FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Weather

50/75.  Mostly sunny and warm with 0%  chance of rain.  Wind  ESE 10 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today  94.15 msl.    5 days ago  94.04 msl.   (Loving the rise.)

Solunar Time

Minor  8:06 am to 9:06 am.   Major  2:32 pm to 4:32 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

I waited until 8:30 to hit the lake as it was 46 degrees.  The water temp remains in the high 60’s all over the lake but the color is really deteriorating, maybe from the last rain.  (It was not that much so who knows.)   The wind was cool out of the NE and by time I quit at 1:00 it was white capping over most of the lake.

There are no pictures today, only 7 jumped on and they were all small.  The cold front definitely had them off but there was one happening.  I pitched a beaver style bait over a log and one just took off.  I set the hook, but she swam out to me under the log, and it was not solid enough.  She thrashed and came off.  It was another big one, and just like the last 2 trips you can get a big bite, getting it in is another thing.

Today it was 1 on spinnerbait, 2 pitching, and 4 on blue/blue craw swim jig.  I tried several different coves today and like it has been a couple had nothing in them, or at least nothing that wanted anything I was fishing.  Unfortunately topwater was just to tough as the wind was blowing around corners and into most of the places I wanted to fish.  So not feeling it I put it on the trailer at 1:00.

The lake still puzzles me.  Are they just not up yet, or are they not there anymore?  Some of the places I have hit the last few trips should have fish, other places 3 bites is a good thing.  And while they will bite most anything, there does not seem to be a killer bait, at least for me.  I guess it will become clearer soon, they are going to spawn, they always do.

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From the Feds – Do it for your loved ones!

“A new law, effective April 1, 2021, should go a long way to remedying a safety hazard. Engine cutoff device wear requirements for recreational boat operators are part of the January 1, 2021, passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, which included a U.S. Coast Guard Reauthorization. These devices, commonly referred to as engine cutoff switches (ECOS) are designed to prevent a boat-strike injury if an operator is accidentally ejected overboard while underway.”

This should be your everyday practice anyway if you live in Texas, if not time to start.  It could saved your life.  The easiest way for me to remember is just attach it to an auto inflate life jacket and leave it on the seat every time  you get up.  Easy.  Sitting down to move, slide the PFC on and hit the road.  If you get tossed out the boat will stop, and you will float, simple enough.  Would suck to get tossed, have the boat stop, and then drown.  Just saying.  Nothing like redundant safety devices.

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Normally I include TPWD press releases, or at least a synopsis, of those related to fishing. But this week there has been tons of actions on multiple fronts, including the major changes to the Laguna fishing regs, and the new fresh and saltwater regulation changes for the coming year.  So just hit the link and go and take a look, it pertains to all of us.

News Releases: – TPWD (texas.gov)

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And I got this comment from Ross.

Love reading your blog, but don’t comment much. Glad to see you are on a fishing spree lately!

I am looking at planning a Chandeleur Island trip. Which outfit do you recommend? Does time of year matter much? I have been looking at this trip for awhile, but just really starting to research it.

What are some of the main items to be aware of? Used to fishing the middle coast mostly for trout and haven’t ever really fished LA much.

Thank you for any advice!

First good to hear from you.  As far as LA fishing much of the Chandeleurs is similar to fishing a big Texas bay.  Acres of shallow flats that can be waded or drifted, and both are effective and of course it is all lure fishing.  There are pockets and coves, grass, cuts, you name it there is some, not to mention walking over the island to the beach and open ocean.  So nothing you can’t handle, but it is big.  You will be fishing out of small fiberglass boats with hand crank motors.  The Southern Belle includes radios just in case, as I am sure other boats do.

As far was when, of course it is weather dependent and the 3 trips I have gone on have been in May or June.  So as far as a guess, time of year is nothing more than a guess, one year we caught more than the trip right before us, last year we should have been there last week.  Fishing has been good, fair, and poor, about like any other 3 day trip to any other destination.  We’ve had high winds, great weather, thunderstorms, the whole lot of it.   And the same old lures you have faith in can catch fish.  The last 2 trips it was drifting, the first one the beach and more wading.  As usual the weather dictates and my only thought, summer could be hot, it is Louisiana.

I have only been on the Southern Belle with Capt. Howie.  The boat is one of the older boats that fishes there, and the sleeping is bunks in close quarters.  There are other boats with “finer” accommodations, including separate sleeping areas, but I don’t go for the accomodations.  A big plus, the eats are top notch, then fish till you drop and let the crew do the work.  The crew takes good care of you including loading the boats and coolers for you.  In fact, stay the heck out of the way.  And of course they clean the fish.  So as long as you are fishing with a good bunch it is a great trip.  Not sure how it would work if you do not have a boat full as we always have a full crew when we book.  And the usual caveat, you might catch the hell out of them, and you might struggle.  Welcome to fishing travel.  But it was, and still is, a bucket list trip for me and hopefully we will be going back this year.

Southern Belle Fishing Tours | Book a Charter Fishing Trip Today! 228-861-0188 (fishsouthernbelle.com)

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Today I am getting our trip to Jackson Hole and the all the various fly fishing opportunities worked out.  We have a float on the Snake booked depending on the water levels.  It is the beginning of run off season but they have other places so a fish will be caught somewhow.  We will be there in exactly a month and it is time to get excited not only for the fishing, but for the Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge.  We love chasing animals and that area fills the bill, and who knows, maybe we will catch a big one.  And as long as we are talking about fishing travel, I just emailed Tim to see if we are going to the Chandeleurs again.  Now if I can get a few of the Austin Boys down here it will be a good start to spring fishing.

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One thing that really chaps my ass is how folks we taxpayers pay continue to not give one crap about us.  Falcon is dropping like a rock and the ramp situation at the state park is getting critical.   There is none and folks are having to launch off the bank.  The guy at Falcon Lake Tackle spoke with the park’s person who basically was unresponsive and not to interested in taking even the most simple steps which would take someone 1 minute to do, to allow safer launching. Since the ramp is the main use at the park and the reason folks are there, the answer should be: “We will get right on it to wee if we can find a solution so that the state taxpayers can launch.”  We paid for the park, the ramp, and their salary.  End of story – typical government nonsense, they forget who they work for.

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I am currently waiting for the Mako to get back from the shop.  So as long as the wind is blowing it will be the lake until then.  But as soon as it is I am chomping to get back on the bay.  I have some new baits to try and can’t wait to get at it.  And Travis or Amistad is on my list so stay tuned for that.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Weather

55/85.   Mostly cloudy with a 50% chance of rain.   Wind  SE 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Yesterday  94.04 msl.   Today  94.04 msl.

Solunar Time

Major  10:09 am to 12:09 am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

The conditions were great and you can actually see the lake coming up.  And in some areas there is green stuff which is slowly getting water on it, which should help the shallow bite.  Today I caught several more fish than yesterday, and I  had my chance.  I pitched the watermelon red stick worm next to a big log and one thumped it.  And it was a big one.  Of course it dove in the stuff but this time I had 20lb line and my heavy action rod, which should have been plenty.  After doing the push pull thing the line just parted and off she went.  But at least I had a couple of good bites today.

Spinnerbait and pitching.  They were willing.

Swim bait and balsa minnow.  Run of the mill as far as size went.

So here is my take away from the last 3 mornings.  They are starting to make an appearance but they are mostly small.  Which leads me to a question I have been pondering:  Where are the mediums?  And I mean the 3 – 5lb fish.  It seems they are either not up yet, or we are missing a year class or two.  On the good side of things, there are tons of small, and I mean small bass.  The bait of choice has been weather specific.  Today is a perfect example of that, I caught on 4 baits at about the same pace.  As we all know clouds make a difference.

Though today it was time to try some other places, and I mean spawning coves, and of my favorites, one had fish, 2 did not, and these are my go to spots.  There was no water temp difference in those places, it is now mid 60’s to almost 70 in the backs of some of the pockets.  Which is normally a good thing, but if they are in the real back ends I sure can not make them bite.  (Who knows, might have something to do with all the tilapia in the back ends spawning.  They are thrashing around and mudding stuff up.  More on that in a minute.)  When it comes down to it, pitching wood is probably the best pattern I have found, today the one broke off and another stretched my string before she pulled off.

It was a lot more fish today, I lost track of what came on what but they were biting, just could not get the size.  They still wanted the minnow bait twitch fairly quick right on the surface, the spinnerbait fast, swim jig slow rolled, and being sure to make your pitch with plastics right on/in the cover.  So it was somewhat of an improvement, hopefully that trend will continue.  Today was one of the those weather days when you cancel the heart transplant and go fishing.  Hopefully there are more to come.  And could we please have just a little rain with these clouds, we sure need it.

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Time has come for TPWD, or anyone else, to quit adding ANY invasive species for any reason.  And make it illegal for anyone else to do it, including in their private waters.  We have more tilapia than we need by a mile, and if maybe, just maybe, some vegetation begins to grow we do not need them eating it.  Same with Fayette, and they are having additional problems that come with netting. Wonder what the tilapia have been living on in Coleto the last couple of years?   Look at what happened to Lake Austin, on it’s way to being one of the hottest lakes in the country before it was flat ruined with the addition of grass carp, basically to appease some rich property owners.  So stop it, the grand experiments of the past had a little success, and many failures, so please stop trying to “fix” nature.

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So ok with the last couple of days after a slow winter on the lake.  Tomorrow it is off to buy the Boss a new car, which is always entertaining.  When it comes to car buying it is our money and I can be pretty hard to deal with.  But that is the fun of it.  After that it will be back on the water.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Weather

62/86.  Partly sunny with a 10% chance of rain.  Wind NW  7 – 13 mph.

Lake Level

Today  94.04 msl.   Yesterday  94.01 msl.

Solunar Time

Major  9:15 am to 11:15 am.   Minor  2:31 pm to 3:31 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Finally.

I was flat determined to catch a few today, and it worked out.  The wind was light as advertised and the sky cleared off as it was cracking daylight.  The water temp remains in the mid to high 60’s over all of the lake, and there are still areas that are off color.  So it was topwater time, and until 10:00 when the sun got out and the sky cleared, it was a steady, not fast, bite on a Rapala balsa minnow.  The first point produced 3, the next place a couple, and it stayed that way.  They wanted it twitched right on top and most came right on, or a little off, the bank, none way off.

The 3rd place turned out to be the place.  I tossed th minnow bait next to a pile of brush and the one above jumped all over it.  Best bite I have had in a while.  Of course she proceeded to dive straight into the mess.  With only 10lb line and a light action rod it was a struggle.  Occasionally I would see her, and after what seemed like 10 minutes of pulling really softly she swam back out.  Making it all the way with 3 trebles without getting stuck was pure luck, and I scooped her up.

I forgot what a big pre-spawn bass feels like.  You pick them up and the added weight is noticeable.  Not sure what she weighed but  it was good one who was up there looking to spawn.  As usual a quick pic and back in she went.

Of the 15 about half were like this.  The lake is getting there.

The wind was blowing in part of the cove so I switched to a spinnerbait and caught another.  When it noticeably slowed down I alternated between a blue swim jig with a blue craw trailer and did a little pitching on the last bank, which produced a couple.  It was 2 each on spinnerbait, swim jig, and pitching a stick worm, and 9 came on topwater.  At 1:00 I called it a day a much happier fisherman than yesterday.

What is still somewhat puzzling is that some of the usual spring coves are almost bare of fish.  And the rest of the lake is still one here, two there, but never a solid pattern.  But of course there was one thing consistent, wood.  And once the sky really cleared the one place I pitched they were on the wood, which should be a regular thing on the lake from here on out.  And the slow rise is getting more and more stuff in the water, which will definitely help.

Nice to finally boat a big one, not sure what that might mean, but it is progress.  I love topwater minnow, twitch it just right and they eat.  Either the Rapala or the Bang O Lure will do the job, and the next day with clouds, mist, and light wind should be a killer.  Plus time to put a few crappie in the boat, feeling like a fish fry.  Then next week I plan on getting back on the bay to see what that is like.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

 ********************

A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Time to get back on the horse and ride as things get back to normal around here.  So of  course being Monday it will be Coleto.  I really expect the fishing to be improved, it is time.  I like the forecast, clouds are a good thing.   The wind is somewhat of a hassle with the Skiff, but nothing I have not dealt with for the 21 years I have owned it.  As usual will wake up early, especially this trip, it will be nice to be back on the water.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Wooooo Pig!  The Sweet 16!

Weather

59/75.  Cloudy, breezy with a 10% chance of rain.  Wind SSE  16 – 27 mph.

Lake Level

Today  94.01 msl.   10 days ago 93.88 msl.  (Steady but slow.  We need some rain.)

Solunar Time

Major  8:21 am to 10:21 am.   Minor  1:34 pm to 2:34 pm.

Coleto Creek

The lake is slowly rising, the water temp was 65 – 69 all over the lake, it was cloudy, and the wind had not started blowing, yet.  As far as I am concerned, after 40+ years of chasing bass, the lake flat sucks.  I am no VanDam, but I have been known to catch a few here and there.  It just makes no sense.   I caught 7, all small and hardly worth getting the  camera out.

4 came on spinnerbait, 2 on swim jig, and one white bass on the spinnerbait.  The Controlled Descent Jerk Shad did not produce a bite, which makes absolutely no sense this time of year.  It was just to windy to fish much but moving baits, (Bang O Lure or plastics.) and why the spinnerbait did not take off later in the morning when the wind started howling just plain confuses me.

I fished places that absolutely should have fish right now, and several were bare.  The only real excitement was on throwing the spinnerbait over a log one boiled it.  Tossed back in and she literally climbed over the log chasing it.  And then my fault, tossed in a 3rd time, she tapped it, and I flat missed her.  It looked in the 4 – 5 range, and other than that it was all smalls.  (I only had several other perfect baits to toss back in after the first bite, brain fart.)

One thing I did not like, besides the wind ending up at well over 25 mph, was the water color in some places was ugly at best.  Some of it had that milky look, not my favorite by any means.  When combined with the wind it was hard to see, even in the back of some of the pockets, but the tilapia are still in some of them.  But as many pockets as I tossed stuff in if they are there spawning they sure did not want what I was pitching.  The punch line:  I do not have a clue.

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I am so grateful for all your kind words following the death of my father.  It was a tough time and your condolences were appreciated.

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When we got home from Arkansas the girls stopped by after visiting the other grandparents in Houston.  They wanted to go to the beach so first we headed down to Aransas Wildlife to see what was out and about.

The Boss, my daughter Carrie, Wren, and Mia.

Wren being Wren.

A small guy.

There were plenty of gators out, not near as many birds as before the freeze, and we did see a few deer and one pig.  There is always something moving around there.

Busy, busy.

Lovin’ the sun.  The girls were split on whether alligators are a menace.

Gators everywhere!

It was great to have them here a few days.  They are great girls and have always been interested in my fishing.  They wanted  to fish, as long as they did not have to touch them.  It took a little bit, but they started to get the hang of it.

Wren the catfish queen.

Miss Mia had the numbers.

So next year it will be a Zebco 33 each and the real learning will begin.  If they don’t learn anything from Grandpa hopefully I can pass along my love of fishing.  They are such good girls if I do say so myself.

                                                          *****************And here is a real tip.  Can’t share where it came from, but I can vouch.  Can you say Purple Demon Limetreuse Knockin Tail?  It was my go-to the last few trips to the bay and it is still the ticket.  If it is not in your saltwater arsenal you are flat missing out.

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More bad news on the great freeze out.   It appears that the extent of the fish kill, especially on bigger trout, has started to be apparent along the length of the coast.  Seems warmer water caused more dead fish to surface. Until TPWD does the netting surveys sometime in June the real extent will not be known, but all indications are it was worse than initially thought.  Apparently CCA will modify their contest, and a few of the ethical resorts and guides are going to catch and release, which every single one of us should do until the final numbers are in.

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On the boating front the Mako has a small issue, could be worse, but it will probably be in the shop for at least another week.  When you have a 1000 hours, anything, anytime, can happen.  But the Skiff is ready to go.  Even re-wired the trailer lights today so it will be the work horse for a while.  As usual every time I think about selling it something comes up and I am glad I have it.

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Tomorrow is another day so it will be back to the lake in the morning.  Time to try a couple of different baits and techniques as the wind will not be blowing and we should have clouds for at least a while in the morning.  It is good to be back on the water.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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Father of Many – Enemy of None

On March 15, 2021 my father, Dean L Coppernoll, died at the ripe old age of 92.

My father’s health had declined during the pandemic and he died peacefully on Monday.  All the family was there and able to say good bye.  He lead a wonderful life, and actually worked all over the country until he retired at 76.  A great father, husband, and successful salesman, he had many friends and was well respected by all who knew him.

His 4 passions, family, church, work, and golf.  Born in a small town in Illinois and raised on a farm, they milked cows by hand, picked corn by hand, doing the work with a team of horses. No indoor plumbing or other creature comforts, it was a different time but taught him hard work the rest of us can only imagine.  He made it to the University of Illinois and got his degree, and was a Lt. in the Air Force during the Korean war when he met and married my Mom.  He and mom worked hard at taking care of 5 kids, multiple friends, dogs, cats, and all the insanity of raising 5 teenagers during the 60″s.

I know that I am lucky to have known him, father or not.  Smart, compassionate, he would knock out the NY Times crossword puzzle, and do not try him at Scrabble unless you want your butt kicked.  Words can not fully describe a life so full.  I will miss him.  RIP Daddy.

(Not sure when I will be back on the water.)

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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I had hoped to be on the bay Wednesday but it just did not work out.  The folks I was going to fish with did not end up having room as they were going to boat fish and not wade, they already had 3 in the boat.  And since it was the same boat as mine I demurred, the LTS is not a 4 person boat by any means.  Since the LTS is in the shop it will be the skiff on the lake tomorrow.  It has been a great boat, but I just do not use it enough.  But as usual glad I have it so I can keep on fishing.  Just might make a trip to the Louisiana marsh her final voyage, at least by me.  But with a basically new trolling motor, graph, and batteries it is ready to go.

Weather

68/83.  Some  low clouds turning to sun, then breezy with a 9% chance of rain.  Wind  SSE  15 – 25 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.88 msl.   Monday  93.79 msl.  (A slow steady rise.)

Solunar Period

Major  12:13 am to 2:13 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

I am going to make a long story short.  Spinnerbait early caught 6 or so, then swim jig caught 5 and a Controlled Descent Jerk shad caught one.  The wind was blowing right along and the color on much of the lake had deteriorated in places.  The water temp was 66 – 69 over the whole lake, and was a little patchy here and there.

With the wind spinnerbait was the ticket.

They wanted it buzzed and most like last trip were near wood.  The wind kept me from throwing the topwater minnow as it was just a little rough for that.  So I decided to give the swim jig a go, and they liked it.  The only problem, 3 or 4 of them when I set the hook flew over the boat, they were that small.  But the good thing, the little fish are on the move.  And as we are in the dark stage of the moon look for the bass to start spawning bigtime in 2 weeks.

Another spring sign, the carp were wallowing here and there, and of course it trashed the water color in that area.  And with the tilapia on the beds it is going to be crappie and bass time soon.  As I said before we are about to find out where the lake stands, I am trying to be optimistic about the whole thing.

I quit early and when I got to the ramp a guy had managed to drive his boat over the guide post which wedged in the gunnel and he was hung up.  So I jumped in his boat and he backed back in and I was finally able to wrangle the post out of the gunnel and get him on the road.  Unfortunately he did not have a bite, which is not uncommon after talking to a few folks at the ramp.  So only time will tell.

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First I want to congratulate Michael.  The Knockin Tail is now available in 10 states and growing rapidly.  He just added a big Louisiana store to the list and it keeps growing.  Make a bait that catches fish and it will sell, and the Knockin Tail catches fish.

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The St. Joe Fishing  Club fished the Belton tournament and Joaquin’s team finished 13th out of 55 teams.  This after his 10th place finish in the last tournament he is showing some real promise.  And to make it even tougher Bass Champs was also fishing that day with 198 boats.  Believe me that was crowded.  Good luck for the rest of the year, you are off to a good start.

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From the Fort Worth Star Telegram.

Millions of fish off the Texas coast died after the winter storm in February, officials say.

Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists estimate at least 3.8 million fish consisting of 61 species were killed by the cold weather. Not since the 1980s have so many fish died due to freezing temperatures in the state, officials say.

About 91% of the fish killed were non-recreational species, officials say.

“While not sought after by most anglers, non-game fish are ecologically important, providing food for larger game fish as well as adding to the overall diversity of Texas bays,” officials said in a Wednesday news release.

For recreational fish, spotted seatrout were hit worst, accounting for about half the deaths among game species, officials say.

Hey,

I just signed the petition “Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith: REGULATE CAST NET HARVESTING AT LAKE FAYETTE, FAYETTE COUNTY TX” and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 500 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

http://chng.it/2f9fxQnyX9

Thanks!
Rusty

I signed and I urge you to sign.  Basically what is happening has made Fayette a dangerous place at times with other illegal activity, not to mention deaths from boating issues.  It has been going on for a couple of years now and the complaints have been increasing.  Time to rein in the behavior and set some rules that are fair for all.  Please read and sign.  It is time.

