The latest Toyota ShareLunker had a short ride to its new quarters at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center: It was caught from a private lake in Henderson County only a few miles away according to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials.

Paul Detwiler of Tyler was fishing in five feet of water on November 16 when the big bass attacked his Strike King lipless crankbait. The fish weighed 14.43 pounds and was 27.5 inches long and 21.75 inches in girth.

Detwiler’s fish is the second entry into the Toyota ShareLunker program this season and only the ninth ShareLunker ever to be caught during the month of November.

It is the first entry from a private lake during that month according to TPWD.

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or larger largemouth bass between October 1 and April 30 can enter it into the ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at 903-681-0550 or paging him at 888-784-0600 and leaving a call-back number including area code. It’s best to repeat the number at least twice, since reception is often poor in remote areas.

Anglers entering fish into the Toyota ShareLunker program will receive a free replica of their fish, a certificate and ShareLunker clothing and be recognized at a banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. In addition, if a Texas angler catches the largest entry of the year, that person will receive a lifetime fishing license.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker.

Now onto the report…

North Sabine---Angler Marcus Heflin reports fair to good action for trout and reds under the birds on live bait and Gulp shrimp. Black’s Bayou is fair to good for redfish and sheepshead on dead shrimp. Floodwaters on the Sabine are contributing to off-colored water. Flounder are fair on the outer banks of the Louisiana shoreline on jigs tipped with shrimp and mullet.

South Sabine---Capt. Phillip Samuels reports flounder are fair to good along the Louisiana shoreline on live bait. Redfish and trout are mixed under the birds and taking spoons and Gulp.

Sabine Pass---The jetties remain fair for reds, croaker and sand trout on shrimp and cut bait. Flounder are fair around drop-offs in the channel and Keith Lake on live finger mullet and plastics.

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

Calcasieu (Big Lake )---The Hackberry Rod and Gun Club reports anglers fair action for trout and reds under the birds on live bait, plastics and 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 and pumpkinseed soft plastic worms in 20 - 30 feet. White bass are good on silver spoons. Crappie are fair on live minnows. Bream are fair on worms. Catfish are good on stinkbait and minnows.

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

Lake Livingston---Texas Parks & Wildlife Department officials report largemouths are 4.5 pounds are good on buzzbaits. Striped bass are slow. White bass are slow. Crappie are good on minnows. Blue catfish are good on shad, shrimp, and prepared baits. Yellow catfish are slow.

Hunting---State waterfowl managers report good numbers of wigeons and gadwalls have also been taken in the marsh and salt. The High Island marsh has been fair at best, with more birds showing in the Trinity Bay marsh during the last five days. More snow geese showed over the weekend ahead of the front. Fair shoots were posted due to light winds and balmy conditions. Specklebellies have readily decoyed over rag spreads. Prospects are good.

Waters are receding and boat ramps are becoming operable again in East Texas. The latest blast of cold air pushed more mallards to the timber and flooded hardwoods. Wood duck action remains steady in backwaters. Gadwalls, wigeons and teal have been taken in the shallow coves of area lakes and reservoirs. Canvasbacks have been reported on Lake Fork, Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake O’Pines. Caddo Lake has seen gadwalls, divers and ringed-necks. Sloughs, backwaters and bayous should hold plenty of birds with the recent cold front and abundant food sources. Hunting has been fair to good on the coastal prairies along the southern boundaries of the North Zone. Brookshire, Winnie, China, Devers, Sealy and Columbus have all enjoyed steady shoots for teal, gadwalls, wigeons, pintails and shovelers. Prospects are fair to good.

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TOLEDO BEND: Normal Pool Level: 172.0 Current Pool Level: 172.44 Was 172.54

RAYBURN LAKE: Normal Pool Level: 164 Current Pool Level: 163.61 Was: 164.05

B.A. STEINHAGEN: Normal Pool Level: 85 Current Pool Level: 81.43 Was: 81.51



Chester Moore, Jr. is The News Ourdoors Editor