FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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That was a bite, and a pretty good tussle.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I had a plan today.  With the temps to be in the 70’s and a wind that was tolerable I decided to head out later and fish later.  Not sure whether that was a good idea or not, but I caught an easy 15 so no complaints.  It was 9:00 when I started and 4:00 when I quit so definitely gave it the old college try.

First up was a deeper cove bank and right off the bat one smoked the A Rig and Knockin Tail.  Funny how it only took about 5 seconds and I knew it was a catfish.  Coleto is so full of catfish and catching them occasionally on lures is normal.  It was kind of a good thing/bad thing experience.  At first you think it is a big bass, and then let down a little when you realize it is a catfish.  But that one above was a good one and I will be happy to catch that size any day.

It was definitely a A Rig day.  They like the both the White Ice and Pearl Knockin Tail trailers.

I spent the day hitting lots of new places, places that will have fish soon.  The water temp was in the low 60’s in the main arm until right above the discharge cove.  The rest of the lake struggled to get to 60 in spite of the warm day.  The wind was fairly steady and was not what I would call warm, and the coves just did not warm up today.

The A Rig was the ticket all day.  I gave the swim jig a serious go in places that should produce and not a bite.  And one bank with tons of trash cranked the spoon and Knockin Tail and that did not produce a bite.  But keeping the A Rig in the water kept the bites coming.  On one point 4 jumped on and I only managed to boat one, 2 of them opened the clip at the end of the arm, not sure what that is about but made sure after that things were correct.  A couple did the old slack line thing, which is so weird on the A Rig, you would think they would drop it.  That one has caught a ton of fish and it won’t be long until an arm or two breaks off, it is one messed up bent bait.

And the best I could do looking for the white bass.

Trying to find the white bass blew a good hour.  Right off the bat the one above jumped on a shad color crankbait.  After not getting a bite on a chartreuse I switched over to a Rapala shallow running Shad Rap and caught a bass right after changing, but then not a bite.  There were definitely more shad up the river than there has been but I am just not finding the white bass.  Not really sure if it is to late, or they are going to come soon.  The water temp remains 59 up lake and the color is not the best.  But with the sunshine and warm temps to come it should heat up rapidly and then we will know.

And speaking of that thinking about heading to the Hwy 59 bridge at George West to fish the river.  When it is good it can be some great white bass fishing.  Travis is definitely on the calendar, probably the first week of March after getting back from Asheville.  As you can guess I like catching them.

I give the day a B.  It would have been a little better if there had been a little better warming, but it is coming.  Definitely hard to complain when the fish bit in most everywhere I fished, just not the big one.  But hopes springs eternal and I will be out there everyday it is tolerable.

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There was some kind of dispute online, big surprise, involving a couple of lure companies.  Not sure what it was all about but representation, bait usage, and some kind of shade being thrown.  Here at fishcatchingtravel we have never actively recruited or attempted to get any lure company or product to come on board or give us anything, it has just happened in the course of things.  It has never been for profit.  (Trust me on that one!)  And using Michael as an example he has never said don’t use other folks’ stuff or else.  I use the Knockin Tails a lot for one reason, they catch fish.   (It is my blog and I can say and be whatever I want and owe no one lip service.  Like I always say, if you do not like it don’t read it.)  One thing those of you who read this know, anybody can send me anything they want, but if it is crap, not something I would use, or where I stayed that sucked, it will not get a mention.  I have tried over the years to not denigrate or comment on some of the crap I have encountered.  But there is always an exception.  Now that I think about there is something you can send, money!  Do that and I promise to talk nice about you.

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And I got this nice comment from Randy.

Doug, I have enjoyed your posts a lot since I retired 8 years ago. I’ve learned a lot and will continue to do so. I don’t know what I did or what my iPad did but in order to see your photos, I have to hit (see comments ) at the bottom of you post and the photos appear. Any ideas why? I only fish salt water at POC. Keep doing what you’re doing. Your anonymous reader, fishing buddy. Randy

Glad you are actually learning a little something, that is my hope.  We all just hope that the fishing at POC will be ok this year.  I know some folks are not happy about the new rules, but it should lead to a banner year next summer.  As far as the picture issue not sure what the problem is.  The only other comment about that same thing came from a reader in Iowa.  It probably has something to do with the way I do it, or the program and the interface with the Ipad.  But trust me I know just enough to be dangerous, and any technical issues is beyond my abilities.  Sorry I could not be more help on that one, I have been pleasantly surprised I have not screwed the blog up.  But I really appreciate hearing from you and hope it maybe helped you catch a fish or two .  And like I tell folks, if you see me down there hollar.  For those that don’t know it will be a grey 4 Runner and an 18′ Mako with a 90hp merc.  Just look for the Wade Right and Knockin Tail stickers on the console and the Hog on the engine.

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Victoria had its own civil disobedience march this week, and it was peaceful and really kind of sad.  I have long been a proponent of sharing our outdoor wealth and all stake holders deserve to not only their piece of the pie but also the right to be heard.  Oyster men came from all over the coast to picket and march in protest at the local TPWD office over the closure of oyster season on area bays.  They cannot make a living under the current rules and shortened season.  By the same token we can only hope and assume that TPWD is making their decisions based on the health of the resource.  It is unfortunate that the simple and tough lifestyle of the individual commercial guy is slowly becoming a thing of the past.  Never forget that these folks have families to feed.  So how this will this come out over the next few years remains to be seen, but it is sad to see that lifestyle slowly waning.  They are hardworking good folks who just want to earn an honest living.

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The only thing I currently know about future plans, the wind is going to howl.  Up to 36mph tomorrow, 46mph Wednesday, 30mph Thrusday, and only the high 20’2 on Friday.  So it will be day to day on where and when I fish.  Last a Happy Valentines Day to the Boss, I could have not gotten any luckier.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines