FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

“SAVE OUR WATERS”

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt

Brought to you by

The Best Wading System on the  Planet.

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This is kind of like staying home from school, only terrifying.  Fun a day or two, now oppressive.  I have tried to do a couple of projects but my heart is just not in it.  Basically I am hanging out until the Boss is done with this rotation and then we are going to practice some social distancing, I am sure she has had all the “social” she needs right now.  It will definitely involve saltwater, just tying to be sure we make the right choice with all the closures right now, but there will be fishing.  I have been staying in the house like a good boy, and if I am going out it will be with a rod in my hand.  Plus I have heard you can use a fishing rod like a light saber to ward off the virus.

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There were a couple of things at the Houston Fishing Show that I have not mentioned and wanted to share with you.

LIVELIVEGEAR

https://actionhat.com/

I really enjoyed meeting and chatting with Rex, the owner of the company.  He makes a great hat specifically for those of you who love the GoPro.  What makes it cool is it floats with the GoPro on it, unless you are one of those nerds with a bunch of baits hanging off your hat.  (You know who you are.)

I am not going to go into all that he has available, but as far GoPro mounts and methods it is all a fisherman needs to be a facebook hero!  Along with the hat he has shirts, I bought a couple, hats, hoodies, and lots of other goodies on his site.

Rex is a yak maniac who is living the fishing dream.  From photography and filming to clothing, he is a real fishing entrepreneur.  So while you are hanging out take a look at his stuff.  Really like my shirts, styling in a T shirt, something the Boss just doesn’t get!  And we all should support our local guys.

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Deathgrip JigHeads

http://www.ghostminnows.com/deathgrip-jigheads.html

I bought some of these last year and liked the way they work.  Interesting design, the bait stays on amazingly well.  And this year they introduced the XL, which I think means extra long. (See above.) The owner told me the XL, the bottom jig head above, was specifically designed for baits like the Knockin Tail.  The top one is your standard ball head jig and  I caught using both the other day.  (Note: Both are a 1/8th but obviously the ball jig head is lighter.)  What makes it interesting is the collar, it really does hold, and seems to hold better than a standard jig head after they pull it down a time or two.  I glue mine they hold, usually until I lose it.  As I fish a lot of 8lb line for trout the lighter the jig head based on conditions the better.  I checked out their site and it said the XL was coming soon, so if you decided to try then out contact Capt Zimmer at captlanezimmer@gmail.com.

Note:  Those of you who have read this for a while know I tell it like it is.  I am beholden to no one.  He does not know me and I got zip for this recommendation.  If things works I like it, if they don’t I will let you know.  Or if I get something to say nice things I will also let you know. Way to much of that in the fishing tackle business right now, everybody is a Pro Staffer.  As a side note in one article in a coastal saltwater mag there was 53 sponsor mentions in one article. Wow. Guess he was either getting paid by the word or changes baits every 5 minutes all day!  It all reminds me what Carmine told me about POC – “There are so many guides down here they have to wear a badge to keep from guiding each other!”  Love it.

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It was good to hear from Ed.

Hey Doug, glad to still be reading your “stuff”. Got me a little excited getting to read about your Poc trip. Don’t want to be potlicking your spots But would like to know more about them. Hopefully be planning a trip to Poc to get some work done on the house and also get a little fishing in as well. Usually fish the jetties and coast guard flats, barroom and bayoucos areas. Are there certain lures or baits that would be better. We wade and fish out of the boat . Thanks and keep writing your stuff. It sure helps this stay home stuff!
Ed Soto

Potlick away!  I love sharing information and spots, it is not “my” water unlike some folks who feel their rights are more important than yours.  And before I get to a recommendation or two I have a couple of things to say about “potlicking.”  That term gets thrown around alot, often from guides when someone is fishing “their” spot.  Of course I understand their complaint, been there done that, but it is not that simple.

If someone sees you and stops and crowds, of course that is some BS.  But if you get to a spot early and someone is sitting there, tough luck.  They just got up earlier than you did.  One of the fallacies of using that term is you are not the first one to “find or fish” your spot, and you won’t be the last.  Our waters are crowded, in fact way overcrowded at times.  But we all have to get along, and when you are so self important that it is “your” spot it says a lot about you as a person.  And one last word, put all kinds of graphics and wraps on the boat and engine, and then you wonder why folks might fish somewhere they see you, and then complain when you are noticed?  Duh!  You don’t get to have it both ways.  And finally the GPS was the end of the secret spot, anyone can figure it out with just a little research and map study.  And here is a great reference for any traveling coastal fisherman.  Check them out, it is one of the most impressive sites for our coast.

Fishing The Texas Coast

https://www.coastalbendfishing.com/

If you fish the Coast Guard flats you are just right around the corner from the entrance to the Oil Cut.  So here is a little Oil Cut primer for those who might want to fish it.  First, it is a great place when the wind is howling, I have saved many a day in there.  It runs in the 5 – 6 foot depth in the main channel and there is always trout and reds in there somewhere.  It may not be the gold mine, but it is a good boat fishing area, and fishing the length of it with plastics usually will put a couple or more in the boat.  It might require a little heavier jig head – 1/8 to 1/4 to get your bait to fall right down the drop where they dug the channel.  The fish are usually from the edge of the bank to the bottom of the drop, and you need to hop it up and then let it fall until you hit bottom, and keep doing it until you are off the bank.  And a popping cork with a Knockin Tail is a great option for calling them up in the channel.

And some good black drum come out of there in the fall.

There are 2 cuts, one on the left half way in, and then one on the right way back on the kayak trail, both of those can be good and there is a little water in them, though not as deep as the main cut.  If  you can run real shallow the cut on the right leads to a nice back lake which has redfish most of the time, but it can get shallow. And as you come in watch on your right and you will see 2 areas on the that long bank that are flats and stick out a little, which depending on the water level might have reds and flounder on them.  It really is a place to add to your options, just take time to really look it over.  As far as what I fish with- Simple.

Here is where to get them.  And if you have a local tackle store let them know you would like some.

As far as what I am, and will be, fishing is topwater first thing, then the Knockin Tail Lure from My Coast Outdoors the rest of the day.  I was lucky enough to get to work on it for Michael as it was being developed, and I am more than sold on the final product.  I am sure you have read the list of what I have boated using it.  If it has fins and a rear end it will eat the Knockin Tail.  The Pumpkinseed has become my favorite plastic for any fish, fresh or salt, with the Chicken on a Chain being second.  But as I wrote the other day, I fished 5 of the 6 colors and caught on them all.  The rattle in the tail makes a difference, end of story.  When I said it was one of the top 5 innovations in quite a while I was not exaggerating.  Wading I would use a 1/8th jig head, and as high as a 1/4 if the water is over the 4 foot range or there is a real heavy running tide. And I am liking the Deathgrip Jigheads.  And if there is lots of that pesky grass time to use it on a swim bait hook like the VMC Dead Drop in a 3/0.

So there is the quick story, so knock yourself out.  I would like nothing better than to have you let me know you smoked them in the Oil Cut on the Knockin Tail.  Thanks for the comment and good luck when you get  down this way.

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Hope this finds everyone safe and you are doing the best you can to comply with the recommendations.  This thing is real whether we like it or not.  And one last word, my compliments to the city of Victoria, folks are doing what they should and we have not had any new cases in spite of being surrounded by counties with several.  While we may get more if we keep doing our part it just might remain a dull roar.

So you will probably get more ramblings from me.  If I am not fishing at least we can talk about it.  So stay safe and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines