In addition to proposed changes to 2025-26 Statewide Hunting and Migratory Bird Proclamations listed here last week, the Texas Parks Wildlife Commission will consider changes on commercial amberjack length limits and the expansion of the department’s digital licensing option during its upcoming meeting in Austin.
TPWD constituents have until 5 p.m. on March 26 to register online comments. Comments can also be made in person during the March 27 meeting that gets underway a 9 a.m. at the department headquarters.
Digital Licensing: The proposed change would expand digital license and tag options to all recreational hunting, fishing, combo license and tag types.
Greater Amberjack: The proposed changes would modify the minimum size of greater amberjack from 34 inches total length to 40 inches total length for the commercial fishery in state waters to match the current federal water commercial minimum size of 36 inches fork length. No change is proposed for the commercial bag limit in state waters.
HECK/ADAMS TAKE BASS CHAMPS
Bass Champs hosted 147 teams at its March 1 Stop 3 event on Sam Rayburn. Several found the big ones biting. Eleven teams cracked 20 pounds on five bass.
Hayden Heck and Milton Adams topped the field with an enormous limit weighing 36.37 pounds. reportedly caught on crank baits and jighead minnows fished offshore. The winners banked $25,200.
Russell Cecil and Todd Castledine finished second with 28.50, $16,200 including contingency bonuses; Cody Ross and River Lee, 25.69, $8,000.
Clinton and Terry Mayfield caught the tournament’s biggest bass, a 10.77 pounder.