FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

My life now is on full weather watching control, and with it my fishing choices.  Until this present weather pattern, which is beautiful for walks in the park, cahnges it is not full on winter fishing yet.  Of course looking for that couple of days of clouds, drizzle, etc and it will be off to the Upper Laguna for a chance to catch a big trout.  But until then will take what nature gives me weather wise, which in tomorrows case means heading to the river.  I really have a case of fishing boredom right now.  I need a trip.

Weather

43/76.

Tides 

Low  9:10 am   -0.51   High  9:13 pm  1.46.   (Looks like some actual tide movement.)

Solunar Periods

Minor  8:21 am to 9:21 am.   Major  1:43 pm to 3:43 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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 The Lord Giveth…………

You know the old saying about the Lord Giveth and the Lord Taketh Away, today was the exact opposite, first he taketh away.  I was fishing along, had caught a couple of shorts, when I stuck a good trout that looked like it was around 25″.  But when it got to the side of the boat I realized the net was still in the hold, then it jumped off.  It was tough losing that fish, so I got the net out and 15 minutes later it saved the day.

Now that is a flounder.

The tide was up when I got to the ramp at daylight.  The water is still fairly clear and the water temp was 70 degrees putting in and 72 on taking out.  The wind was blowing straight out of the north, since the air temp was 48 it had a little bite to it.  It was blowing right down the pike, good thing it was around 10 mph or it would have been a hassle.  First up was my favorite bank on the river.

Since I had the Pink Ice Knockin Tail on from the other day I  started with it.  The water was not moving initially and it got a bite or two, but all were small.  Finally the water started falling out and with it a little better bite.

They were loving the Mansfield Magic.  Talk about a fattie.

And then the Lord giveth back.  As soon as the water started moving I put on the Mansfield Magic Knockin Tail, which has been my go to all fall.  A few casts later when I went to lift up it felt like dragging a log.  The log turned out to be the flounder above.  Good thing the net was out.  Unlike a lot of flounder who barely have it this one had it so far down in his gullet that I could not even get the bait in mouth picture.  And since it was on thin 8lb mono it could have been bitten off at any moment, that thing had a mouthful of chompers.  It was the biggest flounder I have caught in quite some time, and maybe my personal best.  But either way talk about a big bite, this was it.

Several trout like this, just measured.  And here is the rat for the slam.

For the next hour they kept biting as the water ran out.  Some were shorts, and some just keepers.  2 rat redfish made the boat and another small flounder.  Basically the fish were on 2 places.  Best was a big flat point, almost like fishing a channel swing on freshwater.  Concentrating on the flat to deep stretch.  And of course drains, there are several on the river, and when the water is falling out they are a no brainer.  Today they wanted it hopped off the bottom, not extremely aggressive, just a double hop and let it fall to the bottom.  No interest in slow roll or since I only threw it a little, no bites on the popping cork.

To finish off the morning I headed under the bridge and into the The Lavaca.  That spot is my “Why did I go fishing with the wind blowing 25 out of the north with the temp the same.”  It is a last ditch place when the weather is to tough for the big river.  There were a few smalls there, which makes sense.  It just has not gotten cold enough to drive big numbers of fish that far up.  Which is why the fish are being caught farther down the river.  And last, on the Lavaca it almost as simple as putting down the trolling motor and head down river and fish.  Of course they are in specific places, but just moving down river you will bump into bunches here and there.

So not a bad morning.  Catching that flounder on a spinning rod with light line was cool.  And there was just enough trout to keep it interesting.  Have a couple of chores tomorrow then back at it.  As I said it is weather watching time, which will dictate where next.

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What was I thinking?

I should have known better, but there is always hope.  Shopping at Bass Pro for what is now 46 years, (Ouch!) starting in 1974 when living a couple of hours outside of Springfield Missouri, I have seen tons of changes.  It has gone from a fishing/tackle store to nothing more than a department store.  And with that comes sales associates who know nothing and are happy to share that with you.  The issue, their oil.

When you look it up on their website it says the following:  “Formulated and safe for use in direct Injection outboard motors – NMMA Certified”.   So simple question, is it ok for my Optimax?  So I go to where else, the boating department.  And I meet Mush for Brains.  We go to the oil display and I ask, can I use this in my Opti?  At this point it is obvious he does not have a clue.  He does not know what his company says about their oil, in fact I have a feeling he does not even own a boat.  So he says the following, if you use any oil but Mercury it will void your warranty.  Which is not only not true as long as it meets the NMMA requirements for that engine, but does not answer the question.  And then he says he would not use their oil.  (Yikes – Great employee.)  From there it is just a shaking my head experience.

The moral of the story, Bass Pro has no more to do with Bass or professionals employees than the man in the moon.  That it would hire someone in the boating department with absolutely no knowledge of their products, or their use, makes zero sense.  So just remember next time you need some fishing/boating advice try your local marina or tackle shop, they probably have a clue.  All this guy had to do was say I do not have a clue, and he would have been right.  Suffice to say I did not buy their oil.

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More Fun with Spam

This comment from Bernardine on my post about the Austin Boys.

Great article. I will be facing many of these issues as well.

Did not know you are planning on fishing with the boys.  I feel for you, fishing with the Austin Boys does take a certain amount of intestinal fortitude.

And this from Aaren on a recent Coleto Creek post.

If you want to use the photo it would also be good to check with the artist beforehand in case it is subject to copyright. Best wishes.

Astute comment Aaren,  since there was not a picture on that post.  It really is amazing now often many of these comments are recycled over the years.  I have never figured out the point, but one thing is obvious, they do not read the blog.  It has actually lessened some but there is no way to do away with it, it comes with the territory.

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The only other news around here is I am going to try one more place for some relief from the roaring in my left hear.  Really nuts not being able to hear but I can sure hear the tinnitus.  The Boss found me a place in San Antonio, and confirmed I do not have to have another hearing test.  Had 2 and they agreed, just looking for something to take this to a dull roar.  It really is irritating.

Glad to feel that early morning cool temp, we need some more of that.  It will only help what is actually pretty good fishing from all reports.  And boy were they shooting some ducks this morning and I saw my first big flock of snow geese.  Fall is almost here.  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.)

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

I am a certified crazy person and a glutton for punishment.  So with those character flaws I am loading the stuff and heading to the lake.  Will be there just in time for the major period, what that has to do with anything I do not know.  Time to quit getting mad at the bass and get even.  Whether that will happen is a mystery, but you don’t know unless you go.

Weather

65/85.  A passing morning shower; otherwise, very warm with times of clouds and sun with a 50% of rain.  Wind ESE 5 – 15 mph.

Lake Level

Monday  93.10 msl.    Today  93.12 msl.  (Wow, up a touch and the ramp is a little better.)

Solunar Period

Major 9:57 am to  11:57 am.   Minor  1:28 pm to 2:28 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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The water is up a hair, definitely clearing, and was from 78 to 80 degrees, which is nuts for this time of year.  So it was another beat down, but it is me getting beat down.  I can honestly say I do not have a freakin’ bass clue.  The deal was, either catch them after 2 hours of fishing or else – and guess what, the or else was 1 bite.  This is crazy.  So at this point the only way I will head back to the lake is when we get out of this weather pattern, especially if we get some rain and clouds.

I really do not know what to say, but the ramp is a pretty good indicator of how things are going.  That would be only one boat dropping in when I got there, and not another truck at the ramp.  In fact, when I took out one more truck was there, making it a total of 3.  Whether it is the terrible fishing, or GBRA’s successful effort to run folks off, it has worked.  Remember after I complained about the rate increase their response:  for park upgrades and maintenance.  How reducing revenue leads to increased maintenance and upgrades is beyond me.  But I digress.

The guys putting in when I got there were younger guys in an Express.  They got outside the ramp cove, put the hammer down, and took off right like they were headed into the fishing pier cove, promptly hit the point which is really shallow a long way out.  As I took off I made sure they were both still in the boat before I headed out.  Oh to be young, dumb, and bullet proof.

So after 2 hours with one about 8″ taking a pass at a bait I gave up and decided to go catch some white bass.  And they were still there.

Notice that 3 of the above were caught on the Knockin Tail White Ice.

It is so weird to see the occasional schooling activity in the middle of the day with no wind and hotter than hell.  It seemed like the big schools of shad would pass over an area and here would come the white bass.  It was mayhem at times with multiple doubles.

Trolling for white bass is not simply dragging something around and seeing what jumps on, though occasionally that works.  Today was a little different than it has been as the fish moved up into water that was in the 4 foot range.  Once I figured that out I used the small shallow running minnow bait and the White Ice Knockin Tail on a 1/8th jig head, both running in the 2 – 3 foot range.  As usual about 50 feet behind the boat at 2.5 mph.

I did that for an hour of so and finally had a couple of simultaneous mishaps.  With a double on as I was reeling the one in on the casting rod I managed to hit the release bar and ended up with a monster bird nest, which led to reeling it back over the birds nest.  Then I reeled in the one on the spinning rod.   I went to cast the spinning rod out and somehow managed to toss my Knockin Tail off.  So with that, and the big bird nest, it was definitely time to call No Mas and head to the house.

I literally am left speechless, the fishing is that tough.  And it is easy to see with so few folks out.  It really is to bad, one of the best bass lakes around is nothing but a shadow of its former self.  And it has the feel that GBRA does not give one crap if folks ever come back.

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I have a rhetorical question:  Why in the world would anyone want to hold up fish for a picture that other folks caught?  One of the things I just don’t get.

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I did see something on Facebook that is actually worth it, other than the bragging stuff, an ad for a lithium battery company.  The main take away, an 11 year warranty.  I can only guess how many batteries I have gone through in 11 years.  If I was rigging a new boat fresh or salt they would be on there with Power Pole’s new battery center.  Talk about solving battery issues.

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My phone is finally crapping out and time to head to the phone store and take the screwing like a man.  It is hard to fathom how much new phones are.  Especially in my case where I will dump all the apps except for the weather.  I refuse to be that person in the restaurant, bar, family gathering, etc with their face buried in their phone like there is something so seriously important that it can not wait.  One thing you learn as a medic, there is nothing that won’t wait.  Life is to short.

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Not sure where is next but it is getting time to take a trip.  Amistad or Falcon, one or the other is calling me.  Time for a big bass fix.  Otherwise will be fishing the creek or river until we get a weather change to see if it had an affect on the lake.  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.

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FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

Put your favorite Knockin Tail on the Four Horseman popping cork and hold on.

Garcitas Creek

Today I waited around hoping the garage door folks would come but they were a no show, so it was 9:30 before I made my first cast.  The tide was up, as it has been, the water color is exactly like it has been, tannic, and the temp was 77 – 80 degrees.  The wind was light to nonexistent and it was already hot.

Weather

68/87.  Very warm with periods of clouds and sun with 15% chance of rain.  Wind ESE 5 – 15 mph.

Tides

Low 7:13 am.  0.77.   High 10:15 am.  0.88 am.  Low  6:32 pm.  0.44.  (Fairly flat tide day.)

Solunar Periods.

Major  9:05 am to 11:05 am.  (Yep, close.)

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Today I just wanted to catch a few fish and enjoy the day.  The weather really is something, not what I am looking for this time of year, but no complaints when it is this nice.  The only plan, toss the Knockin Tail and see what happens.

A good start.  The only red today.

With little wind I decided to fish a little more on the deeper side.  The Purple Demon Limetruese slow rolled with a heavy 1/8th jig head was the ticket first thing and they were smacking it.  I did notice later that depending on the  bank it was either slow roll, or hop and drop.

With the water moving 8 jumped on in the first 2 stops when I saw my buddy Rusty, Kirby, and the English Guy.  They got there early and had been beating  them senseless.  Reds, flounder, and trout.  The Mansfield Magic is killing the reds  (The color for me too!) and when they got into trout the Pink Ice with a tail dipped in chartreuse was the ticket.  He said when the tide was running good early they caught the snot out of them.  Nice job, glad I don’t have to clean them!  They were quitting and unfortunately so was the tide movement.

They were literally eating the Pink Ice with a tail dip.

From that point on, and for the next couple of hours before I quit, it was alternating between the Pink Ice and the Purple Demon.  Now that I have had a chance to throw multiple colors of the new Knockin’ Tail this fall the darker colors have been the best, though I have not found a color they will not eat.   And other colors will have their time, just depends on the time of year and the forage.

The better banks tended to be deeper, and other than the mouth of a lake, none were all that much better than the others, but all would get you bit.  But I do believe as warm as it has been they are not as interested in the softer/shallower bottom banks.  They warm during the day, which normally can/should be the place this time of year, but it isn’t anything special right now.

A good representation of what is in the creek right now.

Like the other day several sand trout jumped on, and fishing the mouth of the lake with some wind blowing in it they were mixed in with the trout.  Most of the trout were small but it was a bite every cast until the dolphin joined the party when I was about to put the Power Pole down.  The water was only 2 foot deep and he was making a mess of things.

I fished one more bank and caught 4 or 5 and had one that just jumped like crazy, which is always weird when that happens, and it happened twice today.  It might have had something to do with having it all the way down in their throat.  Of course the day would not be complete without losing at least 1 good trout, and I managed to lose 2, one was a real one.  It was not fast by any means but it was a steady bite.  As long as you had a bait in the water you would get bit sooner or later.  Lots of actions, enough keepers to keep it interesting, and very few boats made for a great day.  The creek is a wonderful destination and fishing it is one of my favorite places to fish in Texas.  Just something special about it.

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Sorry if you get an email or two saying I had posted, it was just a brain fart.  The program I use changed a couple of things and one is the buttons for save and publish.  Definitely hit the wrong one so that should be about the last time that happens.

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Thanks to my Dad and all the rest of the Vets who served our country and has made it what it is.  And to those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we will never forget.

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.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

Put your favorite Knockin Tail on the Four Horseman popping cork and hold on.

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Weather

68/87.  Near-record temperatures with low clouds and fog and 2% chance of rain.  Wind  SE  7 – 13 mph.

Lake Level

Today  93.10 msl.    1 week ago  93:07 msl.  (Holding steady.)

Solunar Period

Major 6:31 am to 8:31 am.   Minor  1:28 pm to 2:28 pm.

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

The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

I am not ready to completely throw in the towel on the lake, there is plenty of whites and crappie for eating, but man the bass fishing sucks for me.  When I dropped in at daylight it was foggy, but not fogged in, so idled to my favorite point.  I missed one on the Controlled Descent Jerk Shad, and to make a sad story short, it sucked from there.  Fished spinnerbait, crankbait, swim jig, buzzbait, and plastics with only one more bite, and like the first one it was small.  So 2 bites in a total of 2 1/2 hours of bass fishing.  It was bad enough I almost headed to the discharge, but that is not happening.  Not that hard up yet to fish in the bucket.  At least I was able to fill the boss’s order for a fish fry tonight.  One comment on the major period.  I have learned just because it is a major period does not mean you are going to catch them, today was a perfect example, but often when you smoke them it is during the major period.

The white bass have not left up lake, and there are a few crappies and small bass mixed in.  It was an easy 20 total in a little over an hour.  They were a little  shallower in the water column and the best baits were a Pearl Knockin Tail on a 1/4 ounce jig head and a shallow running minnow bait trolled at 2.5 mph 50 feet back.  I needed 5 for supper as the whites are not all the big, but since I prefer eating the smaller ones they are perfect.  I added one nice crappie and decided to fish two more places.

So down lake I went and ended up fishing 3 banks with zip.  I believe it has a lot to do with the water temp.  It was 73 at the ramp when I put in, and stayed around 75 when I quit at noon.  The water has come up just a hair, you can tell it at the ramp, and it is clear over most of the lake.  I sure wish winter would get here, it can only help.  Unfortunately we are in what looks to be a pretty stable weather pattern for the time being.

It will be back to the salt until we get a weather change.  It is so disheartening how the fishing has declined on Coleto.  I miss the “Good Old Day” when there was a legitimate shot at catching a big fish every trip out.  Might be time to review what other options there are to see it it helps any.  Who knows?  I just might be so off with what I am doing and it has nothing to do with the fish.  Boy that is a 2 edged sword if you think about it.

I will leave the Four Horseman link up so if you need to stock up on some corks you can save some money.  They sure work for me.  Not sure what days I will be fishing this week, hopefully the garage door guys will show one day so I can get back in my garage.  Other than that nothing on the schedule but fishing.  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.

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

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

Put your favorite Knockin Tail on the Four Horseman popping cork and hold on.

When the boys said they were headed this way for the weekend I was happy.  But I did think it just might be 2 out of the 3 days for me as I slowly get my stamina back.  That turned out to be the case as after wading all day Friday my body felt like 10 miles of bad road.  But as usual it was more fun than people ought to have.

The Lavaca

Day 1 we met at the river around 11:00.  John, John, David and Todd brought 2 boats and we were on the water in no time.  It was definitely slower than it was last week but we all caught some, except one loser who shall remain nameless.

I managed my limit, all on the Four Horseman popping cork and a Pearl Limetruese  Knockin Tail.  David caught best on Red Shad on the jig head, for me it was still the Mansfield Magic when using a jig head.  But as a I learned about the popping cork from John’s report last week, pop it, and let it sit.  It turned out to be the ticket.  They definitely did not want it fast and  then it would just go down.  And that brings up one of the real advantages of the Four Horseman popping cork.  The shorter wire allows you to pop it and it stays in the same place, which ended up being important when they are not all that aggressive.

Here is the ticket.  (See below for a great deal.)

We found our fish on a flat point opposite a bend in the river.  One thing that has become apparent with our warm weather pattern we have remained in, the lower end of the creek or the river is just better.  I may be wrong but it seems like we still need that big cold front to drive more fish in, and then further up the river.

I did not keep real count, or take any pictures but I think we ended up with around 13 trout, a flounder and maybe one red between both boats.  Of course a handful of shorts. Not fast by any means but fish in the boat.  So near dark we called it a day and headed to POC.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

POC

Over the years I have fished with them I really appreciate not having to be in charge of boats, what bait to fish, or where to fish.  I love being the back seat guy.  After a discussion the boys wanted to spend the day on Greens so around 8:00 we were off for a day of wading.  And wade we did, never fishing anywhere else.

The first over on the Mansfield Magic!

The tide had dropped enough you could see the very top of the bar so we hopped in and spread out.  Todd had the crazy action first fishing the edge of the grass where the water had just dropped out.  He flat wailed on the redfish, and though most were small, he was smoking them for a couple of hours.  The rest of us were catching also, mostly reds, with very few trout.  I think I only caught 4 or 5 trout for the day, and they were short.  The best was a 21″ Pete put in the boat.  The floating grass was a hassle so it was swim bait hooks to keep it off.

The Magic Grass getting it done with another over.

When I finally got with the program it was a slow steady retrieve in knee deep water.  The swim bait helped keep the grass off and  I watched the 2 guys above follow and eat right in front of me.  Love that.  In the same place several more followed it even with grass on it and then turned off.

My last good one came on the Purple Demon Limetruese Knockin Tail.  I was trying various colors of the Knockin Tail seeing what they liked, which appeared to be  any of them in a darker color.

I think I caught maybe 20, and most of the boys caught the same type numbers, tons being rat reds.  It was a funny bite reeling it that slow and steady, you had to be on your toes.  During the better bite during the day they were slamming it, after that it was a more subtle bite.  And we all had that period where they were bringing buddies with them during the fight, which tells you the bite was on.

Pete with a couple of black drum.

When we got out for our last wade I noticed Pete and Todd standing in one place and not moving.  Turned out Pete spotted some black drum tailing on top of the bar.  He said he just kept casting at them and they would refuse as they are known to do.  But he stayed with it and added a couple to the box.

Some of the haul headed to the fish fry.  As close as you will see of a dead fish picture here.

I have no idea how many fish were caught by both boats, or how many hit the cleaning table.  We all caught them most of the day, but the trout numbers were just not there.  I tried one thing new to me, the DOA plastic topwater, fondly referred to as a turd by the boys.  It is made for going over floating grass, with the wind was on the bank the grass stayed there all day.  I did not get a bite and I want to thank Pete for telling me I was using it upside down.  Did not know you could do that, but on final inspection I was doing exactly that.  Good to know as I assume at some point it will have a place in the arsenal.

When we headed in near dusk  I was seriously feeling it.  I was sore when we got in, and am still feeling it as I write this.  So with discretion being the the better part of valor I passed on Saturday.  It is just going to take a while to get all my stamina back for that kind of wading marathon, but I will.  Other than that it was the usual good time.  Great eats, a few adult beverages, and some intelligent conversation (At least early in the evening!) made for another good time.  Sorry there were no more pictures but sometimes it is nice to just fish for the hell of it.

Just spoke with them and they fished Conte, South Pass, Pringle, all the usual places and reported it was about the same.  But they managed a sack to take back and finished up the last night with Todd’s Redfish Pontchartrain, which trust me is pure party in your mouth.

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It was good to hear from Keith before I hit the road to POC.

Doug,
I met up with Todd in Austin and test drove his boat. Really liked it and Todd seems like a great guy. I believe we are buying his boat when y’all are done with your upcoming trip, so tell him to take it easy on the old girl.
Hope you guys have a great trip and a lot of fun and catching and eating. Just got back from Key West where Claudia caught her first Tarpon and a huge (120) Jew fish/grouper. We fished the Marquesses islands and WOW was that beautiful and well worth the 30 mile run from the key west area.
Enjoy your time with the Austin gang.
Keith

First nice job on the Marquesses.  Though I have fished lots of Florida have never made it there but it is on the bucket list.  Congrats to Claudia on her first tarpon, I know what a milestone that can be for some of us.  (Side note:  It was 19 before I actually put my hands on one.  Guess that came with my desire to do it myself.) And I am happy to report the Shallow Sport did her job and handled some really big waves with ease and we did not break anything.  The fishing was ok, the companionship was great, but I am still waiting for winter.  Thanks for reading.

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Got this picture from my buddy Clyde in Northern Iowa were it looks like winter is just not happening as the water temp was 70 when he caught these.

Crappie. perch, walleye – The eating does not get any better than that!

My buddy Clyde is the shining example of what a good fisherman is, a multi-species guy who catches it all.  No one trick pony.  Thanks for the picture, the thought of a golden fried perch makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

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And I got this from John on his last trip to the Lavaca.

Doug hit Lavaca river yesterday with my daughter and her family. They wanted some trout for almandine too. Got a late start but tide was falling good and fairly light south winds. Much harder to get consistent bite than last friday. Found a few keeper along channel edge getting close to bay. All on popping cork and Vudo shrimp. No flounder or reds. Didn’t see but one set of birds working and they were over very small trout. I hope this front this week might bring some into the river? Good luck with your friends from Austin. John

You found what we did as the fishing was not as good as it was last week.  But in my case the Four Horseman popping cork and the Knockin Tail put a limit in the boat so no complaints on my part.  And I think if we get a little colder weather the fishing might improve, but by the same token it might keep the fishing good longer this year.  Only time will tell.  Thanks for the report.

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I am glad the election is over!  Enough said.

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One Good 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.

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And last on the football front.  Texas won, A&M looks like the real deal, and Arkansas went nuts in the third to spank Tennessee.  But I was real impressed with the Aggies, no matter how hard it is to say it, they are a player and I wish them well.  Cowboys suck, that is all I have to say about that.

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First up is getting all my stuff back in shape, as it is scattered all over the tackle room.  Amazing how much water gets in and on stuff.  The truck really needs a wash  before I start this whole thing again tomorrow.  With the weather looking like it is this week there will be lots of fishing to come.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

Look out trout here we come!

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I am so looking forward to a few days of fishing starting tomorrow.  First, the Austin Boys are NOT bringing the worst weather of the year as has happened a time or two.  The weather will be great so anything else is a bonus but the fishing has been good.

Second  Good News.  I got a Covid test just in case and was negative.  A friend of mine has tested positive and now The Boss’s mom has tested positive.  Get well soon Joy.  This stuff just will not go away until we get a vaccine, you can get it and die tomorrow, please be careful.  And no, if you got it once you are not immune.

Third.  Bad news.  After an extensive exam I got an unfortunate diagnosis, you are totally deaf in your left ear and there is not a damn thing we can do about it, or the constant roaring.  So hearing aids can not help, so looks like I am stuck with the tinnitus.  That is really disappointing but life goes on.  Plus, what is the problem with a seashell roar in your ear with the occasional beep, elevator noise, or crackling 24 hours a day 7 days a week?  First time I was disappointed in not spending money.

Fourth.  After having my cell phone number circulated amongst a certain ethic group in the metroplex (I kept my old office number,) to obtain online electric service I thought I had it beat.  It happened over 5 times at least a few years ago.  Now another freakin’ maggot has used it again and the company absolutely sucks and is no help.  Worst call center ever, wherever it is.  That would be POGO Energy out of the metroplex.  Worthless phone help, over an hour on hold for a supervisor, nuts.  All I am trying to do is help them not get ripped off, so if you know anyone there tell them to f’ off, I hope they get ripped off.

Last.  No tv and no election once the rod gets in the hand.  The votes are cast and we shall see.  And I don’t think Biden or Trump can fish a lick!

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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Got this comment from Ross, hope it is a sign of things to come.

Fish are biting around POC. Have been hitting shell and catching limits plus for 4 guys since Sunday afternoon. With the Full moon, the afternoon major has been best bite. Knockin Tail magic grass, white ice and DSL in similar colors have been working well! Well worth the trip from DFW!! Fish this afternoon and tomorrow morning before heading back north!

Good luck to you and the Austin Boys later this week.

Thanks for the well wishes and the info.  Sounds like shell is the place to be.  We are starting a day on the river and then two days at POC.  And anytime you can put the hurt on them like this it is worth the 5 hour drive.  Appreciate you reading and using the Knockin Tail.

And to the rest of you this is a report folks can use.  There is enough shell for everyone!  So send a report along, love to get them.

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I want to send along my thanks to Matt for the information on Lake Texana.   I really appreciate the graphics you sent and am already thinking about when I can get over there.  I will share those results when I go.  Thanks Matt, you went above and beyond.

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And Rusty reports a 70 fish day on the Knockin Tail Mansfield Magic and Pink Ice.  He said they dipped the Pink Ice to add chartreuse to the tail.  I actually had done that with the Greenback and they liked that too.  He has also been using the Four Horsemen popping cork to boat the reds.  All this talk is making me want to go fishing!

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I hung around today waiting on the new garage door, which turned out to be a no go.  Thanks for not returning my phone call yesterday to let me know so I could do something else instead of waiting around, like go fishing.  Oh, well, hopefully next week.

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If you have not tried the Four Horsemen popping cork yet stay tuned.  Should have a promo code to save a little money for you by next week for the best popping cork on the planet.  As a side note some of my readers who are using them love them, they work!

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That will do it for today.  Wanted to let you know probably nothing until I get back in a few days, so hang in there.  And obviously fishing is on my mind.  This is my favorite time of year and it is time to fish until I drop.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

Get you some, they catch fish!

I really have no idea what I should be throwing tomorrow on the lake.  Since before I got sick it has been tough for me, but it should be getting a lot better.  It is fall.  So the swim jig should really start coming into its own, and I want to fish a little Knockin Tail if it is tough.  So that is the plan, but like all good plans you never know.

Weather

43/76.  Mostly sunny with no chance of rain.  Wind  NE  5 – 10.

Lake Level

Today   93.07.  Last Monday  93.08 msl.

Solunar Times

Minor  8:19 am to 9:19 am.   Major  1:45 pm to 3:45 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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I actually stayed with the plan, but added one bait which is in the same vein as the swim jig and the Knockin Tail, the Controlled Descent Jerk Shad in the Pearl.  The reason I tried it is simple, just click on the search bar and see what happened last year right now, and using the Jerk Shad was the ticket.

It was just a little nippy with the 10 – 15 mph wind out of the north.

The water temp was 69 at the ramp and 72 in the area at the discharge.  The wind was steady and cold, blowing right down the pike.  The lake is stable, but we need some rain.  At least the ramp is not any worse.

Since I have an appointment in Sugar Land for another hearing test and maybe aids Tuesday, we decide to head over to Lake Charles for a quick overnight.  So I wanted to be home by noon so we could get through Houston before rush hour.  With that in mind I cut right to the chase and headed to the old faithful point, a quick way to find out if they wanted it.

This one came on the second place.  The Jerk Shad is a fun way to fish.

It was just a little dark to fish it, and I admit unless I can see it I have a tough time getting the hook in them.  The first point I missed 3 and lost a good one.  Just fishing  the Jerk Shad right below the surface in a walk the dog pattern on a 4/0 VMC.  Re-fishing it with a swim jig did put a small in the boat.  It was just a little tough with the sun not up and wind blowing, so headed up lake to where I knew it would be calmer.

The next stop I had 3 bites, the one above, a small, and one broke my line, it looked like about a 4lb “boil”.  That was around 8:00.  From that point on not a bite, and I mean nothing.  Not the Jerk Shad, not the swim jig, or the Pearl Knockin Tail on a swim bait type retrieve.  Every once in while you actually see them quit that complete, they were just not having it.  At 10:30 I called it a morning to head home and hit the road.

The whole point of this is all I had to do was look at the last year which tipped me off on what to try.  And they were definitely eating it, but once the sun came up and moon went down they quit.  But the good thing, as soon as we get that drizzling day with no wind there just might be a killing.  They were definitely chasing it.

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Happy  to report the Knockin Tail is spreading outside of Texas.  And if you get a chance see their new ad and product review in the Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.  As I said many times, every once in a while a bait comes along that just plain works.  It is one of those “Why didn’t I think of that?” baits.  So congratulations to Michael and his family, they have earned it.  And I will wear that thing out this weekend.

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And this from SA Joe on my comment about the Panoptix.  (Which I think I got wrong last time.  Oh well, it is not a term paper or a brief.)

“I know the tournament guys need the latest and greatest, but that somehow did not seem like “fishing”.

Your comment goes back to a story of mine.

Many years ago I met Shaw Grigsby at a Bass Pro University in Dayton Ohio. They all talked about working and getting a paycheck. I asked did they enjoy “fishing” anymore. Nope its now a job…. I wanted to try my turn at semi-pro, pro. But after that conversation. I love the sport tooooo much !!!!

Feel the same way about fishing but did like to tournament fish, and fished a bunch of locals in the 70′ and 80’s.  But it, along with guiding, changes the nature of fishing.  Good gig if you can make a living, but it sure is nice to fish how and when you want with no pressure.  And whether a pro, or a kid with a cane pole, we all the same….fisherman.  Thanks for the comment.

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Tomorrow is hearing aid day, Wednesday is new garage door day.  (Long story.)  But starting Thursday the Austin Boys will be here.  I will definitely be fishing 2 days, and might fish the 3rd, depending on how it is.  Another 4 day fishing week.  Hopefully one of those days we put the hurt on them, but no matter what it will be a big time.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

The Knockin Tail catches trout, end of story!

I have very strong political opinions, this blog is not the place for that and I have tried my best to keep it out.  It has zip to do whether they are on swim jig or buzzbait, or if croaker are in season.  But this election will be defining for this country no matter who wins.  So I hope you voted,  gives you the right to express our opinion.  But I am so tired of this election.  It looks like very few people are needing to be swayed one way or the other this time.  And if I see another ad telling me how wonderful any of them are, or what they are going to do for me, I think I might throw up.  Hope it is over Tuesday.  Now on to important stuff.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading need s.

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Random fish picture.  A big Lake of the Woods Northern Pike.

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Nice to get a few comments, I like to get them even if they are from sketchy people like my buddy Clyde.

Real glad your back Porkrind!!!!!!

You know what, me too!  That thing lasted a month but has given me a new appreciation for being alive with a fishing rod in my hand.   For those of you who do not get the joke probably never fished a number 11 Uncle Josh’s pork frog on the back of a jig.  Then had to cut the dang thing off the next day after leaving it on your rod all night.  And good luck in the deer woods, I am sure you are itching to get out there.

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And this from Kirby.

Doug- Enjoyed talking w you across the water today while I was fishing w Rusty (and also an Aggie). You have been a great resource for all of us, have gotten the blog from Rusty. Glad to finally meet you! Retiring at the end of the year and MORE fishing and waterfowl hunting will be at the top of the list. Need the blog myself. —Kirby

Was happy to see you guys and glad you were catching fish.  Over the years I have done this it is always nice to see and hear from folks who are getting something out of this drivel.  Trust me, the retirement thing is a breeze as long as you hunt or fish, it has been the time of my life.  And doing all that during the week is so much better, so see you out there with the rest of us old guys.  Though you are an Aggie I appreciate your reading the blog, just get ready for a good game tonight at your house.  (Go Hogs.  There is always hope!) 

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Random fish picture.  Australia Queen fish, man that thing could jump.

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This from Billie on Texana.

As to Texana, the places to catch bass are The Jungle, and up the Navidad or Sandies.
From 59 the last two look like chocolate milk, but can clear up real quick going up either of them.
The Jungle is ridiculously clear, but you’ve got to know how to get in there. You can wreck a lower unit real easy if you don’t.

Thanks for the info, I have been looking at the map and trying to figure it out.  Definitely a lake for the skiff.  Thanks for commenting.

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Random fish picture.  Coleto in the “good old days.”  This really was a giant!

After John’s post on the ongoing issues at Fayette Rusty filled me in on another story.  Someone he knows was coming in after dark the other night and ran right up on a jon boat with people in it, probably netters – and they had no running lights.  Wonder how long TPWD will let this kind of stuff go on there?  When something turns from a hassle into life threatening you would think that would be a priority with them.

And there was a facebook post yesterday when a guy went to take his boat out of Bastrop it would not go in gear even though he just got it serviced.  He had seen a guy with a bucket near the boat slip when he got back from getting the truck to load and did not think much about it.  He then had to hand crank load to get it on the trailer.  Turned out the guy threw his cast net and it ended up getting all tangled in his prop.  Like I said before, it just might be time to establish some rules before there is a major confrontation, or someone dies.

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And speaking of John got this comment on his trip to the Lavaca Friday.

Lavaca report for Friday. Wind from north did let up a lot unfortunately. Water was very low with very little rise during day. Most trout were undersize with only one group found under birds. Finally found one group that had some 15-16 inch and I could make my wife’s trout almandine hope happy. Would find the trout with poppin cork and white chartreuse tail Knockin Tail, but you had to go slow after the jerk the cork as the fish where rising from bottom. They would hit even better if used the same tail on 1/8 jig head and bump slowly along bottom on the channel edge. Could not find a red or flounder after using gulp shrimp and spinner baits on flats. Lots of fun. Thanks for our help. John

At least you caught some fish and finally figured out a few better ones.  And glad you caught some on white Knockin Tail as I have just not got them going on anything resembling white.  But who knows, I might have been using the popping cork to fast.  But with the weather finally breaking, and the nights cooling off, it will only get better on the river/creeks.  And enjoy your supper, sounds great.  Thanks for the report.

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Watching the MFL this weekend was interesting as usual, and  I can really tell I am getting old and set in my ways.  As one of the guys reeled in a bass he commented that he saw it eat it on Livescope.  For some reason that did not hit me just right.  I know the tournament guys need the latest and greatest, but that somehow did not seem like “fishing”.  Guess it is because I do not want to know, the blind anticipation is what the bite is all about.  But to each his own.  Plus they cost more than my first bass boat.

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And speaking of the skiff here is one of the strangest boating questions I ever got.  Picking up the skiff 20 years ago in Florida the first thing it did was quit running 100 yards from the house.  Even though brand new with a full tank, not a drop coming out of the line.  Luckily a boat came by and towed me in.  When I called the mechanic he asked the following:  “Did you run it after it ran out of gas?”  How do you answer that one.  Turned out they rigged the gas line with the bulb on backwards.

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All I have to say about this weekends college football is Texas pulled our victory from the jaws of defeat.  And the Razorbacks struggled as the Aggies are starting to show that they just might be a real contender.  Nice to see the middle of the pack making improvement.  It has been a long time coming for the Hogs but they just might finally be on track.

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I am really looking forward to this week’s fishing.  Tomorrow of course will be Coleto Monday as the weather looks better than my last trip.  Time to get that figured out.  So with 3 days of salt coming this week it might be a couple of days of bass fishing.  Before this week is done it will have been 13 days of fishing in the last 3 weeks, with many more to come.

Initially it looked like it would be a ride for me when the Austin boys come, but unfortunately John had a mishap with his boat the other night, a new lower unit is on the menu.  Hate that kind of stuff when it happens.  At least the LTS knows the way to POC.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

The Knockin Tail, if it has fins it eats them!

They have been eating the Mansfield Magic on 4 straight trips!

The weather was looking great so it was back to Garcitas.  I slept in and did not leave the house until 9:00 which was nice and the weather was wonderful compared to yesterday.  There was already 7 trucks at the ramp, and the tide was out.  No surprise, the water temp was in the low 60’s, down 10 degrees from Monday, and fairly clear.  First stop had a mix of smalls with a few keepers thrown in, and it went from there until I quit at 3:00.

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Weather

44/78.  Sunny and pleasant with a 2% chance of rain.  Wind  E 5 – 10 mph.

Tides

Low  9:35 am  0.24    High   7:58 pm  0.98.

Solunar Times

Major  12:34 pm  to  14:34 pm.

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

For the first few hours it was just hopping the Mansfield Magic on a 1/8th jig head from the bank to the boat and sooner or later you would get bit.  It was never fast, but usually if you got a bite you would get a couple more in the same area.  I covered lots of water and tried several different techniques but it always came back to the Knockin Tail.  Today several of them jumped it totally slack, one great bite!  Others the line twitched, some were just there.

This is a good representation of what is in the river right now.  Some measure some don’t.

While I was fishing I noticed another LTS and it turned out to be my buddy Rusty and his friend.  When I stopped to talk to them they were catching them cast after cast, on the Mansfield Magic of course.  I tossed the Mansfield Magic that I had been using 3 days in there and one broke me off.  I was just thinking about taking a picture of it, that will teach me to retie after catching a bunch.  They were on the water early and found tailing reds to boot.  I noticed they had the Four Horsemen Tackle popping corks, they caught the reds on them with a new penny fake shrimp.  As Rusty had a medical issue in Colorado the same time I was sick there and it was good to see him back on the water.

Best I could manage today.

Topwater did not produce a bite, though if I had not quit early it was starting to get that feel to it.  The tide had been going out a little when I got there, and it was still slightly heading down river when I quit.  One thing I wanted to try was trolling the plastics.  One thing that is really interesting to me is they just do not want a white anything.  That is so different from the past.  Rusty noticed the same thing today.  So to test I rigged a Pearl on one rod and a White Lightning on the other and slow trolled them and the results, 2 on the White Lightning and zip on the Pearl.  Not sure what that is all about, but it is all about listening to the fish.

I hit one area in front of a pond and it was loaded with trout.  The wind was lightly blowing out and there was bait everywhere.  It is on a channel turn and the trout were up in about 1 – 2 foot of water close to an 8 foot drop.  A couple of passes produce the biggest and smallest trout of the day, along with a bunch of others.  I tried a pink twitch bait and caught 2 smalls and missed one.  If I did not have to go that place deserved a going over as there were also reds busting on the bank.  But I needed to be in town by 4:00 so time to hit the road.  The funny part of that, I was going to the Doc’s office to pick up a page of my medical record and when I got there at 4:00 they are closed on Friday.  Poor planning makes for a poor performance.  I was definitely not done fishing.

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I give the day an A for the weather and a B for the fishing.  For me a day on the creek or river is one of my favorite places to fish.  As I have said before it is so like grub fishing for  bass in Arkansas.  Love the bite and it is a nice easy way to fish.  We are about to enter my favorite fishing period since moving to Texas.  As long was we do not have some great weather incident the next couple of months the fishing will be good both fresh and salt.

Next up, the Austin Boys late next week.  So that means one thing, get out the winter stuff because the big front is on the way.  At least it has played out that way the last few years but somehow we always manage to have a good time.  We generally fish out of Todd’s boat but John is also bringing his boat so he can get some tracks before Todd sells his so I will not have to bring mine.  So let the eating and drinking begin.  And before they get here I will be fishing right along.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines

FISH CATCHING TRAVEL

Proudly Representing

The Knockin Tail, if it has fins it eats them!

The plan was to fish Wednesday and when I got up it was 43 degrees and raining.  It continued to rain until noon and finally cleared up and began to warm.  I went ahead and took the time to start on the garage cleaning and organization.  So good to get a lot done today, amazing how much stuff you can throw out, the rest will be for the garage sale.  Tomorrow it will be up in the morning and gone for the day.  Very interested to see how the fishing will be the second day after a cold front with a 20 – 25 mph wind out of the north.

Weather

46/69.   Nice with plenty of sun and 2% chance of rain.  Wind 12 – 18 mph.

Lake Level

9 days ago.   93.15 msl.    Today  93.08 msl.  (Can’t wait to see the ramp.)

Solunar Time

Major  11:54 am to 1:54 pm. 

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The Wade Right Fishing Belt and the new Madre Sling.

For all your wading needs.

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

Making chicken salad out of chicken poop.

When you see this white bass fishing you are in business.

I did  not even hit the road until 9:00, it was 42 degrees and blowing a good 20 out of the north.  And not a preconceived notion except for one thing – it was going to suck, and as far as bass fishing, it did.  The real difference, it was 73 at the ramp, 74 in mid lake by the discharge cove, and as low as 62 way up the lake.  It had been in the mid 80’s over most of the lake before this cold front.  (It may have hurt the fishing today, but it will get us into real fall/winter fishing.)  And the water is nice a clear over most of the lake.

To make a long bass story short, 5 places, one small on a rattle bait.  There were just not biting.  And those were places that always have fish.  But with that kind of temp drop, bluebird sky, and a brisk north wind, was not expecting anything different, and they did not disappoint.  The real question was what was the water temp up lake?

It just seems to early for them to be there.

When I got to the area where I had been catching them it was 63 degrees with the wind pounding down the lake.  Tossed out a rattle bait and hooked up right away.  It really did surprise me as the water temp there had DROPPED 18 degrees!  But the shad were still there and the whites were even a hair bigger than they had been.  Of course when you are used to catching them 3lbs and up these are midgets, but they are Coleto’s midgets.  Never have figured out whey they do not get big, there is plenty to eat.  And speaking of eating this size is by far the best.

Whether shad colored or fire tiger, the rattle bait was the ticket.

I messed around with them for a couple of hours, they were right in the channel around shad schools.  One of those deals where once I go over a big wad it is just a matter of time before one hits.  One difference is while catching over a dozen whites, only 2 small bass jumped on, a pretty good indicator of how they were feeling.

After trolling a while I let the wind blow me down the bank, it was howling, throwing the rattle bait, and caught one small.  As it got later in the afternoon it warmed considerably so headed down lake hunting up a couple of banks with sun and as little wind as possible.  That went over like a lead balloon.  Jerk bait, swim jig, rattle bait, did not matter, they were not having it.  Never did fish plastics because of the wind.

So at 4:00 I called it a day.  The wind was still blowing like crazy, but the water temp was definitely rising everywhere I fished.   But boy were the deer active, I saw an easy 25 today.  If you really want to see a really big gator, days like today are perfect.  Saw a real monster sunning on a calm bank, actually probably the same one I have seen there for years, and where I  saw one smoke a duck.  And last there was big flock of teal, something you don’t see on the lake all that often though there has been more ducks the last few years, especially with the loss of grass and with it the coots.  Gone are the days when the bass would be on a bank with grass and the coots would just keep in front of you tearing it up making it hard to fish.  It used to piss me off, now sure miss them.

Spoke with the gentleman at the ramp who comes every evening to watch the sunset and chat with fishermen.  He was around for several folks driving their trailer off the end of the ramp.  Folks do not get to close to the edge, one of the trailers over the edge ended up with a bent axle when they jerked it out.  He said most that had trouble were bigger ski style boats.   So just be aware.

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I  got this comment on from Matt.

With Coleto so low, have you ever considered fishing Texana? It is full. The areas north of Highway 59 can be good for bass, crappie and white bass.

Yes I have considered it, and have actually fished it twice but was clueless.  I would love to give it a go.  You have an email coming as I am not sure exactly where you are talking about.  Appreciate any help you can give me.  Will let the rest of you know how it comes out.  Thanks for the comment.

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And it was good to hear from John.

Glad you are feeling better Doug and can enjoy the creek. Stayed a few days at Fayette area. Bream harder to find as they go deeper now. Did get into some nice bass hitting cranks at the intake a few times. They have made some nice repairs to the facilities at Fayette but the cast netters where the worse I’ve ever seen. They come right up to where you are trying to fish.
Still looking forward to a time we could go to POC together sometime. John

There are more and more  complaints from Fayette concerning the netters.   And there have been other problems, including the drownings last year.  Hopefully TPWD are hitting the lake more often, at least keep some of it to a dull roar.  If it is as bad as I am hearing , and you are not the only one, might be time to set a time when netting is allowed, at least everyone would know.  And congrats on the bass, they are always good ones there.  Hopefully we can figure something out on the bay in the future.  Thanks for commenting.

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Looking forward to fishing with the Austin Boys next weekend.  Whether fish are caught or not it is always a good time.  Tomorrow it will be back to the creek.  Looking forward to seeing if the cold front has changed things.  No matter what I think I know, it could be completely different. But the falling water temps should help at least in the short term.  As I have said before the river/creek bite can be fleeting so time to take advantage while it is good.  So keep stopping in and thanks for reading my stuff.

Good Luck and Tight Lines