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I have ranted on this subject before and I will do it again after reading a post trashing a lure for being “a copy” of another bait.  First, this came from a tournament fisherman, who of course was sponsored by another company.  Second, it shows the limited depth of folks knowledge and respect for the history of our sport.  EVERY lure is a variation of a first.  All crankbaits flow from the Big O, minnow baits from the Rapala, and every plastic is a variation of the first worm, to name a few.  Innovation moves the industry, and this country.  So unless you want to trade your SCB for a jon boat might want to think about your stand on innovation.

It really is an indication of the elitism that has taken over fishing.  Somehow folks think that being good at catching fish is something more than it really is.  So you can catch fish: kinda like when you fed the hungry, got an advanced degree, wrote a book, or took care of a sick stranger?  Those are the things than make us something, not our ability to catch a trout.  When it is all said and written, fishing is just a blip on the screen.  In the end we will be remembered for the things we did, good or bad, not how many fish we caught.

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Unfortunately my father was just taken to inpatient hospice care.  He is 94 and has had a full life, it has been coming for a while.  So we are headed to Arkansas and not sure when I will be coming back.  From there who knows?  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

 ********************

A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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It was looking like I would be fishing with friends on the bay Monday but they were not going to arrive until later in the day so I re-scheduled for Wednesday.  So it will be my usual Monday on Coleto for a short day.  But I have a few things to do including take the boat to the mechanic for the yearly, and get the last vaccine shot Tuesday and some truck service.  Then all will be right with the world and it will be back to fishing.  I am making no projections on the fishing tomorrow, but I am looking forward to improving my last results.

Weather

60/74.  Pleasant with a blend of clouds and sun and  a 15% chance of rain.  Wind ESE 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.79 msl.   Last Friday  93.73 msl.

Solunar Period

Major  8:49 am to 10:49 am.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

A great way to start the morning.

The water temp was 63 at the ramp, 67 here or there over the rest of the lake.  Color in some places was poor, but it was a light wind with increasing clouds so decided to stay with the plan as much as possible, fish the balsa minnow topwater.  They liked it last week and a few liked it today.  And it appears the lake is improving.

The Pearl Knockin Tail put the best one in the boat today.

I caught a small one on my first cast, though no more bites there, so on to another cove, and not a bite.  For the first part of the morning not much was happening.  But the few bites I had were on wood so I headed up lake and fished main lake and coves, a couple of places I caught them the other day were empty.  But I managed to pick one up here and there, ended up with 8 on the minnow bait, one on spinnerbait, (I just can’t help it!) one on swim jig, and the best one on a Pearl Knockin Tail.  All came off wood.

But the topwater minnow was the bait of choice.

It was clearly wood as far as bites went, but there was plenty of empty wood, though I did not pitch, which might have been a little better.  Later in the morning I tried slow rolling the Pearl Knockin Tail around wood to see if there were any crappie shallow.  (That is coming very soon.)  and of course caught the best bass of the day.  But like everything I fished besides the topwater, each only produced one fish.  Almost forgot, had one blow up on the Controlled Descent Pearl Jerk Shad fished right under the surface like a spook, but she just did not get it.   It is also another good option right now.  Welcome to spring fishing.

And the baby gators are still hanging together.

I quit early but can live with the results.  The size was a tiny bit better, and it will continue to improve.  There are a few days every spring where it all happens, and that day is just around the corner.  Now we just keep after it and see what happens with the lake.  I can honestly say that I do not expect it will be all that good, but there is just no way to tell after our poor winter.  At least there are a few shallow, which is enough to keep me happy.

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The real reason for the afternoon was to get the boat squared up, this is no time to not have it.  The boat job is one of those it could be expensive, or it could be real expensive.  The beginning of steering tightness, which is as simple as running the brush through there, or it is a cable issue.  And another problem that has come up before, the paint job on the power tilt is coming off.  Bob told me that lots of the parts/additions on the engine actually come from suppliers and are bolt on for Mercury.  No matter, I replaced the last one and it should not happen twice in 12 years.  (I mean it has only been fishing over 1000 times!)  At least they both came up at the same time as the yearly maintenance.  So time to crank up the skiff and run it a little, then when the Mako is back the skiff will finally be hitting the road.

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Just saw the Thursday weather report and they are talking 30mph plus.  Perfect.  But if those boys are willing I will be on the bay Wednesday somewhere.  After that who knows but it looks like spring has sprung.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The only thing to do after falling off the horse is to get back on.  Nobody likes a quitter and I ain’t no quitter.  So after cleaning the boat and fixing a couple of things it will be off to the lake in the morning.  Not sure what to expect considering my run of luck lately, but there is no place like home so we shall see.

Weather

58/82.  Mostly cloudy with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind WSW 7 – 12 mph.

Lake Level

8 days ago  93.70 msl.   Today  93.74 msl.   (Keep coming!)

Solunar Period

Major  5:55 am to 7:55 am.  Minor  11:18 am to 12:18 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Didn’t exactly get my mojo back, but things are definitely looking up.

They were out today.

I was at the ramp and fishing by 6:45.  The lake was calm, fairly clear, the water temp was in the mid to high 60’s all over the lake, and it was perfect cloudy.  First up was a main lake point that should have fish on it, and it did.  Started with the Bang O Lure twitching it on top and caught 4 pretty quickly.  Now they were all small but that is not the point.  The fact is 9 jumped on the balsa minnow today, a major improvement.

It was slow, but they were biting some.  The Boss had ordered a white bass fry, so I fished my way up lake and once getting to where they were made 2 passes and put 6 in the box and filled that order.  The Pearl Knockin Tail was the ticket as it has been.  There was one little hitch in the git along when something big jumped on the trolled Bang O Lure, was on for a second, and broke my line.  When I reeled it in it was covered with slime, probably a big catfish.  It stayed calm until around noon as I fished my way back down lake.  Alternating between spinnerbait, Bang O Lure, and swim jig, only the Bang O Lure produced a bite when the sun came out.  I can safely say that if I had just fished the minnow bait and not wasted time with the other stuff I would have caught several more.

All 11 were like this and smaller.  But they are about to get after it.

I fished 5 coves and only got bites in 2 of them.  They came in those little side pockets which were warm, and there are a few beds and the tilapia are definitely spawning.  At this water temp my guess is the “real” bass are going to come in really soon.  They are going to spawn, they can’t help themselves.  And as a side note the white bass have not spawned yet, at least the ones I am catching and eating, which is surprising.

A whole bunch of baby alligators.  They were making lots of noise and I am sure moma was close.

I did catch 2 jerking the Bang O Lure under water after I saw them.  A great sign.  And one jumped it when I was reeling in.  Once the sun came out it slowed way down.   The last place I tried no bites, but the back end was full of tilapia so if you like to bowfish now is the time.

So at 1:30 called it a day, and while no big fish jumped on the bite is about to get good.  How good remains to be seen, but the boys came to the bank and the girls will not be far behind.  Feeling a whole lot better about the lake after a tough period and will be patiently waiting on some rain to raise it and provide cloud cover.  The one thing I did not throw today was the Controlled Descent Pearl Jerk Shad.  It just might be the ticket as it has been in the past, and it is sure easier to see.

Not sure what kind of hawk this is but he stuck around and occasionally hits the ground for a bite.

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Whether trolling or casting they eat the Pearl Knockin Tail and usually only the jig head is sticking out.

I did forget to mention one other thing about the white bass on Falcon.  I threw the Pearl Knockin Tail one cast, and caught one.  I never did pick it back up, how many white bass do you want to catch?  It really is a white bass killer!  They flat eat it.

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Am very anxious to hear about Michael’s trip to the lower Laguna Thursday.  The weather looks great and so I hope they sack them up.  The future of the bay is still up in the air until TPWD speaks, probably after their netting surveys.

Michael’s report is better than I would have guessed.  He caught 6 eaters not counting dinks on the Purple Demon Knockin Tail.  And on the Pearl Controlled Descent Jerk Shad  6 from 2lbs up to 6 along with 2 slots reds.  And one in their party did ok on top with a couple of good trout and a redfish.  So the moral of the story, maybe we dodged a bullet on the bay.  Nice job.  And as a side note they only saw 1  dead fish.

And Colton and his bunch won another tournament with a 4 trout bag weighing  16lbs plus.  So the news continues to be looking better for the bay.

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Not sure what exactly is next, though get my second vaccine shot on Tuesday.  And a friend is coming down with his son to fish out of Seadrift and I hope to join them a day this week.  And I will be back on the lake for sure.  Spring fishing is finally looking up and it will be fish till you drop around here.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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A Better Cork built a Better Way

If you fish a popping cork and have not tried the Four Horseman popping cork, or even if you are currently using them, here is a GREAT DEAL.  They have been kind enough to give my readers a discount. It will be a 20% discount so get them while the getting is good.  What a deal.  Use the code 4H6 at check out to save some serious bucks.  No better time to stock up.  (I will leave this up for the time being, you never know when you will need some new corks.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Now that is sunrise!

I almost do not know where to start.  I have been many places, fished in all conditions, and learned something new each trip.  This trip to Falcon was “something” for lots of reasons.  Not happy catching a 100?  87 degrees Sunday afternoon, Monday blowing 30 out of the northwast with what turned out be a 35 degree temperature drop and kept me in the cabin all day.  An 8 degree water temp drop, it goes on and on.  Dead tilapia, and not a few, or a bunch, or a million.  Those words can not describe the carnage!  From one end of the lake to the other, it was nothing short of astounding.  How bad?  They were using tractors with buckets at the County Ramp, it was amazing/sickening.  And the lake was rock bottom low, a totally different animal.  The cove we normally put in – dry as a bone nowhere near the water.

Millions, and I mean freakin’ millions, of dead tilapia over every inch of the lake and boy did it stink.

I drove over Sunday and as usual Beacon’s left the key in the room so I was able to drop stuff off and head out.  First, I had to figure out where the ramp was.  Beacon’s always has a place to launch whether 40 feet high, or 40 feet low.  This time it was on the main lake and it took a while to figure out which road to get there.  But it was a good ramp with a pier so no big deal.

Starting out it was apparent this is a whole different animal.  So the next couple of hours I did the smart thing by cruising the areas I was planning to fish.  My favorite area in high or low water – no water, end of story.  The side coves, no water. My first creek choice the water ended a mile from where I was headed, and the depths were minimal.  The second creek I was planning on fishing, only good water at the mouth and in the first couple of pockets.  But while idling and graphing the second place found a good ledge with brush that I marked.  Looked perfect.  Idling into the first cove there are shad flipping in the quiet water with the 87 degrees sun beating down on it.  So good place to start right?  Should be some bass there.  It would end up defining the trip.

See this?  Multiple by 100 and you get how the fishing went.

Spinnerbait, jerkbait, crankbait, or where, it did not matter.

I caught one white bass, then another, and another, I ended up the short afternoon wearing them out.  Make a pass, catch 5 – 10.  Change baits and make a pass, catch 5 – 10.  For a couple of hours it was a massacre.  Not what I came but sure fun, heck I will get the bass tomorrow, though no bass was a little surprising as I was fishing a big area.  Little did I know what the rest of the trip would bring.  While fishing a guide boat came in the mouth where I marked the brush and ledge, and started fishing.  So great, will start there in the morning with plastics, good find.  But wait, not so fast buster.

After watching the weather for days before deciding where to go I knew Monday would be raining, but it turned out to be a lot worse than that.  But give the weathergirl down there props, she was spot on.  Daylight till 9:00 heavy clouds, 9:00 rain with a chance of thunderstorms, though only heard a little, then starting to blow with gusts over 30 out of the NW.  Don’t know what you all know about Falcon, but high NW winds can be straight out unsafe , it literally blows right down the whole length of the lake and my primary spot was miles down lake.  Unfortunately it played out just like she said.  Maybe 30 years ago I might have tried to squeeze in a couple of hours and then make a run at the last minute, but not these days.  (How I cracked the hull of my Champion, taking on waves like that.) There are lots of other days to fish.

Crankbait crappie.  And like the rest of the trip, a catfish on a spinnerbait.  Notice the clothing change, Sunday T shirt, then Tuesday bundled up.  This was supposed to be South Texas on the Mexican border!

So Tuesday morning I am up early full of anticipation and on the pile and ledge at daylight.  Then not a bite and I worked it over.  It was big, with a perfect ledge at the mouth of a big creek, and totally barren of fish.  I ended up fishing 11 hours and just did not find them.  So from that point on I cranked, and jerked, and dragged. 6XD, square bill, spinnerbait, jerkbait, creature plastics, I emptied the box.   I threw it all shallow and deep, on rocks, on gravel, on creek channels, it did not matter.  I made several moves but it was all the same, white bass.  They were in the coves and on the main lake.  I was not on the bass, and they were not helping any.

Now I see why the Falcon Lake tackle report says some folks catch some, others striking out.  Last month a few teams cashed a check with 8lbs, crazy on Falcon which at times is 25lbs on a 3 fish limit.  With the lake falling, 2 consecutive cold fronts, a massive fish kill, those Florida strain largemouth were not having it.  Combined with me having to learn a “new” lake, I only caught 3 bass the whole trip.  I did lose what was a big fish but who knows, the way the trip went it might have been an alligator gar.  But the white bass were literally everywhere.  It seemed like I could not get away from them.  So there you have the catch a 1oo and you are not happy.

The best I could manage.  Of course this one came right before heading home.  The old should have been here next week.

Wednesday was going to be a half day and then home, so I committed to the cause.  Out came the favorite white bass crankbait, a Rapala Shallow Shad Rap in balsa, and I went to smacking them on purpose.  It was a little slower, I probably only caught 20 – 30 give or take before I called it a trip.  Funny how when you like to catch white bass, and then all you catch is white bass, it is a “bad” thing.  But every strike could have been the big girl. at least there was that.

From the cabin porch.

Over the years there have been some epic trips to Falcon, and there has been some tough times.  One trip a few years ago we only caught 4 in 3 days, last trip 5 or 6 big fish to go along with a steady bite.  But this particular trip took the cake.  The way the lake will need to be fished properly was beyond a 3 day trip.  It would take a couple of days of just graphing to get the hang of it.  It will take that long to re-learn, it is that low.  Basically the brush is gone.  First time I wished I fished the Mexican side, at least a couple of stretches had plenty of hardwoods to flip.  And though I don’t want to harp on it, the conditions have battered the old girl.  But I am far from deterred.  It is only 4 hours and any trip you can catch the girl of your dreams.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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And Steve sent me this report from the bay.

Well, it started out as “Not much,” but ended up “Not bad.”

More of the story: I was invited to tag along with a friend that purchased an SCB from a guide, had it completely re-done and needed someone to fish the other end of the boat.  That was an easy decision for me—play with someone else’s toys, navigate new waters, do something different—sign me up!

We started off in the flats off the Cedars where they had been scratching out limits of trout before the artic blast.  Story was that they had to pick through 20-30 undersize to get to 5, but that sounded great to me.  Besides, I am not that keen on keeping a bunch of trout anyway.

The wind was calm, the water mostly clear and we were able to drift at a leisurely pace.  But the fish were just not happening.  Not a bump, drive by, or nibble, nothing.  The only “fish” we encountered were dead stingrays, stuck to the bottom.  I even managed to hook one with my Knockin Tail jig, but broke off.  I mean you know it is bad when you lose your lure to a dead fish!

We decided to try soaking some cut mullet at the jetties to see if we could scare up a big red.  We fished inside, then outside and then back inside but all we had to show was one stingray, this time lively, so we know for sure they have not gone extinct.  Finally, the tide swung from ebb to flood and the current picked up.  We anchored on the inside of the jetties at one of the swirl points and started casting dead shrimp.  Rigged with a number 3/0 khale hook in a knocker rig—tiny worm weight right on top of the hook, we cast up current towards the rocks and tight lined the bait as it drifted down the face of the rip rap.  Boom, redfish on.  22”, nice one for the box and finally some fish smell on the boat.  Then a black drum, 16”, then another.  We ended up catching about a dozen from 12” to 20” plus one hoss at 28”.  We kept a couple for dinner and let the other swim.

All total, we fished about 8 hours but caught all of our fish (except the stingray) in about 40 minutes.  The day was mostly overcast, kind of cool, but any day on the water is a beautiful day to me.  I am looking forward to figuring out the trout on the flats thing.  We plan to hit it again in 3-4 weeks and see what we can find.

Thanks for the report.  As we so often do, it is nice when we make chicken salad out of chicken crap.  And I am with you on fishing with others, and I am sure the SCB was a sweet ride.  As to the bay, guess I will have a go at it next week.  And the rest of you – if you are fishing the bay drop me a note, we are interested in the results of the kill.  If you are catching them you don’t have to cough it up, just a word on what you are finding.  I sure did see it on Falcon, at least the majority (Millions!) were tilapia and a few catfish.  Will be waiting to hear on your next trip.

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And a little good news for the bay fishing.  Colton and his bunch fished a big tourney on the salt and won with a 4 trout stringer that went 16.57.  Good news, at least they are still out there.  Those boys can catch them.

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And Rusty the resident Fayette guru had a really good day on Fayette so it looks like it is picking up there.  Hopefully Coleto has made some progress.

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So there you have it.  Of course I am already planning the next trip.  Thought Amistad was in the works, though it might have fell through still think I will go.  And where will I be in the morning?  Fishing of course.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Falcon lake slow rolling a spinnerbait last trip.

Even the Boss is sick of my whining.  Her response – Just go somewhere.  So after fretting over where, I finally decided on Falcon.  It has a special place in my heart, first for producing some really big fish, but just as much for how it fishes.  And while pitching and cranking have their moments it is the spinnerbait fishing there that I love.

My first trip there I learned a lesson that has served me well.  Take a 3/4 ounce spinnerbait, change the blades from a willow to a #5 Colorado, then toss it out and crawl it along feeling the heavy thump.  If you feel wood, a common occurrence, give it a pull and hold on.  It is not the fastest way to fish and it takes real patience, but the big bite ratio is high which is the reason I do it.  And it is so crazy when one thumps the crap out of it and you miss, because he had the whole thing in this mouth and smashes it flat.  And also a little swim bait fishing with the big stuff is on tap, have to see where they are set up.  But no matter what it is the search for the big bite.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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And this gal came on the same day.

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I got several comments on my last couple of posts where I whined like a little girl, and I mean no disrespect to girls, but fishing has been tough.  The fishing on the lake has really declined this winter and now the horrible fish kill.  Of course part of it is me, but seeing all the dead fish from South Padre to Houston does not bode well.

First from Rick.

Just a heads up. The Park in Jonestown is now charging $20.00 just enter the Jones Bros. Park. Outrageous!!! You had said you might be going to Travis. Water is so low I’m not sure if you can even launch.

I actually looked at Travis but the weather was not as favorable as Zapata.  I can not believe how ramp fees are raising crazy in some places.  It is not like the only ramp on Lake of the Woods for a 100 miles, or Everglades City deep in the Everglades.  In fact the big increase on Coleto, when combined with the slow fishing, has reduced folks by a ton.  Not sure they didn’t cut off their nose in spite of their face.   Like yesterday there was only one other trailer at the ramp.  Good to hear from you.

And this from anonymous.

If I were you I would go to Ivie. 6 Sals in a week. Why not. Fishes like a highland lake.

Funny you should say that as it is on the radar.  But I am taking the safe way out by heading to Falcon.  At least it will save me a little time, though until I see the water level not sure what it will be like.  And it has a special place in my heart after catching my 3 PB’s in 24 hours there.  So Ivie is on the list.  Thanks for commenting.

Matt chimed in with his 0.02 worth.

You may try Texana. I’ve also heard Choke Canyon is good.

I am going to fish Texana as I got some real help from folks this spring.  But I am going to do the big fish thing on Falcon.  What makes it all that for me is the anticipation on every cast.  And Choke, I just learned from a guide and reader in the area, has lots of grass, which makes it a swim jig hotspot.  So many places so little time.  Good to hear from you.

And last from Ernest.

Your breaking my heart about the fishing being slow. If its Gods will ill retire after 36 years at the same company. If i’m lucky maybe I can enjoy some slow days myself! Thanks for keeping us working folks entertained. Good luck until then and save some fish for me!

Don’t worry, when you retire there will be plenty of slow days to go along with the great days.  But you know what?  Tough or not I am on the water.  To bad we are in a rough period but the bass will come to the shallows on Coleto, not all the fish in the bay died.  Often when it comes back it often comes back with a vengeance.  So hang in there, your time is coming.   Good to hear from you.

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What is not to like about Falcon?  A hair short of 9.

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There are a few changes proposed this year for both freshwater and saltwater.  The biggest is changes in catfish regulations on multiple lakes.  Nothing on the saltwater particularly interested me, but there is a clarification on the red snapper rules in state and federal waters for you offshore guys.  But no matter what we should all read these, one of the better ways to keep tabs on TPWD.

News Releases: – TPWD (texas.gov)

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Michael from Controlled Descent and Knockin Tail will be fishing in Port Isabelle later this week and I will be real interested in his results.  If it had not been for the fish kill that area was actually at the top of my list, figured a trip way up the Brownsville Ship Channel just might put a snook or two in the boat.  So good luck, it will be telling.

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That will about cover it until I get back.  No internet so the report will have to wait until I get back.  Hope you all had a good weekend, and maybe even did a little fishing.  And I love to hear what you all have to say so if the mood strikes you drop me a line.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines