FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
We are truly hitting the doldrums of late summer. The forecast is for hot, and then hotter. The forecast for Tuesday: “caution advised if outside for extended periods of time.” While that is a tough forecast, it is not all that unusual for South Texas as summer winds down. So will stick with the lake a little longer, and wait out the holiday weekend. Plus, I am anxious to fish the spoon/Knockin Tail combo in the morning, and have 3 or 4 places that are on the list.
Weather
96/78. Mostly sunny and very warm with a 9% chance of rain, will feel like 106 degrees. “, Wind ESE 8 – 14 mph.
Lake Level
Today 97.95 msl. Last Thursday 98.13 msl. (It actually has come up just a hair. Must be done working on the dam.)
Bite Time
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It was still dark when I got to the ramp. The water has definitely gone down a foot or so, it has cleared a whole lot, and the temp hovers around 90+ over most of the lake. Dead calm when I put in, it stayed that way this morning. In fact, I quit at 11:00 because it was smoking hot and I had no bites after 9:00, but until then when I found them it was a good bite.
I decided to fish stuff in a little different order this morning. On the first place, where there has been lot of fish, I only had 2 bites and boated a small who was on the outside edge of the stuff. It did not sink in at the time, but today they were not “in” the stuff. With the water falling they were right on the edge of the weedy banks.
They were blowing up on it this morning.
I was still tossing the Johnson Silver Minnow trailing a Pearl Knockin Tail. I learned a couple of things this morning, and the first one was they would smoke that thing right on the edge of the cover, they were not on the flat parts of the bank. That foot drop in the lake level had them backed off. Tossing it just a little ways in the cover, then shaking it over the cover until it got to the edge provoked some great strikes. The second place produced about 10, most within a 30 foot stretch of bank. The last couple of trips it has been when you find them they are bunched up.
Lots of this size this morning.
Though a bite or two would come away from the main bite area, where they were is where they were, if that makes sense. They were definitely schooled up and I caught 4 or 5 without moving the boat. After working them over I headed to the “good” place from the other day. And though I did boat a couple of smalls, they were clearly not biting. But that turned out to not be particular to that bank. At 9:00 they just plain quit. From then until 11:oo I fished 3 other what appeared to be perfect water without success.
If you find them they are really schooled up.
One point had a big school of 8″ bass follow it to the boat a couple of times. And last a good one followed it to the boat but was definitely not interested in eating. Basically when it was over it was done. But in reality that is not all that uncommon this time of year. It is summer. No wind did not help matters, either with the bite, or with me, as it got oppressive hot. When I got back to the ramp where I had parked with the truck in the shade it was 91 degrees in the truck.
Today I had a little more trouble with line twist so I am going to try to attach the smallest swivel I can get away with. And will use just a split ring to the line without a clip, which would definitely be a problem. When you are pulling it through really heavy stuff any more hardware just gives it a place to hang up. Bringing it over and through heavy cover the last thing you want to do is hang up and have to go get it. Which in really shallow water is the last thing you want to do.
Not sure how long this is going to last, especially if the water keeps dropping. If it keeps dropping they just might move back onto the wood, which is what they were doing last year at this time. So only time will tell, it is just nice to get a few bites.
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And speaking of Knockin Tails, Michael posted online that the new 3.5″ Knockin Tails are coming soon. Amazing how tough it is to get a bait out, right now everything is slow, but maybe it will get done. The 3.5 should not only catch the crap out of trout, it would be a great trailer on the spoon or swim jig, and should catch some really big crappie. So can’t wait to get some in my grubby little hands.
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After posting about fishing the spoon and Knockin Tail trailer for bass I got a message on Facebook asking for a little more information so here goes. As far as rigging the bait it is simple, make sure the Knockin Tail is as straight up and down as you can get it. And if it starts to tear put on a new one. The balance is critical to making it run right. You want the Johnson Silver minnow to still wobble side to side/back and forth, and not spin, but let the tail swim naturally. Be sure it runs as straight as possible, when the rigging is right it will act properly. Do NOT use a swivel with a clip. A little line twist comes with the territory, but remember where you are using it. If you look at the eye tie on the spoon some are twisted for a reason, and one of them is to go through heavy cover, the whole point of using it.
The places to fish it have one thing in common, cover, lots of cover. The advantage of the spoon, as long as you have the weed guard a little higher and straight over the barb, it will go through most anything. As the spoon holds the bait up in the water column it can be thrown literally to the bank and reeled back. I try to keep it just in sight, fun to watch them eat. And since you are fishing heavy cover 15 – 20lb fluorocarbon is my preference. As far as speed, that is up to the fish, but I have found if you miss them it is generally because you are reeling a little fast and they hit the trailer. Get the speed just right and they eat it. Last, see the perfect chunk of cover in front of the rest of the trash? Get ready, it is about to be on.
(Note: It also has redfish written all over it.)
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I guess whatever they are doing on the dam at Coleto is causing the lake to continue to drop like a rock. It has lost 1/2 foot in the last 24, after losing a foot a couple of days ago. I hate to whine but after the lake, and the fishing, finally begin to stabilize it is now dropping. The last thing we need is a big drop in water level. Guess we shall see Monday morning. Seems like the poor lake can just not get a break. Since I wrote this 3 days ago it is inching back up. Only eyes on will let me know where we are at. (Definitely down.)
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And I am happy to report TPWD says the dove season should be good, especially in the South zone. All you dove hunters, get out the guns and put up the boat. We will take care of the water for you until spring. So go hunting.
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And for you bowhunters Coleto Creek is now taking registrations for the annual deer hunt. You can do it at the park or online. One thing the park has is tons of deer.
2021 GBRA Bowhunt at Coleto Creek Park Registration – Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
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Tomorrow is the start of getting ready for Colorado. Tire rotation, inspection at Toyota, and go over all the stuff for mountain driving. Looking for cool stream water and wildlife I cover the miles and nothing beats being as ready as you can be. I am really starting to get excited, especially when I saw the picture from the high mountains in Colorado with a light dusting of snow, and in Rocky Mountain National Park they had a white out. While it will not be “cold”, it will sure be nice to have those crisps mornings watching as a brown trout takes the indicator down. Time to think about those clothes I have not had on in 6 months.
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Will be back on some water Wednesday, possibly some clouds with a little lower temps, just have to see how the week shakes out. I really appreciate everyone who has read the blog over the last 11 years. This is the 1,447 time I have written. It is hard to keep it fresh, and periods like the last couple of months have been as boring for me as it has been for you. I appreciate you sticking with me. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
