Fish Catching Travel

Get up, go to the tackle store, and buy a bag of Strike King baits today!

LAST CALL

Our original plan was to fish here through Wednesday but the weather did not let that happen.  The weather report was for storms at some point on Tuesday so we were up and out at 7 even though the bite has clearly been midday  on the falling tide.  We hoped to put a couple of fish in the boat before the storms came, and hoped they would hold off until after around 5 so we could take advantage of the prime time.  But it was not to be.

We started in a cove where we had caught several snook and reds.  The Shoedog promptly caught a couple of nice trout.

We never did catch a big trout, but most we caught were nice keepers.

The tide was coming in big time, and the weather looked sketchy.  We fished hard trying to put some snook in the boat, but only had one bite.  There were tarpon rolling in the first 2 covers we fished but we were never in a position to put a bait in front of them.  The weather kept deteriorating, and of course just as prime time arrived as the tide started to fall at 1:30 we could hear it coming.

So we hit the road and ran back to the ramp.  Just before we got the boat on the trailer it started to pour, then came thunder and lightning.  We really made the right decision by leaving when we did.  After getting back the weather report was for more rain and storms tomorrow and it has been raining all night, and is raining as I type this.  So we decided to move today up to Pine Island.  We were going to travel on Thursday, but decided since we are getting rained out today we would go ahead and leave a day early.  That will give us another fishing day up there, and we won’t lose a day of fishing.

This is a great place.  The fishing may be a little tougher than we are used to in the Texas bays, but the possibility of putting a really big fish in the boat keeps it interesting.  We actually encountered very little pressure.  There were folks fishing, but the are is so vast there is room for all.

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It was good to hear from Rusty, and he has been doing some fishing back in Texas.

Doug,  glad you and the Shoedog are having a great adventure.  Ive been fishing Fayette and Bastrop and both lakes have been very good considering the storms…… lots of rain, hail and wind.  Coleta has been receiving it’s share also I’m told.  Lots of flooding and tree damage.  But I’m not going to complain about the rain!!  Tight lines and safe travel.
Rusty

Thanks for the report, good to know you are upright and taking nourishment.

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I got this report from our buddy Terry up in Nebraska.

I went up to Sherman Lake Sunday and Monday. Sunday I went with crappie on the mind. A buddy of mine had gone up Saturday and had a dozen or so of nice 11 and 12 inch crappie. In my book probably the best size of eaters. Of course this got my saliva glands going. I had a pretty sleepless night and got up with the birds and hit the road. On the lake by 7:30 and headed to my walleye early season bank. Not even a thump. So I headed to the # 1 crappie cove, but to late. Already occupied. Crap. Okay this is a weekend what should I expect. Plan 2 find the warmest water. Finally found a pattern and went with it. 1 to 3 feet of water in brush. Find the warmest water with brush and literally get right on top of it, an jig in and around ever little pocket. They would not tap tap it they would slam it. With warmer weather in the forecast, it’s only going to be better.  Ended up cleaning 9 on Sunday and 21 on Monday. Out on the main lake their catching 25″ walleyes. Their on the flats and biting very well. That’s the plan for the Sunday. Hope your having the trip some of us dream of. !!!!!!! Netman

Looks like the fishing is getting ready to break open up in Nebraska.  From now on Terry will be known as Netman.  I think that comes from our trip to Falcon where Terry got the honor of netting the 3 biggest bass of my life.  Thanks for the report Terry, and hurry up and retire, you are welcome on our trips anytime.

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And one final report from Texas.

Hey Doug,

It’s been awhile since I’ve had an update worth sending.  Had some unproductive salt a couple weeks ago while in Corpus for work.  The storms just wouldn’t stop!  I needed a shot at redemption so I hit my favorite local river last week and boated 34 (mostly largemouth and a few smallmouth) with 3 going over 21”.  Attached a low quality pic of the biggest at 24”.  All fish were on topwater which really made the day a blast. 

Now that is an awesome topwater bass!

I’ve been trying to get down to Coleto or POC area but work and family have kept me busy.  Guess I’ll just have to hit the river again.  

I’ve enjoyed the Everglades updates.  All that talk about hot and humid weather has me itching to hit the salt even more before the heat sets in around here as well.  Keep up the endurance fishing.  You never know which cast will make the trip.

Aaron

I really appreciate a man who mixes it up and catches them both fresh and salt.  Not sure what river he was fishing but if you can catch fish like that who can complain.  Be sure to let me know next time you are down in our area, I will be looking forward to meeting you.  And thanks for the report, what a day.

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So that is it for today.  We are waiting for the rain to end so we can load the truck and head up to the Charlotte Harbor area where we will have another week to fish.  That area is completely different from the Glades.  It is a big bay, though it has mangrove islands and the chance to catch the same big fish as the Glades, it is just a different deal.  I have fished it probably 10 times in the past and am really looking forward to getting there.  The trout fishing is really good, there are some nice snook, and of course Boca Grand Pass which will be full of tarpon.  So what will be next in the fishing department, who knows.  But it is “easier” than the Glades, and I have lots of spots from the past so hopes are high.

As far as last week I am happy, I got a real trophy snook.  Shoedog had a several shots at big fish, but like happens to all of us, he was not lucky enough to get the job done.  But I do know one thing, we will be back.  But next time we will stay longer.  We have a solid base to work from and it can only get better.  And I really appreciate hearing from all of you so if you have a report good or bad drop me line.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines