Anglers are reminded the bag limit for flounder throughout November is two fish per person.

Gigging is banned this month and all commercial flounder activities are halted. Regulations will resume back to normal in December with anglers able to retain five flounder per person.

There have been several reports of anglers confused over the regulation which could end up getting them a ticket.

Now onto the report…

North Sabine---Floodwaters on the Sabine are contributing to off-colored water. The Louisiana shoreline continues to be good for flounder on jigs tipped with shrimp and live finger mullet. Specks and reds are scattered with fair action under birds early and late on live bait, chartreuse colored plastics and Rat-L-Traps.

South Sabine---Capt. Phillip Samuels reports flounder remain fair along the south shoreline and Louisiana shoreline on live bait. Redfish are fair along the Louisiana shoreline on cut bait. Trout are scattered.

Sabine Pass---The jetties are fair for reds, croaker and sand trout on shrimp and cut bait. Flounder are fair around drop-offs in the channel and Keith Lake. High tides are making fish tough in the marshes.

Sabine River---Very few reports due to water conditions.

Calcasieu (Big Lake )---The Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports anglers continue catching fair numbers of trout and reds under the birds on live bait, chartreuse colored plastics and on spoons. Flounder are good along the shorelines on main points and in the channel.

Sam Rayburn---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are good on topwaters, soft plastic worms, and spinnerbaits early. White bass are slow. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Bream are fair on worms. Catfish are good on punchbait.

Toledo Bend---Holly Park Marina reports anglers are taking bass on dark colored worms and Baby Brush Hogs. Crappie are fair to good on shiners fished around the Reeves Bridge. Catfish are good on rod and reels baited with worms and Catfish Charlie.

Lake Livingston---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are good on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and soft plastics. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfish are good on shad. Yellow catfish are slow.

Hunting---State waterfowl managers report though some waterways in East Texas have receded, many remain too deep to attract puddle ducks like wigeons, gadwalls and teal. Lots of forage on the ground from summer rains, but the ducks have not been able to find it due to the abundance of water. Lots of wood ducks in the backwaters, but many hunters have reported an abundance of snakes with the mild temperatures and flood waters. Canvasbacks and other divers have been reported on Lake O’Pines, Toledo Bend and Lake Fork. Hunting has been best in the North Zone along the IH-10 corridor of the coastal prairie. Lots of blue-winged teal remain in Texas and have been consistent bag-fillers.

Snow geese continue to trickle to the coast, but few huntable concentrations have been reported. Outfitters are holding off on light goose hunting until the brunt of the population arrives. Specklebelly numbers are fair, and some duck hunters have taken limits from blinds. Last week’s weather was not conducive to goose hunting. Prospects are good.

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TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 172.54 Was 172.68

RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 164.05 Was: 163.95

B.A. STEINHAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 81.51 Was: 81.91



Chester Moore, Jr. is The News Outdoors Editor