FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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For some reason this weekend I have had lots of fishing stuff on the brain.  I have made a decision, I am headed to Calaveras early early on Monday.  Time to stretch it out a little.  And nothing beats a new place and figuring it out.  So I have been through tackle, rods and reels, and whatever else I have that might catch a few reds or stripers trolling, and a few things for vertical jigging.  How it will come out we shall see, but I love the anticipation of a new place.  Part of the fun is doing the research, there is so much good useable information available in this new world and there is no reason to go to a new place blind.  And if I don’t do some research I might not even find the lake!

Weather

95/76  Considerable clouds with a 20% chance of rain.  Wind  SSE 10 – 20 mph.

Solunar Tables

Good  6:56 am to 8:56 am.  Best  1:10 pm to 3:10 pm.  (Making me laugh today, I fished them both!)

Get inhaled!  

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At times it is tough to keep up this truthful blog thing.  I really can catch them, sometimes!

I have decided to sell the boat, all my stuff, end the blog, and take up knitting.  Well maybe next week!  Suffice to say this trip was a total fail.  A big fat nothing.  Not sure why it did not happen, not even a little bit, but after a strike out my last trip I am suffering a serious hitch in my git along.

To get out of my off and on again fishing funk (Really it is just this long hot summer.) I wanted to try someplace new.  So I did the research on Calaveras and hit the road.  As it was a trolling day I took the Carolina Skiff, the one thing that can be said for the day is once I started that little 50hp it trolled for 7 1/2 hours without stopping or missing a lick.  Every once in a while you get a “good” motor and that 50 is sure one of those.  (I probably should have never said that.)

When I got to the ramp there were 3 guides boats waiting on customers.  They all had downriggers and of course live bait as an option.  My research turned up an area on the lake where the reds tend to gather, so I headed to that area first to see what was up.  And there everyone was.  During the day I saw maybe 20 boats, and almost everyone was in the same cove.  So I started trolling and learning the lake.

I trolled a variety of deep diving baits, working from 10 – 30+ feet depending on the trailer.  Jigs, spoons, twisters, all in various combinations behind the crankbait produced exactly one fish all day.  I even worked the whole area with baits that trolled shallow, maybe I was missing them, but nope.  But of course my tilapia killing ways are still in full swing this year.  To finally catch a fish near the end of the day and having it turn into a tilapia could only make me laugh. Working that area and the dam, hoping to maybe add a striper if I could not catch a red, just did not happen for me.  I never saw anyone catch a fish trolling, even with their downriggers.

As a side note I was the first on Norfork in the “old” days to try downriggers for stripers in the late 70’s.  For about 3 years they smoked the stripers.  But you could see over the years that they got “wise” to it.  At first if you went over a bunch of them you would see them streaking up to smack the jig.  As time went on you would see them headed down as the weight went over them.  Though it still worked, the hey day was over.  To go along with that I just was not willing to go with the change, as live bait became the norm, and except for the occasional night trip or winter jigging trip I did little guiding for them.  Guess I was  to lazy to get up at 3:00 and go net bait.  But I digress.

So the guide boats all settled in the small area with everyone else, all fishing live bait.  I saw several fish caught, though not a lot.  That is how close everyone was to each other.  I did want to mention that as the day wore on there was multiple  (5 or 6) small redfish fresh dead floating.  Probably a combo of the live bait and the heat.  Everyone was close enough to each other that it was hardly what I would call an great outdoor experience.  I am sure the guides have a tough time on Calaveras on the weekend.  Since they all had graphics I am sure the potlicking is rampant.  So I finally gave it up and headed for the 2 hour drive home.  One thing I can say for a guy with ADD, at least if it was invented in my youth I would have had it, trolling and watching the sonar does keep me interested.  Amazing the bait in that lake.

When you get a wild hair and go somewhere new, and do something different, you can not be surprised when it doesn’t happen like you hope it would.  But by the same token, taking the challenge to expand both your fishing world, and style of fishing, only helps to improve your overall fishing skills.  Or maybe just keeps you from making some of the same mistakes.  While not catching squat sucks, if you stay in your warm and fuzzy spot you can never grow.  And this trip added to the list of lakes I have fished.  So while it was a wasted trip, as far as the catching goes, I will never stop trying new places.  With my completely ridiculous results the last couple trips I should change the name of the blog to fishfishingtravel and leave out the catching.  All I can say about today is “Dang it.”

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10/15.  This is a fish I caught some other day when I used to catch them.

I got this long comment from Mac, one of the loyal readers of this blog.

Rant on Doug–Your opinions are most welcome-We never know what you will tackle next. The best thing about all of your ramblings. They are very interesting and candid.  Keep em’ coming!!!!

I got a few myself–I hate those white halogen headlights on vehicles nowadays. They are blinding. Too many people purchase high priced pedigreed  animals when they could get ones from animal shelters and save some animal lives. So called “mutts” turn out to be real good pets. “Spent” dirty diapers tossed out of cars instead of a trash receptacle. We are becoming too lazy–Heavy fines for litterbugs!!!

As for fishing and hunting— We need more game wardens-Pay them more also! I have encountered so many hunters and anglers who break our laws. If things do not change soon, there may be catch and release and no bringing home our fish dinners. I, myself, would like to see this happen now!!!!!!!!! ( Oh Oh-I just ruffed up some feathers), but this just an opinion from me. Our waterways now are crowded more than ever with larger and faster boats . Fishing tournaments are everywhere and there is the race to get to the prime spots first. I think this type of fishing should be toned down. One can not even find a boat ramp to put in! Hurry up deer season

As for Hunting I have few rants. The one that I do have is–leave your beer in the deer camp. Too many hunters think the deer blind itself is a” beer joint” Safety is important.

As for waterfowl issues. Stop airboats from busting up huge rafts of ducks. It is illegal to do this but it still happens. With our geese, we now have some serious issues evolving. Less rice fields–Other grains are now taking over the once rice fields. Many birds do not even get to the Texas coast because of our recent warmer winters. They opt for our north states. Is Global Warming for real ?

I know my ways of thinking are probably not very well accepted by many, but we all live in America and we all have the right to voice our views. Keep doin’ what you do. Doug-Mac

And like everyone else you have a right to your opinion, and I appreciate the comments.

1. I also hate those headlights and folks who drive with the fog lights on when it is not foggy.
2. The mass breeding of some dogs has led to lots of genetic issues.  And nothing beats taking a happy dog home from the shelter.  A friend for life.
3. And when we moved to Texas we were appalled at the amount of stuff thrown out of cars, and especially the diapers in the parking lots.
4. We definitely need more wardens, and like most law enforcement, need a raise to help those  currently working and attract even better candidates.  They are professionals and should be viewed and paid that way.  I worked hand and hand with cops and firemen for the 10 years I was a medic.  We all “saved” each other, and the public, in lots of different ways and I will always be grateful for the experience.
5. I think much of the engine hp race started in I believe the 90’s when BASS did away with the 150hp rule at the behest of the boat manufactures.  And it has not stopped since.  And though I fished my share of tourneys, and would do a few again if I had a willing partner, multiple tournaments on a body of water ruin the weekend for the common guy who just wants to catch a fish.  I know, I have been on both ends.
6. I rarely even have one beer while fishing and hunting it would never enter my mind.  (And hey, I like a little happy hour when the day is done.)  But the only time alcohol and guns are used in the same sentence should be “How freakin’ stupid can you be”.  If you don’t care about your safety think about the rest of us.  Just had an interesting idea, it is illegal to drive drunk, hunting should be the same.  Hard to defend a drunk with a gun, I know that one too, been there done that too.
7. I have seen what was surely flock busting at POC on more than one occasion.  And it really gets me riled up when as soon as duck season starts you start seeing ducks cleaned, or not, dead in the Froggie’s lot.  Wasteful and done by slobs.  How things get messed up for the rest of us.
8. And like it or not we are in a period of climate change.  We can agree to disagree as to the cause, but no denying it is happening.

Wow, while my Rudy rant was off topic, your rant is right on topic.  As an “old guy” like me you have seen the big changes in the way things have gone.  The Boss just commented on a fishing show saying how cool it was to see a kid catch fish.  He was fishing on his daddy’s big offshore boat.  But what about the poor kid?  His options are limited with access getting tougher and tougher.  And the perception you have to have the fancy boat, and $300 rods and reels to catch something, is not helping anything.  And with so many single parents families some boys just never get the chance.

(One constant factor in my criminal defense practice, children born out of wedlock with no father figure.  And a little story to go along with that.  I represented a 12 y/o in juvenile court in CPS custody who never had a chance in life, but he was consumed with fishing.  When I found out I brought him piles of fishing magazines and asked if I could take him fishing and hopefully mentor him a little.  CPS said I would have to go through the same background rigmarole as if I was applying to be a foster parent.  I was good enough to protect his interests and rights, and hold CPS’s feet to the fire on his care, but not qualified to take him fishing without jumping through lots of hoops.  Sad.)

And hunting, forget it, if you are not connected your hunting options are extremely limited.  It all works together and the sports we all love are threatened from many sides for a variety of reasons.  It is incumbent on us to not only protect our rights, but to ensure the future of fishing and hunting for the kids coming up.  When it is all said and done it probably kept me out of jail (Most of the time!)  as a young man.  As usual I so enjoy hearing from you, and appreciate the comment.

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And Topwater Billy sent along this comment following my “strike out” on Fayette after his last comment on the Fayette beat down.

Holy crap.
So much for the curve ball.
You got put up against Tim Wakefield.
For those not in the know, he was a renowned knuckle baller.

It was definitely a knuckleball, with a couple of spitters thrown in.  But like a good fisherman I kept on swinging until I was out.  But in this old guy’s case it was Louis Tiante on the mound, with a jaw full of tobacco throwing a 60 mph something or other lollapalozza pitch, and I was flailing away like I needed glasses.  (Note: See yesterday.)

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As part of Major League Fishing they have been broadcasting a tournament from Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.  I have been fortunate enough to have fished it multiple times.  It is a big lake and has some really good bass fishing and superior crappie fishing.  Today it was 6 of the best bass fishermen in the world fishing.  The guy who won had 36lbs, and the guy who finished last had 6.  A tough day happens to at least one or two of them on most days of these tournaments, somebody else smokes them.  So just about the time you think you have it going on it disaster can rear it’s ugly head, or you could knock them stupid.  A little luck never hurt anyone.  Sometimes you eat the fish, sometimes the fish eats you.  (Note: See yesterday.  Is there a theme here?  Not intentionally.)

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I got a nice offer from Rick, a long time reader.  To paraphrase –

If you get my way come slams some brews and crash at my place s0 the cops don’t get you.

While that is not exactly what he said, I did take some literary license, you get the drift.  A really swell invite.  Well guess what?  His area lake is on my winter list so will keep your fine offer open.  Though my fishing travels results somewhat suck lately I am nothing if not persistent.

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But I did get a comment that was about “real” fishcatchingtravel of the Chandeleurs Islands.

Thanks for the story. I couldn’t agree more. Last year was my first trip. Went on the VI. Ditto, Ditto ! I am going again next week for my 2nd trip. This group only goes in August. I would love to go in May. If you need another angler to go with you next spring, please consider me. I would love to go. I am 58 and retired, am a disabled veteran with some physical limitations, but can hold my own with most. I have been fishing my entire life and absolutely enjoy the fellowship that exists among anglers!!!
Sincerely,
Carl

First I am jealous and please, please, let us know how it goes.  Drop a comment when you get back and I will tell you how to share a few pictures if you have some.  And thanks for your service, and your persistence.  A real fisherman figures out a way no matter what.  Our trip is already full, with others wanting in.  After your comment I made sure the dates we are going and if I was included.  This time the boat is full with 12.  Having made quite a few trips with various groups it is always different and crammed on a boat you get some serious fellowship time.  So good luck on your trip and we will be interested to hear how it goes.  And if 8 of the rest of you want to try a trip like that let me know.  I am not travel agent but it is still one of the best bangs for you fishing bucks I have found.

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So after a bad trip to Fayette last week, and then another long day strike out yesterday, the question is how did it affect my poor fragile fishing psyche?  It was cloudy when I got up at daylight and I almost hitched up and hit the road.  Tomorrow will definitely be back on the water, might be time to return to my warm and fuzzy ways to actually catch some.  So I do not fit the definition of insane:  Doing the same thing and expecting the same result.  My expectation every time it go – A feakin’ boat load!  So keep stopping in, I just might catch one next time, and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines