FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

  Inc.

Either playing in it or shoveling it!  A beautiful morning.

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Possum Kingdom Lake has produced the 15th ShareLunker for Texas this spring.  Not sure when or if they ever had another but Texas is still the place to be for big ones.  And anything over 13 is a freak of nature.

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My next morning view out of the bedroom window.  The air here gives clear a new meaning.

Still Looking

I am still on the lookout for something smaller for the lakes out here.  Aluminum, 17 foot or less, a 16 is about right and definitely a V hull.  I am not that concerned with motor size, in fact do not even mind a tiller.  Not like you can, or even legally, run as many are no wake lakes.  It does not have to be upscale, in fact less is more.  No trolling motor or locator is no problem as I can deal with that along with other basics.  As many of the lakes are on gravel roads light is preferable and some lakes I will be fishing you have to pass inspection before you even hit the water so open floor is even ok.  The last and most important is titles or appropriate paperwork to transfer ownership.  Never believe when a sellar tells you that TWPD or the State will just give you a bonded title.  So if you see such an animal drop me a note.  Thanks in advance.

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I am really looking forward to getting back in 2 weeks and doing some serious fishing. Found out yesterday that on returning and hitting the water I have a mission.  The happy hour place I hit on occasion has great owners and I learned yesterday that they have never had redfish, so I gave them the half shell rundown and how good redfish dip is.  I think I can remember how to catch a redfish or two, I have not been gone that long.   Step one buy a bag of the new 4″ Knockin Tail Rogue color and put it on a 1/8th jig head, love the KTL jig head as it keeps your spinner bait running straight.  An easy way to complete a spinnerbait is head to your local store and see if they have the Hildebrandt or some other spinner bait wires with spinner then simple attach and you are in business.

Head to the bay, go to cranking and hold on.  Click on the link above or head to your local tackle store and buy a bag.  It is a redfish killa!  And here is a quick way to learn a little something from Keller Bay.  Keep in mind that was a while ago but it shows you a spinnerbait and how to fish it.  (For you local guys that is the bank on the left as you leave Keller.  A steady producer.)

And speaking of Knockin Tails I am really looking forward to when the fishing starts here is using the 3 1/2″ Knockin Tails.  I have already caught Browns on the 4″ but the slight downsizing should be really affective on the trout.  Whether the river a couple of blocks from here to any of the lakes it will be fun to experiment on the trout.  There is no doubt they will eat them up.

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 The only local channel we get is out of Denver and today they had a report on a Top Golf in the metro area that is wanting to build on/along a creek.  That creek happens to be an area used by wildlife to move around and of course the animal folks are on it.  Here is why I like this.  Back to my premise that all folks should have access or a say in wildlife and the woods.  While I might not agree with their stance if they affect what happens and the wildlife benefit ok.  We might disagree with folks on one issue and not others but in some cases the result is everybody wins in spite of our differences.

This is the way it is supposed to work.  Citizens playing their part is a good thing and we must remember if you have a problem with the “tree huggers”, the snowmobilers or anyone else’s positions is fine, but it is wrong to simply not like them as individuals because of their positions.  Ends all chance of compromise, look how well that is working in DC.  So instead of bitching about their “thing” do something about it that makes the outdoors a better place.  Like it or not all of us who are stakeholders will be out there on top of each other.  It is going to be crowded  and getting worse.  (The ramp at Froggies, the trails in our parks, the tallest mountain along with other examples.)  It will be tense/a zoo if we do not find a way to compromise for the good of all.

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If the weather stays like it has it won’t be long before I am back casting into trees, slipping and busting my butt, and every once in a while sticking one.  I can’t wait.

Well I might be nuts but it looks like I have gone insane.  After thinking about “this” literally since we first discussed moving here it looks like it will actually happen.  Looks like I got me a job -WHAT!   I figured since this area has a real influx of guided fishermen who float the rivers they must need shuttles.  So I stopped in and looks like it is going to happen.  There happens to be a couple of methods to the madness.  First it is not a “real” job, so that work.  No schedule plus it only last 3 months and there is no way it will seriously affect my fishing plans.  Since the Boss will not be out here this summer and I might not be going back and forth so often it will be money for plane tickets.  She can come all she wants.  Plus, somebody has to take care of me!

My Friday hike at 10,000.

But the real reason I started thinking about it months ago was purely an ulterior motive.  Think about it.  How much serious information can be gleaned hanging around the sport with top-of-the-line folks, something I have done off and on my whole adult life.  From Champion and Ranger boats in the early days,  the guides taking me under their wing, Tad’s Fishing Machine Lures, to the blog and working with Michael, the last 50 years has been all about the fishing.  It will be a short cut to real information on fishing here.  From places to fish, current techniques and methods, it will be a crash course cutting the learning curve a ton.  And along the way I will meet some new fishing friends.   Here I am again, another example of my 10 year attention span so it is off to something new.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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This is layers of snow fall.  And it is being added to as we speak.

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Appreciate this nice comment from Jim.

Happy for You Shipmate

Thanks.  Some things in life just work out and this sure did.  I have said it before that Bighorn Sheep have always fascinated me and the last pic was about 5 miles from the house.  The rest of the critters are everywhere though I have lost the elk right now but that won’t last long.  The point of what I am saying is it is pure happiness for me and plus new adventures are the spice of life and I have been lucky enough to have had several.   So I know how lucky I am, and the fishing has not even started!

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Turkeys everywhere.  There is no reason to carry the camera if it is not on dummy.  Will get them next time.

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SEC TOURNAMENT

As I do not have the SEC network out here only some of the games have been on TV, but as usual it has been some good basketball.  The Hogs and A&M ended up playing each other for the third time and it was a mirror image of game 2.  The Hogs rolled out to a first half lead and then imploded.  But you have to give A&M credit for a great defense.  Not sure how far that will take them but good luck in the NCAAs.  But if their game with Vanderbilt is any indication they are peaking at the right time. Not sure the Hogs will be there too, just have to see on Sunday.

After viewing the tape of the incident between an Arkansas staffer and student journalist I only have a couple of comments.

1.  A staffer should never touch or put hands on a student, any student for any reason.
2. That the University in it’s statement said it was inadvertent was complete nonsense.
3. And the reaction of the Arkansas fans reinforces the opinion of others outside the state that Arkansas fans are just a bunch of inbred halfwits is unfortunately correct.  Comments online prove that the reading comprehension level must be around the 3rd grade level.
4. We always hope that our institution is not like those “other” schools, but that is nothing more than a clueless illusion and the university’s response confirms that.  Sad.
5. Last if that was your kid you are a complete hypocritical rear end if you say it would be ok for any staffer to do that to your kid.

And you know there is no way I cannot comment on the Alabama thing.  As a retired criminal defense attorney innocent until proven guilty is sacrosanct but it has absolutely nothing to do with playing basketball.  (It always cracks me up when people cite that protection thinking it is all encompassing.  In reality it really only applies at trial.  As far as prior to trial you can be stuffed and cuffed, incarcedrated and potentially placed under multiple rules.  If that does not feel like you are guilty try it sometime.)  There is no dispute on the basic facts.  One of their players is now charged with Capital Murder when he provided a gun to another that was immediately used in a murder.  The gun was taken to the scene of the murder by player #2 who had it in his car.  #2 is cooperating with police and is not likely to face charges.  Player #2 happens to be one of the best in the country.

As a coach the fact that he is hanging with his bros at 2:00 in the morning and they have a gun in the car is strike 1.  That he would then take it to the player that late at night for any reason is strike 2.  And finally, that it was used in a murder is strike 3 and you are out.  End of story with no appeal.  How can his judgment not be in question?  But Alabama being who they are no harm ( (Are you kidding me!)   no foul, we are in a chase for the championship.  We know the NBA could care less that he was dismissed so it is no big deal for his basketball future.  But if you are hanging with folks like that at 2:00 in the morning when they do something completely insane and you are a participant then you are not playing for me.  Come on man, what could go wrong when someone calls in the middle of the night and says bring me a gun?  Are you that clueless?   Just my 2 cents worth.

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Looks like my timing will be about right.  Back in 2 weeks when the Texas fishing is at its best, then back here a few weeks later for ice out then maybe a trip out west with the Boss later in the month.   And with the Boss being able to join me for much of that is a real bonus.  Finally, her time to really settle in with the fruits of her labor.  The hikes, the wildlife, and the mountains are so much better when shared with my best friend.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Off Topic

When the president of Mexico blamed us for the fentanyl problem and said they do not produce it he was lying like a cartel lacky.  They import tons of precursors from China and produce it by the truck load.  Of course I admit we have a terrible problem and share equally in the blame.  But blaming only us for his drug dealing slime balls is nonsense.  This comes from a country where drug dealers behead folks and hang them off overpasses, where hundreds of girls are murdered (G00gle it.) without consequence and where people live in abject terror.   Portions of the corrupt government protect the cartels and his response is a typical deflection of the guilty.

How about looking at it this way.  I find out my neighbor is a fence of stolen property, so I just have to start stealing stuff and fencing it to my neighbor.  So is it now the neighbor’s fault I am a slime ball because he buys the product I steal?  Try that defense in court.  No one makes another a “real” criminal, you either are or not.  (Representing hundreds of the worst felons I sure learned that lesson.)  Mexico is a country that is basically ruled by drug dealers who just apologized for killing those folks the other day.  What?  Has murder become that mainstreamed that a cartel apologizes and turns over some of their gang?  So apparently his citizens are not responsible for any of their actions.  Paid much?

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