FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I have definitely been getting on the water early enough!  But the early morning bite has left me.

Weather

75/95.  Partly sunny with a 30% chance of a thunder shower in spots after noon.  Wind NE 8 – 10 mph.

Lake Level

9 days ago  98.49 msl.    (GBRA has a new website and trying to find lake levels.  Stay tuned but it is still way up.)

Solunar Times

Major 7:09 am to  9:09 am.   Minor  11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

*****************

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

******************

I lost one on my second cast this morning, and that was it until I quit at 11:00.  There is nothing to add about the lake, you have heard it all.  If  am going to keep fishing it time for a major change.   (I am no Carolina Rig fisherman, but time to start running the deep ledges.) No matter how hard I try I can not make them come to the shallow water, and today it was the same.  Fished old places and new, flipped some heavy cover on the main river channel, several points, same old, same old.  I even went way up lake where there really has not been enough water to fish the last couple of years and the water color sucked and could not buy a bite.  The bay is going to be the place to be as soon as the Boss is straightened out next week.  But it does have some correlation to what is going on in the bay.  Lots of water.

Over the years I have seen water levels do some crazy things.   In the present case the lake got way to much dirty water at the wrong time, and it pushed them deep, at least that appears to be the case.  (If you remember about 5 years ago we had the same kind of big flood which they blame for killing all the grass and the subsequent fishing decline.  Hope this is not a harbinger of things to come.)  Might be one of those years where the fish basically stay on the old shoreline level, have seen that several times over the years.  Just not hearing any good lake reports with even the crappie fishing being tough.  And the bay has suffered its own affects with way to much fresh water.  Our rains really have affected area waters.   In the long run it a good thing all the way around, but often when it is happening it makes things tough.  The Boss did bring up one thing they see on occasion in the ER when you have warm fresh water flushing the bay, which is an increase in vibro.  Just have to wait and see how that plays out.

There were lots of folks out on the lake today, about half crappie fishing, the other half bass fishing.  Someone will catch them, it always happens.  And maybe if someone really gets it figured out it will be whoopin’.

*****************

And this comment from Ross after my POC report.

With the freshwater, may want to fish closer to the passes along with those deeper reefs. Friend of mine fished shell in SA Bay on Tuesday and struck out. Said the water was off color. Did hear there were fish in the surf and plenty of bull reds at the jetties

Good luck and glad to see a salt report from you!

Fishing in the vicinity of the pass makes tons of sense, at least the water gets flushed every so often.  With all the color in the bay it might take a while to clear back to the color we like.  And as far as the surf, I have heard a good reports from both shore and boat fishermen.  Last time I fished the surf I jumped a tarpon on a popping cork which was exciting.  So hopefully the fishing will start improving, and the tropical storm headed to Louisiana will stay that way, we do not need the rain right now, which of course I might be regretting later.  Look for more salt reports from me as the lake just has me humbled right now.  Thanks for  commenting, great to know you are out there.

*****************

I will be real interested in how the tournaments play out at POC this weekend.  It is going to be a circus but there is plenty of water, the question will be how much of it is worth a hoot.  I would think that the water quality would be fairly poor in places like Keller and the Powderhorn as examples due to the amount of fresh inflow they both get.  From what I have read the water quality is much better in Matagorda Bay than points farther south in our area.  So if you are fishing good luck, smash em’!

*****************

And good to hear from our Fayette guru and Knockin Tail pro.

Texas summer has arrived!! Glad you have your boat back, you showed a lot of patience, especially for a ex lawyer. I’m would like to think I would have too, but who knows! Sooo hot, fishing has been good but you have to be willing to pay the high price to catch them. Got a guide booked out of Matagorda next week, hoping to gain some new skills.
Fayette lake report: if you can take the heat they are biting at 18-28 feet fairly well on Carolina rigged Senkos by the dam. Cloud cover and a little wind helps. Both for the fish and fisherman.

Going to be headed North soon to fish in some cooler waters, hoping Canada opens their border.

Sorry Arkansas didn’t get in, they got out played. I was rooting for them for you.
Tight lines
Rusty

The only reason I was able to keep from imploding while the LTS was in the shop was having the skiff.  Trust me, if I had not had it I might have just bought a new boat.  But it is running perfect, it has always been a running machine.  It was a little irritating that I finally got it set up like I want it then a breakdown, but as usual B.O.A.T.

And folks, Rusty is being humble on the Fayette fishing.  I have seen the strings he has been catching on Fayette lately, and they have included one over 8 and multiple over 6lbs.  Some of those  coming on the new prototype from Controlled Descent.  One thing about Fayette, it seems if you can get on them you can make them pay, and Rusty knows his lake.  He also happens to be a dedicated fly fisherman and fly tier.

Speaking of Matagorda, which I did above, you should have a good trip.  Can’t wait to hear what the water color is in that area.  And It will be interesting his approach and maybe you can introduce him to the Knockin Tail.  Once you start throwing them you are hooked, fresh or salt they catch fish.  Some of those big bass Rusty has been catching have come on the prototype.  (To bad Coleto is not producing, I have missed out on some of that.)

And good luck on your northern swing.  Good time to be heading that way.  And I saw today Canada is talking opening on July 21, hope it happens.  We are still crossing our fingers on Thailand in December, but if it gets canceled we will change our destination to the Yukon.  We have had our last 2 foreign travel plans cancelled, which of course is driving the Boss nuts.

And last the Hogs, they did not lose a series all year until the last one.  But what a year and they will be back.  Van Horn is a great coach and can get the players.  Let us know how the guide trip goes.  Good to hear from you.

*****************

And speaking of lures and prototypes it has been my pleasure and very interesting working with Michael on his new baits.  When I was with Tad’s Fishin’ Machine Lures back in the old days when we needed a mold we went to a small area machine shop and he would make one for $20, and usually get it done in a week or so.  That is not how things go these days.  First add 3 more zeros, then get on the wait list, and if you are lucky you might be in production within 6 months.  But no matter what the new prototype baits we are fishing work and will be a great addition to your tackle box.  The one hint I will give you, can’t wait for winter.

****************

And speaking of a crazy year, we were hoping 2021 was going to be better than last year but our family is off to a rough start.  Dad passed this spring, my sister-in-law is undergoing chemo, the Boss is heading to knee surgery on Tuesday, and now mom fell in the backyard and broke her arm.  As usual, when it rains it pours, but like all fishermen hope springs eternal and tomorrow will be a better day.

*****************

I rely on the GBRA website to keep up with the Coleto lake level.  The other day the page was completely revamped and now I can not find the levels that were posted on the old page.  So I dropped them an email asking how to find it.  Will be interested in seeing whether they respond.

*****************

That is enough idle rambling for today.  Got a few things to do on the boating front today so headed somewhere to be determined as soon as I hit post.  Then Monday will be back on the bay trying to improve on last trip.  Hope if you get a chance to hit the water this weekend you whack em’.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines