Fish Catching Travel

Fish Catching Travel

I am tired, my belly is full of a Cowboy burger from the Bag, but I am determined to get his posted now before I forget something or fall asleep.  Of course at my age it sure is possible.  The Shoedog and I had one of those 24 hour periods where we packed as much as possible into one day.  Coleto, Teal hunting, and POC were on the agenda, and from 4 pm to 4pm we had at it.  Nothing like fall.

The Shoedog made it to the house around 2 Wednesday, we off loaded his stuff, and off to Coleto we went.  The wind was fairly calm as we headed up lake.  It took several places before we got a bite and we threw a variety of baits before I lost a good one on a buzzbait.  Shoedog had been throwing a swim jig and caught a couple of small ones, and when he went to tossing the buzzbait I switched to the Strike King Swim Jig with a Rage Craw.  I caught a little one then I got a good bite swimming it next to a stump.

Love that Swimming Jig.

As we worked up lake we had a hit here or there, and finally got a little bit of a pattern.  The water has stabilized a little and the floating grass is really on the decline.  Consequently a lot of the mats that had fish close are not nearly as productive.  Finally my little pea brain started working and we started catching a few.

The pattern is real simple – Anywhere the deeper channel swings away from the bank and the water is 6 – 8 foot deep, with grass coming off the bottom.  That grass is green, and the fish are there.  Watching the locator has really proven to be invaluable.  The grass is really declining, so find the green grass on those swings and find the nicer fish.

This was one great bite.  Absolutely smoked it.

It wasn’t fast and furious by any means, but part of it was luck.  We both caught a good fish, we both lost a good fish, but the real issue was some of those nicer fish blew up on that buzzbait and just did not hook up.  We probably only boated 7 or 8, but not a bad evening trip.  The fishing is really improving and it will only get better.  Both the swim jig and the buzzbait will catch them, along with plastics, so if you get a chance in the next few weeks give Coleto a go.

A great day to be alive.

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The Great Teal Hunt

We are up at 4 and left at 5 to meet my buddy Chris to head to his lease.  Chris was kind enough to ask and we were raring to go.  He has all the cool duck hunting stuff so we set up in the cattail and waited for daylight.  It was overcast with lightning on the horizon as it cracked daylight.  The shooting started around the area we were hunting, but it was an hour before the first Teal showed in our spread.  Now not having hunted Teal it was just like Chris said, in your face hunting.

The decoys were closer than the spread we use on the bay, and when the first bunch of Teal came bombing in they were not stopping.  We hopped up and the lead flew.  And to my amazement I actually killed one.  Kind of tough when you are a right eye guy and you have a big old cataract.  (I need to get that fixed, what next, a walker?)  But by the same token when they come in at eye level about 20 foot from the blind someone is going to die.  Jeff and Chris both shot twice and missed and off they flew.  I guess it was just my turn.

A little while later 5 or 6 came in from God knows where and somehow we did not get a shot.  And to finish off the morning a single dropped in and Chris promptly smoked him.  We finally called it quits at 10 with only 2 in the bag.  One thing about fishing and hunting, you never know.  Chris has hunted quite a bit since the season opened and limits have been the rule.  But today they just didn’t show.  It was one of those morning with lots of real early shooting in the distance, then it just stopped.

But who cares.  It was a cool morning, the anticipation, the dog retrieving, it was the whole hunting package.  Of course that will not be the last of the duck hunting this year.  Real duck season is coming this fall and we will surely go again. In a fit of good planning we had towed the boat to the hunt so it was a matter of a little clothing change and off to POC.

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POC

 The wind was supposed to be 10 – 15 out of the east, and they were half right.  As we left the dock it was blowing straight out of the east but a steady 15 – 20, which gives it a pretty good head of steam as it blows down the bay.  It was about 11 when we dropped the trolling motor down and went to slinging the Strike King Redfish Magic.  Now I know I might rant about the Redfish Magic, but it not only works, it is the perfect bait for those windy days, especially when the tide is high and in the grass.  The tides are high during this moon phase, and the east wind helps it along pushing more water in the bay.  And while the wind is a hassle, it actually helps the redfishing.  We just look for longer grass banks where the tide has flooded the grass.

27″+.  Where is this one when tournament fishing?

We started fishing the grass banks in Big Bayou and it was not 5 minutes before the Shoedog caught this one.  It fought like the devil and was a harbinger of things to come.  Between 11 and 2 we put 5 nice keeper reds in the boat.  The wind was a hassle, and running the trolling motor was tough, but as long was you kept rolling that Redfish Magic right off the bottom sooner or later one would smack it.  Before I got my first one I spotted a small mud ball, tossed the spinnerbait past it, and slowed rolled it right over the mud , and in the boat came a 18″ keeper flounder.  If you see a mud poof as I call them, toss at it and drag your bait right threw it, it is like taking candy from a baby.

I finally got in the act with a good keeper.

So we just kept tossing the spinnerbait as we flew down the banks.  It was not easy fishing, but the reds were nice.  The fall bite is on at the Gulf and the reds are fat and sassy.  We also managed to catch a Spanish, several small trout and one rat red.  Our final keeper total for the day was 5 nice reds, 1 flounder, and 2 Teal.

These are headed back to College Station.  Probably feed some poor hungry homeless Aggie living in a trailer.

When we were cleaning fish a couple of guys came in with a limit of trout.  And of course I forgot it was 5 each, so it did not look like a limit to me.   But I love the new limit, sure will make it easier to tell everyone you limited out.  They were out early wading and throwing topwater and they told us they caught them all day.  We didn’t trout fish but they are obviously biting.  The last 2 trips we have caught a flounder or 2 on spinnerbait and I really wanted to try out the Flounder Pounder baits on them but it was just to windy.  But the redfish are definitely on the fall prowl.  And on a really windy day the Redfish Magic saved the day for us.  I love that bait, it flat catches reds.

So there you have it, A Good 24 Hours.  To live somewhere you can catch some bass, shoot some ducks, and whack some reds, is a blessing.  I am thankful for everyday I get to spend on the water and today was a good one.  And a good thing about fishing with the Shoedog he ain’t no quitter and as long as I am throwing he is right there with me.

Surely I have forgotten a thing or two, but when you are as tired as I am right now it is tough to remember your name.  So what to do about that?  Get up at 5 and head back to POC and do it all over again.  We hope to do some wading and topwater, and then when the wind gets to blowing it will be redfish.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff,

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

Finally home after our Padre trip.  Of course the last morning the wind kicked up to 25 mph blowing right on the beach, so my hoped for last beach go was not to be.  It was to bad, considering I caught a snook and lost a couple more the morning before.

So we headed out with her sister and brother-in-law up the coast to show them Port A on the way home, and as I should have known, the girls wanted to spend the night.  So we showed them the sights, and of course ate another fancy meal out.  At this point I was ready to get home so I could return to my regular diet of bologna sandwiches.  Funny how you can get tired of eating out.

So I am finally home and let the fishing begin.  The Shoedog is making an appearance after not making it down here since May and we are about to embark on some hard core fishing.  He will be here this afternoon and it will be Coleto until dark.  Following that will be at least 2 straight days on the Gulf.  I hope we can make one day a cast and blast, but no matter what it will be good to get back to the way the Shoedog and I roll, fishing from dawn to dusk.  And with our weather finally shaping up, it looks great.  So thought I would share a couple of things while I wait to head out fishing later.

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Those of you who read my stuff know I had my concerns with the TPWD using fry from the Share-A-Lunker program to stock a private lake.  The salient point is this place has another trophy lake and they charge in the $2000 range to fish for 2 days.  According to what I have read the landowner agreed that there would be no fishing on the stocked lake by anyone for a period of 15 years.  The state was giving us the rationale that it would potentially result in really big bass in private waters.

Now I know how it works, and I am even less happy with what I have learned.  I picked up a copy of the Texas Outdoors Journal , September, 2012, a magazine I like very much.  There was an article, Jurassic Bass by Matt Williams and it makes me mad.  Basically a TPWD employee says that huge bass in private waters will take some pressure off public waters.  That is ludicrous for the average Texan.  Private waters are becoming increasingly harder to access unless you know someone.  (Read – You have money and they have money.)  I find that rationale means that TPWD is out of touch with the majority of folks who buy fishing licenses, which is basically all of us who fish and would never shell out $2000 to bass fish a couple of days.

But the thing that really makes me crazy is the contract that TPWD signed with the landowner.  Yep, no one can fish the lake for 15 years and TPWD can study the fish, which almost makes this deal palatable.   But guess what, there is a clause written into the contract that lets either party basically opt out for what I would argue is any or no reason.  Then TPWD has 180 days to remove the fish.

As an attorney my opinion of that clause means the following no matter how you sugar coat this deal:  This contract is worth approximately the cost of the paper.  Are you kidding me!  And that TPWD can then go get the fish – who are you kidding?  And I do not fault the landowner, as my friend Denny says:  I am not mad at em, I just want to get me some.  You can put a wig on a pig, but you still have a pig.  This whole thing stinks, but as with many Game and Fish Departments in this country, and no one can say they don’t care about the wildlife, those with influence and money get stuff we don’t.  So go buy a copy of the September issue, Matt William’s article is well worth the reading

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 I got a note from Rick, and I just wanted to say well said brother.  Thanks for reading my stuff.

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My waders had a really slow leak in the right boot.  So using Aaron’s suggestion we filled it up with water and then he squeezed the snot out of them.  We could not see any water coming out until I noticed a drop coming out of the bottom of the boot.  These are the heavy duty boot footed waders for duck hunting.  How in the world the sole got holes I will never know.  Some of that shell must be sharper than heck.  So the next couple of days will determine whether my patch holds up.  Better than another couple of hundred for new waders.

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And one last rant to finish this Random Ramblings.  I can not understand why tackle stores are closed in fishing destinations on Sunday, unless it is for religious reasons.  Having owned a tackle store I appreciate how tough it is.  But folks fish on the weekend, and when you are located on the water I just don’t get it.  Now I know this is off-season on South Padre but it sure looked like folks were fishing to me.  So instead of a plug for their store you get my rant.

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I have about talked myself out here, at least you know we are still alive and fishing.  So off to get all the tackle in order, coolers rinsed, gear organized, all those little things that add up to a lot to take care of just to fish a couple of days.  So keep stopping in, the Shoedog and I are about to do something spectacular, we will just have to see what that is.  Thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

PS:  I did want to say a little something to Evan one of my regular readers.  I think you have gone insane.  The only “Gigging” gonna be done on Saturday is when a Razorback tusk gigs the rear end of a bunch of Aggies.  So obviously a little of that kind of trash talking is allowed.  But all BS aside, it has the potential to be one heck of a game.  Talk about a difference in philosophy.  GO HOGS!

Fish Catching Travel

Love that fun in the sun.  We are down here with my wife’s sister, her husband, and their son.  They are from Iowa, and Sean the son, who is a physical therapist, has just taken a job in Harlingen Tx.  So we all met for 3 days on South Padre.  Of course I managed to weasel in a couple of fishing things while we are here.

An ad on Graigslist concerning a fly fishing lesson on the island for $50 for an hour peaked my interest, so I decided to give it a go.  I have had the rod for a year, and while I have thrown it in the backyard, I have not gotten to the point were I felt proficient enough to really give it a serious fishing go, so it was time to change that.

Matt McLeod picked me up at the condo and off we went to an access point on the island with plenty of room to flail away.  Matt relocated from the South Florida area to South Texas in the last year.  He has an extensive history of fly fishing and guiding in the Keys and has fished Belize, Bahamas, Abaco, just to mention a few.  Of course that includes lots of tarpon, bonefish, trout, reds, snook, and a host of others.  So of course we hit it off immediately.  And to add to that he has extensive experience fishing bass tournaments so it was old home week.

As I am beginner he started at the beginning, attaching fly line to the leader, and we went from there.  One thing I have learned over the years is if you hire a guide, listen to him.  In other words, shut your mouth, listen and learn.  You are there to soak up as much information as you can, good use of your time is listening and doing what you are told.  I always wondered why the occasional guide customer would tell me how to go about my business.  If you are that guy just do it yourself and save the money.

Over the next hour he coached me on my casting technique and form, and it really started to help.  He also included different techniques like attaching the fly to the line depending on whether you wanted the fly to float down or drop, an example of those little things you would never know without someone telling you.  There was other stuff to numerous to mention, but it was a ton of information.  Before I knew it the hour was over.

Matt is not what you might expect of a fly fishing instructor. (You know the funny hat, the vest, and the high dollar Sage rod.)  He is self-taught with years of experience in all conditions, and like me, a hard-core fisherman.  What made his instruction so good is he specifically dealt with fishing in our wind, a condition that we experience here on a regular basis.  This was no little rod, small stream small trout instruction, it was balls to the wall South Texas flats fishing.  Additionally he does guided walk in fly fishing along the island.  I did not have the time to go a day with him, but it is on the list.

For me the whole experience was worth the $50.  He immediately identified my faults, which were many, and my form and distance improved right away.  Now I can not wait to get back, practice, and then do some serious fishing with the buggy whip.  I was surprised to learn how many nice big trout he boats.  In fact, he was fishing the morning before he picked me up and they had spent the morning catching black drum from a giant school.  Sounds like fun to me.

So if you are a beginner like me, he is the guy for you.  And fishing with him on a walk in trip on the island would provide you a primer on fishing the island without a boat, perfect for those family trips.  So if it sounds good to you give him a call.

Matt McLeod  –  $50 for an hour of instructions, $120 for a 4 hour trip, $200 for an 8 hour trip.  (A good deal considering the current costs of some guided trips.)  He can also provide spinning equipment if you are so inclined for a small additional cost.  And if you have a kid with you who is 12 or under he can fish with you for free.  956/330-8837.

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I got up first thing this morning and headed to the beach, taking some plastics to see what I could catch.  The tide was coming in, and while it was rough, it was manageable.  Tossing a dark paddle tail on a 1/4 ounce jig head got me 4 hook ups, and with my superior skill I managed to land one.  Normally one fish does not a morning make, but in this case it did – I caught a snook about 3 pounds.  I have caught lots in Florida, but this was the first Texas snook I have landed, so it was a welcome surprise.  It also answered the question of what those couple of fish were that jumped and tossed the bait, I thought they looked kinda funny for a trout.

Then I hooked something big, I suspect a large redfish, and after a protracted fight he managed to pull off.  A while later a very large fin came cruising by, and since my shark identification leaves something to be desired I don’t know the species, but it was a pretty big shark.  And then the bane of all beach fisherman, the grass, started coming in waves, and my short morning trip was over.  So in the morning it will be out a little earlier, and if my luck holds I can toss the topwater some.  Nothing like the way a snook blasts a topwater.

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Speaking of shore based fishing I read a note in Lone Star Outdoor News, (thanks to them) my favorite rag/mag, about a book for shore bound anglers.  Pier, Bank, and Wade Fishing, Sportfisher Map & Guide covers the upper coast and it looks like it would be invaluable to folks without a boat.    So I went to their website and it is currently sold out, not surprising considering the subject.   So here is link to their site, sounds like a great book to own.  http://sportsfisherguide.com/

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My friend Chris and his lovely wife are continuing to make mince meat out of those ducks.  Looks like I missed out on a great hunt.  So here it is for all you duck nuts.  (That would be you Evan).

Nothing like a hot chick with a gun.

Link’s first season, I think he has it figured out.

So proud.

Chris has a duck lease with rice fields next door, so he reports they have a bunch teal and are seeing tons of whistlers, though not many other types of ducks yet.  But over the next month that will really change with the weather.  Thanks for the report Chris, if that does not get a duck hunters heart to pumping I don’t know what would.

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Last, most of my family back in Fayetteville AR went to the Arkansas – University of Northern Illinois football game.  My wife and I are both UA alumni, my brother works there, and my mom is a UNI alumni, so it was family affair at the game.  One of the things we really miss is the games, we love our Razorbacks and spent many a beautiful fall afternoon screaming our brains out.  So here is hoping you all had a great time watching the Hogs spank UNI, wish we were there with you.

Love me some Hogs football!

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So that is it for today.  The big question left unanswered is where in the heck are we going to eat next?  The Iowans are getting there fill of seafood, so maybe tonight it will be some Tex-Mex.  Who knows, might even hit the beach later this evening, and definitely in the morning.  And thanks to the other folks who have commented lately, I like it when folks are paying attention.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

I published this comment yesterday:

“jeeesh, why dont you change your name to bassfishlaw or coletolaw. I know, I know, I dont have to read it. HMMMMMMM.”

I really did want to know what you folks thought of that, so without further ado here are some of the responses to it:  (All the names have been deleted to protect the innocent, the confused, and of course my mom.)

“It is what it is; you don’t have unlimited funds with big sponsors and a paid staff ; your a good writer and I look forward to hearing from you know matter if your fishing or venting or just informing!”

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“Doug–There are enough jerks in the world and now we can add  one more.  Your fishing info is very beneficial along with your random thoughts.   Many of my friends do not even fish but read your works for a great entertainment package.

I know quite a few elderly fishermen that can not venture out any longer, and look foreword to your adventures.  They are so use to the news of you , friends, family,, and fish.   Keep your information coming!!!!!!!!!!

In other news  ” You are about to embark on the best type of fishing in the world.” If I only had one more day to live, I would ask that I be on a back lake, on a calm morning casting to redfish.    The thrill of seeing their gills expand and actually suck the fly in from a foot or more. If you ever stopped writing,  so many of us would very disappointed, but being a lawyer, you will only write more when someone ruffles up your feathers.

Sleep well my friend”

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“I really enjoy reading your blog.  You will never please everyone in this world. Keep up the good work(fishing)!!!!”

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 “chuckling”, in a sense I agree with him. But, BUT, you are the one that get’s to go fishing and you are more than welcome to fish wherever you want. I personally fish nothing but salt water and would prefer to see more(only) reports from there. That being said, I still read some of the Coleto reports. As to how to respond to that post, there’s really no need to do so, unless you just feel the need. Bottom line, keep on keepin’ on.”

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“Although it is hard to not reply with what first comes to mind, I try to always take a few minutes to remind myself that I am better than that and I need to be an example to others. My thoughts on the remark…you have always been up front on the way you write your reports, meaning that your intentions are to help others catch fish and enjoy the sport you love so much. You only post your reports and are courteous enough to honor others if they tell you where they are catching fish but do not want their posts revealed. This person must find your posts beneficial for himself also…why else would he read your posts?!? Keep doing what you do brother!”

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“I think he’s missed the whole point!! The body of water is not relevant. We are supposed to take the info you give and apply it to whatever lake we’re on.  It’s about types of bait/lures, weather conditions, structures or lack of,  and how those affect the fishing.
I don’t bass fish but I have a true appreciation for any type of fishing.  Although my husband says I’ll fish a mud puddle.  LOL. I look forward to every post no matter where or what kind of fishing.
I name him ” Jealous Jack@@@”
It’s about us following your fishing journey and getting to tag along.
Keep doing what you want – when you want – how you want – where you want, because its your blog not ours!!”

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” Dude, it’s your blog,  you can write about whatever you want. I personally baas fish and fish the coast 4-5 times a year, so all of the content is interesting to me. Thanks for being so dedicated and informative. Fish on!”

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First off let me say this, I was surprised at the number of responses to that comment, and I am so humbled that you all get it.  As the blog has evolved into fishing reports, methods, places, and my ramblings, I know I can not please everyone.  So we have heard from you, now it is my turn.

So here is my response:

Sorry there is not enough saltwater fishing for you, but that is not the point.  It is all about the fishing, about sharing information, and putting my thoughts down on paper.  The folks I fish with just like to fish, most of us would fish a puddle for carp if we had to.  Crappie, bass, catfish, tarpon, bonefish, permit, sharks, redfish, bluegills, I love them all.  So it boils down to I try to fish for what is biting.  But of course there are more practical  concerns.

First is money.  Retired, working, whatever, it cost big bucks to fish 150 days a year.  Just a trip to the Gulf from Victoria is 120 mile round trip, plus boat gas, ice, munchies, water, tackle, dancing girls, and all the rest.  And that does not include boat and truck maintenance, rods, reels, and on and on.  Oh yea, and the actual cost of keeping the blog going. This page does not appear like magic folks, it ain’t cheap.  The whole cost of this is born by Team Nancy.

The weather plays a large factor in destination choice, as the last few weeks here have shown.  We have had storms coming off the Gulf all day for weeks, which is not a hassle if you are actually on the coast.  But if you make that one way 60 mile trip and the storms hit the cost remains the same.  At times it is just not worth the risk and Coleto is a quick cheaper option.  Trust me, if the coast was 15 miles away, and Coleto was 60, it would work the opposite way.

I have been fortunate enough to receive some sponsorship in the form of tackle from Strike King, and it looks that relationship will be renewed shortly.  It is my pleasure to be associated with them no matter how small my role.  I used their stuff long before they knew me, and will be using it long after this blog is gone.  And guess what?  Their primary focus is on bass fishing.  Of course they carry a wide range of products for multi-species, but they are known far and wide for their  bass fishing lures.  So it should be obvious I might write about their products, and consequently bass fishing.  Plus I was a freshwater guide for around 20 years in Arkansas.  I just love me some bass fishing.

And last but not  least I do not want anyone to be tortured by reading my stuff.  I do this for me, and I do it for you.  Maybe your needs are not being met by reading my blog, and if that is so you have a choice.  So please do what is best for you.  The thought of someone suffering as they read my stuff is not something I enjoy thinking about.

So with all that said, that will be the last time this subject is addressed on this blog.  Just like the complaints from folks when I have written about “their” spots, this discussion is over.  This blog is a celebration of our love of the sport of fishing.  It is about sharing ideas.  Those of you who have been with me from the beginning get it, and I can not thank you enough for your support.  So keep stopping in if you want and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

Occasionally I get a comment or two on what I choose to write about, or in this case where I choose to fish.  I got this one today and I am not sure how I should feel about it.  I have heard from this person before, and it was that I write, or fish, to much on Coleto.

“jeeesh, why dont you change your name to bassfishlaw or coletolaw. I know, I know, I dont have to read it. HMMMMMMM.”  (Name deleted).

So before I respond, what do you guys make of this?  And how should I respond?  Of course I have a response (which I will post after I hear from those of you who have a comment), but I wanted your input.  So today is the day.  If you have a comment on anything I put on the blog let me know.  I strive to make it a good read, and unless I hear from you (like the reader above) I can only assume that the 102,000 visitors already this year are happy with the content.  But that is an assumption based on our growth.  So let me know, I love hearing from you guys.

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Tomorrow is my fly fishing lesson and I am really looking forward to it.  I have owned the fly rod for a year now and have only thrown it in the back yard, so some real instruction is definitely needed.  And then the big redfish hunt is on.  So Jeremy I will be taking you up on that offer for a little poling for redfish.  Who knows I just might learn enough to be dangerous.

So there you have it for today.  I really want to hear from you concerning the above comment so lets hear it, the only way I learn is your feedback.   Hopefully the wind and rain will be light tomorrow, looking forward to wading the surf in the morning.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

We are still experiencing on and off again showers rolling in from the Gulf.  And though we have not gotten a lot of rain, we have had a few showers which we really need.  But with most of them hitting the coast a little more frequently I decided to stay at Coleto for one more trip.  Of course catching that big girl the other day might have had something to do with it.

Aaron was back in town so first thing this morning we were up lake fishing plastics and buzzbait.  I caught an ok one right off the bat on a senko bait, Aaron put a couple of small ones in the boat on a creature style plastic, and then it was off to a grass flat to try the buzzbait.  Unfortunately the conditions were not as conducive to fishing as it was Monday, but we still managed to put a few in the boat on buzzbait before they went cold.

Aaron with the good one for the morning.

The fish really were scattered today and we never found any particular spot that was better than any other.  Of course points are still the most consistent place right now.  One thing I did mean to tell you the other day is when I said I was noticing that some of the clearer banks were a little better, or grass beds with water behind them, there is a reason for that – the bluegills are on the beds big time.  They are spawning on those types of banks and when you find them there are beds everywhere, which explains why there have been some good fish there.  So put your thinking cap on, there is a way to get those fish to bite near those big bream beds, and if you have any suggestions let me know.

Unfortunately this morning it cleared off and got slick, the worst set of conditions for bass fishing right now.  When it is like that the fish really slack off as the morning wears on, and today was no different.  As we worked our way down lake, catching one here and there, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out it was slowing rapidly.  We did fish a couple of deep tree lines with jigs without success, and we still have not been able to establish that as a pattern.  By 10 it had slowed to a crawl and by 12 we called it a morning.  For the morning it was around 10 – 12 or so on both plastics and buzzbait.

There was one thing that was interesting, the water temp up lake was in the 86 degree range, 94 midlake, and a little bit cooler at the dam.  So while I am feeling fall like, the fish still have a ways to go.  And to further confuse matters the lake is still on the fall.  So for the bass fishing to really get going we need rain, which we are getting, and cooler nights, which are on the way.  They are out there to be caught, you just have to work at it.

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It was good to hear from one of my loyal readers, fishfearlarry.  (A great screen name don’t you think.)  In fact Larry, I was thinking about you the other day when Aaron caught that big red in Keller.  It looks like what Larry found was similar to what Aaron and I found out of POC the other day.  Fall is coming and the redfish are starting to gang up and they can be found in our back lakes and ponds as they get ready for the fall run.

“Hey Redfishlaw! I know you are being drawn on those green fish right now with the bite being so good on the lake, but you need to get in on some of the redfish action that is taking place. I made a couple of trips this weekend with my kayak out of Charlie’s and they are in there. Sunday evening the bite was not as aggressive, but still strung two and a nice flounder. Had many follow up to the boat and then turn away. I guess I should have tried the redfish magic, but stuck with plastic and weedless spoon. Had several throw back reds and a few throw back trout also. I enjoy your blog and appreciate your effort and time to keeping it current like you do!”

Good to hear from you Larry and thanks for the report.  Folks the redfish bite is on and there is no time like the present to catch a bunch.

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As most of you know I will be down at South Padre, doing a little surf fishing and taking a fly fishing lesson.  We will have some company following that so there is lots to do to get ready.  As part of that Thursday was set aside to do all those things, which ended up costing me a Teal trip.  There is some drawbacks to this house-mother thing.

I had not heard from Chris, who is a die hard duck hunter, but I got this yesterday on my phone.  Looks like he is sacking them up, and as I take care of chores today I am probably missing some good hunting with this weather like it is.

Nothing like the early Teal season to hardcore duck hunters.

The only redeeming quality of missing a hunt today is I have enough trouble hitting big ducks, and those Teal are like big quail.  Little rockets.  So send us more pics Chris, drive us all crazy.

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Our weather looks great with clouds and rain the next week or so.  That should only help whatever outdoor pursuit you may enjoy, it can only get better, so grab someone who doesn’t have a chance to get outdoors much and take them to the woods or water.  And send me those comments, reports, and suggestions, we love to hear from you.  And I will blog from Padre, hopefully a few pics and some on my fishing lesson.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

When I got up this morning my intention was to head to POC.  The boat had both fresh and saltwater rods and tackle in it, and it would be simple to toss the bass stuff out and be on my way.  The first thing I did was check the weather, which actually made up my mind for me, it was going to be absolutely perfect for the lake.  Clouds all day, little wind, and a nice cool night just sounded to good..  So I tossed out the  saltwater tackle and headed to the lake.

I went up lake and started fishing about 6:45.  It was calm and should have been perfect.  It was 3 places before I got a real bite.  I alternated between frog and buzzbait and it was not until about 8:30 before I got the first good bite.  I was on a shallow grassy bank leading to a huge grass flat.  As I eased down the bank 6 bass in a row, including a hoss, blew up on it without getting any kind of hook in them.  From that point on it started getting better and better.

Bite #1.

From then until about 11 they stayed on the buzzbait pretty good.  I was running it fairly fast and when they finally started eating it, they were smoking it.

The Strike King Tour Grade Buzzbait in the sexy shad.

As the morning went on I kept moving down lake hitting isolated grass points catching one here and there.

That is my happy buzzbait face – I just love catching them on it.

One thing that was surprising was I did not catch a fish on the frog.  Course it might have had something to do with the way they were eating the buzzbait, so the frog stayed in the boat the rest of the day.  As I moved down lake I also threw a watermelon with red flake senko style bait that has been working for me, and I caught 4 or 5 on it. but no real good ones.

Just wanted you to see that stick bait.

To fish the senko bait I was using 15lb mono with a 1/8 slip sinker.  It fell a lot slower and when they hit it my line would jump.  Just hopping it along on the outside grass edges, and for how little I tossed it the bites came fairly regularly.  But of course I just kept mixing it up and tossing the buzzbait.  I put several in the boat here and there, most like the ones above, but I could not get that big bite.  One thing I am noticing is areas with grass but clearer bank edges are the best.

I was about to quit but I just could not stop.  Over the years I can actually say it just seems like I can feel a big one coming.  That is a product of having the experience to recognize that set of conditions that says “big fish“.  About 2, on a flat, and I mean flat bank, in less than a foot of water I had that big bite I knew was coming.

Look at that big headed thing!

That is a big fish anywhere you go.

That girl just smoked it, there was no missing her.  Then it was just a matter of cranking her out of the grass and not messing up.  I know I throw that buzzbait to much, and there are lots of times when other baits would work better, but there is just something about catching bass this size on a buzzbait, and Coleto is the lake for it.   So I called it a successful day.  I caught an easy 15, and of those only 2 were small.

The fish are still bunched up, and when you find one you will find a couple of more, it just takes lots of time and weeding out unproductive water.  Probably the best pattern is point hopping with that senko.  There is usually at lest one on each of them somewhere.  But for me it is covering the water, making lots of casts, and hopefully getting that big reward.  I got a few other rewards today thanks to the wildlife. Everything was moving late, and when the fish were really biting the critters were moving.

Must be nice to be buck with those “don’t shoot me” horns.

Today the fish and the animals at the lake were most active during what was high to falling tide on the coast.  I have a feeling there was a pretty good bite on the coast this morning.  Guess I will have to check that out as I got to scratch the big fish itch.

It is shaping up to be a good week.  Another day on the water and then to South Padre.   And finally a break in the weather is just around the corner, and with it the good fishing to come.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

Wow what a weather change!  It is almost cool as I write this Saturday morning.  We have had storms rolling in off the coast for the last few days which has kept me off the water but who cares.  We desperately need the rain as we are 9″ down for the year.  While it has been just sketchy enough to keep me home, this front will only bring good things as far as our outdoor activities are concerned.  So there is no fishing report today but there will be several coming soon.  The immediate impact of the weather change should be a great early Teal season.

I have seen lots of Teal on both the coast and at the lake.  And though I know little about ducks, I can not imagine they did not ride this front down.

Evan dropped me a line yesterday and he highlights the “problem” facing many folks who love both fishing and hunting.

“As for fishing – I’ll try to concentrate.  It will be difficult.  Tomorrow (Saturday) is opening day of Teal season.  As a dedicated duck hunter I’d say the weather looks amazing.  Cooler weather never gets a bad word from this Texan.  Looking forward to my next trip to POC and hopefully I’ll be chasing some Kings out of Corpus/Port A soon.

Have a great weekend sir.  Thanks for taking the time to post!”

Hope you kill a few this weekend, the conditions are perfect for a great opening weekend hunt. I also look forward to hearing from my friend Chris who introduced me to duck hunting.  I am sure he is in a blind somewhere with his new dog.  He has spent some real time training that wild child and it will be interesting to hear how his first day in the blind went.  So if you all shoot a few send me a picture and story.  We would all love to hear how it went.

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Mark sent me this interesting question –

“Are there any other kayak launch sites on Coleto Creek Reservoir other than the boat ramp at the HQ? Road Crossings? etc.

I really like what you have done on this site.

Keep up the good work and tight lines.”

There are several bridges that cross Coleto so I contacted Jeffish, who has kayaked a lot of this area for years, and unfortunately he said that right off the top of his head there was no place that has real easy access.  As far as he remembered to get to the water in some of these places it would be a rough time and not that close to the water.

I looked on the map and there are several potential access points, but it will be a matter of taking a drive and looking them over.  Coletoville Road which comes off Upper Mission Valley Rd (236)  does cross the lake above the arm I fish a lot.  I see folks fishing and jumping off the bridge there so you can get to the water.  But getting the kayak up and down the hill might be some serious work.  622, which also connects with Coletoville Rd further up, has a small bridge but I am unsure how the trip to the water is.  But it puts you way up the lake on that arm, and I have caught lots of fish there.  The problem is the water is dropping on Coleto like a Teal with a face full of steel shot.

Another option would be where Fannin Road comes off Hwy 59 headed west.  Again low  water issues could be a real problem.  The last one I would look at is an area I am not the familiar with but would be worth the drive to check out would be Josephine Lane which also comes of Colletoville Rd.  I see it on MapQuest but am not sure if it actually gets you to a place you can put in.

So the best I can tell you is get out the MapQuest and take a drive.  It looks like you could take big circle and look at all of them.  Where there is a will there is way.  Let us know if you find a good place.  Thanks for commenting.  And if any of the rest of you have any suggestions let me know.

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The plan is to hit the lake for a quick morning trip and then the Gulf on Monday.  I need a few fish for the fish fry I will cook on South Padre this coming weekend.  And with that comes the fly fishing lesson and a little surf fishing.  I am really looking forward to some daylight wading in the surf and catching a few on topwater.  Our last couple of trips down there the wind has blown super hard, so I am hoping this front will keep the wind down.

Not much else to talk about today so if you have anything on your mind let me know.  To tell the truth I would have been out there this morning but my Hogs are playing Texas Tech today, and it should be a dandy.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

Never Forget

Both Nancy and I are former Paramedics and today is a day of reflection and remembrance.  We had a vacation scheduled in New York City for 2 months following 9/11, and instead of canceling like many folks, we went.  Being at Ground Zero was a humbling experience.  People still walking the streets with pictures of missing loved ones was heartbreaking.  The temporary walls surrounding Ground Zero covered with posters, pictures, flowers, and handprints.  Watching as the trucks went in and out with the workers as the public clapped and cheered was a testament to the American spirit.  A steam shovel digging at the pile of rubble that was still smoldering 2 months later looked like a toy compared to the rubble enclosing our hero’s.  I thought I understood the size of Ground Zero until we walked around the whole site, the sheer magnitude of the attack was overwhelming.  Ground Zero is hallowed ground and my life was forever changed by being there.

We know the families of those brave police, first responders, and firemen will never have real closure, how could they?  9/11 was a case of mass murder plain and simple.  And now the world is once again threatened  by radical Islamic animals.  I will never label them as anything less.  The mass murder of captured soldiers, beheadings of American citizens who have done nothing, and the rape and genocide of Christians and others who are simply living their life is reprehensible.  As we remember those fallen hero’s who were murdered in the name of Islam we are confronted by a new enemy – ISIS.  The threat is real.  We must hunt them down to the last man and kill them with no quarter given.

It is time for mainstream Islam to take a stand against rape and mass murder done in the name of Islam.  Where is their public outrage with what is happening in Iraq and Syria ?  Where is the condemnation by the mainstream Islamic community at what I hope is seen by them as a hijacking of Islam by killers in the name of their God?    Now we even have American (and it makes me sick to label them as such) Muslims leaving the US to fight for ISIS.  I hate to say the world is at a tipping point, but this has to stop.  The silence emanating from mainstream Islam is telling.  George Bush said it best, “You are either with us or against us.”

No one anywhere on the face of this earth, no matter race or religion, should live in fear of homicidel  maniacs raping and killing in the name of any religion.  We must never forget or become complacent.  Those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives in an effort to rescue total strangers deserve our respect and must never be forgotten.  So if you see a medic, cop, or fireman today, just say thanks.  They have earned it.

God Bless America

(Please excuse this deviation from the fishing.  We strive to keep on point, the fishing.  But this fishing is not all there is to life.  So while you will not see other posts of this type, I will never forget 9/11, and every anniversary I will remember and honor those folks.)

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I am so happy when someone responds to a post.  Sharing of information is a good thing, and each of us who loves our sport knows something that can help others catch fish.  So I was really happy to get the following comments.

I heard from Jeffery who commented on the catfishing trip and definitely provided a way to sack them up.

We used to get those hatches big time at medina lake and I can remember swamping the boat with cats, whites and blacks.  I went to a half-ass fly rod set up and just let my bait land on the boat!  Take about four or five of those babes and skewer them onto a 1/0 thin shank or like hook and flip it out in front of you as far as you can.  Best on a medium spinning reel, lots of fun!

Thanks Jeffery, we did discuss the fly rod, and it is good to hear we were headed in the right direction.  And we definitely realized we should have been using spinning gear.  So folks we all learned something, spinning equipment, in fact I would use a light action long rod just to help throw it farther, a fine wire hook, and a nice gob of bugs.  So folks if you encounter that set of circumstances again you will be in business.  I can tell you that if we had been doing it that way it would have been ugly.

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After posting about catching a few on the MirrOdine I got this piece of good advice from Brian.

“Love the site.  Great reports.  I’ve been fishing POC for 25 + years and enjoy the details in your reports. 

Funny, you should mention the mirrodine.  I fished the surf in Galveston on 9/9/14 and was met with ultra clear conditions.  As you know, fishing artificial in those conditions can be tough.  I love that bait in the natural (silver) color those conditions.  It was the only thing that would work.  My friend fishing next to me had no bites on top water and various colored tails.  I scratched out four nice keepers in an hour and a half while the live shrimp guys around us zeroed. 

Keep the reports coming.”

From what I know that particular bait was specifically designed for really shallow water, which if the fish are there is usually clear.  As a slow sinker it can effectively be fished from 6″ to 5′.  I have fished it on spinning and casting gear, with no difference in success.  So if fishing is tough and the water is clear don’t forget to throw the MirrOdine.  It works.  Thanks Brian, I am heading to fish the surf in South Padre soon and I won’t forget to take one.

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I was going to do an evening trip to Coleto yesterday but at 4:00 it was 99 degrees, a heat index of 109 degrees, and the wind was gusting to 25mph.  I admit it, I flat woosed out.  Sometimes it is just hard to get motivated when it is that damn hot.  As soon as I write this and get a couple of things done it will be off to the lake.  I forgot to mention in my catfish post while we were drifting waiting for the catfish to surface I threw a buzzbait and ended up losing one at the boat and missing the other.  Since they are on both the frog and the buzzbait I will attempt to accommodate them this evening.  Then next back to the Gulf.  Oh, so many fish, so little time.   Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Fish Catching Travel

I was telling you the other day about Aaron calling me from the lake right at sunset and while we were on the phone he said he could hear fish schooling.  He moved over to the area and after throwing a few bass baits and getting no bites he decided to shine his flashlight and what did he see?  Catfish.  Literally hundreds of them hitting the surface as it got dark.

Now nothing like that can go un-fished.  So I loaded up the Carolina Skiff, picked up Jeffish, and off to Coleto to meet Aaron.  I picked up some nightcrawlers on the way to the lake where we met Aaron.  From there is was up lake to net a few shad and wait for the sun to start going down.  We didn’t find any shad in the net, but we did pick up some small bream.  At that point we were unsure what they were feeding on so we wanted to cover our bases.  As the sun went down below the hill the popping started.

With a slight breeze we anchored in about 10 foot of water and the fishing began.  We put out a moon glow light and got an immediate answer to what in the heck the catfish were doing there when the light was instantly covered in Mayflies.  There is a major hatch happening right now.  The water, and now the boat, was covered in them.  It took about 10 minutes as the sun set for me to catch the first one.  And before it was over we put 8 keepers in the boat.

Headed for the grease.

As they were feeding on top the strategy was to use a small cork, with only a foot of line out below the cork with a worm.  At that point the hatch was in full swing, the Mayflies were everywhere on the surface, and the catfish were on the move.  We could actually see them swimming along right under the surface as they would swim by the boat, mouth open, eating those bugs.

Nightcrawlers were definitely the bait of choice, and the one attempt at using small bream turned out to be a no go.  We were just letting that cork drift along and it would go under, we missed a couple, but most of them ate it.  For about 2 hours they were feeding up a storm but as it got a little later the hatch and the bite really slowed.  Though we could still hear a few popping the surface, the big bite definitely slowed so we called it a night.

While I have seen Mayflies in lots of states over my life,  I really don’t know a lot about them.  After doing some research it was clear what was going on.  There are over 2,500 types of  Mayflies and their life-cycle are basically the same.

The eggs are laid in water, and over a period of a year they go through several changes until they hatch and swim to the surface.  They molt a couple of times after emerging until finally their wings come out.  From that point on the do not eat, they just mate with the female, then she flies over the same water dipping along the surface as she lays eggs, and then they die.  Each variety has a life span of 30 minutes to 3 days.  So that answers several questions about what in the heck those cats were feeding on.  I have seen similar behavior exhibited in catfish when I was kid, and now I know why.

So while we were happy with what we put in the boat, we are stumped as to what a really good bait would be for catching those feeding fish.  The Mayflies were just to small to put on the hook, and though the worms were the best bait, we are left to wonder what bait might just kill them.  Also as we only fished up lake, I can not tell you if that was happening all over the lake, just up the river, or maybe up both arms.  I can tell you one thing for sure if you go, if you are not hearing them, you are in the wrong place.  Not only did we hear them it was crazy to see them swimming right below the surface with their mouth open gobbling up the Mayflies.

As far as how long this will last, who knows?  Though I have no clue how long this hatch will last, I have a feeling that it is in conjunction with the full moon.  so no guarantees, but it sure is on right now.  But if you want to give it a try here is the plan.  Head up lake, under the bridge, past the big turn to the left, and go a couple of hundred yards and you are there.  (Note: It may be happening in other parts of the lake but that is where we were fishing.)  Set up, either anchor if there is wind, or drift slowly with the trolling motor.  If they are doing it you will hear them popping as it starts to get dark.  Use a small bobber with the line about a foot below the cork with a nightcrawler on it.  We were using a small croaker hook, but a small circle will also do the job.  There may be a better bait, and if you know of one please let me know.  We used a moon glow light, but with our full moon it was pretty easy to see the cork.  Then just wait until it is gone and set the hook.

A couple words on running Coleto at night -Be Careful!  The lake is falling rapidly, and the stumps are sticking out everywhere, so use a spotlight.  Take it easy no matter how well you know the lake, one wrong move could be a disaster.  It would sure be nice if they were doing it down lake near the dam, but the only way to tell is to pick a spot and wait until dark to see if you can hear them.

One of the true joys of spending lots of time on the water is being there to see things like this.  The circle of life that makes this whole thing go is a wonder.  The Mayflies short life span gives lots of fish a buffet of yummy delights, and they get it while they can, just like we did.  It all works together and it is an amazing thing.

There you have the great catfishing extravaganza.  I was headed to the lake this morning with Aaron but he was called out of town so I decided to write this morning and make an evening trip for bass.  The fishing on the lake is really improving in spite of the rapidly falling water.  It is still those isolated patches of grass, off the bank, surrounded by water.  It gives those bass that sense of security on falling water.  We need some rain, and if we do not get some soon, it could get ugly at the ramp.

After  I check the weather Thursday’s destination will be decided.  I sure would like another run at those redfish.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines.