May 9, 2025
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 21, Issue 18
Elevated tides turn on the trout By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Gusty winds out of the south and southeasterly directions have pushed plenty of water back into coastal bays. The elevated tides have helped maintain good water clarity and springtime patterns for speckled trout have kicked into high gear. Specks of all sizes are being caught on
live bait and artificial presentations for those willing to brave the windy conditions. Port Aransas and Aransas Pass guide Capt. Cory Russell said tide levels have been up and that speckled trout have been staging along the outside edges of deeper seagrass beds, as well as in potholes between thick patches of seagrass. Chunking soft plastics while wade-fishing has
produced the most consistent action. “There have been good numbers of keeper-sized trout feeding along the edges of the grass in waist- to chest-deep water,” Russell said. “Soft plastics have been working the best, but you can catch a few fish on top-waters.” Most of the trout have been in the 15- to 20-inch range, with a few pushing past the 20-inch mark.
Higher tides are helping the speckled trout bite, despite strong winds. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Please turn to page 12
New mom bags first bird Baby joins mother’s first hunt By David J. Sams Lone Star Outdoor News
Jeff Patton turkey hunts from a blind with his 7-week-old son, Daniel. Right, mom Sally Patton holds Daniel in one hand and her first turkey in the other. Left photo by Sally Patton. Right photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
On a hot and windy spring day, a family slipped into an insulated ground blind with an extra youngster in tow. Their patience paid off, making more than one unique memory. It was Sally Patton‘s first hunting experience, as a result of her lucky ticket drawn at the Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation Wild Game Night. Her husband, Jeff, and their 7-week-old son, Daniel, dressed in his Bottomland camo jumper, were a bit skeptical they could pull off a successful turkey hunt with a baby boy in the blind. “It wasn’t all that bad,” Sally said. “The crying baby might have actually helped call in some curious jakes.” Jeff also credited the crying in bringing in a longbeard that was passing by. “I just couldn’t get a shot off that fast,” he said. The new parents were more excited Please turn to page 6
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Bois d’Arc one year later New lake effect boosting bass By Craig Nyhus
Bois d’Arc Lake opened in April 2024 and is already producing numbers of bass, along with some big ones. Jason Conn was the first guide on the lake, and the second boat on the water on the lake’s opening morning. The former Lake
Please turn to page 11 Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Outdoor Blotter . . . . . . . . Page 12 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 21 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
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Lone Star Outdoor News
Fork guide moved his guide business that day. “It’s been a great year,” he said. “Who would have thought we would already be catching double-digit fish on a new lake? We have two so far, and many more to come.” Recently, success has come slow-rolling his favorite swim jig, a Toad Thumper Hydra with a white craw gill, and on top-water frogs. Conn said several fish have been in the 7to 8-pound range, and his anglers have been having 30-fish days.
Guide Jason Conn landed the current lake record largemouth on Bois d’Arc Lake, at 10.63 pounds. He expects the record to be broken next year. Photo from Jason Conn.
HUNTING
FISHING
Coyotes like jakes (P. 4)
Staring at screens (P. 8)
Three shot at turkey decoys.
Forward-facing sonar taking over.
Food plot time (P. 4)
Slabs all over (P. 8)
Dove field planting begins.
Many in post-spawn and hungry.