Fish Catching Travel
What a difference a day makes. There were 2 reasons it was different. First, instead of the light show at daylight the day before that never made it, today it moved into the POC area and lingered off and on all day. Add that to high winds for about 3 hours it made for a tough morning. We will get to the second reason here in a minute.
We got to Froggie’s at daylight and headed down the inter-coastal to fish Army Cut first. With these massively high tides, buoyed by the east wind blowing tons of water in the bay, Army Cut was a good choice. When the water is way up the fish tend to flood the shallow flat on the west bank near the opening into the Lagoon. And when it is like that it is topwater time. Over the years we have caught a lot of nice fish there under those conditions and our hopes were high when we started.
I did forget to take into account that it was Friday and there would be lots of traffic, which affects the fish and makes topwater a little tougher. We put a couple of trout in the boat as soon as we got there, and then the boat parade began as folks headed out into the bay and into the Lagoon. Not even a half hour after we started here it came, a big storm with lightning. It was just to the south of us but most of the folks who went out in the bay turned around and everyone headed through the cut for the house. Of course 2 hours later here they all came back out again. Not fishing weekends down there you forget how busy it can be.
We stuck it out as the wind howled and the rain came down. The tough part of the storm with the lightning went west of us, it was just a matter of fishing in the rain. We continued to get lots of bites, but it was tough fishing as the water was running like a freight train against the wind . It was probably 11 before it settled down and we finally left the Cut. While we were there we caught 15 – 20 on topwater, but none measured. We had a couple of hits from what looked like keeper trout, but they just didn’t hook up. I did put a 20″ red in the boat but since we sacked them the day before it was his lucky day.
Next is was off to Big Bayou and some continued topwater fishing. We had a few hits but it was slower. Of course the wind wasn’t helping matters. I finally went to plastics and caught a couple more small trout and then the Shoedog put another 20″ red in the boat on topwater. That was also the red’s lucky day as we tossed him back. We were still looking for some trout, but just never got in to them there. The wind was playing some havoc along with the tide. It was one of those days with funny tides. In Army cut it was ripping in to the barge canal one minute, then it switched directions like turning on a light and it turned around and ripped out. We found competing wind and tide all day.
We then headed to the Oil Cut as it is somewhat protected from and east wind. The fish were definitely there, and lots of them. The only problem was I broke off a really nice trout, and the Shoedog lost a good one and missed a big red. Other than that, it was a catch and toss experience. There were tons of sand trout, small trout, and small reds in there. We caught most of them on plastics. They were positioned on the west bank right along the drop. Just letting the plastics fall on the 3 foot drop got you a strike. We were in there about 2 hours and caught fish the whole time.
So what was the second reason day 2 was different from the first? Day 1 almost every fish we caught was a keeper. And we had a nice sack in a few hours. Day 2 we ended up catching at least 40, and other than the couple of border line reds, none were keepers. Shoedog said it was his record for the most small fish caught without any keeper trout. At least we caught fish all day. And that is also the reason for no pictures. We just knew a couple of good fish were coming, like all fisherman, hopes spring eternal. Next cast, next place, next day, we are sure there is a big string coming.
So I am beat today, we gave it the old college try and had some interesting trips. Caught a few bass, some nice reds, lots of small trout and even a couple of Teal thrown in for good measure. It was good to be back with the Shoedog for a couple of days. He did provide a moment of comic relief when he yelled turn the boat around. He had money flying out of his shirt pocket and when we turned the boat we ended up finding most of it, around 8 bills. I didn’t give him to much grief about that, not. Out next big expedition is to Port Mansfield in a couple of weeks. Chris is bringing the airboat and it will be nice to explore some really new water for me.
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While we were fishing yesterday I got the following picture from Chris of a nice bunch of ducks he killed the day after we hunted with him. I really am beginning to think my marginal duck hunting luck might be me.
His lovely wife and Link.
He said we should have hunted with his guide. She sure is better looking than our guide the other day that’s for sure. So the Teal hunting remains good on the coast for you duck hunters. Hope this is a harbinger of things to come with big duck season. Thanks for the picture Chris.
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Evan drops me the occasional note so I thought I would share this with you. And I know he enjoys the duck pictures.
“I frequently buy the Texas Outdoors Journal. I’ll make sure to check out that article. As much as I love the TPWD – it is still a govt agency run by…. Govt people…. Which means $$$. That’s about all I have to say about that. I do like the idea of growing bigger bass, but in a natural environment. Not thru non-natural subsidies. (Kind of like the hydrilla/carp debate here on Lake Austin. Which is not a debate to me. Kill the carp.) I like big deer too, but not from a breeding ranch with non-native (northern) deer genes. At some point we have to step back and ask if this is really what’s best for the land. Is what we’re doing now going to be good for our grandchildren’s grandchildren?”
He makes some really good points that I would like to add to on a personal note. To me shooting a genetically engineered 200+ deer on a high fence property, or catching a 12lb. bass in a private pay lake, just does not cut it. There is a huge difference between shooting that deer or catching that bass in public waters, you know, the kind of once in a lifetime bruiser that has made it through thick and thin. That is an accomplishment.
And as far as the future for our kids and grandkids, access to the outdoors is shrinking. Private property is almost impossible to access unless you know someone, are related, or are willing to pay. I used to get on my bike and ride to fish ponds where I grew up in Iowa. We hunted rabbits and quail, caught bass and catfish, all on private property. Most places if you stopped and asked, promised to close gates, and not hurt fences or litter, you were in. Those days are gone, and with it the chance for many kids to hunt and fish. That is why it is so important for those of us who love the outdoors to take a kid hunting or fishing any chance we get, it is the future of the sport.
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The Indianola Fishing Marina sits on the channel that feeds the Powderhorn. It has a nice fishing deck and fall is a good time to fish there. The Powderhorn has lots of flounder, reds, and black drum. All of them use that channel at some time in the fall. In fact, it is one of the better places to catch a really big black drum in the fall. So I was not surprised when I got this from my buddy Jeffish.
That is a serious chunk of a redfish.
Pablo Silveira caught this 38″ today off the deck. It was an epic struggle from one end of the deck to the other, and everyone had to bring in their lines so he could get this fish landed. Nice one Pablo. And while Jeffish was down there he saw 3 more like this caught. If you want to do a little shore fishing Indianola Fishing Marina is the place to be right now, there are definitely some big reds in the cut.
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Joe sends the occasional comment and I know there is someone out there who could solve what for me has been a riddle.
“Have you ever fished Lake Texana? Noticed on the map its right next to you. How is the fishing? If coleto creek gets boring !!!! Noticed they closed the state park there also. Did anyone take it over?
Texana is plenty close, and I have fished it twice, once for 2 hours, once for 4. I caught exactly one catfish, it was a big one, on a swim jig, and that is the size of it. The floating hyacinth is terrible and I guess that is what caused me the most trouble. I know it has had extensive stocking of Florida strain largemouth, and has good crappie fishing. Over the years it has been many strange lakes and bays, and I can usually get a handle on the fishing, But Texana has me stumped.
So Joe and I would love to hear from any of you who fish Texana. If you fish it please drop me a line. I would love to have someone give me a heads up so I could catch a few. If that happened it would sure get some real attention from me. Thanks for your comments Joe and I appreciate a loyal reader.
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But all that nonsense aside, today is the day. It is HOGS vs. AGGIES! It brings back great memories of fall and watching the Razorbacks, singing the fight song, and then heading to Dickson Street for some adult beverages and some serious Hog calling. Florida, Bam, Georgia, Auburn, we were lucky enough to see them all.
Some games are important, and this one is really big for both teams. Arkansas is 8th in the nation in the run, is that for real? Is Hill really as good as he looks? Have the Hogs really gotten better and can A&M stop the run? Can our defense, somewhat suspect, or A&M’s, totally suspect, step up and make the plays today that will propel them into real contention in the West.
Being an Arkansas grad and living about a mile from the stadium I saw them all. It can be hard for fans outside the SEC to really understand what it takes to win the conference, much less the Western Division. Think about how hard it is to have to beat LSU and Bama every year. Heck one of them doesn’t get it done every year. That is a daunting task. If you look back some years you will see that if you win the west you are probably in the National Championship title game.
My prediction, which the Shoedog, a College Station resident, also made, is that if the game is close the Razorbacks will win, if it gets a little out of hand the Aggies will seriously spank the Hogs. I just want one of those yelling, clapping, and acting like an idiot games. Last second, punt returns for touchdowns, long runs, interceptions, I want it all. Good luck to all and may the best team win GO HOGS!
Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
