September 13, 2024
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 21, Issue 2
Signs of fall bass biting Fish moving, more aggressive By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News With just a hint of fall seemingly in the air, largemouth
bass have been on the move and feeding more aggressively. Fish are being caught in both shallow and deep water, and a variety of tactics and techniques are working to bring bass to the boat. Canyon Lake guide Evan Coleman said the recent rains
and cooler temperatures have significantly improved the largemouth bass bite. The fish are feeding along main lake channel swings and points with a gradual drop off out from the bank. Stretches with 2-12 feet of water have been the most productive.
“Spooks and other topwater baits are working well during the morning hours up along the bank, and then worked back out along these gradual drop-offs and depth changes,” Coleman said. “Once the top-water action slows down, chatterbaits Please turn to page 16
Tristan Marsh landed this 10.08-pound bass on J.B. Thomas Reservoir. Photo from Tristan Marsh.
An almost sweatless opener By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News Dove hunters were greeted with cooler than normal conditions when legal shooting time arrived on Sept. 1 for the opening morning of the season. Many were able to harvest a limit of birds without breaking a sweat, and most commented that they couldn’t remember an opener with such comfortable temperatures. Rains arrived in many areas during the afternoon hours on opening day and put a damper on some hunters’ plans for the remainder of opening weekend. North Zone dove hunters who spent opening weekend near Haskell and the surrounding areas with outfitter Ranger Creek Goose collectively harvested around 7,000 birds. Of the three generations of Hudsons — Steve, Bradley, and 7-year-old Henry — the adults said mourning dove continued to pour into the field after they harvested limits while on an opening morning shoot. In the Lubbock area, owner and operator of Full Throttle Outdoors, Jacob Salmon, said the rains that hit the Panhandle region starting on the afternoon of opening day made for a muddy dove opener. “Our hunters had great shoots overall, despite the wet conditions,” Salmon said. “Cut milo fields were holding plenty of mourning dove.” Salmon said there also have been good numbers of Eurasian-collared dove in the area. Owners of Texas Dove Hunters Association, Charlotte Schuster and her husband, Cameron, spent opening morning with some friends in the Central Zone near Schertz. “We were hunting next to a tank in a pasture, and the birds were few and far between,” she said. “The last couple of years, we have harvested limits in the
Steve Hudson’s 7-year-old grandson, Henry, helped retrieve dove on opening day. Photos by David J. Sams, Lone Star Outdoor News.
Please turn to page 21
Tactic combines sail, trotline By Logan Johnson
Like the red sail he has used for decades of success, Chis Olivo stands out among a sea of fishermen. The 64-year-old Olivo isn’t hard to spot when he is in pursuit of a school of reds just off the causeway connecting Corpus Christi to Padre Island. He stands out from the crowd of anglers by his homemade sail line fishing rig marked by a small red sail anywhere from 200-400 yards out in the bay.
Please turn to page 19
CONTENTS
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For Lone Star Outdoor News
When given the choice between sail lining and the conventional rod and reel, Olivo’s choice is clear. “I’d pick this, absolutely,” he said, referring to his sail line. “It’s been a low tide here, but it’s getting better,” Olivo explained while casually adding a 30.5-inch red to his stringer. “In August the reds usually run through here, but this year they’re behind. I usually only have to run about 100-150 feet of line.” It’s not unusual for Olivo to crank in three or more slot reds on a single line during this summer-to-fall transition. This year marks Olivo’s 40th anniversary
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . . Page 12 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 18 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 22 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 30 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 30
HUNTING
INSIDE
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Sailing for drum Chris Olivo uses a sail line to fish for drum and trout near his Corpus Christi home. Photo by Logan Johnson, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
FISHING
Public hunting lands shrinking? (P. 4) Drumming in high tides (P. 8) Reasons dove leases come and go.
Medicated quail feed (P. 6) Early sales booming.
Deeper grass, rocks, shell bring bite.
Handling forward-facing sonar (P. 8) Tournament series change rules.