas Safari Club presented Pedrotti with its 2011 Peter Hathaway Capstick Hunting Heritage Award.

Wallace pledged to keep working to forge

cooperation among these groups and the sporting goods industry.

It’s a critical time, he said. For example, The Associated Press reported in

December that hunting license sales have dipped in 33 states, although Texas is not one of them.

A year ago, Texas was included in a 12-state “license sale index” counted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. That data showed license sales were up 3.5 percent in those states.

But Wallace said wildlife can’t afford to see license purchases slip anywhere in the U.S.

He noted that proceeds from the sales help fund improvements to wildlife habitat.

In other words, fewer hunters mean fewer conservation dollars.

“The bottom line is the hunting group is getting smaller,” Wallace said. “Unfortunately, in today’s economy, it’s an ever-increasing challenge.

“We have to get a hold of like-minded peo-ple, whether hunting groups or not.

“Together, we’re trying to make sure things happen.”

Wallace pledges to forge partnerships among conservation groups

BEN B. WALLACE



HEROES

Congratulations, Kyler! You can claim your Nikon 10x42

Trailblazer ATB binoculars at the

Nikon Sport Optics dealer nearest you:

Johnny's True Value914 W Tyler Ave

Harlingen, TX 78550 956-428-4011

KYLER DE LEON, 6, of San Benito, harvested his fi rst turkey while hunting with his

dad at their lease in Falfurrias.

CAMERON PFEIFFER, 10, of San Antonio, got his fi rstbuck Oct. 31 on his family's Bexar County ranch northof the city. He used .223-caliber rifl e to take the deer at90 yards.

The Future of Duck & Duck Hunting

For more information go to

Deltawaterfowl.org Check out

Delta Waterfowl’s

Photo Contest

Heroes Sponsored by

Share an adventureWant to share hunting and fi shing

photos with other Lone Star Outdoor News readers? Send them to us with contact

and caption information.

[email protected]

Heroes, Lone Star Outdoor News, PO Box 551695, Dallas, TX, 75355

& Membership Opportunities

Deltawaterfowl.org

JEFF KEITH of Rockport caught this speckled trout in theEstes Flats of Redfi sh Bay. It was 26.5 inches long andweighed 5.25 pounds.

MCKENZIE DOERRIG, 8, helped her dad,Michael, harvest this hog at the Cold CreekRanch near Bellville.

HUNTER PLAUCHE, 11, of Sherman took this Grayson Countybuck in early October during the archery season. Hunter wasjoined by his dad, Bill.

BRANDON EHRHART of Greenville usedcut shad to hookthis 56-pound bluecatfi sh on LakeTawakoni. The fi shwas released afterit was weighed andphotographed.


Deer photo at top courtesy of HWH Whitetails


JOIN US TODAY

Texas’ Premier Outdoor Newspaper

24 issues for $30Mail to Lone Star Outdoor News, PO Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355. For fastest service, call (214) 361-2276 or visit LSONews.com.

Name ____________________________________________Address_____________________________________________City/State/Zip____________________________________E-mail____________________________________________Phone_____________________________________________❑ Master Card ❑ VISA ❑ American Express ❑ Discover Credit Card No.____________________________________Expiration Date______________________________________Signature__________________________________________

Solunar | Sun times | Moon timesMoon Phases

FOR THE TABLEOUTDOOR PUZZLER | By Wilbur “Wib” Lundeen Solution on Page 23

ACROSS 1. A bowman's target in Florida

everglades 4. Trapped for the fur 7. Female elk10. Sets of antlers11. He hunts with a snare12. Wild boars14. Outdoor special item container15. A wounded game or wildfowl20. Bobbing a lure to attract fi sh23. Name for old gobblers left to

themselves24. A very rare deer species26. A female bear27. To stand ready to shoot29. Part of the body of a bow33. The change in fl ight of bullets,

arrows35. Also called a dogfi sh36. Over and under is one model37. The ______ catfi sh

DOWN 1. This takes gamey taste out of

meat 2. The fi shing gear 3. Oxidation on gun parts 5. Term for roots of trees under

water 6. A deer food source 7. The shoulder hide of a deer 8. A bass habitat 9. Term for bass attacking a surface

bait13. A wild target in Hawaii

16. A distribution of shot pellets17. A sharp sense of the wild turkey18. Grooves in the bore of a rifl e19. A grouping of fi sh in one spot21. A big game arrow, _____ head22. Putting pheasants or quail to fl ight

25. Procedure of igniting a shell28. Term for feathers on heads of fowl30. A very good walleye bait31. A large game of the plains32. A wild game in the Rockies34. A part of an antler

Legend: Major=2 hours. Minor=1 hour. Times centered on the major-minor window. F=Full Moon, N=New Moon, Q=Quarter > = Peak Activity. For other locations, subtract 1 minute per 12 miles east of a location, and add 1 min-ute per 12 miles west of a location.

Sun Moon Tides| |

4 slices bacon½ cup chopped onion½ cup diced carrots½ cup chopped celery1 lb. panfi sh cut in 1-inch chunks1 can cooked potatoes, diced1 cup waterSaltPepper1 cup milk1 can creamed corn

Cook the bacon and reserve two tablespoons of bacon drippings.

Place the bacon drippings in a large pan that has a cover. Add onion, carrot and celery to the pan and cook for about fi ve minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the fi sh, potatoes, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Next, reduce heat and sim-mer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Blend in the milk and the corn. Stir and heat — but do not boil — until heated through. Sprinkle each serv-ing with the crumbled bacon.

— Ohio Department ofNatural Resources

Panfi sh chowder

5 large onions16 oz. Swiss cheese, sliced20 whole wheat hoagie buns4 lbs. tenderized deer steakTo make marinade, combine:1 cup Italian dressing¼ cup soy sauce2 tbsps. Worcestershire sauce1 tbsp. onion powder1 tsp. garlic powder½ cup barbeque sauce½ cup lemon juice½ tsp. liquid smoke (optional)

½ tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)Dip meat in marinade, one piece

at a time, and place in a cov-ered bowl. Refrigerate 1-3 days. Marinade should cover all of the meat. Grill marinated meat for about four minutes on each side, depend-ing on the thickness of the steak. Do not overcook.

Sauté onions until caramelized.Toast buns on grill.Assemble sandwiches.

— Illinois Department ofNatural Resources

Bob’s Philly deer steak sandwiches

FirstFeb. 4New

Jan. 28Full

Feb. 11

LastFeb. 18

Texas Coast TidesSabine Pass, jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 28 4:20 a.m. -1.3 L 1:33 p.m. 1.8 HJan 29 5:18 a.m. -1.4 L 2:21 p.m. 2.0 HJan 30 6:11 a.m. -1.4 L 2:59 p.m. 1.8 H 7:55 p.m. 1.4 L 10:25 p.m. 1.6 HJan 31 6:58 a.m. -1.4 L 3:29 p.m. 1.8 H 8:05 p.m. 1.4 L 11:26 p.m. 1.6 HFeb 01 7:39 a.m. -1.3 L 3:50 p.m. 1.6 H 8:14 p.m. 1.3 LFeb 02 12:21 a.m. 1.6 H 8:15 a.m. -1.1 L 4:06 p.m. 1.4 H 8:30 p.m. 1.3 LFeb 03 1:13 a.m. 1.4 H 8:46 a.m. -0.9 L 4:21 p.m. 1.4 H 8:58 p.m. 0.9 LFeb 04 2:07 a.m. 1.4 H 9:13 a.m. -0.5 L 4:36 p.m. 1.4 H 9:35 p.m. 0.7 LFeb 05 3:04 a.m. 1.3 H 9:39 a.m. -0.2 L 4:51 p.m. 1.3 H 10:16 p.m. 0.5 LFeb 06 4:10 a.m. 1.1 H 10:05 a.m. 0.0 L 5:06 p.m. 1.3 H 11:00 p.m. 0.4 LFeb 07 5:26 a.m. 1.1 H 10:33 a.m. 0.4 L 5:19 p.m. 1.3 H 11:46 p.m. 0.0 LFeb 08 6:55 a.m. 1.1 H 11:01 a.m. 0.7 L 5:25 p.m. 1.3 HFeb 09 12:35 a.m. -0.2 L 8:39 a.m. 1.1 H 11:28 a.m. 0.9 L 5:14 p.m. 1.3 HFeb 10 1:28 a.m. -0.4 L 4:27 p.m. 1.4 HFeb 11 2:25 a.m. -0.5 L 3:57 p.m. 1.6 H

Galveston Bay entrance, south jettyDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 28 4:46 a.m. -1.0 L 2:20 p.m. 1.4 HJan 29 5:44 a.m. -1.1 L 3:08 p.m. 1.6 HJan 30 6:37 a.m. -1.1 L 3:46 p.m. 1.4 H 8:21 p.m. 1.1 L 11:12 p.m. 1.3 HJan 31 7:24 a.m. -1.1 L 4:16 p.m. 1.4 H 8:31 p.m. 1.1 LFeb 01 12:13 a.m. 1.3 H 8:05 a.m. -1.0 L 4:37 p.m. 1.3 H 8:40 p.m. 1.0 LFeb 02 1:08 a.m. 1.3 H 8:41 a.m. -0.9 L 4:53 p.m. 1.1 H 8:56 p.m. 1.0 LFeb 03 2:00 a.m. 1.1 H 9:12 a.m. -0.7 L 5:08 p.m. 1.1 H 9:24 p.m. 0.7 LFeb 04 2:54 a.m. 1.1 H 9:39 a.m. -0.4 L 5:23 p.m. 1.1 H 10:01 p.m. 0.6 LFeb 05 3:51 a.m. 1.0 H 10:05 a.m. -0.1 L 5:38 p.m. 1.0 H 10:42 p.m. 0.4 LFeb 06 4:57 a.m. 0.9 H 10:31 a.m. 0.0 L 5:53 p.m. 1.0 H 11:26 p.m. 0.3 LFeb 07 6:13 a.m. 0.9 H 10:59 a.m. 0.3 L 6:06 p.m. 1.0 HFeb 08 12:12 a.m. 0.0 L 7:42 a.m. 0.9 H 11:27 a.m. 0.6 L 6:12 p.m. 1.0 HFeb 09 1:01 a.m. -0.1 L 9:26 a.m. 0.9 H 11:54 a.m. 0.7 L 6:01 p.m. 1.0 HFeb 10 1:54 a.m. -0.3 L 5:14 p.m. 1.1 HFeb 11 2:51 a.m. -0.4 L 4:44 p.m. 1.3 H

San Luis PassDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time Height Jan 28 5:42 a.m. -0.6 L 2:50 p.m. 0.9 HJan 29 6:40 a.m. -0.7 L 3:38 p.m. 0.9 HJan 30 7:33 a.m. -0.7 L 4:16 p.m. 0.9 H 9:17 p.m. 0.7 L 11:42 p.m. 0.8 HJan 31 8:20 a.m. -0.7 L 4:46 p.m. 0.9 H 9:27 p.m. 0.7 LFeb 01 12:43 a.m. 0.8 H 9:01 a.m. -0.6 L 5:07 p.m. 0.8 H 9:36 p.m. 0.6 LFeb 02 1:38 a.m. 0.8 H 9:37 a.m. -0.5 L 5:23 p.m. 0.7 H 9:52 p.m. 0.6 LFeb 03 2:30 a.m. 0.7 H 10:08 a.m. -0.4 L 5:38 p.m. 0.7 H 10:20 p.m. 0.4 LFeb 04 3:24 a.m. 0.7 H 10:35 a.m. -0.3 L 5:53 p.m. 0.7 H 10:57 p.m. 0.3 LFeb 05 4:21 a.m. 0.6 H 11:01 a.m. -0.1 L 6:08 p.m. 0.6 H 11:38 p.m. 0.3 LFeb 06 5:27 a.m. 0.5 H 11:27 a.m. 0.0 L 6:23 p.m. 0.6 HFeb 07 12:22 a.m. 0.2 L 6:43 a.m. 0.5 H 11:55 a.m. 0.2 L 6:36 p.m. 0.6 HFeb 08 1:08 a.m. 0.0 L 8:12 a.m. 0.5 H 12:23 p.m. 0.3 L 6:42 p.m. 0.6 HFeb 09 1:57 a.m. -0.1 L 9:56 a.m. 0.5 H 12:50 p.m. 0.4 L 6:31 p.m. 0.6 HFeb 10 2:50 a.m. -0.2 L 5:44 p.m. 0.7 HFeb 11 3:47 a.m. -0.3 L 5:14 p.m. 0.8 H

Freeport HarborDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 28 4:43 a.m. -0.6 L 1:42 p.m. 1.2 HJan 29 5:41 a.m. -0.7 L 2:30 p.m. 1.4 HJan 30 6:34 a.m. -0.7 L 3:08 p.m. .2 H 8:18 p.m. 0.7 L 10:34 p.m. 1.1 HJan 31 7:21 a.m. -0.7 L 3:38 p.m. 1.2 H 8:28 p.m. 0.7 L 11:35 p.m. 1.1 HFeb 01 8:02 a.m. -0.6 L 3:59 p.m. 1.1 H 8:37 p.m. 0.6 LFeb 02 12:30 a.m. 1.1 H 8:38 a.m. -0.5 L 4:15 p.m. 1.0 H 8:53 p.m. 0.6 LFeb 03 1:22 a.m. 1.0 H 9:09 a.m. -0.5 L 4:30 p.m. 1.0 H 9:21 p.m. 0.5 LFeb 04 2:16 a.m. 1.0 H 9:36 a.m. -0.3 L 4:45 p.m. 1.0 H 9:58 p.m. 0.4 LFeb 05 3:13 a.m. 0.9 H 10:02 a.m. -0.1 L 5:00 p.m. 0.9 H 10:39 p.m. 0.3 LFeb 06 4:19 a.m. 0.7 H 10:28 a.m. 0.0 L 5:15 p.m. 0.9 H 11:23 p.m. 0.2 LFeb 07 5:35 a.m. 0.7 H 10:56 a.m. 0.2 L 5:28 p.m. 0.9 HFeb 08 12:09 a.m. 0.0 L 7:04 a.m. 0.7 H 11:24 a.m. 0.4 L 5:34 p.m. 0.9 HFeb 09 12:58 a.m. -0.1 L 8:48 a.m. 0.7 H 11:51 a.m. 0.5 L 5:23 p.m. 0.9 HFeb 10 1:51 a.m. -0.2 L 4:36 p.m. 1.0 HFeb 11 2:48 a.m. -0.3 L 4:06 p.m. 1.1 H

South Padre IslandDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 28 4:06 a.m. -0.8 L 2:53 p.m. 1.3 HJan 29 5:07 a.m. -0.9 L 3:36 p.m. 1.4 HJan 30 6:06 a.m. -0.8 L 4:13 p.m. 1.4 HJan 31 6:59 a.m. -0.8 L 4:43 p.m. 1.3 HFeb 1 7:47 a.m. -0.6 L 5:05 p.m. 1.3 HFeb 02 8:30 a.m. -0.5 L 5:20 p.m. 1.2 H 9:37 p.m. 1.0 LFeb 03 12:21 a.m. 1.1 H 9:09 a.m. -0.3 L 5:28 p.m. 1.1 H 9:56 p.m. 0.9 LFeb 04 1:38 a.m. 1.0 H 9:43 a.m. -0.1 L 5:28 p.m. 1.0 H 10:21 p.m. 0.8 LFeb 05 2:49 a.m. 0.9 H 10:14 a.m. 0.1 L 5:22 p.m. 0.9 H 10:49 p.m. 0.6 LFeb 06 4:02 a.m. 0.9 H 10:42 a.m. 0.3 L 5:11 p.m. 0.9 H 11:21 p.m. 0.4 LFeb 07 5:24 a.m. 0.8 H 11:06 a.m. 0.5 L 4:56 p.m. 0.8 H 11:56 p.m. 0.2 LFeb 08 7:05 a.m. 0.8 H 11:26 a.m. 0.7 L 4:39 p.m. 0.8 HFeb 09 12:38 a.m. 0.1 L 4:18 p.m. 0.9 HFeb 10 1:26 a.m. -0.1 L 3:40 p.m. 1.0 HFeb 11 2:21 a.m. -0.2 L 2:31 p.m. 1.1 H

Port O’ConnorDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 28 7:30 a.m. -0.6 L 8:29 p.m. 0.6 HJan 29 8:37 a.m. -0.7 L 9:05 p.m. 0.6 HJan 30 9:38 a.m. -0.7 L 9:43 p.m. 0.5 HJan 31 10:32 a.m. -0.7 L 10:22 p.m. 0.5 HFeb 01 11:20 a.m. -0.7 L 11:00 p.m. 0.4 HFeb 02 12:03 p.m -0.6 LFeb 03 1:37 a.m. 0.3 H 12:42 p.m. -0.5 LFeb 04 3:41 a.m. 0.3 H 1:16 p.m. -0.4 LFeb 05 5:06 a.m. 0.2 H 1:47 p.m. -0.3 L 9:50 p.m. 0.1 HFeb 06 1:06 a.m. 0.0 L 6:29 a.m. -0.2 H 2:10 p.m. -0.1 L 8:48 p.m. 0.1 HFeb 07 1:45 a.m. 0.0 L 8:04 a.m. -0.1 H 2:12 p.m. 0.0 L 7:30 p.m. 0.1 HFeb 08 2:30 a.m. -0.1 L 6:18 p.m. 0.2 HFeb 09 3:24 a.m. -0.2 L 5:56 p.m. 0.3 HFeb 10 4:28 a.m. -0.3 L 6:13 p.m. 0.4 HFeb 11 5:43 a.m. -0.3 L 6:45 p.m. 0.5 H

RockportDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 28 8:15 a.m. -0.47 L 10:40 p.m. -0.07 HJan 29 9:14 a.m. -0.47 L 11:38 p.m. -0.06 HJan 30 10:12 a.m. -0.47 LJan 31 12:36 a.m. -0.07 H 11:07 a.m. -0.46 LFeb 01 1:32 a.m. -0.07 H 11:55 a.m. -0.45 LFeb 02 2:24 a.m. -0.09 H 12:35 p.m. -0.43 LFeb 03 3:15 a.m. -0.11 H 1:06 p.m. -0.41 LFeb 04 4:08 a.m. -0.15 H 1:30 p.m. -0.37 LFeb 05 5:12 a.m. -0.18 H 1:47 p.m. -0.34 L 9:19 p.m. -0.25 HFeb 06 12:27 a.m. -0.26 L 6:42 a.m. -0.22 H 1:54 p.m. -0.30 L 8:26 p.m. -0.23 HFeb 07 2:42 a.m. -0.29 L 8:53 a.m. -0.24 H 1:46 p.m. -0.27 L 8:14 p.m. -0.21 HFeb 08 4:00 a.m. -0.32 L 8:19 p.m. -0.18 HFeb 09 5:00 a.m. -0.35 L 8:38 p.m. -0.15 HFeb 10 5:55 a.m. -0.37 L 9:07 p.m. -0.13 HFeb 11 6:51 a.m. -0.39 L 9:47 p.m. -0.11 H

Houston2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets28 Fri 12:22 6:36 12:50 7:04 07:13 05:54 2:42a 1:11p 29 Sat 1:13 7:27 1:41 7:54 07:12 05:54 3:41a 2:05p 30 Sun 2:02 8:16 2:29 8:43 07:12 05:55 4:35a 3:01p 31 Mon 2:50 9:03 3:16 9:29 07:11 05:56 5:23a 3:5901 Tue > 3:37 9:50 4:02 10:14 07:11 05:57 6:06a 4:57p02 Wed > 4:23 10:35 4:47 10:58 07:10 05:58 6:44a 5:54p 03 Thu N 5:09 10:54 5:31 ----- 07:09 05:59 7:18a 6:48p 04 Fri > 5:54 11:39 6:15 12:04 07:09 06:00 7:49a 7:42p 05 Sat > 6:39 12:28 6:59 12:49 07:08 06:01 8:18a 8:34p 06 Sun 7:24 1:14 7:44 1:34 07:07 06:01 8:47a 9:26p 07 Mon 8:09 1:59 8:30 2:20 07:07 06:02 9:16a 10:18p 08 Tue 8:56 2:45 9:17 3:06 07:06 06:03 9:47a 11:12p 09 Wed 9:43 3:32 10:06 3:54 07:05 06:04 10:20a NoMoon 10 Thu Q 10:32 4:20 10:56 4:44 07:04 06:05 10:58a 12:07a 11 Fri 11:22 5:09 11:47 5:34 07:04 06:06 11:41a 1:04a 12 Sat ----- 5:59 12:12 6:26 07:03 06:07 12:30p 2:01a 13 Sun 12:36 6:50 1:04 7:18 07:02 06:07 1:25p 2:58a 14 Mon 1:27 7:41 1:55 8:10 07:01 06:08 2:27p 3:52a 15 Tue 2:18 8:33 2:47 9:01 07:00 06:09 3:32p 4:44a16 Wed > 3:10 9:24 3:38 9:52 07:00 06:10 4:41p 5:31a

Port Aransas, H. Caldwell PierDate Time Height Time Height Time Height Time HeightJan 28 4:25 a.m. -0.5 L 2:13 p.m. 1.1 HJan 29 5:23 a.m. -0.6 L 3:01 p.m. .3 HJan 30 6:16 a.m. -0.6 L 3:39 p.m. 1.1 H 8:00 p.m. 0.6 L 11:05 p.m. 1.0 HJan 31 7:03 a.m. -0.6 L 4:09 p.m. 1.1 H 8:10 p.m. 0.6 LFeb 01 12:06 a.m. 1.0 H 7:44 a.m. -0.5 L 4:30 p.m. 1.0 H 8:19 p.m. 0.5 LFeb 02 1:01 a.m. 1.0 H 8:20 a.m. -0.5 L 4:46 p.m. 0.9 H 8:35 p.m. 0.5 LFeb 03 1:53 a.m. 0.9 H 8:51 a.m. -0.4 L 5:01 p.m. 0.9 H 9:03 p.m. 0.4 LFeb 04 2:47 a.m. 0.9 H 9:18 a.m. -0.2 L 5:16 p.m. 0.9 H 9:40 p.m. 0.3 LFeb 05 3:44 a.m. 0.8 H 9:44 a.m. -0.1 L 5:31 p.m. 0.8 H 10:21 p.m. 0.2 LFeb 06 4:50 a.m. 0.7 H 10:10 a.m. 0.0 L 5:46 p.m. 0.8 H 11:05 p.m. 0.2 LFeb 07 6:06 a.m. 0.7 H 10:38 a.m. 0.2 L 5:59 p.m. 0.8 H 11:51 p.m. 0.0 LFeb 08 7:35 a.m. 0.7 H 11:06 a.m. 0.3 L 6:05 p.m. 0.8 HFeb 09 12:40 a.m. -0.1 L 9:19 a.m. 0.7 H 11:33 a.m. 0.4 L 5:54 p.m. 0.8 HFeb 10 1:33 a.m. -0.2 L 5:07 p.m. 0.9 HFeb 11 2:30 a.m. -0.2 L 4:37 p.m. 1.0 H

San Antonio2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets28 Fri 12:35 6:49 1:03 7:17 07:24 06:07 2:54a 1:24p 29 Sat 1:25 7:39 1:53 8:07 07:24 06:08 3:53a 2:18p 30 Sun 2:15 8:28 2:42 8:55 07:24 06:08 4:47a 3:15p 31 Mon 3:03 9:16 3:29 9:42 07:23 06:09 5:35a 4:13p01 Tue > 3:50 10:02 4:14 10:27 07:22 06:10 6:18a 5:10p02 Wed > 4:36 10:47 4:59 11:11 07:22 06:11 6:56a 6:07p 03 Thu N 5:21 11:06 5:43 ----- 07:21 06:12 7:30a 7:02p 04 Fri > 6:06 11:52 6:27 12:17 07:21 06:13 8:01a 7:55p 05 Sat > 6:51 12:41 7:11 1:01 07:20 06:14 8:31a 8:47p 06 Sun 7:36 1:26 7:56 1:46 07:19 06:14 9:00a 9:39p 07 Mon 8:22 2:12 8:42 2:32 07:19 06:15 9:29a 10:31p 08 Tue 9:08 2:58 9:30 3:19 07:18 06:16 10:00a 11:25p 09 Wed 9:56 3:45 10:18 4:07 07:17 06:17 10:34a NoMoon 10 Thu Q 10:44 4:32 11:08 4:56 07:17 06:18 11:12a 12:20a 11 Fri 11:34 5:21 11:59 5:47 07:16 06:19 11:55a 1:16a 12 Sat 12:01 6:11 12:25 6:38 07:15 06:19 12:44p 2:13a 13 Sun 12:48 7:02 1:16 7:30 07:14 06:20 1:39p 3:10a 14 Mon 1:39 7:54 2:08 8:22 07:13 06:21 2:40p 4:04a 15 Tue 2:31 8:45 3:00 9:14 07:13 06:22 3:46p 4:56a 16 Wed > 3:22 9:37 3:51 10:05 07:12 06:23 4:54p 5:43a

Amarillo2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets28 Fri 12:48 7:02 1:16 7:30 07:49 06:09 3:23a 1:23p 29 Sat 1:39 7:53 2:06 8:20 07:48 06:10 4:23a 2:17p 30 Sun 2:28 8:42 2:55 9:09 07:47 06:11 5:16a 3:14p31 Mon 3:16 9:29 3:42 9:55 07:47 06:12 6:03a 4:13p01 Tue > 4:03 10:16 4:28 10:40 07:46 06:13 6:44a 5:13p 02 Wed > 4:49 11:01 5:12 11:24 07:45 06:14 7:19a 6:13p 03 Thu N 5:35 11:20 5:56 ----- 07:44 06:15 7:51a 7:10p 04 Fri > 6:20 12:09 6:40 12:30 07:44 06:16 8:19a 8:06p 05 Sat > 7:04 12:54 7:25 1:15 07:43 06:18 8:46a 9:01p 06 Sun 7:50 1:40 8:10 2:00 07:42 06:19 9:12a 9:56p 07 Mon 8:35 2:25 8:56 2:45 07:41 06:20 9:38a 10:51p 08 Tue 9:22 3:11 9:43 3:32 07:40 06:21 10:06a 11:47p 09 Wed 10:09 3:58 10:32 4:20 07:39 06:22 10:38a NoMoon 10 Thu Q 10:58 4:46 11:22 5:10 07:38 06:23 11:13a 12:45a 11 Fri 11:47 5:35 ----- 6:00 07:37 06:24 11:54a 1:44a 12 Sat 12:11 6:25 12:38 6:52 07:36 06:25 12:42p 2:42a 13 Sun 1:02 7:16 1:30 7:44 07:35 06:26 1:38p 3:39a 14 Mon 1:53 8:07 2:21 8:36 07:34 06:27 2:40p 4:33a 15 Tue 2:44 8:59 3:13 9:27 07:33 06:28 3:48p 5:23a16 Wed > 3:36 9:50 4:04 10:18 07:32 06:29 4:59p 6:07a

Dallas2011 A.M. P.M. SUN MOONJan-Feb Minor Major Minor Major Rises Sets Rises Sets28 Fri 12:28 6:42 12:56 7:10 07:24 05:53 2:56a 1:08p 29 Sat 1:18 7:32 1:46 8:00 07:23 05:54 3:55a 2:02p 30 Sun 2:08 8:21 2:35 8:48 07:23 05:55 4:49a 2:59p31 Mon 2:56 9:09 3:22 9:35 07:22 05:56 5:36a 3:58p01 Tue > 3:43 9:55 4:07 10:20 07:21 05:57 6:18a 4:57p 02 Wed > 4:29 10:40 4:52 11:04 07:21 05:58 6:55a 5:55p 03 Thu N 5:14 10:59 5:36 ----- 07:20 05:59 7:27a 6:51p 04 Fri > 5:59 11:45 6:20 12:10 07:19 06:00 7:57a 7:46p 05 Sat > 6:44 12:34 7:04 12:54 07:19 06:01 8:24a 8:40p 06 Sun 7:29 1:19 7:49 1:39 07:18 06:02 8:52a 9:33p 07 Mon 8:15 2:05 8:35 2:25 07:17 06:03 9:19a 10:27p 08 Tue 9:01 2:51 9:23 3:12 07:16 06:04 9:49a 11:22p 09 Wed 9:49 3:38 10:11 4:00 07:15 06:05 10:21a NoMoon 10 Thu Q 10:37 4:25 11:01 4:49 07:15 06:06 10:57a 12:19a 11 Fri 11:27 5:14 11:52 5:40 07:14 06:07 11:39a 1:17a 12 Sat ----- 6:04 12:18 6:31 07:13 06:08 12:27p 2:15a 13 Sun 12:41 6:55 1:09 7:23 07:12 06:09 1:23p 3:12a 14 Mon 1:32 7:47 2:01 8:15 07:11 06:10 2:25p 4:06a 15 Tue 2:24 8:38 2:53 9:07 07:10 06:11 3:32p 4:56a16 Wed > 3:15 9:30 3:44 9:58 07:09 06:11 4:42p 5:42a

Serves 20


2011 BOATS IN REVIEW

TARGA V-18 COMBO

Tracker Marine describes its deep V aluminum fi shing boat as the perfect crossover vehicle. This family-oriented 19-foot-1-inch-long boat has extra passenger seating in the bow and cockpit areas, plus accessories such as a ski tow pylon, boarding ladder and stereo with MP3 input. The family that fi shes together especially will enjoy this equipped-to-the-hilt boat. In addition to a trolling motor and a fi sh fi nder, the boat offers abundant storage in the bow, aft and in the fl oor. There also is an onboard battery charger, plus bow and aft livewells. The boat has a maximum capacity of six people (or 900 pounds) and sells for $20,995 when equipped with a 115 EXLPT OptiMax motor and trailer.

(888) 492-6382

www.trackerboats.com

NITRO Z-9This 20-foot-9-inch long bass boat features Nitro’s Rapid Planing System transom design for top-end speeds. The new Z-9, which is available with an optional removable dual console package, is one of those go-to boats for profes-sional anglers. Among the boat’s features that will appeal to anglers are two 20-gallon aerated livewells, a fi shfi nder, two rod lockers and a trolling motor. It sells for $39,995 when equipped with a 225 OptiMax motor and trailer.

(417) 873-4555www.nitro.com

G3 1860 CENTER CONSOLEDesigned as a part of the Gator Tough Jonboat Series, this shallow-running craft by G3 Boats is at home on any water, from Intracoastal fl ats to backwater bayous. This 18-foot-1-inch boat will take hunters or anglers in and out of their favorite spots. Built on a durable, all-welded 13-rib tunnel hull with a center console design, the boat’s features include a 16-gallon aerated livewell, extra-wide front deck with abundant lockable storage, and a camo fl ip driver’s seat with built-in cooler. The boat, which is pre-wired for a trolling motor, now is available in Mossy Oak Break-Up and Desert Brown camoufl age. The MSRP on the 1860 CCT in Mossy Oak Break-up with a Yamaha F70 is $19,895.

(800) 588-9787

www.G3boats.com

NEPTUNE This boat combines the classic features for which Hell’s Bay boats are known, with a tournament rig creating the ideal skiff for long distances. Designed for performance, the Neptune offers a quiet, nimble ride. The 18-foot-8-inch-long boat can handle a 150-hp engine and has such features as rod racks with fl y rod tubes and a livewell. It has a 38-gal-lon capacity. This boat sells for about $56,000. (321) 383-8223www.hellsbayboatworks.com

ALPHA 191 Legend Boats’ newest Alpha model is a 19-foot-long boat with 94-inch beam and 200-hp maximum rating. Like its big-ger brothers, the Alpha 191 boasts a standard 42-gallon fuel tank and 47-gallon divided livewells. But, this model also has a center rod locker capable of securing eight-foot rods and divided starboard storage. Packed with standard equip-ment, this fi berglass boat equipped with the Mercury 200 ProsXS outboard sells for $36,595.

(888) 657-5051

www.legendmarine.com

SHEARWATER 25LTZ American Marine Sports describes its LTZ series as elegance balanced with ferocious performance. The 24-foot-6-inch-long bay boat has a maximum 350-hp capacity. It boasts the standard equipment required by serious anglers, including two 10-foot rod lockers, front storage box, leaning post with a 23-gallon livewell, built-in cast net storage box, 45-gallon release well and a 25-gallon rear baitwell. The boat sells for about $75,000. (352) 429-8989www.americanmarinesports.com

COURAGEOUS

Metal Shark Boat’s 35-foot beauty is a sleek, well-appointed aluminum boat that offers performance and durability. Able to withstand brutal offshore conditions and near-shore runs alike, the Courageous is built on a high-performance, deep V hull crafted from a lightweight marine-grade aluminum alloy. With a 900-hp capacity, a 400-gallon capacity and speeds up to 65 mph, this fuel-effi cient boat can move. Features for anglers include six top-mounted rod holders, eight fl ush-mounted rod holders, two in-deck fi sh boxes and a transom livewell. Other features include a T-top, console with three windows, fully enclosed berth, integrated seating in front of the cockpit, bolstered helm station seat, and a leaning post and transom seating aft. The luxurious boat costs about $259,000, well-equipped.

(337) 364-0777www.metalsharkboats.com


PRODUCTSPRODUCTS

>>

>>

VENOM SCENT HD SNAKE BOOTS: LaCrosse Footwear’s newest boots willallow hunters to navigate venomoussnake territory safely, comfortably andnimbly. The company’s Venom ScentHD boots are waterproof, scent-free andprovide 360 degrees of snake-proof protec-tion. Made from leather and nylon uppers, theboots feature an odor-fi ghting internal mem-brane, a cushioned foot bed and a reinforcedabrasion-resistant toecap. They also have aside zipper, which makes the boots easier toput on and take off. Available in RealTree APGHD, the boots come in men’s and youth sizes.The MSRP is $139.95 for men’s sizes and$99.95 for youth sizes.

(800) 323-2668www.lacrossefootwear.com

GRANDER SUNGLASSES:Part of Maui Jim’s ICAST-winning Guy Harvey col-lection, these Grander sunglasses are designedto withstand the rigors of fi shing and boating. Thefull-wrap frame features distinctive artwork on theinner and outer temples. But, it is the polarizedlens’ glare protection that outdoorsmen will reallyappreciate. The lens’ multi-layer design features atreatment that maximizes color transmission andglare reduction. Available in three frame colorsand three lens colors, the rugged and comfortablesunglasses retail for just under $300.

(888) 666-5905www.mauijim.com

HUNT MASTER VXT:Browning’s newest fl ashlight uses apowerful new green 70-lumen LEDfor maximum stealth and enhancednight vision. The green LED will sendout a beam past 200 feet. The fl ash-light, which also offers a bright whitelight, has an adjustable spot-to-fl oodlens design and a memory featurethat returns the light to the last set-ting used. The 6.6-inch-long fl ash-light sells for about $85.

(800) 333-3288www.browning.com

>>

>>

RX-1000 TBR RANGEFINDER: This compact digital laser rangefi nder by Leupold offers pristine image quality and fast, reliable rifl e readings up to 1,000

yards and close-range readings for archery. Among its features are 6X magnifi cation,

colorful optics, three adjustable intensity set-tings, three reticle options, a built-in inclinom-eter, a scan mode, a fast-focus eyepiece, and a quick set menu. The waterproof and light-weight rangefi nder, which is available in a gray and black fi nish or in Mossy Oak Break-up camo sells for about $420.

(800) 538-7653www.leupold.com

MAKO BOW:Alpine Archery’s latest model is for the bow fi sherman. This thoroughly tested equipment was put through its paces on everything from deep-water shark to river carp. The Mako weighs 3 pounds, has an axle-to-axle length of 30 ¾ inch-es, and a brace height of 6 ½ inches. Features include CNC-machined riser and cams, bi-fl ex composite limbs, and an “LX” pocket mounting system. The Mako sells for about $300.

(208) 746-4717www.alpinearchery.com

>>


DATEBOOKJanuary 27-30San Antonio Boat and RV ShowThe Alamodome(512) 481-1777www.sanantonioboatshow.com

January 28-30Coastal Bend Marine Dealers Boat Show The American Bank Convention Center, Corpus Christi(361) 991-0369www.ccboatshow.com

January 29Ducks UnlimitedBig Thicket DinnerCleveland Civic Center(281) 593-9118www.ducks.org

Pronghorn Restoration Benefi t Granada Theatre, Alpine(432) 837-8488www.sulross.edu

Texas Wildlife AssociationWildlife, Land and Livestock SeminarFort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo(512) 551-3004www.texas-wildlife.org

February 3Tomball Ducks Unlimited Dinner Tomball VFW Hall(832) 303-9464www.ducks.org

February 4-5Texas Hill Country Chapter SCICampfi re Memories BanquetInn of the Hills Resort, Kerrville(830) 928-4344www.texashillcountrysci.org

February 4-6, 9-13Dallas International Boat ShowDallas Market Hall(469) 549-0673www.dallasboatshow.net

February 10-12Big Country Celebrity Quail HuntAbilene(325) 677-6815www.driabilene.org

February 11Texas Deer AssociationWhitetail WorkshopSan Antonio Stock Show/Rodeo Auction Barn(210) 767-8300www.texasdeerassociation.com

February 11-13Midessa Boat, RV, Sport and Gun ShowEctor County ColiseumOdessawww.midessaboatshow.com

February 14-15Texas Wildlife AssociationBoots on the Ground EventAT&T Center, Austin(210) 826-2904www.texas-wildlife.org

February 18Ducks UnlimitedPearland DinnerEpiphany Lutheran Church(713) 907-4264www.ducks.org

February 18-20Guadalupe River Trout UnlimitedTroutfest 2011Rio Raft Resort, Canyon Lakewww.grtutroutfest.org

February 19-20Texas Gun and Knife Association ShowGillespie County FairgroundsFredericksburgwww.texasgunandknifeshows.com

February 22-23Texas Farm and Ranch ExpoTaylor County FairgroundsAbilenewww.abilenechamber.com

February 25Ducks UnlimitedBrazos Valley BanquetThe Brazos Center, Bryan(979) 255-8507www.ducks.org

February 26North Texas Chapter SCI MeetingEmbassy Suites Outdoor World(940) 612-1928www.scinorthtexas.com

March 3National Wild Turkey FederationAlamo Chapter BanquetThe Alzafar CenterSan Antonio(210) 213-5339www.alamochapternwtf.org

March 10Park Cities QuailAnnual Dinner and AuctionFrontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas(214) 801-6802www.parkcitiesquail.org

March 12Dallas Woods and Waters ClubDinner and Benefi t Auction(214) 570-8700www.dwwcc.org

Lone Star Outdoor News, a publication of Lone Star Outdoor News, LLC, publishes twice a month. A mailed subscription is $30 for 24 issues. Newsstand copies are free, one per person. Copyright 2011 with all rights reserved. Reproduction and/or use of any photographic or written material with-out written permission by the publisher is prohibited. Subscribers may send address changes to: Lone Star Outdoor News, P.O. Box 551695, Dallas, TX 75355 or e-mail them to [email protected].

Advertising Call (214) 361-2276 or e-mail editor@lone staroutdoornews.com to request a media kit.

For home delivery subscriptions www.LSONews.com(214) 361-2276

Executive Editor

Editor

Associate Editor

Associate Editor

Graphics Editor

Business/Products Editor

Operations Manager

Accounting

Web site

Intern

Founder & CEO

Craig Nyhus

Bill Miller

Conor Harrison

Mark England

Amy Moore

Mary Helen Aguirre

Mike Hughs

Ginger Hoolan

Bruce Soileau

Mike Nelson

Blazing Paths Media

Nicholas Conklin

David J. Sams

National Advertising Accounts Manager

Classifi ed/Outfi ttersAdvertising

Contributors Kyle CarterAlan ClemonsDavid DraperWilbur LundeenAaron ReedErich SchlegelDavid SikesScott SommerlatteChuck UzzleRalph Winingham


LONE STAR MARKET

To advertise in this section, call Mike Hughs at (214) 361-2276 or e-mail him at [email protected].


Puzzle solution from Page 18

Big bassContinued From Page 1

Trout actionContinued From Page 1

Upland birdsContinued From Page 1

The spawn should com-mence around the middle of February and continue through mid-March.

To the northeast on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the fi shing has been hampered by the cold weather.

“It’s been tough fi shing for some, but not all,” said Robin Johnston of Needmore Tackle. “The weather has been pretty nasty the past week or so. I haven’t heard or seen any big fi sh being caught.”

Johnston said bass were being caught on lipless crankbaits in shallow water.

O.H. Ivie continues to be one of the premier lakes in the state for catching big bass. The lake has produced 14 bass weighing more than 13 pounds in the past year.

The latest came on Jan. 15 when Christopher Wright

caught a 13.83-pound bass fi shing in 75 feet of water. He caught the fi sh at a depth of around 37 feet using a swim bait.

Lake Monticello in Northeast Texas generated good fi shing reports in January. The lake, warmed by a power plant, produced good numbers of medium-sized bass for Mike Hughs, operations manager for Lone Star Outdoor News.

Hughs was throwing a Senko in 71-degree water when he caught a number of small bass. Then he zeroed in on a drop-off and caught several 6-pounders.

On Lake Fork, fi shing has been good when the water temperatures rise, but cold water makes the pre-spawn fi sh sluggish. When the weather cooperates, good fi sh are being landed.

HEAD SOUTH: To catch big bass, anglers would do well to head south where warmer water temperatures are putting big fi sh into a pre-spawn pattern and anglers are taking advantage. Photo by David J. Sams, LSON.

“It was the fi rst speckled trout she ever caught on the fl y,” Trimble proudly said of his client. “That day we caught fi ve or six big trout.”

Trimble said this recent January out-ing near Rockport is an example of more excitement to be had on the Texas Gulf Coast.

“It’s the time of year for big trout,” he said. “We have our super-clear water and low tides, and the grass is gone, so we have access to the fl ats that the fi sh like to go to.

“We’ve caught quite a few in the 24- to 28-inch range.”

D o - i t - yo u r s e l f anglers have been having fun, too.

Ray Hoese of San Antonio uses his parents’ home at Rockport as a launch to St. Charles Bay, Mesquite Bay and Copano Bay.

“Unless the wind is above 15 mph, I’m exclusively on fl y,” Hoese said. “As long as it’s sunny during

the day, the shallow areas will warm up and you can fi nd them in the fl ats.

“But this time of year, you never know because it could be too cold, and they usually go into deeper water, like at the drop-off.”

If that happens, Hoese, director of marketing at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, has a solution.

“If the wind is dead, I’ll use a fl y rod with a sinking fl y, like an imi-tation shrimp,” he said.

That technique, however, requires patience to let the fl y reach the fi sh — maybe 8 feet down — but it worked great one cold day last February in the Brownville Ship Channel.

“Everybody was using soft plastics, and it took me fi ve

times longer to catch a trout,” Hoese said, “but it was worth it.”

Speckled trout on fl y will get even more exciting in February, predicted Capt. Scott Sommerlatte out of Lake Jackson.

“Mid-February, they’ll be the biggest with their eggs,” he said. “And it will also be warm enough for them to go even more shal-low to lay their eggs.”

But anglers have to be ready for a chal-lenge because large female trout don’t feed every day, and when they do, they’re very skittish.

“Big trout on fl y is one of the hard-est things we do,” Sommerlatte said. “Sight casting has to be done with long, precise casts.

“Big trout didn’t get big because they’re dumb.”

BIG CATCH: Ellen Hatridgeof Austin prepares to release

the 30-inch speckled troutshe caught recently nearRockport. It was her fi rst

speckled trout on fl y, guideBilly Trimble said. Photo by

Billy Trimble.

“There are so many things going on with different pots of money,” he said. “We talked to an advisory board last August and they outlined what we are going to spend money on.

“They include surveys, moni-tors, Wildlife Management Areas, public hunting, habitat assess-ment, regional habitat projects, solicitation requests from people.

“And we are trying to develop habitat action teams.”

The teams meet with land-owners to advise them on how to improve game bird habitat on their land.

Morrison said the action teams are available for upland and waterfowl habitat restora-tion programs.

One group that has received grants from the game bird stamp revenue is the Wildlife Habitat Federation, a nonprofi t conser-vation organization dedicated to reestablishing upland game bird habitat across the state.

“We go to landowners and groups with a desire and pas-sion to restore habitat,” said Jim Willis, president of WHF. “I feel very blessed that TPWD has this habitat restoration bug like I do.

“I’m elated they’re not just try-ing to perpetuate what has been done in the past, but looking at ways to improve in the future.”

Willis said a lot of the quail habitat restoration work around the state also helps pheasants, prairie chickens and rabbits.

Other groups supported by money from the upland game bird stamp include the Western Navarro Bobwhite Restoration Initiative and Caesar Kleburg Wildlife Research Institute.


Documents

January 28, 2011 - Lone Star Outdoor News - Fishing & Hunting