FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Getting this together so it is ready to go after I fish tomorrow (Tuesday) has me reflecting on the fishing the last couple of weeks.  Every once in a while, you get on them and I am on them.  Of course, it really helps when they are up and on the chew.  Unfortunately, the water is dropping during the spawn, enough that it is visible everyday.  But they are persistent, and the bite has stayed consistent, make the right move at the right time and the big one can happen.  I hope it is cloudy tomorrow and there is a big cove or two that is out of the big blow just enough to fish the Knockin Tail 5″ Smoke Shad swimbait.  It just might produce a real one.

Weather

72/79.  Periods of clouds and sunshine; breezy in the afternoon with a 7% chance of rain.   Wind   ESE 15 – 38 mph.   (For God’s sake quit blowing!)

Lake Level

Today   96.55 msl.    Monday   96.58 msl.   (The water level drop is becoming serious. We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Major   4:14 pm to   6:14 pm.     Minor   9:01 am to 10:01 am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

They did not like the air temp drop and add in the full moon and it really slowed down the bite first thing.  It had them slightly off their feed but I stayed with it and got my reward.  So while it was a little tougher, when you are catching fish like this hard to really call it tough. Where most had been just pulling the buzzbait under today they were blowing up on it, and lots were missing it.  The small ones, and they were most prevalent, ended up being hooked in the head, under the jaw, among other places.  Always thought the one in eye must hurt!

When one this size smokes a buzzbait it is a thing of beauty.  She has definitely not spawned yet.

The wind was blowing pretty good when I put in at daylight and it picked up from there.  It was blowing out of the north and as the morning wore on it slowly turned to the ESE and really started blowing.  When I quit it was white capping anywhere it could get up a head of steam

The only other good one on a buzzbait but it was not the fish’s fault.

Today there was no particular place any better than any other.  I was getting bit from smalls but the style of bank that produced the big bites was all over the place.  Some in coves but most today on outside stuff.  And the whacky bite had me missing some really nice ones, and I lost several.

And the spinnerbait did it’s part.

I threw the 5″ Smoke Shad Knockin Tail and ended up losing the biggest fish of the day.  It was right on the bank and I never felt the bite and did not catch up with her.  This might be one bait best thrown on braid.  The 2 big fish I have had on it neither smoked it, they just ate and swam and the braid might help feel it a little better.  Several others nipped at the tail or would swirl on it.  It seemed like that was the state of the bite all morning.  I have a feeling they are on the bed bigtime, and as I do not fish bedding bass I rarely even looks for beds so do not know for sure.  The moon was full last night and on the way to the lake as it started to barely crack daylight you could see it slowly clouding up, which probably had as much to do with the flakey bite and anything else.   I definitely lost more good ones than I landed today, and while plenty of smalls jumped on it was just a little tougher for me today.  But the fishing remains good and I have no complaints.

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There was a couple of things happening in the outdoors besides the fishing.  The turkeys up lake were having a gobble fest, which surprised me.  And I saw a covey of quail, the first I have seen in Texas.  Reminds me of my old hunting days, not the best shot but when a cover flushes at your feet it is always exciting.  Speaking of flushing at your feet there was an analogous situation this morning.  I was on a calmer bank throwing the buzzbait when all of a sudden a big ass, and I mean big, gator boiled right behind the boat.  Scared the crap out of me.  Plenty of small gators chase the buzzbaits but that is the first time I called a big boy in.  Just a little close for comfort.

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When I got to the ramp there was a note on my windshield from SA Joe to give him a call.  He is one of my long term readers and decided  to make the trip from San Antonio to fish.  And as it always is there is more than one way to skin a cat.  He caught 15 on the first  bank doing something exactly opposite of what I am doing,  He is fishing a speed craw on light line and catching them right and left.  Once it left the grass they were jumping it.  The only real difference is no big fish.  As it so often does this time of year it comes down to what do you like to fish?  Fish your strength, it will serve you well all year round.

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The Coleto Bassmaster tournament is on Coleto this Saturday and all I can say is put on your big boy pants.  It is going to take some serious weight, and 20lbs+ would not surprise me.  As we all know timing is often everything in fishing and with the way it is right now someone will smash them, it would not surprise me if it took one in the 9lb range to win big bass.  Almost makes me wish I still fished tournaments.  But on that note hope someone revives the Wednesday pot tourney, I will definitely be up for some of that.

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It has been a good run but like all good things it has to come to an end.   But that is all on me.  Some medical stuff the next couple of days, then the weekend with the grandkids so it will be next week before I am back on the water.  After looking at the forecast, which is for high winds the next 4 days it is a good time to take a break.  In the perfect world the wind will finally start laying next week and I can head to the Gulf.  The new 3 1/2″ and 5″ Knockin Tails are burning a hole in my tackle box.  The small one should be a numbers getter, and I expect to catch a sea monster on the 5″.

I want to take this time to thank all of you who have remained with me over the last 12 years.  This is my 1,531st post, that is a lot of posting.  I never in my wildest dreams did I think it would last this long.  The people I have met and the new friends I have added to my life makes it all worth it.  Everytime I begin to think this has a real shelf life I get renewed and on we go.  And when the fishing is like this it is easy to keep going.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Not sure why I put today’s conditions on yesterday’s ramblings, just goes to show I was looking forward to fishing today.  And I was not disappointed.   And today added another pattern, or at least a method, to catch them.  Today they bit from first thing until I quit at 1:00.  3 baits put fish in the boat today and each had a place and time.

Weather

60/88.  Mostly sunny and very warm with a 25% chance of rain.   Wind   ENE 12 – 27 mph.

Lake Level

Friday   96.62 msl.    Today   96.58 msl.   (The water level drop is becoming serious. We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Major   3:17 pm   to 5:17  pm.     Minor   8:16 am to 9:16 am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

The water temp was 78 degrees at the ramp and over most of the lake with the wind pounding right on the ramp.  The forecast was for wind and while it did blow it was not quite the hassle it was Friday.  And while it was windy in most places there were some areas with less wind, and some places out of the wind.  The 3 baits that produced were the spinnerbait in the windy areas, buzzbait in the ripple, and the 5″ Smoke Shad Knockin Tail in the calm water.  First up was buzzbait and they were biting.

When this size smashes the buzzbait on top you know you had a bite!

More buzzbait fish.  It was good first thing.

A bunch jumped on the buzzbait and they bit until the wind really got up and the sun came out.  The wind started picking up and the main lake had whitecaps.  The best areas for spinnerbait was a good ripple but not on the banks the wind was pounding on.  Like the buzzbait the spinnerbait produced a consistent bite.  Coves were best as long as the wind was not blowing directly in.  And like it has been the points to about halfway back in the coves seems to be the best location.

The best of the spinnerbait fish.

I just kept covering the miles with the spinnerbait until I decided to give the Knockin Tail swimbait a try.  After ignoring anything but the spinnerbait for a couple of weeks today the plan was to fish the buzzbait and then the swim bait.  I rigged the 5″  Smoke Shad Knockin Tail on a weighted 3/16th swimbait hook and did not bury the hook leaving it exposed.  The plan was to throw it to the bank but fish it slow and steady way off, and it worked.

Got to see this girl eat the 5″ Smoke Shad Knockin Tail.  Cool Bite.

The best place for the swimbait was areas with little wind, in fact the first 4 I caught came from a bank that was totally calm.  It took me a while to get the speed down, which was a moderate and I was running it out of sight.  I did see several hit it or roll on it, and before I quit it was an easy dozen bites.  It was 6 on the Smoke Shad and I definitely lost a couple and missed a couple more that I would caught later.  Real potential right now to boat a big one on the 5′” Knockin Tail.

The another one on the Smoke Shad.

After fishing moving baits like the spinnerbait and buzzbait it took me just a minute to get the hang of the bite.  It was similar to a swim jig but less feel when reeling it in.  Moving out even farther off the bank I started getting bit by a little better fish.  I might try a little heavier swim bait hook to be able to reel it a little faster and retain a little more feel.  But no matter it is a third way to catch them on the lake.  The plan would be to fish spawning coves and hope to whack the big post-spawn female who can not resist the rattling Knockin Tail.

This morning was another good day.  It has been a while since the lake fishing as been this good and I intend to take advantage of it while it lasts.  Anytime I can boat an easy 20+ in a morning with a healthy limit if I was tournament fishing is a good day.  Looking at the forecast it is going to really blow on Wednesday so I will drag this old ass out of bed early again and get one more day in before I have to be responsible.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Okay, I know you are sick of hearing about the wind.  Well, here I sit on Sunday afternoon looking at the weather planning for the week.  And for the next 4 days we are talking over 30mph every day!  It will not stop me from going to the lake but it does nix the bay where it will be up to 30 mph and more.  I am just not interested in the pounding coming back.  And no complaints anyway as I plan on trying to feed a big bass the 5″ Knockin Tail.  Plus this period on the lake will be over soon and it is time to take advantage of the bite.  Once the spring bite is over, it is over.  The trout aren’t going anywhere.

Weather

60/88.  Mostly sunny and very warm with a 25% chance of rain.   Wind   ENE 12 – 27 mph.

Lake Level

Friday   96.62 msl.    Today   96.58 msl.   (Amazing how often lakes get a drop during the spawn which does not help a lick.  We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Major   3:17 pm   to 5:17  pm.     Minor   8:16 am to 9:16 am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

And speaking of trout a couple of the best trout fishermen I know had a little something to say about trout fishing since the freeze. One said it just isn’t what it used to be, and this guy catches big trout most of us just dream about. The other intends to start freshwater fishing more.  Both agree the numbers are down significantly.  So let the big experiment begin.  Hopefully the 3 fish limit will replenish stocks by time it ends in August 2023.  And my compliments to the guides who are going with the flow and giving the trout a rest.  I do think an interesting study for TPWD would be requiring guides to keep a log of their catches/kept and comparing it to the rest of the fishing public.  The numbers would sure be instructive.  And think that is to much “work”?  We the citizens provide you your office and your product to sell, not many industries or professions like that so it doesn’t seem to much to ask your to let us know what you took.

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Waking a Spinnerbait

I had a couple of interesting question and I realized while I have been talking about spinnerbait fishing, I left a few things out so here is the basics.  These are based on 50 years of fishing spinnerbaits and I am set in my ways, it is not just tossing and reeling.  And my experience in the “old days” on the clear highland lakes serve me well to this day.  But remember most of this pertains to waking a spinnerbait, a very precise technique in application and time of year.

First let me say you can catch them fishing it slow, buzzing it fast, or anything in between, day or night.  As an example I have caught bass over 9lbs slow rolling it on Falcon, and in that range buzzing it on Coleto.  And as long as you have fish less than say 20 feet it is possible to catch them year round.  For me it is the spring time buzzing that gets my blood running.

When it comes to baits there are plenty of options.  I keep it simple.  As the bite this time of year is a true reaction bite, you are tying to entice a big bass to explode on it without thinking.  This is generally a clear water pattern, you want them to come for it so it is also  a shallow water pattern.  As far as blades my preference is a tandem spin with a #2 Colorado or round blade on the front and a #5 or 4 willow blade on the back.  Whether a 3/8th or a 1/2 ounce the most important factor is does the bait run straight up and down?  When the fish looks up it should be one streaking “shad” under the wake made by the blade right below the surface.  I can not stress how important it is to keep it running straight.  If you think about it this is the small version of smoke trolling for marlin.  Same principal.

As far as the wire I am a big fan of a lighter wire on the bait.  Part of what makes it so enticing to good fish is not only the flash of the blade but the vibration, so the finer the wire the better the vibration.  I want to feel it “pulling back” as I crank, which is what ends up making it work.  And at times a trailer or trailer hook might be appropriate, just depends on the conditions.

In Arkansas those lakes historically have little cover so a couple of things come in to play.  First, a trailer hook will catch a few more and there is little to get hooked on compared to say Coleto or Falcon, on Amistad I use one all the time.  But when we talk about trailers, plastics, that is another story.  Going back to rule one the bait has to run straight and most plastics want to tilt it to one side or the other, plus it is not the kind of “drag” you are looking for.  Again using Arkansas as an example, due to the clear water the addition of a trailer increases the profile and action.  When trying to call the from deeper water it helps.  A thin twister style trailer is the biggest I use when I do, but when you are slow rolling and bottom bumping a craw style plastic is fine.

When we are talking about buzzing speed can kill.  So let me tell you how I do it.  First, from the time I cast until it hits the water I switch the rod to my other hand so that I am reeling the minute it hits the water.  As soon as it gets to the top I slow it down, not slow but steady quick.  Why?  The problem with a high speed reel, as in 7 plus, reel it to fast and it will pop out of the water.  Occasionally you will catch one that way  (Generally fall.) but it is not the plan.  You want to get it on top making a wake and then keep a steady pace.  This is no hop and drop or shake thing, this is a fleeing shad.  While most come close to the bank what makes this style of fishing so fun was reinforced this week when several big fish blasted it closer to the boat  (See above.) than the bank, I got to see them eat.  To make a really big bass expend that much energy to eat is what it is all about.

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I continue to feel ambivalently about the forward-looking sonar and other variations.  I fully understand it for guides and hard core tournament fishermen but for the average fishermen it seems to take some away from the outdoor experience.  While watching fishing Sunday morning one of the guys was talking about using it and said the following:  “We will just stare at this all day.”  That about says it all.  What about the alligator eating the duck?  Or the big bucks fighting?  Or a killer sunset?  The older I get the more I realize it is just not all about the catching.  Do I want to catch a bucket full?  Of course, but there is a lot more going on in the outdoors than staring at a video screen all day.

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Congratulations to Colton Knipling, Chase Blackwell, and Colton Blackwell, Team Everlast, the Team of the Year in the Saltwater Legends series tournaments.  Basically 4 months of working their tail off this is an epic performance and is a credit to their hard work.  When you consistently put trout over 8lbs on the scale in all weather and under stressful conditions you have earned it.  They should be proud.

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Of all things I have a couple of friends contacted me as they are looking for a boat.  Of course you regular readers know I look at them constantly, often daily.  And it is still tough out there.  The price of used, especially 15 year old and up is high.  Now in some cases no big deal, others no way.  When looking at older boats the company reputation and construction techniques, as in NO wood, combined with the ability to have it refurbished and repowered can justify a higher price.  Both guys need something for fresh and salt, which always involves compromise.  If it is going to be used in the salt then that takes precedent even if used mostly in freshwater when deciding what to buy.  Right now the best plan seems to buy a quality manufacturer and go from there.  I will keep watching.

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I will fish a couple of days this week but do have some things to do.  Medical issues a day  (I have avoided the medical community as long as I can.)  and then off to Oklahoma City to spend some time with the Grandkids.  They are getting bigger and we are getting older.  Funny how it works that way, so we want to start spending a little more time with them.  Not even a guess how tomorrow will go on the lake but at least I will have a rod in my hand.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I still am amazed at what happened yesterday.  To have a big bass, several of them in fact, literally smash a high speed spinnerbait before your very eyes is what keeps me casting.  When it happens all I can think is did I just see that?  Did that really happen?  All the while having to get the hook in them or it is over.  And as active as they were it was no easy feat to get them to the boat without messing it up, or just having them come off for no reason.  So with those visions dancing in my brain it will be on the water before the sun.  Can’t wait.

Weather

73/84.  A shower in spots in the morning; otherwise, more humid with clouds breaking for some sun with a 59% chance of rain.   Wind   SE 12 – 27 mph.

Lake Level

Today   96.62 msl.    Wednesday   96.67 msl.   (Amazing how often lakes get a drop during the spawn which does not help a lick.  We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Major   12:42 pm  to 2:42 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

The Right Place, Right Time, Right Technique

No big ones today but I have absolutely no complaint as there was plenty of good ones.  The bite is on and I have the technique down pat.  There is no way to guess how many come over the side today but as an example, hit one bank and catch 5, next one 2, then 8, it went on until I quit.  There is a stone cold pattern and they were smoking it.

It went like this all day!

There was lots of folks out today and it had absolutely no effect on what I am doing.  Most of the time I am the only one fishing those shallow banks, it is not every shallow bank, though it seemed like that today.  And that is when the spinnerbait bite is on, when they are on the flatter shallow places where they will react to it way off the bank.  Today the wind was light, it remained cloudy and the water temp was in the high 70’s.  The fish are in all stages of the spawn, from done to just getting there.

They were chasing it down and eating.

I bought a few new spinnerbaits and before the morning was over one finally broke.  I kept it right below the surface, quick but not fast if that makes sense.  Today most smoked it, others barely pulled it under.  And it seemed like if you caught one another was coming next.  Of course, a couple of nice ones made their escape, but no big deal when you are getting bite after bite.  It felt like the “Old Coleto”.

They actually tore up a brand new spinnerbait.

A couple of the better ones came off wood of some sort.  One even came off my magic tree which I normally flip.  Up lake you can just leave the trolling motor in the water and keep on rolling on the shallow side.  Add a stick up or two and you are in business.  I fished up both arms today, definitely trying new stuff, with most of it having at least a fish or two.  In the final analysis it is a combination of the bass spawn happening with the shad spawn combining to create a great bite.  And don’t forget the white birds, they are there for a reason.

You get the point.  I quit because my hands were about to give out.

One thing about what I am doing it is not only hard work but also timing.  Some years it is not this good.  Also, right now there are plenty of options when they get like this.  Probably my 2 next favorite is the pink trick worm or a frog.  Both allow you to get your cast close to cover and the bites are easy to detect in their own way.  I have been so hung up on buzzing the spinnerbait there are several things I want to try, and next week I am going to give my arm and hands a rest.  Though it is work when they are on it there is no cooler way to catch bass.

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The last couple of weeks has given me hope for the lake.  It has had its moments both good and bad after we lost the grass.  Now there are plenty of small fish to go along with some real good ones.  Seems it is a healthy balance, now if the new vegetation takes hold it bodes well for the future.  Monday I hope to head to POC for the day.  It looks like the wind will be ok and folks should head home after the weekend.  Hope you have a good weekend, the lake was busy and the wardens are out.  So now is a great time to be sure your boating stuff and trailer is up to snuff.  Just do a simple walk around it just might save you a buck or two.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Once I saw this weather forecast it got me excited for tomorrow.  Cloudy with a moderate wind, something new and different, which should give me one more day of good spinnerbait fishing.  You never know but tomorrow has real promise.  This particular pattern is a short period in the spring and fall.  Of course you can catch them on spinnerbait anytime, but to have them completely blasting it becomes a get it while it is hot, and that is exactly what I intend to do.  So we shall see.

Weather

66/93.  Mostly cloudy and very warm with the temperature breaking the record of 92 set in 1982 with a 25% chance of rain.   Wind   SSE 9 – 22 mph.

Lake Level

Monday   96.68 msl.    Today   96.67 msl.   (Amazing how often lakes get a drop during the spawn which does not help a lick.  We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Major   11:09 am to 1:09 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

All I have to say is re-read above and then read below.  There are some days that are memorable, and this one definitely hit the top 10 for great bites.  But calling it moderate wind at daylight was stretching it some.

When I went out to hitch the boat up at 6:15 it was freakin’ howling and looked real sketchy.  Even went back inside and re-checked the weather.  The forecast was for winds to be a high of 22, that was so wrong.  It was coming out of the SE  with small white caps and occasional drizzle.  So first up fished around the lower end in case it got ugly.  But hopes were high for the spinnerbait and it was freakin’ epic.

The biggest fish I have boated in a while.  Almost 25″!  There are no words, but that will not stop me from trying.

I was using it just like the other day, keeping with the same pattern.  When this one hit she smeared it, about 10 foot from the boat.  The bite on a spinnerbait when you are buzzing it is just an amazing thing.  Keeping it running right below the surface leaving a big wake makes it a true reaction bite and today where were plenty of those.  And it is important to be sure your spinnerbait is running straight up and down.  Then when it happens I always think did that just happen?  Did I see a giant just smoke my bait right in front of me?

And then it happened again.  This was another real bruiser!  

I do not weigh them, do not even have a scale but these were really big fish and I can only wonder what they weighed, but it was a lot.  To make a long story short I went 2 for 4 on fish this size.  The bite was on and it wasn’t that they were not smoking it, they just managed to jump off, like I  said the other day they are full of piss and vinegar.  I lost a couple of good fish because when you cast there was a big bow in the line before I could get it tight and one would jump on, then off.  But it was not only a big fish day, the bite was consistent and left me with sore hands.  When they stopped it they stopped it.

Not a bad 5 fish limit for any lake.  Lots more pics but you get the point.

Like I said when the bite is on time to take advantage of it, especially when conditions are right, and they have been right.  It was interesting today how the wind slowly went from SE to West as it headed to out of the north.  And then it got hot and humid.  As the morning got later I decided to fish where it was just to windy to fish early.  And 2 of the big bites I got came fishing what was points with the wind pounding on them.  Today I caught them from totally calm water to rough, the fish were shallow.  But they definitely preferred a little clearer water.

I did add a couple of bonus fish re-fishing an area with the swim jig and Honeydew Knockin Tail trailer or the spoon with a Bone Ice Knockin Tail trailer.

One of the big fish I did lose was on the spoon and Bone Ice trailer when she slack lined me and I just could not catch up.  It and the swim jig are effective right now with just the right amount of junk on the bank.  With the lake falling that may go away soon, but get a day with some clouds and a little wind and it will catch them.  But today it was all about taking my own advice, sticking with the pattern, and not messing up to much.  Will check out the weather and go from there, but today makes all those other days worth it.  The more I fish the luckier I get.

There was only a couple of folks out today and most were gone when I took out.  I sure hate seeing the lake falling and even today when early they were predicting possible serious rain it just did not happen.  We need rain and lots of if.  But the spring bite is on so get to the lake and get you some.  Next trip will add the topwater to the mix.  Love this time of year.

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I finally bit the bullet and went to the doctor.  It has been years since I saw anyone for anything and at my age it is time to at least having a permanent doc.  Of course multiple tests and other assorted indignities are coming but it is just one of those things that comes with old age.  But hey, I am 68 on no meds with no real complaints other than getting old so I consider myself lucky.  Guess it was all that clean living.  Not.

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Have a thing or two to take care of tomorrow and then hope to be back at it.   It will be windy again but that is not hurting anything right now.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Interesting how it happened.  The wind blew for days, then a fairly calm day on Friday when I smash them, then Saturday the wind blows gangbusters, now today the gusts are forecast to hit 50 mph!  Unfortunately, Monday looks like more of the same with winds to the mid 30’s.  It is so time for us to break out of this pattern.  So back to the lake in the morning and for the rest of the week we shall see.

Weather

72/83.  Breezy in the morning; otherwise, rather cloudy and humid with a 10% chance of rain.   Wind   SSE 15 – 36mph.

Lake Level

Monday   96.79 msl.          Today   96.68 msl.   (We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Major   9:35 am to 11:35 am.   Minor   3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

It was cloudy and the wind was blowing a good 20mph+.  The air temp was 75 when I dropped in at daylight and the lake temp is as it has been.  I headed up lake to where I caught them the other day and unlike the other day the wind was pounding right on the bank.  The obvious choice was a spinnerbait and in a couple of passes I ended up figuring it out.

When one this size stops a high speed spinnerbait it is a thing of beauty!

I put 7 in the boat in nothing flat on the windy stretch, but they were all small.  Then I picked up the swim jig and Honeydew Knockin Tail on a little calmer stretch and got one bite.  It was a good fish so I stuck with it a while.  But not another bite so I switched to the spinnerbait and decided to stick with it until I quit.  Conditions were right so I kept throwing it.  Once I figured it out it was game on.

They were hitting with bad intent!  How bad, the spinnerbait is now trash.

I was running it right on top making a big wake.  It was a tandem with a #5 willow blade on the back so you can move some water.  I was not doing it super fast, just getting it up on top as soon as it hit the water leaving a wake.  Most of them came about 1o – 15 feet off the bank and flat stopped it.  When doing that it is so important that it runs straight up and down.  Basically imitating a fleeing gizzard shad.  It generally attracts bigger fish as you can see.

My favorite technique by far.  To bad it only happens a couple times a year  and now is the time.

The pattern ended up being classic.   They were on the inside of the point coming out of the cove with the wind blowing on it.  It was basically one or two good fish per place, and I lost several and missed several.  They are full of piss and vinegar right now and were doing some serious jumping.  But the best piece of advice, do not take your eyes off it!

The only one on swim jig and Honeydew Knockin Tail.

I fished from daylight until 2:30, which is a long time buzzing a big spinnerbait.  It is work and not for light tackle.  It is the best bite in bass fishing as far as I am concerned.  That they can catch it reeling it that fast and then blow up on it is just to amazing.  So thanks to Mac, Dick, and a few other guys who taught me this technique almost 50 years ago.  (Yikes!)

Another stellar day.

Not sure how many I boated today but if how sore my hands are right now is any indication it was a great day.  The wind was a hassle until I let it work for me, while some places were just too rough it was simply a matter of sticking with the pattern, midway in a cove out to the point with good cover.  Get the speed right and hang on!

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Texas continues to pump out bass over 13lbs.  This year there were 24 over 13, the biggest year since 2005.  And O H Ivie produced 12 including one over 17lbs, the biggest bass caught in Texas in the last 30 years.  What really blows me away is one over 17lbs barely gets you in the top 10.  Wonder how many of these were, if any, direct descendants of a prior ShareLunker?  No matter what it is a testament to habitat and TPWD.

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One side of my hull was making a slapping noise in rough water so I took the rub rail off and the rivets had worked themselves out on much of that side of the hull.  My initial impression was typical Bass Pro shoddy manufacturing, which it was (Don’t get me started on how shoddy the boat was put together, or just how flat incompetent Katy Bass Pro is when rigging a boat.)  but now I see online some fairly new Skeeters have had the same problem.  Not that big a deal to fix, just new holes and new rivets.  At least I do not have to worry the cap will fly off in high wind.  That would sure be something.

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Wish I could fish tomorrow but got some things to do so I will be responsible, plus knock the list off and it will back to fishing.  The weather looks great for the bass and I am just hanging waiting for a calmer day to hit the bay.  There are a couple of things I want to work on with the trout and just like fresh water a little cloud cover never hurts anything.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Off Topic

On the way back from Biloxi there was a big billboard wanting to buy catalytic converters.  It would seem that these folks are part of the problem.  The billboard says to the average POS – steal some.  Obviously, no shame on their part.

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Legal Stuff

Congratulations to the most experienced and qualified new member in the history of the Supreme Court.  Ketangi Brown Jackson has trial and actual experience that no other nominated Justice has ever had.  I listened to much of her confirmation hearing and she kept her cool when being trashed by attorneys who can not carry her water.  Her record was continually and slimily misrepresented.  I never thought I would see the day when attorneys (And I use the term loosely.)  would attack any attorney for providing a defense to a client when she was appointed by the Federal Court.  Guess they missed the class on Professional Responsibility and since they did why not cough up your client in Federal Court and see what that gets you.  She will be an asset to the Court for decades and they will end up being nothing more than a bug on the windshield of life.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

When dropping the boat in the water conditions changed dramatically.  The lake is still slowly going down, the water temp was 75 – 80, and there are places with color.  But the big difference – No Wind!  I was off to a good start.  I had a plan and stuck with it, and it paid off.

Weather

47/84.  Plenty of sunshine with no chance of rain.   Wind   NW 6 – 18mph.

Lake Level

Today   96.79 msl.          Yesterday   96.85 msl.   (We need rain badly!)

Bite Time

Minor    12:11 pm to 1:11 pm.    Major   7:03 am to 9:03 am.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

First up was where 11 jumped on yesterday morning, and they were still there but all small.  I gave it about a half hour and caught 10 giver or take all small.  So took off looking for 4 things:  Buckbrush, birds, calmer water, and shad.  It took 3 moves when I finally landed on the right bank using the right bait and it was game on.

A bluegill color swim jig with the 4″ Honeydew Knockin Tail trailer.  They were smoking it!

It was a thing of beauty!

Today was not only a follow that plan day but also a day of good choices.  Initially it was the white swim jig with a pearl Knockin Tail trailer and on the first pass maybe 2 or 3 jumped on.  But it just looked to good.  It was a long shallow bank, in fact where I started it was only 3 foot deep, and never got over 6 feet deep on a big cast to the bank.  So after the first pass I idled all the way back and the killing began.

It was just plain fun!

I switched back to the bluegill swim jig with the Honeydew Knockin Tail and it was perfect.  They were shallow, and I mean real shallow as some boiled it when it hit the water.  Some smoked it, others bumped it, and a couple completely slack lined me.  In fact I actually thought my line just broke on one that I never felt as it went completely slack.  One cool bite.

It went on from 10:00 until I quit at 2:00.

From that point on I just kept fishing shallow places with good cover and there was never a place without a bite.  Most of the time it was a steady not quite fast retrieve, which gives you a good indication of how shallow I was fishing.  And making the proper rod change last night was important, it can not be to light as so many hits are from behind you have to get the hook in them right now.  I would hate to guess how many nice ones jumped off today.  But no complaints.

There are more but you get the point.

And it was real apparent that we have bass in all stages of the spawn, and I saw several beds today.  You can tell just looking at the ones above which are done and which are headed that way right now.  So we should have more good fishing, especially if we get “that day”, the one that is exactly the same conditions only cloudy with a drizzle.  Scary!

I do not mean to flog a dead horse but the Honeydew color Knockin Tail has something the bass like.  It just seems so logical to use a plastic with a rattle in the tail and when paired with the bluegill color swim jig it fits the bill for these conditions.  Not only are the bass spawning, but the shad now and the bluegills soon, which sets up some great fishing.  Today I took my own advice and it worked like a charm.

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My buddy Clyde continues to make me crazy with Bull Shoals pictures.

And you wonder why I like spring white bass?  This is the size I cut my teeth on in Arkansas.

Our buddy John putting the hurt on them!

It is good to see John getting out and catching a few.  They came from the back of pockets on plastics, a typical spring pattern on the lakes.  Both he and Clyde have had a medical issue or two, it is hell getting old, but fishing keeps you moving.  So good job boys.

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Today was the reason I keep fishing.  It went exactly like I thought it would. which when you think about it does not exactly happen that often when you fish.  It was paying real attention to what was happening, which made me re-fish the area and put the hurt on them.  From that it led to figuring out the color which caught fish the rest of the day.  Can’t wait to get back at it Monday morning.  There are several other places I can not wait to get at.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

Happy 33rd Anniversary.  Crossing from Costa Rica into Panama in the jungle.  I will follow her anywhere!  Love you buster.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Been out of town the last few days for our annivesary but I am ready to get back to fishing.  The forecast continues to be wind but as soon as I catch up this week it will be a day or two on the bay. Lately when you look at the wind forecast the bottom number is fine, but guess I am getting to old to fight 30 mph.  But like all seasonal patterns our winds will subside and will be fishing in 100 degree dead calm. Fishermen are rarely happy with the weather. But more importantly we desperately need some rain.  The fire warnings could not be any clearer.  Now the only thing to do is wait and see what idiot does some outdoor burning.  It never fails.  I was reminded of the danger from a friend in Colorado and they lost literally everything they owned and 4 dogs in one of the big fires.  Really sad.

Weather

48/80.   Plenty of sunshine; gusty winds and excessively dry weather result in a high fire threat.  Wind  N 12 – 29mph.  (Small craft warnings on the coast.  What else is new?)

Lake Level

12 days ago   97.01 msl.          Today   96.85 msl.

Bite Times

Minor    11:21 am to 12:21 pm.    Major   6:12 am to 8:12am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

The Bang O Lure got it done.

The water temp was 75 at the ramp when dropping the boat in and from there on up to 80 degees over the whole lake.  The color is still spotty here and there but not to bad and the level is still on a slow fall.  And just as forecast the wind was out of the North at a good 15 – 20 mph depending on where it could get a head of steam.  But it was one of those mornings not only with the early bite, but there was a full on gobbling competition which went on during the bite.  It does not get any better than that.

First up was a bank that has been consistent for months and this morning they were there.  I started with a buzzbait but a few fish were surfacing chasing small bait and after a couple of weak bites I removed head from rear and out came the Bang O Lure and the bite was on.  They wanted it twitched right on top and it was bite after bite.

Another one of those Kentucky or Spotted Bass that are “not” in Coleto.

The shad spawn happens generally between the bass spawn and the bream spawn.  It happens first thing in the morning and usually lasts until the sun is completely up, which is what happened this morning.  They can be found in the back of some coves, flat shallow banks, and boat docks if the lake has them.  It is basically best when it is dead calm.  It only happens for a few days when it is on so it is one of those get it while the getting is good.  Last year about this time the one area I had would produce a 6 – 7lb fish every morning until the sun came out, then it was over but it sure was fun while it lasted.  The punch line, get up early and hope you choose the right place.

Before I moved on 11 came over the side and another bunch missed it or came off.  None were very big, but that is not uncommon.  Bang O Lure, white swim jig, spinnerbait, whatever as long as you can imitate a small silver fish.   Next up was my favorite swim jig cove, and at least I got a bit there.

A bluegill color swim jig with a Honeydew Knockin Tail trailer.

The next move was to a flat bank with the least amount of wind I could find.  It took a minute but I finally figured out they wanted it reeled fairly fast.  On that bank 4 made it over the side, and I missed a couple and lost a good one.  The problem?  I just got some new reels and had the right reel on the wrong rod which was a hair to soft.  As they often eat it swimming towards you for me a shorter rod with some backbone seems to work better.  Amazing how hard it can be to catch up to them at times.

A couple more on the swim jig and Honeydew Knockin Tail.

There was one unfortunate mishap in the next cove.  There are a couple of logs that historically hold big spawning fish so it looked promising.  It was protected and it was a no brainer, or in my case no brain.  Made the perfect cast, she jumped it and headed straight for me.  I got a half a hook set and  then she jumped and was gone.  I really does suck when something like that happens.  There really is no excuse for losing her when if I would just have changed rods she would have been in the boat.  Just a reminder it is always the little things.

It was now noon and from that point on the only other fish I boated was pitching to cover.  They just were not on the windy banks, preferring isolated sunny and calm areas.  But as far as the day went no complaints.  Mile high sky, high North winds, post cold front and still boated 17 and had a couple of shots at good ones, I will take it any day.

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Along with a really successful Houston Fishing Show the Knockin Tail Lure ended up on both the Texas and Florida Insider Fishing Report’s new products segment.  And with Mark Davis using them on the Big Waters Adventure! fishing show the Knockin Tail is getting some great press.  A good product sells itself because it catches fish, end of  story.  They’re a versatile bait only limited by your imagination.

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I have mixed feelings on the oyster reef issue.  When I first got to Texas and watched them literally tear up the reef area of South Pass I could not believe what I was seeing.  The only other oystering I had  seen was by hand with a basket on the panhandle of Florida.  Now that CCA has come out big time against the oyster harvest I really am conflicted.  Should it close or be significantly reduced real people, not folks in a Majek at their beach house, are going to be hurt.  Their boats, homes, and very livelihood that let them feed and clothe their children is at stake.

When Florida went through the upheaval from the net ban there was a significant effort to help the fishermen transition through assorted programs.  What I would like to see from the save the reefs folks, which I am one, is some substantive ideas put forth to figure out how to help the fishermen from buyback programs, to hiring some to rebuild the reefs, or maybe schooling options.  The health of the bay is the issue, not big money interests with their own selfish agenda.  We should never forget whatever the final outcome for the oyster men and their family is it is a way of life.

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Tomorrow it will be up and fishing at daylight.  Bank selection will be critical but the wind will be down some so there should be a few more options.  And I will definitely stop back and pitch to the big girl and put her in the boat this time.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I will be heading out first thing in the morning to give the Lake Travis white bass a go.  The few times I have been there to catch them was a success and I see no reason why it should not be a fun day.  After dealing with our high winds the last couple of days it will be good to be back on the water, plus stop in and see my buddy David.  And how knows, might even give the bass a quick go later in the day.

Weather

56/82.  Pleasant with plenty of sunshine with no chance of rain.  Wind N 5 – 16 mph.

Lake Level

WATER LEVEL. 659.93. Feet MSL. Level is 21.07 feet. below full pool of 681.00.   (Which means nothing to me.  The white bass will just not be as far up the river.)

Solunar Times 

Major   10:38 am to 12:38 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

You just never know, and today was one of those days.  I put in at Pace Bend and headed up the Perdenales on Lake Travis to do some white bass trolling.  I have missed the run on Coleto, and it looks like I missed it on Travis.  The water temp at the mouth was 66 and got all the way to 69 near the bridge.  With the temp it was apparent right away it was probably to late for the good white bass run, and I was right, but what happened next was sure a surprise.

It was crappie madness.

Trolling crankbaits that ran in the 5 – 10 foot range at 2.5 mph got bit quick, and it would continue for quite a while.  But the surprise, crappie.  The flatter sides with brush in the 15 foot range was the ticket.  I did catch a couple of white bass and small large mouth, but the consistent bite was crappie.

The spawn is on in the Pedernales!

I started about halfway up the creek and trolled all the way until I hit 10 foot left and turned around and trolled out.  Of course the bite diminished as the afternoon heated up, and I am not complaining, the wind died.  It was probably a tie between shad color baits and that same 6th Sense chartreuse crankbait, which runs about 7 foot deep.

The original quarry, but I just did not get there in time.

It was interesting to watch the locator, if I went by an underwater tree it would generally trigger a bite.  It would definitely be successful to just troll along and find and tree then stop and fish,  And my guess is when it really warmed up they probably went to the beds on the flatter banks.  Several smaller ones  jumped on, and if I was  interested in a fish fry it would have been easy pickings.  But with white bass the plan I left the crappie rods at the house.  The day was a sucess and if you live there get out quick as the bite is on.

And always remember to drain and dry as best you can.  Travis is a Zebra Mussel cesspool, and while in the end they will spread we need to do all we can to not be part of the problem.

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An interesting question from Joe.

Who sells the knocking tail lures the Victoria area? Thanks Joe

You can get them at Waterloo Rods in Victoria, Jecos in POC, the Point in Palacios, and Tackle Town in Rockport to name a few.  Of course they do not all carry the full line and should you want something else you can always order them online.  Good luck hope you like using them!

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TPWD

Check out this years new fishing regulations, including a change in the red drum harvest on Coleto.  (Like there is some left in there, I sure have not caught one.)

News Release: March 24, 2022: TPW Commission Approves Changes to Freshwater Fishing Regulations for 2022-23 – TPWD (texas.gov)

And for those of you that hunt here is the new regs.  There are a ton of changes coming.

News Release: March 25, 2022: Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Hunting Regulations Changes for 2022-23 – TPWD

Last the state continues to crank out big ass bass.  There have been 22 ShareLunkers caught this spring.  The state will not be transporting any more to the hatchery but will come to the site and take measurements if you happen to catch the fish of a lifetime.  And an interesting point, one caught on Lake Daniels weighed 15.66, which is only 39 on the all-time list.  That is a heck of a list.

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Ok this is getting insane!  I just saw a USED Haney for sale, for $103K.  That is more than my first 2 houses.  It reminds me of the morning having coffee with other attorneys and the Judge when I asked my friend who is a big time divorce attorney how in the world folks can afford those big houses.  His response – As soon as the divorce happens they can’t.  I am sure it is a great boat but I  wonder how many fish the boat caught?

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Bull Shoals

The beatdown in North Arkansas continues.  I think my buddy Clyde sends these to me just to harass me, but these are sure some good ones.

A nice largemouth, 19″ smallmouth, and a 24″ walleye.  Who would not be happy with these?

The Twin Lakes area of  North Arkansas has fishing galore.  And when it is spring Bull Shoals produces some great fish with these a prime example.  Makes the 12 hour drive worth it.  Thanks for the pictures Greb.

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Ok weatherman, it is now officially April and it is up to you to take the 30mph+ winds out of the forecast.  It is time for me to get off my butt and get back to the salt and that will do it.  The reports I have seen are all over the place.  Some struggling to catch 3 keeper trout in the new slot, others still knocking them stupid, it is always so.  Not sure when I will be back on the water but keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

There is no better way to spend a couple of days than talking fishing.  Michael invited me to work the booth some and as it has been every time I have done it the show was fun.  It was a time to meet both new and old friends.  The Wade Right guys, Waterloo guys right across the isle, Joshua and his magic shrimp among others.  And a couple of readers stopped by to say high so it was a success.  Plus we sold plenty of baits.

Of course, selling baits was the reason for the season and for me selling the Knockin Tails is fun.  When you believe in a product it is just a matter of telling folks why they should use them.  With the way they have put fish in the boat for me it is easy to talk about them.  Plenty of folks were stocking up, others heard about the Knockin Tail at the show and came to try some out.   And I hope some of the freshwater guys we talked to give them a real go on the water, they will be sold to.  Adding the 3 1/2″ and 5″ to round out the line, along with jig heads, covers most conditions year round.  Now it will be back to using them starting tomorrow, which is definitely the most fun.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Weather

80/68.  Areas of low clouds, then some sun; breezy in the afternoon with no chance of rain.  Wind SSE  14 – 40mph.

Lake Level

Today   97.01 msl.     13 days ago   97.32 msl.

Bite Times

Major  10:47 am to 12:47 pm.   Minor  4:20 pm to 5:20 pm.

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When I got to the lake at daylight it was dead calm, but that sure did not last.  They issued wind warnings, and boy was that right.  The water temp at the ramp was 70 degrees, and most of the lake is in that range.  Some of the color is not the best and it has definitely gone down.  No matter where I was today, and it was limited by the wind, there were fish spawning, and I mean carp, gar, tilapia, bass, and who knows what else.

Swim Jig with a Knockin Tail Greenback trailer, best bite of the morning.

It was cloudy at first with little wind but it just kept building and of course it cleared off.  I started with the 5″ Pearl Knockin Tail in a shallow spawning cover and caught a couple of smalls and missed a couple.  It took an hour to fish it meanwhile the wind kept picking up.  I wanted to fish a couple of places before it came up so I picked up the buzzbait to cover some water.  A couple 3 or 4 smalls jumped on and then this small white.  You never know.

The buzzbait bite has begun.

Next was my favorite spring cove the swim jig, and I did catch the one above but could not buy another bite.  By now the wind was blowing right along, and I am being nice in that description, as in a real pain in the ass.  I wanted to make one quick pass in white bass territory and caught these to crappie twins out of one area on crankbait, but since I did not catch a white bass I headed back down lake.

Twins.

At this point the main lake was white capping and there were few places to fish.  Spinnerbait, spoon and Knockin Tail, swim bait, was about all I could fish.  It was turning in to no fun, but I did manage a couple of bites.  I lost the best fish of the day and had another good one boil the 5″ Pearl.  I should have caught a couple more, but the wind was such a hassle that making the kind of precise cast you needed to was impossible.  I finally called it a day, or surrendered, around 1:00.  There was only one truck left at the ramp when I pulled out, it was that big a hassle that it ran everyone off.

While I did not catch that many fishing is looking up.  It would have definitely been better if I could have fished where and how I wanted, but no complaint.  Conditions will be better next time and I am looking forward to it.

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Several folks responded following my last report.  This from Ross.

Looks like a great time up in Arkansas! Striper are my #1 target when not fishing saltwater and my biggest striper, 38lbs, came from Norfork. I have a lot of family in SW Missouri and have been fishing the White since I was 5, so 35yrs now! I hadn’t been on river below Bull Shoals in a few years and went back in September. I, too, was as surprised as you by how many boats were on the river and how rude the ‘guides’ were. We were flyfishing only and were looked upon as lepers! Drifts cut off constantly as well.

First day we fished from the dam down to Gaston’s. 2nd day we went way downriver to where the North Fork comes in and had it all to ourselves! We fished from the North Fork up to where the Buffalo comes in and it reminded of the ‘Good Old Days’!

It is great to see so many people enjoying the outdoors, but the selfish nature that is so common is unsettling. I see it on every body of water everywhere I go.

Great to hear from you.  That is becoming the experience for most of us now, especially those that have been outside for a lifetime.  The only way to deal is just be the bigger person and avoid confrontation on the water.  It is just indicative of  the general loss of etiquette and ethics of some folks, and ignorance by others.  But great to hear from someone who has fished Norfork, one of the great striper fisheries, plus it is interesting you have fished up from Norfork, I still have an acquaintance that owns one of the trout docks. And guiding we would cook a shore lunch on the island at the mouth of the Buffalo.  So thanks for the comments, the rest of you if you want to knock off both a good striper and some trout visit the Twin Lakes Area, you won’t be disappointed.

This from SA Joe.

Not only the fish trip was an “A”, you got to see friends again that love fishing. Glad you had a blast. It take a miracle for me to get friends out on the boat. They just dont slow down and take a breath to enjoy the outdoors.

Sorry them douche bags, with the jets. Where are game wardens when you need them. Its all about chasing the money and putting the clients on fish. We know we have some days and then catch nothing the next. Clients have no clue.

If they are not careful on the White it will start to look like some areas of the West, like the Snake where you have to register and some other assorted hoops to jump through to float the river.  And fishing with my buddy Clyde is always an adventure, we did some real damage in the old days and it sure was nice to go back and put the hurt on them.  The addition of a population of walleyes only adds to the fishing.  As far as the knuckleheads we can’t kill em so best to keep on fishing and let it roll off.  Thanks for the comment.

And from John.

like the idea of that rod box. Is that the one made by Yakima?

Yes.  A little background on how that happened.  There was none to be found the last couple of years and I finally got this one from an Australian that got deported.  They are regularly $600 and this one was brand new and was $300.  The reason I mention it is how I feel about it after this trip.

I wanted one that held multiple rods, and on this trip I took 5 casting rod and reels, 2 spinning rods and reels, and one spare rod, for a total of 8 which fit fine.  I added 2 padlocks to make it awful tough to break in to, along with mounting it on Thule Aero crossbars which would be a major operation to steal.  One issue I read about was wind noise, but it made none so that was good.  I think buying the quality Aero bars had a lot to do with that.   I was able to mount it to be able to get at the rods by standing on the floorboard of the back seat.  Once it is mounted it will be fairly high so access has to be considered.  But it was a pain in the butt to have to always take them inside the motel when traveling.  Part of the motivation was the time I left 12 in a motel in Jasper Al and did not realize it for over an hour and had to turn around and go back.  An added bonus, it can carry both my fly rods (They have to be broken down by a section or two depending on where it hits the rack.) and conventional tackle when in trout territory.   I give it an A until we see how it holds up, though it sure helps how cheap I got it, at $600 it would be a little pricey, but I would still have bought it.

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Congrats to my Razorbacks for a good season and a good run in the tournament.  And anytime you beat 2 teams who are ranked number 1 in the same year you have done something.  It was a tough loss the other night, but the future is so bright I have to wear shades.  WPS!!!!

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So what is next?  Tuesday wind 18 – 44 mph!  Wednesday wind 15 – 30 with another wind advisory.  I do know one thing, when the Boss retires and we hit the road I will not miss our early spring winds.  Good thing it only last a couple of months but it was a hassle today and looks to be the same for another couple.  Then it will be back on the water.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines