FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

I have seen some great sunrises on Coleto and this morning was no different.  Though I was tired and not feeling it this changed my whole attitude and then the fish cooperated.  

Weather

51/76.  Sunshine and clouds mixed. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.

Lake Level

Wednesday 97.77.   Today 97.72.  (Still on the slow steady decline.)

Bite Times

Major  11:30 am to 1:30 pm.

**********The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Things are still changing on the lake as the water drops.  The color is staying marginal and after the front the temp dropped back down to the low 70’s.  But the wind was perfect and I almost outsmarted myself.

As the water has dropped I am still just not finding bunches in some of the coves.  But one thing I watch for is a shad spawn.  It seems they like banks out of the wind, and the bite seems to last just a little longer if it is on a shady bank.  I started in a cove where I caught the big fish last week and it was a bust.  But as I moved out the shad were there and the bite was on.

Love the thump of a good one on the swim jig.

They have not been on the real green grassy banks but were there this morning.  Seing them flip on the edge of the grass I picked up the bluegill swim jig with a Rage Menace trailer and the bite was on.  I do not think color was important, just had to do it right to trigger a bite.  (Do not discount the swim jig this month as soon as the bluegill start to spawn it can be a killer for big fish.)  It was the last thing I expected but sometime the blind hog thing happens, and then it is what you make of it.

It was a little cool this morning but the bite was on.

It turned out to be easy to trigger them.  I would toss it about a foot or two in the grass and reel and shake it and as soon as it hit the edge they would eat.  Some took it right off the top as it popped off the outside edge.  From there just a slow and steady retrieve would produce the occasional bite off the edge.  One interesting thing today is I could not get them to eat a white one so just stuck with the bluegill color.

It was 5 or 6 like the ones above.

The best bite was on the main lake and not in the coves, though I caught a couple there it was definitely main lake.  And they were in that really green grass, at least the bait had them there.  During the morning I added the buzzbait which produced 3 or 4 smalls but that does not dissuade me as that bite is coming.

And one for the Boss and the fish fry tonight.  Have to give the blue cats credit, when they hit a swim jig they smoke it.  

One thing about the shad spawn is it last an hour or two depending on conditions, this morning it went until almost 9:00.  Much of the time I was sitting in 3 foot throwing really shallow.  I had one break my line, probably another cat as it was close but who knows.  What was irritating about that is I was being a good fisherman and had retied. I kept a couple of bass and the cat for supper and when I cleaned them none had spawned.  (And the 3 or 4 we ate last week had not spawned.) As all of you who bass fish the south this is way late.  Hopefully it will start right now, who knows if it is too late but we shall see.  I do know that I will be up and gone at daylight, anytime I can catch 15+ before quitting at 11:00 it is good.

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This morning there was a happening.  A couple of foxes were walking down a field and all of a sudden one did the jump thing, probably getting a mouse.  The other went a little way and then turned around and tried to horn in.  They finally trotted off and I lost sight of them.  Reminded me of the coyotes we saw hunting last time in Colorado.  But there is one thing I forgot to tell you about that happened 2 weeks ago, and it was a once in a lifetime happening.

As I was going down the bank in about 6 foot of water I looked down at the locator and thought, when did that log get there?  Well it was no log.  It was moving and went right below the trolling motor and as I watched I saw his back feet and tail like it was drawn on a piece of paper.  That big gator swam right under the boat without a care and with the water that off color as it was then I had no clue.  Boy I like those things and will miss seeing them.

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CWD

While I have given commenting on TPWD’s allowing commercial deer breeders to continue to operate in spite of finding chronic wasting disease in some of them, an infected deer was found at another facility.  I just let it go, though I still am really concerned it might end up being a real disaster in Texas.  Now a couple of articles published lately are very concerning.  While it is still up in the air read the following link and see what you think.  It is a bet how it is going to go, hope we don’t lose that one.

Chronic wasting disease: Death of 2 hunters in US raises fear of ‘zombie deer’ (yahoo.com)

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Sunday, we took a drive just to take the ferry over to Port A.  It was one of those guess we will do that one last time before hitting the road.  Little did we know it was the sandcastle weekend and it was really busy.  It only took a couple of minutes to get on the island and once we crossed over the line leaving was massive and bound to get worse.  We decided to just drive down the island to Corpus on the way home.  Roy’s of course was then on the schedule and we managed to get out of there without spending any money, which rarely happens.  When we left I saw the Simmons with 2 300 Mercs.  If you have read me for any length of time you know my feelings on that.  Must make potential owners all giddy they know they can outrun a kayak.

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This morning was flat fun.  It is what I hoped it would be for my last spring and I will keep at it.  Since I am leaving next Tuesday for the Louisiana trip time to get in the last couple of weeks before heading back to the mountains.  Colorado is calling me and it is hard not to get excited thinking about a whole new fishing adventure.  But until them keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Random Thoughts –  Weird Stuff

If you are required to wear glasses when you get your DL then why do they make you remove them for the picture?

Do you think the TXDOT guys laugh when they put those concrete barriers 6″ next to the roads on construction sites so the rest of us pulling a boat will be terrorized driving side by side with semi-trucks?

What makes people think they can just approach bears, bison, and elk for a selfie?

The fact that McDonald’s prices have risen due to increased “costs” would not have anything to do with the CEO making $18 million plus a year, would it?

And last do you think since HEB installed the electronic stopper on the their shopping carts the homeless will be more homeless?

Suckers  

Guess we are just big suckers.  We thought if we worked hard, went to school, borrowed money we would pay it back.  By time we were both done we were seriously broke.  We did without for several years as we worked on paying them back as fast as we could.  And now it looks like the government will be forgiving a bunch of student loans.  So now you can even get your tax debt forgiven or reduced, same with your credit cards.  It is all a big problem and it looks like we will clean up other folks mess.  But in the long run it comes down to one thing, personal responsibility and accountability which seem to be going out of style.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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This girl absolutely smashed the big topwater.  This picture does not do her justice, a whooper. 

Today was interesting for several reasons.  All the signs were there for a good bite.  The water is really clearing over the whole lake and there is plenty of stuff still in the water.  The temp has gone up to the high 70’s and the wind was not to bad.   Before I forget to tell you but today most of the fish had not spawned.  There is a possibility that they are going to and the fishing should remain fairly good.

**********The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Weather

73/85.  Overcast.  Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.  (Today has fish written all over it.)

Lake Level

Today 97.77.   Monday 97.96.    (The fall continues.)

Bite Times

Major 8:08 am to 10:08 am.  Minor 1:58 pm to 2:58 pm.

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It was basically dark when I started on the bank up lake with a daily shad spawn.  It is shallow and covered with stuff, so spinnerbait was bait of choice, and the bite was on.  5 jumped on, maybe 2 measured and several just plan missed.  As shallow as it was if I wanted to catch a big fish it was time for a move and calmer water.  I decided to take my own advice and give the spook style topwater a go.

I said in my last post topwaters should be on and I got a few great bites today.

Then I made a good choice and for the rest of day it was consistent.  The big one above came out of 3 feet of water with stumps.  She hit halfway back, and it was a monster flush.  Once I figured that out the rest of the day was fishing coves and if the wind was blowing the spinnerbait was the choice.  If it was calm the topwater was up.  I ended up having 4 big bites on it and boated 2.

And at least 10 came on spinnerbait today.

It comes down to covering the miles.  The topwater can be a real hassle with the cover and it takes a good cast right to the edge to get a bite.  The spinnerbait is a better choice in the green grass.  And I did comment the other day that what was not happening was the bite of a big fish halfway back and this morning it happened.

Why this little guy?  It is a Kentucky bass which is not that comment on Coleto and just wanted to tell you a little about them.

I caught the one above on the topwater,  Kentucky’s are not prevalent on the lake buy any means but I have caught a dozen or more the last couple of years.  This one was way down lake, so who knows they may be expanding their range.  Having caught hundreds in Arkansas I recognize them immediately but the ragged lateral line, the smaller mouth, and until they start getting up above a couple of pounds they tend to be slimmer.  But the absolute way to tell, open their mouth and feel their tongue, they have a patch like sandpaper that largemouth do not have.  On this particular one you could easily see it.  So if you are not sure just check the tongue.

A weird day in some respects.  A white bass on spinnerbait and a couple of gar on the topwater.

Part of the weird today was another white bass on spinnerbait and a couple of gar on the topwater.  There were only a place or two where I did not catch at least one.  And boy were the snakes out.  I did make on stupid thing, not retying.  Another really good fish jumped a spinnerbait right on a little grassy point, jumped and broke off.  Stupid since earlier I thought I should retie and when I reeled my line in it was at the knot.  As much cover as I am wallowing through it should be done repeatedly.  Another lesson learned so after writing this will retie everything.

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Blast From the Past 

This is my dad (Center) and his 2 brothers with one cool car.

No one is quite sure when this was taken but my guess is before he went off to colllege and ROTC.  This was probably taken at the farm.  My grandparents had 80 acres of prime farmland in Northern Illinois.  They milked cows by hand, did much of the work with giant Belgian draft horses and raised most of their own food in a huge garden.

I have great memories of grandpa milking the cows by hand and then putting the milk cans in the horse trough to keep them cold.  In the winter he would hitch those huge horses up with bells on a sleigh and we would head a few miles to the cheese factory.  The dude would come out in a big, tall white chefs style hat and then the empty cans would be filled with whey, the left over by product which was feed to the hogs.  And on that small piece of land he sent the majority of the kids to college.

Those days are long gone, and while the overall change is for the better that way of life was simpler.  We listened to football and fights on the radio.  And he never missed Gun Smoke, Lawrence Welk, and Art Linkletter.  It was bed by 9:00 and that old man was up way before daylight to head to the back pasture and bring in the cows.  He left the farm maybe a couple of times after getting back from WW1 and never wore his teeth.  I can honestly say I never understood a thing he said.  Hard work was a way of life and I am glad I got to live a little piece of that.

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Today was encouraging.  I am looking forward to next week and just maybe the bite is on the up stroke.  With bascially a week to fish until I hit the road will try to get out as much as I can.  But I am so ready to head back to the mountains and our new adventure.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Best Buy Sucks

I bought a computer there 2 days ago.  Then get an email from the Geek Squad saying thanks for buying a $400 dollar maintenance plan.  Sure, on a $350 computer.  Suspected a scam but the retired attorney in me came out so I called the numbers provided and was connected to some foreign piece of shit.  I said you are on tape and tell me you are Geek Squad and of course he immediately hung up.

So trying to help Best Buy I called the number for customer service on their website and offered to send the email and was told by an English as a second language phone worker (Same accent as the scammer) there is no way to send it and no way other than talking to her, totally clueless, and no one else to speak with.  Be aware you might be scammed in their name from information that could have come from them in some manner and they could care less.  I told no one I bought a computer, the bank told no one, so ……  Obviously, they have been breached or how could the scammer know I made a purchase there?  That is what I get for trying to be helpful.  And of course no more shopping at Best Buy.

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WTF?

I just watched the foreign minister of Iran basically threaten us while at the UN.  UN or not why is that POS allowed on US soil.  The middle east continues to bring nothing but trouble to the US.  More and more I believe after this episode between Iran/Hamas/Palestine and Israel we need to quit trying to fix any part of it.  They are all religious zealots who have caused nothing but trouble and we might all be better off if we just let them kill each other.  They deserve each other.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

This girl just came off the beds.

Weather

69/81.  Cloudy with gusty winds developing during the afternoon. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.  (Here we got again but that is not going to stop me.)

Lake Level

Friday 97.99.      Today 97.96.   (On a slow steady decline.)

Bite Times

Major 6:31 am to 8:31 am.    Minor 11:59 am 12:59 pm.  (Even if it gets ugly will get in both periods tomorrow.)

**********The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Things are finally changing on the lake and the bite will definitely get better.  The water clearing is a big factor, especially for what I am doing which is buzzing a spinnerbait making a wake.   The water temp is creeping up and is in the mid 70’s in some places.  And the wind was perfect today for spinnerbait.

I have to confess there is no doubt there are some other ways to catch them but it this technique has been part of my fishing life for 50 years.  And while of course I will do more bass fishing after I leave time to take advantage of the bite which is coming right now.  Before giving it up at 1:30 it was an easy dozen and missed a few and jumped 2 off so not bad for a short trip.

This is the size I was beginning to wonder about.

Points with grass/cover with a breeze was the best spot but even boated 2 in the last cove without a breath of wind.  But one thing consistent about the bite, most still come right on the bank as soon as the bait moves.  And several jumped it when if flipped out of some stuff.  It is precise work to put it right on the bank and have it moving and making a wake.  The watercolor has depressed the waking bite as the bigger fish usually come off the bank, they just have to be able to see it and react.  Trust me time are changing, and with it a big one is coming.

No giants today but it was a good bite.

If anything was learned today it is topwater is coming.  It will require some precise casting with all the stuff in the water, but it is doable.  You can use a frog, and that bite will get better as the water clears.  Another bait that would definitely get the bites is a pink trick worm.  The watercolor is just right for that and it is a fun way to fish.  Just keep it right where you can see it and when it disappears set the hook.  And if it continues to clear and you are feeling brave a spook or a Bang O Lure will also catch them.

My guess is it is about to get good.  Though the lake is coming down there is still plenty of stuff in the water and as long as it is there the fish will use it, just a matter of timing.  Which really means get up and get out there early.  While I caught one here and there all day, the morning bite was the best.  I can honestly say it was getting worrisome, but it really seems the fish and the conditions are coming together.  And though the water is on a slow decline it will be while before all the cover in the lake is gone.  So if you fish Coleto good luck, they are there to be caught.

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Next up will be Wednesday.  The weather looks perfect and there are several places I want to add to the program.  And while spinnerbait will be the primary lure of choice a look in the topwater box will give me some inspiration.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

WEDNESDAY

Weather

63/79.  Some clouds early. Mostly sunny along with windy conditions during the afternoon. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.  (It blew every bit of that and more at times.)

Lake Level

Today  97.99.      Monday 98.01.   (On a slow steady decline.)

Bite Times

Major 2:14 pm t0 4:14 pm.    Minor 7:37 am to 8:37 am.

**********The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

They definitely got the wind right.  I should have stayed home but it actually was a good thing in some ways.  I have been wondering how the Lund, which is 15′ would handle high winds and Coleto obliged.  It was white capping in several directions and just basically being a pain in the rear, but the little boat did just fine.  Normally I would not have gone so it will be dandy in Colorado.  As far as fishing it was an early morning thing again only even slower.

The wind was howling, and it only got worse, it really riled up the color on the lake and to help matters it is dropping noticeably.  Right after daylight all the clouds blew off and it turned into a bluebird sky.  Add in a major cold front with the water temp down a degree and you had a recipe for a bad day, and it did not disappoint.

I caught 4 total from daylight to 2:00 all on spinnerbait.  The first 3 right off the bat, the last one right before I quit.  They were definitely not interested in the swim jig so things are a changing.  The Boss was wanting a fish fry and we had 4 small catfish filets, so I kept one 15″ bass.  With the water temp in the low 70’s it seems lots of fish have not spawned including the one I cleaned.  Do not ask me why other than the water cooler sucks.  But every year is a new year and things changed why fishing keeps our interest.  My last fishing call on Coleto has been slow, and the biggest bass I have caught was the first one since I came back.  Normally this time of year there are plenty of bigs.  With a couple of weeks left before I leave it just might improve.  Of course, that will not stop me, and it will be gone before daylight and back at it.

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FRIDAY

Weather

54/82.  Partly cloudy. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.

Lake Level

Wednesday 97.99.      Today 98.02.   (On the slow steady decline.)

Bite Times

Major 4:10 pm t0 6:10 pm.    Minor 9:06 am to 10:06 am.

One thing is clear  – either I suck, or the fishing does.  And blaming it on the fish is what the fishless do.

Worth getting up for.

It was a beautiful morning as I headed to the first spot.  I admit to feeling somewhat melancholy about my last spring fishing and it brought back so many memories.  It has been a real good run on Coleto, and on the bay for that matter.  I will miss it but times change and so do all of us.  It really has been tough, and I admit that I am really clueless right now.  It is time for a change but just not sure what that might be.

The only real condition was the water was as clear as it has been in while.  The temp still hovers in the low 70’s and today the wind did not appear until quitting at 2:00.

Finally caught a few on buzzbait.

There are still fish that have not spawned and some that are done.  A look at this girl, she had done her duty and time for a little rest.  Hate to see the water falling right now, it would be nice if it was stable until they are done.

Even managed a white bass on the buzzbait.

These is still a shad spawn going on at daylight and this morning they were having at it in an inch of water way the hell back in the flat stuff.  I wanted to fish buzzbait and I managed 3 or 4 but it just is not as good as it has been in years past.  My guess is that with the watercolor like it has been it is not the best choice and neither is the spinnerbait.  One thing about both those baits the really big fish are usually way off the bank and smoke it over halfway back.  The color just might affect that as both are reaction baits and the big ones just don’t see it clearly in time to just react like normal.

I should probably be catfishing.  Coleto has tons of blue cats.

I did try just a little pitching with a beaver style bait and caught 2 smalls pretty quickly.  Probably should have stuck with that the rest of the day but the swim jig kept calling me.  Unfortunately, that bite has really quieted down, which with the amount of cover makes no sense.  And it is even a little more puzzling that it seems you cannot catch them consistently in the same spot the next day.  Some of the best spring coves in the lake just do not have the fish, which may have more to do with my fishing methods.

There are a couple of interesting things going on right now, one example is the number of snakes I am seeing.  There have been years that you would see very few but not this spring.  Think about it, if the big fish were shallow like usual you would not see so many.  The small ones would have a hard time making it very far before being unloaded on.  Another example is when trolling up lake like I do every spring I am catching NO small bass.  Usually it is a problem keeping them off when searching for white bass.  But the blue cats are cooperating on trolled crankbait and I am seeing some really nice results in the can at the cleaning table.  The catfish are on the chew.

So, I am going to reset and be back at it Monday.  Good or bad it is still fishing and maybe if I make some better choices things will improve.  No matter what I will enjoy the last couple of weeks before my spring on Coleto is over.

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It has been a while but here is a little taste of boats for sale in Texas.

Time for another episode of fun with boat buying.  Or are you out of your ever lovin’ mind?

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Needs stringer work finished and some interior.

The hull is not usable, and I could not figure out how to do it.  The interior is trashed, in other words the perfect boat.

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DOES RUN BUT NEEDS WORK

Me to.  Run away.

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 PROJECT BOAT and needs work.  Please do not ask me any technical questions or what is wrong with the boat because I do not know.

I am selling something I know absolutely nothing about so don’t ask, just fork over the dough.

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 Boat does not run. Needs a good amount of work.

So come on down and get it out of my yard and put it in yours.

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Yamaha was stolen and therefor requires a buyer with some know-how

You know, like know how to spend money.

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 If you can move it, you can have it. No tires on trailer and boat is pretty much just a hollow hull.

At least it is priced right.

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 JUST NEEDS A NEW STARTER. NEEDS UPHOLSTERY WORK INSIDE, ETC.. AND CLEANED UP.

And once you can start it and then sit in it boy will that be fun.

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Sold as its

Huh?

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last time motor would not start to load up on trailer, so I used the trolling motor. May be the choke or carb. This is a project

It has a trailer and loading a boat with a trolling motor is easy peasy.  Plus if you ever see “carb” in the ad or “project” or “rare” run away.

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TIRES WILL NOT HOLD AIR 14″ BUT DO HAVE ALL THREE RIMS

In other words you don’t need that rubber part.  Just tow it home.

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boat is useable on the water, however needs work to make it safer and legal to operate.

Or not.   Just have at it and don’t worry about safety and that “legal” stuff.  Much more fun that way.

• As a side note have you ever noticed that the same yards with these boats usually have a camper or two that “needs work”?

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And I appreciate this comment from a reader.

Thanks for the years of Coleto reports! I live in Corpus, but have been doing a little freshwater fishing the past year or so just to do something different. I’m die-hard saltwater all my life, but grew up fishing in a creek and catching crappie and bass. Maybe just re-living my childhood? Lake Corpus is always LOW, Coleto seems to “stabilize” quicker and is fairly quiet. My kids and I have had the most success trolling the main channel with crankbaits for crappie and have caught a lot of catfish (surprise) while doing it. We can’t ever seem to find the crappie shallow spawning and usually resort to finding some along the main channel. Even got into a mess of bass last December along the rocks at the outlet, outflow, not sure what it’s called. Anyways, always wanted to drop in and say thanks for the reports. They’ve been a big help learning a lake I’ve never fished. Best of luck in Colorado, it’s a beautiful place.

The thing I most appreciate is your thanks for helping learn the lake.  There is way to much secrecy, lying, and just plain being a rear end about fishing.  In the grand scheme of things it is just fishing, helping others with it is a good thing.  When we meet our maker if you think he is going to ask if you were all that with a rod and reel, or what kind of wrap was on your boat you are delusional.  I have tons of stickers from all over on my rod box, and it continually hooks me up with other fishermen asking about them.  From that point on we talk fishing.  From cane pole to 65′ offshore big game fishing boat it is all the same.  It would be a better place if everyone fished for love of the sport and shared it with others.  A perfect example is your enjoyment trolling with your kids.  It is not the result but in the doing and sharing.  So, thanks for the comment and keep reading, it will just be a new fishing adventure in a new place when we move for good.

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Watching the Texas Game Wardens on TV today just pissed me off.  They were on Falcon Lake and of course found an illegal net that the criminals from Mexico use to rape the lake.  This one had some really nice crappie along with lots of other fish.  Interesting as the guy on his Falcon Lake blog just commented on what has happed to the crappie.  There is plenty of talk and opinion about the border, but it is porous enough that Falcon can be flat dangerous along with them raping the fish.  The lenient attitude to the border for years has gotten us here.  Time to do something real about the border instead of both sides acting the fool and getting nothing done for decades.  If criminals can go across our border and string a long gill net and then harvest without real fear we have a problem.

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And speaking of Colorado fishing I just got the last (At least that is what I always tell the Boss!) piece of the trolling stuff.  After doing plenty of research and reading I decided instead of downriggers, also been there done that for stripers, to go with lead core line which will definitely be a first for me.  With the Kokane and Lake Trout depth will be an issue in the summer and you need a way to get your lures deep.  As the line is color coded every 10 yards it lets you know when you are close to where you need to be.  For me the trolling thing will be a way I can continue to fish until I can’t back the trailer.  (I will be hitting 71 y/o soon and it reminds me I have continually owned boats for over 50 years now.)  Plus, can’t wait to catch either one of those without hiring a guide or having someone show me.  (With a little help from the internet.) For me it has always been in the doing.

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Unfortunately got the pleasure of buying a new laptop so I can continue with the blog.  As the blog is paid for until summer 26′ I took the plunge.  If that was not the case it would have been different.  But on we go.  I will continue to fish until heading to the Chandeliers then pack it all up and hit the road.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Beware;  This might get your panties in a wad so don’t read it or live with it.

The Crumbleys

I got a little PTSD (Trust me you never know what a defendant will do at sentencing.) watching the sentencing of Jennifer Crumbley the mother of the school shooter who murdered 4 beautiful high school kids, and her husband.  What a stupid horse’s ass.  She blamed the school.  WTF!  Then the husband got up there and said the truth was not presented and requested probation.  It may be the worst sentencing plea in the history of stupid defendants.  They are clueless and very lucky I am not the judge, because they would get every day and any sentences would be stacked.  She acted like she was a victim and really played no part in the whole thing.  Ignoring the fact you all bought a 15 y/o kid a gun and ignored all the warning signs.  Good luck in the pen, you earned it.  It is POS like you who make it hard on all responsible gun owners.  We need more of these types of prosecutions.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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Coleto Monday

Weather

70/81.  Cloudy. Periods of light rain early.  Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Lake Level

A week ago, 98.11.      Today 98.01.   (On a slow steady decline.)

Bite Times

Major 12:26 pm t0 2:46 pm.    Minor 6:27 am to 7:27 am.

**********The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

This is how it looked in Oklahoma City but not here.  I was really surprised that while I was fishing you could not tell it happened.  Weird.

I was hoping it was going to be good today, but it is becoming ground hog day.  I continue to catch a dozen give or take a few and just cannot get over the hump.  It was really cloudy, it drizzled off and on, and the wind was not near as high as they forecast.  The water temp was up to 72 – 74 degrees in most places but dang it will not clear and I am sure the falling water level is not helping any.

Swim jig.

First up was a bank in the plant arm, and only 2 jumped on.  But one thing that was apparent today, they were pounding the swim jig.  There was none of that nipping or taking a swipe at it, when they bit, they committed.  This bank should be way better than it was, but that seems to be the case all over the lake.  It is still hit or miss, and it seems when they are not there it is barren.

As it has been the swim jig continues to be the bait of choice.

This morning I tried to expand my presentations some, including the buzzbait and I added a frog.  Normally this time of year the buzzbait is primo but for some reason it is not working and the frog was worthless.  The best I can tell it must have something to do with the off-color water.  (It could not possibly be my fishing abilities!)  It would seem logical to expect the lake to be clearing but it just is not really happening.  And in some places the color has seemed to return.

The rest of the best.

And I continue to try other places, which maybe would produce 1 or 2 bites, but it seems there is tons of places that just do not have fish.  I put 9 in the boat in the first and third place, with a channel bank in a big cove producing 5 all on swim jig.  From there on it was one here or there, often nothing in some places.  With the weather projected to get rough I limited where I went until it became clear it was not really going to storm.

The Boss had requested a fish fry, so I went way up lake to troll up some supper when a weird thing happened.  Coleto is full of blue cats and over the years I have caught hundreds trolling.  While it is a rare occurrence in many lakes it seems to work fairly consistently on Coleto.  I chose way up hoping to maybe intercept a few whites on the way back from their spawn but that did not happen.  But on the first pass 2 small keeper blue cats jumped on so good start.  1 1/2 hours later not another bite.  I even went down lake and trolled the summertime areas without a bite.

I can honestly say that I can not figure out if it is me.  Though I try different places and techniques it is tough to figure it out.  With the amount of cover in the lake it just might be time to start flipping the tress and bushes up lake that have plenty of water on them.  If they are unwilling to chase it just might require putting it right on their nose.  But I am not giving up and it will be back at it in the morning.

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

What a year for big bass in Texas.  This from TPWD.

ATHENS – O.H. Ivie added another Legacy Class ShareLunker during the final week of the 2024 Toyota ShareLunker collection season. Angler Tery Lewis of Lubbock reeled in 13.99-pound ShareLunker 669 Thursday to push O.H. Ivie’s season total to 12 and the statewide tally to 19. It proved to be the final Legacy Class entry for the 2024 collection season.

That is insane.  O.H.Ivie is on a run, and it appears that the chance of catching a 13lb plus is real.  Congrats to TPWD for introducing the stocking program that has produced these monsters.  And nothing gets nutty bass fisherman in a bigger frenzy to hitch the boat and travel than big bass.  So get it while it is hot as it will go the way of many lakes like Falcon and Amistad where the lots and ramps have gone from jammed full to empty.

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

But the day would not be perfect without then ragging on TPWD.  I am so against exotics being introduced into the state in any form, of course basically speaking of high fence hunting.  So do not get your panties in a wad before reading this, I have no complaint with the owners of high fence.  They are following the law and deserve no criticism for importing exotics as long as the law is followed.  Same with the hunters if it is done legally it is none of our business.   There are plenty of folks who have disparate opinions on high fence hunting but as long as it is legal have at it.

My complaint is TPWD not ending the practice of exotic introduction.  A perfect example would be the Audad.  Introduced in Texas years ago for hunting they are now all over the place.  TPWD now actually flies over Big Bend and shoots them, and of course anytime they do the Bighorn sheep count on state lands some also get smoked.  If you have to fly over and shoot them then the introduction was a mistake, end of story.  You never know what the true consequences of any introduction of an exotic species might bring whether it runs, flies or swims.  We do not need any other exotics introduced into the state.

Now I am waiting to see if there will be any consequences to anyone who bought and imported the genetic freak rams that the guy in Montana sold here.   He is going to prison and getting fined a pile.  My contention is if you violate federal law like he did and use the results of that violation to produce the very thing the statute is designed to address then why is the state not hunting down each and every buyer?  Or at least the rams.  What next, they get loose and interbreed with our resident herd.  And don’t give me that bullshit nonsense it can’t happen and then in the same sentence tell me we have to shoot Audads.  The Audads just take up great sheep habitat, the genetics freaks could irreparably harm the Big Horn sheep herd in Texas forever.  I know this might not be clearly stated but I hope you get the point.  What next TPWD – rhinoceros?

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

I had an interesting chat with a local guy who has lived with 10 miles of Victoria his whole life.  While talking about the new trout regs he immediately brought up croaker.  He could not have been anymore against fishing with them if he tried.  He said when he was a kid there were plenty of big ones they actually targeted for supper.  While part of his argument was that it is to “easy” to fish that way his real complaint was the use of them as bait has decimated the adult population.  I have heard that off and on for a while and often it is accompanied by the proposal to make them a game fish.  Interesting to see if that ever comes to anything.  And he also was not all that happy with the flounder rules.  For me anything that increases stocks and access is great.

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

Razorbacks

There is a lot of things that I might have seen when I read the news before heading out this morning, but this was a shocker.  After the Arkansas coach headed to USC in a surprise move the Hogs announced that John Calipari would be leaving Kentucky for Arkansas.  His run was over and while Kentucky announced he would be back it was not working so him leaving saved them the $33 million buyout.  So what will happen how knows but with Arkansas not having any players on the roster only time will tell.  But it sure will be intersting.

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

Today I have the pleasure of dealing with the Texas bureaucracy, time to renew the DL.  I have to prove I am me, though my DL is current and they were happy to give it to me 15 years ago.  First up is the lock box to get my passport and I already submitted my SSI number so that is done.  I have no hope it will go easy, nothing worse than the DL lady with an attitude.  So please surprise me and restore my faith in the bureaucracy but I am not holding my breath.  Sad when I have little faith in the people we pay to help us.

Other than that things are fine around here.  Love the new little boat, the $3-4  for all day gas is wonderful.  The Chandeliers are looming, and then back to Colorado and a completely new way to fish for me.  I am excited for the change, goes along with my what appears to be a 10 year attention span.  From the great Barrier Reef to the creek behind Grannie’s I have been there done that and am really looking forward to a new adventure.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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

What a great way to spend our 35th anniversary.  We love the parks and Big Bend is a special place in it’s own way.  Desert, mountains, a eclectic group of folks, it is our kind of place and we have always liked it there.  We wanted to be sure to get back before we moved and as usual it was worth the drive.

My home girl waiting.  Always good to be first in line at the Starlight, the food is actually good.

The Starlight restaurant is a must do in the ghost town of Terlingua and you have to get there early if you want to get in before starving to death.  They open at 5 and close at 10 and usually have some music.  But the porch above is a gathering place for watching the sunset, and if you are lucky the locals will be playing on the porch in the early afternoon.  Grab a cold Lone Star and enjoy just being alive.

We love staying in the container house.

The place we rented the last few trips is amazing.  He has built 4 container houses on the hill above the ghost town that are flat innovative.  The view is spectacular and when he built these he went first class for the desert.  There is one little issue, you better have a high clearance vehicle and  4 wheel can be nice.  The road is nothing but rocks and I mean rough, but the houses are at the end of the drive.  And at night watching the mountains as the sun sets is part of the draw.  Of all the places we have stayed in Big Bend this is top of the line.

The view from the house.

There is no way my limited talent can portray the awesome landscape.  It goes on forever.

We love Big Bend for what it is, the middle of nowhere that has stood the sands of time.  It is rugged, starkly beautiful, and old in a timeless way.  Whether the old inshore ocean in the east or the rugged and scenic mountains of the west it is massive.  It seems it is a crazy 50 miles by 50 miles.  Whether 4 wheeling the back roads or taking the paved stuff to the old towns or ruins there is a timeless history to these badlands.  (Note:  It drives me nuts when folks speed there.  You are not “going somewhere” you are there, and the sights of the geology is part of what makes this place what it is.)  Almost all the backroads are rough as cobs and if the maps say unimproved stay off, just saying.  I can only say a good suspension is a plus and leave your Tesla at the house unless you stay on pavement.

It totally depends on the rainfall what plants are in bloom.  We just missed it this year.

A few of the cactus had flowers and they are sure pretty.

While you think it is desert it holds a ton of cool plant life.  It is a tough world out there and only the strong survive.  But if you take the time to get out of the truck and walk a litte you never know what you will see.  There are tons of trails from easy to really tough but there are well marked.  One of the best we have done did not make this years list.  It is not on any map but it is where the bears hang in an oasis.  We were told that it is not on the map to hold down the foot traffic.  What appears to be so unforgiving, and it can be, is as sensitive as any place on the planet so tread lightly.

The deer sure are scraggly.  But the wildlife is a small part of the reason for visiting the park.

Tough shot as this coyote beat feet through the scrub.

As you all know we love chasing wildlife but the park is not know for the big stuff.  But this year we saw a road runner with a lizard in his beak, rabbits, a coyote and a couple of deer.  Unfortunately no peccary or as we call them is South Texas the Javelina or Audads.  (We learned from a ranger that the Feds have given the state permission to do helicopter fly overs and shoot them.)  We usual see some but not this trip, every trip is different and it is no more than a matter of timing and watching, as our trip out of the park at daylight revealed.  We also saw a couple of wild horses on our first days walk but they were spooky and hit the road.

We left the park after 6:00 or so and almost totaled another truck.  Of all things we come around the corner a few miles out of the park and there is a couple of bunches of wild donkeys on the road.  It was not all that close a call but was a reminder of what can happen traveling at that time of day, we are a little gun shy.  Then we saw a bunch of elk.  We knew they were transplanted back in the area a few years ago but today we saw a couple of dozen as the sun rose.

If half a mountain falls off does it make a sound if no one is there to hear it?

The park has been changing for eons and the change continues.  This huge chunk of the hillside just decided to slough off.  A testament to what made this place what it is and continues to be.  It is a geological happening for folks into rocks.  And they have put in a new fossil exhibit of stuff found in the park and it is well worth the stop.  There were some big ass dinosaurs, a couple found nowhere else.  But alike everything else in the park do not remove anything, and that is a hard rule.  As I said it is fragile and deserves respect.

Hanging out at the fossil exhibit watching the tourists.

Our last hike in the desert when we realize we only have half the water we should have had, it happens.  That is the old dang it looks like.

This is one of the easier hikes in the park, flat with a good trail.  When we left the truck I asked if she had the other water and got a yup back.  Water is the staff of life here and the plan, half in half out.  Luckily we had enough but lesson learned.  Use a check list when you head out, it is the desert and by time we got back to the truck it was 78, after the day started off a cool 48.  Trust me 78 degrees on the desert floor is hot.  But as long as you are prepared hiking is a trip back in time and the ground tells you a lot.  I am still looking for my first rattlesnake, just not that hard.

It is not possible to tell you everything you need to know about the park, there is a bunch to do and see, not to mention Terlingua and all that the freak zone is.  And you can visit the river and hot springs, or go across to the Mexican town.  So, if you have ever thought about going do your research, the trip is well worth the time.  But it is changing as more is built and the crowds grow.  It is so worth the trip but like many of the cool places in this world it is getting loved to death.  Show it the respect it deserves.

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

LAST MONDAY – COLETO

Weather

70/82.  Cloudy and windy. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Lake Level

Today 98.11.      Last Friday 98.13.   (Definitely dropping and there is a big crane working on the dam so who knows.) 

Bite Times

Major 6:03 am t0 8:03 am.    Minor 11:23 am to 12:23 pm.

**********The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Make this quick as I just got back from above.  There was almost no change in the fishing or the lake.  Lots of off color water and a real inconsistent pattern.

A nice swim jig fish on my second pass.

The swim jig continues to be the bait of choice at least for me.  The numbers today were ok compared to the last few trips.  It was a good dozen but I am stuck on a couple of places that seem to have a concentration, but others that normally this time of year have fish just don’t, and not sure why.

The best on spinnerbait for the morning.

But the good news is the majority of the fish have not spawned, at least their body size says there is still more to go.  I have a suspicion that they are not all that interested in the dirt banks right now, which means they have not moved to the new grassy areas yet.

So I am excited about fishing Monday, after a week off hopefully it has cleared some.  It just might be the best lake fishing is yet to come, only time will tell.

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

The Boss and I both grew up in Iowa and have been watching the tournament religiously.  They won last night and while the call was a little sketchy it is never one call that beats you.  So good luck girls it has been a trip.

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

As far as the eclipse it just might be to cloudy which will ruin it for lots of folks who really care.  How many?  As we drove left Fort Stockton on I10 to return home it was an endless stream of campers, most out of California.  It was so many we just could not figure out why until we got to Junction and everyone exited.  Turns out there is a big watch party there.  Hope it is not as cloudy as they forecast as it could be a big all about nothing.  I on the other hand will be fishing Coleto hoping for clouds but it not will just not look at it.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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

MONDAY

Weather

69/81.  Showers in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Thunder possible. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Lake Level

Current 98.21.      Friday 98.30.   (Hope they are not dropping it.)

Bite Times

Major 12:51pm to 2:51pm.       Minor 7:04am to 8:04am.

Long story short it sucked.  In fact from 7:30 until I quit at 2:00 exactly 4 came over the side, all on spinnerbait.  I knew the day was trouble when it started off cloudy first thing and in the first cove a big one came out and ate right at the boat.  It ended up being one of those not setting the hook because it all happened in an instant and she pulled off.  And during the day 2 good ones took a run at it when it went over a bush and flipped sideways and they just did not eat.  Unfortunately, it cleared off and blew out of the north and seemed to put a stop to the bite.

So at that point why not the Controlled Descent Jerk Shad, which did not produce a bite.  That was totally surprising, I figured slow and in their face.  To compound the days complete lack of aggression on their part I could not buy a bite on the swim jig.  Crazy as it has been the go to bait the last couple of weeks.  I ended up fishing plenty of “good” spots and several coves I have not fished in while with little success.  Maybe if I had stayed longer it would have improved but it was just time to give it up.

The water is still way off color in some areas, it definitely follows the wind and they just do not seem to really like it.  The temp is stuck in that 67 – 70 range and has changed little the last 2 weeks.  And there are plenty of fish who have not gone on the beds yet so we have them in all phases of the spawn right now.

And looking at Wednesday we should have at least some clouds at least of a while.  I am just not on them right now and will try a few new places and techniques to see if I can figure it out.  It is spring.  So tomorrow morning it will be back at it bright and early, they better look out, I will fish better.

**************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

WEDNESDAY

Weather

50/70.  Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.  (Sure wish we were out of the north wind pattern.)

Lake Level

Monday 98.21.      Wednesday 98.21.

Bite Times

Major 2:13 pm to 4:13 pm.       Minor 7:54am to 8:54am.

At least it was a little bit better today.  It was cool and wind was definitely blowing out of the north and it was a biting wind.  And as it has been the water was colored up anywhere the wind blew right on it.  The water temp continues to hover in the high 60’s with little change over the last 2 weeks.

It was a pretty morning.

At least today the numbers were up but that wind was still keeping them to a dull roar.  But the first bank gave up 5 so the day was off to a good start.  Early it was a mix of spinnerbait and swim jig but after the really cold front blew through about 12:00 it was all swim jig.

This one ate the swim jig.

I did miss one big one on the swim jig when it did what a big fish will do, smacked it and charged the boat.  I never got a good hookset and she pulled off.  One thing was real clear today, the dozen plus that came over the side today and the ones I missed and lost all came right on the edge of cover.  Not back in it, not on isolated cover or weed patches.  They were scattered and right on the edge, the wind was so cold today, and last night was not warm, they just did not move real shallow today.

First and last.  They basically all looked like this.

One thing is real clear, they are not really interested in chasing.  Not sure what that is about but I will blame it on conditions and watercolor.  I did fish the Controlled Descent Jerk Shad some today but without them in the shallow cover no luck calling them up, but will not give up on that the next month.  The day was ok, at least I caught a few.  It would be nice if the water would clear just a little more, it just seems they do not like it.  As far as coves go some have a few and others seem flat barren.

But hope springs eternal and it should start really picking up with this warming trend.  And if will clear more they should move to the shallow cover.  I intended to flip some today but the wind was just a little to much of a hassle.  Thinking about it now maybe one or two was all that came out of windy banks.  There is a lot to learn right now and Friday will be back at it.

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

It Begins

The new trout regs begin on 3/26/24.

• Three fish daily bag limit per angler
• A minimum size of 15 inches and a maximum size limit of 20 inches
• One oversized trout greater than 30 inches allowed as part of daily bag limit

It will be interesting to see how it affects populations in the long run.  But it sure will get those internet warriors going.  Just think, catch 3 trout and you too will be a star.  But it is a good thing, only time will really tell.

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

Starting to get excited about heading to Big Bend next week for one last trip before we leave Texas.  Just like the fishing there is a thing or two we want to be sure to experience.  You always think you will come back after moving but in our case we are being realistic.  With our love of the outdoors there is so much in the west we have not explored, much of it a day’s drive away along with tons of new fishing.  We love the parks in this country and like so much in life, so many parks so little time, and we intend to make the most of ours.

************  

The new boat is working fine but of course there are quirks.  First it will only go so far so fast and after years of hauling booty that has taken a little getting use to.  And putting it on the trailer is so like the old Carolina Skiff, it takes a little practice.  So while that has been a little hassle in the wind which has been blowing right on the ramp the last few days it has been good for learning how it handles.  If that is as tough as it gets no problem.  Can’t wait to get it out to Colorado and put some fish in the boat.

I have most of the month to fish before heading to the Chandeliers with the Wade Right boys.  The Championship belt will be back on the line and it is an honor to whoever wins, it is not an easy crowd.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

As I prepared this for tomorrow I almost loaded up and went to the lake this afternoon but there were still storms around so stayed at the house.  It would have been nice to fish one more time before the weather cleared and the wind starts to blow out of the north.  But as all fishermen know the weather never seems to cooperate.  So I expect big changes tomorrow will just have to see how it goes.  But I will be fishing.

Weather

62/80.  Sun and a few passing clouds. Areas of patchy fog. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.

Lake Level 

Today   98.30.      Wednesday 98.28.  (full pool)

Bite Times

Major   10:53 am to 12:53 pm.

**************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

The best for a short morning.

It was about as good as I thought it would be, slow.  After yesterday’s front and rain the water temp was 67, a 3 degree drop.  The wind was light out of the northwest and the color did not improve except for one area.  More on that in a bit.  The sun came out pretty quickly and did not help matters.

To make a short story shorter I started on my best bank and had 4 bites and only boated 2.  They were far from aggressive so time to hit my other good bank from this week and exactly the same result.  Caught 2 and missed a couple.  All were small and the swim jig was the bait of preference.  At this point in the morning the sun was out so I made an executive decision to head way up lake and check out the white bass.

One thing about way up, the water is clear.  Going all the way to the bridge and slow trolling back produced one big crappie, it was hooked deep so in the live well it went.  Now I needed a fish to go with it so I picked a likely looking bank with good cover and the fish above just smoked it.  To bad for him as he is the guest for dinner during the Iowa girls game.  I trolled a little longer and finally called it a day around 1:00.  After a good week of clouds and wind it was the exact opposite but there is hope.  Monday is looking like cloudy and light rain, and it will be back at it.

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

Unfortunately, TPWD reports that Amistad is now “infested” with Zebra mussels.  Hard to not blame, I hate to use that term, bass fishermen.  It is not so much blame but as I and many have done is fish the hot lakes, or the good lakes wherever we could possibly get to because we can trailer.  Unless care is taken things get transferred, it just is what it is.  Though Texas has the same clean, drain, and dry program it is a toothless tiger as I found out when fishing Colorado.

Colorado has an invasive sticker fee so all boaters pay to reduce the spread of invasive species, and many of the lakes have an inspection station both putting in and taking out.  If the boat is not properly taken care of, they will be “happy” to clean it for a fee.  And when I take the Lund out there in May it will have to be inspected before it is even dropped in any water in the state.  So I am trying to practice it every time I take it out of the water, it will be standard operating procedure from now on.

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

The only freshwater regret is I never got to OH Ivie.  It had 4 bass over 13 in 4 days last week.  That is amazing and it won’t last forever, speaking of bass fishermen from all over the country trailering their boats.  Ivie is a tribute to TPWD stocking programs, and they are to be commended for what they have done.

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

After that guy out west imported Marco Polo sheep genetics against federal law looks like he is going to prison for developing a hybrid I wonder if there will be repercussions in Texas?  According to the article he admitted he sold some of the sheep in Texas.  TPWD should be investigating any ranch or ranches that bought the genetic sheep for high fence hunting.  If the first guy is a felon for his actions what level of accountability does the buyer of the sheep have?  Does Texas consider it ok to import these animals?  I have been critical of their handling of the CWD and private deer breeders, and this is disturbing.  These are illegal genetic freaks.  So, my guess is due to the money interests in Texas having inordinate power and influence nothing will be done.  So please correct me if I am wrong but I have no faith anything will come of it.  I still do not understand what part of their duty to “wildlife” has to do with genetic freaks and commercial interests.

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

FFS

What makes bass tournaments what they are is the quest to figure it out.  A bunch of guys on water where they have to find a way to catch fish, and they do and the interesting part is who figures out the bait, location, and the way to catch them.  Forward facing sonar while amazing changes the game and not for the better.  It seems there is finally a slow movement to ban forward facing sonar in tournaments.  Want to use it yourself for pleasure fishing, fine.  But as I said when you have the top 10 all using it in a major tournament one week and then next week when you have be versatile to catch them NOT 1 of those guys from the prior week are in the top 10.  And folks are finally saying it quietly – real one trick ponies.  Sorry big-time pros are saying it, not just me.  Being rich and sponsored enough to put $50k in electronics on your boat does not make you a fisherman.  What next, daddy buying it for high school kids so they can us it?  What about the kid from a single parent who is eaten up with bass fishing and is priced out of the sport?  Is it going to turn tournament fishing into nothing more than the rich guy wins?  Folks buying it to win $100 in a club tournament?  It is headed that way.  I have said if before and will say it again, the cost of fishing has gotten insane.

And this nonsense argument it is just progress does not do justice to what made the sport.  NASCAR slowed them down, baseball and golf have regulations on the contents of the balls, football even tells you how many pounds or air pressure in the ball along with a host of other rules in sports.  These decisions are made with spectators and participants in mind to level the playing field and to keep the sport popular.  Forward facing sonar is the worst development in tournament fishing in my lifetime.

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

I intend to hit the lake in the morning, and while the forecast is for a few showers in the morning that will not stop me unless it is thundering.  But I will be hooked up and ready to go as soon as it is safe.  The fishing will be ongoing as much as possible the next 6 weeks so keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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

Why couldn’t the beekeeper afford a GPS device?… Because honey can’t buy mappiness.

Thanks for that madame, our laugh for today

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

Weather

58/70.  Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph.

Lake Level

Today 98.28 (Full Pool.)     Thursday 98.32.

Bite Times

Major    7:45 am to 8:45 am.    Minor  1:09 pm to 2:09 pm.

*************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Monday

They got the weather right.  It was blowing out of the SE at a pretty good clip and it was cool.  The water temp was still right around 70 degrees over most of the lake.  I was happy for the chance to drive the boat in some rough water and wind, and it did just fine.

First thing headed up lake and immediately caught 3 on my good bank on spinnerbait but missed at least that many as they were just not that active, not surprising due to the cold front.  From first thing until 1:00 it was 5 total, 3 on spinnerbait and 2 on swim jig.  At this point I seemed fairly clueless.  I decided to head back down lake and stopped at the first cove, and they were there.

A sample.  Nothing big but the bite was on – for 5 minutes!

Working back in the cove and when turning to head back out on the other side one just smoked a buzzed spinnerbait.  Then another, and another, and before one broke me off it was 8 as fast as I could cast.  They were on the flat part of the cove in somewhat clear water with no wind.  Most I have been catching the last 4 days have been right in the brush, but these were in full chase mode and smoked it halfway back to the boat.  It was one good bite.  And as quick as it was on it was over.

From there it was 2 more coves with a total of one more, and it looked just like the ones above.  Funny how last Monday one big fish came over the side and I ended up losing 2 more.  Today I am not so sure if I had one or not as 2 broke my line.  As we are all want to do it reminded me, I had not changed line at least since last fall, and maybe longer on a couple of the rods.  Tonight, they all got new 15lb test as the watercolor is still marginal and line weight should not be an issue for the fish.  I spend so much time fishing 10lb due to our clear water, but it just is not necessary right now and going heavier should alleviate random breakage.  (It did)  Hate it when they break off.

Nor sure quite what is going on with the fish, but it should start to improve rapidly after this front.  And as long as we do not get any significant rain the lake should continue to clear.  The color is still marginal at best, but the temp is up and there is plenty of cover.  Frog is going to get a workout and then with the amount of cover maybe some flipping and pitching.  Time to keep an open mind, there is a way to catch them.

Tomorrow it is off to Toyota in Corpus for maintenance on the truck, a stop at Roy’s, and then oysters is on the menu.  Then Wednesday it will be back at it at daylight and will post that day with this report.

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Wednesday

Weather

53/68. Cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day.  Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%

Lake Level

Monday 98.28 (Full Pool.)     Today 98.24.  (Keep in mind it is a slow fall.)

Bite Times

Major    9:29 am to 11:29 am.  (Like that.)   Minor 3:19 pm to 4:19 pm.

The real issue tomorrow is when the rain and storms get here.  Looks like I might get almost a full day but looking at tomorrow night and Thursday not so hot.  Any forecast that is for severe thunderstorms with possible hail qualifies as a no-go day.  But I sure like tomorrow’s forecast so we shall see.

A BEAT DOWN – What a difference a day makes!

Some days are worth getting up for, and today was one of those.  As this is my last hurrah springtime on Coleto I was hoping for a couple of good days and to make a long story short I quit at 2:00.  Why?  Cranking that big bladed spinnerbait at rip roaring speed making a wake is work.   Add I do not know how many and it was something.  But it was not all spinnnerbait.  I figured out which to throw when and where and this is the results.

The water is definitely clearing all over the lake but the water temp had dropped from around 70 everywhere to 66 – 67 first thing in the morning.  The wind was just right, and a ripple in the right place was the spinnerbait ticket.  Dea calm, the swim jig.

I do not know what she would have weighed.  Spawned out and beat all to crap.

And it went on from there.  I quit counting at 25 around 11:00, the bite was on.

Short but a real hoss on the swim jig.

If you ran it just right they smoked it.  Glad I changed line as they broke 2 spinnerbaits.

Another spawned out female.

As I worked my way back to the ramp though it was clear the best numbers were on the swim jig that is not how I finished the day.  Most of the day I was sitting in barely 3′ of water and throwing both as far as I could.  That gives you a clue the type of area that was the best.  In one cove I made a long pass with the spinnerbait and caught 2 but it looked so good I re-fished it with the swim jig and ended up catching 10 more on the same bank.   They want the swim jig at a moderate pace, just keeping it moving down a couple of feet at most.  The last few places I cranked that spinnerbait until my arm almost fell off.  It was not fast by any means but the average made it worth it.  I can not over emphasis has hard they stopped it, fun stuff.  And today I did not break any off which was a bonus.

Here is the punch line.  I wrote a while ago I figured they were on the beds and it looks like they are coming off.  Cover is the key and if there is bait flipping hold on.  I am sure there are several ways to catch them right now.  Topwater will be on as the water has really cleared, and the whole day I was wishing I had some pink floating trick worm.  Trust me they would eat that with a vengeance.  There is a time every spring to fish as much as you can and that time is now.  Looks like tomorrow is a no go but Friday it will be back at it,

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This from one of my long-time readers.

As always, I enjoy reading your blog and seeing your pictures. Your wildlife photos from Colorado make me very envious, but all that snow makes me glad I live in Texas! Your new boat sounds great and I sure wish you would share some pictures of it so we all can see how it’s rigged. Keep it all coming please!

Ok, here you go.

Before:  No guide on’s, 12 inch bias ply’s and no sidestep.

After:  Guide on’s, 13″ high speed steel belted radials which turned out to be a hassle.  The fender was actually attached to the leaf springs so had to take the whole thing apart to move the fenders to fit, but all good.  And a angled front spare to keep it out of the way.

Before:  No additions.  Love the cup holders.  Folks who have fished with me know it was not right until I spill my coffee.

After:  Hand control tm with bracket for stability, front mounted gps/locator with trolling motor transducer.  Right side adjustable rod holder and there is a sliding small box for stuff.

Before:  Left side view.

After:  gps/locator transducer mounted on transom, rod holder, all in position for easy reach from the seat.  I can sit in the seat run the motor and keep an eye on the locator and rod holders.  (Excuse the fishing stuff headed out in the morning.)

A 25hp rear steer 4stroke.  Hull is 14’9″ deep V able to handle fairly big water.  It is definitely bigger than it looks.  It has storage areas, plumbed aeriated live well, a bilge pump and 2 rod boxes that can handle 7′ plus rods.   This boat is rigged for trolling and regular fishing.  Some of the local lakes have landlocked Kokane salmon and others have lake trout which I consider my new adventure.  As most of the area lakes I will be fishing are not that big, speed is definitely not an issue.  Many of the lakes are on gravel roads, so the need was for a serious tire that will handle both mountain roads and 70mph on the interstate was a priority.  That is the “technical” info but there are other very important reasons I bought this particular boat.

I have towed from Canada to the Everglades and hundreds of places in between.  I wanted a boat that was lighter for towing, in fact you barely know it is there saving big gas $$$ and wear and tear on the truck.   There was never another brand in the mix, Lund is top of line in aluminum.  Along with that is the incredible gas milage of a smaller motor.  (Plus bigger hp is not the best for trolling.)  No more of that $50 stop at the gas station.  It is much easier to man handle, a consideration when you fish constantly by yourself as a 70 y/o.  I am not getting any younger or prettier.  With the kind of ramps I have put in over the years that will be a plus.  And speed:  From my Black Max that did 72mph on my second Champ in the mid 70’s to the others along the way, been there done that.  In the grander scheme of things who gives a crap.  The fact it takes me 22 minutes to get back from up lake to the ramp versus 14 minutes is a so what.  I wanted a fishing machine, and this is it.

As far as the weather thing it is crazy out there, a foot of snow one day and 50 degrees the next.  But unlike Texas come summer all the windows are open, we do not even have an air conditioner.  And of course, the animals, our real love.  As we were deciding on where we wanted to retire one thing that was helpful, I can fish anywhere.  But where else can I see a bear, a lion, and the rest of the crew in my back yard.  I admit to about a 10-year attention span and it is time for something new in fishing.  But do not get me wrong Texas has some of the best fishing on the planet and I have enjoyed all that has happened since we have been here.  Thanks for your comment.

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The stop at the gas station to just see how much gas the 25 burned was a pleasant surprise.  Fishing wherever I wanted on Coleto for 2 days cost a total of $9.  I am still getting the hang of a “new” way to fish and motor and it is all good.  Will take time tomorrow during the rain to re-check all the nuts on the trailer job, I have seen what happens when you don’t, not interested in that kind of hassle.  Can’t wait to get out west and start on a new fishing adventure.

If Friday goes as planned will try to get the report up before the weekend,  Then next week it will be fish till you drop.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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Spinner Bait – Day 3 this week.

I had been fishing up the plant arm as the water is definitely clearer but as it has started to clear just a little, I made an executive decision and headed up the main arm to one of my can’t miss spring spots.  Now that very same “can’t miss” spot was devoid of fish on Monday.  At daylight it was up to the spot and it made my whole day.

The day before 2 came over the side on spinnerbait so I was hopeful there might be some spinnerbait fish.  Starting with the swim jig on the first pass one jumped on but there were a few shad flipping and it looked like a shad spawn.  This time of year it can be the holy grail of spring bass fishing so always keep an eye out.  If it is happening they are there somewhere.   So turning around to re-fish and it was game on.

Love it when this size stops it!

On the return pass at least 10 jumped on, it was great.  As usual I was running it right below the surface making a big wake with the white willow leaf tandem.  It is and always will be my favorite way to catch bass.  I was lucky enough to be taught almost 50 years ago by some of the best spinnerbait fisherman on the planet.  It is a specialized technique that is really effective from pre-spawn to post spawn.  Nothing like a bass stopping a high speed spinnerbait.  And in the next couple of weeks the potential to catch a really big fish is high so I will throw that dang thing until my arm falls off.

The bite was on first thing.

That bite lasted all of a half hour and was over on that bank.  For the rest of day until I quit at 3:00, it was one or two here or there, split between the spinnerbait and the swim jig.  I learned a lot and am looking forward to tomorrow (Friday) when I get back on the water trying to hit the pre-front bite.  (Ended up spending Friday mounting the new tires and raising the fenders, more on that later.)  I do have some trepidation about the rain to come.  We may need rain but as far as the lake we do not need any more color.  And if I have learned anything the last 3 days fishing here it is.

It was an easy 10 in the first place.

First, not all stuff (Cover) is created equal. So much of it looks good but looks can be deceiving.  For some reason the green grass looks amazing, but it only seems to hold small fish, that will change but it obviously has something to do with the color and the spawn.  The ticket by far, stick ups and buck brush on flat banks.  The old dead stuff is fine.  I think the grass is on the soft bottom and that is not what they are interested in yet.  But look out later it has an awfully “froggie” look to it.  As things settle down the frog fishing may be as good as it has been on the lake in years.

Next, not all color is created equal.  It does not take much but here and there are sections where the color is not as bad, and that is where the fish are.  They made it clear to me they are not interested in the muddy water.  So take that with a grain of salt.  But it you can find the combination, a little clearer with buck brush on a flatter bank there are fish there.  So really looking forward to tomorrow, it had potential to be epic.

*************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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And this from a reader.

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I can finally say I have the Lund completely rigged the way I want it.  Dual locators, rod holders, storage basket, and the trolling motor and support bracket.  One of the things I appreciate about the boat, among others, is the rail mount that allows you to mount all the accessories you want on the rail and not having to drill any holes to accomplish it.  Over the years I would strive not to drill anymore holes in the fiberglass boats but in the end it was a losing proposition.   Now I can add, move and whatever at my discretion.  The final touch, being able to mount the trolling motor transducer on the transom block without drilling any holes.  The whole rigging process was somewhat of a pain in the butt but it was worth it.

And last was mounting the high speed 13″ radial tires on galvanized rims.  Why galvanized?  Because they use a salt like substance on the roads in Colorado and it should reduce potential rusting.  The mounting was a hassle as I went up in size which required moving the fenders up.  In one respect I got lucky.  It is recommended that they be approximately 4″ above the tire which just happened to line up on top of the frame with the brackets I made so it looks right.  But the way they were mounted it used the bolts that attached the leaf springs to the frame so basically I had the pleasure of taking the trailer apart on both sides.  More hassle than anything, it was the last thing that needed done and it is exactly the way I want it.  Rigging yourself reminds you why it cost to have it done, but I did not do it to save money, in my case it was just actually doing it myself on a new boat.  Mission accomplished.

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Tomorrow I am looking forward to the north wind 15 – 25mph.  So far I have been pleased with the way the boat runs and handles so the hope is it will blow 25.  (Not something you normally hear out of a fisherman’s mouth.) Part of the decision-making process on this size and model was the known ability to handle rough water while keeping with the simplicity goal.  So bring it on as it will be the final “test” and then hardcore fishing will begin.

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It will back on the water tomorrow, then Corpus to get the truck serviced and eat some oysters.  Then Wednesday it will be back on the water.  With less than a couple of months until returning to the mountains I intend to take fall advantage of my last spring fishing in Texas.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff,

Good Luck and Tight Lines