FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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One Cool Place.

Our view.  Pick Your Sunset!

It was a great way to start off the New Year.  We were lucky enough to get to spend a couple of days, one in Big Bend National Park and one in Big Bend Ranch State Park, in the South Texas desert, and as usual it did not disappoint.  First off are the Boss’s 2 requirements, desert or not:  A cool house and an indoor bathroom, which rules out camping.

On the cool factor the house was perfect.  Well done out of 2 storage containers, it was at the end of the road (One of the roughest of the trip.) in Terlingua.   The view was great and with a full wall window in the bedroom when you looked out at night the stars were right in your face.  The lack of light pollution and air pollution is so readily apparent in the desert, gives you a whole new perspective on life and just maybe what it should be.  We did some cooking, had a fire, and were off at daylight each morning.  As usual we ate at the Starlight Theater, which has great food.  The home made avocado dip is delicious along with everything else on the menu.  It is a must stop when in the desert.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

Check out their new tackle box and plier sheath.

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Some seriously big Redtail hawks.

The first morning we headed to the river in the national park, only to learn the border had closed this week so the hot springs were closed, as was the Boquilla border crossing.  But at the end of the line the Mexicans came across the river and left trinkets which they do, though illegal it is tacitly overlooked.  As we watched they got in 2 canoes and on a mule and came across the river to collect any money and leave more trinkets.  Obviously the border being closed was cutting off their income.  You never know what you will see on the border.

As we left we ended up following a big coyote that ran right down the middle of the road in front of us for quite a while.  The Boss was filming but gremlins messed it up so no picture but it was cool.  And we also saw a couple of foxes during the next 2 days.

From there we drove the River Road which runs right along the Rio Grande River on the Mexican border.  Over 60 miles of draws, washes, hills, rocks, and more rocks, it is rough as all get out but the scenery is spectacular.  It is not for your Sport “Cutility”, or that SUV in your driveway for looks.  This is 4 wheel drive, and no, all wheel drive is not the same.  You get free pinstriping, on a truck shaking, middle of nowhere drive.

It is all pretty but don’t touch!

One heavy horned muley.

3 bucks and a dozen does.

We stopped along the way at the old mine.  They mined “quicksilver” from 1900 until 1943.  In the old days they took it to Terlingua via donkey, which is a 30 miles hike as the crow flies through one tough desert.  I had to look up “quicksilver” and it turned out to be what I thought, mercury.  The mine and plant still has some of the old stone houses where the miners lived.  Their cans and trash still liter the grounds but like all things, the desert is winning.  We had never stopped there before but glad we did, it was cool.

It was surprising how little wildlife we saw in the national park.  Not a jack rabbit one, they are usually everywhere, nor any of the other critters like desert mice and ground squirrels you usually see.  And though we saw a few road runners they were even scarce.  It had just snowed almost a foot and the nights were in the 30’s, so not sure where everything was hiding out, but they sure were not moving day 1.  So we decided to visit Big Bend Ranch State Park, the largest state park in Texas, and where they transplanted some of the first desert big horns.

The mine.  An easy hike well worth the effort.

In both parks the views are fantastic, and can only be appreciated there as words do not do them justice.  That part of the world is so big.  Big valleys, mountain ranges, awesome formations, it never ends.  No matter how many times we go there is always something new.

There is no words to describe just how big the wide open spaces are and how cool some rocks and mountains ban be.

It is a 25 mile drive over a “good” road off the highway to get to the Ranger Station in the state park.  I wanted to find out where we might see a bighorn.  On the way was saw a covey of quail, another big Redtail Hawk, and a herd of mule deer.  One of the guys above was a heavy rack non-typical, probably the best mule deer buck I have ever seen.  We were just early enough they have not shed their antlers yet, and with the rut over they were all getting along.

And a word about driving in the state park, there are 3 roads: the rough main one, 4 wheel drive only, and 4 wheel drive high clearance.  And let me tell you some were rougher than anything in the national park.  But no matter which roads off the pavement it is just a matter of having good tires and not acting the fool.  Part of the trip is taking it all in,  enjoying the quiet, and actually unplugging some.  The sounds of silence.  We had very little cell coverage and it was nice to basically ignore the internet and everything else for a few days.  It gives you perspective, that those things are just noise, the desert is forever.  You can feel the times less nature of the desert when you are there.

Once we got to the Ranger Station she said no sheep sorry, maybe a few left where they were helicoptered in, but most of those went to Mexico.  (But she did give me some tips of other areas for the nest trip.)  The area turned out to be a mesa in the park right off the highway so we stopped but that was not happening.  We walked down to the river, the water was still ok for floaters but going down after the rise from their snow storm.

Yes that would be Mexico over there.

Turn out the lights the parties over.

Sorry for the disjointed report but one thing I have learned, quit taking notes, quit viewing things through the view finder, just take it all in.  Sit around the fire and watch the sun go down.  Listen to the nothing.  Watch as the lights go out and see the night sky for what it is.  Terlingua can be a strange place full of some strange characters, but it all works together to make it a great place to spend some time.  We will be back.

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Tomorrow it is back to fishing.  Of course the lake tomorrow, it is Monday.  I will definitely be interested in seeing what a good foot of water has done, and what the temp is.  But with some good clouds coming it will definitely be a day on the bay at some point this week as it screams big trout.  And the forecast for the rest of the week also screams big bass, which historically happens in January on the lake with the coming conditions.  So no real plan other than a rod in my hand, the where will be played by ear.  Spring is right around the corner and it is time to take advantage of it.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Here we go, another year of fishcatchingtravel.com.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would still be here.  But on we go.  Life throws us curve balls at times, I really did look like we would be on a different path.  I honestly had not thought about where this might go, or even that I would be here.  So lets just see what the new year brings, as long as I am upright and fishing the blog will still be here.  Not promising it will be all that, but the years fishing plan is taking shape and I will continue to share it.  And day one 2021 was Travis, to bad I fished like a rookie.  It has been a bad month for me when I have had a fishing rod in my hand.  So time to head to the bay soon, an easy place to get well.  Maybe I will even put some dead fish on the front of my boat to show you how nice the front of the boat is!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

Check out their new tackle box and plier sheath.

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I hate it when I fish like crap.  And after a full day on Travis I have to admit I started with a clue and ended up without one.

The Boss had an appointment on Monday, which she unfortunately put on the wrong calendar day.  She found out the day before we were leaving for Austin, but since we had the house rented we went anyway.  It came with a dock, which I love, just put it in the water and walk down and fish.  But the water level left me somewhat confused, of which there ended up being no recovery.  It is the 3rd time I fished it and it has been up some crazy thing like 25 feet, then once at pool, and is now down 25 feet. Amazing how that happens, and it does change things.  But no excuse.

The weather Sunday afternoon was supposed to be almost dead calm, and once we got there it was blowing a good 15+.  I wanted to watch the Cowboys (What a waste that was!)  so I just fished for 2 hours before heading in.  Not a bite, and there were folks fishing up a storm.  A reminder why I generally do not fish the weekends, especially on lakes like Travis.  But Monday brought a new day.

A good start.

I was scheduled to fish with a friend who lives there but he had to cancel.  Unfortunately his wife is going through radiation and he felt like he should hang around, good call.  So my best wishes to them, it is tough, and we are hoping for the best for her.

Starting on a deep point bluff end at the mouth of a cove it took about 5 minutes to catch a nice one on the Rage Craw.  That is where they are supposed to be, staging to make the big move.  They had a bunch of rain which cooled the lake off, but it came up a foot.  The water temp was 58 and it was dead calm.  I caught one on the craw and then one on jerk bait.  That would turn out to be my downfall.  My love of jerk bait fishing ended up wasting lots of time over the day.  And that was my fault.  We all have days where we just keep trying to make them do what we want, and that was my day.

The really like the Lou’s Custom Jerk Bait.

To make a long story short only 2 more smalls jumped on the rest of the day.  One each on plastic and jerk bait.  I stuck with the points and some interior secondary points, and did manage to miss a couple, so I will blame it on the fish.  With the weather so great I made the long run way up the Pedernales to see if the whites were there.

They are sure nicer than the little guys on Coleto.

As the day went on the water temp started increasing into the low 60’s, but up river it was still in the 56 – 57 degree range and somewhat off color.  But the urge to merge for them is great, and while I added a couple more smaller ones and a bass or two trolling, then it was time to head back down lake as I had a long run.  On the way I hit a couple of other places without success so at 5:00 I called it a day.

So the day was not a complete loss, it has been a coon’s age since I made a 30 mile run, and on a flat sea it is a thing of beauty.  And though it was tough for me the time flew by.  I am not deterred though and will be back before spring is over.  It was just like old times in Arkansas, to bad I did not fish better.

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I wanted to share this come from Steve, who should be writing himself.

I imagine that writing for a blog can sometimes feel like talking to an empty room. Only the echo of your own voice for feedback. Well be assured that there are many of us that appreciate the time and effort that goes into an endeavor like a blog. For me, almost daily I tune in to see what’s new in the FishCatchingTravel world. It is usually an escape to fish vicariously at your side, but there are road trips to sweeten the pot and an occasional diatribe to add some spice. I think of Hemingway and the torture that he went through to write–only to know that the thought of not writing was capitulation, giving in and giving up.

I don’t know what drives you, but just know that you and your work is appreciated, warts and all. This is not a democracy, but my vote is for you to keep going. After all, the alternative would be to not go, and that would be no fun at all.

While I am not anywhere near the same universe with Hemingway it really does sum it up.  It is a struggle: anyone out there, is this interesting, why am I doing this, I don’t want to fish today, and on and on.  The diatribes are my Tred Barta coming out. somebody has to say it.  As far as a democracy, that is what makes blogging what it is, no democracy here.  Of course it would be nice to make a few bucks off this, but I am to opinionated for that.  If I do not use it I do mind telling you why.  And  I will not quit ragging on the fishing world when they need it, in fact a diatribe is coming soon.

Other times the words just flow and it is a simple pleasure doing it.  And you are so right, there is no alternative, I will be fishing and will be blogging along as I do.  Thanks for the comment, appreciated.

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And from Anonymous.

Happy New Year!

Your blog is inspiring , and good luck in 2021

Thanks, appreciate the kind comments, nice to know you are out there.

And from Lee .

Thanks for sharing your adventures with us Doug! Wishing you and The Boss a happy New Year and May 2021 be the best yet.  Hope The Boss comes out okay if she has it. Appreciate the work she is doing! Tell her thanks! We moved to the upper end of Travis to a lake front community. But I haven’t been able to fish nearly enough. I’ve only been out twice which is a bummer. They just didn’t seem to get into a Fall top water and active bite pattern which was weird. They seemed to jump to a deep water, winter bite immediately. Good luck!  Thanks for sharing your adventures with us Doug! Wishing you and The Boss a happy New Year and May 2021 be the best yet

I feel you pain on Travis,  (See above!) it is a deep bite, at least for the time being.  It is so similar to what happened on Coleto, shallow, then gone.  But in the end that makes fishing what it is, you never know.  The Boss is fine but not to happy as Victoria cases are on the rise, 83 cases yesterday alone.  But she is optimistic, but not pleased, with the vaccine roll out but hopefully they will get it straightened out soon.  Thanks for the comment and the good fishing on Travis is right around the corner and then break out the Bagley Bang O Lure, they love it later in that clear water.  Good wishes for you and your family.

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And last from Frank with a question that comes up every year.

Doug,
Hi, my name is Frank Rembert, I communicated with you awhile back when my wife and I were looking into re-locating from College Station to Victoria to be closer to inshore fishing, due to my wife’s medical problems we decided to stay put for awhile, also my son Kevin is the one that provided you the Four Horsemen Popping Corks to try. That all being said, the Lavaca River is one of my favorite Fall and Winter fisheries and was wondering with your years of experience there if you could hazard a guess as to how all the recent heavy rains there have affected the fishing and how long it will take to re-stabilize and return to somewhat normal conditions.

Sorry for the late reply, been off my fishing feed this week.  My experience on both the creek and the river when it is over, it really is over.  Can you still catch a fish, probably, but we have some serious cold rain coming, maybe over an inch, which will probably end the big bite for the year.  So I am just waiting to see what tomorrow brings.  If it is not to bad I will give you a real report, though we are headed to Big Bend for a few days to chase wildlife, hike, eat, drink, be merry, and not listen to the news.  And if I hear anything in the meantime will let you know.  I hope you wife is doing well.  It has been a long year but hopefully this next one will be great for all of us.

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Anonymous:

Happy New Year! Your blog is inspiring , and good luck in 2021

Thanks.  At times it inspires me to get in bed and pull the covers up over my head.  But it is really a labor of  love, but like so many of us tend to, we keep whining in spite of things being just fine.  Happy New Year to you.

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And a great question from Jimmy.

Doug, I always read your post and really look forward for new ones. Being you always seem to enjoy sharing your knowledge would you give me tips for trolling for trout. I hear they do this frequently on the Lavaca River. What type of lures, size, color, speed of troll, how far behind the boat would shorten the learning curve. This would be another approach to fishing when I have members on the boat that can’t cast lures.

Thanks,

Jimmy

My sharing knowledge may have more to do with me liking to hear me talk!  But that aside here is what I know.  The first time I put in on the creek I idled a little ways and there was a dude in a canoe trolling small Rapala minnow baits as he paddled.  I asked and he showed me 3 20″+ trout.  Then a few months later my buddy had a motorcycle wreck and could not cast so we solved that by taking a paddle tail, don’t remember which but of course now it would be a Knockin Tail, put out 50′ of line, and I trolled with the trolling motor.  Once we got the speed down we caught a bunch, but mostly small.  And I have caught them once in Keller Bay and once out of POC, both times in the winter.

So if I was going to head out I would have 3 baits.  Knockin Tail in a pearl/white etc. on a heavy 1/8th or lighter 1/4 jig head, a couple of small spoons, Sprites or Little Cleo, and a couple small Shad Raps that run in the 5 – 10′ range.   Most of the water in the creek and river is in the 10′ range so baits running 5 – 8′ is about right.  Getting hung up comes with the territory but that is how you learn the depth your baits are running.  Once fine tuned you are in business.

A good start would be trolling one of each, let the fish decided.  Speed is usually dependent on how slow I can get the boat to run, somewhere between 2 and 3mph.  Cast it out behind the boat, pull off another 30 foot of line and ease along.  Keep the drag fairly light, I prefer to keep moving after hooking up, hopefully getting another bite which happens, so reel them in real slow or they will pull off.  Definitely a mono technique, and if you use more than a 10lb you will need a little heavier baits.  And if you feel one that misses it, give it a slow pull forward then a fall.  Success I suspect is not like regular trout fishing, find them and smash them in one spot.  It might be one here and there as you cover water but in the end the take home results might be the same.

The caveat, I have not trolled for trout like I have for white bass.  The few times I have it always seem to catch a couple, and with some experience and time on the water I am sure it can be super effective.  And thinking about it now, trolling for trout is an area that is waiting to happen.  Only done by a few there is much to learn and I suspect when it is fully explored it is going to be a killer.  Thanks for the question, my answer is a little windy but like any other technique there are not any real “right” answer, only what works for you.

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Off Topic or Lawyers say the craziest things!

I am sure the majority of you know about the woman who accused the black kid of taking her phone, then actually assaulted him, which is a felony.  Now her attorney, who I am sure is a fine person, had this to say about the attack.  It was not racial,  (I call bullshit.), it would not have mattered if it was a 90 y/o lady or an Asian.  Oh My God!  So if we accept there was not a racial component your well thought out stunning defense means the following:   Your client would be more than happy to berate and physically assault and toss to the ground a 90 y/o lady!  That makes us all feel better about her.  And one last word, give his dad real props for not slapping her silly, she earned it.  Put your hands on the child of another like that and you deserve exactly what you get.  End of story.

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The last few days have been hard, our country is better  than that.  When I stood before the Arkansas Supreme Court and took the oath to the Constitution it meant something to me.  The oath means that I would never break and enter any government building, that I would never be with the kind of folks who would brutally murder a police officer, I would never steal from my government, that I would never set foot in a courtroom and file absolute nonsense, or be dishonest in my dealings with the court.  Somehow that has disappeared and it makes me sad.  This is not who we are.

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Sorry for the late replies.  Just trying to catch up so excuse the errors and spellings but just trying to get back to square one.  I hope to fish some early this week, then it is off to Big Bend.  We love it there, good hiking, a few animals, some great roads.  And this year we will be headed over to one of the state parks to continue my quest to see more sheep, which I assume are desert big horns, will have to look that up.  Yesterday we were on North Padre for some fresh oysters and man was the tide low.  Great time to explore your favorite area, you never know what you will learn.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

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2020 had been one of the craziest years of my life, as it has been for many of us.  Hell, I survived the Covid and we crossed our fingers the Boss will make it without getting it.  And my left ear decided that it had done all the work it was going to do.  But good times or bad, most of us weathered it one way or the other.  Sadly we lost some folks, but life goes on and we added some more, all in spite of the insanity that was 2020.  But looking back on the year in review the fishing had its moments and we went to some great places.

January

I spent the majority of January chasing bass  on Coleto.  While not fabulous it stayed fairly consistent.

A big Tilapia and they were on the spinnerbait some.

And I did manage a couple of respectable ones this month.

And there is always this!

And we spent some time in Zion National Park and went to see Lady Gaga in Vegas.  I got to meet Robert Duval.  Since the Godfather is my favorite movie I was awestruck.  A nice guy.

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February

The fishing on the lake remained good, and once the white bass run was on it was catch fish from start to finish.  And the crappies started biting, leading to some great eating.

Of course the gators spent the month sunning on any warm bank they could find.

And lots of fish fell to the prototype Knockin Tail.

And the usual early spring catfish bite on lures.

And I did manage a couple of good ones this month.

And the bite was on for everything else that swam.

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March

I ended the month with my 1,2ooth post.  What a long strange trip this has been.  Not sure if I have another 1,200 in me, but will die trying, so to speak.  And I got to spend some time in Arkansas on my old stomping grounds and caught some great fish.

Even managed to catch a few trout working on the Knockin Tail prototype.

Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals did not disappoint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I was fortunate to catch a couple of real stripers on Norfork.  Just like the old days.

A nice walleye on a Lou’s Lures custom jerk bait.  And Clyde nailed this huge white bass on the Knockin Tail.

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April

I did not fish all the much this month.  It just worked out that way.

Did some serious damage on the Knockin Tail!

And the Boss joined me for a day on the bay.  I am the luckiest guy in the world.  Just saying!

And we spent a day on the Aransas Wildlife Area.

And it began, and until this day continues.  The Boss at work saving lives.

And I finished the month on the bay when the Power Pole would not come back up.  It never ends.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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May

A successful month all the way around.

The pitching to cover on Coleto was red hot.

And I put the hurt on them out of POC on topwater and Knockin Tail.  That was the best trout of the year.

Colorado never disappoints!

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June

As I was driving to meet the Wade Right boys to head out on the Chandeleur Island trip the hearing in my left ear disappeared, never to return.

Nathan and I with a couple of reds on the Chandeleur trip.  Slow this year with a couple of disasters, but a good time was had by all.

And the lake stayed consistent for numbers with the occasional good one.

The sunrises were great and nothing beats the flush of a buzzbait by a real one!

And we closed out another great Colorado trip.  I am starting to like this fly rod thing.

It really has become my happy place.

July

The occasional wacky fish.  Beautiful summer sunrises!

And the lake fishing really started slowing down.

David and I put the hurt on  them with the Knockin Tail out of POC.

August

I did not fish all that much in August but ended up boating the heaviest bass I have in a while.  This was a real one.

But Yellowstone was on the plate and these photos say it all about one of the great parks in the world.

Hard to describe how wonderful it is.  Even put some browns in the boat on dry fly.  And knocked off the drift boat thing. Way cool!

And had a great day at POC on the Knockin Tail.  Little did I know how hot the Mansfield Magic Knockin Tail would be later in the year.

September

I got freakin’ Covid the third day of a Colorado trip.  At 10,000 feet it is hard to breath when it is hard to breath, if you get my drift.  We had 18 days and I got sick as a dog on day 3, and it would last a month.  Nothing more to say about that.  But here is how it was going until then.

Why we keep on returning.

The only Coleto picture for me this month.

October

As I got to feeling better the fishing on the lake had its moments.  And the white bass started biting.

My favorite saltwater time of the year – The Lavaca River and Garcitas Creek.  Part of a 5 days in a row stretch as I was finally starting to get back to it.

November

The lake flat sucked and it would continue to this day.

The river and creek continued to be hot.  And I boated my best flattie!

And I could not get away from the overs one day at Green’s.  It was cool to watch them eat right in front of me in a foot of water.

December

Fished the South Carolina Low Country.  A good red and put the hurt on the trout with the Knockin Tail.

And finally got to fish with Michael on the river and we caught on them with his Knockin Tail.

And the lake fishing left me feeling like this guy!  Sleepy and grumpy.

What a year it has been.  So many highs, with some serious lows.  It was the least I have fished the bay since I have been here, but it was always a success when I did.  The lake stayed ok until summer and then started a slow decline until now, the toughest stretch ever.  And it was great to fish with the Boss several times this year.

In spite of everything we had some great trips and saw some great stuff.  Wolves, a lion, and all the stuff on 4 legs you can see out west.  We fished the Yellowstone, South Fork and a couple others for trout.  And getting to fish in South Carolina was different, it is a whole other saltwater world compared to the Texas coast.  Bull Shoals and Norfork were good and will be back on the list this spring.

So what about next year?  We really had been looking at several places to move, but as usual the best laid plan can be turned on its head.  I really had no plans or thoughts on next year other than getting a potential move worked out, now it has all changed.  Since we know we will be here at least 2 more years time to come to grips with that and think about the future.

I developed a love/hate relationship with the blog and actually took a couple of breaks, and was really considering a big break and then a new story.  The blog seemed stale at times, which it was, tough to keep it fresh.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would post what is soon to be over 1300 times, or that a few hundred thousand would read any of it.  But at times I have felt the well was running dry.  So this year, no plans, no pre-conceived notions, I intend to just take it as it comes.  Maybe I will fish a bunch, other times I won’t.  But no matter what, as long as my brain is working I will have something to say, like it or not.

And last to you folks, thanks.  Your comments, kind words, and occasional additions are so appreciated.  It is why it is so good to hear from you.  Whether you love it or hate it, always love to hear from you.  So thanks.  May 2021 be a new day for all of us,

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Plenty of deer out the last couple of weeks.

Weather

64/76.  Rather cloudy, breezy and warm; a shower in spots this afternoon with a 30% chance of rain.  Wind  SE  15 – 25mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.31 msl.  Yesterday  93.30 msl.

Solunar Times

Major  12:07 pm to 14:07 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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To make a long story short I got out around 8:30 and started where I caught the nice ones yesterday.  Of course you can guess what happened, which is zip.  After yesterday I was surprised when they just would not hit the swim jig, not a bite.  By 9:30 the wind was howling so spinnerbait was up next.  6 jumped on, and I will not bore you with a picture, small is small.  So with the wind just a real hassle I admit, I flat gave up and called it a day.  There just is not a shallow bite right now, but I keep pushing it.  Why they are not moving up better is really confusing.  But it is coming, just not as soon as I would like.  One thing about fish, you can not make them be somewhere, but I ended up chatting with a couple of guys who know where they are.

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When I got to the ramp I met the boys from  E & J Guide Service, who are camping at the lake.  So as happens with fishermen we talked fishing.  Really enjoyed meeting them, and I always get a little warm feeling knowing they have read my stuff.

6.3 headed back in the water.  That is a good one.

They are doing something that is not in my wheelhouse any more, deep fish.  They have been catching 25 – 30 a trip with a good fish or two thrown in.  As I normally do, that is all I can say about where and how, but suffice to say they are deep.  (Definitely a comment on the shallow fish or lack thereof on Coleto.)  So if you want to hire a guide, and learn a little something while catching a bunch of fish, give them a call.  They guide on Coleto and Choke, and I appreciate the offer for a day on Choke, I might just take them up on it.

E & J Guide Service  –  Choke Canyon and Coleto Creek

Military Discount  –  253-306-0356

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And speaking of deep fish, and that is all you are getting out of me on this one too.  Here is a couple of pictures from my buddy Chago of his sons Joaquin and JoJo after a trip to Travis.  (But since I will be fishing with a friend on Travis next week I will take advantage of what I learned.  lol.)

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

       Nice bunch, that will work in a tournament!

The boys are members of the St. Joe Fishing Team and have a bad case of tournament fever.  I remember what that particular disease is like, and they have it.  They are so lucky to have started the club as they will be exposed to lots of different lakes under lots of different conditions.  It really gives them a chance to become a well rounded fishermen.  Good luck boys.

After getting these pictures I thought back to when I moved to Arkansas in the early 70’s as a young man.   I basically spent the next 25 years fishing Bull Shoals and Norfork almost exclusively, and why not they are big lakes and I could catch them, just not so much other places.  I no more learned how to flip wood, fish grass, or how to deal with muddy water as examples.  Those lakes are basically rock quarries and a totally different game than in this part of the world.  But no question fishing different water makes you a better fisherman, and the boys are off to a good start.

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I have waited with baited breath all year hoping the Boss would not get the covid, and looks like she just might make it.  (And to all of you who think it is inflated, or not that bad, or don’t need a mask – Step up and walk a mile in her shoes.  Victoria is in another outbreak and they are coming to the ER in droves.  This thing is real and the folks taking care of the covid patients walk the walk, not just talk the talk.)

The Boss gets her vaccine.  Hopefully I am next.

And as I am in the second group it might not be long.  While it is not a panacea for everything it sure will be nice to have most of that worry off our shoulders.  Then we can get back to some real travel. and maybe just maybe this country can get back to the way things were.  It has been a long haul.

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So one more post this year, coming tomorrow, the Year in Review.  For now have a safe New Years Eve.  We have all heard the rule:  New Years Eve is amateur hour, so do not drink and drive.  We will be in the house safe and sound watching football.

And one last bit of news: Today we pay off our house!  Working at it by adding a little has come to fruition and we finally got a mortgage off our back.  Will raise a cold one to that tonight.  Great feeling.

Unfortunately the Hogs lost the bowl game because of all those infested Horn Frogs.  (But wait, if it is not real then the Horned Frogs are nothing but a bunch of chickens.)  Really a disappointment as I was really interested in how they would stack up against the Frogs.  And good luck to A&M, they get a chance to prove they deserved the playoff shot.

Not sure when I will fish again though Friday looks good then off to Travis.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

When you are this close you can sense the power.  He was not afraid.

Weather 

58/76.  Areas of fog in the morning; otherwise, intervals of clouds and sun with a 10% chance of rain.  Wind  SE  10 – 20mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.30 msl.   5 days ago  93.38 msl.  (Hate to see that.)

Solunar Period

Major   10:24 am to 12:24 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

It was dead calm when I put early this morning.  The lake looks like it is on the way down again, and the water color was not as nice as it has been.  Additionally the water temp dropped 4 – 6 degrees over most of the lake.  And there were several folks out today, a real change from what it has been.

The numbers were the same but there was a little improvement in size.

First up was the spinnerbait for about an hour without a bite so switched to a swim jig with the Pumpkinsee Knockin Tail for a trailer.   The only real difference today was the fish were just a tiny bit bigger than they have been.   It seems like when you catch one you can catch another, but those places are few and far between.  Other than that caught 4 in one place, then it took until 2:00 to catch 3 more.

They wanted it slow, most were really close to the bank, and at best just eased on instead of a real bite.  I definitely missed a few, they were not smacking it by any means.  As an example, I tossed it next to a tangle of wood and reeled it steady when a huge boil came right behind it, but never did eat.

7 made it over the side today.  All on a swim jig with a Pumpkinseed Knockin Tail trailer.

While up lake produced 5, the other 2 actually were a good thing.  One came out of a cove about halfway back, and I definitely missed a couple there.  That was the only fish that really thumped it way off the bank.  The other came out of some muddy water, maybe 1′ deep, in the very back of a cove off the deepest water in the area.  So nice to find a couple heading back in.

By 1:30 the wind was blowing a good 20mph plus and I wanted to get home before the Boss headed out for a later shift so called it a day.  Bite wise, not to shabby, the end results was a little less than stellar, but they moved a little and I am getting a better idea of just where they might be.  Things are looking up on the lake and there were a few places that should hold fish that I could not fish properly with the wind.  But I am no quitter so will be back at it tomorrow.

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We made a quick trip to the Aransas Wildlife Area for a hike and a little animal watching.  The day was beautiful but the viewing not so much.  The tide was as far out as I have ever seen it on a visit.  The gators were hiding and there was not a Whooping Crane in sight.  But it is a cool place and only a short drive, well worth the visit.

At least there were a few gators out and about.

And the Rosetta Spoonbills were causing a ruckus.

The Herons were on the chew.

And the tide exposed reefs I had not seen before.

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Oops….Guess some of my pictures did not come out last time.  What happened was my camera battery died so I used my I phone for the first time and still have some to learn about transferring them to the blog.  But they were not much, so you did not miss much.  Hopefully todays will be better.

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Finally got the Year in Review done and will put it up New Years Day.  If the world does not collapse will be headed back to the lake tomorrow.  Will go ahead and hang around until the Boss leaves for work and fish the afternoon.  Haven’t checked the weather but that is the plan.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.  Spending time with the Boss over Christmas is a new thing for me as it is the first time in a long time I did not fish Christmas Day.  But it has been a good time, other than she is making me take long walks, but I will admit they are a little more fun than the tread mill.  Now it is time to move on from the dumpster fire that was 2020.  The Year in Review will be up in a few days, and there were definitely plenty of highs, and lows, and my only comment: Bring on 2021!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Here are some interesting photos one of the folks who works in the ER gave the Boss that were taken walking the beach near POC.

They found this flounder boat in February.

And here it is in May.  

I am actually surprised that it lasted this long,  But I am somewhat puzzled why no one came back and tried to save it.  Can you say insurance claim?

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And speaking of boats, my buddy Todd sent me a picture of his “new to him” poling skiff which he will be picking up in a couple of weeks.  Can’t wait to go for a ride!

East Cape Skiffs Fury.  That is one sweet ride!

A big change from a Shallow Sport but you all know how it is:  “The proper boat for the job.”  And I assume this one will be getting its first work out in POC soon.

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Sad to report that Buchanan Lake is now “infested” with Zebra Mussels.  No matter how hard folks try the infestation is spreading and even with the best intentions it continues.  Even with the drain rules for boats it marches on and is coming to a lake near you.

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Got a few of the Austin boys thinking about an Amistad trip.  It has been few years since I have been there but I always enjoy it.  It really is like “home’ for me.  Much of it reminds me of Bull Shoals – deep and clear without homes surrounding it.  In the 5 or 6 trips there only once was it a disappointment.  It fishes to my strength and there is always a smallmouth or 2 to top things off.  So with pre-spawn right around the corner in South Texas I can’t wait.  Plus, you never know what kind of critters you will see while fishing.

And my trip to Falcon is also in the works.  I love fishing it during the week when the crowds are down.  Since the bass there are known to spawn from January thru April, and some folks who have fished it for decades say there has even been a second spawn some years, the good time to go is when you can.  But no matter what it is right around the corner.  When I go there it is not about the numbers, it is about “the bite.”  I love slow rolling a spinnerbait deep there, and there seems to always be a bite or two that smashes the wire flat, those are the good ones.  Means it had the whole thing in his mouth.  Makes me want to head out right now.

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And Rusty sent along this report and Christmas wishes.

Merry Christmas to the Coppernoll’s!
After chasing redfish and trout last 3 months, I have elected to stay close to home and fish Fayette lake. My 90+ years old parents need my help.
So the last three trips on the lake as been almost the same. Water temp 65-68. If the wind doesn’t blow you off the lake, fishing has been fairly good in 17’-24’ of water using a black/ blue craw or senko on 3/4 oz football jig or Tokyo rig. I have never seen so many boats during the week as I am seeing. This time of year I’m used to seeing 2-4 boats on the water now it’s like 20-30 boats. Did everyone retire at the same time? And don’t get me started on the cast netters who are catching and keeping any and everything that’s in their nets. Legal or not.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.  I can relate to the parents issues, my dad is over 90 and mom is about there.  They are doing everything possible to stay in their home, but it gets tougher every year.

(Since I initially started working on this I am sad to report that Rusty’s father passed away on Christmas.  There is really nothing to say but how sorry I am for his loss.  But his father made it to a ripe old 90+, which is a good life by any standard.  It is a reminder to live your life to its fullest, remember there is not “always tomorrow.”  So call your folks and tell them you love them!)

As far as Fayette, it is the exact opposite on Coleto, with just a couple of boats on the water everyday.  I think with the way Covid has affected the economy more folks are fishing and RV sales are booming.  The outdoors is one of the few places “safe” right now.  And sad to hear of the ongoing problem with the netters on Fayette.   You are far from the only one who is talking about how bad it is getting.  It seems the problem is growing and it is unfortunate that our overworked Game Wardens are left rowing against the tide.  My suggestion, a season and a daily time period where netting is legal so there is a way for the Wardens to really monitor it.  Just a thought.

I am sure if you asked most biologists involved in the stocking of tilapia, and other non-native species, in the “old” days, many would say they regret it.  So many things seemed like a good idea, and they have backfired.  From tilapia here and there, grass carp, cichlids, peacock bass, Nile perch, and on and on, many have had unintended consequences:  See Lake Austin, ruined in nothing flat.  Time to stop it, and the importation of any kind of non-native species, they do not live here, nor do they belong here.  To bad it has made Fayette a busier and more dangerous place.  As usual good to hear from you.

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Watching football and thinking about where next.  But after the better part of the week at home starting to get the fishing itch again.  Where it will get scratched remains to be seen, but it will be back at it Monday and then Lake Travis for a couple of days at the first of the year.  Going to be nice to have the boat in the water and a dock, so much easier.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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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.  Plus fishing season is on the way and a 3″ Armor will last you a season or more.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I wish you and yours a great Christmas.  It has been a long year for most of us but there is hope on the horizon.  With the new year right around the corner there is no way for many of us to go but up.  So many lost, plenty others in a tough state, a little holiday cheer will lift spirits and we can look ahead with hope, keep the faith.  Merry Christmas!

Coleto Creek   10/23/2020.

Weather

60/78.  (Dropping to 39 Wednesdays night.)  Cloudy then chance of showers increasing in the afternoon with a 60% chance.  Wind  SW 10 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.38 msl.   Monday  93.39 msl.

Solunar Times

Major   6:50 am to 8:50 am.  Minor  1:05 pm to 2:05 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

To bad there is nothing for comparison, this is a big one!

The full body shot.  Look at the size of his tail!

This time of year the gators are out in mass.  Cool nights then a warm day, they love those sunny banks where I am sure it is really warm.  The real big ones, which this is, are not that scared or annoyed by the boat.  Most just slam back in the lake, but not the real ones, they just keep an eye on you.  What cool creatures.

The weather forecast was perfect.  Looking back on past Decembers fishing has always been pretty good.  Bang O Lure, which they refuse to touch; swim jig, which one or two will eat; and spinnerbait, more on that in a minute.

It was cloudy, warm, and dead calm as I dropped in at daylight.  I had made a specific plan and stuck to it.  What a plan, by 10:30 I had not put a fish in the boat, and am not even sure if I had a bite.  So to just catch a fish I headed up lake to see if the whites were biting, and of course they were. But after 2 passes, and a bunch of fish, I could not stand it.  There had to be a way to catch a bass.  And a pattern that has followed me this month reared its head again in a new way.

This is my sad face – More white bass though they are getting bigger.

Starting with a spinnerbait on a flat bank up lake with wind on it low and behold one jumped on.  Small, but welcome.  Could it be here come the boys to begin pre-spawn? Ended up catching 6 smalls, now the day is looking up.  They were chasing it buzzed and not missing it.  When they are like that towards a spinnerbait it usually means game on.

This is my happy face – spinnerbait.

But then the current rule that the fish made up this December, catch one a particular bait and you will not catch another.  This time from that point on, and I mean a couple of hours, only one more small jumped on.  I went to different banks, a couple of coves, up lake and down, and the one small came in the back end of one cove along with another white bass.

I really think today was a perfect example why fishing can be so interesting.  Absolutely the best conditions, then a little flurry, then a complete and total stop.  The more I fish the less I know.  Though it has been slow I really thought the conditions would improve the bite, which it did, sort of.  And then the day finished perfectly.  As I was taking out the only other boat out came up.  His plates said Iowa, where I grew up, so we chatted.

I figured we had met before and we had.  For years he has come for the winter with his camper and boat.  As were talking about the sad state of affairs, he said he did not have a bite.  In fact, he ended up fishing where I left.  His comment:  “It has gone from the best bass lake in Texas to the worst.”  That is so sad, but I am not ready to throw in the towel yet, spring is on the way.

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Good News

Here it is almost a year now that the pandemic has been messing with our lives but just maybe the end is in sight.  The Boss looked like this at work 8 months ago, and nothing has changed.   But she is finally getting the vaccine and if we are lucky she just might make it through without catching it.  And I may be in the next round and will line right up.  We want to seriously travel somewhere and it just might be required at some point.

A salute to all the health care folks from housekeeping to brain surgery.  Your courage and skill saved lives.  It has been tough on providers nationwide, even here in Victoria we are experiencing another spike.  So tell a provider thanks, they deserve it.

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And speaking of medical professionals, we met Kyle while at the store picking up some holiday life saving medicine, or some mood improving libations.  His significant other Amber has gotten into fishing, so we are looking at a date in the near future for a little bay action.  (Plus I can use a little of that easy trout fishing right now.) And apparently she really likes to bass fish, so as soon as that straightens up some it will be a day on Coleto.  It will be fun to take a newbie with the fever, it can be epic when that happens.

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This is not taking sides so don’t get your political panties in a wad.  I just got a text from a Republican fundraiser trying to get my $$$ and this may be the dumbest things I have ever gotten.  “The Democrats are trying to cancel Christmas.”  If you are the candidate paying this pinhead for coming up with that hire someone else.  Try coming up with something not quite so far up the stupid scale.  Please election, time for you to crawl back under your rock for a couple of years.

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This is the first Christmas in I do not remember when that the Boss is not working.  While this will end my years of fishing on Christmas day there is plenty of fishing on the horizon.  Amistad, Kyle and Amber, and making reservations right now for Lake Travis.  Have a safe and happy holiday.  Keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

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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.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Nice and warm, must be time for a nap.

Weather

50/74.  Mostly sunny with no chance or rain.  Wind  SSE  5 – 10 mph.

Lake Level

Today   93.39 msl.   4 days ago   93.36 msl.

Solunar Period

Minor  12:36 pm  to  13:36 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

When I got to the ramp at 10:00 it was dead flat, sunny and 55 degrees.  The water is really clearing and the temp was 71 at the ramp, 76 on the drive by the discharge cove, and 68 way up lake.  The plan was to fish the A Rig until my arm fell off, and that is just about what happened,  First up was the plant arm, all the way to the inflow, and before it was over and I headed up lake it was 9 places, 2 fish on swim jig, and one miss.  And not a bite on the A Rig.

A bluegill swim jig with a Greenback Knockin Tail trailer.

Both in the plant arm and the main creek I intentionally fished places I have not fished, places that might have fish, and places there should have been fish, but the fishing remains at is has been, slow, slow.

Number 2 trolling the rattle trap.

After fishing several places as I headed up lake I finally decided to troll a little, drink coffee and eat a honey bun, and contemplate my fishing situation.  I tossed out a rattle trap and had not gone 20 feet when one jumped on.  I kept going thinking it was a white when a big fish jumped and for some reason broke my line.  So another trap went on and it happened again but the one above stayed.

Ok, so lets try cranking.  Make senses huh?  Though I got a few bites it was not fast by any means and the majority were small.

To bad was not looking for a fish fry, it would have been good.

I really did give the rattle trap a good go and ended up catching 3 small bass, several whites and one big crappie.  There are plenty of fish up lake, and it was surprising after catching a good one and breaking off a big one not another good one bit.  At least the whites keep it interesting.  With the water temp heating up quite a bit along with the water coming up the white bass just might really get after it with the next moon.  The bass?  Not a clue.  Like they say:  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and getting the same result.  I tried to mix it up but it just is not working.  But it might start to drive me insane if it does not pick up.

When I got back to the ramp the gentleman who is there most evenings enjoying the sunset had an interesting piece of info.  Over the last 8 years I have been fishing the lake regularly there was often only a boat or two out many days, and Mr. Crappie 1 + 2 were almost always out there.  They are crappie catching fools, and most days put the real hurt on them.  He spoke with them last week, the last couple of trips the most they had was 3.  Trust me, if they are struggling it is tough.  So I guess I will tough it out, better days are coming.  And it could not be any worse out there.

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The Don’t Call Them Pigs for Nothing!

These 2 were helping the buzzards out on a carcass.  Who knows what they were eating but I really am not interested in knowing.  There were plenty of deer, ducks, gators, and ospreys out and about.  Unfortunately there was a doe floating in lake the other day, in the area I heard some shooting.  Not sure if she was shot but if she was I hope does are in season.

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Would be back on the water tomorrow but have a little outside painting to do and it looks like the best day this week.  So Wednesday I will be back at it somewhere.  If I can drag my old butt our of bed early enough might be time for the bay.  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

After messing with the salt for most of the last few weeks I am ready to be back on the lake.  As we were not here last week not sure how much rain we got, or how it might have affected the lake.  I do know that Johnny won the club tournament with around 8lbs  and the big fish for the day was under 3lbs, not all that for that group of fishermen.  If I was guessing the white bass should be on the chew, a great fallback position this time of year.  So no preconceived notions on my part, but the weather gives me hope. As usual, you don’t know until you go and I am just happy to be headed that way.  The Boss has put in the fish fry order so the stress will be at an all time high!

Weather

46/70.  Becoming cloudy with a 15% chance of rain increasing in the evening.  Wind  ESE  10 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.36 msl.    11/24/20.  (24 days ago.)   93.11 msl.

Solunar Period

Minor  10:05 am to 11:05 am.   Major  3:24 pm to 5:24 pm.

 

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

At least the Boss is getting her fish fry tonight.  I on the other hand just could not get the bass to go.  It has been so slow, and the ones I did catch, 3 came on 3 different baits and then could not get a bite on that bait.  Crazy!

The lake is noticeably up a little and plenty clear.  The water temp was 61 at the ramp, 63 going past the discharge cove, and as low as 53 way up lake, which ended up be a factor before I quit.

The best I could manage today.  At least this one was not to bad.

First up was a bank that has had some fish on it and one did manage to jump on.  Though I kept after it there not another bite.  It would become a pattern, the 3 fish I did catch casting were it.  To make that long story short, first one on plastics, then one on crankbait, and finally a small one on the Alabama Rig.  And each time that was the only bite I could get.  And the Bang O Lure and swim jig did not produce a fish.  So time to go get the Boss her fish fry.

The only bite on plastics.  A crappie for the fry.

I headed up lake where I have been catching white bass and it started off slow.  Today was very interesting, one where it all worked together.  Starting at the farthest area that had been producing only a couple took the bait.  Shallow running minnow bait and a pearl Knockin Tail on a 1/4 jig head ended up catching a few but it just was not “right”.

Then a fishing epiphany –  the water temp was 54 way up, and it was just the occasional bite.  (Note: it was in the 3 – 8 foot range.)  To boot around noon there were schools of shad a little ways down lake, in deeper, and warmer, water.  So it finally sunk in.  I kept in the warmer, 58 degree and higher water, put on a little deeper running crankbait, and used the map to keep along the break on the shallower side of the river where there shad dimpling

Plenty of these guys.

They were in around 8 foot of water and occasionally both crankbaits would bump bottom.  It was a combination of them starting to bite and the right location.  It was not really fast by any stretch but they were biting.  After keeping a few for the fry out of the 20 or so I finally caught a few small bass so figured it might be time to bass fish.

The punch line, zip.  I fished 3 places without a bite on an assortment of stuff.  It was fairly calm with a nice ripple and starting to drizzle.  And I did something I rarely do when it is like that, called it a day.  If the fishing was just a tiny bit better I would have stuck it out.  When I got back to the ramp there was one trailer, and he pulled out right after me.  When I went to clean fish there was a variety of fish in the can, which I assume was the only other boat I saw all day, and he was crappie fishing.   The lake fishing is still fairly spotty, but I will keep after it until it beats me down or improves.

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

And John sent this report on his trip to the Lavaca on the 9th.

Glad you guys had a good day on Lavaca. I was there with my wife and daughter but we did not get fishing until 10:30. So we missed what tide there was today. Found the trout on channel edges on bottom using popping cork with vudu shrimp or the knocking tail on bottom in white. Finally got 5 keepers after culling through a lot of 12 to 14 inch guys.
Still a fun day out with my girls.

Being with your girls is enough, adding a few trout is a bonus.  Hope to get to the river or creek next week a day if they are still cooperating.  If I hear anything else will let you all know.  Thanks for the report.

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And Rick had this question.

Glad you are feeling better. Nice report. Enjoy your time away from the blog, I’ll be here when you get back at it! Just curious, what medications were you on to get over the Corona?

Easy to have a good report when the fishing is good.  As far as the covid here is the quick answer.  The Boss is a PA in the ER and she know her stuff, which was a big help.  Fever only bad once, then an occasional low grade so Motrin and Tylenol.  Same for the aches and pains.  A steroid the first day or two for the shortness of breath which went away, at least the tough part, but it hung around for a couple of weeks.  A little nausea occasionally so a med for that, an antihistamine for sniffles, and Nyquil sure helped me sleep.  Now that I think about it the Nyquil was the best of all the others.  The important part, it lasted almost a month and was the wheel of symptoms.  Any one has says it is like the flu needs to understand one thing, it can be, or one that kills you or leaves lasting effects.  There is no cure, so I just toughed it out and didn’t whine to much.  Good to hear from you.

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And last from SA Joe after my comment about interstate traffic.

Hey Buddy,
Be safe in your travels.

Got me thinking….about the bunches(baitfish) drivers. The cops might split them up and get 1-2 of them, running drugs? One will be the bait car and hang back???

I was just talking about the average drivers but it sure can be the MO of drug smugglers.  The bait car is clean as a whistle and their only job, get stopped so their carry car can keep on rolling.  It is cat and mouse and as the police get better the smugglers just modify what they do.  If we learned one thing with prohibition in the 20’s, it does not work.

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I get the monthly boating magazine from my Sea Tow subscription and was surprised to read this about winterization of boats.  Texas is the leader in freeze damage claims in the US.  In fact Texas has seven times the number of claims than Minnesota.  They are used to hard freezes, folks here are just not ready for it to happen.  Interesting fact.

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Nice to be back on the lake in spite of the fishing.  But better days are right around the corner.  They will be pre-spawn shortly and things will only get  better, though it wouldn’t take much to be “better.”  Will try to hit the river or creek, depending on the amount of rain we get the next couple of days, other wise it is off to the bay.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

I am not the best traveler around.  After a few days I start to wear down some.  There is only so much good food to eat, old stuff to see, and miles to walk before I am ready to take a break.  But since we are here in Charleston I did some research and am headed out tomorrow to fish with a guide.

The east coast is so different from our area.  Tides here commonly 6 – 8 feet, with miles and miles of marsh.  The area is aptly called the Low Country, amazing how much marsh there was on the 150 miles of coast we have traveled.  It all looks fishy, guess we will find out tomorrow just how fishy it is.  And I have a bag full of Knockin Tails to feed them.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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20 mph out of the North!.  43 degrees after a 34 degree drop – Must  be time to go fishing!

To say the weather deteriorated would be an understatement.  It was freakin’ cold, the wind was steady straight out of the north at 20, it was definitely was flat crap, so obviously I was still up for a day of fishing.  Searching online I managed to find Charleston Saltwater Guide Co which turned out to be fortunate.  With conditions as tough as it was  Crawford did a yeoman’s job.  Capt. Crawford Bishop was born and bred here and started chasing fish as a young guy with his jon boat.  He told me he would go out and just get lost.  And after seeing the area it is a maze of channels, rivers, and creeks, and getting turned around would be easy.

Amazing how blue this guy was.  Totally different from most we catch.

We met at the ramp at 10:30 to catch the last couple of hours of the falling tide, the slack, and the first hour or so of the rising. (To give you an example of high different it is from our tides, this one was almost 7 foot.)  Crawford had just sold his Maverick flats boat and his new one is on order.  So we ended up fishing out of a 18′ Beavertail poling skiff and I will give it credit, it was rough and it handled it like a trooper.  (Todd)

To say it was tough is an understatement.  One of the first banks he put us on there were groups moving down the bank, the water was off color as the wind pounded and I had something happen that I would not have ever guessed.  They would not eat a Redfish Magic spinnerbait, or a Knockin Tail.  They were just not wanting it, which was no surprise, if they will not eat a Redfish Magic in off colored water it is tough.  He picked up a popping cork with a shrimp and caught the one above, so I gave it a toss and got my just reward.

How hard was it blowing – filled my hood, hope my head is not that big!

The tide was falling hard and try as we might we could not get another red to jump on.  They were clearly off their feed.  Crawford put us on multiple places that should have fish, and we saw them here and there, but like all fish everywhere the front really had them messed up.  So with them not having it we started hitting some of his favorite docks but they could not be coaxed out.  Then the Knockin Tail saved the day.

Think Texas has oyster bars?  No, these are oyster bars.

When we hit low tide it was real clear how different things are here.  2 hours before I took these there was 3 – 4 feet of water on them.  The Charleston area is called the low country for a good reason, there is literally hundreds of miles of marsh.  It all looks the same, and I mean good.  Which would make it tough on a first time visitor, it all looked fishy.  He made a move up a creek to a dock to see if they were there and on my second cast I got that great thump.

We were staked off and went to wacking them.

The dock we were fishing was on a small bend in the creek where it happened to be an 8′ foot hole and the trout were right on the bottom seeking shelter from the front.  I was throwing the Mansfield Magic and after boating 3 or 4 Crawford took off his shrimp and went to the Pearl Limetreuse.  (Like I continue to say, fish the Knockin Tail and you will get hooked, just like the fish do.)  You almost had to drag it as most were not really  hitting it but you could feel them messing with it.  It became a feeling contest, just an easy drag and then let them eat.

They were all the same size, nice solid trout.

Not sure how many we boated in that spot, but it was one after another for a while.  He told me these were respectable trout for this area, and he was actually surprised we did not hit one here or there during the 6 hour trip.  I was not particularly surprised, the weather absolutely sucked and if I was home there was no way I would have been on the water.

Crawford with a rat.

We found out we had fished many of the same places so we had plenty to talk about.  He had fished Port Aransas, Louisiana, Florida, and many places in between.  (Any fisherman that would head to Bimini from Florida on a 22 foot boat to chase bonefish is my kind of guy.)  While he guides all types of fishermen he is actually a die hard fly fisherman.  Not only reds and trout, he has a several week period in the summer where they have a run of big tarpon, and his results are good for putting his customers hands on some every summer.  I would have definitely given the long wand a go under different conditions, but it just was not happening.

So a very successful day considering.  As a guide he was first rate, and as a person even better.  One thing I learned a long time ago when I was guiding, it is not all about the fish.  Of course that is the reason for the season but it not all there is to a successful day for your customers.  Having fished with some real rear ends over the years, see Baffin’s big time guide, he was a breath of fresh air.  After seeing the area I can see how under good conditions it was be a real killing.  I give the day an A, which considering the weather is a great day.  So take a look at his site, if you ever get this way give him a call, you will not be sorry.

Home – Charleston Saltwater Guide Co. (charlestonguideco.com)

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As you know I look at boats for sale in Texas regularly and see some crazy stuff.  One today had the following justification for the price:  “If you think this is high go price a new one.”  Ok, first off it would be a New One.  Second, including that disclaimer where you are already admitting your price is way to high would not seem to be a good sales tactic.  And last, the boat is 13 years old and the book value is not anywhere near that.  If and when you are looking at boats be sure to know exactly what it is worth, not what the seller thinks.  Because should something happen and you have to sell it you will never get anywhere near your money back.

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This one takes the cake.  Deck Boat for sale.  (The picture is a bass boat.)   And straight from the ad:  “new centerboard cable and wood burning fire place. Reverse cycle Air Conditioning and Heat. Standing rigging inspected and running rigging in great shape.”  That is one amazing deck boat!

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And the insanity continues.  Pictured is a Crestline Aluminum, a deep V boat common in the north.    OMG!:  “This boat has oiled teak interior, a varnished teak and holly sole cabin floor. There is no cheaper interior tub, furniture is tabbed to the hull for better stiffness, and quieter.”  Either lay off the crack or or where in Nigeria do I send the check?

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And one more.  This is for a $30k Skeeter.  ” Im not sure how many hours are on the engine and don’t want to pay 120$ to find out. However I’m very confident that its still below 100 hours.”  Trust me?  Run away.  This is a 6 year old boat that should have been serviced at least 5 times since purchase with no question as to the hours, which are done on each service.  All he had to do is call the service place and get the last hours, which would have been close enough for government work.

As a side note Crawford and I were talking about hours and his last Maverick had over 100o hours in 3 years, mine has over a 1000 right now.  It is all about service and treating them right.  Running wide open all day long is not that.  And Carolina Skiffs are prevalent  in this area and are a great boat for what they have here.

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Cruising the coast in Georgia and South Carolina I realized one thing – traffic on the interstates is like a school of baitfish.  Bunches come together weaving in and out, sticking close, hoping the predators (Cops) don’t get them, but get the other guy.  Think about it.

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A little comment on our travels.  We have done our share of big cities here and abroad and it really has been amazing how little we have been panhandled in Savannah or Charleston.  It has happened a time or two, but no big deal compared to some places, Austin as an example.  Sorry but if you are saying you are hungry, but drinking a brew or smoking a cigarette, there is absolutely no chance your panhandling efforts will be successful with me.  Now the guy in NYC sitting on the sidewalk with a sign saying he needed money for beer – Ok, at least he was honest about it.

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On this trip I really want to compliment the folks we have dealt with in Georgia and South Carolina.  The cities were great, really safe and clean, and so nice not to be constantly panhandled.  And the folks are so glad to see you.  It has been tough on the businesses here just like at home.  I would like to give folks credit for their behavior, masks are the rule and not much of that “Covid is fake” crap.  Now if the Boss will get the vaccine shortly life will start to get back to normal.

And on another note, really glad to see the airlines mandatory no excuse mask requirement.  If you do not want to wear one ok, but just the same as you feel it is your “Right” to act as you choose, it is their “Right” to require masks and social distancing.  Don’t like it, don’t go, simple and fair for all.

And one last comment on that, if you know the rules in advance don’t bitch when they are applied.  Just saw a family removed from a plane as their 2 year old would not wear her mask and was howling her little butt off.  Sorry, you knew it when you bought the tickets. Having listened to a child throw a tantrum from Houston to Greece nonstop for 19 hours it was not fair to the other couple of hundred folks trying to sleep.  Sorry for the rant.  (And sure am glad that child rearing thing is over for us.)

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I am sitting in the motel room and we are getting ready to check out and head to the airport.  This has been fun trip, but if I eat another spectacular meal I am going to need a new wardrobe.  We finished off last night with a wonderful Greek meal, and as big fan of Greek beer it was nice to polish off a couple of their cold ones.

The fishing possibilities here are endless.  It finally dawned on me that it is actually closer than South Florida so a return trip with the boat is already in the planning.  There are untold creeks, rivers, and back lakes to explore and every bit of it looks like spinnerbait country.  But tomorrow it is back to real life, which means one day to get my shit together, and then back on the water.  It has been a welcome break but time to get back at it.  A big thanks to Crawford, made my trip.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines