Texas Fishing News 2012 - Texas Fishing Information

Texas Fishing News (2012)

(May 15 Update)

State Game Wardens Stress Boater Education in Water Safety

News Release

Media Contact: Mike Cox, 512-389-8046, mike.cox@tpwd.state.tx.us

AUSTIN – With many Texas lakes holding more water than they did this time last year, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens are anticipating a busy boating season. And while they will be doing everything they can to make it a safe one, wardens could use a little help from boaters.

“Last year we had 32 boating fatalities across the state,” said Jeff Parrish, assistant chief for marine law enforcement. “Tragic as that number is, we can learn something from statistics. Of those 32 deaths, all but five were of people not wearing a personal flotation device. That really underscores the vital importance of wearing a life jacket.”

State law requires that a personal flotation device be available for each occupant of a boat, but only those under 13 years of age are mandated by the law to wear one while the boat or paddle craft is underway or drifting.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” Parrish continued. “Wear a life jacket and your chances of surviving a life threatening event on the water increases 10 fold.”

While the life jacket requirement is not new, the last session of the legislature did make it mandatory that all persons born on or after Sept. 1, 1993 obtain a boater education certificate before they can legally operate a vessel with a rating of more than 15 horsepower. Anyone supervising the operation of a vessel by another must be exempt from the boater ed requirement (born before 1993) or have a boater ed certificate.

Six of the boating deaths in 2011 were alcohol-related, underscoring the importance of not drinking while operating a boat.

“If you want to drink when you’re out on the water, do so responsibly or have a designed operator,” Parrish said. “Anyone our wardens find operating a boat while intoxicated will be going to jail.”

In addition to the 32 boating fatalities in 2011 (up four from 2011), Texas saw 229 boating accidents that resulted in 121 injuries. State game wardens and other marine enforcement officers made 259 BWI arrests and issued 305 citations for no life jacket.

“Anyone stumped on a gift idea for a high school graduate could see that they get signed up for a boater ed class,” Parrish said. “That’s a gift that could end up saving a life.”

Other than having the required boater education course, wearing a life jacket and not boating while intoxicated, Parrish said it’s a good idea to make sure someone knows where you plan on operating a boat and when you expect to return as well as paying close attention to weather reports.

“Getting caught on open water in a storm is not a fun experience,” Parrish said. “If rough weather is anticipated, it’s best to stay off the water or close to shore.”

The online boaters’ safety course is offered through www.boat-ed.com/tx/ for $20. Boaters with the online course certificate may receive a discounted rate from their boating insurance provider.

(May 8 Update)

New Regulations to Affect Boaters, Anglers on Texoma, Lavon, Red River

Aim is to stop spread of invasive species

Media Contact: Brian Van Zee, (254) 867-7974, brian.vanzee@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—Recent changes mean that boaters and anglers who take steps designed to prevent the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels, silver carp and bighead carp won’t have to worry about being in violation of state laws prohibiting the possession of certain exotic species. These changes take effect May 17.

“Boaters and anglers on Lake Texoma, Lake Lavon and the Red River and its tributaries are being asked to take proactive steps toward being good stewards of the state’s aquatic resources by draining all water from their watercraft before leaving a boat ramp and hitting the road,” said Brian Van Zee, regional inland fisheries director for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Zebra mussels have become well established in Lake Texoma, and they can be spread to other waters by boats. Boaters are already prohibited from transporting exotic species that are visible to the naked eye, such as adult zebra mussels.

The new regulation is intended to prevent the spread of zebra mussel larvae, or veligers, which are so tiny they cannot be seen without a microscope. Veligers can survive for days in water trapped in a boat. Boaters on Lakes Texoma and Lavon who drain all bait buckets, livewells, bilges and any other systems or receptacles that could contain water prior to traveling on a public roadway will not be considered to be in possession of zebra mussels in violation of state law, with certain exceptions.

“The regulation does allow persons to travel from one boat ramp to another on the same water body without draining water,” said Ken Kurzawski, regulations and information director for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. “This will allow striper guides on Lake Texoma to trailer from one boat ramp to another during the day. It will also allow bass tournament anglers to take out at one ramp and go to another for weigh-in. Guides and anglers will also be allowed to collect shad for bait in Texoma and then go below the dam to fish without draining water.”

In short, all water will need to be removed from a boat before leaving Lakes Texoma or Lavon for another lake, the boater’s home or other destination. The regulation applies to the Red River from the I-44 bridge in Wichita County downstream to the Arkansas border, including all Texas waters of Lake Texoma and Lake Lavon.

A second regulation designed to prevent the spread of silver and bighead carp also takes effect May 17. This regulation primarily affects anglers who collect live bait; it prohibits the transport of live non-game fish from waters known to be inhabited by the two species of carp. Waters affected are the Red River below Lake Texoma downstream to the Arkansas border, Big Cypress Bayou downstream of Ferrell’s Bridge Dam on Lake O’ the Pines (including the Texas waters of Caddo Lake) and the Sulphur River downstream of the Lake Wright Patman Dam.

“Collection and use of non-game fishes for bait on those water bodies will still be legal,” said Kurzawski. “The regulation prohibits the moving of live bait fish from one water body to another. Young silver and bighead carp can easily be confused with native bait fish such as gizzard and threadfin shad. Anglers need to note that while it will be legal to take shad from Lake Texoma to below Denison Dam on the Red River, it will not be legal to take live bait from the Red River below the dam back to Lake Texoma or any other water body.”

The new regulations are one part of the next phase of a continuing effort to protect the waters of Texas from invasive species. In late May TPWD will launch a public information campaign aimed at getting boaters to Clean, Drain and Dry their boats in order to help stop the spread of zebra mussels and other invasives. The campaign will use billboards, banners, signage at area businesses, buoys at boat ramps and radio public service announcements to get the message across.

Zebra mussels have the potential to hinder the water supply of communities throughout North Texas by damaging water treatment plants and clogging water supply pipelines. Once they have become established in a reservoir, there is no known way to get rid of them. Zebra mussels were brought to Lake Texoma on boats trailered in from other states with infected lakes. Stopping their transport from one water body to another by boats appears to be the only way to prevent their spread.

(May 1 Update)

Toyota ShareLunker Season Ends

News Release

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—April 30 marked the end of the 26th season of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s ShareLunker program.

Thirteen largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more were entered into the program during the season, bringing to 536 the number of big bass entered since the program’s inception in 1986.

The season also saw the end of an era with the retirement of David Campbell, who had guided the program since its beginning and personally picked up most of the fish. Campbell was “Mr. ShareLunker” to hundreds of anglers.

Campbell handed over responsibility for the program to TPWD fisheries biologist Juan Martinez at the end of March.

The largest fish entered into the program this season was a 14.39-pounder caught from Falcon International Reservoir by Gary Wingate of Amarillo. Falcon was named the number one bass fishing lake in the nation by the editors of Bassmaster magazine.

Wingate’s catch earned him Angler of the Year honors. In addition to the replica of his catch and ShareLunker clothing received by all anglers in the program, Wingate also will receive a lifetime fishing license and a prize package from G. Loomis valued at $818. The package includes a G. Loomis NRX854C jig and worm rod, a Shimano ChronarchD1007 casting reel and 150 yards of moss green Power Pro super-braid fishing line.

The six lakes producing entries this season will also be winners. Each will receive a share of the offspring produced by the fish that spawned. To date Wingate’s fish and a fish caught by Stan Lawing from Ray Roberts have produced more than 132,000 fry. These fish will be divided among Lakes Fork, Falcon, Austin, Toledo Bend, Ray Roberts, and O.H. Ivie.

One fish, Toyota ShareLunker 528, was a repeat entry. Originally caught by Carl Adkins from Lake Austin in 2010, it was recaught by Landon Glass on February 14. ShareLunkers have an electronic tag injected so that they can be identified.

Lake Austin was the top-producing reservoir this season with five entries. Lakes Fork, Falcon and O.H. Ivie each had two. Ray Roberts and Toledo Bend each had one.

It is known that some bass grow larger than others, but why remains unknown. TPWD is planning to conduct research to try to identify the gene or genes that may influence size in Florida largemouth bass. This research has never been done before. If this effort is successful, TPWD will be able to use that information to guide its breeding and stocking of largemouth bass in the future.

“If we can identify the genetic markers that result in maximum growth, we can select broodfish that have those markers,” said Allen Forshage, director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. “The goal of the ShareLunker selective breeding program is to increase the occurrence and size of eight-pound or larger bass, and this research is the next step in that process.”

Following is a chronological list of this season’s entries.

Toyota ShareLunker 524 was caught from Lake Fork December 27, 2011, by Andrew Watson of Highland Village. The fish weighed 13.51 pounds and was 25.5 inches long and 21.25 inches in girth. The top producer of big bass in Texas, Fork came in at number 26 on Bassmaster’s list of top trophy bass lakes.

Toyota ShareLunker 525 was caught December 28 from Falcon International Reservoir by Jason Brudnicki of Salt Lake City, Utah. The 13.36-pound fish was 26.25 inches long and 21 inches in girth.

Toyota ShareLunker 526 came from Lake Austin on January 29, 2012. It was caught by Brett Ketchum of Austin and weighed 13 pounds even. It was 25.75 inches long and 20.25 inches in girth.

Toyota ShareLunker 527 also came from Lake Austin. Wesley Hayden of Round Rock caught the 13.22-pounder on February 11. It was 26 inches long and 21.25 inches in girth.

Toyota ShareLunker 528 made it three in a row from Lake Austin on February 14. The Valentine’s Day fish was caught by Landon Glass of Jarrell; it weighed 13.03 pounds and was 25.75 inches long and 21.75 inches in girth.

Toyota ShareLunker 529 was caught by Ryan Pinkston of Center on February 25 from Toledo Bend Reservoir. The fish weighed 14.2 pounds. Due to an error the fish was released before it could be picked up, so length and girth are not known. Toledo Bend was named the number 15 bass lake in the U.S. by Bassmaster.

Toyota ShareLunker 530 came from Lake Ray Roberts. Caught by Stan Lawing of Poetry on March 3, the 13.06-pound fish was 25 inches long and 21 inches in girth. The pickup and care of this fish will be featured on the World Fishing Network’s Reel Fishy Jobs on May 31. The fish spawned and produced more than 39,000 offspring.

Toyota ShareLunker 531 was caught by Gary Wingate of Amarillo from Falcon International Reservoir on March 16. The 14.39-pound fish was 26.5 inches long and 20.75 inches in girth. ShareLunker 531 spawned twice and produced more than 93,000 offspring.

Toyota ShareLunker 532 was caught by Michael Justus of Garland from Lake Fork on March 18. It weighed 13.1 pounds and was 25.75 inches long and 21 inches in girth.

Toyota ShareLunker 533 took the ShareLunker flag back to Lake Austin. Corey Johnson of Cedar Park caught the 13.18-pound fish March 21. It was 26.5 inches long and 20 inches in girth.

Toyota ShareLunker 534 also came from Lake Austin on the same day as 533. The 13.59-pound fish was caught by Charles Whited of San Marcos and was 26.125 inches long and 20 inches in girth.

Toyota ShareLunker 535 marked O.H. Ivie’s return to the ShareLunker program. Stacy Brookings of Midland caught the 13.22-pounder on March 25. It was 26.5 inches long and 20 inches in girth. O.H. Ivie occupies the number 88 spot on the Bassmaster list of top bass lakes.

Toyota ShareLunker 536 brought the season to a close on April 6. Kyle Johnson of Abilene caught the 13.36-pounder from O.H. Ivie. It was 27.5 inches long and 20 inches in girth. This fish was the only mortality of the program this season.

Toyota ShareLunker anglers will be recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens on June 2.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 or paging (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass, a list of official Toyota ShareLunker weigh and holding stations and a recap of last year’s season, see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available as well as answers to frequently asked questions about the program.

(April 24 Update)

Legendary Anglers to be Inducted into Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame

News Release – News Images

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—Professional angler Tommy Martin of Hemphill and lure manufacturer and angler Lonnie Stanley of Huntington will be inducted into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame June 2, 2012, at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.

Martin began guiding on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in 1968 and fished in his first tournament the following year. He turned pro in 1972 and won the prestigious Bassmaster Classic just two years later.

In 1975 Martin became the first professional bass angler to acquire cash sponsors. He won 19 national tournaments, was a 19-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and won five B.A.S.S. national titles. He also competed in FLW Outdoors events and qualified for both the Forrest L. Wood Cup and the Stren Series championship.

Martin helped found Texas Black Bass Unlimited, a Texas conservation organization that played a key role in developing the Texas bass fishery into the best in the nation.

He was inducted into the National Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2003.

Stanley, owner of Stanley Baits, Inc., started building jigs in 1979 after winning a tournament on Toledo Bend Reservoir with one he’d made. In 1980 he founded Stanley Lures, manufacturing jigs, spinner baits and other products. While continuing to build jigs in his garage in College Station, he won six more tournaments in 1980 and 1981.

Innovative ideas such as interchangeable skirts, silicone skirts and multi-colored skirts helped Stanley build his company into a multi-million-dollar organization. Part of his success sprang from his prowess as an angler and five-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier.

Stanley co-hosted ESPN’s “Sportsman’s Challenge” television series for 18 years.

Both Martin and Stanley are noted for giving back to the sport by working with conservation groups, appearing at youth events and giving generously of their time to charitable fundraisers. They both also worked with Paul Hinton, the founder of East Texas Get Hooked on Fishing—Not Drugs.

Nine other individuals or organizations were nominated to the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame this year. They include the Lake Fork Sportsman’s Association, Yantis; the Concho Bass Club, San Angelo; Dicky Newberry, Houston; Mark Howell, Wichita Falls (deceased); Bill Carey, Pottsboro; Barry Stegall, Portland; Dr. Bob Ditton, College Station (deceased); Edward Parten, Kingwood; and Bill Higdon, Cedar Park (deceased).

The Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is housed at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. Its mission is to “recognize and honor those who have made a lasting contribution to freshwater fishing in Texas, and to foster a sense of appreciation, awareness and participation in the sport of fishing.”

In addition to the Hall of Fame, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center includes a visitor center, production hatchery, stocked casting pond, wetlands trail, fishing museum and dive theater. It is the home of the Toyota ShareLunker program, which uses selective breeding to increase the number and size of trophy bass in Texas public waters

(April 17 Update)

Texas Coastal Fisheries Hatcheries Celebrate 30 Years

News Release

Media Contact: Steve Lightfoot, 512-389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.state.tx.us

CORPUS CHRISTI— Putting blackened redfish on the menu back in the 1970s almost helped land the popular game fish on another list, for protected species, had it not been for an ambitious fisheries management initiative that included development of the Texas marine fisheries hatchery system.

Providing a jump start to resurrect a red drum, aka redfish, fishery depleted by commercial fishing pressure was the impetus for constructing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s first marine fisheries hatchery, the CCA-CPL Marine Development Center, now celebrating its 30th anniversary.

In 1980, the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (now CCA Texas) announced plans to partner with Central Power and Light Company (CPL) and TPWD to build the world’s largest red drum hatchery at the Barney Davis Power Plant in Corpus Christi.

The CCA provided funding for the construction of the original hatchery as well as the expansion phase in the late 1980s. Much of this money was used as state match towards a $10 million dollar U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration grant for construction of the hatchery expansion. The hatchery facility became operational in 1982.

Since 1983, 624 million hatchery-reared red drum fingerlings have been released in Texas waters. The CCA Marine Development Center can produce between 30 and 50 percent of the 24 million fingerlings released annually along the coast. It is also one of the premier marine aquaculture research facilities in the United States and is well known to scientists around the world.

“The recovery of red drum is the result of a combination of management strategies, including fisheries monitoring, protection by banning commercial sale and prohibiting netting, and through the hatchery stocking program,” said Mike Ray, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division Deputy Director. “In recent years, coastal fish hatcheries have increased emphasis on spotted seatrout and southern flounder population recovery, with 65 million spotted seatrout fingerlings and more than 20,000 southern flounder fingerlings stocked."

Significant advancements in southern flounder spawning, larvae incubation, fingerling rearing techniques have been achieved. More refinement is needed to reach the ultimate goal of developing a large-scale production program.

In addition, hatchery facilities remain well positioned to respond to disasters such as freezes, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and pollution events that can result in significant losses to recreationally important fish populations.

The hatchery system relies on significant contributions from dedicated sportsmen’s organizations like CCA Texas and the Saltwater-fisheries Enhancement Association (SEA).

The SEA has been an important partner to the hatchery program by providing funding for projects such as rearing pond improvements (i.e., adding electrical outlets to operate aeration paddle wheels) and laboratory equipment.

In recent years, CCA Texas has provided critical funding to help develop large-scale methods to culture southern flounder for stocking into coastal waters. During the past two years, the CCA Texas as spearheaded by the Mid-Coast Chapter donated $170,000 to construct two fishing piers at this hatchery for education and outreach activities.

More information about Texas coastal fisheries hatcheries is available on the TPWD web site www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

(April 10 Update)

O. H. Ivie Proves Toyota ShareLunker Was No Fluke

News Release – News Images

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—When O.H. Ivie, the West Texas reservoir now below 20 percent capacity, produced Toyota ShareLunker 535 March 25, some people assumed the catch was an aberration.

That illusion vanished on Good Friday, April 6, when Kyle Johnson of Abilene caught Toyota ShareLunker 536, a 13.36-pound largemouth bass that was 27.5 inches long and 20 inches in girth.

Johnson proved that even in a lake that is more than 30 feet below conservation pool, it is still possible to find the shallow water where bass like to spawn. He caught the fish in three to four feet of water on a jig.

“When she hit, she almost took the rod out of my hand,” Johnson said. “Then she took me around the boat twice.”

The fish was weighed and held for pickup at Elm Creek Village, an official Toyota ShareLunker weigh and holding station. Elm Creek Village manager Jerry Hunter said he believes there are more big bass to come from the lake this season. “People have been catching a lot of sevens and eights and a few double-digit fish,” he said. “I think the spawn is about two weeks behind what we usually see.”

ShareLunker 536 is the second fish of the season to come from O.H. Ivie, the thirteenth entry into the program this season, and the twenty-fifth ShareLunker to come from the lake. O.H. Ivie is now tied with Lake Alan Henry for second place in the number of ShareLunkers produced. Lake Fork leads the pack with 249.

The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year and will receive a prize package from G. Loomis valued at $818. The package includes a G. Loomis NRX854C jig and worm rod, a Shimano ChronarchD1007 casting reel and 150 yards of moss green Power Pro super-braid fishing line. If a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the season, that person also receives a lifetime fishing license.

The current leader in the race for Angler of the Year is Gary Wingate of Amarillo with his 14.39-pounder caught from Falcon International Reservoir on March 16. That fish was pure Florida largemouth and so far has spawned twice, producing nearly 80,000 eggs.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and are recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass, a list of official Toyota ShareLunker weigh and holding stations and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible by a grant to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation from Gulf States Toyota. Toyota is a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, providing major funding for a wide variety of education, fish, parks and wildlife projects.

(April 3 Update)

Falcon ShareLunker Produces Large Spawn

ATHENS—Toyota ShareLunker 531, caught from Falcon International Reservoir March 16, spawned more than 44,000 eggs March 29.

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) hatchery staff removed the eggs from the spawning mat, counted them and put them into a hatching jar. The eggs will hatch in three or four days, and the fry will be raised to about 1.5 inches in length before being stocked.

A video of the processing of ShareLunker 531’s eggs may be viewed on the ShareLunker program Facebook page.

ShareLunker 531 was caught by Gary Wingate of Amarillo and is the first ShareLunker to spawn this season. Multiple spawns from the same fish are not uncommon. Six of the current entries are pure Florida largemouth bass and are being held for spawning. Those fish came from Lakes Falcon, Austin (two fish), Fork, Ray Roberts and O.H. Ivie.

So far this season 12 ShareLunkers have been caught from six different lakes: Falcon, Austin, Fork, Toledo Bend, Ray Roberts and O.H. Ivie. Each lake producing an entry into the ShareLunker program during the season receives a portion of all the fingerlings produced.

Pure Florida ShareLunkers are paired at TFFC with pure Florida males that are themselves the offspring of ShareLunkers. This selective breeding process is intended to result in offspring that have the best possible genetics. Appropriate measures are taken to ensure that genetic diversity is maintained.

DNA testing allows Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to determine the parentage of and relatedness among ShareLunker offspring.

(March 27 Update)

Lake Austin ShareLunker Streak Continues; O.H. Ivie Joins In

News Release – News Images

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—Lake Austin has produced two more Toyota ShareLunkers, bringing its season total to five. The last two were caught on the same day, March 21.

Lake O.H. Ivie, which had a hot streak the past two seasons, produced its first entry of the current season March 25.

O.H. Ivie now ranks number 3 in total number of ShareLunkers produced, with 24. Lake Austin ranks sixth with 17.

Other reservoirs that have produced double-digit numbers of ShareLunker entries include Lake Fork with 249; Alan Henry, 25; Sam Rayburn, 23; Falcon, 19; Conroe, 16; Choke Canyon, 13; and Amistad, 12.

Corey Johnson of Cedar Park started the latest big-bass flurry shortly after noon March 21 with a 13.18-pound fish from Lake Austin. It was caught on a white jig in four to five feet of water. The fish was 26.5 inches long and 20 inches in girth. It is Toyota ShareLunker 533.

Just after 6:00 p.m. that same day Charles Whited of San Marcos hooked Toyota ShareLunker 534, a 13.59-pounder in Lake Austin with a Senko in eight feet of water. Whited caught his fish in a Texas Tournament Zone tournament. The fish was 26.125 inches long and 20 inches in girth.

Stacy Brookings of Midland was fishing O.H. Ivie with a spinner bait when a 13.22-pound bass ate it in eight feet of water. The fish, now Toyota ShareLunker 535, was 26.5 inches long and 20 inches in girth.

DNA testing at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department laboratory at the A.E. Wood State Fish Hatchery in San Marcos showed Toyota ShareLunker 534 to be an intergrade, a mixture of Florida and northern largemouth bass. It was returned to Lake Austin March 23. Test results on the other two fish are not yet available.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on http://www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

(March 20 Update)

Falcon, Fork Produce Toyota ShareLunkers

ATHENS—Perennial big-bass lakes Falcon and Fork each produced a Toyota ShareLunker over the weekend.

Falcon started the ball rolling March 16 with a 14.39-pounder, the biggest fish entered into the program so far this season. Gary Wingate of Amarillo caught the fish in 12 feet of water using a plastic worm. The fish was 26.5 inches long and 20.75 inches in girth. It was weighed at Robert’s Fish ‘n Tackle in Zapata.

Wingate’s catch boosted him into the front-runner spot for Angler of the Year. The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year and will receive a prize package from G. Loomis valued at $818. The package includes a G. Loomis NRX854C jig and worm rod, a Shimano ChronarchD1007 casting reel and 150 yards of moss green Power Pro super-braid fishing line. If a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the season, that person also receives a lifetime fishing license.

Lake Fork chimed in Sunday with a 13.1-pounder caught in a JC Outdoors individual tournament. Michael Justus of Garland was fishing alone when the big bass took his finesse worm on a dropshot rig in six to seven feet of water.

This weekend’s fish are the eighth and ninth entries of the season.

“It was a battle,” Justus said. “I got the net after her five times before I finally netted her. Then I realized how big she was. It was awesome. It’s something I’ll cherish forever, that’s for sure.”

ShareLunker entries are used in a selective breeding program at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Some of the offspring from these fish are stocked back into the water body from which they were caught. Other ShareLunker offspring are stocked in public waters around the state in an attempt to increase the overall size and growth rate of largemouth bass in Texas.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

(March 6 Update)

Lake Ray Roberts Produces Toyota ShareLunker

News Release – News Images

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—Big bass are where you find them, and Stan Lawing of Poetry, Texas, proved that while fishing in a Bass Champs tournament on Lake Ray Roberts March 3.

Lawing had reeled his spinner bait almost all the way back to the boat when a 13.06-pound bass took it. That fish is now Toyota ShareLunker 530.

Lawing reported the fish bit about 1:30 p.m. in 2.5 feet of near-60-degree water. He won big bass and placed third in the tournament. Half his bag weight was the one fish.

When measured at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, the fish was 25 inches long and 21 inches in girth.

Four ShareLunkers have come from Lake Ray Roberts in the past, the last in 2005. Two were caught in 2000 and one in 1999.

“She short-struck me on about six feet of line and made one pull toward the trolling motor,” Lawing said. “My partner got the net in the water and she swam straight into the net. It was very, very quick. It was just an incredible day. Bass Champs did an incredible job taking care of her and keeping her in good shape.”

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

(February 28 Update)

Trophy Bass Management Symposium March 24 at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

Media Contact: Dr. Billy Higginbotham, (903) 834-6191 or b-higginbotham@tamu.edu; or Dr. Michael Masser, ( 979) 845-7370 or m-masser@tamu.edu

ATHENS – Private bass pond managers will get a behind-the scenes look at how Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) inland fisheries biologists monitor fish populations and care for trophy bass at a statewide symposium set for March 23—24, 2012, at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens.

“There are more than a million private impoundments in the state, many of which could be used for increased recreation through bass fishing with better management,” said Dr. Billy Higginbotham, Texas AgriLife Extension wildlife and fisheries specialist. “As many landowners have learned, you just don’t stock a pond or lake with largemouth bass and automatically get trophy-size fish.”

Growing big fish takes top management, which can be learned at “Bass Tech: The Technology to Manage for Success.” Participants may register online at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu (enter the keyword “bass”) or by calling (979) 845-2604. There is a fee for attendance.

In addition to session presentations, attendees will be able to observe a TPWD fisheries management crew electrofish on Lake Athens and demonstrate how to obtain and record data necessary for managing a bass population.

Also included will be a behind-the-scenes tour of the Toyota ShareLunker holding facility at TFFC. The “Lunker Bunker” is where bass weighing 13 pounds or more are cared for and spawned as part of a selective breeding program. This tour will take place from 3—5 p.m. March 23.

Session presentations March 24 will include Basic Pond Ecology, Water Quality, Pond Fertilization, Do-It-Yourself Fish Population Assessment and Corrective Stockings, Better Bass Fishing Through Genetics, Trophy Bass Management, Identifying and Controlling Nuisance Wildlife, Aquatic Weed Identification and Control, and Aging Largemouth Bass Using Otoliths.

Instructors include wildlife and fisheries experts with AgriLife Extension, TPWD and American Sport Fish Hatchery, a southeastern U.S. stocking and pond maintenance service.

A similar symposium was held in 2008. “The main difference this year is that we’ve trimmed some topics based on participant evaluations,” Higginbotham said. “The one-day program means participants won’t have to go to the expense and trouble of spending the night if they don’t want to.”

Registration will be from 7-8 a.m. on March 24. The symposium will conclude at 5 p.m. A catered lunch and break refreshments are included in the registration fee.

In addition, each registrant will receive a CD of the proceedings, speaker notes and a copy of Higginbotham’s “Wildlife and Fish Management Calendar.”

Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator license holders can earn one continuing education unit in integrated pest management.

TFFC is four miles east of Athens and 75 miles southeast of Dallas. More information on the center can be found at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/.

(February 21 Update)

Sizzling Lake Austin Turns in Third Toyota ShareLunker of the Season

Latest catch is a recapture of a fish caught in 2010 and returned to the lake

News Release – News Images

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—So far five fish have been entered into the Toyota ShareLunker program for the 2011-2012 season, and Lake Austin has produced three of them.

Wesley Hayden of Round Rock caught Toyota ShareLunker 527 from Lake Austin February 11. Landon Glass of Jarrell caught No. 528 from the lake February 14.

Brett Ketchum caught No. 526 from Lake Austin January 29, starting the three-fish streak.

Hayden was fishing in four feet of 57-degree water about 2 p.m. using a jig when he hooked the 13.22-pound fish. It was 26 inches long and 21.25 inches in girth.

Glass caught his 13.03-pound Toyota ShareLunker while fishing in 10 feet of 58-degree water with a Sixth Sense football jig. A scan of the fish revealed it is the same fish caught February 27, 2010, by Carl Adkins of Austin, at which time it became Toyota ShareLunker 481. At that time the fish weighed 13.1 pounds. DNA testing at the time revealed the fish to be pure Florida largemouth.

The explosion of big fish from Lake Austin has its roots in years past. “I believe a combination of our Florida bass stocking program and good habitat have led to great production over the years,” said Marcos DeJesus, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s fisheries biologist in charge of managing the lake’s fishery. “There were probably a couple of good year classes several years ago, and some of those individuals are now breaking that ShareLunker barrier.”

Every fish entered into the Toyota ShareLunker program has a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag injected into its body cavity for tracking and can be identified if recaught. One fish from Lake Alan Henry was caught and entered into the program three years in a row.

Both Lake Austin fish were picked up by a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries staff member from the A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery in San Marcos. Since the Glass fish is pure Florida largemouth, it will be taken to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens for the duration of the spawning period. DNA testing showed ShareLunker 527 to be an intergrade. Intergrades, mixtures of Florida and northern largemouth, are returned to the lake where caught as soon as possible.

Lake Austin will receive a portion of any Toyota ShareLunker fingerlings produced during the current season. Any lake that produces a ShareLunker receives a share of the season’s fingerlings, whether any of the fish from that lake are spawned or not. These fingerlings will be the offspring of pure Florida females paired with pure Florida males that are themselves the offspring of ShareLunkers.

“We feel that this selective breeding process results in the best possible genetics being returned to the lakes, increasing the chance of more trophy bass being produced in the future,” explained Allen Forshage, director of TFFC. “Although these big females have no doubt spawned in years before they were caught, they did not necessarily mate with a pure Florida male. Everything we know about genetics tells us that the parents with the best genes produce the highest quality offspring. This is the scientific basis of our selective breeding program.”

Forshage also noted that the main purpose of stocking ShareLunker fingerlings is not to produce trophy fish for anglers to catch. “The reason we stock these fish, and the reason we want to use only pure Florida bass in the selective breeding program, is that we know Florida bass grow bigger and faster than native northern largemouths, and by stocking pure Florida fingerlings from trophy fish, we will have a greater impact on the genetics of the overall largemouth population in the lake,” he said. “In addition, since fingerlings from different parents are mixed before being stocked, these stockings help to promote genetic diversity.”

TFFC also uses some of the ShareLunker offspring to produce broodfish for TPWD’s regular largemouth bass stocking program, which annually stocks millions of fish into Texas public waters. “In this way we are introducing ShareLunker genetics into the general largemouth bass population,” Forshage said.

Recent advances in DNA technology now allow TPWD to determine if a fish entered into the Toyota ShareLunker program is an offspring of a previous ShareLunker. This technology has been available only since 2005, and it takes seven to 10 years for a bass to reach 13 pounds and be eligible for the program. “We are looking forward to the day when we get the DNA test results from a ShareLunker and can say, ‘That is one of our fish,’” Forshage said.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

The person who catches the season’s largest entry will be named Angler of the Year and will receive a prize package from G. Loomis valued at $818. If a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the season, that person also receives a lifetime fishing license valued at $1,000.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

(February 14 Update)

Fly Fish Texas: Tie a Fly, Cast a Fly, Catch a Fish

Media Contact: Jim Booker, (903) 670-2266 or james.booker@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—Tie a fly. Cast a fly. Catch a fish.

That’s all there is to fly-fishing, and Fly Fish Texas is the place to learn it. The annual event takes place March 10 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

Show hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All Fly Fish Texas activities are free with regular paid admission to the center.

Fly Fish Texas emphasizes hands-on learning and immediate application of newly acquired skills. Visitors can collect aquatic insects from the center’s streams, tie a fly to imitate one of those insects under the supervision of a skilled tier, learn to cast it from a casting instructor certified by the Federation of Fly Fishers, then use it to catch a rainbow trout, catfish or sunfish from one of TFFC’s stocked ponds or streams.

Throughout the day, experienced fly-tiers will be demonstrating and teaching fly-tying in the Anglers Pavilion on a one-on-one basis. In addition, group instruction in beginning fly-tying will be offered in the Hart-Morris Conservation Center. Both are offered on a walk-up basis.

Beginning casting instruction will take place all day in the Conservation Center parking lot, again on a walk-up basis. Other, scheduled sessions will teach single-hand and Spey rod casting.

Vendors will be displaying and selling fly-fishing gear, and seminars will brief visitors on where and how to fly-fish in Texas fresh and salt waters for a variety of species. The program will include presentations on fly-fishing locations such as the Llano River, Lakes Fork and Lewisville, the Texas Hill Country and tailwaters below dams. A session will also be offered on fly-fishing New Mexico.

While most activities at Fly Fish Texas are offered on a walk-up basis, others are scheduled. For a complete schedule of activities and seminars plus a video of the event, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tffc and click on the Fly Fish Texas link.

Food service will be available onsite, or attendees may bring a picnic.

Several sessions will be aimed at youths or those working with youths. Keith Miller of Waco, who has been catching a fish a day since April 1, 2011, will speak on his quest and also fish with participants. Steve Hall of Austin will speak on the national fly-fishing in schools program. Brad Newman of the Federation of Student Anglers will share insights into how to set up a school-based fishing club.

Event sponsors include Sabine River Authority, Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites—Athens, Dallas Fly Fishers, Temple Fork Outfitters, Red Hat Rentals, Best Western Royal Mountain Inn—Athens, Friends of TFFC, Cripple Creek BBQ, Wulf Outdoor Sports, Cabela’s, First State Bank, Super 8—Athens and Orvis—Dallas.

(February 7 Update)

New Texas Saltwater Fishing Book Now Available

Fishing along the Texas Gulf Coast is more popular now than ever. Additionally, saltwater anglers are advancing an increasingly technical style of fishing for speckled trout, redfish, flounder and snook in Texas inshore waters. With that in mind, long-time Texas outdoor writer and inshore fishing guide Danno Wise has condensed a lifetime of fishing tips and tricks into a neatly packaged 60-page book. Now available through Amazon.com as well as several tackle shops and other retail locations throughout Texas, Danno Wise's Tips for Fishing the Texas Coast is a must read for fishermen wanting to increase their knowledge and skill level. At the price of $7.50, Tips for Fishing the Texas Coast is a great value. Written in a direct, concise manner, Tips for Fishing the Texas Coast is both easy to read and easy to understand, resulting in immediate improvement in the success rate of fishermen who read it. To order online, visit:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1469935244/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Signed copies are available through Danno's website:

http://www.dannowise.com/danno_wise_fishing_book.htm

(February 7 Update)

Artificial Reef Domes Placed in Galveston Bay

TPWD and Galveston Bay Foundation collaborative project benefits fish, oysters and more

Media Contact: Jennie Rohrer, (281) 534-0103, jennie.rohrer@tpwd.state.tx.us; Bill Rodney, (281) 534-0127, bill.rodney@tpwd.state.tx.us; Charlene Drake, (281)534-0149, charlene.drake@tpwd.state.tx.us

HOUSTON – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recently enhanced one of its oyster restoration projects in East Galveston Bay with the addition of 59 concrete artificial reef domes donated by Galveston Bay Foundation.

The artificial reef domes were placed on a 1-acre patch of restored oyster reef in East Galveston Bay (approximate center point 29° 30’ 44”, -94° 39’ 54”). Each dome was individually placed on the site using a crane on a construction barge. Care was taken to ensure that the domes were not stacked on each other so that water depth over the site would be maintained at safe levels for small craft navigation. The domes will be used to attract fish and oyster larvae and will facilitate studies on oyster density and fish utilization.

The department’s artificial reef program has enjoyed tremendous success placing large reef domes in the Gulf over the past 15 years. Dale Shively, Artificial Reef Program Director, notes that there was a marked increase in the number of fish after the placement of the reef domes. Though smaller than the large artificial reef dome structures in the Gulf, the reef domes in Galveston Bay may also attract large game fish.

Reef domes have been used in several areas affected by natural disasters to encourage marine life to resettle. Likewise, this project is part of ongoing efforts to restore oyster reef habitats which were severely impacted by Hurricane Ike-induced sedimentation in September 2008. The 1-acre site is part of a larger 25-acre research reef where different oyster reef designs and materials will be evaluated for use in other parts of the bay and in other bay systems along the Texas coast.

TPWD has restored approximately 200 acres of oyster reef in Galveston Bay. These domes are an integral part of the department’s continuing research efforts on finding the best methods for oyster reef restoration and increasing and improving fish habitats.

For more information or to schedule a news media site visit, call Jennie Rohrer, (281) 534-0103, jennie.rohrer@tpwd.state.tx.us; Bill Rodney, (281) 534-0127, bill.rodney@tpwd.state.tx.us, or Charlene Drake, (281)534-0149, charlene.drake@tpwd.state.tx.us .

(January 31 Update)

Angler Lands Toyota ShareLunker 526 from Lake Austin

News Release – News Images

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, 903-676-2277, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—Lake Austin gave up the third Toyota ShareLunker of the season to Austin angler Brett Ketchum January 29.

The 13.0-pound bass is the thirteenth ShareLunker to come from the urban lake. Ketchum caught the fish on a jerkbait in 10 feet of 56-degree water while fishing in an Austin Bass Club of the Deaf tournament. He won big bass and placed second overall.

“She was a very good fighter,” Ketchum said. “Once she jumped, I noticed she was big, but I kept fighting her, and when she got close and I saw her I thought, ‘Oh, it’s big!’ I was nervous because I saw only one treble hook in her, and I knew I could lose her in a second. But I stayed calm, let her fight until she was tired, then reeled her close to the boat. My partner Sammy Oates, Jr., netted her beautifully. He and my son Braden were shaking when I bought her in.”

Ketchum said he had always dreamed of catching a ShareLunker. “My time has come,” he said. “It was an amazing day.”

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.

(January 24 Update)

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Scheduled for September 28-30, 2012

World championship and music festival will return to Lake Conroe and the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center

CONROE—Dates for the highly-anticipated return of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), the world championship of professional bass fishing and country music festival, were announced today with all of the action set to begin Friday, Sept. 28. The three-day event (Sept. 28-30) will feature anglers from across all major tours and some of country music’s premier artists with event proceeds benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its youth outdoor programs.

“We are very excited to return to Conroe and bring together the best anglers in the world and offer amazing entertainment value each day,” said Tournament Director Lenny Francoeur. “The TTBC has become an annual community event that has generated over $1.2 million for the TPWD and the state of Texas and we are thrilled about what we’re putting together for this year.”

Daily tournament weigh-ins, outdoor expo and concerts will take place at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center and the TTBC will offer a wide range of activities that families, outdoor enthusiasts and music fans will enjoy. The 2012 concert line-up will be announced this summer with previous year’s performers including Trace Adkins, Billy Currington, Pat Green and Blake Shelton.

Last year’s world championship was the closest finish in tournament history requiring a sudden death fish- off between eventual TTBC Champion Keith Combs and runner-up for the second straight year, Mike Iaconelli. This year’s tournament field will consist of 50 anglers assembled from the top professional leagues in the world, including the PAA Bass Pro Shops Tournament Series, Bassmaster Elite Series and the Walmart FLW Tour.

Anglers will compete on Lake Conroe over three days with the field being reduced to the top 10 who will compete in the final round on Sunday, Sept. 30. The tournament remains a non-entry fee event, with all 50 competing anglers taking home guaranteed prize money. In addition, the TTBC will continue its focus on conservation and adhere to strict catch, weigh and immediate release format that has earned the event national praise for its conservation efforts over the past five years.

“Now more than ever the conservation practices of the TTBC and the TPWD are playing a pivotal role in maintaining the precious natural resources throughout Texas,” said J.C. Fassino, President, Texas Bass Classic Foundation. “The progressive efforts and education programming the TTBC has helped to fund will only further aid us in protecting what we all value and enjoy.”

The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center is a state-of-the-art facility conveniently located minutes from Lake Conroe and The Woodlands and only 40 minutes north of Houston. The location offers easy access to event activities, local shops and restaurants. For more information visit http://www.thelonestar.org/.

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic tournament functions are operated by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. For additional information, visit http://toyotatexasbassclassic.com/ or call 1-866-907-0143.

(January 17 Update)

Central Texas Zebra Mussel forums scheduled for Jan. 18-19

News Release

Media Contact: Mike Cox, 512-389-8046, mike.cox@tpwd.state.tx.us

Three forms will be held Jan. 18 and 19 in Kingsland and Marble Falls and Burnet to address the threat of invasive mussels in the Highland Lakes. The purpose of these forums is to raise awareness of potential consequences associated with zebra and quagga mussels in the Colorado River system.

Speakers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Lower Colorado River Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Inks Lake Dam National Fish Hatchery will present at the forums.

“Zebra mussels are one of the most prolific and destructive invasive species found in the US,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries Regional Director.

“They damage aquatic ecosystems, plug water intake systems used for industrial and municipal purposes and even impact water based recreation by fouling boat hulls, damaging boat engines and making beaches unusable. Each year millions of dollars are spent trying to monitor, control and manage zebra mussel infestations and once they become established they are nearly impossible to eradicate.”

The forum stresses that the only way to combat the spread of these invasive mussel species is prevention through education and outreach.

The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, January 18, 1:30-4:00 — Herman Brown Free Library in Burnet

Wednesday, January 18, 5:30-8:00 — Marble Falls Public Library

Thursday, January 19, 9:30-Noon — Kingsland Branch Library

For more information on zebra and guagga mussels and other invasive species in Texas visit http://www.texasinvasives.org. For a complete agenda and links to detailed location information, visit the Texas Invasives events calendar at http://texasinvasives.org/pages/spotlight.php.

(January 10 Update)

Boater Ed Now Required for Operators Born After Sept. 1, 1993

News Release

Media Contact: Mike Cox, 512-389-8046, mike.cox@tpwd.state.tx.us

AUSTIN – Anyone looking forward to operating a motor-powered vessel, sailboat or personal water craft on Texas public waters this year needs to have completed a state-approved boater education course if born after Sept. 1, 1993.

While the new law became effective last year, Texas Parks and Wildlife suggests starting off the new year with a boater education course to make sure you’re good to go when the water warms up and Texans begin heading to the state’s many lakes and streams for fishing or recreational boating. Prior to passage of the new law, only boat operators ages 13-17 had to take a boater education course.

The mandatory boater education law requires certification for anyone born after Sept. 1, 1993 who operates a vessel with a motor of more than 15 horsepower or a wind-blown vessel measuring more than 14 feet in length. While all boaters are encouraged to take boating safety education, those born before Sept. 1, 1993, are exempt from required certification.

Texas’ state-approved boater education courses are available as one-day classroom training or online.. The classroom course takes about six hours to complete and the online course has a three hour time commitment. Costs start at $20 for both courses. Information about boater education, including schedules of upcoming classroom courses, is available at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/boater_education/.

Potential new boaters looking for bargain instruction can get the required training from a TPWD boater education employee for $5 at the Jan. 19-22 Austin Boat Show at the Convention Center. Interested persons may call 512 389-8141 to register for the class.

Boaters falling under the boater education requirement will be required to carry a valid ID and documentation of having taken and passed a boater education course. Failure to meet the requirements is a Class C misdemeanor, and violators have 90 days to complete a boater education course to have the charges dismissed.

The 82nd Texas Legislature during its regular session also clarified the definition of a vessel to encompass such craft as standup paddle craft, kayaks and canoes. In Texas public waters everyone onboard a vessel that measures less than 26-feet in length must have a life jacket available and kids under 13 must wear one.

(January 3 Update)

Season’s Second Toyota ShareLunker Comes from Falcon

Media Contact: Larry Hodge, (903) 670-2255, larry.hodge@tpwd.state.tx.us; Randy Brudnicki, (512) 389-8464, randy.brudnicki@tpwd.state.tx.us

ATHENS—When Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine publisher Randy Brudnicki planned a fishing trip to Falcon International Reservoir with his sons Jason and Dustin for the week after Christmas, he knew the time was right to catch a Toyota ShareLunker.

But the trio struggled for two days, catching only small bass mid-lake and near the dam. On Wednesday, December 28, the north wind shifted to the south, and that made all the difference. “I knew to look for places where the south wind would blow in to points,” Brudnicki said.

It was their last day to fish, and they wanted to get on the road early, so they put in at the county ramp in Zapata and began fishing around the city’s water intake structure. “After spending some time on the main point but only catching small fish, we moved upwind to a ledge,” Brudnicki said. “My son Jason, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, started throwing a Strike King 6XD crankbait, a Christmas present from his older brother, Dustin. The big girl hit right under the boat as he ended his retrieve. He set the hook and she pulled a little line. Dustin grabbed the net and in seconds the fish was in the boat.”

A few casts later Jason caught another big fish, and they decided to weigh them. The smaller fish went eight pounds, but the big fish bottomed out their scale. After borrowing a scale from another boat, they realized they had a ShareLunker and took it to Falcon Lake Tackle to be weighed on a certified scale. The official weight is 13.36 pounds. Length and girth were not available at the time of writing.

Keeping the big fish alive for the five hours it would take for a truck to arrive from the A.E. Wood Fish Hatchery in San Marcos now became their top priority. “We ran both recirculating and aeration pumps non-stop,” Brudnicki said. “The mid-50 degree water temperature helped a lot.” They finally turned the fish over to TPWD about 7 p.m.

The Toyota ShareLunker program will be profiled in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine’s Spring Fishing Guide due out in February. That guide will also feature a fishing forecast for 2012 and other relevant topics for Texas anglers. The guide will be available free at http://www.tpwmagazine.com.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, between October 1 and April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code. Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

Information on current catches, including short videos of interviews with anglers when available, is posted on http://www.facebook.com/sharelunkerprogram.