FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

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Spinner Bait – Day 3 this week.

I had been fishing up the plant arm as the water is definitely clearer but as it has started to clear just a little, I made an executive decision and headed up the main arm to one of my can’t miss spring spots.  Now that very same “can’t miss” spot was devoid of fish on Monday.  At daylight it was up to the spot and it made my whole day.

The day before 2 came over the side on spinnerbait so I was hopeful there might be some spinnerbait fish.  Starting with the swim jig on the first pass one jumped on but there were a few shad flipping and it looked like a shad spawn.  This time of year it can be the holy grail of spring bass fishing so always keep an eye out.  If it is happening they are there somewhere.   So turning around to re-fish and it was game on.

Love it when this size stops it!

On the return pass at least 10 jumped on, it was great.  As usual I was running it right below the surface making a big wake with the white willow leaf tandem.  It is and always will be my favorite way to catch bass.  I was lucky enough to be taught almost 50 years ago by some of the best spinnerbait fisherman on the planet.  It is a specialized technique that is really effective from pre-spawn to post spawn.  Nothing like a bass stopping a high speed spinnerbait.  And in the next couple of weeks the potential to catch a really big fish is high so I will throw that dang thing until my arm falls off.

The bite was on first thing.

That bite lasted all of a half hour and was over on that bank.  For the rest of day until I quit at 3:00, it was one or two here or there, split between the spinnerbait and the swim jig.  I learned a lot and am looking forward to tomorrow (Friday) when I get back on the water trying to hit the pre-front bite.  (Ended up spending Friday mounting the new tires and raising the fenders, more on that later.)  I do have some trepidation about the rain to come.  We may need rain but as far as the lake we do not need any more color.  And if I have learned anything the last 3 days fishing here it is.

It was an easy 10 in the first place.

First, not all stuff (Cover) is created equal. So much of it looks good but looks can be deceiving.  For some reason the green grass looks amazing, but it only seems to hold small fish, that will change but it obviously has something to do with the color and the spawn.  The ticket by far, stick ups and buck brush on flat banks.  The old dead stuff is fine.  I think the grass is on the soft bottom and that is not what they are interested in yet.  But look out later it has an awfully “froggie” look to it.  As things settle down the frog fishing may be as good as it has been on the lake in years.

Next, not all color is created equal.  It does not take much but here and there are sections where the color is not as bad, and that is where the fish are.  They made it clear to me they are not interested in the muddy water.  So take that with a grain of salt.  But it you can find the combination, a little clearer with buck brush on a flatter bank there are fish there.  So really looking forward to tomorrow, it had potential to be epic.

*************The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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And this from a reader.

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I can finally say I have the Lund completely rigged the way I want it.  Dual locators, rod holders, storage basket, and the trolling motor and support bracket.  One of the things I appreciate about the boat, among others, is the rail mount that allows you to mount all the accessories you want on the rail and not having to drill any holes to accomplish it.  Over the years I would strive not to drill anymore holes in the fiberglass boats but in the end it was a losing proposition.   Now I can add, move and whatever at my discretion.  The final touch, being able to mount the trolling motor transducer on the transom block without drilling any holes.  The whole rigging process was somewhat of a pain in the butt but it was worth it.

And last was mounting the high speed 13″ radial tires on galvanized rims.  Why galvanized?  Because they use a salt like substance on the roads in Colorado and it should reduce potential rusting.  The mounting was a hassle as I went up in size which required moving the fenders up.  In one respect I got lucky.  It is recommended that they be approximately 4″ above the tire which just happened to line up on top of the frame with the brackets I made so it looks right.  But the way they were mounted it used the bolts that attached the leaf springs to the frame so basically I had the pleasure of taking the trailer apart on both sides.  More hassle than anything, it was the last thing that needed done and it is exactly the way I want it.  Rigging yourself reminds you why it cost to have it done, but I did not do it to save money, in my case it was just actually doing it myself on a new boat.  Mission accomplished.

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Tomorrow I am looking forward to the north wind 15 – 25mph.  So far I have been pleased with the way the boat runs and handles so the hope is it will blow 25.  (Not something you normally hear out of a fisherman’s mouth.) Part of the decision-making process on this size and model was the known ability to handle rough water while keeping with the simplicity goal.  So bring it on as it will be the final “test” and then hardcore fishing will begin.

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It will back on the water tomorrow, then Corpus to get the truck serviced and eat some oysters.  Then Wednesday it will be back on the water.  With less than a couple of months until returning to the mountains I intend to take fall advantage of my last spring fishing in Texas.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff,

Good Luck and Tight Lines