Top Lures for Trophy Trout Top Texas Outdoor Magazine for 17 Years (see page 75, #1 for more information!) TEXAS“Texas’ Most Comprehensive OutdoorsOUTDOORS Publication” Journal February 2016 / $3.99 Prime-Time for Trophy Specks | Quail - A Remarkable Recovery BITE ME - Bass | Shallow Back Lakes Savvy Is the 357 Magnum Still Alive? | Catfishing - Winter Whiskers texasoutdoorsjournal.com COastal & laKE FOrecasts | TIDE & SOLUNAR tables FINANCING TEXAS FOR 100 YEARS TEXAS“Texas’ Most Comprehensive OUTDOORSOutdoors Publication” February 2016 Journal For Hunters . For Anglers . Freshwater Saltwater 16 Just Hunting 14 Just Fishing —Bill L. Olson 10 Top Trout Lures- —MattWilliams Gearing Up For Quail Some proven lures that can produce Cold Weather Fishing - Dress Dry, some wall hogs as trophy trout Dress Smart 26 Just Shooting season cranks up.—Robert Sloan —Kerry O’Day 20 Bite Me- A look at some good bait Is the 357 Mag Still Alive? choices for pre-spawn largemouths. —Matt Williams 34 Quail: A Remarkable Recovery- This might well be the return of the iconic bird, but if not, hunters may as well enjoy it while it lasts. —Bob Zaiglin 24 Saltwater Journal —Mark Sosin Points to Remember CoastWatch – Danno Wise 28 Just Fishing 30 Lower Forecast —Brian Hughes 31 Middle Forecast Winter Whiskers 56 Upper Forecast NMLS493828 58 Louisiana Forecast Lake Roundups — Pros Forecasts 40 Central – John Jefferson 42 Shallow Back Lakes “Savvy”- There’s no escaping change. Especially when you’re trying to keep pace 54 Guns N Stuff 46 North – Brian Hughes Learn back lakes and marshes BE SET IN YOUR with a growing nation. So when the time comes to buy new equipment, —Harold Gunn 47 East – Matt Williams now and benefit when conditions WAYS OR SET ON purchase land or expand your operation, Capital Farm Credit will be Let’s Talk Turkey 60 South - Danno Wise warm this spring.—Nate Skinner there. So rural Texas has access to the financial support it needs to 70 Field Tips & Techniques— 62 West – TOJ Staff IMPROVING THEM. never stop growing. CapitalFarmCredit.com | 877.944.5500 Bill L. Olson & Danno Wise 62 High Plains – TOJ Staff After Deer Season’s Close 68 Tackle Tips & Techniques —Danno Wise Fishing Bass Beds 50 Winter or Not, Here They Come- February 2016 may be the best opportunity for most fishermen to For Everyone . On the Cover . catch a bragging size speckled trout. —Danno Wise 4 Editor’s Insight – Bill L. Olson “A Prickly Situation” 6 TOJ Notebook – TOJ Staff 64 Texas Offshore —Mike Holmes 67, 69, 71 Guides, Gear & Getaways For more information on “A Pr ickly Talking Tuna 72 Outdoors Calendar Situation” and other fine works of 74 Fishing & Hunting Times art by Lou Pasqua please visit www. 66 Tackle Tips & Techniques 75 Subscription Information loupasqua.com or call (412) 782-4869. —Danno Wise Winter’s Shallow Water Action for Reds FEBRUARY 2016 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 3 Editor’s Insight Bill L. Olson DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT February, being that short month of the year is the perfect time to get outdoors and “Texas’ Most Comprehensive do something different. Even during a leap year, like 2016, when the second month of Outdoors Publication” the year tries to “grow” to almost full month size, there are only 29 days in which to keep you occupied. Factor in days when a crackling fire is more inviting and there does not Publisher/Editor have to be that many activities to fill out the month. Bill L. Olson For example, all the deer hunters that bemoan the close of deer seasons last month Administrative Assistant should look to exotics. My all time favorite free-ranging exotic is a nilgai. If it is free- Adala Ruhge ranging then look on the King Ranch, Kenedy Ranch, or similar ranches along Texas Contributing Outdoors Editors coast in South Texas. Harold Gunn While not much in the way of horns these are challenging animals to hunt. Keen Brian Hughes eyesight, ability to absorb lightweight bullets and excellent on the table are all reason Mike Holmes to pursue these animals. John Jefferson Cody Koehler In the Hill Country there are so many free-ranging exotics hunters need to help Kerry O’Day reduce the herd. Just because it is exotic no longer means it is behind a high fence. Billy Olson While thinking hunting, how about some predator hunting? Grab your favorite Nate Skinner modern sporting rifle, an electronic caller, good camo, and head to the field. It’s time Robert Sloan Mark Sosin to thin the ranks of coyotes, grey fox, bobcats, and even some raccoons or skunks. Matt Williams Those that follow a game management strategy for whitetail deer should also manage Danno Wise the predators. While calling predators slip in a piglet in distress or a wild boar challenge and see if any hogs respond. You never know. Whitetail Deer Editor Bob Zaiglin On the fishing side there are options — call them scouting missions. Freshwater anglers would do well in parts of the Lone Star State to reacquaint themselves with their Art/Production Editor favorite lakes. Many have recently risen 10 feet with lakes in Central Texas rising 50 feet. Sunni Gonzales If the day is on the frosty side, layer up, turn on the electronics and see what has been Advertising Sales inundated with water. I’d certainly take along a rod and reel and a few of my favorite 713/957-3997, 713/957-3996 (fax) jigs, Texas rigged worms, spinnerbaits and ‘Traps just to “test the waters.” However the primary mission is to scout likely areas, make notes so on a return trip when the weather Subscription Information and water are warmer your time will be more productive. Call 1-800-222-4TOJ (4865); In Houston, Coastal anglers should also launch and learn. With north winds dropping tides, this 713/957-3997 to charge your subscription by phone. Subscription prices: one year $18.95, is the perfect time to note small reefs, guts, define channels and inlets into back lakes two years $29.95, three years $39.95. Mail or marshes. As an area is surveyed go slow and poke along — literally using a pushpole inquiries/changes of address to: as a sounding rod. TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal February is also a great time to just travel. It might be to an outdoor show in another 1706 West Sam Houston Parkway North part of the state. You might be surprised at what is shown away from your area while Houston, Texas 77043 enjoying local sights. Two good options are Texas coastal bend and the Rio Grande Valley. If you do venture out of state may I suggest either an east or west proposition. Just TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal (ISSN 1082-5940) is a pub- to the east of the Sabine River is a growing little party town of Lake Charles with its lication of Texas Outdoors Journal, Inc. Editorial and casinos, restaurants and old South ambiance. Be prepared to let out your belt when advertising offices are located at 1706 West Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston TX 77043. Phone (713) 957-3997. you over indulge. Fax (713) 957-3996. To the west is a part of the Old Republic of Texas and our closest winter playgrounds. E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] TOJ Online: www.texasoutdoorsjournal.com Angel Fire, Red River and Taos, The Enchanted Circle of New Mexico. You may even TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal is published monthly. Photo- want to try some ice fishing on Eagle Nest Reservoir. graphs and manuscripts for publication consideration are welcomed, but the publisher assumes no responsibility So don’t get cabin fever, try something different. for such material while in transit or in the office of the Until next month: Pursue all of your outdoor activities in a safe and ethical manner. publication. Copyright 2016 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is prohibited. Views expressed by TEXAS OUT- DOORS Journal contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Outdoors Journal, Inc. Publication of CAUTION: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reflect the limited experience of individuals using specific advertising in TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal does not con- tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which Texas Outdoors Journal has no control. The data have not otherwise been tested or verified by Texas Outdoors Journal. Texas stitute endorsement of products or services advertised. Outdoors Journal, its agents, officers and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data and Volume 25, Number 2 disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. 4 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal FEBRUARY 2016 TOJ Notebook Big Game Awards Program Celebrates 25 Years of Texas Hunting Heritage Hunters can show their Texas pride mule deer, javelina, pronghorn antelope, opportunities for tranquil relaxation or by entering their big game harvest in this or bighorn sheep are eligible, regardless of exhilarating surges of adrenaline, but year’s Texas Big Game Awards program. sex or score of the animal in this category. both types of experiences have about The program is accepting entries now All youth hunters who legally harvest equal appeal when it comes to fishing. through March 1, 2016. a white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelina, This, and other motivational factors, are Celebrating its 25th year, the Texas Big pronghorn antelope, or bighorn sheep are illuminated in the third report in a series Game Awards is a partnership of Texas eligible for the “Youth Division,” regard- examining sportfishing “churn,” a term CONSERVATION. EDUCATION. HUNTERS’ ADVOCACY. Parks and Wildlife Department and the less of sex or score or the animal.