FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

It was wispy clouds with an air temp of 48 when I dropped in at the lake.  The water temp was down from 73 or so to 63 degrees.  The wind was almost nonexistent until about 10:00 when it started blowing out of the south at 10 or so.  But first I want to show you this picture and we will go from there.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

This is a Kentucky or Spotted bass.

In the past I might have caught a small one, but very rarely, then today one jumped on the crankbait.  What makes it interesting is conservatively I have caught literally thousands of them in the 25 years I was in north Arkansas.  My favorite bass when they start getting over 3lbs, and boy do they love a jerk bait.  So really a big surprise because I can guarantee in all the bass caught at the lake this is my first real one.  It will be interesting to see how well they adapt to the lake.  Guess I will do some research and see when they put them in there.

Literally last cast with a crappie jig and 4lb line.

Where I finished up there is a big brush pile so I threw at a few casts with a crappie jig before I quit.  And on the last cast this carp made the line jump, then put up a titanic struggle on a light rod.  But what makes this one special, it is currently in the brine and will be on the smoker tomorrow.  We ate some years ago in Iowa and it was delicious.  Can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Back-to-back casts.

After a slow period without the wind, it was 4 or 5 smalls, I waited for the wind and started cranking.  The Chartreuse square bill is still getting bit.  (I actually found this one hanging off a bush on Falcon.)  It was exactly 11, smaller than the ones above.  It is kind of interesting where I caught them, on shallow, flatter banks.  A medium speed is best and while they were not smacking it, 2 slack lined me, once they bit they were on.  Did that until quitting at 1:30.

The shallow Shad Rap always catches them this time of year. 

Of course, I spent a good hour checking on the white bass with little success.  The one that did jump on was a big one for Coleto, too bad that was it.  Several bass joined the party like they do on a trolled crankbait, but they were all small.  I have not decided what to think about the white bass run, in the past it is in full swing right now, so will keep checking on them every time I hit the lake.  Probably need to head farther up with the water level where it is.  And will keep track of the Nueces to see when that run starts, really good fishing when they are up.

So today was great.  Caught a Kentucky, have a nice carp in the brine for Christmas weekend, and ended up catching 20 the hard way.  I really am looking forward to how the rest of the “winter”, if you can call it that, goes.  My early guess is an early pre-spawn.  What would help is a nice warm day with some drizzle all day.  Those are the days some of the biggest ones in the lake jumped on, so time will tell.

It sure was fun yesterday and next week will head back to the bay.  Yesterday was actually using some new stuff from My Coast Outdoors and boy did they did work.  There are several things on the horizon which will only add to the line, but if I told you I would have to kill me.  It really is fun to get to work on new stuff, especially the Knockin Tail, it works, end of story.

Not sure when I will fish again, but there is one difference this year, the Boss will be home Christmas day.  I have fished that day for almost every Christmas for years as the Boss worked it so folks could be off with their kids.  If it works out will fish Friday.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines