FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The 5″ is here!

I am so happy to let you know the 5″ Knockin Tail is here and only available on the website for the time being.  And the 3.5″ will be here is a week or two.  For you big bait lovers the 5″ will fit the bill on the salt or as a classic swim bait in freshwater.  And once the 3.5″ is released the Knockin Tail line will fill the bill for any set of conditions.  I cannot wait to get my grubby little hands on some 0f b0th.  They look absolutely killer

And while on the subject Michael will be taking the Knockin Tail on the road as he exhibits at the Bassmaster Classic next weekend in North Carolina.  It will be a chance to share what a great freshwater bait it is for multiple applications.  Largemouth, smallmouth, striper, white bass, walleye, crappie, catfish, tilapia, bream, and other stuff I have caught them all.  It gets the job done.

Additionally, I am looking forward to the Houston Fishing Show at the end of the month.  Will be working the booth a couple of days and more than selling baits, which I love to do, it is meeting folks and spending a few days talking about fishing.  Those of you who know me personally know I might be prone to do a little talking.  See you there.

***************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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My buddy Aaron and his partner are on a good run in the Fishers of Men tournament series.  They placed second in the first tournament and then finished 7th in the second one.

What…. Are you ice fishing?
We took 7th this weekend in Fisher of Men series with a 7.08 kicker with 20.84 good for $700.
I’ll be ready for you to come up in late March on.

“worst bait is a dry hook!”

It was cold and is still that way but will be out of town for another week so it will be a little before I am back at it.  Congratulations on the good run.  Looks like you guys might be on the way to the season ending championship, 20 plus with a 7 kicker will do it most days.  And as soon as you and I settle down hope to fish Sabine Lake with you later this spring.  Good luck on the rest of the tournament year.

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And I got his from SA Joe.

Doug,
I wanted to see if you can help out a small business owner. I was wondering about the Knockin Tail Lures but like to see before i buy. Will has them here at his shop in San Antonio. Bought a couple of packages.

By chance chatting on FB, Amber(fixes reels) mentions his place.
https://www.facebook.com/FishTackleMarineTx/
https://fishtacklemarine.com
2023 Austin Hwy Suite 103 San Antonio, TX 78218

Happy to do it.  For those of you in the SA area stop in and check them out.  Could not tell if he stocks the Knockin Tail on his sites.  If not put in a word for them.  Whether A Rig, swim jig, or just used as a swim bait they get the job done.  So, appreciate a kind word to them for the baits.  We fishermen are all in this together and it is small business helping small business.  If you think Bass Pro really gives a crap about the little guy, I have a bridge to sell you.  Good to hear from you.

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I always get amused when some pros hook a good fish and then run all over the boat to land it.  Having caught hundreds of big bass in my life I have never made laps around the boat.  It always seemed to me that is what the trolling motor is for.  Keep it pointed at the fish until boat side and then turn it the right way and land them.  Simple and a lot easier on your rods and other stuff you end up stepping on.

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On the outdoor front TPWD is proposing closing certain areas to oyster harvesting.  I am torn on the issue and feel for the oyster men who make their living and feed their family by fishing.  Here is the schedule I recieved in my email from CCA.

TPWD Coastal Fisheries staff will be hosting several public hearings on the coast to receive input from stakeholders concerning the proposed regulation change. Here are the ways you can attend: Online Zoom Webinar: TPWD Coastal Fisheries staff will present the proposed change and answer questions related to the proposal in an online webinar on Tuesday, March 1 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The webinar will also be posted on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s YouTube channel and Coastal Fisheries Facebook page. In Person Thursday, March 3 from 6:00 — 8:00 p.m. at the Wortham Auditorium (First Floor) in the Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave, Galveston, TX 77550 Thursday, March 3 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Rockport Beach Park in the Saltwater Pavilion, 210 Seabreeze Rockport, TX 78382 Thursday March 3 from 6: 00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Bauer Exhibit Building at 305 Henry Barber Way, Port Lavaca, TX 77979 Take action right now Public comments are officially open and can be provided on the TPWD public comment page until 5 p.m. on March 23rd. CLICK HERE to submit your comment TODAY.

So speak your piece or don’t complain.  (Though I have to admit I think this is all lip service and the decision is made.)  Reminds me when Florida went through the “ban the nets period”.  One thing I would like to see if/when they begin this there will be a program to help the guys find new ways to make a living, instead of the state just saying tough shit,  to bad.  Unfortunately, I worry leaving them high and dry will be the end result.  Another battle for the resource, one that will be increasingly fought over in the future.

And as long as we are talking about TPWD proposed regulations for the coming year here is the website for the new releases.  There are multiple proposals on both freshwater fishing and hunting regulations.  So if any of it matters to you, click on the link and see what they have to say, and speak your piece or take whatever comes.

News Releases: – TPWD (texas.gov)

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And on a related note, there is a fight brewing in Oregon between their game and fish and the legislature over types of broadheads and arrow knocks that can be used bow hunting.  (I am not taking sides on who is right, just the method.) This trend by state legislature passing stuff to circumvent authorities on any subject is puzzling.  Has getting elected to public office made these pinheads know-it-all experts on all subjects no matter how complicated?  Why pay the people you hire who actually went to college and got a degree, as in this example wildlife or biology.  Time for term limits.

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In what is described as  the frightening spread of Chronic Wasting Disease continues in Wisconsin deer breeding facilities.  8 are now infected and both businesses and outdoor advocates are concerned, one for their livelihood, the other for the state’s deer population.  If there is even a hint CWD might infect the wild deer population it must be stopped in its tracks.  Sure hope Wisconsin, and TPWD in the state of Texas get it right but we will have to wait and see.  Always remember to follow the money.  No business should be allowed to threaten a state’s wildlife for any reason, including profit.

As far as I am concerned TPWD and every other fish and game in this country have the responsibility to control all wildlife but have a moral duty to protect our wild native species first.  And potentially sacrificing native populations for commercial interests should never happen.

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I have had a crazy time correcting a bunch of stupid people.  REI where I got my crossbars for the truck could not have messed it up even more.  They sent me 5 crossbars, including and open used one to finally get 2 to fit, and they were the ones who said to order the first 2.  When they were clearly wrong, they made me pay for another 2 and would refund the money on the first ones.  Then when set #2 comes one has been opened and used and mising parts.  Confused yet?  Of course before it was all over they screwed it up.  But after weeks of trying to get their screw up corrected, they did not give us all our money back success.  How stupid is that, of course I kept a crossbar that was broken or one that did not fit my truck.  Who wouldn’t?  Finally got that straightened out.

Our local insurance agent for Allstate messed up big time.  When we changed companies, I thought it would be better but that mess is still to be resolved.  The whole issue is caused by our agent flat dropping the ball, at least that is what Allstate says.  So if they are your agent here in town beware.

Then the post office, what is there to say.  We mailed 2 checks on the 4th, one made Colorado 3 days ago, the other (The insurance check) had not made Dallas yet.  So now I have to pay to cancel the check and then phone renew.  Thanks Allstate and my local agent.

Of course there is more post office. We put a return paid government letter in the mailbox and for some reason they would not pick them up.  I just do not get them.  Guess that little red flag is something new.

And last but not least, Suddenlink, the worst ever.  Out local politicians last year made a bunch of noise, like they are want to do when they are really not doing shit, after so many consumer complaints.  Tons of complaints continue, and they have done absolutely nothing about the service. And Suddenlink for the last 3 months  (We have been customers for 13 years.) cannot do a simple auto pay, and then you get to talk to the dude in Timbuktoo (I am being as nice as I can.)  who promises to fix it the third time.  Any bets on whether they get it right?  What is wrong with the world?  What do we pay all of them for?

This was my Friday and Saturday.  Yeesh!

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We love bears!

So there is my current state of affairs.  I just want to go fishing!  Hopefully that will be Monday morning, though I have to cut the day short to get to the bank on time to cancel the check so I can pay the insurance company for their screw up.  And then off to the Great Smokies for some bear chasing.  So keeps stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Oh Yeah – Woo Pig Sooey!!! How about those Hogs whipping Kentucky bootie!