FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The weather was going to be nice, and it was.  I was really wanting to fish POC today before the hordes descend for the holiday weekend, so I  was up and gone early.  When I got to the ramp it was still dark, and there was 4 or 5 guides putting in plus the usual crowd.  It is going to be a busy weekend and going today was the right choice.

Weather

72/91.  Increasing cloudiness; breezy this afternoon with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind E  12 – 22mph.

Tides

Low 7:58 am   0.83 ft.      High   12:07 pm   1.06 ft.       Low    8:06 pm    0.05 ft.

Bite Times

Major     10:34 am to 12:34 pm.  

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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It was a smooth ride all the way to a couple of drains by South Pass.  The sun was just coming up so on went the Wade Right and in the water I went.  The plan was to fish the bone Spook Jr. and the 5″ pearl Knockin Tail.  It was simply an attempt to catch a big trout.  Well I did catch a couple of nice ones, but could not for the life of me get a bite on either the 5″ or the Spook.  The only “action” was a big redfish pushing water behind the 5″ but he did not commit.  The first place was a bust so back to the boat and a short idle to the next drain, and they were there.

A solid 20″+ on the Honeydew Knockin Tail.  CPR and back in she went.  Not sure what it is about the Honeydew but they sure like that color.

So on wade number 2 downsized to the 3.25 Purple lime on 10lb test and 4″ Purple Demon Limetreuse on 12lb test, both rigged on 1/8 ounce KTL heads.  It finally soaked in, the bait was small, barely much over an inch so time to give them the right size bait.  That is what makes the Knockin Tail so effective, 3.25″, 4″, and 5″ covers most of the bases and got it done today.  And a quick word on the KTL jig head.  It is a screw lock and a real swim bait style head and once screwed on the Knockin Tails last an amazingly amount of fish.  The only one I lost today was on a ladyfish.

The water was not really moving but drain #2 had fish in it.  So not sure if it was the drain or just changing baits, but whatever 8 or so jumped on and I kept 2 for supper.  When the bite was on they were thumping it.  They were right in the middle of the drain with scattered shell in about 2″ of water and most smacked it.

A couple of 18″s who made the grade and in the cooler they went.

Nice thing about trout this size is the Boss and I only need 2 but I do have a comment on the new limit.  When I cleaned them one had eggs, the other was spawned out.  Not sure why they set that size limit but I would be a lot more comfortable if I could have kept a couple of smaller ones and let these 2 go, like I did the 20″.  But we can only assume, and hope, TPWD made the size decision based on science.

I hung around there until about 10:00 and the bite went away.  Now that was fine as the plan was to be in Big Bayou at 10:30 to end the day fishing the prime period on my favorite place.  The water color in there sucked, and for the next couple of hours before I quit only 2 trout jumped on, the 20″ and a small.  I gave my favorite redfish bank a go but struck out.  It was so off color in there that as I fished down that bank all of a sudden 10 tails popped up less than 3 feet in front of the boat, I never saw that coming as I drifted right in them.  When I reeled a KTL past them one went to eat and almost ran into the trolling motor.  Not as good as catching them but it was cool.

When I say the better ones eat the Honeydew Knockin Tail I am not kidding.  And several were this size and hopefully the limit will let lots of these guys make it, and not to the grease, this summer.

Even though it was slow once I left South Pass, it was good to be back on the water.  The clearer water was by far better than the off color stuff, but of course that is where the better one was.  But not having to fight the wind going and coming sure was nice.  And one thing I have always liked about wading is when you find some, and get the color and cast down, it is one of the more intimate way to fish.  It is you vs. them in close combat.  So the morning was a big success and gives me hope.   There will be a lot more salt coming, it is fun.

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E15 Gasoline.

Due to the current gas rip off the government has approved E15 gas to be sold at the pump.  Besides being illegal for boating use, it will damage your engine.  So if you are filling up be sure to look at the pump so you do not buy some by mistake.  According to what I read it might be labeled as “regular 88” or “regular unleaded”.  So stick with no ethanol if you can get it or the old E10.

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The White River in northwest Arkansas has historically given up some big trout and it has done so again.  A fisherman from Colorado landed a 25lb+ brown trout on the river, a true bucket list fish.  It was caught in awful weather, snowing and cold, which is no surprise.  In spite of the pressure it is still one of the greatest trout fisheries in this country.

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Some boater in Florida hit a concrete pole and all 7 on board were ejected from the boat with one killed and the rest hurt.  The boat then continued to circle until someone jumped on it and stopped it.  Obviously the operator was an idiot and a fool.  Sorry but no slack. Since the feds mandated kill switch’s to be worn he was not in compliance.  Over the last 50 years I have seen plenty of folks who have no business boating and he is one of them.  Having the money to buy a big fast boat has squat to do with having any business owning it.

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When I took out at about 1:30 the ramp at Froggie’s was headed to holiday weekend nuts.  For the life of me I cannot understand why folks do not get ready then back in and pull out.  But folks just have the uncontrollable urge to get their stuff in order on the ramp, even when it is busy.  Then on the way home there was a parade of boats on the way.  So summer is here and for God’s sake be careful this weekend.  Before you hit the water check trailer lights, paperwork, fire extinguisher, make sure hubs are greased and list goes on and on.  Be the bigger guy and never expect that someone will do the right thing, or even have a clue what that is.  And do not drink and drive the boat or truck, we professional call holidays amateur hour, law enforcement will be out in force.  So stay safe and have a great weekend.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines