Fish Catching Travel

Can’t wait to try KVD’s new Tournament Buzzbait.

It was over 35 years ago that I was watching Saturday morning fishing, what a guide does when he isn’t fishing, when the Bill Dance show came on.  Now this was the old days when Bill was not fishing in ponds that are so full of 4lb bass that a bait can’t make it to the bottom.  He was fishing Lake Seminole in the spring, and the water was super high.  He was wading in the back end of a place and catching monster bass on topwater.  That was my first introduction to the Bagley Bang O Lure.   I was hooked immediately.

They love that Bang O Lure.  (2013)

Living about 2 hours from the original Bass Pro I found some in Springfield Missouri and it became a real staple in my spring fishing and guiding.  It was so effective in the clear waters of NW Arkansas.  A balsa bait, it has a tighter, more subtle, wobble when jerked, and the foil version gives out a tremendous amount of flash.  I really believe that the foil gives off a more natural flash than other coloring.  In clear water it will draw fish from a long way, and it is one of the coolest, most visual, ways to catch bass.

Help!

The Bagley Bang O Lure.  The greatest topwater minnow ever!

Over the years they have been hard to find.  Whenever I saw them in stores I usually bought all they had.  Looking at the ones above you can see what happens when they take a beating, which they do.  To get looking like these last 2 functioning ones I had, it was simply a matter of tossing it and twitching it and watching it get eaten.  I have always considered this a finesse technique, you can fool them with this bait and it is a thing of beauty when it does.

Now this is not a criticism of other folks topwater minnows, in fact since I can not find the Bang O Lure, I am currently throwing the Rapala right now, and it just does not put them in the boat like the Bang O Lure.  And over the years I have used them all, but facts are facts, the 5″ Bang O Lure in silver foil and black back is the best topwater minnow ever made.  The two above are the last of 8 I found on a dusty shelf in an old time tackle store in Fort Worth about 6 years ago.  They were still marked $5, the steal of a lifetime.  I have treated them as good as possible, but when the bite is on they eat them up.  One thing that hastened their demise is that Coleto has about a 6 month plus topwater season and I have caught a bunch on them, including losing the biggest bass I have ever seen.

My Bill Dance Moment.  I know it is blurry, but they were sucking that Bang O Lure down that day like fish candy.  (2013)

So here is what I need from you, this is almost a fishing emergency, the topwater bite is on.  I checked on their website and they are not in stock.  If any of you see them in some store around these parts drop me a quick note.  A half dozen would be about right.  I see some on Amazon but would prefer seeing them before I buy them.  The ones I bought those years ago in Fort Worth had dried and shrunk just a little, happens when you are probably 100 years old in bait years.  You know how I can get about some baits: the Redfish Magic is the best redfish bait ever, of course the Strike King Swim Jig, and nothing beats the old Lunker Lure buzzbait, they all have earned a place.  Over the years, in spite of my fishing deficiencies, certain baits have proven themselves over and over, and the Bagley Bang O Lure is one of the best.

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And it was good to get this fresh Coleto report from Jeramie.

I went yesterday in the drizzle and had 2 fish just over 5 pounds, 1 over 4 pounds, 1 just over 3 pounds , several 1& 2 pounders! I caught most of my fish in the evening with a buzz bait , I did have to add a trailer hook due to the short strikes. Caught a few of the smaller fish on crank baits. You are right the tilapia are everywhere . Thanks for all your tips they really help me the few times I make it to the lake.

I appreciate your kind comments and the report.  I know I may harp about the drizzle and spring time, but it really is the time on Coleto.  And from your report what I have seen the last week, you can catch them on other stuff, but if you want big fish toss the buzzbait.  And I would have boated a few more with a trailer hook, and with no real grass yet to speak of it is the thing to do right now.  So nice job and keep those reports coming.

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I was at Academy this morning, imagine that, searching for some tackle that I just could not live without.  While waiting to check out I met Travis who reads the blog.  I always appreciate folks introducing themselves, it lets me know there are real people out there.  He is going to rent a cabin on Coleto at the end of the month, and they should hit it right on the head.  He also had some friends who limited on trout with shrimp in one of the mid-bay passes on Monday.  The fishing is on and it is a good time to live in South Texas.  So thanks for introducing yourself and drop us a note when you get done with your Coleto trip.

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The one the other day was this ones momma!

I got this comment on yesterdays report from Rusty, the resident Fayette and Bastrop pro.

Learn something everyday!!! Cool alligator info. Been seeing them all my life and never saw that. Fish are biting at Bastrop and Fayette but spring breakers are out in force!
Rusty

Good to hear you are catching them, and just like here on Coleto the spring breakers are hard at it.  And I really was lucky to see that monster do his thing.  Left me with visions of him after me, which would be one scaring thing.  And on that same note I heard from Clyde in Arkansas.

Did you fish the bank with the gator? Well did ya “punk”?

To tell you the truth I actually gave that area a wide berth.  I know they can not reach out and pluck you out of the boat, but this guy was big enough and worked up enough there was no way I was going to give him the chance to make me his girlfriend!  See you in a week and you better have them cornered, or I will end up  having to guide you like I have for the last 40 years!

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If you live in our neck of the woods you know it is blowing like a freight train out side, straight out of the north.  It may last for 3 or 4 more days, typical March weather.  Besides writing this it is time to get some stuff ready for the Arkansas trip.  Traveling like I do the packing is actually half the fun.  Spare equipment and tackle, line, reel oil, and plenty of stuff that will probably not see the light of day, are making the pile.  You can speculate all you want, get the fresh info, but nothing means a thing until you fish, and it always seems there still has to be a trip to the tackle store once you get there.  But until then I will be hitting the water, and maybe the weather Gods will give us a break with this wind.  A few trout frying in the pan is sounding better every day.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines