May 8, 2026
Texas’ Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 22, Issue 18
Waiting on a window Offshore weather rough on anglers By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News TPWD’s proposed mountain lion regulations are drawing passionate responses from both sides. Photo by Joseph Richards.
Roaring in opposition TPWD proposed mountain lion reporting regulations receiving pushback By Mike Bodenchuk Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing new reporting requirements for mountain lion mortality that will affect all trappers, mountain lion hunters and anyone who happens to get the unique opportunity to shoot a mountain lion in Texas. Following a 2022 petition by mountain lion advocates and the 2023 Mountain Lion Stakeholder Working group report to the commission, the department has been working to reduce mountain lion mortality. In 2025, the department recommended and the commission adopted regulations prohibiting trappers from allowing a live mountain lion to be in a trap for more than 36 hours. That regulation effectively establishes a trap check interval for persons trapping any predator. TPWD, in proposing the regulations, has discounted voluntary reporting which has been ongoing for less than a year. The new regulation, currently open for public comment, requires anyone who kills a mountain lion to report the incident to TPWD through the department’s website or through an app. The report will not require property specific information but rather requires the county of take.
Nathan Zuniga, a deckhand for Reel Rush Charters out of Matagorda, said swordfish have been striking eel baits about 70 miles offshore this month. Photo from Nathan Zuniga.
Periods of calm for safely navigating the offshore waters of the Gulf have been few and far between lately. Many offshore anglers have been ready to roll out past the jetties but gusty, springtime winds and strong currents have made that difficult. Those who have been able to head out when short periods of calm seas have occurred have been rewarded with good fishing. Vermilion snapper, lane snapper, swordfish, blue runner, tuna, and a variety of grouper have all been in the mix, and a variety of tactics and baits have been producing. Nathan Zuniga, a deckhand for Reel Rush Charters out of Matagorda, said they have been targeting swordfish in 1,500 to 1,650 feet of water about 70 miles offshore. They recently landed five swordfish over the course of two days when short windows with ideal conditions occurred. The largest fish weighed about 180 pounds. “The best bite took place in the middle of the day,” Zuniga said. “Bump trolling canyons was the ticket, and we were using eels rigged with a squid skirt, along with large squid.” Zuniga said the swords seemed to prefer eel baits over the squid. They were focusing on stretches of water that were holding plenty of baitfish. According to the folks at Galveston Party Boats, Inc., they were able to take advantage of a window of calm conditions recently and ran offshore three days in a row in their 85-foot catamaran New Buccaneer. On the first day, 59 anglers landed 323 vermilion snapper, 4 lane snapper, 27 blue runners, and a mangrove snapper. During the next 12-hour deep sea fishing trip, 86 anglers landed 860 vermilion snapper, which is the full legal limit of 10 fish per
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Unique spring target Rio Grande cichlids provide fun action in rivers, urban areas By Cory Byrnes
Now that rainbow trout season is closing out, anglers are turning their attention to another unique fish in the Hill Country. Especially popular with light-tackle and fly-fishermen, the Rio Grande cichlid (perch) population has grown to a size that can be targeted, even in cities. “They are also available in a lot of places that are
Please turn to page 10 Fishing reports . . . . . . . . . Page 12 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 18 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
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For Lone Star Outdoor News
more urban. Especially around San Antonio,” said Chris Johnson, owner of Living Water Flyfishing. “They are really popping off right now on the San Marcos River. It doesn’t really come down to location as much as it does timing.” Johnson and his clients typically target the prespawn fish in May. “You’re catching them on the front end of the spawn when they are actively feeding up for spawn,” he said. On the Nueces and Medina rivers, Johnson and his clients are targeting likely spawning areas. “Now you should start seeing activity where they are actively looking to pair up a little bit,” John-
Anglers around the Hill Country are catching lots of Rio Grande cichlids, a fun fish on light tackle and flies. Photo by Chris Johnson.
HUNTING
FISHING
DSC stabilizing (P. 4)
Feeding frenzy (P. 8)
New CEO and a return to Texas.
Striped bass bite hot.
Deer numbers high in TX (P. 4)
Shallow schools (P. 8)
Habitat supports large herd.
Redfish in skinny water along coast.