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.

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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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

January

I did have several pretty good days on the bay.  Plenty of fish and a little size to them at that.

Nothing beats winter fishing when it is on.

Coleto Creek was slow but at least a few were biting.

About the best in the bass department, I could do.  And the tilapia on lures continues to this day.

We went to Big Bend Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park and had our usual good time in the park.

A great muley buck.  And one of the cooler places we have stayed in Terlingua.

February

The lake was really slow as far as the bass were concerned but the white bass bit most of the month.  Post fish kill on the bay it was tough, but I did have a day where I put the hurt on them.  The power loss over much of the state was a real mess.  Now Abbot says it will not happen again, though inspections of the facilities say only half of the facilities have done the winterization so good luck with that.  Not much to say about February other than good riddance.

Nothing else to say about the tilapia.  Me in the house with no power.  Remember that?

A reader sent me this picture of the fish on the warmest flat sandy place they could find after the freeze.   But I did have a good day so all was not lost this month.

March

My dad passed away this month after a full life.  A real gentleman he will be missed by all that he came in contact with.

Father of Many – Enemy of None

On March 15, 2021 my father, Dean L Coppernoll, died at the ripe old age of 92.

I fished Falcon, and it stunk.  After our big freeze out the lake was lined with rotting fish.  And it turned into a white bass beatdown, which is fine normally, but not what I go to Falcon for.  I spent all my time at the lake and as the month went on the fishing got better.  But the best day was fishing with my granddaughters, just don’t make me touch them!

Mia and Baby Wren.  The apples of my eye.

The Bagley Bang O Lure and the pearl Knockin Tail caught fish this month.

April

We headed to Teton National Park and had a great trip.

We love the grizzly bears.

And saw the rest of the gang.

And I smashed the Cutthroats on dry fly on the Snake River.  One of my top fishing memories.

And the lake had its moments!  There are still some big fish in the lake.

May

The lake fishing slowly declined after a huge raise.  The lake made it back to pool but it did not help matters for quite a while.  But for a week or so it was great before daylight.

Buzzbait Madness!  All I have to say is it sure was worth getting up for.  Right before daylight they were exploding in it!  The bottom left is a real big fish.

And we spent a couple of weeks in Colorado and we had our usual good time.

Our favorite place out West.

June

I did not fish all that much but still managed a few.

The kids were here.  And the sunrises on the lake were better than the fishing.

July

The lake was really frustrating, small bass but the white bass and catfish kept it interesting.

Coleto catfish love a crankbait.

But POC was really consistent as I fished it 4 or 5 times.

Really worked them over on the Knockin Tail!

August

Got on the spoon and Pearl Knockin Tail in the grass and caught them consistently.

September

Basically spent most of the month in Colorado fishing, taking photos, and hiking.  No time table or plan.  Great trip.  Already planning my first trip this year.

The Boss joined me for a week.  A bachelor group, the rut was not on yet

After seeing few moose in the years before we saw plenty this year.

The first bunch of sheep I found.

Love brown trout, very aggressive.  

Some sheep on Pool Table Road.  Where I saw the monster ram last year.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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October

The highlight of the month, the trip to the Chandeleur Islands with the Wade Right Boys.  We put 100’s in the box, it was as good a trip as I have had there yet.

My bite of the year on a topwater no less!

And back home both the lake and the bay produced.

Good month to have a rod and reel in my hands.

November

The big hit this month was when Michael and My Coast Outdoors came out with some new colors.  One was the Honeydew Knockin Tail.  It has become and immediate go-to for me both fresh and salt.

Plenty of numbers at the lake.

Good consistent saltwater fishing.

December

The lake was a real improvement and was good from the first until the last of the month.

And out of nowhere we now have Kentucky or Spotted Bass.  And as far as the fish in the lake feed them the bait of your choice.

I only fished one day on the bay and it was a beat down on numbers of trout.

They love the Knockin Tail!

And we made our first trip to Moab Utah.

Pictures just do not do it justice!

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I don’t really know how to describe last year.  The fishing was slow at times, but I did have my moments.  After My Coast Outdoors issued the Honeydew Knockin Tail it has stayed tied on both fresh and salt, and they sure like it.  It is always my pleasure and good fortune to provide input, keeps me interested.  And from looking at the pictures we really scored on the wildlife, which has become our passion.  With several trips in the planning stage, Alaska and Panama already booked, and of course we will visit a park or two again.

On the other hand, I have been a little burned out.  So the last month I have given Facebook a break and reduced the internet usage.  Not sure where the blog is headed, it seems a little stale, but it will continue for the time being.   I never forget how lucky I am to get to fish and travel.  So, while the blog has been a little tough at times it has no effect on my love of the outdoors.  We enjoy are travel and constantly spend the time searching out the critters, and when we get rewarded, it makes it all worth it.

This year I will be 69 and I appreciate each and every day.  We all only get one run at this life and I hope to not waste one day of it.  The great outdoors beckons, and we will be taking advantage of it when we can this year.

And a last word on you all.  Never in my wildest dreams did I envision something like this lasting like it has.  If not for your kind words I would have given it up a long time ago.  But there is fishing to be done, adventures to had, and sharing it is part of what makes it what it is.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.  Go Hogs!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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They just keep eating the chartreuse squarebill.

I had high expectations this morning on dropping the boat in as it was barely breaking daylight.  First up was the bank that produced some good fish on spinnerbait, which did not produce a bite.  No real big shocker, so I started point and cove hopping working my way up lakc.  They just did not want the spinnerbait.  In fact, before the day was out only 1 bite on spinnerbait, and it missed it by a mile.

On a couple of banks that were calmer I tossed the Bang O Lure which produced 2 small bass and one big boil.   But whether main lake or cove, I just could not get the right bite.  I was struggling to NOT throw the chartreuse square bill and was determined to catch them the way I wanted.  Which did not happen.

Another Kentucky/Spotted Bass.  A crankbait bass.

The reason I took such a close up of the Kentucky is in case you fish Coleto and have never caught one.  The lateral line is the dead giveaway, but there is one more tell-tale sign.  Rub your finger on their tongue, it is like sandpaper.  They can be hard to distinguish at times from largemouth.  But what a development.  They are showing up regularly up lake, which right now makes a certain amount of sense.   They are a great winter fish and often the best fishing for them is early/early spring.  It will be interesting to watch as they inhabit more of the lake, and expect them to start showing up on rock ledges.

The fall back position when they would not bite first thing.

After fishing a bunch of places, including the best bank I have had up lake with only a couple of smalls I made a couple of passes for the white bass and caught 4 or 5.  The weather is coming on Sunday, and it will be in the 50’s for a couple of days so that should get them going.

And of course, the day is not complete until another catfish smacks the square bill.

After some of that I gave in and started throwing the crankbait.  And as it has been they were eating it.   The biggest bass above and this catfish both came on rocky channel banks paralleling the crankbait so it just bumped bottom, and they both whacked it.  They are really on it, and it has worked up lake and down, windy or calm, they just like that thing.  And one word on the lure retriever with the chain, it is worth every penny.  I hung the crankbait up 4 times today and managed to get it out each time.  That thing works.

I did not throw the Bang O Lure on too many places, but I kept after the spinnerbait, just knew there was going to be another run.  It just did not happen but times they are a changing and either we get some cool weather or we might head straight to pre-spwan,  But at least I am catching fish.  It has been worse.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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                     Comment or do not complain if you do not like the result!                                  (From the TPWD website.)

AUSTIN- The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking public input on the proposed rules changing bag and size limits for spotted seatrout on the middle and lower Texas coast. The proposed rules would reduce the spotted seatrout bag limit to 3 fish and restrict the allowable size to 17-23 inches for two years. The goal of this rule is to leave more spawning fish in the water for two spawning seasons in order to help the populations recover quickly from the 2021 winter storm. These regulation changes would only affect Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, and the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre systems.

The public is encouraged to provide comment on the proposed regulation changes. Opportunities to provide comments for or against these proposals include:

• Public hearings: TPWD Coastal Fisheries staff will be hosting several public hearings on the coast to receive input from stakeholders and constituents concerning the proposed regulation changes.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 11  from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. at the Natural Resources Center (Room 1003), Corpus Christi, TX 78412
  • Tuesday, Jan. 11  from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center, 309 Railroad Street, Port Isabel, TX 78578
  • Wednesday, Jan. 12 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor Education Center, 706 Navigation Circle, Rockport, TX 78382
  • Thursday, Jan.13 from 6 p.m. -8 p.m. at the USDA Bauer Building, 186 Henry Barber Way, Port Lavaca, TX 77979

• Online: Official public comments of the changes can be provided on the TPWD public comment page until Jan. 26.

• Phone or Email: The Coastal Fisheries Division at 512-389-8575 or cfish@tpwd.texas.gov
• Zoom Webinar: TPWD Coastal Fisheries staff will present proposed fishing regulation changes and answer questions in an online webinar on Jan. 10 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The webinar will also be posted on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

I really do not care, so in my case it is whatever.  And if pressed would be all for it.  If the resource could handle it who would not be in favor of more and bigger trout.  It worked when we went from 10 – 5 and I have no doubt a reduced catch and increased size limit can only help the trout fishing.   It will be interersting where the guides come down on this.  The CPR guys should be all for it, the meat guides not so much.  No matter what side of the fence you come down on make your voice heard, or just take whatever comes.

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No promises or guesses on what or where is next.  I need to make a run to a real camera store, and the Boss wants to eat some oysters, so looks like Houston is next on the list.  And with the big weekend coming Saturday I will be glued to the TV watching my Hogs play mighty Penn State.  So enjoy your holiday, do not drink and get behind the wheel, it is amateur night.  I intend to get the year in review up this weekend.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

No better bite than a good one smashing a high-speed buzzing spinnerbait!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

It turned out to be an interesting day.  The lake remains fairly stable and the color is good from one end to the other.  The  lowest temp I saw was 70, but if we get the weather that we are supposed to get that will change.

The good stuff, on the way in around 1:30 for some reason I decided to fish one more place.  With the wind blowing about 10 mph, I headed into the back of the cove and let the wind blow me out.  There was barely a ripple on the bank but when I buzzed the spinnerbait right below the surface they literally blasted it.  They are the first bass I have caught on spinnerbait in months.  But there were baitfish dimpling so it was a no brainer.  Since the early 70’s I have loved buzzing a spinnerbait and now will be out first thing and hard at it tomorrow!

One more place and my whole day and attitude turned around.

The early part of the day was like it has been.  One here and there, mostly small, with crankbait being the bait of choice as the wind was blowing harder first thing.  Once it bumped a stump, I quit cranking, then turned the handle and this catfish just whacked it.  Cool bite.

Nothing like a catfish hitting a crankbait, they smack it.  Another Kentucky/Spot.

Of course, I made a couple of passes in my white bass area, in fact went way up the creek and while I did not have a bite there, 4 did jump on back in the old area.  They are close and maybe this big front will kick them in high gear.  And interestingly enough 2 Kentucky/Spotted bass hit the crankbait while trolling for whites.  Since they have been up river wonder if they are escapees from the lake above us.  Whatever, they are now part of the lake.  Can’t wait until they get big.

The best of 4 white bass.

The whites I did catch came on the chartreuse square bill which is the same one that has been catching everything else.  It runs about 6 on the troll and the fish that did hit all came a little farther down from where they like to spawn, trolling the river channel.  I devoted about a 1 hour and a 1/2 but will probably blow it off tomorrow, unless it is for an “arm break” after buzzing the spinnerbait until it feels like my arm will fall off.

Today the ones I caught were halfway back in a cove, on the shallower side with bait so there should be several places like it.  Will be interesting to see if they are biting it first thing.  If they are it could be one of those days.

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I am still staying off Facebook, and the internet in general.  There will be a return to the fray at some point as spring fishing begins in earnest but for now I am enjoying the break.  Lots of folks out today but never did talk to anyone so not sure how they did.  I am happy with my results and can’t wait for tomorrow.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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.

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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

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,”