FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
The Wade Right Fishing Belt
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Perfect timing!
It has been over a year since I was in the boat with my buddy Chris. When he hollered at me to go it worked out perfect as I had things I could not get out of on Wednesday and Friday, perfect. And even better he was driving, we usually take turns. He and his son Chance picked me up early and we were on the water as daylight broke. It was fairly busy at Froggie’s. We had a so so day but mine was great, for a fish I lost.
Weather
82/93 Mostly cloudy with 20% chance of a shower. Wind WNW 5 – 10 mph.
Tides
High 9:45 AM 0.4 Low 8:39 PM -0.3
Solunar Periods
Major 8:22 to 10:22 am. Minor 2:52 to 3:52 pm.
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Knockin Tail Lure with athebuilt in tail rattle! Michael is at ICAST in Orlando and it is coming to a store near you. And my tackle box!
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We loaded up with croakers and headed to the surf. The wind was not to bad, but once in the surf it was one of those days where the rollers were big. I assume they were coming off the storm in Louisiana. Suffice to say we just did not “really” land on the trout.
Can you say Sharknado?
With 3 moves we could not get away from the sharks. Small black tips, they were really pesky and there were lots of them. The water was not that nice trout water with the high tide and big rollers messing it up. And as a result of that we just did not land on the trout, at least that is my excuse. I think we boxed 4 and released maybe a couple if that.
So with it slow I picked up my light trout rod, the small bobber and plastic shrimp, and gave it a toss. I missed one on the first cast, then on cast 2 it disappeared and when I set the hook it was awesome! Out of nowhere about a 70lb tarpon launched a couple of feet in the air doing the cool backflip thing, and promptly broke my 8lb. Talk about a big surprise. I love those things. As a side note to you all who like to catch them, we ended up seeing at least 4 others including one who free jumped. They were moving down the beach and there was bait everywhere. They should be here for a while and no better time to catch one than now. (As a side note: Net some big mullet, free line them and move slowly down the beach, then hold on. It is really cool watching the mullet try to get away, to bad for them.)
Controlled Descent’s new Knockin Tail Lure.
The reason you are seeing this rat is it came on the new Knockin Tail Lure, which I could not talk about before this week.
Chris loves to run shallow in his Dargel and we did this time. Through Mule Slough and into a couple of back lakes we did some drifts and managed to boat a few more. Chris caught a nice flounder, a couple more small trout, and when a school of reds swam by we doubled up. To finish the day, we drifted another spot and stopped at a well head in the bay, and other than a catfish we were done.
As usual I enjoyed fishing with Chris, I really enjoy fishing with other folks, especially those who drive! But what I really get out of it is the different ways and approaches other folks take. There are plenty of ways to “skin the cat” and I learn something every time. Plus, any day you can jump a tarpon ranks as cool in my book.
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Steve sent along these with the comment – “It was an expensive trip!”
Ouch!
I feel your pain. He has nice custom rods and reports he broke it when setting the hook on a small rat, which he landed. In spite of that looks like he was on them with the croakers.
Putting them in the net.
Steve is a perfect example of what can be caught by shore bound anglers. He does not own a boat but puts out the effort and his results speak for themselves. Thanks for the pictures. And the rest of you if you want to send any long just drop a comment at the end of the article and I will get back to you with my email. It really adds to the blog and we all love seeing them. And it is not how big they are, or how many, we all have our good days and bad, the important part is you were fishing, and we get to go along with you.
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Of course the broken rod episode reminded me of my favorite broken rod story. The Boss and I were drifting Bocca Grande Pass when I hooked a big tarpon, An easy hundred, it was a tough fight. It was over a 100 degrees and after 50 minutes I finally had it to boatside. I really wanted to put hands on it and as I raised my rod the Penn snapped off right above the handle. It was still on, I was hot and tired, so I said this is it, to the boat or break off, and of course you know the rest. Tarpon are a wonderful creature that should be on your bucket list. Having caught a few big fish in my lifetime none can compare with the shear power of a tarpon. Add in a some big jumps and you have the perfect gamefish.
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And in the interesting department, a manatee was spotted in Corpus Christi bay this week. Normally in Florida they are seen in Texas on occasion. Having had them investigating me in the boat in Florida it is cool to see them, they are docile and friendly. Unfortunately they get hit by boats regularly which has lead to many no wake zones to protect them. It is their house. Thanks for the heads up David.
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As usual time to get back organized with the fishing and boat stuff. Still have a mess in a spinning reel from last week. Looking at the 10 day forecast things look good next week, hope that high 80’s temp remains in place, be nice to fish a few more days on the bay next week. And any day it is cloudy I can not resist the lake. My buddy Aaron gave me a little perspective on what the bass might be doing based on his experience on a lake in north Texas that lost it’s vegetation. At least it is a start. And I will be looking forward to how Micheal did with the new bait at ICAST. It will be coming your way soon, and I hope mine! And if you have anything to say feel free. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
