FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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

I hope, if it is not completely pouring, to fish Coleto in the morning.  Our weather is going to deteriorate over the next few days, in fact it seems to be coming a little quicker than they even forecast yesterday.  But in better times this is the weather I loved to fish in the winter on Coleto.  I have a couple of thoughts on what to try tomorrow so we shall see how it goes.

Weather

63/74.  Mainly cloudy with a 50% chance of showers in spots.  Wind ENE 10 – 15 mph.  (Since I wrote this Tuesday morning our local guy says we will be in the upper 50’s and it did not make that today.)

Lake Level

5 days ago  93.74 msl.  Today  93.75 msl.  (Keep going up!)

Solunar Times

Major  11:51 am to 1:51 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Amazing how many of these I catch in the spring, and then they are gone.

I was up real early and watching the radar.  The showers were coming through and kind of dying out along 59.  It was 54 degrees, and as a side note it was 52 when I took out.  So at 8:00 I finally decided to put on my big boy pants and head out.  The weather is not going to get any better for almost a week so the time is now.  Once I got to the lake it was blowing around 15 out of the northeast and it never varied all day.  The day was flat nasty, windy and drizzling or raining.  To start it was a good cove in the plant arm to give the jerk bait a go.

The water color in the plant arm is fairly murky, not near as nice over the rest of the lake.  Starting with the Lou’s Lures jerk bait over the first hour or so 4 jumped on, nothing to big, but at least they bit and they were real shallow.

Feeding them the Lou’s Lures jerk bait.

To find better color time to head up the main arm.  Stopping along the way here and there did not produce a bite, nor did the last 2 places on the way in, all near the dam.  For some reason there does not seem to be any fish shallow at the lower end.  Once I got up lake I kept after the jerk bait, catching 3 more.  Another came on the green pumpkin swim jig with a Knockin Tail, but I stayed true to the jerk bait.  The best bite all day, and he slammed it, was the tilapia above.  The few that hit lures smack it.  I thought it was the “big’ one.  (Be sure to gill em’ and kill em’.)  With the wind again blowing right down the pike I fished down, and then trolled back up.

The Pearl Knockin Tail continues to smoke them.

Like I did the other day the Pearl Knockin Tail and the Bang O Lure were the bait of choice, with the fish preferring the Knockin Tail as they have been.  One thing that was interesting was as cold and nasty as it was, they wanted the bait higher up in the water column.  So I moved the rod holders up so they were both running maybe 3 feet at most, and the bite was on.  Several doubled up and it never took to long to get a bite.  They are staged to spawn in that area, and why they have not done it yet, or moved, is beyond me.  But I do not look a gift fish in the mouth, the white bass bite will be over soon.

As far as the bass, they were right on the bank, and it was nice to have a shallow running Lou’s jerk bait.  They wanted it fairly fast but other than the tilapia who whacked it, the bass were just there.  The few that I did catch were in small guts, or flatter places, and nothing on deep banks.  And though the water temp is in the mid 60’s in the coves up lake, they are just not there yet.

For some reason, often because I catch big bass on days like today, I have never minded fishing in these conditions.  In Arkansas we called it spring, in Texas it is a norther.  Either way it was a fairly good day considering, now it will be hunkering down and waiting this weather out.

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

Tomorrow, 2/11 at 10:00 central time, Mercury Marine is making some kind of big splash.

Join Mercury for the unveiling of an outboard that delivers unrivaled freedom, luxury and power to pursue your passions on the water. A video detailing this historic product launch will drop on the Mercury Marine Facebook homepage Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. CST.

As a life long Mercury guy I can not wait to see what they have to say.   Do not have a guess so will be interesting to see what comes.

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

I now have a second friend who bought an East Cape Fury poling skiff.

This is a real poling skiff.  Shallow running, easy to pole, limited hull slap, the bells and whistles, can’t wait to fish out of it.  David has been wanting one and is excited to get on the water.  Since I have the redfish flyrod some kind of potential fiasco is coming to a bay near you, and I can’t wait!  I love being poled around.

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

It will not get above 47 for the next week, with a day in the 30’s.  And even better, the wind will blow out of the north up to 20 mph and above the whole time.  Whatever progress the lake was making will be set back.  Next up as soon as possible will be the bay.  I definitely want to improve my wading results, so it might be an overnight and a couple of days in a row to see if I can figure them out better.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines 

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

A Great Deal From Four Horseman Tackle

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

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

I am so all about the conditions for tomorrow.  Cloudy with a reasonable wind blowing from the right direction have my hopes up.  So time to head out to the boat and remove the bass stuff and replace it with Knockin Tails, looking forward to feeling the thump!  It will be up early and Froggie’s at daylight.

Weather

62/69.  Cloudy with a 10% chance of rain.  Wind  SE  (Dirty liars!)  9 – 14 mph.

Tides

Low 5:58 am.   High  6:00 pm.

Solunar Times

Major 9:56 am to 11:56 am.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

I am still not a very good trout fisherman,  and todays wading results reinforced that.  But I got to thinking about it, it has been several months since I waded.  You know the saying; The more I fish the luckier I get, and nothing beats time on the water.  Heading out at daylight from Froggie’s my hopes were high.

