FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The Wade Right Fishing Belt

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After fishing a couple of days early last week we did the usual and went out of town for a few days.  (See below.)  Of course this weekend I am leaving it to the rest of the folks who do not get to fish and play on the water during the week.  Tomorrow it will be back on the water.

Roughing it in Mexico

To Bad Chago – Somebody has work!

While Chago is slaving away his kids have been catching fish on the Pacific coast near Manzanillo Mexico.  All the boys boated a nice rooster.  Even when Mom, they were there on her 40th (I know what is good for me.) birthday, and the ladies did the sunset cruise thing, the boys kept fishing and it was one of those reels screaming, bowed up, kinda trips.  Chago said it was a little rough getting one picture at a time with no explanation, that would have drove me nuts.

Beautiful!  

They reported the weather and conditions were just right for rooster fishing.  According to local legend roosters are hard to catch, something my experience revealed.  And there is yet another legend – but as far as the virginity of someone in the Norris family will have to let that one pass.  They were caught trolling the shoreline out of a Panga, though they can be caught there from the beach.  Sounds like a good place to cross one off the bucket list.

All the boys got in on the act.  Really one cool looking fish.

The biggest of the trip.  A 50lb. What a fish!

The bay they fished was Bahia de Santiago, which is calm, which also turned out to be good snorkeling and jet skiing.  The boys took 3 fishing trips and worked the roosters and blackfin over, along with a few bonita and nominal snapper.  All the way around a good trip by most travel standards.  Nice one boys, you can fill Dad in when you get home!

*****************The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle!   Coming to a store near you!

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We were looking for somewhere to go out of town for the night and I happened to look up Gruene Hall and lo and behold Bill Bob Thornton and his band the Boxmasters were playing.  Now I have always been a big Billy Bob fan, Sling Blade, which he wrote, directed, and starred in is one of my favorite movies.  Knowing what he “really’ looks like, his ability to play that character was amazing.  Not knowing he had a band, nor that he was a country singer when he was young, we decided why not.

Billy Bob Thorton and his band.  Looking good for 64.

I really did not expect all that much, it could have been a gimmick, but I was pleasantly surprised.  The place was not quite packed, but there were lots of folks there.  Add that to 99 degrees it was just a little warm.  But they were good and it was rock and roll.  He told a few stories and was generally a wild and crazy guy.  If you know anything about him that is his reputation.

See…. there is something good about an iPhone that cost 3x’s more than my first car!

The Boss was up early for a walk, I was sawing logs.  She took this picture with her new iPhone, which of course I have given her plenty of grief over.  I mean who could not like a 7 year old flip phone?  I love mine, just don’t send me any of those emogi thingies.

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Every month I look forward to the TPWD Game Warden Field Notes, you just never know……

This month they found a couple having drunken sex on a boat at night without running lights, and another boat where folks were singing at the top of their lungs.  The real punch line, lots of folks were legally drunk and the drivers got arrested  It is a good reminder that just like on the highway, it is finally up to you to keep yourself safe.  Never assume the other boat has a clue or what he might do, if you have spent any time on the water you know that is the case.

And my usual rant about posting stuff on social media turned up.  This knucklehead posted an alligator in his bath tub, which also led to additional poaching charges.  Smooth move.  I can not say it enough, be carefull.  Folks are watching.  To go along with that there just might be a business out there.  Spend time cruising social media looking for folks violating assorted laws, there is often rewards available from various sources.  If memory serves me the IRS will give you a percentage if you turn someone in.  Just a thought.

And as usual, buy a freakin’ license.  Almost every month what could have been nothing more than a quick license check and on your way turns into arrests for completely unrelated things.  But hey, if you have other issues why would you care a whit for following game laws?

But my favorite this month- A caller on I35 reported a Toyota Prius driving on the interstate with 2 whitetail fawns sitting in the back seat.  They were stolen and charges were filed.  But that is just crazy.  I did not know the Prius had enough room in the back seat for a couple of folks, or in this case Bambi and her sister.

So a big thanks to our wardens out there protecting us and our wildlife.  I have had contact with quite a few over the last 50 years (50? OMG that is sad.) and almost to a man I have found them to be great.  And have even been complimented several times on having my stuff together or doing the right thing, like wearing my life jacket.  Trust me, the last thing the warden wants to do is mess around with your violations.  Nothing makes them happier than NOT giving a ticket or arresting someone.  Thanks ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate what you do.

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As usual I was watching Major League Fishing this weekend and they were on Lake of the Ozarks.  I have had the pleasure of fishing it several times and it is a great bass lake.  Tons of arms and coves with lots of cover it is a really consistent fishing hole.  But it actually may be a better crappie lake.  A buddy of mine fished it hard for years, specifically for crappie, and he literally hammered them.  There are hundreds of brush piles around the multitude of docks holding some big crappie.

It is also the lake we had the most interesting game warden encounter of the many I have had over the years.  Randy and I were fishing in a blizzard, and I mean it was freakin’ coming down.  When out of the blinding snow comes a game warden!  Are you kidding me?  Everything was fine with us and I give him credit for dedication.  We really had no business out there and he could have been home by the fire.

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There were several tournaments locally on both the bay and lake this weekend.  I will be particularly interested in the couple on Coleto as the fishing seems to be improving some.  My results the last few trips means somebody just might catch a nice mess.

Watching the weather for the week looks like it will be really ugly as the week goes on.  But it is August in South Texas and it comes with the territory, but it does get old as the summer wears on.  And like the last month has been for me not sure what is next.  At least in the morning there will be some clouds with the possibility of rain, which we need desperately.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines