FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
The Wade Right Fishing Belt
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The Best Wading System on the Planet.
After a literal gale this morning (Tuesday), no kidding, it has finally calmed down to 20mph. With the wind at least within reason after a months absence it will be back to the lake. When I say I do not have a clue, that would be putting it mildly. The lake is definitely up, but until I actually drop the boat in the water what affect the rise has had will remain a mystery. But at least I go into it with an open mind, something that can be hard for a fisherman to do. Of course I will look shallow first and then go from there. But as we all know, the best laid plans………….
Weather
77/90. Low clouds then sun, breezy, humid. 7% chance of rain. Wind SSE 15 – 23mph. Gusts to 30mph. (Forecast was right on.)
Lake Level
Today 98.25 msl. Last trip 4/23/19 98.05 msl.
Solunar Period
Fair 8:10 am to 10:10 am. Good 2:23 pm to 4:23 pm. (Day classed as poor.)
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The Paddle Shad did some serious damage at the Chandeleurs and it will do the job here this summer. And the new bait is coming, I have seen it and it will be a fish catcher.
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The first surprise, though the water is definitely up, it is as clear as it has been all spring, a good start. And unlike the TPWD fishing report which said the water was 69 degrees, it was 81 at the ramp when I put in at 7:45, and I saw lots of water in the mid 80’s. And while it still has some color in places it is definitely an improvement.
So up lake I went to start on my favorite buzzbait bank and right off the bat a good one blew up on it but missed it by a mile. She was in grass right on the tip of the point. Then for a good hour one more made a half hearted swirl, and in fact I would have one more of the same later, until I got in a few who wanted to eat.
The best of the 4 I boated on buzzbait.
The wind was just howling right along, really to rough for the buzzbait. I kept working up lake letting the wind blow me, it was blowing an easy 20mph+ right down the pike. So time for a switch to the 1/4 ounce bluegill swim jig with a Rage Craw trailer. Over the next hour 2 smalls jumped on the swim jig, and I missed another. Neither of them was worth a hoot so no pics. After spending several hours uplake with only 2 smalls time to move back down lake near the ramp. I did stop in a cove about half way down and caught my first small one on the buzzbait.
The Bang O Lure put 1 in the boat. This one had a 5lb tail!
The ride back down lake was a little rough with it white capping over most of the main lake. So I ducked in a couple of “calmer”, if you could call them that, coves and the one above hit the Bang O Lure under the surface, it was nice to be able to see it happen. But the wind was just a real pain in the ass and most of the time moving me to fast to effectively fish the Bang O Lure. With nowhere to get out of it, the next cove I hit had some calm water with grass in the very back end and 3 jumped on the buzzbait, with no misses. The were super shallow chasing what looked like fry.
From that point on it was 2 more coves without a bite. So at noon I called it a morning. As usual the wind made it a “fish where you can day and not a fish where you want”. But I am encouraged. 7 over the side with 5 or 6 misses. If that is the result with the wind being so tough there just might be some good days to come. Topwater definitely could be the ticket, much less the buzzbait and swim jig. And there is enough stuff in the water to give the frog a go. Now if we can just get a nice cloudy drizzling day with light winds there just might be a killin’.
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After stopping by the TPWD office and renewing the boat tags I decided to visit Angler’s Arsenal. If you have not stopped in yet it is at 1205 E Airline Rd in Victoria in the old Radio Shack store. They opened in the last month and I was interested in what they had to offer. And they have .a great selection.
Ronnie (sp?), the owner with her husband, was working and was great to talk with. I so like many of the young Texas folks involved in the fishing business and prefer to shop with them whenever possible. They have a great freshwater selection, her husband tournament fishes, and the prices were inline with the going rate. And there was a good saltwater selection to meet your needs.
If this sounds like an ad, it is, support these folks. If you have not stopped in yet please do. Check out what they carry and maybe spend a buck or two. It is important to help out local folks, Academy and Wal Mart are not “tackle stores” and you sure won’t get any knowledgeable help.
Open Tues – Friday 9 – 6pm. Saturday 9 – 4.
Website https://anglersarsenaltx.com/
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Monday evening when I watched the news I was sick of this ongoing weather report. I have been bitchin’ about the wind all spring and today is a perfect example. We have a Gale Warning! And of course a small craft advisory to go along with that. Are you kidding me? Every year the wind seems to blow later and later heading into summer. Nothing to be done about that, but if you want to head to the bay in that be my guest. All I know is I am sick of it.
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It was good to be back on the water. And there were lots of folks crappie fishing the lake today. I had heard it was good but if the number of folks tied up here and there is any indication the crappie are going strong.
Since I have not fished the lake in a month, combined with the wind howling like a banshee, no complaints about 7 smalls for a half day. While none were “big” the potential is there and it shouldn’t take many more trips to get it down. I hope to slip out for a little in the morning even though the high winds continue. If I do time to throw a little crankbait and spinnerbait on some of the windier banks. The bay will have to wait until next week. With the holiday weekend upon us time to leave it to the weekend warriors. They sure don’t need me adding to the confusion. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
