FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
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It is going to be back on the water in the morning. We shall see how my fall/winter rule works out the next 2 days. Tomorrow it is post cold front and basically sunny, then Friday cloudy with chance of rain. The basic rule: Sunny creek/cloudy lake. Will be off early and really looking forward to seeing how the next 2 days go.
Weather
48/63. Partial sunshine with a 18% chance of rain. Wind NE 10 – 20 mph.
Tides
Low 6:30 am 0.93 feet. Low 4:03 pm 7:48 pm 0.36 feet.
Bite Times
Major 7:14 am to 9:14 am.
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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 ugly this morning, but I put on my big boy pants and took off. When I left the house the wind was blowing a good 15 mph plus straight out of the north, so I altered my plan to head to the river and switched to the creek. Good call. The wind was blowing a steady 15 right down the pike and it never got below that all day. At least the creek has a few bend in it keeping the wind to a dull roar. But the watercolor was flat ugly, I mean obviously there has been some run off and it was looking tough, and the tide was moving right along with the wind. It was cloudy, not sure where the sun in the forecast went, and it stayed cool all day.
Open Wide! Think they like that Coastal Marsh?
I started off on a deep point with the current flowing over it. The color sucked but the fish were there. I had a couple make a half hearted pass at it, so slowed it way down and basically crawled it over the drop and they would just get on. But a good 10 jumped on the Knockin Tail but nothing worth talking about.
The 4″ Chicken on a Chain Knockin Tail did some work today.
Then on the next long bank a funny thing happened, and I actually got a clue. The water was a little bit clearer and the next couple hit it on the first fall right after it hit the water. There were baitfish there doing the occasional flip so out came the Coastal Marsh Soft Dine and they went to eating it. It took a bit but I finally figured out they wanted it jerked right along, in fact fast enough that a couple blew up on it halfway back.
It was a weird bite on the Coastal Marsh Soft Dine.
I wanted to fish the 3.25 Knockin Tail but the wind was so tough that when you cast it would put a huge bow in the line, or blow it sideways away from the bank. And to make matters harder the tide was going out so with the wind it was ripping so the light jig head was not the way to go. So I stuck with the 4″ Knocking Tail on a heavy 1/8th head, there was definitely no color preference.
My slam and a good finish to a tough day. The Mansfield Magic Knockin Tail catches flounder when winter fishing.
As I worked my way back upriver the Mansfield Majic was the bait of choice since it was a dark color to go along with the water. A few more trout jumped on then the flounder above jumped on. It seems like I am getting the hook in them way better than before and have not lost one the last couple of trips.
It was tough today, but I stuck with it, listened to the fish and managed to have a pretty good day. The number of trout we have in the 12 – 15″ class is excellent and we can look forward to a really good year next summer. And since they will get to spawn before TPWD potentially takes off the 17″ length limit the future is bright.
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And they are surprised why?
“The incubation period of CWD can span years, creating disease detection and management challenges as seen in this recent detection,” said Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director and State Veterinarian.
Prior to this detection, the high-fence release site was identified as a “trace herd” property to the Hunt County CWD-positive deer breeding facility reported on March 31, 2021, meaning deer were transferred from the Hunt County facility to this release site prior to discovery of CWD in that facility.
I have brought this up several times. If they cannot get this under control there is going to be a reckoning coming. This is serious business in Texas, both breeding and high fence hunting (Read $$$$$) but if it puts our deer herd at risk all the studies in the world will not stop CWD from spreading. Take their own words on CWD: “The incubation period of CWD can span years.” What they are really saying is the herd could be infected at a higher rate than is known right now! They know where it is coming from so time to take some meaningful action before it is too late.
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Savage 170 Pump
These are pump deer rifles that many gun folks are unaware of. Produced from 1970 to 1981 according to the Blue Book of Gun Values.
A fast handling woods rifle; one of few if any made by any manufacture chambered in 30 30 Win. (Some were also produced in 35 Rem) Sollid streel receiver with impressed checkered Walnut Stock set and easily accessed (upper) tang safety. 22″ barrel with folding rear and factory drilled (with one piece Weaver Base) Tubular mag with 3 round capacity (4 with one in the chamber). One of or perhaps the only alternative to the now difficult to find Rem 760
This is a fast handling woods rifle with 22″ barrel.
I have owned this gun for over 30 years and it killed the only 2 deer I shot at, have not shot it since. It puts them down with the 30 30 Win. It is pre-drilled for a scope though when I bought it had a red dot aimpoint. It is not perfect by any means but is a great brush/hog gun. The reason I am showing it is I have a great high power, Model 700 with a Leopold, that will be used now that we are slowly transitioning to Colorado. Not interested in selling, looking for a trade. Would consider a revolver in a caliber higher than a .22, maybe a quality scoped .22 rifle or another pistol of some sort. Don’t expect perfection, just a good functioning gun. From what I have seen online, do your own research, they sell from $300 to $1000 for perfect. So what do you have to trade?
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Today was some classic winter fishing. Tough, cold but if you keep it in the water they will usually cooperate. Tomorrow I am fishing somewhere, it will probably be first thing in the morning when I go outside and see what is up. But lake or creek, this is my favorite time of year on the coast. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
