March 14, 2025
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 21, Issue 14
Into the shallows By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Largemouth bass are beginning to make a push toward shallower water on lakes in the eastern portion of the state, as their peak spawning period draws near. Some fish are being found on beds, while the majority are staging just off the banks in a little deeper water.
Maggie Miller caught this largemouth in shallow water on Lake Nacogdoches. Photo by Cal Cameron.
East Texas guide Cal Cameron has been spending most of his time on Lake Nacogdoches, where he said some bass have started moving up shallow to spawn. “I’d say about a third of the fish are super-shallow on beds or along the bank, while the other two-thirds are staging up to move shallow along secondary points,” Cameron said. “Wacky-rigged stick baits have been producing
the most bites. Neko-rigged stick baits are working well, too.” Cameron said there are a lot of 3.5-6 pounders holding in about 3-6 feet of water. “These fish could move up shallower and get on beds any day now,” he said. There have been schools of smaller buck bass on the lake as well. Cameron said areas holding buck bass will produce strikes on
nearly every cast. The areas where the buck bass are more scattered will bring fewer bites but better quality fish. Shallow structure like stumps and grass lines have been key features to target. “There are still some bass holding in deeper water,” Cameron said. “Most of these fish are smaller, in the 2-pound range.” On Lake Fork, guide Ronnie Kelley said the backs of drains and Please turn to page 15
Turkey Time Mobs of jakes roaming By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News In 2023 and 2024, wild turkeys experienced phenomenal production success, thanks to timely rains and premium range conditions in much of the state. As a result, spring turkey hunters can expect to encounter plentiful numbers of jakes and 2-year-old gobblers ready to respond to their calls this season. A possible negative for opening day, dry conditions have delayed the typical spring green-up across much of the landscape, bringing a delay in the springtime breeding and nesting activity. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wild Turkey Program Leader, Jason Hardin, this could create some hurdles for hunters, especially early in the season. “There are a ton of gobblers out there, and many have been gobbling, right on cue, for the past month or so,” Breeding activity has yet to begin in South Texas, and young hunters didn’t have many opportunities at gobblers during the youth season opener March 8-9. The South Zone season opens March 15. Photo by Nate Skinner, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Please turn to page 6
Sticking to their guns Daughters embrace father’s hunting lifestyle By Reis Ladd
Drew Reed took this axis buck, in velvet, on a hunt with his daughter, Meredith, near Rocksprings. Photo from Drew Reed.
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Outdoor Blotter . . . . . . . . Page 12 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 19 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News It is common for soon-to-be dads to wish for boys, especially those dads who are outdoorsmen. For Drew Reed, owner and operator of Dry Land Taxidermy out of Silverton, he has another take.
Drew and his oldest of three daughters, Meredith, traveled to the cedarchoked hills of Rocksprings in late February looking for a big axis buck. The Reed pair were hunting with close friends, and while originally planned as a one-on-one hunt for two buddies, the hunt turned into a family affair as Drew and Meredith were joined by Drew’s buddy and his two young sons. While the original intent was two lifelong hunters embarking on a focused mission to find a big winter Please turn to page 6
HUNTING
FISHING
Woodpeckers and game cameras (P. 4)
More like spring (P. 8)
Birds peck coverings over motion detectors.
Redfish, trout scattered but more aggressive.
Busted for smuggling deer (P. 12)
Sandies moving (P. 8)
Case branches out from there.
Annual run creeping north.