Right Set Up to Stay Hooked Up Top Texas Outdoor Magazine for 17 Years (see page 75, #1 for more information!) TEXAS“Texas’ Most Comprehensive OutdoorsOUTDOORS Publication” Journal May 2015 / $3.99 Baffled by Baffin Bay | Prescribed Fire & Supplemental Feeding Proper Care of Trophy Bass | Late Spring Coastal Fishing Practically Perfect Cartridge | Texas Blue Chip Wade Fishing texasoutdoorsjournal.com Fishing - Before & After the Drought | “DIY” Euro Hog Mount COastal & laKE FORecasts | TIDE & SOLUNAR tables FINANCING LAND OWNERSHIP NMLS493828 GrowLet us with return profits us. to you FINANCING Rural Land Homes Farms & Ranches Livestock & Equipment Operating Capital Improvements Agribusiness SERVICES Real Estate Appraisal Crop Insurance Leasing 877.944.5500 | CapitalFarmCredit.com proud member of the Farm Credit System TEXAS“Texas’ Most Comprehensive OUTDOORSOutdoors Publication” May 2015 Journal For Hunters . For Anglers . 16 Guns N’ Stuff Freshwater Saltwater —Harold Gunn 14 Bassology 10 Late Spring Coastal Fishing- The Practically Perfect Cartridge —Matt Williams Unraveling the mystery behind 22 Prescribed Fire & Supplemental Bills and Bass where to go and what to throw dur- Feeding- A variety of spring tech- 30 Getting a Grip- Big bass require ing the last full month of spring. niques can be performed to enhance special care to help ensure their —Danno Wise deer quality.—Bob Zaiglin survival. —Matt Williams 18 Just Fishing —Nate Skinner Right Set Up to Stay Hooked Up CoastWatch – Danno Wise 26 Upper Forecast 28 Louisiana Forecast 56 Lower Forecast 57 Middle Forecast 36 Baffled by Baffin Bay?- Recent poor public perception of this fabled bay’s trout output is dispelled when Lake Roundups — Pros Forecasts compared to the latest scientific data. —David Sikes 34 Just Shooting 40 East – Matt Williams —Kerry O’Day 42 North – Brian Hughes Barrel Break-In Does Work 54 Central – John Jefferson 60 Just Hunting 62 South - Danno Wise —Mike Holmes 64 West – TOJ Staff Euro Mounts for Euro Hogs? 64 High Plains – TOJ Staff 48 Just Fishing 70 Field Tips & Techniques— —Brian Hughes Bill L. Olson & Danno Wise New Water Provides New Opportu- Spring Squirrel Hunting Tips nities 46 Saltwater Journal —Mark Sosin 68 Tackle Tips & Techniques Fish Have Ears —Danno Wise Surface to Subsurface - Fishing 50 Texas Blue-Chip Wade Fishing- Through the Day Sabine Lake to Port Mansfield offers a variety of productive fishing areas —Robert Sloan For Everyone . On the Cover . 4 Editor’s Insight – Bill L. Olson “Sunset School” 6 TOJ Notebook – TOJ Staff 67, 69, 71 Guides, Gear & Getaways By artist Calvin Carter. For more information on “Sunset School” and 72 Outdoors Calendar other works of art by Calvin Carter 66 Tackle Tips & Techniques 74 Fishing & Hunting Times visit www.calvincarterart, or call (409) —Danno Wise 75 Subscription Information 201-6685. More Than One Way to Rig a Bait APRIL 2015 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 3 Editor’s Insight Bill L. Olson THOSE WE FISH WITH The title of this month’s clip could just have easily been “Those We Hunt With.” However since May is such a prime month for fishing this afforded the opportunity “Texas’ Most Comprehensive Outdoors Publication” to share some experiences from a lifetime on the water. There have been times when I have spent time fishing alone. There were plenty Publisher/Editor of afternoons on Lake Waco catching bass while friends took advantage of other Bill L. Olson activities or studied. There have been forays on other lakes and coastal bays when Administrative Assistant I was my only companion. While that is not a bad thing, in almost every instance Adala Ruhge I experienced or observed something that made me long for someone to share the moment. Maybe it was simply a desire to have someone validate what had been seen. Contributing Outdoors Editors Harold Gunn There have been special destinations or times of success when the thought of, Brian Hughes “I know who would have loved this,” or “I need to come back and bring (fill in Mike Holmes the name). John Jefferson There are fishing buddies that have provided the companionship when fish hit Cody Koehler anything cast their way, provided the friendly banter to fill in the time when the Kerry O’Day Billy Olson bite was slow, or just to share insignificant moments that only those close can fill. David Sikes Plus new acquaintances become lifelong friends. From the ranks of the fishing Nate Skinner guide community angling tips have been learned and shared while close friendships Robert Sloan established. Mark Sosin Matt Williams While mentoring a spouse or children it is not about one’s own success, it is about Danno Wise seeing to their success. Insignificant events like catching, observing, or learning about bait can be a fun diversion. Then there are times when the action explodes Whitetail Deer Editor with everyone’s rod bowed that you leave your rod stowed and pick up a camera Bob Zaiglin or simply assist with the landing of one fish after another. Art/Production Editor Over time those you are responsible for introducing to the sport may become Sunni Gonzales as consumed with researching any information available. They read, question, Advertising Sales and experiment as their knowledge grows. In time they may become the skilled 713/957-3997, 713/957-3996 (fax) reliable companion or even teacher. Having raised a son on the water I can say when offshore he is my first choice to run the cockpit while I handle duties at the helm. Subscription Information Fishing buddies can also be worthy competitors or teammates. How many times Call 1-800-222-4TOJ (4865); In Houston, are numbers of fish, or length and weight of fish compared? The sole purpose is to 713/957-3997 to charge your subscription by see who has “bragging rights” for the moment or for that particular trip. phone. Subscription prices: one year $18.95, two years $29.95, three years $39.95. Mail Anyone that thinks lady anglers are less competitive should hang around some inquiries/changes of address to: of the growing number of female only fishing tournaments. Regardless of skill level it is not long before competitive juices start to flow and individual or team TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal 1706 West Sam Houston Parkway North honors become a potential goal. Even when goals are not achieved the laughter Houston, Texas 77043 and banter about events on the water are well worth the adventure. With lower fuel prices many may spend time “running and gunning.” This type TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal (ISSN 1082-5940) is a pub- lication of Texas Outdoors Journal, Inc. Editorial and of time shared can be memorable on slow days, or test a pattern to stay on or find advertising offices are located at 1706 West Sam Houston fish. It is on-the-water recon that may payoff sometime in the future. Parkway North, Houston TX 77043. Phone (713) 957-3997. Fax (713) 957-3996. The bottom line is May is one of the best months to fish and share that experience. E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] In life there are plenty of things we keep personal and unshared as it relates to work, TOJ Online: www.texasoutdoorsjournal.com TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal is published monthly. Photo- problems and frustrations. However, being on the water with special people help graphs and manuscripts for publication consideration are put aside those issues for another today. On this day it is about time shared with welcomed, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for such material while in transit or in the office of the those we fish. publication. Until next month: Pursue all of your outdoor activities in a safe and ethical Copyright 2015 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or 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 24, Number 5 4 TEXAS OUTDOORS Journal MAY 2015 B:9.5” T:7.875” S:7” B:11.5” T:10.5” S:9.5” BEST-IN-CLASS MAXIMUM TOWING. YEP. THAT’LL WORK. The fi rst and only pickup with a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body /// Up to 700 lbs. lighter so you can haul even more /// Best-In-Class EPA-Estimated Gas MPG: 26 HWY* /// Best-In-Class Maximum Towing: 12,200 lbs.** Best-In-Class Maximum Payload: 3,300 lbs.† /// THIS IS THE FUTURE OF TOUGH. THE ALL-NEW F-150 /// FORD.COM Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs. GVWR. *EPA-estimated rating of 19 city/26 hwy/22 combined mpg, 2.7L EcoBoost® V6, 4x2. Actual mileage will vary. **When properly equipped with 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 4x2. †When properly equipped with 5.0L V8, 4x2. F150 Towing pg. Revise 2 File: FTRK01944_FMFS8664000A_CPg_R02.indd Date: 3-12-2015 6:10 PM Rev: 2 Galley: 1 Towing Pg. Revise 2 Inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Client: Ford Division Engraver: Park PrePress Fonts: Franklin Gothic Std (Condensed), ITC Franklin Links: Park_QC Steps.eps (100%), Bullet.eps (100%), 15F150_Lariat_Boat_ Ad #: FMFS8664000A Doc Scale: 100% Gothic Std (Medium, Book, Demi Condensed, Book Launch_0312_PPK.psd (CMYK; 300 ppi; 100%), FTRK_15BFT2in_4CHt_NS_ Agency #: FDTBS 1104712 Output Size: 100% Compressed, Demi) R02_PPK.psd (CMYK; 300 ppi; 100%) Park #: FTRK-01944 Media/Type: Magazine Live: 7” x 9.5” Trim: 7.875” x 10.5” Bleed: 9.5” x 11.5” Note: This document utilizes the Pantone + color library Park ADD: S.