FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I still am amazed at what happened yesterday.  To have a big bass, several of them in fact, literally smash a high speed spinnerbait before your very eyes is what keeps me casting.  When it happens all I can think is did I just see that?  Did that really happen?  All the while having to get the hook in them or it is over.  And as active as they were it was no easy feat to get them to the boat without messing it up, or just having them come off for no reason.  So with those visions dancing in my brain it will be on the water before the sun.  Can’t wait.

Weather

73/84.  A shower in spots in the morning; otherwise, more humid with clouds breaking for some sun with a 59% chance of rain.   Wind   SE 12 – 27 mph.

Lake Level

Today   96.62 msl.    Wednesday   96.67 msl.   (Amazing how often lakes get a drop during the spawn which does not help a lick.  We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Major   12:42 pm  to 2:42 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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The Right Place, Right Time, Right Technique

No big ones today but I have absolutely no complaint as there was plenty of good ones.  The bite is on and I have the technique down pat.  There is no way to guess how many come over the side today but as an example, hit one bank and catch 5, next one 2, then 8, it went on until I quit.  There is a stone cold pattern and they were smoking it.

It went like this all day!

There was lots of folks out today and it had absolutely no effect on what I am doing.  Most of the time I am the only one fishing those shallow banks, it is not every shallow bank, though it seemed like that today.  And that is when the spinnerbait bite is on, when they are on the flatter shallow places where they will react to it way off the bank.  Today the wind was light, it remained cloudy and the water temp was in the high 70’s.  The fish are in all stages of the spawn, from done to just getting there.

They were chasing it down and eating.

I bought a few new spinnerbaits and before the morning was over one finally broke.  I kept it right below the surface, quick but not fast if that makes sense.  Today most smoked it, others barely pulled it under.  And it seemed like if you caught one another was coming next.  Of course, a couple of nice ones made their escape, but no big deal when you are getting bite after bite.  It felt like the “Old Coleto”.

They actually tore up a brand new spinnerbait.

A couple of the better ones came off wood of some sort.  One even came off my magic tree which I normally flip.  Up lake you can just leave the trolling motor in the water and keep on rolling on the shallow side.  Add a stick up or two and you are in business.  I fished up both arms today, definitely trying new stuff, with most of it having at least a fish or two.  In the final analysis it is a combination of the bass spawn happening with the shad spawn combining to create a great bite.  And don’t forget the white birds, they are there for a reason.

You get the point.  I quit because my hands were about to give out.

One thing about what I am doing it is not only hard work but also timing.  Some years it is not this good.  Also, right now there are plenty of options when they get like this.  Probably my 2 next favorite is the pink trick worm or a frog.  Both allow you to get your cast close to cover and the bites are easy to detect in their own way.  I have been so hung up on buzzing the spinnerbait there are several things I want to try, and next week I am going to give my arm and hands a rest.  Though it is work when they are on it there is no cooler way to catch bass.

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The last couple of weeks has given me hope for the lake.  It has had its moments both good and bad after we lost the grass.  Now there are plenty of small fish to go along with some real good ones.  Seems it is a healthy balance, now if the new vegetation takes hold it bodes well for the future.  Monday I hope to head to POC for the day.  It looks like the wind will be ok and folks should head home after the weekend.  Hope you have a good weekend, the lake was busy and the wardens are out.  So now is a great time to be sure your boating stuff and trailer is up to snuff.  Just do a simple walk around it just might save you a buck or two.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines