C14 | Friday, September 25, 2020 | ExpressNews.com |San Antonio Express-News

CALENDAR

FRIDAY Operation Game Thief: Houston Area Clay Stoppers Shootout, a sporting clays shoot to raise money for the game violation program and support families of game wardens killed in the line of duty, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Premier Sporting Arms, 7311 Hwy. 36, Sealy. 100 targets, lunch, raffle, live auction and awards. $300- $1,100. Click on ogttx.com. SATURDAY-SUNDAY Texas Outdoor Family: Hands-on basics of camping for those with little or no experience with tent, gear provided, . $75 for family of up to six. Call 512-389- 8903 or email [email protected]. SATURDAY Fin Addict Angler Foundation: Ninth Annual Kayak Tournament, 6 a.m.-5 p.m., Living Reel Salty Tackle &Bait, 101 U.S. 181, Portland. Click on finaddictangler.org. Texas Parks & Wildlife Depart- ment: Hunters and anglers are en- couraged to invite others to join them in their outdoor adventures to cele- brate National Hunting and Fishing Day. Click on tpwd.texas.gov. Padre Island National Seashore: No entrance fee to commemorate National Public Lands Day at all national parks. Call 361-949-8068 or click on nps.gov. THURSDAY

Texas Parks & Wildlife Depart- ment: Online application deadline 11:59 p.m. for E-postcard deer, water- fowl and other species. Go to tpwd.texas.gov, click hunting tab and Staff file photo scroll to “public hunting;” email A fisherman who can look forward to some good eating leaves Lake Conroe with a stringer of 22 crappie, two under the daily limit. [email protected] or call 512- 389-4505. OCT. 3-4 List affirms Lake Conroe as crappie haven Texas Outdoor Family: Hands-on basics of camping for those with little or no experience with tent, gear provided, McKinney Falls State Park. By Matt Wyatt acidic waters of East Texas. The success with crappie. said. $75 for family of up to six. Call 512- STAFF WRITER two species can be difficult to tell Guide Butch Terpesaid the Crappie are an integral part to 389-8903 or email apart, especially in the Houston two best structures for fishing Lake Conroe culture. Locals take [email protected]. The Texas Parks and Wildlife area where black crappie can crappie are submerged brush pride in helping to take care of OCT. 3 Department’s inland fisheries appear silver due to water color- piles and bridge pilings. The what some may consider an State Park: division compiled a dozen of the ation. improvement of electronics over underrated fishery. Saturday Morning Honey Creek Hikes, state’s prime crappie destina- “The best way to tell the spe- the years has made finding these “In addition to excellent natu- with guide explaining cultural and tions, creating a bucket list for cies of crappie apart is how many structures much easier. ral reproduction and recruit- natural history of the area, 9-11:30 a.m. Also Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31 and Nov. 7. anglers. spines they have in the dorsal fin. TPWD, the Seven Coves Bass ment, crappie in Lake Conroe Meet at the Rust House. $2 donation In Texas, largemouth bass are White crappie will have five to six Club and the San Jacinto River benefit from the passionate crap- requested. Entrance fee applies. Call king. Catfish aren’t far behind. and black crappie will have seven Authority have installed artificial pie-fishing community, many of 830-214-3635 or email hol- But ranking as the third-most or more,” Best said. structural habitat, as well. Best who have donated toward efforts [email protected]. RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/honey-creek- popular freshwater fish is nothing Texas crappie anglers are said that most recently block to buy additional 3-4-inch black nature-hike-900-am-saturday- to scoff at for crappie. Not in this subject to a daily bag limit of 25 reefs have been put out in the crappie for supplemental stock- morning-tickets-110397331390. state, where there is no shortage fish, which can include both spring of 2019 and summer of ing,” Best said. OCT. 8 of places for anglers to enjoy black and white crappie, and a 2018. A map of fishing attractors James Tucker helps organize pursuing the tasty panfish. 10-inch minimum size limit. can be found on TPWD’s website. an annual stocking of black crap- Mitchell Lake Audubon Center: Birding for Beginners webinar, 6-7:30 “We wanted to try to highlight Fishing effort for crappie in For the novice eager to con- pie by Stow-A-Way Marina. He p.m. Register at them and let people know that Lake Conroe reflects the state- quer Lake Conroe’s learning said the marina usually stocks mitchelllake.audubon.org. not only is bass fishing great in wide trend. According to the curve, a guide like Terpe, who around 6,000 fingerlings around OCT. 13 Texas, but so is crappie fishing,” most recent creel survey in 2016- has 32 years of experience, can November. The stockings are Mitchell Lake Audubon Center: said Brian Van Zee, a regional 17, crappie accounted for 8.4 make all the difference. funded by individual donations Webinar on how to prevent birds director for TPWD’s inland fisher- percent of total fishing effort on Terpe books day trips to pur- and a collection jar. from flying into buildings and homes ies division. the lake. Largemouth bass and sue any and all species in the lake because of light pollution and glass “I think a lot of times they can catfish were 36 and 31 percent, year-round but will target crappie Sought by big spenders reflections, 6:30-8 p.m. Register at get overlooked.” respectively. outside of June through Septem- Tucker considers crappie mitchelllake.audubon.org. Tucked into a collection of 12 Although the fish represent a ber. anglers to be the heart and soul OCT. 15 crappie hot spots is Lake Conroe, small portion of angling effort, an “The best action is from late of Lake Conroe. He also believes Texas Parks & Wildlife Depart- a20,000-plus-acre reservoir estimated 22,088 hours were March through May, whenever crappie anglers usually make ment: Online application deadline north of Houston and the list’s spent chasing crappie. they get through spawning and more substantial economic con- 11:59 p.m. for E-postcard feral hog, turkey, waterfowl and pheasant plus shortest drive from the city. It is not a catch-and-release they’ll start moving out on to tributions than those targeting guided bighorn sheep hunt package, The crappie fishery at Lake fishery, either. Best said 93 per- deeper stuff,” said Terpe, adding other species. oryx, gemsbock and more. Go to Conroe has greatly improved cent of crappie are kept by an- that crappie will be aggressive “Crappie fishermen, they come tpwd.texas.gov, click hunting tab and since the drought of the early glers, taken home to be cooked and hungry post-spawn. in and buy minnows, hooks, scroll to “public hunting;” email [email protected] or call 512- 2010s. A low water level allowed up as a delicious dish. Crappie fishing also can be a weights, it just goes on and on,” 389-4505. vegetation to grow on banks and Lake Conroe provides great great activity for the nocturnal said Tucker, who encourages in dried-out coves. Those areas angler success, too, with an aver- among us. anglers to be responsible and OCT. 17-18 became flooded habitat when the age of 2.7 fish caught per hour. The person to call for that is conservation-minded on the lake. Texas Outdoor Family: Hands-on water rose again, providing excel- “That’s actually one of the Bill “Hooker” Harwell, who keeps Tucker said he guides trips, basics of camping for those with little or no experience with tent, gear lent cover for spawning and fry better catch rates in the state of crappie at the top of his hit list. too, and is another member of provided, Pedernales Falls State Park. survival. Texas,” Best said. “One of my keys to success is I the Lake Conroe fishing commu- $75 for family of up to six. Call 512- Today, the crappie fishery at Despite the high catch rate, fish at night. A lot. I get away nity who cares about crappie and 389-8903 or email Lake Conroe is in pretty good Lake Conroe can be a difficult from everybody else,” said Har- can help mentor anglers wanting [email protected]. shape. lake to fish. Historically, it is a well, whose nighttime activities to fish for them. NOV. 1 “Even though the crappie boater’s destination and has not have made him a bit of a rare Sam Rayburn, one of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Depart- fishery is very popular at Lake been as friendly for bank anglers. breed on Lake Conroe since he state’s most renowned fisheries, ment: Deadline for nominations to Conroe, Conroe is a productive However, Best, who is an avid started guiding in 2009. and Coleto Creek Reservoir in the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame for individuals and organiza- lake that easily sustains the levels crappie angler herself, said op- Crappie anatomy, namely Victoria are two other destina- tions that have made significant of harvest we see with a large portunities do exist for bank bulging eyeballs that are much tions on TPWD’s list that are contributions to freshwater fishing in forage base for crappie,” said anglers around bridges and rock larger than other similar-sized relatively close to Houston. Texas. Click on TPWD’s College Station-Houston piles. freshwater fish, give the fish an Abilene’s Lake Daniel, Granger tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/visitorcen- fisheries district supervisor Alice “If fishing near a pier, try to adaptability for feeding at night Lake near Austin, Dallas’ White ters/tffc or call 903-676-2277. Best, who noted how healthy find one that is close to the main and anglers abundant chances Rock Lake and Lake Lavon, Twin NOV. 5-8 populations of threadfin and body of the lake and deep water,” under the moonlight. Buttes Reservoir near San Angelo, Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest: gizzard shad are a boon for crap- Best said. Harwell, like many other crap- Wichita Falls’ Lake Arrowhead, $1 million tournament with some of pie in the lake. “Most anglers we see doing pie guides and anglers, makes his Lake Limestone, Lake Fork and the best anglers in the world, Lake Fork. Outdoor activities, seminars, well with crappie are usually own underwater structures to Lake O’ the Pines round out the TPWD Outdoor Adventures Area and All in black and white jigging with a shad or a feathered fish over. He often will set out 30 list of the state’s crappie hot Bassmaster Elite Series Outdoors That forage abundance also jig. Some do very well adding a or 40 at a time in the lake that spots. Expo. Proceeds benefit Texas Parks & allows both species of crappie, little crappie bite above the hook has become a productive home- “You can go to any one of Wildlife Department programs in- cluding Neighborhood Fishin’. Click black and white, to thrive. White itself, so that you have both a jig base for him. these lakes and expect to do real on bassmaster.com. crappie are prevalent throughout and a little bit of a bait to lure fish “I’ve fished it for so long and well,” Van Zee said. Have an item for the calendar? the state while black crappie are in.” had such good success, I’ve never Email John Goodspeed at mostly found in the slightly more Fishing structure is also key to felt the reason to roam,” Harwell [email protected] [email protected].

FISHING REPORT BUCHANAN: GOOD. Water lightly stained; 83-86 de- south; 84 degrees; 37.39’ low. It’s been raining in the after- ledges, and drop-offs. White bass are fair with swim jigs PORT ISABEL: GOOD. 85 degrees. As September comes grees; 2.53’ low. Largemouth bass are fair with finesse noons. The lake is up 3 inches this week, and lake activity and slabs working main lake points, drop-offs and humps. to a close, the redfish are starting to bunch up to attack worms, black/blue skirted jigs, and medium-sized crank- has been slow. Black bass are fair with deeper structure Striper action along the main river channel is fair with live the shrimp along the edges of the grass. The lower Laguna The weekly fishing report is compiled for the Texas Parks baits working along flats, secondary points, rock ledges, still performing better than shallow. Texas-rigged big bait and heavy spoons with schools moving frequently Madre is a tried and true spot with plenty of shallow sand and Wildlife Department. and the drop-offs. Striped bass are fair along the river worms have been as good as any, fished on the rock or in with the bait. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows in15-25’ flats. Speckled trout will be in the shallow water near veg- channel with live bait and trolling in 25-35’. White bass are the brush piles. Deeper still seems to be a better choice, near docks, marinas, and deeper rock ledges. Catfish are etation in the very early morning hours and are best on good on slabs and jigging spoons when fishing deeper wa- especially for the bigger fish. There are still some shallow good on live bait and prepared baits in 15-25’. shrimp under a popping cork. Sheepshead are good on FRESHWATER ter in the main lake off points, drop-offs and flats. Use fish, as there always are, on the points and rocky edges. WALTER E. LONG: GOOD. Water lightly stained; 83 de- minnow around the rocks. Flounder will be in the back BASTROP: GOOD. Water lightly stained; 84 degrees. sonar to locate schools of baitfish and feeding fish. Crap- The white bass are still everywhere, and crappie are good grees. Largemouth bass are good on finesse worms, crank- marsh feasting around the drains. Black drum are right on Largemouth bass are good fishing creeks ledges and sub- pie are good on minnows in16-28’ fishing timber and brush in the brush piles. All sizes of crappie are being caught, baits, and jigs in timber, humps, and drop-offs. Hybrid blue crab around deep structure. merged timber on bladed jigs, crankbaits, craws, and drop piles. Channel catfish have been good on punch bait. including a bunch of 8-to-10-inchers. Looks good for the striper are good with live shad or trolling. Crappie are good CALAVERAS: GOOD. Water stained; 83-84 degrees. future. Catfish are always biting, and the influx of a little on minnows in 14-24’ near brush piles or standing timber. PORT MANSFIELD: GOOD. 86-87 degrees. Trout and shots. Crappie are good on minnows in brush piles and redfish have been OK with water levels up from the high standing timber in 14-25’. Channel and blue catfish are Red drum are fair with live bait only right now. Black bass muddy water seems to turn them on. Remember to stay on Catfish are good on cut bait and prepared bait. Sunfish are are good along the rocks of the dam with crankbait. The the Texas side unless you possess a Mexican fishing license. good on worms and crickets. tides, start closer to the shallows, and work out over the good on cut bait and live bait. grass and potholes using topwater, KWiggler willow tail in BELTON: GOOD. Water lightly stained; 82 degrees; 0.47’ standing vegetation has picked up with topwater, jigs, and GRANGER: GOOD. Water lightly stained; 84 degrees; worms. Hybrid striped bass are good following the baitfish 1.10’ low. Black bass are fair on blue or black spinnerbaits, garlic, and shrimp under a popping cork. Both north and high. Black bass are fair near flats, drop-offs, brush, and SALTWATER south of the east cut have been good. timber on spinners, crankbaits, and Carolina rigged plastic in deeper water. Catfish are good on stinkbait, chicken liv- Texas-rigged plastic worms, and silver crankbaits near rock ers, and cut shad. banks, deeper creek channels, and stumps. Crappie are worms. White bass are good on the main lake flats, : GOOD. 90-91 degrees. Speckled trout PORT O’CONNOR: GOOD. 86 degrees. Speckled trout : GOOD. Water lightly stained; 85 de- fair on minnows and jigs on brush piles in 16-26’. White humps, and drop-offs with slabs in 18-35’. Hybrid stripers have been in the deeper water around 5-7’. Redfish are and redfish are excellent on topwaters and shrimp. Black grees; 3.18’ low. Striper fishing is good on main lake bass are fair on slabs in 20-30’ near main lake humps and are good with live bait in the main lake from 22-35’. Top- schooling and feeding behind large groups of mullet. Black drum are good on crab around deep water and grass beds. humps, drop-offs, and river channel with live bait or jig- drop-offs’. Catfish are good on cut shad, earthworms, and water plugs, crankbaits, and swimbaits are effective with drum are best around vegetation. Topwater action is still Concentrate on flats that are close to deep water, throw ging vertically. White bass are good on flats and drop-offs punch baits. Yellow cats are fair on live perch. surfacing schools of hybrids and white bass. Crappie are best early in the morning for speckled trout and redfish. topwaters in the morning. Flounder is good on live mullet good on minnows in brush piles in 15-28’. Catfish are good with slabs and jigging spoons. Look for birds diving over LBJ: FAIR. Water lightly stained; 81 degrees; 0.77’ low. around the rocks. on cut bait and punch bait. feeding schools. Largemouth bass are fair with diving Black bass are slow on with plastic worms, jigs and silver CORPUS CHRISTI: GOOD. 85 degrees. Speckled trout crankbaits, shaky heads, and Texas- rigged worms or spoons. Crappie are slow on minnows around brush piles ROCKPORT: VERY GOOD. 84-85 degrees. Spoons and BRAUNIG: GOOD. Water lightly stained; 82 degrees. and redfish are good around Laguna Madre on croaker or topwaters are still producing outstanding results. The Red drum are slowing, but still plenty of fish to be had. craws near docks, timber, and steep drop-offs. Small- and docks with minnows or jigs. White bass are fair over shrimp. Flounder is good around the rocks and on the mouth bass are good on grubs and small cranks in 12-17’ main lake points and humps in 20-35’ with slabs and jig- shipping channels are still hot as well. Flounder are great There is still some bird activity to guide you without much backside of the island. Black drum are good in the deep around jetties and piers. Redfish and speckled trout are surface activity. Largemouth bass are fair to good along along rock ledges and steep rocky shorelines. Catfish are ging spoons. Catfish are good on punch bait in 15-25’. water transitions or vegetation on blue crab or crankbaits. good with prepared baits and cut bait. Crappie are fair with STILLHOUSE HOLLOW: GOOD. Water stained; 82-85 best on live shrimp or croaker if you aren’t getting results the riprap with crankbaits and worms, as well as using top- Keep your eye out on the approaching Tropical Storm Beta. with spoons and topwaters. water near vegetation edges. Stripers are fair mid-lake and live minnows over submerged brush piles and timber. degrees; 3.26’ high. Black bass are good on jigs, white jigs, CHOKE CANYON: FAIR. Water lightly stained; 84-86 Texas-rigged soft plastic craws working brush piles, rock EAST MATAGORDA BAY: GOOD. 86 degrees. Wading off the southern deep points. Catfish are good on live bait, the mid-bay reefs for redfish is great using live shrimp or SOUTH PADRE: GOOD. 82-83 degrees. The area just cut bait and cheese bait. degrees; 20.67’ low. Largemouth bass are improving to bluffs, and submerged timber. Smallmouth bass are good north of the Saucer has good numbers of reds and trout in good as they move just a bit shallower for longer periods of with small plastic grubs and small crankbaits near rocky croaker. Speckled trout are great around Brown Cedar BROWNWOOD: FAIR. Water lightly stained; 83 degrees; Flats using the same baits. the flats. They are great on shrimp. Black drum are in big 1.37’ low. Largemouth bass are slow with crankbaits, jigs, the day. Topwater, crankbait, and worms with a 6“ leader banks, ledges, and drop-offs. Crappie are good on min- numbers and will continue to form in stained waters, and and Carolina rigged plastic worms in 15-25’ near drop-offs have continued the success on points, humps, rip rap, and nows in brush piles and standing timber in 14-28’. White PORT ARANSAS: GOOD. 87-88 degrees. Spoons and trout will be more likely to hit artificials. and standing timber. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. some deeper creek structure with some deep covered spots bass are fair on slabs and jigs off main lake points, humps, topwater and rattle traps have produced very well. The White bass and hybrids are fair on live bait and slabs in the in the afternoons. White bass remain fair, flashing small drop-offs, and along the dam. Catfish are good with punch piers have been great for all species. North jetty or redfish WEST MATAGORDA BAY: GOOD. 86 degrees. Large main lake near humps, drop-offs, and flats. Catfish are spinners and spoons off points. Crappie are good still in bait. Blue cats are good with live bait near brush piles. bay has been great for redfish and speckled trout on schools of redfish have been great along the north shore- good on punch bait and live bait in 10-20’ near baited northern structures feeding more aggressively than last TRAVIS: GOOD. Water lightly stained; 83 degrees; shrimp or mullet. Black drum are good on crab or crank- line or around Crab Lake on live shrimp or mullet. Speckled areas. week. Catfish are fair with live bait and cheese bait. 18.59’ low. Largemouth bass are good with crankbaits, baits around deep structure or vegetation. trout have been great on soft plastics in the grass beds. FALCON: FAIR. Water lightly stained north and clear skirted jigs and spinners near boat docks and marinas, rock