Texas Fishing News & Reports

Boating Fatalities Down as Spring Turns to Summer
...AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials have noted a drop in boating fatalities after a rash of accidents in March signaled that 2009 might be on track to match the near-record high of 61 fatalities in 2008.

As of June 18, year-to-date boating fatalities stand at 18. Texas Game Wardens and members of the Lewisville Fire Department are combing the waters of Lewisville Lake for the body of a 35-year-old man who went swimming off of a pontoon boat Wednesday evening.
In the same time period last year, 31 Texas boaters died...MORE
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TPW Releases 'Take Me Fishing 101' Video Series
...AUSTIN, Texas — A new "how-to" video series from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department walks novice anglers through everything they need to know to get started in a sport that often is seen as a gateway to the great outdoors.

The 11-segment "Take Me Fishing 101" series is hosted on the TPWD Web site and also on the department’s YouTube channel, and it is believed to be the first-ever, comprehensive instructional fishing series created by a state fish and game conservation agency.

"We have encountered a lot of young parents who want to go fishing and take their kids fishing, but don’t necessarily know how to go about it," said TPWD Aquatic Education Coordinator Ann Miller. "So, Parks & Wildlife has tried to identify barriers and remove them so that more people are able to enjoy the experience of fishing and being outdoors. The DVD series is just part of the overall effort by Texas Parks & Wildlife to make fishing more accessible to more people...MORE
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TPW Seeks Title Sponsor for ShareLunker Program
...DALLAS — The Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for title sponsorship of the nationally known ShareLunker program.

Headquartered at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas, ShareLunker uses angler-donated largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more ("lunkers") in a selective breeding program that produces fingerlings (juvenile fish) for stocking into Texas public waters.

The ShareLunker program has been instrumental in increasing the size and occurrence of trophy largemouth bass in Texas. To date 471 fish have been entered into the program. Anglers who donate fish receive a fiberglass replica of their catch, ShareLunker clothing and recognition at an annual banquet. The Texas resident catching the largest bass also receives a lifetime fishing license...MORE
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Shark ID Workshops Set
...AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department coastal fisheries biologists will host five workshops in late June and early July to help anglers navigate new shark regulations that go into effect Sept. 1, 2009.

The workshops will focus on shark identification and changes in the regulations. Similar shark species and distinguishing characteristics will be presented to allow anglers to identify the prohibited species, and differentiate between the 24-inch and 64-inch minimum size species.....MORE
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Boaters Reminded About Registration
...AUSTIN, Texas — Boaters gearing up for summer fun on the water in Texas are reminded about the need for boat registration and boat and outboard motor titling. Also, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has a new Web service that started in March which allows boat owners to renew online.

Boat owners can now eliminate the drive and renew an existing boat registration listed in their name using a credit card online. They can also update their address and order additional ID cards when renewing online. This service is available to boats titled and registered through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, but is not available to boats documented (titled) through the United States Coast Guard, as they must provide proof of current documentation for registration....MORE
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TPW Expo Suspended for 2009-10
...AUSTIN, Texas — Because of a sponsorship revenue decline related to the economic recession, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is cancelling the Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo set for Oct. 3-4 in Austin. The agency will suspend the Austin event for at least this year and 2010 and will instead expand efforts to support similar events around the state.

"This was a difficult and painful decision, but after looking hard at the financial realities and seeking creative ways to keep the event going, we finally concluded that the economic recession is affecting sponsor support to the extent that it is not viable to stage Expo," said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director...MORE
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Texas State Parks Offer Free Fishing Opportunities
...AUSTIN, Texas — Parents looking to save a few dollars by vacationing closer to home this summer might consider taking their youngsters to a nearby Texas state park, where they can try their luck at hooking a fish or two without worrying about needing a fishing license to do so. And, if you’re looking for how-to instruction and structured activities for your young angler, or simply want to brush up on your own fishing skills, more than a dozen state parks this summer are hosting special family fishing events.

This year marks the sixth year of the Free Fishing in State Parks program that waives fishing license and stamp requirements within more than 50 Texas state parks. To capitalize on the program, which has been extended through Aug. 31, 2009, 13 state parks are hosting special family fishing events, where participants learn fishing skills, angling rules and regulations, have a chance to catch a fish and perhaps win door prizes....MORE
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REPORTS

Salt Water

Fresh Water by Region
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Texas Weekend Angler...

Kingfish Close to the Beach
Most Texas fishermen are familiar with king mackerel, but relate to them as an offshore target.  While it is true kings spend the majority of their time well off the beach, late summer along the entire stretch of South Padre Island - from Brazos Santiago Pass to the Mansfield Cut - they can be found sharing water with swimmers.  It is then that jetty walkers, surf casters and old men in john boats are just as likely to tangle with these tasty tackle-busters as the boys in big center consoles.

The primary ingredients necessary to kick-start this action is clear, warm water - warm being something north of 70 degrees.  Once the proper tide washes against the South Padre beach, kings appear like magic.  However, a muddy tide can cause them to disappear just as quickly.  Luckily, this southern stretch of sand rarely encounters a foul tide during summer.  Tropical waves and disturbances are usually the culprits behind the rare exceptions, although a late afternoon outgoing tide clashing with the typically strong southeast wind can also cause enough turbidity to cause kings to scramble for cleaner water.....Read entire article

Saltwater Swimbait Tactics
At times catching fish on swimbaits involves little more than casting and reeling. Other times, a more deft touch is needed. However, even at times like these anglers can still score big on swimbaits, provided they have a few tricks up the sleeves of their casting shirts.... Read entire article

Summer Family Fishing Fun
May signals the beginning of the end of the school year for kids across the state of Texas. As they enter the final month of the school year, most begin daydreaming about how they will fill their days during the summer vacation. Inevitably, many wistfully think of days spent on the water with their parents, grandparents or older siblings, catching plenty of fish - big fish - and relaxing.

Likewise, many adult anglers share this idyllic dream. They, too, can envision themselves along with their children or grandchildren, having a grand `ole time and catching fish one after another... Read entire article

Using Grubs for Specks, Reds & Flounder
The grub is perhaps the simplest saltwater soft-plastic ever made. Under the right circumstances, it is also one of the most effective.

Although grubs are incredibly simplistic, they are not all the same. In fact, there are three major categories of grubs. Each are similar in overall profile, but vary in action and, therefore, application.... Read entire article

May 2009 Photo Contest Winner
Danny Torres shows off a solid spring speck. Like many Texas anglers, Danny took advantage of the above average spring trout fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre this year. Danny's photo earned him $25 in Blakemore and Daiichi merchandise as the winning entry for May in the Texas Weekend Angler, TTI-Blakemore Photo Contest.

Fishing Choke Canyon Reservoir
Choke Canyon, the nearly 26,000-acre South Texas reservoir a few miles west of Three Rivers, has been renowned as a world-class bass fishery. It has also seen the bottom fall out, quite literally, when the storied lake dropped to less than half its normal size during a massive drought some years ago. However, Choke's fortunes - and water levels - have been on the rise once again over the past few years.

“You hear a lot about Amistad and Falcon, but when Choke's good, it's the best lake in Texas,” said longtime Choke Canyon guide Jerry Dunn. “There's not another lake that can touch Choke Canyon for average weight right now.” Read entire article

Heavy Metal for Saltwater Anglers
It is hard to find a more basic lure than the spoon. It is also difficult to find a bait that's more productive than this salt water classic. However, over the past decade or so, this durable lure has fallen out of favor along the Texas coast - not because it's no longer productive, but more because it's not the `newest' lure on the shelf. In fact, it's basic shape and `no-brainer' retrieve method often make anglers feel as if it's too simple to be as productive as some of the more modern, glossy-painted lures. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Back when the spoon was rising to the top of the artificial lure heap, it was not uncommon for lures to be made from metal. Metal, of course, has natural, fish-attraction reflective properties. It is also the most durable material a lure can be made of, which is particularly beneficial to coastal fishermen who regularly encounter toothy creatures. Metal also tends to impart a unique sound and action when shaped and pulled through the water. All of these elements made many of these early metal lures popular along the Texas coastal curve. Read entire article

Farm Ponds & Fly Rods
Throughout the Texas countryside are various bodies of fresh water. And, not all of them are major reservoirs. South Texas has its resacas. West Texas has its watering wells. Southeast Texas has gravel pits and Central Texas has stock tanks. In fact, no matter where you are in Texas, odds are you aren't too far from a `farm pond.'

Although these bodies of water vary in size, shape and cover characteristics, they all have one thing in common - they play host to a variety of spunky gamefish. Whether it is black bass, channel catfish or any number of panfish, there always seems to be something looking for a meal in these diminutive bodies of water. Read entire article

April 2009 Photo Contest Winner
Patrick Reed and his father, Aaron, show off a pair of matching mangrove snapper they caught while fishing in the Lower Laguna Madre with Capt. Carlos Garcia. Patrick's photo earned him $25 in Blakemore and Daiichi merchandise as the winning entry for April in the Texas Weekend Angler, TTI-Blakemore Photo Contest.


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