FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Weather

55/79.  Pleasant with plenty of sunshine; breezy in the afternoon with no chance of rain.  Wind NNW 13 – 32 mph.

Lake Level

Today   97.32 msl.    Yesterday  97.35 msl.   

Bite Times

Major   11:45 am to 1:45 pm.   Minor  4:16 pm to 5:16 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 on the water at daylight and 2 things have changed.  The water temp was up over 2 degrees in most places, in the 62 range and the wind was out of the north completely opposite of yesterday.  But with an air temp of 54 it was not to bad.  So that plan was to fish the 5″ Pearl Knockin Tail until the sun came out, then change up.

Smoked the Pearl Knockin Tail 5″ off of wood.

One pattern that is starting to be consistent is the fish are moving to the wood in spawning coves.  The Knockin Tail put 1 in the boat in the fist cove and 3 in the next.  It is important to crank it right over/on the wood, and the better ones that hit it smoke it.  Today only 1 good/big bite.  I did not pitch the wood in those coves but that is probably the ticket for the time being.  So out came some different stuff.

Plenty of this size.

One thing that I was sure would work was the Pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad over and around cover, but no such luck.  I fished it in one place where I have been catching them, and then a completely different place where they should be and not a swirl, much less a bite.  The water is fairly clear and there is no reason they are not up so time for slow cranking the 4″ Honeydew Knockin Tail.  The wind was blowing and it was tough in some places but ok in others.

A mouthful.   

The fish had to be there, and guess what?  6 in the first cove, then a few more here and there.  I did lose one big fish because I did not set the hook as he swam with it.  Using a 1/8th jig head and slow reeling the Honeydew in the coves got me bit, though they were all small they sure were willing, and I missed a couple that might have been crappie.  I started doing that about 11:00 when the sun was up so did not get a lot of time as I had something to do.  This is definitely a way to catch some, they sure are not interested in the bigger stuff.

On getting back to the ramp Eric from Houston was sitting there.  I have known him a while and he is a good deep-water fisherman who does some guiding and serious ledge fishing.  He has been at it a couple of days and is catching them both shallow and deep.  Not sure what is going on right now, he wondered if some have spawned and gone back out.  Guess I will have to wait for that answer until after I get back.

And last I wondered when the turkeys were going to start doing their thing, and this morning was it.  There were 3 going at once across a cove, and it is one of the coolest things you can hear in the outdoors.  On that note I declare spring is finally here.

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New Day on the Coast  –  From TPWD

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission approved proposed rule changes to bag and size limits for spotted seatrout on the middle and lower Texas coast during the January 2022 meeting.  The new rules take effect on March 16 in Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, and the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre Bay systems.

From March 16 to August 31, 2023, the spotted seatrout bag and size limits south of FM 457 will be:

• Three fish per day per angler
• A minimum size of 17 inches and a maximum size limit of 23 inches
• No fish over the maximum length may be retained.

I like it and if it works it could be a serious dink fest the next year and a half.  We pay TPWD to make these decisions, and they are responsible for the results.  A perfect example of an issue that the legislature needs to stay out of.  No matter what this is going to save a ton of trout.

And

AUSTIN – Texas Game Wardens are currently accepting applications for summer internships across the state. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department encourages college students of all backgrounds and fields of study to apply for these 12 available openings.  What a great way to spend the summer.

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Next up will be some night fishing in the Ozarks.  A little single spin fishin and if you love the thump of a smallmouth it does not get any better than that.  Plus some of the best smallmouth are caught that way, and even if I have been gone for quite a while I know exactly where we are going to fish.  Add a little topwater fishing for stripers, and I intend to slow roll the Peal 5′ Knockin Tail at night on a swimbait hook and see how they like that.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines,