FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Weather

56/77   Rain showers early with overcast skies later in the day. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Bite Times

Major 12:43 pm to 2:43 pm.  Minor  1:13 pm to 2:13 pm.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

After smoking them on the creek the last couple of trips decided to head to the lake.  When you have been a bass fisherman for the last 50 (Yikes!!!) obviously I like to catch them.  Plus, as we get closer to the end of the month I will keep checking on the white bass at least weekly.  Can’t wait to smoke, literally, a pile of them.

The weather was cloudy and calm, the water temp came up a hair to the mid 60’s and higher with an air temp of 60 when I dropped it in at daylight.  To make an ugly story short until I started throwing spinnerbait around noon it was slow.  Crankbait did not produce a fish, but with no wind not surprising.  What was is the swim jig only produced 2.  But there was a clue, but not sure what it meant.

Best I could manage today.

When I started trolling for white bass to see if the big bunch is up yet there were shad dying.  They were threadfins about 2″ long and were fluttering on the top.  Last week there were no shad upriver but with the water temp up they came back after the cool down.  Trolling put 2 in the boat really quick both standard Coleto size, and a couple of small bass.  Then I had an epiphany – give the bass some shad looking stuff.

I keep checking and they are not quite there yet.

Last early spring the silver spoon and White Ice 4″ Knockin Tail put the hurt on them in the new bushes.  Right now we only have old dead bushes but there are some.  Not sure why the following happened – I had 5 smack it and not a one came over the side.  One hooked up for a second, but the rest did not.  Not sure if it was a color thing or operator error.  I even tried putting it on a heavier rod but the little bigger line seemed to reduce bites.

Finally about noon the wind began to blow some out of the south.  So I cranked it up and ran down lake to the windiest, brushiest place I could find.  Picked up the spinnerbait and proceeded to catch 3 including the one above.  They were right on the bank in the stuff, and of the 5 I ended up catching only 1 came more than about 3 cranks of the reel handle.  And only 2 bites counting one that I missed came away from the stuff, they were not interested in chasing.  Thinking back on it now should have got the Controlled Descent Jerk Shad out, put it on a heavy rod and tossed it all the way in.  Might have lost a couple but if that is where they are that is the price you often have to pay.

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We are getting close to closing on the house so next week will be contacting utilities and all those things needed with a new house.  We are simply going to continue whatever local services they have so it will be seamless as they will be in the home until closing.  Since it is furnished (And I actually like the decor.) it really helps so will just have to get out there and see what else it needs.  But not having to mess with furniture is a big ass bonus.  I threatened the move to Victoria was my last and to not have to move stuff will be a blessing when the Boss retires.

One thing I thought of was snow chains.  Growing up in the north country tons of snow is no big deal.  I remember giant drifts on the way to the cheese factory down the road with grandpa on the sleigh pulled with his giant draft horses.  Really aging myself with that.  So that part of it is nothing new for us.  But in Colorado some of the passes in the area the house is require snow chains to even drive on them when it is coming down.  They came and tomorrow the Boss and I will practice taking them off and on.  Pulled over in the chain lane during a snowstorm is probably not the time to learn how to do it.

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And I got this comment from Larry.

Doug:
Just wanted to let you know that I had the Carolina Skiff out in the creek yesterday and
it handled like a champ!
Do you happen to have the manual to the “Lowance 5 HDI” ?

Glad to hear it.  That boat will be chugging along for someone way after we are gone.  And creeks and rivers is where it really shined.  Unfortunately, I bought that unit as a display at Academy and if memory serves right it did not have one, big surprise.  But there are plenty available online, which is not as good as one in the hand but they are out there. Thanks for reading.

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The weather sure looks good for next week though the wind will be in play.  Guess I will keep alternating between fresh and salt and I am still waiting for the 2 better days in a row for a trip to the laguna out of Bird Island.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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It is going to be back on the water in the morning.  We shall see how my fall/winter rule works out the next 2 days.  Tomorrow it is post cold front and basically sunny, then Friday cloudy with chance of rain.  The basic rule: Sunny creek/cloudy lake.  Will be off early and really looking forward to seeing how the next 2 days go.

Weather

48/63.  Partial sunshine with a 18% chance of rain.  Wind   NE  10 – 20 mph.

Tides

   Low   6:30 am 0.93 feet.  Low 4:03 pm 7:48 pm 0.36 feet.

Bite Times

Major 7:14 am to 9:14 am.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

It was ugly this morning, but I put on my big boy pants and took off.  When I left the house the wind was blowing a good 15 mph plus straight out of the north, so I altered my plan to head to the river and switched to the creek.  Good call.  The wind was blowing a steady 15 right down the pike and it never got below that all day.  At least the creek has a few bend in it keeping the wind to a dull roar.  But the watercolor was flat ugly, I mean obviously there has been some run off and it was looking tough, and the tide was moving right along with the wind.  It was cloudy, not sure where the sun in the forecast went, and it stayed cool all day.

Open Wide!  Think they like that Coastal Marsh?

I started off on a deep point with the current flowing over it.  The color sucked but the fish were there.  I had a couple make a half hearted pass at it, so slowed it way down and basically crawled it over the drop and they would just get on.  But a good 10 jumped on the Knockin Tail but nothing worth talking about.

The 4″ Chicken on a Chain Knockin Tail did some work today.

Then on the next long bank a funny thing happened, and I actually got a clue.  The water was a little bit clearer and the next couple hit it on the first fall right after it hit the water.  There were baitfish there doing the occasional flip so out came the Coastal Marsh Soft Dine and they went to eating it.  It took a bit but I finally figured out they wanted it jerked right along, in fact fast enough that a couple blew up on it halfway back.

It was a weird bite on the Coastal Marsh Soft Dine.

I wanted to fish the 3.25 Knockin Tail but the wind was so tough that when you cast it would put a huge bow in the line, or blow it sideways away from the bank.  And to make matters harder the tide was going out so with the wind it was ripping so the light jig head was not the way to go.  So I stuck with the 4″ Knocking Tail on a heavy 1/8th head, there was definitely no color preference.

My slam and a good finish to a tough day.  The Mansfield Magic Knockin Tail catches flounder when winter fishing.

As I worked my way back upriver the Mansfield Majic was the bait of choice since it was a dark color to go along with the water.  A few more trout jumped on then the flounder above jumped on.  It seems like I am getting the hook in them way better than before and have not lost one the last couple of trips.

It was tough today, but I stuck with it, listened to the fish and managed to have a pretty good day.  The number of trout we have in the 12 – 15″ class is excellent and we can look forward to a really good year next summer.  And since they will get to spawn before TPWD potentially takes off the 17″ length limit the future is bright.

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And they are surprised why?

“The incubation period of CWD can span years, creating disease detection and management challenges as seen in this recent detection,” said Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director and State Veterinarian.

Prior to this detection, the high-fence release site was identified as a “trace herd” property to the Hunt County CWD-positive deer breeding facility reported on March 31, 2021, meaning deer were transferred from the Hunt County facility to this release site prior to discovery of CWD in that facility.

News Release: Nov. 28, 2022: Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at a High Fence Release Site in Kaufman County – TPWD (texas.gov)

I have brought this up several times.  If they cannot get this under control there is going to be a reckoning coming.  This is serious business in Texas, both breeding and high fence hunting (Read $$$$$) but if it puts our deer herd at risk all the studies in the world will not stop CWD from spreading.  Take their own words on CWD:  “The incubation period of CWD can span years.”   What they are really saying is the herd could be infected at a higher rate than is known right now!  They know where it is coming from so time to take some meaningful action before it is too late.

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Savage 170 Pump

These are pump deer rifles that many gun folks are unaware of. Produced from 1970 to 1981 according to the Blue Book of Gun Values.
A fast handling woods rifle; one of few if any made by any manufacture chambered in 30 30 Win. (Some were also produced in 35 Rem) Sollid streel receiver with impressed checkered Walnut Stock set and easily accessed (upper) tang safety. 22″ barrel with folding rear and factory drilled (with one piece Weaver Base) Tubular mag with 3 round capacity (4 with one in the chamber). One of or perhaps the only alternative to the now difficult to find Rem 760
This is a fast handling woods rifle with 22″ barrel.

I have owned this gun for over 30 years and it killed the only 2 deer I shot at, have not shot it since.  It puts them down with the 30 30 Win.  It is pre-drilled for a scope though when I bought it had a red dot aimpoint. It is not perfect by any means but is a great brush/hog gun. The reason I am showing it is I have a great high power, Model 700 with a Leopold, that will be used now that we are slowly transitioning to Colorado.  Not interested in selling, looking for a trade.  Would consider a revolver in a caliber higher than a .22, maybe a quality scoped .22 rifle or another pistol of some sort. Don’t expect perfection, just a good functioning gun. From what I have seen online, do your own research, they sell from $300 to $1000 for perfect.  So what do you have to trade?

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Today was some classic winter fishing.  Tough, cold but if you keep it in the water they will usually cooperate.  Tomorrow I am fishing somewhere, it will probably be first thing in the morning when I go outside and see what is up.  But lake or creek, this is my favorite time of year on the coast.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Last Day!!  Michael has extended the 50% off Black Friday sale for cyber-Monday so get there quick, it will never be any cheaper and boy do they catch fish!! Use Code KTL50!

Definitely the high point of the morning.

The Boss just worked the whole weekend, so I decided to fish the lake instead of the river and call it an early day and spend a little time with her.  She and folks like her work the holidays, nights, days, when the family has a gathering, it does not matter.  It comes with the territory, and we are long used to it now.  But big props to her and folks like her for what they do.  Especially if you stick a 6/0 circle in your neck on a Sunday morning.  It happens.

Weather

65/74.  Sunny to partly cloudy with a 3% chance of rain.  Wind   E 8 – 18 mph.

Lake Level

 6 days ago 95.76 msl.  Today 95.87 msl.

Bite Times

Minor   11:49 to 12:49 pm.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

The wind was less than 10 mph out of the north and it was almost dead calm.  The water temp was up around 5 degrees over most of the lake, mid to high 60’s and there is some color both up and down lake.  I was not sure what to expect but it was just about like I thought it might be, slow.

Starting off cranking only 2 really smalls jumped on and it was apparent that with no real wind that was not the way to go.  Since I was up lake of course made 2 passes checking on the white bass.  4 whites, one bass, and a catfish came over the side on a couple of passes.  The point, it is not quite time for that but it is coming.   The real problem was a total lack of shad way up lake.  Without the shad it will stay slow but the urge to merge is strong and it won’d be long.

The size of the 7 caught trolling.

What the 3 on swim jig looked like.

After that picked up the swim jig and got a bite on 3 straight banks, but all were small.  With those results headed back to the lower end but that was even slower.  By this time it had totally cleared off and gone almost dead flat.  Other than one that hit a small jerk bait not sure I had another strike before I called it a morning at 12:00.

Really no big whoop.  Just another fall day in the neighborhood.  Funny how your expectations can constribute to the outcome.  Fall can be tough on the lake but there is always the fallback position, the river.  Not sure when but soon as I have not even looked at the weather.  You would think I would know by now, cloudy lake – sunny creek, is the rule this time of yeard.  Might want to apply that rule myself when headed out next.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Michael has a 50% off Black Friday sale so get there quick, it will never be any cheaper and boy do they catch fish!! See below!! Use Code KTL50!

After today’s results at the lake I am hoping for a better day on the creek tomorrow.  I probably fished them in the wrong order, but you take your best guess and live with the results.  But I expect it to be good so we shall see.

Weather

68/61.  Warmer with variable cloudiness with a 13% chance of rain.  Wind   ENE  8 – 14 mph.

Tides

   Low   8:08 am -0.34.  High 7:48 pm +1.39 feet.

Bite Times

Major 11;57 am to 1:57 pm.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

There were a couple of trucks at the ramp when I got there, and by time I pulled out there was a bunch at the ramp.  The tide was falling hard, the water temp was 56 way up creek and 50 at the mouth going in to the bay.  The water had just a slight color and the wind cooperated by not blowing to hard.

I felt like a crack dealer this morning.  The crackheads were eating what I was selling – a 3.25 Purple Lime Knocking Tail.  Once I figured it out it was game on for 3 hours.  As I was telling you last post I always keep a heavier and lighter Knockin Tail tied on and let the fish decide.  Today they decided and I obliged.  In at 7:00 and out at 11:00 it was one great morning.

The 3.25 Purple Lime Knockin Tail absolutely did the job.

When was the last time you used the same plastic 2 days in a row?  They were eating it.

One of the advantages of using screw lock jig heads is clearly illustrated by the bait above.  They absolutely chewed it up, and this one produced way over 50.  It may be ugly, and I could probably replace it but as long as they keep eating it, I will keep tossing it.  One thing you can say about the Knockin Tail is it is durable.

My theory worked to perfection today.  By basically using the exact same set up, rod. reel and line it only took about a half hour to figure them out.  I started with the 3/16th jig head and a 4″ Mansfield Magic Knockin Tail and though I was getting bites they were not just killing it.  So I picked up the same Purple Lime Knockin Tail from the other day and they were absolutely eating it.  It turned out they were right on the bank, and I mean first or second drop and the heavier one was falling to fast.

To illustrate my point as I idled by a fancy big boat the guy looked at me and made the “catching anything” gesture.  So being me I stopped and filled him in best I could as they were having almost no luck.  When I told them what I was doing he said:  “No wonder, we have been going heavier all morning trying to get down to the fish.”  They were actually fishing to deep.  I have said it before and I will say it again:  Listen to the fish.

Redfish, trout or flounder it got the job done.

I ended up tossing it right on the bank and almost all of them hit on the first or second drop.  They were shallow and on the chew.  Using the 3.25 Purple Lime on a light 1/8 jig head it was easy to work the really shallow stuff slower.  And by hopping it fairly agressively they would smack it on the way down.  Not sure it made any difference today whether it was a shalllow or deeper bank, they were sitll positioned on the first drop.

Not going to guess how many trout today, but it was a full scale beat down.

From that point on it was lots of trout for over 3 hours.  At 11:00 I called it a morning; it came down to a what’s the point kinda trip.  But as far as action it was one of my best salt trips in a long time.  There is no way I will guess how many I boated today but it was a bunch.  When the creek is on it does not get a whole lot better than that.  Next up after the weekend will be the Lavaca River.  It should be hopping.  If today was any indication if you are going this weekend get out early, it will be crowded.

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Coastal Marsh Lures

That answers that question!  He smoked it.

https://coastalmarshlures.com/

I have it on very good authority, in fact the best I know, that the Coastal Marsh baits are the bomb for big trout.  While he shall remain nameless trust me, he is the real deal.  So with that in mind I headed over to the Coastal Marsh headquarters to pick up what will be my go-to besides the Knockin Tail for the rest of the winter.  I definitely have a lot to learn about fishing this style of bait.

Robbie who owns the company and I had a lot in common as he is a diehard bass fisherman which gave us plenty to talk about.  His baits look crazy good, cannot wait to dunk them in some salt.  And just for the fun the Soft-Dine Xl will get a go on Coleto.  If the current forecast holds it will be “winter” for South Texas and time to catch some big fish.  I can already feel the thump.  So will keep you up to date on the fish I catch on them as the winter progresses.  And while you are at it peruse his website, nice stuff right here in Victoria Texas.

I did not think I would fish it some today, I feel more comfortable fishing it while wading.  But on my way back to the ramp I stopped at a fairly shallow bank just to see, and they liked it!  I boated 2 small trout, the big red above, and ended up losing it to a flounder about the size of my garage door.  While I am not a big braid guy will be throwing it on braid from now on.  I hate breaking an expensive bait like that off, but it is just the price of doing business.  That big Soft Dine XL is a fish catching son of a gun.  Cannot wait to do some serious wading, looking forward to feeling the thump!

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Have a great Thanksgiving and be careful out there.

Not much else to add to the report, it was flat good.  The Boss starts a stretch over the holiday weekend, I will be watching football and having a cold one.  Then when the weekend is over it will be fishing until I puke.  Did I say I love winter fishing?  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

As I write this it has been raining and the wind is blowing as it has done the last week.  But at this point I cannot take it so will be heading to the lake first thing in the morning.  After checking the weather, and looking out the front window, I am concerned that we might just have got enough rain to muck things up on the creek and river.  Looking at the Corpus weather there is a coastal flood watch which does not bode well.  The current plan, fish the lake and if it is good enough fish it again and then head to the salt next week when it has had a chance to settle down.

Weather

48/56.  Times of clouds and sun with a passing shower with an 80% chance of rain.  Wind   NE 7 – 13 mph.

(Other than an increased chance of rain the forecast is the same as my last trip to the lake.  Interesting to see what happens.)

Lake Level

 Today 95.76 msl.  (95.79 msl when I got home.)  Thursday 95.70 msl.

(Since I am doing this the day before it will come up even more as it is pouring outside as I write this.)

Bite Times

Major   11:03 am to 1:03 pm.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

It was 45 degrees; the wind was blowing 15 out of the North and would continue until I quit at 2:00.  The watercolor has deteriorated a little, and the water temp dropped just a hair which surprised me and hurt things up lake.  Today it was 60 at the ramp, 66 at the discharge and 55 way up lake.  And the lake has definitely come up some.  It was lightly drizzling off and on and calling it cold is giving it a break.  There is a silver lining, I hope that since the rain did not color the lake up should be good to go to the creek tomorrow.

2 of the 4 today.  Both hopping a Honeydew Knockin Tail on a 1/4-ounce jig head off the bottom.

Wanting to see if the rain had an effect first headed way up lake and the color was fine, but the 10-degree temp drop did not help anything.  I could not buy at bite on the crankbait so ended up throwing beaver style baits near wood, swim jig, and a 5″ Pearl Knockin Tail on a swimbait hook.  Even ended up trying a jerk bait later, but they were stunned and were just not having it.  Before I headed back down lake even trolled for whites and not a touch, and the shad were definitely not there.  So with that result went way back down near the dam and fished clear water.

I slowed way down and slow rolled the 5″ Knockin Tail and even a A Rig, both of which are coming soon to a lake near you.  Both produced a small, which were the first 2 bites I had after fishing 5 hours.  All the places I have been catching them were dry so I headed to a long channel back and stuck with the 4″ Honeydew and managed to catch the 2 above, both after 1:00, both coming off a deep point.  So at 2:00 I called it a day.  It was just starting to warm up some and the bite was probably later in the day.

The only good thing about today was I did not miss a bite, which is not saying much.  But that there is a good chance the creek and river are not messed up gives me hope for tomorrow.  It will be up early and off to the creek with high hopes.  I have said it before and will say it again – I love winter fishing.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Some Rambling on a Wet Winter Day

I have pondered and pondered what the difference could have been with the 6th Sense crankbait that I and the fish on Coleto loved so much.  Thursday was a major bite, they were absolutely smoking it before I got broke off, then 4 different similar baits and I could not buy a bite.  Finally something I just did not pay one bit of attention too, but after looking them up figured out it was the silent model.  (Funny how I fished it religiously for 2 years and caught a ton of fish never realizing it was the silent model.)  It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized it did not rattle, no wonder.  If that had crossed my mind I would have fed them another silent to see if that was it.  As usual it is the little things.  So now that I know what it was, I can buy some, just hope I find another magic bait as effective as the one I lost.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

A nice Arkansas 8pt on the ground.

My buddy Clyde is back on our old stomping grounds of Northwest Arkansas where he put a good one on the ground.  He saw 18 including a giant and a coyote but reports the fishing is slow.  And with him having at least a couple of more hunts in other places he will fill the freezer before it is over.  Pretty sure there is no such thing as too much venison.  Thanks for the picture.

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One thing I forgot to include in my last post was how the day started.  I was so all about the bite that it slipped my mind that I towed in another boat first thing in the morning.  I came around the corner headed up lake.  I thought I was the only one out there, when I saw a guy waving his ass off, he was dead in the water.  He was camping and running jugs when his motor just quit.  The second tow of a broke down boat in the last 2 trip to Coleto.  The karma from a good deed of towing him in resulted in a smashing fish catching morning.  What goes around comes around, helping folks is always a good thing.

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And I wanted to add a little to my last post fishing the creek.  To maximize my time trying to get on the fish I always have 2 different set ups with the Knockin Tail but keep the equipment (Rod, reel, line weight.) basically the same.  One is a 3 1/2″ Knockin Tail on a light 8th or even a 1/16 screw lock jig head on 8lb test, the other is the 4″ Knockin Tail on a heavy 1/8th or 3/16th jig head on 10lb test.  Color is often not as important as head weight or more specifically fall rate. Both are fished on mono so that all things being about equal, it is all about the fall rate.

To give you an example last trip they wanted it almost crawled on the bottom, more of a dragging presentation.  At times they want it jerked up aggressively, then the fall rate really becomes the key.  (One note on the smaller Knockin Tail, when they want it fished aggressively, they eat it, often with it down in their throat.) At times it seems almost the opposite of what you would expect for winter conditions.  They often want it falling quicker with the heavier jig head, even when they are really shallow.  By keeping all things the same it allows you to key in on what and how they want it.  As usual it comes down to listening to the fish, it is the little things that often make the difference between a good day and a big day.

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While watching fishing there was a segment on fishing the White River in the winter.  The guide was a friend of mine, Frank Saska who is the head guide at Gastons, though he is getting close to retirement.  Going along with my love of winter fishing that is when we really put the hurt on them on the White.  Back in the “old days” we would often not see more than a boat or two, not so today.  But it sure was cool to watch a big brown come out from a rock and smoke a jerkbait.

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And last a few good words and kind thoughts for my cousin who is fighting cancer, and one of my best fishing buddies and his wife who are also each fighting cancer.  We all are feeling for you and hoping for the best.  Life is short and when times are tough, we all need to remember what a blessing life really is.  Get up early and get out, read a good book, call a friend, just make a conscious effort to do something that reminds you the joy of being alive.  We only get one run at this and as I have always maintained it is in the doing.

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The weather report is really interesting and until I get back on the water Tuesday no idea how it has affected the creek or the river.  This weather will drive more fish into the creek as long as it does not color up to bad.  The effect on the lake should be a little more subtle as the bass are not quite as sensitive to big weather changes.  Looking at the week there will be a warmup with clouds and lighter wind so look for mid-week to be the bomb.  I intend to take full advantage of conditions whether fresh or salt.

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I spent a little time today going over my salt stuff making sure I was good to go.  Depending on conditions really looking forward to some serious wading looking for the big bite.  I have a couple of new lures to try and will keep you up to date on the results.

Now it is time for a little Razorback football.  We have definitely struggled some this year and need to win 1 of the final 2 to become bowl eligible.  Hope you have a good weekend.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The older I get the more I appreciate not being a one trick pony.  To smack them on the bay and then turn around and do it at the lake is just plain fun.  And today was fun.  I decided to fish the lake as the conditions were perfect.  They bit pitched plastics, spinnerbait, swim jig and even one on a jerkbait.  But the real action ended up being on my favorite crankbait, a chartreuse 6th Sense square bill.  I found that hanging from a bush on Falcon a couple of years ago and it turned out they really like it on Coleto.  But there is a sad ending that we will get too in a little bit.

Weather

46/58.  Cloudy with an 18% chance of rain.  Wind   NE 7 – 12 mph.

Lake Level

 11 days ago,  95.95 msl.    Today   95.70 msl,

Bite Times

Major   7:18 am to 9:18 am.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

Another Good Day

By far the best of the day.  For a while the bite was on.

It was blowing steady at about 15 mph out of the north and it was really cloudy.  The water temp was from the low to mid 60’s over most of the lake.  The color is clear down lake and a little more color up.  It was the perfect set of conditions to catch bass.  Basically, I fished it all and did not get started on the crankbait until a little later in the morning.  Most of the early fish were smaller, and it was ok until it started to drizzle, as you can see when I put the raincoat on.  The bait ran about 4 foot deep and I was tossing it on 10lb mono and reeling it at a moderate pace with a 7.1 reel.  A couple hit it right beside the boat, which I learned a long time ago is important.  Basically, you can be reeling at little too fast, so I slowed down and the bite was on.

They were absolutely smoking the chartreuse square bill.

They were jumping on the crankbait, and it was not a question when you got a bite.  As usual when they are eating like that a couple slack lined me, which is one of my favorite bites.  It was a good mix of keepers and smalls, a great sign of things to come on the lake. They were biting right along when disaster struck.

It was all good until disaster struck.  I am going to miss that crankbait.

I was just thinking that if I hung that bait up I would do anything to save it.  On one stretch, which has deep and shallow areas, it was 6 or 7 when one smoked it right by the boat and went right in the trolling motor, my bait was gone.  That thing has caught me tons of bass and it was one of those baits that they just like.  You find that with any of the hard bait brands, some just work better and catch more fish.  Whatever that difference is that crankbait had it.  Just have to start looking for another one.

So it was just a crankbait right?  Not so, it was magic.  After I lost it, I never caught another fish on a chartreuse crankbait, and I threw 4 similar crankbaits at them without so much as a touch.  Not sure if I have ever seen it quite like that, from banging away to not being able to buy a bite in the same area.  As most of them were fairly shallow spinnerbait seemed like a viable option, and it was.  5 jumped on but not a one was worth a hoot.  I spent a couple of hours trying this and that, but the big run was over.  If the weather stays like this and we get a calmer day the Bang O Lure just might hurt them, or maybe a Controlled Descent Jerk Shad.

But what a great morning, definitely worth getting up for.  I caught on everything I threw, and once I got the pattern it was great until I lost my bait.  But it was [plenty of numbers with some good fish mixed in, and they were definitely on the chew.  Looking at the weather it is going to stay like this for at least another week and it will have a positive effect on bay and lake.  And I am watching the weather for a trip to North Padre and the Laguna, going to see if I can ge the big bite on the 5″ Knockin Tail.  I love winter fishing.  Time to put on your big boy pants, fight the wind and cold, and go catch some fish.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

A Knockin Tail Beatdown

When I decided where I was going there was actually no question: The creek.  There are a few days a year when I know they are going to bite big time, and they sure did.  It was a perfect set of conditions that came together to make the trout cooperate, cold front, water temp dropping like a rock, and the tide going out all day.

Weather

41/54.  Cloudy and cool with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind   NNE 10 – 21 mph.

Tides

 High 2:03 pm +1.3 feet.

Bite Times

Minor   1:24 pm to 2:24 pm.   Major 6:34 am to 8:34 am.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

It was heavy clouds when I dropped in, and the air temp was 43 degrees.  Definitely a big boy pants day.  The water temp at the creek has gone down 20 degrees into the mid 50’s, perfect for creeks and rivers on the Texas Coast as long as the water is clear, which it is.  The wind was blowing a straight 15 mph right out of the north, which made it a little tough to fish, especially the lighter jig head, it put a big bow in the line.  But what it did was continue to blow the water out so it was falling all day, so the conditions made it a perfect storm just like I thought it would.  The Knockin Tail showed out today.  Fished on a jig head, the 4″ Honeydew and Mansfield Magic caught them.  And the 3 1/2″ Purple Lime on a 1/16th did the rest of the damage.  If it was not so windy it would have really shown out.

The best of 3 reds.

From the minute I dropped the trolling motor until I quit at 2:3o it was a catching fest.  There was 2 patterns, one points, but the rest of them came off the banks, most in a foot of water or less.  They were smoking the small Knockin Tail, most coming on the first drop or the second.  The trout bit all morning, mostly small but things are looking up for next year.  With the number of 13 – 15″ trout it should be good to go back to the old limit next summer.

It was trout after trout.

This is just a few of the trout.  I did not manage to catch a bigger one today, but you can bet that will change.  So here is the punch line:  It is all about the water temp, it has to drop like a rock to get the fish and the bait to move into tributaries on the coast.  They generally prefer a softer bottom, a direct result of the dropping water temp.  Lots of things have to work together and today it all came together.  I am not even going to guess how many trout I caught but my elbow is swollen and my shoulder is killing me.  A small price to pay.

One for 2 on the 3 1/2″ Purple Lime Knockin Tail was the ticket for all of them, it was just tough to fish with the wind.

And I bumped into a wad of small Black Drum.

It really is interesting that the fish were shallow, as most of them were in 2′ or less.  It would seem counter intuitive that with the water temp dropping 20 degrees and it being colder than hell with a north wind that they would be shallow, but that is where they go.  So light line and light jig heads is the way to go.  As I have repeatedly said this is my favorite time of year to fish.  Often the set of conditions leading to great fishing is fleeting so it is a go when the time is right.  It is just a question of how bad you want it.

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And I wanted to pass along this comment from Steve about my floundering around when trying to hook a flounder.

Good evening Doug. I would bet that the flounder are never getting the Hook only biting the lure with their teeth and holding on, then they open their mouth and gone. I read a post years ago from the gentleman who created chicken boy Lurers, his advice was when you feel the flounder bit put your rod down smoke a cigarette then set the hook. His advice was to wait five seconds before you set the hook. Thank you very much for all your years of stories. Steve from Seadrift formerly from Waco.

You are so right about what is happening and now that I think about it I have realized part of my problem.  Since I am trout fishing and flounder have always been a bi-catch for me.  Since I am trout fishing, I am setting the hook the second I feel the bite, which explains why so many come off.  Guess if I was actively targeting flounder my catch rate would go up.

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I will be giving the weather a serious look/see.  The lake is calling, and the conditions look right, and the bay fishing should be heating up.  It will be later tonight before I make up my mind on where I headed tomorrow.  Just have to play the weather and max out the winter opportunities.  But the boat is still hooked up so that decision is made.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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Off Topic – Politics

The majority of the races have been called.  So here is my suggestion:  Win or lose, never seen a bigger bunch of sore ass losers on both sides, shut up and move on.  (There is even a candidate who says their own party screwed them.  If that is the case and they hate you that much guess the rest of us should too.) How about our government get back to the job of governing?  Try working together.  I know they could really give a rat’s ass about us, but that is what the rest of us do at work – we work together to solve problems.  So, try it.  I thought that is what we pay the whole bunch of you for.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

After looking at the weather report decided to head back to the creek, not enough clouds for the lake.  But looking at what is to come the lake will be back in play with the weather change that is coming.  But until then I have some unfinished business, fixing that “Poor Execution” of yesterday.  So it will be up early and off first thing.  And as a side note still having a little trouble wrapping my head around the tide times.  Guess I should use the easy method:  Print up the tables and once you put the boat in toss them in the creek and see which way they go.

Weather

69/83.  Partial sunshine with an 8% chance of rain.  Wind   ESE 10 – 25 mph.

Tides

 Low 9:06 am – 0.32 feet.   High 8:49 pm +1.41 feet.

Bite Times

Minor   7:48 am to 8:48 am.   Major 1:08 pm to 3:08 pm.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

One of the good things about the blog is the ability to look back to see how it was going in years past.  When I looked back yesterday I just got the new color from Knockin Tail, the Honeydew.  I took one look at it then and knew it would catch them fresh or salt.  And it also made me realize that it was the color of choice for me last winter so why not give it a go.  Good choice.  So the blog really is a fishing log and history can and does repeat itself.

I finally landed one today.  To bad it was 1 for 3.

 I wish I could say it was all unicorns and fairytales, but it wasn’t.  Not sure what my flounder issue is, but I managed to lose 2, both like the one above.  Once the tide started falling they moved to the edge of the grassy shoreline, and the bites came on the first or second fall.  I tried reeling really slow on one without putting any real pressure on it, then the other setting the hook like I was bass fishing, but they still came off.  But I got one in the boat so it was not a total loss.

The 4″ Honeydew Knockin Tail did the serious work today.

It was really foggy this morning and the water temp is still in the mid 70’s.  I started on a point first thing and they were there.  Most of them in less than 2 foot of water and smoking it.  There is just something about the Honeydew color but when they are on it they eat.  After boating several I made a move.

It was a solid bite this morning.  Can you say points?

I headed to another point where I have been getting topwater bites and caught a small right away.  Then it seemed to be deja vu all over again.  I ended up missing 3 more including a couple that it sure looked like they smoked it.  Then on the bank across from it 2 more took a run at it and just did not come over the side.  Unfortunately, the topwater bite completely stalled when the sun was full out as it has been.  If you want a topwater bite, get out at daylight, and I mean before sunrise.  But…………a while later I tossed it over a big flat point and a big red crashed behind it.  Being the rookie I am I pulled it away from him.  Dumb.

The tide was moving out when they bit and once it stagnated the bite slowed way down.  I managed some more small trout but also missed my share.  It was really apparent when the bite was on, they were smacking it.  Once the tide quit moving you could get a reaction halfhearted bite or two, but once it was over it was over.  So around 1:00 I called it a good day.  Now we just need some cold weather to get them moving in the creeks and rivers.   And if it rains which it supposed to as long as it is slow and steady and not a gulley washer the fishing should remain good.

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I did want to let those of you know who are not regular readers that unless I say otherwise every single fish you see here is Catch Photo and Released, CPR.  Unless it is something a little different, like the Chandeleur trip, you will not see any of those dead fish bragging pictures.  I try to take just enough pics to let you know how the day went.  I can fill up the deck of the boat too, but for what purpose?  Share more info, keep less fish unless you are going to eat them soon.  If you have freezer burn on your fish you are keeping to many.

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I almost forgot to tell you about my new favorite swimbait hook when you have grass – The Penetrator from Slayer Lures.  I picked up a few at Waterloo Rods in Victoria before we made our trip to the Chandeliers Islands and they made a big hit and were just the right weight to fish over what is serious grass on the islands.  Without them it would have been tough to get through it once the tide started moving and the grass began to float.  Tim, from Wade Right, really liked them so I stopped by and bought him a couple of examples so he can have something to go on when he orders them.  Whether a bull red or trout they did the job.  Will be headed to the Upper Laguna for a couple of days soon and when combined with a Knockin Tail it should do the job.

Hooks – Slayer Inc. Lure Companyhttps://slayerinc.com/product-category/hooks/

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That will be it for me until Monday.  Off to see my mom and brother for the weekend.  Looks like we have what may be some serious weather on the way.  Unless it is stupid ugly it will only help the fishing fresh and salt.  As I have repeatedly said this is my favorite time to fish and I will keep after it.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.’

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I was really disappointed to see the water temp at the lake had come up, and unfortunately, I expect the same on the creek.  The whole country is warmer this fall but looking ahead there might be a cool down next week.  Until it really cools the bay off the rivers and creeks will not be as good as they can.  But with that said will be on the creek first thing in the morning.  Time to feed them a Knockin Tail or two.

Weather

68/86.  Partial sunshine with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind   ESE 9 – 20 mph.

Tides

 Low 8:13 am – 0.06 feet.   High 6:27 pm +1.19 feet.

Bite Times

Major      11:32 am to 1:32 pm.

************** 

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

***************

A nice fattie.

The fishing was the best I have had on the creek yet.  But there is a difference in a good day and a really great day.  Today it was simply a matter of execution, or in my case not.  It really was one of those “the good ones got away.”

I got to the creek late this morning and it was definitely up.  The water temp was 76 degrees, which does not help matters at all.  First up was a flat point that has had a few on it and one jumped on the topwater first cast.  He was a small but was glad to have him.  A couple of casts later a real one just jumped all over the topwater, I had it on, and it pulled off.  Poor execution #1.  Next a nice red followed it and did not eat.  A few casts later another good red smashed it the minute I twitched it.  Unfortunately he pulled off.  Poor execution #2.  I stayed with the  topwater for a little while but that was the size of it.

It was good for a while.

But since a couple of reds made a pass at it got out the spinnerbait.  Of course, I could not get a red to eat it, but a really nice flounder did and with my superior skill managed to pull him off by reeling to fast.  Poor execution #3.   At this point the wind was coming up so I headed to a flat point with the wind right on it and the trout were there.  They were in barely a foot of water and for a half hour the bite was on.  I was tossing a 4″ Blue Ice Knockin Tail on at 1/8 jig head and fishing it aggressively.

Most came on the Blue Ice Knockin Tail.  The first one on the Nuked Glow.

The wind was perfect, and I was able to make 3 or 4 passes catching fish each time.  But were we done with Poor Execution?  Oh no.  I lifted up on the Blue Ice and it was a really big flounder.  So, what could go wrong?  Already have the net out, fighting him nice and steady, and when he got close the Blue Ice was not visible.  And then the unthinkable happened:  He opened his mouth as I slid him towards the net and the bait swam right out.  Poor Execution #4 for the morning.  It always amazes me that they can have a big hook jig head in their mouth and then out it comes.  But that aside I had 2 really nice ones today and neither made the net.  Combine that with losing the 2 on topwater it really was an ambivalent morning.

Don’t get me wrong, it was nice to have a good run this morning.  With cooler weather coming this weekend things should start picking up.  Right now, they are not everywhere.  The way it has been the last couple of trips was here and there with no real bunch.  Today it was classic speckled trout fishing, once I found them it was game on.  Definitely give the day a B and if I had done my part it would have been an A.  Keep feeding them a Knockin Tail, you can’t go wrong.

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I have had my good Simms waders for almost 7 years, and they finally are headed back to Bozeman Montana for some repair work.  They had a small pin hole which I fixed 2 years ago but now it looks like it has a leak in the bootie.  Not sure how much it will cost, or how long it will take but neither will be short.  But if I get another 7 years out of them where I am going no complaints.  Good thing it is about time for the boot foot neoprene for winter wading.  Assuming we have some winter weather they will do until I get the Simms back.

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Have something to do tomorrow then back on the water Wednesday.  Where will be totally weather dependent but I cannot wait no matter where it is.  Fall is coming believe it or not and the fish will bite, it happens every year and it will again.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines