FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Knockin Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors

Backdraft.  DMJ Charters.  The best deal in fishing on the planet. dmjcharters.com

Port.  Never a bad sunset on the Chandeleurs.  Time to head out. 

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

For all your wading needs.

The boys from Coastal Fishing Gear.  And who else would we be fishing with?  A special thanks to Tim for his organization and Jason for running the pools.

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Our chariots.  Saf and stable and plenty of speed to get around.

Paraphrasing something I heard the other day perfectly describes how I felt about the trip.  Don’t get caught up in the years, the months or the days you have left.  Know your life has unlimited moments and treasure them for what they are.  Some folks caught a few, some a few more, and of course a couple of folks did some damage but that was irrelevant.  Every moment is precious, every fish a joy.  Including when I went on a hardhead twitch bait rampage.  As a side note they were not even interested in a corky style bait, other than the twitch bait in about any color, it was some variation of green with a chartreuse paddle tail.  I never did figure out which color to stick with.

A loosely associated group who have become friends.

That works!

Meeting the boys and getting on the boat is always a great moment as we renew our friendship, and everyone is filled with anticipation.  From that point on it does not matter how it goes, it is the simple fact we are there, and we are fishing.  This group keeps it to 10, though the boat can handle 12 but 10 works great.  There is a waiting list for this bunch, there is no problem keeping it filled as at most 1 person may not be able to make it.  I am already trying to figure out how to make it next year.  (We missed you Kyle.  Was hoping to get the low down on the Space X rocket blowing up.  Nothing like having a real rocket scientist on the boat.)

Jason with a good red.  Nice size for redfish on a half shell.

Hooked up.  The boat in the background was attempting to pot lick our spot.  

And speaking of pot licking it is a term that I was unfamiliar with until moving to the Texas coast.  One of our guys told the other who was catching more that he would pot lick his hole.  Which started with dead silence and then plenty of ribbing.  You better be able to take it as well as dish it out.

Looks like they limited out.  Not sure if that “limit” did not end up beating the fish limit over the 3 days.  How many returned to the boat will remain a state secret.

Headed to the boat for some food, drinks and a good time.

While the fishing was slower than we have had on some trips one thing I can say it is always different every trip.  The fish were in transition and our usual places were just not the best.  As usual we managed to figure it out and in the end we had a cooler full.  In fact 4 of the boys put together a 60 fish afternoon and from that point on we caught them.

There were few caught on topwater, though I managed a couple, plastics was by far the bait of choice.  But for some of us the small twitch bait was the ticket.  While it was for me, the spanish managed to eat the couple I brought with me the last day.  Like all trout fishing it still comes down to location, location, location.  The Islands have a well-deserved reputation though it is still fishing and like fish everywhere they don’t “jump” in the boat.  You have to figure it out and once you do it is game on.

Who is this guy?  Oh, it was Jimmy the Newbie.

The Newbie comes in and steals the belt.  Well done!

The belt is coveted by all and is given to the fisherman who boats the best red and trout combo, which can be upgraded daily.  It involves some weight and length calculation to determine the winner.  Trust me the belt has become a real thing on the trip and Jimmie was consistent and earned it fair and square.  It came down to something like a half a point.

There is that little side benefit of the belt.

Keith with the winning “anything pot” measured by inches.

The boat itself is great, good sleeping quarters, a nice salon and rear deck for hanging out and eating, and plenty of bathrooms and showers.  At 100′ it is a pleasure to fish out of.  For me the sound of the diesel generator running at all time makes the sleeping great keeping it nice and cool.

Hanging out on the deck at the end of the day.  Notice the smiles on everyones face?  It says it all.  And thanks James for some of these pictures, most of the good ones.

Speaking of benefit the tax man was taking his toll.

Tim paid the tax.  That was a nice red but it ended up not being a total loss.

The sharks were out and about and there were several confrontations.  The Champ had his stringer bitten off and almost lost his net and maybe his pants in a tug of war.  I had one smash my plastic when I was reeling it in after working the cast and took off like a rocket.  Once I could see the spool it was thumb down to save my line.  Then while I was wading next to Tim he hooked a big fish which turned out be a nice red with a pretty good shark actually eating on it.  They came less than 10 feet from me, and that shark was having at it.  First time I have seen it that close, cool stuff.  So the tax was paid.  But then the tax was taken illegally from me a second time.  I was robbed by the government, the lamentation of the common man.

One of the pots was the closest red to 21″ without going over.  My first red was 18 1/2 inches and it held the lead for the pot until Tim kept his “head”, which measured 20″.  I have lost plenty of tourneys and Derbys, but this was a first.  A good laugh was had over that.  In all seriousness there were shark among us, it comes with the commotion.  One of them was a whopper and would cruise in and out.  To tell you the truth I like it they are there, always provide some entertainment.  Plus, it is their house.

And Speaking of Entertainment

It is a real struggle for all of us to keep it to 3 rods each.  

A new trophy was going to be awarded by the acclimation of the boys.  A potential contender ended up winning the prestigious trophy starting out by losing a rod and reel the first day.  That actually led to the breaking of 5 rods total on this trip.  Of course one was $400, more than my 3 put together.  One even broke below the reel seat on what I call the handle.  I have never seen one break there and I have broken many more than most folks.

But as far as the new trophy the way I would describe it was a cross between the Biggest Single F’ Up vs.  The Overall Biggest Dweb.  It was tough for me, was it the best one-time f’ up ever, or a body of work that only could be described as stupid amazing.  The winner was clear without discussion because he checked both boxes.  The trophy was seriously fancy and well-made with the potential to be a family heirloom.  Suffice to say a picture will not be forthcoming due to the X rating and will probably not be displayed on the mantel over the fire place.

What more would you expect from a Packer fan.  I think that is the number of championships they have won in the last 30 years.  Plus nice fish dude.

Interesting

A weird find.  I think it had something to do with tides and pompano.  And it was on land.  

About to be turned into a fish fry.

These guys did not even make the first evening at home.  Cooked by Keith for a 85 y/o neighbor.

The trip total was around 140. Most were trout and we decided not to keep all the small legals and kept them to at least 14’s.  The majority were in the 17″ to 20″ range and were nice and fat.  While we did not have the numbers of some other trips they were really a nice solid bunch this trip.  We added some reds, spanish, and ever a pompano and a few flounder.  One year Captain Howie told us to quit keeping redfish, this time trout dominated the bag.  When it was all said and done there was plenty of filets for all and thanks to the deckhands for a great job.  I was sure happy it was not me.  My big bag is headed to Colorado to give those folks a taste of those “other” trout.

First night get together before boarding the boat.

As usual the eating was great, prime rib, a big fish fry, and Cajun rounded out our evening eats.  A full breakfast and lunch, including fresh snapper one day.  Suffice to say no one went hungry.  The night we board the boat we always go out to eat and then put our cards in a hat and draw 3 to pay.  After all these trips I finally lost and caught 1/3rd of the bill which really was my pleasure.  Bless the waitress she was a patient woman and the tip reflected it.

Turn out the lights the party is over until next time.

Please excuse this post but I am tired today but life goes on.  Of course I have forgotten plenty, mixed up who did what, and God knows what else.  But you get the drift.  The pics may not be the best, you know I never edit them, but like the words on this page the quality is not the point.  There are other pics out there and will post what else I find.  This trip is in the doing, the results are nothing more than a bonus.

It really is a great trip, I could not recommend Capt. Dennis and the Backdraft any higher.  I had to learn on these adventures to not do anything, they take care of it all and you would just be in the way.  A bucket list trip it just takes some folks willing to really commit as he fills the next year quickly.  The boat costs X for a 3-day trip, so when you split 10 ways with tip it is a real deal.  They have had folks reserve and then only 3 show, but you still pay X for the boat no matter how many show.  Ouch.  One of things about this bunch if they say they are coming they show.

I really am thankful that they have included me and apparently have not worn out my welcome yet.  After many travels with groups big and small these guys are the best.  They party hard but keep their good humor and everyone is respectful to each other.  (Sort of kinda, maybe.)   I am already counting the days until next year.  Unless my health deteriorates as long as I can put on the waders and sling a rod I will make the trip.

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Back to the real world.  Tired today after the drive back, hit a mother of a storm in Wharton which kept it interesting.  Today I am getting my act together and deciding how to pack the fish.  Colorado is coming next week and the serious packing will begin.  I am slowly and surely reducing our life.  Moving in spurts is the way to go, no more massive moves for us.  Amazing what you hold on to so time to not only downsize the house but our life.  Until then it I will be on the lake most days and first thing tomorrow morning.    So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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