Taking off from the ramp the wind was blowing around 10 -12 mph more northerly, and it slowly increased during the day until it was almost 20 mph out of the east/northeast at quitting time.  I kept waiting for it to turn more out of the southeast but it did not happen.  First up was my favorite drain on the island, the old sure thing.  And after about an hour wade all I could manage was a couple of small trout so it was time for a move.

First one wading, then from the boat.  You can’t see the Knockin Tails in most of them, it was in their throat.  More on these guys later.

Next up was a little point with shell and a pretty nice drop, and again maybe 3, all small.  The water was moving and it was a little surprising that there was not a better bite.  (Which really means I was nowhere near them.)  So I moved again to a couple of shell points near South Pass, and it was not a whole lot better.  I did catch the first flounder there, and had a big red on who took off like a shot.  I was just holding on  and of course I did not set the hook and he pulled off.  It was the only big bite I had all day.  Though I did catch a couple of trout on the 4 Horseman popping cork and the Pearl Limetruese, which I usually use on a popping cork .  So time to do what I told myself I was not going to do, go where I know they are.

A better one on a 4 Horseman popping cork and Pearl Limetruese Knockin Tail.  The red is just there for the slam, if you can call it that.  And a couple of the trout from Big Bayou.

It was a bumpy ride back to Big Bayou, once there the wind was blowing right down the pike and the water was running.  It was a little difficult keeping it exactly where I wanted it, but they were there.  I switched up to a 1/4 ounce jig head to compensate for the wind and for about 2 hours until quitting the bite was on.  Today they seemed to prefer the Mansfield Magic, but I caught on 3 different colors of Knockin Tails.  The Purple Demon Limetruese caught several and it, along with the Mansfield Magic, have become my go to baits.  Today it was more a matter of putting it right in front of them.

About half the  trout in Big Bayou would make it, and obviously the flounder were biting.  I probably missed as many as I caught, the bow in the line did not help with feeling either one of them.  And like last trip they were on a shell bank with the wind blowing on it and the deep trough, which has always been a winter haunt.  So not a bad day, though I definitely need some more time on the water to get them really figured out.  But anytime I can catch 20+ it is worth the drive.

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

It was good to be back on the bay, but it will be another week.  Something to do tomorrow, then it begins later in the week.  They are saying some crazy thing like a big norther blowing in, followed by another.  Temps are projected to maybe get out of the 30’s with potential for a little wintery mix.  Oh well, we have not really had winter yet so we have to expect at least some of that.  Be interesting to see how ugly it gets and when.  The Legends tournament is out of POC this weekend and it might get ugly.  I will head to the lake in a day or two before it completely goes to crap.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

A Great Deal From Four Horseman Tackle

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

The Boss has put in an order for a fish fry.  Well apparently our weather is going to go from an amazing 82 degrees today to a high of 56 tomorrow.  (Friday)  Add a 55% chance of rain and a north wind from 15 – 20 mph here, even higher on the coast, no thanks.  And with a small craft advisory that takes care of that.  So in that case I changed plans and will fish the lake.  Can always call it quit if it sucks to bad.  The bay will have to wait a day or two.  So off to the lake I go in the morning and the white bass need to be scared.

Weather

54/56.  (Wow.)  Mostly cloudy and cooler with a 55% chance of a passing shower.  Wind North  15 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.74 msl.  2 days ago  93.72 msl.

Solunar Periods

Major 7:04 am to 9:04 am.   Minor  12:33 pm to  1:33 pm.  (Like the times.)

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Here is your dead fish picture for the day.

The Crazy Lake Fishing Continues

The plan was to catch some supper, and of course do a little bass fishing.  When I got to the ramp there was no one there, when I took out there was no one there.  That should tell you something about both the weather and the current state of the fishing on Coleto.

The wind was blowing straight out of the north at almost 20 mph.  It was 55 degrees but the water temp basically remained the same, mid 60’s plus over most of the lake.  Starting with a swim jig, and then a spinnerbait, it would be one of the weirder days I have had in a while.  The whole plan was to bass fish a couple hours and then fill the Boss’s order.

I got a bite on the swim jig and missed it, it actually hit it fairly hard and quick.  Then it happened again, and again, in fact it happened 5 or 6 times without a fish in the boat.  The way they were hitting it I think they might have been crappie.  So since they were not eating it how about the spinnerbait?  It produced 3 or 4 bites, and they all missed it.  That rarely happens when I am throwing the spinnerbait.  As I generally buzz/wake it when one gets after it we hook up.  But not today.  As to what was happening here is my usual guess.

Since it was a pretty good cold front north wind day, following a 83 degree day, they were interested but not particularly aggressive.  And if they were crappie, the water temp is plenty warm, they just might have moved up on the shallow bush.  Early spring has some of the best crappie fishing, something I often saw on the Arkansas lakes.  That is something I might give a go next time.  So time to troll up some white bass/supper.

The same Rapala shallow minnow bait that runs about 4′, and the Pearl Knockin Tail on a 1/4 ounce jig head that runs a little under 5 feet, put them in the boat.  And here comes the shameless plug.  They really do like the Knockin Tail.  It easily equals or beats a crankbait in what is fairly shallow water, they eat it and do not come off nearly as much as they do on the crankbait.

They are up the lake where the water gets to 7 or 8′ and are on under water points or humps in about 4′.  Once I got the area down it was a killing.  I did not take any pictures of them today, they looked like all the rest I have shown you the last few weeks.  I needed 6 for supper, so I boxed them and kept after it.  Plenty of doubles, it was fun.  Then I hung the Knockin Tail and being to lazy to tie another, since I had the Bang O Lure on another rod over the side it went, and they liked that.  The bite went on for a couple hours and I left them biting.  When I cleaned them they still have not spawned, so they are going to be available for a while.

The lake is really starting to look good.  There is new growth coming up on the shoreline, some of the cover is starting to get water on it, and I can only hope it continues, we still need a couple of more feet.  It bodes well for the “real” spring fishing.   Today was a good day considering the conditions, plenty of fish over the side, which is usually the desired result when we hit the water.

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

I am speaking to the St. Joe Fishing Club Tuesday.  The high school fishing clubs are a  great thing and I sure wish they were around when I was a young kid.  Whether dreams of a pro career, or just happy to be fishing, it gives kids a chance to get a taste that some might never get.  And with the way professional fishing is going it is the new starting point, just like high school sports is the starting point for other sports.  It is becoming increasingly important to have a degree in marketing or communications to help market yourself.  Companies want results both on the water and off.  Every dude with a bass boat wants to be a “rep”, we all like “free”, but you have to provide much more than your shining personality.  The days of the tobacco chewing redneck with a GED making it in all areas of the world of professional fishing are coming to a close.  It is business, end of story.

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

And speaking of the pros, Ranger Boats, now owned by Johnny Morris’s Bass Pro  (And you read what I think of them and what is happening.)  has cut a bunch of pros from their boat deal.  Tough business, definitely “what have you done for me lately?”

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

Colton Knipling and his crew won the POC tournament last weekend.  Believe it is the Freeze Out.  He has been on some really big trout this fall and winter and he continues to put the hurt on them.  Next week the Saltwater Legends series will be in POC so expect more big fish. Congratulations Colton, keep it up.

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

The weather watch of both Falcon and Amistad begins.  As soon as the right set of conditions happens on either one I am out of here.  Each has their own special place for me, and either is fine.  Falcon is the home of my 3 PB’s and Amistad is like fishing my old haunts.  Both have big fish so either will do.  And looking forward to a couple of days on the bay with the poling skiff.  Fished out of several, but always wanted to try the actually poling, plus being high enough to see lots of those fish you never see from the deck.

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

Enjoy the Super Bowl.  I will be rooting for the Chiefs, they were the only team we got on TV for years in North Arkansas before the newfangled cable came to town.  Plus Patrick Mahomes is one of the great ones.  If he can stay healthy he might be the GOAT.  Looking back at what Brady has done he is the current GOAT.  Once he left the Patriots the question was – Brady or Bellicheat, who is responsible for that run?  With the Bucks in the Super Bowl looks like that question was answered.  So enjoy the day.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

I saw a great popping cork post from the bay today.  Now is the time and they do not make them any better than Four Horseman Tackle.

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Weather

60/75.  Sunny with no chance of rain.  Wind  SSE 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.72 msl.   3 days ago  93.71 msl.   (The slow rise continues.)

Solunar Times

Minor  11:13 am to 12:13 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Why am I showing you these guys?  Because the actually exist!

I chose the lake today because of the high winds forecast for today and tomorrow, and the results at least held a little promise.  The fog was just burning off when I dropped the boat in.  The water temp was down a degree or two over the whole lake, just a result of the 45 degree night.  And the color was a little clearer than it was last week.

The fog made me start in a main lake cove near the ramp which has a great point on it.  And right off the bat I missed one and caught one.  Small, but a fish.  From there it was one here and one there but before it was over 5 came on a swim jig with a Knockin Tail trailer and 2 came on spinnerbait.  While nothing was to big that is not the point.  The point is the boys are coming to the bank, and the girls will not be all that far behind.

Around 9:00 the wind came up big time blowing right up the river.  So I devised a plan, let the wind work me up lake, troll back, and then do the other side.  That ended up leading to some bonus catching.

The Pearl Knockin Tail doing some good work.

A few of the 10 or so.

Keeping with the minnow bait by Rapala and the Pearl Knockin Tail on a 1/4 ounce jig head at 2.5mph put them in the boat, and they were in 5′ of water.  The white bass really do like the Pearl Knockin tail, it has by far been the best producer.  So if you have a white bass run coming to a lake near you give it a go, they smoke it.  At this point it was tough to even keep a steady speed slow enough to catch them.  But it was a fun way to head back to start again, there was no going against it with the trolling motor.  It was an efficient to deal with the wind.

All but one of the 7 bass was on wood.  Slow rolling the swim jig right by it would get bit if there was one there.  A couple came out of wood in a pocket, a real good sign.  I probably spent to much time spinnerbait fishing, but with the wind it was the easiest way to fish.  So I called it a day at 1:30 with hope that what bite we have coming will be coming soon.  If I were guessing the next moon should be the jumping off point for the good lake fishing.  Hope springs eternal.

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

TPWD just announced the dates for the annual crab trap removal.  Over the years folks have taken 38,000 traps from coastal bays.  Just imagine how much sea life was saved by not by not letting them turn in to ghost traps which keep on killing.  The dates are February 20 – 28th with drop off sites all along the coast.  Great program.

And I believe the time has come for a similar program on freshwater.  All jug, trot, and limb lines would be assumed to be abandoned and removed during the period.  Many of our lakes  are littered with them and would be easily disposed of.  Always thought that it was a good idea.

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

I wrote the above yesterday and of all things the Game and Fish guy was doing a creel survey when I got to the ramp, poor guy.  Of course I ranted on the fishing, or lack thereof, and a couple of my other favorite subjects.  That nobody on any water should be allowed to kill the grass, add tilapia or grass carp, or any other modification without input and clearance from TPWD.  That is one area that needs to be explored.  And I wondered why they have not marked the fish cover in Coleto.  Most places I have fished with planted brush or cover has them marked so folks can fish them.  He was a good guy and I appreciate him having to listen, but I feel strongly about water and access.

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

John dropped me an email after I commented about trying to get a shot.  His family is experiencing the same issues, as are lots of other folks.  And then today while I was fishing the Boss hung tough on the sign up for shots tomorrow, and I am scheduled for my first.  It really is a relief, and if it all goes well and I get the second, I will actually be amazed.  One would think that since I already had the covid, and then get the shot #2, I should be good to go.  So hope your family gets it figured out, it should not be this big a hassle.  (As a side note, both of us getting the vaccine hopefully gets us to Thailand next if the world will get over this crap.  Going to fish one of those famous stocked ponds with red tails and arapaima, then offshore.)

He also asked about the White River, which I fished for 25 years.  My opinion, if you are going to be that close go!  It is one of the great fishing holes in America.  Plenty of stockers for action and the table, and some of the biggest brown trout in the world.  Plus there are plenty of the old style resorts close or on the river, the kind that are slowly disappearing.  There are great places to fish from the bank, and it is not hard to catch a few if they are not running to much water.  But if you can swing it get a guide and take a float trip, by far the best way to fish.  Cool river, great fishing, and an awesome float.  Good to hear from you and be sure to let me know when you are going, I will get you pointed in the right direction.

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

And on last note on a different subject.  One friend has bought a polling skiff and another is looking at a couple today.  I can see some fly fishing for redfish in my future.  Pays to know folks.

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

Tomorrow shot and then Friday if all goes well it will be off to smack a few trout and reds.  This is a great time of year for any kind of fishing a person likes to do and I like it all.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Been out of town a couple of days and headed back out again for a couple of more.  But I have a little time to slip out in the morning  so will be hitting Coleto.  And for the near future it will be lake or bay, basically alternating back and forth.  Not sure what I will find at the lake but it can only be better than it has been.  Typical fisherman, hopes springs eternal!

Weather

51/71.  Plenty of sun; breezy in the afternoon with 0% chance of rain.  Wind N 14 – 22 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.71 msl.   Last Monday  93.70 msl.  (Sure like seeing it creeping up.)

Solunar Periods

Minor 9:25 am to 10:25 am.  Major  3:20 pm t0 5:20 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Screwed by a turkey!

I should have known better.  The forecast could not have been any more accurate, if you like mile high skies and a 20mph cold wind out of the north.  The water color has deteriorated quite a bit with the high winds the last couple of days.  The water temp was 66 at the ramp, 72 in front of the discharge cove, and 63 way up lake, the same as it has been.

Being a weekend I wanted to be at the ramp at daylight in case of a crowd.  Those days seem to be over on Coleto.  There was one truck and another guy putting in his kayak, and that was it.  And as long as we are talking about the ramp, when I quit at noon there was 4 trucks in the lot.  That is a comment on both the fishing, and Coleto’s squeeze on folks by raising the entrance fee so high.  Really sad.

First I headed up lake to a bank where I have been catching at least a few.  I started with the swim jig when turkey disaster struck.  I was literally thinking about why I have not seen the turkeys as it is getting time when one flew down off the roost and I watched it fly right over my head.  At the time it was about my third cast and when I looked back at my line it was 10 foot off to the side and almost to the boat, and I never felt a thing.  It took me by surprise and I set the hook way to hard, the fish was going away, and my line broke.  1 second later here comes a big old head thrashing trying to toss the swim jig.  Dang it!  Hate it when that happens.

So things were looking up, not.  From then on it was worse than slow.  I had one more bite, a small I caught on a spinner bait, and never had another touch for over 4 hours.  Around 9:30 the wind really came up which obviously did not help.  So a little after noon I called it day.  I just do not know what to say.  Some of it is obviously my attempt to catch them shallow, which has worked for the last 10 years, but some of it is the fish and some the lake.  So will not stop going, they are going to bite at some point, but it sure has been a struggle.  Thank God for speckled trout, an easy way to get your catch on.

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

As I was pulling the boat out at Froggie’s Tuesday I was reminded of what Carmine used to say when her restaurant was still open.  “There are so many guides in POC that they have to wear badges to keep from guiding each other.”  And that was years ago.  Truer words were never spoken.

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

And this comment from Lacy.

Step up on that line wt. you don’t want to lose a 30″er lol

You’re having too much fun.

On a serious note, I really do believe that light line gets more bites, end of story.  Plus I joined the 5X club when I caught a 20lb striper on 4lb line so it can be done.  But the real club is the 10x club, though I doubt there are to many 80lb speckled trout out there!  It has been a while since I caught a real big one but I sure am due, just have to fish more!  I believe you are a first time commenter and I appreciate it.  And thanks for reading.

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

Off Topic Rant

I was on hold for an hour and twenty eight minutes hoping to sign up for the vaccine, to bad so sad, you waited for nothing.  It is really needed in Victoria, over 200 new cases reported yesterday alone.  The hospital is swamped and the whole process is messed up.  I got a good laugh when someone in our local Health Department said they were happy with last weeks fiasco when the whole system basically crashed.  Huh?  And we pay these folks.  So for those of you who believe it is fake, please do not get or take the vaccine, leave it for those of us that want it.  It will soon be the key to major travel and we are ready to go some dang where and do something cool not in the US.  And don’t get your patriotic panties in a wad, we love to travel the US, it is just time for a big trip.

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

And this  from Clyde, who stopped by our old stomping grounds on Lake Norfork.

That is a big one for North Arkansas.

He reported the water temp was in the mid 40’s with some color up lake.  This girl came on a crankbait and then they boated a good dozen on spoon on the Corp made brush piles.  So with this lighter winter looks like the fishing is about to take off.  I hope to make it back this spring to do it all over again, and maybe boat another big striper.  Thanks for the picture.

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

Hope you caught the crazy online sale Michael ran on Knockin Tails.  If you didn’t, and want to know what is happening in the future, just log in to his Facebook site, a perfect way to keep up.  Michael said the sale was a rip roaring success.  The Knockin Tail is spreading across the country like a hot rumor.

(4) Knockin Tail Lures Group | Groups | Facebook

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

It was feeding time, except for the bass.

Not much else to say, especially about the lake fishing.  Will be gone a day or two, then back at it.  The way it is going looks like it might be time to head to Falcon or Amistad,  And definitely headed back to the bay.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Weather

51/72.  Some sun, then turning cloudy and beautiful with a 8% chance of rain.  Wind ENE 10 – 15 mph.

Tides

Low  6:52 am.   -0.18 ft.   High  7:57 pm.  1.37 ft.

Solunar Times

Major  10:51 am to  12:51 pm.   Minor 4:06 pm to  5:06 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

A Little Lucky and a Little Good

It was not quite daylight when I got to Froggies, in fact I got the first non-handicap parking spot.  It has been a while since that happened.  The wind was straight out of the north a good 15 mph and it did not let up all day.  The tide was low and the water temp was 64, but the tide was still going out just a little when I hit the first bank in Big Bayou.  And I never ending up wading at all today.  Why jump out of a perfectly good boat when they bite all day?

This will work.

The old saying I would rather be lucky than good, or the opposite, applied today.  I was actually both.  With the wind pounding right down Big Bayou it would have been moving you right along, but I got lucky, the tide going out working against the wind so it was not to tough to fish with the trolling motor.  So with luck out of the way the good took over.

On the first bank they were biting, and most were keepers.  I was tossing a Chicken on a Chain Knockin Tail with a 1/8th jig head on 10lb line.  The fish were on a long oyster bar with the wind pounding on it, and boy were they shallow.  And it was seriously tough to feel a bite.  There was that little struggle with the wind blowing your line, but this is where good took over.  I knew the spots, and I have caught hundreds of fish fishing light line and grub in freshwater, so I proceeded to catch fish right along,

Just good solid keepers.

From that point on I basically fished the Chicken on a Chain Knockin Tail, and caught a  good bunch.  But I finally lost the Purple Demon that I caught them all on last week, probably because of the flounder.  You can put what I know about flounder in a thimble, but today the small ones were eating.  I think it was 5 with several misses, and one bit off a bait.  At least one jumped on everywhere I fished, with 3 in the mouth of one drain.

Nothing to big in the slam department.

The redfish were another story.  Other than the one above I only boated 3 or 4 more rats.  But who cares, the fish were biting and when I quit at 1:00 they were still biting.  It took a little heavier jig head today, and one that was labeled 1/8 screw lock was actually a little heavier 1/8th, and it sure helped keep in contact with the Knockin Tail.  I did catch a couple slow rolling it but most came hopping it in a Texas two step retrieve.  The majority came on the Chicken on a Chain because I threw it the most, and a few came on a Purple Demon, and a few on the Pearl Limetreuse.  The wind was blowing enough that most were just there when you lifted up, and as shallow as some were it might be the first hop.  When the tide finally started coming back in you were just flying down the bank with the wind so I called it a day.

I like days like today, run about 5 minutes, spend a gallon of gas, and never leave one area.  And the fish helped a lot by biting the whole time.  Makes that getting up way to early thing worth it.  Have not though about what/where next, but we do have high winds followed by a cold front the next couple days, then it is going back to warm.  But no matter what I will be back on the water soon.  And if I missed any comments sorry, but I got a little behind.  And if any of you have anything to say drop a comment, we love to get them.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The plan was to head to POC but that changed when I got up.  The wind was blowing right along with gusts to 25 mph out of the south, then it was supposed to turn out of the north sometime in the afternoon.  No thanks, plus tomorrow looks better for the bay.  But it was easily fixed, just put the freshwater stuff back in the boat and head to the lake, which is exactly what I am going to do.

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

Weather

65/80.  A morning shower; otherwise, the temperature near the record of 83 set in 1975 with clouds breaking with a 50% chance of rain.  Wind WNW 10 – 25 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.70 msl.   Last Monday  93.68 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  9:57 am to  11:57 am.  Minor 3:13 pm to  4:13 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Not all that, but real important.

So here is what makes these 2 important. they were 2 of the 8 I caught buzzing a spinnerbait.  Now don’t get me wrong, it was not fast by any means, but they were up and shallow, and around cover.  And what makes that important is the lake is slowly coming up and if it keeps doing it for a while there is going to be some great cover in the water soon, perfect timing.

The water temp was as high as 76 in some places, and from 69 to the mid 70’s over the rest of the a lake.  Starting down lake 3 really smalls jumped on the spinnerbait and I added one slow rolling a Pearl Knockin Tail.  (As the water warms and the fish get that spawning urge it will be the bait of choice, you never know what you will catch.)  So up lake I went.  The wind was blowing out of the South at a pretty good clip right up lake.

The next 2, small again, came on a swim jig near brush.  Just letting the wind do the work, I covered a couple of miles of bank and once I ran out of water I trolled back down against the wind and caught 4 whites on the way.  That was around 11:30 when all of a sudden it clouded up, the wind switched completely around out of the north, and I had to put my hoodie back on.

With a pretty good chop I picked up the spinnerbait and caught 5 and missed several.  Probably time for a trailer hook.  It was cover territory and keep casting.  So the good news, there were some where they were supposed to be today.  (Pockets and flats with cover.)  Nothing big but the smalls come first and things are about to improve dramatically.  So glad I went, it gave me hope the bite is coming.

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

So I left the boat hooked up, just toss the saltwater stuff in and off I go in the morning.  Haven’t decided if I will do any wading or not, but either way I know where a few are and am looking forward to catching a few.  The tide will be big time out at daylight and go up all day, while not my favorite, the day looks beautiful and it will be up and gone before daylight.  Spring is about to bust and my favorite time of year, catching them in fresh and salt.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

The boys came out when the sun shone.

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

Weather

61/75.  Patchy morning fog; otherwise, clouds giving way to some sun with a 10% chance of rain.  Wind  NNW  6 – 12mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.68 msl.   Monday  93.60 msl.

Solunar Periods

Major  7:31 am to 9:31 am.  Minor  1:07 pm to 2:07 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

Check out their new tackle box and plier sheath.

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

The weather looked great and I could not resist, so when dropping the boat in the lake at daylight my spirits were high.  It was cloudy, dead calm, and the water temp was at least 4 degrees or more over the whole lake.  I headed to a consistent cove right off deep water and a small jumped on the swim jig  From there in 4 different places with swim jig and Bang O Lure only  really sma2 more really small ones jumped the swim jig.  So far January has been so disappointing,  there has been no Bang O Lure bite.  January and February have produced some of my biggest bass over the years but so far it is not happening.

The first places were down lake, so with no luck I decided to head up lake.  On the way I stopped at the discharge, caught a 3 or 4, one of them being this beast.

I catch a few tilapia on lures every spring, this was probably the biggest .

I was throwing the Pearl Knockin Tail and slow rolling it when it jumped on.  As a side note I saw several tilapia here and there today. that usually means the bite in on, but I am here to tell you it is not.  From there I headed up lake and fished the works, coves, brush, main lake, it did not matter they just are not shallow.

Typical Coleto white bass.  Never have understood why they generally do not get much bigger than this.

After a couple of hours without a bite it was time to at least catch some fish.  So I trolled from where the white bass had been, which was way up, and found them quite a bit farther down river.  I guess the last cold rain has run them off as it is still quite a bit cooler than it was.  Once that happened it was a good dozen in an hour, and most would have been keepers if you were so inclined.  The ticket was clearly the Pearl Knockin Tail on a 1/4oz head trolled 6o feet behind the boat, and they were stopping it.  After that I fished my way down lake.

I just could not get bit.  Once I was down near the ramp I tossed the Pearl Knockin Tail and caught a couple more, and they were really small.  At that point I called it a day.

Best I could get in the bass department today.

The punch line – The water temp was in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s, fairly clear, and they are just refusing to come shallow.  I really did cover some good springs spots, which produced just those few smalls.  Normally when you start seeing the tilapia on Coleto the fish are also biting.  It really has to change soon, spawning is coming and we are headed to a full moon.  So who knows. maybe that will get them moving.  But getting there has been tough, and the lake has left me as nothing more than a glutton for punishment.

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

Moving to Northwest Arkansas in the early 70’s I was around as Bass Pro exploded.  It was a 2 hour drive to the store, which still had a Brown Derby liquor store on the end of the building, and was the mecca for bass fishermen.  My favorite was the return store, which was actually across the big street and basically nothing more than an open warehouse with stuff piled up, and the deals were great.  That is where I bought my first Tarpon Wear, the precursor to all the modern warm weather fishing wear.

Of course over the years they have gone from a tackle store to a department store.  The first big change was when they bought Cabela’s to give them over 150 stores.  They are at it again with the purchase of Sportsman’s Warehouse and their over 110 stores.  This is not a good thing for the fishing industry.  Who knows?  Academy could be in their sites.  The problem is like all industry when one major player is involved things change. It leads to reduced options, lower quality, and lure manufacturers end up beholden in order to sell baits.  Additionally overseas manufacturing takes over and the little guy does not have much of a chance.  I shop there at times, and have for almost 50 years, but realize it is so important to shop local if possible.  So support you local guy whenever you can.  (Plus their stuff is not cheap, most is available at other places at a comparable price, some ever cheaper.)

****************** 

And as an old bass fisherman it warms my heart to hear 2 bass over 13lbs were landed in Texas last week.  One on Lake Austin, there are still a few around, and one on Sam Rayburn, which has been hot the last couple of years. A DD is the goal for most bass fishermen, 13lbs is a dream.  Congrats to both anglers.

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

Michael, owner of My Coast Outdoors, home of the Controlled Descent and the Knockin Tail, has started a new Facebook page.  So if you are a saltwater fisherman check it out and join for all things Knockin Tail.  And we all love to see your pictures.

(2) Knockin Tail Lures | Groups | Facebook

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

I keep track of the goings on at Falcon Lake and last weeks Bass Champs results were something.  There were 105 entries and the winning team weighed in 27.8 with an 8+ kicker.  A respectable showing on Falcon, but from there things deteriorated rapidly.  The 14th place team cashed a check with a total of 8.24lbs!  17 more teams caught at least one, and 74 did not weigh a fish!  That can only be described as crazy for what is still one of the best  bass fishing destination in the country.  So my itch to head that way, and it has been strong lately, will be put on hold for a little warmer weather, which will get those Florida strain moving.  And still waiting to hear if a few of the Austin boys have figured out if a Amistad trip is in the future, I am all in on that.

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

One thing I wanted to comment on was how it went on the bay Wednesday.  On my unproductive wade I did catch lots of fish, pinfish.  (I hate it when they bite the tail off, usually not a problem with the Knockin Tail and did not happen to me.)  They were everywhere, a bad omen for the trout fishing, but cudoes to the Knockin Tail’s durability and one of the reasons to glue the bait to the jig head.  And here is  the perfect example:

The Purple Demon Limestruese Knockin Tail – It caught 25 – 30 trout, reds, and flounder yesterday.

And this is the result of all that.

Here is why I glue a few in multiple colors and 2 different weights before every trip to accommodate different depths.  And if the jig head is painted it really helps keeping it up on the head as it will slip much easier on a painted jig head, though I apply a drop even if using a screw lock.  If you look right behind the head you can see what that many fish did to the  Knockin Tail.  By using super glue what would have been a torn bait in the area of the collar and slipping down all the time lasted the whole day.  (I hate when a bait keeps slipping down.)  This one stayed intact and even though it was getting major chewed on it was still catching fish.  Plastics rarely last with that many toothy critters, but doing a little work before you head out will save money in the long run.  Plus it is great when wading, lose one and reach in the box and tie on a new one.

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

I may be slow but I am not crazy, at least to far gone.  If the lake is going to be mean to me like that then it will be the bay.  Looking at the weather next week it looks good so after the weekend warriors are gone think I will go down and stay a couple of days  I really like not having to make the drive so dang early in the morning.  Plus, the fishing is a whole lot better.   So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Tomorrow it will be off to POC early.  Time to get back to the bay, even if I do not have a clue right now as it has been a while.  At least the learning curve should be short tomorrow.  Go to the island, jump in and cast, catch them stay, no bites move, repeat.  That should about cover it but as we all know the best laid plans…….

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

Weather

57/67.   Cloudy with a 25% chance of rain.   Wind E 10 – 15mph.  (So wrong.)

Tides

High 2:55 pm  0.9 ft.  Low  3:43 pm  0.9 ft.   (Pretty much slow rise all day then flat.  Weird.) 

Solunar Periods

Major  6:06 am to 8:06 am.   Minor  12:03 pm to 1:03 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

Check out their new tackle box and plier sheath.

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

It was just cracking daylight on arrival at POC and the wind was straight out of the north, so much for that prediction.  The water temp was 62 – 65 every where I went and there was a little color to the water.  And the tide was low, as low as I have seen it in a while.  So with the wind out of the wrong direction for the couple of places I had planned on the island, I decided to give the bank in Barroom Bay a wade.

With the tide that low the drop on the edge of that bank, which is where they should be, was perfect.  Unlike “normal” there was almost no flat.  That I would not get bit for an hour and half really did surprise me.  And to top it off a sea fog rolled in and visibility running was not much.  So discretion being the better part of valor I decided to head around the corner and boat fish Big Bayou, which turned out to be the ticket.

The Purple Demon Limestreuse Knockin Tail catches fish!  Fun on 8lb line.

The first bank I tried they were biting.  There was still a Mansfield  Magic Knockin Tail tied on so I stayed with that and started catching a few small ones when a small flounder jumped on.  Tossed him back, and promptly hooked a big one.  Of course the net is in the compartment, so messing with that turned out to be a bad move.  You could not see the Knockin Tail in his mouth, he finally bit me off while I was trying to get the net out.  So when I retied I decided to give he Purple Demon Limestreuse on a 3/16th jig head as the water was in the 5′ range.

They were eating the Purple Demon Limetruese!

From that point on it was really consistent.  Most were small of course, but for a couple of hours it was good.  Deep banks were the best and the fish were about 3′ deep, most were just getting on as opposed to whacking it.  Which I actually like as it is a cat and mouse game.  Super light bite and when you went to hop it off the bottom you had to be ready as they were already there.  And a couple of places where it was somewhat out of the wind, with a soft bottom, had fish.  Here is what most looked like.

The only reason the flounder made the pic is for a slam, even though the 3 I did land all looked like this.

Other than the big red above I only caught a couple more rats.  But the bite was good and everywhere I tried had fish.  I did manage to fish the Oil Cut last, and caught 5 or 6 in there.  Once they started biting it was fun and I left them biting when I quit at 1:30.  It never did warm up and the wind, while not a hassle, kept up a steady pace.

After struggling in freshwater the last month it was nice to catch a bunch of fish.  One thing about trout, they are not the hardest fish to catch, but on the other hand can be hard to hook.  Though the day did not go like I planned, I never did make another wade, it worked out fine.  There was no sense leaving fish to find fish.  It definitely got my blood flowing, and the next trip, coming real soon, hopefully will be waist deep.

So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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

It has basically been 3 weeks since I wet a line.  It took a little while to get everything organized as I left it a mess after the last couple of trips.  So in the morning it will be back to Coleto, which should be an adventure as I do not have a clue.

Weather

45/73.  Blend of sun and clouds with a 25% chance of rain.  Wind  SSE 10 – 20 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.60 msl.   20 days ago   93.13 msl.

Solunar Times

Minor 10:34 am to 11:34 am.  Major  4:26 pm to  6:26 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

Check out their new tackle box and plier sheath.

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

Well that did not work out so well.

Today might have been the worst day ever.  There is not a shallow bite, period.  When you get 4 bites total over 6 hours it is slow.  But not surprised, as the lake has really cooled off since my last trip.

The water was clearly up at the ramp, and the wind was light, but that would change.  The water color was somewhat off, and really off up lake, and the temp at the ramp was 62 degrees.  It is 67 near the discharge, but the real difference was up both arms.  The main arm was only 53 and really off color, which if memory serves me is a 15 degree drop.  At the plant it was 57 and just a tiny bit clearer.  The punch line, only one bite in both.  So I took the easy way out for just a few minutes so at least I could put a couple in the boat for pictures.

That will do considering.

There is one place on Coleto you, and just about anyone else, can catch them almost anytime during the winter, the discharge.  This is only my opinion, to each his own, but fishing discharges has never been my favorite technique.  It seems to much like fishing in a hatchery, but when times are tough, or even when they aren’t, there is always fish.

To make a short story shorter, I had 3 bites in 5 minutes, caught the 2 above, and lost a real bruiser at the boat.  There was quite a bit of water coming through and I was tossing a 1/4 pegged slip sinker with a 4/0 VMC and a 5″ stick bait in watermelon red.  You could barely feel them but they did hold on.  Since I was wanting to fish other places it was oh well,  that tells me what?  Never have been big on fishing in one place without moving.  So it was time to go fishing, there just had to be a bite somewhere.

Great choice, if you are a glutton for punishment.  The wind was blowing like crazy by then and whether spinnerbait, swim jig, jerk bait, or Bang O Lure it was not happening.  The only bite did end up in the boat, and it was the size of the swim jig.

Conditions really changed with the last rain, the question is what will happen now?  We are forecast to get rain for 3 or 4 days, and the temps will stay in the 70’s including a couple of nights in the 60’s.  Since the shallow bite is nonexistent hope it rains a ton and gets the lake back up.  Sure can’t hurt and who knows, it just might get them going.

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

Tomorrow it is time to get the truck inspected and then license it and the boat trailer.  Have to keep nice and legal, no time to get a ticket on the way to fish.  Then it is going to be the bay, will simply be watching the weather.  As long as it is not a gully washer with lightning I will be doing some wading and getting my “sea” legs  under me.  Love fishing those warm cloudy days in the winter, seems like those days are just a little bit better for bigger trout, at least for me.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines