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For Hunters . . . For Anglers . . . Freshwater Saltwater 10 Overlooked Duck Hot Spots- 14 Bassology Cattle tanks, stock ponds, or other 16 Winter Bay Fishing - Shallow to —Matt Williams small water bodies offer outstanding, Deep- Know when, where and User-Friendly Bass Baits easy hunting opportunities. how to find and target fish based on —Nate Skinner 22 Just Fishing the prevailing conditions. —Brian Hughes —Danno Wise ‘Tis The Season For The Right Stuff Lake Roundups — Pros Forecasts 38 Central – John Jefferson 56 North – Brian Hughes 58 East – Matt Williams 62 South - Danno Wise 20 Just Shooting 64 West – TOJ Staff —Kerry O’Day 64 High Plains – TOJ Staff Why Do We Love Our 30 Calibers? 48 The Jig Is Up- 32 Brush Country’s Peak Spectacle- Simulating a slow moving offering Ever changing phases of the these baits will likely catch the big whitetail rut combined with moves gest fish.—Matt Williams and countermoves between hunter It’s your dream. and quarry. —Bob Zaiglin CoastWatch – Danno Wise Let’s make it a reality. 26 Lower Forecast 29 Middle Forecast 52 Upper Forecast 55 Louisiana Forecast At Capital Farm Credit, we understand that a piece of land is more than a place 40 A Plethora of Winter Options- to go hunting; it’s an escape where you create memories with family and friends. 44 Texas Style Duck Hunts- Texas’ Upper Coast provides anglers That’s why we’re with you every step of the way throughout the entire lending There are countless places and ways with an abundance of diverse op- portunities for a variety of condi- process. We’re a cooperative, and that means your goals are our goals. And our to hunt most of the popular species 68 Tackle Tips & Techniques tions.—Nate Skinner patronage dividend program means we share our profits and put money back in of ducks. —Robert Sloan —Danno Wise 66 Tackle Tips & Techniques your pocket. Because we’re all in this together. And together we’re better. Fishing Winter’s Deep Water Structures —Danno Wise Winter Beachfront Fishing Tips

Together we’re better. For Everyone . . . On the Cover . . . 4 Editor’s Insight – Bill L. Olson “Green Timber Mallards” Partnership that really pays. 60 Guns N Stuff —Harold Gunn 6 TOJ Notebook – TOJ Staff For more information on “Green Stocking Stuffers for the Sportsman 67, 69 & 71 Guides, Gear & Getaways Timber Mallards” and other fine works 70 Field Tips & Techniques— 72 Outdoors Calendar of art by Scott Storm, contact Wild capitalfarmcredit.com | 877.944.5500 Bill L. Olson & Danno Wise 74 Fishing & Hunting Times Wings at (800) 445-4833 or visit www. NMLS493828 Late Season Whitetail Strategies 75 Subscription Information wildwings.com.

december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 3

72073.01 CFC Hunting ad_TX Outdoor_8.125x10.875.indd 1 1/2/17 10:48 AM Editor’s Insight Bill L. Olson PERFECTLY TIMED

Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. It is so good to hear so many once again openly and joyously proclaiming this special holiday season. “Texas’ Most Comprehensive No longer shackled by the intimidation or restraints of the politically correct, Outdoors Publication” Americans across this great land are wishing each other Merry Christmas. What makes us proud is the reality of what is right, is being lead by Texans. That was displayed in Founder/Publisher/Editor the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Plus this group of Texans is composed of y a solid core Bill L. Olson of outdoors enthusiasts. Administrative Assistant For many Christmas is an emotional time of year. It seems these emotions build Adala Ruhge over a lifetime. At an earlier age many profess their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord Contributing Outdoors Editors and Savior. They learn that Christmas is more than a time to give and receive presents. Harold Gunn In the name of the holiday is Christ and we celebrate his birth. Brian Hughes As years pass life has a way of tempering our souls much like a blacksmith tempers Mike Holmes and forges a piece of steel into a useful tool. That tool might be a knife that can be used John Jefferson Kerry O’Day for good or not. It can be cherished or abused. As it ages it carries the marks that tells Bill L. Olson, Jr. the tale of its life. Nate Skinner Emotions are the earthly part of our soul. They are what we cling to as important Robert Sloan and right while trying to shun the mistakes. It’s those feelings that make us vacillate Mark Sosin between human temptations or what keeps us grounded. Matt Williams Danno Wise Timing certainly plays a roll in how we individually carry out our lives. Personal struggles sometimes encourages envy of others that outwardly may be traveling an easier Whitetail Deer Editor road — but it may not be known what is really going on inside? Right time and wrong Bob Zaiglin place, or wrong place at the right time. We learn from both. Art/Production Editor I am a Christian and that is what keeps me grounded. There have been life experiences Sunni Gonzales that have certainly been much bigger than me and the only way to deal with those life challenges is to lay them at God’s feet and proclaim, “this is too big for me alone. I need Advertising Sales your help.” 713/957-3997, 713/957-3996 (fax) As an outdoorsman, I am constantly reminded of just how remarkable our Creator is by simply observing His works. It’s amazing that at a time of year when all outdoor Subscription Information activities are underway is the time we celebrate Christmas. Call 1-800-222-4TOJ (4865); In Houston, Sunrises and sunsets are their most colorful. Across diverse landscapes multicolored 713/957-3997 to charge your subscription by leaves display, and then fall to cover ground that in time will be nourished by what has phone. Subscription prices: one year $18.95, died. In places, colorful vistas are maybe covered by a blanket of white. These changes two years $29.95, three years $39.95. Mail inquiries/changes of address to: are endless and amaze every time. On inland lakes and along the coast water temperatures chilled by colder temperatures TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 1706 West Sam Houston Parkway North clear the water as algae drops out. Without the things that cloud these tranquil places Houston, Texas 77043 secrets are revealed and we learn. How similar is that to life? We learn from the past and look to the future. That is also true of those we remember TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal (ISSN 1082-5940) is a pub- who have been called Home. Emotions rise as we remember and try to fill the Earthly lication of Texas Outdoors Journal, Inc. Editorial and void they left. advertising offices are located at 1706 West Sam Houston Parkway North, Houston TX 77043. Phone (713) 957-3997. Then memories begin to fill that empty space. Laughter and chatter of what once Fax (713) 957-3996. occurred encourage other exchanges with family and friends. E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] It is a season at the end of a year that is just about used up, but so full of what can be TOJ Online: www.texasoutdoorsjournal.com TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal is published monthly. Photo- called upon in the future. That optimism of the future is just a few days away — when graphs and manuscripts for publication consideration are welcomed, but the publisher assumes no responsibility a New Year arrives. for such material while in transit or in the office of the It is a perfect time of year. All of us at TEXAS OUTDOORS JOURNAL wish each publication. of you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2018. Copyright 2017 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or Until next year: Pursue all of your outdoor activities in a safe and ethical manner. 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 CAUTION: All technical data in this publication, especially for handloading, reflect the limited experience of individuals using specific the views of Texas Outdoors Journal, Inc. Publication of tools, products, equipment and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and advertising in TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal does not con- 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 disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. Volume 26, Number 12

4 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 TOJ Notebook DALLAS SAFARI CLUB New Report Identifies the Changing Markets for Handguns with SPORTS AFIELD The handgun market has many that 41 percent of the current handgun sources indicates there are an estimated different types of consumers, each wanting owners are female and 18 percent are 500 packs and 2,856 wolves in Minnesota, to buy for different reasons and uses. Two non-Caucasian. Not only are these two or a 25 percent increase since the 2015- of these types, women and minorities, segments handgun owners, they also are 16 survey. The survey’s margin of error is are a significant growth opportunity potential buyers of additional firearms. about plus or minus 500 wolves meaning for handgun sales. They share the same The report reflects that 47 percent of the population could top 3,300. passion to become proficient shooters the females and 22 percent of the non- “From approximately 2005 to 2014, a like more experienced handgun owners Caucasians surveyed planed on making decline in prey appears to have translated and are seeking reliable handguns from additional purchases. into larger wolf pack territories, fewer or reputable brands. When this group is When it comes to firearm knowledge, smaller packs and a reduced wolf popu- combined with active target shooters and 26 percent of the current owners in these lation, said John Erb, DNR wolf research hunters who are looking to buy another surveys said they were either beginners or scientist. “Now, the reverse appears to be handgun, the new handgun consumer had no experience. From this same group happening.” is now younger, skews female and is 60 percent said they planned on partaking This latest estimate places the overall ethnically diverse. in target shooting at least one time in wolf population at approximately 100 As a supplement to the Customer the coming year. Of those that classified percent greater than Minnesota’s state Segmentation Analysis of the U.S. themselves as beginners, 48 percent said minimum population goal of 1,600. Commercial Firearms and Accessories they had plans to purchase a firearm while Market report, Southwick Associates 40 percent of those that planned on target Restored Oyster Reef Holds and NSSF have published a new shooting at least once a year said they were Post-Harvey Lessons for Island handgun market report examining the going to buy. University Researchers - demographics, firearm-related activities, Restoration projects in the Coastal JANUARY 4 7, 2 0 1 8 motivations, needs, purchase drivers Minnesota Wolf Population Bend got their ultimate test when Hurri- and shopping habits of those who own a Grows by 25 Percent cane Harvey made landfall on the Central Kay Bailey Hutchison Omni Dallas Hotel A 2016-2017 winter survey by the Texas coast as a Category 4 storm on handgun and those looking to buy one. 555 South Lamar - Evening Banquets, Auctions, A synopsis of the report reveals Minnesota Department of Natural Re- August 25. Scientists and students with Convention Center Ladies’ Luncheon & Life Member Breakfast 650 South Griffin Street Thur/Fri/Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 9am-3pm

WEDNESDAY FRIDAY Welcome Party & Auction Ladies’ Luncheon & Auction Gilley’s Dallas 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm 10:30 am - 3:00 pm Cover Art Outfitter of the Year Award Evening Banquet & Auction 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Artist of the Year Award Special times await Texas waterfowl hunters that set up in Colin Caruthers Weatherby Award Young Hunter Award and around flooded timber this time of year. At first light the Banquet & Auction - Omni Hotel first sound is the whoosh of wood ducks zipping through the Cocktails & Silent Auction 5:30 pm Educator of the Year Award flooded hardwoods. As the light increase the big ducks — Dinner & Live Auction 7:00 pm mallards, make their way into these areas too feed and roost. SATURDAY Renowned wildlife artist Scott Storm’s “Green Timber THURSDAY Life Member Breakfast & Auction Mallards” has captured one of those crisp winter mornings as a Evening Banquet & Auction 8:00 am - 10:00 am flight of greenheads start to settle down onto the flooded waters. 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm One of the coveted trophies for duck hunters, mallard numbers Evening Banquet & Auction remain very good at 34 percent above the long term average. Conklin Award 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm For more information on “Green Timber Mallards” and Outstanding Hunter Achievement Award other fine works of art by Scott Storm, contact Wild Wings at Dave Baxter Literary Award (800) 445-4833 or visit www.wildwings.com. Dixie Yeatts Award of Excellence Peter H. Capstick Hunting Heritage Award “Green Timber Mallards” FOR MORE INFORMATION & BANQUET RESERVATIONS 800.9GO.HUNT | [email protected] | www.biggame.org | 972.980.9800 6 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 The Greatest Hunters’ Convention on the Planet TM Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Christi Associate Professor of Marine Bi- look promising. At our first control reef, debt on our books,” said David Allen, 910 permits were avail- are now hoping that lessons learned from ology Dr. Jennifer Pollack. “It runs parallel the poles we’d used to mark our site and RMEF president and CEO. “This is a tre- able in 2016. what survived Harvey’s winds and surge to the shoreline, and the idea is that as all the trays, which we’d anchored with mendous accomplishment and milestone.” West Virginia— In can be applied to future restoration as we we get these fronts coming through and rebar, were gone.” RMEF began operations in May 1984 2016 24 elk were re- face the possibility of more frequent and creating wave energy, the reef will help to Miraculously, the restored reef was in a doublewide trailer just outside of Troy, introduced onto West intense storms. buffer and break those waves before they completely intact. There was even a thin Montana and soon grew to occupy three Virginians landscape The St. Charles Bay Oyster Reef and can impact the shoreline.” layer of oyster larvae, new growth called buildings in Troy. In 1988, RMEF moved just before Christmas. Shoreline Stabilization project was one The Big Tree unit had suffered steady a “spat,” visible on the reef. 180 miles southeast to Missoula where it Nine months later, the of the newest restoration projects in local land loss from wind and waves, losing Moving forward, the students will con- set up shop in a former warehouse. herd is enjoying its first waters. The 2,000 linear foot reef had as much as 100 feet of shoreline in some tinue sampling the reef each month to see In 20005, RMEF received a generous fall season back on its just been installed as a living shoreline areas. The St. Charles reef was the first how it and their other sites grow and re- 22-acre land donation and built its current historic range. along the Big Tree unit in Goose Island constructed as a shoreline stabilization cover after the hurricane. Although, there 40,350-square foot national headquarters “This is the time of Photo courtesy RMEF and Adam Dunn State Park in late July, the latest effort of project, and consisted of several 40-me- will still be challenges — due to heavy and Elk Country Visitor Center. Addition- the year where the bulls These elk located in Kentucky are part of the largest elk heard east the Oyster Recycling Program founded ter-long by 10-meter-wide ridges of rains during the hurricane, the estuary ally, it constructed its 23,556-square foot have regrown their ant- of the Mississippi River. by Harte Research Institute for Gulf of recycled oyster shell with passes between received a large inflow of freshwater and RMEF Distribution Center that serves lers, and they’ve rubbed Mexico Studies (HRI) and the College each ridge to allow water to exchange. The salinity levels have dropped. Too much members, volunteers, staffers, partners, off the velvet. We’re into their breeding it is currently illegal to shoot an elk in of Science and Engineering at Texas reef was designed to buffer erosive wave freshwater can kill oysters, but Pollack sponsors, shoppers and many other sup- season—September and October—and Wisconsin. A&M-Corpus Christi. The program action, but it took a direct hit from the said she’s hopeful the young oysters on porters. this is when the bulls are bugling,” Randy Elk were first reintroduced near Clam reuses shell collected from local seafood most intense portions of Hurricane Har- their new reef will be able to survive it. “This would not be possible without Kelley, West Virginia Division of Natural Lake in 1995. The Clam Lake elk range restaurants and sellers and places it back vey, Pollack said. Scientists didn’t know The hurricane will also open their the hard work and dedication of RMEF Resources elk project leader said. includes portions of southeast Bayfield, into the bay to build new oyster habitat, if the project would survive the intensity project up to new questions about how volunteers, members, donors and staff. There are currently an estimated 22 elk southwest Ashland, eastern Sawyer, and already has constructed eight acres of of the storm. these restoration efforts fare in the wake This is also a testament to the financial in West Virginia with more scheduled to northeast Rusk, and western Price coun- new oyster reef in other areas of the park. “I thought the reef was going to be of major storms. Because they have a health and stability of RMEF,” said Allen. be reintroduced this winter. ties. “This reef was different than the ones gone,” Pollack said. “But instead, not only mixture of new and established oyster The headquarters loan was scheduled “We’ve come to an agreement basically Although the approximately 190 elk we’ve done in the past,” said A&M-Corpus is it there — there’s new oyster growth reef restoration projects and natural reefs to be paid in full September 2019. Upon with the state of Arizona to trap and trans- use private lands in these areas, they are on it.” in Goose Island State Park, scientists evaluation of RMEF’s current cash posi- port elk from Arizona to West Virginia. often found on the Chequamegon-Nicolet Pollack’s graduate student can monitor and compare how each site tion and analysis of paying off the loan They’ve agreed to give us this year up to National Forest, county and industrial Meghan Martinez visited the bounces back from the storm. Knowing versus carrying the interest to term, it was 60 elk,” said Kelley. forest lands, and the Flambeau River site for the first time in the last more about how restoration projects fare deemed prudent and appropriate to pay RMEF assisted with the successful State Forest. weeks of September hoping for in the face of large storms will be increas- the loan off two years early. West Virginia reintroduction and is stand- The Black River elk range is located the best, but prepared for the ingly important as scientists anticipate “Paying off this loan early enables ing by to help with future efforts. in Jackson County. While the majority of worst. Martinez is helping to future hurricanes will only increase in RMEF to shift the mortgage and interest Virginia— Five years after being the herd resides in the Black River State lead the educational component number and severity due to the effects of investment to where it belongs — the reintroduced onto their native Virginia Forest to the southeast of Black River Falls, of the restoration project, which climate change, Pollack said. mission,” added Allen. historic range, elk are slowly thriving in a few of the approximately 60 animals in employs local undergraduate “We think the special design of the In other RMEF news, the conservation the Old Dominion State. the herd have wandered into surround- and high school students in reef, which allowed water to flow through, organization provided updates on elk “We are allowing nature to do its thing ing counties since their reintroduction monitoring the progress of the aided in its survival,” said HRI Chief herds in several states east of the Rocky now, they will reproduce on their own,” in 2015. reef and gives them real-world Operating Officer Gail Sutton, one of Mountains where they assisted state agen- David Kalb, Virginia Department of Game “After a very active rut in 2016, we experience in conservation the founders of the Oyster Recycling cies with the reintroduction of elk to their and Inland Fisheries project leader, told believe we’ve had an excellent calving sea- science. The undergraduate stu- Program. “We take a targeted approach former range. the Roanoke Times. “It’s just a rather slow son with good survivorship of in both elk dents help Martinez to retrieve to placing our reefs, using recycled oyster Kentucky— Home to the largest elk process. Right now we are seeing good ranges. As a result, both elk ranges hold anchored trays of reef material shell that would have otherwise ended population east of the Mississippi River, recruitment numbers and we are seeing a significant number of calves,” added that provide a snapshot of life on up in a landfill to build natural barriers the 2016-17 Kentucky Department of excellent health in the animals we have.” Wallenfang. the reef. Scientists, like Pollock that will protect eroding shorelines. At Fish and Wildlife Resources Elk Report The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation RMEF assisted with the successful elk and Martinez, can then bring the same time, we’re mentoring a new indicates provided funding and volunteer man- reintroductions in both areas. back the reef material to the lab generation of students in natural coastal Kentucky now has more than 11,000 power as it worked with the DGIF and About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: and study it without damaging resiliency solutions.” elk. Kentucky’s elk restoration zone cov- the Kentucky Department of Fish and Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by or disturbing the reef. The high For more information on the Oyster ers approximately 4.1 million acres in 16 Wildlife to relocate Kentucky elk onto hunters and a membership of more than school students are helping to Recycling Program visit their website at counties in the southeast region of the reclaimed mine land in Buchanan County 220,000 strong, RMEF has conserved monitor the grasses along the OysterRecycling.org. state. in the western part of Virginia. The first more than 7.1 million acres for elk and shoreline. Martinez and the RMEF contributed more than $4.6 reintroduction began in 2012 and the last other wildlife. students also conduct basic RMEF Erases Long-Term Debt, million to assist with reintroduction in 2014. Today, there are approximately RMEF also works to open and improve water sampling and take benthic Pays off Headquarters, efforts and habitat enhancement work. 200 elk in the state. public access, fund and advocate for sci- core samples at the site to study Elk Projects Update Additionally, RMEF worked with KD- Wisconsin— Wildlife officials in Wis- ence-based resource management, and what’s in the mud. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation FWR so Kentucky became a source herd consin are reminding the public to be ensure the future of America’s hunting Courtesy photo “When we went to assess has announced it is free of all long-term to reintroduce elk onto historic ranges in aware of elk on the landscape in central heritage. Oyster shell collected from restaurants becomes the base everything, we packed as if we debt after making the final payment on its Missouri, Virginia and Wisconsin. and far northern Wisconsin as they enjoy For more information visit www. from which new oysters will attach themselves creating were going to be sampling,” headquarters facility. “For the first time Kentucky’s first elk hunt was in 2001 the fall season. Deer hunters are asked rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL a new reef. Martinez said. “At first it didn’t ever, RMEF has no remaining long-term with hunters taking six cows. A total of to use caution and are reminded that ELK. 8 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 9 hat makes a hunter get out of warm bed in the Wchilly wee hours of a winter morning to go spend time in the mud, muck, and brutal elements? This is a OVERLOOKEDOVERLOOKED question I’ve often asked myself after a duck hunt, especially when the results of my efforts were straps too barren for my liking. It’s no secret that duck hunting and work go hand in hand. Depending on the Duck Hot Spots location and type of terrain being hunted, the set-up process alone often takes place hours before the sun comes up. Whether the adventure involves drudging through swamp-like mud or toting around hoards of decoys and gear, the sport offers little sympathy to the weary and weak of heart. Despite the fact that duck hunting can involve some tough conditions and situations, waterfowl hunters continue obsessing with the tradition of fooling birds with fowl-like fakes year after year. This is true even when the outcome of the hard work isn’t a pile of ducks. The good news is more exceptional opportunities await, many of which provide easier access to the birds than some might think possible. Some of the best duck holes across the Lone Star State lie within its interior regions in the form of stock ponds and cattle tanks. These prime hunting grounds often remain untapped by hunters throughout the season, offering a refuge to ducks as pressure intensifies along The author with his black lab, Kahle, and a full strap of puddle ducks that were willing to decoy over a pond southeast of San Antonio. popular waterfowl infested locations. Setting up on these small bodies of water one asked. “Those nasty things show going to hunt. Set up would take just a can be simple and requires minimal gear up almost every winter,” he explained. few minutes. — not to mention, the action is often hot These farm boys were smitten with deer The weekend finally arrived and on and heavy. hunting, but they had never experienced the first morning we shot limits in about The first time I ever duck hunted a the whistling of wings nor the beauty of 20 minutes, long before the sun rose high small cattle tank was several years ago a working water dog. in the sky. We picked up quickly and southeast of San Antonio in Wilson I finally talked a buddy of mine hurried out of there to watch the tank County. My father-in-law has a farm into giving it a try. He called me on from a tree line several hundred yards in the area. I began to notice plenty of a Tuesday afternoon and said he was away. To our amazement we watched as ducks loafing on ponds while commuting looking at a tank on his parent’s land that hundreds of ducks poured back into the along county roads between the farm and was completely blacked-out with ducks. hole. The following morning limits took his house near Poth during the winter “There’s about 300 or so mud hens on about 10 minutes longer. We enjoyed months. Spotting everything from the tank nearly every day right now if you two barnburner hunts on back-to-back mottled ducks to pintails, plus plenty of want to come hunt them,” he informed. mornings over just a couple of dozen teal, gadwall, and widgeon triggered the “Don’t mess with them and stay away decoys. Who would’ve thought it could Cattle tanks, stock ponds, or other small water bodies offer wheels in my head to begin to turn. from that tank,” I instructed. “I’ll be there be that easy? outstanding, easy hunting opportunities. I started asking a few friends that lived on Friday.” Stock tanks and cattle ponds in the area if they had ever duck hunted As I gathered a couple of dozen decoys along inland areas across the state not Story and photography by Nate Skinner before. My question was almost always and the rest of my waterfowling gear in only provide hunters with some less met with an uninterested reply. preparation, I was overtaken with the pressured options and pristine hunting “Are you talking about hunting the excited anticipation of being able to drive opportunities, they are also becoming mud hens that live in these tanks?” a truck right up to the pond we were a key wintering habitat feature for

