FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
The Wade Right Fishing Belt
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Red Sky In The Morning…………….
The lake continues to drop and the water color is really nice. The wind was blowing around 10 – 15 mph out of the NE as I headed up lake. There was a tiny touch of fall in the air, and I was hoping they were going to bite a little bit, and they did.
Weather
94/76. Clouds and sunshine with a 40% chance of thunderstorms. Wind ENE 10 – 15mph.
Lake Level
9/12 95.79 msl. Today 95.73 msl. (And the downward trend continues.)
Solunar Times
Minor 8:19 am to 9:19 am. Major 2:31 pm to 4:31 pm.
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The Knockin Tail Lure with a built in tail rattle! Look for it this winter.
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I was out before the moon went down, and the sun was not up yet. So I decided to throw the Whopper Plopper for a little while. First up was a bank I had not fished lately with lots of stumps and logs which are slowly becoming visible. Finally after an hour I got 2 bites, boating one and losing the other in one spot. That would be a theme of sorts today, it was multiple bites when I got them. But the next 15 or so all came pitching and casting using a 5″ senko style worm in watermelon red, a 1/4oz tonguston slip sinker, and a 3/0 wide gap worm hook. And I am pegging the slip sinker tight to the head to work it through the cover without getting hung near so much. I did lose a couple in the brush, but if you do not toss it directly in their mouth right now it can be a little tough.
To make a long story short on numbers, 3 came off one pile, 7 came in another stretch, (That was mayhem for 5 minutes!) and it went from there. There were not many stops that when I caught one I did not get a couple of bites. Deeper banks are definitely the better choice right now.
Fishing is getting better an inch at a time.
The Boss put in an order for a catfish if I caught one. Of course promising a catfish on lures is generally not going to happen. But since I brought some ice along I decided to keep a couple of bass for a fish fry, and boy was I glad I did for a different reason.
They have been just picking it up by the tail and I missed quite a few a couple of trips ago so I slowed down on setting the hook. So of course I did the same today and they were swallowing it. Again some never “hit” it, they just either started swimming with it or were just on. So I was lifting it slowly making sure on each twitch there was not one on there, and if there was you could follow them as they swam with it. And today they were not only swimming with it but a couple I kept for the pan ended up being bad gut hooked. They might have made it if released so instead it was release to the grease.
What made it interesting today was that I actually boated a limit of keepers. Now they would not have weighed all that much, but it was a limit. It seems like the fish are just like me, they want fall. Most today were a little skinny with nothing in their bellies. The bite has gotten a little better each trip and same for the size. Still haven’t stuck a big girl but that is coming.
When I put in this morning it was just me and a kayaker, and when I took out at 1:00 there was just a guy having trouble with his motor idling. He crappie fished this morning and caught 20 big keepers. I saw Mr. Crappie but didn’t get a chance to speak with him but the crappie have been biting all year this year. With so little folks fishing the lake right now I basically have it to myself. Makes for a great morning, turkeys doing their thing, a couple of does, and the Whopper Plopper calling in 2 small gators. Great day to be alive.
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Excited…..For A Second
My phone let me know I had a text. I opened it and was immediately in the throes of fishing greatness….but……. Larry and Kyle, a couple of my Chandeleur Island buddies, are headed back to fish the Southern Belle for 4 days in October. The minute I read the text I was already packing in my mind, but like all good plans there was a hitch. That is when we are meeting the grandkids at Great Wolf Lodge in Dallas for a big weekend. There was only one day of overlap but it just would not work out. Some things are just that important. But it sure did pop my bubble as I would have gone in a minute. One of those trips if you are a saltwater guy you definitely need to add to your bucket list.
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No Fixin’ Stupid
The TPWD Game Warden notes had another case this month from social media. They had posted pictures of an alligator in their pool, and when officers arrived they found 5 baby alligators. Keep posting stupid shit folks, saves our Game Wardens, and maybe the IRS, a lot of work when you tell on yourself. One thing I learned practicing criminal law, if you do not have anything intelligent to say (In other words think before you hit post!) keep your mouth shut. But I guess when you are stupid enough to break game laws …..………
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Last Oregon Word
I forgot 2 things I wanted to say about Oregon. First, it is the cleanest state we have ever visited. It was noticeable in Bend and especially along the highway. Guess the littering fine up to $6200 keeps folks from trashing the place. Texas not so much. And last, the beer. There is a brewery on every corner and I was pleasantly surprised I found a couple I really liked. In the famous words of Justice Kavanaugh – I Like Beer!
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Tomorrow looks promising on the lake. The forecast has a 60% chance of rain tomorrow turning into possible heavy thunderstorms and possible flash flooding later in the evening. As I am kicked out of the house for the cleaning lady if it will not get to crazy outside it will be back to the lake. The last time we got this weather I had a pretty good day and I would like a repeat. Otherwise it will be off to New Braunfuls to pick up the part, other wise it will be Wednesday and by then the Mako should be done and I can get the part mounted and be back in action. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
