FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
I spent the rest of yesterday afternoon doing a few things on the boat and going through all the fresh water tackle boxes and rods. At this point fresh and salt are organized, and a few little things taken care of on the boat and trailer so I should be good to go this week. I am really looking forward to it. Tomorrow it will be the salt. Not sure what to expect but will be fishing one of my favorite places on the coast. Should be fun.
Weather
74/91. Partly sunny, very warm and humid with a 3% chance of rain. Wind S 7 – 12 mph.
Tides
High 12:46 am 1.34 ft. Low 12:09 pm -0.12 ft.
Activity Periods
Minor 11:03 am to 12:03 pm. Major 4:18 pm to 6:16 pm.
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.
For all your wading needs.
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I was not surprised that the creek was off color and the water temp was 75 degrees, way to hot for good winter fishing. The tide was up and other than barely moving out, it never played a role today. First up was my favorite bank and while it was slow, it was not a bust. Being dead calm and foggy did not hurt anything.
This was a great bite!
On the way down I stopped at one spot and caught one and missed another on the Mansfield Magic Knockin Tail. It was the hot bait last winter and will be so again. Not sure why they like it in creeks and rivers in the winter, but I do not look a gift horse in the mouth. The fishing was slow and it was clear they are not in there in mass yet. I saw a red or two moving shallow so I basically fished topwater the first hour or so.
A spinnerbait red on a Clearwater Knockin Tail trailer. And on one on the Mansifield Magic.
I stuck with the topwater early as it was dead calm. It was not fast but occasionally one would take a run at it, including the best I could manage today. Several reds came after the topwater, but if they did not get it within a foot or so of the bank they would not eat, so time to switch to a spinnerbait. I love the Strike King Redfish Magic, but I change the body to a Clearwater Knockin Tail. By gluing it on it stays on much better than the original and that particular Knockin Tail has additional flash to go with the rattle. They just plain like it and it is still one of my favorite bites.
This good trout smoked a topwater. And what the rest looked like.
The topwater bite was over as soon as the sun came out. So from that point on until quitting at 1:00 I just alternated between the spinnerbait and the Knockin Tail on a 1/8th jig head. It was just one here and one there, mostly small. But at least they were biting a little but it did not help that the water did not move. Checking on a couple of other go-to spots would produce a bite or two, but I never did find the big bunch. They were scattered on no particular type of bank.
It is not time yet, until we get a really cold night or a series of nights it will not be as good as it will get. It is one of those things that when the time is right, go, it will be over soon. Just like all fishing patterns, fresh or salt, they do not last. But I caught fish so no complaints.
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And this comment from SA Joe on the Louisiana trip.
Keep me in mind if there is ever an opening with you guys let me know….Not sure about those sharks in the water. Will have to bring a knife with me, pistol????
Might be cheaper to get on the charter, than my dream trip of going to get some Peacock Bass in the Amazon…
I can guarantee it is a whole lot cheaper than the Amazon, the Boss actually looked at a houseboat trip there and it was not cheap. All the boats that go to the islands are about the same price and it has ended up about a grand for 3 or 4 days of fishing with all meals and boats included. I have said it before and will say it again, it is the best deal in fishing. And what are a few pesky sharks? Actually it is cool to see them cruising the flats. While I am not sure they will all give up the way mine did, but as long as you can see them coming you should be able to keep your legs! Thanks for commenting.
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And he also dropped this comment on the river being so high.
You mentioned the Guadalupe Flooding… Well most of it came from Lake Placid up here draining. This is the 3rd lake to drain on the Guadalupe river. They let the gates down and couldnt get them back up when the rains came 2 weeks ago….
Well that must explain it, when I crossed it yesterday it was still high and muddy. But in the bigger picture we needed the rain and the lake is at pool, so it is not all bad. I am really looking forward to the lake this year if it stays up. The bigger fish are much harder to come by but the numbers should be off the chain this spring.
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Tomorrow will be the 7th day of fishing out of 9 days. The weather looks really promising, We will see temps in the 50’s Thursday night and the 40’s Friday night. Give it a few days and there should be some real improvement in the fishing. But Wednesday looks really sketchy, staight from the forecast: “storms can bring damaging winds and a tornado.” Ok, guess I will not be fishing Wednesday. So before I go to bed I will decide where I am fishing tomorrow. The forecast is for clouds, so the lake is calling. Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