10 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 11 migrating waterfowl in the much attention from ducks boils down tap into these low pressure hunting areas Central Flyway. to hunting pressure. “Not only is there better than anyone. Finding out who the Crops Around Ponds and According to the plenty of waterfowl habitat in this area landowner is for the properties containing Baiting Texas Parks and Wildlife of the state in terms of food and water,” ponds that are holding the most birds Department’s Waterfowl he elaborated, “there is also very little can payoff. Crops planted around a tank that are Program Leader, Kevin Kraai, pressure on the birds.” In many situations these individuals attracting ducks must be there for an agri- our state is littered with Kraai says the concentrations of are not concerned with the waterfowl cultural purpose in order for it to be legal water and wintering habitat waterfowl hunters in the central portion wintering on their land. A polite to hunt that pond. Colorado County Game for waterfowl throughout its of the state are just not what they are in conversation requesting permission to Warden, Leanne R. Winkenwerder, says that many eco-regions which has other locations. hunt ducks on the landowner’s property if the sole reason for the presence of the rendered an all time high in “Most of the waterfowl hunting in might score a dynamite hunting location crops is to attract waterfowl, then a game total duck numbers seen over this area takes places on larger bodies of for little to no cost. warden would consider that scenario an the past 20 years. water,” he explained. “This leaves smaller Killer duck holes await those willing to illegally baited hunt. “Last year’s midwinter tanks and ponds undisturbed for the get off the grid and try a new approach. “If crops are planted for cattle grazing survey estimates showed ducks to rest.” They are void of hunting pressure and and ducks are also using them as a source the total number of ducks Kraai also informs that the shear represent some of the best areas to hunt of food, then it is legal to hunt the birds wintering across the state to numbers of these features across the waterfowl in the entire state. over those crops,” she explained. “But if the be over six million birds,” he terrain is what makes them so valuable As the season wears on and the pressure food source was planted just for the ducks informed. “That’s up from to waterfowl. Each pond may only winter on the birds continues, cattle ponds, stock and there is no sign of a true agricultural some 4.7 million total ducks a small quantity of birds in comparison tanks and other small bodies of water are purpose, then most likely a game warden the previous year, and well to the overall population. But across going to show their true colors in the form would issue a citation to anyone hunting the area.” above the average of the last Holes that contain shallow areas with emergent vegetation will attract the most ducks. No more than a thousands of miles these numbers add of beautiful, fully plumed-out ducks. two decades calculated at couple of dozen decoys are necessary to coax birds into decoying over small ponds and tanks. up quickly. nearly 3.8 million.” When it comes to setting Kraai attributes this increase to the thousands of square miles of waterfowl everywhere, as landowners are constantly up to hunt on a tank or stock ample amounts of rainfall experienced habitat. Together they compose what is creating new watering holes for cattle pond, two dozen decoys or statewide over the past couple of years. beginning to be recognized as the largest and other agricultural purposes,” he less will do the trick. Hunters This has contributed to the rapid growth wintering refuge for waterfowl in North elaborated. should orient their spread on and expansion of habitat features within America.” Kraai claims there is not a silver bullet the upwind bank of the hole the interior portion of the state. Kraai says most of these tanks are less recipe for the ultimate duck hole, but and try to put the wind at “The most important of these features than an acre in size and many are located that some traits seem to be important. their backs. are small cattle tanks and stock ponds,” within the triangle of terrain between “The presence of emergent vegetation, As far as concealment he confessed. “These manmade bodies College Station, Paris, and Breckenridge. or aquatic plants that have leaves and goes, nothing looks more of water are starting to account for “This area sees new ponds popping up stems growing above the water’s surface, natural around these tanks is key when it comes than a homemade brush blind to attracting ducks,” composed of the same type of he explained. “Ponds vegetation that is surrounding with shallow water areas it. In situations where the the containing vegetation pond is void of any significant experience the most bird cover, low-profile lay out traffic.” blinds are the best bet. “A managed amount Finding great areas to hunt of cattle disturbance is as simple as looking at a is also an important portion of land on Google factor, and it’s something Earth and finding a few square landowners can control,” miles that contain multiple Kraai informed. “Tanks tanks. The more ponds that that receive a controlled are in the area, the more amount of livestock likely there will be a large activity are used concentration of ducks. frequently by ducks. Too Scouting these ponds much cattle disturbance is also a necessity. There’s and too little tends to nothing better than knowing produce a pond void of a morning hunt is taking waterfowl.” place on a body of water that Kraai states that the was loaded with birds the day “These manmade bodies of water are starting to account for thousands of square miles of waterfowl habitat. largest reason why small before. Together they compose what is beginning to be recognized as the largest wintering refuge for waterfowl in North ponds across interior Hunters that possess some Hunter satisfaction comes from discovering smaller water hots spots for ducks, easy set up, making a great America.” Texas are receiving so people skills will be able to shot and watching a favorite four legged hunting companion make a beautiful retrieve.

12 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 13 BASSOLOGY | Matt Williams The longer the pause between twitches The circular piece of plastic is the deeper the bait sinks in the water designed to slide up and down User-Friendly Bass Baits column. the main line above the hook, Strikes on both baits usually occur sort of like a bobber stop. It on the fall. You might feel a slight tick or is important to use pliers to things might feel a little mushy when you open the hole before moving take up the slack. Either way, set the hook. the keeper up or down the line. There are all sorts of artificial baits and the speed of the retrieve and the size of the Wacky Worm Carolina Rig Otherwise, it can cause tactics that will catch a bass, but some are lure. Most have a built in rattle chamber The basic wacky worm rig consists This is a great rig for fishing main lake fraying. The weight also can be naturally easier to master and much more that displaces sound as the bait races of a five to seven inch straight tail worm structure or open water with sparse cover. staged using a barrel swivel to effective than others. through the water column. that his hooked in the middle of the body, What makes the Carolina-rig so join the main line to the leader. In fact, some are so simple to use Lipless crankbaits will catch bass year- usually through the egg sac. Cast it. Let it effective is the bait is not restricted by Fishing a Carolina rig is that a beginning or novice angler with a round, but they are extremely effective sink a few seconds. Then move it towards weight. simple. Just drag the weight basic understanding of bass behavior and during the winter and early spring on the boat using slight downward twitches Instead, the weight is staged a couple across bottom using sideways average casting skills can experience some lakes with an abundance of hydrilla. The with the rod tip. of feet ahead of the bait using a leader sweeps of the rod. Don’t hop success in short order with a little bit of trick is to cast the bait out and retrieve The technique was founded using about two to three feet long. This allows it. Detecting a strike on the instruction. it just fast enough to keep it ticking the a stiff, straight tail plastic worm like the plastic to remain unrestricted and fall Carolina-rig is somewhat Here’s rundown on a few baits and tops of the grass. Strikes often come out the Creme Scoundrel but also can be very slowly while the weight is on bottom. different than a Texas-rig. techniques that easy to use and super of “reaction” when the bait tears free of performed with other plastics such as Bass feel no resistance when they grab it. Often times you will not feel a effective under the right conditions: the vegetation. soft jerk baits, tubes and even creature It’s a great winter rig. bite until the fish tries to run Lipless Crankbaits Like other cranks, lipless models are baits or craws. Most anglers like a fairly heavy egg off with the bait. The name explains it to a large degree. available in assorted colors. Reds, browns It can be rigged weightless on an open or barrel-style weight around 1/2 ounce A lipless crankbait is a crankbait minus a and oranges are cold weather favorites on hook, with a weed guard or a special hook to 3/4 ounce. The bigger weight makes it bill or lip on the nose. Elongated in shape, East Texas grass lakes because they are with a weighted head. easier to maintain contact with what is Right: A Carolina rig is the lipless crankbait has flat sides and believed to imitate crawfish. What sets the wacky rig aside from going on down there. an effective year round is meant to chunk and wind at a steady Some other popular hues are bone, other worm rigs is the hook placement The are a couple of ways to build a presentation that is especially retrieve causing it to wiggle or vibrate chrome and gold. The baits come in and action. Carolina rig. The easiest way to stage effective during the winter tightly side-to-side. assorted sizes; 1/2 and 3/4 ounce are the The center-punched worm moves the weight is to use a Carolina keeper. months. The depth it runs is dictated solely by most popular by far. slowly through the water column. It pulsates at both ends when you twitch it and sinks with a slow fluttering action when paused. It works best with a twitch- twitch-pause retrieve. The wacky rig works well around heavily pressured or spooky bass that are holding in shallow to mid-range depths around grass, bushes and other cover. It also can be effective during early spring, when bass are suspended in cold water or nosing out the shallows ahead of the spawn. Soft Jerkbaits Like the wacky worm, the soft jerk bait is a heavy favorite for bass that are holding in shallow or mid-range depths or suspended in the water column. The baits comes in varied sizes with five to six inches being the most popular. The Senko, Fluke, Yum Dinge, Bass Assassin, Ocho and Caffeine Shad are among the more popular soft jerk baits on the market. Soft jerk baits can be fished wacky or Carolina style, but the most popular way to fish them is Texas style, with a light weight or with no weight at all. The technique is similar to wacky worming. Cast, sink and use staggered twitch- twitch-pause retrieve.

14 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 15 ecember is usually the first month Dthat Texas inshore anglers see fish in a winter pattern. Usually, the first thing Winter Bay Fishing that often comes to mind when most fishermen think “winter pattern” is “deep water.” While it is true there will be a lot of Shallow to Deep fish found concentrated in deep water areas, there will also still be some shallow Story and Photography water options available in the by Danno Wise year’s final month. Actually, as Texas winter weather is known to vary wildly, fish Know when, where and how will be found at a variety to find and target fish based of depths and in different There is no need for an early start. Rather, it is better to wait until the sun has been up long enough to warm on the prevailing conditions. locations throughout the the water. month. Fishermen versatile enough to effectively fish from shallow to areas are the best areas to target in most on the bottom, but not always. They are deep based on the prevailing conditions Texas bays, although some of the larger quite often suspended at some depth in will have the most opportunity to be bays (think Galveston and Corpus Christi) the middle of the water column. One of consistently successful. have some good deep water structure such the keys is to try to locate thermocline, When discussing winter fishing, it is as platforms and reefs as well. which is a layer of warmer water that the still best to start with the obvious – most When fishing in deep water areas, it is fish will stay in to insulate themselves from winter bay fishing is about fishing deep imperative to determine what depth the the colder water temperatures. water. Deep holes, channels, and port fish are holding. Fish are sometimes found Once the depth fish are holding at is determined, anglers need to try and keep lures and baits at that water level as long as possible. Suspending baits and diving baits are designed for specific depths, so anglers can choose a lure that is meant to work at the depth fish are suspended. Live bait fishermen can adjust the weight added to freeline rigs to keep the bait at the right depth longer. Finally, among the most effective, but least often used, are vertical fishing techniques such as vertical jigging and/or drop-shotting. Both of these techniques keep lures and baits at a specific depth and can be used by both artificial and live bait fishermen. While fish will spend much of the winter in deeper water areas, when the sun shines, fish – redfish and monster trout in particular – will crawl up on the skinny flats to feed. This generally happens when there are a few calm, warm days between fronts. When they are on the flats, anglers can pursue specks and reds in much the same way as they do during summer, with a few notable exceptions. For one thing, there is no need for an early start. Rather, it is better to wait until the sun has been When fishing clear water it is essential to toss light, soft-landing lures – unweighted plastics or up long enough to warm the water some. plastics rigged on 1/32 to 1/16 ounce jig heads are best. Also, while finding active bait is always

16 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 17 a key to success, in winter, it is absolutely periods and redfish and large speckled water as possible. The imperative to find bait in order to find trout will be found on the flats on warmer warmer the weather fish. Anglers should run the flats looking days. However, what about all those “in – between fronts, the for active fish and bait before deciding to between” times? During those times, fish more aggressive the shut down. However, they should expect will be found in transitional areas such fish will be and the to find acres of bait like there is in the as ledges and mid-depth flats, as well as more rapidly anglers fall. Just a few active mullet are enough to shallower guts and channels. Depending can cover water. When warrant stopping and casting in an area on conditions, fish may hold in these areas pre-frontal fish are in during winter. for a single day or for as long as a week an aggressive state, Anglers also shouldn’t expect huge at a time before moving either shallower they can be taken on numbers of fish on the shallow flats or deeper. a variety of “power during winter. Generally, there are fewer Beyond the water depth, fishing baits” – topwater plugs, but bigger fish in the skinny water from in winter usually requires anglers to paddle-tail plastics, December through February. This time of employ a mix of power and finesse spoons, etc. year, it is fairly rare to find a small trout techniques based on a variety of factors After a front passes, on flats, which also means the action will to be consistently successful. fish behavior changes be a little slower, but the bites you get will One factor that has begun to be - at least for a day or be from good fish. better understood by the average angler two. In most instances, Sight-casting can be good to excellent is barometric pressure. Falling pressure the behavior change on winter flats. The water is usually clearer usually means more active fish, while high is drastic. Post-frontal in winter because the cold temperatures pressure can cause a case of lockjaw. Like fish tend to be found kill off microorganisms and algae. In fact, tides, barometric pressure has the most in deeper water — the water on some flats is too clear, as impact when it is moving. channels and holes. the fish are spookier in super clear water. Temperature, on the other hand, has They also tend to During those “in – between” times, not too cold or not too warm, fish will be found in When fishing clear water and sight-casting long been linked to fish activity – or lack be more lethargic. transitional areas such as ledges and mid-depth flats, as well as shallower guts and channels. to spooky fish, it is essential to toss light, thereof. It is the most obvious effect of a While they will eat, soft-landing lures – unweighted plastics passing front and the impact of rising or they will rarely chase or plastics rigged on 1/32 to 1/16 ounce falling temperatures on fish behavior can a bait very far. This jig heads are best. Fly rods can be very be dramatic. means anglers have effective in calm, clear conditions. Changes in temperature cause fish to to be willing to work This redfish was caught while sight-casting in super clear water. Whether sight-casting or blind-casting move to deeper or shallower water and act their lures as slowly as Sometimes the clear water experienced in the winter can be so clear fish become spooky and additional stealth and tactics are on the flats, it is important for fishermen more or less aggressively. To be successful, possible. It also means needed. to realize that fish won’t chase bait a fishermen must be in tune with how that every square inch great distance during winter because they fish react and where they move with the of water must be covered. Whereas stretch line can certainly help, as can sharp don’t want to expend too many calories temperature rises or drops. casting to every “quarter hour” may be hooks. More than perhaps any other type (although, there are days when they will These factors and the fish’s behavior fine for pre-frontal fish, post-frontal fish of coastal fishing, targeting post-frontal feed more aggressively, as noted later in as a result of them make winter a time require a cast to ever minute position specks and reds takes persistence. this article). So, fishermen usually need when anglers need to use a combination surrounding the fisherman. This is While the variety of weather conditions to make repeated casts to blanket an of power and finesse baits and tactics in when it is imperative to be slow and found during December can alter anglers’ area thoroughly in order to ensure they order to be successful under frequently methodical while using various finesse plans from day-to-day, fishermen can still have drug their lures close enough to any changing conditions. baits – jerkbaits, twitchbaits, etc. have some very memorable days on the nearby fish to entice them to strike. Pre-frontal fishing generally means Another trait of post-frontal fish is water. The key is knowing when, where Also, big baits work best this time of power fishing. Prior to a front’s passing, a delicate bite. This subtle bite can be and how to find and target fish based on year because most prey items found in temperatures have been warming for a tough to detect. A sensitive rod and low the prevailing weather conditions. the bay during winter are mature and few days. Fish have moved shallower and predators want to make sure they get are usually feeding more aggressively plenty of caloric intake for any energy as they sense the impending weather they expend feeding. Big topwater plugs, change. The warmer the weather - and full-size soft-plastics and mullet imitating the longer it has been since the last front sinking baits – hard and soft-plastic – are - the shallower fish will move. However, safe bets. unlike summer and fall, they will rarely Generally, mullet-imitating lures stray too far from the protection of deep work better because there are not as water. So, anglers should concentrate on many shrimp in the bay during winter. flats bordering deep water. Even then, the Therefore, mullet are primary food source first few hundred yards of shallows will be for specks and redfish during the cold the most productive. months. During this pre-frontal period, anglers There are generally fewer but bigger quality fish in the skinny water from December through So, in short, most of the fish will be should try and take advantage of the fish’s February. found in deep water during the coldest aggressive behavior and cover as much

18 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 19 Just Shooting | Kerry O’Day America out beyond 600 yards. Like the 30-06, the 308 Winchester just gets the job Why Do We Love Our 30 Calibers? done and does it very well. A good 308 will out shoot a 30- 06 in accuracy. A skillful, long-range shooter can win 600 yard matches competing against any of the new Lapua It seems gun enthusiasts of the United or Creedmoor calibers. Our military uses States have always loved 30 caliber rifles. the 308 for sniper work out to 600 yards. European countries use 7MM and 8MM In 1964 Winchester was going through guns but here in America a good old 30 some major changes, they also invented caliber does it all. several new calibers one of which is The second official military rifle was one of the best calibers ever made. The the 30-40 Craig. It which was used in 300 Winchester was the new big high the Spanish American war in the Craig velocity 30 caliber. At the same time they Jorgensen bolt action rifles. introduced the 264 Winchester and the After the Spanish-American War, we 458 Winchester. How often do you see changed to the 30-06 Springfield and it anyone using a 264 Win for big game was the best battle rifle caliber ever made. shooting? The 30-06 Springfield served us well in The 300 Winchester shoots a 180 both WWI and WWII. It was used in grain bullet at just over 3,000 feet per The author used a 300 Weatherby to take this great red hartebeest while hunting in South many different rifles from the O3-A1 second and has enough energy to kill any Africa. The 300 Weatherby is another member of the 30 caliber family that reinforces the author’s opinion of why American hunters have such a love affair with the plethora of 30 Springfield bolt action rifle to the M1 animal on earth. I always recommend the calibers available. Garand semi-auto rifle, as well as, several 300 Win. for any type of hunting from machine guns. pronghorn to big bears. Remington Ultra Mag. These two calibers four ounces less than a long action rifle The 308 Winchester came out during If you are hunting senderos in South took the 30 caliber velocity to a new level. and is over a half inch shorter. the Korean War. Both tanks and aircraft Texas, I know the 300 Winchester can put Both of these calibers will shoot a 180 The Short Mag calibers will also work were fitted with machine guns that fired a large hole through both shoulders of a grain bullet nearly 3,300 feet per second. better with a shorter barrel. They have a The author’s son, Michael O’Day shot this great Spanish ibex with a 300 Winchester. The author the 308 round. Now these are a true 1,000 yard hunting fatter case and a sharper shoulder so they says the 300 Win is the best all around hunting caliber ever invented. big buck at 600 yards. I truly think the There was another popular 30 caliber 300 Win. is the best all-around hunting rifle. hold the powder in the case a little longer round used in WWII and Korea which was bullet would reliably expand on big game chambered in the 30-30 caliber. caliber ever invented. The 30-378 shoots flat enough and has to make them more efficient. the 30 carbine. This little rifle and ammo animals. The 150 or 170 grain bullets After the 30-30 came the great 30-06 At the end of the 20th century every enough energy to blow a hole through that I looked at the new Nosle Reloading combination was used by cooks, officers would travel at about 2,000 feet per second Springfield. The 30-06 is such a great hunter was looking for flat shooting, trophy mule deer at 1,000 yards. The 300 book and counted 19 different 30 caliber and other non-infantry combatants. which meant the rifle shot flat enough to caliber that no one should go without high velocity 30 caliber rifles. The 300 Ultra Mag. has become the second most cartridges, starting with the 300 AAC When using the 30 caliber rifle for take deer sized game at long ranges out to one. The 30-06 is capable of killing any Weatherby was King, but then came the popular caliber my company produces. Black Out and ending with the 300 hunting purposes, it all started with the 300 yards. It seems that every hunter in game animal in North America and most hyper velocity calibers. There are two Short Mag. 30 caliber Remington Ultra Mag. I can think of 30-30 Winchester. People look at the 30- America has a Winchester 94 or a Marlin animals in the world. The 30-378 Weatherby and the 300 rounds — the 300 Winchester Short Mag several 30 caliber rounds they left out 30 now days and don’t think much about 336 chambered in the 30-30 Winchester The 30-06 is one of those calibers that and the 300 Short Remington Ultra Mag. or have been forgotten about. No other it, but at the end of 1890 the use of big caliber. just works. It is not great at anything, it Both calibers shoot a 180 grain bullet at caliber even comes close to the number of bore (45 cal) slow moving (1,200 feet per The first rifle I could legally purchase doesn’t have ultra-high velocity, it doesn’t 3,000 feet per second, which is the same different rounds that the 30’s have. There second) soft lead bullets became extinct. for myself when I turned 18 was a Marlin shoot extremely flat, it is not a 1,000 yard as the 300 Winchester. are only three 270’s. The 30-30 was the first caliber made 336 chambered in 30-30. I still own that rifle and doesn’t have pin point accuracy, The best reason to build a rifle in either Maybe we are smarter than other for smokeless powder and had such rifle and I also own a Winchester 94 plus but it just does everything well. of these calibers is they will work in a short countries or we just like to be middle of a high velocity, the lead core jacketed a Thompson Contender handgun, all I can use a 30-06 for shooting 1,000 action. The short action rifle will weigh the road. Whatever! The 30 caliber guns yards, I can shoot targets with the 30-06 and it will do a good job. However, there are better choices for doing both of these OUTDOORS AND OUT OF CELL COVERAGE? things. For most big game it is a solid first STAY IN TOUCH WITH A SATELLITE PHONE choice. If I am hunting whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, black bear, or pronghorn antelope I know the 30-06 will kill the RENT or BUY game as long as I do my part. From a top Texas Service Provider The 308 Winchester came out to work in a magazine fed rifle and since it’s or creation has become a favorite among hunters. The 308 falls between the 30-30 Call us today 877 614 2666 and the 30-06 in terms of velocity. Alisha Zulam shooting a 300 Win and A 308, using a 150-180 grain bullet handles its full recoil. The author says the www.g-comm.us should take any game animal in North recoil can be tamed with a muzzle break.

20 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 21 Just FISHING | Brian Hughes light will fit in any pocket, tacklebox “Tis The Season For The Right Stuff or backpack pouch. The PD35 Tactical Light is priced at an affordable $89.95 and is available at It can sometimes be difficult to find dollars, and hard fenixlighting.com. the right gift for the sportsman or woman baits running to Shimano Reels in the family. With all the gear they already $10, Unfair Lures —The Caenan have, how does one decide on something offers several mix is what I would they might need or appreciate? We’ve and match choices call a mid-price compiled several ideas here, and ranked when it comes point reel from them in order of budget. Any of the items to gift giving. Shimano. It is not here are sure to put a smile on the face Known for quality the cheapest reel they offer, and it is The Abu Garcia Catfish Special reel is available in two models and of any outdoor enthusiast this holiday features such as comes with an extended bent handle for increase cranking ability. season. the PvR Turbo-Set nowhere near the $25 and under 3X cutting point most expensive. But I’ve never met a find. And Chad has hit a home run with For those looking for a “secret Santa” hooks, “Living fisherman that had enough reels and in this one. gift, a stocking stuffer, or simply a few gifts eyes” that have this price range this is an excellent choice. Affordable in a day of ever increasing to have on hand in case they’ve forgotten life sized pupils, With a 6.3:1 gear ratio it will perform prices when it comes to fishing rods, someone, these will do nicely. and the patented multiple tasks when it comes to lure/bait this will be a go to rod for the whisker Profound Outdoors — Founded by 3-D Bleeding choices, and is an “all around” type reel. kitty chaser in your household. The The “Rev” duck call has a custom look and is The Caenan 150 is has a retail price of Chad Ferguson Signature Series Rods are Bassmaster Elite series angler Timmy Gill. Unfair Lures easy to blow even for a beginner. Horton, Profound Outdoors has made made its initial $99.95 and is available at fish.shimano. priced at $74.95 to $79.95 and available at a name for itself among the nations top mark along the available at leatherman.com at priced at com. whiskerseeker.com. anglers. Specifically, Profound crankbaits Gulf coast but $49.95. Whisker Seeker - Chad Ferguson $200 and under offer great colors with durable finishes has a substantial $100 and under Signature Series Rod — Chad Ferguson is ABU Garcia - C3 Catfish Special — If that stand up to the abuse. Ranging following in The Shimano Caenan 150 is a mid-priced reel with a 6.3:1 gear ratio Fenix Lighting — The Fenix PD35 is a well-known catfish guide operating out you have a catfisherman in the house this from 7.99 to 12.99 these will fill out a freshwater circles that can handle a variety of fishing presentations. called a “Tactical” light by the company of North Texas. I’ve stocking quite nicely. They are available across Texas up to and I’m sure it works well in a tactical used him as a reliable at profoundoutdoors.com. the Great Lakes. Visit unfairlures.com. grace the belt of any fisherman or situation. But with 1000 lumens of output source for good catfish Unfair Lures — With soft plastics at five D.O.A. Fishing Lures — The new bird hunter. Priced at $32.95 they are it is also very handy for the fisherman information for many D.O.A. PT-7 is both a saltwater available at sargeknives.com. Be sure to or hunter in your family. Six modes of years in the lake AND freshwater bait that catches use “TXGEAR” at checkout for a discount. operation offer battery saving capabilities, reports for this region. fish like crazy. Pre-rigged with a Chilly Cheeks — I first ran across while still being able to light up the Recently he teamed single premium 7/0 EWG hook, Chilly Cheeks a couple of years ago at an darkness like the sun when needed. up with the folks at the PT-7 has a tight walk-the-dog outdoor event being held in conjunction The XPL (V5) LED bulb has a life of Whisker Seeker to action that fools redfish and trout with a bass tournament. It’s no secret that 50,000 hours, and at five and a half inches produce the rod he in the salt. Plus the internal rattle Texas’ summers are hot, and the Chilly long, one inch wide and only 3 ounces this wanted, but couldn’t has the perfect sound and pitch to Cheeks Single will provide both cooling attract fish. comfort and a cushion effect. Fished in freshwater, the Useful in boats, at the stadium and PT-7 will catch largemouths, anywhere you need a soft seat. Not only smallmouths and even striper. A can you freeze the insert to cool you in the couple of these soft-body, cigar- summer, it can be microwaved to provide shaped lures will get any angler warmth during those winter fishing trips multi-species ready. Check them or long cold mornings in the deer blind. out at doalures.com The “Single” is priced at $39.95 and $50 and under available at chillycheeks.com. If you’re looking to spend Leatherman Multi-Tools — a little more, but don’t want to Leatherman has built their reputation go overboard, here are a few on quality. The “Sidekick” multi-tool selections that will be welcomed comes with 14 different tools and it bears in any gear box. pointing out that the Leatherman knife Sarge Knives - TK Bird Knife blades are SHARP! It’s a handy accessory — Made with quality steel at for the truck, boat, or tacklebox, and I Profound Outdoor’s crankbaits are available in great an affordable price, these are would never leave home without a multi- Considered a tactical light the Fenix PD35 flashlight is perfect for hunters, Leatherman has made its mark as a leader in multi-tools. The colors with durable finishes that stand up to the abuse. good looking knives that will tool within easy reach. The “Sidekick” is anglers around the house or in the truck. Sidekick is value priced at just $49.95.

22 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 23 reel was made for them. It is available above for an unbeatable combination. catch. waterwolfhd.com from the occasion of course) is the Texas tremendous amount of thought that went in two sizes. The Catfish Special has a The reels range in price from $149.99 to Waterproof to 120 meters, it will reach Silver Stag Knives — Silver Stag Knives Longhorns theme. into that gift. Check out their line up at Carbon Matrix™ drag system to provide $169.99. down and get the deep footage, and with offer unique knives with antler handles. Burnt orange colors and with the leviathanrods.com. smooth, consistent drag pressure, an Water Wolf Underwater Camera — four hours of recording time will capture Made from elk or whitetail antlers, models Longhorn logo, it will always remind Wishing each of you a Merry Christmas extended and bent handle to increase This is a really fun accessory from the the best parts of your fishing day. include everything from skinning to filet me of the special day we shared and the and a very Happy New Year! cranking power on the retrieve. The 6500 folks at Okuma. The Water Wolf is an It records in color and has a built-in to Bowie style knives. model has a 5.3:1 gear ratio, while the underwater camera that lets you capture microphone as well. Aside from the sheer In addition, you can choose a “Slab” 7000 has a power generating 4.1:1 ratio. the action from a very unique perspective. entertainment value, the Water Wolf will style handle, (which is a traditional type The Abu Garcia reputation was made on Attached to your fishing line, it will allow you to see exactly how various lures of knife handle), or the “Crown” series, the level-wind reel, and it shows in this record the movement and action of your are working under the waters surface. (which uses the entire antler base for a model. Pair it with the rod mentioned lures, as well as the strike of the fish you It is priced at $149.95 and available at striking look). Other options include making your knife from antlers supplied by you, maybe from a special buck in your past. They will also engrave your knife to commemorate special events like a first deer, or in this case, a Christmas to remember. The Chef Pro CP8.0 is priced at $125.00 and available at silverstag.com. $250 and up This category is our highest end stuff. The special gifts for that special someone in your life. If you want a Christmas memory that will last forever consider one of the following ideas. DRC Call Co — I’m throwing this in The Water Wolf is an underwater camera from Okuma that lets you for all of those souls that have a waterfowl Chilly Cheeks seat will help keep you cool in the summer and warm capture the action from a very unique perspective — while attached to hunter in the house or for those anglers in the winter, plus they can be personalized. your fishing line. that enjoy a blast and cast option. It seems Sarge - TK Bird Knife is good looking, functional and affordable. as though the obsession with ducks, geese, hunting, and calls may run deeper than any other segment of our outdoor sports. Death Row Calls are hand made in the USA, and there are several color options available to give a custom look. Check back often for the latest outdoor news The Rev and Short Drop produce great from across Texas, the United States, and sounds and are relatively easy to blow — around the world. even for the beginner. In addition, should • Stay informed in between issues the call ever need tuning again they’ll • Latest outdoor updates and news handle it for you. The “Rev ($150.00) and the “Short Drop” (125.00) are available • Links to all your favorite resources at drccalls.com. Use the code “TXGEAR” • Information for hunters and anglers for discounts. • Tide Tables Leviathan Custom Rods — I’ve written • Hunting & Fishing times about Leviathan before in these pages, and • Read issues online for subscribers this is the perfect place to feature them again. It’s not often I will spend a lot of • And much, much more! money on a fishing rod. I like to get the best rod that is “affordable”, and will do the job I need it to do. I would imagine Stay OUTDOORS informed! most of our readers feel the same way. However, occasionally there is a good reason to spend a little more. I wish my Follow us on Facebook! Dad was still around so I could get him Texas Outdoors Journal something like this for Christmas. Updates, News, Giveaways and More, In my case I got my Leviathan as a delivered straight to your newsfeed! wedding present from my beautiful bride. It’s a medium heavy worming and jig rod but what really makes it special (aside

24 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 25 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69 & 71

CoastWatch Danno Wise

December is one of the most systems along the coast. unpredictable months of the year along That can actually be good news, as LOWER COAST the Texas coast. Although it is really the winter often offers some of the year’s beginning of winter, the arrival of cold best fishing on Texas coast. For one weather in Texas varies wildly. This year, thing, many folks who would typically though, cooler temperatures began to spend their spare time fishing are now push through the Mid and Lower Coasts hunting, drastically reducing the amount at the end of October. As a result, anglers of pressure on the fish. Secondly, the throughout the region are already seeing cooler water serves to concentrate the fish getting into somewhat of a winter fish population – particularly trout. Once routine — primarily deeper flats and these fish are found, they typically are channels in the open bays and residential cooperative enough to result in full boxes Port Isabel fishing guide Capt. Gencho canals and rivers that feed into various bay for fishermen. Buitureira, Jr. says December is a month of near constant change. He says, the Lower Laguna Madre offers anglers enough options to be able to fish in practically any conditions, so he will adjust his plans for day to day based on the prevailing weather pattern. “In December, our water temperatures are usually getting colder,” said Buitureira. “So, that will dictate where I fish most of the time, along with the wind. “I’ll spend a lot of time during December fishing the shacks up north for redfish, black drum and speckled trout. The ICW is another option up there. Reds, drum, sheepshead and trout will be holding in all the side channels up there, too. Photo by Bill L. Olson “Gaswell Flats and the area south of As water temperatures chill, fishing areas with concrete are good options. The sun warms the Cullen’s can also be real good – especially concrete and the concrete warms the surrounding water that attracts fish. if it is windy and the water is not too cold.

26 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 When I fish that area, I’ll be drifting and drum and sheepshead. I’ll usually be mostly for redfish and drum, but we’ll The flats between the spoils and the ICW trout during December. Black drum will using live shrimp under popping corks. free-shrimping around the causeways. also catch quite a few sheepshead in there are a good example of where you can find MIDDLE COAST be found in the deeper channels, while “On the lower end of the bay, the At times, I’ll also go into South Bay in during the winter. big trout during the winter. sheepshead will be common catches causeways can be really good for redfish, December. If I’m in South Bay, I’m looking “The other option we have, and “Regardless of where you are fishing, around the reefs. it’s a good one, is the Brownsville Ship in winter you need to slow everything Rockport area anglers should focus Channel. You can fish up there under down. Whatever you are throwing — their efforts over mud and shell. After a pretty much any weather conditions. It topwaters, sinking plugs or plastics — you string of warm winter days, fishermen is actually better when the water is cold. need to fish much slower than you do in will find both specks and reds over muddy I really like fishing for snook up the the summer and fall. If you are throwing flats. Ship Channel, but we catch a little bit of soft-plastics, use the lightest jig head you A topwater bite is possible under everything up there – redfish, flounder, can throw so you can work the plastics these conditions. However, the odds-on drum, sheepshead, trout and mangrove slower. And, on really cold days, the bite favorite is throwing soft-plastics on light snapper. I’ll usually be freeshrimping or may be subtle, so you really need to be jig heads. In both instances, a slow retrieve fishing shrimp on the bottom up there. tuned in to feel any pickup. And, if you In the Aransas Pass/Port Aransas is the ticket. “When the water gets real cold, I look think you feel a tap, set the hook.” area, anglers can expect to find plenty of For consistent action, anglers should for concrete structure. The sun warms In the Corpus area, good numbers redfish on the flats until the temperatures target the deeper shell reefs. The bulk concrete, which warms that water. Really, of fish will be found in four to six feet turn bitterly cold. At that point, look for of the speckled trout will spend the it makes more warm water around the of water near the JFK Causeway and in reds in channels and guts adjacent to the winter months congregated around this concrete. areas such as the Humble Channel. Most shallow flats. structure. A good number of redfish will “There is a lot of concrete along the of these fish will be holding over shell. Trout will be consistent along the also be attracted to these mid-bay reefs. shorelines of the Ship Channel and they Redfish will be good on the flats during channel edges as well as over the deeper Black drum and sheepshead are also will be holding fish on sunny days. On warm spells and along the channel edges grass flats. Fishermen working the grass frequent catches around the reefs during overcast days, I’ll fish the deeper holes and and spoils when it’s a bit cooler. Further should concentrate on the edges and winter. drops. Really, it seems like in the winter down in Baffin, fish will be holding potholes. Live or DOA Shrimp or soft-plastic you never go up there without catching around the rocks, but don’t overlook the Deeper shell pads will also produce jigs are the best choices for probing a Photo courtesy Capt. Gencho Buitureira, Jr. something.” flats on warm days, as plenty of reds and plenty of fish this month. Soft-plastics winter reef. The Brownsville Ship Channel is a go-to option for Captain Gencho Buitureira, middle, in Port Mansfield guide Capt. Steve “JR” big trout will be feeding in the shallows and free-lined shrimp will be the best Anglers specifically target redfish the winter time. A variety of fish can be caught and the Channel affords protection from the Ellis of Get-A-Way Adventures Lodge between fronts. bets for consistent catches of speckled should look around the creek mouths and elements so it can be fished at most any time. says December is a great time for trout fishing on the Lower Laguna – whether you are looking for trophy trout or boxes of keeper fish. “December is the start of winter and we’ll start seeing a lot more cold fronts pushing through,” said Ellis. “These fronts do a couple of things. Obviously, the temperature drops. But, when fronts push through the north winds also will blow most of the water out of the bay. Although the low water level eliminates some fishing areas, it also causes the fish to be stacked up in all the channels and deeper holes. “They will come out of these cuts following the fronts and feed along the edges of the deeper water but staying close to the deeper water. So, fishing in the Intra-Coastal Waterway and along the edges of the ICW can be really good this time of year. “This is also a good time to start catching some really big trout. But, those bigger fish will act a little differently than the schoolies. They will be on the flats unless it gets really cold. But, they will be over muddy bottoms and won’t be too far from deep water. “So, you should concentrate on the muddy bottom flats next to deep water.

28 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 29 marsh drains, particularly on a falling tide. Beabout of N&M Sportsman Adventures Beabout. “ to miles of water. With an outgoing flow of water, spot tails says weather will dictate when, where and Depending on how strong our winter “Personally, I hope winter does typically stack in front of these drainages how he’ll fish this month. pattern is, we can either experience many show up this year, because when water awaiting an easy meal. “December on the middle Texas mild days with great fishing action or temperatures drop and water falls out it Seadrift based guide Capt. Nathan coast can be a blessing and a curse,” said periods of bitter cold followed with a huge triggers a major feed. drop in tides due to the “Some of our best days of fishing in north winds. Fish that the winter have been on days when many were once patterned have stayed in the house. Boat traffic is and fished over for at a minimum this time of year and fish days can suddenly end have a chance to resume their normal and force anglers to feeding pattern. Coming off the last completely re-adjust couple months that we have had here on their plan of attack. the Middle Texas Coast, I am going to say “As a guide, I take we are in for one awesome winter bite, and December day by day. there are going to be many trophy class I concentrate wades trout caught. in areas I know hold a “Being that I am retiring from duck good winter time trout hunting after a very fun 10 years, I look pattern. forward to a lot of epic winter fishing. A typical month Whether it’s guiding trips out of my home that offers four to five base in Seadrift or special winter trips I days of what I call offer in Port Mansfield you will not want normal conditions to miss out on the fishing this winter is (partly cloudy and going to hold. moderate winds with “Always remember to be courteous of Photo courtesy N & M Sportsman’s Adventures plenty of bay water), I others, as we are all trying to enjoy this Captain Nathan Beabout releases another quality winter trout. In December he will wade Photo by Bill L. Olson will be found in areas wonderful resource of our Texas Gulf with shallow mud/grass waters out of his home base in Seadrift as well as make special forays to fish Port Mansfield. Behind Mustang Island and near Rockport, anglers should fish shorelines and spoil islands that have deeper water, Coast.” holes or channels nearby. bottoms and secluded marsh. All the pre- and post-front strategies and rules still apply Enjoy this coastal getaway while during this month, but when Mother letting your investment work Nature takes all our water out of the bay, GREAT INVESTMENT/ making some areas inaccessible, I turn SECOND HOME for you. my attention to chasing the many redfish NORTH PADRE ISLAND that will fall out of area back lakes with CANAL FRONT CONDO 3 bdrm, 2 bath condo w/one car the tides. garage, boat slip and shore power. “During periods with little or no water Built 2004, sold fully furnished or in our bays, many outside shoreline spots unfurnished, kitchen fully-equipped, full can hold big schools of reds. Some of these size stacked washer/dryer, rental history. fish can be hard to get close to or tough Quiet top floor corner location with to catch, but just keep working different VIEW FROM BALCONY great multi-directional views, shaded areas along the shorelines and you can run from afternoon sun, access via stairs and across schools that are aggressive. elevator. “Now, if this December is like the last two years, where winter doesn’t show up, Near Packery Channel with easy access to HARVEY upper Laguna Madre and Gulf of Mexico. our water levels will remain normal and TESTED & New Schlitterbahn Water Park now open even higher than normal. On those days within 250 yards of front door. when flooded tides occur during the UNSCATHED! winter, it can be very frustrating, because 3 hours from Houston, 3.5 hours from Austin, the shallow flats we rely on where fish 2 hours from San Antonio. normally use the shallow warmer water Owner/Broker | Show by appointment. to sun no longer exist. Not to mention 14427 Compass Street, Unit A13, normal thigh deep wades are now wader Corpus Christi, TX 78418 deep and we are forced to look for See on Zillow.com completely new spots and patterns. Fish Call for more information: scatter on these higher tides chasing Bill L. Olson baitfish into the grass, and area lakes that FULLY-EQUIPPED KITCHEN SPACIOUS LIVING/DINING MASTER BEDROOM 713-957-3997 | 713-201-6970 held fish in a small area are now opened

30 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 31 aking a wide, symmetrical, tall-tined buck in the thorn Tscrub of South Texas is on every serious deer hunter’s checklist of things to accomplish. Each fall this lofty Brush Country’s goal is reflected in the surge of hunters in small towns across the vast South Texas landscape. Small communities like Hebbronville, Benavides, and Cotulla, to name a few, actually experience a taste of big city rush hour traffic as huge four- wheel drive rigs arrive like a plague of locusts inundating their communities Peak Spectacle as sportsmen acquire supplies for their sojourn into the brasada. At no time is this activity more evident than mid-December. With the Christmas season representing quality time with family and friends in the outdoor environment, I can’t think of a better time to pursue those brush country whitetails, and the fact that the peak rut occurs around mid-December, the brush country is the only place to be for the serious deer hunter. The breeding season for deer begins in November and continues through January, with some breeding activity extending into February. However, the peak activity period within this time frame, referred to as the rut, varies by region. In the Hill Country, for example, the peak rut occurs in mid to late November. But in South Texas, the time to be in one’s favorite stand is mid to late December. Peak rut is nothing less than a naturally occurring spectacle as mature bucks high on testosterone make their appearance at escalating rates. When it occurs, hunters often find themselves asking “Where did all these bucks come from?” That’s right — it’s that dynamic — representing a fortuitous time to see just what caliber of headgear deer on your favorite piece of deer real estate exhibit. One simply never Rattling up a mature whitetail is considered one of the most exhilarating events a hunter can knows what will show up next, making the experience. rut a must-see phenomenon for all deer hunting enthusiasts. that first surge in rutting activity, which remains the question. One indicator If rattling is something you would is frequently ignited by the arrival of a to predicting when it will occur is the Bucks high on testosterone engage in a major spike in activity sometime around mid-December in search of does in estrous. like to try, the rut is “the ultimate time” cold front. weather pattern. For example, if the first to perform this technique on those love- Rattling up bucks during the rut is a week or two of December remains slightly stricken mature bucks. I have entertained “make us feel good” endorphin-releasing warmer than normal, it is highly likely that Ever changing phases of the whitetail rut combined with moves and rattling sessions that attracted multiple activity that keeps us coming back for the peak rut, or at least that initial surge countermoves between hunter and quarry. bucks in a single rattling sequence, and more, but it is particularly attractive to in buck activity, will accompany the first upon occasion had fights break out youngsters because it represents action, significant drop in temperature. Nothing Story and Photography by Bob Zaiglin between bucks within feet of my position. thus nonstop entertainment. spurs buck activity like a sudden drop in At no time are mature bucks more mobile, Although the peak rut is documented temperature, especially when preceded in turn visible, to hunters than during to occur in December, exactly when by unseasonably warm weather. This

32 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 33 response to temperature a bad problem, but it does lure sportsmen buck out of a particular change occurs throughout into believing that the robust activity will area doesn’t mean that the season, but is most extend over a long period of time, but that we can continually obvious in December. is seldom the case. Once the initial wave disturb deer without The duration of of activity subsides and buck movement impacting their rutting activity is also returns to normal levels, sportsmen often behavior. The less variable. The increase get discouraged, but they must remember human disturbance in buck movements can that persistence equates to success when deer experience, the continue for several days, it comes to taking a trophy in the latter greater the probability which is rare, to as short stages of the rut. of seeing the animals, as one afternoon. It’s A major shift occurs when bucks travel particularly on small much like the amazing to their breeding core area in mid-to-late landholdings. Thus caribou migrations in the December, but once that desirable area is the fewer times you northern hemisphere. We reached, they simply do not move much, frequent that favorite know about when they making it imperative for sportsmen to crossing, particularly occur, but can’t predict the concentrate around these areas normally outside the hunting day the major movement preferred by older males. season, the greater will occur. But one thing I have seen some outstanding deer the chance of getting is for certain, when the during peak rut, but I normally see the a look at those older peak rut occurs, it’s worth largest racked bucks much later in the bucks that use it. the effort to witness it. season. Even when hunting The rut is also a time Once the rut subsides, and sometimes the animal, noise and when hunters become it comes to an abrupt halt, hunters will fall human scent should susceptible to the pressure into the trap of believing that deer have be kept to a minimum. of seeing too many bucks, dispersed. Amazingly, one day one can’t Wind direction should and take a nice, not great help but see a large number of bucks, and always be of paramount deer. The fact is bucks the next day only a few. concern. Thus it is wise in the six-plus-year-old At one time I believed that a buck to avoid your favorite The whitetails’ keen sense of smell is not only its primary defense Most of the initial surge in big buck activity is made up of middle-aged males vying for a position in the breeding age category supporting could be disturbed and forced to vacate a stand when the wind mechanism, but the way in which they locate does in estrous. hierarchy. racks most sportsmen particular area, but that is not necessarily can only dream about sometimes fail the case based on my experience with to participate in that initial surge in several bucks that I pursued back in activity demonstrated by the younger the late 1980s that were radio collared, cohorts. This doesn’t mean that an facilitating their relocation. The fact outstanding buck will not surface, but that they were mature and supporting it is not likely. Most of the rampant, substantial headgear made them even energy-depleting activity is performed more important. by middle-aged bucks that are just shy of Locating the deer was easy; sneaking their optimal antler-producing years, as up on them, however, was an experience. they aggressively compete for a position in The largest-racked buck gross-scoring 188 the breeding hierarchy. Older bucks often demonstrated just how challenging it was remain sequestered in the brush until to stalk a mature buck, as it demonstrated much later in the breeding season. Some an uncanny ability to move every time of these old monarchs do little breeding I followed the electronic signal towards while others may not participate at all. it. When I paused, it would stop; when One of the management-oriented I moved, it moved, but never at a rapid benefits derived from rutting activity is pace. The deer moved just enough to the sportsman’s opportunity to critique prevent me from seeing it. The fact overall buck quality, particularly since that I stalked this animal several times most of the bucks will be middle-aged each week throughout the late fall and deer that represent potential future winter should have disturbed the animal. trophies. This is even more important However, over the four years this buck was if on a new lease that is to be managed. monitored, it never once parted the area. Pursuing a particular buck during The only thing that changed was it became the peak rut is like fishing for a trophy more efficient at outmaneuvering me. I brown trout during the fall spawning am sure this behavior is demonstrated by period in Montana. There are simply so all deer, as a result of man’s activity, along many fish upriver it’s hard to locate, alone with predators like the coyote. concentrate, on the larger fish. This is not Knowing that it is difficult to force a

34 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 35 Competition for breeding privileges is an energy-dispensing, intense activity.

is not in your favor. On days when the wind is unfavorable, use it to your advantage by stalking or rattling into the wind. But if rattling is conducted too early in the year or too often, it can subdue deer activity by educating deer of man’s activity. Man’s presence doesn’t necessarily force deer out of an area, but can force them to behave differently such as becoming nocturnal, which is often the case on intensively hunted areas. The whitetail is an elusive animal, but remains a creature of habit. They have no ability to rationalize a situation. Their survival depends on hunter error supported by an incredible defense mechanism “the olfactory system”. A deer’s sense of smell is acute and must be respected by hunters in order to realize any possibility of success. Hunting for a particular deer requires knowledge applied to a plan that must remain as flexible as possible. Some hunters rely strictly on luck, which I would have to say has been the reason most trophy bucks have been taken in the past. But I would also say for those who prepare, the harder they work, the luckier they get.

36 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 37 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69 & 71 a “Jumping Minnow”, a and said they had caught a limit and topwater lure and favorite were heading back to the dock; come get Lake Roundup of his. I was looking ‘em. On the way back to their house after behind the boat and heard picking up the first bunch, Max called a formidable splash off the again and said the bite was still on, and if bow. Hastings let out a Jay wanted to bring the others over right startled gasp, and I asked then, he would get them on the stripers. if he had missed the strike. So, he did. When he didn’t answer, After dropping them off, he headed I turned to see why. His back to the house, by now knowing the knees were bent, and he road well enough to know where to slow was rearing backwards. down to avoid hitting deer. He got home His rod was bent almost and started to lie down again, when Max to the breaking point. The called. It wasn’t even noon, yet, but his fish didn’t come to the second boat-load of McBride’s had their boat easily. Immediately, limit of stripers. By then, Jay was probably it dove. When it finally feeling like an Uber driver on a Saturday became visible in the night. deep, blue water, its silver The limit on striped bass and hybrid sides looked like a shark. stripers combined is five fish, 18-inches Hastings couldn’t talk; he long or longer – not five of each flavor. By John Jefferson was intently fighting the Hybrids count as stripers. Courtesy photo biggest freshwater fish he Max said that the many big fish break- It sounded like one of those mornings had ever had on the line. offs that his clients had lost made him Photo courtesy John Jefferson Lake Buchanan striper guide, Max Milam, left, holds a nice that photographers pray for – clear, just hybrid striped bass caught by Bob Linder, on the right. He didn’t answer when I feel the spring bite would yield some enough chilliness to make you button up The last month of the year will likely provide a number of mornings that have just enough asked if he wanted the net. really nice fish after a few more months your jacket, and just cool enough to make chilliness to make you button up your jacket, and just cool enough to make a little fog rise off of nearly 20 pounds. I guess he figured I would realize what a of gorging on the abundant shad that the lake when the water surface temperature is a little warmer than the atmosphere. a little fog rise off Lake Buchanan, whose With as many stripers and hybrid stupid question that was. have hatched the past couple of years surface temperature was a little warmer stripers as have been stocked in Big Buck Finally, on board, I think it actually since the lake refilled after the floods. The than the atmosphere. Max Milam’s star with his own outdoor radio show on Foundation. Some might not know he and how little pressure there was on struck at Mike as he started to remove stripers will continue to bite all winter, thermometer read 39 degrees. Mornings KVET on Saturday mornings. is an accomplished, nationally regarded stripers during the unending drought in the hook. We weighed it at a marina: 22 especially on truly cold, blustery days. like that make unique photo images. Bob and Diana Linder were hosting symphony conductor. the mid-teens of this decade when the pounds, 4 ounces, and 38 inches long. They are traditionally cold-water fish. The Bob Linder said conditions like that their son, who lives in Berlin, on this According to the maestro, they fished lake was a long way from the shore and Jay McBride, manager of the fishing colder weather, however, will keep many made for a “breezy” ride across the lake. fishing trip. Don’t bother looking for the northern part of the lake. That was boats had trouble launching, it wouldn’t shop at McBride’s Guns, tells an interesting fishermen at home, warm and dry. It was late October, and a cool front Berlin on the Texas map. Unlike Athens, a little early for stripers and whites to surprise me if a huge one emerged story of Max Milam’s guiding prowess. Jay The U.S. Census Bureau says 157 new had just blown in. Linder, his wife, Diana, Paris, Warsaw, London or Fredericksburg start moving upstream to spawn, but sometime soon. had booked two trips with Max: one in the residents move to Austin every day. Some and grown son, Chris, had booked a – cities in Europe — the early Texans could have been why Max found them And stripers can get large. Although morning for one of his kids and a couple of these may well be from northern states. striped bass fishing trip with Max. They didn’t name a town after Berlin. That’s a there. Before readers send e-mails to TOJ Buchanan has been considered the of grandkids, and an identical trip for his If you’re one of them, know that our lakes had fished with Max several times before, place in Germany. And that’s where Chris telling the publisher that stripers don’t premier lago for striper fishing in the other kid and a couple of other grandkids. have not frozen over since the ice age. and had been successful. lives, teaching English and German. After spawn in fresh water, let me say I know Colorado River chain for years, it has He dropped the morning cadre of kids Mount your ice auger on the wall to test Max is the son of Kenny and Karen Sue this trip, he could probably teach fishing, that. Somehow, they still somewhat go produced the smallest lake record fish and grandkids off at the Milam dock and Texans to see if any know what it is. And Milam. They all live in Tow, a community as well. through the motions and move upstream (27.8 pounds). Other lakes, though, went back to his lake house, planning to know yourself that there is good fishing in on Lake Buchanan. Max has more-or- Some of you know Bob Linder from during the winter to prepare for the spring have produced trophies. Eight of the take a nap. Texas off and on almost all winter, except less taken over Kenny’s striper-guiding his work with the National Wild Turkey spawning run into flowing water whether states’ top 26 stripers came from lakes As he was lying down, Max called for times of cold frontus-interruptus. business since Ken has become a media Federation and Rocky Mountain Elk they actually spawn or not. My dogs below Buchanan in the Colorado, and are biologically incapable of breeding, had stripers ranging from 30.5 pounds but they occasionally act like they have (Travis) to 45.5 pounds (Lady Bird). Many forgotten that trauma. think these fish originally washed out of Max motored into a likely spot and Buchanan during floods. anchored. They began catching stripers, One similar day earlier in the century, I using live shad for bait. An hour later, Max saw a huge striper up close. Mike Hastings, pulled up the anchor and they headed to another Central Texas lakes guide, and I the dock with a full limit of 15 stripers and pulled away from the dock on Lake Travis hybrid stripers, combined, for the three in a light fog. I remember it was December Linders, plus one nice-sized white bass, 8, my oldest son’s birthday. We were bass and two good stories of big ones that got fishing; soon the mild fog burned off. away. Max told me later that his clients Hastings was in the bow manning the have had several big ones break off, one trolling motor and I was in the stern that they saw that he estimated weighed trying not to backlash. Mike had tied on 38 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 39 A Plethora of Winter Options Texas’ Upper Coast provides anglers with an abundance of diverse opportunities for a variety of conditions. Story and Photography by Nate Skinner

ransition. It’s a term that seems to span a range of 20 degrees or more shell reefs, rivers, bayous, creeks, marshes, to be a nearly constant topic during that same period. and other fish concentrating features. Twhen it comes to fishing, and This yo-yo affect of cooling down, There’s literally a place for anglers to the last month of the year is no different. warming up, and then cooling down confidently find fish in just about every The fall months have zipped on by and again can make patterning fish an arduous condition or scenario possible. December has the potential to bring about task. Combine that with ever changing Rivers and Bayous more abrupt changes in the conditions wind directions and all of a sudden Rivers and bayous provide upper coast along Texas’ Upper Coast. finding consistent action starts to sound bays with the freshwater inflow that make Some days may be mild and provide downright impossible. them extremely productive. These same anglers with pleasant, autumn-like Luckily for anglers, the diversity of the features also provide a refuge for fish, weather. Others may see Mother Nature large open bays along the upper portion of particularly during less than desirable showing her ugly side, with spitting rain, the Texas coast provides an abundance of conditions when water temperatures frigid temperatures and blustery winds. opportunities for a variety of conditions. are cold and open bay waters have been It’s not unusual to the see the wind blow The massive amounts of water within turned upside down by the strong winds from all points on a compass in a week’s these estuaries sport everything from of a norther. time. Plus the air temperatures are likely shallow flats to deep channels, as well as One of the most well known rivers for producing exceptional action during the winter is the Colorado. Located smack dab in the middle of the Matagorda Bay system, the Colorado River is a favorite hot spot of Captain Tommy Countz, a veteran Matagorda fishing guide. Countz confesses that December is the best month for fishing the inlet. “Early on in the month when water temperatures are in the 60’s, most of the fish will be stacked up along the sand bars The mud flats along East Matagorda Bay’s south shoreline are exceptional places to find trophy trout lurking this month. that line the west bank of the Colorado,” he explained. “Working the edges of these down the ledges of the bank along the Countz adds that he’s caught fish as cool down. Captain Mike Segall of Reel bars with topwaters and soft plastics is the bottom. far upriver on the Colorado as the FM Threel Charters out of Freeport states that best tactic, and the fish are generally pretty “The Colorado is an absolute blast to 521 bridge. He also claims that he’s when the water in the Brazos is in good aggressive.” fish,” he stated. “We can fish it under just experienced some of the best bird action shape it’s definitely going to be full of fish. Countz says that as water temperatures about any conditions, as the high banks of his life fishing the river when swarms “I like to work the dropoffs along the continue to drop, the fish will pull off the keep it protected from the wind. Strong of shrimp were stacked up inside the banks of the Brazos and the edges of the sand bars along the bank and into deeper winds from passing cold fronts do not waterway. turnarounds after a strong cold front water near the middle of the river. In mess up the fishing in the river, which Further north, the Brazos River also moves through,” he confessed. “On sunny Slow sinking twitch bait plugs like the Unfair Lures Rip-n-Slash are preferred by savvy anglers this situation he prefers to idle upstream makes it a go-to spot for me in December provides anglers with a solid winter days there’s usually some birds working up when water temperatures begin to cool and fish become lethargic. and drift back down working soft plastics and other winter months.” option when water temperatures begin to the river over schools of fish. It’s a great

40 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 41 excellent structure to target reefs that are known for holding monster are best approached by wade fishing and it comes to scenarios and conditions options to counter anything that Mother as fall transitions to winter, specks as well as schools of reds during thoroughly working stretches of shoreline as wintertime approaches. They must Nature composes. and Texas’ upper coast is the winter. The East shoreline of Trinity with topwaters or slow sinking twitch analyze the situations they are presented The rest is left up to the angler. chock full of them. Anglers is also covered with dense areas of oyster baits. with, and choose a location that fits best Success boils down to combining the can plan to find plenty of shell perfect for wading or drifting. One of the best locations is the south with the prevailing weather patterns. right advanced game plan with savvy on trout on the west end of East The Louisiana shoreline of Sabine Lak shoreline of East Matagorda Bay. Prime The upper coast offers a plethora of the water decisions and adjustments. Matagorda Bay, which is is littered with clam shell beds. These hotspots lie near marsh drains, coves, almost completely covered by small reefs often produce awesome and bayous. heavy oyster shell reefs as well action for redfish during an outgoing The north shoreline of West Galveston as stretches of scattered shell. tide. A good area to target is around Bay from Green’s Cut to Carancahua Matagorda Bay fishing Blue Buck Point and Garrison Ridge. Point is another exceptional shoreline to guide, Captain Kendall Kersh Marshes and Back Lakes find heavy trout this month. This stretch of Pure Salt Adventures, says Marshes and back lakes offer an out of of water contains grass beds with sand the best approach when fishing the wind option for anglers during windy pockets that heat up quickly on sunny the reefs in East Matagorda is conditions. The Cedar Lakes and Cowtrap afternoons. to look for areas with streaky Lake near the San Bernard River are hard East Galveston Bay’s south shoreline water and make long drifts to beat. There are guts leading into these from Marsh Point to the spoils at the throwing mullet imitation areas that are lined with shell, and trout mouth of Rollover Bay offers some baits. and reds stack up in these channels during dynamite winter fishing when the wind Until the water cooler weather when tides are blown out is blowing from the southeast. Scattered temperature drops below by fronts. shell along this stretch of shoreline the 60 degree mark, anglers Another excellent back lake option is typically holds the most fish. should also be on the look out Moses Lake in Texas City. This satellite The north end of Sabine Lake contains On mild days speckled trout will be found feeding for working birds over schools bay contains a 40 foot deep hole in its some primo flats for searching for fat aggressively in a typical fall pattern during the month of of trout and reds on the west northwest quadrant that attracts hoards specks around Stewt’s and Sydnes Islands. December. end of East Matagorda Bay of fish during extreme low tides and frigid The mouth of East Pass and Coffee place to catch plenty of trout and reds, while fishing oyster reefs. Some prime temperatures. Ground Cove are additional top-notch along with some fat sand trout.” areas to start include Cleveland Reef, Long Scott, Tabb’s, and Burnett Bays, all areas. Rivers and bayous will provide plenty of hook-ups when open bay waters are turned upside The Galveston Bay complex has Reef, and 3-Beacon Reef. of which are back bays off of the San Anglers should be prepared to down by strong winds and frosty temperatures when cold fronts push through this winter. several rivers and bayous flowing into In West Galveston Bay there is literally Jacinto River near Baytown, are known encounter just about anything when it that concentrate large numbers of acres of shell located around South Deer for concentrating schools of trout and fish during the cooler months. In lower Island on Confederate Reef. Captain Ryan redfish during the winter months. These West Galveston Bay there’s Bastrop Battistoni of Battistoni’s Guide Service areas offer protection from a variety of Bayou, Chocolate Bayou, and Halls spends the majority of December wading wind directions. Bayou. Another West Bay option is and drifting this area looking for trophy Flats the Diversionary Canal located near trout. Mecom’s Cut, Green’s Cut, and Shallow mud and grass flats with Hitchcock. On the upper end of Galveston Carancahua Reef are other exceptional scattered shell are hunting grounds for Bay, Dickinson Bayou offers an additional areas containing shell in West Bay. trophy trout when water temperatures option. In Trinity Bay both the Trinity Upper Galveston Bay contains some heat up between cold fronts. These areas and San Jacinto Rivers hold a great deal extremely productive of fish as well. shell that holds fish in The Neches River located on the the wintertime as well. northwest end of Sabine Lake is another One of my favorite prime winter honey hole. It is a favorite areas is the shoreline of veteran Sabine Lake fishing guide, Capt. from April Fool’s Point Randy Foreman. Foreman states that the to Eagle Point. best time to fish the Neches River is after This stretch a passing cold front has brought strong contains scattered northwest winds to the area, draining shell around the piers the tide and the marshes of the inlet’s and pilings that line watershed. the bank. It’s a great “I’ll fish a variety of locations in the drift fishing option Neches, including the edges of the bank, during December and flats off of points, drop offs, and turn other winter months. arounds,” he explained. “As conditions get In Trinity Bay colder, the fish will stack up along deeper many of the mouths Wading flats with mud and grass beds, as drop offs in the river.” of bayous located in well as scattered shell are good options when Reefs Jack’s Pocket contain Shorelines in Upper Galveston Bay with piers from waterfront water temperatures warm a few days after a Clam and oyster shell reefs are uncharted clam shell properties hold plenty of fish attracting shell. front has passed.

42 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 43 very bird hunter is into shooting they flood nearby stands of timber. That and definitely in flooded rice and plowed multiple species, especially is the type of water mallards, woodies and fields. Educks, and that can definitely pintails prefer. Mallards are most often found in Texas Style happen here in the great state of Texas. I’ve been hunting ducks for about 55 flooded timber and back water sloughs Variety is the spice of life and when it comes years. The absolute best day of hunting off rivers and lakes. Ditto that for woodies. to shooting we’ve got the best variety of I’ve ever had was on a flooded river. We Canvasbacks love the open water on quackers you’ll find in just about any state. were standing in timber and the mallards big lakes, while widgeon are apt to show Take your pick from mallards, pintails, and pintails were rocking down on up where ever you can find pintails. They teal, gadwall, widgeon, black ducks, blue cupped wings through the limbs of oak are especially fond of bay flats with lots bills, red heads, buffleheads, woodies, and pine trees. It’s a hunt I’ll never forget. of grass. Duck Hunts canvasbacks and even mergansers plus How did we get in on that hunt, Big time numbers of teal can be found the almighty coot. one that was on public water in Texas? on flooded fields in Southeast Texas. And It goes without saying that the king of Scouting, and lots of it. If you don’t you might be surprised at how many teal ducks is a greenhead mallard, followed get anything else out of this story just you can find buzzing down our rivers. closely by a drake pintail, a.k.a. bull sprig. remember one word – SCOUTING. Do Black ducks are most abundant in the This season we’re allowed to shoot a total enough scouting and you’ll become a small marsh ponds of Southeast Texas. of six ducks per day. I’m pretty much sure much better hunter with much greater I’ve had the good luck to get in on the ultimate duck strap would have to success. some of the best mallard hunts Texas be two greeners, two bull sprig, a drake The key to duck hunting success is has to offer. But one of the most unusual woody and widgeon. Is that possible? You knowing where to go to find and shoot the hunts was on Elm Bayou south of Winnie. bet. I’ve done it. It’s not an easy thing to kind of birds you are after. For example, I was with outfitter Forrest West. We left do. But it can be done if you’re in the right without a doubt Port O’Connor is the the lodge one morning and headed down place at the right time. redhead capital of Texas. Rockport is a the road. Forrest parked his truck and The most likely place is a backwater close second. said to load up and get ready to shoot. area on one of our big East and Central Some of the best pintail hunts are I’m looking around and thinking nothing Texas lakes. The best possible place to take on the open flats anywhere along the seemed right. No blind, no decoys not the ultimate duck limit is on flooded river coast. But you can also find big flights even a pond. flats. When rivers are out of their banks of pintails working shallow flats of lakes “We’re gonna walk down this bayou

There are countless places and ways to hunt most of the popular species of ducks. Story and Photography by Robert Sloan

Hunting flooded timber in East Texas can result in special memories, like watching a good dog retrieve a greenhead mallard drake. Wood ducks and widgeon are other species to round out a hunter’s strap.

december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 45 and jump mallards that come in after their few pintails get whacked over the stubble Redheads are big ducks and they we’ll never forget. I asked Lowrey how he morning feed. It’s kind of a sanctuary for in rice fields. decoy easily. They’ll work to calls, but in had found that spot. mallards.” However, they can also be pretty most situations calling is not necessary. “We found it this morning,” he said That was an understatement. We reliable on coastal flats, as well. Back in the The neat thing about redheads is that with a big grin. “I’ve never hunted that began easing along the bayou and small 60’s and 70’s it was nothing to take a limit they will fly by, do a u-turn and come area. But it’s got so many birds because groups of mallards started busting out. of 10 bull sprigs by each hunter. right into the decoys in big groups. It’s a nobody hunts this far south. It took us 90 It was one of the strangest mallard hunts Back when the limit was 10 ducks great way to introduce kids into the duck minutes to get there. That’s a long run and I’d ever been on. But one of the most per hunter we used to head over to the hunting scene. lots of gas. Not too many other hunters challenging, too. Army Hole at Port O’Connor. That’s The thing about hunting the coastal will push it that far.” I don’t recall ever seeing as many where the state conducted hunts on the flats these days is that there are so many Public hunting areas can be good and mallards as I’ve seen in the Hill Country. freshwater potholes off the big runways hunters. And a lot of them will take bad. The main problem is getting in line There are quite a few duck hunters up on Matagorda Island that were once used advantage of any blind they can find. It’s and checked in, so you’ll be one of the around the Austin, Burnett and Waco area. to train pilots. Back then we would sign legal, but very unethical. The best hunts first to head out. The early bird gets the You don’t hear much about them because up, draw a number for a blind, load up are usually in makeshift blinds well off worm, or in the case of duck hunting the folks up there keep quite. in a cattle trailer and they would take us the beaten path. best spots. But the truth be known, the hunters hunting. I had a heck of a hunt last season with One of the top public hunting spots that know what’s going on get in on some The best hunts were after about guide Dwayne Lowrey. We timed it with I’ve visited is the J.D. Murphree W.M.A. One of the treasured trophies by duck hunters is a bull sprig, pintail drake. excellent mallard hunts on the big public 9 a.m. That’s when flights of pintails the arrival of a cold front. There were in Port Arthur, just below Beaumont. It’s lakes in Central Texas. Most of the better and widgeon would head to the island four of us on that run. We headed out well run and usually holds a good number birds were there. matter of getting out early and claiming hunts are on shallow flats in flooded potholes after feeding in nearby rice fields. across San Antonio Bay in his airboat, of ducks like teal, pintails and gadwall. The trick to being successful on public your spot. timber. The key was to pick out the big drake and went way south for well over an hour I’ve had some incredible gadwall hunts hunting areas is to scout them well before The bottom line is determination and Some of the most dependable pintail pintails. At the time it seemed like there in the dark. there. About 20 years back I hunted there the season opener. Some of the best duck that has a heck of a lot to do with scouting. hunts are on flooded rice fields and back was an endless supply of them. Now we’re By shooting time we had set up a brush with Jerry Norris and we had a limit of shoots I’ve had on public hunting areas Do enough scouting and you can get to be marsh areas along the coast. One of the down to one per hunter, but that’s better blind in the mangrove bushes overlooking greenheads, pintails and gadwall. It was involved getting permits from the Corps pretty good at shooting a variety of ducks best scenes you can witness are mallards than none. a pond that covered about two acres. so cold there was ice on the water, along of Engineers, or getting an Annual $48 just about anywhere in Texas. floating out of the sky and settling into Coastal duck hunts from Port For the next three hours we had with a hard blustery wind out of the Public Hunting permit from the Texas For more information on duck hunting a spread of decoys in flooded timber. O’Connor to Port Mansfield are excellent, hundreds of ducks come in over the north and very few hunters. We picked Parks and Wildlife Department. On places in Texas give me a call at (409) 782 6796 or Another fantastic visual is a huge flight thanks in big part to the numbers of decoys. Included were flights of pintails 30 a hotspot, pushed it to the limit and the like the open bays along the coast it’s a email - [email protected]. of pintails circling back around and over redheads that use the middle Texas flats feet off the water, widgeon, gadwalls, teal a goose spread in rice stubble. Quite a as their winter home. and redheads. It was one of those hunts

Flooded flats are a good place to find pintail as well as widgeon, teal and other puddle ducks.

46 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 47 The Is Up

Simulating a slow moving offering these baits will likely catch the biggest fish.

ass junkies share differences of Back in the 1970s, when rubber-skirted opinion on plenty, but if there jigs started gaining popularity within Bis one thing we all agree on it’s the bass fishing community, there were that jigs will catch some of the biggest limited designs available for performing a fish in the lake. That’s largely because jigs broad range of techniques. To hear Lonnie are designed to easily penetrate the thick Stanley tell it, if you wanted to swim a jig cover where heavyweight largemouths through shallow shore grass or lotus pads, like to set up camp. Plus, they simulate you did it with the same jig you used to a slow-moving offering that represents a fish around thick vegetation, brush, rocks tasty and sizable meal. There’s nothing complicated about the anatomy of the bait. It consists of a lead head molded around a hook that is usually protected by some sort of weed guard to help the bait get in and out of logs, limbs and grass Story and Photography by Matt Williams without fouling or hanging up. The hook is hidden beneath a living rubber or silicone skirt that undulates with the bait’s every move. and other junk. Flipping Jigs at short range, usually in combination Most anglers like to outfit “Back in the early days we didn’t have Flipping jigs are ideal for fishing in with a heavy-action rod and braided the jig with some sort of plastic all the different jigs and head designs that or around heavy cover like grass, bushes, or fluorocarbon lines that provide very trailer to enhance the action, we have now,” said Stanley, a well-known brush, log jams, etc…. because they little stretch. The hook must be made create an even larger profile and lure designer from Huntington who designed in a way that helps them navigate from heavy duty wire stout enough to cause the bait to move more introduced the first Stanley Jig in 1979. the rough stuff like a 4X4 without hanging withstand the violent hooksets that come water. A trailer also can make a “Things are a lot more specialized now. up. As such, the head on a flipping jig will with the territory. bait more buoyant and slow the There are jigs for all sorts of different be slender and compact in shape. It should Flipping jigs come in assorted sizes but fall rate to a degree. techniques.” be accompanied by a fairly stiff weed those ranging 3/8-1 ounce will generally Like other families of lures, Here’s a look some of those jigs, where guard to help protect the hook point and cover most of the bases. Lightweight jigs have undergone some big they work and a brief explanation of what cut down on hang ups. jigs sometimes work best in cold water As the name implies, Grass jigs are intended for use around aquatic vegetation such as hydrilla or milfoil. time changes over the years. sets them aside from the rest: The flipping jig is intended to be fished because they provide a slower fall that may

48 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 49 time you suspect the fish are hanging Fishing Tip: An to help the fish home in on the bait from out around flooded, scattered cover in alternate method of a distance. shallow water such willows, buck brush, fishing a football jig Bladed or vibrating jigs will work year- pepper grass or scattered clumps hydrilla is to “stroke” it. To round but tend to shine brightest when and feeding on bluegills or shad. They are perform a stroking there are lots of fish relating to shallow intended to be fished at steady or staggered retrieve, let the bait grass, bushes or brush. It’s designed to retrieve — similar to a spinnerbait or settle to bottom be worked on a steady retrieve and does crankbait — and have the reputation for then give it a couple not have a weed guard, so you have to producing some really big bites. of aggressive hops be careful when casting into areas with The swim jig head is typically bullet by jerking your rod heavy brush. shaped to help it snake through heavy tip upwards, then The bait can be fished with or without cover without hanging up. Fish typically allowing the bait to a trailer. Small swim baits like the Lake hook themselves on a swim jig because fall back to bottom. Fork Magic Shad are great trailers on the the bait is moving when they eat it. For This will sometimes bladed jig. that reason it is important to have a hook trigger strikes that The Magic Shad has broken sides that is super sharp and built to take some you might not get and is ultra-responsive the bladed jig’s abuse. with a standard vibrating action. Swim jigs come in assorted sizes dragging retrieve. Fishing Tip: Bladed jigs come with a ranging 1/4 to 1/2 ounce with 3/8 ounce Bladed Jigs full skirt. You can trim the skirt about an being the all-around favorite. Like other The bladed jig is inch long or remove it altogether when jigs styles, the swim jig works best when designed similar to using a swim bait trailer to alter the Most anglers like to outfit the jig with some sort of plastic trailer to slow the fall, enhance the dressed with some sort of trailer. Crawfish the swim jig, with appearance and change the action. action, and create an even larger profile that causes the bait to move more water. trailers like a Net Bait Paca Craw, Jr. are addition of a flat, In summary, the jig is a super-versatile extremely popular but you can also use a metal blade that bait that can be effective when fished appeal more to lethargic bass suspended to absorb the shock of a hard hookset with boot tail swim bait. pivots on the line shallow or deep in water that is clear, in the water column. a heavy-action rod and and braided line. Fishing Tip: When fishing around tie. stained or muddy and around all sorts The jig should come with some sort Heavy grass jigs work best with a “clumps” of hydrilla, try stopping or The blade cover and structure. The keys to finding of keeper on the hook shank to help hold vertical presentation. The trick is to killing the bait during the retrieve to allow catches water and success are to choose jig style that is best a compact soft plastic trailer like a Zoom make short pitches The blade on a bladed jig catches water and creates resistance, creates resistance, suited in size, style and color for the causing the bait to shutter side-to-side as it moves through the water Salty Chunk or crawdad in place. Add or flips 10-15 feet causing the bait to existing conditions and making the proper column. It works best when lots of fish are relating to shallow grass, a little dab of super glue on the nose of from the boat and bushes or brush. shutter side-to-side presentation in combination with the the trailer and press it against the base allow the bait to as it moves through correct tackle. of the head to help keep the trailer from free fall through it to free fall along the outside edge. The the water column. This causes the skirt Jigs don’t always work, but when they sliding down the hook shank and tearing the vegetation on a best overall color patterns for swim jigs and trailer to undulate wildly while do they will catch some of the biggest bass prematurely. semi-slack line. Most are bluegill, black/blue and white. creating a significant amount of vibration in the lake. Fishing Tip: It’s always best to use strikes occur out Football Jigs a reel with a fast gear ratio when using of reaction, usually The football jig is heavily favored flipping jigs. This allows you to gather up on the fall, but not when fishing on hard bottoms with lots slack line and set the hook quickly when always. Once the jig of pea gravel, chunk rock and small you feel the bite. reaches bottom, hop boulders or scattered brush and stumps. Grass Jigs it a couple of times, It comes equipped with a fat, football- Grass jigs are intended for use around reel in and repeat the shaped head that helps prevent the bait aquatic vegetation such as hydrilla or process. from falling into crevices or cracks that milfoil. Hydrilla is capable of growing Fishing Tip: Most might snag other jig styles. It does great to depths of 20-30 feet under optimum reaction bites occur job of crawling slowly across bottom and conditions. It forms a dense canopy once on the fall. Be sure keeping you abreast of what is going on it reaches the surface during summer watch your line where down there. One of the more popular and fall while remaining somewhat open it enters the water. If ways to fish it is to drag it slowly across beneath with upright stalks that closely the line goes slack bottom like a Carolina rig. resemble an underwater forest. prematurely, reel up Football jigs will work throughout the The head of the grass jig should be the slack, set the hook year, but are particularly effective when somewhat conical in shape so it can hard and apply steady bass are feeding heavily on crawfish. Most penetrate the dense canopy and resist pressure to turn the come with a weed guard, but some anglers snagging on the way in and out. Grass fish and get it coming prefer to trim or remove it altogether to jigs come in assorted sizes. Many anglers your way as quickly as help improve hook-ups on long casts prefer jigs weighing upwards of one ounce possible. in deep water. The jigs perform best in in order to achieve maximum penetration Swim Jigs combination with some sort of color- and efficiency when the pattern is in play. Swim jigs are Like any bait, jigs don’t always work, but when they do they will coordinated trailer like a grub, creature Football jigs will work throughout the year, but are particularly effective when bass are feeding These jigs should always have a stout hook a good choice any catch some of the biggest bass in the lake. or crawfish. heavily on crawfish.

50 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 51 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69 & 71

freelined usually work wells, along with shoreline fishing the best water we can “Another option for us in December – plastics or GULP!s. The open bays will find. If we have a north wind, we’ll be especially later in the month — is fishing CoastWatch Danno Wise produce specks and reds, too. I’ll usually on the north shoreline. What you want the rivers. If the water gets cold and the be drifting over hard bottoms or oyster to do is look for the most mullet you can rivers don’t have too much freshwater, beds. When fishing in the bays, plastics find, then wade that area throwing those there should be plenty of fish up there. We and GULP!s work the best for me, but slow-sinking plugs. don’t usually have to fish the river because Many are predicting a colder than temperatures I’ll also throw live shrimp with popping “More than anything else, I throw we usually have plenty of fish in the bay. normal winter for the Texas’ coast. drop significantly, corks. slow-sinking plugs like Corkies and the But, there are usually fish up the rivers While some may view this prediction the shrimp will “Offshore, snapper will be holding in different MirrOlures during December. once it gets cold and it’s a good option on with cynicism, cold winter temperatures head to the state waters over reefs. The best bet is to You can catch some fish on topwaters, really windy days. aren’t all together bad news for coastal Gulf. After that work the edges and look for fish on your but it’s not as consistent. You will usually “Another thing to look at is our fishermen. In fact, the only real drawbacks happens we will fish finder.” do better with slow-sinking plugs like deep shell. If it gets really cold during are having to put on a few extra layers of start drifting Galveston guide Capt. Tim Young Corkies, Catch 2000s, and 51 Series December, we’ll fish the deeper shell. But clothes and the possibility of a fish-killing either mud flats of Tim Young Outdoors says December MirrOlures. once it warms up, we’ll go right back to freeze. But, killer freezes aside, harsh on the east end fishing is constantly changing on the winter weather can lead to hot fishing or scattered shell Galveston Bay complex. action. on the west end. “The main thing I usually do in As most fishermen know, cold I look for off- December is wade fish before and after temperatures concentrate fish in the color streaks fronts,” said Young. “We had a lot of rain deeper portions of the inland bays and running through runoff from the hurricane and we got rivers. And, although they may be a little clear water. My cooler temperatures earlier than other sluggish, speckled trout and redfish are go-to rig for drift years. So, our bird activity may end a little more than willing to strike lures and baits fishing is brighter sooner this year, but there could still be Photo courtesy Captain Trey’s Trophy Charters presented to them at these depths. paddletail plastics some birds working in Trinity early in The final option during the last month rigged on a 1/4 Captain Trey Prey shows off a really nice East Matagorda Bay speckled December. trout. December is when he says trophy trout options increase and the of the year will be the one that draws most ounce lead head. “Once we get into our normal “big girls” come out to play. hardcore anglers to the bay on cold days – Chartreuse or hot December routine, I’ll usually be big trout. From now through spring, some pink baits seem to produce best. heavy jig heads will be our go-to baits. wadefishing East Bay, playing the winds of the biggest sow specks of the year will “If I’m wading, I like to fish the south In West Matagorda Bay, wade fishing will and fishing the shorelines. If we have a be taken from bays up and down the Texas shore of West Matagorda. If tides are low, be good in the deep marsh drains. Soft hard south wind, we’ll be on the south and Louisiana coasts. Although landing I’ll fish the drains or guts running out of plastics rigged on light jig heads with a a trophy trout is far from a sure thing on the peninsula and through sand bars and slow fall usually work best for both trout any day, the odds certainly rise during the grass beds. I’ll use Mirrolure Lil’ Johns and redfish in those areas.” winter months. rigged on 1/16 ounce lead heads. The Trophy trout is the name of the game lighter heads allow me to work the baits in December for Sargent guide Capt. Trey slower and keep them up off the bottom. Prye of Capt. Trey’s Trophy Charters. UPPER COAST Glo/Chartreuse and Purple Demon/ “December is all about big trout for Chartreuse are my favorites. me,” said Prye. “All I’ll be doing is wading “Our third option is fishing the with clients in search of trophy trout. We Colorado River. As water temperatures will be throwing topwaters, slow sinking drop, fish will seek deeper, warmer water. plugs and big plastics. I will fish structure Drifting with the current and working and areas with concentrated bait during baits just off the shelves along the bank the cooler months. The warm mud flats can produce some great boxes of trout and and deep guts on both the North and reds. In the river I toss 1/4 to 3/8 ounce South shorelines of East Matagorda Bay lead heads rigged with bright tails. will be where I am most of the month.” “Any way you choose to fish, December Freeport Guide Capt. Mike Segall of can produce some great fishing in Reel Threel Charters says his main focus Matagorda.” will be bull reds in the year’s final month, Matagorda guide Capt. Tommy Also fishing the Matagorda area, Capt. although he’ll be mixing in some other Countz says there are plenty of angling Kendall Kersh of Pure Salt Adventures says inshore and offshore fishing as well. options during December – more than he’ll be focused on the deep water areas “December should still hold some most anglers realize. in December. bull reds off the beachfront,” said Segall.

“December in Matagorda gives an “In December, I expect winter to “Sardines and herring work the best and Photo courtesy Tommy’s Guide Service angler many options,” said Countz. “If have set in,” said Kersh. “So, we will focus you need to make sure to do a bunch of East and West Matagorda are both options water temperatures are still on the warm our efforts fishing deeper water like the chumming to get them started. for those fishing with Captain Tommy side, bird action in East Matagorda Bay Colorado River, the diversion canal and “The deep holes in the harbor and Countz. East Matagorda’s shell or the grass should still be good -- especially in the the Intercoastal waterway. As far as lures Brazos River and jetty areas will hold lots and guts of West Matargorda are areas to first part of the month. As soon as water go, soft plastic swimbaits rigged on a speckled trout and sand trout. Live shrimp fish this month.

52 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 53 along the channel. I’ll be using jigs, but completely — it’s usually tipping them with shrimp. LOUISIANA COAST catching not fishing. “When I’m not fishing for flounder, Any of the weirs I’ll be fishing the lower end of the lake for scattered along the redfish. The marshes won’t have any water east bank will be full in them because of the north winds, so of reds. The banks those fish will be moving out of the canals. adjacent to the weirs They’ll still be schooling under small are also excellent if the shrimp. I’ll be throwing DSL Southern boat traffic is crazy. Shad in glow/chartreuse. GULP! is helpful, “We also have some really good fishing but if conditions for black drum and sheepshead starting in are favorable, December. Peeled, dead shrimp is usually they’ll eat anything. good, but the bigger fish a lot of times like When fishing cold live shrimp better. On Lake Calcasieu Capt. Kimberlee conditions, tipping “We’ll also start seeing some trout on Poe says fishing will be outstanding right a GULP! with dead the flats behind the islands on the north before the New Year begins. shrimp works very Photo by Nate Skinner. end of the lake. I’ll be drifting and fishing “We are looking forward to December well. On Lake Calcasieu in southwest Louisiana, Big Lake Guide Service in one to four feet of water. I’ll be throwing fishing,” said Poe. “The trout fishing is “The fall has been will put clients on speckled trout and redfish by drifting shell reefs, Photo by Nate Skinner. DSL Southern Shad in either Midnight usually excellent, and the red fishing is at pretty productive shorelines as well as fishing around the weirs. Captain Tim Young hooks up with another Galveston Bay fish around a well shell pad. Fishing Money or Red Shad. You can swim that its height at this time. Good numbers of with both trout and the deeper shell in Galveston and Trinity Bays are options for him in December. bait just like a mullet and catch some nice trout can still be found under birds, as reds, so we are very anxious so see what beaches. Redfish, however, with be found wadefishing the shorelines. Basically, we Foreman says there are plenty of options good trout. well as on scattered oysters in three to five the winter has in store for us.” in the marshes off the river regardless of just adjust to the weather conditions, in December and he expects to be doing a “And, up in Keith Lake you’ll be able feet of water. Soft plastics, like MirrOlure’s December inshore fishing around the river’s condition. which seems like it is always changing little bit of everything this month. to find a mix of redfish, black drum and Lil’ Johns, rigged on 1/8 and 1/16 heads, Venice all depends on the Mississippi Tuna action will still be good offshore. in December. But, overall, I’m expecting “Early in December, we’ll still have sheepshead. When I’m fishing in Keith are our most productive lures this time River. If the river is not too fresh, trout The availability of the winter tuna fishery good fishing this month.” some flounder,” said Foreman. “But, I’ll Lake, I’ll use the same DSL Southern Shad, of year. Turner’s Bay, West Cove and Joe’s will move up into the river. On the other is just as reliant on the weather. But, when Sabine Lake guide Capt. Randy be fishing for them around the jetties and but I’ll rig it under a cork.” Cove are all December hotspots for trout. hand, if the river is full of rain runoff, the weather allows, anglers can usually find “Redfish will be another story trout will be stacked up on the outside fast action for tuna offshore.”

Photo courtesy FishingGalvestonTX.com

Bull redfish like this caught while fishing with Captain Greg Verm are options around the Galveston jetties and the beachfront on southward to Freeport.

54 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 55 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69 & 71 spoon. if they are Deep points and the main lake humps on the bottom, are also a great place for a deep diving try a Johnson’s crankbait. Try the Fat Free Shad or Foxy Lake Roundup Limit Getter Shad, or an XD. Use primarily shad or jiggin’ spoon. chartreuse colors. Also, look for When fishing in the thick timber areas, They are hatchery fish, bred to be stocked, Hubbard during the summer months due the baitfish and switch to a Texas rigged worm, staying in and caught. All you really need is a light to the recreational traffic, winter fishing the yellow bass the five to fifteen foot range. Stick with NORTH TEXAS spinning rod, four to six pound test can be great. Fishermen should look south on your graph. blue flake, black/blue or a June bug color. line, small hook, and some kind of bait of the Rush Creek Yacht Club, for the sand You’ll find these Catfish will show up in both the colder rainbows will bite. Velveeta cheese or bass. They’ll gather in schools right off in large schools water and the warm water areas of the mini-marshmallows and canned kernel the bottom. Be ready with strong line and and they are lake. Fresh cut, or live, baits will be the corn are go-to bait for rainbow-seeking you may catch hybrid stripers or big blue easier to see than ticket and you’ll want to fish near the creek anglers. catfish there also. The area around the Red individual fish. mouths and timber edges there. Other options include salmon eggs, barn will hold hybrids as well. Once located, Another catfish spot is under trees with prepared trout baits and nuggets. Fly- The cove below the power plant is Photo courtesy Bill L. Olson Jr. drop a bait on cormorants in them. When a cormorants fishermen will use artificial flies, and the another preferred location. Drift a sassy Through the early part of winter bass anglers will key on main lake points them. Bass will feeds it doesn’t completely digest all standard tackle fan can use the Super- shad-type bait, or live bait, across the as well as vertical structure. Jigs and Texas rigs are good options once a be feeding on the fish it ingests. When it roosts on a Duper, Rooster Tail, or Panther Martin point at about 20 feet. few fish have been caught from an area. these fish and if tree branch it will “expel” bits of this Classic or Nature Series lures. For crappie, the bridge at Harbor Bay they are active undigested fish into the water below, and By Brian Hughes If the weather is nice remember to take Marina, and the pilings, (especially pilings so as to be sure of the rules and regulations you’ll soon know it. the catfish feed on the undigested fish. a child fishing, as the trout are usually two, three and four) are where you want at any given time and location. Finally, don’t forget a swimbait. Rigged Squaw Creek is a property of the pretty easy to catch. If it’s cold, wet or to soak a baitfish or jig. FORK — Fork can be a fickle mistress on a ¼ oz. belly weighted hook, the Luminant energy company and as such it December can be both a frustrating blustery leave the kids at home. You don’t The I-30 Bridges, and the rocks in December. If we see mild temperatures swimbait can be worked out to about 10 has some specific regulations put in place and very rewarding month for Texas want to give a beginner a bad experience, they contain, will hold plenty of bass, you’ll be able to catch bass on a variety feet of water. For deeper fish switch to a by the company. The lake is only open to anglers. Bass fishing can be slow, especially no matter their age. especially early in the month. As long as of baits, including the moving baits. ½ oz. weighted hook and allow the bait to boaters on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the largemouth species. Smallmouth Of course, rainbow trout are not temperatures are moderate, sunny days Spinnerbaits, ‘Traps, even topwaters fall a little longer. from 7am-4pm. bass will usually be more active and can for everyone. Some anglers will brave will see the rocks providing reflected can still be effective, depending on the Crappie at Lake Fork will be near the Only bank fishermen may use the lake be a good choice to consider if you want the elements and go after their favorite warmth and this will draw in the bass. weather. You’ll be targeting active fish on dam and should be easy to find. Just look on Thursdays. Additionally only 100 boats to catch bass. gamefish species no matter how slow the Slow moving baits like the Texas-rig and the flats and mouths of creeks. Look for for the boats. Pull in the area quietly and will be allowed at any one time and you Blue catfish on the other hand will action may be on a particular day. The jig along the base of the rocks is a good grass and you’ll find fish. Spinnerbaits in politely and nobody should object to can only sign up for one day at a time, see the trophy sized fish moving up and thing is, some of these anglers may be plan. Deep diving crankbaits along the chartreuse white will cover water quickly sharing. per weekend. You must pre-register for becoming much more active. Many huge rewarded with outstanding numbers of middle portion of rocks will also produce as will the red ‘Traps. Remember, Fork is another lake with access and registration can be found at blues are caught every year in December. fish, or even a personal best catch. Such is some fish. Once you find a few fish, work the the special crappie regulations and all www.luminant.com/squawcreekpark/ So it really depends on what is wanted the nature of fishing in one of our Texas LAKE ‘O THE PINES — A few years ago, grass thoroughly with Texas rigged worms fish must be retained through the end register.aspx-- or expected from a fishing experience. If lakes in the winter. guide Chuck Rollins happened across and craws. That’s the consensus for early of February, regardless of length. Most WELSH — Welsh bass will hit a variety you’re just looking to spend a few hours One thing is for sure, you can’t catch some great winter crappie fishing, almost December. crappie anglers agree that for whatever of offerings including lizards or craws in out of the house and catch a few fish, ‘em if you don’t go. by accident. When the crappie action at However, later in the month you’ll reason crappie jigs out-produce minnows watermelon/red, or junebug black/blue, maybe for the grill, why not consider some CEDAR CREEK — As a general rule, Cedar Creek started slowing down he most likely want to focus on slower baits. in the winter here. when fished on a Texas rig. For shallow close to home fishing? Such as the rainbow December means deep fishing for sand happened to go to LOP one day. That Big 10” worms and jigs will catch a lot of It wouldn’t be a December report bass, Senkos, ‘traps and the old hard, rout offered up by the Texas Parks and bass. Somewhere around the 30 foot mark experience convinced him that “Lake ‘O winter bass. Use black/brown, black/blue, without mentioning some of the power treble-hooked jerkbaits will work. Use Wildlife Department. the sandies will set up shop, usually near a the Pines is one of the best winter crappie green pumpkin, red shad and Junebug. plant lakes in the area. These will be watermelon/red or green pumpkin and Each year, starting in early December channel. You’ll need a jighead of about ½ lakes in the state.” Suspending hard jerkbaits are another popular through the winter months. fish any grass near timber. If rains stain and continuing into March, the folks ounce or better just to get a bait down to Contour changes are the key at LOP. option. Go with loud colors like Chrome/ When power plant lakes generate power, the water, then use your bubblegums, at Texas Parks and Wildlife will stock the fish. Fluke and assassin-type baits will Humps, points, channels, any change will blue in clear water, firetiger in stained they draw in cold lake water in order to chartreuses or such. rainbow trout in over 100 locations across be the best choice in some shade of blue. be a good location to start a drift. Drop water, and in muddy water use a bait that cool the systems. That in turn heats the The Ribbit frog in white with the state. The idea is to provide accessible Hybrids will follow much the same down a crappie jig and let the wind do rattles in gold/black. water which is then discharged back into chartreuse feet will work over the tops angling for everyone. pattern through December. Catfish will the work. Drop your bait to just off the The drop shot is also a good choice for the lake. The areas near the discharge will of the vegetation. Throw spinnerbaits Stocking locations are usually in urban be moving up into the creeks and hanging bottom, and cover lots of water. Key on presenting a bait slowly on deep structure. have much warmer water, and the nearby around the main lake on windy points, areas near highly populated areas. There out around the dam. 20 to 35 feet of water. Speaking of deep structure you’ll fish will be more active, and spawn sooner. along with square-bill crankbaits. As with is probably a trout-stocking coming to a Bass fishermen will want to either And remember, black and white need to be using your electronics. You’re That makes for a happy angler and good the plastics, tick with the basic natural pond near you as you read these words. drop-shot or Carolina rig deep structure. crappie caught from December 1 through looking for several things. First, look to see catches colors unless the water is stained, then go The TPWD website, tpwd.texas.gov will Four inch ring fry baits in chartreuse/ the last day of February, must be retained. at what depth the fish are holding. Once SQUAW CREEK — At Squaw you with brighter colors. have all of the stocking dates, locations pepper, watermelon, or June bug are the There is no minimum length limit during you determine that you can count on have many options for bass. You can use That’s a rundown for some good and rules for trout fishing, as well as some baits of choice. Fishing the deeper docks this time. This regulation was put in place them being at the same depth throughout Carolina-rig rigged with either a seven fishing options in December. Be sure and tips for catching the fish. will also produce on Cedar Creek using because crappie do not survive well when most of the lake. inch Power Worm in Blue Fleck, or a make some time for family to fish together Trout don’t take a lot of special gear jigs in black/blue, shades of brown with brought up from deep water. You should Depth will also help determine lure French fry-type bait in chartreuse/pepper. this holiday season. or knowledge to catch. These are not wild some orange, and greens as well. always consult the TPWD Outdoor options. If fish are in the upper section Be sure to use a three to four foot leader Merry Christmas and a Happy New trout in a mountain stream in Montana. RAY HUBBARD — While I avoid Ray Annual when fishing or hunting in Texas, of the water column, you can use a flutter on this rig. Year to you all.

56 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 57 rack up some good numbers of one to two 6-10 feet of water on Henderson Point and fishing deep, away from the bank, around Terpe say any number of pound Kentucky bass and largemouths main lake points south of the 155 Bridge. old roadbeds, bridges, timberlines and patterns should produce some EAST TEXAS using spoons, Carolina rigs and shaky Chrome ‘Traps are the best bet when the channel swings using spoons, jigs, Texas solid limits of bass. Given the heads once a large school is pinpointed. fish are feeding near the surface, while rig Zoom Ol’ Monster worms, football choice, he’ll probably stay fairly PALESTINE - When December rolls spoons are the ticket when the schools jigs or Carolina rigs. There also could shallow and target a lot rock and around in eastern Texas is when Lake go to bottom. be some fish holding around main lake breakwater structure around Palestine fishing guide Ricky Vandergriff SAM RAYBURN - Big Sam entered points and outer rims of flats in water bridges, the dam and any number starts getting his big fish game face on. November in great shape with water ranging 12-20 feet. of marinas including The Palms, That’s because the 20,000-acre has a levels close to a foot low and lush hydrilla “The shallow bite starts to fade on Walden, Seven Coves and Harbor history of producing some whoppers beds growing out to 12 feet in places that Toledo once the water temperatures Tow n. during the winter months when the right hasn’t seen it in several years. According drops below 60 degrees,” Martin said. “It’s “A lot of those breakwaters conditions exist. to veteran bass pro Tommy Martin, things been that way for years. With no cover will fall off into 15 feet of water According to Vandergriff the bite are setting up for some for outstanding up shallow to hold them they’ll have to or so, but I like to stay in about is almost always best when weather winter fishing and a spring that could be go deep.” six to eight feet,” Terpe said. “I’ll By Matt Williams conditions are fairly stable and outside downright spooky. Another deep water game that can pay also spend some time around temperatures are moderate. The guide “It’s really fishing good — lots of bites off big time once water temps dip into boat docks with brush.” says strong cold frontal passages can stifle and some good quality,” he said. “The the 50s is crappie fishing. According to Terpe said anglers can make NACOGDOCHES - Things are set up the bite to a degree, so it is always best to grass is in excellent shape. It’s matted up in fishing guide Stephen Johnston, the bite use of any number of baits now for some outstanding winter fishing on try to plan fishing trips during warming just about every creek from the Highway can be exceptionally good around the old and stand a good chance of Lake Nacogdoches. That’s because the trends whenever possible. Vandergriff says 147 Bridge south. So long as the weather “Chicken Coop” area located at mid-lake getting bit. His favorites include grass is back in a big way. Just about every both the north and south ends of the lake holds the water temperature doesn’t drop where the Sabine River winds close to the Texas rig worms, Senkos, medium Photo courtesy Richard Jue creek and shoreline up and down the lake can be productive. Up north, he’ll spend a below the mid-50s there are going to a lot Texas side. The water in the river channel diving cranks (shad) and wacky has got it, and much of the green stuff is high percentage of his time in the Cade’s of fish up shallow around the grass and drops as deep as 80 feet in places and the worms. Crappie fishing in the winter should yield good results. growing out to depths of 9-10 feet. Lake area where he’ll target pad stems you’ll be able to catch them variety of shad move up and down the breaks at For crappie, the guide likes Concentrate on deeper water around bridges, brush This should add up to an outstanding with a 1/4 ounce black/blue Big Eye jig, ways. December is all about the weather.” suspended depths that provide them a the FM 1097 Bridge better than piles and marina boat docks. Rat-L-Trap bite once Mother Nature Texas rigged brush hog and a 3/8 ounce Should water temperatures remain comfort zone. any other area. He says the fish knocks the grass back a few feet. Hydrilla white/chartreuse spinnerbait. Kickapoo moderate, Martin says he will key on “The water is pretty shallow on the are usually holding about five feet off or secondary creek up and down the lake goes dormant and dies back in cold water. Creek also can be good. The best bet is to outside grass edges using a Texas rigged flats around there and the colder water bottom in 30 feet of water. Jigs and shiners should be holding fish throughout the Plus, coots and waterfowl tug and pull on fish stumps and other wood adjacent to red bug worm or possibly even a jig. He pushes everything to the river,” Johnston will produce equally well at times. month. He says it is a good idea to begin the stalks, stripping them of succulent the channel break using a jig or Texas rig. likes to key on areas where the grass makes said. “There will be quite a few limits, too,” the search midway up the creek and work leaves as deep as they can reach. Farther south, Vandergriff will focus a point or gut, because it often indicates “The crappie and shad will suspend Terpe said. “Most will be around 11-13 your way back. The water in the channel Some of winter’s best fishing occurs mostly on boat docks in three to six feet some sort of contour change. a lot, so you’ll need good electronics to inches.” Like last month, Conroe’s channel will be around 8-10 feet and 0-3 feet right when the grass is around three feet of water. Docks that have been doctored “There also could be a strong topwater pinpoint the depth at which the fish are cat will be the prowl in water ranging on the lip. The fish generally like to hold below the surface. Even when the water with brush are always best. His go-to bait bite,” Martin said. “And you can’t forget holding. It’s real important to fish at the 17-25 feet and there will be some quality right on the break where shallow water temperature dips into the low 50s the is a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce black/blue jig tipped about the Rat-L-Trap, either. There are right depth. These fish will be pretty keepers up to four pounds in the mix. meets deep. bass won’t leave it. Fishing around the with a matching trailer. The guide pointed always Rat-L-Trap fish around the grass lethargic and they won’t go down to get “We always catch better quality in fall “The main thing is to cover water and grass with a moving bait, like the lipless out that main lake points also can be good on ‘Rayburn no matter how cold it gets. a bait.” and winter,” Terpe said. “It’s pretty easy to fish tight to any wood cover you come crankbait, can pay off with some really big bets from time to time with deep cranks You’ll just have to cover water to find The stretch of Sabine north of Huxley catch a limit, too. across,” Dearman said. “The fish are going fish this time of year. and Carolina rigs being the best offerings. them.” Bay also can be good this time of year, Terpe fishes exclusively over baited to be holding right up against the wood, The main key is to work the bait fast Vandergriff says crappie and channel If winter does turn off abnormally according to Charlie Shivley at Bill’s holes along creek and river channel be it a stump, lay down or brush. Hit stuff enough that it ticks the top of the grass cat prospects are always good through cold as the Old Farmer’s Almanac is Landing. Shivley likes to key on channel breaks and ledges north of the FM 1097 with the bait if you can. It could trigger a periodically as the offering speeds through the winter months. Crappie fishermen predicting, Martin thinks the better swings with brush using shiners and jigs. Bridge, but says there are also quite a few reaction strike when the bait deflects off the water column. Most strikes will come typically fare best beneath highway bridge numbers and quality will come away Good as the crappie fishing can be, two fish caught off the ends of points down the wood.” Assorted baits will catch fish as the bait tears free of the grass. You need crossings, with the State Highway 155 from the bank in water ranging 15-25 feet things that can bring it to a screeching halt south. “The main thing is be really close this month but Dearman says moving a pretty stiff rod and a reel with a fairly Bridge between Dogwood City and Coffee deep around channel swings, points and are current and dirty water. to a creek channel,” Terpe said. baits like a spinnerbait, square bill crank fast gear ratio to make this technique work City and the Flat Creek Bridge being the other structure. He’ll use a jigging spoon, “If we get some big rains and the LIVINGSTON - Veteran Lake Livingston or bladed jig usually produce the best for you. Othewise, the bait will bury up most reliable for consistent action on casting jig and a big Texas rigged worm to river starts to flow the bite will really slow salt Randy Dearman says his one lake was results. He’ll switch to a Texas rigged Rage and foul. pink/white jigs and live shiners. Best depth get at those fish. down,” said Johnston. nearing one foot below full pool was fairly Craw or Strike King jig if he needs to take Some other good bait choices for range is 20-25 feet. The fish will most December’s crappie fishing prospects CONROE - Lake Conroe fishing guide clear of this writing. If those conditions a slower approach. casting around the grass are spinnerbaits, likely be holding near bottom. can be hit or miss. Some of the best fishing Butch Terpe says December almost always hold, some banner fishing should be in Another option this month are hybrids Chatterbaits and square bill crankbaits. For catfish, Vandergriff says baited typically occurs around the Highway offers up good prospects for multiple store for bass anglers this month. and stripers. Dearman said both species Swim baits and suspending jerk baits can holes in about 16 feet of water should 147 Bridge and along the Angelina and species including lack bass, crappie and “It should be good,” Dearman said. will be running shad off and on around be effective around winter grass as well, produce steady limits using punch bait Attoyac rivers north of the bridge. catfish. “The main thing to watch is water clarity. main lake docks situated on points in close especially when the water has decent and night crawlers. Palestine produces TOLEDO BEND - Toledo Bend was “My guess is water temperatures will If we get a bunch of rain and the water proximity to deep water. Lipless cranks visibility. some big fish on jugs tipped with shad about five feet low and hydrilla was still be the low 60s and everything is going gets muddy it’ll really hurt the bite. The will get you bit when feeding binges are There also will be some schools of and bream. Flatheads and blues weighing sparse to none in most areas as of this to be feeding up strong for the winter,” fishing is always best on Livingston when underway. “It seems like the fish are more holding around main lake points, the old upwards of 40 pounds are pretty common. writing. According to fishing guide Terpe said. “We’re far enough south that the water is pretty clear. Especially in the active on those cold, nasty days,” Dearman pipeline and isolated hard bottoms. The Anglers looking to go on a white bass Tommy Martin, the best bass fishing we generally don’t get a lot of really cold creeks.” said. “Sometimes it can be good all day fish won’t be much on size, but you can meat run should find plenty of keepers in bets in December will be associated with weather.” Dearman says just about any major long.”

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60 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 61 For information on guides mentioned, see Guides, Gear & Getaways on pages 67, 69 & 71 “The fish typically stay deep all winter the lake. Crankbaits and jumbo soft- than it was in 2016. on this lake. But, if we have a few days of plastics are among the best weapons when By the time December rolls around Lake Roundup bright sun where the temperatures climb hunting trophy bass on Falcon. Be sure to look for this impound to see water into the high 70s – and that can happen – rig with heavy tackle, as there is still plenty temperatures in the lower 70s to the upper the fish will move a little shallower. When of submerged brush in the lake and stout 60s by the start of the New Year. Even that happens, you want to find rocks that tackle is needed to pull the bigger fish clear with the lower lake levels and cooling “Fishing has been pretty are in direct sunlight for most of the day. of the structure. temperatures fishing should still be good good,” said Lala. “We’ve The water will be a little warmer there and Fishermen who are looking for steady as the year draws to a close. SOUTH TEXAS been catching a lot of fish that can make a big difference.” action as opposed to trophy bass can Look for largemouth bass to be feeding and some pretty good fish, CHOKE CANYON – Choke canyon still find lots of action on the shorelines. over the first drop with even deeper water too. That should keep going is holding about one-third full, which Unless temperatures drop unexpectedly nearby. On those occasions when there are into December. In fact, we is down a bit more from last winter. low, fishermen will still be able to get several warm, sunny days strung together should have even better However, anglers should still be able to plenty of bass to strike spinnerbaits, bass will move up to feed. Topwater lures, fishing this month. find plenty of good fishing this month. shallow cranks, plastics and jigs along chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps “We’ll still have some Typically on Choke Canyon, December the brushy shorelines throughout the will cover water to help find fish. Once pretty good topwater action generally means fishing for bass up the lake. On warm, sunny days, there’s even found the proven drill is to thoroughly in December. On really river. The fish will be holding in around the possibility of some surface activity in fish an area with Texas rigs or jigs. warm days, we’ll also get a 10 feet of water along the drops. If it gets these shallower areas. In the afternoon anglers should look good bite on spinnerbaits especially cold, look for fish to fall off into Additionally, the catfish bite will be for rocky areas that are warmed by the late worked over points and the deeper river channel, but in moderate good in the river. morning and afternoon sun. These rocks along the shoreline. You Photo by Dennis Lala weather they’ll be holding along the drops, will warm the surrounding water and will By Danno Wise can also catch some fish by Colorful and solitary times await anglers fish south Texas ledges and edges. Pay particular attention WEST TEXAS attract baitfish that will attract gamefish working those spinnerbaits lakes. Look for fish to be making a transition to slightly to areas that have standing timber along — black bass. Weightless worms or wacky Just when it appeared summer was around any submerged deeper depths on many lakes. On power plant lakes look the old riverbed. The vast majority of worms are good to probe these areas. going to extend through fall, a few fairly brush. for warm water discharge to play an increasing role as plant these fish will be taken on Texas-rigged Striped bass will be in the deep water strong fronts blew through South Texas. “Our best method generate electricity and heat the surround lake waters. plastics and crankbaits. in front of the dam. It is no secret they will The cooler temperatures that arrived at of catching bass during If the temperature remains warm or roam this deep depths until the warmth of the end of October began changing fishing December has been dead-sticking Berkley catfish, then fish the front of the boat with during extended warm spells between spring returns. Look for any early arriving patterns a bit earlier than most years. Sinking Minnows or flukes. Watermelon/ crankbaits and spoons for stripers until fronts, the fish will move shallow along the sea gulls to point the way to feeding fish. Because of these fronts, fish on South red is usually our best color. We’ll throw one of the catfish rods goes down. banks. Look for fish to be holding in areas Otherwise use chart recorders to find bait Texas lakes reacted to the cold weather, those baits either unweighted or with just “It also isn’t unusual to catch some with muddy bottoms and flooded brush. balls with stripers nearby. rather than the calendar month. This a little BB at the most. Sometimes I like to black bass around the discharge as well, Spinnerbaits work well for covering Winter months are a great time to was the trigger for the transition to the put a little BB on the front so the bait falls especially once the weather gets colder. water when the fish are found shallow. catch a mess of clean, tasty catfish. Catfish nose down, just to change it up a bit. But, You can really catch a lot of different stuff winter pattern. In order to be successful, Bear in mind, once these fish move By TOJ Staff head to deeper holes as winter approaches the fishermen must also follow suit. basically, you don’t want to move that bait around that discharge, which makes it shallow, they will remain there until post- and the water temperature drops. Best Most South Texas bassers are more much – just let it fall. Sometimes the fish really fun to fish.” spawn so long as the weather and water AMISTAD — At the start of November, depths will be 40 feet deep and deeper. comfortable with shallow water fishing don’t want any action on the lure. MEDINA – Unlike most fishermen on temperatures don’t drastically drop. “Big Friendly” is about 10 feet lower O.H. IVIE — Old Man Winter than deepwater tactics. So, with the “During December, I’ll stay mainly on most South Texas lakes, anglers on Medina White bass will be another option up than it was one year ago. Plus the water normally settles in once Thanksgiving weather actually following the seasonal the points. I’ll just move from one point are used to fishing deep water. Because of the river during December for fishermen temperature is about five degrees cooler has come and gone. In December water calendar this year, these anglers may have to the next. its depth and clear water, this lake rarely on Choke Canyon. The annual spawning to switch strategies earlier than they had “Because this is a power plant lake, our sees much of a shallow water bite. And, run can begin anytime during December hoped. pattern is a little different than on other in winter, the fish are certainly going to or January, depending on the conditions. The cold weather can actually play to lakes. We always have some warmer water be found deep. When the fish move into the river, the angler’s favor by concentrating the fish and the bass can begin spawning as early “December is usually a deep bite, and they’ll keep working their way further in a relatively small area. Plus, there is no as mid-December. a tough bite,” said Jim Gallagher of Jim’s upstream until they reach the shallows. denying the fact that many more truly big “As the water gets colder, everything ReBait Tackle. “With us actually having Most years, good concentrations are first fish are caught this time of year by anglers will start moving closer to the hot water some cool weather this year, I’m sure found around the Highway 99 bridge. who know how probe the depths, than are discharge area. You can catch all kinds that will be the case for the whole month Once anglers find schools of fish, they can caught during any other season. of stuff up there. It will be real good for of December. The fish will be deep, like follow them up river over the successive With plenty of big fish stacked up in a hybrid stripers during the winter. You can they are in summer. And, again, it will be days and weeks. Most whites will be relatively small portion of the lake, anglers catch those fish on spoons, crankbaits or a main lake and secondary point pattern. taken on small jigs and downsized lipless willing to master vertical fishing and other big minnows and shiners. “We’ve had pretty good fishing ever crankbaits. deepwater tactics may be in for quite a “There will also be some good catfish since the lake refilled and have had some FALCON – Despite its low water levels, December of fishing on South Texas lakes. action around the discharge. You can really good bass caught this summer and Falcon should still yield some big bass Here’s what to expect. catch yellow cats on live shiners. Blues fall. So I expect we could see some good over the next couple of months. Beginning COLETO CREEK – Victoria based bass and channels can be caught on shrimp fish this winter. But, even when it comes to in December, fishermen specifically pro Dennis Lala says Coleto Creek has and Canadian nightcrawlers. In fact, a big bass, this is a small bait lake. You will targeting big largemouths on this border Photo by Bill L. Olson the potential to be an outstanding winter lot of those guys will set a couple rods always do better with smaller, finesse style lake should focus on main lake and On Amistad Reservoir points and mouths of creeks are prime winter hot spots for black bass. fishery. out the back of the boat on bottom for baits here because our water is so clear. secondary points on the lower end of Look for catfish in water 40 feet deep and deeper.

62 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 63 Brownwood to see water temperatures in rigs are good options. Thoroughly work the mid-to-lower 60s depending upon the jigs or Texas rigs around the timber, how cold the early season fronts drop area particularly on warm, sunny days once temperatures. daytime temperatures have warmed. This lake has been a proven performer December could well see some hybrids once again throughout this year. In still schooling in the main lake. This is December, as temperatures drop out of particularly true on warmer days. the 70s and through the 60s, look for ALAN HENRY — December should black bass to become more aggressive in see some very good fishing for black Texans Are “Talking” . . . their feeding. bass, particularly through the first part Notes from 2016 say to fish Bass of the month or until water temperatures About Hogg spinnerbaits, craw Bass Hogg jigs, drop into the lower 50s. Fish the steep Persuader crankbaits and Grande Bass sloping rocky sides of the lake with jigs along the shorelines of creeks and off or crankbaits. Rat-L-Traps are a good points in coves. Look for fish along the option to cast parallel to the shoreline to top of the first drop and pay attention to cover lots of water. Once bass are found grassy areas. in an area, then fish it again with Texas Crappie will continue to concentrate rigs and football jigs. around brush piles in 12-15 feet of water. OTHER OPTIONS — Lake Meredith TEXAS OUTDOORSJournal Li’l Fishies and tube jigs are best options continues to capture more water and has through the winter months. 12 feet more water than one year ago. Photo courtesy Richard Jue As of early November this lake is 49 feet Hunting AND Fishing Downtown Houston restauranteur Richard below conservation pool. “ I love the new look of I read TOJ from cover to Jue of China Garden shows off a nice, healthy HIGH PLAINS Anglers looking for a different fish to every month! “ “ largemouth bass he caught this summer pursue might see if any of the walleye that your covers. cover every month. while fishing Lake Coleman. Look for some TPWD has stocked will hit a moving bait That’s great! ” ” quality bass to be caught this month as ” feeding activity of gamefish increases. fished along a breakline. These cold water fish use to be a staple on this impound and temperatures that had been in the lower their return is going to provide another Finally, a magazine that 70s through much of November will have specie to pursue in the colder months. “ I like it because it’s about Best saltwater coverage plummeted to the lower 50s. If winter Mackenzie Reservoir continues to be covers Texas like it should “ “ arrives as cold as predicted there could extremely low. As of early November this Texas. of any magazine around. be water temperatures in the upper 40s lake was over 73 feet low, but the black be covered. ” ” by Christmas. bass fishing has picked up. If you like ” As of early November Ivie was about fishing a fairly isolated area due to low two feet above the water mark of one year By TOJ Staff fishing pressure and low lake levels, try I’ve cancelled all my Your Lake Roundup ago. Basically, any notes and patterns this water body. It’s the best – and most “ “ “ other magazines except even talks about some of fished in 2016 should be a good starting COLEMAN — Look for this 2,000 Black bass fishing has picked up with useful – gift I’ve ever point for December 2017. acre lake located on Jim Ned Creek to catfishing still taking top honors while TOJ. Keep up the good the smaller East Texas Crankbaits, slow rolled spinnerbaits, see some good bass fishing through lake levels remain low. received. swimjigs and Texas rigs are go-to baits to most of December. How ” work. lakes I fish. find and thoroughly fish an area. Early in and where to fish will ” ” December fishing along the first drop or be determined by how cranking down the deep side of the drop quickly winter and colder is an option. As temperatures continue to temperatures settles in. Glad TOJ knows how to “ Love the new look. “TOJ just keeps getting drop look for black bass to retreat toward If temperatures remain count to 12!! LOL! “ ” better, and better. deeper water via corridors used as they in the mid-to-upper 60s ” ” moved up from those depths to spawn then fish the shorelines this past spring. for black bass with White and smallmouth bass will be crankbaits, spinnerbaits active on warm days. Look for them and chatterbaits. Around Isn’t it time YOU found out roaming the areas toward the mouths of the rocky areas, ledges and the major rivers and creeks. points try hoping a jig or BROWNWOOD — As of early letting a fluke work it’s what all the talk is about? November this popular lake was a couple way to deeper depths. of feet below conservation pool with water Another option is to Photo by Bill L. Olson To subscribe, call 1-800-222-4865 (4TOJ) temperatures that were running about fish the standing timber Mackenzie Reservoir continues to remain 70+ feet below two weeks ahead of it’s annual drop in in the upper half of the conservation pool, black bass fishing has picked up while or go online at temperature. By Christmas look for Lake reservoir. Jigs and Texas catfishing remains good. www.texasoutdoorsjournal.com 64 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 TACKLE TIPS & TECHNIQUES | Danno Wise Guides, Gear & Getaways MIDDLE COAST | ROCKPORT Winter Beachfront Fishing Tips SALTWater UPPER COAST | SABINE & GALVESTON

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68 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 69 FIELD TIPS & TECHNIQUES | Bill L. Olson & Danno Wise Guides, Gear & Getaways LOUISIANA | LAKE CALCASIEU Late Season Whitetail Strategies HUNTING YOUR AD SHOULD BE HERE! HUNTING & CAMPING ACCESSORIES CALL 713-957-3997 for GUIDES, GEAR & GETAWAY ADS

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70 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 71 Deadline for the January 2018 calendar is November 25, 2017 ties. For more information consult DECEMBER 9 – JANUARY 28, 2018, mission: Adults: $10, Children 12 and the TPWD Outdoor Annual, website, Duck regular season, second split, Under: $6. Registration required. For or call (800) 792-1112. South Zone, (54 counties). For more more information and registration Outdoor Calendar information consult the TPWD Out- call (956) 350-2920. DECEMBER 2 – JANUARY 28, 2018, door Annual, website, or call (800) “Dusky Duck season, second split. 792-1112. DECEMER 16 – JANUARY 21, 2018, THROUGH DECEMBER 3, nual, website, or call (800) 792-1112. more information consult the TPWD North Zone. 139 counties. For more Sandhill Crane season, Zone C. (51 Mule Deer general season, Panhan- Outdoor Annual, website, or call information consult the TPWD Out- DECEMBER 9 – JANUARY 28, 2018, counties). Migratory Game Bird dle, 40 counties. For more informa- THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2018, (800) 792-1112. door Annual, website, or call (800) “Dusky Duck season, second split. Stamp & Federal Sandhill Crane Per- tion consult the TPWD Outdoor An- Light and Dark Geese season, East 792-1112. South Zone. 54 counties. For more mit Required. For more information nual, website, or call (800) 792-1112. Zone, 123 counties. For more informa- THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2018, information consult the TPWD Out- you can consult the TPWD Outdoor tion consult the TPWD Outdoor An- Squirrel Season, 51 East Texas coun- DECEMBER 9, door Annual, website, or call (800) Annual, website, or call (800) 792- THROUGH DECEMBER 10, nual, website, or call (800) 792-1112. ties. For more information consult Intro to Archery, Lockhart State Park, 792-1112. 1112. Mule Deer general season, Trans-Pe- the TPWD Outdoor Annual, website, Lockhart. Learn how to shoot like cos, 19 counties. For more informa- THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2018, or call (800) 792-1112. Robin Hood or Katniss Everdeen. DECEMBER 15 — 31, DECEMBER 17 — JANUARY 21, 2018, tion consult the TPWD Outdoor An- “Dusky” Duck season, High Plains Registration required. Join us for a Dove, Late Season, North Zone, Dove, Late Season, South Zone, nual, website, or call (800) 792-1112 Mallard Management Unit. 92 coun- THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2018, lesson in international style archery. 105 counties. For more information 32 counties. For more information ties. For more information consult the Quail season, Statewide. For more Learn the basics in a safe and fun consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, THROUGH DECEMBER 10, TPWD Outdoor Annual, website, or information consult the TPWD Out- 2-hour workshop. All equipment website, or call (800) 792-1112. website, or call (800) 792-1112. Mule Deer general season, Brewster, call (800) 792-1112. door Annual, website, or call (800) provided. Requirements: Must be Pecos & Terrell counties. For more 792-1112. at least 10 years of age and sign a DECEMBER 15 — JANUARY 7, 2018, DECEMBER 17, information consult the TPWD Out- THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2018, liability waiver. Anyone under the Dove, Late Season, Central Zone, Perryton Chapter Ducks Unlimited age of 15 must be accompanied door Annual, website, or call (800) Sandhill Crane season, Zone A. THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2018, 138 counties. For more information fundraiser banquet, Perryton. Call by an adult. Strict space limit, so 792-1112. 103 counties. For more information consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, (806) 228-5945. Rio Grande Turkey fall season, Brooks, participants must sign-up by calling consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, website, or you can call (800) 792- Kenedy, Kleberg, Willacy counties. For (512) 398-3479. Please be on time to THROUGH DECEMBER 10, website, or call (800) 792-1112. 1112. DECEMBER 18 — JANUARY 31, 2018, more information consult the TPWD this workshop. If late, your spot will Mule Deer general season, Trans-Pe- Woodcock, Statewide. For more Outdoor Annual, website, or call be given to someone else, and you DECEMBER 16, information consult the TPWD Out- cos, 19 counties. For more informa- THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2018, (800) 792-1112. will not participate. Dress for being Archery 101, Resaca de la Palma State door Annual, website, or call (800) tion consult the TPWD Outdoor An- Sandhill Crane season, Zone B. outside (layers + sturdy shoes) and Park, Brownsville. We’re providing 792-1112. nual, website, or call (800) 792-1112. 63 counties. For more information THROUGH FEBRUARY 26, 2018, bring water. Meet at the volleyball all equipment and instructors. We consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, Chacalaca season, four Rio Grande court, just past the pool on the main provide bows and arrows (please THROUGH DECEMBER 27, website, or call (800) 792-1112. Valley counties. For more information road into the park. Park in the pool DECEMBER 25, don’t bring your own equipment. Gallinule, Rail, & Moorhen, Statewide. consult the TPWD Outdoor Annual, or day use lot. Regular park entrance Christmas — And all of us with Team Recommended for children 5 and For more information consult the THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2018, website, or call (800) 792-1112. fees apply ($3/adult, free for children TOJ wish you a Merry Christmas and up. Meet at the Visitor Center. Ad- TPWD Outdoor Annual, website, or High Plains Mallard Management 12 & under). a Happy New Year. call (800) 792-1112. Unit: Regular duck season. Second THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2018 Split. For information refer to TPWD Javelina season, South Zone. For THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2018, Outdoor Annual, or (800) 792-1112. more information refer to TPWD Out- Whitetail Deer general season, North door Annual, or call (800) 792-1112. Texas, 226 counties. For more infor- THROUGH FEBRUARY 4, 2018, mation consult the TPWD Outdoor Light and Dark Geese season, West DECEMBER 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Annual, website, or call (800) 792- Zone, 151 counties. For more informa- Fishing with the Ranger, Inks Lake 1112. tion consult the TPWD Outdoor An- State Park, Burnet, Come out and nual, website, or call (800) 792-1112. try to catch the big one! Everyone THROUGH JANUARY 21, 2018, welcome for free catch and release You can make a difference by Rio Grande Turkey fall season, South THROUGH FEBRUARY 11, 2018, instructional program. No fishing Texas, 26 counties. For more informa- Wilson’s Snipe (Common snipe or license required while on state park reporting illegal hunting and fishing activity! tion consult the TPWD Outdoor An- Jacksnipe) season, Statewide. For property. We have the poles and Up to $1,000 may be paid for information leading nual, website, or call (800) 792-1112. more information consult the TPWD the worms. Meet behind the Park Outdoor Annual, website, or call Store. 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Free with park to arrest and conviction of poachers THROUGH JANUARY 21, 2018, (800) 792-1112. entrance fee. For more information Whitetail Deer general season, South call (512) 793-4689. Texas, 30 counties. For more informa- THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2018, Reward Hotline 800-792-GAME tion consult the TPWD Outdoor An- Javelina season, North Zone. For DECEMBER 2 — DECEMBER 31, Pheasant season, Panhandle 37 coun- ties. For more information consult the Support anti-poaching efforts by becoming a Mail your Outdoor Calendar items to: TPWD Outdoor Annual, website, or member of the Operation Game Thief Program call (800) 792-1112. 1706 W. Sam Houston Pkwy North Houston TX 77043 (call 512-389-4381 for membership information) or by Fax: 713.957.3996 Email: [email protected] DECEMBER 2 – JANUARY 28, 2018, sending your tax deductible contribution to Operation Duck regular season, second split, Game Thief, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744 North Zone (139 counties). 139 coun-

72 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017 december 2017 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 73 Tide Tables Fishing & Hunting Times

US TIME ZONES DECEMBER 2017 PACIFIC MOUNTAIN CENTRAL EASTERN < (+) (-) > < (+) (-) > < (+) (-) > < (+) (-) > SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT H12:13A 1.0 H12:48A 1.2 H1:08A 1.3 L8:15A -0.9 L7:53A -0.1 L8:32A -0.3 H4:23P 1.3 H3:28P 1.4 H4:23P 1.6 L9:05P 0.9 L8:32P 1.0 L9:24P 1.1 31 1 2 H1:33A 1.3 H2:03A 1.4 H2:28A 1.4 H3:18A 1.3 L1:09A 1.2 L1:42P -0.2 L4:56A 0.8 L9:15A -0.5 L10:02A -0.6 L10:52A -0.6 L11:45A -0.6 H4:03A 1.3 H9:57P 1.3 H7:17A 0.9 H5:18P 1.6 H6:14P 1.6 H7:11P 1.6 H8:09P 1.5 L12:41P -0.4 L2:50P 0.0 L10:13P 1.2 L11:01P 1.3 L11:55P 1.2 H9:05P 1.4 H10:41P 1.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 L5:44A 0.7 L6:25A 0.4 L7:01A 0.2 H12:10A 1.1 H12:31A 1.0 H12:48A 1.0 H1:04A 1.0 H9:39A 0.8 H11:43A 0.9 H1:24P 1.0 L7:34A 0.0 L8:04A -0.2 L8:31A -0.3 L8:56A -0.4 L4:10P 0.3 L5:37P 0.5 L6:57P 0.7 H2:39P 1.1 H3:35P 1.1 H4:20P 1.2 H4:56P 1.2 H11:17P 1.2 H11:46P 1.1 L8:05P 0.8 L9:00P 0.9 L9:43P 0.9 L10:12P 1.0 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 H1:20A 1.1 H1:37A 1.1 H1:55A 1.1 H2:11A 1.0 H2:21A 1.0 L11:59A -0.3 L12:37P -0.2 L9:22A -0.4 L9:49A -0.4 L10:19A -0.4 L10:51A -0.4 L11:24A -0.4 H8:39P 1.1 H9:17P 1.0 H5:29P 1.2 H6:02P 1.2 H6:38P 1.2 H7:16P 1.1 H7:57P 1.1 L10:25P 1.0 L10:34P 1.0 L10:56P 0.9 L11:31P 0.9 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 L1:18P 0.0 L2:07P 0.1 L5:33A 0.4 L5:41A 0.1 L6:10A -0.1 L6:47A -0.4 L7:29A -0.7 H9:49P 1.0 H10:15P 0.9 H10:24A 0.5 H12:17P 0.7 H1:37P 0.9 H2:39P 1.0 H3:33P 1.2 L3:07P 0.3 L4:26P 0.5 L5:55P 0.7 L7:14P 0.8 L8:16P 0.9 120° 115° 110° 105° 100° 95° 90° 85° 80° 75° H10:35P 0.9 H10:54P 0.9 H11:14P 0.9 H11:39P 1.0 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 DECEMBER 2017

JANUARY 2018 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT H12:47A 1.1 H1:35A 1.1 H2:28A 1.1 H3:27A 1.0 L12:39A 0.8 L2:06A 0.7 L9:02A -1.0 L9:52A -1.0 L10:43A -1.0 L11:36A -0.8 H4:33A 0.9 H5:59A 0.8 H5:17P 1.3 H6:07P 1.3 H6:57P 1.2 H7:44P 1.1 L12:30P -0.6 L1:26P -0.3 L10:00P 1.0 L10:43P 1.0 L11:33P 0.9 H8:29P 1.0 H9:09P 0.9 1 2 3 4 5 6 L3:37A 0.4 L4:46A 0.2 L5:39A 0.0 L6:22A -0.2 L7:00A -0.4 L7:33A -0.5 L8:04A -0.6 H7:51A 0.6 H9:58A 0.6 H12:04P 0.6 H1:49P 0.7 H3:00P 0.9 H3:49P 0.9 H4:24P 1.0 L2:28P -0.1 L3:43P 0.2 L5:21P 0.4 L6:57P 0.6 L8:14P 0.7 L9:12P 0.7 L9:47P 0.7 H9:45P 0.9 H10:15P 0.8 H10:42P 0.8 H11:04P 0.8 H11:25P 0.8 H11:45P 0.8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Times are for Galveston, Galveston Channel

TIME DIFFERENCES High Low Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana -2:14 -1:24 Sabine Pass Lighthouse -1:46 -1:31 Sabine Pass Jetty -1:26 -1:31 Sabine Pass -1:00 -1:15 JANUARY 2018 Mesquite Point, Sabine Pass -0:04 -0:25 Galveston Bay ent. south jetty -0:39 -1:05 Port Bolivar +0:14 -0:06 Galveston Bay Texas City, Turning Basin +0:33 +0:41 Eagle Point (1) +3:54 +4:15 Clear Lake(1) +6:05 +6:40 Morgan Point (1) +10:21 +5:19 Round Pt.,Trinity Bay (1) +10:39 +5:15 Point Barrow, Trinity Bay +5:48 +4:43 Gilchrist, East Bay +3:16 +4:18 Fish, game and all wildlife move in search of food in cycles relative to the moon’s location to the earth. Jamaica Beach, West Bay +2:38 +3:31 The time spans listed above are the prime times to start each day at and along each time zone meridian Alligator Point, West Bay +2:39 +2:33 of longitude 75 degrees (Eastern) 90 degrees (Central) 105 degrees (Mountain) and 120 degrees (Pacific) during Standard time and Daylight Saving during the time it is in effect. To determine the feeding cycle Christmas Point, Christmas Bay +2:32 +2:31 time for best fishing and hunting in the area you plan to fish or hunt advance the sum of 4 minutes for Galveston Pleasure Pier -1:06 -1:06 each degree west and back up 4 minutes for each degree east. The next prime feeding cycle (not listed on the calendar) will be approximately twelve and one-half hours later. There are minor periods that occur San Luis Pass -0:09 -0:09 between the prime or major periods. The minor periods are typically fair periods and last only about half Freeport Harbor -0:44 -1:02 as long as the prime periods.

Pass Cavallo 0:00 -1:20 Feeding Times by Dan Barnett have been proven by analysis of 124 – 3 day bass tournaments between Aransas Pass -0:03 -1:31 1967 through 1983 to be reliable and accurate in predicting wildlife feeding activity. The Feeding Times are not a cure-all. Weather and other environmental conditions affect wildlife feeding activity. Annual vest Padre Island (South End) -0:24 -1:45 pocket books, which show all the major and minor periods, can be ordered by sending a check or money Port Isabel +1:02 -0:42 order for $19.95 per book. For S&H, please add $4.95 to an order of 1 to 4 books. Make check or money Tidal adjustments are not predictable for Port O’Connor, Matagorda Bay; Port order payable to: Feeding Times. Send to: Feeding Times, P.O. Box 2240, Covington, GA 30015. After Oct. Lavaca, Matagorda Bay; and Riviera Beach, Baffin Bay since they are driven by wind 1, please indicate book year. For questions or comments, you can call 404-373-7151. and weather. — NOAA Over 60 Years in Print Feeding Times by Dan Barnett 17 Years Test Proven

74 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal december 2017