Passport to Texas

The big girl who started it all: Ethel

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Ethel was a big girl from Lake Fork, and the first largemouth bass entered into the Sharelunker program in 1986.

06— And if you’d ever seen a picture of Ethel, she was as big around as she was long.

The Sharelunker program works to improve and grow bigger largemouth bass. Ethel was a 17.67-pounder caught and donated by fishing guide, Marks Stevenson. She served the program well, and changed the face of bass fishing in Texas

Former Director of Inland Fisheries, Phil Durocher, says bass fishing in Texas was very different before Ethel.

17— Back before ’86, bass fishing was primarily fish caught for food. People kept the big fish, and released the little fish. And we realized the larger fish were so valuable that we had to change the direction from a consumptive sport to recreation.

They brought Ethel to the Tyler fish hatchery where her survival was touch and go, says David Campbell, who oversaw the Sharelunker program from the beginning until his retirement in 2012.

13— This fish did not eat for a long time. My concern was if this fish died, it may kill the whole program. And I spent hours at night with a sunfish or something on a string and dangling it in front of her and she just sort of was sitting there looking at it.

She eventually, and literally spawned the success of the Sharelunker program. Learn more about Ethel and her legacy in a segment next week on the PBS Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series. Check your local listings.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Preparing for a dive into the crystal clear, spring fed, Balmorhea State Park swimming pool.

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From spring-fed rivers to Texas-sized lakes, to diving in a pool, Texas State Parks offer swimming opportunities. Spring floods affected many natural swimming holes, so call ahead to find out about access and safety. Meantime, parks with public pools were largely unaffected.

Abilene State Park in the Panhandle has a large swimming pool and pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps decades ago, which continues to provide visitors with summertime swimming and a separate wading pool for children.

Balmorhea State Park welcomes swimmers to the crystal-clear water of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Swim or just relax under the trees at this CCC created historic park in arid West Texas.

In Far West Texas, Indian Lodge, within the boundaries of Davis Mountains State Park, has a lovely facility for its guests, who can relax poolside with a cool beverage or snacks from the lodge’s restaurant.

Bastrop State Park, in Central Texas, entices campers and folks from the surrounding area to its pools for summertime fun. The pool opens at noon daily.

While Goliad State Park and Historic Site in South Texas doesn’t offer swimming on premises, it is available across from the park, at a junior Olympic swimming pool, operated by the city of Goliad.

Wherever you are, there’s still time to get wet in the wilds of Texas this summer.

That’s our show for today… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

A family camp out at lake Somerville State Park and Trailway.

Before Summer Ends, Take the Family Camping Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It seems summer just got rolling, and now August and the new school year is nearly here. It’s time to make the most of what’s left of summer, and camping is the perfect way to do that. With state parks throughout Texas, your destination is just a short drive away.

Most state parks have campgrounds, and some of those have water and electric hook-ups. Some parks even accommodate RVs for those who wish to bring a little piece of home with them to the great outdoors. Check ahead to see what RV connections are available at your campsite.

For the pampered camper, check out state parks that offer cabin and lodge rentals. Historic landmarks and secluded ranches make for a relaxing getaway.

When tent camping, remember to properly dispose of food waste to discourage unwanted animals visitors; and always pack out what you pack in.

Whenever you’re outdoors, remember you are not just a visitor, you are part of the natural world, and as such, it is your responsibility to keep it healthy and inviting to others.

If you’ve never been camping before, consider attending a Texas Outdoor Family workshop where Texas Parks and Wildlife staff teaches you and your family the basics in a fun-filled weekend.

That’s our show… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Caddo Lake in Uncertain, Texas. July 13, 2012.

Battling Big Bass at Night Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

When the sun goes down, angling for big bass in shallow water picks up–particularly on one lake.

05- Lake Fork. That’s the lake in Texas that has the most really big bass.

Larry Hodge, with the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center says in the 1980s and 90s, fishing guide John Hope put radio transmitters on big bass–including ShareLunkers–to track their whereabouts day and night.

21–And one of those fish, was a fish named Wanda. He followed her for three years on Houston County Lake, and found that during the day, she was in deep water and was not interested in any kind of lures that anybody showed her. But at night, she’d cruise around the shoreline in shallow water, and he and his don caught her–a total of six times.

Fish hear everything that goes on for hundreds of yards around them, which is why many fish go to quieter, deeper waters in the daytime; once things calm down,
they emerge to feed in the shallows. Hodge says if you’re going after big bass, bring the heavy duty gear.

18- [When] night fishing, most people are best advised to use braided line, perhaps even as heavy as 50 pounds. Dark lures. Big lures that move a lot of water, because bass can’t see it–but using the lateral line they can feel it move through the water. And be prepared to do battle with a really big bass.

The Sport Fish restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

AUSTIN, TX – APRIL 21, 2015 – Dan Campbell night bass fishing in his kayak on Lake Austin in Austin, Texas.

TPW Magazine: Bass Fishing at Night Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The stars at night are big and bright in Texas, and so are the bass. They’re big, anyway. It seems the biggest of the big come out when the sun goes down.

07- Talking with a number of people who practice fishing at night, I got a lot of tips on where and why and how.

Larry Hodge, with the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens compiled tips on bass fishing at night for an article in the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. According to the guides and anglers he interviewed, big fish come into the shallows at night, because that’s when the food arrives.

25- At night, the bait fish–shad, primarily–minnows, crayfish, and other things that know that daytime is the dangerous time to be out because you might get eaten, tend to move up into shallow water at night because it’s safer–until a big bass comes along. So, there’s more food at night available up in the shallow water, and the bass know that, so that’s when they go fishing.

Tomorrow, Larry Hodge returns to tell us the best place fish for bass at night, and the gear to have with you when going after the big one.

05– Use heavy line. Heavy equipment. And be prepared to do battle with a really big bass.

The Sport Fish restoration program supports our series.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.