July 11, 2025
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 21, Issue 22
School’s in session Fishermen, including families, are taking advantage of action from shallow schools of black drum hitting dead shrimp. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Black drum plentiful, consistent along Coastal Bend By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Anglers have been taking advantage of consistent schooling action from black drum across flats along the waters of the Coastal Bend.
Some drum are schooling over deeper grass beds in 3-4 feet of water, while others have been found along shallower flats littered with both seagrass and sand pockets. Fresh dead shrimp has been the bait of choice for those sightcasting to the schools of fish. Capt. Ryan Sinclair has been pursuing black drum with his anglers along the upper Laguna Madre out North Padre Island, where he said the fish have been congregating in large schools
from mid-morning to the midday hours. “There are several big schools roaming over grass beds in about 3 feet of water,” Sinclair said. “We are sightcasting to them with a chunk of fresh dead shrimp. The key has been waiting until you see the school of fish to cast. If you try blind casting, you’re most likely going to have your bait stolen by perch.” The schools of drum have been Please turn to page 11
Hogs after dark
Excise tax on suppressors eliminated
Buying a suppressor will still require filling out forms, but the $200 tax stamp has been reduced to zero beginning Jan.1, 2026. Photo by David Sweet for Lone Star Outdoor News.
Andre Kielczewski, right, and his buddy, Christian Gilder, tag-teamed the shot on this hog while hunting with thermal optics near Stephenville. They took the photo after sunrise at the end of their hunt. Photo from Andre Kielczewski.
By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News With daytime temperatures soaring, wild hogs are spending most of their time on their feet at night. Many hunters are
pursuing the pigs after dark with thermal optics in fields where they are feeding. Some hunters have been lucky enough to come across large groups of hogs, while others have had more sporadic action. Recent rains and thriving vegetation
across many properties have kept pigs spread out in certain areas. Houston-area sales rep for Fusion Thermal, Ryan Warner, chased pigs on a property he and his dad lease in Throckmorton County with some buddies. He was
Lone Star Outdoor News H.R.1, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” included a significant change for hunters and gun owners who use or plan to use suppressors. The bill includes a reduction of the tax
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Cover water for crappie By Nate Skinner
Larger crappie have been found on timber, while smaller fish are stacking up on brush piles. Photo by Daniel Koberna.
The crappie bite has been excellent at times for some anglers, while others would describe the action as hit-or-miss. Brush piles have been holding large numbers of fish, but many of these crappie are on the small side. Larger fish have been concentrating along timber near the edges of river and
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Outdoor Blotter . . . . . . . . Page 12 Grip & Grin . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 21 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 26
creek channels. Covering water has been the key to consistently finding larger crappie, and both minnows and jigs are producing. On Lake Ray Roberts, guide Daniel Koberna said finding consistent numbers of large crappie has been either good or bad. He’s been focusing on timber along the edges of creek channels in 12-18 feet of water. “There are a ton of fish over
brush piles in 25 feet of water, but a lot of those fish are small,” Koberna said. “You can catch some nice crappie over deep brush piles, you’re just going to have to weed through a ton of undersized fish.” Rather than dealing with the swarms of smaller crappie, Koberna has been covering plenty of water to target larger fish. “We are catching quite a few crappie in the 12- to 15-inch Please turn to page 19
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
FISHING
Waters surge through Hill Country (P. 4, 12)
Kingfish scarce (P. 8)
Wardens mobilize in force.
King mackerel not in usual spots.
Danger from above (P. 4)
Hitting the surf (P. 9)
Quail impacted by hailstorms.
Variety of species from the beach.