FISH CATCHING TRAVEL
Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors
Inc.
Happy Birthday to the Boss. My best friend for 35 years, I could not have gotten any luckier.
Weather
82/68. Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 82F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.
Lake Level
Yesterday 96.43 msl. Today 96.44 msl.
Bite Times
Major 2:41 pm to 4:41 pm. Minor 8:42 am to 9:42 am.
It was just cracking daylight when I dropped the boat in the lake. The water temp made some serious progress and was at least 65 degrees everywhere and then I found some 69, more on that later. The plan was to fish the Controlled Descent Jerk Shand and the silver spoon with a 4″ Ice Knockin Tail, and I stuck with that all day until everything changed.
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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.
For all your wading needs.
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The Boss always wants a catfish so here you go.
They were biting from the moment I started but there was a problem, I could not catch a good one. I hit all the “good” spots and caught them everywhere. Whether the jerk shad, spoon and Knockin Tail or swim jig it was small after small. I was starting to get a little frustrated. Don’t get me wrong they were biting. It seemed impossible that a real one did not jump either of those 2 baits way off the bank, which happens a lot with both those baits. At least the catfish smoked the swim jig. It was a little after noon and I had caught an easy 15 – 20 but just could not buy a big bite. Then I got in a shallow cove with brush and finally decided to change up when I saw the water temp was almost 70. Since the good ones were not cooperating it was time for a change so with the water temp like it was the buzzbait made sense.
This one absolutely jumped all over the buzzbait and the bite was on.
It was not more than 5 casts when the first one jumped it. I was using a 1/8th with a gold blade (Jake) and a hand tied deer hair skirt. It is easy to tie when the skirt needs replacing and last way longer than a regular skirt. They wanted it at a moderate retrieve, and after my morning they were definitely not in the mood for a big chase. But there was a couple of mandatories to make it work.
It was good for a couple of hours.
The bank had to be fairly shallow with isolated bushes, and several of the 10 or so hit way off the bank, (Where I kept expecting them to eat the other baits.) then a couple with the bait running right in a thick bit of cover. Coves were the best and it is always a good omen when there are gators sunning, and the big one I saw today was a dinosaur. Plus 2 little ones came out looking for the buzzbait so it was definitely warm. The thing it could NOT be was windy.
Just to check them out I did fish a couple of banks where I catch giants at daylight, but the wind was on them. They were not having it. But a flat shallow bank in a cove with cover and out of the wind would get me bit. This usually starts in March, but this heatwave has got them moving. Of course, they are about to go nuts hitting the bank to spawn and I am headed out of town. It is about to take off and there are lots of ways to catch them, one bait I would throw right now is a pink trick worm. With them about to go on the beds but not wanting to chase the worm can be deadly. Just twitch it along and then let it fall where you can just see it, dropping it by any cover. And a good topwater or minnow bait will also catch them right now. But no matter what you like to fish have at it, the bite is on.
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TPWD is seeking input on the freshwater fishing regulations for 2023 – 2024. There are plenty of proposed changes so here is your chance. Whether they pertain to you or your specific fishing take a look, you just might have an opinion. And if folks do not participate TPWD will do what it wants, which does not automatically make it right or the best thing to do. When given the opportunity and we do not participate we have no complaint.
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Since I am headed back to Colorado in a couple of days not sure if I will fish any tomorrow. Have some packing and organizing to do along with the lawn and all that other stuff so it will be ok until I get back. The Boss is going to join me for a week then back for some April fishing, But who knows might get after my jobs in the morning and then give it one last go, depending on the wind. So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
