FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
“SAVE OUR WATERS”
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt
Brought to you by
Check out the new Madre Sling
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Worth getting up for!
There is good news and there is bad news. The bad news first. It is going to be off the chain hot again tomorrow (Thursday) as in a 106 heat index. So it will be the short early morning Coleto trip as I wait this heat wave out. The good news, the forecast for next week has a cool front coming, and with it temps in the 80’s and I can not wait. The lake will be just enough to keep me occupied until the serious fall fishing starts. Plus with the holiday weekend happening I jump in a hole and pull the grass up over my head until Tuesday. No reason to add to the confusion.
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Weather
77/94. (Feel like 106, caution if out extended period.) Hot and humid with some sun. 20% chance of rain. Wind SSE 10 – 15 mph.
Lake Level
Monday 93.16 msl. Today 93.12 msl. (I hate to look.)
Solunar Period
Minor 8:13 am to 9:13 am. Major 2:35 pm to 4:35 pm
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The new Knockin Tail is catching fish! Ask for them at your favorite tackle store.
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What a morning. What could be better than whacking one during this sunrise?
It was cloudy, wind fairly light, water temp still in the 90 range, and the lake is dropping. The ramp drop off is getting closer and closer and if I was guessing with the holiday weekend someone will fall off the end loading or unloading. But I digress.
I really thought it might be a little bit better this morning but it was deja vu all over again. Caught 3 on buzzbait until it got light, then a couple of smalls on plastic. Every day on the water is different, and the difference this morning, nothing was moving. No deer, no gators, birds still on the roost, it just had that feel about it. But I have seen a big flight of ducks the last couple of mornings, so fall is coming. So after fishing up lake time to head down to the 2 areas where I have been trolling up some nice bass to give cranking a go.
Sitting in 15 feet of water I used a 6XD, which you an plow the bottom in 10+, and cranked 2 long stretches. Staying way out and tossing into 5′, burning it down, and then banging it along. A total of 1 bite, and it was a small white bass. Not that I was expecting a killing but I figured one would jump on. So around 10:00 time to troll a couple of hours and call it a day.
Sparring you the pictures of the small stuff, it was 6 or 7 whites, 5 or 6 bass, and one catfish. What made it interesting today was the number of fish right on the bottom, way more than there was the last couple of trips. The shad did not seem to be bunched up and only saw one big bunch. Before they were in small schools with fish around them, not so much today. When it comes down to it that is what makes fishing what it is, it is ever changing.
So I was just fine trolling, it will be the last time until January when the serious white bass fishing starts. It is always fun but with the holiday weekend it will be Tuesday or so before I get back out, and the bay is the plan. And with the small cold front coming next week it might even be the stay overnight at POC thing now that the crowds will be leaving. After that 2 weeks out west and fall will be here, and with it my renewed commitment to fishing. And the fish feel the same way.
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The Ramp
Be careful. The posts are the end of the ramp with a drop off!
As you can see the lake is dropping like a rock. We really, really, really, need some rain. If not it won’t be long before the ramp is a real issue. When I took the boat off the trailer this morning there was about 4 feet behind the rear wheels, plenty for the moment but be careful. Part of the problem is how flat the ramp cove is, which translate to drop an inch, actually a foot off the bank, if that makes sense. And when you go to load pulling next to the outside pier to beach the boat is getting sketchy, it is really shallow so be advised.
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The Holiday
Ok so here goes the holiday rant. To make it simple here are a couple of rules that if we all followed them it would be a better world.
- Just because you are correct does not make it right. Assume your fellow boaters know nothing, or have been drinking, so give way.
- Other than saying hi do not get into it with some knucklehead on the water for any reason.
- Get you stuff together before you even approach the ramp. Then unload, and if you have help you should not even get on the ramp until the driver is in the boat and ready to go. Then drop it in, float it off, and pull out.
- Then move out of the way. Don’t be a Froggie’s idiot and pull off on the side in front of the ramp to clean fish while 10 people are trying to get out.
- Drink like a fish if you want, when you get home, especially if you are the captain. You are responsible for your passengers safety. I mean who wants to be cuffed and stuffed in front of family and friends?
- Remember the kill switch and mandatory life jackets on the kiddos.
- Be sure to check everything out on the boat and trailer before leaving the house. The ramp is not the place to find out your battery is dead, or end up sitting on the side of the road instead of in the water because your hub blows out.
- And last – have a great time with your family and friends. 2020 has been a dumpster fire and the last thing you need is trouble on your weekend. Party on!
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When I contacted the St. Joseph High School Bass Club about donating I got a nice response from Ann, a counselor at St. Joseph and mother of a couple of girls who will join the club. As far as some of the kids who will join the club she said it better than I about what it might mean to them.
I’m the counselor at the high school and I know some of my students are going to find their comfort zone, their friends group, and their confidence in this club!
And that says it all. So I can not wait to speak with them, will be my pleasure. So give them a helping hand. And thanks Ann, can’t wait to see a little girl power in the club!
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Have a Great Holiday!
Be careful, be safe, be smart. Where your mask when you should, it is amateur night so do not drink and drive. Be nice to folks, why ruin your weekend. And if you are lucky enough to be on the water sack them up. Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
