FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Michael selling lots of baits.  If you like the Knockin Tail like I do he has a deal worth driving for.  Buy you favorite colors in bulk, what a deal.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Tim and Jack, off with them again to the Chandeleurs Islands.  Check them out for all your wading needs.

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Rex and his Action Hat.  A hat built for the Go Pro, and so you won’t lose your Go Pro. So get you one and you to can be an internet fishing god.  Plus he has cool shirts.

ACTIONHAT.COM | FishFRSH.COM | LIVELIVEGEAR.COM

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Captain Experience, home of “Dam Good Fishing Guides”.  Book Em’ Dano!

 Fishing Charters & Deep Sea Fishing Near Me: Captain Experiences

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Both hard and soft plastic shrimp lures.  I have seen them smash redfish and trout, and they have only gotten better since then.  Popping cork candy.

Marker 54

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And last but hardly least.

2 Louisiana fishing guides needed a better cork and they designed the best one on the market.  Trust me, as many fish as they boat a year they needed the best.  Of course I hit him up for some info, love the Grand Isle area.

A Better Cork built a Better Way

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Always enjoy the fishing show and catching up with folks.  Everyone reports business is good.  So if you have any free time in the next couple of days head that way.  You never know, there is probably something there you can’t live without.  And I will be working the Controlled Descent/Knockin Tail booth tomorrow.   Nothing like talking about fishing for 9 hours without stopping.  Then as soon as I am done talking fishing with a few hundred folks it will be back on the water.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Houston Fishing Show

If you like the Knockin Tail Lure, and will be anywhere near Houston this weekend, bring your wallet.  Michael has a great deal for the show so time to stock up.  The Knockin Tails will be available in bulk, which is the only way to go and will save you big bucks.  You can also get a deal on bags of  his other great bait, the Controlled Descent Lures.  In deference to the stores that carry his baits you will have to hit the booth to find out how great the deal, but trust me what a deal!   So stop by the booth and say hi, and buy some baits.

And be sure to stop in and say hi to the Wade Right boys.  They have some new stuff this year and you never know, there just might be something you can’t live without.

Weather

71/88.  Humid with variable cloudiness; a thunderstorm this afternoon with a 50% chance of rain.   Wind  ENE 7 – 12 mph.

Lake Level

Yesterday  93.94 msl.    Today   93.96 msl.

Solunar Periods

Minor  8:04 am to  9:04 am.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

The bite I was hoping for.  One of the last 2 spinnerbaits from Tad’s Fishin’ Machine Lures, where I toiled over 40 years ago.

Up early and turned on the radar, nothing to speak of, but when I looked outside it was drizzling and really warm.  Perfect!  So got organized and was on the lake as it was cracking daylight.  Basically conditions were similar to yesterday and the water temp is creeping to 80 over most of the lake.

I started on the same point and just as they have been for the last month they were up chasing shad.  Both spinnerbait and topwater caught fish, (See below.) and I think it was 7 over the side by time I left and headed to a different bank.  From that point on I committed to the spinnerbait.  I rigged up my last 2 from the old days and waked one for most of the day.  As it has been the smaller fish hit the minnow, the better ones the spinnerbait, and I am willing to keep after it for the big bite.

A good start to the day.  There are lots of these up right now.

One thing that was really interesting was while I caught the big fish in the wind, it really was more a matter of being around fish.  As an example in the back end of one cover I caught 4 buzzing it, and there was not a breath of wind, but the big fish came out of a pocket with the wind blowing straight in.  And that bite was why I keep after waking the spinnerbait.  She absolutely smoked it half way back.  There is no way to adequately describe the bite, but she literally stopped it.

There is a little period every spring, and it appears it is happening now, where big fish will chase it.  It has to be up on top, making a wake, but not crazy speed with a high speed reel, and it needs to be running straight up and down.  Over the years I have learned to cast, switch hands while the bait is in flight, and have it waking the minute it hits the bank.  Of course you catch most of them that way, but the big fish usually come off the bank, clearly a reaction bite.  It is never a sure thing but make the right cast and they just can’t stand it.

They were more than happy to hit the Bang O Lure today, and it would not surprise me if a person sticks with it all day it is just as likely to catch a big fish.  And I did catch a couple off wood pitching the watermelon stick worm.  And it also will put them in the boat if you stick with it.  The only complaint, I just can not find the preferred bait as they hit them all.  And it is still a little puzzling why some of the coves just do not have any fish in them, at least 3 that I keep checking which are historically spring coves are not producing.

It was a good morning and they bit fairly consistently.  The numbers are good, and the size is creeping up.  It will be interesting to see how things progress, but no matter what the lake is changing.  Of course that won’t stop me, love catching bass on spinnerbait.

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It is all well and good, but I sure hope that I get the LTS back this week.  I am trying to remain hopeful, but who knows, it is out of my hands.  And when that finally happens it will be bay time,  and the few reports I have seen online look pretty good.  It is still not time to post big strings of trout and folks seem to be keeping it to a dull roar.  (Plus if you want to look like a horses rear end post a bunch of dead trout.)   Until the net surveys are done in June the real status of the trout is up in the air.  Plus trout spawn multiple times a year and every nice one you put back will make more trout.

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No plan at the moment other than the Houston Fishing Show.  The one purchase I consistently make is jig heads.  There are good deals to be found at the show and with the cost of them in stores I always stock up.  Plus it is nice to see some folks, and will be looking for Rex to learn a little more about where he fishes in Louisiana, the time is coming to head that way.  And how knows, might even fish again in a day or two.  Nice to finally be catching fish on the lake.  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.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

From the looks of things it will be cloudy, or at least increasing clouds during the day as a front moves in.  Of course my favorite day to fish, but the real reward is maybe, just maybe, we are going to get some rain later in the day into Tuesday.  We are in drought conditions, on the edge of severe, and badly need the rain.  Rarely do I wish to get blown off the water with hard rain but in this case bring it on.  But it should be good so it will be on the water at daylight.

A real beast.

Weather

67/86.  Mostly cloudy with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind  SE 10 – 16mph.

Lake Level

Today 93.94 msl.    One week ago  93.84 msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  1:59 pm to 3:59 pm.  Minor  7:33 am to  8:33 am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Same result, different day.

It was cloudy with a light wind at the ramp and stayed that way until I quit at 2:00.  The water temp was 75 to 80 over the whole lake, and today I fished from up the main arm then back and all the way to the plant.  There are some areas where the water color is really murky, and a lot of that is the tilapia.  If you ever wanted to bow hunt them now is the time, they are literally all over the place.

Starting on the same point with the fish, 6 jumped on both spinnerbait and balsa minnow, though today the minnow caught smaller fish.  The spinnerbait was better on the “bigger” shorts.  They were smoking the spinnerbait, and it was an easy dozen plus during the day, not a one of them a “good” fish.  3 or 4 came on the swim jig, and same or more on the senko style 5″ watermelon pitched to cover.  In fact it is probably the best bait right now.  (As far as I am concerned the senko style plastic is maybe the best all around lure ever invented.  It catches all varieties of fish, year round.  Take it to any lake, you will catch fish.  Not that many baits are that consistent, year round, no matter the conditions.)

They were not missing it first thing.

I did switch it up a little, instead of the slimmer Rapala went to the Bang O Lure spinner tail, switched from blue/blue swim jig to a white with a Controlled Descent prototype tail, which by the way you may see at some point.  And it ended up being a different spinnerbait as one of the them tossed the arm off the one that was working.  That is a constant problem with the Booyah spinnerbaits, broken wires.  So time for a little information.

What I like about the Booyah is the wire is a little bit thinner than some, which of course accounts for a better vibration.  It also helps it run a little truer, which when you wake it as much as I do makes it real important.  The downside, they break.  I actually sent some back once, and they sent me some, so no complaints in that department.  But the wire does give out, but after catching several dozen who are stopping a fast spinnerbait hard to complain.

Plenty of this size.

They did not hit the spinnertail Bang O Lure after the first pull.  It was twitch and a bite, but move it off the bank and zip.  The stick worm was a little different, several came off the bank, but of course there was one constant, wood.  And it did not matter what bait you tossed to it, which is kind of depressing.  With conditions as good as it was, there is no reason I did not at least stick a real one.

And I covered lots of different types of water, 4 or 5 places that I have not fished in a while that are normally good spring spots, along with 2 deep points.   There just does not seem to be a particular pattern, at least not one I can decipher.  I keep thinking it will change, and of course there is always a chance to stick a real one, but I am beginning to wonder if they are even there.

Buddies.

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I saw a crazy picture on Facebook, and it goes straight to one of my pet peeves.  It was a new Bass Cat with a 450hp engine.  Just what we need, bigger and faster boats on increasingly crowded waterways.  Sorry folks but as far as I am concerned this is nothing but nuts, and asking for trouble.

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So though I caught 20 plus today it was uneventful.  Was not planning on going tomorrow but now that I looked at the weather it will be back to the lake.  Not sure the plan other than it will be daylight.  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

After the Boss came back from her walk the other day much to my surprise she wanted to head to Canyon Lake and the river for some fly fishing.  Her ulterior motive, she just wanted to practice her casting before we hit the Snake River at the end of the month.  So not having a clue about the Guadalupe trout fishing I quickly got a rundown from my buddy Dan Oko, she found a place, and an hour later we were on our way’

Thrashing away!

We stopped at a fly shop near where we were staying and got some flies and a little advice.  Give the store one thing, helpful would not really be a good description of his demeanor, but whatever.  The bad news, Canyon Lake is down quite a bit and they are just not releasing any water to speak of.  Luckily when we got to the motel it was right on the water with a good hole, and after driving along the river quite a ways it really was low so we got lucky there.  And just to add to the conditions the wind was blowing right up river, which really affected the drift when combined with no water.

To make a long story short we fished a couple of hours on both days and had one bite, and that was one who smoked my indicator.  Great bite but hard to hook up when they hit the indicator (bobber).  This morning that changed.  It was cloudy and I finally saw some feeding action.  I had thrown the works at them and this morning I had a fly dropper under a hopper style that I was using as my indicator.  (Thanks to my buddy Rusty for tying them.)

One came up and actually looked at it, and then 2 actually hit, but with my superior skill I did not get a hook in them, but at least there was sign of life.  So I switched just to a hopper but did not get any other bites.  It was getting close to check out time so for last call tied on a San Juan worm, which I  have used a time or two out west without any real success.  Also switched to a foam indicator, which I like, and right before quitting time it went under, I set the hook and a nice rainbow jumped.  It jumped again and took off, and unfortunately pulled off.  (Probably fisherman error, you forget how hard they pull on the fly rod, and how small the hooks on those flies are.)  And that was the end of our short trip.  I am at best a novice fly fisherman but watching that rainbow launch leaves me wanting more.

It really was good to get in some casting practice, and I definitely will come back for more of the Guadalupe, but earlier in the year.  The place we stayed had good access and even this late in the season there were still some trout to be found. As usual on a new place it took a while to figure it out, and the old “if we had one more day”  applied.  But it was a good time and got my blood flowing for the Snake.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Think there is not a problem on Fayette, or the problem is not as bad as they say?  Check out this comment from our Fayette guru.

Hello Doug! Happy Anniversary! I know you are a lucky and blessed guy to have a wife that supports your passion! It just makes our lives so much better
I’ve been fishing Fayette Lake last couple weeks with mixed results. When I can find a quiet seclusive spot, I catch a good bunch of fish. But that’s getting rare. Imagine you find that spot and you start fishing and a recreational type boat with the motor sputtering blue smoke come in full speed right on top of you with 6-8 people onboard and starts letting individuals out with cast nets every 50 yards with total disregard of you fishing there. It’s changing the fishing dynamics of the lake dramatically. I don’t know where it’s going to end up but right now it’s headed in the wrong direction.
I’m going over to Bastrop Lake this week to get away and hopefully catch some fish(and peace). These winds have not helped either
Tight lines
Rusty

That is just plain sad.  Like the petition said, time for some rules, especially during spawning season.  I can not imagine the damage done by netters on beds and just the general disruption of the spawn.  (And of course none of them would keep a gamefish, sure.)  I would suggest that they come over to Coleto and take a couple of million, but wading the shoreline could be life threatening with the size of our gators.  Not sure how it will get resolved on Fayette, but as usual I have absolutely NO faith that TPWD will do anything, unless some of the rich board members were directly affected.

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And speaking of gators, in the 10 years I have been fishing Coleto regularly I have never seen so many baby gators.   There are at least 3 coves with babies, some who are still hanging around.  In fact, I almost caught one when I thought his little nose by the shoreline was the tip of a piece brush, made the perfect cast, and he took a run at my topwater. Yesterday in one of the coves there was a big gator when I came around the corner in the area where the small ones have been.  While I am sure some have moved on, I think big gators like gator bites as much as I do!

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Well there is good news and bad news as far as the LTS goes.  The bad news, it will be late next week (Hopefully.)  before I get it back.  The good news, it is what they thought and they are just waiting for parts.  And interesting while there is some play in the steering, I am getting the cable replaced, the problem actually was one of the bushings that allow the motor to steer back and forth.  So guess it will be the skiff for a while, at least I am not shore bound.

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If you have not checked out the Knockin Tail Group on Facebook check them out.  Cool fish pictures from around the country, videos, articles, and the occasional give away, what is not to like?  So check them out, share some, or just lurk.  All the cool kids are there!

(1) Knockin Tail Lures Group | Groups | Facebook

And as a side note will be able to fill you in on the deal that Michael will have at the Houston Fishing Show next week.  There is no better time to stock up on your favorite Knockin Tail.  Hope to throw a few myself this coming week on the bay.

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Next weekend is the Houston Fishing Show which I always look forward too, especially this year.  As we slowly get back to normal please use at least a modicum of caution.  The Boss is still seeing cases in the ER, it is far from gone.  So wear a mask, it is the least you can do.  And if you don’t want to, your choice.  But it would really suck to be the last person to die from Covid in your town.

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Really looking forward to the coming week.  The weather, ie: winds, look good and it will be fishing until I drop on lake and bay, then topped off with the fishing show.  So I will save my allowance and get ready to do a little shopping, never know what will peak my fancy, but I have never made it out without spending some $$$$.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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Happy Anniversary!

That’s my girl!

32 years filled with adventure and all the highs and lows of life.  But through it all the Boss has stuck with me in thick and thin.  It has been the joy of my life to share my life with her.  And what man in this world does not want a wife who says:  “Go fishing.”  Thanks for being my buddy.

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On the fishing front I still do not have the LTS back from the shop.  Not sure what the hold up is, will find that out tomorrow after I get back from the lake.  Amazing how getting a boat motor worked on is always an adventure, and the only person in a hurry is me.   But if they are that busy I have always wondered why there are not more shops or mechanics. No matter what my fishing has been somewhat curtailed without it, maybe I will get lucky and get it back this week.

The weather has potential tomorrow, and I am looking forward to catching some bass.  Hope springs eternal in all fishermen.  (Obviously I am a glass half full guy as far as the lake goes.)  And looking at the weather mid week we have high winds decreasing mid week to fishable in the skiff, so Thursday the bay it is.  Have a new bait that is not released yet and am anxious to feed it to some trout.

Will be interesting to see how the fishing is post freeze.  And on that note, hope folks are giving the trout a little rest until the true numbers are known.  I will be catch and release until then, but if you want to keep a few, keep what you are going to eat and not one fish more.  Now is not the time to have a freezer full.  (But when is it a good time?  They never taste better than the day they are caught.)

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Weather

61/77.  Times of clouds and sun with a 45% chance of shower in places.  Wind  SE 15 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.84 msl.   Last Thursday  93.99  msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  8:42 am to 10:42 am.  Minor  2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Not bad for the second cast!

Though I have been let down more than happy with the recent results, today just had that feel about it.  Clear but clouding over fast, occasional drizzle, wind light first thing, it checked all the boxes.  The lake still has areas of really off color water along with nice clear places, but it is definitely dropping.  The water temp was 68 – 70 degrees over most of the lake.

First up was the point where they have been, and low and behold 8 jumped on, including a couple of good ones.  The topwater balsa minnow twitched right along right on top was did the damage.  From that point on it was just as it has been.  Some coves had nothing, others had 3 or 4 willing to bite.  Sticking with what works it was a bunch on topwater, several on spinnerbait, a few on swim jig, and a couple pitching the watermelon stick worm.

It was a steady bite today on spinnerbait and topwater minnow.

The first ones have been chasing shad there for a month and will hit the topwater off the bank, the rest of them except that last one were literally right on the bank.  If there was any thing, a little grass, stump, brush the bites came within a foot or two.  But as it has been really tough to pick a go to bait.  As long as the wind stayed down they like the minnow but you had to wade through lots of smalls.  In fact 2 points during the morning had them chasing shad, there just were not better ones like the best place.

And not bad for my last cast.  My favorite bite, smashing a spinnerbait right beside the boat!

And as far as location today they were up on the main lake, coves, and points, with none being absolutely the ticket.  But points did produce the most bites.  And going back in coves just did not work out all that well.  And as the wind came up the spinnerbait was the better bait and it was nice to finish off the day with a good one smoking it right by the boat.  Love it when they come out of nowhere and crush it.  A prefect way to head to the ramp.

I don’t want to get to excited but this was a real spring day of fishing.  Hard to tell if the lake is coming around but catching an easy 20+ is a good start.  One thing that stills annoys me is the number of tilapia beds in the back ends, seems like if they are there the bass are not.  I did see a bass on a bed, the water has dropped just a little and they are somewhat easier to see.  Only time will tell if the bite is on, but at least they bit on the kind of day they should.

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

A couple of reports from Grand Isle LA have me wanting to head that way, which incidentally is the home area of Four Horsemen Tackle. Some of the reports had big strings of trout which is a good sign for the early fishing, much less the ever present reds.  A couple of years ago fishing with the Yankees we had our 200 trout and 40 red limit, it was nuts and not something I will probably do again.  But as long as it is the limit have at it.  The amount of fish the marshes of Louisiana produce is just astounding.  So trying to see where a 3 day trips fits in with the coming schedule.  Love that place.

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There are 2 big threats to water quality, development and mining.  And the situation in Florida with a phosphate retaining pond is a perfect example.  Long story short, the holding pond is leaking and about to rupture, flooding homes and heading into Tampa Bay.  It is nasty radioactive stuff and a potential ecological disaster.  The time has come for the mining industry in all its forms be required to post a bond/insurance that covers decades after they are gone.  Like so many of these situations the company is bankrupt and gone.  In other words, took the profits and when it was no longer profitable hit the road.  So here we are, a big mess that the taxpayers will end up footing the bill for, and one of the great bays in the country potentially trashed.  We can make more mines, we can not make more bays.

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So progress.  But as I type this the weather guy just said it was going to blow, and then blow, and then blow some more.  Some of it in the 40mph range, typical early spring on the Texas coast.  Now I will be wind/weather watching for better days to hit the coast.  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

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I got up early Wednesday to head to the lake and as usual turned on the radar and forecast.  There was a chance of thunderstorms but also a shocker.  The wind was projected to gust over 40 mph.  Now I know I often bitch about the wind, but when they are talking over 40 time to stay at the house.  Of course the front came in way late and I could have gotten 5 or 6 hours in, oh well.  But with only the skiff no way I was interested in a big wave ride back to the ramp. So Thursday it will be.

Buddies doing a little sunning out of the wind.

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Weather

54/71.  Intervals of clouds and sun with a 5% chance of rain.  Wind NE 10 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.99 msl.    Monday   94.15 msl.   (A slight drop.)

Solunar Time

Minor  10:12 am to 11:12 am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Why?  Because that is what I do.

I almost did not take it off the trailer.  In spite of the wind forecast it was blowing almost 20 mph right in the ramp cove with white caps.  There are times I should listen to that little voice, but I did not listen and off I went.

The water temp at the ramp was down 4 degrees from 69 the other day to 65 and it was murky.  That would be the tone for the day as the water color has deteriorated and gets worse the farther up you go.  And with the NE direction it was blowing down lake and around every corner.   I started on my favorite point and like there has been there were fish there.  That is the part I am having a hard time understanding, where the hell are the rest of them.

And it went downhill from here.

Shad were flipping on the point so I actually made 3 passes.  A good one followed the spinnerbait all the way to the boat and rolling on it when I took it out of the water.  Then I boated a small one and lost one.  With the wind hauling I motored around and made another pass catching a couple on topwater, then a couple more on spinnerbait.  It ended up being 6 off that spot.  I thought we were off to a good start.   But no.

Making my way up and then back down lake, it was maybe another 6, all small.  After the initial point most came pitching a watermelon stick worm into wood and a couple came on swim jig.   Almost everywhere it was to tough to fish anything but a spinnerbait, but they were definitely not on the windy banks.   And as it has been there are coves that inexplicably do not have fish.  The back ends of most have tilapia spawning but with it being so windy and off color I am not seeing any bass on beds.

At 12:30 I was tired of fighting the wind, which is an additional hassle with the skiff and it’s flat bottom.  But that was not really the problem, it was the fishing.  I can honestly say that the 45 years I have been chasing fish this is the worst/strangest/irritating/depressing, or anything else you could call it, fishing down stroke I have ever had.  Not sure what I can do about that on the lake, if I ever get the LTS  back I can start fishing other lakes and the bay even if it stays windy.  Other than that I am flat clueless.

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While perusing the boats for sale last night it raised the following question:  Why, or how, would you actually need a poling platform on a 25 foot boat with the works on it.  Last time I was in a “real” poling skiff the wind was blowing and the experienced guide had to literally work his ass off.  My guess, the majority on a bigger boats have never seen a couple of feet unless drifting or using a trolling motor.  But hey, they probably thinks it looks cool.

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Again thanks to all of your kind words following the death of my father.  One of you, who shall remain nameless, went above and beyond and your kindness will not be forgotten.  The wind will blow reminding me of the good man he was.  Thanks.

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Off Topic

I am left shaking my head after reading multiple articles on how folks arrested after entering the Capital are now claiming they are sorry.  One complains he is entitled to organic food that his momma makes because he is a grown man(?) living at home.  Another saw cockroaches in his cell, another wanted a private cell, among other complaints.  Well boys, welcome to being in custody.  What did you think would happen when you illegally entered the capital, or fought with the police?  In the hundreds of felony cases I have done folks were always “sorry” when they are caught, or in reality, that they were caught.  Then they somehow expect different treatment than those “other criminal.”  Well guess what, you are them.  It may sound corny but there is truth:  Can’t do the time – don’t do the crime.  (Plus should you end up convicted and in jail nothing good will come of your whining.  Trust me on that one, like wiggling a steak at a den of lions.)

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I am currently in a state of flux.  Some kind of a hold up on getting the LTS back from the shop is not helping matters any.  I need to go somewhere and as soon as I get the boat back it will be off.  Now how much I will fish in the next little bit is totally up in the air.  At least I have the Snake River to look forward to at the end of the month.  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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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.

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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

 ********************

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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