25mph+….Time to go fishing. 2/21/18.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Monday I got my stuff together so I could fish, maybe, Tuesday.  The forecast for the area is for rain, rain, and more rain, which we really need.  Tuesday looked like it might be it this week, with Wednesday  forecast to have a 20 degree temp drop in the afternoon as the big north front finally pushes through.  So with almost no plan at 8:00 I finally put on my big boy pants, and my rain pants, and headed to the lake.

Weather

Rain and Wind SE 25mph+  (It freakin’ blew!)

Lake Level

Today  96.78 msl    Week Ago  96.68 msl

Solunar Times

Best 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm  Good  8:57 am to 10:15 am

*******************The Houston Fishing Show is next week, no better time to stock up!

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It was a fish where you can, with what you can, day!

It was not yet raining when I headed to Coleto, but the wind was blowing, and I mean howling and there was a light drizzle.  It was nice and warm and I knew the fishing would be tough simply due to the wind.  One of the attributes I have always liked about Coleto is that it is “fishable”, and though like today it can be a hassle, it is not life threatening like a major reservoir or the bay.  So at 8:30 the Mako slid off the trailer, the full rain gear came on, and off I went.

It was definitely a spinnerbait kinda’ day, and I started on a flat point at the mouth of a spawning cover on the down lake side of the bridge.  On my second cast, running a big willow leaf white tandem spin right below the surface making a big wake, 4 small bass came for it when one grabbed it.  As I fished the cove another 3 or 4 came over the side and things were looking up.  Next was another cove a little farther up, and a couple committed.  So I kept heading up lake and then a funny thing happened, I quit getting bit the further up I went, exactly the opposite of what has been happening to me.  I my be slow buy I ain’t stupid so it was time to turn around and head back down lake.

Best I could manage today.  Love it when this size and bigger stop it right on top.

The lake is really starting to clear and the water temps were in the mid 60’s on up, and for whatever reason the small fish were on the move.  But the falling water is really starting to affect things.  Many of the coves that are regular spawning coves are losing water, and the back ends all had some color.  There were very few visible beds and the tilapia have deserted the coves compared to last week even though the water temps are definitely up.  Due to the particular water level on the lake right now it seems that the minimal drop in the grand scheme of things really has changed things.  Thank goodness rain is on the way, the lake really needs it.

After striking out up lake it was time to head back down.  It really was apparent that lots of males have flooded the banks where I was having trouble catching them the last few weeks.  It is a great sign and the lake is about to get into real spring mode.  After putting about 10 smalls in the boat in the morning it slacked off and there was a period of a couple of hours where it was slow.  (See solunar periods above.)  The spinnerbait was the best choice  (In most places it was the only bait I could fish.) in the high wind, it was blowing around every corner so I stuck with it.  Mid afternoon they started biting again.

The best banks, unlike the last few weeks, were main lake banks with a nice chop.  That’s a joke.  If there were stumps on it there was a fish or two.  After that slow period another 5 or 6 jumped on, including a white bass, before I called it a day around 3:30.  A steady rain started around 2:00 and the fish seemed to react to it by starting to bite again.  I did have one big fish boil it and miss, but other than the one above the rest were small.  Buzzing the spinnerbait is one of my favorite ways to fish, it is so awesome to watch them come in the clearer water and smoke it.

The wind never did lay even a touch, and it was really raining when I called it a day.  It thundered a couple of times way off in the distance and you could tell the real rain was on the way.  There is not much that runs me off, lightning is one.  No sense in screwing up a perfectly good fishing trip by dying.  As far as numbers things were definitely looking up and the lack of a good one today was simply a matter of not being able to fish some of the best places.

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Thinking about last weekend on Falcon I really did enjoy fishing with Aaron.  It is nice to let someone else drive the boat, pick the places, and run the trolling motor.  As I get older I really do appreciate the whole experience, and watching Aaron do his thing was great.  At times I put to much pressure on myself to catch fish and it is nice to occasionally sit in the back of the boat and just fish.

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I would like to thank John for his nice comment and offer.  I just have to say with 9 in the corner that have not seen water yet I am stocked up.  Your consideration letting me know was kind, so thanks again.  Nice to know you are out there.

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What is wrong with women?  What woman in her right mind would not want to spend her birthday in the lovely town of Zapata Texas while I fish all day?  I mean come on, how selfish could she be?  There must be literally minutes worth of things to do there.  So instead I will have to suffer in Ruidoso New Mexico for a long weekend.  Some serious hiking is in the plans, I will drop off my elk hunting application, and there might even be a game of chance or two.  My favorite part, 4 wheeling in the mountains, you never know what you will see.  And who knows. she might even get a birthday present.

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 Tomorrow will have a low in the 40’s and the north wind will continue, though not quite as bad as it has been.  I may not get a real early start but I want to fish one more time before we hit the road.  And don’t forget the Houston Fishing Show next weekend, there are always some good deals to be had.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

About Redfishlaw

I am a retired attorney who just loves to fish. I was a freshwater guide for about 20 years and now have moved to the salt. I am not the greatest fisherman, but I am committed. So if you love fishing, and want to learn what little I have to offer, stop by anytime.
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