FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Aransas Wildlife Refuge

We always make a couple of trips to the Refuge every winter hoping to see a Whooping Crane.  As usual we spotted a couple, who then made their escape before we could get into position.   We saw a pair and the single below.  What a big ass bird.  A perfect example of what we can do when we decide to conserve wildlife.  As we are big fans of the outdoors we are also big supporters of protecting both the animals and the land.

The amount of folks enjoying the parks and wilderness we are so fortunate to have in this country is placing increased stress on both the land and the animals.  How in the world the last administration could cut back on funding and even propose selling it I will never understand?  They are not making any more land and we need to preserve as much as we can.

When you bore down into most of the opposition to public lands is ranchers who think they have some God given right to use it for profit, same with the mining companies.  Sorry but they cannot be trusted, plus the land belongs to every single one of us.  Of course, we need oil and gas, beef, and a host of other products from the land, but it must be done responsibly.  Strong enforcement and bonds to secure that proper practices are followed and the land is returned to a clean and un-polluted state should help.   (It chaps my rear end when a company goes bankrupt after paying the executives big bucks and bonuses then leave the taxpayer with the bill for the cleanup.  There are 53 EPA Superfund sites in Texas alone.  It is all good until it is your well that is polluted.)  And any claim we the users are not paying our fair share how about some facts.

• More than 140 million Americans made outdoor recreation a priority in their daily lives, proving it with their wallets by putting $646 billion of their hard-earned dollars right back into the economy. Even better, this spending directly results in highly sought-after jobs for 6.1 million Americans.

The wolves, bears and deer were here first and when we diminish their value we lose as a world and as a people.  We are all tied to the animals through some long-lost primal genetic connection.  It seems folks are starting to re-connect with that feeling and we need to prepare for the onslaught of folks that are coming.   Here is today’s enjoyment of being in the outdoors on public land and seeing just what we could find.

He was a long way out there.  At least we saw a couple this morning.

Tough at 500+ yards to get a great pic with a handheld long lens.  Taking the tripod next trip.

Taking a nap with one eye open.

You tell me how wide this dinosaur is, he is a real gator.

Just a medium sized eating machine.   Have always had a soft spot for them, though the feeling is not mutual, I am sure!

Maybe this is why that gator is so fat.  Plenty of deer in the park.

TXDOT assistant road crew in charge of clean up.

Hanging with my bro.

I’ll watch this way, you watch that way.  Maybe we will get lucky and someone will fall over dead.

We hiked, we saw deer, gators, hogs, and plenty of birds.  We were not watching TV or on the couch.  The more time we spend looking the more respect we have for the animals no matter what or where they are.

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And here are a few random comments from all 3 of my readers!

Thanks for all you do. As they say “someone has to do it, and it may as well be me!”

Merry Christmas.

Ed

Keep fishing and reporting. I read all your posts and enjoy every one. Merry Christmas!

Winfred

Thanks, I really appreciate your all reading my blog.  As I have said for a while if it was not for you regulars I would have long given up.  So on we go.  And last, and most important from my buddy Clyde.

Merry Christmas buddy

I have fished with him since high school.  We sacked them up in Arkansas for decades, put the hurt on them from Lake of the Woods to Belize, and he actually turned into a pretty good popping cork fisherman down in this part of the world.  He has a tough row to hoe right now and everyone who knows him is wishing him the best.  So Merry Christmas to you buddy, and the offer is open down here any day.

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Hope you all had a good Christmas, and no one ended up in jail.  Tomorrow it will be back to the lake after reviewing the forecast for the week.  It is going to be hot, as in the 80’s, and for the first 3 days and the wind is supposed to blow, up to 36mph the next couple of days.  So lake first, then the bay later in the week when it settles down some.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Another year is in the books.  I hope you and yours have a great holiday no matter how or where you celebrate.  For the first time in many years the Boss and I will be home together on Christmas Day.  And it will be the first time in a long time I will not be fishing.  While I would much rather be home with her today, I will miss the solitude that comes with fishing on Christmas Day.  So often I literally had it all to myself.  So have a great day, you never know how many more there will be.

And special Merry Christmas to Rusty, Faye, Tim, Michael, Joe, Clyde, and all the rest of you.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Friday Fishing Report

I went fishing, caught some bass about like it has been, and had another weird bite.  Lake conditions remain stable, and the chartreuse crankbait was the bait of choice, especially with the high wind.

The best I could manage our of a good dozen.

The wind was going to blow, and it did, which should have made the crankbait bite better than it was.  Around 1:00 I was thinking of calling it a day.  The small fish were on the chew but I knew a big bite was coming, it was too perfect.  So I headed to one more point with the wind pounding on it when one thumped the snot out of it, and the fight was on.  I just knew a big bite was possible…………….

That is a freak of a tilapia!

The occasional catch of tilapia on crankbait happens on Coleto.  They tend to be on the bigger side, but this one takes the cake.   Not sure what it weighed but this was a monster.  Talk about disappointed, I was sure it was the “big one.”  But it was fitting end to the day.

The bass bite is definitely changing but we need some winter or let’s just skip all that and get right to spring.  The white bass are not on their old stomping grounds, ((Yet?) but I am not sure if I missed it, they have gone way further up, or it has not happened yet.  So the fish are just as confused as I am, but at least there is a bite.  Even slow like it was I still managed to boat several.  It all comes down to what is coming with our weather.

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SA Joe sent along a couple of comments.

What is the recipe for the brine and carp.

Have always wanted to try myself.

Hear smoked carp was delicious. And so is the backstrap of Gar

Funny you should ask after my smoking fiasco.  I have sm0ked tons of white bass and stripers but for some reason this time the carp came out bad, it just did not taste right.  Too bad.  As far as my recipe it is simple.  A cup of salt in cold water covering the fish.  I usually sit it in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.  Not sure what the issue was this time but the last time I did redfish it was great.  And on another subject.

Had to answer your rant about the 160k. Entitlement is what i call it…

Do not get me started, pay your debts.  Good to hear from you.

And from Randy.

Randy here from CentralTexas..Long time reader of your blog and thought it was about time I told ya about how much I enjoy your posts,especially POC.Been fishing POC for a while and have found that Big Bayou holds enough fish to keep a guy busy.Love fishing up and down between the shacks,catching trout,reds,and flounder.No need to go anywhere else!If you ever see a white NauticStar with black TTop stop and say hello!Thanks again for all you do!

Great to hear from a first timer, lets me know you are out there.  And you practice the same thing I do at times, go to Big Bayou and just fish it all.  Obviously, you have a good idea where I smacked them the other day.  So many days I have limited on reds and trout and spent about $1 on gas and at times have even less traffic than the better “known’ spots.  So thanks for commenting and if I see you will definitely stop and say hey.

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The future of Coleto Creek.

These are the contraptions holding the native aquatic plants that will hopefully grow and prosper, bringing one of the best bass lakes in Texas back to its former glory.  Not sure how long that will take but I will monitor them to see how fast they grow.  And there is one cove up lake that has hyacinth growing in it, so there is hope.  I do not take back all the things I have said about TPWD but props on this, hope it works.

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Panama is right around the corner.  I still have not decided on whether it will be peacock bass in their famous lake, or some offshore trolling.  No matter what we are fishing for something.

That will do it for today.  I so want to tell you how much I appreciate those of you who have kept reading this through thick and thin.  This is post #1489 over the last 11 years and that is a lot of posting!  So it will be #1500 soon, from there we shall see.  But I will keep fishing as long as you keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Merry Christmas  All!

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

It was wispy clouds with an air temp of 48 when I dropped in at the lake.  The water temp was down from 73 or so to 63 degrees.  The wind was almost nonexistent until about 10:00 when it started blowing out of the south at 10 or so.  But first I want to show you this picture and we will go from there.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

This is a Kentucky or Spotted bass.

In the past I might have caught a small one, but very rarely, then today one jumped on the crankbait.  What makes it interesting is conservatively I have caught literally thousands of them in the 25 years I was in north Arkansas.  My favorite bass when they start getting over 3lbs, and boy do they love a jerk bait.  So really a big surprise because I can guarantee in all the bass caught at the lake this is my first real one.  It will be interesting to see how well they adapt to the lake.  Guess I will do some research and see when they put them in there.

Literally last cast with a crappie jig and 4lb line.

Where I finished up there is a big brush pile so I threw at a few casts with a crappie jig before I quit.  And on the last cast this carp made the line jump, then put up a titanic struggle on a light rod.  But what makes this one special, it is currently in the brine and will be on the smoker tomorrow.  We ate some years ago in Iowa and it was delicious.  Can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Back-to-back casts.

After a slow period without the wind, it was 4 or 5 smalls, I waited for the wind and started cranking.  The Chartreuse square bill is still getting bit.  (I actually found this one hanging off a bush on Falcon.)  It was exactly 11, smaller than the ones above.  It is kind of interesting where I caught them, on shallow, flatter banks.  A medium speed is best and while they were not smacking it, 2 slack lined me, once they bit they were on.  Did that until quitting at 1:30.

The shallow Shad Rap always catches them this time of year. 

Of course, I spent a good hour checking on the white bass with little success.  The one that did jump on was a big one for Coleto, too bad that was it.  Several bass joined the party like they do on a trolled crankbait, but they were all small.  I have not decided what to think about the white bass run, in the past it is in full swing right now, so will keep checking on them every time I hit the lake.  Probably need to head farther up with the water level where it is.  And will keep track of the Nueces to see when that run starts, really good fishing when they are up.

So today was great.  Caught a Kentucky, have a nice carp in the brine for Christmas weekend, and ended up catching 20 the hard way.  I really am looking forward to how the rest of the “winter”, if you can call it that, goes.  My early guess is an early pre-spawn.  What would help is a nice warm day with some drizzle all day.  Those are the days some of the biggest ones in the lake jumped on, so time will tell.

It sure was fun yesterday and next week will head back to the bay.  Yesterday was actually using some new stuff from My Coast Outdoors and boy did they did work.  There are several things on the horizon which will only add to the line, but if I told you I would have to kill me.  It really is fun to get to work on new stuff, especially the Knockin Tail, it works, end of story.

Not sure when I will fish again, but there is one difference this year, the Boss will be home Christmas day.  I have fished that day for almost every Christmas for years as the Boss worked it so folks could be off with their kids.  If it works out will fish Friday.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Funny thing happened when I got there, made 2 wades and not a bite.  And I mean zip.  The tide was not moving but at least the water was warmer.  I think it was a little to early for those places, they needed a little more sun on them to make those fish move up.  Time to boat fish my old standby deep banks and it was bite on, and I mean they were getting after it.

A solid 19″.  The Honeydew Knockin Tail laid the smack down on them.

They were on a deep bank with almost 5′ of water.  The tide started running and they were on the secondary drop around 3′ and wanted it right on the bottom. I started with the Honeydew Knockin Tail and ended up catching most of them on it, but did catch on the Purple Demon and the Pink Ice.  They just kept biting and biting.

These poor fellows are guests of honor at the next fish fry.

The wanted it hopped up and falling back to the bottom.  Many of them did not “bite”, they were just there when you picked up, or it just did not fall.  One of those bites where you would miss one, but just keep working it and you might get another.

An easy limit which filled the Boss’s order.  If you notice you cannot see the bait, but it is there, they were eating it.

It has been a while since I had a bite like this.  No way to guess how many but they bit for at least 2 hours until I quit, but they sure didn’t stop while I was there.  The tide was moving pretty good, and the perfect cast had it falling with the tide.  And as the bite got better and better the small ones got going, which finally ran me off.  It was a great morning once I found them, and as usual they so remind me of crappie, find them and you can catch them.

One last word:  If you are not fishing the Honeydew Knockin Tail you are missing out.  Just saying!

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Tomorrow will be off to the lake.  The white bass should have made the move, at least that is one thing that can be confirmed in 15 minutes.  But it sure is time, and at the rate we are going this winter we may not have much “winter”.  It will be back to the high 70’s this week, crazy.  Now the weather dude said Christmas Day could be an all time high!  But I will be fishing no matter the weather, you take what you get in that department.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Absolutely inhaled the chartreuse squarebill!

After not fishing a couple of weeks I was back on the lake at daylight Friday.  The water color has really cleared, the temp is still in the low 70’s and the wind was starting to blow some.  With it partly cloudy my hopes were high, so I headed to the place I have been whacking them.  And guess what?  They do have trails and they swam away.  Not a bite.  I have always thought it was interesing when they disappear like that, but never really surprised.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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From then on until I quit at 1:00 it was a hunt and peck day.  Never more than a couple in a place, and about half the places I have caught them did not produce a fish, and couple of different places produced one or two.

And they are still eating the Honeydew Knockin Tail.

The jerk bait and A Rig did not produce a bite which surprised me some.  Of course the Honeydew Knockin Tail on a 3/16th jig head continued to catch them.  Since I fished several different baits I do believe that if I stayed with the Honeydew all morning it would consistently put fish in the boat.  And did I say points?

Until the wind started it was fairly consistent on the Honeydew.

The best one for the morning, and 3 or 4 others, came on the chartreuse squarebill.  And they came off a little different place than I have been catching them, a flat bank covered in stumps, set off the main creek channel.  A slow steady retrieve was best and today none of them smoked it.  Really a early spring crankbait pattern, but without the cool water temps.

So now winter is rearing it’s ugly head, or welcome, depending on how you look at it.  That will bring cooling water temps, with night temps in the low 40’s with a dop into the high 30’s, it should cool the water quite a bit.  One thing that will happen is the white bass should head up lake like madmen, and I will be happy to whip on the for a week.  But first up is the bay.  So will give them another day to calm down, and Tuesday it will be off to the bay.  It will be one of those go ahead and pack some stuff and if the fishing is good stay the night and go it again.  Plus have some new stuff from Michael at My Coast Outdoors that needs fishing.  Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what it is yet or I would have to kill me.

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I did want to share a couple of comments on our trip to Moab.

I just read your email about your trip to Canyonlands and I’m really envious. I really enjoyed the writ up and the photos. We were out there many years ago camping in a pop up trailer, but no 4×4 so there’s a lot we didn’t see. I’m wondering where you stayed while you were there since you didn’t mention camping. My wife says that if I’ll plan the trip, she will go. I always enjoy reading your stuff.
Ervin

First the main roads in the parks and on the forest drive are all paved.  But once you get off they are rough, it is all rocks.  But there are plenty of folks in cars, and you can see most of the stuff we took pictures of with out a 4×4.

We stayed at a small condo/apartment right in Moab, Su Casa Inn Suite, which is on Travelocity.  It is not cheap,  (Since I just go where and when I am told I have no clue how much it was.) but it is 3 blocks from the stores and eats.  Good private parking, hot tub if you are so inclined, and well appointed.  We have stayed from high dollar to rat infested and this is absolutely one of my favorites.  The only negative the internet was a little sketchy at times but that is not uncommon for places like Su Casa.  It was perfect for our needs.

But there are tons of motels, many well under a $100 a night as it is still not prime time.  And one thing about going this time of year, it was not crowded.  The food was reasonable and Victoria should be so lucky to have so many good options.  And this from Don.

Its probably too cold already, but…if you are in Utah in a warmer time you should go to Fish Lake. Its a small lake up in the mountains that is fed by snow melt. Its like a throwback to the 1950’s. you can rent aluminum boats with like a 10hp ob. Depending on time of year you will catch lake trout. It is a beautiful area. First time I heard the name “Fish Lake” I thought someone was pulling a joke on me. The lake itself is crystal clear so light line is of course very important.  Don.

We did not see Fish Lake in our travels but we did visit one outside Moab and it was down an easy 4 foot.   None of the others we saw had any more ice than just a thin coating on the bank.  It has just not been that cold and they are in somewhat of a drought and needing rain and snow.  The day after we left the bottom dropped out and they are having some winter now.  So thanks for the comments and I really appreciate you reading the  blog.

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Off Topic Rant

What the f’ is wrong with people.  You go to college to get a degree and hopefully have a better life.  There are several paths to get this done, work your ass off and borrow little to nothing, or you take it all and don’t work, drive a nice car, go skiing in winter, and the beach on spring break.  So with these as your options on the spectrum many just borrow it all and justify it so they can “live.”  Well after going to law school with a bunch of kids who borrowed money like it was a cash machine while I worked basically full time, and my wife worked more than that while driving 120 miles to do it, I have no sympathy and am flatly against the wiping out of student loans.  This drive to go to “that” university, the one with big costs, in the end means little other than you can be some kind of snob.  It does not have jack squat to do if you are good at your final work life.

So what brought on today’s rant?  Well here it is in all its glory:

A senior Democratic staffer who graduated from law school with $160,000 in student-loan debt said he struggled during his first few years on Capitol Hill because of his monthly payments.

“My income wasn’t enough to pay student loans and have a social life,”

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Another great trip.  Arches, Canyonland, Dead Horse Canyon, the Phosphate Road, and the Las Sal Loop, we made them all.  There is plenty to see out there and it kept us busy all day every day.  What makes it different from many of the western parks we have visited is there is not near the wildlife, it is one tough landscape.  There were mule deer, very little small stuff, eagles, and of course things we did not see like lions and the Desert Bighorn.

I love sheep and though we did not see any I learned a lot about the Desert Bighorn.  They are unlike the Rocky Mountain, which is known to roam, while the Desert is a stay at home kind of sheep, and with the absolute massive amount of canyons and bluffs  it would have been sheer luck to see them.  But it has further peaked my interest in sheep and I have already started reading.  Next up will be Big Bend and the state park where there are sheep.

As far as the week I can honestly say Arches did not impress me all that much, lots of rocks, and there are arches here and there outside of the park.  Canyonland on the other hand is so amazing these pictures just do not do it justice.  We did take a side trip to Grand Junction Colorado and drove the Colorado National Monument drive, which was amazing.  And as a result of that last bit of “research” we have finally committed to retiring in the Pagosa Springs area, for sure within the next couple of years.  We love it there, end of story and finally made a plan.

So here are the pictures, at least half of them in some generic order.  My camera skills can never do any of that justice but you get the idea.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Desert bighorns may bring you to places where they live, they may or may not show themselves to you.  This does not matter.  What matters is this: Look.

                                                                                               Ellen Meloy – Eating Stone.

When I read this, it struck me to my core.  That may sound like an exaggeration, but in my case, it is so true.  It really is in the doing, so get out there and do something, it will be good for your soul.  Trust me, we have a genetic connection to the outdoors and the animals that inhabit it and I hope we never lose it.  I have always felt the same about the fishing, so much is done in beautiful places, same with sheep.

The Old Man Face.

Arches has come really cool formations beside the Arches.

Most of these were taken off hand from long range.  Did not take the tripod due to weight issues, will not make that mistake again.

The Boss.  It was cool this trip, and while we did not get snowed on it snowed in the mountains.

There are a couple of the nation’s most extreme 4×4 roads in the Canyonlands.  We have 4wheeled a good bit in the past but this was just not happening.  If we ever return we will hire one of the services who make these drives.  But with parks and BLM land there is enough driving for a month.

Sorry these do not due the park justice, but it was crazy big.

I want to take a second to talk about OUR public lands.  The last administration wanted to sell a bunch of it off, which is absolutely nuts, and definitely the idea of someone with soft hands who goes to the bathroom on a golden toilet.  The parks and the wilderness all over this country have all had a banner couple of years.  Everyone from the restaurants to the park folks have told us how busy it has been.  We have made multiple parks this year and the story is the same.  And that brings me to my points.

First, we own it for God’s sake!  Be it hiking, running, 4wheeling, hunting, fishing, and everything else folks love to do in the outdoors, is open to all of us.  Texas, where 98% of all land is privately owned, unless you are rich or connected none of it is open to the average guy.  The west has plenty of land open if you will take the time and effort to seek it out.

We need to figure out a way to be sure everyone, from runners to crazy people on OHVs have a fair crack at it.  At this point in time commercial interests should take a back seat.  When you see the damage done in some areas in the past they cannot be trusted.  Selling monument or BLM  land is so freakin stupid I can’t even wrap my head around it.  They are not making any more land, but they sure are making more folks who use it.  (As a side note why we go this time of year, keeps the traffic down.  And one more comment, why drive like a mad man through a park?  Kind of defeats the point.)  Folks using the outdoors is a good thing.  We love all the young folks we see out there, especially this trip.  And they tried to say the $$$ would be used on the debt, sure……..but I digress.

The Needles area.  These were a long way down.

We were having a little trouble initially finding the mule deer but once we did we saw a bunch.  Happy food for lions.

It is hard to describe how big it is, but it goes on and on.  And if you like camping and 4wheeling knock yourself out, there are plenty of places to do it.

A Golden Eagle and a Bald.  We saw several but they just would not cooperate and get close.  Dang things have wings you know.

 Not horn one this trip.  Hunting season has that affect on bucks.

The road along the river.  Endless and open to all.

The ancient ones.  You know, the people that were perfectly happy to be run off and place on reservations.  Hey, we only took the good stuff.

And what would prompt folks to deface these is beyond ignorant.  These are irreplaceable and we do not need to know you were here a..hole.  Time has come to start treating the outdoors as the treasure it is.  Leave nothing, take nothing, there are folks coming after us and we have a duty to preserve it for generations to come.

There are lots, you just have to take the time to look.

Dinasaur tracks.  All the above is what makes the area so awesome. The area  captures moments in time that are literally millions of years old.  If you are not moved by this, play a video game and sit on the couch, easier than getting it done.

It is called Wall Street for obvious reasons.

There are multiple ascents in this area.  The routes have pitons in place and there are companies who will help you if you are not experienced.  The Boss and I took and got a high building rescue certification, but that was basically down.  And if you really have a case of it stop by and do this.

Crazy and we love it!  The first picture is what is that on top of that rock?  Well there you go.  You only get one life so try living it.  These folks are!

Big rocks.

We found these guys way above the snow line.

Yes we see you!

A bald eagle riding the evening rising warmth.

The real beauty is at daylight and dusk.  It is amazing.

The trees have a hard life and cling to the rock for dear life.

Just really cool to look at.

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Travel Notes

After doing plenty of flying the last 30 years things sure have changed.  One thing is real obvious, and get your liberal panties in a wad if you want, (Remember I am a died in the wool Democrat.) there has been a change in passengers and it has not been for the better.  Time to institute the following rule – If you cause a disturbance or get kicked of the plane it should be a lifetime ban and placement on the no-fly list. You do not like the mask rule, or do not listen to the flight attendant like the idiot who did not on a flight to Vegas and got booted before we took off, drive, shut up, or get arrested.

One thing that is progress they have finally ruled that only “real” support dogs are allowed the number of “emotional support” animals seem to have disappeared.  (Remember the nut case who needed her emotional support Peacock?)  If you need an emotional support animal you have no business on a plane if you are that fragile.  Are we supposed to endure your emotional outburt enroute?  Like the fools, above if you do not like the rule, drive.  Plus the rest of us should not be responsible for your ailment and have to listen to your freakin chahoohoo all the way to anywhere.

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When we took off to the Salt Lake airport early Tuesday morning, we got about 30 miles from Moab when we got caught in traffic in the middle of nowhere.  Turned out it was a head on double fatality semi-truck wreck.  We have worked our share of horrible motor vehicle accidents, but that was as bad as it gets.  To bad.

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I am sure I have forgotten plenty but suffice to say the area had plenty to do to keep us busy.  And unlike Jackson Hole, which is way overrated and overpriced, folks were great and it was not as expensive.  And with some much of OUR public lands available for camping it does not have to be expansive to make the trip.  As a country we are so lucky to have these special places, they are not for sale.

Next up is the lake a couple of days, then off to the Gulf next week.  The weather will finally cool off some with light north winds, perfect big trout weather.  POC at least and maybe north Padre is conditions are right.  And with a couple of “secret” things from Michael at My Coast Outdoors to try I am really looking forward to it.  Not sure when I will rejoin Facebook and the rest of it but will keep posting as I fish.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

That will work.  The Alabama Rig with Knockin Tail trailers caught them today.

The numbers were definitely on the Honeydew Knockin Tail.   Hopped it off the bottom and then letting it fall, keeping contact with the bottom.  Some were just there, others smacked it pretty good.  There are definitely tons of small bass there, many under 12″, and they were a little pesky when I knew it was a good morning for better fish.  But when you are catching them never look a gift fish in the mouth, unless it is to remove a hook!

After the first pass where I caught a wad of them it was time to re-fish with the jerkbait, which also produced fish.  One did smack the crap out of it and I broke my line.  It was my Lou’s Lure custom painted bait and I was bummed.  No excuse for that.  But I did find out the old standby Smithwick Rouge also got the job done just fine.  (I have literally caught hundreds on it over the years.)  So time to re-fish with the A Rig and Knockin Tails, and that produced some better fish.

And nothing like another double to keep it interesting.

I really am enjoying fishing the A Rig right now.  When we had grass it was impossible to fish, now conditions are perfect.  It catches  fish big and small, and when we get some real cold weather, combined with the early pre-spawn, it might really get good.  And then good fortune struck, as I re-fished the bank there was my jerk bait floating on top.  That happens once in a blue moon and it made my morning.  Love that thing.

The Honeydew Knockin Tail catches fish.  And the jerk bait still doing its part.

It stayed good until about 10:00 and then it seemed to shut off.  I hit one main lake bank and caught 4 on jerk bait, then could not buy a bite on anything.  Before heading up lake to check on the whites I hit several other banks without so much as a pass at it.  And the white bass did not pan out either, and then here came the front so I called it a good day.  On the way in saw that the eagle is back, not sure if it is the same one but every year one or two come, and maybe this one rode the front down.  Winter is coming, at least I hope so, and no better sign than seeing the eagle and all the Osprey around.

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Finally it looks like there is going to be a little bit of biological sense in the state of Oklahoma.  They estimate that 70% of all bass in state lakes are under 14″, which is the legal limit and the result of the catch and release mind set by bass fishernen.  The state is thinking of going to the limit which may include only 1 over 16″, the rest can be small.  It is so needed  in many places in this country.

Catch and release has worked, in fact it looks like to well.  In my 50 years of chasing bass I have seen lakes come up and go down.  In the old days our limit was 10 with no length.  Of course that was stupid and liberal limits slowly changed all over the country.  But those of us who fish multiple places know that there are now fish, the fishing is better than it was decades ago.  So bass fishermen get lots of the credit for the resurgence of the bass.  But it does have a downside.

Catch and release is used to belittle people who simply want to eat a bass, even if they are following the law.  Bass fishermen need to take a breath, as long as folks are following the law they can eat bass until they puke, and it is none of your business.  At this point we need to realize this is based on science.  Oklahoma says bigger fish is not the ultimate goal of the proposed changes, it is simply to restore a balance.  But one benefit it would take some of the pressure off the bigger fish.  One thing we all know, a body of water can support so many pounds of fish per acre, and while they are all different, very few I have fished would be hurt by folks eating a few small ones which can only help the other bass.

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Next time you hear from me hopefully there will be some great pictures from the Moab area.  Looks like there will be a cold front but nothing to whine about, we love the mountains and it comes with the territory. And if luck is with us, some sheep pictures.  That area has the Desert Big Horn which I have not seen and photographed yet.  So it is going to be a great week.  And next up in the fishing department is a couple of days on the salt, either POC if windy, or north Padre and the Laguna.  It is big fish time and I don’t want to miss it.  Man I love this time of year, so much good fishing, so little time.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Lets start off with this:  I am not going to guess how many I caught today, and if I tried you would call me a liar.  But the plain truth, after boating over 25 in the first area they bit everywhere I tried all the way until the last bank, where  I caught 3 on the way in.  I spent the day educating a whole generation of fish!

Best I could manage today.  Smacked that Lou’s Lures Custom Jerk Bait.

And they bit it all, no matter what I tried, they liked it.  The only problem was the “real” ones were in short supply.  In fact, the only big one I saw came after a small one trying to take the jerk bait out of his mouth.  But it did not matter, they were on the chew, and who knows, how active the  small ones were may have had something to do with not boating a good one.  But no matter, it was a catch fest, and after how tough it was for a while it was just nice to have lots of bites.

Only smalls today on the Alabama Rig with Pearl Knockin Tail trailers.  But it sure is a fun way to catch them.

The crankbait caught them right along.  A nice steady retrieve with the occasional stop and go tripped their trigger.  Some of them really popped it.   The jerk bait is still getting the bigger bites, but was the slowest bait as far as bites went this morning.  Kind of a trade off, want to catch the snot out of them or try to boat bigger ones but have a lot less bites?  A problem I do not mind having.  And the Alabama Rig and Pearl Knockin Tail caught  a bunch, the ones above are a good representation of the size that wanted it today.

They bit all morning on the works.

As you can see from these pictures it was a small fish bite fest.  Actually it bodes so well for the future.  There are lots, and I mean tons, of fish in that small to 14″ range.  If we get our grass back there is going to be some awesome fishing in years to come.  There are plenty of fish.  We must have had one hell of a  spawn last year.

They are not there yet but the size is a major improvement.

Of course I headed up lake to check on the white bass, and while I only caught 2, the size is something I have not seen on the lake, maybe ever.  When the real migration starts, it is going to be a serious butt whipping and I am ready, bring on the cold weather.   The run should be in full force in the next month and I look forward to it every year.  While I was up lake I fished 3 grassy areas without so much as a pass on any bait until I caught a small one way up lake. It was the only slow period, the rest of the time it was consistent catching.   But while trolling for white bass I got a good idea where the shallow fish went up lake.  (As a side note, the fishing is better down lake right now.)

Once the lake started cooling a month ago the shad slowly abandoned the shallow grass and the fish followed.  And where did they go?  Into the creek channel where there are tons of schools of  shad which is obviously where the shallow fish went.  Along with the couple of nice whites I think I caught 5 or 6 bass trolling the crankbait.  You can see them around the shad schools.  All I have to say about that is come on winter.  It has real potential.

And the Honeydew Knockin Tail still putting them in the boat.

I only threw the Honeydew Knockin Tail on a couple of places and of course boated a few, including the nice one above.  They like it, end of story.

I fished from 8:30 to 2:00 and caught fish basically the whole time.  It turned out to be a little tough to decide what to fish.  Rarely do we get a day like this, toss it and they will eat it.  The first place I re-fished 3 times with different baits and they just kept on biting.  Who knows how long this will last?  I just hope I get one more chance Monday before heading out west.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Looking forward to some college football this weekend with multiple championships on the line.  The reason I do not bet on football is the following:  Bet the farm on Georgia.  Michigan looks tough as does Oklahoma State.  And the Cowboys won last night so looks like they are back on track.  Have a good weekend.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

This weather is amazing/crazy, several other descriptive words also come to mind.   It is 82 degrees as I type this after getting back from the lake.  I had a plan, which I have been adhering to, fish the way I want, when I want, without the blog or Facebook being a part of my decision, just see what happens.  So today, how about the Alabama Rig with Knockin Tail trailers?  Boy was that fun.

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The water level has stabilized again, it is really clearing nicely, and the temp was back up to 73 where it was prior to the rain.  The fog was still thick when I put in at 8:30, it was idle to the first stop.  First up was a brush pile I wanted to try for crappie, which turned out to be a complete bust, so started bass fishing.

I make the first cast with the Lou’s Lures jerk bait and actually hooked up on a big one totally out of position and manage to lose it.  For the next hour kept alternation between the jerk bait and the A Rig.  They both produced fish, as did the Honeydew Knockin Tail on a jig head.

The Alabama Rig and Knockin Tails, a killer combination.

Why in the world anyone would fish a A Rig without Knockin Tail trailers I do not know.  Any swim bait will work on the A Rig, but adding 5 Knockin Tails rattling their butt off is a no brainer.  It caught nice fish, and lots of smalls.  Some slammed it, other just felt something “funny.”  And one thing it will do is put multiple fish in the boat, and it did that this morning.

After having 2 on at once the last 2 trips the Alabama Rig and Knockin Tails got it done!

Basically it was a smaller A Rig without the extra blades like some have, then 4 Pearl Knockin Tails on the 4 outside arms and a Salt and Pepper on the center arm.  As it has a chartreuse tail thought it might add a little something. In the end most hit the Pearl, except when I doubled up.  A steady retrieve with occasional pausing and accelerating some, making the “school” pulse back and forth, ended up being the way most of the bites were triggered.

And the Lou’s Lures custom painted jerk bait did its share this morning.

Where?  Anywhere there is deep water close.  And when you get a bite there are definitely more there, so I re-fished with one of the 3 baits and usually caught at least one more.  And as I am want to do come December I checked the white bass up lake, while I only managed one on a shad color crankbait, it is going to happen, and I mean soon.  As I have often said this is my favorited time of year.

The were smacking the Alabama Rig.  Did catch one white bass when I checked to see if they are there yet.

It was a fun morning as the fishing is really good right now, at least for numbers.  If you catch enough there is good chance of catching a nice limit.  Thinking it over, after they basically deserted the grass I just decided to pretend it was winter, which it is supposed to be by now.  So while both the A Rig and jerk bait time is not quite here due to the warm weather, there is no good reason to not act like it.  And last, hopping the Honeydew Knockin Tail on the jig head  will catch them all day, so of course I am giving the lake a pounding.  My pleasure thank you.

The Honeydew Knockin Tail catches a keeper on the last cast!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

It was nice to hear from some of you at Thanksgiving.  So thanks Lee, Lacy, Rusty, Patty, Charlie, Dan, SA Joe, and a few more.  Great to know you are all out there.  I am still taking it easy, keeping off Facebook for the most part, and just doing a blog post whenever I fish.  So thanks all for sticking with me during this little mental health break.  After Moab and then Panama it will be back at it hard core with our spring fishing coming.   And a shout out to Mike who I met at the ramp this morning.  Keep in touch so we can fish some together, appreciated the chat.

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I can not leave the Boss alone for a minute without her working on our next trip.  Now be advised that that following is already planned:  Moab, Panama, and Alaska.  (They do not qualify as the next trip.) Once those are planned/finished she is off to the next big trip, and this one I am all about once she explained.  (Keep in mind that many of our trips are planned at least 2 years in advance, really reduces the f’ups with that kind of planning.)  She wants to go see the Eagle Festival in Mongolia in 2023.  After looking at it what a trip.  I will get my fishing, the rivers have one of the biggest salmonoid, the Taimen, which is obviously a real bucket list fish.  They also have several different cool sheep, so it checks all the boxes.  Over 30 hours to get there, the trip has no hotels or room service, very basic yurt camping.  So sign me up, that is about as far from here as you can get.

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So that is what a grown man did all day.  As I am keeping my options open who knows when is next.  I learned the creek and the Lavaca are way off color so that is out.  Hope to make it to the bay a day before we head out, just have to see how it all plays out.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I was really interested in what would be going on at the lake after the big cold front and over an inch of cold rain.  The first thing, when I dropped in at 9:30 the water temp was in the mid 60’s, which means it had gone down 6 – 8 degrees depending on where you were today.  The lake has come up just a hair, the color is poor, and there was literally not a ripple on the water with no wind.

My plan, to give the Honeydew Knockin Tail a serious go, and throw a little jerk bait while I was at it.  The Honeydew would definitely catch fish in the Ozarks on the channel swings, it is a good color.  So with it post cold front and declining water temp it seemed like the thing to throw, and it was.  I fished it on a 3/16th lead head just hopping it off the bottom and then letting it fall as it will.  Most of the time they thump it pretty good or you see your line jump.  Basically the same way I feed speckled trout.

It was a no brainer, the Honeydew Knockin Tail will catch bass.

I had a couple of places in mind and started off with a couple of smalls, then a big blue cat jumped on.  He thumped it in about 12′ of water, most of the fish today came out of that 5 – 15 range.  I tried to stay on the sharper drop banks, having deep water close.  Other than the bass above it was all smalls, but it definitely caught fish.  So the plan became fish a stretch with jerk bait, or a crankbait, and if I got a bite re-fish with the Honeydew, and that worked out ok.  No big numbers but 2 or 3 at each place all afternoon until I quit at 4:00.

The best I could do on the crankbait.  And of course, more catfish.

No wind is not the best crankbait situation, but 4 or 5 jumped on, with both the shad color and chartreuse  catching a couple.  As far as the jerk bait it was only a couple, including the catfish above, but I did miss a couple.  Wrong rod.  But with the water temp still in the 60’s it is not quite time yet.  But as it has been since summer, there are just lots of catfish, and they are aggressive.  I can only guess how many a person could catch if you fished for them.

The Honeydew Knockin Tail catches all kinds of crazy stuff.

Under this set of conditions it was a successful trip.  A good 15 plus kept it interesting.  Just a touch of wind would have helped and it sure was nice having the Honeydew work out like I knew it would.  The lake is full of small bass right now, and the timing could not be any better.  If the lake will stay up with cover we could have an epic spawn, which would add even more fish.  So what makes that so good?  If the vegetation takes hold over the next few years the lake just might have an epic storm of fish in the 5lb range with grass.  Not sure I will be here to see it but it bodes well for the future.

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Still staying off the internet/Facebook as I give the blog and me a little rest.  Of course may have to post a picture or two caught on the Honeydew Knockin Tail on Michael’s website.  Other than that it has been a nice break and it will continue for the time being.

Not sure what or when is next.  Got a thing or two to do, then some time next week it is off to Moab for some 4wheeling and chasing Mountain Goats and Desert Big Horns.  Spending time in areas with some great animals has become our happy place, and I am really looking forward to seeing what Moab is all about.  But with the fishing so good will be back at it as soon as possible.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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