FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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It is Monday as I prep this for tomorrow’s fishing.  It is raining and it looks like the leading edge of the front will blow through later this afternoon and things look good for tomorrow and Wednesday.  From there it takes an ugly turn with a couple of days in the low 40’s with nighttime temps in the 20’s.  Let’s hope the powers that be have removed their head from their ass and we do not have another black out like last year.  I have read plenty and the verdict is still out on whether the system can handle another big freeze.  Funny how no one was responsible for last year.

It got warm and the gators were out and about today.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Let’s see.  Caught some on swim jig, crankbait, Knockin Tail on a jig head, Alabama Rig with Pearl Knockin Tail, jerkbait, topwater minnow, and probably something else I just can’t remember.  10 came over the side in the first hour and 4 came over the side on the last bank 7 hours later, it was one of those days.  So what is the problem?  I cannot pattern them, other than points.  But when you find them it is usually several in one spot but most are small.

The good news the water temp was up at least 5 degrees to the mid 60’s and even more in some places.  One thing it did was move one bunch I have been fishing from the point to the middle of a big cove on a secondary point.  Can you say pre-spawn?

This will do!

First, I have no idea how many I caught but it was a bunch, it helps when you catch 10 in the first hour.  The best bait today was clearly the jerk bait.  For some reason they actually wanted it paused longer today and the one above train wrecked it.  And I had one more bite that was in the same category, but with my superior skill I broke it off and lost my jerk bait.  It was actually weird, the Boss called while I was twitching it, and I stopped and went to the console to get the phone when one smashed it while I was going the other way and broke me off.

2 on crankbait and a jerkbait fish.

I wish I could be more specific but it really is a matter of keeping it in the water, no matter what you choice of baits.  It will all work right now.  And where?  Just depends.

First one is the last topwater fish.  There are tons this size right now, keeps it interesting.

It was cloudy with a light breeze out of the north until after noon.  It really was perfect for a late winter fishing day.  But as usual, we fishermen can never get the perfect conditions.  Around 1:00 it literally slicked off and cleared up.  There was barely a ripple and I was getting ready to quit when I removed head from rear end and remembered that it is topwater time.  So it was off to a cove with deep water and some brush way off the bank.

It was tough making a good cast with the balsa minnow but 2 jumped on in the first cove, and 2 more in the next.  The Bang O Lure pattern in winter into full on spring has always been good on Coleto, and the warming water temp put them back on the bank.  Which brings up tomorrow.  We have a huge front coming and from Thursday into Sunday it is going to be in the 40’s during the day and into the 20’s at night.  It will slow this thing down a little but at least there is fish to be caught.  You will have to wade thru plenty of little guys, but it is possible to get a big bite right now, and I cannot wait for tomorrow morning.

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I try my best to keep politics out of the blog, but I will never shut up on things like this.  The ex-President at his rally said he would pardon the folks from the violent assault of the Capital on 1/6.  Are you freakin kidding me?  You would pardon violent criminals convicted of assaulting and fighting with law enforcement? I do not want to ever hear out  of anyone’s mouth who support pardons for violent criminals who assault the police that they Back the Blue.  This is a simple either or, you support your police, or you don’t.  As I told my criminal defendants, assault the police and you will go to jail.  So now it is okay to assault and beat police officers and get a free pass?  I just do not get it.

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Don’t forget to watch Mark catch a slam on the Knockin Tail!

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I was lucky enough to meet Jake today out on the water.  Next time I will tell you a little more about him and a very interesting thing he does.  Suffice to say he makes a mean bait.  It was all about the fishing and will get the link up soon.

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See this.  It has saved me $100’s and $100 over the years.

The reason I am showing you this is how well it works.  There is very little this will not get out including A Rigs and crankbaits stuck on wood.  I have probably got that chartreuse crankbait out a good dozen times alone.  The point is why it is on a reel?  By using a reel, you can keep the line tight to the snag and then just clip the retriever on the line and ease it down and start to shake.  Without the reel it is just line and can be a mess, especially in the wind.  And the reel seems to hold enough line to reach most snags.  If it wasn’t for breaking them off on the bite I would lose very little tackle.

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Today was fun, tomorrow could be epic.  Big front coming, water warmed considerably with wind and clouds.  No excuses tomorrow.  And will add more topwater fishing in those places with little wind.  Then the bottom falls out and it will be in the house for several days.  But it is winter so no big deal.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

How exciting is that!  Congratulations to Michael and My Coast Outdoors for making the real deal.

So many good things to come from My Coast Outdoors.  The brand is growing and from the first time I threw the Controlled Descent Lure through the testing of the Knockin Tail it has been my pleasure to watch the company grow.  Michael is a great lure designer and expect big things to come in the future.  Again, my congratulations, now the big shots are finding out what the rest of us already know – The Knockin Tail catches fish, end of story.  I knew the Knockin Tail was a killer when he designed it and now Mark Davis has used them on his show.  So, if you get a chance tune in and watch the Knockin Tail do its magic.

And while it has been a struggle due to supply chain issues there is great news on the Knockin Tail front.  Appearing soon will be 3″ and 5″ additions which will round out the line for those of you who like bigger baits, or folks like me who like the smaller ones.  Plus he added a Geenback to the color line, (Hard to keep up with the color options but they all catch fish.)  which is basically a green/watermelon red flake Chicken on a Chain without the chartreuse tail, which should also be good for freshwater and salt.

Along with that painted jig heads are on the way.  I got to fish them earlier this fall and they look different than most.  One thing I was concerned about was when hopping and dropping would it fall over and get hung up more than others, but no problem.  It will also be good for you freshwater swim bait guys, the shape is right.  Additionally he will have a line of spinnerbaits, a man after my own heart.  Not sure if that will complete the line, he has plenty of ideas and is on the right track.  He will be at the Bassmaster Classic in South Carolina this year and then ICAST in Orlando along with other shows to introduce the new baits.  A real exciting time at My Coast Outdoors.

As far as the show not tons of traffic but when I can spend the day talking fishing it is the next best thing to being there.  Good to see some old friends, meet a reader of two, and meet some new folks.  I restrained myself and only bought a few jig heads.  Finally, I have gotten to the point in my life where I don’t need much, who would have ever thought that would come out of my mouth.  The Boss is still thunderstruck at the very thought.  So great way to spend a day and if you get a chance stop in the booth this weekend say hi.  Michael’s kids will be working the booth and who could you say no to a great deal on the Knockin Tail!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

Salty Head Tackle

They are seriously sharp and well made.

I really wanted to put a plug in for a great guy Jorge Guzman who I met at the show and is the owner of Salty Head Tackle.  As a jig head snob I like them a certain way and his Razor series look just right and come in a great looking 1/16.  Plus, they have a recessed reflective eye that looks deadly.  They also have a line of bucktails and plastics.  He is a big flounder guy and the bucktail is one of his go-to baits.  The one he gave me to try will probably get hijacked for some freshwater striper/white bass fishing unless it makes it until the fall run.

I really have an affinity for local young folks in the business and prefer to buy from them when I get the chance.  The fishing business is cutthroat and a tough nut to crack.  So please stop by his website, or booth if you are at the show, and buy some.  I will be gluing Knockin Tails on mine as soon as I finish this.

Home | Salty Head (saltyheadtackle.com)

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I only took one picture this time and it says it all about the current and soon to be past state of affairs in boating.

That is freakin insane!

Now if you can swing it have at it.  I just know that my last couple of trips to the gas station with the boat and truck was over $80 for a couple of trips.  I can’t imagine a stop at the marina for gas to feed a set of thirsty Quads!

To go along with that I looked at a couple of new Ranger bass boats fully rigged, almost, for tournament fishing.  Must say I was stunned to see they were OVER $100K!  Wow.  My old fishing partner and floor manager at Ranger would be amazed at what has happened.  But it sure brought back the memories.

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Moving to Arkansas like I did in the early 70’s put me in the heart of the birth of the bass fishing craze.  The first BASS tournament on Beaver Lake.  The Norfork bass club having the second Bassmaster Classic Champion.  Boat building just exploded.  From cigar style boats with a big 70hp to 21 foot Champion with 150 hps.  Fishing our club with John Story of Champion Boats.  The first Lew’s small profile, graphite rods, the explosion of bass jigs designed from the original Bull Shoals Sam Welch jig, the jerk bait, and on and on.  My buddy Lenny, who was the original Black Max, made famous by the introduction of the Mercury Black Max 150hp.  The resident pro at Tad’s Fishin Machine Lures where I worked winning a BASS tournament on the Buzz King spinnerbait, I actually have 2 left.  Getting to fish the Arkansas Federation tournament with our club which won the state title on a 6 out of 8 year stretch.  What I call the “Time of the Stripers” when they went nuts on Norfork and we caught 10 -20 pounders like crappie.  And finally, to be so lucky to guide off and on for over 20 years.  It was a time of innovation, and I will always be thankful to being there, it was something.

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This is how disconnected I have been the last 6 weeks or so, not only did I desert Facebook I actually missed a blog milestone that was a big deal to me.  A couple of posts ago was my 1,500th post.  That is a freakin lot.  Now if I would get off my ass and start reviewing there is a book in there somewhere.  And it would not be about me, but about fishing where folks like us find common ground.

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Funny how much I have learned from my TV fishing habit.  In Fishermen is really the top as far as actually disseminating information you can use.  In Wisconsin where you can only use one jig per bait they modified the Alabama Rig, instead of baits on the 4 outside arms they put a spinner on each arm with 1 bait on the middle arm.  (A quick note: They said the fish would hit the spinners at times but if you keep cranking and let the rod load up you were good to go.  Whether one bait or 5, just let them load the rod then set the hook.)  Looks good to me.  And I promise you, and myself, that I will throw a smaller one on the bay over deep shell this summer.  The more I think about it (5 years or so.) the better it sounds.  I base that assessment on my early days fishing trout in Florida.  It was the Bang O Lure used as a jerk bait in that clear water where I would often see multiple trout chasing and flashing at it.  The A Rig with Knockin Tail trailers might absolutely kill them.  (Which is why I just ordered some smaller ones for this summer.)

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We love seeing the wolves in Yellowstone.  Unfortunately, they wander out of the park and this year a ton have been shot or killed outside the park.  Montana just reduced the seasons bag numbers after so many were killed.  Of course, there are competing interests from wolf experts, tourism interests, and ranchers.  I have no problem with hunting them when legal though I never would, but at times the justification for it is not really grounded in science.

The first year we saw them the number of farm animals killed by wolves the prior year was over 200 domestic animals.  Remember the ranchers are compensated for the animals, so it is not a total loss for them.  The same year domestic dogs were responsible for killing over 2,000 animals statewide.  As usual do not listen to the hype on either side, as I have said repeatedly, we have to figure out a way for all of us to enjoy the outdoors and the game and fish.  As crowded as the outdoors is becoming the conflicts will only increase.

A perfect example of the debate is what has happened in Colorada the last month.  A pair moved into northwestern Colorado and for the first time in forever had a documented litter of 6 pups.  Great as Colorado voted to re-introduce them.  Unfortunately, they have killed some cattle on a ranch.  Once that starts and happens again, they have to be either removed with passive and active measures or they have to be shot.  Since it is Colorado, they are still considered endangered, so no killing is allowed.  But most experts say once they kill like that it will happen again so the Game and Fish in partnership with landowners and biologists are working together to figure out a solution.  So time will tell how that plays out.  In the end they are magnificent animals, they have a place on this earth, where remains to be seen.

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Going to the show gave me a boost to get back at it.  My return to Facebook and an internet presence is coming soon.  Time to start organizing the calendar.  So many places so little time and money but I will give it a shot.    Tomorrow it is football, Monday the forecast is for heavy rain with possible street flooding.  Unless something changes will be back on the water Tuesday.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I was out at daylight, and it flat sucked.  The wind was blowing 20mph out of the NE and it was cold.  When it blows that direction on Coleto it blows around every corner.  The water temp was just like it was yesterday though the color is improving rapidly.  And I actually outthought myself when I decided to start off in a different place.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

There are several things I do not understand but that is actually what makes fishing what it is.  Right now I can catch them on all of the things below.  But fishing one alone does not get the job done. it requires constant change.  And there is no “place.”  Some are on deep banks, some on long banks with brush, even a few in the coves.  But the thing I have never understood, and it is one of my superstitions:  Catching one of the first cast with a new bait.

The first cast with the Alabama Rig with Pearl Knockin Tail trailers saved the morning.

It was very spotty this morning, and before it was over 9 came over the side.  About half of what bit yesterday.  It was slow so I alternated baits and when I picked up the A Rig the one above smoked it like a big fish is supposed to.  Next cast a small one. then nothing for an hour.

One a shad-colored square bill.

Same with this guy.  No matter what I tried it was one here and there.  So when I could not get a bite on the chartruese crankbait I switched to a shad color and started catching fish, but most were small, other than the one above.  (Remember yesterday when I said I might have that in my hand all day, no such luck.)  It finally became apparent that they were on the edge of the grass and did not want it paralleled but pulled straight off the bank out of the grass at a medium retrieve.   Which is why them wanting it presented like that I decided to try the A Rig.

Swim jig with a Peal Knockin Tail trailer.  And of course, the jerk bait.

A couple did hit the jerk bait but it was not as fast as it has been.  As the morning wore on the sun came out, the wind died just a hair, so I decided to try working the white swim jig with the Knockin Tail trailer through the cover at the last place around 1:00.  The one above jumped on and I missed a couple.  Like they were the other day, you had to run it our through the trash and hit an outside bush and they would react.  While today was tough at least the average size was a little better.

So what have I learned the last couple of days?  One good thing, one “sorta” bad.  The good part, they will hit lots of stuff.  The bad part, there is not a real pattern.  Covering the miles seems to be the best option, especially with the wind we have had.  The only thing that made a difference today was they wanted it reeled straight out from the brush.  And cranking the bill off the chartreuse square bill did not get a bite.  There you go, the only thing I really know is how little I know right now.  But the girls have swollen bellies and it won’t be long, that I do know.

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And this from SA Joe.

Where is the BOAT SHOW ???
Thanks
Joe

It is at the NRG Center in Houston.  They have actually combined the boat show with the auto show, not to mention tackle, travel, and other stuff.  There will be over 2oo exhibiters so it should be a good show.  At least I am the point in my life where walking through the boats does not make me want a new one.  (Not much.)  The only thing besides Knockin Tails I need is jig heads.  Wish I had not sold my pot and molds when I went to law school.  I have actually made baits longer than I practiced law, but that is another story.  Good to hear from you.

https://houstonboatshows.com/

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The fishing is actually interesting right now.  There are literally tons of smalls and some of them are big bellied girls.  The fishing has been steady if nothing else.  But they are moving around some, though it seems like it is different most days.  But at least they are biting.

Next week I hope to spend some time on the bay before the lake takes off.  And I am currently beginning to think about the next couple of trips.  I am going to try to squeeze in Colorado and Arkansas before it gets to late.  Beside some fly fishing if the weather works out will take the boat and fish Navajo Reservoir.  And same for Arkansas, some fly fishing if they are not running tons of water, and a little nighttime fishing for stripers along with anything else on my old stomping grounds.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I decided to go a little later this morning after the cold rain we had all day yesterday, then fish a little later.  It was supposed to clear off and get sunny, which it did for about an hour.  Around that time the bite was not to bad, but it slowed just a little around 2:00 after it clouded up and blew harder out of the north.  But at least I caught a few, they just did not measure up.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

The water temp was 56 at the ramp, 61 in front of the discharge cove, 55 way up lake, and 58 in the plant arm.  Since the sun really only warmed about an hour there was no particular place any warmer than any other.  I started with the A Rig and Pearl Knockin Tail trailers and could not buy a bite.  Since that place has been producing I re-fished it and ended up boating 4 on the blue Rapala jerkbait, not sure the size but it is maybe 4″.  From that “point” on, and that is not a joke, it was one here and one there.  And it may just be jutting out place on the bank but if it is a point be ready.

They liked the jerk bait early.

It was just rough enough that I never did fish the Knockin Tail on a jig head, it was definitely a moving bait day.  One did take a pass at the white swim jig with a Pearl Knockin Tail trailer but was not that interested.  Today I decided to keep track of numbers to see how the front might have affected things.  The final total was 17, all on crankbait and jerk bait, which is just a few less than I have been catching.  But I just could not get any real ones.  We have plenty of 13″, and they were the staple bite today.

And the chartreuse crankbait had its moments.  The only reason I showed you all of these was so you can see the consistent size.

I was really surprised that the bite was as consistent as it was, not fast, but keep it in the water and they bit.  I did try a couple of new spots without success, it is still a main lake bite for me.   A couple of places that had been producing 3 – 5 only gave up one, not surprising after this cold front.  Overall today gets a B all things considered.

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TPWD started a prescribed burn at the Bastrop State Park that turned into the Rolling Pines fire.  Luckily, they got it under control without loss of life or structure.  They will assess what happened later but looks like it could have been a lot worse.  They might have noticed like I did that day, the wind was blowing like crazy.

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One of the fishing places on my bucket list, one that will never happen, is Santee Cooper in South Carolina, but probably not for the reason you might think.  The lake is famous for BIG blue cats, and the time to catch them both here and there is now.  It took 200.1lbs to win with a big fish of 106 to win the first tournament of the year.   Three catfish that average over 66lb apiece!  That is insane big.

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It is so important that if you received a card from your local election officials that you sign it and return it.  They cannot be trusted to do the right thing so return your card or you will get to the polls next election and be turned away.  Sorry, but I just do not understand (Of course I do!) why there is a plot to allow less people to vote.  This is a freakin democracy, or at least it is supposed to be.  Maybe they should look up the definition.  My only question:  What are they afraid of?

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There is some great news on the Knockin Tail front from My Coast Outdoors.  With the boat show this weekend, will be there a day working the booth, I will let Michael spread the news and I will share it with you when the show is over.  Suffice to say it is going to be a big year for My Coast Outdoors.  And if you go to the boat show stop by the booth and spend some money.

Not sure going later actually helped today.  And with the forecast just about the same, high of 60 with winds 12 – 20 out of the NE.  And the weather dude said it was going to be like today, with an occasional sunny period but basically cloudy all day.  Not the best conditions but I am starting to get my mojo back and who knows, a day of good fish is right around the corner.  If things go like that the crankbait may stay in my hands all day.  So keeps stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I could not catch a big fish no matter how I tried.  But on the other hand I do not mind wading through 25 to get a good one.  Guess it was not going to happen today.

It was barely daylight when I started.  First up was the A Rig with the While Ice Knockin Tail trailers.  2 jumped on the first point and it was looking good, until a little peckerwood broke an arm off.  Then when I tried to straighten it out another broke, so much for that.  Having 4 in the tackle room was no help.  But it turned out to not matter.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

The second bank I did not have a bite, but from then on it never happened anywhere I fished.  They were still biting when I quit, and there are a bunch of different patterns.  At some point the big fish should show up but not this morning.  But the bite was on.

The next point it was 3 on jerkbait, so I re-fished it with the swim jig and caught another.  So why not re-fish it with the crankbait and 3 more jumped on that.  I stuck with the jerkbait until around 11:00 and had another place where I boated 6.  From that point on it was a steady bite the rest of the day.  Best numbers I have had in a while.

Unfortunately, I lost my Luo’s Lures custom painted jerkbait.  One got on then went in a bush and hung up.  Out came the lure retriever and it took a while to get it off.  Finally, it came free with the fish still on when he gave a flop, the line broke, and off he swam with my jerkbait.  So switched to a little smaller blue back Rapala and boy did they like that.  They were not really smacking it, they would just be there when you went to jerk it.  The best was a jerk pause, jerk/jerk pause retrieve at a medium speed, always letting it pause.

Jerk bait put them in the boat today.

Points are atill where the numbers are, but after catching that one on the swim jig earlier I decided to just head down long banks with brush on them.  Switching to a white swim jig with a Pearl Knockin Tail it turned out to be a reaction bite.  I ended up catching 5 or 6 after noon fishing grass and cover.  It was not fast but by covering the water and reeling it fairly quickly through the trash they would jump on it.   Only 1 hit off the cover, they wanted it in the trash and moving right along.  Fun bite.

The white swim jig with a Pearl Knockin Tail.

It seems there are 3 good patterns right now, it is just a question on whether they hold up after this front.  But it was definitely good fishing for numbers.  They bit from the first place to the last.  And there is a fish or two in the coves as long as there is cover, but not near as many as on the points.  And paralleling crankbaits works as well, so today was just a question of what I threw and when.

And another Kentucky.  If they have only shocked 5 in  20 years it would take them 40 years to shock what I have caught this month.  Told you they love a jerkbait.

Most of the fish have been small, some maybe 10 – 12″.  So I looked up the stocking history and in 2019 they put 121,500 fry in the lake.  Looks like they are starting to grow up some.  As we wait to see how the grass re-stocking goes, if it all comes together Coleto could be in for a real explosion in 3 or 4 years.  For now at least they are providing action.

Today they bit jerkbait, A Rig, swim jig, and crankbait.  The jerkbait got the numbers but it did not seem to matter.  Just do the right thing in the right place and you would get bit.  Now it is a waiting game to see what this big front brings tonight, and then how long it lasts.  It may move them out of the cover, but the classic winter spots, points and channel swings will still have them.

Glad I got my rear end out of bed and to be on the water at daylight.  This had a spring feel to it, and some of them were definitely on the fat side.  What happens now is up in the air.  And I hope to get to the bay soon for a couple of days.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

What happens when you stop at the discharge to check the water temp.  Not sure why she was bleeding.

I ended up being responsible yesterday and fished today.  Unfortunately sleeping a little late probably hurt, but it was pretty good until the wind really started blowing.

The water color has really deteriorated and if I did not know better it resembles the occasional turnover on the highland lakes of Arkansas.  It was 59 at the ramp, 62 over most of the lake, 65 at the discharge,  but a cool 58 degrees once you make the big turn and head up the river.

It was calm first thing and like the forecast said the wind would come up which it did by 10:00.  First up was a mainlake bank where I caught the one below and another small one on the Alabama Rig with White Ice Knockin Tails.  For the next month or so it will be a steady producer and is a great way to get a big bite.  So it was looking up, and then disaster struck.  The next spot is a deep point with big trees.  I have caught my share of big fish off it and with no wind on it was perfect for the A Rig.

On about my 10th cast as I worked the point one absolutely slammed it about 15 feet from a tree.  When I set the hook, it was way past solid, it was the real deal.  I tried to pull her away from the tree but that was not happening and in she went.  She stayed on for a while but by time I got to her, she was an easy 10 foot deep, she was gone, and my A Rig was caught in the tree.  Fortunately, the lure retriever did its work and saved me several times today.  Occasionally you lose a big one, this was it, and it wasn’t my fault.  Dang it!  I did fish one more bank near the dam with the A Rig but did not get a bite.

The Alabama Rig with White Ice Knockin Tails.  The got to crankbait.

So from there I wanted to stop at the discharge and see what the temp was, turned out to be 65.  While it is rarely on my list I fished it today and caught 4 including the bleeder above.  Besides fishing discharges is not my thing, after losing a couple of tungstan weights time for something different.  But if you like to fish it with the big cold front coming in a couple of days it will get good.

From there up lake to crank and check on the white bass.  The area I normally catch them was 57 and the locator was bare.  Made a pass down the channel looking for them, or at least the shad, and they were definitely gone.  At this point the wind was blowing right along so time to crank.  Before it was over it was 8 or 10 all small, but………   On the way in stopped at a big cove with the wind blowing out of it so went to the back and fished out.  Halfway out one slack lined me on the crankbait.  It seemed to be hooked up and really small so no big deal.  Unfortunately, it was a big deal and a really nice one pulled off at the boat, always a possibility on the crankbait.  That is the way it went today, some slack lined it, some smoked it, as long was it came in on a nice steady retrieve they would bite it.  I caught at least one everywhere until around 2:00 when I struck out 2 straight places and called it a day.  An easy dozen and a couple of shots at big fish made it a good day.

As a side note the ospreys were working hard, saw the eagle, and a herd of deer.  It is important to remember it is not all about the fish.  Time to start carrying the extra Cannon camera again, would have had some great shots.

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And it was good to get a report from our Fayette guru Rusty.

Finally some winter days! We have been fishing both the lake and the Creek last 3 weeks. The Creek fishing has been slower than usual, but have caught enough fish to keep going there. Lots of reds and flounder but the decent trout all but disappeared. Water temp is 53-56 degrees, good color but very low tides. Not a normal year for sure.
Fayette lake fishing has been great fishing in 18-30’ using Ned rigs and Senkos lots of large fish. The bass should start moving closer to spawning between now and next full moon. I’m going to focus on bass, til I leave end of February for Mexico bass fishing. I’m starting to get excited about that. Safe travels and tight lines! Rusty

A good report on both fronts.  Good to know you are still catching good fish on Fayette, a sign of things to come in the next couple of months.  Hopefully a little shallower than 30 feet.  The Creek though is both interesting and different this year.  One of 2 things happened, either the water in bay did not get cold enough to drive them in the river like usual, or it is a good indicator the current trout population after the big freeze.  My guess is some of both happened.  Seems similar to what Pat is finding on his normal winter trout areas.  And now we are really going to have a winter with a couple of fronts since you wrote this, with things headed to the 40’s later in the week.  Like I said the other day as far as I am concerned a tighter limit would only help all the way around, at least until the net studies confirm all is well.  Thanks for the comment and good luck in Mexico.

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Tomorrow it is going to be in the high 70’s with the wind blowing pretty hard.  Then in the evening it gets here with wind and rain.  The high Thursday is going to be 44 degrees, so it will be a 30 degree temp drop with cool rain.  Winter is finally here.  So will try to get my old butt earlier and get on the water before it goes to heck for 3 or 4 days.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Line

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

We were at an undisclosed location doing undisclosed things and it sure was fun.  But it is going to be back to things as usual around here.  

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Here is a great comment from Pat.

Hello Doug,
Thanks for what you do and highlighting the killing of the four whooping cranes. My son and I duck hunted the POC back lakes this weekend and Sunday morning when the sun rose there were 10 within 200 yards of us and many heard in the distance. With all the airboat traffic in the marshes I’m surprised no environmentalist have tried to shut them down for “harassing wildlife”. The amount of airboat traffic during duck season is out of control as there’s no more peace on the bays. They can be heard coming miles away and you can’t hear yourself think when they pass by. That’s my rant but every CCA photo op of a new project has a pic of their higher ups with a airboat in the background lol. Fishing was tough…either the fish aren’t in their winter haunts yet or the freeze has taken it’s toll. Probably some of both with the warm winter so far.
Thanks

I have deleted a few identifiers in this post to give Pat a little annonymity for a couple of reasons.  But the real point, when he talks fishing on the coast it is time to listen.  He and his son have probably caught more big trout than all my friends combined, and that is not an exaggeration.  So when he talks tough fishing, and lack of trout on his normal winter pattern it is time to take notice.

With our winter, or lack of it until the last couple of weeks it would make sense that they have not moved into their historical winter haunts, if they had Pat and his son would have found them.  Who knows, maybe this weekend’s norther will get them there.  The other 0ption, they took it on the chin a lot harder than we might have thought.  What gives credence to that theory is the state is thinking of a major reduction in the limit, both numbers and size restrictions.  Guess what I am saying is if they were not finding them there is probably a problem.  I hope it is the weather but fear it is the reduction in the population or why would TPWD be thinking about reducing the catch?  I know I almost froze my ass off during the freeze so that might have literally happened to the trout.

Now to the airboat thing.  First, they are fun having fished and duck hunted out of them.  But in the time I have spent on the bay the worst treatment I have ever experienced was when a guide (Or a complete asshole in my opinion.) from a local operation went between us and the bank where we were on a school of tailing reds.  Gives you an idea how shallow it was.  He then the next morning he did the very same thing to my buddy who went back to fish the same fish.  People wonder why guides are criticized but that type of behavior comes with a self-centered entitlement, “I am a guide” so I have bigger rights than the regular dude.   They so forget that it is our water and we have just given then the ability to use it to make a living on OUR resource.  When we balance the resources on the planet like fish and game the taxpaying citizen should come first, period.   Commercial users of our resource should come second.  The fight over our resources is growing every day, see below.

As far as the airboats I really know little about them, other than they are louder than all get out and as far as a nice quiet day on the bay those days are over unfortunately.  But I am one of those no music on the boat guys.  It is the outdoors not a bar, but that is another topic.  So if any of you know:  Why do they not have a classic muffler on them?  If it simply because they sound bad or cool then that makes no sense.

The Whoopers to us are just like the bears, wolves and other things we love to pursue in the outdoors.  In fact, they are sure one of the rarest wildlife you can see in this country.  Your comment on the environmentalists getting their panties in wad is directly on point.  As the outdoors becomes more and more crowded this type of issue will continue to come up.  We have to figure out ways to accommodate all the interests: hunters, fishermen, hikers, off-roaders, environmentalists, bikers, guides, crazy cat ladies, and any other group that claims an entitlement to usage of the outdoor resource.  Compromise is going to be necessary.  When usage and behavior is balanced it would seem crazy loud would be at the bottom of the discussion.  Really appreciate your comments and if any of you have anything to add on airboats would love to hear no matter where you come down on the issue.  Thanks for your comment.

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Great question from Lacy.

Whats your go to spinning rod & reel set up for those frisky Colorado rainbow lake trout.

A good 7 foot light or medium light action rod with a small spinning reel.  You can throw it a mile with a Rooster Tail, small spoon or a Countdown Rapala.  But most important, 4lb fluorocarbon line.  You could use a Zebco 202 and cheap rod and catch them with the fluoro as clear as most of those lake are.  It really helps to be able to toss it a mile in the lake.  Then start reeling and if you do catch one start counting down.  Often throwing a Rooster Tail I will catch them above a 20 count one day and then by the rocks right on the bank the next.  But if you really want to whack them for supper the Power Bait or something like that is the ticket.  I have watched folks sack them up in nothing flat using it. Good to hear from you and if you head that way let us know how it went.  Out of the water in the pan!

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Lake O.H. Ive, which was responsible for most of the ShareLunker bass in Texas last year is at it again.  You must be kidding me!  A 14.48 and 14.92 on the same day.  That is stupid big.  And both were caught on the Alabama Rig.  If you bass fish and it is not a part of your arsenal you are missing out.  This is the time of year to throw it so buy one, put some Pearl Knockin Tails on the back and hang on.  Like I will be trying tomorrow.

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And speaking of bass here is the note I got from the TPWD biologist on the Kentucky’s I have been catching.

Greetings, Doug.  Really appreciate the note and interest in Coleto Creek.  We too, have great hopes and are optimistic our collective efforts to restore fisheries habitat and reestablish desirable native vegetation will achieve some great successes and help restore the great largemouth bass fishery.

That is interesting indeed! TPWD has not stocked any spotted bass in the reservoir.   And while spotted bass are native to the Guadalupe drainage, we infrequently encounter them in Coleto.  In fact, I queried our fisheries monitoring data and we have only collected 5 over the last 20 years or so.  Hope this info is useful and we will keep our eye out for them in future sampling.

Feel free to reach out anytime.

All the best and tight lines,

Greg

First, I really appreciate a response, nice to know they are listening.  But most importantly, I have caught more in the last month than they have found in the samplings the last 20 years.  So my recommendation, be sure to sample up lake.  It will be interesting to see how many more are caught in the future.  I do know I am not the only one who has caught one, so stay tuned.  I really am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad thing.  My guess it is a secondary response to our loss of grass, but just like all the medical know-it-alls we have right now that is the best you can call me on fish biology.

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2 Off topic legal rants.

Our felony indicted Attorney General has been ordered to turn over emails and other pertinent documents surrounding his communications after and during the takeover of the capital.  He initially refused citing executive privilege.  Sorry but that is pure horseshit.  What is he afraid of?

 “When the public official responsible for enforcing public records laws violates those laws himself, it puts a dagger in the heart of transparency at every level in Texas,” he said. “Why should other Texas officials be transparent with public information if the AG himself is not?”

There should be very few exceptions, and there are, for turning over our documents.  I am sick of folks from your local dog catcher, police department, mayor or whoever we pay citing some non-existent executive privilege or other mysterious “cause I said so” exception.  They work for us, we paid for their work and production, we own it and they do not!  There should be no secrets.  It is so time for term limits, we need to purge the government of folks who think they own the show. (And I mean across the board:  See Pelosi and McConnell who are walking fossils.  Remember I am also one of those fossils. )  If any of these self-important pinheads think they are above our requests, they need to go.

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And one last off topic legal rant that really got my attorney back up.

The man filing the suit is 23 years old, 5 feet 7, and Black. The actual man listed on the arrest warrant was 49 years old, 5 feet 11, and a white man with a “bushy white beard” and blue eyes. The arresting officers failed to properly verify the person listed on the warrant.

“Failed to properly verify the person listed on the warrant.”  What kind of BS excuse is that?  A black dude, with no criminal record was arrested on a warrant and jailed for over a week after being stopped in Law Vegas for a traffic violation.  Everyone who was responsible for checking his identification should be fired and have any law enforcement license suspended, end of story.  Think that is too harsh?

He was stopped for a traffic violation.  When the officer ran him the name was the same on a warrant, but the officer did not even bother to read past line one, much less the whole warrant which he could and should have done if he was not lazy or stupid, take your pick.  So he cuffed and stuffed him and took him to jail.  The jailers then did the exact same thing in spite of him repeatedly telling them you got the wrong guy.  Multiple folks in the line did not do even the most basic part of their job.  He ended up in jail for over a week.

So too harsh for you?  Of course in your case if it happened to you it would be no harm no foul right?  Just never mind, it was ok to stay the week with the rest of the prisoners.  And of course the towing company would give you your car back without cost, if you paid to post a bond the bondsman would give you your money back, and if you hired an attorney he would give you back your money.  Dream on.  But if you are ok with them not being fired you have never been jailed or are full of *&^%, it is not a motel.  This was not a case of looked like someone, or even both the same color, it was nothing more than pure lazy causing a man to have his freedom taken away for absolutely no reason.  Can’t wait to see what that costs the taxpayers.  When the government has the right to jail you they have a duty to get it right, this is not tidily winks.

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Sorry for the off topic rants but sometimes I can not help but pontificate on legal issues.  I love being retired a lot more than I like being an attorney, but it is ingrained in me and I will always be a “lawyer”, licensed or not.  (I am currently still paying small dues in Texas but am classed as inactive and cannot call myself a lawyer or take your money.  Thank God!)  To bad the profession comes in below used car salesman in some poles on public perception.  Guess since I have been taking this break I have to much time on my hands.

Tomorrow I will be headed to the lake to see how things have changed.  The way it has gone this winter I am done taking a guess on how the fishing will be.  This whole year on Coleto has been hard to predict, and there is even some of that on the bay.  But a new year is here and it will be what it will be.  And time to head to the few places I catch better trout, I expect some of the same results Pat had but hope springs eternal.  Like all fishermen tomorrow is a new day and the fishing will be great.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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This the email I sent to our area TPWD biologist.

First my compliments on the re-seeding of the vegetation on Coleto.  It will be a real game changer.  Since I retired from practicing law I have been fishing Coleto regularly for the last 12 years as I now full time blog about fishing.  I have seen it go from one of the best lakes in Texas to one of the slowest so I have great hopes for the future.

But there has been a new development that I find really interesting.  As a background note I guided and fished the Highland lakes of Arkansas for over 30 years so I know one bass from another.  So what is intersting?  Why all of a sudden am I catching Kentucky/Spots regularly?  Over the last month I tend to catch one every day.   Where did they come from, or were they stocked?  Most are small, and right now they are up lake in the river.  I can honestly say until this fall I have never caught one in the lake.

So I appreciate any insight you might have so I can let my readers know what the deal is.  Thanks in advance.

Still awaiting a response (Over a week now.)  and will let you know when I hear.  I just find it so interesting how they have appeared out of nowhere.

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Sadly 4 Whooping cranes have been killed in Oklahoma on their way here.  They were shot gunned in an area where the Sandhills are hunted.  Of course they do not look even a little alike and there is no excuse.  It can carry up to a year in prison and a fine of $100K.  According to the article the wardens are working on a search warrant and with any luck they will arrest these fools.  There is no excuse.  This is the kind of behavior that looks bad on all of us who follow the law in the outdoors.  Time for a lifetime hunting ban for something like this.  Sick.

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And for all you believers that the folks who entered the Capital and beat policemen were just patriots, well here is your poster boy.

Pruitt, known by the moniker “Jacked Beast” online, has a prior criminal history including 19 arrests and eight convictions. He was wearing a GPS monitor while on probation in multiple states and was already subject to curfew and other release conditions at the time that he allegedly committed crimes related to the Capitol breach.

A real model citizen and a shining example of a real Back the Blue adherent.  Come on folks, he has 19 arrests and 8 convictions, you have to be kidding me.  Patriot?  He is a menace.  I am so sick of hypocrites who “Back the Blue” and then support what happened that day.  You cannot have it both ways.  If you break stuff, enter a building illegally, and fight the cops, no matter what your political affiliation or reason you are a criminal, end of story.

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And there is an interesting development in the state of Ohio concerning searches of “unlicensed” meat processors and taxidermists by the wardens.  (I assume that means they are not licensed or regulated by the Game and Fish.)  The basic rule for government agencies is they can do administrative searches, a perfect example are INS checkpoints, or you at the ramp, as part of their wildlife regulatory functions.  But after a lawsuit was filed, they will now get a warrant to do a search of that kind of business.  To simplify it, if you are fishing, they can search your boat for the fun of it without a warrant, but to enter your home later and search your fridge they need a warrant.  That is a logical ruling, just think about how you would feel if a warden drove by your house, saw a boat in the driveway, and just barged right in and searched your house.

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And as long as we are writing on the legal front here is a terrible story out of Mississippi.  2 anglers, and I use the term loosely, were busted with 152 crappie on Lake Enid.  Busted  not only for way over the limit but other game violations.  That lake just happens to be where the world record crappie was caught in 1957 at a healthy 5.3 pounds.  For most of us maybe one short on the board, or one over because you miss counted, that stuff happens.  But when poachers like this have that many that is stone cold intentional conduct.  Time for max fine and suspension of the license to hunt and fish for as long as possible.  Game hogs.

And the same things goes for the 10 Knuckleheads who were caught with 1600 feet of gillnet in Tampa Bay.  (As it was in sight of the bridge they are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.)  They had over 500lbs of fish.  So they are charged with multiiple fish violations but there is a surprise Texas should look at.  Use of the gill net is a felony carrying up to 5 years in the pen.  Time to get tough on folks like this stealing our resource.

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And congrats to the TPWD Marine Investigator who cracked a multi-state boat and vehicle theft ring.  Sharp eyed tax folks found some suspicious jet ski titling and the officer investigated and 3 knuckleheads were arrested.  Good job, now it is up to the court to lay the smack down on them.

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So have a great week and stay safe.  If you fish I hope you catch a few.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Gooc Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I got this interesting comment from Matt on Oklahoma’s new bass rules.

People have been releasing bass for so long now that there are lots that don’t think they taste good.

We have ponds at the ranch where we do exactly what Oklahoma does. Those little bass sure are tasty.

Not sure why some folks think bass are not good eating.  I have been eating them for over 50 years and since I came to Texas they have only gotten better to eat.  Before Texas I never saved fish by going from the water to directly to the ice until I fished the salt.  Now that is my regular practice and it really works on freshwater fish.  So firm and tasty.

Bass fishermen deserve most of the credit for bringing back the population by practicing CPR.  It was almost a sin to keep bass but times they are a changing.  Oklahoma did not come to that decision without the science.  It seems like these days we have tons of biologists, doctors, lawyers, and a host of other professionals that are being ignored.  Plenty of wannabes who know it all but did not tote the note to get the education, or even understand the science.  Anecdotal evidence is not science, nor is it really evidence.  It does not hurt to eat small bass, end of story.  And many bodies of water need some thinning out.  So time for bass fisherman to respect the science, it will only help the fishing.  Plus who does not want to catch bigger bass?

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And a few other folks commented along these lines.

Happy New Year! And thanks for everything you do…I enjoy following you on your trips.  Ervin.

I will not post the others, it seems to be to self-serving.  But thanks Winfred, SA Joe and the rest of you, thanks for your support.  I want you to be sure I read every single comment and cannot thank you enough.  As long as I am writing I will always appreciate your support.  Thanks again.

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As soon as I post this I am headed for a laser treatment on my right eye.  Over the last year my vision has gotten worse but I just lived with it until a serious problem arose.  I can cast a crankbait up your nose, pick a nostril.  And as a bass fisherman at times casting accuracy is important and I started to either throw it short or in the bush as my depth perception slowly declined.  Now we can’t have that.  The Doc told me it is scar tissue where the eye tries to make a new lens after cataract surgery, not an uncommon happening.  And he also said after the eye test I could not have passed the driver test.  Good grief.  It is a 1-minute procedure that will fix it, no problem.  I can’t wait to see how much he makes a minute.

And right before I hit send I get a call and my sister had a kidney burst.  She is in ICU until stable enough to remove it.  She is doing ok considering so will just have to wait and see.  It is hell getting old.  And then not 5 minutes later I get notified my buddy who is going through cancer treatments has covid.  He is doing better thank God.  (And for those of you who have not been vaccinated if he had not had his with the booster he would probably be dead right now.)  These are the times that put fishing in perspective.

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Not sure what is next.  We are headed out the middle of next week for a few days of adult fun since she has the time off anyway.  But she has already picked a new place to visit, Ashville NC.  Being right next to Rocky Mountain National Park we will be there about the time the bears come out so really looking forward to that.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.  Back to work and school for most folks, back to real life.  But our spring fishing is just around the corner and as the weather warms folks will return to the water after the fall hunting season.  With this cold front we are having it will be interesting to see what it does to the fishing.  I have a couple of things to do in the next few days but will be back at it in a day or two.

Panama, it just is not happening.  We spent a lot of time talking about it and just decided to cancel for several reasons.  First is the possibility of testing positive to the covi  and having to quarantine in Panama for 5 or 10 days before we could re-enter the US.  And since that period is a little up in the air we just were not willing to chance it.  We have both had our shots and are not worried about getting “sick” but being stuck in a hotel in Panama for a week or more is not on the schedule.

Second the airlines are not exactly having a good day either, with over 12,000 cancellations since Christmas.  (Actually, just saw on the news, now 15,000 since Christmas and over 1,400 today.)  Since it was not a non-stop that added to our decision, getting stuck at a layover would be the pits. When we combined the potential flight issues with the covi issues we decided discretion was the better part of valor.  The funny thing, these are airline tickets that have been paid for that have had to be canceled in the past due to this stupid pandemic.  But cancelling cost us nothing and the tickets are still parked in travel limbo.  And the hotel in Panama was not paid for so that was no problem.

In our travels we have been fairly lucky, this time it just did not feel right.  Traveling out of the country has its own issues on a good day, which is why our big trip this year is Alaska.  As of today, I am instituting a no foreign travel policy until this pandemic straightens out.  We have missed out on Africa, Thailand, and now Panama.   We have learned 2 very important things about out of the country travel that has saved us big $$$ over this pandemic.  First use a reliable reputable travel company, and second, travel insurance.  Stuff happens and while I am sad we decided to not go, we are going somewhere so not a total loss.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

**************

Nice to get a Fayette report from our resident guru Rusty.

. Fayette Lake fishing reports: 20-30’ is where the bait fish are at , as well as really good bass. Ned rigs using watermelon/red Senkos Ton of boats fishing as well as mucho cast netters in the shallows. It’s been fun catching them. I’ve lost couple hawgs that will give me nightmares for a while. Mexico bass fishing coming up last of February . Tight lines mi amigo

I will admit I deleted some of his post, just say we are not getting any younger.  (Just back from the eye guy and will be having some laser surgery on Friday, no big deal.  It is hell getting old.)  But he fishes Fayette regularly and his reports are reliable.  And this one is like my current Coleto, more folks fishing, which will slow down now that the holiday season is over.  But it won’t last as spring is on the way.  Thanks for the report and can’t wait to get your Mexico report.

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Oklahoma

Every once in while a Game and Fish Department does something innovative, and Oklahoma has done it.  While not what they are calling a complete 180 degrees turn around, it is close.  The statewide bass limit will go to 6, but only one may be over 16″ with the rest under.  Their studies for the last 20 years revealed that catch and release worked to well.  The science says a body of water can only sustain so many pounds of fish per acre based on its make-up, end of story.

I have been saying it for years, time to eat the small ones, it does not hurt anything.  This total catch and release philosophy is not based in science, unless you want tons of small fish.  There was a time, like when I first started guiding in Arkansas when the limit was 10 with no length requirement, when the fishing justified the new rules and catch and release was a good thing for the fishery.  But times have changed and bass fishermen need to get over it.  (Of course bass fishermen are all scientists, ask em!)  There are plenty of bass and if we want bigger fish time to eat some.  It may sound counter intuitive, but that is the facts.  A big congratulations on Oklahoma’s decision to follow the science.

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Good!

An Italian anti-vaxxer and COVID-denier who sparked outrage after declaring himself a “plague spreader” and boasting about how he walked around sick and maskless in a supermarket is now dead of COVID-19.

Remember when it “was” just 15 cases and would be over soon?  And then when folks denied it existed, or that it was not as bad as they say? Or that the vaccine does not work?  (Tell that to the majority of folks on vents in the hospital who are not vaccinated.)  Say that to the face of folks who have lost their loved ones, or the folks in the hospitals and ERs who have worked their ass off and faced it head on for your freakin sake and see what response you get.  It is fools like this who are spreading it with no thought for others and could cause the death of you and your family.  It killed this fool, wonder how many people he infected?  He gives selfish POS a new meaning.  So no sympathy here, it could not happen to a more deserving person.

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Today our high is expected to hit the low 70’s, which should really get the white bass moving.  As it will be a couple of days until I get there just have to wait and see.  I will be watching the weather for some cloudy weather for the Gulf, time to fish for that “one” bite.

But at the moment the car in the shop getting some fancy work and the truck is at the hospital, so no fishing for me.  Now I could have dropped her off but since the Boss works until midnight on this rotation I will pass.  We should have things back in order tomorrow and who knows, may hit the lake later in the day.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines