Texas Fish & Game

The National News of Texas

June 6, 2023

Kayak Trolling Tips

There’s something more intimate about trolling from a kayak than trolling from a boat. The rods are just inches away. When a fish strikes, the entire watercraft reacts and you can feel it every bit as […]
January 4, 2023

The Best Dredge for the Way You Troll

Anglers who target billfish know that dredges bring more fish up to the boat, period. Many who target tuna also believe they boost the catch rate. But all dredges are not created equal, and finding the […]
August 24, 2022

Ballyhoo Rigging Tips

If you fish offshore, you’ve almost certainly rigged a ballyhoo or two… or a few thousand. Ballyhoo are the number-one all-around trolled bait, whether they’re rigged naked or behind a skirt. Either way, good ballyhoo rigging […]
June 7, 2022

Kings on Planers

No one will deny the effectiveness of running a planer rod for kingfish. But sometimes you need to get exceedingly deep, and who wants to deal with all the hassle of using #4 or larger inline […]
April 7, 2022

Mack Speed

What’s the ideal trolling speed for Spanish mackerel? Some guys swear by eight mph, others say 10 is best, and 12 is a favored marks by some. But truth be told, the “best” trolling speed isn’t […]
February 24, 2022

How to Catch King Mackerel on Spoons

Slow-trolling for king mackerel with live baits or rigged dead baits is incredibly effective, but these tactics require advanced planning and effort. You need to catch or buy the live baits, and/or buy and pre-rig the […]
December 14, 2021

Choosing Skirt Colors for Offshore Fishing

Skirted ballyhoo are unquestionably the number-one choice offering of offshore anglers. And there are countless options in all different colors and color combinations. Unfortunately, many anglers make their choices simply because one skirt or another looks […]
December 1, 2021

The Forgotten Art of Bottom Bouncing

Back in the olden days before soft plastics and injection-molded crankbaits, bottom bouncing with bucktails was a primary fishing tactic. Although few employ it these days it’s still as effective as is ever was, particularly when […]
November 9, 2021

When to Replace Ballyhoo

Offshore anglers who troll ballyhoo know that having a properly swimming bait is critical to success. And ballyhoo tend to “wash out” and get beat up after a few hours, regardless of whether they get hit […]
July 13, 2021

Ballyhoo Rigging with Bait Springs

Ask 10 different offshore anglers the best way to rig ballyhoo, and you’re likely to get 10 different answers. But ask them the easiest way that actually works, and many will probably mention bait springs. Bait […]