July 12, 2024
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
A study of bass on Lake Fork and Toledo Bend Reservoir showed that the fish don’t move that much and respond to boat motor noise. Photo by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Volume 20, Issue 22
Bass movement study shows stealthiness is key Lone Star Outdoor News A study that began in 2020 helped biologists learn more about fish behavior, and will help anglers targeting largemouth bass. Biologists from the Texas Parks and Wild-
life Department completed the study that tracked the movement and behaviors of largemouth bass at Toledo Bend Reservoir and Lake Fork. In 2018, anglers began reporting a decline in catch rates, and many assumed these de-
clines were attributed to decreased fish populations. Despite reduced catch rates reported in surveys of anglers during 2018-2020, the electrofishing data that biologists gathered on fish populations remained consistent. Biologists wanted to explore if increased Please turn to page 19
Tropical activity improves bite
Chris Meza caught this bull redfish while fishing from the south jetty in Port Aransas on a whole crab. Photo from Chris Meza.
By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Recent tropical activity in the Gulf of Mexico has resulted in a washing-machine effect for coastal bays, flushing them with changing tides and salty water. Most an-
glers and fishing guides said this has improved the action for speckled trout and redfish across many bay systems. Capt. Preston Long has been wade-fishing over deep grass beds with his anglers in waist- to chestdeep water for speckled trout in
the back reaches of Baffin Bay. They have been catching consistent numbers of specks from 2025 inches, with some bigger fish mixed in. “In a four-day period, my anglers caught seven trout measuring over 26 inches,” Long said.
“The numbers of smaller specks have been impressive, and so have the amount of upper slot and oversized redfish.” Some of the biggest trout have come right after a school of big reds moved through the flat where they were wading.
“It’s almost like those big trout feed on the heels of those schools of redfish, just looking for leftovers as an easy meal,” he explained. “Like clockwork, we seem to always hook up with a large speck right after a school of reds came by.” Please turn to page 17
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Beryl arrives, disrupts fishing Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Matagorda County east of Matagorda Bay as a Category 1 hurricane in the early morning of July 8, with wind gusts topping 89 mph and maximum sustained winds around 80 mph, according to Space City Weather. Beryl then weakened and tracked northnortheast over land, bringing heavy rains to southeast Texas. Storm surges were 4-6 feet for coastal communities from Matagorda to
Galveston Bay, and significantly less in areas east of Mesquite Bay, including Port O’Connor and Port Lavaca. Capt. Michael Kubecka, of Reel Rush Charters, posted videos of the damage and conditions, using his Starlink satellite system for internet access. The town of Sargent had significant flooding, overturned boats, damaged boat storage facilities, damaged buildings and downed trees. “The wind blew 60 to 90 miles per hour all night,” he said. “There were some broken
Radar showed the path of Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall east of Matagorda Bay, bringing heavy rains, wind and a storm surge. Photo by KHOU 11 News Facebook.
Please turn to page 19 Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 16 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 22
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
FISHING
Traveling with dogs (P. 4)
Active bass (P. 8)
New regs on getting back to U.S.
Fish schooling both shallow and deep.
New president at RPQRF (P. 6)
Swordfish adventure (P. 8)
Crafton steps down after 4 years.
Battle tests group’s resolve, equipment.