Home///April 2023/In This Issue
Game & Fish South|April 2023DECISION TIMEThe summer of 2022 was one of the driest on record on the southern plains. In southeast Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas, Thanksgiving finally broke the long drought. Rain was still sluicing down two days later when I drove south toward Truscott, Texas, and the historic Lowrance Ranch, which I had been hearing offered amazing whitetail hunting.With the ground hard as concrete, my Kansas food plots were scorched earth. I was so happy to see the rain that I didn’t give much thought to the immediate impact on deer hunting. Well, I couldn’t; I’d never hunted deer in north Texas and had no knowledge of the conditions. The rain slowed me down, sure, but I traveled good highways all the way. When the rain and blacktop ended just west of…15 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023SUNNY DELIGHTThe term “sunfish” refers to the Lepomis genus, which includes the bluegill, green sunfish, longear sunfish, pumpkinseed, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish (aka “shellcracker”), spotted sunfish (aka “stumpknocker”) and warmouth.Most states allow a limit of total sunfish; that is, a daily limit can include any combination of the aforementioned. That’s a good thing, because telling them apart can often be confusing.No matter what type of sunfish you’re chasing, spring is prime time to target quality-sized fish. Whether they’re in pre-spawn, spawn or post-spawn, they’re often easy to find with the naked eye or with technology like side imaging, which clearly reveals bed colonies.High-probability areas include creek mouths, coves, bays and muddy-bottom areas that absorb sunlight. Emergent vegetation and submerged willows are also great spots to begin a search.In clear waters, look…7 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023BEST NEW BLADESThe “spinnerbait renaissance” is being fueled by several new designs. Here are a few of the latest and greatest to hit the shelves.Berkley Power Blade spinnerbaits were developed by Bassmaster Classic and MLF Redcrest champion Edwin Evers. They feature Fusion19 hooks, a solid trailer keeper and PowerBait-infused skirts that smell and taste just like the stuff Berkley has been cooking into their soft plastics for years. ($4.99; berkley-fishing.com)The Booyah Covert series was designed by 2022 Classic champ Jason Christie. The baits feature quality components like Hildebrandt blades and come in every size and color an angler might want. ($10.49; lurenet.com)Shimano has dipped its toe into the spinnerbait market with the introduction of the Swagy Strong Double Willow Spinnerbait. As the name implies, the baits feature twin willow-leaf blades. Quality blades…1 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023MAKING TRACKSFrom snakes to water to the need to cover some distance in warm weather, public-land hunters face unique footwear challenges. These boots are designed to help you hunt in all-day comfort.Dryshod offers the ViperStop ($214; dryshodusa.com) boot, which is waterproof, snakeproof and surprisingly comfortable on warm days. The excellent tread provides great grip when the going gets slick.Lowa’s Renegade II N GTX Hi TF ($295; lowaboots.com) is designed specifically for long walks over rough terrain. This boot has a Vibram sole and Gore-Tex waterproofing, and it fits true. Another nice thing is the boot will pull double-duty during upland bird and deer seasons.Muck boots have made a name for themselves with farmers who make their living in tough working conditions. The brand’s Wetland ($185; muckbootcompany.com) is waterproof and exceptionally comfortable.…1 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023SPOT ONThe back of the cove erupted with surface activity as schooling bass pushed baitfish as far as they could go. When the terrified prey ran out of escape room, the slaughter began.“At times, we see wolf packs of big spotted bass tearing up threadfin shad and blueback herring all over the lake,” says Henry Cowen of Cowen’s Quality Flies and Guide Service (678-513-1934; henrycowenflyfishing.com). Cowen is considered an expert on Lake Lanier, having guided there since 2000.“If someone is looking for a personal-best spotted bass, or just a bass fishing adventure like no other, then Lanier should be on your bucket list.”THE LAKE PROPERLake Lanier sits about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. Officially named Lake Sydney Lanier after a 19th-century Georgia poet, the reservoir spreads across 38,000 acres along the…6 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023THE FIELD: BAITCASTING RODS13 Fishing MetaAt 7 feet 2 inches, the Meta is a long, general-purpose fish stick. The moderate-fast, 36-ton Japanese blank will accommodate a wide variety of baits, from Texas-rigged worms to vibrating jigs, and 1/2-ounce and heavier crankbaits—both lipped and lipless. A sculptured reel seat and handle, stainless-steel American Tackle guides with DuraLite inserts, open hook keeper and 5-year limited warranty all add to the rod’s appeal. ($149; 13fishing.com)Abu Garcia Bobby Lane General Purpose Pro SeriesBuilt on a 36-ton modulus blank, the Pro Series line was designed and fished by Abu Garcia pro staffer Bobby Lane. The blank utilizes the proven 3M 200 Powerlux resin system. Our test rod was engineered for 1/4- to 1-ounce lure weights thrown on 12- to 20-pound-test lines. The rod particularly shined when throwing jerkbaits.…6 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023THE FIELD: SPINNING RODSAbu Garcia John Cox General Purpose Pro SeriesAbu’s John Cox General Purpose rod features a 36-ton graphite blank, making it particularly nimble with fantastic balance. Like other Abu offerings, the blank features the 3M 200 Powerlux resin system, adding to the rod’s performance. Much of the rod’s balance comes from the long, 14 3/4-inch spilt grip, which moves the center of gravity rearward. A cut-out reel seat and EVA foregrip add comfort. Titanium guides and a 3-year warranty round out this rod. ($199.95; abugarcia.com)Ark EssenceThe 7-foot-1-inch Essence has a medium power, though it fishes heavier. The top third of the blank loads great with lighter baits. Designed for 6- to 12-pound-test lines, the Ark excelled with a variety of offerings. For those who like to throw jerkbaits on spinning gear,…9 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023SUPER SPINNERIntroduced in the spring of 1993, the Shimano Stella is widely regarded as the pinnacle of spinning reel design and engineering. For 2023, Shimano has unveiled the Stella 2500HG—the culmination of three decades of intense development and focused refinement. The brand sent us a sample to test, but we chose to exclude it from the field since it would be like testing a Lamborghini alongside a crop of mid-size sedans.We realize, too, that its price tag will give most readers the vapors; however, it is completely justified. The Stella 2500HG possesses every conceivable cutting-edge option, including what’s arguably the finest gear box in the industry, with a drive that syncs and turns silky smooth. The drag is unimaginably fluid and incapable of binding no matter how much force is applied.…1 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023LATEST AND GREATESTGarmin recently introduced the LiveScope XR system (top right), the latest addition to its live-scanning sonar lineup, with an extended range for deeper and open waters. The company reports an effective range out to 500 feet in freshwater and 350 feet in saltwater—a significant improvement in finding open-water fish. The add-on includes a steerable transducer for trolling motor or shaft mount and the “black box” brain. ($2,499 for the transducer; garmin.com).Humminbird’s new MEGA Live TargetLock (left) is a unique take on steerable sonar beams. The TargetLock unit allows the user to aim the sonar beam independently of the trolling motor, keeping it locked on target no matter the boat’s or trolling motor’s position. The turret is a stand-alone unit, not connected to the trolling motor shaft, as with other units.…1 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023THE FIELD: BAITCASTING REELS13 Fishing Modus SZ2The Modus SZ2 offers spiffy performance and eye-catching aesthetics at a modest price. Our test reel had a 7.3:1 gear ratio, making it a good candidate for most bass applications. Two casting controls are included—an external friction control and an internal magnetic system, which is under the palming plate and accessed via an articulating door. ($145; 13fishing.com)Abu Garcia Revo5 STXThe Revo STX features a large-diameter, shallow spool that spins up faster than deeper spools with a higher capacity and allows for longer casts with lighter lures. The STX is available in three speeds—6.6:1, 7.3:1 and 8:1—offering anglers gearing options for almost every conceivable bass application. The Revo STX is a beefy build with an industrial feel that promises years of trouble-free service. A monstrous 25-pound max drag,…4 min
Game & Fish South|April 2023THE ARSENALPure Fishing graciously provided our test team with a selection of baits and line to use during our on-the-water rod and reel evaluations. These were some of our favorites.The Berkley PowerBait Speed Boss Worm 1 is a large-profile worm that the Bienville bass inhaled whether we fished it on the bottom or swam it weightless. The twin turbo tail emits a large amount of vibration, drawing fish to investigate the commotion. The PowerBait-infused scent keeps fish holding on longer than with other unscented baits. ($5.99/8-pack; berkley-fishing.com)An advanced vibrating jig with a twist, the Berkley PowerBait Slobberknocker ($13.99) 2 is capable of being fished at any depth and at any retrieve speed. We amended our vibrating jigs with the Berkley PowerBait PowerStinger ($9.99/7-pack) for extra enticement.Berkley Spiderwire Durabraid ($8.99/150 yards), with…1 min
