January 23, 2026
Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 22, Issue 11
Slow retrieves in deeper water
Passing on traditions to their kids is one of many reasons that a group of buddies have kept their annual dove hunt tradition alive each January. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
More than just birds Friends keep annual winter dove hunt tradition alive By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News For many hunters, traditions are important. Such is the case for Joe Link, Ryan Welch, Brandon Skinner, and Nathan Brooks, who all gather at a friend’s property in Kosciusko each January for a winter dove hunt. Regardless of the weather conditions or what bird numbers are looking like, the group of buddies always make a point to keep their annual tradition alive. This year was no different. They spent three days hunting together recently, despite the breezy, cold conditions from the passage of a frontal system. The dove were spotty and scattered at best. Dry Please turn to page 6
Texas anglers are finding plenty of largemouth bass on their traditional wintertime patterns in January. Baits fished deeper with slower retrieves have been working the best. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Target drop-offs and points for largemouth bass By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Wintertime patterns are holding steady for largemouth bass across the inland
lakes of Texas. Most of the fish are staging and relating to deeper water, or areas with deeper water nearby. Slow moving retrieves and bait presentations have resulted in the most strikes. Lake Travis Capt. Wyatt Rae said the winter pattern is in full swing for largemouth bass right now. Texas-rigged worms
and soft plastics on a drop-shot rig fished slowly around main lake points and drains have been producing the most consistent action. “Flooded brush in these areas in 15- to 40-feet of water has been holding the most fish,” Rae said. “You have to bounce around and cover some water, but once you find Please turn to page 14
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Milestone for The Duck Man By Tony Vindell
A Houston hunter, known to many as “The Duck Man,” has reached a milestone. After 55 years of chasing these fast-flying birds, David Gerhart decided to put the numbers together and came out with a whopping number of 10,012 ducks he has har-
vested, thus far. That was on Dec. 19 and current season runs in the South Zone through Jan. 25. “I usually hunt now four days a week,” said Gerhart, after one of his latest hunts in late December. “I am close to 200 this season.” And even though this has been one of the slowest duck seasons in recent memory, he
still goes out to his favorite spots from Rockport to Sabine Pass to chase birds. Duck hunting guides along the Lower Laguna Madre said this year’s ducks aren’t what they used to be: one day they are here and the next one they are gone. However, recent cold snaps brought some relief as guides spotted quite a few birds. Please turn to page 6
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
David Gerhart with several of his more than 10,000 ducks taken in his hunting career. Photo from David Gerhart.
HUNTING
FISHING
Unexpected exotic (P. 4)
Good for crappie (P. 8)
That’s not a feral hog.
Mild weather helping crappie anglers.
Tough hunt (P. 4)
Coastal bliss (P. 8)
Cross Bar Management Area offers tough conditions.
Good bite for a variety of species up and down coast.