FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Sometimes you get up on the right side of the bed and this morning was a perfect example.  When I got to the ramp it was still dark and the conditions were almost perfect.  It is so interesting how real confidence can make a difference when you have a rod in your hand.  The plan was to fish the swim jig and Knockin Tail in the grass, but when it did not feel right I made the right change.

For an hour it was crazy good!  If you like good fish smashing a buzzbait.

Weather

76/93.  More clouds than sun; humid with a 40 55 chance of thunderstorm in spots.  Wind E 8 -17mph.

Lake Level

Tuesday   96.39 msl.   Today   96.41 msl.

Bite Time

Major   5;15 am to 7:15 am.  (Looks like the fish read the forecast.)    Minor   11:59 am to 12:59 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Starting with the swim jig it just did not feel right.  Not only was there nice green grass with water on it, there was bait, and that turned out to be the real ticket.  So I picked up a white Lunker Lure Buzzbait, the best ever made, and went to work.

The solunar tables got it dead on right.

From barely daylight until around 8:00 they were up and biting.  A couple of important observations:  First you had to put it right on the bank and have it moving.  Of the 9 caught that hour 6 or 7 came in the first couple of cranks.  The one big fish that came way off the bank came out of an isolated bush to smoke it at boatside.  I love catching them this way and that, but when a real one smashes a buzzbait it is still my favorite strike.

The best bite of the morning, 5 feet from my rod tip.  Absolutely smoked it.

But most important this morning, grass with bait.  Reminded me of the bay, if there was grass you might get a bite or two, same with an area that has bait.  But today when you combined them and added a steady rise it was one of those set of conditions that happens, and as long as you recognize it you are in business.

And these 2 made a nice tourney 5 fish limit!

I did hit a couple of my better wood places and only caught a couple of smalls, so I ditched that and stayed with the buzzbait.  As the sun came out the baitfish activity steadily decreased, and the bite was over.  After they quit the big bite, I tossed the silver minnow with a pearl Knockin Tail trailer and managed to catch a small and miss a couple.  It was definitely a case where once the sun came out, they called it a morning.

I woke up before the alarm this morning, there was no question it was going to be good.  The great days are often easy to forecast and this was one of them.  Thank goodness it looks like the fish have decided to come up with the raise, which might turn out to be a really good thing later.  Having seen them do the exact opposite at times it gives me hope when combined with the forecast.  They are talking some crazy shit like possibly 4 – 5 inches of rain this weekend.  If we get that the lake will take a big jump, and as long as they come along with it the fall fishing is shaping up to be as good as it has been in a while.

With the bite slow and the grass needing mowing I called it a morning at 10:00.  I did not want to call it to close and not get it mowed before the big rain this weekend. When it is all said and done it was the kind of morning that makes getting up all those other days’ worth it.

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Though the weather might depress the holiday weekend everybody needs to be careful out there.  Before you head to the water time to check your paperwork, life jackets, fire extinguisher, and flare dates if headed to the bay.  Then take a minute and walk around the trailer and check out your lights and tires.  It only takes 5 minutes to do all of that, it might save you a ticket, or even save your life.  Be the bigger guy at the ramp and on the water, assume other folks do not have a clue, which on any holiday weekend is quite possible.  And if you are not at idle put on the kill switch, it is not only the law, but it might also be the most important piece of safety equipment on the boat.  Last, do not drink if you are driving and responsible for everyone in your boat.  Save it for later.   Have a great weekend with family and friends as most of us mark the end of summer.

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I will be close to the house all weekend as I leave it to the rest if the folks.  It is possible, depending on the weather I might be off to Baffin with a friend to lay some tracks and mark some way points.  Fall is coming and with it some better trout fishing.  I am really looking forward to slow rolling the 5″ Knockin Tail in front of some big trout this winter and the Upper Laguana is the place to get it done.  So, time for all of you to break out the guns and go to shooting stuff.  My favorite time of the year weather fresh or salt is on the way, and it cannot get here soon enough.  So keeps stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines